Marshall White Open - Coastal E52 by remagazines

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Coast & Country Edition

6 Venice Street, Mornington

BaysideBliss

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.

6

Venice Street, Mornington

BaysideBliss

It’s exceptionally rare to find such an exquisite, meticulously designed single-level home in this location, featuring perfect indoor and outdoor living and entertaining areas. The current owners cherish the short walk to the beach on summer days, adding to the property's unique appeal.

Jake Egan, Marshall White Sales Executive

Embracing a sophisticated coastal aesthetic, this meticulously renovated Hamptons-inspired residence showcases the builder's personal vision of refined living. The home’s thoughtfully re-imagined interiors exude an air of understated luxury, bathed in natural light and offering generous proportions throughout.

A seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces invites effortless entertaining within expertly curated gardens.

A sleek gourmet kitchen with a stone island bench adjoins an impressive undercover alfresco zone, complete with a marble bar, barbecue, and concealed TV. The north-facing heated pool, outdoor shower, and custom storage epitomise luxurious family living.

Interior highlights include a home office, second living room, and lavish bathrooms with underfloor heating. The main

bedroom suite presents a walk-in robe and skylit ensuite. Designer lighting, central climate control, a double carport, and off-street parking round out the amenities.

Situated in a sought-after, tranquil neighbourhood, this low-maintenance property is moments from Fisherman’s Beach and the Esplanade. Main Street and Wilson’s Road shops and eateries are within easy walking distance, offering the perfect combination of coastal tranquility and urban convenience.

In conversation with

Architects FMD

Welcome to the latest instalment in our ‘In Conversation with’ series, where we explore the innovative minds shaping the world of design. We spoke to Fiona Dunin, the founder and director of FMD Architects, an acclaimed practice known for its creative integration of architecture and sustainability.

Since founding FMD Architects in 2005, how has your design-focused approach influenced the evolution of the practice and the types of projects you pursue?

Combining my background in interior design and architecture, I adopt an integrated approach to design, balancing poetry and pragmatism and tell captivating stories of people and places. Each project is an innovative and conceptually driven response to its environment, underpinned by sustainability and a curiosity for new materials. Maintaining a boutique size allows us to be versatile, ensuring every project has a high level of focus from the FMD team.

FMD places a strong emphasis on detailed research into materials and product development. How does this focus enhance your design process and contribute to each project?

We love playing with all sorts of materials, both new and old. Our CLT House project exemplifies this, employing Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), showcasing the material with exposed, large-spanning CLT structures that require precise construction for a finely crafted outcome. This use of CLT integrates seamless design solutions across the disciplines of architecture and interiors, unlocking a material’s possibilities. Other projects we are working on involve pushing concrete to its limit, while another plays with traditional terracotta alongside new technologies.

In today’s architectural landscape, how does FMD integrate sustainable solutions into residential projects?

FMD Architects’ ongoing research and integration of new technology, sustainable materials and construction methods sets new industry benchmarks for responsible design. Our rigorous, pragmatic approach maximises each project’s potential, resulting in sustainable, efficient, and comfortable environments. From the first sketch, sustainability is embedded in the design. Planning from principles to maximise natural light and ventilation, considering the environmental specifics of the site, and balancing these with the client brief. As the design develops, more layers of sustainable design are applied, including the selection of materials, their embodied and lifecycle costs, as well as the type of fixtures we use.

Your projects often reflect the personal and collective histories of your clients. How does this approach inform FMD’s design solutions?

An empathic approach allows us to connect with the stories of people and places. These narratives inspire FMD Architects to develop concept-driven responses, using design as an agent of storytelling – to connect, inspire, enrich, and embrace.

The team’s combined skill in architecture and interiors ensures all aspects of the design are in constant and harmonious dialogue. A strong design language is expressed from the macro to micro, facilitating a continuous spatial experience that consistently maximises natural amenity, elevates wellbeing and fosters greater connections to place.

In your view, how have residential design styles evolved in Australia over recent years, and how has FMD adapted to or influenced these changes?

There is significantly more interest in a local design response that responds to local conditions and climate. People are embracing Australian designers and appreciate the quality of the architecture we can produce.

FMD has been part of this approach since our inception, always celebrating local materials and products within our designs, and sharing our love for all things Australian.

Looking forward, what are FMD’s long-term goals for residential design, and how do you plan to innovate in this space?

Currently, we are taking on some interesting projects overseas, which have allowed us to work with some wonderful young engineers and construction companies doing amazing things in mass timber construction and prefabrication. I can’t say too much, but hopefully, we can apply these systems and technologies in Australia very soon! ■

Chicken Curry Sushila’s

Hopper Joint, a newly opened Sri Lankan restaurant by Jason Jones and Brahman Perera, shares a specialty dish: Sushila’s Chicken Curry, a cherished recipe from Brahman’s mother.

Ingredients Method

1.5 kg chicken thigh, boneless, cut into pieces

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp chilli powder

2 tbsp roasted curry powder

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 cinnamon stick

A handful of curry leaves

2 pandan leaves

1 large onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2-inch piece of ginger, grated

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

400 ml coconut milk

Salt to taste

3 tbsp vegetable oil

Marinate the chicken with turmeric, chilli, and curry powder for at least 30 minutes.

In a pot, heat oil and sauté mustard seeds, fenugreek, cinnamon, curry leaves, and pandan leaves until fragrant.

Add onions, garlic, and ginger, cooking until onions are translucent.

Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned.

Add tomatoes and salt, then simmer for 20 minutes. Pour in coconut milk and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.

Chef ’s Note on Tempering in Sri Lankan Cuisine

At the heart of Sri Lankan cooking lies the art of tempering (‘tadka’ or ‘temperadu’), a technique that involves briefly frying spices in oil to release their essential oils and rich aromas. This process enhances the depth and complexity of flavours, with commonly used ingredients like mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and fenugreek. The key to successful tempering is balancing heat and timing to ensure the spices infuse the oil without burning, elevating the dish with a quintessentially Sri Lankan touch.

Hopper Joint

Change Makers

Kate Ryan

This month, our Change Makers series features Kate Ryan, the visionary founder of Alepp, a social enterprise built around traditional Syrian soap. With a mission to merge compassion with commerce, Kate’s journey shows how innovative ideas can generate change and hope.

What inspired you to found Alepp, and how did the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre influence this direction?

As a volunteer, I experienced firsthand the great work that the ASRC does, which inspired me to try to do more. I wanted to build a business that would provide organisations like the ASRC with a diversified income stream beyond donations. I had also used traditional Aleppo soap for years because I have sensitive skin, but it was hard to find in Australia, so, the two ideas converged in a small business called Alepp!

With your background in senior management within the corporate sector, how have you applied your experience to Alepp?

It was quite challenging because, suddenly, I found myself doing everything without any support functions. However, I believe this situation helped me focus on the commercial side of the business. Although Alepp is a registered charity, our goal is to generate enough revenue to cover our costs and distribute the remaining profits to the ASRC. For us, profit is king! Having a background in communications also helps me tell our story, which is crucial for building trust with customers.

Could you share how your principle of “One idea. Two ingredients. Endless hope.” has influenced Alepp's approach to creating a product with significant community impact?

One of the key drivers of Alepp is simplicity. What we do is quite straightforward, and by keeping things simple, we reduce costs and waste, which in turn delivers the most positive impact. The phrase “endless hope” refers to the belief that our actions, no matter how small, can have a positive impact. And to be honest, you need to have bucketloads of hope to be in a small business at the moment!

Alepp is dedicated to allocating 100% of its profits to programs that support asylum seekers and refugees. Could you explain how this decision embodies Alepp's mission and values?

Supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Australia is the founding principle of Alepp and the reason we exist. Everything we do is focused on this goal, and having such a singular focus actually makes it easier to make decisions.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre plays a significant role in supporting people seeking asylum in Australia. How does Alepp align with the objectives of ASRC, and how do you see this partnership evolving?

The ASRC is Australia’s largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. While we have no formal connection with ASRC, we share their objectives and support them however we can. Once the business is profitable, we will donate 100% of profits to their programs.

Sourcing Aleppo soap from Syria supports traditional soap makers affected by war. Can you discuss the impact this has on these communities and the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship?

Sourcing the soap directly from Syria has been extremely difficult due to the dictatorship there. For 18 months, I worked with a Syrian refugee in Istanbul named Mohammad to source the soaps from the best factories in Aleppo, Syria. Then, we spent six months in 2022 without any soap to sell due to challenges in exporting the soap from Syria. We try our hardest to support those still operating in Syria, but this may change in the future as many factories are relocating to Northern Türkiye. ■

LEARN MORE

Luxury Real Estate as an Investment

The Long-Term Value of Premium Properties

Investing in luxury real estate remains a compelling long-term strategy, especially in Melbourne’s high-end market. Inner suburbs in Stonnington, Boroondara, and Port Phillip are seeing steady demand for properties over $3 million. According to recent CoreLogic data, properties in these areas have shown a 5% yearon-year growth, with some elite suburbs like Toorak and Brighton seeing even higher gains of 6-8%. Sales of homes over $5 million have increased by 12% in the past year, driven by local buyers and returning international investors.

Marshall White director Nicholas Brooks offers valuable insight into what makes these properties so special:

“ We are fortunate to work in markets that are home to some of the world’s best architects, builders, developers, and landscape gardeners. Discerning buyers in these markets keenly recognise the immense value these collaborators bring. Their expertise not only

elevates newly constructed homes but also defines properties with an enduring appeal that residents cherish for generations to come.”

This collaboration of world-class talent contributes significantly to the scarcity and ongoing appeal of luxury real estate. Bespoke high-end homes in prestigious locations offer both financial returns and lifestyle benefits, making them attractive for personal use and investment.

Melbourne’s ongoing infrastructure projects are adding further value to nearby premium suburbs. Enhanced connectivity and improved local amenities continue to uplift property values, ensuring long-term capital growth and investor confidence.

At Marshall White, our expert agents can help you navigate Melbourne’s luxury market and secure premium investments aligned with your financial goals. Contact us to explore Melbourne’s finest real estate opportunities. ■