Melbourne based designer David Hicks established his studio over 21 years ago, building it into Australia’s premier brand for luxury-oriented interior and building design.

Hicks’ vast portfolio includes projects across residential, hospitality, office and retail, has been frequently featured in leading design magazines in Australia and abroad, and he has won and been shortlisted for numerous national and international design awards

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Hicks has been a key-note speaker at top-tier trade fairs and tertiary institutions and has appeared on prime-time television programs, including Channel 9’s A Current Affair as a design authority, and HomeMADE and The Block as a guest judge. In 2016 he published the book Intimate – A Private World of Interiors, charting his design journey since establishing his practice.

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LUXURY LIST WEEKEND spoke to David Hicks about his career in design. 

What/who inspired you to decide on a career in interior design?

Obsessed with property from a young age, I used to go to open houses with my parents, taking the sales brochure home to re-design the plans, often with total disregard for resale price or over-capitalising, but that is the beauty of youth

What do you enjoy most about your chosen career?

I love how every project is completely different. We often work with heritage or retained existing structures, which keeps things interesting. I also love the faster pace of interior design as opposed to architecture, it is more energetic.

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"Combining the three elements of the built environment - architecture, interior design and decoration to create an elegant and sophisticated international style." How would you describe your design aesthetic?

My design ethos is to really listen to clients, to try and tease out what they are really after. Sometimes it is completely different to what they think. It is my job to translate the client’s vision and this is what commences the aesthetic for a particular project.

My design signature comes into play with careful planning and detailing, along with a considered approach to materials and decorative elements. My aesthetic is about stripping things back and simplifying whilst adding a touch of glamour, as everyone wants to feel special in a space.

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What advice would you give to a new client?

I often tell my clients to go with their gut instinct. If you second guess things too much you can dilute the process and the end result. There is a reason why you react to certain things and often clients don’t realise that until I point it out.

What is the most interesting/challenging brief you’ve been given?

We recently designed the interior of a private jet for a client overseas. That was an amazing project, however it was very challenging, technical and complex due to all of the regulations and requirements every single thing had to adhere to.

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Did you take it on?

Yes of course, I never shy away from a challenge.

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David Hicks Design has been recognised by multiple international and national design awards including FX International Design, IDEA and Australian Interior Design Awards and graced covers of Architectural Digest, Case da Abitare, Vogue Living and Wallpaper. Which has meant the most to you?

Awards used to mean a lot when I started out as they give you exposure and can create interest in what you do. There is no one particular award that that has meant the most. As a practice we do not enter awards currently as we are focused on delivering the best possible outcome for our clients and their satisfaction is better than an award.

With an extensive portfolio across residential, commercial, hospitality and retail, spanning the world from Philadelphia to Sydney, Dubai to Brisbane, Melbourne to L.A. Do you have a favourite project?

I love all the projects I have worked on, my favourite though is usually the one I am working on at the time. I get so consumed by what I do that I live and breathe each project, that is how I get the results that we do.

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How does design overseas differ from Australia?

Designing overseas is not hugely different as the world is a small place now. What is challenging is the difference in measurements along with language barriers. I find language is easier to overcome as we communicate visually most of the time anyway.

When presenting at tertiary institutions, what advice would you give students?

The advice I would give students would be to start working for a design firm as soon as they can, even if it is cleaning out the sample library or printing or doing errands. This is invaluable, and you will learn so much about the reality of being a designer as opposed to the theoretical and artistic side

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What do you enjoy in your in your down time?

In my downtime I am often sourcing online, researching overseas projects, or designing a new house, it is always design orientated. Some say I have no downtime, but I love what I do!

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