Karen talks to Artduo & artist Gemelle Madigan

20 Jun '13

Art consultants Artduo - Sonja Brouard and Ilana Rabinowitz – collaborated with artist Gemelle Madigan to create today’s collection of colourful prints exclusive to Temple & Webster. Karen McCartney speaks to Sonja & Ilana about their business, and to Gemelle about the inspiration for her work. Image above by Denise Braki, styled by Jessica Bellef.

Sonja & Ilana, what was the inspiration for starting Artduo? 


We have both always been passionate about art and the creative process. We strongly believe that good art communicates and inspires us. Starting the consultancy was more instinctive rather than considered. 
In a world where everything tends towards similarity, we were driven to source unique and diverse artworks from the amazing pool of talent and skills that abound in Australia. Sourcing artists working with materials in unique ways, creating magic was our mission, with the proviso that it must move us.

‘Medium rain’ and ‘Medium splatter’ by Gemelle Madigan.

How do you work with the artists in your portfolio?

We see the artists we work with as our partners and we collaborate closely with them on projects. They in turn keep us updated with new works or new artistic directions and we provide feedback and encouragement.
Whilst we are creative in our own way, neither of us are artists, so we live vicariously through them. 
We feel privileged working with original, inventive and talented people and hope to transfer some of that to our clients.

‘Large Crimson Curve’ by Gemelle Madigan.

What is the driving philosophy of Artduo?

We strive to source and promote original art that has good technique at its foundation. 
We are highly service driven and believe in providing a unique experience to both the client and the artist.
We help clients recognise what they love and appreciate, finding the right art that is an extension of a their taste and personality, thereby creating an individual space. 
We don’t see the relationship with artists and clients as ‘one off’, we see it as a journey.

Do you have great offices with lots of amazing art? 


Our office overlooks the ocean, which is the best canvas, allowing nature to inspire us daily. We have the privilege of living with some great artworks for short periods of time and naturally have acquired some treasures ourselves.

Artist Gemelle Madigan (left) and her ‘Large Reflection’ canvas print.

Gemelle, your work is evocative and is inspired by nature – what is the process for you?    

My paintings express my personal relationship with nature – nature is part of us and we are part of nature. I work flat, either on the floor or on table tops. The paintings evolve by placing one colour over another. This layering process creates a fascinating depth. I work on many things simultaneously with the paintings (as a group) mysteriously showing me what to do next. The ground is predominantly paper, glass or canvas.

The combination of pigment and surface material is central to your art. Is this something you explore constantly?

I have always played with art materials, being fascinated by what they will do when pushed to extremity. One experiment leads to another; diving deeply into one idea broadens its content and meaning and this enables me to dive even more deeply. In the end, the materials I use create a life of their own….I give the materials the freedom to do this because it’s natural and it feels good.

‘Small Stirring’ by Gemelle Madigan

You have been recognised in a number of art prizes. Is this acknowledgement important to you?

I guess it’s nice to be recognised by your tribe…. but it’s more important for me to have the freedom to love and live well and make things with my hands.

This collection was especially created for Temple and Webster. Is that a first?

Yes, it is a first! I have to thank Sonja and Ilana and Temple and Webster for believing in the things that come out of me. It’s great to know that they are accessible to everyone.

Acquire your own Gemelle Madigan print in our Artduo sale event.

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Colour Crush – Aegean

19 Jun '13

Image – Denise Braki. Styling – Eliza Ashe.

We’re crushing on the fresh, clear blue of Murobond’s Aegean, the backdrop to the vintage Indian & Asian furniture in this week’s ASLI sale event.

Why it works

Stylist Eliza Ashe explains: “I’m a sucker for cool tones and Aegean had me at hello. More cement than baby-blue, it worked a treat paired back with the navy accents in the floor rug and the top wall feature to create a less-beachy, more modern feel.”

Home truths

Want to incorporate this hue at home? Our in-house colour expert Cathy Leighton suggests using it in a bathroom, bedroom, courtyard, or any space designed to calm the mind. “Layer it with creamy white, indigo and dark wood tones for an exotic flavour that evokes traditional batik fabric, or spin the colour wheel and warm it up with a punch of orange or terracotta,” she says.

Famous fan

Stylist and author Shannon Fricke consistently uses blue in her relaxed, modern interiors as well as her ranges of bedlinen and ceramics. “Blue is my go-to colour for now, and probably forever,” she says. “Every glance at it, particularly walls swathed in a washed-out, worn, denim blue or aqua blue in a set of cushions, reminds me of ‘peace, love and happiness’, my life slogan for 2013. Blue is alluring, comforting, and easy. Like a favourite pair of jeans, it never goes out of fashion.”

Inspired? Shop for vintage treasures in our Asli sale event, or find Aegean and many other moody blues in Murobond’s blue colour palette. 

 

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Win I Love My Room by Megan Morton

18 Jun '13

Our friend, uber-stylist Megan Morton, has created a beautiful new book about children’s rooms with photographer Jason Busch and designer Penny Shek. It includes the real (but amazing) bedrooms of her own kids and those of fellow creatives including Rachel Castle, Megan Park and Beci Orpin, along with interviews with the kids themselves. Karen McCartney talks to Megan about creating a room that both child and parent can love.

MM, from a recent profile on Paula Joye’s Lifestyled. Image – Erin O’Sullivan.

In the book you share some of your decorating mistakes with your own kids’ rooms. Do you think you are getting better at it?

Oh always. Every room is a new opportunity to make a mistake or a brilliant act of decorating genius!

The adjoining rooms of Megan’s oldest children Millie and Sebastian. This experience led her to recommend against chalkboard paint in children’s rooms!  

You point out that it is a balancing act between being led by your child’s personal choices and your own common sense. How do you stay in the space?

The key here is to be strict enough so the balance sits with the adult decision but flexible enough to let the child show their creative muscle.

A good example of this is…

You: What’s your favourite color?
Them: Purple!
You: Nice. So lets get you some purple (steering them towards lilac and grey throws, hero single chair, cushions, picture frames – NOT purple feature wall or bed head).

Elodie’s room, pretty and practical with pastel highlights. Her favourite feature? The stickers on the bedhead.

Did you enjoy interviewing the children? I like that Elodie wants to be a crocodile feeder, Jimmy a detective and that Holly would prefer to be called Fairy Holly.

Oh children are by far my favorite types of people! These were the delicious moments in the making of this book – I could have talked to them for days and days.

Jasper at home, filled with eccentric (but practical) English style by his antique-trader parents.

What are the three most important things every child’s room should have regardless of style preferences?

1. A bedside reading light – planting and encouraging the reading seed is so important.

2.  A hook or rail on the back of the door so bag or seasonal jacket or hat can be easily accessed.

3. Something that is chosen by them and adds nothing to the room’s aesthetic appeal. Even if that thing is an unsightly gnome farm. You need to respect and accommodate a small amount of their ideas in order for them to feel they have ideas worth listening to!

A maximalist delight thanks to the magnetic and pinboard walls – the bedroom of Lana and Scarlet, the daughters of Liane Rossler & Sam Marshall.

Do you think it is important that creativity is nourished in children through having a space to call their own?

It’s not the room size or the size of the craft cupboard, it’s the way creativity is accessed that I think is important. To me, free play, making and craft should not be a ‘scheduled in’ activity but available daily.

What is your fail-safe decorating tip?

Wash ‘n’ wear paint! I find removing marks from walls hugely gratifying.

Holly’s room in gorgeous soft colours with splashes of pink, lilac and grey.

How do you recommend toys are weeded out and recycled?

Be part of a toy library so you’re not lumped with a kindergarten’s worth, or set up your swaps and loans between friends.

What tips do you have for displaying children’s art works? We have a lot of ceramics – in particular a life size cobra and a rather magnificent warthog?

Me too! I have pottery dogs that I adore and I put them to use as genuinely handy bookends! I use bulldog clips and make gallery walls for our youngest  - but there is nothing nicer than taking your child (if they are into it) to the framer and picking up a framed piece of their own work, giving it as much reverence as if it were a prized piece from a gallery.

Betty Jean and Evie in their Southern Highlands home full of home-made treasures. Betty Jean describes her favourite colour as ‘pink, green, purple, orange, blue and white’.

If you were a child again which room would be your favourite and why?

I loved Megan Park’s twins Marley and Ella’s room – by far one of the smaller rooms in the whole book.  I mean can you imagine the joy of waking up daily to a twin of the opposite sex in a weeny room filled with jingly jangled everything?

Images by Jason Busch, design by Penny Shek, courtesy of Thames & Hudson. You can order a signed copy of I Love My Home from Megan’s website or go along to her Melbourne book signing at The Woodsfolk (39 Church St Hawthorn) tomorrow night (Wednesday 19th June) from 6.30-8pm.

We have 1 copy of ‘I Love My Home’ by Megan Morton, Jason Busch & Penny Shek to give away. For your chance to win, leave a comment here on the blog before 5pm (AEST) Tuesday 25 June 2013. You must be a member of Temple & Webster to enter, and you may only enter once. We will choose our  favourite comment, and will notify the winner via their Facebook page or at the email address attached to their Temple & Webster account (if we are able to ascertain it) by Friday 28 June 2013. If we are unable to make contact with the winner via either of those methods within 30 days, we’ll choose a replacement winner. Good luck! 

Posted in   Giveaways, Kids' roomsTags   • • 55 comments

Introducing . . . the Prop Shoppers

17 Jun '13

T&W’s Head of Styling Jessica Bellef introduces a new occasional series on the thrill of the chase.

A container full of dinosaurs. Tarnished silver forks wrapped with twine. An orange retro TV. On any given day, the T&W prop desk overflows with an assortment of, dare we say it, “random” objects. Though our mission is to provide styling inspiration on things you can actually buy, the images we create depend on our ability to hunt and track down those elusive little finishing touches that are a little bit harder to find. Otherwise known as props.

We like to look at props as the windows into your homes. They’re those little unique pieces personal to you, and only you. The holiday find you managed to haggle from an exotic marketplace. The heirloom handed down by your late great-grandmother. The hand-made invention put together by your kids one rainy crafternoon.

Like the stories throughout your home, we use props to create the stories behind our shoots, and for a stylist prop selection is everything. Too dowdy a prop and you’ll devalue the beauty of the product. To ostentatious a prop and your hero piece will be overshadowed by the attention seeker at the edge of frame. Prop sourcing is both an art and a science, and for myself and T&W stylist Adam Powell, it’s become more of an obsessive sport.

Our peepers are constantly peeled for interesting bits and bobs that capture our attention and imagination. Inspiration can come strolling past vintage shop windows, wandering weekend markets, gazing at our friends’ bookshelves, or even spotting roadside treasures. “Will this old Bakelite phone work in next week’s furniture shoot?” “Will this cute desk fan work for tomorrow’s office shot?” “Oh my God, look at this porcelain unicorn… WE MUST HAVE HIM!”

With this in mind, we thought we’d take you on our journey as we track down treasured tchotchkes, and share our fevered love of the game. We’ll give you a pictorial report of our travels and divulge the inside goss on where we like to go to get our prop on. On with the hunt…

Jess: I am pretty obsessed with pop culture and this coffee pot screams ‘Twin Peaks’, David Lynch’s eerie TV series from the early 1990′s. Plus, the pot has a pretty smart copper collar – copper is totes on trend at the moment. 

Jess: Cane clothes hangers. This op shop moment had to be captured. Some people stroll through museums to pass time and glimpse all that has been. I would rather fossick in an op shop or vintage store to lose myself and connect with the past. 

Jess: Sometimes the most suitable prop is something we have hand crafted. For a recent Urban Rituelle candle shoot, I froze frangipani flowers in my love heart shaped ice trays. It was a total experiment but it worked perfectly for the shoot and now I am keen to try it on a larger scale… the learning never stops.  

Jess: This recent shoot for Retrojan was a propping success. Timber hand and glassware from Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre, babooshka dolls from Oxfam and a striking flower arrangement from florist/stylist Justine Rose, whose lovely studio is a stone’s throw from the T&W studio. The hint of timber and the pops of yellow bought warmth to Retrojan’s industrial range.

Follow the hunt on Instagram – Jess is @jessicabellef and Adam is @theboyfromthebush.

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Hand Made Markets

15 Jun '13

We’re so grateful to Jacqui Fink of Little Dandelion for finding all the clever makers in our recent Made by Hand series on the blog. Here she is to introduce today’s Hand Made Markets sale event, featuring many of those makers and a few more.

I am so excited to be able to present Temple & Webster’s first Hand Made Markets sales event. The fact that there even is a sale is all down to the tremendous support T&W gave to the makers featured in the Made by Hand series. I am enormously grateful to Temple & Webster  for providing us with such a powerful platform to showcase the incredible work of some of our very best makers of handmade in the Australian creative scene.

It is always a challenge for us small-timers to garner exposure. Each maker has been working furiously but joyously over the last few weeks preparing for this sales event. I trust that you will love the product offering.

So, thank you Temple & Webster for your wonderful and meaningful support. Thank you to all the makers featured in the Made by Hand series for sharing your creative genius with us. Finally, and most importantly, thank you Temple & Webster members for your kind and generous support.

Go handmade!

Visit our Hand Made Markets now or read all the profiles in Jacqui’s Made by Hand series.

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LeeAnn Yare’s colourful life

13 Jun '13

LeeAnn Yare , pictured above in her Auckland store Collected, is a New-Zealand based  interiors stylist, writer, retailer, TV personality and . . . airline pilot. We’re excited to be the first Australian retailer to feature her fun & colourful homewares range, LeeAnn Yare for General Eclectic.

What was your path to working in interiors?

I’m lucky enough to combine my love of travel with my passion for interiors and design; I work as an international airline pilot and an interiors stylist and writer.

I started writing and styling for magazines about 12 years ago and it’s grown into a second career, somehow I manage to juggle both along with a husband and two boys 6 and 4.5. Most recently I opened my own store Collected, I have just finished filming a TV renovation show on which I’m the interiors judge, and have written my first interiors book which is being published in October.

At LeeAnn’s home in Auckland, her son Dylan’s room features Florence Broadhurst Cockatoos wallpaper as well as layers of colourful textiles. Image -  Larnie Nicolson Photography.

How would you describe your style?

Eclectic, colourful, and not too serious.

What’s your philosophy around colour?

I’m a huge fan, colour will uplift and inject personality into any interior.

LeeAnn’s home office, filled with inspiring colour and pattern. Image -  Larnie Nicolson Photography.

What’s the secret to creating an eclectic interior?

Start with what you love, the rest will come naturally, and don’t be scared to give anything a go!

LeeAnn Yare for General Eclectic ceramic kitchen canisters.

What are your favourite pieces in range?

I love them all!  The kitchen canisters are practical and look great, and can double as vases and bowls. The origami Stegosaurus is super cute and a bit unpredictable. The tea time candleholders look great paired with coloured candles, and are a great mix of old and new.

Cute ceramic stegosauruses.

Quick fire questions:

Style icon:  Florence Broadhurst.  Obsessed with colour and pattern and way ahead of her time.
Pet hate: Perfection.  Imperfection means character.
Favourite colour combination:  Currently I’m obsessed with soft pastel sorbets mixed with bold hits of bright and finished with a pop of neon!
Best op shop/vintage find:  Our three metre long dining table, originally an old laundry table. I love its history, and the history being created around it every day.
Can’t live without:  Morning coffee.

Shop LeeAnn Yare’s colourful range now.

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David Clark’s Edit – David Hicks

13 Jun '13

In the eighth instalment of David Clark’s Edit, we profile Melbourne interior designer David Hicks.

What attracted you to the world of design and architecture?

I always knew from a young age that I wanted to be involved in design. I always thought I wanted to be an architect but then learnt about interior design – which is what I went on to study. I was attracted to interiors for the quicker turn around time and the many varied and interesting materials, objects and furniture that could be incorporated. I suppose my mind works very well on a detailed level. My love of interiors and residential design has brought me full circle as we now offer building design services. I just love design and architecture when practised together as it is such a cohesive journey and you get to see what you have created when it is built.

A bespoke St Kilda apartment that sits atop a Deco building with views of the city and bay. The dark colour palette was selected to provide a warm, cosy interior. The antique horn mirror is of particular note from Graham Geddes Antiques in Melbourne. Image – Shannon McGrath.

Who are the people alive or dead that you think are/were truly inspirational?

I think people are inspirational for different reasons. These could be work ethic, taste and style, for the work they have created and just general intrigue. I would have to say that in this order the people that are truly inspirational are my staff, Tom Ford, Richard Neutra the architect and Hedi Slimane, now head designer at Saint Laurent, formerly of Dior.

How would you describe your signature style?

The David Hicks design philosophy is founded on a holistic approach – considering architecture, interior design and decoration as one. Space and form, materials, finishes and furnishings are refined to ensure enduring quality and a unique expression of the client’s intent within each project. We have a modern luxury aesthetic which is achieved through the cultivation of ideas that are brought to life in spaces that surprise, captivate and create desire or provide sanctuary.

A renovation of a 1920′s house in Melbourne has a vintage Italian undertone to it. Wallpaper panels on the wall with Fornasetti Agate pattern provides a backdrop to the vintage Curtis Jere raindrops wall sculpture. Image – Shannon McGrath.

What matters to you most in the work that you do?

I am very concerned with detail and quality on each project. I like to try to achieve the best out of everything I design. It is such a personal thing for me being a designer as I am doing what I love. It is sometimes hard to please everyone, even clients sometimes, as design is such a subjective matter. What ultimately matters to me most is the client’s happiness with the end result.

Do you have a favorite residential project?

Every project we do is totally different and I really do like each and every one of them for their differences. One of my favourite projects is one that we have just completed where we were involved in the building design, interior design and decoration along with the garden and landscape design. This project was so fulfilling as it was such a cohesive effort. It allowed me to create a total experience for the client that has become a haven for them and their family.

A serene palette of soft materials blend together to pick up the colours of the beach view outside. A collection of vintage furniture provides a further layer of softness. The vintage Curtis Jere skyscaper chrome lamp acts as a beacon at night. Image – Shannon McGrath.

What is your design pet hate?

My pet hate is bad detail and laziness in design. When something is not rationalised it really irritates me. I see so much laziness where things have just not been resolved. I suppose this is also my pet hate – that I am so analytical.

What do you think works without fail?

Keeping things simple and well detailed works very well for me. When things are edited and considered it shows. I also like to have fun with my decorative side and do often use elements that traditionally are not supposed to go together. This gives an element of surprise that also works.

A new build project in Toorak, Melbourne with architecture and interiors by David Hicks. This house evokes modern Los Angeles design with its clean lines contrasted with vintage pieces. Image – Shannon McGrath.

You oversee a team of employees – what do you look for in the people you work with?

I look for the hunger. I have always been hungry and I find this can be one of the most important things you need to succeed. I also look for skills such as design or technical. Sometimes a person will be great at one thing but not the other. If you can pin point this and ensure that the person is aware of their capacity and they have the hunger to go further and they fit the company design style – then this is what I look for.

A fun refurbishment of a Docklands penthouse in Melbourne. Pattern and colour is juxtaposed to play on the Dale Frank painting. Paisley and ikat patterns contradict but sit easily together whilst vintage aqua lamps and fluoro orange bowl by Alexandra Von Furstenberg add another dimension to the painting. Image – Shannon McGrath.

You have had much peer recognition over the years. Is there a key moment that matters most?

There have been many moments and people that have mattered to me. It is very hard to pinpoint one in particular. Design is not something you can sit in a room by yourself and do. It takes many people to make it work and to give recognition.

What would the future bring that would make your career complete?

I do not think that my career will ever be complete in design. There is too much to do……

To see more, visit the David Hicks website or follow the David Hicks Design Facebook page.

See all the designer profiles in David Clark’s Edit or follow our Pinterest board to see all the images.

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The Quintessential Magazine – issue 4

12 Jun '13

The fourth issue of The Quintessential Magazine has just gone live and it’s a cracker, with contributions by uber-stylist Glen Proebstel and Instagram sensation Stephanie Somebody, among others. As usual, it is beautifully designed (hat tip to creative director Tracy Lines) and features many of the interesting industrial & vintage items collected by Leanne Carter-Taylor of quintessential duckeggBLUE.

Naturally our favourite piece is by our own Karen McCartney, who muses on the therapeutic value of ‘shedding’ some of her possessions, including a surfeit of ceramics (pictured below).

Treat yourself and subscribe (for free) at their website to read this and future issues in full.

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