Helen Edwards is an interior stylist and design and recycling blogger, sharing her projects on her blog Recycled Interiors. Helen is passionate about creating beautiful homes that are sustainable and created using upcycled products. She posts daily about ways to decorate by making ethical choices, without compromising on style. Ultimately she loves nothing more than creating unique, bespoke and conscientious homes. She also writes for realestate.com.au and Houzz Australia. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Helen Edwards.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I have always been an op shop and vintage fanatic since my hippie parents introduced me to the magic of dusty second hand shops when I was just a little girl, and my home is decorated in vintage, quality pieces and a few other items I have fallen in love with along the way. It is the blend of old and new that makes my heart skip a beat.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I am often inspired spontaneously and have been known to just jump in to most of my own creative projects. I like to feel my way through a piece of writing, painting, or furniture upcycle and see where it ends up. When designing or styling a home I do spend more time getting to understand the client’s needs, desires and goals. I then look at their budget and how to make these two things meet. I am a big believer in involving the client in the creative process.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I greatly admire Aussie Stylist, Megan Morton. This is for many reasons. Firstly, she is an amazing stylist and designer, with the ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. She blends the old with the new perfectly and understands the way opposites fit together to make them sing. She has an innate understanding of beauty. She is also generous with her knowledge, warm and genuine. She thrives on other people’s creativity and is a true example of collaboration in the creative process.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I find nature gives me the best inspiration. The sea, the sky, the mountains and the forests. My own garden. The way the sunlight falls in the dining room late in the day. A lot of my thinking and inspiration comes when running – the combination of the rhythm of the run and the outdoors greatly inspires me. I am a painter, a singer and love to take photos of landscape – both urban and rural and am fascinated by the visual – all of these things inspire me.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
I think I have come to where I am through just starting. I have never been one to sit back. If I have an idea, I don’t wait until I am ready, finished, polished- I just go for it. I also do a lot of research and seek the knowledge I need. If you are frightened of taking a step towards your dreams, the best way is to take the first step and learn as much as you can along the way.
