Portsea house project: Cushions with Quantock Fermoie fabric

INTERVIEW WITH ADELAIDE BRAGG

Established in 1989 by Adelaide Bragg, Adelaide Bragg & Associates specialises in Interior Design and Decoration for both the residential and commercial market and are known for her beautiful classic interiors. Having worked with them for more than 10 years, Adelaide accepted to tell us about her work and experience:

What inspired you to work in the industry?

Truthfully speaking, I fell into the industry; it was never planned, and yet in retrospect, it all makes sense. Growing up in the NSW countryside, I developed an early love of flowers and gardens and with this love of gardens, it seemed a natural progression to study floristry. Whilst studying, I worked in Laura Ashley in Double Bay to pay for the flowers! I enjoyed Laura Ashley so much, that I ended up giving up floristry to work full time; then in another natural progression, moved to the iconic Colefax & Fowler in Queen Street Woollahra, which was in my mind, particularly in the midst of the glamorous 1980’s, the most beautiful store in Sydney.

When I started at Colefax, all of the leading Australian decorators used to visit the store – people like Lesley Walford, Michael Love, Ros Palmer and Tom Gillies. Seeing them scheme their work within the shop was fascinating and at some point, I realised that this career which was never planned, had evolved into something whereby I couldn’t imagine doing anything else and the rest is history!

What do you enjoy most about being a designer?

I love the amazingly artistic side of it, more than anything – the decoration, which is what it is all about. My love for fabrics and the decorated interior, developed during my time at Colefax & Fowler remains strong; however, what I have come to love even more, is the interaction with people – the absolute privilege of being allowed into their homes and lives with such intimacy and seeing how they live. I have been fortunate to have visited and worked within some of the most beautiful and fascinating homes, for equally fascinating clients and have made many lifelong friends.

What do you enjoy most about being a designer?

I love the amazingly artistic side of it, more than anything – the decoration, which is what it is all about. My love for fabrics and the decorated interior, developed during my time at Colefax & Fowler remains strong; however, what I have come to love even more, is the interaction with people – the absolute privilege of being allowed into their homes and lives with such intimacy and seeing how they live. I have been fortunate to have visited and worked within some of the most beautiful and fascinating homes, for equally fascinating clients and have made many lifelong friends.

How do you keep up with trends in the industry?

My own style is very classic and not overly driven by trends – good interiors should be timeless, and trends tend to date. Naturally I am always aware of the latest colour forecasting etc., but very much within the realms of my own decorating style. My interiors are very considered – I provide good strong bones and foundations for a room, creating environments which will not only stand the test of time, but will evolve as people evolve and families change and grow.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere – sometimes from the most unexpected places. It may come from a conversation, or start with just one piece of fabric, and an entire house will evolve from that scrap.

I love Instagram – the immediacy and access it gives to images from all over the world – although, of course, nothing can replace the pleasure of books!

One of my greatest sources of inspiration is travel – seeing the way people decorate all over the world, the ways in which people live, what is valued, the styles that have evolved and I particularly enjoy attending the international design fairs.

Are there any design styles and fabric styles you favour more than others?

To this day I am still very much influenced by my time at Colefax & Fowler – pattern on pattern, the changes of scale using fabric, the subtle layering – this all brings such a sense of warmth and comfort to a room, imploring one to linger just a little longer.
I have always had deep love for anything handmade, hand-screened, hand blocked – in fact I have a real weakness for the equivalent of a childhood potato print! Anything handmade, I tend to love. Similarly, my preference is for tactile, natural fibres – beautiful linens and wools, which speak of quiet elegance, quality and longevity.

Victorian Country Homestead project

Who is your favourite Boyac supplier?

My interiors are very fabric orientated – fabric is my main love and incredibly important to my style of decorating.

I love de Le Cuona for the gorgeous range of natural linens and wool – they work so well within the interiors I create – the high-quality results in a refined finish and the variety is wonderful. I am all about natural products and these really are delicious.

I also particularly love the vibrant prints and beautiful natural wallpapers from Thibaut. Their prints are always such fresh interpretations of classic styles, whether chinoiserie, lattice work/ bamboo (a favourite of mine), my beloved florals and botanicals – always with a lovely modern twist, but always super elegant and classic.

Thibaut Enchantment Woven Fabric & Baltimore Wallpaper
in Mornington Peninsula Beach House project

Can you tell us a little about Bragg & Co?

My latest venture, Bragg & Co, came about through sheer need. I often found myself struggling to source the lamps I required – either size, or particular colours – and eventually came to the conclusion that it was time to design my own range.

Lamps have always been so important to my own decorating style – they are another form of layering, another way to add colour and texture and create balance within a room – more importantly, they create instant mood.

The extra pop of colour the perfect lamp can inject, should not be overlooked – my love of colour shines through in my lamp range, with a wide and varied range of colours which we are constantly updating and refining.

This love of colour, and again the lack of availability in the market have resulted in my most recent addition to Bragg&Co, in the form of raffia covered tables. I have always loved raffia wallpaper and the tables are a natural extension to this. I have long worked with natural seagrass wallpapers, as they are so soft and subtle, yet so impactful and the raffia tables are an extension of this. The raffia is a wonderful gentle means of bringing further layers of texture into a space with great subtlety. And now, if I can’t find just the right table, I create it!

I’m finding the addition of Bragg & Co to my business, immensely satisfying and am looking forward to developing further product as I perceive a need in the market.

Belle Magazine Article 2018, Thibaut Shang Extra Fine Sisal Wallpaper