THE SOLUTION TO A SIMPLE, MEANINGFUL, WELL-DESIGNED LIFE /
THE F Ê T E / LIF E PROJECT NO.
53
THE HIGH/LOW HOME 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 /
If you think these stories can uplift or help someone else, please share our project and spread the love.
FETELIFE.COM.AU / INSTAGRAM.COM/FETE_LIFE / #THEFETELIFEPROJECT
home / O R G A N I S A T I O N
PHOTOGRAPHS / JENAH PIWANSKI STORY / STYLING / JESSICA SMITH
THE HIGH/LOW HOME An unlimited budget isn’t a prerequisite when it comes to an interior that beautifully reflects who we are as well as creating ambience in the home. A high/low approach to decorating – mixing investment and higher-end pieces with more affordable finds – is a practical solution that is adaptable to every season of life. Well-designed pieces can be found at every price-point and, with a little forethought and careful selection, will combine to create a home with its own character, reflecting the life of its inhabitants. TIPS /
We all know that life is a balancing act –
CONSIDER YOUR LIFE STAGE /
despite appearances, no one ever has it
There’s no point in buying an exorbitantly
all and sometimes, for one thing to thrive,
expensive piece if it just doesn’t fit in with
another has to give. Likewise, decorating
your lifestyle – no matter how much you
a home can require constant fine-tuning,
love it. You might long for a pure white
a never-finished task that reflects our
floor rug, but know that your toddler
INTERIOR AND MAKE IT YOUR OWN.
changing tastes and outlook on life.
would destroy it, and you would stress
AIM FOR NEUTRAL /
There are times when the things we
about it. Sometimes it’s worth going mid
COORDINATING NEUTRAL TONES
want in our home may not be affordable,
to lower-end on pieces that are practical
practical or suitable for the way
for your life stage, and biding your time
we currently live. So how to find a
for that super-high-end dream item.
happy medium? A high/low approach to decorating is a solution that can be tailored to every individual, every life stage and every budget. So where to go high, where to go medium and where to go low?
GO HANDCRAFTED / H A N D C R A F T E D A N D A R T I S A NMADE ITEMS, SUCH AS BEAUTIFUL CERAMICS, PERSONALISE AN
I S T H E E A S I E S T WAY TO G E T A COHESIVE LOOK. GET PERSONAL / IT WON’T FEEL LIKE YOURS IF IT DOESN’T HAVE SOME
DON’T SKIMP ON COMFORT OR FUNCTION /
PIECES THAT TELL A PERSONAL
There’s no point in owning a piece of
S TO R Y. A D D FAV O U R I T E B O O K S,
furniture at all if it isn’t comfortable. Whether high or low end, life is too short to be in physical discomfort if you don’t have to be. Different people will have
PRIORITISE /
different ideas of what comfort means
Know what you personally prioritise and
for them – make sure whatever you buy
PHOTOGRAPHS OR COLLECTED PIECES WITH MEANING. REMEMBER VINTAGE / A N T I Q U E A N D V I N TAG E P I EC E S ADD CHARACTER TO A HOME AND W E L L-D E S I G N E D F I N D S N E V E R G O O U T O F S T Y L E . C A R E F U L LY CHOSEN PIECES COULD BE
appreciate most around your home and
works for you.
go higher-end there. There is no right
Likewise, don’t buy an item, no matter how
A LIFETIME.
affordable, if it doesn’t do its job properly
NOD TO A TREND /
or wrong here – just as no two people’s lives, needs or values are exactly the same, no one will prioritise in an identical way. Love cooking? Go high-end on beautiful
or effectively. Compromising on function is always a false economy.
INVESTMENTS THAT WILL L AST
ADOPTING EVERY TREND IS A S U R E-F I R E W AY T O E N S U R E Y O U R DÉCOR BECOMES DISPOSABLE. NOD TO A TREND INSTEAD,
and functional cookware. Never spend
GO SLOW /
I F I T T R U LY R E S O N AT E S W I T H
time in the kitchen but prefer Uber Eats
Buy slowly and in a considered way. Even
YOU, BY ADDING A SMALL AND
in the living room? Splurge on a luxurious (and maybe washable slip-covered!) sofa. Identify what you do most often and your priorities list will become clear.
if you know an item won’t be in your house
CONSIDERED ACCESSORY PIECE.
forever you can still be mindful of material
CUSTOMISE /
and make. Buy thoughtfully and your
C U S TO M I S E L O W E R-E N D I T E M S
purchase won’t end up on the side of the road (or worse, in landfill) before its time. Consider sustainability beyond the policies and ethics of the store you’re purchasing from, but also how you may be able to repurpose an item in the future – such as a bench that could double as a coffee table,
WHERE POSSIBLE. INEXPENSIVE CUSHION INNERS, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN BE SWAPPED OUT FOR FEATHER ONES. CONSIDER A DA P TA B L E F R A M E S T H AT C A N TRANSITION BETWEEN PIECES, GREAT FOR KIDS' ARTWORK. CONSIDER A CUSTOM-MADE COVER FOR YOUR SOFA
or as end-of-bed storage, later on in its
TO A D D LO N G E V I T Y.
lifetime. Buy what you genuinely love –
CONSIDER WEAR AND TEAR /
not just to fill a decorating hole – and
G O H I G H E R-E N D O N ‘F O R E V E R ’
consider going without for a time if you need to save for a piece, rather than buying a stop-gap item.
PIECES, THE ONES THAT WILL TA KE L E S S WE A R A N D T E A R. A N I C O N I C L A M P, F O R E X A M P L E , W I L L S TA N D T H E T E S T O F T I M E I N B OT H ST YLE AND FUNCTION AND YOUR INVESTMENT WON’T GO TO WASTE.
ISSUE NO. 28 / FETEPRESS.COM.AU
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HIGH/LOW 01. G lobeWest Vittoria Curve Three Seater Sofa $3,455, globewest.com.au 02. G räshoppa Floor Lamp in Black $1,280, 1000chairs.com.au 03. H em Small Alle Coffee Table in Black Oak $725, auraobjects.com 04. H em Large Alle Coffee Table in Pale Oak $860, auraobjects.com 05. A reaware Balancing Block Set in White $100, thirddrawerdown.com 06. S ticks and Stones Small Egg Shaped Pot in White $85 with Dwarf Umbrella Tree (POA), both Suci Potted Plants, Instagram @sucipottedplants 07. M orum Flatwoven Rug Indoor/ Outdoor 200 x 300cm in Dark Grey $199, ikea.com.au 08. H illared Cushion Cover in Anthracite $24.99, ikea.com.au 09. M ilk & Sugar Woven Cushion Square in White $59.95, oscarandwillow.net.au 10. F jädrar Cushion Pad 40 x 65cm $12, ikea.com.au 11.
I nk Blot Art Print Large 50 x 70cm $99, huntingforgeorge.com
12. A rt Print Frame Large 50 x 70cm in White $119, huntingforgeorge.com
BROTHERS, EDDIE AND SAM ENJOY PL AYING WITH THE AREAWARE BALANCING BLOCK SET /
home / O R G A N I S I N G
WE USED THIS ONE
FRED INTERNATIONAL /
Swedese Continental Sofa in Black Frame from $10,600, fredinternational.com.au
D E S I G N F A R M / Hay Can Three
G L O B E W E S T / Vittoria Curve Three
Seater Sofa in Grey from $4,300, designfarm.com.au
Seater Sofa in Pale Grey and Black $3,455, globewest.com.au
WE USED THIS ONE
1 K C H A I R S / Gubi Gräshoppa
S U R R O U N D I N G / Design House
Floor Lamp in Black $1,280, 1000chairs.com.au
Stockholm Manana Lamp $599, surrounding.com.au
URBAN COUTURE /
Copenhagen Floor Lamp in Black $199, urbancouture.com.au WE USED THIS ONE
O P PO S I T E PAG E / CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
01. G lobeWest Vittoria Curve Three Seater Sofa $3,455, globewest.com.au 02. H em Large Alle Coffee Table in Pale Oak $860, auraobjects.com 03. H em Small Alle Coffee Table in Black Oak $725, auraobjects.com 04. H illared Cushion Cover in Anthracite $24.99, ikea.com.au
M A G G I M C D O N A L D / Earth Song
III Original Artwork 152 x 120cm $1,390, maggimcdonald.com
THE POSTER CLUB /
HUNTING FOR GEORGE /
Anne Nowak Haze Artwork 79 x 108cm €250, theposterclub.com
Ink Blot Art Print Large 50 x 70cm $99, huntingforgeorge.com
05. F jädrar Cushion Pad 40 x 65cm $12, ikea.com.au 06. Garret Lambswool Throw in Grey $189.95, oscarandwillow.net.au 07. M ilk & Sugar Blanket Stitch Cushion in Charcoal $64.95, oscarandwillow.net.au 08. M ilk & Sugar Woven Cushion Square in White $59.95, oscarandwillow.net.au
WE USED THIS ONE
09. A reaware Balancing Block Set in White $100, thirddrawerdown.com 10. P itcher in White Speckle $74, ghostwares.com.au 11.
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H E M / Large Alle Coffee Table in
R E T R O J A N / Karpenter Oak Vintage
I K E A / Lisabo Side Table in Ash
Pale Oak $860, auraobjects.com
Coffee Table $519, retrojan.com.au
Veneer $95, ikea.com.au
FETEPRESS.COM.AU / ISSUE NO.28
imilar Glass Bormioli Bodega S Modern Red Wine Glass $3, westelm.com.au
SOFT FURNISHINGS ARE EASY TO MIX AND MATCH WHEN THEY SHARE A NEUTRAL PALETTE /
BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS, LIKE THIS CERAMIC PITCHER, ELEVATE THE EVERYDAY /
BUILDING BLOCKS THAT ARE WORKS OF ART /
A SIMPLE, SCULPTURAL PENDANT DEFINES A READING NOOK /
SOFT FURNISHINGS, LIKE A THROW, ADD WARMTH TO ANY ROOM /
HIGH/LOW 01. M ass Productions Endless Shelf in White $590 per column ($1,770 as shown), auraobjects.com 02. Bud Vase Medium in White Speckle $47, ghostwares.com.au 03. B ud Vase Large in White Speckle $59, ghostwares.com.au 04. F erm Living Arch Card Stand in Black Brass $99, designstuff.com.au 05. M .A.D Sling Lounge Chair in Grey Fabric $325, 1000chairs.com.au 06. S eed 1 Light Pendant in White $99.95, beaconlighting.com.au 07. G arret Lambswool Throw in Grey $189.95, oscarandwillow.net.au 08. H em Small Alle Coffee Table in Black Oak $725, auraobjects.com 09. O slo Pot Large in White $40 with Rhipsalis Plant (POA), both Suci Potted Plants, Instagram @sucipottedplants