For our May edition of ‘In Conversation With’ we chat with fellow interior designer and owner of Evoque Interiors Amber Leigh.
Establishing her own interior design studio in 2015 was heavily influenced by a passion for residential design and being surrounded by renovations from a young age, with both parents working in the construction industry, “my mum definitely ignited my passion for joinery design and showed me strength in a super male dominated industry”.
We get insight into the key learning experiences throughout her career and glimpse into Amber’s own approach to her interior style outside of the studio, “eclectic interiors appeal to me the most, being able to balance different styles and pieces that shouldn't go together but do”. In keeping with the theme of ‘In Conversation With’ Amber also shares with us her favourite objects and her daily routine.
01. In your own words can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I'm an interior designer and owner of Evoque interiors, a design studio based in Burleigh Heads, which I started back in 2015. I'm super passionate about residential design with a strong focus on joinery design and hard surface material specification.
02. What was the journey that got you to where you are today?
My introduction to interior's was growing up through multiple renovations with my parents,my dad a carpenter and my mum a cabinet maker. My mum definitely ignited my passion for joinery design and showed me strength in a super male dominated industry.
03. Since establishing Evoque what have been some key learning experiences?
I think the biggest lesson that I’ve learnt is that you're not always going to have the answer, and that's okay. But it is empowering to know that you learn something new, almost every project. I think once you graduate you don't understand how much you have to be over every element of construction in the project. Having to know just as much if not more than the builder, architect, electrician, plumber, cabinet maker in their own trade, to a degree. it blows my mind! So you have to always be open to new information and advice and surround yourself with quality contractors/trades, I think that's key.
04. How would you describe your own approach to your interior style & what have been key influences on this?
I've always said the most beautiful interiors are filled with pieces that the owner has collected along the way and love the most. So I don't really tend to have a specific interior design style, it's all about texture and high contrast for me. I love black accents and bold colours when used proportionally and organic materials that won't date. If anything, eclectic interiors appeal to me the most, being able to balance different styles and pieces that shouldn't go together but do. I think YSG studios are a great example of that recently, they seem to do it so effortlessly and always push the boundaries, which is a key part of their influence.
05. What is your most loved object or piece of furniture in your home and why?
A little bit random, but a tapestry throw of a favourite album of mine, Innerspeakerar by Tame Impala, I have it hung on the wall like art, it has so much depth and I love the scale of it.
06. What does a typical morning look like for you?
Exercise is a must in the morning for my mental health, a strength training session and then walking my little dog Farrington along the beach sets me up for a productive day.
07. Your favourite way to unwind at the end of the day, do you have any rituals?
I actually find I work my best at the end of the day, so the 3-6pm are like the golden hours for me when no one is in the studio or calling me haha but if I escape early enough I love to put on some music and a nice glass of wine to unwind, to celebrate any wins for the day.
08. Who makes the best coffee?
Sometimes I feel like the only girl in the world that doesn't drink coffee haha I wish I did, but you can't go wrong with peppermint tea.
09. If you were to live anywhere else where would it be and why?
Morocco would hands down be my pick! such a gorgeous country full of colour and pattern. I love the energy there. But I secretly think the Gold Coast is the best place to live in Australia, although it's getting super busy. I'm from Melbourne originally so anywhere warm and coastal is important to me.
10. Is there anything you are currently working on or towards?
I’m currently looking to buy an apartment, I have been planning the renovation for the past 5 years even though the space doesn't exist to me yet haha I think that will be my obsession for the next year or two, I have a lot of ideas!
To explore more of Amber’s work visit here or follow @evoqueinteriors on Instagram.
