Etic is a design studio led by French-born designer Emilie Delalande, dedicated to interior design and the study of how people experience space. Emilie grew up in France surrounded by architecture, art and craft, where an early love for texture, history and atmosphere began to take shape. After studying design in Paris, she moved to Australia in 2009, a shift that deeply influenced her perspective. Living between two cultures taught her to see space as both emotional and analytical, intuitive and structured. That duality became the foundation of Etic.

The name Etic comes from the anthropology terms emic and etic that describe two ways of understanding culture, from within and from outside. This concept guides our approach to design. Every project begins with curiosity and respect for its context, whether that context is a building, a neighbourhood or a culture. We take time to observe, listen and learn before drawing a single line. Through this process, each space becomes a reflection of its place and the people who inhabit it.

Etic’s work spans hospitality, residential, workplace and retail design, united by a consistent focus on atmosphere and material honesty. Emilie’s background brings a European sensitivity to proportion, craftsmanship and storytelling, balanced with the openness and experimentation she found in Australia. The result is a body of work that feels grounded yet expressive, refined but never precious.

At Etic we believe that good design is not about scale or style but about meaning. It is about how a space makes you feel, how light moves across a surface, and how every detail quietly contributes to a sense of belonging.