Samantha Tatulli is the principal designer of Tatulli Design Studio in Perth. Tatulli Design Studio offers Interior Design and Interior Styling services for both residential and commercial projects.
Roxby Lane sat down with Sam to find out a little more about Tatulli Design Studio and what she loves about being an Interior Designer.
How long have you been in the design industry?
Wow 15 years (that makes me feel old) – the first 7 years I spent working on commercial projects (mostly in hospitality- bars, cafes and hotels) and the last 8 years have been spent working on mid to high end residential projects which is exactly where I want to be.
How did you first start your journey to becoming an Interior Designer?
I have always been a creative soul and like most people, I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to do after high school. My first tertiary education was studying photography and I quickly realised at the time, it was more of hobby than a career. On that journey to ‘finding myself’ I worked in retail for the Sporting and Leisure industry at a local surf store. I quickly moved up into a management position and realised I hated sales, but found I had a great skill set in visual merchandising.
I found this wasn’t enough, so it pushed me to explored my options and I enrolled in a 12month design course for Interiors, Graphic and Product Design. It quickly became apparent that I had found my passion and enrolled into further studies for Interior Design.
After 3 years of studying and becoming a qualified Interior Designer, I was offered a position with an architectural firm. Since then, I have worked for several design practices and builders. These opportunities have given me valuable tools for design intent, technical specifications and how the industry works. This experience coupled with my extensive portfolio working on national projects with design firms, led me to the natural progression, to start my own business, and so Tatulli Design Studio was born.
Tatulli Design Studio has been operating now for 2 years, I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given and feel extremely blessed to have found my passion, allowing me to work creatively and collaborate with some amazing people. The future for Tatulli Design Studio looks exciting and I can’t wait to share more of what is in the works!
Did you remember receiving a piece of valuable advice from colleagues or other designers along the way?
I’ve had a few…..
1. A colleague architect once taught me - never to panic or stress. Stay calm if things shift from your original intent. We must resolve and evolve any issue and find the best solution for our clients, before they even know it happened.
2. A colleague senior designer one told me - Don’t always go for the obvious layout option. Explore unique design layouts and shift the client’s mind set in thinking. The obvious is obvious, but creating something functional and unique is a talent. (This has been very valuable as the amount of times I have had a client’s say “I never thought of that” is countless.)
3. A friend/designer once told me - Your skill set is valuable, so don’t under value yourself as a designer.
What piece of advice do you have for any budding interior designers?
Firstly, read above…
Secondly, please do not copy and paste. You can find inspiration from others but take yourself and the client through conceptual journey and learn how different people live. We have a role as a designer to create a beautiful unique space for our clients. We need to listen and learn how they want to live and then establish a beautiful curated design for them, but with your personal design touch.
What motivates you or inspires you from a design point of view?
What motivates me is creating something I’m proud of. Something I can stand back
and go “yeah girl you did that!!” What inspires me? People who follow their passion and push themselves to do something a little different.
Do you a favourite designer? Fashion, Interiors etc.
The list is long…. but Kelly Wearstler is my queen in the interior design world.
People can be a little overwhelmed by her interiors but if you look at the details, the mix of forms and materials she is an absolute guru at creating a unique space. I also love Australian designers George Livissianis, Morq, Flack Studio, Conrad Architects, Design by Golden, and Simone Haag.
Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?
Yes, I’m currently working on some beautiful homes with Giorgi and assisting their clients at fit off stage. I have a couple that will be installed in the next 6 months and more in the pipeline!! I also have a two town houses currently being built by Blanc homes. These involved full interior selections and joinery design in collaboration with Design Wise. I also have some really cool independent projects which are renovations or new builds.
What would be your dream project?
My dream project would be my own dream home... It would blow your mind!!
You can Follow and view Tatulli Design Studio projects here @tatulli_designstudio
Tatulli Design Studio is part of the Roxby Lane/GlobeWest Find-a-Designer program.
Roxby Lane and GlobeWest are advocates for great design and believe the benefits of using a design professional will help bring your dream interiors project to life.
Find-a-Designer is a free service connecting Roxby Lane and GlobeWest website visitors with interior design professionals.
Users enter their project location, contact details and preferred interior style (undecided, contemporary, modern, eclectic, classic, retreat) to receive a shortlist of referred designers to discuss their project with.
Click here to fill out the form and we will connect you with an Interior Designer that is part of our Find-a-Designer program.
