The Dreamers #110 - With Interior Designer Brooke Ritchie

1 day ago

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Written by

The Dreamers #110 - With Interior Designer Brooke Ritchie

1 day ago

·

Written by

Meet Brooke Ritchie, a creative soul balancing family life, home renovations, and her passion for interior design on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. In this conversation, she shares her journey, favourite local spots, and tips for crafting a functional and timeless home.

WELCOME TO THE DREAMERS.

COME INSIDE THE HOMES OF EVERYDAY FAMILIES AND BUSINESS OWNERS DOING LIFE THEIR WAY.

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Hey Brooke! Can you introduce us to your fam?

Well hello! I'm Brooke, and I share life with my wonderful husband, Nathan, and our two little boys — Acre (6) and Tallow (4). We call the stunning Sunshine Coast, QLD, our home. Acre is reserved and loves to play, while Tallow is my outgoing little helper who’s always eager to pitch in around the house.

Where do you call home, and are there any hidden gems in your area you’d love to share?

We live in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland, surrounded by nature. Some of our favourite hidden gems include Booloumba Creek, Kenilworth, the Glass House Mountains Outlook Cafe, and coffee bean tasting spots. Honestly, anywhere out here feels like a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

We absolutely love your interior design style! How did you first get into the world of design, and what inspired you to make it your career?

Thank you so much! I’ve been styling spaces since I was a little girl — I have photos of my room perfectly arranged when I was just 10. I used to run an organic cleaning business with a decluttering service, which allowed me to clean, organise, and restyle homes. It was incredibly rewarding! Our current French farmhouse renovation has truly sparked my design passion, and we’re now on our second home reno. I plan to expand into interior design and styling for clients locally and beyond, blending my love of vintage finds and functional beauty.

Balancing family life and running a business is no easy feat! How do you manage to juggle both?

It’s pure chaos to be honest! Acre is in school, and Tallow is in kindy, so I try to structure my days carefully — I’m a big fan of writing detailed weekly plans. But I also give myself grace when things don’t go as expected. With two kids, 23 chickens, a dog, home renovations, a construction business, interior design projects, and brand collaborations, life is full. I’m learning to carve out a little more time for myself lately, which has been so important.

What does a day in life look like for you as a family? Any special rituals?

Our ideal morning starts with coffee before the kids wake up (if we're lucky!). We tidy up each night to make mornings smoother, and I’m usually up by 4:30 am to get the household running. The kids are out the door by 7:30 am, but when things don’t go to plan, I catch up once I’m back home. One special ritual we cherish is tucking our chickens in each evening — the boys love collecting eggs. We always wind down with a bedtime story by 7 pm, bringing a calm close to the day.

Do you have any tips or tricks for families looking to style their homes in a way that’s both functional and beautiful?

Keep it minimal and intentional! Choose items you truly love, and when decluttering, pull everything out to properly assess what stays. We love mixing timeless pieces with antiques to add character without worrying about trends. And if anyone needs advice, I’m always happy to share tips and help bring home visions to life!