While we’ve known Mason Browne for a few years, we had the pleasure of being guests at a wedding he coordinated for some good friends of ours. It was one of the most intimate and heartfelt events we’ve been to (and as anyone who hits their late 20s knows, weddings come thick and fast right about this age). Thing is, he also does about a million other jobs, including hosting, styling and producing.

So we shot his home for two reasons, one being that we knew it’d be worth it and two, we really wanted to pin him down and get the elevator pitch of what a Creative Producer actually does.  The fast answer is: Everything.

“My ‘official’ title is Creative Producer. In recent times I’ve had to define exactly what it is that I do, and I’ve managed to find the most ambiguous title there is and then follow it with a long and lengthy job description.

It basically bridges all the work I have done and continue to do in the theatre, film, television, events, weddings and design industries as a production and costume designer, stylist, event planner, writer and online commentator.

Some would say it’s a little confusing but mostly, I’m just busy.”

“When I first walked in here the first thing I felt was this incredible creative energy, and something about the light in this apartment that made me want it right away. It was important to find a space where I could live and work, without having to sacrifice my bedroom every time a creative project came to its peak and have to fight my cat for my work space.

The building is classic Arts & Crafts era, built in 1917 with high ceilings and pared back classical details and loads of room to breathe and think.”

“My living and working space has always been in flux. It really depends what I am working on and how much time I have but I’m constantly moving things around and styling new centrepieces for the table, often leaving no room whatsoever to enjoy a meal on it.

The first thing I did was add bold contrast in black, white and pattern, with smaller details in colour. I’ve had friends come in and re-edit my furniture and decorative items for me too.”

“When it comes to creating a beautiful event for a client, you really have to focus on the experience that you want for your guests. Ask yourself loads of questions like ‘what do you want everyone to be talk about when they leave?’ and thinking outside of the box is paramount to the experience.”

“Don’t just tell your event planner or stylist you want a Great Gatsby theme because everyone will dress up and there’s a movie coming out and I want a vintage car at the entrance. That’s just too easy. Think about all five senses and really get into the details. Everything down to the stemware and floral design should be considered and my golden rule with any client relationship is collaborate.

Everyone is creative, just write down all the possibilities with your team and find a visual and creative narrative for the event, whether it be a corporate awards night or an idyllic, bohemian destination wedding.”

“I’m drawn to the pieces that evoke a story. I really believe you should surround yourself with the things that inspire you and define your personality.”

“What I dislike most about some interior spaces is you’ll see an expensive piece of tribal art on display in the corner of a painfully austere taupe lounge room with its very-own downlight, but it has no connection to its owner other than the amount of money they paid for it. Your interior should be a reflection of you, and if you’re working with a designer or a stylist it’s important to collaborate and make certain they’re working with your visual persona, otherwise it just isn’t worth it.”

“You want to be able to look around your home and tell people who visit it about the collection of postcards your Grandmother left you when she passed, the vintage film reel you pilfered from a cinema, or your dear father’s tram roll, a relic of Sydney’s old tram network. Maybe I’m a hoarder, but I do enjoy holding those items close, displaying and using them constantly.”

“If I weren’t doing this I’d probably drop everything to travel the world and research period modes of dress and historical costume across cultures. It’s been an obsession for a decade and I’d be comfortable in a dingy basement at a costume archive documenting Fortuny pleating or the second bustle period of 1880′s, France. I hope to do it someday.” 

Follow Mason on Instagram @maisondemason

We’re also on Instagram @citizensoftheworld & @dl_photos

Photos by Dom on Nikon D4