Wellbeing by Design

What inspired you to pursue design and establish your studio?

From a young age, I’ve always been creative, constantly making things with my hands - whether it was sculpture, collage, or printmaking. Eventually, my passion evolved into design. I was fortunate to begin my career at a time when design was still very hands-on, offering the chance to merge creativity with technical precision. Design feels like the perfect combination of opposites - it’s both strategic and artistic, serious and playful, fast and slow.

At its core, design is about creating something meaningful that enhances lives. I genuinely believe it’s a tool to improve humanity. That big-picture passion is what keeps me coming back to my desk every day, excited to create.

How do emotional connection and wellbeing shape your design philosophy?

Wellbeing drives every aspect of our designs. We focus on how spaces feel and function - where the light enters, how rooms flow, and what people see when they wake up. Homes are all about feeling; when designed well, they can improve everyday life.

We consider everything, from spaces to gather and connect to quiet areas for solitude. Even the materials we use reflect this approach - natural materials carry integrity, durability, and an energy that enhances a home’s atmosphere. Ultimately, our goal is to design homes that adapt to our clients' needs, supporting them now and as they evolve over time. While individual needs change, the principles of connection and wellbeing remain constant.

What advice would you give to homeowners designing their spaces?

The process starts with function. We ask fundamental questions: Who lives here? What does the house need to do now, and how can it work for the future? Many homes are either dated or poorly designed, which is when we get involved to reimagine the layout.

Once the functional aspects are in place, it’s about layering the space with personal elements - furniture, art, and objects. A home should reflect the people who live there. Getting the “bones” of a house right ensures timelessness; everything else can evolve with the decades. A well-designed home has a certain feeling - it just works. That’s the value of design.

How does hand sketching influence your creative process?

I began my career before email was standard, drawing everything by hand and faxing details to joiners. Hand-sketching directly connects the brain and hand, allowing ideas to flow freely and quickly. It’s imperfect, which is ideal for the early stages of design when anything is possible.

Even now, I sketch and use digital tools to refine ideas with my team. This process keeps our work fluid and allows for continuous improvement as the design takes shape.

How do you see your studio evolving in the future?

We’re continuing to grow, taking on larger residential projects while staying focused on what we do best - creating homes. Our aim is to provide full-service solutions, guiding clients from the design phase through construction and even selecting furniture, art, and objects.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore what defines the unique Australian design voice. Our work draws inspiration from global ideas, but there’s something special about adapting them to the way Australians live. I see the embrace of art and living with functional design in our homes as an exciting new frontier. I think we’ll continue to see designers push the boundaries, and we’ll be there with them. Curiosity and new ideas are timeless drivers.

For more insights, visit chelseahing.com.au.