New Farm is one of Brisbane’s most vibrant inner-city enclaves. Surrounded by iconic cafes and restaurant, the neighbourhood serves as the pulse of the city’s fashion, lifestyle and design precincts. So it’s no surprise that this is where Lucy Henry-Hicks, CEO and founder of fashion label DISSH, chose to make her home.
‘The property is a classic Queenslander that has undergone a transformative renovation and extension by architect Shaun Lockyer,’ explains Danielle McEwan, founder and creative director of Tigmi Design Studio, who was brought on board to infuse the architectural blank canvas with soul.
Danielle was immediately struck by the seamless convergence of eras in the building; behind the traditional timber façade lay an open, light-filled contemporary sanctuary that was spatially designed for modern family life. Naturally, given their background, her clients had a very clear aesthetic lens and a deep appreciation for form and texture. They gave her the brief of creating a space that felt ‘elevated and curated, yet inherently “liveable”’ for their growing family.
She explains that her starting point was rooted in ‘lifestyle and flow’, with the design conversation beginning with how Lucy and her family envisioned moving through the home and the practicalities of life with two small children. Their hope was to balance the realities of family life with the high-end aesthetic that they loved.
Because the architectural bones provided by architect Shaun Lockyer were so strong, the studio was able to focus solely on interior decoration and selecting the furniture, textiles and art that would turn the house into a lived-in home.
The process went remarkably smoothly, recalls Danielle, although the original footprint of the Queenslander presented them with a few ‘charming’ puzzles. Some rooms featured multiple windows and doorways that required a more inventive approach to furniture placement. ‘We had to ensure the pieces didn’t obstruct the flow or the heritage features while still feeling intentional and balanced,’ explains Danielle.
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When it came to the colour palette, Danielle opted for tonal, neutral shades that resonated with her clients’ personal style. Her goal was to play with ‘quiet’ colours and loud textures. ‘We built depth by layering rich textiles with a mix of vintage finds and contemporary lighting, ensuring the space felt evolved rather than “styled” all at once,’ she explains.
Her clients were thrilled that the studio had managed to achieve that elusive balance: a home that feels considered and elevated enough to reflect their professional world, but comfortable enough to allow them to live with ease and authenticity as a family.
Danielle is particularly proud of the dining space, with its custom marble dining table serving as a heavy, sculptural anchor in the room. Paired with a soft upholstered bench and curated vintage chairs, it has become the eye-catching heart of the home, a place that is as much about high design as it is about Sunday morning breakfast. tigmitrading.com
Styling: Ella McCabe Barton. Build: M2 Construct
