Our process begins with an in-depth consultation to understand the essence of your project. During this stage, we explore your hopes, inspirations, working requirements, must-haves, and how you intend to live and move through the space.
About
A Visionary Designer Transforming Spaces with Soul, Story, and Style.
About Claire Cau-Cecile
Raised in a home where creativity was woven into the fabric of daily life, Claire Cau Cecile was destined to follow a path rich in artistic expression—both visual and emotional. As the daughter of revered artist Jeanette (Jenny) L. Perkins, whose work bridges memory, movement, and nature, Claire inherited a deep appreciation for storytelling through art.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Claire pursued a Bachelor of Education in Visual Arts at the University of Melbourne (1992–1995), majoring in Textiles and Sculpture. Alongside her academic studies, she devoted a decade to performing in musical theatre (1992–2002), an experience that refined her sense of atmosphere, and spatial composition, whilst sharpening her storytelling instincts. The stage became a formative platform for understanding how environments can evoke emotion and narrative—a sensibility she would carry into every aspect of her design work.
In 1996, a transformative holiday in France altered her creative trajectory. She recalls encountering a multicoloured, richly woven fabric—an enduring symbol of inspiration. Energised by the textures, hues, and heritage of French design, Claire returned to Australia and opened a boutique gift shop in 1997. That shop soon became a springboard into wholesaling under the Arabesque label, importing sought-after French brands like Place des Lices and Catimini Home to the Australian market.
With a sharp eye for curation and a genuine passion for connecting creative minds, Claire went on to found Trade Secrets, a boutique trade event that quickly grew into Life InStyle—Australia’s leading premium trade fair for design-led homewares and lifestyle products.
Claire infused the event with mentorship, offering retailers and artisans guidance to elevate their creative and commercial visions. This unique blend of curation and coaching helped Life Instyle achieve a record sale to Reed Exhibitions in 2010—a testament to Claire’s leadership, innovation, and the boutique event’s national influence. Many still consider the event elite, the fair continues today, many agree that its original soul and creative edge remain distinctly tied to Claire’s direction.
Now at the helm of CCC Interiors, Claire leads a portfolio of globally recognised projects spanning residential, commercial, and hospitality design. From the poetic restoration of L’escapadou in Cordes-sur-Ciel, France, or serene minimalism of The Silo House in Inverloch, to the coastal refinement of Project Point Leo, and the sensory elegance of Riad Botanica in Marrakesh, Claire’s work is deeply narrative and emotionally resonant. Recent projects include the transformation of the Super Yacht Orraia, and the refined functionality and hospitality through projects like Bowser Bean Café network across Victoria.
At the heart of Claire’s work is a deeply held belief: that interiors are more than just spaces—they are expressions of life. Each project is a layered narrative, shaped by memory, intention, and the spirit of those who inhabit it. Claire designs with the conviction that a home should feel like a story—lived-in, deeply personal, and entirely your own. Crafted with care and intuition, her spaces are vessels of authenticity, experience, and emotion.
How we work?
Shaping the flow, following the initial consultation, we develop a reverse brief to confirm mutual understanding. Here, we shape the aesthetic flow and design and then build a design moodboard that reflects your vision and our creative direction.
Refining the vision together with you, we refine the concept into a detailed design plan. Floor plans are finalised, cabinetry and joinery elements are drawn, and finishes are selected.
Bringing the vision to life, this is where concept becomes reality. We oversee the build and installation phases, working hand-in-hand with trades to ensure each element of the design is executed to the highest standard.
