The Gold Coast holds a particular charm, especially for those drawn to sunshine, design, and a lifestyle that has long attracted creatives. For Janelle Watson-Evans, the allure began in childhood. After moving from Sydney with her mother following her parents’ separation, she found herself immersed in a world where resilience met aesthetic ambition. Her mother, juggling several jobs to make ends meet, gradually carved out a name in interior design. A prolific developer noticed her innate flair, and soon she was decorating display apartments. Eventually, she became known as the “Golden Girl of Gold Coast interior design,” a title earned through talent, persistence, and vision.
Janelle’s own entry into the world of interiors was both personal and professional. She returned from university in Sydney to rejoin her mother on the Gold Coast, where they worked together for many years. Their work spanned the country, with repeat clients in Victoria, Sydney, and beyond. What set them apart was a sophisticated design approach uncommon for the time and place—an elegant interplay of antique elements, contemporary Australian art, and iconic modernist furniture. Their interiors were featured in magazines and inspired by global publications like Architectural Digest and World of Interiors.
A deep respect for art, history, and individuality informs Janelle’s design philosophy. She describes her aesthetic as respectful, refined, expressive, and stylish. Her work reflects these qualities through thoughtful integration of her clients’ treasured items, ensuring homes are layered with personality and memory. Her approach is not about rigid styles but about creating timeless, international looks that could just as easily belong in Milan or New York as in Surfers Paradise.
Art plays a vital role in Janelle’s process. Influenced by her mother’s passion for contemporary Australian art and her own collecting habits, Janelle sees room design as a form of curation. Like a well-composed painting, a room should balance color, texture, and space. She enjoys contrasting unexpected elements, like a Dale Frank abstract next to a gilded Louis chair, or vintage pieces beside high-end artworks. For her, good design comes from the ability to combine the past and present in surprising and tasteful ways.
Inspiration is drawn from everywhere—her extensive collection of design magazines, art books, music, and the constantly changing elements of her own home. Janelle thrives in an environment where mixing styles and eras creates a narrative unique to each space. She believes that authenticity is central to design. The best interiors, she says, are those that reflect the client’s life and passions.
That philosophy resonates with many, including those navigating personal change. Downsizing, moving, or redefining a space can be overwhelming, but Janelle helps clients edit and prioritize, guiding them through decisions about what to keep and how to adapt. She embraces minimalism and maximalism equally, tailoring spaces that are both livable and expressive. Comfort, meaning, and design integrity are always her goals.
While her home base remains the Gold Coast, Janelle works remotely and welcomes projects beyond Queensland. Whether designing a farmhouse or advising on a city apartment, she focuses on collaboration and curation. Influenced by legendary designers like David Hicks and Kelly Wearstler, and admiring contemporaries like Greg Natale, Janelle values both tradition and evolution in design.
She recognizes the recurring allure of styles like Palm Springs and the Hamptons, noting their historical resonance and visual ease. Yet she insists on elevating these looks when clients request them, refusing to rely on formula. Her interiors never lean on clichés—they’re layered, intelligent, and infused with both boldness and restraint.
For Janelle, great interiors are about personal joy. They are meant to be lived in and loved, not just admired. By listening deeply and drawing from a rich palette of influences, she creates spaces that are more than stylish—they’re sincere. Design, after all, is at its best when it reflects who we are and what we value.