In Bed With Zenn – Alyssa Owens

Meet Alyssa Owens

Interior decorator, stylist, mum to Theo and soon to be mum of two!

By popular demand, we caught up with Alyssa at her Heron House project in Abbotsford to dive into the inspiration behind her iconic Panthera Soho Bed. She also offered insight into balancing work and motherhood, along with the creative influences that shape her design approach.

How did AOD begin? Tell us a little bit about your Studio?
Alyssa Owens Design was born from an obsession with interiors and the power it has to transform how we live. My love for design began in New Orleans, where I spent a decade immersed in the city’s fearless mix of eras, textures, and moods — gritty yet glamorous, historic yet ever-evolving. Originally an English teacher, I saw a natural crossover between storytelling and design given both are about layering meaning and evoking emotion. Now based in Naarm/Melbourne, my studio is built on the belief that a home should be deeply personal, a fusion of eras, materials, and colour that feels both sophisticated and soulful. Whether through bespoke furniture, art curation, or rich textural layering, my work is always about honouring my clients’ stories and helping them live beautifully.

What was the inspo behind this custom Soho bed in the infamous Catherine Martin, Panthera fabric in your Heron House project?
Heron House already had a strong architectural foundation when I was brought on board for decoration, but my clients were craving layers — pieces with personality, presence, and a sense of individuality. The master bedroom, in particular, needed indulgence. Something tactile and dramatic. Catherine Martin’s Panthera fabric in gold was the perfect fit, bringing Old Hollywood opulence with a sultry, contemporary edge. When I showed my client the fabric sample, she lit up and told me she had already been eyeing it herself. That moment of synchronicity confirmed we were on the right track. Pairing it with the sculptural form of the Soho Bedhead by Zenn Design created a refined yet daring focal point. It feels cocooning, luxe, and just a little bit wild. It’s a bold statement that still sits elegantly within the home’s overall design.

Where and how do you absorb your design inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere, but I’m especially drawn to places that integrate art and design — heritage architecture, galleries, even fashion runways. Travel is a huge influence, and my time in New Orleans shaped my love for layered, eclectic interiors that feel storied. I also love diving into vintage design books and archival interiors; there’s something about looking at spaces from decades past that helps me push boundaries in the present. But more than anything, I take cues from my clients — their personalities, their travels, the objects they can't live without.

What is your design point of view and how do you inject this into your projects?
Good design is a balance of contrast and cohesion — mixing vintage with contemporary, structured with organic, bold with restrained. I’m always looking to create spaces that feel rich in texture, deeply personal, and effortlessly functional. My approach is highly collaborative; I listen, I observe, and then I shape a vision that reflects my clients’ personalities in a way they might not have imagined themselves. Whether it’s a hand-painted mural (underway now in a nursery project!), a custom piece of furniture, or the perfect shade of olive green, I want every detail to feel intentional. A truly resonant home is a reflection of the people who inhabit it, with a depth and individuality that make it impossible to replicate.

What do you love about bespoke design furniture for your home?
Bespoke furniture brings a unique touch to a space, offering craftsmanship and individuality that can elevate a design. While mass-produced pieces can be beautifully made and functional, custom works add a level of personalisation that makes a home feel curated rather than decorated. In a project like Heron House, where personality was paramount, working with Zenn Design to create a bedhead that felt bold, indulgent, and perfectly tailored to my clients was essential. Bespoke design is about elevating the everyday — turning something as functional as a bed into a true statement piece.

Congratulations on your second baby, due soon! How do you balance motherhood and your studio?
Thank you! It’s definitely a dance, and no two days look the same. I think the key is embracing flexibility and knowing that balance isn’t always about perfect equilibrium, but rather more about fluidity. Some days, I’m fully immersed in design work, scheming and sourcing; other days, I’m in full mum mode. I try to carve out really intentional pockets of time for both roles, but it's not easy. At the end of the day, both design and motherhood are creative, intuitive pursuits, and I find that they feed into each other nicely.

How do you practise self care?
For me, self-care is both grander gestures — like time away to reset — and small, consistent rituals that keep me grounded. A long walk with a coffee in hand, a gym class, or even just five minutes of stillness before the chaos of the day begins. I’m also a big believer in the power of beautiful surroundings—fresh flowers on the table, a candle burning while I work. Design, at its core, is about creating spaces that make life feel richer and more intentional, and I try to apply that same philosophy to how I recharge.

Do you have any night-time rituals or have a process to help you achieve a sense of zenn?
Absolutely. Especially with a toddler and another little one on the way, winding down is essential. I love low, warm lighting in the evening; it shifts the energy of a space. Once my toddler is asleep, I take a few minutes to reset — tidying up stray toys and the kitchen just enough so the morning feels smooth. Then it’s about connecting with my partner, whether it’s catching up or indulging in a cheeky episode (or two) of a favourite series. A warm drink, legs curled up on the sofa…simple moments, but they make a difference.

What are you coveting right now?
So many things! It’s the best and worst part of this job — being surrounded by beautiful design means I’m always discovering something new to obsess over. Lately, I’ve been drawn to the impact of wall lighting and how it shapes a space beyond just illumination. We've just installed the truly divine Psychedelic Wall Sconce by Caia Leifsdotter in one of my projects, a beautiful chrome sculpture, and I keep thinking of places in my home it would work. Here in Heron House, I paired the Soho Bedhead with the Odie sconce from Jardan — its ethereal, simple glow created the perfect backdrop to let the bedhead truly shine. I’ve just started hunting for the wall lights for a new project on the Peninsula. There’s something about finding the sconce — the one that feels effortless, but once it’s there, you can’t imagine the space without it.

Shop the Look
Bed: Custom oversized Soho bedhead
Fabric: Catherine Martin, Panthera

Image Credits
Objects: Pepite
Linen: Cultiver
Sconces: Jardan
Art: Stanislas Piechaczek, represented by Studio Gallery
Photography Elisa Watson