In Conversation With | Claire Burke of Muse Built

Claire Burke innately understands the value of a home that is nurturing, supportive and truly reflective of the homeowner’s life. Although in the early stages of her design career, the Newcastle local has developed a signature aesthetic of welcoming, earthy spaces crafted for living.

“It has all grown organically,” says Claire, who works alongside her husband, Jack Burke, in their construction business, Muse Built. The pair established the company in 2020, a natural expansion for Jack, who is the son of a builder and a highly experienced carpenter. Claire was also familiar with building sites, having worked with her father in construction safety consultancy for many years.

“Muse started with Jack and an apprentice, and over the last five years it’s grown into 13 staff,” says Claire about the award-winning company that prides itself on forging genuine and long-lasting relationships with clients. Day-to-day, she is Muse’s business manager; however, clients are increasingly relying on Claire to help shape layouts and guide fixture and finish selections. Rapport and trust are built instantly, with Muse customers recognising Claire’s understanding of the construction process, her eye for detail and quality, and the deep level of enquiry she applies to the clients' needs and wants.

”Working with Jack, I’ve developed the ability to visualise spaces, which I think is where a lot of clients struggle,” says Claire. “I just love bringing a space together, and I’ve really leaned into the natural style.”

Claire and Jack live with their 3-year-old daughter, Elodie, in a 1930s cottage they’ve completely transformed over the last four years. Claire’s love of natural materials is evident in the many textured surfaces flowing across the three-bedroom home. There’s marble in the bathrooms, limestone kitchen counters, stone wall features, and lashings of timber. “It’s pared back, but the textures give it interest. It's a very calming palette,” says Claire. “Our life is very hectic, and we pour so much energy into our clients and our builds that when we come home at the end of the day, all I want is to feel calm.” 

Calmness for Claire manifests in rooms filled with sunlight and a welcoming, inviting air where loved ones can feel instantly at home. “We have a big family - Jack is one of six kids - and I am the happiest when everyone is over, swimming, eating, and relaxing,” says Claire.

The Burkes warmly extend this ‘open house’ policy to Muse Built customers. The couple designed their cottage renovation according to their tastes and needs as a young, growing family, but the home has also become a showcase of Muse Builts' craft and their preferred suppliers. “Jack and I have built the business on being very genuine with our clients, and we always invite them into our home,” says Claire. “Some days it’s chaos, some days it’s beautiful, but the door is always open.”

Claire's intuitive approach to working with clients involves honing in on the personal and asking the right questions. “I don't want people to go all the way through a renovation and then at the end say it's beautiful, but it just doesn't feel right,” she explains. The designer knows that understanding the client’s dreams and practical needs will result in tailored spaces that genuinely feel like sanctuaries.

The Muse Built team recently completed another meaningful renovation for the Burkes —a beachside holiday apartment that has been in the family for fifteen years. Located in Shoal Bay, an hour north of Newcastle, the formerly tired unit now shines with a new kitchen and bathrooms, updated flooring and paint, and a layout tweak to increase the space efficiency. “The apartment isn’t massive, but I wanted it to feel roomy and relaxing, while drawing inspiration from the beach,” says Claire. “I wanted it to feel like a big deep breath.”

Avoiding blue and white coastal style clichés, Claire chose a fresh, modern palette of sandy blonde and cool greys, with natural stone and layers of linen. Keeping the look breezy and uncluttered, Claire has added plenty of storage to hide the holiday essentials out of sight. “I used a lot of the Dharma Door baskets in the bathroom and kitchen, where I needed to maximise the storage. I also love the Dharma Door woven shopper bags and keep them by the front door - they are great to throw your towels into before you head to the beach.”

Claire has long admired The Dharma Door range, well before she started specifying products for clients or began styling the Muse Built project photoshoots. She knew, for instance, that she wanted to display a Tassel Wall Hanging in their family home before the renovation was complete. “It was the first thing I bought for the finished cottage, and still I run my hands across it every time I walk past it. I love how it feels.”

The handmade nature of the Dharma Door pieces inspires a sense of soulful comfort that Claire says makes a house a home. “They are considered pieces that aren’t mass-produced. It's a slower process of making, and each product tells a story. I love bringing this storytelling into my home and the homes I create for our clients.”

Written by Jessica Bellef | Images by Teresa Brincat @ Muse Photography | @museprojects_ www.musebuilt.com.au