Inspiration Profile - Gemma Cagnacci

Welcome to the latest instalment to our Inspiration Profiles - this week we have the lovely Gemma Cagnacci, whose creative and inspiring blog, line x shape x colour, I found earlier this year. I recommend checking out this seasoned traveller's blog as it is a visual feast and a great way to travel vicariously from your chair. It's a treat to have her featured here today.

 

Gemma Cagnacci

Los Angeles, USA

 

Name:Gemma Cagnacci

What do you do: By day I am textile designer for a large home wares wholesaler, which I have been doing for about seven years. However, in my spare time, I love to visually document my travels and creative projects for my blog line x shape x colour which is over two years old now.

Where do you live: Surry Hills in sunny Sydney, Australia

What are you working on: I’m always working on our next travel plans, trying to fit a in a sneaky trip  wherever possible! My husband Andrew and I are planning on doing some trekking in Nepal next year, so I’m in the process of researching that. I also just received a printmaking kit for my birthday and am currently working on some ideas to get started with that. I did a bit of printmaking while at uni, so I’m pretty excited to get back into it.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Tasmania, Australia

Sailing, Turkey

 

Colour:Any shade green

Plant/Flowers:Big lush tropical greens like Nicolai palms and Fiddle Leaf figs

Food:It’s a tie between Lebanese and Mexican (especially tacos!)

Smell:Jasmine on a balmy spring day

Style:I love both minimalism and eclecticism, separately and together.

Khiva, Uzbekistan

 

Urfa, Turkey

 

Who/what inspires me: My grandmother has been a massive influence and inspiration, having travelled and lived all over the world, filling her home with all sorts of treasures from her travels. She also had great interest in textiles, creating all sorts of amazing pieces including weaving on her very own loom. Growing up, it was incredibly inspiring being in that environment, hearing all her stories and just her general attitude to life.

I work best: I’m definitely a night person when it comes to getting into a productive groove.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Pinterest is great when I’m a little bit stuck, otherwise getting off the computer and listening to some music also does the trick.

The best advice I have been given is: Pretty simple but, be yourself and trust your gut. Also, to be patient.

My latest discovery is: Toro Y Moi. Why it has taken me so long to discover his music, I have no idea. But I’m glad I finally have!

New York City, USA

 

Books that I get inspiration from: I find photography books by the likes of Steve McCurry are always super inspiring. So too are are any on ethnic textiles and jewellery. I’m not a big reader of novels and prefer my non-fiction - especially when there are lots of pictures. I’m a very visual person!

Magazines that inspire me: Vogue Living, Monocle, Saturdays Surf and National Geographic.

Blogs that I enjoy: The Design Files, Mr and Mrs Globetrot, a Merry Mishap, Veronica Loves Archie and the Sartorialist

My favourite room at home is: Either my living room, as it is full of sunshine and some of our most precious treasures or the dining area, as my husband and I love to entertain and have our friends over for dinner whenever possible - especially in summer.

My office is: Wherever I have my Macbook!

What am I looking forward to: My sister and I are taking our mum away on surprise overseas trip to celebrate her 50th birthday. We have given her a packing list, but she has no idea where she is going, and won’t find out until she arrives at the airport! We leave in a couple of days and are all super excited!

Frankfurt, Germany

Lisbon, Portugal

 

Photographs are by and used with permission from Gemma Cagnacci

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Yellows Photography

Spotted on the Est magazine Daily today, I came across the work of Yellows Photography - the Danish photography studio of Mikkel Rahr Mortensen, along with stylist Gitte Kjaer. I was particularly drawn to these images for their client, Lightyears, a Danish lighting company - it is beautifully styled with great combinations of materials and colours.

Photographs via Est magazine.

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Inspiration Profile - Simon Devitt

If you're a regular reader of New Zealand architecture and design magazines, there is a every chance you have come across the work of today's Inspiration Profile.
His name is Simon Devitt and he is a photographer of Architecture. Devitt's work has regularly featured in the likes of HOME New Zealand and Urbis magazines, as well as many other New Zealand and international publications. Enjoy this week's profile with its stunning photography and have a great weekend all.

Simon Devitt in Raglan. Photo: Roberta Thornley.

King County House by Mitchell & Stout Architects

Hill Golf Clubhouse, Arrowtown by Pattersons.

Name:Simon Devitt

What do you do: I am a photographer of Architecture. I’ve been a professional photographer since 1995.

Where do you live: Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand

What are you working on: My latest project is my first self published book, about the Athfield house in Wellington, ‘Portrait of a House’.

Athfield House, Wellington

Charlotte's House, Russell, Northland

Who/what inspires me: Lately - Roberta Thornley (artist), Werner Herzog (film maker), Saul Leiter (photographer), Michael Haneke (film maker) and Caroline Robinson (Sculptor).

I work best: Anytime

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: Garden, run or talk with Roberta Thornely

The best advice I have been given is: I haven’t been given many good answers in the form of advice but have been asked some very good questions. All contextual and relevant to what was happening at that time.

My latest discovery is: That I’m 40

Kuaotunu Beach House, Coromandel

Knoll Ridge Cafe, Whakapapa Skifield by HB Architecture.

Books that I get inspiration from: Anything by Bruce Weber

Magazines that inspire me: Casa Vogue, Acne Paper

Blogs that I enjoy: American suburb X

My favourite room at home is: Lounge. Its where my library is

My office is: Under the house, ze dungeon

What am I looking forward to: Launching my new book.

Thanks Simon. If you want to keep up to date with Simon's work and news - you can check out  his Facebook page and  website.

Left: Church in Kingsland.               Right: Singapore Treehouse by  Joseph Lim.

Shanghai, China

All photographs are by, and used with permission from, Simon Devitt unless stated.

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52 Suburbs in Wellington

I love these Wellington photos taken by Louise Hawson from 52 Suburbs.
Hawson, in 2009/2010, realised that she was a stranger in her own home city of Sydney, Australia so she visited a different suburb each weekend and recorded what she saw for one year (hence '52 suburbs'). This was expanded into 52 Suburbs Around the World for 2012/13, which is how Hawson ended up on our shores. She focused on the suburb of Te Aro, which is just down the hill from my home, and with her great eye, she totally captured it - check out her website here and see if she visited your city.
Photographs by Louise Hawson via 52 Suburbs Around the World.

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FILMography - Matching Film Stills with Real Life

 

Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard from Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

 

Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand from The Way We Were (1973)

Robert Redford in Three Days of the Condor (1975)



Diane Keaton and Woody Allen from Annie Hall (1977)

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally (1989)




Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

 

Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner in The Avengers (2012)

This is FILMography - a fantastic website by New York journalist, Christopher Moloney. He has recreated more than 250 film scenes around his famous city using film stills and comparing them to the real life locations. It's amazing to see from the old films what hasn't changed. Go on, have a look and find your favourite film moments.
Photographs via FILMography.

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Inspiration Profile - Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile -  his name is Jaime Diaz-Berrio, an architect and photographer from Melbourne, Australia. Several weeks ago, Jaime sent me a lovely email asking me if I knew about the following of blog readers that I have in Melbourne? That was great to hear and hello to you all! Thanks for reading and enjoy today's profile.



Jaime Diaz-Berrio

RACV Healesville Country Club by SJB Architects

Name: Jaime Diaz-Berrio

What do you do: I am an architect and photographer. Originally from Mexico, I trained in architecture and have worked in Mexico and Australia designing residential, commercial and industrial spaces since 2001.

Photography has always been a hobby of mine and in 2008 I began photographing the work of other architects and interior designers as a side business. A few months ago I took the plunge and made it my main focus.

I currently share my time between architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

Where do you live: Melbourne, Australia

What are you working on: At the moment I am working on a new series of images taken on my last overseas trip which will hopefully form my first solo exhibition.

I take a lot of pleasure from walking around the built environment with a camera in hand and taking small parts of it with me, collecting portions of buildings that can later be put back together in a different light, sometimes pieces of the same building, sometimes of unrelated subjects and then re-composing them together. 

Merricks Residence by SJB Architects & SJB Interiors



 

 

Who/what inspires me: Travel, experiencing new cities, visiting the buildings designed by architects that I admire (I’ve dragged my lovely wife to very remote places over the years...)

I recently found a quote by an important Mexican architect, Luis Barragan, that has reinforced the importance of travel for me: “Don’t ask me about this building or that one. Don’t look at what I do. See what I saw.”

Other inspirations are:
Good, simple, well considered and timeless design in any of its multiple branches (architectural, interior, industrial, furniture etc).

In architecture, I find Peter Zumthor’s work in a league of its own, he is one of the few architects that manage to truly move all of your senses when you visit one of his buildings.

In photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images are always inspiring.

I work best: Around sunset, between the time when the light turns golden and about 20 minutes after the sun sets. Buildings seem to come alive. Sunrise is also very special, but I struggle to get out of bed that early!

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I go for a walk with my camera; it is amazing how I end up relaxing after a few minutes of looking through the viewfinder. It seems to eliminate all distractions and allows me to focus on what I am looking for.

The best advice I have been given is: Whilst in my second year in University, a very respected architect in Mexico told me that I should work for somebody whose work I admire very much because at that age I would probably work very long hours and have a very small salary so I should at least enjoy the work. I worked for him for the next five years and still consider him my greatest mentor who taught me what I consider the most important element in both architecture and photography: strong composition.

My latest discovery is: A love for good dark chocolate! (70% Green & Black’s Organic)

Decontra House by Fitt de Felice

McCrae House by SJB Architects



Prahan House by SJB Interiors

Books that I get inspiration from: Classic architectural books are a beautiful source of inspiration, I particularly enjoy books on Alvaro Siza, Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Peter Zumthor among others.

Magazines that inspire me: It’s always a pleasure when the Architectural Review (UK) shows up in the mail box. I also enjoy C+A and Mark.

Blogs that I enjoy: dezeen, archdaily, Contemporist, The Cool Hunter, Joe’s nyc.

My favourite room at home is: The lounge room, it’s a simple, calm room filled with sunlight during most of the day and a view to our small, green courtyard. A very peaceful and quiet place. 

My office is: At home for the moment but a couple of local cafes have also become satellite offices, I enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and being surrounded by people - a good coffee also doesn’t hurt! Favourites are Monk Bodhi Dharma & Spout in St Kilda East.

What am I looking forward to: Finding a balance between my three passions: architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

And why not, another long trip with Sara (and her patience!).

If you would like to learn more about Jaime, please see his website here.

Market Street Apartment by SJB Interiors

 
All photographs are by, and used with permission from, Jaime Diaz-Berrio.

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