In a Room is a conversation series where we ask our friends to share their favourite domestic spaces. For this edition we’re joined by baker ALEXandre RIVIÈRE.
Black Cockatoo Bakery founder Alexandre Rivière grew up in the kitchen from a young age. Born in Paris, he followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as a chef all of his life and now, chef turned baker. His baking is rich with passion and history. His wife Lulu is a herbalist and art therapist, she weaves her magic through the business in a manner of plant and art loving ways.
Alexandre's life moves between two sets of rooms: the bustling, productive, and ordered rooms of his bakery, and the warm, earthy, yet equally active rooms of his home. Both are based in the Blue Mountains and here Alex shares what makes these very different yet highly creative spaces so special to him.
Alex Riviera at work in his bakery
Which room are you in today?
I am at the bakery, in our multi use room we call our storage room. We created an office space in the corner where three of us, and sometimes more, share our very small desk. It is a tiny space that concentrates a lot of creative power, which leads into what Black Cockatoo Bakery is today and will be tomorrow.
It is also a high traffic area in the bakery so there is a lot of ideas being shared, feelings being expressed, throwing of jokes and laughter, tasting new creations together, discussions with our suppliers.
Which room is the most active in your house?
Most definitely the open kitchen and living room! It is a very versatile space in our home. We are a family of five and it is often very alive, with children playing around, using our large dining table to create and learn as we home school. This is where we all gather and spend most of our time. But it can also be a very quiet and peaceful room, where we sit and read. Lulu often knits here too. I like to listen to some soul nourishing music, Hindu mantras, whilst cooking. And when the weather is colder, we have the warmth and smell of the wood fire place keeping us all cosy.
Which room gets the least amount of use?
The laundry, because it’s not got much happening in it other than the laundry!
Which is your work-from-home room of choice?
I usually don’t work from home but if I have to, I like to use Lulu's room. Her room is on the opposite side of the living room so it is a lot quieter. There is plenty of natural light and a beautiful view in our front native garden where I can watch the bees and birds flying by when I need to take my eyes away from the computer screen for a bit.
But the reason why I like to work there the most is because it is a space soaked in her creative energy. I like to be immersed in her space. It’s like a window into her imagination and there is something fascinating and comforting about it.
Scenes from Black Cockatoo Bakery
What defines a great room?
A great room for me is a room with lots of natural light surrounded by nature and beauty, inside and outside the room with just enough furniture and art elements so it feels cosy, clear and open. With a little sacred area where we burn incense everyday and we can take a moment to burn incense every day and pause.
What is your favourite type of room?
For me it is about feel more than anything. I like to feel harmony and order in a space so a perfect room for me is a clean and tidy room, as this I feel aids a calm and peaceful mind.
What is your all time favourite room?
My grandmothers living room in Paris, this is a place where I grew up with my mother's huge family, sharing food, talking with one another and I have so many beautiful memories there.