As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Robyn Hawke.
Robyn Hawke is the creative force behind Inspired Spaces, a leading interior design studio established in 2005, offering tailored residential and commercial design solutions. With an Advanced Diploma of Interior Design from Nepean Arts and Design Centre and over two decades of teaching design prior to launching her business, Robyn combines deep technical expertise with a passion for creating functional, aesthetically refined spaces.
Her journey into interior design is as inspiring as her work. At the age of 43, while balancing life with a severely disabled teenage daughter, a young child, and a frequently traveling husband, Robyn made the bold decision to return to full-time study. This pursuit of her lifelong passion for design marked the beginning of an extraordinary second career.
Robyn has since become a recognized authority in the field, contributing her insights to Sydney Hills Living Magazine, serving as a judge for the Hills Building Design Awards, presenting seminars at major design expositions, and representing the industry at the HIA Trade Show. She is also a proud member of the Design Institute of Australia and the Colour Society of Australia.
Her early professional experience with Clarendon Homes equipped her with in-depth knowledge of construction processes, contracts, and builder’s inclusions—expertise that she now channels into every project. This technical foundation ensures her designs are not only visually striking but also structurally sound and practical.
Today, Robyn is celebrated for her ability to transform spaces with creativity, precision, and care. Whether designing homes or commercial environments, she delivers interiors that balance beauty, function, and timeless appeal—earning her clients’ trust and positioning her as one of the most respected interior designers in the industry.
In this interview, she offers a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship, sharing both the challenges and the victories that defined her path.
What’s the origin story behind your business, and how does it reflect who you are beyond the entrepreneur title?
I often say I’m an “accidental entrepreneur”. I didn’t wake up one day with a five-year plan or a vision board—I just followed a quiet, persistent pull toward design, and one decision led to the next.
After 20 years teaching high school design and computing, I left the classroom at 43 and went back to study full-time. I knew I didn’t just want to “have a good eye”—I wanted the qualifications and technical skill to do this properly. So, I earned my interior design qualification, then spent 15 months working at Clarendon Homes where I learned how real-world design intersects with construction, compliance, and builder expectations.
That gave me the foundation I needed to start Inspired Spaces. In the beginning, it was small—just a way to earn flexible income while caring for my daughter, who has a disability. But then life threw some curveballs.
Not long after launching the business, I went through a major spinal injury that left me learning how to walk again, followed closely by breast cancer treatment. I was juggling client work around radiation sessions, site visits between hospital appointments—because oddly enough, work became the thing that kept me grounded. It gave me something forward-facing to focus on.
The real turning point came a few years later, when my husband’s health declined and he had to retire. That’s when the business stopped being a side project and became the primary source of income for our family. And that shift demanded a whole new level of mindset, structure, and strategy.
Up until that point, I saw myself as a “mum who ran a business”. But in order to grow and lead, I had to flip that. I became a “businesswoman who happened to be a mum”. That one change in thinking transformed everything—from how I positioned myself, to how I made decisions, to the kind of work I attracted.
Since then, I’ve earned further accreditations as a kitchen and bathroom designer, and as an accredited designer with the Design Institute of Australia. I’ve built out systems, hired the right team, and leaned into the kind of work that doesn’t just look good on a Pinterest board—it actually works in the real world.
Inspired Spaces reflects who I am at my core: practical, persistent, and fiercely committed to making things better—whether that’s a floor plan, a family home, or someone’s entire way of living.
I’m not just a designer or a business owner. I’m someone who knows what it’s like to rebuild—literally and metaphorically. And that perspective shapes everything I do.
Your work blends purpose with business. What’s the ‘why’ that still gets you out of bed on tough days?
Because I believe interior design isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s how people function, connect, recover, focus, and feel at ease in their own lives.
My “why” is simple: design should support people. Design isn’t just about what looks nice. It’s about what works—for real people, in real spaces, at every stage of life. Whether it’s reinforcing bathroom walls for future grab rails, making sure a lift can be added later, or solving the daily struggle of getting in and out of a bath safely… these aren’t “add-ons.” They’re the backbone of what responsible design should be.
Accessible design shouldn’t be a separate category—it should be built into everything we do, instinctively, as a mark of quality. It’s also about making workplaces work—in a human way.
Take Ultimate Security’s head office. We designed purpose-built breakout areas that are now staff favourites. The coffee machine became a spontaneous collaboration hub. The curved acoustic pods, a hit for informal meetings. The formal meeting rooms are fully soundproofed and thoughtfully zoned with colour and material cues to create clarity, connection, and comfort. Even the circular patterns in the carpet were planned to visually connect departments and encourage openness between teams and managers.
When a space works that well, people feel it—and the business benefits from it.
The same goes for Premium Strata. I designed their first office, and within two years they’d outgrown it—because it improved morale, productivity, and performance so significantly that their team expanded faster than expected. I designed their second office too, and now they’re on track to outgrow that one.
That’s what fuels me. Not the compliments, but the impact. The measurable difference in how people feel, work, and live.
This work doesn’t drain me—it lights me up. When I was teaching, I was good at it, but it took a mental toll. Design doesn’t feel like work. Even on the hard days, I’m excited to roll out the plans, solve problems, and create something meaningful.
I get to bring together empathy, precision, and technical expertise to design environments that make daily life easier, more productive, and more enjoyable—for real people, living real lives.
You can view the full Ultimate Security case study here.
Many brands offer similar services, but few capture hearts. What’s your secret to building deep emotional resonance with your audience?
I think it comes down to listening—really listening. Not just to what clients say they want, but to what’s underneath it. The way they talk about their home, the parts that frustrate them, the way their family moves through a space, the small comments they make in passing… that’s where the real design brief is.
People come to me because they’re carrying a lot—mentally, emotionally, logistically. They don’t want fluff or endless options. They want someone to take the pressure off. To guide them through the complexity and give them confidence that the outcome will not only look good but function properly for their lifestyle.
What creates connection is that I take the time to understand how they actually live. I ask about routines, frustrations, future plans. I think about the things they haven’t thought about yet—how they’ll age in the home, how they’ll entertain when their kids are grown, how they might need a quieter work zone in five years. It’s never just about aesthetics. It’s about designing for the way they live now and the way they want to live in the future.
And I’m honest. If I think something won’t work, I’ll say so. I’ll explain why, give alternatives, and talk them through the pros and cons. That kind of transparency builds trust. It creates a partnership, not a transaction.
I don’t aim to dazzle—I aim to deliver something that genuinely fits. That’s how emotional connection happens. When a client walks into their finished home or workspace and says, “This just feels right”—that’s how I know we’ve nailed it.
What’s been your most effective marketing strategy, and can you walk us through the creative thinking or risk-taking behind it?
One of the most effective strategies for us has been focusing on education and transparency—right from the first point of contact through to how we manage a project from start to finish.
A lot of our marketing is about giving people real insight into how design works. We regularly publish blog posts, case studies, and project breakdowns to show not just the end result, but everything that goes into creating a well-designed space—compliance, spatial flow, finishes, long-term functionality. It helps potential clients understand that this isn’t surface-level decorating—it’s serious, considered design.
This approach attracts people who value expertise. By the time they contact us, they’ve often read our content, seen our case studies, and already trust that we know what we’re doing.
But marketing doesn’t stop once a client signs on. The way we deliver the project is just as important to the long-term relationships we build.
We use a client portal where all decisions are recorded—plans, selections, revisions, and communications—so everything is centralised, clear, and accessible. Clients can see timelines and deadlines, which helps them understand how delays affect the bigger picture. That alone reduces stress and confusion.
We also include animated walkthroughs as standard. Clients don’t have to guess what their space will look like—we show them. We’ll even take their suggestions, model them into the plans, and show them side-by-side with other options. Whether their ideas work or not, they can see that we’ve listened and fully explored every possibility. That process builds a huge amount of trust.
Another key part of our strategy—which felt like a risk early on—is being upfront about fit. If a project isn’t suited to us, we’ll say so. That honesty means we don’t waste people’s time, and it’s built a strong referral base. People know we don’t say yes just to land a job—we say yes when we know we can deliver it well.
So the strategy, really, is about consistency: educate people, set clear expectations, include them in the process, and follow through. That’s what builds reputation—and long-term loyalty.
How do you listen to your community—not just in surveys or analytics, but in ways that help you anticipate their unspoken needs?
For me, it’s never just about what people say—it’s about paying attention to what they don’t say. The way they describe their day, the frustrations they gloss over, the little signs of hesitation when reviewing a layout. You learn to listen beyond the surface. A client might not tell you outright that their space isn’t working—but they’ll mention bumping into a cupboard door every morning, or not using a room because it doesn’t feel right. That’s where the real brief starts.
I also watch how people interact with their environment. Are they avoiding certain areas? Do they light up when they talk about quiet spaces or natural light? These small cues often reveal more than a formal survey ever could.
But it’s not just about one-on-one conversations. I stay actively involved in the wider design community through industry trade shows, podcasts, and mentoring the Designer Chicks—a group of female designers I’ve been supporting for years. Those conversations are invaluable. They give me insight into what other professionals are experiencing, what their clients are asking for, and where the industry is heading.
And then there’s the Home & Lifestyle Expos, where I regularly give standing-room-only presentations on design. That’s another direct line into what the community is thinking and feeling. People come up afterward to share what resonated, what they’ve been struggling with in their own homes, or what finally clicked during the talk. It’s unfiltered, honest feedback—and I always walk away with a clearer sense of what people are grappling with behind the scenes.
Being active in the local community also helps. I hear from trades, suppliers, and homeowners about what’s working, what’s not, and what people actually want—not just what’s being sold to them. That day-to-day connection keeps me grounded in reality, not just design theory.
Which campaign, collaboration, or strategic shift felt like a true turning point in your brand’s public image?
It wasn’t one single campaign—it’s been the accumulation of consistent decisions, long-term collaborations, and simply showing up with integrity that’s shifted how people see Inspired Spaces.
Winning the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award for Homes & Renovations three years in a row has certainly raised our profile. We’ve also been finalists in national design awards and winners in the local business awards, and those moments help validate what we’ve been building for years: a professional, respected design studio that’s here to stay.
But the real turning point came when I stopped trying to “market” the business and instead focused on showing people how we work—openly, clearly, and with care. Presenting to standing-room-only crowds at expos helped reposition me as a leader in the space. I wasn’t just another designer—I was someone sharing technical insight, compliance knowledge, and practical guidance in a way people could relate to and trust.
My collaborations with builders and with Beaumont Tiles at Castle Hill have also been a huge part of that shift. These aren’t one-off partnerships—they’re built on mutual respect. I listen to trades, value their input, and make decisions that work for everyone involved. That level of professional courtesy goes a long way, and it’s led to a lot of referrals—from trades, reps, and suppliers who’ve seen how we operate and feel confident recommending us.
I also think a big part of our public image now comes down to how we handle things when they don’t go to plan. We own mistakes. We solve problems quickly. We don’t shift blame—we take responsibility. That builds trust, and over time, that trust becomes your reputation.
The shift happened gradually—through consistency, professionalism, and a genuine passion for what we do. It’s why our name comes up in referrals, why reps put our brochures on display, and why clients tell their friends about us. It all comes down to honesty, integrity, and delivering what we say we will.
In your own words, how do you measure success beyond profit—in terms of legacy, influence, or cultural impact?
For me, success is about the ripple effect—how the spaces I design make people feel, function, and belong. Financial stability is important, of course, but real success is measured in how much of a difference we make to people’s everyday lives.
Design has a direct impact on wellbeing—physical, emotional, and mental. A well-considered home can reduce stress, support routines, and offer calm at the end of a busy day. A well-designed workplace can lift morale, improve productivity, and reduce staff turnover. I’ve seen it firsthand clients who tell me they feel like they can finally breathe in their home, or businesses that grow faster than expected because the environment actually supports the people in it.
It’s also about the legacy I leave in my own community. We employ local staff. We support local suppliers and trades. And that creates a ripple effect that feeds back into the economy. But beyond that, it impacts families. When you give someone stable work they enjoy, you’re also helping provide security for their household, their kids, their future.
And then there’s inclusive design—this is something I’m incredibly passionate about. I believe accessible design shouldn’t stand out like it’s been added on—it should be built in from the beginning. When I design bathrooms, I reinforce the walls so grab rails can be added later. I look at lift access, circulation space, and comfort—not because someone asked for it, but because it should be standard. Everyone should be able to use a space without having to ask for special consideration.
I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that. Pushing my husband in a wheelchair through a crowded store, unable to turn into an aisle or access an entryway because it wasn’t designed for anyone outside the “norm.” It’s not just inconvenient—it’s excluding. And I want my legacy to push back against that quietly but powerfully.
I want design to be recognised as a necessity, not a luxury. Something that’s worth every cent because it improves quality of life, reduces stress, and gives people spaces that fit them—without fuss, without compromise, and without needing a neon sign saying “accessible.”
If people remember me as someone who designed spaces that felt good, worked well, included everyone, and left the people inside them better off than when they arrived—that’s success to me.
What’s a daily or weekly ritual that keeps you grounded and in touch with your brand’s mission, even when business gets chaotic?
Every day starts the same way—I read our mission statement. It’s not just words on a wall; it’s a daily reminder of what we stand for: We are driven by creativity, grounded in realism, and committed to honesty, trustworthiness, and transparency. We are here to educate people on the power and importance of design—because design shapes how people live, connect, and thrive. And we are proud to be working toward being the benchmark for design excellence.
That five-minute check-in realigns my focus—especially on the days that spiral off-plan (which happens often in this industry). The whole team knows this mission. It’s not just mine; it’s something we talk about, come back to, and use to guide the way we approach our work, especially when things get pressured.
We also have a daily team reset. Every morning, we look at what’s on the schedule and reassess what’s actually urgent. You can have your day mapped out perfectly—accounts in the morning, a few marketing tasks lined up—and then you get the call: something’s gone wrong on site. A product has arrived damaged or the wrong tile’s been delivered, and suddenly the whole trade sequence is at risk of shutting down. That becomes the priority.
That’s the nature of what we do. The plan isn’t just there to follow—it’s there to flex. We’ve built systems that allow us to stay agile without letting anything fall through the cracks.
That kind of daily ritual—mission check-in, priority reset, clear communication—keeps us grounded. It helps us stay professional in an industry that can be unpredictable. And it means we keep moving forward with purpose, no matter what the day throws at us.
How do you approach innovation in a way that makes your brand both trend-aware and timeless?
For us, innovation is about choosing progress with purpose. It’s not about being first to everything—it’s about knowing what’s worth bringing in, what adds real value to our clients, and what helps us deliver on both function and aesthetic, long-term.
We’re constantly learning. Whether it’s through trade shows, industry expos, supplier updates, or hands-on mentoring with our Designer Chicks network, we stay across what’s emerging—new products, new tech, new materials. But we filter all of that through experience and practicality. We don’t follow trends just because they’re new—we ask whether they make sense for the space, the budget, and the way someone actually lives or works.
From a technology point of view, we use the most up-to-date software and tools available. That includes animated walkthroughs, detailed renders, and a client portal that keeps every part of the process transparent and traceable. These tools help clients visualise what’s coming, avoid expensive mistakes, and feel confident in the decisions they’re making. It also helps us collaborate more effectively with trades and suppliers—everything’s precise, coordinated, and easy to follow.
But innovation isn’t just about tools—it’s also about mindset. We design with the future in mind. We think about how a space will be used in five or ten years. Will it still work if the family dynamic shifts? If mobility changes? If the business grows? That’s where timelessness comes in—not from ignoring trends, but from layering them with functionality that lasts.
We also explore trends with clients when they bring them up—sometimes we model them in the walkthroughs so they can see the impact, and sometimes we talk through why it may or may not be the right fit. That back-and-forth is part of our process. It keeps us fresh, but grounded.
So our innovation approach is a mix of constant learning, selective adoption, and a deep respect for what will stand the test of time. We’re not here to make a space look current—we’re here to make it work for years to come.
If you could pass down only one piece of wisdom to the next generation of entrepreneurs, what would it be and why?
Keep learning. Always.
Education—whether formal through university or practical through business coaches, council programs, or industry training—is the most valuable investment you can make in yourself and your business. The more you learn, the more confident and capable you become.
You don’t know what you don’t know—and in business, that can lead to mistakes, missed opportunities, or poor decisions. But the more you educate yourself, the more you start to think critically, to question things properly, and to make informed choices that move you forward.
That’s something I’ve committed to from day one. I’ve taken courses, worked with coaches, studied business systems, and stayed up to date with the technical side of design. It’s not about ticking off qualifications—it’s about being equipped to lead a business properly, to adapt when things shift, and to keep growing.
So if I could offer one piece of advice to anyone starting out, it’s this: educate yourself, consistently and deliberately. It gives you options. It gives you confidence. And it’s the surest way to build something that lasts.
Winning recognition in your industry is no small feat. What behind-the-scenes decision or move do you believe made that possible?
What’s made the biggest difference is the way we’ve structured the business—building clear systems, delivering consistently, and focusing on quality at every stage.
One of the most important decisions was creating solid, repeatable processes. We use client portals to track every decision, set timelines so clients understand what’s happening and when, and include things like animated walkthroughs to help them visualise the outcome. Those tools give clarity and confidence, not just for the client, but for our whole team and trades.
We also made a shift a few years ago to only take on projects that align with our way of working. That’s made a huge difference—not just to the final result, but to how smooth the process is from start to finish. We’re able to do our best work when we’re working with the right people and on the right types of projects.
And applying for awards has played a part in how we reflect on what we’ve achieved. When you sit down to answer the questions, you realise just how many systems, structures, and successes you’ve put in place. It forces you to stop and acknowledge what you’ve built—not just as a designer, but as a business owner.
Our proudest recognition so far is winning the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award for Home and Renovations three years in a row. We’re believe we’re the only business to have achieved this—and that speaks to the consistency and strength we’ve built behind the scenes.
That kind of recognition doesn’t come from surface-level results. It comes from day-in, day-out effort: from showing up, doing things properly, and creating a business that’s as solid behind the scenes as it is in its final outcomes.
How have public recognition, awards, or media features shifted opportunities for your brand in unexpected ways?
Recognition—whether through awards, media, or word of mouth—has definitely opened doors. But what’s mattered most is how it’s changed the way I’m seen by my peers.
One of the most meaningful moments for me wasn’t actually an award at all. It happened at a recent KBDi event, when several designers came up to say they always pay attention to my answers in industry forums—that they listen, because they know what I share is grounded, considered, and valuable. That kind of feedback isn’t something you can buy. It only comes from experience, consistency, and a reputation built over time.
And then there was a moment I’ll never forget—a journalist from Connect magazine approached me and said, “I just wanted to introduce myself—you’re one of the stalwarts of the design industry.” That comment meant more to me than any trophy. Because when your peers—and the industry itself—see you as a steady, reliable presence who’s made a real contribution, that speaks volumes. That kind of respect can’t be manufactured.
I genuinely believe that recognition like this has come about through a combination of hard work, honesty, and integrity, alongside the visibility that awards and media features bring. It’s helped amplify my mission to become the benchmark for design excellence, not just in the work we deliver, but in how we run our business and how we contribute to the wider industry.
These opportunities have led to more speaking engagements, deeper industry connections, and new collaborations—but more than anything, they’ve validated the way we work: quietly, thoroughly, and with a genuine commitment to getting it right.
If someone hears your name or sees your work just once, what’s the one message or feeling you hope they leave with?
If they’re looking at a space I’ve designed, I want them to feel something. That might be a sense of calm—like they’ve finally found a place that lets them breathe—or it might be a quiet buzz of excitement, the kind that makes you want to explore, to linger, to take it all in.
Whatever the purpose of the space, the feeling should match it completely. It should feel considered, cohesive, and almost like it’s wrapped around you. The ultimate compliment is when someone walks into a space and says, “This just feels like me.” Like they’ve become one with it. Like it fits them, holds them, reflects them.
Design isn’t just visual. It’s emotional. And when a space is done well, you don’t always know why it feels good—you just know that it does. That’s the response I hope for.
And if it’s my name someone remembers, I want it to be attached to integrity, honesty, and transparency. That they know I’m someone who does things properly, who says what they mean, and who stands by their work. That’s the reputation I’ve worked hard to build—and it’s one I’m proud to carry.
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