Author: John Clements

John Clements is our man in Melbourne; a visual merchandising graduate (RMIT) and an interiors addict.

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Art Interviews

“Artwork has got to speak to you; it has to make you feel something,” says artist Emma Gale

Photo by Lucy Moyle

In the early 90s, while still just a teenager, Emma Gale spent 2 years in Cairo teaching refugees how to screenprint their designs onto fabric to be sold. It sparked a love of art and colour which has never gone away.

Photo by Lucy Moyle
Photo by Lucy Moyle

Returning to Melbourne, she quickly started to make her mark on the advertising and graphic design industries despite having no formal training, while gradually beginning to paint on the side. “I always dreamed of being an artist,” says now well established Emma, who recently exhibited at one of our favourite stores,  fenton&fenton. “I just wanted to draw and play with colour. My style combines drawing, colour, pattern and texture.”

Emma Gale fenton&fentonSarah Wood
Photo by Sarah Wood

The successful artist and self-proclaimed homebody has filled the space where she lives and works with colourful pieces sourced all over the world, drawing great inspiration from global culture, and particularly ethnic and tribal jewellery.

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Interviews The Block

The Block’s Gav and Waz, 10 years on

Designer boys Gav and Waz and their dog Charlie

Contestants on the very first series of The Block a decade ago, Gavin Atkins and Warren Sonin, otherwise known as Gav and Waz (and The Designer Boys), have come a long way. And despite moving to Byron to enjoy a simpler life, they’ve never been busier.

Designer boys Gav and Waz and their dog Charlie
Designer boys Gav and Waz and their dog Charlie

Still working as interior designers for private clients, in the last 4 years, it is their wholesale art business, Designer Boys Collections, that has really taken off.

‘’We had always been successful at buying, renovating and selling properties together in Sydney and then we were selected for The Block in 2003 and it literally changed our lives forever,” said Gavin “The executive producers obviously realised that we had a talent for interior decorating and renovation and that we had (and still have) a very solid relationship.’’

Realising the opportunity to capitalise on their popularity, the first same-sex couple to appear on Australian reality TV started their business, Designer Boys, as soon as the show wrapped up. Initially, they focused on styling properties for sale, racking up more than 750 properties in less than 3 years! “The hands-on experience we garnered was just what we needed to take the business to the next level, where we focused largely on interior design and decoration for commercial and private projects.’’

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Interiors Addict

Top event planning tips from the professionals

(L to R) Zoe Jackson, Stephanie Hugan and Hilary Bellew of Melbourne events company The Design Depot

Creating events that wow people involves many of the same skills involved in creating interiors that do the same. Whether you’re planning a kids’ birthday party or your own wedding, we asked Hilary Bellew, Zoe Jackson and Stephanie Hugan of Melbourne’s company The Design Depot, to share their insider secrets. We hope you pick up some great tips!

(L to R) Zoe Jackson, Stephanie Hugan and Hilary Bellew of Melbourne events company The Design Depot
(L to R) Zoe Jackson, Stephanie Hugan and Hilary Bellew of Melbourne events company The Design Depot

If you’ve have ever had the pleasure of attending an event brought to life by the incredibly skilled and creative team at this event hire and styling company, you’ll know full well what it what it looks like to be the host with the most.

A labour of love for owners Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, their eye for style and impeccable execution has warranted a cult following among the design and hospitality industries since they launched in 2007. Whether you want to take your guests to the streets of New York or the palaces of The Middle East, The Design Depot ensure a safe, comfortable flight to the most glamorous destinations.

Design Depot 1

Q: What are the five key elements to a great themed party?

Make it memorable. You want your guests to be talking about your event for weeks to come. Do this by giving your event the wow factor. Try a feature installation or fun custom signage and make sure you follow through with the theme all the way down to the finer details. It’s important not to simply think about the big things. Make sure there is detail in everything from the menus, theming your staff and even the bathroom signage. And remember to use quality suppliers.

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Interviews

Passion and integrity are Barbara Hermon’s secrets to longevity with Hermon&Hermon

John and Barbara Hermon of Hermon&Hermon

The last 46 years have seen Barbara Hermon become a household name synonymous with style, quality and the best of interior design.

John and Barbara Hermon of Hermon&Hermon
Husband and wife John and Barbara Hermon, of Hermon&Hermon

This year, Melbourne institution Hermon&Hermon celebrates 23 years on top, but inside the fickle and often foreboding world of retail, perhaps Barbara’s most impressive accomplishment is the mere fact that she is still an ever-present force among her fellow design enthusiasts, pushing the boundaries to create trends whilst simultaneously avoiding them.

Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting with Barbara to discuss the logistics behind her longevity. “Passion, resilience and determination are the most important things,” she told me.

After moving to Melbourne, she  began working for Trade Action and, in 1972, became the homewares and jewellery buyer for Handicrafts of Asia. “I travelled to developing countries; Pakistan, Ethiopia and India, and discovered many incredible handmade, one-off pieces. My experience being a buyer was invaluable and gave birth to my passion for quality handmade products and natural fibres.’’

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Interiors Addict

Melbourne yoga studio inspired by California and a member of Men At Work. Yes, you read right…

After hearing much hype around town, I finally had the pleasure of meeting Samantha Veall, the 23 year-old owner of hip new Melbourne yoga and pilates studio YOGA 213.

yoga 123 1

The light-filled loft-like space is home to an earthy pallete with welcome splashes of yellow and natural materials that include plywood, brick, a hint of recycled timber and a great deal of white paint. The causal interior pays homage to Venice Beach, California, the birthplace of fashionable yoga. The end result is a mixture of trend, functionality and fresh-faced design.

yoga123 2

“Yoga 213 was inspired by the months I spent in Los Angeles after completing high school,” said Samantha. “I was still recovering from an accident in April 2011 that left me with a limp due to skin grafts on the back of my knee. I discovered Maha Yoga, owned by an amazing man, Steve Ross (gay icon and member of Men at Work).

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Interiors Addict

An afternoon with Jean Pierre Heurteau

If you love a bit of bling, as most of us do, then, interiors addicts, I have just the man for you!

Jean Pierre Heurteau 1

Jean-Pierre Heurteau is one of Melbourne’s most celebrated interior designers and owner of antique furniture store Jean-Pierre Heurteau Design. Over the years he has built a solid reputation for delivering one of a kind pieces sourced from all over the world, as well as his fabulously flamboyant design concepts for members of Melbourne high society. “Work is booming at the moment. Client trust comes with age and as my clients get older, beautiful design becomes more attainable.”

At 22, Jean-Pierre had just finished college and begun work as a ‘slave’ at high-end department store Georges on Collins. “I was fascinated by the clientele and all the housewives that came in from the countryside; we would talk jewellery, diamonds and fur. I loved it.” He admits he does have a penchant for the finer things in life saying: “I want my diamonds to be as big as possible, so as I get older I can see them.” Can I get an amen?

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Interiors Addict

Dulux Colour Awards 2013 finalists announced

Clarke Payne House Stanmore by Greg Natale Design

Awards season is officially upon us. And I don’t mean the Oscars; rather I speak of a far more exciting array of colour samples and trophy-yearning hopefuls: The 2013 Dulux Colour Awards. It’s the time when the crème de la crème of Australian design showcase their creativity through the application of colour.

Clarke Payne House Stanmore by Greg Natale Design
Clarke Payne House Stanmore by Greg Natale Design

The excitement around the Dulux Colour Awards continued this year, with a record-breaking 229 submissions.

More than 60 finalists have been chosen. Seven will be named category winners but only one will walk away with the ultimate Grand Prix trophy and a cash prize of $1,500 alongside airfare and accommodation to an international design fair. I’m Dulux green with envy.

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