With a career spanning more than 20 years, designer Mardi Doherty has built a diverse body of work encompassing urban and rural residential, retail, hospitality and commercial spaces.

Mardi’s contemporary interiors reflect and honour the diversity, vibrancy and eclecticism of Melbourne's architectural heritage, from a new-build rural weekender cut into the hillside overlooking a private golf club to the revival of a 1980s postmodern house in Malvern, recognised in the 2020 Australian Interior Design Awards.

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As director of Doherty Design Studio (DDS), Mardi heads a team of multi-disciplinary designers with projects spanning residential and commercial, including the award-winning flagship store of Australian babywear brand Marquise, winner of 2020 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards - Best Commercial Interior, and BÀ XÃ Noodle Bar at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport in collaboration with Techné Architects.

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WILLIAMS MEDIA spoke to Mardi Doherty about her design career.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

I enjoy the diversity of each of our projects, and of our clients. I also love acknowledging what makes every project so different. Every day we continue to improve, learn and grow as designers, and working with lots of different artists, designers, architects, graphic designers and builders assists us in gaining a richer understanding of design and construction.

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Known for your use of bold colours, how would you describe your design aesthetic?

I adore working with colour – sometimes a project calls for bravery and boldness, whilst others require considered subtle hues. We love producing contemporary interiors that are diverse, vibrant and eclectic. Our projects have a clarity and honesty about them, and we work hard for there to be a clear link to the buildings our designs inhabit, and to our clients that inhabit them.

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You spent a few years in London with luminaries of design including the Conran Group and David Collins Architecture & Design, how does design in Australia differ from London?

I think the main difference between design in Australia and London is the vastly different landscapes and temperature. Australia has an amazing freedom due to the amount of open space, whereas design in London buildings is often quite contained, mostly within 4 walls because of the dense population, the older architecture, and harsh weather conditions. Australia’s climate and vast space allows for a lovely connection between the outdoors and indoors, which is so liberating.

My time in London also made me realise that Australian design and designers are fantastic! I recall being a young, naïve, star-struck designer arriving in London, and quickly realised that what we had ‘back home’ was very special. Being so remote allows us to push our ideas, and we have developed a strong reputation within the world design scene. 

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With over 20 years’ experience both in Australia and overseas and an extensive portfolio of projects in residential including Madonna’s London home, iconic commercial sites, the NGV and Federation Square and retail giants Victoria’s Secret, do you have a favourite?

I have many favourites including all the above, and some of our more current projects. We are currently working on the interiors for a new home (in collaboration with Enth Degree Architects), for an amazing family, where there is a whole room that is a sunken conversation pit. Clients with the courage to do this inspire our studio!

Many of my favourite projects are for repeat clients. The understanding and trust that is built up over one or more projects is very special. We are currently working with a client on their third home, a holiday home in rural Victoria. 

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What advice would you give to a new client?

I suggest a new client really do their research before engaging an Interior Designer. It’s important to connect with your designer, and once this connection has been established, then the ability to trust your designer is most important. We see every project as a collaboration between ourselves and our clients, and allowing your designer to explore options is really important. Magic can happen on every project, and having the freedom to allow that magic is crucial. 

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How do you feel the events of 2020 will influence design?

Travel restrictions within Australia have reminded us all to appreciate our own country. Homes are becoming a place of security and nurture, with clients investing into their properties rather than travel. Home offices are here to stay and frequently requested in the design of contemporary homes.

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The breadth of local design in Australia provides exciting opportunities to refocus on local talent – we love to collaborate with the expansive talent of local designers in the industry.

The current 'regional boom' is fuelling the growth of Australian architecture and interior design, with our studio being increasingly commissioned for projects in rural and coastal settings.

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What does the year ahead look like for DDS? 

New residential projects include an elegant and enduring renovation to a grand Victorian in Armadale, and vibrancy is celebrated in a bold genre defying home in Doncaster East. Our studio is also excited about collaborating on projects in both retail and hospitality as Melbourne finds its feet back post covid.

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What is the most interesting brief you’ve been given by a client?

We had a client in Sydney who came to us with a bright yellow mosaic tile that she loved, and she asked that this be the visual brief for her whole home. There was also a lot of space planning required for the project, and this small yellow tile was always top of mind with our finishes selections!

Did you take on the project?

We most certainly did, and although this yellow tile ended up in a small part of the home, we loved that this was the catalyst for the home’s aesthetic.

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As an alumni of RMIT you continue to support students in the School of Interior Design’s INDEX graduate exhibition. What advice would you give to a new graduate designer or someone thinking about Interior Design as a career?

I have great memories of my time at university, so fostering young designers is something I am very passionate about. A new graduate needs to hustle, be persistent, work hard and enjoy the learning opportunities. To people thinking about becoming an Interior Designer I suggest researching the most appropriate course to study- there are lots of courses out there, and some better than others. Gaining a deep appreciation of architecture and design is also important, and undertaking architectural tours in Australia and around the world are a great way to gain knowledge about design.

Where do you live now, and where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

We are renting a house in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne while we renovate an Edwardian home in Prahran. If I could live anywhere in the world it would be Berlin. The city’s turbulent past, and inspiring contemporary art/design/architecture scene captivates me every time I visit.

Related reading:

1920s St Kilda residence with colourful reinvention - The Agency