The design community is in mourning after receiving the news of the death of much-loved and respected interior designer, Di Ritter.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge Di’s sudden passing last week, and our thoughts are with her family, many friends, colleagues and industry peers.

Di Ritter was a talented interior designer with 25 years of experience. Throughout her professional career, she completed numerous projects, ranging from large-scale hospitality and commercial venues to high-end residential spaces.

She began her career at Carr, joining the renowned Melbourne studio in 1998 as a Graduate of Interior Design. Over the course of 11 years, she worked on several notable projects, including Hilton Hotels across Australia, the Cable Beach Club in Broome, Melbourne’s fine-dining institution Ezard Restaurant, and many bespoke private residences.

Sue Carr, Founding Principal at Carr, reflects: “Di joined us as a talented young graduate whose role and responsibilities evolved over time. Her sector range was wide, ultimately focusing on concept design and design direction across all interior projects at Carr. Her involvement resulted in her winning the 2003 Belle Apartment of the Year, among other significant awards during her tenure.

“Di – always elegant, an innovative interior designer, timeless by rejecting fashion, intuitive in her design thought, determined, and a leader in her field. We will miss her so much.”

From Carr, Di relocated to Shanghai and joined global design firm Hassell in China. She later returned to Australia with her husband Chris and young family to join the Melbourne studio in 2013. As a Senior Associate at Hassell, her contributions were invaluable. While she worked across many design genres, her passion for experimental and experiential design particularly stood out, along with her deep love for food and travel. These interests seamlessly converged in her role as lead designer on iconic projects such as the award-winning Di Stasio Città, Di Stasio Carlton, and the recently completed ground-floor lobby and end-of-trip facilities at 120 Collins Street.

Rob Backhouse, Principal and Chair at Hassell, shares: “Di was a unique design talent with a sharp critical eye and a wicked sense of humour. Her contribution to Hassell’s design reputation over the years has been significant and will be sorely missed, especially by the many people she mentored and collaborated with across the industry. Di will always be remembered for the beautiful work she produced and her distinctive way of viewing the world, but most of all, I am heartbroken to lose a dear friend.”

Di will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

Vale Diana Ritter.

Photography
Peter Bennetts (Di Stasio Città and Carlton), courtesy of Hassell