After working out of her home studio for around five years, ceramicist Arcadia Scott took the plunge and rented out a shared warehouse space in the early months of 2020. Little did she know…

But as the pandemic picked up pace, Arcadia’s ceramics practice grew, and in between lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, her business blossomed, to the point where she needed to take over the whole studio! She now makes ceramics full time from this bright, plant-filled space in Coburg North. Take a look inside!

After staring at the art on our own walls for too long, we’re ready to indulge in some gallery visits!

From the immersive and beguiling work of Yayoi Kusama, to the thought-provoking presentations in the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, these are this year’s must-see exhibitions across Australia.

We first met Kaantju woman Shonae Hobson when she curated the groundbreaking Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion exhibition at Bendigo Gallery in 2020. Spanning numerous mediums and artists, and organised according to the seasons, the landmark show challenged traditional modes of gallery storytelling and Shonae herself made an indelible mark on Australia’s curatorial scene.

Now the curator of Indigenous art at the National Gallery of Victoria, Shonae spends her days liaising with artists and formulating new exhibition ideas. Her world is filled with local talent and creativity. This is a day in the life of one very impressive woman!

It’s no secret why we travel: It makes us feel good. Sometimes it’s the relaxing-on-a-beach kind of feel-good, other times its the tucking-into-a-delicious-meal

Brigitte Owers-Buccianti was frustrated with the predominantly digital nature of her interior design degree. With her background in ceramics and sculpture, there wasn’t enough hand-making in the digital-dominated realm to satisfy the kind of design Brigitte was looking to practise.

A stint in Canada introduced Brigitte to furniture-making, and she hasn’t looked back! (Except to graduate from her interior architecture course with Honours, of course.) She launched Real Non-Real in 2020, the brand under which she designs curvy steel pieces that defy the traditional single-purpose functionality of furniture.

Miranda Skoczek is an exceptionally talented and accomplished artist, but it’s not work or money that motivates her – it’s family.

Previously living in an inner-city apartment, Miranda moved to the Dandenongs five years ago with her son Harper (11) to be closer to nature. The pair share a home with Miranda’s aunt, Margaret/Gosia, which has afforded Miranda immense support as a parent, artist and individual. 

We’ve featured Miranda’s work numerous times on The Design Files over the years, so it’s wonderful to gain this insight into her personal world.

If life had turned out the way Andy Kepitis initially planned, he’d be spending his days in front of a computer working as an accountant – not tending to cacti and succulents in his backyard!

It wasn’t until studying at university that Andy discovered his love for plants, leading him down an entirely different career path, to found kep Horticulture. 

We caught up with Andy in his Northcote garden to learn about his horticulture practice, garden philosophy, and the value in loving what you do. 

Hot summer days call for no-fuss, zero-heat meals able to be whipped up in a matter of minutes. 

This sando recipe is exactly that – a real crowd pleaser requiring little more than fresh herbs, ready-cooked prawns, and pillowy soft white bread. 

It’s Australian summer in a dish!