Decorating
Interior Design
Designer Profile: Brett Mickan on Injecting Colour Into Interiors
Whether you want to have a dinner party or a nap, Brett Mickan creates spaces that encourage a particular feeling
A background in set and costume design inspires Brett Mickan to create interiors that consider the overall aesthetic, paired with superb attention to detail.
What are the three most important things to consider when designing a home?
- The function of each space.
- How the design works with the existing architecture, site and or location.
- Interpreting the best vision of the client as the basis of the design concept. My goal is not to reproduce a ‘Brett Mickan look’; it’s to create a design story that talks about the client and how they wish to interact within the spaces.
How should a client form a brief for their home?
Consider what they want to do in each space. Whether it’s, ‘I want to have a dinner party for 30’, or ‘I want to chill out, read a book and take a nap’. Also how they want the space to feel and how that want visitors to feel within the space. Sometimes a room may be about telling people how fabulous you are, and sometimes you want people to feel like they are so comfortable they never want to leave. Most often it’s a mix of both.
It also helps if clients save a few pictures of spaces they like to help begin the design direction. Often clients show me a picture and tell me that it is not a particular piece, they just like the composition or feel of the space. This tells me volumes.
Consider what they want to do in each space. Whether it’s, ‘I want to have a dinner party for 30’, or ‘I want to chill out, read a book and take a nap’. Also how they want the space to feel and how that want visitors to feel within the space. Sometimes a room may be about telling people how fabulous you are, and sometimes you want people to feel like they are so comfortable they never want to leave. Most often it’s a mix of both.
It also helps if clients save a few pictures of spaces they like to help begin the design direction. Often clients show me a picture and tell me that it is not a particular piece, they just like the composition or feel of the space. This tells me volumes.
I love to inject colour into my designs, therefore I need to know what colours clients don’t like. Often, this is an easier question than what colours they do like. Of course, clients come to me to design their spaces because they’re unable to do it themselves. With all the information they give me, I create a design that I feel is the most natural concept. Often, it’s nowhere near where the client had started.
What’s the first thing you do when you need to prune the budget for a project?
Although concepts are always designed with appropriate budgets in mind, there are often cases where the complete design concept cannot be realised at once. My designs are fluid in that I do not believe there is only one possible selection for each element. It’s a balance of finishes and pieces to create visual harmony.
Although concepts are always designed with appropriate budgets in mind, there are often cases where the complete design concept cannot be realised at once. My designs are fluid in that I do not believe there is only one possible selection for each element. It’s a balance of finishes and pieces to create visual harmony.
Obviously, every project is different, however, a place I can look for savings are fabrics, especially when large quantities are needed, as in curtains. Vintage pieces often come with a lower price tag and can add visual conversation. And, given import duties, locally made products may also carry a smaller price tag. Usually, the design of a room grows gradually as the budget allows.
What’s the one thing you always include in a project?
Colour and a sense of humour. Colour does not necessarily mean bold, it may be a play of natural tones and textures. Like a great theatre set, I believe the best colour is one that feels so natural in the space you are transported into the world you created, not overpowered by it.
Trafalgar Street project
Colour and a sense of humour. Colour does not necessarily mean bold, it may be a play of natural tones and textures. Like a great theatre set, I believe the best colour is one that feels so natural in the space you are transported into the world you created, not overpowered by it.
Trafalgar Street project
I like a space to talk about the inhabitants, so I feel something unexpected or surprising is important. Interiors have to be functional, but not too serious. Who wants to live in a home that’s dressed to sell? Not my clients.
Who is an established local architect/designer you admire?
I love the architecture of Tzannes. I have watched with great pleasure as the International House in Barangaroo has been developed. I’m inspired by the way they use materials. It’s a company that knows the value of a collaboration of all members of a design team, something I’ve found is rare in Australia. I’m also a great fan of Cameron Kimber. I had the great pleasure of touring his home recently and his use of colour, proportion and editing is beautiful.
Willoughby project
I love the architecture of Tzannes. I have watched with great pleasure as the International House in Barangaroo has been developed. I’m inspired by the way they use materials. It’s a company that knows the value of a collaboration of all members of a design team, something I’ve found is rare in Australia. I’m also a great fan of Cameron Kimber. I had the great pleasure of touring his home recently and his use of colour, proportion and editing is beautiful.
Willoughby project
Who is an emerging architect/designer to watch?
I greatly admire the work of Tessellate Architecture and Design. They create contemporary shapes that seem to have such a depth of history and beautiful interpretations of seemingly common materials. My dream house would be a collaboration with Steven Swain.
Dudley project
I greatly admire the work of Tessellate Architecture and Design. They create contemporary shapes that seem to have such a depth of history and beautiful interpretations of seemingly common materials. My dream house would be a collaboration with Steven Swain.
Dudley project
Do you prefer a big or small home, and why?
Big. I love to entertain so a room that could stage a party for 100 would be great. I also dream of a country house with lots of guest rooms so friends can hang out and relax on weekends. I’m passionate about creating spaces people want to be in.
Clovelly project
Big. I love to entertain so a room that could stage a party for 100 would be great. I also dream of a country house with lots of guest rooms so friends can hang out and relax on weekends. I’m passionate about creating spaces people want to be in.
Clovelly project
Which is best, high-tech or low-tech and why?
High tech, but it has to be very simple and invisible.
High tech, but it has to be very simple and invisible.
What’s your favourite room in the home, and why?
Dining room. This is a space that many think is becoming extinct, however, to me it’s a space full of life. It’s a space designed with guests in mind and not used every day. A space that is about conversation not relaxation, so you can go a little wild on your design elements.
My current dining room has deep-blue walls and a wall of multi-coloured toile wallpaper, a custom metal table, vintage chairs upholstered in men’s suit fabric, a pair of ’70s chrome-and-Murano-glass pendants and a tonne of art. A room that is a conversation.
Manly project
Dining room. This is a space that many think is becoming extinct, however, to me it’s a space full of life. It’s a space designed with guests in mind and not used every day. A space that is about conversation not relaxation, so you can go a little wild on your design elements.
My current dining room has deep-blue walls and a wall of multi-coloured toile wallpaper, a custom metal table, vintage chairs upholstered in men’s suit fabric, a pair of ’70s chrome-and-Murano-glass pendants and a tonne of art. A room that is a conversation.
Manly project
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I am the principal of Brett Mickan Interior Design, a high-end interior design company specialising in residential properties, with a passion for all things design.
I prefer a project where I can realise all elements… from exterior to interior and down to every decorative detail, whether individually or in a team. With a background in set and costume design, I know how to create a visual impression. I strive for my designs to feel like a fabulous collection of finishes and pieces that somehow sit beautifully together.