Tell us about yourself and/or your business in 150 words or less.
I am a lifelong creative that has dabbled in everything from web design to sewing (and oh so many other hobbies in between) and at some stage I became obsessed with how spaces make us feel. Whilst trying to distil down “what makes a space feel good to me” I fell into the world of interior design, human behaviour and psychology and the connection between all three.
As I swam deeper into the interiors world, my nerdy, detail obsessed side started to come through and I found myself frothing over bathrooms, kitchens and sunken lounges; perfect spaces to combine creative inspiration with precision and specificity.
My typical clients across both residential and commercial projects want to create something different from what others are doing and inject life and joy into their spaces. Neutral spaces can be calming and have broad appeal, but I want you to really FEEL something!
What’s your secret sauce for great design?
So I’m music obsessed, and have always been like that. Everything from Stevie Nicks, Dusty Springfield and Donna Summer to Sarbina Carpenter and Avicii. Music holds so much power; it can energise use, it can sooth us, it can be a beautiful backdrop when you need to have any ugly cry, and, I think most powerfully, it is a deep source of nostalgia and memories, both recalling old ones and forging new ones.
The name Disko Designs was born when I was thinking about how I would want my home to feel if it was a song or genre. Disco music, for me, has always felt like a warm and comfortable embrace. It has rhythm and purpose and is a facilitator of movement, dancing and connection with others (ideally on a night club floor). Imagine it; Dianna Ross playing in the background, you a few of your close friends have a glass of red wine in a cosy sunken corner of a home, against a mustard velvet cushion chatting for about everything and nothing in the warm glow of a side lamp and some candles. Pretty lush right?
To bring all that back to answer your question; I focus on how the space will feel when it’s done, or the emotions the clients want to evoke. Is it discovering a hidden world in a guest powder room? Is it building anticipation down a hallway before it opens to up to stunning city views? or it a tiny smile every time you step into the bathroom and see a wonderous handle that we picked out from a local artist? For me, feelings come first.
What do you enjoy most about being a designer?
Feeling and emotions aside, I am a detail freak! Just like a sponge I love soaking up all little titbits about products and materials. I love filing little bits of inspiration or niche products and finishes in the back of my brain and bringing them out when a design needs a second wind of inspiration.
They say “Your vibe attracts your tribe” and for me it couldn’t be more accurate. I’ve found myself working with incredible clients who are up for some very bold and unique design and that’s what get me really excited. When I pitch a material or concept that other would find polarising, but the client says “Hell Yeah! Let’s do it”, I know we’re about to create something magical.
Where do you find inspiration?
Fashion, music and the places of the past, sometimes all three at once! I recently finished a kitchen in Brisbane which was inspired by 1950’s milk-bars and cinemas; this bled through with the style of joinery we did (inlay cabinets, angled uppers) and it was capped with a backlit acrylic bulkhead that I wanted to be reminiscent of a glowing “showing times” signboard above a cinema concession stand.
Music I already talked about, but fashion, especially contemporary, avant garde pieces can serve as wonderful expression of form and shape. Finally, the space itself. I loathe working on new build white boxes! Instead give me a space with age, history and quirks that I can listen and respond to.
How has being part of the IDA community supported or influenced your journey? Or, what prompted you to join the IDA?
I frequently talk to new students just starting or graduating from design schools and the number one piece of advice I give is; “Network often and network early”. We’re so lucky that as a design community we are largely a collaborative and supportive industry and you never know when an industry connection might come in handy. I’ve met so many people through the IDA; some of which I will regularly call to seek council from when I’m crashing out over a project and other I know are expects in certain styles or elements of design and I have been able to refer projects their way and visa-versa.
Being primarily a solo design studio makes having friends and connection in the industry even more important. The design industry can be incredibly rewarding but also incredibly lonely at times so having organisation like the IDA really is fundamental to the longevity of a designer.
And just for a bit of fun, can you answer these ‘Fast Five’ questions for us
Favourite drink – Soy Latte in the AM; Sloe Gin & Soda in the PM
Song you never skip – Young Hearts Run Free (Candi Statton)
Book or show you’re loving right now – My TV is on the blink at the moment but I’d highly recommend watching “How to Build a Sex Room” on Netflix (2022)
Guilty pleasure – A lunch bevvy with a friend on a weekdays that turns into an afternoon-long conflab / laugh therapy session and me needing to call an UBER.
One word that describes you – good-egg (that still counts as one word right? I don’t even eat eggs.)
