Perth interior design maven Gabrielle Scott has become a coveted name for commercial projects thanks to her unique style and marvelous eye for marrying textures, bold patterns and emotive colour palettes.
We checked in with the home-grown talent to see what she has been up to.
Where have we seen your work?
Some high profile ones are still under wraps, but my work with the Bread and Circuses group – owners of Dominion League, Guildhall, Propeller, Mechanics’ Institute and Flipside – is probably the most visible. They were incredible clients; they’re creative, flexible, engaged and good fun. And it shows in their successful venues.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Every project is highly personalised and individual, but perhaps the common thread is an inventive use of materials and custom details. I focus on creating emotive spaces, layered and unexpected, but ultimately timeless.
It’s that unique look that’s gathering you a lot of admirers. Where do the ideas come from?
My inspiration comes from paying attention. I once read that creative thinkers should look with a beginner’s eye, and paying attention springs off that idea. It’s about looking closely. Not just at Pinterest and Instagram – which I also thrash – but at all the fine grain detail that’s in the things we hurry past every day.
What’s tricky about interior design?
I’ve worked on several heritage buildings and those old dames throw up the most challenges, but then ultimately the most satisfying end results. Good design and storytelling are always closely linked for me, so a tip of the hat to what transpired between those walls before you came along is always a great thrill in my work.
Whose work do you follow?
Rooms – a Georgian design duo making brilliant things, their sculptural chairs are divine. Criteria Collection, who are the Australian stockist of all the furniture of my dreams. Kwangho Lee, a Korean object designer whose use of materials makes me envious. Studio Toogood for its endlessly inspiring objects, installations and interiors. Den Holm in Melbourne, whose sandstone sculptures make me pretty happy. Meta Flora – its flowers make me weak at the knees. And lastly, Hayley Eichenbaum’s photography… I could look at her luminescent, otherworldly images of architecture all day (and will often pinch palette ideas from them).
What’s next for Gabrielle Scott?
Well, I’ve just had a daughter, so for now I’m prioritising motherhood. I’m offering consultation on projects at the moment, but at some stage perhaps the right project will appear and jerk me back into that all-consuming work. For now though, I’m just spending a lot of time staring at my daughter’s face.
See more of Gabrielle in our print issue of Fabric Quarterly, and at gabriellescott.com.au