What made you decide to become an interior designer?

I have had an interest in interiors and building since a young age. My mother used to be an Interior Designer and worked within a large window furnishings company. I always remember our house being covered in fabric and wallpaper swatches as a kid. When I left high school, I bought and renovated my first property, and from here I think it served to cement my career within the field.

What is your own personal favourite style?

I don’t have one. My home is definitely filled with eclectic pieces, and I work on the principle that if I love it, I buy it. I feel that your home and interior space should reflect you and your personality and not be a cookie cutter of a magazine. I love colour, and if there is leopard print involved, it’s even better in my book!

What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?

Currently my daughter and I are experimenting with different cooking styles and recipes and hosting dinner parties for our family. If the weather allows, we love going to the beach, or trawling through small country towns and their local stores.

Do you have any interior design tips that may help people start from scratch?

Develop the ability to have a strong opinion on something. Either love it or hate it. This will allow you to truly decide what it is that you do and do not want within your home. I always tell customers to buy magazines and don’t be afraid to rip them up. Make a pile of images that speak to you and one of things you dislike. Through doing this, you tend to create a common thread which helps determine your preferred style. Start a Pinterest board, visit displays, and start creating a mood board. All these things will help to build your dream home!

What made you decide to become an interior designer?

I have always loved design. As a kid I was always rearranging my bedroom furniture and drawing house plans for fun. When I learned that this was something you could do as a career, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do!

What is your own personal favourite style?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one but I would say a mix of Neo Classical and Art Deco with a little Industrial Chic. I think it’s important to surround yourself with beautiful things that make you happy. It doesn’t necessarily need to fit into a labeled box, as long as the items complement each other and achieve the function and feel that you want for that space.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?

Wining and dining with family and friends. Food adventures are my favorite kind.

Do you have any interior design tips that may help people start from scratch?

Plan your budget first. Once you have your budget in place you can start to research interior design styles as not all styles will fit into every budget. Visit displays, collect images and make a list of ‘must haves’, ‘would like’ and ‘don’t want’. It’s just as important to know what you don’t like as what you do like. This will help your interior designer understand what will work best for you. Lastly, I find that the most commonly overlooked item is the electrical plan. Walk around your current home and think about where you currently have lights, switches and power points. Think about whether it’s functional or if you wish you had extra points. It is much easier to add or relocate them in the planning stage than later down the track.