dear doris. how do you integrate vintage and modern and found objects into the one space?

issue 53 ♡ a peek inside a bridal designers studio: something old & something new. something borrowed & something green.

May 18, 2024

∙ Paid

inside harriette’s head. by dee kawai tang

how do you integrate vintage and modern and found objects into the one space? how do you integrate found stuff on the side of the road without it looking like a crazy mess? love street scavenger.

dearest scavengers & readers,

after leaning heavily into the spiritual realm last year, i am shuffling back to the picket fence to keep a foot in both realms in my sophomore year. #justforfun this week we are sneaking into my friends bridal atelier to see how inspiration can be drawn from a serendipitous mix of old, new, something borrowed and blue green.

part I.

atelier /əˈtɛlɪeɪ/ : late 17th century: from old french astelle ‘splinter of wood’. a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer.

harriette gordon is an australian based bridal designer who lives down south — west oz lingo for the majestic coastline that is the south-west cape of australia.harri’s studio is a converted old shed that used to be a man-den and gym formerly owned by a local legend surfer in yallingup.

converting an old bloke’s gym into a bridal atelier is as far reaching as you can get from the hyper masculine to the feminine in design scale. however transforming the unromantic yang shed into a yin love nest of creativity has been done — with much grace, simplicity and do-it-ya’ self south-west spirit.

i snuck in there a few weeks ago as the sun was setting to take in the magic and mayhem that is an artisans atelier. there’s a sense of calm and chaos within this working designer’s space and a serendipitous mix of old, new, something borrowed and ~~blue~~ green. kindly enjoy the tour.

part II.

a dressmakers corner with a piano & sleeping dolly.

something old.

old antique tables make up the designers and sewing corner of the studio. unmatching yet fitting for the otherwise neutral space. a mid-century tulip chair adds a classic vintage touch and always a ‘yes’ to moodboards with scotch and masking tape placed directly on the wall. an antique dark timber piano sits quietly in the corner adding simple elegance and romance to the space.

something new.

ikea work tables are joined together to make a super wide working space to roll out and cut bolts of satin, silk and tulle. new tubs in neutrals and white blend into the working space interspersed with rolls of fabric and fabric remnants. there is a delightful sense of chaos and calm in this working area.

silver, hog bristle quarter & hog bristle paint patches. ‘rumi glove’ pattern.

new paint samples are tested on the wall and a cut out of a bride’s silk glove is taped with it becoming apart of the in-deliberate design of the space. bets on that quarter hog’s breath is the winner.

something borrowed.

harri says the floral chair was picked up from the side of the road in nedlands. i think that can pass for being “borrowed” for a inordinate amount of time. we call it ‘verge collection’ or ‘council clean-up’ in this part of the world and its a great way to pilfer or scavenge unwanted trash or treasure in the local neighbourhood.

micks green lounge corner & gold framed cherries by harri.

something ~~blue~~ green

the velvet green lounges belonged to the designer’s grandmother. she was a fancy old world lady who kept these velvet relics in a formal lounge to be seated on when friends came over to wine and dine. the pop of ~~blue~~ green is unexpected fun taps right into the heart chakra emanating emerald vibrations.

patterns and samples & a wonky clothes rack. oh my and the last love song.

mick jagger lounging on a floral chaise with floral wallpaper — on a clip hanger.

micks nook.

paper patterns on pattern hooks. a slight dent in the rack. garment bags bursting with what could only be unbridled beauty. the last love song sitting pretty next to a swirl of silk scraps. mick jagger sets the tone — casually hanging in the corner on a chaise, an unfazed manner and languid layering of objects add to the magic and charm of this space. remnants of the designer inspiration and creative process are littered everywhere amongst the calm creations and gentle chaos.

a beautiful dishevelled space like a dizzy and delighted bride at the end of the night.

thank you harri for letting us in.

love d xx

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