Style file: Aidan and Jo Mawhinney, Living Edge

Aidan and Jo, tell us about your personal style. What are you looking for in the spaces that you live in and visit?

Aidan: While I am visually drawn to minimal, calm and contemporary spaces, my own personal style is quite the opposite — colourful, eclectic and busy. Not sure how that works, but it’s certainly something Jo and I share in common.

Jo: I agree, for our home we look for things that are unique. We often will select the same artwork or even a piece of furniture out of the vast array of products at Living Edge without any discussion or consultation. My personal style is neutral tones with a bold streak or pop of colour; it gives me a sense of peace with a dose of happiness.

What makes a great space? Are there rooms you fall in love with as soon as you see them?

Jo: A great space is what makes you, or someone feel good. Working with many customers, interior designers and architects allows us and our teams to add to the design of the room, home or office with carefully selected pieces that complement the space. We can create a high-end sophisticated BassamFellows and classic modernist look, or an eclectic look with La Chance and a Gufram Cactus. All spaces are beautiful and intriguing to me, each space has unlimited potential. It’s about realising what the customer wants and creating that special moment for them which is most important.

Do you have any favourite pieces in your own house?

Jo: This is a bit like asking who is your favourite child. Our favourites include products from Established & Sons, Vitra, FLOS, Gufram, Magis and many of Ray and Charles Eames pieces collected over the years. They are all perfect and will be loved for many years to come.

Aidan: Given our business, we are extremely fortunate to have been able to build our personal collection.

You live in Paddington, do you live in a terrace or some other house?

Aidan: We live in a terrace built in 1898 for the workers in the harbour city. It was extended in the 1980s and when we bought the house, we did an extensive renovation to make it more liveable and more suited to our own lifestyle.

Jo: It is an interesting house with a hidden redundant swimming pool in the middle of the basement. This was once in an open courtyard with two dwellings either side. It makes for a great story when we show guests through the house.

You've lived in Paddington for 20 years, what do you love about the suburb?

Aidan: Coming from Ireland, I find the fabric of Paddington similar to that of my homeland. Tree-lined streets, heritage housing and pubs on many corners all are reminiscent of home.

Jo: We travel a lot and love coming home to the uniquely painted terraces lining the steep hills. It feels like a small village within a major city and provides respite from the multi-lane streets. I feel like I step back in time, to a quieter time when driving home or taking my morning walk. It has a wonderful small community vibe to it and allows me to breathe freely.

Can you tell us a bit about your design inspirations? Where do you go if you feel the need to be inspired?

Aidan: We are fortunate enough to be able to travel extensively to some great design destinations for our work. Milan’s Salone, 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, London Design Festival and Maison & Objet in Paris all provide an endless source of design inspiration.

Jo: Working with our 40-plus brands at Living Edge provides a daily dose of inspiration; there is an abundance of new products and furniture being designed and released. Some of the work is remarkable and I love that high design has taken sustainability and longevity into account when designing for our future living.

What sort of furniture are your customers buying at the moment? Is there a clear trend you’re seeing?

Jo: I wouldn’t say we are a trend business as we have many incredible classic pieces that stand the test of time. The original Noguchi coffee table is turning 80 this year and I believe this is still the best table for any home. The new designs are so different and unique, like the Snow sofa from La Chance or the Explorer cabinet from BD Barcelona. Within our company we have interior designers as our sales consultants, and they work with the individual customer on their home or office to assist in selecting the right products for the space and for the individual. There are some beautiful and varied results making it all the more interesting than a current trend.

Anything else you want to add to let us into your design knowledge?

Jo: Understand yourself and create your home around what makes you happy. Trends do not last. Always buy something of real quality as it will last a lifetime and this is the best form of sustainability.

Aidan Mawhinney is CEO and Jo Mawhinney is the product and omni-channel director of Living Edge.

Living Edge

The Woolstores, 74/4D Huntley St, Alexandria

livingedge.com.au