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I

t’s the little things…

This issue, we turn our attention to small spaces – and how to make them work efficiently while still being lovely to live in. So many of us have space issues at home – if not in your entire house – maybe you’ve got one particular little room that’s proving tricky to make work. Mine is my bathroom, where minimalism has won a hard victory over my natural tendency toward beauty product hoarding.

One thing I have learnt is that storage is the key, something that Sydneybased interior designer Lara Ette knows well, as she’s an expert in transforming small residential spaces into great family rooms. Read our full conversation on her design approach to small spaces on page 30.

We also went straight to three design experts to showcase their personal storage solutions at home and at work... who doesn’t love a peek into other people’s pantries, walk-in wardrobes and work spaces?

But the real inspiration for clever design in small spaces would be our excellent houses edit this issue, with six fantastic, well-thought out projects that call on all the powers of spatial design, colour and light to make the most of every inch.

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Eliza O’Hare EDITOR / FOLLOW ME @ELIZA_OH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Inside Out acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the place we now call Sydney, where this magazine is published. Inside Out also pays respects to Elders past and present.

INSIDE OUT | 7

MOST TA P P E D THIS MONTH

EDITORIAL EDITOR Eliza O’Hare CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mia Daminato DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Hassett HOMES GROUP COORDINATOR Annika Baker ART & STYLE ART DIRECTORS Paloma Garay, Judie Siu

DESIGNER/RETOUCHER Matus Kundrat STYLIST Corina Koch STYLE ASSISTANT Kate Lincoln FEATURES & COPY SENIOR COPY EDITOR Deborah Grant COPY EDITORS Laura Barry, Matilda Ringrose HOMES GROUP CHIEF COPY EDITOR Sarah Pickette HOMES GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR Tamarah Pienaar THANKS TO

Darren Christison, Stephanie Hope ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION GROUP CATEGORY MANAGER, HOMES & SPECIALIST Rhyl Heavener (02) 8114 9420 BRAND EXECUTIVE Amelia Paterson (02) 9282 8038 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Kate Orsborn (02) 9282 8364 SALES DIRECTOR — NSW, VIC, WA, SA Karen Holmes (02) 9282 8733 VICTORIA HEAD OF DIRECT SALES Demi Martello (03) 9823 6368 QUEENSLAND HEAD OF SALES Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING Rebecca White (02) 9282 8273 NEW ZEALAND ENQUIRIES +61 2 9282 8505 PRODUCTION PLANNER Kara Stead ADVERTISING PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691 SENIOR EVENT MANAGER Cate Gazal (02) 8226 9342

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This high-spec Victorian house pipped others to the post as everyone’s thoughts turned to outdoor living and entertaining. See it and many more beautiful homes on our Instagram

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contents

February 2022

the cut 13

THE CUT A tiny eco-aware house on the Victorian coast

14

NEWS The latest designs and finds you need to know about

16

TREND COLOUR We’re peachy keen on this month’s hues

19

TREND STYLE Modern industrial stays soldered on

inside: homes & renovation 54 GOING TO TOWN Despite having just 105 square metres to play

64

20 BEST BUYS Decorative candles with pure scents appeal 22 30 34 38

44

46 48

STORAGE TALES Three creative women on the hardest-working

spaces in their homes and how they organise them IN CONVERSATION WITH Inside Out editor Eliza O’Hare discusses spatial design with interior designer Lara Ette DESIGN PROFILE: ROBERT GORDON POTTERY Robert Gordon’s new range comes fresh from solar-powered electric kilns FUTURE CLASSICS Good Australian art shouldn’t send you broke. There’s plenty of creative energy out there and so we’ve profiled 10 emerging artists to invest in now SUSTAINABILITY SNAPSHOT: BRICKWORKS The Australian company’s carbon-neutral program is another winner, and its commitment to innovation is stronger than ever HOT PIECE The Hammock woven sunlounger by Paola Lenti THE RIGHT SOURCE A new wave of design talent is turning end-use rubbish into living-room-ready art and furniture

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90 102 110 112 118

with, a Sydney family of four took their townhouse to another level, with plenty of room to both congregate and separate DOUBLE UP Meet the Sydney couple who bought into a ramshackle, four-storey terrace house and overcame reams of red tape to have two homes for the price of one THINKING BIG A tiny ground-floor unit has been given houselike chutzpah by a Melbourne designer who knew the secret to its success was lurking in a barely used courtyard COLOUR CORRECTION Two Brisbane doctors reveal the cure for their bland inner-city apartment — extra doses of colour in the furniture and wallpapers, all carefully chosen by an expert MODERN HERSTORY A building designer puts her expertise in preserving architecture to the test at home in Copenhagen WAIT & SEA It was a group effort for the three designers working on this home in NSW, but the results are truly impressive I’VE ALWAYS WANTED A... HOME LIBRARY Read all about it THE GREAT COVER-UP Shannon Vos shows how to update just about any space with surface treatments KITCHEN NEWS Beautiful homewares and elevated essentials

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22 16 This month February is all about style at scale. We go into the minutiae of tiny yet perfectly formed spaces and all the design possibilities for homes on the small side

out: gardens, food & leisure 122 WHY OUTDOOR LIVING IS EASY How to unleash the potentiaI

134

of your garden, courtyard or terrace 126 ROCK STEADY In the Melbourne suburbs is a four-year-old garden that looks like it’s been established for decades 134 OUR HOME BY THE RIVER Jimmy and Jane Barnes throw open the doors to their grand house in NSW 144 ASK AN EXPERT Stylish solutions to your design dilemmas

regulars 36 SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Receive a Robert Gordon Pottery jug 146 LAST WORD Thonet fans are in for a TON of fun

on the cover 22 38 53 102 112 134

Chic & Sorted: Three Storage Experts On The Ultimate Office, Wardrobe & Pantry Affordable Art To Buy Now 57 Pages Of Pint-Sized Projects Neat, Sweet & Petite: Big Dreams For Small Spaces The Beginner’s Guide To Cladding: All New Inside And Out In The Kitchen With Jimmy Barnes: His Favourite Family Recipes

cover look As a building designer involved in the preservation of Copenhagen’s historical buildings, Freja Bak Petersen knew what lay ahead of her in the overhaul of her heritagelisted apartment. With a limited budget but lots of great ideas, she and her partner kept to the rules without compromising their design — and if they couldn’t find it, they built it! Discover more on page 90.

Photography: Christina Kayser O Styling: Rikke Graff Juel

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DESIGN | SHOP | PLACES | PEOPLE | SPACES

THE CUT

off-grid getaway Set on an idyllic 25-hectare olive plantation 90 minutes’ from the Melbourne CBD sits a diminutive dwelling waiting to take you away from it all. Located in the grounds of The Grove restaurant and winery and overlooking Western Port Bay, Little Sprout is Tiny Away’s latest ecotourism property.

At just under 15 square metres, guests are invited to switch off and settle in, with a kitchenette, queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom, air-con and heating. Nearby are other wineries, cafes and a number of sightseeing spots. tinyaway.com

THE CUT COMPILED BY ELIZA O’HARE

HAPPY DAYS

HO M E SWE E T HO M E Harmony was the driving force behind Net-A-Porter’s latest homewares sensation, a collaboration between Danish designers Raawii and Omar Sosa, who co-founded Spanish interiors magazine Apartamento. They’ve translated rich tones inspired by the natural world into stackable earthenware priced from $86. Pictured are the Omar vase in Yellow, Omar bowl in Blue and Omar carafe in Pink. NET-A-PORTER.COM/EN-AU

STYLE MOMENT

DARLING CLEMENTINE Hit the stores or shores this summer with a Clementine & Co market basket on your arm. Measuring 50cm x 36cm, there’s stacks of carrying capacity plus a choice of five Liberty floral-print scarves to go with them. Priced at $115.95.

CLEMENTINEANDCO.COM.AU

highland life All roads are leading to Bundanoon in the NSW Southern Highlands and a sojourn at Osborn House, a recently opened boutique hotel. With accommodation options ranging from luxurious suites to more casual cabins, all by designer Linda Boronkay, you can see why. Rates start at $660 per night. OSBORNHOUSE.COM.AU

LEADER OF THE PACKS It’s back-to-school time and our thoughts have turned to... backpacks. The gorgeous Mini Kyomo recycled polyester bags

by Antipoda Co come in a range of four cool colours. Shown are the Cinnamon Roll (left) and Bubblegum designs, priced at $139 for small and $154 for big. ANTIPODA.CO

end game Part of The Terminus gastropub in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy, Cinder restaurant is a venue for any occasion. Nestled within 150-year-old bluestone walls, food is served from 11.30am.

TERMINUS.COM.AU/CINDER

DOWN TO E ARTH Cisco & The Sun’s latest collection, Modern Essentials, follows the brand’s ethos of sustainable ceramics. Each item is crafted by Cambodian artisans, with the clay formed and fired using a mix of traditional methods.

Shown (from left) are the Bisma and Sayan vases, both $68, and Flores bowl, $42. CISCOANDTHESUNHOME.COM

RUFFING IT

kyah love A six-month renovation guided by MKD Architects has made the Kyah Boutique Hotel at Blackheath the ideal base for a relaxing trip through the NSW Blue Mountains. Rates start at $220 per night, so get in quick. THEKYAH.COM.AU

Fashion whiz Julia Hemingway and accessories expert Jess Bezzina have created Pooch & Hound, a range of cute canine collars, leads, bandanas, bow-ties and waste bags in a variety of prints. Models Jeff (left) and Kora show off the Abstract cotton/linen bandana, $20 (available in three sizes); the matching waste bag is also $20.

POOCHANDHOUND.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: DYLAN KINDERMANN (CINDER), STEVEN WOODBURN (KYAH)

BE E ’ S K N E E S You could use this beautiful Belgian linen tote from House Of Heras for a ritzy shopping trip, but you could also hang it up on a hook as a decorative piece. At 47cm x 47cm, the versatile Bees Knees bag is large enough for a variety of purposes, and there are more items in the range, starting from $115. HOUSEOFHERAS.COM

PLANT PARTY TO MAKE COCKTAILS EVEN MORE EFFORTLESS, THE PLANT MAIL AND THE BOTANIST GIN HAVE UNVEILED A PLANT BOX SOLD WITH A 200ML BOTTLE OF GIN AND A ROSEMARY POT FOR $104.

THEPLANTMAIL.COM.AU

INSIDE OUT | 15

THE CUT

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TREND COLOUR

peach

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Blending warm orange and elegant pink gives us the fruit tingles 9

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1 & 2 Dulux Wash&Wear low-sheen paints in Fuzzy Peach and Poised Peach, both $97.10 per 4L, Bunnings. 3 Stone Fruit Shadows print, $149, Whitney Spicer.

4 Havana vase in Peach, $120, Kas. 5 Glass flower vase in Peach, $89, House Of Orange. 6 AGO ‘Cirkus’ wall lamp in Terracotta, $218, Finnish Design Shop.

7 Check beach towel in Peach, $120, Em On Holiday. 8 The Midi locker in Blush, $499, Mustard Made. 9 Pedrali ‘Buddy 212s’ chair, from $1521, James Richardson Furniture. 10 Northern ‘Nest’ wall hook in Pink, $131, RJ Living. 11 Framed Relief 3D art panel in Peach, $1699, House Of Orange. 12 Pedrali ‘Tribeca 3666’ lounge, $1214, James Richardson Furniture. 13 Cotton runner in Peach/Mocha (70cm x 200cm), $299, House Of Orange. 14 Herman Miller ‘Bolster’ ottoman, $4885, Living Edge. 15 Madras Love wallet, $625, Miu Miu. 16 Foscarini ‘Binic’ table lamp, $300, Space. 17 Kandice outdoor table, $184.95, Zanui. 18 Tom Ford ‘Bitter Peach’ EDP, $485 for 50ml, Mecca. 19 Mima vase in Peach, $59, Domayne. 20 Curve three-seater lounge in Peach, $2199, Love Tree Interiors. 21 Baze cushion in Nectarine, $39.95, Country Road. 22 &Tradition ‘Flowerpot V9’ lamp in Beige Red, $380, Cult Design. 23 Mira mirror in Dusk, $519, Life Interiors. 24 Moda Cubes glass tile in Blush, $195 per sq m, Perini. 25 Beach Club concrete tile in West Coast, $220 per sq m, Perini. 26 Resin Seed servers in Peach, $125, Dinosaur Designs.

16 | INSIDE OUT

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THE CUT

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TREND STYLE

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Raw, robust and timelessly cool, this new-but-old look is cranking up again

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1 Austral ‘San Selmo’ reclaimed bricks, from $2560 per 1000, Brickworks. 2 Fritz Hansen ‘Planner’ shelving, $2570, Cult. 3, 4 & 5 Projecteur 165 pendants in Night Blue, Moka and White Sand, $430 each, Mondo Luce. 6 Sketch ‘Tosta’ leaning shelf, $1070, GlobeWest. 7 PC pendant, $895, Hay. 8 Patterns 1 artwork, from $2190, King. 9 Valet bar cart, $2870, Living Edge. 10 Tom Dixon ‘Puck’ highball glasses, $155 for two, Living Edge. 11 & 12 Maybe Sammy eucalyptus gimlet and chamomile martini, both $69.99, Grays. 13 Interior wall paint in Anchorage, $135 per 4L, Porter’s Paints. 14 White Smoked floorboards, from $96.80 per sq m, Royal Oak Floors. 15 Mater ‘Mask’ stool, $1240, Cult. 16 Resin Beetle bowl in Abalone, $280, Dinosaur Designs. 17 Ridge pillar bowl in Grey Lava Stone, $125, GlobeWest. 18 Cove coffee table, $3237, Jardan. 19 Earth side table, $660, GlobeWest. 20 Aspen leather sofa, from $4795, Coco Republic. 21 Hay ‘Knit’ coat rack, $385, Cult. 22 Paros bath sheet in Bronze, $79.95, Aura Home. 23 Ginger A XL pendant, POA, Est Lighting. 24 Liam oak dining table, POA, Fanuli.

25 AAC14 chair in Dusty Green, $780, Hay. 26 Agra rug in Marlin (240cm x 300cm), $4500, Armadillo. 27 & 28 Ella Reweti vases, $159 and $189, Gingerfinch.

COMPILED BY KATE LINCOLN

INSIDE OUT | 19

BEST BUYS

scented candles From simple essences to lusciously layered concoctions, all these

Tom Dixon ‘Underground’ large scented candle, $515.15, Net-A-Porter. D.S & Durga ‘Big Sur After Rain’ candle, $93, Mecca. Loewe Home Scents ‘Juniper Berry’ scented candle, $260, Mr Porter. Botanica by Australian Botanic Garden candle, $80, Lumira.

Laboratory Perfumes ‘Samphire’ scented candle, $99, Mr Porter. Limited-Edition Madison candle in Lime Sorbet & Pink Pepper, $44.95, Ecoya. Amen ‘Chakra 05 Eucalyptus’ scented candle, $104.50, Net-A-Porter. Cire Trudon + Giambattista Valli ‘Positano’ scented candle, $135, Net-A-Porter.

3181 candle, $80, Fenton & Fenton. Fornasetti ‘Rossetti’ scented candle, $278, Mr Porter. Pretty in Pink candle, $54.95, Glasshouse Fragrances.

Summer Gingham by Whitney Spicer candle, $150, Fenton & Fenton.

Saudade scented candle, $49, Black Blaze. Verdant Delight candle, $55, Of Note. Melbourne 1 candle, $75, The Raconteur.

Byredo ‘Bibliothèque’ candle, from $70, Mecca.

COMPILED BY KATE HASSETT

THE CUT

get a glowing report with a gorgeous vessel to repurpose

Best In Show candle, $54.95, Glasshouse Fragrances. Mudgee soy candle, $34.95, Freedom. L’escargot scented candle, $69, Maison Balzac.

Summer Scents Collection candle, $49.94 for four 60g candles, Circa Home.

Man-Gala Australian Bush soy candle, $26.95, Kakadu Plum Co. Wiradjuri candle, $45, Little Black Duck. Boy Smells ‘Ash’ candle, $46, Mecca.

L’Objet ‘Lito’ scented candle, $269, Mr Porter.

Jasmine & Lime candle, $42.95, Palm Beach Collection. Diptyque ‘Sapin’ candle, $111, Mecca. Summer Days candle, $39.95, Candle Goose.

La Montaña ‘Fig Grove’ candle, $72, Mr Porter.

Niseko Citrus & Sencha candle, from $25, Harper & Wick. L’Objet ‘Coral’ scented candle, $208.80, Net-A-Porter. Koyo scented candle, $79, Black Blaze.

Baobab Collection ‘Paris’ small scented candle, $73.90, Net-A-Porter.

INSIDE OUT | 21

THE CUT

ST OR AGE TA LE S

Three creative types pick a room and reveal how they made it work in terms of space and style INTERVIEWS LAURA BARRY

Margie Woods in her dressing room at home in Melbourne.

INSIDE OUT | 23

Light, bright and styled in a soft, neutral palette, Margie’s luxe walk-in wardrobe is expertly organised to make getting dressed feel like a daily decadence.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK ROPER. STYLING: HARRIET ROBERTS, SOPHIE SHINKARENKO. HAIR & MAKE-UP: SOPHIA PAFITIS

THE CUT

Margie Woods Viktoria & Woods Running a fashion and accessories label since 2004, one of our chief proponents of pared-back perfection invited us into her similarly styled dressing room and storage space What do you love most about your wardrobe? My wardrobe is

more of a dressing room with an open-style racking and shelving system. I believe the merging of functionality and organisation is what makes my wardrobe space so inviting. I’m a big advocate of clear space, clear mind, and that’s when I feel my most inspired and energised. The natural light that streams into my space is also a favourite part of my dressing-room set-up.

How do you maximise storage? I’m a very visual person – and a Virgo – so I like to organise by style, then by colour. I fold or roll my knits and denim and then hang everything else, including T-shirts. My shoes need to be on show; it’s the finishing touch to every look. I also have a lot of shoes (my weakness) and easily forget what I have if I can’t see them.

Best advice for keeping a wardrobe organised? I try to cull my wardrobe every year, which means giving things away to friends and family or charities. I also have a separate cupboard in another space where I rotate my high-summer and high-winter pieces, which are less trans-seasonal.

Do you have any wardrobe rules? My favourite wardrobe rule is one I got from the lovely Zoë Foster Blake. Zoë has a one-item-in, one-item-out philosophy when curating and refreshing her wardrobe. While it’s challenging to let go of beloved styles, this is a policy I keep front of mind to preserve space, remain more sustainable and keep a curated wardrobe.

I try to ensure that my daughter, Ruby, also lives by this rule –

she’s a teenager who loves to shop, but we keep it in check with this rule. She also shares my wardrobe now, which helps.

What is your #1 tip for making your dressing space a joy to be in? When crafting my wardrobe, my key priority was ensuring

that my dressing space was a source of inspiration to get ready in. If I am comfortable and happy with what I wear, I usually feel confident and able to get through the day with more ease.

I am about to renovate my home [in Melbourne] early next year, and my wardrobe has become a big focus. I really love how the natural light streams into my current space and hope to achieve this in my new space. I would also like to incorporate art and beautiful furniture into the space so that it reflects my personality and style.

Discover designer clothing, elevated essentials and accessories plus a curated range of home luxuries at viktoriaandwoods.com.au

MAKE IT YOURS

FROM LEFT Bottega Veneta ‘Mount’ small leather shoulder bag in Yellow, $4450, Net-A-Porter. Like-It ‘Slider’ divider drawer organiser, $18.95, Howards Storage World.

Yamakai ‘Tower’ two-tier coat rack, $156, Howards Storage World. Unisex Montague blazer in Safari, $590, Viktoria & Woods.

INSIDE OUT | 25

Shelley in the communal kitchen of the Mud Australia studio, with some of her porcelain lights.

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL CASTELTON. STYLING: CORNIA KOCH. HAIR & MAKE-UP: MICHELLE COX USING DIOR MAKEUP AND ORIBE HAIRCARE.

THE CUT

How do you maximise storage? We split our time across two

Shelley Simpson Mud Australia The co-founder of the internationally renowned porcelain homewares company shares her top tips for organising kitchens and pantries

houses [the other is in Stanwell Park, just north of Wollongong] so I like to be very organised with my pantries. Sealed containers labelled with washi tape and a marker pen have become my best friends!

Is there a secret to reducing visual clutter? Good design and sliding pantry doors can conceal almost everything.

Any rules for layout and organisation? Everything in the pantry gets put away and stored in groups by end-use – that way everything is super easy to both put away and find. We have distinct spaces for each area of the pantry. Spreads, condiments and dog supplies that are used all the time are nearest to the prep area. Anything considered pantry items, such as spices, baking essentials, tins and dry goods, are further away.

What do you love most about your pantry? I love that my

What is your #1 tip for making a pantry/kitchen a joy to be in?

kitchen and pantry were designed by DesignOffice and built by JP Finsbury, because they design and build our stores and really understand my aesthetic and functional requirements. We live in a loft-style apartment above our studio in Marrickville, NSW, during the work week, so our personal kitchen and pantry is also shared with the team who work here Monday to Friday.

There are large, shared workbenches and a big commercial oven and cooktop, but we each have our own fridge, dishwasher and pantry. My partner, James, and I have our fridge, storage and pantry on the right, and the team have their pantry on the left.

It sounds complicated, but it’s not because the kitchen is so beautifully designed – everything has its place and works perfectly. The drawers are large, the containers are labelled and everything is grouped so I always know where everything is.

I have a few! Get a cleaner and choose a partner who loves to cook for you. Also, include a lot of plants and fresh herbs as they make every kitchen feel grounded and comfortable.

Check out mudaustralia.com for plates, bowls, cutlery and more

MAKE IT YOURS

FROM LEFT Flared bowl in Dust, $130, Mud Australia. Dome pendant light in Duck Egg, $550, Mud Australia.

Yamazaki magnetic spice rack, $36.95, Howards Storage World.

INSIDE OUT | 27

THE CUT

Beck Wadworth An Organised Life Since establishing her stationery line in 2013, the creative director has earned a cult following. She chose her home work space — a monochromatic match for the brand's exquisite office essentials What do you love most about your office space? I created my

home work space [in Auckland, New Zealand] to be functional yet inspiring. I stuck to my signature aesthetic of minimal and monochromatic. Natural light was extremely important to me when I was creating it; I love to add texture and tones for warmth, rather than lots of colour.

How do you maximise storage? It’s all about finding storage solutions that work for you, and creating a system you can maintain. I like everything to be within easy reach, and to use beautiful black statement shelving for storing samples and products. In my space, a buffet table with drawers and cupboards stores my packaging, tech and work-space essentials. And I have drawer dividers and shoe boxes in the cupboards to create organised compartments.

Any advice for reducing visual clutter? Less is more, always.

Can you share some style rules? I stick to a two-thirds-light, one-third-dark palette in my spaces to keep them feeling light and fresh. It’s about finding the perfect balance of function meets style, but making the space work for you and adding touches that keep you inspired and motivated.

What is your #1 tip for making a small home office space a joy to spend time in? Every evening, the last thing you should do

MAKE IT YOURS

FROM LEFT Monograph brass stationery organiser, $85, Amara. 2022 Weekly diary in Black Leather with Gold Foil, $45, An Organised Life. Luxe leather magazine basket in Gold Black, $173, Amara.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HOLLY BURGESS, KIRSTY DAWN

before you finish for the day is take five minutes to clean and organise your desk and work area. A clean space equals a clear mind. There’s nothing worse than starting your day the following morning with a cluttered, messy space. My other tip is to add personal touches that make the space personal – from candles, plants and artwork to popping on your favourite playlist every morning. Make it your own.

Stocked at 45 locations in Australia and New Zealand, Beck’s planners, diaries and cards are also available at anorganisedlife.com

Beck’s office space was created with help from New Zealanddesign store SLOW. The statement desk by Ferm Living, Freedom desk chair and Muuto bookshelf set the scene for clear thoughts and productive days.

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Q&A

in conversation with Lara Ette

This month, editor Eliza O’Hare sits down with an interior designer to discuss size and its implications

PHOTOGRAPHY PHILLIP CASTLETON HAIR & MAKE-UP MICHELLE COX

LARA WEARS CAMILLA AND MARC (SHIRT), JAC+JACK (PANTS)

THE SCIENCE OF SMALL SPACES

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Eliza O’Hare (pictured right) visited Lara Ette at home to discuss spatial design.

T

his month is all about small spaces – designing for them

and living in them – so we decided to call on Sydneybased interior designer Lara Ette for a chat. Her love of working with small spaces made her a natural choice for the first in our series of conversation pieces, which will focus on a different renovating issue each month. Lara looks at small spaces in a way that allows her to leverage all of its possibilities, make it functional and allow her clients to embrace all the little moments of joy in every room. Here’s what she had to say:

So Lara, what are the challenges and opportunities of a small space? I would imagine the challenge is working within the space to actually get the work done — getting trades in there and sourcing pieces of furniture that will fit the existing dimensions — and the opportunity is to make the room feel generous through design and special awareness.

You need to consider the materials that will suit the small space, taking into account texture and colours. Often small spaces are dark, so thinking about how the light will fall onto those

materials is important. Cabinetry style options can also make an impact, as not all styles will work well. As a designer of a small space, you will need to ask many more questions to get a better understanding of the use of the space and the functions that need to occur there. Sometimes, though, I have to hold myself back from telling the client that I’m not a magician!

But you are in fact a bit of a magician, because you do create space where there seems to be none. I know for every project there is a budget and the interesting thing is that sometimes small rooms can be just as expensive as big rooms.

Yes, that’s counter-intuitive! More time can be required to design a small space; therefore, if engaging a designer, the fees can be higher than clients expect. For example, for one bathroom that we were designing in an attic conversion, we needed to come up with two or three floor plans until we were able to resolve the spatial planning. Joinery can also cost more than expected, as hardware for sliding doors and the mechanisms for pocket doors are expensive items. In order to make an impact in a small space, an extra level of detail is necessary and INSIDE OUT | 31

LARA’S PROJECTS She chose terrazzo for the bench of a Castlecrag bathroom (below) because it works well in a small space. In Maroubra (far right), her blue-patterned floor brings interest to a long kitchen. Colour is less important in a Paddington living room (centre), where personality shows through in the soft furnishings.

this too can add to the costs of fabrication. For example, in the bathroom in Castlecrag, we wanted to soften all the angles by introducing an arched mirror, and worked closely with our joiners to use a plywood frame, which created interest and also related to a material choice in the nearby laundry. Materials can cost more for a small space because the room may require an element that shines bright. That might mean choosing a really beautiful stone, or floor or wall tile, perhaps even a specialty finish on the tapware, which can be a good way to add a bit of sparkle.

So what’s your personal preference — an open-plan layout to work with, or smaller, divided spaces?

When I design for an open-plan space, it is usually the newer and renovated part of the home, so it can be easier to furnish and design for because you have lots more options with furnishings, there’s flexibility with planning, and good light is

“Materials can cost more for a small space because the room may require an element that shines bright. That might mean choosing a beautiful stone or floor or wall tile – perhaps even a specialty finish on the tapware” LARA ETTE, INTERIOR DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA PRIOR (LEFT AND RIGHT), PRUE RUSCOE (CENTRE)

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more assured. But when I design for divided spaces, they tend to be in the part of the home that isn’t being renovated. They are often in the original and traditional parts, which are generally more difficult to renovate and furnish. I find that doors can be in the way, rooms can be asymmetric, furnishings will need to have a small footprint, and it can be difficult to select paint colours. Although I do think this will change over time, thanks to the pandemic and how we have been forced to reconsider our homes. We will begin to see architects designing homes that are more focused on specific tasks and functions, and therefore less open-plan.

I feel that Europeans are more task-focused in their approach because designers have always had to work with small spaces in their apartment culture and lots of small-space trends emerge from there as a result.

Yes, so whenever I find myself designing a small space, I definitely look towards Europe. Not necessarily for materials and the palette, but more for spatial planning and products. And of course, when you’re designing a small space, you need to simplify and plan around the absolute essentials.

The materials and palette play a huge part in small spaces.

When it comes to the design process, how do you get started with these two elements?

You often hear interior designers talking about really going for it in small spaces, and powder rooms are a really good example of this. It’s definitely true if the client and designer are both extra brave. I’m sure it’s all psychological. This braveness extends to all small spaces and can heavily influence the material and palette choices. For example, in the powder room of our Castlecrag project, we went for interest on the benchtop in the form of terrazzo, which is a material that a client might not go with in a bigger space. And in another project in Maroubra, we chose a blue-patterned floor tile for the kitchen, which again would perhaps not be something you would choose to do in a larger room. But you can approach this in a number of different ways. That was the case with a small space I did in Paddington, where my clients preferred neutrals and earthy tones, but were happy to have more personality come through in the soft furnishings.

See more of Lara’s work at laraettedesign.com or @lara_ette_design INSIDE OUT | 33

DESIGN PROFILE

robert gordon pottery Having blazed a trail for three generations, the ceramic-making Gordon family plans to diversify even further with their new interiors range

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PHOTOGRAPHY: EVE WILSON (FAMILY), JARROD BARNES (INTERIORS COLLECTION)

F

or more than 40 years, the ceramic wares of Robert

Gordon Australia have been an integral part of our homes and family gatherings. What began as a small operation based out of a humble backyard shed in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges is now Australia’s largest producer of pottery, making around 300,000 pieces each year from a purpose-built factory in Pakenham.

Pottery runs in the Gordon family veins. Long before Robert ‘Andy’ Gordon picked up his first lump of clay, his mother June Dyson was making and supplying pottery pieces from her home studio to the likes of Myer and David Jones. Growing up amongst it and watching his mum at work, Robert was inspired to start his own business in 1978, called Pack Track Pottery.

Fast track to today, and the business is now named after its founder and run by Robert and Barbara’s children, Bobby, Kate and Hannah. “We grew up in it and spent afternoons and school holidays working in the factory, before doing our apprenticeships through the business,” says Bobby, who is now general manager. “It was satisfying to watch the business evolve over time as it led the charge and the market for Australian ceramics. We’re now stocked by about 5000 retailers in Australia and New Zealand, and we supply our wares to some of the best restaurants in the world.”

The Robert Gordon customer base is wide and varied, with home decorators, top chefs and respected architects and interior designers all drawn to the quality stoneware that is beautiful to look at and sturdy enough for everyday use. “We see our industry much like the fashion industry: we constantly strive to evolve with the times and the trends,” says Bobby. “It’s also important that our pieces show the pottery-making process – we love imperfections.”

In 2019, the family launched the Robert Gordon Interiors collection, a range of colourful basins and lighting made to order from high-fired stoneware made for longevity. Bobby was an instrumental part of its inception, having trained and practiced as an architect before returning to the family business. “My architectural background gave me a passion for interiors,” he says. “I was keen to utilise our family’s knowledge and history to pursue this interest on a large scale.”

There are currently four basin styles and two types of pendants available in nine reactive glazes, with a larger basin and new wall sconces in the works. As with the homewares, Robert Gordon Interiors has proven popular with architects, builders and interior designers. “They love the colours, the bespoke nature of it, and the fact that the products are locally made,” says Bobby, who predicts the Interiors range will become a large part of Robert Gordon’s local manufacturing business.

The future is most certainly bright, especially with the company’s recent conscious shift away from gas-fired kilns to locally made electric kilns powered by solar. And with 11 grandchildren now in the mix, there are high hopes the business will eventually pass to a fourth generation.

“We have some more one-of-a-kind studio pieces coming soon and exciting new additions in the works,” Bobby promises.

“There is a lot to look forward to.”

Shop the latest Robert Gordon pieces at robertgordonaustralia.com or follow @robertgordonpottery and @robertgordoninteriors WORDS STEPHANIE HOPE

“Our story and history are what customers are most interested in.

They love that we have stood the test of time” BOBBY GORDON

OPPOSITE (clockwise from top left) Kate, Bobby and Hannah Gordon. The Pearl light and Dish wall sconce. Kate Gordon handpainting a product. Pieces from the Robert Gordon Interiors collection, with the Bone pendant light. A kiln in the Pakenham factory.

THIS PAGE (from top) Bobby Gordon fettling a basin. A selection of pieces from the Portrait Collection. The Clay 350 basin in Stone from the Robert Gordon Interiors Collection.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: WILL HORNER. STYLING: KATE LINCOLN. ZONE TRAY, PAPAYA. GINGER TUMBLER, JARDAN

This month, Robert Gordon Pottery has a stunning stoneware piece for the first 150 subscribers.

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INSIDE OUT | 37

future classics

Australian artists have an unparalleled range and depth, and now their work is more accessible than ever. We profile 10 emerging talents who can bring your walls to life without costing the earth WORDS KATE HASSETT

PHOTOGRAPHY: ARELI BOSSON (ROXANNE), HARRISON OLDAKER (CHLOE)

ART GUIDE

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Roxanne Cooley When did you start painting? I was 12 and did a study of Van Gogh’s Haystacks

for fun. Then, for my HSC, I completed a large abstract body of work that was exhibited and sold, which solidified paint as my medium. I have always had a deep appreciation of artists and their craft, and have been driven by the hope that maybe one day I could produce beautiful pieces. What style of art do you produce? My style is still evolving, mainly because I love variety and paint intuitively. But whether it’s an impressionist landscape or realistic still-life, there is always an underlying Australiana theme. What do you love most about painting?

It brings many of my interests together – I can study nature and art at the same time while fulfilling that need to create. How would you describe your artistic practice? I endeavour to express the beauty around us in a tangible way. I love working with oil paint, ranging from thin washes to impasto, and am drawn to cool palettes that convey tranquillity. Where do you find inspiration? In the hillsides, mountains, coast and bushland... each time I venture outdoors I find something new and wonderful to tinker with. Do you take commissions?

Not at the moment – perhaps in the future! Where can we buy your art? On Instagram at @roxecooley_art or Bluethumb (bluethumb.com.au). From $160.

ABOVE Roxanne Cooley in her Bega, NSW, studio. BOTTOM & OPPOSITE Roxanne’s works include Feels Like Home and landscape Light Of Dusk. TOP RIGHT Chloe Caday pictured in her backyard. RIGHT Chloe’s Dancing Ladies, Itik-Itik piece honours her Filipino heritage.

Chloe Caday When did you start painting? I began it as

therapy in my younger teens. Growing up here after migrating from the Philippines, I questioned a lot about the world around me. Art became a safe haven to explore those thoughts. What style of art do you produce? My paintings are a response to experiences and memories of Australian and Philippines landscapes. Finding solace at my home in She Oaks, Victoria, I work mainly outdoors and my paintings are quite site-responsive. How would you describe your artistic practice? I have a passion for and connection with the environment – from utilising natural materials to paying respect to the land’s spiritual significance.

Where do you find inspiration? As well as the bush and the forest, I often travel back to the Philippines. Do you take commissions? Yes. Where can we buy your art? Brunswick Street Gallery (brunswick streetgallery.com.au), Curatorial+Co (curatorialandco.com) and Gallery Raye (galleryraye.com). From $500.

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Ainsley Power Walters When did you start painting? I started as a child, and then painted

Lucy Hersey When did you start painting? I’m not sure – I’m self-taught, and

at some point painting for pleasure became something more and I wanted to do it as my job. What style of art do you produce?

Mostly landscapes. I’m interested in capturing the feeling and colours and expressing my memory of the location. What do you love most about painting? Paint is a language I can use to say things that I can’t express in words. It’s therapy and, besides my garden, has always been my great love. How would you describe your artistic practice? I paint using local earth pigments I collect myself. All my paintings start with walking slowly, looking and listening to the bush or the waves. I process the pigments into a paint-like paste and let the colour and texture of the pigments guide me. Where do you find inspiration? The landscape. My home in Victoria’s South Gippsland is so varied, from the coast to the hills and bushland. Do you take commissions? Yes, always!

Where can we buy your art? Directly from me (lucyhersey.com) or from The Moree Gallery (moreegallery.com.au), Cook Street Collective (cookstreetcollective.com.au) and Jackie Jones (jackiejones.com.au). From $400.

ABOVE Back Beach, St Andrews is one of Lucy Hersey’s atmospheric works. SECOND COLUMN Ainsley Power Walters in her Melbourne studio and a piece called A Walk In Brunswick. Sunset In Brunswick (right) was inspired by a walk around her Melbourne neighbourhood.

THIRD COLUMN Canberra-based Lily Platts delights in everyday items, as seen in Tasmanian Oak Dining Chairs In The Sun. FOURTH COLUMN Melbourne’s John Gatip in front of oil paintings from his 2021 collection, Sonnets Of Colour, including Your Subtle Glances.

40 | INSIDE OUT

children’s books 11 years ago. I did illustrations for five books and was inspired by the subject matter – stories set in Melbourne in the 19th and early 20th century. I gained an appreciation and love of the old buildings in Melbourne and greater Victoria.

What style of art do you produce? I mainly paint in oils and am drawn to elements of the Australian landscape mixed with urban scapes. I love paintings that have a sense of wilderness. The old buildings in Melbourne have that, too. I paint parts of Melbourne that are quite nostalgic. What do you love most about painting?

Painting has taught me to see more than what I’d otherwise have seen. There’s so much symbology in the natural world. Sharing my paintings with people is the best part. How would you describe your artistic practice? Pretty slow! With Victoria’s wild weather, I tend to paint in the comfort of my studio from photos I’ve taken. Where do you find inspiration? Mostly from walking, whether that’s around my neighbourhood or in nature. Do you take commissions? Not currently. Where can we buy your art?

Through my website (ainsleywalters.com) and Brunswick Street Gallery (brunswickstreetgallery.com.au). From $350.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KARLI DUCKETT (LUCY), YUE-YING TAN (JOHN)

Lily Platts

John Gatip

When did you start painting? I grew up

When did you start painting? Painting was one of the tools that helped me in my

in the Monaro region of NSW and have always loved making and creating things.

What style of art do you produce? I work with still-lifes and subject matter that is often overlooked. I am drawn to how objects give a sense of the people that use them and about when they were created.

For instance, how a chair is moved or pushed forms a composition that evokes the conversations that were had at a particular moment. What do you love most about painting? The challenge. I try to push myself and experiment and evolve. How would you describe your artistic practice? I work in a studio and from photographs as my initial reference point. I paint in layers and can paint over several paintings before I am happy.

Where do you find inspiration? I am usually drawn to themes that I find strange, mundane or kitsch – from strangers on the internet to things I see while walking up my street. Do you take commissions? Yes. Where can we buy your artworks? Through my Instagram (@paintsby_platts) or Sibu Gallery (sibu.gallery). From $500.

creative process, but was something I never explored properly until the 2020 lockdowns in Melbourne. When my hours reduced from full-time to two days, I decided to explore painting. What style of art do you produce? It is architectural and spatial. My paintings are very much an abstraction of my experiences translated through colour and compositions. Narratives are weaved into my work. Sometimes they are readily evident, but some I keep for myself. What do you love most about painting? My style relies on patience and precision yet is free in the textured brushstrokes. A sense of contemplation occurs when I paint, but these might not always be relaxing moments and so I try to harness all my emotions while painting.

How would you describe your artistic practice? Multimodal and multidisciplinary.

I am a practising registered architect in Victoria with Inarc Architects. My art practice is part of my creative exploration and I see both disciplines as symbiotic.

Where do you find inspiration? A lot draws from other artists, designers and architects. Cities, buildings and nature are also major players of my gleaning, consciously and subconsciously. Do you take commissions? Yes. Where can we buy your art? At Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne (brunswickstreetgallery.com.au).

My website (johngatip.com) also has some works to purchase. From $500.

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Nonceba Nyoni When did you start painting? I have had

ABOVE & LEFT Water and Out There are two of the works by Ryhia Dank, pictured at her Buderim studio. SECOND COLUMN Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Nonceba Nyoni now calls Sydney home. Her featured work is Desert Dreams. THIRD COLUMN Photographer Camille Comtat produces pieces such as Ocean Constellations (top) and Australian Sea Lions. FOURTH COLUMN Shanti Shea An’s versatility extends to the abstract Study (Reni).

Ryhia Dank When did you start painting? I have been creative all of my life, though I didn’t start

painting until May 2020, after Covid hit! I had plans to move from Darwin to Melbourne for work and when that fell through due to Covid, I thought I would try my hand at painting. I consulted my grandmother, a Gudanji elder, and she approved of me painting. I went home and started that day. What style of art do you produce? It is a contemporary version of traditional art – the look is very much like that of my grannies, uncles and other family members. I just choose to use a modern, contemporary palette. What do you love most about painting? Putting what is in my mind into a physical form. It flows and feels so organic. How would you describe your artistic practice? I rarely have a process beyond, say, a customer’s basic story and a simple colour palette I put together. The rest comes as I start and generally doesn’t stop. Where do you find inspiration? Definitely my Country. I cannot properly describe my relationship with our place, but it is me and I am it.

Do you take commissions? I certainly do. Where can we buy your art? The best place is my website (nardurna.com). Prints from $90; commissions from $5000.

a love of art and expressing myself creatively through handicrafts and painting since I was a little girl. What style of art do you produce?

I paint abstract works and love to explore shapes, patterns, and linear and dot markings in a varied colour palette. What do you love most about painting? It’s a way to challenge and stretch me mentally and emotionally to extract something that needs to be released.

Painting is such a personal thing. How would you describe your artistic practice?

It is driven by my desire to create something out of nothing. I work with acrylic paints primarily on paper, canvas or timber board and often add highlights with metallic foil, ink and oil pastels. Where do you find inspiration? The environment, especially the colours – bright yellows and orange from flowers, browns from withered leaves, the burnt redness of the soil, the blueness of the sky or the ocean – colour inspiration is literally everywhere. Sometimes listening to music or reading stirs me and makes me want to get stuck into a new project.

Do you take commissions? Yes. Where can we buy your artworks? On my website (noncinyoniart.com). From $40.

Camille Comtat What attracted you to photography? I’m a diver and have

PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL BUTARE (NONCEBA)

dreamt of exploring the ocean’s stranger worlds since I was a child. Most of the ocean is yet to be mapped, so I want to share the intrigue, wonder, respect and awe through my photography.

What do you love most about it? I love analogue for the beauty in the unknown, the imperfections, the authenticity and the depth that you get in a photograph. It’s also more of a labour of love, particularly when you start submerging a camera at 30m.

How would you describe your artistic practice? Out of the water, I am drawn to landforms and geological processes.

Underwater, I want to pay homage to resilient species such as sharks, which have survived four or five mass extinctions in over 450 million years. I love exploring seascapes, and the play of light, water and film evoke a deep sense of calm. How would you describe your latest series? My series on endangered Australian sea lions flattens the anthropocentric hierarchy between humans and pinnipeds. As a species, they are still so trusting and inquisitive, despite having been hunted for their fur by humans.

We need to change how we relate to the natural world, and art and photography have a big role to play in this. Where do you find inspiration? My master’s degree in Environmental Science from UNSW, the research and expeditions at my work, and my aunt and creative muse, Janet Laurence. Where can we buy your photographs? My website (camillecomtat.com). From $100.

Shanti Shea An When did you start painting? I started as a teenager, but became

serious about it when I went to art school to study painting.

I was always drawn to the figure and would also paint from any images I could find, such as postcards and magazines. What style of art do you produce? I work across different styles, but I think there are always elements of both figuration and abstraction in my paintings. What do you love most about painting? Using my hands. I also enjoy translating my experience of the world in some way without needing it to always make sense. One of my favourite things about painting is how it can be ambiguous and articulate at the same time. How would you describe your artistic practice? A little messy and sometimes slow! Where do you find inspiration? Films, writing, sometimes just by looking through windows (which can feel like you’re finding a painting in the world). I also keep a notebook, where I often jot down keywords that I feel could become paintings one day. Do you take commissions? Yes. Where can we buy your art? I currently have small works available to purchase through Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne (brunswickstreetgallery.com.au). Or you can contact me directly on Instagram (@shantisheaan) and via my website (shantisheaan.com). From $300.

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SUSTAINABILITY SNAPSHOT

Crafting designer products with materials that will endure the ravages of weather and time with style are the building blocks of this nearly 90-year-old Australian business

T

o Brickworks, sustainability is synonymous with

longevity. And for a company that’s just three years shy of a 90th birthday, it’s safe to say this one knows a thing or two about making things last. “Our ethos has always been to create beautiful products that last forever,” says Brett Ward, general manager of the firm’s international marketing.

The humble brick’s list of planet-friendly credentials is a lengthy one. Most significant is the fact that bricks offer enduring strength. You only have to look at some of Australia’s oldest buildings to see the staying power of this hardy material.

“Bricks are incredibly resilient building materials and won’t fade, rot or rust over time,” Brett explains. “Unlike other building materials, they do not require any painting, coating or

varnishing to maintain their aesthetics and durability. Bricks are also inherently sustainable due to their high thermal mass.”

In lay terms, that means they help to keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer, which minimises the need for artificial heating and cooling – good for your wallet and great for reducing your carbon footprint.

Having been with the company for 26 years, Brett has witnessed a significant shift in the way people think about sustainability. And, according to him, the most rapid change has occurred in the past 18 months, mainly because carbon offsetting is becoming standard practice. “It’s almost a given,” he says. “The biggest change I’ve seen is that carbon neutrality has become an expectation. Clients are pushing for more sustainable options, with architects leading the way.”

In response to this demand, Brickworks launched its Carbon Neutral Program in August 2021. “This is our biggest feat yet,” says Brett. “It’s an opt-in initiative that allows customers to specify and procure any clay or brick paver made in Brickworks’ Australian facilities as a carbon-neutral product, for any approved project.” There’s been a lot of interest from architects, designers, builders and homeowners, and already 12 projects have been completed as part of the program.

WORDS MATILDA RINGROSE

PHOTOGRAPHY: KATHERINE LU (CONCRETE BLONDE), TESS KELLY (GARDEN ROOM HOUSE), LUC REMOND (THOSE ARCHITECTS). BUILDING: PROVAN BUILT (GARDEN ROOM HOUSE), BACHALANI CONSTRUCTIONS (THOSE ARCHITECTS). LANDSCAPE DESIGN: ECKERSLEY GARDEN ARCHITECTURE (GARDEN ROOM HOUSE)

brickworks

“Our ethos has always been to create beautiful products that last forever” BRETT WARD, BRICKWORKS

The Carbon Neutral Program is not the company’s first foray into sustainability, however. “Our Daniel Robertson range made history in 2014 when it became Australia’s first carbon-neutral brick,” Brett points out. Manufactured in Longford, Tasmania, the range achieved this status by switching to sawdust, a local waste product, to fire the kilns instead of natural gas.

What’s more, as one of the largest producers of building materials in Australia, Brickworks feels it’s important for the entire company to keep sustainability top of mind as much as possible; reducing emissions and mitigating operational effects is imperative. “The built environment and the materiality that forms the fabric of our cities has a huge impact on society, and our staff recognise the responsibility we have as a business to keep sustainability at our core,” says Brett.

Looking ahead, Brickworks knows that the work doesn’t stop there. “Ongoing innovation is key to creating products that are enduring and sustainable,” Brett adds. “We are committed to continually researching and evaluating our processes to ensure we are making decisions that benefit our community without causing harm to the environment.”

Brickworks produces bricks, pavers, masonry, stone, roofing, building systems, precast concrete and cement. Discover more at brickworks.com.au

THIS PAGE Garden Room House (above and opposite, far left) by architect Clare Cousins is a masterful expression of light and texture; Nubrik in Acland Cream features heavily throughout the property. The internal walls of the Concrete Blonde project (below) by Carter Williamson Architects are Dry-pressed Bowral 76 bricks in Chillingham White.

OPPOSITE (centre) Those Architects specified hit-and-miss patterned brickwork, using more Bowral Bricks in Chillingham White, for this home.

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THE CUT

HOT PIECE

hammock lounge Dedece co-owner John Engelen on why this Italian-designed sunlounger is the business Why we want it Hand-stitched and woven in the northern

Italian region of Lombardy, everything about the Hammock lounge promotes leisure and relaxation.

Why it’s hot Inspired by its namesake, Paola Lenti’s Hammock lounge chair melds traditional craftsmanship with the latest technological processes to create a bold, beautiful and enduring piece that will last for years to come.

Where to put it With a cheerful and wave-like curved design, Hammock invites you to relax in your outdoor living area or by the pool – perfect for the warmer months.

What dedece loves about it Hammock is expertly crafted, meticulously considered, Italian-made and inimitable in style.

Designed by Rene Gonzalez Architects for Paola Lenti, it’s available in maris fabric or handmade rope yarn in a variety of solid single- and two-colour combinations. Renowned for its luxuriously rich colour tones and expert quality, the Hammock lounge chair utilises proprietary materials that are 100 per cent recyclable and resilient. The result: a striking, vibrant and ergonomic piece of art with an entirely Italian production chain.

Where to find it Hammock is sold exclusively in Australia by dedece. It’s currently available in maris fabric and rope yarn in both single and two-colour combinations, starting from $5753.

See dedece.com or @dedece for more details 46 | INSIDE OUT

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THE RIGHT SOURCE

Meet the next generation of makers who are eliminating waste through good design WORDS HARRIET SIM

W

ith millions of tonnes of resources going

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANSON SMART (THIS PAGE), TRAIANOS PAKIOUFAKIS (OPPOSITE). STYLING: CLAIRE DELMAR (THIS PAGE)

into landfill in Australia each year, there’s never been a more important time to zone in on rubbish. Paving the way for a more circular economy is a talented group of Australian designers, resurrecting once-discarded materials and turning them into inspiring designs. From algae-based bioplastic bowls to terrazzo tables from construction waste, the future of design is offering a lot more life than it is landfill.

THE CUT

WILL STEWART Re.Studio Collective, Sydney The saying, ‘Here I am, where I am supposed to be’, has long resonated with Will Stewart, co-founder and creative force behind sustainable furniture hub Re.Studio Collective.

So, when the designer found himself on a volunteer mission in Kenya, he knew his calling was clear. “Re.Studio Collective was seeded during my time volunteering there,” says Will.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of the Kenyan people to create and craft from recycled materials was mesmerising. Shoes made from recycled car tyres and toys from recycled drink bottles. In the face of extreme poverty, they craft beauty from waste.”

Based in NSW’s Blue Mountains, Re.Studio Collective is an alliance of artisans who harness the potential of recycled materials to sustainably craft objects of beauty and function. Working with materials including masonry, stone, terracotta, rubber and wood chips sourced from building sites, they breathe life into waste destined for landfill.

“We love exploring the potential of these waste materials when crushed and crafted into form and function,” says Will. “Our entire process is created around sustainability. Our initial moulds were fabricated from recycled water pipes and 44-gallon [200-litre] drums. From moulds to materiality to curing, we use low-embodied energy processes to craft form and function.”

Re.Studio Collective’s distinctive designs and organic qualities have been noticed by a slew of notable designers and some have reached out to collaborate. “The biggest highlight for us was receiving a capture from Jeremy Bull, principal of Alexander & Co architecture and design studio, the day after our furniture install there,” says Will.

“It was a simple image of two of his designers sitting on our stools in the studio’s courtyard, sipping coffee. It was the moment our pieces came to life.”

Will stresses that we only have to travel outside our big cities to see the urgency of implementing sustainable processes and working with renewable materials. “Australia currently has a lot of space to hide waste,” he says. “When travelling through communities with high population densities, you begin to comprehend the desperate need for waste reduction and transformative recycling. Sustainable design has to consume our future before waste decimates the beauty we have left.”

As for the future, Will hopes to return to the company’s foundational roots to help inspire a way forward: “In five years, I plan to be back in Kenya crafting pieces with locals, while the team in Australia continue to explore recycled materiality, crafting pieces that speak to spaces.” @re.studio_collective

“Our entire process is created around sustainability, using low-embodied energy processes” WILL STEWART FROM TOP Sustainable designer Will Stewart.

Hima stools made from recycled terracotta roof tiles by Re.Studio Collective for Belgian design firm Chrisma. At Re. HQ, the team experiment with recycled pallets, tyres, bricks, marble and roof tiles. Studio tools.

OPPOSITE Hima stools and pedestals crafted from recycled bricks feature at Alexander & Co’s Sydney studio.

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THE CUT

CLARE KENNEDY

FROM TOP A Waste Terrazzo coffee table made entirely from construction detritus is just one of Clare Kennedy’s creations.

Formwork for benchtops featuring inlaid crystals, fashioned for The Sunseeker motel in Byron Bay. Concrete trivets made for Mud Australia using their ceramic waste.

A Waste Terrazzo vanity unit. Reclaimed power poles get a new life as Telegraph stools. Custom Waste Terrazzo outdoor setting. Small Waste Terrazzo coffee table.

50 | INSIDE OUT

It was in her family’s backyard in Queensland that Clare Kennedy first fell in love with the possibilities of building from natural materials.

“My earliest memories of being a maker are of working on various treehouses with Dad,” says architect Clare, the founder and creative director of Five Mile Radius design studio. “My father is an architect as well, so he used to make a lot of timber things. I would spend a lot of time with him messing around with timber.”

After working in the corporate world of architecture for seven years, Clare took a trip to India in 2016 to focus on more humanitarian architectural practices and fell in love with the idea of sustainably sourcing materials. “That kind of light-bulb moment was pretty strong for me,” she says. “It made me re-envisage how we craft buildings and the importance of caring about your material choices. I began to draw parallels between food movements that were becoming increasingly popular and supporting local growers, and thought, why doesn’t that apply to all aspects of life?”

Today, Five Mile Radius is a local leader in closed-loop thinking, waste reuse and bioclimatic design, working primarily with construction waste to create one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and custom designs. “We source concrete waste from building sites when they have concrete left over in the pump after a pour,” says Clare, who has used concrete waste in benchtops for collaborative installations with clients such as Aesop and Brisbane Botanic Gardens. “That’s an example of getting something which would otherwise be going to landfill in its highest value, and keeping it and using it while it’s still in its best form.”

The possibilities of the Australian landscape are a great source of inspiration for Clare, who often looks to the practices of our Indigenous people for guidance on how to work with the land. “I’m inspired by the diversity of the Australian climate and by our Indigenous history,” she says. “They build using local resources with respect for sustaining those resources, and also with an understanding of fitting in with the climate.”

For Clare, the uniqueness of waste-made products resonates most strongly, especially as their materials hold the story and memories of their past life. “The most sustainable and regenerative thing you can do is to work with materials that are already in play,” she says. “I just hope that architects can give up designing beautiful buildings for the one per cent and instead design responsible buildings for the 99 per cent.” fivemileradius.org or @five_mile_radius

PHOTOGRAPHY (THIS PAGE): CALLIE MARSHALL (PORTRAIT, VANITY, OUTDOOR SETTING), UAP (COFFEE TABLE DETAIL), DAN MULHERAN (TRIVETS, STOOLS, COFFEE TABLE). PHOTOGRAPHY (OPPOSITE PAGE): DANIEL LOBER (PORTRAIT), PIER CARTHEW AND THALIA ECONOMO (RED BOWLS, YELLOW BOWL), PIER CARTHEW (POURING SHOT, BLUE BOWLS, GREEN SCREEN)

Five Mile Radius, Brisbane

JESSIE FRENCH Other Matter, Melbourne

CLOCKWISE (from above) Other Matter’s Bioplastic tableware is made of Moroccan agar. Arthrospira planentis microalgae is used to create dark hues.

Artist Jessie French. More tableware. A collection of vessels coloured with Arthrospira planentis and Dunaliella salina microalgae.

Works in progress at Jessie’s studio. Underwater vessels show their oceanic palettes when light refracts through them.

At the eclectic HQ of Melbourne artist and designer Jessie French, new life is always taking form. You see, her experimental studio, Other Matter, which launched in March 2021, is a fascinating fusion of science and art – she works with algae-based bioplastics.

Plagued by the weight of the climate crisis and the overuse of unsustainable materials, Jessie creates delicate resin-like sculptures and vessels as part of a renewable seaweed-centric future. “I think the driver with all of this was what’s going on in the world,” says Jessie. “The way we’re living isn’t sustainable and that was the catalyst, feeling powerless to it. But there is so much power in the arts.”

At first glance, her work might look organic and raw, but its composition is meticulously controlled and intentional – the result of years of research. “The aesthetics of it being a little bit more refined is something that I am consciously doing,” says Jessie. “There are a lot of biomaterials out there that look quite rough and so I try to bring in that aesthetic and make it appealing, to make it an example of how something can be used in replacing petrochemicals.”

Some of the colours are created with microalgae, showcasing a fusion of aquatic hues and burnt orange corals, which collide throughout her designs. “A lot of colours I use “It’s rewarding to figure look like conventional pigments but are actually microscopic algae,” says out how to use a new Jessie. “All of the dark colours are material rather than a freshwater variety of spirulina that one that already exists” I grow in my studio. The patterns JESSIE FRENCH are created as I pour, and I do them through an iterative process.”

Working largely on a commission basis, Jessie has also collaborated on some large-scale projects, including working with the Biennale Of Sydney for 2022. This partnership aims to create a sustainable solution for exhibition design components that will hopefully replace petrochemical-based curtains as well as building materials that aren’t readily recyclable.

Perhaps one of the most exciting possibilities of Jessie’s work is the future of seaweed-based materials in the home. “[Alongside Melbourne contemporary art conservator Care Of Studios], we’re doing testing that ages the materials, so we can get an expected lifetime and develop care guides for them,” explains Jessie. “Similar to the way that you’d care for a timber deck, living materials need a bit of upkeep, but I think that’s the future for a post-petrochemical world.” other-matter.com or @other_matter

Discover the best of home inspiration.

HOME TOURS | RENOVATING | DECORATING | OUTDOOR & GARDENING | PETS

INSIDE high impact The key to compact yet comfy spaces is clever design This Sydney townhouse may only claim 105 square metres, but the clever renovation of the property

by Anna McMillan of McMillan Design has made it feel spacious, inviting and undeniably functional.

One of her best ideas was using essential cabinetry, as seen in this kitchen, to maximise storage while acting as a zoning tool, room divider and display space for treasured pieces.

Turn the page for more details.

PHOTOGRAPHY JACQUI TURK STYLING JONO FLEMING

S M A L L S PAC E S

105 SQM

GOING TO TOWN

How do you fit a family of four into a home that’s less than half the size of a tennis court and still feel like there’s enough room to breathe? The owners of this Sydney townhouse did just that with the help of a designer WORDS ALEXANDRA CARLTON PHOTOGRAPHY JACQUI TURK STYLING JONO FLEMING

INSIDE | HOME

CHEAT SHEET Who lives here Fashion retailer Shelley Sonand, and her husband Mike, a semiretired consultant; with daughters, Lola, 16, and Edie, 13; and dog Louie, a cavoodle.

Style of home A two-storey 1980s townhouse, one of 12 in a resort-style complex in Sydney’s east.

Design work began in February 2020 — just before the first Covid-19 lockdowns — and the build took 13 weeks.

The budget for this property was $$$$ approximately $350,000.

DINING AREA (both pages) Interior designer Anna McMillan (seated) and owner Shelley Sonand worked together on the project. They chose an Otto dining table from Icon By Design and Hoffmann No 811 chairs from Thonet. The walls are painted Dulux Natural White. Flooring, Woodland engineered oak in Natural. Potter pendant, Anchor Ceramics. Jan Vogelpoel white vase, Becker Minty. Palms artwork by Matt Neville.

INSIDE | HOME

W

hen Shelley Sonand was choosing new furniture for

her family’s 105-square-metre townhouse in Sydney’s Double Bay, she couldn’t let go of the idea that everyone – her husband Mike and teenage daughters – needed to be able to sit comfortably in the living room.

“I made everyone come shopping with me to make sure we could all fit on the sofa together,” says Shelley. But once the whole place was kitted out, she discovered that her daughters spent most of the time in their bedrooms anyway – as teens tend to do. “I force them to come down and watch reality TV with me sometimes,” she says with a laugh, “but I didn’t need to worry about the space and size.” Shelley’s interior designer, Anna McMillan of McMillan Design, says this is something that people working with small spaces can forget. “Yes, you want to be around each other,” she says, “but being able to get away from each other is just as important.”

Carving out separate spaces for everyone was just one thing Anna and Shelley took into consideration when they reimagined this small, neglected 1980s townhouse. First impressions were startling, to say the least. “The first time I came to look at it, I said, ‘This is disgusting!’ and walked straight out again,” Shelley recalls. Everything was a light-sucking blue-grey colour, the kitchen was cramped, there were ghastly mirrored columns in

56 | INSIDE OUT

the middle of the living space and natural light was almost non-existent. The only saving grace Shelley could see were the lovely views of palm trees from the terrace, and the fact that the townhouse complex had a pool – something the girls were particularly excited about. So Shelley gave in, on the proviso that a complete gut and renovation would follow.

Enter Anna, who had similar misgivings to Shelley initially.

“The first time I saw the house, it was overwhelming. The era was bad and the condition was just so sad,” she says. “This beautiful, vibrant family of four deserved a really fabulous home. It was certainly a challenge to make that out of something so compact – but also very exciting.”

The first thing the Mosman-based designer turned her attention to was the poky kitchen, which she helped to connect with the living space by opening up its narrow entryway. She also reinvented the surplus powder room at the home’s entrance, turning one half of it into a butler’s pantry and laundry space leading off the back of the kitchen, and the other half into a cloakroom at the front door where Shelley stores shoes, shopping bags and dog-walking gear. “That’s probably one of my favourite features,” Shelley says of this invisible clutter concealer.

From there, it was all about maximising the light and saving space. Fresh paint and flooring made an immediate difference,

LIVING AREA (above) Flowing out to the terrace, the living area features an Alfie sofa, upholstered in Elliott Clarke ‘Bologna Natural’ fabric, from Crafted Furniture. Wilfred occasional chair, Jardan. Sherpa rug in Pumice, Armadillo.

STAIRS The glass balustrade draws sunlight down from the new Velux skylight. Bird photograph, Leila Jeffreys. DETAIL (opposite) The two green vessels and handmade stem vase, all stylist’s own, are arranged on a Clifton marble-based coffee table from West Elm.

KITCHEN (both pages) A larger footprint was created by borrowing space from a powder room near the front door. Shelley saved money on a reasonably priced Caesarstone benchtop in Fresh Concrete, giving her extra to splash out on the splashback: handmade Moroccan Zellige tiles in Bianca Casa from Di Lorenzo. Custom V-groove joinery finished in Dulux Natural White two-pack polyurethane, installed by Braeside Joinery. Mizu gooseneck mixer in Brushed Gold and Franke sink, both Reece. Still Life With Citrus artwork (this page) by Rachel Stevens from Palette By Jono Fleming. Other artwork (opposite) by Catherine Hickson, Art2Muse.

good news Shelley and Mike’s townhouse came with quite a few 1980s inclusions, but thanks to some well-chosen contemporary treatments — white paint, pale timber flooring and clever lighting — the interior has been expertly updated.

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and the home is also dotted with clever devices that either create more space and light, or look like they do. For example, the bench underneath the TV is designed with a dual purpose: its drawers act as storage, but are deep enough for Shelley to use them as extra seating when extra guests are present. Two more examples are the cornices, which were removed to create less of a visual barrier between the walls and ceilings, and the window treatments, which were installed above the windows instead of flush with the frames, giving rooms the illusion of more height.

Also, a study nook for Mike was slotted in under the stairs.

On the first floor, the bedrooms aren’t large, but Anna found ways to make them functional and beautiful, with space for a king-single bed and desk in each. The trickiest was Lola’s room, which had a window facing a sandstone cliff. “She was really worried that her room would feel like a cave,” says Anna. But bright paint as well as the skylight in the hallway made the wall more of a feature than a drawback.

Perhaps it’s a hangover from her initial misgivings about the home, but even today Shelley finds herself warning guests before they arrive that their home is tiny. “But then everyone says, ‘It doesn’t feel small at all!’” she smiles.

In fact, thanks to Anna’s ingenuity, this tricky townhouse now feels spacious, tranquil and warm. “Part of Mike’s brief to Anna when we first brought her on board was that the design had to have a bit of a ‘wow factor’,” says Shelley. “And we certainly got it. We love every single bit of it.”

McMillan Design is at mcmillandesign.com.au and @mcmillandesign

FIRST FLOOR

INSIDE | HOME

4 1

1 Entry 2 Kitchen 3 Dining area 4 Living area 5 Terrace 6 Balcony

7 Main bedroom 8 Ensuite 9 Bedroom 10 Linen cupboard 11 Bedroom 12 Bathroom

INSIDE OUT | 59

BATHROOM (this page and opposite, top left) The focal point in this space is the Kado Neue double vanity, with Roca Inspira basins, from Reece. Mizu Drift showers and basin mixers in Brushed Gold, all from Reece. Tiles, Di Lorenzo.

MAIN BEDROOM (opposite, top right) A rattan bedhead from Kira & Kira relaxes the mood.

Sunset Cenotaph painting by Tym Yee, from Palette By Jono Fleming. Bedside table, GlobeWest. BEDROOM (opposite, bottom right) Edie’s room is compact but still comfortably fits a king-single bed. Artwork by Rachel Castle.

INSIDE | HOME

lessons learnt “ ROBUST MATERIALS WILL REWARD YOU IN THE END” SHELLEY SONAND, HOMEOWNER

Shelley was certain she wanted timber cabinetry throughout the home, but Anna successfully talked her out of this.. “Polytec finishes were suggested by Anna and I said, ‘Oh, no way — I want real timber!’”

Shelley recalls. “But she told me to trust her and thank goodness I did. I love that I can put a cup of tea or glass of wine anywhere, and I don’t have to stress about whether it’s going to mark.”

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STUDY NOOK (left) A clever study space under the stairs gives Mike a place to work, and a secret cupboard hides away office essentials like the printer. Artworks from Palette By Jono Fleming.

DETAIL (above) Some of the family’s books and accessories are kept on a String shelving system from Great Dane Furniture. Artwork, stylist’s own.

TERRACE (opposite) “Our outdoor space is pretty much the same size as our living/dining area,” says Shelley, “so when it’s good weather, it acts as an extra living zone.” Fermob outdoor sofa and table from Design Nation.

GREAT FINDS

CLOCKWISE (from top left) Sherpa handwoven wool-viscose rug (200cm x 300cm) in Pumice, $1850, Armadillo. Giant Bird of Paradise plant, $349, in Aspen egg planter pot in Snow, from $40 for small, both Gro Urban Oasis. Organic cotton-velvet square cushion in Turmeric (50cm), $90, In Bed. Bjorn oval mirror in Bright White, $258, Middle Of Nowhere. Handmade Collection ‘Bianca Casa’ Zellige tiles in White Gloss/Polished, POA, Di Lorenzo. Space Cadet clay sculpture, $860, Jan Vogelpoel. ‘Scratch’ Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo photographic print on archival fibre-based cotton rag paper, POA, Leila Jeffreys. Linen flat sheet in Grey & White Stripe, $225 for queen size, In Bed. Mizu ‘Drift MK’ wall basin mixer tap set in Brushed Gold, $474, Reece. Fermob ‘Bellevie’ bench in Cotton White, $1750, Trit House. Urna vase in Olive, $375, Marimekko. Ton ‘811’ dining chair, from $550, James Richardson Furniture.

62 | INSIDE OUT

“The house was dark and drab and depressing before the renovation, but now it has an airy, light, resort feel” SHELLEY

S M A L L S PAC E S

DOUBLE UP

INSIDE | HOME

A Sydney designer and her builder husband took a crumbling fourstorey terrace and turned it into two fabulous apartments WORDS CARLI PHILIPS PHOTOGRAPHY PABLO VEIGA STYLING ATELIER LAB

64 | INSIDE OUT

125 SQM

cheat sheet Who renovated it Married couple Eliza and Matt Boers, an interior designer and builder, tackled this project together.

Style of home An 1800s terrace house in inner Sydney, converted into two self-contained apartments.

Work began in February 2020 and the top-floor apartment (shown in this story) was finished by April 2021.

LIVING AREA Luxury furnishings were chosen for their appeal to local buyers. Bertoia ‘Diamond’ armchair, Dedece. Offset timber table by Philippe Moulin for Resident, HGFS Artwork by Louise Olsen. STAIRCASE (opposite) Light now flows through, courtesy of the exposed staircase with open treads and evenly spaced stringers. Metal rods powdercoated Dulux Monument.

INSIDE | HOME

T

he renovation of this Sydney home was a true

family affair for interior designer Eliza Boers of Ettie Tom. Purchased at auction by her father-in-law, the 19th-century Darlinghurst building was terribly rundown and the interiors lined with old brown bricks. The reconstruction work was assigned to Eliza’s builder husband Matt, while she was tasked with renovating the interiors. Given the price and location, the couple wanted to capitalise on the property, so they made the savvy decision to strata the single terrace and create two apartments: one occupying the basement and ground floor, and the other occupying the first and second floors.

In April 2016, the couple moved into the basement level while the upper storeys were leased to a bunch of uni students.

“There was no sound separation so it felt like they were going to fall through the roof!” recalls Eliza. Needless to say, Eliza and Matt moved out when they had their first baby two years later.

The planning process was difficult and the couple worked closely with their architects, R Squared Studios. “It was a complex design and build due to restrictions within the existing structure combined with heritage requirements, tight access and the rigmarole involved in converting it to a Class 2 building,” says Eliza. “It’s not very common to see two apartments in the one terrace so it was a unique concept, like a mini development.”

Once they got the ball rolling, the challenges came thick and fast. Most significant was the constraint of working 12 metres

DETAIL (above) The slim console is a Sovet Italia design from HGFS. Accessories, Curatorial+Co. Artwork by John Young, through Olsen Gallery.

LIVING AREA (opposite) A widened opening with sliding glass doors has expanded the view. Sconces, Est Lighting. Marie Michielssen for Serax side table, Ondene. SP01 ‘Etoile’ coffee table, Space. Artwork by Michael Cusack.

66 | INSIDE OUT

“We only wanted natural materials and went luxe all the way with marble, good quality fixtures and appliances, and beautiful oak flooring. It needed to feel fresh and contemporary but still within the heritage context” ELIZA BOERS, INTERIOR DESIGNER

1 Kitchen/dining 2 Living area 3 Balcony 4 Laundry 5 Bathroom 6 Bedroom 7 Bedroom 8 Ensuite 9 Ensuite 10 Bedroom 11 Deck 12 Study

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high up in a structure that was only 4.5 metres in width sitting boundary to boundary. And it wasn’t long before Eliza and Matt discovered why it looked so dilapidated; the double-brick walls on the facade had been neglected, and termites and damp were causing all the structural timber to decay. Heritage restrictions dictated that it had to be retained, so a significant amount of work was involved in reinstating and bringing its features back to life. This involved rendering the entire facade and lining the roof with cedar shingles. Cosmetically, in went a new front door with updated hardware and all the existing shutters and front windows were repaired and repainted.

The couple decided to tackle the top-floor apartment first.

Walking in off the street, a flight of stairs goes directly up to level one, where the narrow footprint is organised into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with a bedroom to the south. Once they started stripping back the render, Eliza and Matt uncovered brick walls stamped with the details of Sydney’s old Marrickville brick pits, dating back to when the first settlers arrived in Australia. They also discovered a 150-year-old paw print from what they suspect was the brick mason’s dog. In homage, they decided to leave that wall exposed.

STAIRS (left) Another perspective of the open staircase. KITCHEN (above) “This space needed to feel fresh and contemporary but still within the heritage context,” says Eliza. Super White Dolomite benchtop and splashback, Granite & Marble Works. Polyurethane joinery in Dulux Pebble Grey and Polytec Woodmatt in Bottega Oak. Artwork by Chris Langlois.

BEDROOM (opposite, top left) B&B Italia ‘Spool’ side table, Space. Artwork

by Michael Cusack. BATHROOM (opposite, top right) Dogal marble wall tiles and Kasbah ‘Uni’ ceramic white tiles, Surface Gallery. Sky white granite vanity benchtop, Granite & Marble Works. Elli bath, Parisi. Bath towel, Missoni.

BEDROOM (opposite, bottom) Natural white polyurethane wardrobes with custom oak handles. SP01 ‘Royce’ chair, Space. Rug, Armadillo.

68 | INSIDE OUT

VESSELS (IN KITCHEN) BY RINA MENARDI, GREG NATALE AND LOBMEYR. SCULPTURE (ON BATHROOM VANITY) BY CASSIE HANSEN. DISH BY KH WÜRTZ

INSIDE | HOME

“Even though it’s one terrace split in two, we wanted it to feel like two self-contained and spacious homes” ELIZA BOERS, INTERIOR DESIGNER

As the long-term plan was to sell, there was no specific aesthetic brief per se, but the design did need to appeal to a broad market. And based on the location in Darlinghurst, Eliza knew luxury finishes would please the target demographic.

Botched 1970s alterations meant there was nothing in particular worth salvaging, so the interiors were completely gutted and new oak flooring installed throughout. Super White Dolomite is used for the kitchen benchtops and splashback, with coordinating ceramic and marble tiles in the revamped bathrooms tying things together. To achieve more light, a staircase between the first and second floors was designed with exposed treads and a metal handrail, rods and stringers to allow light to filter through from the new skylight above. “Even though it’s one terrace split in two, we really didn’t want it to feel that way. We wanted it to feel like two self-contained and spacious homes,” says Eliza.

The rear of the building was extended to align with the neighbours and, although council rejected the couple’s proposal for a top-floor main-bedroom terrace, they managed to create a small Juliet balcony. “The bedroom is internal, but there are floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and a balustrade so it opens up completely – it kind of feels like an outdoor room,” says Eliza.

“Even the slightest changes would have been an improvement on what was here before. Now there’s an amazing mix of functionality, style and the ultimate in social city living.”

Ettie Tom interior design can be found at ettietom.com.au.

Find R Squared Studios at r2studios.com.au, and Matt Boers Constructions at mattboersconstructions.com.au

STAIRS (above) The apartment occupies the first and second floors, but the entrance to the building is on street level so stairs are required to access it.

New oak stairs and flooring, Woodcut. Walls painted Dulux Natural White.

Moooi ‘NR2’ pendant light, Space Furniture. Artwork by Merryl Greaves.

STUDY NOOK (left) A built-in Polytec Bottega Oak desk and shelf keep things streamlined. Uncino chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Mattiazzi, District. Artwork by Michael Cusack. BEDROOM (opposite) By the fireplace is a Tom Dixon ‘Fat’ chair from Manyara Home. Black marble bowl, Greg Natale.

Artworks by Sarah Boyts Yoder (on wall) and Louise Olsen (on mantel).

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GREAT FINDS

CLOCKWISE (from top left) Tom Dixon ‘Fat’ lounge chair, $2950, Living Edge. Moooi ‘NR2 Suspension’ pendant light, from $1950, Space Furniture. Empty And Full original oil-on-linen artwork by Louise Olsen, $19,000, Olsen Gallery. Fiammetta V marble fruit bowl, $411, Amara. B&B Italia ‘Spool’ side table, from $2055, Space Furniture. Atlas rug (200cm x 300cm), $1945, Armadillo. Linen duvetcover set in Moss, $390 for queen size, In Bed. Resident ‘Offset’ stool in Oak, $645, HG Furniture Solutions. Maner Studio ‘Arc Nordic’ table lamp, $1550, Great Dane Furniture.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: CORINA KOCH

BEDROOM An angular GTV ‘Suzenne’ lounge chair from Space Furniture reinforces the asymmetric lines of this top-floor space. ENSUITE (above) Dogal marble wall tiles continue the luxe look in the wet areas. Kasbah ‘Uni’ white ceramic wall tiles, Surface Gallery. Basin, Studio Bagno. Pink vase, Dinosaur Designs. BEDROOM (opposite) The tiled side table from Manyara Home is the perfect perch for the Arc lamp from Great Dane Furniture.

Artwork by John Young, through Olsen Gallery..

LESSONS LEARNT “ Make sure you properly understand the task ahead of you” ELIZA BOERS, INTERIOR DESIGNER

“This was a complex design and build due to restrictions with the existing structure, heritage constraints and the requirements involved in converting the dwelling into a Class 2 building. It was also sat on the boundary, so access for construction was tight. In hindsight, we may even have reconsidered and kept it as one residence.”

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83 SQ M

thin king big Defying the notion that unit living comes with space constraints, a Melbourne designer has employed big-house concepts in this light and contemporary renovation

WORDS LAURA BARRY PHOTOGRAPHY ARMELLE HABIB STYLING SHE BUILDS INTERIORS

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cheat sheet Who lives here Lisa Kefford of She Builds Interiors renovated the ground-floor unit before selling it.

Style of home A late-1990s twobedroom, two-bathroom home in southeast Melbourne.

Two years from September 2018 to October 2020.

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P

urchased on a whim with the intention of

transforming it into an investment property, this Melbourne unit by interior designer Lisa Kefford, director of She Builds Interiors, quickly became a project that sold on completion. “I originally had the idea that it would be a great opportunity to use my interior-design and building expertise, and then my husband and I would rent it out,” Lisa explains. “However, financial considerations later on meant that we needed to sell the property and so the renovation strategy changed to flipping.”

Though the property was purchased in September 2018, the renovation wasn’t completed until October 2020. Built in 1997, the home hadn’t seen any improvements beyond new blinds and downlights during its lifetime and there was a lot to do, but Lisa had a very clear vision of what she wanted to achieve. Two bathrooms were created out of one, a concealed European laundry was incorporated into the new kitchen and the home was updated throughout.

Lisa also increased the usability and functionality of the west-facing courtyard – changes she insists had the biggest impact for the property. Another key feature of the design concept was to draw in the outside light. “The unit’s dark orientation on the block required installing window treatments KITCHEN (both pages) Two-pack surfaces have been used: Dulux Paramount Design for the cabinetry and Haymes Paint Builders White (double-strength) for the floating shelves and rangehood box. Lisa stands at the bench in Carrara Lumina engineered stone from Lithostone Surfaces.

A European laundry is cleverly concealed inside cupboards below. Taps, Phoenix Tapware. Handles, Lo & Co. Appliances, Smeg. Artwork by Jen Sievers.

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1 Entry 2 Living area 3 Kitchen 4 Dining area 5 Outdoor space 6 Bathroom 7 Main bedroom 8 Ensuite 9 Bedroom 10 Garage

“Small homes shouldn’t need to adhere to the old thinking of having to downscale their kitchen areas” LISA KEFFORD, INTERIOR DESIGNER

lessons learnt “Back yourself ” LISA KEFFORD, INTERIOR DESIGNER

“Perseverance and a little bit of common sense goes a long way when renovating a property yourself.

Trust your gut. I knew more than I thought I did. It’s amazing what you can do when you have to.”

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that allowed the light to stream through,” says Lisa. Now the interiors are light, airy and modern, with neutral tones, an understated elegance and maximum functionality.

However, of all the home’s spaces, it’s the large kitchen that Lisa loves most. “Small homes shouldn’t need to adhere to the old thinking of having to downscale their kitchen areas,” she says. “The ‘house-sized’ kitchen is a key feature of this home.

I also deliberately styled it with minimal fixtures, and selected furniture that was streamlined and allowed light and air to flow around it, and the eye to see beyond it.”

Engineered stone benchtops, engineered timber flooring, contemporary tiles and V-groove panelling ensure the home presents a minimal, clean and uncluttered appearance, creating a sense of space and calm without sacrificing warmth or style.

In addition, Lisa had the property replumbed and fitted with new electrical works and gas lines, and installed an instant hot-water system and new eco-friendly insulation. This compact unit now comfortably accommodates a main bedroom with ensuite, a second bedroom, main bathroom, open-plan kitchen and dining, a spacious living zone, garage and easily maintained rear garden – with a neat little porch at the entry to boot.

“The local real-estate market was a bit surprised by a 25-year-old unit renovated to a high-end designer finish,” says Lisa. “The place is now sun-filled, with spaces that promote a relaxed style of living.” And, happily, the new home is just as well-loved by its new owner as it was by Lisa. “I regularly hear from the agent who sold the property, and he’s told me repeatedly that the owner is absolutely stoked and intends to move into the property next year… lucky duck!”

Check out more of Lisa’s projects @shebuildsinteriors

BATHROOM (top) Lisa used horizontal James Hardie V-groove panelling to give the illusion of width, while the same panelling was installed vertically in the second bathroom to create a sense of height. Addis White satin wall tiles, Beaumont Tiles. Concrete Fusion floor tiles in Anthracite, National Tiles.

Vivid Slimline taps, Phoenix Tapware. BEDROOM (above) More V-groove panelling, this time painted Haymes Silver Tassie, functions as an extended headboard. Serene Montem print-on-canvas artwork by Jessie Rigby.

MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) French linen bedding from Greenhouse Interiors complements the Flowerbed 2 artwork by Kimmy Hogan. Oak Monolit bedside table, Ethnicraft. Bell lamp by Normann Copenhagen.

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good news The home has been insulated with Earthwool R-3.5, which is made using up to 80% recycled glass and designed to last 50 years.

CLOCKWISE (from top left) Dreamer artwork (110cm x 170cm), $1450, Kimmy Hogan. Normann Copenhagen ‘Bell’ lamps in Sand and Grey, $1285 each, Top3

By Design. Willow occasional chair, $1095, GlobeWest. Kintore knobs in Black, $24 each, Lo & Co. Jaque terrazzo coffee table, $699, Loungelovers. Tickled Pink quilt, $359, Greenhouse Interiors. Linen duvet cover set in Bluestone, $365 for queen, Cultiver. Wall paint in Alpen, $153 per 4L, Porter’s Paints. Phoenix ‘Vivid Slimline’ gooseneck sink mixer in Matt Black, $419, Harvey Norman. Phoenix ‘Vivid Slimline’ rail shower, $400, Tradelink. Brunswick Kit Kat tiles, $69 per sq m, Tile Cloud. Sidney three-seater sofa in Barley/Natural Ash, $5070, GlobeWest. Concrete fusion tile in Anthracite, $24.95 per sq m, National Tiles.

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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATE LINCOLN.

GREAT FINDS

OUTDOORS (both pages) Although the rear garden and courtyard are compact, functionality has been maximised with slimline outdoor furniture and a stylish umbrella for shade, all in white. One of the exterior walls has been fitted with a hanging storage area and Steadyrack bike rack to reduce mess and fuss. The bike belongs to the owner. Furniture, stylist’s own.

S M A L L S PAC E S

105 SQ M

c ol ou r c orre c tion An all-white apartment in Brisbane has been transformed by the energising power of modern style and creativity WORDS JACKIE BRYGEL PHOTOGRAPHY MINDI COOKE

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cheat sheet Who lives here Goli, a GP, and Nima, a medical registrar.

Style of home A three-bedroom apartment in inner-Brisbane.

The interiors were customised over a period of about 12 months.

DINING AREA (both pages) Interior designer Jacqueline Jones was hired to give the home a bespoke refurbishment that prioritised colour.

Arch wallpaper in Buoyant, Maharam. Patricia Urquiola ‘Shimmer’ dining table and Chouchin suspension pendant, Space. Artifort ‘Suit’ dining chairs upholstered in Kvadrat fabric, Ke-zu. Artwork, a gift.

D

uring the day, Brisbane doctors Goli and

Nima are immersed in a clinical world. And, by night, the couple relish returning to their captivating apartment – a kaleidoscopic domain that presents as a glorious contrast to the gravity of the medical professionals’ work.

Bravely endowed with colour and pattern, this is a home in which playful style has been allowed free rein. Indeed, for Goli and Nima, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“By its nature, the environment that we work in – either at the hospital or the GP clinic – can be stressful, and is typically not a colourful place,” says Nima. “That’s why we decided to have a home full of colour – colour we cannot see outside the house.

This felt even more necessary during the pandemic, which has caused us to work outside of our home for even longer hours.”

Since moving to Australia from their native Iran a decade ago, Goli and Nima wasted no time embracing their mutual love of things bold and bright. “When we settled in Australia – and specifically in the Sunshine State of Queensland – we became even more interested in colour,” says Nima. “It’s a different world here to Tehran, where there is a lot of grey and black.”

In 2018, Goli and Nima decided to purchase an off-the-plan apartment in a new six-level development in one of Brisbane’s leafy riverside suburbs. To the couple, the three-bedroom unit, while promising an easy-living layout, was calling for an individual look. “Everything on the plan was just white with more white,” says Nima. “We knew straightaway that we wanted to add colour, but didn’t know where to begin when it came to mixing and matching colours.”

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For this reason, the couple decided to engage Jacqueline Jones, a director of award-winning design practice Twofold Studio, to customise the apartment’s finishes by introducing vivid hues in unexpected and impactful ways. And that’s certainly what the interior designer provided.

Graphic feature wallpaper, an iridescent Patricia Urquiola ‘Shimmer’ dining table, two-toned walls in the couple’s bedroom and eye-catching contemporary works of art are among the decorative highlights that impart a sense of stylish expression.

“Goli and Nima really wanted to enjoy a home that resonated colour and design, allowing them to be immersed in a world of artwork and finely crafted pieces,” says Jacqueline.

“It’s a very personal, bespoke design, purely responding to how they wish to live. And we had a great neutral base as a starting point. They also wanted good-quality, well-designed furniture items to be enjoyed with longevity. And, of course,” adds the designer with a smile, “there had to be colour. Goli and Nima were open to pushing the boundaries with colour, and encouraged the development of the design response through to completion. The colours were to be bold, stimulating and complementary to one another. It ended up being by far the boldest colour scheme I’ve worked with.”

The clear hero of the compact 105-square-metre apartment is indeed the vivid palette. For this has truly been an exercise in thinking big on a smaller scale. “The size of a home should not impede on what – and how much – colour is used,” says Jacqueline. “But as with all spaces, there must be a considered approach to where and how colour is placed. It can be as simple

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KITCHEN The existing white kitchen has been enlivened with more Arch wallpaper and a Roll & Hill ‘Odds & Ends’ light installation from Space Furniture.

LIVING AREA (opposite) Each time Goli and Nima enter the home, they are greeted by the cheery sight of their mustard-hued Valley 3.0 sofa from Jardan.

Nine coffee table in Dulux Marine Tinge, Darcy Clarke. Patricia Urquiola ‘Shimmer’ side table, Space Furniture. Custom rug in Coral, Designer Rugs.

The Frame TV, Samsung. Male figure sculpture on floor, Billy Morton Petyarre.

LIVING (both pages) Sculptures and decorative elements provide a glimpse of the couple’s passions and create joyful moments throughout the apartment. Sheer curtains in Brooklyn White from Window Image allow natural light to fill the space. Custom Comax bench seat in Palm Leaf velvet, Twofold Studio. Console, Platinum Joinery. Bit Of A Shock sculpture in corner

by Warren Palmer, on Twofold Studio plinth that’s also by Platinum Joinery.

Horse warrior sculpture by Ruki Frame. Somerset Dam artwork by Katarina Vesterberg. Hay ‘Kaleido’ tray on coffee table, Cult Design.

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as decorative items and artworks or a more complex layering of wall, floor and furniture finishes. It was a joy and challenge to create this exciting space.”

Jacqueline says the apartment is equal parts whimsical and sophisticated, and demonstrates that serenity comes in many forms. “Feature paints were nominated to be calm and cool in the two guest rooms, with an uplifting two-tone scheme in the main bedroom, where Goli and Nima wanted a more exciting response that sits well with the large volumes of natural light filtering into the space. Their bedroom has a quality that feels exotic – like a place of escapism.”

As for Goli and Nima, they could not be more delighted with the place they now call home. “When I finish work, I walk into the apartment and feel relaxed among all the colour,” says Nima. “It gives us so much energy and joy.”

Adds Goli, smiling: “We certainly never feel bored here.”

What advice do the pair have for those who would love to introduce more colour into their homes but are unsure where to begin? “Just be brave and go for it,” says Nima. “And don’t worry about what others will say.”

Twofold Studio is at twofoldstudio.com.au and @twofldstudio

lessons learnt “ Do seek professional help” NIMA & GOLI, HOMEOWNERS

GREAT FINDS

FROM TOP DOWN Matrix by Gavin Harris wool rug (200cm x 300cm), $4500, Designer Rugs. Foscarini ‘Chouchin 1’ suspension pendant light, $1215, Space Furniture. Samsung 65-inch ‘The Frame’ TV, $2495, in white bevelled frame, $149, both Harvey Norman. Flos ‘Bellhop’ table lamp, $526, Living Edge.

Contour bedside table, $4200, Zuster. Artifort ‘Suit’ chair, POA, Ke-zu. Arch wallpaper in Buoyant, POA, Maharam. Glas Italia ‘Shimmer’ dining table by Patricia Urquiola, POA, Mobilia. Dulux Wash&Wear low-sheen paint in Sea Legs, from $101.50 per 4L, Bunnings. Glas Italia ‘Shimmer’ side table by Patricia Urquiola, $3315, Space Furniture. Dulux Wash&Wear low-sheen paint in Cinnamon Sand, from $101.50 per 4L, Bunnings. Valley sofa in Mustard Seed/Luna, $8437, Jardan. Kaleido geometrical tray in Grey, $65 for medium, and Kaleido geometrical tray in White, $112 for extra large, both Hay.

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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: JUDIE SIU, CORINA KOCH

“When it comes to making more fearless decorating decisions, the considered advice of a design expert can prove invaluable.

Jacqueline was hugely helpful to us. She gave us different options for everything, advised us on all the furniture and always had a trick up her sleeve. We trusted her taste and artistic flair, and are very happy with the outcome.”

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MAIN BEDROOM Nima and Goli requested a two-tone scheme to provide a sense of escapism. The upper wall’s paint colour is Dulux Sealegs and the lower wall is Dulux Cinnamon Sand. B&B Italia ‘Richard’ bed, Space Furniture. Quilt, Koskela. Contour bedside table, Zuster. Flos ‘Bellhop’ table lamp, Living Edge.

A Case Of The Empties artwork at left by J Valenzuela Didi. Stars In Our Eyes artwork by Lincoln Austin. STUDY (opposite) The couple’s book collection is displayed on a wall-mounted shelf by Twofold Studio, as well as an Opinion Ciatti ‘Ptolomeo’ tower bookcase from Space Furniture. Comax bench seat in Azure velvet, also Twofold Studio. Feature wall painted Dulux Sealegs.

INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION

CHEAT SHEET Who lives here Freja Bak Petersen, a building designer and artist, and her boyfriend Magnus Josias, co-founder of Danish software company Krizo.

Style of home A two-room apartment in Nørrebro, a Copenhagen suburb popular with creatives. The building is a listed property designed by well-known architect Kay Fisker in 1923.

Copenhagen building designer Freja Bak Petersen and her partner have carved out a life that protects their home’s past while looking forward to its future

WORDS EVA JULIE KLITGAARD FÜRST PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTINA KAYSER O STYLING RIKKE GRAFF JUEL

LIVING INSIDE

MODERN HERSTORY

S M A L L S PAC E S

60 SQ M

LIVING ROOM Harmony comes from a mix of natural colours with light-blue floors and a touch of red.

Freja had longed for a Ligne Roset ‘Togo’ sofa by Michel Ducaroy and finally found one on DBA. Rag chair by Bernt Petersen, a second-hand find.

PORTRAIT (opposite) Freja works with architecture firm Rønnow Arkitekter, mainly on the preservation and sustainable development of architecturally significant buildings. She applied this thinking at home when she refurbished some of her old design classics.

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“As the apartment is listed, no changes can be made that aren’t reversible so there were some challenges renovating it” FREJA BAK PETERSEN, OWNER

INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION

DINING ROOM (opposite) Preloved items include the Eames chairs and oak dining table by Børge Mogensen. Much of the couple’s art is original works and old exhibition posters collected on holidays abroad. In the middle hangs a work by Jean-Louis Vila and above it is a silkscreen print by Frederikke Graumann, which to Freja looks like fried eggs! On the shelf are photographs of family.

DETAIL (left) One of Freja’s small assemblages, featuring attractive books and ceramics. The porcelain figure is modelled on Freja’s butcher father, who received it as a gift when he turned 50.

T

he large, listed block in Copenhagen where Freja

Bak Petersen and Magnus Josias have made their home was designed by Kay Fisker in a neo-classical style. One hundred years ago, the architect’s focus was on clean lines and a symmetrical, harmonious structure, simple qualities that the couple greatly appreciates in their small yet bright apartment.

By day, Freja works at design firm Rønnow Artiktekter, which protects buildings worthy of preservation. “My job involves restoring and maintaining a large part of the existing building stock throughout the country,” she says. “We have a great cultural heritage in Denmark, which among other things consists of beautiful old buildings built in the best materials and with great craftsmanship. We take care of them.”

Freja’s work dovetailed nicely into the revamp of her own apartment. “As it is listed, no changes can be made that aren’t easily reversible, so there were some challenges renovating it,” she explains. Fortunately, the pair are happy with apartment’s original floor plan and were able to resolve any design issues.

One of them was not having any doors – except for the bathroom. “The previous owner took them off, and illegally widened the opening between the living room and bedroom.

I’m a little sad about that and would really like to bring it back to the original, but Magnus likes it a lot, and I have to admit that it’s great now that the light travels through the whole apartment.”

In order to achieve a good sense of space and openness, the couple had to think creatively to make room for everything they needed. “The biggest room is a walk-through and must at the same time contain both the living and dining areas,” says Freja.

“We’ve worked hard over the past few years to find pieces that fit in properly. It’s only recently that I felt we were finished.”

When Freja and Magnus moved in, they were both students and had a limited budget, but with patience, a strong aesthetic sense, a love of recycling, good materials and a few design classics, the Copenhagen apartment has become just what they wanted. When they couldn’t find certain pieces of furniture to fit their home and lifestyle, they built them. The most outstanding example is the burgundy bookcase on the livingroom wall. Its open shelves work perfectly for books while the TV and other electricals are stored behind the magnetic doors.

Art posters, Freja’s own textile art (she dyes recycled fabrics with natural ingredients such as avocado, coffee, tea, turmeric and acorns) and rare design finds that have taken years to locate now fill the space in an attractive and functional way.

Freja explains her love of recycled items: “I believe that you should preserve the core values in your home instead of demolishing and throwing things out. It’s important to preserve what has already been built instead of building new. In the same way, it is sustainable to buy used furniture rather than new.

We also build ourselves when we are missing something very specific, like our wall-to-wall bookcase in the living room and my work desk. It also happens that we sometimes invest in a fine new piece of furniture, but we like recycled furniture the most.

If you buy good-quality furniture, it can be maintained and live longer and may one day be passed on to the next generation.”

When living small like Freja and Magnus, it is also essential for the furniture to be functional. The couple never buy anything just because it’s nice – except art of course. Freja says the only thing they might change in future is the sawdust wallpaper on certain walls (featured in the portrait shot). “I don’t love it,” she admits, “but for now it goes with all our earth colours.”

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INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION

CLOCKWISE (from top left) Artek ‘Chair 66’ chair in Natural Birch, from $715, Anibou. Muuto ‘Linear’ steel round cafe table in Black, $985, Living Edge.

Jakobsbyn pendant lamp shade in Clear Glass, $24.99, Ikea. Regolit/Hemma pendant lamp shade in White, $7, Ikea. Mid-century expandable dining table in Walnut, from $999, West Elm. Spiral yellow water jug, $90.20, Sun Pots. Resort matt mosaic tiles in White, $49.95 per sq m, National Tiles. Danish White floorboards, POA, Royal Oak Floors. Phoenix ‘Vivid Slimline’ gooseneck sink mixer in Chrome, $210, The Blue Shop. Matisse Exhibition A3 art print by Cynefn, $41, Wolf & Badger. Eames moulded-wood side chair with wire base, POA, Living Edge. Linen pillowcases in Bluestone, $90 for two, Cultiver. Ligne Roset ‘Togo’ large settee in White, POA, Domo. Arche Graphique II A5 art print, $9.95, Olive Et Oriel. La Piscine giclée A3 art print, $85, Wolf & Badger.

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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATE LINCOLN

GREAT FINDS

KITCHEN (both pages) Though not completely original, the kitchen still has the ambience of a classic Copenhagen kitchen, courtesy of the splashback tiles, steel handles and pendant lamps, which came from a store called Something Special. The cabinets were coated in a dark purple colour with a light sheen. Alvar Aalto chairs, a second-hand find.

Freja and Magnus enjoy cooking, but try not to fill the cupboards with gadgets they rarely use. Only the essentials are stored, and most of them

have been donated by friends and family. Next to the stove, pans and cutting boards hang on a frame from Ikea.

The large hooks are from a butcher shop once owned by Freja’s father. Coffee is important in this household, so an Italian coffee machine was a priority; the couple chose a beautiful La Pavoni design. On the bench is a little yellow Ursula jug from Kähler and a vintage clay dish. The small picture on the back wall is a postcard from the British Museum in London, which Freja has framed.

INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION

good news Like many young people, Freja is interested in preserving, recycling and using materials to hand. She and Magnus have many found and vintage objects in the apartment, as well as clever DIY pieces. Freja is also artistic and has incorporated some of her own textile works into the scheme.

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WORKSPACE (both pages) The couple custom-built this alcove in the bedroom space using a set of old windows. Two walls are finished in a coloured compound called FäRG in Havre (oats) to give them a raw, textured look.

Desk lamp, Møller & Rothe.

The bulletin board reflects the creative projects Freja is working on. Right now, she’s inspired by wallpapers and fabric remnants plus images from holidays and other great life moments. In the middle is a small sketch

by Harry Wendt, bought from Curated Copenhagen.

“We prefer recycled furniture because if it’s good-quality it can be maintained and may one day be passed on to the next generation” FREJA

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lessons learnt “BE INVENTIVE WHEN YOU NEED TO” FREJA BAK, OWNER/ARTIST

“I wanted a desk that I could use for both work and creativity, one which didn’t take up too much space in the room. Despite searching high and low, I couldn’t find what I wanted and so we ended up building my own. It works really well and can just be sanded down if I cut or paint it a little too much with my projects.”

MAIN BEDROOM (both pages) Most of the couple’s clothes are stored in four wall-mounted drawer modules called Brick Boxes, which came from a Trævarefabrikernes sale.

The rice-paper lamp is from Ikea and the small coloured picture to the side of the bed is a silkscreen print by Frederikke Graumann. Over

the bed hangs an original lithograph by Mogens Andersen, which Freja received from her mother when she qualified as a building designer. The small black linoleum print is by Amanda Bødker, and the blue patterned piece is one of Freja’s own textile works.

Bedside lamps, second-hand.

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RENOVATE

design destination Spanish Mission impossible no more

This Sydney house was dreary and dated when a young couple purchased it in 2014. Five years went by before they were ready to renovate, but their intimate knowledge of the house paid off.

As well as knowing where more light was required, they knew exactly how much storage was needed and devised solutions such as this beautiful cabinetry in the hall. Stretching from floor to ceiling, the cupboards and their warm timber doors conceal all.

Turn the page for more details.

PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WHITBREAD

INSIDE | RENOVATE

exterior The new carport and fence provide security but allow glimpses of the home through the slats, creating a sense of welcome. James Hardie Scyon cladding, painted Dulux Vivid White. Roof, windows and fascia in Dulux Black.

DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT.

WAIT & SEA

Delaying the renovation of their new residence on Sydney’s northern beaches gave a busy couple time to identify the home’s problems and come up with some smart solutions WORDS DAN F STAPLETON PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WHITBREAD

cheat sheet Who lives here Clare, a design manager, and her partner Nick, who works in finance, along with their daughter and two sons.

Style of home A 1970s brick home with Spanish Mission influences in a beachside Sydney suburb.

The family bought the home in 2014, but didn’t start renovating until the middle of 2019. Work finished at the end of April 2020.

dining area Dulux Vivid White on the walls and joinery makes the feature painting by Mia Oatley pop. The white chairs are vintage finds painted with Dulux Shale; the orange chair is from Mobel Design.

Dining table, Krost. White Smoked engineered flooring, Woodcut.

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Designers Woods & Warner knew the curtains needed to provide privacy without blocking light and had them made from Altitude, a polyester-linen blend from Nettex.

Banquette cushions in Stockholm leather from Pelle Leathers.

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lare, the co-owner of this easy-breezy coastal

Sydney residence, studied architecture and design at university. So, when she and her partner, Nick, toured the home during their house hunt, she was able to see past its rundown facade and daggy 1970s decor. “I think it was proving to be a tough sell because it had aged so badly,” she says. “But I knew it had great bones.”

The couple, who were expecting their first child, made an offer and moved in just weeks later. They planned to renovate, but then the baby arrived, slowing them down. And before long, a second child was on the way. Meanwhile, Clare and Nick were also busy with their careers. Months stretched into years.

Though perfectly fine in the short term, the home had obvious shortcomings. The footprint was skinny, and the living room and main bedroom faced south, missing out on sun.

Worse still, the concrete backyard looked forlorn. Finally, five years after they bought it, the couple began renovating, using architectural plans that Clare had drawn up. “I’m actually pleased that we waited,” she says. “It gave us time to think everything through and really understand what the home needed.”

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1 Entry 2 Living room 3 Study 4 Powder room 5 Laundry 6 Kitchen 7 Dining area 8 Terrace 9 Living area 10 Bedroom 11 Bathroom 12 Bedroom 13 Ensuite 14 Main bedroom

dream it Clare and Nick thought the home was lacking softness and warmth, mainly because it didn’t optimise the available natural light. They wanted to bring in more daylight where possible, and make any remaining dark rooms feel more homely.

A new backyard was another priority. In addition to being concreted, it pressed up against a carport that Clare thought should have been positioned at the front of the property.

The couple had decided on a gut renovation, which meant a new aesthetic was in order. Their neighbourhood, within walking distance of the beach, was full of California bungalows and squat red-brick apartment blocks. Neither look appealed to Clare. “We needed to create our own style,” she says. Their dream was for something minimalist and modern that still felt inviting and maintained a connection with the water nearby.

wishlist + A new aesthetic The family wanted modern minimalist. + More natural light Even in the south-facing rooms. + Child-friendly back garden

INSIDE | RENOVATE

kitchen The Lamicolor joinery from LI Surfaces, oak handles from Kethy and Dekton Tech Collection island benchtop by Cosentino are all elegant yet easy to clean. Duomo pendant lights, Nightworks Studio.

Painting by Tannya Harricks.

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INSIDE | RENOVATE

living area An expertly judged palette of warm, neutral and cool tones adds subtle personality to the den-like lounge area. Odessa Oak cladding from Lamicolor lines the walls. The super-comfy sofa is a Woods & Warner design, topped with cushions from Jardan and West Elm. A painting by Tanya Harricks sits on a Dang Long & Low media unit from Blu Dot. Coffee table, Mobel Design.

Rug, The Rug Collection.

the best bits + Front-to-back flow “From the entrance, you can see through to the back garden,” says Clare. + The rear deck “It’s shaded in the summertime, but sunny in winter.

It almost feels like another room of the house.” + A massive window in the main bedroom “It’s nice being able to see that much sky. The natural light really enhances your mood.”

fireplace To create a reading nook in this corner, Woods & Warner covered a salvaged armchair in Mokum ‘Strata Silver’ fabric from James Dunlop Textiles, then added a Finn side table from Mobel Design.

Behind it, the fireplace is clad in Dekton Tech Collection, a composite surface material by Cosentino.

design it

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATE HASSETT.

Clare’s new layout included a long hallway on the ground floor to create uninterrupted flow from the front of the home to the open-plan kitchen/living area at the rear. Upstairs, she enlarged bedroom windows and added clerestory windows above the stairwell. She also gained council approval to relocate the carport to the front yard.

Although she is a design professional, Clare decided to enlist the services of duo Woods & Warner for the interior design.

“I’ve spent my whole career in the design industry, but I’ve always struggled with designing spaces for myself and I think a lot of architects and designers are the same,” she says. “You’re almost too close to it. Sometimes, when you ask others to come in on the project and give their perspective, it opens up possibilities that you weren’t able to see yourself.”

The three designers worked together to devise the colour and material palettes. “Clare wasn’t keen on clichéd coastal, but she wanted those water references,” explains Jacinta Woods.

“We brought in blues, whites and greys, but tried to use them in a contemporary way.”

To enhance the home’s personality, the trio agreed that light timber should feature prominently. Other natural materials, including marble cladding, would create texture. One of these was the thick navy carpet chosen for the first floor.

study A space-saving built-in desk and minimal clutter help promote focus in the work-from-home area. Atelier Grande wall light, Astro Lighting.

Office chair, Jardan.

the moodboard FROM LEFT Husky single-door back bar fridge, $1299, Harvey Norman.

Tan Kinsey faux-leather office chair, $159, Temple & Webster. Classic Oak laminate in Natural, from $113.20 per sq m, Laminex. Montecarlo carpet in Ardesia 108, $90 per sq m, Fyber.

Surround ‘Scallop 45’ wall panelling, from $165 per lineal metre, Laminex.

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main bedroom This is another great example of a balanced palette, with cool blue and warm peach bed linen from Linen & Moore harmonising with the colours in Mia Oatley’s painting, and the same Odessa Oak cabinetry from Lamicolor as seen elsewhere.

bedroom A custom Lamicolor chest of drawers, leather-covered Elephant lounge chair from Mobel Design and Grasshopper lamp by Gubi create a cosy corner in the space. Montecarlo carpet in Ardesia, Fyber.

do it Clare and Nick quickly established a rhythm with Woods & Warner.

“Clare understood why we were suggesting certain things, and they both welcomed ideas,” says Jacinta. “And as long as we remained in budget, they were open.”

When it came time to tackle the south-facing living room, the designers deviated slightly from the airy vibe elsewhere in the home. “We went for a cosy Scandinavian look,” says Jacinta.

That meant timber cladding, a fireplace and a deep-blue sofa.

“I was a bit concerned that the room would be too dark,” Clare admits. “But we carefully positioned the downlights and used light timber floorboards, and it worked.”

The home’s new architectural flow means that some natural light now reaches the living area – from the other end of the house. “The hallway has allowed us to get northern light through the entirety of the house,” says Clare. “It makes the home feel a lot larger than it actually is in the footprint.”

By the time they moved back in, the couple had welcomed their third child. Now, they’re adjusting to family life in a home full of sophisticated finishes. “We did try to keep robustness in mind when designing the home,” says Clare, “but not at the expense of creating beautiful spaces. We didn’t want to be too precious about it. You can always repaint a wall!”

Woods & Warner is at woodsandwarner.com.au or @woodsandwarner

bathroom Porcelain tiles in Prussian Blue from Surface Gallery cocoon the Kado Lussi bath from Reece. Elsewhere, Limestone Look porcelain tiles from Calibre Concepts add visual texture.

Basin, Roca. Vanity top, Cosentino.

lessons learnt “Work with the fundamentals of a room – not against them” CLARE, HOMEOWNER “We realised that the living room would never get great natural light, even with bigger windows. Instead, we focused on making it cosy.”

terrace Resilient tallowwood beams, both stained and unstained, make an architectural statement out back.

More stone from Cosentino’s Dekton Tech Collection makes an appearance on the custom barbecue unit. Pavers, Calibre Concepts.

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I ’ V E A LWAYS WA NTE D A . . .

home library Create a bespoke storage and display solution to inspire you for years – and maybe generations – to come brim with your favourite books, or you’re simply looking for an aesthetically pleasing storage solution, bespoke library joinery is the answer. As well as providing an opportunity to display your books, trinkets and treasures in style, it can elevate a room and make a not-so-large space feel grand.

But to get it right, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.

location While dedicating an entire room to a private library is a nice luxury, it’s not essential. Library joinery can be incorporated into almost any available space. “I think with the increase in people working from home, we’re looking to find almost any under-utilised area to create library and office storage,” says Melbourne-based interior stylist Heather Nette King. “Niches next to fireplaces, in corners, and even along hallways are being repurposed to create shelving.”

materials

do so,” says Matthew. “Based on the overall size of the room, the shelving unit should always be in proportion. Avoid having the top shelf above 2400mm as it makes access an issue. The ideal depth is about 350mm, which gives enough room to store books of all sizes while not taking up valuable floor space.”

trends Warm timbers such as oak and walnut will always be a library classic, but pops of colour via paint and surfaces such as Laminex laminate are popular. “There are some really dynamic colour combinations, such as reds and pinks, plus stunning pared-back palettes of black with warm neutrals,” says Heather. “There is also a definite trend for closed cabinetry on the lower half of shelves as everyone needs space to store the necessary but not-greatlooking stuff. Arches are still a strong trend, too, with arch-shaped mouldings even appearing on otherwise rectangular cabinet doors.”

style

Once installed, the way you style your bookshelves will affect the look and mood of your space. “Stick to the old library Timber may seem the obvious choice for constructing shelves, system and group books by theme rather than colour – it will but not all are equal in strength and endurance. “A freestanding make hunting for a certain book far less shelving unit needs to be durable, so you frustrating,” says Heather. “Always leave some can’t go past a nice hardwood timber – depending on the look you’re going for,” space for things that are not books, such as little TOP TIP says Matthew Menichelli, Hipages tradie sculptures, bunches of flowers or photo frames, “Recessed lighting is a great and owner of Elevate Building Group. and mix up the orientation of the books to way to highlight the insides of “By simply using a stain or oil finish, you create visual interest: stand some up straight and library shelves, but even one can create an effective and functional stack others on their side. For a beautiful layered or two attractive wall sconces feature in any room.” and lived-in look, stack books on other surfaces, will create a lovely downward such as side tables and deep windowsills. Try to projecting light source,” says have an extremely comfortable chair near the size Heather. “Small lamps will add bookshelf to remind you to sit down and fully Reach out to a professional tradesperson a sense of intimacy to a library enjoy the way your book collection can transport who can measure your room to determine setting, while track lighting you to another time or place. And if you really the shelving possibilities without impacting with pivoting bulbs is great as want to lean into the romance and scent of the space and its primary function. “First, you can angle it to hit the areas books, burn one of the incredible Byredo decide on the number of books you need you need most access to, or ‘Bibliothèque’ candles as you browse.” to house and ensure you have the room to want to highlight more.”

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WORDS LAURA BARRY

PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES KNOWLER

W

hether you wish for a private library filled to the

1

location Have your chosen space measured by a carpenter to ensure it works

4

materials If you want timber for the shelves, choose a more durable hardwood

EXPERT ADVICE

2

style Create a comfortable look with cosy rugs and artworks that inspire creativity

3

trends Colour is making a comeback so go for it using paint and/or laminate finishes

Adelaide architect David Burton created this library space in an unused corner of his study. It utilises the full height of the walls, with a ladder providing easy access to the top shelf.

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The Block: Glasshouse co-winner and interior architect Shannon Vos. voscreative. com.au

THE GREAT COVER-UP

Repackage your home with the latest and most stylish innovations in both internal and external cladding

C

over-ups can hide a multitude of sins – just ask anyone

with a make-up bag – but they can also be used to highlight features that need a ‘little help’. The same can be said for our homes. Every one of them, new or old, is far from perfect. A bad plaster job, cracked render or even dated brickwork can be expensive issues to fix, so sometimes it’s better to hide a sin than to deal with the real issues underneath (I’m purely speaking about homes here).

But apart from covering up an issue or someone else’s mistake, real value lies in cladding a wall or ceiling to create a feature and bring character to a space. Many of the quick-fit cladding options can actually transform a ho-hum-mer into a stunner.

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inside A painted feature wall was once the go-to for creating character and drama in a room – but that was, like, 20 years ago. Things have come a long, long way from the coffee-brown feature wall behind the TV. Everything else should be considered before painting a feature wall, and cladding damn-near tops the list.

Not only is a cladded wall a contrast to the plain walls in the vicinity, it can be an architectural feature if you choose well.

Modern cladding solutions are also lightweight, pre-primed or finished and relatively simple to install, making them a perfect solution for the DIY weekend warrior.

Surround by Laminex is hot off the press and boasts a range of profiles to suit any home. Made from easy-to-use MDF, the preformed and pre-primed panels come in a range of sizes and, at 12mm thick, aren’t difficult to handle. Best of all, from a practical perspective, because the panels are the same thickness as standard skirting boards and architraves, they can be easily retrofitted to a wall and butted into existing skirting and framing.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LAMINEX (THIS PAGE), JAMES HARDIE (OPPOSITE)

Scallop wall panelling from the Surround by Laminex range is a quick and easy way to create texture indoors.

OPPOSITE Hardie Fine Texture Cladding does a similar job outside.

“MODERN CLADDING SOLUTIONS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT, PREPRIMED AND RELATIVELY SIMPLE TO INSTALL — PERFECT FOR THE DIY WEEKEND WARRIOR” SHANNON VOS, INTERIOR DESIGNER

The subtle curves of the Demi-Round and Scallop panels bring a softness to any room, and the Batten profile provides a contemporary architectural element. We saw the emergence of this stunning cladding on recent episodes of The Block, and you’ll see plenty more flooding your socials in years to come.

For those who love the warmth and the texture of timber, Modinex creates beautifully dressed timber battens, ready for installation with or without a lick of oil. Using lightweight and easy-to-apply softwoods (most notably cedar and hemlock), the list of profiles ticks just about every box. Curved, fluted, batten and diamond are all modern looks, while shiplap, tongue-and-groove, shingle and timber-tile profiles are suited to a more classic aesthetic. Nothing creates a sense of homeliness quite like timber, and the simplicity of using this cladding indoors can totally transform a space.

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finishes Castelation Screenclad panelling (top left) in Western Red Cedar, POA, Modinex. Laminex wall panelling (second from top and then down) in Surround Batten 25, painted Dulux Clay Court. Surround Scallop 22.5, painted Dulux Winter Sea. Surround DemiRound. Surround Batten 100. Surround Scallop 45, painted Dulux Gully. Laminex panels, all from $137.50 per lineal metre.

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Build depth and drama with battens such as Castelation Screenclad by Modinex, as seen in this new build in Victoria.

OPPOSITE Scallop wall panels from Surround by Laminex can be used in a variety of spaces.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ARMELLE HABIB (THIS PAGE), LAMINEX (OPPOSITE).

STYLING: HEATHER NETTE KING (THIS PAGE)

out Like a good raincoat, an exterior cladding solution keeps your home dry and free of moisture while encouraging heating and cooling through passive design principles. At the same time, cladding is the external skin protecting a building from the outside environment and a presentation not only of the home but of those who live in it.

SK1Ns by Austral Bricks brings European charm and character to our shores. Blending the eternal and everchanging beauty of terracotta with contemporary ceramic techniques, SK1Ns has a range of ingenious applications from unparalleled facades to stunning roof lines. Think of it as a terracotta take on shingles but with modern ceramic finishes.

This stylish variation of a classic tried-and-tested material will ensure your home looks good from every angle and evolves with a natural patina. Best installed by professionals, SK1Ns works with battens and breathable membranes to reduce heat transfer within the home and keep things warm and dry – an incomparable solution to beautify and enhance any home.

James Hardie is the king of cladding in our wide, sun-kissed country. The company’s compressed fibre-cement sheeting is a great insulator, has excellent moisture properties, is long-lasting and impervious to termites and rot.

Compressed sheet is a modern and practical material that can be painted, cut, screwed and even nailed. We’ve all seen the Scyon Axon, Linea and Stria profiles for years now, and they have cemented themselves as a staple in modern exterior design.

The new Hardie Fine Texture Cladding brings cement-sheet application a step further, to incorporate texture and warmth where there once wasn’t. Hardie Fine Texture Cladding is as it’s named – a cladding with fine texture that mimics the subtleness and softness of render but without the restraints that come with a masonry brick-and-render build.

Without these traditional weight constraints, Hardie Fine Texture Cladding can be used wherever any lightweight application is needed, and more besides. The natural sand texture diffuses light, adds warmth and gives any renovation, extension or build a modern matt finish.

“A WELL-DESIGNED CLADDING SOLUTION IS A PRESENTATION OF THE HOME AND THOSE WHO LIVE INSIDE IT”

Timber cladding has been used since homes were first built, and it can be a versatile and practical surface solution.

However, in most parts of Australia, timber needs constant upkeep to maintain its fresh aesthetic.

If sanding and oiling exterior timber isn’t your thing (I know it’s not mine), DECO’s DecoBatten is a timber-look aluminium batten that will outlast most other materials in an Australian environment. DecoBatten uses a textured wood-grain powdercoating on aluminium battens (among other applications), resulting in a beautiful, hard-wearing batten that resolves some of the issues associated with timber cladding.

Being aluminium, DecoBatten won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter, plus it is impervious to termite damage, is extremely lightweight and needs minimal upkeep. Most of us with timber cladding fail to realise the effects of an Australian environment on all timber types and are constantly playing catch-up with splintered, dried-out wood.

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more finishes San Selmo SK1Ns bricks in Livenza (top, then down), $149 per sq m, Austral Bricks. Hardie Fine Texture cladding, POA, James Hardie. Altaché external two-tone cladding in Western Red Cedar Black Anodised, POA, Modinex.

San Selmo SK1Ns bricks in Tesino, $149 per sq m, Austral Bricks.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES HARDIE (TOP LEFT), THE UNFOLD (TOP RIGHT), BRICKWORKS (OPPOSITE)

SHANNON

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The innovative shiplap profile of San Selmo’s SK1Ns, available through Austral Bricks.

OPPOSITE Cladding can be handsome and robust, as shown by Hardie Fine Texture Cladding (left) and DecoBatten timber-look aluminium battens in Natural Curly Birch (right).

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JOIN THE DOTS Add a little fun to your dining table with The Dots, a fabulous tumbler set by Bonnie and Neil. The handmade drinkware features gentle curves and splashes of colour in Blue, Pink or Green; $79 for two. bonnieandneil.com.au

LITTLE CHEF Her Hands, an online store selling kids’ products made by female artisans from developing countries, has collaborated with artist Beci Orpin on this super cute limited-edition child’s apron — perfect for the budding cook in your life. Priced at $29 for size 2—5. her-hands.com.au

table talk Meet Palinopsia Ceramics, a new business based in Newcastle, NSW, selling both locally handmade ceramics and textiles plus fab finds from Portugal. palinopsia.com.au

WHAT’S NEW

kitchen

Feel the love in Feb with beautiful homewares, delicious edibles and elevated essentials

Australian timberware brand TS Makers has a new range and we love the Abstract cake stand in American oak, $159, and Curly flute glasses, $89 for two. tsmakers.com.au

COOK OFF

3 OF A KIND

German brand Woll Cookware, in partnership with chef Martin Benn, aims to elevate Australian foodies from humble cooks to home chefs with its new and comprehensive cookware range. woll.com.au

Chill with these refreshing summer drinks 1 Sofi Aperitivo Blood Orange & Bitters, $24.99 for 750ml; danmurphys.com.au 2 Cazcabel Reposado Tequila, $69.99 for 700ml; danmurphys.com.au 3 Remedy Kombucha Orange Squeeze, $42 for 12-pack of 330ml bottles; remedydrinks.com/au

2 1

3

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE ROONEY (BONNIE). STYLING: KARINA DUNCAN (BONNIE)

top treats

surface style

MASTERCLASS

Ideal for outdoor kitchens, the new quartz surfaces by Caesarstone Outdoor are immune to harsh weather as well as being stain- and scratch-resistant.

Available in three colours, they’re priced from $650 per sq m. caesarstone.com.au

Paul Tayar, ProTooling

We talk knives with Paul Tayar, owner of ProTooling, a Sydney store specialising in Japanese kitchen knives, woodworking tools and whetstones.

If you had to choose one knife, which would it be? It would have

to be a 210 Gyuto. The main style of chef knife in Japan, 210mm is a sweet spot in size for most tasks. You could easily live with just this knife as it performs on any ingredient or cuisine.

TAKE ME THERE Mrs Tablescape’s latest collection is inspired by the Amalfi Coast. The Ashleigh range features hand-formed and painted plates, plus embroidered napkins and candles with vine and citrus motifs. Priced from $21.30 for a napkin. mrstablescape.com

What should people look for when choosing a knife? Buying

from a store you trust is important, from someone that can support you in future with sharpening and will stand by their products.

hot sauce Indigenous-owned Mabu Mabu specialises in small-batch pantry items. Made by hand with Indigenous and tropical flavours, the sauces are divine, $10 each for 250ml. mabumabu.com.au

Are there knives every foodie should own? A Gyuto knife –

or perhaps the smaller Santoku – is a great option for your main chef knife. For a good paring knife, I recommend the Nakiri. protooling.com.au

mist it Power House room mist in Tui & Kahili is the second scent from Ashley & Co. Water-based, it’s safe to use on fabrics, soft furnishings and even leather, $50. shop-au.ashleyandco.co

FAB FIVE Organise your kitchen with a new set of clip jars from pullen & co, $54.95 for five. pullenandco.com.au

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OUT

down to earth

A Queensland garden goes native Located on the Sunshine Coast, this Palm Springs-style garden by Instyle Habitats founder Adam Biddle features coastal natives and earthy rustic tones. Corten-steel planters from FormBoss provide a pleasing pop of textural difference, while Adbri Masonry pavers and Mary River rock and pebbles form the blank canvas on which the foliage is showcased. A Queensland bottle tree and bromeliads stand tall, with blue chalksticks and Mecardonia ‘Magic Carpet’ groundcover filling in the gaps. instylehabitats.com

WORDS LAURA BARRY PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE CLARK

why outdoor living is easy If you have outdoor space that’s unloved or unused and are ready for change, there are plenty of pathways to success, says Rebeka Morgan of the BuildHer Collective

A

n alfresco zone is a wonderful way to increase the living

space of your home. Outdoor rooms have never been so popular, partly because of our warmer weather and partly because of the great materials and accessories now available to make them so alluring. Whether you choose to create a simple one on a budget, or opt for structural works that require time and money to realise, any project will require a master plan to ensure success. We love to draw inspiration from great designers and their gardens, so start by gathering images and creating a moodboard to help you nail your own brief.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER (MAIN SHOT), MINDI COOKE. STYLING: SARAH ELLISON (MAIN PIC), HAYLEY JENKINS

BuildHer Collective co-founders Rebeka Morgan (left) and Kribashini Hannon can be found at buildhercollective.com.au

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Great seating is essential in any outdoor setting, from the dry side of a pool to the cosy corner of a semi-shaded courtyard (opposite).

purpose Before you do anything, it’s important to figure out how you want to use your exterior space and start planning around the key activities you intend to enjoy there. Whether that’s hosting parties, playing with the kids, relaxing, or all of the above, even the smallest space can be tailored to suit. Bear in mind that an outdoor room should call to you, so consider the sightlines of your space through key windows of your home, such as the kitchen window or the doors leading from your living room, and always aim for a good connection between inside and out. If you’re considering a plunge pool or full-sized swimming zone, bear in mind that it can add the most amazing ambience if done right.

We love pools in all shapes and sizes but especially the cost-effective prefinished designs that can be lifted into place.

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Those who entertain a lot might opt for an outdoor kitchen and special inclusions such as a pizza oven (above). If space allows, you may even want to incorporate a pool (top right) into your outdoor scheme. Rebeka Morgan’s light and bright terrace in Melbourne (opposite) is all about easy access and the view from the kitchen, a vista of oversized decorative pavers and crisp green pockets.

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planting

Hardscaping and overhead structures can make A garden should be an ever-evolving space, all the difference to the feel of your outdoor so don’t be afraid to chop and change the space. We love using pergolas that are greenery if something isn’t working for you connected to the house and encourage people or it. Lots of lovely plants and pots can look to move easily between indoors and out. amazing in any setting. Layer them at different Covering them with Boston ivy or wisteria levels to create a microclimate that helps to provides dappled light and shade, as well as shade and cool your house in summer but visual interest as the leaves change with the also allow light through in winter. seasons. But before erecting a structure, mark out the space with decking or pavers. We still furnishings love the movement and variety of crazy paving, Furniture selections and final touches will but if you are looking for a make all the difference to the more budget-friendly option, liveability of your alfresco space. consider zoning with crushed TOP TIP Inbuilt seating with coordinating rock or toppings. Also think cushions has become a favourite Draw your space to scale about installing a fireplace outdoor design element for many and plan how you intend to or fire pit, which will give designers, with movable chairs use it and which items of the area an alluring focal added to the mix around it. furniture you will need. point and create an intimate Choose an outdoor table that Doing so ensures that gathering zone for comfortably accommodates a everything will fit and make conversations while large group, and lounge chairs it easy to see pathways to providing warmth and that can be moved to different and around it — don’t forget ambient lighting in the points in the space, allowing you to add circulation space. cooler months. to follow the sun all year.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON WHITBREAD (THIS PAGE), DYLAN JAMES (OPPOSITE). STYLING: NATALIE JOHNSON (THIS PAGE)

structure

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OUT | GARDEN

rock steady A bush garden in suburban Melbourne has been designed to look as if it’s been forged out of the landscape over time WORDS CHRIS PEARSON PHOTOGRAPHY MARNIE HAWSON

The owners’ dog contemplates the fresh-water swimming hole, which takes cues from the idyllic natural pools of the bush.

Plantings include Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) on the boundary, Swan River pea (Gastrolobium celsianum), groundcover (Myoporum parvifolium), tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) and morning iris (Orthrosanthus multiflorus).

Biotop pool by Natural Swimming Pools Australia. Skargaarden ‘Nozib’ sunloungers, Parterre.

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OUT | GARDEN

T

his velvety freshwater pool and its monumental

setting could be in Kakadu, but it’s a mere 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. The inspired creation of landscape designer Sam Cox, amazingly, it’s just four years old and constructed from the ground up – and down, due to a sizeable excavation.

When Sam first sighted the property, it was a humble suburban block with a new home at the front commanding spectacular views of the Yarra River. That left a generous, steep block at the back. Wild and neglected, it featured 200-year-old river red gums, mature blackwood acacias and overgrown lawn.

Attracted by Sam’s online portfolio, the owners originally hired him to landscape the area around the house. “They knew my style and the fact that I only do natural-inspired landscapes,” he says. But although this area at the back was not part of the original brief, it couldn’t be left idle. “They asked me if I could put a pool in here, together with a spring-like waterfall, and create a space around it well away from the house as a getaway, where they could while away the hours,” Sam tells.

A place where they could commune with nature – Sam’s naturalistic style would prove the perfect fit. “I want people to experience the bush and build that into everyday living spaces,” he says. “There is an enduring, understated beauty in a naturalistic bush garden. All our landscapes are based on careful rock placement, earth shaping and layered native plantings.”

Sam has achieved a spectacular take on the classic Aussie swimming hole, boasting mountain-fresh, crystal-clear water.

Built in collaboration with Biotop Natural Swimming Pools, the pool has a separate pond fortified with zooplankton, which treats the water organically before filtering it back into the main pool. “Anyone who has swum in waterholes in the NT or North Queensland can appreciate the pool’s velvety feel, in stark contrast to the harshness of chemically treated water,” he says.

“This is soft and refreshing, even better than drinking water.”

Around the waterhole, he’s crafted a matching garden that looks so natural it could have evolved over eons out of the landscape.

Sam learnt his craft from his ‘mentor’, Gordon Ford, a famed 20th-century Victorian landscape designer, in whose employ he began his career in the late 1990s. The newbie was captivated by Gordon’s timeless organic look, defined by deftly placed craggy rocks and boulders that are softened with native trees, bushes and groundcover.

“Boulder outcropping is my bread and butter,” says Sam. “Rocks create natural transitions in levels in nature. The skill is placing them so the results don’t look contrived. If it’s done correctly, an abrupt change in levels doesn’t jar. I am never afraid of deep cuts to create a spring-fed look.” He shifted almost 80 tonnes of basalt onto the property, the largest piece being about 2.5 tonnes. And Sam excavated nearly two metres into the site for the pool, which he designed and built in a freeform shape of roughly 12 metres long and five to six metres wide, complete with a trickling waterfall.

The pool cleverly utilises what could have been an idle area at the back of the property. Plantings include morning iris (Orthrosanthus multiflorus), yellow buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Correa ‘Dusky Bells’, Tasmanian flax

lily (Dianella Tasmanica) and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), together with the well-established red gums already on the property.

Castlemaine slate paving from Yarrabee & Castlemaine Stone.

“I want people to experience the bush and build that into everyday living spaces.

There is an enduring, understated beauty in a naturalistic bush garden” SAM COX, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

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OUT | GARDEN

“Anyone who has swum in waterholes in the NT or North Queensland can appreciate the pool’s velvety feel, in stark contrast to the harshness of chemically treated water” SAM

THIS PAGE The cabana, in Tasmanian oak and recycled bricks, looks totally at home in such a naturalistic garden.

OPPOSITE Having learnt his craft from legendary landscape designer Gordon Ford, Sam is a master of rock placement — these basalt steps meandering from the back gate look as if they are the product of natural deposition.

Plantings include yellow buttons, Tasmanian flax lily and Myoporum parvifolium groundcover over the boulders.

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OUT | GARDEN

Meanwhile, the owner designed the pool house – a simple structure with Oregon beams, brickwork, blinds to keep it cool and a Castlemaine slate floor that flows seamlessly from poolside to the interior. Within, it features a barbecue, kitchenette and a craft studio for the artisan owner.

About a dozen river red gums and blackwood trees were originally on site, says Sam, to which he added more “for continuity”, with the fast-growing blackwoods providing screening from the neighbours. Those trees have been underplanted with native bushes and grasses that wend their way through the rocks and boulders, including flowering ground covers such as cut-leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida) and everlasting daisy (Chrysocephalum apiculatum); grasses such as common tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) and spiny-headed mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia); and flowering shrubs such as native fuchsia (Correa reflexa), rock correa (Correa glabra), hop goodenia (Goodenia ovata) and Australian indigo (Indigofera australis). While Sam largely confines himself to natives, one of the very few exceptions is a grapevine gracing the cabana.

Although he’s passionate about plants in his projects, Sam especially enjoys the rock placement, which is so crucial to the final result. “It connects things in the landscape by creating natural transitions,” he says. “Placing them is a meditative, therapeutic process. And people ask, ‘Was that here or was it built?’ I love that sense of possibility and ambiguity.”

And it’s not just the owners who appreciate the natural results. “Everything we build brings in the wildlife,” says Sam. “Fairy-wrens feel safe in the understorey. In our gardens, we see more and more birds appear every season.”

Sam Cox Landscape is at samcoxlandscape.com and @samcoxlandscape 132 | INSIDE OUT

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plant palette Aquatic plants and drought-resistant natives peppered among basalt boulders share a handmade habitat that appears naturally formed 1 Water lily, supplied by Natural Swimming Pools Australia as part of the natural pool filtering system.

2 Yellow buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), a native used for spring colour and contrast.

3 An aquatic plant that Sam thinks came with local ducks. “I’m happy

for it to stay,” he says.

4 Clematis, planted by the owner after the pool construction.

5 Bottlebrush (Callistemon ‘Little John’), which is great for adding colour and attracting birds.

6 Another anonymous late arrival, left to thrive naturally.

THIS PAGE Water plants and drought-resistant Australian natives rub shoulders in this swimming zone. Plants include Australian blackwood (on boundary), Tasmanian flax lily, Swan River pea and aquatic species supplied by

Natural Swimming Pools Australia.

OPPOSITE The garden has become a magnet for local fauna, as this kookaburra attests. It sits on a hardwood retaining wall in one of several vegie garden beds tucked behind the pool fence.

OUR HOME BY THE RIVER Jimmy and Jane Barnes host legendary feasts at their NSW property. Here they share family recipes and recollections from 40 great years together

M

y early life and Jane’s early life, as different as

they were from each other, were both spent wandering from one place to another. Jane was born in Thailand and then, as the stepdaughter of a diplomat, lived and was educated in some of the most beautiful cities in the world, including Rome, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. I, on the other hand, roamed as a hostage to poverty, spending my childhood running with my family from debts that always seemed to be snapping at our heels. We ran from Glasgow in Scotland all the way to Elizabeth in South Australia, then on to Port Adelaide.

Jane and I were like two rivers following very different courses, and you’d have thought that our rivers were never meant to meet. Jane’s early travels were gentle and slow, like a deep, wide river rolling through soft green hills, always constant, only changing direction when she needed to. She would pause and take stock every so often, prepare for a turn ahead and then move on in a measured and careful manner, looking forward to new adventures and the beauty that lay round the next bend.

My erratic creek, on the other hand, surged from its source, fleeing the harsh, oppressive landscape of its origins, then twisted and turned, rushed and crashed, desperately gouging

WORDS JIMMY BARNES RECIPES JANE BARNES PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN BENSON

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During the pandemic, music-, travel- and food-loving Jimmy and Jane launched a series of at-home online performances that delighted thousands of fans on social media.

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“Jane has an amazing knowledge of all kinds of cuisines, thanks to a lifetime of travelling, and wonderful instincts when it comes to food”

on a favourite thing to make. Mahalia a path that was usually shallow and is a fabulous cook, who specialises nearly always treacherous. There were in cakes and other sweets. Elly-May no smooth waters, just endless raging likes to cook vegetables, Eliza-Jane rapids, tossed and tormented and out loves making pasta, and Jackie and I of control – but always searching for a find ourselves drawn to fires – we’ll place to rest, a place to breathe. grill or smoke anything that is left Astonishingly, and fortunately for JIMMY BARNES in front of us. And even though the me, our two rivers did eventually cross kids have grown up now and left paths. Jane’s broad, deep waters home, they, and their own families, love to gather in our embraced my raging torrent and held me until I slowed and kitchen and cook together whenever they can. Our kitchen we ran on together, as one. Life would never be the same again. is where we all feel at home.

Calm didn’t come immediately, though. Both of us were These days, I like to think of myself as a pretty good cook, so used to changing landscapes and constant motion that it was but I know deep down that I am really still just the kitchen a while until we were able to slow down long enough to attach hand, always ready to chop, peel, grate, stir, fry, steam, grill or ourselves to any one place. But eventually we did, and we found clean up whenever Jane asks me to. For in our kitchen, Jane is somewhere we finally feel we both belong. the boss. She is calm and always in control. She has an amazing Appropriately, our home is on the banks of a river, the knowledge of all kinds of cuisines, thanks to a lifetime of Wingecarribee River, in the Southern Highlands of New South travelling (which she talks about in her ‘Cook’s Tales’), and Wales, on the traditional lands of the Gandangara people. It’s not wonderful instincts when it comes to food. She can taste a a big, imposing river or one that runs wild; it’s quiet and seductive dish and instantly tell you all the ingredients you would need and beautiful. It meanders between the sleepy gum trees that to make it happen. surround our peaceful little town, and if you sit quietly you can I try to do the same, but not quite as successfully. Although watch kangaroos grazing on its banks, platypus paddling in the I do have a photographic memory – it’s just not developed, so shallows and countless birds soaring in the breeze above the water. by the time I get home I have forgotten half of the ingredients Jane found this house for us, and fell in love with it and I have to improvise. This can work out really well or end immediately. She couldn’t wait to take me to see it. In a up going horribly wrong. Most of the time it works out well, heartbeat I felt the same. Seventeen years later, we still sit by as I have good instincts. I will throw in a handful of this and the river and pinch ourselves, wondering how we found such a splash of that, never measuring precisely what I’m using, a beautiful place to spend the rest of our lives. until the dish is balanced.

Occasionally, I talk Jane into taking a sunset cruise in our But with this approach, when it turns out great, it’s often a canoe. It’s an easy trip, but I’m still the clumsy, fast-moving one-off – the next time it might be totally different. So I don’t Scotsman I always was, so she is rightly wary of being in a small advise doing this at home, especially if you want to be consistent boat – or any other confined space – with me. Yet she will still with your cooking. Thank God for cookbooks, I say, and I am ride the river when I ask her to, because she understands how extremely happy that Jane is putting all her best recipes down special it is to me, to us both. And every time, as we silently on paper. Now I’ll be able to make our favourite dishes for her paddle our way back to our home, I look at my Jane silhouetted without completely missing the mark. in the setting sun and think to myself, ‘How did I get so lucky?’

So, while I’m here to tell you a few stories and (hopefully) This place by the river isn’t just home for Jane and me, but entertain you, make no mistake, these are Jane’s recipes. for our entire extended family. As often as possible, we love to Recipes she has learned from relatives and dear friends and gather here and spend time together. And we especially like gathered over a lifetime. Recipes she has used to nourish our to cook and eat. The kitchen is the heart of family life for us. family in times of celebration as well as times of heartache.

No matter how busy our lives become, and no matter how Recipes that have held us together through thick and thin. many or few of us there are, we make food every night and then Recipes from our home, where the river bends. The place sit down at our big dining room table to eat, talk and laugh. we hold dearest in our hearts.

Now, when I say we cook together, I mean we all – Jimmy contribute. When the kids were younger, they each decided 136 | INSIDE OUT

The couple love cooking for their large extended family.

GARDEN GREENS AND RICOTTA GNUDI WITH SAGE BUTTER SAUCE

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garden greens and ricotta gnudi with sage butter sauce SERVES 4—6

We make this often, as our garden gifts us with an abundance of leafy greens all year round. Any greens will do, but make sure you have the equivalent of about 2 bunches of silverbeet, as they will shrink down once cooked leafy greens, thicker stems removed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tablespoon chopped marjoram 250g fresh ricotta 1 cup finely grated pecorino (or parmesan), plus extra to serve 1 egg, lightly beaten

50g fresh breadcrumbs (made from day-old bread) pinch ground nutmeg plain flour, for dusting sea salt and freshly ground black pepper toasted pine nuts, to serve SAGE BUTTER SAUCE

125g butter, chopped 20 sage leaves

1 Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to the boil. Add the greens and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft. Drain into a colander and leave until cool enough to handle. Use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Chop finely and place into a large mixing bowl.

2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and add the onion. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. Stir in the garlic and marjoram and cook for 1 minute. Add to the greens and leave to cool, then give it all another good chop. If it is too coarse, it may not hold together while cooking.

3 Add the ricotta, pecorino, egg, breadcrumbs and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper and combine well. Dust a large tray generously with flour and season it with salt and pepper.

4 Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls. Roll in the seasoned flour and dust off the excess. Transfer to another tray and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

5 Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.

6 To make the sage butter sauce, melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook until bubbling then add the sage leaves and let them crisp up in the butter. Once the butter has become a nutty brown, turn off the heat and keep warm.

7 Working in batches, gently add the gnudi to the saucepan, reducing the heat slightly so the water is simmering rather than boiling hard. When the gnudi balls float to the top, they are cooked and ready to remove from the water. Lift out with a slotted spoon and place into a large warmed serving dish, spaced a bit apart. Don’t pile them up on top of each or they might break up.

8 Pour the sage butter sauce over all the balls. Lightly sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and extra grated pecorino and season with ground black pepper.

ZUPPA DI PESCE (SEAFOOD SOUP)

zuppa di pesce (seafood soup) SERVES 6—8

This is such a lush dish, and for seafood lovers it’s very hard to beat.

The fun starts with an early-morning trip to the fish market to pick out the best catches of the day. If you establish a good relationship with a passionate fishmonger, they will happily point you in the right direction. I love going to the fish markets with Jimmy: I can always tell he’s wishing he’d caught everything that’s on display!

2 x 800g lobsters, boiled and cut in half lengthways 10 scampi, cut in half lengthways 500g scallop meat 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 brown onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400g can peeled tomatoes 400g can tomato polpa (Italian crushed tomatoes)

2 cups shellfish stock 500g ling fillet, chopped 500g blue-eye trevalla fillet, chopped 500g clams or pippies 1kg large mussels 1 cup white wine baguette, extra-virgin olive oil, butter, to serve confit garlic, to serve chopped parsley, to serve

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1 Pull the meat from the lobsters and tear into chunks. Save the heads and shells to make the shellfish stock.

2 If there is a barbecue or hibachi helper handy, it’s a luxury to quickly chargrill the scampi halves (alternatively, use a smoking-hot chargrill pan on the stove). Brush them with a little olive oil so they don’t stick to the mesh. Place the scampi flesh-side down over the hot charcoal and cook for 1 minute on each side, until the flesh is just browned. Set aside. Cook the scallops the same way — just sear for no more than 1 minute on each side. Set aside.

3 Heat the olive oil in a large shallow saucepan over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook until soft, then stir in the garlic and cook for a minute. Stir in the peeled tomatoes and bring to the boil. Give a good stir to combine the juices, then stir in the tomato polpa. Let it all bubble away gently for 10 minutes, then add the shellfish stock and bring to a simmer.

4 Add the fish and clams, then add the rest of the seafood that you prepared earlier and the mussels. Let the soup heat up to the boil again and splash in the wine. Cover the saucepan with a lid and cook until the shells start to open. It will only take a couple of minutes, so be vigilant, making sure not to overcook. I turn off the heat as soon as the shells pop open.

5 Meanwhile, slice the baguette and toast. Brush with olive oil, butter and confit garlic, and pop in the oven or under the grill for a minute.

Frying the bread is naughty but delicious, too.

6 Transfer the zuppa to a large serving dish and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Grind black pepper over and serve with the toast.

Jimmy says he loves to cook but is probably a better kitchen hand.

“The kitchen is the heart

of family life for us.

No matter how busy our lives become, or how many or few of us are there, we make food every night and then sit down at our big dining room table to eat, talk and laugh” JIMMY

burnt cauliflower, caramelised onions and shiitake mushrooms SERVES 6

Cooking vegetables rule #1: Please. Do. Not. Over. Cook. Cauliflower is no exception; the trick is to get it to caramelise and have an almost burnt look at the edges of the florets, without them turning to mush and falling apart. This dish is just as good served at room temperature as it is served warm.

1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons olive oil sea salt 1 small to medium cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 brown onion, sliced 8 shiitake mushrooms, stalk ends removed, sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ¼ cup shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoons mixed black and white sesame seeds coriander leaves, to garnish

1 Melt the butter with half the olive oil and a pinch of salt in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower, covering the whole base of the pan, and cook until dark brown (almost burnt). Turn and cook until dark brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2 Add the remaining oil to the pan, add the onion and cook for 8—10 minutes, until soft, brown and caramelised. Return the cauliflower to the pan and add the shiitake mushrooms, garlic and shoyu. Stir to combine and cook for a further 3 minutes. Season with pepper, mix well and scoop into a serving dish.

3 Garnish with sesame seeds and coriander to serve.

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BURNT CAULIFLOWER, CARAMELISED ONIONS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

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Jimmy is the canoe fan, but Jane enjoys the calm of the river, too.

plum, blueberry and walnut tart SERVES 8

A chef friend suggested adding walnuts to my plum tart. A layer of them scattered under the plums soaks up some of the juices and adds a lovely crunch. ⅓ cup very finely chopped walnuts 8–12 mixed plums, halved or quartered, seeds removed 1 cup blueberries icing sugar, to dust runny custard, cream and/or ice-cream, to serve

PASTRY

180g unsalted butter 1⅔ cups plain flour pinch salt 50ml water mixed with a small squeeze of lemon juice

1 To make the pastry, take the butter out of the fridge and let it soften a little, then cut into 2cm cubes.

2 Place the butter into a mixing bowl and add the flour and a pinch of salt. Use your fingertips to rub in, until evenly combined.

3 Add the water mixture a little at a time and mix with your fingers, bringing the floury flakes together into a ball. You may not need all the water, or you may need a drop more.

4 Press the ball into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove from the fridge and leave to soften for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced).

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5 Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to fit a 23cm (base measurement) loose-bottom flan tin. Press into the tin and trim off any excess. Sprinkle the base evenly with the walnuts.

6 Arrange the plums over the pastry base, cut side up. Scatter the blueberries over and dust with icing sugar.

7 Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Serve warm or at room temperature, with runny custard, cream and/or ice-cream.

Cook’s note You could replace the plums with apricots when they are in season.

The walnuts should be very finely chopped — almost like walnut meal but with a little bit of texture.

This is an edited extract from Where The River Bends

by Jane and Jimmy Barnes (HarperCollins, $49.95).

“Our daughter Mahalia is a fabulous cook who specialises in cakes and other sweets” JIMMY

PLUM, BLUEBERRY AND WALNUT TART

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Q

I am looking for a way to introduce colour into my living room. Most of my furniture is quite neutral, but I’m open to some pieces in bolder colours — do you have any recommendations?

A great way to bring colour into a space is to start with one bold-coloured furniture piece. Opt for a colour that blends with your existing decor — for example, a red or orange statement piece is best suited to a warm-toned palette, and perfectly complements timber furniture. The Established & Sons ‘Bloc’ side table from Living Edge is a playful realisation of the hand-drawn cube. It has a graphic character and fuses vivid block colours with a simple linear structure, making it minimalistic yet fun.

ZOE MURPHY, INTERIOR DESIGNER, LIVING EDGE DESIGN STUDIO

Q

What should I look for when choosing a paint for outdoors?

For outdoor projects, your easiest option is to pick a paint that combines a paint and primer in one. For this reason, British Paints Paint & Prime Exterior is your best friend!

With superior hiding power, Paint & Prime helps mask repairs and colour changes in two easy-to-apply coats, saving time without compromise. Purchasing too much paint is a waste of money, but purchasing too little can be a waste of time.

To take the guesswork out of finding the right amount of paint, we’ve created an online paint calculator (on our website) that calculates how much paint you’ll need to get the job done. CARMEN JORDAN, PRODUCT MANAGER, BRITISH PAINTS

Established & Sons ‘Bloc’ side table, POA, Living Edge.

ask an expert Stylish solutions for all our readers’ design dilemmas

Q

I love an all-white look, though I don’t want my kitchen to look boring or washed out. What can I do to enliven a white space?

A great way to elevate an all-white space is through adding texture. Try integrating some ribbed wall panelling with your kitchen walls or cabinetry for a sleek finish.

You can also play with texture through styling and decor. Incorporating small points of contrast, like a timber tray or a coloured vase full of blooming florals, is a simple way to give depth to your kitchen. Placing stools at the kitchen island can also work as an accent in the space, and is also great for entertaining. Opting for a material such as rattan or timber will inject warmth into the scheme while still echoing the timeless, minimalistic style of an all-white kitchen.

Q

We’re trying to entertain outdoors more often, but mosquitoes are killing the vibe and citronella candles aren’t cutting it. Can you suggest some effective solutions that I can use safely?

Thermacell repellent devices provide a zone of protection without the need for smelly sprays or oils being placed directly on your skin. They are simple to use and portable, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space without uninvited guests. We have a new model called Perimeter; it is perfect for outdoor entertaining, or just protecting your front door from mozzies entering your home. Gecko insect killers also provide effective control of mosquitoes, by luring them in with a specially designed ultra-violet light. There are models available for both indoors and out in a range of coverage sizes. Gecko insect killers are a great solution for people who live in areas with high mosquito populations because they are designed to draw the mosquitoes away from where you are.

MITCH CONNON, PRODUCT MANAGER, THERMACELL & GECKO

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JTM residence

by EB Interiors.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RORY GARDINER (ESTABLISHED & SONS), PABLO VEIGA (EB INTERIORS). DESIGN: PAULINE DELTOUR (ESTABLISHED & SONS)

EMMA BUCHAN, FOUNDER & LEAD DESIGNER, EB INTERIORS

The Perimeter system by Thermacell, from $89.95, is a must-have for enjoying the outdoors this summer.

INSIDE OUT | PROMOTION

extras BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME

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HARVEY NORMAN Sporting a large bowl capacity, two-piece splash guard, 1400W planetary mix action and four tools, the Kenwood XL Mixer (KWL90004SI) is here to help you with the entire dessert-making

REMARKABLE OUTDOOR LIVING New season has landed, including the Neverland ceramic dining table. Low-maintenance and stain resistant, this sturdy outdoor table will elevate your alfresco experience. RRP

REECE The GROHE Rainshower SmartActive range has three innovative spray patterns to ensure individual shower enjoyment no matter how you like your water pressure. The perfect shower is just

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a click away. reece.com.au

LAMINEX Elevate your space with Surround by Laminex, a new brand of easy-to-install wall panelling solutions offering a wide range of design possibilities for your home. Scallop 22.5 Wall Panelling

by Surround by Laminex, RRP from $165 per lm (inc. GST), laminex.com.au

NATIONAL TILES The new colourful and vibrant Urban Atelier range of tiles has a beautiful handmade surface and organic glaze that adds depth, richness and tonal variation. Available in 48 stunning shades.

RRP $0.95 each (100 x 100mm), nationaltiles.com.au

COCO REPUBLIC’S brand-new summer 2022 collections, designed by Anthony Spon-Smith, are inspired by cool desert minimalism. Earthen tones lend themselves to the creation of light and fresh interiors that create a sense of sanctuary for this season. See cocorepublic.com.au

LAST WORD

plus point Furniture label TON requires little introduction. Design lovers across the globe immediately recognise the iconic bentwood chairs made in Michael Thonet’s European factory, which has just celebrated its 160th birthday. To mark the occasion, TON has released +– 160 Years, a publication about the brand’s history, early innovations and products. The exclusive tome – and chairs – are available from James Richardson Furniture (JRF), TON’s longeststanding client. Pictured is the TON ‘Armchair 811’, $610.

WORDS: LAURA BARRY

jrf.com.au

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Beautiful simplicity.

Tested in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, durable COLORBOND steel Matt diffuses light to create a subtle, textured and contemporary aesthetic.

COLORBOND steel in Surfmist Matt offers a stylish contrast to softer tones and complements darker hues for added design flexibility and an elegantly understated appearance.

Visit COLORBOND.COM/MATT or call 1800 702 764

Lantern House, Victoria, by Timmins+Whyte Architects. Photography by Peter Bennetts. The COLORBOND steel colour swatch represents actual product colour as accurately as possible. However, we recommend checking your chosen colour against an actual sample of the product before purchasing. COLORBOND , the BlueScope brand mark and colour names are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited.

2021 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058. All rights reserved.