CAROLE WHITING
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 5 WORDS
mother, pragmatist, traveller, creative, searcher
WHATS AN IMPORTANT CAUSE FOR YOU?
Women’s rights. I grew up quickly working in the particularly 'blokey' world of advertising and am a card carrying 'me-too' alumna. Im truly grateful that my daughters will have a different world to navigate. But there is still work to do here. We need more women in positions of power in Australia working along with good men to balance leadership, decision making and future planning. Whilst we are definitely moving in the right direction (albeit slowly) I also think of the other end of the scale - about whats happening in Afghanistan at the moment. A whole generation of women will now miss out on an education and a chance at an independent life ... so many women have had their lives stripped down to a one dimensional role of child bearer and domestic slave. It's horrifying.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED YOU?
this question better in 2 years because often when things are this close, we can't see the effects on ourselves clearly enough. But for now I think its given me patience which is a hard pill to swallow for me. Im a do-er and I like to just get on and get things done but that isn't so easy in this environment. Ive found it hard to focus and allow myself to go with the flow but at the same time Im forced to; and so perhaps thats the lesson Ive learned. The other thing I know for sure now is that Im a people person and whilst I need a good dose of solitude - there is such a thing as too much. I need other people around to bounce off, laugh with, cry with and hug! it's not the same on an electronic device. I cherish all my wonderful friends and have really deepened my true friendships during the many months of lockdowns we have had to endure. Even when you have nothing to say because you've done pretty much nothing - its those texts or phone calls or messages from people who are special to you just checking in that means so much.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN SOMEONE ELSE ?
Empathy
WHATS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Ive always thought everyone else knew more than me - that they somehow magically had answers that I didn't have access to. Ive learned that so many times I had the answers but was too afraid to stand up and back myself. Ive learned that I can do things as well as other people and sometimes better. And that sometimes it's confidence and belief in yourself (not just god given talent) that provides the impetus to do things you never thought possible. Achieving goals isn't the end game; it's whats beyond those goals that you have to work towards. Because things you never even knew about might be in your future if you can recognise opportunities and allow yourself to go on the ride.
HOW DOES DESIGN IMBUE YOUR LIFE DAY-TO-DAY?
Design is a part of every little thing in my life. It's constantly in my head. I find myself looking at the sets on tv shows and studying the graphics in magazines. Its rearranging the furniture (in my head) when I visit the doctor or even how the things inside my cupboards are presented. I look at what people are wearing - not just from a current fashion point of view but how they put themselves together, what food looks like, how gardens are laid out, street signs, shops, packaging - everything I see - its all a big aesthetic tease. I also think a lot about how functional things are and how cleverly some things are designed to work well. And sometimes about how I would forgive function to some extent for better aesthetics - not usually the other way around. If something doesn't function well I wont buy it; but (for example) Im prepared to make my kitchen work a little harder and less perfectly for the sake of making it a beautiful space. I don't buy ugly. Not even a pair of scissors as my staff have found out the hard way. Id rather go without!
I AM WOMAN WAS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS, SO WITH THAT IN MIND, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOU FEMALES… WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Have faith in your own opinions. Listen to your gut and back yourself.
IF YOU RAN THE WORLD FOR A DAY, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT/CHANGE?
One day doesn't give you much time to sort the world but if I could blink and make it different I would vaccinate all of the poorer countries in the world, educate all women and outlaw replica design.
HOW DO YOU SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Normally overseas and interstate travel is a big part of my life but otherwise I have a lovely house in Red Hill in the Mornington Peninsula where i spend time with my family and friends. Im a reader, I like classical music as well as contemporary and Im a shopper - not always a buyer - I love shopping, sourcing, researching, looking; in real life or online. And often daydreaming about my perfect house or some artwork or furniture piece that I would like to own and where I would put it. I rearrange my furniture a lot!
WHAT CITY FITS YOUR STYLE AND AESTHETIC MOST?
Copenhagen
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU LOVING AT THE MOMENT? WHETHER IS BE FASHION, INTERIORS, BEAUTY OR FOOD…
I love that things are slowing down. Fast fashion is waning and a second life for fashion, furniture and decorative items is becoming a standard and viable option. It's heartbreaking to see beautiful things discarded because the next shiny object is in sight. We love reconstitution and re-use of materials and the refashioning of things. So much waste in the world. I think that people are starting to understand what a lot of designers have always understood - buy something beautiful and love it forever. Choose wisely and wait for the right thing. Dont follow passing fads. Food-wise its fantastic seeing the rise of the 'street food' and quality takeaway. A lot of our local restaurants have had to adapt and are producing superb 'portable' food outside their empty venues. Its a cultural shift borne out of Covid - in Melbourne we have such an incredible array of brilliant food on offer. It has become something to look forward to whilst we've been in lockdown - still eating fabulous food but in a different way.
IN THIS RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD, HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE SUSTAINABILITY GLOBALLY?
Oh I don't think Im qualified to answer this. The one thing I would say is that we have to all pull together and help the countries that don't have the financial resources we do, to join the movement. It's all for one and one for all.
IF YOU WOKE UP TOMORROW AS THE LEADER OF YOUR COUNTRY, WHAT ARE THE THREE THINGS YOU WOULD ADDRESS?
Gender balance in politics and business, stronger commitment to renewable energy, more money to the arts.
IF YOU DIDN’T END UP IN YOUR CAREER WHAT OTHER JOB WOULD YOU HAVE DONE AND WHY?
I started in Advertising producing epic tv commercials and traversed retail, fashion, event management and finally landed at interior design so I think something that combines problem solving and creativity... Having said that I like order so could well have been happy sorting mail!
DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS OR EVENTS YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US?
We have been super busy and have a number of residential projects in construction and lined up for construction next year. Some lovely work completed which we haven't had a chance to photograph yet plus a lot in the pipeline. Hopefully we will expand our commercial projects and have a chance to work on some hospitality in the near future.
WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT TWO PRODUCTS FROM K5 FURNITURE ARE YOU FAVOURITE?
Anything from Nikari - I love their dedication to natural materials and craftsmanship - if I had to choose it might be the April tables.I have them at home. Second the Hygge bench/table/stool - not sure what I would call it- from Karl Andersson - it took my eye at the Stockholm fair in 2020 just before lockdown and Ive been waiting to use it on the right project ever since. That might end up being my house!
WHAT WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANK AND WHY?
Id thank my grandmother who was always a hard working woman, having coped with early pregnancies and holding a family together during the war. She taught me skills in craft - knitting, sewing etc and was an amazing role model in just getting things done and not taking no for an answer.