Reg Riddell

  • Designer (Architect / Interior Architect / Landscape Architect)
Reg Riddell was a Melbourne interior designer. Initially operating an art gallery ("Riddell Bros.") in Little Collins Street in the city, he began work as a stage designer in productions as early as 1941. His interior design practice began afterward under the name Riddell Interiors. Many of his designers have had prominent careers. The practice later became Riddell Marly after a merger with Marly Interiors.

Reg Riddell, Melbourne (d.1980)

Although Riddell’s earliest history has not been investigated, he was operating the Riddell Bros. Gallery at 180 Little Collins Street in 1936 where he was exhibiting artworks as well as furniture. Newspaper accounts illustrate that Riddell had a cinema and stage career as an actor and stage décor designer as early as 1935. A SIDA-commissioned interview with James Fisher states that Riddell began his practice in 1933.

A SIDA-commissioned interview transcript with designer Bryce Wilson who first began work with Reg Riddell from 1945 [date uncertain] to 1952 sheds some light on Riddell’s practice. Wilson, who returned to Riddell’s in 1954, has an intimate knowledge of Riddell’s interior decoration practice. The SIDA-commissioned interview with designer James Fisher also provides insight into Riddell’s seminal practice.

In 1976 a merger led to the firm now known as Riddell Marly. Additional detail regarding the Riddell Marly merger and the earlier establishment of the original Marly firm (est.1968) is provided by designer Leslie Currey, an associate of Marly who was involved in the joining of these two firms.

Reg Riddell is recorded as a member of SIDA in a 1975 listing. Riddell undertook commissions for The Lodge, Canberra and Government House, Sydney. A SIDA interview with former employee Robert Thomson noted that Riddell was an early supporter of Florence Broadhurst’s line of wallpapers and textiles.

Writers:

Michael Bogle
Date written:
2018
Last updated:
2018