It feels too good to be true that a (now) Melburnian be allowed to put brunch down to ‘research’. But it’s not all smashed avocado and lattes for Grace. While others are inspecting the runniness of their eggs, her mind is in overdrive (and her measuring tape up the leg of a table). “Doing interiors, or architecture, or any sort of design, you’re always thinking,” she explains.

“The process is just as important as the outcome. But with interiors and architecture, you never know the outcome until it’s built. Even with 3D visuals, there are so many layers to a design that you can never execute the perfect space in one go.” We can see why she puts so much into the research...

THE STORIES BEHIND THE STUFF.

Tape measures

This is my secret tape measure that I take to all the stores and cafés. To measure the thickness of tables, the position of fixtures, the height of the counter. If we like the proportions of something, whether it’s a chair or a light or the way that a pendant is hanging, I’ll always measure it. People will sometimes come up to us like, “um, can I help you?”. But when we explain that we’re designers and we just really like their table, they appreciate it.