With a humming Melbourne design and architecture practice, More Space catches up with Mim Fanning who is celebrating 21 years with a book – ‘Works – Mim Design’ – that explores the personal stories behind their projects, the role of narrative and craftspeople in elevating an interior, the return of character and intimacy in design, and the magic that comes when you use pen and paper and "think with your head and your hand".
Congratulations on your new book – has it been an important project for you?
Putting a book together is something that has always been on my bucket list, so it’s a dream that began many years ago. I love books and collect them, and I think print form is a beautiful art. I worked with local publisher Untitled Press and good friends of mine, Jaquelyn Thatcher and Andrew Wood, and together we curated every page. I was also lucky to work with writer Karen McCartney and I learnt all about telling stories. We decided that the book would be published and printed in Australia which has meant that I have been able to see it all happening live which has been very exciting. In terms of celebrating 21 years, it wasn't necessarily about ordering projects chronologically, it was more about their narrative. Generally when projects are featured in a book, you don't learn about the relationship with the client or the story behind the work. For us, we really wanted to tell their stories so we chose 13 projects and clients who I have great relationships with. So for me, the book has a lot of personal meaning.
Is there one project that stands out?
That is like asking me who my favourite child is! (laughter) They're all so different. What I love about each and every one of them is they have their own story and their own personality, that was really important. Each project taught me something so I guess my favourites are the ones that made me explore and learn more. The Horizon house located at Flinders, taught me that fantastic tradespeople who have open minds for creating new things enable us to push boundaries with details and finishes. I was so grateful that the craftspeople understood what we wanted to achieve from a design sensibility, and it was a lovely project to work on because of that.
St Ninions, Brighton, by Mim Design. Photos © Dave Kulesza.
"Trend is a bit of a dirty word for us at Mim Design, we see trend as disposable design. I think design needs to stand the test of time. What looks good today should be equally good in 15 to 20 years’ time."
Mim Fanning, Founder, Mim Design
Could you define your design philosophy?
To design with reason and to design in a holistic manner that is fit for purpose. We want our projects to connect with the client as well as the environment. We are not trend driven. Trend is a bit of a dirty word for us at Mim Design, we see trend as disposable design. I think design needs to stand the test of time. What looks good today should be equally good in 15 to 20 years’ time. We've always strived to create authentic designs and that means using authentic materials and furniture. Using original pieces and supporting the community is huge for us. If you can't have an iconic design original, don't go and buy a copy, design something that actually fits within your budget and is unique to the project.
You’ve described your work as not only reflecting your clients, but enhancing their lives. What are some of your fundamental rules?
As a designer, you want to keep abreast of everything that's happening socially and economically in the world. We are all living a very different life now, so it's part of our charter to recognise this on every project we're working on, whether it's a multi-residential apartment building or a family home we ask our clients a lot of questions. When we are working with families with young children, we always look ahead at how their spaces might change over time. I do think the traditional way of living where rooms had character and an intimate feel has come back. Fifteen years ago it was about big, generous, open spaces, now people like to have rooms that are smaller and have their own unique personality. Clients are working from home and holding business meetings remotely, so they don't want to sit in a big space, they want the focus of a peaceful, quiet space.
It’s been a difficult couple of years adjusting to the ‘new normal’, what’s the best thing that's happened to you this year?
I've enjoyed spending more time with my family, I’ve learnt to work with a lot of new technology and how to connect with clients over the screen, and of course finishing the book has been a great experience. Today, I saw the final cover so it’s almost done. I’ve also completed a very nice collaboration with Behruz Studio which I’ve been working on for a couple of years. They are a family business and produce beautiful handmade rugs. I worked with the two sons, their father was one of my favourite people who died suddenly so the collection pays homage to him. It’s a very meaningful collection and I have included their story in the book. I have also enjoyed spending time putting pen to paper and hand drawing in the studio. Because I’m not in an office of 30 people at the moment, I’ve had the head space to do it which has been really lovely. I am a true believer that the best designs come when you pick up a pen and paper and you think with your head and your hand.
Mim Fanning, founder of Mim Design. Photo © Peter Clarke.
St Ninions, Brighton, by Mim Design, and following. Photos © Dave Kulesza.
The book 'Works – Mim Design' celebrates 21 years of the practice and the stories behind the projects. Photo c/o Mim Design.
Coastal Pavilion, Sorrento, by Mim Design, and following. Photos © Tom Blachford.
Inside the Mim Design studio, South Yarra, and following. Photos © Peter Clarke.
"I think for me, a chair is like a piece of sculpture and I collect chairs because they are all different. If I had more space, I would just have single chairs in my house. I love their form and the story behind each one: when they were designed, how they were constructed and what they mean."
Mim Fanning, Founder, Mim Design
Coastal Pavilion, Sorrento, by Mim Design features the Zio Dining Chairs by Marcel Wanders for Moooi. Photos © Tom Blachford.
Furniture is such a great form of personal expression, how do you approach a new interior?
When we design a house there is a narrative within the design but then we delve even deeper with our clients. They might be 6 foot 4, they could have a particular quirk, and elements they like or dislike. So we interrogate our clients in a very nice way to find out all of their nuances. We’ve just finished the Bartolo project in Williamstown, it’s an amazing house and we selected all of the furniture, the artwork and the accessories so it was a very interesting process. Each piece was unique and the client wanted a collection of things they could keep forever and pass on to their children. I think that's what's really important about furniture. It’s so interesting learning about each piece, who designed it, and how it was manufactured. Furniture is like collectable art these days and a lot of our clients want to know all about the provenance. For us it’s a very nice way to layer an interior, particularly when a client knows the story behind the design piece and has a connection with it.
And finally, a few of your favourite designs?
I love an iconic chair. I think for me, a chair is like a piece of sculpture and I collect chairs because they are all different. If I had more space, I would just have single chairs in my house. I love their form and the story behind each one: when they were designed, how they were constructed and what they mean. I have a Hans Wegner Flag Halyard chair, a Patricia Urquiola Smock chair and a Standard sofa by Francesco Binfaré. The technology of the Standard sofa is amazing, every piece of the design is moveable so it moulds to your body. I have two boys and we all love that sofa which has also connected us, particularly through the last year. I guess you could say it’s our Covid comfy sofa!
Thanks Mim, great to chat with you.
'Works – Mim Design' published by Untitled Press is now available for pre-order from Space Furniture.
