Inside Interious: The Creative Process Behind Every Project

At Interious, our creative process is not a linear checklist—it’s an evolving dialogue between ideas, people, and place. It is, quite literally, the heartbeat of every project we bring to life.

Guided by our Adventurous spirit, Tenacious work ethic, and Curious mindset, we transform abstract concepts into immersive, functional, and beautiful environments across the office, retail, hospitality, and commercial sectors.

What follows is the journey we take with every client—from the first flicker of an idea to the final styling flourish. It’s not just about building interiors; it’s about shaping experiences, crafting stories, and creating spaces that leave a lasting mark.

Begin with Curiosity: Client Collaboration & Concept Ignition

Every great design begins with a question, not an answer.

Before pencils touch sketchpads or 3D models light up on our screens, we immerse ourselves in understanding the client at a deeper level. Who are they? How do they work? What do they value? What does “success” look like for their space?

We don’t just look for practical requirements like “X number of workstations” or “Y square metres of storage”—we listen for the unspoken. Maybe it’s a desire for more collaboration. Or a need for clients to feel instantly at ease. Or a quiet hope for something bold, unexpected, and memorable.

This phase is a mix of structured workshops and free-flowing conversation. We might review brand guidelines, explore their products or services, tour their existing premises, and even visit spaces they admire. It’s an exchange of ideas and visions—a creative ignition point where trust begins to form.

Because when we understand the “why,” the “what” and “how” fall beautifully into place.

Gathering Inspiration: A Universe of Ideas

Once the narrative is clear, we begin collecting the creative raw material to bring it to life.

Our studio transforms into an inspiration lab. Walls fill with mood boards layered in fabric swatches, timber samples, metal finishes, magazine tear-outs, sketches, and colour palettes. The floor may be strewn with tiles, rugs, and architectural models. A screen in the corner might be playing a short video of a space that captures the desired mood.

Inspiration comes from unexpected places:

  • Brand storytelling – The tone, values, and aspirations of the client’s identity

  • Materiality – The warmth of oak, the industrial honesty of exposed steel, the cool elegance of terrazzo

  • Architecture & art – From the clean geometry of modernism to the organic forms of nature

  • Cultural context – Local craftsmanship, historical references, and community touchpoints

  • Sustainability & technology – Innovative eco-friendly materials, smart lighting, and adaptive design systems

Here, Curiosity is our compass. We explore without limitation, because sometimes the smallest, most unexpected detail—a pattern in a piece of fabric, a shadow cast through a particular window—becomes the seed for the entire design direction.

Concept Development: From Vision to Form

This is where scattered fragments of inspiration crystallise into a coherent design concept.

We start refining:

  • Mood boards evolve into full design stories

  • Spatial layouts begin to outline the choreography of movement through the space

  • Material palettes are tested together—does this timber floor sing next to this deep green wall? How does the brass detailing catch the light at 4pm?

Here, Adventure meets structure. We encourage bold ideas—unexpected colour pairings, playful forms, inventive uses of space—but we always tether them to functionality. Every curve, every texture, every lighting choice serves a purpose.

We might create 3D renders or hand sketches so the client can feel the space before it exists. This is when the project starts to feel real, and excitement begins to build.

Iterative Collaboration: Shaping with Feedback

At Interious, design is a conversation, not a monologue.

Once the initial concept is presented, we invite the client into the creative process. They might love 90% of what they see but feel one corner of the design doesn’t reflect their brand. They might ask, “What happens if we swap these textures?” or “Can we open up this section for better light?”

This is where Tenacity kicks in. We refine, adjust, and reimagine while safeguarding the integrity of the overall vision. Each round of feedback is an opportunity to make the design stronger and more personal.

Our team—led by Lina Freijah—blends seasoned expertise with fresh, inventive thinking. It’s not unusual for a junior designer’s spark of inspiration to reshape a major element of the project. We keep egos out of the room and keep the focus on what will serve the space best.

Technical Development & Material Curation

Once the concept is approved, it’s time to get Meticulous. This stage is about precision:

  • Detailed drawings and specifications are created so nothing is left to interpretation

  • Material sourcing is finalised—vetting suppliers for quality, sustainability, and longevity

  • Lighting design is honed—layering ambient, task, and feature lighting to control mood and enhance usability

  • Joinery and custom furniture designs are documented for fabrication

We test how materials look and feel under different lighting. We assess how they’ll wear over time. We run through compliance requirements and coordinate with engineers, services consultants, and any specialist trades.

It’s the marriage of creative vision and technical expertise—because even the most beautiful concept will fail if it can’t be executed with precision.

Execution: From Design to Build via Trusted Partners

With documentation complete, we hand over to a trusted fitout partner ONE68, to bring the design into physical form.

Our role doesn’t end here. we:

  • Provide comprehensive documentation to ensure nothing is lost in translation

  • Stay in close contact with the fitout team to answer queries and problem-solve on the fly

  • Conduct site visits to check progress and ensure quality

  • Approve material samples and finishes before they are installed

Our oversight is constant. We see ourselves as guardians of the vision—ensuring that every detail, from the alignment of wall tiles to the curve of a reception desk, matches the intent.

Final Styling: Bringing It All Together

When construction wraps, the space is ready—but it’s not finished.

  • Styling is the final layer of storytelling:

  • Furniture is positioned for both flow and feeling

  • Rugs, plants, and art add warmth and personality

  • Decorative lighting brings intimacy to corners and drama to focal points

  • Accessories—books, ceramics, textiles—add subtle depth and human touch

This stage is deeply tactile. We adjust, step back, adjust again, until every sightline feels considered and cohesive. It’s the difference between a space that’s “done” and one that’s lived in, loved, and remembered.

Why Our Process Works

Our process succeeds because it’s built on four core principles:

  • Collaborative — Clients are partners, not bystanders.

  • Purpose-driven — Every choice is anchored to the project’s story.

  • Adaptive — Designs flex to meet new insights, site conditions, and evolving needs.

  • Value-led — Adventure keeps ideas fresh; Tenacity ensures quality; Curiosity fuels exploration.

This combination means our projects are more than a sum of their parts—they’re deeply felt, long-lasting environments rooted in meaning and experience.

Conclusion: Creativity as a Journey

For us, design is never a straight path. It’s an unfolding journey of exploration, refinement, and collaboration.

We begin by asking the right questions. We gather and distil inspiration. We shape concepts with purpose, detail them with care, and hand them to skilled builders with unwavering oversight. We return to layer the final touch—the element that makes the space not only functional and beautiful but unforgettable.

From that first spark to the last styled cushion, our process is intentional, immersive, and personal. It’s how we craft interiors that don’t just meet expectations—they transform how people feel, work, shop, gather, and live.

Because at Interious, we’re not just designing spaces. We’re designing experiences worth remembering.

Curious how these ideas can shape your next space?

Visit www.interious.au or connect with our team to bring thoughtful, future-focused design to life.

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