Erin Fairmaid | Interior Designer

Erin Fairmaid, founder and interior designer at HèHè Design @hehedesign crafts emotionally attuned homes, shaped by routine and mood—translated into sustainable, Passive House–minded interiors. Tap the link in bio to discover more ✨ Photo 1 @bechaycraft Photos 2 – 10 @marniehawson Interior styling @hannahnowlan

H E Y 🌟 I’ve recently ticked over 3000 followers which is a pretty exciting milestone to have reached! Thanks so much for following along and for the support I receive from you. It continues to drive me in doing what I love! ✨ I’m on a mission to transform spaces into functional, cosy homes for my clients, getting to know how they live and move through their world, to curate a design that ticks all their functional boxes, addresses their aesthetic preferences and put a little Hè Hè spin on it! 💫 I’m a full service interior designer. This means something different to everyone, but to detail what that means for me and my clients is this: I work on new builds, extensions and significant renovations, with a particular passion for passive house, high performance and sustainable building and I simply love working alongside a dedicated team of collaborative peers, using a client and team centric approach to help guide our clients on their design and build journey. These projects can be anywhere from 6/12/18 months out from an anticipated build start date. A typical project would see me work with clients from the very beginning, reviewing floorplans, developing concepts, refining designs, curating specifications, detailing documentation, and then consulting through the build phase to ensure integrity of the design implementation. As a solo designer, I can only take on so much at a particular time, so getting in early is key. Good design also takes time, so having time up your sleeve to explore options and make decisions is a really great way to do things. We have fun with the process, making the design journey enjoyable and taking the stress out of what can be an overwhelming time. We’re in this together every step of the way! 💛 And when I’m not designing, you’ll find me indulging my love for cats, baking, exploring the great outdoors, attempting to build/nurture/grow a veggie patch, and cherishing quality moments with family and friends. And reading interior design books because let’s face it, I’m obsessed 🤩

I recently had a chat with two of my absolute favourite people who are making such a positive impact in the building industry. I’ve had the pleasure of working on multiple projects with @sanctumhomes and @carlandconstructions and I’m so grateful for the value they place on working with interior designers. It can often be such a challenge to explain to people what role we actually play and why we are such an important part of all successful projects. I’m so thankful for their continued support and approach to collaboration with all professionals on their projects. And of course for the platform to perhaps help educate people on what we do, in what I can only describe as a really confusing industry full of misinformation and lack of regulation. Thank you to anyone who has had a listen, and if you haven’t, go check it out along with their other episodes! They’re awesome 💫

Wrapped entirely in timber, this stairwell stops feeling like a mere circulation zone and starts feeling like an intentional part of the home’s architecture. A decision to fully envelope the stairwell in timber was made to bring an injection of warmth right into the heart of this home. Timber lining boards on the walls, a simple timber handrail detail, and timber stairs make the connection between floors feel immersive, warm and grounded in a space that is so often overlooked. We saw an opportunity here to create a design statement, and we love how it turned out 🤎 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan #interiorarchitecture #stairdesign #timberstairs #australianinteriors #considereddesign

The downstairs level of our Treetops project was designed to work hard. It functions as a work from home office day-to-day, but it can also operate as a fully self-contained apartment when needed. Adding a compact kitchenette and bathroom means guests or clients aren’t relying on the main amenities upstairs. It is thoughtfully resolved; enough to make a coffee, prepare something simple, and feel independent without compromising the feel of the space. All while still embodying the aesthetic essence of the main family home. Good design is always about function, and how we can make our spaces work harder for us 💚 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan #australianinteriordesign #adaptivespaces #melbournehomes #considereddesign #flexibledesign

Our Treetops project was all about contrast. We leaned into darker tones in the ensuite, right down to a black painted ceiling to really embrace the moodiness of the room. This is in striking contrast to the lighter main bathroom which promotes a bright and airy aesthetic. Both using similar materials - terrazzo and mosaics - just at opposite ends of the colour spectrum. And the same matte black accents throughout make both spaces feel united, yet completely different. Which is more your vibe? 🖤🤍 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan

I love bathrooms that feel like a giant hug when you walk in. Running floor to ceiling tiles makes all the difference in creating that vibe, with the whole room feeling wrapped and grounded rather than broken up. In this bathroom, the skylight washes the space from above with natural light, keeping everything soft and bright without glare. My biggest piece of advice is to never skimp on tiling. It creates one of the biggest impacts in a home, and what a beautiful way to start and end the day!🤍 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan

Pets are part of the family, so it makes sense that their needs are considered in the design too. We often look for opportunities to incorporate spaces for pets (specifically our feline friends!) directly into the joinery. This includes steps to climb, perches to watch from, cosy spots to sleep, and practical places to tuck away the less glamorous necessities. Considering these elements from the beginning keeps things practical, reduces clutter, and means those everyday routines have a place built just for them 🐈‍⬛🖤 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson - #petfriendlydesign #catfriendlyhome #customjoinery #melbourneinteriors #australianinteriors

Sometimes the detail in a space really lies in its simplicity. Black and white was the starting point for the palette in this house, playing on strong contrast throughout and the use of simple materials. In the main bedroom, that idea is softened, becoming the inverse of the adjoining rooms, where light tones keep the space calm and unfussy, and black detailing in the cabinetry hardware links it back to the rest of the home 🖤 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan

“We love our window seat. It’s where we sit with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, essentially up in the trees and admire the environment we’re lucky to be in.“ - Adam This window seat in the kitchen completely changes the mood and feeling of this space and how it is used. Morning coffees with the light coming through the trees, evening wines to wind down, somewhere to perch while cooking is happening, a place to pause and reflect in amongst the chaos of day to day life. Set right into the joinery, it makes the most of the view and quietly becomes an important part of the daily rituals of our clients 🌿 - Interior Design: @hehedesign Builder: @sanctumhomes Photography: @marniehawson Styling: @hannahnowlan #interiordesignmelbourne #interiordesign #residentialinteriors #kitchendesıgn #windowseat

Before we talk about the dream palette, we have to talk about the daily reality. ⁠ ⁠ Erin Fairmaid of @hehedesign shares that she starts every client journey with black and white renders for a very specific reason: clarity. By stripping away the colour and texture, we’re forced to look at the architecture, the flow, and the physical form of the space without getting distracted by a pretty tile. ⁠ ⁠ This is the stage where we map out your life, from where the air fryer lives to where the Christmas decor is tucked away. When every item has a home and the layout is flawless, choosing your materials becomes the easiest part of the process.⁠ ⁠ Follow @hehedesign and @sanctumhomes for more behind-the-scenes design strategy.⁠ ⁠ Be part of the community demanding change in the building industry. Get in touch via our website (link in BIO).⁠ ⁠ @sanctumhomes We build beautiful, high-performing, energy-efficient homes.⁠ 🌿 Certified Passive House Tradesperson⁠ 🌿 Founding Co-Director @sustainablebuildersalliance

As the year draws to a close, I’m reflecting on everything that’s quietly unfolded. From projects imagined, projects underway, and projects now complete. Seeing our work photographed is always special. For me, project photography is more than simply a means of documentation and some pretty pictures. It’s a moment to step back, acknowledge the journey, and tie a ribbon around months (and often years) of care and collaboration. I’m so grateful for the trust placed in HèHè this year, for all my wonderful clients, for my continued collaborative relationships that fill me with so much joy and enthusiasm for my work, and for what’s still to come. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year ❤️ - #interiordesign #australianinteriors #interiordesignstudio #interiordesignmelbourne #yearinreview