In the next episode of our Focus On series, we sit down with Mia Lake, the creative force behind Mia Lake Interiors, in her thoughtfully curated design studio in Surry Hills. With over 15 years shaping spaces that marry beauty with function, Mia has built a practice grounded in one simple philosophy: "Make Beautiful."
For Mia, design has been shaping her world since childhood. "My father's an architect, and I grew up on building sites," she reflects, recalling childhood photos taken inside chicken cages on construction sites or perched on the back of utes – the safest spots for a curious kid while buildings took shape around her. This early immersion in the world of building and spatial thinking laid the foundation for what would become her life's work.
The turning point came during her scholarship year in Florence, Italy – an experience that fundamentally shifted how she approaches both design and life. "Italy taught me to slow down. They prioritised siestas, wine, food, and family. That attitude, combined with curiosity about design, really stayed with me." The Italian obsession with finding bella in everything, from afternoon aperitifs to architectural details, became the cornerstone of her design ethos.
A decade later, that Italian influence came full circle when a stone company sent her back to Italy for the Verona Stone Fair. "It was 10 years exactly since I'd promised myself, as a student, that I'd return for work. And I did," she says. Standing among massive stone blocks, surrounded by textures and colours that sparked endless possibilities, the moment felt spiritual. “It confirmed everything for me," she says.
Today, Mia's approach to design challenges the misconception that interior design is simply about shopping for pretty things. "People think being an interior designer is about shopping all day. It's not. It's a lot of planning, computer time, sketching, and researching. Design is where function meets beauty. It's part engineering, part art."
This philosophy permeates every project at Mia Lake Interiors, where the team designs with what Mia calls "lived experience." Becoming a mother fundamentally changed her approach: "I'm more empathetic with clients who have kids. I now understand what small children can do to a home, so I recommend finishes that are durable and family-friendly." It's this attention to how people actually inhabit their spaces that sets her work apart.
The "Make Beautiful" ethos extends far beyond aesthetics. "If reaching for a knife is seamless, or doing the laundry doesn't feel like a chore, that's beautiful to me. Function creates ease, and ease creates beauty." For Mia, beauty serves a moral function: "What you see affects how you live. Beauty can bring joy, provoke emotion, and elevate your day-to-day. Functionally beautiful spaces can change lives."
Her recent Stanmore House project perfectly exemplifies this philosophy. Walking through the rundown property, covered in vines with shutters falling off, Mia saw potential in the wide hallways, original archways, and shuttered windows. "We knew we needed great ceiling lights, flowing curtains, and a showstopping fireplace.” To Mia, textures were critical – recycled bricks, herringbone floors, tumbled stone. “Everything had a purpose and a place," she recalls.
The transformation involved layered cabinetry details, a green kitchen palette echoing the landscaping, and carefully chosen pendants that reflect each room's soul. In the primary bedroom, she created romance through soft browns and blush pinks, preserving the original fireplace and mirror while adding ambient lighting and distinct zones for different functions.
Mia's commitment to longevity over trends guides every decision. "I value things with a story. I don't like waste. When choosing something, I want it to last a lifetime, not be trendy and disposable." This approach has earned her a loyal following of repeat clients and referrals, particularly among developers and builders who appreciate the value she adds to projects.
When creative blocks arise, Mia's solution is simple: "You have to keep going, even if it's messy. Just play, don't focus on the end result. Magic happens when you're present and curious." It's this combination of professional rigour and playful exploration that makes her studio a place where beauty isn't just designed. It's lived.
Focus On is our tribute to the creative forces driving the Inner-city's cultural evolution. Are you a local artist, designer, entrepreneur, or creative business making your mark? Let's tell your story.