Feggguy

Living beautifully with design doyenne Melissa Penfold

Fabulous We reveal this year’s

HOTTEST ROOMS

A LIFE OF COLOUR & PATTERN WITH

Anna Spiro

Not just another brick in the wall Three HOMES that HERO bricks and mortar

Plaza A harmony of clean lines blends with soft elements to create a timeless aesthetic. The modular design seamlessly reconfigures to suit your space. Discover a contemporary classic expertly crafted for lasting comfort.

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A collaboration with one of Australia’s most innovative interior design studios.

Enveloped in layers of warm, rich colour and authentic woodgrain texture from the Laminex® Colour Collection, this beautiful kitchen by YSG Studio creates a seamless sense of flow into adjoining living areas.

Immerse yourself at laminex.com.au

Carefully considered contrast.

Whether it’s subtly blending in with the environment or combining contrasting materials and textures, COLORBOND steel offers beautifully understated yet striking impact. From the calming tones of Shale Grey™ to the deep elegance of Monument , COLORBOND steel can help create a more dramatic design statement for any style of home.

Visit COLORBOND.COM or call 1800 022 999

Croydon House, NSW, by Ben Giles Architect. Photography by Katherine Lu. 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.

TM colour names are trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited. 2021 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058. All rights reserved.

A R M A D I LLO - C O.C O M

Our rugs lie lightly on this earth.

Due to the coronavirus impacts on global supply chain and logistics, we are experiencing delays with product availability.

For more information visit: https://www.myer.com.au/content/coronavirus-update

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A different way to do walls.

Introducing Surround by Laminex — a modern range of decorative wall panels.

Transform your home with a range of easy-to-install MDF wall panels, available in classic and contemporary profiles. Surround by Laminex will add warmth and texture to any space — simply install and paint to complete your look.

Available through leading hardware retailers surroundbylaminex.com.au

Top 50 Rooms showcase

NOVEMBER

Photograph by Kristina Soljo.

Cover stories

57 A life of colour and pattern with Anna Spiro 81 Fabulous 50 We reveal this year’s hottest rooms 151 Not just another brick in the wall three homes that hero bricks and mortar 210 Living beautifully with design doyenne Melissa Penfold

People

32 Taste Maker Former restaurateur Julie Manfredi Hughes has switched the foodie world for a design career.

210 The Creative Type Style aficionado Melissa Penfold.

Top 50 Rooms

81 Our annual showcase of outstanding interiors, featuring innovative and creative designs that reflect the way Australians want to live.

Decorating & design

57 Wild At Heart In her new book, interiors and textiles virtuoso Anna Spiro reveals the imaginative possibilities of colour and pattern.

79 On Trend Timeless white.

Houses

152 Top Forms Textural brickwork is the backbone and backdrop to this clever Melbourne renovation.

Gardens

198 Wonder Land A family-focused garden provides a year-round playground and source of happiness.

203 Living On The Edge Horticulturist Tammy Huynh shares her top five hedging plants .

For our readers

18 Subscribe to H&G this month and you will receive six issues for just $35 – a saving of 34%!

30 Your H&G Readers’ letters.

204 Where To Buy Stockists’ details.

205 Privacy Notice

On our cover A thoughtful renovation has breathed new life into this gracious Federation home.

Turn to page 186 for more. Photograph

by Sue Stubbs.

Photograph by Kristina Soljo.

162 Bush Beauty Built to embrace the landscape, this home is both space-defying and bushfire savvy.

168 Zen Zone Serenity rules in this beautifully renovated residence designed to balance the need for retreat with family togetherness.

174 The Long View It was years in the making, but this gorgeous modern waterside haven in Sydney’s south was worth the wait.

186 Fresh Approach A classic Federation home in Sydney’s inner west benefits from a deft reconfiguration and a calming palette.

5171 Arabetto™

Whitelight Collection

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Bring the earth into your home with our 2021 new designs

A series of four nature-inspired lighter colours that are washed in the purity of white and wrapped in the smoothness of a stone.

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fanuli.com

EDITOR’S LETTER H G

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“Now more than ever we CRAVE not just beauty but INSULATION from an uncertain world.”

love an obstacle! Restrictions can be galvanising in a way, and knowing that the H&G team, plus many of our readers and design peers, have been living through lockdown is a great motivator to keep striving to present an inspiring magazine that’s alive with the very best houses and gardens in Australia.

Great projects are happening all around the country, and the talents of Australian interior designers and architects are unique and seemingly limitless. In this issue, we showcase our 2021 Top 50 Rooms. Due to the old pandemic disruptor, we will reveal the finalists in our December issue and the winner in our January issue. Can you imagine how tricky it is judging entries from a vast field of established and up-and-coming designers? We have narrowed the selection to 50 after looking at hundreds of entries and hope you enjoy perusing the rooms we’ve chosen. They are beautiful spaces sure to make their owners’ lives more pleasurable, especially during recent home detentions! For your say on which room should win Top 50 Room of the Year, go to www.homestolove.com.au/top50vote.

Now more than ever, we crave not just beauty but insulation from an uncertain world. We want security and a feeling of solidity – we want to be wrapped up and kept safe from unpredictable forces. In line with the times, the not-so-humble brick is enjoying a comeback. Not that they ever disappeared off the design and architectural radar, but bricks of all sorts are now making a significant impact.

It makes sense, because their high style, low maintenance, acoustic and fireretardant properties are a fabulous foundation for the future. To see some glorious designer brick homes, head to page 151.

At H&G, we are big fans of colour, pattern, upholstery and all of the accoutrements of interior decorating. Anna Spiro and Melissa Penfold are two women with impeccable design pedigrees who know their way around a well-dressed room.

We are lucky to preview Anna’s new book, A Life in Pattern, on page 57. Her deft way with colour, pattern and art looks effortless and welcoming, but we know it takes experience to make these elements sing – as they do in her projects. Melissa Penfold started her career at House & Garden straight out of university, then went to work at Belle. She was the pioneer behind the excellent style pages in the Sydney Morning Herald back in the ’90s. I loved those pages and am a longtime follower of Melissa’s work, so I’m excited that she also has launched a new book, Living Well By Design. See page 210 for some style tips from Melissa.

What I love about all the stories in this issue is that they are about enjoying home and living well. Homes are our havens more than ever before, so it seems wise to invest time, effort and emotion in our personal spaces.

Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief

Photograph by Anson Smart.

TOP PICKS

Tanya’s top five

CLEANSE

L’Eau De Mousse anti-pollution water-tofoam facial cleanser, $70/150ml, Chanel; chanel.com.

SERVE

Ginori + Luke Edward Hall Il Viaggio di Nettuno shell plate, $276/set of four, Net-a-Porter; net-a-porter.com.

ADORN

T1 narrow hinged bangle in 18K yellow gold with bevelled T motif, $5950, Tiffany & Co.; tiffany.com.au.

REFRESH

Tangent GC organic cashmere detergent, $35/500ml, Libertine Parfumerie; libertine parfumerie.com.au.

COLLECT

Holding onto a Bunch of Bundjalung Birth Banksias and Your Sea View painting by Sally Anderson, $5500, Edwina Corlette; edwinacorlette.com.

VOTE TO

WIN

ONE OF FIVE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO H&G

PEOPLE’S CHOICE COMPETITION What’s your idea of a winning room? Check out the inspiring interiors in our Top 50 Rooms showcase (starting page 81), then go online to vote for your favourite. Your vote will put you into the draw to win one of five 12-month subscriptions to Australian House & Garden, valued at $105.60 each.

HOW TO ENTER Go to www.homestolove.com.au/top50vote Enter your contact details and vote for your favourite room.

EDITORIAL Editor in chief Tanya Buchanan Acting creative director Shayne Burton Deputy editor Elizabeth Wilson Interiors editor Kate Nixon Chief copy editor Sarah Pickette Senior content/production editor Tamarah Pienaar Homes group coordinator Annika Baker ART & ST YLE Designer/stylist Sophie Wilson Prepress specialist Matus Kundrat CONTRIBUTORS

Justin Alexander, Brigid Arnott, Laura Barry, Kata Bayer, Jackie Brygel, Darren Christison, Samantha Deacon, Claire Delmar, Tom Ferguson, Martina Gemmola, Marsha Golemac, Tammy Huynh, Timothy Kaye, Maree Homer, Georgia Madden, Shannon McGrath, Jack Milenkovic, Megan Morton, Annette O’Brien, Leesa O’Reilly, Judy Pascoe, Chris Pearson, Carli Philips, Tatjana Pitt, Jenah Piwanski, Sue Ramsey, Matilda Ringrose, Mark Roper, Prue Ruscoe, Tim Salisbury, Anson Smart, Dianna Snape, Kristina Soljo, Sue Stubbs, Derek Swalwell, Saffron Sylvester, Pablo Veiga, Dave Wheeler.

ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION Group category manager Rhyl Heavener (02) 8114 9420 Advertising production manager Kate Orsborn (02) 9282 8364 Brand executive Amelia Paterson (02) 9282 8038 Victoria, SA & WA sales director Jaclyn Clements (03) 9823 6341 Director of sales, NSW Karen Holmes (02) 9282 8733 Victoria head of direct sales Demi Martelo (03) 9823 6368 Queensland head of sales Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 Production controller Sally Jefferys Advertising production controller Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691 Senior event manager Cate Gazal (02) 8226 9342

A R E M E D IA C O R P O R AT E Chief executive officer Jane Huxley Finance director David Loeffler Executive general manager – publishing & digital operations Sarah-Belle Murphy Group publisher – homes Shane Sutton Director of sales Andrew Cook Customer director Sally Eagle Business manager Georgina Bromfield Syndications syndication@aremedia.com.au New Zealand enquiries +61 2 9282 8505 SUBSCRIPTION SALES & ENQUIRIES

Magshop GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Phone 136 116 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm AEDST) Web magshop.com.au All other Australian House & Garden enquiries: (02) 9282 8456

Turn to page 81 for our showcase of inspiring interiors.

Conditions apply, see homestolove.com.au/top50vote. Commences 25/10/21. Ends at 11:59pm AEDST on 30/11/21. AU residents only. Drawn at Are Media, 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW, 2021 at 2:30pm AEDST on 07/12/21. Prizes: 5x winners each receive a 12-month subscription to Australian House & Garden, valued at $105.60 each. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Authorised under permit number: TP/00018

Published by Are Media Pty Ltd (ABN 053 273 546), 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. The trademark AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN is the property of Are Media Pty Ltd and is used under licence. © 2021.

All rights reserved. Prepress by SBM. Printed by Ovato, 8 Priddle Street, Warwick Farm, NSW 2170. National distribution by Are Direct; (02) 9972 8800. ISSN 0004-931X. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holders. Are Media does not accept responsibility for damage to or loss of freelance material submitted for publication. Allow several weeks for acceptance or return. For enquiries regarding subscriptions, call 136 116 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm AEDST, email magshop@ magshop.com.au or mail letters to: Australian House & Garden, Reply Paid 3508, Sydney, NSW 2001 or subscribe online at magshop.com.au/hg. Subscription rate*: Australia $105.60 (one year, 12 issues); NZ A$120 (one year, 12 issues); other countries A$180 (one year, 12 issues). All overseas subscriptions sent air speed. * Recommended price, Australian House & Garden.

Room designed by Greg Natale. Photograph by Anson Smart.

M A R K E T I N G & C I R C U L AT I O N Marketing director Louise Cankett Circulation and insights manager Nicole Pearson Data and distribution manager Joshua Blanshard Subscriptions campaign manager Jesvin Vincent Marketing enquiries homes@aremedia.com.au

“Kusama” from the Saffron collection

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H G letters

Facebook

YOUR H&G My partner and I have just moved from a tiny rented apartment into our first home in a small town an hour south of the CBD. Since she couldn’t visit in person, my beautiful sister sent me a gift pack in the mail – a collection of thoughtful goodies including fruity tea, aromatic room spray, fair-trade chocolate, linen tea towels and the latest issue of H&G. We’re desperate to start renovating our 1980s red-brick home and H&G is just the sprinkle of motivation and magic that I needed. With so many fresh ideas, insightful stories and stunning photography within the magazine I’m feeling incredibly inspired.

Bridgette Bathgate, Helensburgh, NSW I was having a busy morning in lockdown with three sons and my mum, who has dementia, but when my eyes locked on the front cover of the October edition of Australian House & Garden, I was immediately transported to my happy place: the beach. It calmed me and made me feel like one day I will achieve my goal of sitting on the verandah of my very own beach house. thanks for giving me inspiration and excitement and reminding me of my dreams.

Belinda Middleton, Ourimbah, NSW FORWA RD THIN K ING

As we continue to endure lockdown (currently number six here in Melbourne!), reading H&G is something I really look forward to. After the earthquake this morning, I was walking to the mailbox wondering what else could happen – and there was the new issue of H&G. What a lovely surprise! the front cover with the

words ‘feeling the freedom’ is a nice reminder of what the future brings.

In the meantime, I’m making note of some great ideas for inside and outdoors. Keep up the fabulous work.

Carolyn McManus, Beaumaris, Victoria G OLD STA R S

Harry Poulos’ home (Golden Opportunity, October) has given me some serious beach house envy! there is something so charming about the wide-open doorways and windows that call the sea breeze in. I loved the sandstone feature wall that ties in beautifully with the coastal landscape, too. spending time by the beach is always so uplifting – enjoying the sunsets (or sunrises) and listening to the waves is great for soothing the mood. I am sure Harry and Georgia adore making beautiful memories with their loved ones in this amazing home.

Felicity McDonald, Goonellabah, NSW

W RIT E IN TO W IN The author of each letter published receives $50. Our favourite also wins a prize. This month, Bridgette Bathgate receives The Nimble Wanderer bamboo and recycled-canvas cart, valued at $229, from Wandering Sol; wanderingsolco.com. Email your letter to H&G@ aremedia.com.au or post to Your H&G, PO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028.

Please include your full name and address.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Pinterest

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The posts that made your month Facebookers gave this stylish weekender in Victoria a big thumbs up, a striking ‘formal-ish’ garden set hearts racing on Instagram, while over on Pinterest, this gate led to the Garden of Paradise...

Facebook facebook.com/ australianhouseandgarden Highlights from each issue plus links to tours of our favourite homes.

Instagram @houseandgarden View the most inspirational images of the month from H&G headquarters and out and about.

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

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

DAY DRE A M BELIEV ER

Instagram

FURNITURE & HOMEWARES . INTERIOR DESIGN . PROPERTY STYLING

SYDNEY . MELBOURNE . BRISBANE . GOLD COAST . PERTH . CANBERRA . AUCKLAND WWW.COCOREPUBLIC.COM.AU

Taste M A K E R After a successful career in the restaurant business, Julie Manfredi Hughes is pursuing another creative passion: interior design.

STO RY Sue Ramsey | ST YL I N G Megan Morton & Julie Manfredi Hughes PH OTOG R APH Y Prue Ruscoe

at home with H G Homeowner and interior designer, Julie Manfredi Hughes in her hardworking and beautiful kitchen. Thonet counter stool, Anibou.

Orange Jar vessel by Peter Andersson. Custom rangehood by Oliver Tanner Art & Design. Fez tiles in Graphite (splashback) and New Paradise tiles by Mr Jason Grant (island facing), Di Lorenzo Tiles. Island benchtop in Maximum Statuario porcelain panels, Artedomus. Wolf cooktop, Winning Appliances. Terrazzo floor tiles, Fibonacci Stone. OPPOSITE The home is painted Porter’s Paints Stone Paint Fine in Blue Concrete, a textured neutral that makes a fine backdrop for the green of the refreshed garden by Secret Gardens. Trims painted Porter’s Paints River Stone.

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H G at home with Gervasoni ‘Ghost 12’ sofa (teal) and ‘Ghost 20’ daybed by Paola Navone, Classicon ‘Bell’ glass side table and ‘Bow No 3’ marble side table, all Anibou. Blarney rug, Robyn Cosgrove. The antique poster was purchased in Paris. Custom french doors, All Metal Projects. Walls in living area painted Porter’s Paints Almond White, trims in Porter’s Paints French Slate. Terrazzo floor tiles, Fibonacci Stone. Sub-Zero wine cabinet and french-door fridge, both Winning Appliances. OPPOSITE Recycled-elm console, Water Tiger. Vessel by Lino Alvarez, La Paloma Pottery. Artek ‘A811’ floor lamp by Alvar Aalto, Anibou. Garage artwork by Wilmott Kidd.

I

n 2001, then-restaurateur Julie Manfredi Hughes spent considerable time and effort hunting for a new family home.

“My partner Larry has two sons and I have a daughter, Isabella, so we were looking for a house we could live in as a blended family,” she says. The new home had big shoes to fill: Julie’s previous property was designed for her and her former husband, acclaimed chef Stefano Manfredi, by their good friend, renowned architect, Luigi Rosselli.

“All the homes in our search area were just too small,” says Julie. But she had a lightbulb moment while visiting a friend.

“My friend lives in the area we like but on a major road and I was struck by how big and rambling the properties were,” she says. “Soon after, I happened to see a similar house listed for sale nearby so went to have a look.”

The house in question is a beauty: three storeys and nine metres wide, three-metrehigh ceilings and rooms galore – and the asking price was considerably less > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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than other homes she’d seen. “People weren’t even inspecting the house because it’s on a busy road,” says Julie. “But we fell in love with it straightaway.”

Aside from the spacious house being ideal for her family, Julie was delighted to discover its rich history. “It was built in 1873 by Thomas Moore, who was a coach builder. He lived here for some time and when he died it was tenanted,” she says.

“In 1913, a local family bought the property and their daughter, Miss Mullins, set it up as a boarding house. She invested a lot of money in it, including adding the third floor,” says Julie. “It was quite controversial at the time.”

Julie and Larry did “bits and pieces” to the home in their first few years here, followed by a more extensive interior refresh in 2010 with the assistance of No Chintz’s Chrissie Jeffery, who did the fitout of Julie’s then-business, award-winning restaurant, Bells at Killcare. But in 2018, Julie decided it was time to embark on a major renovation. “I really wanted to >

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

at home with H G This social space transitions easily from family home to entertaining hub. CTO Lighting ‘Ivy’ pendant light, Spence & Lyda. Sconce wall light, Studio Henry Wilson. The antique cricket table (in corner) is an inherited piece. The dining table is an antique Larry has owned since the 1970s. Thonet ‘118H’ counter stools and ‘S32V’ dining chairs, Anibou. Vase (on cricket table), swan sculpture, footed bowl and fruit bowl (on dining table) all by Tina Psarianos. Handmade plates by Katherine Mahoney Ceramics. Custom steel-framed doors by All Metal Projects (throughout). Garden design

by Secret Gardens. OPPOSITE Vola KV1-500T tapware, Bathroom X. Dishwasher, Miele. Buster+Punch cabinet pulls, Spiggy.

H G at home with

“THERE’S SUCH EASY FLOW THROUGH TO THE GARDEN NOW.” Julie Manfredi Hughes, owner and interior designer

Julie and Larry’s dog Matilda, a standard poodle, has plenty of room to roam both indoors and out. Palissade outdoor furniture by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Hay, Cult Design. Chelsea wall lights, Dunlin. Bedford sandstone pavers, Eco Outdoor. The home’s exterior is painted Porter’s Paints Stone Paint Fine in Blue Concrete. Artworks by Wilmott Kidd (above console) and Marina Strocchi (above kitchen bench). >

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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H G at home with rebuild the back of the house because, even though it was relatively modern, it was becoming dilapidated.”

The timing coincided with the launch of Julie’s own interior design business, Décor JMH. “I drew up the plans for this house at the same time as I began working on my first client project,” Julie says. Her focus here was to open up the kitchen, refresh the living area and maximise the use of the courtyard, renovate two bathrooms and then build a studio above the garage.

Working on the ageing main bathroom was an enjoyable job, says Julie. “It has lovely arched windows and three-metrehigh ceilings,” she says. “I added two new walls to contain a beautiful double vanity and I put a new bath in.”

Downstairs, in the kitchen, an external support wall was removed to open up the space and new full-height steel glazing was fitted, allowing light to stream in to the rear of the home. The floor, however, presented more of a challenge than expected. “We were jackhammering for weeks because it had five different layers of flooring,” says Julie. “So we sorted >

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Matilda strikes a pose on the second-floor landing. Aurea pendant light by Denis Santachiara for Fontana Arte. Ribbed coir 2660 runner, The Natural Floorcovering Centres. Walls painted Porter’s Paints Malt; the Catherine Martin ‘Lyrebird’ wallpaper in the lower stairwell was custom-tinted to match. Artworks by Peter Adsett (left) and Sokquon Tran.

OPPOSITE TOP The glass doors are covered in a low-E window film, supplied and installed by TintFX, to protect furnishings from sun damage. Belgian linen curtains, No Chintz. USM ‘Haller’ sideboard, Anibou. Artwork by George Byrne.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT Julie wears a dress by A.P.C x Sacai from Incu. Captain Flint floor lamp by Michael Anastassiades, Euroluce.

Gervasoni ‘Ghost 01’ armchair by Paola Navone, Anibou. Desert Pit Stop by George Byrne, Olsen Gallery. OPPOSITE BOTTOM RIGHT The walls of this space, the formal dining room, are painted Porter’s Paints Hot Springs. Dining setting by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto, Space. Chandelier, Parterre. Corner table, Manning & Manning. Artwork by Sokuon Tran.

at home with H G all that out and we now have lovely terrazzo tiles with under-floor heating.”

A new four-metre island is the transition point between cooking and entertaining zones. “The kitchen is incredibly functional,” says Julie. “I chose Porter’s Provence Blue for the surrounding joinery – it makes me happy when I go downstairs in the morning. And there’s such easy flow through to the garden now.”

Luigi Rosselli again lent his talents to the project, designing the studio Julie wanted above the garage. “It’s transformed the property,” she says. “It’s a really innovative design with a beautiful curved roof that sweeps all the way from the street frontage to the back garden.”

Outside, the old garden was completely ripped out. “It was overbearing as it was, so I worked with Secret Gardens to do the replanting,” says Julie. She had her heart set on an olive tree, finding just the right one at a mature-tree nursery at Peats Ridge on the NSW Central Coast. “It was a big splurge, but I love it and it’s doing really well – and now I can never leave!” > Décor JMH; jmhdesign.com.au.

Luigi Rosselli Architects; luigirosselli.com.

Secret Gardens; secretgardens.com.au.

Technoform Constructions; (02) 9823 8100.

“WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HOUSE STRAIGHTAWAY.” Julie ABOVE AND LEFT Claybrook ‘Evolve’ bath, Ceramica Catalano ‘Zero+’ basins, ‘Progressive’ mixer taps and ‘Logic’ bath filler, all Rogerseller. Custom vanity and mirror with integrated cabinets by Décor JMH. Flos ‘Mini Glo-Ball’ wall lights, Euroluce.

Handkerchief blinds in Ivory linen from No Chintz. Bianco Gloss subway tiles and XXS-Zellige Nero mosaic floor tiles, all Di Lorenzo Tiles. OPPOSITE Fiora sleigh bed, Fanuli. Busatti bedlinen, Casa by Studio Kate. Missoni throw, Spence & Lyda. Bedside tables bought in India. Surface Sconce lamp and brass vide poche, Studio Henry Wilson. Antique French mirror. Antique Chinese vase. Original fireplace. Walls painted Porter’s Paints Rubble. For Where to Buy, see page 204.

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H G at home with

1

2

3

11 10

LIFE & ST YLE Julie shares some firsts and favourite things.

FIRST ADULT HOME? A dilapidated worker’s cottage that Luigi Rosselli

MY DREAM CAR? A MASERATI – BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ELECTRIC!

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renovated for me. It was featured in Interior Architecture magazine in 1991.

BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION? I would like to go on safari in Africa.

There is a need to reconnect with the wild and the wilderness.

DREAM RESTAURANT TABLE? Gualtiero Marchesi di San Pietro all’Orto in Milan in the 1980s – the pinnacle of fine dining.

FAVOURITE DOWNTIME PURSUIT? Swimming or lying by a pool in a chic hotel such as L’Hôtel Marrakech (2) or Relais La Somità in Ostuni.

FAVOURITE FLOWERS? Flannel flowers (3) or garden roses.

FAVOURITE ARTISTS? With their collective voices about the Australian experience of country: Emma Walker, Peter Adsett (1), Paddy Bedford and Janet Lawrence.

DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS WHO INSPIRE YOU? Gio Ponti (8) for the length and breadth of his reach and influence; Pierre Paulin (9) for his playful organic shapes and forms; Grant and Mary Featherston for their iconic Australian furniture designs; Pierre Yovanovitch (6, 10) for the avant garde; and Luigi Rosselli because he is simply an artist. His work has a narrative and challenges boundaries.

FAVOURITE FASHION LABELS? Right now, I am living in Bassike. Crushing on Wardrobe NYC (5). Throw in some Acne or Prada (4). Mother or Frame jeans.

FAVOURITE SCENT? Sandalwood (11).

A HOMEWARE PIECE YOU COVET? A Lady Chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in black and white checks. I am obsessed with chairs.

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT... My bath! The Evolve 1780 from Claybrook (7).

I love all the amenities in my new bathroom, but the bath is a necessity. #

D O M A Y N E

P R E S E N T S

SUMMER SPACES

Embrace the season with outdoor spaces that invite you to make the most of the year’s most beautiful weather.

V I SI T D OM AY NE .COM . AU TO B R OWSE O U R FU L L R A N G E O F FU R N I T U R E, B ED D IN G A N D H OM E WA R ES .

COVER ‘ELODIE’ OUTDOOR SINGLE LOUNGE $799; ‘ELODIE’ OUTDOOR ROUND SIDE TABLE $169; ‘PALOMA’ PLANTER IN WHITE 49CM $169, 41CM $119; ‘TROPICANA’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN MELON $44EA; CURRENT ‘LYNE’ 3-PIECE OUTDOOR LOUNGE PACKAGE $3599; ‘LYNE’ OUTDOOR COFFEE TABLE $399; ‘VETRO’ TERRA RIDGED POT LARGE $229, SMALL $179; MONSTERA SPLIT PHILO POTTED PLANT (63CM) $149; ‘BOTANICAL GARDEN’ OUTDOOR CUSHION $35; ‘CAPRI IN SUMMER’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN TEAL $35; ‘WINDSOR’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN BLUE $49; ‘LUXE’ RIDGED TEALIGHT HOLDER IN AMBER $14; DESERT SUCCULENT 20CM IN CEMENT POT $39; ‘SALUT’ 6 WHITE WINE GLASSES $49; ‘ARUBA’ OUTDOOR/INDOOR RUG 200X290CM $859.

OUTDOOR SUMMER COLLECTION

OUTDOOR LIVING IS AT ITS FINEST WHEN YOU CAN COOK OUTDOORS WITH EASE

LEFT EVERDURE BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL ‘FURNACE’ 3-BURNER GAS BBQ WITH STAND $1099; ‘ACCORD’ OUTDOOR ALUMINIUM EXTENSION DINING TABLE (90-180CM) $699; BELOW ‘GARRICK’ OUTDOOR 170 DINING TABLE $799; ‘GARRICK’ OUTDOOR DINING ARMCHAIR $399EA; ‘TROPICANA’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN BLACK $44EA; ‘RND’ MATTE BOWL LARGE IN BLACK $129; ‘DIAMOND’ CHAI VASE LARGE $44.

OUTDOOR SUMMER COLLECTION

BELOW ‘MARIS’ OUTDOOR 4-PIECE OPEN CORNER LOUNGE PACKAGE $2899; ‘MARIS’ OUTDOOR ARMCHAIR IN TERRACOTTA $659; ‘SOUTHPORT’ OUTDOOR SQUARE CUSHION (50X50CM) IN WARWICK ‘MAURITIUS’ FABRIC IN SAND $139; ‘SOUTHPORT’ OUTDOOR LUMBAR CUSHION (60X30CM) IN WARWICK ‘MAURITIUS’ FABRIC IN SAND $129; RIGHT ‘SOUTHPORT’ OUTDOOR CUSHIONS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (50X50CM) IN WARWICK ‘TULUM’ FABRIC IN PALM $129; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (60X60CM) WITH FLANGED EDGE IN WARWICK ‘MATACAWA’ FABRIC IN PALM $169; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (50X50CM) WITH FLANGED EDGE IN WARWICK ‘MALLACOOTA’ FABRIC IN MELON $149; ‘LUMBAR’ CUSHION (60X30CM) IN WARWICK ‘NANUYA’ FABRIC IN MARINE $129; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (50X50CM) IN WARWICK ‘TULUM’ FABRIC IN ASH $129; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (50X50CM) IN WARWICK ‘MYKONOS’ FABRIC IN CASCADE $129; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (60X60CM) IN WARWICK ‘MOMBASSA’ FABRIC IN MELON $149; ‘LUMBAR’ CUSHION (60X30CM) IN WARWICK ‘MAURITIUS’ FABRIC IN SUNSHINE $129; ‘SQUARE’ CUSHION (50X50CM) IN WARWICK ‘MAURITIUS’ FABRIC IN SAND $139.

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OUTDOOR SUMMER COLLECTION

ABOVE ‘MONARCH’ OUTDOOR 220CM DINING TABLE $1299; ‘BEACON’ DINING CHAIR $129EA; ‘CAYMEN’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN OLIVE $44 EA; ‘TANG’ NATURAL GLASS VASE WITH CANE WEAVE SMALL $59, LARGE $69; ‘BASE’ NOODLE BOWL $2.40; ‘BASE’ LARGE BOWL $9; ‘ASH’ WHITE PLANTER LARGE $229; ‘ALOCASIA’ POTTED TREE $279.

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OUTDOOR SUMMER COLLECTION

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LEFT ‘CHELSEA’ OUTDOOR 7-PIECE BAR SETTING $2299; ‘KELIO’ OUTDOOR MULTI-COLOURED CUSHION $44EA; ‘EFFY’ RATTAN LANTERNS LARGE $109, SMALL $89; DESERT SUCCULENT 20CM POTTED TREE $39; SALT & PEPPER SET OF 4 ‘HARDING’ HIGHBALL GLASSES $39; ‘ASHA’ OUTDOOR RUG IN BLUE $319. ABOVE ‘ECLIPSE’ OUTDOOR SUN LOUNGE $599EA; ‘C’ SIDE TABLE $219EA; ‘LENNOX’ 3.3M OCTAGONAL OUTDOOR UMBRELLA $449; MEDIUM CONCRETE ‘UMBRELLA’ BASE $99; ‘ELTON’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN BLACK $49EA; ‘WINDSOR’ OUTDOOR CUSHION IN SAND $49; SALT & PEPPER SET OF 4 ‘BOND HARDING’ TUMBLERS $39; SALT & PEPPER ‘MASONRY’ NOODLE BOWL $11EA.

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Decorating

Room design and styling by Anna Spiro. Photograph by Tim Salisbury.

Armchair at right upholstered in Annie Coop ‘Morton’ fabric. Cushion in Ottoline ‘Chintamani’ fabric in Antique Green. Paintings (from left) Forget it by Monica Rohan, Two women talking story by the fire by Sally M Nangala Mulda, Those Shoes by Laura Jones, Day is Done by Michael Muir. Sculptures (from left) Oxidised Technicolour part 2 by Jason Fitzgerald and Bird by Dulcie Sharp.

INSIDE THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DESIGNER ANNA SPIRO

Wild at heart

In her glorious new fabric-covered book A Life in Pattern, interiors and textile designer Anna Spiro shares thoughts on her design philosophy and showcases her trademark style.

STORY Elizabeth Wilson | PH OTO G R A PH Y Tim Salisbury

A

nna Spiro is a maestro of surprise. She loves adding unexpected twists to her designs. Offbeat and playful ideas are her comfort zone; matchy-matchy and predictable are not in her vocabulary. “I actually find it challenging to create a plain, straightforward matching scheme,” says the interior designer, in her new book, A Life in Pattern.

Anna’s interiors are the antithesis of dull, and this book testifies to that. Colour and pattern are her trademarks and both are celebrated on every page, along with her love of vintage, upcycling and the artisanal. The key to her eclectic style, she says, is in drawing together contradictory elements and using colour as the uplifting feature to “unify the madness”. “I like the challenge of bringing together disparate pieces and finding an underlying link that ties them together but never makes them look expected or contrived,” she says. “I love rooms that make me feel excited and happy, and that really draw me into every single element.”

This is Anna’s second book – released eight years after her first title, Absolutely Beautiful Things, was published. It encapsulates her newfound confidence and energy after two decades of working in interiors. “I think of my first book as my

teenage years of decorating – and I really wanted to share with my followers where I am at now and showcase some of the wonderful projects we’ve been working on.”

Anna became an industry leader while co-running and then steering Brisbane interior design and retail store Black & Spiro from 2000-2018. In 2015, she won international acclaim after designing the rooms of boutique hotel Halcyon House and in 2016 she launched Anna Spiro Textiles with her brother Sam. Her eponymous company Anna Spiro Design now has offices in Brisbane and Melbourne and she splits her time between both cities.

This book is an ode to all she holds dear. She urges people to use colour (“the bolder the better”) and to collect one-off pieces: “If you love something, buy it. Don’t be afraid because often it’s the wild things we buy that we cherish and love the most.”

She’d love to design another boutique hotel with “no boundaries”. But for now Anna’s sights are focused on opening a new retail outlet in 2022. Spiro Store will be located next door to her design studio in Brisbane’s New Farm, and also online.“It will be a curated collection of all things Anna Spiro and other artists and designers from around the world. It’s so exciting!” >

decorating H G “Colour and pattern spark an instant sense of joy. Used well, they help create rooms that are full of energy.” Anna Spiro

Pierre Frey ‘La Pannonie’ wallpaper in Printemps (on ceiling). Armchair upholstered in Turnell & Gigon ‘Bannister Hall’ fabric in Natural Ground; cushion in Claire Frost ‘Lydia Ikat’. Ottoman upholstered in Seema ‘Krish Juhu’ fabric in Panna Green. Lampshade at right in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Grandma’s Quilt’ in Blue. Sofa upholstered in Thibaut ‘Malibu’ fabric in Sky Blue.

OPPOSITE Interior and textile designer Anna Spiro.

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All upholstery and soft furnishings made from Anna’s client’s own collection of vintage fabrics.

Lampshades by Sachs & Cornish. >

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“Collecting antiques and incorporating them into your home adds sophistication and can help balance the use of bright colours and zany patterns on fabrics, wallpapers and art.” Anna Spiro

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H G decorating

ABOVE The Jetty at Currigee print by Tim Salisbury. Sofa covered in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Grandma’s Quilt’ fabric in Teal. Armchairs covered in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Camona’ fabric in Green/Taupe/Turquoise. Lampshade in Peter Dunham ‘Zaya’ fabric in Blue/Green. Painting by Christopher Jewitt.

BELOW LEFT Number 9 painting by Emma Sheehan (above mantel). Blue sofa in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Chancellor Strie II’ fabric in Sky. Pink sofa in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Grandma’s Quilt’ fabric in Pink. Coote & Co ‘Pineapple’ lamps with Vanderhurd ‘Flower Cut-Out’ shades in Coral/Champignon.

BELOW RIGHT An inspiration wall featuring fabric samples and atmospheric images. OPPOSITE This room in Anna’s former home features a painting she bought at auction, a vintage rug, antique Georgian side table and an antique stool upholstered in vintage embroidered fabric. >

“The use of colour and pattern is all about play.

I love to experiment with colour, to push the boundaries and put interesting combinations together” Anna Spiro

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GE N IS DIS E V ERU M A L IC I A S qui aut et, nobiscipsae dolenimus dellaciam nonsectotat aspitiat

“You have to make sure the elements work collectively in a cohesive yet interesting way. Consider layering traditional florals with more modern geometric patterns, stripes or checks, and using a mix of large, medium and small pattern scales.” Anna Spiro

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Nina Campbell ‘Les Réves Domieres’ wallpaper in Indigo/Ivory. Roman blinds in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Camona’ fabric in Blue. Lampshades in Edit ‘Big Spots’. Ottoman upholstered in No. 9 ‘Thompson Karapinar’ fabric in Riviera. Armchair covered in Cassandra Harper ‘Floral’. Bamboo sofa covered in Anna Spiro Textiles ‘Grandma’s Quilt’ fabric in Green. >

H G decorating

This is an edited extract from A Life in Pattern by Anna Spiro ($90, Thames & Hudson).

Bedhead in Décors Barbares ‘Natacha’ fabric in Beige. Cushion in Soane Britain ‘Fez Stripe’ fabric in Red. Lampshade in Décors Barbares ‘Aurel’ fabric in Original. #

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H A R V E Y

N O R M A N

P R E S E N T S

FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGES

KEEP UP TO DATE

Sync calendars and share schedules, special moments, photos and important news. The Family Hub™ is designed to be the heart of your home, an organisational tool that lets you order groceries, watch TV, listen to music and even access apps on your smartphone.¹

DUAL ICE DISPENSER

Be prepared for any occasion with two different types of ice. The Dual Auto Ice Maker offers both Cubed Ice and Ice Bites – it can make up to 2.7kg a day and store up to 4.1kg ², so you’ll always be well stocked.

AUTOFILL INFUSER WATER JUG

Serve cold water instantly from fridge to table with the convenient BPA-free Autofill water jug ³, which automatically refills when it’s placed back in the fridge 4. You can also add flavours to the infuser for a refreshing twist.

Triple Cooling technology helps maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level in each compartment, while also preventing the mixing of odours between fresh and frozen food compartments.

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SAMSUNG FAMILY HUB™ BEVERAGE CENTRE™ FRENCHDOOR FRIDGE $5999 SRF9700BFH

1 - Family HubTM requires an internet connection. Compatible with all major Apps on Samsung Galaxy S6 models or later, running Android 8.1 or higher. Apps and services are subject to change without notice. Data usage fees may apply. 2 - Stores 1.4kg of Cubed Ice and 1.7kg of Ice Bites™. 3 - Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are often used in food and beverage containers, and has been linked with possible adverse health effects. 4 - Automatic refill is subject to the unit being plumbed.

The fridge is the heart of any busy family and the Samsung Family Hub™ Smart Fridge takes it one step further. With a built-in Wi-Fi-connected screen, it’s so much more than a fridge.

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N

FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGES

Sleek and streamlined, this Fisher & Paykel Quad-Door Refrigerator Freezer will look at home in any modern kitchen. Enjoy a 690L storage capacity.

VARIABLE TEMPERATURE ZONE

Enjoy customisable storage solutions with Variable Temperature Zone technology, giving you the flexibility to adjust the temperature independently at the press of a button. Choose between Fridge, Chill, Soft Freeze or Freezer – for optimal storage no matter what the occasion.

WATER AND ICE ON TAP

The slimline Water Dispenser easily fills any size jug or vessel with cool, filtered water, without taking up precious internal storage space. In addition, the internal ice maker in a dedicated freezer bin means fresh ice is always available.

MATTE BLACK FINISH

Boasting a timeless, streamlined aesthetic, the new matte black glass finish is beautifully tactile and engineered for durability in your home’s busiest room.

Thoughtful design featuring perfectly flat doors for a less intrusive fit in the kitchen, spill-proof glass shelving and beautiful lighting for great visibility inside.

FISHER & PAYKEL 690L MATTE BLACK GLASS QUAD-DOOR FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGE $4299 RF730QZUVB1

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online | mobile | in store

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N

FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGES

With a spacious interior and external water dispenser, the LG 637L French-Door Fridge with InstaView Door-in-Door is a great choice for the busy modern home.

INSTAVIEW DOOR-IN-DOOR®

With unique door-in-door technology, the LG InstaView lets you knock twice on the glass panel to light up the contents inside, so you can see what’s in the fridge without opening the door and letting cold air out.

SURROUND COOLING

Evenly distributing cold air from the rear and front ceiling vents, the surround cooling design helps to keep contents as fresh as possible.

PURE N FRESH

This innovative air filtration system forces air through the carbon deodoriser, recirculating it back into the interior to remove odours and maintain a fresh atmosphere.

Bold design, the latest functions and smartphone-enabled, this fridge is the ideal companion for any modern home. Extra space, a retractable shelf and slim indoor ice maker help keep things organised and convenient.

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LG 637L INSTAVIEW MATTE BLACK FRENCHDOOR FRIDGE $4599 GF-V706MBL

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N

FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGES

The sleekest French Door fridge in the Hisense range, this generous 585 litre is the perfect addition to any kitchen with a range of great features including an integrated ice and water dispenser.

MY FRESH CHOICE

An innovative convertible door allows you to adjust the temperature between -18 and +5°C, fridge or freezer, providing further flexibility in your storage options.

PREMIUM FLAT DESIGN

Focused on the modern kitchen concept, this PureFlat design is a seamless addition that can be well integrated with cabinets to make better use of your space.

INTERIOR SPACE

You can make your space allocation decisions with an interior space that is both massive and adaptable, featuring innovative storage solutions. Slide the temperature up or down in each specific section, and take advantage of large, durable Easy Glide drawers.

Keep hydrated with the intelligent inbuilt water dispenser (plumbing required).

Perfectly cooled water, as well as crushed and cubed ice, ready when you are, anytime.

HISENSE PUREFLAT BLACK STEEL FRENCHDOOR FRIDGE $2899 HRCD585BW

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H A R V E Y

N O R M A N

FRENCH-DOOR FRIDGES

Flexibility is key with the clever Westinghouse fridge with SmartSplit door design and a FlexSpace zone which allows you to switch from chill to freeze.

FLEXSPACE

With five predefined settings from -23 to +7°C, the FlexSpace Convertible Compartment meets your changing needs within two hours. Whether you’re chilling drinks, freezing meat or storing deli snacks, all it takes is a temperature adjustment to meet your needs.

FRESHSEAL CRISPER BINS

Automatic humidity control gives you the flexibility to store fruit and vegetables in the optimum environment. Designed with comfort in mind, FreshSeal crispers open effortlessly and provide easy access even when they’re full.

SMARTSPLIT DOOR

Innovative SmartSplit design provides more usable space in your fridge door. Reach larger items quickly and easily, saving the need to open both doors each time.

The fingerprintresistant stainless steel finish combined with the SnackZone compartment for your favourite treats make this fridge ideal for family needs.

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WESTINGHOUSE 609L NATURAL STAINLESS STEEL FRENCHDOOR FRIDGE $3499 WQE6870BA

SHOP ONLINE WITH YOUR LOCAL STORE HN.COM.AU OR CALL 1300 464 278 Harvey Norman® stores are operated by independent franchisees. Ends 31/01/2022.

®

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Produced by Sophie Wilson.

On trend

T I MEL E S S W HI T E

A focal point yet barely there, this enigmatic tone has a place in every room.

1 Coordonne ‘Jacaranda’ wallpaper mural (4.5x2.8m), $1975, Wallpaper Direct. 2 Aerin ‘Benit’ sculpted pendant, $1859, The Montauk Lighting Co. 3 Trudon ‘Alabaster Hemera’ candle, $299, Libertine Parfumerie. 4 Cicero engineered-stone surface in Dolomite Reale, about $990/m², Gitani Stone.

5 Mon Jules footed salad bowl, $410, Love After Love. 6 Fondant stoneware side plate, $34.95/set of 2, Few & Far. 7 Ivory ceramic temple jar, POA, Xavier Furniture. 8 White Fluted porcelain teapot, $149, Royal Copenhagen. 9 Mansam white elm pillar table, $1499, Living by Design.

10 Luca Boho linen cushion (40x60cm), $99.95, Eadie Lifestyle. 11 Carter linen cushion in White/Slate Stripe (50x50cm), $100, Domayne.

12 Alexia wall mirror, $890, Merci Maison. 13 Art Deco-style Murano glass wall lights, $2200/pair, The Vault Sydney.

14 White on White – Abstract Study 2 wall art, from $2205, Coco Republic. For Where to Buy, see page 204. #

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Styling by Kate Nixon. Photography by Maree Homer.

A well-designed room draws you in and feels just right. On the following pages we present our 2021 showcase of gorgeous, inviting rooms.

We hope you enjoy – and make sure you vote for your own favourites online. We’ll reveal the category finalists next month.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

PILLOWS

Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

ROOM NOTES Pavonazzetto marble benchtop and splashback, sourced by owner. Porta ‘Contours’ timber joinery in Dulux Black.

Nero Marquina marble floor tiles, Teranova. Lantern sconces and double lantern pendant light, Apparatus Studio. Verner Panton ‘Series 430’ stools upholstered in Maharam ‘Aria’ in Rustic, Great Dane. Accessories, all Greg Natale.

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SPECI A L F E AT U RE Greg Natale Greg Natale Design, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 2103 or gregnatale.com.

Text by Judy Pascoe. Styling by Greg Natale. Photograph by Anson Smart.

With its elegant detailing and sophisticated accoutrements, this kitchen in a Brisbane riverfront house is as much about entertaining as cooking.

Interior designer Greg Natale finessed the blending of form and function with a fluted, black-stained timber ceiling and joinery trimmed in brass; marble splashback, benches and flooring; and contemporary lighting. It creates the framework for a pared-back space that works yet wows. A cocktail bar vibe is introduced via velvet-covered Verner Panton stools ringing the end of a lavish Pavonazzetto marble island, setting the scene for convivial gatherings lit by the soft glow of Apparatus Studio lanterns. >

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Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

Text by Sue Ramsey. Photography by Justin Alexander.

ROOM NOTES Marble mosaic splashback, Surface Gallery. Polyurethane joinery with European-oak veneer and ply above, TSM Cabinets. Muuto ‘Dots’ wall hooks (used as cabinet pulls), Top3 by Design. Bolero single-bowl sink, Franke. Phoenix Tapware ‘Blix’ sink mixer, Reece. Cooktop and dishwasher, Electrolux. Blanco oven.

Coffee machine, Moccamaster. Vintage Dualit toaster. Dining table, Living Edge.

Vintage J39 dining chairs by Børge Mogensen. Cloud timber flooring, Made by Storey. Artwork by Michael Muir.

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FA M I L Y M AT T ER S Anna-Carin McNamara Anna.Carin Design Studio, Rushcutters Bay, NSW; (02) 9360 8662 or annacarindesign.com.au.

The kitchen in designer Anna-Carin McNamara’s own Sydney terrace has been in a state of flux for the past 20 years, always evolving to accommodate her family’s changing needs. But, Anna-Carin says, it has finally reached maturity. Her inspiration for the latest incarnation? “I wanted to re-create the sense of love and warmth I remember feeling at my mother’s kitchen table in the Swedish countryside,” says Anna-Carin. Crisp new joinery and cleanlined furnishings make the kitchen feel deceptively spacious; vintage chairs and marble splashback tiles add warmth and character. “Everything in the room is both functional and beautiful,” says Anna-Carin. >

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Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

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L OOK SH A R P Susanna Bilardo (left) & Alexandra Moeck Enoki, Adelaide, SA; (08) 8271 5500 or enoki.com.au.

ROOM NOTES (03) Super White Dolomite benchtop, CDK Stone. Dover limestone pavers, Eco Outdoor. Eveneer joinery in Charred, Elton Group. Inlite pendant, Insight Lighting. Major stools, Agostino & Brown. Tura pull handles, Pittella. Natucer ‘Piastrella’ splashback tiles, Academy Tiles.

Spotted gum ceiling. ROOM NOTES (04) Custom joinery in Dulux Everglade (island) and Dulux Palace Stone (rear) by In Vogue Kitchens & Joinery for Brett Mickan Interior Design. Super White Quartz benchtops and splashback, Granite & Marble Works. Wolf wall ovens and cooktop. Sub-Zero fridge, Winning Appliances. Rubn pendant light, Fred International. Kitchen mixer, CEA Design.

04

WELL CON N EC T ED Brett Mickan Brett Mickan Interior Design, Surry Hills, NSW; bmid.com.au.

“Our objective was to create a large and super-functional kitchen for homeowners who are passionate cooks,” says interior designer Brett Mickan. “They didn’t want it to dominate the space, but instead to have a seamless connection to the adjoining family room.”

To achieve this, Brett opted for a generous, smooth-lined island, the shape of which is inspired by the curve in a nearby bay window.

“The base was finished in a colour that picks up on the kitchen’s garden view,” says Brett.

Previously, this space had been partially closed off from the family area. “Now, much more light flows through and we’ve made the kitchen far more suitable for the way this family of six likes to live day-to-day.” >

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Text by Carli Philips (3) & Sarah Pickette (4). Photography by Jenah Piwanski (3) & Pablo Veiga (4).

The brief for this minimalist Adelaide Hills kitchen by Enoki (left) was for something “hard-wearing and full of durable materials that would suit the hard-working rural location”, says Enoki director Susanna Bilardo. At the crux of the home’s T-shaped plan, the focal point is an angular island bench topped in Super White Dolomite, chosen for its density and tonal variety. Adding to the monochrome palette is Dover limestone on the floor and timber veneer for the joinery. “It’s playful, gutsy and, most importantly, robust,” says Enoki designer Alexandra Moeck. “It’s a place to cook, entertain and chinwag for years to come.”

Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

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TOP T WENTIES Brooke Aitken (right) & Delphine Hernot Brooke Aitken Design, Ultimo, NSW; (02) 9212 6262 or brookeaitkendesign.com.au.

ROOM NOTES (05) Joinery, Pullicino & Son. Benchtop, Corian. Zellige splashback tiles, Skheme.

Kubus undermount sink, Franke. Billi filter tap, Winning Appliances. Brodware ‘City Stik’ mixer tap, Candana. French doors, Ganci. Pendant light, Volker Haug Studio. Pop stools, Life Interiors.

American-oak flooring, Floormania. ROOM NOTES (06) Dekton benchtops and splashback, Cosentino Australia. Sink, Abey. Tapware, Astra Walker. Oven, Miele. Cooktop and fridge, Fisher & Paykel. Judd bar stool, MCM House. Cabinet handles, Designer Doorware. Engineeredtimber floor, Woodcut. Wall lights, Dedece.

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SM A RT CON T R A ST Jo Lawless & Kevin Ng Lawless & Meyerson, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 9101 1133 or lawlessandmeyerson.com.

MHN Design Union, Surry Hills, NSW; mhndu.com.

With architecture by MHN Design Union and interiors by Lawless & Meyerson, this kitchen has a strong connection to the lush foliage in the garden terrace beyond. “The island is both a prep and dining space, so it needed to be large enough for the family to spread out,” says Jo Lawless, director of Lawless & Meyerson.

Dekton tops were chosen for durability, there is storage on both sides, plus steel-framed shelves above for condiments, cookbooks and the odd plant. The black cabinetry commands attention but white walls and pale flooring ensure it never feels heavy. This sense of ‘lightness’ is conferred by standing the island on its own feet. “We spend a huge amount of time in our kitchen, gathered around the island,” says the owner. >

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Text by Sue Ramsey (5) & Laura Barry (6). Photography by Prue Ruscoe (5) & Tom Ferguson (6).

This streamlined kitchen is part of a larger addition to a century-old weatherboard cottage in Sydney’s inner west. The contemporary extension was designed to integrate with the old, achieving a 1920s feel with its curved forms and strong black and white aesthetic.

“The back of the house was demolished to add another floor underneath that connected the house to the garden,” says architect and interior designer, Brooke Aitken. “Raising the height of the kitchen and designing the architectural addition with fine steel doors, this space feels like it is on the bow of a boat, where the occupants can stand and survey all around.”

Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Claire Delmar. Photograph by Anson Smart.

ROOM NOTES Custom-tinted cast-concrete island by Concrete Bespoke. Sandblasted American-oak veneer joinery by Jonathan West. Calacatta Viola splashback, Worldstone. Joseph Giles ‘Irvine’ cabinet pulls, The English Tapware Company. Knoll ‘Platner’ stools, Dedece. Bird pendant light, Alexander & Co, in collaboration with The Lighting Guild. Snoot In A Can Mini wall light, The Lighting Guild. Lady ’79 sculptural lamp with custom pleated shade, Sarah Nedovic Gaunt. Proyalbi rendered wall finish.

Top 50 Rooms

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K I T CH E NS

B R AV E N E W W O R L D Jeremy Bull Alexander & Co, Bondi Junction, NSW; (02) 8394 9838 or alexanderand.co.

Dramatic, intriguing and experimental, this luminous kitchen is the true heart of Alexander House, headquarters of Sydney design studio Alexander & Co. As principal Jeremy Bull says, “The space is the theatrical epicentre of the house – it’s a little monastic, but contemporary.” Luxurious textures and soft, rosy hues bring warmth and interest to the double-height room, with sandblasted American-oak veneer joinery and a Calacatta Viola marble splashback adding polish and sophistication.

But it’s the “beautifully shaped, imperfect and wonderfully pink” cast-concrete island that is the undisputed standout feature of this zone. >

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IN THE FRA ME

Bianca Fraser The Unlisted Collective, Surry Hills, NSW; 0422 296 039 or theunlistedcollective.com.

Exquisite finishes and intricate textures lend an opulent edge to the heart of this elevated family home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. By taking a highly customised approach, interior designer Bianca Fraser fulfilled the brief for a “luxurious yet tranquil space that combines an intertwining of indoor-outdoor elements”. A shapely island bench clad in Toledo marble presents as a sculptural focal point, while aged-brass finishes, including the workbench and splashback, are designed to patinate gracefully over time. Working in tandem with the beautiful finishes is an expansive picture window that frames the treetops as a living artwork. >

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Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab. Photograph by Dave Wheeler.

ROOM NOTES Polytec joinery in Maison Oak. Island in Toledo marble, Worldstone. Custom aged-brass benchtop, splashback and sink. Wall light, Lighting Collective. Astra Walker ‘Icon’ kitchen mixer. 2Lips vase, Great Dane. Muuto ‘Visu’ stool, Living Edge.

Niemeyer bowl by Greg Natale.

mckimm Sussex St Project Photography - Timothy Kaye Artist - Kerry Armstrong

MELBOURNE · SYDNEY

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G OL D S TA N DA R D

Mardi Doherty Doherty Design Studio, Hawthorn, Victoria; (03) 9815 2737 or dohertydesignstudio.com.au.

Text by Judy Pascoe. Styling by Samantha Deacon. Photograph by Derek Swalwell.

Opulent gold-mirrored laminate cupboards are a showstopping feature of this kitchen, positioned on the second floor of a three-level Melbourne house in order to capture city views. The reflective laminate is one of a suite of glossy materials selected by interior designer Mardi Doherty that includes amber-veined marble with brass inlay and black-stained timber laminate, giving the kitchen a glamorous persona.

Generous scale was important to the owners, who have a large extended family, so easy interaction with the dining area and outdoor balcony was essential. “It’s the perfect space to entertain and we really enjoy the light that filters in from the skylight over the staircase behind,” they say. >

ROOM NOTES Custom joinery by Orana Joinery. Tall cabinetry and under-bench cabinetry finished in Admira laminate in Midnight Oak, Bench Top City. Overhead cabinets in Lucida 881 metal-effect laminate, Abet Laminati. Zaragoza marble benchtop and splashback, Artedomus, with brushed-brass inlay, Astor Metal Finishes. Abey ‘Lago’ undermount sink, Gessi ‘Quadro’ tap, Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop and refrigerator, all E&S. Douglas fir flooring, Dinesen. Dita stools, Grazia & Co. Artwork by Matthew Johnson, Olsen Gallery.

Sculpture by Anya Pesce, Studio Gallery.

Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

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SET I N STON E Warren Au, Studio Gestalt & Alexandra Mason, Studio AEM Studio Gestalt, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8091 0883 or studiogestalt.com.au.

Studio AEM, Sydney, NSW; 0428 748 397 or studioaem. com.au.

ROOM NOTES (10) Super White Dolomite benchtop and splashback, and rangehood in Majorca marble, WK Stone. Eveneer Metro joinery, Elton Group. Tapware and sink, Franke. Sculpture, Studio Cavit. Gaggenau oven and cooktop, and Qasair rangehood, all Winning Appliances.

ROOM NOTES (11) Custom Tesrol joinery in Dulux Silver Tea. Benchtops in Caesarstone Georgian Bluffs. Calacatta Statuario splashback, WK Stone. Nickel cabinet hardware, Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading. Manhattan kitchen mixer, Brodware. Halle Linear pendant light, Laura Kincade. Collette barstools upholstered in Schumacher ‘Rocky Performance’ velvet in Sky, Casa Mia. Appliances, all Miele. Floorboards, Nash Timbers.

11

HOOK ED ON CL A S SIC Lauren Mahoney Studio Trio, Northbridge, NSW; (02) 9967 3060 or studiotrio.com.au.

The owners of this Sydney home requested Studio Trio design them a “functional, classic and beautiful” kitchen that would work like a dream for them and their young children.

Director Lauren Mahoney certainly rose to the challenge, delivering a kitchen where there’s ample space for meal prep, room for kids to eat at the island, and where dinner time is a no-fuss operation thanks to the inclusion of two ovens, two dishwashers and two integrated bins. “There is no question that this is a fully equipped, hard-working kitchen,” says Lauren. The marble splashback steals the show, with the oversized pendant light and stools covered in a family-friendly velvet also adding beauty to the space. >

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Text by Laura Barry (10) & Sarah Pickette (11). Styling by Claire Delmar (10) & Kate Nixon (11).

Photography by Anson Smart (10) & Maree Homer (11).

Tactile and tonal, this Sydney kitchen has a timeless, pared-back aesthetic that’s all about showcasing glorious natural materials. Swathes of beautiful stone star on the benchtops and splashback, while a travertine floor anchors the space. “The crystal lighting creates a divine contrast to the sleek joinery and adds some wow factor,” says Warren Au, director of Studio Gestalt, who collaborated on this project with Alexandra Mason, director of Studio AEM. Behind this sleek galley sits a butler’s pantry – a workhorse space where function comes first and mess is tucked out of sight. “The new layout allows for better circulation and conversation,” adds Warren. “The owners love it.”

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Top 50 Rooms K I T CH E NS

12 HIDDE N GE M

The owners of this Melbourne property wanted their kitchen – the centre of their home life – to transition with ease from an intimate family space to that of the consummate entertainer. Interior designer Petra Pantano applied her magic to the hard-working domain, creating deft tonal contrast with expanses of pale oak joinery set against the island and rangehood clad in White Fantasy marble. “The owners wanted it to be a cook’s and entertainers’ kitchen, a space where they gather in the morning and night,” says Petra. Hidden neatly behind closed doors is everything from an integrated fridge and freezer to a built-in bar, butler’s pantry and study nook. A mirrored panel brings the leafy outlook in. >

ROOM NOTES American-oak veneer joinery, Paradise Kitchen Cabinets. White Fantasy marble, Artedomus. Franke ‘Mythos Fusion’ kitchen sink, and Astra Walker kitchen mixer in Charcoal Bronze, both Mary Noall. Miyazaki bar stool, Kristina Dam Studio. Sirius ‘SmartSwitch’ rangehood, E&S. Leather-wrapped cabinet handles, MadeMeasure. Vibia ‘Tempo’ pendant light, Koda Lighting. Concrete bricks, Architectural Handmade Bricks N Pavers. Gubi ‘Nagasaki’ dining chair, In Good Company.

Blossi table lamp, Great Dane.

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Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Petra Pantano. Photography by Shannon McGrath.

Petra Pantano Studio Petra, Melbourne, Victoria; 0434 024 450 or studiopetra.com.au.

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Fully-integrated Appliances

SI M PL ICI T Y R E DE F I N E D

Kate McCluskey, McCluskey Studio & Matt Hainsworth, Cera Stribley McCluskey Studio, Carlton North, Victoria; 0447 579 845 or mccluskeystudio.com.au.

Cera Stribley, Prahran, Victoria; (03) 9533 2582 or cs-a.com.au.

The brief for this home in bayside Melbourne was to create a showcase kitchen that celebrates minimalism and detailing. “A sleek box was created inside the extension to house the kitchen, while a windowed splashback provides an ever-evolving colourful accent to the monochromatic palette of black-stained oak and marble,” says interior architect Kate McCluskey, who worked on the project alongside architect Matt Hainsworth of Cera Stribley. The appliances are concealed and the Pitt gas burners are installed directly into the benchtop with a downdraft extractor rising out when it’s required. And the owner couldn’t be happier with the result.

“It’s such a warm and inviting place to come together and take stock – we all slow down in this kitchen!” > ROOM NOTES Custom stained quarter-cut oak cabinetry, E&C Joinery. Cabinetry, benchtop and island benchtop in Ibiza white marble, and Frosty Blue marble flooring, all Marble & Ceramic Corp. Wolf ‘E Series’ ovens, Pitt ‘Drum’ professional gas cooktop and Astra Walker ‘Icon+’ tap, E&S. Custom tabletop by McCluskey Studio. Original Charles Eames Office table base and chairs, owners’ own. Knock checked basket, Pan After.

Rattan fruit basket, Cabinet De Luxe.

Text by Sue Ramsey. Styling by Marsha Golemac. Photograph by Timothy Kaye.

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Top 50 Rooms

ROOM NOTES Inax ‘Yohen Border’ tiles, Artedomus. Sussex tapware, Reece. Ceiling painted Dulux Terrain.

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Text by Carli Philips. Styling by Leesa O’Reilly (15).Photography by Tatjana Pitt (14) & Dianna Snape (15).

BAT H R O OM S

ROOM NOTES Light travertine walls and Fior di Bosco stone bath hob, G-Lux. Oak veneer cabinetry. Terrazzo floors, Signorino. Icon tapware in brushed platinum and robe hook, both Astra Walker.

Dioscuri wall lights, Artemide.

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SPECI A L T RE AT ME N T

Anne Hindley, Hindley & Co Architects, West Melbourne, Victoria; (03) 9328 4440 or hindleyandco.com.au.

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Chunky materials in organic colours define the retreat-like scheme in this sophisticated wet area (above).

“We were channelling hammam spa vibes with the large slabs of natural stone coupled with terrazzo tiles on the bathing side and finely detailed vanity on the other,” says architect Anne Hindley, who masterminded this generous bathroom in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. The beautiful and functional bathroom was designed with visiting guests in mind, but the enamoured owner has now had a change of heart. “I just love the size of it,” says the owner. “I know which bathroom I will be using!”

WOR K A DAY H E R O

Fiona Dunin, FMD Architects, Melbourne, Victoria; (03) 9670 9671 or fmdarchitects.com.au.

Architect Fiona Dunin pushed things right to the edge in the hard-wearing, contemporary interpretation of a country farmhouse on Tasmania’s Bruny Island (opposite). Originally planned as an outdoor space, this bathroom with feature sunken bath is now encased by frameless windows with unobstructed views to the surrounding paddocks. Inspired by the historic chimneystacks seen throughout the island, Fiona lined the bath in reddish-brown tiles. “The sunken bath effectively immerses the occupants in the rural landscape, offering a delightfully different experience of the land,” says Fiona. >

Text by Carli Philips. Photography by Mark Roper.

ROOM NOTES Cristallo quartzite custom vanity, splashback and flooring. Custom stained European oak solid timber unit. Piero Lissoni ‘SWIM-C’ bath, Boffi. Icon hob set taps, Astra Walker. Agape basins, Artedomus. Bianca mosaic wall tiles, Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading.

Towel, Loom Towels. Accessories, Abode Living.

Top 50 Rooms BAT H R O OM S

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VIEW F I N DE R Rob Mills Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors, Prahran, Victoria; (03) 9525 2406 or robmills.com.au.

On a cliff overlooking one of Australia’s most iconic surf breaks on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the floor-to-ceiling views from this bathroom can be enjoyed from the modern elegance of a Boffi freestanding bath. “It’s a place of sanctuary with the formidable coastline beyond,” says architect Rob Mills. “The Cristallo quartzite floor and vanity references the coastline, pairing beautifully with European oak joinery.

Materials, fixtures and fittings were selected for low maintenance, longevity and resilience against the harsh coastal environment.”

Warm yet restrained, the textures and tones take their cues from the surrounding landscape and are expressed in an organic palette with warm timber lining the ceiling. > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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Top 50 Rooms BAT H R O OM S

17 S T ON E L OV E

Capturing an abundance of light and garden views, this ensuite is further enhanced by a clever layout and luxurious features. Part of a new extension to a Melbourne house, the space benefits from interior designer Mardi Doherty’s uncluttered design, in which the powder room and shower are tucked behind a wall backing onto the main bedroom.

Eschewing doors in favour of wide openings into the bathroom and adjoining walk-in wardrobe, Mardi ensured a seamless connection with the bedroom. Caribbean Island marble – an unusual stone that is quarried in Brazil – was selected for the vanity, complemented by elegant fittings that underpin the serenity the owners desired.

ROOM NOTES Vanity and splashback in Caribbean Island marble from Pazstone. Omvivo ‘Venice’ basin, Reece. Arq wall-mounted mixer tap set, Rogerseller. Intuit ‘Chalky’ terrazzo tiles, Fibonacci Stone. Eon towel rail, Rogerseller. Towel, Loom Towels. Walls painted Dulux Natural White.

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ST ROK E OF LU X E

Greg Natale Greg Natale Design, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 2103 or gregnatale.com.

Unabashed luxury and glamour abound in the ensuite bathroom of a Brisbane house designed by Greg Natale in the style of a modern palazzo. The dark palette requested by the owners is expressed with grey Jurassic marble walls and bath, black-stained oak vanities and grey wallpaper that underlines the opulent, textural feel. Norwegian Rose marble floor tiles inset with Jurassic marble add another layer of pattern and reference the warm red touches elsewhere. Brass finger tiles line a series of arches that link the bathroom, vanity area and main bedroom, providing luminosity against the dark backdrop and echoing the brass finishes throughout the home. >

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Text by Judy Pascoe. Styling by Samantha Deacon (17) & Greg Natale (18).

Photography by Derek Swalwell (17) & Anson Smart (18).

Mardi Doherty Doherty Design Studio, Hawthorn, Victoria; (03) 9815 2737 or dohertydesignstudio.com.au.

ROOM NOTES Jurassic marble wall tiles and Greg Natale ‘Tempo’ marble floor tiles, Teranova. Custom Jurassic marble bath with enamel insert and custom American oak vanity, both Greg Natale Design. Gold Brushed linear tiles, Alloy. Manhattan bath/hand shower set, Brodware.

Fantini ‘Venezia’ basin set with Murano glass handles, Rogerseller.

Articolo Lighting ‘Fizi’ triple-ball wall sconces, Est Lighting. Areti ‘Plate & Sphere’ brass light fittings, Mobilia. Arte ‘Facet’ wallpaper, Unique Fabrics. Lorenza Bozzoli Design ‘Couture Geometric Geo’ ottoman, Artemest. R&Y Augousti small pedestal table, 1stDibs. Vintage artwork.

Top 50 Rooms BAT H R O OM S

GRE Y M AT T ER Susanna Bilardo (left) & Alexandra Moeck Enoki, Adelaide, SA; (08) 8271 5500 or enoki.com.au.

The owners of this new Adelaide Hills home had their hearts set on a double basin and generous bench space for their ensuite. The team at Enoki set to it, creating a vanity flanked by custom steel structures that demarcate the endpoints but also serve more practically as towel rails. Originally there was only a portion of marble cladding, but the owners loved the Cote D’Azur marble so much, they decided to use it for a whole feature wall. “It creates a wonderful illusion and play of surfaces,” says Enoki director, Susanna Bilardo. “And even though there’s a lot of hard finishes, underfloor heating ensures it’s always lovely and warm.”

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C U RV Y LINEAR Emma Buchan EB Interiors, Cronulla, NSW; (02) 9544 4507 or ebinteriors.net.au.

Introducing an array of curves to reference the existing round skylight has elevated the elegance of this bathroom. Created as a dedicated space for the daughter of the owners of this home in Sydney’s south, interior designer Emma Buchan aimed to make it age-appropriate yet sufficiently luxurious that it wouldn’t be outgrown. An egg-shaped basin directly below the skylight is complemented by the shapely vanity mirror, an arched recess, spherical wall light and a lovely asymmetrical bath that’s at once classic and contemporary. The rectangular profile of the dark woodgrain vanity balances the curves, providing a linear contrast.

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FRENCH E VOLU T ION Bianca Fraser The Unlisted Collective, Surry Hills, NSW; 0422 296 039 or theunlistedcollective.com.

Interior designer Bianca Fraser has answered her clients’ call for a space with a “modern French feel combined with Victorian ornamentation” to a tee. An absolute hero room in this renovated 19th-century terrace, its look and feel fulfilled the homeowners’ desire for a “lavish yet tranquil atmosphere and a sense of warmth”. The aged-brass fixtures and Arabescato Vagli marble are key: in combination, they exude classic femininity. “We reinstated traditional elements and reinvigorated period features for a timeless narrative,” says Bianca. “It’s a modern take on tradition and something that’s consistent throughout the home.” >

ROOM NOTES (19) Dover limestone floor tiles, Eco Outdoor. Cote D’Azur marble (on walls) and Neolith ‘Phedra’ stone-composite (vanity benchtop), both CDK Stone. Vanity in Laminex AbsoluteMatte in Oyster Grey. Omvivo ‘Latis’ basin and Brodware ‘Yokato’ tapware, both Routleys Bathroom Kitchen Laundry. Archier ‘Rakumba’ pendant light, Estilo Commercial. Walls painted Dulux Ghosting Half. ROOM NOTES (20) Custom vanity and mirror, both Scotts Kitchens. Vanity finished in Eveneer Xilo in Flamed Sand. Laverna marble benchtop, BC Stone. Silver Shadow limestone tiles, Pacifico Stone.

Napoli basin, Victoria+Albert. Fantini ‘Venezia’ wall-mounted basin set, Rogerseller. Fizi wall light, Articolo Lighting. ROOM NOTES (21) Arabescato Vagli marble for vanity, Granite & Marble Works. Flake White wall tiles, Surface Gallery. Perrin & Rowe tapware and Joseph Giles ‘Ashworth’ handles, both The English Tapware Company. Sculpture by Scott McNeil, Curatorial+Co. Emma Bartik vase, Saint Cloche. Face towel, Oliver Thom.

Text by Carli Philips (19 & 21) & Judy Pascoe (20). Styling by Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab (21).

Photography by Jenah Piwanski (19), Pablo Veiga (20) & Dave Wheeler (21).

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Top 50 Rooms BAT H R O OM S

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M A R BL E A RT

Kate McCluskey, McCluskey Studio & Matt Hainsworth, Cera Stribley McCluskey Studio, Carlton North, Victoria; 0447 579 845 or mccluskeystudio.com.au.

Cera Stribley, Prahran, Victoria; (03) 9533 2582 or cs-a.com.au.

Swathes of cool, white Turkish marble envelop the master bathroom of this revamped Victorian-era house in Melbourne. Channelling a Japanese bathhouse or Turkish hammam, the generous proportions of the space, which includes a steam room and separate shower, along with the luxurious finishes, promote the ambience of a calm and private sanctuary. Interior architect Kate McCluskey, who worked on the project with architect Matt Hainsworth of Cera Stribley, positioned the custom marble bath so it’s spotlit by the skylight above. Marble mosaic tiles highlight the curved ceiling and floating bench of the steam room and shower, while black steel-framed shower doors provide a contrasting contemporary accent in the neutral scheme. >

Text by Judy Pascoe. Styling by Marsha Golemac. Photograph by Timothy Kaye.

Ibiza white marble custom bath, vanity, slab and mosaic tiles, Layla Italia. Brushed nickel tapware, Astra Walker.

Steel-framed doors, GM Balustrading. Zieta ‘Plopp’ stool, Storehouse St Kilda. Artform vases, Angus & Celeste.

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Top 50 Rooms L AU N DR I E S

Text by Sarah Pickette. Styling by Kate Nixon. Photograph by Maree Homer.

ROOM NOTES Custom joinery with satin polyurethane finish in Dulux Mason Grey. Benchtop in Caesarstone Georgian Bluffs. Shaker-style polished-nickel handles, Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading. Custom roman blind in Colefax & Fowler ‘Giselle’ fabric in Aqua. White subway tiles, Surface Gallery. Amity Grey floor tiles, Teranova. Walls painted Dulux White On White.

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AWA S H W I T H I D E A S Lauren Mahoney Studio Trio, Northbridge, NSW; (02) 9967 3060 or studiotrio.com.au.

Tailored yet perfectly practical, this laundry in Sydney ticks all the right boxes. It was designed by Studio Trio for homeowners who wanted both a space that made household tasks feel less of a chore and could double as a mudroom where the kids can dump their shoes and school bags. What works best here, says Lauren Mahoney, director of Studio Trio, is its “simple, classic joinery, paired with fabrics that make the room feel homely”. The owner agrees, saying, “The large, open and incredibly practical space makes me feel like I’m in part of the kitchen rather than the laundry.” >

Top 50 Rooms L AU N DR I E S

SWEET PET I T E Mikayla Rose Heartly, Abbotsford, Victoria; 0447 006 449 or heartly.com.au.

While planning the extension of their Melbourne cottage, the owners had a fairly straightforward brief for the laundry: a light, bright, functional space that paid homage to the original home and its petite size. “The new laundry is compact and conveniently located in a hideaway nook next to the family bathroom,” says Mikayla Rose, principal designer at Heartly. Her favourite element of the design? “We used the arch motif, which is characteristic of Victorian cottages, and created an arch that spans the hallway, then continues across the face of the joinery panels in the laundry.”

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D OU BL E DU T Y Bianca Fraser The Unlisted Collective, Surry Hills, NSW; 0422 296 039 or theunlistedcollective.com.

A note of luxe glamour is at play in this multitasking Sydney laundry, which doubles as a bathroom. Just as intended. While the domain called for high functionality, it was not to feel cold and sterile. “Inspiration came from a reflection of the home’s other spaces,” says interior designer Bianca Fraser.

Deliciously dark and moody, the room has an Argo Black marble benchtop balanced by tactile timber-look cabinetry, a Moroccantiled splashback, aged-brass fixtures and terrazzo flooring. “The laundry accentuates the sumptuous elements in the home while combining playful textures,” says Bianca.

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CLEA N SL AT E Greg Natale Greg Natale Design, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 2103 or gregnatale.com.

The dramatic lines of the interior architecture in this Brisbane home continue in a spacious laundry, where arched doors and brass hanging rails reference the details elsewhere.

A practical layout offers abundant storage behind floor-to-ceiling cupboard doors and the extensive marble-topped bench areas handle multiple tasks. The materials palette flows through from the rest of the house, with Nero Marquina marble floor tiles, dark timber joinery, Carrara marble benchtops and brass accents. A sense of quiet luxury pervades this hard-working area and the flawless finishes take it to another level. >

ROOM NOTES (24) American white oak veneer joinery in Dulux Natural White Half, VP Surface Solutions. Internal cupboards in White Linen laminate, Laminex. Splashback in Inax ‘Nuance NY51’ mosaic tiles, Artedomus. Silestone benchtop in Blanco Zeus, Cosentino Australia. Phoenix Tapware ‘Vivid Slimline’ gooseneck sink mixer. Franke ‘Kubus’ undermount sink, E&S. Polished-concrete floor by ACS Builders. Walls painted Dulux Natural White Half.

ROOM NOTES (25) Argo Black marble benchtop, handmade Moroccan tiles (splashback), and Giudecca terrazzo floor tiles, all Worldstone. Joinery in Polytec Maroso Milan. Franke undermount sink, Winning Appliances. Astra Walker ‘Icon+’ lever mixer. W1 front-loading washing machine in Lotus White and T1 heat-pump tumble dryer in Lotus White, both Miele. ROOM NOTES (26) Nero Marquina floor tiles and Carrara marble benchtops, Teranova.

Custom American-oak joinery, Greg Natale Design. Wever & Ducré ‘Hexo’ ceiling lights, Est Lighting. V-Zug ‘Adora’ appliances, Winning Appliances.

Schock ‘Virtus’ onyx bowl sink, Abey. Pull-out clothes hamper and Ironfix drawer-mounted ironing board (hidden), Häfele. Door handles and joinery pulls, Pittella. Walls painted Dulux Timeless Grey.

Text by Sue Ramsey (24), Jackie Brygel (25) & Judy Pascoe (26). Styling by Heartly (24), Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab (25) & Greg Natale (26).

Photography by Martina Gemmola (24), Dave Wheeler (25) & Anson Smart (26).

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Top 50 Rooms I N D O OR - OU T D O OR C ON N E C T ION

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WA R M R E G A R D S

Petra Pantano Studio Petra, Melbourne, Victoria; 0434 024 450 or studiopetra.com.au.

Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Petra Pantano. Photograph by Shannon McGrath.

With its calming palette, voluptuous sofas and dual fireplaces, the expansive indoor-outdoor room in this Melbourne home is fit for all seasons. “We love spending time sitting around the outdoor fireplace on winter nights,” say the owners. “In summer, we watch the children play from our living room, knowing they’re safe and in sight.” A desire to forge a link between house and garden informed Studio Petra’s brief, with the connection emphasised by the continuation of the concrete brick wall. “We focused on bringing some of the external architecture elements inside and creating a cohesive relationship,” says interior designer Petra Pantano. > ROOM NOTES Concrete bricks, Architectural Handmade Bricks N Pavers. Escea outdoor fireplace. Lopi 864 indoor fireplace, Waldron Heating & Cooling. Custom joinery, Paradise Kitchen Cabinets. Claremont limestone pavers, Better Exteriors. Trace outdoor sofas, Tait. MDF Italia ‘Cosy’ sofa and Moroso ‘Yumi’ armchairs, Hub Furniture.

Dedu coffee table, Collective. Amadi ‘Nypa’ rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets. The Queen Is Dead sculpture by Richard Stringer, Fletcher Art. Kristina Dam sculpture (on plinth), In Good Company.

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WOR K I NG THE LINES Eva-Marie Prineas, Studio Prineas, Rushcutters Bay, NSW; (02) 9332 2006 or studioprineas.com.au.

ROOM NOTES (28) AC table, Koskela. Le Corbusier ‘B9’ chairs and ‘Tolix’ chairs, Thonet.

Pendant, Mazdalux. White penny-round tiles, Academy Tiles. Rendered recycled bricks, bagged bricks and lining boards painted Dulux Vivid White. Blackbutt decking, Swadlings. Tio table and chairs, District. ROOM NOTES (29) Ventech veneer joinery in Ebon. Feature wall, bench and splashback in Cortona stone, Artedomus. Belmondo marble floor tiles, STS Stone. Brodware ‘City Stik’ kitchen mixer. Triple Kick pendant light , Volker Haug Studio. Minotti ‘Lawrence’ sofa, Dedece. JK coffee table, Stylecraft. B&B Italia ‘Husk’ chairs, Space. Owner’s existing stools and rug.

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V IE W POI N T Steven Isaacs Architecture Saville Isaacs, McMahons Point, NSW; (02) 9086 9000 or architecturesavilleisaacs. com.au.

Blessed with Sydney Harbour views, this new family home revels in its sublime setting. At the epicentre is an expansive living domain that is at one with its surrounds – a seamless indooroutdoor connection created by oversize sliding glass panels. The vision, says architect Steven Isaacs, was to capitalise on the remarkable vista bestowed by the site’s steep topography, with a moody and highly tactile palette adding dynamism. “The interiors are delicately crafted to create a sense of luxury without compromising on practicality,” says Steven. The owners are thrilled. “Operable louvres perfectly control shade and light, and the sliding doors always stay open – even in winter,” they say. >

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Text by Carli Philips (28) & Jackie Brygel (29). Photography by Chris Warnes (28) & Kata Bayer (29).

Using timber sliding doors that open all the way, architect Eva-Marie Prineas has successfully blurred the indoors and outdoors of her 1890s home in Sydney’s inner west. She and her husband Peter Titmuss – also an architect – ensured the new area’s blackbutt decking, which extends directly off the dining area, offered a nod to the original hardwood inside the house.

“Care was taken to cut each new board along the grain so it matched the width of the existing ones for perfect alignment,” says Eva-Marie.

An outdoor fireplace adds to the cosiness and means the family of four can enjoy the space year round. “The courtyard has become a favourite gathering spot,” she says.

Top 50 Rooms I N D O OR - OU T D O OR C ON N E C T ION

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OU T TO SE A

Suzanne Gorman Studio Gorman, Paddington, NSW; 0414 936 571 or studiogorman.com.

Imbued with lashings of light and space, the living and dining domain in this home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has a strong connection to its extraordinary backdrop. Double-height windows draw the sea and sunshine in, while a neutral palette – walls in Dulux Vivid White, blackbutt floors and tonal furnishings – grants the vista top billing. “The brief was to create an understated, casual living space that had an easy connection to the garden and pool deck, and that captured the view,” says interior designer Suzanne Gorman. “The owners felt instantly at home.” >

Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Claire Delmar. Photograph by Prue Ruscoe.

ROOM NOTES Solid blackbutt flooring. The X Table, The Wood Room. Sia dining chairs by Tom Fereday, Cult Design. Alfred modular sofa, Jardan.

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FURNITURE & HOMEWARES | INTERIOR STYLING | CAFÉ | FLORIST WWW.ALFRESCOEMPORIUM.COM.AU

Top 50 Rooms I N D O OR - OU T D O OR C ON N E C T ION

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HER E COME S T HE SU N

Warren Au, Studio Gestalt & Alexandra Mason, Studio AEM Studio Gestalt, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8091 0883 or studiogestalt.com.au.

Studio AEM, Sydney, NSW; 0428 748 397 or studioaem.com.au.

Text by Elizabeth Wilson (31) & Jackie Brygel (32). Styling by Claire Delmar (31) & Jess Kneebone (32).

Photography by Anson Smart (31), Shannon McGrath (32) & Emma Phillips (Anna Dutton Lourié).

Drenched in sunlight and with views over the treetops to Sydney Harbour, this home had obvious charms – and the owners wanted to enhance them. They turned to collaborative duo Alexandra Mason of Studio AEM and Warren Au of Studio Gestalt to strengthen the link between the dining/living area and the terrace.

Conjuring what Alexandra describes as a “relaxed, breezy resort style”, the challenge was to connect the spaces while giving each an individual look and identity. Taking cues from the existing sandstone fireplace and teak-lined ceiling, they opted for a calming, neutral palette combined with smart, space-defining furniture. The result?

A look that is “timeless and contemporary yet opulent and refined”, says Alexandra.

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ROOM NOTES Porro ‘Materic’ dining table and ‘Frank’ dining chairs, Giorgetti ‘Aspara’ daybeds, B&B Italia ‘Frank Outdoor’ ottomans and ‘Fat-Fat’ nesting tables, all Space. Apparatus ‘Cloud 37’ pendant light, Criteria, and outdoor pendant, existing.

Vida ‘Sonoma’ dhurrie rug, The Rug Establishment. Artwork by Kerrie Oliver, Curatorial+Co. Walls painted Dulux White Duck Half.

32 T HE BIG PIC T U R E

Anna Dutton Lourié Bower Architecture & Interiors, Collingwood, Victoria; (03) 9417 7811 or bowerarchitecture.com.au.

An inspired world of surprises unfolds beyond the front door of this futureproofed timber-clad house, designed to ‘drape’ over the landscape, on the southern tip of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Silvertop ash-lined walls and a ceiling stained in cocooning Palm Beach Black by Porter’s Paints lure guests inside. But it’s the window to the owners’ tranquil world – the floor-to-ceiling garden view unveiled immediately upon entering – that is the unexpected masterstroke. “The design creates mystery from the street,” says Anna Dutton Lourié, co-director of Bower Architecture & Interiors. “The experience of entering, and the indoor-outdoor connection, is a gift offered to the loved ones invited into the home. The entry is a journey through architecture and landscape.” > ROOM NOTES Silvertop ash battens stained Porter’s Paints Palm Beach Black. Niki pull handle, Designer Doorware. Artwork by P. Morris. Existing rug. Polished-concrete floor.

Top 50 Rooms I N D O OR - OU T D O OR C ON N E C T ION

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W HI T E M AGIC

Bianca Fraser The Unlisted Collective, Surry Hills, NSW; 0422 296 039 or theunlistedcollective.com.

ROOM NOTES Chalford limestone pavers, Eco Outdoor. Concrete bench seat. Custom dining table, Slabs by Design. Tio chairs, HG Furniture Solutions. Large planter, The Balcony Garden. Sculpture on table by Korban/Flaubert. Walls painted Dulux Casper White.

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Text by Jackie Brygel. Styling by Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab. Photograph by Dave Wheeler.

A sanctuary for its owners, this inner-city courtyard complete with rustic fireplace and built-in seating provides privacy and serenity. Nestled within a sea of other stately terrace houses in the heart of Sydney, the outdoor room sweeps daylight and verdant vistas into the heritage home. Included as part of a more extensive renovation by Bianca Fraser of The Unlisted Collective, the landscaped domain also provides a leafy link between the principal house and a separate garage with studio above. “The limestone paving, steel doors and the light that filters into the home are important, as terraces are traditionally very dark,” says Bianca. >

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Text by Carli Philips. Photograph by Chris Warnes.

Top 50 Rooms

BE DR O OM S

34

SECON D CH A NCES

Eva-Marie Prineas Studio Prineas, Rushcutters Bay, NSW; (02) 9332 2006 or studioprineas.com.au.

Updating this 19th-century Italianate house in Sydney has resulted in an “uplifting family home that balances charm and liveability”, says Eva-Marie Prineas, director of Studio Prineas. Nowhere is this more evident than the main bedroom. The idea was to make changes within reason, adding modern practicalities such as new joinery but being conscious of “a light approach to form”, says Eva-Marie.

“Allowing breathing space between the original features enables the cherished character of the home to sing.” The last thing to arrive was a rich blue rug from Armadillo, which anchors the space and adds to the hotel-suite feel, as per the brief. > ROOM NOTES Tallowwood floorboards. Agra rug, Armadillo. Aesop Parchment (top) and Chios curtain fabric in Smoke, Warwick Fabrics. Artek ‘Stool 60’, Anibou. Flos ‘Atollo’ table lamp, Euroluce. Artwork

by Bec Smith, Saint Cloche.

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F L IGH T O F FA N C Y Greg Natale Greg Natale Design, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 2103 or gregnatale.com.

Mint-green heron-print wallpaper by Gucci is a whimsical touch in the master bedroom of this glamorous and richly layered Brisbane house.

Taking pride of place is a custom bed by interior designer Greg Natale, its majestic curved bedhead in sumptuous brick-red velvet echoing the arches and colours seen throughout the home. Vintage bedside tables and lamps in brass and glass add refinement, while an iconic Sputnik light fitting crowns the room.

Underfoot, the flowing pattern of Greg’s ‘Moire’ carpet adds to the rich, textural character. The warmth and tactility of the colours and fabrics, along with the luxurious fittings, make this a true retreat. > ROOM NOTES Custom bed, bench and curtains in Maharam ‘Aria’ fabric in Rustic, Greg Natale Design.

Vintage bedside tables and lamps, Conley & Co. Vintage Sputnik chandelier, 1stDibs. Curtain tiebacks in Houlès ‘Opale Moss’, Unique Fabrics. Heron Print wallpaper, Gucci. Rex floor mirror, Timothy Oulton. Greg Natale ‘Moire’ carpet, Designer Rugs.

Text by Judy Pascoe. Styling by Greg Natale. Photography by Anson Smart.

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36

L A ID OU T

Louise Walsh (top) & Kelly Taylor Louise Walsh Interior Design Lennox Head, NSW & Darlinghurst, NSW; (02) 6687 5010 or louisewalsh.com.au.

ROOM NOTES Custom headboard. Orbit bedside table, Fanuli. Vibia ‘Tempo’ pendant light, Koda Lighting.

Arte ‘Insero Uno’ wallpaper, Unique Fabrics. Sheer curtains, Westbury Textiles.

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Text by Carli Philips (36) & Judy Pascoe (37). Styling by Samantha Deacon (37).

Photography by Anson Smart (36) & Derek Swalwell (37).

Interior designer Louise Walsh and her colleague Kelly Taylor devised this minimalist bedroom as part of a multi-level home refresh. The owners wanted sleeping quarters with muted tones and materials such as velvet to up the luxe factor and deliver textural depth. They started by configuring the spatial planning and creating privacy with full-height joinery behind the bed, which was previously open to the bathroom wing. “We then applied linen wallpaper to the bedroom side, which inspired the rest of the textures in the room,” says Louise.

Top 50 Rooms BE DR O OM S

37 I N T HE PI N K

Mardi Doherty Doherty Design Studio, Hawthorn, Vic; (03) 9815 2737 or dohertydesignstudio.com.au.

A Schiaparelli-pink acrylic door pops at the entrance to the main bedroom of this newly extended Melbourne home. “The bold shot of colour juxtaposes with the serenity of the room beyond,” says interior designer Mardi Doherty. As the footprint is modest, the bed is recessed into cabinetry, with built-in bedside tables merging into full-height wardrobes to maximise storage. A pair of pendant lights by Daniel Emma flank the bed, a playful element in the retreat-like space that offers tranquil garden views. “The bedroom feels like an escape – a place where we can really unwind,” say the owners. >

ROOM NOTES Custom pivot door, Mitchell Group. Custom bed and joinery in Dulux Natural White, Orana Joinery. Leather cabinet pulls, MadeMeasure.

Petite Friture ‘Cherry’ pendant light, Daniel Emma. Nobsa rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets.

Douglas fir flooring, Dinesen.

Top 50 Rooms USE OF S OF T F U R N I SH I NG S

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38

FOR M A L OF F E R

Kate McCluskey, McCluskey Studio & Matt Hainsworth, Cera Stribley.

McCluskey Studio, Carlton North, Victoria; 0447 579 845 or mccluskeystudio.com.au.

Cera Stribley, Prahran, Victoria; (03) 9533 2582 or cs-a.com.au.

Text by Sarah Pickette. Styling by Marsha Golemac.

Photograph by Timothy Kaye.

The owners of this stately Melbourne home were determined that its formal living area was not to be a rarely used, rarified space. “Because of its position near the entrance, the room is designed to set the tone for rest of the house, offering a hint as to how it unfolds,” says Kate McCluskey, director of McCluskey Studio, who worked on the project alongside architect Matt Hainsworth of Cera Stribley. Kate focused on working with the original details – hand-placed ceiling roses and stone mantelpieces – and ensuring their heritage charm sat comfortably with the understated contemporary furnishings and the soft palette.

Steel-framed french doors add symmetry and a sense of grandeur to the space. >

ROOM NOTES Wittmann ‘Vuelta’ sofas, Domo. Camel rug, RC+D. Herman Miller ‘Nelson Saucer Bubble’ pendant light, Living Edge. Sheer curtains, Lovelight. Painting (left) by unknown artist. Remembering artwork by Elynor Smithwick and Segment sculpture by Ben Sheers, both Otomys.

Cushions, Southwood Home. Vintage Japanese pottery, Kazari+ZiguZagu.

Top 50 Rooms USE OF S OF T F U R N I SH I NG S

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SMOOT H T R A NSI T ION

Sydney interior designer Anna-Carin McNamara heartily embraced soft furnishings when she set about brightening the living areas of her own home. With the goal of creating two cosy, connected spaces, she put in a broad opening and had light-blonde timber floors installed. A pair of comfortable, neutral sofas are topped with an abundance of inviting cushions and paired with thoughtfully selected designer armchairs. “The two sitting areas each have a different feel and function,” says Anna-Carin. “The one with the fireplace is light and very social; the other is quieter, moodier and more intimate. We use every inch of both.”

ROOM NOTES (39) Fritz Hansen ‘Swan’ chair, and Poul Kjærholm ‘PK25’ rope chair and ‘PK33’ stool, all Cult Design. Dark grey sofa, Källemo. Light grey sofa, Sjögren. Artek tea trolley, Anibou.

Ottoman, Poliform. Pike and Nest rugs, Designer Rugs. Timber flooring, Made by Storey. Pendant light, Louis Poulsen. Made by Hand ‘Petite Machine’ lamp, Fred International. Cushions, Jardan and Svenskt Tenn. Artwork by Paul Fitzgerald. ROOM NOTES (40) Banquettes upholstered in Lulu DK Design ‘Pierre’ fabric from Ascraft. Clayton sofa, Fitzgerald armchair, Etienne ottomans and London coffee table, all Kneedler Fauchère. Artworks by Tim Woolcock, Ransom Gallery. Rug, Behruz Studio. Cushions, South Pacific Fabrics. George III period console, Martyn Cook Antiques.

40

E L E VA T E D E XC E L L E NC E Thomas Hamel Thomas Hamel & Associates, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 9699 3688 or thomashamel.com.

When interior designer Thomas Hamel and his partner bought this Sydney apartment, it was only natural that its living area would become a significant showcase of Thomas’ talents for working with classic lines and treasured pieces.

“Our home sometimes functions as a secondary spot for meetings,” says Thomas. “It’s good for clients to see how textiles, furnishings, art and accessories can come together.” The positioning of the furniture lets the room be multifunctional – it works as well for pre-dinner drinks as for a quiet night in front of the fire. “A varied palette of materials was used,” says Thomas. “Limestone tile flooring, smooth and clean walls, fresh linens with a touch of velvet for soft furnishings – all anchored by a wool-silk rug.” >

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Text by Sarah Pickette. Photography by Justin Alexander (39), Alicia Taylor (40) & Anson Smart (Thomas Hamel).

Anna-Carin McNamara Anna.Carin Design Studio, Rushcutters Bay, NSW; (02) 9360 8662 or annacarindesign.com.au.

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Top 50 Rooms USE OF S OF T F U R N I SH I NG S

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T EE NAGE H AV E N Antonietta Sofia Sofiaa Interior Design, College Park, SA; 0403 496 659 or sofiaa.com.au.

ROOM NOTES Joinery by Gap Joinery, designed by Sofiaa Interior Design. Custom bed upholstered in pink velvet from Outdoors On Parade. Vitra ‘La Chaise’ chair, Estilo Furniture+Lighting. Bedlinen, Castle. Pink throw (on chaise), Society of Wanderers. Artecnica pendant light, Dedece. Lamps, Twopairs. Artwork, Deborah Paauwe, Greenaway Art Gallery. Plantation shutters, Verosol.

Original stained glass and fireplace.

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Text by Sue Ramsey. Photograph by Kate Bowman.

This whimsical and feminine bedroom in a 100-year-old Adelaide home was one of three created by interior designer Antonietta Sofia for the daughters of a fashion designer – this one is for the eldest, who is 15. The brief was to create rooms that reflected the girls’ personalities and also allowed them to add their own unique touches. “All the amazing finds, from a teddy to a lamp, fit in quite easily – not everything is a perfect match, but it all works as an eclectic mix,” says Antonietta.

“The owner loves the gentle use of colour, which has enabled her and her daughters to make the rooms their own.” >

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42

HE A RT A N D SOU L Eva-Marie Prineas Studio Prineas, Rushcutters Bay, NSW; (02) 9332 2006 or studioprineas.com.au.

ROOM NOTES Blackbutt decking. Tio table and chairs, District. Pots, Pop & Scott and Garden Life.

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Text by Laura Barry (42) & Elizabeth Wilson (43). Photography by Chris Warnes (42) & Annette O’Brien (43).

The addition of a rear deck was a non-negotiable when Eva-Marie Prineas, director of Studio Prineas, renovated her own 1890s house in Sydney’s inner west. Created for the purpose of extending the kitchen and dining area into the garden, the outdoor room took inspiration from the scale and beauty of the home’s original features. “The space is contained within the shell of the old home and the rear facade is repurposed as an outdoor fireplace, allowing our family of four to utilise this room throughout the seasons,” says Eva-Marie. The outdoor fireplace is both a central design feature and the heart of the home. “We love to spend winter afternoons by the fire, as a family or with friends,” she says.

Top 50 Rooms ROOM NOTES Walls painted with Bauwerk lime paint in a custom colour. Snow Bejmat zellige splashback tiles, Tiles of Ezra. Ash Grey engineered-stone benchtop, Quantum Quartz.

Outdoor table, Jati Furniture. Outdoor chairs, Coco Republic.

43

OU T D O OR R O OM S

ON A MIS SION Katie Sargent Katie Sargent Design, St Kilda West, Victoria; katiesargentdesign.com.

Fringed by ornamental grapevine and glowing with muted tones, this poolside outdoor kitchen is rustic yet refined. The structure was an existing feature of a Spanish Mission-style home in Melbourne and – like the rest of the house – it needed updating. “The owners and I pored over images of Spanish Mission-style houses to collate a sense of what we wanted to achieve here,” says interior designer Katie Sargent. She designed the new kitchen carcass and bench seat made from reclaimed bricks, painted white. The existing sandstone floor tiles were kept, the walls were repainted a custom Bauwerk colour and Moroccan zellige splashback tiles installed. “The tiles provide a textured wow factor,” says Katie. And the owners adore their mini hacienda. “It’s a Mediterranean retreat just steps from our back door.” >

T R E E TOPS Darin Bradbury Mint Pool and Landscape Design, Melbourne, Victoria; (03) 9434 0525 or mintdesign.net.au.

Mil Constructions, Melbourne, Victoria; 0439 300 639 or milconstructions.com.au.

A backyard haven suitable for a family of six was on the wish list when this Melbourne home underwent a major renovation. Darin Bradbury, director of Mint Pool and Landscape Design, dreamed up this outdoor room in collaboration with Mil Constructions. But it was a magnificent 100-year-old peppercorn tree that inspired the design. A steel pergola covers the outdoor dining area and features a timber deck, integrated heating, downlights, bar fridge and barbecue. Handmade Spanish bricks are used for the feature wall, with limestone paving covering the expanse of the backyard. A spiral staircase descends from the main bedroom suite to the pool and spa zone, which is lined with Italian glass mosaics. >

Text by Laura Barry. Photograph by Daniel Cordon.

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Top 50 Rooms OU T D O OR R O OM S

ROOM NOTES Outdoor furniture and Dedon ‘Nestrest’ pod, Cosh Living. Lighting, Light On Landscape. Barbecue, Ziegler & Brown. Danish handmade bricks, Robertson’s Building Products. Limestone paving, Sherrie’s Slate & Stone.

Blackbutt decking, Lamcal Building Supplies. Round stepping stone pavers, Anston Architectural Products. Bisazza mosaic pool tiles, Perini. Exterior walls painted Dulux Monument.

Top 50 Rooms OU T D O OR R O OM S

ROOM NOTES Industrial Lustre paint in Hematite, Porter’s Paints. Polished concrete, Resource Co. Morada ‘Nero’ slimline bricks, PGH Bricks. Silvertop ash lining boards, Radial Timbers. Iris wall light and titanium downlights, Unios. Dining table and bench seat, Eco Outdoor. Bar stools, Globe West. Electric heaters in Platinum, Bromic. Barbecue, BeefEater Barbecues. Wine fridge, Vintec. Aluminium doors and screens, Centor Architectural. Windows, Aneeta Window Systems.

G O W I T H T H E F L OW Sally Wilson Archaea Architects, Adelaide, SA; 0447 440 640 or archaea.com.au.

Connecting the kitchen of a renovated 1910 home to the garden, pool and landscape beyond, this alfresco space in Adelaide features honed concrete, slimline bricks and lots of silvertop ash.

“We wanted to contrast the heavy masonry walls with lightness, greenery and landscape,” says Sally Wilson, director of Archaea Architects. Polished concrete is used inside and out, and 3-metre-high aluminium sliding doors with invisible screens ensure visual continuity. A timber-screen cabana with concealed storage is located behind the pool, and the brass outdoor shower is a favourite spot for the owners. “It’s great to sling a towel over the glass fence and rinse off while standing on the steppers among the plants,” they say. >

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Landscape design by King Klein. Text by Laura Barry.

Styling by Maz Mis. Photography by Sam Noonan.

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S HAYN N A BLAZE — ONLY AT HAR R I S SCAR FE

Top 50 Rooms USE OF C OL OU R

46

W IL D SIDE

Katie Sargent Katie Sargent Design, St Kilda West, Victoria; katiesargentdesign.com.

ROOM NOTES Walls painted Porter’s Paints Double Hailstorm. Slim Aarons print (left), Framing to a T. Artwork on sideboard by unknown artist. Black chair and console, both vintage. The white chair is from the owners’ existing collection. Vintage side table, En Gold.

Table lamp, Fat Shack Vintage. Siren Tria carpet, Bremworth.

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Text by Annika Baker. Photography by Lisa Atkinson (46) & Omid Photography (47).

An eclectic room boasting a striking colour is what the owners asked of interior designer Katie Sargent when redesigning their Melbourne home. Situated on the lower-ground level, Katie knew she could “go a bit wild” in this subterranean space, and aimed to create something with unexpected textural elements that appeared as though they had been added to the room over time. “The owners loved hunting out vintage pieces such as the sideboard and asking tentatively whether I think this or that would work,” says Katie. The owners are thrilled with the result, and happy they took those risks. “Pushing the boundaries really pays off,” they say.

47 EMERALD CIT Y Michelle Taylor Taylor Edwards Interior Design, Sydney, NSW; 0419 608 096 or tayloredwards.com.au.

Jewel tones and luxe materials transformed this Sydney powder room from a generic 1990s design into an opulent oasis. “The owner wanted to utilise sumptuous colours and finishes to create a space that would surprise and delight guests,” says interior designer Michelle Taylor. The Esmeralda quartzite vanity is arguably the hero, but there’s much more to be admired here.

“While the finishes are highly decorative, functionality was integral to the design – for example, balanced lighting,” says Michelle.

“It’s both contemporary and luscious, and has become a talking point for guests.” > ROOM NOTES Custom vanity in Esmeralda quartzite, Jash Marble & Granite. Casablanca wall tiles in Jade Gloss, Skheme. Honed terrazzo floor tiles, Surface Gallery. Rifco ‘Derwent’ mirror cabinet and Brodware ‘City Stik’ basin mixer, Sydney Tap and Bathroomware. Fizi wall sconces, Articolo Lighting.

Top 50 Rooms USE OF C OL OU R

48 TA NG OF MUSTA R D

This Brisbane home sings with glorious colour, not least in the main living area where terracotta Gio Ponti armchairs engage with a sinuous mustard sofa on a geometricpatterned rug. Charged by his clients with delivering palazzo-style glamour, interior designer Greg Natale selected pieces that reflect their connection to Italy and play up architectural elements such as the arches that link the formal living and dining areas, highlighted with gold-toned De Gournay wallpaper. Colour and pattern in rugs, floor tiles, wallpapers, furnishings and accessories add a flamboyant flourish, grounded by a dark background palette with flickers of brass gleaming throughout.

ROOM NOTES Hamilton Conte ‘Ignacio’ sofa, Boyd Blue. Molteni&C ‘D.153.1’ armchairs, Hub Furniture. Jurassic marble coffee table, Greg Natale Design. Arflex ‘Arcolor’ side table, Poliform. Greg Natale ‘Erté’ rug, Designer Rugs. Cushions in Misia ‘Miami Playground’ from The Textile Company, Brochier ‘Aalto’ from South Pacific Fabrics and Dolce Berries by Redelman Fabrics. Lustre Satellite chandelier, The Odd Piece. Vintage Murano light fitting, Conley & Co. Knoll ‘Saarinen Executive’ chairs, Dedece. Vintage dining table, Flair Florence.

Namban wallpaper in Polished Copper, De Gournay. Greg Natale ‘Sottsass’ marble floor tiles, Teranova.

49

R I C H L Y R E WA R D E D

Chelsea Hing, South Melbourne, Victoria; (03) 8506 0417 or chelseahing.com.au.

Burgundy armchairs provide a pop of jewel colour in the sitting room of this renovated Melbourne terrace.

Interior designer Chelsea Hing and her team developed spaces that walk a fine line between celebrating the home’s grandeur and ensuring it’s user-friendly for the family of five who live here. The walls were painted a mid-grey – Dulux Endless Dusk – to give the space “more of a night-time mood”, says Chelsea. This colour is the ideal foil to the velvet armchairs, gold side tables and a mirrored coffee table that all introduce a touch of luxe yet don’t detract from Chelsea’s intention that the room be “relaxed but still softly formal”. >

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Text by Judy Pascoe (48) & Sarah Pickette (49). Styling by Greg Natale (48).

Photography by Anson Smart (48) & Rhiannon Taylor (49).

Greg Natale Greg Natale Design, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 2103 or gregnatale.com.

ROOM NOTES Knoll ‘Platner’ lounge chairs upholstered in Eva velvet, Dedece. Glas Italia ‘I Massi Tavola Bassi’ mirrored coffee table and Opinion Ciatti ‘U Stool’ side tables, Space. Flos ‘Cocoon Overlap 2’ suspension light, Euroluce. Herman Miller ‘Goetz’ sofas. Elements rug, Colorscope.

Artwork by Simo Novakovic. Walls painted Dulux Endless Dusk.

Top 50 Rooms USE OF C OL OU R

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50 LIK E A SU NRISE

Brooke Aitken Brooke Aitken Design, Ultimo, NSW; (02) 9212 6262 or brookeaitkendesign.com.au.

Text by Sarah Pickette. Photograph by Prue Ruscoe.

When long-time clients – and now good friends – of architect Brooke Aitken bought this Sydney home, they sought her help in working their existing collection of art and furniture into the new space.

“Over the years, the family collected Scandinavian modernist furniture and some incredible pieces of contemporary Australian art,” says Brooke. “It was a pleasure to be able to stitch the space together with existing and new elements, to create a deeply personal, colourful space.” A pair of one-off Robyn Cosgrove silk rugs connect the striking Mayor sofas and myriad artworks by functioning as a strong base. “The overriding pink takes no prisoners,” says Brooke, “but since it appears in so many of the artworks, it’s well received.” #

ROOM NOTES Custom rugs, Robyn Cosgrove. &Tradition ‘Mayor’ sofas, Cult Design. Vintage Seal armchairs. Living Divani bookshelf, Space.

Dedon ‘Tibbo’ outdoor sofas and coffee tables, Cosh Living. Le Klint ‘Arc’ floor lamp, Great Dane.

Cushions and throws in MissoniHome fabrics.

Artworks by Joshua Yeldham (far left, top), Dean Home (far left, bottom), Belinda Fox (above sofa) and Ryan Hoffmann (above balcony sofa).

For Where to Buy, see page 204.

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W H E R E B E A U T Y A N D FA M I L Y- F R I E N D L Y D E S I G N M E E T

Hou se s

It’s a feast for the eyes in this kitchen/dining space, part of an extension to an Edwardian-era Melbourne home. From floor to ceiling, there’s a gorgeous blend of textures and colours with bricks underfoot, timber battens above and pleasing curves in between. For more on this imaginative renovation, see over the page...

H G houses

Top forms A genius extension with a richly detailed interior makes this Edwardian home in Melbourne truly special.

STO RY Georgia Madden | STY LI N G Swee Lim | PH OTOG RA PH Y Derek Swalwell

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STYLE SETTER Bricks offer endless creative potential when you’re building or renovating. “Time and time again, brick remains a popular building material choice among consumers, architects and designers because of its design flexibility, strong structural capabilities and intricate detailing,” says Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products. With hundreds of colours and textures to choose from, there truly is a brick to suit any building style, he says. “Brick has enduring style and timeless charm, and is adaptable to any house style. And Austral Bricks’ products come with a 100 year warranty, so you can be sure that your home will look good forever.”

KITCHEN/DINING The curved wall, made from Bowral Bricks in Murray Grey from

Brickworks, conceals the butler’s pantry. Ceiling clad in Victorian ash battens with click-on system, Sculptform. TossB 2400 pendant light (above kitchen island), Hub Furniture. Dekton Zenith benchtops. Johansen dining table, Kai #42 dining chairs, and Miyazaki barstools, all Great Dane. Artworks by Andrea Wilson (kitchen shelf) and Craig Handley (dining area), both from Studio Gallery. Furniture and art selection by Swee Design. Hamlet pavers in Ash, Brickworks. The sliding door behind the dining table leads to a poolside entertaining area. Landscape design by Mud Office.

KITCHEN/DINING Joinery by Marant Industries (throughout). Lapis splashback tiles, Bespoke Tile & Stone. Wall-side cabinetry finished in Dulux

Supernatural (blue) and Dulux Lexicon Quarter. Dekton Zenith benchtops, Cosentino Australia. Icon mixer tap, Astra Walker. Asko induction cooktop, oven and fridge. Vinge table lamp, Great Dane. Ligne Roset ‘Lithos’ marble bookend, Domo. TossB 2400 pendant light (above kitchen island), Hub Furniture. Anchor Ceramics ‘Potter’ lights (above dining table), Design Nation. Johansen dining table, Kai #42 dining chairs, and Miyazaki barstools, Great Dane. LIVING Opposite Rison sofa, ND83 armchairs and Lean lamp, all Great Dane. Rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets.

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ith beautiful original fe atu re s , suc h a s pressed-tin ceilings and intricate fretwork, it’s easy to see why Andrew and Kara fell in love with this Edwardian beauty in inner-Melbourne. What the couple were less enthusiastic about was its lack of space and connection to the backyard – essential criteria for a family with two active children, Sass, 10, Jesse, eight, and a kelpie-cross, Joe. Extending was the obvious solution, and having worked with Albert Mo, director at Architects EAT on two previous projects, Andrew and Kara turned to him again to work his magic. The brief itself was fairly loose. “We wanted the house to feel homely, warm and characterful, and to retain the original features we had fallen in love with,” says Andrew. “We also wanted to be able to open it up for entertaining.”

“The house was old and tired, and probably hadn’t been touched in 30 or 40 years,” says Albert.

“But it was made from solid brick and it was quite rich in period detail, such as chunky cornices and skirting boards, leadlights and fretwork – there was even a butler’s bell.” “ B R I C K S D O N ’ T R E Q U I R E A N Y PA I N T, S P E C I A L C OAT I N G O R Albert set about meticulously restoring the VA R N I S H TO M A I N TA I N T H E I R G O O D L O O K S O R F O R original part of the home and then turned his P R OT E C T I O N F R O M G E N E R A L W E A R A N D T E A R .” attention to providing the young family with the B R E T T WA R D, B R I C K WO R K S B U I L D I N G P RO D U C T S extra space they were seeking.

Initially, Andrew and Kara had their sights firmly set on a first-floor extension. But Albert came up with the bricks feel warm underfoot in winter and cool in summer a solution that better suited the site’s orientation and – and brings a touch of the outdoors in. It’s good for acoustics generous size: a single-storey extension that hugs the rear too, particularly when combined with the timber ceiling, of the property, wrapping around it like a carpenter’s square. which is a real bonus in a family home,” says Albert. “Kara The L-shaped wing now houses an open-plan kitchen/living/ and Andrew say they love living with it.” A refined decorating dining area that adjoins a new pool area, with the smaller scheme of earthy tones, natural materials and furniture in ‘handle’ section of the carpenter’s square containing a organic shapes, combined with large-scale windows, spacious main bedroom and ensuite. emphasises the connection with the outdoors.

When it came to the design details, Albert took his cues For continuity, Albert used the same brick flooring in the for the new from the old. A feature band of dark bricks around bathrooms and the undulating ceiling in both the ensuite the original red-brick house inspired the dusty-purple brick and main bedroom. He is particularly pleased with the way floor (Brickworks Bowral Hamlet pavers in Ash, laid in the ensuite turned out: as well as the beautifully textural alternate face and side rows) that takes centrestage in the brick and timber ceiling, the walls are finished in porcelain new wing, while the concave timber-batten ceiling echoes panels. “I wanted to do a bathroom without any tiles, and the original curved fretwork on the front verandah. there’s not a single tile there,” says Albert.

“Kara and Andrew did take some convincing about the In keeping with the honest and unconventional feel of the floor, but using brick in this way is thermally efficient – addition, the kitchen provided another opportunity to > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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“ T H E B R I C K S F E E L WA R M U N D E R F O OT IN WINTER AND COOL IN SUMMER AND B R I N G A TO U C H O F T H E O U T D O O R S I N . T H E Y ’ R E G O O D F O R AC O U S T I C S , TO O , E S P E C I A L LY W H E N C O M B I N E D W I T H T H E C U RV E D C E I L I N G .”

ALBERT MO, ARCHITECT

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CARE-FREE AND EASY One of the beautiful things about brick is that it is essentially maintenancefree. “Unlike less durable materials, bricks do not require any paint, special coating or varnish to maintain their good looks or for protection from general wear and tear,” says Brett Ward from Brickworks Building Products. “They are also completely weather-proof and won’t decay in freezing, hot or humid conditions – perfect for use all over Australia. Even 100 years down the track, you can expect your brick home to be just as strong, reliable and beautiful as the day it was built.”

LIVING A small courtyard behind the living

room brings natural light deep into the house.

Circle chair, ND83 armchairs, Lean floor lamp, Pond oak side table, and Kollon vase, all Great Dane. Desede DS612 coffee table, Domo. Rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets.

Horizon Portrait 850 gas fireplace, Jetmaster.

Pendant lights, Design Nation. Artworks by (from left) Craig Handley, Amber Wallis and Miles Hall. Plants, Glasshaus. >

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challenge expectations. “We wanted the island to feel like a piece of bespoke furniture rather than the solid islands you normally see,” says Albert. It sits on a thin steel frame, adding a lightness to its presence – an aesthetic that is repeated in open, suspended steel shelves opposite.

The high-gloss tiles on the splashback were one feature that took some convincing. “Andrew and Kara’s first reaction was ‘they’re so ’80s!’,” says Albert. “I don’t normally go for gloss finishes myself, but I knew it would work well here to reflect the light and provide a textural contrast to the matt finish of the timber veneer and brick.”

Another striking element in the kitchen is the curved wall, constructed from Brickworks Bowral Bricks product in the Murray Grey colourway, which cleverly conceals a butler’s pantry. “The wall was originally designed to have a hit-and-miss pattern, however that probably wouldn’t have been practical, so we ‘filled’ the holes and created an extruded pattern instead,” says Albert.

The result is a space that’s at one with its surrounds.

“It’s bright and breezy and feels likes a part of the outdoor area, because of the brick floors and large-scale windows.

But at the same time, it feels warm and cocooning. It’s a lovely space to be in,” says Albert. > Architects EAT, Collingwood, Victoria; (03) 8592 1999 or eatas.com.au. McKerlie Builders; Melbourne, Victoria; mckerliebuilders.com.au.

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MAIN ENSUITE Above Chisel D tapware and Silkstone Elbe basin, Faucet Strommen. The walls are finished in porcelain panels from Artedomus.

Dekton Zenith benchtop, Cosentino Australia. Mirror, Nood Co. Custom vanity in Oak Rift White Wash veneer, George Fethers & Co. Ligne Roset ‘Cells’ vases and ‘Passe Passe’ towel rack, all Domo. Towels, Loom Towels. MAIN BATHROOM Bottom left Anchor Ceramics ‘Potter’ lights, Design Nation. Moda Teresa bath, ACS Designer Bathrooms. Wall panels in Oak Rift White Wash veneer, George Fethers & Co. STAIRWELL Bottom right Sculptures by Mark Galea. Painting by Amber Wallis. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite Cloche wall light, Porcelain Bear.

Entre 1B bedside table, Great Dane. Oakford Square Federation carpet, Prestige Carpets.

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POOL Homeowner Kara with her son

Jesse and daughter Sass. The bricks around the pool, Bowral Hamlet pavers in Ash, take their colour cues from the feature strip on the original house.

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Geometric furnishings deliver mix-and-match flexibility and symmetry that’s pleasing to the eye.

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1 Mikhale mirror (1m diameter), $599, Provincial Home Living. 2 Clayton pendant lights, $229 each, Beacon Lighting. 3 Bowral Highlands Range of bricks by Bowral Bricks, from $2155 per 1000 bricks, Brickworks. 4 Opera 3-seater sofa, from $2653, King. 5 Oliveri ‘Vilo’ pull-out kitchen mixer, $1275, Winning Appliances. 6 Australian House & Garden ‘Esperance’ platter, $59.95, Myer. 7 Florence floor lamp, $429, Domayne.

8 Hans Wegner Circle chair, from $19,750, Great Dane. 9 Corner Halving rug by Mr Fräg (2x3m), $4570, Designer Rugs. 10 From one, another 3 sculpture by Mark Galea, POA, Charles Nodrum Gallery. For Where to Buy, see page 204. #

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BUSH BE AU T Y With sweeping national park views, this house was designed to make the landscape the hero – all while staying safe from fire threat.

STORY Georgia Madden | PH OTOG R A PH Y Prue Ruscoe

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* Australian Standard AS 3959: 2018 Construction of Buildings in Bush Fire Prone Areas.

SAFE AND SOUND The Australian Building Standards state that bricks are one of the few approved materials suitable for use in the construction of external walls in bushfire prone areas*. The key is in the way they’re made.

When clay bricks are manufactured, they are heated to between 1000˚C and 1200˚C – that’s hotter than a bushfire – for long periods, so you know they are robust enough to withstand anything Australia throws at them.

“Clay bricks are nonflammable and noncombustible, making them one of the best and safest building materials for bushfire-prone areas,” says Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products.

POOL AREA “We wanted to create the feeling that when you’re relaxing

in the pool, you’re right in the middle of the Australian landscape,” says architect Tony Chenchow of this home in Sydney’s Palm Beach. The same bricks, Bowral Bricks ‘Chillingham White’ from Brickworks, are used around the pool and inside the house.

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enerally, people who build in a spot like Sydney’s Northern Beaches are after the water views. Not the owner of this house. Instead, it was the wild, untamed beauty of McKay Reserve, further inland, that he fell in love with.

“It’s not your typical Northern Beaches outlook,” admits Tony Chenchow of Chenchow Little Architects, the firm that designed the house. “The gully is totally unspoilt – it’s quite serene and almost surreal. That incredible view is why he built here.” On the downside, the home is situated in a flame zone – the highest bushfire category – so special attention had to be paid to the choice of materials for the house and the design of the windows and doors.

The owner is a busy professional based in Sydney who planned to use the house as a weekender. “He loves having friends and family to stay and entertaining on a large scale, but also wanted the spaces to be meditative so he could really unwind,” says Tony.

With a passion for the simple, Mid-Century Modern architecture you see in Palm Springs, the owner requested a white house –

US

made white, not just painted white – that hunkered down on the sloping site to look like part of the landscape.

“We reviewed a number of material options and chose a slender, off-white brick, which we used inside and out,” says Tony. “Brick is a non-combustible material and doesn’t need painting or rendering, which can become costly.” It also takes on a beautiful patina over time and requires minimal upkeep. “This was important to the owner, because he didn’t want to spend his weekends doing maintenance,” adds Tony.

The difference between a white-painted house and white brick is the beautiful texture. As it’s a natural material, each brick has unique character and brings warmth to the overall design.

Throughout, the brick is paired with pale-grey travertine flooring and spotted-gum veneer joinery to keep the look soft while referencing the colours in the surrounding landscape.

To meet bushfire safety requirements, the house is fitted with bushfire shutters. But rather than simply installing them on the building’s surface, Tony cleverly integrated them into the roof beams so that they’re hidden from view. >

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“ T H E F L O O R P L AT E D R O P S AWAY, T H E C E I L I N G H E I G H T E X PA N D S A N D YO U C A N S E E R I G H T T H R O U G H TO T H E P O O L A N D T H E G U L LY B E YO N D.”

Additional photography by John Gollings and Katherine Lu.

Tony Chenchow, architect

DINING Concorde table by Emmanuel Gallina, Poliform. Porro ‘Neve’ dining chairs by Piero Lissoni, Space. Coco Flip pendant light, Workshopped.

Travertine Lait pavers, Artedomus (throughout). KITCHEN The joinery is finished in spotted-gum veneer from Briggs Veneers. Miele cooktop and oven, and Qasair rangehood, all Winning Appliances. TERRACE Echoes of Mid-Century architecture recur throughout the home, including the ‘hit and miss’ walls of white brick featuring Bowral Bricks architectural dry-pressed bricks in ‘Chillingham White’. Landscaping by Spirit Level Designs.

LIVING Opposite Sofas, Zuster. Knoll ‘Splay-Leg Table and Tray’

by George Nakashima, Dedece. Herman Miller ‘Eames Walnut’ stool, Living Edge. Giverny #1 artwork by Leone Burridge.

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EXTERIOR The front of the house is set into

the landscape so you can see the ridge of the bushland behind from the street. The walls are built from Bowral Bricks architectural dry-pressed bricks in ‘Chillingham White’.

POOL AREA Extremis ‘Hopper’ picnic bench, Cult Design. BEDROOM Each of the four bedrooms has an ensuite concealed behind a wall of spotted gum and a private courtyard planted with native trees.

The modest exterior of the single-storey, four-bedroom house gives no indication of the delights that lie within and beyond its walls. “At first you feel like you’re going into a low-slung house, but open the door and the experience becomes quite different,” says Tony. “The floor plate drops away, the ceiling height expands and you can see right through to the pool and the gully beyond.”

You move through a series of split levels, past four identical bedrooms (each with its own ensuite and private courtyard) and into the openplan kitchen/living /dining area, where the owner relaxes and entertains.

Beyond it sits a pool in the same creamy brick as the rest of the house, with space to lounge around and feel at one with that magnificent vista. After experiencing this, who needs a water view? # Chenchow Little Architects, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 9357 4333 or chenchowlittle.com. Pacific Plus Constructions, Brookvale, NSW; 0421 598 721 or pacificpc.com.au. Spirit Level Designs, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 8399 0660 or spiritlevel.com.au.

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Relaxed, flexible furnishings and colour cues from the landscape ensure an easy indoor-outdoor connection.

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1 ‘Nubrik Australis’ bricks in Wave Rock, $2057 per 1000 bricks, Brickworks. 2 Apple pendant by George Nelson, $750, Living Edge. 3 Waldorf Grue lamp by Lambert & Fils, $2720, Living Edge. 4 Hopper picnic table, POA, Living Edge. 5 Anson stool, $420, Coco Republic. 6 Miele KM2354G cooktop, $2999, Winning Appliances. 7 Monocular Rivalry artwork by Leone Burridge. 8 Neve chair by Piero Lissoni for Porro, $1399, Space. 9 Hana Atami planter, $2023, Janus et Cie. 10 Chair C chair by Liam Mugavin, POA, Criteria. 11 Artichoke ornaments, $60/set of 3, Living

by Design. 12 Lynette cushion in Mustard, $89, Domayne. 13 Navy velvet cushion, $49, Harvey Norman. For Where to Buy, see page 204.

Z E N Z ON E With light, views and a gentle, minimalist aesthetic, this renovated Sydney home exudes serenity.

STO RY Georgia Madden | PH OTO G R A PH Y Tom Ferguson

EXTERIOR Bowral Bricks ‘Bowral 50’ bricks

in Simmental Silver (exterior) and ‘Bowral 76’ bricks in Simmental Silver (terrace, path and pool area), all from Brickworks. Columns painted Dulux Narrow Neck Quarter.

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LIVING This page and opposite top Concert P3 pendant light by Jørn Utzon,

Cult Design. Barramundi Dreaming Lissadell Country by Shirley Purdie. Sofa, coffee table, ottoman and armchairs, all Project 82. Austral Bricks ‘Bowral 50’ bricks in Simmental Silver (interior walls) and ‘Bowral 76’ bricks in Simmental Silver (hallway floor). The windows with deep blackbutt reveals overlook the swimming pool and reflect light back into the house. STAIRS TO KITCHEN “We’ve used levels very carefully throughout so the separation of spaces is quite informal,” says Andrew. “There’s no flight of stairs that’s too imposing.”

ENERGY BOOST If you’re looking for an affordable building material that can help you save on heating and cooling costs, brick is hard to go past. “Bricks have a high thermal mass, which makes them an incredibly energy-efficient building material,” says Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products. “Brick moderates a home’s internal temperatures and averages out day and night extremes to maintain a very comfortable air temperature, which can save up to two tonnes of carbon pollution each year by using less energy on heating and cooling. If you combine bricks with insulation, you can lower the carbon footprint of your home and reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 40 per cent.”

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ituated on a beautiful block with views across Sydney Harbour, this interwar bungalow hadn’t been renovated for years. But with their children ZaraClaire and Mia now teenagers, owners Anthea and Ronnie decided it was time to create more space and make the most of their home’s potential.

“Having only one bathroom for the family was becoming increasingly difficult,” says Anthea. “We also wanted a separate parent’s retreat at the rear of the house to allow the girls to live more independently at the front. Our thinking was that the house should be open-plan yet intimate enough to enable all the family to relax and interact in shared spaces.”

The couple sought out architect Andrew Benn, director of Benn+Penna, to help them realise their vision. “Our brief included creating another family living space, a larger open-plan kitchen, and an overall design that complemented the natural slope of the block to minimise the need for excavation,” says Anthea.

Opening up the house to the backyard was another priority.

“The garden was huge, with a lot of potential, but the rather crude lean-to at the back of the house didn’t connect to it at all,” says Andrew. He replaced it with a minimalist brick addition featuring a series of split-level rooms that gently follow > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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H G houses SOUND OF SILENCE Traffic, noisy neighbours, barking dogs, even raucous children elsewhere in the house...

There are so many ways noise can disturb sleep or everyday peace.

Choosing brick as a building material can help.

“Due to its high thermal mass, brick has excellent sound-dampening qualities. Whether used for external walls or between rooms within a home, brick provides superior sound insultation so you can enjoy peace and quiet in your home,” says Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks.

the slope of the site, and allow for moments of retreat and family togetherness. On the backyard level, there’s a light-filled living room – the ‘garden room’ – with sliding doors that lead out to a terrace and pool on one side and a courtyard on the other. Attached to it is an open-plan kitchen, with a generous new island at its centre.

“We designed the kitchen island to be table-sized, because the family loves cooking and dining together,” says Andrew. Upstairs, in the ‘hawk’s nest’, a cosy parent’s retreat enjoys stunning harbour views that are framed within a deep-set window.

When it came to the material composition of the extension, Andrew didn’t have to look far for design cues. “The original house sits on a sandstone plinth, which provided the inspiration for the honey tone of the new brick,” says Andrew. “The addition appears to rise out of the sandstone and blend with the landscape – almost like it’s carved into the hillside.”

Running the same brick inside and out and opting for a similartoned mortar gives the building a monolithic feel. “Grout and mortar can make a huge difference to the overall appearance,”

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says Andrew. Touches of blackbutt in the doors, windows and joinery add warmth. Anthea adores this mix of materiality of the extension. “I had no idea how much brick was going to be used until the palettes started arriving,” she says. “It’s aesthetically beautiful, and doesn’t need painting. I previously had no predisposition towards brick, but I trusted in the architect’s vision and I’m thrilled with the outcome.”

Step into the home now and the sense of calm is the first thing you notice. “Anthea, Ronnie and their daughters have busy lives and see their home as their retreat. These are calm, gentle and contemplative spaces that provide the sense of balance they sought,” says Andrew. # Benn+Penna, Pyrmont, NSW; (02) 9518 9900 or bennandpenna.com. M&PG Projects, Narrabeen, NSW; mandpgprojects.com.

KITCHEN The kitchen sits at the heart of the home, with the two living spaces – one in the original part of the house and one in the new extension – either side of it. Barstool, Project 82. Engineered-oak flooring. Austral Bricks ‘Bowral 76’ bricks in Simmental Silver.

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Team brick with equally robust materials – leather, timber, ceramic and laminate – for everlasting joy.

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6 1 Laminate surfaces, from $113.20/m², Laminex.

2 Concert P3 pendant light by Jørn Utzon, $1300, Cult Design. 3 Mirroring I art print by Ellie Malin, $980 (framed), Modern Times. 4 The Mateo 3-seater sofa, from $6455, Coco Republic. 5 Cuba chair by Morten Gøttler, $2120, Cult Design. 6 Pompeii wool rug (2x3m), $1950, Armadillo. 7 Circle mirror, $2695, Poliform. 8 Harperz throw, $99.95, Freedom.

9 Yesterday is History vase by Ekaterina Bazhenova

Yamasaki for Completedworks, $211.20, Net-a-Porter.

10 Whywood bar stool, $295, Life Interiors.

11 GB Veneer Arcadia Range of blocks by GB Masonry, from $2.90 per brick, Brickworks.

12 St. Tropez Soleil book by Simon Liberati , $114.95, Net-a-Porter. 13 Hone coffee table, $849, Freedom.

14 Acton sculpture, $255, Coco Republic.

For Where to Buy, see page 204. #

The long view Years of dreaming and careful planning have gone into the creation of this spectacular home in Sydney’s south.

STO RY Matilda Ringrose | STY L I N G Sophie Wilson | PH OTOG R A PHY Kristina Soljo

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REAR GARDEN This page

The homeowners engaged landscape architects Sitedesign Studios to redevelop and expand the existing garden.

ENTRANCE Opposite

A fishpond by the entrance was designed to send positive energy into the home.

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ome things are worth waiting for, and the opportunity to build your dream home is one of them. After their 2007 purchase of a property on the edge of the glittering Georges River in Sydney’s south, the homeowners spent years making plans and gathering ideas for how they’d like their ideal house to look.

Having formed a clear picture of what they wanted, the couple then called on architect Peter Couvaras and interior designer Sally Farrugia to execute their vision. “We were after a contemporary home that took maximum advantage of the water views and followed the shape of the wedge-shaped block,” says the owner. “We sat with Peter and, taking into acount ideas we’d collected over many years, he drew up three concept sketches.” Everyone agreed the best way forward was to demolish the site’s existing structure and start from scratch.

Today, passersby have little clue as to what lies beyond the battened gate. From the street entrance, a long path leads to the front door and the home’s uppermost level, which is accessed > by stepping stones positioned over a pond.

POOL Daybed designed and built by owner.

Skarpö outdoor armchairs, Ikea. “The initial design did not have the ‘squing’ [square ring] structure over the pool,” says the owner. “We suggested including this architectural feature to give the house a grander presence.”

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The floor plan spreads across three levels, spilling down to a boatshed at the water’s edge. “We call the top floor ‘the apartment’ because it’s completely self-contained,” says the owner. “It has a large bedroom and a laundry incorporated into the bathroom.” There are four additional bedrooms on the ground floor, including the main.

The interiors are sleek and practical, and there is an interplay between light and dark. Black has been expertly applied throughout – it ebbs and flows in different rooms, dominating in the kitchen while punctuating the bathrooms and bedrooms via their fixtures and fittings.

In the kitchen, the black imbues the space with a sophisticated feel.

Its feature Black Forest granite island has been a revelation for the owners, who were set on Calacatta marble. “We fell in love with the granite as soon as we saw it,” says the owner. “It has a leather finish and is easy to look after.”

Ultimately, the island bench set the tone for the whole space. “The cantilevered oak bench was chosen to complement the granite.

We’d seen our designer’s own kitchen and she had used the same black finish for the cupboard doors,” says the owner.

The black theme continues in the ensuite, with a beautiful stone bath. “We wanted to create some ‘wow factor’, so we went for a stone bath with a large ceramic tile behind it. Sally suggested the mirror, to reflect the water view.”

Each bathroom is generously sized, with large windows to let in the view and natural light. Having travelled extensively, the owners wanted the bathing zones to be like those found in some of their favourite hotels – luxurious and spacious, but practical.

The surplus of natural light is another reason black could be liberally used throughout the home. “There’s so much light that pours in via the doors and down through the void that we could go for a dark colour,” explains the owner. “There are concealed blackout blinds for warmth in winter and shading in summer, and we have black linen curtains to soften the space.”

Again, the marriage of beautiful design with practicality ruled when it came to selecting finishes and furniture. Granite flooring was chosen for its durability, while leather sofas from King and Coco Republic were picked for their ease of maintenance.

As with the rest of the house, a connection to the view informed the configuration of the living space. “We wanted to be able to take full advantage of the view and outdoor space,” says the owner. “We get spectacular sunsets that reflect off the water.”

The pair are keen entertainers and the lower-ground floor is ideal for this, with glass doors opening onto an alfresco dining space and the pool. “The doors on either side of the living room disappear into the wall to make for a magnificent indoor-outdoor space. A projector and screen drop down from the roof, too.”

The alfresco area is where the potential of sustainable materials is truly seen. “We didn’t want our home to look like every other one,” says the owner. “We wanted different and exciting materials.”

Building products supplier House of Bamboo was enlisted to provide engineered bamboo for this project. “It’s lightweight yet strong,” says Jennifer Snyders, CEO of House of Bamboo.

The bamboo used for the batten ceiling and joinery frames the space perfectly and softens the transition from inside to out.

“Engineered bamboo is very straight, making it easy to create beautiful lines,” says Jennifer.

“The owners were keen to expose bamboo’s beauty and to support sustainable building practices.”

For the homeowners, sitting outside on a clear, warm evening is ample reward for all their effort. “We head outside to take in the view and watch the passing boats,” says the owner. “On a calm night, the lights from distant trains passing over the bridge look like a barcode moving across the water. It’s beautiful.” > Couvaras Architects, Cronulla, NSW; (02) 9527 7459 or couvaras.com. Farrugia Design, Avalon Beach, NSW; farrugiadesign.com.au. House of Bamboo, Botany, NSW; 1300 665 703 or houseofbamboo.com.au.

STREET ENTRANCE An imposing entry ‘portal’ provides privacy from the street and encourages residents and visitors to leave their cares at the door.

KITCHEN Joinery in Polytec Ravine in Black Wenge designed by Sally Farrugia and installed by Northern Kitchens and Joinery. Island in Black Forest granite, WK Stone. BCN slide base stools, Fanuli. DINING Bonaldo ‘Big’ dining table, Fanuli. Milano dining chairs, Coco Republic. Vibia ‘Wireflow

Lineal’ pendant light, Koda Lighting. Bowls and vases, all Elph Ceramics. Ferm Living ‘Ripple’ glasses, Amara. Flowers from Mandalay Flowers.

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THIS IS THE LIFE

From early in the design process, the owners of this waterside wonder knew that they wanted to make a highlight of bamboo in the home. It worked out to be an economically favourable decision too.

“The cost of the bamboo was comparable to the timber that was originally selected by the architect,” says the owner. “But it is much more satisfying to instead have used such a sustainable and durable material.” >

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houses H G LIVING Reo sofa, Reo armchairs and Venus coffee table, all King. Maison De Vacances cushions and Lanerossi

throw, all Polite Society. Oscar footed bowl, Greg Natale. Salad bowl, Elph Ceramics. Serengeti rug, Armadillo.

THE PALET TE

Porter’s Paints Atlas

Porter’s Paints Van Helsing

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Resene Half Black White (interior, throughout)

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“ W E A S K E D T H AT O U R B AT H R O O M S F E E L L I K E T H O S E YO U ’ D F I N D I N A H I G H - E N D H OT E L . E AC H I S S PAC I O U S A N D P R AC T I C A L , W I T H L A R G E W I N D O W S TO L E T I N T H E V I E W A N D L I G H T.” H O M E O W N E R

STUDY NOOK Design 4 Visitor chair, Corporate Chair Systems.

GUESTROOMS Above right and right

“Our two guestrooms are designed to mirror each other. One is quite feminine; the other is more masculine in feel,” says the owner. Amsterdam bed, Oz Design Furniture. Gladom bedside tables, Ikea.

MAIN BATHROOM Neolith Estatuario stone feature wall, CDK Stone. Autumn bath, Pietra Bianc. Meir ‘Square’ bath filler, Reece. OUTDOOR DINING Mona extension table, Outdoor Elegance. > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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“ W E WA N T E D TO TA K E F U L L A DVA N TAG E O F T H E V I E W A N D O U T D O O R S PAC E – W E ’ R E A B L E TO S E E WAT E R F R O M JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ON T H E L O W E R F L O O R .”

HOMEOWNER

BOATSHED Woven bamboo panels

from House of Bamboo line the roof of the boatshed. “We use this space a lot,” says the owner. “It’s a great place to gather for watching football or entertaining in summer. It also has a loft with a sleeping area for extra guests if needed.”

1 Brix pendant light, from $1100, Coco Republic. 2 Long

Last artwork by Saxon Quinn, $2700, Saint Cloche.

3 Linen European pillowcases in Cinnamon, $100/pair, Cultiver. 4 The Vittoria 3-seater sofa, from $3650, Coco Republic. 5 Fferone Glassware ‘Albany’ vase, $315, Becker Minty. 6 Janice Feldman Wing armchair, $2761, Janus et Cie. 7 Sanctuary Terpsichore II vessel by Ella Bendrups, $500, Saint Cloche. 8 Amara coffee table, $749, Living by Design. 9 Siesta blockout blind, POA, Wynstan. 10 Black joinery in Shou Sugi laminate and benchtops in Carrara Delicata Natural laminate, both from $113.20/m², Laminex. 11 Woodrow cedar side table with terrazzo top, $420, Fenton & Fenton.

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For Where to Buy, see page 204. #

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THE SOURCE

When the outlook is the star attraction, put the palette in neutral and let texture do the talking.

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Produced by Saffron Sylvester.

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H G houses KITCHEN/DINING A Dogal marble splashback in Dark Grey from Surface Gallery steals the limelight in the kitchen. Custom joinery by Lifetime Industries in Dulux Winter Fog is paired with Caesarstone benches in Snow. Neff oven, Franke cooktop and Oliveri double sink, all Winning Appliances. Faucet Strommen ‘Pegasi M’ sink mixer, Bathroom Collective. Tolix ‘Tabouret’ stools and Bentwood dining chairs, Thonet. Table, owners’ existing. Bowls and vase, Dinosaur Designs. Artworks (on bench) by Claire Stapleton, Sibu Gallery.

GARDEN Opposite Homeowners Anthony and Thoa in the garden, now easily accessed thanks to their recent renovation. The exterior is painted Dulux Winter Fog Quarter, with trims in Dulux Natural White.

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Fresh

A PPR OAC H A calming palette and thoughtful detailing preserves the classic beauty of this Federation house while delivering a new level of liveability to its owners.

STO RY Judy Pascoe | STY L I NG Samantha Torrisi | P HOTO G R A PHY Ess.Creative/Sue Stubbs

M

arrying contemporary living requirements with a period residence is a delicate dance that constantly challenges architects and designers. None more so than this elegant Queen Anne Federation house in Sydney’s inner west that couple Anthony and Thoa bought in 2019.

Built in 1912 for the mayor of the locality, the handsome house in classic brick with decorative timber fretwork commands the 570-square-metre block. Drawn to the beautiful features – wooden floors, soaring pressed-metal ceilings, leadlight windows and fireplaces – as well as its leafy setting, Anthony and Thoa sought the expertise of Leon Varley, director of Progressive Plans Building Design, to renovate and enhance the property.

The generous proportions of the two-storey, four-bedroom house afforded the opportunity to create a luxurious home for the couple and their two young sons, with open-plan living areas seamlessly connecting indoors and out.

Leon initially devised three completely different concepts for the update, based on images of interiors the couple liked. This was eventually distilled into the final design that suits their lifestyle and is complementary to the home’s traditional character, rather than simply being ‘on trend’. “The aesthetic is timeless and speaks to the original home,” says Leon.

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While the planning took a full six months, the structural work was completed more quickly and the family moved in before Christmas last year. Their dream home delivered the space and connection they wished for, with downstairs living areas including a large kitchen and family area for entertaining opening to the established rear garden. Upstairs are the boys’ bedrooms and a luxurious, expanded master retreat enjoying treetop views – “a true hideaway”, says Leon. Custom detailing throughout has “brought the home to life”.

A simple, chic palette of white and grey provides a cool, contemporary backdrop to a well-edited collection of furniture that includes classics such as Bentwood dining chairs, Tolix kitchen stools and an Eames recliner. Repetition of materials and finishes ensures a calm and coherent mood.

“I think the most important thing is how a home makes you feel when you walk in,” says Leon. “The warmth, comfort and serenity should be overwhelming – like a big hug. A home is a secure space and it should make you feel enveloped and relaxed.”

Anthony and Thoa relish the privacy and flexibility of the home. They spend most of their time in the kitchen area which, by extending into the former formal dining room, was doubled in size from the original. “While it is very spacious, it has also been designed to be divided into smaller zones so that each person can be doing their own thing, but then we can also >

KITCHEN A Gubi ‘Multi-lite’ pendant from Cult counters the harder lines at play in the kitchen. A Neff oven, Qasair rangehood, Franke cooktop and Oliveri ‘Santorini’ double sink, all from Winning Appliances, are paired with the owners’ existing fridge. Faucet Strommen ‘Pegasi M’ sink mixer, Bathroom Collective. Walls in Dulux Natural White. Artworks by Claire Stapleton (on bench) and Anna Curnuck (in study nook), Sibu Gallery.

The Meraki T-bar handles in gold-satin brass were a great Etsy find.

DINING Opposite Thonet ‘Bentwood’ dining chairs are set around a table the family already owned. Tolix ‘Tabouret’ bar stools, Thonet.

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“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS HOW A HOME MAKES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WALK IN.” Leon Varley, building designer

H G houses

come together to socialise,” says Thoa. New timber bi-fold doors provide easy access and views to the lush garden courtyard. The space is flooded with natural light and enjoys a relaxed feel. While the plan is to refresh the landscaping, adding a timber deck and a garage with attached office, the home already offers the family the perfect combination of retreat and entertainer.

“It was crucial that we find that balance between making the house homely, functional and cosy while still being a great place to hang out with friends,” says Anthony.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the transformation is the creation of a contemporary home imbued with the past, and this successful integration of new and old is the owners’ favourite element. “We love the easy blend of traditional features and modern simplicity,” adds Thoa.

For Leon, creating something new and fresh without obliterating what already existed is important. “It’s essential to not just pick a ‘style’, but to consider the home you are bringing the style to.

You wouldn’t create a beach-shack aesthetic in a city pad,” he says.

Progressive Plans Building Design, Mona Vale, NSW; 0400 699 850 or progressiveplans.com.au. Oscar Clarke Building, Sydney, NSW; @oscarclarkebuilding

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THIS IS THE LIFE

Anthony and Thoa’s lifestyle revolves around family time with their two boys as well as socialising with friends.

While the flourishing rear garden is the perfect great spot for convivial occasions, the new gas fire that’s been added into the traditional fireplace in the living room has proven to be a real game-changer. “Because it’s an older home, it can get chilly in the cooler months,” says Anthony. “This was a great way of turning an under-utilised space into an attractive place to gather.”

ENTRY The stair treads and floor are Victorian ash that’s been sanded and polished. Walls are Dulux Natural White. Menu ‘TR’ bulb pendant in brushed brass, Surrounding.

LIVING Opposite A resin vase from Dinosaur Designs sits atop the original mantelpiece alongside an artwork by Anna Curnuck, from Sibu Gallery. The owners’ existing sofa is paired with an Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and Lambert & Fils ‘Cliff Suspension’ pendant light, all from Living Edge.

Rug, Unitex International. Curtains custom-made by Simple Studio.

Walls, Dulux Winter Fog. >

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“THE AESTHETIC IS TIMELESS AND SPEAKS TO THE ORIGINAL HOME.” Leon Varley

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MAIN BATHROOM A Fienza ‘Nero’ matte white stone bath from Amber Tiles pops against Dogal marble tiles in Dark Grey from Surface Gallery. Faucet Strommen ‘Pegasi M’ mixer, Bathroom Collective. Waffle towel, In the Sac. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite ‘Oia’ marble and oak bedside table, Life Interiors. Flos ‘IC’ suspension lamp, Living Edge. Bedlinen, ‘Harlow’ throw and cushion, In the Sac. Linen curtains, Simple Studio. Wall panelling in Dulux Frontier. Samurai ‘Pyua’ carpet, Carpet Right.

Walk-in robe joinery in Tesrol Genuine Oak, Lifetime Industries. Custom mirror, Print Decor.

Vase and bowl, Dinosaur Designs. >

THE PALET TE

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Dulux Winter Fog

Dulux Natural White

Dulux Frontier

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STAIRS Above left Storage drawers under the stairs, Oscar Clarke Bulding. Joinery in Dulux Natural White. POWDER ROOM Above centre Omvivo

‘Lune’ basin and Faucet Strommen ‘Pegasi M’ mixer, Bathroom Collective. Splashback in Dogal marble in Dark Grey, Surface Gallery. ‘Bjorn’ oval mirror, Print Decor. LAUNDRY Above right The splashback is Dogal marble in Dark Grey from Surface Gallery. Caesarstone benchtop in Snow. Joinery in Dulux Winter Fog, Lifetime Industries. Carysil granite sink, Catch. Faucet Strommen ‘Pegasi M’ tapware, Bathroom Collective. Walls in Dulux Natural White. GARDEN Established trees provide a shady canopy in the garden, a destination point for Thoa, Anthony and their sons.

“WE LOVE THE EASY BLEND OF TRADITIONAL FEATURES AND MODERN SIMPLICITY.” Thoa, owner

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THE SOURCE

Clean-lined pieces are perfect for updating older homes, delivering all the thrills without the frills.

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Produced by Saffron Sylvester.

1 KitchenAid ‘Artisan’ KSM160 standmixer in Pistachio, $749, Harvey Norman. 2 Crown dish, $55, Dinosaur Designs. 3 Ligne Roset ‘Eaton’ dining table, $4725, Domo. 4 Tolix

‘Tabouret’ counter stool, POA, Thonet.

5 Rock bowl, $920, Dinosaur Designs.

6 Bobo & Peanut art print, $120, Peter Berg Interior Art. 7 Speckle bath sheet, $59.95, Freedom. 8 Potted faux pothos, $139.95, James Lane. 9 Madras rug (155cm diameter), $199, Freedom. 10 Kado ‘Lux Petite’ bath, $1830, Reece. 11 Vivid Slimline mixer in Brushed Gold, $486, Phoenix Tapware. 12 Pebble mirror, $388, Life Interiors. 13 Garden Party sundae bowls, $39.95/two, and matching spoon, $19.95/two, Robert Gordon Australia.

For Where to Buy, see page 204. #

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G a rden s Photograph by Brigid Arnott.

A row of large-leafed Heliconia bihai x caribaea ‘Hot Rio Nights’ and masses of Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ form a lush backdrop in this Sydney backyard built for child’s play. Turn the page for more on this gorgeous design.

INSPIRATION AND ADVICE FOR GREEN THUMBS

WO N D E R L A N D Designed as a fun-filled playspace for the owners’ children, this Sydney backyard has become a favourite with their many friends too.

STO RY Chris Pearson | P HOTOG R A P H Y Brigid Arnott

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Massed plantings of heliconias, underplanted with Philodendron ‘Xanadu’, as well as giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos), provide the lushness the owners sought in their garden. Fast-growing weeping lilly pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) offers screening from the neighbours. Basketball net from Mega Slam Hoops.

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A

“Our brief focused on ways to encourage action, activity and movement for the kids.” Owner

park-like paradise right at the back door: that’s what the owners of this Sydney garden wanted for their four children, all aged under 10. And Fiona Ericsson and Julia Levitt of Sticks & Stones Landscape Design have delivered on that brief in spades. “The kids are out there all the time, regardless of the weather,” says the owner.

In 2018, before the duo was hired by the owners, the children would have been less enthusiastic. Then, the garden was lacklustre, with patchy grass and sparse plantings, and dominated by a paved parking area higher than the lawn that sliced the backyard in two.

“Our brief focused on ways to encourage action, activity and movement for the kids,” says the owner. “We wanted to use every square metre to motivate them to be outdoors.” Living in a busy beachside suburb, the couple also envisioned the garden as a sanctuary from the hubbub beyond.

The backyard was, naturally, to be the heart of the children’s activity space. “The owners asked us to create outdoor zones with better flow and function that were interactive and interesting – a playground and sanctuary all in one – so that everyone in the family could each find their own space,” says Fiona. Established trees, including white cedar (Melia azedarach), jacaranda and a bangalow palm, all of which the owners wanted to retain, lent instant park quality to the garden, along with a generous amount of shade. But all that shade also limited Fiona and Julia’s options when it came to plant selection.

“We needed plants we could layer, which would provide privacy and tolerate the shade, a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees,” says Fiona. And the grass had to be resilient, hence the choice of Sapphire Buffalo. But, for the hardworking areas near the basketball hoop, artificial turf was the ideal solution.

Massed plantings of robust, low-maintenance, large-leafed tropical plants Heliconia bihai x Caribaea ‘Hot Rio Nights’ and giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) make bold statements. Tall and fast-growing, they quickly provided the jungle-like lushness the owners were after, aided by massed underplantings of Philodendron ‘Xanadu’, dwarf cardamom (Alpinia nutans), Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ and tractor seat plant (Ligularia reniformis), all at home in the shade of the white cedar.

While the yard is enjoyed by the children, the upper deck is the adults’ stomping ground. “It is like being in a treehouse looking back down to the garden with all the greenery,” says the owner. “The kids are mostly old enough to be down there by themselves, so we can just look over from the deck to monitor.”

Despite so much choice, Fiona and the owner agree on their favourite feature. “The curved stone seat,” says the designer. “You can sit there and watch the children play on the equipment – including a basketball hoop, a swing set, climbing frame and, the crowning glory, a custom cubbyhouse – under the canopy of the stunning trees.”

“I love that feature,” echoes the owner, “because it uses natural materials to introduce a solid seat that also looks great.” Another favourite element in this playground paradise may bring out the children in the adults. “The spider swing seat is used every day by kids of all ages,” he says. # Sticks & Stones Landscape Design, Surry Hills and Byron Bay, NSW; 0426 259 973 or sticksandstonesld.com.au.

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The blackbutt deck is an extension of the living areas. Growing in the textured pot at left is Euphorbia ‘Firesticks’. Malmo sofas and coffee table, Coco Republic. OPPOSITE TOP The swing set is from Play Equipment. OPPOSITE MIDDLE From left The custom cubby. A curved sandstone bench is a perfect place for parents to perch near the play equipment: the lawn consists of Summer Prestige 30 artificial turf from Field Turf and Sapphire Buffalo grass, separated by crisp steel edging. OPPOSITE BOTTOM From left Shade-tolerant plants such as Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ and Ligularia dentata occupy the lower canopy, while more robust plants, such as giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) and a kentia palm, add density to the middle layers. A potted Pandorea jasminoides is underplanted with Zoysia tenuifolia.

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Luxe Outdoor

Living

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pages of

ALFRESCO ROOMS & GARDENS from Australia’s top landscape architects and designers

ON SALE NOW

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Living on the edge Hedges do more than provide privacy: the right specimen can bring fragrance, flowers and order to the garden too. Here, Tammy Huynh shares her top five picks.

H

edges are one of the most versatile design elements in the garden. They’re perfect for disguising fences or views, setting boundaries, or creating year-round greenery. While formal in nature, they’re not confined to traditional garden styles.

Maintaining a hedge is no tall order, but make no mistake, they do require a bit of time and work to get established. not all plants are suited for the job, but these five candidates will grow into lovely lush specimens.

SASANQUA CAMELLIA (CAMELLIA SASANQUA)

If you want a flowering hedge, sasanqua camellia (1) will deliver. Its dense growth habit, made up of small, glossy green leaves make it ideal for hedging and single, semi-double or double blooms in shades of white, pink or red cover the hedge from autumn and well into winter. grows 2-6 metres tall, but size can be maintained with regular trimming. Prefers slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter and sun to part shade. Mulch well to prevent the shallow roots from drying out.

COASTAL ROSEMARY (WESTRINGIA FRUTICOSA)

a hardy, native specimen (2) with attractive silvery-grey foliage that is tolerant of dry and coastal conditions. small, white or blue-purple flowers appear sporadically throughout the year. While it naturally grows into a neat bun shape, westringia can be tightly clipped into a low-to-medium hedge, between 0.3-2 metres tall, depending on the variety. Ideal for native gardens or any landscape where a hardy hedge is required.

RESILIENCE LILLY PILLY (SYZYGIUM ‘RESILIENCE’)

1

Lilly pilly (3) is one of the most popular hedging plants. It’s fast growing with shiny green foliage that emerges in copper-red tones before ageing to green. ‘resilience’ is bred to be resistant to psyllids, a common and difficult to treat sap-sucking pest that causes the leaves to pucker and become distorted. It can grow up to 5 metres tall, and is perfect as a privacy screen, windbreak or as an evergreen backdrop.

MURRAYA (MURRAYA PANICULATA)

also a popular hedge, murraya (4) has handsome dark-green foliage and sweetly perfumed blooms that appear in spring and summer, although, it has a tendency to spot flower after heavy rains. It’s a fast grower, reaching 3-4 metres with a dense compact habit. Plant in full sun, in rich, well-drained soil. Murraya prefers warm climates, so for cooler areas, Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata) is a great alternative.

SWEET VIBURNUM (VIBURNUM ODORATISSIMUM)

This evergreen shrub (5) has attractive large, leathery foliage that bears creamy-white, fragrant flowers in spring and summer. The seasonal interest continues as the blooms are followed by red berries that blacken as they mature, and the new foliage emerges copper-bronze. a vigorous grower, to 3-4 metres, it needs regular trimming over the summer months to keep growth contained. a more compact choice is ‘dense Fence’, which grows to 2.5 metres. #

2 3

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Take mature height and width into consideration when planting.

If planted too close, lower branches suffer from poor light but too far apart and they will take forever to grow into a luxuriant screen.

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W H E R E T O BU Y

Locate your nearest stockist by contacting the following suppliers. # 1stDibs 1stdibs.com A Abet Laminati (02) 9672 7300; abet.com.au Abey 1800 809 143; abey.com.au Abode Living abodeliving.com Academy Tiles+Surfaces (02) 9436 3566; academytiles.com.au ACS Builders 0403 557 207; acsbuilders.com.au ACS Designer Bathrooms (02) 9386 9809; acsbathrooms.com.au Agostino & Brown agostinoand brown.com All Metal Projects (02) 8094 9230; allmetalprojects.com.au Amber Tiles 1300 362 241; ambertiles.com.au Aneeta Window Systems 1800 653 207; aneetawindows.com Angus & Celeste (03) 9752 4004; angusandceleste.com.au Anibou (02) 9319 0655; anibou.com.au Anston Architectural Products 1300 788 694; anston.com.au Apparatus Studio (03) 9421 2636; criteriacollection.com.au Architectural Handmade Bricks N Pavers 0432 953 260; ahbricksnpavers.com Armadillo (02) 9698 4043; armadillo-co.com Artedomus (02) 9557 5060; artedomus.com Artemest artemest.com Artemide 1300 135 709; artemide.com Articolo Lighting (03) 8595 8011; articololighting.com Ascraft (02) 9360 2311; ascraft.com.au Asko 1300 002 756; asko.com.au Astor Metal Finishes (02) 9727 5622; astormetalfinishes.com Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100; astrawalker.com.au Austral Bricks 132 742; australbricks.com.au Australian Prints+Printmaking printsandprintmaking.gov.au Australian Timber Ceilings 1300 751 163; australiantimberceilings.com.au B Bathroom Collective (02) 9011 5711; bathroomcollective.com.au Bathroom X bathroomx.com.au Bauwerk Colour (08) 9433 3860; bauwerk.com.au BC Stone 1300 621 870; bcstone.com.au Beacon Lighting 1300 232 266; beaconlighting.com.au Becker Minty (02) 8356 9999; beckerminty.com BeefEater Barbecues 1800 356 660; beefeaterbbq.com Behruz Studio (03) 9824 8156; behruzstudio.com Belinda Fox belindafox.com.au Bench Top City (03) 9793 3918; benchtopcity.com.au Bespoke Tile & Stone (03) 9429 9588 Better Exteriors (03) 9888 5488; betterexteriors.com.au

Blanco 1300 739 033; blanco-australia.com Boffi Studio; boffi.com Bosch Home Appliances 1300 368 339; bosch-home.com.au Boyd Blue (02) 8338 8113; boydblue.com Bremworth 1800 251 172; bremworth.com.au Brickworks brickworks.com.au Briggs Veneers (02) 9732 7888; briggs.com.au Brodware (02) 9421 8200; brodware.com.au Bromic 1300 276 642; bromic.com C Cabinet De Luxe 0405 066 155; cabinetdeluxe.com.au Caesarstone 1300 119 119; caesarstone.com.au Candana (02) 9389 8631; candana.com.au Carpet Right 1300 735 455; carpetright.com.au Casa by Studio Kate studiokate.com.au Casa Mia (02) 9773 1144; casa-mia.com.au Castle castleandthings.com.au CDK Stone (03) 8552 6000; cdkstone.com.au CEA Design ceadesign.it Centor Architectural 1300 236 867; centor.com.au Charles Nodrum Gallery charlesnodrumgallery.com.au Coco Republic 1300 000 220; cocorepublic.com.au Colefax & Fowler, available from Domus Textiles (02) 9380 6577; domustextiles.com.au Collective (03) 9112 3527; collective-au.com Colorscope (02) 9700 8700; colorscope.com.au Concrete Bespoke 0418 480 063; concretebespoke.com.au Conley & Co (02) 8065 9411 Corian 1800 267 426; corian.com.au Cosentino Australia cosentino.com Cosh Living (03) 9281 1999; coshliving.com.au Criteria (03) 9421 2636; criteriacollection.com.au Cult 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au Cult Design 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au Cultiver cultiver.com Curatorial+Co curatorialandco.com D Daniel Emma daniel-emma.com De Gournay degournay.com Dean Home arthousegallery.com.au Dedece (02) 9360 2722; dedece.com.au Dekton, available from Cosentino Australia cosentino.com Design Nation (02) 9699 8577; designnation.com.au Designer Doorware (03) 9300 8888; designerdoorware.com.au Designer Rugs 1300 802 561; designerrugs.com.au Di Lorenzo Tiles dilorenzo.com.au

Dinesen, available from Precision Flooring, (02) 96909 0991; precisionflooring.com.au Dinosaur Designs (02) 9698 3500; dinosaurdesigns.com.au District (08) 9388 1855; district.com.au Domayne domayne.com.au Domo (03) 9277 8888; domo.com.au Dulux 132 525; dulux.com.au Dunlin (02) 9907 4825; dunlinhome.com.au E E&C Joinery (03) 5941 8703 E&S (03) 9034 9503; eands.com.au Eadie Lifestyle (02) 4969 8998; eadielifestyle.com.au Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413; ecooutdoor.com.au Electrolux electrolux.com.au Elton Group 1300 133 481; eltongroup.com En Gold engold.com.au Escea 1800 730 140; escea.com Est Lighting (02) 9194 3422; estlighting.com.au Estilo Commercial (08) 8118 6222; estilocommercial.com.au Estilo Furniture+Lighting (08) 8118 6222; estilo.furniture Etsy etsy.com Euroluce (02) 9356 9900; euroluce.com.au F Fanuli (02) 9908 2660; fanuli.com.au Fat Shack Vintage (03) 9943 9026; fatshackvintage.com.au Faucet Strommen 1800 505 116; faucetstrommen.com.au Fenton & Fenton (03) 9533 2323; fentonandfenton.com.au Few & Far (02) 4441 8244; fewandfar.com.au Fibonacci Stone 1300 342 662; fibonaccistone.com.au Fisher & Paykel 1300 650 590; fisherpaykel.com.au Flair Florence flair.it Fletcher Art fletcherarts.com Fontana Arte, available from Nook Collections nookcollections.com.au Framing to a T framingtoat.com.au Franke 1800 339 451; franke.com.au Fred International (02) 9310 3263; fredinternational.com.au Freedom 1300 135 588; freedom.com.au G Gaggenau 1300 170 552; gaggenau.com.au Ganci 0437 101 942; gancisteel.com Gap Joinery (08) 8250 6552; gapjoinery.com.au Garden Life (02) 9517 3633; gardenlife.com.au Gelosa (02) 9380 6100; gelosa.com.au George Fethers & Co (03) 9646 5266; gfethers.com.au Gitani Stone (02) 9838 8880; gitanistone.com Glasshaus (03) 9421 4100; glasshaus.com.au

G-Lux (03) 9429 4589; glux.com.au GM Balustrading 0400 051 064; gmbalustrading.com.au Granite & Marble Works (02) 9519 9900; granitemarbleworks.com.au Grazia & Co (03) 9555 5760; graziaandco.com.au Great Dane (03) 9417 5599; greatdanefurniture.com Greenaway Art Gallery (08) 8362 6354; gagprojects.com Greg Natale (02) 8399 2103; gregnatale.com Gucci (02) 9282 4299; gucci.com A Häfele 1300 659 728; hafele.com.au Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets (03) 9421 1113; halcyonlake.com Harvey Norman 1300 464 278; harveynorman.com.au Haymes Paint 1800 033 431; haymespaint.com.au HG Furniture Solutions (02) 9693 2288; hgfs.com.au H Hub Furniture (03) 9652 1222; hubfurniture.com.au I Ilve 1300 694 583; ilve.com.au In Good Company ingoodcompany.com.au In The Sac (02) 8323 5789; inthesac.com.au In Vogue Kitchens & Joinery 0404 400 798; invoguekitchens.com.au Incu (02) 9266 0244; incu.com Insight Lighting (08) 8362 5993; insightlighting.com.au J James Lane jameslane.com.au Janus et Cie janusetcie.com Jardan (03) 8581 4988; jardan.com.au Jash Marble & Granite (02) 9738 1811 Jati Furniture (03) 9427 8452; jati.com.au Jess Brown shop.jessbrowndesign.com Jetmaster 1300 538 627; jetmaster.com.au Jonathan West 0412 716 611; jonathanwest.com.au Joshua Yeldham joshuayeldham.com Källemo kallemo.se Katherine Mahoney Ceramics katherinemahoneyceramics.com.au K Kazari+Ziguzagu (03) 9510 2528; kazari.com.au King 1300 546 438; kingliving.com.au Kneedler Fauchère kneedlerfauchere.com Koda Lighting (02) 9699 6007; kodalighting.com.au Korban/Flaubert (02) 9557 6136; korbanflaubert.com.au Koskela (02) 9280 0999; koskela.com.au Kristina Dam Studio, available from In Good Company ingoodcompany.com.au L La Paloma Pottery laplaomapottery.com Lamcal Building Supplies 1300 375 144; lamcal.com.au Laminex 132 136; laminex.com.au Laura Kincade (02) 9667 4415; laurakincade.com Layla Italia 0423 797 779; laylaitalia.com Leone Burridge leoneburridge.com

stockists H G Libertine Parfumerie (03) 9661 1258; libertineparfumerie.com.au Life Interiors (03) 9005 8303; lifeinteriors.com.au Lifetime Industries (02) 9518 5901; lifetime.net.au Light on Landscape (03) 9509 8000; lightonlandscape.com.au Lighting Collective (02) 6685 5744; lightingcollective.com.au Living by Design (08) 8399 1250; livingbydesign.net.au Living Edge 1300 132 154; livingedge.com.au Loom Towels loomtowels.com Louis Poulsen, available from Cult Design 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au Love After Love loveafterlove.com.au Lovelight 1300 763 171; lovelight.com.au M Made by Storey (03) 9486 3958; madebystorey.co MadeMeasure 0431 489 504; mademeasure.com Marant Industries (03) 9563 1700; marant.com.au Marble & Ceramic Corp (02) 9666 3800; marbleceramiccorp.com.au Martyn Cook Antiques (02) 9328 1801 Mary Noall (03) 9690 1327; marynoall.com.au Mazdalux skinflintdesign.com MCM House (02) 9698 4511; mcmhouse.com Merci Maison mercimaison.com Miele 1300 464 353; shop.miele.com.au Mitchell Group (03) 9558 0800; mitchellgroup.com.au Mobilia (08) 9284 5599; mobilia.com.au Moccamaster, available from Nord Coffee (08) 6444 9450; nordcoffee.com.au Modern Times (03) 9913 8598; moderntimes.com.au Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading (02) 8332 6999; motherofpearl.com Mud Office 0412 534 987; mudoffice.com.au Murobond Paint 1800 199 299; murobond.com.au Muuto, available from Living Edge 1300 132 154; livingedge.com.au Myer 1800 811 611; myer.com.au N Nash Timbers (02) 9368 7303; nashtimbers.com.au Naturally Cane (02) 4948 2829; naturallycane.com.au Net-A-Porter net-a-porter.com No Chintz (02) 9386 4800; nochintz.com Nood Co noodco.com.au O Olde Good Things ogtstore.com Oliver Tanner Art & Design olivertanner.com.au Oliver Thom oliverthom.com.au Oliveri (08) 8348 6444; oliveri.com.au

Olsen Gallery (02) 9327 3922; olsengallery.com Orana Joinery (03) 9791 8557; orana-custom-built-furniture-joinery. business.site Oscar Clarke Building @oscarclarkebuilding Otomys otomys.com Outdoors On Parade (08) 8362 8822; outdoorsonparade.com.au P Pacifico Stone (02) 9544 4907; pacificostone.com.au Pan After (03) 9942 1048; panafter.com.au Paradise Kitchen Cabinets (03) 9364 7458 Parterre (02) 9363 5874; parterre.com.au Pazstone (03) 9314 8626; pazstone.com.au Perini (03) 9421 0550; perini.com.au Peter Berg Interior Art peterberg.com.au PGH Bricks & Pavers 131 579; pghbricks.com.au Phoenix Tapware (03) 9780 4200; phoenixtapware.com.au Pittella (03) 9818 0311; pittella.com.au Poliform (02) 8339 7570; poliformaustralia.com.au Polytec 1300 300 547; polytec.com.au Pop & Scott popandscott.com Porcelain Bear (03) 9044 2728; porcelainbear.com Porta (03) 9489 6684; porta.com.au Porter’s Paints 1800 656 664; porterspaints.com Prestige Carpets (03) 9708 6913; prestigecarpets.com.au Print Décor 03 9576 1566; printdecor.com.au Provincial Home Living 1300 732 258; provincialhomeliving.com.au Proyalbi (02) 9787 8878; proyalbi.com.au Pullicino & Son (02) 4721 4360; pullicinoandson.com.au Q Quantum Quartz wk.com.au R Radial Timbers (03) 9768 2100; radialtimbers.com.au Ransom Gallery markransom.co.uk RC+D (03) 9428 6223; rc-d.com.au Reece 1800 032 566; reece.com.au ResourceCo (08) 8406 0300; resourceco.com.au Robert Gordon Australia (03) 5941 3144; robertgordonaustralia.com Robertson’s Building Products 1300 856 222; robertsons.net.au Robyn Cosgrove (02) 9328 7692; robyncosgrove.com Rogerseller 1300 559 759; rogerseller.com.au Royal Copenhagen royalcopenhagen.com Ryan Hoffmann sophiegannongallery.com.au

S Saint Cloche 0434 274 251; saintcloche.com Sapphire Aluminium (02) 4304 3555; sapphirealuminium.com.au Sarah Nedovic Gaunt sarahnedovicgaunt.com Scotts Kitchens (02) 9524 6698; scottskitchens.com.au Sculptform 1800 008 828; sculptform.com Secret Gardens (02) 9314 5333; secretgardens.com.au Sherrie’s Slate & Stone 0418 388 252; @sherriesslatestone Sibu Gallery sibu.gallery Signorino (03) 9427 9100; signorino.com.au Silestone cosentino.com Simo Novakovic arthubabudhabi.wixsite. com/the-collection/simo-novakovic Simple Studio (02) 9557 4322; simplestudio.com.au Sjögren en.sjogren.se Skheme (02) 8755 2300; skheme.com Slabs by Design slabsbydesign.com.au Smeg (02) 8667 4888; smeg.com.au Society of Wanderers societyofwanderers.com South Pacific Fabrics (02) 9327 7222; southpacificfabrics.com Southwood Home (03) 9077 5474; southwoodhome.com.au Space (02) 8339 7588; spacefurniture.com.au Spence & Lyda (02) 9212 6747; spenceandlyda.com.au Spiggy spiggy.com.au Storehouse St Kilda 0408 353 976; storehousekoonwarra.com STS Stone (02) 9387 6616; stsstone.com.au Studio Bagno (02) 9601 1948; studiobagno.com.au Studio Gallery (03) 8597 9190; studiogallerymelbourne.com.au Studio Henry Wilson henrywilson.com.au Stylecraft (02) 9355 0000; stylecraft.com.au Sub-Zero (02) 8767 2301; winningappliances.com.au Surface Gallery (02) 9566 2002; surfacegallery.com.au Surrounding (03) 9005 6253; surrounding.com.au Svenskt Tenn svenskttenn.se Swadlings swadlings.com.au Swee Design sweedesign.com.au Sydney Tap and Bathroomware (02) 9550 4628; sydneybathroomware.com.au T Tait madebytait.com.au Teranova (02) 9386 0063; teranova.com.au The Balcony Garden (02) 8363 1144; thebalconygarden.com.au

The English Tapware Company 1300 016 181; englishtapware.com.au The Lighting Guild (02) 9098 8999; thelightingguild.org The Montauk Lighting Co montauklightingco.com The Natural Floorcovering Centres (02) 9516 5726; naturalfloor.com.au The Odd Piece the-oddpiece.com The Rug Establishment (07) 5450 6230; therugest.com The Textile Company 1300 852 994; textilecompany.com.au The Vault Sydney thevaultsydney.com The Wood Room (02) 9970 8480; thewoodroom.com.au Thonet 1800 800 777; thonet.com.au Tiles of Ezra tilesofezra.com Tina Psarianos @tinapsarianos TintFX 1300 946 839; tintfx.com.au Tongue N Groove Flooring (02) 9699 1131; tngflooring.com.au TSM Cabinets (02) 9621 2235; tsmcabinets.com Twopairs (08) 8363 7916; twopairs.com.au U Unios (08) 9248 1888; unios.com Unique Fabrics (03) 9816 2000; uniquefabrics.com Unitex International unitexint.com V Ventech 1300 714 105; ventech.com.au Verosol 1800 007 520; verosol.com.au Vintec 1800 666 778; vintec.com.au Volker Haug Studio (03) 9387 1803; volkerhaug.com VP Surface Solutions (08) 8281 3444; veneerpanels.com.au W Waldron Heating & Cooling waldronheatingcooling.com.au Wallpaper Direct wallpaperdirect.com Warwick Fabrics 1300 787 888; warwick.com.au Water Tiger 0420 855 886; watertiger.com.au West Elm 1800 239 516; westelm.com.au Westbury Textiles (02) 9380 6644; westburytextiles.com Winning Appliances 1300 050 050; winningappliances.com.au WK Stone (02) 9772 9888; wk.com.au Wolf, available from Winning Appliances (02) 8767 2301; winningappliances.com.au Woodcut (02) 9319 6050; woodcut.com.au Workshopped (02) 9146 4353; workshopped.com.au Worldstone (02) 9363 3513; worldstone.com.au Wynstan 1800 157 622; wynstan.com.au X Xavier Furniture (07) 3806 5370; xavierfurniture.com.au Z Ziegler & Brown zieglerandbrown.com.au Zip 1800 947 827; zipwater.com Zuster (03) 9852 8410; zuster.com.au

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The new Outdoor 2021 Collection from Coco Republic features a notable focus on accent chairs, transitional sofa settings, sunloungers, dining settings and statement firepits. cocorepublic.com.au

Walter is a striking Art Deco-inspired design from Designer Rugs. Handmade in the highest-quality New Zealand wool, this rug can be custom-sized to suit your home. $3960/200x300cm. designerrugs.com.au

Tuiss Blinds Online now offers a Clear Café outdoor blind. It’s perfect for alfresco entertaining areas and will protect you from the weather and pesky bugs.

From $285. blindsonline.com.au

H&G ESSENTIALS Liebherr, the German specialist in home refrigeration, provides the perfect solution for food storage and wine preservation. This is a brand renowned for its design, precision and innovation. See more at liebherr.com.au

Create a beautiful lifestyle and home with these must-have products.

The new Professional Plus built-in cooker from ILVE features a steam valve that offers you the possibility of choosing between standard or steam-enhanced cooking. Learn more about this oven at ilve.com.au

The Neverland new-season ceramic dining table from Remarkable Outdoor Living is low maintenance and stain resistant. Elevate your alfresco experience with this timeless piece. remarkablefurniture.com.au

Surround by Laminex is a new collection of easy-toinstall wall-panelling solutions that open up a range of design possibilities for your home. From $137.50 per lineal metre. Discover more at laminex.com.au

Minimalistic, sleek and modern, the Mineral Contours range from Austral Bricks is crafted from some of the finest white clays in Australia – delivering an incredibly elegant natural stone finish. brickworks.com.au

The Evoke tapware and accessories range from Highgrove Bathrooms is available in matte black.

Pieces in this collection are simultaneously bold yet exquisitely detailed. highgrovebathrooms.com.au

The Samsung Family Hub™ smart french-door fridge from Harvey Norman has a built-in wifi-connected screen, triple cooling technology, dual ice dispensers and an autofill infuser water jug. harveynorman.com.au

Enhance your outdoor entertaining area with Dunn & Farrugia’s stylish moveable-blade shutters.

They’re made from aluminium, powdercoated and guaranteed not to rust. dunnandfarrugia.com.au

H G DESIGN DIRECTORY

Specialising in Bronze Fountains, Lighting & Urns, Garden Seating, Statuary, Marble Fire Surrounds & Antique gates.

249 Norton St, Leichhardt • 0412 677 125 info@hrandr.com.au • architecturalheritage.net

FINE FURNITURE AVAILABLE NOW AT

Our website’s In-Stock section is updated daily with new arrivals VISUAL COMFORT LIGHTING FINE ART HANDCRAFTED LIGHTING CHRISTOPHER GUY HICKORY CHAIR CENTURY

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This stunning ZAKKIA collection has been designed to display a simple texture symbolic of the Kapok fruit when dried and cracking. A bush tree native to Australia which is a key calendar marker for the indigenous Jawoyn people.

EverEdge® is easy to install, suits all soil types and is avilable in a variety of colours and depths. EverEdge® is made from 1.6mm gauge mild steel galvansed and power coated or with a Cor-Ten rusted finish.

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The Montauk Lighting Co. brings Australia distinctive, quality feature lighting, created by acclaimed international designers including Kelly Wearstler, AERIN and Ralph Lauren Home through Visual Comfort, Haberdashery, Tigermoth Lighting and Authentage. Let us help you make a statement in light. montauklightingco.com 08 9380 6239 Featuring the ‘Gracieuze’ Wall Lantern by Authentage

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H G DESIGN DIRECTORY

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H G the creative type

Melissa Penfold The style maven and design influencer shares the highlights and insights gained from her creative journey.

ST Y LI N G Sophie Wilson | P HOTO GR AP H Y Anson Smart

210 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Photograph by Abbie Melle (book).

“Everything that surrounds you affects you, so surrounding yourself only with things you love is incredibly nourishing.”

My family played a big part in my interest in design. My mother had incredible taste.

I grew up in a house decorated by influential Australian decorator Marion Hall Best, renowned for her bold colour, lustrous surfaces and va-voom rooms. My mother’s mother lived in an extraordinary harbourside residence with a ballroom and one of Australia’s first residential lifts. I also enjoyed incredible exposure to art, antiques, design and travel from a young age. My paternal grandparents’ home was decorated by another famous Australian interior decorator, Merle du Boulay, who was renowned for building interiors using a sherry-coloured backdrop, which she mixed with accents of pink and lime. This house really resonated with me, and felt like a very calm place to be. I loved it. The design lesson I learned from my family was that you should always be proud of your home. You must keep your standards up. It’s such a great way to live.

The only thing that’s always the same in my workday is that it is never the same, apart from a morning meeting with my daughter, Isabella, who now works with me from North America.

My work brings together everything I love doing best: interior design, decorating, collecting, art, gardens and entertaining. I didn’t really map it out. It just happened.

The biggest challenge of my career has probably been keeping the right people around me.

I think I have pretty good work-life balance.

I make sure to schedule my time in advance and write everything that I want to get done on a list the night before. That leaves time for relaxation.

I love the sound of silence. It’s like a luxury product to me. On the other hand, Isabella loves listening to music or a good, absorbing podcast while she works.

I read a lot of newspapers online – too many.

My father would read the papers every morning and I’m that way, too. I read the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times every day. If there are things that I really want to read closely, I save those for the end of the day.

Producing my book, Living Well By Design, feels like a major milestone. I have distilled the knowledge gained from over 30 years of experience in the design industry into one volume showing people how to turn their houses into homes that are comfortable, intimate, beautiful and the most authentic expression of their personal style. My book

explains how design influences mood, with a dazzling mix of some of the world’s most incredible houses that will inspire people to see their homes in a whole new way. It helps make sense of what good design really is and sets out basic decorating principles, so you can get it right the first time. I am the happiest when I’m helping people create the beautiful home that they and their loved ones deserve – improving the way they live. There’s really never been a better time.

There’s nothing more uplifting than a home that engages the senses and reflects your personality.

Everything that surrounds you affects you, so surrounding yourself only with things you love is incredibly nourishing. Beautiful views from windows also inspire me.

There are so many wonderful designers and creatives in the world today. Some of my favourites are Jasper Conran, Axel Vervoordt, Bunny Williams, Peter Marino, Joseph Dirand and Atelier AM – all are originals and most feature in my book.

I also love the art of Cy Twombly. A local landscape designer doing great stuff is Anthony Wyer of Wyer & Co. Designs that look as fresh today as when they were first produced are just the tonic for these present uncertain times. I love pieces that have become icons through reproduction, like Eero Saarinen’s 1956 Tulip table, French crystal candelabras and Louis XV-style chairs.

What is my idea of true luxury? Being creative and being able to do the thing that you love.

I’m lucky that my work enables both.

My absolute dream project would be designing the table settings for the Met Gala in New York.

I think that would be so much fun.

Travel is endlessly inspiring. France and Italy are firm favourites – my homes and designs are full of French furniture and Italian textiles.

A French gilt mirror, Fortuny fabric or a Louis XVI-style armchair will instantly add quality, character and richness to everyday living and boost your mood and wellbeing.

I’m spending more time in Sydney now and my neighbourhood, Double Bay, is jumping.

I adore local restaurants Matteo, Sake, Neil Perry’s new establishment Margaret, Bills (the cafe that put the Australian breakfast on the world map!) and Roxy’s Double Bay. I hear Baker Bleu, one of Melbourne’s best bakeries, is coming soon too! # melissapenfold.com

OPPOSITE Melissa is in her element surrounded by design classics. Amalfi dining armchair, Janus et Cie.

Marble coffee table, Louis Vuitton trunk and mirrors, Rue de France. Vintage pot and buxus, Garden Life.

Rug, Armadillo. House & Garden tray, Myer. Flowers by Grandiflora. For Where to Buy, see page 204.

MELISSA’S FAVOURITE THINGS

From top Living Well by Design

book by Melissa Penfold, $70, Vendome Press. Antique Louis XV-style bergère chair, 1stDibs.

Tulip pedestal table by Eero Saarinen, Dedece. Antique French mirror, 1stDibs.