Dominique Brammah & Shannon Shlom From Duet
Duet founders, Dominique Brammah & Shannon Shlom create richly layered interiors that invite curiosity and joy—their work grounded in nostalgia, emotional connection, and a deep respect for story.
Photos ANSON SMART Editorial Styling OLGA LEWIS
Comma Byron Bay, interior design by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
‘The design world is our oyster—we truly believe anything is possible. We never clip our wings; if something tries to hold us back, we simply find another way. That mindset keeps us pushing boundaries and evolving,’ says Duet founders, Dominique Brammah & Shannon Shlom. Photo: Anson Smart.
Comma Byron Bay, interior design by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Adalea by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
“At its core, Duet is a dialogue—a constant exchange between us that explores the light and shade of design. ”
Grafton by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Adalea by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Hello Dominique & Shannon—can you introduce yourselves?
Dominique & Shannon: Hello Hunter & Folk, and thank you for having us again—it’s such a joy to be back. We love sharing our thoughts and design stories with you and your readers.
We’re Dominique & Shannon—two design-obsessed creative partners who feel incredibly lucky to do what we love. We’re grateful for the clients we meet, the homes we help shape, and the journey we’re on together through Duet.
Can you tell us a little about your backgrounds and what led you to launch Duet?
Shannon holds a Master of Interior Architecture from UNSW, and Dominique a Master of Architecture from the University of Sydney. While we come from different ends of the design spectrum, we’ve both found our true calling in residential interior design.
At its core, Duet is a dialogue—a constant exchange between us that explores the light and shade of design. The yin and yang. Contrast and balance. Our work is driven by both rapture and rigour, and our aesthetic is rooted in contrast as much as in harmony.
We discovered this dynamic from the moment we began collaborating—initially as two solo practices that kept finding reasons to work together rather than tackle client projects alone. We naturally kept returning to each other’s energy, ideas, and values. That’s where the magic began—and that’s what became Duet.
What philosophies or values guide your creative direction as a studio?
Empathy guides everything we do. It allows us to truly understand how a family lives and feels in their home, so we can design spaces that support their rhythms, routines, and emotional needs. We go beyond aesthetics and function to tap into the unspoken—what makes a space feel genuine, lived-in, and deeply personal.
Kindness is equally important. Kind clients, respectful collaboration with suppliers, craftspeople and trades—these are the ingredients that create not just beautiful spaces, but a great process. For us, empathy and kindness aren't just values; they’re the foundations of meaningful, lasting design.
How would you describe your signature approach to interiors?
Our signature is our ability to behave like chameleons—we adapt to each client’s energy, needs, architecture, budget, and level of bravery. That fluidity is central to who we are.
Still, some things are constant: warmth, welcome, and joy. Our spaces layer colour and texture, old and new, custom pieces and personal treasures. They invite curiosity, offer comfort, and leave room to feel. Always evolving, never flat—just like the people who live in them. Full of heart, always.
What inspires the material and colour palettes you gravitate towards in your work?
For us, it’s about how we want to live—fully engaged, emotionally connected, and visually inspired. Our love of colour, nostalgia, and texture reflects that. These elements speak to memory, feeling, and personality in ways that minimalism sometimes can’t.
That said, we also appreciate the beauty of calm, pared-back palettes—there’s definitely a time and place for clarity and quiet. But what excites us creatively is the richness of life: the worn patina of something old, a bold colour that makes your heart skip, the tactile joy of a layered surface.
No two Duet spaces are ever the same. We approach each project as chameleons—adapting to the architecture and the people who will live there. But at the core, our work is always grounded in emotion, story, and texture. Spaces that feel alive.
Collaboration is clearly central to your process—what does a great collaboration look like to you?
For us, collaboration is creative harmony—a dance where every element moves with its own rhythm, but all in the same direction. At the core is trust: trust in each other, and just as importantly, trust from the client. When a client is open, kind, and willing to explore—even the unexpected—that’s when creativity flows at its best.
Our process is a bit like ping-pong: one of us throws out an idea, the other builds on it, then sends it back. It’s fast, energising, and full of momentum. We often explore the edge—where something feels a little too nostalgic or too bold—and then pull it back just enough.
That tension is where the magic happens. It’s brave, surprising, and full of emotion. And sometimes, imbalance itself becomes the beauty. It can challenge, comfort, or inspire—and that’s just as meaningful as harmony.
Can you share a little about your dynamic as co-founders—how do you balance and complement one another creatively?
Our differences are what give our work depth. While we’re both capable of handling all aspects of a project, we’ve developed a deep respect for each other’s strengths. That mutual understanding protects the duality of our partnership—we lean into what we each do best, while still encouraging one another to explore the other side.
There’s a constant back-and-forth—a creative ping-pong—where ideas are passed, reshaped, and refined until they feel complete and true to both of us. It’s a genuine, equal collaboration. When you work with Duet, you get both of us: equally invested, creatively curious, and always pushing each other to go further.
What really sustains this dynamic is the quiet awe we have for each other’s creativity. It’s an unspoken boost—an energy that fuels us forward with trust, joy, and a shared passion for making something meaningful.
Adalea by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
The powder room at Adalea by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
“What really sustains this dynamic is the quiet awe we have for each other’s creativity. It’s an unspoken boost—an energy that fuels us forward with trust, joy, and a shared passion for making something meaningful.”
Grafton by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Comma Byron Bay, interior design by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Comma Byron Bay, interior design by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
Comma Byron Bay, interior design by Duet. Photo: Anson Smart. Editorial Styling: Olga Lewis
What does your typical day look like—or does no day look the same?
Since we last caught up, our days have definitely found more structure. We now have dedicated work days, parenting days, and family days—but of course, as business owners, those lines often blur. It’s never a strict clock-on, clock-off kind of rhythm.
And while we’re (almost) always available to each other, we’ve embraced the fact that we have very different working styles. It’s part of what makes Duet work—we allow space for that difference while still staying in sync.
Are there particular rituals or routines that help fuel your creativity?
A hot cup of coffee or chai, a soulful playlist and a warm studio. As we generally don’t have the luxury of being able to sit down next to each other we send regular check in voice notes with each other. The represent a quick way of sharing an idea and talking it out. The voice note harnesses the immediacy of the idea so it is often a beautiful, excitable way of sharing the contents of our brains. It also invites a reply but it also respects the other person’s often busy juggle-y schedule. They can listen to it in their own time and it respects the space needed to reply.
What project has been particularly memorable or defining for the studio so far?
We’ve loved every project so far—each has taught us something valuable, whether it’s business skills, relationship lessons, or insights about ourselves. We’re grateful for every opportunity that’s come our way.
But the true beginning of Duet and many of our successes trace back to one special project with a superstar client and dear friend. This client gave us the freedom to design boldly and push boundaries, becoming the wind beneath Duet’s wings. He even encouraged us to take the leap and officially form our partnership—the beautiful work-wife relationship we have today.
For this client, we will always feel immense gratitude, pride, and joy. His home will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
How do you approach the balance between functionality and aesthetic in your designs?
Functionality shapes aesthetic—they go hand in hand. Getting this balance right is the true success of design. Anyone can design a chair, but how comfortable and beautiful it is—that’s what matters. We always start with functionality front and center, with aesthetics close behind, supporting and enhancing the design. Finding the perfect harmony between the two is what creates truly successful spaces.
How do you continue to evolve and challenge yourselves creatively as a practice?
The design world is our oyster—we truly believe anything is possible. We never clip our wings; if something tries to hold us back, we simply find another way. That mindset keeps us pushing boundaries and evolving.
Who or what are your biggest creative influences—within or outside of the design world?
Our creative influences are so often each other. Creative harmony together, for us, feels like a beautifully chaotic dance—like all the cogs in the wheel turning in rhythm, each with its own quirky beat, but all moving beautifully in unison.
The algorithm serving us the perfect visual inspiration on Instagram can contribute to the creative flow but time away is just as essential. Our creative influences are often drawn from time away from Duet as much as time within it. Naturally, travel with our families fuels our creativity, from the relentless buzz of a capital city to a wild wind-swept winter beach, the simultaneous calm and surge of energy that one gets from travel is a huge source of inspiration for our minds.
What advice would you give to emerging designers or those looking to start their own studio?
Find a wonderful, trusting, and joyful partner to do it with—someone who becomes the person you talk to the most (after your partner!) and a lifelong best friend. You won’t regret it.
What’s next for Duet—are there any upcoming projects or ideas you’re excited to explore?
We’ve got something brewing in the music space that we’re itching to dive into, plus a new luxury stay project that we hope will become an iconic Australian holiday destination. We’re also manifesting a visit to the Milan Furniture Fair in 2026—and dreaming of a design trip to India with the lovely Megan Morton.
To stay up to date with Duet visit their website or follow @we_are_duet on Instagram.
