We talk with interior designer Chelsea Hing about the power of music and dance breaks during a day balancing work and home schooling, good looking mess, togetherness and time apart, experimenting in the kitchen and with Lego, and getting through this by going with the flow and doing what works.
This is the final post for #hometogether and we would like to thank everyone who has so generously shared their personal stories – and a few secrets too! It has really demonstrated the positive power of togetherness within the creative community.
From June we are launching the #futuretogether series that continues the conversation. more space talks with designers and industry insiders from Milan to New York, London, Singapore and Sao Paulo, about how they are tackling the challenges ahead, what this pandemic has taught us, how it might reshape communities, cities and the way we do things, and what the 'new normal’ might look like. There are some fascinating insights and we hope you will join us!
Where are you working from right now?
A combination of my studio desk and the dining table when the light is extra beautiful. Regular Zoom meetings with the team and clients has moved me into a spot with a better background! Home schooling has added kids to the team so school days are an extra challenging juggle as our projects continue on.
What makes a house a home to you?
Sharing it with the people you love. Good looking mess, books and music playing. Togetherness and time apart.
What is your most valuable possessions?
Right now, patience.
Favourite artwork?
I am surrounded by art in my home and wouldn’t have it any other way. Two favourite pieces would be my latest acquisition at Sydney Contemporary last year by Canberra artist Sky Jamieson (that’s the blue piece) and my first artwork bought from Daine Singer, a Minna Gilligan piece, that hangs over my sofa and has looked amazing in every home I’ve had. David Ray’s 'Riot Police' (sitting on my mantel) was also given to me by friends last year. I’m drawn to the looseness and naivety in a lot of the works.
If you have something from the Space collection, what do you love about it?
The Cassina 714 table by Theodore Waddell designed in the 1970s. We bought it for our first home, it’s the perfect size for small family dinners. The base is counter-intuitive in how it supports the top, so sculptural, beautiful and lightweight in any space – all the things that I love.
Your playlist right now?
I absolutely love music and couldn’t live without it. So much so, there are regular dance breaks in our house which we actually wrote into the school schedule. Kanye West’s 'Sunday School', Ram Dass and Calvin Harris, through to Prince’s posthumous album 'Piano and a Microphone' are all on high rotation.
Favourite cookbook?
I am currently loving 'A Table in Venice' bought for me by my now working from home studio mate who went to Venice with me en route to the Milan Fair a few years back. I recently cooked the lemon risotto but swapped out the risotto for risoni and topped it with prawns drenched in garlic. Incredible.
Do you have a special interest or hobby that you’ve had more time to spend on during lockdown?
A nightly 'Lego Masters’ episode, followed by more Lego that’s now taking over the house.
Something new you have been learning?
We’re a small team, so working remotely has been a fairly easy transition for us. Zoom and Google Classroom have become my new friends.
Can you share with us any projects you are working on?
A handful of beautiful houses that are both finishing up and kicking off...
What are you reading?
The 'Making of Men' by Arne Rubinstein and ‘Becoming' by Michelle Obama. Real life is more interesting to me than fiction.
Your favourite ‘Quarantini'?
A well-earned Negroni and FaceTime with my peeps.
And your best piece of advice for getting through this together?
Doing what works.
