The Jarazo Philosophy

THE JARAZO PHILOSOPHY

Unlike the approach of many designers in the marketplace today our primary concern is not about creating a certain “look” for your space. Our concern is about helping you create a space that enhances the way you live.

Aesthetics, yes are part of that solution but rather than being the primary focus, they are allowed to develop organically with the client and the design.

As a designer the last thing I want is for all my clients houses to look the same. It means I have failed as a designer as the space is more a reflection of me than of them. Every client and every job is unique, however great design principles are universal. When we understand how to combine these two elements the end results are spaces that enhance our lives.

Its understanding how you live, what you eat, your hobbies, your work schedule, how many after school activities your kids do, etc. By identifying the patterns, rituals, and practices of your life we can create a design that streamlines and enhances all these daily activities.

Why shouldn’t the design of your home make your life better, enhance the way you interact with your children, make it easier for you to cook and clean, streamline your work, organize your activities? It is possible that great design can create order in your space, which in turn creates order in your mind and life, freeing you up for more creativity, more spontaneity, or just more space!

Once the function of the design is taken care of then we get to play with aesthetics and create spaces that can alter the way you feel. Create a calming bedroom, a vibrant kitchen, and an uplifting family room. By exploring principles of color, texture, form and space, there is the opportunity to manipulate the senses and create “experiences” rather that just “spaces”.

OUR STORY

Jarazo is the creative child of Interior Designer Alex Thomas and her husband Brett Thomas (“Jarazo” is the combination of their children’s names, Jake and Zara and a very close family friend’s child Enzo).

After completing the renovation of their own home in 2016, Alex was inspired (with Brett’s encouragement) to reignite her design career. Alex felt that since having a family she had a new perspective on what the design demands of a family home are and wanted to share this with her clients.

Prior to this new venture Alex had completed a Bachelor of Interior Architecture at UNSW in 2002. After Graduating with Honors she went on to work at the large architecture firm PTW in Sydney. Discontent with spending so many hours chained to a desk and AutoCAD Alex left the design industry to pursue another passion, teaching yoga.

Alex has had an extensive and successful career teaching yoga for the past 15 years as well as managing studios and developing teacher training and retreat programs. She has done hundreds of hours of Teacher Training and has a specific interest in anatomy and alignment. On face value Yoga and Interior Architecture may seem worlds apart however Alex believes the two are very closely intertwined. In yoga we work with the structures of the body, in design we explore the structures of the built environment: both have the ability to dramatically affect the way we live and the way we feel.

What Alex offers clients is therefore a very unique understanding of the human individual as well as the universal principles of good design. Alex is sensitive to everyone’s own unique needs and is able to introduce design concepts that fit each individual client. Alex believes the whole process of designing and building should be as enjoyable as possible and aims to manage the process to minimize stress and maximize creativity to help you achieve functional and inspiring spaces.