One of the best things about running The Design Files is all the sticky-beaking we get to do! From enviable homes to dream workshops and studios, we see a LOT of amazing spaces.
Today we share our favourite creative workspaces, across the fields of architecture, interior design, illustration and graphic design, weaving, and ceramics.
It seems that no matter your field, white walls, access to natural light and a penchant for plants are good starting points for setting up a perfect work space!
Inside Flack Studio’s Fitzroy HQ. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Flack Studio. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Custom marble plinths, showcasing Flack’s favourite local furniture suppliers. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Flack Studio. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Interior design firm Flack Studio sets an intimidatingly high standard for studio spaces. The refurbished 1920’s electroplating factory in Fitzroy doesn’t hold back in communicating the aesthetics of its residents.
The space is sharply decorated with an ever rotating display of furniture and artwork on loan from local suppliers and creatives – nothing stays around for too long, ensuring a fresh look and something new to admire every time we visit!
Read more here.
Street view of Jacky Winter HQ in Collingwood, with mural by Jacky Winter artist Lachlan Conn and show-stopping neons by TDF fave Electric Confetti. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
The sleep room which can accommodate interstate artists and visitors for overnight stays – they’re hoping to launch AirBnB ‘Sleep with Jacky Winter’ later in the year! Photo – Amelia Stanwixfor The Design Files.
Pastels, plants, art and lots of space – it’s paradise in a bookshelf. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
Producer and Agent Mika Parow, with Designer Hope Lumsden-Barry and Social Media and Post Production Officer Penny Wilson. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
It’s and office, it’s a gallery, it’s filled with the coolest people in Melbourne. The three-level Collingwood warehouse of Jacky Winter even has a sleeping room for visiting artists and an exterior mural by JW artist Lachlan Conn.
The space is both fun, and professional. An ideal combination!
Read the full story here.
It’s studio goals again – this time we’re at our neighbour Alice Oehr’s!! Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
The one-and-only Alice Oehr. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
The artists/illustrator/designer with ‘Ramen-Topia’ by Deborah Kaloper, for which she somehow managed to tantalisingly illustrate fish broth. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
Artist, illustrator and designer Alice Oehr’s work is bright, playful and precise – and her studio follows suit.
As someone who works in both analogue and digital formats, this studio is designated as a paint-free ‘clean’ site, but is peppered with plenty of intriguing objects and reference materials to keep Alice inspired.
Read the full story here.
Clare Cousins Architecture – workspace goals! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
A light-filled ‘bunker.’ Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Concentrating among concrete. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
The studio of Clare Cousins Architecture comes with a great back story. The neglected brutalist bunker was revitalised by the team, and the commercial builders they share the space with.
The studio is fresh, minimal, glowing with greenery, and (as to be expected) fitted out with a sleek edit of designer furniture.
Read more here.
The studio of artist and designer Stephen Ormandy in Sydney. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.
Inside the Northcote studio of Esther Olsson. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Esther Olsson’s studio details. Artwork hanging above desk by Esther’s friend and mentor Kirra Jamison. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Inside the Sydney studio of iconic artist Ken Done. Photo – Nikki To.
Ken in his studio wearing a hand-knitted vest by his mother. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Children’s spades collected from the beach, used as palettes in Ken Done’s studio. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
We’ve grouped our painters together, because despite their distinctive artistic styles – there is an undeniable similarity in their studio spaces. Each space is a colour-splattered mess of painting materials and intriguing ephemera (a skateboard, wall of plastic spades, congealed enamel plates… the list goes on!).
The Brunswick studio of Jessica Bloom. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Wall hanging by Jessica Blume, available at Pop & Scott. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Jessica’s loom at her Brunswick studio. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
The Brunswick studio of Jessica Blume is a peppered with reference material, weaving machinery, and a healthy dose of potted plants.
With high ceilings and bright natural light, the space is a dream location for Jess’s carefully crafted handiwork.
Read the full story here.
The studio of Ruby Pilven on her parents property at Smythes Creek, just outside Ballarat. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
Ruby at work in her studio. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
The studio of Ruby Pilven at Smythes Creek, just outside Ballarat. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
The Smythes Creek studio of Ruby Pilven provides an idyllic setting for the ceramicist to craft her distinctive pottery.
The white daub walls of the space provide a fitting backdrop for Ruby’s ceramic practice, with leafy views out to her parents’ country property.
Read more here.
Styling props at Josh and Jenna Densten’s Design School in Abbotsford. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Design School in Abbotsford. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
The living suite, each room set up has been designed for students to engage and interact with at Design School. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Design School in Abbotsford, a new accredited design school by Jenna and Josh Densten, and family. Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.
Don’t be fooled by the design school that they’ve got, they are still Josh and Jenna from The Block. The impressive pair also run their own accredited interior design school, with all of the materials and inspiration on hand a budding designer could need.
Filled with styling stations, props and materials for the students to practice their styling skills, the space takes its cues from simple and refined Scandi style.
See more here.
