daily imprint

florist simone gooch

2012-02-02T06:00:00.001+11:00

Simone Gooch is one of Sydney's most sought-after behind-the-scenes florists. She doesn't have a shop, but instead receives countless commissions from private clients for their homes and weddings, as well as for designer stores, such as Scanlan + Theodore.

"I feel quite anonymous in the process of exhibiting nature's magnificence," Simone says. "I collect and load up the flowers from the market (that the flower growers have laboured over). Then back to the studio, preparing them and assisting them to reach their composed potential, then I drive them to their destination. I love the process; the flowers from their raw form to their presented finished moment."

Last year Simone opened a pop-up shop on Crown Street in Sydney's Surry Hills. You can follow her work here. And to see an amazing photo shoot of Simone's apartment created by Lisa Cooper and photographer Harold David, go here.

Which five words best describe you? I love flowers very much.

How did you get your career start and which path have you taken since? Over the years I have moved in and out of flower work to figure out what I wanted to do for a living. It was at Grandiflora that the penny dropped - where the creative medium of flowers was where I wanted to work. I never imagined it would become my passion. After six years there I left to travel and work in Malta. On my return I was offered to open Jute by Grandiflora with Saskia Havekes and Alison Coates. After Jute closed, Fjura began; starting from a shared basement of a terrace in East Sydney, I now work from a studio and with short-term retail spaces when the planets align.

What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Flowers are consuming; the early mornings are long, the days physical; so I have learnt to encourage and embrace a work/life balance.

What's your proudest career achievement? Having my own business and happy clients.

What's been your best decision? To make changes and take chances.

Who inspires you? My grandmother. Strangers with their acts of kindness.

What are you passionate about? Remembering to acknowledge and appreciate humble everyday beauty. I'm also passionate about my family and friends.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? An ancestor from way back.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? So many... I would like a backyard with a vegie patch.

What are you reading? Just started The botany of desire by Michael Pollan.

images courtesy of simone gooch portrait james fisher

designers andy brown & sass davis

2012-02-01T06:00:00.002+11:00

Andy Brown and Sass Davis

Australian culture and lifestyle remains very much wrapped up in the beach, and all that goes with that. But Andy Brown and Sass Davis were struggling to find colourful beach products that were stylish too - so they set about designing their own under the name Goldnbrown. For their launch collection - which is focussed on the beach, home and babies - are fabric designs using batik methods. Their wares are handmade, and tested on the shores of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, where they live.

Which five words best describe you? We always get the joke!

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? We are both from very different industry backgrounds but have come to together to share our love of textiles, bright colours and the beach. It's been a short journey to date so we are still enjoying our new honeymoon 'path'.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Honesty is the best policy.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Seeing our first GnB Towel on a stranger/customer at our local beach in Sorrento.

What’s been your best decision? To take a risk.

Who inspires you? Our kids and the beach.

What are you passionate about? The beach.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dora the Explorer – we've got a bone to pick with her.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Oh so many... where do we begin? At the moment, we want to fulfil our dream of being able to provide beautiful and unique fabric designs applied to simple and functional designs.

What are you reading? 10 mindful minutes - Andy; Last night at Chateau Marmont - Sass.

images courtesy of goldnbrown and james geer

artist belynda henry

2012-01-31T06:00:00.003+11:00

Not only is Belynda Henry a celebrated artist (she has been a finalist in the Wynne prize), but she has a tremendous output. She has just finished paintings for her 20th solo show, which will be held at the Richard Martin Art gallery in Sydney's Woollahra. The works are created on her property in the lush valley of Dooralong on the NSW Central Coast. It is here that she creates both paintings and sculptures, and finds inspiration from the landscape. While Belynda has been capturing the world around her for the past 15 years, her latest works are a slight departure in style. She's embracing blocks of colour, influenced by Australian tonal painters such as Max Meldrum, Clarice Beckett, Polly Hurry and Colin Colahan.

I am honoured to be opening her latest exhibition, and celebrating Belynda's achievement. If you would like to join me, please come along on Wednesday 22 February at Richard Martin Art from about 6pm.

Which five words best describe you? Messy, focused, painter, loyal, mum.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I just loved art at high school and really all I wanted to do was go to art school. I somehow got into Sydney College of the Arts (Sydney University) to do my Bachelor of Visual Arts. I majored in sculpture, but was fascinated by the painting students, I was always intrigued by their studios. After that I graduated with a teaching degree and became a visual arts teacher at a high school. I loved teaching but really all I could daydream about was being a full-time painter. My dreams came true in 2000, I had a baby girl, Chloe and landed my first representation with an amazing gallery called Libby Edwards galleries. I learnt to believe in myself, and never give up. I resigned from my teaching position and have been a full time artist ever since. I am now represented by a beautiful gallery, Richard Martin Art, Woollahra. I have working towards an exhibition for the past year. "Colour my world" opens 18th February, 2012. This will be my 20th solo show!
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To appreciate the moment, be modest, listen to others and only talk about yourself if people ask.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Being hung as a finalist in the Art Gallery of NSW Wynne prize, (and hanging out with Edmund Capon).
Who inspires you? Michael and Chloe who always believe in me. The people in my life who are passionate, happy and always believe in themselves. I have a long list of favourite artists that inspire me. It's hard to mention a few: Louise Olsen from Dinosaur Designs, her dad John Olsen all the way to Guy Maestri, Elisabeth Cummings, Idris Murphy, early Australian impressionist painters. Oh gosh I could fill an entire page. Also, although I paint for myself - it's something that I just have to do - it really inspires me when someone out there in the big wide world falls so in love with something that I have created that they have to have it. That really moves me.

What are you passionate about? My two gorgeous girls, Chloe and Milla. My best friend and husband Michael. Art. Things that happen for a reason. Champagne and coffee. Beautiful and stylish objects and interiors. Creative, optimistic people.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Mmm. I have been lucky enough to meet a lot of extraordinary Australian artists by attending opening nights, so I have crossed lots off my list. 10 years ago I would of said Tori Amos; I cried at her concert because her music was so moving to me. Today I would love to meet Louise Olsen.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Show our daughters our favourite sites in Europe. Celebrate a birthday in Paris. Live a healthy, happy, long life with my family.
What are you reading? Well, I paint most nights till late, so I only read just before bed. I just finished Kate Morton's, The Shifting Fog and Forgotten Garden. My mum, sister and sister-in-law are all in the same book club, so I'm lucky, they keep giving me piles of amazing books. During the day I go crazy for blogs, Daily Imprint is my favourite. I also love decor8, greige, The Design Files. Oh, and also interior design magazines, which I can't live without. Oops. I can't forget the many children's books I read to my girls every day.

images courtesy of belynda henry

photographer tony owczarek

2012-01-25T06:00:00.003+11:00

I have always enjoyed looking at the catalogues for Melbourne brands Elk Accessories and Nancybird not just for the designs and art direction but the photography too. It turns out that Tony Owczarek is the man both of them have used - and for many years. He always captures a lovely moment with the talent. Tony's other clients include Purebaby and Hardie Grant.

Which five words best describe you? Creative, passionate, precise, excitable and fun.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I assisted as many photographers as I could to pick up the best few habits from each and used that to better my own practices. Then I started shooting and built up clients over time. I have been fortunate in developing and growing my business with a group of like-minded and creative clients who continue to provide me with the opportunity to challenge and expand my skill set, and are a great group of people to work with.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Assume nothing and have a backup plan for everything!

What’s your proudest career achievement? Every time I receive the finished catalogue or magazine I have worked on I feel like this is the best moment in my career. To see the final product produced after days or weeks of shooting and re-touching and feeling proud of what can be achieved when you are working for and with great people is a pretty exciting.

What’s been your best decision? To build my own studio in Collingwood so my clients can be comfortable and relaxed in a space that is not being interrupted by others. Having worked in many studios prior to this I knew it was important to create a space that would be enjoyable to be in year round.

Who inspires you? There are too many to mention for so many reasons but people who don't give up when the going gets tough always gives me inspiration.

What are you passionate about? Photography for sure; it's always been a part of my life in some way. Behaving in an ethical way in every aspect of life. Delivering to my clients a product beyond their expectations. Keeping physically and mentally fit.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? In terms of photographers, Richard Avedon. Class and style, a rare commodity.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Among the many would have to be to make a film of a book I read about 10 years ago and to do more work overseas.

What are you reading? Having a 15-month-old does not give me much time for reading but I do read PDN mag and I have Atomic the first war of physics on the go, I'm not into fiction.

images courtesy of tony owczarek; (elk - 1 & 2, nancybird - 3 & 4)

illustrator megan eckman

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000+11:00

US-based Megan Eckman works in an old-fashioned way - using pen and ink to create her illustrations. "I enjoy illustrating fantasies that take the viewer back to their childhood," she says. Megan gained degrees in art and English and started her business before graduating. Studio MME not only sells prints of her work but also lockets, embroidery kits and some beautiful cat cushions, which she's just started to make.

Which five words best describe you? Quirky, humorous, intellectual, detailed, organised.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My parents encouraged me to pursue creative degrees in art and English with one stipulation: I had to start my own business before I graduated. That's exactly how I started in 2009. After that, I've been doing freelance work for a few magazines, individuals, and selling my work online through my portfolio.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Keep learning. There is so much that they never ever teach you in art school, especially where business, marketing, and taxes are concerned. If you don't make time to read up on new tactics, new tax laws, and new tricks of the trade, you will never see your business grow.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Recently my work made its England debut in their illustration magazine, AMMO.

What’s been your best decision? Starting this business to keep a promise to my parents. And maintaining that business and not giving in to "easier" things.

Who inspires you? Whenever I'm in a creative rut, I always turn to Edward Gorey. He is the reason I went into art. My father used to read his stories to me at bedtime. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up.

What are you passionate about? Besides my illustration work, I'm very passionate about cooking. It's meditative and very much intuition and science blended together. I've recently moved to the big city of San Jose so there are hundreds of new foods for me to try.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Oddly enough, I would love to meet the children's author Diana Wynne Jones.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? It's my dream to live in Europe. I have two years to wait until my boyfriend finishes his graduate degree in photography and then it's off to Europe for us! We'll have to live in a place where they teach in English, though, since his linguistic skills aren't up to par.

What are you reading? Right now I'm re-reading The Thirteen Clocks by James Thurber. Wonderful children's book!

images courtesy of megan eckman

undecorate by christiane lemieux

2012-01-20T06:00:00.001+11:00

If it was not enough for the Canadian-born founder and creative director of DwellStudio to have grown a successful design business with a global reach, Christiane Lemieux has also gone on to create a number 1 bestselling design book, as rated by the Wall Street Journal. Undecorate was released in Australia last year by Random House, and features 20 homes that embrace "the no-rules approach to interior design". It includes one of my favourite homes - the Brooklyn apartment of Kim Ficaro and James Wilson (pictured second from the bottom). And Christiane has included her own New York loft too (pictured bottom).

Which five words best describe you? Whirlwind, passionate, disorganised, light-hearted, honest.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I graduated from the Parsons School of Design in New York with a degree in fashion design. I started working in fashion for Isaac Mizrahi, then the GAP. I got a chance to design for a home furnishings company called Portico. While there, I started trying some graphic textile designs and realised that was a big market for a modern look in the home furnishings market. That is how I decided to go out on my own. The author part of my career is very recent, but I really love it and I am ready to do my next book too.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Never be afraid to take a risk and try something new. I like to learn something new every day.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Undecorate is one for sure. I never thought I would be an author. We also recently launched our first furniture line. Pulling all of that together from the fabric to the wood finishes to the forms was an amazing experience.
What’s been your best decision? Besides having my children – going off on my own to start my business. I now employ 35 people who are like my family.
Who inspires you? I am inspired by the people who change the world and there are many... From someone like Anthony Lake the Executive Director of UNICEF – who helps children all over the world – to philanthropists like Bill and Melinda Gates who are putting a stop to childhood malaria.
What are you passionate about? That is a long long list. I am passionate about microfinance for entrepreneurs in developing nations and organisations like Kiva. I am passionate about UNICEF and eradicating childhood poverty and disease. I am passionate about our local organisations like CMOM in New York that promote literacy for children in at risk situations.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Again, so many. Off the top of my head: da Vinci, Hillary Clinton would be very interesting and I think dinner with Jon Stewart would be funny and cool.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? I would really like to get my pilot's license and fly. I would love to fly a plane around the world.
What are you reading? Right now I am finishing up Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom.

images courtesy of christiane lemieux and random house

designer leah bartholomew

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000+11:00

Beneath The Sun is the tale of a designer who has come full circle, and then some. Leah Bartholomew grew up in Northern NSW but moved to Melbourne to study. While there she also worked for Melbourne designer Beci Orpin, who became somewhat of a mentor. Now Leah has returned to her homeland and has set up a design business that uses her illustrations in a range of homewares and stationery which are produced locally and in an environmentally sensitive way.

Which five words best describe you? Cheerful, spontaneous, illogical, fun, determined.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I moved from Northern NSW to Melbourne after studying fine arts and after exploring the city for a year, did some screen printing and decided to do a Diploma in Graphic Arts at RMIT. I had been a fan of Beci Orpin's work for sometime and in my last year heard she was looking for an assistant. I was happy to just show her my folio, never believing I would actually get the job. She called me immediately and wanted to meet me. I worked with Beci for five years, she was the best mentor I could have asked for. Now I have done the full loop and returned to NSW where it all began to start my own business.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Not to put too much pressure on myself to have a "style" in my art-making. If you put yourself into your art/designs, the style will inevitably show itself. I feel like I've got about three different approaches to my art-making; in the end they seem to combine into the one.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Making my first solo show happen. "Where The Dry Leaves Fall" was a long time coming; it was a body of work I really needed to get out. It played on a lot of nostalgic feelings I was having about the place I grew up and how it was affecting the place I was in at the time. It was like every piece in the show was clearly set out in my mind; I just had to make them. I was so happy the night it opened: Melbourne delivered a perfectly warm night to suit the show. It was incredibly assuring to see all the red sold dots appearing on the walls, lots of people of all ages were feeling similar connections to their own childhood.

What’s been your best decision? To move back to the hills of the Tweed Valley and start Beneath The Sun. As much as I adore Melbourne, the time had come to return to the place my heart was with. Here I'm surrounded by the perfect elements to suit the label. After some tough times in Melbourne, it's been an incredibly rewarding and happy experience to set up my studio from home and make the things I love in a gorgeous surrounding. It feels like I'm in the right place.

Who inspires you? Such a long list of people and things! Artists like Geoff McFetridge, Marcus Oakley, Kirra Jamison, Marcus Walters, Sonic Youth, Kandinsky, Steven Harrington. My mum and her huge capacity of kindness. Humorous people.

What are you passionate about? The place I live. Shark documentaries. Well-designed houses. Colours. People and their idiosyncrasies.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? My Pop. He died when I was young and I would do anything to know him now. Since being back home I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with my dad, it would be great to hear about him through his dad. He was a really funny man with a lot of character, I think we would make great friends. Besides him, I would love to have met Margaret Olley for her free-spirited nature and her obsession for her art-making.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Living in California and working with some of my favourite designers, taking regular trips down to South America.

What are you reading? Lots and lots of blogs, magazines and Graphis books. I'm not a big reader unless it's design books.

images courtesy of beneath the sun

designer caroline quaine

2012-01-18T06:00:00.005+11:00

Caroline Quaine + Katherine Norman

It took a visit to New York to discover the work of Australian furniture designers Norman + Quaine. One of their sofas was in the home of expat stylist Marcus Hay. He had actually owned the piece since living in Sydney, and it was one of the few objects he'd taken with him to New York when he relocated for work.

The sofa had strong Modernist lines and as Marcus is such a collector of vintage pieces, I thought it was one of his many great finds. (You can see it in his post here - and read an interview with Marcus here.) But that's the clever thing about the designs of Norman + Quaine: they nod to the past while being grounded in the world today. The products are also made in Australia, and the founders, Katherine Norman and Caroline Quaine have been in partnership for the past 20 years. The Sydney-based duo have not only created furniture with longevity, but interiors too. Katherine is an interior designer while Caroline is an industrial designer. They have for many years worked with respected retailer Living Edge. Here, Caroline shares some of their story.

Which five words best describe you? Contemporary, simple, bright, layered, quality Australian-made.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? We met working for architects Mitchell Giurgola Thorp on the furniture team for New Parliament House Canberra. We recognised a niche market and started Norman and Quaine in 1990, designing and developing products, working closely with our manufacturers Woodmark International. We opened the showroom in Surry Hills in 1993 and supplied furniture to both the design and residential sectors.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To always provide the best possible experience to any client.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Seeing our furniture in many public spaces.

What’s been your best decision? Probably forming a long-lasting and supportive business partnership.

Who inspires you? Craftspeople in developing countries who produce designs of stunning simplicity and beauty for everyday practical use. People who utilise and adapt skills passed through generations.

What are you passionate about? Travel; beautiful layered interiors combining old and new, contemporary with traditional.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo

What dream do you still want to fulfil? A year living in India.

What are you reading? Have been enjoying reading about the work of Studio Mumbai

images courtesy of norman & quaine

editor neale whitaker

2012-01-13T06:00:00.005+11:00

It is always interesting to watch the imprint that an editor has on a magazine. Sometimes publications can seem beasts unto themselves, in that they steer the look and feel. But other times an editor comes along who takes the magazine on a new journey. This has been happening at Belle since editor Neale Whitaker arrived. Previously the publication was highly geared towards an architectural aesthetic and readership. Today it is more expansive and encompassing.

While Neale started his magazine career in the UK, working on the cult title i-D, and launching Food Illustrated for leading retailer Waitrose, he has made a name for himself in Australia. He has edited Marie Claire Lifestyle and Vogue Entertaining + Travel. Neale has also worked as creative director for Bill Granger, written a book The Accidental Foodie, and been a judge on TV's homeMADE and The Block. He is currently editor-in-chief of both Belle and Good Food magazines. The images, above, are from the Feb/March issue of Belle.

Which five words best describe you? Impulsive, honest, impatient, emotional, cynical.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My career has taken so many twists and turns, but my first ‘break’ was getting a job as a reporter on cult British style mag i-D back in the early 1980s. It was short-lived, but enough to get the magazine juices flowing.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? From the CEO to the receptionist to the most junior assistant, everyone deserves respect and courtesy. It’s an old-fashioned lesson but I happen to believe it.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Launching a magazine called Food Illustrated in the UK, early in 1998. It punched far above its weight in terms of its influence in food magazine publishing around the world, then and since.

What’s been your best decision? Moving to Australia.

Who inspires you? I feel I’m supposed to name a current designer and of course, many do inspire me (Noe Duchaufour-Lawrance springs to mind), but throughout my career my inspiration has been Terence Conran. Nobody has had the same impact on what we now refer to as ‘lifestyle’. His influence on food, restaurants, hotels, retail and design has been unparalleled. I also have great respect for Martha Stewart, Paul Smith, Tricia Guild and the late Joseph Ettedgui. I’m inspired by individuals who retain lifelong creative integrity around their brands.

What are you passionate about? Keeping things in perspective and remembering that we are all here for a very, very short time.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Picasso, Peggy Guggenheim, Michael Buble, Justice Michael Kirby, Barack Obama, Billie Holiday, Sade Adu, Elizabeth David, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, David Sedaris, Patricia Urquiola, Pedro Almodovar, Teena Marie, Tom Ford and Robert Pattinson. Oh sorry, just one? Elizabeth David. By all accounts she was a difficult old trout but I think she’d have been a riot.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? My dreams change daily, if not hourly. To write more books is a constant.

What are you reading? A biography of Peggy Guggenheim and Michael Kirby’s Private Life.

images courtesy of belle magazine

designer & shopkeeper alexandra bond

2012-01-12T06:00:00.002+11:00

If the saying is true that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere, then it's going to be interesting to watch the trajectory of Alexandra Bond and Nicholas Barber. Together the couple have been running a successful architectural interior design business in New York. On returning to Sydney recently they established Dunlin, a way of opening their contacts book to many homewares companies previously not represented in Australia.

Which five words best describe you? Optimistic, adventurous, enthusiastic, tireless but sometimes exhausted!

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I began my career as an architect after graduating from UNSW, where I had met Nico while he was studying architecture at Sydney [University]. We moved to NYC where we designed an amazing range of projects together, from homes in New York City and throughout the Hamptons to hotels in Latin America. Working and living in New York was an experience like no other, especially running our own company. We learnt so much, and worked with the most amazing collection of clients, companies and craftsmen; it was an amazing education in design, and one I can't recommend highly enough to any young Australian designer. We began Dunlin as an extension to our architecture and interiors practice, as a way of bringing these amazing craftsmen and companies back to Australia when we moved home from NYC. Davey Lighting, for example, we found while designing a jazz bar; to now be representing them and seeing them used in gorgeous homes across Australia is wonderfully rewarding.
What's the best lesson you've have learnt along the way? A few! Only work with the best, be it suppliers, consultants or clients. And the value of moving forward, something NYC instilled in me, to do something as well as you possibly can, learn from it then onto the next.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I am really proud of seeing Dunlin grow and flourish, it’s been a lot of work by a lot of wonderful people whom I’m very proud of.
What’s been your best decision? Firstly, starting a company with Nicholas. Also to keep working hard and to never give up, I’ve had a lot of not so good ones too!
Who inspires you? My family and friends, who I learn from everyday, and even though it's not a 'who': travelling. I don't think anything keeps you as compassionate and curious as being a bit of a gypsy.
What are you passionate about? Right now its Trancoso, being a better surfer, good friends, family and brunch.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Ellsworth Kelly or perhaps a day with Frida, Diego & Juan O'Gorman would have been pretty incredible; my mum and I spent a few weeks in Mexico City last year and adored it.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To continue doing what I am doing would be more than enough, and finally, finally getting a dog!
What are you reading? I have an unhealthy addiction to magazines, I'm afraid. Reading-wise I loved M, so I am working my way back through Peter Robb's works. A death in brazil is in my bag right now.

images courtesy of dunlin (image 1 via desire to inspire)

photographer james geer

2012-01-11T06:00:00.001+11:00

There are only a handful of Melbourne photographers that get used by Sydney-based interior magazines time and time again. James Geer is one of them. He has had his images published in Inside Out magazine and Real Living as well as Living Etc in the UK. James also exhibits his photography, and has been a finalist in the National Portraiture Prize. He started out as a graphic designer, detoured to photography, assisted in New York and returned to Melbourne after three years. Now he not only produces work for magazines but also clients such as Hermes, Nike and Levi's.

Which five words best describe you? According to me = relaxed, observant, loyal, particular, motivated. According to my three-year-old: dizzy, smile, nose, funny, yummy.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Started out in graphic design, in a studio that was shared with a photographer, started assisting him, loved it, went to NYC for 3 years, assisted some big names, started shooting, came back, here I am!

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To watch light, when you do this, every and any thing can have beauty.

What’s your proudest career achievement? My first solo exhibition last year "DEEP" was a huge challenge, extremely exposing and ultimately incredibly rewarding.

What’s been your best decision? To ask Rebecca to be my wife.

Who inspires you? Anyone who works with their hands making things using traditional methods.

What are you passionate about? The ocean and it's inhabitants.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To turn off the phone and computer for a few months.

What are you reading? A visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

images courtesy of james geer

thank you!

2011-12-23T06:00:00.001+11:00

Thank you for stopping by and reading about Australia's creative talent.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

Thank you for your kind words.

2011 has been quite an adventure. Can't wait to share the next chapter.

Natalie

Kelly Wearstler for Harper's BAZAAR

2011-12-22T06:00:00.004+11:00

One of the highlights of this past year has been the opportunity to not only visit the Beverly Hills home of Kelly Wearstler, but also to meet a living icon of interior design. Walking around the 3650-square-metre estate was a slightly surreal experience - like being on a film set or, quite literally, within the pages of her books Domicilium Decoratus, Modern Glamour or Hue. But, as I wrote in the feature for Australia's Harper's BAZAAR, it still felt like a family home because of how relaxed her boys were playing there. The furniture was not too precious for them to curl up into. The grounds were ripe for playing. They were having a lot of fun... especially when the portraits had been taken and they couldn't wait to jump into the pool. Photographer Kata Varga captured so well their spirit of adventure. (We also managed to sneak in a few photo shoots for Frontliners while in LA, which we'll share in the New Year.)

The feature is in the Jan/Feb 12 issue of Harper's BAZAAR. Here is the Daily Imprint interview with Kelly that ran last year.

Which five words best describe you? [I chose 6!] Creative. Family-oriented. Risk-taker. Ambitious. Free-thinker. Organised!
What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? I worked as a waitress for years. That job taught me how to multi-task and deal with people.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Opening my design firm over a decade ago. It was always a dream of mine, and I was fortunate enough to make it a reality.
What’s been your best decision? Having a family.
Who inspires you? William de Kooning, Sonia Rykiel, Ettore Sottsass... Each brings something unique to the table in their respective fields, which I respect and admire.
What are you passionate about? Fashion, travel, design, my family...
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Always learn from your mistakes.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to have an opportunity to meet my children’s children and my great, great grandparents. It would be so intriguing to see my family’s past and future.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Opening my own lifestyle boutique.

What are you reading? My new book, HUE!

images courtesy of harper's bazaar (photography kata varga; styling natalie walton)

sculptural basket maker harriet goodall

2011-12-21T06:00:00.006+11:00

It is an ancient art form yet one that is resulting in international commisions for Australia's Harriet Goodall. She describes herself as a sculptural basket maker. The work incorporates craft, knowledge of plant materials and design. As part of her oeuvre, Harriet also collects discarded industrial farming materials to shape into objects such as light shades. She also co-founded Warp & Weft in 2005 with her husband. Together they import organically dyed, hand spun textiles from Peru and Argentina. The couple live in the Southern Highlands, an area of countryside south of Sydney. Harriet has a studio there, pictured above, which is a former milking shed. She also runs workshops on basket weaving.

Which five words best describe you?

Expressive, loyal, feisty, open-hearted, restless.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since?

My work-life path has been full of twists. I don't think I had one defining kick-start. My country childhood was crucial to my aesthetic perspective. I coasted academically at school, struggled with authority and wasn't ready to commit to being 'one thing' so I chose a degree that was theatrical, practical and fun. I studied communications in theatre/media at CSU Bathurst - a shout-out to the fire-breathing unicyclists of Australia.

I spent the next 10 years working mainly to fund travel. I had jobs briefly in radio, then media, in recording studios in London, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Sydney Olympics Ceremonies production team and then after a mid-20s soul-search, in not-for-profit organisations and teaching English to adults. Global travels and a love of textiles and markets led my boyfriend and I to start up a small ethical business working with less privileged but highly-skilled weavers from Peru and Argentina importing textiles. We still do this part-time.

When we had our first child I allowed my creative side to be completely in charge. Perhaps my inner-child came out to play when I felt I didn't have to justify my education. It turns out I do need all the left-brain skills I gained from years of office jobs so that I can run the business side of my creative practice. Having stood up in front of adults as a teacher for a few years also helped when I was approached to take my first basketry workshops too. Now my focus is on three things: workshop, commission and exhibition.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way?

Don't sit on echidna quills! (it's particularly stupid when you upholstered the chair with them just the day before). Seriously, I've come to realise that I am writing my own story and while things happen to you that you can't control it's entirely up to you how you deal with disappointments and make the most of your opportunities (and we here in Australia have many). Ultimately I have to be brave and I have to be proud of what I do.

What’s your proudest career achievement? I finished my first international commission of a cluster of big sculptural pendant lights and a five-metre stick dividing wall (Rwith the help of Joe Vinks & Nick Goodall), and they are now in a restaurant in California.

What’s been your best decision? Steering clear of city life, living simply with one of the world's finest men.

Who inspires you?

Mother nature first and foremost. Contemporary Australian women fibre artists, assemblage artists and sculptors; Shona Wilson, Jade Oakley, Virginia Kaiser, Tanya Stubbles, Rosalie Gascoigne etc.

What are you passionate about?

The subtle colours and aged surfaces of found objects wearing the marks of time and place. Bark, nests, eggs, leaves, vines, cocoons, pattern, patina, rust, feathers. My babies, sleep.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet?

Jesus. I am not religious at all but I need a carpenter who can perform a miracle in my kitchen - and he must have been the most charismatic man who ever lived.

What dream do you still want to fulfil?

I feel like I am just at the beginning of this chapter of my story so there is a list but I have a strong idea for a beautiful and much-needed book and I would love to take basketry and textile tours to some of the places I have been in the far-flung corners of the world. I just missed out on a fantastic new studio and workshop space so that goes back on the list. To help my children become kind and adventurous people is also important to me.

What are you reading?

I have just read India Flint - Eco Colour cover to cover - I am learning about vegetable dyeing. I just started Geraldine Brooks, Caleb's Crossing and am halfway through listening in the car (talking books are perfect when I am too tired to read at night) to John Steinbeck - Grapes of Wrath. My family had to leave our family farm due to financial hardship in slightly less depressing circumstances but the story does resonate. Our four-year-old must be picking it up by osmosis because he asked me in the bath the other night, "Mum, are our houses us? I mean, are we our houses?" I hope not my love, that makes us a delapidated weatherboard.

images courtesy of harriet goodall, todd sutherland & sohi (studio shots) and stuart cohen (portrait)

designers bianca riggio & ryan hanrahan

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001+11:00

Bianca Riggio and Ryan Hanrahan are Sydney-based artists who have turned their passion for design into the business Page Thirty Three. Since launching in 2010 they have produced a range of products that have garnered a lot of attention thanks to their humorous and ironic take on everyday as well as iconic objects. The couple are now focussing their attention on producing as many of their designs in Australia as possible.

Which five words best describe you? Humorous, bubbly, creative, strong willed, hungry (literally).

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Well, we both studied fine arts, but there really wasn't this thread of jobs that lead to us starting Page Thirty Three. It was pretty left field. We are both creatives and have both always dreamt about all the things we would love to create. When we met this was immediately evident. I guess finding someone else who had the same ideas gave us the faith to just take the leap.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To make more time: take your time! I used to write like a million things I had to do each day, lists that were impossible to get to the bottom of and then be so disappointed when I didn't get there by the end of the day. I've learnt to break it down and work through a few jobs a day.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Receiving our first ever samples in the mail to our little Bondi apartment was a pretty special day.

What’s been your best decision? Moving into a warehouse in the Northern Beaches. It has really enabled our little business to endure the hard winter we just had in retail and it also means that we have started to produce small runs of product in-house, which is where we see the future.

Who inspires you? Ryan: people who are nice to each other, strong creative women like Margaret Kilgallen, Louise Bourgeois, Joni Mitchell & my sister.

What are you passionate about? EVERYTHING! I'm told it may have something to do with my Italian heritage. I am especially passionate about nutrition and the environment.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I really don't know, the thought has never crossed my mind. However, I would have liked to be a fly on the wall when Pierre Cabanne interviewed Duchamp, for the book Dialogues with Marcel Duchamp.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? So many dreams! To start I want to take Page Thirty Three overseas next year. I also would like to move more towards creating larger objects and even spaces. Personally I dream of buying my own patch of land and having a barn house studio to work on my art.

What are you reading? Perfect health by Deepak Chopra.

images courtesy of page thirty three

the new artisans by olivier dupon

2011-12-16T06:00:00.005+11:00

The people who feature on Daily Imprint are on a creative journey. And it's always interesting to see where they go next. When I interviewed Olivier Dupon in March 2010 (and showcased photos of his Sydney home here) he had closed his Balmain boutique Lola Et Moi and was focussing on his blog Dossier37. Since then he has been working on a rather large project - publishing a book - The New Artisans - with Thames & Hudson. Basically it's his blog come to life.

How did you arrive at the concept for the book? While importing independent designers' creations for my own shop Lola et Moi in Sydney, Balmain, I could experience first hand the resurgence for craft and customers craving for anything unique and handmade. Once I closed the shop, I thought about how I could pursue my passion for scouting and promoting talented makers. Highlighting these 'artisans' in a book appeared to be the best venue as a book helps set contributors more permanently in time; it gives them a wider exposure and really allows a better focus. I am also a strong believer that books tend to be cherished and collected, so that fully suits the purpose of such an exercise: showcasing desirable creations, beyond introducing craft skills. A paper volume as such is a perfect match for a project about craft.

What was involved in the creation process? Drive, networking and organisation skills are key elements. The intention was to create a multi-dimensional book, where readers could simply get inspired or ultimately be directed to a designer for a purchase. The main criteria was thus to cover as many techniques and base materials as possible, feature as many countries of origin as possible, and introduce a wide range of creative styles (from utilitarian via decorative to purely artistic objects). Sprinkle that with a touch of personal flair, selecting ultimately my favourite talents. All the information was provided by the contributors (facts and quotes) and the final texts and layouts were validated by them before printing: a true team work all along.

How long did it take to come together - from concept to first copy? It is a labor of love and as such a "child". It literally took nine months from the first work meeting to having validated the final pages and texts, then add 5 months for the print lead time and delivery to the stores.

How did you envisage the look of the book? I always had in mind to create a desirable, yet accessible, and "poetic" book, and I was fortunate enough to work with a publisher, and subsequently an editorial and design team, who understood and shared my vision. Simple and modern layouts that suit the humility of the artisan world and showcase above all the objects, whilst instilling a soft elegance. Artisanship is not about ego, but the love of material and the excellence in craft. The book had to translate that, and it hopefully does.

What was unexpected about the whole experience? The enthusiastic response and feedback from day one, starting with each contributor, who all immediately and cheerfully embarked on this adventure with me and now with the reader feedback, which is overwhelmingly positive. It is not that I was not confident about the project, but you can never be sure in advance about how many people will so fully embrace your honest passion.

images courtesy of olivier dupon and thames & hudson

interior designer mardi doherty

2011-12-15T06:00:00.003+11:00

Mardi Doherty (left) and Fiona Lynch

Individually the partners behind Doherty Lynch - Mardi Doherty and Fiona Lynch - have a wealth of experience working on world-class interior projects. Since joining forces they are fast becoming a well-known entity with a slew of awards to back them up. While Fiona comes from an fine arts and interior design background, Mardi has earned her stripes at some of the world's best known design and architectural firms, including the Conran Group in the UK and the David Collins architecture studio. During her time in Europe she worked on a range of projects - from the interior for Madonna's home in Belgravia to the retail fitouts for the Diesel fashion brand.

Which five words best describe you? Enthusiastic, driven, loyal, active, loved.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was lucky to work for Chris Connell at the beginning of my career. He gave me more responsibility than you would expect at that age, so I was exposed to all aspects of design, client liaison and seeing projects through to completion. At the time, we were working on the design of a London-based restaurant for Will Ricker, so I decided to head over and see it while it was being constructed. Three years later, I returned to Melbourne after a crazy time working for the Conran Design Group and David Collins. The one consistent thread in my career is that I have always had incredibly passionate, eccentric and creative bosses who were uncompromising in their commitment to their designs.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Every problem has a solution – you just need to stay calm, take a step back, stare a bit and talk it through.

What’s your proudest career achievement? To see the NGV at Federation Square finally open! I spent three years working on the gallery spaces (while working for Lab Architecture Studio) with a passionate team of designers. It was a magical feeling when we could enter as patrons, rather than one of the working team.

What’s been your best decision? To start a partnership business after having kids – it's great to have someone to share the responsibilities with and it makes work a lot more fun.

Who inspires you? Strong, accomplished women who pursue their dreams while still raising a family. One person in particular is my business partner Fiona. Not only is she an amazing designer, she is also organised and ridiculously capable, and she has taught me so much.

What are you passionate about? Travel, desserts, art, friends and family.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Salvador Dali.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To study glassblowing while living in Murano, Italy. My passion for Murano lights and glass was heightened by a visit to Murano where I watched the artisans at their craft. The beautiful fluid forms and bold, bright colours are incredible.

What are you reading? The recipe for Raspberry Eton Mess in Fleur Woods’ gorgeous book Food Fashion Friends.

images courtesy of doherty lynch

jewellery designer taë schmeisser

2011-12-14T06:00:00.004+11:00

Melbourne-based Tae Schmeisser only launched her jewellery label Beuy at the start of December, and already she's been blown away by the response. It's her second label, after exhibiting in galleries with her eponymous line since 2002. Tae has a BA in Visual Arts (glass) from the Australian National University, and has studied ceramics and glass in Japan.

Which five words best describe you? Energetic, driven, focused, curious, observant.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? After finishing my visual arts degree five years ago, I started stocking my glass jewellery pieces at the Canberra store Bijoux. While I felt nervous about having my work critiqued, the response was positive. The reward was certainly worth the risk to my ego. Next I enrolled in a gold and silversmithing course so I could learn about and work with other materials. Now, after a number of years making gallery pieces, I am excited to launch a jewellery label that can offer something creatively and technically innovative as well as being more accessible for a broader range of people.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Always get professional photography! Investing in your work and its presentation can only have positive results.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Launching my label bëuy! Gaining the experience, knowledge and the nerve to take the creative and professional leap. Sometimes you need to make wrong turns and take the long way around to be certain of what you want, and how much you’re willing to put at stake for it. But the detours can also be a lot of fun!
What’s been your best decision? Surrounding myself with people who offer different perspectives, support and insight. People who make me laugh. Everyone has life lessons and experiences to share. Listening is invaluable. Sometimes you just need someone with a fresh perspective to ask you the right question and it can help resolve a design or technical glitch.
Who inspires you? Anyone who has a passion that no matter how mundane, outrageous, unconventional or unprofitable it may seem just keeps working at it, refining and evolving their practice, because they could not imagine living without it.
What are you passionate about? Sharing my perspective through my work, even though it may not always be terribly enlightening to anyone else! I get excited and inspired by everyday objects - a well-crafted spoon that perfectly balances form and function, the geometric beauty of a rib cage.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? A few girlfriends and I were actually talking about how we would love to have dinner with Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton from At the Movies - they are both so fervent and even when they absolutely disagree, you can still see the respect between them.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I hope that I never run out of dreams and goals. At the moment, I am working on the next collection for bëuy. My ultimate dream is to extend into homewares and fashion. I want to create a brand that delivers a recognisable and unique aesthetic with new approaches to materials. I want people to be able to look at a piece in New York, Paris or Batemans Bay and straight away say, “That’s a bëuy...”
What are you reading? My wonderful Dad gave me a cheeky book, The book of general ignorance, part two. I think he was trying to tell me something.

images courtesy of beuy

iconic australian houses by karen mccartney

2011-12-08T06:00:00.001+11:00

One of the most successful Australian interior books of recent times is 50/60/70: Iconic Australian Houses by Karen McCartney. It is not surprising then that the founding editor of Inside Out magazine has gone on to produce a follow-up: 70/80/90. It is a book that provides architectural analysis and interior inspiration all within a historical context. Karen, who I have previously interviewed here, shares what went into the process of making the most recent edition.

You can buy either edition - or both! - with a personalised message on the recently launched site Iconic Australian Houses.

Why did you decide to do a follow-up book to 50 60 70? It took me a while to get the energy back to think about a second book but due to the great deal of interest in the first one I thought a follow up would be logical. While collaborating with photographer Michael Wee, art director Andrea Healy and editor Leta Keens on the first book we had established a way of working together and developed a strong template for the book. 70/80/90 Iconic Australian Houses was an extension of this format with the 70s revisited because of two very special houses - Richard Leplastrier's Palm House and Glenn Murcutt's Kempsey House.

What was involved in the creation process? I had to source the houses that I thought would fit the bill, approach the architects and find out if the home owners were comfortable to be included in the book. The benefit of having the first edition was that everyone involved could see the treatment of the houses and the production values of the book.

How long did it take to come together - from concept to first copy? I agreed to do the book in January 2009 and we had the launch at the end of October 2011. It was a long process because I work full time and so weekends, evenings, holidays and a stint of long service leave became the times that I worked. Much was done sitting in the car outside daughter's ballet school on a Saturday morning. There was two years of writing, photography and design - travelling to rural NSW, Victoria and Queensland - and then six months of proofing processes and printing.

What was important to you in terms of the book's text, photography and design? All the elements you mention were equally important. The ability to interview all the architects, and in some instances the clients, gave the text a really personal feel. The book is written in a direct fashion, not in the language of the architectural profession, and so while completely accurate it is also approachable. The photography process was that I would visit each house and take snaps which were the basis for discussion with the photographer and in some instances the stylist. I would try and write the text before the photographs were taken so the emphasis of the images were correct. I worked very closely with Andrea Healy on the layouts. It was one of the best elements of the design journey - working through what images worked together to best effect and tell the story of each house in a beautiful and evocative way.

What was unexpected about the whole experience? Nothing was unexpected as the second time around we were experienced in the process. I did, however, love seeing how each stage came together and how the final layouts really felt more than the sum of the parts. There are some movingly beautiful houses and I feel passionate about all of them. Now the book is published the architects seem happy with not only their houses but the company they keep with the other choices. That is very gratifying.

images courtesy of iconic australian houses

architect stuart vokes

2011-12-07T06:00:00.006+11:00

Among the many projects completed by Brisbane-based architecture firm Owen & Vokes is a contemporary prefab house called the White Series for Happy Haus. Since creating the firm in 2003, Stuart Vokes has overseen several furniture projects too, including this bedside library. But primarily the practice is known for its residential work. One home, pictured second from the top, was featured in the Christmas issue of InsideOut magazine. Stuart explained his approach to the interiors: "Walls are our ally. They allow us to manipulate particular and unique characters for each room. In relation to climatic control and comfort, solid walls are the cheapest technology and the most successful thermal and sound insulators." Interesting to consider in light of the current love of open-plan living.

Which five words best describe you? Searching for knowledge and beauty.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My father and grandfather both ran their own businesses. They taught me that work was life, work was virtuous, work was happiness. I suppose it was in my DNA that I establish my own practice.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Be generous. One creates their own opportunities and happiness.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Having happy clients.

What’s been your best decision? Asking a cute shop girl on a date (she became my wife).

Who inspires you? My partners and colleagues - they bring a creative energy to the studio. I am also inspired by anyone who generates their own place to dwell, to exist in this world.

What are you passionate about? I am very passionate about my practice, which I share with Paul Owen and Aaron Peters.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Adolf Loos - late Viennese architect. I have learnt so much about room-making from studying his work.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To make a project in Sweden or Japan would be sweet!

What are you reading? I am re-reading Junichiro Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows, and David Malouf's 12 Edmonstone Street. I find that there is always something more to be found, something that I missed in my favourite books.

images courtesy of owen and vokes

tuesday giveaway!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.002+11:00

There is a talented designer in Melbourne called Emily Wright (read her Daily Imprint interview here) who comes from a fine arts background but is now a textile designer for her label Nancybird, which had its genesis in 2001. Most of her wares are handprinted in Melbourne and she sources custom-made leathers in Italy. There is a distinct Australian influence in Emily's work, such as the bag she's offering Daily Imprint readers the chance to win. It features a native Australian daisy print.

Nancybird is offering one Daily Imprint reader the chance to win

1 x West Bag in Red, valued at $450!

For your chance to win, visit the Nancybird website and leave a comment below. A winner will be selected at random after comments close at midnight on Monday 12 December. Don't forget to check back to see if you are the winner. (If the winner does not respond within two weeks of being notified, the prize will be redrawn.)

Thank you to everyone for taking part. A winner has been drawn:

#52 loulou

Congratulations!!! Please contact me as soon as possible so I can organise delivery of the prize.

images courtesy of nancybird

artist camie lyons

2011-12-05T06:00:00.002+11:00

Camie Lyons is an artist who lives in Sydney, has studied in Sweden, exhibited in Hong Kong and is in talks for a commission in Scotland. In a castle, no less. She was a finalist in The Dobell Prize for drawing in 2010 and is currently exhibiting at Tim Olsen Gallery until December 11.

Which five words best describe you? The first word that springs to mind is busy! Also: dedicated, passionate, dreamer and believer (in the impossible that is).
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was lucky to get some good media attention early on, Belle, Vogue Living, etc, all picked up the work and I just ran with that. I don't think the path has been clear; I just keep creating and putting my best out there, always my best work. Now I have the support of good galleries I feel I have more freedom and confidence to make the work I believe in; beautiful and sensitive is what I always steer by. I love lines, organic, pulsating lines and the arrangement of these gestures, like solid drawings in space - they
are in themselves a kind of path being drawn.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Persistence - and never compromise.
What's your proudest career achievement? This year has been pretty amazing and this question was lovely to make me pause and think about this. The Dobell Prize beginning of the year, being part of Wattle: A survey of Australian Contemporary Art in Hong Kong, installing the biggest commissions of my career in Phuket, and then finishing with this exhibition Wallflower (entering space) which I am very, very proud of. It has been a wild, incredibly huge year - and I survived it!
What's been your best decision? To have a child, and then another.
Who inspires you? I am inspired by those around me, by random acts of kindness, by a beautiful human moment and by the unexpected details of the everyday. It's not so much who as what.
What are you passionate about? My boys and my art, I try to keep it simple. Oh, and food... and friends, my gorgeous eclectic collection of friends. And a good belly laugh over a glass of wine; escaping to the country; being caught in a storm on one of Sydney's wonderful beaches; getting lost in his embrace; my new garden; dressing up - still love playing dress ups; and my beautiful, extra special little boys, and watching them piece together an understanding of this thing called life; travel; love a good adventure; love a good story; I suppose I live a quite a passionate life and I am absolutely no good at keeping it simple!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Louise Bourgeois
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Personally: balance and patience. Professionally: there has been talk of a commission for the grounds of a Scottish castle, what girl would not want to do that I ask! How completely romantic.
What are you reading? Right now, Buddhism for mothers by Sarah Napthali - utterly lovely and honest and something to strive for.

images courtesy of camie lyons and tim olsen gallery

designer charlotte swiden

2011-12-01T06:00:00.002+11:00

Swedes are perhaps as well known for their love of colour, as well as their passion for white, white, white. And so it goes with the designs of Charlotte Swiden. While she was born and raised in Sweden, she moved to Melbourne in 2005. Initially Charlotte worked as a product and stationery designer for the Australian brand with a Swedish aesthetic kikki.K (read a Daily Imprint interview with its founder Kristina Karlsson here). But now she has ventured off to create her own brand with Swiden, celebrating colour - and white.

Which five words best describe you? Small, smiley, summery, Swedish, super colourful.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started as an apprentice at a small design company back home in Sweden, studying graphic design after hours and freelancing on the side. Four years later I decided I wanted to live in Melbourne, Australia so I packed up my life and moved. I completed a bachelor degree in communication design and kept freelancing. After that I found my dream job at kikki.K as a product and stationery designer. It was hard work but so rewarding and I had almost total creative freedom. I stayed with kikki.K for three years and then decided to realise my dream to design and make my own products.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To trust my gut instincts. If it feels right - go for it.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Probably my first sales and positive feedback, realising that people want and enjoy what I'm creating.
What’s been your best decision? Moving to Melbourne and leaving my home in Sweden was life changing, but the best decision I ever made. My life wouldn't have been what it is now otherwise. I met my fiance here, I found my dream career, I love the city's lifestyle and I'm always close to nature.
Who inspires you? Passionate people who are living their dreams.
What are you passionate about? My man and my home, designing my own products, being in nature, the ocean, traveling, reading, good food.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I think I'd be too tongue-tied to meet some genius like Einstein or Dalai Llama. If I could beam myself to meet my family in Sweden a bit more often I'd be pretty happy.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? So many things! To make a living from making my products. To be a good mum. To make my own porcelain products, design a kids collection and to own a beach house...
What are you reading? Just about to start reading Norwegian Wood by Japanese author Haruki Murakami.

images courtesy of charlotte swiden

designer & shopkeeper ross longmuir

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002+11:00

It's a testament to the quality of Ross Longmuir's work as a furniture designer that the origins of his business, Planet, go back to 1991. He set out to build furniture with Australian hardwoods in Melbourne, where he was based at the time, and encountered many naysayers for his vision. Determined, he persevered and today is not only a designer but also encourages others in the homewares industry by selling their products alongside his furniture - always with an eye on sustainability. Today the store in based in Sydney, with a recently launched presence online.

Which five words best describe you?

Funnily I don’t really have the objectivity to answer this question! I guess that I’m sort of chaotic but disciplined, creative but hardworking although sometimes I’m pretty lazy too. Quirky things make me laugh and mostly I’m afraid of being boring. Probably I’m over-sensitive.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since?

Twenty years ago I fell in love with furniture design and found that there wasn’t much going on in Australia. In design I always want to make sense, so I began with solid Australian hardwoods, sustainably sourced. Established furniture makers said that this wasn’t possible, so I spent five years researching materials and techniques and found that with the right approach, solid Australian hardwoods can be a spectacular success.

In 1998 I opened a retail showroom to present my vision in my own way. In order to support friends who crafted homewares, I decided to display their work alongside my furniture.

Planet now has an extensive collection of furniture classics and we offer a bespoke and full design service. There are always new pieces of furniture being added to the collection. I am now also developing a range of porcelain vases, soft furnishings using fabrics from around the world and contemporary floor rugs handwoven, employing traditional skills. We still show work from more than 70 other makers.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way?

Listen to your own truth.

What’s your proudest career achievement?

Being able to satisfy clients through creativity. There is genuine delight evident in response to our pieces so often. It’s so great when people instinctually respond from the heart to something that is original. My work is an attempt to highlight beautiful, sustainable, pure raw materials that are finely crafted into useful and original forms. It is life affirming that it is also possible to make a business successful while not compromising creativity or originality.

What’s been your best decision?

By deciding that the world is a bountiful place and that it is not greedy to hope for enough, I firmly believe that we each can be creative by choosing what is good.

Who inspires you?

So many people! Musicians have so much power to change my world daily. I love Pinchgut Opera in Sydney. In particular it's breathtaking that so many people can do the right thing at the right time! Great artwork expands my comprehension. With my own design, I often think “what would Gerrit Rietveld do?” Great architecture is often inspiration for me to create particular pieces. Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre is a special favourite.

What are you passionate about?

So many things! Originality is exciting and inspires others and elevates us all. Individuality should be treasured and celebrated. We all live in such different ways with different values and pioneers out on a limb create the most significant benefits to others. Natural fibres just make sense; they are beautiful and last but still excite me. Centuries of experimentation have given us knowledge of materials that have huge benefits that nourish our environment.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet?

Whoopi Goldberg would be so much fun to hang out with. Her forthright sense of humour mixed with such a strong sense of self and great energy is spectacular. She seems to be concerned about moral issues but isn’t at all uptight. On Broadway, a while ago, I saw her in a production of Xanadu on roller-skates! It’s cool that we share a birthday too.

What dream do you still want to fulfil?

I’d love a big garden. It would be fantastic to nurture an environment and have all that green energy around you every day. But I am happy living in the city right now with lots of people interacting, so that will need to remain a dream for a little bit longer.

What are you reading?

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I’ve rediscovered my love of India recently and a client recommended it to understand more of private family life. It’s about family interactions, just after partition. The common link between different locations, cultures and families is the potential suitors for a daughter. It’s about the largest book I’ve ever contemplated (p1127 currently) and is fascinating. I have some Raj-era Indian blood myself and have travelled there three times for a total of five months so far. To me India is more a collection of countries and with 1.2 billion people, it fascinates me how it operates so well with such cultural diversity.

images courtesy of planet; portrait via ernest fratczak

the lowercase giveaway!

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002+11:00

Today the talented duo behind The Lowercase (who I interviewed here) are giving Daily Imprint readers a chance to have a bit of fun at the dinner table this holiday season. As part of their launch collection they designed party papermats, which are part placemat, part paper art. They're also lightweight so easy to take along to the park or your local cafe. And perfect stocking fillers!

The Lowercase is offering one lucky reader:

1 x 12-packet Alphabetti Spaghetti Papermat, valued at $24.

1 x 12-packet Checkers Papermat, valued at $24.

1 x 12-packet Punch & Pose Papermat, vaued at $24.

The prize pack is worth $72.

For a chance to win, visit The Lowercase website and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random after comments close at midnight on Monday 5 December. Don't forget to check back to see if your name was selected. (If the winner does not respond within two weeks of being notified, the prize will be redrawn.)

Congratulations!!! The winner is:

#3 Lexi: PottyMouthMama

Thanks to everyone for taking part.

images courtesy of the lowercase

artist jessica tremp

2011-11-28T06:00:00.002+11:00

Photographer Jessica Tremp was born in Switzerland, but has made Melbourne her home since moving there when she was 18 years old. In the past couple of years she has focussed on photography, often using herself as a model in her work. Jessica's photography has featured in various magazines across the globe and she has been recognised in industry-focussed prizes. In 2010 she was a finalist for best emerging photographer in Australia by The Projections. This year she won Gold at the Prix de la Photographie in Paris in portraiture/self portraiture category. Jessica will be at exhibiting at Mick the Gallery in Sydney from 21 November.

Which five words best describe you? Romantic, passionate, animal-loving, stubborn, culinarily-inclined.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I just keep wandering where the path looks pretty, I usually have no idea where it'll lead.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? "In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth." - Patti Smith, Early Work 1970-1979.
What's your proudest career achievement? To be amongst the top five emerging Australian photographers in the arts category in last year's The Projections.
What's been your best decision? Marrying my wonderful husband Michael; musical genius, gentle soul and loud heart.
Who inspires you? It's more a "what" list; a long one at that. Blues, music, a bowl of spaghetti eaten alone, talking with friends after the third bottle of wine, hugs, fights, Peter Singer's philosphies, the animal kingdom, uncomfortable social experiences, Francesca Woodman's photography, Park Chan-Wook's movies, daydreaming of running with the wolves and from "that thing" that we all feel is there but can never quite put words to.
What are you passionate about? All of the above with fierce intensity.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Francesca Woodman, Peter Singer, Frida Kahlo.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? The move to my own piece of land and home in country Victoria, including a donkey, a goat, chickens, many eucalyptus trees, a long kitchen table to host all my loved ones for lengthy feasts and more time to create and stare at the sky.
What are you reading? The poetics of space by Gaston Bachelard, but I break it up with a little David Sedaris here and there.

images courtesy of jessica tremp

shopkeepers orlando & nicola reindorf

2011-11-24T06:00:00.003+11:00

Orlando Reindorf had an idea. After a few wines one Friday night he asked Melbourne artist Al Stark to paint the window of The Standard Store, a shop he'd recently opened with his wife Nicola in Sydney's Surry Hills. It is this kind of spontaneity and self-belief that has seen the couple expand their successful fashion distribution agency, Flying Standard, founded in 2000, into the stylish shop that is standing on Crown Street today. The two businesses promote many fashion labels that previously haven't been available in Australia. Meet Orlando and Nicola...

Orlando Reindorf

Which five words best describe you? Handsome is as handsome does.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I built and designed a trade fair stand for a London company selling Australian workwear in Paris, and I ended up working the stand, I fell into sales, and eventually was sales director for Diesel in London. I then moved to DKNY, but we came here to celebrate the millennium, and on my return to London I felt I needed a change, so I gave up the stability of a full-time job in fashion in London and moved to Australia. Sydney did not seem to offer the same career opportunities to me then so I thought I should set up my own business, using all my London contacts, selling their brands here.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Work hard, be passionate about what you do and don’t worry about success because if you do the first two things right then success will follow.

What’s your proudest career achievement? To date it has to be realising that the best person to work for was myself, starting my own business and making it work.

What’s been your best decision? Business-wise, going to the pub to meet a mate. I ended up meeting another person and picking up a great fashion brand out of the blue – it has made my business.

Who inspires you? Nicola, my wife, Clara, Karina, Jen and Brielle - five super cool women who make coming to work very easy.

What are you passionate about? Life - you only get one go at it.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? The Queen.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To spend more time abroad.

What are you reading? Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.

Nicola Reindorf

Which five words best describe you? Nostalgic, busy, communicative, Gemini mother.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? A family friend kindly helped me out after I dropped out of fashion design at college(I hated the technical side of it: pattern-making and sewing) and gave me a job as a stylist on commercials and shoots. I managed to get by, and travel, I ended up in Barcelona where I had a shop with some London friends. I then managed the X-Large store in Sydney, then back to London doing lots of things: styling, a kids label, working as a fit model for some great labels. I have been really lucky I have always managed to travel and get work I enjoy along the way.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: when you look back at the things that have gone wrong you can see the positive outcomes of negative obstacles.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Realising I am living my dream.

What’s been your best decision? The one I made last, which will be superseded by my next one.

Who inspires you? It's a cliché but Orlando and my beautiful sons Cosmo and Zephyr.

What are you passionate about? Living life to its fullest.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I don’t think I want to meet anyone famous. It could ruin my romantic perception of them. I would have liked to have met my grandfather; he died when my mother was a child. He is part of me, but I don’t know him at all.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To be able to balance my urban Sydney life with a more rural European life, drinking rose at midday, strolling through through ancient villages and having siestas after lunch.

What are you reading? Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.

images courtesy of the standard store

architect nick tobias

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001+11:00

Over the years I've interviewed award-winning Sydney architect Nick Tobias several times for various magazines. He has always been informative, helpful and accommodating, even opening the doors to his own home for photo shoots. In a recent interview with House & Garden his comments on renovating stuck: "Keep things simple. Trends will come and go but good design lasts forever. Remember to keep your home's architecture simple, liveable and timeless." It's a philosophy he has used in his work as an architect, as well as his own home (which I styled and wrote about here for Harper's BAZAAR). Amazingly, he set up his own practice at the age of 22 after studying architecture at the University of NSW. Since then he has had more than 100 commissions, and has expanded his team to include 17 architects and designers. Nick has also been a judge on Channel 9's Top Design, and is the husband of author Miranda Darling, who I interviewed here.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It really started with designing things for fashion trade shows and catwalks. Since then it's become about buildings, interiors, homes, offices, restaurants, shops, boats, and designing pretty much anything... supported by an amazing team.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Before getting into a professional relationship (client, builder, consultant, etc) test the "vision" match - the success of a project hinges on this.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Only yesterday, being on site at a house which we have been working on for more than three years and finishes in two weeks. It's looking wonderful.

What’s been your best decision? To ask Miranda, my wife to marry me.

Who inspires you? The universe.

What are you passionate about? Creation and diversity - family, architecture and design, art, music, fashion, friends and it all.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Freddie Mercury

What dream do you still want to fulfill? I'm living the dream.

What are you reading? The shallows - about what the internet does to our brain!

images courtesy of nick tobias

artist del kathryn barton

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000+11:00

The work of Del Kathryn Barton is instantly recognisable, in part thanks to the success she's had in Australia's most famous art prize, The Archibald. She took out top honours in 2008 and was a finalist in 2007 and 2011. A graduate of the College of Fine Arts, as part of the University of NSW, Del has exhibited many times in Australia and overseas. She's also collaborated with the fashion world, with Sydney-based label Romance was born and more recently has created a limited edition scarf for the 10-year anniversary of fashion store Palour X.

Which five words best describe you? Crazed workaholic (sleep-loving) mummy.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Well, I drew obsessively as a child, and I am still drawing to stay alive 38 years later. One has to trust the work more than anything.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? The best lesson is to know why you're doing what you're doing: meaning and connectivity for me comes from the makingness within my practice.
What’s your proudest career achievement? To be working as a full-time artist.
What’s been your best decision? To become a mother.
What inspires you? Everything! The landscape, my children, sex, Louise Bourgeois, Chris Ofili, Henry Darger, crime fiction, sleeping, swimming, eating, Yayoi Kusama, walking, fashion, television, Ramond Petition, Sally Gabori, art art art, chairs, cactus, Japanese plastic, shells, Tibetan mandalas, the desert (and a tiny bit of sneaky Chanel! when I've been good! yikes!) and film. I watch way too many movies - Enter the void was my standout film this year, it rocked me.
What are you passionate about? My children's wholeness, health and joy, my studio cave, my work, my partner, my work, the natural landscape, my work.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I am a bit weird about meeting people I admire greatly. I get all sweaty and "not myself". But if it could be natural then probably Louise Bourgeois. She seems so fearless to me.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Oh so many. But really sometimes I have to pinch myself cause I am already living my dream. I only ever wanted to be an artist.
What are you reading? I have just come off a marathon of Michael Connelly crime novels - so good.

images courtesy of del kathryn barton

interiors by martyn thompson

2011-11-18T06:00:00.002+11:00

Martyn Thompson's photography has featured in some of the best-selling interior books of recent times, including Ilse Crawford's Home is where the heart is. Over the past 20 years he has also been commissioned regularly by publications such as Vogue and Elle Decoration. Now Martyn has just released his own book, Interiors (Hardie Grant), which showcases some of his favourite house features from leading figures in the design world and the stories that go behind them.

How did you arrive at the concept for the book? Many people had suggested I publish a book of the interiors work I had shot, then, talking one day with the co-author, Kirsten Willey, she offered to put it all together.

What was involved in the creation process? I sent a hard-drive of all my favourite stories to Kirsten who then put them together in a rough version of what the book is now - slowly we refined it and then she approached publishers.

How long did it take to come together - from concept to first copy? Just under two years.

How did you envisage the look of the book? I didn’t - Kirsten put it all together. That’s the best thing about it.

What was unexpected about the whole experience? It was so great to have someone else edit and arrange my work. I learnt a lot about the benefits of letting go of control.

images courtesy of martyn thompson, kirsten willey and hardie grant

photographer martyn thompson

2011-11-17T06:00:00.004+11:00

Martyn Thompson is a New York-based Australian photographer whose career has spanned more than 25 years. He started out making garments, and ended up photographing them. Soon his photographic work was in high demand and he moved from fashion photography to interiors. He also relocated from Paris to London before basing himself in New York. All the while he has shot campaigns for the likes of Hermes, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co. Martyn has also published several books, including two with Ilse Crawford.

Above are examples of his fine art photography. Tomorrow read about his latest book project, Interiors (Hardie Grant).

Which five words best describe you? A good question for someone else to answer, but anyway: quiet, excitable, honest, industrious, boyish.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I wanted to be a fabric designer. I bought fabric and paint and started doing just that. Then I started to make clothes from the fabrics and began to sell them. I started photographing those clothes and that’s what led to my career as a photographer.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Trust your instinct.

What’s your proudest career achievement? That my work continues to change and develop.

What’s been your best decision? To let other people help.

Who inspires you? Passionate people: performance artist Taylor Mac, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

What are you passionate about? Many things. On the broadest level "equality” is a big issue for me. I’m passionate about the creative process. And on a completely superficial level, what I wear.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Brian Eno

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To exhibit more.

What are you reading? Alan Hollinghurst The Stranger’s Child.

images courtesy of martyn thompson

fashion designer sheree commerford

2011-11-16T06:00:00.001+11:00

Fashion designer Sheree Commerford felt such a connection to the town where she grew up in northern NSW that her label is partly named after the place: Woodford & Co. While country style elements are part of her design aesthetic, she's also got a rock 'n' roll edge. And so for the launch of her first pop-up store in Sydney's Paddington she is exhibiting the work of photographer Guy Webster, who has shot the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and The Doors.

Which five words best describe you? Grateful, curious, loyal, happy and laid back.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Assisting some great stylists which inevitably led to styling and trend reporting. Since then I have gotten back on the path of what I trained for, designing.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Turn a negative into a positive.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Every time I see someone wearing Woodford & Co.

What’s been your best decision? To become a mother.

Who inspires you? My brother Craig, my mother in-law Vicki and my partner Sam.

What are you passionate about? My family.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Ellen

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Living in the South of France!

What are you reading? Rob Lowe's autobiography.

images courtesy of woodford & co

designer & decorator jane hall

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001+11:00

Not everyone is meant to have just one career. And there are an increasing number of people who take on different roles simultaneously. Take Jane Hall. For many years she's been known for her work as an actress. But in the past year or so she's been moonlighting as a decorator. Just recently she's taken the next step and launched a range of homewares. And, if her track record is anything to go by, she'll soon be launching a book and TV show, which in some ways will get her back to where she started.

[PS Don't forget to check back here to see if you were one of the winners of Katrina Meynink's cookbook]

Which five words best describe you? Caring, perfectionist, independent, explosive, decent.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I have been an actor since I was thirteen years old. I began my performing career in The Henderson Kids, and continued to work steadily across TV, film and theatre. Most recently, I spent a four year period on Ramsay Street... In 2010, after years of unofficially helping people revamp their interiors and countless renovations and refurbishments of my own, I tentatively launched Salvation Jane. I help people make their homes the best they can possibly be, not by chucking out everything and starting again, but by 'saving' bits and pieces they already own, and creating a home full of personality without slavishly following trends. This year I designed my first small collection of homewares, under the banner of Salvation Jane Home. The range will expand very quickly, I think!

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To be a nice person. I was raised knowing that being modest, humble and generous are the keys to being a happy and successful person. Always be honest and use your manners... and try to be mindful with money. (This last bit continues to be something I struggle with!)

What’s your proudest career achievement? I feel fortunate to be nurturing two careers: actor and designer/decorator. Surprisingly, there seems to be a great deal of overlap. Whilst I have certainly experienced highlights, I feel that in both areas my best work is yet to come.

What’s been your best decision? I'm a decisive person and not afraid to take a risk. Starting my business and launching a range whilst still acting might sound like a leap of faith, but it has been an amazing year. I firmly believe that what you put into life is what you get out of it, and attempting to satisfy myself creatively in this way has been a brave and worthy decision.

Who inspires you? Matisse, Tricia Guild, Rebecca Cool (Australian artist) and the myriad of independent artisans and designers here in Melbourne. I'm inspired by driven self-starters like Kristina Karlsson of Kikki.K and people who are optimistic, creative, and true to themselves. I'm always inspired by generosity and kindness and a strong work ethic. I'm inspired by my family and friends. I'm constantly inspired by the creatives I've met in this newer career - they know who they are!

What are you passionate about? Colour in all it's glory! Unique, beautiful interiors and homewares. I'm passionate about motherhood. My daughter reminds me everyday about what is really important in life.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to go back in time and spend my days with John and Sunday Reed and all the artists in residence at Heide, and in the present, I'd love to spend a week or so following around interiors guru Kelly Wearstler.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I'd love to keep building and expanding Salvation Jane. I want to develop the brand and write a book, showing people how easy it is to 'save' their interiors, and a very clever friend and I have written a treatment for a TV show based around all this, which we intend to get off the ground! Aside from that, I want to travel more and see the world with my daughter.

What are you reading? What aren't I reading! My house is littered with every arty/interior/design mag available and my bedside table is stacked with novels. I have really diverse taste in books, at the moment I am reading Alex Miller's new novel called Autumn Laing, and I've just finished Nikki Gemmell's With My Body and Peggy Frew's House Of Sticks. You could say I love an Australian author. And blogs, I'm always reading blogs (this one included!)

images courtesy of salvation jane

jewellery designer aaron ruff

2011-11-11T06:00:00.002+11:00

Brooklyn-based jewellery designer Aaron Ruff actually started out studying furniture design at the prestigious Parsons school in New York. And while he had also worked as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, it was when he took a course in jewellery making that he found his passion. Since launching his own brand Digby & Iona in 2006, he has created six collections, and sells his designs in more than 20 cities across the globe. While his work is available online, it's also stocked by Dobry Den in Sydney's Surry Hills.

Which five words best describe you? (I only need four) Dumpster diving fancy hobo.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started as a woodworker and had a small jewellery station set up in my woodshop. As much as I loved woodworking, I was craving to do something more personal and combined with a few nasty accidents on the tablesaw I decided it was time for a transition to preserve my fingers. We were losing our space in the woodshop and it seemed like the ideal time to make a go of it.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Never worry about the marketability of a design and just go for it. My most successful designs are always the ones I make to entertain myself and never intend to actually sell.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Seeing strangers on the street wear wearing my jewellery.

What’s been your best decision? Coming to New York young and starting my own business, I can't imagine where I'd be be now otherwise.

Who inspires you? It's a lot more what than who. Almost all my designs are rooted in my childhood. Anything that interested me as a kid seems to bubble up to the surface in my designs.

What are you passionate about? Nostalgia, old things.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Serge Gainsbourg.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? If I get to do this for the rest of my life I'll be very happy.

What are you reading? Good Omens by Neil Gaima.

images courtesy of digby & iona

architect, interior designer & shopkeeper ben pentreath

2011-11-10T06:00:00.001+11:00

Each year Ben Pentreath showcases a 'Cabinet of curiosities' in his shop in London's Bloomsbury. It's one of many projects he has on the go. Ben is also an architect and interior designer. Ben studied art history and architecture at the University of Edinburgh, and worked as an architect in both London and New York before returning to the UK capital to start up his own practice, Working Design Group. In 2008 he opened his shop in Bloomsbury. And today you can buy some of his curiosities online. Or check out a photographic journal of his home and garden in Dorset.

Which five words best describe you? I am feeling completely knackered.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? When I left Edinburgh University with a degree in History of Art 20 years ago I was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship working for an architect, Charles Morris. I spent five years with Charles then moved to New York where I worked for a small firm in Greenwich Village. I think I worked out who I was in NYC and along the way had a fantastic time doing houses up for people like Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler. In 2003 I returned to London and worked for the Prince of Wales’s Foundation, which started my interest in large-scale development. A year later I opened my own architectural practice and in 2008 Bridie and I opened the shop. To start with the business was very small but I now employ 10 people, and I think that’s enough. We’re working on some interesting projects from Central London to Cornwall to the north of Scotland.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Work hard, know your friends, and try to treat everyone with respect. I’m not always good at the last.

What’s your proudest career achievement? The next project.

What’s been your best decision? Moving to New York (and coming back again).

Who inspires you? Terence Conran, John Nash.

What are you passionate about? Improvement.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? David Hicks.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I prefer reality to dreams.

What are you reading? Reader's Digest Gardening month by month.

images courtesy of ben pentreath; portrait via timeout; and shop images via homelove

artist paul davies

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000+11:00

Sydney-based artist Paul Davies has such an interest in modernist architecture that he travels the world to visit its finest examples, and photographs the buildings so that he can then transform them into works of art. The process involves stencilling and painting in acrylic on canvas. His work has been collected by the likes of the Historic Houses Trust and he has exhibited in Hong Kong. Most recently his work was shown at the Christine Abrahams Gallery in Richmond, Victoria as part of a satellite exhibition from the Tim Olsen Gallery.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? The focus of my recent work is predominantly based on the relationship between the built and non-built environment. My interest in this subject began during school and was prompted by a painting my parents owned by Jeffrey Smart, titled “Man with bouquet” 1982. At this time, my parents also introduced me to the photography of Ansel Adams and the combination of these two influences manifested in the work I produced while taking art classes under the supervision of Central Coast landscape artist, Kel Connell. Connell taught me the basics of landscape painting and omitted the human form from all work, instead focusing on built forms to provide the subject.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Allowing time, at the studio, for mistakes. Painting is a slow and messy process and I have found that it is more important to let things happen than to try and control the work too much.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Working fulltime as an artist.

What’s been your best decision? Joining the China Heights collective, located in Surry Hills, Sydney. I have been working at China Heights since 2005 and the experience has had such a positive influence on my work. The space, developed by co-founders, Edward Woodley and Mark Drew is open-plan, and encourages all of us to bounce ideas off one another, a process that has helped me to experiment with different mediums in my work.

Who inspires you? Rachel Whiteread, Piet Mondrian, Alain de Botton, Peter Doig, Rhys Lee.

What are you passionate about? Art, music, nature, travel, Sarah Noye!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? R.L. Burnside.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Solo exhibition in New York.

What are you reading? Retromania by Simon Reynolds.

images courtesy of paul davies; portrait lexie reeves

stylist deborah mclean

2011-11-07T06:00:00.001+11:00

Deborah McLean came to styling after 12 years of running her own business manufacturing homewares and fashion in Bali. Fifteen years on she has worked as a stylist in the USA and Australia. She is now based in Melbourne and has worked with clients such as Aura and Est magazine. Her blog is Busy Being Fabulous.

Which five words best describe you? Passionate, decisive, focused and a little wacky!
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? A close friend suggested 18 years ago that I should do styling. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have lived and worked in LA, San Fran and New York.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Always be friendly - you never know who you're talking to.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Shooting and styling for the Paris-based trend mag - Bloom.
What’s been your best decision? To start styling: it's perfect for me in every way.
Who inspires you? For me, more like "what inspires me" - things like colours and textures, beautiful graphic design, Scandinavia, Amsterdam, Paris and snow-covered architecture all make my heart sing.
What are you passionate about? Future trends, design and everything in between.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? So many where do I begin! Trend gurus like Nelly Rodi and Li Edelkoort, the amazing Alexander McQueen, Shirley Maclaine and Meryl Streep to name a few.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I want to be a trend forecaster. It fascinates and excites me.
What are you reading? Every trend magazine on the planet!

images courtesy of deborah mclean

designer laura baxter

2011-11-04T06:00:00.001+11:00

You may have explored Laura Baxter's work many times, even if her name might not be instantly familiar... yet. She is a Sydney-based designer and illustrator based who creates work for the likes of Sibella Court, Lee Matthews, Samantha Robinson, Katie Quinn Davies and Toby's Estate. Laura has also embarked on a new project: Work Odyssey whereby she relocates her workspace to a new city every few months to get exposed to new ideas and inspiration.

Which five words best describe you? Who’s doing a coffee run?
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? For years I worked in advertising and really wanted to be a creative. It wasn’t until my dear grandmother passed away that I started thinking I could. "Look after yourself and anything is possible," she used to say. I quit my job that week - a little crazy, I know. I gave myself one year to make it work. I set out on my mission to be a graphic designer and started to teach myself. Six months on I had a few small clients. I thought at this stage I should go to design college to see if I was doing it right... to my surprise, I was. The college even hired me to do some freelance work for them. More people started to call and before I knew it, I was where I am today.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? New lessons are learnt daily but a good one is, be organised and choose what to take on.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Every time the phone rings and someone says “I love what you do” that makes me proud, I also have the pleasure of working on some great projects with some amazing people, some of whom have become good friends.
What’s been your best decision? In the beginning, saying yes to projects out of my league taught me a lot, even though I was freaking out at the time. They paid off. I would like to say a special thanks to Google at this point.
Who inspires you? Anyone who is doing anything creative. I love people who can't sit still and who are always thinking of their next big thing. These are the people who inspire me. Places and cities inspire me greatly also. I have just started a new personal project: “work space odyssey”. I relocate my work space to a new city every few months to experience new things. I think different cities really should be explored and understood, especially now the internet is so prevalent. Design differs from country to country. It really is incredible when you are actually there in the middle of it.
What are you passionate about? Everything! It is a fine line between passion and madness sometimes. Ha!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Apart from my Poppy who was a beautiful illustrator and passed away before I was born... I would like to share a bottle of red with Kurt Cobain, I think he was an amazing talent (read some of Nirvana's lyrics sometime) as well an absolute mad man and what can I say? I was a teen of the 90s. Sigh.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? A stress-free existence. Is that aiming too high?
What are you reading? This is a funny one: I have been reading the same book for the past 16 years. The Mansions of Philosophy by Will Durant printed in 1917. This is the most beautiful tattered brown covered book that has many illustrations from my teen years on it. The pages inside are frail and each chapter is wiser than the last, It has been a good friend to me.

images courtesy of laura baxter

photographer hallie burton

2011-11-02T06:00:00.002+11:00

Five and a half years ago Hallie Burton packed her suitcase and headed to New York. She was continuing to follow the advice of a former next door neighbour, Ken Middleton, who had made a name for himself as a fashion photographer. "Just go and be a photographer," he told her while she was studying photography in Sydney, and contemplating heading into the world of assisting. Hallie more than listened to his advice - she headed to the Big Apple and now counts Martha Stewart Living, Vogue Living, Living Etc, Harper's Bazaar and Inside Out magazines as clients.

Which five words best describe you? I have to ask my husband!
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I always shot portraits - which I love - yet always wanted to be an interior photographer and thought I never could be. Vanessa Holden helped push me over that hurdle and My Mr Cheong continued to push with Chris Coonrod, Sheridan Davey and Megan Morton, these inspiring people kept things moving with me... for this I am grateful to all of you. Always. You too Mr John Maloney.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? I always trust my own instincts with everything... they are always right.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I would think moving to New York, and working with the Dalai Lama... how could it not be. And the amazingly beautiful Club Wedd project I did for Target.
What’s been your best decision? Moving to New York and marrying my husband. Well, my husband, how could I not? And New York gives you a feeling nothing else can!
Who inspires you? My husband and daughter, my friends... my daughter thrills me and leaves me wondering daily. Paolo Roversi, he is amazing. And I have to say the photographer who I truly love and have worshipped for at least 20 years is Australian expat Martyn Thompson - really how amazing is he. I love everything he does, everything! My parents because they just let me be, they don't control anything in me. They have always just let it unfold and its a beautiful way to be with your kids... Hans Freymadl: yes you, for your insanely beautiful work always. There are so many more...

What are you passionate about? My daughter. Giving her all the skills to succeed in life is something huge in me. It's my commitment to her. And my life as a photographer luckily enough provides her with life experiences that she will always have. Together they are my passions. One passion helped me get the other... Tennis! HA!! Yes, really!! Like a crazy person. If Federer does not win one more grandslam I will have a breakdown... Photography and design move me the most in this world. Really move me. The beauty in it gets me every time. And Mad Men. I wake up daily dying to know what Don Draper is up to!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to meet Anton Corbijn and find out what joining the priesthood and photography could possibly have in common in a way of following one's passions. Thank God he chose photography as he is beyond brilliant. John Pawson as his idea of minimalism is out of this world beautiful. I'd love to have high tea with Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Roversi and see the personal collection of Richard Avedon. Also I'd love to meet Piero Lissoni and charm him into sending his amazing Toot sofa our way. And who wouldn't want to meet Ingo Maurer? And for the love of sport, Roger Federer.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Right now the dream I want to fulfill is getting our renovations finished. It's taking forever and I have this vision in my head that needs to come out. It needs to set me free so I can move on. Hopefully to an exhibition here in NYC. Two tasks that for myself I really really need and want to complete. And I want to ski like a champion. And invent a baby bottle that doesn't leak: that's really important!
What are you reading? Well, when I get the time to read... I have three on the go: Just kids by Patti Smith for my creative juices; Happiest toddler on the block for my motherly juices (living with a two-year-old needs a little navigation); and for myself and my diehard love of tennis I have just started Rafa. I alternate on my ipad daily to keep myself sane.

images courtesy of hallie burton

kitchen coquette by katrina meynink + cookbook giveaway!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.002+11:00

Books make my world go round. They wake me up, inspire me during the day, and ease me into sleep at night-time. I was recently asked what was my most treasured possession, and I had to answer: my books. They're the only objects that have made every one of my many home moves.

I have featured a selection of books on Daily Imprint over the years. Just check out this link here. But I am also interested to know about what goes into creating them. So I've set about asking the authors of some that have crossed my path recently.

The first is Kitchen Coquette by food writer and stylist Katrina Meynink. It is subtitled: The go-to guide for those random life scenarios when food is the only answer. It has clever sections such as "What the f*$k should we cook for dinner?" and meal suggestions for "Bring a plate" and "Love and other bruises". It's for people - like me - who get emotional about food.

To kickstart this new series of interviews on Daily Imprint Katrina is very generously giving away three copies of Kitchen Coquette.

For a chance to win a copy, visit Katrina's website The Little Crumb and leave a comment below. Three winners will be chosen at random after comments close at midnight on Tuesday 8 November. Competition open to Australian residents only.

[Congratulations to the winners below - please contact me with your postal address details.

#4 Nat @ Dear Little House

#21 Ree

#29 Di]

And, finally, here is more about Katrina and the journey of her book:

How did you arrive at the concept for the book?

I had been wanting to write a cookbook for some time but the moment the seed of an idea was really first planted was a conversation I had with a very dear friend of mine regarding food for a certain situation – she was meeting her partner's ex-wife for the first time. An awkward moment. And that’s when it dawned on me – it has to be a book about cooking as it applies to life, real life. I wanted to capture all the funny, sad and gloriously politically incorrect moments of life, all the while providing a dish that suits.

What was involved in the creation process?

After I had decided what situations to include in the book, it was a case of writing about them, grouping them and then developing the menus or dishes that seemed to suit the occasions. I then went into recipe testing overdrive while working with Allen & Unwin editors on recipe editing and turning the manuscript into a manageable beast! I was also approaching photographers I liked to see if they would be interested in shooting for the book. I have ended up working (and conspiring) with photographers from all corners of the globe, which has been a fun and rewarding experience.

How long did it take to come together – from concept to first copy?

I’ve been working on the book for about three and a half years. For the first year or so it was more of a creative outlet while working and studying full time, then after living in New York, I decided to come home and dedicate myself to the project full time. It then took about six months, almost seven days a week, to complete the manuscript. The editing, photography and design process probably then took an additional four months before we finally hit print.

How did you envisage the look of the book?

I wanted a book design that reflected the content – something fun, approachable and honest. I was conscious of not creating that rustic look-feel with oversized white plates and heirloom tomatoes, which I think was achieved in the overall design and situation driven feel of each chapter. The book is a great combination of illustration, vintage prints and photography. The collaboration with different photographers for the project and their individual visual style helps add to that relaxed bon vivant feel to the book.

What was unexpected about the whole experience?

How much fun I had! For so long you are on your own, writing, testing recipes and editing, then all of a sudden the baby steps snowball and you get the opportunity to meet and work with fantastic creatives who care about your ‘baby’ just as much as you do and turn it into something greater than you let yourself ever imagine.

images courtesy of katrina meynink and allen & unwin

country style cover

2011-10-28T06:00:00.001+11:00

It all started with a friend's holiday shack. I was staying there over the summer holidays. Resting. Reviving. Renewing myself ahead of the new year. Every day, sometimes many times over, I walked along a bush track to an isolated beach. On this journey I passed a little white cottage and every time I had to slow down to admire its charm and poise. I could see the outlines of a towering bookcase beyond the front door, and I was intrigued as to what else lay inside, and who owned such a place.

I wrote a note, folded it in half and left it under a gumnut on the cottage's front terrace. Days later, when I was back in Bondi, I received a call from the owner. When we met months later she told me that she called because I had chosen a gumnut as a paper weight. It was a fortuitous decision. I was to learn that the owner, Cherie-Christine Curchod, painted them as part of her art practice. In fact, she often has the florist Grandiflora in Potts Point source particular varieties from Western Australia for her botanical paintings.

The result of our meeting is in the latest issue of Country Style. It was one of the first batch of homes Chris Warnes and I shot for Warnes & Walton, and I was thrilled to discover yesterday that it had made the cover of the latest November issue.

image courtesy of country style and chris warnes/warnesandwalton.com