Tag: Meryl Hare

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Design Designers Expert Tips

How to make your home look expensive: Meryl Hare’s designer tips

By Meryl Hare

I think most people recognise well-designed furniture that’s been made with quality materials as soon as they enter a home. We love an understated aesthetic that makes people feel comfortable but is clearly luxurious, and timeless. These are some of our secrets…

We tend to over-proportion things. With sofas, for instance – I would rather a sofa was deep and wide – perhaps having to walk around it with a bit less space than to have a small meagre sofa. For me – luxury and comfort are linked. Our HK Edit ‘Jen’ sofa is a good example of this philosophy, with its generous curved profile – it’s extremely comfortable.

I love mixing textures, adding warmth and a tactile depth to a room. Natural fibres are a special love – like linen, wool, silk, hemp, felt, timber, leather, glass and metal. Our rugs, through Designer Rugs, are handmade in Nepal – using only natural fibres, spun, dyed, woven and finished by hand. No two pieces are exactly the same, which adds to their beauty and uniqueness.  

We love interiors that are contemporary, but not hard edged. We add layers to the basic furniture, without cluttering, and always with the idea of adding comfort to the room. A beautiful throw or scatter cushions are a good example.

Good lighting is one of the essential components that add to the luxury of a home. I like adding floor and table lamps to create atmosphere and bring light where it’s needed – perhaps for reading. Also, pendant lighting is a wonderful way of creating ambience at the dining table whilst adding a sculptural element.

And last but by no means least – is the art and objects in a home. Collect things that you really love – buy one amazing painting, rather than lots of compromises. A few beautiful objects will add to the overall effect – and will reflect your personality. We love the glamorous handblown glass and copper decanters from Tom Dixon, useful and beautiful.

Tom Dixon decanter

–Meryl Hare is principal and founder of interior design firm Hare & Klein and creative director of furniture and homewares store HK Edit.

Hare + Klein open a store to shop their designer look

The multi award-winning team of interior designers at Hare + Klein have created HK Edit; a concept store, gallery and showroom featuring a curation of beautiful objects, art and homewares…

Paddington terrace renovation is a modern visual feast

The following is an extract from the new book, Hare + Klein Interior by Meryl Hare, published by Thames & Hudson and available in all good bookshops. Crisp detailing throughout…
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Design Designers Furniture Homewares

Hare + Klein open a store to shop their designer look

The multi award-winning team of interior designers at Hare + Klein have created HK Edit; a concept store, gallery and showroom featuring a curation of beautiful objects, art and homewares that reflect the aesthetic they’re known for.

Located on Bourke Street in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo, HK Edit is on the ground floor of Hare + Klein Interior Design’s office, but also shoppable online.

“We have created four curated concept spaces that will be refreshed seasonally,” says Jen Wilding, manager of HK Edit. “They will also be continually changing and evolving depending on the current collection of objects, art and accessories, that are mostly unique one-offs.”

At the centre is HK Edit’s own brand of sofas, furniture pieces, rugs and limited edition cushions. These are complemented by special pieces sourced from their local furniture suppliers, beautiful works of art from their community of artists as well as their favourite linen and homewares brands.

Tom Dixon, Henry Wilson Studio, Bison Home, Kristina Dam Studio, Dinosaur Designs and Bemboka are among the brands stocked.

“Hare + Klein receive a lot of enquiries from homeowners wishing to do a room or two,” adds founder Meryl Hare. “As we are usually unable to take on these smaller projects, we created HK Edit to share the knowledge that we have acquired over the years with a wider audience.”

The shop offers consultations to help plan a room or rooms incorporating their pieces. Interiors lovers can book a consultation to kick-start or to add the finishing touches to their home as well as an art consultation, either of which can take place in person or via Zoom.

The collaborative and dynamic space will play host to a series of workshops in which Meryl will pass on techniques and knowledge acquired over the years, as well as workshops with guest artists and artisans.

Shop online

Paddington terrace renovation is a modern visual feast

The following is an extract from the new book, Hare + Klein Interior by Meryl Hare, published by Thames & Hudson and available in all good bookshops. Crisp detailing throughout…


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Competitions Designers

So it continues… entries open for 30th Dulux Colour Awards

Last year's Grand Prix winner: Lexus Pavilion by Mim Design. Photo by Sean Fennessy.

Entries are now open for the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards, which marks the renowned program’s 30th year of fostering and showcasing the use of colour in built environments.

DCA Theme Image (004)

An esteemed judging panel has once again been handpicked to deliberate on the winning projects, combining leading names from Australia and New Zealand’s design and creative industries. Chosen for their differing areas of expertise, the panel consists of: Meryl Hare, principal at Hare + Klein Interior Design; Clare Cousins, director at Clare Cousins Architects; James Harper, principal at BrookingHarper and director at Design Institute of Australia; Matt Gibson, director at Matt Gibson Architecture + Design; and Alex Fulton, director at Alex Fulton Design (NZ).

Last year's Grand Prix winner: Lexus Pavilion by Mim Design. Photo by Sean Fennessy.
Last year’s Grand Prix winner: Lexus Pavilion by Mim Design. Photo by Sean Fennessy.

The 2016 Dulux Colour Awards is accepting entries across nine categories between now and February, giving architects, designers and interior designers the opportunity to submit work across residential and commercial environments.

Last year's Single Residential Interior winner: The Courtyard House by Aileen Sage Architects. Photo by Tom Ferguson.
Last year’s Single Residential Interior winner: The Courtyard House by Aileen Sage Architects. Photo by Tom Ferguson.

Each category winner will receive prize money and a certificate. All entries, except for the student category, will also stand the chance of taking out the Grand Prix title. The Grand Prix winner will receive $5000 cash prize and certificate. Entries for all nine categories are open until Monday 8 February 2016, with winners announced and celebrated at a gala function in Melbourne on 10 March 2016.

Enter now.

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Designers Expert Tips Furniture Homewares

10 interior designers’ favourite Sydney homewares stores

Last week we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers and had them recommend their favourite Melbourne homewares stores. Today it’s Sydney’s turn! 

Ioanna Lennox of Ioanna Lennox Interiors: West Elm is my go-to place if I need something to add to an already defined style or existing room or, equally, if I need to pick out some feature items as a starting point for a space. West Elm has everything from contemporary and modern American furniture, rugs, pre-made curtains and soft furnishings to beautiful accents and kitchenware that would enhance any space. The West Elm style is warm, textured and relaxed and fits so well into our contemporary Australian design aesthetic.

Ioanna
Ioanna

Jeremy Bull of Alexander &CO: The creation of cultural brain trust Nicholas Barber (also one of the more lovely human beings you are likely to meet) Dunlin is a beautiful curation of nostalgia and craft. We haven’t found a project yet where there isn’t a great place for a handmade wicker basket, suspended glass terrarium or mast light fitting, and there is never a reason not to have him visit our studio.

Jeremy
Jeremy

Meryl Hare of Hare + Klein: My favourite homewares store is Spence & Lyda. They vary their merchandise and often have one-offs, so they keep us interested! They also have a range of Ruth Levine’s beautiful vessels and totems, a personal favourite.

Spence
Spence & Lyda

Christopher Polly of Christopher Polly Architect: Top3 By Design is a favourite, as I’ve found myself consistently revisiting their store due to their broad range of products. They offer good design, ranging from simple to eclectic pieces and they regularly refresh with new products. They have a great mix of lighting, homewares and accessories for utilitarian or decorative purposes.

Christopher
Christopher

Virginia Kerridge of Virginia Kerridge Architect: My favourite homewares store is Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, and it’s also my local as they are on Regent St, Redfern. It’s a small store but they have lots of quality things, and the fact that it is small means you aren’t overwhelmed by choice as is so often the case! They have a great mixture of products from ceramics and textiles to lighting and gifts. Also you have the added bonus of having a laugh with them every time you visit!

Chee Soon & Fitzgerald
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald

Brendan Wong of Brendan Wong Design: Now in their 30th year, Dinosaur Designs are known for their signature resin pieces. The forms are so fascinating and when placed near a window they illuminate beautifully. They are now working with other diverse materials including brass, silver and agate. They have taken their pieces around the world but their original Paddington store is still at the heart. You’ll find bright resin vases or subdued ceramic bowls, something for every interior.

Brendan
Brendan

Brad Swartz of Brad Swartz Architect: One of my favourite homewares stores is Catapult Design in Darlinghurst. They have a beautiful collection of furniture from both established and up and coming Australian designers. The finely crafted and minimalistic design of many of their pieces means their furniture can either be a signature piece or sit back and let the architecture, view or artwork take centre stage.

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Catapult Designs

Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke: Small Spaces in Redfern is such a rare gem, unlike any other retail experience in Sydney. It is such a beautiful space, part art gallery and part homewares store, with a selection of furniture pieces to suit small homes. A visit to Small Spaces is always inspiring. In this era of mass production, everything in the store feels like a rare treasure, with a strong sense of its maker. As much as the store changes, it maintains its peaceful, light filled calm. You feel like you could move in and spend the rest of your days drinking tea.

Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent
Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent

Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors: I’m always shopping at Papaya in Mosman. I find that the tranquil style and paired back colours that they stock work with almost any interior. I’m a big fan of their pendant lighting, vessels, vases and candle holders. The designs are beautiful and use lots of natural materials. If you’re looking to dress your dining table this is also where I would recommend you go. Placemats, cutlery and crockery all in beautiful natural colours and designs make for a stunning table when entertaining.

Papaya
Papaya

Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry: MCM House is my favourite as it typifies some of my most admired elements: neutral and relaxed tones and textures that work in simple harmony. They also mix these simple pieces with wares that have a slight modern, oriental twist. This understated look is powerful and represents a tranquility that I appreciate in design.

Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden
Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden

We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!