A MAN has been charged with the murder of a prominent Daylesford interior designer.
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Stuart Rattle, who designed the homes of many high-profile Melbourne families, was found dead in his burnt-out South Yarra home in the early hours of Monday morning.
Homicide detectives have now deemed the fatal unit fire suspicious and on Thursday morning charged Michael O'Neill, of Prahan, with murder.
Firefighters discovered Mr Rattle's body in his flat after battling a blaze at the two storey apartment complex in Malvern Road.
Mr Rattle, known for his classic, timeless designs and his clever use of colour, lived in South Yarra and at a farm at Musk just outside Daylesford.
Veteran landscape gardener and close friend Paul Bangay paid tribute to Mr Rattle on Monday, describing him as an "incredible" and "passionate" designer.
A police spokesman said Mr O'Neill, 47, faced an out of sessions hearing and was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.