In Conversation with DKO

Which global cities or regions are setting the pace in interior design right now?

California continues to lead the conversation, especially in its approach to indoor-outdoor living and that effortless, understated luxury. Designers are blending a relaxed lifestyle with genuine refinement to create unpretentious yet considered spaces. Miami is equally exciting, particularly around hotel renovations, where beautiful Art Deco and mid-century classics are being restored with contemporary luxury to create timeless, fresh interiors. The rise of hotel-branded residences in these markets is setting new benchmarks for residential design, bringing polish and amenity-driven thinking into private homes and striking a balance between classic glamour and modern sophistication. This is where it gets interesting for us in Australia. In some cities, like the Gold Coast, we share a coastal DNA with Miami and California: the climate, beach culture and quality of light, and there is a fascinating cross-pollination of ideas. What these markets understand, and what we are embracing here, is that thoughtful design is about lifestyle as much as aesthetics, and their approach offers lessons we can interpret through an Australian lens.

A project you admire that balances global polish with a strong sense of place?

Raffles Singapore is a perfect example. The recent restoration is masterful in how it honours the property’s history while feeling completely contemporary. What stands out is the opulent residential atmosphere throughout; it doesn’t feel like a hotel trying to mimic a home, but like a refined private residence that happens to welcome guests. The design team understood that a sense of place is about capturing the spirit and soul of the city, not just using local references, and the way heritage, light, craft and detail are layered speaks to a deep understanding of context.

What can Australian interior studios learn from design cultures abroad - and vice versa?

European and Asian design cultures are very strong at layering, building richness, complexity and drama while still respecting materiality. Australian interior studios excel in an intuitive understanding of natural materials, with a philosophy of letting them do their natural thing: celebrating the grain of timber, the texture of stone and the patina of metals as they age. There is an honesty and authenticity that comes from our respect and connection to this landscape. What Australian studios can teach the world is this sophisticated restraint and material honesty. We do not over-manipulate or over-finish, and the best work has a real ease and liveability.

Which amenities or layouts actually improve daily life in an apartment?

Wellbeing spaces are no longer a luxury. We are seeing everything from saunas to cold plunge pools and hot-cold contrast therapy areas, reflecting a real understanding that home is where we decompress and restore ourselves. The bigger shift is in how we conceive living spaces. The era of vast, open-plan living is evolving; the most successful apartment designs now break larger floor plans into smaller, more intimate breakout areas, acknowledging that even within one household, people need different experiences at different times, and that good design should facilitate both connection and retreat.

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