Studio Visit

Beci Orpin’s Shared Studio Is Just As Colourful + Cheerful As You’d Expect!

You couldn’t ask for a better showcase of local creators and makers than what’s in Beci Orpin‘s new shared studio in Brunswick.

The much loved local illustrator and designer has decked out the space with items from many names we’ve come to know and love here at TDF; Daniel Emma, Ella Reweti, Makers’ Mrkt, Dowel Jones– and so many more!

We took a look around the colourful studio she shares with like-minded creatives; Ellie King and Hoddle Skateboards.

Written
by
Bea Taylor

Ellie King and Beci Orpin enjoy a tea break in their shared studio! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Flower Foldy Table by Dowel Jones. Checkered chair made by Madeline Simm and Jack Simm. Cushion by Ellie King. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Flower Foldy Table by Dowel Jones. Beci sits on the Checkered chair made by Madeline Simm and Jack Simm. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Colour is peppered throughout the studio! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

The magazine shelf was designed by Daniel and Emma, and made by Groove Fabrications. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Even Beci’s nails match the space! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Storage was a must in the shared studio space. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Beci says, ‘the favourite part of my job is the variety and being able to work across lots of different mediums. Being able to make work that has meaning is nice, too’. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Beci has balanced out the pops of colour with white walls and negative space. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Ellie King (AKA Rittle) makes fun and practical ceramics! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

‘I love getting into the zone and painting the line work designs on my pots,’ says Ellie. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

You can buy Ellie’s work on her website, or by checking out her Instagram stories. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Each of Ellie’s pots has about a month turnaround time! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

The Peanut table by Daniel and Emma. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Beci sources her weird and wonderful objet from local makers, flea markets and $2 shops! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Soft pastels balance the pops of primary hues. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Writer
Bea Taylor
29th of August 2022

It’s no secret we’re big fans of Beci Orpin over here at TDF. The Melbourne design darling has been delighting us with her work for years, so we’ve been dying to check out her brand new Brunswick studio space – and it doesn’t disappoint! This colourful new workspace is just as joyful and smile-inducing as Beci’s much loved artwork. 

The Brunswick building came up for lease in November last year, and Beci jumped at the opportunity to take it on. Then, after a couple of months of light renovation work, she moved in March this year – and invited some like-minded creatives to share the space with her.

‘I’ve never shared a creative space before and it’s so nice to have other people who are running their own business’ around,’ she says. 

Currently in the studio with her is designer Ellie King, of Rittle and Coco Store, and the team behind Hoddle Skateboards

‘I’ve always been a fan of Ellie’s work, and we have really similar work ethics, so we manage to get lots of work done but have lunch together most days. She’s an excellent sounding board too when I’m stuck – plus, she’s very funny!,’ Beci says. ‘It’s great to have Hoddle in the space too, it’s inspiring to see when their new collections arrive and have a totally different creative energy around.’

Ellie says, ‘Beci and I have been friends for years. One night she asked me to be a part of the studio with her and I obviously jumped at the offer! The social aspect is really important for me – I’ve been working in a home studio over lockdown and needed the change.’  

The studio space is decked out in Beci’s signature style; colour, quirk and thoughtful design.  ‘I wanted it to be somewhat utilitarian and functional with lots of storage, but still fun too!’ she explains. 

She enlisted the help of friends and designers Daniel To and Emma Aiston (of Daniel Emma), who drew up some plans and designed furniture for the space.

‘Furniture, in particular chairs, is my weakness!’, says Beci. ‘I’m always looking’. 

Her current collection includes; a red and blue checker chair made by her friends Madeline Simm and her brother Jack Simm and a pink and red chair made by Daniel Emma (‘my all time fave’, says Beci). The duo also designed the Peanut Table and the magazine shelf, there’s also a Dowel Jones Flower Foldy Table (‘a must have’) and a little yellow shelf by Ella Reweti

As for all the eye-catching objet and art; ‘It’s a mix of $2 shop gets, flea market finds, and locals like Pey Chi, Gab Cole, Nadia Hernandez, Hannah Maskell. I also love buying things from locals stores like Makers’ Mrkt and Mr.Kitly. The list is actually endless,’ says Beci. 

Colour, of course, also takes centre stage, with pops of primary hues throughout the space. Beci explains, ‘It’s personal taste, but my work is very colourful, so it’s natural I surround myself with colourful things too.’

Similar Stories

Recent Studio Visit