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Updated 25 March 2021
Interiors expert and former Vogue Living Editor David Clark has collaborated with one of Australia's leading interior designers, Meryl Hare to co-author a book about the work of Meryl's practice Hare + Klein. Published by Thames & Hudson it covers projects old and new, and allows an insight into the creative process and a peek inside many beautiful homes. In this extract, David shares his ideas about successful design and remembers his first meeting with Meryl.
In an interior, a balance of casual living and aesthetic sophistication can be hard to get right. A room can lack the layers that make it interesting, welcoming and comfortable, or can be too stitched up, too formal, garish or old fashioned. It is in seeking that balance however, that Australian interior design has found – is still finding – its natural place.
Life in a temperate climate has allowed us to develop a particular style of architecture and a way of living. We are, after all and at our best, a relaxed people: genial, welcoming, well travelled and increasingly assured of our own sophistication and regional refinements. That balance of aesthetic elegance and a spirit of generosity in an interior is something that Hare + Klein do exceptionally well.
The person behind Hare + Klein is Meryl Hare (formerly Klein). We first met in about 1986 and I recall an early conversation we shared about design. It was, we agreed, by its very nature an act of generosity. In design work, the designer is creating something for somebody else, understanding their lives, solving their problems, making things easier, less mundane and hopefully more beautiful along the way. That spirit of generosity is something that imbues her practice today.
This is not a retrospective look at projects from early days - we chose instead to look for aesthetic currency, aiming for a book that might inspire people now.
David Clark
Raw concrete walls and ceiling set the tone for this North Bondi home, for which the brief was a clean and contemporary interior with a cool colour palette.
Hare + Klein took a light approach to this former factory in Surry Hills, repairing original timbers and expressing new work without destroying the original fabric.
The owners of this Palm Beach home wanted a casual and warm space, which Hare + Klein achieved with over-scales sofas and versatile tables which can double up as extra seating.
The formality of a Federation home in Mosman was countered with contemporary lighting. Hare + Klein designed a modern interpretation of a traditional partners' desk.
The book includes inspiring sketches, mood boards and fabric samples.
Inspired? Order your own copy online. You can also follow Hare + Klein on Instagram @hareklein
Congratulations to winner Debbie C. This promotion is now closed.
Hare + Klein by David Clark & Meryl Hare
Interiors expert and former Vogue Living Editor David Clark has collaborated with one of Australia's leading interior designers, Meryl Hare to co-author a book about the work of Meryl's practice Hare + Klein. Published by Thames & Hudson it covers projects old and new, and allows an insight into the creative process and a peek inside many beautiful homes. In this extract, David shares his ideas about successful design and remembers his first meeting with Meryl.
In an interior, a balance of casual living and aesthetic sophistication can be hard to get right. A room can lack the layers that make it interesting, welcoming and comfortable, or can be too stitched up, too formal, garish or old fashioned. It is in seeking that balance however, that Australian interior design has found – is still finding – its natural place.
Life in a temperate climate has allowed us to develop a particular style of architecture and a way of living. We are, after all and at our best, a relaxed people: genial, welcoming, well travelled and increasingly assured of our own sophistication and regional refinements. That balance of aesthetic elegance and a spirit of generosity in an interior is something that Hare + Klein do exceptionally well.
The person behind Hare + Klein is Meryl Hare (formerly Klein). We first met in about 1986 and I recall an early conversation we shared about design. It was, we agreed, by its very nature an act of generosity. In design work, the designer is creating something for somebody else, understanding their lives, solving their problems, making things easier, less mundane and hopefully more beautiful along the way. That spirit of generosity is something that imbues her practice today.
After more than two decades of practice, the time seemed right for a Hare + Klein book. Meryl approached me with the idea and I believed it would make a compelling publication. We delved into the archive, photographed new work, and selected projects that we felt were the best exemplars of the studio's design philosophy.
This is not a retrospective look at projects from early days - we chose instead to look for aesthetic currency, aiming for a book that might inspire people now.
David Clark
Raw concrete walls and ceiling set the tone for this North Bondi home, for which the brief was a clean and contemporary interior with a cool colour palette.
Hare + Klein took a light approach to this former factory in Surry Hills, repairing original timbers and expressing new work without destroying the original fabric.
The owners of this Palm Beach home wanted a casual and warm space, which Hare + Klein achieved with over-scales sofas and versatile tables which can double up as extra seating.
The formality of a Federation home in Mosman was countered with contemporary lighting. Hare + Klein designed a modern interpretation of a traditional partners' desk.
The book includes inspiring sketches, mood boards and fabric samples.
Inspired? Order your own copy online. You can also follow Hare + Klein on Instagram @hareklein
Congratulations to winner Debbie C. This promotion is now closed.
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