Paul Fairweather, Founder, Tree2house
The difference between being 'reactive' and 'creative' is a simple 'c' (see) change ...
Local architect, artist and creative catalyst Paul Fairweather has a surfeit of talents up his sleeve, with his latest project considerate of both the environment and future generations. Tree2house is a gift card containing two types of native seeds – Silky Oak and Crows Ash, Lemon-Scented Gum and Weeping Fig or Sydney Blue Gum and Tuckeroo. The idea is that your plant both of these seeds today, so that your children – or grandchildren – will have a special gift in the future. One tree will grow into the perfect climbing tree, with sturdy branches for building a tree house in. The other tree will grow tall and straight, proving the timber to build this future tree house. When the time comes, another tree can be planted in its place, a cyclical and playful green gift that always thinks to the future. The Weekend Edition caught up with Paul to discover his weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
With a movie night with the kids at home.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Taking my children to visit my parents.
How do you like to unwind?
Hanging out at home.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
A balance of time with Kara and the kids, a bit of me time and a bit of time in the studio.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Digging four big holes for some mature Tulip Wood trees we have bought for our front yard.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Have a family dinner at Beccofino, Teneriffe.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
A long weekend at Noosa.
What are you reading at the moment?
A complete collection of Roald Dahl’s short stories.
What inspires you?
Ingenuity. Really clever ideas that are really simple. Ideas that are so obvious that most people don’t see them. And the people that come up with those ideas.
What was your childhood dream?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an architect and an artist.
What has been your greatest achievement?
In 2001, a portrait I did as a tribute to my great and late friend Michael Milburn was hung in the exhibition for The Archibald Prize. It was such an honour.
What is success to you?
Accepting what is and that what I have is enough. It’s a really simple thing, but at times very difficult to do.
What are your words of wisdom?
The difference between being ‘reactive’ and ‘creative’ is a simple ‘c’ (see) change.
Only a local would know … there’s a great coffee shop – Commodity Cafe – tucked next to luxxbox in Fortitude Valley.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … a Sunday bike ride
Relax … a Saturday afternoon movie at Palace Cinemas
Dine … Sunday breakfast at Vine Restaurant, New Farm
Indulge … Saturday afternoon nap
Shop … I don’t shop
Catch-up … on the couch with a bit of iPad surfing of my favourite design blogs
Be inspired … a bit of time in my studio
