On the eve of launching his first book 'A Place Called Home' (published by Hardie Grant) Mr Jason Grant talks to Karen McCartney about Bondi, capturing off-beat beauty and what is to be learnt from the world of styling. Leave a comment here on the blog for your chance to win a copy - details are at the bottom of the post. 

Did the title of the book come easily?
We called the book "A Place Called Home' right from the beginning. I like the double meaning – it is my home, my visuals but is open enough to belong to also anyone else. It is a very open and inclusive title  – which reflects the ethos of the book.



What do you want readers to get from the book?
I wanted a book where I could be myself and explore my styling journey in order to share what I have learnt along the way. The process of writing and styling a book requires a degree of introspection and distilling of information to convey it to others. I do believe what stylists do is the same process as people decorating at home. I am conscious not to dictate – just to inspire by example.

The book feels both local and personal – was this the intention?
Yes, the idea was always that it would focus in that way. When I signed the book contract I had just moved to Bondi and, as I am from Melbourne, I still had the eye, and enthusiasm, of a tourist. I am always looking for inspiration in the smallest detail and there are lots of examples in the book.



The book is full of tips and advice but also features 12 homes. How did you choose those particular places?
The deciding factor was very personal. I chose homes with which I had a natural empathy. It is entirely reflective of my taste – beautiful, relaxed and never over -styled. My aim was to capture the home and highlight personality rather than be an exercise in product placement



How did you approach the planning of the book?
We had a very clear planning approach – each chapter was worked out – but I still liked to allow for serendipity – and some of the best images came about as a result of a beautiful moment rather than planning. For example we were photographing a house and the owners made us lunch – it looked so good we shot it and it is a full page in the book.



Do you particular sections you love?
A highlight for me is  'Imagination' because it is about using what you have and thinking about clever ways of reinventing everyday objects. It isn't just about acquiring all the time.

Visuals are your world so the photography must have been an important aspect of the process?
James Geer did all the photography in the book and he really captured what I was after. Not too sharp and glossy as he has used a special filter to knock back the colour so that it feels light and bright but still has depth and character.



Stylists tend to have certain tricks - is there anything you have avoided?
I have steered well clear of any shots that look staged and artificial. We tried to capture real moments when possible. I also wanted to keep it very much my take on Australian style and keep it fairly gender neutral.

What is your place like?
I don't live in a perfect apartment. Sure I have some nice things, but I have saved for any designer pieces, and for me it is more about putting things together in a pleasing way.



Did you buy anything with your book advance? 
A beautiful large-scale photograph of a cockatoo – 'Mrs Skyring' - by artist Leila Jeffreys.

What would be the best response you could have from people experiencing the book?
I am an upbeat person and it comes through in the vibe of the book. So I would like them to feel inspired, and to feel happy.



Quick fire questions

Pet styling hate: that way of karate chopping cushions so that they go into little peaks!
Design hero: British designer Tom Dixon, who I met last week when he was visiting Sydney.
Signature styling trick: I like to pull in a found or random object ie a leaf  to provide an unexpected finishing touch.
Favourite colour:  Pale blue with yellow as close second.
Clever shopping tip:  I have an eye for bargain. I love garage sales and buy slightly damaged off the shop floor stock.  I don't mind a bit of wear and tear, its more authentic.

Images by James Geer, courtesy of Mr Jason Grant and Hardie Grant. You can buy a copy of A Place Called Home through Mr Jason Grant's website.

We have 3 copies of 'A Place Called Home' by Mr Jason Grant to give away. For your chance to win one copy, leave a comment here on the blog before 5pm (AEST) Friday 12 April 2013. You must be a member of Temple & Webster to enter, and you may only enter once. We will choose our 3 favourite comments, and will notify winners via their Facebook page or at the email address attached to their Temple & Webster account (if we are able to ascertain it) by Friday 19 April 2013. If we are unable to make contact with any of the winners via either of those methods within 30 days, we'll choose a replacement winner. Good luck! 

Update: Congratulations to Tracey Miller, Kathryn Winspear-Smith and Rachel Whelan - each has won a copy of A Place Called Home.