About

Kate Challis Interiors is a Melbourne based design studio creating unique spaces that blur the line between art and design.

With practice grounded in art history and informed by a global perspective, the studio has a distinct visual aesthetic that results in highly resolved interiors.

An evocative approach to storytelling informs considered collaborations with skilled artists and makers to seamlessly realise layered, emotive design.

The studio is recognised for its signature mastery of colour and an innate understanding of the relationship between art and function, conceiving exceptional spaces and transformative experiences.

As the granddaughter of the late Bernard Smith — esteemed art historian and one of Australia’s most important thinkers — principal Kate Challis grew up amongst prominent artists, writers and intellectuals.

Not only did these formative experiences bestow upon Kate a love of art and of aesthetics, they instilled in her a deep visual language in which she became fluent at an early age.

Having completed a Ph.D in Art History; today Kate remains active as a scholar, and is on the Board of RAKA, one of the first awards established for Indigenous Art in Australia.

The culmination of these experiences has allowed Kate to define a uniquely layered and emotive signature, affirming Kate Challis Interiors as specialists in the creation of interior spaces that marry aesthetics with pragmatism, business with beauty, and people with their surroundings.

Awards & Accolades

2023 - IDEA Awards - Kensington - Residential Curation - Shortlist

2023 - IDEA Awards - Workwell Consulting - Workspace under 1000sqm - Shortlist

2023 - IDEA Awards - The French Jewel Box - Retail Design - Shortlist

2022 - The Melbourne Design Awards - Warrnambool - Silver Medalist

2022 - IDEA Awards - Warrnambool - Residential Curation - Shortlist

2022 - IDEA Awards - Private Office - Workspace under 1000sqm - Shortlist

2022 - IDEA Awards - Private Office - Sustainability- Shortlist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Designer of the Year - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Emerging Designer of the Year - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Art Deco House - Residential Decoration - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Art Deco House - Colour - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Gertrude Residence - Residential Design - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Gertrude Residence - Residential Decoration - Finalist

2019 - IDEA Awards - Gertrude Residence - Best Use of Colour - Finalist

2019 - The Design Files Awards — Interior Design - Finalist

2019 - Belle Interior Design Awards — Emerging Design Star - Finalist

2019 - Dulux Colour Awards - Finalist

2019 - NGV (Women’s Association) Art of Dining - The Best of the Best Participant

2018 - Vogue Living’s 10 Most Popular Houses of 2018