In Conversation with 13 Interiors Studio

What inspired the shift from designing your own home to establishing 13 Interiors as a studio? 13 Interiors began as a personal passion that became a purpose. Designing my own home showed me how powerfully design transforms not just spaces, but how people live in them. I became immersed in the process from concept to completion. What started as a creative outlet became a calling to help others come home to spaces that reflect them. That was the moment I knew it was more than a hobby, it was the foundation for a studio built on passion, connection, creativity and considered design.

If you had to describe a 13 Interiors project in three words, what would they be — and why? Timeless. Layered. Practical. We don’t chase trends we create spaces that evolve with our clients’ lives. Our interiors are layered, visually and emotionally, balancing texture, tone and detail to bring depth and warmth. Every choice is intentional, from how light moves through a room to joinery that integrates storage seamlessly to create practical, liveable interiors.

For clients who aren’t sure of their style, what discovery process or exercises help you uncover their design direction?
We start by understanding how they live, not just how they want the home to look. In our design exploration meeting, we talk through routines and imagery to see what resonates, including colours, materials and even favourite destinations or hotels. I also ask what they don’t like, because that is equally telling. From there, we translate their lifestyle and preferences into a cohesive direction that feels authentically theirs, not copied from Pinterest or someone else’s vision.

What’s the biggest myth homeowners believe about renovating — and how do you help them see the reality?
That if you “know what you want”, the renovation will be quick and straightforward. Renovations can be as lengthy and complex as new builds, with hundreds of decisions, multiple trades, and careful timing. I explain that design is strategy as much as aesthetics. By engaging a designer and builder early, we can foresee challenges, align budgets and ensure each decision supports the overall outcome, creating a calm, guided experience instead of a stressful one.

Which early design decisions make the biggest difference to how a home feels and functions five years later?
Spatial planning and lighting. The arrangement of spaces affects daily life, from sightlines and flow to the connection between rooms. Good lighting design, natural and artificial, shapes mood and atmosphere more than most people realise. Investing early in high-quality materials and well-detailed joinery pays off in the long term; these are the elements that age gracefully and keep the home cohesive and timeless.

What’s the one piece of advice you find yourself giving almost every client?
Take your time at the beginning and trust the process. Rushing early decisions leads to compromises later. The concept and planning phase is where the magic happens; it sets the foundation for everything that follows. Great design blends creativity and consideration. Make decisions carefully and trust the guidance of the experts. The outcome feels effortless, even though a lot of thought and discipline went into achieving it.

LEARN MORE https://www.13interiors.com/