Pdpdpdppdfppd

LITTLE GEMS: GARDEN SPECIAL 100% AUSTRALIAN HOMES

50 inviting

Rest assured

pages of

homes

STYLISH IDEAS FOR BEDROOMS SOFA SO GOOD!

Best of the best

AUTUMN BUYS

under $150

Decorator PRINT POST 100007368

APRIL $7.99 *NZ$8.99 (*incl. GST)

Hop into our Easter brunch

DETAILS

IT’S TIME TO EMBRACE COLOUR & MOOD

SET YOUR SCENE Use the free viewa app and scan this page to operate these blinds and explore the whole house.

Pirouette® Shadings

Introducing PowerView™ Motorisation from Luxaflex® Window Fashions.

A remarkable new system that automatically moves your shades throughout the day so you don’t have to. Just program your daily personalised settings with your smartphone or tablet.

You can even activate a pre-programmed setting with a touch of our brilliantly designed Pebble® Scene Controller, available in seven perfect pops of colour. How smart—intelligent shades that simplify your life. To see PowerView™ in motion, visit your local Luxaflex Gallery showroom or go to luxaflex.com.au © 2017 Hunter Douglas Limited [ABN 98 009 675 709]. ® Registered Trade Marks of Hunter Douglas. C14759_H&G_6Mar

THAT CARES

YOU WEAR™

VE NOURISHMENT T MOISTURE 0 DAYS WEAR

9 10 OUT OF

WOMEN EXPERIENCED A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR NATURAL NAILS.*

FINISH WITH COLOR THERAPY TOP COAT FOR EXTENDED WEAR

Powder Room

Rosy Quartz

Primrose and Proper

Pampered in Pink

Aura’nt You Relaxed?

Red-y to Glow

Ohm My Magenta

Soothing Sapphire

Slicks and Stones

Teal Good

Therapewter

White Atticaâ„¢ www.caesarstone.com.au

APRIL

Decorator details

On the cover

Insider

18 29

51

It’s time to embrace colour and mood 121 Garden special 140 156 Stylish ideas for bedrooms 170 183 Best of the best

Decorating & design 17 Inspired By The themes and schemes behind our April issue.

For a pair of furniture 18 t designers with a growing family, the update they needed was just around the corner... literally.

29 Our style scouts share the styles, colours and trends shaping interiors right now.

36 This living room makeover by talented design students deserves an A-plus!

38 Rug prescriptions for an easy, bottom-up room update.

40 Interior designer Brett Mickan walks us through the process of decorating his own home.

52 66 69 73

Step into the warm family home of Living Edge marketing manager Skye Healey Ward.

Design news and reviews.

The rediscovery of Florence Broadhurst, chameleon and wallpaper-designer extraordinaire.

Spend a day weaving through Perth with rug designer Jenny Jones.

For Sarah Armstrong, fixing up an old cottage after a heartbreak was balm for the soul. >

Big inspiration for small plots...

Leaf through our garden design special, page 121.

Take tips from a family home that works on all levels, page 78.

Houses 78 C Bold hues and lovely French accents drove this 1980s home refresh in Sydney.

88 Inner Peace Occupying a corner plot in beachside Perth, this new build offers a peaceful sanctuary and represents a dream come true.

96 A centuryold Brisbane worker’s cottage has morphed into an elegant abode thanks to a painstaking reinvention.

104 Good architectural bones and harbour views have now reached their full potential.

112 A much-loved holiday home on the WA coast is set up for long-term enjoyment.

Garden design special 121

Small is beautiful in these inspirational layouts, so whether you have a balcony, courtyard or modest plot, you’ll find a prolific crop of ideas.

Living 140

Hop to it and dish up these delectable recipes for an excellent Easter celebration.

146 The complexities of organic and biodynamic wines.

150 With depression and diet now linked, it pays to eat well.

153 Pamper your body with top-to-toe skincare.

Advice 156

Create the bedroom of your fondest dreams.

162 Bedroom carpets to sink your toes into.

166 Protecting the diversity of Australian native flora.

167 The difficulty of predicting real-estate price trends.

175

Shopping 170 175 177 178 181 183 188

Fall in love with cosy new homewares for autumn, starting with our 50 fab buys under $150.

Two approaches to setting up a comfy reading nook.

So much more than they’re cracked up to be.

Style at your feet.

Fruit bowls.

Sofas.

Stockists’ details.

Community 14 189 190 194

52

Readers’ letters.

Share ideas and insights.

Flowers provide endless inspiration for artist, Craig Waddell.

Subscription offer 148 S to Australian House & Garden and enjoy three bonus issues: that’s $33 off the retail price!

29

To achieve this Inner Urban look we featured Laminex Finished Designed Timber Veneer in Wild Pecan for the bookcase and shelving unit with Laminex Colour Palette in Black for the desktop.

Start creating at LaminexDesignHub.com.au

FF0417hg

Frankie Sofa Collection. Design by Fanuli.

SYDNEY 269 MILITARY ROAD CREMORNE

T 02 9908 2660

MELBOURNE 681 CHAPEL STREET SOUTH YARRA

FANULI.COM

T 03 9826 8777

EDITOR’S LETTER H G

LOOK SMART W

Love that look...

Interiors editor Kate Nixon’s fave finds...

Photograph by Darren McDonald (Lisa).

Furnish an outdoor room as you would an interior space. Think about lighting, layering, textures and a neutral base palette. Potted greenery, outdoor fabrics and furniture all help build interest.

FROM TOP Portobello Arpoador porcelain tiles in Bianco (60x60cm), $35/m2, Tile Mega Mart; 1300 406 822 or tilemegamart.com.au.

Willow Straight Up glass-reinforced concrete planter, from $106 (30x30cm), The Balcony Garden; (02) 9975 3800 or www. thebalconygarden.com.au.

Brilliant Chateaux Modern Coach wall light, $95, Bunnings; (03) 8831 9777 or www.bunnings.com.au.

Follow the H&G team on Instagram @houseandgarden

e all have that one friend or associate who is always immaculately turned out, with beautifully coordinated shoes and handbag, manicured nails and perfect hair.

As someone who might tick off a couple of the above over the course of a week, but rarely all in one moment, my first thought on encountering Ms Immaculate is generally ‘Where do you find the time?’.

The second is: ‘I wonder if your home is styled in a similar vein?’

This issue has a decorating focus, as warranted by the seasonal urge to layer up our homes. It goes some way towards supporting the wardrobe-interiors link.

Brett Mickan, a Sydney interior designer with an eye-popping collection of suits and blazers in beautiful shades, walks us through the warehouse conversion he and his partner Nick English call home (p40).

“I strive to make my interiors about the inhabitants,” says Brett, “as though you have gathered all your favourite things, put them together and somehow they all sit comfortably.” In Brett and Nick’s case, colour and pattern are a big part of the picture. “Begin with a balance of large blocks of similar colour tones,” says Brett. “You can then introduce any accent you like as long as you balance the colour and texture around the space.”

In transitioning an ’80s Sydney project home to a comfortable and personalityfilled family home, Lisa Burdus set about layering old and new, brave paint hues and brightly patterned fabrics, thrilling the owners in the process. “This room is a bit like good make-up,” says owner Sophie, describing her dramatic yet dignified study (p87). “It’s complex but so well done that it looks effortless.”

The wardrobe of Brisbane interior designer Rowena Cornwell’s client, Leanne, was a big driver when it came to influencing the style of her home renovation and interiors makeover (p96).

“Leanne’s style is evident in the clothes she wears – classic and tailored, often with a twist,” says Rowena. “To reflect that same aesthetic in her home we chose an elegant, tonal palette of neutrals, charcoal and navy, with pops of aquamarine. The fabrics are finely woven and soft to the touch, and they layer up beautifully.”

Simple tweaks can still bring brilliant results. Reupholster a chair, change up some cushions; hang a dazzling artwork (read about the stunning painting on our cover p194); carve out a personal nook within an open-plan room (p175); or assemble favourite objects on a shelf or table, to enjoy every time you pass by.

“Creating spaces that show curated collections expresses individuality and slows down the ageing process because the mix blurs the date of installation,” advises Brett Mickan. We’re all ears!

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

13

H G LETTERS

Social whirl

H&G scenes that lit up the screens.

Facebook

Instagram

YOUR H&G

I just finished reading On Home by William McInnes (March). What a beautiful piece of writing. It moved me to tears as I sat on the verandah of our old family home. My dad died last year and my mum four years ago, so being in this house is a deeply emotional experience. Like William, I too can hear the “barking and giggling” and feel an “explosion of hugs and kisses”. I still expect to see Dad pulling a hose around the garden and Mum pruning her roses. ‘Home’ truly is a special place, and we make our own. That’s why I love H&G, because each issue is bursting with ideas on how we can make our houses even more special.

Linda Nathaniel, Riverview, NSW

Pinterest

Facebook followers loved our round-up of Queenslanders, an updated Melbourne home found fame on Instagram and Pinterest devotees swooned over a particularly dreamy bedroom.

It was an absolute delight to ponder Sam Cox’s magnificent native garden (Never-ending Nature, February). His design of ponds, boulders, secret paths and indigenous plantings directly inspired my own gardening plans. I’ve now planted species such as Hakea, sweet bursaria and wildflowers native to my area, and have used large volcanic rocks for landscaping. I look forward to my garden evolving into a place of calm and fascination like Sam’s.

Meredith Barclay, Buninyong, Victoria

Into the blue

Facebook facebook.com/ australianhouseandgarden Highlights from each issue + links to our favourite home tours.

February’s issue had me at hydrangeas, boats and beautifully beachy blue hues! I wanted so much to be inside that house on the cover, reclining on

Instagram @houseandgarden View the most inspirational images from the month at H&G’s HQ and out and about.

WRITE IN TO WIN

Pinterest pinterest.com/ housengarden Picture-perfect images from our pages and sensational products to covet.

14 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

a day bed. Although sadly, this wasn’t to be, I wasn’t disappointed, since you presented me with many pages of thoughtful and inspiring ideas for my own home. Thanks for such a refreshing experience – it was better than a holiday.

Janet Hayes, Sydney, NSW

Miracle cure

Feeling glum after minor surgery, while my friends were all away for the long weekend, I bought H&G and found myself transported to another world.

The features inspired me to rearrange my rooms, pull out a copper pot I inherited, shift my garden planters around and rethink my light shades. No need to buy much, since you’ve made me view things in a new light. It gave me such a lift!

Alison Horch, Burnie, Tasmania

The author of every letter published receives $50.

Our favourite also wins a fabulous prize. This month,

Linda Nathaniel of Riverview, NSW, has won an elegant Marian gold-leaf mirror from James Said, valued at $895; www.jamessaid.com.au. Email your letter to H&G@bauer-media.com.au with your full name and address or post to Your H&G, PO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Garden of delights

Mee

KIP

DREAM UP YOUR PERFECT SLEEP SETTING WITH THIS CUSTOMISABLE NEWCOMER. WITH A CHOICE OF CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSIC TUFTED BEDHEADS, PLUS STORAGE OPTIONS TO BOOT, TREAT Y O U R S E L F T O T H E U LT I M AT E K I P.

CUSTOMISE YOUR KIP • 3 headboard styles – classic bell top, tufted or modern channel • 2 fabrics: natural or fog • 3 base options: gas lift storage, 2-drawers or standard

S H O P I N S T O R E O R O N L I N E T O D AY

BE INSPIRED BY OUR NEW FRENCH WASH COLOURS PAINT AND SPECIALITY FINISHES | WALLPAPER | FINISHED FLOORING

Visit porterspaints.com or call 1800 656 664 Featured: French WashTM ‘Valkyrie’ over base of Low Sheen in ‘Victoriana’

INSPIRED BY H G

April “If you love something, it will work.

That’s the only real rule.”

BU N N Y W I LLI A MS , I N T E R I OR DE S I G N ER

Styling by Kayla Gex. Photograph by Will Horner.

CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW RIGHT Brass scissors, $50, Lightly.

Wash & Wear 101 paint in Blue Cadet, $86/4L, Dulux. Essential terracotta bowl (top), $25, and footed bowl, $45, Have You Met Miss Jones. Amber glass specimen bottle, $10, Freedom. Artist Etch terracotta vase, $65, Have You Met Miss Jones. Morgan & Finch glass bottle vases in Pale Grey (left) and Pale Blue, $6 each, Bed Bath N’ Table. Avesta glass vase in Cognac, $95, Weylandts. Claire organic cotton hand towel, $30, Koskela. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

17

FORTUNE SMILES

With two growing girls, Susan and Gordon Tait’s cottage was feeling squeezy. As luck would have it, everything they wished for was around the corner.

STO RY John McDonald | STY LI N G Toni Briggs | P HOTOG R A P HY Armelle Habib

AT HOME WITH H G

The low-maintenance garden, including Grevillea ‘Moonlight’, tufted bluebell, Cotyledon orbiculata ‘Cinderella’ and bottlebrush, is in keeping with the home’s laidback vibe. Kink bench and Bernabeifreeman Terrace plant stand, both Tait.

OPPOSITE Gordon and Susan are keen collectors of modern design; the David Trubridge Coral pendant light from Tongue and Groove is just one of the pieces on display. Vase, Bisonhome.

Bowl, Mud Australia. Vintage artworks.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

19

W

ho could imagine that a fit of frustration could be the catalyst for future happiness?

Outdoor furniture designers/manufacturers Susan and Gordon Tait and their daughters Lily, now 21, and Coco, 17, had outgrown their 1920s two-bedroom home in Melbourne’s inner north.

They had contemplated extending but the cost outweighed the benefits. And while a move was on the cards, they hadn’t begun actively looking.

“One afternoon, the girls were driving Gordon crazy in our cramped living space, so he went for a walk to let off steam,” says Susan. It proved a fortuitous stroll. Almost directly behind their compact cottage, Gordon spied the solution: a double-fronted Victorian property that had been passed in at auction. “It was everything we wanted and more,” says Susan. “And the perfect size for the next stage of our family’s life.” They snapped it up.

The home had undergone a major renovation just prior to the Taits buying it. The front of the home, containing four bedrooms leading off a central hallway, was largely original, but the rear of the house had been “totally reinvented” to add a study, bathroom, laundry and an open-plan kitchen/ dining/living area with direct access to the garden.

The pine flooring was all brand new too – but not to the Taits’ taste. “Before we moved in, we stained all the timber floors a rich chocolate brown (Feast Watson Black Japan) and had the bedrooms carpeted,” says Susan. “Once we settled in, we redecorated the back area, updating the kitchen >

Soft greens bring the outdoors in; rich chocolate brown grounds the room.

AT HOME WITH H G Gordon and Susan treasure their Kurt Østervig extension table from Grandfathers Axe, an ultra-practical piece for this social family. Kai Kristiansen No 42 chairs, Grandfathers Axe. The rug was a roadside find. Wall painted Porter’s Paints Mojito. Artworks by Tony Amos (bird), William Simson (silver frame), Susan Tait (kitchen) and Justin Hutchinson (far right).

Etching by unknown artist. All other works are vintage.

OPPOSITE A wall of sage green penny-round mosaics demarcates the cooking zone. Caesarstone benchtops in White Quartz. Paintings by Drew Wellman (Vegemite) and Susan Tait. Buch stools, Great Dane. HD2 pendant lights, ISM Objects. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

‘We’ve always wanted a social house and the open-plan area, with its double doors to the deck and garden, makes it really easy.’ Gordon Tait

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

21

H G AT HOME WITH

< with a beautiful tiled feature wall, and more functional cupboards. We also designed built-in storage for the living room to house our books, artwork and AV equipment.”

Beginning with a canvas of Dulux Whisper White, Gordon and Susan added feature walls in select rooms for interest.

Clean-lined classic Danish furniture abounds, layered with vintagetreasures,colourfulceramicsandstatementartworks.

“All of our furnishings are considered purchases, which we still love as much as the day we bought them,” says Susan.

“That said, we do add to our collection every now and then.

If we feel like a refresh, we tend to leave the big pieces where they are and move the smaller items or artworks around.”

“The look of our outdoor area probably changes more often than the interior,” says Gordon. “We often bring prototypes of our new products home to road-test; living with a piece ourselves is a great way to assess a design, to see where we can improve or develop it before signing off on its release.”

Considering their line of business, it comes as little surprise that both Gordon and Susan nominate the garden as their favourite part of the home. “A few years ago, we redesigned the layout to suit a family with teenagers >

22 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

‘I swear we sleep better now this room is dark. We feel cocooned and safe and it makes everything in the room look better.’ Susan Tait

Dark walls are calming in a bedroom. Lighttoned bedlinen provides balance.

“The bed is a piece we designed long ago,” says Susan.

“I still love the mix of materials.” Bedside table and lamp, Great Dane. Artworks by William Simson (over bed) and Susan Tait (over mantel). Hyland wool carpet in Rockface, Mr Carpet. Wall painted Porter’s Paints Balls.

OPPOSITE “We fell in love with a patchwork rug but it dominated the space,” says Susan, pictured with Lily.

“This one ties the room together perfectly.” Damask rug, Hali Handmade Rugs. Hans Wegner Plank chairs, Great Dane. The floor lamp was a gift from the designer, Daniel Jessop. Moooi pendant light, Space. Sofa, Jardan.

Stools by Jo Wilson. Wall sculpture by Dion Horstmans.

Artworks by Rone (portrait), Anderson Hunt (tools) and Susan Tait. Jocelyn Warner Cascade wallpaper, Ascraft.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

H G AT HOME WITH

< insteadofyoungchildren,removingthecubby/chookhouse to build the studio as a second living area/art studio in its place,” says Gordon. It is arranged in zones for enjoying at various times of the day: the north-facing back verandah is afavouriteformorningcoffee;thestudioistheprimeposition forsunset;thelawnforbarbecues;therearcornerforalfresco dining. “We also have a fire pit, which everyone loves,” says Susan. “It provides great warmth and entertainment, as well as a wonderful way to socialise of an evening.”

The Taits love nothing more than hosting a gathering and this house is perfect for it, says Gordon. “We’ve always wanted a social house and the open-plan area, with its double doors to the deck and garden, makes it really easy.

Having the studio is great too, especially with the girls growing up – it’s somewhere they can entertain friends separately from the house.” “The kitchen bench is scarred from cocktail parties and our floorboards dented from high heels,” adds Susan. “It’s definitely a house with a few stories to tell!” # Tait, Fitzroy, Victoria, and Redfern, NSW; madebytait.com.au or @madebytait.

24 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Sandwiched between the house and the studio, this cosy nook is a delightful spot to sit and chat or just bask in the sun. The fuchsia bougainvillea was a gift from Gordon’s father. Breeze modular setting and Terrace plant stands, all Tait.

OPPOSITE Coco and P.W. Tiller, the family’s beloved rescue dog, on the studio’s verandah. Gordon designed the rusted-steel decorative fence, a handy support for the prolific star jasmine. Tidal table and chair, Tait. Diamond scultpure by Gordon Tait. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

[ Odessa & Zarine Cushions ]

[ Ayla & Ozan Dining ]

[ Diamond Border Throw ]

[ Marmara Towels ]

[ Grid Accessories ] [ Glass Prisms & Terrariums ]

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keep in touch | Become a Homestyle member for the latest product news

#bedbathntable

Creating your dream home DESIGN. INNOVATE. CREATE. DECORATE.

[ Hikaru ]

SHOP ONLINE OR FIND YOUR NEAREST STORE | bedbathntable.com.au

santorini: a collection of quartz surfaces in dazzlingly beautiful whites The brilliant whitewashed houses on the idyllic Greek island of Santorini inspired this Smartstone collection: pure, perfect white surfaces, patterns of absolute consistency and new veined stones with glowing depth.

To ďŹ nd out more call 1300 888 607 or visit smartstone.com.au

Trend outlook

belgian boom

mod oz

escape & cocoon

green plantation

warm minimalism

desert wanderer

A mood change is as good as a holidayâ&#x20AC;Ś Our experts serve up six looks to get you started.

H G DECORATING Detroit wallcovering, Vescom Bristol Rustic

Tektura wallcovering, Moods Collection

Murobond Paint Paper Bag Decorative feature on cabinet by Xam

Pitted concrete Mitre 10 Accent Coral Charm

Paint Place New Look Pluto Pup

Wattyl Quest

DESERT wanderer Victoria Redshaw Trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus

This design trend blends a mix of ancient cultural inďŹ&#x201A;uences with a minimalist design agenda and a soothing palette. It is calming, visually quiet, almost meditative in its sparse yet comfortable aesthetic.

The focus is on wellbeing. Laidback and informal, it offers respite from the pace of modern life.

Clockwise from top centre Rust-effect Tektura Wallcoverings Essentials wall treatment. Sotis Studio Ceramics L3 24-carat gold Black and Textured pendant lights. Gumi glass pendant lights by Tokenlights. Shoji and Kumico geometric screens, D&M King.

Anabella Vivas Sand vases. Gervasoni Brick sofa, Anibou. Brook ottoman by Tokujin, Hub Furniture. Wooden Aquarelle finishes by Meike Harde. Eleanor Lakelin oak vessel.

Hear more trend insights from Victoria at Decor+Design in Melbourne. www.decordesignshow.com.au.

Photography by Karolina SuďŹ&#x201A;ida (aquarelle, this page), courtesy of #webuildcastlesintheair (model, this page), Sven Kovac (buffet, opposite), Jack Lovel (bedroom and stairs, opposite), Gilbert McCarragher (bathroom, opposite). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Brittany wallcovering, Vescom

These interiors exude a confidence that’s underpinned by thoughtful selections.

Elegant Grey marble, CDK Stone

Terrazzo MT5

Idol terrazzo, Fibonacci Stone

Vein-cut travertine

WARM

minimalism Dana Tomic-Hughes Founder, Yellowtrace

‘Warm’ and ‘minimalism’ may not seem to go together; people often confuse minimal with cold or stark. But good design is often minimal and reduced to bare essentials, while feeling rich, textural and beautifully composed. Warm-minimalist interiors are natural, elegant and thoughtfully edited. Colours are soothing, spaces honest and materiality is celebrated.

Dulux Natural White

Mutina Rombini tile Clockwise from top left Stairwell from LSD Residence by Davidov

Partners. Studio Henry Wilson tallboy, JamFactory. Monument dining setting by Daniel Boddam. Surface sconce by Studio Henry Wilson. Cassina side tables by Piero Lissoni. Bathroom from the Life House by John Pawson. Kristalia 1085 natural hide chair, Fanuli.

Bedroom from LSD Residence by Davidov Partners. >

Porter’s Paints Tusk

Haymes Paint Sugar Creek

Resene Atmosphere

Taubmans All Black

H G DECORATING

Look to foliage and natural textures of leather and rattan. This is a new take on bringing the outside in.

Lucy Sutherland Commercial director, Temple & Webster

This scheme references the ’70s, with natural textures and deep greens at the fore. Organic shapes and loose weaves are tempered by high-gloss textures of glazed bricks and green glass. Lush velvet, earthy terracotta and foliage engender a feeling of serene bliss.

Resene Nirvana

Haymes Paint Watercress

Taubmans Ocean Bank

Mitre 10 Accent Spearmint Flow

Porter’s Paints Emerald

Clockwise from top left Osborne & Little Cascade wallpaper, Seneca

Textiles. Cecile rattan pendant light, Temple & Webster. Elitis Artemis Nymphe sheer fabric, and Osborne & Little Tropicana fabric

by Matthew Williamson, both Seneca Textiles. Tage glass pendant by Pholc, Scandinavian Design Center. Uniquo Congo Relax chair, Temple & Webster. Evie sofa, Temple & Webster. Textura Designed for Living wallcovering. Interior by Malvina Stone.

Tektura wall finish

Striated mineral sample

Kara fabric in Pesto, James Dunlop Textiles

Gloss tile, Old World Tiles

Photography by Jody D’Arcy (Malvina Stone room, this page), Armelle Habib (opposite, top left), Maree Homer (opposite, bottom left). Artwork by Jenny Riddle (Malvina Stone room). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

GREEN plantation

Dulux Ploughed Earth

Wattyl Bathurst

Bristol Blush Beige

Paint Place New Look Cannes

Grasscloth wallpaper

Rattan wallpaper

Tektura Oak Moderne wallcovering

Vintage bookcase wallpaper

Limestone

ESCAPE & cocoon

Murobond Paint Badger Half

Vanessa Holden Founder, Soul Safari

Human-scale nooks and hideaways to retreat to are an antidote to our increasingly fragmented day to day.

Think intimate havens that feel cocooning, enveloping, designed for one (or two); a private place to check out from the hustle and bustle and tune in to our thoughts and senses. Freestanding shelves and plants are important as small space dividers.

Clockwise from top left Sage x Clare cushions, Greenhouse Interiors.

Mug and plate, The Shelley Panton Store. Swingrest hanging lounger by Daniel Pouzet for Dedon. Relaxation nook in a Sydney home. Elitis Raffia & Madagascar collection Cuba Libre wallpaper, Seneca Textiles. Banquette with storage for lazy hours; framed semaphore flag. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Complicated cushion by Jessica Zoob. >

Creating a comfortable escape is an antidote to all the information we are processing during the day.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

33

H G DECORATING

Combine richer tones with blonde wood for a warm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but not heavy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; interior.

Starbursst wallpaper in Paprika, Sparkk

MOD Oz

Grasscloth

Planed European E oak

Kate Nixon Interiors editor, Australian House & Garden Deep-red bricks

Wattyl Alabaster

Resene Dusted Grey

Haymes Paint Chickadee

Taubmans Spaniel Brown

Murobond Paint Moscow

Clockwise from top left Rain Shadow Light 3 pendant light, Axolotl.

AG x Cult Aran sofa in Verona Leather in Nutmeg, Cult. Konstantin Grcic for Magis Tom and Jerry stool, Cult. Palomino American oak lamp table with marble top by Wilhelmina McCarroll, Zuster.

Brisbane home by Kieron Gait Architects. Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen limited-edition Series 7 chair with rose-gold finish, Cult.

Stringi ceramics by Damon Moo, JamFactory. Charlottenborg chair by Arne Jacobsen, Domo.

Rusted-metal finish

Photograph by Marree Homer (this page, bottom right). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Connectedness to the landscape is ever-important to Australians and as we move into cooler months, warmer elements like primer red, berry and rust replace the coastal hues of summer. Materials are natural leaning, and there are more curves ahead.

Bristol Old Bailey

Porter’s Paints Double Drumbeat

Paint Place New Look Cosette

Dulux Sago

Grey wood

Terrazzo

Concrete render

Belgian linen

BELGIAN boom

Mitre 10 Accent Skydancer

Joanne Lawless Interior designer, Lawless & Meyerson

At the recent Maison et Objet in Paris I was drawn to anything from Belgium. What’s so attractive is the idea of tradition being interpreted in new ways and old manufacturing techniques being reinvented; a nod to the past but looking forward. Nothing is over-designed.

Prevalent materials: tinted glass in soft colours, marble, brass/gold and matt/gloss ceramics mixes.

Clockwise from top left Ikea bedroom styled by Amanda Rodriguez using Linblomma, Dvala and Gäspa bedlinen. Zakkia glass vessels.

Maison Vervloet Bubbles and Torna (python skin) door hardware.

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Hideout lounge chair, Space. Marble bowl by Michaël Verheyden. Rustic sunloungers by Sempre.

Lumpur No Mud lamp by Sempre. #

Everything Michaël Verheyden does respects the material he is using. www.michaelverheyden.com

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

35

H G DECORATING

Balancing act

Standing tall At the french doors (far left), full-length curtains from BQ Design cascade from nearceiling height to the floor, lending a feeling of luxe, while the arched windows looking out to greenery are unadorned, playing them up as a design feature.

This mirror, from Boyd Blue, the centrally positioned Eichholtz Aubrey coffee table from James Said and the Abrash Lines Mist rug from Cadrys all play to the concept of symmetry, which helps create the formality the owners desired.

All fired up With its sense of gravitas, the stone fireplace defines the room and was the linchpin for the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design.

A look we love

WINNING STREAK 36 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

See the light The elegant Worlds Away Delilah sconces from James Said create a formal air thanks to their traditional profile, yet they’re intimate at the same time, washing the walls with muted, atmospheric light.

By nature The leafy suburb inspired the palette and fabric selections, says Bradley. “The home is surrounded by established gardens, which encouraged us to incorporate elements of nature in the space.” Hence the earthy wall colour (Yorkshire Brown from Haymes Paint) and natural hues in the fabrics.

CAROLINE HEDLEY, BRADLEY NEILSON & ELYSE TIMOSHENKO Interior design students

The project

After moving into a mid-century home in Melbourne’s east, the owners – a professional couple and two children, now aged nine and seven – didn’t know what to do with this room. To solve their dilemma, they entered an Australian House & Garden competition offering a room makeover by students at Mercer School of Interior Design, under the tutelage of interior designer Melissa Balzan. Caroline Hedley (left), Bradley Neilson and Elyse Timoshenko pitched the winning concept. “As it’s not the main living area, the owners wanted this space to be more formal and act as an adult retreat for their family and friends,” says Caroline.

Text by Chris Pearson. Photograph by Mike Baker. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

The students’ top tips

Transient touch While the clients requested ample seating for entertaining, they also wanted this room to be flexible. “The scale and proportion of each piece enables the family to alter the layout so that the room becomes a dynamic space,” says Elyse.

“A room should be injected with personality, colours and textures that give you comfort and a sense of belonging,” says Bradley. Before you begin, gather ideas in a scrapbook or on a mood board – and go with what you love, not what’s fashionable.

Every room should have a focal point, such as a fireplace, artwork, even a window with a fabulous view. Use it as the springboard for colour palettes, textures and furniture arrangement.

Include personal elements, such as heirlooms and souvenirs. Group them on a mantel or shelving. # Mercer School of Interior Design; 1300 226 743 or www.mercer.edu.au.

H G DECORATING

Ask an expert

RUG LORE

Interiors editor Kate Nixon shares her tips on decorating from the ground up.

Ghan wool-cotton rug in Ecru (170x240cm), from $1620, Armadillo&Co; armadillo-co.com.

Persian

Beni Ourain

Flokati

Fresh ideas and easy updates

✚ If you’re ready to layer a rug atop carpet, choose one with a similar pattern or tone to your carpet to soften the transition. ✚ For awkwardly shaped spaces such as entrances with staircases, try a round rug, which will act as a landing pad and help to bring a focal point to the space. ✚ A rug helps to frame the furniture in a room, so position sofas and armchairs with at least the front legs on top of the rug to connect them to one another.

Take the lead from key colours in your rug when selecting accessories such as cushions, throws and occasional chairs.

Top p toe teasers

L

ayering is the secret to a well-dressed interior, and a rug is the irrefutable foundation. In choosing a rug, first decide if you want it to be the hero or supporting act, and source the style, palette and texture accordingly. Think earthy woven natural fibres, luxurious hand-knotted wool and silk in contemporary designs, traditional Persians, retro shag-piles, plush flokatis (making a comeback) and tribal Beni Ourain rugs from Morocco. Bigger is nearly always better – buy the largest rug your space and budget can afford and layer your furniture on top. And yes – you can place a rug on carpet!

Send decor questions (with name and address) to H&G Advice, GPO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028 or email H&G@bauer-media.com.au.

38 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

FROM LEFT Tammy Kanat Burst rug in Dusk (185x275cm), $6100, Cadrys; (02) 9328 6144 or www.cadrys.com.au. Bordered round jute rug in Ivory (183cm), $299, West Elm; 1800 239 516 or www.westelm.com.au. Lion wool rug (200x121cm), $4550, Robyn Cosgrove; (02) 9328 7692 or robyncosgrove.com.

OR TRY THESE...

Dash & Albert Indoor and outdoor rugs in classic stripes,

geometrics, solids and plaids; dashandalbert.annieselke.com.

Designer Rugs Inspiring collaborations with Australia’s leading designers in addition to in-house collections; www.designerrugs. com.au. Hali Handmade Rugs Australia’s largest stockist of modern and traditional handmade rugs; www.hali.com.au. #

Laurent 05, Lambert & Fils

Drawing from the inďŹ&#x201A;uences of mid-century Modernism, the Industrial Age, and Samuel Lambertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uniquely minimalist aesthetic, Lambert et Fils creates distinctive and sophisticated contemporary collections for residential and commercial settings alike.

livingedge.com.au

10 steps to

decorative LAYERS T STORY Natalie Walton | PH OTO G R APH Y Thomas Dalhoff

he opportunity to create a home from scratch was too tempting for Sydney interior designer Brett Mickan. When he and Nick English, his partner in life and business, viewed the warehouse rebuild more than a year ago, they were excited about the possibilities. “Sydney is a difficult market in which to find an inner-city property with so much square metreage,” says Brett. “And the fact it was in a state raw enough to allow me to create an interior without demolition or construction was irresistible.”

The property was one of eight terraces being built on the site of a fabric warehouse. With three storeys featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, it had a great floor plan but was nondescript, so Brett was able to stamp it with his style.

“I strive to make my interiors a conversation about the inhabitants,” says Brett. “As though you have gathered all your favourite things, put them all together and somehow they all sit comfortably. However, this is no accident; it is through a considered balance of colour, texture and scale, then an injection of art and accessories all designed to manipulate the eye to vignettes and rooms within rooms.” Brett also likes to include vintage pieces in spaces, as they add layers to a home’s story.

With 20 years in the business, Brett’s insights into creating a personal, layered interior are gold. Read on...

Brett Mickan Interior Design, Enmore, NSW; (02) 9550 2706 or www.bmid.com.au.

1

FORMATIVE LAYERS The first step to creating a room is to consider its function. Brett follows this up with an appropriate furniture plan catering to how the room will be used, then makes adjustments based on traffic flow. Furniture, upholstery, finishes and lighting come next, followed by art and accessories. “Colour is never far from my thoughts,” he says. Achieving a balance between colour, texture, shape and scale is crucial to a successful result.

40 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

2

COLOUR CONNECTION

The way spaces relate to each other is important when choosing colour schemes. Brett’s selection for the living room was influenced by its connection to the kitchen (see page 42).

“As the kitchen has large areas of grey, the walls and window treatment in the living room offer large areas of grey,” he says. Likewise, the warm tones of the floor, rug and sofa counterbalance the brass finish on the kitchen island.

For artwork details, see page 189.

DECORATING H G

3

HOW TO MIX PATTERNS

of th striking features of Brett’s interiors projects is his for reating harmony from a range of seemingly tt rns. “To successfully mix all this colour and b gin with a balance of large blocks of similar s. “You can then introduce any accents you you balance the colour and texture around e, the pattern of the carpet and sofa and the en’s granite benchtops all relate to each other. >

H G DECORATING

5

BOX SOLUTIONS

BLENDING SPACES

Because the kitchen is visible from the living room, Brett designed it to be sculptural as well as functional. It was part of the original shell of the building and there were water pipes on the wall opposite the island bench. Brett’s solution was to box them in and build an island to match the width.

“By installing custom metal shelving I transformed a liability into an integral part of the design,” he says.

Also, creating balance was key: “The negative space between the art is vital to create the separation of zones and to ensure an uncluttered result.”

While the kitchen seems simpler in design than the rest of the house, each element has been well considered.

The wall of cabinets was finished in 30 per cent concrete – a similar tone to the wall – to help them recede into the room and create the illusion of space.

“I achieved a simple symmetry by using floor-toceiling cabinets and no filler pieces, just shadow lines,” he says. A splashback on the island means sink and kitchen clutter is hidden, yet the workspace is still nicely connected to the living room.

42 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

For artwork details, see page 189.

4

6

MIXING STYLES

“My interiors are not about creating a certain style or a coordinated set of pieces,” says Brett. “I want them to feel like somebody threw all of their favourite things into a room and it miraculously feels cohesive and beautiful.” The starting point in this area was the Cole & Son wallpaper. “Toile reminds me of dining rooms in grand old homes and this one also felt like drawings from old story books,” he says. To balance the wallpaper he painted all the other walls in the room Dulux Fresco Blue, making them recede. >

H G DECORATING

8

SETTING THE TONE

7

MASTER DISPLAY

44 |

While this part of the home is narrow, Brett has used art to add gravitas to the space, as well as welcome the visitor. The hallway runner helps guide them into the home, too. “The vintage mirror is placed opposite the door to give an illusion of extended space and it’s perfect for that last hair check before you leave,” he says.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

For artwork details, see page 189.

The ground-floor entrance to Brett’s terrace is only 1m wide, so when it came to adding decorative elements he had to ensure they wouldn’t obstruct traffic flow.

Consequently, most decorative elements – such as the vintage gold demilune table with a peach marble top – hug the wall. It’s also positioned to avoid the swing of the door. To create the illusion of space, the length of one wall was painted Dulux Bengal Blue. >

H G DECORATING

9

MIXING ERAS Brett mixes decorative items from different eras. “Creating spaces that show curated collections expresses individuality as well as slows down the ageing process because the mix blurs the date of installation,” he says.

LUXE LOOK

For artwork details, see page 189.

10

The guestroom has an air of luxury synonymous with boutique hotels, partly due to the way Brett has dressed the bed. “To make it look irresistible, make it layered and fluffy,” he says.

“Feather is great for making things look like you want to sink into them. Make the bed and leave it a little open, with sheets folded back and with simple cushion accents. Thirty cushions on a bed may look beautiful but they don’t give you the feeling you can just slip in for a quick kip.” #

PICTURE PERFECT KITCHENS Be inspired by some of Australia’s top designers and the innovative ways you can integrate our appliances into your kitchen. For more inspirational projects like this one by Hecker Guthrie, follow our Instagram @fisherpaykelau

VISIT OUR SYDNEY EXPERIENCE CENTRE Fisher & Paykel Experience Centre 90-96 Bourke Rd, Alexandria, NSW, Australia

WINNING APPLIANCES LAUNDRY SPECIAL

Home and dry

Does your laundry need an update? Winning Appliances has you sorted with the latest washing machines and dryers from AEG. Quietly does it: the inverter motor in the AEG T97689IH heat-pump dryer ensures it delivers gentle, uniform drying at a volume you’ll barely notice. A specially engineered drying circuit and noise-insulated cabinet mean even the most powerful cycles operate quietly.

“

Washing becomes less of a chore when time-saving, feature-packed appliances do all the hard work for you.

”

BRAND PROMOTION

A

great laundry is only as good as its appliances. Many factors – from drum size to drying times – come into play when you’re considering which models are right for your laundry.

That’s why it pays to visit Winning Appliances, Australia’s leading kitchen and laundry specialists. You’ll find a selection of washing machines and dryers from the world’s best brands, including AEG. Shown on these pages is AEG’s innovative ProTex Series 9 front loader: it has a generous 9kg drum and sensors that detect the weight of your load to deliver the precise amount of water. An inverter motor means quiet performance and the 16 wash programs have every washing situation covered.

It’s teamed with AEG’s 8kg Inverter Heat Pump Dryer, a model that’s gentle enough to dry your silk and woollens and clever enough to incorporate a humidity sensor that adjusts duration, energy and drying power according to the load.

Team your appliances with AEG’s stacking kit, featuring a convenient slide-out bench, to create a laundry you’ll love.

A REVERSE TUMBLING DRUM ENSURES OPTIMAL DRYING

EN ERGY FRI EN D LY Laundry appliances have come a long way in recent years. Heat-pump technology and inverter motors mean today’s dryers use a fraction of the electricity they once did. AEG’s 6-star energy-rated dryer delivers perfect performance and doesn’t cost the earth to run. Washing machines, too, have benefited from years of research and development into better efficiencies. The OptiSense feature in AEG’s washing machines automatically adjusts water and energy consumption to ensure a precise wash every time.

For more information visit winningappliances.com.au Head into a Winning Appliances showroom and let the friendly sales experts help you choose the best laundry appliances for your home.

Fresh ideas deserve the freshest ingredients

*Than all other top selling 450L brands.

Keeps your fruit and vegetables fresher for 7 days*.

The new FreshZoneTM Crisper, only from Electrolux keeps your fruit and vegetables fresh and crisp for longer, so there will always be fresh ingredients waiting for when inspiration strikes.

electroluxlife.com.au

SKYE HEALEY WARD Marketing manager, Living Edge

Produced by Laura Barry. Styling by Ashley Pratt. Photograph by John Paul Urizar.

Design classics and personal treasures mingle in the inner-Sydney terrace Skye shares with her husband Ben, daughter Sunday, newborn Felix and Reuben the cat.

SKYE’S FAVOURITE THINGS Painting By a dear friend, Berlin-based artist Joseph Marr.

Figurines Sunday and I call these Vitra dolls Mr Anxiety and Mrs Mystery. Jar A birthday gift from my sister-in-law, Susannah.

Books I Iove leafing through design titles when I’m in need of inspiration. Chair Sunday curls up in this Eames rocker with me to read stories. I hope she’ll pass it on to her own children.

Stool Another Eames classic from Living Edge. It pops up all over our house as a side table or extra seat. Rug I love the feel of cowhide underfoot, and it goes so well with mid-century designs.

Cat We adopted Reuben as a kitten. Now he’s a gentle giant.

MY LOCAL HAUNTS I love my neighbourhood because there are lots of young families and a great sense of community, and we can walk or cycle almost anywhere. On weekends we’ll catch up with friends at Redfern Park or Prince Alfred Park. Favourite places for retail therapy are Seasonal Concepts and Chee Soon & Fitzgerald in Redfern. Three Williams cafe, also in Redfern, has great food and coffee. www.livingedge.com.au. >

H G INSIDER AUSTRALIAN STORY:

All in the family Melbourne furniture design and manufacturing firm Molmic celebrates 30 years at the top of its game this year. H&G caught up with Anna McRae – creative director of this family-run business and daughter of founders Molly and Michael McMahon – to talk about the company’s legacy and blueprint for the future.

RETAIL NEWS

H ATC H E S , M ATC H E S . . .

1

Marimekko’s upcoming spring/summer collection features a divine new range by designers Carina Seth Andersson and Sami Ruotsalainen. Drawing on vintage concepts from the label’s archives, this collaboration includes printed fabrics, kitchen textiles and tableware. www.marimekko.com.

Danish firm Cane-line has racked up 30 years making classic, functional furniture. Check out designs in raw and natural materials from its expanded Elements line, such as this inviting rattan Nest chair. www.canelineaustralia.com.au.

3 How did Molmic begin? The inspiration came about by chance, a combination of Molly’s background in children’s clothing and Michael’s technical-engineering skills. They wanted to create a business together that would be a new adventure and a new challenge for them.

Family biz: Michael and Molly McMahon and their kids.

How will you celebrate the 30th anniversary?

Creative director Anna is second from left.

We recently launched the Molmic Sofa Gallery, an in-store concept with selected core stockists. Our plan is to have intimate events with each of these partners, along with events for our longstanding retail partners, to keep it personal.

What do you think has kept Molmic at the front of Australian design? The relationships we keep at every point, transparent communications and our commitment to, and investment in, innovation. We understand the value of marketing our brand and connecting with people.

What’s in store for the future? We have a new-generation leadership team who will diversify and grow the Molmic Sofa Gallery in stores, while expanding our product offerings and distribution.

Exciting new trade showrooms for Sydney and Brisbane are also in our plans.

Favourite pieces? The Steele Avenue sofa [above], still a best-seller, for its simplicity, practicality and relaxed comfort – I’ve had mine for more than 15 years. The Eastwood sofa, for its rustic charm and exclusive fabric. And the Vivienne chair, an elegant classic. www.molmic.com.au.

‘OUR DESIGNS, CRAF TSMANSHIP AND CARE ARE FOUNDED O N T H E P U R P O S E O F W H AT W E M A K E – F U R N I T U R E T H AT A S S U M E S A N I N T E G R A L P L AC E I N P E O P L E ’ S L I V E S .’ Anna McRae

52 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Noted Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun has honed a collection of streamlined kitchen accessories for Zwilling JA Henckels. The 17 pieces in his Twin Pure series, priced from $40, are designed on ergonomic principles and crafted from durable 18/10 stainless steel. Available from Myer; www.myer.com.au.

4

Smeg’s retro-styled ECF01 coffee machine, $499, takes both ground beans and pre-filled paper pods.

Intuitive controls make it easy to produce a bellissimo brew. www. smeg. com.au. >

TREND REPORT

material crush

01

Stone. Steel. Glass. Timber. Material Crush is all about bringing unique materials together in innovative ways to create something fresh, distinct and new. You can be bold and mix different finishes like matte black with marble, timber and stone. It’s all about celebrating materials in contrast.

To see more emerging trends visit www.reece.com.au/trends 03

02

Unique materials.

Experiment with textures and tones and find a bathroom that is unique to you. Let your instinct be your texture style guide.

Mix & Match.

04 08

Layer natural materials like marble, oak & have a bit of fun with black tapware.

These unique finishes and materials create exquisite contrast.

05

11 09

X-factor metallics.

A unique blend of surfaces and finishes offer a feast for the senses.

From rose gold to chrome, metallics are the hottest trend in tapware right now. t 06

10 07

01 Kartell by Laufen Transparent Crystal Mirror | 02 Roca Meridian In-Tank Back to Wall Pan WELS 4 Star, 4.5/3, 3.3 av ltr per fl ush 03 Milli Glance Toilet Roll Holder with Cover | 04 Hydrotherm Milan Heated Towel Rail | 05 Alape Circa 450 Vessel Basin Matte Black 06 Methven Aio Aurajet Rail Shower WELS 3 Star, 9 ltr/min | 07 Kartell by Laufen Fume Crystal Stool | 08 Milli Axon Extended Basin Mixer Rose Gold/Black WELS 6 Star, 4 ltr/min | 09 Milli Axon Basin Mixer, Black/Chrome WELS 6 Star, 4 ltr/min | 10 Milli Glance Glass Shelf in Black | 11 ISSY Z8 Butterfl y 500mm Wall Hung Vanity Unit

H G INSIDER

The best of Luc A Hobart retailer’s keen eye for design excellence has catapulted her onto the world stage.

F Wrap yourself in Linen House’s seductive winter 2017 collection of bedlinen and accessories. Look for subtle tribal motifs, plush velvet, faux furs and cosy knits. www.linenhouse.com.au.

NEW COLLECTABLES Curator and design editor David Clark (left) is an expert in the field of furniture design and creator of the National Trust’s recent At Home: Modern Australian Design exhibition. Here, he nominates a contemporary piece that’s bound to become a collectable.

“There are many factors that might cause a piece of design to become a collectable, but if we’re talking about a classic for the home, comfort is paramount; it needs to feel good around your body. The Fri easy chair by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen does just that. Comfortable both in physicality and scale, it’s the perfect size for a compact apartment or a generous living room.

It is formally beautiful. The chair captures the essence of Danish design in shape, but has lines and curves that make it a 21st-century piece. It’s crafted by one of the best furniture companies in the world, while at the same time capturing the distinctive signature of the designer who created it. A classic should have a good pedigree; Jaime Hayon is a Spanish wunderkind, known for his whimsical, playful works.”

The Fri easy chair (right), priced from $5300, is available from Cult; cultdesign.com.au.

54 |

AUSTRALIAN H

rom a suburban cottage to a 19th-century heritage sandstone warehouse on the Hobart waterfront in four years... the trajectory of Lucy Given’s design store, Luc, has been sharp and swift. And this month Lucy (below) is off to Chicago, to represent the Australian retail scene at the IHA Global Innovation Awards, her reward for winning Retailer of the Year at the recent 2017 Australian Gift & Life Instyle Awards.

With more than 25 years’ experience in retail and interior design, Lucy says she found the transition from sourcing for clients to shopping for her own store a natural progression. “After identifying a gap in the local market for high-end design, the obvious step was to create a space to showcase the product I was seeking myself,” she says.

Today, the gallery-like Luc is a designer wonderland filled with fashion, homewares, furniture and art hand-picked by Lucy.

She and her staff are friendly, knowledgeable and happy to chat about anything, from product design to local dining hotspots.

“I’m honoured and proud that my knowledge and experience have been recognised,” says Lucy. “I’ve worked hard to create the concept of this store, and I’m so pleased that people can see the passion behind what I do. I hope I’m a good representation > of Australian retail.” www.lucdesignstore.com.

BRAND PROMOTION

VERSATILITY OF A WAGON

The flexible seven-seat configuration provides the Prius v with all the space and versatility of a wagon in the comfort and convenience of a sleek sedan.

(Prius v i-Tech® model shown)

THEIR SAFETY UV-reducing green glass in the windscreen and front windows effortlessly cuts glare, while a reversing camera* and seven SRS airbags put the safety of your family first.

(Prius v i-Tech® model shown)

KEEPING COOL The retractable rear-seat sunshades help keep passengers cool on bright sunny days.

A car that cares about her lifestyle

For the modern family that needs plenty of space, a surprising amount of power and, above all, safety – you’ll find all that and more in the versatile, fuel-efficient Toyota Prius v.

For today’s busy families on the go, making an environmentally responsible vehicle choice is every bit as important as the need for great performance, roomy versatility and outstanding safety. Thanks to its clever Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology, the Prius v combines a robust 1.8 litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver powerful acceleration when you need it most – and superb, low-emission fuel efficiency throughout.

The seven-seat configuration provides more than enough room to travel in comfort, while keyless Smart Entry and Start system, single-dial air-conditioning, a reversing camera* and seven SRS airbags mean the Prius v is brimming with the safety features and modern conveniences you’ve come to expect from a Toyota innovation. It all adds up to the safety and reliability you want, the economical performance you need and the sleek and stylish look you deserve.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TOYOTA.COM.AU/PRIUS-V * Reversing Camera is a driver assist device only and should not be used as a substitute for safe driving practices. The area into which the vehicle is driven must be visually monitored by the driver.

H G INSIDER

MEET THE MAKER Daniella Rosen Daniella is the founder, director and designer of giftware brand The Dan300 Group, where every aspect of product design – from colour to packaging – is executed with impressive artistry.

What is the The Dan300 Group?

Designers and makers of giftware, textiles, bath and body products and stationery, with a focus on signature design, colour, pattern and packaging.

What inspires you? Colour in nature. Fruit and flowers are my main sources of colour inspiration.

Most seasons, my palette evolves from a mood board put together over a period of months.

What is your creative process? I start with a blank page, then build a pattern using shapes and colours. There will usually be several versions before I’m happy with it. Once a pattern is finished, I decide what product it will best lend itself to as packaging, then we create a prototype of the product/packaging combination before everything is manufactured.

What has creating The Dan300 Group taught you?

To be persistent, go with your gut and be prepared to fail. Enjoy small successes, be adaptable and educate yourself wherever you can.

www.dan300.com.au.

56 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

BR GHT IDEAS When is melting ice-cream a good thing?

When it makes your child’s room look this sweet. Dripping Ice Cream wallpaper (above), $76/m2, is a whimsical new design from Rebel Walls; rebelwalls.com.au.

Ikea boosts its design cred further with its PS 2017 collection, for which 17 designers from around the globe were asked to ponder the future of urban living. The fab rocking chair (left), $299, is a standout. www.ikea.com.au.

Welcome Studio is a wonderful social enterprise in Sydney that sells art prints (Nature Party Whale, $30, by Katherine Nelson is shown below left), with all profits going to refugees and asylum-seekers. www.welcomestudio.com.au.

Can’t find the perfect umbrella to shade your backyard? Design your own through Duchess & Deco (below), from $530; www.duchessanddeco.com.au. #

WICKER & WOOD ALFRESCO LIVING IS POSSIBLE ALL YEAR ROUND WITH D O M AY N E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S V E R S AT I L E S Y N T H E T I C W I C K E R R A N G E .

V i s i t d o m ay n e . c o m . a u t o b r ow s e o u r f u l l r a n g e o f f u r n i t u r e , b e d d i n g a n d h o m e w a r e s .

V i s i t d o m ay n e . c o m . a u t o b r ow s e o u r f u l l r a n g e o f f u r n i t u r e , b e d d i n g a n d h o m e w a r e s .

lasting WICKER SYNTHETIC WICKER WILL LAST THE TEST OF TIME WITH IT’S D U R A B I L I T Y. C R E AT E S PAC E S T H AT B L U R T H E LINE BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT TO RELAX IN ALL YEAR ROUND.

style tip PA I R

IT

B ACK

PA I R I N G

B ACK

IS

OFTEN THE

SUCCESSFUL

RELAXING

T H AT

HAVE A

DON’T

WICKER

KEY TO

S PAC E S . R E M OV E

PURPOSE AND

ITEMS

LET THE

D O T H E TA L K I N G .

FRONT COVER FURNITURE MISSISSIPPI 2-SEATER SOFA, $1299 (W131*H82*D85); 2-SEATER BENCH, $699 (W120*H44*D34). FRONT COVER HOMEWARES MELAMINE BOWL SMALL WHITE, $9.95; TUMBLER WHITE, $5.95. CORA JUTE CUSHION, $44.95. LEFT FURNITURE ALMIRA 4-PIECE OUTDOOR MODULAR LOUNGE, $3999 (W333*H69*D232). ALMIRA OUTDOOR COFFEE TABLE, $699 (W142*H45*D72). LEFT HOMEWARES MELAMINE SERVING PLATTER WHITE, $24.95. CONCRETE VASE TALL, $74.95; MEDIUM, $69.95. RIVIERA PLAIN CUSHION GREY, $54.95. WILLOW OUTDOOR CUSHION CEMENT, $49.95. RIGHT FURNITURE ALMIRA OUTDOOR ARMCHAIR, $999 (W115*H69*D72). RIGHT HOMEWARES ESC APE LANTERN WHITE SMALL, $129.

timeless WICKER PA I R S Y N T H E T I C WICKER WITH WHITEWASHED WOOD AND GREY FOR A TIMELESS LOOK. ADD HINTS OF OTHER TONES TO LIFT THE LOOK.

style tip NEUTRAL TONES EMBRACE BE

NEUTRAL

EARTHY TONES AND YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL

REWARDED WITH

WOOD AND WICKER TO

R AT TA N

C ALMING M AT C H

COMPLETE YOUR YEAR

S PAC E S . S TO N E , P E R F E C T LY W I T H ROUND

HAVEN.

LEFT FURNITURE C ASA OUTDOOR ARMCHAIR, $999 EACH (W97*H81*D87). LEFT HOMEWARES BOXWOOD TOPIARY ARTIFICIAL PLANT IN POT, $109.95. ROUND NATURAL WICKER LANTERN LARGE, $199.95. ROUND NATURAL WICKER LANTERN WIDE, $219.95. RIGHT FURNITURE C ASA OUTDOOR 3-SEATER SOFA, $1999 (W224*H81*D87). C ASA OUTDOOR TEAK COFFEE TABLE, $1199 (W120*H40*D70). RIGHT HOMEWARES MYSTIC CUSHION, $39.95. SHADY CUSHION, $39.95. GAZE CUSHION, $39.95. MATTE SALAD BOWL BLACK, $44.95. BOXWOOD TOPIARY PLANT IN POT, $109.95. ROUND NATURAL WICKER LANTERN LARGE, $199.95. ROUND NATURAL WICKER LANTERN WIDE, $219.95. RED DAY LEAF BALL TREE, $329.95.

V i s i t d o m ay n e . c o m . a u t o b r ow s e o u r f u l l r a n g e o f f u r n i t u r e , b e d d i n g a n d h o m e w a r e s .

V i s i t d o m ay n e . c o m . a u t o b r ow s e o u r f u l l r a n g e o f f u r n i t u r e , b e d d i n g a n d h o m e w a r e s .

versatile WICKER WHETHER ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON THE FRONT DECK OR INSIDE, SYNTHETIC WICKER HAS A T I M E L E S S F E E L T H AT I S A S V E R S AT I L E A S IT IS STRONG.

style tip CONTEMPORARY M AT C H A WICKER HINTS

CONCRETE

FOR A

OF

C R E AT E A

FEEL

L O O K TA B L E W I T H

CONTEMPORARY

MARBLE, BLACK AND MODERN AND

FEEL. ADD BRASS TO

LUXURIOUS

S PAC E .

LEFT FURNITURE AZURE ROUND OUTDOOR DINING TABLE, $1399 (D150*H75). MISSISSIPPI OUTDOOR DINING CHAIR, $499 EACH (W58*H84*D74).

LEFT HOMEWARES FRESH DINNER PLATE, $9.95 EACH. MELAMINE BOWL SMALL WHITE, $9.95. FRESH SALAD BOWL, $24.95. RIGHT HOMEWARES PURE CHEESE BOARD, $34.95. MATTE SALAD BOWL BLACK, $44.95. MATTE SALAD SET, $39.95 (INCLUDES SALAD SERVERS NOT SHOWN). LUXE MARBLE RECTANGLE TRAY, $69.95.

LUXE MARBLE TRAY, $49.95. HOST 16-PIECE CUTLERY SET ROSE GOLD, $169.95. ROBERT GORDON STAR DUST LATTE CUP WHITE & ROSE GOLD, $29 SET OF 2.

luxurious WICKER PERFECT FOR THE LONG LUNCH WHERE COMFORT COUNTS. SYNTHETIC WICKER BRINGS A MOOD OF R E L A X AT I O N AND STYLE.

style tip WHITE TO

C R E AT E A V E R S AT I L E Y E A R

E N T E RTA I N I N G A R E A PERFECT

FOR

HOT

COOLER WINTER WOOD

FOR A

OUT ROUND

KEEP

IT WHITE.

SUMMER

DAY S A N D

EVENINGS. JUST ADD MORE

RUSTIC

CHARM.

LEFT HOMEWARES S&P FROMAGE BREAD PADDLE, $129.95. HARDWARE LANE JUG WHITE, $69.95. WHITE HOUSE DINNER PLATE, $9.95. WHITE HOUSE BOWL, $12.95. HOST CHEESE KNIVES, $49.95 SET OF 3. HARDWARE LANE PLATTER WHITE, $34.95. MATTE SALAD SET, $39.95 (INCLUDES BUT NOT SHOWN OLIVE OIL BOTTLE, VINEGAR BOTTLE, SALT POT, PEPPER POT). EGAN GLASS JAR WITH ROPE HANDLE, $6.95. RIGHT FURNITURE C ASA OUTDOOR RECTANGULAR TEAK DINING TABLE, $1999 (W240*H76*D110).

C ASA OUTDOOR DINING CHAIR, $559 EACH. RIGHT HOMEWARES CONCRETE VASE MEDIUM, $69.95. REGENCY BRASS BOWL GOLD, $99.

V i s i t d o m ay n e . c o m . a u t o b r ow s e o u r f u l l r a n g e o f f u r n i t u r e , b e d d i n g a n d h o m e w a r e s .

Domayne stor es ar e oper ated by indepen d en t f r an ch i sees. Ad ver ti sed p r i ces val i d at N ew Sou th Wal es stor es on ly.

Pr i ces may var y between states d u e to ad d i ti on al f r ei gh t costs. P r om oti on en d s 3 0 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 7 .

Design moment

FLORENCE BROADHURST

B

66 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

W H AT I T M E A N S TO U S

“Broadhurst was the genius behind one of Australia’s most exhilarating design archives,” says Mark Smale, CEO of Signature Design Archive, which as a supposedly French couturier called acquired the commercial rights in 2004.

Madame Pellier. Upon her return to Broadhurst’s bounty now appears on Australia in 1949, she passed herself off bedding, towels, jewellery, dinnerware, as English and achieved some measure appliances and stationery in 53 countries, of success as a landscape painter. as well as fabrics and wallpapers.

No less intriguing were the fascinating Notable licensees include Kate Spade wallpaper patterns that emerged from New York (train case, below); Deborah Broadhurst’s shed, ranging from oriental Lloyd, Kate Spade New York’s chief birds and exotic flora to swirling creative officer, calls Broadhurst’s work geometrics and ornate tapestries. “groundbreaking and How many she designed herself is sensational”. And debatable, but no one doubts her with 530 designs entrepreneurial spirit and discerning eye. in the archive In the late ’60s, with her business on and fewer than a roll, she renamed it Florence Broadhurst 150 of them Wallpapers, expanded into fabric and released so far, moved to larger, more stylish premises we’ve barely in Paddington. Broadhurst exported her scratched the vivid visions, many in mylar foil and vinyl, surface of around the world. Then, tragically, came her legacy. #

The revival of her wallpaper archive uncovered the rich legacy of this creative chameleon, writes Chris Pearson. ack in 1959, at the age of 60, a feisty henna-haired Florence Broadhurst set about shaking Australia out of its beige postwar complacency. In a shed behind her husband’s truck showroom in St Leonards, Sydney, she set up a design business, Australian Wallpapers.

The vibrant, handprinted designs she created were the last incarnation for this master of reinvention, and would ultimately come to define her.

Broadhurst was born in Mount Perry, Queensland, in 1899. As a young woman she toured Asia in a comedy troupe as Bobby Broadhurst and in the 1920s, opened the ambitiously named Broadhurst Academy, a school of music, dancing and journalism, in Shanghai.

In the 1930s, she surfaced in London

the biggest unsolved mystery of all: in 1977, the designer was murdered in her studio.

Broadhurst’s collection was sold off and the archive might have languished in a warehouse but for Helen and David Lennie, founders of Sydney firm Signature Prints. Specialists in handprinted wallpaper and fabrics, they pounced as wallcoverings again found favour at the end of the ’90s. The pair revived Broadhurst’s designs, updated with fresh colours. Patterns such as Horses Stampede, The Cranes, Circles and Squares, Japanese Fans (left) and Cockatoos (top) found new fans, including interior designer Greg Natale.

“I was blown away – there was nothing else like it,” says Natale. “She took traditional patterns and played up the scale, which made them so modern, and they still feel modern today.”

Photograph from bauersyndication.com.au (portrait).

H G INSIDER

naturally ageless

for the first signs of ageing Ageless is rich in deeply nourishing Rosehip Oil, a natural source of Vitamin A and C, antioxidants and natural nutrients to moisturise, revitalise and protect skin of all ages and types.

Use the ‘try me’ free testers on all Natio display stands to experience Natio’s exceptional quality and value. www.natio.com.au Available at Myer, David Jones and selected Pharmacies.

W NE

esi n b

g b -A- i

a

more e fo

Design by Nico e ma For Variety â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charit

E reedman For Captain Courageous Foundation

Vote to keep your favourite design at twinings.com.au #InspireYourMorning

INSIDER H G

Women in design

JENNY JONES

Weaving together beauty and business is all in a day’s work for this designer, who creates art for walls and floors.

STORY Elizabeth Wilson | PH OTO G R APH Y Bo Wong

A

s a child, Jenny Jones struggled at school because of undiagnosed dyslexia. “There was no name for it back then,” she says.

“I grew up being very visual, and it forced me to look outside the box to survive.” It’s an approach that has served her well in both life and business.

Based in Perth, she is the founder and design director of Jenny Jones Rugs, specialists in contemporary art rugs, which she launched in 1995. She began by importing rugs from Turkey and India but started designing her own collections 16 years ago, sparked by the lack of contemporary pieces on the market and driven by an instinct for composition and colour.

Jenny’s portfolio now includes more than 1500 designs for floor rugs and wall-hangings, all hand-woven and hand-knotted in sumptuous natural fibres by artisans in India and Nepal. In 2012, Jenny won the Best Modern Design category at the Domotex flooring trade show in Hanover, Germany, sealing her place among an elite group > of international rug designers.

Jenny Jones stands in front of her luminous wallhanging, Crochet, in the Atlantic colourway.

Her signature mixture of low- and high-cut piles creates a textural, three-dimensional effect.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

69

H G INSIDER

8am MORNING RITUALS Jenny rises at 7am and dedicates the next hour to ‘quiet time’, during which she reflects on the lessons of the previous day.

“I unload all my thoughts,” she says. “It helps me to become present and anchored. If I don’t have quiet time, I arrive at work with a level of energy that drives everyone crazy.” Recharged, she then has coffee with her husband Dennis and daughter Rikki, who’s visiting with her new baby.

9am

5pm

JENNY JONES RUGS, CLAREMONT, PERTH Jenny’s son Mitchell Jones is managing director of the company; his brother, Luke, runs the Melbourne showroom. “They’ve been ensconced in rugs from a very young age. It’s in their blood,” says Jenny. Here, she and Mitchell discuss a Zulu Dance wall-hanging, inspired by the time Jenny spent living in Africa. “We’re always talking about what works.”

6PM, MATILDA BAY “A walk is a lovely finish to a busy day,” says Jenny, strolling along the banks of Swan River with Dennis, who is in charge of finance and marketing at Jenny Jones Rugs.

“I got the exciting part, but his is a vital role.”

Jenny Jones Rugs, Claremont, WA, and Armadale, Victoria; (08) 9286 1200, (03) 9077 0654 or www.jennyjonesrugs.com.

JENNY JONES RUGS On a wall of the showroom (above left) hang two of Jenny’s botanically inspired wall-hangings: Bottlebrush (left) and Grevillea.

Her wool samples (above right) resemble luscious confectionery. “I had them made up in a box so that I can take them along to clients’ homes,” she says.

‘Dennis believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passion. We’re now enjoying the season of rewards, but it’s been a lot of hard yakka.’ Jenny 70 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

10.30am TEAM MEETING, JENNY JONES RUGS Jenny and her team catch up each Friday morning, and there’s always home-baked cake for the occasion. “It’s been the tradition for 12 years,” says Jenny. “Everyone can share, talk and raise issues.” From left: Mollie Wilson, Vladislav Pavlik, Indi Cornuel-Rees, Leigh MacKinnon, Jenny and Mitchell.

3pm CLIENT VISIT “I feel extremely privileged to enter people’s homes and to see my pieces on their walls or floors,” says Jenny.

“The biggest buzz is seeing their joy.” Here, she calls in on client Sue Robertson, who recently took delivery of Jenny’s opulent Bottlebrush wall-hanging in a 180x270cm size. Featuring some 1.2 million knots, principally in silk fibres, the piece was woven by three craftswomen and took five months to produce.

‘I quickly realised that I needed to create designs across all styles: tribal, floral and geometric. This has stretched me, but it has been enormously rewarding creatively.’ Jenny

Midday DESIGN STUDIO, JENNY JONES RUGS Head designer Mollie Wilson (left) and interior architect Indi Cornuel-Rees help translate Jenny’s hand-drawn designs to a digital format. “If a client orders a bespoke size, we don’t just expand the design; we look at every knot in the weave and ensure that the design flows like strokes from a paintbrush,” says Jenny, who sketches her original designs in ink. Here, she puts the finishing details to one of her latest concepts, Mercury (below right), from the Fusion collection, before a quick meeting with Mitchell over coffee (below left).

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

71

GET THE NEW CONCRETE EFFECT FROM DULUX®

Create the latest textural effect of polished concrete on interior walls with Concrete Effect from the Dulux® Design Effects™ Collection

Dulux Concrete Effect Pale Elements

EXPLORE THE RANGE AT

dulux.com.au

Dulux, Worth Doing Worth Dulux and the Sheepdog device are registered trade marks and Design Effects is a trade mark of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd. Contact Dulux Customer Services for more details. Due to limitations in print process, colour swatches, photographic and printed images may not represent the true colour.

INSIDER H G

ON HOME

by Sarah Armstrong

Filled with character and soul, old homes reverberate with the echoes of past owners’ secrets, laughter and lives, writes the author.

A

few years ago, after my marriage ended, I bought All the work was undoubtedly therapeutic, but I lay a little cottage in town, near the river. awake in my makeshift bed, unsettled by the whirlwind When it was first built, in the early 1900s, it of renovation I’d unleashed. would have been a modest timber cottage with a halfI thought of Betty, who owned the home before me and closed-in side verandah, a dunny in the backyard, and a had moved into the local nursing home. In less than two back lane for the night-soil man. weeks I had dismantled many aspects of the home she By the time I found it, the building had been thoroughly had created. She had chosen that funny concertina door tinkered with. The house was clad in glossy white vinyl, between the dining area and the back porch, she’d put the windows were aluminium, and on the roof was what her treasures in the little corner cupboard now sitting looked like Pebblecrete tiles (which I later discovered in the garage. She’d picked the floral curtains and had been nailed onto the tin roof). the green toilet, and she’d left crocheted coathangers in Inside were spongy wall-to-wall the cedar wardrobe in the bedroom.

I think the process of carpets and 1960s net curtains. A Betty had moved into this transforming a house is cottage before I was born and lived tiny room for the toilet had been the perfect balm for that in it for 40 years. Her sons had tacked on just off the kitchen.

But as soon as I stepped inside devastation particular to grown up here. Her husband died I felt at peace. It felt like people had here. She faced the end of her the end of a marriage. been happy here. Which was more independent life in these rooms. than I’d been of late.

What I was doing to the house – her house – was unseemly.

I think the process of transforming a house is the It was somehow wrong. perfect balm for that devastation particular to the end While the floor sanders polished the tallowwood of a marriage. I had something practical to focus on: boards, Dad and I knocked down the brown besser-block shaping the space where I would build my new life. fence out the front, and I wondered if my discomfort was First, I pulled up the many layers of carpets and lino. actually fear that I might be stripping away the peaceful, The back porch had six, the bottom one a delicately contented feeling in the house. patterned green lino that I really wanted to save. But it A couple of months later, I visited Betty at her was brittle and broke apart even as I removed the nursing home, up the hill from the hospital and the chipboard above it. cemetery, and took her out for a cuppa and cake at I painted the walls white, with help from my dad. We the fanciest cafe in town. Almost the first thing she said worked into the night, Radio National blaring, hurrying when we sat down was, “We were very happy there, > you know”. to get the job done before the floor sanders turned up.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

73

GET PAID TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE .

7KH 3URIHVVLRQDO ΖQWHULRU 'HVLJQ &RXUVH R΍HUV

FL E X I B I L I T Y Enjoy no assignment deadlines, and take up to 2 years to complete.

H G INSIDER

< I didn’t talk much about the changes I’d made to the house and she didn’t ask, although she admitted that she’d heard I’d dug up the roses and given them to a neighbour. Those roses had been her husband’s passion, she said, and she’d felt bad for neglecting them after his death. Roses were not her thing and she seemed to understand that they were not mine either. She said she had loved the poinciana she planted in the backyard, now a grand and beautifully shady tree dropping ruffled scarlet flowers onto the lawn. She told me about her two sons and towards the end of our conversation, talked of the baby she and her husband lost.

As I dropped her back to the nursing home, she grabbed my arm and said she was happy I had bought the house and liked the idea of a family there again. I was confused.

Had she heard me when I said I was single?

The happy feeling in the house didn’t disappear, and as it turned out, three years later, against the odds, I was pregnant. In a well-worn – if foolhardy – tradition, my partner and I did major renovations before our baby came. By then I had no qualms about making changes to the house; it felt like mine. But at times I still thought of Betty and her family, as if they’d somehow left their impression there.

As our builder pulled up some rotten boards, he found an old leather child’s shoe resting on a bearer. He told us it was probably put there by whoever built the house, as a magic charm to protect the residents from evil or to promote fertility.

As I sat up at nights, breastfeeding, I pondered the layers of history in the house, and the dozens of people who must have lived here. I wondered what bad luck those first people had been afraid of, or what infertility they battled. Looking down at my newborn daughter, I wondered who might live here after us, and hoped they would sense the echoes of good fortune and happiness # I felt sure my little family would leave behind.

PRO FE S S I O N A L I S M Sarah Armstrong is a Walkley Awardwinning former ABC radio and television journalist who likes to explore the emotional and moral complexities of life. She has continued this exploration in her novels, all of which evoke the subtropical landscape of northern NSW, where she lives. Her novels include Salt Rain, His Other House, and her latest, Promise ($32.99, Pan Macmillan Australia). For Sarah’s top five book recommendations, turn to page 191.

One-on-one guidance from established and current interior designers.

FR E E D O M Learn practical skills to help start your business and be your own boss.

74 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

www.ara-anz.com

Styling by Kate Nixon. Photograph by Maree Homer. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Drink in the details from ďŹ ve lovingly layered family homes.

The main bedroom of this Sydney home is a study in tone, texture and voluptuous colour. Interior designer Lisa Burdus created the custom bedhead; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s covered in a Sequana fabric from Tigger Hall Design. The bedside table is an antique bought in France and the leather chair from Portobello Home. Quilt, Eadie Lifestyle. Turn the page to see more...

H G HOUSES KITCHEN Lucinda and the Hay familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s German short-haired pointer, Pikachu, in the fabulous French farmhouse-style kitchen. Vintage artwork. Wall light, Bloomingdales Lighting.

Drawer pulls, Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading. Rug, Cadrys.

Chair, Palace Trader.

ENTRANCE The antique hall stand from Manly Vale Antiques looks right at home, even though the house was built in the 1980s.

Smart buy: Engineered-oak flooring, from $65/m2 (supply only), Solomons Flooring (throughout). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

78 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

COLOUR ME HAPPY

The size and location of this Sydney project home were perfect; its cookie-cutter looks, less so. When the owners put their faith in an intrepid interior designer, everything came together beautifully.

STO RY Deborah Grant | ST Y LI N G Kate Nixon | P HOTOG R A P HY Maree Homer

T

wenty kilometres north of the Sydney CBD is the the look the Hays were after: a comfortable family home with 15,000ha Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park. It’s a layers for warmth and interest. “We love the Scandi look but favourite haunt of Upper North Shore locals Sophie thought this house would feel hollow in that style,” says Sophie. andScottHay,sowhentheybeganhuntingforalarger After further discussion, Lisa suggested a French-farmhouse house in 2014, they didn’t look far. It took 12 months scheme, with the kitchen at the heart of the home, would work to find, but their new home had a significant drawcard: its huge beautifully for the family. The other rooms flow on from there, garden backed onto the national park. each with their own statement pieces. In line with Sophie and Built in the 1980s as part of a project-home development, Scott’s desire that the home “shouldn’t feel new”, Lisa planned the two-storey brick house had a rather ugly facade. The interior a mix of the off-the-shelf and the bespoke, plus a smattering of – and its potential – excited the couple, however. With five antiques to give the place soul. bedrooms, two living rooms and formal and informal dining Before the fun of the decorating could begin, there were larger rooms,itofferedalltheinternalspacetheyneededforthemselves issues to address. The formal living and dining rooms needed and their three children, Charles, now eight, Lucinda, six, and openingup,therewasanewkitchen,mainbathroom and ensuite Henry, two. The pool and tennis court were the icing on the cake. to install and every room needed new flooring.

Shortly after moving in, in early 2015, Sophie and Scott set But then some nasty surprises stopped them in their tracks. about making some home “Wequicklydiscoveredthere improvements.Sophiefound weresomestructuralthings ‘Sophie and Scott were a bit shocked when interiordesignerLisaBurdus that needed sorting,” says on the internet and signed Lisa. “The floors had tiles I suggested pink walls and green curtains her up almost immediately. laidontopoftilesandpipes for the living room…’ Lisa Burdus, interior designer Lisa’s style resonated with were running all over the >

80 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

HOUSES H G KITCHEN/DINING this page and opposite “The kitchen is the heart and hub of our home,” says Sophie. “Family meals are eaten here, the children can sit and share stories of their days while I am cooking and I have a nook to keep all my admin in order.” Kitchen by Festoni.

Walls painted in Dulux Beige Royal. Cabinetry painted in Dulux Senate with brass-mesh panels. Carrara marble benchtops and splashback tiles. Tapware, The English Tapware Company. Lights, Bloomingdales Lighting. Existing dining table. Antique chairs, Palace Trader. Rug, Cadrys. Artwork by Dana Dion (on wall). The artwork on the shelf is a vintage piece bought in France. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

This is the life

“We had been looking for a new home for more than a year when a friend sent me a link and said, ‘Imagine if you lived here!’,” says Sophie. “I did a drive-by and loved the bush setting. It’s a family area with a village feel close enough to the city, as well as close to schools. We lead a very outdoors lifestyle, but when we’re inside we’re mostly in the kitchen or living areas. We just love having so much extra space.”

LIVING The colour scheme was a leap of faith, but Sophie and her family couldn’t be happier with the result. Existing floor lamps were jazzed up with custom-made shades. Vintage artworks. Rug, Cadrys.

Curtains in Martyn Lawrence Bullard Taman Paisley. Pendant light, Magins. Sofas, Boyd Blue. Armchair upholstered in Elizabeth Hamilton Arkia fabric. The coffee table and leather chair are discontinued pieces.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

< place. Not quite what Sophie and Scott expected from their new purchase.”

Oncethestructuralissueswereresolved,Lisasurprised the Hays again – this time in a good way – with colour choices that nudged them out of their comfort zone.

“Sophie and Scott were a bit shocked when I suggested pink walls and green curtains for the living room but they went with it and the result is fantastic,” she says.

Now the interior is complete, there are four charming bedrooms upstairs, a luxurious parents’ retreat on the ground floor and plenty of living space for the family to spread out. And it suits the Hays to a T. “The house opens to the outside through lots of french doors so the children can run freely inside and out,” says Sophie. “It also has an enormous amount of privacy, which was important. The one drawback, if you could call it that, is that we’re still learning how to entertain here. But we’re slowly starting to use the larger rooms more often.”

While each room is special in a different way, Sophie says her favourite is probably the main bathroom on the first floor. “The whole house is amazing – we still walk in with a sense of wonder,” she says. “Lisa really understood our family and the way we live. We wanted > our home to come alive and it has.”

Lisa Burdus, Willoughby and Southern Highlands, NSW; 0409 489 225 or www.lisaburdus.com.au.

82 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

HOUSES H G

Soft touch

“Lucky for me, Sophie and Scott were open to using pattern and colour,” says Lisa. “One of the first things we bought was the rug for the dining room; the palette for the whole house – soft pink, bottle green, navy blue, browns, mulberry and ivory – comes from this rug. This continuity creates harmony. I chose Dulux Senate for the kitchen joinery and repeated it on the stair rail and as an accent in the main bedroom.”

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

83

Art wall: A consistent theme helps unite artworks and objects of different shapes and styles.

84 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

HOUSES H G

MAIN BATHROOM Coloured grout between the subway tiles picks out tones in the decorative floor tiles. Joinery by Festoni, painted in Dulux Mossman Gorge.

Tapware, The English Tapware Company. Wall lights, Emac & Lawton. Mirror, Xavier Furniture. Floor and wall tiles, Beaumont Tiles. CHARLES’ ROOM Fun and funky yet ageless, the decor is designed to see Charles through to his teens. Anna Spiro Round and Round the Garden wallpaper, Porter’s Paints. Bed, Incy Interiors. Side tables, Bloomingdales Lighting. Blind made from Lee Jofa for Kravet Ayla Trellis fabric, Elliott Clarke. Vintage artworks, all Palace Trader. For similar rug, try Felt Ball Rug. GUESTROOM Deep indigo soft furnishings are an elegant partner for the soothing wall colour, Dulux Fiji Sands. Lamp and side table, Bloomingdales Lighting. Blind made from Kravet 31395 fabric, Elliott Clarke. LIBRARY “The shelves are made from Gyprock rather than joinery so they look like they are part of the wall,” says Lisa. “They are also painted the same colour as the wall, Dulux Beige Royal.” Balustrade painted Dulux Vivid White, handrail painted Dulux Senate. For Where to Buy, see page 188. >

THE LAYOUT GROUND FLOOR Pool

Formal living

Outdoor entertaining Tennis court

Living

Formal dining

Entrance Dining Bed

Kitchen Bath

Garage

FIRST FLOOR

Bed

Bed

Bath Bed

‘We wanted our home to come alive and it has.’ Sophie Hay MAIN BEDROOM Little Henry loves the main bedroom’s sumptuous mix of colours and textures as much as his parents do. Floor lamp, Bloomingdales Lighting. Khrôma Colourlinen wallpaper in Lys Ivy, Ascraft. Leather chair, Portobello Home. Antique chairs upholstered in Elizabeth Hamilton Fiddlehead linen. Curtains in Schumacher Eastbury Manor.

MAIN ENSUITE Decked out in black and white, the ensuite is the height of sophistication. Wall painted Dulux Domino. Navurban Ravenswood vanity with Caesarstone Fresh Concrete benchtop. Taps, Brodware Industries. Antique chair, Palace Trader. Artwork by L. Leonard.

Smart buy: Spanish Encaustic Mod 126 floor tiles, $195/m2, Di Lorenzo Tiles.

STUDY “This room is a bit like good make-up,” says Sophie. “It’s complex, but so well done that it looks effortless.” Linen wallpaper, Ascraft. Desk, Cromwell. Mirror and lamp, both Bloomingdales Lighting. Zebra hide rug. For Where to Buy, see page 188. #

86 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Bed

Study

THE PALETTE

Dulux Watermelon Milk living, formal dining

Dulux Senate kitchen cabinetry, stair rail

Dulux Calandre

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

main bathroom

HOUSES H G

H G HOUSES

88 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

LIVING this page and opposite “The branch balustrading was [architect] Karen’s idea,” says owner Michelle Williams. “[Interior designer] Adri-Ann Brown sourced the branches and her husband Rob made it.” A rammed-earth feature wall, by Lime St Projects, runs the length of the eastern side of the house. Coffee table, sofa chair, side table, cushions and white plant pots, all Blupeter Homestore. Rug imported from South Africa.

Designer buy: Leaf Pod ceramic chandelier, $5200, Blupeter Homestore. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

INNER PEACE Given the opportunity to design and build from scratch, the owner of this Perth home created the ultimate sanctuary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a little help from her friends.

S TO RY & S T Y L I N G Anna Flanders | P H OTO G R A P H Y Bo Wong

H G HOUSES

S

tepping into Michelle Williams’ home in beachside Perth is a peaceful experience. Inside and out, the aesthetic is a lesson in how to evoke calm and soul through texture and restraint.

It’s a reflection of the way Michelle likes to live and the manifestation of a very personal collaboration.

Michelle and her husband Kevin bought the vacant 355m2 corner block in 2010. Fast-forward to 2014 and the couple was finally ready to begin building. Michelle turned to three long-time friends to help makeherdreamhomeareality:retiredarchitectKaren,interiordesigner Adri-Ann Brown of Blupeter Homestore and builder Russell Smail of Lime St Projects.

Kevin and Michelle’s brief was clear. “We wanted a simple home, one with an indoor-outdoor feel and no wasted space,” says Michelle. “We also love havingvisitors –ourhouseis like abed-and-breakfast at times!”

When it came to pinning down the details, working with friends was a distinct advantage. “Not only do Karen, Adri-Ann and I have similar taste, I really admire their work,” says Michelle. “And because we are friends, we could be totally honest with each other.”

A rammed-earth nib wall at the front of the property hints at the textural delights within. The front door opens to an extra-wide hallway that leads to Kevin’s study to the east and the double garage and a powder room to the west. Beyond the study is the open-plan kitchen/ dining/living area with off-form concrete ceiling, which extends the width of the north-facing rear of the home.

The first floor, accessed via a staircase with a whimsical balustrade of white-painted branches, contains Michelle and Kevin’s generous bedroom suite, a second bedroom, second bathroom and a spacious retreat/study. The main bedroom, at the rear of the home, is a large yet minimally furnished room with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that >

KITCHEN/DINING Michelle (pictured) took the photo of a Masai woman while on holiday in Kenya. Chandelier, dining table, dining chairs, cushion and tray, all Blupeter Homestore. Stelton jug, Remedy. Kitchen designed by Indesign WA. Tempered-glass benchtop. Essastone splashback. Tapware, Grohe. Porcelain floor tiles, Tile Boutique. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

90 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

This is the life

When planning her home, Michelle ensured there was plenty of space for rest and rejuvenation.

“At the end of a long week, I sit outside on the patio or have a nice long bath. It’s a ritual,” she says. The white palette and generous ceiling heights create breathing room, while the furniture is arranged to enhance intimacy.

“There are plenty of spots to curl up and relax,” says Michelle. “It’s wonderful.”

Slipcovers look smart and are easier to maintain than fixed upholstery.

Soft touch

Throughout the home, linen is used to soften hard surfaces. Beautiful Belgian linen covers on the sofas are removable for easy cleaning and the curtains in the main bedroom filter the harsh WA sun. The linen-covered dining chairs are a laidback yet sophisticated contrast to the rustic dining table, and Michelle has draped linen throws in different areas of the home for comfort and an extra layer of unstructured softness.

MAIN BEDROOM above and left A feature wall of weathered hardwood panelling provides a colour and textural contrast to the room’s predominantly white scheme. The side chair belonged to Michelle’s grandmother. Bedlinen, In the Sac. Bedhead, pendant lights, side table, stool, throw and cushion on bed, all Blupeter Homestore.

Smart buy: Mai basket, $35, Freedom.

ALCOVE “The sofa was my grandmother’s and it has been re-covered and re-covered and re-covered,” says Michelle.

Throw and cushions, Blupeter Homestore. Artwork by Nick Leary.

Sisal flooring, Floors Natural. For Where to Buy, see page 188. >

92 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

‘ We wanted a simple home, one with an indoor-outdoor feel and no wasted space.’ Michelle Williams

HOUSES H G

THE PALETTE

Dulux Whisper White interior, main walls

Rammed earth eastern feature wall

Weathered hardwood bedroom feature wall

H G HOUSES

94 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

‘The instant I step through the door, I feel more relaxed. This is my happy place.’ Michelle

BATHROOM above, left and right Made from river pebbles, the tactile floor tiles are a calming influence on the room. Bath and Hansgrohe tapware, Tuck Plumbing Fixtures. Stool, Blupeter Homestore. Wall hooks, The Wall Collective. Baskets, Freedom.

Custom-made vanity. Air-plant vessels, Birds of Passage. Towels, Cool Galah.

Smart buy: ROC White River Pebble interlocking tiles, $95/m2, M2 Tiles.

COVERED VERANDAH The north-facing verandah is a lovely spot to while away an afternoon. Armchairs, Corner Store.

Cushions, coffee table, bamileke tables and stools, all Blupeter Homestore. Plantation shutters, Boardwalk. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Garden design by Angela Broad; 0499 199 959.

< open to a generous balcony. It’s a beautiful space as is, but the real gem is the organic-luxe ensuite, accessed via a walk-through wardrobe.

With river-pebble flooring, lighting designed to emulate the night sky and private balcony access, this serene sanctuary is where you will find Michelle most Friday nights after a hectic week.

AsperMichelleandKevin’srequest,there’splentyofroomforentertaining and a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor areas. The kitchen/dining area opens up to a covered verandah and the living zone adjoins a terrace, so there’s ample space to spread out. Yet there is also intimacy: a bulkhead in the living area creates a cocooning feel and the furniture is arranged to facilitate relaxation and easy conversation.

Rammed earth reappears as a feature wall that runs the length of the home; its subtle texture and sandy tones soften the predominantly white interior. Thoughtfully edited layers of natural materials – linen, raw timber, seagrass and stone – deliver depth and soul. “I love white and I love linen,” says Michelle. “It makes me feel at peace and has a luxurious look that isn’t pretentious.

“The instant I step through the door, I feel more relaxed,” she adds.

“It’s incredibly tranquil and the attention to detail makes it so special.

This is my happy place.” # Blupeter Homestore, North Fremantle, WA; (08) 9433 1782 or blupeter.com.au. Lime St Projects, Claremont, WA; 1300 797 456 or www.limestreet.com.au.

THE LAYOUT FIRST FLOOR

FEATURE PLANTS BACKYARD

Coastal sword-sedge (Lepidosperma gladiatum) Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Shademaster’ Dwarf papyrus

Bed

Balcony

Bath

Bed

Retreat Balcony

Bath Balcony

GROUND FLOOR Laundry Kitchen Garage

Bath

Dining Verandah

Entrance Study Storage

Living Terrace

LIVING “I have a bit of an obsession with beautiful, joyfully proportioned rooms, and this living room is a great example,” says interior designer Rowena Cornwell. Light filters in through french doors that lead to a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden.

Jardan sofa upholstered in Designers Guild Brera Lino linen in Charcoal from Radford.

Cushions, Magnolia Interiors. Ceramic planter, D.I.G. Artwork by Martine Emdur.

Smart buy: Rustic sisal, from $27/m2, Natural Floorcoverings Australia.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Soft touch

“[Homeowner] Leanne’s style is evident in the clothes she wears – classic and tailored, often with a twist,” says Rowena. “To reflect that same aesthetic in her home we’ve chosen an elegant, tonal palette of neutrals, charcoal and navy, with pops of aquamarine. The fabrics are finely woven and soft to the touch, and they layer up beautifully.”

The Jardan sofa has been covered in soft linen with contrast piping for a smart, tailored finish.

HOUSES H G

Polished to

PERFECTION

Time, patience and an eye for the finer things were key to transforming this 1910 Brisbane worker’s cottage.

S TO RY Georgia Madden | S T Y L I N G Kate Nixon | P H OTO G R A P H Y Maree Homer

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

97

G

ood things come to those who wait, it’s often said, and in the case of this Brisbane home, that holds true. It took 14 years to transform the timber worker’s cottage into the elegant home it is today, but homeowners Leanne and Damian wouldn’t have it any other way. “If we’d had the budget, we would have finished the house years ago. But if we’d done it back then, it would have looked entirely different to how it does today,” says Leanne.

“During those years, we travelled, saw beautiful things and stayed in wonderful places. Our tastes have evolved, and as a result the house is far more interesting.”

The couple had been on the hunt for something low-maintenance when the inner-city residence came on the market. “I had walked past this house regularly for years, as a good friend of mine lived just down the road,” says Leanne. “I could see that it had beautiful bones and the potential to be a very elegant home.” Despite having their minds set on something contemporary, a love affair had begun.

Having worked with Rowena Cornwell, interior designer at Brisbane firm Coop Creative, on their previous home, Leanne knew she’d be just thepersontohelpbringtheirvisiontolife.“Forme,itwasajoyfulprocess,” says Rowena. “We didn’t even need to communicate much of it; we had anunspokenunderstandingaboutwherethishouseneededtogo.Leanne loves colour, texture and beautiful things, and she wanted a home that was not just comfortable, but layered and polished.” >

98 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

H G HOUSES

THE PALETTE

Dulux Milton Moon living

Dulux Wave Jumper hallway

Dulux Snuggle Pie exterior

KITCHEN this page and opposite bottom Bay breezes flow in through french doors that open to a balcony. The American-oak joinery, stained in black and walnut, and stainless-steel benchtops create an air of sophistication. The joinery opposite is two-pack polyurethane with a satin finish. Rowena transformed a utilitarian extractor unit into a stunning feature by tiling it in hand-glazed ceramic tiles from Academy Tiles. Vinyl flooring, Bolon. Artowrk by unknown artist.

DINING Blue-and-white china features prominently in Leanne’s home. “My mother always loved the combination, and I’m drawn to it too. It’s timeless and looks wonderful paired with pops of other colours, such as soft pink and black.” Decorative plates and mirror from wholesaler Eichholtz. Chair covers in Sunbrella fabric.

Designer buy: Thomas O’Brien Bryant billiard light, $2500, Laura Kincade.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

THE LAYOUT FIRST FLOOR Dining Kitchen Living

ntrance

Study Bath Bed

Bed

Verandah

100 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

GROUND FLOOR

Wardrobe Bath Bed

Garage Laundry Courtyard

HOUSES H G

‘It’s a beautiful place to be in.

After a busy day, I feel myself relaxing the moment I step through the door.’ Leanne HALLWAY The original hallway is the transition point between the old and new parts of the house. The pine floors were sanded back and walls painted in Dulux Wave Jumper. “It’s a wonderful, neutral blue that goes with anything and sets the tone for the colour scheme in the rest of the house,” says Rowena.

Smart buy: Bronze Lantern pendant lights, from $1295 each, The Brass Shop Magins.

GUESTROOM Previously Damian’s study, this room is now a cosy guestroom. A Designers Guild fabric (now discontinued) on the wall creates an eye-catching focal point.

NICHE What was once the doorway leading into the main bedroom is now a charming storage and display for vessels collected by Leanne.

The lovely fretwork was retained and highlighted in Dulux White On White. Drawing, Antiquarian Print Gallery.

ENSUITE The floor is laid with Pietra marble tiles, while a Barcelona slipper bath from Prodigg sits front and centre. Joinery finished in Dulux Obsidian Glass is designed to mimic furniture, giving the room the feel of a luxury hotel. For Where to Buy, see page 188. >

H G HOUSES

< “We chose a calming, tonal palette overlaid with black accents and beautiful detailing,” says Rowena. While she drew up plans to transform the tired four-bedder into a sophisticated home, her senior designer Katherina Sparti worked on the detailing. First, they repainted inside and out, knocked down an internal wall to create a larger main bedroom, and updated the kitchen with new benchtops.

In the second stage an extension was added to the back of the house to accommodate a generous sunken living room that takes advantage of the property’sslopingsite.Thekitchenandmainbathroom were renovated, and a new study and covered outdoor courtyard added.

“I loved Rowena’s idea for a sunken living room, but Damian and the builder were a bit concerned – neither of them could quite see how it would work,” says Leanne. “But Rowena and I stuck to our guns and I’m so glad we did. It’s my absolute favourite space in the house.” Now, as you walk through the original hallway, its curved arches frame your view into the new living room. At the far end lies a beautifully detailed kitchen, and a bright, welcoming dining room, all opening onto Juliet balconies. There’s now a self-contained apartment downstairs for Damian’s elderly parents, and a new entertaining terrace with an alfresco fireplace.

For Rowena, the result is a perfect example of the benefit of patience.

“Iloveitwhenpeopleslowthingsdownwhendesigning ahome–greatthings # can happen when you take your time.”

Coop Creative, Newstead, Queensland; (07) 3852 4979 or coopcreative.com.au.

102 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

‘Many people renovating a Queenslander will go for quite a Scandinavian look. But neither of us wanted to do that here.’

Rowena Cornwell, interior designer

ENTRANCE In keeping with the heritage of the house, the entrance features beautifully detailed fretwork and latticework, all of which have been given the white gloss touch. “I’m a big believer in carrying themes from inside to out,” says Rowena.

“The white gloss trim starts here and is carried through all the main rooms to create a sense of cohesion.” Pots from D.I.G. VERANDAH Enclosing the verandah is a nod to the home’s history, and creates a private and shady spot to read while enjoying the cooling breezes from the nearby Brisbane River.

Adirondack chair, Pottery Barn. Side table, Eichholtz.

EXTERIOR Original window hoods add a charming touch to this characterful home while protecting the bedrooms inside from harsh summer sun. The chamfer boards were painted in Dulux Snuggle Pie. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

This is the life

Leanne spent years in the US and fell in love with the decorating style. “Americans are very good at finishing their spaces,” says Rowena. “It’s a constant state of editing; moving things and adding layers.” Leanne and Rowena have recreated this aesthetic, blending old and new with colours and textures. “I don’t like things to be too predictable – I think it’s unexpected touches that bring a home to life,” says Leanne.

FEATURE PLANTS BACKYARD

Summerscent (Radermachera) English box (Buxus sempervirens) Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Gardenia (Gardenia augusta)

Full

HOUSE

A gregarious Sydney family decided the time was right to transform their home from formal to easy and breezy.

S TO RY Deborah Grant | S T Y L I N G Kayla Gex | P H OTO G R A P H Y John Paul Urizar

HOUSES H G

FEATURE PLANTS Japanese box Agave Cycads Magnolia Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) Murraya paniculata

VERANDAH This fabulouly sheltered spot has views out over Point Piper to Shark Island and Sydney Heads. Iron pendant lights, Magins.

Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden all-weather weave sofa, tables and chairs, Cotswold Furniture Collection. The flooring is existing Isernia limestone.

FRONT DOOR The stunning antique doors, imported from Spain, make a bold style statement. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

105

A butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pantry keeps the entertaining zone guestfriendly.

HOUSES H G

‘The home had great bones with beautiful existing iron windows and a fabulous antique Spanish front door.’ Lynda Kerry, interior designer

DINING ROOM The antique French dining table and chairs upholstered in a Pierre Frey fabric set up a comfortable dining zone.

Iron chandelier, Imagine This. Oversized urn, Orient House. Mirror, Parterre. Sisal rug, International Floorcoverings. Vincent’s Garden deck chair, Cotswold Furniture Collection.

KITCHEN Thanks to the generous island bench the kitchen has been transformed into the home’s social centre. Benchtop in Giallo Antico marble, Artedomus. Polished nickel sink and taps, The English Tapware Company. Leather stools, Instyle. Ilve cooker.

Smart buy: Hundi pendant lights, from $450 each, Côté Maison. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

E

ntertaining is the main activity at this sprawling three-storey home. Located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs on a steeply sloping 1000m2 block that affords uninterrupted north-east harbour views, it’s a regular venue for the owners’ charity events and extended family’s weekly gatherings.

Built in the 1950s and infused with a modern Spanish flavour in the ’90s, the five-bedroom home was substantially renovated in 2014, a year after the current owners – a family of five with two sons and a daughter in their early 20s – moved in. They enlisted the help of interior designer Lynda Kerry, architect Michael Suttor and building firm GNC Quality to personalise the house.

“I was invited to view the home before they bought it, so you could say my role in the renovation started early on,” says Lynda. “The home had great bones with beautiful existing iron windows and a fabulous antique Spanish front door, but its formal wallpapers and silk curtains didn’t suit my clients’ lifestyle. My brief was to take the ‘modern’ out and make the home more traditional.”

But first, structural adjustments were called for. The original house had a great layout and space wasn’t an issue. > Storage, however, was, so Michael added a butler’s AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

107

This is the life

The majority of gatherings at this beautiful home start with welcome drinks in the kitchen, before moving out onto the terrace and garden.

Dinners often take place in the lanai; its retractable sun cover for the skylight and see-through screens provide protection from wind, rain and insects. The screens aren’t visible when they’re down, so you still feel like you’re outdoors, say the owners.

HOUSES H G FORMAL LIVING This provincial-style sitting room was curated around the new fireplace and honed-travertine mantel by Richard Ellis Design. Sofas custom-designed by Lynda Kerry with Jane Churchill fabric. Detailed cushion fabric, Cowtan & Tout. Custom coffee table. Artwork by Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa, through Susan Manford Contemporary Art. Sisal rug, International Floorcoverings.

MAIN ENSUITE French doors open to a tranquil garden view. The vanity counter and flooring are in Saturnia travertine from Artedomus.

Smart buy: Victoria & Albert bathtub, from $5650, The English Tapware Company. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

< pantry and a series of built-in cabinets and shelves to accommodate the family’s collections of books and beloved objects. He also created guest quarters, designed a covered lanai for alfresco dining, added french doors where possible in order to enhance the indoor-outdoor connection, and installed an elevator for easy access to each of the three levels. In addition, windows were increased in size to maximise the views, and doors, mouldings and skirting boards were replaced. Finally, a more generous bench was installed in the kitchen, transforming the room into the home’s social centre.

The family loves the way Lynda has blended the relaxed yet elegant French-provincial/Mediterranean style with American design features and a nod to Hamptons style, not to mention the new colour scheme. “I chose subtle hues of stone and different shades of blue,” she says. “The colours are ethereal and bring a calmness to the home.”

Lynda also appreciated that the clients wanted to use as much of their existing furniture, antiques and artwork as possible. They say she was especially adept at finding the right balance of keeping old and creating new, mostly by reupholstering chairs and sofas. The result is a look that pleases everyone, especially the designer.

“I’ve been invited to several gatherings since the home was completed and it all works in harmony,” says Lynda.

“It’s a great feeling.” > Lynda Kerry Interior Design, Sydney, NSW; (02) 9371 5284 or www.lyndakerry.com. Michael Suttor Architects, Waverley, NSW; (02) 9369 3366 or www.michaelsuttor. com.au. GNC Quality, Birchgrove, NSW; (02) 9555 8886 or www.gncquality.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

109

H G HOUSES

THE LAYOUT FIRST FLOOR Balcony

Bath

Balcony

Bed

Bed

Bed

Wardrobe Bath GROUND FLOOR Entrance

Terrace Family

Living

Kitche/dining Lanai

Library

LOWER GROUND FLOOR Bat Bed Gym Garage

‘I chose subtle hues of stone and different shades of blue. The colours are ethereal and bring a calmness to the home.’ Lynda Kerry

GUESTROOM Light furnishings and soft-toned bedlinen open up the cosy space beautifully. Queen-size bed with custom joinery by Michael Suttor. Custom carpet, Premier Carpets. The artwork was bought from a street artist in Paris.

Smart buy: Hand-rubbed antique brass wall lights, $370 each, Visual Comfort & Co. POOL The 3x10m pool, bordered by a retaining wall, sits just a few steps down from the lower ground floor.

LANAI Teak furniture sets the right mood for casual family dinners. For Where to Buy, see page 188. #

110 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Bath Laundry

Bed

Pool

Soft touch

“The brief was a French-provincial/ Mediterranean feel, which was already inherent in some of the elements of the home,” says Lynda. “I took Cowtan & Tout florals and more refined woven fabrics, tapestries, trimmings and curtains with bumph [a flannelette-like fabric] lining and gave them a twist,” she says. “All the fabrics and soft furnishings harmonise with the clients’ existing antiques and artwork.”

THE PALETTE

Dulux Hog Bristle Quarter interior throughout

Try these accents

Taubmans Baltic Blue

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Porter’s Paints Hot Ginger

H G HOUSES

NEXT GENERATION

With half a centuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of family memories attached to the WA hamlet of Flinders Bay, a new holiday home ensures the story continues to unfold.

S TO RY Sarah Wormwell | S T Y L I N G Anna Flanders | P H OTO G R A P H Y Angelita Bonetti

112 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

EXTERIOR Granite was excavated on site and used to clad the basement area, while weatherboard was painted in Aalto Colour Matrix, with trim, joinery and balustrade painted in Aalto Colour Gallery White.

KITCHEN “[Homeowner] Jane’s belief in her own style has made for a beautifully evolved interior that will be enjoyed for many years to come,” says interior designer Rebecca Warburton. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

H G HOUSES LIVING Jane is a lifelong devotee of Bruce Springsteen and the album artwork takes pride of place in one of her favourite spaces. Colourful cushions in fabrics by China Seas and Quadrille are arranged over sofas covered in Villa Nova Geneva Camelia fabric. The Madeline Weinrib rug was bought in New York. Hamptons cushion (on chair), blue vase and ginger jars, all from Jordan Baker. Beach artwork by Massimo Vitali.

KITCHEN A gentle ocean blue pops against the white of the joinery. Both the walls and floorboards are painted in Aalto Colour Powdered Wig. Smart buy: For a similar kitchen tiles, try Devonshire Motif tiles in Aquamarina (75x150mm), $119/m2, Beaumont Tiles.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

T

heoceanisroaring,thesunisbright.Nativegumsframeviews toFlindersBay.Forthreegenerations,thisidyllicoutpost,four hourssouthofPerth,hasbeentheMoffatfamily’sbeachretreat.

“My grandparents built the original home, a fibro shack, in 1968, so I’ve been lucky enough to be coming here my whole life,” says Jane Moffat, co-owner of Perth store Jordan Baker.

“By chance, my husband’s family also holidayed in Flinders from the 1970s, so we both had a deep understanding of how special this place is.

We knew it was a tradition we wanted to keep in the family.”

The two-bedroom home was never going to accommodate a fourth generation, so when Jane and her husband, Tim Andrew, took ownership in1999theyengagedarchitectPeterMorantorenovate.Itbecameapparent it would be simpler to rebuild, but no one suspected it would take 12 years.

“It took the tender care of Peter and his associate Marisa Young, who became like part of the family, to make this house just right,” says Jane.

“Flinders is a heritage area, which adds to the pride and camaraderie among residents, but also requires sensitivity. It didn’t help that we were doing everything remotely, and added four children to the mix.”

Tim and Jane lived in Sydney, New York and Hong Kong throughout the process, so Peter relied on two lever-arch folders filled with images Jane had compiled. “They had been living in New York and holidaying in the Hamptons, so their inspiration tended to reflect that time,” says Peter.

The resulting three-storey property references the prewar character of the area, with the use of weatherboard and granite cut from the site.

Two minutes’ walk from the beach, the house is zoned to accommodate the free-form holiday traditions Jane and Tim hold dear. The >

114 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Soft touch

The starting point for many of the rooms in the house was the fabric. “I’m not afraid of colour, and I knew I needed it, especially with the white walls and floorboards,” says Jane. Interior designer Rebecca Warburton adds: “Jane has an innate ability to combine the unexpected, there are more than 50 fabrics used in the house, many patterned and colourful, but the palette works and the house reflects the holiday spirit Jane was trying to create”.

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

H G HOUSES

116 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

THE PALETTE

Aalto Colour Powdered Wig interior, throughout

Aalto Colour Matrix exterior

Aalto Colour Gallery White exterior trim

MAIN ENSUITE This relaxing space has surfaces in Venatino Carrara marble. Roca Duo Plus 1800 bath from Reece.

Smart buy: Olde English A51.21 bath mixer, $1048, Astra Walker.

GUESTROOM The bedhead and cushions are in Thibaut Pearl Trellis fabric, while the curtains are Unique Fabrics Euphoria. Bedlinen from Lane Crawford. Throw, Jordan Baker. The artwork was bought in Hong Kong.

NOOK Situated on the ground floor, this is a much-prized spot for reading. Seating and cushions upholstered in fabric from Toiles De Mayenne, Manuel Canovas and Thibaut. The table and artworks were found at markets while the family was living in New York.

CHILDREN’S ROOM Jane and Tim’s children (clockwise from top left): Lois, 15, Stella, 12, Matilda, 17 and Allegra, 10. Ottoman and puppy doorstop, Lane Crawford. For Where to Buy, see page 188. >

This is the life

This house was built for relaxation in all its forms, with space to come together and retreat in equal measure. In summer, it is often filled with people, which makes for chaotic fun. “The mornings usually find us on the beach, or shopping for produce at our local haunts,” says Jane. “Afternoons are spent fishing, reading, sleeping or heading out for a walk.

There’s something for everyone.”

H G HOUSES

118 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

< children are on the ground floor; living, kitchen and guestrooms on the first floor; with the top floor designed as a parents’ retreat. “Tim and Jane wanted this to be a house for friends and family, it had to be easy for all kinds of relaxation. The open-plan kitchen and living spaces bring people together yet there are multiple nooks for solitude,” says Peter.

From the outset, Jane had a clear vision for the interiors. “It had to be anall-whiteinterior,ablankcanvas,tomaketheoceanviewspop.Iadapted the look from the house we owned in East Hampton while living in New York. I was never worried about it being too clinical, as I knew how much colour I was bringing with furniture and fabric,” she says.

Jane enlisted interior designer Rebecca Warburton to help manage the project.“IwouldsaymystyleisAmericanwithatwist.Ihavealwaysloved spaces by Victoria Hagan, Steven Gambrel, Katie Ridder and Jonathan Adler, so I knew the look I was after, but I needed Rebecca’s help to bring it all to fruition. We were trying to finish the house from Hong Kong, so having her in Perth was invaluable,” says Jane.

In 2013 the family settled in Perth but spend as much time as they can at their beloved holiday home. “It is everything we hoped for and more.

Having spent 20 years living overseas, we have friends far and wide, and # Flinders enables us to bring mates together,” says Jane.

Peter Moran Architect, Cottesloe, WA; (08) 9384 5416 or www.pm-a. com.au. Rebecca Warburton Interiors, Claremont, WA; 0408 118 110.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Having spent 20 years living overseas, we have friends far and wide and Flinders enables us to bring mates together.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jane Moffat

BASEMENT ENTRY Jane and Tim are now happily settled in WA after living in cities including New York and Hong Kong.

DECK An outdoor fireplace (behind screen) enables the family to get maximum use from the deck. Green stool, Bowerbird Home. Throw on coffee table, ginger jars and hurricane lamps, Jordan Baker.

Smart buy: For a similar outdoor setting, try the Haven suite, $2599, Domayne.

MAIN BEDROOM Sourced in New York, the Ann Sacks tiles were chosen for the fireplace because they look like the ocean. Lounge chair bought in New York, with cushion in Thibaut Shangri La Suzani fabric.

Ginger jars, Jordan Baker. Antique wooden vessel bought in Asia. Wall sconce, Laura Kincade. Artwork above fireplace by Jack Vettriano.

Landscaping by Jenny & Neil Delmage of Naturescape Creative Landscaping; (08) 9384 0528 or www.naturescapecreative.com.au.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

A full suite of outdoor furniture extends the liveable space nicely.

"NAILED THE DREAM HOME"

THE

LOOK

"Our inspiration came from old farm houses in the area mixed with that new Hampton’s style.

With Linea Boards, we got the look we wanted and our builder said the product is easy to use, cuts cleanly, doesn’t shrink and is a breeze to paint. This is definitely our dream home."

TM

DISCOVER MORE OF MILLY AND MIKA'S STORY AT SCYON. COM. AU/LINEA ©2016 Copyright James Hardie Australia Pty Ltd ABN 12 084 635 558 ™ and ® denotes trademarks and registered marks owned by James Hardie Technology Ltd.

Small wonders There are rich rewards to be enjoyed in a small outdoor space. No matter how compact your suburban plot, courtyard or balcony, it has the capacity to help lift your spirits, immerse you in greenery and counterbalance the built environment. “Look for ways to inject life, texture and drama into the area,” says Melbourne landscape designer Carolyn Blackman from Vivid Design. For Sydney landscape designer Adam Robinson, who specialises in creating mini greenscapes, it’s about making greenery “the life force of the space”. The following 10 projects show you how…

Styling by Adam Robinson. Photograph by Maree Homer.

PR O D U C ED BY Elizabeth Wilson

This balcony in inner-city Sydney has been transformed into a twinkling jewel by landscape designer Adam Robinson. It’s now a space for sitting, dining and retreating, complete with a curtain for shade protection. Plants include (from left) Casuarina ‘Cousin It’, golden barrel cactus, Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’ and potato vine. For more on this balcony, turn to page 135.

H G GARDEN SPECIAL

1

EFFICIENT WORKER

This compact inner-Sydney garden works hard to deliver an entertaining zone, lap pool and a soothing green presence.

The brief

Homeowners Adrian and Tiffany Wilson transformed their dilapidated single-storey Victorian terrace into a two-storey, four-bedroom home, complete with pool and outdoor entertaining area, all contained within 153m2.

When it came time to address the garden, they aimed to create a lush private oasis within their densely populated suburb. They wanted to maximise every centimetre, with easy flow between indoors and out, and an industrialmeets-glamour feel.

The solution

The rear courtyard garden measures just 10x5m, but manages to incorporate a 5.4m-long plunge pool, an open entertaining space, garage and a patch of lawn. The garage is designed to do double duty as a covered outdoor seating area that opens up along the length of the pool.

The verdant green wall has enormous impact, acting as a living artwork as well as cooling the space.

Rooftop gardens surround the space with trailing greenery. >

Smart thinking…

Roof gardens and green walls not only help insulate buildings, they’re a clever way to meet mandatory landscaping requirements, says horticulturist and garden designer Mark Paul. High-density housing often struggles to achieve the required areas of greenery to meet DA conditions; green walls and roof gardens allow you to make full use of the site.

122 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Bespoke steel bifold doors are double glazed to minimise noise and maximise insulation. The built-in barbecue has a custom-made concrete benchtop and integrated sink. New Botticino sandblasted marble pavers flow through the courtyard and carport areas.

DESIGNER TIPS Justine Stedman, stylist

Text by Helen Young. Styling by Sarah Maloney. Photography by John Paul Urizar. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

ECO NOTE This roof garden uses EcoPillows – modular, lightweight, pre-grown panels made from 94-per-cent recycled materials which also protect the roof structure.

1 Approach outdoor zones with the same decorating principles as indoor spaces.

Stacking chairs give you flexibility to entertain different-sized groups.

2 Set outdoor tables as you would indoors; lanterns and tealight candles are lovely for creating atmosphere.

3 Bifold doors to an alfresco zone extend the internal living area visually, create flow and allow light to flood in.

The copper pool shower with exposed pipes against the reclaimedbrick wall is a feature in keeping with the building’s industrial vibe.

WHY IT WORKS

Green walls and roof gardens: Mark Paul, The Greenwall Company; www.greenwall.com.au.

Builder: Jordan Glover, Winshore Building; 0405 355 225.

Stylist: Justine Stedman, Vault Interiors; www.vaultinteriors.com.au.

Green walls need drip irrigation at least daily but average only 1.5L of water per m2 of wall per day, a fraction of regular garden beds, says Mark.

KEY PLANTS IN THE ROOF GARDENS

KEY PLANTS IN THE GREEN WALL

Basket plant (Callisia fragrans) Bromeliads (Portea petropolitana, Alcantarea spp) Gazania tomentosa Plectranthus neochilus

Aloes Bromeliads (Aechmea, Alcantarea, Billbergia spp) Begonia maisii Variegated ribbon plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’)

124 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Photography by John Paul Urizar (this page) & Natalie Hunfalvey (opposite). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

“I love how much we’ve achieved within a small space,” says homeowner Adrian. “Planting up the walls and on the roof makes much more sense than just using planter boxes. And it’s low maintenance.”

2 GARDEN SPECIAL H G Grand beauty The owners of this 1920s home in Sydney’s east were looking to amp up the excitement at the front entrance.

They wanted something bold but in keeping with the grand scale and elegance of the architecture; the brilliant fuchsia colour on the wall did the trick. Next they turned to interior designer Kate Bell and landscape designer Adam Robinson to dress the space. Kate selected a Lincoln Brooks day bed with cushions in Fig Leaf fabric from Peter Dunham Textiles, a striking foil for the wall colour. Adam opted for oversized pots planted with Rhapis excelsa at either end of the day bed, a nod to the strong symmetrical notes found throughout the property. >

Kate Bell Design; www.katebelldesign.com. Adam Robinson Design; www.adamrobinsondesign.com.

DESIGN NOTE Bold colour is a great way to bring energy into a space. “It works because of the juxtaposition of the classic architecture with a modern plant palette and joyful colour,” says Adam.

Plants in pots include (from left) Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’, Rhipsalis heteroclada and Rhapis excelsa underplanted with Epipremnum aurea.

3

SCREEN GEM

An exposed corner block is now a delightfully private pocket thanks to the clever combination of screening plants and boundary walls.

WHY IT WORKS

Smart thinking…

Matt used Dulux Monument on the rear wall: “This allows the vegetation to pop against it and helps the boundary wall recede,” he says. Against this backdrop is a trio of ornamental pears (Pyrus ‘Capital’). “They’re tall and slender, offering protection from the western sun without creating excess shade. They’ll bring autumnal colour, bare stems in winter and verdant summer foliage.”

Text by Helen Young. Photograph by Nicholas Watt.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

“The lines and colours in this palette are very simple,” says landscape designer Matt. “It really complements the scale and layout of the adjacent living area so it feels like one space.”

GARDEN SPECIAL H G DESIGN NOTE Matt installed an automated awning that extends across the courtyard, shading the garden and living areas at the back of the house.

The brief

The owners of this home in Sydney’s inner west inherited a 65m2 garden that had been paved to within an inch of its life.

The corner block lacked privacy, and the westerly aspect meant the summer sun beat down on the garden and into the house in the afternoons. Matt Cantwell from Secret Gardens was brought in to reduce the paving, add more greenery, increase shade, and provide outdoor cooking facilities.

The goal was a simple, clean and modern layout, ready for entertaining.

The solution

Raising the height of the side and rear boundary walls solved the privacy issue. To reduce the mass of dark basalt paving, Matt added a patch of lawn and inserted a wide strip of cobbles in natural colours, on which sits a sleek barbecue. An automated awning provides shade, while tall ornamental pears along the rear wall will add more summer shade as they reach their full 10m height. Under the existing mop top robinias, Matt added colourful imperial bromeliads and perfumed Carissa. >

The Electrolux barbecue uses mains gas and sits in a bespoke concrete table, poured in situ, then given a light grind and polish.

Silex cobblestones from Eco Outdoor are made from natural stone.The white pots from Quatro Design are glass-reinforced concrete. The automated awning is from Outrigger Awnings.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

127

H G GARDEN SPECIAL

KEY PLANTS

Mop top robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’) Ornamental pear (Pyrus ‘Capital’) Imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’) Carissa ‘Desert Star’ Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis intermedia) Crassula ovata

DESIGNER TIPS Matt Cantwell, landscape designer 1 Mixing classic landscape design with modern elements, such as furniture, is always a successful formula for longevity.

2 The barbecue is designed so people can gather around it, just like an island bench in the kitchen.

3 Synthetic lawn has come a long way since AstroTurf.

It can be the only practical surface to use where there’s heavy wear from kids and dogs in a small area.

Secret Gardens; (02) 9314 5333 or www. secretgardens.com.au.

Synthetic lawn from Grassman is tough and low maintenance.

3 OF A KIND lawns

Whatever your climate or situation, there’s a type of turf especially for you (from top):

1 Couch is great for dry, hot conditions with low water.

2 Kikuyu (pictured) or zoysia is ideal for high-traffic areas.

3 Soft-leaf buffalo, such as Sir Walter, Palmetto or Matilda, is excellent for shady gardens.

To discover which lawn is best suited to your site or to find a local turf grower, go to www.turfaustralia.com.au.

KEY PLANTS

Tardiva hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’) Bridal wreath (Spiraea vanhouttei) Pincushion (Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) Foxtail grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’)

DESIGN NOTE “Don’t crowd an already small space with lots of stuff. One amazing focal element, such as a large pot or striking piece of furniture, is enough,” says Damien.

Photography by Nicholas Calcott (this page) & Nicholas Watt (opposite).

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

4 New York state of mind…

It may be sitting pretty in New York, but this compact terrace garden (above) contains plenty of ideas for an Aussie balcony. Designed by expat Australian landscape designer Damien Harrison, the 18m2 space features flooring, bench seating and cladding made from ipe wood. “The restrained materials palette helps make it feel clean-lined and open,” says Damien.

Planters are filled with woodland-style plants, a foil for the hardscaping, several of which are flowering for colour in autumn and spring. “Seasonal interest is key in a small garden where every plant has to have impact,” says Damien. The Japanese snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus) will grow to provide height and shade.

Harrison Green; www.harrisongreen.com.

3 OF A KIND

sustainable decking The smartest decks are made from sustainable materials, built to last. Look for FSC-branded timbers that are forested responsibly, or choose composite materials made from recycled and repurposed materials, which saves waste from landfill. Try these (from left): 1 Spotted gum, $94/m2 (supply only), Boral Timber. Other sustainably-produced hardwoods include tallowwood, ironbark, grey gum and turpentine.

2 HardieDeck, $80/m2, is compressed fibre-cement board that is durable and resistant to termites, rot and moisture.

3 ModWood, $100/m2, is a composite decking made from 90-per-cent recycled or reclaimed materials including wood > fibres and recycled plastic milk bottles.

DURABLE CHOICE

Ipe wood is an extremely dense, durable hardwood favoured for its even colouration and minimal veining. An Australian equivalent would be ironbark, though it is a different colour.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

129

H G GARDEN SPECIAL

5

ACCESS ALL AREAS Tasked with creating a multipurpose space on a tight block this landscaper came up with an ingenious strategy.

that accommodates a car and doubles as a shaded A stunning wall of outdoor room for entertaining. But the aluminium louvres is the installation of louvred star of this small rear garden in Melbourne’s panels along the back wall inner north. After adding is his masterstroke. They a contemporary rear work like bifold doors and extension to their Victorian- can be folded right back to allow car entry or era terrace, the owners wanted the 14x5m rear opened to take in the garden to reflect the new, views. “Basically, we have streamlined architecture. extended the backyard,” High on their wish list was says Scott. “The louvres help create borrowed the desire for easy entry to the local park located outlooks to the park: they across the back lane, can either be screened and a part-time carport. totally or partially or > Landscape designer Scott left fully open.”

Eckersley Garden Leung from Eckersley Architecture; (03) 9413 Garden Architecture designed a ‘carport pergola’ 3223 or www.eg-a.com.au.

Smart thinking…

The wall of louvres is an ingenious solution. Combining a steel frame with aluminium blades, the louvres are manually operated with lockable bolts on the inside.

“This solution gives the owners flexibility, opening up the views as well as providing security,” says Scott. “In this case, the owners can also open the panels right up and have a picnic on the lawn outside – lawn they don’t have to maintain or mow.”

130 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

DESIGN NOTE The brick wall at left was in poor condition so Scott painted it in Dulux Terrible Billy to hide the rough surface and create a dramatic backdrop for the climbing Boston ivy.

Photograph by Jeremy Blode. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Art of the louvre

KEY PLANTS

Lomandra ‘Little Pal’ Miscanthus ‘Eileen Quinn’ Kidney weed (Dichondra repens) Seaside daisies (Erigeron karvinskiana) Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

WHY IT WORKS

The path, made from Eco Outdoor’s Endicott crazy paving, steps through swathes of Lomandra ‘Little Pal’. “The steppers are raised above the level of the garden to create the impression that they’re floating,” says Scott.

H G GARDEN SPECIAL

6

MIX & MATCH

An old inner-city worker’s cottage has been revitalised with a contemporary extension and entertainer’s courtyard garden.

Old and new dovetail triumphantly in this compact Melbourne garden. The old brick cottage recently had a contemporary extension added, with views to an old stables (pictured).

The owners wanted their outdoor space to reflect the modern lines of the new extension, yet reference the history of the site. In response, landscape designer Lachie Anderson has combined recycled brick and chunky, weathered timbers with bluestone

paving, integrated concrete seating and LED lighting. The pergola is not intended as a shade structure; rather, it is a sculptural link for the different textures, says Lachie. A fire pit is centrally placed under the pergola, perfect for winter gatherings.

Planting is kept to a minimum because of the desire for a lowmaintenance garden but there is still a lush green presence. >

“There are a lot of different textures and materials but they all complement each other,” says Lachie. The pergola timber is from an old wharf, the brick wall is original but contains a section of radial sawn timber (www.radialtimbers. com.au) for visual interest.

Corten steel doors to the utilities storage match the stable’s rusty roof.

Lachie Anderson Landscapes; (03) 9822 9970 or lachieanderson.com.au.

Smart thinking…

This courtyard was designed to accommodate a car if and when needed. Bluestone pavers were the perfect choice for the flooring. “Their soft grey tones are very neutral and don’t show tyre marks as much as other pavers,” says Lachie. “The low iron content means you don’t get rust marks either.” The pavers are from Bamstone, a bluestone specialist. The adjacent red pavers are bricks recycled from the renovation. They are laid at a 45-degree angle on their sides, “which is a lot of work but looks spectacular”.

132 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Sir Walter Buffalo grass forms a living carpet between large bluestone stepping stones and a crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’).

Around the corner is a bed filled with herbs and a lemon tree, and in front of the stables is a row of Murraya paniculata. Boston ivy and wisteria climb up the pergola, while pots of red geraniums add colour.

Photography by Andrew Lloyd. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Material matters

KEY PLANTS

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’) Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) Wisteria Lemon tree Sir Walter Buffalo turf Rosemary Geraniums

DESIGN NOTE “The bench seat has a rebate with LED strip lighting around the base, which makes it seem like it’s floating,” says Lachie. “It looks spectacular at night.”

WHY IT WORKS

This garden is a study in balance. “Although there isn’t a large number of plants, they have a very special job of softening all the hard surfaces,” says Lachie.

KEY PLANTS

Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuraceae) Mondo grass (Ophiopogon jarburan) Rubber plant (Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’) Rhapis excelsa Sanseviera masoniana

7 Holding court

The owners of this 30m2 courtyard called on Richard Unsworth to create a verdant entertaining space to offset the concrete walls and double-height ceiling. “We’ve played with the scale and put a screen up the wall, next to a giant fiddleleaf fig,” says Richard.

Along the front wall he installed tall but narrow troughs and hanging pots filled with trailing succulents, Epiphyllums and mistletoe cactus.

Garden Life; www. gardenlife.com.au.

134 |

DESIGNER TIPS Richard Unsworth, landscape designer 1 Plants must best quality: select the most robust, healthy and fullest specimens you can find.

2 Make sure the plant is the appropriate size for the pot: a good rule of thumb is to select one the similar size to the pot you are using.

3 Cluster pots in odd numbers – three is good – with significant size changes between pots. A good guide is to think of small, medium and large sizes: if the large is a whole, the medium pot should be two-thirds the size of the large and the small pot one-third of the large. g

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

DESIGN NOTE “The mirrors give the illusion of depth as well as reflecting abundant green around the space,” says Adam.

“They also feel like windows looking out beyond the city walls.”

8

GARDEN SPECIAL H G

Crowd pleaser

A leafy, enticing sanctuary in the heart of the city…

That was the brief when the owner of this Sydney apartment enlisted landscape designer Adam Robinson to help turn her balcony into an inviting zone suitable for dining and entertaining. Adam designed built-in bench seating on both sides of the 7.5x4.5m space, perfect for accommodating a crowd. The balcony is north-facing but doesn’t receive direct sunlight, so Adam installed two large mirrors on one wall to boost the light levels.

The lack of direct sunlight dictated the use of hardy palms and succulents. White curtains provide privacy and shade when required. This project was named Best in Category at the AILDM National Landscape Design Awards 2016. >

Photography by Maree Homer (this page) & Nicholas Watt (opposite). Styling by Adam Robinson (this page). For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Adam Robinson Design; (02) 8542 0317 or www.adamrobinsondesign.com.

KEY PLANTS

Giant white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) Walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) Aechmea fasciata Rubber plant (Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’)

9 To create an instant mini tropical rainforest, Brett installed a 10-year-old weeping lilly pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) surrounded by ferns, ginger, Rhapis excelsa and Philodendron ‘Xanadu’. The green wall behind is painted in Dulux Field Maple. Blackbutt decking is finished in Intergrain UltraDeck in Natural. Luxembourg chairs from Fermob. Afteroom side table from Menu.

Tropical treat

A densely planted garden bed and an ingenious painted wall have turned this courtyard into a small paradise. Sydney interior designer Brett Mickan’s house (see page 40) wraps around the 3.2x6.2m yard. “I wanted to create a tropical feel as a contrast to the urban location,” says Brett. A stroke of genius is the angular block of green paint on the wall. “Rather than paint the entire area, which could be overwhelming in a tall, narrow space, I painted the colour on an angle to mimic the shadow lines as the sun enters the space.”

GARDEN SPECIAL H G

Photograph by Philippe Charleut (this page) & Thomas Dalhoff (opposite).

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

10 French connection

Melbourne couple Philippe Charleut and Kathleen Molloy-Charluet are passionate cooks and lovers of homegrown vegies. When they built their new home, they wanted a productive garden and called on Carolyn and Joby Blackman from Vivid Design to transform half of their rear garden (8x6m) into a parterre-style patch. The result is a triumph of symmetry, sophistication and healthy produce.

Handmade bricks form the vegie beds, with timber obelisks for training climbing plants. Bamboo planted along the back fence ensures privacy. # Vivid Design; www.vividdesign.com.au.

ABUNDANT SEASONAL VEGIES

3 OF A KIND stools

Pick them up and pop them down wherever you may go, these outdoor garden stools are as versatile as they are comfy.

1 Alastair Keating Good One powder-coated aluminium stool, $390, Tait.

2 Billy New Guinea rosewood stool, $660, Robert Plumb.

3Anchorage acacia stool with polyester seat, $49, Freedom.

The garden is only seven months old and already overflows with fragrant, seasonal produce including rhubarb, eggplants, artichokes, leeks, beetroot, salad vegies and 19 varieties of herb. The groundcover is Seymour gravel, which is lovely underfoot and creates a permeable surface.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

137

Collection

QUINSAI GARDEN

Follow the trail of Marco Polo to the explorer’s favourite city at the end of the Silk Road, QUINSAI. Enjoy the beautiful blooms of the historic gardens of Quinsai and be transported into a dining experience surrounded by unique floral arrangements.

VILLEROY-BOCH.COM.AU

Aria entree plates and dinner plates, Harvest linen placemats, St Claire linen napkins, Meadow bunny ornament and Solstice egg ornaments, all Papaya. Glass jug, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own. Flax ceramic jugs with handles, Mediterranean Markets. Bee wineglasses, Horgans. Koti chair, Eco Outdoor. Flowers from Poho Flowers.

Styling by Ashley Pratt. Photograph by John Paul Urizar.

For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Laidback and leisurelyâ&#x20AC;Ś A delightful Easter brunch.

Sunday best More reďŹ ned than breakfast, more laidback than lunch, brunch is just the ticket for an Easter gathering.

Welcome all-comers with this cracking menu.

Toasted muesli with roast rhubarb & strawberries

140 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Recipes by Ema Knowles. Food preparation by Nick Banbury.

ST Y LI N G Ashley Pratt | P HOTOG R A P HY John Paul Urizar

ENTERTAINING H G

Cheese platter, Mud Australia. Harvest linen placemat in Grey, Meadow bunny garland and St Claire linen napkin, all Papaya. Laguiole by Jean Dubost bread knife, Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basement.

OPPOSITE Big O stemless shiraz glasses, Riedel.

Laguiole by Jean Dubost spoons, Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basement. Kyst platter tile plate, Elevate Design.

Meadow bunny ornament and Malmo bowl, both Papaya. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Apple & cinnamon hot cross buns

H G ENTERTAINING

Pea, zucchini & mint fritters with fetta sauce

142 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Recipes by Emma Knowles & Lisa Featherby (fritters), Emma Knowles (pancakes, omelette), Alice Storey (tart).

Buttermilk pancakes with glazed plums

Leek & lemon tart Mushroom & chèvre soufflé omelettes

SET TO PLEASE Whether sweet or savoury, build your brunch menu around classic dishes. People respond well to familiarity in the morning.

ABOVE LEFT Malmo dinner plate, Tiro tapered jug and Harvest linen placemat in Grey, all Papaya. ABOVE RIGHT Slate serving board, Città. Baby noodle bowl, Mud Australia. Talia linen placemat, Malmo entree plate and Solstice egg ornaments, all Papaya. Laguiole by Jean Dubost forks, Victoria’s Basement.

RIGHT Omelette pan, Crowley & Grouch Imports. Pebble olive dish (used as bread dish), WonkiWare. Sky nesting bowl, Kaz Morton Ceramics. Talia linen placemat and Meadow bunny garland, both Papaya. OPPOSITE Entree plate and napkin, as before. Laguiole

by Jean Dubost cutlery, Victoria’s Basement. Platter and Baby noodle bowl, both Mud Australia. For Where to Buy, see page 188. >

H G ENTERTAINING

TOASTED MUESLI WITH ROAST RHUBARB & STRAWBERRIES

APPLE & CINNAMON HOT CROSS BUNS

PEA, ZUCCHINI & MINT FRITTERS WITH FETTA SAUCE

130g coconut oil 150ml maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla-bean paste 2 cups (180g) rolled oats ¾ cup (100g) rolled barley ¾ cup (100g) rolled spelt ⅔ cup (100g) pepitas ½ cup (80g) raw almonds, coarsely chopped ½ cup (75g) sunflower seeds 1 cup (20g) puffed millet Natural yoghurt, to serve Roast rhubarb & strawberries 500g rhubarb, cut into 5cm lengths 1 cup (220g) raw caster sugar Juice of 1 orange and ½ lemon ½ tsp finely grated ginger 200g strawberries, hulled and quartered

325g raw caster sugar 1 lemon, halved 1½ Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, diced 1 cinnamon quill 5 cups (750g) plain flour 150g sultanas or golden raisins 50g dried apple, diced 30g candied orange, diced 2 sachets (14g) dried yeast 3½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground allspice Finely grated zests of 1 orange and 1 lemon 1½ cups (375ml) milk 100g butter, coarsely chopped 1 egg

320g frozen peas 1 small zucchini, coarsely grated, plus 1 extra, thinly sliced 8 eggs, at room temperature 120g thick plain yoghurt 1 tbsp milk 70g finely grated Greek fetta ⅓ cup coarsely chopped mint, plus ¼ cup extra leaves, to serve 1 spring onion, thinly sliced 80g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 1 tbsp lemon juice, plus lemon wedges, to serve Olive oil, for shallow-frying 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup loosely packed pea shoots (available from select greengrocers) Fetta sauce 200g Greek fetta, coarsely crumbled ⅓ cup (80ml) milk ½ cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 1 lemon ½ clove garlic, finely chopped

1 Preheat oven to 150˚C (130˚C fan). Melt coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat, add maple syrup and vanilla-bean paste; stir, set aside.

2 Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Mix to combine then pour maple syrup mixture over, stirring to coat evenly, then spread on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Toast, stirring occasionally, until golden and evenly toasted, 40-45mins. Allow to cool on tray, then coarsely crumble. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until required (up to 2 weeks).

3 To make roast rhubarb and strawberries, preheat oven to 200˚C (180˚C fan). Combine all ingredients except strawberries in a bowl, then spread over a roasting tray and roast until rhubarb is tender but still holding shape, 10-15mins. Add strawberries while still warm then set aside to cool. Mix well and serve immediately with toasted muesli and yoghurt.

TIP Rolled barley, spelt and puffed millet are available online and from selected health-food stores.

Prep: 45 mins. Cooking: 50 mins + proving + cooling. Makes 20.

1 Place 260g sugar, 375ml water and juice of half a lemon in a small saucepan stir over medium-high heat; stir until sugar dissolves. Cut remaining lemon half into 5mm-thick slices, add to saucepan along with fresh apple and cinnamon quill. Bring to the simmer, reduce heat to medium and cook until apple and lemon are translucent, 25mins. Strain, reserving fruit and syrup separately. Dice lemon and place in a bowl with apple; set aside.

2 Place 700g flour, sultanas, dried apple, candied orange, yeast, 3 tsp ground cinnamon, allspice, zests, remaining sugar, reserved fruit and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl; make a well in the centre. Heat milk and butter in a saucepan over low heat until lukewarm and butter has melted. Whisk in egg, then add milk mixture to flour, stirring to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10mins. Place in a lightly buttered bowl, cover and stand in a warm place until doubled in size, 30-40mins.

3 Knock back dough, divide into 20 even pieces, then knead each into a smooth ball. Place one dough ball in the centre of a large baking tray lined with baking paper; arrange remaining balls in concentric circles, leaving 1cm between each for dough to expand. Cover and stand in a warm place until doubled in size, 30-40mins.

4 Preheat oven to 220˚C (200˚C fan). Place remaining flour and 60ml cold water in a bowl; stir to a smooth paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle and pipe a cross on each bun. Bake 10mins, reduce oven to 200˚C (180˚C fan) and bake until golden and buns sound hollow when tapped, a further 8-10mins.

5 Combine ⅓ of reserved syrup and remaining ground cinnamon in a small saucepan. Brush over hot buns, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Prep: 30 mins. Cooking: 20 mins.

Serves 6.

1 Place all sauce ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Season; refrigerate until required.

2 Blanch peas in a saucepan of salted boiling water until tender and bright green. Drain.

Reserve 50g peas to serve, then pulse remainder in a food processor to a coarse purée. Transfer to a bowl and stir in grated zucchini, 2 eggs, yoghurt, milk, fetta, mint and spring onion.

Stir in flour, baking powder and half the lemon juice. Season to taste.

3 Preheat oven to 120˚C (100˚C fan). Heat ½cm olive oil in a deep frypan over medium-high heat.

Add scant ¼-cupfuls of batter and shallow fry in batches, turning occasionally, until golden (about 2-3mins per side). Drain on paper towel and place in a single layer on a baking tray in oven to keep warm.

4 Meanwhile, boil remaining eggs in a large saucepan of boiling water until cooked to your liking (6-7mins for soft yolks). Drain, then peel.

5 Combine extra-virgin olive oil, pea shoots, extra mint, sliced zucchini, reserved peas and remaining lemon juice in a bowl. Season and toss to combine.

6 Place fritters on a platter and arrange salad over. Cut eggs in half and place on top of fritters.

Serve with sauce and lemon wedges on the side.

Photograph by Ben Dearnley/bauersyndication.com.au (background).

Prep: 20 mins. Cooking: 1 hr + cooling.

Serves 6-8.

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES WITH GLAZED PLUMS

Prep: 30 mins. Cooking: 30 mins.

Serves 6.

2 tbsp vegetable oil 20g butter Glazed plums 6 large plums ⅔ cup (150g) caster sugar Juice and finely grated zest of 1 orange 2 tbsp Grand Marnier Icing sugar, for dusting (optional) Vanilla bean ice-cream or crème fraîche, to serve (optional) Buttermilk pancakes 1 cup (150g) self-raising flour 50g icing sugar, sifted 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest 2 eggs, separated 1¼ cups (310ml) buttermilk 1 To make buttermilk pancakes, combine flour, icing sugar and orange zest in a bowl. Place egg yolks and buttermilk in a jug and whisk lightly to combine, then add to flour mixture, whisking to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk eggwhites to soft peaks, then fold through flour mixture and set aside.

2 Halve plums, remove seed, then cut each half into 3 wedges. Place ½ cup sugar, orange juice and Grand Marnier in a large frypan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar dissolves.

Bring to the boil and cook for 1-2mins or until syrupy, add plums and cook for 1-2mins on each side or until plums are glazed and just soft.

Remove plums from pan and reserve. Remove pan from heat and set aside, reserving juices.

3 Place half the vegetable oil and half the butter in a separate frypan over medium heat.

Add ¼-cupfuls of pancake mixture and cook in batches for 2-3mins on each side or until golden.

Repeat with remaining oil, butter and mixture.

4 Combine remaining sugar and orange zest in a small bowl. Serve pancakes with glazed plums, drizzle with reserved pan juices, scatter with orange sugar and dust with icing sugar.

Serve with ice-cream or crème fraîche if desired.

LEEK & LEMON TART

Prep: 30 mins. Cooking: 25 mins + resting. Serves 6.

1 bunch pencil leeks, trimmed, rinsed in cold water (available from select greengrocers) 2 tbsp olive oil 15 filo pastry sheets, trimmed to 36cm long 100g butter, melted 600g sour cream 6 eggs 2 cloves garlic, finely grated on a microplane 1 tbsp thyme leaves Finely grated zest of 2 lemons Juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp plain flour Salad greens, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 200˚C (180˚C fan). Preheat a grill pan to high heat, drizzle leeks with olive oil, season and grill, turning occasionally, until golden and tender, about 2mins. Set aside.

2 Lay 1 filo sheet on a cutting board (cover remaining filo with a damp tea towel). Brush with butter, then top with another filo sheet.

Repeat with remaining butter and filo, finishing with a filo sheet. Place filo stack in a 20x28cm loose-based tart tin, allowing excess to overhang.

3 Whisk remaining ingredients in a bowl, season to taste and pour into pastry-lined tin. Scatter leeks over and bake 15-20mins or until golden and cooked through (cover edges loosely with foil if browning too quickly). Remove from oven and stand 5mins. Serve warm with salad greens.

MUSHROOM & CHÈVRE SOUFFLÉ OMELETTES

Prep: 20 mins. Cooking: 20 mins.

Serves 6.

150g butter, coarsely chopped 200g swiss brown mushrooms, halved if small, quartered if large 150g shiitake mushrooms, roughly sliced 150g oyster mushrooms, halved if large 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 150g enoki mushrooms, ends trimmed, broken into small bundles 2 tbsp thyme 360g crème fraîche 12 eggs, separated 90g plain flour ½ cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley 300g chèvre Finely grated zest of 2 lemons, to serve Baguette slices, toasted, to serve 1 Preheat grill to high heat. Heat 90g butter in a very large frypan over high heat, add swiss brown and shiitake mushrooms, stir occasionally until lightly browned. Add oyster mushrooms and garlic and cook, stirring, a further 1min.

Add enoki and half the thyme, season to taste and remove from heat.

2 Place crème fraîche in a large bowl and whisk until soft. Add yolks, flour and parsley, crumble in half the chèvre, season to taste and stir to combine.

3 Place eggwhites and a pinch of salt in a bowl and whisk to firm peaks. Fold into yolk mixture.

4 Place remaining butter in 2x 19cm-diameter frypans; heat over medium heat until foamy.

Cook omelettes in batches. In each pan, add ⅓ egg mixture, shaking pans gently to level.

Cook until base is golden, 1-2mins, then scatter ⅓ mushroom mixture and ⅓ remaining chèvre on top and grill until light golden, 1-2mins. Carefully slide onto a warm serving plate, folding in half as you go. Repeat until all mixture is used. Season with pepper and serve hot with remaining thyme, lemon zest and toast. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

145

H G LIVING

Drinks

CODE BREAKER Organic, biodynamic, what does it all mean?

Here’s Toni Paterson’s guide to deciphering wine labels.

A

re you a little puzzled by the terms ‘organic’ and ‘biodynamic’ on a wine label?

Organic viticulture is essentially an environmentally conscious philosophy that puts the health of the soil and the vines at the forefront of all decisions.

For a winery to call its wines organic, or biodynamic, it must adhere to the minimum requirements outlined in the 2015 National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.

Excluding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and artificial fertilisers, as well as banning the use of genetically modified products, is central to the organic method. Sulphur dioxide is permissible at moderate levels to prevent grape juice, and wine, from spoiling.

Native vegetation on the property is important, as is biodiversity. Energy, soil and water conservation, and the use of renewable resources, is encouraged.

Biodynamics is an organic farming method with additional requirements, based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner.

He believed that farms have the potential

to be self-sustaining on soil fertility and disease management and suggested the application of natural ‘preparations’, such as manure, herbs and minerals.

Accreditation by a certifying body is based on the national standard and relates to the production and marketing of the product domestically and abroad.

Certifiers of wine include Australian Certified Organic (ACO), The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) and the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI), which uses the Demeter trademark. The process takes a number of years and, partway through, producers are allowed to state that they are ‘in-conversion’. All organic and biodynamic wines must meet all the criteria in the accreditation standard.

The presence of the certifier’s logo is # a stamp of integrity.

Recommended drops 2014 FRANKLAND ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, $28 Glorious and concentrated fruit aromas of blackberries and cassis. 2016 LARK HILL GRÜNER VELTLINER, $45 Native yeast fermentation in old oak creates a textured, bright white wine. Green melon flavours and spice. 2015 ANGOVE FAMILY WINEMAKERS ORGANIC MERLOT, $16 Bright red fruit aromas on the nose with a lovely minerally element on the palate. The fruit is restrained, the tannins gently firm. The youthful palate has good fruit clarity with boysenberry flavours. 2015 ANGOVE FAMILY WINEMAKERS WARBOYS VINEYARD SHIRAZ, $44 Rich and concentrated with plummy fruit and milk chocolate. A fleshy palate with an appealing savoury vein.

146 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

When you buy organic wine, you support the disciplined approach that a producer takes in caring for their land and making their wine.

The organic and biodynamic vineyards I have visited are brimming with life: the soil is aerated, biodiversity of animal and plant life is immediately apparent, and the vineyard employees greatly appreciate working with substances of lower toxicity.

However, the wine is not necessarily going to be higher in quality, or better for you, compared with non-certified wine.

As with conventional wine production, quality ranges from elementary to simply sublime.

The McLaren Vale region has several quality producers committed to organic and biodynamic production (BD), including Gemtree Wines (BD) Yangarra Estate Vineyard, Battle of Bosworth and Paxton Wines (BD).

Angove Family Winemakers has five wines in its Organic range, $16 each, including a bubbly, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, shiraz cabernet and merlot.

New horizons

Styling by Kayla Gex (bottles). Photography by Will Horner (bottles) & Getty Images (vineyards).

Bowl and dish, The Design Hunter; www.thedesignhunter.com.au.

The players

Your favourites look newer for longer

Discover a gentler clean at lower temperatures.

The innovative Ultramixâ&#x201E;˘ from Electrolux, cares for your clothes by premixing water and detergent before the beginning of the cycle so your favourites stay vibrant and newer for longer. electroluxlife.com.au

OMO - the only brand recommended by Electrolux

Subscribe now to receive

HURRY! OFFER ENDS APRIL 2!

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES + 15 issues of Australian House & Garden for $79.99 + Saving 33% off the retail price + FREE DELIVERY of the magazine

136 116 AND QUOTE M1704HNG For Terms and Conditions, visit magshop.com.au/hg704. Please see contents page for location of our Privacy Notice. If you do not the Promoter in writing. Offer valid from 06/03/2017 to 02/04/2017 to Australian residents only. Savings are based on retail cover price of

3 BONUS ISSUES SUBSCRIBE TO AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

FOR ONLY $79.99 AND RECEIVE 3 FREE ISSUES FABULOUS FAMILY BATHROOMS 100% AUSTRALIAN HOMES

AN ORGANISED HOME IN 8 MINUTES A DAY!

Sunshiny days

+ Blissful beachy textures + A true blue garden + Sizzling seafood bbq

Cool new

DINING LOOKS

GET SMART

DESIGN TIPS FROM GORGEOUS & FUNCTIONAL FAMILY HOMES

Australian House & Garden is the trusted source of information for homeowners; filled with expert advice and inspiration for every step of the home-making journey – from renovations to design and decorating, plus food, travel, health, pets and more.

It is a must-read for avid renovators and decorators alike.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? + RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION today to receive this offer

MAGSHOP.COM.AU/HG704 want your information provided to any organisation not associated with this offer, please indicate this clearly at time of order or notify $7.99. The offer includes 15 issues of Australian House & Garden for $79.99. Subscription copies do not receive free gifts offered at retail.

H G LIVING E AT I N G F O R B E T T E R M E N TA L H E A LT H *

BRAIN FOOD A good diet can play a significant role in keeping depression at bay, writes Paula Goodyer.

H

‘A Mediterranean diet – particularly one that includes raw nuts – could reduce the risk of developing depression.’

Professor Felice Jacka

150 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

ow important is food to mental health? Important enough to have guidelines on how to eat to reduce the risk of depression, say a group of international researchers, including Australia’s Professor Felice Jacka, director of Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre.

“Traditional ways of eating, such as following the Mediterranean diet, have been consistently linked to a lower risk of depression, while diets high in processed food are linked to an increased risk,” she says.

What makes these regimens so mood-boosting? Like the traditional Japanese and Nordic diets – the latter of which is a Scandinavian style of eating that centres on fish, vegetables, wholegrains, pasture-fed meats, yoghurt and berries – the Mediterranean diet is heavy on plant-based foods and rich in nutrients. It delivers plenty of antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress, which is linked to depression.

“A large dietary trial in Europe provided evidence to suggest that a Mediterranean diet – particularly one that includes raw nuts – could reduce the risk of developing depression.”

When it comes to the part of the brain involved with depression, size matters – and what we eat can affect that too. Research carried out by Professor Jacka in 2015 found that older adults whose diets included more sweet drinks, salty snacks and processed meats had a smaller left hippocampus – the part of the brain that’s integral to learning, memory and mental health – and it was larger in those eating more vegetables, fruit and fish.

So if diet can help lower the risk of developing depression, can it also help people who already have it? A new study by the Food & Mood Centre suggests it can. Researchers compared two groups of people with major depression – one had help from a dietitian to eat better (less processed food and more olive oil, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes) and the other group had social support.

In a third of those in the diet group, depression went into remission, while just eight per cent of the other group had the # same result, says Jacka.

For more information, visit www.foodandmoodcentre.com.au.

*Source: International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. Illustration by Domenic Bahmann.

Health

✚ Eat more fruit, vegetables, legumes, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds. ✚ Include plenty of foods rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats. ✚ Replace unhealthy foods with wholesome nutritious foods. ✚ Limit your intake of processed foods, fast foods, goods from commercial bakeries and sweets. ✚ Follow traditional dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean, Japanese or Nordic diets.

sun-kissed radiance, long lasting glow

Mineral Pressed Powder Bronzer A warm bronzer with pl pigments and vitamins Apply to face, décollet for a kiss of summer c Use the ‘try me’ free t display stands to experience the exceptional quality and value of this popular bronzer. www.natio.com.au Available at Myer, David Jones and selected Pharmacies.

THE INVITATION FOR FREE BREAST SCREENING NOW COVERS WOMEN UP T0 74

The invitation for free breast screening has been expanded to include women aged 70-74. Early detection saves lives. If you’re aged 50-74 you should be screened every two years. If you’re over 75, talk to your GP or health professional to find out if breast screening is right for you. For more information visit the website.

IT’S AN INVITATION THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE australia.gov.au/breastscreen

Call

13 20 50

LIVING H G

2

SKIN SAVERS

1

Your face deserves special treatment, but top-to-toe skincare contributes to a more youthful appearance, writes Elisabeth King.

L Styling by Kayla Gex. Photograph by Will Horner. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

avishing our face with anti-ageing moisturisers and serums is common practice, but many people neglect to pay the same attention to the rest of their body. Sun damage on the chest and arms, and loss of firmness elsewhere, can begin to give your age away as early as your 30s. Look beyond simple hydrating body lotions to age-defying products that target skin elasticity, treat sun-damaged skin and wrinkles and disguise imperfections wherever they might be.

1

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream ($15) This hydrating cream

evens out skin tone and masks the appearance of blotches and small veins.

Available in two shades, Light and Medium to Deep, it goes on sheer and gently adds colour, adjusting to your natural skin tone. After five days’ use, the skin develops a radiant glow.

2

Aveda Stress-Fix Soaking Salts ($60) An intensely fragrant blend of

pure organic lavender, lavandin and clary sage is teamed with mineral-rich salts to help relieve stress and anxiety.

Organic sugar and sunflower oil are also in the mix to exfoliate, soothe and soften the skin. If you’re feeling really tense, smooth on Aveda Stress-Fix Body Lotion ($50) after a therapeutic soak.

3

Mesoestetic Stem Cell Body Serum ($120) This anti-ageing

body serum contains nano-encapsulated plant stem cells to penetrate the skin more deeply, while slow-release technology helps advanced peptides and retinol to rejuvenate the skin.

Use as an occasional treatment to repair skin damaged by photo-ageing and environmental exposure.

4

Nivea 4 in 1 Firming Body Oil ($15) Many factors contribute to loss

Hand towel, white bowls and plate, all The Design Hunter. Stoneware bowl (below), Luumo.

of firmness, dry skin and stretchmarks, including ageing, pregnancy and weight loss. This fast-absorbing oil teams avocado, macadamia and cottonseed oils with coenzyme Q10 to firm, nourish and even skin tone within two weeks.

It’s great for stretchmarks, too.

5

4

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Luxe Resurfacing Body Cloths ($32)

Australian brand Alpha-H has built up a global following for its skin resurfacing toner, Liquid Gold, a concentrated formula high in glycolic acid, which is an important ingredient in anti-ageing skincare. These new exfoliating cloths pack a similar rejuvenating punch for the body, improving uneven skin tone, dry, flaky skin and the appearance of keratosis pilaris (more commonly known as ‘chicken skin’). The buffing side sloughs off dead skin cells and impurities, while the smooth side boosts hydration and radiance.

6

3

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil ($33, not shown) It’s easy to

be sceptical about creams and lotions claiming to treat cellulite. But this world-renowned Swiss brand has been making highly effective certified-organic personal care products since the 1920s.

A blend of biodynamically grown plant extracts, including birch, rosemary and butcher’s broom, help to reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating the body’s natural regenerating ability.

Apricot, jojoba and wheatgerm oils are also in the mix to improve the tone and feel of the skin. In a clinical study, skin looked significantly firmer and smoother after one month’s use. #

BEST BUY $32 5

R Keep your flooring investment looking good and feeling great for many years to come.

Flooring Manufacturers Recommend...

Asthma and Allergy Friendly...

Free Expert Advice...

www.sebo.com.au

1300 697 326

T H IG

Styling by Tessa Kavanagh. Photograph by Lisa Cohen. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Cool, calm and collected...

Beautiful bedrooms for your best sleep yet.

With generous layers of soft fabrics in soothing hues, this enticing bedroom, designed by Adelaide Bragg of Adelaide Bragg & Associates, is a study in serenity. Bedhead, bedside table and lamp, Rose St Trading. Bedspread, Pigottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store. Blue pillow, Brownlow Interior Design.

Striped pillow, Adelaide Bragg &Â Associates.

For more inviting bedroom ideas, turn the page...

H G ADVICE

In focus

BEDROOMS

Whether you prefer a pared-back haven or a personality-filled space, you can make your dream retreat a reality, writes Sarah Pickette.

W

hen life gets busy, it’s comforting to know you have a safe space to retreat to, a sanctuary where you can stop, exhale and relax. For many of us, that place is the bedroom.

Precisely what constitutes a dream bedroom is a matter of personal taste, but it would certainly be quiet and comfortable, with plenty of natural light. “When we design bedrooms from scratch, we ideally like them to receive morning sun,” says Sydney architect Eva-Marie Prineas. “And when we’re renovating, it’s good to complement a bedroom’s original features.” A mix of textures will make your boudoir feel inviting, while great storage is always a godsend. Add a little luxury, in the form of bedlinen or art, and sweet dreams will follow.

CALM AND COMPOSED Quality materials come into their own when space is limited. In the case of this compact room on a Victorian houseboat, Tasmanian oak lines the wall behind the bed. “Pale-toned timber takes advantage of the abundant natural light,” says interior designer Jane Kilpatrick of Pipkorn & Kilpatrick. Floor-to-ceiling joinery maximises available storage and ensures that this space doesn’t become cluttered. “A bedroom, more than any other part of the home, needs to feel relaxed and calm,” says Kilpatrick. The artwork above the bed is by Jane’s business partner, Anna Pipkorn.

Pipkorn & Kilpatrick; www.pipkornkilpatrick.com.au.

Photography by Tom Ferguson (this page, top), Thomas Dalhoff/bauersyndication.com.au (this page, bottom) & Christine Francis (opposite).

DEEPLY PLEASING Striking colour choices can pay huge dividends in the bedroom. Situated in what was once a boarding house, this space (above) in a Victorian-era Sydney terrace is generous enough to wear the dark grey-blue tones of Dulux Vipere with aplomb. The house was remodelled by TFAD and the interiors handled by Arent&Pyke, who specified a red Eero Saarinen Womb chair, ochre tones in the curtains and velvet chaise longue, and a bold abstract artwork by Bui Huu Hung.

Damascus wool rug from The Rug Company.

TFAD; tfad.com.au. Arent&Pyke; arentpyke.com.

A N Y T H I N G G O E S TEXTURES, PAT TERNS, ERAS...

M IX T H E M W I T H C O N F I D E N C E , A S SY D N E Y I N T E R I O R DESIGNER BRETT MICKAN DID IN THIS BEDROOM P R O J EC T. “ I T ’ S A L L A B O U T C R E AT I N G A R E L A X E D R E T R E AT,” H E S AYS . T H E H A R L EQ U I N A M A Z I L I A N U VO L A WA L L PA P E R , F R O M D O M E ST I C T E X T I L E C O R P O RAT I O N , B L E N D S B E AU T I F U L LY W I T H OT H E R PIECES IN THE ROOM TO ACHIEVE TONAL HARMONY. > BRE T T MICKAN INTE R IO R DE S IG N; B M ID.CO M . AU.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

157

Sweet SPOT

INTO THE BLACK “This is a lovely place to wake up,” says Eva-Marie Prineas, the architect who designed this Sydney bedroom. “The house is one of a row of heritage-listed terraces. They’re 7m wide and this is the only room in the house where that full width is experienced.” The star feature of the room is undoubtedly the handsome black bedhead. “It conceals a row of wardrobes at the rear, plus also allows the airconditioning to be concealed within it, leaving the ceiling free of vents,” says Prineas. Flos bedside lights from Euroluce.

Architect Prineas; www.architectprineas.com.au.

Photography by Chris Warnes (this page), Katherine Lu (opposite, top) & Simon Whitbread/bauersyndication.com.au (opposite, bottom).

New from Sleepmaker, the Cocoon bed’s springs respond independently to movement, reducing partner disturbance. sleepmaker.com.au.

ADVICE H G

OPEN TO CHANGE When the owners of this Sydney home (above) decided to construct an extension, they asked architect Melonie Bayl-Smith, director of Bijl Architecture, to expand the main bedroom in the process. “A bedroom should be comfortable and functional, yet stimulating to a degree,” says Bayl-Smith. “We created an 18.5m2 retreat with its own balcony, ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and views to the national park beyond.” Preference Floors’ Cannes engineered-oak flooring runs through the space, with walls painted in the muted hues of Dulux Flooded Gum (behind bed) and Dulux Peplum.

Artworks by Craig Johnston.

Bijl Architecture; www.bijlarchitecture.com.au.

TA L K I N G TO N E S S E T T L I N G O N A B A S E C O L O U R I S A G O O D S TA RT W H E N D E C O R AT I N G A B E D R O O M .

INTERIOR DESIGNER LEANNE SMEALLIE OF AMPERSAND INTERIORS OPTED FOR THE P OWERFUL B L U E O F D U LU X G R I D I N T H I S SY D N E Y H O M E ( R I G H T ) , T E M P E R E D BY A PA L E U P H O L S T E R E D B E D H E A D F R O M H E AT H E R LY D E S I G N B E D H E A D S A N D P E N DA N T L I G H T S F R O M T I G G E R H A L L D E S I G N . > A M PERSAND INTERIO R S ; WWW. AM PERSAN D IN T ERIO RS .COM. AU.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

159

H G ADVICE

Before

Room update

Thoughtfully selected materials have taken this Melbourne bedroom from lacklustre to luxe. unfussy and enduring: that was the request the owners of this Melbourne bedroom put to Lauren Li, interior designer and director of Sisällä Interior Design. “They’d been living overseas and were now yearning to stay put,” she says. ”Because of this, they were happy to invest in high-quality, classic pieces.”

The makeover “We started with the curtain,” says Li. “Chevron sheers look chic and soften what is a very large room.

The transformation was instant and my clients were ecstatic about them.”

Working with the restriction of existing wall-light locations, Li opted for a long, rather than tall, upholstered bedhead.

“I took my cues from luxury hotel design,” she says. “Ribbed upholstery is timeless.” It did take a little convincing for the homeowners to embrace the grasscloth wallpaper Li suggested, but in the end they saw the value of adding texture to the space. After much deliberation, new wall-mounted lights by Danish firm Nordlux were ordered. “I try to avoid using replicas and these lights were a good choice within our budget.”

Why it works Contrasting textures are teamed with a subtle colour palette to create a luxurious feel that will stand the test of time. “Even though it’s large, I love how cosy and intimate this bedroom # is, and so do its owners.”

The LOWDOWN

A restrained colour palette forms the basis of this scheme. Where colour is limited, texture has to step up to provide interest, says interior designer Lauren Li. “Beautiful, quality fabrics confer comfort and luxury. Both are desirable qualities in any bedroom.” ✚ Custom-made bedhead in Carlucci Two Tone fabric from Unique Fabrics, $1984, BQ Design; 1800 335 361 or www.bqdesign.com.au. ✚ Chivasso Madagascar grasscloth wallpaper, about $436/10m, Unique Fabrics; 1800 145 855 or www.uniquefabrics.com. ✚ Siena bedside table in Dark Wenge, from $900, Globe West; 1800 722 366 or www.globewest.com.au. ✚ Nordlux Nexus 10 wall light, from $199, Temple & Webster; www.templeandwebster.com.au. ✚ Ado Wave sheer curtain fabric, about $218/m, Unique Fabrics. ✚ Custom-made timber ottoman with Jaipur upholstery fabric in Tussah, $1600, Arthur G; (03) 9543 4633 or www.arthurg.com.au. ✚ Vintage Washed king-size linen quilt cover in Fog, $469, Bedouin Societe; (03) 9391 3843 or www.bedouinsociete.com.

Sisällä Interior Design, Mentone, Victoria; 0408 838 138 or sisalla.com.au.

160 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Photograph by Tatjana Plitt.

The brief Make it contemporary,

ah

by Sar

te

Picket

House & ustralian Editor • A s re tu a e F

Garden

Spills and crumbs are no problem for a tough floor like Plantino Bamboo.

! s t y le your floor f in d find the ly p im s to of r ’s tips, o EE copy of Sarah t your FR ll e a g .com.au e r, g e fo s To esfloorin arching e ic s o n h c e e t azine a you’ve b 017 mag hoices 2 C g in ir p s

only available at

In

products featured

Plantino Bamboo • Colour Featured: Rustic Sand Wilderness Rug • Colour Featured: Willow

choicesflooring.com.au

H G ADVICE

Smart shopper

BEDROOM CARPETS Sink your toes into sumptuous flooring.

It’s the perfect choice for your own personal sanctuary, writes Georgia Madden.

Greg Natale Tom wool-blend cut-pile carpet, from $150/m2 (supply only), Designer Rugs. OPPOSITE from left Hycraft Odyssey wool-blend plush-pile carpet in Stella, from $85/m2 (installed), Godfrey Hirst Carpets. Cavalier Bremworth Overtones wool loop-pile carpet in Leadlight, $64/m2 (supply only), Choices Flooring. SWATCHES Temuka Bayton wool loop-pile carpet in Dimity, from $112/m2 (supply only), Choices Flooring (left). Provincial Lane Creekwood wool modulated-loop carpet in Flemish Mist, $71/m2 (supply only), Carpet Court. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Artworks by Andrew Lockhart (opposite).

C

osy, inviting, deliciously plush underfoot: the carpet you lay in your bedroom should be all these things and more. “There’s nothing quite like the feel of a luxuriously thick, soft carpet beneath your toes as you swing your feet out of bed in the morning,” says John Harrison, marketing manager for Godfrey Hirst Carpets.

Your bedroom is a space where you want to feel completely comfortable, especially underfoot,” says Sarah Wilson, senior interior designer at Decus Interiors. “Wall-to-wall carpet adds to this comfort factor both physically and aesthetically by creating a beautiful, soft base.”

Practicality may drive your choices when it comes to carpet for the busy parts of your home, but the lighttraffic nature of bedrooms means your options are broader. Velvety plush-piles you can sink your toes into, lustrous silks, unusual materials such as alpaca fleece or yak fibres – they’re all a possibility.

Wool carpets For many, it’s hard to go past the appeal of pure wool, says Emma Bolger, brand communications manager at Choices Flooring. “Quality, softness, a sense of luxury and graceful ageing – wool carpet seems to have it all. It provides natural insulation, plus it’s practical and easy to maintain.”

Tactile designs with a handcrafted feel are an enduring trend, says Harrison. “Chunky loop-pile carpets, with their beautiful texture and rustic charm, are still popular for bedrooms.”

Synthetic carpets “Thanks to technological innovations, synthetic carpets are now softer and more luxurious than ever,” says Bolger. They’re also a great choice if you’re on a budget or decking out a child’s room and are looking for spill-resistance. “Generally speaking, they are more cost efficient, hard-wearing and stain-proof than pure-wool carpets,” she says. >

O O

H PILE

As well as colour and material, you need to choose the right pile type for your bedroom carpet. Emma Bolger, brand communications manager at Choices Flooring, shares her top tips: ✚ A loop-pile or textured carpet adds warmth and hides dirt easily. It works well with Scandi, coastal and rustic decorating styles. ✚ Plush-pile carpet, with its velvety texture, is a glamorous choice.

Pile-reverse shading, where a colour difference appears in the carpet when you walk over it, is a feature of this style. ✚ Twist-pile carpet is durable and forgiving. It suits most decorating styles, and pet claws are less likely to get stuck in the fibres.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

163

H G ADVICE

Working in parallel with our busy lives, Soul Elements balances life and work in an active world. Families don’t have time to worry about whether their flooring (and home) can withstand their busy lifestyles; we just expect that it will! We want our flooring to be easily maintained and to retain its original appearance with minimal fuss. Soul Elements is here for us, it features a longer and wider plank format, with the length of the plank being over two metres long, meaning less pattern repetition and joins in your home.

Beauty and versatility are two key characteristics of this thoughtfully designed LVP. Inspired by pure comfort, Soul Elements provides working families with the sense of relief they deserve.

< Some notable new synthetics include Cavalier Bremworth’s luxurious and eco-friendly Valour and Siren designs, and Godfrey Hirst’s Eco+ Triexta range, all made from recycled materials.

Wool-synthetic mix carpets are another smart choice, says Bolger, as they add the hard-wearing qualities of a synthetic to wool’s natural appeal.

Colour trends Low-key neutrals such as grey, taupe and beige provide a solid foundation for most bedroom schemes, but they’re far from your only option. “Amazing things can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and look at colours as part of your overall scheme,” says Darren Palmer, interior designer, author and Carpet Court ambassador. Step up the sophistication with slate blue or rich emerald green, suggests Wilson, or go for subtle silver, pewter or brass tones, says Sandii Malka, art director at RC&D.

adds another decorative layer to a bedroom,” he says. “The trick is understanding where, how much and which pattern. Mixing patterns can create a dynamic interior; just ensure the patterns share a common hue.”

Natural fibres If you favour a rustic look, consider natural flooring. “I love the look and feel of sisal,” says Meryl Hare, principal of design firm Hare+Klein. “Like linen, it’s a natural, undyed material that works with anything.” John McGhee, principal of The Natural Floorcovering Centres, concurs. “With their texture and visual appeal, sisal, coir and seagrass are a great choice for bedrooms. The subtle complexity of the weave offers a visual feast not available from a tufted or cut-pile carpet.” If you’re concerned about the ‘scratch factor’, opt for a soft, chunky sisal or a sisal-wool mix.

I F YO U ’ R E A F T E R S O M E T H I N G D I F F E R E N T, C O N S I D E R I N S TA L L I N G A G OAT- H A I R C A R P E T. I T ’ S C OA R S E R , M O R E H A R D -W E A R I N G A N D M O R E S TA I N - R E S I S TA N T T H A N W O O L .

“We’ve done some striking gradient designs, where the colour starts dark charcoal or deep teal on one side of the room and blends seamlessly to a lighter shade on the other.”

20 Year Residential Warranty

Easy Maintenance

Moisture Resistant

Undyed carpets Natural, undyed carpets are gaining traction, says Simon Longton, general manager at Prestige Carpets. “The beautiful organic colours in our Naturals range come straight from the sheep’s back.” They also blend beautifully with the other natural surfaces in your home.

Choosing patterns For designers such as Greg Natale, pattern is where it’s at. “A pattern can be pared back and subdued, or bold and contrasting. Using pattern on the floor

164 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Ideal installation Looks aside, you’ll want your bedroom carpet to feel super-soft underfoot.

“While longer pile certainly adds to the sense of luxury, it’s the pile weight and underlay that determine how soft a carpet feels,” says Longton.

Carpet weight is measured in ounces per square yard, and ranges from 30 ounces (from $30/m2, installed) to more than 120 ounces (from $190/m2, installed). A good-quality underlay is essential, says Mark Bramwell, sales and marketing manager at Bramwell’s Floor Coverings. “We recommend high-density foam underlay with a minimum thickness of 10mm. It might add five per cent extra to your total cost, but you’ll know it’s money well spent the moment you step on that carpet.” #

BRAND PROMOTION

Autumn love Gently roll from summer into autumn with transeasonal bedlinen and furnishings that suit the season.

Dusty pinks and soft neutrals herald the beginning of cooler weather thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just perfect for taking to bed.

Clockwise from bottom left Ceduna ottoman, $109. Otoway mineral fleck glass vase (large), $49.95. Alega flat sheet in White (queen size), $109.95. Alega european pillowcase in White, $34.95. Heathcote washed sheet set in Dusty Pink (queen size), $259.95. Sandy Cape quilt cover set in Wild Ginger and Pale Pink (queen size), $249.95/each. Marrawah cushion in Moonbeam (50x50cm) $59.95. Pillow from Redell quilt cover set in Moonbeam $299.95. Linden cushion in White/Blues (30x50cm), $59.95. Cumberland jute/wool rug in Charcoal, available mid April (160x230cm), $549. All Australian House & Garden for Myer.

See more of the new Australian House & Garden collection instore and online at www.myer.com.au

H G ADVICE

The green house

GO-TO SEED

Across Australia, scientists at seed banks are quietly working to protect our precious native plants, writes Sarah Pickette.

A

ustralia’s diverse native flora offer up all manner of weird and wonderful seeds, tucked into gnarled banksia pods or at the centre of fleshy rainforest fruits, transported by animal or air, germinating after rains or fire. “We have so many rare and distinctive plants in Australia that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, and I think we have a duty to collect their seeds so we can understand and protect them,” says Lydia Guja, seed conservation biologist at the Australian National Botanic Gardens’ National Seed Bank in Canberra. “Our native plants play some very important roles in their ecosystem; some provide food specifically for certain native animals while some are home to insects and other creatures, and others may have medicinal uses that we don’t yet understand.”

The National Seed Bank is a member of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership, which comprises 12 conservation-focused organisations that are all working towards the one goal: to collect, catalogue, conduct research on and protect Australia’s native flora.

NATIVE-INSPIRED TEXTILES

PETAL POWER Australia’s gorgeously delicate flannel flowers star on this pure linen medium-weight upholstery fabric, $90/m, No Chintz; www.nochintz.com.

‘ W E W E R E A S K E D A B O U T A P L A N T T H AT H A D B E C O M E E X T I N C T I N T H E W I L D… W E W E R E A B L E TO S E N D S E E D A N D R E V E R S E T H AT S I T UAT I O N .’ LY D I A G U J A , N AT I O N A L S E E D B A N K

“At the National Seed Bank, we’ve done a lot of work on alpine sphagnum moss, which are tiny plants with some interesting characteristics – for example, we know they provide the only habitat in which the endangered southern corroboree frog will breed,” says Guja.

As our climate changes and more alpine fires occur, these plants may struggle to survive, she says. Studies in Europe show that alpine seeds are relatively short-lived when frozen for conservation, compared to seeds from eucalypts or banksias, which Guja anticipates may be able to survive being frozen for thousands of years. “We suspect that alpine seeds, even with high-tech handling and preservation, might only last decades, and this is important to know from a conservation point of view.”

While the goals of all of Australia’s seed banks are, by their very nature, forward-looking, ‘withdrawals’ are being made even today.

“We often get requests from other researchers for seeds and from various botanic gardens looking to create interesting public displays,” says Guja. “Recently we were asked about a plant that had become extinct in the wild in WA. We were able to send over seed and # help reverse that situation.”

166 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

TAKE A LEAF The delightfully rounded leaves of the silver gum inspired the design of this screenprinted-to-order linen, from $104/m, Ink & Spindle; inkandspindle.com.

HIT PAWS This Cloth fabric from Ascraft features the rangy and very distinctive kangaroo paw. It’s a heavyweight unbleached linen, suitable for upholstery, $157/m. www.ascraft.com.au.

Property

FUTURE TENSE

Market predictions prove the crystal ball is never clear when it comes to property values, writes Harvey Grennan.

P

eople in the property-forecasting business are notorious for getting it wrong, but they really outdid themselves in 2016. The real-estate market was supposed to cool, remember?

The regulators and banks were getting tough with investors, who were pushing genuine home buyers out of the market.

Home building was at record levels, which would push up supply and dampen demand. There would be an oversupply of units, which would send prices south (this may actually happen in Melbourne and Brisbane).

But then the RBA cut interest rates again – twice.

Investors came back with a vengeance when they realised capital gains were still alive and well. The one thing that might have helped – the reform of negative gearing – became the devil incarnate for those who have the power in Canberra.

So what did happen to real-estate prices (of houses and units) in 2016?

According to the CoreLogic Home Value Index, capital-city values shot up at their fastest pace since 2009, by another 10.9 per cent (15.5 per cent in Sydney), and have almost doubled in Sydney and Melbourne since the GFC in 2008. Houses rose in price at almost twice the rate of units – so much for the experts and the regulators.

However, the picture was far from uniform across the nation. While prices rose sharply in Melbourne (13.7 per cent), Hobart (11.2 per cent) and Canberra (9.3 per cent), the resource capitals had marginal gains or went backwards.

Perth prices fell 4.3 per cent, while Brisbane managed a gain of just 3.6 per

cent and Darwin a meagre 0.9 per cent.

(Perth and Darwin did show some signs of recovery in the final quarter of 2016.)

“Capital-city growth rates have also shown a growing divergence between the broad housing product types,” says Tim Lawless, head of research at CoreLogic. “Over [2016, we saw] capital-city house values rise by 11.6 per cent, while unit values have increased by roughly half the pace at 5.9 per cent.

“The divergence in growth rates is the most distinct in Melbourne and Brisbane, where concerns around unit oversupply have eroded buyer confidence. Melbourne house values are up 15.1 per cent over the year compared with a 1.7 per cent rise in unit values, while Brisbane house values are 4 per cent higher over the year with unit values falling 0.2 per cent.”

Regional Australia has not shared in the boom, with the exception of some coastal and lifestyle areas. CoreLogic figures show median house prices in regional Victoria, Queensland and SA rose only between 0.5 and 1.1 per cent (for the 12 months to November 2016). Regional WA fell 7 per cent. Only regional NSW did reasonably well, with median prices climbing 7.3 per cent. #

Take your pick of forecasts Sydney and Melbourne house prices could rise by up to 4 per cent in 2017, while Brisbane house prices could gain 2 to 3 per cent, according to economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel. Another property guru, SQM Research, forecasts that property prices could rise by 16 per cent in Sydney and 15 per cent in Melbourne – and even more if the RBA cuts interest rates again.

Follow the journey at www.myidealhouse. com.au.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

BRAND PROMOTION

ER. E, SILV COBL

Best foot FORWARD Just Bee shoes are for the woman who demands comfort ďŹ rst. These shoes will carry you through your day with ease.

C ALIS

CYN

T

A I I, N

I, BR HY I

AV Y.

E. ONZ

.

LD

CA

LIS

AI

I, B

LA CK

.

CO

O ,G B LE

For further styles and stockist information visit www.justbee.com.au or call 1300 785 300.

Styling by Kayla Gex. Stylist’s assistant Sarah Maloney. Photograph by Will Horner. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Golden tones and tantalising textures... Autumn homewares you’ll fall for.

Den armchair with polyester upholstery, $899, Freedom. Theo oak wall unit, $1299, Domayne. Mifuko sisal and plastic basket (left), $95, Luumo. Moroccan palm-leaf tote, $40, Città. ON CHAIR from top Tie-Dye Embroidery cotton cushion, $85, Weylandts. Morgan & Finch Ticking Stitch cotton cushion, $70, Bed Bath N’ Table. Minimalist Dots cotton cushion, $95, Weylandts. ON WALL UNIT, SECOND SHELF from left Studio Arhoj Summer ceramic bowl, $56, Luumo.

Greenhouse Redstone ceramic plant pots, $20 (20cm), and $30 (25cm), Garden Life. Zakkia glass vessel, $69, Luumo. THIRD SHELF from left Silver Garden porcelain plant pot, $79, Angus & Celeste. Tear porcelain vase, $55, Mud Australia. Phendei Coco ceramic bowl, $18, The Design Hunter. Chinese wooden rice measure, $50, Few and Far. BOTTOM SHELF from left Phendei Coco ceramic bowl, $36, and Koi leather baskets, from $149 each, The Design Hunter.

ON WALL Dr Seuss print (84x59cm), $69, Hunting for George in Mossebo fibreboard frame (63x91cm), $40, Ikea.

Cool

CHANGE As summer edges into autumn, embark on some warm-up exercises for your home. It’s great for the heart.

ST Y LI N G Kayla Gex | P HOTOG R A P HY Will Horner

Holman timber shelf (122cm), $134, Pottery Barn. Vittoria Porta three-seater sofa with removable viscose-polyester-linen covers, $4055, Globe West. Rafi Peg timber stool, $149, Inartisan. Marseille side table with marble top, $120, and Bailey velvet pouf, $169, both Pillow Talk. Vittsjö steel coffee table with glass top and particleboard shelf, $80, Ikea. ARTWORKS from left Africa in Colour photographic print (51x76cm), $145, Inartisan. Mossebo fibreboard frame (61x91cm), $40, Ikea. Banksia print (A4), from $150, Hardtofind. For similar frame, try Ikea. Print, stylist’s own, in Morgan & Finch Deep Border wood frame, $50, Bed Bath N’ Table. Marble Squared 3 art print (A4), from $30, Hardtofind. Mossebo fibreboard frame (21x30cm), $10, Ikea. ON SOFA from left Regal cotton-viscose cushion, $17, Pillow Talk. Manly linen cushion, $60, Provincial Home Living. Ombre velvet cushion cover with linen reverse, $59, West Elm. ON SIDE TABLES from left Ceramic connected planter, $99, Angus & Celeste. Essentials Large Oval terracotta vase, $90, Have You Met Miss Jones. ON COFFEE TABLE clockwise from top left Artist Etch ceramic vase, $90, Have You Met Miss Jones. Avesta Cognac blown-glass vase, $110, Weylandts. Tribe seagrass basket, $49, Inartisan.

ON WALL Porter’s Eggshell Acrylic paint in Double Strength Watermark, $98/4L, Porter’s Paints. ON FLOOR Luxe Fringe cotton rug (1.2x1.8m), $220, Humidity.

r s , $ 2 0 e ac h , Be n

do.

SHOPPING H G

nd

l eh

o ld e

Recycled-wood frame (18x13cm), $30, Biome Eco Stores.

F la m

Musli

n han

e Short Luxe m

d tow el, $3

et a

l ca

50 FAB buys under $150 0, Ko skela. ve Glaze scent

an d

le

in

l rce

Dy $30 son s Go eac tonew rdo h, n A Rob are m ust er t ug s, ral ia.

ain

l, vesse $59, West Elm. frame (21.5x27cm), $49, West Elm.

Gallery polished-brass

Planet Finska hardwood kalaha game, $35, Biome Eco Stores.

ed c

po

Background painted Porter’s Eggshell Acrylic in Tumeric, $98/4L, Porter’s Paints. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

Reac ti

Chair Body Shape art print (25x20cm), $24, Hardtofind. >

Stansborough Pelt sheepskin slippers, $145, Koskela.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

171

Wherever I Lay My Hat wood wall hooks with shelf, $110, Amalfi. Rattan trunk/ laundry basket, $95, French Knot. Albero birch-ply coat rack, $100, Mocka.

ON SHELF from left Morgan & Finch glass drop vase, $6, Bed Bath N’ Table. Glacier recycled-glass bottles, $20 (2.5L), and $15 (1.5L), Maxwell & Williams. Morgan & Finch short glass bottle vase, $6, and tall glass bottle vases in Turquoise (left) and Pale Blue, $8 each, all Bed Bath N’ Table.

ON HOOKS from left Multifunction rope lead, $50, Mog & Bone. Ring Detail felt hat, $70, Country Road. Roundel seagrass tote with leather straps, $50, French Knot.

ON TRUNK Wire basket, $30, Provincial Home Living. Multicolour cotton throw, $60, Humidity. ON COAT RACK Warmest Diamond Jacquard acrylic throw, $59, West Elm. ON FLOOR from left Glacier 7.7L recycled-glass bottle, $70, Maxwell & Williams. For similar rubber boots, try Busatti. Woof Luxe stainless-steel dog bowl with stand, $38, Bendo. Cremorne leather basket, $50, Provincial Home Living.

Australian House & Garden Waratah jute rug (150cm diameter), $149, Myer.

ON WALL Porter’s Eggshell Acrylic paint in Double Strength Watermark, $98/4L, Porter’s Paints. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

172 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

SHOPPING H G aze terracotta sh

or t

- sh

o

u ld

L

kM wor in e

er v

a se , $29,

West Elm.

Gambler cotton throw (170x130cm), $130, French Knot.

Tassel leather and cotton clutch, $129, Humidity.

Enid B Gluten lyton: Five G o Fre Vincen e by Bruno t, $20, NoteM aker.

Background painted Wash & Wear 101 in Blue Cadet, $86/4L, Dulux.

Fab i pen ano B o c col il ca utiqu our se ( e l ed in ine No penc clude n roll teM ils) s 24 ake , $70 r. ,

BBBYO 750ml stainless-steel insulated food container with neoprene cover, $54, Biome Eco Stores. #

,

Leather rope dog collar, $27, Mog & Bone.

d epa not er. o r C ak ape oteM P e l Rif $15, N

Subscribe Now!

Subscribe to the digital edition of Australian House & Garden magazine for only $24.99

SAVE

56%

magshop.com.au/hgdigital

136 116 and quote X1701HGD

Terms & Conditions: Digital edition available for your iPad. Savings based on single issue digital edition price of $4.99 and single issue print edition price of $7.99.

Offer available until 04/06/2017. If you do not want your information any organisation not associated with this promotion, please indicate this clearly when you subscribe. For terms and conditions visit magshop.com.au/hpdigital and for our Privacy Notice visit bauer-media.com.au. Apple, the Apple logo and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Subscription renews unless cancelled.

SHOPPING H G

Easy update

READING NOOKS

Take over an out-of-the-way corner and transform it into your own private hideaway. Set the scene with a comfy armchair, a task light and a stack of books, then work on your ‘do not disturb’ look.

STORM SCAPE

ROSY OUTLOOK

Produced by Katrina Breen. For Where to Buy, see page 188.

BEST BUY $29

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Kissing Point lookout artwork by Holly Greenwood (86x67cm), $880, Saint Cloche. Montana MDF cabinets, from $2826, Cult. Northcote Pottery Precinct Lite Omni bowl, $20, Bunnings. Segment steel side table with plywood top, $540, Città. Haiku Housse linen-cotton upholstered armchair, $4090, Fanuli. Terrazzo polystone-concrete vase in Snow, $54, Zakkia. Ashwood ash table light, $199, Country Road.

CLOCKW WISE FROM TOP LEFT Loft oak bookcase, $995, Weylandts. Ambit spun-aluminium pendant light in Rose, $485, Lightly. Peersisk Gabbeh wool high-pile rug, $1799, Ikea. Bundi cotton cushion, $29, Schots Home Emporium Emporium. Metal Frame chair hion $29 with velvet upholstery in Dusty Blush, $999, West Elm. Palm Springs polyester ottoman, $299, Freedom. Koskela X Malcolm Greenwood stoneware cup in Concrete Grey, $35, Koskela. # AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

175

Introducing the new Gourmet Traveller Spring/Summer 2016 collection

Available from The Essential Ingredient and all good homewares stores nationally.

For all inquiries, including your nearest stockists, call (03) 9490 0600.

SHOPPING H G

9 by design

EGGCUPS 1

2

9 8 3

7

4

Styling by Sarah Maloney. Photograph by Will Horner.

6

5

1 Hand-thrown stoneware eggcup in Bendigo Blue, $10, Bendigo Pottery; www.bendigopottery.com.au. 2 Milk-glass eggcup in White, $16/pair, Vintage Collateral; vintagecollateral.etsy.com. 3 Lucie Kaas Bordfolk beech eggcup in Blue Stripes Boy, $30, Blackbird & Fox; www.blackbirdandfox. com.au. 4 Timber eggcup, $6, The Shelley Panton Store; shop.shelleypanton.com. 5 Wingnut&Co handmade ceramic eggcup, $28, In Bed Store; www.inbedstore.com. 6 Limoges porcelain eggcup in Aqua Gold Trim, $75, Francalia; www.francalia.com.au. 7 Bandjo Hen porcelain eggcup, $17, Kido Store; www.kidostore.com. 8 Teku teak eggcup, $7, Papaya; www.papaya.com.au. 9 Luna stoneware eggcup in Blue, $5, Davis & Waddell; www.davisandwaddell.com.au. # AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

177

H G SHOPPING

1

9 by design

2

5

3

4

6

7

Use a designer doormat to express your personality and set the tone and style of your home.

8

9

1 Chevron Prism iron and rope doormat (93x62cm), about $128, Anthropologie; www.anthropologie.com. 2 Doormat Designs Town Houses coir doormat (75x45cm), $80, Temple & Webster; www.templeandwebster.com.au. 3 Hello coir doormat (75x45cm), $70, French Knot; www.frenchknot.com.au.

4 Jute Cream/Blue Stripe jute doormat (90x60cm), $59, Hamptons Style; www.hamptonsstyle.com.au. 5 Chilewich Skinny Stripe vinyl indoor/outdoor doormat (91x61cm), $99, Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Kensington; www.petersofkensington.com.au. 6 Oxfords coir doormat (75x45cm), $60, Interiors Online; interiorsonline. com.au. 7 Sommar 2016 coir doormat (70x40cm), $13, Ikea; www.ikea.com.au. 8 Colour Half Spots coir doormat (75x45cm), $70, Doormats by French Knot; www.doormatsonline.com.au. 9 Madras Link Floral coir doormat (70x40cm), $13, Bunnings; www.bunnings.com.au. #

178 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Produced by Melissa Heath. Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

WELCOME MATS

Entertaining is easy...

3 FREE WORTH $120

SAVE $102 on these 12 fine wines

plus FREE DELIVERY

Australian House & Garden readers are personally invited to partake in a very special offer to help you entertain in style. Thanks to our good friends at Laithwaite’s Wine People, you can enjoy a superb collection of 12 exceptional wines and 3 FREE bottles of twice Gold-winning, 95pt Heirloom Barossa Shiraz (worth $120) – all for just $139.99. You SAVE $102. Plus enjoy FREE DELIVERY! In whites, enjoy a shimmering Marlborough Sav Blanc, rich McLaren Vale Chardonnay and crisp, elegant blend from Brown’s of Padthaway. Then indulge in a lavish Shiraz from Kilikanoon “the best of the best” (Halliday), TRIPLE Gold-winning Caravan, and deep, silky Cabernet from a 5 Red Star WA estate, oozing with black fruits, wild herbs and spice. They’re perfect for entertaining, and exceptional quality for the price. Don’t miss this!

Yours FREE

YOUR ORDER INCLUDES: 12 WINES Choose a mixed, all-red or all-whites case

WORTH $120

3 FREE BOTTLES OF HEIRLOOM BAROSSA SHIRAZ worth $120! $361.99 WORTH OF WINE FOR ONLY $139.99 - SAVE $102 FREE DELIVERY

Order now on 1300 683 446 quoting ‘2461002’ (Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm AEDT)

or visit www.winepeople.com.au/2461002 Terms and conditions: Offer available while stocks last. Valid for new customers only. Three bottles of Heirloom Vineyards Shiraz 2014 per household. Order acceptance and the contract between you and us will only be formed on the dispatch to you of the product(s) ordered. Orders not accepted (nor will wine be delivered to) persons under the age of 18 years. Most orders are fulfilled within a week but please allow up to 14 days. Unfortunately due to rising postage costs from our carriers, we are now unable to ship to the Northern Territory and we do not deliver to parcel lockers. If a wine becomes unavailable, a similar wine of greater value may be supplied. If you are unhappy with the substitute we’ll refund you. The Wine Handbook will only be sent to new customers. $102 saving is off normal retail prices of the mixed case only as provided by the wineries at time of printing. All our wines are covered by our guarantee – if you don’t like a wine for any reason Wine People will refund you and arrange to collect the wine. Please see our full Terms and Conditions of Sale available here: www.winepeople.com.au/privacy or call us on 1300 762 832. Fulfilled by Wine People Pty Ltd (licence no. 514 00724, LIQP770016550) 90 Chalk Hill Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171.

brought to you by

SHOPPING H G

Fast find

FRUIT BOWLS

There’s no hiding these dishes away, they’re meant to be on display.

Rose-Marie Hillier lists 10 fab designs that will bowl you over.

1 Alessi Trinity This iconic design by Adam Cornish for Alessi references the shells of gastropods and features laser-cut and bent stainless steel. 33cm, $210; au.amara.com.

1

6

2 Oak Fruit Bowl An ingenious design from Germany: three oiled-oak boards that fix together with magnets. 31cm, $99; www.designforuse.com.au.

3 Grid Luxe This metal vessel from Bendo will make your fruit look even more enticing. A complement to contemporary decor. 40cm, $44; www.bendo.com.au.

2

4 Stockholm Bowl Gold-finished laser-cut stainless-steel flowers form a contained grip on your precious fruit. Alone, it’s simply a beautiful object. 20cm, $25; www.ikea.com.au.

7

5 Bloom The soft contours of the cherry blossom’s form inspired designer Helle Damkjær to create this striking, polishedmirror bowl. 34cm, $245; www.georgjensen.com.au.

3

8

6 Aalto Bowl Make a still-life of your fruit on this brilliant polished stainless-steel bowl. 50.4cm, $289; www.iittala.com.au.

7 Crystal Beaded Bring a touch of the exotic to your kitchen with this dazzling Heritage India Imports’ crystal fruit bowl on a nickel stand. 26cm, $79; templeandwebster.com.au.

4

8 Coolamon Tray

9

Inspired by the indigenous coolamon vessel of the same name, this anodised-aluminium tray can double as a platter. 48cm, $175; www.top3.com.au.

9 Recycled Keys This bowl is made from recycled master keys, nickelplated together. 26cm, $40; www.shop.oxfam.org.au.

10

10 Acacia 5

Smack on trend, this hand-painted chalky-white acacia wood bowl is pure Scandi style (not suitable for serving cut fruit). 54cm, $70; www.papaya.com.au. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

181

For a cost-effective flooring solution, check out the Genero Looselay luxury vinyl range (pictured) at Choices Flooring. www.choicesflooring.com.au

The HP Envy 34-inch Curved All-in-One Desktop, $3999 at Harvey Norman, has mammoth storage capacity and exceptional connectivity. www.harveynorman.com.au

Get into bed with Freedom’s fresh line-up of sleeping beauties, and prepare to give that snooze button a serious workout. www.freedom.com.au

H&G

ESSENTIALS Sally Hansen once again proves it’s a leader in innovation with its new Color Therapy range, including nail polish, top coat, and nail and cuticle oil. au.sallyhansen.com

C R E AT E A B E A U T I F U L LIFESTYLE AND HOME WITH THESE M U S T- H AV E P R O D U C T S .

The antique brass wire shade on Domayne’s Bullet Floor Lamp, $219.95, ignites an industrial style on top of a contemporary tripod base. www.domayne.com.au

When selecting weatherboards, don’t go past Scyon Linea – they are a wonderful canvas for painting and are virtually maintenancefree. www.scyon.com.au/linea

Freedom Kitchens knows black is the new white in kitchens, and that incorporating the shade will put a modern spin on a traditional design. www.freedomkitchens.com.au

Built with individual pieces, Nick Scali’s Valeria modular can be configured to suit your needs. Adjustable headrests and armrests enhance the comfort. www.nickscali.com.au

Parisi’s Seed collection was born from the

Take control of your hearing today with Australia’s smartest hearing-aid system, from Blamey Saunders Hears. From $1415. www.blameysaunders.com.au

Creating a relaxed Scandinavian vibe in your home is easy with Royal Oak Floors’ Danish White engineered floorboards. www.royaloakfloors.com.au

idea of a seed that generates a form if fed.

Similar to a seed, it represents beauty and life. From $925. www.parisi.com.au

SHOPPING H G

Buyer’s guide

SOFAS

Most people regard it as the most important seat in the house, so the stakes are high when you’re in the market for a sofa. Georgia Madden has it covered.

A

Photograph by Maree Homer/bauersyndication.com.au.

sofa is one of the larger household investments, in terms of style and financial outlay. Everyone’s needs are different: perhaps you’re looking to breathe new life into a tired living room, accommodate an overnight guest, or simply want a soft spot to collapse at the end of the day. Whatever you’re after, two things are essential – comfort and durability.

There’s no shortage of designs on offer.

Take your pick from sleek, contemporary designs; modulars that can be configured

in any number of ways; low-slung styles; and ones with clever extras such as built-in storage and recharging stations.

While budget and looks will steer your choices, you should factor in your lifestyle too, says Jo Lawless, interior designer and director of Lawless & Meyerson. “Do you want a modern or traditional look? Will the sofa be used regularly, and by whom? Do you have small children or pets, in which case you probably wouldn’t want a white linen sofa, or is it about looking fabulous?” >

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

183

H G SHOPPING

Shape When it comes to shape, Meryl Hare, interior designer and principal of Sydney firm Hare+Klein, advises taking cues from the space itself: “We choose sofas that work best with the interior, so we may use a high-backed sofa if we are visually dividing up a space, an angled shape if it suits the floor plan, or a curved sofa for a softer look.”

prefer a more low-key look, there’s also plenty on offer, says Helio Milani, senior furniture coordinator at Harvey Norman. “Industrial and Frenchprovincial styles, and sofas with clean, modern lines, are still very current.

Darker tones of wood and fabrics in earthy shades with hints of orange are coming through.”

Colour palettes Opulence “At the 2016 European furniture shows, we saw the return of a more decorative aesthetic, which will have a major influence on trends in 2017,” says Frank Novembre, Domo’s managing director.

“Bright colours and prints are making a comeback, and the overall look is more eclectic, merging old with new and bringing individuality into a space.”

Colours are taking a dramatic turn, according to Jodi Sharp, Freedom’s head of product. “This season we’ll see an emphasis on rich oxidised metal shades and indigo blues, with accents of blush pink.” Textures are sumptuous and inviting – velvets, chenilles and intricately woven patterns – brought to life with detailing such as contrasting piping and buttons.

“ W E ’ R E S E E I N G A R E- E M E RG E N C E O F 1 9 6 0 S - I N S P I R E D D E S I G N S , S U C H A S M AT T H E W W I L L I A M S O N ’ S TA N G O S O FA F O R D U R E STA , W I T H I TS E L EGA N T, P L AY F U L C U RV E S .” F RA N K N OV E M B R E , D O M O

The sharp lines of previous years are giving way to more feminine curves, he says, which can soften a space.

Tech-friendly Companies such as King Living offer customisable sofas where hidden storage and adjustable seat and headrests are just the tip of the iceberg. “Many of our sofas can be designed with added accessories such as Smart Pockets for LED lights, swivel tables, and even integrated sound systems,” says King Living’s Triana Odone.

Upholstery fabrics For Fabio Fanuli, director at Fanuli, there is a noticeable shift in the fabrics being used. “Satin and suede appeared prominently at the 2016 Milan Furniture Fair, two materials that we haven’t seen commonly in the past.” But for those who

184 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Leather upholstery Leather remains a popular choice.

“Quality leather is long lasting and only improves with age,” says Dana Skornicki, Pacific sales & product director at Natuzzi Italia. “Cool in summer and warm in winter, it adapts to your body shape and is easy to clean.”

Designed to last A good-quality sofa will be easier to maintain and will last much longer. “Ask the retailer about the materials they use,” advises Odone. Are fabrics tested for durability? Does it have a hardwood or steel frame? What is the cushioning made from? “High-resilience and memory foam will outlast conventional cushions, while the addition of a spring structure gives you long-lasting support.

Feather overlays provide extra comfort and give a relaxed look.”

GETTING IT RIGHT Interior stylist Steve Cordony reveals his secrets to choosing a perfectly proportioned sofa. ✚ Consider the scale of the room.

A large space can accommodate more generous seating and different sofa configurations, such as modulars. ✚ Small spaces don’t necessarily require a small sofa; you may simply need to limit the number of other pieces in the room, such as armchairs and side tables. ✚ Make sure you leave enough room to move around comfortably. Measure the sofa as well as other elements in the room, such as the coffee table and armchairs. ✚ Think about how you use the space. Formal rooms suit a classic central arrangement.

In a TV room, you’ll need to position sofas towards the screen. You may also want to orient a sofa towards a view. ✚ Choose the right upholstery: hard-wearing aged leathers and removable and washable slipcovers are ideal for busy family rooms. More formal spaces allow for luxe fabrics such as velvet or light linens. ✚ Don’t forget to measure the doorway before you buy to make sure the sofa fits in your house.

GOING CUSTOM Companies such as Project82 (www.project82.com.au), Sofa & Soul (www.sofasoul.com.au) and Urban Rhythm (www. urbanrhythm.com.au) offer made-to-order sofas in classic and contemporary styles. Prices for a custom sofa at Project82 start from $2800 for a two-seater in a basic fabric to $12,000 for a four-seater leather sofa. Or, if you’re looking to give an Ikea sofa a fresh look, order a custom cover for less than $500 at Comfort Works (www.comfort-works.com) or Bemz (www.bemz.com).

Contemporary

Modular

Dahlia three-seater sofa, $2399 For a style boost without breaking the budget, this limited-edition sofa is a great option. Features include a timber frame and seat, back cushions filled with foam, feather and fibre, and poly-cotton upholstery in chic Cozy Navy.

Sophie four-seater modular sofa with ottoman, $3299 This sofa can be customised to suit different room shapes and features deep, comfortable seating, a timber frame, foam cushions, with Warwick Fabrics Prague polyester upholstery in Snow. The ottoman can be ordered with storage.

Freedom; 1300 135 588 or www.freedom.com.au.

Domayne; www.domayneonline.com.au.

Ditre Italia Lennox three-seater sofa, $7999 Elegantly angular, this Italian design is covered in high-performance polyester velvet. It has a robust steel, timber and engineered-board frame, with sumptuously soft down-wrapped foam seat and back cushions.

HC28 Bear five-seater modular sofa, $6825 Sleek, pared-back lines make this a top pick for contemporary homes. It has a solid timber and fibreboard frame, metal base and timber legs. The cushions are high-density foam and are covered in a cotton-polyester-linen-polyacrylon fabric.

Voyager Interiors; (03) 9208 0600 or www.voyagerinteriors.com.au.

Domo; (03) 9277 8888 or www.domo.com.au.

Space Fly two-seater sofa, $8950 This eye-catching Danish sofa features handy side tables to rest a drink or book. The frame is made from smoked and oiled oak, and has foam and feather cushions covered in cotton-linen fabric in Hot Madison.

Andy six-seater modular sofa, $15,313 This casual design is part of Jardan’s new Beach Collection. It’s covered in soft linen-viscose-polyester fabric in Seaspray, with foam seat cushions and down back cushions. Hardwood frame and Tasmanian-oak legs.

Greeat Dane; (03) 9699 7677 or www.greatdanefurniture.com.

Jardan; (03) 8581 4988 or www.jardan.com.au.

Erik Jorgensen Savannah two-seater sofa, $12,070 It’s the striking combination of materials that’s the big winner here: heavy saddle leather and wool-nylon upholstery are teamed with white-stained ash frame and legs. The high back offers excellent support, as does the foam cushioning.

Flexform Ettore 3.5-seater modular sofa, POA Generous, low-slung seating makes this Italian-made sofa a great choice for entertainers. It boasts a metal frame and legs, down-filled seat and back cushions, and cotton-viscose-linen upholstery in Enea.

Compact armrest blocks contrast with the plump seat cushions.

Cult; 1300 768 626 or www.cultdesign.com.au.

Fanuli; (02) 9908 2660 or www.fanuli.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

>

185

H G SHOPPING

Leather

Upholstered

Stockholm three-seater sofa, $2399 Back and seat cushions filled with high-resilience foam and fibres promise years of comfort, supported by tapered aluminium legs.

The full-grain leather upholstery, shown here in Seglona Natural, will become softer in feel and deeper in colour over time.

Furniture By Design Camille three-seater sofa, $2299 A design that would sit easily in both modern and character homes, thanks to classic details such as metal studding and rounded timber feet. It’s super comfortable, too, with feather-topped foam seat and back cushions, linen-viscose upholstery and a sturdy timber frame.

Ikea; (02) 8020 6641 or www.ikea.com.au.

Temple & Webster; www.templeandwebster.com.au.

Reo 2.5-seater sofa, from $5610 An adjustable headrest turns this model into a high-backed sofa. It is upholstered in TrueTouch leather, with pocket-sprung, high-resilience foam seating and a galvanised galvanised-steel steel frame frame. Optional extras include a platform table and Smart Pockets for adding LEDs and swivel tables.

Sherman three-seater sofa, from $3495 This sofa can be customised in a wide range of sizes, configurations and fabrics. The one shown is covered in cotton fabric in Snow. It has a timber frame, steel-sprung suspension, and feather and fibre blend seat and back cushions. Scatter cushions are included.

King Living; www.kingliving.com.au.

Sofa & Soul; (03) 9427 8555 or www.sofasoul.com.au.

Studio Memo Tempo three-seater sofa, $8150 Make a statement with this chic design in luxurious leather in Yellow. It has a timber frame, powder-coated metal legs, and feather-filled cushions with a layer of pressure-sensitive memory foam for extra comfort and support.

Bradman four-seater sofa, $5995 Good looks and comfort combine in this generous four-seater.

It’s covered in chenille-textured fabric with leather piping, and has polyester-wrapped high-density foam seat cushions, duck feather and fibre-blend back cushions, a timber frame and nickel-plated legs.

Natuzzi Italia; www.natuzzi.com.au.

Molmic; www.molmic.com.au.

Lennon three-seater sofa, $10,630 With its slender profile, this sofa is great for compact spaces. It’s upholstered in aniline leather, with a robust steel-reinforced hardwood frame. The cushions are made from feather and fibre-wrapped high-density foam.

Spencer four-seater sofa, POA If you have large numbers to seat, this generous 2.8m-long sofa is an appealing choice. It’s upholstered in Ancona poly-acrylic fabric in Aqua and has polyurethane foam and polyester fibre cushions, oak legs and a pine and plywood frame.

Project82; (02) 9519 6439 or www.project82.com.au.

Nick Scali; www.nickscali.com.au.

186 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

#

Uniquely Australian inspiration and practical advice from the pages of Australian House & Garden, homes+, r e a l l i v i n g a n d B e l l e . N o w u n d e r o n e r o o f.

four homes, one new address

H G STOCKISTS

WHERE TO BUY

Locate your nearest stockist by contacting the following suppliers.

A Aalto Colour 1800 009 600; www.aaltocolour.com Academy Tiles (02) 9436 3566; www.academytiles.com.au Adelaide Bragg & Associates (03) 9682 7969; adelaidebragg.com.au Advanced Cosmeceuticals 1800 242 011; www.advancedcosmeceuticals.com.au Alpha-H 1800 659 777; alpha-h.com Amalfi (03) 9474 1300; amalfihomewares.com.au Anchor Ceramics anchorceramics.com Angus & Celeste (03) 9752 4004; www.angusandceleste.com.au Ann Sacks www.annsacks.com Antiquarian Print Gallery (07) 3368 2637 Artedomus (02) 9557 5060; www.artedomus.com Ascraft (02) 9360 2311; ascraft.com.au Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100; www.astrawalker.com.au Aveda 1300 300 054; aveda.com.au B Bamstone (03) 5568 2655; www.bamstone.com Bauwerk Colour (08) 9433 3860; www.bauwerk.com.au Beaumont Tiles beaumont-tiles.com.au Bed Bath N’ Table (03) 8888 8100; www.bedbathntable.com.au Bendo www.bendo.com.au Biome Eco Stores 1300 301 767; www.biome.com.au Birds of Passage birdsofpassage.com.au Bisonhome www.bisonhome.com Bloomingdales Lighting (02) 8345 6888; www.bloomingdales.com.au Blupeter Homestore (08) 9433 1782; www.blupeter.com.au Boardwalk www.boardwalk.com.au BoConcept www.boconcept.com Bolon 1300 130 390; www.bolon.com.au Boral Timber 1800 818 317; www.boral.com.au/timber Bowerbird Home bowerbird-home.com Boyd Blue (07) 5527 0899; www.boydblue.com BQ Design 1800 335 361; www.bqdesign.com.au Bristol 131 686; www.bristol.com.au British Paints 132 525; www.britishpaints.com.au

Brodware Industries (02) 9421 8200; www.brodware.com.au Brownlow Interior Design (03) 9826 0062; www.brownlow.net.au Bunnings www.bunnings.com.au C Cabot’s 1800 011 006; www.cabots.com.au Cadrys (02) 9328 6144; cadrys.com.au Cassina, available from Cult 1300 768 626; www.cultdesign.com.au Caesarstone 1300 119 119; www.caesarstone.com.au Carpet Court 1300 227 738; www.carpetcourt.com.au China Seas, available from Quadrille www.quadrillefabrics.com Choices Flooring choicesflooring.com.au Città www.cittadesign.com Cool Galah (03) 9419 6800; www.coolgalah.com.au Côté Maison (02) 9698 4449; www.cotemaison.com.au Cotswold Furniture Collection 1800 677 047; cotswoldfurniture.com.au Country Road 1800 801 911; www.countryroad.com.au Covered in Paint (02) 9519 0204; www.coveredinpaint.com.au Cowtan & Tout www.cowtan.com Cromwell (03) 9510 5294; www.cromwellaustralia.com.au Crowley & Grouch Imports (02) 4862 1511; crowleyandgrouch.com Cult 1300 768 626; www.cultdesign.com.au D D & M King www.kskdesign.com.au Dedon, available from Cult 1300 768 626; www.cultdesign.com.au D.I.G. 0419 724 676; www.dig.net.au Dana Dion www.danadion.com Designer Rugs 1300 802 561; www.designerrugs.com.au Designers Guild designersguild.net.au Di Lorenzo Tiles (02) 9698 8737; www.dilorenzo.net.au Domayne www.domayneonline.com.au Domestic Textile Corporation 1800 177 170; domestictextile.com.au Domo (03) 9277 8888; domo.com.au Dulux 132 525; www.dulux.com.au E Eadie Lifestyle (02) 4969 8998; www.eadielifestyle.com.au

Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413; www.ecooutdoor.com.au Ecolour 1300 326 568; www.naturecoverpaints.com.au Eichholtz www.eichholtz.com Electrolux 1300 366 366; www.electrolux.com.au Elevate Design 0413 637 385; www.elevatedesign.com.au Elizabeth Hamilton, available from Tigger Hall Design (03) 9510 2255; www.tiggerhall.com Elliott Clarke 1300 355 468; www.elliottclarke.com.au Emac & Lawton (02) 9517 4455; www.emac-lawton.com.au Essastone www.essastone.com.au Euroluce (02) 9356 9900; www.euroluce.com.au F Fanuli (02) 9908 2660; www.fanuli.com.au Felt Ball Rug www.feltballrug.com.au Fermob, available from Cafe Culture+Insitu (02) 9699 8577; cafecultureinsitu.com.au Festoni www.festoni.com.au Few and Far (02) 4441 8244; www.fewandfar.com.au Fibonacci Stone fibonaccistone.com.au Floors Natural (08) 9388 3591; www.floorsnatural.com.au Freedom 1300 135 588; freedom.com.au French Knot (02) 9146 4720; www.frenchknot.com.au G Garden Life (02) 8399 0666; www.gardenlife.com.au Gervasoni, available from Anibou (02) 9319 0655; www.anibou.com.au Globe West 1800 722 366; www.globewest.com.au Godfrey Hirst Carpets 1800 630 401; www.godfreyhirst.com Grandfathers Axe www.grandfathersaxe.com.au Grandiflora (02) 9357 7902; grandiflora.net Grassman 1300 472 776; www.grassman.com.au Great Dane (03) 9699 7677; greatdanefurniture.com Greenhouse Interiors www.greenhouseinteriors.com.au

Grohe 1300 364 748; www.argentaust.com.au H Hali Handmade Rugs 1300 131 120; www.hali.com.au HardieDeck www.hardiedeck.com.au Hardtofind www.hardtofind.com.au Have You Met Miss Jones (02) 9310 7277; jonesandco.com.au Haymes Paint 1800 033 431; www.haymespaint.com.au Heatherly Design Bedheads (03) 5772 2089; heatherlydesign.com.au Horgans (02) 9557 7800; www.horgans.com.au Hub Furniture (03) 9652 1222; www.hubfurniture.com.au Humidity www.humiditydesign.com.au Hunting for George www.huntingforgeorge.com I Ikea (02) 8020 6641; www.ikea.com.au Imagine This (02) 9327 6713; www.imagine-this.com.au In The Sac (02) 8323 5789; www.inthesac.com.au Inartisan 0401 818 157; inartisan.com Incy Interiors 1300 942 050; www.incyinteriors.com.au InDesign WA (08) 9380 6379; www.in-designwa.com.au Inspirations Paint 1300 368 325; www.inspirationspaint.com.au Instyle (02) 9317 0222; www.instyle. com.au Intergrain 1800 630 285; www.intergrain.com.au International Floorcoverings 1800 339 379; www.interfloors.com.au ISM Objects 1300 888 646; www.ismobjects.com.au J James Said (08) 6180 3615; www.jamessaid.com.au JamFactory (08) 8410 0727; www.jamfactory.com.au Jardan (03) 8581 4988; www.jardan.com.au Jergens, available from Priceline www.priceline.com.au Jordan Baker www.facebook.com/ jordanbaker6011 K Kaz Morton Ceramics kazmorton. com.au Koskela (02) 9280 0999; koskela.com.au

Love your home? J O I N T H E C L U B.

Kravet, available from Elliott Clarke 1300 355 468; www.elliottclarke.com.au Kristalia, available from Fanuli (02) 9908 2660; www.fanuli.com.au L Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com Laura Kincade (02) 9667 4415; www.laurakincade.com Lightly (03) 9417 2440; www.lightly.com.au Lime St Projects 1300 797 456; www.limestreet.com.au Lincoln Brooks (02) 4957 2908; naturallycane.com.au Luumo luumodesign.com M Marta Sala Editions www.martasalaeditions.it M2 Tiles (08) 9384 7777; www.m2tiles.com.au Madeline Weinrib madelineweinrib.com Magins (02) 9958 1766; www.magins.com.au Magnolia Interiors (07) 3252 0805; www.magnoliainteriors.com.au Mandalay Flowers (02) 9362 5000; www.mandalayflowers.com.au Manly Vale Antiques www.manlyantiquecentre.com.au Manuel Canovas, available from Domus Textiles domustextiles.com.au Martyn Lawrence Bullard, available from Tigger Hall Design (03) 9510 2255; www.tiggerhall.com Maxwell & Williams (03) 9318 0466; www.maxwellandwilliams.com.au Mediterranean Markets (03) 9427 1988; www.mediterraneanmarkets.com.au Menu www.menu.as Mocka www.mocka.com.au ModWood www.modwood.com.au Mog & Bone (08) 9382 8805; www.mogandbone.com.au Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading (02) 8332 6999; motherofpearl.com Mr Carpet www.mrcarpet.com.au Mud Australia (02) 9569 8181; www.mudaustralia.com Murobond Paint 1800 199 299; www.murobond.com.au Myer 1800 811 611; www.myer.com.au N Natural Floorcoverings Australia www.naturalfloorcoverings.com.au

Navurban, available from New Age Veneers (02) 9457 9622; www.newageveneers.com.au Nick Leary www.nickleary.com Nivea 1800 103 023; www.nivea.com.au NoteMaker (03) 9314 4304; notemaker.com.au O Old World Tiles (07) 3289 1434; www.oldworldtiles.com.au Orient House (02) 9660 3895; www.orienthouse.com.au Outrigger Awnings (02) 9905 8473; www.outriggerawnings.com.au P Paint Place 1800 008 007; www.paintplace.com.au Palace Trader www.palacetrader.com Papaya (02) 9386 9980; www.papaya.com.au Parterre (02) 9363 5874; www.parterre.com.au Peter Dunham Textiles www.peterdunhamtextiles.com Pigott’s Store (02) 9362 8119; www.pigotts.com.au Pillow Talk 1800 630 690; www.pillowtalk.com.au Poho Flowers (02) 9331 4333; pohoflowers.com.au Pop & Scott www.popandscott.com Porter’s Paints 1800 656 664; www.porterspaints.com Portobello Home portobellohome.net Pottery Barn 1800 232 914; www.potterybarn.com.au Preference Floors www.preferencefloors. com.au Premier Carpets (02) 9310 4455; premiercarpets.com.au Prodigg 1300 132 514; www.prodigg.com.au Provincial Home Living 1300 732 258; www.provincialhomeliving.com.au Q Quadrille www.quadrillefabrics.com Quatro Design (02) 6672 1190; www.quatrodesign.com.au R Radford 1300 692 393; www.radfordfurnishings.com.au Reece 1800 032 566; reece.com.au Remedy (08) 9431 7080; www.remedyonline.net.au Resene 1800 738 383; resene.com.au

Richard Ellis Design (03) 9489 7654; www.richardellisdesign.com.au Riedel (02) 9966 0033; www.riedelglass.com.au Robert Gordon Australia (03) 5941 3144; www.robertgordonaustralia.com Robert Plumb (02) 9316 9066; www.robertplumb.com.au Rose St Trading Co (03) 9822 9444; www.rosesttradingco.com.au S Saint Cloche 0434 274 251; www.saintcloche.com Scandinavian Design Center www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com Schots Home Emporium www.schots.com.au Schumacher www.fschumacher.com Seneca Textiles (03) 9509 4999; www.senecatextiles.com Sikkens 1300 745 536; tenaru.com.au Solomons Flooring 1800 765 666; www.solomons.com.au Solver Paints (08) 8368 1200; www.solverpaints.com.au Space (02) 8339 7588; www.spacefurniture.com.au Spotlight 1300 305 405; www.spotlight.com.au Studio Henry Wilson www.henrywilson.com.au Sunbrella www.sunbrella.com Susan Manford Contemporary Art 0408 688 002; smanford@bigpond. net.au T Tait (03) 9419 7484; www.madebytait.com.au Taubmans 131 686; www.taubmans.com.au Tektura www.tektura.com The Brass Shop Magins (07) 3369 7179; www.thebrassshopmagins.com.au The Corner Store www.cornerstore.net.au The Design Hunter (02) 9369 3322; www.thedesignhunter.com.au The English Tapware Company 1300 016 181; www.englishtapware.com.au The Rug Company www.therugcompany.info

The Shelley Panton Store www.shop.shelleypanton.com The Wall Collective www.thewallcollective.com.au Thibaut, available from Boyac (03) 9429 5455; www.boyac.com.au Tigger Hall Design (03) 9510 2255; www.tiggerhall.com Tile Boutique www.tileboutique.com.au Tile Smart 1300 449 704; www.tilesmart.com.au Toiles de Mayenne www.toiles-de-mayenne.com Tokenlights www.tokenlights.com Tongue+Groove (03) 9416 0349; www.tongueandgroove.com.au Tuck Plumbing Fixtures (08) 9444 7988; www.tuckplumbtec.com.au U Unique Fabrics 1800 145 855; www.uniquefabrics.com V Victoria’s Basement (02) 9261 2674; www.victoriasbasement.com.au Villa Nova, available from Marco Fabrics (03) 9882 7238; www. marcofabrics.com.au W Wattyl 132 101; www.wattyl.com.au Weleda www.weleda.com.au West Elm 1800 239 516; www.westelm.com.au Weylandts 1300 880 149; www.weylandts.com.au WonkiWare, available from African Trading Port www. africantradingport.com.au X Xavier Furniture (07) 3806 5370; www.xavierfurniture.com.au Y Young Vessels+Objects 0402 971 999; www.youngvesselsandobjects.com Z Zakkia zakkia.com.au Zuster (03) 9427 7188; zuster.com.au

FROM PAGES 46-47 from left Artworks by Joerg Dressler, Robert Lawson, SHGE, Lancelot, Lancelot.

FROM PAGE 48 bottom Cliff Raessler.

FROM PAGE 49 from left Robert CL, Gregory Brooks, Bails Myocum, Gregory Brooks. FROM PAGE 50 Marc Hill.

PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of Australian House & Garden magazine is published by Bauer Media Pty Ltd (Bauer). Bauer may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Bauer publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is located at www.bauer-media.com.au/privacy. It also sets out on how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. Bauer may disclose your personal information offshore to its owners, joint venture partners, service providers and agents located throughout the world, including in New Zealand, USA, the Philippines and the European Union. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers, being offers, competitions or surveys. Reader Offers may require you to provide personal information to enter or to take part.

Personal information collected for Reader Offers may be disclosed by us to service providers assisting Bauer in the conduct of the Reader Offer and to other organisations providing special prizes or offers that are part of the Reader Offer. An opt-out choice is provided with a Reader Offer. Unless you exercise that opt-out choice, personal information collected for Reader Offers may also be disclosed by us to other organisations for use by them to inform you about other products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use this information for this purpose. If you require further information, please contact Bauer’s Privacy Officer either by email at privacyofficer@bauer-media.com.au or mail at Privacy Officer Bauer Media Pty Ltd, 54 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Our myfreedom members enjoy exclusive year round rewards like: 15% off full priced $50 credit on FREE in store consultation with a items every day your birthday freedom interior decorator, plus more All for just $99 for a 2 year membership. Join in store or online at freedom.com.au

Life’s a bleach Displays of grace, amazing strength and other fantastic feats are de rigeur at the Bleach Festival, March 31 to April 6. This exciting event, at various venues on Queensland’s Gold Coast, showcases a multitude of performance and visual arts, including cutting-edge music, theatre, cabaret and circus acts. www.bleachfestival.com.au.

WHAT’S ON

F E S T I VA L S G A L O R E

1

N

I

Natural beauties An enchanting legacy of Australian colonial history, the botanical artworks of Helena and Harriet Scott are the subject of Transformations, a new exhibition at Sydney’s Australian Museum. To mark the occasion, a 2017 calendar featuring exquisite watercolours from the Scott archives has been issued. $25; australianmuseum.net.au.

B R U S H U P LEANNE THOMAS’ OIL PAINTINGS ARE CHARACTERISED BY EXQUISITE FORMS, A DREAMILY SOFT COLOUR PALETTE AND TACTILE SENSE OF IMMEDIACY – YOU CAN ALMOST BREATHE IN THE PERFUME OF HER FLORAL SUBJECTS. A LOVE OF CLASSICAL ART, NATURE AND THE SUBLIME INFORMS THIS SYDNEY ARTIST’S AESTHETIC SENSIBILITY. SEE MORE OF HER LUSCIOUS WORK AT WWW.LEANNETHOMAS.COM.AU.

2

Until May 30, Fairhall, the heritage exhibition space of Melbourne’s Johnston Collection museum, will be transformed into a domestic interior from a gilded age. Being Modern, a restaging of the first public exhibition held at the museum back in 1990, presents a rich showcase of Georgian, Regency and Louis XV fine and decorative arts, featuring more than 1300 objects from the archives. www.johnston collection.org.

3

This year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a 10-day feast, running from March 31 to April 9. Don’t miss the River Graze, a 1km-long array of chefs, producers, winemakers and food trucks stretching along the Yarra Promenade. It’s a perfect family afternoon out. www.melbourne foodandwine.com.au.

Text by Laura Barry. Photography by Sean Young (Bleach Festival).

show & tell

If rare and unusual botanicals float your boat, make a beeline for The Collector’s Plant Fair, to be held at the Hawkesbury Race Club in Clarendon, NSW. More than 70 growers and specialist nurseries will have plants on display and for sale.

April 8-9, 8am-4pm, $15 entry. www.collectorsplantfair.com.au.

COMMUNITY H G

THE BOOK NOOK

1 Young masters Jellybeanstreet has a sweet modus operandi: transforming finger-paintings into dazzling prints to support children’s charities.

Either take your little one along to one of the company’s art workshops or submit a pic online and a graphic designer will work their painting into a masterpiece. Designs then go into Jellybeanstreet’s online gallery; 60 per cent of profits from sales of these goes to charity or can be split between your budding Picasso and the charity of their choice. www.jellybeanstreet.com.

D O G DAY S February’s Pets column really

struck a chord with reader Maurice Rooney of Victoria. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed Here’s Jack,” he says. “At 95, with failing eyesight, I have many hours to thinkw of the happy times when we lived in Africa and our family always had a feisty, lovable Jack Russell.

Enclosed is a picture of our last dog [right], Daniel Pumpkin. It’s true what they say: you don’t own a Jack Russell, they own you.”

Stay i n to uc h

We love hearing from readers, so share your news and views.

Call (02) 9282 8456, send an email to h&g@bauer-media.com.au or post a letter to Australian House & Garden, GPO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028.

To subscribe to the digital edition of H&G, visit magshop.com.au/hgn. Subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/2dplmX2 for weekly news and inspiration. And head to homestolove.com.au/houseandgarden for fab home tours, gardens and galleries.

Acquacotta is worth its weight in gold as both a cookbook and a travel journal. Take a journey along the Silver Coast of southern Tuscany ith Australian-born writer and photographer Emiko Davies as she discovers her Italian family’s recipes, sourced from ancient towns such as Capalbio, Monte Argentario and Pitigliano. $49.99, Hardie Grant.

Breakfast Bowls by Caroline Griffiths offers a delicious morning recipe for every week of the year. From carrot cake and muffin-inspired bowls to traditional yoghurt and toasted muesli, these straightforward, healthy recipes cater to all, including vegetarians, vegans and the gluten-intolerant. $29.99, Smith Street Books.

3

Erin Gleeson’s menus in The Forest Feast Gatherings are easy to achieve and absolutely delicious. A gorgeous collection of vegetarian recipes that would be perfect for fuss-free brunches, luncheons and dinners, this volume is also dotted with crafty tips for setting up and decorating a suave soiree. $49.99, Abrams.

O P E N I N G PAG E S Author Sarah Armstrong, who writes so movingly about a country cottage in On Home this month (page 73), offers her picks for more great reading: ✚ Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain ($29.99, Scribe) ✚ Position Doubtful by Kim Mahood ($29.99, Scribe) ✚ Storm and Grace by Kathryn Heyman ($29.99, Allen & Unwin)

✚ The Last Garden by Eva Hornung ($29.99, Text – to be published in May 2017). ✚ Only: A Singular Memoir

by Caroline Baum ($32.99, Allen & Unwin). #

Share in our home and garden finds: Facebook facebook.com/australianhouseandgarden Instagram @houseandgarden Pinterest pinterest.com/housengarden AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

191

Editorial

LITTLE GEMS: GARDEN SPECIAL 100% AUSTRALIAN HOMES

Editor in chief Lisa Green

All Australian House & Garden enquiries: (02) 9282 8456

Advertising & production NSW & Queensland sales director Jo Clasby Victoria, SA & WA sales director Jaclyn Clements Director of brands & categories Jane Serember (02) 9282 8727 Group brand manager Abby Cohen (02) 9282 6587 Brand manager Rhyl Heavener (02) 9338 6103 Brand executive Emily Whelan (02) 8263 6293 NSW head of direct sales Brigitte Guerin (02) 9282 8249 Victoria head of direct sales Christine Lester (03) 9823 6382 Queensland head of sales Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 SA sales manager Jo Moroney (08) 8267 5032 WA sales manager Chris Eyres (08) 6160 8964 New Zealand enquiries +61 2 9282 8505 General manager – production services Ian McHutchison Production planner Rosanna Quinzon Title controller Rachel Rae Advertising production controller Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691

Marketing & circulation Circulation manager Thomas Dang Circulation analyst Derek Chan Group subscriptions marketing manager Kit Wilson Subscriptions campaign manager Thea Mahony

Subscription sales & enquiries Magshop, GPO Box 5252, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Phone 136 116 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm AEDST) Web www.magshop.com.au

50 inviting

Rest assured

pages of

homes

STYLISH IDEAS FOR BEDROOMS SOFA SO GOOD!

Best of the best

AUTUMN BUYS

under $150

Hop

into our Easter brunch

Decorator PR NT POST 00007368

Creative director Melissa Heath Deputy editor/travel John McDonald Senior features editor Elizabeth Wilson Features Sarah Pickette Gardening Helen Young Interiors/houses Kate Nixon Senior stylist Ashley Pratt Market editor Kayla Gex Assistant stylist Sarah Maloney Art director Katrina Breen Senior designer Shayne Burton Designer Katlyn Macdonald Acting chief subeditor/production Tamarah Pienaar Subeditor/writer Rosa Senese Editorial assistant Laura Barry Western Australia editor Anna Flanders 0410 551 048 Contributors Sarah Armstrong, Mike Baker, Jeremy Blode, Angelita Bonetti, Toni Briggs, Nicholas Calcott, Philippe Charleut, Lisa Cohen, Thomas Dalhoff, Tom Ferguson, Christine Francis, Paula Goodyer, Deborah Grant, Harvey Grennan, Armelle Habib, Rose-Marie Hillier, Maree Homer, Will Horner, Natalie Hunfalvey, Tessa Kavanagh, Elisabeth King, Andrew Lloyd, Katherine Lu, Georgia Madden, Toni Paterson, Chris Pearson, Tatjana Plitt, John Paul Urizar, Natalie Walton, Chris Warnes, Nicholas Watt, Bo Wong, Sarah Wormwell, Sean Young

On our cover

DETAILS

IT’S TIME TO EMBRACE COLOUR & MOOD

Tis the season to explore colour and mood in your home and whether it’s the bedroom or the living room, a knockout artwork is a great starting point. Artist Craig Waddell’s The Heartbeat of Silver Light is central to our cover setting this month. To read more about the piece, see Botanica on page 194. Styling by Ashley Pratt.

Photograph by Maree Homer.

Bauer Media Corporate Chief Executive Officer Nick Chan Chief Financial Officer Andrew Stedwell General manager – homes & food Cornelia Schulze Director of sales Fiorella Di Santo National sales manager – retail sales Julie Green General manager – distribution & circulation Steve Bolger Group general manager – Magshop & content services David James Research director Justin Stone Commercial analyst Marisa Spasich Syndications syndication@bauer-media.com.au Published by Bauer Media Group (ABN 053 273 546), 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. The trademark AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN is the property of Bauer Media Pty Ltd and is used under licence. © 2017. All rights reserved. Printed by PMP Moorebank, 31-37 Heathcote Rd, Moorebank, NSW 2170. National distribution by Gordon and Gotch Australia Pty Ltd. 1300 650 666. ISSN 0004-931X. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holders. Bauer Media Pty Ltd does not accept responsibility for damage to or loss of freelance material submitted for publication. Allow several weeks for acceptance or return. For enquiries regarding subscriptions, call 136 116 MondayFriday 8am-6pm AEDST or fax (02) 9267 4363 (24 hours) or mail letters to: Australian House & Garden, Reply Paid 3508, Sydney, NSW 2001 or subscribe online at magshop.com.au/hg. Subscription rate*: Australia $79.99 (one year, 12 issues); NZ A$110 (one year, 12 issues); other countries A$140 (one year, 12 issues). All overseas subscriptions sent air speed. *Recommended price, Australian House & Garden.

Styling by Kayla Gex. Photograph by by John Paul Urizar.

next month RENOVATION SPECIAL ✚ Mother’s Day gift ideas & fabulous cakes ✚ Buyer’s guide to laundry appliances ✚ Living room love!

Inspiration lives here…

On sale April 3

H G BOTANICA

KEEPS T

he life-affirming power of flowers is a driving force for Sydney artist Craig Waddell, whose sumptuous painting The Heartbeat of Silver Light (above) stars on our front cover this month.

The 2x1.8m oil on linen depicts dahlias, peonies, chocolate cosmos and roses in sensuous swirls of thick paint. But naming the blooms isn’t the important thing. “I just love looking at the forms and arranging them in beautiful compositions,” says Craig.

194 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

This work was part of a 2016 exhibition titled Into The Skin, held at Melbourne’s Nicholas Thomson Gallery. The show was a sell-out, but this piece was not for sale: Craig realised he couldn’t part with it, so gifted it to his wife, Jessie. It now hangs in their home, a warehouse conversion in Sydney’s inner west. “It greets us as we walk in the door.” # Craig Waddell; www.craigwaddell.com or @craigwaddellartist.

Text by Elizabeth Wilson.

For

Main image and 1 photography John Gollings

THE COLOURS OF AUSTRALIA SINCE 1966. COLORBOND steel is a familiar sight around our homes and yards, but there are many larger buildings that incorporate COLORBOND steel into their designs too, such as Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Science and Senior Years Centre. Inspired by a volcanic rock called a ‘thunder egg’, the design uses COLORBOND steel in the colour Monument for its outer skin to ensure that the building fits well in its surroundings and to contrast with the wonderland of colours inside. McBride Charles Ryan architect, Debbie Ryan, said ‘COLORBOND steel helped us out enormously – the cost was reasonable, the material is efficient and it looks beautiful’.

Visit COLORBOND.COM to find out more.

1

Photog credits, see colorbond.com/photog. COLORBOND , Monument , The Colours of Australia Since 1966 , BlueScope and the BlueScope brand mark are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited. Phone 1800 022 999. 2017 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058.

All rights reserved. 19175.AHG.0417