The Canberra-based interior designer making waves across the nation

Sally Hieatt is one of those creatives who perfectly personifies her craft; ever-changing, moving, and brimming with light and colour.

After 20 years as an interior designer, she’s firmly planted her feet all across Australia working out of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and our very own Canberra, setting her talents upon chic developments to prove that good design is never dormant.

“I have always had an interest in design. I think it all started in the ’80s when I sponged the walls of my parent’s dining room and I remember thinking it actually looked really good!”  Hieatt says.

Since those early days of in-house practise in rural New South Wales, Hieatt has gone on to cast her eye to large scale projects and one’s you’ll no doubt recognise when you stomp the local Canberran pavement.

Her first project was a refurbishment of Canberra Airport and Brindabella Office Park – a great get for a recent graduate – then moved on to colour the walls, halls, and floors of significant structures like Willinga Park equestrian centre

in Bawley Point, and The Woolstore apartments and EAST Hotel in Kingston.

“Being part of a large project team and delivering a public project is what I truly love,” Hieatt says.

“I get a true buzz sketching a plan, developing a concept, then seeing it being built and being enjoyed by the final client – it’s what it’s all about and why I’m still doing it.”

Hieatt is a big believer in the collaborative process and centring people in everything she does, that’s why property developments fit her sumptuous style and serious stamina to a tee.

Having her own business and studios, she harnesses the power of flexibility and is able to bring on other creatives to work alongside her.

For Kingsborough Village’s The Woolstore by DNA Architects, Hieatt reached out to a friend, award-winning designer and artist, Matt Sheargold, to create an artwork that is not only striking but imbued with a rich story.

“For the piece I had commissioned, Matt studied the architecture of The Woolstore and his beautiful, bright geometric interpretation of the building came to light,” Hieatt says.

“People don’t always recognise that the artwork is actually a reflection of the building you’re standing in. It just adds another layer to the level of consideration that goes into each project.”

Since returning to Canberra and setting up her studio in the Village Square of Kingsborough, Hieatt has set her sights on other local artists and is delighted with the transformation our strong and diverse creative community has gone through over the years.

If you follow her on Instagram, you’ll notice fellow Homegrown alum Bijoux Home lending their signature styling prowess to new development Illume in Griffith and Allhomes magazine favourite, photographer Anne Stroud capturing every eclectic colour palette, fine finish, and alluring atmosphere along the way.

“The opening of places such as Grainger Gallery is another indication of the local commitment and interest in design,” Hieatt says.

“I have always believed a project is about people and I have been fortunate to have clients and collaborators who have driven me and provided the opportunity to do want I do and do it well.”