Lucinda Davies and Kerry Phelan, Interiors and Founding Director at K.P.D.O
Mobilia sits down with Lucinda Davies and Kerry Phelan of K.P.D.O., an Australian interior design and architectural studio. Specialising in beautiful homes, the revered studio’s work has been featured across publications including Elle Decoration, Vogue Living, Belle and The Local Project. Here, the pair share a playlist perfect for Friday afternoon listening, an iconic sculptural bench featured in the The Great Beauty and where to eat in Sydney & Melbourne.
Interviews
17.01.2022
Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana in Rome, now used as the headquarters for Italian fashion house Fendi.
Where in the world do we find you?
Kerry Phelan & Lucinda Davies: Currently, we are in Sydney, Australia.
What is your favourite room at home?
KP: It’s hard to choose just one, as I love all the rooms in my home.
Any must-read books?
KP: I’m currently re-reading The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell
LD: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Where do you like to eat out?
KP: Some of my favourite spots are Bistro 916 in Potts Point, Bellota in South Melbourne, 10 William in Paddington and Tipo 00 in Melbourne’s CBD.
LD: For me it’s Raw Bar in Bondi, The Shop & Wine Bar (also in Bondi) and Bistecca in Sydney’s CBD.
Seidler House. Photograph: Brenton McGeachie.
Limited edition Khruangbin poster from their sold out Sydney, Australia shows by Natalee Miller.
Hong Kong Club by Harry Seidler. Photograph: © John Gollings
What is on your playlist?
KP: At the moment it’s afrobeats and early dub, jazzy and contemporary usually on vinyl. Friday afternoon calls for the Allah Las and Stephens ‘KPDO_surf coast’ playlist.
LD: Leon Bridges, Khruangbin and Jack Johnson.
An up-and-coming designer to watch?
Both: Fred Ganim is outstandingly talented and definitely a big rising star.
Some of the designers or movements that inspire you?
KP: Art, sculpture and fashion always provides a source of inspiration for me.
LD: Mainly French and Italian designers for their left-of-centre vision.
Your favourite building?
Both: The original Prada building (Tokyo), Fendi headquarters in the EUR district (Rome) and The Hong Kong Club (Hong Kong).
Bistecca, Sydney. Photograph: courtesy of Bistecca.
Fritz Hansen's Carimate chair. Photograph: partnership with Kinfolk magazine. Art direction by Staffan Sundström and photography by Sarah Blais.
A piece of furniture you own and love?
KP: My Shiro Kuramata chair - it’s not comfortable to sit on, but that is not the point.
LD: My soon-to-be delivered Carimate chairs.
An important iconic furniture piece you covet?
KP: The Gaetano Minucci bench as featured in Italian film The Great Beauty.
LD: The Presenze chair by Piergiorgio Robino & Alice C Occleppo
Three designers you would take with you to a deserted Island?
KP: Do we have room for everyone in the office?!
What first comes to mind when you think of Australian Design
KP: Sydney and Melbourne are both so unique in their styles. For me, it would be the work of Austrian-born, Australian architect Harry Seidler.
Can you share what you are working on at the moment?
KP: A superyacht!
Art House by K.P.D.O. featuring the Cab armchair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Antella console by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina and VV Cinquanta suspension pendant by Vittoriano Viganó for Astep.