The Edit with Sarah-Jane Pyke | Arent&Pyke

A warm congratulations on being among the first designers accredited under the Design Institute of Australia's relaunched Accredited Designer program. What does a recognition like that mean to you at this point in your practice, and what feels different about the industry now compared to the one you began in?

"Achieving accreditation with the DIA is an important milestone for our industry and a meaningful step towards greater recognition of interior design by government bodies, particularly in New South Wales, but across Australia more broadly. It’s an important part of establishing the value of our profession and advocating for the recognition it deserves. The industry now is just so full of talent, which makes this such an exciting time to be part of Australian design. I feel incredibly proud to be surrounded by so many talented creatives, both colleagues and collaborators, who continue to push the industry forward."

Art and design have been in constant conversation across your projects. How do you find the balance between the two in a room? Do you approach sourcing art differently to the way you source furniture and lighting? And for anyone hoping to start collecting, where would you tell them to begin?

"I think art is often a more emotional choice, whereas furniture and design pieces tend to have a more practical purpose. But for me, it always comes back to how everything works together, how each piece speaks to the next, and how art can bring a space to life and add a sense of joy to your home.

I believe the best interiors strike a balance between what we need and what we love. It’s those little unexpected touches, a bit of whimsy or imagination, that make a space feel truly personal and take it beyond the purely functional. And for anyone starting an art collection, my advice would be to trust your instincts. If a piece gives you that little flutter in your heart when you see it, that’s a pretty good place to start."