The Creative Type Lucy Montgomery.
This Sydney interior architect and stylist recently expanded her portfolio to include a signature collection of lamps, cushions and fabric.
My family owned pubs, so I spent a lot of time in hotels growing up. We even lived in one for five years. My favourite was an 1860s Italianate government building that my parents converted into a beautiful upmarket hotel. I spent countless hours there before and after school, and I remember being in awe of the transformation – I loved how the aesthetic, spatial and material choices shaped the experience of the space.
Every day in my working life is totally different! I can be out and about sourcing furniture and accessories or meeting with clients, on set for a photo shoot or popping in to the workshops where our artisans work on our collection.
When I’m solo, I like to work in silence without any distractions because the rest of the time I am working on the go, often with my one-year-old daughter Grace in tow.
The biggest challenge of my career? Havingababyaswellasmyownbusinessmeant that I didn’t really take much leave from work. When Grace was first born, she came with me almost everywhere so I learnt how to multitask very quickly!
Launching my own homewares range, Lucy Montgomery Collection, has been my biggest accomplishment to date. The collection comprises table lamps, mirrors, plinths and hooks, plus a range of cushions and textiles. Each piece is handcrafted in Sydney and I’m so proud to support local artisans and tradespeople.
Achieving work/life balance can be tricky. My work is very diverse and multifaceted so there are always various things on the go – private clients, collection development, social media, photoshoots – but time for my husband, Sam, and Grace are important to me too. Juggling everything means I have learnt to dedicate my time wisely. We have strict no-phone policies at meal times and on family outings.
What nourishes my creativity? Design, always! I love pieces crafted using traditional techniques and natural materials, or taking a functional object and making it feel like an artwork. Things that work well and look beautiful elevate the everyday.
I’ve always admired the work of artists Alberto Giacometti and Pablo Picasso. In the Australian design scene, I’m loving the work of interior designers including Phoebe Nicol, AP Design, Tamsin Johnson and Handelsmann+Khaw. All of these designers mix old and new so well. Italian interior designer Nicolò Castellini Baldissera is another favourite. His book Inside Tangier is an ongoing reference for my collection – it’s an interesting glimpse into the homes of the eccentric inhabitants of Tangier in Morocco, a white-walled city that is at the crossroads of Africa and Europe.
My favourite fashion piece is my PJ Femme linen suit (pictured). It’s my staple. For a more casual look I pair the blazer with a white tee and jeans.
My idea of a luxurious interior is one that is cool, collected and beautifully curated. Classic and refined but with a little personal twist.
My mood boards consistently feature landmark Mediterranean hotels such as Le Sirenuse [in Positano, Italy] and traditional Mediterranean ceramics. My collection of lamps, mirrors and hooks are handmade in plaster, which has a beautiful, chalky patina. The silhouettes hark back to the earthenware of antiquity, but I have tried to interpret that style in a modern way. I always think about what I would like to have in my own home. Perhaps some smaller accessories are on the cards!
I often circuit Sydney’s inner east when sourcing for clients and shoots. Happily, that part of town has a plethora of fabulous eateries too. I love Room 10 for coffee, Fratelli Paradiso for pasta and Bistro Rex for steak frites. Sam and I are about to move to North Bondi and I’m looking forward to exploring a new neighbourhood!
“Things that work well and look beautiful elevate the everyday.”