Inspiration Profile - Joel Middlemiss

It's a balmy sunny Friday in Wellington so lets finish the week with an Inspiration Profile.
Today we have Joel Middlemiss - I call him my 'tile guy' (sorry Joel - you deserve a better label than that). Based at Heritage Tiles, Joel is the guy I call when any tiles are required on my jobs and he's so great to deal with hence the many return visits (of course, the products are great too.)
It was during a conversation with him that I found out he has another creative career outside his day job - a designer/artist influenced by surfing and skateboarding. I LOVE finding out about what people do and this inspired me to find out more about the people I work with. So over the next few months, you will see some of my cool colleagues who help me, by day, achieve my interior design projects.
Have a great weekend all.

Joel Middlemiss

2011 Skateboard Illustration design for Limited Edition Collaboration Board for Foundation Skateboards and Manual Magazine.

Name:Joel Middlemiss (a.k.a Faith – my art name)

What do you do: Commercial Design Consultant for Heritage Tiles by day and designer/artist by night – keeps me very busy! I have worked in Commercial sales and consultation for over six years and also as a freelance illustrator/designer for roughly five. I’ve painted and illustrated all my life really, but didn’t really start “putting myself out there” until a few years back.    

      

Where do you live: Wellington, N.Z.

What are you working on:  Currently I am working on a series of art pieces for a solo exhibition at a new boutique art gallery/ coffee house in Wellington, can’t let too much out of the bag on this one yet sorry but it will be happening in the next couple of months!  I’m also putting my sales and design experience into work on my own fashion and design label Faith Creative. This has been a project I have been working on for a while and a way to combine my love of skateboarding, surfing, design and fashion.   

Tiki – 2013 Mixed Media on salt water stained, watercolour board

Ray of the Dead - 2012 – Mixed media on Canvas

Who/what inspires me: Some personal favourites of mine are David Choe and Greg “Craola” Simpkins, also Chris Senn – Hawaiian based – skater and tattooist. 
On a local level Dunedin based artist and skater Phil Frost’s work inspires me and can definitely not forget to mention Mephisto Jones, a musician/artist/skateboarder from Wellington who has moved to Australian shores. Mephistos’ work was a great inspiration growing up, many Wellingtonians will have passed his street-art on the daily, but he also did a lot of high profile works for NZ bands and labels as well.    

    

I work best: Unfortunately for me my inspiration seems to strike first thing in the morning (when I should be heading to my day job!) Or in the middle of the night. I can often be found sitting at a computer or huddled over my drawing desk with paintbrush and pen in hand at 2 am in the morning!

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Sometimes I browse through magazines or on design websites, but often the best medicine is to go out for a skate or surf and just free my mind, that is when the creative juices usually start flowing!  

The best advice I have been given is: Whatever you put your hand to, act is if you are doing it for God. Then you will always be giving your best!

My latest discovery is: Coca-Cola with an Espresso shot poured in, saw it on a French film and had to try it, amazing! – If you want to get a little creative, try a shot of your favourite “poison” in it as well. 
 

Tiki Board – 2011 Mixed Media, Paua Inlay on carved/stained ply (skateboard) – Piece for Te Papa’s Skate of the Art Exhibition.

Books that I get inspiration from: The Books of Psalms and Proverbs (Bible) and usually biographies or real stories, not much of a novel reader. I also have a good little collection of art history books that find their way off the shelf and beside my bed from time to time.     

Magazines that inspire me: Juxtapoz Magazine, Monster Children, Urbis, Tattoo Candy. Skate Mags - Manual Magazine, Thrasher. Surf Mags – Tracks, Damaged Good Zine.  

I love magazines, I have spent way too much on them throughout my life-time. Even in this internet world, nothing beats the smell and feel of a new mag, and the excitement of scanning through the pages looking for an article of an artist designer or skater/surfer you like. Or just simply lusting over equipment and art supplies you can't afford!      

  

Blogs that I enjoy: Juxtapoz, Fancy, Mostly Skateboarding, Crailtap, and of course, Charlotte Minty! (Ha, thanks Joel!)

My favourite room at home is: Probably the kitchen/dining – that’s where the coffee machine is!

My office is: shared with my wife Abbey (interior designer), gym equipment and far too many paintings and old skateboards, not to mention the bookshelves full of magazines etc. Probably a bit crammed at the moment, but definitely full of inspiration.  

What am I looking forward to: The birth of my first child in March! Also a few good exhibitions and jobs coming up that will be exciting to work on. 2013 is shaping up to be an epic year.

Check out this video here where Joel's illustrations has been projected onto skate board ramps for a skateboard shoot (see image below). Also you can follow Joel on his FB page. 

All images used with permission from Joel Middlemiss.

Modern New York Family Home

Here's another cool home from Dwell magazine - this time a brownstone renovation in Brooklyn, New York. I love the stylish dining room and the shot of turquoise in the bathroom. Read here to find out more about the renovation using surplus and salvaged materials as well as working with design-build company, MADE.
Photos by Matthew Williams via Dwell.

Triangulated Roses by Homebase Collections

I have just ordered this great fabric from Homebase Collections for my clients - Triangulated Roses by Leanne Culy. A great modern floral for an informal living room - looking forward to seeing it made up!
Photograph via Homebase Collections.

Orla Kiely at Home 2013

Orla Kiely in the dining room - that is green marmoleum flooring which continues into the kitchen.

Olive, the labradoodle fits in beautifully.

In 2011, I posted this story about successful Irish designer, Orla Kiely and her London home. If you have a look, you will see that her interior colours then were strong, muted and cosy.
I met a new client last week who mentioned how she likes the colours of her Orla Kiely tins so I thought I would update myself and came across this recent article about Kiely's home. I think it is the same house or is very similar with the same fireplaces and character details. This time the interiors are fresher and lighter with shots of the olive, brown, orange, gold and creams that Kiely is so well known for. Read more about her home and her interior products here.
Photographs by Darren Chung via The Times

Modern and Traditional Swedish Summer House

Truedatorp - an 18th century farmstead which has been transform into a summer house/studio
by a Copenhagen architect and designer duo.

19th century wallpapers found on site during the renovations have been preserved and framed.

Yes - that is the outhouse, which has a stylish modern touch - an Arne Jacobsen's AJ wall lamp.

Found in Dwell magazine - Truedatorp, an 18th century Swedish farmstead which has slowly been transformed from its original state into a simple summer house and studio by Copenhagen couple, Mads Odgard, a designer and Mette Lyng Hansen, an architect. Loving the simple touches and furnishings. Read more about the home and the renovation process here.
Photographs by Ake E:son Lindman via Dwell. 

Inspiration Profile - Julie Maclean

Welcome to the first Inspiration Profile for 2013 - we are delighted to have Julie Maclean, a New Zealand born, New York based textile designer.
After 15 years designing fashion prints for the likes of DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenburg, JCrew, Topshop and The Gap, Maclean started Goodship in 2009. Check out this cool line of printed canvas accessories - I'm rather partial to the gorgeous Colourblock Totes. Enjoy!

Julie Maclean at work 

The divine Tan/Red Colourblock Tote (left) and  Orange/Blue Colourblock Tote.

Name: Julie Maclean

What do you do:I'm a textile designer; I've been designing prints for fashion companies for around 15 years. Several years ago I was looking for a change in the same line of work so I started Goodship, a range of printed textile goods and accessories.

Where do you live: New York, USA

What are you working on: A new range of home wares - cushions, kitchen linens and eventually bedding, plus several collaborations with other designers and artists, including a kids range. We're also putting the finishing touches on a Goodship site for Australasia. There’s a lot going on right now!

Carolina Fold Up Tote

Chevron Fold Up Tote

Hand Dyed  Fold Up Tote

Who/what inspires me:I'm a collector and my weakness is vintage fabrics (of any era), but I also collect bits and pieces of all kinds that I think will spark an idea. I'll usually start a project with a pile of visual reference - photos, tear sheets, vintage fabric swatches. Also, I like getting out and about and seeing what people are wearing on the streets, personal style is often inspiring - like how someone else will combine colours in a unique way.

I look at companies like Marimekko for how fantastic a print/textile lead company can be.

I work best:Unfortunately I work best at night but I'm trying to change that as I'm not getting enough sleep (we have some early risers in our household).

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I gather all my reference around me and get out the paint brushes. Just starting something helps - this is where my collecting comes in handy because I can usually find a starting point amongst my stuff. Working in textile studios is a training in pushing though uninspired moments, we all kept sketchbooks on hand to refer to in those creative lulls.

My latest discovery is: Coclico shoes and boots, love em.

Books that I get inspiration from: A book about Vera Neumann I bought as a gift for myself and Twentieth-Century Pattern Design, a bible for textile designers.

Carolina Day Clutch - Blue

Gisella Coin Purse - Green

Marais Coin Purse

Magazines that inspire me: Lately my taste in magazines has been very pragmatic, Vogue and Womens Wear Daily to stay on top of industry news. I go to New York Magazine online as they publish photos from all the fashion week shows from many cities - it’s a huge resource.

Blogs that I enjoy: I don't have time for a lot of reading at the moment. I randomly find things online but I'm not a regular of any blog. However in saying that, I do like to check out Anthology magazine, Apartment Therapy and The Purl bee.

My favourite room at home is: Our bedroom - it’s small but it’s the quietest room in the house, and at night we have a view of the city lights.

My office is: Our kitchen table

Looking forward to: Moving back to New Zealand is high on the list. Closer to actually happening, I'm looking forward to moving into a studio that’s not in our home. 

Want to find more awesome Goodship goodies? Go here to their online store (the Australasia store here) and if you want to keep up to date with Goodship news, check out their FB page here.

New Geometric Print - so new it doesn't have a name yet!

Tote Bag

All photographs are used with permission from Julie Maclean and Goodship.

Home Office

I got a call from these clients last year - they were expecting baby number two and their study was going to become the nursery, so where to put their home office? They cleverly thought about the large dead space at the end of their hallway. So we designed this desk with storage and shelving above to tie in with the existing interior features, re. panelled cupboard door and end panel to match the internal doors, and a chunky heading on the shelves to match the skirting. It turned out beautifully and clients are really happy.
Photography by Charlotte Minty.

Fresh and Stylish Meeting Room

Meeting room for Sydney-based creative branding agency, Squad Ink - by Arent & Pyke.

An Eames meeting table with a black Tolomeo lamp overhead.

Blue Thonet bentwood chairs pack a stylish punch

Also love this quiet, yet very stylish, interior moment in the studio.

I came across this office designed by Arent & Pyke for creative branding agency, Squad Ink and was particularly taken by the fresh and stylish meeting room. See more of the office here.
Photographs by Anson Smart via In/Out Design blog.

Velvet Curtains

Velvet curtains in High Road House, Chiswick by Ilse Crawford.

Velvet curtains at Two Two Six Hollywood Road, Hong Kong and Kranzbach Hotel, Bavaria - both by Ilse Crawford.

Soho House, Berlin via Remodelista

Last week, I showed my clients some velvet fabric as a possibility for curtains in their home. I found these visuals to demonstrate how great they can look. 

Republic of Fritz Hansen's Showroom in Milan

I came across this canteen belonging to Republic of Fritz Hansen and had a drool - imagine having your meals sitting in and surrounded by the top design classics in the last century. Then I found their new Milan showroom which opened in December - even better! I could walk out with all the pieces and the spaces are stunning.
Designed by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto from Studiopepe with architect Stefano Tagliacarne.

Milan showroom

 Photographs via Republic of Fritz Hansen.