Erna Walsh: 30 Years Shaping Australian Design
Thirty years ago, Erna Walsh stepped into the design industry with a vision that blended curiosity, courage, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. It was the early 1990s - a time of shifting tastes, when Australia’s design landscape was still finding its voice on the global stage. Erna brought with her not only an instinct for beauty, but also an unwavering belief that design should enrich life, connect people, and stand the test of time.
As Co-Founder and CEO of K5 Furniture, Erna has become an influential figure in Australian design. Her work has been instrumental in introducing and championing Scandinavian design principles, simplicity, functionality, and timelessness - and weaving them seamlessly into the way Australians live and work.
A Career Defined by Vision
Erna’s career is marked by her ability to recognise potential long before it becomes a trend. From the acclaimed Boyd Collection, inspired by the enduring legacy of Australian architecture, to the bold and innovative Roy Grounds Collection, each project reflects her belief that good design can be both grounded in heritage and forward-looking.
Her early embrace of sustainability set a new benchmark for the industry. Long before it became a widely adopted talking point, Erna made environmental responsibility a guiding principle for K5 Furniture. This meant working with makers and brands that share the same ethos - valuing longevity, responsible sourcing, and the quiet integrity of well-made pieces.
The Relationships That Shape Design
Ask Erna about her proudest career moments and she’ll mention the Boyd Collection, a love letter to Australian design, but she’s just as quick to speak about the quieter victories: the friendships forged over decades, the trust built with makers, and the joy of seeing a K5 piece become part of someone’s daily life.
“The relationships have been everything,” Erna reflects. “From the first handshake with a designer to seeing a project come to life, it’s those connections that make the work meaningful.”
Lessons Learned
Thirty years in any industry brings perspective, and Erna’s biggest lesson is simple but powerful: surround yourself with people who share your vision and values. This belief has guided how she builds her team, chooses brand partners, and approaches every collaboration.
Her design ethos can be distilled into three words, timeless, functional, responsible, but those words take on depth in practice. Timeless means creating designs that will still feel relevant decades from now. Functional means putting human experience at the heart of every decision. Responsible means thinking beyond the immediate project to its environmental and cultural impact.
Looking Ahead
Despite three decades of achievements, Erna’s sense of curiosity hasn’t dimmed. Travel continues to inspire her, but so do moments closer to home: walking into a space K5 has furnished and watching people interact with it in unexpected ways.
“I still feel the same excitement I had on my first day,” she says. “What’s changed is my appreciation for how design shapes lives over time and the depth of responsibility that comes with that.”
As K5 Furniture looks to the future, Erna’s influence is clear. She has shaped not only a company but also a way of thinking about design in Australia, one that values the harmony of beauty, purpose, and sustainability.
This August, we celebrate three decades of Erna’s leadership, vision, and dedication. Thirty years of shaping spaces, nurturing ideas, and championing a design culture that is both deeply considered and quietly radical. Here’s to the next chapter.