Top interior picks from design creatives Sara Crampton and Tessa James

At Tigmi, we're constantly inspired by the multi-faceted creatives who shape our world.

True tastemakers, like Tessa James and Sara Crampton, possess a rare ability to evolve their style across diverse landscapes, from acting and fashion blogging to leading their own businesses. With a discerning eye for design—evident in both their work and their homes—these influential women have redefined the boundaries of good taste and sustainable living.

As entrepreneurs whose lives are often lived in the public eye, their homes serve as cherished sanctuaries, places to reconnect with family.

In this journal, we explore how a simple addition to their homes—a rug from the Cappelen Dimyr collection—sparked a deeper sense of connection and initiated a conversation about the evolving nature of style and its enduring impact. 

Discover how their personal style translates into their home environments, and explore their curated Tigmi edits.

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Tessa James - Director and Head of Communications at AKI Design

Tessa James is a former actress and now Director and Head of Communications at AKI Design, a leading interior design studio she runs alongside her sister and mother.

With creativity in her blood, and a razor sharp eye for style in all forms, it’s no surprise that Tessa has established herself as a tastemaker in both fashion and design. From her early memories of the ‘special room’ in her grandmother’s home, complete with a 70’s shag rug and a velvet modular sofa, to creating inspiring and bespoke spaces for her clients to live life in, Tessa is always inspired by the visual details of her travels and is fuelled by her collaborative spirit.

We spoke to Tessa, and were invited into her family home, where the Cappelen Dimyr No.07 has just softly landed - establishing a foundation for her family to enjoy together.

 

Can you share a bit about your earliest experiences in design? Was there a specific influence who inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?

Coming from a very creative family, design has always been in our lives from a very young age, in many forms, architecture, fashion, art, travel design. My earliest memory of design would be from our grandmother and spending countless hours in the home my late grandfather built in the 70s, her love of fashion and design really showed in this home. I remember the “fancy” room with the light blue velvet sofas and shaggy rug much the same as the Tigmi “Nara velvet sofa”. Having a way to express yourself is a real luxury and I love the conversation and the freedom design allows, it can also make you feel good or put you in a mood. It is very personal. Interior design to us is so important as it is a way of expressing yourself but also a way to create your space and sanctuary wherever that may be.

You’ve noted in the past that AKI thrives on pushing boundaries in design. What do you think needs to shift in the design space, and how does AKI seek to address this?

With life being an algorithm, we believe creating clear space in the mind is crucial for original ideas and to allow ourselves to have that creative freedom. We value travel a lot at AKI and are always pushing ourselves to travel or putting ourselves in unfamiliar situations as anything can inspire you. We love to push boundaries in our design, keeping eyes open and not sticking to the comfort or safe option is always on our mind, however the wonderful thing about interiors is that most of the time it needs to be functional so there is always finding that happy medium. It is starting to open up but collaborating within the design world with other creatives, even with other interior designs needs to open up there is power in togetherness and collaboration.

 

What do you love most about your Cappelen Dimyr rug? And why have you chosen that space for it?

Cappelen Dimyr rugs are grounding, simple yet interesting. I love the way it feels, especially as our personal one is in the lounge space, so it has a lot of foot traffic. It is the hero in our space that brings everything and everyone together.

 

"With life being an algorithm, we believe creating clear space in the mind is crucial for original ideas and to allow ourselves to have that creative freedom."

Given the growing emphasis on sustainability, how do you approach the process of sourcing sustainable homewares for your interior design projects?

We value vintage and investment pieces within our design process and what we put forward to clients. repurposing furniture by reupholstery or reusing in some way is something we always consider. We try to be as conscious as we can and encourage our clients to purchase mindfully. Having pieces in your home that last forever is an investment but also a conscious choice. Repurposing things they already have is also something we encourage.

 

 

SHOP TESSA'S TIGMI EDIT

 

 

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Sara Crampton - Founder and Creative Director of The UNDONE 

When it comes to style and influence, Sara has been in the game for quite some time.

Regarded as one of the original Australian fashion bloggers, Sara Crampton is known for her signature aesthetic of elevated minimalism. With a ‘less is more’ approach, her style captured the attention of her dedicated audience, where she managed to capture the art of effortlessness.

From influencer to entrepreneur, her brand, The UNDONE, embodies this philosophy, offering timeless pieces with a sustainable focus. A curated online destination with an ethos that closely reflects our own, it is defined by design classics, and satiates those on the hunt for enduring style, always keeping sustainability at front and centre.

Sara invited us into her personal home that she shares with her young family. Much like her eye for fashion, her home reflects her love for vintage design, and timeless pieces that will have a place in her home for many years to come.

The Cappelen Dimyr No.03 has just been appointed in Sara’s bedroom. Grounding the space, its natural softness is much to the delight of Sara’s daughters.

 

What inspired you to launch theUNDONE. What did you think it could bring to the industry that wasn't already being offered?

What I felt was missing from the online shopping experience in 2016 when we launched theUNDONE was a curated shopping experience. Even the most loved online stores that promised a more luxury experience were still lacking an edit, or a point of view. I really felt, and still do, that there is a need for a curated approach to the shopping experience, where there is a clear direction and it’s obvious that the store knows who they are and the customer knows if that store can cater to their style. In an era where we are overwhelmed with choice, we need trustworthy voices to cut through the noise and present us with options.

How have your years of experience in the fashion industry informed your approach to interiors, particularly in your personal living space?

How we dress ourselves extends to how we dress our homes. I love the William Morris quote “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”. It gives a helpful perspective when shopping for the home and our living spaces and I’m passionate about not decorating too quickly and not rushing to fill blank walls or spaces. Let it take time. Build slowly and thoughtfully. Which is a similar attitude to how I like to build my wardrobe and style. The pieces in my wardrobe I thought about for a while before purchasing are the ones I appreciate the most.

I find interior design requires an even slower more considered pace. Something that has been really nice to lean into as I quite enjoy searching for special, unique items and knowing that unlike fashion that has a much faster season, I can add a couch one year, a pendant light another, and really live in and build upon the act of approaching my spaces.

I’m also in the life stage where I’ve realised a rug like the one from Cappelen Dimyr gives me so much more joy everyday than a new top or a pair of shoes. Lucky for me I’ve built a wardrobe with the essentials that can transcend time and seasons, so I only feel the need to add a new piece here and there. Similar to my home.

Given the growing emphasis on sustainability, how do you approach sourcing sustainable homewares for your home?

My grounding attitude when it comes to shopping sustainably for my wardrobe and my home is to buy things that you’re going to wear or going to use for the long term. Don’t buy anything just to fill a space or because it's ‘on trend’. Especially for the home, these are pieces that should be with you for 10+ years, and if you don’t think you’ll have it for that long then perhaps you shouldn’t buy it. My other approach is to buy vintage. Vintage items give your spaces and your wardrobe that element of uniqueness that can’t be replicated. Your style becomes uniquely yours.

"I find interior design requires an even slower more considered pace. Something that has been really nice to lean into as I quite enjoy searching for special, unique items and knowing that unlike fashion that has a much faster season, I can add a couch one year, a pendant light another, and really live in and build upon the act of approaching my spaces."

 

 

What do you appreciate most about your new Cappelen Dimyr rug, and why have you chosen this particular space for it? ?

I love how the Cappelen Dimyr rug really grounds our bedroom. Our bed was just floating in the space before and the slightly darker tones and pattern pull the eye down and makes the space so much more interesting for the eye. My kids also love the longer fibres. I caught my daughter lying with her cheek on the rug so delighted with the feeling on her skin. I appreciate its natural fibres and how it feels underfoot.

What is your favourite room in your own home, and how have design elements in that room come together to create a space you enjoy?

We finished our renovation late 2023 but there are so many details still left to complete and add to. It’s like how I mentioned earlier, I like this slower approach and to know I need to keep an eye out for a great pendant, or a sconce means I’m always dipping my toe into interiors. The room I love the most is our bedroom. We’re in a Californian bungalow and our bedroom has traditional elements like a bay window along with tall and detailed ceilings. We also have our ensuite that leads off this room and one of my favourite elements is the original textured glass door that connects the two which creates beautiful light that streams in.

Tigmi translates to 'my home' in the Berber language. Can you complete this sentence for us, ‘My home is where…

... my family is.

How do you envision fashion and interiors intersecting and evolving in the future?

I think we’re going to see fashion, interiors and design come together a lot more in the media and shopping platforms. They each complement each other so beautifully and you can have such interesting conversations on how these areas of our lives interact.

 

SHOP SARA'S TIGMI EDIT

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EXPLORE THE CAPPELEN DIMYR COLLECTION