workshop preview: claire morris

This week I'm previewing people who have managed to turn a business idea into a successful product in the design world. They have all created online shopping spaces, and used different means to get their brand message out to the market. All the people featured this week will be sharing their experiences and knowledge at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The third FREE session will be How to create a successful online business on Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. If you can please rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com Otherwise, just turn up on the night. Now, meet Claire Morris, who is part owner and creative director of Apple&Bee, a beautiful range of cosmetic, travel, beauty and fashion bags made from sustainable materials. In a short period of time, Claire and her business partner Brett Pattinson have managed to expand their business into the USA market too. The images above are from Claire's home in Bondi. Now, meet Claire...

Which five words best describe you? Honest, caring, creative, hard-woring, gutsy.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It was really my third job that kickstarted my career. I was 22 and I had been working as a junior designer for a few years in both television and print. I met Nick Morgan who was the creative director of Moon Design. As soon as I went in to show him my folio I knew I wanted to work there. I called him every week for 6 months until he agreed to give me a foot in the door. It was only a week's freelance work so even though it had no certain future I declined another job offer and I have never looked back since. At Moon I learnt through osmosis the level that was needed to be a great designer. From there I became the art director at Marie Claire and I still continue to be an art director and designer, as well as being part owner and creative director in Apple&Bee.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Don't listen to what everyone says - just take it with a grain of salt and walk your own walk.

What’s your proudest career achievement? I'm not sure, I feel lucky to have had many.

What’s been your best decision? To co-found Apple&Bee.

Who inspires you? People who know what they're talking about.

What are you passionate about? My family, the environment and the truth.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Mahatma Gandhi and Jamie Oliver.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I used to want to open a cafe but I now know that's not for me... I have adopted a newer dream (still not an easy one)... to be the best person I can be.

What are you reading? Guantanamo by David Hicks.

images courtesy of apple&bee

workshop preview: rachel castle

This week I'm previewing people who have managed to turn a business idea into a successful product in the design world. They have all created online shopping spaces, and used different means to get their brand message out to the market. All the people featured this week will be sharing their experiences and knowledge at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The third FREE session will be How to create a successful online business on Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. If you can please rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com Otherwise, just turn up on the night. Now, meet Rachel Castle, who has created a range of bedding and artworks that are featured regularly in leading design publications...

After working in London and setting up a design and branding agency there - where she created catalogues for Conran Shops - Rachel Castle has returned to Sydney and established CASTLE, which produces beautiful bedlinen and handcrafted artworks (with the help of her mother Jillian Patching). In a short time her products have become the most featured in Australian magazines.

Which five words best describe you? Beautiful, smart, hilarious, fascinating and modest (joke). Loyal, fastidious, persistent, reliable and sometimes chaotic from what I'm told!

What was your first job and what path have you taken since? Marketing the homeware range at Country Road in the late eighties, working with Terence Conran and then our own branding agency in the UK during the nineties, back home in Australia the last few years working with artist David Band in Melbourne before starting CASTLE in Sydney in 2008.

What's your proudest achievement? My marriage - it's hard yakka staying married to the person you love!

Who inspires you? My beautiful, funny little children, and all the colour they bring to our lives.

What are you passionate about? All the ings... sewing, printing, painting, knitting, cooking, and especially, my all time favourite, singing.

What's the best lesson you've learnt? If you want the bed made nicely don't ask your husband to do it.

Which living person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Shane McGowan and Kirsty McColl together.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Going on holiday with my best friend when she finally finishes her PHD sometime this CENTURY!

What are you reading? Independence Day by Richard Ford

images courtesy of CASTLE

workshop preview: alice flynn

This week I'm previewing people who have managed to turn a business idea into a successful product in the design world. They have all created online shopping spaces, and used different means to get their brand message out to the market. All the people featured this week will be sharing their experiences and knowledge at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The third FREE session will be How to create a successful online business on Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. If you can please rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com Otherwise, just turn up on the night. Now, meet Alice Flynn, who has quickly turned her passion into a successful business...

As I'm about to take my big leap, it's interesting to see the journeys the launch staff from real living have taken since leaving the mag. There's former style director Andrea Millar, who now is a regular writer and stylist for the (sydney) mag as well as habitus. Deputy editor Belinda Graham has become something of a craft queen over at The Happy Home. And style editor Alice Flynn has returned to her design roots, and launched Penny Farthing Design House with her sister Sarah Neilsen. She's also a successful interior decorator and renovator.

Which five words best describe you? Focussed, generous, driven, calm, and artistic.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started assisting with stylist Andrea Millar and after numerous magazine titles we went on to the launch of Real Living with Deb Bibby, who taught me drive and to push myself creatively. This then lead to the launch of PrintDolls. Since then my sister Sarah Neilsen and I have launched Penny Farthing Design House, a platform to produce the abundance of ideas we have together.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? The power of now. Once you get that, life is just better.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Styling the Gordon Ramsay event celebrating the launch of his new TV show, it was a lot of fun and went incredibly smoothly.
What’s been your best decision? Going into business with my sister; we balance each other, and work has never been more inspiring.
Who inspires you? Anna Wintour, Tracey Emin and my parents, they have embraced every step along the way and pushed me to the next one.
What are you passionate about? Family, art, tulle, plaster and all things blue.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Annie Leibovitz, aside from unquestionable talent, I think she would have some pretty cool tales.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? New York. New York. New York.
What are you reading? Toddler Taming, and Indian Vogue.

images courtesy of penny farthing design house

workshop preview: tessa & michael bautovich

This week I'm previewing the designers who will share their journeys, tips and experience at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshop How to create a covetable brand. The second in a three-part FREE series will be on Thursday 21 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. It would be great if you could rsvp - natalie[at]nataliewalton.com - or you can just turn up on the night. But, for now, meet the talented duo that has created The Lowercase, Tessa & Michael Bautovich...

One of the unexpected joys of being involved in The Living Room project just before Christmas was getting to know Tessa and Michael Bautovich from The Lowercase. They have bravely stepped away from their respective careers in publishing and graphic design to focus on their new brand, which in a way merges both of their interests.

Which five words best describe you? In unison, we are a combination of the quirky, the esoteric, the passionate, the colourful... and the obsessive (especially when it comes to attention to detail).
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Previously we were both in traditional professions within the arts sector (publishing and graphic design respectively), however Michael and I shared a common love of "the creative process", so in a very deliberate pursuit of the extraordinary we established The Lowercase. Through the brand we aspire to produce timeless, classic designs that adapt and shape to a myriad of modern lifestyles. We commenced designing the range in 2009, and released the launch collection late 2010, which includes embroidered Egyptian bedlinen, sustainable tableware and functional stationery.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? You can’t rush the process of creative thought. A new idea can be born at any moment, by anyone, anywhere... sometimes when you least expect it.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Hearing from several of our Melbourne and Sydney stockists that The Lowercase collection sold-out in their respective stores pre-Christmas trading.
What’s been your best decision? To thoroughly examine the integral relationship that exists between form and function and place this correlation at the forefront of all our design and production work.
Who inspires you? Message-bearers of imaginative thought, such as Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato, and Italian designers Bitossi and Alessi.

What are you passionate about? Great design - across any discipline - from the modular construction and streamlining apparent in Bauhaus furniture design to the elegance and symmetry of Art Deco architecture.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? The inspirational Charles and Ray Eames (for a dream-double-date)!
What dream do you still want to fulfill? Our aim is to keep pushing the boundaries of thoughtful design in a broader global context so we can continue to inspire others with a sense of lightness and ‘magic’.
What are you reading?
Tessa: Tender is The Night by F.Scott Fitzgerald
Michael: The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain De Botton

images courtesy of the lowercase

workshop preview: kata varga

This week I'm previewing the designers who will share their journeys, tips and experience at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshop How to create a covetable brand. The second in a three-part FREE series will be on Thursday 21 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. Please come along and meet Kata Varga, who was responsible for the look of Frontliners, designs for Raven & Lamb, and also creates many websites for architect clients. It would be great if you could rsvp - natalie[at]nataliewalton.com - or you can just turn up on the night...

With some people it's hard to know where to start. Take Kata Varga. Do I describe her work as an interiors photographer with her partner Ferenc Varga at Product K? Or her fine art projects, which has seen her photography feature in high-end museums and galleries? But what about Raven & Lamb, the stationery range she's created that's fun and beautiful in equal measures?

Which five words best describe you? Excitable, funny, neurotic, loyal, impatient.

What was your first job and what path have you taken since then Acting... but have been playing around with designing restaurant fit-outs, designing stationery products, graphic design, studied painting in Budapest then fine art photography in Melbourne, working as a commercial photographer on and off for the last 15 years.

What’s your proudest achievement? Not yet completed... would like to bring up Bruno to be a lovable, generous young man who will inspire others (although it was pretty cool to win the Next Level Vorsprung durch Technik Photography Award in the Fine Art category in London).

What’s been your best decision? To buy a new camera when I got paid for an acting job in Budapest at the age of 19... the one my dad bought me when I was six was a little out of date.

Who inspires you? Anyone with nice manners and no bull attitude.

What are you passionate about? Learning from people who change others’ lives for the better.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Everything in moderation.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Living: Lars von Trier, dead: Sigmund Freud.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Too many to list; I come up with a new one nearly every day.

What are you reading? Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World by Niall Ferguson

images kata bayer, raven & lamb, friends of bruno

workshop preview: jacqui lewis

This week I'm previewing the designers who will share their journeys, tips and experience at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshop How to create a covetable brand. The second in a three-part FREE series will be on Thursday 21 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. It would be great if you could let me know if you can rsvp - natalie@nataliewalton.com - or just turn up on the night. But, first, let me introduce one of the evening's experts, branding and communications whiz Jacqui Lewis. This is an interview that originally ran in October 2009.

Some people are unforgettable. Jacqui Lewis is one of them. I've corresponded with her many times for projects related to real living. But it was when I finally got to sit down and have lunch with Jacqui that I knew she was an exceptional person. You cannot leave an encounter without feeling invigorated and full of resolve. Jacqui's most recent project is Folke. Previous projects include launching Pony Rider and Distillate. The images above are from Jacqui's Christmas card last year - which she conceived, styled, photographed, wrote and produced.

Which five words best describe you? Creative, inspired, driven, happy, intense.
What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? Interior designer (after years of waitressing, that is). Interior design led me into furniture and graphic design, which got me interested in exhibiting my work. I curated an event called My Name Is House in Annandale, and managed the opening night, event partners and media with no experience, which almost killed me (physically, financially and emotionally), but it made me realise I loved it. I then focused on communications, and eventually took the leap in starting my own agency JLC where we do PR, branding, graphic design and more, basically anything that my clients need to communicate what they do, they're services, their profiles... then to promote what we do and for personal interest, I started editing and publishing my online chronicle Distillate and my most recent and proudest side project is Pony Rider, a homewares line I have just launched with my great friend Kelly Searl.
What’s your proudest achievement? Living through the last year. Managing my communications agency, launching Distillate (Jan) and publishing all year, launching Pony Rider this Oct, and running our house with my husband and our three year old has really made me question whether I have any common sense. Or simply any sanity.
What’s been your best decision? Work wise, taking the plunge into PR with no experience, but just a really solid feeling that I could do it and do it well. Personally, marrying my husband Haydn.
Who inspires you? So many people, but generally people I know and hang out with, as opposed to big international stars. Kelly, who I have Pony Rider with is amazing, my dad, Greg Doyle, an incredible chef who has Pier restaurant in Sydney is so driven with an amazing vision and he can cook better than anyone I know, many of my talented friends who are so inspiring, driven and creative, the editors and stylists at a lot of the magazines I constantly work with, Lee Mathews - one of my clients, the million bloggers who post on their fabulous work - particularly the great photographers, my daughter who forces me to live in the now and notice the tiny things in life, my brave and beautiful friend Poppy Kural who is a brilliant sewer - the list is kind of huge and goes on and on.
What are you passionate about? Cooking and eating. I read cookbooks in bed like some mad woman as if they're novels, I'm addicted to food magazines and I swap recipes with friends constantly. It's pretty exciting stuff at our place as our tomatoes are just growing and we're about to get three chickens. I cook every night pretty much at the moment, and eating is one of my biggest pleasures. I just got my first food processor and literally sat it in the kitchen and gazed at it!
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Trust your instincts and always take the risk.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? David Sedaris, but not just meet, I would want to hang out for a day - I think he's hilarious and you can't have more fun than laughing.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? More traveling. Since having Marley, and having to pretend like we're grown up, and we got a mortgage etc, there has been limited traveling. Both of us owning our own businesses doesn't help getting away much either! We have a long list of places to go.
What are you reading? I always have a few on the go, right now its Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion, Alain De Botton's Status Anxiety, Sarah Napthali's Buddhism for Mothers With Lingering Questions, and I should sheepishly admit that I just polished off all the Twilight series in 5 nights.

images courtesy of jacqui lewis

how to create a covetable brand

Click on the image to see a larger version, and for dates and times.

What's the topic? How to create a covetable brand

What will it cover? What you say and how you say it creates a lasting impression - no matter what career you're in. Branding is not just about the font you choose for your logo - although that's important. It's also about the way you communicate your core values to others. You need to be clear and consistent, and so this workshop will give you all the tools you need.

Will I learn something? Loads! It's suited to anyone who wants to create a blog (or give theirs a revamp) to people who need design and communications guidance.

How much does it cost? Nothing - it's FREE!

If you can come along it would be appreciated if you can rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com

However, you can just turn up on the night.

how to become an interior stylist

Click on the image to see a larger version, and for information on time and dates.

What is the topic? How to become an interior stylist

What will it cover? Even if you're not interested in a career in interior styling, you'll still learn great tips and advice on creating a beautiful home. But if you want career tips, then industry experts will be on hand to show you the way.

Should I attend? If you have an interest in journeys of creativity, and making a beautiful home, then, yes.

How much does it cost? Nothing - its' FREE!

It would be great if you could rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com

However, you can just turn up on the night.

workshop preview: lara hutton

While I'm in the USA, I'll be previewing the amazing talent who will share their journeys, tips and experience of working in various creative industries at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The first session will be How to become an interior stylist on Thursday 7 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. Please come along and meet regular contributing stylist to magazines such as InsideOut and Country Style, Lara Hutton...

There's that old saying about Ginger Rogers doing what Fred Astair did but in heels, and backwards. You could use a similar analogy with Sydney stylist Lara Hutton. Not only does she produce beautiful shoots - in the areas of food, fashion, interiors and lifestyle - for Australia's glossy magazines, but she does this while being a mother to three young children - all under the age of three! (Her two baby boys are twins.) If that weren't enough she has just released a range of homewares and is about to have a book published.

Which five words best describe you? Treehugger, perfectionist, loving mother, neutral palette, soulful, dreamer... that's more than 5 though.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I began my career in fashion. I came from a family of journalists and needed to decide which road to take when I was studying. While at the Whitehouse School in Sydney, I started work experience at Marie Claire, a move designed to help me choose between magazines, or design. I was working at Marcs at the time. It was an amazing moment in time, and an iconic team I learnt SO much from, and would always hold dear. Lee Mathews was designing, and introduced me to Jane Roarty the Fashion Director at the time, an amazing inspiration to me still. By the end of the year I was offered a job as Market Editor, and a year later I was Fashion Editor roaming between New York and Paris. I had a wonderful, fulfilling and lucky experience but I wanted more creatively. I moved over into interiors, and it has all just grown. I flit between fashion, interiors, food and lifestyle. I am passionate about all of it, and I see no need to choose. It has become who I am and what I do.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Come to know your instinct and trust it at all times. Be generous of knowledge and nurture those around you, and teach wherever you can. There is nothing more rewarding. Oh, and keep it all in perspective.
It is so important to remember how lucky we are to be doing what we love; be grateful, thankful and enjoy the road.
What's your proudest career achievement? To be really honest with myself here, I haven't even begun. There are so many plans still. I have been lucky enough to work with numerous celebrities on their homes, that has been a lovely experience having the freedom to create. I've written a book - that was fulfilling - it will be published soon. And right at this moment there are other great things in the pipeline. Really, at the moment though, I am most proud that I have been able to juggle being a mother of baby twins boys and a 3-year-old with my career. That I have agreed with myself on some form of balance that allows me to fulfill my soul stuff and creativity, while still being there for my babies.
What's been your best decision? To follow my heart and pursue the career that fulfills me, to freelance after 10 years in magazines, to marry my husband. None of those in order.
Who inspires you? My husband, creative mentor and soulmate. My family: the love you have for your children will drive you through, and to anything. My mum, the most incredible human I know. To make her proud means everything.
What are you passionate about? Living in the moment, amazing food, beautiful things, my ceramics hobby, harmony, my home, music, art that takes your breath away, soul searching, fixing what I can in the world.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Buddha, Princess Diana,Bono, John F Kennedy, Morgan Freeman.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? To build a house on a hill with my husband, to publish my book and write another, to travel endlessly, to pick up a camera and shoot, to own, design and style a bed + breakfast, to combine my love of flowers, entertaining/events.
What are you reading? Haha. A pile of books on toddlers. But I did just read the Book of Conversations, a great concept.

images courtesy of lara hutton

workshop preview: sarah ellison

While I'm in the USA, I'll be previewing the amazing talent who will share their journeys, tips and experience of working in various creative industries at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The first session will be How to become an interior stylist on Thursday 7 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. Please come along and meet a rising star, senior stylist at real living magazine, Sarah Ellison...

Sarah Ellison has had the best training a stylist can hope for. She started out assisting, to some of the Australian industry's best - Glen Proebstel and Kirsten Bookallil. Since going out on her own she has become the staff stylist for real living magazine, a job that has seen her create many best-selling covers. While Sarah started out studying fashion, it was when she worked part-time as a visual merchandiser for a leading Sydney homewares store that she discovered her calling. Our paths crossed at real living magazine, and Sarah is not only a great, hard-working talent, but she's also a wonderful sounding board.

Which five words best describe you? Emotional, grateful, creative, loving, passionate.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I always knew I wanted to do something creative with my career and studied fashion design at East Sydney Tafe. Whilst studying I worked at Empire Homewares as a visual merchandiser. Looking back this is really where my career began as this is where my love of interiors and design started and my path to interior styling led from there.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That if you work hard enough, everything you want will eventually come your way. It just takes longer than you want sometimes!
What’s your proudest career achievement? Being offered the position at real living magazine; it's hard work but I love it!
What’s been your best decision? To give up my pursuits in fashion design and move toward interiors. It's a tough industry and I was always feeling disappointed that it wasn't going anywhere for me. Once I finally let go and changed my path a whole new set of doors opened.
Who inspires you? Originally, my family. My mother is the "original" stylist, always changing the colour of the house, re-doing old furniture, sewing and making cushions. My dad always bought home a great selection of magazines: National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair... it was no accident that I became an interior mag stylist! I'm also inspired by graphic design, fashion and photography. I draw a lot of inspiration from the blog community - so good for instant visual inspiration.
What are you passionate about? Whatever I'm involved in at the time. I find it hard to be interested in something unless I'm passionate about it.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Vivienne Westwood.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? This might sound daggy but my dreams are pretty humble. I'm still renting so I'd love to own my own place, preferably by the beach and always be surrounded by my beautiful friends and family, continuing to be creative in whatever form that may take. I'd like to travel a lot more too.
What are you reading? Right now nothing. I'm not in the right head space, I use any spare "reading" time to literally inhale magazines.

images courtesy of sarah ellison, real living magazine, katie quinn davies (mad hatter), maree homer (lamps and rug) and chris warnes (portrait)

workshop preview: kirsten bookallil

While I'm in the USA, I'll be previewing the amazing talent who will share their journeys, tips and experience of working in various creative industries at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The first session will be How to become an interior stylist on Thursday 7 July, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. Please come along and meet one of the best in the industry, Kirsten Bookallil...

Every now and then there comes along a feature in real living that I can't stop looking at. I pore over every detail. It usually is from a home. The last time I felt this way was when we featured Kim Ficaro's place [I interviewed her here]. This time it's the home of Kirsten Bookallil. It's not a "look at me" home - in fact, that's probably why I like it so much. I think to create an understated yet sophisticated space is harder than to make rooms or sections of them pop. It has a grown-up feel, without being stuffy. It shouldn't come as a surprise, though, to those who know Kirsten and her work. She regularly styles for magazines, including Gourmet Traveller, and was one of the talents behind the look of the 30 Days of Home & Entertaining house.

Which five words best describe you? Synchronicity, serendipity, inquisitive, aesthetic and ordered.

What was your first career job and what path have you taken since? I studied graphic design at Enmore TAFE, but my first job was actually as a fashion PR. During that period I started a handbag label called Mima, which kept me occupied and aesthetically pleased for long enough to make me realise I wanted to be a stylist, which is what I find myself doing now.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Respect those above you and below you – they often swap.

What’s your proudest career achievement? I don't have a pivotal or defining moment. But having said that, I'm happy with my career as a whole – I'm satisfied by the way I've juggled family and life to create a career that suits me perfectly.

What’s been your best decision? To pursue jobs based on how interesting they are and not what they pay.

Who inspires you? I'm constantly inspired, usually by people who have an interesting direction or vision. Creative thinking comes in so many forms for me – typography, a poem, drawing or photograph. We can be inspired by the most simplest of things that we see daily, to the extraordinary landscape of travelling.

What are you passionate about? Peonies, hotel beds, long baths and Scrabble.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to have met Little and Big Eddie from Grey Gardens, they epitomise the old world grandeur with that crazy old lady attitude!

What dream do you still want to fulfill? To juggle. And to live in Tuscany and make tomato sauce grown from my own garden.

What are you reading? I always read two books at a time – I need the diversity. At the moment, I'm reading What I have loved - Siri Hustvedt and Arlington Park - Rachel Cusk.

images courtesy of real living, mikkel vang and kirsten bookallil