Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010, by designer Rae Underhill

 This ex-QLD girl/interior designer, Rae Underhill, got her first taste of an international design fair, braving crazily cold and snowy conditions to visit the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Things were bright and warm inside with both exhibitors and visitors saying it was the best fair in years. There was a real sense of optimism, belief in the future and the economic turn around which was exciting after 12 months of pure GFC gloom living in London.

The following is Rae's personal experiences and review of the Stockholm Furniture Fair.

"Lighting was the stand out with Northern Lighting leading the way introducing cool and quirky pieces that made me laugh, like this favourite the "Moo" light. 

Hot lighting trend spotted at both Gubi and House of Light - grandeur in repetition. Simple shades, lots of shades, scattered or arranged into giant rectilinear pendants or table lamps on simple benches. Very simple scandinavian styling.

Swedish flooring company Bolon was completely ubiquitous at the show. Launching their gorgeous new Bolon GREEN Botanicals range with a killer stand complete with man eating style flora, and the sexy herringbone at their newest designer friend Paul Smith's whimsical lounge exhibit, they were a major presence. I counted almost 20 stands using in unthinkable imaginative ways, and that many creatives cant be wrong! 
My favourites are the newly recoloured metallics. 

Not afraid to mix intellect with their fluoro string, Moroso's heated spidersweb wins the award for best stand by a leading international furniture exhibitor. The highlight, FRONT's Moment Collection of sofas, the Soft Wood Sofa, Cushion Sofa and Draped Sofa, are a confusing but fabulous feast for the eyes. A specialised textile allows the use of photographic images to create an illusion of movement on the surface of the products. If you get the chance to view the pieces in person you wont be disappointed. 

And finally Greenhouse, the area allocated to student and up-and-coming designers was an impressive aside from the main hall. Designed by Jens Fager, star student designer of the minute, the simple looking response originated from the geometric theories of Vitruvius allowed the work exhibited within to remain the focus." Rae Underhill

welcome to NorthernLighting :: Moodmakers

www.northernlighting.no

northernlighting

Thank you so much Rae for sharing your inspiring experience at the 2010 Stockholm Furniture Fair in Sweden! Keep us up to date with the design world via London! Arielle, Gloss Posse x

Brisbane fashion photographer, Shaelah Ariotti...

Gloss Posse Feature//

1. Shaelah, can you share with Gloss Posse who you are and what it is you do?

I'm currently a photographer focusing in the areas of fashion, beauty & portraiture, but at the end of this year I hope to also add visual communication designer, illustrator & artist to that list! 

2. What is it about fashion that you want to portray as a photographer? What makes your work unique? 

I aim to never shoot without narrative - my work always needs to have a story behind it or I am not satisfied. I want to make work that speaks to people. I aim to always approach clients and projects with the utmost integrity, regardless of whether it will lose me a job or money; I will not do anything ethically wrong, and I do my best to look after those I work with. 

What I am to achieve is to have enough influence - to be sufficiently well known - that I can use the medium of fashion to change paradigms, to change minds... for change of all kinds. The battle is one of the mind - the people behind the media are the ones that drive what we want, we think, we desire, we dislike.... I think fashion is really an untapped resource in that nobody really expects anything other than the superficial; so when fashion has something to say it really has great impact! 

3. Your photography is very artistic and really tells a story. How do you go about creating these stories and scenes? 

Well I always map out at the very least what I want to say/what the client wants to say, but more often we map out a specific story we want to tell. Sometimes it's as in depth as, 'There's this character who lives in this house and she does this,' and we find locations for each scene or we make up scenes for each location; sometimes it's as simple as, 'The character is this, this and this.' Having said that, I let the shoot evolve on the day to be what it will be. Rather than over directing my models, I prefer to let them/help them fall into character, really feel what's going on with who they are in that moment and adjust as necessary, which is I think why my work feels largely less forced and more natural. 

Also I did minors in Art photography and in nude/experimental/portrait photography while I was studying, which brings a slightly different perspective into my work. 

4. Who/what is inspiring you at the moment?

I am always inspired. To begin with, Georges Antoni (always,) Baldovino Barani, Steven Chee, Richard Bailey, Bec Parsons, Benny Horne, Greg Kadel... The list is endless, I could go into those inspiring me for illustration (to start with Kat MacLeod & Ortolan studio, Catherine Campbell) and design, specifically type but I'd be writing forever. Mostly I just link them down the side of my blog you'll see what I mean when you see how many are there.

I do think it's important to make sure that you find the balance between immersing yourself in the wealth of visual culture we have access to, but retaining your own voice and vision. And remember that whether we realise it or not, we all learn by imitation to some degree!

5. What advice would you give to women pursuing fashion photography as a career?

Be prepared to do a lot of work for free, but know when you can afford to do that no longer & stand your ground. Keep testing & doing free work throughout your career but be really selective about it. 

Be prepared for a long hard road to get to where you can function professionally and not be living on 2 minute noodles just to survive. Long days and sore eyes will be your constant companions. 

Remember that (this sounds corny but it's so true) that in taking the long road to get where you want to be, you learn things that people who take the short route just don't have the opportunity to learn, so you're actually more likely to last the distance!

Take every opportunity you get that will actually assist your career, don't do stuff that's just a waste of time. Get out there and make contacts; expose your work to as many people as possible - make a blog, get a website, use sites like carbon made, behance, deviantart, the loop... 

Remember why you do what you do, and LOVE it.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with Gloss Posse Shaelah! We look forward to seeing more of your work and keep us up to date with where your art work takes you. You can contact Shaelah by email, read her blog and see her website.

Checkout Shaelah's online portfolios at:

http://goldenhair.deviantart.com
www.theloop.com.au/shaelah_ariotti
www.shaelahariotti.carbonmade.com
www.behance.net/shaelahariotti

Arielle

Brisbane Interior Designer Arielle Spratt

(Interview by Hannah Suraez, Brisbane Creative Industries)

In your own words - who are you and what do you do?

I'm an emerging designer specialising in interior design, external concept design, visual merchandising and styling! I recently started up my own studio, Innovante Design, in 2009 and am working on a number of projects at the moment as well as studying Architecture at QUT University. I'm also a songwriter and guitarist, although my original music has taken a backseat while I get my design business established. I have also started an online networking group and blog called Gloss Posse in 2009 which is a dynamic group for emerging female designers & entrepreneurs.

As someone who has recently moved to Brisbane (from the Gold Coast), what is your concept of space like in terms of creative and cultural space? What would you like to do in  the Brisbane space? What about in other spaces?

Living at Mermaid beach on the Gold Coast was beautiful and there was always that feeling of open space right on my doorstep. I was really lucky to live so close to the ocean and it influenced me creatively as I love to be around nature. As a designer I draw a lot of influence from nature as well as my surroundings.

Moving to Brisbane was quite a big change from the coastal lifestyle on the Gold Coast, but I've found it exciting as my experiences with Brisbane's city space around me has opened my mind. I'm constantly being inspired by the city, its architecture and its energy. I would love to be involved in designing a public space within Brisbane that reflects young emerging designers and musicians in some way.

 

Tell us more about your interior design project at Base Backpackers aka Palace Backpackers in Brisbane! Sounds really interesting.

I'm currently working on the interior design fit-out for Base Brisbane Central Backpackers, 308 Edward Street, in the city and it's a very exciting project! The building is heritage listed and turns 100 years old this year so as a designer its a privilege to work on such a historical and iconic building. Backpackers and guests can expect the new interior to feel fresh, fun and compliment the history of the building as well as Brisbane. I really wanted to create a unique experience within the space and have based my concept on sub-tropical Queensland and the natural elements.

As a professional, what is your concept of space in terms of meeting client needs and project briefs?

It's important to listen to my clients as well understand the spatial relationships between the external and internal areas of the project. The quality of space has an impact on people and the environment. As a designer you can alter someone's perception of a space by adding or removing elements and therefore create a new atmosphere and experience. I am always aware that space is affected by chosen materials, sound, colour, lighting and temperature and how one chooses to manipulate it.

A favourite quote of mine:

"Space constantly encompasses our being. Through the volume of space, we move, see forms, hear sounds, feel breezes, smell the fragrances of a flower garden in bloom....Its visual form, its dimension and scale, the quality of its light - all of these qualities..."

Ching, D.K, Francis. (1996, p92). Architecture, form, space & order. New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold

What about your personal concept of space - what makes good space work-able/live-able/beautiful?

I believe that good space is created through the function and harmony of forms and materials. I also think that space is more beautiful when we bring the outside in. By simply bringing some greenery inside, or allowing more natural light and breeze into a room the atmosphere in that space is lifted.

What would be your ideal work space?

My ideal workspace would be a loft style studio apartment with amazing views over Brisbane city. I'd love to have a dynamic and collaborative-style studio working alongside other designers such as graphic artists, industrial designers, architects and even fashion designers with room for a stage to have live original bands perform and space to host special events.

Feel free to contact her via email, her site or Twitter accounts @glossnrock and @glossposse! Also check our her band's MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/arielleband%EF%BB%BF

Hannah

Melbourne artist & photographer Hilary Sloane...

Gloss Posse Feature

   

 

1. I've noticed you work across a range of mediums - what is your preferred medium?

This is a tough question. I would say I'm most at ease with photography, but there's nothing quite like painting or drawing in that you can create something completely original that did not exist anywhere other than in your mind. Drawing doesn't have the restraints that photography does.

2. What concerns you most in an artwork or photograph: colour, composition or subject matter?

All of those elements are very important, but colour is something I particularly pay a lot of attention to. I tend to have an inclination to subdued, natural and organic colour palettes.

 

3. How important is art in your life, and what would you say you gain from it?
Art is everything to me. Absorbing others, attempting to create my own. But I confess I create art for mostly hedonistic reasons. There is nothing quite like the high from creating something from scratch and the feeling you get afterward when you gaze at it, surprised at what you can execute and the subsequent infinite possibilities thereafter.

4. a. Do you have to be in a certain mood or mindset to sit down and compose a painting?

Most definitely. Unfortunately most of the time I'm usually pretty lazy and deterred by the process of having to set everything up and clean up the mess afterwards. This is where having a studio or specific painting space - with no distractions, would make all the difference. Hopefully one day I can acquire such a thing. Then I will have no excuse!

b. Is there much preparation involved, or is it whatever spills from the pen or paintbrush?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If I have specific subject matter in mind, I will usually go to a bit of preparation such as sketches, drafts, then onto the final surface. I wasn't blessed with a photographic memory or natural drawing ability, so I may also need to source imagery to remind myself how something looks.

5. If you could exhibit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

This will sound incredibly cliché - but it definitely has to be Paris. Because:

a. Paris is internationally and historically the hub of all the great artists - you can safely say you've made it if you have exhibited in Paris

b. To say I have exhibited in Paris

6. What do you hope will happen with your art / and what are your long term creative goals?

My long term creative goals are to expand my use of different mediums (perhaps give animation or film a go) and continue to build my skills. At the moment I guess I feel like a jack of all trades and a master of none. I am still locating my niche and finding what medium is truly for me.

Hopefully one day I will have a strong body of work that I can look back at and smile when I see what I have achieved. And that others have enjoyed seeing it too. And of course (hopefully) make enough money from it to have a roof over my head.

 

Thanks Hilary and we look forward to seeing more of your fantastic artwork and photography. Definitely keep Gloss updated with what you have been up to in the future.

Feel free to contact Hilary via email if you're interested in showcasing or purchasing her artwork.

Interview by Meg Bauer

Black Eyed Peas...will.i.am & Hollywood's 'LM Pagano'

will.i.am

 

I found these fantastic images of the home of Black Eyed Peas singer and artist will.i.am. The lower level of his three-storey 1920s Spanish residence in Los Feliz has been transformed into a lasciviously 'pimped-out' studio by interior designer, Liana Reid, with a modern French style and plenty of luxurious finishes.I especially like the fact that will.i.am wallpapered his fridge with the damask motif theme, the same used in the lounge room, as well as replacing the handle with a vintage door pull. Liana Reid has opted for high-end flocked wallpaper (raised velvet from Diamond Foam and Fabric) and furnishings that specifically absorb the sound.(Sourced from Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

LM Pagano

I stumbled across the photos above from LM Pagano's mansion in Hollywood Hills and thought I'd share... If you've never heard of LM Pagano read the paragraph below and you'll appreciate her style even more.

"As a teenager, Pagano made shirts out of antique fabric for Bob Dylan and embroidered jeans for David Lee Roth. In her 20s, she worked as a chef for Steven Spielberg. Later, when she was Nicolas Cage's assistant, the actor came by her house in Santa Monica, fell in love with what he saw and asked her to decorate a beach house for him in Malibu. Since then, Pagano says, she has done 15 houses and two boats for Cage and members of his family. Other clients include Johnny Depp, who hired Pagano to turn a yacht into what she describes as a "combination of the Orient Express and an Art Deco gypsy caravan."

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

I love Pagano's eclectic style. She's not afraid to incorporate lavish furnishings with vintage worn lampshades and old Chinese sculptures which add character and charm. I especially love the 19th century French bronze hot-air balloon lamp which hangs in the hallway (image 2).

Wednesday Lust List

Or could it be love...

OK so it's only a few days till Valentines Day so I thought I'd feature a few  Lust-have recipes for delicious treats you could make for your special someone. Let's face it, food is definitely the way to your lover's heart and I'm a big believer that when you make food with love you can taste it! So I'll start it off by sharing an Antipasti platter recipe I made last week which would be perfect for a little romantic picnic... Guys if you're reading this print it out.

Wine of choice: Essenze Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)

"Bright and vibrant pale green. Bouquets of luscious summer/ tropical fruits, hints of herbaceousness and grassiness. Bursting with lifted fruit salad aromas, passion fruit and sea breeze undertones.

Refreshing, intense palate with good structure and excellent balance. Flavours of gooseberry and lemongrass, snow pea, grapefruit and thistle. Essenze finishes with a crisp, zesty minerality." Wine List Australia.

Antipasti Platter

'Antipasti' in Italian means 'before food', designed to bring a little warmth to your palate and feed the senses!

Sun dried Tomato & Rosemary Bruschetta

ingredients

5 organic tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
3 sun dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed

Handful of fresh basil leaves

2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

salt & ground black pepper

1 large garlic clove, halved to serve

6 slices of Italian-style ciabatta bread

1. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 30 seconds, then peel, seed and chop the flesh. Heat oil in a frying pan, add the fresh and sun dried tomatoes, garlic and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down and soften.

2. Rub the cut sides of the bread slices with the garlic clove, then toast lightly.

3. Spoon the mixture on top of the toast. Sprinkle with the basil leaves and drizzle a little extra olive oil before serving.

 Marinated Vegetables

It's great to have a variety of fresh marinated vegetables and the best thing is that they're easy to prepare. Go to your local markets and grab:

Red & yellow capsicum peppers, field mushrooms, olives and rosemary sprigs.

Add oil, basil leaves, salt and garlic, cover and marinate for 3-4 hours, tossing occasionally. Make sure you get some delicious cheese such as camenbert cheese, water crackers and fresh warm turkish bread. Don't forget some slices of salami, proiscutto, pesto and hummus dip... The list could go on! 

Happy Valentine's Day x

Wednesday Wish List - Make Your Own iphone App!

This week I found a link to create and publish your own iphone App using AppMakr! I can't wait to create one of these for Gloss Posse so keep an eye out because the G*P App will be coming soon!

Thanks to Sarah Prout from Sprout Publishing, if you include the code GUYK (Guy Kawasaki) when purchasing your App you can get a discount of $100. Otherwise the App will only cost $199, which I think is reasonable when you're able to upload it onto the itunes store and even make money from it!