By prioritising intention over embellishment, interior designer Christina Symes has crafted a home that is as much about atmosphere as it is about aesthetics. This unassuming shed has been reimagined as a personal refuge. Embracing the original structure, with its pitched roof and exposed timber trusses, the space retains a raw, shed-like charm while being wholly reshaped through Symes’ distinct approach to environmental psychology.
What drew you to the Northern Rivers area?
Christina Symes: I spent a lot of time in the Northern Rivers growing up, but it was during the pandemic that it began to feel like home to me. I spent time here regularly, staying with my friend, Jess, between lockdowns, and I really noticed the positive effect the region had on me.
Jess and I run two businesses together, We Are Triibe, an interior design business, and Milk Label, a leakproof bra brand, so being in closer proximity works well for us. There’s also an incredible sense of community here that is unmatched to anywhere else I have lived before, and the lifestyle offers the space—both mentally and physically—to build the life I enjoy living.
Can you tell us about the original shed, and the surrounding context?
Christina Symes: When I was considering moving to the area, an opportunity came up to convert a 60-square-metre shed into a liveable dwelling on Jess’s neighbouring property. It’s set on a hill, surrounded by bush, with ocean views in the distance. The original shed was quite worn, with peeling corrugated iron on the exterior and roof, but the structure itself had great potential. The timber frame, pitched roof, exposed trusses and concrete slab floor made it the perfect blank canvas to transform.
A key part of the design of this shed conversion was keeping the original timber trusses.
What was the vision you had when renovating your home?
Christina Symes: Prior to securing the space, I would save reference images of moments that evoked a feeling I hoped to create in the home. One of my favourite homes is the Potters House in Mallorca owned by landscape architect Luciano Giubbilei.
I was drawn to the simplicity of natural materials, architectural features like windows and exposed beams that serve as focal points, and the seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding garden—I gravitate towards materials and design details that add soul and life to a space. Ultimately, I wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, one that blended gently with its surroundings and made both me and anyone who visited feel at ease.
Were there any unexpected hurdles in converting a shed into a home?
Christina Symes: The biggest challenges during the build came from external factors. About a month into construction, the area was hit by severe floods, causing widespread damage and leaving many in my neighbourhood without homes. As a result, the project was paused for about twelve months while the region recovered and building materials and trades became more readily available.
How did your design philosophy influence your choices in your own home?
Christina Symes: My design philosophy is heavily influenced by environmental psychology, which is also a core focus within our design practice for We Are Triibe—how a space can affect the way you feel.
For me, elements that have a positive impact on me include plenty of natural light, airflow, ambient lighting in the evenings, and the use of natural materials to create a softer, more inviting atmosphere in the home.
Christina is the co-founder of We Are Triibe, and also Milk Label—both businesses she’s created with her friend Jessica D’Abadie.
Can you talk to the planning and layout—what were non-negotiables in the brief?
Christina Symes: During the design phase, it was evident that the surrounding outlook was the key feature of the space. I wanted each area of the home to frame its view in a way that would create a distinct shift in mood—whether I was cooking, bathing, sleeping, working, or relaxing. This approach felt more intentional compared to an open-plan design that wouldn’t offer those same transitions.
My non-negotiables were keeping the pitched ceiling and exposed timber trusses in the living and kitchen areas, as well as using timber windows. The builder initially suggested a flat plasterboard ceiling and aluminium windows to save on costs, but I knew these features were crucial in defining the feel of the space. If I had to simplify the interior fit out due to budget constraints, I knew I could still bring in character through furnishings, art, and lighting.
What materials have you used?
Christina Symes: I kept the material choices pared back and natural, opting for subtle design details to spark interest in each space. I used Spotted Gum veneer from Big River Group to clad the entire bedroom and kitchen. In the bathroom, I used terracotta tiles and a terracotta basin from Artedomus, paired with chrome fixtures from The Blue Space. I love having long baths, so it was important to create a bathroom that helped me shift gears at the end of the day.For the bedroom, the variation of tones in the Spotted Gum veneer created a beautiful, patchwork effect—it feels like a little cabin retreat.
The We Are Triibe x Pampa rug helps to ground the living space, where the space is oriented towards the views.
Timber panelling used in the kitchen is introduced in bedroom to create a cabin-like atmosphere.
Are there any standout features or design details in your home that you’re particularly proud of?
Christina Symes: While the bedroom and bathroom were two spaces I intentionally designed as focal points, I have a particular fondness for how the kitchen turned out. I spent some time sanding and sealing the veneer myself with grapeseed oil, which was a rewarding process. Another detail I love is the island bench— I did a simple IKEA hack by replacing the bamboo top with stacked veneer panels. It was a cost-effective change, but it helped bring everything together and create a cohesive look with the cabinetry.
How does your home reflect your personality and lifestyle?
Christina Symes: I thrive off space and living a harmonious life, opting in and out of the faster paced cities when required or desired. I feel so incredibly at peace and happy living here, which makes me feel as though I am exactly where I need to be in this moment.
If you had asked me five to ten years ago whether I could imagine living on my own, surrounded by bush and farms, I probably would have said no. But since moving here, life has become far richer.
Can you share any sentimental stories behind certain design elements/furniture items?
Christina Symes: One of my favourite pieces is the living room rug, which was a collaboration between my interior business, We Are Triibe, and Pampa. It brings such a nice energy to that corner of the home.
When it comes to sentimental pieces, all my artworks hold special meaning, but there are a couple of small paintings by my friend Jess that are particularly dear to me. She gifted them to me a few years ago, long before I planned to move here. The paintings depict waterlilies in bloom at the dam that my home now overlooks. It’s funny how life works out sometimes.
The bathroom features warm terracotta tiles from Artedomus, including a bath, which was an important inclusion for Christina.
“I feel so incredibly at peace and happy living here, which makes me feel as though I am exactly where I need to be in this moment.”
– Christina Symes
“I kept the material choices pared back and natural, opting for subtle design details to spark interest in each space.”
– Christina Symes
Set on top of a hill in a town in the Northern Rivers, Christina’s renovation of a shed sees lots of warmth added into the existing vernacular.
