more space caught up with the Studio* Collaborative’s Melinda Huuk on the importance of laughter, cooking, drinking and playing music during isolation, the stories behind some of her most cherished belongings, and her team of strong, selfless and resilient designers who are helping one another get through this.
Where are you working from at the moment?
Predominantly at my dining table. I have positioned myself with a view to the forest that sits just behind our yard. I read documents on the sofa and take calls outside. Zoom meets happen any place where the lighting is dim and forgiving. Our entire studio team e-meets every second day but our project teams are in constant e-design sessions sharing screens.
My team have been incredible – selfless, resilient and strong. We know we will get through this but I can feel the weight that it is bringing to their lives. I am still uncomfortable seeing my clients in baseball hats and civvies against a background of Moscow, or better still the moon... why??? We are getting the work done, having a laugh when we can, but I do miss the face-to-face contact.
What makes a house a home to you?
The people, the sounds, the smells and the memories. We cook, we drink, we play music, and we drink (did I say that already?). We are all usually so busy that we don’t see much of each other. In some ways it’s nice to be able to spend more time together.
Talk us through the most coveted design pieces in your home?
We have an eclectic style with pieces accumulated over a lifetime and each with a story to tell. We have an Edra sofa, the L’homme and L’femme, which I extravagantly bought when I was very young. It was a toss up – a deposit for a house, or a sofa? The sofa won. I have never been very practical when it comes to beautiful things.
The sofa has stoically survived children wedging uneaten sandwiches between its cushions, had its moving ‘‘wings’’ flipped in and out by intrigued visitors, and acted as a stronghold for countless games of war waged by my sons in younger days. For years, our family has laughed, cried and lounged all over this gorgeous piece, It’s full of memories and I have never grown tired of it.
Second are a pair of Hans J Wegner chairs that my husband unknowingly 'discovered’ in a second hand shop. He had them restored by a gorgeous old man in Surry Hills and presented them to me on my birthday about 10 years ago. He had no idea what he’d found. Best birthday EVER. Seriously. The next year was a set of knives. In fairness they were Shun knives, but still...
I am intrigued at the speed with which this new world order shines a light on the good, the bad and the ugly.
Studio* Collaborative’s Founder & Director Melinda Huuk
What have you learnt during lockdown?
I have learnt that my dog snores really loudly and that cockatoos are bloody noisy too. It’s incredible how your awareness of normal background noises is amplified when you are on a Zoom meeting with important clients. I am intrigued at the speed with which this new world order shines a light on the good, the bad and the ugly. I find myself either in absolute awe or sincerely disappointed by how people choose to behave at this time.
What music are you listening to?
With both sons trapped at home, the piano. Neglected for many years in favour of the drum kit and numerous guitars, interestingly it has been getting a hammering with classical pieces and I am in heaven.
About #hometogether
We’re all adapting to our ‘new normal’, staying home, but trying to stay connected. To help keep our community together we have invited our clients and friends to share what they are doing. How they are working, their tips, thoughts and ideas, and if you’re up for it, a few fun secrets too.
Each week we will release a new series for you to enjoy. To get in involved share your photos with #hometogether #alifeindividual and don’t forget to tag us @spacefurniture
