Jade Nottage named a judge for IDEA 2023

Jade Nottage has been named as the second judge for IDEA 2023, joining Melbourne-based designer Elvin Tan.

IDEA is now open for entries until 18 June. Enter now!

*Sydney-based interior designer and Tom Mark Henry director Jade Nottage.*

Co-founding design studio Tom Mark Henry alongside Cushla McFadden in 2014, Nottage is driven by relaxed but cutting-edge design borne out of diversified teamwork.

Leading a team of 15, Nottage describes the Sydney-based studio’s design sensibility as an interesting combination of colours and materiality.

“I do push for that. We like things to be very layered – not afraid of colour or pattern or clashing personalities.”

*Tessellated Tile Factory by Tom Mark Henry.*

Tom Mark Henry had two projects shortlisted in IDEA 2022 in the Retail and Hospitality categories.

Speaking on some recent projects, Nottage mentions some exciting hospitality and hotel projects, which offer innovative “design opportunities”.

“We are very brief-driven designers. Each project has a very unique and tailored aesthetic that is created by the broader design team, rather than my personal design sensibilities,” she explains.

“However, what I will say is that they certainly convey a bold and layered aesthetic that really speaks to my own personal taste in commercial interior spaces.”

Reflecting on some career highlights, Nottage finds it hard to name a few.

“It’s hard to pick key highlights – there have been many proud moments,” she says.

“On a project level, Cucina Porto and Knox Grammar stand out because of the overall project experience and wonderful end result. These projects were successful on many levels. They certainly are standouts for me personally.

*St John’s Paddington by Tom Mark Henry.*

“We also have a product collaboration launching in Milan with NoRock, which is certainly something we’re still pinching ourselves about. In addition, I’ve been really lucky to work with some amazing people at the studio and I consider that to be an ongoing career highlight.”

Nottage believes that Australia’s high standard of design is both a challenge and an opportunity. The former is the pressure to “strive for continued high-level design,” but also the latter is providing the joy to be “surrounded by such inspired and exciting designers”.

As she looks ahead to IDEA, Nottage hopes not to see any obvious design trends.

“To be honest, I hope not to expect design trends. Really successful spaces, in my opinion, don’t showcase a series of design trends in an obvious execution,” she explains.

“I hope to see them reimagined into iterations of themselves. I do love that colour and bold use of materiality is being used so prolifically, so I hope to see a continuation of this.”