Whether it’s an urban apartment, a suburban bungalow, or an oceanfront beach house, every Handelsmann + Khaw residence strikes an eloquent balance between the restrained and the whimsical. Recently named as one of Vogue Living’s inaugural “VL50” list of top Australian creatives, Tania Handelsmann and Gillian Khaw—the award-winning duo behind the Sydney, Australia-based studio— expertly marry the stripped-back, clean lines of minimalism with saturated colors and delightfully quirky details.

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Their refined and romantic abodes have been published in an array of international glossies, including Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. Throughout their work you’ll find nods to history—carefully curated one-off pieces that are so seamlessly woven in that a space never feels confined to any one period or aesthetic. In other words, they have mastered timeless style in a way that is fresh, elegant, and practical.

What is your design philosophy?

To methodically compose spaces imbued with an intuitive sense of place.

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How would you describe your signature aesthetic?

Coherent and contemporary suffused with whimsy, romanticism and tactility.

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Tell us how you’ve been able to help clients during The Expert consultations.

We've been so impressed with the level of design literacy amongst the clients we've assisted through the platform. We feel like our role has been to provide those vital missing pieces, be it a professional eye to bounce ideas off, leveraging our supplier network for sourcing challenges, or a fresh perspective to get through design roadblocks. It's been so rewarding with the highlight being the client who described the experience as a “Cinderella moment!”

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Do you have a motto or a mantra you live and/or work by?

Run your own race at your own pace.

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What, to you, makes a space look and feel authentic?

Curating pieces from a variety of different sources, periods, and origins. Unique, one-off pieces—typically custom, vintage, or pre-owned by the client—are critical to creating an authentic feel.

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Which is (typically) your favorite room in the house to design, and why?

The powder room. It's a great opportunity for a theatrical moment, and a space where clients tend to be more open to experimentation.

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Where do you seek inspiration?

Historical references and detailing are a constant source of inspiration. The 1930s and 1980s both feel especially resonant right now.

Any tips for updating a home with low effort or low cost for a high impact?

New door hardware and paint is the cheapest way to transform a space but very often the single most impactful change you can make is to update your flooring.

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Any interior design faux pas or pet peeves you have?

Over-coordinated interiors that lack any sort of personality because they've come straight from the pages of a catalogue.

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If not yourself, who on the platform would you have design your home?

Danielle Siggerud.