The Style Affair

Stylist JULIET HARPER offers tips for finding the right globally-inspired porcelain and pottery for every dining occasion.

When we were able to freely travel, I would discover ceramics of all kinds in every corner of the globe - from the blue and white Delftware I found in Holland, the Azulejo in Portugal, to the colourful Majolica ceramics spilling out of the stores in Positano, Italy. Equally, I was drawn to fine bone china mugs from Harrods in London or Beatrix Potter collectibles, which line the shelves of Duty Free shops throughout the UK. There’s nothing prettier than eggs served in dainty Polish egg cups, tea in fine china cups, or rich coffee in large mugs. There’s nothing better than a long alfresco lunch, with food served on a complete set of Mediterranean tableware.

Confined to the shops of Singapore, where do we find similar items to serve as a reminder of exotic places we may have explored this past summer and those familiar spots we miss visiting?

Sophie Auport (sophieallport.com) has a stunning collection of fine bone china mugs made in the UK - a perfect gift for every family member. They’re available online or at Culina Dempsey (culina. com.sg). They go quickly so snap them up when you see them in store. For animal or garden lovers, Sophie’s whole collection is heavenly. There’s also a sports series!

Recently I stumbled across Iggy’s Crafts pop up at Cluny Court (facebook. com/iggyscrafts.sg) and discovered a colourful collection of melamine plates and tableware that are the exact replicas of those found in Spain and Morocco. They come in all shapes and sizes and are

When setting the table try to match your flower arrangement with your napkins and crockery.

Andaman free-form dinner plates, KRA Sanctuary

Melamine plate from Iggy’s Crafts

Sophie Auport mugs in her garden series

Karst dinnerwear set, KRA Sanctuary

perfect to use poolside, but the oversized platters are the winners. If the Med vibe isn’t what you are looking for, there is a tropical range with green leafy platters and coastal colours. For more melamine copies of the ceramic originals from Positano, Italy, go to Smallable online (smallable.com/en). Lighter than hauling a set home from Europe and delivery is free with larger orders!

After a mid-afternoon siesta in Spain, tapas and sangria are usually on the agenda before transitioning to the evening meal a few hours later. Invest in a dozen or so small tapas plates, buy some good olives, octopus and manchego cheese and you have what it takes to get you through to dinner at 11pm.

Daiso (daisosingapore.com.sg) often has a very good selection of small plates in black and white that look like handmade pottery with rough edges.

At $2 a piece they are a steal and wash very well in the dishwasher. For a more sophisticated look, Bowerbird (bowerbird.com.sg) has dainty little tapas plates with brass edges in leafy patterns and various colours.

Closer to home, you can purchase incredible stoneware inspired by the limestone karsts of Southern Thailand at KRA Sanctuary (krasanctuary.com). The Karst or Andaman collections are an indulgent expense you won’t regret. Set the table with a collection of 4, 6 or 8.

Juliet Harper is the owner of The Style Affair, offering interior design and styling services the-styleaffair. com

Sophie Auport (www.sophieallport.com) mugs in her bird series available at Culina.

STYLE TIPS:

Pondering your table setting? Make a mood board and play around with colour, kitchen items, flowers and leaves. Currently organic shapes in ceramics, and wooden or brass utensils are on-trend. Use colours that represent nature in cool sage green and florals. Go either light or very bright but don’t mix the two! Kitchen tiles set the scene, with stoneware dinner plates and napkins with raw edges from Island Living (islandliving.sg) inspired by eucalyptus leaves, another reminder of home.

Defining the brief

The logistics of buying property and moving house are complicated at the best of times. However, managing that process from overseas is infinitely more complex. Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory in Sydney has the experience and expertise to make the transition as smooth as possible and help secure the best possible outcome. No matter the context or unique challenges involved, having a trusted local advisor as a single point of contact can make a world of difference. Here are some of the ways that Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory can help you find the ideal property.

To secure the right property, clearly define your specific needs. Not sure what you want? The Brady Marcs team can work with you to determine a clear brief from the outset and are experienced in asking questions that give you a clear and complete picture. Expats should consider the usual property considerations - personal style or taste, location, local amenities, the flow of the floorplan, and the presence of natural light – but also additional needs such as having a strong rental profile to maximise rental yield, scope to renovations, and value for money.

Unique and timely opportunities

One of the key strengths in using the services of a Buyer’s Advisor is access to properties you usually wouldn’t get. Our team have established relationships with a wide network of selling agents across Sydney, allowing direct access to off-market properties and direct lines of communication. We take a thorough and proactive approach for clients, delivering exceptional results that would not otherwise have been possible.

Choosing an area

The most fundamental question when buying property from overseas is knowing where in Sydney to live or invest. Personal factors must be considered, including being close to friends and family, or wanting to explore an entirely new region. In either context, current knowledge and research of neighbourhoods and suburbs becomes essential. The depth of local knowledge held by the Brady Marcs team is invaluable.

Knowing the schools, transport and amenities

Knowing the location of international and private schools can be particularly

relevant for expats and is just one of the many areas of expertise that our team can assist with. A good understanding of transport routes and how they align to family needs is a huge factor in decisionmaking, such as proximity to schools, the CBD, local parks, and family.

Inspections and auctions

Not being able to physically visit an open house or auction can be limiting for expats. Our team members will visit opens on your behalf and provide detailed video walk-throughs, photos, and live video calls.

Bidding at auction

One of the most valuable services we offer is bidding at an auction on behalf of clients. The Brady Marcs team removes emotion from an often highly stressful situation and brings experience in forming a key bidding strategy. Whether in person at a physical auction or online, our team have the expertise to ensure the best outcome while ensuring clear boundaries are established before an auction.

Due diligence

Our team can manage and coordinate all required due diligence on a property, including pest reports, researching local development applications, and accessing Strata reports. We act as a single point of contact for all external professionals during this process.

Facilitating time differences

The Brady Marcs team pride themselves on offering exceptional customer service and always going the extra mile to deliver great results. The team strives to balance the challenges of different time zones and busy work schedules for their clients when communicating.

A smooth transition period

One of the biggest unknowns during an international relocation is the overlap in time between arriving in Australia and being able to move into a home. Even if settlement is fast and the property becomes physically available, furniture can take months to arrive. Our team are experienced in organising short-term accommodation in a similar area. They’ve even arranged for a complete furniture fit-out, ready for clients to move into as soon as they arrive in Sydney. The key is in pre-empting each step of the process with helpful tips, tricks, and professional connections.

Negotiating the contract

Our team are very experienced in successfully negotiating on price and amendments to a sales contract, and managing the process between vendors, selling agents and solicitors. Even if a property is going to auction, terms can be agreed prior to auction should the client be the successful bidder. Brady Marcs helps manage the process to run as smoothly as possible while ensuring the best outcome for clients.

Understanding tax implications

There are many tax considerations for expats, and it’s best to enlist professional help. Brady Marcs can make recommendations of professional accountants and financial advisors who can help demystify any issues. As an independent advisory, our team can offer objective advice and recommendations for choosing professionals unique to your circumstances.

Property management

For any investment property, ensuring trusted Property Management is in place is essential. We offer a range of Property Management solutions to ensure a complete service for our clients.

At the end of the day, buying property from overseas doesn’t need to be stressful. What’s required is a trusted partner and clear, meaningful communication. Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory has an exemplary track record in delivering exceptional results for clients.

If you are an expat returning home, or you are keen to explore investment opportunities while overseas, Brady Marcs is here to help.

For more information, including case studies and resources, or to book an obligation-free video consultation with a member of the Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory team, email lucy@bradymarcs.com.au or visit bradymarcs.com.au/expats.