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Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Newcastle Home – Juliana Foong of High Tea with Mrs Woo

The stunning Newcastle apartment of Juliana Foong and Benjamin Paul Gallagher.  Photo by Sean Fennessy, Styling / Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The Original Kauri floorboards were a welcome surprise when Julse and Ben ripped up the carpet here – ‘The cracks and wonkiness were a pleasant reminder of my childhood, spent at my grandparents’ home in Malaysia’. says Julse. Photo by Sean Fennessy, Styling / Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

‘How many dark, heavy depression era cupboards can you fit in a 20m2 room?’ jokes Juliana! ‘We’ve managed five, along with a miner’s couch, a hardwood coffee table, wine rack, bookshelf, speakers and an assortment of old boxes and suitcases. It seems the more we bring in the larger the room appears. We can’t explain it but needless to say our whole life is stored within these confines.’ Photo by Sean Fennessy, Styling / Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

‘Merchandising’ by Juliana!  Photo by Sean Fennessy, Styling / Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Juliana Foong of High Tea with Mrs Woo, and partner Benjamin Paul Gallagher (aka Mr. Book!)  Photo by Sean Fennessy, Styling / Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

When Sean and I stepped foot inside the unique home of Newcastle based designer Juliana Foong and her partner Benjamin Paul Gallagher, we instantly knew we’d hit the jackpot. As I recall, there was an audible sigh.  There is something so truly enchanting about this space – stepping across the threshold feels a little like entering another era!

The measured, calm confidence of this space really reflects it’s owners to a T – it has an umistakeably zen-like quality, with it’s rustic finishes, dramatic contrasts of light and dark, and monochromatic details. However, delve a little beneath the surface and you’ll see that whilst the palette is muted, there is nothing minimal about this home – every nook is filled with handcrafted details and vintage trinkets, styled to perfection by Juliana – who confessed during our visit that her favourite past time at home is ‘merchandising’!

Juliana (better known as ‘Julse’!) and Ben have been in this one bedroom apartment just shy of sixteen months.  ’Six of those months were spent without a kitchen and fifteen without a sink’ says Julse – ‘I can confidently recommend several toastie combinations’.  Needless to say there’s been a LOT of work done here over the last year!

On the very first day Julse and Ben first got the keys to their home, they celebrated with a carpet pulling up party!  ’It was simply exhilarating, especially when we uncovered original 120 year old kauri timber floorboards in the bedroom and parts of the lounge!’ says Julse. These old boards required special attention – to maintain their character, Ben insisted on restoring them by hand – ‘We used an orbital sander, hand sanded with fine grades of sand paper, and several coats of tung oil to bring them back to life’.

The kitchen was another big challenge – it was completely gutted, formica cupboards and vinyl flooring removed, brick work exposed, tiles and skirting boards removed.  The goal was to bring an openness and airiness to this tightly confined space – and it worked.  ’Our kitchen breathed a sigh of relief’ says Julse.

I guess you could describe both Ben and Julse as design purists.  Their treatment of this home has been to work back to original finishes, and to use reclaimed and recycled materials were used wherever possible in restoring and furnishing the house. ‘Reinterpreting old things has always been a favourite past time for the both of us. I find great comfort being surrounded by old world charm and nostalgia. There is so much history and beauty ingrained in the wrinkles of time’ says Julse.

Of course the tightly edited interior of this home is no surprise, given both Julse’ and Ben’s creative credentials.   Julse is one of three owner/designer/makers behind the womenswear label High Tea with Mrs Woo – she’s been in the business with her two sisters for over a decade.  Ben is a talented maker/designer of furniture and objects under the persona ‘Mr Book‘ – he creates furniture by hand utilising painstaking traditional techniques.  He also works as a roof restorer with his father by day – now there’s a set of super handy complementary skills!

When asked what they each love about their unique haven, Ben and Juliana brim with enthusiasm. ‘When the day is done, I retreat to my enclave of dark and dusty cupboards, and the comfort of what they contain’ says Ben.  ’I feel completely comfortable here’ says Julse, ‘Sat upon my Belucci rug, Caretaker upon the record player, Everdure blazing, glass in hand, I smile on a daily basis’.

Of course today’s post wouldn’t be complete without a lasting comment not just about this treasured home, but about the special spot where it is located!  Julse has such beautiful things to say about her much loved home town, I thought we should end with her sweet words -

‘I have lived in Newcastle ever since we migrated here in 1988′ says Julse. ‘I declared my love for her very early on in our relationship. We may have wavered along the way, but ultimately she knows I’m committed. The thing I love most about living in Newy is that I can survive here comfortably and quietly being a creative. She leaves me in my shell when I require it. And allows me to reappear when I’m feeling that bit social. It is easy to travel away from her and so reassuring on returning that, I am home. She is a great base. Anything is possible here’.

Massive thanks to Julse and Ben for sharing their beautiful apartment with us today.   If you love their home, do check out Juliana’s label, High Tea with Mrs Woo!  At their Sydney store this month the clever Foong sisters are staging a series of inspired ‘Pop-In’ creative collaborations with brands including Vixen and Wendy Voon Knits. Do check the website for details!

CLICK HERE for the full home tour and many more pics!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Australian Homes, Newcastle, Newcastle Homes, Uncategorized Comments (39)
Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Trevor Dickinson

‘Newcastle Productions’ zines and souvenirs by Trevor Dickinson! – Photo by Sean Fennessy

Illustration by Trevor Dickinson

Silliness at Trevor Dickinson’s Newcastle Museum Photowall! Siobhan and I at the top, bottom right – Sean Fennessy makes a rare appearance in front of the camera! Ha ha!

A trip to Newcastle wouldn’t be complete without checking out the work of Trevor Dickinson.  Actually to be honest it’s basically impossible to miss.

Trevor’s kooky illustrations have become a bit of a local landmark – he’s created a number of large scale public murals around town, the most brilliant of which are his Newcastle Museum Photowalls.  These simple interactive murals never cease to draw a giggle from passers by of any age – all ya need is a sense of humour and an iPhone, for hours (ok at least 20 minutes) of amusement!  I defy even the coolest of cats to walk past without being lured by the sheer silliness factor! (Even our dear photographer Sean Fennessy got in front of the camera for this one! ‘Good, clean fun!’ he said! )

Trevor is another Novocastrian whose fascination and affection for this unique beachside city comes from being an ‘outsider’ of sorts.  After moving here in 2002 from London, Trevor made a conscious effort to engage with his surroundings – the result is an ongoing series of dry, witty illustrations, murals, zines and tongue in cheek ‘souvenirs’ that sum up Newcastle’s unique quirks so perfectly. Trevor has named his ongoing project ‘Newcastle Productions‘.  Says it all really!

Trevor is currently on a residency in Canberra but was kind enough to answer just a few questions for us about his work, and the everyday inspiration he finds in his hometown! -

Can you give us a little background about yourself, your career background and what led you to lllustration?

I was born in Swindon, England and moved to London to study textile when I was eighteen. After leaving college I specialised in graphics and textiles for the clothing industry and designed for a range of brands, including The Rolling Stone, Gap, Disney, Fred Bare and Adidas. I also co-wrote and illustrated three children’s picture books that have been published worldwide. I mainly design for childrenswear and most of the work I do involves drawing in some form or another, I see the drawings I make of Newcastle as a natural extension of this.

How and when did you come to be based in Newcastle, and why did you first start making work inspired by your town?

I moved to Newcastle in 2002, my wife Jo is Australian and we just wanted a change from living in London. Jo’s parents had a Newcastle property that we rented when we first arrived. We didn’t specifically choose Newcastle, it just seemed the easiest thing to do at the time.

After about five or six years here I realised that I hadn’t really connected with Australia fully. I missed family, friends and England, I was working at home sending designs over the internet and I could have been anywhere in the world. Going out and drawing Newcastle was a conscious effort to engage with my surroundings, it was drawing as therapy.

I initially chose to draw aspects of Australia that differed from my own experience; this included park benches, telegraph poles, storm drains etc. Everyday things that aren’t often celebrated. I’m interested in recording Newcastle as an urban environment that people actually live in rather than the glossy surf town that’s often promoted.

You illustrate a great variety of things – from incredible wall murals to independent zines and even kooky souvenirs. What has been a favourite project in recent years?

I have two favourite projects, the first is 100 Letterboxes. In 2010 I decided to draw 100 letterboxes of Newcastle with the numbers from one to one hundred all represented by a genuine letterbox. This took me to almost every street in Newcastle searching for good examples of each number. The final collection was a centrepiece for my first solo exhibition.

A zine from Trevor Dickinson’s 100 Letterboxes series!

My most recent favourite project would have to be the Newcastle Museum Photowall.

I have been lucky that over the past year the council have given me prime spots for my mural work, and as I painted them began to notice how people would pose for pictures in front of the murals, they would often interact with objects in the paintings, creating an effect like a still from animated sections in Mary Poppins. I had the idea of painting a wall that was entirely designed to be interacted with and photographed, I had never seen a mural like this, even after searching online. The technical challenge of developing a new approach to murals was exciting. I was offered two walls at the Newcastle Museum that were perfect for the concept and I was allowed the freedom to do what I liked. It’s been great to see how much the photo walls have been used already.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

A lot of procrastination until I slowly power up and focus on either commission work for clothing companies or drawing for Newcastle Productions.   More and more I don’t have a typical work day, that’s how I prefer things to be.

Newcastle’s best kept secret?

I think Newcastle itself is a big secret to a lot of Australians.

ps.  You absolutely MUST check out the Newcastle Photowall Museum facebook page to see Trevor’s Photowalls in action…  so many hilarious shots, and such a super cute idea to document them this way.

Illustration by Trevor Dickinson
Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Illustration, Newcastle, Uncategorized Comments (10)
Monday, April 30, 2012

TDF hearts Newcastle!

TDF Hearts Newcastle!  Oh yes we do.  Just check out the BEACH, people!  All shots by Sean Fennessy.  ’Newcastle’ graphic by Trevor Dickinson / Kat Chadwick.

A few snippets from Newcastle – clockwise from top left – Newcastle Council Building, ‘Everything you can imagine is real’ street art by Stu McDonald just off Hunter St Mall in Newcastle’s CBD, Train illustration by David R. Hampton, and coffee at One Penny Black Espresso Bar in Hunter st Mall.  All shots by Sean Fennessy.

One Penny Black Espresso Bar in Hunter st Mall.  All shots by Sean Fennessy

OK soooo as you may already KNOW if you are an excellent person who follows TDF on INSTAGRAM (yes, I finally caved), I have recently been to Newcastle.

Yes.  NEWCASTLE.  It is AWESOME.  I won’t hear a bad word said about it.  Totally and truly I am 100% cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die in love with the place.

Originally settled as an industrious coal mining town, Newcastle is Australia’s second-oldest city.  It’s around 160km North of Sydney.  Only about 150,000 people live there. But for a small-ish town I have got to say there is some seriously cool creative stuff going on there, and what’s more, you can go surfing on your lunchbreak. (No kidding!)

There is great coffee, incredible beaches, the best fish ‘n chips I have ever eaten, noticeably good looking people, cute hipster children on every street corner who appear to be able to skateboard from an extremely young age, an affordable housing market… all this and you’re only 2 hours from Sydney.  And YET, there’s not a skerrick of ‘Sydney’s little sister’ about it.  Newcastle really does have it’s own unique sense of pride and quietly confident vibe going on.  It is very attractive.

Part of the reason I fell head first in love with Newy was because we had the BEST unofficial tour guide any out-of-towner could ask for.  We (photographer Sean Fennessy and I) were incredibly lucky to have passionate Novocastrian Siobhan Curran basically at our beck and call for 4 days straight!  AMAZING.

Having moved from Sydney to Newcastle with her young family just two years ago, Siobhan’s intense love affair with her new home town is still very much in the ‘honeymoon’ period!   Siobhan writes ‘The Novocastrian Files‘ – an excellent blog covering all kinds of inspiring creative happenings in her much-loved seaside city. Siobhan is also the official licensee for TEDX Talks in Newcastle – she staged TEDxNEWY for the first time last year, to rave reviews!

Siobhan’s enthusiasm for ‘Newy’ is completely infectious – and it definitely rubbed off on us during our visit.  One day we shot two houses back to back, then Siobhan took us to Merewether Oceans Baths for a swim AFTERWARDS!   Unheard of.  That is the magic of Newcastle! (and daylight savings).

SO this week, inspired by our recent trip, I have dedicated a week of posts to the creative happenings and general excellence of Newcastle!  We’ll meet a bunch of interesting local creatives (check out Renew Newcastle on the GUEST BLOG), we’ll see a super beautiful Newcastle home, we’ve put together our very own TDF-tried-and-tested Newcastle City Guide for you, and on Friday we’ll interview a lovely local designer who worked for amazing magazines in both Sydney and London before relocating to Newcastle last year to launch her own business.

For now, please enjoy a few of Sean Fennessy’s excellent photos taken during our whirlwind tour of Newcastle… and get ready for a rather epic week!

Our trip to Newcastle was generously supported by Newcastle City Council and Newcastle’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.  MASSIVE thanks for their wonderful hospitality during our stay.

‘Everything you can imagine is real’ street art by Stu McDonald just off Hunter St Mall in Newcastle’s CBD.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Cheeky cute Newy kids.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Susan Gilmore Beach. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Newcastle Ocean Baths. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Newcastle Ocean Baths.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Olive Tree Markets (held once a month – more info coming in our Newcastle City Guide later this week!).  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Lunch / coffee stop at Good Brother Espresso with Siobhan Curran and Shannon Morton.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Good Brother Espresso.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Beautiful homes and leafy streets in Cooks Hill.   Photo – Sean Fennessy

Leafy streets in Cooks Hill.   Photo – Sean Fennessy

More cute skateboarding children.  They are everywhere.  Photo – Sean Fennessy
Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Newcastle, Uncategorized Tagged | Comments (30)
Monday, April 30, 2012

New Guest Blog – Renew Newcastle!

This week passionate Novocastrian Siobhan Curran joins us on the Guest Blog, introducing us to a bunch of inspiring Newy creatives who are part of the brilliant ‘Renew Newcastle‘ initiative.  Photos – Sean Fennessy.

As mentioned in our main post today, Newcastle local Siobhan Curran has an infectious enthusiasm for her home town, as well as an encyclopaedic knowledge of every cool creative happening in ‘Newy’ – so we figured she’d be the very BEST person to join us on the Guest Blog this week!

One of the most inspiring creative happenings in Newcastle at the moment is a seriously BRILLIANT initiative called Renew Newcastle.  Founded in 2008 by Newcastle-born, Melbourne-based creative Marcus Westbury, this not-for-profit organisation was established to assist in finding short term uses for a glut of buildings and commercial spaces in Newcastle’s CBD that were vacant or awaiting development.

As is the case in so many regional centres, as business moves away from these areas, commercial properties, shopfronts and workspaces are often left without tenants, boarded up, neglected and subsequently vandalised, because no one takes responsibility for them.

Renew Newcastle matches up local artists, designers, creative businesses and community groups with specific properties, giving them the opportunity to utilise various spaces in the centre of town until they become commercially viable or are redeveloped.  This project has had an incredible impact in Newy – encouraging positive, creative activity in buildings which otherwise fall into a cycle of disrepair and ongoing vacancy.

Renew Newcastle has been SO immensly successful – since launching in 2008 they’ve placed over 71 projects in over 42 spaces – subsequently many of these properties have been re-leased commercially, and Newcastle’s central mall is once again a bustling hub of activity.   Marcus Westbury has since gone on to launch ‘Renew Australia‘ – consulting to regional towns across the country and overseas to develop similar initiatives.

GENIUS or WHAT!?

This week on the GUEST BLOG,  Newcastle resident, blogger and all-round enthusiast Siobhan Curran will introduce us to 7 different creative businesses who are currently participating in the Renew Newcastle program. The ones we’ve selected are such a fantastic, diverse, range of projects – from artists’ studios, to graphic designers, to a new surf/skate shop in very the centre of town, run by a passionate 21 year old skater and his mates!  Nice work kids!

Do pop by the Guest Blog each day this week to meet this inspiring bunch of Novocastrian creatives, and don’t forget to check our Siobhan’s blog, The Novocastrian Files too!

Siobhan Curran, in her rightful place on the Lord Mayor of Newcastle’s throne!? (Newcastle Museum photo wall mural by Trevor Dickinson - more on him tomorrow!). Photo – Sean Fennessy.
Posted by Lucy at 5:57 am
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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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Thursday, April 26, 2012

New from Stampel

New things from Melbourne’s Stampel Studio – photos by Olga Bennett

Polka dot faceted vases by Stampel – photos by Olga Bennett

If you visited the recent Finders Keepers market in Melbourne you might have spotted these pretty new pieces by Andrea Shaw aka Stampel!

Andrea’s sweet faceted vases have been given a little facelift with the addition of cute polka dots, and she’s expanded her jewellery range to include combinations of both handcut leather and handpainted timber beads, strung simply onto turquoise or nude cotton cord.  She’s also experimenting with macrame and stitched fabric scarves… pop over to the Stampel blog or online shop for a look at the full range!

Handcrafted in Melbourne from manufacturing waste timber, Stampel timber accessories and homewares are surprisingly affordable, and can be purchased online here.

New handpainted and pyrographed jewellery hangers from Stampel - photos by Olga Bennett
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Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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