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Sitting Down with the Creative Designing Duo from Woods & Warner

 

Jacinta Woods, along with her business partner Sonia Warner, started out working at Living Edge together. They realised they could make a great design team, so they started their own firm, Woods & Warner. As a designing duo, they focus on designs and an overall process that’s approachable and transparent. They aren’t afraid to take risks and are constantly on the lookout for new materials, new concepts and new inspiration they can integrate into client projects.

Jacinta and Sonia are client-focused designers, who feel as if their work has to complement the architecture of the home they’re designing for. They’ve also experienced quite a bit of press lately, including a 10-page spread in Home Beautiful’s April 2018 edition. The writer described their work as “Hamptons perfection.’

 

 

1. When did you first decide to become an interior designer and stylist and how did you get started with your design business and how did you both meet and establish Woods & Warner?

We established our practice in 2007 after we met working together at Living Edge. We saw that our skills were vastly different however if combined would make a perfect combination to be successful in the design world. 

We wanted a practice that crossed over into both design & decoration for clients who have a desire for bespoke furnishings & finishes. Our look is very diverse & spontaneous…as the business has evolved we have become more dramatic tending to explore new techniques & finishes. 

Our practice is still boutique with five employees & we have are now more focused on designing homes from the ground up.


  

2. What is the most challenging part of your job?

We have so many creative ideas & concepts & sometimes you just can’t use them all! We are very strict that the interior palette must compliment the architecture of the home & equally the personality of the client. Sometimes these schemes aren’t possible to use or the budgets don’t suffice!….

One day we dream of fitting out a boutique hotel so we can use our favoruite 10 design schemes & execute them to perfection…no budget restraints!

 

 

3. Is there an interior design style you favour and do you have your own design aesthetic?

Our philosophy is to be approachable & transparent whilst creating unique spaces that are renewed and perceptible.

We have an appreciation of bold & dramatic spaces & work well in the genre…having said that as a business its like we have split personality….we can look at a residence that deserves a nature driven palette & we slip into the style like a great pair of shoes. Our practices style is to be creative with colour & fearless of combining pattern & texture. We don’t like to box ourselves into a certain look or trend. 

We are a client focused company that is committed to exceeding expectations and offering the highest design standards to all of our clients. We aim to create environments that meet our own high standards, & also strive to bring to life the ideas of our clients. Each new project is like setting off on a new holiday for us....we plan, budget, schedule, source & ultimately deliver a fabulous set of concepts to our clients.



4. Who are other interior designers you admire?

Our combined inspiration is David Hicks & Kelly Wearstler, both these designers have just a beautiful sense of coordination & their work is faultless…Sonia loves Massucco Warner Miller whereas I loving everything that Norm Architects are designing at the moment.  
Architecturally we are in love with Tribe Architects – someone once said to us “simplicity is the most complex” we feel this practice defines this statement & are true inspiration.

5. What inspires you?

Often inspiration comes from overseas trips / new restaurants / establishments we have visited. It’s sad but true however our hobby is looking & seeing the lasts & greatest in design…so our eyes are constantly pealed for the up & coming designs. Great suppliers are constantly keeping us up to date with the latest furniture & fixtures so we are constantly absorbing new material & stashing in our memories for new clients. 

We read blogs, trawl through Instagram & social media posts from around the world…to see what trends are forming overseas & how they can be applied to Australian interiors.

 

6. What do you think is the essential piece of furniture we should all have in our bedroom?

Ambient lighting! I’m always astonished when clients aren’t using bedside lamps / pendants / wall sconces. Lighting allows you to change the mood of your room within an instant! Soft subtle lighting can really ensure you can unwind & relax in your bedroom.

 

  

 

7. What key element do we all need for a chic living room?

Velvet swivel armchairs…our house floorpans are so open these days that having chairs that are multi purpose & can integrate into two spaces are divine!


8. Do you have a favourite project or story behind a project?

The time our client insisted that he wanted his custom 3 x 1.2m length dining table in ash American Oak…the table needed to be in black…so I ordered it black anyway without him knowing. I didn’t sleep the night before as I was hoping the little “surprise” would be well received! Sonia & I had no need for a 3m table in our homes…..the relief when he walked in & looked at me saying “well you were right”

 

Let's Get Personal .......

1. What else are you passionate about besides your work?  Sharing meals with family & friends & chatting about our favourite champagne & wine!

2. What is your most treasured belonging?  Currently my Living Edge Lambert two feature lights over my kitchen & dining table. After a huge day at work I absolutely adore staring at them!

3. What's one thing people may not know about you?  My first business when I was 18 was spraying tanning! It helped me pay my way through my design course…:) I knew from an early age I would always work for myself.

4. In 10 years I'd like to be ....  Working less & travelling more!

5. What can't you live without?  My husband…when I request our hallway to be painted for the forth time in two years due to my boredom he will do it reluctantly fo

It isn’t just the editorial in Home Beautiful that recognises the quality of work coming from Woods & Warner. They were also recently recognized by House + Garden for their Mediterranean-inspired work in the Castlecrag Residence. These designers are going to continue exploring and allowing themselves to constantly absorb inspiration for their projects wherever they go.  

Websitewoodsandwarner.com.au

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