est editor sian macpherson

I looked at a magazine this evening and saw a shoot that made me stop and think about ideas. Only afterwards did I realise that it had been a while since that had happened. And, to me, that's what online mags can and should be about - presenting new ways of thinking, seeing, interacting. Of course, we all want to look at beautiful homes and dream a little, but it's good to think on other planes too. I'm so proud to say that the mag I'm talking about is an Australian one. It's Est. And if you haven't seen it yet, check it out because editor Sian MacPherson has been working around the clock to create a mag that has something new to say.

Which five words best describe you? Tenacious, tireless, borderline obsessive, frenetic.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I originally started in PR then studied interior design and started assisting interior designers and stylists - for little or no money in the beginning. I was absolutely fearless when it came to pursuing my 'design idols' and asking them to meet with me. I realised that idols are human too and are all generally only too willing to discuss their passions with like minded people.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That openness and generousity of spirit always repays you two fold... much more so than being cagey and taciturn ever will.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Definitely the launching of Est - stepping out of your comfort zone is always a challenge and not one I shy away from, but producing something in the hope that people will love it just as much as we do with no a surety that they will is always daunting. I am proud that we have stepped up to the challenge and committed ourselves to it.

What’s been your best decision? To quit PR and pursue a career in interior design. It is not work for me at all - but rather a natural extension of living.

Who inspires you? Working mothers always inspire me - the saying, "If you want to get a job done ask a busy mother to do it" rings so true. My husband James is also a main source of inspiration to me - he has really stuck his neck out and re-invented his career. He is 'stepping out of your comfort zone' personified.

What are you passionate about? Ridding the world of excess "stuff". Most homes are over run with too much of it - I love the job of editing it. It is just so liberating to free yourself of stuff.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Emmanuelle Alt - she exudes nonchalant cool. I love that she only cuts her hair every now and then and does not take her grooming so seriously - a women after my own heart.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Loads of travel, having three young children has hindered my travelling career, but I am confident with time it will again soar to great heights. It is also my dream to raise three young sons into three charming, kind spirited and successful young men - I have a way to go!

What are you reading? The Slap written by Christos Tsiolkas - not sure how I feel about it - a bit icky - because it portrays life so brutally. Love reading about Melbourne though - my new home town.

images courtesy of est magazine

freedom styling shoot

One of my first jobs as a freelance stylist was for Freedom - an advertorial, which is in the (current) April issue of real living magazine. Naturally, all the furniture and homewares were from Freedom. And the brief was to present items from within certain collections together. However, I was able to choose whichever pieces I wanted from those collections, plus design the layout of the rooms, select paint colours, add flowers and other smaller items, such as books, food, etc. The first look, "Farmhouse", is probably closest to my own personal style - mixing the kelim style rug with a soft linen sofa and wooden furniture items, with a little bit of industrial thrown in for good measure. The other looks are "Providore" - based on the idea of an inner-city deli meets re-imagined grocer's workspace. The last space is inner-city loft inspired, and priced for those who are just starting out with their first home.

images courtesy of freedom and real living

publisher textile's mark cawood

Mark Cawood and his former partner Rhynnie started Publisher Textiles in 2002, and it remains one of the few hand screenprinting studios in Australia. After getting his start printing tshirts, Mark went on to perfect his trade at one of Sydney's other large independent traditional printers, Signature Prints. He also worked at Billabong for many years before that company's operations went offshore. Today he focusses on the art form of traditional printing in his Leicchardt studio, which houses two 20m long printing presses. It's a time-intensive process whereby even the colours are mixed in-house. But the results are celebrated and coveted, as anyone who has seen the interiors of many of Sydney's top bars and restaurants will attest. A shop on the site of the studio also sells many of Publisher Textiles designs in a range of homewares.

Which five words best describe you? 6ft2, slight build, brown eyes, balding and blue overalls.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Fell into screen printing with Signature Prints back when I was 19, worked for a few years with them, wanted to learn more, with this it excited the passion, enrolled myself in Tafe Trade Screen Printing to learn all of the nuts and bolts, then set up my own backyard business out of my mum's garage at 22. With the knowledge of screen printing, I needed to also learn business so I sent myself on the Neis Business Programme (highly recommend). 23, first child on the way, had to get my shit together. Went to Billabong, did my tour of duty before they printed off-shore. Returned to Signature Prints, to launch the Florence Broadhurst Range. Creative differences meant that there was only one way, to go solo, Publisher Textiles was born.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If there is a job worth doing, do it yourself. A Jack of all Trades, a master of none. SEE! the lessons keep coming.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Keeping this place of work running
What’s been your best decision? Going solo.
Who inspires you? Depends on the day... for example, stumbled across this, Dick and Rick Hoyt: Truly Inspirational.
What are you passionate about? Exploration.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I think I could have great little chinwag with William Morris.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Have a break and anything can happen.
What are you reading? Mr Nice.

images courtesy of publisher textiles

artist jacqueline rose

The art of Jacqueline Rose is often informed by other artists, and art forms. She did one series inspired by the last story of writer Franz Kafka. And her latest works play with the idea of movement, from the notations of dance steps to musical scores. She is currently exhibiting at the James Dorahy Project Space in Potts Point, Sydney.

Which five words best describe you? Animated, self-contained, minimal.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I don't particularly like the concept of art as a "career" - I don't think of what I do in that way. When I was in my final year at school I had a vague inkling that I wanted to do art at university. I had little idea of what I was letting myself in for, but that inkling has grown and grown. Today, I am not sure I can imagine myself doing anything else.

What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? The importance of following one's own path. Sometimes the path might intersect with what is fashionable and at other times one will be invisible. Either way, one continues on regardless.

What's your proudest career achievement? Moments of surprise, discovery and connections are more important to me. Having said that, I felt a sense of achievement when the National Gallery in Canberra first purchased a larger multi-panelled drawing when I was in my 20s.

What's been your best decision? There hasn't been a singular best decision that comes to mind. There is a French saying "Petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid" - little by little the bird builds its nest.

Who inspires you? The writer Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924): I did a series of etchings inspired by his last short story, entitled Jospehine the Singer. The pianist Reinbert de Leeuw, particularly his playing of Galina Ustvolskaya and Erik Satie, which I listen to again, again and again.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? To articulate my dream(s) would take away the magic.

What are you reading? Meidosems: Poems and Lithographs by Henri Michaux, a book of imaginary beings that one never forgets!

images courtesy of jacqueline rose and james dorahy project space

designer jennifer paganelli

The designs of Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom remind me quite a bit of the work by Amy Butler. Both are steeped in Modernism, celebrate vintage fabrics, and often "clash" equally bold and confident colours. Jennifer's designs are the result of a life lived in some of the world's most beautiful, if not completely contrasting places - the Great Lakes of the USA, the Caribbean, New England and New York City. Today she is based in the northeast of the US.

Which five words best describe you? Innovative, resourceful, generous, supportive, big-hearted, inviting, loving, silly, honest... Is that five?

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? After graduation I went to work for Knoll in NYC and sold fabric for them, thus the modernist in me was born. I love clean lines and lots of colour. In 2005 I was given the opportunity to move into fabric design for Freespirit Fabric, and from there I was asked to design a home dec line for Peking Handicraft. The current path I'm on is having just published my first book with Chronicle Books called Girl's World. It will be on shelves May 1, 2011.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To give, to share, and to be patient... Not take it all so seriously. Dogs on white couches don't have to throw my day off! They teach me that nothing is so important that life is to be lived.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Girl's World, my first book, and the following book due out next year called Happy Home. Then there's juggling life and work all at the same time and making it come together seamlessly. I also love having worked closely with a photographer to create magical Sis Boom moments that will be captured for eternity... especially those moments during the photo shoot for Girl's World.

What’s been your best decision? My best decision was to marry my husband Peter.

Who inspires you? I am inspired by the love in our home, and fashion of the times, but my biggest influence has been growing up in The Virgin Islands. I can't betray what exists in me. Those years are forever etched in my psyche.

What are you passionate about? Colour, texture, reviving the old, and emphasising the importance of creating!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I'd love to meet my dad again and have a do over.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? My dream is to collaborate with a fashion designer who's passionate about my use of colour.

What are you reading? Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen... and of course, the NY Post, a New Yorker's quiet indulgence.

images courtesy of sis boom and tim geaney

trade secrets from 3 style experts

A little while ago, when I ran an interview with Harper's Bazaar editor Edwina McCann, I mentioned what a great day I had shooting with photographer Mikkel Vang.

I got to meet three incredible people - Will Dangar from Robert Plumb, award-winning TV chef Sean Connolly and Edwina.

Their homes were the perfect mix of well considered and well lived-in, complete with young children running around.

The feature is in the latest issue of real living, which went on sale today.

images courtesy of real living and mikkel vang; styling natalie walton

w.s. traders pop-up sale

I produced a lot of features when I worked at real living. One of the sections I was asked to look after was "Fave Finds". This involved tracking down a cool and interesting person who was working in design, and ensuring they had a cool and interesting space so we could photograph them there. Usually the photo would run as a single page shot with a half page detail. It was a lot of work, but I got to meet some amazing people - many of them have gone on to be featured in the posts for Daily Imprint. For a while I've been trying to pin down Tim Leveson. He's a lovely guy. The photo shoot we did with him is one of my favourites. He came to meet myself and photographer Steve Baccon (who I interviewed here) on his bike in a warehouse complex. His dog was running beside him. "We've got to get that as a shot," I said to Steve. He was onto it.

Well, Tim is crazy busy with work so hasn't had chance to answer the questions - although he promises they are coming soon. Not only does he run an interior design business but he also designs furniture. If I wasn't also up to my eyeballs in work I would head over to his pop-up sale in Sydney's Redfern today. Hopefully I'll get there tomorrow, and hopefully there'll be something left. Details are on the flyer, above.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I have been absolutely floored with work since going freelance. Not quite the work/life balance I was aiming for, but I can't complain. On Monday the April issue of real living goes on sale and I have a few features in there that I worked on, including 3 shoots with photographer Mikkel Vang. Can't wait to share those pics. Have a great weekend.

images courtesy of real living, steve baccon and tim leveson

artist dion horstmans

Dion Horstmans is a Bondi artist whose star continues to rise, which is fitting as many of his works have celestial names, such as Super Nova and Nebula. He has just been invited to participate in an art program as part of Sydney's Casula Powerhouse. And one of his works has also recently been acquired for the Artbank Collection. He is now represented at Flinders Lane Gallery. His works have been exhibited at Orson & Blake, and real living readers may remember that his Bondi home was featured in the July 2008 issue. Dion can be spotted most mornings down at the beach.

Which five words best describe you? Father, artist, lover, maker, doer.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was working for a mate of mine, Jim Elmslie, we were traveling between PNG and Sydney collecting artefacts; the opportunity came up to work on a film in PNG as a local liaison, I jumped at it. I think because I had traveled up there a few times they thought I could speak pigeon, lic lic, a small amount; I winged it. It was an awesome experience. From there I went back to Sydney and worked on every big film production that came into town for the next 12 years, after Superman I'd had enough, since then I've done shorter stints on film, concentrating mostly on my own art and sculpture.What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Work hard, stay focused never give up the dream.What’s your proudest career achievement? Being taken on by Flinders Lane Gallery in Melbourne; I love Melbourne, and Claire Harris, the director of Flinders.What’s been your best decision? To leave film and pursue my own career.Who inspires you? That's varied: my two daughters, the people around me, the guys I run and train with.What are you passionate about? Life, art, food, sex.Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dr Seuss and Kurt Vonnegut.What dream do you still want to fulfil? I wanna own a 1965 Pontiac GTO, or a 1971 Sox and Martin Stock Hemi 'Cuba.What are you reading? When a billion Chinese jump by Jonathan Watts.

images courtesy of dion horstmans, flinders lane gallery and via yellow trace

artist mike chavez

The latest exhibition Live Fast - Die Young from Mike Chavez is full of the usual punch and skill that the art world is coming to expect from this formerly Melbourne-based artist. (He has recently relocated back to the Philippines.) He has been an Archibald Prize finalist and nominated as "one of the top 20 artists under 35 in Australia" by a panel of curators and art writers by Art Melbourne 06.

Which five words best describe you? Passionate, adventurous, nonconformist, subversive, driven.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? When I was still at art school in Brisbane there was a local paper looking for an editorial cartoonist. I got the job and for a number of years I had the immense pleasure of publicly lampooning Sir Joh Bjelke Petersen (the then Qld premier). From there, the newspaper gave me a weekly cartoon strip and my career in art never looked back. I spent the next 15 years working in the animation industry in Sydney and Los Angeles for companies like Disney, Dreamworks and Warner Brothers. In 2004 I turned my attention towards making my own art and have been exhibiting in galleries ever since.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Probably being selected as a finalist in the 2009 Archibald Prize.

What’s been your best decision? Re-applying for art college after being turned down by the Fine Art department the previous year. I applied for Animation the second time around and got in. I’m so glad I did Animation instead of “Fine Art”. What a bunch of knobs!

Who inspires you? All the freaky people out there doing their own thing, in particular, the madly talented ones creating original and thought-provoking work.

What are you passionate about? My family, making art, the environment, social justice, surfing, food.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? That’s a toughie... Jesus or Andy Warhol... hmmmm.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Having a sellout show in New York would be nice.

What are you reading? I’ve been on the move non-stop for the past few months so I haven’t had time to scratch my bum let alone pick up a book! Most recently I’ve enjoyed reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

images courtesy of mike chavez and iain dawson gallery

tale's liz palmieri

Tale is a collaboration between three interesting and varied people. The idea behind it was formed at the Somserset property of Celia Philo (graphic designer, interior stylist and mother of Celine designer Phoebe Philo). Melbourne's Steve Hibberd was admiring a piece of furniture there and commented to his partner Liz Palmieri how hard it was to find such items in Australia. That piece became the first part of Tale, a company that sources vintage furniture and homewares from Europe, making them accessible to the Australian market. Tomorrow the triumvirate launch a pop-up shop in Melbourne's Prahran. Meet Liz...

Which five words best describe you? Relaxed, easygoing, a little bit quirky, usually organised and sometimes bossy (especially in the kitchen!).

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I actually started my working life as a kindergarten teacher, then moved into a buying role for an online retailer during the dot com boom, I started sourcing products in Asia whilst with the retailer and then moved to Singapore for a new sourcing role which saw me establishing supplier relationships across the Asia Pacific region. I travelled extensively with this job and saw many places that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. The Tale business allows me to combine my sourcing experience with my passion for interiors and design, plus I get to work for myself which is very liberating.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? When you see something you love in your travels, always buy as you never know when you will be back.

What’s your proudest career achievement? On a small scale, I am always proud when something I have chosen as a buyer sells well. On a much grander scale, I am very proud of the relationships I set up in my last role, when I left the business there were 73 supplier relationships in place across 11 countries.

What’s been your best decision? Starting Tale. I really love spending my days thinking and talking furniture and design.

Who inspires you? My partner, Steve. (he's my fiancé, but that's such a naff word isn't it?) He is interested and interesting, always full of life and spontaneous, he encourages me constantly and provides me with motivation. He also makes me laugh on a daily basis.

What are you passionate about? Design in all it's forms but specifically interiors, furniture, fashion and art. I love food, cooking and eating too!!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Oh goodness, that is a hard one. There are so many... Andy Warhol, Audrey Hepburn, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Grace Kelly, Tom Ford, Bruce Weber, and Madonna, I've been a fan of hers for years!

What dream do you still want to fulfill? I love big cities, and so living in New York is a one dream I'm hoping will come true.

What are you reading? The new Nigella Lawson cookbook Kitchen. I appreciate how she includes an interesting anecdote with each recipe, it really brings the book to life and makes me feel like is chatting to me.

images courtesy of tale