Kate St. James, FDIA is an interior designer, artist, and writer. Along with qualifications in interior design, Kate also studied journalism. Her specialty is environmentally sustainable architecture and design.

Kate’s early working life was as a journalist in London followed by a successful career in high end residential, commercial, hospitality, health, and aged-care interior design in Australia with her own company, The Design Works. Clients included Tri-Care; Futurecare Pty Ltd, Glenvale Villas Pty Ltd, Retirement Plus Pty Ltd, TLF Developments, Devine Constructions, Endeavour Foundation and Country Comfort Hotels, along with residential clients in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Tasmania, and London.

During her design career Kate also wrote for many design publications on topics such as interior design, environmentally sustainable design, space planning and facility management as well as teaching at Queensland College of Art, and KVB College of Art and Design in Sydney. She has also held positions as Queensland Chapter Convenor and National Executive member of the Society of Interior Designers of Australia, President of the Australian Architecture Association and a board member of the NSW Architect’s Registration Board. She is currently a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia in which role she actively supports and promotes the industry and encourages students and emerging designers, and a Designer Member of the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute. Kate’s background was instrumental in providing the necessary qualities for her role as Editor-in-Chief of one of Australia’s leading niche market publishers of home design magazines, including as Founding Editor of Grand Designs Australia magazine, a position she held for more than 16 years.

Kate is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and has been a member since 1987. In 2007 Kate received a 20-year citation from the Design Institute of Australia for services to the design industry. In 2008 Kate was selected as part of the prestigious collation by Crown Content – Who’s Who of Australian Women “Leadership and Beyond”. This publication marks the lives of women who have made a significant contribution to Australian life, whether at a community, state, national or international level. In 2009, Kate’s biography was once again included in the publication Who’s Who of Australian Women “Lessons we Learn”.

Kate has written three e-books on sustainable design and interiors – Greening Your Home and Your Life, Interior Focus and Future-Proofing Your Interiors – and contributed chapters on sustainable design in Create Your Dream Sanctuary by Victoria Millar-Wise and Healthy Planet, Healthy People, Healthy Home by Dr Helen Edwards.

Kate currently consults to individuals and companies wishing to include eco-friendly, sustainable design practices and products integrated into their projects.

She has judged many design awards throughout the years including the Building Designers Awards, Green Interior Awards, Timber Design Awards, and several student design awards.

Kate’s vision has always been to promote an awareness of Australian and international architecture and design to demonstrate to the wider community the meaningful way it can impact on our lives.