Designer Interviews
An Inspiring Interview with the Award-Winning Founder of Comma Projects
Website: Comma Projects
Instagram: @comma_projects
Style Sourcebook Profile: Comma Projects
Photography: Alyne Media
Here at Style Sourcebook, we gain a lot of inspiration from incredible projects (and mood boards, of course), but we’re also fortunate enough to create connections with inspiring people within the industry as well. One person who falls into this category is Jenn, founder of Comma Projects.
Frequent Style Edit readers will immediately recognise Jenn’s work from her breathtaking Layà Villas, which we’ve previously featured. Villa A is a light-filled duplex with a Mediterranean vision and Villa B is a sophisticated mid-century modern masterpiece. But behind these projects is a captivating story filled with plenty of inspiration, mood-boarding tips, and project advice. So, grab a coffee and get comfortable while we sit down with Jenn and discover the world behind Comma Projects.
After graduating from studying architecture and working in a few local prominent architecture firms specialising in high-end residential designs, Jenn took the opportunity to travel the world and work with her husband on their tech business. It wasn’t until after Jenn had sold the business and became a mother that she discovered her passion for design and development.
Jenn and her husband decided to design and custom-build their family home, House 9D. It was within this project that Jenn was involved with everything from the floor plan stage to sourcing materials, being present on site, and fostering relationships with contractors. She realised she could turn this passion and her expertise into something incredible. And, to really cement Jenn was in her element, House 9D won a couple of design awards and has been featured in various international publications.
“Believe in your abilities and trust your instincts. Confidence in yourself and your skills is key to success in the design world.”
- Jenn | Founder of Comma Projects
Comma Projects was born after Jenn went through some family matters that made her realise life was too short, and she had to make her dreams happen. The name ‘Comma’ signifies the continuation of her projects, and that she wouldn’t be stopping anytime soon. We, for one, can say we’re so happy to hear that.
We’re so in love with the texture and tones featured in the homes created by Comma Projects. When we asked Jenn about her inspiration behind the palette at Layà Villas, she mentioned she wanted to bring an element of contrast to the Gold Coast location. “I wanted to bring something different to the regular whites and light oak that we are seeing in a lot of coastal homes at the moment”, explains Jenn. “I knew I was putting this on the market, so it still had to be neutral enough to appeal to the broader market though. So, instead of colours, I chose to emphasis on texture and tones. Something a little off-white and tactile was the main drive behind my selections. I love it when people walk through the space and comment “It’s so different yet neutral and calming”.”
So, where does Jenn get this inspiration from? Having grown up overseas and with a love for travel, Jenn often draws inspiration from international designers. She is driven by a desire to diverge from local trends. Balancing her international influences with the need to appeal to the local market, Jenn strives to create designs that harmonise current trends with timeless elements.
You might be wondering how Jenn balances these incredible projects, an evolving business and family life. One thing that has helped is mood boards. Jenn finds mood boarding so efficient for seeing the overall vibe she’s envisioning for a project. “I can play around with different colours, fixtures, and furniture styles to get a feel for the space. Plus, it keeps me on track with what I really want to achieve,” notes Jenn.
Mood board created by Comma Projects on Style Sourcebook. View mood board here.
Mood board created by Comma Projects on Style Sourcebook. View mood board here.
And when she’s not creating awe-inspiring projects or spending time at the beach with her family, Jenn is busy using her social media platform to empower women within the construction process, whether it be a small-scale renovation or larger development projects, by sharing her own process and journey. She believes in shedding light on the hard work and passion that happen behind the scenes to create those swoon-worthy spaces.
If you’re feeling inspired by Jenn and Comma Projects, head to her Instagram to join her on her journey. And if you’re ready to start creating your dream projects, head to our mood board tool.
Jenn’s Advice for New Designers:
1. Do your own research - Take the initiative to conduct your own research. Dive deep into the industry, stay updated on trends, and familiarise yourself with the tools of the trade. Knowledge is power!
2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - There are so many people available who are ready and willing to guide and direct you. They’ll teach you what they’ve learned or introduce you to the contacts they’ve built. I also recommend even jumping into Facebook groups and asking there as well.
3. Network – Find those people you can learn from. I recommend getting yourself a mentor who has personally walked the path or is doing the same thing at the moment because you can bounce ideas off each other and problem-solve together. Put yourself out there and try organising a catch-up to learn as much as you can from them.
4. Back yourself - Believe in your abilities and trust your instincts. Confidence in yourself and your skills is key to success in the design world.
