Principal of Smac Studios, Shona McElroy, is an award-nominated 28-year-old interior architect working out of Sydney’s East. 

With a Master of Architecture from the University of Technology Sydney, Shona’s interior designs combine with her talent for clever spatial planning, showcasing her natural inclination towards modern design with an old-world European edge.

Her recent project, Mirror Image, was shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards and other Smac Studio projects have been featured in international and domestic publications, including Vogue Living, Belle, Domino, The Local Project and Est Living.

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LUXURY LIST WEEKEND spoke to Shona McElroy about her career. 

What was the inspiration to begin SMAC Studio?

The beginning of the studio came a bit unexpectedly. While working with another company part time, I was given the opportunity to take on a private job to do a beautiful original federation home in Hunters Hill for a family I had nannied for in my teens. It was the dream project, the clients and the builder were so open minded and encouraging, and all over it was such an enjoyable experience. I put myself out there to a few more potential clients straight after and got a few projects under my belt, and it became quite clear that I probably would continue down an independent path, and so the studio was born!

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Smac Studio creates ‘elegant design with impact’. How would you describe your design aesthetic?

I have a great appreciation for all styles of interiors, so our style is ever evolving and can often merge many different design aesthetics. I look toward Europe and both North & South America for details I can thread through designs, so the end result is often quite layered with detail. I tend to lean toward natural materials and textural elements that have a certain time transcendence about them. I think the style is so based on the client as well, but every project is consistently detailed, luxurious and mostly quite daring & playful.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

It's tangibility. It's one of the few professions where you can see your ideas literally form in front of your eyes in such an encompassing way.

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How does your Masters in Architecture influence your approach to design?

I love spatial planning so my Architectural background enables me to really manipulate the internal spaces and work together with the architect on new builds. Having an architectural background enables me to also understand the architect's MO for a project so I can really go for an internal redesign with confidence that their design intent will be upheld (as I'm often asking to push & pull windows / doors!)

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What advice would you give to new client?

Firstly, giving a really detailed brief on who you / your family (or your target market) is and the way you live, relax & entertain as they're the foundation of the spaces. Then any non-negotiable things that you want. Then decide if you want the designer to take the reins for the initial concept, or if you have extremely specific ideas for the project. It can be easy to get stuck on an idea, and it can be interesting to see a designer’s uninfluenced ideas for the project. And lastly, definitely rework the concept with the designer until you believe it is exactly what you'd like, and if you trust them, then let the designer go for it!

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

Our most recently published project, Mirror Image was a fabulous brief where my client essentially said, "I want it to look different to anything we've done before or anyone has seen before" and gave us almost complete autonomy over the project. We were also brought on pre Development application and reworked the entire floor plan.

How do you feel the events of the last few years will influence architecture and design? 

I think more than ever people appreciate their surrounding spaces, and understand how clever design solutions can really enhance home life and everything that should entail. A home should be able to facilitate relaxation, entertainment, work, play and design is integral to this.

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What advice would you give to someone wanting a career in architecture or design?

Get into the industry ASAP, while you're studying and probably with a smaller company. Being thrown in the deep end is the best way to learn, and being with a small company means you're able to understand all facets of the design process. Then furthermore, listening to the client and then reflecting their wants in your designs is the singular most important thing, it creates trust early on - which is integral to a successful project.

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

I currently reside in Woollahra and I love it here. I find Paris super inspiring so I'd absolutely live there (in the Avenue Montaigne apartment by Joseph Dirand specifically). However, I'm super social and would miss my friends, so unless they all moved to Paris with me, I'd stay around here!

Contact Shona McElroy via the contact froms below or click here to go to SMAC Studio website.

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