Stunning soft furnishings and accessories by Sydney textile designers Sixhands

How outrageously fabulous are these textile designs by Sydney based creative trio Sixhands!?  I am wondering how on earth I did not know about them earlier. Aghhh I HATE when I am not first off the mark!  Ha ha.  No, seriously, I really hate it.

ANYWAY.  Better late than never!

First launched in 2006 by designers Alecia Jensen, Anna Harves and Brianna Pike, Sixhands originally found their calling specialising in printed textiles for the fashion industry. Their stunning work was quickly picked up by many of Australia’s best known fashion brands – including Sportsgirl, Alannah Hill, Wayne Cooper and Bianca Spender.

In recent years this talented team have turned their attention to an incredible in-house range of  soft furnishings and home accessories – including cushions, lampshades, rugs and wallpapers.   It is SUCH a truly stunning collection, and incorporates an immense variety of layered visual elements – from soft painterly splashes to strong linework and graphic photo prints.  The range is available to buy through new Australian online store Inadesignerhome and also from Sixhands’ own website.  It could just be me, but I reckon they could do with a few more interstate retail stockists.  *hint hint*.

AMAZINGLY, all Sixhands textiles are designed and printed right here in Australia.  Mucho impressivo.

I’m gonna go out with an extravagant simile and say these prints really are just like the Australian version of Missoni!  Who’s with me!?

Textiles and rugs by Sixhands

New Homewares from the Country Road Autumn 2012 collection

I have a confession to make.  Whilst you know I do love and support with all my heart the immense talent of Australia’s independent design community, there is also just one high street store that I am a MASSIVE, die-hard fan of.

You guessed it.  I am a closet Country Road groupie.

I can’t help it!  CR just do such a consistently great job – particularly when it comes to homewares and accessories.  Country Road were the first Australian ‘lifestyle’ brand, and you gotta hand it to them – as a company, over the past 20 years Country Road really have defined a quintessentially ‘Australian’ sense of style.

Having said that, the brand new Country Road Autumn 2012 range does have a refreshingly Scandi look going on.  The campaign, of course, is styled to perfection – all rustic blonde timber, chunky textures and faux fur.  As usual I am wishing all the kids clothes came in grown-up sizes… but the pieces that really sing to me are the stunning ceramics and tableware, pictured above. OH my. GREY AND YELLOW!?  My fave colour combo – how did they know!?  Beautiful.

There is one cute fun fact I have to share too.  My dear pal Simone Elder is one of the extremely talented designers at studio Ortolan, and she works on all Country Road’s catalogues and beautiful promotional material.  After our TDF Open House event in December, Sim asked what we were doing with the cute little timber pegs we had made for display in the house. Turns out she was after some for this Country Road shoot!  And so, if you have an eagle eye you will spot one lonely little timber peg, sitting pride of place on the wall in the image below!   It was made by my dear fella Gordon for TDF Open House, and thanks to Sim it’s now gracing the front of the current Country Road catalogue!  I am weirdly chuffed about that. Thanks Sim and thankyou Country Road!

Country Road Autumn 2012 collection

This week Jenna and Simon of The Hungry Workshop join us on the Guest Blog

This week Jenny and I are super PUMPED to welcome another brilliant creative partnership to the Guest Blog – say hello to Jenna and Simon of The Hungry Workshop!

As I am sure many of you know, Simon and Jenna relocated from Brisbane to Melbourne last year, and have set up their busy little letterpress studio in Northcote.  (And I must say… relocation is no mean feat when your key equipment weighs in at 1.5 tonnes!).  Since setting up shop here, Simon and Jenna have certainly hit the ground running – they’ve been busier than ever designing lots of beautiful businesscards, invitations, greetings cards and custom stationary which you can check out on their excellent website and blog. (You might remember their gorgeous Beci Orpin collab we mentioned recently over here).

This week Simon and Jenna invite us to share a week in their world – documenting step-by-step the process of creating a new greeting card – from inspiration to design, letterpress printing and final product.   The final product in this case is particularly special I must say .. Jenny and I were super chuffed to learn that in creating this new card, Simon and Jenna were inspired by ‘the constant stream of awesomeness that is The Design Files‘ !! (Their words not mine!)

SO this week on the Guest Blog you will see Jenna and Simon create this new card design from scratch, and on Friday – the big reveal!  A brand new greeting card inspired by TDF!

ALSO we’re very lucky that Jenna and Simon have offered a fab giveaway for one lucky reader – a greeting card pack containing 3 x Valentines day cards and 4 x our favourite
‘Flanno’ cards (some of which are pictured below), as well as their brand new TDF-inspired card which we’ll see on Friday!

To be in the running, simply leave a comment on any of The Hungry Workshop Guest Blog posts this week before 10.00pm Thursday.  A winner will be drawn at random and announced on Friday.

Massive thanks to the lovely Jenna and Simon for joining us this week – do pop over to see what they get up to!

Leaving your comment on The Guest Blog between now and 10.00pm Thursday to be in the running to win this Hungry Workshop giftcard pack!

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‘Chef’s Special‘ – a seasonal print publication from Meat and Livestock Australia, designed by SA-based design studio Mash.  Photography –  John  Laurie, Food Styling - Simon Bajada.

‘Chef’s Special‘ – a seasonal print publication from Meat and Livestock Australia, designed by SA-based design studio Mash.  Photography –  John  Laurie, Food Styling - Simon Bajada.

Branding and design for NSW restaurant Rojorocket

Branding and design for NSW restaurant Rojorocket

Mash is a graphic design studio based in Adelaide, headed up by young designers Dom Roberts & James Brown.  At just 34 and 31 yrs old respectively it’s hard to believe these guys have been in business together for 10 YEARS this year!  Yup, they founded Mash way back in 2002.  This supremely talented duo and their team take on a variety of projects and clients, but I must admit their impressive portfolio of work does seem to have a definite leaning towards MEAT and WINE!  And hair products.  :)  I guess they like to eat well – and look good!?

What first caught my attention about these guys was the amazing work they’ve been doing for Meat and Livestock Australia.  ’Chef’s Special‘ is a seasonal promotional print publication that is so so SO beautifully designed I would quite happily subscribe if it were available to buy!  The magazine, which has received a impressive slew of awards from ADGA and D&AD, is brought to life with the contributions of excellent Melbourne-based food stylist Simon Bajada and photographer John  Laurie – masters of the rustic overhead food shot!  (To really appreciate this inspired collaborative project, check out what the magazine looked like before Mash got their hands on it!).

Aside from being particularly great at art directing MEAT, Mash’s varied portfolio of work includes branding, packaging, print and web design for  a mixed bag of clients including hair care brand EVO, Victoria’s Secret NYC, The Big Day Out, AGDA, NSW restaurant Rojorocket, and a bunch of excellent Australian and international wineries. I reckon it’s safe to say these guys probably have a well stocked studio ‘fridge!

Big thanks to James and Dom for sharing their stunning work with us.  They are very entertaining and I have a feeling James in particular is slightly mad.  His answers below seem to border on Russell Brand-style wit at times, and I hope I have made sense of everything correctly!

Please tell us a little about your backgrounds – where did both you grow up, what did you study,  what path led you to founding Mash in 2002?

We grew up in Adelaide – Dom to the posh side, James to the rough side. James parents northern rough English, Dom’s refined southern English. We studied in Uni, Dom won Dux of class, James partyed his way through and never passed. In fact both didn’t finish school. Illustration and visual communication brought the bond together. Dom was a bad speller. James was good at spelling but wasn’t punctual. The rest is history.

What have been one or two favourite projects in recent years?

Alpha Box & Dice for pure freedom and ability to put weird things on bottles and for it to sell out before anyone has even tasted a drop. Chef’s Special doing interesting things with gristle.

Alpha Box & Dice wines – branding / labels / packaging by Mash

Judging by your previous clients you guys seem to really love MEAT and WINE.  How did you come to be doing so much lovely work for the food and beverage industries?  And as a result, are your fridges always stocked with Wagyu rump steak and fine South Australian wines?

Of course our fridges are laden with fine creatures, exquisite drops and the creamiest of creams. It is like the garden of Eden everyday in Tinseltown. It seems food and beverage is our suit at this point in time. I assure you we also can design and artify alfoil crowns and make great dance partners at parties. James is a “passive vegetarian” and doesn’t drink booze and Dom is carnivore that loves a margot.

More amazing Chef’s Special brilliance – Photography –  John  Laurie, Food Styling - Simon Bajada

How is your business structured – where is your studio based, how many people does Mash employ, do you both still play a very hands on role in each project, and what significant tasks does the studio outsource?

8 peeps sometimes more. Structure – toughest wins. Studio is in the ciudad de Adelaide but aim is for farm overlooking surf with a bouncy castle. We like to touch our staff whenever possible, we are hands on, hands off, wax on, wax off.  Every day is different, we all appreciate each other and outside artistes, outsource when we are busy or need a certain panache like a knot expert like Curtis the knot man. That boy can tie.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

James: get in late, eat some lentils and jicama, leaves early, drink water, make inappropriate jokes  Dom: in on time, eat cooked dinner, drink coffees, make inappropriate jokes.

Can you name for us 5 resources across any media which you visit regularly for a bolt of creative inspiration, or just to be kept in the loop!?

Books and people

Koruna and kaspar

Not blogs, books

Travelling to developing countries

Salvador Dalis Cook books

Iron chef!!

ABCDF

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

Good-doing people. In particular right now – a homeless man drawing pictures of houses that I just bought some pictures off today!  His cactuses are stellar. Naive Escher. But what a man, his pictures aren’t as important as he is, a good man. Like Zinidine Zidane. And my girlfriend who is working with kids/youth in Timor.

Print design for hair care brand EVO

What are you most proud of professionally?

Painting with kids in Timor. I just stripped and painted a ukelele and raised a few hundred bucks to buy guitars for the kids in Nicole’s centre, that’s definitely the most meaningful and rewarding project I’ve done recently. All in 1 day. Fuss free.

What would be your dream creative project?

All of the above.

What are you looking forward to?

Standing on a ramp with Tony Hawk tomorrow, seeing Nicole in April. Painting a surf board and a motorcycle at Deus in Bali.

Adelaide Questions –

Your favourite Adelaide neighbourhood and why?

The shire! Shire mutts. Henley, pt willunga, pt Elliot.

Where do you shop in Adelaide for the tools of your trade?

Oh I have someone to do that for me now. I love poscas. The posca shop. I like South Seas Bookstore.

Where /what was the last great meal you ate in Adelaide?

Parwana! We decorated the place but seriously good Afghan food. And Neon Lobster that is our taqueria opening for barrio at the Adelaide festival of arts.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Surfing.

Wine label for Napa Valley Linnaea Vineyard

Lovely cushions and prints by Emma Cleine of Lumiere Art + Co!  Photo – Armelle Habib.

Cushions and prints by Emma Cleine of Lumiere Art + Co!  Photos - Armelle Habib.

I have a sneaking suspicion that they slip some kind of creative potion into the waters of the Mornington Peninsula. From the lands of Sarah Dingwall, Goldnbrown, Claire Wayman, and Codename Tom; TDF presents newcomer Lumiere Art + Co!

This super stunning range of prints and homewares is the work of one talented lady, Emma Cleine.  Emma is trained in printmaking and sculpture – her cushions and artworks are printed by press, rather than screen, which ensures each item is unique.  Her current print series is named ‘Mandala’, and depicts layered vintage lace circles printed on Russian linen. So simple, but seriously gorgeous – and somehow calming, like the sacred circle which inspired them.  Plus, who could say no to a touch of pom pom fringing!

Lumiere Art + Co may be a young enterprise, but Emma has a seriously impressive list of stockists. Melbourne trendsetters Husk, Fenton & Fenton, and Turner and Lane have recognised Emma’s beautiful work – now that’s a truly discerning bunch of Melbourne retailers!  Mornington readers can also find Emma’s work at Page 8 and White Nest (I cannot find links for these – correct me if I’m wrong!).  Small cushions (45cm x 45cm) retail for $132, and large (60cm x 60cm) for $165. Emma’s prints are also now available online at Otomy’s Arthouse.

Emma has been super generous and offered a giveaway of her beautiful ‘Sailors Knot’ print for TDF readers, which retails for $300 unframed (76 x 56 cm). To be in the running, pop a comment on this post before 10.00pm this evening. The winner will be notified by email tomorrow!

*UPDATE – Congratulations to Helen (comment #243) whose name was drawn at random and has won the Lumiere Art + Co ‘Sailors Knot’ print. Thank you to everyone who left a comment and extra special thanks to Emma for this generous prize!

Giveaway – ‘Sailor’s Knot’ – a limited edition print by Emma Cleine of Lumiere Art + Co!

The Toorak home of Georgia Danos and husband Julian.  All photos –  Sean Fennessy

Bottom left – one of two bronze dancers, gifts from Georgia’s grandparents when she first moved out of home. ‘I am the very lucky fourth generation to enjoy them – just looking after them for the next generation!’ she says.  Bottom right – painting by Matthew Johnson, a gift from Georgia’s girlfriends for her wedding. ‘I adore the colours and it reminds me of how special and beautiful my girls are!’ says Georgia. Photos –  Sean Fennessy.

Loungeroom.  Paintings by Graeme Rowe.  ’The pair of Graeme Rowe paintings were a wedding gift from my Aunty & Uncle, who also gave me the wire sculptures many years earlier for my 21st birthday! I particularly love the colour of the Barcelona chair, such a classic timeless design.’ – Georgia.  All photos –  Sean Fennessy.

Ooh la la this one is a doozy.   A mid-century masterpiece in Toorak, designed by none other than architect Roy Grounds of NGV fame!  The home received many accolades when first built in the early 1950′s, and won the Victorian Architecture Medal in 1954.  A classic, quintessentially Melbourne home.  Actually, it feels a little like a teeny tiny version of the NGV, minus the stained glass ceiling.  And waterwall :)

The lucky couple who call this amazing space home are Georgia Danos and husband Julian, who purchased the house nearly 5 years ago.  Georgia and Julian were lucky to move in not long after the home had been meticulously restored by the previous owners.  The house is heritage listed, and still retains the majority of its original features – I get the feeling this home has been very well loved by every generation who has lived here!

What is amazing about this home is the incredible level of detail specified by Roy Grounds when he designed the home nearly 60 year ago.  It borders on control-freaky!  I say this because so much of the furniture is fixed – the cabinetry, the circular dining table, even the master bed and bedsides are all built-in, perfectly placed in symmetry with that incredible internal courtyard, never to be meddled with by any future residents!   Not that you’d want to mess with this uncompromising architectural vision – Georgia says ‘It’s so superbly designed that the sun literally wakes you streaming onto the pillows in the morning!   The detailing is so considered yet so simple.’

It’s clear from just a brief chat with Georgia that she is truly passionate about the  mid-century detailing and historical significance of her home.  She gushes enthusiastically about the unique atmosphere of the space – ‘The circular courtyard is incredible – this aspect is felt from every room, as is the beautiful outlook onto lush bamboo, amazing how it grows!  The timber panelling on the ceiling and walls is a unique feature of the house.  I feel so lucky to live in this little oasis.  There is such a sense of serenity and peacefulness about the space.’

In furnishing her home, Georgia has been careful to work with the existing elements and keep the interior styling classic and understated. A mix of vintage and new artwork and furnishings ensure the home feels contemporary whilst maintaining a respectful nod to the past.  Two original Barcelona chairs in stunning tan leather look like they might have belonged to Roy himself!  The Matthew Johnson painting is a treasured possession – a wedding gift from Georgia’s best girlfriends, whilst the precious bronze dancers are family heirlooms from Hungary. ‘They have been handed down for 4 generations and remind me of my family’s history’ says Georgia.

Georgia is one stylish lass, and for that reason we just had to include the pretty portrait of her below.  Mainly because her outfit is sensational AND somehow it kind of matches the beautiful warm tones of the house!  I aspire to look this glamourous in everyday life.  But don’t be too impressed – Georgia is co-owner of the very gorgeous Grace boutique in nearby Hawksburn village… so everyday glamour goes with the job!

Massive thanks to Georgia for sharing her stunning home with us today!  She’d also like to thank Fleur McHarg for the beautiful flowers dotted throughout the house.

Georgia Danos at home.  Photo – Sean Fennessy

Dining room and amazing fixed dining table!  ’Nothing beats dining at a round table – meals with family and friends are a favourite past time of ours’ says Georgia.  The flowers throughout the house are by Fleur McHarg. ‘Fresh flowers make me happy!’ says Georgia… ‘I can’t go past Fleur McHarg’s blooms, and this vase was a house warming gift from my brothers in my favourite colour’.

Kitchen – again original cabinetry.  The prints on the wall were bought in a tiny shop in Montalcino in Italy on Georgia and Julian’s honeymoon. ‘I have a started collecting tea cups, which began when I was given one from each of my girlfriends before our wedding. There is a very eclectic mix from fine bone china to chinese tea cups!’ – Georgia.

Master bedroom.   ’The treetops as a constant background is one of our favourite features of the house’ says Georgia.  Jielde lamp from Euroluce - of course in Georgia’s favourite colour, another shade of green!

An exterior plaque denotes that this special home was the recipient of the Victorian Architecture Medal in 1954.

Ellery et Graz Australian-designed sunglasses from the Fall 2012 collection

No sooner have we been given a good dose of summery beach-going weather, I am already seeing wintery fashion in the shops.  What is with that!?  NO Witchery I do not require a new winter coat just yet.  It is 35 degrees and I am still looking for a good pair of sandals and killer sunglasses!

The perfect sandals remain elusive but I think I may have the sunglasses covered – how fabulous are these!?  A collab between Australian fashion darling Kym Ellery and local eyewear label Graz, headed by Graz Mulcahy, the gorgeous designs you see above are from the Fall ’12 collection.  (Clearly I’m no fashion blogger, but I hope it is not a massive fashion faux pas to wear them in summer!?)

Kym Ellery is one super inspiring lady I must admit.  After originally studying fashion design in her native Perth, Kym travelled to London to undertake further studies at the very prestigious Central st. Martins.  Upon returning home she pursued an interest in fashion styling – landing a role at Russh Magazine, where she worked for 4 years before launching her own label in 2007.

Since then Ellery has gone from strength to strength, and Kym has picked up a swag of impressive awards and accolades, including being named one of 6 finalists in the ‘Woolmark Designer of the Year Award’ in 2010, receiving the Prix De Marie Claire ‘Best Up & Coming Designer’ award in 2011, and recently  being named one of ‘Five Australian Designers To Know Now’ by influential fashion-news bible Style.com.

It is possibly irrelevant and yet I feel worth mentioning that Kym is also drop-dead beautiful, as you can see over here.

Hmmm perhaps an interview is in order.

Stunning homewares for bed and bath by new Sydney-based online store Dunlin

You might have noticed if you visited The Design Files Open House in December (thankyou thankyou thankyou!) that my dream home is filled with COLOUR.  And yet, there is a little part of me, (perhaps the most ‘grown-up’ part) that wishes I could restrain myself to a elegant beige-on-beige colour scheme.  It would be so very posh to have a home filled with white and neutral tones – linens, ceramics, antique lighting and rustic timber furniture – don’t you think!?  How do people have this kind of discipline!? Perhaps that’s why posh people have holiday houses.

ANYWAY.  If you are GROWN UP enough to have a restrained beige-on-beige interior colour scheme, then DUNLIN is your new best friend.  I, for one, am smitten.

Dunlin is a new online store based in Sydney.  They have the most excellent and extensive range of homewares, lighting, furniture, linen and accessories sourced from across the globe, in particular New York. That’s because Dunlin is the pet project of Australian architect Alexandra Bond, who has spent the last six years with her partner Nicholas Barber working in New York, and living between New York and Sydney.

Dunlin forms a retail extension to Alexandra’s architectural interiors practice, which has allowed her to bring in a great variety of her favourite US brands previously unavailable in Australia, including stunning Matteo linens, Original BTC and Davey Lighting and West Third candles.  It’s a seriously stunning edit of classic pieces you just won’t find anywhere else in Australia!

I want EVERYTHING.  For my imaginary holiday house.

Kitchen / dining goodness from Dunlin

Petina of I Like You World and Oye Modern (pictured top right) reports from Alt Design Summit on the Guest Blog this week!

GOOD MORNING and get ready for an inspired week on the Guest Blog, as we hear from Petina of I Like You World and Oye Modern, who was super lucky to attend Alt Design Summit just 2 weeks ago in Salt Lake City, USA!

If you are not familiar, Alt Summit is basically the design bloggers’ conference to end all conferences!   Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, Heather Armstrong of Dooce, Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project, Ben Silbermann of Pinterest, Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind and MANY MORE were in attendance this year!  For goodness sake.  SO. JEALOUS.

You may recall last year we heard from Melbourne’s most colourful blogger, Pilgrim Lee of Draw! Pilgrim, who attended Alt Summit 2011 and gave us a stellar round-up of her wonderful time at the conference, learning from some of the world’s best design bloggers and meeting lots of new US blog buddies!  Jenny and I were supremely jealous at the time, and daydreamed about attending Alt Summit ourselves one year!  Sadly another year has passed and we still didn’t make it… but luckily for us Petina has put together a fantastic week of highlights from the event!  I wonder if any other Australian bloggers went along… do leave a comment and let us know your thoughts if you did!

Petina ran her own fashion boutique and clothing label in Melbourne for 7 years, before moving to Sydney 3 months ago to work as the Marketing Co-ordinator at Oye Modern, a fantastic online jewellery store.  Oye Modern was in fact one of our very first sponsors many moons ago when TDF was just a baby blog :)  Petina blogs at I Like You World and tweets over here!

Massive thanks to Petina for her Guest Blog this week!  I really hope to get to Alt Summit myself next year!  Who’s with me?!

Knotted Egg pendant light by Sarah Parkes – aka Smalltown

Custom installation for Avido Restaurant and Wine Bar in Sydney. Photos – Will Reichelt

Two-tiered macramé plant holder by Sarah Parkes

Residential commission – custom chandelier by Sarah Parkes

You know what’s amazing?  It’s amazing when the initiative and unique skill of one person, at a particular moment in time, seems to single handedly drive a design trend in a certain area or city. I think sometimes it just takes one inspired creative to start making something new and distinctive – and before long that idea forms it’s own trajectory and becomes part of a a city’s collective consciousness.  And then it pops up everywhere!  I am sure Melbournians will have noticed this recent trend of incorporating oversized macramé installations into hospitality, retail and commercial interiors.  This idea has been springing up in lots of new venues in the past couple of years – but I’m willing to wager that’s almost entirely due to the unique talent of Melbourne designer Sarah Parkes – aka Smalltown!

As you’ll learn below, Sarah started out in graphic design, before turning to jewellery design – which in turn led her to discover macramé.  It wasn’t long before her small macramé accessories had been superceded by commisions for quite complex oversized installations.  In just 3 years Sarah has put her macramé stamp all over Melbourne – and a little of Sydney too!  Her output is impressively prolific – she’s worked on a great variety of shop, restaurant and bar interiors, and aside from her large, custom commissions she also makes smaller hanging baskets and accessories for sale via her website.

I’m sure if you live in Melbourne you will have spotted a little of Sarah’s work around town – now you can finally put a name to the knots!

Massive thanks to Sarah for her time with this interview and all the great pics!

Creating macramé installation and products for a living seems like a very niche and unusual career path! Tell us a little about your background – how did you first discover macramé and what path led to what you’re doing now?

I studied graphic design quite a while ago, and since then have followed several different creative paths.

About 3 years ago I started a jewellery label, and for my second collection I learnt how to macramé. I taught myself from old 70’s craft books that I had collected. Around that time friends were designing the interior of the new Claude Maus store in Melbourne and asked me to make a large knotted hanging. I loved the jump into oversized, working with large guage rope and seeing the beauty of the big chunky knots. That was quickly followed by two huge plant hangings for Space Furniture in Richmond which cemented my obsession.

For some reason macramé totally clicked with me creatively and I realised its endless potential. It can be purely decorative or, due to the strength of the rope and knots, it can also serve a practical purpose, such as suspending something. I really only use a couple of knots, it’s the way I put them together that creates the design. My brain enjoys the symmetry, pattern and neatness of it all. Knots have a history and symbolism and there is something beautiful about them. I’m pretty obsessed I guess and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Jewellery and accessories by Sarah Parkes of Smalltown

Where might we have seen your work?

I have interior pieces in Claude Maus boutique, Fur Hairdressing and The Brix and Lupino restaurants in Melbourne, Avido Restaurant & Wine garden and The Ivy in Sydney. Xmas 2011 windows for Kookai clothing stores. I’ve done installations for the last two Australian Tennis Opens. Some people might have seen my Knotted Egg light in magazines or on blogs.

Claude Maus store – Melbourne

Custom installation for Champions Bar – Australian Open 2011

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I had a baby last year so my work pratice has changed quite a lot. My partner also works for himself so we’re doing the baby juggle between us at the moment.

I do my emailing and other businessy things in the morning at home. I have a lovely big studio space on Smith St, in Collingwood. I either take my daughter South there with me for a couple of hours or I’ll get a full day in there to myself. Once I’m there I try not to leave or get distracted and there’s no computer either… studio time is very precious!  Currently I’m either filling orders for my lights and plant hangings or working on commissioned pieces. So there’s generally a lot of knotting going on.

Hanging knotted pendants at Portmans, Sydney

Can you give us a little insight into how your business structured?  How does work find you? Do you have any helpers / collaborators to assist with the bigger projects you work on?

My business structure is pretty loose!  Promotion is not my strong point so work has always found me. It’s especially good now as I’m not working full time and I seem to have a nice flow of projects happening. I always think there’s an exciting job around the corner. I’ve been so lucky to have worked on a succession of great projects with fantastic clients who trust me and allow me free reign creatively. Each job has challenged and pushed me in unexpected ways. I enjoy the collaborative process with the client as they come to me with an idea and it’s often something I wouldn’t have done myself.

I usually do everything myself however my partner often helps me out. He’s a builder, very practical and has strong guns which is invaluable for some of my pieces. On a recent job for Kookai I had to produce window hangings for stores nationally and he was required to cut up 4kms of rope into 8m lengths!

Kookai Christmas windows – Macrame wall hanging by Sarah Parkes of Smalltown

I would love to train someone up to help and this would take a lot of time and effort but it’s something that I’ll look at in the future. And then there’s the part of me that wants to do everything myself. However my aim is to get someone to make my ‘product’ pieces such as the lights and plant hangings and I can concentrate on commissioned pieces which is what I love.

Custom window installation at Bloom, South Yarra

Which other designers, artists or creative people do you admire?

All my friends are creative and doing their own things so I’m constantly inspired by what they do.

Can you list for us a few resources across any media you tune in to regularly for creative inspiration?

I don’t have much time to trawl the net or read magazines. It’s always good to get a fix of internet browsing though to see what’s going on out there in the big world.  Most of my inspiration currently comes from my materials and the craft itself.

Amo La Vida decorative hanging

What would be your dream creative project?

An amazing, big commissioned piece with an unlimited budget.

Installation for The Brix, Fitzroy. Photo – Hilary Walker

What are you looking forward to ?

I think there’s so much scope with macramé and I’m always looking forward to the next possible job. I have some exciting potential projects in the works and the possibility of an overseas job this year. When I get the time I’m also looking forward to doing some more experimenting with different materials and processes such as dyeing. There’s so much to do and not enough time!

Installation for Lupino restaurant, Melbourne

Melbourne Questions

You favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

I love living in Brunwsick… it’s low key, neighbourly and with lots of little interesting places. And Sparkly Bear (shopping centre) is a just short walk away.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

I don’t go out much now and we love cooking at home. My partner tries to make me eat more meat products and the ribs he bbq’d up last week were the best yet.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

At home cooking up mexican eggs and entertaining South.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Staying home and watching bad tv on a Saturday night is cool. The Three Amigos and Blazing Saddles double header last weekend was killer!

Pot hangers – made to order (make contact via Sarah’s website)