Inspiration Profile - Alana Broadhead

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile and we have Alana Broadhead from Fancy - 'an online magazine devoted to the best design from New Zealand. And from around the world. But mainly from New Zealand.'
Fancy is fresh and colourful and so are all the other projects Alana has under her belt - read further to learn about Design Yeah and Foundry. Happy Friday all.

Alana Broadhead

Fancy

Name: Alana Broadhead

What do you do:  By day, I’m a copywriter and brand strategist, which I’ve been at for 13 years. And also by day, and by every-other-moment-I-get, I run a NZ Design Blog called Fancy. It’s filled with graphic design, homewares and textiles, furniture and amazing interiors from NZ and around the world. I’m also beginning to work on other design projects, which is a dream come true for me.

Where do you live: I live in Mount Maunganui, where it’s summer longer than anywhere else in New Zealand. Come visit! I used to live in Auckland, and I do miss it sometimes, so as of next year, I’ll be spending a couple of days a month there.

What are you working on: I’m working on doing more and more of what I love – design and blogging –  and less and less of the ‘real job’.

Right now, I am waiting for Design Yeah 2013 to come back from the printer. What’s Design Yeah? It’s a calendar that features the work of 12 of NZ’s best graphic designers and illustrators, but…and this is the best bit… it also converts into 12 limited-edition, A3 art prints!  I’m also working on the re-design of Fancy (a fresh new look), and a design event which I am putting together for next year.

I’m also working on inventing a new name for blogging, because it always makes me cringe! Bloggy bloggy blogger. See? Awful word.

Prints from Foundry - all for sale.

Who/what inspires me: I’m inspired by all of the designers I post about on Fancy, and anyone who does what they love and follows their passion.

I’m also inspired by the idea of doing ‘Good Work with Good People’. To me, this means awesome design and interiors projects, with passionate and ridiculously talented, yet totally generous and down-to-earth people.

I work best: I’m at my creative best in the morning, but I’m so much more productive in the afternoon.  Still trying to work on that balance thing… we all are, right?

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: When I’m stuck, I just need to clear. my. head. I know there are ideas in there, waiting in the wings to be called up, I just need to clear some space on the stage. Some of my favourite ways to clear my head are to re-style my own spaces at home, or to get in the car and head for the open road – windows down and music up far too loud. Anything off-computer and off-iPhone, really.

Steal this Idea Interiors from Fancy

Inspiring Interiors from Fancy.

 

The best advice I have been given is: "Do Your Thing" and "Have ridiculous self-belief, but be a nice person."

Blogs that I enjoy: This list is VERY very (very) long, but here are a few:
DesignLoveFest,  DesignforMankind,  Decor8,  SwissMiss, Say Yes to Hoboken, Oh Happy Day

My favourite room at home is: My little studio. Because it is 100% my space, I can have anything I like in it, and I change it up often. Everything around me in this room inspires me. Only this morning, I picked up a huge wall banner from the printer - that I’ve designed - to put on one wall. 

Alana's workspace.

 

What am I looking forward to: I’m alwayslooking forward to the next new awesome bit of NZ design I see, so I can share it – be it a new piece of furniture or a brand identity.

I’m also looking forward to growing Fancy beyond being just a blog. I have so many ideas for homewares and other design products, and would eventually like to realise them. I’m looking forward to the future of NZ design, and to my part in it.

Want to keep up with Fancy and all their news? Go to their website, follow them on Twitter or Facebook and check out their boards on Pinterest.

 

Design Pick n Mix post from Fancy.

Design Pick n Mix

All visuals are used with permission by Alana Broadhead.

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Inspiration Profile - Katie Treggiden

This week's Inspiration Profile is Katie Treggiden, a writer obsessed (her words!) about design. She writes for several publications, including her award winning blog, Confessions of a Design Geek. I particularly enjoy her Interviews with all the cool designers (she even has one with the much admired Ilse Crawford). Enjoy this profile and happy Friday.

 

Katie Treggiden. Photo: Kirsten Everett.

confessions of a design geek

Name: Katie Treggiden

What do you do: I edit a blog called confessions of a design geek, which I have been doing since April 2010 and I also work as a freelance design writer, which I’ve been doing for almost a year.  

Where do you live: I live in a little village in Surrey, I spent a lot of time in London and my heart is in Cornwall where I grew up. (All in England!)

What are you working on: Lots of things! I write for LivingEtc, WRAP Magazine, London Design Guide, Design Milk, We Heart and Heart Home Magazine – and I’m also working on a few new projects for my blog, so watch this space!

Interviews Volume 1 by Katie Treggiden 

Cornwall

Who/what inspires me: I can be inspired by absolutely anything as long as I am in the right frame of mind. To get in that frame of mind I need sleep, food, exercise, time and the great outdoors!

I work best: I’m not sure it’s a time of day thing for me – I think it’s about getting into the “flow” which has to do with the above and working on something that is both inspiring and challenging.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Change something – whether that’s getting up and going for a walk, working on a different project, or just sitting somewhere else in my studio or changing the radio station.

The best advice I have been given is: If you’re half excited and half terrified, it’s going to be one of the best things you ever do. My step-dad told me this as I set off travelling around the world on my own aged 19. I don’t think I’m as brave as I was then, but this advice has definitely stood me in good stead in all sorts of situations.

My latest discovery is: The Simple Things Magazine – absolutely love it!

From the Photos of Numbers series.

No. 2 chalked on a egg in Thailand.

Books that I get inspiration from: Any and all of them. I have just got back from a week’s holiday during which I devoured seven books, from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, to a travelogue I picked up from the hotel’s book swap called ‘Lois on the Loose’. I learnt something from all of them.

Magazines that inspire me: Elle Decoration, LivingEtc, WRAP Magazine, Coast, The Simple Things…

Blogs that I enjoy: It’s a terrible thing to admit, but I don’t actually read that many blogs! I don’t think you have time to read blogs when you write one – if I’m on my computer, I’m usually writing rather than reading. I think in some ways that’s a good thing, because it stops me making comparisons. I do a run a networking group for design bloggers though and we have some fantastic bloggers as members – check out it out here.

My favourite room at home is: My studio at the bottom of the garden. It’s a little world away from it all that’s just mine.

My office is: …a bit of a mess at the moment! The London Design Festival sort of exploded in it and then I went on holiday and left it all! There’s also a bureau I’m halfway through renovating in the middle of it on newspaper, surrounded by paint tins and paint brushes. A tidy up is required to turn it back into the calm inspiring space it is supposed to be!

What am I looking forward to: Seeing my Dad tomorrow. My parents live in Cornwall which is such a long way away! We’ve got a fab weekend planned and I can’t wait!

Find out more about Katie and Confessions of a Design Geek on her website, on Facebook as well as Twitter.

The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank -  Katie's favourite building.

All photographs, unless specified, are by Katie Treggiden.

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Inspiration Profile - Bridie Hall

This week's Inspiration Profile is Kiwi expat Bridie Hall. She grew up in Taupaki, a little town north west of Auckland and went to London in 2000, straight after she graduated with a Bachelor of Design. She is now the Creative Director of the cool London company, Ben Pentreath Ltd and has her own homeware range.  Enjoy this great profile and happy Friday all.

Bridie Hall

Exterior view of Ben Pentreath Ltd.

Name: Bridie Hall

What do you do: I am the Creative Director for Ben Pentreath Ltd, where I have been since it’s opening four years ago and I have my own homeware range called Bridie Hall at Home

Where do you live: London, United Kingdom

What are you working on: At Ben Pentreath Ltd,  The Artists of Spitalfields Life exhibition, which  opened Wednesday 7^thNovember. It brings together 18 artists that the blogger known as The Gentle Author who writes the daily blog Spitalfields Life, has featured over the last few years, its been an exciting collaboration.

For Bridie Hall at Home I am working on a new scent with my perfumer for a candle based on an Orangery that would traditionally be found in the great Manors of yore, its going to be called Pavillion. Each scented candle I create is based on a room from a Grand English Manor, so far there is ‘Obelisk’ (the study of a gentleman – notes of cedarwood and vetiver) and ‘Roses’ (the grand reception filled with the roses from the equally grand rose garden outside).

Stock from Bridie Hall at Home.

Obelisk Candle.

Who/what inspires me:The English culture, there is an appropriate way to do everything and the history behind everything is awe inspiring. I think I can say after living here for twelve years I can call myself an Anglophile, I’m a sucker for all of it, even a deep fried mars bar.

I work best: With structure. I’m a creature of routine so treat my days like anyone going to an office would, except if I’ve really sunk my teeth into something I’m making, I could go all night or not get out of my pyjamas all day.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Forget about it all and do some cooking. Meet a friend for lunch, we never fail to reignite that spark in one another – wine and talking!

The best advice I have been given is: “Put your name to what you do” - I think you take it far more seriously if you do.

My latest discovery is: Faux Bois, I’m teaching myself how to do it….before I apply it to everything.
(note from CM - yes, I had to look this up and it is 'an artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media'. Now you know too!)

The Scholars Set. 

Inside the Ben Pentreath store.

Books that I get inspiration from: Anything with sexy pictures normally lures me in, I do love a good picture book, I wouldn’t even say mainly interiors books, anything goes when it comes to finding inspitation. Though looking at the stack on my bedside table  – Treasure Island, Celia Birtwell, Bringing Nature Home, English Country House Interiors, V&A Patterns for Papers, Colour, The Reluctant Gardener, English Decoration.

Magazines that inspire me: Again, I’ll let my bedside table tell me. British Vogue, House & Garden, US Elle Décor, Vanity Fair, The World of Interiors, Kinfolk, Grazia

Blogs that I enjoy: Spitalfields Life, The Peak of Chic, Ben’s ‘Inspiration’ blog, The Bible of British Taste, Consume Consume

My favourite room at home is: The Conservatory- after years of scratching our heads and wondering what to do with it, I finally had the brainwave to install a bookshelf down one full side, where before it just had this weird ledge (for a spider plant collection?). I’ve filled it with books and it now adds a weight and more of a purpose to the room. We’ve put a lovely table on one side for working and eating at and  arm chairs on the other for relaxing. We flung the doors wide open during summer and it was almost as if we were outside, just perfecting the heating aspect of it now winter is upon us as we still want to spend all of our time in there. It’s where everybody gravitates to when they visit.
 

The Conservatory.

 

 

My office is: At Ben Pentreath Ltd, an Aladdins cave in the basement of the shop filled to the gunnels, sometimes I wonder if I won’t be crushed by falling enamel ware and dinner candles.

For Bridie Hall at Homeit’s the kitchen table, I keep meaning to find a studio but I love the idea of world domination at the kitchen table, that’s where my grandmother taught me that it happened.

What am I looking forward to: Seeing how Ben Pentreath Ltd and Bridie Hall at Home grow and develop in the years to come. Ben and I have come such a long way in the four years since we opened the shop. We are always looking for new directions to take things. I feel lucky to say I’m looking forward to everything.

You can follow Bridie Hall and Ben Pentreath on Twitter (for Bridie go here, or Ben Pentreath go here.) Or just check out their cool websites Bridie Hall and Ben Pentreath (hover over the names to link through).

Decoupage plates from Bridie Hall at Home.

All photographs are used with permission from Bridie Hall.

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Inspiration Profile - Julia Atkinson

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile - we have fellow blogger, Julia Atkinson from Studio Home. Welcome! It's great to have Julia's profile today as she has been running her blog for 4 and a half years and she posts exclusively about creative talent down under.


Julia Atkinson

Studio Home

Name: Julia Atkinson

What do you do: I have just finished up my full time ski area marketing job to go freelance in social media management and to allow time to further develop my design blog, Studio Home.

Where do you live: Big changes! Currently in transit in Canterbury after leaving my home of Wanaka for the bright lights Auckland!

What are you working on: Continuing to post inspirational fun content on a daily base as well as develop the millions of ideas currently aching to move from my notebook to real life! These include furthering my interview series Fly the Coop, taking Studio Home out of the interweb and in front of an audience and offering some meaningful and useful resources to those creatives online. But so much more!

Who/what inspires me: *Every single person, business, product that I post about! My blog has a very narrow focus as it is, but I never post anything that I don’t personally find inspiring or love!
*The ever evolving list of blogs that I read daily (from my phone in bed!)
*The “headmistresses” of the recent blog course I attended in New York. Gala Darling, Kat Williams and Shauna Haiger were glowing examples of the opportunities available online to those that get out there and grab them!
 

Gala Darling at The Blogcademy  Photo: Julia Atkinson.



Beneath the Sun (Australian homewares brand)

Jeremy Blincoe (Australian based NZ photographer)

 

I work best: After years of blogging only at night after work, I am yet to know the answer! I like to think it will be something lovely like 2-4 daily after I have done all the jobs I usually procrastinate on! Eg- emails, banking, invoicing….gross

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I definitely do have some favourite go-to websites, artists, brands and magazines that I go to when I feel like the blogging well is dry.  And it is the perfect excuse to buy some mags! But mostly I have an open word doc. and notebook that I am constantly noting potential blogworthy content on. I do this now without even thinking – my eyes and ears are constantly on automatic pilot scanning for material!

The best advice I have been given is: I have a few but a couple of quote mentioned at The Blogcademy really caught my attention - “Evolve or evaporate” and
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself” – George Bernard Shaw

My latest discovery is: Instagram….oh dear lord I love instagram!
 

Studio Home on Instagram

Instagram by Corinne Tan

Books that I get inspiration from: I have just downloaded the audio book for the “Fire Starter Sessions” by Danielle LaPorte.

Magazines that inspire me: Inside Out, Urbis, Idealog, Yen, Frankie, Mindfood, Anthology + Kinfolk (USA)

Blogs that I enjoy: Design Love Fest, Cup of Jo, A Merry Mishap, Miss Moss, Gala Darling, Nubby Twiglet, Love and Ginger......and so many more!!

My favourite room at home is: Sorry but definitely my whole apartment that I am about to move into in Auckland! I lived up there about 6 years ago and LOVED the apartment. I am very lucky that it is owned by my family so I can finally feel like I am paying rent to people that matter! (and not feel guilty about putting nails in the wall!!)

My office is: (will be) trestle table in living room and my lap on the sofa

What am I looking forward to: Testing the bounds of my own work ethic and ideas.

Want to find out more about Studio Home? Check out the website here, like the Facebook page here and follow the Instagram page here.

Kelly Thompson (Australian based NZ photographer and artist)

Studio Home Colour Lover

All photographs are used with permission from Julia Atkinson and Studio Home.

 

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Inspiration Profile - Claire Lloyd

It is a real pleasure and an honour to have this week's Inspiration Profile. I first came across Claire Lloyd when she released her first book, Sensual Living over a decade ago and instantly responded to her ideals and beautiful visuals. This book taught readers how to create a home that stimulates all the senses.
An Australian expat, Claire arrived in London in 1983 after two years with Australian Vogue. Since then she has built a stellar career in magazines (The World of Interiors and British W), film, books and property as well as worked with the likes of Liberty, Harrods, French Connection, Joesph and The Conran Shop. Enjoy Claire's Inspiration Profile today and look out for her latest book, My Greek Island Home.



Claire Lloyd

Name: Claire Lloyd

What do you do: I do lots of different things which all revolve around creativity. I am a photographer, author, designer and filmmaker.

Where do you live: At present I live on the beautiful Greek island of Lesvos 

What are you working on: I am in Australia promoting my latest book ‘My Greek Island Home’ which has just been released by Penguin Lantern. I am also putting together a little mood film depicting a simple village community life.

 

 

 

Who/what inspires me: My parents inspire me they have always been so supportive and encouraging and they approach life positively and with humor. They have lots of energy.
 

Georgia O’Keeffe inspires me, she was a strong creative woman. I love her style, the way she dressed and the environment she created in New Mexico to live and work in. Her paintings were ahead of their time. I have always been particularly drawn to her flower paintings.

Nature and animals inspire me.

My friends inspire me they are all unique with their own unique creativity.

My partner, artist Matthew Usmar Lauder inspires me. He is a creator across all mediums. He finds beauty in every detail and is the kindest and most creative person I know.



Aegean by Matthew Usmer Lauder

 

I work best: Usually in the morning when my eyes have not been bombarded by too much visual information.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I just try not to think about it, I put it out of my head and do something else. I always trust its only temporary.

The best advice I have been given is: Don’t go where your not loved!

My latest discovery is: Green juice. I love it and try to have one a day. I combine anything I have but always like to include a lemon, an apple and mint. Then it depends on whats in season, spinach, cucumber, celery, broccoli, lots of different greens. I feel my body thanking me from the first sip.

 

 

Books that I get inspiration from: Art and architecture books are my favourites for inspiration.

Magazines that inspire me: Yatzer is a global online destination and very inspiring!

Blogs that I enjoy: A White Carousel, The Wellness Warrior, Holy Rus’ log blog, 52 suburbs

My favourite room at home is: Different moods different rooms. I love all the rooms in my house it depends on the time of day, and the mood I’m in.

My office is: It’s more a studio than an office, the word office for me feels like a restriction. My studio is a bright white room in our house. It overlooks the garden. The window is framed by a grapevine and looking through it I see is the huge fig tree. I can also see the dogs. It was a bedroom but I decided it was more important I use it for creativity than guests. We have another beautiful little house in the village for our guests.

What am I looking forward to: Travelling with Matthew and my camera. I am planning a trip to India next year. The last time I was there I was on a shoot for The World of Interiors magazine, it’s so many years ago I can’t even begin to remember.

Want to know more about Claire? See her website here and follow her blog here.

All photographs are by and used with permission from Claire Lloyd.

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Inspiration Profile - Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile -  his name is Jaime Diaz-Berrio, an architect and photographer from Melbourne, Australia. Several weeks ago, Jaime sent me a lovely email asking me if I knew about the following of blog readers that I have in Melbourne? That was great to hear and hello to you all! Thanks for reading and enjoy today's profile.



Jaime Diaz-Berrio

RACV Healesville Country Club by SJB Architects

Name: Jaime Diaz-Berrio

What do you do: I am an architect and photographer. Originally from Mexico, I trained in architecture and have worked in Mexico and Australia designing residential, commercial and industrial spaces since 2001.

Photography has always been a hobby of mine and in 2008 I began photographing the work of other architects and interior designers as a side business. A few months ago I took the plunge and made it my main focus.

I currently share my time between architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

Where do you live: Melbourne, Australia

What are you working on: At the moment I am working on a new series of images taken on my last overseas trip which will hopefully form my first solo exhibition.

I take a lot of pleasure from walking around the built environment with a camera in hand and taking small parts of it with me, collecting portions of buildings that can later be put back together in a different light, sometimes pieces of the same building, sometimes of unrelated subjects and then re-composing them together. 

Merricks Residence by SJB Architects & SJB Interiors



 

 

Who/what inspires me: Travel, experiencing new cities, visiting the buildings designed by architects that I admire (I’ve dragged my lovely wife to very remote places over the years...)

I recently found a quote by an important Mexican architect, Luis Barragan, that has reinforced the importance of travel for me: “Don’t ask me about this building or that one. Don’t look at what I do. See what I saw.”

Other inspirations are:
Good, simple, well considered and timeless design in any of its multiple branches (architectural, interior, industrial, furniture etc).

In architecture, I find Peter Zumthor’s work in a league of its own, he is one of the few architects that manage to truly move all of your senses when you visit one of his buildings.

In photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images are always inspiring.

I work best: Around sunset, between the time when the light turns golden and about 20 minutes after the sun sets. Buildings seem to come alive. Sunrise is also very special, but I struggle to get out of bed that early!

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I go for a walk with my camera; it is amazing how I end up relaxing after a few minutes of looking through the viewfinder. It seems to eliminate all distractions and allows me to focus on what I am looking for.

The best advice I have been given is: Whilst in my second year in University, a very respected architect in Mexico told me that I should work for somebody whose work I admire very much because at that age I would probably work very long hours and have a very small salary so I should at least enjoy the work. I worked for him for the next five years and still consider him my greatest mentor who taught me what I consider the most important element in both architecture and photography: strong composition.

My latest discovery is: A love for good dark chocolate! (70% Green & Black’s Organic)

Decontra House by Fitt de Felice

McCrae House by SJB Architects



Prahan House by SJB Interiors

Books that I get inspiration from: Classic architectural books are a beautiful source of inspiration, I particularly enjoy books on Alvaro Siza, Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Peter Zumthor among others.

Magazines that inspire me: It’s always a pleasure when the Architectural Review (UK) shows up in the mail box. I also enjoy C+A and Mark.

Blogs that I enjoy: dezeen, archdaily, Contemporist, The Cool Hunter, Joe’s nyc.

My favourite room at home is: The lounge room, it’s a simple, calm room filled with sunlight during most of the day and a view to our small, green courtyard. A very peaceful and quiet place. 

My office is: At home for the moment but a couple of local cafes have also become satellite offices, I enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and being surrounded by people - a good coffee also doesn’t hurt! Favourites are Monk Bodhi Dharma & Spout in St Kilda East.

What am I looking forward to: Finding a balance between my three passions: architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

And why not, another long trip with Sara (and her patience!).

If you would like to learn more about Jaime, please see his website here.

Market Street Apartment by SJB Interiors

 
All photographs are by, and used with permission from, Jaime Diaz-Berrio.

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