Two boys have joined their creative nous to form an inspiring, and popular, line of wholesale boxed art and prints designed exclulsively for architects, developers, interior designers, specialty retailers, property developers, hotels, and architects at wholesale prices. The Designer Boys Art Collections is the result of a unique union between Gavin Atkins and Warren Sonin who first teamed up for The Block, and then again for Location Location with Debroah Hutton. Now, 7 years on, the boys are busier than ever having done more than 750 property styling and interior design projects.

The Decoration + Design regulars took time out from their hectic schedule to answer a few questions on how they work together, what exciting developments there are coming up, and how prepping for a trade show is like doing a major broadway production.

You started the business in 2003 after being featured on The Block – did you always plan on going into business together after the show?

Absolutely. Back then property styling in the real estate industry was very much in its infancy. A lot of the Eastern Suburbs real estate agents saw our interior design capability and passion on The Block and invited us to consider doing property styling full-time. We decided to start Designer Boys straight after the show after we did an amazing transformation of a Sydney property on Channel 9's Location Location with Deborah Hutton. We achieved the highest price ever recorded above the reserve on this tv show.

As a result of a lot of hard work, building the business and our reputation, we did more than 750 property styling and interior design projects over the last 7 years. In 2008, we decided to move to Byron Bay to attempt to live a more balanced lifestyle – the funny thing is that we have worked harder than we have ever before. A lot of people who moved here for similar reasons have said the same, but if we can do our creative designs in our studio with the cows just outside the door, then who cares. We're staying.

How do you work together? Describe how each of you contribute differently to the company? Do you always agree?

It really came to us very naturally. Warren was a highly accomplished business development manager and I came from the public relations and marketing profession. These skills coupled with our passion for beautiful interior design allowed us to build our business from the ground up and to be able to change as we wanted to change in our lifestyles. We found that you can be a fabulous interior designer, but if you don't have the business acumen, then it sometimes very difficult to have longevity in this industry.

We also discovered that we had different strengths quite quickly and for us to work together in harmony it's important that we have different tasks and then come together for collaboration in our ideas and designs – this always makes our end result so much better. And we don't always agree – we do banter a lot about product design and interior concepts – but usually this is for the best as eventually we reach the end point where we are both happy with the end result – and of course it's a much better solution.

What has been the most exciting part of the business development?

We are both very creative and have a passion for developing new products and interior concepts. We get a 'buzz' from doing this and that's why we love it. We are also very meticulous which can drive us crazy sometimes, so our design are constantly in motion until we look at each other and we know we've cracked it!. We enjoy working & liaising with our clients and many have become very good friends – it's funny but we take the attitude out of interior design and provide a quality product.

What are the most popular colourways/styles/homwares for modern interior decors?

We've taken a sabbatical on our interior design work, because our wholesale artwork business has been very well received. It's also a full-time job coming up with new designs, designing catalogues and trade shows and co-ordinating our framing studio in Byron Bay. So in terms of current styles in interior design, we both think our artworks hit the mark with what's hot in interior design.

We love using natural products and of course incredible textures in all of our designs – I think people feel intrigued by the beauty of nature and also love having a natural products in their homes – whether it's classic or contemporary interior aesthetic.

Where has this business taken you? What countries have you travelled to and through to collect different unique products for Designer Boys?

We personally design all of our products in Byron Bay (that's where our inspiration comes from ) and then we work with our team of global craftspeople, gypsies and artisans to bring our designs to life. Everything we design is then handcrafted – we love this about our product that even our most intricate designs are produced by hand and not by a machine… It makes our product look and feel unique.

What do you love most about what you do?

Can you believe we love exhibiting at trade shows. It's normally the culmination of lots of hard work, creating and culling designs, producing catalogues and then exhibiting the latest collections. It's the pinnacle on what we've been working on and then displaying it to our peers. We are always worried whether we will be well received.

The first trade show we did I went to bed with the flu for a week before it started, because I think I was stressed out about the reaction from the design community. It's like doing a major broadway production – you need to make sure the opening night is perfect or you'll get bad reviews!! We also love the wonderful and encouraging feedback we get from our clients – when they ring and say that the artworks hang so beautifully on their walls – now that's a real buzz!

You are about to exhibit at D+D Sydney, why do you choose this fair to showcase your wares?

We love Decoration + Design because it is a cutting-edge design show. We have always had a great response from this show.

Any other company news you’d like to share?

We have just launched our new outdoor collection of body loungers and occasional chairs with ottomans. They are ideal for relaxing around the pool, on the deck or on the lawn, yet versatile enough to fit beautifully in media or family rooms.

To register for D+D visit, www.decorationdesign.com.au

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