DANIELLE BRUSTMAN
Danielle Brustman is a designer of interiors and bespoke furniture pieces. She specializes in residential interior design and commercial design for the education, hospitality, and retail sectors. Her studio is based in Melbourne at Collingwood Yards where she was the inaugural recipient of the Bank of Melbourne Studio Residency.
Photographer Dylan James
Describe yourself in 5 words?
Open minded and friendly - connecting with people from a range of worlds, caring, honest, adventurous, and perceptive.
What is the quality you most like in another person?
I like it when people are mindful and aware of others.
How does art, culture and design imbue your day-to-day life?
Since a very early age, I have been ruled by the arts. It is innate and stayed with me my whole adult life. I am interested in visual art and design, fashion, music, and performance. I am inspired by many different artforms, and it occupies my life both professionally and personally. I come from a creative family who have an appreciation of the arts. I grew up with music being played in the home. My grandmother was a lover of the ballet and would take me to the theatre from a very young age which I loved.
What is social or environmental cause are you passionate about / involved in?
I am very concerned for our planet. Global warming is upon us, and more radical action is urgently needed from our governments.
What is the best learning experience you have had?
On a personal level, becoming a parent and being responsible for another human being has changed me immensely. My most important job is helping to guide my daughter through her childhood. I was a little wilder and more transient in my 20’s and 30s. After I had my daughter, I became more focussed on my career. My priorities shifted and the most important thing became providing a safe and nurturing environment for her.
Which 3 products from K5 Furniture are your favourite, and why?
I love the Boyd Collection and particularly the dining table piece. The design is so elegant and iconic. I love the story of K5 recreating these pieces and the longevity of the design. I was fortunate to see the Nikari collection at the Stockholm Fair this year with Erna and it is absolutely magnificent.
If you ran our world for a day...what three things would you implement / change / create?
There are so many awful things currently taking place in the world: war, global warming, poverty, sexism, homophobia, violence, racism. I would like to see a more humane perspective taken in politics. I would like to see more female leaders in government and business.
How do you spend time outside of work to create balance in your life?
Outside of work I like to spend time with my daughter, going to her basketball games is fun. I also go to exhibitions and see a lot of live music which is one of my favourite things to do. I like to travel, see friends and have time to relax at home.
What positive trends are you loving at the moment whether it be travel, fashion, furniture, architecture, food or other?
I think we are all being pushed towards a more conscious way of being in the world. Our actions and words are important and affect those around us and the broader society. I think we need to evolve on many levels. The pendulum has to swing quite far to one side before it affects change. We have to become more accountable for our behaviour, our output, and our contributions to the society we live in.
In this rapidly changing world, how are you improving / contributing to our environmental impact?
I see a trend emerging in Australia where interior designers are conscientiously specifying locally sourced materials, furniture, and products. A new and exciting vernacular is forming. There are some really interesting, elegant, and ethically designed pieces being made over here.
If you woke up tomorrow as the leader of your country, what are the top three things you would address?
I think we need to listen and support first nations people.
I think we need to look after our oceans, land and environment.
I think we need to even up the wage discrepancies between men and women.
If you didn't end up in your career, what other job would you love to do and why?
If I wasn’t a designer, I would like to be a psychologist as I find people and their psychological make up endlessly fascinating.
If you could you give one piece of advice to inspire our “I Am Woman” readers, what would it be?
I think things are changing so much for women in general, but society still places so much focus on a woman’s appearance and age. There is a great deal of pressure placed upon us to always look good and young. I feel like it is crucial for women to know their value. It is who we are inside, how we contribute to the world, and the roles we play in the lives of our families, workplaces, and communities. I want younger girls to grow up knowing that they are strong and beautiful because of who they are not what they look like.
What is one upcoming exciting project or event you have that you want to share with us?
I am exhibiting at Melbourne Design Fair 2023, as part of Melbourne Design Week, presenting a new work with Sophie Gannon Gallery. It is a very exciting platform for local designers.
What woman in your life would you like to thank and why?
Oh! my mum of course. We haven’t always had an easy relationship, but she is endlessly supportive, loving and encouraging of me.