Hue & Space Interior Design

“As an interior designer, my aesthetic is all about colour,” smiles Jan Lynch, the founder and creative mind behind Hue and Space Interior Design.

“So while I always work to a client’s brief, I do tend to appeal to people who want a unique space and are not styling for sale with a neutral, minimalist look.”

After a long and successful corporate career in e-commerce, Jan was ready for a change. Having worked across the globe from Singapore to Hong Kong, she returned to Melbourne in 2018 with a new vision: to bring her lifelong passion for art and renovation to life by starting an interior design business.

After earning a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at the Mercer School of Interior Design in Collingwood, Hue and Space was born.

Despite launching into the thick of COVID-19 in 2020, Jan’s business thrived on the back of home office designs.

“I had a couple of clients straight off the bat,” she recalls. “I have very firm ideas about home office design. You need a relaxation zone and a work zone. It’s important to be able to move around, to be able to sit upright to type and to be more relaxed when you're reading documents. Zoom backgrounds are also important.”

Today, Hue and Space is busier than ever, offering everything from design of new builds to kitchen and bathroom redesigns. Clients are drawn to Jan’s use of bold, vibrant colours and her ability to create unique, personal spaces that reflect each homeowner’s personality.

“I always start with a consultation,” she explains. “Understanding what people love about their space, what they don’t like, and how far I can push the envelope in terms of colour!”

Jan also has a deep appreciation for personal touches and individual style.

“If a client gives me a piece of furniture, a painting, or a sofa they can’t live without and says, ‘You have to design around that,’ that’s the best challenge,” she says with a smile. “That’s how I can turn design into something very personal.”

One of Jan’s first clients still praises her work five years later.

“She tells me, ‘I still love my bedroom so much,’” Jan beams. “That feeling that you can make someone so happy, by doing something for them that they couldn’t do for themselves, that’s what I love about my work.”

Jan also prides her business as being approachable. The Hue and Space website outlines everything from pricing to timelines, giving clients clarity and confidence.

“You go into a lot of designer’s websites and they look beautiful, but they don’t tell you anything,” she says. “I pride myself on transparency.”

With a small but mighty team, including Dana who helps with styling photoshoots and Emily who manages social media and accounts, Jan ensures every project is handled with care.

Looking ahead, Jan wants to keep doing what she loves: creating bespoke spaces that bring joy to homeowners across Melbourne.

“I’d like to grow and I think we will organically, but I don’t have grand plans for taking over the world of design,” she says with a laugh. “I just want to continue working with likeminded people, doing what I enjoy.”
Jan has a final word about her work: “I want all of my clients to think, ‘I love my space, and no one else has it.’ That’s what makes me happy.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio