Hey Billie, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. Tell us about your work! How long have you been designing furniture and has this always been a main interest of yours?
Hey, thanks for having me :-)
It hasn't always been a main interest, but I would say for the last 3/4 years it has.
Ive been designing furniture since around 2020 when I started studying an associate degree of furniture design at RMIT. Before I started studying furniture design I would collect furniture, so Ive had a keen eye for the last few years.
You co-founded the studio – ‘Its Nice Inside’ in 2020. The space showcases local furniture and various works of interior designers, with a common ground of ethical production. What pushed you to do this and why is ethical production important to you?
I think slow and localised production is a kind of response to late stage capitalism. It's happening in pockets all around the world and I hope that its a movement and trend that continues to grow. It also gives each collection more intrinsic value and accountability while supporting the designer directly.
I love all your pieces, in particular, the “fluer stool”. What was the inspiration behind this piece?
The original inspiration came from a clover leaf that I saw when I was walking my dog. Sometimes I'll look at a bunch of visual input from mood boards that I've made and sometimes I'll just see something irl and get an idea. I’ve included the original sketch of the fleur stool so you can see what the first ideation looked like.
Fluer Stool
Bareback Stool
What is a new furniture piece you’re working on (if it’s not confidential)?
I made a batch of lamps from offcuts of previous projects that I’ll be releasing in November. Lately all I daydream about is lighting and have some things that I’d like to materialise early next year.. I'd prefer to keep it on the down low until its done though.
What are your top three favourite furniture pieces you've created?
So far the Dichot Lamp, Fleur Stool and the Bareback stool. All of them have been very different processes and outcomes that have taught me a lot <3
How long on average would you say it takes you from idea to finished product?
Ive had some ideas that have sat for over a year and then once the making process begins it can come together within a matter of weeks. Other things take months of prototyping or workshopping, especially when you’re using new materials. For example the Dichot lamp took a couple of months as through the process I learnt how to cold form steel and experimented with different materials for brazing, the bareback stool on the other hand came together in a matter of days once the design was finalised.
If you had to pick a design idol, who would it be and why?
I really love Hannah Levy, even though her practice is more art based. Mario Bellini is probably one of my favourite designers. I became obsessed with him when I found out his idea for using rubber button pads on calculators was inspired by the look / feeling of nipples. He has a way of connecting abstract themes in subtle and sexy ways.
Alongside with Its Nice Inside and your furniture design, what else do you get up to in your spare time?
I have a dog milton who keeps me in line and am generally up to date with the entire Real housewives franchise. I also enjoy rock climbing.
If you could give any advice for anyone looking to get into furniture design, what would it be?
Sketching and modelling things in cardboard or foam is a good place to start. If you have concepts I think drawing or rendering is a great way to get it out and if you’re too intimidated by drawing, even clay can be a good way to model. The most important thing is creating the space to make it materialise, nothing happens if you don't make it happen. There are lots of different short courses and workshops that can help with hands-on skills if you want to dip your toes in too.
Dichot Lamp
Hardware Lamp 001
