Designer Alyce Tran: the woman turning side hustles into successful businesses

Design entrepreneur Alyce Tran is making an art form out of transforming hobbyist pursuits into money making businesses.

Alyce Tran of the Daily Edited, In the Roundhouse. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

Don’t be fooled by delicate accents and soft colours – this designer has a head for business.

Design entrepreneur Alyce Tran says her “mainly pink” terrace home won’t appeal to everyone but it brings her endless joy.

“Pink might bother some people but it’s my favourite colour,” she says.

“A lot of people live with a partner, or live in a space with other people that they have to consider, but I don’t have to consider anyone else.

“I hope that changes one day, so I don’t think it will be like this forever, but I do love colour. And I haven’t done anything crazy like paint the walls. I’ve just used colour accents with accessories and furniture that are not fixtures, so (it’s) very easy to change.”

A former corporate lawyer, Tran turns side hustles into successful businesses.

Co-founder of popular accessories label The Daily Edited, she has now turned her focus to tablescapes for In the Roundhouse.

The brand’s beautiful handpainted plates bring fun and personality into the home, even for those who – like Tran – don’t love to cook.

Alyce Tran is turning side hustles into successful businesses. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

“Crockery is a great way to inject personality into the everyday and make your kitchen a little bit more interesting,” says Tran, whose friends cook in her home more than she does. “Styling some plates on a shelf can give your space a fresh new look. It’s something I get really excited about.”

DESIGNER ALYCE TRAN’S FAVOURITE THINGS

Who: Alyce Tran, co-founder of homewares company In the Roundhouse and strategist to influencer marketing platform LTK. HQ.

Where: A three-storey terrace in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Favourite thing Whenever I’m asked this question, I never know what to say. I buy something new every three weeks and just have so much stuff, it’s crazy.

Inspiration: I’ve just always been interested in style and fashionable things.

Home is: where I do a lot of my work. I really spend a lot of time in my study when I’m at home.

ALAIA PARIS SMALL LEATHER LOVE HEART BAG

Bag of love. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

This is currently a bag on high rotation in my wardrobe. I am enjoying how it goes with so many outfits and the cross-body strap. It fits quite a lot into it – I always have my phone, small wallet, keys, a lip balm and hairbrush.

PEARL EARRINGS SET IN GOLD WITH DIAMONDS

A wardrobe staple. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

I don’t have much jewellery and I pretty much wear the same pieces every day. These are a wardrobe staple, they just elevate everyday outfits.

SCALLOPED-EDGE PLATE

I love a good baked treat and this plate is from my homewares range.

Perfect for bakes treats. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

It works so well (mixed) in with everyday whites on a tablescape. They’re just useful to have on hand for serving desserts.

REEVES ACRYLIC PAINTS

The tools. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

Not a lot of people understand that although I am extremely commercial, I love art and … I am somewhat artistic – I create a lot of the designs for In the Roundhouse.

AERIN PARFUM: CEDAR VIOLET AND ROSE DE GRASSE JOYFUL BLOOM

Aesthetically pleasing. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

I love these perfumes and I collect them. It’s always exciting when they release a new scent. I mean, it’s all in the lid and the soft colours for me. They smell great and are aesthetically pleasing.

#34 DIPTYQUE

Fresh and clean. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

I’ve loved this scent for years. It is one of my favourite home scents to create a vibe. It’s really fresh and clean.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Not standard. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

I don’t have Christmas decorations up all year round or anything but … I was pretty fond of these. I didn’t want to have a traditional Christmas tree, so had (these) decorations (instead of) standard fare.

SHORTBREAD BISCUITS ON A STRIPED RED AND PINK PLATE

Limited edition stripes. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

I love creating products … (it is) the best part about being in a business like this. This one was done with some handpainted stripes – it’s limited edition so it sold out a while ago. I also cannot say no to a fun treat such as this – melting moments with 100s and 1000s, from the Double Bay markets.

Originally published as Designer Alyce Tran: the woman turning side hustles into successful businesses