our manner & method
the Philosophy
At Chloe M Trask, we believe that every home holds a story. A heritage cornice, a tiled threshold, a timeworn façade — each detail is a thread binding past lives to the present.
Our manner is not to strip away what makes a historic home unique, but to preserve and celebrate its character while gently introducing modern comforts. Timeless interiors are never rushed; they emerge through balance, patina, and restraint.
We listen carefully to what each client requires of a space, curating details and selections to suit not only the home’s history but the rhythms of contemporary life. Proportion, detail, and materiality are treated not as ornament, but as language — creating harmony between what has always been and what is yet to come.
THE ROOTS OF OUR MANNER
CHLOES STORY
The roots of our manner trace back to Chloe’s early years, Chloe was drawn to the way history endures in buildings. Growing up in New Zealand, her appreciation for architecture and heritage was nurtured through worldwide travel and the influence of a century-old boarding school, where every hallway and worn surface spoke of the past. These early experiences instilled a fascination with how spaces hold stories and quietly shape the lives within them.
Chloe went on to graduate with First Class Honours in Heritage Interior Design from De Montfort University, UK. During her time in London, she lived and worked within the storied walls of Claridge’s Hotel — a landmark once home to Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and Hollywood’s greats. Immersed in its multi-year restoration, she gained invaluable experience in discretion, craftsmanship, and the complexities of high-profile heritage design.
Now based in Sydney, Chloe draws together her New Zealand roots, British training, and global perspective. Her manner is defined by an ethos of honouring architectural character while curating spaces for contemporary life. With professional experience spanning residential compliance, architecture, and design development, she bridges history and modern living with rare sensitivity and vision.
The Art of Process
Listening First
Our method begins with conversation, not blueprints. We listen — often over coffee or at the kitchen table — to understand your habits, your history, and your heirlooms. We also consider the wider context: council requirements, the orientation of your property, and how the home will respond to seasons. What must remain, and what might gently evolve, starts here.
Drawing Stories
With pencil in hand, ideas are sketched not only as plans, but as stories in progress. Each line reflects both present needs and future possibilities — from accessibility and disability considerations to future-proofing for changing lifestyles. These principles guide our work across private residences, commercial spaces, and façades, ensuring each design is as practical as it is enduring. Selections are curated with care: hand-cast hardware, antique lighting, and contemporary upholstery that settles easily among older textures. Every detail is aligned with the greater narrative of the building and the life within it.
Crafted in Collaboration
Our method honours both the makers and the practicalities that sustain a project. We collaborate with councils, trades, and skilled artisans — cabinetmakers, metalworkers, upholsterers, and painters who shape beauty with their hands. Together, we create spaces that are compliant, enduring, and graceful — designed to evolve with you, whether restoring a heritage façade, refining a home, or shaping a commercial interior.
We understand that every client requires something different. Some seek a complete, end-to-end service; others prefer a more conceptual approach, with guidance on colours, layouts, or heritage-informed ideas. Our method is flexible, ensuring that whether we are designing, consulting, or collaborating, the outcome always reflects both the story of the building and the needs of those who live or work within it.