The Australian House & Garden International Seminar Series at Decor + Design is one of Australia’s most respected annual line-ups of local and international interior designers.
Returning in 2021, the Series will take place in the Seminar Theatre and will be an opportunity for you to hear from leading experts and influencers in design.
Kathryn M. Ireland (US)
Born and raised in Europe, Kathryn divides her time between Santa Monica California and her French Farm. She is considered one of the most influential interior, textile, and furniture designers worldwide. Her signature style is described as comfortable, bohemian, and family friendly with large doses of color and a lack of orthodoxy.
Kathryn most recently set out to disrupt the digital design industry, working with major Silicon Valley tech companies to found The Perfect Room, the first luxury online concierge design service, providing unparalleled design expertise in a simple online platform.
Her clients include actors and playwrights, Steve Martin, Drew Barrymore, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Mamet, Tech entrepreneurs from the Dollar Shave Club to Apple. Kathryn is the author of six best-selling books, including Timeless Interiors, Summers in France, and Kathryn At Home. She has also starred in Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Decorators, and on ITV’s Design Wars. She continues to appear on Good Morning America and other morning shows.
Her signature fabrics are distributed internationally, and her work has been published globally including features in Architectural Digest, World of Interiors, House and Garden, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, the Wall Street Journal and New York times. Kathryn is consistently named as one of Elle Decor’s A-List designers, was coined one of the Top 100 Designers in the United States by House Beautiful, and in 2020 was included on Architectural Digest’s list of the top 20 Most Famous Interior Designers Working Today.
Adding to her long list of credits, Kathryn also hosts Design Retreats each summer at her home in the South of France, and regularly hosts design boot camps in Los Angeles for designers and design enthusiasts.
Kicking off the first virtual Australian House & Garden International Seminar Series at Decor + Design, join Kathryn and be inspired to create ‘The Perfect Room’. This seminar will be an exclusive mix of pre-recorded footage and live Q & A.
Greg Natale (AUS)
Join multi-award-winning Australian interior designer Greg Natale for a masterclass on how to use pattern and colour to create bold but sophisticated spaces.
Greg’s name has become synonymous with flawlessly glamorous interiors, both in Australia and around the world. In the words of Jonathan Adler, “Greg Natale’s rooms are designed with such sureness that they look as if they were always meant to be!”
His designs have featured in numerous local and international publications, including Architectural Digest, Harper’s Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Vogue Living and Belle Australia. With projects spanning hospitality and hotels, residential and collaborations with leading brands such as Designer Rugs, Bizarra and Grange, Greg Natale truly is a force majeure in Australian design.
Learn how to intricately layer patterns and colour with Greg’s finesse, and become unafraid of using big notes and tones. Join us for this exclusive virtual seminar which will be a mixture of pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A with the man himself.
: @gregnatale
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | Abigail Ahern (UK)
Leading UK-based designer Abigail Ahern is known for being consistently ahead of the design trail.
Whether she’s pioneering faux flowers or dark, inky colour palettes, Abigail’s trendsetting designs are synonymous with glamour, eclecticism and quintessential British humour. An arbiter of cool Brit girl style, her palette seamlessly fuses masculine and feminine for a hip aesthetic that creates spaces you never want to leave.
Abigail began her career in interior design in the states, with a portfolio that spans lavish residential properties such as the Ritz Carlton Palm Beach. Returning to London, Abigail founded her own retail business 2003. The Abigail Ahern flagship store in Islington is one of the UK’s top design boutiques, voted one of the coolest places to shop by Elle Decoration and the Telegraph.
Abigail has a global following thanks to her retail and product designs, best-selling books and influential blog. In the words of The Independent, “each post on the addictive blog of Abigail Ahern reads like a love letter to your home.” She has also authored three interiors books and is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines.
Abigail has also almost single-handedly made faux flowers and plants cool again. Her foraged take on faux botanicals uses a wild aesthetic to merge house and garden. Think trailing tendrils, native branches, heirloom blooms and woodland fronds.
Join Abigail for this masterclass on how to create fearless, wildly beautiful interiors that look as if they were always meant to be.
The seminar will be a dynamic mix of exclusive pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A with Abigail.
: @abigailahern
Kit Kemp
Over the years Kit Kemp MBE has been forging an internationally-acclaimed reputation, not only for her unique hotel interiors as Founder and Creative Director of Firmdale Hotels but also as a successful textiles, fragrance and homewares designer, author and a highly-respected champion of British art, craft and sculpture.
Kit Kemp is the creative force behind Firmdale Hotels. First opening Dorset Square Hotel in 1985, Firmdale has 10 properties, with eight hotels in London including Ham Yard Hotel, The Soho Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Haymarket Hotel, Number Sixteen Hotel, Dorset Square Hotel and Knightsbridge Hotel, and two in New York, The Whitby Hotel and Crosby Street Hotel. Kit is celebrated for her individual and original approach to the way she transforms and arranges buildings, with a colourful and detailed storytelling in her design.
Kit has collaborated with leading global design brands such as Wedgwood, Wilton Carpets, Andrew Martin, Anthropologie, Christopher Farr, Chelsea Textiles and Fine Cell Work, creating collections including tableware, fragrance, furniture, fabrics and wallpaper. Many of these products are available to purchase through Shop Kit Kemp, an online store complete with a range of products ready to buy for the home.
In 2012, Kit published her first book, A Living Space which follows an inspiring personal voyage through the many spaces she has designed. This was followed by a second book, Every Room Tells A Story. Her third and latest book, Design Thread, was published on 21st February 2019.
In 2019, Kit launched Kit Kemp’s Design Thread. A new website which showcases her world of colour and design including collaborations, films, and a blog which shares an insight into her work, design dos and don’ts and day-to-day experiences.
Kit Kemp is also a Trustee of Fine Cell Work and the Heritage of London Trust.
Join Kit for this mini masterclass and learn how to create storied interiors which feature an extraordinary design thread. Kit will talk about her approach to hotel design, product and fabric design, art, craft and beautiful interiors.
This seminar will be a mixture of exclusive pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A with Kit herself in London.
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD (USA)
Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a multi-award winning, Los Angeles-based interior designer renowned for his broad range of styles and eclectic, sophisticated and inviting interiors.
Martyn is consistently named as one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest, featured permanently in Elle Decor’s A-List, and named one of the top 25 designers by The Hollywood Reporter. A popular television personality, Martyn starred in the hit Bravo series, Million Dollar Decorators, and hosted Channel 4’s Hollywood Me in the UK, along with a multitude of design television programs spanning over 65 countries. His work has appeared in over 4,000 publications. The cover of Architectural Digest featuring the homes of Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian designed by Martyn was one of the best-selling issues of all time.
Martyn’s A-list clientele include Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Tommy Hilfiger, Cher, Ellen Pompeo, and Eva Mendes, to name a few.
Join Martyn for this inspiring, insider look at his techniques to create the perfect look for Hollywood’s A-List. The first part of this exclusive seminar will be pre-recorded from Martyn’s atelier in Los Angeles, before Martyn joins us via livestream for a Q & A.
: @martynbullard
ANDRE FU (HONG KONG)
Andre Fu became known overnight when he redefined hospitality with the design of the world-renowned Upper House hotel in Hong Kong. His creations range from a furniture collaboration with Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades collection to contemporary art galleries in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai.
Hospitality is perhaps his most renowned métier, with interiors featuring in major hotels and restaurants around the world including Villa La Coste in Provence, The Berkeley London, Upper House hotel and The St Regis in Hong Kong, as well as Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.
Born in Hong Kong, Fu was educated in England from the age of 14 and holds a Masters in Architecture from the University of Cambridge. Fu says that ‘living, studying and travelling between both countries over thirty years is why my own tastemaker sensibility reinterprets traditional notions of national identities.”
Fu’s work has won increasing recognition with numerous awards. In 2016, he was named Designer of the Year for Maison & Objet Asia, and was honoured in Wallpaper*s list of ‘Top 20 Interior Designers’. In 2019, Elle Décor China named him “Interior Designer of The Year”. This year saw the publication of a book exploring his work, Crossing Cultures with Design, published by Thames & Hudson, written by design curator and journalist Catherine Shaw
Join Andre for this unique insight into how he approaches hotel design, from his hand-drawn conceptual sketches to detailed design and custom furniture.
This exclusive seminar will be both pre-recorded from Andre’s studio in Hong Kong and live for a Q&A.
: @a.f.s.o
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | VICTORIA REDSHAW
In times of uncertainty, we need Victoria Redshaw. The prescient UK Trend Forecaster’s predictions have become a highlight of Decor + Design.
A Futurist at Scarlet Opus – one of the UK’s leading Trend Forecasting agencies – her insights are uncanny, drawing on a wealth of knowledge about design, fashion, history and politics.
Victoria will analyse and interpret the international influences behind each trend and reveal the colours, patterns, materials, finishes and styles which will dominate room schemes and interiors products.
Join Victoria for a keynote seminar that will give you exclusive insights into the major design trends for 2021 and beyond.
: @scarlet_opus
Nate Berkus (US)
American design superstar Nate Berkus established his award-winning interior design firm at the age of 24. Since then, his elevated but approachable design philosophy has transformed countless homes across the world through his interior design work, home collections, books, television shows and media appearances. Ever since Nate’s first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, he has become one of the world’s most recognisable interior designers.
Nate’s work has been featured in many publications including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, InStyle, O Magazine and People. He is included on the ELLE DÉCOR “A-List” of the world’s top designers and was named to the AD100 list in 2018.
This is your chance to get up close and personal with Nate, who will be LIVE for 50 minutes Q & A with Editor-in-Chief of Australian House & Garden, Tanya Buchanan. Get the inside scoop on some of Nate’s favourite projects, how he approaches a new client and the inspirations behind his gorgeous collections.
David Hicks
A keen advocate of streamlined, well-resolved spaces combined with an elegant and sophisticated decorative layering, Hicks has revolutionized modern design and has created a unique international style, for which he is well known and in constant demand.
Known for his fastidious attention to technical detail, razor sharp eyes and relentless pursuit of perfection, Hicks spends much of his time trying to push boundaries and seek out new and creative ways of resolving, producing and managing his unique projects.
Join Hicks for a look into his design world and what he calls ‘Future Design’, the next chapter in his design journey, addressing the importance of design in this ever-changing world and consumers’ expectations on quality and craft. Hicks will take you on a journey through his recent collection of projects, both built and conceptual, and explain how he has seen and adapted to a shift in design along with insights into what he believes is the future of design.
This seminar will be an exclusive mix of pre-recorded footage and live Q & A.
JAMES TREBLE (AUS)
James Treble is an award-winning interior designer, TV presenter and writer with over 25 years’ experience in the building & design industry. In addition to his vast expertise and experience in home renovation and the construction of new homes, he is a qualified interior designer, colour consultant and real estate agent. To say he loves anything to do with the home would be an understatement!
James is well known for various roles on Australian TV over the past 10 years, including seven years as the resident Interior Design expert on the popular program The Living Room. James is currently presenter on Open Homes Australia and the design judge on Renovate or Rebuild, both on NINELIFE.
A master of juggling jobs, this workshop will be LIVE from James’ studio. It is designed to give you an arsenal of practical tips, with James sharing his selection processes, how he works with his clients and how he’s been dealing with the impacts of Covid.
Whether you’re an experienced decorator or designer – or new to the field – this workshop promises to be an entertaining opportunity to learn ‘Practical Design’ tips from one of the most in-demand designers in the business!
: @designerjamestreble
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | PALOMA CONTRERAS (USA)
Paloma Contreras is an award-winning interior designer and tastemaker based in Houston, Texas.
Her design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style, with classic silhouettes and timeless pieces paired with a touch of glamour and an infusion of colour.
Paloma has been repeatedly named to the prestigious ELLE Décor “A-List” of interior designers across the world, recognised by Forbes magazine as one of the top social media influencers in the Home category, and featured in numerous publications. She has a licensed collection of decorative accessories, soft furnishings and lighting with Williams Sonoma Home and has worked with many prestigious brands.
Join Paloma for a discussion on creating contemporary classic interiors that are elegant and fresh. This seminar will be an exclusive mixture of pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A.
@palomacontrerasdesign
TONY BEEN (AUS), MANAGING DIRECTOR ANZ, Houzz
Houzz is a leading renovation and design platform with a dynamic community of homeowners and home design professionals. People can hire pros for their renovation project, share inspiration and research, and get advice for their projects. For pros, Houzz Pro provides an all-in-one software solution that empowers industry pros to stand out, win clients and manage their projects efficiently and profitably.
Join this interactive workshop which will provide your business with practical takeaways for the coming year.
Using unique insights and statistics from Houzz, Tony will discuss the 360-degree view of evolving needs and expectations in the home design industry, as well as new consumer trends and the ways in which you can leverage those insights.
This live workshop is an absolute necessity for design professionals and businesses wishing to stay at the forefront of a complex market.
@houzzpro_anz
Alexandra Brownlow & Robyn Holt
Brownlow Interior Design is one of Melbourne’s premier interior design studios, renowned for a timeless aesthetic and an intricate knowledge of antiques, contemporary art and textiles. Alexandra Brownlow cleverly combines a medley of periods and styles within an interior to create a look that is modern and yet timeless.
Robyn Holt is a former Editor of Vogue Living, as well as a former CEO of Conde Nast (Australia and Russia) and Monocle. She is one of Australia’s most knowledgeable voices on design and now consults to the industry.
Join Alexandra and Robyn to discover how design eras can be combined to create timeless, elegant interiors. This seminar will be an entertaining mix of exclusive pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A.
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | BOBBY BERK (USA) & Jen Bishop, The Interiors Addict
Bobby Berk is best known as the design guru on Netflix’s Queer Eye, for which he has gained a huge following (2.7 million on Instagram).
However, Bobby is far from an overnight success. He spent 20 years in New York working his way up in companies like Bed Bath & Beyond and Restoration Hardware, before becoming Creative Director for Portico Home + Spa.
Berk started his eponymous company in 2006 and opened his first showroom in Manhattan in 2007. In 2015 he launched his full-service bespoke interior design practice for residential, commercial and hospitality clientele.
The Bobby Berk firm has quickly established itself as a leader in the home building and interior design industry, refusing to accept anything other than innovative and exciting design solutions.
Epitomising hip, urban luxury, Berk’s designs reflect a stylish and youthful spirit that perfectly fits any lifestyle. The results are proof of the transformative power of design.
Join Bobby Berk for a seminar in conversation with Jen Bishop, Founder of the hugely successful blog ‘The Interiors Addict’. Discover his secrets for creating accessible, stylish designs which transform lives. The session will be an exclusive mix of pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A with Bobby.
: @bobby
DAVID FLACK (AUS)
David Flack is Founder & Principal of Flack Studio, a multi-disciplinary practice of designers and architects in Melbourne who are committed to delivering supremely elegant, contemporary interiors.
As the scion of a construction business family, David has a deep-seated understanding of the built environment. As a sophisticated traveller with an appreciation for art and culture, he is attuned to the potential of interiors to not just provide shelter from the world, but to create one’s own identity within it.
Respectful of the architecture that precedes him, Flack is adept at creating environments that resonate with their era – and echo into the future.
David will show you his unique approach to interior architecture, in which spatial planning, detailing, materiality, furniture, lighting, textiles and fittings coalesce into a holistic – if sometimes idiosyncratic – experience as he creates ‘forever spaces’ for his clients.
This seminar will take you into David’s design approach to give you a sense of how Flack Studio creates its spaces. It will be a mixture of exclusive pre-recorded footage and live Q&A.
ROWENA MURRAY (AUS)
Row Murray is the Director of creative digital agency Kenobi Digital. A digital marketing specialist for over 15 years, she has run major digital projects for household-name brands such as Priceline Pharmacy, 7-Eleven Stores, Swinburne University, Melbourne University, SkyBus, John Frieda Haircare and more.
In recent years, Row has worked with a range of stylists, artists, designers and agencies as she’s supported their businesses to pivot into successful digital landscapes – allowing business owners to meet their clients and customers wherever they are.
We now live in a world where a customer’s virtual experience is primary. Join Row for this live workshop to optimise your design business’ digital strategy. From social media to a powerful web experience, Row will talk through what great UX and CX means in today’s digital landscape.
