THE SOLUTION TO A SIMPLE, MEANINGFUL, WELL-DESIGNED LIFE /
THE F Ê T E / LIF E PROJECT NO.
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RENOVATIONS WITH ANNABELLE Welcome to the Fête/Life Project – a collection of helpful, useful and practical articles that can be applied to life at any time, but especially now. Sourced from the many magazines we have released, our message has never been more relevant or needed by our community today… let’s embrace the simple life and treasure what is truly important – human connection, community, self care and pure acts of kindness. SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST /
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FETELIFE.COM.AU / INSTAGRAM.COM/FETE_LIFE / #THEFETELIFEPROJECT
photographs / J A N E C A M E R O N story / A N N A B E L L E K E R S L A K E
renovations with / annabelle Renovating seems to be the ‘in thing’ to do these days. It’s easy to get caught up in the fads and peer pressure, but there is a lot to be said for being grateful for what you have and while my renovation journey is just beginning, it has been almost a decade in the making. It is only now that I truly understand what’s really important to me and my family – life has a funny way of putting you on the right path. You just have to stand still long enough to listen to your gut and follow your heart – because without heart, the grandest of houses will fall short as a home.
renovations with / A N N A B E L L E
My whole life I have suffered from an incorrigible case of ‘delusions of grandeur’. I can’t help it, I was born with it! Growing up I was very close to my grandmother who suffered from the same affliction. As a young girl I fondly recall her eternal optimism, no matter what the situation. She was convinced that her grand plans for life were just waiting to be fulfilled and success was only ever just around the corner, painfully always just out of her grasp. My ‘delusions’, as I like to refer to them, can be seen as a blessing or a curse. I choose to see them as a positive – without a fixation on my big ideas I wouldn’t have the drive and perseverance to pursue goals and dreams that many may deem as crazy. As I fast approach 40, I feel like the universe is showing me a path to take and for one reason or another my life has been forced to take twists and turns, often straying from my own grand plans. Over the years this has been frustrating beyond measure to my ‘full steam ahead nature’. Almost nine years ago my husband, Naish, and I bought 15 glorious acres in the Adelaide Hills. It was run down and neglected, but it had an unexplainable magic to it, which we just couldn’t resist. ‘Tanglewood’ – as the property was aptly named (a tangle of rivers is where waterways meet) – is the point where the Onkaparinga River and Spoehr Creek meet – majestic willow tress and waterfalls are some of the natural features. I couldn’t believe our luck when we purchased this beauty. The property had two barn structures – one that we converted into a home and the other into stables. This was just perfect – we could live in the barn for a couple of years while we planned our ‘big house’ build, then the barn would make quaint guest quarters! Well I am not sure what century I thought I was living in, or if I had just been watching too many episodes of Downtown Abbey, but I got completely carried away! Plans were drawn up for the grand house on the hill and all I had to do was wait until we could afford to build it! Sadly for the past nine years I have been so fixated on what we don’t have and how far off we were from being able to build our dream home, that I lost sight of the beauty that was all around us – a warm, light-filled house, that sits sympathetically on the land and has become our home, filled with love and laughter with a strong, beating heart.
PREVIOUS SPREAD / L E F T H A N D PA G E
01. 1 960’s Danish Teak Dining Table and Chairs, similar available at danishvintagemodern.com.au 02. M adras Mat 60x90cm $29.95, freedom.com.au PREVIOUS SPREAD / R I G H T H A N D PA G E
01. A nnabelle sits on Doze Sofa Bed $749, freedom.com.au 02. O mami Cushion in Light Grey Marle $59.95, countryroad.com.au 03. House Plans by enoki.com.au O P P O S I T E PA G E
T he various aspects of the barn at ‘Tanglewood’.
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01. R ound Oak Shelf $890, coastalliving.net.au 02. W ilfred Three Seater Felt Sofa in Dove $10,930, jardan.com.au 03. O riginal Danish Oil Portrait and Sukke Hansen Print both danishvintagemodern.com.au 04. Skate Wood Storage $350, oblica.com.au 05. W ing Lux Console in Oak and Walnut 1.6m $4,690 and 1.8m $4,990, apato.com.au 06. Koldby Cowhide in Black $279, ikea.com.au 07. X Cushion in Black $89, ponyrider.com.au 08. A symmetry Cushion Mono $110, thesewalls.com.au
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T H I S PA G E
01. V intage Danish Leather Sofa and Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, danishvintagemodern.com.au 02. C ushion and Wall Banner, similar at ponyrider.com.au 03. L udde Sheepskin in White $69, Mandel Plant Pot in Grey/Brown $3.99 and Eivor Throw $29.99, all ikea.com.au
T H I S PA G E
Looking from the kitchen to the master bedroom – the house is small, but a simple black and white palette has meant it can be opened up and flows from one room to another, making it feel more spacious.
renovations with / A N N A B E L L E
I am not sure what brought on this moment of clarity, but quite suddenly for the first time in my life I was sensible. I decided to look at the positives of what we had, the things we really loved about our home as it was – and there is a lot to love! Fundamentally the bedroom, kitchen, office and our daughter, Eliza’s, room are all beautiful, functional spaces and while, in time, I would love to upgrade some of the finishes (as the barn was only ever intended to be temporary and was fitted out accordingly), I am in no rush to change them. I feel quite strongly that I don’t want to do too much to those spaces that work well for us for fear that I will spoil their charm. The previous owner who designed the barns on the property was an artist and her talents are evident in the proportions and aesthetics of the buildings, their aspect and the way that each room captures the most glorious light and views. You can’t help but feel good in this house and I fear that would be very hard to replace if we were to build elsewhere. The idea of moving from our beloved barn now seems quite ludicrous and I am intent on lovingly adding a simple addition to the space, which is respectful to its original designer’s vision, the landscape, the environment and to leave a little legacy to our time as a family here at ‘Tanglewood’. When I was really honest with myself I came to question whom did I need a great, big house for anyway? We are a family of three, occasionally we may need a sofa bed if parents or friends come to stay, but I look at the huge house I had once dreamt of and now just see a whole lot of hard work. What we really need is more space to be able to share a meal with friends around the table, a larger lounge area to be able to take in the views of the property and last but not least, a mudroom! I have realised that functionality and good design is the priority for a happy and relaxed life. So amongst the chaos of everyday living, our home will always be a sanctuary and not a burden.
O P P O S I T E PA G E
01. A lvine Kvist Quilt Cover and Two Pillowcases $49.99 and Foto Pendant Lamp in Black $59, both ikea.com.au 02. D anish Print by Sukke Hansen, similar available at danishvintagemodern.com.au 03. C ockatoo Black 5cm Cushion $155, bonnieandneil.com.au
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T H I S PA G E
I nterior designer, Susanna Bilardo from Enoki, discusses initial concepts with Annabelle for the barn extension. enoki.com.au
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T H I S PA G E
01. M appa Light Large $1,518, agostinoandbrown.com 02. L arge Snow White Deer Head $115, downthatlittlelane.com.au 03. R oyal Doulton Barber & Osgerby Large Serving Bowl 30cm $149, royaldoulton.com.au 04. F umi Napkin $29.95 for a pack of four, countryroad.com.au 05. G ordon Ramsay Bread Street Slate Plate 27cm $19.95, wwrd.com.au 06. C hair 170 by Takahashi Asako $420, feelgooddesigns.com 07. T ime Dining Table in Oak, from $1,095, nomi.com.au 08. N olan Graphite 24 Piece Cutlery Set $199, countryroad.com.au 09. D ip Candle Holders by Tim Webber $260 for a set of three, huntingforgeorge.com
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01. C urve Hook in Black and White $40 each, coastalliving.net.au 02. Classic Wall Clock $79, boconcept.com 03. E dgar Home Bell Lamp in White $189, safariliving.com 04. T an Leather Cushion Cover $299, huntingforgeorge.com 05. O gami Large Professional Notebook in Black $24.95, notemaker.com.au 06. O ffice Meeting Table 150x75cm in White $699, freedom.com.au 07. F old Large Tray in White $39.95, countryroad.com.au 08. K vissle Cable Management Box $19.95, ikea.com.au 06 /
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09. N ika Cushion in Grey Marle and Black $59.95 each, countryroad.com.au
T H I S PA G E
he loft office space will eventually be T transformed into Eliza’s bedroom with a small ensuite when she is a little older, but for now it is the ideal location for fête HQ. A light-filled room with views across the property, it’s the perfect escape when working from home. With plenty of space, often two or three of the fête team can work together at any one time. 01. M adras Rug 180x270cm $249, Stationer’s Trestle $449, both freedom.com.au 02. K allax Shelving Unit in High-Gloss White $149, ikea.com.au 03. C ustom Pin Board in Light Grey $POA and Jumbo Pin Board in Charcoal $280, both alandem.com.au 04. C oncrete Planter $25, Maple Stirling, call 08 8370 1777 05. F oliage from Austin Bloom, call 08 8398 0440 06. K nuff Magazine File $14.95 for a set of two, ikea.com.au 07. K orken Jar with Lid $2.95, ikea.com.au 08. F old Small Tray in White $29.95, countryroad.com.au 09. J ug in Liquorice $45 and Thom Mugs in Liquorice $19 each, all phendei, call 0418 899 767 10. L B Chair in White $440, industriax.com.au
T H I S PA G E
01. S tationer’s Trestle $449, freedom.com.au 02. C ustom Pin Board in Light Grey $POA, alandem.com.au 03.
oncrete Planter $25, Maple C Stirling, call 08 8370 1777
04. F oliage from Austin Bloom, call 08 8398 0440 05. L B Chair in White $440, industriax.com.au O P P O S I T E PA G E
01. F old Small Tray in White $29.95, countryroad.com.au 02. J ug in Liquorice $45 and Thom Mugs in Liquorice $19 each, all phendei, call 0418 899 767 03. Korken Jar with Lid $2.95, ikea.com.au 04. J umbo Pin Board in Charcoal $280, alandem.com.au 05. Push Pins 80pk $9.95, kikki-k.com 06. I mages printed from Pinterest. Visit pinterest.com/fetepress to see all images on Annabelle’s Renovation Board.
renovations with / A N N A B E L L E
I am working closely with interior designer, Susanna Bilardo, from Enoki in Adelaide to achieve the best outcome for my barn project. We share a love of simple design, but more importantly she understands the love I have for my home and how important it is to me that the space is both functional and beautiful. There is no place for bells and whistles in my plans, just beautiful proportions, quality finishes and workmanship. I spent quite some time talking with Susanna about how our family’s needs and wants had changed, a revelation that had also rung true with her personally and as we embark on this journey together, I feel at peace with our decisions. There would have been a time when I felt I had sold out, by taking the simple option and that one-day I would live to regret not holding out for the big dream. Maybe I am older and wiser now, but I now know that I am living the dream – I love my home and the people that make it one. You only live once, so live for the moment, or life will pass you by. In the past months I have worked at decluttering and simplifying my space, to really get to the bottom of what it is we genuinely need. Once you simplify your life you realise you actually need very little which is totally liberating when embarking on a renovation. All of a sudden costs come down, you don’t need to dig yourself deep into debt. The simplest of changes to your space can work wonders to improve the functionality of your home. I am grateful that my path in life hasn’t always been easy – the twists and turns have given me the opportunity to take time, to live on the land to appreciate its quirks and soak up each changing season. Who knows where this journey will take us, but I know I am grateful for what I have and will enjoy every minute of the process.
O P P O S I T E PA G E
01. A nnabelle works on concepts suggested by Enoki. Kvissle Wall Newspaper Rack (on wall) $29.95, ikea.com.au 02. Stationer’s Trestle $449 freedom.com.au, 03. R ast Chest of Three Pine Drawers (painted white) $49.99, ikea.com.au 04. C antalina Small Vase $99, countryroad.com.au 05. F oliage from Austin Bloom, call 08 8398 0440 06. D oze Sofa Bed $749 and Madras Rug 180x270cm $249, both freedom.com.au 07. D ahni Throw in Charcoal $199, countryroad.com.au. 08. A nnabelle’s sister, Becc, works at fête HQ. This time in the barn offers her a tranquil workspace and time away from her hectic family life. 09. E kby Valter Bracket $5 and Ekby Tony High Gloss White Shelf $39.99, both ikea.com.au 10. C oncrete Planter $25, Maple Stirling, call 08 8370 1777 11.
Poster by emmakateco.com
12. F old Large Tray in Grey $39.95, Concrete Tape Dispenser $49.95 and Concrete Tray $19.95, countryroad.com.au
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P L AY L I S T / ANGUS & JULIA STONE / LOVE WILL TAKE YOU FLORENCE + THE MACHINE / D O G D AY S A R E O V E R OMI / CHEERLEADER FELIX JAEHN REMIX DIANNA ROSS / I’M COMING OUT CARO EMERALD / BACK IT UP TOVE LO, HIPPIE SABOTAGE / S TAY H I G H ED SHEEREN / SING ALOE BLACC / LOVE IS THE ANSWER FLEETWOOD MAC / G O Y O U R O W N WAY MAJOR LAZER / LEAN ON (FEATURING MO AND DJ SNAKE)