From Brisbane to Making Melbourne Home
I still remember the first time I visited Melbourne—it was one of those trips that sticks with you. The streets, the architecture, the cafés buzzing with creativity—it all felt alive in a way Brisbane hadn’t yet felt to me. After graduating from QUT with a degree in Interior Design, I knew I had to make this city my own.
Moving here was a leap. My first job was far from glamorous—I started in a hardware store in Brighton, working in sales. At first, it felt like a detour from design, but I quickly realized it was the perfect training ground. I learned about materials, tools, and practical solutions in a way that no classroom ever could. Those early days grounded me, reminding me that good design isn’t just about beauty—it’s about function, durability, and understanding what people need in their everyday lives.
From there, I dipped my toes into retail and commercial design, even tried my hand in banking for a while. Each experience taught me something different, but the spark I had felt in design never went away. I knew my heart belonged in residential design—helping people create spaces that truly feel like home.
In 2015, I joined Dwell, and everything clicked. Wendy welcomed me with open arms, giving me freedom to experiment, to try ideas, and to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. It wasn’t just a job—it was a place where my ideas could breathe and where I could make real, tangible changes in people’s lives through thoughtful design.
This year, I took over Dwell. It’s a proud moment, but more than that, it feels like a continuation of a journey I’ve been building since that first visit to Melbourne. Today, our focus remains on serving the Kensington community—helping people transform their houses into homes. Every project is a story, every design a reflection of someone’s life and personality, and that’s what makes this work endlessly rewarding.
Looking back, the path—from Brisbane graduate to hardware store, through retail, commercial, banking, and finally to residential design—was anything but straight. But each step brought lessons, opportunities, and experiences that shaped me. And as I continue this journey, I’m excited to help more people feel at home in the spaces they live, laugh, and grow in every day
