Although I absolutely love my own home, I must admit in my line of work it is hard not to become enamored by all the beautiful homes I am fortunate enough to style and write about - and from time to time suffer a little bout of home envy. One recent home which particularly captured my fancy is the beautifully renovated Brisbane home of Tony and Arthur.
Quite an ugly little duckling to begin with, over several years Tony and Arthur not only reinstated some of the tradition Queenslander's stunning original features, but also extended the home to accommodate a new kitchen and the all important big back deck!
Unlike in some renovated homes where it is easy to spot where the new additions have been added, the beauty of this renovation is the incredible seamlessness. It is impossible to pinpoint where the old section ends and new section begins. A considered mix of contemporary timeless finishes, paired with a restrained selection of pieces, the house feels fresh and modern, yet still imbued with a wonderful sense of history. Check out the entire house in the current November issue of Home Beautiful.
Thursday, 24 October 2013
profile marine coutroutsios - artist.
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paper artist marine coutroutsios |
Since graduating from Nîmes University in France Marine has worked as an interior designer,yet in more recent years since moving to Sydney has focused solely on her first love - paper. Beginning with a sketch Marine intricately turns the paper to life making numerous incisions to create depth and shape. A delicate balance between representation and abstraction you can't help but want to reach out and touch them. You can checkout Marine's incredible work here and here.
How would
you describe yourself?
Creative, curious, calm, crafty, open-minded.
What was
your childhood dream?
An architect.
Before becoming a full time artist I studied visual arts, worked
as a sculptor, then studied interior design and worked in Paris.
What do
you love most about what you do?
I really love the process of creation and the time required to
achieve it. It's a kind of meditation which ends with the appreciation of the
viewer.
Where do
feel most inspired?
Anywhere with a sketchbook.
Can you explain your
approach/process in creating a piece?
Every piece start with several sketches to mature an
idea. I love this first phase because I need a pen in my hand to
think. Then the cutting phase takes a lot of hours to finish the piece.
What do you hope
people get out of your work?
I'd like my work to bring a sense of peace and a
glimpse of beauty, and to make people think about their own relationship with
their surroundings.
Who do you
admire?
People who are true to themselves and people following their
dreams.
What
challenges have you had to overcome?
Moving to a new country, with a new language and a new culture.
Which was a very exciting challenge!
What's been a 'pinch
yourself' moment?
I'm still amazed to live on the other side of the world and to
be able to live my dream.
What are your top inspiring
resources?
Travels, podcasts, exhibitions and the internet.
Do you have a dream creative
project?
What are you
currently coveting in the world of design?
I don't really feel the need to possess things, but I love well
designed and simple objects
What's next?
A collective show, some
Christmas windows, a featuring in a magazine, and keep creating everyday.
When the weekend
rolls around what do you love to:
Read - flipping through my books, curled up in the
sofa with a cup of tea.
Watch - The clouds' run in the wind.
Cook - I’d love to cook more but usually don't take
time to do it
Create - Anything that makes me happy.
Listen to - The waves.
Dream about - The next travel.
Look forward to - The next creative challenge.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
profile claire nakazawa - artist.
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artist claire nakazawa |
Mie, which utilises hemp canvas as the backdrop upon which to layer colour and texture. You can checkout more of Claire's striking abstracts here.
How would you
describe yourself?
Likely
to paint and dance.
What was your childhood dream?
There
would be not pollution or sexism when I grew up.
When
I was a really young child I told my Japanese grandmother I was going to be an
artist. I wanted to be a farmer then a vet, a comedian, an artist, soccer
player or to work with horses.
What led you down your current path?
A
sense of freedom to do whatever I choose. I guess it suited my nature, like
‘what else am I going to do?’ an interest, passion, enjoyment and the desire to
paint.
What do you love most
about what you do?
The freedom, playing with colour, shapes and paint and that the
process of painting sometimes feels like another world to explore.
Where do feel most
inspired?
Often
when I’m in nature and traveling, when there is physical and mental space and I
have lots of time.
Can you explain your
approach/process in creating a piece?
Often I approach the canvas without a pre-conceived idea of what
I’ll be doing, choosing the colours, imagery, strokes and style that I’m
attracted to at that time. Lately I’ve been thinking about approaching my work
in a more considered and planned way so we’ll see what happens next.
What do you hope people get out
of your work?
I’m always very interested in people’s different responses to a
work. Some works, for some people, evoke an emotion, can be visually attracting
or remind them of an experience. Sometimes it depends on how the viewer chooses
to engage with a piece. I don’t really mind what people get out of my work but
I love it when they get something.
Who do you admire?
Ben Quilty, Roa, David Suzuki, Bjork…
Ben Quilty, Roa, David Suzuki, Bjork…
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Deaths, breakups, hormones…
Deaths, breakups, hormones…
What's been a 'pinch yourself' moment?
When I’ve performed on stage with Hermitude in front of thousands of people.
What are your top inspiring
resource?
Music, free time, lately
I’ve been a bit of an Instagram viewer - looking at other artist’s work, paint
and blank canvas.
Do you have a dream
creative project?
I’d love to do an awesome,
huge mural with a bunch of other great artists.
What are you currently coveting in the world of design?
I have my eye on romance was born outfits, some of local designers
Bogan Vogue’s stuff and a Berlin label Cneeon.
What's next?
Applying for
grants and art residencies, going to San Francisco and New York in October and starting
a new body of work.
When the weekend rolls around what do you love to:
Read - Currently, ‘Zen Flesh, Zen Bones’.
Watch - At the moment, Breaking Bad & True Blood.
Cook – Yummy healthy food.
Create – Write, dance, draw and paint.
Listen to - Good music.
Dream about - Where I will go on my next art residency.
Look forward to - Spring.