Interior Design
Janne Faulkner AM of Nexus Designs
Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Writer
Lucy Feagins
18th of December 2012
The Melbourne home of interior designer Janne Faulkner of Nexus Designs and her husband Bill. Above - lounge room. Zanotta Lea chairs in cream leather, 'Model Taccia' table lamp by Flos, African beaded hanging. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Hallway view from entrance. Anthony Pryor Sculpture. Burial figures from Thursday Island – Mimi figures by Guningbal (Arnhemland, purchased 1984). Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen. Colin Lanceley Collage, ceramic jug by Janne's daughter, artist Sarah Faulkner, blue painting on right wall by Sam Atyeo, purchased from Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Janne Faulkner in the courtyard of her South Yarra home. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Janne Faulkner / Nexus Designs press scrapbook! Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
I had the great pleasure recently of meeting a woman who is nothing short of an Australian design legend. Janne Faulkner has spent 44 years working at the forefront of Australian interior design, in her role as founding director of Nexus Designs - one of Melbourne's first ever dedicated interior design consultancies, launched by Janne in 1967! When we met recently, Janne recounted incredible tales from the early days of her career - when friends and family would be entertained and somewhat bemused by Janne's interest in running her own business, as a married woman! Oh Lord. How things have changed!
When Janne first launched her business back in the 60's, her primary focus was a partnership with the iconic Australian property developer Merchant Builders. Janne was brought in to work on all Merchant Builders' interior design projects, alongside revered architects and designers including David Yencken, Graeme Gunn and Daryl Jackson. At this time Merchant Builders gained an impressive reputation for designing and building uniquely 'Australian' houses - that is, houses designed specifically for the Australian landscape and climate, using Australian timbers and materials.
Janne was an integral part of the success of Merchant Builders. She was responsible for designing and providing joinery and finishes, and furnishing the Merchant Builders display houses. Janne's emphasis was always on simple, functional design, the use of artwork in the home, and using local materials and craftmanship. Janne also initiated a policy of purchasing Australian contemporary art for all her projects, thereby supporting emerging Australian art and design talent. It's a philosophy still inherent at Nexus Designs today - though these days Nexus has grown immensely! The company now employs a team of talented staff, and has expanded to offer services in graphic design and product development. Nexus is now run by four directors, including Janne, who still maintains a very active role within the company.
By all accounts, Janne has been an incredible force in interior design in Australia, and especially in the development of a uniquely 'Australian' style of design. She was even appointed a member of the Order of Australia for her contribution as a designer in 1982 - hence the 'AM' after her name!
For a more personal introduction to the wonderful Janne Faulkner I highly recommend checking out this excellent little film, which succinctly captures Janne's incredible wisdom, energy and passion for Australian design!
Anyway - on to the house!
Janne and husband Bill have lived in their South Yarra home for twenty five years! They renovated the home when they purchased the property, keen to maximise the use of space and natural light. 'As we had moved from a much larger house, and this house was so much smaller, our first decision was to limit the finishes' recalls Janne. Custom terrazzo tiles were specially made ('so they didn’t look like sausage meat' says Janne!) and carried through the home to every room including bathrooms and exterior paving.
Loungeroom - Gareth Samson painting, Gus d’Alava sculpture and three sculptures by Giles Ryder. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Gus d’Alava sculpture. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Loungeroom - 'the early ship paintings on the far wall were given to my husband by the family shipping Co. Huddard Parker' says Janne. Zanotta Lea chairs in cream leather and antique fruitwood dining table. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Drawings by Janne's daughter Sarah Faulkner. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Loungeroom / TV room. Zanotta lounge furniture and John Firth Smith painting. Burial figures from Thursday Island – Mimi figures by Guningbal (Arnhemland, purchased 1984). Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Lounge / TV room. Sahar Rug from Behruz. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Water colour of Janne's mother on her 80th birthday by Sarah Faulkner, Janne's daughter. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Bedroom details - group of paintings Yvonne Audette, Sarah Faulkner, Denise Green, Primo Conti, Renoir water colour. On chair -Russian Chapan (Traditional silk garment from Ubekestan). Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen details - African Beaded Radio, little Greek papier-mache boats, Picasso jug. One of Janne's most treasured possessions is the Picasso jug, bottom right - 'brought back under our seat in the plane over 30 years ago'. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
John Nicholson sculpture at front door, commissioned from Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
