ON THE SOFA WITH – ZANA STOKS DESIGN
Meet Zana Stoks – interior designer, stylist, and proud mum of one. With a love for vintage pieces and timeless design,
she brings warmth, character, and creativity to every space she touches.
and what went on behind the scenes on the day.
Can you share how Zana Stoks Design first came to life and tell us a bit about your studio’s journey?
Zana Stoks Design came about quite organically. I come from a family of creatives, we all seem to have this instinct to recreate and make things we see. It’s almost a reflex: we see something beautiful and think, “I could make that.” That creative drive has led me through a variety of roles over the years. After having my daughter, I even launched a small range of gender-neutral soft furnishings for babies and children, which gave me my first taste of product design.
But interiors have always pulled me back. I love the process of shaping spaces that feel purposeful and grounded. Working alongside a Passive Haus designer early in my career really opened my eyes to the importance of intentional design. Spaces that are timeless, functional, and kind to the environment. It also made me more conscious of our industry’s contribution to waste, which now plays a big role in how I approach projects and who I choose to work with.
We live in a world where so much is disposable, and my hope is to help shift that mindset. I try to educate clients on purchasing once and purchasing well—prioritising quality over trends, and breathing new life into existing pieces rather than discarding them. That philosophy underpins everything we do at the studio today. Our work is about creating thoughtful, lasting interiors that reflect who our clients are, while treading as lightly as possible on the planet.
“I leaned into deep rich earthy tones, contrasting textures
like luxe velvet and heavy open weaves, and a mix of
sculptural and classic accessories.”
Who or what influences your design style the most?
Travel, architecture, and the imperfect charm of vintage pieces all inspire me. I gravitate towards European sensibilities, spaces that feel lived-in, layered and timeless. I also draw from nature a lot, both in palette and materials. You’ll notice a lot of brown and green even when I try not to. And of course, motherhood has added a new layer to how I think about functionality and comfort in a home.
Can you share one of the standout moments in your design career so far?
It’s hard to choose just one, but completing our first full-scale design and build project was a big milestone. Seeing it all come together, from concept through to handover – was incredibly rewarding. It reaffirmed how much value there is in being involved from day one. Currently I am working on a large residential project, everything is custom designed by myself from floorplan to the joinery & furniture pieces. Working with clients that trust us to create everything for them and having the creative freedom to do so it so fulfilling.
Can you walk us through how you chose the colour palette, textures, and accessories for the shoot?
We wanted the space to feel a little moody and sexy but refined, a sense of warmth. I leaned into deep rich earthy tones, contrasting textures like luxe velvet and heavy open weaves, and a mix of sculptural and classic accessories. It was important that everything felt harmonious and not too ‘done’, I’m not one for over styling and I wanted to ground the beautiful sofas with contrasting patterns and textures on the floor – The Hali rugs really helped to create that perfect platform for the furniture pieces to stand on their own.
What were some of the challenges or highlights during the photoshoot day?
Honestly, the highlight was working with such a talented and easy going team of people. Everyone we collaborated with on the shoot brought great energy and it all came together so easily on the day – The lighting was great in the showroom. The challenge was nailing the intimate feeling we were trying to invoke within a large showroom setting. But once we layered in the right textures and captured smaller intimate moments, it all came together perfectly.
How do you prepare for a furniture shoot differently than a residential styling project?
With residential styling, it’s about tailoring the design to someone’s life and how they use the space. For a shoot, it’s more about storytelling—creating a mood or moment that resonates visually. It’s faster-paced and more about the details that translate through a lens. I tend to use less for editorial shooting so that the main character in this case the sofas can really shine.
How do Australian-made pieces influence your work or the way you design for clients?
I love supporting Australian design & manufacturing. There’s something special about knowing where a piece comes from, who made it, the materials used, the craftsmanship behind it. It adds soul to a space, and clients increasingly value that transparency and connection. The smaller carbon footprint is also a huge selling point for me, the fact a client can custom design a piece right here in our city and have the opportunity to purchase a new cover to re inject life back into an old piece in 5 – 10years time in a no brainer. Knowing were supporting Australian manufacturers and our local Aussie workers is a bonus.
Do you find your clients are becoming more interested in the origin and story behind the pieces in their homes?
Absolutely. More and more, clients want their homes to feel meaningful. They’re not just after a beautiful result, they want to understand the story behind each piece, and how it aligns with their values, whether that’s sustainability, craftsmanship,
or supporting local makers.
How does a sofa set the tone for a room when you’re designing a space?
The sofa is often the heart of the room. It sets the tone not only visually but emotionally—it’s where people gather, relax, and recharge. The scale, shape, and texture all influence how a room feels. It’s one of the most important decisions in a living space.
When designing a living space, is the sofa usually your starting point?
Yes, I usually start with the sofas, It decides the layout and flow, and everything else is built around it.
It’s the foundation of the design.
What Molmic sofa would you have in your home?
I love Mid Century influences, so I really like the Rossi as pictured and Big Easy is very cool.
Credits
Interior Designer/Stylist: Zana Stoks Design
Photography: Dylan James
Fabrics: Casamance, Mokum, Warwick, Westbury, Zepel
Rugs: Hali Rugs
Side Tables: Just Adele
Art: Oat Studio, Zana Stoks
Accessories: Rodwell & Astor