The Design Files Daily

Interview

Friday, May 18, 2012

Interview – Natalia Milosz-Piekarska

Jeweller Natalia Milosz-Piekarska at work in her Melbourne studio.  Photo – Lucy Feagins

Details from the studio of jeweller Natalia Milosz-Piekarska.  Photos – Lucy Feagins

NEW things!  The Carnival Series by Natalia Milosz-Piekarska for E.g.etal

It’s been a while since I interviewed a jewellery designer,  but very glad to be back in jewellery-land today with incredibly talented local designer / maker Natalia Milosz-Piekarska!

Natalia’s work is so unique and for this reason kind of hard to describe.  For one thing, she has an incredible knack of disguising the materials she uses in her work.  Often combining handcarved timber and resin in irregular organic shapes, the pieces are incredibly lightweight, and once textured and painted in her signature vibrant hues, it’s not entirely clear exactly which materials have been used, or indeed where one material ends and the other starts.  It gives the works a real sense of other-worldliness, as familiar materials are re-worked into completely new unfamiliar forms.

Another unique characteristic of Natalia’s work is that many of the pieces, particularly the 3Dimensional timber / resin ones (see the brooches and rings below) feel almost like little living creatures!  Perhaps of the underwater or insect variety?  When visiting Natalia in her studio last week and seeing her work up close in person, so many of them really reminded me of characters from a Miyazaki animated film -Amazing! (As I rambled on and mentioned this uncanny resemblance, thankfully Natalia took it as a compliment, saying that’s exactly the look she was going for!  Phew!  I talk too much).

Last year Natalia was awarded the British Council ‘Realise Your Dream’ and Ian Potter Cultural Trust travel grants – both of which assisted her in undertaking a self initiated internship with renowned UK fashion/costume jeweller Scott Wilson in London!  Natalia researched and approached Scott directly, and found herself working for him for 6 months fulltime – an amazing opportunity which has given her an incredible wealth of experience and inspiration for her own practise upon returning to Melbourne.

Natalia is now back in a busy rhythm of designing and making new wearable works for her local stockists, and she also works one day a week lecturing at RMIT.  When not designing, making or lecturing, Natalia can also be found working at Pieces of Eight, which of course stocks her own jewellery pieces and the work of so many other wonderful local makers.

DO visit Natalia’s blog here!  You can buy her work at the very best local jewellery galleries - e.g.etal and Pieces of Eight in Melbourne, Metalab and Studio 20 / 17 in Sydney and many more stockists listed on her blog.

Massive thanks to Natalia for her time sharing her story with us today.  She’s offered up so much wisdom and generous advice for budding independent designers and makers – thankyou Natalia!

Jeweller Natalia Milosz-Piekarska in her Melbourne studio.  Photo – Lucy Feagins

Tell us a little bit about your background – What did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I initially studied Design/Visual Communication at Monash, and in my final year I had the opportunity to take up a gold and silversmithing class as an elective. I was actually really terrible at it, and when I graduated it wasn’t exactly at the forefront of my mind, though neither was a career as a graphic designer. So instead I collected a few stamps on the passport and travelled for three years.

It was upon my return to Melbourne, and after being hugely inspired by the contemporary jewellery scene both locally and abroad, that persuaded me to give gold and silversmithing another go. I did some short courses to get my basic skills up, before finally applying for RMIT’s Gold and Silversmithing degree. I studied for four years, and have been out in the real world making work almost full-time ever since. When I’m not in the studio you can find me teaching at RMIT one day a week or working at Pieces of Eight.

Stackable rings by Natalia Milosz-Piekarska for Pieces of Eight

You’ve recently returned back to Melbourne after a stint in London where you completed a studio internship with renowned fashion/costume jeweller Scott Wilson. What did you learn and take away from this experience?

It was an intensely exciting and challenging time! Apart from having followed and admired Scott Wilson’s practice for some time, one of the reasons I wanted to work for him was due to how different our aesthetics and practices are. Scott’s work, more often than not, is about beautiful clean lines, precision, angles and attention to detail. He’s also has a multifaceted practice where he produces his own collections, as well as collaborating with fashion designers and creating one off amazing costume pieces for musicians and performers. It was great working with someone who has successfully managed to straddle the worlds of art, design and fashion without compromising quality and craftsmanship. While working with Scott I picked up a whole bag of new technical skills that I otherwise wouldn’t normally apply to my organic, free form work, and I also gained a much greater understanding of how diverse and collaborative the world of a contemporary jeweller can be.

Last year you were awarded both the British Council ‘Realise Your Dream’ and Ian Potter Cultural Trust travel grants. Given your success rate, what advice can you creative types, like yourself, about the secret world of grants?

Oh, don’t jinx me! I don’t know if there are any big secrets I can divulge. I guess with my successful applications (and I assure you there have been many unsuccessful ones) it’s been mainly due to applying for the right grant at the right time of my career. If you’ve arrived at a certain point in your career development where you truly feel like some financial assistance is what’s needed to propel you to the next level, then it’s a matter of articulating this clearly to the funding body you’re applying to, and demonstrating how their assistance can greatly contribute to your future development. The more you apply for, the better you get at articulating what you’re about and what you want to get out of what you’re doing. I think the process of applying for grants is valuable in itself, as it really forces you to think about your work and the direction you want to take it.

Individually handcarved and painted jewellery pieces by Natalia Milosz-Piekarska, inspired by food.

How would you best describe your own style of jewellery design?

Eclectic, whimsical, curious and spirited. It’s usually colourful, a little bit peculiar, playful and maybe just a touch mysterious. I like to think my work triggers a sense of curiosity, humour and magic. I like the idea that people find themselves drawn to my work and develop some kind of unexplainable bond with it, as though it was a mysterious treasure of some kind.

Love these painterly design drawings by Natalia, inspired by tasty Japanese cuisine!

You’ve exhibited your work everywhere from local Australian contemporary jewellery matriarchs including Pieces of Eight, e.g.etal and Metalab to galleries abroad in Auckland, Munich and San Francisco. Do you have any advice for emerging contemporary jewellers looking to make, exhibit and sell their work in Australia?

I think one of the most important things you can do as an emerging jeweller, or any kind of artist/designer for that matter, is to be active within the creative community around you. There are a lot of great projects, facilities and opportunities out there for creatives to get involved in, and they’re generally not hard to find and be a part of. It’s a great way to build networks, have your work seen and help you develop the knowledge, contacts and know-how needed to propel you to the next level within your practice.

Can you tell us a little about your current Carnival Collection made exclusively for e.g.etal, and give us a little insight into the inner workings of Natalia M.P? From concept to finished product, what processes do you employ when beginning a new collection?

The Carnival Collection is the beginning of a new body of work I started developing since returning home from the UK late last year. It has taken me a bit of time to get back into the swing of things, so I started doing little abstract drawings to help tease out some ideas. These drawings ended pinned up next to my workbench, and after starring at them daily I finally decided to try and make a piece of jewellery loosely based on one. It turned out to be quite a sweet little piece, so naturally I kept going!

I don’t have one particular way of working, I can be quite chaotic and spontaneous. I have a strong conceptual side to my work that I always rely on, but at the end of the day I love working with colour and materials, and often let them tell the story. Sometimes an idea will evolve from a drawing, other times I’ll just sit down and start playing with a bit of wax or a piece of timber, and a shape I like will start to take hold sooner or later.

New Earrings by Natalia Milosz-Piekarska for E.g.etal

Which Australian designers, artists or creative people are you loving right now?

I love the work of Melbourne-based jeweller/object maker Nicholas Bastin. His recent show at Craft Victoria was a knock out! I’m still dreaming about owning some of the pieces from that show. Australian born, Europe-based Lucy McRae is also making some major waves with her various projects. I’m really impressed with the scale and breadth of her work.

Recently if I’ve been in need of a little boost of inspiration and wonderment, a walk around the Living Water: Contemporary Art of the Far Western Dessert exhibition has really hit the spot. It’s at the Ian Potter Gallery until the end of the year and showcases some of the most stunning contemporary Indigenous Australian paintings I have ever seen. Finally the industrious and talented crew at the newly established NorthCity4 in Brunswick, Melbourne are high on my radar. This fabulous group, comprised of prominent and successful jewellers and creative’s in their own right, has launched a fantastic studio-based initiative offering workspaces, workshops, seminars and more to the jewellery and wider creative community.

Can you list for us 5 resources across any media (ie specific websites, magazines, blogs or books) you turn when in need of a bolt of creative inspiration when beginning a new piece or collection?

Mr Kitly has a beautifully kept Tumblr, as does Confetti System, both which I have become slightly obsessed with.  Chicago-based artist Essimar does beautiful things with paper and other bits and bobs. Patternity is great if I just want to stare at an avalanche of awesome imagery. I must also admit that I am a serial mag flicker, I’ve always got random magazines (both trashy and high brow) on the go. Currently I have an issue of Apartamento on my bedside table that is feeding me loads of inspiration.

What does a typical day day at work involve for you?

I’ll usually go through all my emails at home over a pot of coffee and breakfast, then I’ll make my way over to the studio in the Nicholas Building. With any luck by the time I arrive some of my studio buddies will waiting for me, so we can dabble in a little procrastinatory chit chat before finally nutting down and starting work for the day. I’ll then have a good long look at the mess on my bench and get down to whatever business needs attending to, which usually includes a combination of finishing off a piece from the day before, starting something new or wading through masses of paperwork and bookkeeping.

Lunch is a bit of a ritual for me and my studio buddy Karla Way, who I’ve shared a studio with since we both studied together. If we’re both in on the same day we’ll head out to get something from down the road, come back up to the studio and eat together, while musing over life and work and all the bits in between. Then it’s back to the bench or out running errands to and from metal casters, gem dealers, stockists, art supplies shops and the post office. Each day varies, but I truly love going to work. I love my studio and the people I share it with.

Natalia’s workspace in The Nicholas Building, Melbourne.  Photo – Lucy Feagins

What would be your dream creative project?

There’s no one dream project to be honest. I just aim to keep things diverse, challenging and exciting. I’m open to any number of things that come my way. At the moment I’m currently working with a contemporary dancer for an upcoming group exhibition, and through this process have found that I would love to explore more collaborative work with other creatives in the future. I also love to travel, so any opportunities that would allow me to marry my work with travel are high up on the ‘dream big’ list!

What are you looking forward to?

Lunch! But really, in the more long term I have a few exciting projects brewing (stay tuned!). Otherwise I’m pretty easily pleased. I look forward to lazy weekends, a good meal with good friends, and new travel adventures.

‘The One‘ – beautiful engagement rings by Natalia for Pieces of Eight

Melbourne Questions

Your favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

Uh oh, that’s tricky. I’ve just recently moved north side after spending my entire life south side, so my loyalties are divided. It’s not really a Melbourne neighbourhood, but I do love the Mornington Peninsula. My mum and her partner have a house up there, so it’s accidentally become the perfect getaway any time of year.

Your favourite fossicking spots in Melbourne for jewellery supplies/tools of your trade?

I have a few suppliers that I go to for all the technical stuff, but nothing beats a good old rummage through Camberwell Market, Chapel Street Bazaar, Savers, hobby shops and good old Arthur Daley’s on Swanston Street, the later which supplies us with our never ending bowl of sugary treats in the studio.

Natalia’s trusty toolkit.  Photo – Lucy Feagins

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

I had a pretty epic breakfast at St Edmonds just off Greville Street the other day. Also I can’t go past a  veggie baguette from Waffle On on Degraves Street – it’s so big it will keep you going until dinner time! And I have to say, nothing beats a home cooked Sunday roast chicken like the one I had at my buddy’s house last weekend.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

If all is well I might go for a morning run, mainly to justify the lazy coffee, newspaper and pastry ritual that follows. Then it’s anyone’s game.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Well, it’s not really Melbourne CBD, and it’s not really a secret, but there is a little local food store in Red Hill that has the most mouthwatering array of local produce including cheese, meats, preserves, wines, beers, the world’s (unofficial) best apple juice etc. – you name it, it has it! It seriously is that overwhelming that it’s been known to induce mild panic attacks caused by unadulterated happiness.

Posted by Lisa at 6:00 am
Categories - Interview, Jewellery Design Comments (11)
Friday, May 11, 2012

Interview – Leah Bartholomew

Beneath The Sun ‘Girl in Flowers’ cushion

Beneath The Sun ‘shapes’ cushions and ‘The Sun Shines On’ tea towel

Pillowcases by Beneath The Sun.  Cannot decide my favourite!  Maybe the ‘My Only Song’ ones!?  Tough call!

Leah Bartholomew is a quiet achiever.  After five years working in Melbourne as Beci Orpin‘s right hand woman, last year Leah decided it was time to move back to her childhood home – the tiny town of Bilambil.. half an hour north of Byron Bay in Northern NSW.  She craved the warmer weather, and the idea of getting back to nature.  It was also an opportunity to stop, reflect on her achievements so far and lessons learnt working with Beci (now one of Leah’s closest pals), and take time out to plan the launch of her very own label.  Before long, Beneath The Sun was born!

There’s something so totally cheerful and uplifting about Leah’s work – her fabulous range of soft furnishings, homewares, stationery and art prints really do seem to capture some of that Queensland sunshine!  They just make you smile.  I love the combo of soft, watercoloury graphics with much bolder, hard-edged shapes, and Leah’s playfulness with type.  It all points to such a free, intuitive design process… and somehow the work does seem to convey Leah’s joy at being able to create her own work, under her own label for the very first time!

In addition to her range of sweet homewares, stationery and prints, Leah continues to work as a graphic designer, consulting to various likeminded brands – I love the simple but fabulous instore display she created last year for Arabella Ramsey (pictured below).

In a random twist, Leah is also an excellent potter!  Is there anything this lady can’t do!?  Check out her blog for some pics of recent ceramic creations – I want one!

Massive thanks to dear Leah for turning this interview around at a difficult time.  She had a somewhat spontaneous pop-up last week in Melbourne, but annoyingly I couldn’t cover it because we were on the whole Newcastle vibe last week. ANYWAY, you can buy beautiful Beneath the Sun wares online, and Leah’s on the hunt for stockists in Melbourne and Sydney – retailers, pounce now!

Leah Bartholomew of Beneath The Sun – photo by Lucy Feagins

Tell us a little about your background – what path led you to illustration and design originally, and then on to launching your own label?

It started with a degree in Fine Arts from Brisbane College of Arts and Southern Cross Uni Lismore. Obsessed with painting and screen printing, I then moved to Melbourne to get amongst the incredible arts and design scene happening there. Upon arriving in Melbourne I discovered the work of PAM, Beci Orpin and Josh Petherick, and knew instantly that I wanted to pursue something along the lines of what they were doing.

I was a student for years and I loved it. First the degree, then diplomas in Screen Printing and Graphic Arts at RMIT. While still studying, my friend Amanda Maxwell was working with PAM and told me that Beci was looking for a right-hand person. I sent my folio to her thinking I would just be more than happy for her just to see it. Surprisingly she called me straight away and said we needed to meet. The day I was told I had the job is clearly etched in my mind as a VERY happy one. After five amazing years with Beci in the studio, I then made the full circle route back to my childhood home of Tweed Heads to start my homewards label Beneath The Sun, and pursue my art and design work.

Illustration created with Beci Orpin for Insight, when Leah worked for Beci

For many years you worked with Beci Orpin before going out on your own – how have you found the transition from working for someone to launching your own range and working for yourself?

I was able to learn so much from Beci about the art of self discipline and using your time wisely, that when it finally came time to set up my own studio the transition was made relatively easy. There are things I definitely miss about Beci’s studio. We bounced off each other so well, and always had new things to show and ways to inspire one another. I always had crazy stories for her being a gateway to life without children. I also miss the clients we worked for, and getting to do textiles for people like Built By Wendy, Gorman, Jethro and Jackson, and loads of other fun design projects.

I really wanted to return to my home town in Northern NSW and get back to nature and warm weather. It all felt very right once I got back, I even managed to find the perfect house in the hills to set up my business. Funnily though, my first freelance project took me on a flight back to Melbourne for a job doing Arabella Ramsay’s shop window. It was upon my return to NSW after this that I started writing my business plan for Beneath The Sun, and began designing and making art nonstop. It’s all gone very fast in the last year and although I had lots of experience beforehand, it’s been a very steep learning curve while simultaneously being a total joy.

Arabella Ramsey window display 2011

Leah installing Arabella Ramsey window display 2011

What have been some favourite recent projects you’ve been working on?

Beneath The Sun has been pretty full-time for me lately. In the last two weeks we have absolutely loved doing The Finders Keepers market in Melbourne and the pop-up shop at Harvest Textiles. Also coming up is Paper Runway magazine’s art show The Paper Trail in Byron Bay, which I have artworks in, that is going to be fun!

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I wake up really early up here compared to the cold mornings in Melbourne (Beci would be shocked!). Tim and I will then go for a beach walk/swim, pop into mum and dad’s for a tea, before heading back home to write the daily to-do list on the deck. It’s a pretty nice morning ritual really. I’ll always begin with a read of TDF, check emails, ‘research’ blogs, pack orders, and run around to screen printers, fabric wholesalers and makers. If I’m extremely lucky I’ll get to make art and designs all day long.

Textile designs by Leah Bartholomew and Beci Orpin

Textile designs by Leah Bartholomew and Beci Orpin

Can you list for us 5 resources across any media (i.e. specific websites, magazines, blogs or books) you turn to when in need of a bolt of creative inspiration for a new brief or new project?

1. I have obsessed over Graphis books for years, specifically editions from the late sixties and seventies and was lucky enough to find a pile of them in Slovenia a few years ago. These are my go to resource when I need to be reminded of how great design is done.

2. My time gets chewed up easily with my favourite blogs. I read them nearly every night, which is probably why it takes me so long to update my own! A few favourites include Scout Holiday, Marcus Walters, Ensuite, Peaches + Keen, Hélène Georget, Emily Hadden, Color Collective and blog champions Fine Little Day and Hello Sandwich.

3. The area I live in. Northern NSW is so lush and light, full of pastel coloured skies, greenery and the best beaches around.

4. My collection of Eastern European children’s storybooks. I study the techniques used in the drawings. I carted these books around Europe to bring home and they are the first thing I would grab in a fire.

5. Lot’s of magazines (old and new), collected paper, postcards, lolly/food wrappers , basically anything that catches my eye to go into my inspiration box.

Illustration by Leah Bartholomew

Which other local designers or creative people do you admire?

My good friend Jae Copp (incredibly skilled artist), Archer and Archer (garage sale pros), Daydream Lily, Paper Runway magazine, Art Park, Comb Art Space, The Village Market girls and cute local makers The Sentimentalist.

What is the best thing about your job?

Living the dream! Working side-by-side with Tim and our cat Skeds in a timber loft studio that looks onto a view of green hills and the sea.

Pillowcases by Beneath The Sun

What would be your dream creative project?

For a few years now I have been attracted to the idea of working with a design studio based in California, something just keeps drawing me to the relaxed, sunny, surfing vibe, and there are a bunch of designers/artists doing great work there. Someone like Steven Harrington would be a treat to work with!

What are you looking forward to?

Well I just sadly lost an old friend, which throws your perspective on life into another direction, so at the moment I’m appreciating sitting in the sun and absorbing my surroundings.

Illustrations by Leah Bartholomew

Illustration by Leah Bartholomew

Northern NSW Questions

What/where was the last great meal you ate in your local area?

Larb Gai from Thailand Restaurant in West Tweed. Certainly nothing fancy about this place, just great Thai food, and it’s quickly becoming a local favourite.

Which are you favourite local shops/markets or fossicking spots for beautiful homewares and design?

My number one place to find incredible treasures is the Chinderah Bay Antiques and Museum, a shop that specialises in seafaring antiques. I was completely amazed when I discovered this place, it is choc full of maritime and nautical wares and pieces that are used in films and sets. My favourite village for shopping is probably Bangalow, just out of Byron Bay. There is a rug shop there called Milton Cater that stocks the best collection I have seen…anywhere! The rugs must be seen in person, it’s overwhelming how many great ones are available. There are cute shops all the way from Byron Bay to Brunswick Heads, Kingscliff including Raggedy Anne and the Gold Coast is home to another favourite, the very cute Little Love and Happiness in Burleigh Heads.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Cooking up some fresh eggs from the shed up the road, heading to the beach for a swim or surf then fossicking about at local garage sales. This area is a goldmine for retro treasures and antiques, lots of oldies live in Tweed. If it’s not that, then you will find me waking up at a friend’s property from the night before, everyone has to have a spare bed or great lounge around here, it’s too far between places!

Northern NSW’s best kept secret?

Fingal Beach rocks, it’s one of only two places in the world with naturally occurring hexagonal shaped rock columns. This place is a must see! All the waterholes and rock pools in the hinterland, and of course, the beautifully restored art deco Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah.

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Interview Comments (25)
Friday, May 04, 2012

Interview – Shannon Morton

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Adrian Briscoe

Donna Hay Magazine spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Ben Dearnley

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Damian Russell

Donna Hay Magazine cover – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Con Poulos

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Damian Russell

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Damian Russell

What a week it’s been re-living our recent whirlwind tour of Newcastle!  Massive thanks for all your kind words, comments and encouragement – it’s been ace to show you a snapshot of this very special town through TDF’s rose-tinted spectacles :)  Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Today I am SUPER pumped to finish the week with one seriously inspiring Newcastle creative!  After singing the praises of Renew Newcastle and sharing the work of so many emerging creatives on the Guest Blog all week, I thought it would be perfect to finish up with someone sitting at opposite end of the spectrum – a respected, established creative with one seriously impressive CV, who has recently chosen Newcastle as her base after years spent living in Sydney and the UK.

In my mind, Shannon Morton is basically the poster girl for a Newcastle sea-change!  As a magazine art director and creative director, Shannon has worked for some of the best titles in the business, including Donna Hay Magazine in Sydney and Livingetc in London, before deciding last year to make the move to Newcastle with her young family. After many years juggling her rewarding but very demanding creative career in the big smoke, Shannon is loving her new lifestyle – it’s afforded her the opportunity to spend a little more time with her husband and daughter, and a little time away from the rat race has given her the courage and clarity of mind to launch her own design business!

Shannon has been so generous with her responses below – if you’ve ever dreamed of working at a beautiful design magazine, it’s an incredible story to read.   It’s amazing to hear how two years of perseverance finally resulted in Shannon landing her dream job at UK’s Livingetc!  It’s also so lovely to learn that as an experienced independent creative, with focus, hard work, and a bit of momentum, it is possible to base yourself outside of Sydney and Melbourne!  (In fact, last week’s interviewee supports this theory too!)

Massive thanks to Shannon for sharing her story with us today!  Do make time to check out more of her beautiful work on her website, and she also has an excellent blog!

Tell us a little about your career background – What path led you to graphic design and art direction originally, then onto working with prestigious titles such as Donna Hay Magazine in Sydney and Livingetc in the UK?

I studied graphic design at uni and when I left I really wanted to get a job in animation, which I did for about a year or so. I found it to be very techy and not really my thing, so applied for a magazine junior designer role and got it. This began my love affair with magazines! I have been very fortunate to have had some amazing jobs during my career. My first art director role was as the promotions art director of Marie Claire magazine.

After that, I did some travelling and lived and worked in the UK for a few years, freelancing on a variety of different magazines. I then returned to Australia and was lucky enough to become the art director of Donna Hay Magazine. This was a fantastic job and Donna Hay is an incredibly inspiring person to work with. A few years later I moved back to the UK and eventually became the creative director of Livingetc magazine, which again, was a wonderful job.

How did your move to the UK come about, and how did you get your foot in the door at Livingetc?

I have spent the last 10 years basically moving back and forth between Australia and the UK. My husband is English, so we were kind of trying to work out where we wanted to settle down. When we moved to the UK the last time I really wanted to work on Livingetc and contacted the editor when we first arrived. I had to wait two years for the job to come up with Livingetc, and when it eventually did, I finally got it! I definitely think it is worth going after what you want – you just never know unless you try.

Livingetc cover – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Jake Curtis

Many people probably don’t understand the role of a magazine art director – Can you give us a little insight into what this role entails, from story concept to shoot to layout, and your involvement along the way?

It does vary slightly depending on the magazine, but the art director is basically in charge of overseeing the look of the magazine as a whole and making sure that it is visually the best it can be. They are involved in pretty much every step of the process, including decisions concerning the magazine’s overall colour palette, photographic elements, design and typography.

The first stage is the planning meetings, where section editors will present their ideas on what stories they think should be published in a particular issue. The art director will be involved in the decision making process, as well as putting forth any story ideas they may have. The next stage is the lovely part where the art director will work with the style director and editor to decide how the shoots will look, choose photographers and stylists, and look at any props or products that will be included. Then there is the actual shoot. In an ideal world the art director would go to all of the shoots, but unfortunately magazine art departments are quite small and this is not always possible.

Once the shots come in it is time to do the layout – my favourite part! While all of this is going on the art department is busily designing the issue, where the art director is overseeing the layouts and managing the day-to-day running of the art department. Each issue involves an enormous amount of attention to detail and consistency is key. It is a very demanding job, but incredibly creative and rewarding.

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Philip Sinden

You’re now back in Newcastle working on a great variety of freelance design projects (and writing your own gorgeous blog!). What nice projects have you been working on recently?

When we moved back to Australia last year I decided to take the plunge and set up my own graphic design business, Shannon Morton Art Direction & Design. It is still a very new business and really hard work, but I am loving it!  At the moment I am working on some amazing projects including a logo and branding for beautiful Melbourne based-ceramics label The Mod Collective, a website for JustMums recruitment agency, and a new lookbook design for fantastic jewellery label Ruby Olive. I also do regular work for gorgeous fashion label Nearly Nude that I thoroughly enjoy. Plus I have just finished a magazine redesign (it is still a secret squirrel, so can’t tell reveal the title just yet!).

New logo and business card designs for Melbourne ceramics design studio The Mod Collective

Which Australian designers, artists or creative people are you loving right now?

I think Australia has so much amazing talent. Right now I am loving Rachel Castle, Poppies for Grace, Koskela, Bonnie and Neil, Pony Rider, Nancybird and Clair Wayman. I also adore the work of artists Emma Gale and Miranda Skoczek. The other thing I am completely loving is all of the beautiful online magazines being produced in Australia – such as Paper Runway, Tickle the Imagination, Fete and Papier Mache – the standard of these publications is incredibly high and I really admire the people who have the vision to produce them on their own without the support of a large publishing company, it’s very inspiring.

Can you list for us 5 resources across any media (i.e. specific websites, magazines, blogs or books) you turn to when in need of a bolt of creative inspiration for a new brief or new project?

1. My room full of magazines – I seriously have way too many!
2. Oh Joy! blog – endlessly inspiring.
3. Color Collective blog – I am really inspired by colour combinations and this blog is perfect for that.
4. My tearsheets – collected with love over the years and invaluable to my design process.
5. Etsy

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

It really depends on what I am working on, but normally I will spend the first hour or so responding to emails and updating my blog or Facebook page. Then I will spend the rest of the day designing whatever lovely thing it is I have on the go, for instance a logo, website concepts or magazine work. I am pretty much chained to my mac!

Donna Hay Magazine spreads – styling by Donna Hay, photography by Con Poulos, art direction by Shannon Morton

What would be your dream creative project?

My sister and I are working on a range of kids linens, so I would love to see this dream become a reality. If I was dreaming really big, I would love to collaborate on a design project with one of my all time favourite brands, for instance Anthropologie, Designers Guild or Thomas Paul.

What are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to continuing to build my design business and working with lots of inspiring people and brands.

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Matthew Williams

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Matthew Williams

Newcastle Questions

What brought you back to Newcastle after many years working in Sydney and London, and what is it you love most about living here?

I guess it is the lifestyle that has brought me back to Newcastle. Now that I work for myself I no longer need to be city-based. I love the fact that we can just pop to the beach for an afternoon stroll and not have to sit in traffic. Our neighbourhood also has a great community feel and just a really nice vibe about it. I also love the art and craft scene happening here in Newcastle at the moment.

Your favourite shops/fossicking spots in Newy for beautiful things for your home?

My favourite shop in Newcastle is Betty Mim. I adore it, it has so many beautiful things! I also love Habitat Living for furniture and Blackbird Corner has lots of lovely little bits and pieces, as well as a fantastic collection of independent magazines. Plus The Olive Tree Market is a treasure trove of local art, craft and design. I can happily spend hours wandering around there.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in your local area?

Sprout Dining for great food, wine and an excellent atmosphere.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

We have a three-year-old daughter so my Saturdays are normally spent either talking to the ducks at Richley Reserve or catching up with family and friends.

Newcastle’s best kept secret?

Our favourite local restaurant – Paul’s Asian Affair – yummy!

Livingetc spread – art direction by Shannon Morton, photography by Emma Lee
Posted by Lisa at 6:00 am
Categories - Graphic Design, Interview, Newcastle Comments (9)
Friday, April 27, 2012

Interview – Shannon Fricke

Shannon Fricke at her home studio in Bangalow, NSW – photograph by Prue Ruscoe

Bayshore Bungalows in Byron Bay - interiors by Shannon Fricke,  photograph by Alicia Taylor

Shannon Fricke‘s home in Bangalow, NSW – photograph by Prue Ruscoe

Styling by Shannon Fricke – photograph by Prue Ruscoe

New bedlinen by Shannon Fricke – available to buy here.  Photographs by Prue Ruscoe.

New bedlinen by Shannon Fricke – available to buy here.  Photographs by Prue Ruscoe

Shannon Fricke had totally got is sussed.  After forging a successful career in interiors styling and decoration, Shannon glided effortlessly into TV – presenting more than sixty episodes of HOME for The Lifestyle Channel, and popping up in various other home decoration-related shows.  Along the way she’s developed product ranges from ceramics to bedlinen, and authored numerous books – the latest of which, ‘How to Decorate‘, hits bookstores this week!

As if that list of career highlights isn’t impressive enough, Shannon has one other seriously envy-inducing achievement under her belt – in 2006 she moved her family from Sydney to a farmhouse in Bangalow in the hinterland of Byron Bay, where her business is now based.  The move to Byron Bay certainly hasn’t slowed Shannon down – during the week she works on a great variety of design and styling projects from her light-filled home studio.  On weekends, you’ll find her cooking, gardening and looking after the farm – if she’s not running one of her popular decorating workshops.  Sheesh.  This is a lady who we can safely say has it all. How infuriating!

But despite having the whole career / family / life balance situation well and truly sorted, Shannon is so genuinely likeable you really can’t help but fall in love with her! She’s one of those wonderful creatives who is so open and generous with their advice and contacts – her passion for beautiful interiors is something she can’t help but share.

What is special about Shannon’s style is her seemingly effortless approach to decorating – her interiors are always super stylish yet completely relaxed, family friendly and somehow quintessentially Australian.  Shannon says home really should be a sanctuary – ‘I believe that how you decorate your home can have a big influence on how you feel living in it, and my aim is to offer people the decorating tools needed to create home they love’ she says.

Shannon’s latest book, How To Decorate, published by Penguin, is based on the popular decorating workshops Shannon holds in her home studio in Bangalow. Offering practical, down-to-earth tips on decorating a home from start to finish, the book is priced at $39.95 and available now in all good bookshops!

To co-incide with the book launch Shannon has also unveiled a brand new website this week – do pop over for a little look around, and be sure to check out her beautiful new bedlinen range, and of course her much-loved blog.

Massive thanks to Shannon for sharing her story with us today!

Shannon Fricke at her home studio in Bangalow, NSW – photograph by Prue Ruscoe

Tell us a little about your career background – what path led to interior decoration and styling originally, and on to the varied projects you now work on?

I’ve had a varied career to date. As a young girl I dreamed of a creative career, and spent my days imagining a life styling photo shoots and writing articles about fashion and beauty (my number one loves!) I was lucky enough to spend many years as an editor (beauty, deputy, style) on magazines such as Dolly and Cleo and this is where I learnt the ropes and worked out how to navigate my way through what was and still is a very competitive industry.

As I grew older, got married and had children I had a major shift in focus – fashion and beauty took a back step and all things home became my life.  My mother had been an avid decorator and I realised that I had a bit of a knack for it too!  I spent a few years building my confidence decorating my own home before I unleashed myself on the world!

Over time I developed a style that I think people could relate to and a career developed organically from there. I try to apply my stylistic and creative principles to all of my work (whether that be writing books, developing a product line or decorating an interior) and this taken me on a journey that I could have never predicted at the outset. Really, at the heart of all of my work lies the same dream I held as a young girl – to spend my days working creatively and having fun along the way.

You work on an immense variety of projects – from decorating to styling, creating product ranges and authoring books!  What have been one or two favourite projects in recent years?

Oh it’s so hard to choose two – as all of my projects are like my children and I just can’t favour one over the other! However, if forced, I would have to say two recent favourites would be my new range of Shannon Fricke Bedlinen, and a small hotel (called Bayshore Bungalows) that I designed in Byron Bay.

Developing a product line has been a learning curve both creatively and organisationally – and there’s nothing that I love more than pushing myself to discover new ways of doing things and testing my abilities.


New bedlinen by Shannon Fricke – available to buy here.  Photographs by Prue Ruscoe

Working on a small hotel was a treat, particularly as it’s in my home town. The brief was to refurb what were existing (but outdated) brick bungalows making them contemporary without losing their charm. And then through the decoration, adding that lovely laid-back vibe that Byron Bay is known for… Plus, I was able to play around with my favourite colour palette (blue and green) – which is always a joy for me!

Bayshore Bungalows in Byron Bay - interiors by Shannon Fricke,  photograph by Alicia Taylor

Bayshore Bungalows in Byron Bay - interiors by Shannon Fricke,  photograph by Alicia Taylor

Your new book is out this week! Congratulations! How long have you been working on this latest title, and what can we expect to see in ‘How to Decorate’?

The idea for the book was inspired by my How To Decorate workshops that I have been running out of my studio for the past couple of years. I love to decorate and love nothing more than inspiring others to get down and dirty with the subject. I find that often it’s confidence (and the practical tools of the trade) that prevent budding creatives from embarking down the decorating path. The aim with this book is to provide readers with a decorating road map – a step-by-step manual to help them along their creative journey.

Shannon’s brand new book, How to Decorate, published by Penguin and out now in all good bookshops!

Can you give us a little insight into the inner workings of Shannon Fricke inc!? Where are you based, how is your office structured, how many do you employ to tackle the great variety of work you do, and what significant tasks do you outsource?

My studio is based in my home town of Bangalow/Byron Bay – a small town in country NSW where I’ve been living with my family for the past six years. Working remotely has been both fulfilling and challenging, and I’ve had to be resourceful in how I structure my business.  Our location has meant that a major component of the work we do is online or computer driven/generated. However, the workshops (which I hold in my studio in Bangalow) are an important and very personal way for me to remain connected with my audience and fellow decorating enthusiasts.

We run a tight ship here, and there are no more than two to three of us working in the studio at any given time. Luckily though, I have a large network of supporters who are at the ready to come on board when things get a little crazy – with photo shoots and the like. Byron Bay is full of the most extraordinarily, creative people so I’m never at a loss when I need an extra hand. In Australia, particuarly in a creative field such as decorating, it’s important to be a multi-disciplinary business. It’s not uncommon for us to be working on product or interior design, photographic shoots, website design and PR and marketing on any given day. Most things we produce, that relate to the brand, are driven out of my studio – I find that it’s the only way to remain faithful to my style and brand.

Which Australian designers, artists or creative people are you loving right now?

I’m a big fan of local artist Hilary Herrmann – her work is ethereal and simply beautiful, and reflects my love of whimsy and shadows.

Designer Anna Spiro is always an inspiration. Her work is joyful and her style is instantly recognisable which is the mark of a great creative I feel.

Julie Paterson from Cloth is always up to great things. And on the fashion front, the girls at Ginger and Smart always enlighten me with their cutting edge patterning and feminine shapes.

Can you list for us 5 resources across any media (websites, magazines, blogs or books) you turn to when in need of a bolt of creative inspiration for a new brief or new project?

I’m a collector of books – everything from design and travel to Deepak Chopra! I find that sometimes, it’s not what you see, but how you feel that really gets the creativity going, and Deepak can do wonders to connect you to your inner stylist! (I know, so Byron Bay!)

If I’m pushing the gauntlet then Australian Vogue Living or UK Elle Decoration help take me to another level. I love online shops such as Anthropologie, West Elm and Bloomingville for a bit of product and catalogue design inspiration. Sometimes my favourite photographers (such as Prue Ruscoe, Hugh Stewart, fine art photographer Gregory Crewdson and more) will help me tap into my creativity, and you’ll often find me on photographic websites checking out what’s going on in their worlds.

Styling by Shannon Fricke – photograph by Prue Ruscoe

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

No two days are ever typical which is why I love what I do so much… Generally though, I wake early (around 6.00am), hop in the shower and if it’s summer I’ll head to the beach for a swim or in winter straight to my favourite café to get my daily dose of coffee and catching up with my café friends. Then, it’s back home, get the kids ready for the bus and off to the studio by 9.00am.

The day consists of lots of calling, emailing and organising. I tend to finish up at the studio by 4.00 – 5.00pm, collect the kids from the bus or after school stuff, and then home for dinner. More emailing, writing or working ensues! Bed by 10.00pm. Shoot days are of course, completely different. Up at 4.00 or 5.00am – finish at dark… Loads of running around inbetween! Then there’s the travel days!

What would be your dream creative project?

Developing further product lines – such as fabric, table top, bathroom ware would be so much fun…. More books…  A TV show filmed at my farm (so I don’t ever have to leave home!) would be lovely too! Or the design of a small hotel on a Caribbean island would be a thrill. So hard to stick to one dream!

What are you looking forward to ?

This year is shaping up to be a huge one – and I can’t wait to see how the book and bedlinen are received out there in the market. I’m also looking forward to my next trip to NYC – I’m very excited about growing our market beyond Australian shores to our US friends…

Byron Bay Questions

What initially drew you to Byron Bay, and what is it you love most about living here?

I love the free spirited nature of Byron Bay. Where you can be exactly who you are without constraints and judgement. The beaches are the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen anywhere and spending every day in paradise is a blessing.

You favourite shops / fossicking spots in Byron for furniture / soft furnishings and home accessories?

I love Island Luxe in Bangalow, and Island Luxe Tribe in Byron Bay for all things haute boho. One Fine Day in Station Street Bangalow is just so cute for paper products and bits and bobs, and Brauer Birds for quirky style.

Heath’s Old Wares is a favourite haunt for fossicking and treasure hunting as is Chinderah Bay Antiques and Red Neds Salvage in Tweed Heads.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in your local area?

At breakfast this morning at Targa in Marvel St, Byron Bay where I ate Gravalax Salmon on a potato cake with a poached egg! Yummo…

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Swimming at Clarkes Beach down in Byron Bay, then a coffee stop at The Top Shop followed by farm chores and gardening!

Byron’s best kept secret?

The beautiful mountains that surround Byron Bay are filled with the most extraordinary delights. Minyon Falls, Eltham Pub for lunch, the markets at the Channon and shopping at Bangalow. Pure heaven…

Shannon’s stunning Bangalow property, as photographed by Prue Ruscoe
Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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Friday, April 20, 2012

Interview – Rachel Luchetti and Stuart Krelle of Luchetti Krelle

Today we’re trying something new – in an effort to cover Sydney design news a little more effectively, I’ve decided to enlist some occasional assistance! We’re thrilled to have Sydney-based writer/blogger/sub editor extraordinaire Lee Tran Lam contribute today’s interview with dynamic Sydney design studio Luchetti Krelle.

Lee Tran Lam has been working in magazines for the past ten years,  contributing to publications such as The Big Issue, Rolling Stone, Sydney Morning Herald and the Good Food Guide. Most recently, she spent five years working for Inside Out, where she was deputy chief sub-editor, blog editor and all-round social media guru!  Lee Tran has her own excellent food blog, The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry, which she’s been writing for nearly five years, and she’s also a presenter on Sydney’s FBi 94.5FM.  She is currently working as a freelance writer.  Please make her feel very welcome! – Lucy x

Adriano Zumbo patisserie designed by Sydney interior design team Luchetti Krelle

Adriano Zumbo patisserie designed by Luchetti Krelle

Adriano Zumbo patisserie designed by Luchetti Krelle

Momofuku Seiobo at Sydney’s Star Casino, designed by Luchetti Krelle

Momofuku Seiobo at Sydney’s Star Casino, designed by Luchetti Krelle

Following the work of Sydney’s Luchetti Krelle is like going on a choose-your-own adventure. You never know what will happen next.

One moment, this dynamic interior design duo offers up Hinky Dinks – a charming, time-tripping Darlinghurst bar that makes you feel like you’re sipping cocktails in a 1950′s kitchen. Among all the retro-pop furnishings is an actual working fridge from the era – it’s so heavy that it took four men to carry it through the door (they don’t make ‘em like they used to!). The fit-out is quirky but super slick – you wouldn’t guess for a second that the fridge came from Gumtree(!!), and the deceptively tiny bar hides concealed storage in every nook.

And then there’s a blockbuster project like Momofuku Seiobo, the first restaurant that superstar chef David Chang opened outside of New York. Part of the $860 million redevelopment of Sydney’s Star casino complex, this establishment is sleek and understated, enveloped in striking rows of black vertical bars that elegantly conceal the diners inside from nosey passers-by (or anyone wanting to cast a judgemental eye over the Angus Young photos prominently featured in the restaurant – David Chang really likes his AC/DC).

In the opposite direction, both literally and conceptually, is Luchetti Krelle’s colour-dazed patisserie for Adriano Zumbo. It’s an attention-grabbing saccharine wonderland, complete with a dessert version of a sushi train, macaron wallpaper, and Willy Wonka-inspired flourishes in every corner – such as the quirky macaron display cabinets which read ‘In case of emergency, break glass!’

Luchetti Krelle’s varied portfolio clearly favours restaurant and bar interiors, but also includes residential and commercial projects. Impressively, their CV also boasts a number of industry awards, and a stint as interior design consultants for the Sydney Opera House!

The Luchetti Krelle studio, based in Surry Hills, has been running since 2008. It was started by Rachel Luchetti and Stuart Krelle when they were in their twenties.  This talented duo thought striking out on their own so early in their careers was worth the risk – they didn’t have kids or mortgages, so why not?  ’I just figured that if it didn’t work out, we could just go and work for someone else again.’ says Rachel. Luckily, with a swag of impressive projects under their belts and many more in the pipeline, that doesn’t look likely anytime soon!

Major thanks to Rachel and Stuart from Luchetti Krelle for their excellent answers and pictures and to Isabel Koenig for her help rounding up these pics!

Tell us a little about your background – What path led you to what you’re doing now?

Rachel Luchetti (RL): I knew that I wanted to be an interior designer or architect when I was just a kid. I set my path and just stuck to it single-mindedly through my final years of school and right through university. I’ve never even considered doing anything else. After graduating and working for an architecture firm for few years, I ran into Stuart (who I was acquainted with from uni) and asked him to join our interior design team. After working together for about a year, we identified a niche in hospitality design and just went for it.

Stuart Krelle (SK): Well, my path into interior design was an indirect one. I danced around the idea of design for three years, before making a serious attempt at it. I had a go at marketing and business in the meantime.

You’ve made your name on a variety of jobs (including Sake, Adriano Zumbo, Hinky Dinks and Momofuku Seiobo). What have been some of your favourite design projects in recent years?

RL: In all honesty, I love them all. From the big-budget polished jobs – like Sake and Momofuku Seiobo – to the more quirky and low-budget projects like Hinky Dinks and The Cottage Bar & Kitchen, where our clients are basically doing a DIY to keep costs down.

The Cottage Bar & Kitchen, Balmain

We had a lot of fun with Adriano Zumbo’s patisserie, which balanced a sense of humour with a healthy budget, and we really loved sourcing bits and pieces from all over the world for The Cut. For this project we sourced a lot of the lighting and furniture from Restoration Hardware in the US, but the most unusual objects were found right here at Wombat Hollow in the Southern Highlands, which makes these wonderful lamps using old farming implements, feathers and even an old Driza-Bone jacket!

The Cut

SK: In recent months, working on Adriano Zumbo’s patisserie and Momofuku Seiobo (both at The Star), have been really exciting experiences. Both these spaces are representative of the big-character chefs behind them. Capturing someone’s essence and putting their food and their creative passion on display requires a sensitivity that can be challenging and thought provoking. What we’re proud of are two restaurants that literally sit opposite each other that look so different: dark moody timber and pools of light vs. hot pink neon, all shades of candy and lots of moving parts!

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

RL: Our studio is very relaxed, so Stuart and I both bring in our dogs. My day usually involves a mix of product and concept research, client meetings, site meetings, sketching and, of course, playing with the dogs.

SK: What’s great about the design business is that there is no typical work day. Once I arrive and drop off our office mascot, Winston (with his pal, Rachel’s dog Horse), I can be off doing anything from heading down to a site, meeting with suppliers or, as expected, madly documenting all the drawings required for construction of a project. As we are still a young company, it is still difficult to juggle the design arm of the business and the administrative arm. The business side can start to dominate how my time is spent, rather than what I love and set out to do – design.

How is your business structured? Do you do everything yourselves, or are there others you employ to juggle the variety of work you need to do?

 RL: We used to do everything ourselves, but have gradually built up a team – so we can take on more projects and take a step back from many of the more cumbersome tasks and concentrate more on the big picture and running the business.

SK: We are a team of six now, with two additional, very committed interns. We all have our defined roles and strengths as designers. We pull together different groupings of people as we see fit for particular projects. But there is always a lot of chatter and discussion in the office – everyone has their say! Of course, there is the business and housekeeping side of the company that Rachel and myself take care of. But really it is just another dimension of my job that, though time-consuming, is still fascinating.

Hinky Dinks – a step back in time.  Photo – Dieu Tan

Are there any significant tasks you outsource?

RL: We try to do everything in-house, including lighting design, custom furniture design, wallpaper, graphics etc.

SK: The beauty of being a designer is that it is difficult to be reduced to a speciality. We are constantly extending ourselves on projects and we see our roles shift into graphic and furniture design, and sometimes stylist. Out of a concept we discussed with our client Adriano Zumbo (‘King of Macarons’) for a Willy Wonka-esque lickable wallpaper, we made the gradient macaron wallpaper that adorns the dining area walls of his patisserie.

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

RL: I find the best source of creative inspiration is to be well travelled and we both value this highly – taking it in turns to visit all corners of the globe for research and inspiration. The internet also offers us a virtual tour which we use on a daily basis. I also like watching old films for era-specific design clues.

SK: A corny as it sounds, the greatest creative resource is the world and travel. Be it overseas, interstate or simply getting out of the city, travel always reinvigorates and inspires. I always have my camera and notebook at the ready.

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

RL: I’m a big fan of what some architects are doing with public building designs at the moment. Take ARM Architecture, for example, and their work at Hamer Hall in Southbank, Melbourne. It’s adventurous, playful and clever.

SK: I’m really interested in the work of furniture designers Jaime Hayon and Patricia Urquiola. They both seem to be able to turn their hand to such varied design briefs and produce anything from a chair to a glass vases, bathroom fittings and giant chess pieces – always with their unique stamp. It’s particularly fascinating watching Hayon’s projects as they move more towards interiors.

What would be your dream creative project?

RL: A resort on a tropical island – the ultimate in relaxed luxury and hospitality design.

SK: To design a space – say a hotel – and then design every fixture, every light and every piece of furniture within that space.

What are you looking forward to?

RL: I’m really looking forward to unveiling the two French-themed projects we are currently working on at the moment. It might just involve a research and buying trip to Paris!

SK: We’ve got a couple of things in the pipeline. Would you believe we are working on a French bistro for one client down in the Rocks and then another French-themed pub for a different client? We’re keeping busy with a revamp of the foyers and bars of the Lyric theatre down at The Star. There is also an exciting potential project for us up in Brisbane, so fingers crossed!

Xanthi bar and restaurant designed by Luchetti Krelle

Sydney Questions

Your favourite Sydney neighbourhood and why?

RL: The Rocks. I just love the historic buildings and the buzz. It used to be too touristy, but now with cool bars and restaurants – us locals get to really celebrate it. I live in Kirribilli with my husband Gerard, so we can just walk across the Harbour Bridge or jump on a ferry for Sunday arvo drinks in the sun.

SK: I’ve always loved Darlinghurst. My partner and I have lived there for many years. The history of the place is palpable in the narrow streets and lanes with deco apartments and turn-of-the-century terraces hidden behind overgrown ferns and palms. But it’s also modern and sophisticated. It’s a great place to go for a walk in the evening, because it is one of the few places in Sydney that feels truly European; the streets are buzzy late into the night any day of the week.

Your most admired architectural icon in Sydney?

RL: Apart from the obvious – the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – I would have to say the adaptive reuse of the finger wharves.

SK: Roslyn Street Bar and Restaurant by Durbach Block Jagger architects in Kings Cross. It incorporates the architecture typical of the area – like the small, irregular sized windows all around the facade – while also absorbing the buildings in the vicinity, in its surface of gloss, matte, white and biscuit-coloured tiles.

Your favourite bookstore in Sydney for reference books and inspiration?

RL: Kinokuniya on George Street in the Galeries Victoria is an excellent source for reference books, with an extensive range of Japanese material.

SK: Published Art tucked away on Mary Street in Surry Hills. It’s a must for anyone interested in art, architecture and design. It has plenty of air-freighted magazines and Sharon (the owner) is always happy to order in a more obscure title.

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

RL: Porteno in Surry Hills. All I can say is that I actually dream about its lamb ribs. And who knew brussel sprouts could taste that good?

SK: Can I cheat and say somewhere in the Southern Highlands? Bowral is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway for Sydneysiders and Biota Dining knocked my socks off. The food is all about freeze-drying, dehydration and micro-herbs and yet is still wholesome, warm and reflects the very essence of a kitchen garden. The atmosphere is inviting and homely too.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

RL: Every Saturday, without fail, we go to Curl Curl beach – Horse (our dog) swims in the lagoon and Gerard sometimes surfs.

SK: Weekend breakfast out is a must, and usually in Redfern or Marrickville.

Sydney’s best kept secret?

RL: Springbok Delights – a butcher and smallgoods shop on Mowbray Road in Lane Cove. It has the best wagyu biltong in the world!

SK: The old institutional grounds dotted around Sydney, where you can walk like you are the only one around.  These include the Convalescent Home or Dame Edith Walker Reserve along the Parramatta River.

There is also getting from Erskineville to Coogee in under 15 minutes on a Saturday, but I am not going to give that away!

- Interview and story by Lee Tran Lam

Posted by Lisa at 6:00 am
Categories - Interior Design, Interview, Sydney Comments (10)
Friday, April 13, 2012

Interview – Miriam Fanning and Felicity Watts of Mim Design

PLE Residence, Hawthorn – designed by Mim Design, photo – Shannon McGrath

RCG Residence designed by Mim Design, photos – Derek Swalwell

RCG Residence designed by Mim Design, photos - Derek Swalwell

RCG Residence designed by Mim Design, photos - Derek Swalwell

Joy Cupcakes – designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

Joy Cupcakes interior – designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

Last December, amidst the madness of The Design Files Open House, I had the great pleasure of meeting a gaggle of lovely ladies from boutique Melbourne interior design firm Mim Design.  A sweet, super friendly lass named Kimberley was the one who first introduced herself and the team – it was so great to meet a bunch of talented local designers who are loyal readers of TDF, and who had such kind things to say!  I must admit I was a little sleep deprived and delirious at the time, but I vowed to check out their work, and make time to profile Mim on the site.  So… fast forward 4.5 months and finally I’m getting around to it!

As you can see by the impressive variety of work pictured here, whilst they’re boutique in size, and very personal in their approach, Mim Design are one serious interior design firm. Since launching in 2000, Mim has grown to a team of 14 staff, and tackles a vast range of projects from hospitality to retail, residential, events and workspaces.  Each finished project has it’s own individual flourishes, but they all seem to share a sense of quiet elegance, restraint and just a touch of luxe!  Stunning results every time.  Do pop over to the Mim Design website for many more beautiful pics!

Aside from the obvious interior design eye candy(!!), it’s been so inspiring pulling this post together, and learning about a Melbourne creative start-up that has grown and achieved the success of Mim Design.  Definitely something to aspire to.  Also, I really hope TDF has a beautiful office like theirs one day!

Massive thanks to Miriam and Felicity for their generous words and all the stunning pics to accompany this post.  Also big thanks to Kimberley for pulling it all together, and for that first introduction!

Miriam Fanning (left) and Felicity Watts (right) – design directors at Mim Design

Tell us a little about your career background/s – What path led you to interior design originally, and eventually launch Mim Design ?

Miriam Fanning (MF): I wasn’t ‘gifted’ at school, but I did love art and drawing throughout my schooling years. Many weekends were spent making a mighty mess at home, while drawing on anything I could get my hands on. Initially after missing out on getting into Graphic Design at uni, I undertook an Interior Design course that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I loved the whole dimensional form of this discipline.

My first design-based job was at the Buchan Group in Melbourne, where my interests in retail were melded working within such an interesting and diverse practice. Starting as a junior and eventually leaving as an Associate Director, I was inspired by the many facets of design I had experienced while working across varied projects during my time at Buchan Group.

Having a family led me to start Mim Design in 2000. The aim was to be continually inspired; I love the ability to work on a diverse range of projects within the industry. Mim Design has organically grown from one to fourteen staff, and sometimes my kids and the dog come into work too!

Felicity Watts (FW): My entire family are very creative, however I think I developed a passion for beautiful things from my father. Dad, an antique restorer, taught me to have an eye for detail. While our tastes are vastly different, we both appreciate beautiful craftsmanship and interesting spatial forms. As a child I would regularly take all the ornaments from around the house and rearrange them on their shelves. I’ve always loved to draw, and after exploring other avenues throughout school, I finally came to the realisation that I could actually have a career in something I had previously just done for fun. I have always considered myself very lucky to have found a career in something that I am passionate about.

I started with Mim Design in 2004, when it was a small practice of two, and have never looked back! I have been able to watch Mim Design expand to a team of fourteen. I came on as a Partner and Director in 2010.

You guys work on such an incredible variety of projects – from residential to retail, hospitality, events and workspaces – what have been one or two favourite projects in recent years?

MF: One of my favourite projects was our Hawthorn PLE Residence. Our clients were amazing to work with and allowed us to completely transform their home. Their trust and respect was truly appreciated throughout the process, and knowing that the home was completely transformed in personality gave great delight to our clients and ourselves.

PLE Residence, Hawthorn – designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

PLE Residence, bedroom – designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

PLE Residence, entrance – designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

FW: Hospitality design gives you an opportunity to really express every creative bone in your body, while still working to a science about brand and practicality. We have been fortunate enough to have some fantastic projects in the last few years.

Working with The Big Group on Capital Kitchen and Mural Hall was a fantastic experience, as well as working with Bruce & Chyka Keebaugh. Both sites threw all sorts of challenges at us, which we ultimately smoothed out ensuring the finished product was true to the design intent. With Capital Kitchen in particular we were always questioning the brand and the environment we were creating, and every attention to detail was thought entirely through from the visual merchandising display zones to the hand ‘thrashed’ furniture. We will never forget bashing furniture with hammers over a late night meeting, all we needed was a glass of wine to go with it!

We are also currently working on some fantastic projects with Crown Ltd, where we have addressed interior, brand/graphics, VM and collateral as a whole; meaning that the entire space is designed in unison and holistically by Mim Design.

Capital Kitchen designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

Capital Kitchen designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

Capital Kitchen designed by Mim Design, photo - Shannon McGrath

You spend your days making Melbourne homes beautiful, but what about your own home? How would you describe your own interior decorating/styling aesthetic at home? Is it the perfect showcase of your skills or is it the forever neglected project?!

MF: Our family home is simple, a blend of Victorian with a contemporary architectural addition to the rear of the property. Our interest in art led us to a property with high ceilings and large expansive walls. Proportion and space were paramount when renovating our home, as we have two active boys it was important that all spaces worked comfortably. The ability to have versatile space was also high on the agenda i.e. our grand, gallery style hallway often becomes the ‘local bowling alley’ or ‘sock sliding straight’!

I wish I could say we have finished renovating our family home, but sadly it’s some of those little things that I never get around to or keep changing my mind about on a regular basis. Luckily these things are only furniture related. Since we lived in the property throughout all of our renovations I’m glad we have now completed all building works, though the experience collectively was fun for our kids.

FW: My husband and I have actually just sold and bought a new home and are ‘not so patiently’ waiting for the settlement date. Unfortunately, at this stage in my life, the interior of our home has been somewhat neglected. We still have the remnants of hand-me-down furniture that parents and grandparents gave us when we first moved out. We are due to have our first baby at the start of August, so the only room getting any attention at the moment is the nursery. I am in my element and spending every spare minute sifting through Danish designed nursery furniture, cute little wall decals and fun fabrics.

Can you give us a little insight into the inner workings of Mim Design? Where are you based, how is your office structured, what significant tasks do you outsource, and are you each still very involved in the design process day to day?

MF: The Mim Design studio is based in Bond Street, South Yarra above a hairdresser and a recently opened Italian café (yes, how handy!). We have a terrific studio with two fabulous balconies and loads of natural daylight and an ever-expanding messy library.

Our office has three directors in place; two design-based and one financial, administrative and accounts-based. Since we cover many different types of projects it’s essential that we have many systems in place to enable us to work efficiently through each type of project. In terms of office staff we have four interior designers, including a graduate designer/architect, one marketing and styling designer, one administrative P.A., two documentation architects, one librarian/administrator and one intern.

We are proud of the fact that there is not an emphasis on hierarchy in our office. We design in the form of team workshops – so everyone’s thoughts are put forward –  it’s this way that we achieve the most unique and most considered design for each and every project. Within our office we find it essential that all of our talented staff have opportunities to work on varied phases throughout their projects. As Design Directors, both Felicity and myself are involved in establishing design direction and philosophy with staff members for every project. We are conscious of making sure we, as well as our staff, are available to our clients so we can establish and enjoy communicative relationships.

Mim Design HQ in South Yarra (We’re looking at the back of Felicity’s head and that’s Kimberley across the table!)

Details from Mim Design’s South Yarra studio… ahhh just look at all those designer furniture spec books!

Which Australian designers, artists or creative people are you loving right now?

Emma Davies – Loving her woven vessels.

Paul Davies – We want one of his houses!

Derek Swalwell – His Dubai shots are outstanding, plus he is amazing and fun to work with.

Katon Redgen Mathieson – Fantastic architecture with beautiful balance of shape form and environment.

Lara Merrett – We were lucky enough to use a Lara Merrett piece in one of our residential projects recently and it just transformed the space.

Ross Gardham – A clever, special man that produces crafted pieces.

Lizie and Nicci Clifton – Creative, clever, inspirational ladies from Pure Products, and also fabulous clients.

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

MF: I regularly visit the Avenue Bookstore for design inspired books, they have an amazing selection. Travelling and engaging in new experiences often delivers a shot of inspiration. Also seeing things through my children’s eyes is always fun! I also thoroughly enjoy movies with amazing cinematography and brilliant sets or concepts that portray a sense of surrealism and joy.

FW: There’s so many available to us all! Obviously The Design Files is at the top of our blog list. Other favorites as are Broadsheet Melbourne, Design Milk, Contemporist, Interior Design, and We Heart. For magazines we can’t go past Frame, Elle Décor, Belle and Vogue.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

MF: A typical day for me at the moment seems to be attending meetings, running design workshops within the office and working with our clients to achieve the given required result. A typical day also involves dropping the kids off at school and juggling homework with my husband, while also deciding who should walk the dog.

FW: My day can consist of anything from design workshops, sketch design and design development and documentation to project management or selecting finishes, fabrics and furniture. Within the office we have chosen to maintain the skill of hand-illustration at the concept phase. We have adopted computer generated work for all other facets, but have found that our clients really respond to hand drawn perspectives at the earlier stage of a project. I complete the majority of hand drawing in the office, which I love and will hang on to as long as I can, along with all the other requirements of a Director; client meetings, team management etc.

Yellowglen / Treasury Wine Estate Birdcage Marquee designed by Mim Design – Photos Shannon McGrath

Yellowglen / Treasury Wine Estate Birdcage Marquee designed by Mim Design – Photos Shannon McGrath

What would be your dream creative project?

MF: My dream creative project would be to design an amazing, contemporary painting and sculpture gallery, with an accompanying restaurant, hotel and suites of creative studios, including warehouse style living all-in-one. Of course an amazing homewares store and rooftop venue would top it off. Ideally it’d be situated close to work – Prahran, perhaps?

FW: Miriam and I have been talking about how we would love to design a luxury hotel in the near future that includes a fine dining restaurant, day spa and pool, cocktail bar…the list goes on. I would love for such a hotel to be positioned somewhere scenic so that each room could include the vista of an amazing mountain scape or cliff edge – something similar to Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania or Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

Mural Hall designed by Mim Design – Photos Shannon McGrath

What are you looking forward to ?

MF: I am looking forward to a fantastic year with great projects, and as always, to be continually inspired.

FW: The birth of our baby in August of course! Also expanding Mim Design, and the next stage of projects coming our way.

Melbourne Questions

Your favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

MF: My favourite neighbourhood is Albert and Middle Park. I love the local village feel adjacent to the bay with some great parks, stores and cafes.

FW: I love everywhere along the bay from Brighton through to Mordialloc because that is home to me.

Your favourite fossicking spots in Melbourne for furniture, finishes and home accessories?

MF: I have so many! Safari Living in Prahran is dangerously good, as Felicity always has something I want to take home. Luke Furniture in Prahran for their large range of local and international brands, and Temperature Design in Collingwood with their ever-changing collection of contemporary furniture and accessories. Grazia is a joy to work with. I also love Fenton & Fenton, truly textural and extremely vibrant. Market Import, as I’ve always been a huge Marimekko fan, and finally Leonard Joel auction house.

FW: My husband and I spend most of our weekends in Regional Victoria. We love to get away from the hustle and bustle, and so many of the little furniture places that I find are actually outside of Melbourne. There’s a great little homewares store in Red Hill called Red Hill House. You can also find some fantastic restored retro pieces at Bob’s Shed in Yarragon.

Being only slightly obsessed with baby stuff at the moment, I have found frequenting country markets great for handmade wooden toys and mobiles that are beautiful and unique accessories to any nursery. Warning: steer clear of the tie-dye stalls. However, like many people now, I tend to hunt for goodies online. I particularly love Gretel Home and searching through Etsy or various blogs for interesting new finishes and accessories.

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

MF: The last great meal I had was at Golden Fields in St Kilda, the food was delicious. I just sat at the bar and watched the delivery of amazing plates and meals by meticulous staff.

FW: I love the concept of sharing plates. All the girls in the office joke that I am known for having ‘food envy’ – so a meal where I get to sample a bit of everything is ideal. True South brewery in Black Rock offer an Argentinean menu; the empanadas are particularly good.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

MF: Typical Saturday morning for me is at the local tennis club watching my children attempt serves, smashes and lobs.

FW: At the in-laws holiday house. They have a quaint little cottage positioned on ten acres on Springsure Hill in Buln Buln East. We would be sitting having breakfast on the verandah looking out across Gippsland to Mount Baw Baw.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

MF: Melbourne’s best kept secret for me is the local restaurant that you would never have thought to venture into, everyone has one and for me it Manakish in Elsternwick.

FW: Melbourne’s best kept secrets are scattered throughout our industry, found in the many talented craftspeople and suppliers, that as designers we get to deal with day-to-day. Melbourne is a design hub full of creative artists, craftsmen and builders making even our roughest sketch ideas a reality.

Mim Design studio meeting room
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