Styling is a skill and career better known in the fashion, celebrity and music arenas, however there is a group of talented individuals who inspire us with their ability to manipulate the poetics of space in the events and interiors sphere. One such interior stylist is Melbourne-born, Sydney-sider Mr. Jason Grant.

Grant's colourful, keen eye for styling vintage, recycled and contemporary elements has seen his work grace the pages of Australian and International interiors magazines Real Living, Inside Out, Elle Decoration UK and Gourmet Traveller to name just a few. His creative breadth transcends that of your ordinary run-of-the mill editorial stylist and he has made his mark releasing two colour collections for Murobond Paints under his name. Add this to a growing list of collaborations including a stationary range for Officeworks and you have one busy stylist. We caught up with Jason Grant to discuss his recent work, styling his own home and how it all came about.   

Tell me, how did you start up in interior styling?
As a small boy with a big imagination I dreamed of growing up being the person that chooses the paint names. I really fell into styling growing up and I never knew what I wanted to be but always had a thing for all things creative. I guess I've had a few lucky breaks and was in the right place at the right time. I started out with one shoot for Inside Out Magazine and through lots of hard work it has just snow-balled from there. Fast forward to a paint collection with Murobond and I'm one lucky guy! I love what I do and it often doesn't feel like work. It's funny but all the things I loved as a small boy are still my favourites. Animals, Volkswagons, camping, nature, the beach, road trips and everyday adventures.

And how have you observed the role of a stylist develop from an interior decorator?
I guess the big difference between the two is that interior stylists generally work on projects specifically for magazines and print material, not actual spaces that people live in. Similarly we both however focus on the finishing touches, pulling a look or space together. I like to do more work on real-life spaces that people live in.

Does styling for editorial differ from working with a full-scale property, and a paying customer? If so, how?
I treat every job the same, all with a client to please. I guess the lucky bit is that generally I get booked based on my own look or aesthetic, but always working to the client's brief, although it is fun when given an open brief.

Your work is so wonderfully infused with inventive colour - how do you see this return-trend evolving this year? 
I love colour, it's so emotive and conjures up all kinds of feeling and memories. I am inspired by nature and the everyday and I think more people need to look around and appreciate whats right in front of them, inspiration is everywhere. I'm all for the feel-good factor. Colour is a great way to set the mood.

Vintage, recycled and revamped pieces are still well-coveted, in combination with contemporary pieces, what's your advice on how to combine them in your home?
Mixing old, new, high and low makes for a lived in home. There is nothing worse then a home that feels precious like a museum or cold, like a showroom. I think everyone's home should reflect their personality and the best homes are filled with beautiful things that have a lived-in feeling; there's nothing more fabulous then a lived-in designer piece that has history and a story to tell.

I'm a big fan of weekend markets, garage sales, auctions and second hand stores. I think it's part of the thrill of the chase and also an enjoyable way to shop. I also like the green element of reusing and rethinking items.

Images of your own home have featured in several interior magazines and blogs recently. Is it always so pretty? How have you managed to collect such an interesting array of objects and pieces of furniture?
I simply buy what I love. I don't really think about it but some how it all works. I'd describe my own interior style at home as relaxed, charming and eclectic. I guess my look is constantly evolving and moving forward and I really do like a little bit of everything. I guess as a stylist I have a lot of stuff, my house always in a state of flux with things coming and going for shoots or other jobs, it really looks different every day. I'm into spontaneous decorating and I'm not a neat freak.

You've recently worked with illustrator Renée Anne on an Officeworks range. How was the experience of designing your very own stationary range?
Renée is a constant inspiration and she works across a number of projects with me including my website and branding. She is AMAZING, always draws what's in my head, brings my ideas to life and then some. It's nice to work with someone that speaks the same language and really just gets it. She is really a one of a kind!

Tell me a little about the Murobond collaboration. How do you go about selecting and inventing colours?
I take hundreds of photos a day and these become reference points for the process or trigger points for my imagination. I guess I have a natural affiliation for certain tones and shades. Everyone knows I love yellow and have a soft spot for pale blues and earthy tones. And yes, I do get to name my colours!

Where do you go for inspiration?
Magazines, I'm a huge magazine junkie. Some of my favourite overseas magazines titles include Spanish AD, Elle Decoration UK, Monocle, Living Etc and also numerous fashion magazines, which I find the most inspiring.

I'm inspired by interesting local heroes be it fashion or furniture designers or other clever Australians such as Aesop, Jardan, Koskela, Jack+Jac and Bassike. I also get to meet and hang out with some amazingly talented people, some have become good friends and I'm particularly inspired by florist Simone Gooch of Fjura, photographers Felix Forest, James Greer, the team behind Dinosaur Designs and artists Leila Jefferies and Miranda Skoczek. I'm also inspired by nature, living by the ocean; moving to Sydney changed my life. Risk takers, dreamers and anyone who's not afraid to give it a go.

What projects might we see in the pipeline for this year? More collaborations?
Yes, plenty of exciting things in the pipe line. Watch this space!

Jason Grant's Murobond ranges can be seen at the Murobond Shop. His Officeworks collaboration with Renée Ann can be purchased on the Officeworks online store here.