HOME & DESIGN
THE DESIGNERS AND CREATIVES BUILDING AN INSPIRATIONAL WAY OF LIFE.
20 CHARLES WILSON
Industrial designer Born in regional New South Wales, Charles Wilson is one of the most renowned and celebrated industrial designers in Australia. He splits his time between his home in Sydney and his family’s estate, Droubalgie, which is located on the banks of the Lachlan River in western New South Wales. Success came early, with Charles receiving his first design award nomination while he was still an industrial design student at Sydney College of the Arts. He has since collaborated with industry giants Woodmark International, Herman Miller and King Living, creating some of the most innovative and beautifully designed furniture on the market. Charles Wilson is known for his cutting edge and unique designs with a focus on longevity, formidable quality and products that nurture the human form. charleswilsondesign.com
21 JOHN WARDLE
Architect John Wardle is a multi award-winning architect and the founder of John Wardle Architects, a practice with studios in both Sydney and Melbourne. He’s designed across the residential and corporate sectors, from cities to extremely remote areas. Arguably John’s most astounding work is the project he’s undertaken on Tasmania’s Bruny Island. He and his wife Susan own a chunk of land on the northern tip of the island, which was once the home of Australian explorer Captain James Kelly. Here, John and Susan have painstakingly restored two of the original buildings, which are now known as the Shearers Quarters and Captain Kelly’s Cottage. Much of the native bush on the property has been carefully cultivated and regenerated. The project is a testament to John’s talent and passion for design, sustainability and conservation. johnwardlearchitects.com
22 JESSICA BOOTH AND LAETITIA PRUNETTI
Willie Weston An ethical textile and social enterprise based in Melbourne, Willie Weston provides beautiful fabrics and wallpapers designed by Indigenous artists for both residential and commercial purposes. Jessica and Laetitia are passionate about celebrating and advancing the diverse range of Indigenous art being produced in Australia. They work in collaboration with Indigenous artists across remote areas of Australia to come up with unique and stunningly curated design collections that are strongly influenced by the artist’s culture and connection to country. Artists collaborating with Willie Weston are paid for each metre produced, providing them with an ongoing income stream and supporting them to continue creating. Both Jessica and Laetitia have backgrounds in art curatorship. willieweston.com
23 PAUL BANGAY, OAM
Landscape designer Based in Melbourne, Paul Bangay is known for his breathtaking and innovative landscape designs with an emphasis on sharp angles, symmetry, straight lines and mesmerising detail. Working in both the residential and commercial sectors and across urban and regional areas, he’s the author of eight books related to gardening, landscape architecture and design and was made a member of the Order of Australia last year for his outstanding services to landscape architecture. Paul can often be found at his country property, Stonefields, not far from Daylesford, which he and his husband transformed from a 40-acre cow paddock into a celebrated country estate with over seven acres of gardens. Paul periodically opens the property to the public to raise funds for charity. He is known for creating landscape designs. paulbangay.com
24 JOOST BAKKER
Floral designer and eco warrior Joost moved with his family from the Netherlands to Monbulk, in the hills outside of Melbourne, in 1982. He grew up on the family’s flower farm and now lives on and operates his own farm in Monbulk with his wife and children. Aside from his advocacy for reducing waste and increasing people’s awareness of green living and sustainability, Joost is also a farmer, building designer, floral designer, restaurateur and the brains behind countless pop-up displays and eateries — all with a message around ethical consumption. One of his most recent displays was an arrangement of 35,000 tulips in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane to raise awareness about the vast majority of imported flowers being sold in Australia. He constantly challenges communities and both urban and regional developers to examine the sustainability of their ventures and lifestyles. instagram.com/joostbakker
25 MICHAEL REID, OAM
Art ambassador, chairman and director of Michael Reid Gallery Considered one of Australia’s leading art dealers, Michael has established galleries in Sydney, Berlin and Murrurundi in regional New South Wales. Following a decade of industry experience with Christie’s in London and Australia, Michael writes for leading newspapers including The Australian and has co-hosted the Sky Business News Channel art industry hour. A long-term art ambassador and contributor to the nation’s cultural commentary, he was recognised for his service to the arts in 2016 with the Medal of the Order of Australia. michaelreid.com.au