Beautiful simplicity. Tested in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, durable COLORBOND steel Matt diffuses light to create a subtle, textured and contemporary aesthetic. COLORBOND steel in Surfmist Matt offers a stylish contrast to softer tones and complements darker hues for added design flexibility and an elegantly understated appearance. Visit COLORBOND.COM/MATT or call 1800 702 764
Lantern House, Victoria, by Timmins+Whyte Architects. Photography by Peter Bennetts. COLORBOND and the BlueScope brand mark are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited. 2020 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058. All rights reserved.
This resort-style home had us all dreaming of our next holiday MOST TA P P E D THIS MONTH
EDITORIAL EDITOR Eliza O’Hare CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mia Daminato DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Hassett HOMES GROUP COORDINATORS Matilda Ringrose, Sara Sleeman
ART & STYLE ART DIRECTORS Josie Smith, Katrina Yaxley DESIGNER Sophie Wilson IMAGE RETOUCHER Matus Kundrat MARKET EDITOR Natalie Johnson
FEATURES & COPY SENIOR COPY EDITOR Deborah Grant COPY EDITOR Laura Barry HOMES GROUP CHIEF COPY EDITOR Sarah Pickette HOMES GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR Tamarah Pienaar SENIOR CONTENT PRODUCER Christina Rae
THANKS TO Jo Quarmby, Judie Siu ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION HEAD OF BRANDS Anna Mistilis (02) 9282 8111 GROUP COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Rhonda Maunder (02) 9282 8687 BRAND EXECUTIVE Mikayla Skarzynski (02) 9282 8142 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Kate Orsborn (02) 9282 8364 VICTORIA, SA AND WA SALES DIRECTOR Jaclyn Clements (03) 9823 6341 DIRECTOR OF SALES — NSW Karen Holmes (02) 9282 8733 VICTORIA HEAD OF DIRECT SALES Will Jamison (03) 9823 6301 QUEENSLAND HEAD OF SALES Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING Nick Carson (02) 9282 8369 NEW ZEALAND ENQUIRIES +61 2 9282 8505 GENERAL MANAGER — PRODUCTION SERVICES Ian McHutchinson PRODUCTION PLANNER Kara Stead ADVERTISING PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691 SENIOR EVENT MANAGER Cate Gazal (02) 8226 9342
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6 | INSIDE OUT
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PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON WHITBREAD
Our November issue ran with a luxuriously open home on Sydney’s northern beaches that included a bonus studio. See it and more on our Instagram
Electric now has a Mercedes. The EQC is here. Mercedes EQC
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I
f you’re reading this issue of Inside Out, I can already tell you’re the optimistic type. Welcome! Optimism is such an important part of this magazine because it’s our absolute belief that you can transform any home, and that we all have the power to make our space exactly the way we want it to be. But it’s not only the space we live in that we want to be the best – let’s be real – it’s the profit margin. Our homes are usually the biggest investments of our lives, so while making yours more beautiful makes for more enjoyment while you’re living there, it also adds value and grows your investment for when you’re ready to move on. This issue, we have great ideas for doing both. Our helpful Cladding guide (New Year, New Look on page 126) gives straight-up advice on this clever way to quickly add street appeal and value, and our Windows special (starting on page 110) dives into the new technology and materials available to really open your house to the light. But February’s most helpful story probably has to be One-Hit Wonders (page 26) for its simple ways to transform rooms using tried-and-tested design elements that won’t break the bank. Enjoy!
Your daily renovation and design goals @insideoutmag
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8 | INSIDE OUT
PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTINA SOLJO. ELIZA IS WEARING BASSIKE, BASSIKE.COM. HAIR & MAKE-UP: ELSA MORGAN. SHOT ON LOCATION AT IN BED, PADDINGTON, NSW
Hope springs…
Design Your World
Panama 3 Seat Leather Sofa / Hone Coffee Table
Freedom.com.au
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62
contents
February 2021 the cut 13
THE CUT More boho brilliance from Sage x Clare’s new range
14
NEWS The hottest designs and finds you need to know about
18
BEST BUYS Pet accessories and console tables
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COLOUR TREND Aim high with calming, sky-blue accessories
20 62 STYLE OF THE CENTURY Insider knowledge helps a former 72 82
24 STYLE TREND Get your home into shape with geometric pieces 26 ONE-HIT WONDERS A single main item can revive any room
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34 PROFILE: KATE HOPWOOD Introducing Freedom furniture’s new
head of design and her mission of style and sustainability 36 MALIBU MODERN Interior designer and author Athena Calderone on breathing coastal life into a home 42 A MATTER OF CUSTOM Some of our leading bespoke furniture makers reveal what’s so special about the personal touch
inside: homes & renovation 52
102 110 116 120 126
BEACHY KEEN An awkward site in Sydney’s Bondi becomes
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the street’s star attraction, thanks to a dazzling new build
132
Inside Out editor in the renovation of her family’s Sydney home LIVING THE DREAM Backed by a big budget, a Victorian couple build a showstopping new home in Torquay PARADISE FOUND Close to central Sydney but a million miles from the stress, a family of five turned two old homes into one SLIDING DOORS With breathtaking views but its feet firmly on the ground, an architect’s LA home reveals its open nature STEELING TIME A Sydney family brandishes their renovation mettle with beautiful steel accents BUYER’S GUIDE: WINDOWS Discover all the latest options for framing views and seeing the light RENO REBOOT Shannon Vos’s tips for a quick, clever makeover BIG LITTLE LIVES Three mind-blowing kids’ rooms NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK Cladding choices for major kerb appeal KITCHEN & BATHROOM NEWS The best new products and looks ASK AN EXPERT Pet-friendly flooring, balcony updates and more
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42 This month Transform your home with some of our dreamiest renovation and makeover ideas
out: gardens, food & leisure 136 REACH FOR THE SKY This inner-city rooftop garden took years
to mature but the wait was definitely worth it 144 FRESH FODDER Five-star dishes with a vegetable vibe 150 DESIGN DESTINATION High-rise hotels in the heart of the city
regulars 154 LAST WORD Lee Mathews works her magic on tableware
on the cover 18 42 52 110 116 120 126
Lots Of Toys For Good Boys Special Order: The Guide To Getting It Custom Made 90+ Pages Of Amazing House Ideas Let The Light In: The Power Of New Windows A Fresh Start: Fast Makeovers For Every Room Kids’ Rooms We Love Total Transformers: Adding Value With Quick-Change Cladding
cover look You couldn’t accuse Victoria Baker of being unprepared for her home renovation. As a former Inside Out editor, she approached the project armed with some big ideas, expert contacts — and an acute awareness of the pitfalls. The result is a total transformation of her family’s century-old Sydney home. See what Victoria (pictured with her dog, Otto) has created on page 62. Photography: Maree Homer Styling: Jono Fleming
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DESIGN | SHOP | PLACES | PEOPLE | SPACES
THE CUT
happy home Celebrating the simple moments spent surrounded by family and friends in a place of one’s own was the inspiration behind Sage x Clare’s soulful new homewares collection. The uplifting designs of Alegria feature all the cosy comforts we’ve come to know and love from the boho brand. Think everything from textured throws and deliciously soft cushions to luxe rugs and beautiful bed linen – all in the signature nostalgic colour palette and retro-style patterns. sageandclare.com
PHOTOGRAPHY ARMELLE HABIB STYLING HEATHER NETTE KING
THE CUT COMPILED BY ELIZA O’HARE
EARTH ANGELS
RARE CHAIRS The raw, pared-back aesthetic of these sling chairs may bring architectural minimalism poolside, but Ferm Living also designed them to work indoors just as seamlessly. The Desert chairs by Ferm Living, $609 each, use 100-per-cent recycled polyester fabric, too. DESIGNSTUFF.COM.AU
OLIOINTERIORS.COM.AU
STATIONERY ADDICTS
OFFICE BASICS Not just the family jewels, Cartier’s new range of everyday objects includes these dream Panthère de Cartier stationery pieces. (From left) A5 notebook, $365; porcelain pencil holder, $980; cards, ards, $290 for 15. CARTIER.COM.AU OM.AU
SANDAL-ICIOUS!
rainbow warriors Teva’s new rainbow collection is made from recycled plastic bottles and supports the LGBTQIA+ community. The Rainbow Pride aall-gender mid-form sandals in Rainbow/White are $109.95 (more colours and styles available). AU.TEVA.COM
JUST ADD WATER
SCRUBBING UP Determined to combat the 60 million single-use plastic bottles that end up in landfill every day, eco soap brand Single Use Ain’t Sexy is the answer. This pack of three glass bottles and 10 foaming soap tablets is $69. SINGLEUSEAINTSEXY.COM
14 | INSIDE OUT
PHOTOGRAPHY: FERM LIVING, EUGÉNIE BASCHET & AMÉLIE GARREAU (CARTIER)
SLING LOW
cushions with kick These sweet cushions by Adelaide interior designer Andrea Higgs of Olio Interiors draw on motifs of (from top) the earth, moon and sun, using natural fibre cotton printed with water-based pigment inks that are non-toxic and solvent-free. 50cm x 50cm size, $150 each ($170 with feather insert).
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PHOTOGRAPHY: GUY BAILEY. STYLING: JANE FROSH
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THE CUT
EARN YOUR STRIPES
paper dreams A wall of subdued horizontal stripes is a beautiful thing and this wallpaper from Sibella Court’s Nostalgia collection delivers calm in seven delicious colourways. This is Franklin Vintage in Atlas, $380 for a 10m roll. THESOCIETYINC.COM.AU
ART SMART
PRINT MATTERS We’re coveting this limited-edition high-quality print by Miranda Skoczek, available from Edwina Corlette Gallery’s The Print Studio. Lunar (Blue) is a 2017 pigment-ink work on 310gsm etching paper, signed and numbered. It’s 92cm x 82.5cm and $1100 (unframed). Don’t delay, as there are only 25 of them! THEPRINTSTUDIO.NET.AU
KILLER COMBO
Or more technically, Illuminating & Ultimate Gray. That is 2021’s Pantone colour combo of the year, pairing hope and strength via the yin and yang of warm yellow and cool greys. (From top) Ligne Roset ‘Flax’ lounge chair, from $5125. Ligne Roset ‘Pumpkin’ swivel armchair, from $4050.
ON THE BEAT
DOMO.COM.AU
street exhibition Be quick to catch the clever transformation of Melbourne’s Bourke Street into a 24/7 outdoor walkabout gallery, with a takeover of vacant stores, restaurants and laneways by 26 Australian artists. Look out for works by Damiano Bertoli (that’s his Superposition #3 piece above), Destiny Deacon, Susan Cohn and more. Until February 28. UPTOWNARTEXHIBITION.COM.AU
LEADING LIGHT
RUBBLE LAMPS They call themselves a modern stone-age family, but Rubble Workshops’ aerated concrete lamps, rich with monolithic symbolism, are seriously sophisticated. The Betty lamp (30cm) is $550 (including Australia-wide shipping). RUBBLEWORKSHOP.COM
16 | INSIDE OUT
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS COURT (SOCIETY INC), JOHN BETTS (UPTOWN ART)
YELLOW & GREY
“Having admired Caesarstone for years, I’m so excited to bring it into the outdoors!”
Award-winning Landscape Designer
Outdoor Collection Luxurious and durable. Highly UV resistant. Proven performance.
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pet accessories
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Chic must-haves for your pampered pets when only the best will do
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1 Fooddict handmade-glass double cat bowl in Blue, $79, Furrytail. 2 Brando ‘Dune’ cat bed & oasis cushion, $1175, Made Moggie. 3 Slick lead in Yellow, from $24.95 for small, Gummi. 4 Lola dog carrier in Beige, $219, St Argo. 5 Slick collar in Yellow, from $17.95, Gummi. 6 Blue Brown treats bag, $38, Tommy & Bella. 7 Monstera printed leash, $59, Nice Digs. 8 Slicker brush, from $22 for small, Dog By Dr Lisa. 9 Max-Bone large twisted rope toy in Olive, $24.95, Topdog Boutique. 10 Poldo leash in Multicolour, from $420* for small, Moncler. 11 Out Of The Rubble dog bed, $209, Nice Digs. 12 MiaCara ‘Desco’ cat feeder in Ash Natural, $210, Made Moggie. 13 Two Tone leather dog collar in Orange Animal, $46, Nice Digs. 14 Dog wipes, $16, Dog By Dr Lisa. 15 Dog wash, $39 for 500ml, Dog By Dr Lisa. 16 MiaCara ‘Perla’ cat cave in Rattan Natural, $520, Made Moggie. 17 Umi bowl, $29.95 for large, Papaya. 18 Wave dog balls in Yellow and Orchid, $19 each, Nice Digs. 19 Sierra Daisies bandana, from $8, The Paws. 20 Melamine bowl in Yellow, $14.95 for small, Gummi. 21 Melamine bowl in Blue, $14.95 for small, Gummi.
COMPILED BY KATE HASSETT
*CURRENCY CONVERSION CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING
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22 Frond Of You dog bandana, $30 for small, Nice Digs. 23 Dog wash, $30 for 500ml, Bondi Wash. 24 Tennis bone toy in Green, $14.95, Gummi. 25 Hunter dog collar, $65 for small, Molly Barker. 26 The Foggy Dog ‘Inky Blooms’ waste bag dispenser, $34, Topdog Boutique. 27 MiaCasa ‘Mio’ pet basket, $520, Made Moggie. 28 Animal wash, $40 for 500ml, Aesop. 29 Boss cat bed, $89, Furrytail. 30 Poo bag holder in Pink, $9.95, Gummi. 31 Fetch Oasis rattan dog bed, $299.99, Adairs. 32 Slick lead in Blue, $24.95 for small, Gummi. 33 Ralph bowl in Grey Marble, $225, Coco Republic. 34 Yellow tartan dog bandana, $27, Tommy & Bella. 35 Dog lead in Mustard, $44 for large, St Argo. 36 Charlie dog bed, $935 for medium, Coco Republic. 37 Chino dog basket in Cream, $129.95 for large, Papaya. 38 MiaCara ‘Bosco’ bird felt toy in Yellow, $39.95, Topdog Boutique. 39 Naked ceramic dog bowl, $79, Topdog Boutique. 40 Harlow & Harry conditioning shampoo, $33, St Argo. 41 Thirsty Dog water bottle in Black, $54, Designstuff. 42 The Anji II pet hammock lounge bed in Dark Grey, $279.99, Max & Cocoa.
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BEST BUYS
console tables
Zara console table, $509, Domayne. Karakter console table, $17,100, Cult Design.
SP01 ‘Holland’ console table with marble top, $2740, Space Furniture. Villa console table in Natural Oak, $1490, Trit House.
Construct console table in Oblivion, $2999, Bludot. Mantra console table, $949, RJ Living.
Astra II console table, $1390, Trit House. Halston console table, $1995, Sarah Ellison.
COMPILED BY NATALIE JOHNSON
Make first impressions count with a stylish entry statement
HC28 Cosmo ‘Moon’ console table, from $2425, Domo. Heather console table, $1350, Trit House.
Amelie Curve console table, $1675, GlobeWest. Recess console table, $799, Freedom.
Cupertino console table, $1249, Bo Concept. Handvark console table, $3410, Fred International.
Cruz console table in Natural, $1900, MCM House. Ethnicraft ‘Oak Wave’ console table, $1280, Curious Grace.
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TREND COLOUR
sky blue
Cloudsource your next renovation with this restful, calming hue
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1 Bloomingville cushion in Blue, $82, Trit House. 2 HK Living striped velvet cushion in Blue, $99, House of Orange. 3 Belize Blue Diamond rug (3.3m x 2.4m), $411, Miss Amara. 4 PS Home & Living ‘Chloe’ clock in Pastel Blue (30cm), $65, Life Interiors. 5 Middle of Nowhere ‘Gertrude’ mirror in Dusty Blue (55cm x 70cm), $300, Life Interiors. 6 The Lagoon With You limited-edition print by Brittany Ferns, $260, Greenhouse Interiors. 7 Leif ‘Blue Cypress’ conditioner, $39, Beauty By Australia. 8 Jacob two-seater sofa in Oyster Grey, $6270, Koskela. 9 Viva ‘Jaimi’ teapot in Hazy Blue, $87, Amara. 10 Gabrielle candle, $19, Maison Balzac. 11 Medan side table, $179, Freedom. 12 Printworks Dominos game, $45, Becker Minty. 13 Tann toothbrush in Light Blue, $12, Hay. 14 Hay ‘Rainbow’ mug in Light Blue, $23.80, Finnish Design Shop. 15 Ligne Roset ‘Wo’ vase in Sky Blue, $175, Domo. 16 Jonathan Adler ‘Cabana’ pitcher in Blue, $126, Amara. 17 Smeg ‘FAB38’ 1950s-style retro 510L fridge in Pastel Blue, $3990, Domayne. 18 Prada Catwalk book, $100, Crave Wares. 19 Google ‘Nest Mini’ smart speaker in Sky Blue, $79, Domayne.
22 | INSIDE OUT
COMPILED BY SOPHIE WILSON
INSIDE OUT | PROMOTION
FABRIC OF LIFE With powerful stain resistance technology on your side, you can relax knowing your fabrics are safeguarded
Enjoy your furniture without worrying about what your kids and pets are up to.
Furnish your home in a manner that suits your taste and your lifestyle. FibreGuard fabrics from Zepel are high quality, low maintenance and designed to meet the everyday demands of modern living. These innovative fabrics have a stain resisting treatment built into their fibres, not an aftermarket treatment, and go through rigorous durability testing to ensure they can handle whatever life throws at them. Coffee rings, wine spills, paw prints — can all be easily cleaned with water or a small amount of detergent. What makes the Zepel FibreGuard range even better is that the special treatment won’t deteriorate with heavy use or frequent cleaning. Choose from a wide range of designs and colours, all with a five-year residential stain-resistance warranty - so you can relax without worrying about what your kids and pets are up to. For more details, visit zepelfabrics.com
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1 Urban Shapes bench, POA, Nortstudio. 2 Collage 4 artwork, $125 (framed), Figure Form. 3 Delaunay wool rug by Greg Natale (250cm), $4050, Designer Rugs. 4 Dekorera box with matching lid, $8, Ikea. 5 Areaware ‘Table Tiles Modern’ coasters, $29.95 for six, Until. 6 Botta table in Bianco & Nero, $10,145, Greg Natale. 7 Yield Design Co ‘Geo’ aluminium photograph stands, $119, Gingerfinch. 8 Zanotta ‘Quaderna’ console table and bench, $7450, Cult. 9 Astoria throw, $395, Greg Natale. 10 Cassipea glasses, $7.95 each, Freedom. 11 Humble Matter ‘Eagle’ sculpture, $4200, Curatorial & Co. 12 Parallel High stool, $780, Dowel Jones.
24 | INSIDE OUT
COMPILED BY NATALIE JOHNSON
one-hit
Nothing puts a stop to a facelift quicker than a budget blowout. Fear not, for we have five quick, easy and affordable ways you can makeover your home with one clever purchase. It’s all about embracing the power of a bold design choice
wonders WORDS LAURA BARRY
FRESH ANGLE Never underestimate the power of bold colour in unexpected places. Wake up a tired room by splashing a trendy hue across the walls in the form of an artwork or a new paint colour, and create contrast by painting the door frames, skirting boards or moulding black to give the space a graphic feel, or paint those finer details in a darker shade of the same colour for a zesty take on the monochrome trend. Design note Interior by Hours Clear Architects, Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan GabriĂŤl du Toit.
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QUIET REFLECTION
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANSON SMART (THIS PAGE), GREG COX/BUREAUX (OPPOSITE)
A large mirror propped up against a wall or hung above a mantel can make a world of difference to a small or dark area. The reflection of the room will make your space feel significantly bigger, and the mirror will bounce additional light around, lifting any lingering shadows from nooks and crannies. A well-placed mirror also makes an excellent focal point, particularly when paired with a statement frame. Design note Terrace-house interior by Decus Design and Bates Smart.
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UPWARD TREND You can elevate your interior style with just one simple purchase, thanks to the power of a pendant light. Install a bold, oversized design that champions colour or texture in any room that needs a lift. Not only will an overhead pendant draw the eye upwards, creating a sense of spaciousness, but it can act as an eye-catching focal point, or zone an area in an open-plan space – all while reinforcing the style direction of your home. Design note Beach-house interior by Kim de Winter.
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URBAN LIFE
PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG COX/BUREAUX (THIS PAGE), MARTINA GEMMOLA (OPPOSITE)
Indoor plants play myriad roles in our abodes. From purifying air to adding instant polish, our frondy friends reconnect us to the great outdoors. Of course, indoor plants make the biggest impact when used in abundance. Take a selection of plants with interesting foliage and group them together in large numbers on shelves, stands, tables, or windowsills, ensuring you have different heights and shapes to create scale and interest. Design note Apartment interior by Jean-Christophe Aumas.
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THE CUT
ART CROWD A gallery wall is an enduring trend that can be easily built on a budget, and instantly adds interest to a room. Hang or arrange a large number of artworks of different shapes and sizes together, ensuring a theme or colour runs through the group for cohesion. A good gallery wall may initially grab your attention with its sheer power of numbers, but keeping the eye engaged will be down to a clever use of scale and contrast. Design note Interior by Matter Architecture and Paula Nel.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG COX/BUREAUX
CLASSIC APPROACH Make a grand entrance by creating a sculptural focal point right by your front door. A large vessel filled with overflowing florals or foliage is bold enough to make a statement, but aesthetically light enough to maintain harmony within a small space. Be sure to locate your arrangement atop a hall table or in front of a mirror for maximum style impact. Design note House interior by Melissa Koch Interiors. 32 | INSIDE OUT
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RUG ISLAND
PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG COX/BUREUAX (THIS PAGE), TOM FERGUSON (OPPOSITE). STYLING: CLAIRE DELMAR (OPPOSITE)
Give your eyes a visual treat with a colourful statement rug that’s generous enough to hold the floor. This directional design anchors the room and ties the entire scheme together. It accommodates the key pieces of study furniture and matches the size of the large shelving unit behind. When sourcing something so bold for your home, remember to include similarly bright, balancing elements elsewhere in the space, as per the door frames and mantelpiece in this scheme. Design note Apartment interior by Jean-Christophe Aumas.
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DESIGN PROFILE
Kate Hopwood The new head of design for Freedom has a vision for making beautiful Australian homes that include locally designed and sustainably produced pieces for everyone
How did you end up in Australia? I grew up in a small town in
the middle of the UK; my mum had the local lolly shop, which was in the front room of our house. When I was six I watched a 1970s movie called Dot And The Kangaroo and had an awesome primary-school teacher on an exchange from Australia. I remember thinking, “I’m going to live there one day”, and I can honestly say it’s a dream come true. I wake up every morning grateful to be here. I love it – the people, the attitudes, the beautiful surroundings – it’s amazing. I became a citizen as soon as I could. You are increasing Australian-made product at Freedom — why is that important? The shift from Australian manufacturing to
overseas was cost-effective, but meant products might be right for other markets and not necessarily ours. So over time we lost some of our identity as it wasn’t for our specific lifestyle
WORDS ELIZA O’HARE PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTINA SOLJO
HAIR & MAKE-UP: MICHELLE COX, USING BARE MINERALS MAKE-UP (MECCA COSMETICA) AND R+CO HAIRCARE
CLOCKWISE (from opposite) Freedom furniture’s creative lead Kate Hopwood with the Cannes sofa package, from $2599, at the Moore Park store in Sydney. Cushions, from $15 each, surrounding the Maiko Nagao framed print, $199. Planter, from a large range. Panama modular sofa, $3499, and Salamander side table, $149. Cosh lamp, $59.95. Santana dinnerware, from $12.95 per piece.
anymore. When we design here, we design for our Australian Describe your personal interiors style? I’m an ‘eclectic homes and lifestyles. We are coming back to ourselves. When appreciator’. My dad instilled a love of craftmanship from a we manufacture here, it also means we are providing jobs for our young age as he’s an avid collector. I too have accumulated a lot people, plus often we can deliver faster and be proud that it’s of well-made antiques and curiosities over the years. I’m also Australian again. The plan is to manufacture more and more here. a huge sentimentalist and brought over my piano and the doll We are very different to the rest of the world. Our rooms are house my grandfather made for me. I have an art deco bigger; they are more open-plan. We tend to like larger-scaled apartment in St Kilda and my style suits the architecture there. things. Honest, open, confident and What’s your favourite room in the house to welcoming. Our sunlight is different, too; design for? I studied furniture design and “I really believe in lifeit changes how colour appears. Our hobbies adore chairs; they are full of personality. I improving homewares. love to design to a brief: who’s the customer, are also different and we’re outside more. It’s hot most of the year, so we don’t have what are the size and shape constraints, existing Everyone deserves many fires, with fireplaces and mantelpieces features, what items must be incorporated to be surrounded by for lots of tiny ornaments. We don’t like fuss. and, a big one, how much can I spend? Which five words best describe the new Freedom vibe? Inspirational, Australian,
lovely things”
What’s the most important piece of furniture?
KATE HOPWOOD, FREEDOM
considered, relaxed, curated, relevant, fresh, confident, quality, effortless (that was 10 – sorry!) What was your light-bulb moment when deciding to work in the homes space? When I graduated and was offered two weeks’
work experience at a studio in the UK, designing for M&S. I remember sitting there one day and thinking, “All I have to do is make this look as good as possible and it will sell more.” Since then, my mission is to surround people with beautiful things. What do you love about designing homewares? I enjoy helping people be proud of their homes. The variety of product we get to work with is incredible. Different shapes, sizes, materials and textures. I thrive working in a team and couldn’t do what I do without them. Without the talented designers, buyers and planners I’ve worked with over the years, none of it would be possible.
The sofa as it’s a massive visual statement and supports us physically and emotionally. My boss always says, “You either sit ON a sofa or IN it,” and I agree. Have you ever made a mistake with furniture? I found a really cool vintage dentist’s chair that I thought would look great in the corner of my living room. Oh, how wrong I was – it looked like a torture chair and I swiftly got rid of it. Do you believe in life-improving homewares? Of course! Everyone deserves to be surrounded by lovely things. What will we be buying in 2021? Better quality for sure. We need to focus on looking after our planet. More sustainable options and buying for the long term. On an aesthetic level: more curves, smarter furniture (modular/multi-functional), easy to clean, simplified and, therefore, all-round calming pieces. Freedom is at freedom.com.au or @freedom_australia INSIDE OUT | 35
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Malibu modern A near-knockdown has been artfully salvaged to pave the way for a light-filled home replete with seaside simplicity and a laid-back sense of luxury
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his magnificent, quintessential Malibu beach house
almost ended up on the cutting-room floor, along with the 75 palm trees that were felled in order to extricate it from jungle-like obscurity. The owners, attracted to the oceanfront land but convinced that the structure was a tear-down, found an unexpected, brilliant editor in interior designer Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design. The Los Angeles-based creative saw the potential in the 1950s-era Spanish Colonial and masterfully whittled away at its neglected veneer to conjure up a laid-back, contemporary beach escape in line with the owners’ lifestyle.
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WORDS ATHENA CALDERONE PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLE FRANZEN
clean break Symmetry is an important element to hold your eye, but once you establish it, break it. The peaked roof in this home establishes foundational symmetry, which Vanessa accentuates with pairs of flanking focal points, such as kindling on either side of the fireplace. She then contrasts it with furniture, art and objects that have different silhouettes and scales, allowing your eye to dance around the room.
The clients had initially approached Vanessa to clean up the various buildings as a temporary treatment while they devised plans to tear it all down in order to build a new, bigger and better home. Vanessa’s team began to assiduously clean it up, opening the floor plan while highlighting some of the remarkable original Spanish details. As the phase progressed, her clients were delighted to see the magic that lay beneath the years of neglect and decided on an about-face – they gave Vanessa the mandate to turn this down-on-its-luck property into the showpiece of a home that it is today. Here you can see the transformation, room by room.
cool concrete Assess the functionality of your home first and foremost. These surfer homeowners wanted a place they could wander into with sandy feet. While they love timber flooring, water-soaked wood warps over time, so Vanessa encouraged them to choose concrete flooring (above), a cost-effective, indestructible alternative.
textured range Texture is not just for textiles. Glazed zellige tiles in the kitchen (left and above) bring light, texture and sheen to the space. While you may not want a colour or pattern to overpower the walls of your kitchen, a glazed tile modulates light and surface irregularities, offering discreet interest and character. Vanessa even had the hood clad in them, creating a cohesive, luminescent atmosphere.
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limited lights In one open space with several lighting areas, different light fixtures can confuse and distract the eye. Don’t underestimate the power of repetition for lighting solutions. The same pendant, used three times, unifies the space and simultaneously designates distinct areas within one room. Vanessa hung each pendant light high so as not to obscure the ocean views.
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timber treat A large single piece of wood can work wonders. Vanessa ordered a tall piece of pine plywood and ran it along the back wall of the main bedroom as a headboard. This inexpensive architectural device serves a decorative, unifying purpose, creating a shelf on which to lean artwork and objects, and a platform for built-in bedside tables.
This is an edited extract from Live Beautiful by US style and design writer Athena Calderone. Published by Thames & Hudson, $59.99. Photography by Nicole Franzen.
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fair weathered Vanessa used salvaged timber for the home’s outdoor decks. She sourced old scaffolding wood, weathered material that had already lived a life. Wet and dried out, this kind of solution removed the ambiguity of how a new wood might change over time. Plus, the worn patina feels just right, as though it’s always been part of this beautiful house.
a matter of custom
When it comes to furniture, you can’t beat bespoke. Allow us to introduce some of Australia’s finest makers
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ours of precise and masterful work go
into the making of bespoke furniture. It’s always exactly the right size, painstakingly finished and so well constructed that it should last a lifetime (or longer). There’s been a noticeable shift away from mass-produced, inferior furniture and towards pieces that are not simply going to end up in landfill, which is great news for our furniture makers. When you commission a custom-made piece of furniture, you’re buying Australian and supporting a small business. Most importantly, though, you’re also forging a connection with someone who’ll put their heart and soul into creating something for your home that’s not only unique but perfect for you.
WORDS SARAH PICKETTE
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILLIP CASTLETON (PORTRAIT)
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Nick Pedullá
PEDULLA STUDIO, SYDNEY
Inspired by his grandfather’s passion for custom furniture, Nick Pedullá established a studio and made the writing desk and record cabinet pictured opposite.
As a young boy, Nick Pedullá fell in love with the furniture-making process at the foot of his grandfather, who was a master craftsman. “I spent every spare moment tinkering and making things with wood,” he explains. Today, he produces exquisite, made-tomeasure furniture from his workshop on Sydney’s northern beaches. To him, it’s the uniqueness of custom furniture that resonates most strongly. “It’s designed and built specifically for someone and every piece is one of a kind,” he says. “Each step has been thought out; every piece of timber selected to ensure grain structure and integrity.” All bespoke pieces have a story to tell, Nick says, and he enjoys communicating them. “I’d like to continue building my YouTube channel, where I invite viewers into my workshop,” he says. “Through making videos of my work, I can pass on the skills my grandfather taught me.” pedullastudio.com.au; @pedullastudio
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MAKE IT YOUR OWN You might think customisation is the preserve of smaller makers, but some large retailers also offer shoppers the opportunity to tailor pieces to their liking. Both Harvey Norman and Domayne, for example, allow customers to select not only timber finishes and leather or fabric upholstery, but mattress options for sofa beds and the heights of dining-chair backs. “A customised piece of furniture is unique and tailored to suit your space,” says Amber Cooke, national product and business manager for furniture at Harvey Norman. “It’s value for money that will bring years of enjoyment.” Pictured above are Harvey Norman’s Bonadiesi dining table and benches, available in six stains.
Karl Young
SALTWOOD DESIGNS, PERTH
Karl Young of Saltwood Designs with some of his timber products, namely the cedar bath (above right) and this table.
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Former aircraft engineer Karl Young has always enjoyed working with timber. “I took the leap and decided to turn my passion into a career,” he says. Karl finds a lot of inspiration in Danish design. “I love the lightness and its uncomplicated look, despite the design and build challenges. It’s my goal that all my pieces are timeless and beautifully functional. Owning a bespoke piece is a wonderful privilege for anyone. [When you order] you get to go on a journey with a maker. An idea is transformed into a tangible object that will be used and looked at every day with pride.” The possibilities presented by timber hold great appeal for Karl. “It’s an especially good day when a client chooses to use walnut. It’s a beautiful timber to look at and work with.” saltwooddesigns.com.au; @saltwooddesigns
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Kieran Meegan & Rickie-lee Robbie
IDLE HANDS, MELBOURNE
PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN BAMFORD (IDLE HANDS), CLAIRE MARTIN (SALTWOOD BATH)
Metal fabricator Kieran Meegan is hopeful that 2021 will be a great year for him and his artist partner Rickie-lee Robbie. “We’d like to bring to life all the things we dreamed up while we were stuck in our house during the many weeks of lockdown!” says Kieran. “We’re about to release a bookend we designed early in 2020 and we’re working on a new bedside table that utilises Rickie-lee’s illustrations in its make-up.” Kieran’s entry into the world of custom furniture making began after he was made redundant when the shipyard he worked in as a naval shipbuilder was shut down in 2015. “Rickie-lee and I are both creative people and we wanted to use the change as an opportunity to try something new,” says Kieran. “Furniture felt like a good fit for us.” Between them, the pair designs and makes beautiful tables, plant stands, shelves and much more – each piece can be custom-made to a specific size and powdercoated to the perfect colour. “I like working with steel because it’s strong and lends itself to pared-back designs,” says Kieran. When you buy bespoke, you’re part of the process of creating an object you want to live with for a long time, he adds. “You can enjoy an understanding of where it came from and its specific function and relevance to your life – I think that’s of huge value.” idlehands.design; @idlehandsdesign
Rickie-lee Robbie and Kieran Meegan of Idle Hands. Pictured below are two of their powdercoated-steel designs — a made-for-display shoe rack and record holder.
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TRUST IN DUST Melbourne sisters Alice and Laura McIntosh were keen to work on a creative project together and hit upon the idea of upcycling stone offcuts to create gorgeous, one-off stone occasional tables (above) and planter stands. “Our pieces are uniquely shaped and designed, so no two are alike,” says Alice. “There’s something lovely about knowing that the furniture you’re investing in has been made for you and not just rolled off a soulless production line. The past year has reminded all of us how important it is to support and foster Australian creativity and talent.” dustmerchants.com.au; @dust_merchants
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Luke Reddie (above, on the left) and Blake Robertson of Concrete Republic make tables (below) and basins (below left).
Luke Reddie & Blake Robertson
CONCRETE REPUBLIC, GEELONG
PHOTOGRAPHY: LAURA McINTOSH (DUST MERCHANTS), JESS BICKNELL (R&W PRODUCTS), AARON MAGUIRE (R&W PORTRAIT)
Luke Reddie had been working in the concreting industry for 16 years when he came across a new material that intrigued him: glass fibre-reinforced concrete (GFRC). “I learnt about it and started making small pieces like side tables, then I moved on to bigger items like dining tables,” he says. Refining his processes, Luke taught himself to create slim concrete surfaces. “Concrete furniture doesn’t have to be chunky and heavy,” he says. A gap in the market for custom-made GFRC furniture had become apparent and Luke set up Concrete Republic with his friend Blake Robertson in 2016. Today, they make everything from planters to benches, dining tables and outdoor furniture – and that’s just the beginning. “There’s some exciting new technology in concrete- and mould-making,” says Luke. “Every piece we make is handpacked and has its own unique feel and look. The size, shape, colour and leg-design options are endless, really. Our clients can receive exactly the look they’re after.” This year, Luke and Blake are launching the Concrete Academy, where they will be teaching others how to work with this material. “Hopefully, that will inspire designers and makers to embrace concrete, push their boundaries and create some amazing pieces we’ve never seen before.” concreterepublic.com.au; @concrete.republic
Nicola Grey & Tara Wilcox REDFOX & WILCOX, MELBOURNE
A beautiful Modernist thread runs through the furniture that Nicola Grey and Tara Wilcox produce in their Melbourne workshop. Working mostly with timber and metal – Tara is the welder – they construct everything from shapely consoles to kitchen stools that stand on slim steel legs. “Custom furniture connects its owners to the people who made it,” says Nicola. “We feel that connection, and hope our customers do too when they take home these pieces.” Every Redfox & Wilcox piece is made to order and that means the customisation process runs deep. “We talk timber tones and grains with our customers, so we understand exactly what sort of finish they’re after,” says Tara. “Everything is made by us and sourced as close to our workshop as possible. If a customer wanted to, we could take them to meet our powdercoaters, platers, laser cutters and metal suppliers. I think that’s what makes these pieces really special.” redfoxandwilcox.com.au; @redfoxandwilcoxworkshop
Nicola Grey (top, on the left) and Tara Wilcox of Redfox & Wilcox and their table (left) and planters (below).
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Laura McCusker HOBART
“Real-estate pressure drove us out of Sydney and into the arms of Tasmania,” says furniture designer and maker Laura McCusker. “It was the best move we could have made; our business became more viable, and we had the space to become better parents.” Laura and her husband Peter Howard continue to make beautifully constructed timber pieces, “but now we work next to a babbling brook, surrounded by heirloom fruit trees, in an old apple-packing shed – for real”. Laura enjoys working with underrated Tasmanian oak (which isn’t actually oak but three species of eucalypt, she points out) and transforms it into exquisite tables, bookcases, consoles, entertainment units and more. “When you make a custom piece you’re creating an heirloom, a piece that someone will enjoy using every day,” she says. “We love to invite our clients to come in and help sand their new table or select timber from the timber yard. There’s a sense of ownership that’s established before the piece is even finished.” lauramccusker.com; @theladyinthewhiteute
James Howe ADELAIDE
Jack Stannard
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILLIP CASTLETON (JACK STANNARD), NATALIE MENDHAM (LAURA McCUSKER PORTRAIT), PETER WHYTE (LAURA McCUSKER PRODUCTS)
ILUKA STUDIO, SYDNEY Operating out of a small workshop in Sydney’s inner west, furniture maker Jack Stannard is a one-man band. “It can be quite insular being in your own little bubble all day,” he says, “but I really enjoy the work and, to be honest, I become almost obsessed when I’m making a new design or testing out new materials.” For years, Jack spent his days on construction sites and saw firsthand how much beautiful old timber was ending up in landfill. “That’s why I use reclaimed timber. It makes me happy to breathe new life into it.” A respect for the material underpins everything Jack does and drives him to ensure there’s an intense attention to detail in all his work. “A handmade piece of furniture is probably going to long outlive you,” he says. “There’s something so special about designing an object that’s tailored to someone’s personal taste and that has the potential to be handed down for generations.” In terms of the work he’s already produced, Jack says he’s particularly proud of a coffee table he designed and made for a local cafe owner in Annandale. “It’s in solid recycled timber and I ended up very pleased with the joinery and how the top appears to almost levitate above its sculpted legs.” He also recently developed a flat-pack guitar stand inspired by the interlocking Japanese scarf joint. “It folds neatly into an A3-size block for easy portability.” @iluka.studio
Former magazine journalist and photographer James Howe knows a lot about communicating ideas, but for him there’s simply no better way to express a design concept than to just have a go at making it. “I’ve learnt a lot in the years since I began making furniture, but I still find there’s no substitute for making when it comes to exploring an idea.” He’s open to creating furniture with all manner of materials – from timber and stone to steel and plastics. “Anything that has texture and interacts with light in an interesting way appeals to me. If you start with a beautiful material, your job as a designer is a lot easier!” What makes a piece of bespoke furniture appealing is that it’s the result of a collaboration between the maker and buyer, says James. “If there’s one thing even more beautiful than a well-made piece of furniture, it’s a meaningful human connection, and when you buy a bespoke piece of furniture, you will hopefully get both. The fact that the resulting piece will serve your taste and needs perfectly is a bonus.” James is currently working on several new products, including a table that he is “disproportionately excited about” and some new pieces utilising Danish cord-weaving processes. “Danish cord weaving is something I keep coming back to. I love the material and am always looking for new directions to push it in.” jameshowe.com.au; @jameshowestudio
Jack Stannard (top left) in the Iluka Studio workshop with his flat-pack guitar stand and coffee table (both to his left). James Howe (above) and his J4 table and Rushcutters bench. Laura McCusker (opposite) and the CA bench and Short Black table she designed and made.
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Get out. Help out. I’m in. Get your fill of adventure, and help bushfire affected communities, by filling your Esky with locally made goods on Jeep & Empty Esky’s Great Esky Expedition. If you’re in, be sure to check current travel restrictions in your state, then visit emptyesky.com.au to plan your expedition today.
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side hustle
HOFFMANN 811 CHAIR, THONET. ARTWOKS BY PARISH STAPLETON
One family’s path to perfection
Armed with design knowledge from her years on Inside Out, former editor Victoria Baker took to renovating her tired Sydney home. With the help of a cleverly assembled team, she and her family have transformed the four-bedder by creating calm, contemporary spaces that now fully engage with the lush surroundings. This sitting area and its doors to the side path, a vision of natural light and Dulux Natural White, exemplify the refresh. See page 62 for more details.
PHOTOGRAPHY MAREE HOMER STYLING JONO FLEMING
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beachy keen
An ocean-loving couple decided to knock down and rebuild on a tricky site in order to remain in their Bondi enclave WORDS DAN F STAPLETON PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE WHEELER STYLING SARAH ELLISON
EXTERIOR Fox Johnston architects were able to fashion a multi-level home on the tight block and still find room for stunning outdoor spaces. Copper cladding in Mill finish by CASA. Hay ‘Palissade’ outdoor setting, Cult. DINING AREA (opposite) A custom artwork by Stefania Reynolds titled W3 reinforces the relaxing vibe. Earth dining table, Sarah Ellison. Vilda 3 dining chairs and Lamella 132 pendant light, Great Dane.
cheat sheet Who lives here Kim, a teacher, and her partner Andrew, a sports-media professional. Style of home A three-storey new build on a narrow, sloping site in eastern Sydney. The couple commenced the design phase in 2015, and the build ran from March 2017 to December 2019.
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W
hen long-time Sydney resident
Andrew and US expat Kim decided it was time to buy a home together in the Harbour City, their sights were set on bohemian inner-city suburbs such as Surry Hills. But then fate struck. “Kim happened to be driving to Bondi Beach for the first time in her life,” recalls Andrew. “She got lost and ended up parking on this street, near the southern end of the beach.” Kim was instantly smitten with the area’s hotchpotch of architectural styles and lush foliage – and she and Andrew soon recalibrated their property search. “We knew we wanted to be at Bondi Beach, on this very street,” says Andrew. Shortly afterwards, the pair bought a house there on a narrow sloping block. Fast forward 10 years and the couple were in a position to upgrade their lifestyle. But rather than look for a larger property in Bondi, they decided to stay put. “We love the beach location and the friendly, leafy street,” says Andrew. “Whether it’s sunny or rainy, when we look out the window we can see plants and trees and hear the birds.” The couple enlisted the help of architects Fox Johnston to design a new residence on the site. With a generous budget, they dreamt big. “Andrew asked us to explore the idea of a sculptural residence rather than a practical place,” says the firm’s director Conrad Johnston. “He was interested in the architectural aspect of it, more than a lot of people who just want the accommodation.” Conrad did provide the couple with a conventional design in the first instance. “I said, ‘This’ll be cheaper. What do you think?’ Andrew was not very interested.” So Conrad’s team got to work designing an architecturally minded three-storey residence, but faced fundamental challenges. “First, the site is very small,” says Conrad. “Space really is at a premium. Secondly, it’s bordered by a laneway on the side, which creates privacy issues. And it’s a semi-detached residence where the adjoining house has, over time, been pretty unsympathetically modified.” Fox Johnston soon became entangled with council over the adjoining semi. “We had to do an elaborate dance with council, where we were trying to say that we were matching that semi next door,” says Conrad. “Which we were not – there was no benefit in matching that semi because it was so badly conceived. In terms of form and aesthetic, we were poles apart from what that semi is. But we do line up with their parapet, and we have a sandstone base – [we did] simple things like that, just to make it look part of the streetscape.” Andrew and Kim had several practical requirements, too. They needed to fit in a home office, plus guest accommodation to allow Kim’s parents to visit from overseas. They also wanted to feel connected to the neighbourhood and – despite the small block size – hoped for decent green space. “We also asked for it to be modern but with touches of rustic beach qualities,” says Andrew. Fox Johnston’s response was to use the site’s topography to design a house with three distinct levels. At the front of the block, a small sandstone ground floor forms a solid plinth for the two upper levels, which extend towards the rear of the site.
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LIVING AREA Andrew and Kim enjoy views from their Muse linen sofa in Oyster and Alva velvet armchair in Caramel, both by Sarah Ellison as is the Tide coffee table. Rug, Cadrys. Bowl on table and Surface bronze sconce on console, both by Henry Wilson. In the corner is Katarina Wells' Connection sculpture from Curatorial+Co. Outside are a Dog Days sofa and Circula low side table by Blu Dot.
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“We wanted an open and airy feel with a lot of textured elements”
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9 Outdoor living 10 Bedroom 11 Bathroom 12 Study 13 Walk-in robe 14 Main bedroom 15 Ensuite
1 Entry 2 Laundry 3 Powder room 4 Study 5 Courtyard 6 Kitchen 7 Dining area 8 Living area
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GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
ANDREW, HOMEOWNER
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KITCHEN “The whole site functions as the living space — some of it outside, some inside,” says project architect Conrad Johnston. The cabinetry and island base are in spotted-gum veneer by Briggs Veneers, and stained HySpan LVL (laminated veneer lumber) was used throughout for the beams. Flooring, polished concrete. Benchtop, Grigio Arturo granite from Euro Marble. Blanco ‘Culina’ single lever mixer, Harvey Norman. Ebb & Flow ‘Rowan’ pendant lights, Special Lights. Niemeyer bowl, Greg Natale.
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“You see right through the house to the trees so it’s almost like you’re outside” ANDREW
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STAIRWELL Spotted gum was used for the stairs and handrail. EXTERIOR (left) Random ballast sandstone sourced from Gosford Quarries was installed by Sydney Stonemasons. Steel handrail, Metrowelding. Western-red-cedar door and window frames, Windoor. LIVING AREA (opposite) A Spirituality print by Aquabumps reflects the scene at nearby Tamarama Beach. Plateau side table, Blu Dot. Dipping Light, Est Lighting. Boxy R OK spotlights, Inlite.
before& after SPECIAL
MAKEOVER MATERIALS 1 Previously, the house was clad in Mini Orb corrugated sections and had small, segmented timber windows. 2 The new-build phase takes shape, showing the copper cladding for the external wall and western red cedar for the window frames. 3 Some of the stone from the old garage was used in the new carport design.
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The ground floor comprises a front garden, home office and guest accommodation, while the first floor contains a bright living area which flows through a central courtyard to the kitchen. Upstairs on the second floor are two bedrooms. There are front balconies on the first and second floors, and a rear courtyard leading off the kitchen. “All of those spaces, and all the indoor spaces, flow together,” says Conrad. On the detached side of the house adjoining the laneway, the architects designed a curved copper wall. It creates a striking, undulating visual while shielding the first and second floors from prying eyes. “Copper is a material that can handle a curve,” says Conrad. “It can handle sweeping down to touch the ground and then coming back up. It’s a very plastic sort of material. That wall provides privacy, shading and visual interest.” Over time, it will also patina. An initial patina, from the original Mill finish to matt brown, appeared in the first three months. The copper should then develop a slight green tinge over the next 10 years, subject to local atmospheric conditions. The finished house has a floor space of 212 square metres – not bad on a site of just 153 square metres. Even more impressive is the indoor-outdoor flow. “Living here is like being on holidays,” says Andrew. “Even in mid-winter, if the sun is shining it actually feels like summer inside.” He and Kim have no regrets about opting for a new build. “Fox Johnston took on our crazy ideas and made them work – and stopped us from implementing some of the too-crazy ones!” See more of Fox Johnston’s work at foxjohnston.com.au. The builder was Grid Projects at gridprojects.com.au, and the metal works, including the copper cladding, was done by ARC Metal at arcmetal.com.au. The joinery is by Brace Joinery at bracejoinery.com.au
The curved copper external wall creates an undulating visual while shielding the first and second floors from prying eyes
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ENSUITE (left) Warm wood features, with the bench in solid spotted gum and the under-bench storage in Coolum Spotted Gum veneer by New Age Veneers. Majorca subway tiles, Teranova. Banksia basin, Slabshapers. Brodware ‘Yokato’ wall set, Cass Brothers. Dora pendant light, Mondoluce. Towel, Bed Threads. MAIN BEDROOM (above and opposite) Sheer curtains from Mansours diffuse the light. Sheets, Bed Threads. Aspen oak desk and Adele velvet armchair, both Life Interiors. Marset ‘Ginger Table’ lamp and ‘Ginger P’ floor lamp, Est Lighting. Vase, Hay. Flooring, spotted gum. Arid Wilderness print, Life Interiors.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Persian Mazandaran flatweave rug (290cm x 505cm), $13,500, Cadrys. Adele velvet armchair in Forest, $895, Life Interiors. Le Klint ‘Lamella 132’ pendant light, $1850, Great Dane. Gemla ‘Vilda 3’ dining chair in Ash/Cognac, from $1950, Great Dane. Dog Days outdoor sofa in Sunbrella Linen/White, $3899, Blu Dot. Ocean Wheat cushion (60cm), $200, Bonnie and Neil. Earth oak-and-veneer dining table, $2850, Sarah Ellison. Large Resin Leaf bowl in Light Horn, $320, Dinosaur Designs. Resign Bold Pearl vase in Snow Swirl, $260, Dinosaur Designs. Linen napkin set in Mustard, $40 for four, In Bed. Flax linen queen quilt cover in Sage, $170, Bed Threads. Plateau Carrara marble-and-steel side table, $999, Blu Dot.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON
GREAT FINDS
LESSONS LEARNT “Trust your instincts, and your architect” ANDREW, HOMEOWNER
“As we went through the design and build processes with Fox Johnston, we had some friends tell us we were crazy to include a whole side of copper, but we stuck with it. Now, it’s one of the first features that people are drawn to.”
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style of the century
A former Inside Out editor shares the lessons she learnt while renovating her family’s 100-year-old home
WORDS VICTORIA BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY MAREE HOMER STYLING JONO FLEMING
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cheat sheet Who lives here Victoria, a writer and editor; her husband Rick; their teenage sons, Sam and Charlie; and oodle Otto. Style of home A California bungalow on Sydney’s lower north shore, renovated in 2019 to become a four-bedroom home with two-plus bathrooms. The design phase was nine months and the build lasted 10 months.
KITCHEN/DINING The handwoven backs of Thonet ‘Hoffmann 811’ chairs from The Wood Room symbolise the comfort and lightness in Victoria’s home. “We didn’t trust our teenagers with rattan seats so went with the timber option,” says Victoria. Her Pillar oak table is also from The Wood Room. The kitchen features polyurethane cabinetry in Dulux Ohai Half (lower) and Dulux Natural White (upper) by Portelli Joinery, with Cartapietra SuperWhite 13 quartz benchtops and a splashback of Bianco Carrara honed-marble tiles from Bisanna. Ichendorf ‘Bouquet’ vase (on island), Jardan. Phillip Low red acrylic sculpture (on table) by Phillip Low. Alvar Aalto ‘Savoy’ vase, Iittala. Artwork (on shelves) by Elizabeth Barnett and ceramics by Sophie Nolan. Jolly pendant, Coco Flip. ENTRY (opposite) Victoria’s son Sam with Otto at the front door. Recycled brick paving and plantings by local company Ballast Landscape.
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“NATURAL LIGHT WAS A BIT LACKING, SO WE ADDED SEVEN NEW SKYLIGHTS AND WINDOWS TO CAPTURE MORE”
HALLWAY/FORMAL LIVING “Interior designer Romy Alwill helped us choose the Freado engineered-oak flooring from Tongue N Groove in a matt, oiled finish and it has made a huge difference to the feel of the house,” says Victoria. The built-in cabinetry has a timber-veneer top and was finished in Dulux Natural White to match the paint colour of the walls. Linen Roman blinds, Solis. Luca cushion in Mustard, Jardan. Artwork by John Baird, through Arthouse Gallery.
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CUP (ON BENCH), SPECIFIED STORE
VICTORIA BAKER, HOMEOWNER
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T
he ‘lessons learnt’ section was always my
favourite part of the house stories I wrote and edited for Inside Out. I love collecting information, and knew all the practical advice I’d acquired would carry me through our renovation without fuss – no variations, no time extensions, no setbacks. Ahem. Right there lies the optimism of a first-time renovator… Our family had lived in our California bungalow on Sydney’s north shore for 10 years, and we felt lucky to be able to think about an update. The 1990s finishes were reaching the end of their natural life, and I was hoping to reach the end of my time sharing a bathroom with my now-teenage sons. We had plenty of space to work with. We just needed to reorganise the floor plan a little and update, well, pretty much everything.
Trust the team We chose an architect, Clare Carter of Contemporary Architecture, who was familiar with our style of home and the idiosyncrasies of our local council. Our builder, Chris Lloyd of Amme Constructions, lived and worked in the neighbourhood. We were fairly fixed on the floor plan we thought we wanted. I had a full Pinterest board and a clear vision, but only enough design knowledge to be dangerous, so we also engaged Romy Alwill of Alwill Design. I had fallen in love with one of her Bondi projects – it was such a great mix of raw and refined and captured a relaxed spirit I loved. Our brief to her was headlined by the feeling we wanted our home to have – simple, light, calm. LESSON Don’t be too prescriptive with your briefs. Be open to different solutions and let the professionals do what they’re good at.
Old house? New costs It was only when we read the heritage report that was a compulsory part of our DA submission that we learnt our house was built in 1919 by a spec builder – think non-existent building standards with an added profit incentive. I loved the idea that this was a 100th birthday makeover. Like many old-timers, the house had reasonably solid bones, but key areas (including the roof structure and drainage) weren’t up to modern standards. Not everything could be uncovered until the build was underway, so we had some unexpected extra costs. LESSON There will be ‘unknown unknowns’ with an older home. Allow at least 20 per cent as a contingency.
Variations on a theme As first-time renovators, we felt more comfortable with a fixed-price contract. Clare advised us early on not to be
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frightened of variations, and this stuck in my mind. Nothing beats actually experiencing the space as the reno is underway, and sometimes this reveals design issues no-one has anticipated. Often we were able to get to a better result by varying the original design. A build is actually a slightly organic project, and if you lean into that, the problem-solving can be quite satisfying. (To be clear, it can also be difficult and expensive, especially when related to drainage.) LESSON A fixed-price contract doesn’t mean there won’t be variations, and some of those will improve the outcome.
When the end’s in sight We had planned to renovate our pool and refresh our garden, so we had Hugh Burnett design it for us and Julian Bombardiere of Ballast Landscape quote on the work. It had to happen right at the end of the project, once the builders and their mess were gone. However, our budget was exhausted, and so were we. 66 | INSIDE OUT
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CASUAL LIVING “We bought the rug on a holiday in Marrakech while the reno was underway, and had a long, nervous wait for it to arrive,” says Victoria. Its tones are matched in an Objekto ‘Paulistano’ leather chair from Hub Furniture. The Sunny sofa and Duke cushion are from Jardan. Nomad marble coffee table, Coco Republic. Leather ottoman, Temple & Webster. One 2 Three lamp, MCM House. Linen curtains, Solis. Tray, Mud Australia. LAUNDRY (opposite top) Stoneclay ‘Cendre’ porcelain tiles from Bisanna, a Caesarstone Fresh Concrete benchtop and cabinets in Polytec Classic White matt laminate get the job done. Appliances, Miele. Tap, Brodware. Handles, Made Measure. Mat, Kmart. Artwork (tea towel) by Kara Rosenlund. KITCHEN (opposite bottom) At one end of the island, a pantry and appliance cupboard offers bulk storage. Kettle and mixer, Smeg. Toaster, DeLonghi.
It was tempting to delay this element, but we’re glad we didn’t. Without their work, the renovation wouldn’t feel complete and we’d still be tramping mud onto the floors a year later. LESSON Push through and do as much as you can while you’re out of the house (with any luck).
The learning curve I remember the jolt of happiness that hit me the day I walked into our completed house – the cleanest and freshest it would ever be. There was a great sense of possibility. In transforming the physical, we had changed the way we could live. A bit like childbirth, the harder parts of the renovation are already fading in our memories, replaced by the happiness of living here. Focusing on the good times is important, and that’s probably the biggest thing I came away with. Though we nearly tripped on details a few times, everything worked out. Here are some of the littler lessons we learnt:
I have big feet (shout out to all my size-42 ladies!), so the standard height of a shoe drawer was too low to accommodate my heels. If you are paying the (considerable) price for custom joinery, make sure it fits you perfectly. What else? It was only once I sat down with the kitchen plan and worked out what would go into every cupboard and drawer that I realised we didn’t have enough cabinetry and would need to add the overhead cupboards I had hoped to avoid. Finally, we had to move the supporting post near our front door by about 50cm because we hadn’t correctly measured the length of our cars, which fit in the carport in tandem. Our mistake, but totally avoidable. The project’s architect was Clare Carter of Contemporary Architecture: contemporary.net.au. The builder was Chris Lloyd of Amme Construction: ammeconstruction.com.au; and the interior designer was Romy Alwill of Alwill Design: alwill.com.au. Landscape architect Hugh Burnett is at hughburnett.com; and Ballast Landscape at ballastlandscape.com.au
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before& after SPECIAL
MAKEOVER MATERIALS
1 Victoria’s old kitchen felt closed in because of the raised bench. Extending it slightly allowed for an island with better flow, as well as full-length sliding doors along the verandahs. 2 The upstairs playroom was reframed to include a door, a new dormer bathroom and large windows to take in more light and maximise the treetop outlook.
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BATHROOM (top right) The cabinetry and benchtops here and in the ensuite match the finishes in the kitchen, while a Velux skylight welcomes plenty of daylight. Obsis matt wall tiles, Onsite Supply & Design. Duravit ‘Vero Air’ undercounter basin, Brodware ‘City Stik’ basin taps and ‘City Plus’ shower, Brodware. Kaldewei ‘Classic Duo’ freestanding bath and Caroma ‘Urbane Cleanflush’ toilet, all Candana. ENSUITE (above) Mounted on the mirror are Flos ‘Mini Glo Ball’ lamps from Euroluce. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) Moody blue tones feature in Victoria and Rick’s bedroom, most notably on the Cultiver bed linen and pair of Indigo Dips cotton-paper artworks by John Robshaw. “I bought them in New York and had them framed locally,” says Victoria. Timber veneer has been used for the bedhead and bedside table. Caravaggio Read wall light, Cult. Visible through the doorway is a Thornton Walker artwork bought at auction.
CLOCKWISE FROM MIDDLE LEFT Pretzel rattan armchair, from $849, Naturally Cane. Slow Growth oil-on-linen artwork (31cm x 26cm) by Elizabeth Barnett, $1200, James Makin Gallery. Indigo Rorschach #1 ink on paper artwork (60cm x 78cm), $514*, John Robshaw. Eterno ‘Piccolo’ engineered-oak flooring in Freado, POA, Tongue N Groove. NAU ‘Jolly Double’ pendant light, from $1310, Cult. Pillar American-oak dining table, $6090, The Wood Room. Khorjin Chobi rug (157cm x 99cm), $849, Persian Rug Co. Objekto ‘Paulistano’ leather chair, from $5135, Hub. Nomad marble coffee table (105cm x 165cm), $2995, Coco Republic. Aalto vase (12cm), $199, Iittala. Tequila Sunrise bottle in Green (31cm), $185, Jardan. Voluptuous #1 ceramic sculpture by Sophie Nolan, $460, Michael Reid Clay. Sunny upholstered three-seater sofa in Ocean, from $7621, Jardan.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON *CURRENCY CONVERSION CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT
GREAT FINDS
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DECK (this page and opposite left) Victoria relaxes on a Pretzel rattan armchair from Naturally Cane at one end of the outdooor space. On the other side is a Signature ProLine barbecue from BeefEater, on a custom cupboard by builder Chris Lloyd. Sliding doors, Windoor. Wall light, Urban Lighting. POOL/GARDEN (opposite right) Outside Signatures spruced up the existing pool and added the paling fence. The paving is Beauford sandstone from Eco Outdoor. Exterior walls painted Dulux Tranquil Retreat and Vivid White (trim), with Dulux Woodland Grey on the fences.
“NOW THAT THE WORK IS DONE, WE CAN GET ON WITH THE FUN PART, INCLUDING ADDING THE LAYERS OVER TIME THAT MAKE A HOUSE A HOME” VICTORIA, HOMEOWNER
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living the dream
From the coastal location to the perfectly planned layout, this sprawling new build was made for its owners WORDS STEPHANIE HOPE PHOTOGRAPHY ARMELLE HABIB STYLING HEATHER NETTE KING
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EXTERIOR/POOL “People driving past the front often stop and stare,” says Jane of her beautiful home’s exterior, featuring Petersen Tegl Danish-blend bricks, silvertop-ash weatherboards and VM Zinc Anthracite panels. In this back area, where the Jasba Fresh-tiled pool is located, the open gazebo developed over many discussions into a fully enclosed building with bathroom. “It’s a terrific focal point to the western portion of the garden,” says Frank of the timber-framed arbour. Granite pavers in Vega, Anston Architectural Products. Landscaping by Eco Beach Landscapes. FAMILY ROOM (opposite) This is a chill-out space downstairs. Wilfred sofa and armchair, Jardan. Anja coffee table, GlobeWest. Latitude planter, Love Tree Interiors. Slim Aarons prints, Fine Print Co.
cheat sheet Who lives here Jane Fielding, a cosmetic nurse and co-owner of Platinum Cosmetics; her husband Paul, a corporate advisor; and Jane’s two sons: Max, 19, and Noah, 17. Style of home A contemporary new build in Torquay, Victoria, with just the right balance of entertaining space and private living areas for the family’s needs. Planning took six months before the building work began in November 2017. The family moved in at the end of June 2019. The build and fit-out came in at $$$$ $2.9 million, including landscaping.
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he term ‘dream home’ gets bandied around
a lot, but it’s fair to say that Paul and Jane Fielding have created just that in the Victorian coastal town of Torquay. For starters, Paul has strong sentimental ties to the suburb, having holidayed there with his family from a young age, and Jane’s two teenaged sons, Max and Noah, are keen surfers. “Paul already owned a small holiday unit in what’s known as Old Torquay, and when the vacant block of land beside it came up for sale, we snapped it up to build our ideal home,” says Jane. The couple envisaged a house big enough to entertain a crowd, with private areas to give Max and Noah a sense of space and freedom, along with shared communal zones for the family to come together. They asked architect Frank Bienefelt, who was referred by a friend, to help make their long wishlist a reality. “We all met at a birthday party and the ideas were hatched from there,” says Frank. “The underlying principle was to create a home with abundant natural light, maximising the beach views and creating a street presence without being overbearing or ostentatious.” Working with local company Voss Builders, he came up with an inspired piece of architecture split across two levels and enjoying a floor area of 515 square metres. To create that modest yet singular street appeal, Frank used three different materials on the exterior: cream brickwork and timber at ground level, and a recessive, dark anthracite-clad upper level punctuated by linear windows and decking. “The bricks reference the colour and texture of the soft sandstone cliffs of Torquay and work perfectly with the silvertop-ash weatherboards,” adds Frank. Inside, visitors are met with a breathtaking central gallery that runs the length of the home and provides glimpses of the yoga studio, pool deck and outdoor entertaining spaces beyond. Lined with artworks on both sides, it makes an impressive statement. “We asked Frank to build us something special, something that made people say ‘wow’, and this gallery makes an impact the moment you open the front door,” says Jane proudly. Branching off from the gallery are three bedrooms for the kids (Paul’s children from a previous relationship, Megan and
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FAMILY ROOM Built-in credenza units work harmoniously with the loose furniture in this relaxed family zone. Valley curved sofa, Jardan. Elle nest tables, GlobeWest. Magic rug, The Rug Collection. Slim Aarons prints, Fine Print Co. LIVING (opposite left) Key pieces from Jardan include the Vista four-seater sofa, Cove coffee table, Sol floor lamp and Popsicle rug. Pensive leather sofa chair, GlobeWest. DESIGN TEAM (opposite right) Owners Jane and Paul Fielding with interior designer Shannon Vos. DINING AREA (opposite bottom) Hard-waxed blackbutt flooring features in the upstairs living areas, topped with Haymes Woodcare Aqualac timber finish. Custom dining table, Mark Tuckey. Etta armchairs in Grey Speckle and Teal, GlobeWest. Sid pendant lights, Jardan.
sustainable features + 15 kilowatt PV solar panel system with battery back-up + Gas-boosted solar hot water + Hydronic slab and panel heating + VRV ducted air-conditioning + Motorised louvres for cross ventilation + Windows in thermally efficient aluminium and timber, with argon-filled double glazing
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before& after SPECIAL
MAKEOVER MATERIALS This project picked up three HIA awards for its clever design and use of materials. 1 A Carly Williams artwork goes up in the stairwell. 2 In the office is stunning Petersen Tegl Danish-blend brick, which references the soft tones of local sandstone. 3 Looking to the outdoor area from the yoga studio before the green wall was installed.
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Justin, also sleep here when they stay over). Each room has its own bathroom and walk-in-robe area, with two shared living spaces divided by bifold doors on the other side. “Zoned living allowing for privacy and freedom was a key part of the brief, as was a central media room for everyone,” says Jane. Upstairs is the couple’s bedroom, which includes a dressing room and shoe closet to rival Imelda Marcos’s collection. “I’ve had no problem filling this space, much to my husband’s horror,” says Jane with a laugh. There’s also an impressive open-plan kitchen, living and dining space, where Jane and Paul spend much of their time entertaining – be it a glass of wine with close friends or catering for a larger corporate party. “I love the orientation of the four-metre island, which faces the living space to encourage conversation and entice guests to linger,” says Jane. “The overhang at one end is also great for more casual dining.” Tasmanian oak timber-batten ceilings indulge Jane’s love of 1960s architecture and provide acoustic attenuation, with white plaster and brick walls selected to show off the artworks and furnishings that were chosen in consultation with interior designer and Inside Out columnist Shannon Vos (who is related to Frank Bienefelt). Rich colours, textural pieces and carefully chosen artworks give each space its own personality while making them feel intrinsically linked. “We feel very lucky to have been introduced to Shannon by Frank,” says Jane. “He worked with us to select a soft but eclectic colour palette to soften the black, white and timber space.” But it’s the outdoor spaces that really make this house worthy of its dream-home tag. From the downstairs family room, glass sliding doors open to a semi-covered courtyard area that’s been furnished with entertaining in mind. “Custom trestle tables from House of Orange can be rolled away when not needed, and the Cosh Living sofa placed around the outdoor fireplace seats at least 10,” says Shannon. Jane and Paul’s love of music called for a top-notch sound system (a mixture of Sonos and Bose technology) to be installed inside and out, and when the mood is right a disco ball descends from the ceiling. Beyond this is the glass-fenced pool, which includes a long bench nicknamed The Chardy Shelf and shade from the beautifully framed timber arbour, as well as the pool house that dabbles as a yoga studio and gym when it’s not in entertaining mode. “Paul and Jane have adequate space to entertain up to 150 guests, both internally and externally, without setting foot in any personal zones,” Frank explains. “And the boys can enjoy their own privacy and independence separately.” Indeed, when the Fieldings moved into their finished home, they didn’t waste any time putting its performance to the test. Their housewarming party saw 120 guests – including all the trades who’d worked on it – entertained in the gallery and media room, before spilling out to the covered deck and pool areas. “That night was quite the event,” says Jane. “We danced, sipped on cocktails, ate some fabulous paella and, most importantly, shared our home with those we love and those who helped to make our dream home a reality.” No doubt the disco ball made an appearance that night! Shannon Vos is at voscreative.com.au or @shannonjvos
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“This kitchen was designed to be clutter-free. The induction cooker built into the island bench has a selfextracting fan, which eliminates the need for an overhead rangehood, and having the sink in the island frees up space behind for the bank of ovens and fridges – a statement in themselves” SHANNON VOS, INTERIOR DESIGNER
KITCHEN (this page and opposite) High-end Sub-Zero, Gaggenau and Wolf appliances are integrated into the Morematt Nero cabinetry from Arvic Laminates. Blackbutt timber-veneer island cabinetry, Briggs Veneers. Benchtops, Corian in Glacier White. Grohe Essence Pro sink mixer, Reece. Arkoslight ‘Scope’ pendant lights, Sonic Lighting. Mr Fräg ‘Dowel’ stools in black and brass, Curious Grace. Seaside View artwork by Sarah Brooke. Archer 1 and 2 artworks, Warranbrooke.
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16 Existing unit 17 Yoga/retreat 18 Pool 19 Courtyard 20 Lounge area 21 Media space 22 Garage 23 Decking 24 Dining 25 Kitchen 26 Living area 27 Bathroom 28 Walk-in robe 29 Main bedroom 30 Ensuite
ENSUITE “Two tones of dark grey tiles create a moody and personal space, offset by timber veneers and soft wall lighting,” says Frank of Paul and Jane’s exquisite bathroom. Atlas Brave wall and floor tiles in Coke and Grey, Volaré Tile Concepts. Kado Neue bathtub, Venice basins and Milli Pure tapware in Gunmetal, Reece. Blackbutt timber-veneer vanity with Corian top in Glacier White. Baulmann mirror lights, Light Source Australia. Mirror plinth in Blush, Life Interiors. Lizzie terrazzo stool, Matt Blatt. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) “The automatic curtains and electric louvres make us feel like we’re in a luxury hotel room every night!” says Jane. Bed, Mark Tuckey. Bed linen in Clay, In The Sac. Willow Woven bedside tables, GlobeWest. Holly pendant lights, Sonic Lighting. Atlas Mark Chrome wall tiles, Volaré Tile Concepts. Curtains in Mokum fabric, James Dunlop Textiles. Commissioned artwork (not seen) by Katie Wyatt.
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lessons learnt “Don’t rush the process and be open to everything” JANE FIELDING, HOMEOWNER
“It took months for Paul and I to get the brief right with our architect and builder, and there were a few compromises along the way, such as removing the underground cellar and rooftop entertaining space from the original plans due to council regulations. But the hard work paid off and the end product has everything we wanted in a house.”
“The main bedroom has similar colours, textures and decor to the surrounding living spaces. It’s designed for the door to be left open to create moments of intrigue for anyone walking past” SHANNON
GREAT FINDS
bright idea
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Arkoslight ‘Holly’ pendant light, $370.70, Sonic Lighting. Etta armchair in Grey Speckle, $565, GlobeWest. Tallira ‘Subi’ rug in Charcoal/Ivory (160cm x 230cm), $699, The Rug Collection. Positano Beach print by Slim Aarons (40.6cm x 50.8cm), $616, Life Interiors. Valley modular sofa in Luna Eggshell, $16,161, Jardan. Mineral Contours bricks in Mineral Sands, from $2384 per 1000, Austral Bricks. Tolv ‘Pensive’ one-seater chair in Diamond/Light Oak, $2195, GlobeWest. Latitude planter (65cm), $199, Love Tree Interiors. Cove raw southern-ash coffee table, $3320, Jardan. Concrete Stairs candleholder, $49, House of Orange. Sol oak and white steel floor lamp, $2116, Jardan. Odette upholstered footstool in Blush Pink, $329, Brosa.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON
This vertical garden or living wall conceals the unattractive neighbouring garage’s brick wall and bookends the outdoor entertaining areas. It features a mixture of hardy plants (ferns, liriopes, rosemary, philodendron and buxus) and has an automatic watering system.
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OUTDOOR AREA (this page and opposite) Extending from the family room, the spacious outdoor entertaining zones big enough to host large groups were a must-have from the start. “We love to entertain,” Jane tells. Porta Cumaru hardwood decking. Natal Alu outdoor sofa, Cosh Living. Fireplace, Jetmaster. Trees in the vicinity range from deciduous ornamental pear to dwarf flowering gum.
“The outdoor spaces needed to cater equally to a grand party or an intimate fireside chat. Movable furniture serves to cocoon a space or open it up, and bifold doors between spaces offer even more real estate” SHANNON
SURROUNDED BY LUSH GREENERY, THE BEACHSIDE HOME OF FLUIDFORM FOUNDER KIRSTEN KING IS A RETREAT FOR BODY AND SOUL
PARADISE FOUND
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cheat sheet Who lives here Kirsten King, a Pilates instructor and founder of Fluidform Pilates; her rugby-player husband Matt (‘Kingy’); and their children: Charlie, nine; Willow, seven; and Harper, four. Style of home A two-storey California bungalow in Sydney’s east, which was originally two dwellings (a house and flat underneath) and now has four bedrooms. After purchasing the property in late 2015, the extensive renovations took two years to complete.
BACKYARD (this page) The outdoor area was painstakingly redesigned by the Kings, with a helping hand from Kirsten’s father. Built around an original palm tree is decking by Landart. Outdoor sofa and table, MCM House. LIVING AREA (this page and opposite) Kirsten and the kids — Willow, Charlie and Harper — spend a lot of time here. Sofa, MCM House. Rug, Coppola Home. TV unit, Blank Joinery. Artworks by Vicki Lee.
WORDS KATE HASSETT PHOTOGRAPHY CAROLINE McCREDIE
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ocean to the east and an expansive aspect that extends west to the Blue Mountains, it’s not a stretch to imagine why the King family felt immediately drawn to what was then a rundown eastern-Sydney California bungalow in desperate need of a new life. In late 2015, as fate would have it, driving their eldest child Charlie to a friend’s birthday party in the same street would prove decisive. Pulling up outside the property that day left a lasting effect that neither Kirsten nor her husband Matt (known to everyone as ‘Kingy’) were expecting. “Having loosely spoken about raising the kids closer to the ocean, the timing felt right,” says Kirsten. “It sounds really corny, but we both just looked at each other and said, ‘This is our next house.’” The auction arrived without the chance to inspect the property and, with 11 registered bidders, they were inclined to think the odds weren’t in their favour. But the feeling that drew them in remained and the pair walked away with the contract for the split-level property, eager to begin work immediately. Kirsten, who was five-and-a-half months pregnant with her youngest child, had a clear vision of what she wanted her family’s home to feel like. “I knew what I wanted, so I started by drawing a floor plan freehand,” she says. “When we purchased the home, it was two apartments – the front of the house and a top level with three beds, one bath, a lounge room and a kitchen; and a side entrance leading to the downstairs flat, with another two bedrooms, a living space and kitchenette.” While the top floor was immaculate and well cared for, the downstairs was anything but. “It had been a rental and was in a pretty horrible state,” recalls Kirsten. “But the outlook” – a beautiful established backyard filled with 40-year-old mature trees and murraya hedges – “was perfect”.
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DINING The brickwork, now acid-washed, transitions to a smooth render in the downstairs living area. Dining table, a converted French antique barndoor. Concrete floor tiles, Teranova. KITCHEN (opposite, top right and bottom) All-white cabinets by CLK Joinery feature with pearl-like Mallorca subway tiles, also from Teranova. Benchtop, Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo Appliances, Smeg. Vessels and planters, Lived In Coogee. Pendant, Beacon Lighting. Stools, MCM House. Artwork by Lucinda Jones. FAMILY ROOM (opposite) Matt with Kirsten and their kids.
CLOCKWISE FROM TAP Vola KV1 double-swivel mixer, POA, Candana. The One by Alex Proba rug (230cm x 300cm), POA, Loom. Artek Stool 60 seat/table, POA, Anibou. Vico Magistretti ‘Atollo 235’ lamp in White (70cm), $2358, Finnish Design Shop. LUQA planter (51cm), $64.95, Freedom.
“DRIVING UP TO THIS HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE KNEW IT WAS MEANT TO BE OURS” KIRSTEN KING, HOMEOWNER
It was important to Kirsten to keep the upper level as intact as possible by celebrating original features like the stained-glass porthole windows, pressed-metal ceilings and antique light fittings. Spatially, the kitchen was removed to make way for another bedroom, and the ensuite received an overhaul. A staircase was installed to join the levels, revealing a surprise feature that was a delightful merging of eras. “Where the staircase turns from old into new, we found a boarded-up piece of the wall,” says Kirsten. “Behind it we discovered the most incredible leadlight window depicting a heart, which we took as another sign that the home was meant to be ours.” After demolishing the lower level to make way for an expansive living/dining space, kitchen (complete with butler’s pantry) and bathroom, they finally felt like the home was theirs. However, problems with the initial builder marred what should have been a collaborative, transformative process – but only temporarily. “We were so lucky to find our new builder, Jake Vorias from Vorcon Constructions, halfway through and he understood the situation,” says Kirsten. “Once Jake came in, the process took only weeks and the space really came to life.” Dingy ex-rental no more, the downstairs, now concrete-tiled throughout and dressed with crisp white furnishings, fits the family’s “livable, calming and stress-free” brief perfectly. But most of all, it acts as the ideal gateway to the spot where the outdoor living really kicks into gear – the pool. “Every day the kids finish school and, without missing a beat, the clothes are off and they’re straight into the pool,” says Kirsten. “Kingy and I can just sit back, relax and take it all in.” Follow Kirsten on Instagram @fluidformpilates. Vorcon Constructions is @vorconconstructions. Landart is at landart.com.au or @landart.landscapes
before& after SPECIAL
MAKEOVER MATERIALS 1 The old laundry was outside the house, with no internal access. It was gutted and the space added to the family living room. What remained was a beautiful concrete double sink and a lot of usable bricks, which were repurposed in the barbecue area. 2 The kitchenette in the pre-existing downstairs apartment was removed, to extend the sitting and dining area in the new build.
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SITTING ROOM This upstairs space was styled with more traditional furniture. Armchair, MCM House. Black sofa and chair, both King Furniture. Bar cart, West Elm. Planter (not including the fiddle-leaf fig plant), The Pot Warehouse. SIDE ENTRY (opposite left) Steel-framed doors sit at the top of concrete-tiled stairs leading to the newly created lower level. LIVING AREA (opposite right) Immaculate stained-glass windows are a welcome reminder of the home’s past.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT Aloe plant, from $20, Garden Life. Atlas matt tiles in Ice, $32.95 per sq m, National Tiles. Calacatta Nuvo marble-style surface, POA, Caesarstone. Kartell ‘Louis Ghost’ chair in Transparent Crystal, $670, Space. Columbus Imports vintage clam shell, $399, Magnolia Lane. Palermo sofa in Corinthian White, $1499, Brosa. Rhapsody 02 artwork, POA, Vicki Lee. Ay Illuminate ‘Z1’ bamboo and cotton pendant, $900, Spence & Lyda.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATE HASSETT
GREAT FINDS
INSIDE | HOME
LESSONS LEARNT “Take the plunge and give the builders space” KIRSTEN KING, HOMEOWNER
“If I had my time over, I would move out of the house during the renovation. Living through it slowed down the process and was quite stressful. As a self-confessed ‘clean freak’, the dust and dirt was my worst nightmare.”
GARDEN Established greenery and potted succulents add a vibrant feeling to the wraparound deck leading to the pool (both designed and installed by Landart). ENSUITE (opposite, top left) The Kings designed their bathroom to reflect the style of the original house. Nero Marquina hexagon tiles and Roc satin white subway tiles, both Teranova. Nicolazzi brass tapware plus basin and mirror, Reece. Sconces, Beacon Lighting. FACADE (opposite, top right) Looking to the old front door. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite, bottom left) The main bedroom is a lesson in pared-back minimalism. Bed linen, Country Road.
SLIDING DOORS
SITTING ON A LEVEL BLOCK IN THE LA FOOTHILLS, THIS SINGLE-STOREY STUNNER IS SO OPEN TO ITS LUSH GARDEN THAT IT’S EASY TO FORGET THE MOVIE-STAR VIEW AT ONE END
cheat sheet Who lives here David Thompson, architect and principal of Assembledge+; his wife Jamie Thompson, a real-estate agent; their two daughters: Lyla, 16, and Zoe, 14; and mutt dog Georgie. Style of home A completely rebuilt single-storey house in LA’s Laurel Canyon, inspired by Southern California modernism. David and Jamie bought the property in 2014 and started rebuilding in 2017. Tools were down by June 2019 and the first swim in the new pool was shortly after that.
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OVERSEAS INSPIRATION | HOME
FAMILY ROOM Massive sliding glass doors completely dissolve the home’s boundaries. The dark-grey modular sofa and see-through coffee table help draw the eye out to the pool area.
WORDS DEBORAH GRANT PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW MILLMAN
LIVING ROOM/NOOK As well as being a more formal space to entertain, this is where David likes to chill out. Eames lounge chair (by shelves) from Design Within Reach. Sofa and armchairs, RH Modern. Coffee table, designed by David. Side table (to the right of the sofa), Cuff Home. The Haute Bohemian rug from Mehraban mimics the ceiling.
A
rchitects rarely buy renovated homes. In
order to fully flex their considerable skill set, ‘falling-down dilapidated’ is often their condition of choice, and that was pretty much the case for LA’s Assembledge+ architecture boss David Thompson when he bought a 1956 bungalow in 2014. Though it gave the impression of thick, green California forest, the 1670-square-metre property the house was on is only 10 minutes’ walk from ice-cream on Studio City’s Ventura Boulevard. So there was no getting lost in suburban sprawl for David’s real-estate-agent wife Jamie and their two daughters, who lived in the leaky home for three years while David got to work on the revamp. He focused on the concept of oasis and was excited by the idea of keeping the existing central courtyard but simplifying its many levels and materials. The rest of the house was basically a knock-down job, which, he says, made it easier to flatten the complex pitched roof and “rationalise [open] the irregular series of nested, closed rooms”. Like his Modernist idols, he imagined a single-storey, tri-pavilion structure with interconnecting glass hallways and large windows framed like walls, looking out on ‘soft’ gravel, green grass and, beyond that, mature trees. While the previous home David built for the family in Larchmont had lots of windows, its smaller block size and proximity to the street had earned it more than a few ‘goldfish bowl’ descriptions. This design would allow him to extend their living experience “even further into the landscape”, but in a more private way. Once the three pavilions – one containing the living areas, one for the main bedrooms, and one for the guest quarters and garage – were mapped out, Assembledge+ provided the detail, complete with a host of environmentally friendly elements. These include reflective roof surfaces, photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC (heating and cooling) systems, insulation and glazing plus permeable ground surfaces and a rainwater collection system to combat drought conditions. Having such smart technologies and operating systems ensures the family ticks over as sustainably as possible in their new home. Though the house feels very open across its expansive public spaces inside and out, there are many more intimate spaces as well. “Most of the interior walls are white to highlight the openness and abundance of natural light,” says David. “However, in a few key areas, such as the kitchen, we painted the cabinetry a dark charcoal to mimic the deep smokiness of the exterior 92 | INSIDE OUT
OVERSEAS INSPIRATION | HOME
LESSONS LEARNT “Design and orientation are very important”
DAVID THOMPSON, ARCHITECT/OWNER
“Our deep overhang mitigates solar heat gain and shields us from the sun. Having a singlestorey residence ensures the building is largely shaded below the surrounding tree canopy, and the large roof area permitted the installation of a 15kW photovoltaic system capable of feeding excess power back into the city’s grid.”
OVERSEAS INSPIRATION | HOME
DAY BED (above) Another space where the window seems almost non-existent. GARDEN (above right) Entry to the property is through a stunning western-red-cedar fence. WALKWAY (right) Glass walls make travelling between pavilions a visual treat. KITCHEN (opposite) The importance of skylights in the flat-roofed design is most apparent here. Benchtops, Calacatta Crema. Cabinetry colour, Off-Black by Farrow & Ball. Stools, CB2. Flooring, oak.
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INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION
“EXPERIENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN STATEMENT SO WE AVOIDED CREATING AN OLD FORMAL DINING ROOM THAT NO ONE EVER PASSED THROUGH. ALL OUR ROOMS OR AREAS ARE ‘ACTIVATED’ EVERY DAY” DAVID THOMPSON, ARCHITECT/OWNER
panels and provide a seductive backdrop that highlights the warmth of the wood flooring and marble benchtops.” Jamie and the girls love to cook so the high-spec kitchen sees a lot of activity. “It starts with our morning coffee, which we have in the outdoor room just off the kitchen,” she says. “That slider is usually opened first thing in the morning. If it’s a weekend, we open up all the sliders in the living and dining areas so the whole house has a breezy feel.” Meanwhile David, who also designed many of the home’s key furniture pieces, is more likely to be working in his study. In his downtime, however, he’s quite partial to relaxing in the living room’s Eames lounge. “It’s one of the pieces I’ve always wanted, and when we were designing the living space, I had this particular piece in mind,” he shares. Other elements were selected by interior designer Susan Mitnick, a family friend who worked with the white oak flooring and was instrumental in choosing furniture, finishes and colours. “We had a preference for simplicity and natural materials, like the wooden floors and siding [cladding],” says David, “and we wanted the siding in a charcoal that would set off equally well from the warm siding and the light blue LA sky. The hardest thing was the specific choice. How many charcoals did we try? And how many white paints for the interior walls? Dozens!” To see more of David Thompson’s work, check out assembledge.com or @assembledge. Susan Mitnick Design Studio can be contacted through susanmitnick.com or @susanmitnickdesignstudio 96 | INSIDE OUT
DINING AREA This space faces the front courtyard. “It’s a balanced room of shapes and colour,” says interior designer Susan Mitnick. “The table functions as a big architectural landmark.” Custom dining table by Reeve Schley of Seed LA Design + Build. B&B Italia ‘Metropolitan’ chairs. Line pendant in natural brass, Douglas and Bec. Green artwork by Bradley Duncan.
INSIDE | OVERSEAS INSPIRATION
“FOR US, LANDSCAPE PLAYS A ROLE THAT’S JUST AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE INTERIORS. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PALETTES INFORM THE LANDSCAPE AND VICE VERSA” DAVID
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Impressions laminate in Black Nuance, POA, Laminex. Malachite acrylic and oil artwork by Natalia Prutski, from $624.15 for a 30cm x 30cm canvas, Etsy. Zaza 2 upholstered deep outdoor sofa, from $5936, King Living. Model 375 oak table lamp, $1130, Great Dane Furniture. Injiri ‘Fur Jat 23’ cushion (40cm), $148, Spence & Lyda. Wittmann ‘Miles’ swivel lounge chair, from $7250, Domo. Saqqara linen in Chalk, $206 per sq m, Walter G.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATRINA YAXLEY.
GREAT FINDS
ENSUITE (both images above) The skylight creates a spa-like vibe, especially when the sun hits the tiles and makes abstract shadows. Marble bathtub and benchtop, Modul Marble. Tiles, Porcelanosa. Apparatus Studio ‘Trapeze’ wall sconce. MAIN BEDROOM (left) “In order to achieve a complete indoor/outdoor experience, there are no window dressings,” says David, who also designed the bed. Throw, JG Switzer. Rug, Mehraban. Bolle Sola pendant light by Galotti & Radice. PATIO (opposite) While the plantings around the pool and fire pit are kept low, the native grasses further from the house are taller and wilder. Fiore Landscape Design laid out the garden, including mature olives and a few pre-existing oaks. The outdoor furniture, all by Gloster, was chosen for its architectural design and scale.
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RENOVATE final flourish
The best is left to last in this family’s longed-for launch pad
Patience pays off. It took more than a decade for Sydney couple Kristy and Kieren to achieve their dream home – and a grand Escea gas fireplace in the lower living area was the final piece of their renovation puzzle. Now the humble Victorian cottage has become the perfect inner-city pad for their family of five to grow and thrive. Turn the page to see more.
PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN LINNEGAR
DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT.
steeling time A Sydney family chose black metal as the key feature of their renovated home – on windows, doors and all the standout accessories
kitchen
Statuario Maximus Caesarstone are paired with Polytec cabinetry in Natural Oak Ravine. Upper cupboards in Dulux White Exchange Quarter satin polyurethane. Handles, Kethy. Downlights, Urban Lighting. Taburet bar stools, Life Interiors.
102 | INSIDE OUT
WORDS JESSICA BELLEF PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN LINNEGAR
INSIDE | RENOVATE
cheat sheet Who lives here Kristy, a public relations consultant; her husband Kieren, a solicitor; their children: Alex, 11, Eliza, seven, and Isaac, two; plus Edward, a Burmese cat. Style of home A traditional Victorian house in Sydney’s inner west that has been transformed with a substantial extension and first-floor parents’ retreat. The couple bought in 2010 and were ready to renovate by November 2017. Building work began in August 2019 and was completed eight months later.
dining nook
All the home’s black steel framework is by Steel Door. The banquette is by architect Raymond Panetta. Leather upholstery, AAQT Upholstery. Dining table, eBay. Ton bentwood chairs, Huset. Green cushions, Target. Lambert & Fils ‘Waldorf’ double suspension light, Living Edge.
INSIDE | RENOVATE
living The family’s tan leather Lexington sofa from Matt Blatt can take lots of rough and tumble. Escea gas fire, The Heater Man. Orpheus pendant light, Urban Lighting. Weave ‘Makalu’ rug, Temple & Webster. Steps to the main bedroom, American oak.
wishlist + Modern rear extension This needed to complement the home’s original features. + Parent’s retreat To go on the new upper level. + Extra bathroom and larger laundry A godsend with three kids in the house. + Storage Built-in robes were required in every bedroom.
the moodboard
L
ike many of the charming historic cottages of
Balmain, in Sydney’s inner west, Kristy and Kieren’s home introduces itself as a traditional Victorian but then opens up to reveal a contemporary extension that’s perfect for the family of five that lives there. The young couple who bought it had been living in London for five years when they decided to return to Australia in 2009 after the global financial crisis hit. ‘It wasn’t family that motivated us to come back to Australia,” says Kristy, “but we had started to think about having children, so it was a nice coincidence that I was pregnant with our first baby when we arrived home.” At their first inspection of the property, Kristy and Kieren fell in love with its pretty frontage, high ceilings and ornate fireplaces and saw the potential for future expansion. “We knew the house had scope,” says Kristy. “It was comfortable enough for us to live in for a while, but we knew we would renovate eventually and go out and up.” By 2017, with their little family growing, the time had come to update the home. The diligent first-time renovators engaged architect Raymond Panetta of Raymond Panetta Architects and the construction team from MATTBUILD to implement a modern extension at the back and a refresh of the front in keeping with local heritage conservation standards.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: JESSICA BELLEF
dream it Kristy and Kieren were focused on gaining as much storage as possible in the redesign. “Our big question was always ‘where can we store the kids’ sports stuff!’ laughs Kristy. Squaring out the awkward L-shape of the back half would allow for a large open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that flowed onto a neatly landscaped yard and pool, and a second storey above the extension would give the busy parents a tucked-away suite. While the biggest changes were set to be made at the rear of the property, retaining the Victorian facade and street view of the original roofline would appease the local council. “Although we had to do it, we really wanted to keep that charm and character,” says Kristy. A play of natural textures and a casual, inviting atmosphere rounded out the couple’s vision. “We wanted it to be a relaxed and approachable family home,” Kristy says. “We didn’t want a museum piece.”
FROM FAR LEFT Statuario Maximus surface, POA, Caesarstone. Hoop concrete basin in Ivory, $770, Nood Co. Vivid Slimline pull-out sink mixer in Matt Black, $573.75, Cass Brothers. Natural Oak Ravine MDF surface, POA, Polytec. Middle of Nowhere ‘Bjorn’ oval mirror, $230, Life Interiors. Grey Makalu hand-woven rug, $1299, Temple & Webster. Dahlia leather sofa in Tan, $2999, Freedom. Menu ‘Dancing’ pendant, $1900, Huset. Warrick cushion in Winter Berry, $69.99, Sheridan. Dulux Wash&Wear acrylic paint in Dieskau and Tamed Texan, both $79.90 per 4L, Bunnings. Taburet bar stool in Walnut, $399, Life Interiors. Lambert & Fils ‘Waldorf Suspension’ double pendant light, $2730, Living Edge.
INSIDE OUT | 105
INSIDE | RENOVATE
extension
The new back and sides of the home are clad in 180mm-wide James Hardie weatherboards painted in Dulux Silkwort. to match the front
exterior
Kristy and Kieren with children Alex, Isaac and Eliza. The paint colours are Dulux Silkwort (walls), Lexicon Half (trims) and Caviar (front door).
“We knew we wanted the living, kitchen and dining spaces to be quite special,” says Raymond. “One focus was on making the dining area a gathering spot for the family, with oversized banquette seating framed by steel windows looking out to the pool.” The banquette design was inspired by an image of a chic restaurant in Helsinki, spotted by Kristy in a magazine. With her career in PR for luxury goods, Kristy has always loved magazines and had amassed quite a library of dream-home reference images. “We had a real look that we were after and were able to give Raymond a clear brief,” she says. Style inspiration soaked up during the couple’s stint in the UK also influenced the visual direction for each room and their choices in finishes and fixtures. “In London, there’s a lot more experimenting when it comes to interiors, and I feel like that opened up a lot of possibilities for us in terms of different materials and layering, and mixing old with new,” adds Kristy. The all-important additional storage requirements were addressed in Raymond’s floor plans. “We had to design clever joinery within otherwise unused spaces, such as under the stairs and via a walkway linking the new upper-level space to the original roof,” he says.
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do it
Raymond’s comprehensive documentation combined with the efforts of the switched-on team from MATTBUILD led to a construction process Kristy describes as ‘seamless’ – despite a potential disaster. “Our outdoor pavers were in a car accident on the way to the dock in Egypt,” she says. “The pavers had to be recut, which was a setback that could have thrown the schedule into chaos, but the perks of working with a good builder is that they were able to move everything around and reschedule the trades and it didn’t push our finish date back at all,” says Kristy. Even the last-minute addition of a fireplace in the living room didn’t throw the timeline off course. “There were a lot of hard surfaces like concrete, painted brick and glass, and we were worried the space was going to be quite cold,” Kristy explains. For the chimney breast, the couple chose new bricks to match the old brick wall that runs the length of the kitchen and dining area. “I love that we could keep the original brick wall,” she says. Though the front four rooms remain the same size (one is now a bathroom), the reinvented back half of the property has given the family the space they were craving. “The kids have their own rooms and their own spaces, and we love having different areas where people can move away from the chaos!” says Kristy. “We are all very happy here.” Find Raymond Panetta Architects at raymondpanetta.com.au and @raymondpanetta_architects. MATTBUILD is at mattbuild.com.au
FRONT PATH TILES, OLDE ENGLISH TILES. HOUSE NUMBERS, HEPBURN HARDWARE
design it
backyard
pool
Designed by Spirit Level, the backyard is zoned with Balmain Sandstone from Sydney Tile Gallery. Timber step and bench, spotted-gum hardwood finished with Cutek oil.
Cronulla Pools installed the swimming pool and Screening Solutions provided the timber fencing. Plants in bed above pool, weeping lilly pilly. Cane chairs, Kmart.
FIRST FLOOR
the best bits 16 14
15
7 8
GROUND FLOOR
9 13
6
3
5
12 1 11 10
7
1 Entry 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom 5 Bathroom 6 Laundry 7 Pantry 8 Library/study
4
2
9 Living 10 Kitchen 11 Dining area 12 Courtyard 13 Pool 14 Main bedroom 15 Ensuite 16 Study/roof link
+ Steel frames “The steel windows and doors give a great sense of openness and scale to the house,” says Kristy. + Booth seat “This is fantastic. It’s like a second living space for us. The kids can lie on it and read a book or just chill out there. It’s a really lovely breakout space. + Pendant lights “We wiped out all the original downlights and added interesting pendants throughout, to create atmosphere. I especially love the Lambert & Fils lighting fixture over our dining table.” + Family bathroom “It has a big skylight over the bath that funnels light down so it feels like a bit of a sanctuary.”
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INSIDE | RENOVATE
bathroom
All the tiles are from Tile Cloud. Vanity top, Caesarstone Snow. Concrete basins, Nood Co. Timber veneer, Polytec Natural Oak Ravine. Showerhead, tapware and towel racks, Cass Bros.
eliza’s room
A Dancing pendant light from Huset gives the room movement and Dulux Natural White walls accentuate the artworks by Jody Soloshatz (mantel) and Amy Sullivan (wall). Quilt cover, Sheridan.
lessons learnt “There were so many but three main ones come to mind...” KRISTY RIGHT PAINT “I had a Dulux colour consultant come out to help me navigate the world of whites. I was worried about choosing the right one. I learnt about the way light reflects off white, and just how many different whites there are.” WRONG SEALER “We definitely chose the wrong sealer for our concrete floor. We went with a water-based penetrative matt sealer and, not long after we moved in, marks were settling into the concrete and it was staining quite quickly. So after six months, we repolished the concrete floors and added a lithium-based hardener and a lithium-based sealer with a semi-gloss top=coat finish that’s a lot more stainresistant and better suited to our home’s high-traffic areas.” CHOICE ITEMS “We learnt not to be too ambitious overall and picked a few elements as standout features. They were the steel doors and windows, and the banquette.”
108 | INSIDE OUT
main bedroom “I don’t like headboards and wanted something different,” says Kristy of the custom ‘shelf’ in her room. The beadboard matches the ceiling and is painted Dulux Tamed Texan. Walls, Dulux Dieskau. Linen, Sheridan. Throw, Tara Dennis Store. Caravaggio Read wall lamp, Cult. Curtains, DIY Bllinds.
INSIDE | RENOVATE
BUYER’S GUIDE
Open your mind to the new technologies in glass and framing and let natural light be the hero
W
indows are the architectural feature that you are
almost meant not to see. Designed to let in light and to highlight a view, they connect a home’s interior with the world outside. Whether subtle and discrete or a statement piece, they are the key to making the most of a home’s natural light, allowing the resulting ambience to be softer, more welcoming and even cooler or warmer, depending on your location and the season. There are so many different types of windows to choose from, but before you get your heart set on a particular design, start with your local building regulations, says Sydney architect Jonathan Spicer of Spicer Architecture, because that will determine the material best suited to your location. If you are anywhere near bushland, it’s important to look at the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating. This is a means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. 110 | INSIDE OUT
“If you need to meet a high BAL rating, it excludes nearly 90 per cent of the windows available, and most of the European brands,” says Jonathan. “Similarly, if your home is located on the coast, timber windows might not be ideal because of the amount of maintenance they require.” Quality windows make a home much more livable, so it’s important to put new ones in the right locations. “Good window selection and placement will work with the surrounds to encourage passive ventilation and manage light in summer, while making the most of sun and blocking the cold in winter,” says Christine Evans, director of marketing at Stegbar. “Start by noting the prevailing wind patterns, the orientation of the block, where you need privacy and the views you want.” As for current styles, interior designer James Treble reports seeing lots of wider and taller glass windows in new houses, with thinner frames to maximise light and views, and increasingly attractive sliding glass doors and bifolds linking inside and out.
WORDS LYNNE TESTONI
PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL (THIS PAGE), SEAN FENNESSY (OPPOSITE). STYLING: SIMONE HAAG (OPPOSITE)
WINDOWS
STRONG HOLD Large steel-framed windows capture the views in this Mornington Peninsula home. SNEAK PEEK (opposite) A seat-level window is an ideal dining-nook addition.
INSIDE | RENOVATE
“There have been major advances in aluminium windows, with the frames now thinner and stronger” JONATHAN SPICER, ARCHITECT
FRAME CHOICES
Steel Windows framed in steel are right on trend at the moment, especially in blacks and charcoals. Steel provides strong structural support and is perfect for large windows. But it is quite expensive, says James Treble, who adds that while it’s on many homeowners’ wishlists, it can be hard to source and is often dropped in favour of more affordable options such as aluminium. Architect Jonathan Spicer uses a lot of steel doors in his projects, but warns that it can be difficult to find accessories to match, such as hinges and handles. “The beauty of steel is that it’s so thin in profile and elegant,” he says. “Which means your architect and blacksmith might have to custom-design the handles, the hinges and the opening-and-closing mechanisms because they’re just not available, or the styles are very limited. Obviously, this adds to the cost and complexity, but the end result is always worth it.”
Aluminium This lighter metal is more affordable than steel
PHOTOGRAPHY: FELIX FOREST (OPPOSITE)
BIFOLD BLISS (above) Stainless-steel bifold windows from Stegbar make a seamless connection between in and out for entertaining ease.
and requires less maintenance than timber. It’s also rust-resistant, so it’s suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries. Stegbar has a range called Alumiere, which is made with aluminium and is the company’s most popular window. “It offers the strength to hold large expanses of glass while weighing less than steel,” says Christine Evans. “This makes it a great go-to, preferable for the lightweight construction of second floors in particular. It’s also more affordable and durable than timber.” There have been major advances in aluminium windows in recent years, adds Jonathan, with the frames now thinner and stronger. Most can be powdercoated in a colour of your choice.
112 | INSIDE OUT
LINE HONOURS Sydney interior designer Juliette Arent of Arent&Pyke came up with a design that considered the courtyards and terraces of this home as carefully as the internal living spaces, using statement window finishes to frame the outlook.
INSIDE | RENOVATE
Timber This is the classic choice as timber windows have a timeless appeal. While affordable, they generally require more care and upkeep than metal options, and should be repainted or stained every three to four years to keep them at their best. As a natural material, timber is often chosen by homeowners wanting a country aesthetic via an element that connects with the outdoors. “It has superior energy efficiency and is the most versatile option as it can be painted or stained any colour,” says Stegbar’s Christine Evans. Just be sure to choose FSC-certified timber for the frames, ensuring it’s responsibly sourced. James Treble says wooden windows offer a beautiful natural grain and are made from a 100-per-cent renewable material that feels nice to live with, but agrees that they require regular maintenance in our harsh Australian climate.
THE FUTURE IS CLEAR
Horizontal sliding These windows are built to slide open horizontally. They feature two or more sashes and are great for ventilation. Bifold Classic bifolds are usually made from two or more panels that fold onto themselves. They provide a solution to indoor/outdoor living in the warmer months. Louvre Made from either glass, aluminium or timber, with a series of blades that tilt to open via a handle, lever or remote. Skylight Where access is limited or windows are a no-go, a skylight can provide a much-needed source of natural light. Casement window Hinged at the sides and opening outward, casement windows are usually installed with flyscreens on the inside to provide a great mozzie-free breeze. Awning window Hinged at the top and opening outwards, this classic variety comes in a vast array of configurations and shapes and are good for climates where it rains a lot, or wet areas that require privacy. Tilt and turn This flexible option opens inwards in two actions by tilting like a hopper window (that is, opening inwards) and turning like a casement window.
114 | INSIDE OUT
PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL (TOP AND OPPOSITE), CHRIS WARNES (LEFT). STYLING: HEATHER NETTE KING (OPPOSITE)
WINDOW TYPES
It’s surprising that a simple fixture such as windows could have so many technological changes, but architect Jonathan Spicer is aware of major developments on the horizon that could help make windows more energy-efficient. While not in Australia as yet, the US has started introducing transition-style windows that are similar to transition lenses in glasses, which means heat from the sun increases the window tint, thus keeping homes cooler. Jonathan feels this technological breakthrough might arrive here in the next few years. Another exciting development is research into the potential of windows to store solar energy, leading them to perform in a similar way to photovoltaic cells.
SKY HIGH Floor-to-ceiling windows can transform any living area into a light-filled haven. MAGIC CIRCLES (opposite top) Designed by Kennedy Nolan, this home in Melbourne has a series of round feature windows. LEAN IN (opposite bottom) Solid timber awning windows are excellent for wet areas like bathrooms.
1
living
The Block: Glasshouse co-winner and interior architect Shannon Vos. voscreative. com.au
reno reboot
Netflix and Stan were among the hardest of workers in 2020. During the god-awful stage of never-ending lockdown, the couch was definitely the best space to isolate. That being said, the living-area aesthetic soon grew weary, and we were all suddenly in need of them ‘new year, new space’ vibes. The simple act of mounting your TV on a wall and freeing up the visual clutter on the entertainment unit can do wonders. On top of that, a new oversized rug and sofa can help you forget about the sloth-like haze we lived through last year. A coat of paint and some creativity with new lights will breathe yet another layer of fresh into your life. Top it off with an oversized print and a cheeky glass of rosé in your cupped hands. Cheers! BUILD CHARACTER For the kitchen of this home in Perth’s Cottesloe, interior designer Lara Staunton of Lahaus specified hard-wearing Dekton engineered stone for the benchtop and timeless splashback wall tiles.
S
ome of the smallest changes can make the biggest
differences, and none are more evident than those in our homes. Considering we’re all spending a bit more time cooped up inside these days, it’s the little things that matter. A big renovation isn’t always on the cards for us homeowners, so we need to think of smarter ways to transform our spaces without breaking the bank. Let’s have a look at how to get the biggest bang from the smallest of renovation budgets.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER (LIVING), JODY D’ARCY (KITCHEN). STYLING: LISA QUINN-SCHOFIELD (KITCHEN)
Change is something we’re now very good at, as the year of adapting to the new — 2020 — worked its magic on us all. But transformation needs to be managed well, because something like changing the tone of white in your home (from warm to neutral or cool) will affect the look of every other visible surface. So while you’re encouraged to be brave, you should also be prepared...
INSIDE | RENOVATE
2
UP THE EXCITEMENT Achieve an at-home cinema experience by wall-mounting your TV, then recline on the plushest sofa possible and chill. A strategically placed artwork adds visible oomph.
“WHILE YOUR SPLASHBACK IS IN THE PROCESS OF RENEWAL, IT’S A GOOD TIME TO SWAP OUT DATED BENCHTOPS. A WELL-CHOSEN SURFACE CAN LIFT YOUR KITCHEN OR LAUNDRY FROM DRAB TO FAB” SHANNON
kitchen
Any kitchen renovation can quickly burn holes through the fattest of wallets, and just like a night of bubbles and an online sale, it’s important to know when to stop even before you start. Cabinetry can be totally transformed with some new handles and a lick of paint – just be sure to prep thoroughly and use a hard-wearing, water-based paint. It’s best to remove all cupboard doors and drawers and paint these pieces in a dust-free space, but the fixed panels (the sides of cupboards and filler pieces) will have to be painted where they sit. Chat to the staff at your local paint shop for the best tips to ensure the job will last. Splashbacks can easily be retiled with a few free weekends and a grasp of a YouTube tutorial. Your local Beaumont Tiles store can set you in the right direction and it’s really just a matter of choosing user-friendly tiles and taking your time. Select a tile profile that requires minimal work and the least number of cuts on the grinder, and use a matching grout to hide any DIY discrepancies. While your splashback is in the process of renewal, it’s a good time to swap out dated benchtops. A well-chosen surface can be the hero of any kitchen or laundry space and lift the room from drab to fab. Engineered stone such as Smartstone or Dekton is tough enough to take on the messiest of chefs, but won’t cost you the earth. Have a chat to a supplier for their best recommendations and a good contact for a stonemason. And while that’s being tackled – see the snowball effect we’re dealing with now? – it’s the right time to swap out that sink-and-tap combo from 1983. Phoenix Tapware (Australian made, mind you) are as solid a choice as any. Paired with a complementary sink, doing the dishes never looked so appealing. Lighting is everything in a kitchen space, and a brand new kitchen with a ho-hum lighting plan is anything but lit (boom-tish). Make sure you have a good balance of task, ambient and accent lights to illuminate the best of your kitchen, and don’t forget a feature pendant where you can add the LED strips.
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bedroom
MAKE A CLEAN BREAK A mix of materials works wonders in the bathroom of this Perth home renovation by Studio Atelier. Industrial Astra Walker tapware and dark handles are cleverly contrasted with the light veneer cabinetry, Caesarstone London Grey benchtop and soft grey subway tiles.
TREAT YOURSELF TO TIMBER Sydney interior designer Kristy McGregor applied an expert touch to her own room with a bedhead made of leftover timber from her living-room ceiling, new In Bed linen, a Matin table lamp by Hay and a Pampa throw.
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bathroom
These can be a bit like kitchens; expensive, restrictive and best tackled with a well-thought-out plan. Bathroom ceilings and walls can be easily painted – just stick to colours or tones that relate to your existing tile choices. If you don’t have the most appealing of tiles (I’m talking to you, decorative motifs), a hardy tile paint could be the answer, but be sure of your decision before picking up the brush. If you’re blessed with the bold colours of a 1950s gem, pair all that crazy with some modest choices in your painted surfaces and decor. I’ve seen too many blush-pink bathroom tiles painted over because the owners just didn’t know how to treat that aesthetic. Certain taps and fittings can be swapped out without pulling the whole unit away and dealing with the resulting waterproofing dilemma, and tiles just out of the splash zone can be updated with a minimum of fuss. As for a new vanity, this can generally be swapped out with a similarly sized replacement, and the lighting can likewise be tackled. However, if you’re looking to save a dollar, avoid changing the floor plan and resultant waterproofing.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER (BEDROOM), DION ROBESON (BATHROOM), BRIGID ARNOTT (OUTSIDE). STYLING: KERRIE-ANN JONES (BEDROOM), ANNA FLANDERS (BATHROOM). ARTWORK (BEDROOM) BY SOPHIA SZILAGYI
Bedrooms are easily transformed with a coat of paint and a new lighting plan, but changing one’s wall colour can easily, and radically, throw off other choices in the space. Far too many times, my wife has made the excuse of a new hair colour to buy new clothes – so while you’re at it, think about new cushions, linen and bedspreads to go the distance. If you feel adventurous, play with your furniture layout to get the new-room feels, or upgrade those dated pieces with something a little more current.
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outside As summer scorches on, we all need the outdoors to feel like an extension of what’s going on inside – and even Mother Nature needs a helping hand every now and then. A coat of oil on any timber furniture will do the job and keep the splinters at bay, but nothing can spruce up an outdoor space like some fun lighting. Hang a string of festoon lights overhead (check they’re weatherproof) and keep the drinks flowing, to make the most introverted of friends feel ‘festive’. If you’re up for it and have the time, get your green thumb on and breathe life into those tired-looking gardens. Drought-tolerant plants can be sculptural and provide shade. Go the extra step and light them up at night with some budget-friendly solar lights, and enjoy your twinkling masterpiece long after the summer sun disappears.
GREEN THE SCENE Landscape designer Fiona Ericsson of Sticks & Stones revitalised this garden in Sydney’s Terrey Hills with plantings of Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ and Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’ in planter boxes, as well as dwarf cardamom (Alpinia nutans). White paint for the screening and boxes, plus a statement light, ensure a peaceful escape.
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IN DETAIL
big little lives Mini Casa design principal Sandy Folder knows a thing or two about creating inspiring spaces for kids. She walks us through three of her Sydney projects DESIGN & STYLING SANDY FOLDER PHOTOGRAPHY MAREE HOMER
ocean adventure
DESIGN PROCESS I designed this bedroom for a 10-year-old boy
and was inspired by his spirit of adventure and interest in marine life, which directed the theme and colour palette. Functionally, it was important to create a space to study, sleep, and relax with friends. As the parents intend for this room design to serve their child until he leaves home, it was important to select a timeless colour palette and quality pieces of furniture that the boy can grow into. My first step is always to review how the space is designed functionally and how it will be used in the future. I take the time to complete the Mini Casa brief with the client, so I can learn about the child’s interests, favourite colours and personality, which allows me to create a personalised design. SPACE CREATION It was clear that the original cupboard, which was used as a wardrobe, was not going to meet the needs of a growing child, so I started by converting the cupboard to a 120 | INSIDE OUT
bookshelf. The generous size of the room allowed me to add a built-in wardrobe and bench seat under the window to make a reading nook and casual space for the child and his friends to hang out. To create a cohesive look, we kept the same material across the top of the bench seat and into the bookshelf – a warm stained American oak veneer with solid lipping. Once the theme and general layout/floor plan was set, I then sourced the hero artwork by Brigitte May, which set the tone for the room. COLOUR PALETTE As the bedroom is for a mature boy who wanted a calm space, I selected Dulux Rangitikei River, a beautiful blue-green grey that is soothing and timeless. I love how it looks with similar tones in the room and I partnered it with Dulux Vivid White to elevate the colour to another level. BEST ADVICE Apply Scotchgard to anything upholstered to guarantee longevity and protection for years to come.
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Sleep space (this page) The Viking Boy: Chapter II ‘Wave Watcher’ print by Brigitte May picks up on the moodier details. The Lilly & Lolly bed is upholstered with Warwick fabric in Gravity Slate and covered in textured bed linen and throws from Adairs. The Dusked pendant light sits above the Scoop bedside table from Lilly & Lolly. Freya herringbone rug, Miss Amara. Study area (opposite left) The Scoop desk from Lilly & Lolly is the perfect homework hideaway, and the Adelaide chair by Bo Concept adds just the right amount of colour. Lamp, Lilly & Lolly. Nautical decor pieces, Etsy. Reading nook (opposite right) A custom-built reading nook and bookshelves will provide ample storage space for years to come. A blind ensures the seat never gets too much sun. Cushions, Country Road.
Sleep space (this page) The statement hanging chair from Byron Bay Hanging Chairs is filled with soft touches from Kip & Co and Sheridan. A bedhead from Heatherly Design adds to the bejewelled palette of the gorgeous bed linen from Society of Wanderers and cushions from Castle. Rug from The Rug Establishment and bespoke plaque from Arlo & Co. Study (opposite left) The repurposed desk is given an update with a La Forma ‘Kristie’ dining chair from Norsu and lamp from The Little Kidz Closet. Wardrobe (opposite right) Mirrored built-ins reflect more light and make the room feel bigger. Storage (opposite below) The bookshelf from Pottery Barn Kids is filled with some of Chloe’s favourite things.
“Designing kids’ spaces is not just about selecting products that look good, it’s about getting them involved in the process to capture their personality and ensure the space works for them” SANDY FOLDER, INTERIOR DECORATOR
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blushing beauty
DESIGN PROCESS This playful room was designed for a free-
spirited young girl who loves pink and florals. It was important to the client that we enhance the existing Federation architectural features in the room, which included the timberframed windows, architraves and skirting boards. To do this, we brightened them with a few coats of Dulux Vivid White to create a pure and crisp finish. SPACE CREATION I wanted to paint the walls a soft colour so Dulux Bunny Soft Quarter was selected as a gentle hue that would grow with the child. I didn’t want it to look too pink, so I added butterscotch pillowcases and a throw to break it up. The velvet bedhead and velvet pillowcases add an element of luxury and cosiness, and the cross-stitch in the Fenwick bedhead adds a bit of fun and individuality. By working with a builder to install some extra ceiling beams, we were able to include a statement piece in the form of a woven-rope hanging chair, decorated with bold floral-patterned pillowcases and a fringed throw, giving it a wonderful Seventies’ vibe. It’s now her favourite place to sit and read and she loves the gentle rocking motion as she looks out the window. CLEVER TRICKS It’s easy to repurpose older pieces with a few quick fixes. The clients wanted to keep a desk that was a hand-me-down from an older sibling; it was still in good condition and made from quality timber. I replaced the brushednickel drawer knobs with hand-painted ceramic lotus-pod flower knobs from DoUp. The knobs reference the pink, white and gold accents in the room and tie the colour palette together. INSIDE OUT | 123
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“Let your child’s room be a place that tells stories” top of the tree
DESIGN PROCESS I love designing unique spaces for children
that are designed for living. This bedroom was created for a young boy with a playful and curious personality, so that needed to come through in the palette. Designing kids’ spaces isn’t just about selecting products and finishes that look good, it’s about getting the child involved in the process to capture their unique personality and ensure the space works aesthetically and functionally. SPACE CREATION Due to the large size of the room, I was able to upgrade the bed to a double and create zones for playing, reading and sleeping. The built-in shelves are perfect for books and to showcase Lego builds, which was another must. Children’s sense of touch is strong and early exploration and learning is important, which is why I included an interactive chalk wall inspired by his favourite book series. The hand-drawn chalkboard art is by Cheryl McLean from Blackboard Art. CLEVER TRICKS Having the option to customise furniture for a child’s room is a game-changer. In this case, I added a glass top to the desk to protect the timber and allow the client to wipe down spills. I also altered the bed and had the end dropped. See more Mini Casa projects at minicasa.com.au or @minicasainteriors Bed (above left) Mini Casa asked Sydney-based design studio Eggpicnic to design a statement mural behind the bed. It was printed on PhotoTex for easy removal down the track. The bespoke ‘Colour Box’ bed from Lilly & Lolly is dressed with linen from Castle and cushions from Sage and Clare. Bedside table, Mustard. Pendant, Huset. Study (above right) A Colour Box desk and Lumi sled chair sit atop an Atrium rug, all from Lilly & Lolly. Storage baskets, Pottery Barn Kids. Storage (right) Built-in shelving houses toys and curios. Quiet time (opposite) The beanbag from Sack Me is a great place to relax and enjoy the chalkboard art, which is outlined with paint pens for permanence. The idea is to get creative around it with regular chalk.
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SANDY
NEW YEAR, NEW he exterior of your home is the first thing people
see, so you really want it to make an impact. “Cladding is simply the non-structural skin of your home, and there’s an abundance of options to choose from,” says Kirsten Johnstone, director at Melbourne’s Kirsten Johnstone Architecture. “A great cladding choice will elevate your facade to a uniquely considered design feature that can set your home apart from your neighbours.” You can add natural warmth with timber or brick cladding; a classic touch with weatherboards; or a chic, textured profile with Colorbond steel. You can mimic the look of concrete or stone with fibre cement; or even introduce a touch of bling with a metallic such as copper. Some varieties of cladding offer more than just good looks. Timber screens, for example, can help with shading, and that means your home stays cooler in the warmer months. Profiled
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metals can divert water from the building, while brick veneer can prevent the sounds of noisy traffic and/or neighbours from zapping your Zen at home. As for trends, many looks that we love inside our homes are making their way outdoors. “The colours and textures we’re using in interior fixtures and fittings influence what we want to use on our exteriors,” says Christine McCoy, Colorbond steel’s NSW design and colour consultant. “Natural, earthy colours and textures that link to our landscape are popular choices.” To help you achieve a subtle, drawn-from-nature aesthetic, Colorbond recently introduced a matt range. It consists of soft neutrals in ever-popular colours Monument, Basalt, Surfmist, Dune and Shale Grey, and can be used for everything from walling, roofing and gutters to garage doors. They also offer Colorbond Ultra steel, which provides extra corrosion protection for homes located near the coast and salt water.
WORDS GEORGIA MADDEN
PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIGID ARNOTT (ABOVE LEFT, OPPOSITE), TOM BLACHFORD (ABOVE RIGHT)
T
Boost your home’s street appeal
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FROM FAR LEFT The owner of this home in Sydney’s Warriewood opted to clad it in cypress pine, which will silver with age. GB Smooth porcelain blocks from Brickworks were specified by Melbourne architects Ritz & Ghougassian for a project in suburban Malvern to fit in with the street’s heritage feel. Architect Matt Thitchener chose James Hardie’s Scyon Matrix composite cement cladding for this new home at Macmasters Beach on the NSW Central Coast, then adjusted the building to line up with the Matrix grid.
cladding materials
Award-winning Victorian architect Rebecca Naughtin reviews the main options for contemporary cladding
LOOK
and value with great-looking cladding Cladding is making its way indoors, too, according to Deb Saunders from The Block. “An open-plan kitchen and dining space could span beautifully through bifold doors and out onto an entertainer’s deck, tied together with a fluid weatherboard feature wall that runs from inside to out,” she says. The concrete look is being used internally and externally to get a contemporary result, and is often combined with Hamptons elements such as weatherboards for a unique twist, says Troy Green, general manager of marketing at CSR building products. Dark rendered cladding – think charcoal and navy – is a trend we can expect to see more of in coming years. “It adds an earthiness to your facade and the deep tones can help ‘settle’ a building,” says architect Joe Snell, a James Hardie ambassador and principal at Studio Snell. “I like using it as a background to make white cladding like Scyon Linea weatherboard stand out.”
Timber A beautiful material that suits most locations and architectural styles, but needs some care. Avoid in areas prone to bush fires and termites. Steel Metal finishes are durable, low-maintenance and come in different colours and profiles. Steel is durable and suits most environments. Brick/masonry Brick cladding can be built as a veneer with a timber-frame structure or as a double-brick wall. Bricks are durable and provide good sound insulation, and can reference Victorian, Edwardian and industrial styles. Fibre cement Affordable and relatively low-maintenance, with plenty of choice in colour and profile. Natural stone Stone can really ‘ground’ a building. Slate shingles and bluestone are two common options in Melbourne, but they can be costly to install. Stone-look vinyl This is an affordable alternative to natural stone. Technology has come a long way — you can barely tell the difference from the real thing. Copper Great as feature cladding, adding a bit of bling to your exterior. It patinas beautifully with age.
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colour smarts
Choosing the right colours for your exterior can be tricky. Here’s how to go about it, advises Troy Green, general manager of marketing at CSR Create a moodboard This will help you to visualise exactly how you want the exterior to look. Include samples of cladding, the window-frame material, bricks and roofing, plus colour swatches and pieces of stone that could be used as a path or feature wall. Get an overview See how the elements work together. Also consider how much upkeep each of the individual materials will require. Consider your neighbourhood Take into account the colours and finishes of neighbouring homes. In your design, consider using elements from other iconic houses in the area.
PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL FUGE (ABOVE LEFT), BRIGID ARNOTT (ABOVE RIGHT), TATJANA PLITT (OPPOSITE)
With a little creative thinking, cladding can also be used to visually enhance the features you love on your facade and detract from those you don’t. “You can alter the perception of the shape of a surface by changing the direction of the material you place on it,” says interior designer Darren Palmer. “Using wall cladding made from Colorbond steel in standing seam-style profiles can create a long and highly attractive vertical line, and enhance a wall’s sense of height. You could also use a similar colour across your exterior scheme and incorporate different and contrasting materials to make it more interesting. Both traditional corrugated and standing seam-style profiles will give you a linear look and can be used in various ways on different types of houses to create the wider-wall look.” Jason Snell has a different approach. “I always try and wrap a dominant corner to make the cladding update look more substantial and part of the whole building, not just a superficial surface,” he says. “Another idea is to add pop-out window boxes that use cladding, which also brings extra space into the house and gives you the opportunity to add a pop of colour.” Looking to give your exterior a quick and affordable update? “Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint,” says Kirsten Johnstone. “Fibre-cement-sheet cladding and weatherboards are readily painted, and brick cladding can be painted or ‘bagged’ and then painted.” For an on-trend look that will last, consider painting your exterior navy, or in a monochrome gradation palette of predominantly white with a gradation of greys from the same hue family, recommends Jason. It’s an effort well worth making, however you want to go about it. “A facade or cladding choice can change your home’s story entirely,” says Troy Green, “from its history to the feeling it ignites, and the audience you attract in the buyer’s market.”
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For this new build in Melbourne’s Blackburn, architect Kirsten Johnstone kept it simple with versatile timber, which handles whatever the climate throws at it. OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT Architect Rebecca Naughtin capitalised on the curved footprint of a property in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy by adding a sculptural black brick wall to enclose the courtyard. James Hardie Scyon Linea weatherboards guided landscape architect Fiona Ericsson of Sticks & Stones to select composite decking for this home on Sydney’s north shore.
what to consider
To help you home in on the right colour and material, ask yourself the following, says Melbourne architect Kirsten Johnstone Does the cladding suit my home’s location and aesthetic? How will it integrate with the rest of the house? Is it easy to maintain? A must to consider well before installation day. What are its environmental impacts? Is the cladding sourced locally? Is it a natural product or manmade? Is it recyclable? How will the colour affect my home’s energy efficiency? Lighter colours tend to lessen the heat load. In a warmer climate, this will reduce how hot your home becomes, particularly on sides facing the sun.
wipe out Your washing-up will be spick, span and very dry with the 100% Organic cotton waffle tea towels in (from left) Toffee, Stone and Navy, $25 each. They’re super-soft and super-absorbent. inbedstore.com
BENCH MARK As an alternative to a marble slab for an island top or backsplash, Maximum ‘Argento’ porcelain panels from Artedomus can’t be beaten. Hardy, UV-resistant and in more than 60 colours, each standard 320cm x 150cm panel is also light (from 15kg per sq m). POA; artedomus.com
surface style Wow factor is assured once your guests clap eyes on the fine white veins and hypnotising grey background of a Silestone ‘Polaris’ benchtop surface. The polished finish will also subtly reflect your kitchen lights. POA; cosentino.com
SPOT ON When you have a big day out, keep lunch and drinks chilled with the Porta ‘Summer Fun Dotty’ cooler bag, $19.95, which comes with a matching freezeable ice block. There are five other designs in the range, too. ladelle.com
MOVABLE SEAT Designed with the Australian lifestyle firmly in mind, King Living’s ‘Amara’ dining chair, from $780, is also at home in the office or bedroom. kingliving.com.au
KITCHEN NEWS
prep party
pot luck If you’re the one-size-fits-all type, you’ll adore this Round Multifunction Pot in Green. There’s a 1.8L deep pan, muffin plate, griddle pan and fondue tray. $229 from morphyrichards.com.au
check, mate With a woven gingham-linen upper, a black cotton-canvas backing and a linen carry bag to cart it around in, the Le Weekend ‘Classic Gingham’ picnic rug, $179.95, is ideal for any sort of outing. leweekend.com.au
hot shot Classic good looks and elite features, such as the five-burner gas cooktop and 140L oven, make the Fisher & Paykel OR90SCG6B1 cooker ideal for entertaining. $5999; fisherpaykel. com/au
cone in Here’s a new twist on spot lighting. Adjust the Bally six-light pendant, $449, any way you like, or just stay on the straight and narrow. Minimal, modern, magnificent! beaconlighting.com.au
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hand mayde Spoiling yourself in the bathroom isn’t just about soaking in the tub. Dry yourself in luxury, too, with Mayde’s range of Turkish Buldan cotton towels: (from left) Crescent hand-loomed towel in Dusty Pink, $119.95; Bayview hand-loomed hand towel in Coral, $59.95; and Lennox towel in Honey/ Beige, $59.95. maydestore.com.au
BRAVO MARLOE Marloe Marloe went to a lot of effort with their Vanity stoneware box (205mm x 145mm), $155, even firing the textured lava glaze twice for maximum vitrifcation. Your bathroom products will never be so secure or look so stylish. marloemarloe.com
VOILÀ VOLA! Only one thing is better than having a Vola 5471R-061 stainless-steel thermostatic mixer set, with shower, diverter and handshower in Matt Black. That’s having two of them, like this. $6600 each; en.vola.com
SKIN TREAT
PHOTOGRAPHY: MINDI COOKE (ARTEDOMUS), JOSH EVANS (KING LIVING), PAULIINA SALONEN (VOLA), SEVAK BABAKHANI (MINENSSEY), MARC LLEWELLYN/EMVIELLE (CONCRETE NATION), KARINA SHARPE (ONE SEED LAUNDRY), SAM ROBERTS (ONE SEED PERFUME), TRENDSHOTS.DK (OLIVER THOM)
BATHROOM NEWS
Gently remove make-up or give skin a soothing boost with Micellar Cleansing Water, a blend of chamomile, calendula and white tea. $36 for 200ml; minenssey.com
clean sweep
basin instinct Concrete Nation co-founder Kate Lett describes her RAW By Concrete Nation collection as a “work of art”. If her Milos basin in Clay, $890, is any indication, it’s hard to argue. The kids may now even enjoy brushing their teeth! concretenation.com.au
groovy soap The Mette Ditmer ‘Shades’ ceramic soap dish in Night Blue (left), $47, and Fazeek ‘Wave’ resin soap dish in Dusty Pink, $45, will create a star of the most humble bar of soap. oliverthom.com.au
laundry date
3 OF A KIND
Turn the humdrum into a highlight with One Seed’s Laundrette Intro Kit, $109. You get Detox For Socks & Smalls (200ml), Sleepy Sheets pillow mist (100ml) and Laundry Drops (15ml). oneseedperfumes.com
One Seed Freedom Eau de Parfum, $99 for 30ml; oneseedperfumes.com Minenssey Mine Natural Perfume Oil, $55 for 10ml; minenssey.com Vahy Isle of Blanc Parfum, $240 for 50ml; vahy.co
Everyday scents
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Stainmaster PetProtect flooring in Classic Chestnut, $59 per sq m, Carpet Court.
Q
ask an expert
We have purchased a new home and are about to embark on a complete renovation. We’d like to put down some new hard flooring, but aren’t sure of the best options for pet owners like us. How can we get the look and feel of timber yet still maximise our floor’s durability? Tam, via Instagram Tiles and timber can be quite unforgiving in a household with pets. Tiles can feel cold, and timber, although the most natural of the flooring options, requires a degree of care to maintain. One good alternative to solid-timber boards is Stainmaster PetProtect, a hybrid timber-look flooring product from Carpet Court. It’s specifically manufactured to withstand the wear and tear from furry family members. There are eight looks to choose from and it’s cons constructed structed to resist pet stains, odours and scratch scrattch marks. DARREN PALMER, INTERIOR DESIGNER & CARPET COURT AMBASSADOR A
Stylish solutions for all your design dilemmas mmas
Q
KATE HOPWOOD, HEAD OF DESIGN, FREEDOM
Q
I’m looking to replace our bathroom taps and am unsure where to begin. What should I decide on first? Eden, via email The basin mixer is typically the foundation of your tapware collection. Once you’re happy with your choice, select a shower set, towel rings, soap dishes and other accessories from the same range to complete your bathroom and create a cohesive look. If you plan to update your fixtures, gather options together (take your time) and do your research. Create a moodboard or scrapbook of design ideas and products. Where possible, find your products on display so you can feel the quality and get a sense of how they look in real life.
Q
MATTHEW JONES, BRAND DIRECTOR, METHVEN
FROM TOP Tūroa ‘VJet’ graphite shower handset, $175, and stainless-steel basin mixer, $329, Methven.
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Avutto stone-andfibreglass planters in Grey, $169 (medium), $259 (large) and $99.95 (small), Freedom.
This Sydney home features James Hardie’s striking Axon cladding.
How can I make my outdoor spaces blend with my interiors? I’d like them to be consistent. Theresa, via email Picking an element of continuity is the key when bringing the outside in. This could be colour or shape, or your choice of furniture. Pick a continuous wall that travels inside and outside and use a vertical V-board look on the interior such as James Hardie HardieGroove Lining, and then subtly change to James Hardie vertical Axon cladding as you head outside. Use the same paint colour inside and out (for example, white, pastel or navy blue) and let the texture and the colour bring the spaces together. This will link the two and allow you to explore the differences through furniture choices and varying ceiling and floor finishes. JOE SNELL, ARCHITECT AT STUDIO SNELL & JAMES HARDIE AMBASSADOR
PHOTOGRAPHY: STUDIO DI (CARPET COURT), CESAR OCAMPO AMPO (FREEDOM)
I want to update my balcony for summer, but don’t quite know where to start when it comes to pairing planters. What are some good rules to follow that will help me create a cohesive and chic look for my outdoor plants? Emilie, via emaill ou There are two things to keep in mind — balance and maximising your assets. Do you want the focus to be on how the pots look from inside the house or outside? Are there things you’d like to hide? The rule of odd numbers applies here. A favourite combination is a cluster of three different-sized planters. Keep it simple by having them all the same style and finish, and put the largest at the back, stepping down to the smallest at the front. If they’re set against a darker-coloured background, go for lighter-coloured planters. Light background? Choose mid-to-dark tones.
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OUT
top of the world This garden has a surprising upside
Would you believe you’re looking at a garden smack-bang in the middle of Sydney’s hustle and bustle? It’s an apartment building’s rooftop, which has been fully greened by landscape designer Richard Unsworth of Garden Life. Five years after he ‘broke ground’ and fashioned a veritable Eden of alluring plantings, his clients are delighting in the mature mix of agave, bromeliad, Chinese juniper and lots of other large-scale lovelies. Turn the page to see more.
PHOTOGRAPHY NICHOLAS WATT
OUT | GARDEN
reach for the sky After doing the handiwork six years ago, landscape designer Richard Unsworth called on time and nature to help fashion this inner-Sydney rooftop into an idyllic sanctuary WORDS CHRIS PEARSON PHOTOGRAPHY NICHOLAS WATT
THIS PAGE All the plants were chosen for their hardiness. Agave ‘Blue Glow’ adds drama to a custom planter. Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Oak Leaf’ and an imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’) sit behind the blue glow. The boundary-wall hedge in Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Keteleeri’) echoes the cloud-pruned tree in the foreground. Deck in engineered timber. Pots coated with Murobond Bridge Paint in Graphite. OPPOSITE A dazzling flowering of hybrid Aloe ‘Outback Orange’.
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F
rom little things, big things do indeed grow –
especially with time added to a fertile mix. While confined to a rooftop, this garden in Sydney’s inner west embraces bold scale and grand gestures, features which only come with maturity, not the awkwardness of youth. Having celebrated its fifth birthday in 2020, it strides into a confident adulthood. “Like a good wine or cheese, a garden takes three to five years to mature,” says its creator, Richard Unsworth of Garden Life. And his palette of lush, layered foliage has made the 150-square-metre space its own. “The cloud trees, stately and sculptural, are now thick and billowy shapes, with more gravitas,” he says, “while the juniper hedge is much fuller, having grown in size and fully inhabiting the space where we planted it. And the heads of the palms are fuller.” Having bought off the plan, the owners hired Richard six months before they got the keys to the property. “As they were empty-nesters downsizing to an apartment, it was a serious move for them,” he says. “The garden would be supremely important.” With the rooftop about as large as the adjacent living areas, the outdoor zone had to roll up its sleeves and earn its keep. “We wanted a low-maintenance garden with maximum effect and minimum fuss, taking into account the exposed northwesterly aspect,” says the owner. “The area is generous and receives abundant sunshine, taking advantage of the panoramic views, so it required a bold statement. An emphasis on scale was important.” Adds Richard: “As well as the wow factor, it had to work as a garden, with colour, texture, scale and layering – it could not be just a collection of plants. And the overall effect, while chic, also had to be playful.” To create impact and strong focal points from the apartment’s living area, he designed a series of oversized aluminium planters (both troughs and cylinders) painted in titanium, aluminium and carbon bridge paint. The centrepiece is a massive square planter, which delineates the lounge area and dining space, while a table along one wall creates a wonderful layering of plants. While these slick painted planters lend sophistication, the varied materials palette includes a contrasting mix of crafted terracotta for its earthiness and texture. “I love the mixture
“As well as having wow factor, this garden had to have colour, texture and layering... and not be just a collection of plants” RICHARD UNSWORTH, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
ABOVE An array of hardy plants are displayed in a mix of containers. While the smaller plants jockey for position and have changed over the years, the most dramatic change since the 2015 installation is that the major background hedge, Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Keteleeri’) is dense and mature. Not only is it sculptural, it lends privacy and shelter from the wind. OPPOSITE The hedge and dwarf palms back in 2015.
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OUT | GARDEN
THIS PAGE Another Chinese juniper stands sentry in a pot by Garden Life, painted with Murobond Bridge Paint in Graphite. Below it is trailing rosemary and below that is the owner’s prized herb garden. It features parsley, sage and thyme in a customised pot.
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plant palette
All these species were chosen for their resilience to the often harsh rooftop conditions
Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae)
Nasturtium
Trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus)
Agave ‘Blue Glow’
Aloe ‘Outback Orange’
Imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’)
Kalanchoe orgyalis ‘Copper Spoons’
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
OUT | GARDEN
RIGHT Small leaf jade (Crassula ovata ‘Minima’) and Kalanchoe orgyalis ‘Copper Spoons’ flank a Ganesh statue picked up by the owners in Asia and placed prominently on a sandstone plinth. BELOW Another view of the garden following Richard’s installation in 2015. OPPOSITE A cosy nook featuring a Royal Botania setting, now discontinued. For similar, try the Royal Botania ‘Ninix’. Plant table base, Le Forge. Terracotta pot, Garden Life.
of terracotta, so earthy and humble, with the glamorous bridge paint,” says Richard. Antique brass pots add character, as does an oriental statue the clients acquired while living in Asia. But arguably, the stars of the spectacle are the clipped cloud trees (Juniperus ‘Keteleeri’). Richard placed them in two separate cylinders and used them as hedging plants to create a lovely texture – the passage of time reaped rich rewards here. “They are both stately and formal, while also providing softness,” he says. Advanced dwarf date palms (Phoenix roebelenii) run along the northern edge of the L-shape to provide privacy. “They are super-tough, stay small and create movement in a breeze,” says Richard. Their terracotta pots contrast with the steely grey planters in the main section, which house dramatic agaves, sansevieria, alcantarea and jade plants. Within that large square central planter, three dwarf palms, agaves, kalanchoes and sansevierias encircle a large Buddha on a sandstone plinth. Diverse succulents sprinkled throughout offer wonderfully contrasting colours and textures from velvet to spiky, while Aloe ‘Copper Showers’ delivers flowering winter colour. “The succulent table adds personality and texture to the space and gives the clients something to tinker with,” says Richard. As does a collection of herbs, creating further interest with their strong forms. “The herb garden is a daily focus of my attention, tending and picking and planting seasonally,” says the owner. 142 | INSIDE OUT
Richard chose the plants, from the cloud trees to the smallest succulent, for their ability to tolerate drying and battering winds and searing all-day sun. “The heat in the afternoon is especially intense, so all the plants need to enjoy basking,” says Richard. Though the space may have limitations, Richard’s vision didn’t – he plays with scale at every turn. “When working on large rooftops or other confined spaces, big scale gives great results,” he says. Thinking big may seem counter-intuitive, but he says it actually makes the space appear larger. And quality, not quantity, rules. “Scale definitely adds the wow factor here, so things don’t appear small. There are less pieces than you’d expect, but they have a good size.” Richard has an ongoing love affair with this garden, which, although low-maintenance, requires regular grooming. “All gardens need a quarterly trim, and we clip the Keteleerii cloud trees and the hedge,” he says, adding with the air of a proud parent, “I love that hedge. It’s like a row of people standing in the shadows. And I’m so happy with what it has all grown into.” Garden Life clients know exactly what he means. “It is a pleasure to stroll around the deck and check on the plants as they develop and respond to the changing seasons,” says the owner. “Working with Richard has been a most enjoyable experience, which will continue as the garden further matures.” For more on Garden Life projects and products, visit gardenlife.com.au
“Having large-scale elements ensures that things don’t appear small. There are less pieces than you’d expect up here but they are a good size” RICHARD
FRESH FODDER BRUSSELS SPROUT SLAW WITH CHIVES, PARMESAN & CHARDONNAY VINEGAR
Food writer Alice Zaslavsky’s new book shows how to make vegetables the headliner of any meal RECIPES ALICE ZASLAVSKY PHOTOGRAPHY BEN DEARNLEY FOOD STYLING LUCY TWEED
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NO-BAKE BEET SALAD WITH RAINBOW LABNEH BALLS
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“Leading with veg gives you bang for your buck, makes for more interesting meals and treads lighter on the planet” ALICE ZASLAVSKY, AUTHOR AND COOK
brussels sprout slaw with chives, parmesan & chardonnay vinegar SERVES 4—6 AS A SIDE DISH
Q&A
When writer and food-literacy advocate Alice Zaslavsky tells us to eat our greens, we listen! Why should people embrace a vegetable-led food philosophy?
Leading with veg gives you more bang for your buck, makes for more interesting meals and treads lighter on the planet. What is the most exciting aspect of cooking with vegetables?
You’ll notice I haven’t even mentioned the health benefits of eating more veg, because that is often the last thing that’ll change people’s minds, particularly if they’ve had boring, bland vegetables growing up. But here’s the thing: once you start looking for ways to make vegetables taste their best, the zippy feeling that comes with eating more of them is so undeniable that you’ll naturally find yourself eating more and more! Please share your top tips for getting the most out of humble vegetables such as potato and pumpkin
Nothing humble about those two – particularly potatoes, which are far and away the most popular vegetable in every survey, maybe ever. You’d think they’d have developed a big head by now, but they seem as grounded as ever. Potato varieties are very different, so make sure yours are fit for purpose. Starchy spuds are best for roasting and mashing because the starches break down as they cook, making for fluffy insides. For salads and steaming, waxy potatoes are what you look for; they hold their shape and give you a creamy finish. Pumpkins love being roasted to within an inch of their lives. Depending on your skills – and schedule – chop the pieces smaller to speed up cooking, or better yet, grate your gourds into risottos, soups, stews and purées. Do you have any advice for the vegetable-averse?
Give them another whirl by trying out a different method and adding fat as a flavour-carrier and builder, whether that’s olive oil, butter or cheese. And above all else, always remember to season! 146 | INSIDE OUT
Is it possible to have too many slaw recipes? I doubt it. What sets this one apart are the shapes and colours of Brassicas at your disposal. Kalettes are a thing of beauty, a frilly fop of kale, as though shrunk to miniature. If you can’t find these, or purple sprouts, just stick with the regular green ones. Thinly slicing with the shape of your chosen cabbages and sprouts will create a gorgeously spacious salad to pop on the table, with plenty of wow factor for minimal energy. Just do me a favour and watch those fingers on the mandoline. 2 tbsp chardonnay vinegar 60ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil 1½ tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 bunch chives, finely sliced 300g purple or red brussels sprouts or Kalettes (kale sprouts), thinly sliced using a mandoline
100g red cabbage, thinly sliced 1 red apple, cut into matchsticks 30g parmesan, finely grated ¼ cup (35g) roasted hazelnuts, finely chopped Dill sprigs, sunflower sprouts or micro herbs, to garnish
1 Place the vinegar, olive oil, mustard and chives in a bowl and whisk to combine. 2 Add the brussels sprouts, cabbage and apple, and toss to coat. Stand for 5 minutes to soften slightly. 3 Scatter with the parmesan, hazelnuts and chosen garnishes and serve. TIP #1 For vegans, shave enough fresh macadamia nuts with
a fine microplane and they’ll turn into a fluffy cloud of parmesan cheese-like proportions. Your vegan friends will love you. TIP #2 Shred the cabbage using a food processor, mandoline or sharp knife. Toss with some Kewpie mayo, snipped chives or spring onion (scallion) and season to taste. This quick version works best with wombok (Chinese cabbage).
OUT | ENTERTAINING
SICHUAN STICKY EGGPLANT
no-bake beet salad with rainbow labneh balls
POMEGRANATE DRESSING
SALAD
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, peeled and bruised 1 tsp honey 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil 60ml (¼ cup) bloodorange juice
6 baby bulls-eye beets, washed and scrubbed 6 baby golden beets, washed and scrubbed 3 cups (150g) baby kale leaves or rocket 1 blood orange, halved (optional)
1 Start on the rainbow labneh the night before. Line a sieve or colander with muslin (cheesecloth) or a clean tea towel. Pop the yoghurt in, then hang the sieve over a bowl and leave in the fridge for the liquid to drain. By morning, the yoghurt will have become much firmer. (Reserve the whey — the liquid left in the bowl — for making pancakes or your own yoghurt.) 2 Combine all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to emulsify. Alternatively, use a whisk — this dressing should be thick and glossy. Taste for sweetness. If the blood orange is quite bitter, add an extra teaspoon of honey. Leave in the bruised garlic until just before serving to let the flavour infuse as much as possible. 3 To roll the labneh, set up a small fingerbowl of water for keeping your palms moist. Set up four saucers or plates — one with the sumac and pink peppercorns; one with dukkah; one with the poppy seeds and cracked pepper; one with dill. Set up a lined baking tray. 4 Use a teaspoon measure to shape balls of labneh, gently rolling them between your palms, then tossing in one of the saucers and applying a little pressure to help the crust of spices or herbs stick. Lay the rolled rainbow balls on the baking tray. Once all of them are done, pop them in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up. 5 Meanwhile, prepare the salad. Thinly slice all the beets using a mandoline and place in a serving bowl. Drizzle the dressing through the beets, tossing to coat. Pop the kale leaves on top, ready to be tossed through just before serving (this will keep the kale from wilting on too much contact with the oil). 6 Once the salad has been tossed, arrange the blood orange halves on the sides (if using) and the rainbow labneh balls on top. Encourage guests to scoop at the labneh balls in the bowl and then fork them into theatrical creamy dressing on their plates, with a bonus squeeze of blood orange if they’re so inclined.
SERVES 4—6
TIP For a super-simple version, you can also just drizzle Greek-style
I probably shouldn’t bring attention to this, but there are way too many beetroot salads in my book, In Praise Of Veg. I’m actually a bit addicted to them. I love the way beetroot can change texture, from soft and syrupy in a bake to firm and al dente when served like this – and the colour alone gives enough drama that guests are sure to comment. Some beets lend themselves better to this kind of application than others. If you can manage it, find some bulls-eye or golden beets, which have a finer composition, or at least seek out baby purple beets, which are less fibrous too.
yoghurt on top of this salad and sprinkle with dukkah.
RAINBOW LABNEH
250g Greek-style yoghurt 2 tbsp ground sumac 2 tbsp pink peppercorns, finely chopped or crushed 3 tbsp dukkah (preferably
with pistachio nuts) 2 tbsp poppy seeds 2 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper 3 tbsp finely chopped dill fronds
sichuan sticky eggplant SERVES 4—6
Sichuan cuisine is punctuated by punchy, vibrantly red sauces and searingly hot dishes. Among them all, though, is this sticky eggplant dish – otherwise known as ‘fish-flavoured eggplant’, even though the only fish in it is a few tablespoons of fish sauce. For me, this is a dish that not only tastes absolutely stupendous but brings back many bittersweet memories of a day spent taking the late legendary US restaurant critic Jonathan Gold around some of Melbourne’s many foodie haunts, including the famous Dainty Sichuan restaurant. He gave me one heck of a good piece of advice about food writing that I think about often. J-Gold said, “A food writer can be three things but never all together – they can be well-liked, they can write well or they can stick to a deadline.” I’ll let you guess which category I find most challenging.
OUT | ENTERTAINING
1kg eggplant, sliced into 1cm-thick batons 2 tsp salt flakes ½ cup (175g) golden (or rice malt) syrup 60ml (¼ cup) Chinese black vinegar (see tip #1) 90g (¼ cup) soybean chilli paste (see tip #1) 60g (¼ cup) crispy chilli oil with peanuts (see tip #1)
2 tbsp fish sauce Juice of 1 lemon ¾ cup (110g) cornflour rice bran oil, for shallow frying 2 small red chillies, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds Sliced spring onion, to serve Steamed rice, to serve
1 Place the eggplant in a colander and toss with the salt flakes. Place over a bowl to drain for 1 hour, or until softened. 2 Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine the golden syrup, vinegar, chilli paste, chilli oil and fish sauce in a wok over medium heat. Bring to the boil and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly. Stir in the lemon juice, then set aside. 3 When ready to cook, push down on the eggplant to release the excess water. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the cornflour. Heat 5cm of oil in a large saucepan over medium–high heat to 180°C, or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden in 15 seconds. Add the chilli and garlic slices and fry for 1 minute, or until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. 4 Working in batches (shaking off any excess cornflour as you go), deep-fry the eggplant for 4 minutes, or until light golden and crisp yet soft in the middle. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a cooling rack set over paper towel. Continue with the remaining eggplant. 5 Bring the sauce in the wok back to the boil. Add the eggplant and stir to coat in the sauce. 6 Transfer to a serving dish and scatter with the crispy chilli and garlic, sesame seeds and spring onion. 7 Serve with steamed rice.
4 lemongrass stems ⅓ bunch of coriander 500g firm-fleshed white fish, such as monkfish or blue-eye cod, roughly chopped 3 tbsp good-quality Thai green curry paste (not too salty) 1 tsp palm sugar 6 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish Peanut or sunflower oil, for brushing LEMONGRASS DRESSING
1 tbsp finely grated lemongrass 2 tbsp fish sauce 2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice (preferably kaffir lime)
1 red chilli, bruised but kept whole 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander stems 1 tbsp peanut oil A pinch of chilli flakes GREEN MANGO SALAD
1 long green (unripe) mango, flesh julienned 1 pomelo, peeled and segmented (skin and pith peeled), then roughly torn 1 banana shallot, finely sliced 2 spring onions, finely sliced on an angle ⅓ bunch of mint, leaves picked ¼ cup (40g) cashews, toasted and chopped ¼ cup (35g) peanuts, toasted and chopped
1 Cut the lemongrass stems into thirds, reserving the pale white stems for grating into the dressing. Pick the leaves from the coriander and reserve for the salad; finely chop the coriander stems and reserve them for the dressing. Put the fish in a food processor. Add the curry paste, sugar and lime leaves and blitz into a rough paste. Have a bowl of water nearby, and line a tray with baking paper. 2 Using damp hands, squish squash-ball-sized rissoles of the fish mixture onto the 12 lemongrass stems, wetting your palms as needed to stop things sticking. Pop the skewers on the lined tray and chill for 20 minutes to set. 3 To make the dressing, finely grate the reserved lemongrass stems TIP #1 You’ll find Chinese black vinegar, soybean chilli paste and into a small saucepan. Add the fish sauce, sugar and 2 tablespoons crispy chilli oil at all good Asian grocers. If you don’t have one of the lime juice. Bring to a simmer, let the sugar dissolve, then nearby, try checking online. switch off the heat. Add the bruised chilli, reserved chopped TIP #2 This salty caramel (it’s probably more ‘salt’ than ‘caramel’ coriander stems, peanut oil, chilli flakes and remaining lime juice and give it all a stir. Taste for seasoning. but only just) sauce is absolutely delicious on 4 To make the salad, combine the mango, pomelo, any vegetable you might have handy. I suggest shallot, spring onion and most of the mint in a trying it with your previous night’s roast bowl. Add most of the reserved coriander leaves. vegetables, tossed through as a salad dressing Scatter with the toasted nuts, reserving some for loosened off with peanut oil. And for the ultimate the top. Drizzle with most of the dressing and toss in simplicity, you could drizzle it over a bowl of to combine. Top with the remaining nuts and herbs. rice and spring onion. 5 Heat a chargrill pan or barbecue chargrill plate until smoking hot. Wet a piece of baking paper until just damp, shake off the excess water and MAKES 12 lay the paper on the grill pan (to help stop the fish If a cake pop and a fish cake got together and sticking). Brush the fish pops with oil, then grill for spawned, you would have something about 4 minutes on each side. Once the surface This is an edited extract from resembling this dish. Divide by the lowest of the fish pops is firm, pull off the baking paper In Praise Of Veg by Alice common denominator and you have yourself and finish them on the naked grill (if you would like Zaslavsky. Published by a fish pop. You could also grill these those decisive char marks). Murdoch Books, $59.99. skewer-free and scatter slices of the 6 Serve the skewers alongside the dressed salad, Photography by Ben Dearnley. lemongrass on top to serve. with the leftover dressing in a dipping bowl.
lemongrass fish pops with green mango salad
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LEMONGRASS FISH POPS WITHÂ GREEN MANGO SALAD
OUT | DESIGN DESTINATION
UP ON THE ROOF
Three hot new hotels emerge right in the middle of all the action and offer special rooftop spaces where you can take in the city skyline
little national hotel, sydney The dawn of the micro hotel room
has changed everything. Sitting above the Clarence Street entrance to Wynyard Station in Sydney’s CBD, the small-by-previous-standards rooms at Little National Hotel are packed with minimalist design features by Bates Smart. They give the rooms a stripped-back Japanese feeling that conveys serenity and sustainability at the same time. It is incredibly luxurious to give this much space to a huge bed in such a small room, but it makes for a surprisingly comforting proportion. The super-king mattresses by AH Beard butt up to expansive windows, giving a close-up of the skyline, while remote-controlled blackout curtains will shield the sparkling skyscrapers of Barangaroo if you so desire. There are 230 of these sweet little rooms at Little National Hotel. As well, the 11th floor is reserved for the rooftop bar, a library, a shared workspace and a truly excellent open fireplace in a glass box that makes the whole set-up summer and winter friendly. This is the second Little National Hotel, run by the DOMA group. The first is in Canberra, and lucky Newcastle has its own on the way this year. BOOK IT
Address: 26 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW Price: Rooms start from $219 per night for a weekend staycation Contact: littlenationalhotel.com.au WORDS ELIZA O’HARE
THIS PAGE (from top) Quality, not quantity is the mantra with the design and furnishing of Little National Hotel’s rooms. Whether you dine or relax, the rooftop space is special. Prepare for a big night with a drink before heading out. OPPOSITE (clockwise, from top left) The Lancemore Crossley St is surrounded by tradition. But look from the rooftop and savour modern views. A Juliet onebedroom suite. The Henry studio suite is super spacious.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ROMELLO PEREIRA (OPPOSITE), CONNOR VAUGHAN/STREET SMITH AGENCY (THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT), LIZ SUNSHINE (TOP RIGHT), RHIANNON TAYLOR (BOTTOM RIGHT), SHANNON McGRATH (BOTTOM LEFT)
lancemore crossley st, melbourne
With its myriad laneways and bars, restaurants, retail and theatre, Melbourne’s CBD has always been a great place to land. The Lancemore Crossley St hotel is in the middle of it, taking advantage of its fantastic location on the lip of Chinatown by succumbing to the local theatre vibe and going with Broadway-style lights at the entrance, along with a chandelier rescued from Georges on Collins. It was designed by architecture and interior design firm Carr, whose work on the award-winning Jackalope and United Places hotels gives you an idea of the sensory vibe they injected into the existing structure of the Graeme Gunn building. There’s plenty to experience in the neighbourhood, like Mezcalito, Bodega Underground and the iconic Pellegrinis Espresso Bar around the corner. But if staying in is your thing, you’ll also experience the incredible rooftop space and artworks by Tristan Kerr, Laura Woodward and Andre Donadio. The 113 rooms feature great pieces by local furniture makers Jardan, King Furniture, Tait and Stylecraft, and the beds are LM Signature’s finest. One of the standouts is the simple but revolutionary concept of an in-room minibar at retail prices, not hotel prices. What a novel idea.
THERE’S PLENTY TO EXPERIENCE IN THE LANCEMORE’S NEIGHBOURHOOD BUT YOU ALSO HAVE AN INCREDIBLE ROOFTOP SPACE
BOOK IT
Address: 51 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic Price: Rooms start from $223 per night Contact: lancemore.com.au/crossley-st INSIDE OUT | 151
OUT | DESIGN DESTINATION
the old clare hotel, sydney
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BOOK IT
Address: 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW Price: Rooms start from $220 a night Contact: theoldclarehotel.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY: NIKKI TO
FROM TOP Sydney’s beaches are amazing, but why make the trek when you can stay at the city’s Old Clare Hotel and have a dip there, followed by a drink at its stunning rooftop bar? An Abercrombie room is just the place for design lovers, and all the bathrooms have a freestanding tub. If you don’t want to drive, take a train to Central Station, which is only a couple of blocks away.
Hello, old friend! The Old Clare’s opening in 2015 put a jolt into Sydney’s sedentary city-hotel scene. Now, a revamp has transformed the defunct Silvereye restaurant on level three into an additional wing of seven luxurious Art Deco rooms. Huppauf Chesterman Architects came in for the conversion. They gave the new rooms an industrial Art Deco style, with artworks by Shaun Gladwell and Greg Semu, luxurious banquettes and oversized pelmet windows looking down onto the colour and action of Kensington Street’s Spice Alley – without any of the noise. The rooftop pool is still a very special space to take a sunset drink at the bar, as you look over the impressive green wall of One Central Park and the old Carlton & United Breweries. Just launched is the clever idea of 24-hour and 48-hour stays (if you check in at 6pm on Friday, you can check out at 6pm on Sunday). No more mad 10am scramble, which lets you make the most of a city break, especially as the White Rabbit Gallery, Ester, LP’s Quality Meats and Automata are in walking distance.
INSIDE OUT | PROMOTION
extras
BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME
COCO REPUBLIC The new Coco Republic Malibu Outdoor Extension Dining Table and
SMEG Smeg’s Diamond series dishwashers offer signature Italian-style and superior
CAROMA Offering reliable, durable products to turn your bathroom into a luxury oasis,
Cruz Outdoor Dining Chairs reflect a modern, minimalist aesthetic, portraying simplicity while being robust enough to weather the
technology with the world’s first planetary wash system – just one innovative feature to make dirty and wet dishes a thing of the
the Complete Luna Bathroom collection now features a range of colour finishes across tapware, showers and accessories!
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past. RRP from $1,990. Visit smeg.com.au
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ROYAL OAK FLOORS Royal Oak Floors are an elegant foundation for everyday living, with a diverse palette of tones and textures from soft, light shades to bold, dark flooring. Pictured here is Toasted oak. RRP from $85 + GST. Visit royaloakfloors.com.au
LAMINEX Laminex® AbsoluteMatte® is an ultra-matte, intriguingly tactile and fingerprintresistant surface suitable for benchtops and cabinetry, featuring Protec+ antibacterial protection for peace of mind. RRP from $109.99 per m2. Visit laminex.com.au
ROGERSELLER Get inspired by statement hues, timeless organic shades and opulent marbles. Designed and made in Italy, Falper Ciotola stone basins are destined to be the true hero of the bathroom. RRP from $995. Visit rogerseller.com.au
KABOODLE Get a handle on kaboodle’s latest collection of cabinetry handles. The range includes 12 new additions, from contemporary designs to more traditional and classic forms, in a range of beautiful
DOLLAR CURTAINS AND BLINDS are specialists in quality, contemporary indoor and outdoor window coverings, offering Australia’s largest range. Book your free design, measure and quote today. Visit
CHOICES FLOORING Abode Grande is an exceptional rigid flooring product, sophisticated in style, easy to install and able to be used in wet areas – perfect for all areas of the home. RRP from $65 per m2.
finishes. Visit kaboodle.com.au
dollarcurtainsandblinds.com.au
Visit choicesflooring.com.au
LAST WORD
front runner
Well-known for her designer clothing, Lee Mathews knows a thing or two about natural luxury and her LM Homewares range of tableware and glassware epitomises that. Supplying textural warmth in lovely autumnal shades, the Japanese linen table runner, $59, and napkins, $49 for two, come in Berry (seen here), Natural and Oak. The handmade glassware in Pink, Sand and Sepia Brown, produced in conjunction with R+D Lab, includes the Acqua drinking glasses, $139 for two, Vino drinking glasses, $125 for two, and Luisa Bonne Nuit carafe, $209. leemathews.com.au
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PHOTOGRAPHY MARTYN THOMPSON