Pinboard Scheme IV

Stuart Highway

In 2000 Lee, Macy and I drove up the middle of Australia in our Kombi. The Stuart Highway is an amazing place. Not only for the landscape and colours, but also the variety of people (both locals and fellow travellers) and the crazy adventures that you're destined to be subject to.



This photo encapsulates the sense of freedom with the highway stretching ahead to the unbroken horizon, bound on each side by limitless expanses of desert scrub. It was one of those moments where everything falls into perspective. You're a miniscule part of something of infinite size.

1) The front layer of drapes is an ochre coloured acetate. The lazer-cut organic patterns remind me of Aboriginal motives.

2) The back layer of drapes is a pale blue wool sateen. Wool drapes fantastically and is lovely and soft.

3) Two huge loose-cover sofas upholstered in this casual but smart khaki linen, piped in the lighter natural colour.

4) Big scatter cushions in this fabric that has an amazing optical spiralling pattern reminiscent of Aboriginal dot paintings.

5) Long scatter cushions in this wool stripe. I had to include this fabric because it is called 'Highway'.

6) A chunky ottoman centres the room upholstered in this luscious cut velvet/epingle.

7) A couple of timber, art deco armchairs upholstered in this deconstructed pinstripe. This fabric pulls the scheme together consisting of colours drawn from all the other fabrics in the room.

Pinboard Scheme III

Macaulay Station

One night after work, I got on the Upfield Line train by accident. Listening to my Ipod and with my head in a book, I didn't realise until Macaulay Station. I had twenty minutes to wait for a train back to North Melbourne. I think those twenty minutes must have been Macaulay Station's finest. The light of the cobalt dusk sky with looming storm transformed the station into a dramatic urban setting.





I've put together a scheme inspired by the photos I took that night.




1) Drapes in a slate blue cotton drill. Large chrome eyelets on a simple chrome pole.

2) Silver and Carbon striped sheers sit behind the drapes.

3) A couple of slick modern armchairs on chrome swivel bases will be upholstered in this self patterned yellow polka dot.

4) This chunky, comfy tweed will be used for a couple of large bean bag pods.

5) Sofa cushions. The construction of this fabric is interesting. It is a velvet, but the pattern has been made by printing the inverse onto the face of the fabric. For a fabric that is predominantly a print, the handle is beautifully pliable and the velvet so soft.

6) Sofa cushions. This masculine, geometric pattern contrasts with the feminine, organic pattern of the velvet. The shapes are reminiscent of train lines and underground maps.

7) I would die to have a sofa in this concrete grey wool, speckled with flecks of ivory and charcoal. The combo of these three fabrics would look a million dollars. Not bad for something inspired by a grubby train station under a toll way.

Pin Board Scheme II

Champagne Lounge





1. Metallic champagne gold wallpaper with a slightly textured finish.

2. Drapes, again in a champagne gold to blend with the walls. A soft, sheeny satin that would drape like liquid.

3. An embroidered sheer with an arabic inspired pattern sits behind the drapes.


4. Two large Louis XVI Bergeres(armchairs) upholstered in this intricately embroidered floral silk, and timber in a mahogany finish.


5/6. The fabric for the sofa cushions are a mixture of epingle and cut velvet finishes on a satin background. They are glossy and textural and the geometric patterns lend a masculine contrast to the floral pattern on the armchairs. They also pick up the apple, taupe, gold and coral colours from the silk.

7. This is my favourite leather finish, it is a semi aniline, pull-up leather with a wax finish to give it that antiqued feel. It is warm and soft and looks so smart. It would be used to upholster a huge modular sofa.

Pin Board Scheme I

Bedroom Treatment





1. Bed cushions. A sophisticated silk stripe. A combination of refined champagne gold and silver, punctuated with contrasting bands of black and red. In this pic you can also see a combination of weaves in the construction of the fabric. Drill (diagonal) and ombre (the gradient effect made by the warp (vertical) threads.


2. Upholstered bedhead. The subtle textured wave pattern is created by a puckered effect like that in seersucker fabric.


3. Bedroom chair. This fabric is actually designed for commercial purposes (office chairs, etc.). The pattern is funky and clever, called Data Stripe. It would make a striking, contemporary stand-alone piece.


4. Drapes. The top 2/3 of the drapes are a metallic polyester in a gunmetal grey. The bottom 1/3 panel is a steel blue cotton. Both reminiscent of fabric used for men's tailoring.