A considered approach to interior design, responding to architecture, light and materiality with restraint.

We craft refined, timeless spaces that enrich people’s lives and endure beyond trends.

At the heart of our practice is a belief that interiors should enrich lives, not overwhelm them.

Responding to architecture and guided by light and materiality, we design with quiet confidence and thoughtful intention. The result is timeless spaces that feel effortless, personal and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.

Projects

Explore

Mosman House

An interior where architecture, art and landscape meet.

Annandale Terrace

A considered blend of heritage and contemporary design.

Mosman Apartment

Art Deco, reimagined.

Quay Quarter Apartment

An intimate home for city life.

Crace House

A tonal interior shaped by landscape.

From Our Clients

Kate & Jordan

“I just wanted to personally convey the great joy and excitement that Kate and I feel about our finished apartment. The vision, commitment and professionalism throughout the process were exceptional. It feels like being on holiday at a five-star resort and we can’t stop admiring the apartment.”

Tony & Monika

“We completed a major renovation of our Victorian terrace, with Cristy as the interior designer for the entire project. She has an incredible talent for sourcing the perfect pieces - from beautifully crafted, comfortable furniture to handmade ceramics, while expertly handling colour coordination and blending old with new. The finished result exceeded our expectations of what was achievable in small spaces and has given us a beautiful, soulful home that we truly love being in.”

Hilary & Mike

“I can't recommend Cristy highly enough. Cristy managed to achieve a high-end, luxurious feel for our home that we could never have achieved ourselves. She has an incredible ability to listen to vague ideas and translate them into a cohesive, beautiful reality. Her attention to detail is phenomenal and her vast experience enabled us to acquire the perfect pieces for our home.

She was professional, responsive and kept the project on track from start to finish. Cristy’s services have been an invaluable investment that continues to return us joy every day. We couldn’t be happier and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to transform their space.”

Natalie

“It has always been an absolute delight working with Cristy. Cristy has the ability to listen carefully to the brief and through gentle questioning and thoughtful challenge, helps one arrive at a clear vision for one’s home. She then efficiently delivers on that vision and translates the dream into reality. She patiently guides one through the process and is always happy to make adjustments along the way if there are any reservations about certain ideas.

I absolutely loved the end result and went on to work with Cristy on two further projects, referring her to family and friends who were all equally delighted with her work. It is a rare experience to have such a satisfying working relationship in the service and design industry.”

Wendy & John

“I recently engaged Cristy’s services, following a strong recommendation from a close friend. We had purchased a small one bedroom apartment to serve as our Sydney base when visiting family and friends and I was looking for a new, streamlined look - quite different from our farm home, which is comfortably cluttered with treasures collected over the years.

After an initial meeting with Cristy, I felt confident entrusting her with the brief. I loved the initial presentation and once we had decided on the colour scheme, I left it to Cristy to work her magic.

As I’m not based in Sydney, all approvals were handled via email and online viewings and I wasn’t disappointed. The final reveal was both stunning and exciting! The attention to detail was extraordinary and Cristy’s easy manner made the entire process fun and completely stress-free. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Cristy again.”

About us

studio

Cristy O’Connell is a Sydney-based interior designer and the founder of House of O’Connell, an interior design studio shaped by a considered, architecture-led way of working. With formal training in both interior design and fashion, her work is guided by light, proportion and materiality, resulting in interiors that feel calm, cohesive and enduring.

Cristy is known for her ability to listen closely and distill a clear, considered direction for each project. She focuses first on what already exists within a home and how it is used day to day, shaping interiors that feel balanced, functional and comfortable to live in. Her design aesthetic leans toward soft minimalism, layered, restrained and warm, creating spaces that feel settled, thoughtful and quietly confident. Through a measured and collaborative process, she guides projects from early concepts through to completion, carefully sourcing and layering furniture, lighting, art and objects and integrating new elements with the existing fabric of the home. Blending timeless design with modern functionality, Cristy creates interiors that feel resolved, personal and genuinely lived in.

House of O’Connell welcomes the opportunity to work with clients who value a calm, considered approach to creating thoughtful, enduring homes.

Services

  • On-Site Consultations

  • Project Survey and Analysis

  • Space Planning and Furniture Layouts

  • Design Concepts and Direction

  • Finishes and Furnishings Selection

  • Custom Furniture and Joinery Solutions

  • Purchasing, Procurement and Installation

  • Project Coordination and Management

  • Interior Styling and Decoration

Where Your Project Begins

From early concepts to the final layers, we work closely with our clients to shape thoughtful interiors with clarity and care. Our process is collaborative and considered, easing decision-making while delivering beautifully crafted, cohesive spaces.