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David Hicks says there’s no right or wrong in design, own what you like and be the best at it

June 19, 2012

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Melbourne interior designer David Hicks is living the dream right now. Last month alone he opened an LA office and was a finalist in the Belle | Coco Republic Interior Design Awards.

Incorporating beautiful vintage pieces has always been a feature of Hicksโ€™ work and while importing many of these from the States, one thing led to another and the company now has a permanent base there. โ€œFor the past five years our office has had a love affair with vintage furniture,โ€ says Hicks. โ€œWe incorporate select collector quality pieces in most of our work. Due to our relationships with suppliers in the US we decided to have a member of staff on the ground there to help with sourcing. From that came a couple of projects and now an office!โ€ It was officially launched during the Legends of the La Cienega design event which they took part in.

David, who has already been to LA twice this year, has an architect over there managing projects so the logistics are surprisingly easy and the international exposure has been fantastic. โ€œWe are suddenly seen as an international design company and are receiving some amazing job enquiries that we would probably not get if we were just based in Australia.โ€

The style of work doesnโ€™t change between countries, as one might expect. โ€œI like to think of the work we do already being of an international standard so it could really belong anywhere in the world,โ€ says David, who prides himself on a signature modern luxe look. While some LA designers are also going for this look, he says they tend to be over the top and not very European in their detailing. โ€œThis is where I see our design fitting into a niche. Our clients over in LA are a lot more private about what we are doing for them. It is strange as they are much more into self promotion but when it comes to their homes they are more closed.โ€

David knew he wanted to work in interior design from a very young age so it was natural that he should study it. After working for major design firms, he started his own ten years ago. He describes his look as being about quality, not just of materials and finish but the actual design. โ€œIt is about informed design choices, the mixing of styles and periods, the knowledge of detail and how materials go together, rationalised space planning and curated objects.โ€ His work is modern and streamlined yet soft and luxurious while being a little nostalgic. โ€œItโ€™s the new luxury,โ€ he adds.

His favourite project of the year so far is a large house which is about to complete after three years of work. Having done the architecture, interior design, decoration and garden design, it will be a joy to finally install the furniture next month. The company currently has a number of residential and retail projects on the go and David says the variety allows for a great cross-pollenisation of ideas which enriches the work.

The state of interior design in Australia is great, with many talented people in the industry, he says. What is lacking is access to โ€œa wide world of wonderful productโ€. He encourages designers to look beyond whatโ€™s available locally and treat the world as their library. Or you could create your own. He has a rug range with Cadrys being launched later this year and his own design sofas are available via his website.

Being judged one of the top three design practices in the country in the recent Belle | Coco Republic Interior Design Awards is an achievement he is very proud of. โ€œIt is pure passion that got me into the business and itโ€™s what keeps me here today,โ€ says David. โ€œI respect other designers who own their look and donโ€™t change it for fads or fashion. There really is nothing right or wrong in design, itโ€™s all about what you like. If you like something then own it, it doesnโ€™t matter if itโ€™s been done before or someone does it after you, just be the best at it and put your spin on it.โ€ He also admires designers who are good at self-promotion in a country where he says this isnโ€™t easy.

David lives in a Melbourne apartment he was lucky enough to design from scratch. The interior designerโ€™s dream? โ€œIt is a vast space of travertine-lined floors and minimal finishes. Within this modernist-inspired floorplan I have layered in my collection of vintage, antique and modern furniture and art,โ€ he says. โ€œIt is an evolving space.โ€

All photographs of David’s work by Shannon McGrath

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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