FROM MY DESK 04

Looking forward

As we continue our quest as a nation to quell the spread of COVID 19, it's all too easy to focus on the sacrifices we are making. While some of us have experienced greater change than others, it has undoubtedly affected us all.

It's a heartbreaking sight to see so many businesses close, some permanently, and the loss  of countless jobs. Staying at home, as we are being implored to do, can be very trying. There's only so many times, we can spring clean, sort our wardrobes or, in my case, rearrange the furniture!

What we can do, however, is plan for our future, for when we reach the other side of this awful situation. We all hope life will return to some kind of normality, and when it does, we will hopefully be able to enjoy the things we are missing out on now.

While we are spending time at home - especially over the easter break - we could  be looking at future ways we could improve our living environment. Perhaps by planning small renovation, or creating an updated furnishing wish list?

Not only will this put us in good stead for a time when we can put these things into action, it will also give us something positive to focus on, now, during this unfortunate time.

This month, from my home office, I look at ways we could be planning a home improvement, renovation or new build.

Perhaps you could try this yourself, even just for fun! 

Home office, Sassafras April 2020

PRODUCT REVIEW 04

Natural Marble

An important part of preparing for a renovation or new build is to select the hard finishes that work for you! The type of stone, for flooring, benchtops and/or walls, can be a difficult choice!

I often use a selection of natural stone, in particular, marble in my projects. At first, my clients can be apprehensive, natural marble can be a fearful choice for some. I put forward the pros and cons, and together we made an informed decision.

Carrara, Calacatta, Emperador and Crema Marfil marble - to name a few - like other natural stones, are porous. The lighter varieties (in colour), can show stains and scratches. They also need regular care in order to maintain their beautiful appearance. In addition, cleaning marble and other types of stone must be done properly with a pH-balanced stone cleaner. As a lover of natural products, I believe these drawbacks should be embraced. Imperfections show that a house has been enjoyed, lived in, they tell a story.

Some love the look, but question if the maintenance is worth it. The obvious solution, in this case, is to opt for faux stone porcelain. The options here are endless, (be it from Caesarstone, Stylestone or CDK's neolith range) and the quality is superb thanks to recent advancements in technical manufacturing. Faux stone can be a better choice for some.

The majority of the real deal is quarried in the Italian province of the name of the stone, ie Carrara and Calacatta! Imported in large quantities, Carrara is not overly expensive and is available in a variety of shades, from pure white to bardiglio black. Other marbles, including Calacatta, Statuario or Thasos (from Greece) can be more expensive, especially for the more unusual varieties.

This range of shades allows me to create stunning patterned mosaics or to add bold contrasting borders in a room. The simple white and grey tones of most marbles also mean that it can be a perfect base for colour accents, in fabric, wallpaper or joinery.

For me, nothing beats the look of authentic marble but either way, the look is stunning. Marble is timeless and elegant. It transcends period style and can work effortlessly in a modern or traditional setting.

KEEPING IT SAFE

Life as we know it is rapidly changing.

Of course, we are all well aware of the devastating affects the Coronavirus is having on our lives. It's becoming more apparent every day and it is so important that we look after one another. We need to diligently follow official advice; practice good hygiene, restrict public activities and/or implement self-isolation wherever possible.

At Justin Bishop Interior Design I am continuing to work, however, in line with this advice, I will now be keeping face to face meetings to an absolute minimum. Wherever possible I will be holding meetings online and sharing our project information more and more through our 'One Hub' client portal.

I have implemented up to date screen sharing capabilities for design presentations and product reviews. This will allow us to keep in touch remotely, to continue working on current projects and to be able to check on-site activities when required. I will be doing all that is necessary to responsibly adhere to official safety advice.

For new projects enquiries, please email or call anytime. I am here to assist and can arrange an online meeting with you at your convenience.

We must do all we can to stop the spread of this global pandemic.

For now, please keep safe, and I look forward to keeping in touch, responsibly, during this difficult time.

DESIGN ADVICE 03

Accent colour

Interior design is all about balance – nothing really has a value on its own until it is thoughtfully and carefully placed with many other things. This month we see accent colours playing a key part in achieving that harmony, adding small, punchy doses of contrasting hues that can draw the eye, add visual interest and tie everything together. 

An accent colour can form part of a paint scheme; the wider fixed features, like the flooring or wall tiles; furniture; a decorative accessory. 

Colour can be a hard thing to commit to. There is always the risk of getting it wrong, and also, the fear tiring of it. So if you’re the cautious or fickle type, use accents in easily switched accessories, rather than harder to change walls and floors.

The other risk is to be too adventurous, layering too much colour, especially mixed in with patterns and prints. Colour should be used with restraint. I would suggest choosing your pallet, then editing it down to the bare essentials. Perhaps start with one colour in various strengths, then possibly add one additional complementary colour for interest. 

Any accent colour will have the effect of drawing the eye, it will usually be the first thing you look at when you enter a space. You can use this concept to help change perceptions about scale and size: placing your brightest painting at the far end of a room will make the eye look all the way through, so the room will appear as large as possible. Or just use an accent for a ‘wow’ moment: surround a colourful treasured possession with white, and no one will be able to look anywhere else.

Purple and ink blue accent colours at a recent residential installation.

PRODUCT REVIEW 03

Persian Rugs

A Persian carpet is a hand-knotted silk or silk/wool oriental rug from Iran (formerly known as Persia). They are known for intricate designs that are primarily oriental, floral style in a range of colours, sizes and quality. Persian Kerman rugs are a particular favourite of mine. I love the colour combinations of these rugs! They are often quite subtle, and 'de-saturated' which suits my restrained colour pallet perfectly. Today they are often woven to look antique!

Carpet weaving is an essential part of Persian culture and Iranian art. Within the group of Oriental rugs produced by the countries of the so-called "rug belt", the Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its manifold designs. The indigenous brilliance of local craftspeople has made Persian carpets one of the most sought after works of art in the world. 

A rug design can be described by the way the ornaments are arranged within the pile. One basic design may dominate the entire field, or the surface may be covered by a pattern of repeating figures.

In areas with traditional, time-honoured local designs, such as the Persian nomad tribes, the weaver is able to work from memory, as the specific patterns are part of the family or tribal tradition. This is usually sufficient for less elaborate, mostly rectilinear designs. For more elaborate, especially curvilinear designs, the patterns are carefully drawn to scale in the proper colours on graph paper. The resulting design plan is termed a "cartoon". The weaver weaves a knot for each square on the scale paper, which allows for an accurate rendition of even the most complex designs. Designs have changed little through centuries of weaving.

Carpet weaving still plays a major part in the economy of modern Iran. Modern production is characterized by the revival of traditional dyeing with natural dyes, the reintroduction of traditional tribal patterns, but also by the invention of modern and innovative designs, woven in the centuries-old technique. Hand-woven Persian carpets and rugs have been regarded as objects of high artistic and utilitarian value and prestige since the first time they were mentioned by ancient Greek writers.

There is always a place for Persian rugs in my interior schemes. They blend so well with my design style and add an authentic layer of character and beauty!

FROM MY DESK 03

A month of colour

It is true that I’m usually not a fan of colour.

I love my natural hues. White, cream, stone, putty, taupe, chocolate and occasionally, antique gold! It's not that I'm scared of using strong colour, I just prefer the timelessness of neutral texture; aged patinas and other natural finishes.

It, therefore, came as a shock when I was faced with using colour in a recent project. I was challenged with the idea of it, but, unperturbed I looked forward to exploring the unknown. I dusted off my colour atlas and got to work.

What I discovered was that in moderation, colour can be stunning! It doesn't need to be bright and overdone, colour can be elegant and classic when used with restraint. Simple, minimal use of colour can add another layer of sophistication to a scheme. I used beautiful dusty navy and blues, grey violets and deep antique red, colours that have a timeless appeal, especially when used against a chalky white backdrop.

The results have woken me from a neutral slumber, and are keeping me wide awake. 

While I still find my neutral schemes harmonious and calming, the occasional addition of colour will probably be more evident in my designing future!

Stay tuned!
 

FROM MY DESK 02

The year in motion

As my year gathers momentum, I find myself with a busy work calendar in February. There are new residential projects, product development, and a new interior design workshop series is scheduled. It's full steam ahead!

Of course, we all know that Australia has had a challenging start to 2020. We have seen ongoing bushfires and recent floods causing further damage to our eastern states. It has created a shift in our priorities as we look outside our lives to offer help to those in need.

As a result, I continue with my design services, albeit with more gratitude and humility. I am grateful to be working on a number of projects, both big and small and to be establishing lasting relationships with clients, colleagues, artisans and suppliers. I take nothing for granted.

Some say interior design is unnecessary, but I disagree. It is a welcome distraction and an important part of our home environment. Living in a well-executed interior design scheme can be beneficial to our lifestyles and good for the soul.

I continue to focus on this notion in the hope that I'm creating long-lasting, sustainable and worthwhile design, that can be enjoyed by others, for years to come.

DESIGN ADVICE 02

Create a clear vision!

From years of experience, I believe the most efficient way to begin an interior design project is to establish exactly how you want your finished product to look, before you begin!

Creating an absolutely clear image of your finished home in detail (in your mind, or preferably on paper) will keep you on a steady path throughout your renovation, restoration or new build.

It’s not uncommon to get distracted by irrelevant trends, or by taking advice from others who may not understand what you are trying to achieve. You can be pushed in the wrong direction, which can lead to confusion and costly mistakes. You can end up wasting time and money, holding up builders and other trades and causing unnecessary amounts of stress!
 
A major part of my role as a designer is to guide a project from start to finish, working not only on design with my clients but also on communication with architects, builders and site managers. It’s so important that I specify exactly what is required prior to a build. I provide numerous detailed schedules, from construction through to furnishings, ahead of time, to avoid hold-ups and to get the job done.
 
Of course, there will be questions along the way, and sometimes changes are unavoidable, however, by keeping the focus on the end vision,  decisions can be made quickly and efficiently, to keep the job moving.

I'm happy to offer interior design advice before you begin your next project. Please don't hesitate to contact me.

PRODUCT REVIEW 02

Handpainted Wallpaper

I have been lucky enough to work with hand-painted wallpapers on various projects over the years. Used in moderation, they can add a luxurious level of design to an interior scheme. 

Chinoiserie wall-coverings are probably my favourite. Designs traditionally painted in Asia, are these days often produced in Europe and North America,  where eastern designs are given a western spin. Scenes of old India, with classic architectural references, are wonderful, as are botanic scenes of China and Japan featuring plants and animals, alongside lush garden ornamentation.

While I prefer muted, monochromatic tones with just a hint of colour, I do appreciate more vibrant designs, with rich use of watercolour and gouache.

'De Gournay', 'Gracie' and 'Griffon & Wong' are traditional suppliers of hand-painted pieces. Their online galleries are well worth a look!

I am currently researching a piece for a residential project. Below are some favourites…

FROM MY DESK 01

The year in motion

Returning to work from travels on Australia's east coast, being very close to areas affected by our devastating fires, has been bittersweet.

I'm excited to complete some unfinished work from 2019 and looking forward to beginning many new projects this year. However, I'm feeling strangely torn at the thought of working as a designer, at a time when Australia has seen so much loss, so much devastation, so much sadness.

It seems the best way to move forward is to review my design ethics and to adopt a positive, and sustainably viable approach to my work, to consciously respect our environment and our precious country.

Adopting an eco friendly attitude in interior design could include, eliminating wastage by recycling and repurposing furnishings wherever possible, selecting locally made, long lasting products produced from sustainable, natural materials and switching to green power where we can, reviewing our carbon footprint and pledging an ongoing commitment to offset our carbon emissions in 2020.

All good ideas in theory, it just takes a little effort and good decision making to put these ideas into practice. 

Here’s to a healthy and safe 2020.

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay January 2020

Travelling south

Travelling through Australia's rural regions - this year along our eastern shores from Byron Bay to the NSW Southern Highlands - always renews my respect for our vast country. I love being at ground level, experiencing the landscape, the colours and the beauty. There's hidden gems, waiting to be found, along the way.

I enjoy the experience of visiting family, meeting friends and discovering new places. Hopping along the coast, through some of our most iconic towns and beaches, even this year with smokey skies and blackened bushland, has inspired me, it's an experience that always stands me in good stead for the year ahead. 

Icebergs, Bondi Beach January 2020

Tacking Point Lighthouse, port Macquarie January 2020

Tallow Creek, Byron Bay January 2020

ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION

From stained-glass windows to intricate stone carvings, Gothic architecture is incredibly impressive—especially considering many features were crafted by hand. It’s no surprise then that these ornate structures are the inspiration behind Bournemouth, England-based artist Phoebe Atkey highly-detailed architecture drawings.

From the arched doorway of Strasbourg Cathedral to Notre-Dame’s famous rose windows, Atkey captures the beauty of some of Europe’s most iconic buildings. The young, self-taught artist hand draws every ornate detail with incredible precision and perfect proportion. Atkey renders each drawing using a combination of pen and pencil, but keeps her palette monochrome. Clever shading and highlights make certain parts of the drawing appear three-dimensional, almost like you could reach out and touch the buildings’ stoney surfaces.