Surrounded by a family of creatives, “Do what you love and money will follow”, was the mantra her Mum impressed onto her at a young age.
Studying a Bachelor of Design at UNSW exposed her to multidisciplinary design developing the mindset and confidence to offer the complete service – from interiors, structure and development applications, through to documentation, detailing, furniture selections, budgets and tendering, styling, art curation, plant selection and landscaping. Little wonder the project comes together as a single considered and resolved space.
Very few graduate designers have this experience, but just 6 months out of university, the opportunity came via word of mouth and Ally decided to take a leap. The brief for Rodanthe House was simple: “I want something I haven’t seen before”, which perfectly matched her passion for pushing boundaries and problem solving. The response; conceptual, holistic and gutsy, building upon the bones and details of the period home.
Ally confirms that she did second guess some of her decisions, but her diligence in research, working closely with her suppliers and leaving no detail undone, meant not only did the results show, but she learned an enormous amount on the way. Her University experience was heavy on the conceptual and light on the practical and working with suppliers and having access to their expertise and samples was vital. Knowing nothing of timber veneers beforehand, after a few ‘surprises’ seeing a raw veneer installed with the wrong finish ‘looking like a plastic wood’, she realised that an understanding of types of veneers and polishes in specification of timber veneer is important, and the only way to really ‘know what you are getting in the result’. Like many designers, Ally prefers to work with joiners she trusts ‘detailing every detail to meet my visions and do the material justice.’
‘I pretty much only use Elton Group products known for quality of veneer, finish, and patterns. Eveneer where possible and Evenex as a more affordable finish with a beautiful touch; she is drawn to the soft contemporary finishes.’
Detailed to maximise the materials’ potential. Persian Walnut and Burnished Oak are heroed in Rodanthe House.
Elton Group are committed to supporting new and emerging designers like Ally selecting, detailing and specifying real timber veneers.
Design: Amarot Design Studio
Photography: Simon Whitbread