Marshall White Open - Metro E46 by remagazines

Metropolitan Edition

O pen

Luxury

In conversation with

4 Mercer Road, Armadale

Skincare

P repare to sell in 2024

Now is the prime opportunity to prepare your home for a successful 2024 sale.

Begin by discovering your home’s true worth with an updated appraisal, revealing its current market value and providing valuable insights to maximise your sale’s potential.

Arrange a specialist appraisal with the Marshall White team today.

4 Mercer Road, Armadale

Luxury & Lifestyle

Another incredible collaboration between Eastrise Constructions and Christopher Doyle Architects has produced this extraordinary lifestyle residence. This partnership continues to set new standards in residential architecture, delivering spaces that are both aesthetically stunning and functionally superior.

Marcus Chiminello, Marshall White Director

This extraordinary residence is a masterpiece of contemporary luxury in a coveted Armadale location. Crafted by renowned architect Christopher Doyle and brought to life by Eastrise Construction, the home showcases an unparalleled fusion of refined design, bespoke finishes, and cutting-edge technology.

Soaring 3-metre ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows create a sense of grandeur, while a palette of soft neutrals unifies the marble and limed oak surfaces throughout. The north-facing open-plan living area is anchored by a sublime kitchen featuring Miele appliances, Champagne marble benches, and a butler’s pantry. An elegant sitting room, complete with a gas fireplace and wine cellar, offers a sophisticated retreat.

The upper level, accessible by lift or stairs, houses a luxurious main suite with a custom walk-in robe and opulent ensuite, two additional bedrooms with marble ensuites, and a light-filled

retreat with balcony. The basement level features a versatile media room with wet bar, marble bathroom, and gym, potentially serving as a self-contained guest apartment.

Mere steps from High Street and Glenferrie Road’s boutiques and restaurants, this residence is close to trams, Armadale station, and leading schools. It is replete with high-end features, including keypad entry, CCTV, zoned climate control, and a private triple basement garage with turntable, embodying the pinnacle of urban sophistication. ■

For enquiries contact

Marcus Chiminello 0411 411 271

Jack Nicol 0400 774 428

Nicole French 0417 571 505

In conversation with

Darl’ Skincare

Born from a profound love for health, self, and skin, and driven by the need for genuine skincare that supports rather than alters, Darl’ presents three Australian-made products that balance, nourish, and protect your face, backed by science and eco-friendly packaging. We spoke to Josie Penn, co-Founder of Darl’ Skincare to discuss all things ‘skinlove’.

The philosophy of Darl’ emphasises ‘skinlove’ over skincare. How did this term emerge, and how do you believe it transforms the perception and treatment of one’s skin?

The skincare industry is full of buzz words like ‘anti-ageing’ and ‘instant result’, but we wanted to create products that have lasting future benefits rather than short-term fixes. We’re moving away from elaborate skincare routines and shifting the focus to skin health and ‘skinlove’ instead.

Grounded in ‘skinlove’, the result is a simple three-step routine with a trio of powerhouse products that work holistically to support the skin’s microbiome.

‘Skinlove’ emerged as a concept of ownership and empowerment in the health of one’s skin. Rather than putting all your trust in a product, we want the Darl’ audience to feel so confident in their skin that they can reject unrealistic skin goals and nurture their skin to optimal and vibrant health.

At Darl’, we exclusively use ingredients that enhance and maintain skin health. We avoid peels, scrubs, and strong preservatives that can harm the skin over time, focusing instead on gentle, nourishing ingredients to rejuvenate and achieve radiant, healthy skin.

With just three multi-skilled products, how did you distill the essence of skincare into such a streamlined range, ensuring comprehensiveness while also promoting simplicity?

After years of research, we’ve streamlined our products to offer everything your skin needs for your ‘Skinlove Routine’. Every component enhances your Darl’ experience. This is why our range is distilled to three essential Darl’ products; just add SPF.

Extensive, multi-step routines can risk sensitisation and irritation by overwhelming the skin with an excess of active ingredients and jeopardising the skin barrier.

Our waterless formulations focus on essential ingredients without fillers, aligning Darl’ with potent anhydrous Korean skincare.

Darl’s biocompatible range blends natural and safe synthetics that skin can process without irritation.

Water scarcity is obviously a pressing global issue. Your decision to produce predominantly anhydrous products is both innovative and conscientious. Could you expand on this approach?

Our waterless approach was fundamental to Darl’s philosophy.

As we know, water is a finite resource - research indicates that two-thirds of the world's population will experience water shortage by 2035. We believe that everyone needs to think about how to reduce their water footprint and implement strategic ways to conserve water.

It’s fairly common knowledge that most skincare products contain between 70%-90% water with active ingredients making up the remaining 10%-30%. Waterless products eliminate the need for harsh preservatives that can harm the skin’s microbiome, essential for vibrant skin health. Just as antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome, skincare preservatives can damage skin health.

You stress the use of both naturally derived and synthetic ingredients for maximum efficacy. How do you strike a balance, ensuring safety without compromising the holistic benefits to the skin?

The combination of both safe synthetic and natural ingredients offers the consumer the best of both worlds whilst also being safe for sensitive skin types.

Our biocompatible formulations synergise with the skin, avoiding irritation and allergic reaction. This blend enables us to create potent products with enzymatic antioxidants and a mix of traditional and innovative plant-based components that offer phytonutrients and prebiotic benefits.

I think it is important to remember that ‘synthetic’ doesn't necessarily mean harmful. For example, our serum’s synthetic vitamin C is non-sensitising and shelf-stable, unlike many natural forms. Meanwhile, our cleanser primarily features rice bran and colloidal oatmeal—natural ingredients known for centuries for their skin-softening and hydrating qualities. Both have a relevant role in today’s skincare.

Being plastic-negative certified and partnering with ecoconscious organisations showcases your dedication to environmental sustainability. How do these collaborations enhance Darl’s commitment to a better world?

Darl’ collaborates with rePurpose Global, the world’s leading Plastic Action Platform, to offset twice the plastic waste we produce in our Cleanser, Serum, and Face Oil products. This initiative, including the Project Saaf Samudra in Goa, allows Darl’ to remove 530lbs of plastic waste annually, equivalent to over 122,000 pouches or 13,500 bottles.

With the beauty industry generating around 120 billion packaging units yearly and recycling just 9%, Darl’ recognises the environmental threat and is committed to being Plastic Negative. In an industry known for over-consumption, Darl’ focuses on innovative ecofriendly choices. Additionally, our use of glass packaging and refillable pouches was another key pillar in the brand’s efforts to limit it’s impact on the environment.

Our products are vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, and ethically crafted in Australia. We partner solely with suppliers upholding our values of respecting farmers, their teams, and the environment. This encompasses fair pay, employee welfare, and no child labour. Our products are made in Australia, using ingredients from ethical global farms without causing deforestation or environmental harm. Darl's mission extends to meaningful partnerships with ethically and socially responsible organisations, advocating for sustainable industry change.

The refillable pouch design is an elegant solution to a pervasive waste issue. What inspired this innovation, and how do you envision its impact on the broader skincare industry?

Darl’ took nearly 3 years to develop before our launch in June 2023, and it's encouraging to see refillable skincare pouches rise in popularity since then. Packaging waste is currently the primary challenge confronting the beauty industry. Implementing structural changes to reduce, reuse, recycle, and divert waste from landfills is vital, and embracing circular structures whenever possible is the most effective approach.

Providing skincare in recyclable pouches seems an obvious solution to reduce waste and our environmental footprint. We designed our primary packaging from durable glass that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional, encouraging users to refill their bottles year after year, and at a reduced cost.

Darl’ is the Melbourne-made brand taking the noise out of skincare. ■

LEARN MORE

Scallop Crudo from Republica

A unique and iconic St Kilda destination located directly on the beach, Republica shares its recipe for Scallop Crudo, a refined and refreshing indulgence.

Native Lime Dressing

Ingredients

45g green yuzu kosho

15g native lime (substitute - regular lime)

50ml mirin

50ml sake

25g castor sugar

75ml lime juice

55ml rice wine vinegar

Ingredients Method Method

In a stainless steel pot, add the mirin and sake together to create a flambé – (flambé is a cooking procedure in which alcohol is added to a hot pan to create a burst of flames.)

Once the mixture has cooked and the flames are out, pour the mixture and the remaining ingredients into a food processor and blend on full speed for one minute.

Allow the dressing to cool in the refrigerator for two hours.

Scallops

Native lime dressing (from above)

4 large scallops, cut in half

6 grapes, cut into wedges of 4

5g Guindilla peppers, thinly sliced

1 shallot, finely diced

Extra virgin olive oil

1 baby cucumber, cut into thin slices

Pinch of dried chilli powder

A few leaves of winter purslane (substitute - watercress)

¼ lemon wedge

Pinch of salt

Serves 4

Slice scallops in half.

In a mixing bowl, add the sliced Guindilla peppers, shallot, splash of olive oil, scallops and season with salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Allow the scallops to sit for a minute; the acidity from the lemon will cure the scallops.

Place the scallops on a plate and dress with the native lime dressing.

Delicately add the grape wedges and cucumber slices on top of the scallops and around the plate.

Finish with a dash of extra virgin olive oil, dried chilli powder and purslane leaves.

of Montalto The Living Landscape

Within the stunning 80-acre property of Montalto, the kitchen gardens showcase the estate’s commitment to organic, locally grown, and sustainable food systems.

The gardens, originally designed by the acclaimed landscape architect Andrew Laidlaw, have evolved over the years under the careful stewardship of Wendy Mitchell and the current Produce Manager, Julie Bennett. Andrew helped Wendy design and plan the original Piazza gardens in 2002, now affectionately known as Wendy’s Garden.

The Montalto kitchen gardens are a patchwork of unique microclimates and soil profiles, each area contributing to the diverse range of heirloom fruits and vegetables grown on the estate. From heritage raspberry canes and rhubarb plants to citrus groves and seasonal vegetable plots, the gardens are a living landscape of colours, textures, and flavours. The northfacing Piazza gardens, founded by Wendy nearly two decades ago, showcase an assortment of heirloom herbs, edible flowers, and vegetables, easily accessible to the Montalto chefs who harvest throughout the day.

The estate’s dedication to permaculture and organic principles is evident in every aspect of the gardens. No soil is ever turned over or disturbed, and old crops are either twisted out of the soil or cut off at soil height, allowing the earth to retain its natural structure and nutrients. Composting is an essential part of the gardening process, with all green and brown waste kept on-farm and used to enrich the soil.

Julie Bennett is a passionate advocate for rare and endangered heirloom vegetable varieties. “These are the vegetables our grandparents grew and saved seed from with the knowledge that every year, these seeds would grow ‘true to type’ just as their parent plants had,” she explains. “They were grown

for amazing flavour, colour, vigour, disease resistance and for abundance, unlike today’s varieties that are grown for uniformity, even-ripening and the ability to transport well over long distances and to last a long time on a supermarket shelf.”

Bennett’s commitment to seed saving is shared by Wendy and championed by the estate’s chefs, who take the time to create beautiful and respectful dishes that showcase these outstanding varieties. The Montalto kitchen gardens are not only a source of fresh, organic produce but also a vital repository of genetic diversity in an era where 93% of food seed varieties have been lost worldwide.

The gardens thrive under Bennett’s holistic approach, which incorporates organic pest management, companion planting, and crop rotations. The abundance of edible flowers encourages nectar-feeding pollinators and predator insects, helping to maintain a delicate balance within the garden ecosystem.

The estate’s bees and chickens also play a crucial role in the gardens’ success, with the bees pollinating the crops and the chickens providing rich manure for composting.

The Montalto kitchen gardens are a prime example of what can be achieved when a commitment to sustainability, organic practices, and the preservation of heirloom varieties is combined with a passion for exceptional produce. As visitors stroll through the gardens and savour the dishes crafted from the day’s harvest, they are not only experiencing the flavours of the season but also bearing witness to the legacy of the estate’s dedication to nurturing the land and preserving our agricultural heritage.

Visit Montalto this July to sample the freshest seasonal produce, including kales, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, radicchio, Jerusalem artichokes, rainbow chard, radish, turnips, beetroot, broad bean tips, and citrus, all lovingly grown in the magnificent Montalto Estate kitchen gardens. ■

Montalto

33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South

Building Industry Rebound

The Australian residential construction industry is entering a new phase of stability after a period of unprecedented growth post-COVID.

Recent data from CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) reveals an encouraging direction: construction costs are now growing at their slowest annual rate in over two decades, pointing towards a positive recalibration of the industry. In Q2 2024, the national CCCI, which measures the cost of building a typical new dwelling, recorded a modest 0.5% increase, following a 0.8% rise in Q1. This trend has culminated in an annual cost increase of just 2.6% for FY24, the smallest yearly rise since March 2002 and significantly below the pre-COVID decade average of 4.0%.

While construction costs remain elevated compared to prepandemic levels, the current stabilisation is a welcome development for both industry professionals and consumers. The gradual return to more normal growth margins is expected to improve builder profit margins and boost confidence in pricing for new builds and renovations. This could potentially stimulate activity in the sector and make new housing more accessible to a broader range of buyers.

The easing of cost increases is primarily attributed to reduced pricing volatility among construction materials. Key categories such as timbers and metal products, crucial for residential construction, have even seen price reductions. This pattern towards more predictable material costs allows for better project planning and budgeting, benefiting both builders and homeowners.

Interestingly, construction costs are now increasing at a slower rate than inflation. The national Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.0% in the March quarter, exceeding the 0.8% rise in residential construction costs. With construction costs rising by just 0.5% in the June quarter, it's likely that this growth will be well below the CPI when the index is released. This progression could have beneficial implications for housing affordability and overall economic stability.

The construction industry is showing signs of resilience and adjustment. While building approvals remain around decade lows, there was an encouraging 5.5% increase in May. This suggests that the sector may be on the cusp of a recovery, albeit a gradual one. The industry is working through a backlog of projects, which, once completed, could pave the way for increased new construction activity.

The stabilisation of construction costs presents opportunities for innovation and growth in the sector. It allows builders and developers to focus on improving efficiency and exploring new construction methods without the pressure of rapidly escalating costs. This could lead to more sustainable housing solutions in the long term.

For potential homebuyers and renovators, the current market conditions offer a window of opportunity. With costs stabilising and the industry adapting to new parameters, now may be an ideal time to consider new builds or renovation projects.

As the Australian construction sector navigates this period of adjustment, the outlook appears increasingly positive. The combination of stabilising costs, potential for increased building activity, and a more predictable economic environment sets the stage for sustainable growth in the industry. While challenges remain, the current developments suggest a brighter future for Australian residential construction, with benefits rippling out to the broader economy and housing market. ■