03/03/2026
What is it about this place? 🇦🇺
Maybe it’s the weather, peoples background & culture, the “we chose to be here for a good life” attitude, the celebration of success and doing well. These are some of the differences I notice between Australia and the UK. Australians want to get on. Little self doubt, little judgement, just crack on, take risks, live life, earn, enjoy, don’t overthink. So it seems to me. That rather reserved & British “oh I’m not sure if I ought to” mentality is not here (all big generalisations, I know & I’m sure you’ll have your own opinion!)
It influences decisions and lifestyles and I see it in the design here too - bold, unapologetic, unfussy. “Yes, let’s build it”, casually sitting alongside the hard grafted buildings from decades and decades ago. History is respected but ‘old’ buildings are not really seen as desirable.
I’m interested in how people live & think, it’s a critical part of what I do, understanding household make-up. Culture & lifestyle always affects design, especially at a personal level in our homes, it informs our personal tastes, attitudes & response to colours, patterns, layouts.
Travel is always a great way to enjoy difference, so glad I had the opportunity to visit Sydney & some wilder parts of Australia, it’s beautiful. Here for another week yet 😎
