Beyond Interiors with Cate Young
Noosa’s Cate Young, a master interior designer with over 100 global projects in her 25-year career, shares her secret to soulful spaces and the launch of a new product range, as Melanie Rosettenstein discovers.
Noosa is brimming with creative talent but master interior designer, Cate Young, may just take the cake. Having journeyed into design and textiles at 18, the sky has been the limit for this aficionado who positions herself as the curator of “Refined Minimalism and Timeless Design”.
Tactile by nature with a keen eye for design, detail and business, Cate launched her own venture at just 18. In 1993 she launched Cate Young Design (CYD) with her first big project being Noosa’s renowned Sails Restaurant. Since then, she has completed more than 100 projects, here and globally, including Sheraton Noosa and large-scale fitouts for renowned hotel groups like Accor and Taj Hotels. Cate’s style is bold yet traditional, mixing diverse influences and infusing warmth, light and soul into spaces. “For me it’s about storytelling – bringing a client’s vision to life by weaving their story into a space that is beautiful, functional, and timeless,” she says.
Two noteworthy recent projects have been the successful refurbishment of beloved local pub, 4 Pines Noosa and the stunning Daintree Ecolodge.
“My brief for 4 Pines Noosa was to revitalise what was once a dark and dingy venue into a space that serves as a local watering hole, an attractive lunch spot and a lively night club – all while sticking to a lean budget,” she explains.
The first step was to embrace the space’s existing elements. “I kept the warm timber features and then infused biophilic elements such as hanging plants and planter boxes from the exposed ducting and beams of the ceiling to create a refreshing connection to nature,” she shares.
To create an inviting space, Cate also introduced new furniture, Australian-designed soft furnishings, thoughtful landscaping and strategic lighting. The result is a wonderfully restored and versatile new venue that appeals to a more diverse clientele.
4 Pines owner Glenn Thiele said Cate exceeded his expectations in both design quality and hands-on project management. “She was on-site every day, overseeing every detail and sourcing the best local tradesmen. The transformation has received fantastic feedback from patrons and the community,” he said.
Further afield, Cate’s refurbishment of the stunning Daintree Ecolodge embodies her signature minimalist style. “My design ethos is always to create sanctuaries that act as platforms for immersion and comfort,” she says. “I was so excited to put this into practice at such an iconic eco-conscious retreat.”
Intertwining modern materials and furnishings with carefully selected classic elements, Cate used natural materials and muted colour palettes to convey a sense of tranquillity. Sophisticated styling ensures the end result is beautiful, functional and blends perfectly with its natural surroundings. With her knack for creating soulful spaces, Cate recently launched Ce Bon Life, ambient elixirs which aim to elevate the environments of travellers and homeowners.
“Our spaces deeply influence our well-being. Our elixirs are more than mists—they’re invitations to connect with your surroundings, elevate your space, and enrich your spirit. Crafted with 100% Australian ingredients, they’ll help you feel grounded in any space, no matter where life takes you,” she explains.
The range features Voyage 11 for travel, transition and transformation; Joie 22 for joy, love and connection; and Equilbre 33 for equilibrium, balance and a sense of oneness. Cate says. “Each blend is thoughtfully created to help you pause and indulge in life’s exquisite moments.”
Following the launch of her elixirs, Cate will focus on some exciting new projects both locally and abroad. She enthuses, “I love my work. Connecting with clients, uncovering their stories, and helping them express those stories through thoughtful design is an incredibly rewarding and humbling gift.”
From Noosa to the world, Cate’s journey is a testament to the power of design to create connections! Soulful spaces, reimagined – the good life indeed.
WIN!
We are giving away Ce Bon Life’s new Ambient Elixirs by Cate Young. Drawing inspiration from the intricate layering of scent notes, each elixir mirrors the artistry of design, with the unfolding of top, mid, and base notes.
Visit www.innoosamagazine.com.au/win to WIN one of:
- 1 x 100ml bottle of VOYAGE 11
- 1 x 100ml bottle of JOIE 22
- 1 x 100ml bottle of EQUILIBRE 33
