The Home magazine issue 7

ISSUE 7

style

THAT POPS

REIMAGINE WITH FRESH IDEAS

THEHOME.COM.AU

A Hamptons inspired kitchen Read more

EDITOR’S LETTER I’m excited to share this issue of The Home Magazine with you.

We’ve hit play on a fun way to decorate –using inspiration from your favourite music – and taken a tour of a sleek and simple Sydney apartment.

It has been fascinating putting a spotlight on kitchens in this issue. We’re giving you a sneak peek inside three stylish cooking hubs, sharing the ups and downs of a reallife reno, and with our crystal ball – otherwise known as international trend forecaster Victoria Redshaw – we’re discovering what our future kitchens will look like.

Happy reading!

Disco Fever THE HOME MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY THEHOME.COM.AU 201 KENT STREET, SYDNEY 2000 NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

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CONTENTS DECOR

INSIDER

5 ULTRAMARINE A shade once more expensive than gold

16 ALLEGRA HICKS The designer captivating Europe

6 DECORATE WITH YOUR PLAYLIST Find your room’s groove

18 SKYHIGH LIVING Sally O’Neil’s signature home style

10 DOUBLE TAKE One dining room two ways 12 CAN YOUR HOME MAKE YOU HAPPIER? The results are in

KITCHEN SPECIAL 23 KITCHEN STORIES Inside three kitchens with style 29 PLAN A PERFECT KITCHEN Five tips for a great design 31 REAL LIFE RENO All the ups and downs

33 THE FUTURE KITCHEN A look at what’s in store

CREATIVE DIRECTOR MELBA GOUNAS

LIFESTYLE & DIY

EDITOR LAUREN CIRCOSTA

36 WEEKENDS WITH CURTIS STONE Make his favourite ricotta pancakes

SUZANNE CHELLINGWORTH

FEATURE WRITER STYLIST MARJ SILVA STYLING ASSISTANT

39 WOVEN ART DIY weave project

MELINDA WOODFORD

41 THE LAST WORD Taking a stand for bad cooks

PHOTOGRAPHERS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER ATIEH MOHAMMADI DARA TIPPAPART, DANIELLA KEMPE © The Home 2015

DECOR

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND STYLING TIPS

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Ultramarine Despite being worth millions today, the Renaissance artists were more likely to accumulate debt than wealth during their lives. It didn’t help that their favourite shade of blue was, in its purest form, more expensive than gold. Ultramarine was an intense blue pigment extracted from the gemstone lapis lazuli, which was exported to Europe from Afghanistan. Without a synthetic substitute available until the 1800s, painters would use the costly colour sparingly, reserving it for their most important figures such as robes worn by the Virgin Mary. Some painters deviated from their contemporaries, however. Titian was famous for dramatic ultramarine skies and Vermeer, master of light, applied the luminous pigment liberally to almost every painting; making satin sheen, shadows loom, complexions glow, and ultimately, his debt grow.

The Old Masters weren’t the first to be enchanted by lapis lazuli. In the ancient world, the gem was commonly used in burial beads, jewellery and human depictions to accentuate eyes and facial hair. You might notice Tutankhamen’s gold funeral mask is inlaid with lapis eyebrows. The ever-elaborate Egyptians studded the stone on scarabs, amulets and sarcophagi, while Cleopatra swept

the powdered form across her eyes.

They were also among those who championed its alleged medicinal benefits. Lapis is said to have treated melancholy, epilepsy, diseases of the spleen, dementia and childhood frights to name only a few.

Catherine the Great dedicated an entire room to this brilliant blue; tiling the walls, doors and fireplaces, and decorating with objects carved from the stone. Interior stylist Emma Blomfield encourages the same heavy hand if you’re after a vibrant punch of colour. ‘If you’re not game splashing ultramarine on walls, floor coverings and manchester, try introducing it in smaller items’. Consider photo frames, doormats, candle jars, cushion piping, wall hooks and coffee table trays.

‘Ultramarine may mean ‘beyond the sea’ in Latin but that doesn’t mean it’s only for seaside homes,’ Emma says of the neutral and ultramarine palette popularised by coastal interiors. She recommends pairing it with sunshine yellow, poppy orange and zesty lime for a bright change of pace.

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Playlist

DECORATE WITH YOUR

THAT SONG YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD MAY BE THE KEY TO YOUR ROOM REFRESH. DRAW ON ITS FEELING TO FIND THE GROOVE FOR YOUR NEW LOOK.

POP IS HOT

Pop’s light and bright take on life and love makes it a sing-a-long sensation you can’t avoid. Energetic colour and fun decorative features that don’t take themselves too seriously epitomise the look. Be inspired by imaginative stars like Kylie Minogue and Ziggy Stardust when painting bold feature walls, choosing bright statement artwork, and clashing large-scale patterns.

Pop draws on elements from varied music genres, so don’t be afraid to mix and match styles.

Artist Lane Artwork & Cushions

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Donna Summer may be the Queen of Disco, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rule with the same glamour and fantasy when it comes to decorating. Statement pendants are a fresh take on the mirror ball, and large-scale rug patterns are light-up dancefloors reimagined. Exaggerated fashion trends dominated disco, so be brave when pairing bold textures and colour.

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CLASSIC CALLING

You don’t need to know your Bach from your Beethoven to feel the theatrics associated with this style of music. These complex works are composed with the extremes and subtleties of emotion. Think drama! Opulent chandeliers, unique shapes, grand 4-poster beds, and a classic black and white palette all hit the mark. Ornate detailing and baroque-inspired furniture plays on the music’s elaborate showmanship.

Artist Lane Artwork

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COUNTRY TALES

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Melodic stories from the working class of America’s south set the scene for country music to flourish. Today the global genre encompasses myriad music styles, but its raw emotion still resonates. Exposed timber and natural fibre heighten its ‘stripped down’ vibe, while leather pieces, suede accents, and rough-hewn finishes add that coveted southern warmth.

Styling: Marj Silva & Melinda Woodford

Keep country modern with industrial touches.

Andrea & Joen French Linen

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dinning room james

DOUBLE TAKE We challenged The Living Room presenters James Treble and Barry Du Bois to a styling competition. The brief: create a beautiful dining space with a farmhouse table as your starting point. The results: two inviting looks that inspire.

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INDUSTRIAL CHIC

by James Treble

Inspiration

Industrial with a soft finish.

Style Guide

Think furniture that feels like it could come from an old office or factory, and features metal or aged timber. You want pieces that feel strong and are built to last. For a fresh industrial twist, I used concrete pendants instead of the more commonly used factory-style ones.

Room Tips

Allow space for communication across the table. Also, make the room visually interesting so it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!

FRENCH PROVINCIAL

by Barry Du Bois

Inspiration

A weekend in Provence.

Style Guide

This style is warm, welcoming, and relaxed, and the lavender captures the breathtaking views of purple fields that Provence is famous for in its summer months. Your space should reflect who you are, and each of us will find soul and emotion in very different furniture pieces. Trust your taste and penchants.

Room Tips

Always keep your personal brief and lifestyle in mind, and identify the colours and styles you like – whether they are on-trend or not – and have the courage to work with them. Don’t over clutter with decor and furniture: find a balance between control of the space and freedom.

Images courtesy of The Living Room

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CAN YOUR HOME MAKE YOU HAPPIER?

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A happy home can significantly boost people’s wellbeing

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According to a poll conducted by The Home, 91% of people believe a beautifully decorated home would make them happier. The statistic comes as no surprise to expert Dr. Timothy Sharp (drhappy.com.au), who notes happiness is influenced by many factors including the context in which we live and work. ‘When we perceive our surroundings to be positive and uplifting, our mood can also become more positive and inspired. A happy home can significantly boost people’s wellbeing, which is great news as it’s something we can all, at least partially, control.’

The findings also showed 88% of those surveyed believed having bright colours in their home would lift their mood. ‘You don’t have to go overboard with painting your walls in all shades of yellow or pink to feel like you’re in a happy home,’ says The Home stylist, Emma Blomfield. ‘Subtle touches such as colourful cushions or art prints go a long way in adding more cheer and vibrancy to a space.’

Instant Mood Boosters

· Freshly cut flowers will make you smile when you walk into the room. Studies have shown flowers have both an immediate and long-term impact on happiness. · Travel mementos around your home will remind you of fun adventures. · Photos of loved ones smiling back at you. · A neat and tidy room. Returning home to a mess is an instant buzz kill. · A quirky cushion or accessory that makes you laugh lightens the mood. · Add bright colours with easy pieces including: colourful cushions, throws and art prints.

The poll was conducted by TheHome.com.au on over 8,000 Australians Photography: Dara Tippapart

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PRICE EXAMPLES QUEEN SHEET SETS FROM $59 QUEEN QUILT COVER SETS FROM $59 CUSHIONS AND THROWS FROM $12 RUGS FROM $149 ACCENT CHAIRS FROM $199 SIDE TABLES FROM $95 DECORATIVE ACCENTS FROM $9 PENDANT LIGHTING FROM $40 ARTWORK FROM $89

Bring your dreams to life Make your vision a reality with up to 70% off big brands, designer decor and boutique finds. By enjoying exclusive access to new sales launched daily, you’ll find the missing piece and inspiration you need to complete your dream abode.

TheHome.com.au

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insider lead

INSIDER

INSPIRING PERSONALITIES AND HOMES WITH HEART

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ALLEGRA HICKS The designer captivating Europe.

Allegra Hicks is an internationally renowned textile and print designer. Since her first collection back in 1995, she has been inspiring fashion and interiors with her signature ‘bohemian-luxe’ style and elegance. Her controlled eclecticism mixes the old with the new for a timeless look that resonates with everyday style.

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Allegra embraces texture and colour in her own London townhouse.

Colour and texture star in your work.

What are your top tips for successfully styling the two?

Colour and texture is integral to giving a space depth and atmosphere. Context is key: light linen is summery and beachy, aubergine velvet is rich with a mid-century feel, and a pastel silk is romantic and luxurious.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m inspired by nature; its colours, textures and patterns. Patterns are an elaboration of nature; the microcosm that takes shape within the macrocosm.

What’s your dream creative project?

Design a hotel by the sea. I love my work and am inspired by projects both big and small. It’s always a great when you work with people who share you creative vision.

What excites you most about Australia?

Traveling is always inspiring for me.

I am extremely curious; curious about the environment and the vegetation, the colours and the light, the people and the culture. I am curious as to how it will inspire me both personally and creatively.

Share your thoughts on Australian style in home and fashion Style is always informed by environment.

When I think of Australian style - both in the home and in fashion - I think of natural beachy tones and textures, cottons and linens; light and airy but playful and colourful.

Images courtesy of allegrahicks.com

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SKYHIGH

Living

BLOGGER SALLY O’NEIL DRAWS ON A SIGNATURE STYLE FOR WORK AND PLAY.

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A compact apartment overlooking Sydney’s bustling George Street is home to British born health and wellness blogger, Sally O’Neil. Seeking the famous Australian sunshine, she made the big move five years ago with her boyfriend, Graham, setting up home in this light and bright space. It’s a central spot that allows Sally to enjoy the best of both worlds: the urban excitement on her door step, and the

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short travel to Bondi Beach – a mecca for both sun-loving locals and visitors.

When it came to decorating, Sally was comfortable letting the apartment speak for itself. ‘I like to work with how the individual space feels. Instead of fighting the white walls, I chose pale colours to complement, and kept decor to a minimum.’

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Scrolling through her blog, The Fit Foodie, and popular Instagram account, it’s clear Sally’s personal style – crisp, minimal, and easy – has permeated all corners of her world. The only difference at home are the easy shabby chic touches that add inviting warmth and texture. ‘I like everything to be in its place, but I also like to have a little fun with design. I don’t conform to a particular style – our furniture is an eclectic mix of modern flat-pack and French vintage.’

It’s a far cry from the two bedroom apartment in York, UK, the couple previously lived in.

‘Everything was quite lavish, but the apartment was much larger so it made sense. Our decor leaned towards French Baroque, which I’ve moved on from,’ she says.

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The bedroom is Sally’s favourite room. As often is with small homes, it’s a busy two-timing space used for work and rest.

‘It’s small, but perfectly formed, with a desk for all my blog work, and a little spot on the wall where I set my monthly business intentions,’ she says. Its timeless palette of grey, white, and pop of yellow caters to both. ‘It makes for a soothing yet creative feel, and the yellow is a lovely contrast to the city skyline.’

Knick knacks and clutter don’t favour well in Sally’s eyes when it comes to maintaining her minimal look, but that’s not to say she’s against dazzling her other senses. ‘I hate pieces that don’t serve a purpose, but I’m a pushover for anything that smells beautiful.’ And as a keen collector of candles, she’s currently obsessing over a favourite coconut scent at home.

The beauty of this blank canvas style is the opportunity to reinvent whenever inspiration hits. So what’s Sally’s daring decor dream? ‘I’d love to invest in a huge Anya Brock artwork or even have her paint a mural in the living room!’ Anya Brock’s bold and expressive lines would no doubt complement the energy of the urban backdrop, but for now the busy blogger is happy with her light and bright mood that satisfies both work and play. the-fit-foodie.com

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Kitchen Stories FROM SMALL RENTAL TO BIG RENOVATION, WE SHARE THREE DIFFERENT KITCHENS THAT CATER TO LIFE AND STYLE.

McKel Hill As a busy dietician nutritionist, McKel Hill spends a lot of time in her tiny Nashville Tennessee kitchen.

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Mckel is a wellbeing advocate, lover of whole body nourishment, and creator of Nutrition Stripped: an online resource for healthy living. So it’s within this small space that she develops recipes, and styles and photographs food for her readers. How does she do it all? ‘I adapt!’ she says. ‘I’m currently renting, so in that case you just have to work with what you have. It’s not my dream kitchen, but it’s cosy, and feels like home.’

The window above the sink is her favourite feature. ‘It’s incredibly tall, feels open, and I like being able to look outside and let the sun pour in.’ Is this something she’ll keep in mind when the dream kitchen becomes a reality? ‘I’d love more windows from different angles overlooking acres of grass or a garden. I want the same vibe of openness, lots of white, and a large marble island of some sort because I need so much space when I’m cooking and photographing.’

What does work for McKel is the timeless palette. ‘I’m a fan of bright, light, and white, which this kitchen embodies with all-white everything, and pops of functional, low maintenance butcher block wood countertops.’

nutritionstripped.com Photography: Crystal Martel

Mckel’s Storage solution I recycle mason jars and use Weck jars in my pantry to store bulk ingredients and save space.

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MICHELLE BALL When serial renovators Michelle and Steve Ball featured on the first season of Aussie reality show House Rules, they relied on fellow contestants to bring their kitchen ideas to life.

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The couple’s styling guide included rules such as: create a relaxed family beach house, and make it bright and airy with lime washed floors.

Since filming wrapped two years ago, Michelle has added her own touches to the space. The timber cupboards her and Steve never warmed to were replaced, and a kick of colour was added with statement Moroccan tiles inspired by a trip to Hawaii. ‘We visited Doris Duke’s former Hawaiian residence, Shangri La, and her use of Moroccan tiles throughout was overwhelming’ says Michelle.

In addition to the tiles, Michelle has a soft spot for the serene and private greenery just outside the kitchen window. And if she were to disturb it’s peaceful charm with a rambling dream dinner party, she’d invite interior designers: Darren Palmer, Kelly

Michelle’s Essentials A zip miniboil unit with hot, cold, and sparkling water is amazing, quality knives and forks, and a great wooden spoon.

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Hoppen, Shaynna Blaze and Nate Berkus, and editor and tastemaker Neale Whitaker. ‘Just to sit and talk with them about their creativity would be phenomenal. And I would have Heston Blumenthal in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Cooking is not really my forte, I find renovating much more fun!’

Photography: Dara Tippapart

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SHAYNNA BLAZE The inviting room boasts a relaxed yet semi-formal vibe inspired by the Hamptons.

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A quick glance at interior designer Shaynna Blaze’s renovated kitchen and we can see why Michelle Ball is keen to pick her brains about design! It features a soft palette of greys, sharp whites and touches of black that are modern and sympathetic to the 1880 Victorian home. ‘The island bench worked with the traditional features, while the steely grey on the back cabinets not only added a modern touch, but helped work in with the appliances so as not to make them stand out too much,’ says Shaynna.

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The eye-catching splashback was chosen to catch the light and hide a multitude of sins. ‘Putting them in a herringbone pattern gives it a modern twist to a period style.’ she adds. But it’s the oversized island bench she loves most. ‘This kitchen will be taking on a lot of entertaining and food preparation, so its 1500mm depth means I can fill the bench with food while still having room to eat and entertain.’

Photography: Vanessa Hall via Design with Colour and Style by Shaynna Blaze, Published: Penguin Viking.

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Shaynna’s design advice ‘Are you a cook, chef or entertainer? This is the best starting point to work out your layout, fridge size, and appliances needed.

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PLAN A PERFECT KITCHEN RENO DUO MICHAEL & CARLENE DUFFY’S TOP TIPS.

Kitchens are a big investment. They’re costly to install and change, and they sell houses according to real estate agents, so it’s not a room you want to get wrong. Here are five tips to consider when planning your new kitchen design.

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1. DESIGN WITH THE TRIANGLE RULE You want your fridge, stovetop, and sink to form a triangle. It’s an oldie but a goodie when it comes to design rules because it achieves the ultimate efficiency for kitchen tasks. Installing an island bench is the ideal way to achieve this, but if space is tight and you have an open-plan home, the dining table can always act as the island bench.

2. PLAY DOWN FINISHES We love the combination of matte black, matte white, and timber cabinet fronts with marble benchtops and/or splashback. It’s a look that’s sophisticated and sure to have longevity in a world of fast-changing trends. The success of this look is dependent on the matte finish. We don’t think there’s any place for gloss cabinet fronts, as a gloss finish arguably dates most kitchens and can only really be pulled off in exceptional circumstances such as uber-cool interiors.

3. KEEP IT CLUTTER FREE If you are not including a butler’s pantry in your kitchen, make sure you allow for adequate storage of your small appliances. Cluttered kitchen benches instantly make our blood pressure rise, and it’s for this reason that we still use a stovetop kettle – it’s so easy to put away! The same goes for the toaster.

Unless you’re a student, you’re probably only eating toast for breakfast, so have a dedicated home for the toaster very near its plug-in location on the benchtop.

4. ADD SPARK WITH SPLASHBACKS There has never been a bigger and better range of tiles available for kitchen splashbacks, so there’s no excuse for not having a beautiful and interesting one. A crisp white subway tile is a timeless, no-fail option. A mirrored splashback is also really classy and suits nearly all styles of kitchen. What is not classy is the coloured glass splashback that dominated kitchens of the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite kitchen retailers still offering it, it has no place in any home, not even in white, not at all!

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5. MAKE HARDWARE WORK Our pet peeve is seeing generic, chunky, brushed chrome handles on kitchen drawers and cabinets – you know the ones. Whether you go with a push-to-open design, shark nose style, traditional shell handle, or something a bit quirkier such as a leather pull, it needs to be carefully considered to suit the style of the kitchen you’re creating.

The same rule applies to your tapware of which there is an exciting selection available on the market. Matte black, matte white, and the latest designs in brass and copper are some very cool options if you’re open to something a bit different. The trusty chrome will never date, but opt for polished over brushed, and choose an elegant curved spout over something more angular for a refined finish.

Words and images: cedarandsuede.com

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REAL LIFE RENO THE UPS AND DOWNS OF BUILDING A KITCHEN FROM SCRATCH.

After years of umming and ahing about renovating their tired home, Sydney blogger Gina Ciancio and her husband committed to a fresh build from the ground up. Demolition day was last September, and a year on, just weeks away from kitchen install, Gina recalls the highs and lows of bringing the heart of her home to life.

Since we demolished our house last year, there have been what feels like a million decisions made, and many of the most difficult ones were about the kitchen. I had a basic plan for the space – I wanted a wall kitchen, island bench and butler’s pantry – and that’s where the plan ended, so there were a lot of decisions to still be made ranging from where to put all the appliances to what type of cabinetry and lighting we wanted.

The sheer number of choices, and the anxiety associated with getting them right, was the biggest hurdle I had to overcome.

Kitchens are costly. And it’s a space that needs to stand the test of time. There’s a comforting sureness in going with what’s already been done and safe, but if you don’t want a ‘vanilla kitchen’, it can make things tricky. If you’re like me and don’t want your home to look like everyone else’s, you start steering away from the norm, and that’s when it gets scary!

The best way to persevere: do your

research and collect samples. I went to a range of kitchen showrooms, designer kitchen stores, and trawled Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. Even though I knew I’d never be able to afford a kitchen made in Germany out of Apple timber, it was a worthwhile experience to see what an architectural kitchen looks like, and realise I could create a similar look for less. Collecting samples – preferably in larger sizes – that you can take to the site is also important because a small colour chip that appears grey in the store can look beige, green or even blue once installed.

I learnt how to make smart decisions and where to take risks. Our kitchen tap will be copper – a look I love but know won’t be a lasting trend – but that’s OK, because it can be easily updated down the track. Your kitchen splashback is another area where you can opt for something daring as you don’t need to waterproof behind the tiles, meaning it’s relatively inexpensive to change.

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The other big challenge is the balance of aesthetic and function. Sometimes what looks great isn’t the most practical.

Marble benchtops were a part of my vision, but the horror stories I heard along the way about red wine and lemon juice eating through them had me thinking long and hard about a more sensible, harder-wearing material. I found there’s often a middle ground to these challenges, and in this particular case, white benchtops, with a natural marble splashback and island bench face ticked all the boxes.

When those tough decisions start to pile up, get advice from anyone who’s willing to offer it. I loved calling on my blog readers to help me plan my kitchen, and they came up with great tips and suggestions. We also called on a local kitchen maker to help us design and build, which is something I definitely recommend. He gave us practical advice including the gem suggestion to choose extra deep pull-out drawers to maximise storage, and he told us where we could splurge and save to get the look we were after.

The type of cabinetry you use can be more valuable than any of the materials you flaunt on the outside. Having plenty of storage and a good flow between the fridge, oven, and sink will be two of the best investments you can make.

In the end, the ups of designing our own kitchen certainly outweighed the downs.

To have the opportunity to create a space from scratch that suits your family and lifestyle is a fortunate situation, and makes those downs seem insignificant in the scheme of things.

Lighting is an area that’s often overlooked and can have great impact.

We enlisted the help of an expert, and I’m so glad we did, he opened up our options up to what’s possible, some of which we hadn’t even considered.

For example, instead of the standard hanging pendants over the island, we chose extrusion lighting. I love the sleek look of this, and it gives off great task light making it a practical choice. He also suggested nice touches such as sensor lighting in the pantry, and strip lighting below the overhead kitchen cabinets.

Gina’s kitchen will be installed in the next few weeks. You can follow her home build journey at stylecurator.com.au Words & Images: Gina Ciancio Moodboard images via: Robson Rak Architects, The Block, Greg Natale.

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The future KITCHEN A BRIEF LOOK AT WHAT’S TO COME.

The ‘Chop and Change’ design by Mette Creates features interchangeable worktop components you can reconfigure, revamp and replace as you like.

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TURNING POINTS Can you imagine whipping up your favourite dish in a single-room cottage with a hearth at one end, and candles and wood as your only source of power?

This was the everyday for the 19th Century Australian worker. And as we run our silent dishwashers today, re-heat in designer microwaves, and indulge with sleek coffee machines, it’s fascinating to think how far this room has come.

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SMART TOOLS The relationship with our appliances will reach new levels as clever features such as: refrigerators that make meal suggestions, storage jars that warn of use-by dates via apps, and work surfaces that double as an interface to show cooking videos or weigh ingredients become the norm. ‘Instead of disconnecting us from the world around us, technology is predicted to strengthen and deepen our desire to get together and enjoy the slow, satisfying, and simple tasks associated with cooking and eating,’ says Redshaw.

From the scientific advances of the early 20th Century and the glamorisation of domesticity in the 40s and 50s, to the controversy of Rose Seidler’s Mid-Century Modern design, and today’s demand for convenience and multipurpose – this room has been ever evolving. And it’s not about to stop.

As we demand more from the busy hub, Victoria Redshaw, Lead Futurist at UK trend forecasting agency, Scarlet Opus, offers insight into what we can expect from the kitchen of the future.

RETHINKING THE OUTDOORS There’s nothing new about embracing the outdoor room when it comes to Australian lifestyles, but a greater sense of multi-function and permanence in this space is on the horizon. ‘It’s about bringing the inside out,’ says Redshaw. ‘It will mean a new mind-set that embraces investment in quality furniture, built-in fixtures and fittings, and decorative accessories usually associated with indoor areas’. We’re predicted to transform it into a much more considered space with modular outdoor kitchen solutions that will allow us to prepare food outside, as well as cook it.

SHAPE SHIFTERS ‘The future kitchen is all about flexibility,’ says Redshaw. We’ll no longer be tied down to the traditional permanence of the space and its fixed island, units, and benchtops. ‘We’re seeing sections of work surfaces that can be easily swapped-out, such as small island units on wheels that can be pulled out into the middle of the kitchen, and breakfast bars that can be moved back and used as a sideboard when you have a party’.

scarletopus.com

This dynamic approach caters to myriad tasks taking place in the kitchen, many of which have nothing to do with food.

It makes for a more communal space that Redshaw describes as an almost, ‘theatre in the round’ vibe for the cook who will be at the centre of the social experience with curved islands and benches.

Curvacious designs of the future such as this Pedini kitchen make for a less formal social experience

The WWOO outdoor concrete kitchen created by designer Piet-Jan Van Den Kommer is a virtually maintenancefree preparation and cook area made up of personalised components.

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LIFESTYLE & DIY PROJECTS CREATIVE IDEAS AND WEEKEND TREATS.

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CurtisStone WEEKENDS WITH

Ever wondered what chefs love to cook when they’re in their own kitchens? For Curtis Stone, there’s no restaurant food at home. He prefers a more casual approach and long, lazy meals. ‘I love cooking any brunch dish – we let brunch carry on for hours.’ Don’t bet against seeing crumpets and crêpes topped with seasonal fruits, spreads or syrups on Stone’s home table.

One such weekend treat is his ricotta pancakes with melted raspberries and sweet lemon butter. ‘I perfected these pancakes as a young chef while working at The Savoy Hotel in Melbourne, and have been making them ever since. Truly, they are my all-time favourite pancakes! Now that my son Hudson is walking and talking, I like to make big pancakes for the grown-ups and fifty-cent-sized pancakes for him.’

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RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH MELTED RASPBERRIES AND SWEET LEMON BUTTER I call the raspberries ‘melted’ because they’re quickly cooked with a touch of sugar just until they begin to soften and release their juice, but still retain their beautiful shape. Beating icing sugar and lemon zest into the butter makes it creamy and lighter in texture (not to mention utterly delicious!) – perfect for spreading over these pancakes, or waffles, toast, crumpets or scones.

A good morning, indeed.

For the pancakes

250g fresh ricotta cheese 4 medium eggs, separated 180ml buttermilk 125g plain flour 1½ teaspoons baking powder a pinch of salt 50g caster sugar about 45g unsalted butter

For the sweet lemon butter

First make the sweet lemon butter.

Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Set aside at room temperature.

For the melted raspberries

To make the melted raspberries, heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium– high heat. Add the raspberries, sugar and lemon zest and cook for about 45 seconds until the sugar melts and the berries soften only slightly and begin to

115g unsalted butter, softened 30g icing sugar, sifted 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

340g fresh raspberries 50g caster sugar 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

release their juice to form a syrup. Don’t let the berries cook too long or they will become mushy and lose their beautiful shape. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

To make the pancakes, whisk together the ricotta and egg yolks in a large bowl to blend, then whisk in the buttermilk.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the ricotta mixture and whisk once more until just combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with the sugar just until stiff peaks form.

Using a large silicone spatula, gently fold the egg whites through the batter in two batches.

Heat a flat, smooth griddle pan over medium–low heat. Melt some of the unsalted butter on the griddle. Make

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the pancakes in batches of about three at a time (or more if you are making small pancakes). Ladle the batter on to the griddle and cook the pancakes for about 3 minutes per side until they puff, turn golden brown and are just cooked through. Transfer the pancakes to plates.

Immediately after the pancakes come off the griddle, spread some sweet lemon butter over them and spoon on some of the warm melted raspberries and the accumulated raspberry syrup, then serve. Repeat to make and serve more pancakes.

Extract from MasterChef: The Masters at Home, published by Bloomsbury on 1st July, $45.00.

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How to weave a mini wall hanging What you’ll need: • Scrap cardboard as your loom • Yarn in varied colours • Yarn needle • Scissors • Fork

STEP TWO

Cut small slits along the short ends of your cardboard loom. Make sure you have the same number at the top and bottom. Wrap yarn around your cardboard using the notches to make your weave base.

Choose your first colour of yarn and cut approximately one metre. Starting from one side, thread your needle up and over each strand. Pull the yarn all the way through leaving a short tail. Weave in the opposite direction under the first row, and repeat back and forth ensuring you keep a consistent tension. After each row, use the fork to push rows together.

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When you’re ready to switch colours, leave a short tail at the same end as your first, and work the new colour as you did the last one. When your pattern is complete, weave the exposed tails vertically into the weave, and trim the ends to ensure none are showing.

Flip your cardboard loom over and cut strands at the bottom end. Tie each adjacent strand together and either leave as is or weave vertically through the weave as you did previously. Repeat along the top leaving the two outermost strands free to tie together as your hanging point.

STEP FOUR

STEP ONE

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The Last Word

LAUREN CIRCOSTA IS TAKING A STAND FOR BAD COOKS. I’m an eater, not a cook. That’s how I’ve defined my relationship with the kitchen for most of my adult life. It’s a line I like to spout when I’m questioned about my lack of skill in this department.

Shock horror! How is it so with an Italian heritage that saw me raised on homemade meatballs and melanzane?

I can just see a confused Nonna now; waving her hands up and down, fingertips together gesturing: what are you saying?!

I must admit, after watching an episode of Jamie Oliver’s TV series, 30 Minute Meals, I‘m inspired. All it takes is half an hour? I can do that! But 30 minutes slowly turns into 50 minutes, and I find myself left with a decent satay chicken, but a bombsite of a kitchen. Does Jamie Oliver wash his own dishes after those whirlwind cooks?

It’s not all hands in the sink huffing and puffing though. Some of my fondest memories revolve around food preparation. I will never forget watching my Nonna roll her gnocchi on snowy flour with the back of a fork, smooth and swift, almost meditatively.

I remember the hypnotising smell of hot pancakes on lazy Sunday mornings as dad swirled batter around a sizzling pan like a dreamy waltz, and then there’s mum’s famous scones cut with surgical precision while I waited in the wings ready to devour them. All these precious memories tied up with food. So why am I not motivated to stand over the kitchen bench and julienne?

I believe it boils down to confidence (pardon the pun). I’ve been known to get a little restless when my sureness waivers. Combine that with being hungry and I’m quick to turn big and green. Cooking is never something I’ve committed myself to seriously. Not to say I don’t enjoy the art – far from it – I love food and the inventiveness and tradition involved with preparing it. But I’ve always been the girl on the other side of the breakfast bar enjoying the smell of onions frying off instead of throwing them in the oil.

When I asked cook and author Kate Gibbs to share her thoughts with me on the power of cooking she said: ‘Cooking is a very nurturing process, there’s something about feeding someone else that is inherently loving. But it’s what happens at the table, no matter what you’ve cooked, that counts to me. It’s when we can turn out our successes and issues to our family, make them laugh, and they can do the same’.

So this is what I’m standing for: the love, laughs, and life that happen around food no matter who cooked it, and in my case, how well it’s cooked. There’s plenty of time to get in the kitchen and perfect those culinary skills, but for now, I’ll continue to drool over Jamie Oliver’s speedy TV creations, and take on the dishwashing duties – it’s only fair.

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