DPAGES first met Sally Caroline Klopper back in 2013 while collaborating on a couple of small projects together. Charmed and wowed by her talent and drive, we’ve been in touch ever since – all while watching her build her eponymous firm from the ground up. Sally’s design roots find their foundation in over a decade of experience – beginning with formal design study in Austraila and Europe, followed by an internship with Philippe Starck and subsequent positions at David Hicks and KPDO. Today, just two years after launching ‘Sally Caroline‘, the firm’s fresh / luxe aesthetic is already garnering the attention of major publications and clients alike.
To accompany the debut the office’s latest project, a partial renovation of a Georgian home in the seaside town of Mt. Martha, we invited Sally to share some of her most valuable design tips, tricks and resources. There were no set questions, and the only rule was that she dig deep and be generous. Here’s what she had to share…
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INSPIRATION…I see inspiration in so many things – art, film, jewelry, architecture, fashion and history. Sometimes I’ll see an intricate vintage ring and re-imagine it as a custom door pull for a client… |
TRAVEL…
I travel overseas as often as possible, and avidly drink in all the moments [and] ideas that could inspire my work. Keep your eyes wide open for the kind of visual moments that will breathe new life into the things you know, or widen your perception of the possibilities around different ways to do things. This could be grand doors around Montenapoleone in Milan, or the patterns in screens around New York which might inspire a staircase balustrade – for example.
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PUBLICATIONS…Because we can’t all spend our lives globe-trotting and market rummaging, we look to the myriad of great publications for inspiration too! Print and digital publications I love for inspiration [include] Elle Decor Italia, Abitare and Grazia Casa. Online, I look to Dpages, Yellowtrace, and Yatzer. |
SHOP GLOBAL…
Having an extensive supplier list, on a global scale, is key to creating a space that is uniquely beautiful. I’m constantly scouring the globe for unique finds. This includes small scale artisans from a tiny town in Canada, and resellers of expertly kept and restored vintage items around the U.S. and Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I love locally made, but I always mix up a collection for my clients. Favourite stores and resellers right now: 1st Dibs, Poliform, Cult Design and Ed Clark antiques.
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ON COLOR…don’t be afraid to be courageous with colour! They say living without colour is like living without love! The use and application of colour should always be fun and true to you. In selecting colours for clients, I ask them about the colours [in] their wardrobe – this is a natural indicator of what colours suit them [and] should land comfortably in their living room. A pop of vibrant hues makes for an easy refresh in any space. [As for paint…] We love Dulux – It’s an Australian thing. Our go-to white is Dulux ‘Natural White’, but we also often use shades of grey. Right now I’m loving Dulux ‘Dieskau’ and ‘Silkwort’ |
ON LUXURY…
To me, luxury is a home that anticipates your needs, fulfills them, inspires and goes above and beyond. The most powerful and evocative interiors are ones that interpret luxury uniquely, that take risks, push boundaries and dare to realize the unexpected. I don’t need a home to be excessive… Instead I look for a home that is intelligently planned, expertly detailed and beautifully animated through the careful play of natural and artificial light.
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LESS IS MORE…“Buy less, but buy well.” I favour buying fewer, better pieces and gradually adding to a collection. Authentically designed, beautifully crafted items of the highest quality will never date. There is no substitute for impeccable quality. |
DO IT WITH MEANING…
When I select items for a client – a chair, a vase, a chandelier, that piece will always have a story or some symbolic relevance to the person. It will be designed by someone special, innovative and iconic – produced by a furniture house rich in history, character and influence. When my clients make purchases, they’re buying into that art form, the thinking that innovates design, those pivotal moments, collecting a piece of that history.
1. Little Wing Table in brass
2. Glass Art by Joe Cariati in steel blue – DSHOP
3. Cappellini Taco Coffee Table
4. Icon Sink Mixer or Cyprum Single-lever mixer in copper
5. Rashida Containers Set of 3 – DSHOP
6. Spanish Chair in natural leather
7. Metal Frame Upholstered Chair (US) or Metal Frame Upholstered Chair (AU)
8. Tip of the Tongue table lamp by Michael Anastassiades
Interior photography: Brooke Holm
Art direction: Marsha Golemac
