Domain Review Bayside & Port Phillip - June 26, 2024

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Colour Theory

At Softer Studio, Dustin Fritsche makes playful furniture for people – and cats

Domain Group is a leading property marketplace made-up of a portfolio of brands. We are united in our purpose to inspire confidence in life’s property decisions. Our brands offer products and solutions to consumers and agents interested in property across every step of their property journey. We are motivated to innovate in our industry and leverage our unique data, products, and technology to deliver solutions to our customers that are found only on Domain.

Domain  National magazine editor: Natalie Mortimer   Editorial producer: Hailey Coules   Group picture editor: Kylie Thomson   Senior designer: Colleen Chin Quan   Graphic designer: Emma Drake   Group content director: Mark Roppolo   Chief marketing officer: Rebecca Darley   Chief executive officer: Jason Pellegrino

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Contact: editorial@domain.com.au

Distribution enquiries: distribution@domainreview.com.au

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, it is all subject to change.

This publication is published by Domain Holdings Australia Limited and Broadsheet Media Pty. Ltd. and is printed by IVE, 25-33 Fourth Avenue, Sunshine VIC 3020

Broadsheet is Australia’s leading independent publisher. Online and in print, we aim to keep you in the loop with the best Melbourne has to offer and enrich your life in the city. We won’t waste your time with anything you don’t need to know about – just the essentials in home & lifestyle, art & design, fashion & style, food & drink, entertainment and travel. Broadsheet also has a presence in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Broadsheet  Founder and publisher: Nick Shelton   General manager: Sian Whitaker   Australia editor: Nick Connellan   Features editors: Michael Harry & Emma Joyce   Melbourne food & drink editor: Audrey Payne   Studio and strategy director: Roya Lines   Media partnerships manager: Jessica Kirsopp

Broadsheet  Editor: Jo Walker   Assistant editor: Gitika Garg   Design lead: Ben Siero   Designer: Ella Witchell   Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh, Annie Toller   Writers: Gideon Cohen, Dan Cunningham, Rosie Herdman, Alice Jeffery, Che-Marie Trigg, James Williams, Irene Zhang   Photographers: Tim Allen, James Broadway, Pablo Diaz, Sean Fennessy, Sally Goodall, Casey Horsfield, Kaede James Takamoto, Natalie Jeffcott, Clytie Meredith, Ben Moynihan, Jake Roden, Mark Roper, Michael Woods

Cover credits: Dustin Fritsche shot by Natalie Jeffcott

Broadsheet Media acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to lands, waters and communities. We pay respect to Elders past and present and honour more than 60,000 years of storytelling, art and culture.

When we visit Dustin Fritsche at home he’s dressed in traditional Melbourne all-black garb. But his apartment and his furniture label Softer Studio are another story: playful, unexpected and unafraid of bold colour and pattern. Minimalist natural finishes sit neatly next to quirky Memphis-inspired shapes and shades – and there’s always room for cats.

Jo Walker Broadsheet Editor

Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/

Sydney: 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont 2009, NSW Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/ www.domain.com.au

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Sydney: 258A Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010, NSW Instagram: @broadsheet_syd Facebook.com/broadsheet.sydney www.broadsheet.com.au

NOW OPEN

Sincero

283-285 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Previously home to Spanish restaurant Remy, Sincero gives humble Italian classics a nouvelle cuisine edge. Take the eggplant parmigiana, where passata is swapped for a sweet and tangy tomato agrodolce, basil leaves are replaced with dehydrated basil powder, and parmesan cheese is traded in for a smooth, light, cheesy foam.

There’s also local Moreton Bay bug served atop a bed of homemade seaweed spaghetti, made with toasted nori and wakame powder. And scallop tartare with house-made mozzarella garnished with hazelnuts and sourdough crumble.

For dessert, go for the chocolate sampietrino, named for the cubed cobblestones found throughout Rome and made using dark chocolate, ricotta and amarene (sour cherry jam).

Wine is another highlight, with standout drops from Barolo. Co-owner and sommelier Fabio Magliano previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurant Locanda Locatelli in London. There are also bottles from France, Australia and Italian regions including Gavi and Bolgheri. — IZ

ADD TO CART

Sunday Lunch The Cafe Apron

If you’re hosting and jumping in and out of the kitchen, an apron is essential to keep things clean. Sunday Lunch’s waist-down silhouette is made to be part of your outfit, not cover it up – so you can still look cute while cooking and serving. Made with 100 per cent pre-washed French linen, the neutral apron is finished with elegant red hand embroidery and a generous front pocket to stash tasting spoons, dirty towels and other nifty tools. — GG

$40 / sundaylunch.shop

IN

THE DIARY

Hair Pieces

Hair has transmitted ideas of gender, power and beauty for millennia. Heide’s new exhibition brings together works by 38 artists, both contemporary and historic, to examine hair’s possibilities, both personal and cultural. The show includes Marina Abramovic and Ulay’s performance Relation in Time, and a giant hair ball from her own locks by Georgia Banks. — GC

Until Oct 6 / Heide Museum of Modern Art, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen / heide.com.au

Photo: Pablo Diaz

Photo: Clytie Meredith

THREE OF A KIND READ ME

Beachside Modern

You don’t need a body of water to nail the beachy look in your own home. Whether you’re dreaming of the Surf Coast or the Amalfi Coast, this handsome book by acclaimed interior designer Lauren Li explores the work of leading architects and reveals tips on how to bring seaside style and a sense of tranquillity to your place. — DC

$49 99 / thamesandhudson.com.au

BAR CART

Cicchio

Zonzo Estate’s playful take on a limoncello spritz, Zoncello, is a cult favourite. Then came Bellina, a bottled Bellini aperitif. Now the Yarra Valley winery adds to its repertoire Cicchio, a pale green premixed pistachio spritz. The boldly refreshing drink is packed with notes of honey, melon, rosewater and pistachio, of course. Serve it chilled with a sprig of thyme or fresh orange peel (if you’re feeling fancy). — GG

$28 / zonzo.com.au

Social enterprise toilet paper

TP has leveled-up. These social enterprises making the non-negotiable roll each donate 50 per cent of their profits to charity, giving toilet paper more purpose than one. Who Gives a Crap recently donated $5 85 million to bring water sanitation to disadvantaged global communities. Yarn’n helps educate Indigenous children in remote communities. And About a Dog’s recycled rolls support animals in need. — JTW

Yarn’n

$39 for 24 rolls yarnn.au

Who Gives a Crap $38 for 24 rolls au.whogivesacrap.org

About a Dog $38 for 24 rolls aboutadog.com.au

TRUSTED SOURCE

Inner Studio

Two former AFL players – Geelong’s Will Slade and his brother, Collingwood’s Ben Sinclair – have transformed an old Collingwood factory into a lush and leafy wellness space dedicated to breathwork and hot and cold plunges. Greenery surrounds two concrete curved magnesium pools: a hot pool set at 38°C and a cold pool that ranges from between five and 8°C. Breathwork sessions and yoga classes are also offered, and the studio houses the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sauna, which accommodates up to 25 people.“There’s no doubt that as much as the experience is about self-improvement, it’s also about connecting with others,” Slade says. — CT

5–1 Campbell Street, Collingwood / innerstudio.com.au

IN THE KITCHEN

Minestrone

Rita Macali, Supermaxi

Prep time 12–15 minutes / Cook time 1 hour 10 minutes / Serves 6

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic peeled and smashed 1 brown onion diced (optional) 150g potato cut into bite-sized chunks 200g (1 cup) canned crushed tomatoes 200g (1 cup) canned lentils drained 180g (1 cup) canned chickpeas drained 170g (1 cup) canned cannellini beans drained 125g zucchini cut into bite-sized chunks 85g (1 cup) chopped savoy cabbage 65g cauliflower florets cut into bite-sized chunks Handful of fresh basil leaves Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 50–55g ditali pasta

To serve: Grated parmesan Extra-virgin olive oil Finely diced long red chilli (optional)

Heat the oil and garlic in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes or until the garlic is golden brown. Remove using a slotted spoon and discard.

Add the onion, if using, and saute for 6–7 minutes, until soft. Add the potato and crushed tomatoes and stir for about 1 minute, then add the tinned legumes, remaining vegetables and basil.

Cover with 1.5–1.8L of water, season generously with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Cook, stirring frequently so the ingredients don’t stick and burn on the base of the pan, for about 1 hour, until the vegetables are completely soft.

Towards the end of the cooking time, add the pasta and cook according to the packet instructions (don’t overcook). Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with some grated parmesan, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and maybe some chopped fresh chilli

Find this recipe – and 80 more like it from Melbourne’s best cooks, chefs and restaurants – in the Home Made cookbook. $49 95 / shop.broadsheet.com.au

Photo: Sean Fennessy

Photo: Mark Roper

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

By Audrey Payne

Hotel Nacional, a five-storey gluten-free Mexican restaurant and rooftop bar, has opened in the former Campari House space on Hardware Lane. There are birria tacos, tostadas, weekday lunchtime burrito bowls and 10 different kinds of Margaritas. Plus, a late-night bar (with a 3am licence) is due to open on the second floor later in the year. 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne / hotelnacional.co

Albert Park beachside restaurant and takeaway shop Pipis Kiosk is hosting pastry chef Simone Jude for a cake popup on Sunday June 30 from 7am until sold out. Stop by for slices of cheesecake with grapefruit jelly, rhubarb layer cake and gluten-free lemon meringue roulade. 129a Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park / pipiskiosk.com.au

Matti Fallon’s much-anticipated Colt Dining burnt down during its first month of trade in October last year. Now, the chef and his team are back with casual Italian restaurant Mr Vincenzo’s – the first of three new venues from Fallon on Mornington’s Esplanade. 784 The Esplanade, Mornington / mrvincenzos.com

Former Masterchef contestant Khanh Ong will take up a three-week residency at Crown Melbourne restaurant event space Evergreen from Thursday June 27 to Sunday July 14. Bookings essential. Level 3, Crown Towers, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank / crownmelbourne.com.au

Lulu, a fuss-free neighbourhood Italian restaurant, will open in the former Salad Sister store on Station Street, just opposite Malvern station. The new local is from Angus Brettingham-Moore, who is behind Essie Wine bar, and previously worked at Toorak Cellars and Milton Wine Shop 11 Station Street, Malvern / lulumalvern.com

Gordon Reserve, East Melbourne

Name: Sebastian Barrow Age: 37 Occupation: Teacher Tell us about your outfit today. I’m wearing everything from Asos. I buy online because I live in the countryside so it’s easier for me. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I like colours and contrast and shapes – I like to have something interesting. I’m always cold so I like to use a lot of layers, too. What’s a fashion trend you love or hate? I’m getting into the oversized look, because I’m in the generation where we were used to skinny jeans but now oversized is going well for me.

PRESTIGIOUS SUBURB

East Melbourne boasts historic Victorian terraces and luxury apartments. Known for its affluent residents, the suburb features heritage sites, Fitzroy Gardens, the MCG, elite schools, gourmet eateries and convenient transport.

Source:

Photo: Sally Goodall

Photo: Jake Roden

Photo: Ben Moynihan

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

Photo: Michael Woods

Photo: Tim Allen

THE INTERVIEW

Chef Brigitte Hafner Fires Up The Tedesca Kitchen

Words by Audrey Payne · Photo by James Broadway

Brigitte Hafner’s Tedesca Osteria is set in a gorgeous early 20th century weatherboard house in Red Hill. There’s an open kitchen with a woodfired oven, large windows overlooking the lush 27-acre property, beautiful wooden floorboards and a dark wood ceiling contrasting against slick white walls.

When I visit on an uncharacteristically sunny (but still chilly) Saturday at the tail end of autumn, the garden is full of produce including bitter greens and carrots. And the fires, both next to our table and in the kitchen – where Hafner and her small team use the hearth to prepare leisurely five-course lunches for 30 diners – are roaring.

But what most grabs the attention of my dining companion and I are the grey tailor-made pants everyone on the front-of-house team wears.

“I didn’t want my team to be in an apron,” Hafner tells Broadsheet . “Somehow I feel like putting them in an apron diminishes them in a little way. I wanted them to feel like they were at lunch with us and that we’re hosting lunch, not serving. So I made a point of putting them in beautiful handmade trousers.

“Also, we’re in theatre. You have to cross the threshold when you’re on the floor and leave whoever you are and all of your daily problems, and you step into the character. And these trousers are how they transport into that role.”

If dining at Tedesca is like watching a performance take place, then Hafner is at once the composer and conductor. The menu changes daily and development is “quite a complex process”, she says.

There’s a format: lunch at the Peninsula spot always starts with meze, small share plates that set the tone for the meal. “There’s always something crunchy, something fried, maybe there’s some pastry, there’s some cheese, there’s a vegetable, there’s something on the grill – all of those things harmoniously,” Hafner says. The meze is followed by pasta, then a dish from the woodfired oven, another from

the grill and, finally, dessert. It’s often a collaborative process driven by the garden produce.

While nourishing, unfussy food has been where Hafner’s heart lies, it’s not what the powerhouse chef has always cooked professionally. Before opening Tedesca and her now-shuttered (and highly revered) Gertrude Street wine bar Enoteca, Hafner worked under chefs including Kylie Kwong, Neil Perry and Jacques Reymond in her formative years. And though she knew what she loved, Hafner says it took a while for her to find her voice in the kitchen.

Starting out, the chef felt it was important to work in “serious restaurant kitchens” and learn the skills of the trade. “You need the knowledge before you go out on your own and do your own thing. And I think it gave me the confidence to do something very simple.”

The kind of dishes found in fine-dining restaurants didn’t move Hafner until working for Stefano De Pieri of Mildura’s Italian institution Stefano’s, who changed the chef’s outlook. “It was a more natural approach to cooking. It wasn’t sort of restaurant cooking, it was more how a home cook would approach it.

“This was probably a bit of a turning point when I realised I didn’t want to be a chef and chop up 10 bunches of parsley, put it on the tray in the coolroom, pull it out that night and sprinkle it all over whatever was coming in the order. The magic of  just roasting a duck and eating it then and there was a revelation.”

Since her early days cooking professionally at the age of 23, Hafner has come to be highly regarded for her homey, woodfired cuisine. Her advice for those starting out today? “I would encourage people to grow outside of the kitchen,” she says. “Try to engage with the world and bring some poetry into your life, because that’s really where the pleasure is.”

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RECOMMENDED

Six Independent Aussie Women’s Underwear Brands

By Alice Jeffery

BOODY According to Boody, lace doesn’t define lingerie. If you’re looking for basics that put comfort above all, the brand’s signature buttery-soft bamboo pieces promise to slot into your wardrobe without any fuss. Both briefs and bras are available in a range of cuts and easy-wearing neutral tones, and  can be bought in convenient bundles. boody.com.au

NICO A pioneering force in the market, Nico founder Lis Harvey has been creating the ultimate range of sustainable basics since 2012. Minimalism is at the core of the comprehensive collection, which includes varying cuts depending on your preferred coverage and level of support. The pieces are made with plant-dyed organic cotton in colour-pop hues designed to mix and match. nicounderwear.com

NALA Aussie brand Nala creates fierce pieces for every body with briefs, bras and bralettes in sizes XXS to 5XL. It uses ethical and sustainable production techniques, and its super-inclusive – and super-comfortable – designs are made from innovative eco-friendly fabrics mostly comprised of bio-based and recycled nylons. wearnala.com

LE BUNS Le Buns’s founder Keisha Dessaix describes the brand’s collection as inclusive, thoughtful and comfortable underwear that can carry you through daily activities with confidence. Sizes range from 6 to 20 , and product pages help shoppers imagine themselves wearing each style with 360-degree functionality showing bodies in different shapes, sizes and skin tones. lebuns.com.au

BIMBY & ROY Bimby & Roy’s vibrant printed collection of underwear isn’t just underwear. Its soft, stretchy and quick-dry styles can be worn for sleep, swimming and even a hot yoga class. Sisters and co-founders Mindy and Jessica grew up in Fiji and partnered with the region’s first solar-powered garment factory to produce the brand’s designs. bimbyandroy.com.au

AIMEE CHERIE INTIMATES Raising awareness for ovarian cancer is a cause close to founder Aimee-Cherie Kendall’s heart, due to her own mum’s diagnosis. The Melbourne brand has a standing $2 donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation from every order. Invest in uniquely feminine pieces that shouldn’t just be saved for special occasions. aimeecherieintimates.com

COLOUR THEORY

Words by Rosie Herdman · Photos by Natalie Jeffcott

I’m not trying to become a famous furniture designer,” Softer Studio founder Dustin Fritsche tells Broadsheet of his process of coming up with new designs. “I just make whatever feels good at the time and then if people like it, that’s great.”

Despite this humble attitude, Softer is steadily building a name for itself as a high-quality furniture and interiors studio. Fritsche offers a core collection of original designs, from wooden chairs to bedside tables, and provides custom cabinetry and built-in furniture for houses at renovation stage. He carries out the entire process himself: from ideation and digital 3D renderings to physically handcrafting every piece. As well as being meticulously well made, Softer’s range has a down-to-earth practicality combined with a playful charm and unexpected details. There’s the Boxy side table, which almost seems like a little character standing on its thick, close-together legs.

And rather than handles on the Three Drawer dresser and Next to Bed drawers, there are circular finger pull details carved out from the oak, and rounded legs that diffuse its sharp lines.

Most Softer pieces are made of solid timber, with the option of custom finishes, veneers and bright colours on bespoke orders. Despite their sturdy, blocky nature, designs share a rounded, lighthearted quality – a nod to the studio’s name.

Growing up in beachy Wamberal on the Central Coast in NSW, Fritsche first discovered his love of making through shaping surfboards with mates in a farmhouse shed. This was just after high school; he then moved to the far north coast of NSW and completed an apprenticeship at a cabinet making business, and then studied furniture design at RMIT in 2015

Two years later, Fritsche moved to Melbourne and started Softer. The catalyst was his Smaller coffee table, which he’d crafted for his own home. “When friends saw it, they encouraged me to grow the range and start a small business behind it.”

Now, Fritsche operates Softer out of a co-operative workshop in Thomastown which he shares with multidisciplinary designer Nick Rennie and woodworker Brendan Finn. There’s a nice sense of camaraderie to the studio, he says. “Sometimes we’ll help with working on each other’s projects, and it’s good to bounce ideas off each other or [offer] different tweaks or skills that someone might not have.”

Fritsche enjoys working collaboratively, and has two other side projects on the go. One is another furniture brand called Oku Space, which he and Rennie have created to cater to the higher end and the commercial market. “We work together on bringing [Rennie’s] ideas to life and collaborate on the best manufacturing methods that work not just in our workshop, but [also] if we were to outsource to bigger, more high-tech factories.”

The other is Pim Pom Project, which Rennie is also involved in, as is Fritsche’s partner Charlotte Vermeersch. Taking playful furnishings to the next level, Pim Pom Project offers sculptural, multicoloured cat towers that make for eye-catching decor – cat or no cat.

Fritsche says he finds inspiration for his practice in the past, and likes to reference a few design eras. “Lately I’ve been really focusing on the Memphis design movement and combining that with my own style – especially with colours and altering materials.”

The Memphis movement, originating in Italy and popular in the 1980s, was characterised by a combination of bold colours, shapes and patterns, and often clashing tones, with figures like Ettore Sottsass and George Sowden as the key practitioners. “They all brought something fun and creative to the scene. I’m pretty reserved as a person, and doing the bold shapes and the colours is a way to express myself and show off my personality.”

A bonus of being such a skilled maker is the ability to customise his and Vermeersch’s Brunswick West apartment in Melbourne’s inner north. The space had limited storage when the couple moved in, so Fritsche set about installing cabinetry with coral handles to match the custom shade of their Okay Goodnight bed. It’s flanked by bright blue Next to Bed Remix tables which add a fun contrast. “We wanted to make the place warm and inviting, and practical at the same time.”

He’s also created bench seating for the living room, which will be part of a dining nook and entertainment unit, and is looking forward to finding time in his busy schedule to do the kitchen.

Fritsche’s own space could be thought of as a reflection of Softer’s overall philosophy, too. “Every room has its own personality but it’s still the same language.”

Shop online at softerstudio.com or visit the showroom at 2/9 Charnfield Court, Thomastown, by appointment only. For custom enquires get in touch via the form online.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Join the beachfront glam set

Words by Anders Furze

Brighton’s Esplanade is the place to see and be seen on Melbourne’s beachfront. The walking tracks and sand of this area stitch together all the local highlights, from the Brighton Baths in the north – one of only two remaining sea baths in Melbourne– down to the famed Brighton bathing boxes and Green Point.

Here’s a chance to join the beachfront glam set in a newly built apartment that has been thoughtfully designed at every turn to promote liveability, light and, of course, bayside views.

It’s ideal for buyers who are looking for the desirable combination of low-maintenance living and a prestigious location.

The lift opens onto this first-floor apartment’s entry. Head inside, and you’ll find a spacious living and dining area to the west.

The ceilings are three metres high, further lending the apartment a luxurious sense of expansive possibilities.

Sliding doors and plenty of glass bring Port Phillip Bay squarely into view. Walk through those doors, and you’re on the private terrace. Its north-west orientation

ensures you can make the most of every opportunity for sunny relaxation.

Back inside, the kitchen’s standout feature is a marble island bench. Curves soften its form and evoke the beachside setting.

The bench makes for an inviting, serene spot for casual gatherings over breakfast or while preparing meals. Its overhang also makes the perfect nook for a nifty drinks bar in cocktail hour.

The Gaggenau appliances include an induction cooktop, and it has an integrated Fisher & Paykel French-door fridge.

The main bedroom is in the heart of this residence. Its luxurious inclusions extend to a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite with a walk-in shower. A deep, free-standing bath adds to the sense of luxury and tranquillity that the whole apartment seems to evoke.

Two more bedrooms complete the home, both with built-in wardrobes and individual access to a shared en suite.

A distinct family room helps define this side of the apartment and is ideal as a simple retreat for the kids or a second informal living area that everybody can enjoy.

You’ll also find a separate tiled laundry, a powder room next to the living-dining area, two car parks and extra storage. The apartment boasts an 8.3-star energy rating, enhanced by double-glazed windows.

Luxurious low-maintenance livability: it’s all thanks to Wood Marsh Architecture, the firm behind the 26 & 28 Esplanade Brighton development. This collection of 11 residences is directly opposite the bay trail and Brighton Beach Gardens, and just minutes from the sand and the station at Brighton Beach.

Brighton 4/28 Esplanade

$3.85 million-$4.15 million

Private sale

Agent: Kay & Burton, Jamie Driver 0400 126 612

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Brighton

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

Driver Kay & Burton

“This is undoubtedly one of the highest quality builds and designs we have ever seen, in a location that is simply extraordinary overlooking the bay.”

NEED TO KNOW

The highest recorded apartment price for Brighton (past 12 months) was $5.9 million for 2/33 Sussex Street in August. The median price for a three-bedroom apartment is $1.905 million.

Jamie

LIKE A LOCAL

Glen Huntly

By Jessica Kirsopp

Located on the Frankston line – next to neighbours Caulfield and Carnegie – Glen Huntly is a wellconnected suburb under half an hour’s travel by rail from Melbourne’s CBD. Though small, it’s home to a tight but tasteful selection of cafes, restaurants and green spaces.

Jump on the 67 tram along Glen Huntly Road, where you’ll find a peppering of food spots and local shops. Hungry?

Workshop Specialty Coffee is a local favourite. You can’t go wrong with classic brunch and lunch options, from avocado on toast to shakshuka, plus weekly specials. If you are looking for something on the go, head to TL Bakehouse to satisfy sweet and savoury cravings with freshly made loaves of bread, sausages rolls, pies, pastries and cakes.

A short walk further, there’s family-run bakery Buildacake, specialising in custom-designed cakes and other baked treats. Pop in to place an order for special occasions, or get a cheeky slice of vanilla butter cake, carrot cake, red velvet or peach and berry cake. There’s also plenty of vegan and gluten-free options to choose from.

On a sunny day you can expect to see many folks heading down to the award-winning park Booran Reserve. There are grassy green lawns to relax on, a giant blue tunnel slide, a five-way swing, in-ground trampolines and a dual flying fox.

For something more low-key, head to Garden Avenue Reserve with park benches surrounded by palm trees and a shaded orange and blue playground. Explore further around the corner, down Royal Avenue, and you’ll find the communityled Reflection Garden – a great spot for some alone time. Read the hand-painted signs and try your hand watering the flowers and herbs to do your bit.

As evening falls, the main street is home to many Indian restaurants for dine-in and take-home fare that hits the spot: Swagath Grand, Gold Indian Restaurant and Tandoori Zaika, to name a few. After dinner, end the night at The Bar Royal B-Side, open Thursday to Saturday, with an Espresso Martini or tap beer and a side of chips.

Clockwise from top: heritage architecture, The Servery, Booran Reserve, Workshop Specialty Coffee

Clockwise from top: Booran Reserve, family bike rides, Glen Huntly Station, Reflection Garden, all photos Casey Horsfield

Natalie Mortimer

better together

Educating girls and boys together for 32+ years.

A conveniently located inner-city co-ed Catholic Secondary College providing an a ordable, caring education where your child is known.

Book a tour today to find out more.

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LUXURY

Words by Joanne Brookfield & Richard Cornish

Middle Park

150 Canterbury Road

$3.95 million

3 3 2

Expressions of interest: Close noon, August 30

Agent: RT Edgar, Jeremy Fox 0418 339 650

From high-end architect Rob Mills is what the agent calls a “beautifully designed town house”. From the grand colonnades of the facade to the “stunning” west-facing garden, with crazy paving and hedges, this home offers the luxury of a Toorak address with the convenience of a lower-maintenance property. Vaulted skylights provide natural light to a floor plan that includes an entrance foyer, formal lounge with fireplace, a study, and an oversized kitchen with informal living space.

$4.5 million-$4.95 million

6 2 2

Auction: 11.30am, June 29

Agent: Marshall White, Oliver Bruce 0409 856 599

If a magnificent double-level Edwardian home on 450 square metres with secure off-street parking for two isn’t enough space, there’s always the Albert Park Reserve across the road. The scale of Fenagh, with pressed metal ceilings and original leadlight combined with a modern internal refresh, creates a flexible floor plan. High-end amenities include an integrated sound system, EV charger and automated gate. The Armstrong Street village and public transport are nearby.

Hawthorn

7 Charles Street

$5.5 million-$6 million

4 5 2

Auction: 11am, June 29

Agent: Jellis Craig, Mike Beardsley 0476 777 004

There are only a handful of modern homes in Hawthorn’s historic Grace Park Estate, and this one is a stunner. Designed by Neil Architecture, it features a sweeping roofline that gives an impressive street presence. The clever use of glass brings the treescape of the parkland opposite inside, while an upperfloor courtyard provides secluded outdoor living. Luxurious amenities such as a private lift, hydronic heating and double glazing complete the package.

East Melbourne

168 Hotham Street

$4.95 million-$5.2 million

3 2 2

Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, July 2

Agent: Marshall White, Ben Bongiorno 0417 584 793

Positioned close to the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens and the MCG precinct, the historic grandeur of this 1864 Victorian terrace is matched by the modern luxury within. An thoughtful re-design has maximised the sunny north-facing rear, with high ceilings, skylights and internal steel-framed doors flooding light through the downstairs living spaces. For al fresco enjoyment, there’s a landscaped terrace with an integrated barbecue, plus two bedrooms have their own balcony.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Maria Harris, Richard Cornish & Shae Wiedermann

LAST WEEKEND

Clearance rate of 63%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR NATIONAL EDITOR SAYS

Natalie Mortimer Domain national magazine editor

“The Melbourne housing market has been lagging but is expected to improve as we move through 2024. Early signs show increased confidence and strong auction rates. Undervalued properties offer potential.”

Kew 112 Eglinton Street

$2 million-$2.2 million

3 2 1

Auction: 11am, June 29

Agent: Marshall White, Chris Barrett 0412 927 409

$3.45 million

Canterbury 54 Highfield Road Sold by Heavyside*

*As reported on June 15, 2024

This house is close to Kew Junction and has views of the verdant Eglinton Reserve. The ground floor has two bedrooms that share a deluxe bathroom and a retreat area that extends to the garden, which is equipped with a pool, covered deck and courtyard. The main bedroom and living domain are upstairs and are accompanied by a spacious balcony that overlooks the park.

Richmond

2 Rose Street

$3 million-$3.3 million

4 2

Auction:11am, June 29

Agent: Jellis Craig, James Vine 0402 438 271

The enduring appeal of the Victorian terrace is on display at this magnificently renovated Richmond beauty. The refined interiors have French oak, travertine and terrazzo floors with American walnut cabinetry throughout. At its heart is a sophisticated kitchen, a banquette dining area, and a living room (with open fireplace) opening to the deck and outdoor entertainment zone. Walk to the MCG, shops, trains and trams and enjoy easy access to schools and the CBD.

Iris

1718-1720 Malvern Road

$2.975

Auction: Noon, June 29

Agent: Jellis Craig, John Morrisby 0411 875 476

This beautiful art deco-era home blends the best of period features with modern living. The new open-plan living and kitchen wing boasts bare hardwood floors, modern appliances, and garden vistas. Carved hallway woodwork and original fire surrounds are complemented by recently renovated bathrooms and plush carpets. It’s close to public transport and the Monash Freeway.

Rock

38 Eliza Street

$2.7 million-$2.85 million

4 2 4

Auction: 11am, July 13

Agent: Kay & Burton, Shantelle Francis 0422 862 821

This abode offers family luxury in a beachside locale. The house sits in a formal garden (high hedges and a fountain) and has a gorgeous white facade. The interior has high ceilings, European oak floors and a layout that optimises natural light and space. The bedrooms are on the first floor, while downstairs, a formal lounge room and study join an open-plan living-dining area.

Glen

Black

Templestowe

55-57 Serpells Road

$2.9 million

4 3 4

Auction: Noon, June 29

Agent: Marshall White, Danial Rezaali 0481 777 721

Its golden mile location and land size make this home a sure-fire winner for active families who want space to spread their wings. On more than 4000 square metres with a pool and north-south tennis court, the two-storey home with a northerly aspect has views to the Kinglake Ranges.

Brighton 7a Wilson Street

$2.2 million-$2.4 million 3 3 2

Private sale

Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

Designed for sophisticated, low-maintenance living, this striking property is a sleek and appealing home with light-filled interiors connecting to a courtyard garden. Its threebedroom, three-bathroom format includes a lift, a stylish kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, oak floorboards and two car parks.

Toorak 15/48 Lansell Road

$2 million-$2.2 million 3 2 2

Auction: 11am, June 29

Agent: RT Edgar, Mark Wridgway 0419 510 777

Here’s a rare opportunity to live in one of Melbourne’s best streets in a ground-floor mid-20th-century apartment. Solid brick and fully renovated, it would be attractive to families or downsizers. There are high ceilings and large windows offering a sense of space and light – plus a study.

JAIME CONDUCTS ROMEO & JULIET

Jaime Martín conductor

Contemporary Luxury in a Prized Position

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