Monique Woodward from WOWOWA
Monique Woodward launched her practice at just 24 years old—today she is founder and creative director at WOWOWA, committed to creating contemporary and playful spaces that evoke joy and hope.
Photography: Martina Gemmola & Derek Swalwell
‘We are playful story tellers. We are colourists. We are excellent listeners. I think that’s all you want from the person who helps you bring your dream home to life,’ says Monique Woodward. Photo: Derek Swalwell
Keano Warehouse by WOWOWA. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Hello Monique—take us back to the beginning, what were you doing before you founded WOWOWA?
Monique: Before WOWOWA I was an arty kid who wanted to protect the trees and save the whales, always trying to solve the world’s problems by drawing beautiful campaign posters for the cause. As an architecture student I worked all throughout my degree and masters in rockstar firms that I’ll always be so grateful for taking a chance on me. As a grad I worked at ARM Architecture on the Hamer Hall redevelopment before launching my practice at 24 years old.
Do you have any creative rituals or routines that you follow when starting a new project?
We get to know our clients, our work is always about them. Over the 14 years, we’ve crafted strategies to easily allow them to show us who they are. We invite them to select a ‘spirit snack’—a dish they feel best suits them and their colour preferences in general. Something nostalgic that evokes childhood memories is best… we then start to weave together formal stories and colour palettes that speak to these dishes. Some people prefer to choose an animal that represents them, we love this too—always such wonderful arrays of tones in a fish or bird, for example. We have fun with it. It could also be a precious family heirloom.
What does it mean to be an architect and interior designer in the current Australian interiors and design landscape?
It’s fantastic. There’s such a strong community of kind, generous humans who only want you to be your best and produce banger after banger. We feel so supported by like minded practitioners and I feel very lucky. We are BCorp Certified to ensure we give back to our industry and team members by showing up as ethical and open, meeting the highest global standards of social and environmental sustainability.
The most rewarding part of your job is...
Quietly walking around the construction site once all the framing and roof is done, so you can experience the proportions of the space. Our homes always have really high ceilings and the moment that you feel it, there is just pure joy in the relief and confidence that we got it right again. A big exhale out, with a smile and just allowing the imagination to run wild with all the delicious materials and textures that are about to come next. In that moment you can really feel all the good natural light that will illuminate the space and make it feel like joy. That’s my favourite.
And the most challenging aspect of your job is...
I love WOWOWA so much and love sitting next to one of the team brainstorming ideas, testing options, and suggesting crazy things that I often feel impatient for more when it’s time to put down tools at the end of the day. I can’t get enough. I also travel between Perth and Melbourne, in addition to the advocacy work with Australian Institute of Architects National Council, so time poor is the most challenging aspect, and wanting to spend time with my incredibly gorgeous toddler.
When did design first have an impact on you?
Someone told me as a student that architects look up. It blew my mind to think choosing a vocation could literally change the way you perceived the world around you. I was hooked from that moment on.
Where do you mainly go for inspiration?
Once the clients have given us their ‘spirit snack’, we turn to the site and if it’s a renovation, the original home itself. We’re obsessed with embellishing the original ornamentation of the home and playfully celebrating a lionised version of it within our own work—looking both backwards and forwards at the same time. Our studios logo is a kangaroo version of Janus, the Roman god of duality past and present, of multiple truths and thresholds… all things. The whole lot mixed in together speaking to the complexity of life and the joy to be found if you take the time to look and enjoy.
Ponds by WOWOWA. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Ponds by WOWOWA. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
“I love WOWOWA so much and love sitting next to one of the team brainstorming ideas, testing options, and suggesting crazy things that I often feel impatient for more when it’s time to put down tools at the end of the day. I can’t get enough.”
Hermon by WOWOWA. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Hermon by WOWOWA. Photo: Martina Gemmola. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Your designs are incredibly unique and bold—why is it important for you to celebrate a unique design difference?
It’s important for us to enjoy the process we go through and make good spaces that our fabulous clients are excited to live within. Again, it’s for them and should reflect them. We approach life by saying, ‘Life’s too short for boring spaces,’ and that attracts a certain type of person. Families come to us who want to feel a deep sense of home and arrival when then step through the door. Cosy and comfy is best.
Three words that sum up your design approach?
We are playful story tellers. We are colourists. We are excellent listeners. I think that’s all you want from the person who helps you bring your dream home to life.
The most valuable piece of advice you would give to emerging interior designers looking to break into the industry is...
Be yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. Be a weirdo, because that’s what will make you happiest—you just need to find the right place to be that will celebrate you, and allow you to shine. For me, WOWOWA is my safe space that allows us all to thrive and lean into our own special gifts.
What’s the first design element you always notice when you walk into a room?
I always notice the art and furniture. It’s just so important to have the complete package and it’s such a delight to see a home really come together. WOWOWA is so passionate about our Curation Service and has really perfected wine matching artist’s work within the yummy spaces we design. There is such an art to picking the right furniture to make the space sing. We recently even selected the towels and kitchen utensils for a client so they could move in with everything looking radiant and complete. SO satisfying!
Are there any dream projects or collaborations you aspire to undertake?
It makes so much sense that we design homes for families so when WOWOWA moved into designing schools for kids the harmony was very obvious. As part of our school projects we work closely with First Nations Elders and it’s the most rewarding element of our days. It’s a gift to be part of community and hear their stories and find ways to integrate their knowledge—they are the most important collaborators of our time.
What are you most excited about that’s coming up for WOWOWA?
We have some epic homes about to start construction that I couldn’t be more thrilled about. These are dream projects that have been artfully designed, lovingly ornate and adorned with beautiful art. They will be to die for, I can’t wait to bring them into the world.