Artists and creatives from Australia and around the world.

31/07/2013

Papier Mache

Papier Mache was founded in May 2009 as an online magazine which has since grown rapidly to see over two hundred thousand readers worldwide. It has since expanded to include a bi annual print publication. Produced by The Convenience Store in Sydney, the magazine aims to showcase artists, photographers, designers, illustrators, inventors, creators, kids, dreamers, doers and magicians.
The magazine showcases incredible work that is inspiring and beautiful. Not only is the print gorgeous, but to see more of the creativity and magic produced by the team, follow them on instagram and read the blog











30/07/2013

Oscar Niemeyer's LA House

In the early 1960's, Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer was commissioned by filmmaker Joseph Strick to design his Santa Monica home. Positioned on the architecture-packed La Mesa Drive, the Strick house was the only house Niemeyer designed in America. In fact, the whole process took place via post as Niemeyer never set foot in the US due to his 'leftist political associations'. 

What is also interesting is that during construction Strick and his wife divorced. The property was sold and later forgotten, and almost demolished. Around 40 years later Michael & Gabrielle Boyd found the forgotten masterpiece and restored it to its mid century modern charm.













Photos found here

26/07/2013

The Home-Journal

On the Home-Journal yesterday was my article Staging to Sell. Appropriately timed for the Block's auction on Sunday, check it out for tips and tricks for increasing your selling price...



Dana Tanamachi + Puffin Books

I've written about the incredibly creative illustrations of Dana Tanamachi before (here) but I couldn't resist sharing some of her new work. Teaming up with Puffin Books, she has illustrated in her chalkboard style the covers of three classic childrens books: Peter Pan, Pippi Longstocking and The Wizard of Oz.

Watch the stop motion video below to see Tanamachi's creation of the cover of Peter Pan...





25/07/2013

Carrer Avinyo

Carrer Avinyo 34 is the refurbishment project by David Kohn Architects of a former piano nobile apartment in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Located at a major crossroads within the city, the apartment was stripped of its internal partitions to reveal the junction and connect living within the apartment to the streets beyond. The apartment is owned by two brothers that currently live in London and Hong Kong. The brief for David Kohn Architects was to design a holiday home for the brothers in the city they grew up in.

The city beyond the apartment walls is mirrored within through the individual rooms inside large pieces of furniture that appear to be small buildings. The new mosaic floor of the apartment is decorated with a triangular pattern that matches the geometry of the plan. The tile pattern is graded in colour from green at one end of the apartment to red at the other to differentiate the brother's private spaces. The tiles were made by Mosaics Marti who also supplied the products for Gaudi's projects in the city.









24/07/2013

Mr & Mrs White

I've been sick this week, hence the lack of posts... Between hiding under a blanket on the couch and sleeping in my bed, sitting in front of the computer screen seemed the last thing on my mind. However, once I received the responses to my interview with Nathan and Sasha White of Mr & Mrs White, a Sydney based furniture and homewares store, I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

I particularly feel excited for this hardworking couple as they seem to be so similar to Jorge and I. Marrying young and studying in a similar way (apprenticeship and correspondence) it almost makes me dream to be in a position like this in a few years time...

If you want to check out there store in person the address is 3/81 Darley Street, Mona Vale, NSW.



Q. What are your design backgrounds?
A. I studied graphic design and Nathan did his apprenticeship as a shipwright. Nathan loved the timber side of boat building and disliked the fibre glass side. He moved into cabinetry and as he started making things for our house he fell in love with the design and skill of creating furniture. After studying I started to crave a creative outlet that didn't involve a computer screen - and so I started playing around with my second-hand sewing machine. I instantly loved the feeling of creating with my two hands and seeing a bunch of fabric become something functional... something beautiful.


Q. Your site story says you got married super young... How young were you and how was it being married and studying?
A. I was 21 and Nathan was 23 when we got married. In this day and age I guess its pretty young but we had met when I was 14 and had been dating since I was 17 and so it felt natural to make that next step when you know your meant to be together. The first year was definitely challenging but looking back I wouldn't of had it any other way. I was studying via correspondence so that I could work 3-4 days a week and get an income and Nathan was doing his shipwright apprenticeship. I was never the 'embrace the uni life' kind of girl - so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. 


Q. How did Mr & Mrs White start?
A. When we were both doing our respective hobbies - sewing and making furniture - we realised one day that we could do this together. So we started out slow - making bits and pieces...things for us and family and friends (they are good to practice on ha). I started building our branding, website and online store and all of a sudden we were 'Mr & Mrs White'. It has been a gradual process. A process of working out our style, designs and the type of business we wanted to be. It's been a fun and challenging journey.


Q. How is it working everyday with each other, as husband and wife?
A. We love it! It definitely has hard moments but mostly it is really enjoyable. Because we both have our own areas of expertise it works quite well. We are not in each others hair too much. I stay upstairs in my studio and Nathan stays downstairs in his workshop. 


Q. How do you manage keeping up with the business with a daughter?
A. It is definitely challenging but very rewarding being able to do both. I have Selah most of the week and then on Fridays and Saturdays a good friend of mine looks after her. This enables me to get work done in the studio and be there when the showroom is open. This means that during the week most of my work gets done in the night or during her short nap in the day. Sometimes I'm productive and other times I'm not at all. But it all seems to work out. It's a busy season of life that won't last forever so you just gotta roll with it I guess. Also, Nathan is such a great dad - the positive of running your business is that you set your own hours - and so if I have a lot of work on - Nathan takes Selah - and we just manage our schedule week by week depending on whats on.


Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A. Thats a great question and very hard to answer. We have big dreams for the future but we are taking it day by day. You never know what doors or opportunities will open up to you. We definitely will still be making and creating and expanding the business. Along, with our business hopefully our family has grown and many more new friendships are made!


19/07/2013

JZ Tea Trolley

Jorge Zalszupin was a Polish architect who moved to Brazil after World War 2. He began designing furniture for his architecture clients and in 1955 he started L'Atelier, a furniture design firm, along with designers Julio Katinski, Oswaldo Mellone and Paulo Jorge Pedreira. 

Like most furniture manufacturers of the time, L'Atelier started as a small company, producing made-to-order furniture of the finest craftsmanship. Today, Zalszupin's designs are known internationally as hallmarks of modernism. Graceful lines, strong use of local woods and a combination of impeccable woodworking and classical detailing mark Zalszupin's furniture. 

One of my favourite pieces of Zalszupin's is the JZ Tea Trolley. The combination of a steel frame, brass wheels and stained wood shelves creates a beautiful, modern design.

Photos found here and here.

18/07/2013

The Home-Journal

On the Home-Journal today I've written about adding plant life to your interiors. This is great for all homes, but especially those who don't have backyards like apartments!


Workstead

Design firm Workstead is made up of a triplet of graduates of the RISD Architecture program; Stefanie Brechbuehler, Robert Andrew Highsmith and Ryan Mahoney. The firm have offices in Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley where they focus on architectural and interior design, lighting and furniture design, and exhibitions. The firm aims to design responsible works that create a sense of place for both the objects they contain and they people that experience them.
This particular project in Prospect Park involved a complete reorganisation of spaces, with highly tailored millwork creatively positioned throughout. "Modern in form, simple in material, but complex in texture, hand-painted elements conceal a warm walnut beyond. Rich wood and colourful brass create a sense of grace and punctuate a backdrop to the bustle of everyday life."
This Brooklyn home is clearly an example of Workstead's mastery of refinement and understated luxe.








Photos by Matthew Williams