Kate St. James is an interior designer and the managing editor of Universal Magazines’ Home Design + Living Series. Along with qualifications in interior design, Kate also studied journalism. Her specialty is architecture and design.
Kate’s early working life was as a journalist in London in the early 1970s, followed by a 20-year career in interior design including running her own interior design, architectural design and construction company specializing in top end residential and commercial projects. Kate also worked with some of Queensland’s most well known design firms, before moving back to Sydney in 1993 where she continued her design practice until entering the publishing industry in 1998.
During her design career Kate wrote for many design publications on topics such as interior design, environmentally-sustainable design, space planning and facility management as well as teaching at Queensland College of Art and KVB College of Art and Design. She has also held positions as Queensland Chapter Convenor and National Executive member of the Society of Interior Designers of Australia and is currently a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia in which role she actively supports and promotes the industry and encourages students and emerging designers.
Kate’s background was instrumental in providing the necessary qualities for her current role as managing editor of one of Australia’s leading niche market publishers of home design magazines a position she has held since 2000.
During this time Kate has published not only the work of many of Australia and the world’s leading architects and designers but also those emerging practices who are the design luminaries of the future.
In 2006 Kate curated her first tour to Italy for architects and designers. Visiting Milan, Como, Florence, Venice and Vinceza the group was exposed to the scintillating heights of current design trends, not just in Italy, but influencing all of Europe. This highly successful tour has since become a highlight of the ‘must-do’ design calendar for architecture and design aficionados.
In 2007 Kate received a 20 year citation from the Design Institute of Australia for services to the design industry. In 2008 Kate was selected as part of the prestigious publication, Who’s Who of Australian Women “Leadership and Beyond”. This publication marks the lives of women who have made a significant contribution to Australian life, whether at a community, state, national or international level. In 2009, Kate’s biography was once again included in the publication Who’s Who of Australian Women “Lessons We Learn”.
In 2010, Kate was elected President of the Australian Architecture Association, an organization of which she has been a member since its inception and a volunteer tour guide since 2009.
In 2011, Kate was appointed to the NSW Board of Architects representing public interest and consumer views.
Her vision has always been to promote an awareness of Australian and international architecture and design – with a heavy dose of sustainabililty – to demonstrate to the wider community the meaningful way it can impact on our lives.
“Everybody has the right to experience good design.” Kate
St James, FDIA
Kate’s favourite Visionnaire piece for winter:
Siegrid-Ophris three-seat sofa. “This beautiful sofa, upholstered in luxurious velvet is the perfect piece to snuggle up in on a winter’s night: Classic in design yet versatile enough to suit both classic and contemporary settings.”
