Marshall White Open - Metro E75 by remagazines

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Inspired Living

In Conversation with

Mud Australia

22 Ruskin Street, Elwood

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Ruskin Street, Elwood Inspired Living

Poulet Rôti aux Olives from Maison Bâtard

Conversation with Mud Australia

Marshall White Projects Laurel

22 Ruskin Street, Elwood

Inspired Living

B.E Architecture has meticulously curated this stunning Edwardian home to create a peaceful and functional retreat. Positioned in one of Elwood’s most sought-after pockets, it offers an exceptional lifestyle just moments from the beach, cafés, and the village.

Oliver Bruce, Marshall White Director

Organic in movement and texture yet undeniably luxurious, this transformed freestanding Edwardian home by B.E Architecture is a masterpiece of restrained sophistication. Behind its solid-brick façade, ornate period detailing meets light-filled minimalism, seamlessly complementing Elwood’s iconic leafy surroundings.

Blackwood floors and pressed tin ceilings set the tone, leading to three robe-lined bedrooms and two wellnessinspired granite-tiled bathrooms. The main suite features a striking bay window, a gas fireplace within a Japanese-tiled feature wall, a walk-through robe, and a sanctuary-like ensuite.

To the rear, living, dining, and kitchen areas unfold through B.E Architecture’s signature arch, designed for effortless indoor-outdoor living. Timber-framed glass walls retract to reveal lush, landscaped gardens, enhancing the earthy hues

of Japanese-tiled benchtops and textured walls. High-end Neff and Miele appliances, an integrated fridge, a butler’s pantry with a Vintec wine fridge, and a dedicated laundry elevate functionality.

A sunken lounge extends over solid granite blocks to a tranquil courtyard framed by live-edge beams. A private rear studio with ensuite and ROW access adds versatility. This rare sanctuary also features ducted heating/cooling, underfloor heating, automated irrigation, double glazing, and abundant storage. ■

For enquiries contact Oliver Bruce 0409 856 599

Sarah Wood 0408 902 827

Kaine Lanyon 0411 875 478

VIEW LISTING

In Conversation with

MUD Australia

We sat down with Shelley Simpson, founder of porcelain homewares brand Mud Australia, to uncover the story behind the brand’s 30-year journey – combining craftsmanship, community, and timeless design.

What inspired the creation of Mud Australia, and how has the brand evolved since its founding in 1994?

Mud Australia was born from my love of working with clay. When I started in 1994, I was simply creating pieces that I wanted in my own home - tableware that felt both practical and beautiful. What began as a small, hands-on endeavour has grown organically over the past 30 years, always guided by the same ethos of functionality, craftsmanship, and community. Our studio has slowly expanded, and we now ship around the world and have opened 13 stores globally. Despite this growth, we have remained committed to hand-making every piece in Sydney. Our journey has been one of continual refinementhoning our designs, perfecting our processes, and staying true to the values that have defined Mud from the very beginning

How does Mud Australia build community and connect with customers worldwide?

Community and people are at the heart of everything we do. Our stores aren’t just retail spaces; they are places of connection where we engage with our customers in meaningful ways. We actively collaborate with artists and designers, host talks and events, and foster a sense of care through thoughtful gestures - whether it’s beautifully curated window displays, intimate team lunches, or our monthly massage program for the studio team. Uplifting those around us, from our staff to our customers, has always been central to our business philosophy.

Your porcelain pieces have a distinctive look and feel. What makes your clay and glazing process so unique? Because I wasn’t classically trained, I approached ceramics in my own way - learning through experimentation rather than tradition. That freedom led to the development of our processes, which balance a delicate look with surprising durability. Our pieces are made with clay that is tinted at the slip stage and glazed on the interior with a clear glaze. I love the contrast between a matte exterior and a shiny interior. Every piece is handmade in our Sydney studio, and because we control the entire production process, we can ensure the highest quality and craftsmanship.

How does your latest lighting collection build on the brand’s design values?

We’ve been making porcelain pendants for nearly a decade, but our latest lighting collection, designed in collaboration with Zachary Hanna, takes things a step further. At Mud, we don’t follow seasonal trend cycles - we prefer to do things our own way. The lamps are an extension of our design values: refined, subtle, and deeply beautiful. They capture the interplay of translucency and organic handmade forms, making them both captivating and playful.

What are your future goals for Mud Australia, and can we expect any new product categories or collaborations?

I’m always excited by the possibilities of working with new forms and exploring new ideas. One of our recent projects is the Number collection, a sculptural series of porcelain house numbers designed with Vince Frost. Due to many requests, we’re currently developing a matching series of porcelain letters to complement them. ■

LEARN MORE

Maison Bâtard

23 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Poulet Rôti aux Olives FROM MAISON BÂTARD

This Poulet Rôti aux Olives recipe from Maison Bâtard is a true celebration of French-inspired cooking. Featuring tender rotisserie chicken infused with briny green olives and aromatic herbs, this dish is perfect for a special gathering or a cosy meal at home.

Ingredients

Chicken:

1 free-range whole chicken (about 2kg)

1 tbsp butter, melted

200g pitted Sicilian green olives, drained

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 lemon, cut into wedges

Brine:

2.5 litres water

75g table salt

½ bunch thyme leaves

½ bunch parsley stalks

Zest of ½ lemon

2 tbsp coriander seeds, toasted

2 bay leaves

3 garlic cloves, peeled

½ tbsp honey

Green Olive Rub:

50g Sicilian green olives, pitted

1 tbsp coriander seeds, lightly toasted

2 tsp dashi stock powder

Method

Prepare the brine: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine all brine ingredients and bring to a boil. Transfer to a large, deep container (at least twice the size of the chicken) and allow to cool completely in the refrigerator.

Make the olive rub: In a small food processor or spice grinder, blend the olives, coriander seeds, and dashi stock powder until combined. Store in an airtight container until needed.

Once the brine is fully cooled, submerge the chicken completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry. Spread half the olive rub over the outside of the chicken, then rub the remaining mixture inside the cavity.

Preheat the oven to 220°C fan-forced (240°C conventional).

Line a deep roasting tray with a large sheet of foil, ensuring it extends up the sides. Layer a same-size sheet of baking paper on top. Place a wire rack over the tray and position the chicken on the rack. Roast, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Remove the chicken from the oven, bring the foil and baking paper together to enclose the chicken, and fold to seal. Roast for a further 1 hour.

Carefully open the foil packet, brush the chicken with melted butter, and scatter the olives around it. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C fan-forced (220°C conventional) and roast for a further 30 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked through.

Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest before carving at the table. Serve with roasted olives, chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and pan juices.

Lunch with Purpose By the Yarra

On Friday, 28 February, the Melbourne community gathered at ZINC, Federation Square, for Lunch by the Yarra. With views of the Yarra River, guests enjoyed an afternoon of food, entertainment, and fundraising – all for a cause close to many hearts.

The event, run by Epworth Medical Foundation, raised an incredible $1.5 million for the Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth. The money will go towards life-saving medical equipment, research, and improving care for people with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early, and survival rates remain low. That’s why every dollar raised makes such a difference – helping to improve treatment and give hope to patients and their families.

A highlight of the day was the fundraising auction led by Marshall White director and auctioneer Nicholas Brooks. His energy and connection with the crowd helped drive the fundraising to record levels. Reflecting on the event, Brooks said:

“Lunch by the Yarra has quickly become one of the signature lunches on the Melbourne social calendar. The commitment of sponsors and supporters to the cause, championed by Elias, his family, and the whole team at the Epworth, is something that

always makes it such a warm, supportive, and fun afternoon. I’ve been fortunate to call the auction each year since the lunch started, and every year, the auction items and guest speakers seem to reach a new level – a truly amazing day.”

Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved – from sponsors to guests – Lunch by the Yarra continues to make a real difference. All funds go directly to the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre, helping improve patient care and giving hope to people and families affected by this disease.

With each event like this, we edge closer to changing the future of pancreatic cancer treatment and care. ■

LEARN MORE

A BALANCED NORMAL MARKET

The property market is currently experiencing relative stability, characterised by what many would call a balanced, “normal” market.

Properties that are realistically priced are attracting strong interest and competition, while those where pricing expectations exceed buyer sentiment are taking longer to transact. This has created a market that is finely balanced and shifting slightly depending on individual circumstances.

This balance is clearly felt in Marshall White’s key areas. At times, the upper hand leans toward sellers, especially when unique properties in desirable locations come to market. At other times, buyers hold more negotiating power, particularly when there is more supply or when properties are priced at the top end of expectations.

One factor providing a welcome tailwind to the market has been the recent interest rate reduction, which has strengthened buyer

confidence and prompted an increase in activity. Open homes are busier, and there is renewed interest from buyers who had previously been sitting on the sidelines.

That said, today’s buyers remain discerning. While we are not seeing the hesitation typical of uncertain markets, there is a sense of measured decision-making.

The takeaway for sellers is clear: price alignment with market conditions remains key to achieving strong results. For buyers, opportunities exist across established metropolitan precincts and lifestyle-driven coastal areas, provided they approach negotiations strategically.

As we move further into the year, all indicators suggest a market with steady momentum. ■

By John Bongiorno

Developed by

Designed by Gardens by

Open Rental

Bespoke Luxury

5A Torresdale Road, Toorak A 4 B 3 C 2 $2,500 pw

This beautifully refurbished 4-bedroom residence combines natural light, a free-flowing design, and effortless indoor-outdoor living. Behind a private walled garden, the home features multiple living spaces, a gourmet stone kitchen with a butler’s pantry, and a north-facing courtyard with a pool. Upstairs, the luxurious main bedroom features a designer ensuite, balcony, and treetop views, alongside a second ensuited king bedroom, two additional bedrooms, and a sun terrace. Ideally located near Heyington station, Toorak Village, elite schools, and the M1. Includes ducted heating/cooling and secure parking.

For enquiries contact

Grace Morley 0428 618 345

Kate Humphreys 0439 000 503

Renee Hewstone 0477 200 121