Between the Sheets: Karina Pires of House of Six

Karina Pires is a Brazil-born textile designer now calling Sydney's Bondi, home. She is passionate about living life at a slower pace and has embraced simplicity and natural materials in her work at her studio, House of Six. Karina's simple approach to living really drew us to find out more about what inspires and drives her in her daily life.

Tell us about your journey.

I am a book geek and textile lover at heart and I grew up in Brazil amongst six siblings (and true story, over sixty cousins!) so our household was always so energetic and crazy busy. From an early age I was always curious about exploring the artistic world, be it in writing or making.
After a Bachelor Degree in Communication, and some pretty cool jobs as a writer for magazines and advertising agencies, I decided to pack my bags in 1998 to explore the world.

My first stop was London and after a couple of years I moved to Sydney and a new chapter of my career started as I went back to studying design and textiles. I found a new love for handwoven fiber and working with my hands and developed an organic range of linen, wool and cottonproducts focused on simple living and natural materials. This is how House of Six, my artisanal studio started.

I am a sunshine lover and live in Bondi with my Queenslander husband, and our two much loved children. I also still collaborate with magazines and often write about slow living and chasing a slower pace in life. I love collaborating with like minded creatives and I am currently working on an exciting book project which I can’t wait to share more about soon.
www.houseofsix.com.au

Where's the most memorable place you've woken up?

In a Greek island with my now husband, then boyfriend 21 years ago I remember accommodation was something like $20 per room back then. We found this gorgeous breeze bungalow on the beach front... We woke up to be seated in front of the ocean with a beautifully made breakfast of fresh fruits, moussaka and fresh produce… all included!! Oh those free and wild days…

Describe the best sleep you've ever had.

On holidays when we usually take a long walk as a family together, the kids go to bed a bit later, we tell stories and somehow all wake up together snuggling.

What's the first thing you do when you open your eyes in the morning?

Take a deep breath.

What's the last thing you do before you go to sleep?

Kiss my children, stroke their hair and meditate.

If you could choose anywhere in the world to sleep, where would it be?

In my grandparents farmhouse.

What would we find on your bedside table?

Books. Many… I am a book geek. My glasses. Lemongrass essential oil. A cup of tea.

What's one thing that makes you Sleep Good?

Meditating before I go to bed.

What's one thing that makes you Feel Good?

Dinner time as we gather as a family over a delicious home cooked dinner and talk about our day. My son who is now six always starts with this sentence: So mum, how was your day? And my daughter also has her favourite question: dad, can you tell us what you had for lunch? Simple rituals make my heart sing.

What's one thing that makes you Live Good?

Following my own pace, doing everything with intention, exchanging experiences with others, seeing my friends often!

Finding a slower pace in daily life is very important to me, I thrive when I can achieve a good balance between work and family. I tend to work at a snails pace when it comes to the things I love, like spending time with my family, cooking, working on my handmade range of products, I want to put as much love and attention into it and block whatever seems unnecessary. It has become a practice to me now and I just say no when it feels like there is too much on my plate. And sunshine, sunshine makes me smile from the inside out, it really makes me Live Good. I think it is in my Brazilian blood!

All images courtesy of Karina Pires.

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