Melbourne Jeweller Cushla Whiting shares thoughts on her design led home

While home is now found in Melbourne, for New Zealand Jeweller Cushla Whiting, meticulous design is one of her signature sensibilities, and one that permeates every facet of her life.

How would you describe your home in three words?

Light, warm and calming.

Which corner or room do you love most, and why?
I love the corner in the living room next to my bookshelf, sitting on my big Marenco armchair, with the record player and the floor-to-ceiling Turkish antique tapestry my mum gave me. This particular corner captures the afternoon sunlight, bringing a feeling of peace.

Are there any objects in your home that hold a special story or meaning?   

My grandmother's quilts and tapestries were all completely cut and stitched by hand. She was a master with colour and pattern, and has always been so inspirational to me. She was prolific in her craft, so we have at least one quilt in every bedroom (plus many more in the attic), and I've made some of her embroideries into cushions. I love the texture and colour they add to our rooms.

How does your home reflect your design aesthetic?

I feel this is an ongoing and evolving process, but it’s getting closer. When we bought our house, it had already been renovated, but not in a style that felt like us—everything was stark white and beige. Since then, we’ve been gradually layering in colour and texture to bring it in line with our aesthetic. We added Verdi Alpi green marble benchtops and splashbacks in the kitchen, along with oiled bronze hardware on the joinery; the green has brought a beautifully serene atmosphere to the whole space. We also built a large bluishgrey bookshelf spanning the entire living room wall. Having this home for all our books, sculptures, objects, and records has made the house feel truly lived-in. And a eucalyptus-green spiral staircase now leads up to our mezzanine, complementing the plush gold rug in the living room and the large antique tapestry on the wall. Overall, I like to mix vintage and antique pieces with more modern elements, building depth through layers of texture, material and colour. Also, we love gardens, so we have spent a lot of time working on ours to make it feel colourful, but also a bit wild. We’ve added a minimalist steel pergola with a large grape vine on our deck, which always gives me Euro-vibes. I love it!

Where do you usually find inspiration for your jewellery—colours, textures, or objects around you?

I'm heavily influenced by the industrialist and machine age of the Art Deco Era, and modernist and contemporary architecture. I find inspiration in the form, textures, colours and patterns in buildings, sculptures, furniture and objects.

Can you share a piece you’ve designed recently and what inspired it?

We’ve recently added our Futurist Spinning Pendants, inspired by the memory of the weight of my grandfather’s pocket watch and its elegant internal mechanics, along with a reimagining of the Futurist movement’s fascination with speed, innovation, and dynamic form. Each pendant spins like a miniature machine, revealing kinetic cogs and echoing the rhythm of time. One side features a tiered, architectural surface that captures motion and structure; the reverse is a smooth gold face, left blank for hand engraving, a quiet nod to tradition. I like to think of them as talismans for the restless—made to be worn, held, and turned to anchor you in the present.

How do you carve out creative time in your everyday life?

It's quite tricky these days to find much alone time as I have two boys under five; however, whenever I do manage to find a calm moment to myself, I love looking through my architectural books and magazines as a source of inspiration and just scribbling ideas in my notepad. I also bike ride to and from the studio every day—this is a great time for me to let my ideas percolate.

Do you have any daily rituals or habits at home that spark creativity or calm you down?

I find cooking really relaxing and a creative outlet. It calms me down at the end of a busy day and gives me time to think. Once the kids are in bed, I love to wind down with a good series and a glass of red wine.

What’s one piece in your home you couldn’t live without?

Probably my speaker system, as I love listening to music. Or my pillow (good sleep is a luxury these days)!

If someone peeked into your home right now, what would they notice first?

People always comment on the amazing light coming into our living room and the very high ceilings.