Lucy McCabe is the Interior Design Editor of Belle magazine. For almost 40 years, Belle has delivered the best in Australian and international design. The magazine showcases a stunning line-up of the world’s most beautiful homes, plus all the news and trends in interior design, architecture, furniture, home accessories, fabrics, art, luxury goods and beauty products.
We asked Lucy a few questions about interior trends and design style.
What trend has surprised you over the last 12 months?
I think the 80’s Memphis look is still going really strong but the tones seem softer now – steering away from the primary palette we usually associate with the movement, and working in pastel hues with an otherwise monochrome scheme. Hints of gold add a feminine element, like jewellery for the home, but we’re also starting to see more subtle metals in the mix, such as pewter. It seems like a more cool, layered and sophisticated take on the 80s aesthetic, but still very fun and definitely not staid.
Tell us about an interior that you have featured in your magazine that has particularly resonated with you.
Each morning on my way to work I walk past Orama, a stunning Victorian villa in Woollahra, and have always been intrigued by its facade. Earlier this year we were lucky enough to photograph the home for the August/September cover of Belle and I completely fell in love with it. Architect William Smart of Smart Design Studio had kept the handsome features and elegant proportions of the original home, while creating a really interesting dialogue between these heritage spaces and the amazing extension.
Even though the new elements are wholly contemporary – with robust concrete and soaring glass panes, there still seems to be a really nice synergy between the old and the new. And not to mention the owners’ seriously fabulous contemporary art collection and amazing mix of design classics. I think it’s my dream home!
What do you predict we’ll see a lot of in 2016?
In terms of textiles, I think 1960’s op art prints. They might seem like a slightly wild choice, but can actually work really well even in a classic space or as a hit of colour in an otherwise minimal interior. I often look to contemporary art and fashion for inspiration when it comes to my cloth pages, and artists like Matthys Gerber (currently at the MCA) and Jonathan Zawada (at Sarah Cottier Gallery), as well as the latest runway looks, all use colour and pattern in really cool ways that I think can definitely be distilled in an interior scheme.
Which fabrics from James Dunlop Textiles are you loving right now?
Mokum’s ‘Nomad’ collection is my favourite. I used the Berba chenille jacquard to upholster a bedhead for the ‘Cloth’ fabric pages in the August/September issue of Belle. Reminiscent of a Moroccan Beni Ouarain rug, it’s like something a very chic jet setter would collect on their travels, but still with a very refined texture.
Who are the people that are inspiring you most on Social Media at the moment?
I’m constantly scrolling through the @1stdibs instagram page.They have the finest collection of antique furniture, fine jewelry, vintage fashion and fine art from around the world.
How would you sum up your own personal style?
Classic and sleek, not decorative and fussy. I keep the palette minimal and shapes streamlined to let the texture do the talking!
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IMAGE CREDITS
• Orama House - As seen in the Aug/Sept issue of Belle. Photographed by Sharon Rees.
• Matthys Gerber - Image found on MCA website.
• Jonathan Zawada - Images found on Sarah Cottier Gallery website.
• Berba Bedhead - ‘Cloth’ fabric feature as seen in the Aug/Sept issue of Belle. Photograph by Will Horner.
