ABOUT US
Gaia Starace Design is a residential interior design practice shaped by a European sensibility and a deep respect for craftsmanship, proportion, and material integrity.
Founded by Gaia Starace, the practice brings together architecture, interior design, and art to create homes that feel refined, considered, and genuinely lived in.
Gaia Starace
Building Designer
Monika Niemiec is the Founder and Director of Mona Building Designs, providing residential building design services throughout Sydney. She specialises in alterations, additions and new homes, combining thoughtful design with a strong understanding of NSW planning controls to create practical, well-resolved solutions tailored to each client and site.
From initial feasibility and concept design through to Development Applications (DA), Complying Development Certificates (CDC) and construction documentation, Monika guides clients through every stage of the design and approval process. Where required, she coordinates with engineers, certifiers and specialist consultants to deliver well-integrated, buildable outcomes.
Gaia Starace Design collaborates with Monika on selected residential projects where specialist building design and planning expertise are required, ensuring a seamless process from concept through to approvals.
Founder & Creative Director
Gaia holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Italy and maintains ongoing registration with the Board of Architects in Rome. She later completed a Master of Art at UNSW Sydney, developing a multidisciplinary art practice focused on site-specific spatial work.
With over fifteen years of professional experience, Gaia’s background spans architecture, independent interior design practice, and high-end kitchen and joinery design at Degabriele Luxury Kitchens in Sydney. She currently teaches Interior Design at TAFE Design Centre, Enmore, remaining closely engaged with contemporary design thinking and education.
Gaia Starace
Carlissa Eves (CJ)
Junior Interior Designer
Carlissa holds a Diploma of Interior Design and a Bachelor of Project Management. She supports Gaia Starace Design across residential projects, assisting in translating client conversations into clear design intent, thoughtful material selections, and precise documentation.
With a strong foundation in project coordination, Carlissa is highly organised, detail-focused, and confident liaising with trades and suppliers. She works closely with Gaia to ensure each project is delivered with clarity, consistency, and care, supporting the design process through to installation so that the finished space aligns seamlessly with the original vision.
OUR APPROACH
A Relationship-Led Practice
Every project begins with listening. Understanding how you live, what you value, and how your home should feel, now and over time. Design is shaped through dialogue, trust, and careful attention to detail.
A Clear, Considered Process
Structure where it matters, flexibility where it counts. Each engagement is guided by a thoughtful framework, allowing interiors to evolve with clarity while remaining responsive to context, lifestyle, and change.
Interiors Designed to Endure
Beyond trends or quick solutions, spaces are crafted with longevity in mind. Through material intelligence, proportion, and restraint, each interior is designed to age gracefully and remain relevant for years to come.