Helen’s passion for all things design was sparked from a very early age – her mother, an artist and professional furniture designer, was incredibly creative and a constant source of inspiration for Helen throughout her childhood. Growing up, she would spend hours playing in her mother’s furniture stores, which became like a second home. Helen’s journey to where she is today as an Interior Designer has been somewhat unconventional, completing her Master’s in Civil Engineering followed by working as a Geotechnical Consultant, before embarking on an Interior Design degree. We catch up with Helen to discover what she’s most passionate about when it comes to design, how design has always been in her blood and what she loves to do most in her spare time.

Tell us a little about your background – how did you get to where you are as an Interior Designer at Scott Carver?

My mother was incredibly creative and a practising artist and professional furniture designer. She owned her own retail store that manufactured bespoke furniture and offered interior design services. I followed an unconventional path into design completing a Master’s in Civil Engineering and working as a Geotechnical Consultant before moving into project and design management In London and New York. I guess I had a Eureka moment when living in London that I was suppressing an unleashed talent for interiors, so I took the leap and studied myself into exhaustion while working a full-time job delivering high-end retail and hospitality projects.

You have a background in engineering – how has this experience influenced your role as an Interior Designer?

Having a technical background enables a much deeper understanding of the construction process and has equipped me with the drawing and 3D visualisation skills in a different way to a typical designer. I’ve completed a Master’s Degree and worked extensively in client project management, which has provided me with an invaluable ability to problem solve and make sensible, rapid ‘best for project and client’ decisions.

Growing up, you spent a lot of time in your mother’s furniture store – do you think this early exposure to furniture fueled your passion for design?

Yes, one hundred per cent! I spent hours effectively playing doll’s house as a child in furniture stores. I would move things around, style spaces, take things home, and reimagine space on a real-life scale. My mother considered me a contributor and allowed me full creative or collaborative freedom with the showroom, assisting staff and designing with her and clients.

There’s something so rewarding about watching a sketch of a furniture item, or a selection of a fabric come to fruition. I was always enthused by the variation in the field and that no furniture piece or project was ever the same. It’s this disparity that has always driven my interest in design, as each solution is so unique.

Value engineering and design development

For you, what’s the most important stage in the design process?

Value engineering and design development. If as a designer you don’t have the negotiation or people skills to mold cleverly around project constraints, personalities or budgets, ultimately the design will always suffer.

What values do you admire the most at Scott Carver?

Work/life balance. The culture at Scott Carver is such a pleasure, I’ve never worked anywhere that’s felt so people centric. It feels like an extension of self-working here, surrounded by like-minded individuals and centered around quality creative solutions.

What’s been a career highlight so far?

The Liberty Hotel Boston - the refurbishment of an old prison in Boston. I ran this project from inception to completion and secretly loved getting the chance to get away periodically for a few days from the hustle and bustle of my projects in New York. It was my first ‘grown up’ project in my 20’s.

Do you think interior design has the power to impact people’s lives in a positive way?

Absolutely. An example most can relate to would be the prevalence of open-plan layouts in modern design. Whether a home, office or lobby space - interior design has the unique power, if executed correctly, to enable people to connect emotionally, which creates for better outcomes whether in a working, public, hospitality or domestic environment.

What projects are you most proud of during your time at Scott Carver?

Sheraton on the Park, Rydges North Sydney and Hotel Indigo Auckland. All of which are still in pre-construction or active construction. I have such a passion for hotel projects and I’m super proud of the strength and growth of our team in the hotel sector.

What first inspired you to study Interior Design?

I’d always had a dream to practice creatively in some way every day - it was in my blood!

When it comes to design, what are you most passionate about?

This is an interesting question and likely not the answer most designers will give - I'm most passionate about value. I can appreciate a $20K sofa or an original Eames chair along with the best of them, but I firmly believe that value is an overlooked contributor in design. You don’t need to be the most on trend or brand driven designer to create beautiful spaces. It requires often being clever and resourceful - these challenges amplify the design experience for me… being creative financially and physically.

Name the biggest overall lesson you’ve learnt since working at Scott Carver?

Patience. After living in the fast-paced environments of London and New York, and initially running my own business for my first year in Australia, working in a team environment and on hotel projects again I have revisited the practice of patience.

What do you like to do most in your spare time?

Ideally ski - but living so far from the snow in Sydney it’s not always possible! On a day to day basis it would be yoga, reading at Berkleouw books, running and cooking.