Raquel Wys
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m 27 and have been living on the Gold Coast for the past 7years. I met my soul mate within the first year on living up here on the beach whilst he was life guarding... JOKES we met on Tinder when that app just launched.
Over the years we have settled down in our humble adobe renovating on and off in Currumbin and have our twin poodles Boston & Hudson, our first borns really! Not long after we had our baby Banks who is now a non stop go getter toddler and in a few short months there will be another little boy joining our tribe Absolutely love spending my days with my family in the sunshine. I’d say my current job is a full time mumma but I do work part time for my beloved ABI Interiors team in Marketing.
What are 3 things you are passionate about?
I’m a very ambitious person and have always strived to do well or succeed in anything I put my mind too. I love all things interiors and design, all things baby and my family!
What is something people don’t know about you?
I honestly don’t know lol! I never leave the house without perfume even if it’s to go sweat at Pilates
How did you get into interior design?
After traveling on and off whilst studying at uni majoring in HR & Tourism I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career. I chopped and change studies so much during uni days but who really knows what they want to do when they are only 17 right. Whilst studying at a design school, I established my own homeware business, designing and manufacturing my own products. I knew that the design industry was for me and I could go anywhere with it.
Who or what inspires you?
I always find this question really hard to answer but in all honestly, people who take risks and challenge themselves. We aren’t going to go places doing the same as everyone else and you will never know if you don’t try and give it a go. I’ve always been a big believer of if it didn’t work, that’s fine, how can I change it to work? I don’t just give up straight up.
What are your top 3 design tips?
My top design tip would be practicality for sure! Trust me I now know this, my house use to be a display home and now with two dogs and a toddler I don’t have super ‘nice’ things or beautiful styled pieces at arms reach. I would never buy a white couch that didn’t have removable slip covers with a toddler and dogs but before kids I’d be like 100% I’ll take it all in white please.
Another design tip would be functionality. When designing spaces, really think about what the space is for and who will be using it. We all see those beautiful styled bedrooms & living spaces but I guarantee you those 20 cushions are just placed there for the photo.
What is your favourite thing about being a new mum?
The amount of reward you get from being a mum. Trust me there have been some big eye openers becoming a mum and no one ever tells you or nothing will ever prepare you for what’s to come. They emphasize on how tired you’ll be, very true indeed but the amount of love you have for this beautiful creation and joy you get when they hit milestones is the best!
What are you grateful for?
I’m so grateful for all the little things in life which mean so much. Grateful for my beautiful family and how lucky we are to live so close to some of the prettiest beaches in the world. My incredible friends, they all have a special spot in my heart. I am beyond grateful we live in a country that has a good healthcare system.
What is something that brought a smile to your face this week?
With all the Covid 19 going on, it has definitely been a tough time for some of my family & friends but seeing them constantly wanting to help and support our community despite what they are going through is so heart warming. Also I started planning the nursery and Banks big boy room so that always makes me happy.