Shopgirl Visits Aussie Designer Greg Hatton
Hi decor8 readers, it’s Jillian here bringing you another Shopgirl Studio Tour. When I visited Koskela a few months ago, I was introduced to the work of Greg Hatton. Greg is a furniture maker, lighting designer and recycle extraordinaire who’s made his home in an old butter factory in the village of Newstead, Australia. You may have seen his work here before on decor8.
When I saw his work, I was so intrigued I wanted to see more and knowing I was going to be in Melbourne on a work trip, I emailed him to arrange a visit. In one of those extraordinary quirks of fate, I discovered Greg lived a short drive away from one of my dear friends, with whom I was to stay.
On a gorgeous sunny day, we drove to the Butter Factory. The countryside surrounding the factory is just gorgeous. The Old Butter Factory is an extraordinary building that Greg has resurrected. He’s painstakingly stripped it back to it’s current state – part workshop/part furniture showroom/part garden with a dash of accommodation thrown in for good measure. The garden has some intriguing outbuildings and remnants of it’s previous life as a factory.
I also spied one of Leila Sanderson’s cute teepees in the garden.
I roamed around with my camera – In the workroom I spied the fixings for some of Greg’s Fowler jar pendant lights and a Beetle Track stool in production. The main area of the Butter factory is enormous and I think it would be a great venue for a unique wedding celebration. Much of the furniture has been named like the aptly titled Flying saucer light, one of my favorites; the fantastic smooth sticky ball light and the upcycled bee box sideboard in the entry.
Greg is in the process of building some self contained accommodation to be furnished with his designs, all of which will be for sale. What a great idea to be able to take a little bit of something home with you! I was so inspired by the countryside, I’m now dreaming of my own little country getaway. Do you have similar dreams?
This talented man is on a mission is to combine art and nature with function and I think you’ll agree he’s managed to achieve this and much more. Many thanks to Greg and Katie for allowing me into their home.
How’s this for a modern interpretation of a Christmas tree?
I’ll be traveling a bit for the next several weeks and will visit some inspiring spaces in NYC that I hope to share with you upon my return. Until then! – Jillian.
(text/photography: jillian leiboff)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
September 26th, 2012 at 3:56pm
I love it! great spaces! so simple but beautiful!
Pilar´s last [type] ..Black dress!
September 26th, 2012 at 4:32pm
Oh, I love that blue lamp. Wonderful!!
Esther.
Esther´s last [type] ..Breakfast in bed bag
September 26th, 2012 at 4:37pm
What a cool space. It’s full of so much “ruin porn”. I love that dining table.
September 26th, 2012 at 6:24pm
Creativity with what’s on hand. I love that it all fits in with his butter factory location. All wood items remind me that it’s a basic thing we should all use and recycle. I like the flying saucer light fixture the best. I also want a butter factory of my own!!
Kathleen´s last [type] ..My First Niche Box
September 26th, 2012 at 8:13pm
Holly while I am not a country girl I love this space; so creative and unique!!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
Karena´s last [type] ..A Conversation with the Internationally Acclaimed Artist Steven Miller
September 27th, 2012 at 3:43am
The flying saucer light is my favourite as well. I can see one or two hanging in my dream country cottage in the nearby village of Chewton.
September 27th, 2012 at 1:01pm
Was für tolle Fotos und Ideen. Den Weihnachtsbaum muss ich mir auf jeden Fall merken. Falls ich mal ausnahmsweise über Weihnachten zu Hause bin :) LG Yna
Yna´s last [type] ..Award- Danke!
September 27th, 2012 at 6:34pm
My country get away would be an apartment in Paris or New York. Forget the country, I’d rather recharge in a grande ville!
September 28th, 2012 at 6:46am
This feels like fall, and makes me happy! Thanks for posting :)
October 7th, 2012 at 1:56pm
Hey! You’ll love this place!
Pilar´s last [type] .."La Importadora"
October 8th, 2012 at 9:15pm
What an amazing looking light fixture made out of twigs!
Katie´s last [type] ..A Swedish lakeside getaway