The Design Files

Friday, September 03, 2010

Interview – James Geer

All these stunning pics by Melbourne photographer James Geer

Portraits of Rose Byrne by James Geer (tough subject!)

Details from Julia DeVille’s home, shots by James Geer for Habitus

Jeepers creepers could we possibly have ANY more brilliant photographers in Australia?! I mean seriously. I feel as if I discover ANOTHER insanely talented photographer almost every week! This week’s find – Melbourne-born photographer James Geer!

James began his professional career as a graphic designer in 1997, but it didn’t take him long to trade in his computer for a camera! (Good move!) He assisted for a while, and then came a stint in NYC – a rite of passage for many Australian photographers it seems…? James returned to Melbourne in 2003 and has since built up an impressive portfolio of work with an unmistakably ‘Australian’ feel. I can’t put my finger in it… but he really does seem to have a knack for capturing his subjects in the most relaxed, carefree way – perfectly described by his agent Kirstie Gadsden as ‘quintessentially Australian’. (…the beach and all those golden sunkissed bodies certainly help him out there!)

James is a true all rounder, with an impressive collection of work which covers interiors, as well as quirky portraits and his signature relaxed style of fashion photography. His clients include Levis, Fairfax, Nike, Hermes, Quicksilver, Roxy, Monster Children, Sneaker Freaker, and Habitus. And because I know you love all the little personal details (me too!!), he’s 34, has two young kids, and moved back from NYC in the end for his beloved blue heeler – still hanging in there at 18yrs of age!

Thanks so much for James for his time and beautiful shots, and to his agent Kirstie for facilitating this interview! James is represented by Viviens Creative Management.

please CLICK HERE for the interview and many more beautiful shots

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Interview Comments (2)

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Pop-up Alphabet Co-op

Typographic paper puzzle by Upon a Fold for the Pop-up Alphabet Co-op in Sydney this weekend!

A-OK! ‘A’ by Brilliant Benja Harney, ‘OK’ by the lovely Liane Rossler!

The Pop Up Alphabet Co Op is a type-based exhibition / installation / pop-up shop curated by the very clever Sarah King (aka, Sarah K!). You may remember me gushing about Sarah K’s many talents here – she is one inspiring lady! (also, you have also seen her house here! :)

Sarah K has pulled together a seriously stellar line-up of local designers, crafters and makers for the Alphabet Co-op, each of whom have created a limited edition typographic artwork especially for the exhibition at Object Gallery in Sydney this weekend! The line-up includes many TDF favourites! Lovely peeps including Liane Rossler, Benja Harney, Tamara Maynes, Shannon Lamden (Aunty Cookie) and even this week’s guest blogger – Justine Fahd of Upon a Fold!

The Alphabet Co-op is a ‘Pop-up’ in the truest sense of the word – there’s only a 2 day window of opportunity to visit! All work on display is limited edition and is available to buy…. type-inspired prints, lights, jewellery, knits, clothes and postcards will all be on show at affordable prices for this weekend only!

Attention Sydneysiders! Head to Object Gallery this weekend and snaffle yourself a typographic masterpiece! :)

Pop-up Alphabet Co-op
Object Gallery
417 Bourke st
Surry Hills, NSW

Opening night this Friday night Sept 3rd, 5.00pm – 8.00pm. Exhibition / shop open all day this Saturday and Sunday only!

Top – Liesl Hazelton’s ‘Alpha Beta’ rings, made out of discarded computer cabling. Buy one for you and your partner – follow Liesl’s instructions which come with the ring to assess who wear the ‘alpha’ and who the ‘beta’! Bottom – Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious letterpress cards by by graphic designer Chris Norman.

The Pop-up Alphabet logo, featuring Tamara Maynes’s cross-stitched letter A, and other salvaged components (all available to buy at the show!)

‘ I did this instead of going out’ by Sarah Maxey.. Love it!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Sydney, Uncategorized Comments (6)

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Melbourne Home – Pete & Jessie

Pete’s workspace, where he makes his intricate carved jewellery… ‘If only it was always this clean’ he says :)

Pete’s stunning carved jewellery – the ship is ebony and ivory from the piano (see shots below), with silver. Le nature morte (still life) is a dandelion plant in reclaimed ivory (pre 60′s off-cuts). Pete’s jewellery is all made by hand using very fine saws and files, and he is also teaching himself how to work with silver. ‘It is sad to pull apart a piano but it gives the ebony and ivory a second life which it much deserves!… such amazing materials to work with.’ says Pete!

Wideshot of living room… love that light!

Love these vibrant colours on the dining table – bring on the springtime!

The hospital surgery light is an Ebay purchase (Pete says it cost more in freight from QLD than it did to buy!). The small print above piano is by Hertha Kluge-Pott, the piano Pete found outside an old church down the road…. he dragged it up the street to the house! It’s now missing most of its keys which have been made into Pete’s carefully crafted jewellery (seen above). Vase on table is a ‘Rathjen’ from the 60′s.

Pete’s ‘crazed collection’ displayed in his rustic pigeon-hole unit.

This extremely gorgeous home in Melbourne’s Fairfield belongs to the spunkiest couple I know – Peter Trott & Jessie Bridgfoot. They are seriously goodlooking people. Which is not entirely relevant, I realise, but I don’t know – maybe there is a case for some correlation between spunky people and a seriously spunky home?

Pete is a film industry guy and we’ve worked together a bunch of times… I know I say this about everyone, but he is just truly the loveliest fella, and is also a super talented designer own right – he creates stunning intricate carved jewellery, some of which you see here. Amazing stuff! Pete is also a self-taught taxidermist, which I guess is slightly less appealing. But no less impressive!

Pete has always loved industrial and well-used items (‘anything that looks like it has a history’), so nearly anything can make its way into the house – he is always salvaging hidden treasures and giving them a new lease on life! Jess works in an art gallery and would have a more minimal look if she could, so is constantly de-cluttering!

Pete has lived in this amazing place for almost 3 years, and Jess moved in a year ago. The pair share the lower level of a large brick warehouse – someone else lives upstairs… (but Pete and Jess get the garden!). It’s a unique set-up, and this is a home I am sure will always hold a very special place for these two, despite a few interesting quirks – like having a roller door in your loungeroom! (The white screen behind the work desk was put in just to stop the noise and cold coming through…!)

Pete and Jess love having such a large, light-filled space to live in… ‘We get beautiful winter sun through the house and get to open up the house to the garden in the summer.’ They also really love living in Fairfield, ‘it’s got some amazing food shops and the people are great’ says Pete (Apparently, Cardamones deli is a must!).

Hmmm… I am beginning to think there are more hidden gems to discover in Fairfield! Seems like a bit of a gold mine for quirky, creative Australian Homes….

HUGE thanks to Pete and Jess for sharing their lovenest! OMG they are going to kill me for saying that. Sorry dudes! x

Dear readers, please forgive me for including the rest of the pics of Pete & Jess’s place as a photo gallery below! YES you have to click a thumbnail to see it full-size… then you can easily scroll through… SORRY I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you seriously have no idea the struggles I am having with bandwidth at the moment! Forgive me! x