Interior & Architectural Inspiration

A blog based upon my interior design studies at Swinburne. Documenting my thoughts, feelings and what inspires me when we look at the different influences of the design world.

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"Not many people meet their idol, but I was lucky enough to meet, talk to and get a book signed by one of my idols Kevin McCloud at Grand Designs Live AUS.

The story is this...

I started watching Grand Designs in 2010 and found myself enthralled by the way Kevin talked about design. I wanted to be someone like him that could capture an audience with their knowledge, ideas and passion for design. I also fell in love with the people that had these amazing house designs all in their heads, and after an episode it always left me wondering if I could make my own grand designs. By watching shows such as Grand Designs, Project Runway, What Not To Wear and Location Location Location among other things, I developed the need to create things.

From there I took my craving for fabulous designs and creative ideas and studied a Certificate II in Fashion Technology and textiles in year 11 and 12 at high school. My dream as a fashion designer was short lived after being advised by my schools career counselor that I shouldn't peruse in higher education, as it is a very tough industry. When applying for university courses I was a bit lost in what design area I wanted to study since fashion was out, but I put down things like event styling and visual merchandising but wasn't sure what I wanted to study. It was then, while season 4 of grand designs, that it hit me that I wanted to be a mini Kevin, so the next day I applied for 3 interior design courses with no portfolio, no ATAR score and no real clue of what I was getting myself into. After two interviews and one acceptance letter I was on my way to the big city to study at Swinburne.

That was two years ago and I never looked back. The course allowed me to not only develop my skills as a designer but I developed as the passionate and creative person that I am today. I was once asked why I loved the interior design course and my reply was this:

'This will sound weird but it's like an epic love story, passionate, exciting and frustrating. There's days where you love it and there are days where you hate it, it gets stressful and you fight and make up, but at the end if you put in the effort to make it work you end up with something beautiful.'

So thanks Kevin for being Kevin and being zealous and saying all your amazing words like 'bespoke'. It was a real honour to meet you. Interior design is the start but its not the end for me. I feel that I have many things to offer as a passionate person and designer, so the world better watch out!" - Em

[whatisindustrialdesign]

mayahan: 3D Printed Sugar /

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Graphic art as food?! AWESOME!!! The Sugar Lab has been making some sweet designs (see what I did there?) transforming sugar into a dimensional, structural medium, making possible architectural, intricate and utterly customized sweets as sculptures. I love the shapes created by the fine element of sugar. Imagine if you could sit down with a client to have tea/coffee to discuss a product, and then you pull out a little model of a chair, table or lounge made out of SUGAR!! The personal touch of that I enjoy the idea of, and I would love to do that for clients. I think it would make the design process more engaging and fun. Even the bad designs would taste sweet :)

The Sugar Lab has started making these in colour, multi-colour, prints and detailed pattens. Check out the amazing gallery here as it is truly inspiring.

[2013yearoflettering]

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. -William Morris

"Wise words from the well known and talented William Morris: English textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist.

This man is another designer that dabbled in a bit of everything. During his time studying he developed close friendships with the Pre-Raphaelite artists Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and with the Neo-Gothic architect Philip Webb, and these friends were key influences in the Arts and Crafts movement. Later on the group became a decorative arts company; Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. founded by Morris himself in 1861. Morris became famous for his beautifully designed tapestries, wallpaper, fabrics, furniture, and stained glass windows.

Later the company became Morris & Co. in 1875 and are still producing authentic versions of his original designs alongside new interpretations to create up to date fabrics and wallpapers with timeless appeal.

Check it out at their website." - Em

[within4corners]

[designmeetstyle]

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"Think beyond a single light. A combination of sconces, pendants and flush-mounts create atmosphere and ensure proper lighting for any mood and tasks." - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Photo by ME :) from Rippon Lea Estate

Rippon Lea Estate Pool View

"Old Hollywood glamour is one of my favourite styles in fashion, and it has converted fabulously into interiors and architecture. Ballrooms, garden parties and formal events are all a part of the age of fame and fortune.

Every designer style never truly goes away. Yes, there are lulls in their appeal, and everything can drift out of fashion, but it's never a 'goodbye' but more a 'see you in a few years'; a classic will always stick around.

An example would be Rippon Lea's pool designed and built in the 1930s. Its seashell sandstone paving, exquisite detailed fountain and use of contrasting bright aqua water can still be seen in a 2014 high end mansion or 5 star hotel. 

In 2013 when I first started this interior design course, I based a design around three words that define me as a designer and I live by them, DESIGN IS INFINITE!" - Em

[linxspiration]

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"Natural and neutral. This isn't a great photo to show a full interior but I want to talk about the elements that I love in this image.

Firstly, I’m a huge fan of reflective surfaces and this bronze, fishbowl mirror pendant light is awesome! I like to use mirror and other reflective materials to give the illusion that the space is bigger than it really is. It is also a fantastic tool to bounce light around a room. Although this light may not have a huge surface area it still does the job for improving the interior and spreading that reflected light.

Secondly, this is a great example of a natural and neutral brown colour palette done right. Dark colour combinations are tricky, but the first key to a successful dark palette of any colour is CLASSIC WHITE OR CREAM WALLS!!! I live by this rule as it always works. Now, the mix of textures are wonderful: the soft fabric couch, the shade darker rug, the wooden flooring, the light laminate pebble table tops, the black steel/iron legged side table and, of course, the bronze light to add a pop of glamour. It all fits and works together, and that’s why I like this snap shot. I would love to see the rest of this interior to see if it held the same classy palette.

Also, how the hell was this photo taken? Excellent photoshopping skills!” - Em 

[emilyinteriors-blog]

The Eco Culture

"Over the last 10 years, people have become more aware of their impact on the environment. We’re all consumers by nature, and we live in a consumer society, but lately we are stepping back to see what our consumption is doing to our environment. Today over 80% of Australians make day to day decisions based on how it might affect the world we live in. These choices can be as small as putting a can in the right recycling bin, or taking a two-minute shower instead of three. The environmental lifestyle, also referred to as an eco friendly lifestyle or green living, is all about how people and nature can live side by side without inflicting too much damage on each other. The main question to lead this increasingly popular lifestyle is "what can I do to reduce my carbon footprint?" Eco friendly people do many things to save power, water and reduce greenhouse emissions. Some of these choices include walking instead of driving, op-shopping, growing their own foods, recycling, buying biodegradable products, and opting to use canvas bags instead of plastic. People who live this lifestyle are even cautious of what they eat, how it’s packaged and where it’s from, with some opting to become vegetarian or eat organic and always looking to buy local produce. Environmentally friendly ideas have influenced our technology, shopping habits, diets, homes, workplaces and government. It’s no wonder this large culture has made a big impact on interior design and architecture, as people want homes to match their lifestyle.” - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"The Ghost Chair is a truly unique product. It was designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell in Italy. The shape of the Ghost Chair is based on the luxurious 18th Century Louis XV armchair; a wooden chair that had rich and delicate floral carvings. Starck took the classic design and combined it with cutting edge modern materials.

By injecting polycarbonate into a single mould you end up with this glamorously designed piece of plastic called the Ghost Chair. You can get it in a clear polycarbonate or with a shot of colour.

Basically, he took the most elegant and expensive designs and made it cheap as chips by creating it out of plastic, all whilst keeping the elegant feel.

My view of this clever design is that Philippe Starck became a Robin Hood designer by taking a rich, sophisticated design and making it into a affordable product for all customers. Now we see copies of the Ghost Chair being sold in store like Bunnings, Big W and Kmart. The ability to have such a versatile stylish piece of furniture is now accessible to everyone.

I will now quote the smart man and say, the legacy of the Ghost Chair is 'timeless, timeless, timeless.' – Philippe Starck" - Em   

[emilyinteriors-blog]

'A car, a jet, a subaudible jet, rocket, spaceship, and sculptural furniture, oven, sculptural lights, lamps, sculptural everything. Umm dish drainer, suitcases, vibrator, shoes, interiors, sneakers actually, glasses, binoculars, luggage, torch, taps, tables numerous tables, mobile telephones, chairs of course.

Is there anything you haven't designed Marc?

Yes I just can’t remember what it is. Ehh Haven’t got a clue’ – Marc Newson Urban Spaceman

"This guy never stops does he?! Marc Newson designer of all things great and small but always space aged, was born in Sydney Australia 1963 and currently resides in London. All of his designs from the Lockhead lounge to the Spaceplane are very clean, fluid shapes, which flow harmoniously with no harsh or sharp edges. Even his interiors don’t have any square edges in sight. Marc’s signature space age modern designs use organic shapes, bold colours and his favourite honeycomb pattern; these things are now kind of like Marc’s designer identity, if you will.

For a man who has been listed as Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and has received numerous awards and distinctions, you could talk about his eclectic range of works forever. I’m just going talk about one design, otherwise this tumblr might become “Em’s take on Marc Newson life” so lets talk about the latest aircraft interior, which has just been completed.

Freesteam aircraft commissioned Marc Newson the most acclaimed and influential designers of his generation, to design an ultra modern Boeing Business Jet (BBJ2). (Photos above) Aviation design wasn’t new to Marc as Creative Director of Qantas Airway he has been responsible for designing airport lounges to the interiors of the entire fleet. The inspiration for BBJ2 was to have a clean interior that represented a very modern futuristic look. The jet will include, cooking facilities for an on-board chef, a bedroom and an entertainment room which will offer the best possible noise protection, a bathroom will be integrated with a steam shower and will have a integration of an emergency medical services set under the bed. Completed just this year the finished produced is outstanding. They asked and Marc delivered an ultra modern, ultra creative and ultra Marc Newson interior, with all the trimmings. Everything from the burnt oranges, bold blacks, leather detailing, flowing shapes and yes, even the honeycomb pattern was all there saying, "I’m Marc Newson " and you know what? It all works for me I love the design. I don’t think personally I would like to live in it but I love that his style only changes slightly and remains modern, futuristic and timeless over all these years.

Kudos to Marc for designing everything possible!!!" - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"On Friday the 22rd myself and a group of people from my uni class headed up to the city to take a look at some of the best in design. Melbourne InDesign has been running for many 12 years now in 5 cites and has over 100,00 visitors. In Melbourne alone in offers a look at over 100 brands and opens up some of Melbourne's biggest showrooms to the public eye. This was my first time visiting InDesign and I do wish I had been more organized to plan a trip last year, as for me there is no better way to be inspired then to see amazing idea in the flesh.

Our group visited one of the main hot spot sites of InDesign, Galleria at 17-32 Wills Street Melbourne is a warehouse/showroom choc-a-block with big names, and fabulous ideas. Displaying companies like: Dezign Interiors, Briggs Veneers, Interface, Envoy, Signature Floorconcepts, Polytec and Herman Miller just to name a few. As I am designing a student HQ, offices and student lounge for one of this years projects, this excursion become more like a hunt for suitable suppliers, and to be honest I didn't need to hunt far.

By the end of the 3 hours I still wanted more but I left with sore feet, a stack of brochures, much needed fairy floss and my mind bubbling with inspiration and ideas. It didn't surprise me when I arrived home at 6pm exhausted but still headed straight to my sketch book.  Melbourne InDesign was a fantastic experience and I can't wait for next year and explore what else Melbourne has to offer." - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"So in my lecture on Tuesday we talked about the very dramatic and talented Florence Broadhurst. I found it to be a insightful lecture I enjoyed hearing how exciting, full and colourful her life was. I wrote a little post about her before about her wallpaper designs. I admire Florence for trying and having such a mix of different careers throughout her life and I hope my life will be just as fulfilling. I found her death just as interesting as her life.

Florence was murdered to be exact, she was bludgeoned to death with a large piece of timber in her Paddington studio in 1977. Her murder was never solved, but there has been some speculation that Broadhurst was a victim of serial killer John Wayne Glover (The Granny Killer), who was convicted of murdering six elderly women between 1989 and 1990, and is believed by police to be responsible for other deaths. But during the investigation friends and employees of Broadhurst stated that, they believed the killer may have been known to her and that the motive may have been financial. This was due to the presence of two cups of tea near her body, suggesting a meeting. Sigh I never like a unsolved case this will bug me!!” - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

"Years ahead of her time, the complex, dramatic, eccentric and talented Florence Broadhurst was born in Queensland, Australia in 1899. By the time of her tragic death in 1977 Florence Broadhurst had lived and worked in Australia, Asia, and England; performed professionally on stage; been befriended by royalty; exhibited her paintings; and started an internationally successful wallpaper company whose success was based upon her own designs.

To me she is a person who knew want she wanted and gave it her all to secede. That same determination as a designer probably played a big part in her susses and for that I admire her. Florence took big risks as a designer and to me that what creates great design.

Florence’s wallpapers ranged in all different designs and continue to remind us today of why she was a internationally sensation. With only about forty of her original designs being reproduced in many colour spreads, are being printed as everything from the traditional wallpaper to clothing and footwear.

After exploring her wallpaper prints on ‘Signature Prints’ to chose one as a favourite is not easy. If I have to talk about one it will be her Peacock Feather design. This print is so delicate and detailed, that l have to admire the artist who would of once painted this on sheets of wallpaper by hand. In the now this beautiful design would suit commercial and residential interiors, as a feature or full wall and depending on what colour spread you pick the design can be feminine or have a masculine appearance, depending on the application and interior styling.” - Em

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Eco Eccentric: Hotel Eclat Beijing

Apr 27, 2014 City, Travel

By Diane Small

It may be best known for its smog, overcrowding and pollution, but Beijing is trying to turn its bad reputation around with the introduction luxury art hotel that is revolutionising sustainable travel in China.

  Located in Parkview Green, the Hotel Éclat is China’s First Integrated Commercial Complex to be awarded the LEED® Platinum Certification. The hotel strongly believes they have a duty to their sustainable role in the community and that luxury living should not be at the cost of the environment. 

 Hotel Eclat Beijing’s General Manager Wessel Krauss explained “We believe that luxury living must not be at the cost of the environment and it is essential for hotels to play a sustainable role in the community.”

The pioneering ecosphere housing Hotel Eclat Beijing, which is located in the Chaoyang area of the city, has won numerous environmental awards, as the building has a unique triple glazed exterior that allows for an internal  microclimate that enables 50% lower energy use than that of other buildings of comparable size.

With the advanced levels of energy conservation and environmental protection and sustainable development concept, Hotel Eclat Beijing’s innovative design is unique as a landmark of Chinese green architecture. For example, the hotel uses grey water from baths and showers to flush toilets, and uses LED lighting systems to reduce energy consumption.

  But there are other features about this hotel that we like too, such as the variable art space that showcases different artists every month, and the wide variety of permanent pieces by Warhol, Dali and famous Chinese artists that decorate the lobby, lounge, and even the bathrooms throughout the hotel.

We also admire the high-tech, 24 hour gym and the unique interior design, which is an eccentric mix of quirky pop-art sculptures with 50s modernism and classic colonial design, including leather Chesterfield sofas.

Guests are encouraged to save water and detergent by requesting sheet and towel changes as needed, and to take the bicycles provided by the hotel instead of taxis to get around the city. Linens are off-white to avoid the need for bleaching; all cleaning products are non-toxic and eco-friendly, and

Given the fact that its air is basically unbreathable and its food and drinking water are questionable, we are still a bit reluctant to visit China, but for those who have to make a business trip, it’s good to know this hotel exists, and that the Chinese are learning profit and sustainability can go hand in hand.

- See more at: http://eluxemagazine.com/travel/hotel-eclat-beijing/#sthash.a7QZmxE6.dpuf

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Architects: Fiona Winzar Architects Location: South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia Client: Joanne Higginson Project year: 2007 Builder: Third Pig Constructions Pty Ltd. Photographs: Emma Cross

Context and Core Ideas

Turning this tight and difficult inner city site into a home for a family of five is an important contribution to contemporary and sustainable design practice, where issues of energy efficiency and waste loom large in society.

The starting point for this project was a typical single fronted Victorian terrace, pokey and dark. Transforming it into a generous, light-filled open plan, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house was the challenge.

An important aspect of the design is how it responds to the difficult site conditions, in particular:

• The heritage overlay

• A super-tight site with restricted access

• A domineering three storey apartment block on one side

• A three storey hotel at the rear

Clearly, the lack of space and privacy were major issues. To resolve them, a key feature of the design is the roof form of the extension. Its shape has been manipulated like an eyelid, to screen off the three-storey neighbouring giant, and to provide shade and weather protection to the rear glass façade. The unusual internal spaces that result are emphasised with tessellated plywood panelling and translucent materials.

Program and Client Needs

The clients’ lack of pretension and relaxed lifestyle meant that a pristine white box with designer furniture was not something that would work for them. With young children, they wanted spaces to be informal, warm and functional. The design used a layering of ideas to respond to the brief, but mainly the result was achieved by:

• Stitching the original part of the house to the new with a smooth flowing transition that maximised the available space

• Combining rough and smooth materials with random and ordered elements for informality and definition of spaces

• Creating a sense of the familiar by imbuing the work with the clients’ memories of special places, for example, memories of a family house in the country with its great, functional kitchen, and memories of a sister’s house at Byron Bay

• Incorporating decorative elements, including contemporary designs for stained glass and routed ply screens, that complement the collection of old Turkish rugs and rustic furniture

The resultant design is contemporary, but one that simultaneously creates an ambiance of romance and the rustic.

Sustainability and Cost effectiveness

Generally energy usage is reduced by passive design features, including:

• Deep roof overhangs

• Fenestrations that minimise heat gain during summer and facilitate natural cooling and ventilation with cross-breezes

• Gas boosted solar hot water and gas heating

• Timbers and veneers from renewable forests

• The option to collect water from the old roof of the house

• Toilets and shower heads that have water saving functionsThe cost effectiveness results from:

• Keeping the palette of materials consistent

• Using Australian made products

• Repeating wall and ceiling panelling details with standard colours

• Maximising energy efficiency and minimising the use of air conditioning

• Using mid-range fittings and fixtures from a single supplier (Reece)

[voguelivingmagazine]

The residential winners of the 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards.

Photograph by John Gollings.

[emilyinteriors-blog]

Open plan dining and lounge. Personally, I get a retro feel from this design; the use of shape, the stone blue and natural tan colours, and that pop of 80's orange creates a very retro effect.

[emilyinteriors-blog]