March 10, 2015
INTERIOR DESIGNER MERYL HARE
Every year there are new recruits into the Australian interior design world, but only a handful stay the distance. Meryl Hare is an example par excellence. Since launching her practice in 1988, she has worked on an array of interiors - from harbourside residences to beachside houses and country retreats to boutique hotels - and has had them regularly featured in interior magazines, as well as on industry award lists. Meryl’s work is well known and respected, as is she. Former long-time Vogue Living editor David Clark wrote and collaborated with her to produce the recent book Hare + Klein: Texture, Colour, Comfort. While Meryl was born in South Africa and raised in Zambia and Swaziland, she has been based in Sydney for almost 30 years. In 2011 she inducted into the Design Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame. Most recently she was selected for inclusion in the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review (volume 18). This is the eighth time she has been featured in this respected industry publication. You can see more about Meryl's design process on the Hare + Klein blog.
For your chance to win a copy of Hare + Klein: Texture, Colour, Comfort by David Clark and Meryl Hare (Thames & Hudson), visit Daily Imprint’s Instagram page from about 8pm Sydney time.
Which five words best describe you? Curious, humane, determined, fair-minded and optimistic.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started out as a graphic designer, but found my passion in interior design after many hours spent decorating for friends. When I realised that I could make a career of something I loved doing – it was an easy decision to jump ship and start my first practice with a friend who knew the industry. I did some extra study and found that some of the graphic design principals of proportion, colour and texture were relevant to interiors. Then we moved from South Africa to Australia and I started again – it was a good move and not a day goes by that I don’t start the day with a smile on my face!
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To have confidence in my design instincts and to listen and learn from people I respect.
What's your proudest career achievement? Being inducted into the Design Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame.
What’s been your best decision? To concentrate on what I do best and not get distracted along the way or let my company get too large. I want to be able to sleep at night and to have fun at work.
Who inspires you? I am inspired by passionate individuals, be they artists, authors, designers or humanitarians.
What are you passionate about? My family, travel and creating beautiful, comfortable, well-crafted liveable spaces for people to live in.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to meet and walk awhile with Mahatma Gandhi.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I have so many dreams – designing a beautiful furniture range, being one.
What are you reading? The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton – set in New Zealand – a good relaxing read.
images courtesy of meryl hare; photography nicholas watt (1, 3), jenni hare (2, 4, 5)
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