b'in the canchangeprojects, explains Kate. I was able to continue running my designDuring the three days that we exhibited at the show, weopposite and above left: Kate and Catherine say Resene The only constant is Alabaster SJWBlotKate St James and that kitchen and bathroom design has evolved as coreCatherine Whitting findbusinessbutinareducedcapacity.Butafter18yearsintherealised we had so much in commonnot just as passionateprojects of St James Whitting due to their relationships with Resenepublishing world, I planned to semi-retire and move to New Southdesigners, but also as design educators, says Kate. The ideas each other, and theirWales where I would buy, renovate and sell properties with a focuswere flowing and for several months we met after work in thetheir residential clients. Kitchens are the heart of a home Peaceand usually the starting reason for a renovation. Catherinetrue calling. on sustainable design. cocktail bar of a hotel next to my office to discuss our ideasalso worked alongside her father for many years as Century 21To some, switching careers from journalism to interior designandinterests.ThesemeetingsculminatedintheformationAustralias preferred home styling and renovation team and hasT heworldhaschangeddramaticallysinceourparentsormay seem like a major shift. But given how important it is to be ableof St James Whitting, with our first project being a full housedeveloped many relationships in construction and renovation. These tradeto communicate ideas to clients, its easy to see how having a solidrenovation for clients we met at the Sydney Home Show, andteams continue to implement St James Whitting kitchen and bathroomgrandparents were forced to face the choice of what theybase in writing can go a long way in the design world. weve never looked back. designs in their Sydney based projects, explains Kate. Walls in SJW Blot,wanted to door had to dowith their lives. Today, itsCatherine Whittings path has also been a winding one. SheBut Kate and Catherines evolution didnt stop when the duoceiling in Resene Alabaster and kitchen joinery in Resene Peace. Build andbecomingincreasinglyraretobepigeonholedintoasinglestarted as an artist and HSC Visual Arts and Design teacher joined forces. Through St James Whitting, theyve continued topainting by G&C Builders. Images by Liz Kalaf, www.lizkalafphotography.com.au.industry, never mind one job description. Instead, most of us arethoughthelatterwasformuchshorterthansheanticipated.evolve the way they work and what they are able to offer theirabove right: The subtle differences between the two white paint colours accustomed to wearing many hats. And the more we evolve, theThree years later, she became pregnant with her oldest son, andclients. Their interior consultations for individuals and companiesused in the living room provide depth while allowing the eyes visual space to more we realise how much our old hats come in handyespeciallythough she continued with her art, interior design and decorating,that want to include eco-friendly, sustainable design practicesrest. Walls in SJW Blot and ceiling and crown moulding in Resene Alabaster. when it comes to the ways in which we are able to serve our clients. colourconsultingandpropertystylingbecameherprimaryandproductsintotheirprojectsarenowcomplementedbyImage by Liz Kalaf.Kate St James, for instance, started off as a journalist in Londonfocus.Butin2003,sheretrainedandmovedtoacareerinadditional specialised services like business brandingwhich is in the early 70s before transitioning into a successful career intertiaryinteriordesigneducationwithTAFENSW(Technicalonly possible because of the unique journeys that brought them high-end residential, commercial, hospitality, health and aged- and Further Education New South Wales)which proved to beto where they are today. In 2018, Kate and Catherine were inspired to add another care interior design in Australia through her own company, Therather serendipitous.Changehasbeenaresonatingthemeintheirwork,too.feather to their caps: curating their own colour collection. The Design Works. But then in the late 90s, she shifted into the designCatherine first met Kate when she invited her to speak at anInterior design for me is all about change, says Catherine. Wepair wanted to create a palette that was born of their passion for publishing world where she became founding editor of UniversalindustryforumheldforTAFENSWsstudentstodiscussthearechangeagents,anddesignerscreatepositiveandhealthyart, nature and the environment, full of bold and brave hues; and Medias Home Design and Living series of magazines, includingimportance of media and marketing within the industry. Then, inchanges in peoples lives. Physiological and environmental changegiven that each of them had been using Resene for more than Grand Designs Australia and Home Design. 2016, Kate was invited to exhibit at the Sustainable Rooms byis the most important part of interior design, whether it be in a20 years, the company was a natural fit to collaborate with on I went into design publishing because I was keen to showcaseDesign at the Sydney Home Show. When she was asked if sheresidential, commercial or institutional interior. When a designtheir new project.the benefits of good design to a wider community of consumersknew of someone else who would be interested in exhibiting, sheprovides an environmentally healthy and physiologically upliftingWe started St James Whitting based on our enjoyment of while promoting the benefits of employing professionals in designimmediately thought of Catherine.transformation on people and communities, that is great design. working together and our love of colour, art and designing for 62 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 63'