Design Hunter™ Q+A with James Dawson

For our last Design Hunter™ in the MINI Countryman series, James Dawson of Dawson Interiors shares his design favourites, aesthetic ethos, and love of beaches and coast drives with Habitusliving.

Your name: James Dawson

What you do: Interior design- James Dawson Interiors & Importer of French designer furniture + Home ware brands Moustache Paris + Domestic Paris available through dawsoninteriors.com.au

Your latest project: High End river front apartment – Brisbane 

Who are three people that inspire/excite you:

 1) Inga Sempe

 2) Tom ford

 3) Bjork

What is your favourite?

Car/bike/plane/boat model: Car – Mercedes SLK 350 + Motor Bike – Kawasaki Ninja… Really anything that’s super fast!

Chair model: The Moustache Paris Bold Chair in Italian cashmere designed by Big-Game, It’s surprisingly comfy and a great statement piece

Residential space: My home, Its interesting and unique with little surprises and details throughout.

Commercial space: The duomo in Milan, Italy because the detailing and character is phenomenally beautiful.. I love it !

Decorative products: I love Interesting & unique flowers + Moooi “Delft Blue” Vases + Cassina “Cicognino” side table.
Functional product: My watch - Georg Jenson, Koppel Champaign face of course – with out it I would be lost & …late

Handmade good: Lee Broom crystal globes

Mass- produced good: Chocolate

Meal:  Pear, Walnut & Parmesan Salad– I’m not a great cook but this I can make …delicious

Restaurant: Le Relais de l’Entrecote Paris, France- the steak sauce is famous and worth the trip or the odd snowstorm to get it!!

Drink: Diet coke

Bar: The Bound Bar Paris, France is a favourite + Locally is Cru Bar, James Street. 

Item in your studio: Vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase 

Piece of technology: blackberry + tablet

Historical figure: Charles Darwin – Interesting man

Fictional character: Robert Langdon

Vice: Over thinking

Virtue: Treat everyone I meet with respect.

Favourite long-distance drive (route or destination): Great Ocean Road to Lorne. Most amazing scenic views over Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean + rainforests, beaches and cliffs.

Between beach, mountain and forest, which do you prefer? Definitely the beach!  You can’t beat the feeling of sea salt and fresh air.

If you go camping is it luxe or rustic? Definitely Luxe …me and nature have a love hate relationship

What would you pack into the extra space of a MINI Countryman? Picnic basket full of all my favourite foods, drinks …… fly spray lol

What colour would your MINI Countryman be?  What does this say about you? I love the Cosmic metallic blue. The car is designed for living! And it’s a reflection on how I live and work… The same attention to detail goes into the interior spaces that I create for my clients.

What does the term ‘Design Hunter’™ mean to you? For me it means looking past the standard trends to find unique and exciting new items/products/materials that can be used to create amazing spaces for people to enjoy.

MINI Countryman