From Newsrooms to Living Rooms: How I Found My True Calling in Australia

I was born and raised in Brazil, where my love for communication led me to study journalism and later pursue an MBA in marketing. My early career saw me writing for newspapers, reporting on radio, and appearing on TV, primarily covering political news in Brazil’s capital. I later transitioned into corporate strategy roles, blending my media and marketing skills in a dynamic business environment.

Nearly two decades ago, I made the life-altering decision to move to Australia to learn English, driven by dreams of working in international journalism. I was drawn by the country’s familiar warmth, lifestyle, and, unexpectedly, by love. It wasn’t easy at first. Arriving with limited English, I faced the frustrations of feeling trapped by language barriers despite having so much to offer professionally. To truly integrate, I distanced myself from the Brazilian community, determined to immerse myself fully in Australian culture.

Over time, my path took an unexpected turn. I pursued a qualification in interior design, fusing my creative instincts, marketing knowledge, and business acumen into a new career. Today, I run a successful interior design business while balancing the roles of wife, mother to two boys, and active community member.

My Brazilian heritage, vibrant and colorful, inevitably seeped into my work. However, designing in Australia meant adapting to a market traditionally favoring neutral tones. Over the years, I’ve seen a shift, with Australians becoming more adventurous with color. For me, color is emotional—it’s about how spaces make us feel. I always begin with understanding my clients’ emotional connections to color, weaving their personal histories into their homes.

I noticed long ago that the colors people wear often mirror the palettes they are comfortable living with. I use that subtle insight to personalize each project, introducing color thoughtfully based on the mood and function of each room. My approach is not just aesthetic; it’s emotional.

Risk-taking has been vital to my work. I love challenging traditional norms, whether by incorporating curved walls or championing brass fixtures long before they became mainstream. Attention to detail defines my style, and many ideas come to me intuitively, even in dreams.

Building trust with clients is crucial. Designing a home requires a deep understanding of personality and lifestyle, and often, a bit of psychological insight to help clients embrace ideas they might initially resist. It’s about proving that pushing boundaries can create truly personal, vibrant spaces.

Expanding my creative pursuits, I am now developing a bespoke homewares line. The collection will reflect the same commitment to unique, curated experiences that I bring to every design project. Although the launch date isn’t set yet, pop-up events are in the works to test the waters before opening a full studio.

Australia has taught me resilience, courage, and the art of reinvention. My story is one of evolution, from the newsroom to the living room, always driven by a passion to create spaces that feel as alive and vibrant as the people who inhabit them.