In a Room is a conversation series where we ask our friends to share their favourite domestic spaces. For this edition we’re joined by contemporary jeweller ALICIA HANNAH NAOMI.
Profoundly influenced by the natural world, Alicia’s work embodies a commitment to sustainability and the principles of slow fashion. Her handcrafted pieces are designed to be lasting, meaningful adornments that stand as contemporary heirlooms.
Alicia values the intimate connection between creator, object, and wearer, seeking to imbue each piece with a narrative that resonates on a personal level. Her dedication to creating jewellery that challenges conventional aesthetics and celebrates the unique story behind each piece reveals she is a storyteller at heart, deeply connected to the materials and stories she weaves into her creations.
Alicia Hannah Naomi at work in her studio
Which room are you in today?
I’m in my home studio today, keeping to traditional business hours even though I’m fully self-employed. It gives my day some structure, which I really appreciate. I do try to set boundaries—no studio time after hours or on weekends unless I’m especially inspired—but it’s hard not to think about work when it’s right there. With the holiday season approaching, today’s all about production: new orders to start, others to complete, and some ready to ship.
Which room is the most active in your house?
The open-plan kitchen and living area is definitely the most active space, especially since my fiancé and I both work from home. He’s currently set up at the dining table while I use the second bedroom as my studio. We’ve adapted the space to make it work, but eventually, we’d love a place with three bedrooms so we can each have our own workspace and keep the living area as a true place to relax. After work, we come together here to cook and catch an episode of whatever show we’re enjoying. It’s a nice way to unwind..
Which room gets the least amount of use?
Our home is small and efficient, so every room is used. The laundry’s essentially a cupboard, so it doesn’t really count as a room! If anything, we probably spend the least time in the bedroom during the day. I try to keep it just for sleep, treating it as a ‘holy’ space for rest.
Which is your work-from-home room of choice?
My studio is in what used to be the second bedroom. It’s set up with concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a small wardrobe for storage, which works well for my jewellery practice. I do my best work somewhere with good natural light and a quiet ambience. If I could create my ideal space, I’d love a dedicated studio separate from the main house—a little haven of industry with big windows overlooking a garden. That mix of focus and tranquillity would be perfect.
Scenes from Alicia Hannah Naomi's home and studio
What defines a great room?
A great room feels open, bright, and clean. My mind is always racing, so I find calm in uncluttered, thoughtfully arranged spaces. There should be space to think and breathe. Aesthetically, I’m drawn to minimal, industrial, and brutalist design touches. I prefer very monochrome surroundings; black, grey, brown and white. I always say I wish I could live in a hotel—free from the constant chaos of my possessions. There’s a lightness in a space that isn’t weighed down by personal clutter. The rooms at the Jackalope Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula where my partner and I got engaged are how I imagine my dream living space.
What is your favourite type of room?
I’m drawn to rooms with bright, expansive space, natural light. I find simplicity calming, and that style creates a great balance between feeling focused and inspired.
Richard Wilson's 20:50 at MONA
What is your all time favourite room?
I always make sure to visit Richard Wilson’s sculpture 20:50 whenever I'm at MONA. The piece, which fills the entire room, features waist-high engine oil and a narrow metal walkway for only one person to view at a time. It’s bright, brutal, and isolating, with this meditative quality that’s a little unsettling too. It’s thrilling and incredibly inspiring.
