Interview - Food Stylist Deb Kaloper

Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, all food styling by Deb Kaloper of course!

Beets and carrots. Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, all food styling - Deb Kaloper.

Cherries. Photos - Lisa Cohen, Food styling - Deb Kaloper

Tomatoes. Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, food styling - Deb Kaloper.

Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, food styling - Deb Kaloper. Aggh love that inky black black black.

Photo - Armelle Habib, food styling - Deb Kaloper.

Oh so this one took a bit of arm twisting. Melbourne food stylist Deb Kaloper is just not one for self promotion, being in the spotlight, or blowing her own trumpet (quite the opposite actually). She's more of a behind-the-scenes kind of girl - a little bit shy, even. But I am SO glad I persisted because really... food styling just doesn't get more delectably perfect than this, does it?

I first met the lovely Deb K on a shoot with the equally fabulous Megan Morton... talk about dream team! I watched as Deb unpacked a car full of wonderous treats - cheeses and crispbreads and crackers with garnishes I had never laid eyes on, icy drinks in eye-popping bright summery hues, home-baked sweet treats that would give Martha a run for her money... it was immediately clear to me that Deb K was capable of beautifying any edible item you could think of. And without an assistant, even!

Deb has worked with many of Australia's greatest and most respected imagemakers for various local and international publications - photographers and stylists including Sharyn Cairns, Mark Roper, John Laurie, Glen Proebstel and Megan of course. What is amazing about Deb is she's truly so modest and just ridiculously self-deprecating - despite her incredible body of work, I think Deb is genuinely convinced she's an 'imposter', just waiting to be found out!? Clearly this is INSANE!! Deb's work speaks for itself - her attention to detail and encylopedic knowledge of all things culinary makes for picture-perfect shots time after time after time. Under Deb's watchful eye, each cherry glistens, each chicken wing ends up encrusted with the perfect layer of oozing golden goo.. and even a simple blanched cabbage becomes an effortless work of art. She really is a magician in the kitchen.

I feel so lucky to be able to share Deb's stunning work with you here... I think this could very well be her first and last interview! I hope you love her work as much as I do. :)

Deb Kaloper is represented by KHM in Melbourne.

Deb Kaloper unusually (and reluctantly!) on the other side of the camera! Shot by Sharyn Cairns.

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to food styling?

I’m originally from southern California and studied Psychology at UCLA, (University of California at Los Angeles). But before graduating, I really wanted to travel and study somewhere else. I had a surfie friend who raved about Australia and was convinced that I needed to experience the country and the people. So I applied as an exchange student and studied at Melbourne University. He was right, it was love at first sight, (with a boy and the country!) and so I moved to Melbourne.

I worked in a few jobs with my degree, but I always dabbled in hospitality, because I love food and coffee, and the whole social café scene. I got pulled into the kitchen one day when the chef asked if I could make some chocolate chip cookies and brownies, since I was an American! (I think he was being a bit cheeky!).

I told him that I got my first cookbook at the age of 4 from my Nonie (Croatian for grandmother) and that I actually could bake. So I was in the kitchen and there I stayed, and I loved it! I worked in a few cafes until a trip to Europe changed my thinking… I was standing in front of a patisserie window, in Paris, staring at the most amazingly beautiful looking rhubarb galette. I know that sounds weird, but it was just sooo beautiful & perfect, and I knew that I wanted to make beautiful things, (ok maybe I was just a bit super inspired by all of Paris, and Amsterdam and Milan, and Barcelona…. but I knew I wanted to take things up a notch).

I returned to Melbourne and worked as the pastry chef at Luxe. That was an incredible experience. We worked so insanely hard, and had such long and crazy hours, but I learned a lot and worked with incredibly talented and professional people like Simon Denton (Verge & Izakaya Den), Chefs Rita Macali, (Ladro & Supermaxi) and Karen White, (Verge). I burned out after a year or so, a few years later I was lucky enough to work again with Rita when she opened Ladro in Gertrude Street Fitzroy.

It was there that I met Danish Photographer Mikkel Vang and Stylist Christine Rudolph. They asked me if I would be interested in cooking for some of their shoots…… it was one of those lighting bolt awakenings and path changing experiences! Things evolved from there!

Shots by Mikkel Vang , props styling by Christine Rudolph, food styling by Deb Kaloper.

Who are some favourite people and/or publications you have worked with?

I have been genuinely lucky to work with such a variety of super talented chefs, stylists and photographers, so I’ll just name a few… besides having specific talents, all of them are truly fantastic people to work with! Daniel Chirico because he embodies true Artisan qualities in his bread making and his generous spirit, Louis Vaussenat, he is the most humble pastry chef, so giving of his knowledge and is a master of his craft! Justine Poole and Steve Pearce from Donna Hay Magazine; I really admire their ability to reinterpret the “everyday” into something inspired and beautiful. They blew me away when I worked with them!

Christine Rudolph for her light touch with earthy depths, she always has the perfect prop! David Morgan for his seemingly effortless style, which just flows out of him and which actually takes a lot of effort and style to achieve, he makes it look so easy! Glen Proebstel for his rich, layered moodiness, his work can make me gasp! Lisa Cohen for her gentle yet really warm light in her photos, they seem to invite you into them. Sharyn Cairns for going to the moody dark side and always getting the shot. Mark Roper for his ease and humour and beautiful light! John Laurie for his cool, raw realism.

Oh my. the beauty. Photo - Lisa Cohen, Food styling - Deb Kaloper.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Coffee starts the day, and then it can go anywhere from there! I might be propping, op shopping, grocery shopping, going to the market for inspiration, hauling props from shop to home to studio to home to shop again, writing recipes, cooking, shooting, researching through magazines and books… but washing dishes always seems to be involved!

Tortilla. Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, food styling - Deb Kaloper.

Where do you turn for creative inspiration – travel, local and international magazines, books or the web etc?

I find inspiration in just about everything. A walk along the beach, or through the Local Community Veg Out Gardens, a trip to the Market for a quick “look” has me there for hours and carrying home way too much produce!

I love getting lost in art galleries and book stores, listening to music, scouting op shops, eating in a great café, restaurant or bar …the list is endless. I watched To Kill a Mockingbird, (again) the other night, and while it has nothing to do with food whatsoever, the opening title scene is brilliant, and has really inspired me for an upcoming shoot.

But travelling is my favourite thing ever, for all the obvious reasons - 'discovery', seeing new places, faces and cultures, and for the challenges that can present themselves. It’s the best feeling to get on a plane or a boat and know that everything will be new and different on the other side.

I found American Gourmet Magazine to be the most inspiring food magazine. It took risks with it’s storytelling styling and the moodiness of the photography. I LOVED IT! I was lucky enough to show them my folio on a trip to NYC, and had hoped to be able to do something, anything, with them, but sadly they closed about 3 weeks later…. devastating!!

Shots by Mikkel Vang , props styling by Christine Rudolph, food styling by Deb Kaloper.

Which other stylists, photographers or other creative people do you admire?

Alastair Hendy & Heidi Swanson are two people that I think are quite amazing! Both are photographers, stylists and cooks who do everything themselves… their style and food are completely different yet I really admire their ability to wear all the hats so well.

And well, Martha Stewart and her team of talented people are truly great at what they do.
The list could go on for ages…….

Sugary treats! Photos - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, food styling - Deb Kaloper.

What is the best thing about your job?

The freedom that comes with being a freelance stylist is defiantly something that I love, it seems to suit my gypsy spirit, but the ability to work together with others and the goal being to make something visually beautiful, that’s what I really love.

The bottom line is that I just want to make beautiful pictures.

Mexican Table. Photo - Sharyn Cairns, Prop Styling - Glen Proebstel, food styling - Deb Kaloper.

And the worst?

In the scheme of things, nothing! I feel so very lucky to do this for a 'job'….it’s a dream job!

What would be your dream creative project?

I have a few, but I have been dreaming one up for a while now… a few months spent in Croatia, writing, cooking, and shooting a cookbook filled with family recipes, on the Island where my Dad was born.

Do your friends and family expect perfection at your dinner table!?

There is no perfection here! They usually have to drink a bottle of bubbles while waiting for the meal, I always seem to be running a bit late when I have guests over, or maybe it’s just an excuse to have a long drink before dinner?

All of my family lives overseas, and I am at their tables when I am with them, and that is perfect!

Oh this wonderful photo just looks a bit sad at 520 pixels wide. You really need to see it big and beautiful! Anyway take my word for it. Amazing. Pic by Armelle Habib, food styling by Deb Kaloper.

What are you looking forward to?

Going home to California for a summer visit, (very soon), seeing all my family and friends and hiking the Trans Catalina Trail on Santa Catalina Island with my youngest brother, Tony.

Melbourne Questions

Your favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

I do love Albert park, for the Albert Park book store, the back courtyard at Husk, the library where I seem to spent a lot of time, Empire Vintage, Garden of Eden Nursery, Zacher Antiques and the St. Vincent Gardens…it’s a great park to 'stop' in.

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Cicciolina in St. Kilda is always my favourite, I am never disappointed!
The shitake mushroom risotto with truffle oil is my favourite meal.

Where do you shop in Melbourne for the tools of your trade?

I love wandering up and down the isles at Minh Phat, they have everything you want and didn’t know you wanted until you saw it.

I also love the Queen Victoria Market, and the Saturday Farmer’s Markets.

Where would be find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Having a coffee and reading the papers at Melbourne’s best kept secret.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

I reeeeallly don’t want to share this because then I won’t get a table, but they are too good and deserved to be shared….. Ms Jackson, a café on the corner of Jackson and Grey Streets in St. Kilda. Food, coffee, the fire place on wintery mornings and the people are all amazing! And I’m not sure if this is a secret or not, but Louis’s chocolate cake at Baker D. Chirico is the best I’ve ever had!

Bright YELLOW Le Creuset casserole?? Inspired! Pic by Armelle Habib, food styling by Deb Kaloper.

Pia Ulin

Incredible work from the website of Swedish photographer Pia Ulin.

All photos - Pia Ulin.

I am not usually into re-posting pics randomly from elsewhere on the web... but sometimes you just stumble across something so stupidly gorgeous it warrants nothing more than a dense photo-heavy post, a couple of brief captions and one very special link.

These incredible interior shots, styled to perfection, are by Swedish photographer Pia Ulin. Scandinavia never looked so good. Aggh.

(via new discovery The Beautiful Soup - very lovely local Tumblr blog...!)

All photos - Pia Ulin.

All photos - Pia Ulin.

All photos - Pia Ulin.

Inside Out Love!

Inside Out March/April 2010, Cover image by Wichmann +Bendtsen, Styling by Gitte Kjaer.

'Neighbourhood Watch' story for Inside Out - words/production Megan Morton, photos by John Laurie, styling by me.

Oh my. My first ever editorial styling job has finally hit the shelves....! 'Scuse me while I squeeaal in excitement!

Of course it is in the wonderful Inside Out.... who I love to death and who have been super kind enough to plug The Design Files more than once in this issue! I am truly grateful to all the lovelies at Inside Out, and to the ever-fabulous Megan Morton for producing the stories I worked on, and to brilliant John Laurie who could seriously make any place look amazing with or without a stylist's help! :)

ALSO in case you are not well over hearing about me (totally understandable!), Inside Out's super lovely Lee Tran has just posted an interview with me over on the Inside Out blog! She has such lovely things to say... meanwhile I just ramble on about taxidermied animals or something... :) Anyway, would love your thoughts guys! Pop on over and check it out! x

Another little story we shot for Inside Out with TDF fave Nicholas Jones... photos by John Laurie, styling by me.

Interview - Sam McAdam

'Beach Shack' Inside Out cover - styling by Vanessa Colyer Tay

'Metals' story for Inside Out - Styling by Vanessa Colyer Tay

Top left - Inside Out styled by Vanessa Colyer Tay, Top right - Country Style, styled by Lara Hutton, Bottom - Inside Out styled by Glen Proebstel

Today I am very excited to share an interview with Sydney-based photographer Sam McAdam! I often swoon over Sam's beautiful work in Inside Out... you might have also seen her work in Country Style, and in fact some of Sam's photos accompanied Vanessa Colyer Tay's interview here last year.

Sam creates such beautiful, clean and uncluttered images. Even though they're styled to perfection, Sam's photos always seems warm and friendly - so that even the most lavish interiors somehow seem relaxed and inviting... She has a rare gift for capturing the true personality and mood of a space.

In addition to being a brilliant image-maker, by all accounts, Sam is also a delightfully lovely lady :) She has been so super-sweet to deal with these past few weeks whilst pulling together the interview... and when providing the images, Sam was also at pains to ensure the stylists for each image were credited - a rare and very thoughtful detail which many photographers often forget about. Now isn't that lovely?

Huge thanks to Sam for her time with this interview, and for all the images and credits and back-and-forth emails!

Tell me a little about your background – what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I’ve been photographing for magazines for the past eleven years or so, and did other kinds of photography before that (I dabbled with my personal work after art school, photographed other artist’s work, shot for galleries). My family had always encouraged me to draw, and design costumes and sets for imaginary productions, so I always had a strong sense of wanting a job where I could be imaginative and creative. When I finished my fine arts degree in ’96 I didn’t have a lot of practical photographic skills (mine was a very academic course), so I gained work in a pro-lab and learnt all about the industry from the photographers that came in, and the magazines we would deal with, and I also began assisting on shoots. Around that time I fell madly in love with Marie Claire Lifestyle magazine and had that lightbulb moment – I knew that I wanted to shoot interiors and lifestyle for cool publications! And so then the long slog began….

Lighting story for Inside Out - styling by David Harrison

It can be so difficult for young photographers to get a ‘break’ and turn their passion into a living… How did you approach this challenge, and what advice would you give to fledgling photographers?

Assist as many different photographers that you possibly can. Even if it’s someone whose work is different to your own aesthetic, or if the subject matter isn’t something you necessarily aspire to be shooting, you will learn something and file it away in your memory. It could be anything from noticing how a photographer lights a certain shot, resolves interpersonal issues on the set, or packs their equipment efficiently. All of these little bits add up.

I’d also encourage younger photographers to keep chipping away at getting that break, it might take years and be really frustrating, but if you make it through the time in the (professional) wilderness, you’ll be stronger and know for sure that this is what you really want to do.

You’ve worked for some incredible publications, and have collaborated with some amazing stylists… what have been one or two of your favourite shoots?

I am very lucky to work with so many inspiring stylists, and each shoot has some great memory attached (the location, the company, the lunch!) that I love them all! My answer to this question changes every day, but today my favourites would have to be the craft story with the wonderful Vanessa Colyer Tay in the current issue of Inside Out; and the Homewares Trend: Folk story with the gorgeous Glen Proebstel which was also for Inside Out. But there are so many more! Sometimes I’ve loved a shoot because it was technically challenging for me, and there is always a sense of accomplishment when I look at the final product. Other times it might just be a perfect, simple, calm image (which be just as challenging)

Folk story for Inside Out - Styling by Glen Proebstel

Craft story for Inside Out - styling by Vanessa Colyer Tay

Can you give us an insight into the inner workings of your business? Do you have an agent who takes care of the nitty gritty such as booking, managing clients and scheduling? Do you employ an assistant, and do you outsource any other significant tasks (ie business stuff, bookkeeping etc..)

I make sure that I have really trusted people around to assist me, whether it is literally assisting on a shoot, with pre or post production, or someone to advise me. Often it is people I have known for years and have developed strong relationships with, and trust in their knowledge and integrity. Trust is such a huge issue, whatever your field of work! I am also blessed with a clever partner who works in a completely different industry and gives welcome objectivity to my decision making process.

Paint story for Inside Out - styling by Claire Delmar

Where do you turn for inspiration – books, magazines, your environment, travel, nature, family or friends… etc?

Inspiration is sparked by many things: bookshops; people watching; op-shops; blogs; cinema; literature; street art; a quiet spaces; galleries; the beach…

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

There’s a huge list of people, so here’s a random selection:
David Byrne, Beck, Wes Anderson, Sia, Martyn Thompson, James Merrell, Christine Rudolph, Mikkel Vang, Sydney sculptor Alexander Seton, Karen O.

Spring Florals for Country Style - styling by Lara Hutton

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Bleary eyes, coffee, lugging, listening, troubleshooting, visualising, laughing, editing…..

What are you most proud of professionally?

Finding a happy balance between the left and right parts of my brain, and being able to switch between the practical and the imaginative at will.

What would be your dream project?

Inspiring stylist, open brief, HUGE budget.

What are you looking forward to?

Always, the next job!


Sydney Questions –

Your favourite street for shopping/strolling/people watching in Sydney?

King Street Newtown

Where /what was the last great meal you ate in Sydney?

L’Etoile in Paddington where we had a beautiful cozy evening with delicious food.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Bourke St Bakery (any of them) with the Sydney Morning Herald and my husband.

Sydney’s best kept secret?

I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you.

Ceramics for Inside Out - styling by Claire Delmar

Helium Eternal

'Helium Eternal' balloons by Clementine Henrion - photos Joan Braun

I learnt a somewhat disturbing fact the other day. Helium is running out. Seriously!

I, too, was disbelieving, but after a bit of googling, it was confirmed that earth's helium reserves are being depleted so rapidly, that supplies could be gone within eight years! Aggh!

Whilst there are many scientific concerns about this imminent helium shortage... my first thought was - NO MORE HELIUM BALLOONS!? Tragedy!

Luckily, Frenchie Clementine Henrion has an alternative! These 'Helium Eternal' balloons aren't balloons at all... The illusion is created as a soft-sculpture, entirely made of fancy fabric and stuffed like a soft pillow. Which means of course that Helium Eternal balloons don't float, but have to be invisibly suspended using fishing line.

The upside - Helium Eternal balloons can become a permanent fixture of your home! Imagine a gorgeous sparkly custom balloon in your child's bedroom! (although, on the downside, it won't help re-create this beautiful idea!)

All these pieces are delicately handmade in Clementine’s workshop in Paris, in limited edition. Special custom shapes can also be created on request. Available on Etsy here.


ps) Thanks Sophie for the Helium tip-off...! ...And Toohey for the Helium Eternal link! x

Anthropologie London via Pia Jane Bijkerk's blog!

All these fabulous photos of Anthropologie London by Zoe Yule, via Pia Jane Bijkerk's beautiful blog.

Oh Sorry. It's Anthropologie Thursday again. I realise I posted about Anthropologie last week. But it is too delicious! I can't help it.

I was just browsing through Pia Jane Bijkerk's fabulous blog... and stumbled across these stunning pics of the new Anthropologie London store (their first store outside the US), posted here by Pia's guest blogger Zoe Yule. Is it incredible or WHAT!? Love Zoe's photos and her wide-eyed excitement after attending the London store opening event in Pia's absence (score!).

You MUST go check out Zoe's full post here... she describes the magical evening in wonderful detail - vertical gardens, tea and delectable cakes, custom art installations by carefully selected UK artists - From beautiful handmade ceramic vessels to 'knitted' pots and vintage quilts refashioned into works of art. Aggh. Aesthetic overload.

But it begs the question... Why do we not have such retail gorgeousness going on here...? Come on Australian retailers.... lift your game!

Etcetera by Sibella Court

Pages from Sibella Court's new book - Etcetera: creating beautiful interiors

Sibella Court certainly has been busy since she got back from NYC just over a year ago... inbetween opening her shop, The Society Inc. in Sydney, styling for all the bestest interiors mags, and appearing as a guest judge on that Homemade reality TV show I somehow managed to miss every single episode of, she has now gone and written herself a book! Sheesh. Anyone else feeling positively unproductive?

Etcetera: creating beautiful interiors is due out this November from Murdoch Books. As you can see, it's full of luscious eclectic interiors and general bower-bird eye candy, and is photographed by Sibella's talented brother, photographer Chris Court. Even the layout of the book is true to Sibella's signature eclectic, bohemian style... incorporating rich colours and textures, fabric and paper details and other curious ephemera on every page... swoon.

ps) I interviewed Sibella in July last year... see here for more!

Interview - Megan Morton

Still life with flowers, Sarah King's living quarters, photos - Tim James. All photos styled by Megan Morton.

Nicole Kidman for Vanity Fair, photo Patrick Demarchelier, fashion styling Michael Roberts. Jill Sander and Naomi Goodsir hat for Club 21 Magazine, photo Juli Balla. Scullery for johnandpeter.com, photography William Meppem.

Photos - Tim James

Gorgeousness from Megan's own home. (Including her beloved puppy, August!) Photos - Jason Busch.

I very much hope I don’t offend all the other wondrous and talented stylists I have met and interviewed when I say that Megan Morton really is the absolute bees knees of Australian interiors! Luckily it seems everyone in the industry knows and loves MM as much as I do... so I'm sure most will enthusiastically agree with me as I gush gush gush about the many talents and charms of the wonderful Ms Morton.

Megan's fabulousness (and friendliness!) has to be seen to be believed. She is absolutely the most down to earth, warm, and supremely entertaining person you will ever meet. (More gushing here, if you're interested).

Things to love about Megan Morton

- Her hysterically funny twitter-esque abbreviated and/or grammatically creative terms in everyday conversation and email. Examples include 'for reals', 'so-not-ok', 'the hotness/the goodness', (ok that's not abbreviated but I love it!).
- She is 100% genuinely modest and totally unfazed by the glamour most people associate with her job.
- She is disarmingly generous with her time, advice and contacts. She shares everything with anyone. She hoards nothing.
- Her energy and enthusiasm is totally infectious. You just can't help but come from a meeting with Megan buzzing with new ideas and excitement!

Megan has worked with a plethora of top name photographers and publications both here and overseas, she’s been flown to exotic locations for editorial shoots, and she has even sourced the perfect sailor hat and plonked it on the head of Nicole Kidman! But the truth is, Megan is equally happy styling homes for private clients, giving genuine, heartfelt advice on even the smallest of jobs - from bathroom renovations to paint colours. Megan also shares her decorating and home-styling advice weekly in her DIY Home column for the Sydney Morning Herald, and her first book, HOMELOVE - a collaboration with author Julie Gibbes at Lantern, Penguin, is also due out in April next year!

If you take a little time to read her words below, it will quickly become clear that above all, Megan is just 100% in love with her job - 'house whispering’ as she calls it!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you originally study, and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

After marketing studies, I worked at Dolly magazine and invented the Dolly Club - from then on I worked with the major publishing houses on marketing their brands, offers, clubs and other reader-relative concepts as Marketing Director. I always had a fascination with houses and would spend all my spare time at open houses (this was also a great opportunity as the seed to my later business, www.thepropery.com.au). After my daughter was born I was asked to work on a `living with children story'. I started at a time when lifestyle was really gaining momentum and luckily, I lived across the road from one of Australia's best creative agents at the time, who took me on soon after my first couple of editorial shoots and represented me in the advertising arena. My other businesses work around my styling life - which is what I am most passionate about. The studio was built to make stylists life easier with beautiful space, clear access, no stairs to lug props up! And the props room, is an additional bonus for creatives when they shoot at the studio space, we carry chairs, surfaces, fabrics, tableware, decoration - all the elements to make a beautiful shoot.

In addition to your prolific editorial styling work, you also collaborate with designer Sara Silm on HOME, a home-decorating consultancy for private clients. How did this venture come about, and how have you found balancing this with your existing workload!?

HOME is a true working service for home owners who want to improve their space. A lot of houses I would photograph lack the essence of what makes a house a true home. This is where we come in. We have a multitude of projects on at the moment - an 8 bedroom family home, a Melbourne renovation, three bathrooms, a weekender. People use us because we don't use a signature formula, we respond to what the house / budget needs to achieve our end result which is why we can do such a variety of atmospheres as well as work with such a broad group of clientele. It sounds odd, but its really house whispering - listening to what the house needs and working to put its best foot forward. Because of the nature of our work, our clients are celebrities that we wont name, families, apartment dwellers, commercial business people and everyone in between.

HOME's upcoming paint range with Bauwerk is about giving those who can’t necessarily afford the service of a design team genuine tips and fool proof colours.

I am busy but I share my work load with really clever people and it rarely feels like real work. Plus my work is solely visual, so I just have a few applications for it. It’s the same principles at work that make a single page look amazing as it is for a room or a large scale installation. It’s just the degree of application.

Carravaggio interpretation for Fairfax and Roberts, photo Dieu Tan.

How do you characterise your design approach?

Informed each and every time by the house or space. There has never been a duplicate approach. There are some things I like, but never done in the same way. Each brief presents itself so differently, it’s the designers responsibility to attack it as a brand new challenge each and every time.

How would you describe your interior decorating/styling aesthetic in your own home? How does this compare with the aesthetic you bring to your commercial styling work?

The job of a true stylist is to be able to bring modern and hard edge to a job on day, whimsical and charming the next but be preparing for possibly kooky and clever the next - so when it comes to my own preferences, they are based mostly around the luxury of space. I have a true appreciation of most styles and genres and am inspired by the modern, the aged, the pedigreed, the found as well as the simple but most of all I like colour. Ravishing, knock out colour as well as the soft subtle combo's that can creep up on you types.

As far as my own home then, I used to be a vigilant homeowner and had everything in its place. My houses used to be picture perfect that they were used lots for ads and locations. The minute I dropped the ball at home though, I had lots more decorative energy for clients and my work. Wherever my family is feels like home. What I covet most about my current home (I have been a reformed house flicker/home mover) is the space. Its the greatest luxury of all. My present home sits smack bang in the middle of an ever so slightly raised large block where I have chickens, a healthy kitchen garden and lots of beautiful untouched space. The insides are a screaming `before' shot but I believe all things come with time, and due to my old erratic house ways, I have patience for these things now. After years of working with multi-million dollar homes, you realise that picture perfect spaces make for beautiful pictures, but don't guarantee a happy home! At the core though, I chase simplicity, colour and a feeling of handcrafted.

Nursery, photo - Jason Busch, and Sicilian treats for Gourmet Traveller, photo Con Poulos.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

My florist, my super clever friends, artists, architects - I love ANYONE who does something with conviction. You can only be respected this way. I am inspired by other stylists. It's a very challenging job and while it looks easy, it really has its challenges. I work with paper designers, set builders, specialist painters, upholsterers, letterpressers, people who hand mix paint by hand, artists and picture hangers. In styling and designing, although its one vision, it really is a collective effort.

Where else do you find inspiration – ie books, magazines, your environment, travel, your family and friends?

While I get lots from travel (I recently found a pic of one of my favourite old school style lobster restaurant in NY and used its facade colours for a story - powdery blue with old time red with hints of copper. Such goodness. But mostly I love books and its my greatest expense. I don't need to be in the thick of it, I read a lot and keep a full memory of things.

Left photo - Jason Busch, Right photo - Tim James

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

To give a sense of pace to what can be an open work day, I start every second work day with a super early start (5 am) and spend 2 hours catching up on googling, product research, reading, design detective work, styling ideas and story ideas for my DIY coloum in the Good Weekend. I try to read The Moment from the New York Times as well as all my favourite design blogs (TDF is a def local favourite!). I will then go to a shoot, work on production on an upcoming story, private consult projects or work on our upcoming paint collection and colours. We also work on large scale events or grand gestures for commerical people, so I might meet a specialist maker, or view and event location. During all of this, I am keeping my eyes out for props for my beloved props store and listening attentively to my gps (I am infamous for my bad navigation skills!).

Cate Blanchett for Harpers Bazaar, photography Richard Bailey, prop/interior styling Megan Morton, fashion styling Victoria Collison.

What do you love most about your job?

I wake up and can't believe I get to do what I do every day. I am really blessed. I am lucky enough to work three times a year internationally (London and NY) so I can bring our ideas over there and the energy of these two amazing work cities back home to my local work.

Teak desk - photo Jason Busch, Postcard wall for Inside Out, photography Kirsten Strecker.

What are you looking forward to?

South of France. Every year we pack up camp and holiday at my husbands parents holiday home. This year, as I am having another baby, I am unable to travel, but its here where I get a lot of inspiration for our Bauwerk paint collection.

Porsche shots for Travel and Leisure, photography Dieu Tan

‘Things I like best’

citrus trees in large zinc pots / schnauzer grey / dark bed linen as an antidote to white / padded bedheads with zero fuss / belgian linen / tom dixons work / sister parish's decorating ethos / muriel brandolini's abuse of colour / foxed (desilvered) mirror / oversized peonies / fancy cutlery for everyday / simplicity for special occasions / meadows and green hills / horses breath/ the silk rolled edging of hermes scarves / klein blue as a highlight colour / the concept of a craft room / eiderdowns / castleandthings heartfelt embrodiery / american interior glossies / my `the cat was a minx but we loved her so' paint palette from bauwerk / gooey cheese / coloured le crueset / marc jacobs for waterford wedgewood plates / exterior lighting to support moon light / tadao ando's church / featureless mail boxes / built in recessed doormats / grand gesture entrances / wooden boards / coffee in all its forms esp affogatto / song / hidden televisions / pimped up bathrooms / bentwood chairs / secret storage / random acts of kindess / fresh eggs / the architecture debate


Sydney Questions –

You favourite fossicking spots in Sydney for unique furniture and home accessories?

Definitely the Southern Highlands for twig tables, fabulous upholsterers, craftspeople with an edge. Not being from Sydney I have never been put off really by the traffic or distance so the hour and a half drive to the Southern Highlands is thinking bliss for me with the bonus of fabulous booty at the end. Its an incredible pocket just out of Sydney where major major things are happening.

What and where was the last great meal you ate in Sydney?

While I am up for anything new, I am a creature of habit. I eat religiously at Fratelli Paradiso, Challis Ave in Potts Point, IWA for wagu beef salad in Chatswood, vietnamese bake house in Mascot for lunch and Miss Chu for my work lunches which are incredibly delicious and delivered. Unfussy french favours is my favourite though so I love Bistro Moncur for its reliable deliciousness and I am lucky enough to work with cooking greats like Jamie Oliver (his fish pie is crazy good) and Bill Granger whose restaurants and recipes (butter chicken, oh thank you Bill!) make me feel supremely lucky to live in Sydney.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

In a sydney traffic jam transporting children to a party/tae kwon do lesson/music class but double parking along the way at a bake house, auction house or open house!

Sydney’s best kept secret?

Recycled Garbage.

Thankyou so so much Megan! You are totally the bestest. Be sure to check out Megan's links - meganmorton.com, The Propery and B2 Studios... xxx