My journey into interior design has been remarkably linear and probably a little boring! It followed the classic path that many designers describe: as a child, I was forever rearranging my bedroom furniture, building with Lego and obsessing over how spaces felt. After finishing high school, I went straight into studying an Advanced Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at RMIT, one of Australia’s most respected design programs. I then completed a Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design), bringing my total time at university to six years.

While studying, I worked in an architectural practice as a student, then continued there as a graduate and later as an interior designer. Eventually, when I went on maternity leave, I took the leap and started my own practice, Sisällä Interior Design. Looking back, there were no dramatic career pivots or accidental discoveries, it was simply the career I’d always imagined for myself.

The defining moment came right at the beginning of my career. After completing my first project, I invested in professional photography and entered it into the Australian Interior Design Awards. To my surprise, it was shortlisted and went on to receive some wonderful media coverage.

My second project, completed while I was on maternity leave with my second child, was also shortlisted and published both in Australia and internationally. Those early projects gave my young studio credibility and taught me the value of documenting and sharing your work. Fifteen years later, professional photography and publishing continue to be an important part of building my business.

I’ve never wanted people to walk into one of my projects and recognise *my* style, I want them to recognise the client.

That said, I’m drawn to French interiors for their effortless mix of antiques and everyday living, and Scandinavian design for its timeless simplicity.

I also believe every home should respond to its surroundings, whether that’s the coast, the city or the countryside. Above all, I like homes that feel collected, warm, and full of personality, with a little sense of whimsy.

My favourite projects are usually the ones I’m working on now. I’m currently designing a family home where the focus isn’t just on making it beautiful but on creating spaces that bring people together, like a generous banquette dining area designed for long conversations and everyday family life.

Another project on the Mornington Peninsula is for empty nesters, with every room thoughtfully designed so their adult children will always want to come home. Those are the projects I love most, designing around relationships rather than just rooms.

I often recommend This Is Marketing and The Practice by Seth Godin. Both offer great insights into building meaningful creative work and attracting the right clients. I also enjoyed You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero for its refreshing take on money mindset.

I’m also lucky enough to co-host the Design Anatomy podcast with Bree Banfield, where we interview designers and creatives and explore how thoughtful design can improve the way we live.

Turn off your downlights. Lighting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a home. Layer table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights, and pendants to create warmth and atmosphere instead of relying on overhead lighting. Beautiful lighting changes not just how a room looks, but how it feels.

One of the projects I’m most excited about is our annual Paris and Milan Design Tour, which I host with my Design Anatomy co-host, Bree Banfield.

Each April, we take a small group of designers behind the scenes of Milan Design Week and into some of Europe’s most inspiring homes, galleries, and showrooms. We visit collectible design galleries, including Gallery Philia, and see the work of designers such as Draga & Aurel, Studiopepe, and Rick Owens in Milan. It’s an unforgettable experience that combines world-class design with incredible people and lifelong inspiration.