meet the maker
Cherry picked designs Ashley Valmadre’s Cherry Cherry Bim textiles are created in the heart of Subiaco - and they are a breath of fresh air for any home. WORDS | Marcia Ball
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SUBIACO: EAT DRINK SHOP
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ocated on arguably the most charming street in all of Perth, the Heytsbury Road studio of textile designer Ashley Valmadre represents Subiaco heritage at its finest. A former butcher’s shop with original façade still intact, but with the modern lick of paint, is now home to Cherry Cherry Bim HQ. Upon entry, it doesn’t take long to clock that a designer lives inside; every surface is adorned with colourful printed lampshades in Ashley’s signature bold block prints. Born in Northern Michigan, in a
small town called Leland, Ashley and her brother grew up with dreamy winters covered in snow, white Christmases and a joy for celebrating the festivals synonymous with American life. In the summertime, the township came alive with friends and community returning to their holiday homes for the warmer months. “The family home was on a former cherry farm, the outhouses were used often by my mum’s friends who were artists and would come during the day to paint and create,” says Ashley. “There were lots of artists living up there, so that was always inspiring, having those people around us growing up.” Moving to Subiaco when she was nine, Ashley attended Subiaco Primary School where her own children now go. Her parents live four doors down so perhaps it's no wonder it's the community spirit which attracts Ashley most to the area now as an adult. “Nature is a huge theme that I use a lot in my prints. We love that Subi is so green. The community feel, that you can walk to your local café as you see people you know, other kids your children go to school with, it’s why this suburb is so wonderful,” she says. “My husband walks to work, the proximity to the city is great and you’re not far from the beach.”
