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CONTENTS

GRANDEST DESIGN

ONE OF THE STUNNING HOMES STARRING IN MELISSA PENFOLD’S NEWLY LAUNCHED BOOK, LIVING WELL BY DESIGN, MAGNIFICENT WOLLUMBI ESTATE IS SET IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS OF NSW.

D EC /JA N

2021/22 23

R I G H T N O W Inspiring reads

and insider introductions.

A RC H I T EC T U R E Meet the dynamic duo

creating a sensation as Aileen Sage.

A RC H I T EC T U R E N E W S Groundbreaking structures from around the globe: in this issue, Seoul, London, Denmark and Tokyo.

A RT Tour the most captivating exhibitions on

display around Australia as selected by Belle deputy editor Harry Roberts.

I N F LU E N C E S The minds behind architecture

firm Russell & George share the pieces, people and places that fire their imaginations.

104

C R E AT I V E H O M E Take in the tranquil

apartment of designer Emily Gillis.

L I B R A RY Larger than life and gloriously

glossy, the best new volumes on interior styling, garden design and art.

AWA R D S Meet the finalists in Best Work

with Colour and Emerging Design Star in the Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2021.

C R E AT I V E S PAC E Inside the meticulously

Chic alfresco pieces

restored CASA by Kate Nixon store.

festive

D R I V I N G I N C A R S Take a spin with art

consultant, stylist and designer Swee Lim.

WE VISIT N E I L P E R RY AT

MARGARET

LUX E F I L E S Mmmm is for Margaret,

fabulous summer

Neil Perry’s sizzling new restaurant.

73 74 76 79

REGULARS

LIFE OUTSIDE:

Masthead and Privacy Notice

21 178

Editor’s Letter The Office ... Rebecca Coates

M A N Pattern and print on high rotation. W O M A N Resort-worthy tropical wear. B E L L E P R E S E N T S Dinosaur Designs. FO CU S Inspirational outdoor settings, from

lawn court to poolside.

Kristalia ‘Brioni’ lounge chair in Sunbrella fabric, $6695, and cushion, $450, both from Fanuli. ‘Lode’ ottoman, $847, from King. ‘Mira’ linen throw, $200, from Cultiver. ‘Pivot’ lamp, $700, from Mondoluce. Side table, $3475, from Parterre.

100+

PA G E S O F

CR E AT I V E, CL A SSIC, COA S TA L + CON T E MP OR A RY HOUSES

OUR COVER Photography Abbie Mellé.

31 83 84 94 104 116 128 138 146 156 164

HOM ES SY D N E Y A dreamy home in an unrivalled setting is lovingly updated. PA R I S Soft and serene, this apartment exudes elegance and peace. N E W S O U T H WA L E S Inside a classic, antiques-filled house. SY D N E Y Beautiful connections flow through this magnificent home. SY D N E Y A spectacular clifftop house dazzles thanks to its daring palette. SY D N E Y Beauty endures in this thoughtfully decorated home. SY D N E Y Smart architectural thinking brings curves to the fore. M E L B O U R N E A fine example of old and new melding seamlessly. M E L B O U R N E A mansion’s sense of stateliness is expertly preserved.

P H OTO G R A P H Y E DWA R D U R RU T I A ( P 7 9 ) , A B B I E M E L L É ( P 1 0 4 )

On Sale Now E D I TO R I A L

Editor-in-chief Acting creative director Deputy editor Senior copy editor Chief copy editor, Homes Junior copy editor, Homes Art director, Homes Junior designer, Homes Art production Contributing editors

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Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ACN 053 273 546) part of Are Media Group, 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, tel (02) 9282 8000, fax (02) 9267 8037. The trademark Belle is the property of Are Media Limited and is used under licence. © 2021-22. All rights reserved. Prepress by SBM Premedia, Silverwater. Printed by Ovato, 8 Priddle St, Warwick Farm NSW 2170. Distributed by Are Direct, 31-35 Heathcote Road, Moorebank, NSW 2170, tel (02) 9972 8800. ISSN 0310-1452. Are Media does not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, material submitted for publication. Material contained in Belle is protected under the Commonwealth Copyright Act, 1968. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holders. PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of Belle is published by Are Media Pty Ltd. Are Media may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Are publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is located at www.aremedia.com.au/privacy/. It also sets out how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. Are Media may disclose your personal information offshore to its owners, joint venture partners, service providers and agents located throughout the world, including in New Zealand, the USA, the Philippines and the European Union. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers, being offers, competitions or surveys. Reader Offers may require you to provide personal information to enter or to take part. Personal information collected for Reader Offers may be disclosed by us to service providers assisting Are Media in the conduct of the Reader Offer and to other organisations providing special prizes or offers that are part of the Reader Offer. An opt-out choice is provided with a Reader Offer. Unless you exercise that opt-out choice, personal information collected for Reader Offers may also be disclosed by us to other organisations for use by them to inform you about other products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use this information for this purpose. If you require further information, please contact Are Media’s Privacy Officer either by email at privacyofficer@aremedia.com.au or mail at Privacy Officer Are Media Pty Ltd, 54 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

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

EDITO R’S LET TER 19th-century life-size ‘Drunken Satyr’ in bronze.

Lubin ‘Portraits de Femmes Anna’ EDP, $299/100ml.

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t is increasingly rare to encounter historic coastal homes that have been sympathetically altered and retained by new owners. Often, they are given a sterile and superficial facelift or a total bulldoze and rebuild. We are fortunate to have two precious, magical and somewhat eccentric homes located at Pittwater, north of Sydney, to show you this issue. To me, these auctions.leonardjoel. enchanting coastal cottages are the quintessential Australian summer dream. Both com.au Trincomalee, built in 1896, and Ventnor, built in 1862, have been sensitively updated for today’s sojourns by their thoughtful and stylish owners – both of whom hail from abroad. Belle readers will be no stranger to the work of UK-born landscape designer Richard Unsworth. He and his dear friend, Justine, and their respective partners, Greg and Scott, bought Trincomalee, formerly Justine’s mother Heather’s house, in 2015. The friends have continued the home’s sympathetic rejuvenation journey in the garden especially – see p84. Craig Andrade, who is from South Africa, impulsively decided to buy nearby Ventnor when he saw it by chance passing by in a Halverson he had hired – see p116. We zoom from Pittwater to a chic apartment reconceived by Paris designer du jour Laura Gonzalez. I met Laura in Paris pre-Covid at the last Maison&Objet I visited and was wowed by her deft use of colour, fabric and design, particularly in pieces from her collection. See her magic at work, p94. Our fabulous style doyenne and Style Etiquette scribe, Melissa Penfold, has an enviable decorating pedigree – growing up in homes that were adorned by excellent Australian interior designers set her on an exceedingly elegant path. Melissa has just published Living Well By Design, and we are delighted to reveal two incredible homes from this gorgeous book full of inspiration. The word timeless is often overused but not in the case of impeccable decorator Michael Love’s style. Designed in the 80s, his classic and comfortable home has stood the test of time and is as welcoming today as 35 years ago – see p138. Theorists, strategists and urbanists – they are all positions that come to my mind when imagining a futuristic think tank! However, they are part of the team at architect fi rm Russell & George, helmed by Ryan Russell and Byron George. With expansive projects underway from Sydney to Seoul, this dynamic lateral-thinking pair and their team embrace a multidisciplinary approach to their projects. They share some of their favourite inspiration and sources – see p31. Denfair is coming back in 2022 with a brand-new moniker: Interiors Australia + Denfair. There will be myriad design experiences to enjoy after our pandemic-imposed event drought, including a more than 200-strong curated line-up of original brands plus a hospitality zone conceived by Cox Architecture and a creative panel talk by the Belle team with a fabulous collection of design-savvy guest speakers. For a special Belle reader ticket offer, head to interiorsaustralia.com.au/belle. We hope the following pages inspire your plans for 2022 – I have a feeling everyone is going to have a colossal creative upsurge in the coming year. So take care and have a safe and fabulous festive season from the Belle team. Muzo emerald, Argyle fancy pink diamond and white diamond ring. December 7.

P O RT R A I T K R I ST I N A S O L J O

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RIGHT N OW

Photography PHILLIP CA STLETON Styling LUCY MONTGOMERY

Like a gentle embrace: affection shines through in chef Neil Perry’s newest and most personal venture yet. LOCATED IN SYDNEY’S DOUBLE BAY, MARGARET IS NAMED FOR NEIL PERRY’S MOTHER AND FEATURES AN EXQUISITE FITOUT BY CAON DESIGN OFFICE AND ACME. ARTWORK BY GABRIELLE PENFOLD. SEE LUXE FILES, P70. MARGARETDOUBLEBAY.COM

RIGHT NOW

Architecture

TALENT POOL After making a splash at the Venice Biennale, this firm dived into myriad projects, from modest to magnificent. Portrait PHILLIP C A STLETON Edited by K AREN McC ARTNE Y

AMELIA HOLLIDAY (LEFT) AND ISABELLE TOLAND WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM, SYDNEY, IN THE SPACE THEY DESIGNED FOR ‘CLAY DYNASTY: 50 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN STUDIO CERAMICS’. ON VIEW UNTIL JULY 17, 2022, THE EXHIBITION IS DISPLAYED ON A SERIES OF CUSTOM PLINTHS AND PLATFORMS MADE WITH BOWRAL BLUE AND EMBASSY RED BRICKS FROM BRICKWORKS.

P H OTO G R A P H Y A I L E E N S AG E ( G A N BY U M A ) , B R E T T B OA R DM A N ( T H E P O OL ) , TOM F E RG U S O N ( PA D DI NGTON CO U RT YA R D HO U S E , T R E E TOP ST U DIO, S E B E R RY HO U S E )

This page, clockwise from top left

W H I L E A NA M E such as Aileen Sage sounds as if it could be a genteel character in a 19th-century novel it is the combined middle names of Isabelle Aileen Toland and Amelia Sage Holliday. Suspecting that Toland Holliday had too much of a ring of a solicitor’s practice about it, the pair wanted to create a business alias that was clearly female but with a touch of ambiguity. “We liked the idea that she could be both of us or one,” says Amelia. It is rare to find an architecture practice with two female directors and their stance is consciously ambitious for both themselves and the clients they work for. “We added the wording around ‘ambition’ to our website manifesto a year or two ago after reflecting on the projects that we loved working on and those that were successful (not always one and the same) and it became clear that ambition and a preparedness to be challenged were the key ingredients,” says Isabelle. Setting up their practice in 2013, after working together for seven years at Neeson Murcutt Architects (now Neeson Murcutt + Neille), they understood both their respective strengths and weaknesses and, importantly, a shared value system. “The things that happen outside of architecture such as our love of art, design and travel combine with the focus on our families and extended families, which are really important to both of us,” says Amelia. They were also determined not to be pigeonholed as a femaleled practice that concentrated on residential projects and have driven this agenda across a number of diverse typologies from installations and exhibition design, public works for the City of Sydney and commercial undertakings with Mirvac and Lendlease. Sticking their neck out early on in their partnership they entered, and won, the design for the prestigious Australian Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale with a concept based on the iconic role of the swimming pool for Australians. A multisensory experience entitled ‘The Pool’, the project highlighted “the cultural significance of pools in Australia and sought the critical engagement of architects in a broader public debate about the civic and social value of the spaces we create”, says Amelia. On a more prosaic note, the way the pool was used day to day brought them great pleasure. Mothers brought their children, security guards took their lunch break there – it became a place to be, to hang out. “We’re big believers that architecture is a setting for life so we were excited to be able to share and bring together a whole bunch of people from very disparate backgrounds,” says Amelia. With a desire to transport people beyond the visual, eight recorded stories, from those of Olympians Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe, to authors, fashion designers, musician Paul Kelly, environmentalist Tim Flannery and Indigenous art curator Hetti Perkins, were played on individual speakers. Extending the reach of the work beyond those who could visit Venice, the audio was cut into podcasts played on Radio National and a coffee table book of the same name was produced, all setting a new benchmark for public engagement.

‘Ganbyuma’ (to make a fire) is a bridge that spans land, shore and water in Botany Bay (render of a shortlisted competition entry). Paddington Courtyard House has a series of outdoor spaces and a heavily planted roof. The Pool installation at Venice Biennale 2016. Inventive use of space at Treetop Studio. A playful place to view the water at Seberry House.

Mindful of the type of clients that suit them, the pair looks to projects and people who are open to their process and that is where they feel they can add significant value. One such project is a house by the coast in Narooma, NSW, where a retired couple were challenged by the husband’s onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. “We designed Seberry House with a hole in the middle, a courtyard, so that Ray couldn’t get lost. Jane also wanted to see the ocean and for that we carved out a playful tiled deck area, so that she had a view across to nearby Montague Island,” says Isabelle. Such thinking is defining of their work. “Even for private residential projects we consider how to give back,” says Isabelle. “We ask how we can do something generous for other people.” Their other preoccupation (and not a very fashionable concept in architecture) is comfort, which they broaden to embrace the tactile qualities of things. An example is the Paddington Courtyard House in Sydney, where the materiality of brick and timber makes it feel familiar. “Playing with people’s different associations, with those multisensory things, whether it’s smell or touch or the light direction are subtle notions that we embed in our work,” says Amelia. It is easy to see why everyone who meets Isabelle and Amelia wants to collaborate with them, commission them and recommend them. They take a robust approach which doesn’t shy away from criticism and have a desire to test alternatives, to listen and to come up with intelligent architectural responses. “We are constantly thinking about the ongoing life of a project, how it will continue to contribute to arts and culture and everyone’s way of living well beyond the physical space,” explains Isabelle. aileensage.com

RIGHT NOW

Architecture Herzog & de Meuron’s SongEun Art & Cultural Foundation in Seoul (left) is hermetic and monolithic at ﬁrst glance but open and welcoming at ground level. With its context of designer ﬂagship stores in the Gangnam district this continuous concrete form, punctuated by precision glazing, creates a new landmark for the area. The patchwork surface treatment gives subtle textural interest to the dramatic geometry as the formwork was made up of plywood squares – each leaving an individual imprint. hertzogdemeuron.com LO N D O N

HEWN EDIFICE

S EO U L

Shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ most prestigious award, 15 Clerkenwell Close (above) by architect Amin Taha of Groupwork is a seven-storey building with a distinctive facade of limestone structural columns. Myriad textural finishes straight from the quarry – rough-hewn, smooth and eroded – further the narrative, drawn from the 11th-century history of the site. This handcrafted form contains generous apartments, office space and a roof garden complete with beehives. groupwork.uk.com

TO K YO

GREEN LIGHT Embracing nature from the outset, Tsuruoka House (right) in Tokyo was designed by Kiyoaki Takeda Architects using layered planting through the facade and rooftop with soil deep enough for a variety of mature plants, shrubs and ground cover. The dissolving sense of space between inside and out connects the owners to the natural environment – including birdlife and insects – in a meaningful way. kiyoakitakeda.com

L O N D O N

POP-TOP AFLOAT DEVELOPED AS BOTH A PLACE OF WORSHIP AND A MEETING PLACE, GENESIS (BELOW) IS A NARROWBOAT COMPLETE WITH POP-UP ROOF DESIGNED BY DENIZEN WORKS. THIS AWARD-WINNING MOBILE ASSEMBLY SPACE IS MOORED ON THE RIVER LEE NAVIGATION AND DESIGNED TO HOUSE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES, FROM SUPPER CLUBS AND PILATES TO SUPPORT WORKSHOPS AND COUNSELLING FOR EAST LONDON’S CANALSIDE COMMUNITIES. DENIZENWORKS.COM

W R I T E AWAY Built on the pre-existing foundations of a previous house, this lakeside writer’s cabin (right) outside Aarhus in Denmark is clad in copper with wide apertures that frame the views. Designed by architecture and landscape practice Sleth, The Author’s House is conceived as a place to work. An open-plan ground floor and spaces that extend from inside to out connect with nature while providing a sense of retreat and refuge. sleth.dk

A A R H U S

P HOTO G R A P H Y T I M OT H Y SO A R ( C L E R K E N W E L L C LOS E ) , R A S M U S H J O RT S H Ø J ( S L E T H ), M A S A K I H A M A D A ( T SU RU O K A H O U S E )

SHARP THINKING

FA M O U S AUSTRALIAN LIFESTYLE

FA MOU S POL I S H GLASS

kr o sn o.c om .au Featuring the handmade Latitude vase. N ow available in leading homewares & depar tment stores.

A D E L A I D E

REV VED UP “Wild, frenetic and unbound” is how curator Sebastian Goldspink describes the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, which gathers a group of fearless and provocative artists from across the country under the title ‘Free/State’. The program traces the influence of trailblazing artists such as Tracey Moffatt and Julie Rrap – whose 1988 work Transpositions: The Invisible Body is shown (above) – on the generations who followed them in challenging histories of this country and exploring urgent ideas through a radically personal lens. For his video work OA_RR (still, left), Reko Rennie reclaimed an emblem of imperialism, a Rolls-Royce saloon, painting it with a camouflage print, which remixes the iconography of his Kamilaroi heritage, and embarking on a high-octane road trip back to Country. March 4-June 5. agsa.sa.gov.au

Taking it to the people in salons diffuse. Edited by HARRY ROBERTS P E RT H

ALTERED STATE Coinciding with the opening of the Art Gallery of WA’s new rooftop, ‘The View From Here’ is the museum’s largest-ever celebration of Western Australian art with more than 360 works from 230 leading artists, including Abdul Abdullah, Ngarralja Tommy May, Sandra Hill, Tarryn Gill, Christopher Pease, Joanna Lamb and Saleheh Gholami. Sarah Bahbah’s cinematic stills, such as Silence (left), freeze her subjects in moments of heartbreak, ennui and other emotional entanglements as their inner dialogue plays out in subtitles. artgallery.wa.gov.au

M E L B O U R N E

OUT OF THE HUE With ambiguous ﬁgures sketched in ghostly wisps against a haze of abstract colour, Allan Rand’s oil paintings (right) create a blurry interplay between foreground and background. The artist’s work is paired with Patrick Hartigan’s at Haydens Gallery from February 18-March 19. haydens.gallery

WILD HORSES Cate Consandine’s varied practice centres on the body – both as a physical expression of psychological states and in relation to the external forces of the landscape. In ‘Animal’, Cate’s life-sized, polished bronze sculptural work (below) is shown alongside Stephen Garrett’s dreamlike images of clashing horses and homoerotic tableaux set in opulent palazzi, which were photographed in Italy and collaged with archival material in a process he likens to rewriting history. January 28-March 5. sarahscoutpresents.com

A L L I M AG E S CO U RT E SY OF T H E A RT I ST S A N D G A L L E R I E S

On country

M E L B O U R N E

Art

RIGHT NOW

M E L B O U R N E

H E A L E S V I L L E

SWAN SONG

TA L K I N G CU R E

The Staggering Girl (right) by Heather B. Swann is part of a new series inspired by Leda and the Swan. The artist was invited to create the work to show in dialogue with ‘Myth Rider’, TarraWarra’s exhibition of more than 100 works by Sidney Nolan from 1955-1966 that meld allusions to Greek legend with reflections on the trauma of war. December 4-March 6. twma.com.au

SY D N E Y

D O U B L E TA K E

‘Language is a River’ presents films and dialogue-based works by six artists who consider the role of language in constructing realities, fictions and selfhood. The series includes Wu Tsang’s Duilian (still, below), a reimagining of the romance between 19th-century poet, feminist and revolutionary Qiu Jin and calligrapher Wu Zhiying. Slipping between Qing Dynasty China and Hong Kong today, the film reveals spaces between interpretation and language. November 27-January 15. monash.edu/muma

Presented side by side with subtle variations, Madeleine Pfull’s dual portraits (left) stage entire soap operas through her subjects’ minute shifts in composure. Fascinated by taste and the way we attempt to project social status through material accoutrements – and with an affinity for camp’s failed seriousness – the artist invents her idiosyncratic characters by donning their kitschy wigs, clothing and jewellery, before immortalising the results in oil paintings such as She wrote a book I and II. Until December 18. chalkhorse.com.au

SY D N E Y

LARGER THAN LIFE ‘BIG IN CHINA’ ASKS WHAT IT MEANS TO CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF MORE THAN A BILLION PEOPLE, BRINGING TOGETHER 12 ARTISTS WHO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES THROUGH THEIR PREDILECTION FOR THE EPIC. A COILED CORINTHIAN COLUMN ROBOTICALLY ANIMATED TO APPEAR ALIVE, OBSERVING ITS SURROUNDINGS AND GAZING BACK AT THE VIEWER, XU CHEN’S MONUMENTAL, LEVIATHAN-LIKE SCULPTURE HELLO (BELOW) WRESTLES WITH GRAND NOTIONS OF GLOBAL POWER, CIVILISATION AND SWEEPING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES. DECEMBER 8-JUNE 1. WHITERABBITCOLLECTION.ORG

B R I S B A N E

HIGH FINANCE The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art presents new work by 150 artists from 30 countries. Malaysian artist Chong Kim Chiew is interested in the temporary fiction of nationhood, reconstructing banknotes from past regimes in works such as Cocos (Keeling) Islands (above). December 4-April 25. qagoma.qld.gov.au

Safavi Design, Hand Woven in Jaipur India using Sari Silk & Oxidised Wool, 348 x 467cm

MELBOURNE | AU STRALIA www.behruzstudio.com

I N F L UE N C E S

Edited by RUSSELL & GEORGE Portrait TIM O’CONNOR

WITH BACKGROUNDS IN SOCIAL THEORY AND HOSPITALITY, ARCHITECTS RYAN RUSSELL AND BYRON GEORGE SAY THEY APPROACH EVERY JOB WITH AN EXAMINATION OF THE UNIQUE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE PROJECT IN THE FIRST PLACE. ASIDE FROM ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS, THEIR AWARD-WINNING STUDIO, RUSSELL & GEORGE, EMPLOYS THEORISTS, STRATEGISTS AND URBANISTS FOR PROJECTS IN CITIES AS DIVERSE AS NEW YORK, SEOUL, AUCKLAND AND ROME, AS WELL AS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. RUSSELLANDGEORGE.COM

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Influences

I NSPIR I NG

[ Haven high ]

S PAC E S

ARCTIC MEMORIAL

Take the single-lane road along the Arctic Ocean to the northeastern-most point of Norway and you will find this incredible structure, a memorial to the 17th-century witch burnings. Steilneset was a collaboration between artist Louise Bourgeois and Swiss architect Peter Zumthor on a building that captures the sheer horror of what it memorialises. Well worth a visit and one of our favourite architectural masterpieces. nasjonaleturistveger.no

WE LOVE IMMERSIVE SPACES AND HOLIDAYING IN THEM. ONE OF THESE IS THE PARCO DEI PRINCIPI HOTEL SITED PERILOUSLY ON A CLIFF IN SORRENTO ON ITALY’S AMALFI COAST. ITALIAN ARCHITECT GIO PONTI DESIGNED LITERALLY EVERYTHING: THE BUILDING, FURNITURE AND STUNNING GEOMETRIC CERAMIC FLOOR TILES. ROYALGROUP.IT/PARCODEIPRINCIPI/EN

GERMAN COMPANY GUAXS MAKES A RANGE OF GLASS SCULPTURAL OBJECTS BY BLOWING, CARVING AND HAND FINISHING. WE LOVE THESE PIECES AS A SCULPTURAL CONTRAST TO SLICK CONTEMPORARY SPACES. AVAILABLE FROM MONDOPIERO. GUAXS.COM; MONDOPIERO.COM.AU

Artist and maker Mathieu Lehanneur is producing some breathtakingly beautiful things that speak simply about bigger things in the world. They are moments in time. Standouts for us are the Ocean Memories series of tables. mathieulehanneur.fr

[ High seas ] MATHIEU LEHANNEUR

P HOTO G R A P H Y J A R L E WÆ H L E R , STAT E N S V EGV E S E N ( ST E I L N E S E T )

Sometimes you need to go to the most hectic places in the world to really unwind, such as this serene oasis in the middle of Tokyo. The Aman makes you feel like that. Calm, simple and with impeccable attention to detail. aman.com/hotels/ aman-tokyo

DE C OR AT ION

AMAN HOTEL, TOKYO

[ For the groom ] ARTISANAL AROMAS

We love the men’s grooming products from the uber cool and edgy label Morris Motley. Handmade in Melbourne, the range is sustainable, beautifully packaged, delicate and effective. It smells amazing too, thanks to collaborations with French master perfumers and a great nose for detail – every wash takes you somewhere. We recently collaborated with them and Lucas Restaurants as they developed a custom handwash for the bathrooms at the Russell & George-designed Society restaurant in Melbourne. morrismotley.com.au

BOU TIQU ES

IF YOU’RE AFTER SOMETHING ONE OF A KIND, THIS IS THE STORE FOR YOU, STOCKING AND SOURCING A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTING PIECES, FURNITURE AND OBJECTS. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU JUST CAN’T GET ANYWHERE, BRIEF THEM AND THEY’LL SOURCE IT FOR YOU. CCSS.SHOP

WHEN IN ROME

The first iteration of this store came out of a collaboration with us in the EUR neighbourhood south of the historic centre of Rome, which also served as a European base for our studio. The gorgeous and vivacious Madeline Hopkins and Barbara Bellacci from Illuminami have now moved their store into the historic centre, where they offer unique finds, custom-made and curated items, and a broader connection to a range of artisan and craft makers working in the Italian capital. instagram.com/illuminamiroma

& AT E L I E R S

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Influences

CREA IVE T

UNDERSTATED BEAUTY

Furniture designer, architect and Russell & George alumni Josh Carmody has been doing some wonderful things in the industrial design space, including the ‘Legless’ bar stool (left) and a custom display table for the Fiona Lynch-designed foyer at the TarraWarra Museum of Art (right). joshcarmody.com.au

[ Revealed ] WHAT LIES BENEATH

We have been collecting artist Ben Howe’s paintings for a number of years. His pieces are as provocative and moving as they are detailed and hyper-real. He seems to have a knack of capturing people and revealing what is going on beneath the surface. ben-howe.com

T Y PES

P HOTO G R A P H Y A N DR E W HOW E ( B E N HOW E ), A N DR E W WA LS H ( STO OL ) , S H A RY N C A I R N S ( TA R R AWA R R A M U S EU M O F A RT )

KOREAN DESIGNER SUBIN SEOL WON THE YOUNG DESIGNER 2020 AWARD AT SEOUL DESIGN FESTIVAL FOR HER KOREAN ART DECO COLLECTION. WE PARTICULARLY LOVE HER TAKE ON TRADITIONAL FORMS AND MELDING TWO VERY DISTINCT THINGS TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT IS AT ONCE FAMILIAR AND REMINISCENT OF SOMETHING, BUT COMPLETELY NEW. FOR US, THE ‘HOOP’ CHAIR IS A STANDOUT PIECE. SUBINSEOL.COM

E D SIGN SUITE COLLABORATION

The gorgeous and cheeky Grazia Materia is a champion of local design and manufacturing. Apart from being the sole agent for the Grant and Mary Featherston range, Grazia&Co has collaborated with a range of local designers (including us), on a full suite of furniture. graziaandco.com.au

UNDER THE HELM OF THE BEAUTIFUL AND EFFERVESCENT GEORGIA DANOS, WE ARE LOVING THE COMBINATION OF NEW LOCAL DESIGN AND OLD INTERNATIONAL FAVOURITES AT JRF. RECENTLY WE COLLABORATED WITH JRF ON THE ‘LIL’ CHAIR, A COMPACT ARMCHAIR DESIGNED FOR THE BAR AT SOCIETY RESTAURANT IN MELBOURNE. JRF.COM.AU

P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY K VA DR AT R A F S I M ON S 2020 T E X T I L E CO L L ECT I ON ( SWATC H E S )

EX H IB I T OR S [ Textural quirks ] RAF SIMONS X KVADRAT

The Raf Simons range of fabrics for Kvadrat is our favourite go-to when specifying upholstery or soft ﬁnishes. From rich and lush velvets to quirky textures, the colours have that uncomfortable “not on trend” kind of feel. kvadratmaharam.com

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Influences [ Metal magic ] CURIOUS CREATIONS

LU X E

& OBJ ECTS

C OL L E C TA B L E A RT MAKING MOMENTUM

The wonderful Marie Hagerty makes pieces that are visceral, evocative, and ambiguous. We love the energy and sense of movement in these artworks (right). olsengallery.com

SANDRA SANDOR IS THE MIND BEHIND NANUSHKA, A LABEL THAT FINDS ITS ORIGINS IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. SHE DOESN’T USE FUR, DOWN, EXOTIC ANIMAL SKIN OR ANGORA; HER MATERIALS ARE RECYCLED LEATHER, WOOL AND ANIMAL HAIR. STARTING FROM VEGAN LEATHER AND UPCYCLED MATERIALS, SHE CREATES BAGS, DRESSES, AND SHIRTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN. NANUSHKA.CO

[ Ergonomic ] SUITABLE SEATING

It’s an odd-looking thing, but we are complete converts to the Capisco task chair from HÅG, designed by Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik. All the components you don’t need have been eliminated, so you’re left with one of the most comfortable, sustainable and ergonomic chairs you’ll ever sit on. I’m sitting on one now and will never go back to a conventional task chair. ﬂokk.com

T SUS A I NA BI LIT Y 36

P HOTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY OLS E N G A L L E RY ( M A R I E H AG E RT Y ), P E R G U N N A R S SO N ( C A P I S CO C H A I R )

IF EVER WE WERE IN A TIME THAT REQUIRES A LIGHTER, HUMOROUS TOUCH, IT’S NOW. THE WORK FROM JUMBO IN NEW YORK IS PLAYFUL, BOLD AND JOYFUL, THROWING OUT NOTIONS OF WHAT TASTE AND STYLE ARE FOR A WONDERFULLY SCULPTURAL AND REFRESHING TAKE ON EVERYDAY OBJECTS. JUMBO.NYC

The most wonderful thing about the work of Simon Cottrell, a gold and silversmith originally from Melbourne, is best gleaned from his own words: “When our senses are presented with something that is familiar and yet also ambiguous our curiosity is triggered and sensory engagement is extended.” His work is held in public and private collections all over Australia, and across the world. facebook.com/simon. cottrell.makes

Est. 2002

S E R V E

L E C T I

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Influences

[ Clay craft ] POT THROWING

For anything made in ceramic, this is your place. Master ceramicist Dean Millsom, who owns The Wheelhouse studio, is meticulous in his craft and an outstanding artist in his own right. He also runs classes from his South Melbourne premises for those who want to throw a pot. thewheelhousestudio.com.au

A RT I SAN S

Pittella is producing an array of beautiful architectural hardware, but for us the most impressive in the range is the ‘H1052’ handle in the Otto Contemporary collection. So elegant and simple, the detail in the rosette is so beautiful. pittella.com.au

Lighting supplier Sphera is a go-to for a range of lighting options, from workhorse LED fittings to more decorative and connected lighting. One of the best for us is the Gordon range, which comes in floor, wall or ceiling mounted options. We love the ‘Gordon 3’. sphera.com.au

ELEMENTS

A RCHITECTURA L

We specify Zetr power outlets whenever we can as the flush pieces are incredible when working with a great craftsman. The new 12 or Surface range is brilliant when you are either not working with a smooth surface, or a little more tolerance in your base finish is needed. zetr.com.au

P HOTO G R A P H Y T I M O ’ CON NOR ( SO C I E T Y R E STAU R A N T ) , M I R R I N G R AY A N D PAU L M A RT I N ( T H E W H E E L HO U S E )

OUTLINES HAND-MAKES A RANGE OF ANTIQUE MIRROR FINISHES. EACH MIRROR IS A WORK OF ART IN ITSELF. WE RECENTLY COMMISSIONED THE BUSINESS TO SUPPLY MORE THAN 100 MIRRORS FOR THE CEILING IN THE LOUNGE BAR AT SOCIETY RESTAURANT. OUTLINES.COM.AU

Zebra Dining Arm Chairs with Zebra Round Table

SYDNEY 02 9906 3686

BRISBANE 07 3252 8488

MITTAGONG 02 4872 2585

sales@cotswoldfurniture.com.au - www.cotswoldfurniture.com.au

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Creative Home

E a r t h ly

DELIGHTS

This page The walnut table was a collaboration between Emily and artist Zachary Frankel, who also made the white sculpture. ‘Vide Poche Rond’ and ‘Trio’ candleholder, both from Studio Henry Wilson. ‘Joe’ sofa from MCM House with ‘The Bed Cover’ in Natural from Elias Mercantile et Charvet Editions, replica Pierre Jeanneret ‘Chandigarh’ dining chairs from The Feelter and vintage timber telephone chair. ‘Daphine Terra Classic’ floor lamp from Lumina. Akari ‘21A’ pendant light. ‘Etoile’ rug in Dusk from Armadillo.

Melbourne designer Emily Gillis converted her compact apartment into a tranquil and adaptable living environment that is full of tone-on-tone elegance. Photography SE AN FENNESSY Production C ARLI PHILIPS

In the leafy Melbourne suburb of South Yarra in Boon Wurrung Country. It’s close to the CBD, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birrarung (Yarra) River and Prahran Market with some of the bestpreserved, handsomely decorated 19th-century Victorian terrace houses and Art Deco apartments. My block was built in the 1970s and has a glass atrium that frames the building’s entrance.

HERE DO YOU LIVE?

WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE APARTMENT AND WHAT

It’s an inner-city dweller’s dream: handy to the shops, parks and the river. I recently spent a year in Europe and was influenced by more compact styles of living. While my apartment is small I made key changes to open it up. Having great windows that provide a lot of natural light also helps. I replaced the 1970s carpets and tiles with European oak floorboards from Bowens which instantly made the space feel larger. I chose a mineral paint in warm white for the walls, which is finely grained to create a sense of soft movement, and exchanged the ancient vertical blinds with soft roman blinds and sheer linen curtains. It’s like a small sanctuary amid a bustling community. New banquette seating built by Stevens Waters under the window features a cosy reading nook and hidden storage, an in-built Botticino marble dining table replaces a wall, and a poky bathroom has been reimagined as a ‘day spa’ with Moroccan zellige tiling, a custom travertine wash trough and cobblestone floor. CHANGES DID YOU MAKE?

WHAT INFORMED THE SELECTION OF FURNITURE, ART AND FINISHES?

Considering the size, I wanted to develop a light and meditative space. Colours are pared back, but textures and finishes are enhanced. A range of natural materials and finishes include brass, soft marble, textured wool, aged and smoothed timber, and nickel tapware. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INTERIOR? It is an urban retreat and an opportunity to celebrate a small, domestic environment by focusing on the core elements of space, tactility and tone: the bathroom wall tiles are handmade with uneven faces, the floor tiles are chalky cobblestones and there are hand-knotted silk rugs underfoot. I diffused the abundance of natural light with some sheer linen drapery and incorporated a Lumina ‘Daphine’ lamp and three Akari lights to add filtered warmth in the evenings. A selection of aged bronze hardware also creates earthy accents throughout.

This page, from top Botticino marble from G-Lux features on surfaces including the curved splashback by GG Stoneworks. Hand-painted cabinetry by Cumming Brothers with ‘Olive’ knobs in bronze from Noble & Jones. All appliances from Fisher & Paykel. Jug from Softedge Studio, brass pepper mill and glass butter dish from Mr Kitly and ceramics on shelves from Wingnut & Co. Emily designed the linen-covered stools at the hatch. ‘Can’ wall light from Anna Charlesworth. Roman blinds and linen blend curtains from Curtain Machine. Emily on the new banquette in Kvadrat pressed linen upholstery she installed under the window.

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Creative Home This page, clockwise from top left In the bathroom, walls are covered in Zellige wall tiles in Chalk with floors in cobblestones, all from Eco Outdoor. Stone trough made by GG Stoneworks and fitted with nickel tapware from the Astra Walker Olde English collection. Hand towel and soap holder from The Hub General Store. ‘Can’ wall lights from Anna Charlesworth flank the bronze-framed mirror by Cumming Brothers. Bedhead in Sable from Hale Mercantile and ‘The Bed Cover’ in Natural from Elias Mercantile et Charvet Editions feature in the main bedroom. Framed beaded artwork by Camille Laddawan. Akari ‘1A’ table lamp. Sculpture by Zachary Frankel on plinth.

My ethos has always been ‘less is more’ and ‘quality over quantity.’ I like to be guided by materials that feel good in my hands and products that spark a natural affinity with the space I’m designing. It’s important to consider not only aesthetics but longevity, as well as sourcing ethical and sustainable products where possible. WHAT ARE YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSIONS? I’m fortunate to work and collaborate with many Australian artists and designers. My most prized possessions are a marble sculpture by my friend Zachary Frankel and a walnut coffee table we collaborated on. Next to the table is a beautiful timber telephone chair that belonged to my late stepfather. IS YOUR HOME A SANCTUARY OR DOES IT DOUBLE AS A WORKSPACE? I have an office in Carlton North, but because of the pandemic my apartment currently functions as both. I designed the space to be flexible, sociable, relaxing and motivating, creating a balance between efficiency and comfort. It is this neutrality and adaptability that allows me to switch from work to relaxation. That, and a nice glass of wine at the end of the working day! WHAT IS INSPIRING YOU AT THE MOMENT? I have been expanding my book collection during lockdown and am reading a book on the French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand. It’s a great source of inspiration for thinking about beautiful and functional contemporary design. I am also currently inspired by country living decor and design. Provincial farmhouses are synonymous with getting out of the city and living the ‘simple life’. They have a lovely appeal and we can learn from them, even in our urban settings. ANYTHING YOU’RE COVETING? An infrared sauna at home would be the dream. IF YOU DIDN’T LIVE IN MELBOURNE WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU LIVE? A few years ago I had an extended stay in Copenhagen and would love to return. I was inspired by the city’s functionality and style. You can walk or ride your bike everywhere, the small spaces are beautifully considered, design is evident at every turn, and everyone dresses so well! emilygillis.com.au; stevenswaters.com.au WHAT INSPIRES YOUR INTERIORS STYLE?

AUSTR ALIAN MADE FIX TURES AVA I L A B L E I N P V D F I N I S H E S 20 YE ARS WARR ANT Y

+61 1300 800 300 B RO DWA R E.CO M @ B RO DWA R E

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Library A L I F E I N PAT T E R N With her flair for combining seemingly clashing hues and patterns into a stunning idiosyncratic statement, interior designer Anna Spiro creates schemes that are individual and packed with personality. Her second book celebrates her quest for the offbeat and the imaginative, and her predilection for throwing caution to the wind in her decorating style. As she says, “I like my designs to be fresh and full of interesting, contradictory elements.” Anna Spiro, Thames & Hudson, $90

CASA CABANA The inspirational ethos of cult lifestyle magazine Cabana is distilled in this volume by founder Martina Mondadori. A beguiling compilation of essays, recipes, decoration ideas and the musings of tastemakers are interwoven throughout with glossy photographs. The thrill lies not just between the pages, but also with the cover which is bound in one of four fabrics designed with Schumacher, making it a decor piece par excellence. Martina Mondadori, Vendome, $140

Visual feast A cornucopia of design talent to savour.

More to love Rooms – Steven Volpe How to break the rules in style. Rizzoli, $130

Where They Purr When felines and high-end interiors intersect. Thames & Hudson, $65

Collected Interiors – Philip Mitchell Mastering modern maximalism. Rizzoli, $110

The Well-Loved House Adventurous blend of colours and patterns. Rizzoli, $99

AT L A S O F INTERIOR DESIGN

New Rural Expressing the allure of country living. Hardie Grant, $60

MODERN ENGLISH Respected design duo Emily Todhunter and Kate Earle can lay claim to some of the most refined interiors from Knightsbridge townhouses to Suffolk manors. They have also exported their desirable aesthetic to locations from Sardinia to Verbier. Their look of “relaxed informality” blends sumptuous settings, old with new, and an element of wit – truly modern English with an edge. Helen Chislett, Vendome, $100

GILLES & BOISSIER The celebrated Parisian design partners’ first monograph reveals how their artistic vision shapes the realisation of their stylish, sophisticated interiors. From a magnificent retreat in Biarritz to the palatial Baccarat Hotel in New York, their work encapsulates the essence of French chic, underpinned by an innate respect for composition and symmetry, and a dedication to quality and fine detail. Patrick Gilles, Dorothée Boissier, Pierre Léonforte, Rizzoli, $130

Shades of White Stylish scenes of the utmost serenity. CICO, $60

Isabelle Stanislas – Designing Spaces Drawing Emotions An holistic approach to creativity. Rizzoli, $130

Rose Uniacke at Home A privileged insight into this on-trend designer’s work. Limited edition. Rizzoli, $430 Edited by JUDY PASCOE

P HOTO G R A P H Y A L A N A L A N DS B E R RY

A rich panoply of design characters inhabits this exhaustive tome by Belle contributor Dominic Bradbury. Residential masterpieces from the 1940s to the present by such luminaries as Axel Vervoordt and Kelly Wearstler in locations as compelling as Tangier and Joshua Tree come to life on every page. Splendid photographs and erudite commentary make this a valuable reference as well as an inspiration. Dominic Bradbury, Phaidon, $135

PRESENTS

KITCHEN INSPIRATION An entertainer's kitchen deserves the best in technology and convenience with the latest in appliances from NEFF.

NEW SLEEK GRAPHITE Your favourite cooking companions have had a makeover. The stainless steel strips and handles in graphite are as delightful to look at as they are to the touch, and perfect for any contemporary kitchen. TOP: GRAPHITE COMPACT OVEN WITH MICROWAVE, C17MR02G0B, $3,099; BOTTOM: GRAPHITE 60CM PYROLYTIC SLIDE & HIDE® OVEN, B57CR22G0B, $2,999; SIDE TRIMS: SEAMLESS COMBINATION KIT, Z11SZ90G0, $499.

HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE

THE ULTIMATE IN APPLIANCES From best-selling steam ovens to whisper-quiet, wi-fi connected dishwashers, every NEFF appliance is German engineered and boasts a four-year warranty, making cooking and cleaning up a pleasure.

THE HEART OF EVERY HOME Your kitchen is a place to meet and eat, and a place to get creative. These NEFF appliances inspire enthusiasm by marrying innovation and design, style and versatility.

80CM INDUCTION COOKTOP WITH DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION, T58TL6EN2, $5,599; FULLY INTEGRATED TALL TUB DISHWASHER, S287HDX01A, $2,399.

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N KITCHEN INSPIR ATION

BEST APPLIANCES Our customers expect top quality. NEFF deliver by testing every element, considering every detail and drawing on more than 140 years of German engineering to stay at the forefront of kitchen technology.

TOP LEFT: COMPACT OVEN WITH FULL STEAM, C17FS32H0B, $4,399; MIDDLE: 14CM WARMING DRAWERS, N17HH10N0B, $1,599 EACH; BOTTOM LEFT: SLIDE & HIDE® OVEN WITH FULL STEAM, B47FS36N0B, $4,799; TOP RIGHT: COMPACT OVEN WITH MICROWAVE, C17MR02N0B. $2,999; BOTTOM RIGHT: PYROLYTIC SLIDE & HIDE® OVEN, B57CR22N0B, $2,899; SIDE TRIMS: SEAMLESS COMBINATION KITS, Z11SZ60X0, $99 EACH. HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE

COOKED TO PERFECTION With technology that makes life in the kitchen a daily pleasure, plus features you won't find anywhere else, NEFF ovens have the added bonus of sleek, integrated designs.

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N KITCHEN INSPIR ATION

SLIDE & HIDE® OVEN DOOR Fully retractable, this safe, stylish and unique feature ensures easy access to your food. The Slide&Hide® door lets you monitor your cooking, allows convenient lifting and provides more room to move around smaller kitchens. The revolutionary handle is easy on the wrist, so you can use it year after year, without strain.

FULL STEAM AND VARIO STEAM FullSteam combines all the heating modes of a full-featured oven with those of a steam cooker, providing a quick and clean option for vegetables, ﬁsh, risottos, dumplings and puddings. VarioSteam, on the other hand, adds bursts of steam to the normal hot-air cooking process, for food that needs to be moist inside and crispy outside – think bread and meat.

MULTI POINT MEAT PROBE Overcooked and undercooked meals are no longer a worry with a Multi Point Meat Probe. Plug it in, select your core temperature and the oven will turn off automatically when this temperature has been reached. Three sensors provide accurate readings at various depths, ensuring an even cook.

HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE

A COOKTOP LIKE NO OTHER One of the most hard-working tools in any kitchen, this NEFF induction cooktop combines two appliances in one by incorporating an extraction point in the centre of the cooking zone.

80CM INDUCTION COOKTOP WITH DOWNDRAFT VENTILATION, T58TL6EN2,$5,599; GRIDDLE PLATE, Z9416X2, $399.

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N KITCHEN INSPIR ATION

POWER MOVE LEVEL 1.5 Keep warm

POWER TRANSFER LEVEL 5 Medium temp

LEVEL 9 Searing

POWER OF FLEXIBILITY The NEFF vented cooktop allows you to design your kitchen your way. Move your pots and pans anywhere within the FlexInduction zone and their size and shape will be automatically detected so that heat is applied to their exact location.

DOWNDRAFT EXTRACTOR At the centre of the cooktop is a ventilation duct that gets rid of steam and smells before they can spread around the kitchen. This sensor-controlled system automatically adjusts the ventilation power level based on what you’re up to in the kitchen.

TWIST PAD FIRE® Take control of your cooktop and ventilation settings with this removable magnetic dial. Place it in the centre of the control area, tilt it towards the zone you’re activating and twist to select your power level.

HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE

WELCOME TO THE ULTIMATE FINISH After you’ve prepared the perfect meal, NEFF’s intuitively designed dishwasher makes for an easy clean-up and a quiet finish to the day.

DOOR OPEN ASSIST It's no secret our hands can get sticky while whipping up kitchen treats, so Door Open Assist is here to let you access your dishwasher's interior without having to ﬁddle with a handle. Light pressure is enough to open the door so you can stack the dishes.

INTENSE CLEAN The ideal feature to make life easier after a long night spent cooking and entertaining. The Chef70° program is specially designed to take care of heavily soiled and crusted plates, pots and dishes, so you don't have to. FULLY INTEGRATED TALL TUB DISHWASHER, S287HDX01A, $2,399.

H A R V E Y

N O R M A N KITCHEN INSPIR ATION

FLEXIBLE THIRD BASKET The extra drawer here provides a third level for mugs, bowls, cutlery, and especially those awkward items you just can't seem to ﬁnd a place for. There's also a removable inlay to keep your knives safe.

VARIOSPEED TIME SAVER The perfect time-saver, VarioSpeed offers the ﬂexibility to speed up your washing cycle when required. When you need to get your dishes cleaned quickly and back into rotation, this feature is here to provide.

TIME LIGHT With this innovative element, you'll see exactly how much time is left in a wash cycle by glancing down – the countdown is projected onto the ﬂoor while your dishwasher is in operation.

HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE

Shop online with your local store hn.com.au or call 1300 464 278 HARVEY NORMAN® STORES ARE OPERATED BY INDEPENDENT FRANCHISEES. PROMOTION ENDS 01/12/2021.

AW A R D S Photography ANSON SMART

G R EG N ATA LE Greg Natale

S P O N S O R E D BY

PAT R I CK KEN N EDY & R ACH EL N O L A N Kennedy Nolan Architects

Photography DEREK

SWALWELL

BEST WORK WITH COLOUR Five finalists making a splash in the Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards. This page, clockwise from top left Hawthorn House by Kennedy Nolan Architects. Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan Architects. The Weave House by Hugh-Jones Mackintosh. Opposite page Brisbane House by Greg Natale.

J US T I N E H U G H-J O N E S & K AT R I N A M ACKI NTOS H Hugh-Jones Mackintosh

Photography PRUE RUSCOE

AWA R D S

Best Work with Colour + Emerging Design Star

Photography PRUE RUSCOE

YA S M I N E G H O N I EM YSG Studio

Photography ANSON SMART

J U LI E T T E A R EN T & S A R A H-JA N E PY K E Arent&Pyke

This page, from top Berwick

Photography TESS KELLY

Residence by Martin J Scott Design. Centennial Park House by Partridge Daniels.

Opposite page, from top Dreamweaver by YSG Studio. Darley House by Arent&Pyke.

J O L A N TA S COT T & J E S S I C A M. OT TO Martin J Scott Design

EMERGING DESIGN STAR An impressive field of fresh talent rising in the world of interiors. Photography PRUE RUSCOE

LU C Y PA RT R I D G E & EM M A DA N I EL S Partridge Daniels

AWA R D S

Emerging Design Star This page, clockwise from top left Vaucluse House by The Unlisted Collective. Cultiver Flagship Store by Phoebe Nicol Interior Architecture. Peace Project by Carole Whiting Studio.

B I A N C A FR A S ER

Photography DAVE WHEELER

The Unlisted Collective

PH O EB E N I CO L Phoebe Nicol Interior Architecture

Photography DAVE WHEELER

C A RO LE W H IT I N G Carole Whiting Studio

Photography SHARYN CAIRNS

Creative Space

RIGHT NOW

This page Designer Kate Nixon in her freshly renovated CASA by Kate Nixon showroom in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. This beautiful arch was one of the many surprises the 1800s building offered up as work on it progressed.

Photography KRISTINA SOLJO & MAREE HOMER

HEART and home

More than just a store, CASA by Kate Nixon captures and reflects the passions and endless talents of this Sydney designer. 61

Outdoor Collection Our signature Joe range, now reimagined in a new outdoor design. mcmhouse.com

Creative Space

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This page, from top Curved walls and brass-framed windows

HO OR WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR ENDURING

lead from the showroom into the design studio. To the right of the door is a bronze stool custom made for CASA by Kate Nixon. ‘Koh Rong’ planter from Garden Life. The front-ofhouse features a microcement desk custom-made for Kate Nixon by Boucher & Co. Fabric swatches and the team’s cutting table are visible behind it.

CRE ATIVE INFLUENCES ? I’m drawn to the scale and sensibility of American furnishings and interiors (cue Nancy Meyers) and the patina and craftsmanship of European design. I love the warm, inviting layers of US designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Nate Berkus and Steven Gambrel, and the textural prowess and impeccable attention to detail of Atelier AM and Axel Vervoordt. I S TH ER E A CO M M O N ELEM ENT, A E S T H E TI C O R A PPROACH TH AT

A calm, cohesive and transitional aesthetic underpins our work, adding character and warmth with an understated elegance and quiet luxury. We love classic and comfortable, relaxed and inviting, polished and practical – spaces that are equally at ease with elegant entertaining and everyday life. RUNS THRO UGH YO UR WO RK?

HOW DID THE CONCEP T FOR C A SA BY K ATE NIXON COME ABOUT?

We were inspired by the space, an 1800s building (a gym in its most recent incarnation), and sought to strip back the original architectural elements and celebrate them within a contemporary context. In the process, we discovered carved archways, brick fireplaces, four-metre ceilings and bevelled walls. We sought to introduce our own signature, to make this space our home while respecting the history of all the homes that came before it. Discovering what made this space unique was such a joy: we call it our wonky donkey – no two walls are straight! This character and sense of ‘the perfect imperfect’ informed our design and materiality: hand-trowelled plaster walls and arches, brass-framed glazing, French-oak parquetry and Busatti artisan linens are set against glass, steel, and contemporary hardware and lighting. WHAT WERE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SHOWROOM AND WHAT

A subtle separation was needed between the retail and studio spaces, and this inspired the brassframed, curved internal glazing. Storage was key – with Tetris-like arrangement of public and private spaces for our sampling library, APPE ALED ABOUT THE SITE?

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Creative Space

This page, clockwise from top left Expansive front windows allow a view into this enclosed loggia, where passersby can admire the built-in bench seat made for Kate Nixon by Boucher & Co using Les Créations de la Maison ‘Bruce’ fabric from Ascraft. Wall light by Allied Maker. The centrepiece of the showroom is its storied arch, flanked with limewashed oak joinery made by Boucher & Co. Design discussions take place around a Desalto ’Clay’ table by Marc Krusin from Ownworld. The powder room has a hand-carved pedestal basin finished in Tonachino plaster.

internal files, retail displays and concealed storage. Breakout spaces were devised for collaborating and quiet work zones, and a dedicated fabric room, open kitchenette, locker room and powder room installed. I love the building’s location on the border between Sydney’s vibrant Potts Point and leafy Rushcutters Bay. WHAT DID THE ALTER ATIONS OF THE SPACE ENTAIL? A full demolition and renovation of the interior. New floors, walls, ceilings, doors and windows went in, and there was a significant reconfiguration of the existing floorplan (the fabric room was a bathroom, the locker room and powder room were a laundry). A deep arch was cut through five layers of brick to create access to a new fabric ‘grotto’ (aka storeroom) and a second entry was created by reinstating the original arched doorway. Hebel blocks were sculpted to form a contemporary fireplace mantel and powder-room vanity, finished with custom trowelled and polished plaster. An original arched ceiling was discovered, re-formed and clad in reclaimed Italian terracotta brick. HOW WOULD YOU DE SCRIBE THE COMPLE TED SPACE AND HOW D OE S

This is our home, where the creative process begins and a place to experience our design philosophy. CASA offers an immersive retail experience, with the meticulously restored late-1800s interior marrying the heritage and character of original architectural elements with the latest in luxury finds from Italy and around the world. Reflective of our studio work, a palette of earthy materials and the distinctive works of local and global artisans bring a calm authenticity to the space. IT REFLEC T THE WORK THAT YOU D O?

W H AT A R E S O M E O F YO U R FAVO U R I T E P I EC E S C U R R E N T LY I N T H E

Sweet oil-on-canvas artworks by Matilda Michell, hand-formed ceramics by Pamela Tang and Pip Woods, rough-hewn RELIK sculptures by Luke Mansini, and scalloped-linen placemats from Busatti that are perfect for summer entertaining. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT WORKING IN THE SPACE? It’s like coming to work in a luxurious day spa! The music, the lighting, the inspiring interiors, our Zip tap with chilled/boiling water, espresso coffee … and working with a beautiful team of designers, suppliers and clients. COULD YOU DESCRIBE A T YPICAL WORK DAY? I’ve become much better at time-blocking my work week thanks to implementing the Gino Wickman-designed Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) earlier this year. Mondays are sales/marketing; Tuesdays I focus on operations and one-on-one project reviews; Wednesdays are special projects and leadership meetings; Thursdays and Fridays are typically site visits, client meetings and installations. Working from home for so much of this year has also delivered treasured family moments each day. S H OW RO O M?

W H AT O T H E R P R O J E C T S A R E YO U LO O K I N G F O RWA R D T O I N T H E

The transformation of an elegant Bellevue Hill apartment; a collaboration with one of our favourite furniture suppliers; and lots of new collections arriving in store. katenixon.com C O M I N G Y E A R?

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Driving in Cars

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SWEE LIM THE DESIGNER, ART CONSULTANT AND STYLIST RIDES TO HER GO-TO STORES IN A GLOSSY MERCEDES-BENZ E 350 CABRIOLET. By motoring expert Elise Elliott @EliseElliott_Media

Photography TIM O’CONNOR

E L I S E I S D R E S S E D BY @ T H E F L AT I RON L A B E L

SWEE LIM is one busy bee. Quite serendipitous then that she is

humming around a Richard Stringer sculpture of said insect lying on a miniature building. “I love this piece! It’s sculptural and over-scaled within an architectural format, yet quirky,” says Swee. The piece somehow embodies her: she’s a professional, punctual, perfectionist – and playful. In her business, Swee Design, she is creating a buzz with memorable and meaningful spaces in her selection of furniture, art, sculpture and objects. “Art is more than decorative; it’s thought provoking. It brings in energy and changes the way we engage emotionally and spatially with a room. It’s an integral part of my work,” says the Melbourne-based designer who is mother to Charlie and Mimi, herself an impressive young artist. Swee studied art history at university and her first career was as a manager of cultural programs. This introduced her to a talented troupe of local and international artists and galleries – the perfect canvas on which

to build her bespoke business. “I like spaces to have personality, to reflect clients’ tastes. This means a careful curation of furniture layered with personalised items providing a point of difference. My signature is eclectic, combining different styles with a contemporary aesthetic and bold colours,” says Swee. The new Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet also fuses classic with contemporary. The German car-maker boasts a long automotive history which began in 1886 when engineer Karl Benz invented the world’s first gasoline-powered car. Today the E-series combines high-end tech with classic design cues from the marque’s storied past. The sparkling metallic Rubellite Red exterior with Macchiato Beige interior provides a perfect palette. Melbourne has delivered a still and sunny day, and the car’s electric roof takes just 20 seconds to lower. What better way to cruise to favourite suppliers than behind the wheel of a glamorous convertible? sweedesign.com.au; mercedes-benz.com.au

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MONDOPIERO This emporium of wonders fills you with rapture. The French call it le frisson, shivers of delight. Mondopiero provides that sensory overload. From the astonishing floor-to-atrium bookcase crafted in black steel and the olfactory delight of Santa Maria Novella fragrances from an ancient apothecary to Studio Kalff’s curious repurposed vintage candlelights and the tactile shock and awe of Massimo Corsini’s lighting crafted with discarded cans. Such exquisite pieces – where to begin? Swee chooses a unique glass vase in amber from German company Guaxs, and a striking marbled tray from Kaymet, which has a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen. Both fit snugly in the Mercedes-Benz’s boot. Owner Piero Gesualdi’s vision was to open a space celebrating bold and brilliant ideas, excellent quality and fine craftsmanship. Behind his dream is an ever-reliable wingwoman, and life and business partner, Michele Azzopardi. “Piero is the frontman, the ideas man,” says Michele, expressing their simpatico. “Michele is the glue keeping it all together,” says Piero. mondopiero.com.au This page, clockwise from above Swee at Fletcher Arts with a Peter D. Cole sculpture. Elise and Swee with chess set by Cole+Cooper and tall candlestick by Peter D. Cole. Elise and Swee carry the sculpture and a Greg Woods landscape to the car. Swee admires a beautiful rug at Behruz Studio. Opposite page, clockwise from top left The Mercedes in front of Behruz Studio. Swee with repurposed lamps by Studio Kalff at Mondopiero. Ajar’s Rubén Escobedo with Swee and Elise on a ‘Marlow’ sofa. The duo takes to the road in the Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet.

BEHRUZ STUDIO Across town, the Cabriolet snags a rock-star park in front of Behruz Studio, a rug mecca named for the late Behruz Aligorgi, a pioneer who set up shop in 1984. Today, sons Omid and Amir run the business, a magic-carpet ride through three storeys of refined modern and antique rugs, kilims and textiles. Says Amir, “In Dad’s words, rugs are the soul of the home, a beautiful anchoring point that brings furniture together. Without rugs, furniture feels like it’s just floating around. Born in Tehran Dad was always fascinated by rugs. He was incredibly knowledgeable and an innovator. He built a nursery along with apartments near his factory in Nepal, so weavers could live with their kids next door.” The brothers roll out a breathtaking rug in beautiful shades depicting a garden of life design with mythical animals. It’s a one-off from Jaipur using recycled saris and took 28 weeks to make.

Swee is fascinated by the Doble & Strong rugs, a visceral collection from artists Robert Doble and Simon Strong and weavers in Nepal which explore the body. ‘Neoteny’, a large skull piece, peers down from the wall. It’s magnificent and macabre. Too large to fit in the Mercedes, it will be picked up later. behruzstudio.com

FLETCHER ARTS A short drive away is Fletcher Arts, a consultancy service connecting artists with high-end architects and designers. “It’s a rewarding relationship,” says founder Sarah Fletcher. “Art brokers don’t compete with galleries, and don’t hold the rights to an artist’s work; I don’t believe they should be owned. Many artists need help driving their own businesses, however, and this is where a broker comes in.” Swee is a regular. “Sarah has an amazing curatorial eye and her selection is unusual but stunning. The pieces are dynamic and constantly changing across the five rooms,” she says. In one narrow room, the aforementioned bee sculpture takes pride of place, while a dining table is adorned with other fascinating pieces. Swee chooses a Peter D. Cole triple-disc sculpture from his series ‘India Song’ and a moody landscape by Greg Woods – providing the perfect juxtaposition to the back seat of the drop-top. fletcherarts.com

AJAR Hola! Our final destination is a slice of Spain in inner Melbourne. “Ajar is a fabulous space. Their team of architects, industrial and interior designers provide a sense of warmth and fun to the furniture and lighting ranges. I love their use of colour and unusual forms,” says Swee of the store’s curated selection of Spanish wares. After hearing about our industrious day sourcing supplies, sales consultant Rubén Escobedo suggests we relax on the fabulous ‘Marlow’ sofa in a golden, velvety fabric. Completing the 70s vibe are Jordi Canudas’ ‘Dipping Light’ in orange and amber stripes and ‘Plec’ coffee tables by Antoni Palleja. Pass the sangria! ajar.com.au

SWEE’S THOUGHTS

MERCEDES-BENZ E 350 CABRIOLET DESIGN

“This car is me!” I said sinking into the deep butter-soft leather seat. While ever so sumptuous, however, would the upholstery in a pale, elegant Macchiato Beige cope with my kids, Charlie and Mimi? Luckily, this day was Adults Only and I was going to make good my escape. The interior with its refined materials and bespoke detailing is much like a beautifully designed home. Every aspect of the exterior, from its effortless sleekness to the lithe curves extending from front to rear just shouts Mercedes. The rich burgundy with a name like a racehorse, Rubellite Red, would have been my first choice too.

DRIVE ABILIT Y The picture-perfect day was ideal for a convertible. With Elise and me doing our best Thelma and Louise impressions, my only regret was that we didn’t get to hit the open road, losing a scarf or two along the way. I can’t imagine a more inspired way of getting around to source unique furniture, art and objects for my clients. Quiet, smooth yet powerful, the E 350 is a mix of business and pleasure, with the emphasis on the latter.

FUNCTIONALIT Y This is an intuitive car. The seatbelt extends forward automatically as if to greet you and set you up for the trip ahead. Getting as close as possible to galleries and stores is vital for me when carrying delicate and unique items to and fro. The controls help manoeuvre the car in and out of the tightest spots so few parking spaces will be off limits. While the warm day made it a moot point, the car has a neck-warming system and heated steering wheel, front and rear seats to ensure an open-top experience all year round.

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Luxe Files

This page Chef Neil Perry on the floor of Margaret, his new restaurant in Sydney’s Double Bay, named after his mother. Margaret’s menu shines a light on some of Australia’s finest produce.

Plate class Simplicity and seasonality shape the passions of chef Neil Perry. Portrait PHILLIP CA STLETON Styling LUCY MONTGOMERY

WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT FOR THE INTERIORS AT YOUR NEW RESTAURANT, MARGARET, IN SYDNEY'S DOUBLE BAY? Caon

Studio and Acme worked together for the first time and it was a beautiful collaboration [1]. You can tell they’re great friends – they complement each other and totally understood my brief. I wanted a sophisticated, world-class restaurant that feels like a wonderful, approachable neighbourhood dining space and they delivered those two worlds beautifully. CONTEMPORARY ARTIST WHO YOU ADMIRE? Gabrielle Penfold is a great young Australian artist [13]. She had worked with David Caon before, and as soon as I saw her work I said ‘yes please’. We gave her an indication of the art we wanted her to create for Margaret. Seafood is important to the restaurant and Gabrielle’s still-life paintings with oysters and sardines are so beautiful. FASHION MUST-HAVES? I keep it fairly simple with black or white long-sleeve t-shirts. I get suits made in Hong Kong. I wear Common Projects sneakers [11] – the new versions when I’m not working and then at some stage in their life they end up in the kitchen for three or four months, before they fall apart. FAVOURITE WATCH? I have three IWCs [2]. I love the big Pilots, so I’ve got a ‘Little Prince’, a ‘Spitfire’ and the 150th Anniversary release. BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU LOVE? I’ve used La Mer [12] daily for about 12 years. I’m 64 and think how my skin looks is partly genetics, partly my La Mer routine. BOOKS – WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW? Growing up Aboriginal in Australia [3] is sitting on my desk and Stephanie Alexander sent me her beautiful book, Home. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK? Everything I Love to Cook [5] contains the recipes I love, and reflects my columns, previous books, restaurants and the way I’ve been cooking at home for the past 10 years – all those elements found their way into the book. There are some really beautiful recipes built around good shopping, great produce and meals people can achieve at home. FILM THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU? Jiro Dreams of Sushi [8]. MUSIC – WHAT IS ON ROTATION IN THE OFFICE AND AT HOME? I have diverse taste so sometimes I sit and listen to classical or opera or Mozart or Joni Mitchell. My daughter Macy jumps in the car and says, “Come on, Dad, get your playlist on, I want American Pie again”. I love that it’s like she thinks she’s discovered that and Supertramp [9] and Fleetwood Mac – things I listened to at her age! FAVOURITE FLOWERS? Gardenias are incredibly nostalgic for me [6]. When I was growing up, we had these beautiful bushes and Mum would pick the flowers and float them in water. So whenever I smell them, I’m reminded of her. FAVOURITE TIPPLE? Australian chardonnay and riesling from Giaconda or Grosset [4]. Beautiful reds from Rockford Basket Press, Wendouree or Yering Station. DOES YOUR INTEREST IN DESIGN EXTEND TO CARS? I drive a Lexus LS 500 [7]. WHAT ARE YOUR ESSENTIALS FOR ENTERTAINING AT HOME? Being organised is the key – because the people who come to your house are there to be with you, so don’t spend more time in the kitchen than at the table. I always think it’s good to just throw an antipasti or beautiful starters in the middle of the table. Everyone can help themselves and just enjoy sitting together and having a great glass of wine. Celebrate all the produce that’s around now – asparagus is great right up to Christmas, there are fantastic tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants – all those seasonal vegetables that are so beautiful. Also amazing in summer are raspberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots, mangoes – we’ve got all this incredible fruit and still people steam a pudding at Christmas time! TRAVEL – FAVOURITE REGULAR HAUNT WHERE IS ON YOUR MUST-SEE LIST? I love skiing in Aspen and eating in San Francisco, where a lot of my great chef mates are. My wife and I enjoy going on safari [10]. One of the great things about doing safaris in Botswana, South Africa and so on is that it takes you to another world. You don’t think about anything except for the amazing display of nature that’s in front of you. When I’m in Aspen I’m totally focused on racing down the hill as fast as I can go – again, forgetting about everything to do with work. PROJECTS YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Taking our community meals program, Hope Delivery, where it can go. We want to help Indigenous Australians, refugees, shelters for women and children, and other places that will be in real strife for a while. The virus has caused more of a divide than people realise. My other focus is bringing Margaret to life and, with Baker Bleu next door, creating this amazing benchmark within the village. I feel incredibly centred and balanced here. I’m proud of the space and the team – and I’m most proud that it’s named after my mother. margaretdoublebay.com; rockpoolfoundation.com

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Un i q u e , t i m e l e s s & c o n s i d e re d d e s i g n BYR ON BAY ti gmi tr a d ing . co m

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Murray Bartlett in The White Lotus (2021).

Show stopper Turn up the heat in vibrant hues and punchy patterns. 18

Produced by SAFFRON SYLVESTER 17

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1 L’Officine Universelle Buly ‘Lait Nettoyant’ cleansing milk, $65, from Mecca. 2 C1960s gilt and iron palm-tree chandelier, $2353, from 1stdibs. 3 Aerin ‘Calinda’ moon vase in Blue Grotto, $990, from Palmer & Penn. 4 Diptyque ‘Sapin’ candle, $111, from Mecca. 5 Round c1960s rattan Italian wall mirror, approx. $2141, from 1stdibs. 6 ‘Pop’ lamp in Turquoise Onion, $729, from Bragg & Co. 7 ‘Hibiscus’ teacup and saucer, $129, from Wedgwood. 8 Paul Smith slim-fit unstructured linen suit jacket, $1012, from Mr Porter. 9 Suede boat shoes in Beige, $495, from P. Johnson. 10 Joanna Buchanan ‘Evil Eye’ bottle opener, $169, from Amara. 11 Disaronno ‘Velvet Cream’ liqueur, $40/500ml, from Dan Murphy’s. 12 Baxter ‘Sorrento’ revolving armchair, $14,145, from Space. 13 Bugatti ‘Aladdin’ 24-piece cutlery set in Ivory, $545, from Harvey Norman. 14 ‘Sans Soucis’ in Special Colourway on Antique White Williamsburg wallpaper, POA, from de Gournay. 15 Salt & Pepper ‘Paloma’ coasters, $12/set of four, from Domayne. 16 Nick Fouquet ‘Tassilo’ felt fedora hat, $1627, from Matchesfashion.com. 17 Harago leaf-appliqué cotton-canvas shirt, $810, from Matchesfashion.com. 18 Dolce & Gabbana Spring 21 RTW.

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Jennifer Coolidge in The White Lotus (2021).

Tropical crush Let loose in billowing fabrics and gilded embellishments.

Produced by SAFFRON SYLVESTER 13

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1 ‘Acero’ dining chair, approx. $6175, from Kelly Wearstler. 2 Chanel Spring 22 RTW. 3 Charlotte Tilbury ‘Colour Chameleon’ eyeshadow pencil in Amber Haze, $37, from Mecca. 4 BDK ‘Velvet Tonka’ EDP, $329/100ml, from Libertine Parfumerie. 5 Business & Pleasure Co ‘Holiday’ beach umbrella in Antique White, $366, from Amara. 6 ‘Essential Cabin’ suitcase in Bamboo Green, $1070, from Rimowa. 7 Tekla cotton towels, $162/set of three, from Matchesfashion.com. 8 Vintage rattan and wicker palm frond club chair, $21,702/pair, from 1stdibs. 9 La DoubleJ ‘Opera’ silk dress in Crazy Tiger, $2006, from Matchesfashion.com. 10 Bottega Veneta ‘Feather Dot’ sandals in Flamingo Pink, $1770, from Farfetch. 11 Begüm Khan ‘Nazar’ crystal and 24kt gold-plated earrings, $933, from Matchesfashion.com. 12 ‘Gatsbys Girl’ scoop neck swimsuit, $299, from Camilla. 13 Aerin ‘Colette’ cane coasters, $399/set of four, from Palmer & Penn. 14 ‘Hibiscus Flower’ long pendant necklace, $1395, from Saint Laurent. 15 Palm tree floor lamp in rattan and bamboo, $14,101, from 1stDibs. 16 Ganni abstract print cotton voile sarong, $165, from Matchesfashion.com. 17 Le Specs ‘Hidden Treasure’ oversized cat-eye sunglasses, $117, from Matchesfashion.com.

BELLE PRESENTS

Dinosaur Designs Photography AL ANA L ANDSBERRY

ZEN

CENTRED

Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy’s artistic spirit infuses their vibrant vision at work and home. Here, Louise reveals the pieces lighting up the latest Dinosaur Designs collection and delivering style and cheer to their festive table.

This page, clockwise from top left Reference material fills every corner of Louise’s studio. Louise holds a Dinosaur Designs ‘Bold Pearl’ vase. Sculptures by Stephen Ormandy in his art studio. Louise Olsen x Alex and Trahanas ‘Amphora’ brass candle holders, $180 each, and ‘Horn’ candle holder, $320, from Dinosaur Designs. Candles, $79/set of six, from Alex and Trahanas. Dinosaur Designs platters from the Holiday collection. Opposite page Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy in Louise’s office at Dinosaur Designs’ Redfern premises.

What do you love about your space and how does it reflect the work that you do? What we like about this space is that it’s a moveable working space, it has tall ceilings and large windows, and lots of beautiful light. It’s important to have good light when designing a piece. The building also has a wonderful happy energy. Could you tell us about the latest Dinosaur Designs collection – what was your inspiration? The latest collection, Holiday, is filled with optimism, escapism and the sheer joy of the season. It truly captures the zeitgeist inspired by a sense of freedom, transporting us to faraway places with its vivid colours and bold sculptural forms. What are some of your favourite pieces from the collection? I love the colour relationship of this collection and the round organic forms. It’s hard choosing one piece over another – it’s like choosing your favourite child. I like to design pieces I feel people will love and cherish. How and where will you celebrate the festive season? We will be celebrating under the willow trees on a lake in the countryside with family and friends. Could you tell us about some pieces you will be giving as gifts? Holiday pieces from our new collection, Corey Ashford ‘Oyster’ brass incense holders and incense, and Louise Olsen x Alex and Trahanas handmade brass candle holders. How will you be decorating your festive table? Our table will be full of colour, flowers, bonbons – I’m excited to add our new candle holders I designed for Dinosaur Designs and also Alex and Trahanas. How would you describe your personal style – both in interiors and fashion? Artist studio, collage of inspiration, colour and texture, simple strong forms. What are your favourite summer scents? Ayu’s ‘Rumi’ and Grandiflora fragrance. What are some of the ideas,

colours and references shaping the collections you’re working on now? I’m working on a collection inspired by the art of Zen. Mixing a warm collection of colours. Loving deep coral-red lacquers. We have spent many years working and travelling in Japan, and I’m excited to draw from this inspiration and dreams of these journeys. What is your favourite regular travel haunt and where is on your must-see list? We are looking forward to catching up with our teams in London and New York. It’s been nearly two years. We celebrate 20 years of having our store in NYC. We always love to stop into Tokyo on our way to New York. What projects are you looking forward to working on in the coming year? Stephen and I will be exhibiting our new paintings at the Melbourne Art Fair with Olsen Gallery. Also looking forward to designing new collections for Dinosaur Designs, and working on my painting and sculptures in my studio in the countryside. dinosaurdesigns.com.au; @dinosaur_designs

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ST Y L I ST ’ S A S S I STA N T S V I E R A TOM A S I KOVA , K AT E L I N COL N , L E W I S G R A N T

Indulge in all the alfresco pleasures that summer has to offer with furniture and accessories that ace service and win a courtside advantage.

Photography EDWARD URRUTIA Styling K ATE NIXON

This page, from left Kristalia ‘Colander’ stool in polypropylene, $950, and ‘BCN’ stool in polyurethane, $895, both from Fanuli. ‘Oslo’ outdoor bar table, $995, from Coco Republic. ‘Mona’ vases in Umber, $69.99/set of three, from Living by Design. ‘Kafue’ plate, $45, from Sydney Design Agency. Axolight ‘Float’ table lamp, $700, from Mondoluce. Flexform ‘Ortigia’ armchairs in teak, POA, from Fanuli. Kristalia ‘Degree’ side table in polypropylene, $940, from Fanuli. Green marble tray, $139, from Maison et Jardin, and ‘Outdoor Crystal’ glasses, from $8.95/each, from Alfresco Emporium. Raffia hat, $99, from CASA by Kate Nixon. ‘Keva’ raffia bag, $108, from Maison et Jardin. Buxus japonica ‘balls’, $595/each, in ‘Veneto’ pots, $525 each, all from Garden Life.

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This page, top left Kristalia ‘BCN’ stool, $895, ‘Poule’ bar table, $1780, and ‘Sharky’ stool, $1620, all from Fanuli. ‘Outdoor Crystal’ glasses (throughout), from $8.95/each, from Alfresco Emporium. ‘Pesce’ pitcher, $79.95, and ‘Fusion’ tumbler, $29.95/set of four, both from Freedom. ‘Axis’ bowl (throughout), $109.95/with platter, from Few & Far. Poldina lamp, $325, from Parterre. Cylindrical stone urn, $599, from Maison et Jardin. Top right Ethimo ‘Kilt’ chairs, from $1465 each, and table, $6850, all from Fanuli. ‘Barry’ brass clam, $79, from McMullin & Co. ‘Cara’ table runner, $85, from Cultiver. Royal Doulton ‘Bowls of Plenty’ plates, $119/ set of four, from Myer. Napkins in Olive, $50/set of four, from Cultiver. Italian cutlery, $119/five-piece set, from Maison et Jardin. ‘Fusion’ wineglasses, $39.95/set of four, from Freedom. ‘Pod’ brown ceramic vases, $19.95/each, from Few & Far. ‘Gertrude’ terracotta vessel, $99, and ‘Nigel’ footed white ceramic fruit bowl, $109, both from McMullin & Co. Flowers from Mandalay Flowers. ‘Arancia’ painted ceramic oval platter, POA, from Alex and Trahanas. ‘Demi’ placemats, $71.92/ set of eight, from Living by Design. ‘Aura’ plates, POA, from Sydney Design Agency. ‘Otto’ napkins, $62/set of four, from L&M Home. Below Ethimo ‘Esedra’ sofa, $9390, from Fanuli. ‘Estela’ throw, $190, from Cultiver. ‘Montana’ striped cushion, $86, from L&M Home. Ethimo ‘Allaperto’ armchairs, $2180, from Fanuli. ‘Nova’ rectangle cushion, $92, from L&M Home. Domani table with ice bucket, $5950, from Parterre. Vase, $175, from Garden Life. Royal Botania ‘Glow’ lamp, $3325, from Parterre. ‘Zivah’ square linen cushion, $125, from Coco Republic. Flexform ‘Fly’ side table, $4650, from Fanuli. ‘Infinito’ sculpture, $5900, from Parterre.

This page Kristalia ‘Rest’ sunlounger, $4680, from Fanuli. ‘Cruise’ mini cushion in Saffron, $86, and ‘Burton’ throw in Blossom, $231, both from L&M Home. Raffia hat, $99, from CASA by Kate Nixon. Dedon ‘Porcini’ side table, $1945, from Cosh Living. Royal Botania ‘Dome’ outdoor light, $1995, from Parterre. ‘Blom Azalea’ pot, $49.95/large, from Provincial Home Living. Flowers from Mandalay Flowers.

TRELIVINGS INTRODUCES

A C O L L EC T I O N O F S K I N & B O DY C A R E W I T H T H E E X T R AO R D I N A R Y J A R R A H H O N E Y TA 5 0+ PAC K E D W I T H H I G H ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES AND BENEFICIAL ANTIOXIDANTS, SUSTAINABLY S O U R C E D F R O M T H E TA L L FO R E ST S I N W E ST E R N AU ST R A L I A .

TRELIVINGS.COM. AU | AUSTRALIAN OWNED, DESIGNED & MADE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO. FOR STOCKISTS CONTACT 08 8383 0715. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM OR LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @TRELIVINGS.AUSTRALIA. RESEARCH INTO JARRAH HONEY HAS FOUND THE ACTIVIT Y RATING WAS APPROXIMATELY 90% GREATER THAN THE AVERAGE ACTIVIT Y OF MANUKA HONEY. JARRAH HONEY HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE HIGHER ANTIOXIDANT STRENGTH THAN MANUKA¹. ¹ MANNING, R J. (2011), RESEARCH INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HONEYS. DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WA , PERTH. REPORT.

HOMES Breezy and easy or perfectly polished: an emphatic beauty unites this summer’s most glorious houses. Photography ANSON SMART

C H A R M E D, I ’ M S U R E The powerful individuality of this waterfront home captivated Richard Unsworth from the moment he saw it. Blue chair from Marrakech and French tiled bamboo table from Rudi Rocket on a Tuareg rug from Kulchi. Pendant light from The Society Inc. Grouped by the vintage wall light from Grandfather’s Axe, cockerel print from Rudi Rocket, two paintings by David Whitworth and Get Well Soon by Jake Walker. In the dining room beyond, vintage Parker chairs, table and Eames chairs. On the walls, an artwork by Evi O hangs with vintage prints by unknown artists. See Ship to Shore, p84.

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This page The boatshed is bathed in morning sunlight, making it a magical spot for breakfast or lunch by the water. Existing chairs were reupholstered in a vintage fabric. Glassware from Maison Balzac sits on a table that was a roadside find. Vintage Turkish hemp rug from Garden Life. The ladder hanging above leads up to the mezzanine sleeping quarters. Opposite page Vintage sunloungers overlook the tidal pool beside the boatshed.

Hooked by this charming property set in a quintessential Australian landscape, its owner is here to stay.

Words RICHARD UNSWORTH Photography ANSON SMART

SHIP TO SHORE

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This page The formal living room is lined with original timber from 1897, offset by a panel of vintage Swedish fabric from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald that hangs beside the door to the main bedroom. Cotton lantern from The Society Inc. above a Knoll ‘Womb’ chair and ottoman by Eero Saarinen from De De Ce and a pair of vintage goat-hair rugs bought in Konya, Turkey. Tom Dixon floor lamp. Brass planter from Garden Life. The steps to the left lead to the music room. Opposite page, clockwise from top left In the dining room, Evi O’s graphic artwork The Peach Tree Bears Succulent Orange and Pink Fruits is joined by a collection of vintage prints by unknown artists. Flos ‘Arco’ floor lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni from Euroluce. Vintage Parker and Eames chairs surround the dining table – also vintage – on a Tuareg mat from Kulchi. Candles by Tony Assness and Maison Balzac. Richard sits outside the boatshed in a favourite morning spot. Painted in discreet charcoal, the boatshed enjoys radiant sun at the start of the day while remaining cool with its coastal breezes and leafy surrounds.

rom my first visit to Trincomalee I was captivated and obsessed by the somewhat quirky house in its magical setting. I’m not sure what exactly it was that initially got me hooked. Was it the boat-only access, or the way the charming and slightly eccentric old house sat rather grandly in the bush, looking over the water between Lovett and Elvina Bays in Sydney’s Pittwater? It wasn’t like anything I’d experienced before. Arriving in Sydney in 1991 from the UK, I was intent on finding adventure and soon became close friends with Justine who had grown up at the house, and whose parents still lived there. I fell instantly in love with Australia, made my home in the sparkling city of pleasure and numerous orphan Christmas holidays were spent sleeping in the Trinco boathouse, which was always the choice of places to stay as far I was concerned – we didn’t have many of those where I grew up Yorkshire. Built in 1896, the house had a colourful and sad past. Initially a creative retreat for a budding Scottish opera singer, it was later owned by Neil Smith, nephew of Mark Foy, from the retailing family dynasty. Justine’s parents bought the house in 1979 from Smith’s estate. He had died without an heir, shortly after his only child, Juanita Nielsen, disappeared and was presumed murdered in 1975. Over the years I was fortunate to be a frequent visitor to the house, on occasion helping Mum Heather with the garden or just soaking up the magical energy of the place. Bordering a reserve to the north and being surrounded by majestic spotted gums and seemingly endless sandstone, nature is on the property’s doorstep. Rock wallabies bounce around the garden, kookaburras laugh together, and cockatoos screech as they »

These pages, from left The home’s original elements were retained and overlaid with vibrant art and vintage pieces in a spirit of spontaneity and eclecticism. Wraparound windows open the main living room to the romantic bushland backdrop. On a vintage French table from Ici Et La sits a green vase from Dinosaur Designs and a lamp from Rudi Rocket with shade in Marimekko fabric from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. A sofa from Grandfather’s Axe, Moroccan aluminum table from Garden Life and Danish De Luxe armchair from Collectika surround a coffee table by Eero Saarinen from Rudi Rocket with bowl from Dinosaur Designs. Rug from Garden Life. Flannel flowers and gumnuts from Grandiflora in vases from Dinosaur Designs. The wall above the stairway displays an assemblage of vintage and contemporary paintings, including the larger red and ochre work by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, the black-framed work by Jake Walker, and white-framed landscape to the right by Heather Johnstone. On the other side of the room, a table displays a plate from Dinosaur Designs, candle from Grandiflora, banksia from Bess, terracotta pot from Garden Life and a Cameroonian beaded head. The red cockerel is a vintage print from Rudi Rocket. A pair of timber-framed oil paintings by David Whitworth and another work by Jake Walker hang beneath a vintage Danish light from Grandfather’s Axe.

P H OTO G R A P H Y X X X X X X X X X

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« soar and tumble – it’s all so wonderfully Australian and all surrounded by the shimmering and sparkling water. In 2016, with our respective partners, Greg and Scott, Justine and I bought the house from Heather, thus keeping it somewhat in the family, and the journey for the next generation of custodians began. For me, the restoration of the garden has been one of the biggest pleasures and journeys of learning. When we first took ownership, noxious weeds were enveloping much of the grounds. We set about clearing and cleaning up the surrounding gardens so we could start to see what the lay of the land was underneath it all. I began to find large foundation stones of retaining walls that had long since disappeared and had been buried beneath the soil. I started to dig them up to re-use as we built stairs, restored walling and created stone seating that had to look as though it had always been there. The charming old southern cross windmill has been restored and is ready to pump water up to the tank for future garden watering. Joining the local bushcare group has taught me valuable lessons in revegetation and an altogether slower approach to gardening – using tiny tube stock rather than large, advanced plants and learning to be patient while watching the native grasses and freshly planted trees grow before my eyes. In the interior, the centre of the house remains largely original with a central fireplace and intimate inglenook which has a charming painting of Japanese sakura, dated 1897, sitting above it. Thoughtful renovations were carried out in the early 1980s, with huge care being taken to source rare and unusual »

This page, clockwise from top left The music room is furnished with flax floor cushions from Morocco and a vintage Turkish rug. The brass floor lamp is also vintage. Knoll ‘Tulip’ table by Eero Saarinen from De De Ce with glass from Maison Balzac. Window seat upholstered by Re-cover-e with cushions in Marimekko and other vintage textiles from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. Vintage cane table from Rudi Rocket. The Knoll ‘Womb’ chair and ‘Tulip’ stool by Eero Saarinen from De De Ce offers an appealing reading spot in the library where books fill the original shelves. Rug from Garden Life. A stepped pathway leads from the boatshed through sun-dappled gardens to the main house. In the formal living room, an original 1897 artwork of Japanese sakura is the centrepiece for the fireplace and inglenook, which was built by a Scottish opera singer. Fabric stools below and woven plates above, all from Marrakech. ‘Tulip’ table from Rudi Rocket.

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“... it’s all so wonderfully Australian and all surrounded by the shimmering and sparkling water.”

This page A French tiled and bamboo table from Rudi Rocket makes for a delightful writing desk, positioned with a blue fiberglass chair from Marrakech beneath a north-facing window that overlooks the gardens and fills the room with light. On table, pot with coral jade from Garden Life and glassware from Maison Balzac. The architrave displays a row of framed Moroccan postcards. Cotton lantern from The Society Inc. Tuareg matt from Kulchi.

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Sydney « Australian timbers to give a contemporary edge, creating an interesting fusion of the two periods. Our approach to furnishing has been somewhat unplanned and casual, bringing in vintage pieces and artwork with colour and interesting textures to offset the earthy tones of the walls. I’ve been somewhat addicted to collecting rugs and objects from sourcing trips overseas, so it was easy to bring in excess pieces that were in storage. There’s definitely a Modernist sensibility to the house yet at the same time I love the medieval mountain lodge vibe of the central lounge and master bedroom, the timber having never been painted in well over a century. For the last five years, this special place has been a haven and retreat from the fast and sometimes strange pace of life. All who visit Trincomalee seem to exhale and quickly melt into the gentleness. Year round it feels like a treat to be there, although summertime is particularly dreamy. Mornings are about wandering barefoot down to the water and ritual immersion in the pool. Long lazy lunches and afternoon naps, bushwalks up to the waterfall, or exploring Salvation Creek in a kayak – what’s not to love about all that? # @trinco_pittwater; @Richard_Unsworth; @gardenlifesydney

This page In the library bedroom, a Danish lamp from Grandfather’s Axe and vintage painting from Rudi Rocket hang above a bed dressed in linen from In Bed, Society Limonta and Bed Threads. ‘Tulip’ table by Eero Saarinen from Rudi Rocket with glassware from Maison Balzac. Opposite page, clockwise from top left Linen bed cover in the main bedroom from Society Limonta. Arne Jacobsen ‘AJ’ floor lamp from Cult. Ottoman re-covered in Marimekko fabric. In the hallway leading to the bathroom, vintage fabric was upholstered on the walls to bounce light and introduce brightness to the otherwise earthy space without painting over the original timber panelling. Artwork by Therese Sweeney. A porthole in the boatshed captures the Pittwater views.

SPEED READ » Garden Life founder Richard Unsworth first visited this house in Sydney’s Pittwater in the early 90s as a newcomer to Australia and a guest of the owners. » He remained a frequent visitor over the years and when in 2016 the 1896 property went up for sale, he collaborated with friends to buy it. » Bordered by a nature reserve, the home welcomes wildlife visitors, including rock wallabies, cockatoos and kookaburras. » Richard says the restoration of the garden has been one of his biggest pleasures and learning journeys. » The “approach to furnishing has been somewhat unplanned and casual”, says Richard, who brought in vintage pieces, rugs, objects and artwork with colour and textures to offset the earthy interiors. » For him, the property continues to play its role as a haven and sanctuary to which to retreat.

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Celebrity designer Laura Gonzalez works her playful magic on a Parisian apartment. Words + styling IAN PHILLIP S Photography STEPHAN JULLIARD

This page Laura says she wanted the apartment to feel like a “floating cloud” and has painted soft clouds on the dining room ceiling. The ‘Octopus’ table has a Persian red travertine top and tentacle-like oak legs and is from Laura’s in-house collection as are the ‘Mawu’ oak chairs upholstered in fabric from Hermès Maison. On top of the table is glassware from Mallorca-based producer Gordiola, which dates its origins back to the 18th century, and a set of tableware that Laura commissioned from the young French ceramicist, Forma. The artworks on the wall are a series of female nude drawings by Liechtenstein-born artist Manolo Valdés. The Giacometti-style plaster chandelier was bought at a Paris flea market. Opposite page Laura stands in the corridor in front of an artwork by Brazilian-born, Paris-based Daniela Busarello.

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This page Oak bookshelves line the walls of the family room with a ‘Fuji’ sofa and ‘Madras’ lacquered wood armchair, both from the Laura Gonzalez in-house collection. The ‘Byzance’ ottoman, designed by Laura, is upholstered in a fabric from Pierre Frey. The 1960s stainless steel and timber coffee table is in the style of Heinz Lilienthal, and was acquired from Original in Berlin. The rug was designed by French illustrator and textile designer Marguerite Le Maire. The custom plaster fireplace was created in collaboration with François Mascarello. Opposite page In the casual dining area of the kitchen, the Apparatus ‘Cloud’ chandelier is “a future classic”, says Laura. The bench is upholstered in a fabric from Hermès Maison designed by Scottish artist Nigel Peake. The chairs are the classic Knoll ‘Tulip’ by Eero Saarinen and the travertine table is a vintage piece from the 1970s. Artworks are by Alekos Fassianos.

hen French interior designer Laura Gonzalez started to design the principal bedroom of this 250 square metre-apartment in Paris’s 16th arrondissement her initial intent was to create a “very gentle, peaceful” atmosphere. “I wanted it to feel like a floating cloud,” she says. She installed a number of low-key elements – a natural bullrush rug, a Soho Home leather ottoman, and a pair of burlwood tables by Rose Uniacke. Then, she recalls, she got the urge to be a little more expressive. “I couldn’t help myself,” she laughs. “I had to add something.” That “something” turned out to be a fabric on the wardrobe doors by Jack Lenor Larsen with a geometric pattern and, for the bed, a plaid with a panther motif. “Since I started working for Cartier four years ago, I’ve become obsessed with panthers,” she says. The big cat is one of the legendary jeweller’s most enduring symbols. To date, she has worked on Cartier boutiques in places such as Zurich, Stockholm, Dubai and Madrid, and is currently revamping

the maison’s flagship store on New York’s Madison Avenue. Since setting up her firm, Pravda Arkitect, at the age of 24 in 2004, it is for such public projects that she has made a name for herself. Others include the Relais Christine hotel and the mythical Lapérouse restaurant in Paris (the latter opened its doors in 1766), and a Christian Louboutin store in Barcelona. Each displays a style that is as fresh and exuberant as the fast-talking Laura herself. She loves mixing fabrics and pieces from different eras, and describes her own work as being “playful”, “joyful”, “laidback” and “uninhibited”. Laura embarks upon residential commissions with far less regularity. “I’ve got to really hit it off with the client,” she explains. “For me, it’s very important that there’s a stylistic osmosis.” This three-bedroom flat had a number of added advantages. It is located in a quite exceptional Art Deco building designed in 1931 by architect Michel Roux-Spitz, and boasts large porthole-style windows, a courtyard decorated with fragmented mosaics in »

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“For me, it’s a colour. It’s neither white, nor cream. It creates a very calm, poetic ambience.”

These pages A totem-like sculpture by Laurent Dufour is an arresting feature in the living space. On the other side of the room, a lithograph by Pierre Soulages hangs above a 1950s piano from Danish maker Louis Zwicki and a ‘Trio’ ottoman with Damascus amber base from the Laura Gonzalez collection. ‘Soho’ armchairs from Laura’s in-house collection flank the 1960s travertine coffee table, on which sits a pair of crystal obelisks and two candle holders by Paris-based ceramicist François Roger. ‘Madras’ armchair in navy and backgammon table in onyx and Lucite, both from Laura’s collection.

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This page, from top In the living room, ‘Salvador’ sofa and ‘Soho’ armchairs, both from Laura’s collection. Candle holders by ceramicist François Roger and crystal obelisks sit on the 1960s travertine coffee table. The triangular ‘Bermuda’ occasional table, also from Laura’s collection, has an amber top with bronze feet. The Brutalist 1970s wall sculpture is by Willy Ceysens. The vintage floor lamp has been fitted with a shade made in an Hermès Maison fabric. Custom ‘Haberdasher’s Kitchen’ units by deVOL. The countertop is made from a French marble called Brèche de Bénou. Knoll ‘Tulip’ chairs, vintage travertine table and Apparatus ‘Cloud’ chandelier. The window looks into the family room. Opposite page One of Laura’s major additions was the Art Deco-style door frames, which are coated in marble powder. Custom chandelier in bronze and plaster by Patrice Dangel. The walls in the entry hall have a striped design created with plaster.

« black and white, and a stairwell with stained glass created by renowned artist Louis Barillet. While Laura says pure Art Deco is often a little “austere” for her ebullient tastes, she nevertheless loves its forms and also the fact that the period revolutionised the way people lived. “It did away with apartments where there were endless corridors and kitchens hidden away at the back,” she says. For her, the floor plan of this space was almost ideal. It is articulated around a central hallway which acts as a backbone. “There really is no wasted space,” she enthuses. She made very few changes to the layout, simply reworking the bathrooms and closing off a passageway between the kitchen and present-day family room. She also removed the 19th-century-style wall panelling that had been rather incongruously installed by the flat’s former inhabitants. Most of her own architectural additions were directly inspired by the Art Deco period, such as the gently rounded door frames and the custom plaster fireplace designed in collaboration with Paris-based artist François Mascarello. For the majority of the rooms, Laura opted for what she calls a “buttery” palette. “For me, it’s a colour,” she insists. “It’s neither white nor cream. It creates a very calm, poetic ambience.” That said, a project by Laura wouldn’t be a true Gonzalez project without a few bright pops of colour. They come here via playful textiles, a number of which she managed to acquire from Hermès Maison before the house made the decision to discontinue its fabric line. “They are both very elegant and a little quirky,” she says. “I’ll really miss them.” She is also a fan of New York-based Clarence House and particularly loves its ‘Congo’ print, featuring lions, tigers and zebras, which she used to clad the dressing room doors in the »

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« children’s bedroom. Other animal motifs come by way of rugs designed by Marguerite Le Maire. The one in the family room features a snake slithering sinuously through stylised vegetation. Laura’s approach to decoration is unashamedly maximalist. “I’m very attached to objects,” she says. “For me, they are what gives a home its personality.” And she is not necessarily preoccupied with their provenance. “I don’t need for things to be signed,” she says. “I’m not interested in their value – I just buy them because I fall in love with them.” In this apartment, she integrated numerous pieces from her recently launched furniture collection. They include the exquisite ‘Madras’ armchair, inspired by traditional Indian beds, and the ‘Trio’ ottoman, which she describes as being like a “tube of toothpaste” or “a large piece of candy”. In the dining room, her ‘Octopus’ table with its tentacle-like legs and Persian red travertine top has been placed underneath a ceiling painted with a cloud motif. “I often use skies on ceilings,” says Laura, “but never in grey because there’s nothing worse than a rain cloud, or in blue because they’re too classical and twee.” The most emblematic piece in the collection must be the sitting room’s backgammon table in onyx and Lucite. “It’s something that’s in my DNA because my father was a casino manager,” she says. “When I was young, we had a games room in our country house with slot machines and billiard tables. However, I was only allowed to play for an hour a day.” The rest of the time, the door was kept firmly locked. # lauragonzalez.fr

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SPEED READ » Interior designer Laura Gonzalez aimed to create a gentle and peaceful haven for the main bedroom of this three-bedroom Paris apartment designed by Michael Roux-Spitz in 1931. “I wanted it to feel like a floating cloud,” she says. » Low-key elements were installed, including a natural bullrush rug, a Soho Home leather ottoman and a pair of burlwood tables from Rose Uniacke. » Laura made very few changes to the layout of the apartment, reworking the bathrooms and closing off a passageway between the kitchen and present-day family room. She also removed the 19th-century-style wall panelling that had been installed by the flat’s former inhabitants. » For the majority of the rooms, Laura opted for a buttery palette, but added a few bright pops of colour via playful textiles, a number of which she managed to acquire from Hermès Maison before the house decided to discontinue its fabric line.

This page The bedhead in the master bedroom is upholstered in a Bruder velvet and the bed is laid with an Hermès throw. Laura designed the bronze-framed mirror. Leather ottoman from Soho Home, burlwood bedside table from Rose Uniacke and 1970s vintage lamp. Geometric fabric used on the wardrobe doors is a Jack Lenor Larsen design. Bullrush rug from Nobilis. Opposite page, clockwise from top left The guest bedroom wall is covered in ‘Velours Klee’ fabric from Clarence House, which Laura juxtaposed with a striped fabric on the bed. “I’ve always loved mixing textiles,” she says. ‘Bishop’ pink table from India Mahdavi and vintage wooden lamp from the 1970s. The design for the varnished walnut vanity in the master bathroom was inspired by sideboards. Laura designed the mirrors and their custom plaster frames were created by François Roger. The ‘Babylone’ stool has been upholstered in a bouclette fabric from Métaphores. Ceramic candle holders from Laura’s in-house collection. The mask on the left appealed due to its African connotations, which fit well with the Art Deco style of the apartment. Wall light from Maison Leleu. Laura covered the bedheads in the children’s room with ‘Amazonia’ fabric from Clarence House. The decorative pillows are from Pansu, a company that has obtained the licence to reproduce numerous well-known museum works. ‘Bishop’ tables and ‘Don Giovanni’ lamps, all from India Mahdavi. The walls are covered in a straw paper to add extra texture. Artwork by an unknown artist found at the Paris fleamarket.

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New South Wales

French antiques and luxurious finishes underpin the magnificence of this stately country home profiled in Melissa Penfold’s new book, Living Well by Design. Words JUDY PA SCOE Photography ABBIE MELLÉ Styling ISABELL A WALKER-SMITH

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This page A statement light fitting over the dining table serves as a focal point, not only of the room but also of the view from adjoining rooms. A c1750 French forged iron hexagonal pendant light with Gothic detailing hangs above a dark-stained timber table with scroll bracket feet. Upholstered club chair in shaded walnut finish and Swedish Louis XVI dining chair in polished timber. C1860 French repoussé brass-mounted cushion mirror. Rug from Cadrys. French doors throughout were restored. Opposite page The Boston ivy enveloping Wollumbi adds an extra layer of texture to the brick-clad house. Dry-stone walls and mature trees lend a sense of permanence to the property.

two-kilometre gravel drive through lush grounds with serried plantings of mature weeping willow and elm trees leads to one of the most spectacular country homes in Australia. Set in undulating farmland in the NSW Southern Highlands, Wollumbi Estate is now owned by corporate litigator Amanda Banton and her family, but it has passed through many hands since former prime minister Harold Holt held the title to the land. Fashion designer and entrepreneur Peter Weiss was châtelain for more than two decades, expanding what had been a “quaint” French provincial-style house and developing the land to include a vineyard and olive grove, as well as running prize Red Angus cattle. By the time Amanda took possession in 2016 the house was in need of an update. The cavernous rooms with their vaulted wooden ceilings, French doors, stone fireplaces and architraves had been a drawcard, along with the home’s secluded location and the substantial accommodation of seven bedrooms, but it was time for a fresh take. “The aim was to use the bones of the house and renovate with restraint to maintain the authenticity of the early 1900s structure,” says Amanda. We wanted to showcase the wooden panelled ceilings and beams and the white plaster walls. Everything needed an overhaul but it had to be in keeping with the original aesthetic.” It was a challenging project. All the internal fittings and fixtures were stripped out, the flooring replaced with European limestone downstairs and French oak boards upstairs. Wisteria and ivy that had broken through cracks in the walls had to be tamed, and waterproofing, rewiring and re-insulation undertaken. “Every time we touched anything it required full restoration including bringing it up to comply with the building code,” says Amanda. It took two years “until we were totally satisfied”, and the old shell had welcomed a raft of modern accoutrements – including underfloor heating, audio-visual and wireless speakers, top-of-theline kitchen appliances and luxurious bathrooms. While Amanda and her mother, Patricia – who managed the final stages of the renovation – took the lead on the design decisions, architectural advice was sought from antiques dealer »

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This page In the dining area of the upstairs apartment, a c1900 French bronze seven-arm chandelier hangs above a c1720 patinated Spanish walnut slab table with walnut and hide-upholstered chairs. Opposite page, clockwise from top left C1940 Genovese iron and crystal chandelier in the sitting room above a contemporary slate coffee table on a forged iron base from The Country Trader. Mirror to the right is late 18th-century Italian giltwood. Restored stone fireplace. An occasional dining spot has a circular slate table on an interlocking leg base and Italian-style chairs with intricately carved back details.

These pages The owner wanted a French-inspired kitchen that could comfortably cater for a crowd. A French antique iron butcher’s rack with antique copper pots and pans is suspended over a handmade Parisian-style boulangerie counter in Carrara marble with decorative gold detail. Timber and iron étagère holds china and cooking equipment on open shelves. Wolf appliances.

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« Geoff Clark of The Country Trader and he also assisted in selecting some of the standout antiques that now grace the home. The colour palette was changed to encompass neutral tones with a soft and matte finish and the exterior trims are now in a Parisian grey. Marble and stone have been lavished throughout to tie in with the original character and create consistency. “We wanted to keep the interiors light and simple, to let the unique features and furnishings speak for themselves. We sought a fresh, clean and uncluttered country-house style with a blend of French antiques – some from Lydie Du Bray in the Southern Highlands – and contemporary pieces by RH, B&B Italia and Knoll to bring luxury and comfort,” says Amanda. To ensure the house was flooded with natural light, windows and door openings were enlarged and skylights added, and Amanda eschewed curtains to allow the interior to feel luminous. One of the major tasks in the renovation was the creation of a significant kitchen that would be the heart of the home and offer the facility to cook and cater for a large number of people.

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It is now a showstopper with a French antique iron butcher’s rack replete with an assortment of antique copper pots and pans suspended above a handmade replica Parisian boulangerie counter in Carrara marble with gold decorative details. A timber and iron étagère displays china and cooking equipment on open shelves, and a battery of Wolf appliances offer the keen cook a sublime experience. Recessed lighting along ceiling beams and LED strips underneath the upper cabinets ensure even and copious illumination to all work spaces. The accommodation is spread across several wings and two storeys with a master suite (and a secondary master), an ‘adult wing’ of three self-contained king-bed suites, and a ‘children’s wing’ of two ensuite bedrooms. Bathrooms are luxuriously appointed with the pièce de résistance in the master ensuite being an Empire-style Italian 12-arm chandelier suspended over a Rajasthani bronze bath – a truly indulgent space. A complement to the sumptuous interiors are the gardens. Three large courtyards draped with roses and wisteria lead »

This page In the main sitting room, one of a pair of c1940 Genovese iron and crystal chandeliers hangs above a stone and iron-framed coffee table from The Country Trader. C1760 Louis XVI chairs with original gilt finish and hand-embroidered fabric. Belgian ‘Slope Arm’ sofa from RH. French 19thcentury painted tapestry cartoon in the manner of Teniers. Opposite page, from left The simple, round iron side table with concave cut-outs sits beside the fireplace with an antique French limestone surround. Antique oak Gothic-style mirror and French stone pots. In an attic room, a c1920 Flemish pewter chandelier with scrolled arms hangs above a ‘Cloud’ sectional sofa and ‘Baroque Capital’ coffee table, both from RH. A 19th-century French acanthus brasserie table and iron ‘Bell Clapper’ buffet lamp, also from RH.

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“ W E WA N T E D T O S H O W C A S E T H E W O O D E N PA N E L L E D C E I L I N G S A N D B E A M S A N D T H E W H I T E P L A S T E R WA L L S . E V E RY T H I N G N E E D E D A N O V E R H AU L B U T IT HAD TO BE IN KEEPING WITH THE O R I G I N A L A E S T H E T I C .”

This page A dramatic addition to this hallway is the late 17th-century Bordeaux limestone sculpture of a classic life-size female. Outside is a French stone urn on a Venetian-style plinth. Opposite page, clockwise from top left In the garden, iron-framed sunbeds from RH. In an attic bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and dormer windows, a Parisian architectural milk-glass brasserie pendant light hangs above ‘French Académie’ iron panel beds with footboards and ‘French Directoire’ glass column lamp, all from RH. Boston ivy covers the facade. On the wall beside the staircase is a pair of early 18th-century French timber blazons.

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New South Wales

SPEED READ » A magnificent estate in the NSW Southern Highlands has been lavished with luxurious fittings and antique furnishings by its owner, corporate litigator Amanda Banton and her family. » Set in 340 hectares the property features a characterful French provincial-style home enveloped by Boston ivy with French doors and attic windows opening to views of the surrounding lush gardens and bushland. » Amanda has completely renovated the property, laying limestone flooring downstairs and French oak boards upstairs, and restoring stone fireplaces, architraves and wooden beamed ceilings. » With the help of Geoff Clark of The Country Trader Amanda selected significant antique furniture and glittering crystal chandeliers from overseas, supplemented by pieces from Lydie Du Bray in the Southern Highlands, as well as splendid contemporary items from high-end US furniture company RH.

This page, from top In the hallway between the master bedroom and bathroom, a French Louis XV armchair and footrest with squab cushion in original grey paint and saffron Gaufrage velvet and one of a pair of c1680 columns with Corinthian capitals. Silk tribal rug under chair and Nepalese fertility rug in hall, both from Cadrys. On the wall are a pair of hand-carved French oak sconces. In the master bedroom, a ‘Machinto’ four-poster bed from RH is set against a backdrop of a pair of 18th-century Chinese-style mounted canvas screens. A 1940s Venetian mouth-blown glass lamp coloured with gold leaf sits on a Biedermeier bedside cabinet in burl walnut with a Carrara marble top. Opposite page A spectacular Empire-style 12-arm chandelier from Italy hangs above a Rajasthani bronze bath with incised line work in the master bathroom. Custom brass fi ttings from The English Tapware Company. Louis XVI armoire in black walnut with panelled doors and cast-iron hardware.

« off the house and are the setting for convivial dinner parties. The surrounding land consists of pristine paddocks, a river and around six hectares of parkland-style gardens with more than 200 mature trees. Dry-stone walls and buxus and viburnum hedging are enhanced by antique French pots, and urns on plinths lend a stately air. The vineyard and olive grove produce high-quality wines and olive oil, and the orchard and vegetable garden provide a sufficiently abundant harvest to supply the house with fruit and vegetables throughout the year. A century-old barn and chicken shed have been restored and reinvented as a retreat and games room. Above all, however, Wollumbi is a family home where several generations can gather together to relax, ride bicycles, play pool or ping-pong, and revel in the bushland setting, as well as enjoying the bountiful produce that is grown on site. # Living Well by Design by Melissa Penfold, principal photography by Abbie Mellé (Vendome Press, $70); thecountrytrader.com.au

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A contemporary reworking of the traditional has created a mesmerising home with an unbreakable link to history.

SUMMER LOVING Words DEBOR AH BIBBY Photography ANSON SMART

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This page The boathouse features ‘Twiggy’ furniture including the coffee table and dining table and stools, modelled from foraged branches and reclaimed wood by Melbourne furniture maker and landscaper Greg Hatton. Opposite page One of the oldest homes on Sydney’s northern shores, Ventnor was built by William Oliver and his wife Mary in 1862. William was the son of parents transported to Australia in the 1790s, his father Henry convicted for stealing bacon, a finger of butter and two ducks, and his mother Margaret for taking fabric and bread. William and Mary turned the property into a “food bowl” and working farm with goats, fruit and olive trees, and a bakery on site using local red gum to fire the oven. Salt was produced at nearby Scotland Island.

t’s hard to imagine a setting more beautiful than a historied home sitting on the very edge of a bay, perched high and with banksia-yellow shutters. It’s the kind of house you float past and dream of owning. Built in 1862, Ventnor is said to be the oldest surviving home in Sydney’s north and today it remains one of the most visually dreamy, with the beach on one side and a wharf and boathouse on the other. You can only access Ventnor by boat, and it’s after you dock that the magic happens. There’s a holiday feel in the air from the minute you step onto the jetty and approach the twinkling lights of the boathouse. This isn’t just any boathouse – the sweet little structure is set over mangroves, so you can watch the tide rise and fall and feel as if you might drift off to sea at any minute. Inside, the furniture is nature based, decorated with market finds and Greg Hatton’s ‘Twiggy’ pieces, including a glass-topped coffee table filled with corals and set with crystal decanters ready for a sneaky dram of whisky or two. The boathouse may be totally swoon-worthy, but more delights await as you make your way up the stone steps to the top of the hill where the main house sits. Owner Craig Andrade – a former lawyer and now founder of Raconteur, an artisanal luxury fragrance brand that specialises in natural Australian botanicals – jumps between days relaxing in the sun with his partner, entertaining family and friends, and zipping across the bay in his boat to his new store, The Embassy in Paddington. Visiting the Embassy is a sensory thrill, filled as it is with Raconteur candles, fragrances, handmade beeswax bowls and pendants, plus a careful curation of bespoke brands from around Australia. “We had chartered an old Halverson [boat] one weekend and by chance we’d moored in Lovett Bay and spotted the ‘for sale’ sign on the bank,” says Craig. “So we swam ashore, climbed up to the house and I immediately fell in love with its massive 150-year-old Port Jackson fig tree.” Ventnor, from the outside, reminded Craig of his childhood in Africa: “The old farmhouses, the big trees, the wide stone verandahs and the corrugated roof … I remember being in the veld, watching a thunderstorm roll in from up high, the rain on the roof, it was so evocative of all those »

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This page In the sunroom a grouping of Michael Hirst timber and leather safari chairs surround the vintage Minotti coffee table from Tarlo & Graham topped with chess set and vintage finds. Cushions on the bench seat are from Utopia Goods on Sydney’s Oxford Street and feature Australian native botanicals. The chandelier is a 1970s vintage from Milan in chrome and smoked glass. The rug is handwoven with palm reeds and leather and made by the Tuareg tribes of the Sahara in Morocco and Mauritania. Opposite page, clockwise from top left Ventnor can only be accessed by boat. Owner Craig Andrade commutes from here over Pittwater to his new store, The Embassy, in Paddington. The original fireplace was retained in the kitchen. Red Bottlebrush artwork by Melanie Vugich.

These pages Craig chose the eucalyptus tone in the kitchen to evoke the feeling of being under the forest canopy. The benches are topped in mirror-like stainless steel, which bounces light around the room. Craig’s dog, Charlotte, lies below. The original fireplace can be seen on the right. The large urn painting by David Band was a private commission from 1996. Erco lighting from Germany. Asko cooktop, ovens, combi-steam oven and dishwasher. Integrated refrigerator from Fisher & Paykel.

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“There’s a holiday feel in the air from the minute you step onto the jetty and approach ... the boathouse.”

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These pages “Ventnor from the outside reminded me of my childhood in Africa,” says Craig of the first time he saw the property, “the old farmhouses, the big trees, the wide stone verandahs and corrugated roofs. I remember being in the veld watching a thunderstorm roll in from up high, the rain on the roof, it was so evocative of all those memories – I was captured. We bought it the next week.” In the library and informal living room, the owner’s African origins are hinted at in the zebra rug which is laid on top of a seagrass mat. Vintage leather armchairs from Paris. Warmurrungu artwork by Nyarapayi Giles above the custom sofa, made by Surround in Melbourne, and a small work by Chris Orr titled Motherboard portal (verde) on the rear wall. Cushions on the sofa include one in light-blue script and another in yellow spots from Stylecraft, a beaded one from Africa, and two in French linen flour sacks with a navy stripe and red studs custom made by Greg Hatton. Vintage coffee table from Tarlo & Graham. 1930s brass French horn-style chandelier from Paris.

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« memories. My heart was captured and we bought the property the next week.” Owing to its age, the house needed quite a bit of work: a new kitchen and bathroom, plus all the plumbing, electrical wiring and water tanks needed replacing. “All the unsexy stuff,” he laughs. Craig had a clear idea of what was needed to gently update the home. He envisaged a new kitchen opening up to the dining area and retaining the double doors to the courtyard. Plus there would be a new bathroom and laundry – and that was it. His thinking was to keep the beauty of the other rooms intact and not to mimic the current trend for having everything open plan. Craig has kept the heart and soul of Ventnor but brought it back to life, all while adding a completely different atmosphere and personality. Benchtops in stainless steel – they bounce light around the room beautifully – are paired with joinery in eucalyptus green. “It evokes the feeling of being under a canopy of trees,” says Craig. The original fireplace in the kitchen was opened up to the garden, with huge steel doors on both sides. You can sit around the fire with drinks in the garden or enjoy it from the comfort of the kitchen. Craig learnt that the house once had a citrus orchard and set about returning the property to its roots and creating an abundant garden. “We now have a citrus grove, to honour the original owners of the house, plus we grow lettuce, tomatoes, artichokes, all the herbs, zucchinis, pumpkins and corn.” Today, when you sit in the pavilion under a lush passionfruit vine and surrounded by columns of jasmine, you see one of the most spectacular views Sydney has to offer – Lovett Bay on one side and Elvina Bay on the other. Still in its original spot, the bathroom now boasts a deep enamelled French cast-iron bath nestled under the window, and black and white heritage tiles on the floor. The wallpaper features native birds, handpainted by Kate Swinson; it’s how you imagine a glorious bathroom might have looked 100 years ago. The formal sunroom, with its lovely bay windows, perfectly frames the view of Lovett Bay. »

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This page The 15-year-old potted cactus in the courtyard travelled with the owner from St Kilda to Bondi to Pittwater. Opposite page, clockwise from top An outdoor marble washbasin, sourced from Fossil Vintage, sits on a custom bench made on site from railway sleepers. A c1780s Flemish brass chandelier from Miguel Meirelles Antiques hangs above the French farmhouse table from Izzi & Popo with vintage Thonet chairs from Fossil Vintage. The cabinet came with the house and was painted in Porter’s Paints ‘Breakwater’. C1960s vintage Gunda table lamp. The cane furniture, from a Southern Highlands antique shop, was painted and the striped cushion added. French linen grain sacks made into cushions by Greg Hatton. Coffee table from Terrace in Woollahra.

SPEED READ » One of the oldest homes on Sydney’s northern shores, Ventnor was built in 1862 by William Oliver, son of convicts transported to Australia in the 1790s, and his wife Mary. » Accessible only from the water with a beach on one side, and wharf and boathouse on the other, Ventnor is a classic farmhouse sited at the top of stone steps on a hill near Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. » Former lawyer and founder of Raconteur, an artisanal fragrance brand, owner Craig Andrade commutes across the bay by boat to his new Sydney store, The Embassy in Paddington, Sydney. » Craig has furnished the house with handmade furniture, Australian artworks, vintage pieces and contemporary designer wares. » The garden has been restored to the food bowl that William and Mary originally created and the house carefully opened up for modern life in and out of doors with a sophisticated but relaxed ambience.

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This page, clockwise from top left In the bathroom is a deep enamelled cast-iron bath from France and the floor is laid in heritage black and white tiles. The narrow hallways have not been ignored: outside the guest bedroom hangs a portrait of Marilyn Monroe wearing a gold lamé dress designed by William Travilla in a studio portrait of the star to promote Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). The striped throw on the guest bed is from Ralph Lauren. The master bedroom includes a sophisticated blend of vintage and contemporary pieces. Opposite page With the beach on one side and a wharf on the other, Ventnor can only be accessed by boat. The boathouse is set over mangroves where you can see the tide rise and fall. Coffee table and chairs from Terrace in Woollahra. Sunloungers from Jati.

« Brightly coloured and botanically inspired cushions from Utopia Goods soften the built-in window seat and are a cheerful counterpoint to the more minimal kitchen. From this room, you catch the view to the sandy beach below. The path of light, from sunrise to sunset, touches every space and there is quite literally not a room in the house without a view of the water. “The interior is an amalgam of our lives,” says Craig. “I don’t subscribe to a particular style. I love ‘maximum juxtaposition’, where everything has meaning and a story. There is no linear theme or crisp white rooms. Everything in the house comes from an interesting time and place in our lives and we’ve put it together without rules. Everything has a feeling or memory and, if it doesn’t, then I’m generally not interested.” There’s a wonderfully eclectic mix of vintage, high-end designer and modern furnishings. Comfortable leather safari chairs by Michael Hirst and 1930s armchairs from Paris sit happily alongside rugs handwoven by Tuareg artisans. Bursts of colour and pattern welcome you, but the true superstars of this home might just be its artworks: there are pieces by Gavin Wanganeen, John Olsen, David Band, Nyarapayi Giles, Del Kathryn Barton and Chris Orr – not forgetting the seductive portrait of Marilyn Monroe in a gold lamé dress that hangs in the hallway. There are reminders everywhere that this house belongs to people who love entertaining. Tables are set for indoor dining and outdoor dining, boules lie on the gravel just begging to be picked up, the garden is thriving and the vases are full of native botanicals that reach the ceiling. Everything is lush and generous. Ventnor’s location is simply magical. It’s located on the edge of Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park and, behind the house, a 20-minute walk sees you arrive at the base of Elvina waterfall, where water crashes down some 25 metres. “Adventures start right on the doorstep of Ventnor,” says Craig. “From the kookaburras that wake us up to the evening birdcall, we’re surrounded by natural beauty all day.” # theraconteur.co

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This page A pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror by Ettore Sottsass draws you into the entry hall. Articolo ‘Slab’ wall sconce from Est Lighting. ‘Venture Plank’ Blanco oak floorboards and stair treads from Havwoods. Chroma Satin stair stringer in ‘Relic150’ from Axolotl. Custom front doorhandle in Tiberio marble from Artedomus with aged brass trim. Walls in Dulux ‘Natural White’. Opposite page Louise Olsen ‘Seed Pod’ rug in pink tones from Designer Rugs was selected as an artwork for the living room floor. Fireplace hearth in honed Tiberio marble from Artedomus and surround in ‘Flute’ wall tiles in Epoca Blush from Skheme. Nichetto ‘Laurel’ side table from Spence & Lyda.

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Pinkly perfect Quirky touches, custom designs and a blushing palette bring a fresh, youthful energy to this clifftop home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Words JUDY PA SCOE Photography ANSON SMART

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ometimes grand plans don’t come to fruition but what occurs instead ends up being the perfect outcome. This was the case for the owners of this home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Their original intention was to do a massive structural renovation on the three-bedroom 1930s house. However, the costings were a little steep and so they realigned their vision to concentrate instead on making the interiors as beautiful and workable as possible. Interior designer Meryl Hare, principal of Hare + Klein, was engaged by the owners to make the best use of the house without increasing the footprint. “The home had been altered over the years in an ad-hoc fashion and there was no flow or logic to the layout,” says Meryl. She set to work to reposition rooms, relocate the staircase and introduce a youthful vitality to suit the family that includes two young children. With a standout location, perched atop a cliff overlooking the ocean on one side and a potential beach view on the other, the home had plenty in its favour. The plain, square lines of its architecture actually assisted in the reinvention of the interior. The original floorplan was outdated, with an enclosed kitchen set back from the living room and the steep, tight staircase positioned almost at the front door. Furthermore, the main bedroom was located in the converted loft – a cramped and inadequate space. Keen cooks and entertainers, the owners requested a beautiful and functional kitchen and wine cellar and a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor living areas and pool. Taking advantage of the house’s width on the side facing the view, Meryl created a new kitchen and expansive living area opening up to the outdoors. The requested wine cellar and a new powder room occupy the original kitchen space, and a butler’s pantry and »

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These pages, from left Kitchen benchtop and splashback in Brescia Capria Royal marble from Worldstone. Rangehood and overhead cupboard in Nickel Smooth Texture in ‘Pearl Patina’ from Axolotl. Joinery in re-toned fumed oak from George Fethers. Rakumba ‘Highline’ pendant light from Design Nation. Fisher & Paykel oven, Pitt cooktop and Zip HydroTap from Winning Appliances. Strong curved lines in the furnishings are juxtaposed against the square shape of the house. Bold hero sofa is ‘Valley’ from Jardan. Louise Olsen ‘Seed Pod’ rug from Designer Rugs. Pinch ‘Nim Crystalline’ coffee table and Nichetto ‘Laurel’ side table, both from Spence & Lyda. Custom pink wall sculpture by Dion Horstmans. Gubi ‘Beetle’ dining chairs and ‘3D’ bar stools from Cult and custom table with marble insets by Hare + Klein.

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This page, clockwise from top The living area enjoys mesmerising views of the ocean. ‘Valley’ sofa from Jardan. Gubi ‘Beetle’ chairs and ‘3D’ bar stools from Cult. Custom dining table and bench seat by Hare + Klein. Gabriel Scott ‘Luna’ chandelier in rose pink and gold from Est Lighting. Polished concrete floor. Splashback and benchtop in the bar area in Brescia Capria Royal marble from Worldstone. Joinery in Dulux ‘Forest Fruit Pink’. Jan Juc outdoor table and ‘Darwin’ chairs from Eco Outdoor. Terrace tiled in Garonne tumbled limestone from Eco Outdoor. Opposite page Pinch ‘Nim Crystalline’ coffee table and CTO Lighting ‘Oscar’ brass floor lamp, both from Spence & Lyda, and Moroso ‘Yumi’ armchair from HK Edit, all on a Louise Olsen ‘Seed Pod’ rug from Designer Rugs. Artwork by Kerry Armstrong.

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This page and opposite, top left A glamorous powder room on the entry level has a vanity in Tiberio honed marble from Artedomus. Flooring in Garonne limestone from Eco Outdoor. Antique wall sconce from Tamsin Johnson. Top right In the hallway, joinery in re-toned fumed oak from George Fethers. Articolo ‘Slab’ wall sconce from Est Lighting. Wall sculpture by Dion Horstmans. Falling and Soaring by Degrees artwork by Jo Bertini from Arthouse Gallery.

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“ THE CO NTRO LLED APPLI C ATI O N O F ‘B LIN G’ AD DS LI G HTNE S S AND SO PHIS TI C ATI O N.”

« laundry have also been incorporated. Understandably this new living area is the family’s favourite part of the house with the pool a constant drawcard for the two young boys. Other significant measures in the home’s revamp included moving the awkwardly located stair and changing it to an open-tread design to allow more light to flood into the lower level. This had the added bonus of creating a larger and brighter entry where the stair had previously been. To create a higher ceiling in the master bedroom the roof was raised and a new bathroom and dressing room added. A new window directed towards the ocean was incorporated. The children’s bedroom is playful and practical. Meryl transformed two poky bedrooms into one large room and a custom bunk bed is the central element, creating two individual yet connected spaces. As the boys grow the space can be separated. Curved lines echo those seen elsewhere in the home, with operable porthole windows a nod to the P&O architecture popular in the period when the house was built. Part of the owners’ design brief was for a slightly quirky aesthetic and a preference for shades of pink. These were applied liberally throughout – in the blush Gubi ‘Beetle’ dining chairs, the curved raspberry sofa and the burgundy-striated Tiberio marble.

The banquette with its “handbag-like detailing” and the bespoke dining table introduce another hue of the clients’ favourite colour, repeated in the fireplace and the joinery in the wine cellar. There are also unconventional touches, some of which continue the pink theme, including a pink custom Dion Horstmans sculpture and a pink mirror, ‘Ultrafragola’ by Ettore Sottsass, collected by the clients before the house was finished. Their love of art is reflected in the graphic ‘Seed Pod’ rug by Louise Olsen, which is like an artwork for the floor. “The home has a casual ambience but the controlled application of ‘bling’ adds lightness and sophistication,” says Meryl. When it came to the design flourishes Meryl played to the home’s strengths, introducing strong curved lines to juxtapose with the architecture – from the bold curved sofa and curved powder room mirror to circular motifs in the art, the round coffee table and the round marble insets on the custom dining table. The warm shades, robust materials and considered aesthetic promote a vibrant and harmonious mood throughout. The owners say, “The house marries our love of entertaining, food and wine with the functionality of life with two lively young boys. We feel very lucky to call this space home.” # hareklein.com.au; secretgardens.com.au

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This page, clockwise from top left In the master ensuite, ‘Neutra 6.0’ glass wall tiles in B Ferro from Di Lorenzo. Floor tiles and vanity top in honed ‘Grigio Imperiale’ limestone from Granite & Marble Works. Metal recessed pull handles from MadeMeasure. LED strip lighting from Tovo Lighting. The master bedroom has a serene ocean outlook. Joinery in the walk-in robe is Cellupal timber veneer from George Fethers. Leather recessed pull handles from MadeMeasure. Lee Broom ‘Mini Crescent’ pendant lights from Space. Opposite page ‘Joy’ armchair from Jardan and CTO Lighting ‘Oscar’ brass floor lamp from Spence & Lyda on a ‘Malawi’ rug in Blush from Armadillo.

SPEED READ » Meryl Hare, principal of Hare + Klein, was consulted on a complete revamp of the interiors of a 1930s house perched on a clifftop overlooking the ocean in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. » The owners wanted to make the best use of the house without increasing the footprint so Meryl reconfigured the layout, providing a better link between the indoor and outdoor living areas and pool. » The staircase was relocated, allowing for a larger and brighter entry, and bedrooms for the parents and two young boys were redesigned. » As a foil for the home’s plain square lines, Meryl employed strong curved and circular motifs both in furnishings and architectural details. » The owners’ love of all shades of pink has been honoured throughout from artworks by Dion Horstmans and Ettore Sottsass, to pink Gubi dining chairs and burgundy-striated marble.

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These pages In the dining room, a collection of antique books with vellum borders, including titles from the 17th century to the Napoleonic era, are housed in painted bookcases with mirrored backs. Dining chairs have woven linen upholstery. Sisal carpeting is “very forgiving and looks smart”, says Michael.

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LASTING IMPRESSION

Respected interior designer Michael Love’s home remains largely unchanged since 1986, a testament to his unerring eye for classic, understated style. Words JUDY PA SCOE Photography ABBIE MELLÉ Styling ISABELL A WALKER-SMITH

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This page, clockwise from top A cantilevered stone stair with a wrought-iron handrail still looks modern more than 30 years after the house was built. A 2ndcentury AD Roman stone funerary urn and a 19th-century Spanish fountain sit on a black-painted surveyor’s table in the hall. A 19th-century bookcase holds a Chinese bust. Shutters in the sitting room diffuse the Sydney sunlight. “They add instant glamour and make everything look fresh,” says Michael. Opposite page In the light-filled sitting room, an English screen with clear glass panels acts as a divider. Louis XV mahogany desk, English 1820s Regency chair, and contemporary lamps bought in St Tropez – “The lamps you have when you’re not having lamps as you can’t see the bases,” says Michael.

Sydney efined, elegant, timeless, the Sydney home of interiors doyen Michael Love is the epitome of good taste and perfect composition, with a soupçon of intrigue thrown in for good measure. ‘Stirred, not shaken’ – a twist on the catchphrase – would be an apt description for the cocktail of eclectic yet harmonious pieces he has assembled in his urbane abode that features in Melissa Penfold’s book, Living Well by Design. It is a home with a sophisticated allure that beguiles, whether by the soft glow of lamplight or bathed in bright, early morning sun. Set in a harbourside enclave in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the home is one of two houses reconfigured from a block of

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four flats by architect Susan Rothwell in 1986. Blessed with a felicitous position embracing water, trees and parks, copious birdlife, bobbing boats, benign neighbours and proximity to the city, the house is simplicity personified. A dramatic black front door announces the entrance, leading immediately to a 1.6 metre-wide stone staircase that provides both connection and a spine for the interior. A large sitting room on the first level spans the entire width of the home and is an object lesson in proportion, finesse and good editing. Windows placed with mathematical precision are large and shuttered, and nubbly sisal covers the floor. French doors offer glimpses and access to other parts of the home. »

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This page At one end of the kitchen is a French fruitwood table with painted Louis XV chairs overlooking a lush planting of palms in the garden outside. Opposite page, from top The sitting room with a view into the dining room. A Guy Maestri expressionist painting hangs above a commode along with drawings by John Olsen. Painted Louis XV chairs. In the upstairs media room, a large 17th-century Flemish tapestry is positioned above a sofa.

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« Plump, inviting sofas, an interesting caucus of chairs and shapely side tables are accessorised with notable art, antique artefacts, leatherbound books, gilt candlesticks and carriage clocks, spiced up with modern ceramics and lamps. Melissa says the house “bedazzled” her when she first visited many years ago. “It delighted me and made my blood pressure go up,” she says. “It’s proof that the more understated and elegant your interior the longer it will last.” Michael admits that little in the home has changed over the past 35 years. “I’m very content. I never think ‘I wished I’d done that’. I have the same paint in the hall and entry (Dulux ‘Eagle’) and it hasn’t been repainted since the 1980s. It has darkened over time and actually got better. You don’t have to knock down walls. You simply need to move things around to give a room a new look. It refreshes the whole space and is very satisfying.” One of the few changes he has made over the years is to the master bedroom suite on the top floor, where the guest bedroom and bathroom, and a glamorous media room are also located. The bedroom walls were originally upholstered with Christopher Hodsoll ‘Large Carolinian Stripe’ but he has recently switched to a luxe bottle-green cashmere to provide a more suitable backdrop for his collection of Old Master drawings. A favourite decorating trick of Michael’s is to use mirrors in unexpected places such as on the chimneypiece and behind bookcases to create the feeling that the room continues on and on. He says, “A mirror needs to be a surprise and make you wonder, ‘is that a mirror?’. It can’t be gauche. You can’t think, ‘oh, they’ve whacked a mirror in there’. It’s the quickest way to enlarge a space and add intrigue.” »

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« Similarly, Michael is a fan of shutters which he says make everything look fresh. “I replaced the curtains in the sitting room with shutters about 20 years ago. They add instant glamour and help almost any room look its best with filtered light while not letting you feel uncomfortably exposed.” French doors are another recurring classic, linking the sitting room with the book-lined dining room (the galley kitchen is tucked in behind), and to an east-facing vine-clad courtyard. More French doors at the northern end of the sitting room open to a large courtyard overlooking the park and Sydney Harbour. These courtyards are lush and private, planted with trees to manipulate perceptions of distance and depth, with plants “acting like curtains” to frame views. Plinths and urns, stone heads and foxed metal-framed mirrors mix with topiary in terracotta pots and massed creepers. “The idea is for a home and garden to be united as one,” he says. In fact, the house is so intimately connected with its surroundings that it creates a heart-stopping experience for Michael every time he comes home, as well as for his visitors. “It was simply a matter of making use of what was already on the doorstep,” he says. “The position was everything.” Melissa adds, “Place is where it all begins. The aim is to create your own world, a sanctuary, a place that feels timeless and sits happily in its location. Michael has imbued his home with a coherence that unites all the elements – decorating, landscaping, materials and structure – so they work together as a whole.” Says Michael, “The latest trend or fashion might be exciting for five minutes but timeless rooms work beautifully because they are aesthetically pleasing and functional. You want calm – I’m always trying to create harmony.” # michaelloveinteriordesign.com; Living Well by Design by Melissa Penfold, principal photography by Abbie Mellé (Vendome Press, $70).

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This page The master bedroom walls are covered in dark-green cashmere and hung with Old Master drawings dating from the 16th to the 19th century.

Opposite page Composition is everything, with art, artefacts and antique furniture a classic combination. “I want things to sit calmly. I’m always trying to create harmony,” says Michael. The bathroom is clad in Carrara marble with an early 19th-century Italian marble bathtub.

SPEED READ » Interior designer Michael Love has lived in his elegant Sydney eastern suburbs home since it was reconfigured by architect Susan Rothwell in 1986. » Perfectly proportioned with symmetrical features, the harbourside house’s three storeys are linked by a wide stone staircase. » Classic materials and colours, as well as furnishings and accessories collected years ago, have stood the test of time and Michael says he just moves things around to give the home a new look. » Shutters on the windows and sisal carpeting keep the scheme fresh and modern. » The outdoor terraces are a seamless extension of the living spaces and are filled with stone sculptures, foxed mirrors and pots spilling with greenery.

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This page Part of the beauty of this house is that it can only be seen from the water – it has almost no street facade. The swimming pool adjoins a private jetty, providing direct access to Sydney Harbour. Oriented to the north-west, the house enjoys views to Clark Island and the full span of the city skyline, Harbour Bridge, North Sydney and the lower north shore. Opposite page Occupying a steep incline allows this house to maximise the view. Its undulating silhouettes follow the shape of the coastline, with terraces folding out from every level.

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Anchored to a cliff, tiered terraces and soft curves flow over four levels to create a spectacular home on Sydney Harbour.

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Words CARLI PHILIPS Photography FELIX FOREST

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he owners of this home in Sydney’s Point Piper had long admired the house next door, so when the time came to renovate, they asked their neighbours – with whom they shared a driveway – who designed their house. Cut to a few years later and Sydney-based interior design and architecture practice Archer Design can now take credit for both beautiful homes. While the initial brief was for some minor works, the project quickly skyrocketed into a full gut-it-and-begin-again renovation. The owners sought a “luxurious, resort-like home that was comfortable enough for their small family but offered them the option for entertaining on a large scale,” says architect Richard Archer, the founder and design director of Archer Design. “The house was built in 2008 but it looked like it was from the 1980s,” adds Richard, who worked on the project alongside a tight-knit team, including senior associate Vince Vella, and with extra help from project co-ordinator Natashaia Steed. “Things were completely dysfunctional, so we stripped the house right back to its shell. It basically ended up being a carpark with a slab and columns. It was a complete leap of faith from the clients.” »

These pages A Minotti ‘Alexander’ sectional sofa from De De Ce provides the perfect perch for taking in the living room’s sweeping harbour vistas. Positioned across from it, on a rug from Whitecliffe Imports, are a Moooi ‘Bart’ swivel chair from Space and Baker ‘Wedge’ chair from Studio Cavit. Knoll ‘Platner’ side table and Minotti ottoman, both from De De Ce. A ‘Brancusi Spiral’ side table by Alexander Lamont from Milgate sits to the left of the sofa, while a Leger ‘Hamilton’ table from De De Ce displays a Tom Dixon ‘Bone’ brass bowl to the right. On the terrace, a set of Gloster ‘Grid’ lounge chairs from Cosh Living is arranged around a Minotti ‘Caulfield’ coffee table from De De Ce. Tribù ‘Contour Meridienne’ sunlounger from Cosh Living.

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This page, clockwise from top A Kett ‘Calm’ sunlounger is shaded by a Jardinico ‘Antego Square’ umbrella, both from Cosh Living. The client wanted instant results, so landscape designers Wyer & Co. brought in mature plantings. The sandstone wall and an external staircase needed to be reshaped. “We followed the topography of the land to expose and direct views towards the harbour,” says Anthony Wyer, creative director of Wyer & Co. Thierry Gaugain’s spectacular ‘I.Rain’ custom pendant light for Blackbody is suspended from the ceiling and drops through every level of the house. Painting by Kevin Chin and sculpture by Clement Meadmore. The bar’s white onyx is lit to perfection while the bar itself is Calacatta Verde marble. Sculpture by Simone Fraser. Opposite page, from top Extending from the kitchen is a bar that wraps around the home’s glass lift. The bar’s cabinetry is inset with bronzed mirror and paired with ‘Sophie’ stools from Poliform. Kitchen benchtops are Corian in Glacier White. The curves mimic the architecture’s lines. Miele oven and KWC ‘Eve’ tap from Winning Appliances.

« The cliffside property tumbles down over four levels, each one with undulating, sinuous terraces and jaw-dropping views of Sydney Harbour and beyond. While the house isn’t visible from the street, neighbouring sightlines meant privacy was still a concern. The solution came by way of lush plantings that now envelop the property, cultivating a tropically tiered scheme and minimising compromising views. The clients wanted quick results and requested mature plants, but the sloping site was difficult to access, making the process extremely difficult and requiring all manner of cranes and barges. A clear lift spears through the house but the real drama lies in its circular staircase, illuminated by a shower of small lights raining down from a single pendant. Walking up from the basement, the first level hosts private quarters: a bedroom and ensuite, plush library and sprawling master bedroom with two walk-in robes. The ultra-luxe master ensuite is both contemporary and classic, boasting artisanal elements such as a coffered ceiling with champagne silver leaf and an intricate Hervé Van der Straeten pendant light in golden-brown patinated bronze with a glossy black Knoll ‘Tulip’ table underneath. Here, as in the master bedroom, the ceiling stretches up to over four metres and its incredible new volume is thanks to the removal of airconditioning ducts. “We still wanted the larger spaces in the house to feel protected,” says Richard, “so we used soft curves that simulate the curves of the harbour. We didn’t want the house to feel angular or stressful, it needed to feel peaceful and calm.” Upstairs is the study and another bedroom with a blood-red rug and wall of concave windows offering yet another aspect out »

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This page, clockwise from top An artwork by Ildiko Kovacs presides over the sitting room. Minotti ‘Lawrence’ sofa and ‘Blake’ swivel armchair, both from De De Ce. ‘Soori Highline’ armchair from Poliform with Meridiani ‘Judd’ coffee table and Bolier console tables, both from Studio Cavit. The artwork above the mantel is by Charles Blackman. Rug from Whitecliffe Imports. Curtis Jeré nickel lamps from Talisman London. In the master bedroom, the owners’ existing chinoiserie console sits below an artwork by Tim Maguire. In the library, the Minotti ‘Pollock’ sofa is paired with Minotti ‘Jacques’ swivel chairs, all from De De Ce. Baker ‘Blade’ ottoman from Studio Cavit on a rug from Stark Carpet. Artwork by Bill Henson. Silver leaf was used on the ceiling coffer and the fireplace surround is Calacatta Verde marble. Opposite page In the dining area, the Minotti ‘Dan’ table is teamed with ‘Grace’ chairs from Poliform. Above hangs a custom Ferro Vitro pendant light in blackbronze steel and handblown glass from Cox London. Ombré artwork by Jonny Niesche. On the console is a sculpture by Gianfranco Meggiato.

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“A L A R G E M I R R O R I N T H E F O R M A L D I N I N G S PA C E R E F L E C T S T H E H A R B O U R , S O N O M AT T E R W H E R E YO U S I T T H E R E ’ S A LWAY S A V I E W.”

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SPEED READ » Archer Design was engaged to transform this property in Sydney’s Point Piper into a luxurious and resort-like home that would also be comfortable and easy to entertain in on a large scale. » Located on a steep cliff, the house tiers down four levels, each with curvaceous balconies. » While large, the property is virtually invisible from the street. » All the generous lounges open directly onto terraces, with the exception of the book-lined library, which has been designed as an insular retreat. » In a nod to the ever-changing light of the harbour and glint of the water, shimmering accents and mirrors have been used throughout. » Landscapers Wyer & Co. created a jungle-like planting scheme. » The trees and plants were all brought in via barges and cranes, because the owners wanted the garden to be ‘instant’. » On the ground-floor pool level, a jetty leads directly to the water.

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This page, clockwise from top right In the master ensuite, a Knoll ‘Tulip’ stool by Eero Saarinen from De De Ce is positioned under the Arabescato marble make-up bench and joinery in Environ Silver Strata timber from New Age Veneers. The space stars an eye-catching Jehs + Laub ‘Crown Major’ chandelier from Mondoluce. Sussex ‘Calibre’ basin mixer in Matt Gold from Reece. The guest bedroom features a bold Zhang Chen artwork, Minotti ‘Harvey’ night-storage unit from De De Ce and a ‘Manhattan’ rug in a custom colour from Whitecliffe Imports. Existing bed and armchairs. Opposite page Another ensuite has a custom coffered ceiling with a champagne silver-leaf finish. The Victoria+Albert ‘Barcelona’ bathtub from Domayne is paired with a Sussex ‘Scala’ bath filler from Reece. Hervé van der Straeten ‘369 Lustre Micmac’ pendant light. Tom Dixon candlesticks on a Baker ‘Tic Tac’ table from Studio Cavit.

« to verdant greenery. Capping off the top floor is the living room, alight with a burnt-orange rug under a 5.3-metre-long Minotti sofa. At the back of the room is a formal dining space with a large mirror, its clever positioning reflecting the harbour so no matter where you sit, there’s always a view. The whole area was designed with a “little bit of theatricality and fun,” says Richard, referencing the constellation of a custom multi-arm black and bronze steel pendant light by Cox London over the dining table. Six-metre-long sliding doors open out to the balcony, but it’s at dusk – when the city lights and sparkling waters of the harbour are reflected in the bronze mirrored wall panels – that Richard says the incredible vista is at its absolute best. In the corner sitting room, dense greenery peers through sheets of glass that run the perimeter of the room. “It has a resortlike feel, and with everything open it really feels as though you’re living on a boat in the harbour … but also in the jungle,” he says. The new kitchen follows the existing curvature of the building, with rich-chocolate joinery topped with Corian benchtops in crisp Glacier White. Despite the opulence of the home, this is one area where overt practicality reigns. “The clients weren’t interested in endless maintenance – especially when it came to red-wine stains. This house is all about living luxuriously but also comfortably. And, most important, joyously.” # archerdesign.com.au; wyerandco.com.au

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ON THE GRID Bold yet sympathetic design elements have allowed old and new to meld in this period home.

Words STEPHEN CR AF TI Photography DEREK SWALWELL

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These pages The original Arts and Crafts-style roof creates an interesting contrast with the home’s new, modern silhouette. Lace leaf maples, Japanese maples and a Judas tree planted by Eckersley Garden Architecture soften the geometric lines of the glass dining room. The concrete garden pavers were poured in-situ.

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et in Hawthorn’s heritage-listed Grace Park Estate, this Arts and Crafts-style home lures visitors inside through its arched entrance. Complete with box bay leadlight windows framed by terracotta-shingled tiles, the house instantly transports you back to the time the original architect, Christopher Cowper, was applying the finishing touches. “There was an immediate attachment,” says Helen, who lives in this house with her husband, Bruno, an adult son who has briefly returned from overseas, and their two dogs. The couple had been living in New Caledonia and had always planned to return to Melbourne, purchasing this house 20 years ago and living here for many years before commissioning architect Rob Kennon. Unlike many period homes of this era (circa 1910) that have undergone numerous renovations and are often stripped of original fittings, this house was in fine order, with a perfectly functional 1980s addition oriented to a northerly rear garden. “There were a few minor issues such as the zigzag-shaped passage at the core that connected the past to the more recent work. And it was also fairly dark, lacking natural light,” says Helen, who recalls the heavy timber touches associated with the Arts and Crafts style. Although the dining and living areas of the 1980s extension were adequate, the kitchen was designed as a one-person affair. “We initially approached an interior designer, but realised that it needed more than decoration,” she adds. With five bedrooms, two living areas and sufficient bathrooms, the couple’s brief was certainly not to extend, but rather more importantly, to enrich the spaces, both existing and new. “Rob’s a great listener,” says Helen. We put forward all our thoughts and things we had seen. But we wanted his design and not simply a collage of images brought together.” »

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This page A delightful steel and glass armoire, conceived by Rob Kennon Architects, creates a subtle ‘veil’ between the kitchen and dining area. And when a more intimate mood is required, a continuous curtain from Life By Shades in the dining room can envelop dinner guests. ‘DC09’ chairs and Johansen dining table, all from Great Dane. Above the table hangs an ‘Arctic Pear’ chandelier from Ochre Lighting. Opposite page, from top Extensive built-in bookshelves in the informal living area were backed with a special felt for acoustic control. The ladder was created by Rob. ‘Valley’ sofa from Jardan. ‘Spanish’ chair in oak and leather by Børge Mogensen from Great Dane. In the far right corner stands a Flos ‘IC’ floor lamp by Michael Anastassiades from Euroluce. On the window ledge is a Cappellini ‘Jana’ vase by Antonio Forteleoni from Cult. Outside the new extension, the hardness of the concrete, glass and steel surfaces is offset by planters filled with fringed iris by Eckersley Garden Architecture.

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These pages In the kitchen, the ‘waffle’ ceiling is punctuated with four skylights, so there is constant change in the quality of the light. The architect also carefully modulated the light and garden views through the orchestration of windows, with some of these apertures capturing intimate views of the garden, designed by Eckersley Garden Architecture. The ‘Highline’ suspension light is from Archier and the curtains are from Life by Shades. The brass island bench was inspired by a similar design seen by the owners in a Canberra restaurant. On the island bench, the Poltrona Frau ‘Gli Oggetti Pura’ bowl is from Cult, as are the white vessels on the rear bench.

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“I FELT THAT IT WA S IMP O RTANT TO CRE ATE THE RI G HT BAL AN CE, B OTH IN SC ALE AND FEEL, WHEN D E SI G NIN G THE NE W LIVIN G WIN G.”

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Melbourne « Rob has touched every room and surface, while respecting Cowper’s ‘signature’ and making changes that respond to contemporary living. Walls, including the timber panelling, have been painted in soft greenish grey to lighten the interiors, with a polished concrete floor extending from the front entrance through to the back door. “The arrangement of the original staircase was, like the former passage, quite awkward to navigate,” he says. “I also felt it was important to create the right balance, both in scale and feel, when designing the new living wing.” One of the design cues for the distinctive concrete coffered ceiling in the new kitchen and living areas came from the original grid-like timber strapping in the entrance. But unlike this treatment, the new ceiling is chunky, with 400mm alcoves that add depth. Punctuated with four skylights, there’s constant change in the quality of the light. And while Rob addressed his clients’ brief for the kitchen, they were keen to include a brass island bench – something the couple had seen in a restaurant in Canberra. Extensive shelves were also added to accommodate their books and objects. Another innovative element incorporated by Rob is the ‘curtain’ at the core of the house – rather than fabric, some of the rooms on either side of the passage are clad in timber battens. One timber-battened door reveals an ensuite bathroom for the son’s bedroom, while another one leads to a laundry and a nifty cellar tucked below the new oak-tread staircase. And to break the ‘journey’ along the passage, Rob created a timberlined alcove for the couple’s collection of Lalique objects. When it came to reworking the parents’ retreat on the first floor, it was again with a light touch. The 1980s bathroom was updated, substituting it for a more streamlined marble affair, while new cupboards were installed along each of the two passages, including a three-dimensional dressing area lined with mirrors. For Helen, the mission of melding old with new has been accomplished. “We’re extremely conscious of the home’s heritage,” she says, pointing out the original watercolour plans produced by Cowper more than 100 years ago. “But we equally admire what Rob has achieved.” # robkennon.com; e-ga.com.au

This page In the parents’ retreat on the first floor, the 1980s bathroom was substituted for a more streamlined marble affair with tiles from CDK Stone and shower rose and taps from Astra Walker. Opposite page, from top Marble surfaces give a luxurious look to the the newly renovated ensuite bathroom. On the vanity are a vase by Ella Bendrups and Kirsten Perry sculpture, both from Craft Victoria. Sumptuous bed linen and cushions in rich colours from Jardan as well as a Baxter ‘Nepal’ chair by Paola Navone from Space bring softness to the clean lines of the modern bedroom.

SPEED READ » The owners of this Arts and Crafts-style residence in Melbourne formed an immediate attachment to the home, which was designed by Christopher Cowper and built around 1910. » After buying the house 20 years ago, they had lived there for many years and had returned after living overseas. » They hired Rob Kennon from Rob Kennon Architecture to bring his ideas to a reimagined, updated design. » Every room and surface has been modernised, while respecting Cowper’s signature. » Among the most distinctive new features are the coffered ceiling, polished concrete floor, steel and glass armoire, brass island bench and the ‘glass box’ extension housing the dining area. » The architect also orchestrated the windows to maximise views to the garden, designed by Eckersley Garden Architecture.

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Built to impress by the power elite, this imposing heritage home reveals a softer side as a comfortable family dwelling that’s contemporary, stylish and approachable.

FEELING GRA N D Words STEPHEN CR AF TI Photography TOM BL ACHFORD Styling BE A & CO

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These pages, from left A custom-mixed Dulux blend matches the original colours trimming the exterior of the heritage bluestone house. Landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture. Haymes ‘Modesty White’ adds a crisp edge to the entry with its decorative plasterwork on arches, columns and the ceiling, from which hangs an Intueri ‘Bullarum SI-4’ light from In Good Company. Custom ‘Sencillo’ rug in Plum from The Rug Establishment over original floorboards which were re-finished. Artwork by Alma Figuerola, a previous resident of d’Estaville, from Leonard Joel. ‘Stamp’ console from Grazia&Co with ‘Basin’ vase in Cobalt Blue from Urban Eden, Arita Japan flower plate from Well Placed and New Volumes ‘Hemera’ desk lamp by Ross Gardam from Cult. Large artwork above is Le Vol by Valerie Sparks from Fletcher Arts.

This page, clockwise from top left Le Vol by Valerie Sparks from Fletcher Arts. ‘Stamp’ console from Grazia&Co with ‘Basin’ vase from Urban Eden, Arita Japan plate from Well Placed and New Volumes ‘Hemera’ desk lamp by Ross Gardam from Cult. Intueri ‘Bullarum SI-4’ pendant light from In Good Company. ‘Sencillo’ rug in Plum from The Rug Establishment. The front door sports a smack of Dulux ‘Symphony’ red. An oversized mirror from West Elm hangs above the fireplace surround on which sit ‘De Crecy’ beeswax candles from Tow and Line. Opposite page On a Kundan Collection wool and silk rug from Loom, Italian mid-century sofa from Geoffrey Hatty Applied Arts reupholstered in Pollack ‘Solo’ velvet in Butternut with yellow velvet cushion from House of Orange. ClassiCon ‘Bell’ coffee table by Sebastian Herkner from Anibou with large resin ‘Pebble’ vase from Dinosaur Designs and a vintage round amber glass ball. Cut-glass vases by Brian Tunks on the owner’s pedestal table. Curtains in ‘Laconia Air’ linen from Mokum. Gubi ‘Semi’ pendant light from In Good Company.

tretching out over several street frontages and still occupying an impressive plot of 2600 square metres (once more than 13 hectares), this imposing bluestone mansion in Kew is one of Melbourne’s most significant homes. D’Estaville was originally built in 1859 in the Classical Revival style for Victoria’s first attorney-general, Sir William Stawell. Designed by Knight & Kerr, the architects responsible for Victoria’s Parliament House, it’s the only private home built by the eminent practice. And what a truly extraordinary property it is. “I recall being told that if you were serious about entering parliament, the first step was to live in a great house, giving you credibility,” says architect Brett Nixon, director of NTF Architecture, who worked closely with the practice’s project architect Ben Ellul, interior designer Tess McKinlay and heritage consultant Miles Lewis. Others such as Richard Hall & Son added touches with some of the furnishings and Eckersley Garden Architecture (EGA) put its indelible stamp on the verdant garden, both now and prior to the recent owners purchasing it. Brett and his team were mindful of the home’s importance even before they were given the commission to create a family home for a couple with two children, three dogs and a cat. There were obviously the home’s fine bones, with its impressive stately rooms and exquisite embellishments, many of which can be traced back to the early 20th century, when d’Estaville was renovated in the Art Nouveau style. So, while the exterior has quite a sombre feel, the more formal »

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The northern wing was opened up with a series of arches to loosely delineate the more informal zone. This page The northern wing was opened up with a series of arches to loosely delineate the more informal zone with the main dining area at one end, next to the kitchen. Painted in a serene deep blue, Dulux ‘Kenepuru’, the long hallway accommodates a pair of pink-upholstered Ligne Roset ‘Togo’ chairs from Domo, which offer a luxurious stopping-off point. Small ceramic plinth in Shibori Blue as side table from Makers’ Mrkt. A large white planter from The Plant Society holds a fiddle-leaf fig. ‘Colchester’ smooth engineered floorboards from Woodcut. Opposite page Derlot ‘Nepal Flat’ pendant light from Living Edge hangs above one of several new banquettes built in around the house, this one upholstered in Lustrell ‘Charisma’ fabric from Warwick Fabrics. Square timber table from Mark Tuckey with Fink + Co carafe and beakers in primary colours. Blue ottoman, stylist’s own.

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This page On a circular European ‘Adarra’ sisal rug from International Floorcoverings, ‘Cog’ dining table from Mark Tuckey attended by ‘No.811 Hoffmann’ bentwood and woven cane chairs from Thonet with Brick sculpture by Kristina Dam Studio from Designstuff. Gubi ‘Multi-lite’ pendant lights from Cult. Opposite page North Johnstone River #1 by Matthew Stanton is framed by a wall painted in Dulux ‘Kenepuru’. ’Prop’ stools from Great Dane at the island bench in Silver White stone from G-Lux. ‘Eccentric’ kitchen mixer and spout from Rogerseller. ‘Highline’ pendant light from Archier. Fluted glass cabinets made by Exclusive Cabinets with metalwork by MGS Constructions. On rear bench with splashback also in Silver White stone from G-Lux, Bois de Vincennes at Night artwork by Samuel Condon from Studio Gallery, large ‘Zephyr’ vessel in Hot Mustard from Urban Deco, stylist’s own pot, and Menu brushed brass and walnut grinders from Designstuff. Scallop artwork by Honey Long and Prue Stent from Arc One Gallery.

Melbourne

« rooms at the front of the home are sumptuously appointed with intricate plaster ceilings featuring floral motifs, wide skirting boards and embellished over-mantles, each one different to the next. Rather than simple doors separating spaces, there are arched enfilades edged with decorative columns. However, when Brett’s clients purchased the home, it was a somewhat faded beauty with a faux Victorian addition from the mid-1990s. And while the EGA garden softened the edges, it was a little too formal for clients who don’t claim to be keen gardeners. “The feel of the house was quite intimidating when we first inspected it, but we could see its potential in becoming a more relaxed contemporary place, where our children and their friends, along with our pets, are free to roam,” says the owner. NTF Architecture literally touched every surface, including exterior tuckpointing, inserting new oak floors where needed and opening up spaces while enclosing others. One of the main architectural gestures was to open up the northern wing with a series of arches to loosely delineate the more informal zone. At one end is the main dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, and then there’s a procession of rooms, including a pantry, study nook and informal meals area, together with a rumpus room that leads to a highly appointed gymnasium. And along the way is built-in banquette-style seating, framed by steel-finished enclaves that allow the garden, swimming pool and northern terrace to be fully embraced. “With the original home, along with the renovations in the 90s, some spaces needed to be opened up to create a sense of

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fluidity,” says Brett, who was mindful of how the house was going to be used, both by the family for everyday use, and for visitors (there are two entrances, both from different sides, one leading from the garage and the other along a more formal side path). Unlike the period home with its highly decorative flourishes, the northern wing, including the kitchen, is pared back. But this was delivered with an extremely deft touch. The kitchen, for example, features a generous island bench, benches and a splashback, all in marble, and a reeded glass-fronted cabinet which blurs the objects and utensils inside. To provide symmetry as well as dissolving the junction between the past and present, Brett included a nifty reeded glass and steel screen and door which creates a subtle threshold between the two parts of the house. “One of the challenges was working with the different scales in the house, whether it was the rooms or the ceiling heights, creating a cohesive rather than a disjointed feel,” says Brett. The owners were also keen to include flywire doors in the new alcoves leading to the terrace. This could have been possible, but given the strict heritage guidelines for this home of State significance, they could have muddied the purity of Knight & Kerr’s original design. Instead, there are ingenious steel-covered panels in the blade walls that reveal flywire. Likewise, the new glass and steel doors in the dining area framing the built-in window seat can be opened completely during warmer months. These deep window and door reveals complement the home’s chunky bluestone walls. »

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This page, clockwise from top left ‘Reeno’ chairs from Grazia&Co, ‘Vista’ sofa from Jardan and Ligne Roset ‘Space’ coffee table from Domo with Collar sculpture by Anya Pesce, all on a ‘Wega’ rug from Halcyon Lake. Large artwork by Imants Tillers and two framed limited-edition prints from Basil Hall Editions. Gubi ‘Semi Flat’ pendant light from In Good Company. The family’s dogs have the run of the garden. ‘Tidal’ outdoor chairs from Tait. Apex Welding & Steel Fabrication made the wine storage and the marble-topped table on which stand ‘Mirage’ glassware from Citta Design. Opposite page Accessed via metal-framed doors from Vince Turner Design, the living room includes ‘Milo’ modular sofas from Jardan with patterned velvet cushion from House of Orange. Herman Miller ‘Ball’ pendant light by George Nelson from In Good Company. ‘Fred’ coffee table from Jardan. Small artwork by Emily Ferretti. ‘Laconia Air’ sheer curtains in River from James Dunlop Textiles.

SPEED READ » This Classical Revival home was built in the late 1850s for Victoria’s first attorneygeneral, Sir William Stawell, and the only private residence conceived by architects Knight & Kerr who also designed the state’s Parliament House. » Originally encompassing more than 13 hectares in Melbourne’s Kew, the imposing bluestone mansion still occupies an impressive 2600 square metres and is one of the city’s most significant homes. » NTF Architecture director and architect Brett Nixon and his team were commissioned to create a family home for a couple with two children, three dogs and a cat. » When Brett’s clients purchased the home, its glory was somewhat faded with a faux Victorian addition from the mid-1990s and a prior renovation in the early 20th century when many Art Nouveau touches were added including the highly decorative plaster columns, arches and ceilings. » One of the main projects opened up the northern wing with a series of arches to delineate the more informal zone which includes the kitchen and dining, study nook, rumpus room and gymnasium, and all the contemporary appointments for a modern family.

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This page, clockwise from top left A bath towel from Loom is draped on the wall in the master ensuite, which is clad all over in Silver Ash marble from G-Lux. Ceramic plinth in Shibori Blue from Makers’ Mrkt and scalloped marble dish, stylist’s own. Fluted-glass wall and door by MGS Constructions. The mirror by MGS is flanked by ‘Mini Glo-Ball’ wall lights from Euroluce. Joinery by Exclusive Cabinets finished in Dulux ‘Rice Cake’. Hakusan Japan black and white vessels from CIBI and ring dish by Emily Brookfield. Banquette upholstery in Kvadrat ‘Reflex’ fabric by Raf Simons in col. 0639. Doors by Vince Turner Design with steel shroud finished in Dulux ‘Metalshield Black’.

« In the Victorian period, Stawell, his family and his parliamentary colleagues would have gravitated to the many fireplaces located in the formal southern and eastern rooms. While the current family still enjoy these spaces, including a sitting room at the front and a grand study (predominantly used by a child studying in their final years at school), it’s the attraction of the northern light that regularly draws them to the more informal new wing – once used by the maids and with an original steep staircase visible in the pantry that would have led to their quarters. “This staircase is rarely used except occasionally by my daughter arriving home late at night,” says the owner, who, as with Brett and his team, enjoys seeing the way this house has come together. Although d’Estaville was remarkably intact, it had been ‘chipped away’ over its 160 years. And while each chip may not have been detrimental to the five-bedroom home, according to Brett, “When all those small chips come together, it can be quite damaging in its preservation”. It’s no longer pure one style but a rich melange of Victorian, Art Nouveau and the finest in contemporary design. There’s even a concrete bunker built during the Second World War in the garden, now repurposed as a wine cellar. “But you can still imagine how this house was used,” says Brett, opening up the beautifully carved timber doors in the main lobby that separate the formal front rooms from what would have been conceived as the more private domain. “It’s just not as formal these days,” adds the owner. # ntfarchitecture.com.au; e-ga.com.au

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THE OFFICE

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE MUSEUM SINCE BECOMING DIRECTOR? When I was first employed at Shepparton Art

Museum (SAM), I was fortunate enough to have a great manager, Kaye Thomson, at council. We identified two simple goals for my time at SAM: to grow the reputation of the museum into a nationally significant cultural space through outstanding exhibitions and programs, with artists central to our work; and to build an inspiring and ambitious new art museum. Both goals have now been achieved and we have just opened the new building. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK SPACE? Fast-paced and never dull. Possibly the most beautifully designed office I have ever worked in, with natural light and excellent design. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR SPACE? I have chosen to hang two artworks from the SAM collection in my office. The first, by one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, Brook Andrew, is a small black-and-white archival photograph of an Aboriginal woman surrounded by a neon strip of red light that glows and challenges your perceptions about what you see. The other is an equally small work by one of Australia’s notable Modernist artists, Ethel Carrick Fox, often overlooked as the wife of a better-known male artist. I seem to have a thing for small works that pack a punch. COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE VIEW? I look out onto the wetlands with a walkway that stretches onto the water connecting the land with the surrounding trees, long-necked turtles, birds and pelicans. The weather sweeps in and the sky is big. The view reminds me that I am in a unique part of regional Victoria, of the people whose lands are unceded and the shared culture that connects us all in contemporary Australia. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING? I loved working with Denton Corker Marshall. The building has a strong visual geometric form – a giant cube,

if you like. Large perforated plates allow light into the offices and, for those in the building, connect the inside to out. The facade is restrained and like a form of ‘land art’ nestled into the surrounding landscape. The interior is light-filled, warm, enveloping and still has moments of theatre and delight. We have a geometric work on the forecourt by Tony Albert, which I’m thrilled to present alongside this great piece of architecture. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PROGRAM? SAM has two main collection strengths: the most significant collection of Australian ceramics in regional Australia and an important Indigenous art collection that has significantly grown through the major donation of the Carrillo and Ziyin Gantner Collection of Indigenous Art. Our artistic program is drawn from and builds on these points of difference with dynamic presentations that are locally relevant and engage with global contemporary ideas. Our first temporary show brings Yorta Yorta artist Lin Onus home for his first major exhibition on Country. WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? I’ve loved seeing the team develop. We have a fabulous staff, and growing a team and culture doesn’t happen overnight. I love the challenge of new ideas and perspectives and a curatorial program that reflects a range of voices and positions. This is what will be presented over the next two years of programming. I look forward to seeing SAM become a destination for both the local community and visitors from across Victoria and beyond. Part of our success will be marked by people saying, ‘I’ll see you at SAM’. sheppartonartmuseum.com.au

REBECCA COATES WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE NEW SHEPPARTON ART MUSEUM BUILDING WITH IT COMES NATURAL, 2008 BY NELL.

For art’s sake Rebecca Coates unveils

Shepparton Art Museum’s new look. Photography TIM O’CONNOR

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