Design thinking

The
‍Journal.

Thoughts on design, living beautifully, and making a home truly yours. Written by Claire — for anyone who believes their space should feel a little more like them.
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French Style
February 2025

The French approach to
interior design — and why it
works in Australian homes

There's a word the French use that has no direct English translation: dépaysement — the disorienting, wonderful feeling of being somewhere completely different. The best interiors do something similar: they transport you. Here's what French design does differently, and why it translates surprisingly well to life on the Northern Beaches.

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Claire VH
Founder & Interior Designer

Recent
articles

allDesign tipsFrench styleSydney livingHow-to guidesBehind the studio
5 ways to make any room feel warmer — without a renovation
Design tips

5 ways to make any room feel warmer — without a renovation

You don't need to knock down walls or replace your sofa to transform how a room feels. These five changes cost almost nothing — and make an enormous difference.
April 3, 2026
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What working at scale taught me about real life
Behind the studio

What working at scale taught me about real life

Two years designing large-scale commercial interiors in France gave me one very clear lesson: beautiful design means nothing if it doesn't work for the people using it. Here's how that experience changed the way I approach every project.
April 3, 2026
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Decorating & Styling vs full interior design: which one is right for you?
How-to guides

Decorating & Styling vs full interior design: which one is right for you?

Two very different services, two very different experiences. Here's an honest guide to help you choose — based on your budget, your location, and how involved you want to be.
April 3, 2026
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Why I always start with materials — not colours
Design tips

Why I always start with materials — not colours

Most people choose a paint colour first and build from there. I do it the other way round. Here's why starting with materials — linen, stone, timber, rattan — leads to spaces that feel more considered, more cohesive, and more timeless.
April 3, 2026
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The Northern Beaches palette: bringing the Australian coastal spirit indoors
Sydney living

The Northern Beaches palette: bringing the Australian coastal spirit indoors

Sand, salt, eucalyptus, light. The Northern Beaches has one of the most distinctive visual landscapes in the world. Here's how to bring it inside — without going full nautical.
April 3, 2026
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Why I left France to design homes in Sydney
Behind the studio

Why I left France to design homes in Sydney

Moving from Paris to the Northern Beaches wasn't just a change of scenery — it was a complete reimagining of how I thought about interiors. The light is different. The materials are different. The way people live is different. Here's what that shift taught me.
April 3, 2026
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Interior Design · Sydney Northern Beaches
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Interior Designer · Sydney Northern Beaches · Australia