Professionals Serendipity 
So many people want to make beautiful Tamborine Mountain their home, and they want those homes to be as aesthetically stunning as the nature that surrounds them. Anybody looking to design their dream house need look no further than Jez Clark of Clark + Granger, holder of multiple awards for his work on both the interiors and exteriors of homes. Jez joins us today to share his story and give us a taste of what makes him such a lauded figure in the world of design.
by Kyle Hitchmough
For those who might not be familiar with your business, can you explain what it is Clark + Granger offers?
We’re a mixed practice, so we concentrate mainly on residential design, house, garden and interiors. We’re quite unique in that we do the whole package. We also do some landscape architectural work, some urban design… I’ve done quite a bit of work for local councils in public spaces or private areas for body corps. It’s quite a mixture of things that we do. We like that, it keeps it entertaining!
How did you get started in this industry?
I came through a very circuitous route. I have a fine arts degree in applied sculpture, which is a bit of a different place to start! Then I met my late husband, Mark Granger, who was studying to be an architect. I just got really interested in what he was doing. I always had a love affair with gardens and landscapes, public areas and squares, that realm of design. I ended up doing a masters in landscape architecture and just loved it. I seemed to have quite a good intuition for it, and it all seemed to flow from there.
Do you specialise in any particular styles of design?
I always get asked this one! We’re not a design practice that has a very strict style, per se. What we have been finding is that we’re fitting into quite a niche with a contemporary country home. It’s very not like the Gold Coast, or Byron. It’s very Gold Coast hinterland. We’re getting lots more clients who want the country house, something warm, something cozy and traditional. We’ve kind of fallen into doing that because we seem to be extremely good at it! In terms of public realms, it’s different. You’re very much dealing with public taste and expectation. It’s a lot more complex. The main thing is quality. We’re adaptable, we respond to each client, and whatever we do, we do it to a high standard of quality.
You’ve won a number of awards, right? Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, we’ve been doing very well! Our Mountain View project won House of the Year for Master Builders Australia, the builder’s award for an exceptional quality build. I won Landscape Designer of the Year for the project. It was a bit of a shock! And quite a coup for Queensland, since I don’t think many people from Queensland have won these before. We’re flying the flag! We won Best Bathroom from the BDQ… That property’s been getting a lot of interest. It’s an exceptional property.
When you’re designing a garden, do you prefer to use native or imported plants?
I love using native plants. I think people are looking more for native plants than they used to. You’ll always get the clients that want something tropical, or English, or Hamptons but I always try to push a little bit of natives. People don’t understand the benefits of native plants, but I think that is starting to change. You have to tailor the garden to the client’s level of skill with upholding the garden and to their budget.
Do you think there are any architectural trends or other popular designs or styles in the area?
Yes, there absolutely are. Everyone wants to grow vegetables or have some kind of kitchen garden. A lot of people are looking for that self-sustaining lifestyle, to grow their own food and have their own animals. I think people come to the mountain because it’s a kind of escape. There’s a sense of getting away from it all and doing your own thing, which can mean anything for anybody.
What goes into the average work day for you?
I always seem to get swamped by admin! There’s a lot of research that goes into each project, a lot of discussions with clients. I like to get to know my clients. Some are very easy to read, and you know what they’re after very quickly. Some you have to pull it out of them a bit more. I like putting a lot of energy into that upfront session. I work with 3D models because it’s easier to explain to people what they’re going to get. If I’m doing interiors I’ll be going to the cabinet-makers, or looking for specific stone… it’s very varied, which I love!
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
I’m getting some younger people, which is different. A lot of them haven’t used designers before, they’re a bit anxious about what I’m going to do. There’s a sense of “Will you listen to me?” Of course I will! That’s the relationship, you’re there to assist them.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
I think it’s fantastic! I’m from the UK, from a relatively small town, so I’m used to that village feel. You’re an hour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast if you want to get into that hectic lifestyle, but you’ve got this space with fresh air and beautiful clean water. It’s healthy, it’s low-stress, I work from home and it’s just fantastic. It’s a very genuine place.
What’s your favourite thing to do in the area?
I’m planning to go out to lunch at the Elevation Café later today! It’s got good honest fresh food. My neighbours at the Coffee Plantation are great too.
What do you think Clark + Granger really provides to the area?
I think we provide a bit of class. Our service is quality and we punch way above our weight given the size of the practice. We’ve taken on projects that usually only the big practices would do and won awards for our work on them. We give the mountain options. I have a lot of repeat clients who won’t go anywhere else because it’s so personal.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Just about everything, apart from the admin! What I love most is that initial creative surge where you sit down with a client and talk. They tell you what they’re after, you think about what you’re going to do, and then you push out that design. That’s the most exciting part, when you see the model start to build itself from the blank page. That’s what I love the most.
Clark + Granger
68 ALPINE TERRACE, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN QLD 4272
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, send your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
