Design Hunter Q&A: Nicky Lobo

Nicky Lobo has recently been made Editor of Habitus, after being Deputy Editor for a number of years. We find out what makes her tick.

Name: Nicky Lobo

Where you are from/live: from – Lahore, Pakistan; live – Sydney, Australia

What you do: Editor, Habitus

When did you first know you wanted to be…
An editor? When I realised that I preferred thinking and talking about design, rather than actually doing it.

Your latest project: Issue 26, out in December, and the Habitus special issue – kitchen & bathroom, out Feb/March 2015.

Where you find inspiration: Yoga. Laughter. Light.

Three people that inspire/excite you:

1) Alain de Botton

2) The power couple of David Attenborough and Mother Nature

3) Lee Lin Chin

What is your favourite…

Car/bike/plane/boat model: cars from the 70s and 80s are so cool. But don’t tell my ‘93 Daihatsu Applause I said that.

Chair model: chair – Eames DSW and moulded wood; lounge – Togo by Ligne Roset. I also like sitting on the floor.

Togo by Ligne Roset

Residential space: too many from Habitus!

Commercial space: Sydney Opera House concert hall

Decorative product: candles – Glasshouse Fragrances No.2 Figue de la Foret and Lilla Bruket Lavender are a couple of favourites. At the moment I’m enjoying the aroma of the City of Tomorrow (which smells like freshly cut grass with green pear, rose, lily, jasmine and balsam apparently), inspired by Le Corbusier, in the Utopia series from the School of Life.

Functional product: Cork

Handmade good: I’ve just discovered the very cool, handmade, Australian-designed Isson range of glasses and sunglasses. Also handmade pasta.

Isson Kiki acetate frame in gold with CR39 lenses

Mass-produced good: Teabag

Item in your studio: Kuretake Zig pen makes my writing look neat-o.

Time of day to work/play: Ideally early morning for yoga, morning for work, afternoon for nap, and the rest of the day for play!

Meal: Brunch. Or dessert.

Drink: Frangelico, fresh lime and soda

Bar: My kitchen

Piece of technology: Contact lenses

Historical figure: Goddess Durga

Fictional character: Mary Poppins

Vice: Bourke St Bakery hot chocolate (strong, soy)

Virtue: Playfulness

What does the term ‘Design Hunter’ mean to you? The relentless pursuit of meaning through physical spaces and objects, and our interrelation with them.

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