Life-Changing Lessons from Design's Most Inspirational Women
We asked seven successful women from the design and renovation world to share their hopes, inspiration and advice
In celebration of women everywhere, these seven incredible professionals tell us about the women who have inspired them to get where they are today, the changes they’d like to see in our world, and what advice they’d give up-and-coming women in the design and home-improvement space. One message was clear – the future is ours for the taking. Happy International Women’s Day everyone; let’s support each other to do great things in the world.
Rebecca Naughtin
Architect, Rebecca Naughtin Architect
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
My great-grandmother Hazel Charlotte. Even though she passed away when I was very young (she was in her mid 90s), she set a standard for the generations to come. She came to Australia in her teens, married a new Greek immigrant who was working for her father as a butcher here in Brunswick, Melbourne. He passed away at the age of 32, leaving her with three daughters who became wards of the state until she could prove her independence. She went on to marry her husband’s best friend, also from Greece, got her girls back, and ran a boarding house. I remember making Greek keftedes with her (known as rissoles to us Aussies) and tasting the raw mixture before frying it off. Her youngest daughter, my grandmother, became a model for Hard Yakka during World War II while my grandfather was in Papua New Guinea. My mum, the hardest worker I’ve ever met, nursed palliative care patients and milked cows for most of her life. This hard-working mentality trickles down the chain and I too employ the same hardworking principles (and still taste the raw keftedes mixture). I even named my daughter Hazel Charlotte in my grandmother’s memory. I can only hope she follows suit and doesn’t let anything stop her (I’m tearing up writing this…!).
What change would you like to see in the world?
Equity and equality for all. It is ridiculous that men get paid more to do the same job a woman does. Also, as the working mum with stay-at-home dad, I’d like to see more support for the fathers who stay at home so that women feel less guilt about going back and support their families financially.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
Never accept that because you are a woman, that there are limits to what you can do. I do everything that a man does as an architect – climb the ladders on site, interpret structural systems, wear Blundstones, and design great homes for great people.
Architect, Rebecca Naughtin Architect
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
My great-grandmother Hazel Charlotte. Even though she passed away when I was very young (she was in her mid 90s), she set a standard for the generations to come. She came to Australia in her teens, married a new Greek immigrant who was working for her father as a butcher here in Brunswick, Melbourne. He passed away at the age of 32, leaving her with three daughters who became wards of the state until she could prove her independence. She went on to marry her husband’s best friend, also from Greece, got her girls back, and ran a boarding house. I remember making Greek keftedes with her (known as rissoles to us Aussies) and tasting the raw mixture before frying it off. Her youngest daughter, my grandmother, became a model for Hard Yakka during World War II while my grandfather was in Papua New Guinea. My mum, the hardest worker I’ve ever met, nursed palliative care patients and milked cows for most of her life. This hard-working mentality trickles down the chain and I too employ the same hardworking principles (and still taste the raw keftedes mixture). I even named my daughter Hazel Charlotte in my grandmother’s memory. I can only hope she follows suit and doesn’t let anything stop her (I’m tearing up writing this…!).
What change would you like to see in the world?
Equity and equality for all. It is ridiculous that men get paid more to do the same job a woman does. Also, as the working mum with stay-at-home dad, I’d like to see more support for the fathers who stay at home so that women feel less guilt about going back and support their families financially.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
Never accept that because you are a woman, that there are limits to what you can do. I do everything that a man does as an architect – climb the ladders on site, interpret structural systems, wear Blundstones, and design great homes for great people.
Naomi Findlay
Rapid Renovation Expert
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
My mum taught me that if I work hard and aim for the stars, anything is possible. Her lessons of resilience and having an attitude of NO entitlement have given me the work ethic I have today. Without these lessons, the bumpy, unexpected and challenging world of entrepreneurship would have been broken years ago. I have reframed her lessons for nearly any adversity I face in life, and am able to overcome them because of her.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I would love to see all women standing together just like we’ve been doing for the ‘Time’s Up’ movement. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we support each other. We are so powerful together!
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
I would like to firstly say, welcome to the crazy reno world! Preparation and research is essential before you even think about picking up that hammer. Renovating can be one of the most rewarding jobs/hobbies if you know what you’re doing. So learn as much as you can, find your perfect property patch and start creating beautiful spaces!
Rapid Renovation Expert
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
My mum taught me that if I work hard and aim for the stars, anything is possible. Her lessons of resilience and having an attitude of NO entitlement have given me the work ethic I have today. Without these lessons, the bumpy, unexpected and challenging world of entrepreneurship would have been broken years ago. I have reframed her lessons for nearly any adversity I face in life, and am able to overcome them because of her.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I would love to see all women standing together just like we’ve been doing for the ‘Time’s Up’ movement. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we support each other. We are so powerful together!
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
I would like to firstly say, welcome to the crazy reno world! Preparation and research is essential before you even think about picking up that hammer. Renovating can be one of the most rewarding jobs/hobbies if you know what you’re doing. So learn as much as you can, find your perfect property patch and start creating beautiful spaces!
Meryl Hare
Principal, Hare + Klein
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
I have been inspired by many woman, including some of the designers I work with every day, who are passionate, creative and manage their professional and family lives seamlessly. One woman who stands out as a beacon and whom I admire and hope to emulate was a Polish-born fashion designer from South Africa named Elzbieta Rosenwerth. She was stylish, interesting and interested, creative and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Her friends were mostly much younger and she worked until her death three years ago at the grand age of 91.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I would like to see equality! It sounds simple, but until women are seen and treated as equals there will be an imbalance and society will be all the poorer.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
The advice to women and men wanting to work in our industry would be the same. Treat interior design as a serious profession. Qualifications and work experience are vital. As a designer you are put in a position of trust and responsibility for budgets and your clients’ lifestyles. Creativity needs to be tempered with the clients’ needs, function, form and longevity.
Principal, Hare + Klein
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
I have been inspired by many woman, including some of the designers I work with every day, who are passionate, creative and manage their professional and family lives seamlessly. One woman who stands out as a beacon and whom I admire and hope to emulate was a Polish-born fashion designer from South Africa named Elzbieta Rosenwerth. She was stylish, interesting and interested, creative and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Her friends were mostly much younger and she worked until her death three years ago at the grand age of 91.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I would like to see equality! It sounds simple, but until women are seen and treated as equals there will be an imbalance and society will be all the poorer.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
The advice to women and men wanting to work in our industry would be the same. Treat interior design as a serious profession. Qualifications and work experience are vital. As a designer you are put in a position of trust and responsibility for budgets and your clients’ lifestyles. Creativity needs to be tempered with the clients’ needs, function, form and longevity.
Caecilia Potter
Design director, Atticus + Milo
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
There are so many women who have inspired me but in the Australian design world one such woman is Sue Carr of Carr Design, recently winners of World Hotel Interior of the Year 2018 in the World Interiors News Awards for Jackalope. Just as I started out in chemical engineering before moving to design, Sue also began studying another degree (pharmacy) before switching to interior design – and then built up a globally recognised practice. Sue is still working hard growing her business today, many decades on. Over the past few years I visited some international architecture and design sites together with Sue and a small group of fabulously interesting design addicts – and Sue’s design passion, in-depth knowledge, energy and business acumen is still a real inspiration to me.
What change would you like to see in the world?
The change I am passionate about is to help save our beautiful earth by reducing waste across the board. In terms of environmental impact, that means better design of products and packaging (preferably products made to last replacing the destructive ideology of planned obsolescence, plus little or no packaging, and all packaging mandated to be biodegradable, with consumers also choosing to bring re-usable bags and reduce unnecessary consumption by choosing better quality over quantity).
In terms of people, that means not wasting the talents of particular population groups, such as women in many countries who are not permitted to study or work in meaningful occupations, or even leave their home without a male minder.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
For young women moving into the design industry, my advice is to never stop learning, to be yourself and back yourself! In design it is axiomatic that authenticity is the best way to success. When feeling pushed and pulled in different directions, regroup: go back to your core passions and ideals, find the real storyline of your project, and your best work will flow.
Design director, Atticus + Milo
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
There are so many women who have inspired me but in the Australian design world one such woman is Sue Carr of Carr Design, recently winners of World Hotel Interior of the Year 2018 in the World Interiors News Awards for Jackalope. Just as I started out in chemical engineering before moving to design, Sue also began studying another degree (pharmacy) before switching to interior design – and then built up a globally recognised practice. Sue is still working hard growing her business today, many decades on. Over the past few years I visited some international architecture and design sites together with Sue and a small group of fabulously interesting design addicts – and Sue’s design passion, in-depth knowledge, energy and business acumen is still a real inspiration to me.
What change would you like to see in the world?
The change I am passionate about is to help save our beautiful earth by reducing waste across the board. In terms of environmental impact, that means better design of products and packaging (preferably products made to last replacing the destructive ideology of planned obsolescence, plus little or no packaging, and all packaging mandated to be biodegradable, with consumers also choosing to bring re-usable bags and reduce unnecessary consumption by choosing better quality over quantity).
In terms of people, that means not wasting the talents of particular population groups, such as women in many countries who are not permitted to study or work in meaningful occupations, or even leave their home without a male minder.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
For young women moving into the design industry, my advice is to never stop learning, to be yourself and back yourself! In design it is axiomatic that authenticity is the best way to success. When feeling pushed and pulled in different directions, regroup: go back to your core passions and ideals, find the real storyline of your project, and your best work will flow.
Rebecca Senyard
Licensed plumber and founder of The Plumbette
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
When I was doing my apprenticeship, there weren’t a lot of women working in the trades. Carlie Lowe, Brisbane’s only plumbing inspector, inspired me. If she could do it, it meant I could do it myself. I’ve always had strong women around me. Mum, Grandma Jones and Grandma Readman were all mentors. They put family first but they taught me that you can work while having children, that you can do both – that you can do whatever you want to do as long as you put the time and effort into it.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I think we need more flexibility for women to be able to work and to have a family. Workplaces need to adapt and become less rigid so women don’t have to choose between one or the other and not feel like if they go to work they miss out on the kids or if they stay home with the kids they miss out on career opportunities.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
Give it a go and don’t give up. Don’t overthink it and don’t disqualify yourself – you could be the change the industry is looking for. We definitely need more women in the trades. We have a deficit of tradespeople in Australia. We need more plumbers, for example, and women could make up that deficit.
Dream big. Don’t let potential problems be barriers that stop you getting into an industry you’re passionate about. We need you. If you have a desire in your heart to be a plumber, a carpenter, an interior designer or an architect, investigate it and break the path there down into steps. If you’re passionate, we need you!
Licensed plumber and founder of The Plumbette
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
When I was doing my apprenticeship, there weren’t a lot of women working in the trades. Carlie Lowe, Brisbane’s only plumbing inspector, inspired me. If she could do it, it meant I could do it myself. I’ve always had strong women around me. Mum, Grandma Jones and Grandma Readman were all mentors. They put family first but they taught me that you can work while having children, that you can do both – that you can do whatever you want to do as long as you put the time and effort into it.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I think we need more flexibility for women to be able to work and to have a family. Workplaces need to adapt and become less rigid so women don’t have to choose between one or the other and not feel like if they go to work they miss out on the kids or if they stay home with the kids they miss out on career opportunities.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
Give it a go and don’t give up. Don’t overthink it and don’t disqualify yourself – you could be the change the industry is looking for. We definitely need more women in the trades. We have a deficit of tradespeople in Australia. We need more plumbers, for example, and women could make up that deficit.
Dream big. Don’t let potential problems be barriers that stop you getting into an industry you’re passionate about. We need you. If you have a desire in your heart to be a plumber, a carpenter, an interior designer or an architect, investigate it and break the path there down into steps. If you’re passionate, we need you!
Lisa Burdus
Director and designer, Lisa Burdus Design & Decoration
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
I am forever inspired by single mothers who successfully juggle raising their children and working full time no matter their profession. It’s not easy being everything to everyone so I have enormous admiration for all of those doing it.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I believe there is already enough ‘stuff’ on this planet and I would love to see less of it. What I would love to see is people appreciating the artistry that has gone into old furniture, artwork and homewares. I enjoy finding old things, giving them a new lease of life and seeing them in a new way. We can’t reinvent the wheel but we can decorate it in a whole new way.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
I am a mother of five children ranging in age from 16 to 25 and thought I’d never be able to get my career going as that was a full-time job in itself. My advice to younger women is that you can have both if you want it – be there for your children and have a rewarding career – when the time is right.
Tell us
Who inspires you and why? We’d love to hear your stories in the Comments below.
Director and designer, Lisa Burdus Design & Decoration
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
I am forever inspired by single mothers who successfully juggle raising their children and working full time no matter their profession. It’s not easy being everything to everyone so I have enormous admiration for all of those doing it.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I believe there is already enough ‘stuff’ on this planet and I would love to see less of it. What I would love to see is people appreciating the artistry that has gone into old furniture, artwork and homewares. I enjoy finding old things, giving them a new lease of life and seeing them in a new way. We can’t reinvent the wheel but we can decorate it in a whole new way.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
I am a mother of five children ranging in age from 16 to 25 and thought I’d never be able to get my career going as that was a full-time job in itself. My advice to younger women is that you can have both if you want it – be there for your children and have a rewarding career – when the time is right.
Tell us
Who inspires you and why? We’d love to hear your stories in the Comments below.
Dana Tomić Hughes
Founder & editor, Yellowtrace
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you or taught you about making your way in the world.
The woman who inspires me and makes me want to be a better person every single day is my amazing mum. She’s the most real, down-to-earth, no-bull, compassionate and loving person who always knows the perfect thing to say and has a beautiful, wide smile on her face, even when things aren’t going to plan.
She has overcome many obstacles in her life – like having to leave our home country (former Yugoslavia), leaving behind all of her earthy possessions, not to mention friends and family, and everything her and my dad knew. She arrived here at the age of 42, spoke virtually zero English and had to start everything all over again from scratch. And she never once complained.
Also my maternal grandmother. She died when I was eight years old, but she had a huge impact on my formative years and in the short time we did have together, she taught me to believe in angels.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I’m going to sound a bit like Michael Jackson here, but I feel the biggest impact we can all make in the world is by starting with the (wo)man in the mirror. I wish for every single woman to become aware of her own worth, to step into her own power and to own her life like a boss – whatever kind of life she chooses to lead. Once each one of us feels centred, empowered and fulfilled – woman, man or child – we will live in a much better world. Guaranteed.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming women working/or wanting to work in the home design/renovation space?
Take the time to learn your craft. Don’t expect to have success overnight and don’t compare yourself to other people (especially on Instagram!). And know that sometimes working without a plan can lead to amazing things.