Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - March 13, 2024

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FEATURE

Life Is Not a Piece of Cake

Beatrix Bakes founder Natalie Paull says a new cookbook saved her “cake life”

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

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

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

Broadsheet  Editor: Jo Walker   Assistant editor: Gitika Garg   Design lead: Ben Siero   Designer: Ella Witchell   Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh, Annie Toller   Writers: Daniela Frangos, Alice Freer, Alice Jeffery, Leta Keens, Jenny Valentish, Joahanna Wickramaratne, James Williams   Photographers: Jamie Alexander, Tim Carrafa, Pablo Diaz, Amy Hemmings, Casey Horsfield, Kaede James Takamoto, Mia Mala McDonald, Clint Peloso, Lean Timms

Cover credits: Natalie Paull shot by Mia Mala McDonald

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.

Natalie Paull, aka Beatrix Bakes, is a beloved presence on the Melbourne food scene. As we learn in this week’s cover feature, her bakery was a lockdown lifeline for many –now she’s sharing more expert cake knowledge with a new cookbook, and contemplating what’s next.

Jo Walker Broadsheet

Editor

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“While you’re in a position to make change, it’s really important to bring other people up with you.”

The Interview with Myles Russell-Cook

PAGE 10

Feature: Beatrix Bakes

Neighbourhoods: Beaumaris

PAGE 16

The Collection: Best Jumpers AW 2024

The Interview with Myles Russell-Cook PAGE 7

The Walrus Wine and Oyster Bar

9 Inkerman Street, St Kilda

First things first: yes, The Walrus is named for the Beatles song. The new breezy St Kilda hideaway is the work of business and life partners Marty Webster and Amy McGouldrick.

After moving to St Kilda two years ago, the couple realised there wasn’t a local bar they wanted to drink wine in. Prices are kept low to enable repeat visits – half of the eight wines by the glass are $13 to $14. The bottle list currently sits at 110 drops, but it’s no less accessible than the by-the-glass offering.

The “kitchen” is simply a portable induction and a countertop oven, so the food is kept snacky. Daily changing pintxos scrawled on a mirror include gildas, a range of oysters, tinned seafood, tuna tartare, and a dainty crust-free lobster and prawn sando. On Sundays the menu amps up with additional plates like crab choux pastries, crayfish crumpets, tuna gildas and mussel beignets. — DF

Photo: Jamie Alexander

THREE OF A KIND

Banana-powered fashion

Our favourite source of potassium has moved from the kitchen bench to our wardrobes, with Aussie brands adding the fruit to high summer mood boards. Christopher Esber subverts a classic pair of stilettos with heels shaped like banana peels. Alemais introduces its Banana House jewellery collection, including the titular pair of earrings. And Venroy is living on island time with painterly scenes inspired by Jamaica. —

Christopher Esber Banana heels, $671 christopheresber.com.au

Venroy linen halter midi dress, $270 venroy.com.au

Alemais Banana House earrings, $225 alemais.com

READ ME IN THE DIARY ADD TO CART

Anjac Swimmables

These tops may not scream “sea-ready” at first glance, but that’s the beauty of new Aussie label Anjac’s versatile, rashielike garments. They’re crafted from performance jersey – a lightweight nylonspandex blend – with 50+ UV protection for maximum sun safety. Expect artful touches like ruching, interesting necklines and varying sleeve lengths. A quick-dry finish makes them great outfit starters for après-swim, too. — JKW

$260–$290 / anjac.com.au

Corners of Melbourne

The slapstick dangers of banana peel are well established. But in 1860s Melbourne, it was perilous orange peel that stirred panic. Author and historian Robyn Annear’s book unearths the quirkier anecdotes from Melbourne streets we walk today. These tales – collated from old newspapers and contemporary accounts – include incidents of sailors swimming breast-stroke in horse troughs, flying cheeses and the decades – yes, decades – when tossed orange peel caused enough injuries (and sensational headlines) to prompt moral outrage and legal intervention. — JTW

$35 / textpublishing.com.au

Melbourne Women in Film Festival

The celebration of women in film is back for its eighth edition. This year’s program explores themes of sustainability, the climate crisis, and social and cultural conditions affecting women and gender-diverse people. Wiradjuri artist Jazz Money’s poetic film Winhanganha opens the festival, and a documentary by Jeni Thornley is the closing feature. There’s also a screening of The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green, starring award-winning actor Julia Garner. Plus catch panel talks and workshops throughout the week. — GG

Mar 21–25 / ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne / mwff.org.au

TRUSTED SOURCE

The Skin Bar

Microneedling expert Samantha Appel has established a community of face-needling fans across five locations in Sydney. Now The Skin Bar has opened its newest emerald-green space in Armadale. The salon echoes the spaces up north: there are four treatment rooms with lush green paint, tiles and cabinetry; tan leather beds; a shell basin; and statement lighting throughout. Go for the quintessential skinneedling treatment, or try a herbal peel, express hydration-boosting facial, or deluxe treatment that targets the signs of ageing through exfoliation and LED therapy. — AJ

1240 High Street, Armadale / theskinbar.com.au

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

Thelatestin Melbourne foodnews

By Audrey Payne St

Kilda Road, Southbank

Melbourne Central cocktail bar Byrdi –number 61 on the World’s 50 Best bars list – now has a lunch service. There’s coffee made with Australian-grown beans, lowABV and non-alcoholic drinks and fried chicken sandwiches. 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne / byrdi.com.au

Sri Lankan seafood diner Ministry of Crab is returning to Melbourne after a sold-out popup last year. From Thursday March 28 to Saturday April 27 chef and restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa will be offering a five-course set menu – starring northern Australian mud crab – inside Crown. crownmelbourne.com.au

North End Bakehouse took home two top prizes at the Baking Association of Australia’s Victoria Baking Show. The Shepparton bakery swept with its vanilla slice and traditional hot cross buns – both named best in the country. 2 Grant Crescent, Shepparton / @northendbakehouse

Kenzo artistic director Nigo has collaborated with Penfolds on a new graphic gift box for its 2019 Grange release. There’s also a silk rug featuring a similar design. Made in a limited edition of 25, it’s available at Space Furniture. spacefurniture.com.au

Popular St Kilda restaurant Southall has relocated to Hampton. Owner Ravnish Gandhi’s parents ran Caulfield South restaurant Bombay by Night for 25 years. At Southall, he makes 48-hour charcoal tandoor-cooked kaali daal and serves the same dessert his mum has been making for Melbourne since 1990. 400 Hampton Street, Hampton / cafesouthall.com

After nearly five years in business, food truck sensation Wazzup Falafel has opened a permanent diner in Northcote where owner Ahmad Al Alaea serves some of the city’s best falafel and fatteh. 343 High Street, Northcote / @wazzupfalafel5

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

Name: Jacqueline Trinh Age: 27 Occupation: Artist Tell us about your outfit today. My shirt is from St Agni, pants are old Tara Jarmon that belonged to my mum, boots are from Jeffrey Campbell and my bag is from Innerraum Berlin. It’s handmade and uses recycled motorcycle gear. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? I’m always on the move so I like my clothes to be practical and comfortable. Who’s your style icon? Ann Demeulemeester is amazing – a combination of edgy rebellion and sophistication.

A stone’s throw from the CBD, Southbank is well known for its modern highrise apartment buildings. Arts and entertainment venues and stunning views of the city skyline and river attract a diverse population.

1

Source:

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

Photo: Pablo Diaz

Photo: Casey Horsfield

NGV Curator Myles Russell-Cook on Mentoring & Making Art

Words by Leta Keens · Photo by Tim Carrafa

As senior curator of Australian and First Nations art at the National Gallery of Victoria, Myles RussellCook sometimes feels part of the “family business”. His father is an archaeologist, predominantly in Torres Strait Islander communities; his mother, a Wotjobaluk woman, is a historian working almost exclusively within Aboriginal communities.

“There’s an amazing moment every now and then at the family dinner table where we can be talking about a certain community, and my dad is excavating thousands and thousands of years of history, my mother is looking at it from the 19th century, and I’m commissioning artists who are still living and working there today,” he tells Broadsheet

Russell-Cook’s pathway to curating was not entirely straightforward. Interested in art as a kid, he studied commercial photography at RMIT before doing honours in digital media design and visual art, and lecturing in design anthropology.

For some time, he had his own practice as a photographer, but gave it up when he started working as a curator. “I know some curators who have their own art practice, but I can’t reconcile doing both. Maybe I’ll start making work again when I retire.”

Not that he misses it: “I consider curating to be an incredibly creative practice – without overstating it, it’s making an artwork, and the medium you’re using is other artists’ work.”

For the eight years Russell-Cook has been at the NGV, he has seen massive (and welcome) changes in the area of Indigenous art. When he started, he was the only Aboriginal curator on staff, “which was quite an isolating experience in a big institution”. Now, as well as having three Aboriginal curators under him, a number of other specialists are involved: language custodians, cultural advisors and an Aboriginal conservator.

Russell-Cook sees his “number one priority” as mentoring, ensuring the “extraordinary” opportunities he had are given to the next generation. “While you’re in a position to make change, it’s really important to bring other people up with you.”

Currently he’s excited about Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions: My Country, a mentorship and exhibition program pairing emerging First Nations artists and designers with industry leaders.

“In the past, there were times when people were very ‘gatekeeper-y’ about their knowledge, partly as a way of protecting their own job,” he says. “But that’s not how mob work – if you’ve spent any time connecting with Aboriginal people, I hope you would have taken away the importance of sharing knowledge.”

It’s the kind of thinking behind one of the biggest changes at NGV – the amalgamation of Australian and First Nations art. “I never understood how we could have this distinction between Australian and Indigenous art when it’s produced from the same continent,” Russell-Cook says. “Now for the first time we’re getting a singular holistic story of what art in Australia looks like. And that’s a story that started 65,000 years ago.”

With the recent opening of Wurrdha Marra (“Many Mobs” in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language) –a permanent space for First Nations art on the ground floor at NGV Australia – visitors see our oldest art before anything else.

First Nations people make very little distinction between art, craft and design, Russell-Cook says, and for that reason, “we’ve got works that challenge people’s perception of Indigenous art. When they see video work and installations, and chairs, cabinets and lighting, it definitely helps to show them that art by First Nations people is as diverse as the communities themselves.”

When asked to describe himself, Russell-Cook replies: “I have Aboriginal heritage and non-Aboriginal heritage. I work in Australian art and Indigenous art. It’s all blurry and messy for me. I think the more we embrace that messiness, the clearer it becomes.”

Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions: My Country opens on March 22 at NGV Australia.

Russell-Cook in Wurrdha Marra at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Five Pendant Lights To Brighten Any Room

By Alice Freer

DENMARK RETRO HANGING PENDANT LIGHTS –FROM $123 Add a nostalgic ’70s vibe to your home with these retro glass lights suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. From the bedroom and kitchen to the study or outdoor dining area, they’re perfect for any space as they have an adjustable cord to suit different ceiling heights. Available in a range of colours and two sizes. estilo-living.com

ALLIED MAKER CONCENTRIC PENDANT – FROM $1987 New York lighting design studio Allied Maker creates highly engineered pieces from natural materials like glass, wood and metal. Its Concentric pendant features a smooth, turnedwood dome with carved concentric lines underneath that create a ripple effect. Customise your fitting with a range of metal finishes, wood stains and glass bulb options. alliedmaker.com

HUMAN HOME MEILL PENDANT – $1293 Inspired by the repetitive lines of louvres in high-rise buildings, this Meill pendant is made by American design studio Human Home. Taking cues from tropical modernism, the off-white polymer shade’s texture gives a paper-like feel, reminiscent of traditional Japanese handmade lanterns. Radiating a soft glow, it adds a sense of calm and tranquillity to any space. humanhome.co

BROSTE COPENHAGEN DIANA LAMPSHADE

–

FROM $326 Designed by Nordic studio Broste Copenhagen (offering a fun twist on classic Scandinavian sensibility), the Diana lampshade leans towards a rustic aesthetic. Available in two sizes, it’s woven from multi-coloured jute rope and features a bold striped pattern. Choose from three stylish colour combinations including brown with blue or cream. livingandcompany.com

MARZ TERRA 1.5 PENDANT – $796 Byron Bay design studio Marz’s Terra light boasts an asymmetric stack of handmade ceramic forms, like chunky bangles for your bulb. What it lacks in size it makes up for in warmth and texture, and it’s available in four natural hues including slate and olive. Position it perfectly over a reading nook, bedside table or clustered above a larger setting. marzdesigns.com

HOME OF THE WEEK

Historic grandeur, modern chic

Words by Joanne Brookfield

With black steel-framed windows and doors lining the back wall and an arched one greeting you as you enter, this South Yarra abode successfully straddles the line between classic and contemporary.

With two storeys and four bedrooms, this double-brick house first appeared in the neighbourhood around the 1890s. As a result, it retains the imposing scale and grandeur of that era, with a generously sized floor plan and 3.5-metre ceilings to match, although it has been transformed into a thoroughly modern mansion.

The ground floor features separate living and dining rooms, another sitting room – that, with its built-in shelving unit with space for a large-screen TV, can function as the family room or home theatre space – and a large kitchen, which we’ll come back to.

Upstairs you’ll find all the bedrooms, the main featuring a walk-in wardrobe and marble en suite. A second bedroom, with a balcony, also has its own en suite, while the remaining two have easy access to the central bathroom, which includes an egg-shaped bath and attractive penny-round mosaic

marble tiles on the floor. There’s also a retreat space on this level, which could be used in a variety of ways.

The pops of black on the steel-framed doors, the steps of the staircase and bannister, and upper-level shutters against a white base colour, create a chic monochromatic palette that complements the heavy wrought iron gate and high white front wall that secludes and secures this high-end home.

That sense of interior style is enhanced with luxurious imported finishes and bespoke joinery, with wide French oak floors flowing throughout. The soft tones of those blend beautifully with the pale grey Carrara marble in the kitchen, used on the benches and splashback, while aged brass tapware completes the unified look.

Every modern cook’s dream, the state-ofthe-art kitchen is equipped with premium Gaggenau appliances, an integrated Liebherr fridge-freezer with a wine fridge, and a sizable American oak island bench for friends and family to gather around.

Not far from here, there’s a powder room and laundry with external access, but what

draws the eye when in the kitchen is the leafy vista visible through the bank of glazed doors.

The landscaped front yard features ornamental ponds, while the private backyard features established trees plus vertical gardens surrounding the solar-heated pool.

High-tech must-haves abound. The property features an alarm, video intercom, Sonos sound system throughout, hydronic heating, air-conditioning, irrigation, remote gates, and an internally accessed garage.

South Yarra

11 Tivoli Place $6.5 million-$6.9 million

4 3 2

Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, March 19

Agent: Marshall White, Marcus Chiminello 0411 411 271

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in South Yarra

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“A beautifully proportioned and seamlessly renovated residence with every conceivable amenity South Yarra offers at your doorstop.”

NEED TO KNOW

This is the fourth time this property has been on the market in the past decade. It last sold for $2.875 million in April 2021, for only $25,000 more than it did in April 2018.

RECENT SALES

$2.6 million

12 Cassell Street, November 2023

$3.65 million

28 Ralston Street, September 2023

$9.06 million

12 Como Avenue, September 2023

Marcus Chiminello Marshall White

LIFE IS NOT A PIECE OF CAKE

Words by Jenny Valentish · Photos by Mia Mala McDonald

Beatrix Bakes founder Natalie Paull says her new cookbook saved her “cake life”. Here she refects on the mania surrounding her shuttered Melbourne cake shop, the price of giving the public what they want, and her undiminished passion for baking.

Many a chef has used their cookbook as a plinth for personal philosophies, or artfully layered food porn with thick chunks of memoir – but not Natalie Paull. Just as she never big-noted her cult cafe Beatrix Bakes, she doesn’t let anything get in the way of her meticulously detailed recipes.

The only diversion in her second book, Beatrix Bakes Another Slice, is the “Dear You …” introduction. Ah, but those words are as loaded as a hazelnut layer cake with roasted cherries and honeycomb.

Paull writes beautifully of “endurance”, and how it applies to love and baking alike. She chooses a quote from Joni Mitchell, who was peeved at forever having to play Big Yellow Taxi: “Nobody ever said to Van Gogh, ‘Paint a Starry Night again, man!’ You know? He painted it, and that was it.”

For anyone who followed the hyperventilating news stories on the incredible rise and fall of her North Melbourne bakery during the pandemic years, the message is clear: Paull wants to reconnect with butter and flour, sans fanfare. Beatrixmania meant that, for a while there, everyone wanted a piece of her. Along with their piece of cake.

“That intro is very personal,” Paull tells Broadsheet. “I never stopped loving cake, but I did wonder, did I love doing so much cake? That’s why that Joni Mitchell quote is so great. To sing that song with meaning all the time … how do you do that?”

And the audience gets very angry if you don’t. “That’s right.”

Paull’s first cookbook, Beatrix Bakes, was published in March 2020, just as the world was about to lock itself indoors and bust out the flour. At the same time, her bakery would become a lifeline for those who wanted to use their one allocated hour outside to connect to local community. Lines started to curl around the block. Tempers started to fray … but we’ll get to all that.

Think back to 2011, when Beatrix Bakes first opened. It was the peak of food blogging; red velvet cakes reigned, thanks to Carrie Bradshaw’s infatuation in Sex and the City; and protein balls were yet to roll over the horizon. A year or so later, Sarah Wilson would put out the bestseller I Quit Sugar , followed in 2014 by Damon Gameau’s documentary, That Sugar Film.

“I thought, ‘Okay, so sugar is going to be the next bad thing, like full-fat was in the ’90s.’ But oh well, I’ll give it a go,” Paull remembers.

As it turned out, people were very into the idea of cake as a weekend ritual, or for a “cheat day” – and in any case, the sandwiches were

also incredible. Blogger Claire Davie [ aka Melbourne Gastronome], wrote one of the first rave reviews. Zoe Foster-Blake became a fan. Instagram foodies descended, proliferating cute pictures across the platform.

“Those boosts were incredible, but the best thing was the slow growth of the community,” Paull says. “It was meaningful. That was the core that I wanted to grow really carefully. I didn’t want the press. I would get so stressed if we’d been mentioned somewhere. We had people lining up like it was for Taylor Swift tickets, in their chairs outside really early in the morning.”

Social distancing became a sticky situation for Beatrix Bakes. They had to ditch

“The thing was, we did no advertising. We just put a list up on Instagram of what we had every day, like a courtesy post. I wish we could have magically made a big space for them. So that’s really sad. I always hoped that people could love us even though it had changed a bit.”

The ABC’s Virginia Trioli wrote about customers turning on Paull. The Age ran stories about the queue, complete with photos of people who’d arrived straight from the airport. Every column inch brought even more customers.

With the team running on adrenalin during the lockdowns, it was the aftermath that hit hard. Government assistance dried up and Paull’s team, understandably, drifted.

“It was super tough, because of  the ‘second album syndrome’. I worried about people not loving it after they loved the first one. But doing this book really did save my little cake life.”

the tables and the made-to-order sandwiches. The line became harder to police – Paull had to pacify neighbours and queuers alike. She’s the first to admit she’s no bouncer. The organic growth sounds like every business’s dream, but for Paull it meant neglecting her loyal community.

“And I don’t use ‘community’ in the way that it gets used now, where it means ‘customer’,” she says. “I’d seen these kids grow up, I’d baked for birthdays and funerals.”

When regulars couldn’t sit and chat – or might even be turned away as supplies ran out – it was probably a bit like when you’re a teenager and your favourite band becomes popular. Some earlier adopters become resentful.

“And gosh, I can see their faces,” Paull says.

out how to sit with this thing that I did that I loved so much, that I couldn’t do for longer.”

Beatrix Bakes Another Slice nearly didn’t happen, such was the pressure. For Paull it’s not just a cookbook, it’s a hero’s journey.

“It was super tough, because of the ‘second album syndrome’. I worried about people not loving it after they loved the first one. But doing this book really did save my little cake life.”

For the reader, it’s an exhaustive and precious resource. When Paull first started writing recipes she was inspired by the specificity of Rose Levy Beranbaum, whose 13 books include The Baking Bible, and the food-science angle of Harold McGee, who wrote On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

“I like to anticipate what questions people will ask when they make the recipe,” Paull says, admitting to being a chronic overthinker. “Not everyone likes really wordy recipes though, so you could just follow the major steps, but then you get all the extra info in the little break-outs if you want them.”

Compared to the original, Another Slice has a few more easier tray bakes and pies as well as shop favourites. “The books work on their own, but can also work together,” Paull says. “I call it the Adaptrix Tips. You might take a layer cake recipe from the first book and a butter cream from the second book, and mix and match.”

How did Paull straddle that line between giving the reader her hard-earned wisdom and retaining her mystery?

“You can’t retain any mystery,” she says immediately. “You have to give it all away and trust that you’ll get more back in. It’s that gift of giving people more than cake – it’s giving them a skill for life, and confidence.”

Once every last edit was done, Paull went on a big holiday to Italy. “I ate cake and gelato and I threw myself into the Ligurian Sea, and felt myself healed and alive again.”

“After three years of marking time, some staff found their forever jobs and some went overseas,” Paull says. “On a personal note, that time intersected with perimenopause. It was a heart-thumping anxiety that I’d never experienced before. It wasn’t conducive to being a leader, and I didn’t have a business partner. The writing was on the wall.”

Paull guested on Masterchef in June 2022, giving a masterclass in how to make her cheesecake-stuffed carrot cake. It went to air the week before she announced the shop would close. What was that final Saturday like, when she called “last cakes”?

“I really wanted to keep everything upbeat and a celebration,” she says. “In the aftermath, there’s been lots of therapy to work

Later this year she’ll hold some classes. But will she ever open a bakery again?

“Ah, it’s the big question, isn’t it? If I have a rest, maybe. That’s usually my MO – I’ve been burnt out before and come back to it. But at 50, I don’t know if that’s what I want to do. I’m writing recipes. I don’t know what they’ll be. I’m just enjoying life and not getting up so early.”

Beatrix Bakes: Another Slice by Natalie Paull is available now through Hardie Grant. Thanks to Holy Sugar cake shop, Northcote, for hosting our photo shoot. Hair and make-up by Dana Leviston. Join Broadsheet Access and Natalie Paull for an exclusive event in May. For more details – including how to become a member – head to broadsheet.com.au/join

LIKE A LOCAL

Beaumaris

By Jo Walker

Few neighbourhoods can claim to be of equal interest to amateur paleontologists, suburban whale watchers and fans of mid-century modern architecture. But Beaumaris has plenty on offer for them all – as well as anyone keen on bayside vibes, good coffee and excellent sunset views.

The suburb is situated on a headland, with a coastline that takes in Beaumaris Cliff – internationally recognised for marine and terrestrial fossils – and Ricketts Point. Just offshore sits the 115-hectare Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. With clear waters, rockpools and sea caves, it’s an ideal spot for viewing sea creatures – including, from late June to early July, migrating humpback whales.

Back on land, there’s spectacle of a different kind, with plenty of mid-century residential architecture to admire (the local Beaumaris Modern group has two books on the subject, and organises walking tours and annual open home events).

Take a coffee break at Rickett’s Point Beaumaris, a seaside cafe where diners are known to spot dolphins, pelicans and black swans. There are more coffee spots – including Ginger Fox – clustered around The Concourse. Or head to Balcombe Road for Saska Cafe and Commonfolk Beaumaris, which offers a rotation of local beers, lo-fi wines and Mimosas alongside ethically produced coffees and creative brunches.

The local dining scene is big on longstanding neighbourhood institutions. Family-run restaurant La Cucina serves traditional Italian fare. Flavours Patisserie is a comfortable nook specialising in French pastry favourites like croissants, crepes and macarons. And the iconic Lobster Cave has a seafood dining experience (and extensive cocktail menu) that’s kept locals coming back for more than 30 years.

Gin Dispensary is a top choice for late-afternoon drinks. Located on Beach Road at the old Beaumaris Hotel site, it’s a laid-back gin bar and cellar door with a tidy share-plate menu.

For something more decadent, there’s the glitzy goldand-granite Le Bar Supper Club – inspired in equal parts by jazz-age Paris and 1920s New York speakeasy. Boasting signature cocktails and a classic French supper menu (including a well-regarded steak frites), the club hosts frequent burlesque nights and swinging live music.

NEED TO KNOW

Recently finding its way into the $2 million club (recording a $2 million-plus median house price), Beaumaris remains a quiet achiever. Undeniably affluent, there is an ease to this seaside suburb that separates it from its well-to-do neighbours. Expect chill vibes and community spirit.

Average Age

48

Median Weekly income $2,622

Owner

87%

Family

60%

Renter 13%

Single 40%

Top: Browsing Merchant grocery store, photo Amy Hemmings. Left and right: Commonfolk Beaumaris, photos courtesy venue. Below: Ginger Fox, photo Amy Hemmings

Clockwise from top: Rickett’s Point seaside cafe, Flavours Patisserie, Beaumaris coastline, Rock pools, all photos Amy Hemmings

THE COLLECTION Best Jumpers AW 2024

Words by Alice Jeffery · Photos by Clint Peloso

Elevated streetwear label Best Jumpers has become a fixture in well-curated wardrobes across the country. Known for its tongue-in-cheek take on logo pieces, laid-back tees and classic sportswear-inspired silhouettes, the unisex brand pays attention to the details.

Designer and founder Dylan Best won the National Designer Award at Melbourne Fashion Festival in March 2023. The career-defining prize pool added up to a value of $130,000 – which included $20,000 cash and a David Jones capsule collection – and set Best up to take his label to the next level.

The Melbourne designer cut his fashion teeth living in New York, studying at Parsons School of Design and working at Ralph Lauren and Club Monaco before returning to Australia in 2018 Best’s time at the American sportswear juggernauts set the tone for his label – but there’s an irreverent and unequivocally Aussie flex to the brand’s signature pieces.

Now, Best takes his focus on fabrics and playful approach into a new era, adding elegant tailoring, clean denim and leather accessories to the line-up this season.

What can we expect from Best Jumpers for autumn/winter 2024? We’re introducing more elevated pieces this season. There’s some really great tailoring – our version of suiting is a bit more relaxed, with details like elasticated waistbands and oversized shoulders on the blazer –and a really timeless double-breasted coat.

We’ve done some denim before, but we’re adding it as a new category this season. There’s one relaxed-fit unisex silhouette and it’s available in four washes, including black and two lighter blue shades.

Will we still see iconic logos from past seasons? Yes, our “Mate” logo features across intarsia jumpers and is printed on rugby jumpers. We’ve also got our wombat motif heroed on some of the knitwear.

What colours are coming into the mix? Navy blue and camel have a really strong presence this

season, particularly in the new outerwear pieces. They’re timeless, core shades and there are quite a lot of tonal pieces that can be layered together. There are also shades of grey and some pops of colour, like green.

Knitwear is part of the brand’s DNA. Tell us about what’s ahead. We’ve got a new range of cashmere knits that are really simple and beautiful. Some have cable detailing, which has turned out really great and elevates the classic pieces.

What were your main sources of inspiration for this collection? There’s definitely a strong ’ 90 s nostalgia, particularly from mood board photos of my family, my parents and memories of growing up in that era – like the rugby jumpers. I always have a lot of TV and movie references, too. We have some tracksuits that are Sopranos-inspired. And we’ve also done a spin on the Princess Diana koala jumper with our wombat knit.

There’s quite a bit of prep influence in this collection but still with a relaxed, streetwear vibe. References for our campaign shoot were pulled from ’90s Ralph Lauren, Gap and J Crew ads, too.

And who are you designing for? As a Melbourne brand, I always think about our climate. A lot of Australian labels are focused on resortwear, but we’re from Melbourne and we have all seasons to dress for. I love outerwear and I think it’s a big part of creating a full look. I often have myself in mind when I’m designing, but also my wife – that’s where the unisex element comes in. I consider how our female customers might wear pieces and what’s going to look cool for both men and women.

What pieces are you most excited about? The suiting is really exciting to me because we haven’t done it before. We’ve done some pieces like dress trousers, but this season just takes it to the next level.

Is there anything else we should look out for? We have two leather tote bags, which are inspired by old shopping bags and leather satchels. We’ve done our spin on those silhouettes in black and brown.

Live the Ultimate 1990s Aussie Beach House Fantasy at Sagres Queenscliff

By Michael Harry

Sagres is a dreamy holiday rental named after a town on the south-western tip of Portugal, but mercifully closer to home. One hundred minutes outside of Melbourne in the sleepy village of Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, you’ll find the all-white, sharp-roofed house designed by late architect Wayne Gillespie in 1991. Originally conceived for Lady Susannah Clarke and Sir Rupert Clarke, it was renovated extensively by their daughter, Jo Youl, in 2022 with a coastal palette of stone, wood and soft Mediterranean tones.

The striking building sits at the end of a narrow block well back from the road; the front garden

is dotted with olive trees and a just-built swimming pool is surrounded by sunlounges. On the ground floor there are three double bedrooms with queensized beds; a lush, shared bathroom and laundry leading to an outdoor shower and bath; and a kidfriendly rumpus room lined with old books and stacks of retro games. A feature stairway leads to the middle floor with its flash, fully equipped kitchen; formal living room; long dining table; and a concealed bar, flanked by two solid balconies. Continue up to the top floor to find two main suites with kingsized beds and ensuite bathrooms stocked with

luxe products from Aussie brand Leif and beautiful towels and linens from Youl’s textile business, Quoin the Label.

The views are a knockout. A procession of giant ships cruise past on the way to and from the city alongside sailboats, speedboats, fishing trawlers, pleasure cruisers, surfers, swimmers and so many birds. A private path leads straight to the sand of Nuns Beach, so you’ll find it very difficult to leave this luxurious slice of Aussie holiday life. It’s an elegant and expensive escape ($1400 a night with a two-night minimum stay) you’ll dream about returning to.

LUXURY

Words by Kay Keighery & Shae Wiedermann

Hawthorn

37 Mary Street

$14 million-$15 million

5 4

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, March 19

Agent: Kay & Burton, Scott Patterson 0417 581 074

Exuding luxury, this grand family residence is truly one of Hawthorn’s finest. Renovated by conservation architect Meredith Gould, the house is surrounded by lush gardens and has a rear pool and spa. Formal living and dining areas complement the library, study and multipurpose rooms, and there is no absence of space with a cellar, storage room and butler’s pantry. Two balconies overlook the garden, while a roof terrace provides panoramic views of the city.

Albert Park

93 Richardson Street

$5 million-$5.5 million

Armadale

8a Mercer Road

$8.5 million-$8.9 million

4 3 3

Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, March 13

Agent: Marshall White, Marcus Chiminello 0411 411 271

This three-level, contemporary abode rocks all the right angles. With everything pretty much straight but for the triple-garage turntable, you get four generous bedrooms (including the main suite), several living areas and a lift to boot. The sitting room and the hub have fireplaces. Glass doors in the latter part to a vine-draped barbecue loggia cosied up with a plunge pool. Tasteful appointments and an impressive array of appliances heighten the allure.

Hawthorn East

500 Barkers Road

$7 million-$7.7 million

5

Auction: 10.30am, March 16

Agent: Marshall White, Nicholas Hoo 0435 728 272

The reinvention of this period home delivers clever takes on al fresco space. While the hub on the ground floor links up with a chic barbecue terrace and a pool tucked into the north-west side, the second-storey retreat opens to a large city-view deck. The double-fronted facade is wedding-cake pretty. The main bedroom has an opulent en suite. Top-end fixtures, fittings and extensive creature comforts suggest the lifestyle here is a cut above average.

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, March 19

Agent: Marshall White, Davide Lettieri 0414 018 707

Constructed in the early 1900s for banker Edward Ward, this spacious and noteworthy pile brims with cross-century character. Set to change hands for only the third time, it flaunts formal and casual spaces, all fitted and finished to perfection. The introductory garden provides a green buffer, the wraparound verandah heralds two entrances and the backyard houses a cute cottage. A distinctive turret and prominent positioning on a large allotment cement its landmark status.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Richard Cornish, Maria Harris & Shae Wiedermann

LAST WEEKEND

Clearance Rate of 63%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR NATIONAL EDITOR SAYS

Natalie Mortimer Domain national magazine editor

“Following scorching days, autumn ends the conventional selling season. Cooler weather brings a focused real estate market, beneficial for sellers, creating an ideal time to list your home.”

Kew

4 Dunlop Avenue

$3 million-$3.3 million

4

Auction: 10am March 16

HIGHEST VALUE

$7.5 million

Canterbury

24 The Ridge

Sold by Jellis Craig*

*As reported on March 2, 2024

Agent: Kay & Burton, Sophie Su 0425 270 125

This imposing home in Kew’s elite Studley Park precinct makes perfect sense for families wanting contemporary luxury with a swimming pool. Its three levels are linked by a lift. Interiors with stone finishes and engineered timber flooring include a spectacular Miele kitchen, a second living room and a theatre or gym. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and an opulent en suite.

Prahran

6 Pridham Street

$1.5 million-$1.65 million

4 2

Auction: 11am, March 16

Agent: Jellis Craig, David Sciola 0408 598 242

This Victorian house in a prime location has been recently renovated to include a second storey. The facade is traditional and includes a picket fence and ornate lacework. Inside, the high ceilings and skylights create light-filled living spaces. The bedrooms (two up and two down) have ample space and one comes with the option to convert into a formal lounge area or study. Period-style fireplaces, plantation shutters, wool carpet, and European oak flooring complete the home.

Elsternwick

69 Shoobra Road

$3.1 million-$3.3 million 4

Auction: 1.30pm, March 16

Agent: Jellis Craig, Warwick Gardiner 0438 308 555

This beautifully grand Victorian home, with its high ceilings and leadlight features, has an equally substantial modern extension at the rear with an open-plan kitchen and living area. This opens out to a sun-drenched backyard with an al fresco dining area and cabana by the pool. Located in the leafy and tranquil historic college district, this substantial home is minutes from Elsternwick village.

Hampton

4 Retreat Road

$2.7 million-$2.85 million 4 2

Auction: 10.30am, March 24

Agent: Belle Property Sandringham, Jenny Dwyer 0418 528 988

Gardens are great for entertaining, children’s play and exploring nature. This renovated California bungalow on 607 square metres has a terrific connection to the outdoors. The large dining and living zone, opening to an elevated deck for indoor-outdoor entertaining, overlooks the back garden. The local kindergarten, Hampton Street shops, schools and beach are all within walking distance.

Albert Park

82 Kerferd Road

$2.9 million-$3.1 million

4 2 2

Auction: Noon, March 16

Agent: Jellis Craig, Warwick Gardiner 0438 308 555

This pair of art deco era apartments is selling under the one title, so they could be converted into a unique two-story home or continue as separate residences. With its lofty, leafy outlook, this spacious corner property is perfectly perched between the beach, Albert Park village and trams and light rail.

St Kilda West

64/333 Beaconsfield Parade $900,000-$950,000

2 1 1

Auction: 10.30am, March 16

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

This elevated apartment combines late1970s cool with modern amenities. A wall of double-glazed windows wraps around the clean lines of this space, giving breathtaking 270-degree views of the bay. The beach is across the road, trams a block away, and restaurants and cafes of St Kilda a short walk.

Toorak

1/26 Tintern Avenue

$2 million-$2.2 million

2 2 2

Auction: 2pm, March 23

Agent: Kay & Burton, Gary Ormrod 0419 588 331

Be spoilt for space at this very generous twobedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the edge of Toorak Village. A refined and secure single-level haven, just moments from dining, shops and trams, its living domain opens to a covered terrace overlooking the lush private front garden. The study has garden views.

Hover your camera over the code to view live listings on domain.com.au

16 Orchard Grove, Blackburn South

PRICE GUIDE $2,500,000 - $2,750,000

AUCTION Saturday 23 March 9.30am

Resting on a landscaped corner allotment, this magnificent 3- bedroom French Provincial residence offers a lifestyle dream for discerning families. Impressive from every angle, discover an array of designer appointments, including 3m high ceilings, solid oak doors, marble surfaces and opulent Swarovski crystal chandeliers.

Flaunting an abundance of space for all, the home includes a plush formal sitting room & separate light-filled open plan family zone, premium Gaggenau kitchen with butler’s pantry, stunning alfresco amongst Ian Barker designed gardens, and a remote double garage accessed off Herbert Street.

▪ Luxurious custom built family retreat completed in 2016

▪ Premium Gaggenau kitchen, complete with 900mm induction cooktop and rangehood, microwave, oven, and plate warmer

▪ Lavish master features walk-in robe & luxe ensuite

▪ Two further plush robed bedrooms

▪ Stunning entertainers' alfresco with built-in barbecue, wok burner & sink

▪ Remote double garage with epoxy finished flooring and internal access

▪ Garage access off the quiet Herbert Street

▪ Hydronic heating throughout plus electric reverse heating and cooling

Saturday 23 March 3.30pm

4 Auburn Road, Hawthorn

4 2 2 1 613 approx.

40 Chrystobel Crescent, Hawthorn

5 2 1,600 approx. 3

“Wembden” - This illustrious c1908 solid brick Federation residence with breathtaking dimensions is comfortably presented for immediate family appeal & presents irresistible scope for a luxurious renovation that meets the expectations of today’s modern families.

Auction

Saturday 23rd March at 12:30pm

Open for Inspection

Wednesday 12.30pm-1.00pm & Saturday 12.00pm-12.30pm

Duane Wolowiec 0418 567 581

Désirée Wakim 0412 336 266

Stuart Evans 0402 067 710

John Bongiorno 0418 328 056

0417 003 333

Robert Le 0409 877 851

Thursday 10.15am-10.45am & Saturday 12.15pm-12.45pm

An expansive Sackville Ward family sanctuary offering grandeur, luxury and resort style excellence. 6

4 MERNDA ROAD KOOYONG

5 4 2 1075 sqm*

Expressions of interest

Close 2 April at 1pm

Viewing

Wednesday 1-1:30pm

Saturday 2-2:30pm

Darren Lewenberg

0412 555 556

Grant Samuel

0403 132 095

Ross Savas

0418 322 994

6-7 KILSYTH AVENUE TOORAK

5 5 6 790 sqm*

Expressions of interest

Close 19 March at 3pm

Viewing

Wednesday 2-2:30pm

Saturday 1-1:30pm

Grant Samuel

0403 132 095

Darren Lewenberg

0412 555 556

Robert Li

0413 725 369

a

a

Thursday

Palatial 1980's Estate No Heritage

5 Grosvenor Court, Toorak

a b c d e f

301G/14-16

Saint Moritz by GURNER™ is acknowledged as changing the Australian luxury landscape with an unprecedented dedication to world class service, amenity and wellness. Including Samsara an exclusive resident only wellness facility taking in cryotherapy, �lotations tank & stunning 25m pool, this is six star living on another level.

Personally designed and retained by developer Tim Gurner, with priceless views of the St Kilda foreshore, this penthouse style residence offers two �loors of stunning design, perfectly zoned, delivering an irreplaceable home at one of Melbourne’s most desirable addresses.

You are greeted by a soaring 6 metre double height void, two living zones, four bedrooms including a master suite like no other with retreat and sauna, �ive bathrooms and a palatial six car garage. Curated with care this is one of the few prestigious Saint Moritz residences facing the shimmering bay.

PRESENTED BY

20 – 24th MARCH 2024

ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING AND CARLTON GARDENS

THE LARGEST FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IS BACK FOR IT’S BIGGEST YEAR YET!