Some creatives don't fit neatly into one box, and that's exactly what makes their work so captivating. Meet Honey, the founder of Honey Hive Studio, whose world blends interior design with music, art, vintage treasures and a lifelong love of storytelling. From DJ booths and radio studios to thoughtfully curated interiors, Honey has built a creative career that's as eclectic as the spaces she designs.
Now based in Los Angeles after living across the UK, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines, Honey draws inspiration from travel, culture, history and the unexpected. Her interiors celebrate nostalgia, sustainability and self-expression, proving that the most memorable spaces are often the ones filled with personality rather than perfection.
We caught up with Honey to chat about her journey into interior design, the philosophy behind Honey Hive Studio, why she believes home should be a sanctuary, and how studying with The Interior Design Institute helped shape her creative career.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
I’m a DJ, radio host, art curator, vintage dealer and interior designer.
My studio, Honey Hive Studio, believes in the beauty of the unexpected. I combine creative talent and a strong sense of style to bring moods of nostalgia, romance and originality to interiors, transforming rooms into aspirational yet accessible spaces.
An avid traveller with experience living in UK, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, and now based in Los Angeles, I approach my designs with a worldly perspective, honouring culture, location and architecture; always learning more.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
I’ve always wanted to have a positive impact on the world. Early on in my career, I worked in politics and campaigning. For the past ten years, my focus has been sound, style and space - creating safe, imaginative, inspiring spaces for community through design, art, music and fashion… with a side of activism.
I liked how the tutors were people with experience in the industry. I’ve always believed a hands on approach to learning is the best education. There’s only so much you can learn from a textbook, it’s much more appealing to be coached by mentors who’ve been there, done that.
Everyday is different but I like to start the same way. I wake up and meditate, then open the windows to “let the spirit free”, and I make my bed every day, otherwise I feel derailed.
My mornings are quiet, usually spent out on the balcony with a cup of tea, cuddling my cat while I catch up on emails and messages. I play music most mornings. An album I’m not familiar with or a mix recorded by a friend, always searching and listening for new sounds - the active practice of becoming familiar with the unfamiliar.
Then the real day begins: running errands, meetings with clients, tech drawings, putting together radio shows and event flyers, sorting records for DJ gigs, sourcing art and vintage for clients. Later, heading out to my DJ gigs. It’s a busy, creative, slightly chaotic, beautiful life.
I light a candle when I’m in work mode, it not only helps me concentrate but the scent is usually calming too. I like fresh flowers on my work table. The colours, petals and arrangements inspire me to live boldly, as does the reminder of their mortality.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
There’s so much I love about what I do. Visiting sites and getting to explore the bones of incredible architecture. Playing with samples, swatches and patterns, oh my. Meeting artists and learning about their work. Most of all, collaborating with clients and making their homes into the sanctuary we all deserve.
I’d love to design a bar - gosh, I’ve spent enough time in them! As a customer, DJ and someone who’s served drinks, I know what works and what doesn’t. From warungs on the beach, to cosy pubs, to Tatler’s best bars in the world, I’ve done them all. It’d be fun to put all my experience into creating a sumptuous space for enjoying cocktails and music alike.
Low income neighbourhoods. Trees, community gardens, parks and all the health benefits that come from green spaces shouldn’t only be allocated to affluent neighbourhoods. This extends to supermarkets, schools, bus stops, low-income housing. These should be built using environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and natural building materials, and they should be beautiful.
I didn’t come from money but my mum always made sure our house was nicely decorated. A lot can be done with a little.
Those who can afford health insurance shouldn’t live better than those who can’t, especially when harmful materials only exacerbate health issues. Everyone, no matter income, deserves a safe, healthy home and living environment.
I’m always sourcing art for a clients; I’m currently working on some kitchen remodels for clients; and renovating an authentic Australian bush shack.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
Eclectic, romantic, nostalgic.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
I’m endlessly curious as a person so I find inspiration everywhere. Art galleries, museums, travel, books, nature. For example, have you ever stopped to watch the way a raindrop falls into a puddle? It creates the most beautiful pattern.
Travelling and being introduced to culture from friends around the world is a big inspiration. The colours, aromas and textiles of cultures; architecture and the way we live differently depending on climate and conditions; language and storytelling. It’s fascinating.
Living in SE Asia for eight years and experiencing life in the tropics, and now living in Southern California with its Mexican history, plus the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, these experiences have changed the way I see the world. A student of life.
I don’t follow trends because I find them a tactic of capitalism. The constant pressure for us to buy/replace/remodel perfectly good decor and design isn’t only destroying the planet, it’s affecting our creativity. Plus, everything comes around again. Every new trend is just an old trend recycled. I think it’s important to figure out my client’s own personal style and work with that. Design must be authentic and intentional for it to work, trends don’t do that.
I’m committed to impactful living, reduced consumption and a passion for the world, so I prioritise sustainable and eco-friendly design. I source vintage and antique pieces for my clients. Practical, playful, deeply meaningful pieces that embrace tiny flaws, story telling and slow collecting.
I’m also a collector and supporter of art by women and marginalised artists. When curating art for a client, I source an expressive mix of pieces by established and emerging artists, with a particular focus on women artists. Fortunately, through my travels, I’ve developed friendships with a lot of artists and it’s a great joy to platform their work.
As the Guerrilla Girls say, “You’re seeing less than half the picture without the vision of women artists and artists of colour.”
Home should be where we feel safe, seen, inspired and surrounded by the things we love.
Honey Hive Studio curates unique spaces using contemporary and vintage pieces focusing not only on how spaces look but how they make us feel.
From richly eclectic, jewel-box homes to earthy, rustic tones, the studio prioritises bold choices, nostalgic spaces and a palette of styles dedicated to creative expression. Mixing pieces by established and emerging artists, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses and artists.
The studio believes in a playful approach toward history and modernity. Honouring culture, location and architecture is essential to pushing the boundaries and challenging the rules. It’s here Honey Hive Studio finds its inspiration.
I’d love to experience Dorothy Draper’s design process. I admire her legacy as a trailblazer in the interior design world as well as her bold use of colour. The woman had flair! With her creative, imaginative eye for design, Draper rebelled against muted quiet tones and I think we need her exuberance more than ever.
Image Source: Dorothy Draper & Company.
Pink. It’s punk.
“I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” - Anais Nin
Book: Woman Made: Great Women Designers by Jane Hall
Magazine: Green Magazine
Podcast: Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Contemporary artist: Mickalene Thomas
Designer: Banjo Beale
Stylist: Sibella Court
Anywhere in France.
Intentional. Empowering. Personal.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
Go for it! The course is lots of fun! If ever you’re feeling overwhelmed or challenged, join the Facebook group. Everyone there is super friendly and helpful. I’m still a member and check in with it regularly for tips, tricks and words of encouragement.
Instagram: @honey.hive.studio
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Honey from @honey.hive.studio.
IDI was a fun, sometimes challenging but very rewarding course.
I enjoyed learning hands-on, practical skills from tutors with industry experience.
IDI provided me with skills, tools and a vocabulary that I now use daily in my role as an interior designer and stylist.
Honey's story is a reminder that there isn't just one path into interior design. Whether your passions lie in art, music, fashion, travel or collecting beautiful objects, every experience can help shape your unique creative perspective.
If you've always dreamed of creating interiors that tell stories, embrace individuality and reflect the people who live in them, there's never been a better time to begin. Study interior design online with The Interior Design Institute and start building a creative career that's entirely your own.
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