Interview
Shona McElroy
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
I graduated from the University Technology Sydney with a Degree in Architecture, but after working in the field for a bit I found myself more drawn to interiors. In 2017 I started my own interior design company, Smac Studio (
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
My father is an architect and my mum is an interior designer - it
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
Smac Studio specialises in high-end residential projects. We create bespoke spaces for our clients
4 What does “design” mean to you?
The marriage of form and function.
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
I find constant inspiration in Europe and The Americas, particularly Italy and Brazil. I have a great appreciation for all styles of interior design, but I do gravitate towards natural materials and textures. I think they
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
Well-designed homes facilitate relaxation, entertainment, work and play.
7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
My style is ever-evolving and layered with detail. I
8 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
I think Australian design is informed by the climate and a reverence for nature. Australian sunlight has a beautiful clarity to it and my clients always want me to bring more natural light into their homes. The landscape here also has beautiful bronze and sage-green tones, which I often incorporate into my designs.
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
It means a great deal for my work to be recognised by my peers in the interior design industry.
10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I entered two projects this year and both were awarded gold. These projects are a reflection of my personal aesthetic - I had clients who trusted me, were willing to invest in quality and gave me enormous creative freedom. A designer
11 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
Bringing natural light into the homes and fitting everything the clients wanted into the small spaces (the internal width of both these homes is only 4.8m).
12 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
We are a young design practice, so I hope that winning these awards will bring us more clients who share and appreciate our aesthetic.
13 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
My favourite thing is the tangibility - interior design is one of the few professions were you can see your ideas literally form in front of your eyes. I also love spatial planning and finding beautiful patterns in natural stone.
14 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
I think Australian design tends to be quite bold and experimental, from the Sydney Opera House to modern skyscrapers covered in vertical gardens.
15 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Post-pandemic I think people are more sensitive to the way their homes make them feel. We now appreciate clever design more and understand how it enhances our lives. I also think we
16 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Submit something you
17 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Get into the industry as soon as possible. Apply to smaller companies while you
18 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
If I weren
19 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler for her bold, playful use of colour and architect Zaha Hadid for her curvy building innovations.
20 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Listening to the client and reflecting their wants in your designs in the single most important thing. It creates trust early on, which is integral to a successful project.
21 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Be open-minded and never stop learning.
