Writer Heidi Dokulil is our much loved editor of More Space magazine, her partner Richard Peters is a Principal at Tobias Partners. Both are highly talented individuals, kind-hearted with wicked sense's of humour. They have long been part of the Space family and we are delighted they have shared their home with us as part of the #hometogether series.
Where are you working from at the moment?
We are both working from our home in Sydney, not unusual for me but Richard is a newbie to the ‘studio’. Week 1 was interesting/challenging when we both had video meetings at the same time, so there has been a bit of negotiation and calendar syncing! We have divided ourselves between my office and the dining table which looks out to our sunny courtyard garden. We both move around a bit, sometimes it feels good to sit on the sofa and read emails or do some editing. Moving does help the creative process!
Take us through some of your most design coveted pieces in your home.
Our Arflex Marenco sofa is the best because it’s low to the ground and super simple. It was actually our first piece of furniture when we moved in and we slept on it for a week (very comfortable) so it’s very special. We also have a B&B Italia Alanda coffee table designed by Paolo Piva in the 1980s, a classic Componibili in fire engine red, a Bitossi vase by Ettore Sottsass which is a fun bit of Memphis, and one of Alexander Girard’s colourful Wooden Dolls which my mum also loves and tries to slip into her bag every time she visits. Our latest addition is an Arflex Strips bed which you crawl into like a big sleeping bag. We love it.
Favourite cookbook?
‘Simple' by Yotam Ottolenghi. A friend introduced me to his books and I love them all but this one is now my favourite because it cuts all the ingredients in half!
And recipe?
Pasta alla Norma by Yotam Ottolenghi which has a beautiful smokey eggplant flavour, it’s a classic and our new go to for pasta.
Favourite artwork?
An ink on paper drawing of mushrooms by our very talented friend Monika Domaschenz, and a beautiful moody pinhole camera landscape by another friend Jacinta van Lint, taken while we were all on holiday down the coast.
Best Podcast?
The 99% Invisible podcast with Roman Mars. My favourite episode covers the story of Vader Black the world’s deepest darkest black. I particularly like the very democratic way the artists who were interviewed dealt with Anish Kapoor’s control of it… it’s fascinating and a great distraction right now.
What are you reading?
'Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening' by Captain Liz Clark… it’s a couch tour of the world that is even more thrilling in lockdown!
"We are both working from our home in Sydney, not unusual for me but Richard is a newbie to the ‘studio'. Week 1 was interesting/challenging when we both had video meetings at the same time, so there has been a bit of negotiation and calendar syncing!"
Heidi Dokulil
Can you share any projects you are working on?
Richard is working on a new house in Lavender Bay which is nearly finished, the interior of an apartment opposite the beach in Manly, and a project in Northbridge. It’s been interesting to get an insight into how he works and see the projects taking shape. The Tobias Partners team are all in different locations so they are connecting via video and phone, so Richard is doing everything remotely except for site visits twice a week. I am working on the last leg of a book about Sydney's modernist architecture focused on the inventiveness and ingenuity of concrete. I have been lucky to meet and interview such amazing people (just in time, phew), and I’m now bringing it all together.
Something new I’m learning in lockdown.
Yoga in the lounge room. I love yoga but have never been good at home practice so it has been great to change all that. I also want to learn how to make gnocchi with a family recipe a friend has shared. He makes it sound easy but we will see…
Best piece of advice for getting through this together.
Find ways to help, it feels great! We have launched an initiative with our neighbours called ’Superstars' to support the local cafes we love and at the same time, the medicos at The Prince of Wales Hospital down the road. Together we’ve started a tab at each cafe so that hospital staff can get a coffee on us on their way to work… it’s taken off and we’re super happy about that.
"An ink on paper drawing of mushrooms by our very talented friend Monika Domaschenz, and a beautiful moody pinhole camera landscape by another friend Jacinta van Lint, taken while we were all on holiday down the coast."
Heidi Dokulil on her favourite artwork
About #hometogether
We’re all adapting to our ‘new normal’, staying home, but trying to stay connected. To help keep our community together we have invited our clients and friends to share what they are doing. How they are working, their tips, thoughts and ideas, and if you’re up for it, a few fun secrets too.
Each week we will release a new series for you to enjoy. To get in involved share your photos with #hometogether #alifeindividual and don’t forget to tag us @spacefurniture
