Catching up with More Space for Design Insiders, Keith Chee, who joined Space 18 years ago this year, discusses his love of art, design and architecture that began at the age of ten. It would be his parents appreciation for quality design that would first influence his path, followed by friends, artists and designers who have guided his layered and creative career which started in graphic design and music.
Hi Keith, when did you join the Space team?
I can’t believe it's 18 years ago. I have known the Jarrett family [founders of Space] for a long time and I had bought things from Space when they first opened on Flinders Street in Darlinghurst. I also loved Artes Studio in Sussex Street [precursor to Aerodarama and Space], so I have had a relationship with the brand since I was young. Before I joined Space, I owned a specialist music store in Paddington called Folkways. I remember when Westfields Bondi Junction was about to open, friends said I needed a Plan B. So I put it out there and Kevin Jarrett gave me a call. We had breakfast at Bills on Crown Street and he told me about his vision for the new Alexandria showroom and how accessories were going to be a big part of the design mix. I was curious and then he offered me a job.
What has been your design path?
I studied graphic design at Randwick Technology College and then worked at a design studio in London before returning to Sydney and joining an advertising agency. When the 90s recession impacted the agency they let go of 35 people including me. My parents were restauranteurs and I had worked in restaurants as a kid, so I got a job as a barista at Zigolini's in Woollahra which was owned by the De La Vegas who are both architects. Then Folkways was up for sale and I loved music, so fate stepped in. At the back of the shop we had a space called Igloo where we sold vintage Scandinavian furniture from Sweden and Denmark. I would travel over to find pieces and have them restored in Sydney. My interest has always been in art, furniture, fashion and food, and my friends who are designers and artists have guided me.
The super relaxing On the Rocks sofa designed by Francesco Binfaré for Edra is Keith Chee's go to piece from the Space collection. Photo c/o Edra.
How did your passion for design and art develop?
Folkways was in the fashion precinct and the groovy kids would come in, as well as film people looking for scores. George Harrison would come by on the way to his island in Fiji, visiting musicians, and designers like Iain Halliday whose studio was down the road. It was an interesting, creative community and a lovely energy so I was influenced by all of that. Also my parents had furniture from Artes Studio so I grew up with that aesthetic and style. They loved good design and beautiful things and subconsciously I developed an understanding of nice things. By the age of ten, I was already interested in design and architecture and my parents were always full of encouragement and for that I am very fortunate.
Design is an extension of who we are, it's very personal. What is the best piece of advice you can give a client when choosing furniture?
When you buy a beautifully detailed, architecturally designed home, don’t water it down by not considering the furniture you choose. Always look at the design integrity of the furniture: the fabric, the engineering behind it. I always say, "a beautiful room can only be enhanced by beautiful furniture, ugly furniture will dilute and devalue the investment." A lot of people want comfort and will sacrifice the aesthetics, but I say, "there is beautiful comfortable furniture and I can help you find it!" Otherwise we would always be wearing trainers and sweat pants (laughter).
I like to ask clients how they live. I leant that in fashion. If you put something beautiful on, but stand in front of the mirror, arms stiff, hands stiff, it’s awkward. It’s the same with furniture. I say to clients, "make yourself really comfortable, lean into it, sit on it as you would at home." When they look good in a particular chair I often take a photograph to show them, and they immediately get it. Everyone looks good in the Husk chair for example. The aesthetic is there, the scale is there, it all works. It’s a chair that makes people happy.
"When you buy a beautifully detailed, architecturally designed home, don’t water it down by not considering the furniture you choose. Always look at the design integrity of the furniture, the fabric, the engineering behind it. I always say, a beautiful room can only be enhanced by beautiful furniture..."
Keith Chee, Space
Portrait of Keith Chee by Tim Ashton. All portraits © Tim Ashton.
"It's not just furniture", remarks Keith Chee. "It is art made by artisans. It also has a sense of fantasy that makes it possible to float away on." Photo of the On the Rocks sofa c/o Edra.
Sketch of the On the Rocks sofa by designer Francesco Binfaré. Sketch c/o Edra.
Portrait of Keith Chee with Brianna Thomas at the Lee Broom exhibition 'Park Life' at Space Sydney in 2018. Photo c/o Space.
On the Rocks in two of its many configurations. Photo c/o Edra.
Keith Chee at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2004. Photo © Jenny Louey.
The luxurious sillouette of On the Rocks by Francesco Binfaré for Edra. Photo c/o Edra.
Portrait of Keith Chee by Tim Ashton. All portraits © Tim Ashton.
"Edra is also found in the homes of people who want a point of difference and have a strong aesthetic eye. It’s not just furniture, it’s sculptural, it's inviting, and it challenges you to lounge and relax in your own way.”
Keith Chee, Space
Do you have a favourite piece in the Space collection?
I love the modularity of the On the Rocks sofa by Edra because it invites you to relax. It’s so playful, very communal and it lets you create the comfort you want. A sofa in a line is not very social. This is social, you can see everyone’s face in a very relaxed position.
What is it about On the Rocks that caught your eye?
I love the way you can change it. To me that’s very clever. It’s a sofa that really conforms to how you live and how you entertain. It can create a sense of intimacy when you move the backrest, and it easily becomes a bed.
Edra is well known for designing furniture that is beautiful and also super flexible and comfortable.
Edra is also found in the homes of people who collect because it's not just furniture, it is art made by artisans. It also has a sense of fantasy that makes it possible to float away on. During lockdown, I realised that I needed a more flexible layout with one central element. I have art everywhere and I don’t like a room where everything is oriented toward a screen. I like a space that has more freeform and is malleable like a gallery space. My On the Rocks will be upholstered in olive green velvet, very luxurious and inviting for my guests.
Is there a project you have worked on recently that you are really excited about?
We have just completed the furniture selection for an 1870s Georgian house in Darlinghurst that’s been reimagined for the 21st century by Brian Hess. Watching an 18th century villa being transformed within an inner city location was quite amazing. He’s designed a fabulous fit-out with beautiful steel doors, Venetian plaster walls, swimming pool and an excavated basement where they found an old well that still works. It’s now a wine cellar with racks suspended over the well. The clients are old friends of mine who are very sophisticated and wanted understated luxury. The collection includes On the Rocks for the Georgian living room, Extrasoft for the family room, a beautiful 1970s marble dining table that the clients bought in Italy, a vintage B&B Italia Camaleonda in the master bedroom and Roll & Hill lighting. They have real style so it’s been very rewarding.
Thanks Keith, great to chat with you.
