What if the secret to a beautiful home isn’t following trends, but trusting your instincts? That’s the question at the heart of Shaping Spaces, the debut book from Sydney interior designer Claudia Lambert.
At a time when social media has made our homes increasingly uniform, Shaping Spaces offers a refreshing alternative. Through a collection of thoughtfully designed residential projects, practical insights and personal reflections, Claudia encourages readers to move beyond perfection and create spaces that genuinely reflect who they are.
“People have become so worried about making a mistake that they remove everything interesting from a room,” she says. “The homes we remember aren’t the perfect ones. They’re the ones with personality.”
Before establishing her design studio, Claudia spent 15 years working in psychology; a background that continues to shape her approach to design today. Rather than beginning with colours, finishes or furniture, she starts with people; how they live, what they love and how they want to feel within a space.
That philosophy has become the foundation of both her design practice and Shaping Spaces.
Part inspiration, part practical guide, the book explores the principles that underpin her work, from planning and materiality to art, colour and self-expression. Throughout its pages, readers are encouraged to develop confidence in their own aesthetic, embrace individuality and create homes that evolve over time.
Known for her art-led interiors and layered approach to decorating, Claudia believes the most memorable homes are those that tell a story. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re personal.
“Art isn’t the finishing touch,” she says. “It’s often the starting point. Some of the most successful spaces begin with a single piece that sparks an emotional response.”
Featuring a diverse collection of projects, Shaping Spaces celebrates homes filled with character, creativity and meaning. More than a design book, it is an invitation to approach interiors with curiosity rather than caution and to create spaces that feel deeply connected to the people who live within them.
In a culture increasingly driven by trends, Shaping Spaces is a reminder that the most beautiful homes are often the ones that could belong to no one else.
Published by Smith Street Books, Shaping Spaces by Claudia Lambert is available for pre-order now through leading booksellers nationally and internationally, launching 29 September 2026. RRP $69.99
Claudia Lambert is the founder and creative director of Claudia Lambert Interiors, a Sydney-based interior design studio renowned for creating homes rich in personality, colour and art. Drawing on a previous 15-year career in psychology, Claudia’s work explores the connection between people and place, helping clients create homes that feel authentic, meaningful and uniquely their own. Shaping Spaces is her debut book.
