HUMANS OF MURWILLUMBAH | PART SIX

DONNA STAIN

Donna Stain is a floral designer and artist with over 35 years of experience, having worked in London, New York, and Barcelona. After returning to Australia in 2023, Donna turned her focus to sustainable floral design, collaborating with local growers. Donna’s work merges natural forms with artistic vision, creating designs that reflect the connection between nature and deep respect for country. From her creative space in Murwillumbah, Donna creates botanical designs for events, weddings, home styling, and editorials.

  1. What brought you to Murwillumbah and what do you love most about living in town or in the surrounding areas? Prior to COVID, I was living overseas for 25 years, and that’s a long time away from your family and the country you love! So, it was already on the cards to return. Friends of mine, who I met in Barcelona, wanted to keep our crew together, so we researched what delights awaited us in the Northern Rivers— and that’s how I ended up in Murwillumbah in 2023. Northern Rivers has a mix of natural beauty & vibrant creativity and art is celebrated. 

  2. What inspired you to start your business in Murwillumbah? When I returned to Australia, I was ready to begin my creative career with a more sustainable approach to decorating. Just moving to Murwillumbah, I was immediately inspired by the surrounding nature, and then a warehouse became available. It was an opportunity to meet locals, visitors, artists, and nature lovers, and a perfect place to create, experiment and showcase my work. However it was temporary and now STAIN has moved the studio from Queen St to King St!

  3. Can you share a story about a time when the Murwillumbah community came together to support one another? This year, I volunteered for the Kinship Festival. I was fortunate to be able to decorate the dance circle with a botanical Rainbow Serpent. The sense of community throughout the experience was so strong, and I felt incredibly privileged to be part of it.

  4. What are some spots in town that you would recommend to visitors? I find something magical about the afternoon bird cacophony in the trees outside the post office (but do not park underneath at dusk!), along with the Murwillumbah Farmers Market, flea market, the Kinship Festival and M Arts with its colourful artists, music and market events.

  5. How do you envision the future of Murwillumbah? I see Murwillumbah evolving with a bathhouse! I’d love to see the town continue to embrace entrepreneurial ideas, where locals and newcomers feel supported in their creative and business ventures. 

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW DONNA ON INSTAGRAM!