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.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

An interesting history of Halloween…

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2019 occurs on Thursday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.

Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Happy Halloween.

Justin.

NEARING THE FINISH LINE

Final fit offs, at a current project, before furnishing installations in November... just in time for Christmas!

With spectacular architecture by Christopher Doyle, it has been a pleasure specifying every interior detail on this project.

Out bespoke furnishings will soon arrive. The reveal will be very very exciting!

A Milestone Birthday

Turning fifty, I’m told, is a milestone event that traditionally needs to be celebrated.

So, in keeping with this tradition, I hosted a dinner at the Melbourne Supper Club recently, in their sublime Tea Room.

Twenty five guests, made up of family and freinds, gave up their Saturday night and joined me for this special occasion.

Martinis and canapés were served, before we sat down to a stunning menu from the European kitchen.

A VERY special guest also joined us, at my request, the legendary ‘Paris’, entertaining us with a classic repertoire.

As always, events like this are over far too quickly… luckily I have photos as a reminder of the night. A few are featured below.

Art of dining 2019

Art of Dining 2019, held this week at the National Gallery of Victoria, was an event filled with creativity, beauty, elegance and intrigue.

Forty four designers, artists, stylists and retailers came together in support of the NGV, each presenting their ultimate dinner table, in their own individual style.

Almost 4000 design aficionados came through the doors to view this remarkable and truly inspirational event, held over two nights and  two days at the NGV.

I was honoured to be asked to take part as a designer. From the outset, I knew I wanted to produce a table befitting my timeless design style;  based on my love of classic design.  

My artist statement...

“The architectural model seen at the heart of my Art of Dining table is a reference to my passion for neoclassical design and my early design days working as a decorative model maker. The model, styled in my signature colours of black and antique gold, features neoclassical motifs, it is the hero of my table scheme and one could say, of my design aesthetic.

The period of Neoclassicism began in the mid-18th century. In its purest form, it is a style principally derived from the architecture of classical antiquity, the Vitruvian principles, and the work of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio, one of my design hero’s.

Today, In my interior design work, the timeless elegance of neoclassicism is paramount and remains one of my greatest influences.”

Thrilled with the outcome, this was a truly amazing event!

Art of Dining 2019 - Best of the Best

National Gallery of Victoria 

May 1st-3rd 2019

A lawn meet at badminton

Art of Dining... Developing a concept

The concept I am developing for my Art of Dining table is a reference to my love of neoclassical design and an homage to my early design days working as an architectural  model maker. My table, styled in my signature colours of black and antique gold, will feature neoclassical motifs.

The period of Neoclassicism began in the mid-18th century. In its purest form, it is a style principally derived from the architecture of classical antiquity, the Vitruvian principles, and the work of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio, one of my design hero’s.

The timeless elegance of neoclassical style is paramount in my work and remains one of my greatest influences. 

I’m excited to be bringing my table concept to life in May! Tables will be on view in the NGV Great Hall – Thu 2 May and Fri 3 May, 10am-5pm & Thu 2 May 6-9pm Tickets on sale now!

https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/support-us/ngv-womens-association/events/art-of-dining-best-of-the-best/

Art of Dining: Best of The Best 2019

“Art of Dining: Best of the Best 2019 brings together 44 spectacular tables designed by Australia’s leading artists, interior designers, couturiers, florists, stylists and retailers.

Visitors will view tables from the whimsical to the avant-garde celebrating creativity and innovation in dining design. A stellar line up of Creatives are generously donating their rare and wonderful talent.”

I have been invited to take part as a designer in this prestigious event, and I am truly honoured. Planning and executing this will be an exciting, creative challenge and an absolute highlight in my year!

It will be a must see for all design aficionados,

 https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/support-us/ngv-womens-association/events/art-of-dining-best-of-the-best/

Tables will be on view in the NGV Great Hall – Thu 2 May and Fri 3 May, 10am-5pm & Thu 2 May 6-9pm

Tickets on sale early March 2019.

2019 THE YEAR AHEAD

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas, New Years & holiday season.
After a break, our office is open again this week and I am looking forward to a busy and exciting year.

Three properties from my 2018 worksheets will be completed over the coming months. These include a magnificent Hamptons inspired property in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, a classic French style bayside home (with bold use of colour!) and a traditionally English beachside cottage.

The finished properties will be revealed soon!

I will also be showing you the first look at three new interior projects beginning this year, including two new Melbourne builds and the restoration of a Victorian homestead in country New South Wales.

Of course, interior design remains at the heart of my business.
I'm always happy to receive enquiries regarding my services on any project, no matter how big or small.

As things get busier, we are integrating new customer relations systems designed to enrich and streamline our client/project presentation experience.

As a client, you will soon be able to access up to the minute creative and technical information on your projects, as works progress.

Our aim is to make your interior design experience as effortless and stress free for you as possible.

I hope you have all had a great start to 2019,
I look forward to keeping in touch with you throughout the year.

Best wishes,

Airstreams

After spending my summer holidays on the NSW coast, soaking up the sun and atmosphere in Byron Bay and the central coast, I was reminded of my journal entry from a few years back; ‘Airstreams’ - and all their cool, sophisticated glory!

In 1931, Airstream began with Wally Byam’s dream: to build a travel trailer that would move like a stream of air, be light enough to be towed by a car and create first-class accommodations anywhere.

When it comes to Airstream trailers, I am totally smitten. I dream of the day that I own one myself. It could be a second home, an office or vehicle for luxury travel. It would be custom designed, new or old with a classic, refurbished interior and a gleaming, metallic shell. The shinier, the better. 

Dreaming of your own polished aluminum quarters? Here are some classic midcentury examples that have been inventively restored and put to use as hotel rooms, guest houses, home offices, and in a few cases travel vehicles.

Above: A 1952 model renovated by a yacht interior designer functions as a hotel room at The Hotel Daniel in Vienna.

Above: One of many restored Airstreams seen on Vintage Seekers via Design Sponge.

Above: Landscape architect Andreas Stavropoulos transformed a 1959 Airstream trailer into a fully functioning office.

Above: The accommodations at Atlantic Byron Bay resort include this fully equipped Airstream imported from America.

Above: In Albany, California, just north of Berkeley, is Flowerland nursery with a trailer coffee shop featured on Gardenista.

Above: Vancouver's Le Marché St. George café and grocery crew often picnic and camp out of their 1969 Airstream Land Yacht.

Above: A 1965 Airstream Safari recast by Area 63 Productions and interior designer Caroline Brandesfor rent on her property in Big Sur, California.