Annabelle McQuillan // Bespoke Belle

Annabelle McQuillan, Founder/Principal Designer of Bespoke Belle, Building Design 

Community and Background:

Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the Berry community? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?

I joined WL (Kiama 1.0) back in November 2020 to boost my productivity while prepping for my second baby, who was due in 2021. I wanted to wrap up some projects before slowing down after the baby arrived. The space was so comfy that I kept working right up until the day before my little one came in April 2021. After a short break, I jumped back into WL (Kiama 2.0) in October 2021 and quickly got back into my groove. Since Kiama closed, I’ve joined the Berry WL community, and it’s been amazing connecting with everyone, chatting, bouncing ideas around, and collaborating with such a great crew.

Business and Entrepreneurship:

Tell us about your work. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship or remote work?

I’m a Building and Interior Designer. I mainly work directly with clients who are building or renovating their homes, helping them with the design and handling all the pre-construction approvals.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have some incredibly inspiring and insightful mentors, all small business owners themselves, who helped me build the confidence to eventually work for myself. My journey has been more of a gradual transition—starting part-time in 2015. Thanks to word of mouth from past clients and local builders, I was able to quickly turn it into a full-time career.

I truly love what I do. I enjoy going on the journey with my clients, diving deep into their needs, and solving problems by creating beautiful spaces that are cherished and valued. As a small business owner, the direct feedback from clients is invaluable—it creates a positive feedback loop that keeps me motivated and eager to do it all over again.

What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of work while ensuring time for family and personal life?

Work-life balance is an ongoing journey, and it may never truly be “finished,” but for now, it’s all about being present and having a solid routine. What I mean by this is, when I’m working, I’m fully focused and immersed in the task at hand. When I’m spending time with family, I’m completely in that moment as well. A well-structured routine helps ensure that everything gets the time and attention it needs, so there’s no stress about things slipping through the cracks.

In your industry, what recent disruptions or transitions have had the most significant impact on your business?

I’d say it’s definitely the interest rates and the cost of construction. There’s a lot of chatting and educating my clients at the start about this. It’s super important they know what they can afford and what they’ll actually get for it. Right now, it can feel a little underwhelming, but it’s also pushing us as designers to really think critically about every space and feature. It’s creating a chance to focus more on what really matters to the client, it’s opening up discussions on smaller, multi-functional spaces and energy efficiency to keep on-going running costs low.

Personal Life:

Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?

I just love being creative in pretty much anything—cooking, painting, crocheting, sewing, gardening. In the past, that meant bigger projects I’d work on over time, but with two young kids now, it’s more about bursts of creativity, with them joining in the fun too.

Are there any books or podcasts you’ve found particularly inspiring or informative recently? Any recommendations for the WorkLife community?

I love listening to podcasts when I’m driving, it’s often The Design Files Talks, Sustainable Builders Yak or Get it Right with Undercover Architect. 

How do you maintain boundaries between work and personal life? Any top tips?

I don’t really set strict boundaries—I’m all about building, renovating, and design, so it never feels like work to me. With designers and carpenters in the family, talk often turns to these topics at family gatherings. I’m also someone who likes to help out in the community, so if someone asks me a question at school pick-up like, “Know a good tradesperson for this?” or “What do you think about adding solar panels to a home?” I’m always happy to chat and lend a hand.

Home and Lifestyle:

What is your taste like? Do you have a favourite item of furniture or object in your home? Anything that has special significance or tells a story about you?

I designed and built our home in 2017, and every corner of it tells a story about me and my family. Each room is filled with natural light and offers a view that connects us to nature. The colour palette is simple—natural white walls (with countless fingerprints), light timber floors (covered in scratches from toys), and up-cycled antique cabinets as vanities—something we did to save money so we could splurge on a multi-coloured fish scale tile splash back in the kitchen.  It’s a place that has truly felt like home from day one, and I strive to create that same sense of comfort and warmth in all of my projects.

What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favourite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?

I absolutely love everything about WL—the dark tones with pops of yellow, the rotating artwork. It has such a creative vibe, blending everything a corporate office needs, but with so much more soul.

If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?

Here’s my perfect weekend – nature, sunshine, fun, food, and culture.

We’d kick things off at Minnamurra around mid to low tide, grab a coffee anywhere (parking is a breeze), and if there are kids with us, we could hit up the Jamberoo Action Park or the Boongaree Rotary Park in Berry. After that, we’d head to Bundanon to enjoy some stunning architecture, art, great food, and beautiful nature.

Productivity and Time Management:

What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?

I’m an old-school list maker, though I’m not sure if I’ll always be. If you’ve got any suggestions for taking this up a notch, I’d love to hear them!

Benefits of WorkLife Membership:

Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your work?

It’s such a lively space that always gets me set for a productive week! I love the vibe of the community and enjoy chatting and collaborating with other small business owners and remote workers. The conversations are always so diverse, and I love learning about what everyone else is up to.

You can find examples of Annabelle’s work at www.bespokebelle.com.au