Mariah Burton, Dee Why

Images by Andrew Butler

Mariah Burton is one half of the emerging interior design studio Folk Studio, and she also happens to work with us here at IN BED, in our Paddington Flagship store. Having just come out of a renovation of her own home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it makes perfect sense for us to talk with her for our HOME series, and to learn a little more about her work and the choices she’s made for her home.

Mariah and her fiance Caleb moved into the apartment a year and a half ago and spent 9 months renovating. For an interior designer and a carpenter, they were in an advantageous position to transform the space from its original 70s outfit into its current state. "We purchased the apartment after Caleb inspected it - I never saw it! I sent him to take a look as I knew it had the perfect layout and good bones. When I finally got to have a walk through after purchasing it, I cried; it was amazing and disgusting at the same time. The walls were shades of blue, green and purple, the doors were falling off their hinges and the kitchen splashback had images of champagne glasses on the tiles." "I love buying pieces from local makers; furniture and homewares that tell a story. My sofas are designed and made in Sydney from an Australian brand (Koskela). They are upholstered by one man and the cross stitch details are hand-sewed by a woman well into her late 60's ___ it's a labour of love. I also love finding vintage Danish furniture on Gumtree or from local suppliers. You'll find numerous pieces scattered around my house; they are my vintage trophies."

My sofas are designed and made in Sydney from an Australian brand (Koskela). They are upholstered by one man and the cross stitch details are hand-sewed by a woman well into her late 60's ___ it's a labour of love.

"I have been spending most of my nights sketching ideas for upcoming projects. However, I do take the time each day to read the daily articles written by the California based blog, 'The Good Trade'. It's a blog that covers conscious fashion and general wellness, as well as empowering women from all walks of life." "I love sitting at the dining table to work as we have a really beautiful outlook of the nearby park and an abundance of trees. You also have a view of most of my favourite plants when you sit here, so you feel surrounded by green life." "We have a really exciting year ahead of us, with numerous large scale residential projects spanning all across Sydney and hopefully a couple of commercial projects in the works too. We have only been in business 10 months now and have had an incredible response. I hate using the word "lucky" because starting my own business hasn't been easy, I have worked really hard to create this studio and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing it continue to flourish."

I hate using the word "lucky" because starting my own business hasn't been easy, I have worked really hard to create this studio and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing it continue to flourish.

“I love walking to Cooh Café or Girdlers Grind for a morning coffee and a swim – I find Dee Why beach very sleepy and less congested than its surrounding beaches.” Mariah’s bed, layered in a mix and match of our duvet and pillow slips in khaki & chestnut pillow slips and a flat & fitted sheet in moss.

Mariah's beautiful laundry, featuring IN BED Laundry Wash.

“It’s funny because as an interior designer, you would assume that I would have come up with a very considered colour scheme, although, I never consciously came up with one. I gravitate towards natural hues and colours that reflect the Australian coastline and our unique bushland. I love deep greens and burnt oranges, so I think the colour scheme of the house formed around the things I love.”

The artworks above the bed are by Mariah’s best friend and business partner, Chris Polain.

The lampshades are from HK Living. “In the midst of renovating we escaped to Japan for a month and I was really inspired by the ambiance the lanterns created throughout Tokyo; a city that is by no means still, but yet felt calm in the corners the lanterns shed light on…I knew I had to introduce them somewhere in our home.”

www.folkstudiodesign.com
@folk.studio___