Mullumbimby NSW, House Fit-out for Habitat Homes.

We have been working closely with Habitat Constructions for many years now and have built a strong relationship over time. We always look forward to working alongside master builder Simon Bristol and when we heard about this house fit-out, my father Bruce and I were both keen to get working on it. As the house had an Islamic feel through-out and all of Mark Halford's designs were dynamic and challenging, it made things a bit more interesting.     

Here are a few photographs from both the workshop and the installation. 

The Recycled & Restored Imported Vanity:

This soon-to-be vanity arrived in two pieces at our workshop in Billinudgel. Imported from India, the table you see below was to be fitted out with draws and and doors, a beautiful piece of stone placed on top as the bench top and then the second piece, a imported recycled arch way would be reused to form an open shelf unit that would also house a mirror with lighting to create a shaving cabinet. 

The Islamic inspired book shelf:

The book shelf created challenges within itself. Architect, Mark Halford wanted to design a book shelf for the living room that would instantly grab the attention of the owners and their guests as they walked through the grand entrance. Here he has created a design which incorporates a seat with in it that also doubles as a storage unit below and not to mention the top of the book shelves that had to be moulded and cramped into shape as you can see below. 

After a recent visit to the house, the owner has decorated this space with pillows, interesting books and artifacts that he picked up from his travels. He also explained to me that this book shelf/seat was one of his favored hide away's in the house and perfect for a mid afternoon nap after a good book. 

The Kitchen:

As a kitchen designed around entertaining, It took freedom yet careful planning to create the general lay out of this user friendly kitchen. As its main purpose is to entertain the owners guest's by providing them with beautifully cooked indian meals, a servery on the island bench as well as easy access from the outside deck ensured that food preparation was both enjoyable and social.  

Architect Mark Halford and Cabinet Maker, Bruce Johnston, discuss finer adjustments on the drawers in relation to the bench top.

Frosted windows were installed to sit inside the sink unit to provide light so vermin will not rest in the kitchen.

Nudie jeans Apron

I came across this Nudie apron this weekend in Melbourne. Gotta get me one of them!

Casey's custom.

My girlfriend, Casey, has always wanted me to make her a new slider. So while she was away enjoying her self at Splendour In The Grass, I decided to cut up some foam, Spill some resin and whip her up this shinny new Mini Simmons to go with her wet suit from Tallow.

All photos by www.saycheesefotos.blogspot.com

The movie.

Somethings simply look better in motion. Here is a short clip a few friends and I put together one afternoon. Enjoy.

The shedman. from martin johnston on Vimeo.

The Record Cabinet.

I was out west one time and I got talking to a older man, He told me that no high-way was ever too long if you have plenty to think about. And I guess this is why the drive to the workshop felt so damn quick. All of a sudden, I was where I needed to be. I wanted a place that was much louder then my own mind and when I turned the big old switch to the panel saw, I knew I was where I needed to be. A screeching blade and a 4 meter dust extraction fan system was the only thing that could muffle the thoughts inside my head. I’d had a rough weekend, yeah, but it was a new week and I found myself looking out to the stars from the workshop at 4:15 that Monday morning.
I was excited too, My house mate and I have got a rather large record collection and the thought of making the household a gift, was just the distraction I needed from myself so I started searching through our off-cuts. I wanted to only use materials that we had in the workshop and I was in luck when I found two veneered panels, one New-Guinea Rosewood and the other, Myrtal that would suit this record cabinet perfectly. I also wanted this cabinet to match the general feel through out our home and when I found some recycled turned legs, my eyes lit up. Knowing they would continue the 70’s theme, I incorporated them in to my plan. I also designed this cabinet to sit neatly under the window and hold roughly the standard amount of any record collection. Well, to our standard record collection at least. I arrived home last Friday with our new piece of 70’s inspired furniture and after we have filled it with all the finest music offered, we all sat back, enjoyed a chilled ale and soaked up the warm smooth melodies of Elvis. Who ever said we need to listen to the latest? Pffft.

Happy Easter.

I was content with my head nestled against my pillow but deep inside the void of slumber, I knew it was one of those classic East Coast Saturday mornings. I semi-wondered what its like outside and without even moving my body I could see what a perfect day it was out there.

In my sloth like state, I heard a car pull up out the front. A screech of the breaks was a bit of a give-away as to who it might be but my suspicions hang like the thin fog of this particular autumn morning. Three knocks at the front door and I’m still trying to guess who it is exactly. I lay there, waiting and listening. I can hear the silence of the house and the birds outside but not another hint as to who this phantom visitor may be. I grab my watch and try to focus my vision. It’s urgently blinking at me as if to say, “Fuck, its 8:08am already!” Suddenly footsteps are heard on the grass outside my window and a shadow appears on the curtain. “Mmwarrrrrtin!” A loud, high pitched voice whales an elongated version of my name and I instantly know who it is. My girlfriend leaps forward with a gasp and grabs the safety of the bed sheet. Confused and annoyed, she hides her half naked body and snarls, “Allan, what the bloody hell are you doing!?” “Morning Casey, I’ll just let myself in round the back! Marty’s here yeah?” She looks at me, squints her eyes and kind of smiles too. “Lucky its Allan.” She whispers and rolls over to enjoy a few more moments in slumber. I pull on the closes pair of jeans I can find and open the door to greet Allan in my living room. I’m dazed with confusion and the hangover isn’t making things any better. “Oi man, its pumping. Lets go! Nath up yet?” We gather our wax, zinc and boards on the front lawn. My new peanut butter coloured 5’4 Simmons is laying before us all. Un-waxed and shimmering in the morning sun, It has never been ridden but sure enough, we were in for a treat. Moments later, I find myself sitting in the passenger seat of his Nissan Pulsar, heading down a dirt road in hot pursuit of the remainder of the last swell. By this time, He has already drank enough coffee to send his excitement levels to 10 and the thought of surfing a secret beachy with a new board is driving him insane. We pull up and find a little peak to ourselves with nobody else out and the boys make a B-line for the ocean.

This short story and these photos all unraveled over the Easter weekend. It was one of those weekends that everything just falls into place. Good waves, boozy nights and quality friends and its safe to say, since then, A hell of a lot more has happened.

Stay tuned for some more work!

Enjoy.

Two Pac black bed

Captains chair

Fler TV chair

Fred Lowen was a furniture designer and founding partner of Fler Furniture, creating his wonderful furniture in the 50s and 60s. Originally from Germany, Lowen was influenced by the scandinavian style. It's no wonder they are so popular today, The guy knew what was going on back then. They released a range of furniture in the 60s made from moulded timber with natural oil finishes.
Now-a-days, these chairs are popping up in all the trendy retro shops around these parts and I was lucky enough to get my hands on this oriagnal Fler TV chair at a garage sale just around the corner from my work shop. And I think that Mr. Lowen would have appreciated a little bit of tender lovin, and some new upholstery too..