We design homes that are thoughtful and built for real life. Spaces that support daily life so well, they become the backdrop to your favourite rituals.
Romolo Design Studio is the realisation of a legacy rooted in determination, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to human connection.
Named after Kaila’s Nonno Romildo (Romolo for short) the studio serves as a tribute to the Italian heritage that shaped her. Growing up in a close-knit family, Kaila was inspired by the courage of her grandparents, who uprooted their lives to build a future in Perth from the ground up.
This heritage of bravery is the heartbeat of the practice; it provides the creative conviction to push past safe boundaries and make bold, unexpected design choices. Kaila operates on the simple, guiding principle of treating others exactly how she wants to be treated, transforming the studio into a deeply personal space where going above and beyond is the standard.
“I believe that the most meaningful homes are those that celebrate the unique history of their inhabitants, resulting in a sanctuary that is as distinctive and layered as the people within it.”
–– Kaila
RDS Approach
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We view the design process as an enduring partnership that demands equal parts technical rigor and creative experimentation. At RDS we operate as both technicians and storytellers, utilising a structured methodology to ensure your investment is realised with absolute clarity.
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RDS Approach
While our documentation is disciplined, the experience of working with us is refreshingly unstuffy and driven by a spirit of joyful collaboration.
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RDS Approach
Our practice maintains a deep-seated respect for the architecture.
We seek to revitalise existing building fabrics or respond to new structures by leaning into the unique details that give a home its soul. We coordinate every detail and custom joinery element to ensure the architecture and interiors progress with seamless integrity.
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RDS Approach
From the first site walk-through to the final curation of furniture and art, we accompany you through every emotional milestone of the journey. This commitment culminates in a tactile environment so considered that it becomes a sanctuary you will never want to leave.
Services
RDS provides tailored interior design services for homes across Perth. Some projects require work from concept to full documentation. Others require guided and curated shopping trips and furniture selections and procurement. Some are about plan reviews only, and others are all encompassing.
Read through our service offerings to see which is the right fit for you.
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Yes we do! We can provide a full list of all previous client contacts. We list the project type and scale for each as well as all contact details. From there, you can pick and choose who to follow up with.
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A new home can take anywhere from 1.5 - 2.5 years [from concept to completion]. A renovation can take 4 months - 1.5 years. It really just depends on the scope and scale.
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We do not offer architectural services, but we can assist with helping you select exterior finishes if you already have a building design or existing home that needs a refresh.
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All interior designers hate this question, but it wouldn’t be a FAQ if we didn’t include it.
To be completely honest, RDS doesn't just have one style - we love a bit of maximalist, minimalist, contemporary, brutalist, mid-century & retro inspired interiors - generally anything that has soul and character. But if we had to pick one it would be a blend of contemporary and 70’s design. We love combining old with new, playing with different textures and materials that tell a story and can handle daily life. We gravitate towards a warm and moodier palette with pops of colour where it matters. RDS thoroughly enjoys collaborating with makers and craftspeople to design one of a kind furniture pieces and sourcing second hand items that create a lived-in feeling.
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Yes. Very much a yes.
RDS try to use sustainable materials where possible. We stay up to date with new materials and suppliers creating products that use recycled content and/or manufacturing processes that have less of an impact on our beautiful planet. Future Materials is a great new website that we use to find real sustainable alternatives. When curating furniture we love sourcing second hand and vintage pieces along with locally manufactured items from sustainably focused makers.
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It’s less about the building and more about an alignment of values. If the scale is manageable [and RDS can manage quite a bit], and there’s an alignment between the project drivers and RDS, then it’s suited. Kaila has worked on a variety of projects in the past including retail, hospitality, lobby upgrades, commercial workplace and more.
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Two weeks after graduating with an Advanced Diploma of Interior Design Kaila started working for Woods Bagot in 2015. Kaila has been designing and working in the industry ever since! RDS however, was founded at the end of 2024. It started with projects for family friends and has quickly elevated to working with a diverse range of clients that approached RDS via our incredibly supportive network in Perth.
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Yes. Finding the right builder is part of a project.
Building involves many parties, getting the right builder for a project is a huge part of it. Also the right consultants; Structural engineer, environmental engineer, building surveyor, understanding how these parties work and play together is critical to a successful project.
Also the sub-contractors; plasterers, concreters, plumbers, electricians, tilers, it’s all a massive part of the process. Identifying the key contributors to achieving a project is part of the project itself.
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Once we start building or renovating then it’s about once a week. Sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on what’s happening at the time.
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Once meeting with you to understand what is required, we will prepare a fee proposal which outlines the scope of work and a return brief. Your needs will be captured in the brief and reflected in the fees, either fixed, hourly or retainer. RDS is flexible to meet your brief and budget, to ensure you are comfortable and understand the process and deliverables.
Our work varies in scale and complexity and each project gets considered accordingly.