From creative project management to high-end residential interiors, Marusja Archipov is building an exciting career in design. After completing her Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222) with The Interior Design Institute, she transitioned into the industry and was selected as Mentee at Thomas Hamel & Associates, where she is gaining hands-on experience across a range of high-end residential projects, both locally and internationally.
We caught up with Marusja to learn more about her background, what inspired her to become an interior designer, and how studying with IDI helped her take the next step.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
I’m a creative project manager turned interior designer, with a background in branding, events, and client management across Australia and Europe. After completing my Diploma of Interior Design with The Interior Design Institute at the end of last year, I transitioned into the interior design industry and am grateful to have been selected as Mentee at Thomas Hamel & Associates. There, I’m gaining hands-on experience across a range of high-end residential projects, both locally and internationally, which has been incredibly inspiring at this stage of my career.
Looking back, it was always there. As a child, I spent countless hours building miniature apartments out of cardboard, painting tiny walls and crafting furniture by hand, drawn to the joy of turning imagination into something tangible. My interest deepened during a school internship at a carpentry workshop, where I learned to work with wood and restore vintage furniture.
I have always been drawn to both creativity and technical problem-solving. This balance was already evident in high school, where I chose the unusual combination of art and physics. Art nurtured my creative expression, while physics sparked my interest in understanding how things work through detail, logic and precision. That duality is exactly what I rediscovered in interior design.
Coming from a career in client and account management within creative agencies, much of my work existed in the digital realm. Although rewarding, I began to miss the tactile, real-world complexity I had experienced earlier as an event manager. That’s when I realised I didn’t just want to manage creative work, I wanted to be the one shaping it.
Studying interior design has brought that back and has proven to be the perfect blend of creativity and detail, from developing initial concept sketches and fabric schemes to producing technical drawings and schedules.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
I had always dreamed of becoming an interior designer, but I never quite took the leap. That changed when I moved to Australia in 2023 and came across the Interior Design Institute. I had just started a new full-time job, and after already completing a degree in business communication management and being in the workforce for a few years, going back to full-time study wasn’t realistic for me.
What really drew me to IDI was the flexibility. Being able to study at my own pace meant I didn’t have to put my career on hold to finally pursue something I’d been thinking about for so long. It made the whole idea feel possible rather than overwhelming. The fact that the diploma is accredited in Australia was also important, as I was planning to build a life and career here long term.
I find it genuinely difficult to choose just one favourite part. I loved how the course balanced both the creative and technical sides of design.
I really enjoyed the tactile nature of the process, from sketching floor plans and creating hand-drawn renders to developing material boards. At the same time, I found the technical side just as rewarding, particularly working in SketchUp to build 3D models and develop technical drawings. There was something incredibly satisfying about taking a concept and seeing it come to life through each stage of the process.
More than anything, the course gave me the confidence to take the next step and turn something I had always thought about into a real career path.
In many ways, deciding to study with IDI was the first step of turning a passion and a dream about a career in interior design into something that seemed achievable.
The course gave me both the technical foundation and the confidence to make the transition into interior design. Through the assignments and my tutor’s feedback, I was able to build a portfolio that reflected a range of skills.
That portfolio, together with the diploma, helped me secure my first role in the industry, which then led me to where I am now. IDI really was the stepping stone that made it possible and it opened the doors to a new world I was previously only dreaming about being a part of.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
No two days are the same, which is something I really enjoy. I’m currently working across multiple projects at different stages, so my day can range from site visits to sourcing furniture, lighting, and finishes, or developing layouts and procurement.
I also spend time preparing presentations, creating schedules, and supporting the team with technical drawings for custom furniture pieces. Being part of that process has given me a deeper understanding of how ideas are translated into something tangible.
Through the mentorship, I’ve also had the opportunity to attend client meetings and work closely with the principal, which has been incredibly valuable in understanding how design decisions are made, refined, and communicated.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
Honestly, there’s so much about my work that still feels a bit surreal, in the best way. I often have moments where I think I can’t believe this is my job now!
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has given me and the variety of experiences I now get to be part of. From stepping inside incredible architectural homes I would otherwise never have access to, to visiting upholsterers and seeing bespoke furniture pieces come to life in fabrics we’ve selected, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that process. I also really enjoy those more intimate showroom visits, where I get to meet designers, discuss their work, and see how much thought and passion sit behind what they create.
What ties it all together is the collaborative process, working with a team, suppliers, and clients to slowly bring a shared vision to life. There’s something really special about that collective process.
But if I had to narrow it down, what makes me happiest is seeing the excitement clients feel when we present pieces we’ve sourced for their home, particularly when they come together in ways they wouldn’t have envisioned themselves. I love being able to curate and combine elements that create something unexpected, yet deeply personal to them.
Working in the interior design industry has been a long-time dream, so to now be part of it and building a career within it already feels like a “pinch me” moment in itself.
One of the biggest highlights so far was being selected as a Mentee at Thomas Hamel & Associates. The Sydney-based studio is led by Thomas Hamel, who was recently named Interior Designer of the Year at the Vogue Living VL50 Awards, and is internationally recognised for its layered, timeless and deeply considered interiors. Being given the opportunity to learn within that environment so early in my career feels incredibly special.
Being able to observe and contribute to projects at that level has given me insight into how a high-end studio operates day to day, from concept development through to final detailing and installation. There is a real depth to the way ideas are developed, refined, and translated into finished spaces, and being part of that process has been a huge learning experience.
The mentorship has also given me a deeper understanding of materials, detailing, and design rigour, as well as the real-world processes behind creating refined interiors.
And on a personal level, there are still moments where I pause and think how far things have come, that I am actually working in the industry I once only dreamed about, and contributing to the creation of people’s homes.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
Much of my inspiration comes from travel and the experience of having lived and worked in different countries. That exposure has given me a broader palette to draw from, where different influences naturally overlap and inform one another. It continues to shape the way I approach spaces today.
European cities, for example, have this incredible sense of history and craftsmanship. There’s a depth in the architecture and detailing that makes you slow down and really appreciate how things are built and how they’ve evolved over time.
Living in Sydney has introduced me to a stronger emphasis on openness, natural light, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, along with a more relaxed, casual aesthetic and a less formal approach to how spaces are used than in traditional European interiors.
I find myself drawn to interiors that feel collected rather than decorated, where pieces from different places and time periods sit together in a way that feels effortless and personal. That balance between old and new continues to influence how I think about design.
Beyond that, a lot of inspiration comes from simply observing what’s around me. Walking through different neighbourhoods, noticing architecture, materials, and how people live in spaces, those everyday moments often spark ideas I return to later.
I’ve also always been curious about how people live. My professional background as a client manager taught me how to uncover what people need, even when they struggle to articulate it themselves. That ability to uncover the underlying why shapes the way I approach design.
For me, it is not just about creating something beautiful, it is about creating something that is meaningful for the person living in it.
I am endlessly curious about how the world works and why things are done the way they are. From a young age, I was drawn to understanding the mechanics and logic behind systems. I seek to understand how individuals live, what makes them feel grounded or uplifted, and how they interact with their environments. These insights guide me in designing interiors that are personal, functional, and emotionally meaningful.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
For me, good design sits at the intersection of functionality, aesthetics, and feeling.
I’m always thinking about how a space will be experienced in everyday life, how it supports routines, how it feels to move through it, and how small details shape that experience over time. A space should work effortlessly for the people living in it, while also creating a certain atmosphere, whether that is grounding, uplifting, or inspiring.
At the core of my approach is listening properly to the client, not only to what they are asking for, but to what they actually need. Part of the role is then translating that into something that feels elevated and unexpected, using design to expand on their ideas rather than simply replicate them.
To me, good design is not just about selecting beautiful pieces. It is about thoughtful sourcing, understanding context, and bringing everything together in a way that feels cohesive, personal, and lived in.
Ultimately, I want to create spaces that elevate everyday experience in a subtle but meaningful way.
I feel very fortunate to be working on such considered, high-end projects at this stage of my career. It has been a steep learning curve in the best way.
I am currently involved in a range of projects, both locally and internationally, which has given me insight into different architectural contexts, suppliers, and design languages. I am also learning a great deal about materials, craftsmanship, and the historical significance behind certain design elements and fabrics.
One project I am particularly excited about is a beautiful Art Deco home for a family with a deep appreciation for chinoiserie antiques and exceptional craftsmanship, including de Gournay wallpapers. The challenge lies in balancing these historic and highly detailed elements with contemporary pieces in a way that feels relevant and lived in, rather than purely decorative.
I think it is important to be aware of trends, but not driven by them.
Working within an established studio has shown me the value of developing a consistent design language that responds to the client and the architecture, rather than what is current.
For me, good residential design should feel timeless. It should respect its context, reflect the people who live in it, and feel connected to its surroundings, rather than tied to a specific moment in time.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
I think the most important thing is to be clear on your “why” from the beginning. Everyone starts the course for a different reason, whether that’s a personal interest, a renovation project, starting a business, or building a career in the industry. Having that clarity gives you something to come back to when things feel challenging or when motivation dips.
For me, the goal was always to work in interior design, and keeping that in mind helped me stay consistent and keep moving through the modules.
Alongside that, I would really encourage gaining real-world experience wherever possible, for example through an internship. It adds so much context to what you’re learning and helps you understand how projects come together in practice. It also makes a real difference when you bring your aspiration for a career in interior design to life, as it gives you valuable exposure that helps bridge the gap between studying and real-world practice.
Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn Marusja Archipov or via Instagram at @archipovinteriors.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Marusja Archipov.
I always dreamed of becoming an interior designer but never took the step until I moved to Australia in 2023 and came across The Interior Design Institute. The self-paced program immediately appealed to me, as it allowed me to study while working full-time and still dive deeply into the world of design. The fact that the Diploma is accredited in Australia also played a big part in my decision to start the course.
From the very first module, I felt inspired. The course gave me a strong foundation in design principles, styling, and spatial planning, and I loved how practical and hands-on the assignments were. I especially enjoyed the Advanced SketchUp module and learning how to create professional technical drawings.
My tutor's feedback helped me refine my eye and build confidence in my own design voice. What started as a long-time dream has now become the start of a real career path. I’ve built a portfolio I’m proud of and am now actively pursuing roles in interior design and property styling in Sydney.
I’m so grateful I finally took the leap and am hoping that this course will open the door to a new chapter in my life.
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