Yes, blogs and magazines are great. But I’m a book lover from way back. For me they will always have a special place in my home (one that’s getting increasingly cramped I might add!). And interior books are no exception. Before interviewing the two remarkable women below I re-read their books and was inspired all over again. The current project is decorating what has been labeled for so long the “front room”– my study and general dumping ground (I have to admit). I’m now filled with ideas to transform it into a nursery (with a little corner for my desk and a much larger wall for my books). I’m posting pics of my progress on Daily Imprint so keep an eye out.
Burst of inspiration: Karen McCartney
Editor of interior books Creative Homes (Harper Collins) and Iconic Australian Houses (Murdoch Books); also editorial director of Inside Out and Notebook magazines
How did the Creative Homes and Iconic Australian Houses books come about?
Creative Homes was created from existing stories in Inside Out magazine. We took the line of creative people, and how they live, and I edited the selection of stories and wrote a forward and design notes at the back. Iconic Australian Houses was a much more demanding exercise. I took the book idea to Murdoch Books who commissioned it. I worked closely with photographer Michael Wee, art director Andrea Healy and editor Leta Keens. I had 16 months to find all the houses, arrange the photography, research and write the chapters plus a 6000-word forward. It was hard but a thoroughly rewarding experience, especially interviewing the architects themselves.
Photography Prue Ruscoe, Chris Chen and Anson Smart
Photography Michael Wee
What did you want to achieve with them?
Creative Homes was designed to celebrate the diversity of how people live creatively in Australia today. Iconic Australian Houses was to celebrate (and record) the work of forward-thinking Australian architects (working in the 1950-1970s) who have shaped architecture today.
What makes a great interior?
Conviction
Would you say there’s a distinctive Australian interior style such as Danish, Swedish, French, etc? If so, can you describe it?
As with food Australia has created its own “fusion” style. The outdoors and hence “lifestyle” plays a predominant role in how we live and homes that cleverly connect inside and out are influential around the world.
What’s the most common mistake people make when decorating their home?
Not allowing enough time. Good interiors ripen and develop and it can take several years for it all to come together. If you try to do it all in a weekend you end up with a show home.
Where do you look to for inspiration?
I look to art, books, market stalls and my two favorite magazines – Italian Elle Décor and World of Interiors.
Who inspires you?
My friend photographer Martyn Thompson
How has your own personal interior style developed?
It changed, from a sort of light industrial look, in 1996, when my husband and I started to buy 1940s Danish furniture at London auctions. We also bought art and furniture from student shows – things that we still love today.
How would you describe your home?
After renting in Sydney for a couple of years we bought the Bruce Rickard house we still live in. The place dictates something of the style – it is timber, brick and glass – so demands natural tones. The Danish furniture is low and looks modest and quietly special (like the house) and we have added some modern pieces such as a Hella Jongerius sofa from Vitra. We seem unable to resist chairs and bowls – so the house is short of neither.
What are you passionate about?
I love it when you see a new design that feels like a future classic – the Konstanin Grcic Diana tables (at Anibou) in powder-coated steel are a good recent example.
Burst of inspiration: Shannon Fricke
Editor of interior books Colour and Space (Murdoch Books); also interior stylist, writer and TV presenter – phew!
Photography Prue Ruscoe
How and why did you start working as an interior stylist?
I grew up with a mother who had a passion for both fashion and interior decorating. I watched her from the time that I was a small child creating beautiful ensembles and interiors – although her creations came to bare on a very tight budget. From this, I learnt that when you create from the heart and with your individuality in mind, first and foremost, you can create a style that is all your own. Being able to do this gives people such confidence and it’s this that inspired my foray into interior decorating. Firstly with my own home, and then other peoples’ – for television, magazine articles and my books. What I hope is that through my work, people will feel a sense of confidence to be able to create for themselves.
What lessons have you learnt along the way?
That when you take the time to stop and reflect on the things that you love, then the creativity will come.
What’s your favourite decorating style?
I don’t follow one particular style – every house you live in and then every different stage of your life requires a different decorating response. There’s nothing that I love more than walking into somebody’s house and being surprised by the elements that they’ve thrown together. I think it tells you so much about a person.
What’s the most common mistake people make when decorating their home?
It’s a missed opportunity when people slavishly follow trends. In my view, the home is like a blank canvas, waiting to be filled in. You can create and folly to your heart’s content in your home and the only people to know are those that you invite in. It’s such a safe and lovely place to express yourself.
Where do you look to for inspiration?
I’m inspired mostly by people and their experiences – I love to hear the stories of other peoples’ lives. And then there is my own life and travels: my family, the countryside that I live in, my garden, my horses, overseas trips – basically everything!
Who inspires you?
People who live a fulfilled life – that follow their passions and their heart.
What did you want to achieve with the Colour and Space books?
I hope the books offer the tools that people need to build their decorating confidence so they can create a home that they love living in.
How did you go about sourcing the images?
My good friend and brilliant photographer Prue Ruscoe and I sourced and photographed the houses that appear in the book. We even traveled to New York for a couple.
How has your own personal interior style developed?
In two ways since I’ve had my children. The first is that I’ve built in triple the amount of storage that I used to have – to hide all the stuff! The second is the colour palette that I’ve used – I’ve ditched the crazy oranges and reds for a quieter palette of greens and blues. The last thing that I need with two energetic kids in tow is more crazy energy.
How would you describe your home?
Exactly the place I want to be.
