The Office ... Meryl Hare
Hare + Klein studio has birthed a new concept gallery where its soulful aesthetic is distilled for design lovers to peruse.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO? It’s in an old building with beautiful light, high ceilings and plenty of space. The design studio is upstairs and at street level is HK Edit, our new concept space. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SPACE? DID IT REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT ALTERATIONS? I had always admired the building, with its generous steel windows on each side. Before we moved in we installed a new kitchen and bathroom, removed some add-ons and designated areas for our workstations, extensive library and conference areas. WHAT ARE YOUR DESK ESSENTIALS? Tools of the trade! A big-screen iMac, pencils and pens, scale rules, tracing paper, a desk lamp, a really comfortable chair and a pinboard for inspiration. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR SPACE? One of the best areas is our workroom and presentation space as it allows for everything from collaboration to creating concepts. It has a central island with storage and two walls of shelves and drawers filled with finish and fabric samples. COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE VIEW FROM YOUR OFFICE? The streets of Woolloomooloo with trees, a bike path and never a dull moment! COULD YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY? I work hands on across many projects at various stages, from concept to completion. When a project is finished I love to be installing the furniture and finalising it with the project designer so the home feels complete. I meet new clients, deal with myriad challenges and attend site and team meetings. DO YOU USE YOUR OFFICE TO ENTERTAIN CLIENTS? We will use HK Edit for entertaining. It’s a lovely, welcoming space that works for gatherings, workshops and more! WHAT IS A DREAM DESK/ WORKSPACE OBJECT YOU WOULD BUY RIGHT NOW? ‘Isp’ table lamp from Spence & Lyda; it’s stunning and a timeless design piece. IF YOUR STUDIO WERE LOCATED ANYWHERE ELSE, WHERE WOULD THAT BE? On a mountaintop with views to the sea. WHAT INFORMED THE DECISION TO OPEN HK EDIT DESIGN GALLERY? I’d been dreaming of using the space for years as it’s so conducive to sharing our vision of ‘home’. It has four areas we style into rooms with furniture and rugs by Hare & Klein and other designers. Paintings, beautiful artisan pieces, books and lamps complete an aesthetic we love. There is an emphasis on local design and sustainable practices, so relevant when overseas supply is uncertain. WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? Completing a major residential project in China and three special waterfront homes. The release of our third range of handwoven rugs from Nepal through Designer Rugs and the launch of our new book. hareklein.com.au