Stylists We Love: Michelle Hart of Bask Interiors

Stylists We Love is a series of our favourite interior designers that help create your dream home into a reality. From finding unique ideas for quirky spaces to creating more accessible living spaces – they’re here to give you the inspiration and guidance you need for a beautiful and functional home.

Get to know Michelle Hart of Melbourne-based Bask Interiors on how she creates beautiful, inspiring and considered spaces for everyday living.

How did you become an interior stylist/designer?

After my kids became old enough I wanted to do something more creative in my working life, and I had always had a keen interest in homes and interiors. I studied the art of Feng Shui and became fascinated with how the home environment has a direct impact on our quality of life and our general well-being. After this, I started working as a casual property stylist, preparing and styling homes for sale, while I also worked part-time selling high-end bed linen.

I had also started my own business during this time doing property styling, but after a while, I decided to change directions and started styling homes that my clients were living in permanently, whether they were renovating, or had recently moved houses. I tend to work more intuitively, as everything I've learnt has been on the job, through amazing opportunities and experience over a long period of time. It has definitely been interesting for me!

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style has changed and evolved as I've gotten older. I like a simpler, less is more aesthetic, although I am not minimalistic, so not sure if that makes sense! I do love a calming and soothing palette, always with a bit of black somewhere and loads of texture and materiality and interesting lighting and art and living plants. It's all about layering. Most people would say my interiors are more reflective of Scandinavian inspiration, I feel it's a mix of styles, and always functional for our laid back Australian lifestyle. I like things to feel relaxed, warm and inviting.

Do you prefer a brief from a client or developing your own concept?

I very rarely get to develop my own concept in its entirety, it's exciting when a client has full trust and you can actually develop something from scratch. It's when I am able to visualise everything and be my most creative. I am always mindful of the client's brief too though! It will always be about how they want the rooms in their home to function for them, and then the overall look or style they envisage living with. I guess people come to you because they resonate with the style you've shown working on other client projects.

What is your favourite part of a project? Sourcing a product for a job or signing off on a project?

I would say my favourite part of a job is when I get to see the whole thing come together - everything I've worked on with my client's over a period of time. It's exciting to see them so happy with how everything looks and feels at the end, and if I also get to style it up for photography too, well that's like the icing on the cake!

What are your favourite RJ Living pieces you've used in a project?

I've used a number of RJ Living pieces in various projects but I'd have to say that in one particular inner-city project I needed versatile and contemporary pieces to fit in a smaller open-plan space.

We had to keep the dining space in a tight corner area so my clients loved the idea of an extension table. They selected the Akira extension table, the size and colour were perfect, the rounded edges gave the piece a softer aesthetic and married well with the textured dining chairs we used.

I also chose the Harmony Entertainment Unit for their living space, this was a minimal and contemporary design that blended well with all other pieces in the room. Lastly, Light Wall Shelves were installed in the entry as a practical solution for my clients to be able to display art and greenery as well as have a place to leave their keys when they stepped inside.