Meet the Canberra interior designers making a name for herself

There is a design awakening underway in the nation’s capital, and interior designer Nina Exarhos wants to be front and centre as it happens.

The director and founder of N.WE Interior Designs was born and raised right here in the capital but moved to Sydney in her early 20s.

After graduating from Enmore Design Centre, she built her way up and now has close to 20 years of experience under her belt; some of those working with Sydney’s most esteemed interior designers and architects.

But it was the allure of family and nature that brought her back to where it all began.

“We wanted a change and to experience a new city,” she says. “With young children, it made sense to come back here and be close to family.

“I had never experienced Canberra as an adult per se, so I was really excited to appreciate it as an older person with a family.”

What Sydney will miss as a successful and unique interior designer who has worked with the likes of Arent&Pyke, Tina and Louise and Squillace, Canberra will now enjoy.

Settling back into her hometown in early 2018 wasn’t all easy for Exarhos, though, until she landed a job with Cox Architecture.

“I was grateful to start with Cox Architecture,” she says. “Every city has its own design community and working with Cox allowed me to meet so many great people as an insider.

“My Canberra network grew quickly and organically.”

It wasn’t long until Exarhos had private clients knocking on her door, and she decided it was time to go out on her own.

She has a passion for residential architecture and has happily taken on a host of local clientele, and it’s through them that she has started to see a shift in what was once perceived as a conservative market.

“Over the last three years, I’ve noticed a shift in the scene here and an appreciation for interior design,” Exarhos says. “With changes in the housing market, people are staying put and wanting to make alterations to their existing homes.

“That was a thing in Sydney for such a long time – when people couldn’t afford to upgrade, they would renovate – and I think you are seeing that in Canberra now.

“I have been so fortunate to work with clients who have connected with me, are open to new ideas and trust in the design process.

“I love creating spaces that are stylish and joyful but, most importantly, a layered expression of a client’s individuality – their personal journey, family and history. So, respect and connection are really important.”

Exarhos is now also solidifying herself in the commercial space, collaborating with Molonglo on a variety of projects across the city.

Her love of using colour and texture to design beautiful, considered spaces can now be seen in Molonglo’s office spaces on Dairy Road, and a new project on London Circuit.

Exarhos has only just started making her mark in the Canberra design scene, but she is far from finished.