It Started with a Suitcase. My Journey to creating homes as an expat..
Hello, and welcome to Studio Amelia!
I’m Amelia Nii Okai, I am half Dutch, half Ghanaian, an Interior Decorator, expat, mother, and someone who understands the challenges—and joys—of creating a home in unfamiliar places. Over the last 15 years, my family and I have moved more than ten times across multiple continents, experiencing the adventure and occasional chaos of life as global citizens.
With each move, I came to realize just how important it is to create a comfortable, personalized space that feels like home. Whether it was adjusting to life in Dubai, navigating the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, or setting up a cozy nook in Sydney, I learned how much our environment impacts our well-being. This understanding shaped my journey, leading me to create Studio Amelia—a place where I help expats and families find comfort and stability, no matter where they are in the world.
How It All Began….
My journey as an expat began unexpectedly when I moved from the Netherlands to Dubai, embracing what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime work opportunity. I arrived with little more than a suitcase, assuming it would be a short adventure. But the start wasn’t easy – navigating a foreign country alone was scary, and homesickness set in quickly.
Yet, somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the expat lifestyle and community. I met my beautiful loving husband and together, we began a life that would take us across continents, raising our family while experiencing some of the world’s most iconic cities. Today, we live just a 20-minute ferry ride from the Sydney Opera House – sometimes, it still feels surreal.
Expat life, of course, has its challenges. There’s a constant pull between “home” and “home away from home.” We chronically miss family, friends, and the milestones we can’t always share. Moving so often has its toll, especially for our children, with each new place bringing an entirely different set of challenges.
Through it all, I learned the art of transforming temporary spaces into true homes. I realized that settling into a new country is about more than just moving furniture – it’s about creating a life, connections and establishing routines, and finding a sense of belonging in each unfamiliar place.
In every home, I dedicated myself to making each space feel uniquely ours. I reupholstered furniture to fit the aesthetic of the new space, explored local decor, and creatively worked around the limitations of some of the rentals we were in. We lived on the Palm Island in a beautiful apartment but also in tropical villas where we weren’t the only residents, we share it with local wildlife..!
Whilst connecting and sharing stories with other expats, I discovered that many shared this challenge of making each new home feel personal, familiar, and comforting, even when everything else keeps changing , and the homes aren’t always ideal.
Why Studio Amelia?
Studio Amelia began during one of the most challenging times of my life. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were living in Vietnam under a strict lockdown. My children were homeschooling for 15 months, our family contracted COVID-19 multiple times, and at one point, the lockdown was so severe that the army delivered our groceries. Amidst these difficulties, I found solace in studying interior design online with the Sydney Design School. Each lesson reignited my dreams and gave me a sense of purpose. Eventually, I landed in Sydney and had the incredible opportunity to finish my courses on campus—a reminder that the universe works in mysterious ways.
Studio Amelia was born from this journey, rooted in my love for interior design and my own experiences as an expat. My mission is simple: to help expats and families create beautiful, comfortable homes that reflect their unique style and needs, wherever they may be. I believe everyone deserves a space that feels personal and welcoming, no matter how temporary or challenging the location.
Having been an expat for so many years, I’ve come to deeply value this community. It’s a network that welcomes newcomers with open arms, offering connection and support in unfamiliar places. Often, it’s the people we meet and the stories we share that truly make a place feel like home.
Studio Amelia is more than an interior decorating service; it’s a space for expats to find support, advice, and inspiration uniquely tailored to our shared journey. I look forward to connecting with each of you, hearing your stories, and helping you turn your new house into a home filled with warmth and familiarity.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey.
See you soon!
Amelia
