Simple. A plate, a wooden table, a red wall. My homage to Scandinavian design, to its vibrant colours, clear shapes and contrasts of plain wood and plain white. I’m thinking Marimekko, Ikea, Kosta Boda and how what you see as a child influences the designs you like as an adult.
Marimekko is still a big influence on artists and crafts people – see whip up. Sometimes people rather laugh at Ikea, it’s funny diagrams and put-it-together-yourself philosophy. But I have fond memories of Ikea Gordon in the ’80s, and of the contrast between what Ikea’s furniture and most other furniture available then. And I still can’t understand some designers on the UK changing rooms hating pine. Maybe I’ve never looked properly at the woods they love, only seen the bad quality knock-offs made for those Aussies who can’t come to terms with living here …
It’s interesting that Mum, Nan and many other Sydneysiders were so influenced by Scandinavian design and Marion Hall Best. I fully understand that bright colours and a sense of space and clean are vital in countries that experience long, dark winters. But why should the same things work so well where there is plenty of space and light? I don’t know …
Of course, simple design is not simple. My drawing captures a little of how I feel, but can’t match what I see in my head.
