In conversation with…
At our recent Annual General Meeting, I spent an inspiring day around a table with my team. We discussed how much we’ve accomplished and the many wonderful things that are still to come. And whilst I sat around this table I marvelled at these women who surround me. Accomplished, driven, kind, intelligent women living their lives with passion and purpose. Many juggling the demands of motherhood at the same time. With International Women’s Day approaching, I wanted to chat with some of the other women who inspire us here at Heatherly. So in celebration of those who came before us, those who stand beside us now and those who will come after, I hope you enjoy my series of interviews, In conversation with…
Georgie xx
Melissa Koch – Melissa Koch Interiors
Melissa Koch has always shown a passion for art, architecture, and interior space. She moved to New York in 2005 to pursue design and spent nine years working on high end residential projects in Manhattan, The Hamptons and Florida. In 2015, she launched Melissa Koch Interiors which prides itself on interiors that are sophisticated, yet authentic.
How has your experience in The States influenced your design style?
I embraced my love of Modern Traditional design during the decade I spent working in New York. I continued my education focusing on neo-classical architecture and interiors and was constantly inspired by the myriad of European antiquities the city antique dealers provide. The experience of working on smaller, New York city apartments gave me an understanding and appreciation of space and scale that are as relevant and important to a tiny studio apartment or a sprawling Hamptons Beach house.
Working on family apartments, beach houses and ski lodges also instilled in me that beautifully designed interiors can still be functional and enduring. Clever use of materials and finishes ensures that ‘design’ does not need to be sacrificed for ‘function’ or ‘durability’.
What do you think are the qualities that have made you successful in your field?
The ability to listen to a client’s needs/wants and assist them in establishing an understanding of their own style. It’s important to discover how a client will ‘live’ in their home and then design around that. We enter each project without any pre-conceived ideas or agenda on how the finished product will look.
My capability to adapt to a situation is also an asset when complications or issues arise during a project. Renovating and decorating can be a stressful experience at times so coming from a place of ‘yes’ when workshopping solutions to glitches that appear can help ease any tension and often improve the energy on a job.
Can you share some tips for work/life balance?
I’ve come to the realization that the scale will always be tipped one way or another – ‘work’ or ‘life’ – and I’ve learned to lean into that. To accept that balance is more of a controlled swinging pendulum. I tried for too long to achieve equal balance and harmony in both areas however the moment I realized that my work load would always ebb and flow as would my family’s schedule I was able to find a certain peace in that ‘perfectly imperfect’ balance.
Which women have been influential in your life and why?
My mother and our emerald green paisley sofa’s when I was growing up! We often moved and re-decorated and I always felt inspired by her choices. Our homes always felt welcoming and warm and it is a feeling I love to emulate for clients. Most importantly she has taught me about the type of Mother I want to be. Someone who is always there with a cup of tea and a piece of cake ready to listen to how your day was!
My former boss and mentor, Ellie Cullman from Cullman & Kravis, also influenced and enriched my life significantly. She was always generous with her time and wisdom. She has an incredible knowledge of antiques, design periods and artists that she shared and imparted on those she worked with. Ellie has influenced the kind of culture I strive to have in my own business – one where everyone feels valued, inspired and educated.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
To me, it is a day to celebrate women and their achievements. To praise and commend the wonderful women in my family, friend and work life. It is an opportunity to have positive discussions about finding ways to improve gender equality in all facets of our society. I feel fortunate to work in an industry that welcomes woman. Welcomes working mothers. My hope is that this becomes a reality for woman in many other sectors too.
To see more of Melissa’s work you can visit her website melissakochinteriors.com or on her Instagram page @melissakochinteriors
Catherine Heraghty – The Stables
Catherine runs leading boutique interior styling company – The Stables. Based in Sydney, she is highly regarded for her signature soft, muted colour palette and timeless yet modern styling.
Do you have a favourite project?
My favourite project so far has been Cape Beach House in Byron Bay. We were lucky enough to work on every part of this project from floor plan of the bathrooms, to finish selections, kitchen design and full styling and furnishing. It was a dream project as the client had a lovely vision and gave us enough freedom to execute what we wanted. The end result is stunning and guests are enjoying it over and over, it’s the project that keeps on giving as I enjoy hearing all of the positive feedback. Each space feels beautiful to be in and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
What do you think are the qualities that have made you successful in your field?
Gosh this is a hard question. I actually can’t pin point what it is but I have always been a firm believer in just putting my head down and getting on with it. Sure I look around and see what everyone else is doing but I never let that deter me or alter my path. I do what feels right for me and my projects and I guess that has led to consistency in my style. Clients come to me for my style, it appeals to the masses and by not straying from my aesthetic has meant I have built up a very strong following.
You’re also a mother, can you share some tips for work/life balance?
The million dollar question! There is no perfect balance, something always has to be sacrificed but some days it’s the family and other days its clients. I am currently writing in bed with my sick five year old son who is off from school while my ten month old baby sleeps and I am trying to get some emails done. I had a site meeting this morning, a showroom meeting to do tile selections and it will be nurofen and kids snacks all afternoon followed by a session of night work tonight after they are in bed! So I guess the key is flexibility. Throw out the notion of 9 to 5, that just doesn’t exist. I work around my family and my family works around me. They have to coexist and flexibility and being fluid is the only way.
Which women have been influential in your life and why?
My mother has always been driven by her career and so I was raised to believe that I didn’t have to stand back and let my male counterparts do it all. She too works in a male dominated industry and has shown me that strong women can stand on their own two feet – have an opinion, be smart and be respected.
What issues [for women] in Australia and beyond are you concerned about?
Equal pay for equal work is a big one for me. I cannot fathom that we are not paid the same just due to our sex, it seems so outrageous and outdated. The lack of superannuation that women are able to build up due to staying home with children in their younger years is also an issue that I believe needs addressing.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
To continue on the path with my business, I am yet to do my biggest thing – I am convinced I have a lot more yet to do! Watch my children grow into beautiful people that I am proud of and be happy within myself with what I achieve. Surround myself with people who make me happy and feel loved. That’s a big one for me at the moment!
To see more of Catherine’s work you can visit her website thestables.com.au or on her Instagram page @the_stables_
Rochelle Morris – Nudge Interiors
Rochelle Morris is a talented Interior Designer – and valued member of the Heatherly Melbourne Showroom team! She believes that every abode should reflect the personality and lifestyle of the people that live there, and focuses on creating interiors that do just that.
Nudge Interiors works with clients on the design and styling of their homes.What do you think are the qualities that have made you successful in your field?
Generally I am a pretty easy going person. Design is my passion, and I have been told many times it shines through whenever I talk to people. I work hard to make people at ease and give them confidence in the selections for their home. I think being approachable is very important in this line of work, and something I strive for when meeting new people.
I am also a creative thinker and always like to explore ideas that are a little ‘out of the box’. I don’t want clients to come to me because they want me to copy someone else’s style or create a design that is simply following the trends. I push myself to find exciting new products so that each one of my clients end up with a space that is completely unique, and suited to their tastes and lifestyle.
Can you share some tips for work/life balance?
I am still working on this… I have recently carved out some time for myself to get to the gym to do reformer pilates (which I love) at least 3 times/week. After 5 years of working for myself, I am also now a lot better at switching off at the end of the day/week to spend time with my family and friends without being tempted to continue working. But mostly, I have learnt to understand what I am needing; whether it’s a catchup with girlfriends, a massage to loosen tension or aches or a fun family day out, or movie night in with takeaway. When I am feeling overwhelmed, doing one of these things generally helps me to get back into the right frame of mind.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I think it is so important to celebrate women and our strengths. Women are strong, resilient, compassionate and so much more. But I think it is also really important to harness our differences, and not try to compete with or put men down in order to do so. I love encouraging women to do whatever it is they dream of doing or are passionate about, there really is no limit to what we can achieve when we all support each other.
If you could choose three women to invite for dinner, who would they be and what would you ask them?
Patricia Urquiola would be at the top of my list! I have been a long time fan of her work and it would be absolutely incredible to meet her and hear stories of her life or, what influences her designs. I can’t think of any particular burning question I would ask, as I think I would be too starry eyed and happy to just listen to any stories she wanted to share.
Kelly Wearstler would then be a close second. I love the way she designs spaces, layering in old and new, feminine and edgy, she also has a killer personal style which she never sways from. Again I’d love to hear stories of how she got to where she is, and what has shaped her career.
Designers are my kind of celebrity, but I think with 2 design goddesses like Patricia and Kelly, I would absolutely need someone like Jennifer Lawrence or Margot Robbie at the table with me. They are my kind of women- strong, independent and can have a little laugh at themselves. I don’t like to take things too seriously, and love nothing more than a good laugh and some wine.
What issues [for women] in Australia and beyond are you concerned about?
The never ending challenge for work-life balance as a mum. So much falls back on the ‘mum’ of the house once kids come into the picture. There is a pressure from society that we should be able to do it all, but it is just not realistic. We are no longer living in a time when mum’s are able to (or even wanting) stay home and be full time carers. But we haven’t yet worked out how to adjust workplaces and our way of thinking to avoid the pressure on women that they can or have to do it all. We are tough enough on ourselves without the outside pressures.
Technology is also something that worries me. It can be a wonderful tool, but I feel like so much of this pressure to be perfect, comparing ourselves with others and unrealistic expectations all stem from technology. Whether it’s to look a certain way, or what is seen as the perfect life, relationship, house or car. Then there’s also the worry around privacy, or safety when using technology. I am still working on finding the right balance with technology, and disconnecting so that I am not always switched on, but I am getting there.
To see more of Rochelle’s work you can visit her website nudgeinteriors.com.au or on her Instagram page @nudgeinteriors
