Testimonials

We would just like to thank Karen Hirst for her expert advice and professional help in assisting us throughout the total renovation of our home. Karen`s advice and support in choosing colour schemes, carpets, making curtains, selecting the right furniture items and all the finishing touches has been invaluable and made our task so much easier.

We would certainly use Karen again and have no hesitation in recommending her professional service. - Darren & Karen , 'The Gables', Maclean

Karen has changed our lives. Before Karen helped us out, we were in a very difficult place. We were very stressed with the purchase of an older house that needed more repairs than we realised. But as soon as Karen arrived, not only did she have fast, honest, modern, budget friendly ideas, she also came with such calming, friendly, listening. 

Karen never tried to persuade our choices and knew exactly what it was we were looking for. Karen was able to interpret our wants very quickly and helped us change our house into the beautiful, calming, comfortable atmosphere it is today. We absolutely couldn't have done this without her. We love it! - Skye & Jason, Yamba

The closure of Yamba Uniting Church in 2020 due to COVID, provided a great opportunity to give the church a much-needed facelift. However, because the church is made up of lots of people with different tastes, we thought it was important to have an independent, objective ‘expert’ to provide advice on how to create the concept we had in mind, and in a cost-effective way. Karen was given that unenviable task and she did an amazing job - and was a pleasure to work with.

I imagine that designing the interior of a church would be very different to that of a home or even a workplace, but Karen did a great job helping us to make the interior of our church more modern, fresh and welcoming. She provided concepts and costings in writing, with photographic layouts so they could be presented to the members of the church for their consideration, and their unanimous approval.

Visitors to our church frequently comment that the space is warm and welcoming, so our goal has been achieved. Thankyou Karen! - Uniting Church Yamba

Karen has worked with us on two projects for our holiday home in Yamba. First project was our kitchen renovation. She gave has excellent ideas for tiles and bench tops as well as a colour scheme to use throughout our house. Her suggestions have made a huge difference that has updated our house which is now brighter and looks fantastic. Second project was curtains for our main bedroom. Now we have beautiful, quality curtains that compliment the look of our house, provide light as well as providing privacy. - Margi & Ray

When I took on the challenge of building my new home I did not anticipate how daunting one of the final stages would be – that of finalising my colour choices.  Fortunately Karen was recommended to me by a mutual friend and from our first meeting I felt calm and confident with her recommendations. She helped shape my choices and ensured that there was a theme throughout the house. Her dedication to achieve quality in this part of my project was evident in the presentations she submitted.  The pallet she suggested aligned with my preferences and I was confident that I was creating was a home environment that reflected my casual lifestyle, while maintaining a touch of sophistication.   

To say I was thrilled with the result is an understatement, and the consistent feedback I receive from family and friends is that it is sensational! For the finishing touches Karen also made curtains and roman blinds for the bedrooms and guided my choices of furniture and upholstery. At all times Karen’s attention to detail was foremost. Throughout the project Karen made time to visit suppliers with me, and her knowledge and expertise - along with her vision for the final outcome - made the process much less challenging. Oh, and our shopping trips also gave us the chance to share a few laughs. Thanks Karen. - Sue Yamba

Karen thank you so much for all your work on our new home. Your advice on colour choice was invaluable and you made the decision making process so much easier. Karen you seemed to know what we wanted as clients & just helped us to eliminate the doubt that goes with choosing colours that ultimately in some cases if we had got it wrong we would have had to live with forever.

We decided to build a cladded home & therefore the colour had to be right. Decisions had to be made about the colour of the roof, cladding, sub floor as well as window frames& deck rails etc.  I still remember the models that you created to show us the various colour options and they were just brilliant, we are still blown away with the work that you put into that alone….it was just amazing.

With the exterior sorted decisions then had to be made regarding the interior. Karen you again guided us through the decision making process from wall colour to kitchen counter tops to bathroom tiles. The result is that the colours flow easily from one room to the other. I just love our bathrooms as this was a true leap of faith for me. I always just wanted a white bathroom, but what we ended up with is a beautiful mocha coloured bathroom which we love….thanks to you.

The end result is a home that we love; the colours are subtle for both exterior & interior and are very easy to live with. Most people who visit our home for the first time will comment on the colour choices.

Building a home can have its challenges & I fear that had Les & I not made the decision in consulting you our choices may not have always been the right ones. Thanks to your friendly & professional manner you have made the whole experience enjoyable to us. Thanks again for all your help & we are truly grateful.

Karen we look forward to working with you again on other projects. - Pam & Les, Ashby NSW

Karen’s passion for her work in interior design is evident in her desire to provide that one of a kind service that clients appreciate.  Karen provided lots of possibilities for furnishings and interiors to furnish our river side contemporary home In Maclean.

Her fabric Samples and visuals of furniture were easy to understand with price ranges given and time allowed to absorb the possibilities.

Our end result has been a home we are proud of.

A spacious, clutter free home for entertaining and comfort in older age.

We are fortunate to have such a professional as Karen in the Clarence Valley. - Beth & Warren, Maclean NSW

My husband and I commissioned Karen to decorate our new home. We found Karen to be a very talented interior designer. Karen helped us to organize & co-ordinate the look we wanted to achieve. 

She was able to source products and help decorate our home with a wide range of products we would have had trouble finding ourselves, and at better prices! 

Karen’s attention to detail was also very apparent when it came to choosing paint colours. The colour’s she specified have made such a huge impact on the ambience of our home. 

Fabric choices were also well done and the blinds and cushions very good quality. 

We have no hesitation in recommending Karen’s work, I think anyone who uses Karen’s services will be very impressed. - Gary and Rita, Kenthurst NSW

Karen was able to really simplify the difficult task of choosing the right paint colours for our interior walls, along with carpet to ensure they complement each other and our home. By taking the time to discuss & look at photos prior to meeting with me, Karen was able to get an idea of my taste & understand the concept we were going for. Which then meant she could help me make the best decision to ensure we are happy with our new family home.

With her help, I am confident we have made the right choices for us long term, not just what’s on trend.

I was very stressed prior to meeting Karen with the decisions that had to be made. After one meeting at our home I happily went ahead with the painting & ordering of carpet & am overjoyed at the end result! Thankyou Karen. - Samantha , Taloumbi NSW

When we decided it was time to refurbish parts of our home we contacted Karen to assist us. On our very first meeting we knew Karen was the right person to help us achieve our goals.  Karen listened intently to our taste, ideas, what was staying, what could go and how we wanted to make our home lighter, more inviting and balanced with a natural flow throughout. 

The proposed concept that Karen produced was amazing and included a perfect colour palate with pops of colour and different textures in the soft furnishings. 

We painted the internal walls and architraves and laid new carpet. Then followed new rugs, pictures, mirrors, lamps and chairs. 

In the kitchen the cupboard handles were replaced and the bar stool seats had a colour change and the kitchen took on a new modern look. 

Karen even made our beautiful bedroom curtains.  

Walking through our home now, we find it flows from one room to the next, with a sense of calm and warmth. Everyday we get to enjoy the fantastic changes that Karen helped us achieve. - Peter and Georgie, Yamba NSW

The family home is often one of your biggest investments. Colour and product selection will have a significant impact on its market value. So we decided to engage the services of professional interior designer, Karen Hirst and it was a very reasonable outlay compared to the potential return.

Karen attended my colour/product selection appointment with GJ Gardiner Homes, advising and guiding me to make the best choices within the style and budget we have previously discussed.

Karen took the stress out of the decision making and gave me complete confidence in my choices. I would highly recommend Karen’s friendly, professional services to anyone going through the process of choosing colours and products for a new home. - Marie & Vaughan, Casino NSW

My husband and I purchased and renovated an outdated small brick home. Since this was to be our little retirement home 'The final resting place' as I like to call it!  Since this was to be our little retirement home “The final resting place” as I like to call it!  We wanted to make the most of the space and create something special. 

I love colours & am not afraid to use them & although I conceptually knew the look & feel I wanted to achieve, I recognized that I needed help to pull it all together.

So, I engaged Karen to ensure that all the colours I wanted to use flowed together in this very small house.

This was no small challenge!

Karen took the time to understand what I wanted to achieve & worked with me through the entire project.

She not only helped with the interior, but also the exterior, helping us select some lovely warm colours that tied in with the brick home & bush surroundings.

Karen was a pleasure to work with & is a very resourceful, creative & patient professional. I would highly recommend Karen to anyone looking for guidance & direction when contemplating a renovation or facelift project.

It doesn’t matter if you have lots of strong ideas like I did, or you are totally at a loss where to start, Karen will take you through the process with an end result that you will be very happy with.

And you will have fun along the way! - Laura & Steve, Ashby NSW