Wattle House by Golden

Tasked with enlivening a recently renovated home, Melbourne-based design studio Golden took inspiration from its residents, a young and creative family. Injecting their personalities into the home was integral to the design approach, with Golden transforming each space into one that celebrates art, texture and form. 

Mitigating the unique challenge of working with a recently renovated space, Golden found the right balance between what to refresh and and what not to. Function was also essential to the design, with artful yet family friendly custom joinery featuring throughout the home. Through the selection of furniture and the design of unique joinery insertions, Golden has embraced the earthy and rustic textures and decorative pieces that speak to the strong, distinctive vision of the client. Curved travertine drawers appear as decorative, while the design intent was heavily influenced by function, for toddler use and safety. A custom crafted whiskey cabinet in aged brass embraces a love for entertaining while creating a sense of vintage charm; as though it has held pride of place in the lounge for years. 

A carefully executed material selection of velvet, natural stone, rattan, perforated brass, and Moroccan patterns create a calming clash, expressing a level of eclecticism that can only be achieved with a trusting, creative client. The living room corner above features the iconic Circle chair by Hans J. Wegner, the Akari 10A floor lamp by Isamu Naguchi, and Tabernas Rug by Halcyon Lake from the new Amadi Collection featured on TDC earlier this week. These sit alongside the beautiful custom travertine sideboard.

In keeping with Golden's tactile and sensory approach, the tones, textures and materials are layered and organic, resulting in spaces that are warm and holistically balanced. A custom crafted dressing table activates an unused corner in the master bedroom and is beautifully paired with the Arch Vanity chair by Douglas and Bec, and the Gubi wall mirror designed by Gio Ponti. An aged brass lamp by Apparatus is placed above an elegant custom made cabinet by Osiris Furniture & Joinery, who carried out all of the unique joinery throughout the home. 

Complimented by a considered material selection, the bathrooms are given character via Kelly Wearstler wallpaper, handmade tiles, and a feature Anna Charlesworth wall sconce that reinforces the storied, layered aesthetic.

Photography by Sharyn Cairns 

With additional selections from Jardan, Ondene, and Great Dane, each furniture piece is special and unique; exuding a feeling of being found and collected. Wattle House is fresh but considered; a deeply layered family home with a foot in the past and the present.

Interested in seeing more by Golden? Check out the recently featured Coastal Home in Brighton and Warrior One Yoga Studio. 

Images courtesy of Golden 

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Mud Australia Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Debut Installation in Milan + New All-Matte Finish

In celebration of their 25th Anniversary, acclaimed handmade porcelain brand Mud Australia are currently presenting for the first time in Milan during Salone del Mobile 2019. In partnership with Calico Wallpaper and Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, STILL / LIFE, the exhibition, provides an interactive installation exposing the senses to the possibilities that lie between stillness and life. The incredible exhibition sees Mud debut a new all-matte finish, while interplaying with light and shade to showcase the timeless design and functionality of the brand.

Mud's porcelain range, designed by Shelley Simpson, combines handmade processes and clean lines to neatly intersect a minimalist aesthetic with an artisan finish. Celebrating longevity, with very rare releases of new pieces or colours, the new all-matte finish is an exciting introduction for the brand. Showcased alongside site-specific gradients by Calico Wallpaper with interiors and lighting by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, STILL / LIFE provides visitors with a series of visual-sensory vignettes, weaving natural materials with original design works by the exhibitors. Embodying handmade craft, alongside nature-inspired colours and shapes, Mud Australia instills the space with timeless silhouettes, harmonious materiality and organic calmness.

Still / Life exhibition / styling and photography by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

The spatial concept for STILL / LIFE was designed by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio founders Dylan Davis and Jean Lee, who imagined a space that embraces a dual state of tranquillity and vitality, revealing a calming yet enriching environment that opens the senses to elemental possibilities: a momentary day dream, a memorable flavour, or a chance conversation. For the installation, Calico Wallpaper developed a site-specific custom colourway of their Aurora design, which has been integrated into the gallery’s focal wall metaphorically mirroring a vast landscape that usher’s visitors to a place of transcendence.

Still / Life exhibition imagery / styling and photography by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

With the Milan exhibition now in full swing, I speak to Mud's founder and designer Shelley Simpson about the collaboration, the new all-matte finish and what's next for the iconic brand...

An amazing way to mark Mud Australia’s 25th Anniversary, how did the Still / Life collaboration in Milan come about?

Milan’s been our radar for a long time, however, the sheer volume of exhibitors plus the hordes of design professionals that descend on the city for the week, has always seemed a creative challenge. As a craft-based business that celebrates longevity and avoids newness, we’ve always had an appreciation for collaboration and design, so it was serendipitous to receive an invitation from the creative minds at Calico Wallpaper and Ladies & Gentlemen to collaborate with them on STILL / LIFE; a sensory installation in a gallery space just north of Brera, Milan's artist quarter. We had previously got to know Rachel and Nick at Calico through our Brooklyn store (and having Mud on their wedding registry).

Traditionally offering a glazed finish across your collections, what was the driving force/idea behind the new matte product?

We very much like the sculptural light qualities of biscuit porcelain. Unglazed, the pieces take on a more earthy, raw aesthetic that celebrates the natural material. Porcelain is a vitrified material, and when left unglazed, it takes on a really beautiful smooth and dense character. Leaving the pieces unglazed also adds to the durability of the product, making the matte collection particularly suitable for commercial high-use environments.

Tell us about the colour palette you chose for the pieces being presented in Milan and how this fits in with the overall spacial concept.

On exhibit is a series of matte forms—both tableware and lighting—in an emotive colour palette of Ink, Citrus, Sand, Steel and Milk. Jean and Dylan from Ladies and Gentlemen, selected these five colours from our palette of 20 options, to complement the colours in Calico’s new wallpapers: the custom Aurora drop in the STILL / LIFE exhibition; and the new MUSE wallpaper by Faye Toogood in the adjoining space. The intention of STILL / LIFE aims to create a calm space for introspection and interaction and the combination of soft, gentle colours enhances the end result.

Mud Australia's new All-Matte Finish / styling by Shelley Simpson and photography by Petrina Tinslay

You’ve come such a long way since 1994 when you first picked up clay! Did you ever dream of being where you are now and what do you think it is about Mud that really resonates with people?

You can never plan for the future - four weeks ago we didn’t even know we’d be exhibiting in Milan right now!

After my first experience picking up clay, I knew I wanted to build a business around it. I applied for a local small business scheme, which required me to complete a business plan. This helped me set the intent from the start to build a profitable business in the process of doing something I loved. The range has developed over the 25 years and all the pieces we make generally come from a personal need with a specific use in mind. Our making process sits right on the edge of production and craft which means there’s an emotional aspect to our pieces but they still retain their functional edge. Having 20 colours allows people to create their “own range” and they can also add over time as their needs change. I’d like to think that people also connect to our Australian studio made story.

All of your products are made in your Sydney studio using porcelain clay sourced directly from Limoges, France. What is special about your processes and this type of clay?

Colour, durability and consistency are the factors we need for reliable production. We tried a lot of porcelain bodies and the quality of the Limoges porcelain from France has met our requirements over the years. The plasticity of the body for casting as well as it’s ability to take stain without major warping issues, even in our larger pieces, makes it perfect for us. The raw colour of the Limoges body is also really nice and comes through in our overall colour palette.

Mud Australia's new All-Matte Finish with styling by Shelley Simpson and photography by Petrina Tinslay

Mud has stores across Australia, and also in New York, LA and London. Are there any more stores on the horizon?

We’re really focused on our online store right now, available in Australia, the US and the UK. The growth potential for this channel is really strong and we’re enjoying the challenge of trying to replicate our very immersive instore experience in the online realm. In the real world another store in Melbourne’s east is definitely on our radar and we’d also like to open a small studio in Manhattan again, assuming we can find the right location.

I sense you're not one to sit still for long.... once the excitement of Milan settles down and you have officially launched the new matte collection, what’s next for Mud?

We’re focused on building our presence in Europe, and looking at other partnerships through the region, beyond our store in London’s Marylebone. We’re also refurbishing our Fitzroy store, extending it to incorporate a dedicated space to showcase our lighting collection, plus a courtyard garden area for our staff and visitors to enjoy.

In the studio we have new kilns arriving from Germany soon and there’ll be new colours and shapes on the horizon. We test all sorts of things in the studio, sometimes over a period of years, and only enter a style or colour into production when we feel it is 100% right. We’ve loved moving further into the design space with our lighting collection, and definitely want to continue growing that alongside special trade and hospitality projects.

A Scholarship Programme is also something we hope to introduce this year. Offering an annual grant for a selected student to put towards developing a body of work or using different materials. We’re in talks with a few design institutions in Australia, America and the UK to explore how we can best do this.

Mud Australia's new All-Matte Finish with styling by Shelley Simpson and photography by Petrina Tinslay

The earthy rawness of the new finish is just stunning! If you're lucky enough to be in Milan, STILL / LIFE will be on view for the duration of Salone del Mobile, from from 10:00 – 19:00 daily at Via Pietro Maroncelli 7, Milano. 

Images courtesy of Mud Australia 

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New + Noted

Starting today's New + Noted with some beautiful tablecloths by Georg Jensen Damask, the first was designed by Arne Jacobsen. Created from one of the many sketches left behind after his death, it was launched in 2002 as a tribute to mark the occasion of the centenary of his birth. I also love the Still Life Tablecloth in Cinnamon Dusk by Cecile Manz. 

Images via Georg Jensen Damask

New from French Connection Home, I can't seem to go past a leather chair. I usually lean towards a broader, sling style but I quite like this boxy shape of the Leather Pouch Chair. I also love the colour and pattern of the Poppy Field rug and the shape of the aptly named Large Bulging Pot. 

Images via Mad About the House

These next images are from an ongoing series by two photographer friends June Kim and Michelle Cho. Inspired by travel and places with poetry, geometry and a story to tell (June lives in San Francisco and Michelle in London), these images were created during trips to Los Angeles, New Mexico and Spain. Serving as a creative documentation of the places they’ve visited for others to enjoy, I particularly love the architectural element and colour palette. See more of the incredible series here.

Images via Yellowtrace

I recently discovered Texas-based artist Claire Oswalt after reading about her in Yen Magazine. Working in both watercolour and graphite, her collage works are absolutely beautiful. Pictured below are Small Hedge and Las Piedraaas. 

Images via Tappan

Danish design firm Kähler has collaborated with Danish designer Stine Goya to produce Fiora, a stunning range of ceramics. The internationally recognised fashion designer known for her unique patterns and bold colours has applied her trade mark style to the new range. Rich in pattern with vibrant colours and beautiful silhouettes, I particularly love the Fiora Centrepiece Bordeaux in the deep burgundy colour. 

Images via That Nordic Feeling

A glimpse at the latest collaboration between Cos and Hay, the gorgeous Autumn 2016 collection consists largely of everyday objects for the home and work, but also furniture. I can't wait to see more! 

Images via Residence

Twice a year, the Milanese furniture showroom Spotti bring on board longtime collaborators Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto of Studiopepe to transform their space. Their most recent interior creation for Spotti's renovated space, Instant Panorama is more than likely inspired by our Instagram-obsessed culture. Featuring a set up of vignettes that are meant to be captured on film, the aesthetic is less defined, but it’s focused on of-the-moment trends with bold pops of rust and dark green, lots of velvet and layered vintage Berber rugs. Including beautiful brands such as Gubi, &tradition, and Areti, the interior also features a new trompe l’oeil wallpaper designed by Studiopepe. 

Photography by Silvia Rivoltella via Sight Unseen

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New + Noted

The start of the year has brought with it plenty of exciting design news on the web as well as arriving daily to my inbox. I've picked out some favourites to share with you today! 

Swedish brand Sandberg Wallpaper have collaborated with Annaleena Leino-Karlsson to showcase their latest range VINTERSKOG designed by Johanna Vestlin. A tribute to dreamy Scandinavian winters, the beautiful palette depicts a calm and quiet snow-covered forest. Beautifully styled by Annaleena in her newly built home, the wallpaper provides a gorgeous backdrop when paired with whitewashed oak floors and simple, monochrome details, including Annaleena's own minimalist clothes hanger.

Styling by Annaleena Leino-Karlsson 

A lovely table/workspace setting via IKEA which features a pretty combination of crisp white and soft pink. For product details take a look here. 

Styling by Pella Hedeby / photography by Sara Medina Lind

Danish designer Kristina Dam continues to expand her collection of art prints, furniture and accessories with an incredible line up for Spring 2016. Some of my favourites include the Vertical Daybed made from soft leather and oak, a new Stone Poster Series featuring photographs of natural crystals and stones with a clean and graphic expression, and the beautiful Outline Mirror which has a steel frame providing a place to hang favourite items of clothing. I also love the Wooden Sphere, which features two turned wooden bowls that can be used separately or placed together. Made from oak, they come in natural, black or grey. View the new collection in its entirety here.  

Images courtesy of Kristina Dam

&Tradition have announced their revival of one of the signature pieces from Danish design master Arne Jacobsen, the Bellevue lamp. Produced in its original shapes as a floor, table and wall lamp, it will be launched in four contemporary colours. Stunning! 

Images courtesy of &Tradition

ferm LIVING always delivers an incredible array of beautiful new pieces and their latest collection, Spring Lines, is no exception. Continuing on the clean lines and strong aesthetic of their previous collection, it's exciting to see their expansion into furniture with the introduction of the Herman Chair and Punctual Shelving system. Celebrating their 10th Anniversary, ferm LIVING have also created this lovely paper to share the thriving company's products, history and the passion behind it. See the the full range of new products here. 

Images via ferm LIVING

I'm pleased to advise that I've updated my Regular Features to include New + Noted so you can check out the previous posts in this series. There's lots of great content there! One of my many goals for this year, I plan on tidying up the other regular series and linking through from my home page. Watch this space! 

Photo by Lark & Linen

I also woke up to some other exciting news in my inbox this morning. I've been included in the Best Design Blogs of 2016 by New York-based domino magazine! It is such an honour to be chosen by this hugely popular print and online platform, amongst an incredible line up of interior blogs. Pop over here to check out the full list. 

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