Meet a…Stylist + Graphic Designer: PAPERplayground

Meet Astrid, owner of graphic design company PAPERplayround:

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Astrid, I’m a full-time mother of three rugrats (a teen, a 7-year-old, and a 3-year-old) and two fur babies. I am a graphic designer with a passion for celebrating life, good food, and even better company. I’ve worked in everything from fashion to publication, dabbled in freelance photography and currently working through creative mumhood this present moment!

What is PAPERplayground?

PAPERplayground is a bespoke design and party styling boutique. It was born from my love of personalising the tiniest little details in paperie and packaging design and gifting the best goody bags ever. An untapped hobby of throwing parties and making things look pretty finally came full circle after hosting my kids’ celebrations.

How did you get into styling?

I started doing parties for my kids and my friends loved it. Soon enough I was doing their parties too! I created a Facebook page and an Instagram account and things just went from there.

Describe your aesthetic

My aesthetic varies and really depends on the client’s brief, which in essence is the most important thing to me; to nail their vision, fuse their personality and make it all about them. To be able to work within any budget and still be able to give the utmost details to the littlest thing is imperative to me and I love nothing more than a clever mix of a gorgeous colour palette and great typography.

Talk us through a typical day at work

A typical day at ‘work’ involves a rushed school-run, home to clean, cook, attend to the little rugrat. Then usually I’m off to Officeworks to print, back home to prep and cut, glue, assemble, and then before you know it, it’s time to pick up Miss Z from school. Designing happens after Miss Immy is asleep, so I’ll be on the computer or on the paintbrush from then until around 2 am designing, doodling, and planning.

What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on?

I love every project I do for Ronald McDonald House. My fifth table for the House, the Moving Mountains dessert table, would be the coolest and most special to date. It was part of a Sydney Telethon hosted by Channel 7 to raise funds to build a bigger and better Ronald McDonald House Westmead to accommodate even more very sick kids and their families. The telethon raised over $10 million and to say I’m stoked about the results is an understatement!

What do you love most about your job?

Seeing the concept and months of work and preparation come to life. There is no greater satisfaction seeing all the amazing work of so many talented vendors together in harmony and receiving wonderful feedback from the client.

I am happiest when…

I’m designing, painting away, and eating delicious cake (or hot potato wedges) at the same time.  For more info, or to get in contact with Astrid, click here.