In Conversation: Karin Bochnik

At Kate & Kole, we’re inspired by the women shaping culture with intention, creativity and quiet confidence. Our In Conversation series explores the intersections of identity, ambition and artistry — celebrating those who embody the values we hold close: modernity, mindfulness and meaning. These are the voices behind the work — founders, artists, creatives and thinkers — each carving a path that feels entirely their own.
In our first conversation, we speak with Karin Bochnik, an interior decorator who, through her studio KB-ID, crafts interiors that feel as intentional as they are expressive. With a background rooted in design and a distinctly curated eye, she brings a poetic tension to her spaces: minimal but never stark, elevated yet grounded.
After meeting Karin at our recent Melbourne Residency, we were so excited to speak with her again — to explore the spaces that shape us, the value of restraint and why thoughtful curation is the new luxury.

Creative Identity & Influence

When I think about creative expression, I’m really thinking about making choices that feel personal, not performative.
Our society moves so fast and loves a trend, but I’ve found the most meaningful spaces come from slowing down and tuning in. For me, every project is a chance to listen — to the architecture, to the client, to the energy of the space. It’s never about copying what’s current. It’s about creating something with integrity. Over time, I’ve developed a signature style that feels recognisable, even though I’m still learning. I’ve come to trust that when something feels right, it usually is. That’s how I try to design — with intention, curiosity, and a quiet kind of confidence.

Curation, Restraint & The New Luxury

Styling and decorating are both acts of restraint.
The most powerful choices are often the most subtle ones — a piece with the right tone, a contrast in texture, the negative space that lets everything breathe. That’s what creates a framework for personality to shine and tell a story. Whether I’m curating a home or styling an editorial shoot, the aim is always the same: to elevate the everyday without overcomplicating it. I’m drawn to pieces with soul, with a sense of timelessness — and I think that’s what luxury really is now. It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality, longevity, forever pieces, heritage and living with things that bring a quiet kind of joy over time. There’s something really respectful about that approach. I think it’s called growing up.

Women, Work & Ambition

Success, for me, has become less about ticking boxes and more about alignment.
I used to think it meant saying yes to everything, but now I see it as having the clarity to say no. To create space for projects that genuinely excite me and to work with people who value thoughtfulness and creativity over speed or scale. A word-of-mouth approach has always been my go-to and I know the clients who refer me do it with ease — they trust that I’ll deliver. As a mother and a founder, I don’t always get the balance right, but I try to bring presence to whatever space I’m in. When someone walks into a space I’ve designed, I hope they feel something instantly — a calmness, a sense of belonging, that it’s been created with care. That’s always the goal: to design with a sense of respect for the lives being lived within the walls. It’s always a togetherness that’s never driven by ego. That’s how authentic connections are made. And my biggest ambition is to stay true to myself, my family and my work.

Objects of Meaning

I’ve always believed that the objects we live with should tell a story — or at the very least, spark curiosity.
I’ve collected beautiful pieces over the years — some as investments, others simply because I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Jewellery feels similar. The pieces I wear whisper. They’re not necessarily the most dramatic, but they mean something to me. They’ve been with me through different chapters and feel like small markers of time. Like interiors, jewellery is deeply personal and always tells a story.