vanessa holden

I first met Vanessa Holden in the flesh  when West Elm launched here in Australia ( she is their Creative Director) and later at their HQ in Brooklyn when I was in NYC earlier this year.

I get to met a lot of talented and creative people and Vanessa is one inspiring person. She is proof that doing what you love and loving what you do is the only way to be, here is a little insight into her world…

you can follow her on instagram here

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where do you live?
Tribeca, NYC

how would you describe the look of your home?
We call it Tribeca Beach – it’s our little Sydney beach house in the city

what is your favourite thing in your home?
My family

what do you collect?
I’m a bower bird , drawn to beautiful blue things from duck egg to deepest indigo. Especially hand-painted ceramics splashed with shade of blue; textiles from vintage indigo-dyed Japanese shibori to well–loved turquoise khantha quilts; bell jars, beakers and beads; paintings, sketches and photographs of water and horizons – I think it’s my way of making a little ocean in a fifth floor walk-up loft.

what are you loving right now?
Instagram: I’m loving it a little bit too much :/ it’s an inspiration and motivation mine!

coffee tea or?
Coffee is my oxygen

what is on your shopping list?
This week?
To wear: Shoes to go faster in – I’m having a sneaker moment – everything from all white Vans or Celine LOVE LIFE slip-ons to the newest editions at the Nike flagship on Mercer.
To carry: An Art Pop pouch from Kindah Kalidy http://shop.kindahkhalidy.com/category/mini-clutch
To eat: Lundbergs rice cakes – a new snack obsession ℅ of a co-worker. http://www.lundberg.com/products/rice_cakes.aspx
To wish: Something from Paddle8 – “No Clothes”, Grace Coddington’s auction of nudes just went live! http://paddle8.com/auctions/noclothes
To dream: Figuring out summer vacay: Bali is so exotic when you live in NY! Suggestions pls!

favourite thing to do on the weekend?
A sneaky brunch or linner with my husband (right now I’m thinking about how to get to NAVY every weekend – a little hideaway spot on Sullivan St dreamed up by @CamilleBecerra) and a little Soho safari (see below)

favourite street to shop in?
I love a Soho safari through its’ quieter streets: down Mercer, across Howard and up Crosby Sts. In about an hour I can hit Rby45RPM, Marc Jacobs, APC, Acne, Alexander Wang, the new Margiela store and DQM x Vans, Philip Lim, Nike, Opening Ceremony, DeVries, Michele Varian (snack at The Smile), Maiyet and BDDW. It’s my own little Manhattan mall walk 😉

favourite day of the week?
Monday – the day to lead the way!

favourite place to shop?
Gorman! Luckily I only get into one once or twice a year!

favourite place to eat?
Right now in New York – NAVY and estela. But my hands-down fave is the relaxed deliciousness of Ruby’s Diner on Bronte Road in Sydney: I’d rather eat there – anyday, anytime – than anywhere else in the world.

what is your signature dish?
Avocado toast. For me, toast is cooking.

what is your signature drink?
Pisco sours are my summer pour this year, but G&T&me are forever

favourite holiday destination?
The very bottom of the boot in Southern Italy – the last two years we’ve headed to Calabria with friends : it’s hot, the water is crystal clear and cool, the food is sun kissed and simple, and there’s nothing to do but talk, read, swim and sleep. My perfect vacay.

favourite quote?
“Some things go and some things stay and the world is a new world every day” – it’s a little piece of a poem I learnt in primary school that reminds me to savor the now, to not hold on to things too tightly and to not be afraid of the future. Words to live by.

what are you reading?
Nothing longer than a caption, unfortunately. But I do have Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch on standby – I can’t wait to get my teeth into that book.

what are you listening to?
Disco by day and dive bar classics at night – Spotify radio is my best friend

what are you working on right now?
Making west elm better, in some way, every day! Our creative teams work on about five seasons at once in various ways – right now, that means everything from this years’ summer catalog layouts to concepts for Fall 2015, to events we’re having in the stores in a month to partnerships our customers will see in a year. Every day is different.

what/who are you inspired by?
The team at west elm – honestly, they make me smarter every day, and the work that we do with design, craft and artisan collaborators is a daily source of inspiration. We’re on a mission to inspire people to be creative and express who they are at home – for me, that’s endlessly motivating.

what makes you happy?
I’m happy when I’m totally engaged in doing something I love, with people I care for, respect and admire. That ‘something’ could be working, or traveling, or sharing a meal, or talking up a storm around a table: I’m most happy when I’m up to my neck in living!

glen proebstel

 

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photo copy 4Apologies for the delay in my Aussies in America series but who better to pick up this series with than my friend and SUPER Stylist Glen Proebstel

It’s easy to spot his signature looking work and to be honest I’m thankful for his friendship and his help to send me on my journey to be where I am today as a stylist…

He is Jedi when it comes to styling – the force is strong with him! Ok yes Glen is from New Zealand originally for those with attention to detail but in true Aussie style we are claiming him as our own!

 

where do you live?

Manhattan, NYC – right by the Highline

how would you describe the look of your home?

My apartment has a definitive style. Lots of greys, blacks and soft linen colours. Layered and textural with touches or quirk here and there.

what is your favourite thing in your home?

This week, it’s my little scottish terrier dog (metal vintage toy) called Hector.

what do you collect?

I collect ceramic vessels, almost anything made from linen and have just started a little framed antique black shilouttes gallery.

what are you loving right now?

My eye seems to be focused on beautiful spoons. Whether they be pewter, or just aged to perfection they somehow end up at home. Over time, they end up in food shoots or something of that nature.

coffee tea or?

Definitely coffee and let me tell you, the coffee scene here in NYC has improved remarkably! I’m never without my morning hit.

what is on your shopping list?

A leather back pack to take out sourcing and rounding up props. Art, and a large patina mirror

favourite thing to do on the weekend?

I like to spend time with friends and hit either the Forte Greene flea market in Brooklyn or the Chelsea Antiques Garage, followed up but a Bloody Mary at Jeffreys Oyster Bar.

favourite street to shop in?

Orchard St, LES for clothing

favourite day of the week?

Is Friday…. especially Happy Hour

favourite place to shop?

I can never leave without something, even if it’s a vial of glitter – www.abchome.com

favourite place to eat?

Navy NYC  451 West 23rd St New York NY 10011 +1 646 306 9397

If you ever get to NY, you must have dinner here!

what is your signature dish?

I happened upon a ramen noodle dish at the Mission Chinese pop up restaurant in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn – to die for!

what is your signature drink?

I love a classic – a well made Manhattan, there’s nothing like it

favourite holiday destination?

Paris – I’m a lovesick romantic and she delivers everytime!

favourite quote?

If you’re growing your constantly out of your comfort zone

what are you listening to?

I’m reliving my youth and can’t stop playing ‘Paradise’ by inner city….

what are you working on right now?

A special project – all will be revealed in 2015

what/who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by mother nature. The beauty that she creates from textures and surfaces, to flowers and seeds and pods. Man has the abillity to make almost anything but somehow something that is created from the earth holds a resonance that can be felt.

what makes you happy?

Seeing the simple things in life bringing such joy to people. We live in such an amazing time where almost anything is possible and so much creativity is alive and burgeoning. Often, we forget that taking time out to appreciate the things we take for granted.

richard christiansen

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Whilst in American I caught up with some old friends and made some new ones. Richard Christiansen is one of those people. He is the man behind Super creative Agency Chandelier Creative he is kind of a modern day Willy Wonka creative genius, who I found super Inspiring! He and his marvellous team that work in many ( and any medium) including brand strategy, design, advertising, digital content and social media and more. His is a cool and creative world and you can’t help but be inspired.

Click here to see and learn more or follow Him on Instagram here

 

where do you live? On weekends, I live in a house in Montauk.

 

how would you describe the look of your home? Summer branded by me.  It’s a cedar A-frame home from the 50’s with colorful interiors and exterior landscaping.

 

what is your favourite thing in your home? A wooden dock that overlooks an inlet of clear blue water.  The perfect place to sit and read the paper in the mornings.

 

what do you collect?  furniture!  A few new pieces to the collection include Ettore Sottsass  and Milo Baughman chairs.

 

what are you loving right now?  cactus and  succulent plants!  I’m working on a house / work space in Los Angeles and have a garden filled with them.

 

coffee tea or? vodka soda!

 

what is on your shopping list?  Old Roman bust sculptures of smart men for the garden at the Los Angeles house.  It will be called The Garden of Intelligence.

 

favourite thing to do on the weekend?   Tend to my chickens, beehives and vegetable garden in Montauk.  Swim in the ocean

 

favourite street to shop in? NYC Flower District, early AM before work

 

favourite day of the week? It all depends of the calendar of the week

 

favourite place to shop? Rossana Orlandi in Milan

 

favourite place to eat?  Pane e Acqua in Milan

 

what is your signature dish? cedar plank salmon on the grill with a miso honey glaze.

 

what is your signature drink? vodka soda

 

favourite holiday destination? Amalfi Coast

 

favourite quote?  “Originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.”  – Jim Jarmusch

 

what are you reading?  Short Cuts by Raymond Carver

 

what are you listening to?  I’m working on my new Summer playlist –  here are a couple of favorites:

 

Sexercize – Kylie Minogue

 

All Your Waiting For featuring Nancy Whang – Classixx

 

Family Affair – Sly and the Family Stone

 

Fancy by Iggy Azalea

 

what are you working on right now?  Holiday advertising and marketing projects for Net-a-Porter, Lane Crawford, Target and Old Navy. 

 

what/who are you inspired by? what makes you happy?  films, books, friends.  I am happiest on a flight to a new or favorite destination.

 

fleur wood

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I first met Fleur when I styled her house for a magazine, She has now moved to The USA running her Fashion business from there. We have stayed in touch and I of course had to catch up with her whilst in New York for my recent holiday, I visited her home and she has one of the best New York views you could hope for…

Here is a little insight into the world of this fabulous Fashion Designer.

Where do you live? 

Brooklyn, NYC

 How would you describe the look of your home?

Hmmm… a work in progress! Im still setting ourselves up here after moving from Sydney.

 What is your favorite thing in your home?

My kids, husband and the huge amount of light we get.

What do you collect?

Art – always looking for new art.

 

 Coffee tea or?

Both – each have their place.

 What is on your shopping list?

A dining table and chairs.

 Favorite thing to do on the weekend?

A New York flea market visit, followed by a farmers market then home to place any found objects and cook from the fresh produce.

Favorite Street to shop in?

A Street is too hard to pick in NYC – my favorite area is the east village. It has a great mix of boutiques, art, furniture and restaurants.

Favorite day of the week?

Sunday – home with my family.

 Favorite place to shop?

As above

 Favorite place to eat?

Vinegar Hill House, Brooklyn.

What is your signature dish?

Slow roast lamb – its my fall back when entertaining as it is just so simple and delicious

What is your signature drink?

Cranberry soda

 Favorite holiday destination?

Recently we have had some great holidays in Mexico – so easy to explore from NYC.

 Favorite quote?

“The Earth without art is just ‘eh'”

What are you reading?

Pattie Smith – Just kids. The autobiographical account of her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe. A wonderful read. I cried my eyes out at the end.

What are you listening to?

Now and always – Leonard Cohen

What are you working on right now?

We are about to start designing winter 2015 – I love the beginning of a new season. The possibilities feel so endless.

What/who are you inspired by?

I am feeling very inspired by a book called The Game of Life by Florence Scovel-Shinn. A metaphysical guide to living life to the full first published in 1925.

What makes you happy?

My spiritual practice – I pray and meditate daily. It gives me perspective on my life and connection to the divine.

photographer martyn thompson

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Aftrer visiting America recently on my awesome holiday. I of course did catchup with a number of clever and creative friends from Australia living in the USA

First in this series profiling some of these creatives is New York based Photographer and Fellow Hardie Grant Author  Martyn Thompson

where do you live? !
SOHO,NEW YORK!
how would you describe the look of your home?
“-MID CENTURY MEETS FLORAL MANIA “- IT’S A LIVE/ WORK LOFT SPACE THATS PRETTY LOW TECH AND RATHER CRAFTY– VERY TACTILE ,VERY TEXTURED AND COLORFUL— !

what is your favourite thing in your home?

MY BOYFRIEND , ARTIST AND JEWELLER,DOVE DRURY HORNBUCKLE!

what do you collect?!

I’VE GOT A LOT OF 70’S PLATFORM SHOES AND MANY WEATHERED OBJET— MAINLY ALL LITTLE CREATURES…..!

what are you loving right now?

OOH—LOTS OF THINGS— YOGA, WRITING MY NEWSLETTER ,COCONUT YOGURT AND HOSTING A BIG MONTHLY “SALON” LIKE LUNCH….!

coffee tea or?!
DEFINITELY A CUP OF TEA— TYPICALLY PG TIPS!!

what is on your shopping list?
MOTH BALLS– THE ECO FRIENDLY ,CEDAR ONES, AND SOME NEW SOCKS– MY LOOK IS ALL ABOUT THE SOCK!

favourite thing to do on the weekend?
STAY IN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SLEEP IN SUNDAY MORNING. !
favourite street to shop in?
THAT COULD BE THE WORLD WIDE WEB—I’M A KEEN EBAYIST!

favourite day of the week?
WELL I LOVE SUNDAY BECAUSE ITS THE ONE DAY I TOTALLY DONT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BUT I ALSO I LOVE MONDAY MORNING CAUSE IT ALL STARTS AGAIN!

favourite place to shop?
I RARELY VENTURE MUCH BEYOND DOWNTOWN NEW YORK— PAULA RUBENSTEIN AND JOHN DERIAN ARE FAVORITES— !

favourite place to eat?
ITS IN SYDNEY—-“NOURISHING QUARTER “ ON CLEVELAND ST IN SURRY HILLS– DELICIOUS FOOD AND LOVELY AND QUIET!

what is your signature dish?!
THE VERY GREEN,GREEN SALAD!

what is your signature drink?!
I LOVE A FRESH VEGETABLE JUICE AND THAT PINK COCONUT WATER….!

favourite holiday destination?!
HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND!

favourite quote?

“DOING NOTHING DOES EVERYTHING”—BUT I RARLEY REMEMBER THIS AND SPEND MOST OF MY TIME RUSHING FROM ONE TASK TO THE NEXT……!

what are you reading?!

“THE GOLDFINCH” — THE NEW NOVEL BY DONNA TARTE!

what are you listening to?
A LOT OF SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES AND THE RECENT BRIAN ENO RECORDING “LUX”!

what are you working on right now?!
I’M CRAZY EXCITED AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE I HAVE A ENTIRELY NEW VENTURE GOING ON.I”M CREATING A COLLECTION OF TEXTILES AND WALLPAPER BASED ON MY PHOTOGRAPHS,TITLED “CEZANNES SHADOW”.— WE’RE LOOKING TO LAUNCH IT THIS AUTUMN.!

what/who are you inspired by?!
NATURE AND POSITIVITY—!

what makes you happy?
PROBLEM SOLVING—I’M VERY SOLUTION ORIENTED BEING……!

Photo credit Andrea Blanch/Musee Magazine