RESTORING A TREASURE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

The City of Sydney, under Clover Moore, is well underway with the restoration of the El Alamein Fountain in Kings Cross.

There is certainly a beauty to the pale green patina of aged bronze, and tha's what we had come to associate with the fountain.

But this week the fountain structure, with all its wands was re-installed.

Buffed and polished, the bright bronze dandelion glowed in the morning light and allowed us a new appreciation of the elegant design.

The restoration is not due for completion until October, so we'll have to wait a while for the water.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy the lovely play of light on my wanders past.

http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/4877-city-to-restore-kings-cross-landmark.asp

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/family-prepares-to-turn-kings-cross-landmark-into-fountain-of-youth-20120119-1q8cu.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Alamein_Fountain

ANOTHER EDITORIAL FEATURE FOR TOBY'S CAFE BY EMBARK DESIGN

Check out the link below for an online feature of Toby's cafe by TOTALVENUE...

http://www.totalvenue.com.au/venues/tobys/tobys.html

PAINT BY NUMBERS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

COMBI SET

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

A LEAP OF FAITH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

PAVEMENT PATCHWORK

WOOLLOOMOOLOO STREETSCAPE

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

GOOD MARKETING

EVELEIGH MARKETS, SYDNEY

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au/

A CLIMATE OF REDUNDANCY

THE GRASS IS GREENER... POP SYDNEY

Clover Moore came under fire yesterday as Sydney's rain turned the Sussex Lane morning coffee run into an all terrain adventure.

Emergency replacement turf for today's gamble in place, a sunny day allowed the landscape installation, along with a fresh batch of heels, to breathe a sigh of relief.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

http://greeninfrastructure.net.au/news-events/

A SIMPLE OFFERING

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

STREETSMART STRIPES

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

ICONIC TOUCH

I have for a long time been captivated by iconography in art, in this case Christian.

When travelling through centres of Christianity, such as Rome obviously, these icons abound not only in churches and galleries, but also throughout the streets.

Not so much though in more secular places like Sydney.

So a menu featuring a portrait of Jesus pinned to a table on the streets of Darlinghurst was surprising.

The image is kitsch in its context, but still has the power to intrigue me.

Who knows why someone pasted three holy cards to a column outside a church in Surry Hills.

Was there a prayer to go with them?

Was it answered?

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY

CONSTRUCTION SIGHTS

These boots are made for working...

(PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL KILKEARY, EMBARK DESIGN)

PHOTO POSTS

Every morning I leave home in Potts Point for a cheeky coffee with friends, clients or some of the many suppliers and tradespeople that are a part of the Embark extended group. Often this is followed by a site meeting or two, so the camera is always at hand.

Over the years friends and family have started to comment on these minor photo essays, as various themes started to emerge. What sparks my interest is often random urban elements and textures, and seeing opportunities for compositions from the everyday.

So from time to time I'll share some photo essays on the Embark Design blog. You may start to see a correlation between the images and some of our work, but for the most part they will be studies in colour, texture and pattern, or captures of incidental found objects that have intrigued me along the way.

All images remain the copyright of Michael Kilkeary, but I'd be happy to share higher res images on request.

I hope you enjoy the posts to come.

VINTAGE LUXE UNDERWAY IN ELIZABETH BAY

The brief is to redefine this charming Elizabeth Bay apartment using the client's collection of vintage furniture and pieces. Embark Design is introducing a backdrop of white walls and sheer curtains to highlight the warmth of the natural timbers of the vintage pieces. Bold colours and patterns against natural linens will bring a contemporary edge.

HARBOURSIDE BACKDROP

The owner of this new harbourside home in Cremorne realised that the kitchen would be the anchoring point of the living and entertaining spaces. Embark Design was engaged during the construction phase of the new house to select the finishes for the new spaces and to create a kitchen that was very functional, but which would be a backdrop to entertaining.

PADDINGTON MAKEOVER

This grand Paddington Terrace features a dynamic floor plan of exquisitely proportioned period rooms on entry and upper levels. However, this young family lacked modern spaces for essential informal living. Embark Design radically reconfigured a series of smaller rooms on the lower level to create a vibrant and open new kitchen and living area that flows onto the previously under-utilised rear terrace & garden. 


Inspired by the time happily enjoyed in this previously under-utilised area, a bold new landscaping project is now underway....

"GIALLO" APARTMENTS, EAST SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Embark Design was engaged to furnish and style an apartment within the recently completed "Giallo" development in the Stanley Street precinct of East Sydney. Classic modernist pieces were combined with handwoven fabrics and rugs in ethnic patterns to evoke the textures of the city laneway which the apartment overlooked.

TOBYS CAFE, POTTS POINT, SYDNEY

With Toby's Potts Point poised to stay open in the evenings, a new look was needed that could evolve from a vibrant cafe space during the day to an intimate wine bar in the evening.

Embark Design clad the interior with plywood stained in Resene "Black Pepper" for warmth, while a yellow leather banquette and recycled painted stools were introduced for punches of colour & character.  

Against this backdrop, Embark featured light industrial elements of brass, copper, bronze and glass.