Domain Review Bayside & Port Phillip - September 18, 2024
The New (York) Wave of Design
Criteria founder Rachael Fry brings her singular American style to Australia
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Broadsheet Founder and publisher: Nick Shelton Managing director: Sian Whitaker Australia editor: Nick Connellan Features editor: Emma Joyce Melbourne food & drink editor: Audrey Payne Commercial director: Paul Bates Studio and strategy director: Chrissy Voss Senior media partnerships manager: Jessica Kirsopp
Broadsheet Editor: Jo Walker Assistant editor: Gitika Garg Editorial assistant: Gideon Cohen Design lead: Ben Siero Designer: Ella Witchell Design intern: Chelsea Devon Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Kit Kriewaldt, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh Writers: Holly Bodeker-Smith, Gideon Cohen, Vanessa Francesa, Daniela Frangos, Alice Jeffery, Quincy Malesovas, Sasha Murray, Simone Richardson Photographers: Jamie Alexander, Gabrielle Connole, Pete Dillon, Liana Hardy, Casey Horsfield, Kaede James Takamoto, Arianna Leggiero, Ben Moynihan, Kristoffer Paulsen, Marcie Raw, Mark Roper, Samantha Schultz, Kate Shanasy, Lillie Thompson, Leah Traecey, Hilary Walker
Cover credits: Rachael Fry shot by Hilary Walker
Broadsheet Media acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to lands, waters and communities.
It’s the 50th issue of Domain Review in partnership with Broadsheet, so we went looking for a fresh take on Melbourne design. Our guide is cover star Rachael Fry, the founder of Criteria showroom, who’s spent the past decade bringing a new, New York-inspired attitude to the local scene. Focusing on singular furniture and decor from international ateliers – plus cultivating local talent – she’s not afraid of adventure, and sometimes a little mystery too.
Jo Walker Broadsheet
Editor
Where Chefs Eat with Jess Lemon
Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC
Esther Sun grew up in a family of great home cooks. She ran Mum’s Burger Kitchen with her mother Rita before they sold it in February this year to open new restaurant Potluck. It’s reminiscent of NYC Chinese hotspots including Potluck Club and Calvin Eng’s Bonnie’s.
Over the past year Sun has completely redesigned what was already a Chinese restaurant, giving the space an elevated old-school Chinese restaurant feel, with wood-panelled walls, pendant lighting and vintage artworks.
Rita inspired the beef noodle soup, which she used to prepare for staff meals at the burger shop. It’s a time-intensive bone broth that’s boiled, strained and reduced over eight hours. The menu also includes Sun’s spins on mapo tofu, prawn toast and san choy bow. Drinks include non-alcoholic aloe and honey highballs, sour plum juice, and fruit and floral infused teas. – QM
ADD TO CART
Bassike double strap ballerina flats
With the capri pants trend coming in hot, we’re now in the market for some statement flats to get ankle-ready for spring. Metallic hues are cropping up on mood boards lately, and this silver leather pair from Bassike’s new collection nails the brief. Crafted in Italy and designed in Australia, it features a rounded toe silhouette, a double strap and a simple buckle-fastening detail for a fresh take on the classic ballet flat. (There are striking red and black colourways, too.) — SR
$595 / bassike.com
IN THE DIARY
Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition
It might have been set in a quaint little English village, but the viral Untitled Goose Game was created in Victoria by game developer House House in 2019. It became a global phenomenon, winning the 2020 DICE Game of the Year award. Now, it’s being commemorated at ACMI, in a free, world-premiere exhibition, including design sketches and early versions of the game that you can play. — VF
Sep 17 – Feb 16, 2025 / acmi.net.au
Photo: Marcie Raw
SNACK BAR STREET STYLE
By Audrey Payne
New bakery Bloomwood has opened in the CBD. The two-storey shop serves classic pastries including pain au chocolat and plain croissants. But the Asianinfluenced viennoiserie, such as a taro milk tea-inspired pastry, make it a truly exciting addition to the city’s bustling pastry scene. 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne / @bloomwoodmelbourne
After 14 years in business, Glen Iris brewery Deeds entered voluntary administration in March this year and closed its taproom in May. Now the Deeds taproom and its brewing operations have been reopened and will remain so until February 2025. Deeds and its creditors have put in place a deed of company arrangement, an alternative to immediate liquidation that gives the company more time to repay debts. 4 Paran Place, Glen Iris / deedsbrewing.com.au
Malaysian pastry chef Otto Tay will collaborate with Melbourne-based pastry chef Eigen Ting on Sunday September 22. The pair will create two cakes that’ll be available at Ting’s Camberwell pastry shop Sucre Du Jour for one day only. S10/436 Burke Road, Camberwell / sucredujour.com.au
Eun Hee An and Mei Onsamlee’s West Melbourne cafe Moon Mart will have its last day of trade in its current Stawell Street space on September 22. The business partners and food scene faves say they are close to opening a new venue. 11–13 Stawell Street, West Melbourne / moonmart.com.au
For a limited time, Andrew McConnell’s CBD restaurant Supernormal will offer a new noodle dish every week. You’ll have the option to pair each bowl of noodles with a specialty drink selected to complement it. Noodle specials are available in addition to Supernormal’s regular menu. 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne / supernormal.net.au
Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar
Names and ages: Christine Wong (21), Liz Li (21) Occupation: Students Tell us about your outfit today. CW: I’m wearing this jacket vest. My shoes are from Gucci and my pants are from Muji. LL: I’m wearing a long coat and jeans. And my sneakers are from Puma. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? CW: I like grey and white colours. LL: I like to dress in different kinds of styles. With Melbourne weather, I like things that are comfortable and keep me warm. I often like black – it’s suitable for so many occasions and doesn’t get dirty.
PEACEFUL ’BURB
Caulfield North boasts a rich tapestry of grand Edwardian homes, chic townhouses and sleek apartments. This leafy suburb attracts a diverse community of families and professionals, offering vibrant cafes, top-tier schools, and Caulfield Park.
Photo: Marcie Raw
Photo: Jamie Alexander
Photo: Pete Dillon
Photo: Samantha Schultz
Photo: Kate Shanasy
Normanby Road, Caulfield North
Photo: Kaede James Takamoto
WHERE CHEFS EAT
Jess Lemon From Neds in South Yarra
Words by Audrey Payne
Photo by Kristoffer Paulsen
Jess Liemantara, or Jess Lemon as she sometimes goes by, was a standout on season 10 of Masterchef Australia when it aired in 2018
She had a penchant for pastry and was a successor of sorts to “dessert king” Reynold Poernomo, who starred in the show’s seventh season and recently opened Koi Dessert Bar in the CBD.
Lemon specialises in modern French patisserie and recently joined the team at Neds (formerly known as Neds Bake), where she has the enviable title of head of product innovation. Among those innovations has been the introduction of pastry doughnuts she calls “bombs” to the menu: there are strawberry, and pistachio and chocolate renditions.
We took five minutes with the chef to find out where (and what) she’s eating in Melbourne right now.
What’s your go-to for a quick takeaway? Little Caesars Pizza in Glen Waverley. I usually get the large deal, which is $36.90 for two large pizzas, a large focaccia and a large soft drink. It’s totally worth it and I always order a super supreme and a Hawaiian pizza.
How about lunch on the go? Hot Star Chicken. The extra large fried chicken with Cajun seasoning is one of my favourites. The wait can be a little longer than you’d expect, but it’s a great quick lunch when you’re on the fly and don’t have time to sit down.
If it’s a special occasion, where do you go? Nomad. It’s got mood lighting, great ambience and a warm environment with impeccable food and lovely customer service. The woodfired flatbread is to die for,
as is the burrata entree and olive oil icecream sandwich dessert.
Best comfort food? A rich bowl of ramen. I love all types but one that I dream of every day is the God Fire tonkotsu ramen from Hakata Gensuke on Russell Street in the city. It’s a rich pork chilli broth with spring onions and a slice of braised pork.
Where do you go for a big meal? Ten BBQ & Hotpot in Southbank. It’s all-youcan-eat hotpot and barbeque with dessert. There is a selection of meats, veggies and soup bases that please any palate. If you’re recommending a spot for a first date? A first date is all about first impressions and a great spot to start is at Tartine. The luxurious and elegant interior with corner open windows gives such a fresh homely feel, which is sure to make you comfortable meeting someone very special. Don’t leave without trying dessert – it’s a definite must.
What’s your go-to hangover food? I love heading to Supper Inn, which stays open till 2 30am. A great way to cure the late-night party animal. I get corn soup, and salt and pepper prawns, and finish it all off with Chinese fried rice and Chinese tea. Favourite ice-cream or gelato shop? Hareruya Pantry in Carlton. I get gelato –I love their strong matcha or genmaicha – covered in mochi and topped with sugar syrup and crispy sago pearls.
Where can you find your favourite dessert or sweet treat? Homm Dessert or Meet Fresh are my two picks for dessert. They’re both great on a hot or cold day. I love Meet Fresh for the strawberry or mango snow ice.
THE FIT-OUT
Wedding Gifts the Couple Will Treasure – and the Group Chat Will Agree On
By Alice Jeffery
MAISON BALZAC BORDEAUX DECANTER AND GLASSES – $398 Maison Balzac is a favourite for its whimsical glassware. And the Sydney brand’s Bordeaux collection is one for wine lovers. The handblown decanter and wine glasses are adorned with a cluster of glass grapes on the lid and stem. Depending on your budget, you could grab a bottle of their favourite red to complete the present. maisonbalzac.com
DINOSAUR DESIGNS LARGE EARTH BOWL – $300 Dinosaur Designs’ signature swirling resin pieces are decor chameleons. This large flat bowl can be used to serve salads or seafood spreads at dinner parties. But it also holds its own as a centrepiece on tables and sideboards. Choose dopamineinducing hues like sky blue, flamingo pink and leaf green or keep it classic in black and white. dinosaurdesigns.com.au
GOZNEY ARC PIZZA OVEN – $1199
Gozney’s ovens bring woodfired pizzas to backyards big and small, and this is its most compact design yet. It’s perfect for setting up on apartment balconies, shared gardens or inner-city courtyards. The “plug and play” set-up means this oven is ready to go as soon as they unbox it. Just make sure you secure a standing invite to any future pizza nights. au.gozney.com
BASIL BANGS PREMIUM BEACH UMBRELLA – $319
Colourful beach canopies are synonymous with Australian summer holidays, so why not prep your mates for the honeymoon with one? These fringe-trimmed umbrellas from Basil Bangs are made from UPF50+ water-repellent canvas. The collapsible design stashes into an easy-carry bag that can also be used as a sandbag to secure the umbrella on windy days. basilbangs.com
BED THREADS CHECK BATH TOWEL BUNDLE – $410
If they’re linen sheet people, they probably already dig Bed Threads. In which case, this bundle of bath towels will be greatly appreciated. Made from 100 per cent French flax linen with a terry weave, the set includes two bath towels, two handtowels and a bath mat in soothing colour combinations like limoncello and terracotta. bedthreads.com.au
HOME OF THE WEEK
Shades of Palm Springs
Words by Joanne Brookfield
Palm Springs is where Hollywood’s elite go to relax and hold pool parties under the searing sun, and the mid-century modern homes the city is renowned for are designed for this purpose. They have plenty of glazing to eliminate the delineation between indoors and outdoors, and the open-plan layouts allow for effortless entertaining.
It’s clear this five-bedroom home in Brighton, dominated by clean lines and largely unadorned, has taken inspiration from the Californian destination. While not surrounded by desert, there’s still plenty of sand close by, given the proximity to the beach. The popular Bay Street and Church Street strips are also desirably nearby.
On a leafy street populated with grand houses, the home is set on about 1000 square metres, with a dual-entrance driveway dramatically sweeping around the front.
The upper-level cantilever then creates covered parking “for up to 10 cars behind the secured automatic gates”, says selling agent Andy Nasr.
The crazy paving on the lower-level facade is echoed within: once you enter through the
glass-framed foyer, you’re greeted with a similarly finished double-height feature wall that acts as the backdrop to the custom staircase.
The flexible floor plan means living and entertaining can take place on both levels.
The ground floor provides a living room adjacent to a cinema room, a bedroom with its own separate fitted study and en suite, a much larger home office, and a wet bar.
There is a gym, sauna and bathroom in the pool house accessed from the covered travertine entertaining area – which comes with a wood-burning fireplace and sits beside the fully tiled and heated pool.
On the upper level, there are separately zoned living, dining and sitting spaces, plus a calacatta marble kitchen equipped with Gaggenau appliances, with the convenience of a servery window to the dining room.
For further al fresco entertaining, there’s also a paved terrace that overlooks the pool with a wet bar close by. The main bedroom enjoys a similar view from its balcony.
There’s another balcony at the front of the property, off the formal dining and sitting rooms, creating seemingly no end of
break-out spaces to allow a large family to live harmoniously.
The main bedroom suite on the first floor features two walk-in wardrobes and a dual vanity, and basks in northern sunlight.
The home brims with other luxuries, including a lift, a full laundry, a powder room and a security system.
Nasr says the home has been “unashamedly designed” for those who enjoy living and entertaining lavishly.
Brighton 23 Cosham Street
$9 million-$9.9 million
5 4 6
Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, September 24
Agent: Marshall White, Andy Nasr 0422 029 324
Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Brighton
WHAT THE AGENT SAYS
“This north-facing, fabulous entertainer’s home sits on in excess of 1000 square metres in one of Brighton’s most soughtafter streets, with a pool, sauna, theatre and large home office.”
NEED TO KNOW
The home last sold for $5.1 million in April 2010. More recently, 25 Cosham Street next door – which has three bedrooms and five bathrooms – sold for $8.15 million in October 2019. RECENT SALES
$6.75 million
3 Wilson Street, April
$8.3 million 14 Cosham Street, November 2023
$16 million 39 Cosham Street, September 2022
Andy Nasr Marshall White
FEATURE LET ME BE
MISUNDERSTOOD
Words by Holly Bodeker-Smith
Photos by Hilary Walker
Rachael Fry grew up in Palm Springs and studied at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York. For more than a decade, the Criteria creative director has been quietly moving the needle on the Australian design scene, one singular sofa and lightwork at a time.
The curation process isn’t always straightforward for Rachael Fry, founder and creative director of Melbourne design showroom Criteria and sister venue C Gallery. “I always try to get things that I don’t really understand,” she tells Broadsheet.
It’s certainly true of her current project. Fry has been busy sourcing lighting and furniture for Criteria’s debut vintage collection, highlighting 20 th-century Nordic designs. The first piece? A 1970 s candlelit chandelier crafted from wrought iron and glass by renowned Swedish manufacturer Boda Smide.
Fry got some interesting looks when she showed the old-school lightwork to her team. “My colleague said: ‘It hangs from the ceiling but it’s not a light, what are our clients gonna do with it?’ The fact that none of us can define [it] – I love that already,” she says. “That’s always been my mission, to find things even before people know that they want them.”
There’s no one in Melbourne doing it quite like Fry. The American-born founder works directly with ateliers in Paris, New York, Milan and beyond to source singular furniture, lighting and home decor. “I’ve always wanted to bring really interesting, beautiful things here. I know the distance makes it challenging for people to access other things from around the world.”
Criteria is the exclusive importer of New York showrooms Apparatus (which counts Naomi Watts among its fans) and Fort Standard. Plus, French designer Pierre Yovanovitch – a former menswear designer for Pierre Cardin – and experimental ceramics label Bzippy & Co. For Fry, these relationships help her curate a collection like no other. “People come into our space to see really unique and special work from around the world.”
Fry got her design credentials at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City. In 2012, she swapped NYC for Melbourne alongside her Aussie-born husband, Amon Carson, an investment banker.
Naturally, there was a bit of culture (and design) shock when she arrived. Australia was clinging to its obsession with mid-century modern furniture. But Fry was mostly surprised by the lack of both American and smaller, independent designers. “The Australian market was, and still is, very Eurocentric and Italian … I thought: ‘There’s already people doing great things with big Italian brands. I’m going to do something different.’”
Criteria’s new South Yarra showroom is palatial. Beyond the 19th-century Italianate facade, an ornamental archway reveals a regal red door with leadlight windows. Inside are terrazzo floors and soaring four-metre-tall ceilings. The part-showroom, part-gallery is decorated with bold
furniture, lighting and artworks. “I tried to create an environment that felt like an old townhouse,” Fry says. In a red-walled room, a curved velvet sofa by Pierre Yovanovitch takes pride of place. (The French designer had his debut Australian exhibition at Criteria earlier this year.) Elsewhere, a grey room turns gold with a cluster of bulbous lights. It’s the Cloud Pendant by Apparatus co-founder (and New York design darling) Gabriel Hendifar, a piece that’s been widely imitated.
Fry has long been surrounded by beautiful design. She grew up in the Californian desert city of Palm Springs, America’s mid-century hotspot. When she was a kid it was pretty run-down, though still gorgeous. “I think growing up there was teaching me what beauty was. And it was all going into my design bank,” Fry says. “Luckily, the gays eventually moved in and returned it to its former glory!”
Fry also credits the matriarchs in her family for her love of art and design. On trips to Los Angeles, her grandmother would take her to the Getty Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. “I was very lucky,” Fry says. “Those things, you don’t realise when you’re a kid, but they’re significant.” Back home, her mother had a keen eye for design. “She didn’t have formal training, but she was very good at it. That’s probably where I got it from.”
Fry thinks about history a lot – and longevity. “Before the 20th century, furniture was made to stand the test of time and be passed down for generations.” Today, your flat pack cabinet might not survive a move, let alone a lifetime. For this reason, Fry shirks mainstream trends to showcase pieces built for longevity – both materially and aesthetically. “These pieces become family heirlooms. We just don’t chuck them out.”
Even the most beautifully furnished rooms need art in them. So Fry works with mostly local artists to showcase functional art in C Gallery. Currently on display is an exhibition by Max Copolov, a Melbourne-based interior and furniture designer. His timber tables are solid with sharp edges, featuring marquetry artwork on top. “He took images in Venice and imposed them onto tables in marquetry. There’s a juxtaposition between this very old tradition and new idea.”
By embracing local and harder-to-find international designers, Fry hopes she’s moving the needle on design in Australia. Over the past decade, she’s seen Australians become more adventurous with their interiors. “There’s a little bit more going out on a limb and celebrating colour and detail,” she explains. “What I suspect is starting to happen, and I hope that I’m one of the players at the forefront, is that we’re getting more confident in embracing smaller, more niche designers.”
You might say that, as a nation, we’re taking a chance on pieces we don’t yet understand.
LIKE A LOCAL
Cremorne
By Sasha Murray
Cremorne is probably one of Melbourne’s lesser-known suburbs. The micro ’burb covers approximately one square kilometre, and is so nestled into Richmond proper that it sometimes feels blended in (before 1999 it was actually a locality within the area). But despite its size, there’s a lot going for it: some of the most exciting hospitality venues to open in the last few years, countless creative offices, and heritage-listed landmarks such as the Bryant and May Factory and the Nylex Clock. It’s also within walking distance of Swan Street, Yarra Park and the MCG – but avoids the rush of most nearby neighbourhoods.
There are several homey cafes dotted around Cremorne where residents and workers start their mornings. Sloane Ranger is known for its nourishing all-day breakfast and lunch plates; Coe & Coe nails takeaway panini (the spicy tuna, jalapeno, dill and pesto number is our pick); while Denis the Menace offers Seven Seeds coffee and piled-high salads from inside a massive warehouse cafe. A little later in the day, Vietnamese spot Nhan Ngai opens to a queue of customers eager to get their hands on generously stuffed rice-paper rolls and marinated chicken banh mis. If you’re skipping straight to a mid-morning snack on the sweeter side, Tarts Anon has you covered.
Cremorne’s night-time scene is also on the rise. Tucked away in the backstreets is Lilac Wine, which was opened last year by Nathan Toleman (behind top Melbourne spots including Top Paddock, Hazel and Molli). Come for bistro-style comfort food and organic and biodynamic wines. For something a little fancier, try steak and baked rockling from Mediterranean eatery Frederic.
For a break from food, the Cremorne Heritage Walk guides you through the neighbourhood’s most interesting landmarks. Shopping-wise, Aussie lingerie label Kat the Label has a beautiful boutique on Balmain Street, while outlets for Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc and Viktoria & Woods line Cubitt Street. Need some R&R? Head to Comma – one of the city’s best hidden bathhouses. The Byron Bay-born studio offers massage treatments and long soaks, before you hop into a Finnishstyle sauna.
Known as “Silicon Yarra”, Cremorne is a small but rapidly evolving suburb nestled by Richmond. Its one square kilometre area is buzzing with digital start-ups and creative companies, making it a hot contender for Melbourne’s most dynamic neighbourhood.
“With Melbourne’s sporting precinct directly across the road and a slew of tech companies moving to the area, it’s no surprise that Cremorne has really come into its own as a destination suburb for buyers.”
Clockwise from top: Residential architecture and creative offices, photos Casey Horsfield. Kat the Label and Comma bathhouse, photos courtesy of venues. Camilla and Marc outlet, photo Casey Horsfield
Daniel Astis Belle Property
CREATIVE COUPLES
Zoe Coombs Marr and Kate Jinx
Words by Daniela Frangos · Photos by Gabrielle Connole
The comedian and the MIFF programmer share a home in Fitzroy, a merle poodle called Top Chef and a Venn diagram of the films they can watch together.
For Kate Jinx and Zoe Coombs Marr, it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight. Or even friendship. “I was quite rude,” says Coombs Marr, laughing. “I wasn’t mean or anything –just quite blunt.”
The two met while working at Sydney arts festival Imperial Panda, which Coombs Marr co-founded. Undeterred, Jinx went to Coombs Marr’s comedy show a few days later and was so impressed she recommended it to others. “I was like, ‘She’s actually very good. Though rude, she is very good.’”
The two met again at Newcastle’s This Is Not Art Festival, where Jinx decided to shoot her shot on the dance floor. “I was like, ‘Why does this straight girl want to have coffee with me?’” laughs Coombs Marr.
“Her reaction was so blunt, she gave me her number and I deleted it,” says Jinx.
Third time was a charm, at a party a couple of years later. “It was the end of the night and I said something about my girlfriend in high school, and Zoe was like, ‘What?’”
“Pretty much from the moment I knew you were gay I pursued you quite relentlessly,” admits Coombs Marr. “I kissed you in the taxi that night. And I showed up at your work the next day with a box of rainbow Nerds, trying to win you over.”
Fourteen years on, the couple live in Fitzroy with their dog Top Chef, a “Taurean” merle poodle and “multidisciplinary artist working across genre”, according to his Instagram. The name is inspired by the American reality show but also, “We just like the idea of having a top chef in the house,” Jinx says.
The pair loves to cook, and they’re both vegan, although Jinx identifies as a “seagan” – “a slippy vegan” who dabbles in dairy and seafood when she’s travelling. In her job as a feature film and talks programmer at Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), she’s travelling a lot.
Their home is a personal patchwork of paraphernalia picked up overseas and artwork by friends, like Sydney photographer Samuel Hodge (plus a feature piece by Corita Kent AKA the Pop Art Nun). Cast your eye around the living room and every item has a funny, weird or adorable story (usually all three) attached to it. It’s the lived-in charm and character of two people who are deeply intertwined.
There’s also a bookshelf of old zines, queer books and architecture mags; a stack of vinyl including Bikini Kill and Romy; some crystals; and something I can’t quite identify. “It’s a joint smoking a banana,” they say in unison.
“Our old place in Sydney – it was a tiny art deco apartment but it was basically filled with the same stuff, and my brotherin-law’s work colleague stayed there once when we were away. Afterwards, my brother-in-law said to him, ‘Oh what did you think of their apartment?” and the guy was like, ‘It was really fruity’,” Jinx laughs. “Not the word I would have used but okay.”
The stylishly playful aesthetic is a combined effort, “But if I lived on my own it would be like a hellhole,” admits Coombs Marr.
“And if I lived on my own it would look exactly like this,” adds Jinx, who’s also a writer, co-host of weekly culture podcast See Also, and a regular guest critic on ABC radio.
The pair moved from Sydney to Melbourne in March 2020 (“really cool timing,” says Jinx) when she joined the MIFF team. While that job – and her ongoing role as director
of programming for Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema – continued online, comedian Coombs Marr was unable to tour. So she started brewing beer. “I had to stop that because I drank all the beer. I drank 20 litres of beer in a week.”
She also started work on Queerstralia, her unconventional AACTA-nominated ABC documentary series about the untold queer history of Australia (which Jinx did some early research on). Beyond her TV appearances, the comic (“she/her with a they/them rising”) is best known for her meta and subversive stand-up shows like Bossy Bottom (on Amazon Prime) and her lecherous alter-ego Dave – a response to the rampant misogyny in the comedy scene – complete with patchy facial hair and neckbeard.
Her latest show, Every Single Thing In My Whole Entire Life,
is her most personal set yet. “I realised I hadn’t really talked about my own life on stage,” she says. “And I thought, ‘Oh maybe I have quite a lot of material here that’s completely untapped’ … Also, I turned 40 [last year] and I feel like I have the licence to tell some stories now.”
When it returned to the stage as part of this year’s Replay Festival ahead of an overseas run, Jinx was forced to skip opening night – by chance, MIFF’s 2024 program was launching the same evening.
As for what they watch at home, there’s a “Venn diagram” of the sorts of films Jinx and Coombs Marr both like. “We have a shared note in the notes app, called Movie Time,” says Coombs Marr. “There’s funny old comedies on there – like recently we watched What’s Up Doc? with Barbra Streisand.
“I’ve put on there how long each of them is. I don’t have the attention span Kate does … but I would also say you don’t have the same tolerance for comedy that I do.”
“Oh, absolutely not,” Jinx agrees.
Sitting across from the couple is kind of like getting a frontrow seat to an intimate, silly, tender comedy show. They often finish each other’s sentences, unconsciously taking turns setting up a story before the other instinctively throws in the punchline. But despite the proximity of their creative and professional lives, there’s still one key boundary in place.
“My god, if you were a comedian. I mean, I would never date a comedian,” says Coombs Marr.
“I was about to say I would never date a comedian, but I do,” Jinx laughs.
THE COTERIE
Refined coastal design in Sandy’s heart
Words by Liz McLachlan
Known fondly as Sandy by its locals, Sandringham is cherished for its bayside village charm and tight-knit community. Now the suburb has a new gem: The Coterie.
This collection of just 25 two and threebedroom apartments, slated for completion in early 2026, will bring refined design with a relaxed coastal vibe to Sandy’s heart.
With architecture by Warren & Mahoney and interiors by Lisa Buxton Interiors, each apartment is bathed in natural light, thanks to full-height windows.
Carpe Group director Tim Campbell says The Coterie’s design, proximity to the beach and village, and stunning communal rooftop terrace are rapidly garnering attention.
“Residents will be able to entertain on the rooftop while soaking up panoramic views of the city and the bay,” he says. “For those looking for the perfect blend of relaxed coastal sophistication and Sandringham’s charm, The Coterie is the ideal place to call home.”
DESIGN
The Coterie’s sandy-hued facade seems to be softly sculpted by the sea, with accents of natural tumbled stone completing a coastal inspiration. The rich palette of designer Lisa Buxton’s timeless interiors features timber floors, soft wool carpets, oak joinery, natural stone, and streamlined storage. The kitchens integrate Miele appliances, and many include a butler’s pantry.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Select penthouses feature multiple outdoor spaces, including a private rooftop terrace –with an optional spa – which is reached via a set of striking spiral stairs. The expansive communal roof terrace offers outdoor entertaining with sweeping bay and city panoramas. Apartment upgrades include a finely crafted custom fireplace set in natural stone over oak joinery.
THE COTERIE thecoterie.com.au
Sandringham
49–51 Abbott Street
2 from $1.51 million
3 from $1.98 million
Developer: Carpe Group
Architect: Warren & Mahoney
Interior designer: Lisa Buxton Interiors
Sales: 360 Property Group, Sarah Stock 0418 584 047
Location: Walk five minutes to Sandringham village and station, and 10 minutes to the beach. Drive 10 minutes to golf courses and 40 to 90 minutes to Mornington Peninsula beaches. Sandringham Primary and College and Firbank Grammar are nearby.
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Natural light bathes the interiors.
Just 15 Hikers a Day Can Experience the NT’s Jatbula Trail
Words and photo by Ben Moynihan
With its predictably sunny days and mild nights, it’s hard to beat the Northern Territory in the dry season. It’s also the ideal time of year to do the Jatbula Trail, which is open to walkers between May and September each year.
The spectacular multi-day walk follows the footsteps of its namesake, Jawoyn traditional owner Peter Jatbula, offering just 15 bushwalkers a day the chance to experience the landscape travelled by generations of Jawoyn people and visit sites only accessible by foot.
can be completed over four nights and five days or five nights and six days. The trail is graded as moderate-to-difficult and is suitable for those who are reasonably fit and active with some hiking experience. You’ll need to bring all your own gear, including tents and food, to carry with you.
This 62-kilometre stretch connects Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (also known as Edith Falls) and
Day one begins with a compulsory safety briefing from the Parks NT rangers (at 8am or 3pm), followed by a two-minute ferry ride across the Katherine River to start the shortest stretch – eight kilometres.
Over the following days, the hikes vary between 10 and 17 kilometres per day.
No two days are the same, with a natural landscape
that changes from exposed sandstone plateau to towering melaleucas (paperbark trees) and riverine landscapes. Each stop takes you to a spectacular camping site metres from a swimming hole. Slowmoving pools at Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls and 17 Mile Falls are each situated above waterfalls, meaning there’s no shortage of rocks to lie on and places to explore.
The final stretch follows the Edith River, leading to big, beautiful swimming holes at Sandy Camp Pool and Sweetwater Pool. Be prepared to catch spectacular sunrises, sunsets, birdsong and blue skies. It’s hard to beat.
LUXURY
Words by Shae Wiedermann & Richard Cornish
107/166 Victoria Road
$4.95 million
3 3 3
Private sale
Agent: Kay & Burton, Sam Wilkinson 0400 169 148
Just up the road from Camberwell Junction and Camberwell Sunday Market is an apartment with interiors by Hecker Guthrie. The apartment is accessed through a private lift lobby and has a full laundry, a study, a kitchen with butler’s pantry and three bedrooms, two of which have en suites. Perhaps the standout feature is the abundance of outdoor space, with more than 108 square metres of landscaped outdoor terrace extending from the living room.
107 Ruskin Street
$3.7 million-$3.9 million
6 4 2
Auction: 11.30am, September 21
Agent: McGrath, Rachael O’Connor 0411 141 923
Perfect for nature lovers, this house is only moments from Elwood Beach, Elster Creek and the bay. The abode is set across two floors, with the downstairs playing host to the open-plan kitchen-living area, a formal lounge room and a study. On the top floor, a main bedroom with en suite and walk-in wardrobe accompany three smaller bedrooms, all with built-in robes. If extra space is still needed, above the garage, there’s a bedroom/office/studio and bathroom.
1a Redcourt Avenue
$3.9 million-$4.29 million
5 3 2
Expressions of interest: Close 4pm, September 24
Agent: Marshall White, Joanna Nairn 0419 994 664
On a corner block atop a rising garden sits this gorgeous c1937 solid-brick house. The home has art deco at its core, with high ceilings, metal-framed picture windows and a curved original timber staircase at the entrance. There’s an abundance of rooms, including a formal living and dining room, multipurpose room, gym, kids’ playroom, five bedrooms, a study and even a kids’ study. The north-facing garden is bordered by hedges and has a terrace with a fire pit.
Brighton 4/28 Esplanade
$3.85 million-$4.15 million
3 2 2
Private sale
Agent: Kay & Burton, James Driver 0400 126 612
Using deep curves and sleek lines, architects Wood Marsh have captured the sweeping bay views from this luxury firstfloor apartment that is both modern yet homely, expansive yet intimate. With high-end Gaggenau appliances, a curved marble island bench, marble benchtops, and fastidious attention to engineering detail, such as argon-filled double glazing and high-tech soundproofing, this stunning home is seconds from the sands, the station and the bustle of Church Street.
Camberwell
Elwood
Armadale
OPEN FOR INSPECTION
Words by Maria Harris, Kay Keighery & Richard Cornish
WEEKEND
Clearance rate of 65%*
Source: Domain Group
WHAT OUR MANAGING EDITOR SAYS
Natalie Mortimer Domain managing editor
“Melbourne has reported a solid start to the spring auction market, with a steady flow of listings coming onto the market across a number of suburbs. Buyers have been active, showing consistent interest.”
Toorak 1/543a Toorak Road
$2.695 million 3 2 2
Private sale
South Yarra 39 Millswyn Street
$3.9 million-$4.29 million
3 2 2
Expressions of interest: Close 5.30pm, September 24
Agent: Abercrombys, Jock Langley 0419 530 008
From Edwardian origins to an elegant inner-city residence with spectacular city views and rare off-street parking, this house in the coveted Domain precinct is a jewel in South Yarra’s real estate crown. The modern kitchen leads seamlessly to the dining and living zone where steel-framed glass doors open to a superb deck for relaxed outdoor entertaining. A downstairs bedroom is complemented by two upstairs, including the luxe main suite with a balcony and views.
Malvern 28 Elizabeth Street
$3.7 million-$4.05 million
3 2 4
Auction: 1.30pm, September 21
Auction: 10am, September 21
$3.22 million
Malvern East 5 Nyora Street
Sold by Marshall White* HIGHEST
*As reported on September 7, 2024
Agent: Kay & Burton, Grant Samuel 0403 132 095
Oodles of ground-level space oh so close to Toorak Village makes this apartment ideal for any buyers desirous of roomy digs in a prestigious location. The large main bedroom, with en suite, opens to a side courtyard. The open-plan hub connects with a covered terrace at the rear. A study, herringbone floorboards, quality appointments and black framed glazing amplify the stylish air.
Agent: Marshall White, Dahli Munro 0435 505 309
This mid-20th-century house has been sympathetically renovated with a stacked stone fireplace, exposed beams in the ceiling, and timber floors and panelling. That beachside summer feel continues with sliding glass doors from the open-plan living area to a Japanese-inspired garden and swimming pool. Additions include high-end appliances, hydronic heating and air-conditioning.
Agent: Jellis Craig, Will Bennison 0438 572 371
Making the most of its north-facing aspect, this architect-designed house is a light-filled dream of a home with welcoming contemporary interiors and great indoor-outdoor living spaces. Rejuvenated by Franchi Design, it has soaring ceilings, oversized windows and a stylish kitchen (with stone finishes) that is perfectly placed to serve both formal and informal living.
Hampton
92a David Street
$2.3 million-$2.4 million
3 2 2
Expressions of interest
Agent: Kay & Burton, Andre O’Brien 0437 917 007
This townhouse by architect Kirsten Grant offers ultra-contemporary, indoor-outdoor living with a family-friendly feel. Sidle past the study nook at the entrance for a lounge, a dining area opening to a curated courtyard, and a kitchen and family area giving on to a barbecue terrace and a plunge pool.
The bellbirds ring out in the trees surrounding this two-storey modernist home designed for the owner by architect Peter Crone. With walls of glass and a northerly aspect, it has a vibrant inside-outside feel, cocooned within a mature garden. This comfortable family home is close to trams, shops and the city.
Brighton 2/7 Grantham Court
$3.65 million
4 4 3
Private sale
Agent: Hush Property, Andrew Campbell 0419 366 545
This substantial townhouse, with opulent finishes of travertine and marble, is one of three. It emphasises light-filled luxury while staking its claim for multigenerational living with a ground-floor bedroom and en suite. Upstairs, three bedrooms also have en suites, while the main has a private balcony.
Expressions of Interest
Closing Tuesday 8th October at 3:00pm
Inspect
As advertised or by appointment
NICK JOHNSTONE
Beach Road, Beaumaris
Immaculate and luxurious in every sense, this near-new three-storey retreat offers coastal living at its absolute finest. Enjoy an opulent lifestyle with wonderful convenience, surrounded by high-end features and just steps from the beach. Elevating this premium residence is a deluxe stone kitchen with Miele appliances, Liebherr integrated fridge and butler’s pantry, zoned heating and cooling, floor-to-ceiling bi-fold glass doors to the balcony, separate laundry, secure video entry and lift access to all levels. With direct beach access across the road and just a short stroll to Ricketts Point and The Concourse shopping and dining precinct. 433B
Eliza Geraerts 0437 342 003 PRIVATE SALE nickjohnstone.com.au 248 Esplanade, Brighton | 96-98 Station Street, Sandringham 2/119 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento | 3/3 Male Street, Brighton p. 9553 8300
