Karen McCartney recently visited interior designer Brian Hoy at Drawing Room Theory, his shop within the Mitchell Road Emporium in Sydney's Alexandria.


A corner of Drawing Room Theory, at the Mitchell Road Emporium

How would you describe your aesthetic?
My aesthetic is clean and simple with flourishes of richness. I like the use of texture and tone through finishes that have depth.

You have created some amazing interiors. How do you work with your interior design clients?
I like to work very closely with my interior clients, as this is the only way to get into their head to help me understand what they really want in a space. I usually ask clients to give me points of reference - other spaces, taste in art, cities and travel. After adding the above information to the brief, the design process can start.


A casual bar space in a Sydney home, designed by Brian Hoy. The steel stools are part of Brian's new range, available from Drawing Room Theory. 

What quality do you think it is important for a home to convey?
I think a home needs to feel comfortable and calming, so the owner needs to feel a connection with the space and the items in the space. Otherwise the danger is that the space could feel like a soulless furniture showroom.

You have a skill for bringing the old and new together. Is this mix important to you.
I love history, and appreciate the effort and energy which has gone into crafting an antique or artifact. Add to this the layers of time that give an object a great patina and I cannot think of anything better than bringing the richness of something old to a new clean interior. For me this juxtaposition creates an interesting energy and an interesting duality between the old and new.


Bathroom by Brian Hoy.

Your shop 'Drawing Room Theory' at Mitchell Road Antiques sticks to a palette of black, white and neutrals. Why have you chosen this decorative approach?
I use the colour palette a lot in my interior work and it's instinctively part of my aesthetic. The use of this approach in the shop is a way of highlighting the textural quality of my items by eliminating visual competition from strong colors and creating a tonal, soft environment.


Brian Hoy's own designs – the Cradle lamp, made from honed Australian granite and stainless steel, and Caspian stools.

You also design your own lighting and furniture objects. What is the appeal for you in designing objects and are more items in the pipeline?
Designing the Cradle lamp and Caspian stool is simply another form of expression for me. I have some raw steel furniture I have designed coming into Drawing Room Theory and look forward to working on some installation photography coming soon.

Are you tempted to keep any objects that come your way?
I constantly fall in love with items I have in the store at the moment I love a set of late 18^th century French ivory and black plates.



What are the plans for the year ahead?
With the year ahead it will be a balance between Drawing Room Theory with a buying trip to India and Turkey and my interior clients working on several residential projects. I am very excited to be working with two photographers designing and styling installation photography.


A home in Sydney's Vaucluse designed by Brian.

Brian Hoy's Quick 5

Design hero:  The late Italian architect Carlo Scarpa
Favorite color:  Chartreuse
Above all else I love:  Louis XVI furniture
Pet hate: Furniture pushed hard up against a wall
Necessary evil: Chocolate

Images courtesy of Brian Hoy Design. Portrait of Brian by Tanya Zaccak.