Kim Lane has been working within the interiors industry most of her career and has a particular interest in sustainable design. She combines her tutoring role for The Interior Design Institute with creating decorative homewares using natural fibres.
Kim completed a degree in Clothing Design and Textile Science from the University of Otago. She worked initially as a Visual Merchandiser and Window Dresser for Country Road Clothing in New Zealand, before transferring to Sydney where she managed the visual team throughout New South Wales.
While working in the UK, Kim was drawn to the Designers Guild and Terence Conran stores, among others, and discovered a passion for interiors and colour. This inspired her to undertake study in interior design after returning to NZ in 2000 and following that she set up her own business. Kim worked mainly with residential clients providing concept planning and specifying colours and finishes while raising her children.
In recent years Kim has become passionate about sustainable design and using natural materials wherever possible.
Bronwyn James was destined to pursue a career in the design industry. She grew up with creative parents who worked in design-related businesses and was always surrounded by colour samples
Bronwyn has been involved in a diverse range of building projects over many years where her intuitive flair and passion for colour, fabrics and design has been evident. She completed an interior design course to complement her practical skills and knowledge, and has had extensive experience working as an interior designer and project manager on the upgrading of residential properties.
These projects have included redesigning and revamping small brick and tile units, modernising dated apartments and extensively renovating original villas and bungalows to make them suitable for contemporary living.
Sophie Seeger runs Seeger By Design, a creative company for interior design, decorating, property styling, colour consulting and art sourcing.
Sophie was immersed in art and design from a very young age, having “caught the bug” from her grandmother, a sculptor, and both art-loving parents.
She studied the history of art, colour and design, interior design and journalism. Her career to date has successfully married her passion for art, design and writing.
While running a contemporary art and design gallery, Sophie developed a commission base for her paintings and also discovered her joy for commercial design development, identifying sustainable opportunities and incomes for artists and designers.
This led to two Indigenous rug and textile ranges with licensed deals for clients, including DFAT, Qantas and public libraries. Sophie has a licensing deal for her own abstract art and has works in private collections throughout Australia, South Africa, the US, UK, Denmark and Singapore.
Sophie has worked as an art and design mentor and a guest curator, and she continues to work on residential and boutique retail interior design projects.
She is a contributor for Houzz and a member of the DIA.
Wendi Snyder started a career in theatre, specialising in costume and set design for student and professional productions at the Alexander Theatre Monash University.
She stayed there for ten years before working with theatre producers, such as Michael Edgley, Kevin Jacobson and Cameron Macintosh.
Her twenty-five year career in theatre took her around the world where she educated herself in architecture and interior design.
She left show business to work with property developers as an interior designer in commercial but mostly residential applications.
Wendi works as a tutor for The Interior Design Institute, is a member of the DIA, runs her own interior design company and consults on predominantly domestic projects, specialising in kitchen, bathrooms and colour schemes.
I had often considered a career in Interior Design but always thought it either too hard to get into or really didn’t know where to start. My confidence and skills have increased immensely since studying for this Diploma and I have a new outlook on the future – not to mention my house which is now looking pretty fantastic!
Waikanae
A sample of our students design work
