INTERVIEW: HEY!CHEESE ASIA

In contemporary interior design, styling has become more than decoration. It bridges architecture and lived experience, shaping mood and narrative with clarity and purpose. Through furniture, objects, and even deliberate restraint, a stylist shapes atmospheres that speak with subtlety and intent.

Australian stylist Claire Delmar has established herself as a leading voice in this field. Known for her intuitive sense of material, light, and composition, she approaches each project with a balance of precision and restraint. Rather than relying on visual spectacle, she distills emotion through quiet gestures and layered details. Her portfolio spans collaborations with The Rug Est., LO & CO, HEGI, and Aje, as well as the STILL Exhibition, shaping the visual identities of brands and reinforcing her position as one of the industry’s most influential stylists. ⁠
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**Artisan House** by Wall Architects (photo by Anson Smart)

Q：How do you see the role of a spatial stylist in today’s interior design, and how do you approach it in your own work?

Claire Delmar:
The role of a spatial stylist is to act as the visual and emotional bridge between architecture, interior design, and the lived experience of space. In today’s design landscape, where interiors are expected to be both functional and expressive, a stylist ensures that every detail carries intention, shaping mood, tone, and identity through thoughtful composition.

My own process is intuitive but always grounded in narrative. I start with the architecture and material palette, observing how natural light, texture, and form interact. From there, I layer tactile elements such as objects, furniture, and art, allowing them to resonate with the story I want the space to convey, whether for a brand, a publication, or a private home.

**Alaïa Palm Beach** By Hayden and Danielle Cox (photo by Anson Smart)

" It’s about restraint, balance, and soul. I often work with negative space as much as I do with objects. "

Claire Delmar：
Styling goes beyond decoration. It enhances the language of space through nuance, contrast, and balance. Whether for a photo shoot or a private home, my aim is to evoke a sense of calm sophistication and a quiet narrative.

Q: Where do you find your creative inspiration, and how do you nurture your stylistic intuition over time?

Claire Delmar:
My inspiration comes from many places: art, architecture, photography, nature, and the subtle patina of everyday life. I am often drawn to quiet imperfections — the softness of worn linen, the asymmetry of handmade ceramics, or the play of shadow and texture across a wall at a certain time of day.

Travel and exhibitions broaden my visual language, yet I also find depth in stillness. I pay close attention to how a space breathes and how light moves through it. Books remain a constant reference, especially historic design volumes and those that explore Japanese minimalism.

**Pool House** by Stephanie Porter (photo by Dave Wheeler)

" Intuition is built through time, trust, and close observation. "

Claire Delmar:
To nurture my stylistic intuition, I keep experimenting. I revisit past work with fresh eyes, test balance and proportion, and embrace restraint when it feels appropriate.

Intuition develops through time, trust, and careful observation. It is about training the eye to recognize when something feels right, even if slightly unexpected. The process is one of staying open while refining a point of view that is both consistent and authentic.

A coastal residence by H&E Architects (photo by Anson Smart)

Q: In your view, what defines the atmosphere of a space most powerfully?

Claire Delmar:
For me, the atmosphere of a space is defined by tone and tension, shaped by the subtle interplay of light, texture, and negative space. It is never a single element but the dialogue between them, such as how raw timber softens beside cool stone, how natural light filters across a matte wall, or how an object is placed with intention to create pause.

Scent, sound, and scale also play a role, yet atmosphere ultimately comes from the emotional calibration of these components. It is found in restraint, in breathing room, and in the careful curation of contrast and calm. A space becomes powerful when it tells a quiet story.

**Lavender Bay Home** By Alexandra Kidd *(photo by David Wheeler)*

Q: Could you walk us through your typical involvement in a project, from brief to final outcome?

Claire Delmar:
My involvement in a project is comprehensive and deeply collaborative. Here is a typical journey from brief to completion:

1. Brief and Immersion
Every project begins with understanding the client’s vision, whether it is a brand, a private residence, or an editorial piece. I immerse myself in the architectural context, the materials, the natural light, and the intended emotional tone. It is about extracting the essence early on.

2. Concept Development
I translate the brief into a mood direction, pulling references, creating palettes, and defining the spatial language. This phase sets a visual narrative through contrasts such as warm and cool, textured and minimal, organic and structured.

3. Curation and Sourcing
I source objects, furniture, artwork, and materials that support the story. Whether drawing from my own collection or working with makers and galleries, each piece is considered for tone, shape, and presence.

4. Styling On Site
This is the most instinctive phase. I work within the space, responding to light and composition in real time. Placement is intentional, yet always slightly off centre, balanced while remaining human.

5. Refinement and Documentation
I refine every detail for final photography or presentation, adjusting for how the space will be experienced both in person and through imagery. The aim is timelessness rather than trend.

Throughout the process, my role is to elevate rather than decorate. I want to create spaces that feel lived in, emotionally resonant, and authentic to the people or stories they represent.

**The A&CO. Workshop** By Alexander&Co (photo by Anson Smart)

Q: When working with photographers, designers, or brand teams, what are some key principles or communication habits that help ensure a successful collaboration?

Claire Delmar:
Clear and open communication is essential. I focus on establishing a shared vision early by discussing the creative direction, mood, and goals of the project together. Mood boards and reference images are useful tools to keep everyone aligned and working from the same foundation.

Throughout the process, I encourage collaboration and respect each person’s expertise. I stay flexible and open to feedback while ensuring the core concept remains strong. Quick, real-time discussions on small adjustments help keep the workflow natural and responsive.

Preparation is equally important. Having all styling elements ready, understanding the shoot schedule, and anticipating potential challenges allow the team to work efficiently and creatively without interruption.

In the end, successful collaboration relies on mutual trust, respect for each discipline, and a shared commitment to creating something meaningful and lasting.

" An object should feel intentional, not decorative for decoration’s sake. It needs to engage the eye, evoke feeling, or create a quiet pause within the overall composition. "

Q: What qualities make an object meaningful or worth placing within a space, in your view?

Claire Delmar:
For me, quality and materiality are essential. Objects with subtle imperfections or textures invite closer attention and bring depth to a space.

I also seek pieces that contribute to the balance of a room, whether through contrast or harmony. An object should feel intentional rather than decorative for its own sake. It needs to engage the eye, evoke feeling, or create a quiet pause within the composition.

Ultimately, meaningful objects are those that strengthen the narrative of the space and invite a personal connection, making the environment feel alive and deeply human.

Q: Is there a particular piece, whether a prop, object, or furniture, that you’ve formed a strong emotional connection with or use repeatedly across projects?

Claire Delmar:
When I am styling a product shoot, I do not become attached to the pieces. It almost feels as if I have owned them, so I prefer to mix things up and source something new each time. The objects I feel most connected to are never in front of the camera. They are kept for my own appreciation.

Terrace House Mirage by Alcami Architecture *(photo by Dave Wheeler)*

In an era defined by speed and distraction, Claire Delmar brings us back to the essence of space. Her work reveals that atmosphere is not built through spectacle but through light, objects, and the pauses in between. Each composition carries a quiet authenticity that resists trends and restores attention to human presence. In this way, she reminds us that space is not only where life happens but also where stories continue to unfold with calm and depth.

Photo credit/ Anson Smart、 Dave Wheeler, Alicia Taylor

Interview、Text/ Lin

VIEW THE HEY!CHEESE WEBSITE HERE

INTERVIEW: HEY!CHEESE ASIA

" It’s about restraint, balance, and soul. I often work with negative space as much as I do with objects. "

" Intuition is built through time, trust, and close observation. "

" An object should feel intentional, not decorative for decoration’s sake. It needs to engage the eye, evoke feeling, or create a quiet pause within the overall composition. "

THE EDIT: Alaia Palm Beach

CLAIRE DELMAR