Your Name
Leah Doyle
Diploma of Interior Design
Leah is a passionate interior designer whose love for design began at 12 years old, inspired by her parents’ home rebuild. Fascinated by the process, she gained hands-on experience during school holidays at an interior design firm and property staging company. COVID-19 shifted her work experience path, leading her to receive a white general construction card and work on high-end residential projects with her dad’s team. After excelling in her HSC, she deferred university offers to study at DCE, where she earned a Certificate IV and Diploma in Interior Design. Leah’s design approach blends practicality and authentic style to establish bold elegance.
Eclipse Hotel Project
The hotel project is the key focus of Semester 2 in the Diploma of Interior Design. It has allowed me to work on a large scale while adhering to commercial-grade standards, which presented its own set of challenges. The overall design is completely driven off concept being subtle luxury through the metaphor ‘Eclipse’ – where the light represents luxury and the shadow casts a subtle interpretation. Every aspect, from the floor plans to material choices, finishes, and fixtures, is thoughtfully aligned with this concept and tailored to meet each brief. To gain a deeper understanding and more content related to this project or other designs please download my portfolio pdf.
MCM House
I particularly enjoyed working on this project as it provided the opportunity to work with a mid-century modern property located in Sydney’s North, where the locality and preferences of the client deeply influenced the design approach. I developed a concept that focuses on understanding the client’s interests while also drawing inspiration from the natural environment. I wanted the interiors to be influenced by the surrounding flora and fauna, creating a sensory experience that connected the clients to their land.
Researching the historical significance of mid-century modern architecture was a rewarding experience, especially as I explored how its innovative design principles laid the foundation for contemporary architecture. One of the key challenges of this project was working within the constraints of the existing structure, as I was committed to preserving as much of the original structure as possible.
This particular home significantly enhanced my drawing skills, deepened my understanding of the historical context of mid-century modern design, and refined my ability to select appropriate finishes and fixtures.
Woolloomooloo Warehouse
This warehouse design was particularly rewarding due to the unique challenges presented by its compact layout. Unlike the expansive open floor plans I’d previously worked with, this space was constrained by neighbouring properties, with windows limited to the front and left facades.
Building on the original structure, the ground floor embraces angular design elements, highlighted by custom joinery and flowing curved walls. The hand-drawn, to-scale drawings feature parallel lines that echo the rhythms of acoustic experiences, creating a sense of movement and sound within the space. The final stage of selecting materials and finishes was crucial in tying the design together, fully capturing the rhythmic, sensory concept I aimed to create. By thoughtfully choosing materials that resonated with the client’s lifestyle and reinforced the connection to the location, the selections not only complemented the space’s architectural constraints but also elevated the existing structure embracing a sense of elegance.
Styling + Communications
In 2023, I completed styling and digital communication units as part of my Certificate IV in Interior Decoration. These units provided me with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of styling for different purposes – whether to sell, photograph, or live in. The two briefs I worked on encouraged a critical approach to the elements and principles of design, challenging me to adapt stylistic choices for various demographics and needs.
The contrasting nature of the briefs pushed me to develop aesthetics that met specific requirements. Without a client to guide the process or provide direct feedback, it was initially challenging to ensure the design reflected the brief’s core values. However, self-reflection and constructive feedback from my own observations became essential in refining the design, allowing me to identify what was working and where adjustments were needed. While the independent nature of the project was daunting at first, I ultimately found the experience rewarding, appreciating the opportunity to take ownership of the design process and see it through to completion.
