How Do You Brew? with Designer & Maker Nicole Lawrence

Market Lane Coffee: How do you start your morning?  
 

Nicole: I am definitely a morning person. I wake up quite early – no matter what time I need to be up and about, I always get up at least 30 minutes earlier to allow time for my morning routine. I have a Market Lane Coffee Club subscription and a Moccamaster (both at home and the studio), which is super convenient. I turn the Moccamaster on, and let it brew while I have a shower (four minutes is the perfect amount of time). I pour my coffee and hop back into bed for a little while I drink my coffee, (someone recently told me this is bad “sleep hygiene” but I opted to ignore that feedback). I stare into space and think about my day. I know this might seem backwards, but it works for me – this time is really sacred to me, it helps me get my ducks in a row for the day ahead. 

Describe your perfect weekend in Melbourne.  
 
As it’s winter at the moment, I’ll describe my perfect winter Melbourne weekend. Friday is reserved for knock-offs, usually at a pub, always with good friends. This ritual punctuates my week, much like my coffee punctuates my morning. I really can’t stand going out for breakfast/brunch, so my weekend mornings usually consist of a slow start with my coffee in bed, a walk, and then getting some nice ingredients from the Preston or Vic Market. I love to host a long lunch with friends at my place or go to La Pinta. This long lunch can roll into the evening and whatever that might entail. Sunday would be a walk if it’s a nice day (a sauna if it’s not) followed by a wine and a snack in the late arvo. France-Soir for a steak tartare and a crème brûlée is a classic treat.  
 
Can you tell us a bit about Nicole Lawrence Studio?  
 
Nicole Lawrence Studio (NLS) is my eponymous furniture and lighting studio based in Preston. I started this studio in early 2020, after working in lighting production and design for the previous seven years (alongside this work, I also studied Industrial Design). I have worked with and specialised in metal for over a decade, and continue to love this material and its capabilities. Though metal isn’t the only material I work with, it’s definitely the foundation from which I branch out to incorporate other materials.  
 
At NLS, I design and make interior and exterior furniture and lighting with the help of a small team within the studio, as well as local industry technicians. Alongside my collections, I work on custom and commission projects. Every piece is made to order in and around my Preston studio. This model is very important to me, as I believe it's the most sustainable one in terms of resource management and financial sustainability. 
 

What feeds your creativity and gets you inspired?  
 
I find it hard to describe myself as a ‘creative person’, which I know most people would disagree with. I am mainly inspired by production and making techniques that I’m interested in exploring, or materiality, moreso than shapes, concepts or moods. 
 
I often think my ideas through the best when I’m outside of the studio, and especially out of the city. Although it would sound more romantic to say that I’m inspired by the great outdoors, I think the quiet that comes while in the countryside – especially camping and cooking outdoors – creates a space for me to think through ideas and resolve challenges.  
 
Another thing that inspires me is visiting new suppliers or technicians around Melbourne. I always learn new techniques or see a piece of equipment in action that prompts a new idea. 
 

What project/s do you have in the pipeline that you’re excited about at the moment?  
 
I have a new lighting collection that I’ll be launching both in Australia and internationally in a couple of months. This has been a couple of years in development, and I’m excited to be launching something fresh. As well as this, I’m working on a new showroom gallery space at my Preston warehouse. This showroom will be a space to see NLS products, but I also plan to have it available for other designers or artists to show their work. I want to be able to support the wider community by offering a gallery for designers and artists to exhibit, as these kinds of spaces are few and far between now. Finally, I have a solo show coming up in early 2025 for a body of work that’s very different to my previous offering, so that feels both exciting and daunting! Watch this space...