London Calling | Meet graduate Hannah Mirbach
Sometimes the best thing to do after you graduate is to jump on a plane. Diploma student Hannah Mirbach headed straight to London to source cutting-edge interior products for HART by partridge design – a business she established with her mother Lynda Partridge (also an Interior Designer) in New Zealand. She’s now taken on the extra challenge of working in-house with the international interior design studio – Joanna Wood. Just back from Maison et Objet in Paris, she answered a few of our questions…
“I love that I can justify my passion as my job! I now have two very different roles, but both will keep me in touch with all areas of the interiors world both in London and the Southern Hemisphere.”
Tell us what you’ve been up to since graduating?
“In my final semester I started a business with my mother, who is also an Interior Designer, out of Auckland (my home town). It’s called HART by partridge design and was catalysed because we really wanted to make interior design accessible to everyone. We cater to every need and project from a full design consultation to assistance with DIY to furniture that can be altered to your space and finally to finishing styling touches. We source, import and curate all the product for our store too.
Alongside this, I have moved to London to pursue the sourcing and buying role for our business in the European sector. I will do this during my weekends and spare time as I have secured a full-time position as an associate Interior Designer for Joanna Wood – which I am very excited about!”
What do you love about your new role?
“I love that I can justify my passion as my job! I now have two very different roles, but both will keep me in touch with all areas of the interiors world both in London and the Southern Hemisphere.”
How would you describe your experience at Sydney Design School?
“I loved the laid back, family atmosphere of Sydney Design School. I had previously started a Bachelor Degree in Spatial Design, but that course simply doesn’t compare to what I have and learnt at Sydney Design School – the projects contained the perfect balance of vital industry knowledge and creative freedom.”
We love your restaurant design for Merivale – tell us about this concept.
“Thank you. My Merivale proposal, The Tennyson Yum Yum House, centres around the concepts of yin and yang and wabi sabi. I felt these ideas perfectly mimic the diversity of the Mascot location and the way in which we could bring people from all walks of life together within a food and design destination.“
How do you stay inspired as an Interior Designer?
“I get out and explore – Pinterest can never compare to what you can see, touch and experience yourself. It can be as simple as some beautiful detailing on a building, a fabric or painting in a gallery, even a story someone has told me can spark inspiration. It pays to keep open and aware of what is directly around you!”
Find out more…
partridgedesign.co.nz
joannawood.com
Images from Hannah’s retail project for the Diploma of Interior Design & Decoration.
