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SPOTLIGHT ON: Stylist & writer Heather Nette King

By Amy Collins-Walker โ€ข Leave a Comment

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Heather Nette King
Heather Nette King

Where you studied and what:ย I deferred a journalism degree to do PR and writing at RMIT.

When you started your business and how:ย I was working as a freelance publicist, but after 20 years in the game, I realised that I was always trying to get my clients to do home shoots so I could get in and style their homes. I started to approach all the home mags to get some experience, then a very fortunate meeting with the incredible Aleksandra Beare, the art director on Sunday Life magazine, lead me to trying my hand at styling and writing for Sunday Life and I havenโ€™t stopped since.ย  It will be 10 years this August!

The best business advice you ever received:ย Donโ€™t try to be anyone else โ€“ back yourself and your aesthetic, and just do you. This advice came to me in various forms and from a few different people, and it took a while to make sense to me, but honestly, trying to be like everyone else will only get you so far in this industry.

Size of your team if you have one:ย A writing job means itโ€™s just me with my dog and cat at my feet for company. On shoots, Iโ€™ll have as many assistants as the budget allows for โ€“ so generally thereโ€™s just one, or occasionally on big shoots Iโ€™ll hire two.

Your proudest achievement so far:ย I love working with start-up clients who have great products but no idea how to translate them into marketable, commercial and beautiful imagery.ย Itโ€™s a blast seeing their brand come to visual life, and to launch them into the world.ย  The actual client shoot Iโ€™m most proud of is, of course, very hard to choose โ€“ but a recent highlight was creating the imagery for Cultโ€™s 20th anniversary with my good friend, the photographer Mike Baker. Oh, and I was seriously chuffed to be part of a recent campaign for West Elm which ran in Inside Out magazine โ€“ I got to glam up my home and myself and pose with my dog โ€“ heaven!ย 

Heather in a West Elm campaign
Heather in a West Elm advertising campaign for Inside Out magazine

When did you realise youโ€™d made it?ย Oh I donโ€™t think I will ever consider myself โ€˜made.’ ย Iโ€™ve got way too much left to do.

Best investment youโ€™ve ever made in your business:ย Styling doesnโ€™t require a lot of investment in anything but your time โ€“ there really isnโ€™t a lot of equipment you need to get started. My biggest investment is the time I spend thinking about my clients’ businesses, how I can help them grow by making the most beautiful, commercially viable imagery possible.ย 

What do you outsource?ย Really very little. My amazing husband, realising that Iโ€™d never get paid if it were left to me, does all of my invoicing and tax. I can run a budget spreadsheet, but GST, BAS, tax and all of that stuff leaves me cross-eyed.ย 

Cult 20th anniversary shoot
Cult 20th anniversary shoot

Biggest challenge in running a business:ย The boring numbers bit, but thankfully my husband has that in hand. Also, doing admin things like updating my website always seems to take a backseat when Iโ€™m constantly busy working on my clients’ businesses.

Favourite project of all time: Oh, hands down it was the Christmas shoot my family and I did for Sunday Life magazine a few years ago. My friend and awesome photographer Armelle Habib shot it, and it featured myself, my husband Jem, and my girls, Annebelle and Alexandra, doing our Christmas thing.ย I shoot peoples’ homes all the time, but I didnโ€™t realise how incredible it felt to wake up on a Sunday morning, race out and get The Age, and open it to see my beautiful family in our lovely home.

Heather and her family in a recent Christmas shoot for Sunday Life magazine
Heather and her family in Sunday Life magazine

Whose work inspires YOU?ย Oh loads of people โ€“ my friend Kirsty Macafee who is an artist and is simply the smartest person I have ever met. Her work challenges me, a lot. Each of the photographers I work with as they all bring another layer of collaboration to my styling ideas on a job. Also, my occasional work collaborator Bree Leech, whose trend forecasting skills are unbelievable.

Describe your own home:ย Itโ€™s a 1904 weatherboard that really needs renovating โ€“ we are finally trying to do the bathroom and the kitchen this year as we always said weโ€™d do it once the kids’ school fees were out of the way. But now that itโ€™s time, I find myself completely hamstrung and incapable of making decisions for myself that I make so easily for others all the time. However, itโ€™s got beautiful bones โ€“ high ceilings, great sized rooms, and a really lovely feel to it. Itโ€™s been the backdrop for so many shoots, and has had so many coats of paint, and Iโ€™m sure Iโ€™ll be struck by inspiration for the renovation soon.

How big should your rug be?ย As long as your toes can touch it from the sofa, Iโ€™m not too fussed if it sits underneath or out from it.ย 

Your advice for would-be designers/stylists:ย Aspiring stylists should find an aspiring interiors photographer and just start shooting, shooting, shooting. Build yourselves a portfolio, and learn what makes a great shot by practicing loads.

What youโ€™re working on at the moment:ย Iโ€™m doing heaps of really interesting work at the moment โ€“ some styling, some set design, and loads of writing. Iโ€™m creating the names and descriptions for an incredible range of terrazzo by Fibonacci Stone, which is the most delightfully creative process. My clients range from very high-end to high-street, and I adore that mix.ย 

Do you love your job now as much as ever?ย Umm, I honestly think so – I mean every job is different, so thereโ€™s no getting bored on that level. I think as long as my clients keep asking me to come up with new ideas, and I can keep coming up with them, I canโ€™t imagine myself doing anything else.ย 

Heather's styling work

FAVOURITES

  • Colour:ย Green. And pink if I can choose two.
  • Piece of furniture in your home: The old pine dining table that was once my in-laws’. Itโ€™s a bit derelict now but Iโ€™m way too sentimental to replace it.
  • International designer/stylist: Any stylist who does work for Spanish AD โ€“ my goodness their imaginations are off the hook.
  • White paint colour: ย Natural White by Dulux.
  • Accessory for a wow factor:ย Art, art and more art. Big art, small art, expensive art, cheaper art, posters.ย Unadorned walls depress me.

EITHER OR

  • Open plan or separate rooms? Separate. I love kitchens that are kitchens, with round tables in them.
  • Luxe or casual? Iโ€™ll have a bit each way on this one…
  • Neutral or colourful?ย Colourful. Really, really colourful.
  • Linen or cotton bedding?ย Linen please.
  • Wallpaper or paint?ย Paint, as even after working with Dulux for five years, Iโ€™m still in awe of the transformative power of paint.
  • Bath or shower?ย A shower in the morning and bath before bed.
  • Tea or coffee? Coffee by the plunger-full in the morning and tea in the afternoon. But both must always be served in tea cups.

Photography:ย Amelia Stanwix, Mike Baker and Armelle Habib

For more on Heather | SPOTLIGHT ON Kirsten Bookallil

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May 7, 2018

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๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! ๐Ÿ˜)

Annieโ€™s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). โ€œI made it in tribute to Australia and Iโ€™m thrilled to say thatโ€™s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. Itโ€™s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green thatโ€™s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.โ€

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they were in Australia. Browsing the ever changing shelves in the home section of my local store, searching for bargains or something gorgeous nobody else will have, has become a bit of a hobby!

Top tip: it's also a brilliant spot to grab a gift, from the home or toy section. 

And as for those red clearance stickers? What a rush!๐ŸŽ‰

Are you a TK Maxx shopper?

#tkmaxx #tkmaxxaustralia #tkmaxxfanfinds #comeshoppingwithme #comeshopwithme #homeshopping  #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
As many original external features as possible wer As many original external features as possible were retained in this Queenslander's exterior but the interiors were almost entirely rebuilt. Highlights include a timber and pink upholstered 1970โ€™s inspired sunken lounge with crazy paver floor, nestled below 5-metre ceilings. It opens out onto a north facing lawn and enviable bespoke pool.

Did we mention it has Brisbane city views?! 

Take the tour now via link in bio.

@typearchitecture @andymcpherson_ 

#sunkenlounge #crazypave #crazypaving #seventiesinspired #seventiesinterior #bespokepool #curvedpool #custompool #custompools #custompoolbuilder #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderhome #cityviews
Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave ou Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave out, gold sinks to match your taps, textured tiles you'll want to keep touching and a pink clothes airer (not often we get even vaguely excited about those, so listen up!๐Ÿ˜‚).

All this and more in this month's bathroom and laundry roundup, on the blog now via link in bio.

#toothpastes #naturaltoothpaste #lowtox #mouthwash #naturalmouthwash #bathroomstyling #designerbathroom #clothesairer #laundryroomdecor #laundryhacks #goldbasin #goldsink #texturedtiles #pinktiles #pinkbathroom #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #laundryroutine #laundrytips #bathroomhappiness
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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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