A celebration of personal taste and professional intuition, 10 Design Essentials with interior designers Arent & Pyke offers a layered insight into what shapes soulful, character-driven interiors. Presented by co-founder Juliette Arent, the selection moves seamlessly between iconic design objects and humble personal favourites, revealing the deep values and philosophies that guide one of Australia’s most respected design studios.
From the comforting curves of the Womb chair to the artisanal integrity of a handmade loaf of bread, the essentials illustrate a belief that design is both emotional and elemental. The interior designers behind Arent & Pyke approach every project with the aim of creating spaces that endure and uplift – an ethos echoed in each object’s narrative. Whether discussing the diffused glow of the Atollo by Oluce lamp or the textural richness of Pierre Frey fabrics, the focus remains on how materials, colour and light coalesce to support everyday rituals.
Texture and tone are recurrent themes. Venetian Slipper, a VOC-free paint in a bold yet earthy red, underscores the importance of health and vibrancy in a home. It’s not simply about visual appeal – the interior designers view colour as a conduit for atmosphere, often guiding clients through subtle but transformative shifts in palette. Similarly, hand-glazed ceramics, natural window treatments and expressive marbles are selected for their tactile qualities, grounding each space in a sense of place and personality.
Across all ten selections, utility is matched with poetics. Wall sconces by Dunlin serve both interior and exterior settings, providing architectural punctuation and ambient light. Bamboo blinds allow filtered sunlight to gently animate a room, while joinery handles by Barbera Design act as jewellery for cabinetry – practical, but imbued with a quiet elegance. These are pieces chosen not for trend but for their enduring capacity to enhance how a space is experienced.
Additional detail lies in how each item speaks to a larger philosophy – that design is not only aesthetic, but deeply human. Through small but significant decisions, interior designers like Arent & Pyke shape how people feel, interact and live within their spaces. It’s a nuanced understanding of design’s role in daily life, one that prioritises authenticity and emotion alongside visual harmony.
The result is an intimate yet expansive portrait of what makes a home truly resonate. Through the lens of Arent & Pyke’s design principles, even the most everyday item becomes elevated when chosen with care and intention. These design essentials reflect the belief that beauty lies in the details – in craftsmanship, in memory, in use – and that good design is not only seen but felt.
As interior designers who consistently champion depth, emotion and individuality, Arent & Pyke show how the curation of objects can tell a deeply personal story. Their essentials offer a thoughtful roadmap for those seeking to create spaces that feel not just styled, but sincerely lived in. It’s a masterclass in cultivating interiors that are as emotionally nourishing as they are aesthetically grounded.
0:00 – Introduction
00:40 – The Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll from Living Edge
01:30 – Bread from Iggy’s Coogee
02:17 – Atollo by Oluce Vico Magistretti from Euroluce
03:18 – Venetian Slippers from Peter Lewis Paints
04:11 – Wall Sconces Claude & Callot from Dunlin
04:53 – Vessels by Jodie Fried & Alex and Trahanas Ceramics
05:42 – Belgian Linen and Bamboo Blinds from Simple Studio
06:34 – Les Palmes d’Alma Textile by Pierre Frey from Milgate
07:06 – Calacatta Viola Marble from Granite & Marble Works & Rosso Verona Terrazzo from Santamargherita
08:29 – Fermat Joinery Pulls from Daniel Barbera of Barbera Design
09:10 – Closing Reflections
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The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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