Hello there, Honey
Everything Australian designer Stuart Membery turns his hand to is a success, whether it be fashion, architecture, interior design or painting so we were delighted to be invited into his magical Legian hideaway and see his super stylish house for ourselves.
Tell us a little bit about your style and your inspiration
I’ve had the same style forever! There’s an injection of tropical with everything I do. My style is beachy with lots of navy and white. I’m inspired by the water, boat sheds, and the family beach house at Palm Beach. My mother was very house proud and her style was always changing. At the time she was quite alternative and sporty and that comes through in my designs.
Tell us about your background
I was always in the school plays and so going to NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts) seemed like a natural progression. I moved to London to do some modelling work and ended up back in Australia painting textiles, which is where I really learnt about fabrics, print, and colour.
I also wrote a column on fashion and parties for the Mirror and The Australian as well as did my own paintings.
I later worked for Cartier in Hong Kong designing fabrics and it was there that I met with a San Francisco group who designed under the name of Sweet Baby Jane and Plain Jane, who later became ESPRIT. I spent my time travelling between San Francisco and Hong Kong for ESPRIT, but loved Australia and came back and started my own label in 1982, which I ran until 1997 when I stopped to do my own paintings again.
I was then asked to help out with some interior designs and architecture… and one thing led to another, and I had a brand again and a website and bam! we were global.
Describe a typical day for you
I always like to dress appropriately for the day and I meet with the office staff in the morning and have a conference call with our team in Java. We have a staff lunch at home and then at 4.30pm I like to go to the gym. My favourite thing is to have my dinner on a tray whilst watching television. I save my social life for the weekends and my big social events for when I’m in Bangkok or Singapore.
Tell us about some of your favourite places to eat in Bali
My favourite place to eat is at home with friends, but if I go out I love restaurants with an international flavour and a sense of scale and space. I love Metis, La Lucciola, and Sardine.
Where are you favourite places to buy home accessories and furniture?
In Singapore it’s Verandah Living and Bungalow 55, but I’m a big Internet shopper and love eBay so I’m picking the best from the whole world.
Can you share your three top design tips?
1. If you love it, it will all come together. Don’t be frightened to go with what you love. Give your interior design some fun and humour
2. Lighting is important. It’s a science and if you can’t get it right yourself get some professional advice.
3. Feed the senses – fill your home with candles, frangrances, scents and flowers.
Thanks, Stuart!