In Conversation With Shelley Boyd, the Founder of Boyd Blue

Some brands quietly shape the design industry rather than chase its trends. Boyd Blue is one of them. A name synonymous with craftsmanship and interiors that feel considered and deeply human. Behind the brand is Shelley Boyd, whose personal story, global influences, and appreciation for soulful materials have guided Boyd Blue into its reputation as one of Australia’s most respected high-end interior design suppliers.

I first discovered Boyd Blue during my studies at Sydney Design School some years ago, on a day spent visiting design houses and textile suppliers.The moment I walked into their showroom, I was taken by their refined detailing. Since then, their artwork in particular has often appeared in my moodboards, styling concepts, and particularly when curating masculine interiors.

What stands out in Shelley’s approach is not just her commitment to quality design, but her point of view. Her perspective on craftsmanship, and evolving cultural influences is one shaped by personal experience, from her early days in New Zealand and the UK, to sourcing in India and living by the sea in Burleigh Heads. Her understanding of interiors goes beyond aesthetics. It is emotional. It is intentional. And, for clients who appreciate substance over trend, it is exactly what I aim to bring into my own work.

One sentiment that particularly resonated with me was her belief that furniture should be made to last and even be passed down. I could not agree more. But for a piece to be worth passing down, in my view, it must be exceptional, both in how it is made and how it makes you feel. That is where thoughtful selection comes in, and where my role as a decorator and colour consultant becomes about more than just styling, it is also about helping clients make meaningful choices that suit not only their space, but their lifestyle. More than ever, men are seeking homes that reflect a sense of confidence and personal identity. My work in this area continues to evolve, and Boyd Blue remains a trusted source of inspiration for its ability to offer interiors that feel both masculine and elevated.

This Q&A is a deeper look at Shelley Boyd's story, the heart behind the Boyd Blue brand, and what it means to create pieces and spaces that hold meaning and last forever.

1. Let us start with where did you grow up, and were there any early influences that shaped how you see interiors or design?  

I grew up in New Zealand and from a very young age I had a strong creative streak, particularly when it came to textiles. I still remember saving up to buy my first sewing machine when I was eight. That love of fabric and making things with my hands never really left me.

My first real job was in pattern making at Jag during the school holidays, which gave me a great foundation in the technical side of design. I went on to study textile and fashion design, launched a children’s label called “Porridge,” and then moved to the UK to combine my love of travel with work.

It was there I got my first proper taste of the interior’s world working with the eccentric and inspiring Mrs. Rossitier at Rossitier’s of Bath. Her eye for layering and detail had a lasting impact on me. That experience, along with travelling and seeing how people live and decorate around the world, deeply influenced the way I see interiors today - personal, collected, crafted and full of character.

2. How did the name Boyd Blue come to be? It is such a distinctive brand name, and I imagine there is a story behind it. 

The name Boyd Blue is quite personal; it is a little nod to both my heritage and a detail that runs in the family. Boyd is my family name, and I have always been proud to carry it into the business. It felt strong, timeless, and grounded—just like the kind of design I wanted to champion.

As for Blue, well, everyone in my family has striking blue eyes, so it felt like the perfect complement, something a bit softer, more emotive. Together, Boyd Blue represents that blend of strength and soul, tradition and individuality. I wanted the brand to feel distinctive and memorable but also have a sense of personal meaning.

3. Boyd Blue has built a legacy on craftsmanship and considered design. How has the brand evolved over time, and what principles remain at its core? 

Boyd Blue started in 1999 from a very personal place, my lifelong love of quality textiles and traditional craftsmanship. I wanted to create something that honoured the handmade, the authentic and the beautifully imperfect. Over the past 25 years the brand has grown and evolved, but that founding vision has remained unchanged.

At its heart, Boyd Blue is still a family business. We have always believed in nurturing relationships with our suppliers, our team, and our clients. Many of the artisans we work with are second or third-generation makers and we treat those connections with the same care we do our own team. There is a deep sense of trust and respect that comes from working this way.

The brand has expanded to offer more of our own in-house collections, custom capabilities and a firm commitment to sustainable design, but we have never strayed from our core principles: craftsmanship, creativity, connection and care. We are deeply passionate about natural materials and ethical production, and we are always exploring new ways to express creativity, whether through product design or thoughtful global sourcing.

One of the proudest evolutions of Boyd Blue has been the launch of our signature in-house brand, BOYD. It was born from a desire to create something truly our own, something that reflects our values of quality, artistry, and conscious design.

BOYD is a small-batch collection of furniture, rugs, art, and décor, all designed in-house and crafted by skilled artisans (many of whom come from generational family businesses we have built long-standing partnerships with). Each piece combines traditional techniques with a refined, modern aesthetic to create something timeless and considered.

We have always believed in designing with purpose. That’s why BOYD focuses on ethical practices, using natural materials and avoiding mass production. Every piece is made in limited quantities to minimise waste and ensure each object is crafted with care and intention. For me, it is about putting work back into the hands of artisans, honouring their skills, and creating pieces that are made to last a lifetime.

The result is a collection that feels textured, layered, and quietly elegant. It’s everything I love about interiors, authentic, soulful, and made with heart.

4. You have always worked with natural textures and a grounded, textural aesthetic. Do you think the design world is genuinely shifting toward that, or are we just hearing the words ‘timeless’ and ‘natural’ thrown around more than ever? 

Absolutely, it has always been our focus. Long before it became a buzzword, we were working with natural materials and celebrating a grounded, textural aesthetic. It’s the foundation of everything we do. I have always believed in creating interiors that feel layered, authentic, and connected to nature, and that begins with the materials we choose and the way we make things.

There is more noise around words like “timeless” and “natural” now, but the real test is whether those values are embedded in a brand’s process, not just their language. At BOYD, our commitment is genuine. We produce in small batches, use ethically sourced, natural materials, and consciously reject mass production. For us, it is about placing the work back into the hands of artisans, crafting pieces with care, intention, and a longevity that fast furniture simply cannot match.The result is a collection that is not only beautifully tactile, but also deeply considered, built to last, both in quality and in relevance. We’re proud to be part of a growing shift toward more mindful, sustainable design, but it’s been in our DNA from the very beginning.

5. The collaboration with Kate Nixon brought a new layer to the Boyd Blue story. What was it about her design perspective that felt aligned with your brand and what did you hope it would bring to the collection? 

Collaborating with Kate Nixon felt incredibly natural, our design values have always been closely aligned. We both care deeply about craftsmanship, thoughtful detailing, and creating pieces that are not just beautiful, but genuinely functional and enduring. There is a shared understanding between us of what makes a space feel layered, refined, and lived in. Kate brings a timeless, intelligent elegance to everything she touches. Her ability to balance form and function while still telling a story through design really resonated with me. Over the years, we have built a strong relationship and mutual respect, which made this collaboration feel effortless in the best way.

What I hoped this collection would bring to Boyd Blue is exactly what it has—a new layer of perspective, a fresh design language that still honours our foundation. It is a celebration of everything we stand for: quality, integrity, and considered design. We’re so proud of what we’ve created together, and I can’t wait to share it with the wider design community in 2025.

6. I see colour as a powerful tool; it can completely shift the energy of a space. Boyd Blue, and more recently the Kate Nixon collaboration, tends to favour muted, earthy tones. Is that a conscious decision from your end? And what role does colour play in the way you see a collection coming together? 

I’ve always gravitated toward natural, grounded tones—they feel calming, timeless, and connected to the earth. There’s a quiet confidence in those muted, earthy palettes that really resonates with me. They don’t shout for attention, but instead create space for texture, form, and craftsmanship to shine through.

That approach to colour is very much a conscious decision. At Boyd Blue, and especially in our recent collaboration with Kate Nixon, we’ve leaned into tones that feel authentic and enduring. Colour for me, sets the emotional tone of a collection. It can completely shift the energy of a space, but I believe the most powerful use of colour is when it enhances, rather than overwhelms.

Natural palettes also have incredible versatility—they create a beautiful base that allows clients and designers to layer in personal touches. So, while we are always open to exploring new hues, our heart is in those organic, earthy tones.They reflect the way we live and design: with intention, warmth, and a deep connection to the natural world.

7. Where in the world has left the strongest impression on you, creatively or culturally? And how do those influences show up in the way you source, curate, or guide the direction of Boyd Blue? 

New Zealand, where I was born, has always been my creative foundation. There’s a deep connection to nature and a respect for craftsmanship that I carry with me in everything I do. That grounding influence—raw textures, organic materials, and a sense of quiet beauty is at the heart of Boyd Blue’s aesthetic. Now, I feel equally at home in Burleigh on the Gold Coast. There’s something about the light, the relaxed coastal energy, and the creative community here that continues to inspire me. It’s a place that feels both nourishing and energising—perfect for dreaming up what’s next.

India has also had a profound impact on me. The craftsmanship there is extraordinary, generational skills, everything done by hand, and such integrity in the process. It’s where I’ve found many of our artisan partners and built relationships that are more like extended family. That sense of soul and human touch shows up in our collections in a very real way.

And then there’s Greece, which holds a special place in my heart, my husband Ion is Greek, and we’re heading there this year to spend time with his family and learn to sail together. Greece is layered in history, light, and form—there’s a simplicity and elegance in the architecture and lifestyle that I find endlessly inspiring. I think those moments of cultural immersion are what keep me creatively fuelled and open to new ideas.

All these places live in the DNA of Boyd Blue. Whether it’s the texture of a hand woven textile, the curve of a ceramic form, or the way a space feels when it all comes together—it’s those experiences, those stories that guide how I source, curate, and shape the future of the brand.

8. When someone takes home a Boyd Blue piece, what do you hope it brings into their life or space? 

I really hope they fall in love with it—not just for how it looks, but for how it feels in their space. I want it to bring a sense of warmth, connection, and quiet confidence.For me, furniture should never be disposable. It should be built to last—something you keep, live with, and pass down. Everything we create is designed with that intention. Whether it’s a handcrafted chair, a textured rug, or a piece of art, it’s made to bring lasting beauty and meaning into a home. I think when something is made with care and purpose, you can feel it—and that’s what I want people to experience with Boyd Blue.

9. Was Boyd Art always part of the plan, or did it emerge as a response to the kinds of spaces you found yourself drawn to? 

Boyd Art wasn’t part of the original plan but it evolved naturally as a response to the kind of spaces we were creating and drawn to. We kept coming back to the idea that the art on the wall should carry the same level of intention and craftsmanship as the furniture beneath it. We really wanted to create a collection that felt original—something more than just a print. Each piece in Boyd Art is textured, layered, and hand finished. There’s a sense of depth and artistry that makes it feel connected to the rest of our collection. It was important to us that the work felt meaningful and elevated, but also versatile, something that could bring soul to a space without overpowering it. Just like our furniture these pieces are made to last, to feel collected rather than purchased, and to help shape a space that feels truly personal.

10. The California studio has a strong heritage of artistry. What did you see in their work that made them the right creative partner? 

What drew us to the California studio was the incredible breadth and depth of their work. With over 30,000 artworks and an extraordinary roster of artists, their creative range is unlike anything I’ve seen. Whether it’s abstract, figurative, minimalist or bold—there’s a sense of artistry and intention in every piece.

Their heritage of artistry and their collaborative spirit made them the perfect partner for Boyd Art. Together, we’re able to offer a collection that feels original, elevated, and deeply personal art that enhances a room and speaks to the soul of a space.

11. I have been focusing on styling masculine interiors, and I often draw from your Boyd Art series. Do you think men interiors are becoming more considered in how they are designed and styled? And if so, why?

Absolutely, I do think masculine interiors are becoming far more considered and curated than they were even five or ten years ago. There’s a growing appreciation for warmth, texture, and detail in those spaces, without losing that sense of strength or restraint. It’s less about being stark or minimalist now, and more about creating a layered, lived-in aesthetic that still feels masculine and refined. That’s one of the reasons I love seeing our Boyd Art pieces used in those spaces—they bring a quiet depth and a strong material presence that really complements that kind of interior. Whether it’s a moody, tonal abstract or a tactile mixed-media piece, there’s a subtle confidence in the work that resonates. Designers like Ralph Lauren have always nailed that timeless masculine look—rich woods, layered textiles, equestrian references, and a sense of old-world luxury. You also see that level of polish and story-driven design in some incredible contemporary male designers today who are pushing the envelope in terms of sophistication and nuance.

I think the shift is really about men becoming more engaged in the emotional side of interiors, wanting their homes to feel like an extension of who they are. That opens so much creative possibility, and we’re excited to be part of that evolution.

12. In your eyes, where does Art belong in a room?

For me, art belongs wherever it brings meaning to a space. It’s not just something you hang on the wall to fill a gap, it should add soul, evoke feeling, and anchor the room in a deeper way. Whether it’s a bold statement above a fireplace, a quiet abstract in a hallway, or a layered piece tucked into a styled shelf, art has the power to shift the energy of a space instantly.

The Final Word

With my work being entirely online, I rely heavily on visuals which makes reliability and craftsmanship all the more important. Boyd Blue has long been a brand I turn to for their considered use of materials, their respect for craftsmanship, and the strength of their designs. This conversation gave me a chance to reflect on why I continue to recommend them, especially when working with clients who want something that lasts, both in style and in meaning.

If you would like to explore the Boyd Blue collection for yourself, I have included a link. Please note, this is not a sponsored feature, I am not being paid to share this. My aim is simply to highlight the kind of quality, integrity, and creative vision that deserves to be seen. Shelley Boyd is a rare find in this industry and I want to shine a light on the people and brands that continue to inspire the way I work.

~ Marina

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Find your ideal style | E: marinamura@moodblogs.com

Moodboard image credit: Boyd Blue

Moodboards curated by Moodblogs

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