Claudia Lambert
Claudia Lambert Interiors principal, Claudia Lambert’s career trajectory hasn’t been linear—here she shares her creative process and rituals, her passion for creating joyful interiors, and much more.
Photography: Hannah Blackmore & Alana Landsberry
Claudia Lambert Interiors principal, Claudia Lambert, has over 10 years experience working in editorial styling and residential design. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Lilac Residence by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Lilac Residence by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Lilac Residence by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Hello Claudia—can you introduce yourself?
Claudia: Hello! I’m Claudia, a self-made interior decorator obsessed with my job. I’m a 43 year old mum to 2 boys—9 and 7, and live in Sydney, Australia.
Take us back to the beginning… what were you doing before you founded Claudia Lambert Interiors?
I began my career as a couple and family therapist, completing my Masters Degree. When I met my husband I had just begun experimenting with blogging as a creative outlet to explore my obsession with interiors. After a while, I got a bit of a following and a few magazines picked me up to style homes for print and digital media. This then brought in enquiries from people to help style their homes. I was having children by this point and realised that I much preferred working in the creative field rather than as a therapist, so I began transitioning from one career to the other. This was a slow process and overlapped for a few years and it wasn’t until after I had my second child that I fully transitioned. I went on to study interior design and haven’t looked back!
Do you have any creative rituals that you follow when starting a new project?
Yes, I always start by having a conversation with the client about how they want to feel in the space, then I go down a bit of a rabbit hole of images that align with that feeling and begin developing colour schemes and the vibe. I get very inspired in the initial stages of a project to develop the creative spirit of the home then tone it down or ramp it up, depending on the clients tastes, needs and budget. I always move toward looking at fabrics, art and vintage chairs to jumpstart a space.
What does it mean to be an interior designer in the current Australian interiors and design landscape?
For me, working alone can feel isolating, people go in waves with how they choose to spend their money, so nothing is ever guaranteed—this can be a pretty daunting way to live! I’m finding more and more a need to have watertight agreements with clients to protect myself, because things can go wrong with jobs… it’s so important to make sure you’re covered in every way possible. Thankfully, we’re producing more local talent so we don’t have to ship from overseas to get that eclectic look. My preference is to always select locally made to support the Australian design industry.
Your work is light, layered and joyful—why are these design principles so important for you when designing?
I think the word joyful resonates most with me—making people smile when they walk into their home is a beautiful feeling, knowing I helped to create that sense for them in their home. Layering a home is vital to elevate each element. For instance, art can look more elevated on wallpaper, lighting creates atmosphere, rugs ground and define spaces, and the decorative elements add a sense of personality and curation to the work.
‘Sometimes I create a home’s palette completely based on one artwork that ignites me,’ says Claudia Lambert. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Bellevue Hill Apartment by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
“I think the word joyful resonates most with me—making people smile when they walk into their home is a beautiful feeling, knowing I helped to create that sense for them in their home.”
‘Layering a home is vital to elevate each element, for instance, art can look more elevated on wallpaper, lighting creates atmosphere, rugs ground and define spaces, and the decorative elements add a sense of personality and curation to the work.’ Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Bellevue Hill Apartment by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Hannah Blackmore
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
Tarella—Woollahra by Claudia Lambert Interiors. Photo: Alana Landsberry
The most rewarding part of your job is…
The flexibility to work into my family schedule, and the fact that it actually doesn’t feel like work! Watching someone’s face light up when presenting a concept to bring a vision to life is very rewarding.
And the most challenging part…
The creative part is the easiest, the challenge comes once the decisions are made—the logistical nightmare of coordinating trades, lead times and client expectations is a real juggle.
Where do you mainly go for inspiration?
First and foremost, art… it is my favourite thing in the world, and something that completely transforms a home. Sometimes I create a home’s palette completely based on one artwork that ignites me. I have a vast collection of new and vintage design books that I reference, and I’m also constantly trawling vintage and thrift shops.
Three words that sum up your design approach?
Layered, unexpected and comfortable.
The most valuable piece of advice you would give to an interior designer or stylist looking to break into the industry?
Start anywhere, get experience by trawling all the shops you can, visit the shops you can’t afford, the ones you can, meet with fabric houses to see their ranges, go to museums and galleries to see how people work with colour, gather information about what you respond to, discover what lights you up. Whenever someone starting out reaches out to me I always take the call or meeting because we all have to start somewhere and it can be a very isolating industry if you work for yourself.
What’s your dream design commission?
Easy! I had a message only last week from a friend telling me her husband said ‘What would you do if we won the lottery?’ and her response was, ‘Give Claudia free reign to build us a home’. Definitely residential is where my heart is, ideally a home with history that needs a new lease on life.
What are you most excited about that’s coming up for you this year?
A large renovation in Sydney’s north that’s going to challenge me on my ability to keep things neutral but still inject my style into it. I have a few projects that are finishing up to be published and a few clients who are coming back for more work in their homes.