Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - November 20, 2024
Creative couple Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker work together on her fine jewellery label – and their bright family life
Domain Group is a leading property marketplace made-up of a portfolio of brands. We are united in our purpose to inspire confidence in life’s property decisions. Our brands offer products and solutions to consumers and agents interested in property across every step of their property journey. We are motivated to innovate in our industry and leverage our unique data, products, and technology to deliver solutions to our customers that are found only on Domain.
Domain Managing editor: Natalie Mortimer Senior producer: Hailey Coules Group picture editor: Kylie Thomson Senior designer: Colleen Chin Quan Graphic designer: Emma Drake Head of print & B2B content: Sarah Millar Group content director: Mark Roppolo Chief marketing officer: Rebecca Darley Chief executive officer: Jason Pellegrino
Residential sales: vicresidential@domain.com.au
New development sales: Andrew O’Brien, 0408 855 903
Retail and media sales: Caterina Costa, 0402 308 282
Contact: editorial@domain.com.au
Distribution enquiries: distribution@domainreview.com.au
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, it is all subject to change.
This publication is published by Domain Holdings Australia Limited and Broadsheet Media Pty. Ltd. and is printed by IVE, 25-33 Fourth Avenue, Sunshine VIC 3020
Broadsheet is Australia’s leading independent publisher. Online and in print, we aim to keep you in the loop with the best Melbourne has to offer and enrich your life in the city. We won’t waste your time with anything you don’t need to know about – just the essentials in home & lifestyle, art & design, fashion & style, food & drink, entertainment and travel. Broadsheet also has a presence in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Broadsheet Founder and publisher: Nick Shelton Managing director: Sian Whitaker
Australia editor: Nick Connellan Features editors: Emma Joyce, Dan Cunningham
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 Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Kit Kriewaldt, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh Writers: Evie Baker, Holly BodekerSmith, Daniela Frangos, Alice Jeffery, Quincy Malesovas, Sasha Murray, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Katya Wachtel Photographers: Jamie Alexander, Armelle Habib, Amy Hemmings, Casey Horsfield, Jason Lee Parry, Kate Shanasy, Ed Sloane, Hilary Walker
Cover credits: Cushla Whiting and Nicholas Hawker shot by Hilary Walker
Broadsheet Media acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to lands, waters and communities. We pay respect to Elders past and present and honour more than 60,000 years of storytelling, art and culture.
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.
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
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
At Creative By Design we are proud to produce custom joinery for any room in the home, making each space more usable and pleasant to spend time in.
The team will work with you throughout the design, manufacture and installation journey to bring your dream to reality.
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 only is the 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
label
launched
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
MAISON CRIVELLI IRIS MALIKHAN – FROM $162 French perfume
Maison Crivelli
at Mecca last year,
HOME OF THE WEEK
An elegant Hawthorn Edwardian
Words by Maria Harris
The Grace Park Estate is a glittering jewel in Hawthorn’s real estate crown, and Linda Crescent, leafy and lovely with a tree canopy to the middle of the street, shows why.
This substantial red brick home, built in 1912, captures everything that people love about the area – Edwardian, elegant, brimming with heritage character while delivering contemporary style and comfort.
This is a generational home where every generation has maintained and restored the original features while bringing the home into the 21st century.
From the wide entry hall, you immediately admire the home’s grand proportions and get a first glimpse of the leadlight windows that are a feature of all the main rooms.
To the left is the living room, which has a pressed metal ceiling, curved bay window, and views of the garden. To the right, the formal dining room has another exquisite window and a green outlook. Both rooms have original marble fireplaces and dazzling Waterford crystal chandeliers.
The hall leads to the main bedroom with built-in wardrobes and a pristine en suite.
A large window offers more garden views.
The central hall has a study on the left with a corner fireplace. On the right-hand side of the hall, you will find a den or television room with a corner fireplace.
The informal family living area is at the end of the hall. Here, the kitchen, inspired by British luxury brand Clive Christian, continues the luxe look with a deep porcelain sink, stone benches, nickel hardware, a large Ilve range, a Vintec wine fridge, an ice machine and a walk-in pantry.
Display cabinets showcase treasured collections of porcelain and homewares.
The kitchen overlooks the meals area, which has views of the travertine entertainers’ terrace, outdoor barbecue kitchen and solar-heated pool.
On one side of the meals area, you will find the laundry and powder room, while on the other it steps down to the family room, where a central fireplace is flanked by storage. Double doors open to steps that lead to the terrace, garden and pool.
Back inside and upstairs, the floor plan divides in two, with a large bedroom at the
front of the house opening to an arched balcony where wonderful views over the trees and streetscape provide a sense of the home’s elevation. This bedroom also has an en suite and a walk-in robe. Three more bedrooms, one large enough to be a retreat, share a central bathroom with a double vanity.
This home includes heating and cooling, a security system, automatic gates and offstreet parking for six cars. Walk to Glenferrie Road shops, trains, trams and cafes.
Hawthorn
24 Linda Crescent
$7.5 million-$8.25 million
5 3 6
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, December 10
Agent: Kay & Burton, Ada Taylor 0428 058 880
Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Hawthorn
WHAT THE AGENT SAYS
“In the prestigious Grace Park Estate, this exquisite Edwardian sanctuary offers timeless elegance, expansive family living, and refined indooroutdoor entertaining.”
This house last sold for $890,000 in March 2001. The highest recorded house price for Hawthorn (past 12 months) was $8.065 million for 9 Hilda Crescent in November 2023.
RECENT SALES
$6.42 million
6 Hawthorn Grove, October $3.6 million
15 Henrietta Street, August $3.52 million 79 Manningtree Road, May
Ada Taylor Kay & Burton NEED TO KNOW
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
Elwood 64 Addison Street
$1.975 million-$2.15 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.
3 1 1
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.
Balwyn 4/89 Yarrbat Avenue
$1.75 million-$1.85 million
3 2 2
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.
Enjoy wine and cheese tastings from Richmond local favourites, live carols, a festive market with gourmet treats and more.
Come along and experience the five-star amenities and vibrant community to see what it’s like to live exceptionally. We look forward to seeing you there!
Drive, Mornington
`IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK`
Unlock the potential of this pair of Victorian cottages to be offered as one. Ripe and ready for future possibilities to rennovate or remodel (STCA).
Jock Langley 0419 530 008
Michael King 0415 505 505
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Closing Tuesday 3 Dec 5:30pm
VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
Thursday 21 Nov 11:00am-11:30am Saturday 23 Nov 11:00am-11:30am
HAWTHORN
Kinvonvie, c1879, an effortless blend of timeless elegance and contemporary architectural design. With four owners in its 145-year history, this universally admired luxurious Victorian residence with beautiful street presence located on 2216sqm (approx.) is a once-in-ageneration residence that celebrates the joy of living, family, and entertaining.
Simon Curtain 0405 385 285
Jock Langley 0419 530 008
“Aurora” – c1910
Breathtaking Design in the Domain Precinct
Marcus Chiminello
Peerless Design and Luxury
Expressions of interest
Close Tuesday 3 December at 5pm
Viewing
Thursday 11-11:30am
Saturday 12-12:30pm
Scott Patterson 0417 581 074
Sophie Su 0425 270 125
Toorak's Finest Penthouse, with Private Rooftop
Penthouse, 2 Bruce Street, Toorak Como Park, Uninterrupted Views
Car Collector’s Dream
1, 2 & 3/212A Kooyong Road, Toorak
Prime Toorak Apartment Building
To Be Sold As One
Iconic Toorak apartment building in impeccable condition, comprising of three whole-floor luxury apartments with an exclusive two-level basement, to be sold as one whole building.
The finest construction and elegant design by leading Architect Nicholas Day, this truly is a unique opportunity for a family, investor or car collector. Each apartment includes luxury fit-outs throughout and features large north-facing living areas and terraces.
The penthouse includes a swimming pool and potential for another level, STCA.
The privately accessed two-level basement features space to fit 16 cars or be reconfigured to include a personal gym, media room, wine cellar or your art collection. The possibilities are endless in this premiere Toorak location.
