atish is
a creative thinker
a truth teller
a perfectionist
a sensitive soul
a lover of design
Hey! I’m Tisha, the creative mind behind every detail at atish design—whether it’s your new living room, fresh concept for your front facade, or even branding for your Airbnb.
From the beginning.
Art and craft have always been a big part of who I am. Known as “the crafty one,” I was the kid who spent hours perfecting school projects, insisted on having the neatest handwriting, and could always be found at the local newsagency, sorting through the stationery.
Deciding on a career path.
Growing up, I was surrounded by my dad’s paintings on our walls, which gave me an early appreciation for fine art. I also saw firsthand how challenging it can be to build a successful career as an artist, which led my dad to choose a future in horticulture.
When I started exploring creative careers in the late ’90s (yep, I sound like an old fart), graphic design was gaining popularity. I remember thinking I could be a graphic, fashion, and interior designer all at once! Seventeen-year-old me was a bit naive about how many years it would take to build enough experience for a decent income. Ultimately, I chose graphic design as it could serve as a foundation, especially since fashion and interiors were also going digital. This choice would allow me to use similar skills across multiple fields.
Now, more than 20 years later, I’m having a full-circle moment, saying, “I did it.” Well, sort of. Maybe I’ll take up fashion design when I’m a grandma!
Some things don’t go as planned.
Everyone has moments that change them or alter the course of their life. For me, it was a few unexpected medical setbacks—especially tough for a perfectionist with a life plan.
At 22, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which took some adjustment. Then, at 27, I developed cervical cancer and became medically infertile. Around that time, I lost my job due to extended medical leave, but I gained a boyfriend who supported me through every challenge—and eventually became my husband.
As they say, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain. My rainbow appeared as two incredible women who offered to be surrogates for us. In 2018, my amazing sister brought our first daughter, Indi, into the world, forever making her that special aunty.
By 2020, we started dreaming of a sibling, and I met another mother who wanted to be a surrogate for the right family. Three years later, that remarkable woman brought our daughter, Cali, into our lives, completing our family.
A New Direction.
COVID changed life for many, and for us, it brought the opportunity to buy our first home in my hometown of Kiama. It also allowed me to rekindle my love for interior decorating—after years of renting and limited creativity, I could finally design a home for our family.
A few years later, we began discussing the idea of buying my childhood home, where my parents still lived, and building a granny flat for them to downsize to. After plenty of planning, we took the plunge, moving into the original 1970s three-bedroom house. We filled in the 35-year-old pool and built my parents a beautiful two-bedroom coastal home in the backyard.
Through this process, I discovered a real passion for redesigning floor plans and maximizing space. That was the moment I decided to pursue a career in interior design, and I began.
A creative partnership.
When I met my husband, I loved how much he valued my creativity and encouraged my ideas. Like me, he’s a creator, building his career in architectural photography and now running a successful business in the Illawarra—Light & Lines.
For those with a partner who runs a small business, you’ll understand when I say it can sometimes feel like “the other woman.” Fortunately, we’ve been able to support each other with our skillsets. I’ve contributed my branding and marketing knowledge, while he’s introduced me to the world of interiors, giving me the chance to style shoots and providing some incredible content.
Day to Day.
I’m a senior graphic designer for a luxury fashion brand, while developing my presence in the interiors world and balancing family life as a mother, and daughter with the grandparents in the backyard.
Looking back, I’m so glad I chose graphic design—it taught me the value of hard work and the importance of continually refining my skills to maintain a high standard. Now, as I’ve grown in the field, I recognize that my strengths lie in creative thinking and strategy, while things like flash animations are best left to the newcomers—or even Canva.
I believe that interior designers gain valuable insight from their own life experiences, helping them better understand their clients’ needs. Having started my own renovation, I now have firsthand experience balancing budget and quality.