Marion Hall Best
Fri, 16 Feb 2007Regarded by many as the founder of Australian interior design, Marion Hall Best was the local arbiter of the latest style in the 60s. Her interiors showcased the best of what the world had to offer as well as providing a platform for promoting Australian design. In a post war world of "porridge" colours Marion is probably best known for her vivid glazed walls, colourful undercoats with contrasting translucent glazes; yellow over red,pink, black, blue or green producing intriguing tangerines, olives, aquamarines and chartreuses. Her Woollahra, Sydney shop became known internationally as an authoritative index of the latest modern trends in interior design. But perhaps her best work was in supporting promising young local talent including Gordon Andrews and Grant Featherston.
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All images from "The Best Style. Marion Hall Best and Australian Interior Design 1935-1975" by Michaela Richards. These are original photos from the time and the quality is not the best but the design is first class.
Reader Comments (7)
Love retro - it's so much fun. The colours are phenomenal! And check out all the tulip chairs!!!
Can you say COLOR!!! lol I love the tulip chairs! And that "egg" chair, but those are way out of my price range.
I got my tulip chairs for $75 - you just need patience and it helps to know some good vintage stores!
That tent is prompting me to design my own here in Morocco! I want to do a dining tent for our guest house!!!
I love that tented dining room. It'd be a great idea for your guest house Maryam. I also love how Marion Hall Best continued her colours (colors for Jessie) up over the ceiling. So rich.
I do believe I have the wonderful glass and chrome coffee table (shown in the "green room" - does anyone know if it's a Magistretti? I bought it from Chee Soon and Fitzgerald in Sydney 8-9 years ago. It excites lots of positive comment.
wow what an amazing talent...you have inspired me to research more talented designers from the past...