Design, Breaking Bread, and the Joy of Entertaining with Stevie Michaels
Inspired by her travels and the parents who nurtured and cultivated a space for creative expression, Sydney, Australia based Stevie Michaels molded her own path as an artist and designer. Through delicate materials and bold colors, Stevie’s designs add a bit of joy, warmth, and a touch of simplicity to the home.
Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
𓆸 DID YOU TRAVEL A LOT AS A CHILD? IF SO, PLEASE SHARE A TRAVEL MEMORY OR DESTINATION THAT RESONATES WITH YOU THE MOST.
We always went on family vacations to Asia, I absolutely loved it! There's so much creativity and craft in Indonesia, I loved their rich culture and craftsmanship.
𓆸 DID YOU GROW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT CELEBRATED AND NURTURED CREATIVITY?
Stevie Michaels. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
I’ve always been drawn to creative projects. My parents both worked together in design, so from a young age I was in and out of their studio, playing with fabrics and painting. They always celebrated my creativity and that definitely gave me the confidence to express myself.
𓆸 WHAT LED YOU TO WORK WITH CERAMICS AND GLASSWARE?
At university, I studied as a bachelor of design at the Whitehouse Institute of Design and Interior communication in Sydney. I then moved to London where I worked in boutique interior design at Hirsch Bedner Associates. I also worked in the visual projects team at Liberty London and loved every minute of it.
Following my travels across Europe, I moved back to Sydney and worked as an interior
designer at an architecture firm, but I dreamt of the days when I was painting, creating, and using my hands. I dabbled in ceramics and had always painted as a hobby over the years, so in March 2021, I took the leap, quit my job, and started my own business. I’ve been designing, painting, and managing my art since and can happily say it’s the best (and scariest!) decision I’ve ever made.
𓆸 HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AND DEFINE YOUR STYLE OF WORK?
I’m inspired by ancient symbolism, mixing designs steeped in heritage balanced with modern elements & rich colour.
Saint-Raphaël. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
𓆸 HOW HAS TRAVELED INSPIRED YOUR WORK?
This all stems from my love of travel and the Mediterranean way of life. The ritual of ‘breaking bread’ and the joy of entertaining is at the heart of each design.
𓆸 OUTSIDE OF TRAVEL, WHERE WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY DO YOU GO FOR INSPIRATION?
Aside from nature and the beautiful landscape and beaches which are always a source of inspiration, Australia is home to some amazing indigenous art. We have access to some pretty great galleries and exhibitions right at my doorstep.
𓆸 WHEN SHAPING AN OBJECT, WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
My main focus is painting and designing which has a similar approach. It all starts with a story.
𓆸 WHEN I CAM ACROSS YOUR INSTAGRAM, I WAS IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO THE COLORS OF YOUR PIECES. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THE COLOR PALETTE YOU USE?
I love expressing a feeling through colour. I did my thesis at university on colour theory, I really think it has the ability to change your mood and evoke emotion.
Murano Highball - Confetti. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
Murano Tumblers - Limone. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
Murano Tumblers - Arancio. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
𓆸 HOW DO YOU PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCTION?
Sustainably is a core value in my design process. I create small batches with minimal waste and try to support artisans by displaying and celebrating their craftsmanship. For me, this is particularly important in our increasingly digital age. I use nontoxic paint and work with local makers that use raw natural materials.
𓆸 EACH PIECE HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY. WHY IS THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND APPROACH TO YOUR DESIGNS SO IMPORTANT?
I always start with a concept, be that a destination, a form, or an inspiring story. This ultimately helps me build a collection around the idea without trends or seasons in mind.
𓆸 WHAT STORY DO YOU WANT YOUR PIECES TO TELL?
My vision is to collaborate and support artisans from around the world, to design pieces rich in history, craftsmanship, and timelessness. I try to tell a story with my work and help people highlight the simple pleasures in life through beautiful creations to enjoy in your home.
Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
L'Océan Bulb. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
La Baule. Image courtesy of Stevie Michaels.
𓆸 WHICH MATERIAL IS THE MOST FUN TO WORK WITH? WHAT HAVE YOU NOT WORKED WITH BUT WOULD LIKE TO?
I primarily work with paint but am working on some exciting new textile products that I can't wait to share.
𓆸 AS A WOMEN IN DESIGN, WHAT ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY?
Supporting women in craft is something I'm really passionate about. There's enough space in this industry for women to shine and bring their creativity and give back to those communities. I really hope to broaden my network of amazing artisans and makers that can preserve ancient and heritage techniques.
“This all stems from my love of travel and the Mediterranean way of life. The ritual of ‘breaking bread’ and the joy of entertaining is at the heart of each design.”
Follow Stevie Michaels on Instagram at @_steviemichaels and shop her designs here.
