Speaking Out of Turn Magazine
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Innovative Design
When did you first have an interest, in design?
I think most people have an inbuilt interest in the design or the way things please them aesthetically from a very young age, it is just the subject matter that changes with our different priorities. Personally I really gravitated to architectural design at about 15, I spent a lot of cash on house magazine’s even through my teens.
What was the first thing you designed, as a child?
As a child I was far more interested in painting and drawing, obsessed actually. My dad is a brilliant artist and I was the apprentice beside him on the floor, I was never really that interested in constructive design until later on, though I do remember wearing the paint off my building block collection so I guess it would have been an abstract block sculpture.
What is your favorite design?
I appreciate designs that have been unchanged since they were conceived
For example a door, or a dining table. As much as technology tries to enhance everything some things are just perfect from the start. I would have to say an ax is my favorite design. For its looks and it’s simple, useful, perfection.
Why recycled materials?
Recycled materials are so appealing to me aesthetically as well as historically.
They always have a story and a look of wisdom, they have done their time, and proved their strength and I respect that in anything.
Why buy something wrapped in 14 layers of plastic when there is so many incredible materials begging to be salvaged.
I saw you made a log bed, we're those materials from recyclables?
I would call the materials for the bed more salvaged than recycled.
They had no previous job but would have surely been left to rot.
Not every item I build is completely recycled, as I’m sure you can imagine how hard that would be.
Have you been inspired by, any other designers?
Absolutely. I am a slave to books and magazines.
Seeing through other creative peoples eyes is priceless and so necessary for any kind of evolution to take place.
How old were you, when you first learned, there's no "I" in team?
I think truly it was not until starting a business myself which was about 4 years ago now.
I have always worked in a team as a carpenter on building sites and, I think it was taken for
granted that there will always be someone to help out.
I have been incredibly lucky to have some unbelievable people around me including my, "Sexy Lady Alexandra" who is way smarter than me and compliments my every flaw, and there is a lot. She is really creative and has an eagle eye for detail.
She really kicks my ass all over the place, and I love every minute of it.
My good mate Ben, and my parents have always had my back too.
It has been a great lesson to see how hard it all is on your own.
What is the strongest wood, you have worked with? Keep it clean...
I’ve worked with Iron bark Railway sleepers that were possibly over 100 years old.
There were literally sparks coming off the blade of the chainsaw. The saw never recovered.
Where can people, purchase your works?
Purchases can be made by email or phone which are both on the website
www.leebrennandesign.com Or Lee Brennan Design on facebook.
Stockists include Island Luxe in Bangalow N.S.W - Island Luxe Tribe in Byron Bay. Noosa Classics In Noosa Q.L.D
I saw you design jewelry, what metals are you using?
So far with the jewellery I have been using a mixture of stainless steel, bronze, silver and leather.
What aspect about your designs, do you enjoy most? The planning or, the forging?
Probably the finishing, I just can’t wait to get finished and see the final result,
The planning and forging have their moments but the day it’s done is true satisfaction.
What was the most difficult design, you have rendered?
A store fit out we recently worked on in Sydney was quite intense and had a lot of elements to put together.
That has been the trickiest so far but also the most rewarding. If something is easy it generally isn’t worth doing I’ve found
How good did you feel about, making Big Al's man shed, located at Batu Karang Resorts and Day Spa?
Haaaaaaa Big Al’s man shed is all big Al actually, I just happened to come to town when it was time to sweat it out on the roof for a few hours. I can’t take credit for that one.
If you were only given one choice for design, what would you choose, art, design or, furniture?
Hard to say. At the moment I am a bit of a design mercenary just trying to adapt my style into different client’s visions and different work from fitouts to furniture to interior design and jewellery.
Combining as many elements as I can handle keeps life fresh and I think limiting to one aspect would be painful.
If I had to choose Ill say furniture for now.
Who taught you how to design?
My first boss Alan Guymer was definitely my greatest influence.
He is a rugged genius beast of a man that always amazes me.
If we were faced with a post apocalyptic lifestyle I would be hanging with him for sure.
He can build anything and farts splinters.
Do you have any designs, which you can't let go?
We let go of every design, the materials used and the style of construction generally makes it impossible to duplicate.
We are also very conscious of using a new concept for each individual job.
This also creates a lot of extra pressure to come up with new designs constantly while working and sourcing many different materials. People appreciate owning something they won’t see anywhere else.
If you weren’t designing, what other profession, would you choose?
Maybe a helicopter pilot, or a fireman. A helicopter fireman.
How do you feel, when you see your original works, copied?
I would be a bit pissed off to see a direct copy, but at least they have taste.
How awesome was it, to work with Monica M. Lawton?
She's not a bad chick.
Questions By: Monica M. Lawton
Answers By: Lee Brennan