Meet the Team: Introducing Kate
Kate Alexander
Creative Director
(AKA, ‘Miss Pink’, I’ve had many nicknames over the years!)
Most memorable childhood memory of interior spaces ? Anything from your childhood that you think led you to being an interior designer ?
My memory is more about the ‘approach’ to interiors than an actual space. We grew up surrounded by art - talking about it, making it, going to galleries. We had lots of different art on the walls of our house. I have distinct memories of going to stay in a holiday home and my dad taking the art off the wall becuase he didn’t like it!
I was always encouraged by my parents to express my creativity. Apparently my desire to re-arrange things started with the pots and pans cupboard as a child, and then as a teenager I re-arranged my bedroom a lot.
Sliding door moment…when you went from not knowing what you were going to do, to being on the road becoming an interior designer…?
My road to interior design has certainly not been a direct one… but I always knew I would be a designer of some kind. First it was an architect, then a fashion designer. I studied and worked in graphic design for the first half of my career. And now I’m an interior designer. All design follows the same principles - solving a challenge with creative thinking.
Your interior styling motto ?
Equal parts science and heart:
Our heart tells us what feels right - for us, and the space.
The science helps us solve the problems.
Who or what inspires your work ?
Observation, and experiencing spaces of all kinds. Travels to India and New York in recent years - the colours, architecture, found art.
Two Sydney-based interior stylists - Megan Morton and Sibella Court were influential early on in my interior journey. Megan taught me the power of observation and sharing. Sibellas ability to stay true to her personal aesthetic is aspirational.
On a more regular basis I get inspiration from continuously seeking out new things that amaze me.
We notice you like to have fun with your hair,,, what’s your favourite personal haircut of all time ?
Really short and really pink ; )
When you’re not working we would find you…?
Working… on my own house! It’s a permanent DIY-re-arrange situation : )
Chatting to someone on the beach - If I’m bored I’ll go for a walk in the hope of bumping in to someone and striking up an interesting conversation.
Watching a movie with my family - we have multiple movie-watching locations in our house and an insatiable appetite for film.
What interior item do you lust after?
For my own home… anything yellow - ha ha!
I lust after the unexpected… and anything in The World of Interiors magazine.
What would your flatmate say about living with you ?
My kids would say that I’m not like their friends’ mums because there are strict rules about what they are allowed to do to or put into their bedrooms - but they would also say that it’s cool because they get to do some fun things in their rooms too.
My partner is very kind and would only say nice things : ) We match very well - I come up with hair-brained ideas, he makes them happen.
Our space is fun & evolving, and usually very tidy. I like having things in their place : )
Why do you think consideration of your environment is important for our wellbeing ?
A space that truly aligns with who you are will enable life to flow freely - that sounds like waffle but I do believe that if we live in a space that feels like our own and that aligns with the values that are important to us it makes life more easeful. More enjoyable. And more fun.