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Interior Design

Friday, January 27, 2012

Interview – Sarah Parkes of Smalltown

Knotted Egg pendant light by Sarah Parkes – aka Smalltown

Custom installation for Avido Restaurant and Wine Bar in Sydney. Photos – Will Reichelt

Two-tiered macramé plant holder by Sarah Parkes

Residential commission – custom chandelier by Sarah Parkes

You know what’s amazing?  It’s amazing when the initiative and unique skill of one person, at a particular moment in time, seems to single handedly drive a design trend in a certain area or city. I think sometimes it just takes one inspired creative to start making something new and distinctive – and before long that idea forms it’s own trajectory and becomes part of a a city’s collective consciousness.  And then it pops up everywhere!  I am sure Melbournians will have noticed this recent trend of incorporating oversized macramé installations into hospitality, retail and commercial interiors.  This idea has been springing up in lots of new venues in the past couple of years – but I’m willing to wager that’s almost entirely due to the unique talent of Melbourne designer Sarah Parkes – aka Smalltown!

As you’ll learn below, Sarah started out in graphic design, before turning to jewellery design – which in turn led her to discover macramé.  It wasn’t long before her small macramé accessories had been superceded by commisions for quite complex oversized installations.  In just 3 years Sarah has put her macramé stamp all over Melbourne – and a little of Sydney too!  Her output is impressively prolific – she’s worked on a great variety of shop, restaurant and bar interiors, and aside from her large, custom commissions she also makes smaller hanging baskets and accessories for sale via her website.

I’m sure if you live in Melbourne you will have spotted a little of Sarah’s work around town – now you can finally put a name to the knots!

Massive thanks to Sarah for her time with this interview and all the great pics!

Creating macramé installation and products for a living seems like a very niche and unusual career path! Tell us a little about your background – how did you first discover macramé and what path led to what you’re doing now?

I studied graphic design quite a while ago, and since then have followed several different creative paths.

About 3 years ago I started a jewellery label, and for my second collection I learnt how to macramé. I taught myself from old 70’s craft books that I had collected. Around that time friends were designing the interior of the new Claude Maus store in Melbourne and asked me to make a large knotted hanging. I loved the jump into oversized, working with large guage rope and seeing the beauty of the big chunky knots. That was quickly followed by two huge plant hangings for Space Furniture in Richmond which cemented my obsession.

For some reason macramé totally clicked with me creatively and I realised its endless potential. It can be purely decorative or, due to the strength of the rope and knots, it can also serve a practical purpose, such as suspending something. I really only use a couple of knots, it’s the way I put them together that creates the design. My brain enjoys the symmetry, pattern and neatness of it all. Knots have a history and symbolism and there is something beautiful about them. I’m pretty obsessed I guess and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Jewellery and accessories by Sarah Parkes of Smalltown

Where might we have seen your work?

I have interior pieces in Claude Maus boutique, Fur Hairdressing and The Brix and Lupino restaurants in Melbourne, Avido Restaurant & Wine garden and The Ivy in Sydney. Xmas 2011 windows for Kookai clothing stores. I’ve done installations for the last two Australian Tennis Opens. Some people might have seen my Knotted Egg light in magazines or on blogs.

Claude Maus store – Melbourne

Custom installation for Champions Bar – Australian Open 2011

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I had a baby last year so my work pratice has changed quite a lot. My partner also works for himself so we’re doing the baby juggle between us at the moment.

I do my emailing and other businessy things in the morning at home. I have a lovely big studio space on Smith St, in Collingwood. I either take my daughter South there with me for a couple of hours or I’ll get a full day in there to myself. Once I’m there I try not to leave or get distracted and there’s no computer either… studio time is very precious!  Currently I’m either filling orders for my lights and plant hangings or working on commissioned pieces. So there’s generally a lot of knotting going on.

Hanging knotted pendants at Portmans, Sydney

Can you give us a little insight into how your business structured?  How does work find you? Do you have any helpers / collaborators to assist with the bigger projects you work on?

My business structure is pretty loose!  Promotion is not my strong point so work has always found me. It’s especially good now as I’m not working full time and I seem to have a nice flow of projects happening. I always think there’s an exciting job around the corner. I’ve been so lucky to have worked on a succession of great projects with fantastic clients who trust me and allow me free reign creatively. Each job has challenged and pushed me in unexpected ways. I enjoy the collaborative process with the client as they come to me with an idea and it’s often something I wouldn’t have done myself.

I usually do everything myself however my partner often helps me out. He’s a builder, very practical and has strong guns which is invaluable for some of my pieces. On a recent job for Kookai I had to produce window hangings for stores nationally and he was required to cut up 4kms of rope into 8m lengths!

Kookai Christmas windows – Macrame wall hanging by Sarah Parkes of Smalltown

I would love to train someone up to help and this would take a lot of time and effort but it’s something that I’ll look at in the future. And then there’s the part of me that wants to do everything myself. However my aim is to get someone to make my ‘product’ pieces such as the lights and plant hangings and I can concentrate on commissioned pieces which is what I love.

Custom window installation at Bloom, South Yarra

Which other designers, artists or creative people do you admire?

All my friends are creative and doing their own things so I’m constantly inspired by what they do.

Can you list for us a few resources across any media you tune in to regularly for creative inspiration?

I don’t have much time to trawl the net or read magazines. It’s always good to get a fix of internet browsing though to see what’s going on out there in the big world.  Most of my inspiration currently comes from my materials and the craft itself.

Amo La Vida decorative hanging

What would be your dream creative project?

An amazing, big commissioned piece with an unlimited budget.

Installation for The Brix, Fitzroy. Photo – Hilary Walker

What are you looking forward to ?

I think there’s so much scope with macramé and I’m always looking forward to the next possible job. I have some exciting potential projects in the works and the possibility of an overseas job this year. When I get the time I’m also looking forward to doing some more experimenting with different materials and processes such as dyeing. There’s so much to do and not enough time!

Installation for Lupino restaurant, Melbourne

Melbourne Questions

You favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

I love living in Brunwsick… it’s low key, neighbourly and with lots of little interesting places. And Sparkly Bear (shopping centre) is a just short walk away.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

I don’t go out much now and we love cooking at home. My partner tries to make me eat more meat products and the ribs he bbq’d up last week were the best yet.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

At home cooking up mexican eggs and entertaining South.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Staying home and watching bad tv on a Saturday night is cool. The Three Amigos and Blazing Saddles double header last weekend was killer!

Pot hangers – made to order (make contact via Sarah’s website)
Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Craft, Installation, Interior Design, Interview Comments (28)
Friday, January 13, 2012

Interview – Diane Bergeron

Interior by Diane Bergeron

Interior by Diane Bergeron

Interior by Diane Bergeron

Interior by Diane Bergeron

Ooh it is a bit exciting interviewing Diane Bergeron –  she seems a bit famous!  Having said that, I think anyone who moves from NYC to Melbourne is pretty much a celebrity.  :)

Diane Bergeron is an incredible interior designer with over 20 years experience in her field. After many years building a stellar reputation whilst based in New York, Diane moved to Melbourne with her Australian partner and their children, and launched her interior design consultancy here.  It wasn’t long before she established a local following and the Australian press caught on – Diane Bergeron Interiors has since been featured in numerous publications including Vogue Living, Belle, Inside Out, Australian House & Garden and Australian Home Beautiful.

Diane says her design philosophy is based on ‘timeless elegance and bold self-expression’.  I would say that’s spot on!  As you can see by the fabulous collection of images here, Diane’s work is classic and restrained in many ways, yet very brave when it comes to colour!  To me it’s an elegant decorating style that seems distinctly ‘American’ – reminiscent of all those fab celebrity homes in the Hamptons you often see in international mags!

Massive thanks to Diane for her time with this interview and all the great pics!  More of her wonderful projects and creative inspiration can be seen on her website and blog - I particularly love this cute feature!

Diane Bergeron in her Collingwood studio

Tell us a little about your career background – what path led to interior design initially, and what prompted the move from the US to Melbouurne?

Growing up in Massachusetts in a family of seven, my bedroom was my sanctuary. As a teen, I created my own makeshift furniture, and wallpapered my own room. After studying painting and sculpture, I returned to my preferred medium: Interiors.

My design career continued after relocating from New York to Melbourne. My Australian husband wanted to return here to raise our two daughters.  I love living in Melbourne and am thrilled by the response I’ve had to my work. When we first arrived we found a raw space two-story warehouse in Collingwood to renovate and call home.

In doing so, I found that some of the fabrics, wallpapers and rugs that I liked to use were not yet available here in Australia.  So I decided to open a showroom introducing ranges such as Quadrille & Madeline Weinrib.

Last year, I relinquished the lines to Ascraft as the interior design side of the business was growing rapidly; making it impossible to focus on both the showroom and client work.

Diane’s Melbourne home featuring in Living Etc (I think I may have to pursue this!)

With over 20 years experience in the design industry I imagine you have lots of favourite projects, but can you name one or two you have really loved working on in recent years?  (Would love to see pics of those you mention if possible!)  Would love to know where the homes were and why these projects were particularly satisfying.

It’s thrilling to be able to say that my favourite projects are the most recent. The first is a family beach house in Balnarring. I collaborated with the architect to create an amazing retreat for an extended family.

The other one is a young couple’s first home in Brighton. The challenge was to create a glamorous environment while taking into account the practical needs of a family with three children under the age of five. These projects were both satisfying to work on as the clients granted me total creative control. (Unfortunately these projects were completed just in time for Christmas, and haven’t been photographed yet).

How would you describe your decorating style?  Do you think there is a distinct different between an ‘American’ style of home decoration compared to a typically ‘Australian’ look?

My style is a blend of old-world glamour and chic modern comfort.

I consider my client’s lifestyle needs to create a home that is stylish, relaxed, comfortable and personal.  I don’t follow trends, but prefer to give old classics a new life; keeping the looks fresh and timeless. Each project is completely different, I source the perfect elements the world over to achieve a home with a soul.

I think that American and Australian decorating styles are quite different.  In Australia, where architects do much of the interior design / decorating, the approach is more structured and rule based. Where as in America it’s more fluid, not so serious.

Can you give us a little insight into how Diane Bergeron Interiors operates day to day?  Do you have staff or regular contractors who assist you?  Do you work from an office or home studio?

We’re currently in the process of restructuring, after shifting our focus entirely back to interior design. To keep my vision intact, all creative decisions are made by me personally. Our extra help is hired on a contract basis as needed.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I’m up by five most mornings; to make my business calls to America before going into the office. Thankfully, we have an office in Collingwood; walking distance from home. A typical day for me involves site visits, design reviews, putting together design submissions and meetings with clients, architects and contractors.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you loving at the moment?

Miles Redd, Billy Baldwin, Diana Vreeland, Michelle Adams, Mary McDonald, Celerie Kemble and Albert Hadley.

Can you list for us 5 resources across any media you turn to when in need of a bolt of creative inspiration for a new brief or new project?

LONNY magazine, Domino: The Book of Decorating, Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, Habitually Chic, Ivy & Piper.

Another shot of Diane’s own home

What would be your dream creative project?

My dream project would be total creative freedom to decorate & design a boutique hotel.

What are you looking forward to?

In the New Year we will be photographing projects completed over the past few years for an up-coming book and starting on a few very exciting commercial projects.

Melbourne Questions

You favourite fossicking spots in Melbourne for furniture and home accessories?

Week days are pretty busy with work, leaving little time to shop but If I’m not at our country house on the weekend, I like to get up early and go to Camberwell Market.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Late night dinner at The Gertrude Street Enoteca.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Spending time with my family at our country house in Gippsland.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

The café in Fitzroy Gardens.

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Interior Design, Interview Comments (18)
Friday, December 16, 2011

Interview – Adele Winteridge of Foolscap Studio

Plantation coffee house, designed by Foolscap Studio in collaboration with Jennifer Lowe and Brooke Thorn.  Photos - Tracey Lee Hayes

Plantation coffee house, designed by Foolscap Studio in collaboration with Jennifer Lowe and Brooke Thorn.  Photos – Tracey Lee Hayes

Plantation coffee house, designed by Foolscap Studio in collaboration with Jennifer Lowe and Brooke Thorn.  Photos - Tracey Lee Hayes

In a city where a new cafe, bar or pop-up seems to open it’s doors almost weekly, it’s no wonder there are so many excellent indie architecture and design studios flourishing in Melbourne too!  Hey, someone’s gotta design this stuff – it’s not just about the coffee! (although clearly the coffee is also integral).  One such design studio is Foolscap, founded 3 years ago by Perth-born, now Melbourne-based interior architect and multidisciplinary designer Adele Winteridge.

At just 31 Adele has a seriously impressive list of projects under her belt!  Since moving to Melbourne and launching Foolscap in 2009, her energetic little studio has grown to accommodate two full time staff working alongside Adele – architecture graduate Sian Pascale and interior design graduate Kate Archibald.  Together this tight-knit team tackle a great variety of projects including hospitality and retail fit-outs, event and pop-up design and styling, liquor license consultancy and product design.  Recent projects have included a fitout for CBD retail store Vanishing Elephant, cafe Plantation, and a brand new cafe in the city called Patricia which opened it’s doors just yesterday!

I have so much admiration for independent start-ups working hard to build a business from scratch… mainly because it is just such seriously hard work!  Running a fledgling design and architecture firm demands long hours and incredible level of commitment – it’s all about passion, determination and a genuine love of the job!

My hat is firmly tipped to Adele and her industrious little team… it’s dynamic local studios like this that ensure that your coffee in always served with a dose of great design on the side.  And ain’t that what Melbourne is all about?  Coffee and coolness.

Massive thanks to Adele for her time with this interview and all the great pics!

Adele Winteridge of Foolscap Studio.  Photo – Penny Lane.

Tell us a little about your background – what path led you to founding Foolscap ?

I always knew I would be involved in a creative field, I was one of those kids who could drift pretty deep into fantasy land and occupy myself for hours. My mother was a chef so I wanted to be a chef as well initially, untill  she made me swear to never be a chef because of the long arduous hours… I guess similar to Interior Design!!

I started studying a Bachelor of Arts degree at UWA in Perth, I took on a Fine Arts elective in the Architecture building on the architecture campus. The elective was The History and Theory to Landscape and Architecture. The elective was amazing, my favourite without a doubt. Somehow these people felt like my people. I decided to enrole in Interior Architecture at Curtin the following semester – the rest is history. I finished with a BA (Int Arch) Hons and am currently undertaking a Masters in Sustainable Development.

I worked for 2 years at a small design firm in Perth, then moved to Sydney where I worked in high end corporate fit-outs at Futurespace. I then became Program coordinator of The Interior Department at The Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney.  After two years of this I was moved to the new Melbourne campus. Whilst working there, I undertook some small freelance jobs and then got way too busy to do both. Foolscap was born Janurary of 2009.

Tiny Cafe in Collingwood – designed by Foolscap

Foolscap seems to take on an incredible variety of projects – from interior design to pop-ups and events to product design!  What have been some of your favourite projects/clients recently?

All our clients, without lying, have all been amazing. I attribute the practices success to the flexibility and creativity and vision of our clients.

Our newest project Patricia is a great example of this. Patricia opened in Melbourne CBD yesterday! We are really proud of the outcome as a result of our collaborative process and the relationship we have with the client Bowen Holden.

One of our first clients was our dear friend and character Michael Pham, a graphic designer turned cafe proprietor who runs Tiny in Collingwood. He was a treat to work with and a really collaborative experience.

The Doghouse is also a great example – we worked with the great team at RightAngle studio to produce a pop-up bar for clients Sapient Nitro and Drambuie. The outcome for the project was a pop up event on a rooftop in Sydney. This temporary experience lasted 3 weeks.

The Boys at Vanishing Elephant were amazing to work with too. The project was a really collaborative process to the core. The VE boys are really creative and knew what they wanted, but ultimately had complete trust in our vision.

We are very lucky!

Vanishing Elephant Melbourne store - designed by Foolscap.  Photos – Tom Blachford

Vanishing Elephant Melbourne store - designed by Foolscap.  Photos - Tom Blachford

Vanishing Elephant Melbourne store - designed by Foolscap.  Photos - Tom Blachford

How is your business structured? How many people do you employ to juggle such a great variety of work, and what significant tasks do you outsource?

I have currently have two full time staff plus me. There is a bit of ebb and flow here, and usually we hire extra staff on a contract basis.

We are lucky to share our amazing studio with Beyond The Pixels who are a branding and digital company – we work very closely with them on most of our projects, including our most recent – Patricia.  There are three of them, so in total our studio is around 8.

We generally don’t outsource anything.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

A typical day starts with a walk into Melbourne city from North Fitzroy. I usally walk in with two of my good friends who live close by.

We stop and get coffee at Brother Baba Budan or a little café called D’marco’s, run by two italian brothers.

That said, I’ll be frequenting Patricia now that it’s open!

I usually have quite a few meetings daily – so I try and get the bulk of my ‘heads down’ work done in the morning – which frees me up for impromptu meetings that pop up everyday.

These meetings are generally with suppliers or contractors that we are working with, site visits, clients and mentors… or just general fun people!

Lunch is generally in the city – Kenzan at GPO is a favourite or Captains of Industry.

We have a weekly Monday Morning WIP where we go to a different/venue each week. It’s great to get excuse to see Melbourne’s new venues whilst working!

The Doghouse in Darlinghurst, Sydney – designed by Foolscap.  Photos – Maja Baska

Can you name 5 creative resources across any media which you turn to regularly for a bolt of creative inspiration?

Dezeen is a great site.
Mark or Frame magazine.
Selby in your place
Pin Up magazine
Yatzer or Trendland

Which other designers, architects or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

The list is TOO long!

1. Faye Toogood
2. Ilse Crawford
3. Rory Hyde (unsolicited architecture)
4. Lucy Mcrae
5. Michel Gondry
6. Robyn Boyd
7. Charles and Ray Eames
8. Peter Zumthor
9. Luis Barragan
10. Superpotato
11. Suppose
12. SANAA
13. Naruse Inokuma Architects
14. Herzog and Demeuron
15. Amber Wallace

What would be your dream creative project?

Wow I have so many of these and they change daily!

I think the key thing for me is to always be working with inspiring people who are passionate and good at what they do. Any project where I can collaborate with people at the top of their field to generate a well considered outcome.

Studio Toogood are working on a project at the moment which is pretty much my dream project. A luxurious client, a brilliant concept, venues throughout the globe, amazing collaborators – artists, artisans, musicians.

I also really like projects that do not necessarily have a client – “unsolicited architecture”.

What are you looking forward to?

Starting the London Office.

Working on more Product design.

Opening my own venue.

Catching my first tube! (surfing)

Getting better at what I do.

Melbourne Questions

Your favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

I am pretty happy with North Fitzroy, Northcote, Footscray

Melbourne city is really where it all happens though!

Your favourite bookstore in Melbourne for reference books and inspiration?

Architext.

Where/what was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Izakaya Den.

The Kingfish sashimi.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Dillon Optical.

It is where I buy all my specs.

It is located down a laneway off Little Collins, up a set of stairs, a small lino floored room with a man that sits and chain smokes and plays ‘words with friends’ (I think he would woop my arse)

He is a legend. He has drawers of vintage glasses that can be made up to your prescription. I have a pair old Australian ‘silhouettes’ that are so great, I also found a pair of old Christian Diors there, and wear Diane Carloe’s from Paris.  Every time I go in there I leave having bought a new pair… a slight obsession of mine…

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Interior Design, Interview Comments (5)
Friday, December 09, 2011

Interview – Greg Natale of Greg Natale Design

Ciolino interior by Greg Natale Design

Ciolino interior by Greg Natale Design

Ciolino interior by Greg Natale Design

Greg Natale / Designer Rugs Collaboration

Many of you may have met The Design Files’ guest blog editor and right-hand woman Jenny Butler at TDF Open House last week!  Jenny is the glue that holds this crazy caper together and generally keeps my brain from exploding (her role is especially important whilst we are all dying of exhaustion post TDF Open House!).

Ms Butler is a big fan of brave colour and pattern in interior design, and for this reason she’s a self confessed Greg Natale groupie!  (Scott Weston is also another big fave!).  JB has been bugging me for some time to interview Mr Natale, and finally today we are thrilled to share this story with you!  (Thanks for hounding me on this one Jenny…!)

Just last month Greg Natale celebrated his 10th year in business with Greg Natale Design.  Over the last decade Greg has built his firm from the ground up, and gained a stellar reputation for bold, tightly styled interiors with a distinctly luxe edge!  Greg describes his design approach as ‘decoration layered over minimalism’.  This layered approach is evident in the rich textiles, patterns, wall and floor coverings expertly combined in so many GND project… but I must admit I am not seeing the ‘minimalism’ part!

Greg Natale Design is a varied practice, tackling commercial, retail and residential projects.   In 2009 Greg Natale also collaborated with Designer Rugs to release a new range of rugs for both commercial and domestic use, realising his objective of diversifying into other design disciplines.

Greg Natale has won many design awards and has featured extensively in local and international mags including Belle Magazine, Vogue Living, UK *Wallpaper and British Elle Decoration.  OH and he’s also been on TV!  More recently, Greg was named Interior Designer of the Year at the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2011.  OMG so many awards.  Impressive stuff.

Big thanks to Greg for his time with this interview and all the glorious images!  You can never have too many chandeliers.

Greg Natale

Congratulations on 10 years of Greg Natale Design!! Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an interior designer?

Thankyou! I always wanted to be an interior since the age of ten! Before I started Greg Natale Design in 2001, I worked for private practices for 5 year honing on my work experience in retail, residential and commercial areas. While I was working pre 2001, I was doing private work which got published which generated phone calls and I was also at the point where I wanted creative freedom, so I just went with wave and have never looked back.

Iliffe interior by Greg Natale Design

Iliffe interior by Greg Natale Design, featuring Greg Natale Designer Rugs

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Client meetings, site meeting, being in the office, seeing suppliers and designing when I can!

Your projects are very varied – from residential to retail, commercial and a range of gorgeous rugs. What have been some of your favourite projects in recent years?

Woollahra house because it was really a new look we created which has led to many versions of this house, it featured a black and white pallet with traditional details. Uscari, again because we created a new look which incorporated raw materials in a refined way.

Woollahra House by Greg Natale Design

Retail design for Uscari

How would you describe the Greg Natale Design aesthetic?

We fuse architecture, design and decoration, we basically layer decoration over minimalism. Is this a good reflection of your personal sense of style in my own home? Of course! But my own personal style is grey and grey and quite moody, I call it masculine glamour. I am moving into a new place in December, this place will black and white with pops of camel blue and pink.

Greg Natale’s apartment – masculine glamour indeed!

Greg Natale’s apartment

What are your top 5 creative resources across any media?

Belle Magazine
US Elle Decor
German Architectural Digest
www.coolboom.com
Amazon for design books

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

I am inspired by so many things…  here is a list of who I admire -

Harry Seidler
David Katon
Paul Rudolph
David Chipperfield
Kelly Wearstler
Jonathan Adler
Gio Ponti
Frank Stella
The late English David Hicks
Mies Van der Rohe
William Haines

Twomey residence – Greg Natale Design

Twomey residence – Greg Natale Design

What would be your dream project?

A hotel, where I cold bring everything together.

Dr Kohout Plastic Surgeon waiting room – interior design by Greg Natale Design

What are you looking forward to?

Renovating the office, we are taking the office space next door and doubling the size of the office! I haven’t worked worked out the look yet but this will be my little project for next year.

Farage retail interior

Sydney Questions

Your fave Sydney neighbourhood and why?

Darlinghurst, I love that its central, close to the CDB, it still has edge, great restaurants, interesting mix of people and I live there!

Where/what was the last great meal you ate in Sydney?

China Doll in Woolloomooloo. I go there all the time, great food and great location.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

At home, watching The Young and the Restless marathon!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Interior Design, Interview, Uncategorized Comments (10)
Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Sydney Home – Bronwyn Poole and family

The home of Sydney interior designer Bronwyn Poole and her young family.  Above – light-filled playroom.

Kids’ playroom, complete with oversized bean bag covered in Bronwyn’s all-time favourite fabric – Kelly Wearstler’s Imperial Trellis.

Ain’t it always the case that by the time you finally get your home looking just as PERFECT as you’d always imagined, it’s time to move on!?  I guess there’s nothing like an impending auction to get you motivated to finish all those niggly things that have been on the ‘To Do’ list since the week you moved in!  This is a common story in my experience sourcing and shooting Australian homes every week, and today’s home is no exception.

Interior designer Bronwyn Poole and family have lived in their stunning home in Sydney’s Cremorne for 8 years.  Bronwyn runs interior design firm Touch Interiors and Complete Pad, and we’ve been in touch for a good 6 months with a view to featuring her gorgeous home on TDF.  This month Bronwyn was FINALLY ready to share her home with us – the same month she decided to put it on the market (and it’s just been sold THIS WEEK)!  Ah well, what better way to document a much-loved family home than with a permanent record on The Design Files… right!?

Bronwyn lives here with husband Jason Ballantine (a film editor) and their three children – Hugh 4.5 yrs, ‘pocket rocket’ toddler Ashley (21 months) and a sweet new born girl named Darci (12 weeks!).  In fact it was Darci’s recent arrival that prompted the big decision to sell up and move somewhere a little bigger!  Before having children, Bronwyn used to run her interior design business from the front living room (top pic above).  These days her growing business is based in Mosman, and the front room is a sophisticated kids playroom, complete with oversized bean bag covered in Bronwyn’s all-time favourite fabric – Kelly Wearstler’s Imperial Trellis.  Ooh la la!

When asked for her favourite features of the home, Bronwyn mentions the light filled interiors, the view, the sunsets and those 1950’s curves!  Her favourite place to be is the playroom – ‘I love the lemon tea tree outside, the fireplace, the rattan trunk to hide all the toys from sight, my high bench table where I can work while the children have lego spilled from one end of the room to the other, and of course the beanbag which inspires me to get down on the ground and play!’.   The family will be sad to leave this home behind, but there’s already a new project afoot – Bronwyn and Jason have bought a lovely old 1900’s home designed by renowned architect B J Waterhouse in Neutral Bay.  ‘I hope to restore it to its former glory….  well, one day!’ she says.

Huge thanks to Bronwyn and family for sharing their gorgeous Sydney home with us today.  ALSO be sure to check out Bronwyn’s other interior design projects here – AMAZING colours, pattern and decorative details!  Well worth a sticky beak!

CLICK HERE for the full tour and many more pics!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Australian Homes, Interior Design, Sydney Homes, Uncategorized Comments (18)
Friday, July 29, 2011

Interview – Interior Designer Pip McCully

Kitchen details from Armadale residence, designed by Melbourne design studio Wonder. Photograph – Paul Barbera.

Living / dining details from Armadale residence, designed by design studio Wonder. Photograph – Paul Barbera.

Bathroom detail from Armadale residence, designed by Wonder. Photograph – Paul Barbera.

Greenhouse’ pop-up shop in Melbourne Central, designed by Wonder for local label Limedrop

I had the great pleasure of meeting the supremely clever girls from interior design studio Wonder recently.  Pip McCully and Georgina Armstrong launched their fledgling firm two years ago, and are already gaining a seriously impressive reputation for their timeless, understated work and incredible attention to detail!  Truly exquisite stuff!

Georgina and Pip both studied interior design at RMIT, finishing uni in 2003 and 2005 respectively.  (I roughly estimate this makes them 29-ish!?)  After each spending a few years each working at various respected local firms including Carr, Bar Studio and Shareen Joel, the pair fortuitously re-united at Hecker Phelan & Guthrie (as it was then known) in 2007.  Two years on, after refining their skills whilst working with the amazing team at HP&G, Georgina and Pip were offered their first independent design project, and jumped at the chance.  They formed their studio, Wonder, on September 1st 2009.

Recent projects for Wonder have included a shop at Melbourne’s GPO for fashion label LIFEwithBIRD, a fabulously quirky ‘Greenhouse’ pop-up shop in Melbourne Central for local label Limedrop, and an INCREDIBLE residence in Armadale – which was in fact their first commission, and the starting point of Wonder.

It is so inspiring to see two young women running their own growing design business, building a reputation from the ground up, and gaining real respect amongst their industry for such beautiful, accomplished work!  In particular I am blown away by Georgina and Pip’s incredible eye for detail – the grand scale of their stunning Armadale home is so perfectly balanced by the bespoke details they have carefully sourced for this project – in particular, the custom brass doorknobs by revered Australian designer / maker Suzie Stanford.

I think we can safely say that studio Wonder is one young design studio to watch!  (You heard it here first, people. :)

Pip McCully (left) and Georgina Armstrong (right) in the kitchen of the Armadale House they recently completed.  Lovely shot by Paul Barbera.

Tell me a little about your backgrounds – what career path has led you both to what you’re doing now?

George & I both completed a Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) at RMIT.  Although studying in different years, we knew of each other and followed similar paths working for a selection of design firms in Melbourne, before meeting up again five years later at Hecker Phelan & Guthrie (as it was previously named).  Although never actually working on a project together at HP&G, it became apparent we had similar interests, aesthetics and goals.  We simply became great friends with a side conversation of wanting to work for ourselves one day, so when the opportunity arose for us to join forces on a project which was of a scale that provided two people with full time work for a few months, we jumped on board, guns blazing.  Now with nearly two years of Wonder behind us (and a series of projects to follow) we haven’t looked back.

What have been one or two favourite projects / clients in recent times?

Our two favourite projects to date are the concept store we designed for local fashion label LIFEwithBIRD at Melbourne’s GPO and a residence (which was in fact the aforementioned starting point of Wonder) in a leafy little cul-de-sac in Mindanao Court, Armadale.

LIFEwithBIRD was completed in March 2010, in time for Lóreal Fashion Week.  The store was an exciting stepping stone for us as it was our first completed project and gave us a great opportunity to translate our love of fashion into an interior project.  The philosophy and aim behind the project was to create an elegant and timeless space which would grow and transform with the LIFEwithBIRD brand.  We shared a clear vision with our client, and used the modern classic identity of their clothing to largely inspire the shapes and form of our design.

Concept store designed by Wonder for local fashion label LIFEwithBIRD, at Melbourne’s GPO.

Mindanao Court presented us with a completely different scale and timeframe, and was our first large residential project.  We had an adventurous client who gave us the freedom to explore the unexpected, by playing with a myriad of eclectic materials, textures, lighting techniques and a delightful composition of individually selected new and antique furniture and fittings.  We worked with Paul Barbera to have the house photographed in his unique relaxed style, which wonderfully captures the essence of the project.

Stunning residence at Mindanao Court, Armadale by Wonder – photograph by Paul Barbera.

After spending valuable time cutting your teeth at Hecker Guthrie you went out on your own in 2009 – how did you find the shift working for an established company to setting up your own practise?  What have been the key challenges you’ve faced?

Our job as we knew it stands no longer and our roles now extend so much further than design!  What were we thinking?  Our greatest challenge has been learning how to manage our time to ensure focus can remain on our greatest strength – design.  George and I both bring the same set of skills to Wonder, so with thanks to many talented friends who have helped us establish the administration of keeping a business alive, we are quickly learning the ropes or merging art and commerce.

Can you give us a little insight into the company structure at Design of Wonder ? – ie are you at the stage of employing other staff, do you outsource any significant tasks – or do you do still do absolutely EVERYTHING yourselves!?

The core of Wonder is George and myself, and yes we still do juggle all the roles ourselves!  We are in the process of establishing an intern program which will give students and/or graduates the chance to gain experience in a design studio, as we acknowledge that the current climate is difficult for new employment.  This incentive too becomes an invaluable help to us.

Alongside, we have had some fantastic opportunities to collaborate with friends from different disciplines, such as illustrator Skye Luckins from Isle of Skye and furniture designer Dhiren Bhagwandas, which has mixed up the dynamic, process and outcomes of some of our key projects.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Timeless & eclectic.

Timeless and eclectic bathroom by Wonder!

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

Architect Vincent Van Duysen for his alluring balance of texture and form, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for his commercial creativity and photographer Tim Walker for his parallel sense of wonder………

What are your top 5 go-to resources for creative inspiration – ie 5 magazines / books / websites you regularly visit for creative inspiration…?

JJJJound blog for the precision in his selection of inspiring imagery, Elle Décor magazine for their wonderful coverage of international design trends, Dutch magazine The Gentlewoman for their motivating anecdotes of successful women, Russh magazine for a fabulous mix of fashion & fun and lastly our own Library which has scans, notes and images from our abundance of personal research.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

The biggest learning curve since establishing Wonder is giving into the fact that everyday is different.  Expect the unexpected.  From site visits and client meetings to running around in the car sourcing finishes & fittings, from office administration to hours of drawing on CAD, we just don’t have a typical day anymore.  Six months ago we moved into a fantastic little studio space in the CBD (we were previously in George’s house) which has helped greatly to regiment our schedule.  Our only constants are catching up on the night before over coffee in the morning… and a glass of wine at the end of our working day before heading off in different directions.

Georgina at Wonder HQ in Melbourne’s CBD!

What would be your dream creative project?

A runway set in Paris for Chanel.  This would mean a collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld…

What are you looking forward to ?

Designing said runway in Paris…

Impeccable details by Wonder (that balustrade detail and shadowline is bending my mind – so beautiful!)

Melbourne Questions

Your favourite neighbourhood in Melbourne and why?

George loves Albert Park and I love North Fitzroy for the exact same reasons – a thriving sense of community, leafy streets, parks and cafes, with the CBD in close proximity.

Your favourite fossicking spots in Melbourne for interesting furniture / home accessories for yourselves or clients?

With bespoke stores of interest scattered throughout Richmond, Fitzroy and the CBD, our favourite fossicking spot is Prahran.  Our constructed designs are quite streamlined, so we love to balance this aesthetic with out of the ordinary fittings and furniture sourced from retailers such as Tarlo & Graham, Leonard Joel Auction House, Geoffrey Hatty and Le Contraste in Windsor.

Details from the Mindanao House – featuring Suzie Stanford custom door handles!

Suzie Stanford custom door handles!

What and where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Short of both loving our mum’s home cooking (or perhaps a recent evening of tapas and tequila flights at Mamasita!), we must collectively agree that our last great meal was the lunchtime burger, fries and glass of rose we had on Friday from our trusty neighbours at Trunk.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

With want to give you a more wondrous answer…  the truthful response on both behalves is in bed!

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

It may not be a secret, but the garden at Abbotsford Convent is a secluded place where George and I love to escape for inspiration.

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