Amanda Henderson launched her business, Gloss Creative, 17 years ago – after being retrenched from a visual merchandising role at Country Road. What ensued has been a stellar career of incredible large-scale event design concepts – including a spectacular re-creation of Versailles inside a racing marquee, collaborating with artist Bill Henson, and even making it rain on a fashion runway!

With a tiny team of just 3 fulltime staff, and a huge network of regular contractors, Gloss Creative is a nimble operation who punch well above their weight. This is a team who revel in realizing the impossible – and creating what they call ‘temporary but enduring emotion’ in every project their produce.

Amanda has SO MANY incredible pearls of wisdom to share with fellow creatives!  We love her motto – ‘design like you don’t have to install it, or pay for it!’.

In this podcast, Amanda shares her tips for building great relationships with clients, how the changing retail landscape has propelled her business – and why staying small and nimble has proven a winning strategy.

Links + Further Reading

This marks our eighth ep! You can listen to more podcasts here.

Check out Gloss Creative’s website and Instagram to see more of their spectacular projects.

For a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Gloss Creative HQ, check out our Extraordinary Routines column featuring Amanda.

Amanda’s Creative Concepts Co-ordinator, Jehanne Postma, featuring in our Dream Job column last year.

One of Amanda’s most memorable projects was her ‘moving stairs’ runway for Kookai in 2016.

Another super amazing project was this awe-inspiring launch event for Mimco at the NGV.

Anddddd what about the time they fully-carpeted a gothic, underground carpark for this incredible Myer fashion event?

You can follow TDF on Instagram here.

TDF Talks @Mercedes Me

Our second podcast series is based around a brilliant new conversation series we’re hosting at Mercedes me over the next few weeks – learn more here!

Our first event will feature Amanda Briskin-Rettig, founder of A-esque, and former founder and director of Mimco.  It’s happening next Tuesday evening in Melbourne – Book now!

Artedomus’ inaugural, 12-piece furniture collection is a celebration and exploration of materiality. New Volumes pushes Elba, ‘a rich, complex stone 250 million years in the making’ to new limits. The hard dolomite material was first introduced to the Australian market by Artedomus 15 years ago.

With the celebration of this milestone looming, came the drive for the high-end stone importer to create a contemporary range of furniture that would inspire and enhance the everyday, whether at home or in commercial settings. It also had to have an Aussie connection, and that’s where eight leading local designers come in.

Spearheaded by creative director Thomas Coward, the line-up of eight designers includes Emma Elizabeth, the brains behind Local Milan, along with her 2018 co-exhibitors Ross Gardam, Tom Skeehan, and Dale Hardiman (of Dowel Jones fame). One-time TDF travel guide Sarah King, Marsha Golemac, and Nick Rennie round out the collaborative talent.

‘We used New Volumes as a platform to express our ideas on what an Australian company could look like, without being explicit about our origins,’ explains Thomas. The range of timeless ‘Modern artefacts’ is made in Europe by a mixture of CNC machining and traditional hand techniques. ‘Their uses may be ambiguous at first, but that lends itself to an exploration of function, which in my opinion strengthens one’s connection with an object,’ adds the designer.

Having worked with Artedomus for several years now, Thomas was tasked with choosing and guiding the collaborators for the branding, styling, photography and product design. ‘There is so much talent in Australia, that choosing the line-up was hard. I approached it by imagining a music festival with a diverse list of acts, I think that lends itself to a much more interesting result!’ he tells.

Alongside his work on the New Volumes collection, Thomas also worked on the interior redesign of the Artedomus showroom in Sydney, his largest project to date! After years occupying his imagination, the New Volumes range will be unveiled at Denfair this weekend. It won’t stop there though, Thomas is already looking towards expanding the collection of products – basins in both solid surface and natural stone are on the cards.

New Volumes By Artedomus
Denfair
June 14th to 16th
(open to the general public June 16th, 10am-5pm)
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf, Victoria

I don’t get out of Melbourne much on the weekends. Whilst the majority of our team here at TDF are avid campers and weekend road trippers, for my own little family, weekends are usually spent within 2 kilometres of our house! What can I say.. sometimes that just seems *easier* when you have a toddler…!

So, when an opportunity came to visit the Coastal Pavilions, a new luxury accommodation development in Freycinet, Tasmania, well, it was too exciting to pass up. We travelled down to Tassie last month and had the most amazing experience.

Brought to life by renowned Tasmanian tourism developer Brett Torossi (a lady, not a bloke), these nine brand new pavilions extend the existing accomodation offering at Freycinet Lodge – albeit ramped up a few notches! Designed by Hobart-based architecture and design firm Liminal Studio, these self contained contemporary structures are breathtaking in their design and immersive connection to the landscape. Each pavilion has its own private deck along with almost seamless curved glass windows, making you really feel like you’re sleeping under the stars (almost!).

Liminal Studio’s design approach was, inevitably, inspired by the natural geology and coastline of this unique part of Australia. ‘With its pink-orange granite mountains and breath taking coastline, Freycinet National Park is one of the oldest National Parks and most visited places in Tasmania’ architect Peta Heffernan explains. ‘We drew design inspiration from the fluid forms of the nearby bays and layered coastal granite rock formations, while playing homage to the character of the National Park they nestle into.’

Incredibly, the construction of the nine new pavilions took just seven months. Like any development in a remote location, though, the project wasn’t without its challenges. Being located within a national park, the design and construction process needed to be handled very sensitively.  A rigorous construction management plan was required to minimise disturbance to local flora and fauna. The pavilions were prefabricated off site, assembled in modules and carried into place by hand, as no cranes, large machines or heavy vehicles could gain access to the individual sites. (WHAT!?) Aside from this, a distinct absence of right angles (!) and handcrafted detailing required an incredibly dedicated construction team. Liminal Studio found that in builders Cordwell Lane. ‘The skill of the builders to achieve the meticulous detailing required, reminds us of what true craftsmanship is’ Peta concludes.

The Coastal Pavilions have been a long-term passion project for tourism developer Brett Torossi, with site owners RACT. ‘We wanted to create a new and contemporary experience for our guests’ she explains. ‘The development was about providing an immersive experience for our guests. Connecting them to the sky, sea, rocks, trees and animals in a close-up, unconventional space that was grounded in the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula.’

There’s a distinct sense that everyone involved in this project is very much invested in its outcome. For Brett, a deep connection to the Freycinet region has guided her management of this very special project. ‘Once Freycinet gets under your skin, well that is it, it has you forever’ she muses. ‘Apart from the surreal beauty of the place, the ever-changing light, the glorious night sky, about 10 years ago I attended a leadership conference at the Lodge and met a wonderful man. We have been together ever since. It is a place of magic and intriguing energy’.

The Coastal Pavilions, Freycinet Lodge are located within Freycinet National Park, on Tasmania’s East Coast, around a two and a half hour drive from Hobart. More info and bookings here.

Lucy and family travelled as guests of Coastal Pavilions, Freycinet Lodge.

The Statement Sofa

Do you want a sofa that has something interesting to say?  A sofa that doesn’t just facilitate conversation, it IS the conversation!? The statement sofa is the main event in the space.  They are sculptural and different, they’re conversation starters, they’re friends with big personalities.

1. Bohemian by Moroso from Hub

The Bohemian range by Patricia Urquiola is a favorite of mine (let’s face it, everything by her is my favorite) because it ticks a lot of boxes.  It has a traditional element, with echoes of the old Chesterfield buttoning style but in a completely new way.  The Bohemian is the perfect fit for a formal room in a Victorian style space, but with an edge. We have specified this in a pink and blue armchair version (it takes on a whole other personality), and are waiting for the sofa in divine green leather to arrive for some very cool clients. It’s an investment piece, for sure, but I’m a huge fan of the Bohemian.

2.Agent 86 by Grazia & Co

I’m so excited to share this exclusive on The Design Files!  It’s the brand new sofa design from Grazia & Co.  It’s cool and low, bulky but light.  It doesn’t have legs as the seat floats on an upholstered base.  Actually, I haven’t seen anything like it and I’m really LOVING it.

3. DS-600 by DeSede from Domo

Yes, it’s slightly crazy but also incredibly clever and totally original.  Known as the never-ending-sofa, there is nothing else that even comes close. Each module locks then zips together forming a sofa that can gently bend and curve its way through the space.  It’s even a bit of a movie star, and has made a few cameo appearances in films such as The Hunger Games and more recently it made an appearance at Club Unseen by Studio Pepe in Milan.  Although it was designed in 1972, I feel it’s making resurgence right now.  If you were thinking that a leather sofa made in Switzerland sounds expensive, then you’d be right!

The Go-To Sofa

These sofas work well in almost any space.  They are great for family life, as the sofa that everyone including the cat wants to curl up on!  The go-to sofa has to work hard as well as look gorgeous.  We watch tv, entertain, relax, sleep, and sometimes eat dinner on them.  Fabric choice plays a big part in choosing a sofa that is the right fit for you.

These options tick all of the boxes of comfort, durability and quality.  They will last for years.
 

1. Phoenix by Arthur G

This sofa is a chameleon.  It is extremely comfortable and the fabric selection can really change the entire look.  For example, a velvet fabric looks luxurious whilst a linen fabric is more natural and casual.  The design is timeless and simple, it’s a great go-to and is exquisitely made in Melbourne.

2. Zaza designed by Charles Wilson for King Living

It’s pretty safe to say, that King is the ‘go-to’ place for sofas.  They know how to do them very well.  Within each range are a million different configurations and fabrics to select from.  When I first saw the new Zaza, which is to be launched at Denfair this week, I thought to myself, ‘Oh! I like what you did there with the folding armrest’.  I like the low back profile and that it’s a bit finer than some of their other sofas.

3. Wallace by Carmenes from Ajar

I first tried this sofa at Denfair last year and it was just divine!  Those armrests are like soft squishy pillows and provide the comfort, without the loose cushions that needs fluffing up. It’s so comfortable and always looks neat and tidy.

4. Wilfred by Jardan

The Wilfred looks so gorgeous and plush, but still has a light appearance.  The floppy arm-rest over the solid oak frame gives it a lot of personality and a casual vibe.  When it was released a few years ago, designers kind of lost their minds and we are still in love with this guy.  I’ve seen it ‘dressed up’ with a leather side and back detail by a very clever designer (Hi Gillian).  It’s incredible how upholstery selection can totally change the look.

Small Space Sofas

A lot of sofas are just ENORMOUS and they won’t fit in the living room of an apartment, that’s if you can even get them up the lift in the first place!  And let’s face it – apartment living is on the rise and just because it may be small in size, it doesn’t mean that your sofa can’t be extremely comfortable and gorgeous!  In fact, I would argue that because it’s smaller, more of the budget could be invested in a quality sofa and fabric, rather than something huge, just to fill a big space.

1. Togo by Ligne Roset from Domo

The Togo is having a bit of a renaissance at the moment as many designs from the 70s emerge.  These modular sofas are low, plush and extremely comfortable, they seemed to know how to relax back in the 70s!  A single section is perfect in a small space, but equally, two or more sections can be joined together to fill a much more generous space. The Togo is made in France by Ligne Roset and has a youthful vibe.

2. Camille by ANACA sTUDIO

The Camille is most perfectly proportioned sofa with a slightly playful vibe. Designed by Melbourne based French/Australian furniture designer Anne-Claire, there is something very cute and sophisticated about the Camille, maybe that’s a French thing?  Anyway, it looks gorgeous in upholstered in a plush velvet and it’s extremely comfortable!

3. The Offset by Menu FROM tHE aPARTMENT

What I love about this sofa is that it’s both delicate and boxy at the same time.  The fine arm profile is maximizing the seat space, which is perfect in a small space.  Designed by Norm Architects, its both homey and architectural at the same time.

The Modular Sofa

I am a bit conflicted about modular sofas. I get it, they are great because you can lie on one end and sit on another and some spaces just suit modular sofas perfectly.  However, they are just SO BIG!  I prefer two sofas and some armchairs for variety and interest.  Modular sofas should have a light, streamlined appearance so that they don’t completely overwhelm the space.  However, these modular sofas are absolutely gorgeous – they are perfect for Netflix binges, rainy Sundays and theatre rooms.

1. Tufty Time by B&B at Space

The Tufty Time is one of those sofas known by name.  It’s kind of famous amongst designers.  I would go so far as to say that it is a design classic of our time. It was designed in 2005 by visionary designer Patricia Urquiola.

It’s a modular sofa with the ottoman at the core, allowing for multiple configurations such as for the seat to be very deep, or the armrests high or low.  You can design some creative configurations perfectly tailored to needs of the space. It invites lounging however it always looks smart and the upholstered form doesn’t need plumping up. One to save up for!

2. Gentry Sofa by Moroso from Hub

This is the really the ultimate modular sofa that designers love to use.  Its refined shape, soft seat cushion, and elegant legs make it a modern classic.  It looks gorgeous in fabric and leather, even in quilted fabrics because the shape is simple.

3. Arkley by Jardan

The Arkley Modular sofa from Jardan‘s brand new ‘Art Series’ range launches TODAY! (It’s so new, in fact, that it doesn’t appear to be on their website yet… whoops!). An uncharacteristically curvy, retro-inspired shape ensures this eye-catching piece is destined to be a future classic. We love it in the smaller 3-seater shape, too! All Jardan’s pieces are made in Melbourne, which is always a plus.

The Cane Sofa

You know what I mean; it’s that sofa in the entry that you use to throw your coat on. Or the sofa in the bedroom that you bought with ideas to sit and read on, but you’ve NEVER sat on it, it just gets piled with clothes. This kind of sofa looks gorgeous, but comfort is not its most important function.

1.Belladonna by Sika from Domo

This rattan sofa is so sweet and romantic; it would add a touch of bohemian whimsy to any space.  It’s an iconic piece designed in Denmark in 1951 and is back in production in Indonesia where rattan is grown in abundance. Rattan is a solid fibre whereas bamboo is hollow, in case you were wondering!

2. Cane sofa by Curio from ClickOn

If you have been living under a rock these past few years, you may not have noticed that cane webbing is having a serious moment.  This cane sofa is refined and elegant and it would look perfect in a sunroom.

The Leather Sofa

I have a few rules about leather sofas:

1. Never have two leather sofas in the room. It will be too much leather and feel heavy and overwhelming.
2. Instead, one leather sofa and one fabric sofa, to soften the look and allow the leather to be the focal point.
3. Never, EVER use shiny leather. It needs to look natural with a matte subtle feel, not stretched tight and slick.
4. Leather looks gorgeous in an array of natural colours from cream, beige, tan, cognac, greige, light brown through to dark brown, even forest green.
5. I am not convinced that a bright white leather sofa is ever a good idea, and I’m yet to meet a black leather sofa that doesn’t look sleazy. If you know one, please introduce me.

There are so many gorgeous leather sofas out there, however I have narrowed this down to three.

1. Tiki sofa by Fogia from Fred International

So light and elegant with a slightly curved profile to the back and arms, the Tiki stands out from the crowd.  Designed by Norwegian designer Andreas Engesvik it’s a modern classic in my book, and a sofa I regularly covet.

2. Dawson by Arthur G

This sofa is absolutely stunning in person. What isn’t conveyed in the image is the open seam at the corners of the buttery soft leather, so you see the lovely raw edge of the leather. It just feels incredible and natural.  And because these sofas are made entirely in Melbourne, they offer the luxury of customisation. It’s always worth asking the lovely team at Arthur G if there are images of their sofas in other fabrics, as it really helps get the ideas going.

3. Klassik by Great Dane

With a slightly mid-century Scandinavian vibe, this is a true classic.  The high back makes this an extremely comfortable sofa, without being bulky.  It looks beautiful in leather, however there are some lovely fabric options available. This style is sofa can also often be found in vintage stores – try Grandfather’s Axe for similar secondhand options.

The Curvy Sofa

Curves are back baby! There are a few sculptural sofas that have been released recently and they make quite a refreshing change from the square bulky shapes we’ve know and love!

1. Julep by Tacchini from Stylecraft

This generously proportioned sofa is almost more like a sculpture than a sofa.  The Julep sofa is inspired by the Avant-garde furniture of the Fifties, I think its beautifully feminine and just gorgeous.

2. Stay Sofa by Gubi from Luke

What you see is what you get with a sofa like this.  This neat shape is always going to stay the same, no plumping, fluffing or faffing required.  This is a great option if you have a sofa in the centre of the room, as its curves look beautiful from every angle.

The Share House Sofa

Ok, so you live in a sharehouse.  This doesn’t mean that you have to sit on that skanky sofa that’s just always been there, but no one knows where it came from.  Get your housemates to pitch in to buy an affordable sofa.  Failing that, make them pay a price-per-sit fee (!).

1. Denver by Oz Design Furniture

This sofa definitely gives good bang for your buck!  It’s generous in size, so great for lounging with friends, but also looks contemporary and smart.  (And we’ve just noticed it’s on sale now!)

2. Como Sofa from clickOn

The fine arm profile of the Como sofa allows for more seat space, with those two little cushions included to soften the look.  A nice classic design and neutral colour options makes this such a neat, versatile little sofa with a neat little price to match!

3. The Hold from Curious Grace

Your housemates will be well impressed that you found such a cool sofa at a great price.  Although brown velvet sofas are fairly common in share houses, I would take a bet they don’t look as gorgeous as this! (It comes in heaps of other colours too!).

4. The Mellow from Curious Grace

The great thing about the Mellow sofa, apart from its affordability, is that it is robust and sort of ‘unflappable’. This is a sofa you won’t have to be too ‘careful’ with, if you know what I mean.  The structured design and smooth upholstery always looks neat, and if you select a dark colour like this, it will hide all manner of stains.

The Dream Sofa

These are the sofas that designers lose their minds for.  When we specify them for our clients, we get insanely jealous and possessive, we just want them for ourselves.

1. Maralunga by Cassina from Space

When I asked my designer friends what their favourite sofa is, the Maralunga (available at Space Furniture) came up more than a few times!  Another design from the 70s that is relaxed and instantly recognizable with its folding backrest.  If you can find an original in good condition, its better than winning the lotto!

2. Sesann Lounge by Taccini from Stylecraft

This sofa gives me that feeling of walking out of Baby Pizza wishing that I wasn’t wearing jeans, apart from that, I am in love with this sofa. Bulky and soft at the same time, the Sesann Lounge was designed in 1969 and later went into production.

3. Maker &Son

I am seriously concerned that if I sit in this sofa by Maker & Son, I may never be able to move again!  The commitment to serious comfort is just beyond comparison!

Constructed with pure comfort in mind, this couch is built in the traditional way, using materials like French jute webbing, traditional horsehair layered with soft clouds of cotton, wrapped in hessian and canvas all topped with feather and down plump cushions.  It means that there are no poly-materials at all.  This is a sofa that’s really going to look after you, and give you permission to just… flop.

4. The Cloud Sofa by & Tradition

If you ask me what my favourite sofa is, well it changes…. at home we have the Togo and it’s a great sofa for a young family.  It doesn’t need any plumping up and the kids can jump all over it, and it doesn’t matter.  It always looks good.  However if I had to choose another, the Cloud by & Tradition is a firm favorite.  It has the right amount of structure and softness, it looks good from all angles, and it’s comfortable and elegant.

And, if all else fails…

If all of the options above left you feeling a bit, meh….?  There is a secret weapon out there that allows you to have the extra deep seat if you’re tall, or the wider arm at the perfect height, so that you can rest your head and fall asleep within three minutes. Or the perfect fibre fill that you don’t need to fluff up all the time. Maybe you’re more driven by the things you don’t even see, like an all-natural fibre filling free of formaldehyde, that you don’t want to inhale.  You may need an extra hard-wearing sofa, which uses a luxury outdoor performance fabric such as the Perennials 100% solution dyed acrylic. These outdoor fabrics might sound a little but believe me they are GORGEOUS!

There is another world of sofas that are custom-made to your specific requirements, if you work with an interior designer to help realise your vision.

Beyond choosing a different leg or fabric, there are so many options out there that an interior designer can introduce you to. Interior designers have a wealth of resources when it comes to sourcing the perfect fabric, as well as furniture fabricator contacts that are trade-only (sometimes the ones who actually supply sofas to your favourite stores). It means that you will own a sofa that your neighbours won’t have… because your sofa is about what fits perfectly for YOU!

Mark White, director of Manapan Furniture, has been working on developing the high-end furniture project for the past two years with the Aboriginal-owned not-for-profit organisation, Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (or ALPA). After heading up his commercial shop-fitting company, Ramvek, for three decades, in addition to working in other capacities with ALPA, Mark saw space to utilise his skills in a new way. ‘The best thing I knew was joinery’, Mark says, ‘so that’s how we decided to get involved’.

The basic principle of Manapan is simple. ‘Manapan actually means “together”’, Mark explains to me, and this namesake is echoed in the operations of the business. Together with the ALPA, Mark built a workshop on Milingimbi Island, which is owned by ALPA and operated by Yolngu. Master crafstman Rob Crisfield was brought on board to share cabinetry making skills with the local staff, and cutting edge designs have been contributed by six leading furniture designers from around Australia. All of the product is crafted out of the Manapan workshop using Australian timber. The idea of teaching and transferring lifelong skills between cultures seems like a pretty basic concept, but there’s really nothing like Manapan anywhere else in the country.

‘Our aim is to create a business that is commercially viable, where every cent of the money we make buys us new equipment or goes back into the community in some way,’ explains Mark.  

12 months into operation, and Manapan Furniture employs five people on Milingimbi Island full time, and has become somewhat of a hub for community activity. The ‘Woven Cabinet’ features a central panel of weaving incorporated into the design, which is created by a group of local women. Traditional spear making is used as a feature in the ‘Art Bench’, and kids from the local school are able to come up to the factory for work experience.

‘One of the most important parts about it is that as a white person [on Milingimbi Island], you’re in the minority,’ explains Mark, ‘you’re on [Yolngu] land, in their community, and you have to respect that.’

What the Manapan team have been able to create is quite remarkable. Given the remote location of Milingimbi Island, all necessary materials and machinery are brought in by barge every week, and everything they make is shipped out to Darwin. From there, pieces are loaded onto a road train to Adelaide, where they’re  distributed to their final destination. It’s quite a process, but one that the Manapan team now have down pat – ‘we are completely self sufficient, and the whole system is working’.  

Despite the measurable positive impact that Manapan is able to contribute to the local community, the rapidly growing small business has received little attention from the federal government; something that clearly bothers Mark. ‘I’ve written to many people explaining what we’re doing and have had zero back’, he tells me, ‘there should be an Aboriginal piece of furniture in every single Australian embassy throughout the world – and that could be made by Manapan. Why can’t we get it done by the people in Arnhem Land?’. It’s a question that begs an answer. 

When I asked Mark what he felt Manapan needed to grow to the next level, it was clear that he and the team have used this lack of funding and acknowledgement to date as a driving motivation. ‘We don’t need a handout, and we don’t want any money, we just want orders,’ he says, ‘give us an order to build joinery for every embassy throughout the world and we’ll make it happen.’

Mark and the Manapan team will be at Denfair today and tomorrow – you can find them at stall 105. Otherwise, the Manapan furniture range can be seen online or at their Melbourne showroom. 

Manapan Showroom
18 Wilson Street
South Yarra, Victoria

We often find ourselves featuring the work of solo creative practitioners, and really love championing incredible independent initiatives. But in celebrating all of these genius self-starters, we find time and time again, that success in creative fields is ALWAYS set against a robust and supportive eco-system of peers in the background.

This relationship between self-driven projects and supportive cooperation is the focus of the A.G.M exhibition, presented by Dale Hardiman and Tom Skeehan of creative collective Friends & Associates (both design super-stars in their own rights.). The duo began their collaboration in 2017, as a means to highlight the ‘strength in numbers’ for individual creatives, within the broader contemporary design industry.

Now in their second year, the pair have curated a serious powerhouse of whiz-kids and Aussie design-icons in their new A.G.M (honestly, just LOOK at the list.). Friends & Associates was informed by a sense of inclusivity and generosity, and this is evident in the ethos of the exhibition. Dale describes, ‘we host these exhibitions for our community – to support each other and to bring an important group of creative practitioners together in the same room, working together instead of in opposition.’ For those who often work long hours in the studio alone or in small groups, the A.G.M provides a celebration of the diversity of creative production in Australia, and the solidarity and friendships which support it.

The exhibition also includes a selection of pieces from LOCAL MILAN No.3, held during the Salone del Mobile Milan 2018, and featuring the best-of-the-best of Australian independent design. Tom describes that the ‘A.G.M. presents a slice of where we are at in Australian design, where we are drawing inspiration from, what materials we are using.’.

The exhibition opens Thursday 14 June at the historical Melbourne Meat Market building, The Stables. Prepare the agenda and minutes, the A.G.M is about to commence.

June 14 – June 16 by Friends & Associates
The Stables, Melbourne Meat Market
2-8 Wreckyn Street North Melbourne, Victoria

Five years ago Josh and Jenna Densten drove past a humble beach shack just out of Apollo Bay and dreamt of having a little coastal property of their own. After putting the dream on hold for a few years to focus on their North Melbourne renovations (which recently won best residential interior in the Australian Interior Design Awards!), they began quietly searching again for a little place where they could enjoy some serious family hang time, with their two dogs and young daughter Freddie away from the city.

A week after being shown a property that was not ‘the one’, Josh and Jenna’s local real estate agent called to let them know she’d found something she thought they would LOVE. Yep, it was the same house they couple had driven by five years ago. And they all lived happily ever after!

Relaxed and humble with ocean views, Josh and Jenna’s two-bedroom beach shack looks like the kind of place you could imagine running up to from the beach with sandy feet when Mum yells out, ‘it’s time for lunch!’. Despite the fact that it’s LITERALLY across the road from the beach, the real reason Josh and Jenna fell in love with it was the facade. ‘It’s a cute original beach shack, full of charm and character, Josh says, and this reflects the kind of environment the couple wanted to create.

The furnishings are all vintage, adding to that ‘lived-in’ feeling, where comfort is key and every piece of furniture is to be loved and hung out on. The couple have been keen to retain a ‘Lo-fi’ vibe, creating a space that feels overwhelmingly nostalgic, and brings back memories of childhood holidays. ‘We didn’t want the stress of a shiny new home where we worried about wear and tear’, explains Josh, ‘we wanted to create a space that was humble, low maintenance and cosy.’

In fact, the couple are so intent on this laid-back look they’ve done away with their ‘good intentions’ for renovations! ‘We’re scared now that if we do anything to it, it will lose the feeling it has now,’ admits Josh, ‘once we moved in and found the perfect vintage pieces, it felt like home!’.

Love what you see? Josh and Jenna’s perfect beach shack is available to rent on Air BnB!

‘I designed the garden from scratch when we built the house.’ Jenny tells me. Her design process is simple – she starts from the inside and works her way out. ‘I design the floor plan the way I like the house to live. Always, in my mind, is what I will look out on to when I enter the house. Once the house starts taking shape then I stand in the space and imagine what I want to look at. That’s how the garden starts developing. It’s important to me that the house and garden both come together as one.’

The garden has a relaxed formality. The front yard is bordered by a row of pleached Manchurian pears (Pyrus ussuriensis), with a low pond as a central focal point. At either end of the space are two benches, with dark red prunus trees growing over each and joined at the top like a living arch. ‘They are so pretty when they’re in blossom in spring.’

The garden composition looking from the front door towards the rear of the house is spectacular – with a double bank of glass sliding doors opening up to an enclosed courtyard garden. Four cone-shaped topiaries frame a French terracotta Acanthus urn from Parterre in Sydney, and a mix of low perennial plants like lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’), lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) fill the beds. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) grows up the pillars of the house.

Whilst the garden looks incredible now, it didn’t come without challenge – the heavy clay soil in Bowral, according to Jenny, is very hard to work with. ‘The shock of trying to plant into the barren and unwelcoming soil was terrible, but we persevered. The garden became very beautiful.’

It became so beautiful, in fact, that one day someone walked in off the street and offered to buy the property. Jenny and her husband had previously bought the block next door and had built a house on it. ‘We were planning on selling the house next door but then decided to move into it. We now live next door!’.

It must be hard, I suggest, to live next door to a garden you once loved so much and not have the opportunity to tend to it. ‘I thought I might miss it, but I’m so busy with my new garden’, says Jenny. ‘A garden is like a child – you have to give it attention, you have to watch it and see when it needs feeding and watering. It’s very demanding, actually.’

‘I am really excited about the new garden – I was trying to design a less intense garden but I don’t think it’s worked out that way, if anything it might be a bit more intense.’

Jenny Rose-Innes is an irrepressible gardener. She tells me of the most important condition of sale of her old house – the greenhouse. It had to move with her. ‘My builder lifted the greenhouse over the fence and put it in the new garden. I love it. It’s a workhorse – it works all year round. I also have a proper kitchen garden, and lots of flowers again. I’ve gone mad!

Jenny assures me that her days of house and garden renovations are over, that her new garden, next-door to her old one, is her forever garden. ‘My new garden is five minutes old and you should see it, it’s amazing. I will never move again!’

You wouldn’t think a stroll past a footy oval would lead to surfing Google Earth, scouting controversial mines, detention centres, and affluent neighbourhoods. But then again, artist Fred Fowler is really in a league of his own.

The hugely popular painter has turned online for inspiration for his latest exhibition of paintings – works exploring ideas of place and belonging, with reference to sites such as Roy Hill Mine and Manus Island, as well as seemingly innocuous suburban neighbourhoods like Peppermint Grove in WA, and Sydney’s Vaucluse.

We recently caught up with Fred to find out more!

What have you been focusing on since our last feature, back in September 2017?

Just after that feature, I had a nasty fall from a ladder which put me on the bench for a while. (Hot tip – don’t use cheap ladders!) I spent a month at the beach over Christmas and since then I’ve been in the studio working full-time on this upcoming show.

Was there a particular moment that inspired you to begin this body of work?

I was walking my dog past a local sports oval a while ago and I noticed a scoreboard that had the words ‘Home/Visitors’ painted on it. Out of the context of sport those two words really captured my imagination – what is home? And who are the visitors? So I used that thematically, as a jumping off point, to explore ideas of place and belonging.

You’ve mentioned ‘Home/Visitors’ explores themes of migration, colonisation, urbanisation and also the environment?

Migration, colonisation and our relationship with the environment are all key themes within these paintings. When I think about the contemporary Australian landscape these are all themes that I keep coming back to. I wouldn’t say these paintings are definitively about these issues, but they are referenced and alluded to in much of the work.

Using Google Earth, you’ve honed in on a controversial, environmentally damaging site (Roy Hill Mine), a highly-publicised site of human rights abuses (Manus Island Detention Centre), and then some contrastingly posh suburbs for these paintings. In what ways are you referencing these locations?

I’ve been using Google Maps to study suburbs such as Peppermint Grove and Vaucluse, and also places that are harder to access in person, such as mines, detention centres and remote communities.

I’m looking for sites of significance in relation to the idea of the Australian landscape, both physically and culturally. These sites are symbolic in different ways – detention centres are divisive symbols of our immigration policies; the richest suburbs in our country symbolise wealth and its distribution and mines represent where some of our wealth as a country comes from. There’s a tension in these contrasting places that I’m interested in capturing.

While there aren’t necessarily direct symbolic inclusions in all the paintings, there are recognisable elements that have made their way into the work such as mining pits, buildings, fires and burned out cars. Other symbols are more conceptual like the disembodied multicoloured snake featured in one of the paintings.

Quite a few of the works feature several references, which create certain interactions or narratives. Others are more based on specific colour palettes or trying to capture certain moods so they might only have one or two recognisable features.

How does this body of work compare to your past art?

Conceptually the work is a continuation of themes touched on in previous exhibitions, but with this show, I’m particularly focusing on the idea of place and belonging in contemporary Australia.

Technically I wanted to push myself and keep evolving, so there was a lot of experimentation with new colours, materials and techniques. For example, several of the paintings have gradients rather than solid colours in the background which is a departure for me, and I also introduced materials such as gold leaf and micaceous iron oxide.

Thanks for giving us a peek into your studio… what’s one thing that’s surprising about your workspace?

People who visit the studio are often surprised that I’m quite organised and disciplined. I think there’s a perception that artists can lead very haphazard lives and thrive in the chaos. In the past, I’ve worked like that: a filthy studio, lots of partying, visitors at all hours. But making art for me is about walking a line between chaos and order. So if everything in my life is chaotic, it’s difficult to have a consistent creative output.

What are you looking forward to about exhibiting in Brisbane for the first time?

This will be my first solo exhibition in the city and I’m super excited about it – presenting work to a new audience interstate is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time.

I’m also really looking forward to seeing the Tony Albert and Patricia Piccinini exhibitions at QAGOMA.

What’s Fred Fowler up to over the winter?

I’m hoping to go somewhere warm for a little holiday. Winter is not my favourite season, so this year I’m really making an effort to combat that by keeping active – swimming everyday and hiking on weekends. And it’s always a good time to add more soup recipes to the repertoire.

Home/Visitors by Fred Fowler
June 26th to July 21st
Jan Murphy Gallery
486 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley, Queensland

Aimee Tarulli and Esther Navarro-Orejon have curated a lineup of twenty-seven big-name Australian creatives such as  Miranda Skoczek, Stephen Baker, Rachel Castle and Emma Lipscombe who have created one-off, original works responding to the exhibition theme, No Peace In Quiet. 100% of the proceeds of these donated works will go towards an incredibly important cause, close to Aimee’s heart.

Late last year Aimee and her husband tragically lost two close friends to suicide. The loss left them deeply shocked, and with many unanswered questions, and as a mother of school-aged children, Aimee made it her mission to learn more and become an advocate for awareness around mental health. It was around this time a friend shared with her a video from Livin, an organisation dedicated to removing stigma around mental health by educating young people. ‘It really struck a chord with me and I felt so connected to their message’, Aimee explains about her response to Livin, ‘it made me think about my own kids and how they will learn to tackle their own issues growing up.’

As an interior stylist working with many artists and creatives, Aimee saw a link between the expression of art and discussing mental health. Drawing on her background and network, Aimee formulated the idea for No Peace In Quiet, and with Esther’s help, the pair have poured all their energy into developing a dynamic exhibition, with the aim to raise $50,000 for Livin’s mental health education and awareness programs in schools across the country.

The online auction element of this exhibition will go live on the No Peace In Quiet website this Thursday, June 21st, and bidding will be open until Sunday, July 1st. Anyone from around Australia can place a bid or make a donation to this very worthy cause.

No Peace In Quiet charity exhibition
Online auction
Thursday, June 21st – Sunday, July 1st

Exhibition
Friday, June 22nd – 10am-4pm
Saturday, June 23rd – 10am-2pm
Sunday, June 24th – 10am-2pm

Format Framing
51-57 Cubitt Street 
Cremorne, Victoria

We’ve long been fans of Melbourne furniture brand Jardan, whose distinctive handcrafted furniture – especially their sofas – have become a recurring fixture in many of the beautiful Australian homes we shoot.

Many of Jardan’s designs have become familiar to us (and you!) over the years – the ‘Nook’ and ‘Wilfred’ being two of their most popular, and sadly most copied sofa designs. But, as any brand at the top of their game knows… the only way to stay ahead of the pack is to ensure you’re always innovating, and constantly looking ahead.

Enter the Art House collection. WOAH. This impressive new collection of new furniture pieces, alongside homewares and lighting represents a bold new direction for Jardan. It looks nothing like anything they’ve produced before, and presents a distinct aesthetic shift, embracing more characterful, complex forms, and unexpected materials (and yes, terrazzo makes an appearance!).

Inspired by iconic Australian artists such as Howard Arkley, Clement Meadmore, Joy Hester, Sidney Nolan and Brett Whitely, this collection represents a fresh new take on the 1970’s aesthetic that’s #trending so hard right now. We love the slouchy, exaggerated shape of the new Arkley sofa – and the bold geometry of the Arte coffee table, which references Clement Meadmore’s iconic textile designs for Sydney-based firm Sekers Fabrics. A more compact and understated form, the Joy chair is another standout piece, with its contemporary yet classic silhouette. Meanwhile, pieces like the Preston sideboard and bookshelf have pushed the boundaries of Jardan’s manufacturing processes, incorporating new high gloss lacquer finishes and intricate internal engineering.

A family owned business established in Melbourne in 1987, there’s a lot to love about Jardan. With their own distinctive version of what ‘Australian’ style looks like, this is one local design brand intent on constantly reinventing themselves. And, as this new collection proves, they just keep on upping the ante.

Our signature CIBI style blends traditional Japanese ingredients and cooking methods with western flavours and seasonal produce, creating unique dishes that nourish body and soul.

Japanese cooking can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! The CIBI cookbook is full of accessible recipes that will introduce you to the many ways you can infuse your cooking with beautiful Japanese flavours to make each day a little bit special. They are simple, yet very satisfying, and made to be shared with friends and family.

Several years ago, I wanted to serve something quite Japanese, but with CIBI style – something everyone would love to eat. This okonomi-yaki is totally unique and gluten-free, lighter than the usual Japanese version. We use lots of fresh sweet corn mixed with finely shredded cabbage. This recipe makes four okonomi-yaki, but you can make smaller ones as a snack or larger ones as a full meal.

Ingredients (serves 4)

300g Savoy cabbage, finely shredded
pinch of salt
250g corn, about 2 cobs, or use frozen corn kernels
200g rice flour
200ml dashi
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
30g chopped spring onion
4cm piece of fresh ginger, grated or finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil

CIBI’s Okonomi-yaki Sauce

2/12 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon finely chopped spring onions
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Method

First, make the sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

Soak the cabbage in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then drain well.

If you are using corn cobs, bring a saucepan full of water to a boil. Add the pinch of salt and the corn and cook for 5-8 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. Once the corn has cooled down, cut the kernels off the cob.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi and salt until well mixed.

In another bowl, beat the eggs with a fork or chopsticks.

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, corn (boiled or frozen), spring onion, ginger, eggs and flour mixture. Mix well with a fork or chopsticks.

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Pour a quarter of batter in, forming a round pancake. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until they are crisp and brown, about 5-7 minutes on each side. Repeat to make three more pancakes. If necessary, add more oil to the pan.

Plate the pancakes and brush some sauce over the top before serving.

This is an edited extract from CIBI by Meg and Zenta Tanaka published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $50.00. The book is available in stores nationally and online. 

You are probably familiar with Paris Thompson through the beautiful and precise TDF Films she creates for us (Thank you Paris!).

For someone who spends their days capturing and producing highly considered footage, it is little surprise then that Paris’s small apartment is also highly edited, and captures her exacting aesthetic.

The Collingwood apartment is only two blocks away from the SIRAP studio (the dream commute!), but offers a serene escape from the office. Paris describes how ‘when I walk through the door I feel like I’m in another world,’ where the leafy aspect creates a sense of serenity and calm. The small space is flooded with natural light, which provides Paris with a ‘beautiful spot to sit in the mornings with the sun falling on your face’ and to practice meditation. While this might all sound very wholesome, Paris also notes that the apartment is conveniently located less than a block from a wine bar. A well-balanced life!

The size of the apartment has necessitated a clever and curated approach to make the intimate space feel like a welcoming home. For Paris, this meant adopting a ‘quality not quantity’ mindset, and applying a strategic use of textures to add warmth and softness. While admitting to following the Melbourne stereotype of ‘not being big on colour’, she describes ‘I love the classic look of black and white natural textures – stone, metals and timbers.’

Paris purchased the apartment off the plan in 2015, and moved in early 2017. ‘I wanted to get my foot in the door and buy something that I could actually live in’ she explains. The young entrepreneur had looked at a number of different apartment developments, both built and off the plan, but this one by Gurner stood out from the crowd. ‘I wanted to live in a smaller block and not a huge tower’ she explains. ‘This building is low rise and still retains elements of the original facade which was refreshing – there are so many squeaky clean new apartments, it’s nice to have a nod to what was once there.’

In seeking out soft furnishings and furniture for her apartment, Paris was surprised ‘how little options there are for furniture to fit in small spaces!’ As a result, the SIRAP founder commissioned a couch, ottoman, dining table, console and bedhead for the space.

Paris highlights the interior design details, by Elenberg Fraser, as a key drawcard of the apartment.’ The stone bench across the balcony is one of her favourite design features, ‘the perfect perch for a G&T!’ The size of the home means entertaining often ends up as a standing soiree event, but for Paris, adapting to living in this apartment has gently influenced her perspective of life. Now, ‘less is more.’

According to Cushla McFadden and Jade Nottage of Tom Mark Henry, the evolution of their business was written in the stars! The pair met at university while studying Interior Architecture, and describe ‘fate’ bringing them together. Cushla and Jade followed separate paths for a year after graduating, and reunited in 2014 ‘driven by our mutual desires to take control over our careers.’ With a year of experience under their belts and a HUGE swag of ambition, Jade describes how they ‘bravely, or potentially naively, embarked upon starting our own Interior Design business.’ (What power ladies!)

For Cushla and Jade, Tom Mark Henry is not defined by a particular aesthetic or distinctive brand. Jade explains ‘we acknowledge design is very personal and our role is to guide rather than force an aesthetic.’ Instead, the consistent thread which links the firm’s projects comes through a process of considered and highly responsive client engagement.

While Jade explains that ‘we don’t feel as though we have projects that look obviously like us’ – we would ABSOLUTELY argue that all of Tom Mark Henry’s work has a refined aesthetic edge. The pair describes bringing a ‘layered palette’ and combining unexpected materials to the variety of projects they undertake across workplace, retail, hospitality and residential spaces.

Active listening and responding to client needs are guiding principles for Cushla and Jade, who explains that ‘our passion really lies in any project that allows us to express our creativity, and make the space better for people who get to experience it.’

Much like the evolving process of working with clients, Cushla has also developed a new understanding of the iterative nature of developing a career as an interior designer. She explains ‘Now I know that having a complete level of knowledge on any one subject is a mirage, and that we are all constantly learning, no matter how many years of experience we have under our belts.’

Into the Wild emerged out of Marita McCausland’s experience sourcing and wholesaling indoor plants for some of her favourite Melbourne homeware stores, and selling plants in pots via her online business. As enthusiasm and demand for her plants grew, Marita realised ‘it made sense to open a store.’

For someone who loves chatting with people, and views plants as little works of art, Marita’s certainly found her calling. She says that being able to workshop green ideas for people’s homes and spaces is ‘my idea of heaven.’

Into the Wild has been designed to feel ‘warm, tranquil and inviting’ rather than feeling like a traditional plant nursery. Leafy foliage jostles happily alongside ceramics by local designers such as Angus & Celeste and Papaya.

For those of us who are slightly less confident around plants, Marita offers some helpful advice for nurturing our green friends through the cold winter months. Firstly, cut your watering regime in half, in order to avoid soil gnats (eww). Secondly, shuffle your plants closer to the window to maximise light in the shorter days. Plants (like us…) are very unhappy in a cold draft, so keep them snug where possible!

If you are in the market for a new Monstera Deliciosa, Hoya, Devils Ivy, String of Pearls or big friendly fern, Marita suggests taking a photo of your space in with you when shopping. Not only can you ensure your plants will aesthetically suit the space, but Marita (aka the plant guru) can advise on the best choice for th light and environmental conditions.  Go forth and green-ify!

Into the Wild
251 Hampton Street
Hampton, Victoria  

Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 3pm

Built in the 1960s, this house in Rye is one of the last examples of the original style in the area. ‘The owners were very concerned about making substantial changes to what was a very intact example of a late modernist home,’ says Antony Martin, director of MRTN Architects. While in great condition, the original home lacked living space, and good connections to the garden that the family required.

As Antony puts it, the new addition ‘is an example of the total being greater than the sum of the parts.’ Though the footprint of the new space is relatively small, the entire house is reimagined. Timber has been used as a major design feature in the ceiling and panelled walls, giving a nod to the surrounding natural environment. Seamless indoor-outdoor living is integrated through vast floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows, giving the owners the opportunity to completely open the house up in the warmer months. 

The play between light and dark was important to Antony’s thoughtfully considered design. A sliding, timber-shuttered wall provides a key design feature, throwing slatted light across the kitchen and living areas throughout the day. 

With many examples of original mid-century architecture being demolished in favour of modern designs with ‘little merit’, Antony was thrilled to work with a client with an appreciation for the cultural and historic value of the gem they were sitting on. ‘It’s always great to come across people who appreciate these homes as they are… making relatively minor changes to suit contemporary family life’, he says, ‘…if anything, it makes them appreciate the original house even more!’.

Textile designer Cassie Byrnes is known for her lively, joyful art and playful fashion line, Variety Hour. Since she launched the label in 2016, her textiles have all been hand painted, designed and manufactured in Melbourne.  ‘To me, fashion is all about the customer and making them feel fabulous. I love being able to make women feel beautiful, no matter age or size,’ says Cassie, of her labour of love and commitment to sustainable, accessible fashion. ‘I’ll often get a mother-daughter duo visit a stall and both find something perfect for them, which I really love to see!’

It’ll be easier to get your hands on one of Cassie’s distinctive designs from now on, with her long-term pop-up shop at 155 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy opening on June 23rd. Running for six months, the space will showcase Cassie’s new Honeymoon fashion collection followed by her summer line, along with original paintings on canvas and a forthcoming body of work inspired by her childhood in Queensland. ‘The store is going to allow us to get to know our customers so much better, and give us a much clearer understanding of exactly who we’re designing for,’ she tells.

After we teamed up with Cassie for her first TDF Collect art exhibition in 2016, she took the leap into working for herself full-time. She’s been diligently focusing on her label and relished the time and freedom to experiment, as well as to work on myriad commissions,  from packaging to book covers – including for US Anthropologie (we all adore our Melbourne bowls!).

The Variety Hour pop-up sees Cassie push herself outside her comfort zone once more. ‘Honestly, I was not 100% confident in the decision until I had a chat with my friend and mentor Kristy Barber from Kuwaii – she was really encouraging and told me to go for it, so that kinda sealed the deal for me.’

Learning on the job, Cassie has transformed a white-walled space into an eye-catching, vibrant store. ‘Anyone who’s ever had a shop will know how many weird and unexpected costs keep appearing out of nowhere (the 200kg of Terrazzo tiles I used for my counter was so not part of the original plan) and we’ve had to rely on a lot of friends and family to help with the fit out,’ she reflects, before trailing off about fun trips across town to Derrimut and Altona seeking weird shop items.

Along with calling on family and friends for guidance, true to form, Cassie’s made some new pals along the way. ‘I’m kind of best mates with the guys at the Bunnings Collingwood paint shop now… but I’m also looking forward to not having to go there every day!’ she jokes.’Then again, after a year working solo on Variety Hour in my home studio, I am so excited about actually being around some other humans for a change!’

Variety Hour
155 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy, Victoria
Open June 23rd to December 29th
Monday to Saturday, 11am-6pm
Sunday 11am-4pm

If you can’t make it to Melbourne you can visit Cassie Byrnes’ online store at Varietyhourstudio.com.

How many times have you had a friend tell you to bite the bullet and give a seemingly pipe-dream business idea a go? A little bit of encouragement to commit wares to a friend’s market stall was all that it took for this talented husband-and-wife duo to kick-start their woodcraft business, Turner + Turner.

‘This was a wonderful opportunity for us to bring together the homewares we designed and made for friends as gifts over the years,’ recalls Suellen Turner, a photographer by trade. ‘We’ve kept up the momentum since then; we’re excited to see our brand grow and develop as we add new products and collaborate.’

To date, Turner + Turner’s offering includes a signature natural-edge range of bowls and serving bowls, timber serving boards, bowls and dishes, alongside spoons, spatulas, rolling pins, knives (cheese, bread and cake) and also cake stands and vessels. All pieces are designed and made – from a single piece of hardwood! – in Neil and Suellen’s studio in the South West of Western Australia.

Functionality and longevity are priorities for the pair, who want their wares to be passed down across generations. ‘We handcraft each piece to highlight the beauty of the timbers we use, which are unique in colour and grain and enable us to create one-off pieces,’ tells Neil. ‘We never get tired of working with timber as we still get excited when we see a beautiful piece and continue to discover new woods to work with.’

Shop online at Turnerandturner.com.au, where bespoke orders for custom homewares and furniture are welcomed. A selection of pieces can also be browsed at Gourmet Food Merchant in Cowaramup and the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth. 

Lovers of Scandinavian design (and we know there are a few of you) will be no strangers to the name Fred International – one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading distributors of furniture, lighting and accessories from the lands of the design gods (otherwise known as Denmark, Norway and Sweden).

Fred finally has a home in Melbourne – and what a home it is!  With the genius assistance of of interior designer Angela Harry and stylist Simone Haag, Fred have created a unique new showroom, situating Scandinavian design within an iconic Melbourne setting – a Collingwood warehouse apartment,  in the historic Foy & Gibson precinct.

Imbued with a warm, tonal colour palette and carefully selected Australian contemporary artwork, this sleek, contemporary space encourages a reconsideration of what Scandi-design usually represents. ‘This meant challenging the notion of Scandinavian design being strictly clean and minimal, instead opting for a darker, moodier palette; sophisticated, with a kind of Collingwood edge’ explains designer Angela Harry.

What is extra special about Fred International, is the chance to see a bold edit of international furniture, in a context which feels strangely familiar. The display space resembles a Melbourne apartment, so it really isn’t difficult to day-dream yourself into living your imaginary life here!

Fred International Melbourne Showroom
10/79 Oxford Street
Collingwood, Victoria
By appointment only

It’s all about de-cluttering these days, isn’t it?

In these Marie Kondo inspired times, we’re forever clearing out the old to make way for something new. And there’s a distinct sense of guilt that comes with holding on to ‘too much stuff’.

Well, today, we’re indulging the maximalists. Because, as we see time and time again in the homes we photograph, the most inspiring spaces are those with bold character and personality – homes that stand out from the crowd, and leave a memorable lasting impression.

Here are some simple ideas to make ‘more is more’ your mantra.

Display Collections Consistently

Let’s face it – unless you’ve got a particular knack for it, achieving the ‘more is more’ effect without looking messy can be tricky. Filling a space with indiscriminate ‘stuff’ is not necessarily the goal here, and collections can look a little cluttered if they’re not curated tightly. Create consistent displays by choosing all one type of object, colour or material to bring some method to the madness! 

Utilise bookshelves

Bookshelves are your best friends when styling any space. Not only do they offer ample display space for your artfully arranged bits and bobs, but they can also be a statement feature in themselves, when filled with the stuff they were made for: books, of course!

If you’re going for a more eclectic (or practical!) look, arrange books at random, mixing heights and styles to create a wonderfully mishmashed library. If you’re still looking for a little refinement, organise books according to colour or size. Amp it up with some snazzy bookends, like these snazzy OYOY ones. 

Cluster artwork

The problem of having too much art isn’t really a bad one to have. But, if you’ve found yourself with more pieces than walls, consider consolidating your collection in a ‘salon’ style arrangement, to create a gallery-style effect (more on this here!).

Layer up!

Maximalist decorating doesn’t happen overnight. Transforming a blank space into something more eclectic is all about adding incremental layers.

Start with the basics – seating, a coffee table and some shelves in a living room – and build up from there. Add soft layers next –  cushions and a throw rug, perhaps – then move on to art / wall hangings, book stacks and tchotchkes (aka knick knacks!).

Working in ‘layers’  encourages a critical eye, allowing you to edit as you go and see know exactly what works and what doesn’t in the process of adding and subtracting.