Ready, Set, DESIGN! Decor + Design’s exciting live design challenge for interior design students will return from 15 – 17 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, co-curated by Dina Kalpouzos of Concept Living.

Dina’s journey to interior design began with a primal understanding of how space shapes lives. At 11, her family’s move from Melbourne to Greece became a defining moment. The transition awakened her awareness of how spatial arrangements affect how we feel.

She suddenly went from the openness of Australia to the density of a Greek city; sharing a bedroom with siblings and with minimal outdoor space. Her primary school in Greece was converted from a potato storage building, sans the library, gym and other facilities she’d known in Melbourne.

Perhaps as a coping mechanism to change, Dina began constantly reconfiguring their bedroom layout, moving beds and reimaging possibilities. Without realising it, she was already exploring the question that guides her work today: how can space support us when life feels uncertain?

After further study and the encouragement of her husband Con, this became the foundation of Concept Living. Dina’s practice is rooted in the belief that thoughtfully designed space has the power to ground us. Her focus is spatial design; understanding how layout influences the way we live.

Today, as co-curator of Ready, Set, Design at Decor + Design, in collaboration with Temple & Webster, Studio Ciel, and James Treble, she channels this philosophy into creating meaningful opportunities for emerging designers.

How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and what principles guide your approach to creating spaces?

The first thing I hope people feel in a space I have designed is clarity.

For me, clarity is not created by one single element – it comes from many things working harmoniously together. It is the result of thoughtful spatial layout, ease of movement through a space, and a clear sense of intention behind each area.

When a space has clarity, people may not consciously analyse why it feels good, but they feel it. The space feels easier to move through, easier to understand, and often easier to breathe in.

Furniture placement plays a significant role in that. While I do not necessarily select every furniture piece myself, I may guide or recommend pieces that suit the space. Ultimately, the client’s selections are theirs, and my role is to thoughtfully integrate those pieces into the spatial design so the overall flow remains cohesive.

To me, good design is not just about decoration – it’s about creating alignment between people, function, and space.

How do you balance timeless design with contemporary trends?

For me, timeless design and contemporary trends do not sit at opposite ends. I believe that when approached with discernment, they can coexist beautifully.

Timelessness creates longevity. It gives a space grounding through proportion, materiality, balance, and thoughtful spatial planning. These are the elements that continue to feel relevant regardless of decade.

At the same time, design should never feel disconnected from the way we live today.

What many people call trends, I often see as reflections of our evolving needs. For example, the growing focus on wellness, sustainability, flexible living, and multifunctional spaces is not simply trend-driven; it reflects how our lifestyles are changing.

The real skill lies in knowing what deserves to remain and what is worth evolving.

I am less interested in incorporating trends for the sake of being current, and more interested in understanding which contemporary shifts genuinely improve the way people live.

Can you walk us through a project you’re particularly proud of?

Although this is not a recent project, it remains very close to my heart – the design of our family home, created in collaboration with Kon Karakolis from Enth Degree Architects.

The home was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style architecture, with a strong emphasis on horizontality, connection to landscape, and intentional spatial flow across three levels.

What made this project especially meaningful was that it embodied everything I value in spatial design. Every space was carefully accounted for, from the broader architectural flow right down to the smallest details of daily living.

To some, these details may seem small, but to me they are fundamental. They shape how effortlessly a home functions and how supported people feel within it.

One of the biggest challenges I had to navigate was establishing trust in my knowledge and skill set as a spatial designer. Early in the process, I often felt that my ideas were being dismissed too quickly.

This project taught me the importance of standing confidently in my knowledge, articulating the rationale behind my ideas, and trusting my instincts.

Once the trust was established, everything shifted. The collaboration became incredibly fluid and we began working in sync, often finishing each other’s sentences creatively.

Unfortunately, just three days before demolition, COVID hit, and we made the difficult decision to pause the project and ultimately purchase a new home instead.

Even though the home was never built, I remain incredibly proud of that project. It reinforced something important for me: good design is not about ego – it is about intention, communication, and having the courage to advocate for what you know will create better spatial outcomes.

Something especially personal and very close to my heart this year is the launch of my first book, Spatial Wisdom – The Space Within.

This reflective book explores a philosophy of space that gently unfolds into emotional architecture. It is not a manual or a set of rules, but rather a collection of reflections on how design shapes the way we feel, live, and connect.

Tell us about your role as co-curator of Ready, Set, Design.

Ready, Set, Design was created from the idea of building an ecosystem for emerging designers – a place where students could feel a sense of belonging beyond the walls of their educational institutions.

Reflecting on my own journey, I recognised that becoming a designer involves so much more than formal education or technical skill. There is a deeply human side of the profession, shaped by life experience, personal background, observation, and the environments that have shaped us.

The idea truly began to gain momentum when I shared the concept with James Treble. We first met in Milan, and later at Decor + Design 2024. He immediately understood the vision and saw the potential of what Ready, Set, Design could become, suggesting we bring it to life in a competition format.

James then introduced me to Skye, Creative Director of D+D and Studio Ciel – someone who not only understood the vision but also had the incredible ability to make things happen at Decor + Design. Then came Lucy Sutherland from Temple & Webster, bringing wonderful energy, insight into interior trends, and a genuine willingness to support students.

I often think of the word TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More – and that feels especially true of this collaboration. Each person brings something unique, but what makes it powerful is that we share the same vision: creating something truly meaningful for the next generation of designers.

At its heart, Ready, Set, Design is about creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect, grow, and better understand themselves as designers.

I believe that before we can truly design for others, we must first learn to better understand ourselves.

What will students experience at Ready, Set, Design in 2026?

Students attending Ready, Set, Design in 2026 will experience a dynamic and immersive environment designed to inspire learning, connection, and creativity in multiple ways.

At the heart of the activation is our exhilarating fast-paced live design competition, where student teams will design a floor plan following a brief, in real time using 3D miniature replica furniture from Temple & Webster, beautifully produced by FABWORK.

We are also expanding the educational experience through our Student Toolbox sessions, which are open to all visitors. I will be talking about Designing Wellness, exploring the relationship between space and wellbeing. James Treble will share practical insights on seeking and working with clients, while Lucy Sutherland will offer a trend forecast and discuss evolving directions in interiors.

We are also introducing a fun new activation called STYLE IT, SNAP IT! where guests are invited to step into the designer’s shoes, style a space, showcase their creativity, and share their designs on social media by tagging us.

Another exciting component this year is our Student Networking session, held within our beautiful circular gathering space. This is a conversation pit designed to encourage connection, meaningful dialogue, and a sense of belonging between students and industry professionals.

Ultimately, Ready, Set, Design! offers students more than an event – it offers multiple ways to learn, engage, and better understand themselves as future designers.

Don’t miss Ready, Set, Design at Decor + Design. The live competitions will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th July, with activities planned over the three days of the show. Check out the schedule here. You can register to visit the show as a design student or a member of the design trade via this link.