Inspiring Spaces for Children
Issue 13
Be Bold The Free Movement Revolution Our Boldest Room Reveals Ever Rachel Castle on when the Kids Leave Home
For stockists visit
W W W.MY LITTLEGIGGLES.COM
Compact Cots by Boori
Our new range of compact cots have been designed to save space in your home without compromising on our signature quality. Crafted from solid Australian Araucaria wood, they're petite in size and easy to manoeuvre throughout the home.
www.boori.com/au
Publisher and Editor Nicole Ray editor@mintymagazine.com.au Partnerships Bridgette Bathgate sales@mintymagazine.com.au Submissions Minty welcomes submissions for our magazine and blog. editor@mintymagazine.com.au Front Cover Designer – Peri Mooney Photographer - Françoise Baudet Design Annika Weller Contributing Writers Celine Barnes, Dr Kathryn Bown, Rachel Castle, Jacqui Greig, Kate Rabbitt Contributing Photographers Françoise Baudet, Felix Forest, Alexandrena Parker Contributing Designers and Stylists Juliette Arent, Louella Boîtel-Gill, Pip Brett JUMBLED, Claire Delmar, Jacinda Malloy, Amelia McFarlane, Madeline McFarlane, Peri Mooney, Sarah-Jane Pyke, Romi Weinberg, Lee Grinham, Jaynie Johnson
We would like to acknowledge the First People and Custodians of the Eora and Wajuk Nations, on whose land Minty Magazine was produced and published. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, past and present. Proudly printed in Western Australia on environmentally responsible paper produced from FSC® Mixed Sources Chain of Custody certified pulp from well managed forests. ISO 14001 / 9001
Minty magazine is an annual publication. Views expressed by the author are not necessarily those of the publisher. Copyright is reserved meaning no part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher, Minty magazine. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions within.
Editor’s Letter
Editor’s Favourites
GO ON, CELEBRATE YOUR OWN STYLE.
Convertible Nappy Bag by Arch Bags $132 www.archbags.com Practical, flexible and so stylish. This awesome bag can easily switch between a tote and a backpack, has plenty of pockets to keep things organised and includes a gorgeous matching change mat. This is a nappy bag that ticks all the boxes for me!
I’m currently growing out my grey hair. I started going grey in my mid-twenties and I will be forty this year. That’s fifteen years of dying my hair. Fifteen years of covering up my true self to fit in. Enough is enough right? Time to let those greys shine! I absolutely adore this issue of Minty for the same reason. It was planned with a clear intention - to celebrate bold decisions and designs that have come from the heart. Trends can step aside, in this edition of Minty, we are here to applaud finding confidence in your own style.
Flare Overall by EmCo+PoRo Linen $129.90 www.emcoporolinenkids.com.au Slow fashion for kids. A big yes to that! Everything at EmCo + PoRo is made in Australia and designed to be handed down for generation to come. We love the retro vibes and the soft organic corduroy. Simply timeless.
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I am particularly excited to share Lee Grinham’s story. Fed up with sleepless nights, she ditched the cot and embraced bedsharing with serious style. Personally, I hope sharing this space opens the flood gates and starts to normalise this everyday practice for so many carers. When we talk bold, how can we go past our cover image. Tanya Harrison has taken her daughter’s love for animals to the next level with this Amazonian room, creating a powerful visual backdrop for the space. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Romi Weinberg’s unwavering commitment to a white aesthetic (even in kids’ rooms!) is born from creating a calm environment for her family. And we also showcase Louella Boîtel-Gill’s home that delivers an eclectic mix of the old and the new to craft a warm and inviting home, an approach she takes with all her clients.
Rainbow Wool Knit Blanket by Goldie and Ace $149.95 www.goldieandace.com 100% wool and so cosy! The signature Goldie + Ace cool, whimsical vibe shines with the rainbow design. Do we really have to share it with the baby…?
Flower Power Upsy by The Upsy Store $130 www.theupsystore.com.au A little boost with serious style. The Upsy Store have revolutionised the booster seat with their innovative design. Each Upsy is splash-proof, wipes-clean, lightweight, portable and totally adorable. Flower Power is my pick of the bunch!
There is no denying the common thread across the selection of vastly different spaces featured in this edition… they are designed with a purpose that comes from within. A desire to take charge of the aesthetic. And perhaps, like my grey hair, by being inspired by their own natural preferences, these homes allow the owners a chance to relax into their own style. For me, this is everything. So that’s it, I’m calling it, the biggest trend for 2019 is… drumroll please… no trends! Go with what you and your family love and you can’t go wrong.
Baby Flower by Rachel Castle $200 www.castleandthings.com.au Hand screen printed acrylic (250mm x 280mm) on 300gsm Montvaal paper, this limitededition print is a classic. Perfect as a stand-alone feature or as part of a gallery wall, this Rachel Castle piece is sparking all the joy for me!
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Zoe Sage 5-in-1 Mama Cover
A multi-use cover designed for use as: • • • • •
breastfeeding
capsule
Breastfeeding cover Car capsule cover and pram cover High chair Trolley cover Infinity scarf for mama
trolley
high chair
infinity scarf
Zoe Sage - A brand born to empower mamas with incredible products….. A place to ease the transition into motherhood and breastfeeding because, let’s be honest, motherhood is no joke!
www.zoesage.com.au
2019
A SHOUT OUT TO OUR
A heartfelt thanks to our wonderful regular Minty contributors.
MINTY TEAM Francoise Baudet @francoisebaudet Françoise is a freelance interiors and architecture photographer. She is passionate about photography, health and wellbeing. She is a perfectionist who particularly loves to support local, small and authentic brands and designers. Françoise has a soft spot for architects and interiors designers as they can take a space beyond imaginable. When she’s not working or with her two small children, you can find her at a yoga studio, on a bush walk or in the ocean.
Kathryn Bown @lifelonglearningfamily Prior to having children, Kathryn was an early childhood teacher and researcher, and holds a PhD in early childhood education policy. These days Kathryn home educates her three children and documents their unschooling lives via blogging and Instagram. She is also a freelance copy and proof/ editor, and is a board member of the Social Justice In Early Childhood Foundation. Kathryn lives in Sydney with her partner, three children, four goldfish, three chickens, two brush turkeys and a puppy.
Madeline McFarlane @madelinemcfarlanestylist With a foundation in fashion design, Maddie began her styling career working as a fashion stylist in London. In 2012, she followed the sunshine and relocated to Sydney, making a natural extension into styling Lifestyle and Interiors. A greenie at heart, Maddie finds creative inspiration in the great outdoors. She’s working hard to advocate for stylish living that minimises harmful impact on the environment.
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Céline Barnes www.scribewise.com.au Céline runs her own consulting business Scribewise Pty Ltd and specialises in business writing, process improvement and strategy. For her creative outlet (aside from writing for Minty) Céline teaches tap dancing to a merry group of tappers each week and hopes to help turn around the declining interest in tap. Céline lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband and two children where they are slowly resurrecting a neglected plot of acreage and enjoying their own free-range eggs.
ISSUE 13 B E B O LD
Contents P16
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Boori 25 years of combining classic heritage with contemporary trends
Colour me Happy Amelia McFarlane is bringing the bold into our wardrobes
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Out with the old and in with the BOLD Must haves to brighten your interiors
Call of the Wild Annabelle’s jungle room
P56 P26 The Free Movement Revolution Confidence through scaffold exploration
The Other Side of the Precipice Rachel Castle on what really happens when the kids leave home
P34 Getting (Sm)art Delving into the arts with children at home
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At Home with The Johnson’s The beach loving, soul singing powerhouse family behind Blacklist Studio
At Home with Lee Grinham Sharing some sleep truths with serious style
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Step It Up Elevating Interiors with Arent & Pyke
White Magic Two stunning rooms by Romi Weinberg
P90 P72 Beechley Baby Awards We reveal the winners of this prestigious award
Bunking Down We tour the kids rooms at Louella Boîtel-Gill’s latest project
P100 Dream Recipe A room collaboration with a nostalgic twist
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W W W.MOOVBABY.COM.AU
Australian made climbing equipment for little explorers
www.livly.com.au
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Boori COMBINING CLASSIC HERITAGE WITH CONTEMPORARY TRENDS
ST YLING MADELIN E MCFARL AN E PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANCOISE BAU DET WORDS JACQU I G REIG
Every step of the Boori design journey is inspired by nature.
BOORI IS ARGUABLY AUSTRALIA’S BEST KNOWN NURSERY BRAND. Synonymous with timeless, classic design.
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“Our furniture is designed to support families as they grow, which is why we offer a range of products with unique technologies that prevent the need to buy additional furniture at every stage of a child’s development,” explains Marketing Manager Rebecca Ebdon-Taylor. “Our Expandable™ cot beds can transform into a full sized single bed using the easy-store conversion kit included and our Convertible Plus™ cot beds are able to convert into both a double bed and cosy sofa!” Every step of the Boori design journey is inspired by nature – combining the beauty of classic heritage with contemporary trends to create timeless pieces. “When buying furniture, especially for children, parents are placing their trust in the manufacturer. Australian products are subject to strict quality and safety standards so parents have peace of mind that our
furniture is not only solid and sturdy but will keep their child safe,” says Rebecca. Along with their signature quality, Boori is justifiably proud to be the first nursery brand to receive Greenguard gold certification – meaning their products do not emit any nasty chemicals and therefore do not contribute to the air pollution in their customers’ homes. Boori has its own purpose-built manufacturing factory based in Shanghai, which is overseen by Justin. Here, they have been able to refine the manufacturing process to ensure every product is the best it can be – using machinery that’s specifically designed to optimise the use of raw timbers, with their skilled craftsmen shaping and sanding each individual component that makes up the final piece of furniture. This has been a key factor in the global growth of the brand, as has the current focus on environmental sustainability. Consumers are increasingly aware of their impact on our planet and actively seeking products that are sustainably manufactured and built to last. “Nature is very much the centre of Australian Heritage so with more people increasing their efforts to protect our natural world, Australian products with Australian heritage are becoming more and more popular internationally.”
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aving started as an independent nursery store in 1993, and with its roots firmly in Australia – the name Boori is derived from the Wiradjuri word ‘boorie’, meaning boy/child – Boori is now a global brand achieving international success. It was while searching for furniture for his own children that Boori founder, Justin Chui, realised there was a lack of solid, coordinating nursery furniture. He also discovered there was a lack of children’s furniture that could truly grow with your family, withstanding the bumps and knocks of family life.
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Boori products do not emit any nasty chemicals and therefore do not contribute to the air pollution in their customers’ homes.
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With the natural beauty of wood at the heart of every piece, the Boori design teams take inspiration from around the world to create their collections. “You’ll spot subtle interpretations of natural elements throughout our pieces whether that be a swirl design inspired by an Australian sea shell or the ingredients in our natural finishes,” says Rebecca. Boori have traditionally found the most popular colour choice for their furniture has been white, but current trends have been showing great demand for greys and dark woods – perfect for creating a cosy interior design. “Scandi and Nordic design schemes continue to be desired so minimalist furniture, often two-toned, with unique angles and quirky shapes are definitely a favourite,” Rebecca adds.
MOROCCAN TRELLIS RUG $1,208 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // MIRA VACOV WOODEN PULL ALONG DOG FAMILY $40 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // BENNY BEAR $70 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // BLOOMINGVILLE FLOWERPOT – BEAVER $15 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // THE BIG BOOK OF BLUE $25 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // THE GARDEN OF HOPE $32 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // TIDY ROCKING HORSE IN ALMOND $100 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // TIDY TABLE IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $150 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // TIDY CHAIRS IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $100 EACH WWW.BOORI.COM/AU
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MOROCCAN TRELLIS RUG $1,208 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // WOODEN CAR – PIONEER $70 WWW.KISOSTORE.COM // LARGE HIPPO $160 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // BLOOMINGVILLE FLOWERPOT – SMALL $59 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // MILANO KING SINGLE LOFT BED IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $1400 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // TIDY DESK IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $500 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // RIMOR STUDY CHAIR IN BARLEY WHITE $300 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // BOBO CHOSES SCHOOL BAG – DOGS $135 WWW.LILAANDHUXLEY.COM // VANS SK8 -HI ZIP TODDLER $80 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // VARIOUS BOOKS WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // ROSY CHEEKS BY MICHELLE ELSKI $500 WWW.LUUMODESIGN.COM // BEDOUIN SOCIETY LINEN FLAT SHEET IN WHITE AND SAFFRON $340 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // LICORICE ALLSORT BUMBLE BLANKET $139 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU
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Boori furniture will continue to support your little one as they grow.
WHEAT CAIRO ARMADILLO FLOOR RUG $1,140 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // BANWOOD FIRST GO BALANCE BIKE $290 WWW.LILAANDHUXLEY.COM.AU // CURVED VASE – CONFETTI $43 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // LINEAR 3 DRAWER CHEST IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $900 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // MENU CARRIE LED LAMP BRUSHED BRASS $449 WWW.LUUMODESIGN.COM // I AM LIFE $30 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // LOST AND FOUND $25 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // MIRA VACOV WOODEN SITTING MOUSE – BENTLEY $22 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // LARGE HIPPO $160 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // GARLAND MINI STAR DUSTY PINK $55 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM
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2019
As our living spaces have been getting smaller, furniture with a more petite profile is coming to the forefront. Recognising this, Boori’s new range of compact cots have been designed to save space in your home without compromising on their signature quality. Crafted from solid Australian Araucaria wood, they're petite in size and are extremely easy to manoeuvre throughout the home (they even fit through a standard door frame!).
At the end of the day, Boori’s mission is to create furniture that is as versatile as possible, helping you at every stage of your family’s life. They care passionately about our planet and their customers’ homes, which is why they endeavour to reduce their impact on the planet wherever possible and help to keep homes free from nasty chemicals with their natural paint finishes.
TIDY DESK IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $500 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // RIMOR STUDY CHAIR IN BARLEY WHITE $300 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // GUBI GRASSHOPPER DESKLAMP $759 WWW.LUUMODESIGN.COM // SPECKLE CANNISTER – PINK $33 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // CURVED VASE CONFETTI $43 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU
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“Furniture is the most important investment for a nursery or kids’ bedroom so parents are looking for something that will not only look beautiful but will continue to support their little one as they grow,” says Rebecca. “All our matching furniture is full-sized with deep drawers and spacious shelves so they can be used from birth and beyond!”
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Boori creates furniture that is as versatile as possible, helping you at every stage of your family’s life.
MILANO KING SINGLE LOFT BED IN BARLEY WHITE AND ALMOND $1400 WWW.BOORI.COM/AU // BEDOUIN SOCIETY LINEN FLAT SHEET IN WHITE AND SAFFRON $340 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // BENNY BEAR $70 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // CUSHION WWW.COLLECTORSTORE.COM.AU // ICE GREY VELVET PENNY ROUND $79 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU // CREAM PUFF SHAG WOOL CUSHION $49 WWW.KIPANDCO.COM.AU // BLUEY SHAG WOOL CUSHOIN $49 WWW.KIPANDCO.COM.AU // CLOUDS COTTON BLANKET $79 WWW.KIPANDCO.COM.AU
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25 YEARS OF BOORI
First factory opens in St Mary’s
1993
2001
Commissioned 1st factory in Shanghai
Invented our ‘safe track’ drop-side system
2005
Boori launch in UK & Ireland
2008
Purpose-built factory opens in Shanghai
“All our wood comes from sustainable sources and is from species that are not only hard and durable, but not under threat – that’s why we are FSC certified. In order to reduce wastage of our timbers, we use state-of-the-art laser measuring technology to use as much of our wood as possible. As no part of the timber goes to waste, we use fewer trees to make our products,” explains Rebecca. Located in over 200 stores across six countries, Boori continues to receive supportive messages from parents from all over the world, and they hope to announce exciting expansion news soon. In the meantime, their Boori KIDS collection is constantly expanding and they continue to develop unique technologies to extend the value and uses of their products. With versatility, quality and the rare ability to combine timelessness with trends, Boori is a nursery brand that will no doubt be thriving in another 25 years.
2001
2010
Boori launch in Japan
Convertible Plus™ and Expandable™ technologies launched
2011
First nursery brand to achieve Greenguard Gold Certification
2012
New purpose-built factory named ‘Boori Village’ opens near Shanghai
2015
2017
Boori launch in China
2013
2016
Opening of first Boori KIDS stores in Shanghai and Sydney
New warehouse opens in Eastern Creek
2018
Creation of our new Eco-Blend Bio-Paint
Out with the old, in with the...
PIP BRETT, OWNER OF POPULAR HOMEWARES STORE JUMBLED, LIVES BY ONE MOTTO: "MORE IS MORE, LESS IS A BORE". So when it comes to designing kids rooms, you can bet Pip's advice is to use colour, and lots of it. Here, she shares some of her fave items for bringing together a bright, bold kids space. If you’d like to see more, make sure you check out their amazing online store www.jumbledonline.com
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KIP AND CO ALPINE VELVET QUILT COVER $289
KIP AND CO BLONDIE LINEN QUILT COVER $319
MY 2 SOCKS FRIES $12.95
WHITE MOOSE DESIGNS BRUCE FISH CUSHION $89
MADELINE STAMER MASKED OWL $599
KIP AND CO IN A PICKLE QUILTED PILLOWCASE $59
WHITE MOOSE DESIGNS WHALE BOOKENDS $59
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MIDDLE OF NOWHERE SPOT CUSHION $69
FOXY PLANTER $49.95
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O KIP AND CO AQUAMARINE VELVET QUILT COVER $289
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PURRS CAT PLANTER $49.95
W W W. J U M B LE D O N LI N E .CO M
SOCIETY OF WANDERERS MARIANNE LINEN PILLOWCASE SET $109
CASTLE AND THINGS HELLO TEE $85
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CASTLE AND THINGS RAINBOWS FRAMED ARTWORK $649
MAY GIBBS X KIP AND CO BUSH FRIENDS QUILT COVER $189
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The free movement
2019 ST YLING MADELIN E MCFARL AN E PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANCOISE BAU DET WORDS CELIN E BARN ES KIDS WEAR GOLDIE + ACE
"If I had been looking for an affordable option surely others would be too."
CONFIDENCE THROUGH SCAFFOLDED EXPLORATION –
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Leigh was excited to speak with us and share her passion for free movement: What is your business philosophy? “To make products which promote active play and encourage independent gross motor development.” What is your mission? “I’m no longer a helicopter mum because I know my son can handle himself after seeing his abilities grow over time using the triangle. Our mission is to give the same confidence to other children and their parents.” What inspires your product design? “While Dr. Emmi Pikler’s designs and the Montessori philosophy have been huge influences in the product design we strive to extend the use and interface between the different products to make them multipurpose. Having an extremely active two-anda-half-year-old gives you an invaluable insight into how products are used and how they can be adapted..” Run us through the development process from concept to prototype. “We are so fortunate in our family business that we all have different, yet complementary skill sets. I led with the concept, Dad provided the timber business expertise, and Mum contributed observations from her teaching experience. We moved quickly from the technical stage to production because we have an enthusiastic team who were keen to see things come to fruition.”
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hen Leigh Holford of MOOV Baby had her son in 2016, a friend introduced her to Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) which was developed by Magda Gerber based on the scientific observations and methods of Dr Emmi Pikler. The free movement philosophy resonated with Leigh and she was drawn to find out more about how it could facilitate her son’s play and physical exploration by helping him gain confidence and independence in his movement. Leigh explains, “I looked for the product in Australia, but the cost was phenomenal as they seemed to be a very niche product. I was a new mum on maternity leave, and I thought if I had been looking for an affordable option surely others would be too. I talked to my parents, who own a timber manufacturing facility in Northern NSW, and within a few months we had created a few product prototypes. We received so many positive comments when people saw the products. As a consumer of my own product I’m happy with how it has transformed my approach to parenting and how I engage with my son during play and movement.”
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p ho hop
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What is the best feedback you’ve received? “There aren’t many toys out there that get played with every day for years, but this is exactly the feedback we get. The stories which really make our hearts sing are about the children with gross motor delays or special needs where our products are helping them develop key life skills and contributing to their wellbeing.” How do you manage working with your family, especially from different locations? “We are lucky to have a strong family bond based on mutual respect. Small business is not easy as you have so much invested in terms of time, money and love. We have disagreements about things but stay on the same team. The distance isn’t too bad, it is more managing my baby and toddler while being on call which is difficult.”
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Encouraging t fr e e m ove m e n for children
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M I N T Y PA RT N E RS H I P
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What has been your biggest challenge? “Finding the confidence to give it a try. It’s all new to us and we have been so delighted with the enthusiasm from our wonderful customers.” What is your five-year plan? “Our focus remains the same – encouraging free movement for children. As noted by Dr. Emmi Pikler, infants and toddlers don’t need to be taught how to crawl, walk or climb they just need the opportunity to learn according to their inherent ability. Our products play an important part in inspiring more child-led active play and we recently launched some great new designs for people to try.”
"Infants and toddlers don’t need to be taught how to crawl, walk or climb they just need the opportunity to learn according to their inherent ability."
www.moovbaby.com.au @moovbaby
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M I N T Y PA RT N E RS H I P
FROM THE EXPERTS Liz Ryan, Occupational Therapist Little Heroes Kids OT
Jessica Frizzo, Senior Physiotherapist Milestones Physiotherapy
MOOV baby equipment is:
MOOV baby equipment is:
The perfect solution to increase opportunities for movement-based play in small spaces.
A useful addition to the paediatric clinic setting and so adaptable. The plank as a ramp provides a fantastic stretch of the calf muscles in toe walkers, and all the climbing and balancing is perfect for low muscle tone friends.
Made from natural materials and promotes open-ended play: physical, imaginative, and sensory. Supervision provided by an adult can be graded to suit needs. Appropriate for six months to five years. Children will naturally adapt their use of the equipment as they grow and most importantly, when they are ready to adapt.
A great product to aid parents in achieving the Australian guidelines around active play – three hours per day for one to five-year-olds.
Great at providing incidental sensory input through movement and heavy work activities to help children regulate activity levels and emotions.
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2019 Insta inspiration @bigwildimagination @_artventure @artpantry
Getting (sm)art H
ave you ever considered bringing more art experiences into your home for your children to engage with but don’t know where to start? Do you think you need particular skills or experience to plan art experiences for children? Or perhaps you’ve been worried about the materials or space required for such undertakings? Wonder no more! Be prepared to get smart about the benefits of art for your children (and yourself) and be assured you don’t need a fine arts degree to bring artistic experiences into your home. What’s the difference between art and craft, and does it matter? “Art means something to you. Art is a power that can create lots of stuff. Art is everything… Art can have questions; it can have love in it; it can have superpowers. Art can have superpowers. Art can give an experience, a wonder, a no or a yes.” (Liv, 7 years old, 2018, p. 182) The definition of arts and crafts is quite a contested subject with a complex debate that has continued for centuries! Interestingly, ‘crafts’ have oftentimes been categorized based on elitist beliefs about what constitutes more basic endeavors compared to those considered to be fine arts. However, many ‘crafts’ can be artistic, creative endeavors as well. For instance, artistic endeavors can include painting and drawing, weaving and crocheting, sculpting and carving, collage and mosaic, and of course the many performing arts such as drama, dance and music. In addition, artistic endeavors are likely to be: creative, imaginative, open-ended, process-oriented, flexible, subjective, and meaningful. P 37
What are the benefits of children engaging in art-making? “Living in this space of art and creative practice as an expression of lives lived now and all that brought them to this moment, changes lives, society and history” (Nicole Monks, 2018, p.97). Art can be a powerful way to convey a message or idea, process internal feelings or emotions, communicate with an audience, and explore deeper parts of our psyche. Art making can therefore be a powerful learning process for children and adults in therapeutic and experiential ways. In addition, art is potentially connected to all other learning disciplines, such as language and literacy, mathematics, science, design, technology, and history to name just a few. For instance, you need mathematics to work out how to draw perspective in a landscape; and you need to understand symbolism and language to use these in design. There are endless ways art experiences will connect with all areas of life and learning.
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ST YLING MADELIN E MCFARL AN E PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS K ATH RYN BOWN @ LIFELONGLEARNINGFAMILY
DELVING INTO THE ARTS WITH CHILDREN AT HOME
What are the basics and how do you begin? There is no one way you should begin or one set of art supplies you specifically need. The most ‘successful’ experience you can plan for your child is based on something they are already curious about. For instance, if your child is interested in gem stones and crystals, you might begin by sourcing some water colour paints, brushes, water colour paper and some crystals displayed on a tray. If your child recently asked you why the sky is blue, you might buy or print a colour spectrum wheel, source a crystal that can refract light in a window, along with some washable acrylic paints and large paper. I’ve sourced some art supplies and have a sense of where to begin, what next? If you can, sit alongside or even better, participate with your child in their art making/performing. Use conversation to explore further and deeper. Delve into their interests by listening to their ideas and observing how they create art. The process can be just as important as the product. Make a note of questions asked or ideas shared that can then form the basis of the next step for your art making/performing, whether it’s the next day or next week. SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLANNING AND ENGAGING IN ART-MAKING WITH CHILDREN
MOROCCAN TRELLIS RUG $1,208 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // NOFRED MOUSE TABLE SCHOOL (6-10 YEARS) LACQUERED OAK $459 WWW.MYLITTLEGIGGLES.COM // NOFRED MOUSE CHAIR SCHOOL (6-10 YEARS) LACQUERED OAK $429 WWW.MYLITTLEGIGGLES.COM.AU // MIRA VACOV WOODEN SITTING MOUSE BENTLEY $22 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // CARVED VASE STRAIGHT NATURAL $32 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // TERRAZZO POT – SNOW $65 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // CARVED VASE ROUNDED – CONFETTI $32 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // ROSY CHEEKS BY MICHELLE ELSKI PASTEL INK AND PENCIL ON FRENCH COTTON PAPER $500 UNFRAMED WWW.LUUMODESIGN.COM // BLOOMINGVILLE BUNNY FACE PLATE $35 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // LITTLE HARLEQUIN PAINTING GOUACHE AND ACRYLIC ON 300GSM CANVAS $1400 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU // BY AND BY ACRYLIC ON WOOD $800 WWW.MARNIEROSSARTIST.COM // BLUSH PRETZEL HAND SCREEN PRINTED ACRYLIC ON 300GSM MONTVAAL PAPER $200 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU //UNTITLED LUCY ANDERSON OIL ON WOOD $1100 WWW.MCMHOUSE.COM // NOW ACRYLIC ON WOOD $360 WWW.MARNIEROSSARTIST.COM //BLOOMINGVILLE AUDREY PLATE $19 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // UNTITLED LUCY ANDERSON OIL ON WOOD $1100 WWW.MCMHOUSE.COM // LITTLE WHITE GARDEN GOUACHE, ACRYLIC AND WATERCOLOUR ON 300GSM CANVAS $1200 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU
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SPACE Think about dedicating a corner, room or outdoor space to your child’s artistic endeavors. Or perhaps use a caddy on wheels to take advantage of different spaces such as a table, a rug, an easel or sitting under a tree. Consider having a travel art bag that you can bring to the park or beach to take advantages of destinations that inspire creativity, majesty and awe. STORAGE Think about how to store and present art materials in enticing ways. Make practical decisions to ensure you are able to set up and clean up efficiently. QUALITY Unsurprisingly, consider quality art supplies over quantity, from ethical and sustainable art suppliers. Model to your children commitment to caring for equipment and they will last for years.
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INSPIRATION If you’re finding it difficult to work out where to start, outsource your springboard to an online tutorial. There are many artists offering up their expertise and ideas in the way of YouTube tutorials as well as other paid subscriptions. You might also find inspiration in Instagram accounts dedicated to fostering art with children. DISPLAY Sometimes its also prudent to value and appreciate the product. Displaying your children’s art works respectfully and thoughtfully will go a long way to encourage and support your children’s engagement in the arts. Some possibilities include: framing and hanging; storing in purpose bought portfolios; displaying on a shelf; taking photographs of works or performances and keeping them in albums; and taking videos to reflect on and remember.
Liv and Bown, K. (2018) An interview about art, activism and unschooling. In R. R. Scarlet (Ed.). Becoming with art in early childhood. MultiVerse: Sydney. Monks, N. & Scarlet, R. R. (2018) Bling flag – what do we do with what art does? In R. R. Scarlet (Ed.). Becoming with art in early childhood. MultiVerse: Sydney.
Colour me happy Amelia McFarlane is bringing the bold back into our wardrobes
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melia McFarlane is passionate about connecting with women and strongly believes in the impact that colour can have on us all. Following her personal experience losing her self-confidence when becoming a mum, Colour Me In Styling was born. Amelia studied a BA in Communications and a Certificate in Colour Theory at the International School of Colour and Design and worked successfully as a commercial stylist doing print ads, fashion shoots and celebrity red carpets. Understanding the power of colour and the way it can affect emotions, mood and energy, she soon realised that her passion for dressing women and helping them rediscover their personal style could become a business.
a very negative view of their body because of changes after having children. For example, having a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit you can have a massive impact on your self-esteem. "Imagine if every time you got dressed you were faced with a wardrobe of things you couldn't wear? Being reminded every day about all the things that don't fit you is not a great way to start the day." For this reason, a big focus of Amelia's work is helping clients to understand how to work with the body they have and to focus on the positives!
"I've always loved connecting with women. I have a real interest in human psychology which led me to do further research into colour theory. I also love working with women to help them reconnect with their bodies and to shift their thinking."
First up, Amelia works with her clients to establish what they are naturally drawn to. At first, the goal is to find that part of their personality that is lost and help them express their creative edge.
Amelia's experience has highlighted how women can get stuck in a rut with their clothing choices, leaving them feeling flat and uninspired. In particular, mums can get caught in
"By emphasising the parts of their body that they love, I see a huge shift in confidence and overall perspective."
"My main aim is to enhance a client's natural sense of style so that ultimately they feel like a more vibrant and confident version of themselves."
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"I love working with women to help them reconnect with their bodies and to shift their thinking."
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"My main aim is to enhance a client's natural sense of style so that ultimately they feel like a more vibrant and confident version of themselves."
To show off Amelia’s skill in bringing out the vibrancy and underlying style preferences in mums, we introduced her to gorgeous mum Nikki. After two children (Dashiell, 8 months and James Dean, 4), Nikki had stopped caring about fashion, lost her sense of style and didn't have the time or the energy to go shopping. "My style is very casual and safe. I need practical clothes that I can wear when playing with my children. To be honest, I always wear black!" Amelia's brief was to create three different looks for Nikki – playground friendly; date night/girls’ night out; and a return to work look. We are thrilled to show you what they came up with together to enhance Nikki’s style and wardrobe.
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PLAYGROUND A crisp white shirt with the sleeve slightly rolled up, collar buttoned all the way up and the scooped hemline peeping from underneath a pink textured cotton jumper with grey wash high waisted slim denim jeans, all from COS. Accessorised with sneakers from ZOMP and yellow bag from COS. This is an example of playing with layers and colours (pink and yellow) alongside a neutral white and grey base.
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RETURN TO WORK The fish print silk shirt from DOUGAL tucked into yellow satin skirt cut on the bias from COUNTRY ROAD. Grey suede pumps from ZOMP. This is an example of using a longer layer, in this case, a cardigan to make an outfit more flattering. Also using a patterned shirt to influence the other colours worn to create an overall stylish, playful well put together look. The grey heels make a great neutral shoe option working in beautifully with all the colours within the outfit.
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LADIE'S NIGHT OUT Silk patterned SANDRO top with emerald green MARCS pants and purple suede shoes from ZOMP. This is an example of beautiful colour blocking.
"It was a real eyeopener to see how I can easily incorporate some colour and style back into my wardrobe, without compromising practicality." -Nikki
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"Seeing all the colours Amelia used has inspired me to add more colour to my wardrobe. As soon as I was wearing brighter colours, my mood had an instant lift." -Nikki
DATE NIGHT Magenta silk dress from WITCHERY and animal print pumps from ZOMP, magenta stud earrings and colourful clutch both from MOORE DESIGN COLLECTIVE. This is an example of beautiful colour on Nikki, the bright clutch and animal print shoes add a playful element to Nikki's outfit and the earrings blend in the colour of the dress, not competing with the shoes and clutch.
Blazer - "Invest in a good blazer – it instantly gives you such a nice shape, emphasising or creating a waist. You can throw it on with a simple outfit, and it really elevates the entire look."
Scarves – "Such a great way to add in some beautiful colour close to your face, and are practical layers to take on and off depending on the temperature."
Denim jeans – "Don't underestimate the value of a great pair of jeans, they are a wardrobe staple. Thank goodness the high-waist trend is back, they are super flattering and practical for mums as we are constantly picking up things off the ground…including our children!"
Sneakers – "This trend is here to stay, and there are so many cool options around. It's worth investing in a few pairs as they will add colour to any outfit, they're comfortable and the added bonus with shoes is that it doesn't matter if your body shape changes!" Hats – "Hats are such a great accessory, they are super practical yet elegant and stylish. I love a beautiful felt hat in winter." Sunglasses – "Experiment with a different shape, style or colourful frame. And given how much you are outdoors walking or at the park as a mum, sunglasses are essential."
Woollen coat – "Consider going for colour and pair it with neutrals."
It's time to embrace the transformative power of colour and the way it can make you feel. Identify the mood you want to bring into your day and use colour as your secret weapon to create energy, or bring you comfort and peace. The clever use of colour can have you leaving the house looking fresh, vibrant and maybe even have you feeling like you got a full nights sleep – and who doesn't need some of that? www.colourmeinstyling.com.au @colourmeinstyling
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So we asked Amelia, how can mums avoid the daily default to activewear and what are the best ways to improve this playground-practical look? Here, Amelia talks us through some key pieces to add to your wardrobe and have on high rotation this season:
WW W.MY LI T T L EG I G G L E S.COM
Scandinavian inspired design will make a perfect feature piece in your nursery or children’s room.
MY LITTLE GIGGLES - NATURAL TIMBER RANGE
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he range is made from premium quality 18mm Birch plywood FSC certified and is painted with a non toxic oil and are designed using a unique and simple interlocking frame without the use of screws or glue making the assemble or disassemble quick and easy. MY LITTLE PLAY BAR & X3 TOY PACKAGE $229.95 NATURAL TIMBER CLOTHING RACK $299.95 AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW AT WWW.MYLITTLEGIGGLES.COM
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Call of
DESIGN PERI MOON EY PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS CELIN E BARN ES
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n Annabelle’s room, the wild has most definitely come a visiting! The Kingdom Home Designs Botanical Wallpaper features a riot of plants and animals arranged in vivid glory. From a trumpeting elephant to a prowling leopard (a customisation especially for Annabelle), the animals circle the room calling out for others to join them in their escapades. Tanya, Annabelle’s Mum, confirms “Annabelle has a huge love of animals, especially leopards, so that is why we created an Amazon room. When Annabelle first saw it her huge smile just lit up the room.” Tanya runs Raja Homewares which was born out of her passion for interiors and a love for creating adventurous rooms. “Raja’s aim is to give every little King and Queen a space that becomes a part of treasured childhood memories,” she states. Tanya called on her friend and stylist Peri Mooney to style Raja’s launch campaign shoot. “I love her style and trust her judgement implicitly so I wouldn’t have anyone else! An interior designer helps to bring the vision together and was well worth it for us,” she says.
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"The essential requirements for the room were to provide a restful haven for Annabelle at the end of each day, whilst still being a fun place for her to play!"
Tanya confirms, “The essential requirements for the room were to provide a restful haven for Annabelle at the end of each day, whilst still being a fun place for her to play and, to provide plenty of storage space for large toy and book collections.” In Annabelle’s room, the Raja Homewares rattan pieces like the Dreamland Petite Daybed and Mini Malawi Chair give the room a worldly feel creating today’s fantasy kingdom, while also allowing for an easy transition into Annabelle’s early teen years. Raja Homeware’s focus on high quality, handcrafted pieces – that can stand alone or complement other furniture – are the perfect choice for longer-term relevance. With the Amazon as their inspiration, Tanya and Peri mixed deep greens of the forest with interesting pops of colour from peacocks to papaya fruit. Keeping other elements neutral like the Raja Homewares rattan pieces and the sisal rug from IKEA, ensures the wallpaper remains the main event. The use of the Cultivar Goods Blush Bed Linen and soft accessories balance out the vibrancy of the other elements of the room. Tanya’s favourite piece is the rattan Eden Bed coupled with the gold canopy from Numero 74 Designs. Tanya describes a typical night as one where Annabelle pulls the canopy around her tightly like she's camping out and snuggles up cosily under her covers.
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"Annabelle has a vivid imagination an a creative heart and loves nothing more than role playing – I think we might have an actress in the making!"
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As many of us have experienced, the hardest part of the process for Tanya was sticking to a reasonable budget. Tanya explains, “As the wallpaper was a major luxe feature it was important to include more economical pieces such as the sisal rugs from IKEA to achieve a balance.” Tanya believes the key is investing in quality pieces as well as having the courage to be daring and do something a little different. In line with Raja Homewares’ aim to inspire and delight, Tanya, along with stylist Peri Mooney, have succeeded in creating not just a room but a world ripe for grand adventures. “Annabelle has a vivid imagination and a creative heart and loves nothing more than role playing – I think we might have an actress in the making!” We say… what a stage to begin on!
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Raja Homewares www.rajahomewares.com @rajahomewares
Insta inspiration @thefrenchfolk – For her amazing nursery Inspo and décor. @_dimity_ – For her creative playtime tips for children and amazing Boho Mama dress sense! @emilyosmond – The Modern Marketing Collective – Emily has been instrumental in helping me learn the tips and tricks of Instagram marketing after starting my business with zero social media skills.
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EDEN RATTAN BED $875 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
NUMERO 74 CANOPY GOLD $219 WWW.DESIGNSTUFF.COM.AU
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BERBER CUSHION $50 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
DREAMLAND PETITE RATTAN DAYBED $550 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
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RATTAN CHANGE TABLE $500 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
APPLE RATTAN MIRROR $65 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
POM POM THROW $100 WWW.RAJAHOMEWARES.COM
WORDS R ACH EL CASTLE PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET
On the of the precipice other side
Looking back at the journey of parenthood.
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Once in a supermarket queue, a stranger, an older woman about the age I am now, told me to 'treasure every moment with those babies, it flashes by in the twinkle of an eye’. Gah! She was so right. From the start, we’re on stealth alert - we need to keep these babies safe and happy. We take the folic acid, we stop drinking, we rest and try to slow down, we don’t lift the heavy boxes, we try to birth them gently, we sprinkle them with powder, we kiss and cuddle and bathe and feed them, we teach them to walk and talk and to eat healthy things like tomatoes (my kids still don’t like them), we cross the road safely all holding hands, we cry on their first day of school because they’re vulnerable and we’re scared they might be lonely for the first time in their safe and happy lives. As they grow, as we tuck them in and watch them sleep night after night, we breathe a little sigh of relief, they’re still here. They’re alive and growing, they’re learning, they’re becoming bigger and stronger and more independent. It’s working, it’s hard yakka but so far so good. We’re making this little journey with them and appreciate that their life is an ok one, and we feel lucky for it. All the while, we’re keeping vigil. Please pass on our good traits, oh please we pray, don’t pass on the bad. Please let them be kind but not too soft, bossy but not too pushy, wilful but not too stubborn, free but not too careless. Geez it’s a tough gig, but we would quite literally walk off a cliff for these little people, so our hopes for their happiness are high.
We’re doing an important job here people, we’re trying to raise good kids. And then one day when we’re into the seventeenth year of asking nicely, lecturing, pleading and bribing them into taking responsibility for their own actions, the birds in the sky start to sing and the heavens part and they finally realise that avocado on grain toast is way nicer than pancakes with sugar. You can’t believe these little people, for all their supposed ignoring and indifference were actually, *sound the trumpets*, quite likely listening after all. It’s a glorious day. No more ‘be nice to your brother’, ‘don’t be mean to your sister’. Now, it’s ‘stop ganging up on your mother’, and ‘what are you two up to now?’ They can drive a car, they can fix the electronics, they can screw the lids off the jars, they can book the hotels, they can hold the passports. They have jobs, they study, they have boyfriends and girlfriends and you wonder exactly how this all happened. You’re grateful and relieved when you can finally get them out of school and employed or at university, and out living by themselves. Job done. Phew. This leaves you at the door of the big shebango, on the other side of the precipice. How oh how, really WHAT ON EARTH will this new life look like when we don’t all live together under the same roof? Every waking hour for nearly two decades devoted to their care, to peace and harmony and growth and striving for those rare but beautiful moments of family tranquillity, and then what? Well, I’m here on the other side, still breathing, to tell you, and I’m a very sooky mother, that it's really all going to be ok. Recently my son asked over dinner ‘where does Cleo actually P58
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live now?’ and we said ‘well here, but she’s always in Bondi, and with her friends, and her boyfriend, and soon university’, and then just all of a sudden she doesn’t live here anymore and it wasn’t as crushing as I dreaded it would be. It happened slowly and organically; the transition was quite undramatic. Three people at the dinner table now is not a biggie, her room is still littered with her things, her brother’s taken over the bathroom (I’ve got to say bizarrely it’s a hell of a lot neater ‘cause he does very little in there) and one less person asking to borrow the car. There were no tears. And now there
are many phone calls and messages of love, she lets me hug and kiss her and do her washing. Her father makes her food to take back to uni, she borrows my clothes, and she is safe and happy. It's a bittersweet journey that’s for sure. Every day they spend growing, we say goodbye to our babies. And as complicated as life can get, in the end it all boils down, so neat and tidy, to one simple life truth: If they’re happy, we’re happy.
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ST YLING JAYNIE JOH NSON PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS NICOLE R AY
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At home with
The Johnsons
I visited the Johnson family on a particularly grey summer’s day. Prompted by a rare break in the rain, I dashed to the door of their unassuming beach-side bungalow in Sydney’s South. Jaynie Johnson greeted me with a warmth so great and so genuine that the rainy day was quickly forgotten. The sunny vibes just kept coming as I was introduced to the rest of this beach going, art loving, soul singing tribe. It was immediately apparent that this is no ordinary household. Jaynie and Nathan have three children. Willow Ever (nine), Dare Ocean (five) and Rocko Sea (two). Their closeness as a family is obvious, as is the respect and love they openly shared with one another. It was beautiful to observe. The Johnsons love the simple things in life: surfing, making music and homecooked meals. You’ll often find them in their living room playing their favourite games as a family – charades, Lego or hide and seek. Willow, a keen karate student, Dare
a passionate sportsman who dreams of being an Olympian, and Rocko, unashamedly guitar obsessed. Each child’s passions constantly nurtured by their loving parents. Nathan and Jaynie founded Blacklist in 2008 and their intentions remain unchanged: to craft for themselves a flexible lifestyle with their children whilst creating work that they love, with people they love. The Blacklist brand will continue to develop products to help people find the beauty in the ordinary. From its humble beginnings, Blacklist has evolved into a multi-disciplinary design studio and lifestyle and limited-edition art brand. The design studio recently relaunched after a short hiatus as family life took the reins- an exciting time as many new projects unfold. With its unmistakable style and commitment to creating and producing work from their seaside studio, Blacklist has become a well-loved household name over the past decade.
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TOP 5 ITEMS IN THE BOYS’ ROOM Digby Webster artworks Matching Oeuf beds from Kido Store Rachel Castle bed linen Lightbox from Addition Studios
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The Rise and Fall skull cushion. A treasure from before the boys were born.
And then there is their home. Oozing with beach chic style. A 50’s classic with modern touch. A home that perfectly bridges practicality with effortless grace. A warm and inviting family haven with Blacklist style and values stamped all over it. It is an absolute treat to share this peak into the life and home of Jaynie and her gorgeous family. How would you describe your signature style? It’s pretty much just minimal coastal luxe. We like nice things, but they need to be meaningful. We like objects that are symbolic of times, memories, places and people. We like white as a base and then add to that. Textures are our favourite thing to play with, we choose that over colour. And we like to have modcons that make family living easy, like ducted air and well-integrated appliances. My favourite question for owners of stylish family homes…how do you deal with the toys?! We keep them in the playroom. We have one basket that is allowed in the shared living space, and the rest
must stay in the playroom. I don’t love lots of toys, I find that the kids only really need a few at a time. We rotate them regularly and visit the local toy library and also created our own in the garage. I prefer them to have craft supplies than toys for the most part. We do have a big sensory playroom which is a bit of a kids haven, the bright coloured foam blocks do hurt my eyes though. I think we need to design some aesthetically pleasing ones. What are your must haves/must do’s when designing a space for children? Simplicity, sensory toys, and I allow Willow to have basically free creative control of her room. It’s not to my taste necessarily, but I think it is important for her to be able to express her own creativity and learn what she likes (and doesn’t) for her own space. It also makes it easier to keep it clean, as she has ‘ownership’ over the space. We deliberately don’t have a rug in Willow’s room as she LOVES to make slime and we decided to let her be able to make it in her room without fear (on our behalf) of a ruined rug. We always want to create spaces that incite creativity and experimentation.
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"We like nice things, but they need to be meaningful."
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TOP 5 ITEMS IN WILLOWS’ ROOM Oeuf Loft bed Vintage kantha Rainbow and unicorn painted by Nathan Steve Gorrow skateboard artwork. This was a gift for Willow's' third birthday Kip and Co unicorn sheet and pillow
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As a visitor in your home, the love you all share for each other was so apparent – how do you cultivate this with your children? This is a good and hard question. We are quite intentional about family, love, and our shared values. This often looks like: We can’t always choose how we feel, but we can choose how we act. We’ve always wanted to teach our children that feelings are ok, but that they have responsibility for how they act when they feel certain ways.
We also expect love and show love. We teach them that love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements or its own importance. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
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Words matter. We don’t allow our children to say certain things, or words. For instance, we don’t use the word ‘hate’ to describe anything. Food, colours, people. Willow questioned me on this last week actually, as she said her friends are allowed to say certain words, like ‘hate’. I said the world would be much better without hate, so if we are trying to eliminate hate, we should eliminate it from our vocabulary. They aren’t allowed to say things like, ‘you’re not my friend anymore’ to each other. They can say, ‘I’m feeling annoyed by you, and I need time to myself’
"We can’t always choose how we feel, but we can choose how we act."
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It would be amiss of me not to touch on your passion and dedication to advocating for inclusivity for people with disabilities – can you share your mission with us? Our family is also incredibly passionate about advocating for inclusivity for the one in five individuals on our planet who have a disability. We were so lucky to have our eyes opened when our amazing son Dare was born, to the societal need we have for creating more inclusive communities for those who have a variety of different needs. We are so grateful that our experiences have generally been incredibly positive, however are aware that this is typically not the ‘norm’ for the families we encounter. We are so inspired through word and deed to do as much as we can to help educate and advocate. Blacklist is such a strong brand with a cult following – what do you think drives this? Is it? Haha. We honestly just create what we want, when we want. We try to stick to some sort of schedule and then we just get too excited. I think we have a beautiful community around us who are passionate about beautiful design. We have been so fortunate to have such strong support from so many people from interior designers, to editors, stylists, buyers and beautiful customers.
"We were so lucky to have our eyes opened when our amazing son Dare was born."
What’s coming up for Blacklist in 2019 and beyond? We are excited for the design studio projects, Nathan’s solo exhibition, new brand collections, and we are taking on some residential styling projects which will be fun. We honestly feel like Blacklist has a life of its own and we are just here to navigate its expression in each new season.
www.blackliststore.com.au @blackliststudio @blackliststore @dareandtruth
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STEP IT UP W W W. A R E N T P Y K E .C O M
THOUGHTFUL DESIGN ENSURES EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE.
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CAREFULLY PLANNED JOINERY MAXIMISES THE SPACE AND CREATES A UNIQUE FEATURE IN EACH ROOM.
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CONTRASTING PATTERNS ADD INTEREST AND FUN.
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ELEVATING INTERIORS WITH ARENT & PYKE WORDS NICOLE R AY PHOTOGRAPHY FELIX FOREST ST YLIST CL AIRE DELMAR
"Our role as designers is to not dictate or prescribe, but to facilitate the realisation of each client’s vision of a beautiful home."
"We select key pieces with longevity in mind, to grow with the child, but aim to keep the overall scheme playful."
hen it comes to striking interiors, you can’t go past award-winning design studio Arent & Pyke. Formed in 2007 by principals Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent & Pyke has become renowned for their distinctive style and bold use of colour and texture in home interiors. Sarah-Jane explains ‘Our interiors are layered, crafted and bespoke, in the truest sense of the word. Our role as designers is to not dictate or prescribe, but to facilitate the realisation of each client’s vision of a beautiful home’. Like most things, working with colour involves more than what meets the eye. Arent & Pyke firmly believe that working with colour in nuanced combinations evokes strong memories and emotions. They work in close consultation with their clients to dig deep and find the palette for their interiors that will spark connection. Sarah explains, ‘It’s such a powerful tool to connect our clients emotionally to their interiors. We love to
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see them respond as they recognise colours they love in the schemes we present.’ For Arent & Pyke, when designing children’s rooms, it is important to capture the spirit of children, a sentiment that absolutely hits the nail on the head. They select key pieces with longevity in mind, to grow with the child, but aim to keep the overall scheme playful. Importantly, they design solutions that bring ease into the lives of their clients. For instance, they focus on details such as wardrobes that really work, a drawer to pack away homework, or a shelf for a favourite book next to the bed. Says Sarah-Jane, ‘We relish in the minutiae and seek to elevate the mundane.’ The children’s rooms at Amarello Terrace are stunning examples of Arent & Pyke’s dedication to elevate the mundane. The rooms were designed to fit into the overall aesthetic of the home, whilst paying close attention to each child’s preferences.
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UTILISING THE SAME PALETTE ACROSS EACH ROOM IN A DIFFERENT WAY CREATES A COHESIVE, UNIFIED FEEL, WITHOUT COMPROMISING EACH ROOMS’ OWN IDENTITY.
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USE OF COLOUR IN THE JOINERY BRINGS AN ELEMENT OF LUXE SOPHISTICATION.
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WE WERE DELIGHTED TO TEAM UP WITH BEECHLEY TO PRESENT THE BEECHLEY BABY AWARDS 2019. W W W.B E EC H LE Y.CO M
Beechley distribute quality children’s lifestyle products across Australia and the Netherlands. The Beechley Baby Awards provide Australian brands an opportunity to be represented internationally by Beechley. The award winners will be represented at the CBME global trade fair in Shanghai – the world’s largest trade fair for child, baby and maternity products with 3,300 exhibitors and 4,700 brands. In its inaugural year, the Beechley Baby Awards has selected a winner in each of the three categories: décor, toys, and innovation. Selected by a panel of industry experts, we are proud to announce the 2019 winners.
*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017
DÉCOR
eechley is a Social Enterprise that aims to make a difference to the kids who need it most. With 145 reports of child abuse and neglect registered in Australia every day*, Beechley are committed to donating 100% of profits to help end this abuse and neglect.
Dots by Donna www.dotsbydonna.com Donna’s patience, discipline and love for drawing in dots has resulted in a stunning collection of original illustrations and prints. Every detail is created by the layering of thousands of freehand dots. With each piece taking up to 200 hours to complete, you can be assured a Dots by Donna piece has been created with artistic integrity and a lot of love.
INNOVATION
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Zoe Sage – Five in One Mama Cover https://zoesage.com.au The Zoe Sage multi-use cover can be used as breastfeeding cover, car capsule cover, trolley cover, high chair cover and an infinity scarf for mama. Every mama, breast feeding or not, will love how practical and versatile the cover is. Lightweight and easy to use, the Five in One Mama cover is the perfect addition to every nappy bag!
TOYS
2019
Tiny Harlow - Dolls’ Bassinet https://tinyharlow.com With a dream to create toys that will be heirlooms for years to come, Tiny Harlow have created a range of beautiful products including the winning Dolls’ Bassinet. Their toys are locally designed in Melbourne and ethically handmade in Indonesia from cane, rattan and wicker. Each toy is weaved with love and care.
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T HE J U DGE S NICOLE ROSEN BERG FOU NDER OF LIBERT Y INTERIORS BELIN DA KU RTZ FOU NDER OF PETITE INTERIOR CO BRIAR STAN LEY FOU NDER OF SU NDAY COLLECTOR NICOLE G REENAWAY FOU NDER OF CONCRETE AND HONEY
At home with
Lee Grinham
hat a treat to visit the stunning home of Lee, Chris, eightmonth-old Marlo, teenagers Benson and Tom, and Brunel, a two-year-old Bulldog. Nestled in Sydney’s leafy northern beaches, its bold and eclectic aesthetic had me mesmerised from the moment I arrived. Ceramicist, Lee, and Architect, Chris, are a creative pair with a shared passion for design in any form. They are avid collectors, and their home is nothing short of a breathtakingly curated gallery. Pieces they have collected over the years, both independently on their travels and from auctions, sit perfectly alongside art and furniture they have discovered together. Every turn greets you with intrigue and beauty, every piece a conversation starter in its own right. My obsession with this home however, began well before I had the pleasure of visiting. When Marlo’s room came across my desk, the excitement of a nursery sans cot was almost too much to bear. It is something I have wanted to celebrate in Minty Magazine for some time now. Departing from the traditional nursery set-up
is a reality for so many of us, yet too rarely spoken of or seen outside of our own homes. Lee and Chris have embraced their floor mattress, along with a parenting style based around respect for their daughter with gusto. Like the rest of their home, Marlo’s room and playroom are full to the brim with carefully considered pieces, each serving their own purpose. Their commitment to their design is unwavering, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Tell us about Marlo and how her room came to be Marlo is eight months old. We knew we didn’t want a classic ‘nursery‘ or ‘baby’ room, and we definitely didn’t want a perceived girls‘ room. We wanted a room Marlo would grow into, a room that felt accessible to her from the start. We also wanted to foster her independence with things within her reach and designed it to hopefully cater to and foster her personal growth. Basically, we want for her to feel she has ownership of her possessions / toys / clothes from an early age.
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ST YLING LEE GRIN HAM PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS NICOLE R AY
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"We wanted a room Marlo would grow into, a room that felt accessible to her from the start."
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Do you follow any particular parenting philosophies that you would like to share? I had many ideas about how I would parent before I had Marlo (as most of us do) and it has been more than 16 years since Chris was a father of babies, so we quickly found many of our perspectives changed around caregiving once she was born. I would say we are a mixture of quite a few different philosophies however we heavily lean towards respectful, gentle and attachment parenting. For example, Marlo hated the pram from day one so I wore her most of the time when we were out and she would just instantly fall sleep (I’m sure if she could remember she would think we never went out as she was always asleep out of the house). We also incorporate Montessori and some RIE (Resources of Infant Educarers) into our parenting, the basis of which is to trust children to be the initiators, explorers, and self-learners. We don’t like to adhere to one method as there can often be conflicting messages and sometimes there is no space for flexibility and so we just do what feels right for Marlo. What was the brief for this room? We had set up the room prior to Marlo being born but after a couple of months of her being here it just felt totally wrong for her. We had a cot and a ‘nursing‘ chair – all the things I’d read we would need. But, as she grew, we just didn’t parent that way and so we had to make the room fit us, and fit her. We were conscious that we wanted a calm and accessible environment not one filled with toys, and we are lucky enough to have the space to create a separate playroom for her. What was your inspiration? We were definitely influenced by the Montessori idea that all things should be accessible to your child, that they have the freedom to move around their own space and have access to their belongings, and for there to be no sleeping restraints, such as a cot.
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ABOVE: CLOTHES RAIL BY 3 DEGREES // PALE NULLE LUCKY BOY SUNDAY FROM LITTLE BLISS CO ABOVE RIGHT: WORLD MAP MAT BY GATHRE (HUNG ON THE WALL) NUMERO 74 SKITTLES // CONTINUOUS LINE BABY SCALE BY THE BIRTH POSTER
I love that you have chosen a matress on the floor rather than a cot, can you tell us what lead to this decision? We had a bassinet in our room when Marlo was born and we had a cot ready for the six-month transition, however, there was no way I was ready for her to go in her own room. When the time came for the cot we did use it a couple of times but after one hard night, I brought her into bed with me and it was amazing. I slept better and Marlo slept better. It prompted me to do some research and a floor mattress just seemed the most obvious natural solution for Marlo. Her first night in her own room went really well but since then, on nights she is unsettled, I will sleep with her (or sometimes do the mum ninja roll away). It is something I absolutely never thought I’d do, however being so far away from my own family support I needed to be more flexible to find what worked for us. At the end of the day, feeding and cuddling up to Marlo and her falling into an easy gentle sleep, as opposed to fight-
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ing with her to get her in the cot, up and down all night, it just felt like a no-brainer for us. I joined some online groups and made sure I followed the Safe Seven Guidelines (https:// www.llli.org/the-safe-sleep-seven/). It’s amazing how so many mothers do co-sleep / bedshare and there is still so much secrecy around it. It’s obviously hugely important to do it safety and it wouldn’t work for everyone, however it just worked for us. As she grows I love how the floor bed will offer her a sense of independence. The room is safe and we have mats around the bed so she can’t harm herself. Marlo actually enjoys going to bed now, there is hardly ever a battle with sleep, when she’s ready for bed she just goes down and if she cries out in the middle of the night, I can just lie down with her and give her a cuddle. She’s so happy in her room.
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LEFT: BOOK SHELVES BY IKEA // ALBINO OCTOPUS FROM BIGSTUFFED // STRIPED BEDDING FROM HABITAT // OYOY FOLLOW THE RAINBOW WALL RUG FROM MILK TOOTH
ABOVE: GOOD AT NAPS THROW FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE // WOOD CONSTRUCTION PIECES BY THE HAPPY ARCHITECT ABOVE RIGHT: VINTAGE MUSCULAR SYSTEM POSTER AN OP SHOP TREASURE // PIKLER MINI TRIANGLE FROM MOOV BABY // CERAMICS BY LEE GRINHAM // RADUGA GREZ EARTH CUBE SET FROM BIG LITTLE NOISE
How did you select your colour palette? We (Chris) actually painted the rear wall three other colours when I was pregnant, each one I chose and each one I just couldn’t live with. I was very adamant I didn’t want pink or any other ‘perceived’ girls’ colour as my aesthetic generally is dark – dark greens, greys and black. Being from the UK, this palette could mostly work, however, moving to Sydney threw me. Everything was white or soft palettes, light and bright, and so we tried that but it just felt wrong for us. We considered green but the idea of Black and chalkboard paint popped up and it seemed perfect for our creative sides. There was a mini battle about painting the two walls black. I wanted both walls painted but Chris (and my mum) disagreed. Nonetheless I had a very clear vision and that stubbornness came into play and we all loved the finished product. We left the rest of the room pretty neutral to balance it out. Chris drew the London/Sydney skyline with Big Ben showing the P82
time Marlo was born and I drew the bulldog, as her best friend had to feature. What’s on the walls? Dulux chalkboard paint You have created so many incredible features in these spaces for Marlo – what are you favourites? In her bedroom for me it’s the bookshelves and reading corner. Chris and I both loved books as children and still do. We would really love Marlo to enjoy them. It’s a great space to sit and read to her. I also love the little play space we have created off the living area – a perfect little hideaway for her. What is your overall favourite thing about Marlo’s room? I love how it could be for any age, that all her things feel like they are hers because they are accessible, and that Marlo can grow into the room – she can draw on the walls and change it up. I love that she can really feel it’s her own space.
2019
O U R TO P
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LIEWOOD WOOD BLOCKS BIRCH $89 WWW.DESIGNSTUFF.COM.AU
RADUGA GREZ PASTEL CUBE BLOCK SET $64 WWW.BIGLITTLENOISE.COM
T-LAB POLEPOLE ANIMAL RABBIT $24.00 ZEBRA $24 ELEPHANT $24 WWW.DESIGNSTUFF.COM.AU
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OYOY FOLLOW THE RAINBOW WALL RUG $195 WWW.MILKTOOTH.COM.AU
PRETTY NULLE LUCKY BOY SUNDAY $189.95 WWW.LITTLEBLISSCO.COM.AU
PIKLER MINI TRIANGLE $150 WWW.MOOVBABY.COM.AU
White Magic – BO'S AND TATUM'S ROOMS
2019
Romi Weinberg is passionate about styling and has been living and breathing style for almost ten years now. Known for her preference for a white aesthetic, she confirms, “White is not negotiable. I’ve never lived in colour and can’t imagine anything else. It helps me feel calm and relaxed.” “It was very important to me that the girls’ rooms spoke to the rest of the house to ensure fluidity,” explains Romi. The bedrooms Romi has created for her two daughters Bo and Tatum stay true to the muted mantra with the walls painted in Dulux USA Antique White (quarter strength), white timber floorboards and white timber shutters. Dirty pinks, silver or gold and a touch of fluoro give their rooms a quirky edge and each space its own story. “I wanted both of their rooms to be feminine and ethereal but different at the same time,” says Romi. While many may blanch at the thought of keeping white looking good and displaying special pieces with young children around, Romi is proof it can happen. “I’ve always had bits and pieces which I’ve collected through my travels. Even when the girls were toddlers, grabbing everything in sight, I never put anything away. They’ve learnt not to touch and to respect the space very early on,” she recalls.
ST YLING ROMI WEIN BERG PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS CELIN E BARN ES
Romi continues, “They have also learnt to be neat and tidy. I can’t function in an untidy space and I’m very fortunate to have two little ladies who have adopted the same values. Everything has a place. It’s quite funny watching them both fall into the same mindset as they grow up. I’m very grateful for that.”
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A strong believer in the power of décor, Romi has carefully curated each room. “In Tatum’s room my favourite piece would be her timber four poster bed which is a one-off piece I found at Koskela in Sydney. I’ve draped the top of it with sheer muslin and fairy lights giving it a beautiful, soft fairy-like feeling.”
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Plan before you decorate and think about what your child's needs may be in the future for example, where you might put a desk when the time comes.
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"White is not negotiable. I’ve never lived in colour and can’t imagine anything else. It helps me feel calm and relaxed."
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"Everything has a place. It’s quite funny watching both girls fall into the same mindset as they grow up. I’m very grateful for that."
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Keep decor and colour blocking to soft furnishings such as bedlinen/ cushions and toys which are easily replaced.
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Create shelving or display areas so that you can change and style as their interests/ personalities do.
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Insta inspiration @bigwildimagination @captainandthegypsykid @mamapapa @yoliandotis
Romi continues, “In Bo’s room I love the timber animal hanging rail. My sister bought it for her when she was only little and it’s been a favourite ever since. Through the years I’ve varied the clothes that I put on display and right now it is Wovenplay dress up costumes from the various parties she’s had.”
While styling is a creative pursuit, it is not without its rules and process. Romi elucidates, “My top three tips for beautiful yet functional kid rooms are: 1. Plan before you decorate and think about what your child's needs may be in the future; 2. Create shelving or display areas so that you can change and style as their interests/personalities do; 3. Keep décor and colour blocking to soft furnishings such as bedlinen/ cushions and toys which are easily replaced.”
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Being a stylist involves constantly seeking inspiration from various sources and then adapting and incorporating the ideas into your own work. For Romi, her two key sources of inspiration are her favourite kid stores mamapapa in Avalon, Sydney, and Bonpoint in Paris, France. “mamapapa in Avalon is my number one place to visit. Virgine (the owner) creates the most beautiful, ethereal spaces which are forever changing. I have most definitely been inspired by her effortless styling,” says Romi. True to her word, all the toys which line the shelves are from mamapapa. The considered choice of toys in natural, earthy tones succeed in maintaining the tranquil vibe. Charming dolls from Moulin Roty and Jess Brown sit happily alongside their toy friends.
2019
PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET ROOM DESIGN & ST YLING LOU ELL A BOÎTEL- GILL WORDS NICOLE R AY
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Housing five children is never an easy task, but a task Louella Boîtel-Gill took in her stride when it came to this stunning home nestled on the shores of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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ousing five children is never an easy task, but a task Louella Boîtel-Gill took in her stride when it came to this stunning home nestled on the shores of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
UNICORN HEAD FROM FRECKLES AVALON // MIFFY NIGHTLIGHT FROM FRECKLES AVALON // BLACK DINOSAUR BOOKENDS FROM FRECKLES AVALON // ANGLE WINGS BOOKENDS FROM FRECKLES AVALON // BEDLINEN FROM SOCIETY OF WANDERERS // RUG BY KOSKELA // JIELDÉ DESK LAMP FROM EUROLUCE // WATERMELON BEDSIDE LIGHT FROM FRECKLES AVALON
An interior designer based in Sydney and Byron Bay, Louella focuses on the minutiae of everyday life to create spaces that feel better and work more efficiently for her clients. Louella explains, ‘There is no point just making it look pretty. It’s got to be something that the whole family can live with. Things like surfaces, you’ve got to be able to put hot cups of tea on them and not worry about the stain. The patina that you develop over all of your furniture, tells a story. The mix of old and new tells a story. It’s these things that make your home, your home’.
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For Louella, this was a project that started out small - a revamp to the kids’ rooms as the bunks they had bought weren’t quite doing the trick. From there, it grew into a bigger project including a facelift to the kitchen, powder room and master bedroom, plus the creation of the mudroom and study. Louella, who has a very hands-on approach to her work, soon became a regular fixture at the home, as she transformed it into a warm and welcoming abode. For the kids, Louella created three spaces. A shared room for boys aged twelve and eleven. A shared room for boy/girl twins aged nine. And a teen retreat for a sixteen year old boy.
Perhaps the biggest challenge was designing the two rooms with bunks. As the rooms share the same floor plan, Louella had to think creatively to design the layout differently in each space. By pulling out the builtin wardrobes in each room, the area opened up to permit each configuration. Built-in bunks allow for pin point accuracy in a small room, and
the inclusion of recessed shelving saves valuable floor space. Thoughtful lighting design allows realistic flexibility for switching off the reading lights without clambering over sleeping children. And a personal favourite feature, the peep hole between the head-to-head bunks is a fun reminder of a playful childhood.
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Built-in bunks allow for pin point accuracy in a small room and the inclusion of recessed shelving saves valuable floor space.
RIGHT: MIFFY NIGHTLIGHT FROM FRECKLES AVALON // ANGLE WINGS BOOKENDS FROM FRECKLES AVALON // BEDLINEN FROM SOCIETY OF WANDERERS LEFT: ORIGINAL NANA DITZEL HANGING CHAIR BY DOMO // MAILEG BLACK AND WHITE PANDA FROM SALTY AVALON FAR LEFT: BOBO-CHOSES BACK PACK FROM SALTY AVALON // PINK JIELDÉ DESK LAMP FROM EUROLUCE // BANKS LANTERN 50 PENDANT LIGHT BY THE SOCIETY INC
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LEFT: BED LINEN BY SOCIETY OF WANDERERS RIGHT: DAMPIER LANTERN BY THE SOCIETY INC // DINOSAUR BOMBER JACKET FROM FRECKLES AVALON // PINK IKKS JACKET FROM SALTY AVALON
"With kids, it has to be quite random, if it’s not, it feels very much like the parents have dictated the style." Louella carefully chose linen that can work in any combination. Whilst each child has their favourite staples, the combinations are endless and relaxed, taking the pressure off making four beds in one go. It is impossible to get it wrong. Louella elaborates, ‘For me, it makes sense. With kids, it has to be quite random, if it’s not, it feels very much like the parents have dictated the style’.
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BASIC BED MARK TUCKEY (DESIGNED BY LOUELLA BOÎTELGILL) // BEETLE STOOL BY KOSKELA // BOLSTER CUSHIONS BY HALE MERCANTILE // ROUND CUSHIONS BY HALE MERCANTILE // TOLOMEO MEGA TERRA FLOOR LAMP FROM ARTEMIDE
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The teen retreat is a perfect balance of bedroom and living room.
Whilst green is a strong colour used throughout the home, for the kids’ bedrooms, Louella has injected pops of colour to keep it fun and light for the kids. In the teen retreat, Louella has introduced charcoal, softened with a jute rug and some lighter greys as she knew it was a colour a sixteenyear-old boy would love. The space is a perfect balance of bedroom and living room that is reluctantly shared at times with his younger siblings. Featuring his own bathroom and kitchenette, I can’t imagine he will ever leave home!
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Ever the problem-solver, the mudroom came about as Louella tacked the age-old issue of ‘kids dumping their stuff’. It was a no brainer to create a mudroom, and as it is the first room you see as you enter the home, it was decided to go all out and make it one spectacular mudroom. Aside from the jaw-dropping design, Louella has again ensured the room is practical for the family to use. Each family member has a locker of their own for coats, hats and bags as well as hidden drawers to house homework and other belongings. Each locker includes a dedicated charging station for all of their devices, and, even the family dog, Coco, has her own hook for her lead.
Louella’s passion for mixing the old with the new is something she has done with great success in this home. Repurposed doors feature throughout (where necessary, joinery has been crafted to house the unusual shapes and sizes), existing pieces in the home were repainted to suit the new look, and vintage treasures are scattered throughout. There is no doubt Louella is an incredibly thoughtful and intuitive designer. Every single detail is planned to perfection, every element and object carefully considered and designed with seamless usability in mind. She finds solutions to problems you didn’t even know you had with effortless grace and style and as a result, creates homes that people just really want to be in.
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TIMBER FOR BUNKS AND MUD ROOM SUPPLIED BY RUPERT AND POPPY AT BEACHWOOD DESIGNS AVALON // BUILDING WORK BY LOCAL BUILDER DAVID MUNDELL
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DREAM RECIPE WORDS CELIN E BARN ES DESIGNER JACIN DA MALLOY, HIDE & SLEEP INTERIORS PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX AN DRENA PARKER
2019
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iss Ruby is two years old and is often likened to Shirley Temple thanks to her wild curly hair and cute-as-a-button face. Mum, Alexandrena, may have been influenced by Ruby’s old school vibe when she gave stylist Jacinda, from Hide and Sleep, her brief: classic old British/ Scandi childhood, a touch of modern and nooks to play in. “Ruby is a bundle of energy, full of personality and funny quirks. I wanted to create a room for her that felt both nostalgic to me and special and unique for her,” explains Alexandrena. Alexandrena admits, “I absolutely love interior design but, I don't particularly enjoy shopping and I’m terribly indecisive! While I knew exactly what I wanted for Ruby’s room, I really needed Jacinda to help me make decisions, bounce ideas off and find things I would never have found on my own!” In contrast, Alexandrena had a firm grasp of what she wanted in terms of look and feel. “I referenced a lot of Tim Walker (photographer) fashion portraits and images as
he has an amazing ability to merge magical fictional themes with classic and nostalgic scenes and I wanted Ruby’s room to have a similar feeling,” Alexandrena declares. The bed and side table were lucky Gumtree finds and Alexandrena confirms, “The bed is my absolute favourite feature… it reminds me of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (a movie I adored growing up).” The shade of wood for both items helps to emphasise the darker edges of the blush roses on the Jimmy Cricket Land of Roses wallpaper creating an almost three dimensional effect. The wallpaper was a must-have for Alexandrena’s partner Mike and, as Alexandrena wanted him to have some input into Ruby’s room, she eventually compromised even though she had initially found the choice too ‘girly’. Alexandrena laughs as she recounts, “Choosing wallpaper was 100% the biggest challenge. Thankfully, Jacinda was very accommodating and continued to order samples for months!”
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"I wanted to create a room that felt both nostalgic to me and special and unique for her."
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"No other room could ever look exactly like this because of all of the one-off vintage pieces."
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Beside the bed sits Alexandrena’s old doll house which has been lovingly restored to weather many more years of playing and, amazingly, the dolls’ furniture is the same she had when she was young. On the other side of the room the vintage blackboard often lists the day’s culinary masterpieces being cooked up in the play kitchen which are usually very decadent! “Ruby uses the vintage table and chairs as well as the Oyster Linen play kitchen every day, they are definitely her favourite items,” confirms Alexandrena. The Milk and Sugar Clay Peggy Floor lamp complements the rose hue of the wallpaper perfectly and has been
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well placed for ambient light when cooking, reading or resting. Alexandrena loves that Ruby’s room is unique. “No other room could ever look exactly like this because of all of the one-off vintage pieces,” she clarifies. Using pre-loved items also has its practical side as play time can be as ferocious as it needs to be without any wear-and-tear concerns. “I love that it’s practical too…Ruby and I play in her room every day. Whether its drawing at the table and chairs, playing at the dolls’ house, cooking at the play kitchen, hiding under the bed or playing on the rug,” says Alexandrena.
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"I love that her room is practical too…Ruby and I play in here every day."
As the wallpaper has such a strong presence, the choice of artwork needed to be clever and the Tamara Mogendorff Wall-mounted Swan succeeds in both blending in yet getting noticed. The curve of the swan’s wings invokes the thought of a warm embrace and with the sleeping zone defined by the Langdon LTD Leopard Spot rug, the feeling of being cocooned is complete. The three Ilona Nelson Photographer prints, which sit above the play kitchen, feature dresses of yesteryear and add to the air of wistfulness which infuses the space.
2019
RUBY
NUMERO 74 CUSHION COVER $57 WWW.INMYHOOD.COM.AU
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LEOPARD SPOT SHAG RUG $1,450 WWW.LANGDONLTD.COM.AU
PEGGY FLOOR LAMP CLAY $349.95 WWW.MILKANDSUGAR.COM.AU GRIMM’S PASTEL RAINBOW TUNNEL $132.95 WWW.FINLEEANDME.COM.AU
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LAND OF ROSES $480 – $800 WWW.JIMMYCRICKET.COM.AU
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