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HOME Noosa coastal LUXE

Stylist Emily Henderson’s LA Home

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The Aussie Design Influencers!

HUSK DISTILLERY

An Australian

gin story

A Bruny Island coastal getaway

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home . interiors . garden . design

ele HOME 1. 2021 ISSUE 1

Life takes you unexpected places, love brings you home. 2

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editor’s letter Welcome to the very first issue of ele HOME. Sitting down on a sunny Saturday afternoon to write my very first Editor’s letter, had me reflecting on the inspiration for my lifelong obsession with all things home and design. I was raised by parents and grandparents who shared with me, from a young age, a passion for beautiful homes and gardens. My favourite memories are afternoons spent in my Nan’s garden, where she would hand me a pair of secateurs allowing me to pick a bunch of flowers to take home for my bedroom. For five-year-old me, this was better than being let loose in a candy shop. I’d mix roses with geraniums, dahlias with daisies and my favourite, hydrangeas, in blues and white. I would spend all night arranging and rearranging until I had what I thought was the perfect vase of blooms. There is no doubt, their early influence instilled my love for home and design that lasts to this day. I grew up watching my parents spend all of their free time working to make our family homes warm, welcoming and stylish, even when we didn’t have a huge amount of money to spare, building homes where everybody seemed to congregate. My father especially, loved his garden and spent countless hours creating and nurturing. Both sets of grandparents had acreage plots, busily cultivating huge vegetable patches ensuring most of what we ate was directly from the veggie garden to the plate. Generations of love and pride in one’s home and garden and welcoming others to the table, has left me with a love of entertaining and hosting friends and family in my own home. My parent’s and grandparent’s legacy has been not only an innate gratitude for what I have, but the ability to enjoy the little things in life. I was taught that expensive is not always the best, decorate with what you love and not what others tell you is ‘in’. These valuable lessons have led me to where I am today, editing a home and garden magazine, that I hope you are both inspired by and can relate to. In this issue we feature some beautiful and diverse homes from around Australia, showcasing some of the most gorgeous spots our country has to offer. We visit a cosy and welcoming home right on the beach at Bruny Island (pg 36), just off the coast of Tasmania. Bruny Island is a place I hold dear to my heart, being the first holiday spot I ever shared with my husband, nearly a decade ago. We also visit the cosmopolitan and stylish coastal town of Noosa (pg 56), then head to Northern NSW (pg 48) where we visit a playful and colourful home set amongst a sugar cane plantation. I hope you enjoy this magazine as much as I have loved bringing it to life. Grab a cuppa (or a gin), find a cosy spot and sit back and enjoy.

Katie S kinner Editor

HOME Credits Editor-in-Chief: Mia Cowling Editor: Katie Skinner Our Contributors Katy Holliday Social Instagram: @eat.live.escape_home Facebook: facebook.com/eatliveescape Twitter: @eatliveescape Web eatliveescape.com Subscribe eatliveescape.com Advertise Want to advertise with us? Email: hello@eatliveescape.com eat.live.escape is proudly published by MJC Digital Pty Ltd PO Box 91 Woodend Victoria 3442 Australia mjcpublishing.com ABN 19 630 569 989 Views and opinions expressed by contributors and authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved. eat.live.escape is committed to sustainable business practices and supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Issue 1, 2021 ISSN 2653-049X Copyright eat.live.escape 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ele HOME acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the place where this magazine is published. ele HOME also pays respects to Elders past and present.

Front cover. The beautiful back patio of stylist Emily Henderson’s LA home. Turn to page 72 for more. Image: Sara Ligorria-Tramp.

Image: Lean Timms ele HOME

Image: Lean Timms

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Issue 1 | contents 28

46 8

THE INFLUENCERS

JUNGLE FEVER

We meet three influential Aussie designers of Tips and tricks to grow your very own indoor the moment. jungle.

HUSK DISTILLERS

The rise of the great Aussie gin.

THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE

Meet Karina Jambrak, Kirsten Jackson & Kimmy Hogan.

HOMES

From Noosa to Bruny Island, five homeowners take us through their incredible homes.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE GARDEN

FOOD

Sarah Todd’s Indian kitchen.

THE BEAUTY SPOT

VISIT

We visit the beautiful town of Bright, Victoria.

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The Influencers

ele HOME talks to three of the most influential home designers in Australia today.

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Summer Garden Party pg 112

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Maine House Interiors Tell us a bit about your business? I run a full service boutique interior design firm. We are engaged in all areas of design from space planning, joinery design, fittings and fixtures specification and bespoke furniture design. We see a project through from conception to completion and work all across Australia.

Amy Spargo

Where are you based? I live on the Mornington Peninsula and have an office in Toorak. How would you describe your style? Classic, welcoming and colourful. How did you begin your career in design? I side stepped into design after a false start in Behavioural Science (although it does come in handy from time to time). I started work experience during my university years at a large architectural practice and then followed into working at a small boutique design firm, Nexus Designs. I was lucky enough to have my first project published on the cover of House and Garden magazine after opening Maine House Interiors only six months earlier, that really was a fabulous starting point for me. Your best interior design tip? Buy well, buy once. What designers inspire you? Miles Redd, Tony Buratta, Bunny Williams and Mark D Sikes, to name a few. What else inspires you? Travel, the colours in nature and my family.

What do you love about your work? I really love getting to know my clients, seeing how they live, what they love, what is important to them and then designing spaces that really capture that. Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip? My greatest budget buy would have to be the raffia console table that I picked up at my local opportunity shop for $50, it is amazing what you can find in those stores.. My budget decorating tip would be use paint well, it doesn’t cost more to paint a room blue as opposed to white, so have fun with it (but never just as a feature wall!). Favourite travel destination? Santa Margherita, Italy. @mainehouseinteriors www.mainehouseinteriors.com Photographer: Lisa Cohen @lisacohenphoto Stylist: Tess Newman-Morris

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Indah Island Tell us a bit about your business?

Indah Island has been family owned and operated for 18 years. We have been fortunate to earn many industry awards and Indah Island is regularly featured in prominent magazines and TV programs such as Dream Homes, Ready Set Reno, Luxury Homes Revealed, Best Houses Australia, Open Homes Australia and Through the Front Gate, viewed by 40 million in America. Where are you based?

We are based in Perth Western Australia, but that doesn’t stop us from taking on long distance projects! We have been commissioned both Australia wide and internationally. How would you describe your style?

My personal style is tropical and beachy Hamptons with an eclectic twist, with heavy

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layering and lots of natural textures. I am regularly asked “what actually defines a Hamptons style home?” I always explain that there are many minor styles that fall under a Hampton’s style category; traditional and classic American, formal and glamourous, oriental and eclectic, modern and minimalistic, boho and casual, tropical and beachy. And the beauty of it is, that some or all of these styles can be included in your own personal Hamptons home to create a styled atmosphere that is uniquely you! How did you begin your career in design?

As a young adult, I was obsessed with fashion design, owning and designing my own fashion label. My builder-father insisted I go get a qualification in a practical area, so I chose to study interior design. Your best interior design tip?

Oh I have so many! To nail my favourite look, I always recommend using natural textures and creating a layered look with lots of detail.

Natalee Bowen

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What designers inspire you?

Ralph Lauren, Victoria Hagen, Mark D. Sikes and Bunny Williams never fail to ignite my creativity! What else inspires you?

The Hamptons lifestyle will always be my greatest inspiration. The way they live like every day is a holiday, inspires me to create luxurious resort style spaces. What do you love about your work?

Above all, my wonderful clients! The joy of when they see their transformed home completed for the first time is all the reward I need! Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

Don’t be ruled by budget, buy what you love. When you buy what you love, you’ll always find a place for it. Favourite travel destination?

The Hamptons in the USA of course! When I visited a few years back, experiencing the Hamptons in person gave me a new perspective and a fresh adoration of the style. Instagram @indahisland store account @indahislandandco Online store at www.indahisland.com Photographer: Cath Muscat

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Rachael Turner

Front Porch Properties Tell us a bit about your business? Well, where to start…….I’m a licensed builder and I started Front Porch Properties 6 years ago now, back in 2015. I’ve always had a passion for classic and timeless, American inspired renovations and new builds and this passion has allowed me over the years, to create a niche market in and around Brisbane, my company motto is “creating modern homes with storybook charm”. Front Porch Properties does take care of all aspects of the design of the build, starting with the working drawings right through to all the interior and exterior finishes, which I think has been an integral part of my success. I like to take a very handson approach for each project that I am involved in, starting with the initial design, right through to the final paint colours, flooring and even the door handles, walking my clients through the process to ensure that their vision does actually become their reality. When it comes time for move-in day, I always find it so rewarding to see my clients embrace their new family home. ele HOME

Where are you based? We are based in Brisbane, and I do plan to establish a new office and showroom in the not too distant future, but for now, I have recently signed a new lease on a commercial shed, which at this stage, is more of a storage facility for a new arm to the business, selling custom designed doors, which are now available via the Front Porch Properties website. How would you best describe your style? I’ve always been a very classic girl in terms of my style. I draw a lot of inspiration from the more traditional styled homes such as Cape Cod, Modern Farmhouses, Classic Beach houses and rustic cottages. I am really drawn to the character that these types of homes exude. How did you begin your career in design? Well, I’m by no means a designer, I would consider myself to have a good eye for design which carries through in my builds. I’m originally a classically trained pianist but I was always obsessed with construction, design and site elevations. Little did I know that I would take a huge leap of faith and pursue this dream a little further down the line. It all started with a very run down fixer-upper that I stumbled across in Woolloongabba back in 2013 which I totally transformed, it sold in its first week on the market. This project really showcased what I was capable of and it totally cemented my passion for residential building. The rest is history so they say.

Your best interior design tip? I believe you should always be able to find the perfect balance between beauty and function. A piece should not just be chosen based upon beauty alone, it should be able to function well for your home and your family. What designers inspire you? People ask me that all the time, and I honestly don’t really have anyone specific that inspires me. I get told all the time that I have a similar style to Joanna Gaines and Studio McGee, and of course, I know who they are, but I don’t follow their every move. I guess I draw my inspiration through travels and my love for strong lines, be it a roofline, exterior weatherboard cladding or vertical grooves internally be it VJ panelling or wainscoting. For me I guess it all stems back to tradition and classic homes. What else inspires you? I love giving back, and I have a desire to leave a legacy behind. I really want to have an impact and be able to use my skills and my business to help others in need. I like to strive for more everyday, creating a difference as I go. This time last year I was in the Bahamas helping to rebuild homes after Hurricane Dorian swept through. We hired teams of local trades people and I was project managing some of the rebuild and repair work. This was a very rewarding experience for me to be able to put my skills to use in this way.

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What do you love about your work? I absolutely love what I do, I feel like I was born to be in this role and in this industry. I have huge variety each day between site, my office, tile stores, coffee shop meetings, clients and suppliers, there is literally never a dull moment and I thrive on the activity. I always get excited by transforming a run down house that needs some TLC and I absolutely love bringing something back to it’s full beautiful potential for it’s beloved family. I love huge new builds and large ‘raise & build under’ renovations, but I also love doing small renovations too, there’s just something about a quick little flip of a bathroom or a kitchen that’s always exciting and they often get forgotten about but they do also really matter. Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip? I would say customising flat packs, adding some creative flare to what is otherwise seen as a little standard and boring by most. With a little creative thought and a good lick of paint, you really can create a beautiful space. Favourite travel destination? South East Asia is definitely on top of my travel list, I love everything about it, the kind hearted people and their culture, the food and just the sheer beauty and diversity of the land. @frontporchproperties www.frontporchproperties.com.au Photographer & Stylist - Louise Roche from @villastyling ele HOME

HUSK DISTILLERS From paddock to bottle, the great rise of the Australian gin

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rowing up in the 90s in Australia you pretty much had two choices of gin – Gordon’s or the exotic Bombay Sapphire that your mum kept on the bar for special occasions. We were always told gin would make us depressed or we mixed it with such awful tonics that overpowered the delicate botanicals. For these reasons most of us stuck to the classic vodka, lime, and soda when we hit the pubs and bars of Australia. Fast forward to 2021 and gin in Australia has come a long way. It is now a growing domestic industry worth over $1 billion a year that supports countless jobs and our many boutique distilleries have put Australian gins on the world map. One of these local distilleries is Husk Farm Distillery, located on a 150 acre farm in the Tweed Valley near the tiny river side town of Tumbulgum. ele HOME sat down with Harriet Messenger, the General Manager of Marketing and Hospitality at Husk to talk about one of the highest selling gins in Australia and how Husk flourished. How did Husk come to life? Husk Distillers was started up in 2012 with a vision to bring sipping quality agricultural rum to Australia after a revelation that there was no-one in Australia making this style of rum, which is so popular in France and the French Caribbean. As a rum loving, sugar cane producing country we wanted to bring this fantastic, full flavoured, provenance driven style of rum to Australia. We sold the family home, purchased a 150 acre farm in the Tweed Valley, converted a 6x8m farm shed to a pilot plant distillery, planted some sugar cane in the paddock, and the rest is history.

Harvesting sugar cane for the rum agricole

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Tell us about the Husk product line? As well as Husk Rum, we also make Ink Gin, which is currently Australia’s best-selling ultra-premium gin (which is so amazing – thank you Ink Gin fans!!). Ink came about as a by-product of the rum making process. Because agricultural rum can only be made during the cane harvest season, we knew we wanted to create a gin to make during the summer months. After searching Australia and our wide backyard of the Asia Pacific, we came across the beautiful butterfly pea flower. Our founder Paul started experimenting with butterfly pea flowers in 2011 when we were in the planning stage of our farm distillery. While working through the design and approvals process we spent time cutting and crushing fresh cane juice and running trial ferments and distillations of what would become the first Australian agricultural rum. We knew from the outset that we would only ever be able to make fresh cane juice rum for five months of the year and we needed another product to improve cash flow projections for the business, so we started looking around for interesting gin botanicals. Paul was introduced to dok un chan, the Thai butterfly pea (non-alcoholic) drink and its colour changing properties and wondered if it would work in a gin. We bought five seeds for five dollars, planted them and a few months later picked enough flowers to start trial infusions. It didn’t impart much flavour, but the blue colour was unusual and it was pretty cool to see it change with lime or lemon juice. Then we started playing around with different mixers. Mixing soda water made an attractive sky-blue drink that tasted great but didn’t change colour. When we mixed a Gin and Tonic the result was sensational. We didn’t realise until then that tonic water is acidic, most with a pH around three. The transformation from deep blue to the beautiful, sparkling, blush pink and vibrant liquid full of effervescence was a game changer, very different to the dull cloudiness when mixed with lemon or lime juice. We could see right then that the butterfly pea ink gin and tonic was a match made in heaven. That was definitely a eureka moment for us but it would take another four years before we were ready to launch Ink Gin in

Founder and CEO of Husk Distillers, Paul Messenger and Head Distiller, Quentin Brival

the market. Over the next 18 months we trialled dozens of botanicals, traditional and local natives, until we finally had a flavour profile that consistently beat the bestselling high end commercial gins in the blind tastings we ran. In August 2013 we registered our trademark for Ink Gin and began working on the packaging. By this time, we had set up our pilot plant distillery on the farm and we were filling barrels of Agricole rum using hand cut and crushed cane sticks from our paddock. Around that time, we began to notice the early bottles of gin were fading in colour. It didn’t affect the flavour but the organic colour was slowly fading out, so we experimented with different preparation and filtration methods which took time and then we ran a whole bunch of shelf life storage and transport tests. We had no background in the liquor game, so everything was new to us and it was a steep and adventurous learning curve. We knew we had a novel idea, and we were unsure what to do next, so, in February 2015 we registered an Innovation Patent for our colour changing gin and put our first batch of 105 bottles in the market that July. The initial response was mixed, consumers loved the theatre and taste of it and, while the bar scene agreed it was a great tasting gin, some to our astonishment asked “why didn’t you just make a clear gin”... We distilled that first batch in our 50-litre pot still, but in a few months we stepped up to the 1000 litre pot and by June 2018 we were running all batches through our new 6,000 litre Forsyth pot still. ele HOME

Can you tell us about the design and creation of the Husk buildings? What inspired you? Who designed the buildings and outdoor spaces? The Husk Distillery buildings were inspired by a rundown old factory we drove past while on a family trip to New Zealand. It was sitting proud and crumbling in the middle of a beautiful field. We pulled up, jumped out and started pacing it out. Co-founder Mandy (and wife of Paul) can be credited for the interior and exterior design of the building. The grounds were designed by local Landscape Architect Duncan Gibbs. What does 2021 have in store for Husk? 2021 will see several new products be launched, that we have been working on for some time. In 2021 we will also commission a new sugar mill, our new 1000-barrel strong barrel house and spirit tank farm. We are also hoping to purchase a whiz bang bottling line in 2021 – at the moment we still bottle everything by hand. @huskdistillers and @ink_gin www.huskdistillers.com 1152 Dulguigan Road North Tumbulgum NSW 2490 Open to the public for tours, cocktails & bar snacks WednesdaySunday.

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MORE GREAT AUSSIE GINS TO TRY

Winding Road - Citrus and Sea Gin. Handcrafted using a combination of nine local, Australian native and traditional botanicals, the citrus and sea gin is inspired by the stunning North Coast NSW coastline and the rolling hinterland hills. RRP $77 - 700ml www.windingroaddistilling.com.au

MGC - Single Shot Gin. A gin made in a single distillation in which botanicals are individually distilled then blended together. The result is a full flavoured gin so much so it may louche (for a fine glazy mist) in a G&T. RRP $95 - 700ml www.melbournegincompany.com

Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin Distilled with native botanicals foraged from the heart of Cape Byron Distillery’s` rainforest and hand crafted on their farm in the hinterland of Byron Bay. RRP $75 - 700ml www.capebyrondistillery.com

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin. An intense but smooth gin, made for cocktails. Distilled with native finger limes and fresh ginger, palate is sweet and juicy but still very clean. RRP $90 - 500ml www.fourpillarsgin.com

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The Artist Collective ele HOME invites three of Australia’s most interesting artists to chat about what inspires their creative journey.

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KARINA JAMBRAK Tell us a bit about your yourself? I am a coffee fuelled, nature & pattern loving, interior design obsessed graphic designer, artist, wife and mum of two (Ivy 6 and Beau 3) based in Sydney, Australia. I have drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. For me, there is nothing better than bringing happiness to peoples’ homes through art — so in 2019, after 13 years of working in design and an unfortunate series of events personally and professionally that happened to our family in 2018, I decided to go back to my roots and embark on a journey of selling my art. Since then I haven’t looked back and am I’m loving every minute of this experience. Where are you based? I’m based on the East Coast of Sydney Australia. How would you describe your creative style and mediums? I create my hand-drawn works with copic

markers and create my paintings with acrylic polymer emulsion. I would describe my style as a blend of fantasy and reality… a little Boho, a little Jungle, and a little Coastal inspired.

Who and what inspires you?

How did you begin your career?

What do you love about your work?

The first amount of money I ever earned was from selling artworks at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach markets back in 2001 when I was 17. Throughout uni I painted for an art wholesaler who would order a certain amount of paintings from me per month. In 2005 I graduated from the University of NSW, College of Fine Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in Design majoring in Textile and Graphic Design. Since then I have pursued a design career combining my artistic ability with graphic skills. I have also worked in marketing and digital media. My unique approach to art and design has led me to work with iconic Australian companies such as Adairs, Kollab, Greenhouse Interiors, Nakula, Ravesi’s, Mambo, Tigerlily & Westpac.

I love that my work brings warmth into peoples’ homes and transports them to a place away from the chaos of everyday life.

Colours, patterns and forms in nature are my biggest source of inspiration.

What does 2021 have in store for you? I hope 2021 is going to be a year of growth for me. By the end of 2020 I felt like a mouse on a wheel trying to keep up! This year I want to focus on growing my collections and my art style. So for me 2021 will be all about creating, evolving, becoming and showing my community more of who I am and what I can do. @karina_jambrak www.karinajambrak.com Images: Leif Prenzlau for Adairs.

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K A R I N A JAMBRAK

Christmas Snowflake Cookies

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KIRSTEN JACKSON Tell us a bit about your yourself?

artist and guiding them to commercial success.

I live in the beautiful bayside suburb of Hampton in Melbourne’s south, with my studio based not too far away in Sandringham. I’ve been a professional artist for 20 years and started using art as way to heal after the passing of my father at the age of three years old and later my mother who passed away from leukemia when I was 14. I stopped for a while but went back to art after the birth of my daughter 23 years ago. I realised I could make my art commercially viable and make a living from doing what I love while staying home with my kids. My corporate background in marketing and sales went a long way to getting the business off the ground and successful. I now run an online course for artists called ‘Steps for Success’ which guides artist through taking commercial control of their future as an

How would you describe your creative style and mediums? I work with little thought and just paint. I am very messy and love colour, no structure. I am way too impatient for oils, so my mediums are acrylics, oils pastels and watercolours. I use art as a positive outlet and painting is a meditative process for me. Who and what inspires you? I need to be surrounded by beautiful things. I used to run marathons professionally and running every day puts me in a good mood and inspires me. I love artists Jai Vasicek, Michael Bond and Ken Done, to name a few.

What do you love about your work? I get lovely messages from people who buy my work telling me how happy my work makes them feel. This is what I love about what I do as well as guiding emerging artists via my online course. What does 2021 have in store for you? I have never been very goal driven. I work long hours, but I’m not attached to any one outcome. At the moment I have a long list of people waiting for commissions which will keep me busy this year. @kirstenjackson_gallery www.kirstenjackson.com.au Studio: 220 Bluff Rd, Sandringham, Victoria

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KIMMY HOGAN

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Tell us a bit about your yourself? I’m a digital fine artist, a mum to three young boys and a wife to my true love. Where are you based? Geelong, Victoria How would you describe your creative style and mediums? My creative style is like warm botanical hug – think big flowery shapes and rambling tones of peach, cream, pink and terracotta. My medium is digital, but my drawings are created with hand-motion like I’m holding a pencil. It’s all the yummy wobbly lines that come naturally from a hand drawing that give my art that warmth and human touch. You can see that I’ve been there. How did you begin your career? I used to be a graphic designer, but my love of art and home interiors has been unwavering since I was a small child. I worked in the

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commercial industry for over ten years but my desire to illustrate and create art was too great to ignore…so I took the leap into the fine art industry and never looked back. It took many years to figure out what I actually wanted my art to look like - after a lot of experimenting and developing I created what I believe is a truly unique signature style. I didn’t start with many Instagram followers, my goal was to just create good art, and that’s when I started to get noticed. Who and what inspires you? In life: women in business inspire me. Especially creatives. I love an artist or designer who has created their own brand and vibe to set them apart from the rest. In the art world: Inspiration is everywhere. My shapes mostly inspired by the fluid curved lines of flowers and botanicals. My colour palette could be inspired by travel photos of Morocco or even just a beautiful fabric of some clothing I’ve seen. Sometimes an interior space can inspire me – I might ask myself what artwork I could create for that space.

What do you love about your work? The art – it’s exploring new ideas for a collection, styling the shoot then launching – it’s soooo much fun. I just wish I had more time to draw! I also love my little team of rockstar girls who help the wheels turn in my business. We laugh, we shop, we dance, we swap Pinterest finds… and make time to process orders too of course! It’s a little creative hub of happiness. What does 2021 have in store for you? New drawings, new ideas and I like to always add a bit of surprise and magic to a new collection. And I have a new website coming soon which will be so fun and useful for people to explore my process, materials and find out all about my team and how we work. Instagram @kimmyhogan Website: www.kimmyhogan.com.au Photographer: Cricket Saleh

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HOMES WE love

ele HOME visits five unique homeowners from all over Australia and even as far as Los Angeles, showcasing the creativity and love that goes into making a house a home.

Noa on the Beach page 56 ele HOME

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BRUNY BOATHOUSE A simple boathouse nestled by the ocean with panoramic views across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel is the perfect place to escape. Words: Katie Skinner Images: Lean Timms

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The open plan living offers views of the water from every room

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runy Island, beautiful unadulterated coastline, and a foodie’s paradise. About two hours from Hobart, it’s a hop, skip and a ferry ride away from the mainland, which makes it even more magical. There is plenty to do, from eating your way around the island (think freshly shucked oysters, artisan cheese, award winning chocolate and single malt whiskey) to taking in the wild beauty of this natural landscape. For Sophie and Nick and their two young sons, William and Archie, this is what they were searching for when they purchased the Bruny Boathouse. When Sophie first saw the listing for the home online, she instantly saw the potential. The family live near the township of Oatlands in the Southern Midlands of Tasmania but wanted an escape that captured their love of the beach and the outdoors. “The property was only six years old when we purchased it so a very new shack with heavenly bones and a blank canvas to start with. We had been on the hunt for a shack in Tasmania for several years, a place for us to seek some time out from the daily grind of farming life and to have the great fortune of offering our sons the understanding that there is more to life than farming was something we mutually agreed was very important. We both love the beach and being outdoors, so it was something we desperately craved.” Making this home even more special is that Bruny Island was the location where the couple were engaged seven years ago. Sophie has always had a love of the creative journey. After completing a marketing degree and later a degree in web design, Sophie used her creative instincts to renovate a 180-year-old heritage listed home. It’s here where she found her niche “I lived and breathed the property and project. I trawled social platforms, magazines and drank in interiors and I never really switch off from it. My mother would always say that I had creative bones. I adored music, art and interiors but never knew where I could possibly fit into this from a career perspective.” And it was renovation and design where Sophie found her love. When talking about her style Sophie says “I’m big on pared back walls and timber floors where I can allow the furniture and warm interior pieces and textiles speak volumes. The art on the walls is my personality in each space. I’m not here for seasonal, I am all about timeless and classic pieces and staying true to my own wants and needs. Keep it personal, only pick things that mean something to you. And create mood boards.” Sophie admires London-based interior designer Rita Konig for her classic style with a twist and adores anything Sydney based interior designer Tamsin Johnson does. When Sophie talks about her ideal room it pretty much sums up the experience of the Bruny Boathouse. “Curled up in front of the bi-fold doors in the living area, no matter the season I always have them opened up. Either rugged up under a woolly blanket or legs out in the sun on the deck. This shack is all about the view and immersing yourself into the Bruny elements.” But it’s the family’s ideal day on Bruny where you realise the pure joy of this type of getaway. “Agendas or routines are rarely set but I do sneak out with a coffee first thing and watch the sun rise from the deck, followed by brekkie to then spend our days exploring on the beach or walking up old tracks amongst she oaks and discovering little rocky beaches full of old sea glass and urchin shells. We quite often go for an afternoon drive around the island and return home for dinner on the deck, sorting and arranging our treasures in little nooks and windowsills throughout the shack. Eating delicious fresh shucked oysters with a beautiful Tassie rosé after a day on the beach or exploring and stumbling upon another serene corner of Bruny where you feel like you’re the first to discover it.” Bruny Boathouse is available for short-term rentals via Airbnb @brunyboathouse www.brunyboathouse.com.au

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The Bruny Island Address Book Get Shucked Oysters – delicious Bruny Island oysters @get_shucked_oysters_ getshucked.com.au Bruny Island Cheese Company – creamy deliciousness @brunyislandcheese brunyislandcheese.com.au Bruny Island Hotel – next stop, Antarctica @brunyislandhotel hotelbruny.com.au Bruny Island Premium Wines – Australia’s southernmost vineyard @brunyislandpremiumwine brunyislandwine.com Bruny Island Whiskey – Award winning spirits @brunyislandwhisky tasmanianhouseofwhisky.com.au Bruny Island Honey – local beekeepers and honey producers @brunyislandhoneycompany brunyislandhoney.com Bruny Island Food Truck – delicious home deliveries @brunyislandfoodtruck Bruny Island Cruises Seafood Restaurant – seafood with a view brunycruises.com.au

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Fresh produce abounds on Bruny Island.

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The Bruny Boathouse is filled with charming vignettes made up of little treasures collected the family on island holidays.

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“...stumbling upon another serene corner of Bruny where you feel like you’re the first to discover it.”

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Ru g Mis s Amara ‘Sabra D ia mo nd L a t t ice J u te Ru g ’ f ro m $3 9 1 m i s s a m a r a . co m . a u / O y s te r S h e lls T h e Wo r ld a n d Yo u r O y s te r ‘ B lue and W hi te ’ $19.9 5 - $2 4 .9 5 each @th e worl d a nd yo u roy s ter / Dining B enc h F re e do m ‘ M o n tp e lli e r ’ $4 5 5 fre e do m . co m . a u / B e a c h Towe l Te s a la te ‘The Swe ll XL’ $13 9 tesa l ate.com.au / Han d wa s h Aes o p ‘ Res u rrec t io n Aro mati qu e 5 0 0 m l’ $4 0 a e s o p. co m . a u / Pe n da n t Fa m i ly Love Tre e ‘ V i e n n a Natur al’ f rom $2 2 9 t hefa milylovetree.com. a u / L a nter ns Freed o m ‘ M a r ko ’ f ro m $ 6 9.9 5 fre e do m . co m . a u / P i c n i c B a s ke t Ede n Fo u n d ‘ M a ke n g e ’ $89.9 0 e d e nf ound . co m . au / Linen Beddin g I n B ed ‘ L inen B ed d ing in L a ke’ fro m $ 9 0 i n be ds to re . co m / B a s ke t F re e do m ‘ P la to ’ $ 8 9.9 5 fre e d om.com.au / C lam B ow l FFreedom reedom ‘Clam Deco rraa t ive B owl ’ $ 8 9.9 5 f reed o m. co m . a u / F la t Sh e e t I n B e d ‘ 1 0 0 % L i n e n F la t S h e e t i n L a ke Q u e e n ’ $ 19 5 i nb e d store .com ele HOME

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Eden Found | www.edenfound.com.au |

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eden.found

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

We visit a Northern Rivers sugarcane farm handed down through generations, full of warmth where the owner has created joy through her love of colour and design. WORDS Katie Skinner IMAGES Sarah Walsh McIntyre

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Sarah is a huge supporter of Australian brands such as Castle and Things, Kip & Co. and Sage and Clare.

arah, husband Murray and their two children, moved to their sugarcane farm in mid-2017. The farm is situated in the Northern Rivers region, New South Wales, close to the pretty coastal town of Yamba. Their home has a lot of sentimental significance for the family as Sarah explains “The property dates back in part to the 1870s and has been in my husband’s family since 1900. We are currently raising the fifth generation of his family in our home. I am originally from Sydney but relocated to the Northern Rivers area a decade ago. I met Murray shortly after and the rest is history.” The Northern Rivers region has had a renaissance over the last decade, with it being one of the most sought-after places in Australia to live. It combines some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia with lush hinterland and a well-established foodie’s scene. Sarah’s family love exploring the varied monthly markets across the region and scenic drives into the hinterland behind the Tweed Coast, Lismore and Byron Bay. Sarah also enjoys supporting local businesses. “There are several boutiques in Yamba that I love to shop at - these include Island Collective, Belinda’s Store, Flots and Jets, One Country Mouse and Shack Yamba. All of these beautiful stores sell boutique homewares, art, fashion, and in the case of Flots and Jets, really funky second-hand finds. There are some lovely places to grab a bite to eat in Yamba including Thai Payu, Karrikin, Indian Fusion and Tapas, Sassafras, and of course, the Pacific Hotel which sits above Main Beach with the best drinking view you will find on the East Coast.” The family have not taken on any significant renovations since moving in, other than restoring some original timber floorboards and exposing the original brick of their living room fireplace. However, there’s been

Cologne, Germany Image: Dieter Jacobi Sarah has created a bright and inviting study where working is a joy. ele HOME

“I’ve always gravitated towards the vintage and colourful, although my taste has evolved over time.”

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plenty of painting. Sarah used Dulux Vivid White in living room and Dulux Antique White USA, Dulux Lama, and Wattle Teal Twilight for the kitchen. Her love of colour and texture is evident throughout the home and she mixes second-hand pieces with new to create her distinctive look. “To thrift for quality, quirky second-hand finds as well as being patient enough to wait and save for the right pieces. I am now really trying to see my home as something to be curated over time. Buy what you love, what speaks to you and worry less about trends. I’ve always gravitated towards the vintage and colourful, although my taste has evolved over time.” Sarah describes her style as a fusion of colourful eclectic boho and mid-century modern with a little rock n roll maximalist for good measure. When asked who inspires her, she exclaims “Oh so many! On Instagram, I am so inspired by the vintage, eclectic styles of Lee Alford and Kate Pearce. My favourite homewares brands are Sage & Clare and Castle & Things as they get me thinking outside the box and risk-taking, with gorgeous colour combinations and harmonious print clashing. I love finding beautiful high-end pieces second-hand through brand specific buy swap sell groups on Facebook, as well as trawling Marketplace. There are also lots of excellent Instagram businesses selling beautiful vintage treasures at very reasonable prices, which is great for me as I find it a bit difficult thrifting in a small town. That said, I still frequent local op-shops and find cool things occasionally. Many of my plants have been found at various monthly markets in our region, including some mature plants at bargain prices.”

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Burning the sugar cane.

When asked to describe what she loves most about her home Sarah says “The age and heritage of our home, as well as the views overlooking the river across the road and out to our sugarcane fields. It’s a very special privilege to live in a home that has been in the family for 120 years, there is a real sense of warmth and love in the air. Our home was originally two or three 1870s weatherboard dwellings combined into one farmhouse by my husband’s ancestors, with 1900s and 1970s additions. This has resulted in a rabbit warren layout. The exterior of our home is a work in progress, I have a lot of ideas to try and restore some of the character that was stripped back in the 1970s. Our gardens are well established with four 120-year-old camphor laurel trees, two of which stood either side of a tennis court back in the 1920s. You can barely fit in a ping pong table between them now! Our garden has an old school subtropical feel with many palms, bird of paradise, hibiscus and jacarandas, with views across the road to a river.” The garden is also home to the family’s many chickens, a rabbit and a duck. Whether it’s a morning swim at Main Beach in Yamba with brekkie at the beach kiosk or an afternoon boating on the beautiful Clarence River before grabbing takeaway Thai food to enjoy at home, Sarah and her family seem to have found the pot of gold over the rainbow in their joyful home, a home that by the sounds of it will be loved for many generations to come.

@theflamingoandthefox

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Sarah’s home has an extensive collection of art, both vintage and contemporary. A Kimmy Hogan piece has pride and place over the fireplace.

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Homeowner Sarah Walsh McIntyre

Print Aurora Ar t ‘Beautiful Life’ Canvas $420 auroraar t.com.au / Cu s h i o n Castle and Things ‘Pink Velvet Penny Round’ $79 castleandthings.com.au / Bathmat Sage and Clare ‘Tula Nudie Rudie’ $79 sageandclare.com / Tea towel Castle and Things ‘Love in the Coconut’ $89 castleandthings.com.au / Sta nd Mi xe r KitchenAid Ar tisan ‘Dried Rose’ $749 kitchenaid.com.au / T hrow Eden Found ‘Rainbow Tight Weave and Tassles’ $74 .95 edenfound.com.au / Ru g Miss Amara ‘Baza White Tribal’ from $219 missamara.com.au / Cu s hio n Castle and Things ‘Watermelon Velvet Penny Round’ $79 castleandthings.com.au / Cu s h i o n Kip & Co. ‘Turquoise Blue Velvet Pea’ $79 kipandco.com.au / Qu il t Castle and Things ‘Sweet Pea Queen’ $215 castleandthings.com.au / Pot Sharlie Designs ‘Medium Rainbow Mountain’ $149 sharliedesigns.com

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COASTAL Luxe

A magical Noosa home where simplicity and style come together to create the perfect coastal escape for this family of expats. WORDS: Katie Skinner IMAGES: The Palm Co.

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The home backs on to the luscious Noosa National Park. The heated pool can be used all year round.

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The indoor/outdoor design of the home provides a relaxed coastal feel and spaciousness. ele HOME

The home is the brainchild of owners Debbie and Wes who used local building designer Georgina Price and interior designer and stylist, Bindy Ward to create their contemporary coastal home.

ittle Cove, Noosa is about as coastal idyllic as it gets and when Australian expats, Debbie and Wes first saw the original 1980s beach house they knew, given the location, they could make it the coastal escape home of their dreams. The couple wanted to create their dream beach house as a place for them and their young family to enjoy when back home in Australia, with it being rented out as a holiday home when they were abroad. “We both felt we wanted an anchor for our kids to build a stronger connection with Australia and somewhere they could call home – that’s why we designed so many features of the property with our three young children and our extended family in mind.” When COVID-19 travel restrictions hit, Debbie and Wes made the decision to open the house as a full-time holiday accommodation for families and groups of friends to enjoy together. The original beach house was a nod to Balinese style architecture with water ponds in the front yard, and separate pavilions for the bedrooms. “There was a disconnect between the different spaces in the property and use of materials throughout the property. The separation of spaces and previous colour palette gave an appearance of a smaller space. There were a number of ad hoc extensions and the rooflines did not maximise the site’s orientation in terms of light, making the internal areas feel dark and cold. So, we wanted to redesign it, with a coastal luxe, laidback feel.” An essential aspect for Debbie and Wes was to open up the house and take full advantage of the lush Noosa National Park which features as the backdrop to their property. With three young

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getaway. Together, they set about creating what is now Noa by the Beach, a family sanctuary and holiday home with year-round appeal. Debbie and Wes used local stores such Hello Trader, Raw Sunshine Coast and The Dharma Door to furnish their home. When asked what their favourite piece is, Debbie mentions their hanging chair from Yak and Yeti, a favourite place to unwind. The family enjoying visiting local food spots such a Costa Noosa, Vanilla Food and Locale but their favourite thing to do is explore the Noosa National Park, only a few metres from their home. Couple that with the stunning Noosa coastline it sounds like the perfect coastal escape for this family when looking to escape the city. Bookings can be made via www.noabythebeach.com.au @noabythebeach

children, the family wanted a space that suited their needs - to be able to watch the kids run around in the garden, splash in the pool while they entertained in the kitchen or living spaces. “We wanted to create a home that could grow and adapt with us as a family, giving us plenty of space for friends and family to visit, yet having separate areas for people to enjoy some quiet time on their own. When we come home to Little Cove, it is our sanctuary, our place of escape from the day-to-day life of being in a large cosmopolitan city, and we wanted the spaces to reflect this.” The interiors and living spaces were designed to completely open up, using large sliding doors, custom vertical battens, wooden casement shutters and bi-folds, to draw in the mesmerising surrounds of the Noosa National Park and allow air to flow through the house.. The flow of the main living area to the deck, with views out to the home’s lush backdrop, a view that can be seen from the moment you step through the front door, is the perfect spot to experience Noosa’s consistent sub-tropical climate. “We’ve made the outdoors a space for allyear round with its hanging chair, electric heaters and fireplace for winter and dining table large enough for 12 guests.” When designing and building the home, Debbie and Wes collaborated with local building designer Georgina Price and interior designer and stylist, Bindy Ward, who helped Wes and Debbie create their ideal ele HOME

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Image: Emma Hodgson

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Bowl RAW Sunshine Coast “Vivica Low White” $109 rawsunshine.com.au / Cushion RAW Sunshine Coast “French Flax Linen Oxford Euro Cover” $39 rawsunshine.com.au / Hanging Chair Yak and Yeti “Kenya Natural” $620 yakandyetitrader.com/ Body Wash & Body Lotion Duo + Tray al.ive “Kaffir Lime & Green Tea $79 eatliveescape.com / Candle Aesop “Callippus Aromatique $135 aesop.com.au / Pendant Light Eden Found “Kafue” $99.95 edenfound.com.au / Skirt Auguste the Label “Elijah Micha Midi Blush” $179 augustethelabel.com / Basket Freedom “Rayle” $89.95 freedom.com.au / Rug Miss Amara “Allefra Diamond Pattern Berber Shag“ from $653 missamara.com.au / Chair Freedom “Malawi” $399 freedom.com.au / Wall Hanging Dharma Door “Amua” $199 dharmadoor.com.au ele HOME

La La Land A charming family home nestled in the Los Angeles hillside neighbourhood of Los Feliz packs a style punch. WORDS: Katie Skinner IMAGES: Sara Ligorria Tramp and Tessa Neustadt

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The entryway features a mix of Emily’s vintage finds, including a mid-century sideboard. The Rebel Walls mural in Henderson Blue adds a unique feature to the entry. The painted red door adds a wow factor.

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our years ago, on a fateful Sunday morning, Emily Henderson received an alert from her a real estate app about a new house listed in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. Emily and her husband, Brian, had been house hunting by this stage for four months and had highlighted Los Feliz as their dream neighbourhood. Emily took one look at the listing and instantly knew this was the one. Emily and Brian then set to work renovating the home with their main goal to repair anything too damaged to salvage but retain the soul and charm and as much architectural integrity as possible. Emily’s background is steeped in design. In her early twenties, she moved to New York City and started working as a shop girl at the style king, Jonathan Adler’s store. Sometime later she met a prop stylist and knew she had found her calling. “I mean, who doesn’t want to shop and play with beautiful things all day whilst getting paid for it?” Emily goes on to describe her design journey “The blog, Style by Emily Henderson, started as a need to journal my creativity. Then in 2010 I was cast on the HGTV show Design Star and won which landed me with another show called

Secrets from a Stylist. After that I started doing full-service design for clients, while still writing the blog, but eventually ended my design services to give full focus to my home and personal projects which I and my team document on the blog to this day.” The hillside neighbourhood of Los Feliz has a strong architectural history and this is evident in Emily’s 1930s Tudor home. “It has such good energy, incredible natural light in (almost) every single room, beautiful white oak flooring, custom window treatments, and such special vintage windows and doors throughout. It’s such a charming home for a family, not ostentatious but just beautiful and I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – the way it’s laid out makes it so easy to parent.” Emily, with her team’s help, designed the home combining a mix of styles. Influences of mid-century sit alongside Hollywood Regency combined with a more traditional approach. As Emily says “You can mix however many styles you want, all of them together as long as you have a consistent colour palette peppered evenly throughout the space. Pretty looks good next to pretty,

no matter the price, and having a mixture of new and vintage is key to bringing soul to a space. Style for me has always been an evolution, and I truly love the good parts of every style, but in everything I do I try to make it happy, personal, layered and with something vintage.” When pressed, Emily mentions the living room as her favourite room because it opens to their patio and backyard which gives it an almost indoor/outdoor feel. The garden was in pretty good shape when the family moved in but any planting that has been done has kept sustainability and the Californian weather in mind. With close access to restaurants, bars and local shopping, Emily says the home has been a great place to raise her two children. But the true magic of this home really came through during 2020. “Since COVID happened we stopped going out, so it was a blessing to have a home that we loved and having a backyard for the kids to play outside for hours.” www.stylebyemilyhendersondesign.com @emhenderson

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“I mean, who doesn’t want to shop and play with beautiful things all day whilst getting paid for it?” 70

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The back patio off the kitchen is an entertainers delight.

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The front garden is an almost Disney-like experience. Butterfly and bird friendly, with English country styling. ele HOME

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Stylist Emily Henderson

Mirror The Family Love Tree “Lantana Wall Mirror” $325 familylovetree.com.au / Mug Jones and Co. “Chino Blue Stripe” $28 jonesandco.com.au / Tray Jones and Co. “Chino Blue Stripe” $26 jonesandco.com.au / Linen Bedding In Bed “Linen Bedding in Midnight Blue” from $90 inbedstore.com / Salt and Pepper Shakers Robert Gordon x Bromley “Rabbit” $59.95 myer.com.au / Robe Sanctuary Studio “Midwinter Dream - Black Floral” $96 sanctuarystudio. com.au / Throw Eden Found “Indigo Dogon Throw” $79.95 edenfound.com.au / Candle Palm Beach Collection “Sunshine – Limited Edition” $44.95 palmbeachcollection.com.au / Rug Miss Amara “Jaira Ivory and Turquoise Blue Tribal Shag” from $148 missamara.com.au / C h e e s e K n i ve s no.22 “Princier Gold” $54 (3 per set) no22.com.au / Coasters no.22 “Agate Blue Reine” $114 (4 per set) no22.com.au / Cross Jones and Co. “Liberty” $46 jonesandco.com.au ele HOME

THE LITTLE HOUSE THAT COULD A family home that re-imagined the great Australian dream. Words: Katy Holliday Images: The Palm Co.

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The owners have made the most of the space including the addition of a generous outdoor entertaining area.

arnie Prowse and her husband Dan have been raising their two young children in their tiny house in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire for the past three years, proving that tiny living is possible for bigger households.

After realising that the quintessential Australian dream wasn’t bringing them the happiness they longed for, Marnie and Dan made a life-changing decision to simplify their lives - trading in the traditional house on a large block for a tiny 32 square metres of paradise, and a life less mess. Dubbed ‘Tiny Haus’, their diminutive two-bedroom home feels airy with an open-plan living room and kitchen, and sleek polished concrete floors throughout. The design takes advantage of natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the sparkling pool and a breakfast bar that opens onto a spacious wooden deck. The couple chose to build their tiny house in their existing backyard. “We split the block with a dividing fence to maintain privacy for us and the front house, which we now rent out to tenants,” Marnie explains. “We engaged an architect to help design our space, but we undertook the build as owner-builders.” Dan is a project manager and his best mate is a builder. Between them and a few other contractors they built the home. The family spent most weekends doing something on the build, with their daughter Ella especially keen to lend a hand. The project took just five months to complete, with only a few little hiccups along the way in an otherwise smooth and uncomplicated process. The most notable moment for Marnie was when the sunken bath they planned on having had to be pulled due to plumbing restraints. “We quickly got over it and now the kids bathe in a bucket,” Marnie laughs. Being resourceful and adaptable is all part of the tiny house living package. For Marnie and her family the biggest drawcard is the time they spend as a family enjoying the outdoors, their pool and garden space. “We’ve designed our home precisely around our lifestyle,” she says. “We’ve found that our tiny home has given us more time to do the things we love, rather than cleaning and maintaining a home.” ele HOME

Working within a small space doesn’t mean that style has to be compromised.

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Q & A with homeowner Marnie Prowse. Out of these lifestyle changes Tiny Haus Lifestyle evolved. Marnie’s mission-based business empowers others to simplify so they too can live a life of true happiness. “My clients appreciate that while I’m delving into their lifestyle, I’m approaching with hard-won wisdom, empathy and optimism.” A complete contrast to her once fast-paced corporate life that was leaving her burned out, Marnie now relishes the extra time life in the Tiny Haus has given her to connect with Dan and the children. “We realised we were in control of our happiness,” she says, adding that the process of downsizing their possessions was a major step on the path to freedom. “Today we’re very conscious about what we bring into our lives which makes the decluttering process much simpler.” With a lot of foot traffic, in a tiny home there’s no unused space and furnishings must be multi-functional. The dining room, for example, also poses as an office, an arts and crafts station and a homework zone. Ella (8) and Frankie’s (2) bedroom is accessible by their own kid’s sized staircase that has built in storage. The room has a triple story bunk bed arrangement complete with a play area underneath. While in Marnie and Dan’s bedroom, the bed lifts up to create another space for the girls to play. “We aren’t precious about our home and the kids enjoy our whole home.”

Favourite space in the house? The kids room gave us the license to be the most creative. The more constraints the more creative you get to be. We’ve given our girls a fun and cosy bedroom, and they love to show their friends how it works. Advice for aspiring tiny home dwellers? Consider what is important to you and really delve into the why? Write your list of non-negotiables and stick to it. Misconceptions about living in a tiny house? People think you’re poor! I’ve had this direct feedback. Living in a tiny house or living simply and slowly doesn’t mean you’re any less ambitious. It does mean that you’re more focused on the things that matter. Anything you would do differently? Room for a bigger fridge! It’s a game of tetris to fit our families weekly food delivery.

Marnie’s flare for minimalism is expressed through the Modern Australian style of the design. “I love a simplistic aesthetic with natural, earth tones,” she says. The grey modular lounges that come from the Ambient Lounge collection are lightweight and hard-wearing interior bean bags. “We move them around depending on what we are doing. We’ll push them together for family movie night, or apart if the girls have set-up a game or I’m doing yoga.” It was important to Marnie and Dan that the house be built with sustainability in mind. Solar panels were installed to supplement power, the highest grade insulation was used through-out, and they installed Low-E glass windows, underfloor heating and ceiling fans for cooling. There is a water tank for the garden irrigation system and a compost for food waste. “Having a smaller footprint, our bills have reduced significantly and it means we consume less resources, which is good for our planet.” When it comes to successful micro living, a healthy balance between indoor and outdoor living is important. “We prefer to spend our time outdoors so there is a big focus on that,” she says. The outdoor space planning was as detailed as the indoor space for the Tiny Haus family, and growing their own produce was always part of the plan. Fig trees have been espaliered on the southern wall of their home, in the pool area and on the fence, while olive trees provide privacy from the back neighbours. “The majority of our garden is edible,” Marnie says. Two kitchen gardens, one which runs off the deck and the other positioned alongside their small patch of lawn, supply them with an abundance of spinach, kale, lettuce, rocket, chard, herbs, tomatoes, cabbages, raspberries, spring onions and more. “We also have a passionfruit vine that runs along our fence shared with our neighbours.” In summer, the family spend their days in or by the pool, while in winter they keep warm around the outdoor fire pit. “We’ve realised that living in a smaller space has provided us the freedom to do the things we value. Where my mornings used to be a panicked rush to get out the door on time, today I take things slow. I’m calmer. I’m present. I’m healthy.”

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Jungle Fever

There is something intrinsically comforting about the humble house plant. While many of us live our lives in a concrete jungle, shuffling from home to work, cultivating an indoor jungle can bring a much-needed contrast of peace and tranquility. Plants soothe us, they can allay our worries, and it’s through our vital connection with nature that we too can grow and heal. More than a year ago, Australia collectively heaved from the dramatic loss of native bushland taken by the Black Summer bushfires. Barely recovered, we then unexpectedly plunged into the depths of isolation when the global pandemic hit. As we found ourselves digging deeper for connection, we turned our attention inward and into our homes. Consumerism moved away from fancy new clothes and accessories to a pared-back version of life where we made way for the things that would make us feel good inside. We looked to bicycles for exercise, podcasts for meditation and indoor greenery to create harmony in our homes and brighten our home office workspaces. It’s little wonder the indoor jungle trend flourished. “There is a desire to have something to care and nurture for during these unsettling times,” says Sunshine Coast-based greenery aficionado Lauren Byers, the co-founder of indoor plant studio Aloe Flora. “There has been a shift, with schooling at home, cancelled sport and working from home, it’s a natural progression to surround yourself with not only a visually appealing space but an interior with benefits.”

Aloe Flora’s welcoming pink front entrance.

Aloe Flora is situated in the Sunshine Coast hinterland village of Maleny, QLD.

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With an obsession for foliage on the rise, people around the globe discovered their green thumbs and united through online house plant communities, like @aussieplantclub. They delved feverishly into the world of caring for their plants, much like they would a baby, nurturing them, coddling them, and patiently watching them grow. Many first-time plant

parents have since found their addiction for greenery growing and their collection expanding. Under harsh circumstances, it offered a kind of plant therapy for those with more idle hours. “Interaction with plants, like rubbing their leaves or smelling them, will assist in reducing stress and anxiety and will boost your mood. You’ll often find me at our indoor plant studio, over with the peace lilies, touching their leaves while chatting away. Caring for living things provides you with purpose and reward, especially when they are thriving,” says Lauren. The benefits of indoor plants are numerous. Lauren says they can improve concentration and creativity and reduce fatigue, “While cleaning indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing cleaner air quality.” And as more of us step into a new lifestyle working from home, this becomes ever more important. As the indoor jungle trend continues to evolve, social media influencers are leading the way. “Plants don’t have a bad angle, and with everyone on their Instagram game, we are more than eager to share our new green faces with the world,” Lauren says. Indoor plants also be an affordable way to decorate, while creating a personal sanctuary. “From an interior design perspective plants can visually fill a space and make a big impact that’s light on the wallet,” she says.

Sophia Kaplan from Leaf Supply, Sydney, tends to her indoor plants. While it’s been proven that plants can slow our heart rate, which brings about calmness and mindfulness, also contributing to the rise of the indoor jungle is urbanisation and the lack of interaction with our environment, especially for those living in homes without gardens. “In a world when we are always ‘on’ perhaps a green indoor oasis allows us to switch ‘off’,” Lauren reflects.

How to create an indoor jungle

Lauren says the first step is to consider your space and your interior style. “If you’ve decided to run with the indoor jungle vibe then choose various shapes, heights and foliage to add interest and variety. Group plants, in odd numbers, on the floor and shelves. To create height you can hang plants from your ceiling or curtain rails. “Depending upon your space choose at least one really large architectural plant and feature it in your negative space, which is the blank or difficult spot to design, like behind the couch,” she says.

@plantastic_mr_fox @saskiatabea

When planning your plant purchase, consider how much light your space has available and how much time you have to care for your indoor jungle. “Some plants are high maintenance whilst others are happy with a spray of water once a month,” she says. “My number one tip for indoor plants is to wipe the leaves

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or put your plant outside in the rain to give them a good wash.” This helps unclog the plants minuscule holes in their leaves so they can breathe.

Plants to go wild for

A statement plant can add height and texture to a room. “The fiddle leaf fig has long been the champion in this space and our most requested interior plant,” Lauren says. “A gorgeous alternative and perhaps a little less temperamental is the rubber tree.” With its long, waxy leaves, the rubber tree comes in variegated varieties, from ficus burgundy with its crimson stems and burgundy underbelly to ficus tineke, sporting soft hues of pink, white and green. Lauren believes the next on-trend indoor plant is going to be the ficus longifolia, also known as the ficus sabre or long leaf fig. “It’s a distant cousin to the fiddle leaf fig and a fast growing evergreen with glossy, narrow weeping leaves,” she says. “They are incredibly beautiful, I think my love for them rubs off in store as they sell out as soon as they come in!” For the rainforest bathroom she recommends plants that long for humidity and medium light levels. “A gorgeous trailing pothos or heart leaf philodendron, an upright snake plant, a bird’s nest fern or, if you have the room, a beautiful, big monstera.”

Leaf Supply

Co-founders Sophia Kaplan and Lauren Camilleri are obsessed with all things plants and are dedicated to helping others learn more about their plants and how to care for them. Leaf Supply offers same-day delivery in Sydney. Each month they have a new hand-picked collection of three plants and three pots to choose from. Botanical wares can be shipped Australia-wide. www.leaf-supply.com

Plant Daddy

Going vertical

While every plant is unique and has its own list of demands, if you’re looking to complete a vertical garden styling, it’s best to select compact plants that grow low and have shallow root systems. “Think ferns, begonias and bromeliads, then layer with trailing plants such as a golden pothos and lipstick plant,” says Lauren. She also recommends considering a functional yet ornamental edible vertical garden. “Thyme, oregano, dill, parsley and Vietnamese mint are happy in medium to low light.”

Plant Daddy’s Newtown studio is brimming with fabulous indoor foliage and locally crafted pots and planters. Founders Trent and Charlie Wu deliver across Sydney, but the leafy studio is also open to the public to explore the greenery up-close. Plant Daddy also offers commercial and residential styling. 90 Lennox St, Newtown, NSW, plantdaddy.com.au

Aloe Flora

Nestled on the bustling main street of Maleny, indoor plant studio Aloe Flora is the brainchild of Lauren Byers and Henry Norton. This lush store with the welcoming pink door and famous Indian Clock Vine trailing across the facade offers a large selection of premium indoor botanicals and boutique local wares. Aloe Flora hosts workshops, such as the popular ‘clay & sip’, and they also make a fine cup of coffee. 53 Maple St, Maleny, QLD, aloeflora.com.au

Interior Jungle

@saskiatabea

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Interior Jungle is an online retail store that specialises in rare and unique indoor plants. They offer a Click and Collect service from their stylish Moorabbin-based plant studio or home delivery across the city, with interstate shipping options available as well. Founders Aaron and Andy also provide a commercial and residential styling service to create thriving indoor jungles for their clients. 41 Roberna St, Moorabbin, interiorjungle.com.au

Fox proof your chicken coop this Autumn with the innovative automatic locking system from Chicken Guard “Chicken Guard Standard Lock” $225 chickenguard.com.au

Have the prettiest garden in the street with these “Wild Seeds – Foxglove” $4.20 each theplantrunner.com

Give your plants a colourful home to grow. Hand made in Australia “Snow Leopard in large” $89 @potti_mouth

The perfect mix, everything grown to decorate, eat and garnish “Settlers Hives Edible Flowers Set” $45 theplantrunner.com

Water in style with the “HAWS Heritage Watering Can – Duck Egg Blue” $24 eatliveescape.com

WHAT’S NEW IN GARDEN The Vegepod is a raised garden bed that self-waters, has a protective canopy that allows the right amount of sun and rain and protects from pests – a fool proof way to grow your own veggies! “Medium Raised Garden Bed with VegeCover 1m x 1m – stand extra” $299 vegepod.com.au

From chook shed to table, collect your eggs in style “Egg Crate – 12 Cup White” $52.95 robertgordonaustralia.com

Handmade and hand painted “Iris Planter”, perfect for your fresh cut blooms $75 jonesandco.com.au

Never forget what you’ve planted using these “Copper Plant Tags – Pack of 5” $10 theplantman.com

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Grow food for our bees with “Save the Bees Home Grown Pollination Kit” $32 theplantrunner.com

WHAT TO PLANT NOW

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a n i d K n itc I y

LAMB & FENNEL with LEMON PICKLE, green chilli & coriander salsa You can’t beat the flavour combination of lamb and fennel except when you add my secret spice rub. Try this recipe the next time you’re entertaining guests for lunch. prep time 10 mins cook time 30 mins Serves 4

Tips Use a mandoline or V-slicer to cut fennel into thin slices. If you’re short on time use preserved lemon instead of making your own salsa. Substitute leftover lamb shoulder for lamb rack, if you like.

Ingredients 2 teaspoons secret masala 400g french-trimmed lamb rack (approximately 8 cutlets) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced, fronds reserved 2 green onions, thinly sliced gluten-free bread, to serve lemon pickle, green chilli & coriander salsa ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 fresh long green chillies, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons lemon achar pickle, roughly chopped ¼ cup each mint leaves and coriander leaves

Method Preheat oven to 200°C. Rub secret masala all over lamb; season. Heat oil in an ovenproof frying pan over high heat; cook lamb on all sides until browned (approximately 2 minutes each side). Transfer pan to oven; roast for medium (approximately 15-20 minutes) or until cooked to your liking. Rest lamb, loosely covered with foil (10 minutes), before slicing into cutlets. Meanwhile, to make lemon pickle, green chilli and coriander salsa: Place all ingredients in a food processor; pulse until roughly chopped. Season to taste. To serve, arrange sliced fennel on serving plates; top with lamb, salsa, green onion and reserved fennel fronds. Serve with bread.

Six years ago Sarah fell in love with the people, food and culture of India. In My Indian Kitchen, Sarah takes you beyond the well-known restaurant favourites of butter chicken, chicken tandoori and dal. Combining her passion for Indian flavours with classical French techniques, she has created light, balanced and healthy dishes for you to make at home. In her signature style of simple elegance, these modern and inspiring recipes tell Sarah’s story and represent her special connection to India and Australia.

Sarah Todd Want to experience more of Sarah’s delicious Indian recipes? My Indian Kitchen by Sarah Todd is available at all good book stores and penguin.com.au RRP $24.99. ele HOME

COCONUT RICE CREPES With fewer calories and fats, I’ve included a gluten-free crepe with a rice flour and coconut milk base. Soft and warm, this crepe makes a delicious dessert. Top with fresh fruit or caramel and you are guaranteed to leave everyone smiling. prep time 10 mins (+ standing) cook time 15 mins makes 9

Ingredients ½ cup (60g) rice flour 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar 1 teaspoon cardamom ½ cup (125ml) coconut milk 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 bananas, thinly sliced 125g fresh blackberries 395g can top ‘n’ fill caramel gluten-free icing sugar to serve

Method Combine flour, sugar and cardamom in a medium bowl. Make a well in the centre. Gradually whisk in combined coconut milk, egg and ¼ cup (60ml) water; strain into a large jug. Stand crepe batter for 30 minutes. Heat a crepe pan or a medium non-stick frying pan over high heat; brush with a little oil. Pour a ladle of the crepe batter into pan, tilting pan so batter coats the base evenly. Cook over low heat, loosening the edge with a spatula, until crepe is browned lightly (1 minute). Turn crepe; brown other side (approximately 30 seconds). Remove from pan. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing with a little oil between batches. To serve, fold crepes into quarters; arrange on serving plates with sliced banana and blackberries. Drizzle with caramel. Dust with icing sugar, just before serving.

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Curls by Cloud Nine’s ‘The Texture Wand’

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Serum Foreo “Serum, Serum, Serum 30ml” $89 foreo.com

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Lashes Cali Lashes “Bride” from $20 cali-lash.com

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VISIT POSTCODE 3741 Elm Dining Image: Visit Victoria/Rob Blackburn

Brown Brothers Winery

Reed and Co Distillery Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godrey

BRIGHT, VICTORIA

Nightingales Apple Orchards Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godrey

Visit Bright and surrounds for some of the most spectacular seasonal views in Australia and take in all the great food, wine, beer and gin this beautiful area has to offer.

Huggins Lookout Image: Visit Victoria/Josie Withers

Where to eat? Gingerbaker - delicious food with a view of the Ovens River. 127 Gavan St, Bright, Vic @gingerbakerbright Tomahawks - Bar and Eatery 15 Camp St, Bright Vic @tomahawksbright

Tomahawks Image: Visit Victoria/Rob Blackburn

Elm Dining - Contemporary fine fare 98 Gaven St, Bright, Vic. @elmdining Milawa Cheese Company - homemade artisan cheese. 17 Factory Rd, Milawa, Vic @milawacheese

Where to drink? Brown Brothers Winery - Australian handcrafted wines 239 Milawa Bobinawarrah Rd, Vic @brownbrothers

Milawa Cheese Co Image: Visit Victoria/Rob Blackburn

Reed and Co Distillery - The home of Remedy Gin 15 Wills St, Bright Vic, @reedandcodistillery Brown Brothers Winery

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Bright Brewery - Family owned independent mountain crafted beer 121 Great Alpine Rd, Bright, Vic @brightbrewery

Bright Brewery Image: Visit Victoria/Rob Blackburn

Bright Image: Visit Victoria/Rob Blackburn

SHOP a curated range of beautiful travel, food, home and lifestyle products. We know you will find something that you love!

Eden Found Chitenge Robe/Image: Jo O’Keefe

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Use code welcome20 for 20% off your first order.

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