George Freedman

The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) Hall of Fame is an enduring record of the pioneers, ambassadors and contributors to the Australian design industry. It showcases Australia’s design visionaries, leaders and unsung heroes and celebrates their significant contribution to Australia’s economic development and cultural identity. Signifying his outstanding body of work and contribution to the Australian design industry, Freedman along with Marsh were inducted into the 2019 DIA Hall of Fame, posthumous.

Anon, Nd., 'George Freedman b. 1936', Design and Art Australia https://www.daao.org.au/bio/george-freedman/groups/ (accessed 7 January 2017).

Anon, 2010, 'PTW Adds Freedman to its Stable', Architecture and Design (Infolink), 12 July, http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/industry-news/ptw-adds-freedman-to-its-stable (accessed 9 January 2017).

Macken, Lucy, 2016, 'Broadcaster to sell private fortress', The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 April, p. 6.

Marshall, Sam, 2016, 'Vale George Freedman 1936–2016', ArchitectureAU (People), 18 August, http://architectureau.com/articles/vale-george-freedman-19362016/ (accessed 4 November 2016).

Marshall, Sam, 2016, 'Remembering designer George Freedman', more space, 29 July, http://morespace.spacefurniture.com/latest-news/2016/7/29/remembering-designer-george-freedman (accessed 4 November 2016).

Niche Media, 2016, 'George Freedman', Interior Design Excellence Awards 2016, https://www.idea-awards.com.au/2010/george-freedman/ (accessed 4 November 2016).

Pearson, Chris. 2016. 'Tribute: George Freedman', Vogue Living, November–December, pp. 66.

Ripley, Amy, 2016, 'Master put Manhattan edge on City: George Freedman 1936–2016–, The Sydney Morning Herald (Timelines), 24 August, p. 34.(Note this obituary is retitled from her online article of 23 August 2016).

Ripley, Amy, 2016, 'George Freedman, interior designer to the rich and famous of Sydney', The Sydney Morning Herald (Obituaries), 23 August, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/george-freedman-interior-designer-to-the-rich-and-famous-of-sydney-20160811-gqqc4n.html (accessed 4 November 2016).

Wright, Jean, 2016, 'Vale George Freedman 1936–2016', Belle, November, p. 60–61.

Engelen, John, 2014, 'George Freedman – A life of colour and design', De De Ce Blog, 29 January, http://www.dedeceblog.com/2014/01/29/george-freedman-a-life-in-design/ (accessed 4 November 2016).

Olding, Rachel, 2011, 'Cart comeback: Everything rolled is new again', The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 September, p. 2.

Hyland, Barry, 2010, 'Between the golden mile and the deep blue sea', Home Ideas, Vol, 5, No. 2, pp. 41–51.

Anon, 2009, 'Design catalyst: George Freedman', Inside Interior Review, No. 5, p. 58–65.

Bullivant, Lucy, 2009, 'Luxury in the tropics', InDesign, No. 39, pp. 156–164.

Croxton, Sally, 2009, 'New face for Johns Buildings', The Newcastle Herald, 9 August, p. 8.

Wills, Jenny, 2009, 'Bright ideas to dress up your home', The Sunday Telegraph (Renovate Part 5), 31 August, p. R5.

Jensen, Erik, 2008, 'Event picks: Furniture forum', The Sydney Morning Herald (Metro), p. 20.

Williams, Antonia, 2007, 'Order in the house', Vogue Living, November/December, pp. 270–277.

Broadhurst, Kate, 2006, 'Let it be', South Coast Style, May, pp. 38–47.

Lacey, Stephen, 2006, 'Come in and pull up an Eames', The Sydney Morning Herald (Domain), 13 April, p. 5.

In 2005, Freedman was described by The Sydney Morning Herald as 'the Godfather of Interior Design'. He was recognised by design and architecture industry experts for his daring and widely emulated combinations of colours, inventive uses of materials, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality furnishings (often imported signature classics). He was respected also for his sophisticated understandings of optical perception and volumetric manipulations of interior space. For this reason he was highlighted by design writers as practising more like an architect than his colleagues who were educated as interior decorators and designers. Although he never finalised his American degree studies to register as an architect, Freedman worked repeatedly with Sydney's leading architects of the late-twentieth century—including Glenn Murcutt, Peter Stronach, Richard Johnson and Ken Woolley. He also trained some of Sydney's outstanding younger architects and designers—including Iain Halliday, Sam Marshall, Stephen Varady, William MacMahon, Arthur Collin, Robert Puflett, Tim Allison and his late-career partner, Ralph Rembel. In 2005 the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) awarded Freedman Rembel an Interior Architecture commendation for its design of executive offices at the AMP Insurance building overlooking Circular Quay.

Bravery, Suzanne, 2005, 'Apartment living', Insites (NSW Historic Houses Trust magazine), p. 10.

Malkin, Bonnie, 2005, 'The vision thing', The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Magazine), June, pp. 46–53.

Partridge, Des, 2005, 'Comfy with quirky style', The Courier Mail, 8 October, p. H06.

Lacey, Stephen, 2004, 'Every which way', The Sydney Morning Herald (Domain), 29 July, pp. 10–11.

Porter, Jeni, 2003, 'The maestro's legacy', The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Magazine), June, pp. 46–48.

Walters, Michael, 2003, 'Warm welcome', The Sydney Morning Herald (100 Amazing Homes, Part 1), 8 November, p. 18.

Cummins, Carolyn, 2002, 'Without reserve', The Sydney Morning Herald (Property), p. 68.

Keens, Leta, 2002, 'The colourists', Belle, December/January, pp. 148–155.

Howlin, Jan, 2001, 'Design luminaries', InDesign, October, pp. 64–67.

Allenby, Guy, 2000, 'The big O', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style) 25 November, p. 8.

O’Rourke, Claire, 2000, 'Earth, wind and fire', The Sydney Morning Herald (Domain), 18 May, p. 18.

Barker, Penny, 1999, 'Design visionaries', Belle, April/May, pp. 24–48.

Clark, David, 1999, 'Walking on sunshine', Belle, December/January, pp. 34–43.

Friis-Clark, Annie, 1999, 'Sitting in judgement', Corporate and Office Design, Autumn/Winter, pp. 23–27.

Sykes, Jill, 1999, 'Shocks in store', The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December, p. 13.

Williams, Antonia and Christine France, 1999, 'Ampersand', Inside Interior Review, No. 12, pp. 58

Gregg, Stacy, 1998, 'Plush life is simple', Sunday Star-Times (NZ) (Home), 31 May, p. E5.

Simpkin, Julie, 1998, 'Sydney artist', Vogue Living Apartments, No. 4, pp. 72–78.

Williams, Antonia, 1998, 'The classy knoll', The Sydney Morning Herald (Domain), 26 March, pp. 5.

Bush, Nadine, 1997, 'Bright solution', Belle (Ultimate Colour Guide), June/July, np [86–87].

Webb, Michael, 1997, 'Private residence, Sydney, Australia', Interiors (US), July, pp. 74–77.

Allenby, Guy, 1996, 'The apartment', Belle, April–May, pp. 52–64.

Barker, Penny, 1996, 'Collective wisdom', Belle, August–September, pp. 64–71.

Lehmann, Nicole, 1996, 'Quote unquote', The Sydney Morning Herald (Domain), 25 April, pp. 10–11.

Allison, Tim, Arthur Collin, Iain Halliday, Sam Marshall, Robert Pufflet, Andrew Stanic and Stephen Varady, 1995, ‘'Working with George', Monument, No. 7, p. 30.

Anderson, Greg, 1995, 'Edgecliff apartment', Monument, No. 12, pp. 68–71.

Foreman, Graham, 1995, 'George Freedman: A long way from Brooklyn', Monument, No. 7, pp. 18–23.

Freedman, George and Ralph Rembel, 1995, 'Freedman finesse', Monument, No. 7, pp. 32–35.

Kennedy, Ken, 1995, 'A maestro's idiom', Monument, No. 7, pp. 24–25.

Schofield, Leo, 1995, 'Neville Marsh 1931–1994', Monument, No. 7, pp. 26–29.

Anon, 1994, 'Elegance with a heart', The Sydney Morning Herald (Realty Guide), 29 May, p. 214.

Anon, 1994, 'Freestyle', Vogue Living, December/January, pp. 190–191.

Bush, Nadine, 1994, 'Big colour', Belle, April/May, pp. 44–55.

Dwyer, Carmel, 1994, 'Time for a snack', The Sydney Morning Herald (Arts, Spotlight), 9 June, p. 26.

Fish, Peter, 1994, 'Fairfax moves to cut collection', The Sydney Morning Herald (Money), 19 October, p. 33.

Greenwood, Helen, 1994, 'Designer dining', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Living), 19 July, pp. 25, 29.

Dickinson, Michael, 1993, 'Guestroom', Belle, April/May, pp. 26–??

Dickinson, Michael, 1993, 'A predilection for variety', The Sydney Review, October, pp. 26–27.

Owens, Susan, 1993, 'A treasury of top artistic talent', The Sydney Morning Herald (The Diary), 3 October, p. 135.

Vernon, Kath, 1993, 'George Freedman', TAS: The Architecture Show, January/February, pp. 21–27.

Anon, 1991, 'Taking the frenzy out of film-festival feeding', The Sydney Morning Herald, (Good Living), 4 June, p. 48.

Fraser, William, 1991, 'Chefs serve up opera on a plate', The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February, p. 2.

Jackson, Davina, 1991, 'New wave: Cover up the sun', Vogue Living, February, pp. 146–149.

Walker-Smith, Melissa, 1991, 'Place of angels', Belle, February/March, pp. 78–83.

Freedman was widely known for his wit, warm laugh, home cooking, Negroni's, and devotion to his dogs (Scottish Terriers owned in pairs). In New York prior to meeting Neville Marsh, Freedman lived a sophisticated lifestyle with then partner Ronald Vance. He maintained lifelong friendships with notable Americans such as George Deem. Freedman and Marsh had successful careers in addition to their personal relationship. During the 1990s Freedman cared for his partner Neville Marsh and supported by Andrew Bryan. In 2008 he exchanged vows with Peter O'Brien at Sainte-Chapelle Paris, France. The stained glass windows have rich vibrant colors and are considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. They later wed in Queenstown, New Zealand when same sex marriages became legalized. Freedman died from cancer in Sydney in 2016, aged 80.

Geran, Monica, 1990, 'Bilson's restaurant, Sydney', Interior Design (US), August, cover, pp. 148–153.

Healey, Ken, 1990, 'Murphy's law: Love is bruising', The Sun-Herald, 15 April, p. 116.

Jackson, Davina, 1990, 'Office fitouts', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 12 June, p. 1.

Jackson, Davina, 1990, 'Off duty design', Belle, October/November, pp. 210–217.

Johnson, Judy, 1990, 'Some Rooms: Michael Cook', The Sun-Herald, 29 April, p. 198.

Johnson, Judy, 1990, 'Homestyle '90: Colour', The Sun-Herald (Sunday), 19 August, pp. 21–32.

Powell, Sian, 1990, 'Easing the sleaze effect', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Living/Short Black), 23 October, p. 50.

Sykes, Jill, 1990, 'Bruising shows problems', The Sydney Morning Herald (Arts), 9 April, p. 16.

Williams, Susan, 1990, 'Spending a pretty penny', The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 October, p. 55.

Anon 1989, 'A passion for precision', Vogue Entertaining, August/September, pp. 82–95.

Hardy, Justine, 1989, 'My favourite room: Style file: George Freedman', The Australian (Magazine), 21–22 January, pp. 30–42.

Jackson, Davina, 1989, 'The tin man', Belle, August/September, pp. 146–150.

Jurjans, Zinta, 1989, 'Extroverted interior', Belle, pp. 76–83.

Lumby, Catharine, 1989, 'Pink and grey: It's dead', The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 August, pp. 47, 50.

Lumby, Catharine, 1989, The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August

O’Grady, Suellen and Jenny Stynes, 1989, 'Keeping the Piece (Furniture item)’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Weekend), 18 February, p. 258.

Schofield, Leo, 1989, 'The eaties in review', The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 December, p. 22.

Spence, Rory, 1989, 'Court of Murcutt', The Architectural Review (UK), March (Vol. 185, No. 1105), pp. 87–91.

Westwood, Susan, 1989, 'Colour crazes', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 26 March, p. 120.

Anon, 1988, 'Our taste makers', The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May, p. 52.

Cochrane, Peter, 1988, 'Vast tour to follow Murphy's triumph', The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 April, p. 12.

Jackson, Davina, 1988, 'Bold moves at Barralong', Belle, December/January, pp. 112–121.

Jackson, Davina, 1988, 'Australia: Interiors', Blueprint, September, p. 49.

Schofield, Leo, 1988, 'Shades of Bondi: Local colour', The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 June, pp. 28–37.

Schofield, Leo, 1988, 'Kinselas goes, the memories linger on', The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 March, p. 1.

Beck, Haig, 1987, 'George Freedman', ASAP, Sydney, Artes Arredorama Publication.

Brennan, Betsy, 1987, 'Shock treatment', Vogue Living, October, pp. 96–103.

Dunworth, Michaela, 1987, 'Levels of power', Belle, December/January, pp. 110–115.

Fry, Tony, 1987, 'The power and the glory', Architecture Bulletin (Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter), No. 4, pp. 6–7.

Goodwin, Wendy, 1987, 'Coming through with flying colours', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 5 November, p. 8.

Jackson, Davina, 1987, 'Around the world in 80 rooms', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Weekend), 3 January, pp. 30–35.

Remington, Kaye, 1987, 'A marriage of true minds', Interior Design, No. 9, pp. 64–75.

Roche, Peter, 1987, 'Tops for bottoms', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 12 February, p. 40.

Schofield, Leo, 1987, 'Ways to mix the model of cocktails', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Living), 8 December, p. 52.

Hawson, Louise, 1986, 'Inside out', Interior Design (guest ed. George Freedman), No. 4, pp. 52–58.

Jackson, Davina, 1986, 'Design goes back to the future ...’ The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 31 July, p. 50.

Roach, Peter, 1986, 'Heaven's gate', Interior Design (guest ed. George Freedman), No. 4,

Salomon, Mandy, 1986, 'Chez Oz: It screams fancy but costs plenty', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 16 January, p. 50.

Schofield, Leo, 1986, 'Modern Italian comes to town', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Food Guide), 17 June, p. 4.

Schofield, Leo, 1986, 'The making of Chez Oz', The Sydney Morning Herald (Style)

Truppin, Angela, 1986, 'Dramatic display', Interiors, February, pp. 112

Anon, 1985, 'Designers and architects', The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 October,

Anon, 1985, 'Kitchens: The new criteria', Vogue Living, April, p. 52.

Haskell, John, 1985, 'Rural was a hard act to follow but they made it', The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 September, p. 12.

Jackson, Davina, 1985, 'Well just who are the stylish men of Sydney?’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Style), 16 April, p. 49.

Rowley, Tandy, 1985, 'The interior voice: On fantasy and functionalism and fun', Follow Me Gentlemen, September/November, pp. 224–229.

Spence, Rory, 1985, 'Regional Identity: Offices Woolloomooloo', The Architectural Review (UK), December, pp. 23–34.

Stewart, Meg, 1985, 'The men behind the black bathrooms at the State Bank', The Sydney Morning Herald (Good Weekend), 20 July, pp. 24–28.

Thomas, Claudia, 1985, 'Exacting exercise', Vogue Living, April, pp, 84.

Walter, Elizabeth, 1985, 'They're laughing all the way to the banks', Australian Business, 15 May, pp 93–94.

As well as designing interiors for some of Sydney's most prestigious and prosperous families, MFA created sophisticated fine dining rooms for some of Sydney's outstanding restaurateurs, notably Anne Taylor (Taylors, 1984); Tony and Gay Bilson (Berowra Waters Inn, 1976; Kinselas, 1983; Tresury, 1992, and Ampersand, 1998; Damien and Josephine Pignolet (Claudes, 1981); Helen and Malcolm Spry (Chez Oz, 1985); Leon Fink (Bilsons and Quay, 1986, 1988), and Armando Percuoco (Buon Ricordo Ristorante refurbishment, 2007).

Anon, 1984, Untitled item, The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney Gourmet column), 21 February, p. 5.

Brennan, Betsy, 1984, 'Indoor drama', Vogue Living, April, pp. 14–16.

Remington, Kaye, c. 1984, 'Colour block', Interior Design

Tanner, Howard, 1983, 'How Sydney is being coloured up', The Sydney Morning Herald (Architecture), 12 September

Anon, 1982, 'Warm coral and pale blue? School was never like this, sir!’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 June

Anon, 1982, 'City project shows what can be done', The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 July

Barrowclough, Anne, 1982, 'Putting people first', The Australian Home Journal, October, pp. 44–51.

Tanner, Howard, 1982, 'Gallery beats the Aussie office blues', The Sydney Morning Herald (Architecture), 19 August, p. 10.

During the late 1980s, Neville Marsh retired from Marsh Freedman Associates and Freedman continued to practice as George Freedman Associates (with Robert Chester and Sam Marshall). In 2002 he appointed a younger architect, Ralph Rembel, as his business partner and renamed the practice 'Freedman Rembel'. This practice was dissolved in 2010, when Freedman joined architects Peddle Thorp and Walker as Head of Interior Design (but he continued consulting to his existing private clients).

Anon, 1980, 'House spread?’, Belle, September/October

Hayes, Babette, 1980, 'Inner-city chic', Belle, May/June, pp. 28–33.

Anon, 1978, 'Paint takes a turn in fashion circles', The Sun-Herald (Home Style), 7 May, p. 149.

Anon, 1978, 'The paint revival', The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 August, p. 22.

Hayes, Babette, 1977, 'Distinctive, tailored design', Belle, May/June, pp. 57–62.

Anon, 1971, 'Rooms on view', The Sydney Morning Herald (or The Sun-Herald?)

Freedman's 1970s and 1980s furniture designs, often finished with luxury European veneers and eye-catching flourishes, were often promoted in Australia's most stylish design magazines, especially Belle and Interior Design. His cocktail trolley for Bilson's restaurant (1988) is in the collection of Sydney's Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Over the next decades, Freedman alongside his partners worked to inject a new exuberance into the standard pattern of modern interiors. Unafraid to play with new materials and striking palettes, he designed a myriad of homes, restaurants, and offices in Sydney, known for a sense of sophistication and modernity.

While working on this project, Freedman began a personal relationship with prominent Sydney decorator Neville Marsh—who employed him as a designer with Neville Marsh Interiors in 1970. To exploit Freedman's international experience, they agreed that the practice should 'go modern', and in 1973, the business was rebranded Marsh Freedman Associates (MFA).

In 1969, Knoll despatched Freedman to 'Manhattanise and Internationalise' Sydney at the executive offices and boardrooms for the Bank of New South Wales, one of Australia's oldest banking institutions (founded in 1817 and renamed Westpac in 1982).

From 1949 to 1953, Freedman attended Manhattan High School, then studied architecture at Syracuse University and began working from 1960 with architects Kahn and Jacobs, where he worked on the American Airlines' first class lounge at John F. Kennedy Airport. He abandoned the final year of his degree to travel to Europe; initially Ibiza, with a friend. During 1963 and 1964, he exhibited and sold artworks in Amsterdam and Brussels, then worked as an interior designer for architects Tandy Halford and Mills in London. Returning to New York in 1968, Freedman joined the international planning unit of leading furniture manufacturers and interior designers Knoll and Associates. He worked with director Florence Knoll, who maintained close ties with many European and American leaders of modern design. Freedman's projects with Knoll included the United States pavilion in Japan for the Osaka World Fair (1970) as well as offices for accountants Price Waterhouse in Buffalo, New York.

George Freedman (Brooklyn, New York, USA, 6 March 1936 – Sydney, NSW, Australia, 21 July 2016) was Australia's leading Interior Designer/ Interior Architect from 1970 until a younger generation became prominent in Sydney during the 1990s. Born in New York, where he studied architecture at Syracuse University, Freedman arrived in Sydney in 1968 and later designed many prestigious interiors, often including custom-made furniture. His notable interior schemes included executive suites for the Bank of New South Wales (1970) and the State Bank of New South Wales (1985), cultural institutions including Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, businesses, government premises, restaurants, residences and historic monuments, including a refurbishment of the Queen Victoria Building (2009).