2023 Home Design Done Right - with Tarina Wood from oh.eight.oh.nine

Interior designer, stylist, photographer and founder of Oh Eight Oh Nine, Tarina Wood, is the definition of a go-getter. Passionate about creativity, interiors and supporting Australian design, Tarina is known for incorporating playful colour and furniture in a way that manages to feel equal parts contemporary and timeless.

But, as we know, there’s an art to balancing just the right amount of fun and personality into a home – and selecting pieces that, while emerging, won’t date. Sounds tricky, right?

Not for Tarina – it’s her forte.

Today the designer shares her top tips on creating well-balanced, creative, yet timeless interiors and the design trends to watch out for in 2023.

Hoping to create your best-ever bedroom?
This one is for you!

1. You have a following on Instagram of 296K interior enthusiasts! What do you offer that isn't typically seen elsewhere?
I try to keep my content relatable with a varied approach to budgets, colour palettes and styles. There are plenty of inspirational accounts and homes on social media, but a lot of the build designs are becoming out of reach and unachievable for interior enthusiasts who want to keep a conservative budget in mind.

2. How has your style and way of approaching interior design shifted since starting a family of your own? 
The importance of keeping a neutral foundation in my home is important because it allows me to redecorate with styling pieces without changing the large ticket items. Despite being in the industry, I also try to keep trends out of mind when designing my home, and instead select pieces I have loved for a long time. Both of these factors ensure a more timeless and classic design and is a more sustainable approach to home decorating.

3. Typically, Australian designers have resided on the East Coast of Australia – where and when do you think the shift came for WA? 
There is so much talent in Western Australia but for a long time, designers have lacked local retailers and suppliers to source from. With the opening of beautiful furniture and homewares stores like Granite Lane, it makes specifying for projects much easier and achievable for the client to view in person.

4. Why is it so important to you to support local designers in WA?
It is much harder for designers in WA to network and attend interior-related launches that are based on the east coast, so in a sense, we have our own community that is very supportive and helpful. It's empowering to see so many incredible WA talents achieving their goals and producing world-class design work!

5. We absolutely adore your bedroom styling. Can you share any secrets to help our readers create well-balanced, beautiful retreats in their own homes?Thank you! Bedrooms are my favourite.

Start with your feature which can be anything from art, paint, wallpaper or a lining board, statement headboard or patterned rug. Then draw inspiration from whatever that feature is and scatter tonal hues of it throughout the room. This will create a beautiful balance and ensure the room feels harmonious. Then layer the bed with lots of texture and warmth, add some foliage for freshness and finish off with a beautiful fragrant candle. Voila- Master bedroom retreat complete!

6. What does a typical day look like for you?
After breakky and school dropoff, I usually attend to emails in the morning and get ready for the day. Every day is different but my week usually consists of meetings, consults, design work/specifying, shopping, warehousing, content production (photography and editing,) accounting and of course being a mum!

7. Do you shoot all of your own work?
Yes, I photograph and post-produce all my images unless the client has specifically engaged a photographer for promotional content where I need to be in the photos.

8. What colours do your forecast to be huge in the next year?
From the design trend workshops I have attended for up-and-coming forecasts in 23/24, neutrals are still hugely popular. White on whites, beiges and sandy, linen hues, then heading into your more earthy browns and tans. Chocolate is going to be a hit, and we can already see this filtering through into homewares and artwork!

9. Your favourite discovery of 2023? Any new brands or products you love to use?
GlobeWest's new 2023 range is stunning, and I can't wait to use more of their products in upcoming projects soon. The profiles, curves, colours and design of the Oliver and Artie ranges are swoon-worthy!

To celebrate our recent style journal 2023 Home Design Done Right - with Tarina Wood from oh.eight.oh.nine we are giving you the chance to win a Studio Floor Arch Mirror in Brass.

Here’s what you need to do:
1) Make sure you’re following both @oh.eight.oh.nine & @granitelane on Instagram to enter
2) Tag 3 friends in our pinned post who love design just as much as you do!

Studio Floor Arch Mirror Giveaway T&C's