Art, Design, Crafts 

• Art: aging with beauty

• Design: embedding fantasy in the function

• Crafts: made by human hands

Designed and made under one roof, hj-duo is the shared creative practice of Hua Li and James Richards, reflecting the world they create together as both life and work partners.

Hua is a Chinese-born, Melbourne-based artist and interior designer. Since 2000, she has worked across high-end hotel, commercial, and retail projects throughout Australia and China. Her multicultural background and experience across design and art have shaped a distinctive approach to each project, characterised by curiosity, storytelling, and a strong sense of identity.

James is an industrial designer and luxury furniture maker based in Melbourne. His understanding of materials began long before his professional career, growing up on a farm in northern Victoria. Working with metal, stone, timber, and leather, he combines technical expertise with a humble approach to craftsmanship, bringing each piece to life with care.

Together, we combine decades of design experience with a deep understanding of materials and making. Through furniture, objects, editions, and experiences, we blur the boundaries between design and art. Each hj-duo piece is crafted to age gracefully, reveal unexpected details, and encourage a slower appreciation of everyday life.

We live in Melbourne with a cat, a garden, a workshop, a music studio, and our daughter, Duo Richards. Surrounded by people, places, and practices that continually inspire us, we wish to inspire you through our work.