For over 30 years, Nellie Tilley has been quietly shaping some of Sydney’s most elegant interiors through her boutique practice, Nellie Tilley Interiors. Based in Sydney and working across its most desirable suburbs—including Woollahra, Paddington, Mosman, and the Eastern Suburbs—her studio has flourished purely through word-of-mouth referrals, a rare and telling achievement in the interior design industry. It reflects not only Nellie’s intuitive design sense but also her ability to build enduring client relationships and deliver tailored, high-end residential results time and again.
Specialising in luxury residential design, Nellie’s work blends classic, conservative foundations with contemporary sophistication, creating spaces that are visually arresting yet deeply personal. Her Sydney-based projects reflect the city’s unique architectural character—whether Federation homes, Georgian-inspired builds, or modernist coastal escapes—each space is designed to enhance the way people live. With over 400 repeat and referral-based clients, her portfolio spans decades of trust and refined transformation. While her primary focus remains residential, Nellie has also accepted select commercial projects across Sydney and regional NSW, always with the same meticulous attention to atmosphere and detail.
Her work has been featured in Vogue Australia, Belle Magazine, and Home Beautiful, where her signature approach—balancing restraint with warmth—has been widely recognised. At the heart of Nellie’s design philosophy is a belief that a home should be a true reflection of its owners: their lives, their values, and their vision for the future. Every project begins as a blank canvas, with the client’s lifestyle and personality leading the creative direction.
Drawing inspiration from Parisian architecture, Palladian symmetry, and the timeless beauty of natural materials, Nellie brings a quietly confident energy to her craft. Her interiors are not just about aesthetics—they carry depth, soul, and a sense of emotional comfort. These are spaces that don’t simply impress; they resonate.
How did you get started in the world of interior design?
I didn’t choose design as much as I responded to it. From a young age, I was drawn to spatial harmony and the way small changes could shift a room’s mood. I started helping friends with their homes informally, and that grew into a career. After studying and gaining hands-on experience, I opened my practice with the goal of creating thoughtful, enduring interiors. It’s been a natural evolution built on a deep curiosity about how people live and how environments shape our wellbeing.
What was your first breakthrough moment as a designer?
Early in my career, I worked on a modest home that required a complete reimagining of its layout and character. It wasn’t flashy, but the transformation was profound for the family. Their response and the attention it received locally gave me confidence that creating deeply personal, functional spaces mattered just as much as aesthetics. That project reminded me that good design doesn’t need to shout. It just needs to feel right for the people living in it.
How does your business generate revenue today?
The business model is rooted in full-service interior design. We work with residential clients across different project scales, from renovations to full builds. The process includes concept design, documentation, sourcing, and project management. While most of our work is client-directed, I also collaborate with select builders and architects. The value lies in the depth of the relationship and the consistency of the design journey. It’s less about volume and more about working with intention.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
Patience has been key. Building trust with clients, growing a reputation, and refining your design voice all take time. You can’t rush it. I’ve also learned to stay anchored to my values and avoid being pulled in too many directions. It’s important to adapt to changing times, but equally important to remain grounded in the kind of work you truly believe in. That’s what sustains a career over decades rather than just seasons.
How do you attract new clients without relying heavily on self-promotion?
Most of my work comes through word-of-mouth. When a client feels truly seen and supported during the design process, they share that experience with others. I also believe your portfolio should speak clearly for itself. Each project reflects a unique narrative. When people connect with that, they tend to reach out. I’ve found that staying consistent with my approach and being transparent about the process builds long-term relationships rather than just short-term visibility.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business so far?
It’s hard to pick just one, but seeing a family moved to tears after walking into their completed home stands out. They had been through a difficult time, and the home represented a new chapter. Creating something that offered not just beauty, but emotional healing, was incredibly rewarding. These are the moments that remind me this work goes far beyond materials or trends. It’s about creating spaces that hold people’s stories with care and dignity.
What does success look like to you at this stage in your career?
Success now is about alignment. I want to feel connected to the work I’m doing and the people I’m doing it for. It’s less about scale and more about depth. If I can continue working on projects that feel meaningful and maintain the level of craftsmanship and intimacy I value, then that’s success. It also means mentoring the next generation and helping them find their voice in a world that often prizes speed over thoughtfulness.
What trends do you see clients responding to more recently?
More than ever, clients are drawn to interiors that feel soulful and timeless, spaces that transcend fleeting trends and reflect a deeper sense of self. There’s a shift away from clutter and excess toward environments that are carefully curated to tell a personal story. I’m seeing a desire for homes that hold memories, reflect travel and passion, and feel truly lived in. These interiors aren’t just styled; they’re crafted with intention, rooted in quality, and designed to evolve gracefully over time. People want spaces that nourish them emotionally and practically, a return to substance over surface.
How do you stay creatively motivated after decades in the industry?
Creative motivation comes from curiosity. I stay open to new materials, visit galleries, travel when I can, and spend time observing how people live. I also take inspiration from the clients themselves. Each one brings a unique way of seeing the world, and that helps shape the direction of each project. I think when you approach every space as a learning opportunity, creativity never really runs dry. It shifts and matures, but it doesn’t disappear.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in interior design?
Take your time developing your point of view. It’s tempting to follow trends, but the most enduring work comes from a clear understanding of who you are and what you believe in as a designer. Get hands-on experience, listen more than you speak, and be prepared to do the slow work of building trust. Success in this field is rarely immediate. It’s built project by project, relationship by relationship. The work is deeply rewarding if you stay true to it.