Long time local residents, Liza and Barrie, opened their interior design service, TDS The Design Studio, in September 2016 with the goal of helping people to love where they live. “We are passionate about what we do – and wanted to provide a complete service for our clients,” Liza said. “We also wanted to provide Ulladulla with a beautiful showroom for locals to come and see stunning products on display.”

TDS consists of Liza, who has the design ideas, and Barrie who makes them happen. There are two other employees, Zara, a school-based trainee from Ulladulla High School, and Deborah, a personal assistant who looks after all aspects of the showroom. 

Liza has been involved in the industry for a long time, having started her career in interior design in Wollongong during the 1980s working for one of the top designers of the time. “When it was really busy my boss would put me in the workroom to help the curtain makers, I would unpick, iron hems and be the general gopher,” she said. “My boss used to say that if you couldn’t make it, you could not measure it. I then went on to further studies and learnt to make curtains myself. TDS has gone back to this model and we have a workroom at the back of our studio.”

While the core business of TDS is window furnishings – curtains, plantation shutters and blinds and homewares – they also do bespoke work for clients, which can be anything from a day bed, to a desk to a barn door. “We have made some amazing things for our clientele,” Liza said.

Due to the quality of workmanship clients receive, they keep on returning and referring TDS to their friends and family. “We love what we do and we are perfectionists – and we go that one step further in everything that we do,” Liza said. “We listen to what our clients tell us.” That said, a great product and service is only half the matter – the end result is totally dependent on the quality of the installation – and that’s where Barrie comes in. “He is the backbone of the business,” Liza said. “When we install products, we are both on the scene – this ensures that our clients get the result that they want.”

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It doesn’t matter if you order one blind or a house full, you will get exactly the same star treatment every time. “We are experts in our field and provide a quality service to all of our clients,” Liza said. She also stressed the importance of seeking professional advice early in a renovation or build. “We can discuss the look you want and then liaise with your builder so that we get it right from the start.”

Curtains in particular were definitely making a comeback. “They soften a room and are fantastic insulators,” Liza said. “The current trend is to combine blinds with a sheer curtain – this gives you daytime privacy and the softness of a curtain and the practicality of a blind.”

TDS supports the local community and gives back wherever possible. “We donate to everything going as we love to help out where we can,” Liza said. “We also support the Blessing of the Fleet – this is an amazing event and we love sponsoring a Princess.” 

Liza’s favourite event each year is the Disabled Surfers surfing day at Mollymook, which she was instrumental in establishing. “We love everything about our community – but we especially love the way that everyone gets behind each other when the chips are down. And how can you not love our beaches?”

TDS is located at Shop 6 Centre Court, 44 Deering Street, Ulladulla. Phone 4454 2828, visit tdsthedesignstudio.com.au or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

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