Domain Review Bayside & Port Phillip - March 27, 2024

Jessi Singh’s Family Table

The Melbourne chef and restaurateur behind Daughter in Law makes time for clan togetherness – and tandoori prawns

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Cover credits: Jessi Singh shot by Peter Tarasiuk. Styling by Heather Nette King.

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Just in time for the Easter long weekend, this issue is all about joy. Chef Jessi Singh invites us to a family gathering to toast togetherness. We visit the studio of local ceramicist Elnaz Nourizadeh for a look at her cheery and colourful clay work. Plus we chat with designer Beci Orpin, whose latest project for the Immigration Museum is a gigantic stuffed bunny. (Yes, you can climb on it.) Jo Walker Broadsheet Editor

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NOW OPEN Lucia

ADD TO CART

11 Eastern Road, South Melbourne

Lucia is a new – and ambitious – 80-seat European restaurant inside the new South Melbourne high-rise office building

Eleven Eastern. It’s from the team behind neighbourhood spots Riserva, Baia Di Vino and San Lorenzo.

The dining room, filled with nods to Saint Lucia of Syracuse and an earthy colour palette, is divided into two sections with a casual bar. Pull up a seat and enjoy Bellinis along with snacky bites like a Blanc Bakery bread basket, a Wagyu burger with fries or a fried choux pastry doughnut with caviar.

The kitchen – led by a former Cutler & Co head chef –plates European staples including crab linguini, chicken liver parfait with choux pastry and duck fat kipfler potatoes. There’s a 400-strong wine list covering Bordeaux, high-end Tuscan bottles and hard-to-come-by back vintage drops.

There’s also a 25-seat underground private dining room with a soundproof ceiling, a television for presentations and a marble bar. — AP

Photo: Arianna Leggiero

Maison Balzac soap dish

Fans of Maison Balzac’s candles and oils have a new olfactory favourite to covet: scented soap bars. Hand-poured and cured in small batches in Sydney, they’re made from French clay and fragranced with botanical extracts. Choose from Le Soleil, which recalls the morning scent of fresh orange juice, and Le Martin’s invigorating blend of Mediterranean thyme, rosemary and lemon. Obviously you need the antique-inspired dish – designed to look like “a little Napoleonic pedestal” – for your kitchen or bathroom sink, too. — AJ

$29 / maisonbalzac.com

IN THE DIARY

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Laugh your heart out at more than 600 shows across town. The fest kicks off with the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, hosted by Kiwi comedian Guy Montgomery. On the star-studded line-up: international names like Rob Auton and Nina Conti from the UK; Kanan Gill and Urooj Ashfaq from India; and New Zealand’s Chris Parker. Plus Aussie acts including Anne Edmonds, Claire Hooper and Nazeem Hussain. Neighbourhood Sessions are back too, taking comedy to ’burbs including Essendon and Williamstown. — GG

Mar 27–Apr 21 / comedyfestival.com.au

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

Thelatestin Melbourne foodnews

By Audrey Payne Corner Carlisle and Chapel Streets, St Kilda

It’s lights out on Noir. The restaurant on Swan Street, Richmond – known for its take on French bistro food – will have its last service on Thursday March 28. Chef-owner Peter Roddy and co-owner Ebony Vagg say they plan to refurb the venue and open a new concept in the space. 175 Swan Street, Richmond / @noirrestaurant

Wally’s is a new neighbourhood wine bar from Baxter Pickard, the founder of online wine retailer Grapeful. It’s due to open next to Bread Club this April. The Albert Park corner building has undergone a European-inspired refurb and will have a mostly French- and Italian-leaning menu from head chef Damon McIvor (Waxflower, Vex Dining). 67 Cardigan Place, Albert Park / @wallys.albertpark

Puccia (a sandwich made from pizza dough) is now at Johnny’s Green Room from 1pm to  3pm weekdays. The three pucce on offer are designed by Karen Martini and filled with fried calamari, rocket and tartare sauce; fresh buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil; and mortadella, fresh buffalo mozzarella, pistachio pesto, fefferoni and basil. Level 2, 293–297 Lygon Street, Carlton / @johnnysgreenroom

Alice Bennett is one of the founders of Richmond’s Co Bake Space and the baker behind Miss Trixie Drinks Tea. She’s just released a range of Easter treats including a layer cake that reads “Have an Eggcellent Easter” in signature retro style. misstrixiedrinkstea.com

Cobb Lane and Cannoleria have collaborated on a “hot cross cannoli”: a cannoli shell filled with ricotta from That’s Amore Cheese and finished off with Cobb Lane hot cross bun pieces. Find it at Cannoleria locations including South Melbourne Market. 322–326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne / @cannoleriabythatsamore

Name: Honor Whitehead Age: 22 Occupation: Student Tell us about your outfit today. I thrifted this shirt in Thailand from a small market. My scarf is also thrifted. My shoes I’ve had for way too long and are from a brand called Buffalo. And the jewellery is Daniella Draper, a little bit of Tiffany and hand-me-downs from my mum and sister. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? My style changes every day, depending on what I want and what mood I wake up in. I take a little bit from everywhere I’ve travelled, and old photos from the ’90s and bits of Y2K fashion.

Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar

A MELTING POT

If there’s one word that describes St Kilda, it’s eclectic. Originally a glittering seaside resort for the wealthy, it’s evolved into a hub for artists, misfits and pleasureseekers. And with the majority of occupants renting, it’s a great place for investors looking to expand their portfolio.

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

Photo: Arianna Leggiero

THE INTERVIEW Designer Beci Orpin Is Big on Play

Words by Jo Walker · Photo by Bryce Golder

You’d have a tough job putting Beci Orpin, or her works, into a neat little box. Firstly because the Melbourne designer and perpetual cool girl has turned her hand to an absurdly wide array of mediums over the years – everything from skateboards and food trucks to bubble bath and soft furnishings. Secondly (and more literally) because her latest creation is a room-size stuffed bunny rabbit whose head alone measures over two metres high. Try putting that in a box.

Last year Orpin marked the 25th anniversary of her design studio with Book of Girls, a collection of sketchbook images and archival ephemera from a quarter century of creating. “The thing that stayed the same is my thought process, and how I come up with the ideas –that’s all in my sketchbooks,” she tells Broadsheet. “It always seems to be colourful and bold, you know. Geometric, optimistic, joyful.”

If you’ve lived in Melbourne for any length of time, you’ve probably seen Orpin’s work in the wild. Decorating husband Raph Rashid’s Taco Truck and Beatbox Kitchen food trucks. On Metro Tunnel hoardings. Or branding for Melbourne International Film Festival.

She’s written four craft books for Hardie Grant; been part of the Melbourne-based Jacky Winter illustration agency; and collaborated with local labels like Gorman, Mecca Cosmetica and Zoë Foster Blake’s Go-To skincare (Orpin’s smiley faces decorate the Gro-To kids line).

“I think I’m still kind of a child,” Orpin says, laughing. “All the things that I enjoy feel childlike a lot of the time. Apart from, you know, alcohol.”

While that ceaseless sense of play is still applied to surface design in her commercial work, Orpin’s now making a name in what she loosely defines as “public art”. Commissioned exhibitions for art galleries and “threedimensional, experiential kinds of things” for community spaces – stuff kids and adults can

interact with and enjoy.

“I really like to make art available for the people,” Orpin says. “Galleries are commonly like ‘Don’t touch, don’t speak, don’t interact’. Whereas I want these spaces to be the opposite of that. Like, yes, you can touch. Yes, you can make a small amount of noise. It’s about experiencing things, but also hopefully educating at the same time.”

Most recently, this approach has resulted in a room full of cartoonish mushrooms at the Shepparton Art Museum, as well as the aforementioned gigantic bunny – currently installed as part of the Immigration Museum’s Joy exhibition.

“The idea of this bunny is that I wanted to make it as big as I could,” says Orpin, who worked with a commercial furniture maker to construct and upholster the piece. (The frame is modular, meaning it can be assembled in situ and eventually reassembled elsewhere. It’s also sturdy enough to clear health and safety ordinances and pest inspections.)

“I wanted to make a rabbit that represents joy in two ways. It’s a nostalgic toy, so it’s looking back at my childhood.

“But it’s also that thing where, as you get older, joy is harder to find. The ways that you find joy as you get older, it’s either small things – like the perfect cup of tea or your garden – or it’s really big and overwhelming, surprising things where it’s unexpected. So that’s what I was trying to create. The big thing where you walk into a room and find something no one was expecting.

“It sort of creates this moment where all you can think of is the giant bunny. And you can lie on it, you can hug it and interact with it.”

See Mush/Room at Shepparton Art Museum until April 15 and Joy at the Immigration Museum until August 29, 2025. For more information, head to beciorpin.com

THE FIT-OUT

Five Floor Cushions and Pouffes

Made for Lounging & Luxuriating

By Jo Walker

HOMMEY MIGHTY CUSHION – $129–$199 Hommey launched mid-pandemic with a range of ethically sourced cushions in comforting feel-good hues and textures. It’s grown now to include other homewares – such as towels, robes, throws and bedding – but the Melbourne label still knows how to produce covetable and comfy things to lounge (and sit) on. The Mighty cushion clocks in at 92 centimetres square, and indoor iterations come in sturdy and stylish bouclés, velvets and felts. Available at the brand’s South Yarra flagship store or online. gethommey.com

BUSINESS & PLEASURE CO OUTDOOR FLOOR PILLOW – $299.99 Made from ultra-durable all-weather fabric and foam, this outdoor floor pillow from Aussie label Business & Pleasure Co is equal parts tough and chic. Classic navy stripes lend a timeless and breezy Hamptons vibe, and a sturdy handle means you can easily transport it wherever you need down-low seating: loungeroom, verandah, poolside or beach. Practical bonus points: covers are 100 per cent spill- and stain-resistant, and can be removed for washing and air-drying. businessandpleasureco.com.au

LINEN GLAMSWAG – $299 This eponymous Perth label has coined the term “Glamswag” as a catch-all for its luxe roll-up bed design – something like a combination doonamattress-throw-pillow made for curling up on inside and out. The linen range is sturdy enough for outdoor use, but it’s also welcome in the living room, bedroom and playroom –doubled up for sitting or rolled out for sprawling. Made with a 100 per cent French flax-linen cover, it’s available in a range of dusty pastels and more saturated tones, plus classic stripes. glamswag.com.au

PAMPA MAYA FLOOR CUSHION – $645 ArgentinianAustralian label Pampa is based in Byron Bay and has a decadelong practice working with remote weaving communities in Argentina, Guatemala and Chile to develop home textile collections that celebrate craft, texture and material. This floor cushion is made with sheep’s wool woven by skilled artisans in Guatemala’s Mayan community, and it’s available in plain and earthy tones. Nodding to ’70s shag pile and fit for a range of interiors, it’s an investment piece that pays back in traditional artistry and relaxed vibes. pampa.com.au

POP & SCOTT LINEN FLOOR CUSHION – $690–$750 Much-loved Aussie design label Pop & Scott has a knack for turning out effortlessly cool wares that are also practical and family-friendly. This round floor cushion is made to order in two hefty sizes, and features removable commercial-grade linen covers with a 100 per cent organic cotton Japanese futon fill – perfect for daytime snoozing and general lazing about. Seven earthy colourways are batch-dyed in New South Wales, so there are plenty of hues to mix and match. popandscott.com

JAIME CONDUCTS DEBUSSY & STRAUSS

Experience Debussy’s enchanting La Mer and delve into Strauss’ epic Ein Heldenleben, in this homage to the heroic.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Let Petherton entertain you

Words by Anders Furze

A blend of Victorian elegance with modern architecture is agent Jamie Driver’s apt description of this Brighton estate, which has been given a makeover by Techne Architects, with a focus on family entertaining.

Proudly bearing the name Petherton on the facade’s stained-glass windows, this home offers buckets of heritage charm, is smartly designed for contemporary liveability, has a lush backyard and embraces the best in indoor-outdoor living.

It’s ideal for a family that loves to entertain and embrace the bayside lifestyle.

Enter from the front verandah and you’ll find wide timber floors, a feature archway and high ceilings.

The formal living room to the side hosts an open fireplace, and period bay windows overlooking the front garden. The front study is behind the verandah; it could easily work as an extra bedroom if required.

Further inside, you’ll find the main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite with double vanity and free-standing bath. The elegant guest bedroom can be found opposite and also has its own en suite.

The two remaining bedrooms have fireplaces, built-in wardrobes and easy access to the skylit central bathroom, which has a bath, shower and double vanity.

To the rear of the house is a premium renovation designed for indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. Here you’ll find a chic kitchen with copious cupboard space in natural materials, a sizeable breakfast bar and Liebherr, Miele and Highland appliances.

The meals area features wraparound built-in seating in front of bifold windows, enabling you to bring Melbourne’s beachside cool change inside the house over summer.

Bifold doors in the family area and dining room enable easy access to the backyard, and a climate-controlled wine cellar ensures the finest drops are never far away.

The backyard is best summarised in one word: lush. This green living space surrounds an expansive in-ground pool and spa. Recline beneath palm trees by the pool or share long meals with friends and family in a relaxing setting beneath the pergola.

Petherton’s other highlights include extra storage in the attic, hydronic heating,

surround sound, a video intercom, an alarm, a laundry and a garage, with space for more off-street parking.

This luxurious Brighton oasis sits in an enviably central location, close to Middle Brighton station.

Brighton and Firbank grammar schools are a short stroll away, as are the shops and restaurants of Bay and Church streets.

And don’t forget the allure of the nearby Brighton foreshore.

Brighton

84 Male Street $6.85 million-$7.25 million

5 4 2

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, April 30

Agent: Kay & Burton, Jamie Driver 0400 126 612

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“Designed by Techne Architects, this home was completely reimagined for family entertaining.

Blending Victorian elegance with modern architecture, 84 Male Street, Brighton, is a home unlike any we have seen and is simply incredible.”

NEED TO KNOW

The highest recorded house price for Brighton (past 12 months) was $15.3 million for 17 St Ninians Road in June 2023.

Jamie Driver Kay & Burton

Live above and beyond

Emerald Place offers a limited collection of Skyhomes, consisting of penthouse and sub-penthouse apartments designed in collaboration with globally renowned architect, Woods Bagot. From sweeping bay or city views with triple-aspect outlooks, these Skyhomes are the epitome of elevated living, offering private pools, garages, and luxury finishes throughout.

SKYHOME APARTMENTS FROM $9M*

LOWELIVING.COM.AU/EMERALDPLACE-SKYHOMES

213-217 Clarendon Street

South Melbourne

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0488 300 800 PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS

ARTIST IMPRESSION

JESSI SINGH’S FAMILY TABLE

Words by Gitika Garg

Photos by Peter Tarasiuk

Styling by Heather Nette King

Palm trees dotted along a beachside promenade. Schmick harbourside apartments. Boats in the distance. A gleaming Port Phillip Bay. These are the sweeping views from an upscale penthouse in Port Melbourne. It’s a spectacular place to meet chef and restaurateur Jessi Singh and his extended family.

Singh is known for his mod-Indian diners – he was the original owner of Horn Please, opened celebrated spots in New York and California, and currently runs a clutch of Australian restaurants including Daughter in Law in the CBD.

While the penthouse is not Singh’s residence – it belongs to his Uncle Harry – it’s a place where the entire family feels at home. Dubbed the “party house”, it’s where Singh comes for celebrations, casual family gettogethers and Uncle Harry’s “trademark” annual Diwali party (which hosted 140 people last year).

“Uncle Harry is larger than life and loves hosting – he’s put a full commercial kitchen and bar, and an entire rooftop, in his house,” Singh tells Broadsheet over the phone, days before we visit.

Entertaining and spending time with family and friends is something Singh holds near and dear. “As an immigrant family, we’re living a hard life here and everyone’s so busy, but over the years we’ve developed a structure where at least a couple times a month we catch up, sit together, eat and cook so we stay close to each other,” he says. “There’s such comfort to the soul and spirit when you meet and see your loved ones face to face. It’s very meaningful to me.”

The get-togethers were an important tradition growing up, Singh says, and a way to keep the children in his family connected to their cultural roots. “We’ve adopted it from our parents and our uncles and aunties, and now we’re in our forties and fifties so we’re continuing to adopt the same thing for the next generation.”

When Broadsheet visits the Port Melbourne home, Singh is busy prepping in the kitchen before guests arrive for a small family dinner. The chef marinates freshly bought Western Australian prawns (with paprika, Kashmiri chilli powder, green mango powder and pomegranate seed powder) before firing them up in a 70-kilogram charcoal tandoor oven – yes, the place is fitted out with two tandoors and commercial deep fryers.

It’s one of Singh’s signature dishes, along with his coveted seafood platters. “That’s always a big demand in my family. People

asking me, ‘Is there any good seafood around and can you get some and bring it over for me?’”

Also on the menu for tonight: palak paneer, butter chicken, coconut vegetable curry and Singh’s special “very slow-cooked full five-day process” dal makhani – a dish that everyone looks forward to, according to Uncle Harry.

As the rest of the guests arrive, there’s much chatter and laughter. But for Uncle Harry, the first order of business is whisky. Today’s pick: Indri – a single-malt Indianmade bottle.

get-togethers involve what Singh calls “sada khana” translating to “simple soul food” in Punjabi. “It takes a lot to cook Indian food, man. It’s not an easy process and the shopping list is big. Sometimes in our family, we have this ritual, ‘Alright we’re just going to do sada khana – just roti, pickle and yoghurt’.”

But when Singh is hosting in his own home, it’s anything but simple. Guests enjoy a welcome glass of bubbles, a curated ’70s Indian disco playlist, bright flowers (marigolds and dahlias, to be specific) and lots of dancing.

The chef and restaurateur behind Daughter in Law always makes time for family get-togethers. Communal feasts are a way for his clan to check in, cook Indian dishes (including tandoori prawns) and celebrate how far they have all come.

“I see from time to time on social media they post, ‘We all have that one uncle that puts a glass of whisky on their head and starts dancing out of nowhere,” Singh laughs, explaining an Indian tradition that’s become an internet meme. In the chef’s family, Uncle Harry leads the way.

At larger family gatherings, Singh isn’t the only one in the kitchen. Uncle Harry will take time out from carousing to plate his famous tandoor-cooked lamp chop kebabs. Then there’s Aunty Sonia’s potato-stuffed bread – a personal favourite for Singh.

There’s at least one family gathering a month, Singh says, but not all of them demand an extravagant smorgasbord. Often casual

grandmother – which could feed 40 or so seasonal workers who came to help with the harvest on the family farm. “I was always super interested in my grandma’s kitchen. They used to push me out like, ‘You’re a boy, what are you doing here, get out’. But I would always sneak back in,” he recalls.

Cooking for the masses is also nothing new to the chef. During his childhood, Singh remembers helping cook for thousands of people at the local Sikh temple every Sunday. Even now, it’s become a weekend ritual he continues to follow.

“Growing up in a big family, and in the temple, you’re dealing with a lot of different people – lots of different hands and minds coming together in the kitchen cooking. So, I developed these amazing leadership skills very early on: how to get people organised, how to get the ingredients and get it done.”

It’s been a big few months for Singh. On top of his regular portfolio – the Melbourne diner, a Daughter in Law outpost in Adelaide, plus Pinky Ji in Sydney – the chef and restaurateur brought his “unauthentic Indian” food to the Australian Open earlier this year. His diner was also a part of Adelaide Fringe’s five-week program, which involved Singh travelling to the city each week.

Coming up next, Singh is due to open two new Melbourne restaurants: Aanya, a 20-seat Indian fine diner in Collingwood and Bibi Ji, a more casual Lygon Street spot in the former Cafe Notturno.

With so much on his plate, you’d think family get-togethers might fall off the schedule. But a hectic work life is all the more reason to catch up and check in, he says.

The chef laughingly describes himself as “the life of the party” and equally “the cook, the dishwasher and the planner”. It’s a big role, but a familiar one, he says.

“Because I worked in hospitality all my life, it comes very natural to me. I host people [in] my restaurants to earn a living, and if I don’t do the job right, they’re not going to come back. So, I have adapted to that even in my personal life with hosting, cooking and sharing food.”

Growing up in a traditional Sikh family in Punjab, India, connection to food and community is something Singh learned from a young age. Back home the clan had a large joint family kitchen – helmed by his

“People ask me, ‘Don’t you want to just sit and have a day off?’ I’m like, no man, I find comfort and joy in having you come over. I don’t want to have a day off and just keep going out to someone else’s restaurant – that’s just normal hospitality life.”

Right now, Singh and his guests sit chatting on the penthouse balcony, enjoying their meal and the view. But it’s more than just an incredible vista, he says.

“The view represents for us our hard work. We made it, we worked hard to get here and we’re amongst the most beautiful locations where we can sit, eat, sleep and drink. And that is a comfort that I think only immigrant families can understand.”

Flowers thanks to Flowers Vasette. Large serving platters and dinner plates from Robert Gordon Australia. Glassware from Kip & Co. Tablecloth, napkins and outdoor cushions from Spotlight.

LIKE A LOCAL

Port Melbourne

By Jo Walker

While maritime traffic is way down on its 19 thcentury heyday, the “port” part of Port Melbourne remains a visible influence on this vast inner-city suburb. There’s the occasional massive cruise ship docking offshore; bustling industrial parks curling around the Yarra and edging up to Westgate Park (with its famously Instagrammable, occasionally pink lake); and an abundance of Gold Rush-era pubs lining the main streets.

Presumably a lot of that old-time gold turned into beer pretty quickly on shore. You can still drink at many of the same splendid establishments where it was spent, including Prince Alfred Hotel, The Cricketers, The Exchange and The Graham Hotel.

For a more modern dose of spirits, you can also choose to go straight to the source. Bertie Street hosts Starward Distillery – home to locally crafted single malt whiskies, a cocktail bar, whisky masterclasses and barrel tastings. And just down the road is craft brewery and tap room CBCo Brewing, with fresh new beers rotating the taps every week (plus a beer-inspired food menu).

Less intoxicating, but equally delicious, is the line-up of quality local cafes. There’s Vertue Coffee Roasters, Coe & Coe – which also does big business in panini and smoothies – and Frontside Food & Wine, open weekdays from early breakfast to late lunch with cafe standards, plus a wine and cocktail list.

Breezy and elegant Bay Street leads straight to the beach, and is lined with shopping and food (and architecture old and new).

Stop by Port Melbourne Grocer for fresh produce, gourmet goods and take-home meals. Find excellent old-school bakeries in Melbourne Bakehouse and Bakehouse on Bay (try the lush galaktoboureko), or choose ridiculously tempting French pastries and breads at Noisette. Shop the tree-lined strip’s designer boutiques, as well as a clutch of topnotch thrift stores. And enjoy nosing around an honest-to-goodness independent bookstore at Mary Martin Bookshop.

NEED TO KNOW

Port Melbourne offers a highly liveable coastal lifestyle. A range of realestate options — including waterfront apartments, charming townhouses and modern family homes — attracts diverse residents.

Average Age

42

Median Weekly income $2,372

Owner

52% Family

42% Renter

58%

Clockwise from top: Modern and heritage architecture, Contemporary apartments, Beachside cruise ships, Railway Club Hotel

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“Port Melbourne blends post-war cottages, beachfront apartments and modern developments, reflecting its evolution into a sought-after area. It offers a unique Australian lifestyle with relaxation and urban sophistication.” Cheyne

Clockwise from top: The Exchange Hotel, Flower shopping, Station Street Trading Co, Bayside trails, all photos Amy Hemmings

Fox Whitefox

STUDIO VISIT

Elnaz Ceramics

Words by Sanam Goodman · Photos by Casey Horsfield

When Elnaz Nourizadeh was five, her mum found her on the balcony of their home covering her body in clay. Nourizadeh recalls turning to her mother and telling her she was “making a sculpture”. It’s the moment that marked the beginning of her life as a ceramicist.

“My father used to visit a city in Iran called Lalejin which is known as a city of potters,” Nourizadeh tells Broadsheet. “Every time he’d visit he’d buy me a bag of clay and bring it back to where we lived, a city called Shemiran. It was my version of Play-Doh.”

The Melbourne creative’s practice extends across three modes: functional ceramics, sculptures and installations. Her functional work features kilnmade vessels – vases, mugs and bowls – painted with bright strokes of colour. They communicate a sense of curiosity, with abstract motifs painted both on the outside and hidden on the inside.

“I have a really strong visual mind, I see shapes and colours when I talk to people and interact with the world,” Nourizadeh says. “I just transfer all of the ideas in my head onto my ceramics.”

Most of her functional pieces are made on a pottery wheel before being fired in the kiln and painted using a kaleidoscope of vivid hues. Colours are selected with the specific intention of making people feel calm and happy when they look at, eat or drink out of each vessel.

Nourizadeh’s sculptures are crafted using leftover clay from her functional ceramics. They are less abstract and more literal, usually depicted as bodies curled or folded over in a spectrum of positions.

“My sculptures are based on the idea that the feelings we have are never just one feeling, they’re a combination of many,” Nourizadeh explains.

As for her installations, they are tall, towering things made using clay, paper, paint and glue, designed to make you feel small when around them. Nourizadeh only ever installs them for a few days at a time and rarely promotes them. “If people don’t end up stumbling upon them then it’s not part of their journey.”

These creations have featured in all sorts of spots – from a house due to get demolished to the side of a busy highway to a secluded green space in Fawkner.

Craft has always been a big part of Nourizadeh’s life –her parents were lampshade makers. Growing up she attended pottery classes, sculpting classes and glaze-making classes, and sold her pieces to her parents to fund each class enrolment.

The maker studied industrial design in Iran before moving to Melbourne in 2013 and completing a Master of Fine Arts at RMIT. She then settled as a permanent resident in 2018. Instead of spending money on a lavish wedding when she got married, often an expected tradition in Persian culture, Nourizadeh used her funds to set up her ceramics business.

She cites many influences when it comes to her work, but chief among them is her Persian roots. “For years I was running from my heritage,” Nourizadeh says. “But recently I’ve realised how Persian philosophy, Persian poets like Hafez and Rumi and even the use of colour in Persian art has influenced my work. It’s impossible for my heritage to not influence what I create.”

Western artists like Joan Miro, Henri Matisse and Helen Frankenthaler, plus psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist’s book The Master and his Emissary, are also important references the ceramicist draws on.

Nourizadeh’s Coburg North studio doubles as a gallery and shop called Mesopotamia Art Space, where many of her ceramic pieces can be purchased. She regularly hosts exhibitions and artist gatherings, and rents out the space to other artists in the community.

You can also find her pieces stocked at Social Studio, a not-for-profit social enterprise (where Nourizadeh has taught short courses) that creates learning opportunities for Melbourne’s refugee and new migrant communities.

“We’re all trying to find ourselves, and that’s especially true for immigrants that move to Australia,” Nourizadeh says. “Selling my works through Social Studio and donating my work to other causes is my way of supporting the community. Getting the chance to help people through my art is the best thing that’s happened to me.”

Shop Nourizadeh’s pieces at Mesopotamia Art Space at 62 Newlands Road, Coburg North or online at elnaz.melbourne

Indulge in Oysters and Water Views in Narooma, a Beachside Town on the Rise

By Che-Marie Trigg

The small far South Coast NSW town of Narooma is bordered by ancient volcano Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) on one edge, the Pacific Ocean on another side, and an estuary teeming with oysters on another. It’s fast becoming a popular getaway – helped in part by Justin Hemmes’s hospitality empire Merivale, which has picked up multiple venues in the town over the past couple of years.

Head to tiki-inspired bar Quarterdeck, which has been right on the water at Wagonga Inlet for more than 20 years. Even though Merivale took

it over in 2021, it’s not a stretch to call it a local institution. Park up as the sun goes down with local-fish ceviche, yellowfin tuna tostadas and grilled corn.

Another smack-on-the-water venue is tiny cafe Salt – a tranquil spot to start a weekend morning. Dishes here are made using local produce and housemade preserves. At night, make your way to the Whale Inn outpost of popular Sydney Cantonese diner Queen Chow. Here you’ll find classics such as its dim sum platters and salt and pepper squid alongside Narooma-only specials like local rock oysters.

If you visit in May, don’t miss the Narooma

Oyster Festival – a wonderful celebration of the local community. A festival devoted to oysters not enough bivalve for you? Narooma and its surrounds are famous for oyster growing, and local company Out of the Blue will punt you around its oyster farms (and let you try a few shucked beauties).

If you want to see the beachside town’s beauty up close, an e-bike tour with Southbound Escapes is the best way. Cycle to Bar Rock Lookout where you’ll get an eyeful of Baranguba (Montague Island) off the Narooma beach. A highlight is the breakwall near Australia Rock – home to a colony of seals.

LUXURY

Words by Joanne Brookfield & Maria Harris

Toorak

17 Toorak Avenue

$7 million-$7.7 million

5

Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, March 27

Agent: RT Edgar, Antoinette Nido 0419 654 856

Taking advantage of its northern orientation, this 1920s home brims with natural light, while its functional floor plan provides multiple living rooms plus a study. The informal living area that opens to the terrace overlooking the pool and garden is a dream. The sense of space here is outstanding. Upstairs, four generous bedrooms include the main with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. For families, the location close to Kooyong Village and the station is ideal.

Kew

19 Grange Road

$14.5 million-$15.5 million

Toorak

Garden Residence/12 Springfield Avenue

$4 million-$4.4 million

3 3 2

Expressions of interest: Close April 16

Agent: Marshall White, Nicholas Brooks 0419 883 136

Set at the rear of the Mills Gorman-designed boutique building Village Luxe, this brand-new ground-level residence comprises the largest outdoor area of all five and is “perfect for those who love gardening or have dogs”, the agent says. Sophisticated interiors, with dark parquetry floors and high recessed ceilings, include a fitted home office and versatile living areas. The Gaggenau-equipped kitchen opens to expansive terraces with landscaped garden beds.

Brighton

2/14 Normanby Street

$4 million-$4.4 million

3 2 3

Expressions of interest

Agent: Marshall White, Alex Broque 0406 685 840

Located in the coveted Sackville Ward, sprawling Grange House is an impressive sight. The original Edwardian residence retains immaculate period character and clusters the bedrooms over two levels, while a gallery-like rear extension has created a contemporary kitchen and dining area that leads to further luxurious living zones, boasting interiors designed by Hecker Guthrie. The gardens include northern and western courtyards and a 25-metre lap pool.

Auction: 11am, April 13

Agent: Ray White, Adam Pavlou 0455 096 229

Designed by architect Jon Friedrich, brand-new Isola offers luxurious seaside living, and this grand-scale, ground-floor residence boasts an endless list of elite features and finishes. One of only three, it sits at the rear of the block and ensures privacy and quiet, as does the solid wall and Solai slab construction that cancels noise between residences. A low-maintenance design maximises the location, which is within walking distance of Brighton’s beach and yacht club.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Richard Cornish, Kay Keighery & Shae Wiedermann

Clearance Rate of 62%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR EXPERT SAYS LAST WEEKEND

Dr Nicola Powell Chief of research & economics

“Embracing density can do wonders for affordability.

Estimates show that Melbourne house prices would be notably higher without the effects of smaller land sizes; in fact, they’d be about $136,000 more expensive.”

Source: Domain Research Price Per Square Metre Report, March 2024.

Surrey Hills

3/31 Boisdale Street

$1.895 million

4 3 2

Private sale

HIGHEST VALUE

$6.85 million

Albert Park

119 Ashworth Street

Sold by Jellis Craig*

*As reported on March 16, 2024

Agent: Heavyside, Wendy Zhou 0420 824 677

This luxury townhouse is a perfect fit for growing families. A refined black-and-white facade sets the tone for a sleek yet homely interior which includes high-end fixtures, feature lighting and a floating timber staircase. Two main bedrooms (one up and one down) have en suites, and two other bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. A study area and a butler’s pantry add convenience.

Brighton

28a Munro Street

$2.24 million

3 1 2

Private sale

Agent: Marshall White, Campbell Butterss 0432 735 385

This solid, double-brick Edwardian house has been beautifully renovated, cherishing original features while breathing modern life into the living areas and bathrooms. Past the leadlight-framed door and tiled fireplace, the timber floors lead to a spacious living and dining area with soaring ceilings and a lush garden outlook. Set on a quiet one-way street, this free-standing home is conveniently close to Church Street village, Middle Brighton Station and the beach.

Black Rock

11b Middleton Street

$2.1 million-$2.3 million

3 2 2

Auction: 10.30am, April 6

Agent: Marshall White, Robin Parker 0409 336 282

Sparkling due to a recent renovation, this nest affords low-maintenance living in a beaut location. The lounge suggests chill time, whereas the open-plan hub is more of your party affair, with a servery window connecting the kitchen area to a sit-up bar on the long, semi-protected terrace. You can park securely in the double garage and step out for coffee and a stroll along Half Moon Bay.

Albert Park

21 Erskine Street

$1.625 million-$1.675 million

3 2

Private sale

Agent: Marshall White, Kaine Lanyon 0411 875 478

A creative renovation has transformed this solid Edwardian house into a beautiful home on two levels. Downstairs is a bedroom and bathroom, and a spacious kitchen and living area opening to an airy courtyard. Upstairs is a large bedroom and attic storage matched by another bedroom with an en suite and home office. It’s close to the bustle of cafes and shops, between the lake and the beach.

St Kilda

7/19 St Leonards Avenue

$950,000-$1 million

2 1 2

Auction: Noon, April 6

Agent: Belle Property Albert Park, David Wood 0418 315 114

This renovated St Kilda apartment is tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac moments from the beach and Acland Street. Designed by Nonda Katsalidis, it has elevated views and a distinctive high, curved ceiling. The open-plan living, kitchen and dining area is west-facing, providing an afternoon sun fix.

Glen Iris

4/12 Anthony Street

$1.3 million

3 2 2

Private sale

Agent: Castran, Dominic Ziino 0401 333 622

Flaunting art deco-style curves in a prominent corner position, Accolade is a confident cluster of 22 top-end dwellings. At the rear of the ground floor, number four displays a chic contemporary presentation and indooroutdoor liberation. The hub adjoins a northaspect terrace ideal for socialising.

Prahran

42 Larnook Street

$2.05 million

3 2 2

Private sale

Agent: Jellis Craig, Nathan Waterson 0439 905 188

This red-brick Edwardian house has been extended to include a modern kitchen and family area on the ground level and a main bedroom suite flying solo on the first floor. Three fireplaces kindle retro charm, and a peaking ceiling over the family area adds interest. The backyard has a shed and cubby.

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME

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Live, laugh, love the lifestyle

If you’ve always lived life on your own terms, why stop now? At Albert Park Lake, we’ve designed an easy living community for older people, The Alba Apartments, where you can make your own choices every day. Don’t feel like cooking anymore? We’ll do it for you. Want to spend more time with your grandkids? Take all the time you like, while we take care of the cleaning and washing. With our exible in-house services, we support you to live more freely and more joyfully.

Easy living apartments are now available. Book a tour to nd out more. Call Martine on 0477 775 786 or visit thealba.com.au

The Alba Apartments are owned and operated by Australian Unity Nominees Pty Ltd and managed by Australian Unity Retirement Living Management Pty Ltd. The Alba Care Suites are owned by Australian Unity Nominees Pty Ltd and operated by Australian Unity Care Services Pty Ltd.