THE SOUL BEHIND THE STORY
Who we are
( The Philosophy )We don't design for display. We design for comfort, enjoyment and the way a space makes you feel when you're actually living in it. Function always comes first; we move beyond the ‘look’ to create a sense of profound belonging in spaces that enhance your lifestyle.
Our overarching goal is to bring beauty and functionality into the world through thoughtful design. At Soma & Sol we explore the many possibilities of what design can be when it is intentional and deeply human. We know when to push and when to listen, leaving you with spaces that achieve what you’re looking for, and then some.
The Philosophy.
Kate McLean
Interior DesignerSoma & Sol was born from a lifelong appreciation for design and a deep fascination with how spaces function, how they make you feel, and how the right design can improve the way you live on a daily basis.
As a child, Kate was more interested in display homes than playgrounds. Growing up surrounded by tradespeople, she developed an instinct for how things are built. She didn't immediately find her calling in interior design, spending time exploring photography, fine dining and healthcare before the path became clear.
She spent her 20s exploring many corners of the globe, building an appreciation for design in all its forms. Whether it was the alpine settings of Canada, the colourful streets of Mexico or the vibrant chaos of India, Kate was drawn to the look and feel of spaces wherever she went.
Upon returning to Australia, she found her calling in interior design and the obsession began. Kate completed a Diploma of Interior Design, graduating with high distinctions, and built her early career at tiles and stone retailer before moving into fast-paced commercial fitouts and eventually high-end residential and boutique accommodation projects.
Throughout it all, her partner Jack, a talented carpenter, has been a foundational part of her growth - someone who has shaped the way she thinks about construction and enriched her knowledge of the industry. She works with trades, not against them, and her clients feel that.
In 2025, Kate, Jack and their beloved kelpie swapped the Sunshine Coast for the High Country, relocating to Mount Beauty, Victoria, where she now resides as the founder of Soma and Sol.
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FAQ’s.
A list of questions we receive on a daily basis. If we haven’t answered your question please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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We can come in at any stage, but ideally it’s best to engage a designer at the very beginning of your project.
It’s not uncommon for us to be engaged before you’ve even secured your property, as we can offer insight into the possibilities of a space before you purchase. Good design takes time, so it’s important to allow for that in your planning. That said, we can absolutely step in at any stage and collaborate with architects, builders, or other consultants already involved in the project, and we often do.
Fill out our enquiry form here to tell us about your project.
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It's a great question, particularly if you've never worked with a designer before.
The obvious reason - so it looks like a designer did it. So the space has cohesion, intention, and doesn't read as a series of individual purchases that never quite came together.
The less obvious reason is the process. Builders need documents, plans and FF&E schedules to work from and to quote from accurately. Without them, you're leaving a significant financial investment without structure, direction or accountability. And critically - without formally documented specifications, every trade quote is based on assumptions. That means you can't accurately compare them and you never really know your total build cost until the invoices start rolling in.
We specify everything down to the door stops so your builder and trades can quote you the exact cost of the build. With Soma and Sol, you know your costs well before you sign a contract.
Good design also adds tangible value to your property - and often returns far more than it costs.
Think of an interior designer like any other consultant - an accountant, a lawyer, a broker. You're making a significant investment. Our job is to protect it.
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This can vary significantly depending on the designer, which is why it's always important to familiarise yourself with their services before commencing a project. At Soma and Sol, we are a multidisciplinary studio offering an all-encompassing service.
At S&S, our services include:
Spatial Planning
Designing the layout and flow of your spaces to function efficiently and beautifully.
3D Visualisations
You see and understand exactly what you're getting before construction begins. Produced in-house, meaning we can adjust and edit live in meetings.
FF&E
(Furniture, Fixtures & Finishes) Every material, finish and fitting that makes up your space - from tiles, flooring and joinery finishes to handles, hardware, lighting, plumbing fixtures, window treatments, furniture and everything in between.
Construction Documentation
Floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, joinery drawings, section details, isometric views, lighting plans, electrical plans and services plans - fully coordinated and compliant with relevant building codes and regulations.
Approvals & Documentation
Body Corporate submissions, Commercial fit-out approval processes
Project Collaboration & Site Management:
We can help assemble your trade and consultant team, and act as your eyes on the ground during construction. A significant amount of our time is spent on site and/or communicating with trades, overseeing the build so you don’t have to. We take quality control very seriously and ensure the design is delivered exactly as intended.
Post-Handover Care
Our involvement doesn't end at completion. We provide care documentation and remain available to ensure your space is performing exactly as intended.
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Design fees vary depending on the scope, scale and complexity of your project - which is why we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
At S&S, design fees are based on your specific scope of work and are personally quoted after a thorough consultation and site analysis. Clients receive a flat fee proposal in which they pay over the course of their project timeline in stage payments.
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S&S is a multi-disciplinary studio. Under our umbrella, decoration is included, however our work goes far beyond styling.
We are trained in:
Spatial planning, layout and technical construction documentation
Joinery and cabinetry design
Lighting, electrical, services planning and material selection
NCC building codes and BCA commercial compliance
FF&E scheduling, procurement and project coordination
Interior decoration focuses primarily on loose items, while interior design involves the permanent items that are built. Think sofa and art vs kitchen joinery, bathroom design and wall finishes.
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We will always bring a thoughtful understanding and critical lens to each project to uncover a style that suits you best. After all, it’s your lifestyle, your space, and your choice on how you live and move within it.
However, Soma & Sol will always be influenced by a modern Australian design perspective. Our philosophy is that a space should feel warm, comfortable, layered, and full of stories. You can take a further look at our projects and get an understanding of our style here.
If you’re still unsure whether the Soma & Sol style aligns with yours, please fill out our client questionnaire form and we can dive deeper into your big ideas.
Follow along on Instagram to see how we work! -
Absolutely. Soma and Sol was built to work both locally and remotely, and we do both well. Using photorealistic 3D visualisations, detailed construction documentation and a dedicated client portal, you can see, review and approve every aspect of your project from anywhere in the world.
For clients in the High Country and alpine region, we have the advantage of being locals. We know the landscape, the climate, the trades and the specific demands of building in this environment.
For clients in Brisbane and South East Queensland, Kate is a regular visitor and brings over ten years of connections across the industry - having grown up and built her career across Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
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This is almost impossible to answer definitively, and it's exactly why engaging an interior designer before your builder is so valuable.
Builders can often provide high level square metre rates as a rough starting point, but without documented plans and specifications, trades have to make assumptions. That means you never really know your total build cost until the invoices start rolling in.
Construction costs are constantly changing and depend on many factors including:
Structural method and build complexity
Site conditions and access to site
Material specification and quality
Product availability and lead times
Fitout category and commercial compliance requirements
Supply and demand
Trade availability and scarcity
Every project is different, so accurate pricing requires project-specific information.
Want to know more? Get in touch.