Interview | Imperial Nesting.

Genevieve Hromas & Nina Exarhos of Imperial Nesting.

I remember flipping the pages of the Artichoke Magazine some time last year, when I spotted the interiors for Three Drunk Monkeys designed by Imperial Nesting, an “emerging interior design practice”. I instantly looked up their website {yes, I know – I have an internet addiction} and I soon discovered a fun, quirky and creative world of Genevieve Hromas and Nina Exaros. I spent some time looking at all the things their website contained, like completed projects in a range of sectors {residential, commercial, retail and hospitality}, styling and events work, a little on line shop filled with fun and off-beat pieces, pictures of their studio lunches and street follies… I bookmarked their site not really knowing that I would one day start a blog where I could feature their work. Aren’t you glad that I did? Oh good, so am I!

Imperial Nesting’s work is imaginative and playful, interesting and unpretentious. It seems that no project is too big or small for these girls. And Genevieve and Nina’s answers are a little bit like their projects – interesting, to the point and at times a little bit unexpected. By the way, they also have a Facebook page where you can keep up with their latest news.

So without further ado, may I introduce you to Imperial Nesti n g – keeping it real and proudly brought to you by yellowtrace.

x dana

Genevieve Hromas & Nina Exarhos of Imperial Nesting. Seriously, how fun is this photo of the two of them? Love it!

Tell me a little about your background – when did you first decide what you wanted to do and what path lead you to establishing your own practice?

Imperial Nesting formed 5 years ago after a serendipitous collaboration in college. After 2 ½ years of studying the same course but not much interaction suddenly we were thrown together to work on a project re-designing the Ashfield Library. After many sleepless nights, tears, laughs and a high distinction under our belt our friendship blossomed. An opportunity to work on Naked Communications in our last year at college and then George Skoufis Optometry was the starting point of where we are today.

How did you came up with your name and logo?

Whilst studying, the Scottish wallpaper & textile designers Timorous Beasties were someone we admired. They are slightly tongue in cheek producing beautiful, humorous work. Their name struck a chord. So it was a toss-up between “Imperial Nesting” and “Majestic Wastelands”, which we can still have a giggle about today.

Three Drunk Monkeys – creative agency fitout in Redfern. I love the top image with the red bike, and the little man with cool headphones & guitar is seriously cute. Project completed in 2007 & 2008 over two stages.

Can you describe what you are seeking to portray in your work? What is fundamental to your practice – your philosophy and your design process?

Humanity in all its complex forms – it’s important to put a little soul in everything we do. Communication is fundamental to our practice as we constantly develop and challenge ourselves. We are also adamant about producing a concept page for each project. This gives us a concise story guideline to reference throughout the project.

What does a typical day involve for you? How do you work – can you give us an insight into your process?

LUNCH… the rest can go either way.

Genevieve & Nina have an entire section on their website dedicated to showcasing photos of their yummy studio lunches. Gotta love girls that love their food.

Imperial Nesting use concept boards to establish a direction for the project, which then guide them and their clients to the end result. Showing here concept boards for works in progress – Miller Street (above) and Holt Street (below).

How do you deal with the pressure of running your own business, meeting project deadlines and personal life? Do you have any tricks you can share with us?

Walks in the park, swims in the ocean! Having a partnership means that all issues & problems are shared which is always a relief. If one of us needs some time out the other can step up to the platform. Having empathy with the client is also important, thinking about how you deal with the problems rather than the successes. When meeting deadlines a good practical tip is having a visual reference to continually refer to. The bigger and more colourful the better! Always add FAT to time and budget.

Creative people often find it really difficult to network and market themselves – how do you approach this side of your business? Do you makes a point of actively seeking out publications you would like to be featured in/ or introducing yourself to the right kind of people what can help you?

You never know where your next job or lead is going to come from so you always have to be open and approachable. Yes we do think about the right publications and contacts beforehand because it is important to align yourself with the publications that resonate with you from the beginning.

What advice do you have for young designers wanting to start their own business? What was one of your biggest lessons learned in setting up your practice?

We are not sure if we are ready to be mentors yet as we are still learning so much ourselves. It’s a little cliché however you really have to believe in what you are doing to continually keep up the momentum.

Where do you turn for creative inspiration – books, travel, websites/ blogs etc?

All of the above. A couple of our favourite books are 50/60/70 Iconic Australian Houses, Vitamin P: New Perspectives in Painting, Vitamin D: New Perspectives in Drawing and Domus Magazines.

Styling for Chadwick Models cards. Photography by Ian Tatton.

Styling for the Seek blue ball held across three separate venues – Eve Bar in Melbourne, Metro Theatre in Sydney & Story Bridge Hotel in Brisbane.

What other designers, artists, creative people, or peers do you admire?

Some of the iconic designers such as Ray & Charles Eames, Jean Prouve, Eileen Grey, Carlo Scarpa and contemporary designers like Sam Marshall, Durbach Block, KORBAN/FLAUBERT, Matali Crasset and Droog. As well as our peers in design and art.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Our last job as we always take the knowledge of the previous job to the present one.

What would be your dream project?

Lately we have been visualising a restaurant/bar. However, a dream job would be a big public building such as a hospital – an emotional space where there are so many rigid parameters.

What are you working on at the moment?

A residence at Middlecove, small studio in Marrickville and FBI radio front of house.

What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?

We look forward to working with more great clients as they are your best asset. Our goal is as simple as being able to continue to run our own creative practice whist obtaining a wider skill set. Having time to enjoy side projects, studio lunches and source items for our on-line shop.

Recently completed Rodd Point house. I love the yellow trims to joinery above. So fun.

Hunters Hills kitchen completed in 2005. How cute is the little guy in the photo above? And I love how these photos show a kitchen project in a real party situation.

Let’s Get Personal.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

NINA – a morning swim, good coffee, another swim and then a film.
GENEVIEVE – being so excited about life I just jump out of bed and don’t get back into it until late at night with a big smile on my dial.

Apart from your work, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

NINA – eating, fossicking around the markets and going to the movies.
GENEVIEVE – bicycling, vegetable growing, flying down snowy mountains in white outs.

What are some of your favorite local galleries and shops {music, fashion, books, accessories, furniture vintage, other bits and pieces}?

NINA – Rozelle markets and Gertrude St, Melbourne.
GENEVIEVE – Brenda May Gallery, Barry Keldoulis Gallery, Sarah Cottier Gallery, ACP, davidmetnicole, Addison Road Markets, Wilco, Grizzly Bear.

Beautiful model for White Bay Power Station, some of Imperial Nesting’s concept work.

A few little gems from Imperial Nesting’s online shop, left to right from top: Indigo decanter (sold out, but I couldn’t resist), Travertine llama bookends $60/ set, “The Think Chair” custom made POA, Vintage perspex box letters $90ea.

Your favourite cafes/ restaurants/ bars?

NINA – Kawa & Parc café, Bodega and ‘Full Circle’ Dinners.
GENEVIEVE – The Falconer, Lounge, Cricketers, Vini, Bodega, Seans Panorama.

What is your most treasured belonging?

NINA – various vintage ceramics I’ve received as gifts from friends and a Danks cast iron candleholder I picked up at a market.
GENEVIEVE – My grandmothers wedding ring.

It’s not very cool, but we really like…