RACHEL CASTLE: CHAT IN A CHAIR

posted on April 24, 2013
chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

Rachel Castle is a long-time friend of Arent&Pyke. Anyone familiar with our projects would likely have spied a Rachel Castle original or two in the mix. For the unfamiliar, Rachel is an artist, well known for her whimsical (and quite often cheeky) hand stitched felt work, colourful hand printed screen prints and covetable paintings. And then there is all that gorgeous bed linen, cushions and beach towels. And we should also note her fun collaboration with fashion label Gorman that put a lot of love in the coconut and cha-cha-ing about town. Rachel is not just clever, she is also bloody funny – so we needed no excuse to visit her in her sunny studio to have a chat to her in her favourite chair.

We love the tale of her favourite chair too – her answer was immediate! Rachel selected the Model 3107 chair by Arne Jacobsen – a pink 3107 no less. Gifted to her by her husband on their first anniversary – a gesture just so terribly romantic. This chair, first designed in 1955 is fashioned out cleverly bent plywood, and now produced exclusively by Danish furniture design company Fritz Hansen.

We really love producing the IN/OUT design blog – but we especially enjoy our Chat in a Chair feature. It is an exciting undertaking to find out the story behind people’s favourite chairs. There is always a story. It is such a privilege to uncap an area of passion in these inspirational individuals lives, and share something about them we might not otherwise know. People universally love chairs – this we well discovered through our Chat in a Chair Insta-challenge promotion last year, and we love being able to uncover these little gems for you.

WHAT A WINNER! Because Rachel is such a generous cookie, she has very kindly gifted us a gorgeous Sunny tote bag (RRP $120) to give away to celebrate today’s glorious Chat in a Chair. All we ask is for you to put your thinking caps on and comment below telling us who you would like to have a ‘Chat in a Chair’ with (living or dead) to win! We also ask that you share the love and subscribe to the blog (if you haven’t already!). So, get creative! You have a week to comment and the winner will be announced on the blog, on Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday 1st May.

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

7_RachelCastle_mini_mini

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

chat in a chair, rachel castle, castle & things, neon, screen print, embroidery, Sydney, artist, Arent&Pyke, Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

Credits: Photography by Ben Pyke Photography

Share  
34 Comments
Back to top

PALETTE: TURQUOISE, TEAL & MUSTARD

posted on April 19, 2013
turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

turquoise, teal, mustard, yellow, brass, interior design, Arent&Pyke, morocco, stationary, Anthropologie, kilim

The 1960’s had a colour palette so immediately evocative that when seen in certain combinations in the present day it is immediately labelled ‘retro’, and the slightest glance will transport you back in time. The combination of turquoise, teal and mustard might belong to the flower children, due to it’s association with cultural awakenings, exotic spices, ethnic prints, hippy jewellery fashioned out of chunky amber and turquoise pebbles, set against the omnipresent dirty yellow that stood for this age. But this palette has a new sophisticated application, where modern design has taken the best of the 60s and applied it to the now. It still has that slightly exotic feel of being from another time and place, but in a new, crisp modern context. It is at once earthy and warm, but fresh and this is why it is still so successful.

Credits: Studio Pepe, Sara The Swede, Thomas Hobbs, Anthropologie, Catch & Patch, A Lovely Being, My Revelment, Brain Giniewski, I Got Stuff On My Mind, Interiorzine, Olsen Irwin Gallery, Design for Mankind, Pinterest, Designworklife, Leah Goren, Designworklife, Letterheady, Clashing, Catch & Patch, E-flux

Share  
Comment
Back to top

AESOP BEST OF…

posted on April 17, 2013
aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

aesop, london, store, paris, marais, islington, bleeker st, NYC, grand central station, paddington, sydney, skin care, hair care, body care, herbal, natural

Aesop is that ubiquitous brand that represents understated luxury, and one we are so proud to call Australian. Founded in Melbourne in 1987, the Aesop brand and packaging is almost utilitarian by design, and quite literally frill, fuss and colour free. What makes this brand so successful is the strength of its philosophies, the quality of product, and the experience of shopping in-store.

Each store is subtly different in design, but all so immediately and arrestingly recognisable as Aesop. Shops are a direct extension of the products they sell: highly functional, carefully considered, modest in appearance yet the end result of much thinking. Inspired by the unintentionally appealing aesthetics of a well-ordered 1930s laboratory, adapting traditional materials in an ostensibly simple yet deeply considered design. Aesop believes unequivocally that ‘good design can improve your life’.

Stores feature clean lines, industrially elegant metal with thin, sharp profiles, polished marble, and reclaimed wood. Everything about the Aesop store design is almost painfully restrained, allowing material and order to reveal the inherent beauty of the space. The quasi-clinical nature of the stores is warmed with the natural materials, soft lighting and the less tangible elements of fragrance and ‘calm’.

Twenty-eight years on, Aesop now has more than sixty signature stores internationally across many major cities, including Paris, Tokyo and New York. These are a few of our favourites.

Credits: Images courtesy of Aesop

Share  
1 Comment
Back to top

WOOLLAHRA HOUSE BY ARENT&PYKE

posted on April 15, 2013
Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

Arent&Pyke, interior design, interiors, yellow, bedroom, patterned armchair, michael muir, red door, sydney, woollahra, outdoor, thonet

1_lucysroom_mini

4_lucysroom_mini

5_lucysroom_mini

We know how much you loved the colourful post we did on Lucy’s room, and the earlier feature on this home as seen in House & Garden magazine – so we thought we’d show you a bit more of this truly gorgeous project we completed in Woollahra.

Our clients were a young family who wanted a house that would be liveable and practical, but were otherwise completely open to our interpretation of the spaces – they gave us carte blanche on the decorative scheme, which is unusual. A designer’s dream! The overriding brief was to maintain the traditional character elements of the period home, but to make it light and bright to support a young and modern aesthetic. The style of the previous owner was completely out of step with that of our client – it was dark, with chunky joinery, elaborate sound and light technology – which included televisions that descended into the floor!

We brightened the entire living areas with a generous lick of light and bright neutral paint colours from Resene, and paired it with some bright fabrics from GP&J Baker and colourful artwork. This created a perfectly relaxed atmosphere, maximising the natural light and immediately made the space feel lighter and more contemporary.Upstairs in the master bedroom, the client was open to making a bold colour statement with a moody blue-grey wall from Dulux. The room was large enough to take the drama, and it created a true sense of moving into a personal, intimate space for the adults of the house. The acidic tones of Christopher Farr fabric in yellow on the occasional chair and custom cushions offsets the dark walls.

A year later the client contacted us to create a beautiful bedroom for their 6-year-old daughter full off colour, pattern and clever storage – which we delivered in a delicious mix of Christopher Farr fabrics, cushions from John Robshaw, industrial Jielde lamp , bedside and Kelly chair from Jardan and a knockout custom unit in red, pink and white and playful artwork from the clever Rachel Castle artwork.

The Arent&Pyke approach to decoration always begins with how the client can get the most out of each space, and how we can use the decoration to enhance their experience of their home.

Credits: Design by Arent&Pyke. Photography by Tom Ferguson Photography

Share  
3 Comments
Back to top

Kirra Jamison (Out/About)

posted on April 12, 2013
Art, Sophie Gannon, color

Art, Sophie Gannon, color

2_kirrajamison_mini

3_kirrajamison_mini

4_kirrajamison_mini

5_kirrajamison_mini

6_kirrajamison_mini

7_kirrajamison_mini

8_kirrajamison_mini

We la-la-love Kirra Jamison. We do. It is like Kirra is able to paint how we feel about colour. Her work is beguiling: each work demands much looking and wondering and head-tilting.

Kirra’s painterly way is unique and always has a positive, upbeat allure. The ways she mixes palettes make her trademark block-colour shapes and serpent-like loops appear to dance around on the canvas all on their own. Both colour-brave and colour-aware, Kirra has a magical way of making hues feel like they should always be together.

Her latest collection ‘Still Point’ is brave and confident, and will not disappoint her legions of devoted fans. Following close on the heels of last year’s hugely popular ‘Locomotor’, it seems safe to say that Kirra has no shortage of inspiration.

Still Point runs until 20 April at Sophie Gannon Gallery Melbourne, open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm (or by appointment).

Sophie Gannon Gallery
2 Albert Street, Richmond
Victoria 3121
(03) 9421 0857

Credits: Images courtesy of Kirra Jamison

Share  
Comment
Back to top
older
newer
Top

 

Stay in the Loop!

Subscribe to our Newsletter