Here's a typical day in my business just to give you an insight into what goes into delivering the beautiful designs I am known for.

Have you ever really wondered what goes on behind the scenes of an interior decoration business, it looks really glamorous from the outside, but I'm here to tell you that it's a lot of hard work.

Luckily I love what I do, even the boring bits, things like unpacking boxes is just as rewarding for me as delivering your materials & finishes concept tray.

MORNING
Like most super organised and motivated people, I have a morning routine. I rise at 6.15 am then go for a 1/2hr walk with my dog.

While soaking up the nature around me, I usually pop in my ear pods and listen to a podcast. The type of podcasts I love to listen to are mostly about growth, as I am a lifelong learner. Some of them are business related and others are about personal growth or parenting.

Here's a list of my top 3 podcasts

Happy Families by Dr Justin Coulson

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

My Daily Business Coach Fiona Killackey

After the usual morning school drop off, then I am into my work day.

At around 8.45am, before I do anything, I sit down and do myTAKE 15 program. This is a daily organisational tool and helps me prioritise the urgent and important tasks. This process has single handedly transformed how I run my day and I have eliminated most of the overwhelm.

Learn more about this amazing program, which was created by Melbourne based business coach, Helen Ebdon.

Take 15 program

Once this is complete, then I know where I am at for the day.

I check emails and get back to people who have emailed overnight.


Tuesdays and Fridays are my consultation days, so if I have a consultation booked, I have my samples and catalogues already packed and head out the door.

If it is an admin day, which I like to schedule in on Monday and Wednesday, I start on the tasks at hand.

Typically it might be heading out to meet with a supplier to source products or furniture for a project.

I like to try and use local suppliers for my clients, so that I can actually see and experience the furniture before it is selected. I then come back to the office and put these items that I have selected for my design into the design concept.

A concept can take around 2-3 weeks to develop, as I spend time in and out of the creative phase. More often than not I get a spark of inspiration in the strangest of places, such as the shower or while I'm out and about. I then jot down an idea or save an image for when I get back to the concept later on.

I also spend a lot of time on these admin days collating a shopping list in the form of your Selection Document.
It includes:

• image of item
• size & dimensions
• materials
• availability
• RRP with my designer price (where possible I pass on a discount)
• care instructions
• delivery cost

AFTERNOON
I also tend to get on the phone a lot and talk with suppliers, trades and manufacturers. I have found the best way to communicate with people, if it is not face to face is over the phone.

A lot of people will attest that I prefer a quick phone call over an email chain any day.
Particularly when I get a new client enquiry, I much prefer to talk over the phone as opposed to an email, as you can pick up a lot in a phone conversation. This allows me to build rapport from the very first point of contact.

Once the design work is done and approved by you, then I organise ordering, delivery & installation of the furniture & furnishings. This takes place on my admin days also.

EVENING
In order to keep up to date with the latest product innovations and new releases, I need to attend open nights or showroom product information workshops. They are usually late afternoon or evening. So I tend to book a couple of these in each month. It is also a good way for me to catch up with design colleagues and friends, sharing information & ideas.

I am very much a keen networker, who loves to learn from others.

I am grateful to be a part of the Melbourne Designer's Group, which is a group of Melbourne based interior decorators and designers who meet monthly to collaborate and support one another in business. Many of us are sole operators, so it is a great opportunity to talk with like minded business women in a sharing setting. I've learnt so much from being a part of this group, which has helped me not only with growing my business but with improving my clients' experience to being introduced to reputable suppliers and insights into trades.

PHOTOSHOOT DAY
I usually book in my photoshoots on a Friday as it is the best way to end the week. I love the whole ceremony of getting your home all ready to be captured by my clever photographer. I see it as a celebration of the whole design & decoration project and something you can be proud of too.

This is where I get to bring in flowers, vases, decorator items and style my heart out. If you pay attention, you'll see the odd cushion plumping and karate chop on these days!

A photoshoot happens usually once a quarter, or whenever a project is completed. So these are days I take time out of my business and simply enjoy the process.


So there you go, that is a typical day in the life of my design business. There is around 80% admin and design work, with 20% of the fun stuff, a good mix I think.

I can honestly say that I have found my true path in life and even after 18 years in business, I am more in love with interior decoration than I have ever been. Here's to many more years of injecting my signature colourful style into homes all over Melbourne!

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Have you been meaning to get in touch and start talking about your next project with me?
For new and previous clients alike I have created my
"Creative Conversation" FREE zoom call.
In this 20 mins call we chat about all things decor, colour and design for your next project.
Click on the link below if you'd like to book in for this session.

Yes, please book me in!