Welcome!

Welcome and thankyou for coming!

Here it is.
Explore.

Enjoy.

MIKE.ID is my first small business venture. It is very much in its infancy, but this blog will give you an idea of where it's at and what it's about.

Please leave me a comment or if you can't comment, shoot me an email to the address on this blog. There is an added incentive to do this, for today only. Everyone who does so will go in the running to win the first finished cushions I ever made.

Now you've made this first step with me, don't be a stranger. Visit again and again, and follow MIKE.ID as it evolves.

Cheers again for taking part!

Much love, Mike.

Pin Board Scheme I

Bedroom Treatment





1. Bed cushions. A sophisticated silk stripe. A combination of refined champagne gold and silver, punctuated with contrasting bands of black and red. In this pic you can also see a combination of weaves in the construction of the fabric. Drill (diagonal) and ombre (the gradient effect made by the warp (vertical) threads.


2. Upholstered bedhead. The subtle textured wave pattern is created by a puckered effect like that in seersucker fabric.


3. Bedroom chair. This fabric is actually designed for commercial purposes (office chairs, etc.). The pattern is funky and clever, called Data Stripe. It would make a striking, contemporary stand-alone piece.


4. Drapes. The top 2/3 of the drapes are a metallic polyester in a gunmetal grey. The bottom 1/3 panel is a steel blue cotton. Both reminiscent of fabric used for men's tailoring.

My Stuff II

T Shirts

Last year I did an intensive short course at CAE in Screen Printing. It covered all the basic techniques, including cut-out stencils, oil pastels, screen filler and photo emulsion. Two weeks later I bought my own screen, squeegee, dyes and scalpel.

Here are three of the t-shirts I produced during the course. I think all three designs are strong and I'm going to keep working with them in other applications.

Monkey Love

Twiggy

Cameo

My Stuff I

Cushions

Last year I taught myself how to sew. My good friend, Tracy graciously gave me her sewing machine (thanks Tracka!), and I set to it. I bought myself a bobbin case, googled the instructions on how to thread it, raided the sofa and turned all my cushions' covers inside out in order to study their construction. These pics are my first few attempts at designing, screen printing and making my own cushions.

They are one-off designs, the first step towards producing a range that I can have manufactured (it's been a fun process, but I don't like sewing that much).

Anna-Nicole models: SHARKS

SIZE: 50cm x 50cm

Robert models: DAMASK LOG

SIZE: 70cm x 30cm

Jane models: STAG

SIZE: 50cm x 35cm

Inspiring People I

I bought this book about Mies Van Der Rohe from a second-hand store in Ascotvale for $5.50. Bargain! One quotation in the book particularly tickles my fancy. The author asks Mies what had inspired the form of the Barcelona chair. He says...

I knew that King Alfonso XIII was going to visit us at the International Exposition in Barcelona during the opening in 1929. I therefore designed the Barcelona chair for the king. When I went back to my pavillion shortly before the king's arrival, to my surprise I found a wanderer sitting in the chair. I ordered him out with the following words: "For you I made a bench outside by the pool."

Mies in his Chicago apartment, 1965.

Inspiring Fabric/Finishes I

This is my favourite piece of fabric that I have. It is a fine cotton velvet, beautiful handle and weight. It is so refined and sofisticated, yet so soft. I could stroke it all day. At first I thought it was just a very detailed print, but it is also a very subtle figured velvet. So subtle you'd have to have the touch of a blind man to pick it up. I have just enough to make a cushion or two if I use it as the face only.

It is the epitome of my fantasy gentleman's study: mahogany timber panelled walls, wall to wall bookshelves, leather top desk, persian carpet, crystal decanters of cognac and muscat, a large mounted stag's head, deep brooding colours, burgundy, chocolate, mustard, olive. The perfect den to smoke a cigar whilst ponderously stroking one's moustache.

Detail

Inspiring Rooms I

Like most designers I'm continually scouring books and editorials for inspiration. I cut out or photocopy anything that catches my eye and exemplifies my personal taste.

This room was the winner of the 2006 DIA award for Residential Interior. I love how clean and contemporary it is without losing the warmth or sensuality of the colour and texture.

Premier post

I want my first post on this blog to be an introduction of sorts, a small insight into who I am. This will give you a few clues.

Recently I've had a renewed fascination with Paris, so a couple of weeks ago had a quiet night in on the sofa with my pup and watched Amelie on DVD. Inspired by the film, and with a bit of spare time at my day job, I've started my own 'Amelie' list of life's small pleasures. Just a snippet, it's a work in progress...

• Making mixed CD's
• Lying on warm concrete after swimming
• Lemon slice
• Getting a whiff of jasmine
• Reading on the train
• Licking the bowl after making cake
• Winning a long rally playing tennis
• Smelling my dog's head
• Vague-ing out in the shower
• Anzac cookies from Subway
• Taking a massive bite of a crunchy apple
• Feeling sofa and curtain fabric in a room I've never been in before
• Singing along loudly to the radio in my car
• Watching dogs play in the park
• Pressing buttons in an elevator
• Making shapes with blue tack

To be continued...



I am (by-the-way) Michael Morell, a Melbourne based designer in my early thirties and MIKE ID is my first foray into the world of small business.

Watch this space!