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Dylan Farrell’s unusual path to interior design success

By Amy Collins-Walker • Leave a Comment

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“My father was an interior architect in New York, where I was born and raised. I literally grew up in a playroom that had a 2.5 metre long drafting board in it, prepared for the large-scale interior renderings that were one of my father’s specialties,” says interior designer Dylan Farrell of his early life that proved fertile ground for a future in design.

Dylan Farrell. Image by Kristina Soljo, courtesy of Belle Magazine.
Interior designer Dylan Farrell. Image by Kristina Soljo, courtesy of Belle Magazine.

Dylan’s father came from the school of mid-century modern architecture and wrote several books on art, design and design practice and as a teenager Dylan worked alongside his father giving him invaluable exposure to running a small design business. “My grandparents also owned and ran a specialty art gallery and supply store so art and design were a part of every fibre of my upbringing, whether I wanted it that way or not,” says Dylan.

Dylan's 'Contemporary Perch' project
Dylan’s ‘Contemporary Perch’ project. Photography by Felix Forest.

But the designer’s path wasn’t a typical one – a self-confessed “rebellious youth,” he found himself dabbling in street art and singing and writing for an industrial rock band in the mid-nineties before enrolling in industrial design at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York. But for him, formal study certainly wasn’t an instant love affair.

“By the end of my freshman year, I was failing design school, despite a blessed exposure to and training in art and design. My focus at the time was simply in other places – mainly fine art, music composition, performance, and the resulting party that always ensued. By the second half of my five years of study however, I turned a corner and started to see glimpses of the practitioner I wanted to be, graduating with honours,” says Dylan.

Dylan's 'Contemporary Perch' project
‘Contemporary Perch’ project. Photography by Felix Forest.

Dylan’s unique journey continued after university when he took a job in antique restoration and acquisition which he juggled alongside a job teaching architectural drawing at Pratt Institute’s school of interior design. “The flexibility of these two positions allowed me to take on the oddest of additional jobs, all the while continuing to pursue music and fine art,” says Dylan who nonetheless continued to build relationships with prominent New York interior and furniture designers, contacts that would prove important in the years to come.

'Sydney Transitional' project
‘Sydney Transitional’ project. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.

“I found myself at a crossroads of sorts – deciding whether I wanted to live the life of an artistic gypsy or find roots in a more focused endeavour. It was exactly at this time when I met my wife and now business partner, Nicolette, who was an interior designer,” says Dylan. The couple worked independently and collaboratively for several years in New York before moving to Sydney in 2009 where Dylan became Creative Principal at Thomas Hamel & Associates. He and Thomas even designed a furniture range, Hamel Farrell Collection, together. Dylan started his own practice almost three years ago.

'Sydney Transitional' project
‘Sydney Transitional’ project. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.
'Sydney Transitional' project. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.
‘Sydney Transitional’ project. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.

And despite less than three years trading under his own name, he has been turning heads in the Australian design world of late with many accolades coming his way. “We are finalists in the 2019 Andrew Martin Interior Design Review and the winners will be announced in December.  And last week, we were handed the Emerging Design Star award in the 2019 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards,” says Dylan.

'Beachside Modern' project
‘Beachside Modern’ project. Photography by Dylan Farrell.
'Melbourne Hills' project. Photography by Dylan Farrell.
‘Melbourne Hills’ project. Photography by Dylan Farrell.

As for his aesthetic, he believes that ‘classical proportions’ and ‘technical detail’ are hallmarks of his work, but he thinks a hefty dose of fun and curiosity are paramount too. “I find style should be akin to enjoying food. I would not want Italian every night; I wouldn’t want to live without vegetables; and although I was vegetarian for many years, I would not want to completely give up meat. So why not traditional design on Tuesdays, modernism on Wednesdays, post-mod on Thursday, and a party platter on Fridays?” he says, which sounds fabulous to me!

For more | Designer profile: Meet Alexandra from Decus Interiors

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May 31, 2019

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What a fab, yet sympathetic, makeover of this untouched (but not in a good way!) 50s house by @sellinghousesaus See all the rooms on the blog now via link in bio.

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There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman 😉 One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! 😁 Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

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Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

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Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmett’s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

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Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

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We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

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Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

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Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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