Rauxe Journal TWO

RAUXE V O L U M E

T W O

VOLUME ONE

A LETTER Never thought we would have a second one so soon. By meaning a second volume, we meant so. Since the beginning of this year after ONE was published, TWO was already in the mind being formed, visioned and excitedly anticipated. It was so fun creating the first and experimenting with style, layout and what was written – forming the basis of what it is now and ahead. It wanted to be visually fluid; images floating over to each page and eyes taken to every direction, whether it is reading or wondering why she put something just there.

It is not something to be taken too seriously. So before finishing this chunk of text, know that this volume is about THE HOMEBODY –this also features homes of different cities: Denver, San Francisco, and Kyoto– where creative individuals speak about their place of home.

Enjoy!

Love, Esther

Attribution

Writer / Photographer: Esther Koh

Emma Fineman / Ohohta / Emily Benziger / Chatti Brown – Remy & Rose / Sam Koh

Zara / Quay / Gorman / Opening Ceremony / Topshop / Acne Studios / Madewell / West Elm / Nest Architects

ALL CONTENT BELONGS TO RAUXE UNLESS STATED

© Rauxe 2015

OHOHTA

– THE BLOG HQ – Find us at: rauxe.blogspot.com | IG: @rauxe.co The home and HQ of ongoing content

LES MILK (Image) PHOTO: OLIVIA LOPEZ

It is titled ‘Les milk’, for its common abroad caption that says hello I’m French and I’m probably a nice coffee house. You can feel it too, the orchestral French brass mixed with the organic hum of the outdoor. It could only be that we deported to a hungry Parisian street or entered next level music bliss. Jazz makes a statement in outside entertainment with Norah Jones and Feist, as well as the atmospheric Kindness during night sessions. The playlist is blended with some Français, the autumn symphony of The Books in Music For A French Elevator and Camille. Perhaps now, your coffee will taste a little bit better.

— 1. Le Festine, Camille / 2. Ainsi Soit-il, Kindness / 3. Gatekeeper, Feist / 4. Lovers’ Carvings, Bibio / 5. More Than This, Norah Jones / 6. Two Way Street, Kimbra / 7. Quelqu’un Ma Dit, Carla Bruni / 8. Watch What Happens, Bob Acri / 9. Passenger, Lisa Hannigan / 10. Fralite, The Books / 11. There Goes the Fear, Doves / 12. Stardust, Ben Webster / 13. She, She & Him / 14. Ms. Ho, Onra / 15. Prelude, Thrupence

BEHIND THE LEAVES

It’s only normal to scroll through the holiday season tag on Pinterest during valid seasons, Christmas as such, in search for the ideal wreath. And if it is under a budget, it would probably a DIY. I as a level three crafter with personal whim gathered lengthy branches and weaved like there was no tomorrow until it obeyed to a decent structure (Frankly it was 12 in the morning). The following day we strolled through Brunswick, trying to find a brick wall I had envisioned while weaving leaves away. ďƒ

412 BRUNSWICK ST, FITZROY VIC

FOR LUNCH we queued for a while that a couple asked what we were queuing

for. Unsurprisingly, it was a nice little space with bearded men who served crab burgers and squid ink linguine, amidst quality sunlight that the table becomes a scene with integrated clarity and tone for instagramming.

FINDING THE AESTHETIC isn’t really a glamorous process, for things like situate yourself in an alley and hold some greens up against someone’s brick wall will be a new idea, strange even, to any outside those who know what’s going on.

EMMA FINEMAN

“It offers me great friends, loads of amazing activities, and a rich artistic community.�

Emma Fineman, painter and photographer, resides in the city gem of San Francisco. Born and raised in The Bay, inspiration is drawn from surroundings and becomes a backdrop for her work. Nature is not far; a short drive through redwood forests or waking up to the coastline, she says. This is elemental to the style expressed in her photographs: rustic and minimal. As a painter, too, imagery is translated into a foundation for paintings. Over here, Emma tells us a bit about herself and what truly makes up a place of home. ďƒ

Is there a defining culture in San Francisco?

Describe the atmosphere, what you love most.

I would say that there are many and maybe that’s what defines us. I love living in a diverse area with many cultures and customs, I think that is what makes the city so rich and vibrant.

It also allows for a level acceptance and room for creative and cultural exchange, which I really appreciate. I think that our diversity plays a huge part in our scene and community as well as why our food is so good!

I love many parts of living here. For one, nature is not far and that cannot always be said for most cities. I love the coastline here, the fact that I can wake up by the beach and in a short drive hike through redwood forests. I love the city for its historic buildings and charming neighbourhoods. I LOVE the food; that I can enjoy a global journey on my plate any day of the week. I love how many creative and innovative thinkers there are here. The tech industry has changed the city a whole lot over the last ten years, in some ways it has been a struggle, but it has brought many new faces from all over the globe which is also great.

What makes it different from the rest of California?

What areas of photography do you enjoy working in?

It is a dense and very liberal city. Most of California is rural farmland, or natural landscape, which is beautiful, but different. If you pay attention to politics and statistics it is easy to see that the south is far more conservative.

For the above reasons I love many forms of photography, I shoot lifestyle, but I also love shooting landscape and portraiture. I capture clean, moody, and desaturated images that summarize elements from my everyday life, which are both deeply personal and narrative.

In a photo venture: I look for good light conditions and interesting subject matter.

Sometimes that means going to a natural landscape setting, and other times it mean’s shooting indoors.

What defines a home? A house / city / country The people you share it with. I have been quite lucky to have spent a lot of time traveling and living in different countries for extended periods of time, and no matter how foreign a place might seem initially, I find great security in the people I meet there. That above most things is what makes a place personal, supportive, and homelike. As far as the actual space itself, light is very important to me.

I love being in spaces with bright or cosy lighting. It makes them feel spacious, airy, and open. I love to fill that space with loads of plants as well. They are both beautiful to look at and admire, and they make a space feel less dead.

When I watch my plants grow because I treat them well, even though it might be an easy task, it makes my smile every time I look at them. I also love filling my living space with art and artefacts from places I have been. With those things, great company, some kick-butt kitchen tools, and a space for me to make art, it would be a pretty perfect home to me.

His.

I LOVE UGLY

D&G L’AMOUREUX

THE ICONIC

WINDSORSMITH

Hers.

KIKKI K

ZARA

FOSSIL

An ode to a sandwich that embraces fresh ingredients, little time, and novice cooks.

Alfalfa Toast is not cited as a recipe but rather an ensemble, for he only requires three to five untouched ingredients that meet together and become tasteful friends.

He is wholesome yet fresh and gets along well with lemon lime bitters.

Minimal cooking would only include the egg and toasting the bread, taking its new form.

(But remember it is still egg and bread).

How to precisely prepare the sandwich Step one: insert a slice of bread into toaster Step two: Heat pan with oil, crack one egg and fry that egg Step three: select gourmet trio: Alfalfa, snow pea shoot and lentils of choice.

Step four: Begin assembling on a medium sized plate – carefully place fried egg onto toast, decorate with alfalfa and friends.

Step five: eat in burger manner, prepare for fallouts. (pun)

PHOTO: COOK REPUBLIC

In fulfilling the travel bug we must pack generously. Equipped with provisions such as a camera and a journal to document that amazing trip you will be going to. Skincare won’t leave your side when in the middle of nowhere, as well as an eReader for in between transport, and sunnies if you do not wish to make eye contact while transporting. Sneak a few bouquets in your tote in case someone decides to get married. And here, ladies, we have an observable recipe for a scenic trip. Oh, don’t forget your passport!

PHOTO | WORDS: EMMA FINEMAN

When it comes to photography many of the same principles that I apply to my living space is applied to my images. Clean, bright, and minimal imagery is something I gravitate towards. I am a painter and started working in photography as a means of generating reference material for my painting practice. My images are often split between capturing still frames from everyday life, and documenting an established concept to use as fodder for a painting. I think both ways of approaching photography are valid in their own way. There is something so freeing about being able to generate a quick snapshot that perfectly captures a moment, but I also really appreciate the extended process of creating an image with layered and meditated meaning.

THOUGHTS 01

Different tea, kinds of people Straight up and long infused for the understated yet never boring; earnest and straightforward despite being steeped in thoughts. One for the rushed where the boiling point is moderated with milk, a specific ratio, and is fully satisfied when it becomes the right opaque. Tinge and pure for the sophisticated which find joy in drinking wet leaves and botanicals.

THOUGHTS 02

ABOVE: Gattaca, reinvented | reflecting the Bauhaus movement (est. 1919) Gattaca (1997) is a personal favourite of science fictions. I think the film has strong connections to the Bauhaus era; both characterised as minimal and scientific, the quiet mess like blueprints of an experiment, and yet holds much symbolism. It also suggests vision and thought, as you saw Vincent’s aspirations of going to space and its distance from real life as he was grounded by innate imperfection. In striving to meet with ideals, there is a level of acceptance to not go out of the way to be something else nor be disappointed with where we are seated. Ultimately, still seek and pursue.

“I also love that soap making is the perfect marriage between science and artistry. I really enjoy that a simple idea or memory can manifest into something tangible.�

Remy & Rose Chatti Brown is the soap chef and founder of organic soap enterprise, Remy & Rose.

Wrapped in its minimalist packaging embrace is a neat square of nourishment, wholesome and beautifully scented as we imagine. Such like the moments of sniffing every soap bar the counter has to offer. It is also friendly to the skin, containing lush oils as well as being lightly scented with 100% pure essential oils. Chatti gives insight behind these soaps along with the soap making journey. ďƒ

Chatti and her husband reside in Denver, Colorado along with their two cats Remy & Rosie. The dream started in 2009 where Chatti started making cold process soaps when store bought products were not working the best for her, as well as a time where she moved to the dry air of Colorado. Dreams do begin at a young age too. For Chatti, a garden equalled a gathering grocery of ingredients. “As a child, I was known as the "hippy" in the family. I loved making up potions and to my parents' dismay, crushed rose petals and aloe to shampoo my hair.�

MEGAN WYNN

Describe the aesthetic of the soaps Remy & Rose soaps have been described by customers as beautiful. I’m delighted every time I hear this because I really believe in the beauty of handmade and natural beauty products. In terms of how it feels in the shower, I would describe it as nourishing. I really like how it cleans without stripping away the natural oils on our bodies. It makes you feel good stepping out of the shower.

What inspires you to create the properties and scents?

When I come up with a new idea, I sketch out how it will look in my soap journal. I come up with what properties to add base on the scent or vice versa. I let the idea sit for a day and after that, modify it if need be. Sometimes an idea will float by and I have to grab at it and dissect it. But I find mostly that if I don’t force an idea it unfolds nicely by itself.

I find inspirations from places I’ve been and from experiences I want to remember by revisiting the scents of that particular place.

My Terra soap is based off my time living in Cambodia and the smell that you first get when walking into a Buddhist temple. I lived in the capital so escaping into a temple was a refuge for me, from not only the excruciating heat, but the chaos of the outside. Terra also takes me back to my childhood because incense was burned constantly in my parent’s home. Terra holds a very personal nostalgic aroma for me as most of the scents do.

How long is the average process to create one kind of soap, and what the most exciting process?

From start to finish of making actual soap is one hour. The longest part is clean up which I hated at first but this feeling has lessen a bit. I think of my soap making time as personal time to quiet the mind. They say that we have at least 50,000 thoughts each day which is a lot if you think about it (pun intended). But when I’m making soap, I’m so focus that I don’t worry about the next item on the checklist, I just be. The nature of making cold process soap forces me to stay in tune to what I am doing. It’s become a very mindful practice.

My general rule is to pick ingredients that are nurturing for the skin. It must have a purpose because filler ingredients are just wasteful. I do a lot of background research before I add anything into my soaps. I love infusing my oils with botanicals such as chamomile and rose hips.

Where can we find Remy & Rose?

You can find us online at remyandrosesoap.com. Coming May, I am excited to announce that we will be in beautiful curated shops across the United States. Check out our stockist link to find out if we’re coming near you.

PHOTO: STEPH DIMSIKOVSKI

Solitude could simply be an un-vain, contemplation in quiet moments. Lone nights in are generally defined in two respects; eat your way through the fridge or pump the next independent movement. Behind the musical moniker Kindness is Adam Bainbridge, who combines hints of 80s aesthetics with warm bass lines, emanating post-disco funk’s contemporary treasure. Otherness, a paid homage to his debut speaks of old and lately tunes that define both light and poignant times – the special water is totally optional. Either in a moment of lucidity or translated to dreams, we ought to think generously.

— 1. I’ll Be Back, Kindness / 2. So Many Details, Toro Y Moi / 3. Let It Happen, Tame Impala / 4. Something In The Way You Are, Kimbra / 5. Loving Universe, Lily M (The Works Remix) / 6. You’re Not Good Enough, Blood Orange / 7. West Coast, Lana Del Rey / 8. Rendezvous, RUfUS / 9. Lovely Bloodflow, Baths / 10. Anyone Can Fall In love, Kindness / 11. A Chance, Vanilla / 12. Lovebump, Weirddough / 13. Sober, Childish Gambino

‘

’

Ideas of summer almost seem to be a foreign concept in Australia. The part where a beach session did not require ultimate sun protection or the ability to bask in the sun without a tan line in places you never want. The idea where landscapes coated in trees were not readied fuel for a countryside bonfire, or how having rare eggs on the bonnet of your Mazda was not the case. Perhaps the reason could be the gaping hole in the Ozone, or the fact that Australia could have its own climate quarters with the power to instantaneously change the weather between 12:00 and 12:30 pm. Melbourne dwellers would agree that Melbourne is the HQ for these conditions and so with a more concentrated effect. This past summer as we call it, the south eastern suburbs once experienced a biblical rainstorm along with hot and cold alternations in the week. Australian summer or any of its neighbouring seasons ask for outdoor ventures –or just stepping outside– to be equipped with jackets, umbrellas and 50+ SPF on hand. Why of course, makes any homebody feel satisfied with their choices.

THE JOURNEY

What does a week look like?

SAM KOH, 27, is a brother and a friend. He is also a designer, a non-profit founder who evolved to a brand strategist as well as a Dota player on the weekends. He is a man of God, encountering what life has to offer and sees the product of grace.

I’m spending each day between 6 to 12 hours, client meetings, writing proposals, reporting and actually in communication and getting people to get their work done!

How has your art degree come into place with your current roles?

How would you define your job?

I am a brand consultant. There is two types of work I do, one is I work with individuals on their personal brand and their career trajectory – they range from senior executives, board of directors, artists and TV hosts. Secondly I work with organisations on their brand strategy where I help them identify opportunities with their brand.

It hasn’t. I am a consultant but I studied graphic design. The only thing that I applied the ability to make very good looking proposals!

What was a pivotal moment in your career?

Meeting my mentor. My mentor has been an amazing influence and connector. Everything that I know and that I’ve done is because I’ve learnt it from him.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the clients you have?

Sometimes. I do think about the people I get to work with and how grateful I am to be able to do it. When it comes to work I don’t see them as a big CEO or artist I just see them as an individual person who needs some form of assistance, not to advice or tell what to do, but assist them on their journey.

How has your faith journey been and what does the sequence look like?

It has been long. It started when I left high school and I started my own business and that was hard but I felt that God has given me a promise that he will look after me, and he did.

My business took off without me really understanding how it happened apart from having the opportunity by chance to work with for a really cool company, Hillsong Church. Two or three years later I felt to leave and because I felt it was what God wanted me to do. My faith journey has been difficult, challenging and doubtful but at the same time rewarding, it has been a complete blessing and it has made my faith and my trust in God stronger.

A verse that has continually spoken to me is Revelations 3:7. “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.�

Hope for the generation?

My hope is for generation Y and Z and the millennials; that we would not be the ones who just talk but act.

Increase.

OHOHTA

OHOHTA

My house is a base point. To take a time for myself, with family, dripping and drinking coffee;

What could be found most sincere is the understated golden quality, composed with layers of nostalgia. Classic film aesthetics are met with culture and place forming a canvas with a lively sense of home.

Ohohta is a Japanese graphic designer and photographer based in Kyoto, Japan.

Capturing every day life in his visual story telling, Ohohta depicts the dynamic and cultured atmosphere of Kyoto – from bright hues of festivals, to the muted outskirts of traditional wooden townhouses and delicate forests. That in Kyoto, metropolitan and traditional environments do coexist.

I have been a graphic designer for 16 years doing print media, book design, magazine layout, package design and web design.

Sometimes I request a cameraman for shooting, doing the layout for photographs is one of my favourite parts of work. I love making a good design with good texts and good photographs. And I love the process of it the most.

I shoot ordinary moments and the people around me. I keep trying to catch the moments with my point of view, and sometimes use a back screen. I do want to challenge myself to studio shooting. Out of VSCO’s Essence / Archetype collection my favourite presets are E1 and E4. 

Describe the environment of your city I work at a design studio with 15 people. We have two offices. One of them is in a city area, an old house called “Machiya”. “Machiya” are Japanese traditional wooden townhouses in Kyoto. It is hot in summer, and is cold in winter, but we can feel change of the seasons. Wisdom of ancestors in the Machiya helps us to enjoying them.

Explain what Kyoto means to you It is very comfortable to live in Kyoto for me. The scale is not very big, the buildings are not high; tradition, news, friendship‌ all these things are gathered in one place.

Your definition of a home My house is a base point. To take a time for myself, with family, dripping and drinking coffee; it is the beginning of the day, end of the day, a break time in my life.

Quay

Be Bold

Gorman

SUBDUED ZARA

HUES

MADEWELL

ACNE STUDIOS

ZARA

TOPSHOP

EMILY BENZIGER

The light and airy atmosphere could only suggest you have entered an exhibition or perhaps, encountered this nice home. Any homeowner could question the untouched setting – as if everything was in position from when it was first placed – almost the absence of children. Treasured pieces and greenery are displayed in a neat and quiet arrangement turning the living space into a living gallery of personality and travel. VSCO’s Bright & Clean and Analog Aesthetic collection contribute to lifting neutral tones in quiet interiors and architecture. Single presets like M5, S2, A6 and K1 are unique with its own contemplative mood. We are no minimalists within our hoarding habits however, constructing home imagery may just approve through vsco presets and Ms Benziger.

WARM UP, BRIGHTEN AND UPLIFT A BARE SPACE – PICKS BY YOURS TRULY

/ Brass Swing Lamp, One Forty Three / Akiko Graham Dinner Plate / Crewel Deco Shells Cushion, West Elm / Rustic Shelf, West Elm

FOR

YOUR

SPACE

LAUREN BAMFORD

Nest Architect's eclectic College Place space in Albert Park, Melbourne.

Nest Architect's eclectic College Place space in Albert Park, Melbourne.

"The house is a very sweet (but old) workers cottage set in the back streets of Albert Park. It has a kind of Spanish mission feel from the street, a very flat masonry facade which we took inspiration from for the design of the new rear facade. A curved painted brick number with lovely coloured porthole windows serving the upstairs bedroom. The facade features timber batten screens which prevent overlooking into the neighbour's yards, but also make a space for the owners to plant some greenery."

Wood is a key component in moulding and creating the essence of this house. Evident in furnishings and flooring, a hint of a solid tree adds warmth and weight amidst the light and airy space. Such versatility allows the home dwellers to be playful and experimental with colour schemes and textures, eliminating any seriousness that would happen to breathe in a minimal space. Inside the cottage this concept ends at the ceiling, with black horizontal lines running above the dining and living room, creating an unexpected depth.

It is quite fun. ďƒ

Scandinavian touches in the household appeal to a lively countryside atmosphere, minimising the uniform townhouse interior.

BACK COVER

RAUXE TWO