Rebecca Jansma of Space Grace & Style is an Interior Designer. With over 10 years experience in Interior Design, Rebecca is known for effortlessly combining crisp, clean architecture with thoughtful, detailed and tightly resolved interior solutions. She has a passion for natural materials, and the inherent beauty and authenticity they bring to spaces. Combined with custom upholstery and a love of contemporary art, she creates casually elegant spaces that are warm, comfortable and very liveable. We had the pleasure of interviewing Rebecca for the latest instalment of Byzantine Community.
How are you? Really?
Really, I’m great. But I also acknowledge that lots of people aren’t, so I don’t skip about whistling… I’m an introvert, so my natural tendency is to reclusiveness and I’m also quite self-reliant and a big reader (also a big Netflix watcher as it turns out…🙄) so I found the past 12 months quite restful and therapeutic after the initial uncertainty. To be able to spend time with myself and not be 100% about clients/staff etc has been a bit of a tonic. We’ve been fortunate to have had sufficient work to keep us very busy – again I understand that a lot of businesses haven’t, and that would be very difficult.
What's your word for the next 12 months?
"Edit"
What's been your biggest lesson over the pandemic?
To appreciate so much of what we have. And to be grateful – always – that we live in Australia. Being on a big island has it’s advantages…
What priorities have shifted? Personal and business?
Priorities haven’t shifted that much, as I have worked pretty hard for a balance that I’m comfortable with. It tips a bit sometimes, but I find I can correct with a weekend away or a dinner with friends.
Who do you think is an unsung hero of your industry?
I’m super thankful for so many of our suppliers and the showroom staff who seemed to be available for quotes, samples and deliveries throughout most of the lockdowns and who have been a bit like the thread holding us together. Now more than ever, I appreciate how much we rely on them for exposure to new product, for their exceptional product knowledge and bravery in bringing things to this far-flung outpost of Empire (tongue is in cheek)
Design and Styling Rebecca Jansma | Photography Cricket Saleh
When you are seeking or needing inspiration, where do you go?
Nature. Always. The more remote and off-grid the better! Unplug and observe… look and listen. No matter how fabulous we think human creations are, there’s always an instance of nature having done it better.
What's a milestone you will be celebrating this year?
This year I’m working on my own personal project that’s been on the drawing board for almost two years – River Studio – a small boutique accommodation studio overlooking the beautiful Barwon River. I love working for clients but it’s another level of fulfilment to be doing this for myself with all the finishes and fixtures that I love.
This year I’m working on my own personal project that’s been on the drawing board for almost two years – River Studio – a small boutique accommodation studio overlooking the beautiful Barwon River. I love working for clients but it’s another level of fulfilment to be doing this for myself with all the finishes and fixtures that I love.
Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
Not that much, except in the initial month or so of the Pandemic when we were relatively quiet whilst clients came to an equilibrium with the uncertainty I would have rested instead of filling the days with meaningful work…
Photography Caitlin Mills | Photographic Styling Bek Sheppard
Are you a planner or do you wing it? If you plan, what’s your method?
A bit of both. I like to plan, and then I like to throw it all out the window if something more fun or compelling or interesting comes along! Mostly stick with the plan though, as I’m also a completer-finisher.
Who is someone who has made a difference in your life/business?
My father has been my true North all my life. He raised me, so I never had a limited idea of what my potential was apart from my own (not inconsiderable) doubts.
Whenever I’m tired or feeling negative he seems to be able to put things back in perspective with stories of how it was when he was young in The Netherlands at the end of WWII. Similarly, he is my greatest advocate and cheer leader and has always encouraged me to celebrate success and strive for the absolute best.
Photography Caitlin Mills | Photographic Styling Bek Sheppard
Has someone said something to you or given advice that stopped you in your tracks and made you think differently? If so, what was it? What was the impact on you?
Years ago, in my first career as a Medical Scientist, a senior Pathologist told me the following… “…no matter how bright as you are, it’s going to be very hard for you to succeed in science. You’ll need to do everything twice as well as a man.” All that did was motivate me to prove him wrong, and not many years after that I became the youngest Senior Scientist in Australia. I’ve left that life behind obviously and now focus on bringing beauty and harmony to interiors…
If you could change one thing about the World right now (lofty question, I know), what would you change?
Gender equality and parity.
Who are your ultimate dinner party guests from any time?
JFK; Marilyn Munroe; Bruce Chatwin; Gore Vidal; Jacquie Kennedy-Onassis; Ray & Charles Eames and Robin Boyd
Who would you sit on either side of you?
Gore Vidal and Robin Boyd
Who are your back up dancers
No back up.
If you were on a reality show set in a prison, let’s call it “The Block” and you had to choose 1 tile to tile your cell which one would you choose? (please pick from our website)
It would be a zellige. The dusty pink… I recall when I studied colour theory studies had shown that painting a prison pink resulted in calmer inmates, with less violent incidents and an increase in productivity. Has to be a good thing?
Where can we find you?
Instagram @rebeccajansma
Facebook Space Grace & Style
LinkedIn Rebecca Jansma
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