4 THE DESIGN INFLUENCERS
We’ve chosen the influential interior designers we think you should know, showing you how their legacy redefines the design choices we make now. Capturing the best of the past and applying new innovations to create fresh spaces – ones that suit your lifestyle, are comfortable, and make you feel happy – will result in a home style that you truly love. Australian MODERNIST MARION HALL BEST
As a student of modern art, Hall Best was ahead of the curve in her use of colour, as evidenced in her decision to bring design house Marimekko to Australia in the 1960s. Her fierce advocation of recognising ‘interior decorating’ as a profession helped give us interior design as it is today.
CHINOISERIE ROSE CUMMING
In 1917 a young Cumming moved to New York, a world away from her sheep-station upbringing. She soon developed her trademark eclectic style – from gothic to glittering chandeliers and Oriental furniture. We can thank her for our love of handpainted metallic and chinoiserie wallpaper.
WALLPAPER FLORENCE BROADHURST
It wasn’t until her ’60s that Broadhurst began designing wallpapers from her Sydney studio. Groundbreaking in design and technique, they feature her signature handpainted geometric and nature-inspired oversize prints, remaining firm favourites of fashion and interior designers.
International CHINTZ AND STRIPES DOROTHY DRAPER
One of the first interior designers to ‘brand’ herself, Draper’s favoured use of bright bold colour and mix of textures are evergreen. Floral and stripes? Pure Dorothy.
MID CENTURY MODERN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
An architect whose ethos was to strive for integration between the interior and exterior of a building. As master of the edit, the beauty for Wright was in knowing exactly what to leave out.
GEOMETRIC PATTERN DAVID HICKS
A ‘Hicks’ interior is still immediately recognisable. Geometric prints, a mix of furniture styles (antique, with abstract and modern), patterned carpets, and loads of bold colour.
TRADITIONAL TEXTILES BILL WILLIS
The architect and designer introduced Moroccan aesthetic to the world, giving new life to traditional artisan craft; vibrant tiles, embroideries and tadelakt walls (polished plaster).