Comedian and musician Tim Ross, is also one of Australia’s leading experts on architectural design and is currently touring with ‘The Mid Century Project‘ where he opens up some of Australia’s best mid-century homes for intimate live shows.
I first met Tim years ago at the ASTRA Awards, and we struck up a friendship based on our shared love of design and architecture. Mid-century modern design is his sweet spot, so who better to catch up with for a newsletter on the Palm Springs design aesthetic?
SB: “You live in an incredible mid-century home with your wife and kids, you tour live shows where you take people through incredible architectural homes of the era, you have your own ABC show ‘Designing a Legacy‘, and you’ve written a couple of books. And that’s just so far… Where did your obsession for mid-century design originate, and how did the transition from radio & TV comedian, to torch-bearer for the preservation of this incredible period of architecture, come about?”
TR: “I’ve always been a furniture collector (mostly mid century modern) and even when I was in shitty share houses I was obsessed with making them look good with whatever old furniture we could find. The architecture in the Melbourne suburbs in my youth was particularly formative and so much of it was the great houses of the ’50s/’60s and ’70s.
“Over the years my obsession grew and I’d visit houses, go on tours, buy the books and then when Instagram arrived it was like a whole new world of like minded souls opened up for me and that was extraordinary.
“That had been bubbling around in the background while I was doing radio and then a couple of magazine articles came out with my house in it and people realised I was pretty into it and I found that I was being asked a lot about the house…I still do!”
SB: “You grew up in Mt Eliza and now live in Sydney and not to spark the tiresome Melbourne vs Sydney conversation, but what are the differences you see in the respective homes’ style, approach and architects?”
TR: “Melbourne is much more design-focused and that’s mostly to do with the climate and the greater time spent indoors.
“Sydney traditionally has been less interested in those things because it’s all about being outdoors. When I moved here in the late ’90s I couldn’t believe how shit the pubs were and how few good bars there were. People didn’t care!
“I’d like to say that Sydney homes are more open for the climate but sadly they are not. I’d broadly say that Melbourne probably has more exciting architecture.”
SB: “I have only just visited Palm Springs myself a year ago and I didn’t get to go to the interiors of any homes as my trip was so last minute and all the tours were booked out. But just driving the streets, reading the history and shopping in the vintage stores was perfect for whetting my appetite. Have you been? If so what are some of the houses, places you would recommend? And if not, when are you planning to go to the Mecca of mid-century?”
TR: “I think that the Albert Frey house is a must-see and it’s reasonably easy to get in to visit. You may have to pester them because Americans think replying to emails is optional 🙂
“I’m not sure whether I’ll go back, I’ve been three times and seen the best of it. I sometimes find that the interiors are a little overdone and lack a bit of restraint. I always recommend riding around on a bike with a map of the houses (if it’s not too hot). And don’t be scared to be friendly and knock on a door if you want to have a look!“
Tickets for Tim’s live show ‘The Mid-Century Project‘ are on sale now, you can also stream both series of his ABC show ‘Designing a Legacy‘ on Iview and follow him on Instagram @modernister.
Megan Dougherty
Bravo Management Pty Ltd
Level 5, 111 Coventry Street,
Southbank VIC 3006
P: +61 (3) 8825 6641 (direct)
Blank Canvas Interiors
598-600, Burwood Road
Hawthorn East, VIC AUSTRALIA 3123
