Domain Review Bayside & Port Phillip - November 20, 2024
Creative couple Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker work together on her fine jewellery label – and their bright family life
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editors: Emma Joyce, Dan Cunningham
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Cover credits: Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker shot by Hilary Walker
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Every engagement and wedding ring tells a love story. For this week’s cover feature, we talk to the creative couple who make some of those love stories happen. Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker work – together with family – on her eponymous fine jewellery line. From a Californian meet-cute to raising kids at home in Melbourne, we find out what keeps their relationship shining.
Jo Walker Broadsheet Editor
Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC
Chef Pierre Khodja (ex-Camus) was born near Dréan, Algeria, and raised in Marseilles in the south of France. At his bold new Mediterranean brasserie, Mr L’s, Khodja draws influence from the food he grew up eating.
While there are some traditional French dishes like Marseille-style bouillabaisse (fish soup), many dishes take inspiration from North Africa as much as Italy, Greece and Turkey. There’s sauteed king prawn with diced chorizo and Calabrian chilli butter; and pan-seared snapper with chermoula, a North African green sauce. For dessert, expect to see Turkish-delight-inspired soufflé served with halva ice-cream and a side of baklava.
The venue’s design aims for classic “Gatsby glamour” and the dining room on the ground floor has large glass chandeliers and sleek wood panelling. There’s a hidden bar at the back, which will soon have a separate drinks list from the restaurant. — QM
ADD TO CART
Mustard x Fazeek The Flutes
To celebrate the launch of its Glass collection, local furniture brand Mustard Made – known for its colourful metal lockers – has teamed up with glassware favourite Fazeek on a limited edition drop of champagne flutes. The fine-stemmed silhouettes feature Fazeek’s signature wavy-rimmed shape, and the pink and yellow colourway mimics the classic colours of Mustard’s designs (which are the perfect place to store your new glassware). — AJ
$119 per pair / mustardmade.com
IN THE DIARY
Australian Ceramics Open Studios
Celebrating community, creativity and clay, Open Studios is an annual nationwide weekend hosted by the Australian Ceramics Association. Nearly 200 ceramics studios will welcome visitors to watch live demonstrations, enjoy drinks and maybe go home with a new handmade piece. Head to the website and type in your suburb or postcode to find your nearest participating studio. — GC
Nov 23–24 / Multiple locations / australianceramics.com
Photo: Amy Hemmings
Photo: Casey Horsfield
Straw cowboy hats READ ME
The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook
THREE OF A KIND
The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook: The New Classics
The rise of the sandwich. The explosion of international breakfast spots. The timeless pull of white-tablecloth dining. Melbourne’s dining scene has changed a lot since 2015, when the best-selling The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook was released. Its follow-up, The New Classics, tracks that progress with 80 fresh recipes showcasing the city’s culinary dynamism. Recreate dishes by institutions like France-Soir and Gimlet, through to hot newcomers like Manzé and Askal. — HBS
$54 99 / shop.broadsheet.com.au
BAR CART
Perennial cowboy cool meets summer sun protection in these Australian-designed western-style straw hats. Arms of Eve’s slouchy rendition is ready for the beach and handmade from durable water hyacinth fibres. Lack of Color elevates the yeehaw with eco-friendly paper-straw construction and subtle detailing on the brim and crown. And B-Corp certified Will and Bear offers stylish UPF50+ protection while dedicating a portion of profits to tree-planting and Aussie farmers. — JW
Aunty’s Ginger Tonic
This tangy, slightly sparkling tonic blends fresh Queensland ginger with the flavours of West Africa. For founder Yarrie Bangura, who fled Sierra Leone at the age of eight, the drink is also a symbol of resilience, drawing inspiration from her heritage and childhood memories. Available in many flavours – like lemon or tamarind – sip it over ice, warm it slightly before bed, or mix it into a dish for some added zing. — GC
$39 99 for six bottles / auntysgingertonic.com.au
Arms of Eve Jackson sunhat, $98, armsofeve.com
Will and Bear Buck Bone hat, $129, willandbear.com
Lack of Color Desert Rose hat, $139, lackofcolor.com.au
Lack of Color photo: Jason Lee Parry
HOME MAKER
Navi Home x Robert Gordon
Anyone familiar with Julian Hills’s 32-seat Yarraville restaurant Navi will know that while it’s mainly about the food, it’s also about the plates. Until recently, diners couldn’t buy the plates, which are handmade by Hills. But now, the chef has teamed up with his university friend Bobby Gordon, who is the director of Aussie pottery label Robert Gordon, to create Navi Home. The collection of Australian clay plates and bowls consists of three design families – Dockside, Marsh and Low Tide – each with different colour schemes and finishes. “It’s designed to make the food pop out of the plate, whether it be a salad, a fish or a roast,” Hills says. — AJ
navihome.com.au
After work drinks GO-TO
Don’s,
Prahran
You could easily walk right past Don’s. Shielded by wooden venetian blinds, it’s a hidden gem despite its prominent Prahran location, just across from the market. The tiny wine bar is the first solo venture from Alex Gavioli, former co-owner of sandwich shop Stan’s. Inside, a 12-metre-long communal table and kitchen bench spans the centre of the room, allowing for a shared, intimate dining experience.
The menu is fluid but revolves around small plates, like flatbread slathered with confit garlic. There’s also a regular pasta line-up, plus some nods to Stan’s too, like the fried-chicken sandwich with slaw, buttermilk dressing and spicy jalapeno jam. The wine list is impressive but accessible, with a selection that leans minimal and natural: pét-nats from Oz, frizzante from Italy and chilled reds from Austria.
Known for: Natural wines and handmade pasta. Make sure to: Keep an eye out for the entrance. Don’t forget: Book ahead on weekends. — BS
Photo: Ed Sloane
Photo: Jamie Alexander
SNACK BAR STREET STYLE
By Audrey Payne
Chris Lucas’s long-awaited four-level French dining spot Maison Batard is finally opening next week. Inside, three heritage buildings will become a flashy restaurant, a late-night supper club and a swish rooftop terrace. 23 Bourke Street, Melbourne / maisonbatard.com.au
Raymond Tan of CBD bakery Raya is opening a “Scandinasian” bakery in Collingwood Yards next year. There’ll be French kaya toast and siu mai sausage rolls. 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood / @duabakehouse
Williamstown’s 134-year-old Morning Star Hotel has copped a refresh from a team including seasoned publican Matt Vero of the Mount Erica Hotel and the Orrong Hotel. It has a ’70s California-meets-Melbourne look, a big beer garden and taps pouring indie beers only. 3 Electra Street, Williamstown / morningstarhotel.com.au
Nuvoletta Gelateria now offers gelato cakes. Order online or stop by to pick up creations including the bomba with mango sorbet, mascarpone and cherry gelato, almond sponge and toasted Italian meringue; and the tiramisu cake with mascarpone semifreddo, savoiardi sponge and espresso. 82 Koornang Road, Carnegie / @nuvolettagelateria
Former Masterchef contestant and cookbook author Brendan Pang has teamed up with Hochi Mama on a bao collab. Get Pang’s Singapore chilli soft shell crab and salt and pepper mushroom baos until Sunday November 24 at Hochi Mama’s CBD and Richmond restaurants. hochimama.com.au
Luxe chocolate maker Koko Black has teamed up with premium premixed cocktail brand Melbourne Martini on a new gift hamper. The Koko Black x Melbourne Martini Negroni Hamper features four ready-to-drink chocolate Negronis and a box of Neat Negroni chocolate marbles, plus a mix of dark choc treats, truffles and Christmas marshmallow – all beautifully presented in a slick black gift box. kokoblack.com
Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar
Madden Grove, Burnley
Name: Melody Lin Age: 29 Occupation: Accountant Tell us about your outfit today. I’m wearing a white shirt because I need to dress formally for my work, brown jeans and black boots. Who is your style icon? Some Chinese superstars like Yang Mi. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I like to dress a bit sporty because I’m kind of a sport girl, but also something that is fashionable. It won’t be this look for long. I like Essentials and Supreme.
RIVERSIDE ACCESS
Burnley offers vibrant parks, cafes and easy access to Yarra River trails. Popular with young professionals, the suburb features a mix of modern apartments and charming period homes for diverse lifestyles.
Source: Data based on sales within the last 12 months
Photo: Casey Horsfield
Photo: Kate Shanasy
Photo: Casey Horsfield
THE INTERVIEW
Emelia Jackson’s Cookie Compendium Is Icing on the Cake
Words by Daniela Frangos
Photo by Armelle Habib
Emelia Jackson’s Greek-Macedonian baba (grandmother) was a key ingredient in her rise to cookie queen. The Masterchef winner’s latest cookbook, Some of My Best Friends Are Cookies, is dedicated to her (“One of the great loves of my life,” Jackson writes). It features twists on the Hellenic sweets she made, like buttery, braided koulourakia and melt-in-your-mouth kourabiedes. Thankfully, Jackson left out some of baba’s methods.
“I don’t know if I should tell this story,” she laughs. “But my grandfather was Serbian and my grandmother would make these Serbian cookies [called] vanilice – it’s basically an icing-sugar-dusted shortbread sandwiched with jam – and I absolutely loved them. Then one day I was at her house watching her make them, and the jam would ooze out the sides and she didn’t like that, so she licked the entire perimeter of the cookie. I was like, ‘Have you been doing that the whole time!?’ … I didn’t write that story in the book!”
Biccies have been a lifetime love for the pastry cook. Some of her earliest memories are of being in the kitchen baking chocolate-chip cookies and gingerbread biscuits with her mum. “It was the beginning of my love for food and also my love of feeding people,” Jackson tells Broadsheet.
Now she’s doing the same for her three-yearold daughter, Addie. “She’s getting really good at cracking eggs … we do lots of chocolate chips and Scottish shortbread.
“My son, Mac, is one, so he’s just happy to sit with a block of butter.”
Jackson got her start after a first run at Masterchef in 2014, where she placed third. The dessert doyen returned in 2020 for the show’s Back to Win series and left victorious. She’d already started working as a cake designer between appearances, but the win catapulted her into the public eye. “I got lucky being on that show during Covid – everyone was glued to their screens.” She’s currently back on air for another Masterchef spin-off, Dessert Masters
“I owe Masterchef a lot of my career – if they come knocking, I say yes.”
Adding icing on the cake, Jackson followed up her win with a bestselling baking guide in 2022, First, Cream the Butter and Sugar: The Essential Baking Companion. “I had about six months to write the manuscript, and I spent a good two months of that time on the first chapter, which is the cookie chapter,” she says. “Then it got published and someone on Instagram said, ‘Do you have a good Anzac biscuit recipe?’ I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’ve just written an Australian baking bible and I didn’t put an Anzac biscuit in there.’ So, I knew book two was all about cookies and biscuits.”
Her new compendium has more than 80 recipes for cookies (and biscuits) of every kind, plus tips, tricks and tools of the trade. There are bar cookies, drop cookies, sandwich cookies, rolled cookies, pressed cookies and no-bake cookies. You’ll find the basics, including jammy thumbprints, “the only chocolate-chip cookie recipe you’ll ever need” and, yes, an Anzac biscuit, which Jackson tested 14 times. There are “quirky” recipes like sticky date whoopie pies, Iced Vovos and a “cookimisu” alongside “classy” numbers like Earl Grey millionaire shortbread, and limoncello spritz bars. She’s also included festive treats from around the world, like crisp Italian crostoli, spiced German Pfeffernuesse; Puerto Rican besitos de coco (coconut kisses) and baba’s aforementioned vanilice.
For anyone with a bone to pick about using “cookie” in an Australian context, Jackson sees equal room for it and the Aussie biscuit on the proverbial baking tray. “For me, a cookie is soft in the middle with a nice, bendy, chewy nature. And a biscuit snaps – like a Tim Tam. But call it what you want!” Or, as she writes in her opening pages: “Some of my best friends are cookies and some of them are biscuits. And you’ll find them all hanging out together in this book. They’re getting along just fine.”
Five Genderless Fragrances for Day to Night
By Evie Baker
only is the
AESOP KARST – $240 Aesop’s perfume range, Othertopias, comprises six complex fragrances – each representing different worlds. Karst is a marine-inspired scent, nodding to the seashore and cliffside vegetation with notes of juniper, rosemary and sandalwood. It’s a moody yet wearable perfume – one you can reach for daily without feeling overpowered. aesop.com/au
Superbly positioned in Melbourne’s desirable Bayside suburbs, Concierge Bayside in Hampton and The George in Sandringham offer a low-maintenance lifestyle with a variety of sought-after community facilities and activities, and local shops, transport and everyday amenities nearby.
With affordable 1 and 2 bedroom apartments now selling, 24/7 emergency call system, friendly team and the flexibility to pay for additional services such as meals and housekeeping as you need, the choice is yours to enjoy life your way.
FICIFOLIA INTERMISSION – $189.99 Melbourne label Ficifolia’s fragrances are inspired by the scents of the city. Intermission – featuring cardamom, vetiver, fir needle, citrus and sandalwood – is an ode to the laneways of Melbourne’s CBD. Not
perfume long-lasting, it’s also extremely versatile. Share it with your partner, brother, whoever. ficifolia.com
ABEL CYAN NORI – $270 New Zealand-based brand Abel’s Cyan Nori scent captures a salty yet sweet smell reminiscent of the ocean. Using 100 per cent natural ingredients like tangerine, white peach, plant-derived musk and nori, the unexpected combination is an award-winning bestseller for a reason. Think of lazy beach days gone by. abelfragrance.com
DIPTYQUE ORPHEON – $297 Parisian perfumery Diptyque has many standout scents, and Orpheon is one of them. Influenced by nightclubs in the ’60s, the cosy aroma evokes the smoke and cocktails of a French jazz bar. Tonka bean, jasmine, cedarwood and juniper berries make this an addictive, warm and woody scent. mecca.com
CRIVELLI IRIS MALIKHAN – FROM $162 French perfume label Maison Crivelli launched at Mecca last year, and ever since, it’s made waves among Aussie fragrance fans. You may have heard of its viral Hibiscus Mahajad bottle, but Iris Malkihan is another to have on your radar. It’s a powdery iris scent with hints of vanilla, leather accord, orris butter and musk. mecca.com
• 9m2 Flooring & white cell membrane
• Attic Ladder ‘Performance’
• Kit: Hatch door, smoke detector, sensor light
• Professional installation
Attic Ladder ‘Euro’
MAISON
Exceptional from go to whoa
Words by Anders Furze
You can find this Brighton family entertainer a short stroll from Middle Brighton beach and Brighton Beach Reserve.
Designed as a loving tribute to the liveable joys of modernist architecture, it offers three floors of living space – including a luxurious main bedroom suite – complemented by a tasteful, north-facing rear poolside haven.
This al fresco zone is separate from the house and offers covered space and a barbecue – perfect for maximising pool time.
It’s cleverly designed for versatility and has two distinct zones: a more formal dining area and a casual lounge.
Head back towards the house along the paved side of the pool, and you’ll find a second covered outdoor area extending from the home’s rear living space. This area expands the available outdoor entertaining options and also the footprint of the home.
The north-facing rear garden flows seamlessly to the spacious living room and kitchen through glass stacker doors.
These and the high ceilings work in tandem to keep light and air circulating throughout this space.
The kitchen is anchored by a marble island and is complemented by a full butler’s pantry, while the living space has a built-in TV unit, a feature wall and a fireplace.
This space flows through to the front lounge and a dining room overlooking a lovely side courtyard.
A separate home office has built-in cabinetry and the guest bedroom comes with an en suite.
On the first floor are two other bedrooms, and the main-bedroom suite. Running the length of the storey, it’s the height of luxury, with two balconies – one north, one south – a warm fireplace and a huge walk-in wardrobe.
The two other bedrooms share an en suite with a double vanity, and the first-floor gallery is an inviting retreat at the top of the stairs and adjacent to the home’s lift.
Then there’s the luxurious basement. A glamorous foyer connects the gym, plush home theatre (with wet bar) and the wine cellar, which has storage for 1300 bottles.
You’ll get up to six cars into the basement garage. Other features include a laundry, C-Bus automation and CCTV.
Cosham Street is a quiet, low-key neighbourhood that’s close to the beach, Church Street’s retail and dining, and Cabrini Brighton hospital. Top schools, including Brighton Grammar, Firbank Grammar and Brighton Primary, are close by.
Combine a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design, three floors of living, multiple poolside zones and a quiet location close to the action, and the result is the epitome of breezy poolside living by the bay.
Brighton 13 Cosham Street
$11 million-$11.75 million
4 4 6
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, November 21
Agent: Kay & Burton, Alex Schiavo 0419 239 549
Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Brighton
WHAT THE AGENT SAYS
“This Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired masterpiece epitomises luxury and sophistication in Bayside. With grand interiors, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and exceptional amenities, it offers a private oasis on the edge of Brighton’s golden mile.”
NEED TO KNOW
The highest recorded house price for Brighton (past 12 months) was $9.5 million for 36 Dawson Avenue in February. The median price for a four-bedroom house is $3.225 million.
RECENT SALES
$4.15 million
Alex Schiavo Kay & Burton
PRECIOUS HEARTS
Words by Alice Jeffery · Photos by Hilary Walker
Creative couple Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker work side-by-side on her eponymous jewellery label – and they’ve crafted a gem of a life together.
Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker first crossed paths at a mutual friend’s wedding in California in 2016 Both were from Melbourne, but he lived in Canada at the time. Thankfully, serendipity got to work and a year or so later Hawker moved home. It was inevitable they would meet again.
“It was a slow burn,” admits Whiting, who is the co-founder and creative director of her eponymous jewellery brand. “I definitely had an agenda,” Hawker tells Broadsheet – he’s currently head of brand for the Cushla Whiting label.
At first, Whiting didn’t think they had much in common. “He was into techno and running! Honestly, I thought he could have been really arrogant,” she says. Meanwhile, Whiting preferred ’80 s music and wearing vintage clothes. Over time, though, she recognised their clashing tastes were mostly superficial. “At the heart of it we have the same values.”
The duo found common ground in their love for aesthetics and design, as well as an affinity for good wine bars and summer picnics. “Nic moved home and we caught up a few times with groups of friends. We started hanging out and I definitely felt a solid friendship growing,” Whiting says. Both recall a sunny afternoon spent in Carlton Gardens as a tipping point –the moment they realised they shared something more than friendship.
Whiting was living in Collingwood at the time and Smith Street and its surrounds backdropped many of their early dates. Marion, Bar Liberty, the Builders Arms and Lazerpig feature in the couple’s memories.
“She seemed really interesting to me. I admired the fact she had her own business and was incredibly driven,” Hawker says of their initial attraction. “I guess I had some assumptions about her that proved to be realities the more time we spent together.”
A former architect, Whiting launched the fine jewellery label alongside her sister Anna and brother Hamish in 2014. All of the siblings are trained gemologists – Hamish is a diamond grader currently living and working in Antwerp, Belgium; Anna, a qualified lawyer, is the label’s general manager. It’s a legacy inherited from their dad, Peter Whiting, who established a diamond wholesale business in Auckland in the late 1970s.
The brand has made its name by offering modern heirloom-level pieces informed by architecture and sculptural forms – Zaha Hadid, Anish Kapoor and Constantin Brâncuși are constant inspirations – combined with art deco opulence and geometry. Rare gemstones such as antique cut diamonds and teal Nigerian sapphires feature in wedding and engagement
rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. All gems are responsibly sourced by Hamish, who’s amassed a collection of stones for Cushla Whiting that are “a little less common and a lot more interesting”.
Now Hawker works for the family business, too. As brand manager, he’s responsible for directing the company’s tone of voice and marketing materials. The move was a turning point in the couple’s relationship, Whiting says. “He’d unofficially been working with us
Finding balance has helped with the inevitable blurring of lines between work and home life.
“We don’t constantly talk about work – although sometimes we do. But the kids are a good distraction,” Hawker says. The couple have two children, currently aged six months and three years old. “Working in the business together also gives us a lot of flexibility as parents.”
Whiting loves to cook; Hawker is handy in the garden. Sharing the load of domestic duties, while also engaging in activities that bring them
When it comes to the wider family business dynamic, Whiting reckons it works because everyone contributes something different. “We all have very different skills and very different roles. There’s always going to be challenges working with family, but we try to have boundaries.”
That’s not to say a little collaboration can’t take place. When Hawker – a collector of rings long before he met Whiting – had an idea for a signet, he mocked it up in Adobe Illustrator and asked Whiting to help refine the design and make the piece. It’s now one of the brand’s bestselling styles.
“We definitely approach things in different ways but it’s actually kind of a good thing,” he says. “Being a designer myself, I can fully relate to Cushla and the feeling of putting yourself out there through your work.”
Working together means making decisions constantly, and Hawker and Whiting agree that while constructive feedback can be hard to deliver, it is always important. Luckily, more often than not, they’re on the same wavelength. “I have full trust in Nic and his work and creativity,” Whiting says.
“We’re invested in the same thing and I think that actually has strengthened our relationship outside of work, too.”
for a while, helping with shoots and branding … always doing little things. An opportunity came up for him to come on board in a more real way and it just made sense.”
Whiting says it took a bit to convince Hawker to leave an agency design director job he loved. “It was a big step for us and we were so conscious that we didn’t want it to ruin the relationship, but it’s proved to be a really natural fit. We’re invested in the same thing and I think that actually has strengthened our relationship outside of work, too.”
joy individually, is a good trick. “Nic’s dad is a horticulturist so he grew up always in the garden,” Whiting says. “I love and appreciate our garden so much, but I don’t necessarily want to get my hands dirty.”
Weekends are generally filled with trips to local cafes and lots of time spent in playgrounds. Markets, a glass of wine with friends and a nourishing family meal (most often magicked up by Whiting, who is a fan of Frankensteining a few recipes together) round out their off-duty hours.
Though some things are sacred, she admits. “I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my own jewellery and I designed my own 40th ring. It would be hard to give me jewellery!”
Travel is a big part of family life for the couple and their kids, who recently returned home after a five-week stint in Europe. “It was part work and part holiday, which can be really exhausting, but it works because we’re on the same team,” Whiting says. There might be fewer museum and gallery visits with two little ones in tow, but being away always stimulates creativity. “Even just walking around and taking in the buildings and streets … the culture and history can be inspirational.”
Next on the couple’s dream list is expanding Cushla Whiting as a brand and continuing to grow the business in a sustainable way. “We’re always trying to figure out what [the brand] looks like in the future,” Hawker says. “We’d definitely like to have a really curated retail presence.” They also envision embarking on a renovation or house project, he says. “We probably watch too much Grand Designs. We’re constantly thinking about ways we can improve our living space. But it’s also about being collaborative and creative together.”
See more at cushlawhiting.com.au, or book a consultation for engagement or wedding rings at the brand’s Little Bourke Street showroom (open by appointment only)
LIKE A LOCAL
Mornington
By Sasha Murray
Just an hour’s drive from the CBD – and with proximity to the beach, great shopping and eateries – Mornington is as much a weekend holiday destination as it is a residential commuter town.
During the day, beachgoers can be found in swimmers and shorts at light-filled cafes on Main Street. The leafy Mercetta – which doubles as an outdoor cinema – serves an all-day breakfast menu including French toast and a brekkie stack with eggs, chorizo and potato rosti (plus there’s a dogfriendly menu). The Winey Cow offers brunch cocktails, while Store Fifteen has the best avocado toast on the strip. With hunger addressed, it’s time to explore the shops along Main Street and the Esplanade, such as Books by the Bay; laid-back designer boutique Herman; and gift shop Albert and Daphne. On Wednesdays, check out the Main Street Market, which boasts around 250 traders each week. Then wander down to Mills Beach, Mothers Beach or Fishermans Beach for a swim.
Outside of the main drag, there’s plenty to discover, too. Over on the industrial side of Mornington, specialty roaster Commonfolk brews excellent, ethically produced coffee. Just around the corner is Soul Haven, a serene yoga and Pilates studio. Mornington comes alive at night, with almost every restaurant packed to the brim. If you want a quick feast, head to DOC Pizza or Uthong Thai. For something with ocean views, try neighbourhood pub The Royal Hotel or seafood diner The Rocks. You could also book a table at the Ouest France Bistro – where you’ll find a menu of classic French dishes – or swanky Italianleaning spot Mr Vincenzo’s. Looking for somewhere to kick on? Mr Paul’s and Gods Kitchen are always a good time.
Staying in Mornington means every part of the peninsula is easily accessible by car. Drive south for more glistening beaches (there’s the beautiful but often crowded Mount Martha, while the lesser known Birdrock Beach is more peaceful). Further along are Blairgowrie and Portsea, and a drive inland will take you to some of the region’s most spectacular wineries.
An hour south of Melbourne, Mornington offers stunning beaches, vibrant cafes and boutique shops. With excellent schools, scenic walking trails and a relaxed lifestyle, it’s ideal for families looking for serene living.
Average Age
44
Median Weekly income $1,604
Clockwise from top: The Winey Cow on Main Street, DOC Pizza, The Bay Hotel, Mr Vincenzo’s by Matti Fallon
WHAT THE AGENT SAYS
“Mornington really comes alive during the warm months with residents making the most of our local beaches, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Mornington Main Street is a key focus with a large choice of retail shops and restaurants in the one location.”
Clockwise from top: Moored vintage boat, sandy beachfront, kayaking, fishing on Mornington Pier and octopus street art, all photos Casey Horsfield
Adrian Calcedo Marshall White
STUDIO VISIT
Post Sole Studio
Words by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen
Photos by Amy Hemmings
Just over a decade ago, Breeze Powell worked for a company that made orthotic shoes. When the owner retired, he offered her and her business partner Myra Spencer the chance to buy his shoemaking equipment. They did just that, and Post Sole Studio was born.
Ten years later, some things have changed – Spencer has departed the business to found the childrenswear brand Shrunk Store – and some haven’t at all. Post Sole Studio is going strong, operating out of its Abbotsford headquarters to offer timelessly cool shoe designs made to order.
“We’re not really reinventing the wheel every season, or even ever – we’re making classic styles that have been in existence for many years. Some of our styles that we’re making at the moment, we’ve been making since the first collection,” Powell tells Broadsheet
“It’s more about evolving those styles – maybe changing the leather or the laces, or coming up with a new sole option, or putting that shoe on a different last [foot-shaped form] so it has a different toe shape.”
The team is small, comprising Powell, her sister and a handful of others. The shoes are made using machinery that Powell admits is quite outdated and doesn’t come with a user manual – so everyone who works for the studio has specialist knowledge.
The process is a labour of love – the lead time for a pair is four to five weeks, and Powell estimates that she completes between three and 10 pairs of shoes each day. Every fortnight, the team collates the orders, then gets to work cutting, prepping and attaching reinforcements such as buckles and stiffeners. The stitching is outsourced, and then it comes back for further work: buckle holes, laces, making the insole.
“That’s quite time-consuming … It’s maybe a fourpart process in that procedure,” Powell says of the insoles. “Then we take the shoe from being 2D to 3D after that – the insole and the upper are glued together, and the shoe is formed.”
Post Sole Studio’s warehouse is also its shopfront and office – a hive of constant activity. “It’s pretty busy and hectic in there: there are always piles of shoes at various stages of completion, and samples and prototypes everywhere,” Powell says. “It’s not a super clean environment – you’ve got dust and leather everywhere,” she adds with a laugh.
The space is shared with a few other brands and creatives, including Shoe School and Permanent Vacation. Being in close quarters with other sole traders keeps the creative spark going, Powell says. “It’s good, especially when you work for yourself … You can nut out ideas together, and you’re all in the same boat.”
Keeping it local is a big part of the Post Sole Studio ethos, from sourcing materials to labour. “I really want to do my best to continue making locally – every time I think it’s getting too hard and think about making options, I’m like, ‘What’s the point? Everyone else is doing that.’ Part of our brand is that we make it here – we’re making them direct to you.
“Most of the leathers we source from a company that’s actually just around the corner, so that’s super handy – they deal in a lot of dead stock leathers, and we get a lot from them, and we also get veg tans in from Adelaide.”
Size inclusivity (the shoes range from Euro sizes 36 to 46) and sustainability are also key considerations for Powell – she’s currently trying to use up the materials they already have on hand. Being made-to-order is another way to stay sustainable. “Not reinventing the wheel every season helps a lot, because the cost of making a whole set of lasts, the plastic they need to be moulded and shaped, and then at the end of the season that needing to be remade into something else … Whereas we’re just using the same thing we’ve been using for 10 years,” she says.
Powell not only designs these shoes – she also proudly wears them herself. She’s been rocking her trusty pair of Beat Boots for four years, and has been getting a kick out of the loafers lately at work. “I’m in the factory and everything is really functional, and I’m on my feet all day long, so I need to be standing and comfortable.”
She also works in the shop on Saturdays. Getting to meet Post Sole’s loyal customers is a great opportunity to see how the shoes fit on real people – as well as hear their feedback and tweak future designs based on their needs. “We have repeat customers for sure –I don’t know them all by name, but I definitely know lots of their faces. It’s pretty amazing being able to make the shoes then pop out to give them to the customer and see them put them on and see what they think.”
Country Glamour At Osborn House, NSW
By Katya Wachtel
Sunset in Bundanoon materialises slowly and hazily – orange-pink rising above the tree line of Morton National Park. The terrace at Osborn House, a boutique hotel in New South Wales’s picturesque Southern Highlands, is a special place to enjoy dusk’s arrival.
The 27-room guesthouse is a two-hour drive from Sydney through gorgeous towns like Exeter and Moss Vale. And while you aren’t too far from civilisation here, somehow the outside world disappears upon entry.
English country manor meets luxury retreat – that’s the vibe. A wood fire burns year-round. There are jewel-toned sofas, cane armchairs, rattan lampshades and a handsome oak bar topped with
Carrara marble. It’s all very cosy and warm, but there’s a breeziness to the spaces – the kind of glamour-without-pretension that’s characteristic of Linda Boronkay, the former Soho House design director who worked on the interiors with Sydney’s Mac Design Studio.
Warm weather? Half the conservatory roof retracts. (Forest Lodge guests get bonus access to the Forest Bathing Deck – a mini-wellness hub in the middle of the woods with an ice bath, sauna and jacuzzi.)
Suites – all in the 130-year-old main house – have bespoke bars, vintage furniture and sumptuous upholstery in greens and blues. They’re contemporary but full of character, and no two are the same. Twelve standalone cabins, timber-panelled “Forest Lodges”, have uninterrupted views of the national park, and private decks with outdoor bathtubs.
A pool, steam room and sauna are housed in a conservatory flanked by cabana-striped sunbeds.
After a day relaxing or exploring, a velvet chaise at George’s Bar beckons. There’s a full menu here if you’re in the mood for bistro-style nourishment. But the property’s new Latin American restaurant, Fire Kitchen, should be factored into any foodlover’s itinerary. Since 2023 Osborn House has run a monthly Sunday “Fire Feast”, with local produce cooked over fire, outdoors, in the style of renowned Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann. Fire Kitchen showcases the same open-flame techniques that have made the monthly lunches such a hit.
LUXURY
Words by Richard Cornish & Shae Wiedermann
Brighton
64 Elwood Street
$7.3 million-$7.8 million
5 4 5
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, December 3
Agent: Fredman, Sarah Korbel 0415 393 898
Architects Watson Young drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright when designing this impressive two-storey house, incorporating motifs such as light wells, open staircases, and generous, free-flowing living areas. The use of Portuguese limestone, Italian marble and premium wool carpets adds warmth and comfort to this modern masterpiece, which includes a home office, gym or fifth bedroom, solar-heated pool, and extensive storage. Close to parks and the beach.
Hawthorn
23 Berkeley Street
$5 million-$5.5 million
4 3 4
Auction: 1.30pm, November 23
Agent: Kay & Burton, Sam Wilkinson 0400 169 148
Perched on prestigious Scotch Hill, down a quiet, tree-lined street, is this solid two-storey brick home, built in the 1930s English Tudor style. Inside, the house blends modern living with echoes of art deco, featuring polished oak parquetry flooring and open fireplaces in the lounge. Upstairs are four bedrooms, including a luxurious main with a marble en suite. A landscaped garden with a terrace, and a four-car garage complete this family home, moments from top schools.
Malvern
59 Elizabeth Street
$4.4 million
4 4 4
Expressions of interest: Close noon, November 25
Agent: RT Edgar, Lachie Fox 0419 833 768
A Tuscan-inspired house in the heart of Malvern, this spacious abode offers seamless living near Glenferrie Road and Sir Robert Menzies Reserve. European oak parquetry flooring, a natural stone kitchen and a central fireplace combine to create a luxurious feel, and the wraparound terrace and expansive windows blend the indoors with the out. The fourcar basement garage has a gym with a bathroom attached, and a 900-bottle temperature-controlled wine cellar.
5 Hertford Crescent
$5.8 million-$6.2 million
5 5 2
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, December 3
Agent: Kay & Burton, Sophie Su 0425 270 125
Lavish and opulent, this grand house blends high Georgian manorial inspiration with cutting-edge modern amenities. Behind the automatic wrought iron gates lies an almost palatial home where bespoke oak parquetry flooring and French detailing meet a biometric security system and a gleaming kitchen featuring Gaggenau appliances. Highlights include a marble gas log fireplace, executive study, wine cellar, and a five-star parents’ retreat. Close to parks and top schools.
Balwyn
OPEN FOR INSPECTION
Words by Joanne Brookfield, Kay Keighery & Shae Wiedermann
Clearance Rate of 61%*
Source: Domain Group
WHAT OUR EXPERT SAYS LAST WEEKEND
Dr Nicola Powell Chief of research & economics
“Melbourne presents a unique buying opportunity with slow price growth, rising supply, and stronger negotiation leverage. Its underperformance positions it well for potential outperformance in the next price cycle.”
For the latest property insights go to domain.com.au/research
Malvern 201/11 Somers Avenue
$2 million-$2.2 million 3 3 2
Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, November 26
Agent: Marshall White, Alan Crawford 0423 747 155
$3.231 million
Box Hill South 20 Surrey Street Sold by Buxton*
*As reported on November 9, 2024
One of only five in the complex, this apartment sits on the top floor with views to the Dandenong Ranges. Direct lift access opens to an open-plan living-dining area and balcony. Two bedrooms have en suites and ample wardrobes, while the third is a versatile study/guest bedroom with a wall bed. It’s close to High Street and Glenferrie Road.
Abundant natural light, plenty of built-in storage, and a north-facing living zone (with double-height windows) flowing to the paved outdoor area by the large custom spa are among the highlights of this brand-new contemporary house. Located in the heart of Malvern East, close to parks, schools and transport, the flexible two-storey floor plan provides options for family/guest accommodation or work/study as part of the luxury on offer here.
Brighton East 2a
Mont Albert 2 Beresford Street
$2.5 million-$2.65 million
5 2 4
Expressions of interest: Close 4pm, November 28
Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982
Created by Bower Architects with a sanctuary-like garden design by Jenny Carlisle, “this townhouse has very large living zones and great size bedrooms next to the golf course,” the agent says. Over two levels, the contemporary design aesthetic is complemented by a long list of modern must-haves appropriate for the prestigious postcode.
Expressions of interest: Close 1pm, November 26
Agent: Belle Property Balwyn, Toby Parker 0413 581 104
The astounding aesthetics continue beyond this house’s extraordinarily beautiful facade. Loiter in the lounge and dining room for fireplace warmth, dripping chandeliers and leadlight windows. Head to the kitchen for Miele appliances and stone surfaces, and pop out to the spacious, canopied terrace for allseasons enjoyment.
Malvern
Armadale
8 William Street
$1.6 million-$1.7 million
2 2
Auction: 1pm, November 23
Agent: Jellis Craig, Michael Armstrong 0407 063 263
Modernised and extended for open-plan living, this semi-detached Edwardian house radiates style. Glass doors in the kitchen, dining and living hub part broadly to a deck and sunny courtyard with barbecue and seating. It features herringbone parquetry, a suspended fireplace and a nifty attic.
Balwyn 4/89 Yarrbat Avenue
$1.75 million-$1.85 million
Auction: 10.30am, November 23
Agent: Marshall White, Kaine Lanyon 0411 875 478
This updated single-level, semi-detached Edwardian house offers both period and contemporary appeal. Set on around 320 square metres, close to the foreshore and village, the northern aspect and cathedral ceiling provide natural light. Out the back you’ll find a lawn, a deck and ROW lane access.
Private sale
Agent: Buxton, Ellie Gong 0430 434 567
Opposite glorious green space and in the zone for Balwyn High School, this exceptional townhouse provides low-maintenance family living. Oak parquetry, a wall-mounted fireplace and a snow-white kitchen with black accents work to a sophisticated effect. Exit through the rear living-dining hub to a deck-and-lawn arrangement.
ONCE IN A GENERATION FAMILY ESTATE ON THE ASPENDALE BEACHFRONT!
Offered for the first time since construction, commanding in stature and timeless in design, this stunning beachfront residence exemplifies a grand, sophisticated lifestyle and gives fortunate buyers an unrivalled chance to enjoy a rarely offered home of true distinction. Versatile and flexible in scope, the substantial beachfront landholding of 1191sqm (approx.) enjoys a paved private driveway from Nepean Highway, leading to ample off-street parking.
KAVANAGH 0432 824 448
CARE 0432 488 939
Sophisticated Contemporary Brilliance in North Brighton Neighbourhood
Inspect
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BEAUMARIS 10B MCNAUGHT STREET
Combining exceptional design and craftsmanship with a coastalinspired aesthetic, this stunning brand-new sanctuary is a home you will never want to leave. Architect-designed, among its many highlights are an expansive living/dining zone with alfresco access, a sophisticated Miele kitchen, upstairs living area & a choice of serene master suites.
