Blainey North has created some of the most spectacular Australian interiors in recent years. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the opulence of the 54 Park St health club while working at ACP Magazines - there aren't too many other gyms in Sydney that have a chandelier hanging above the pool. She also created the salon for hairdresser Renya Xydis in the same building, pictured above. The designs are standouts yet timeless. And so it follows that her recently released furniture collection has the same exacting standards.
Which five words best describe you? Energetic, eccentric, honest, intense, introspective.
What was your first career job and what path have you taken since? My first career job was working for one of my lecturers at university, David Ostinga. His teaching and rigorous approach to design really inspired the way I think about space. He taught me that you have to take an idea and make it part of every detail of every project, which is an important part of what makes our work different. I will never forget the site visit to one of his houses in Cremorne, Sydney. The concrete structure was one of the most beautiful things I've seen to this day.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To remember that hard work will always pay off in the end (sometimes just not in the medium term!).
What’s your proudest career achievement? Having someone write the head of the Intercontinental Hotel a one page letter about how much they loved the rooms we designed.
What’s been your best decision? Deciding to make every project magazine worthy. It's been the toughest decision financially, but definitely the best.
Who inspires you? Carlo Scarpa – the amazing Italian architect, Riccardo Tisci’s designs for Givenchy, Warren Buffet because of his philosophy around investing, not necessarily his actual investments, the people who work for me at
What are you passionate about? My lover, my work, food and wine and all good design.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would rather not meet anyone I think is fantastic or inspirational. We are all human, and thus people you think are amazing often turn out bitterly disappointing... I would rather live with the fantasy
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I want to have a company that works in all areas of the world combining all design disciplines.
What are you reading? Vladimir Nabakov - The Real Life of Sebastian Knight. W.Somerset Maugham - Then and Now.
images courtesy of blainey north
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