ink in Residence | Balancing Drama and Calm: Inside Studio Doherty

Great design has a way of shifting the mood of a space - quietly, confidently, and often in unexpected ways. 

ink in Residence is a new series from us exploring the spaces, creators and ideas that inspire the way people gather, host and simply unwind. Featuring across our blog and social channels, the series steps inside homes and places that align with our aesthetic sensibility, celebrating the designers shaping contemporary Australian spaces and beyond. 

More than interiors with a vibe, these are environments designed with intention - places where colour, texture and atmosphere work together to create moments worth lingering in. ink in Residence looks at how great design influences the mood of a space and the experiences that unfold within it.

This first exploration features designer Mardi Doherty, Director of Studio Doherty, whose approach to interiors centres on finding a balance between bravery and restraint. Her studio is known for pushing creative boundaries while refining thoughtful details, ensuring each project carries its own distinctive character.

We think you’re going to love her work.

Studio Doherty’s work often explores the relationship between drama and calm in a space. Using natural light, texture and carefully considered materials to shape how a room feels and functions.

As Mardi puts it, “We have a constant hunger to make each project better than the previous - always testing new ideas and pushing ourselves.”

Elonera House

Light plays a defining role in many Studio Doherty projects, with windows and skylights carefully positioned to shape how a space evolves throughout the day.

Hawksburn House

Balancing drama and calm is central to the studio’s approach, creating interiors that feel both expressive and grounded.

Mardi recently featured on our socials as part of International Women’s Day, and we chose her with intention. We wanted to recognise her instinct to break the rules of traditional design - an approach that resonates strongly with the story of ink gin.

When ink was first created, it was developed with the same willingness to move beyond convention - embracing bold indigo colour without the usual constraints of the category. In doing so, we created a flavourful, balanced gin that stands apart.

Like Mardi’s interiors, ink Gin was never about following a formula, but about creating something distinctive that changes the mood of a space the moment it appears.

We’d happily enjoy an ink gin in any one of Mardi’s interiors. We think we’d be right at home