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HOT HOUSES from Hobart to Brisbane

Pretty in Pink GORGEOUS BATHROOMS AND POWDER ROOMS

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Pretty in pink

MAY Cover stories 20 Hot houses from Hobart to Brisbane 39 Happy Mother’s Day! 200+ chic gifts for wonder women 149 Gorgeous bathrooms and powder rooms

People 20 A World Away Global influences and childhood memories inform the Victorian getaway of Globe West owner Stephen Mendel.

194 The Creative Type Melbourne ceramic artist and lighting designer, Sarah Tracton.

Design 35 Tips On Tap Dreaming of a new bathroom? This expert planning advice hits the suite spot.

Gift guide

Photograph by Martina Gemmola.

39 To Her, With Love Find something special for the mothers in your lives.

58 Past Made Perfect A grand Queen Anne-style home in Melbourne gets a right royal overhaul for family life.

74 Art Of Soul This weekender on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is too perfect to ever want to leave.

86 Open Season A giant peppercorn tree was at the heart of every design decision at this Melbourne home.

98 Heavy Lifting A European approach to building delivered a uniquely Queensland ‘castle’.

108 All Good Things It took two renovations to get right, but the wait was worth it for a Sydney mum.

120 Restoration Generation In Hobart, rejuvenating an old cottage renewed a family bond too.

Gardens 136 Full Exposure A clifftop garden deftly handles four seasons in one day.

142 Wildest Dream Years of dedication result in a botanical wonderland in Victoria’s West Gippsland region.

Bathrooms & powder rooms 149 Brilliant bathrooms and powder rooms to admire, with all the details to help you re-create the look.

For our readers 6

Subscribe to H&G this month and you could win a gift card to go with your favourite magazine!

19 Your H&G Readers’ letters.

190 Where To Buy Seen something you like? Find your nearest stockist here.

191 Privacy Notice

On our cover The smallest room in the house can also be full of surprises, like this funky powder room by Karen Walker.

Turn to page 174 for more. Photograph by Armelle Habib.

Photograph by Martina Gemmola.

Houses

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EDITOR’S LETTER H G

Photograph by Kristina Soljo.

W

“Bathrooms and powder rooms seem to be a new focus for the LOOSENING of design rules.”

e have been playing it safe for the last couple of years – wearing our masks, keeping our distance, sanitising... And just when it seemed like there would be a break in the pandemic proceedings, more daunting global events appear on the horizon. It feels like the right time for a whimsical, playful cover that effortlessly elevates us! It’s a big jolt of joy for mind, body and soul.

We couldn’t resist this gorgeous pink extravaganza for the cover of our May issue.

The powder room designed by Kate Walker Design is so uplifting – those herons are flying high, and just being in that room could take your day’s mood barometer up a notch or two. Bathrooms and powder rooms seem to be a new focus for the loosening of design rules and a little more experimentation. For more inventive and sensational cocooning spaces – see page 149. These once-forgotten utility rooms are now exquisitely designed for the ultimate enjoyment of our daily rituals. The shower is the only place I seem to remember to practise my yoga poses and I am hoping that one of our fabulous collaborators will design a stylish hand grab rail for impromptu shower stretching.

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and we have some beautiful home-focused gifts, from page 39, chosen by our trendsetter Sophie Wilson to help surprise the matriarchs in your life. Sophie has done the shopping for you so you can spoil all the women who make your world better and brighter. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who mothers, whether that be children or caring for others. This year should bring many more families together to celebrate and enjoy those nurturing relationships.

I am obsessed with houses, and could scroll property all day – fortunately, in my job, it’s not just a guilty pleasure, it’s an essential service! What I enjoy the most about our house stories is the decision-making process. Sometimes circumstances make decisions for you. I love all the stories in this issue, but Jack Shapiro’s house in Hobart has a unique backstory. Jack inherited the beautiful turn-of-the-century- cottage from his godfather, Stephen, and decided to restore some of its former glory while remaining loyal to his godfather’s decorating spirit with nods to Japanese influences – a lovely acknowledgment that Stephen showed him “there are many ways to live a great life”.

For more, see page 120.

In other news, our superb new book, Great Australian Homes is on sale now! It has been beautifully designed by our creative director and new mother of little Gabriella, Antonietta Panuccio, and the book’s images and stories demonstrate that there are myriad fabulous ways to live a fulfilling life. The cover house belongs to design aficionado and TV star Neale Whitaker and his partner David Novak-Piper. The images exude happiness and show that dramatic relocations – in this case from inner-city Surry Hills to bucolic Berry – can pay handsome dividends in life’s happiness lottery.

Enjoy the issue!

Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief TOP PICKS

CLEANSE

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Hannah Carrick x Leif limited-edition hand wash and art print set, $109, Leif; leifproducts.com.

Australian House & Garden: Great Australian Homes book, $39.99, Are Media Books; aremediabooks.com.au.

Highland Blue tartan and leather dog collar, $53, Hardtofind; hardtofind.com.au.

RELAX

TREAT

The Balmoral patio umbrella in Gold, $1595, Original Parasol Co; originalparasolco.com.

Bill’s Box hamper, $149 (includes Australian Food by Bill Granger, 750ml rosé, 3 tea towels, 85g chocolate); Hardtofind.

EDITORIAL Editor in chief Tanya Buchanan Creative director Antonietta Panuccio Deputy editor Elizabeth Wilson Chief copy editor Sarah Pickette Senior content/production editor Tamarah Pienaar ART & ST YLE Art director Shayne Burton Interiors editor Kate Nixon Stylist Sophie Wilson Prepress specialist Matus Kundrat CONTRIBUTORS

Annika Baker, Laura Barry, Jackie Brygel, Darren Christison, Ess Creative, Tom Ferguson, Anna Flanders, Jono Fleming, Lynda Gardener, Martina Gemmola, Nic Gossage, Julia Green, Armelle Habib, Sarah Harris, Marnie Hawson, Belle Hemming, Alana Landsberry, Olga Lewis, Jack Lovel, Mitch Lyons, Georgia Madden, Julie Manfredi Hughes, Shannon McGrath, Jack Milenkovic, Megan Morton, Tim O’Connor, Rhiannon Orr, Petra Pantano, Chris Pearson, Jenah Piwanski, Sue Ramsey, Dion Robeson, Prue Ruscoe, Toby Scott, Maryann Schmidt, Anson Smart, Saffron Sylvester, Jacqui Turk, Bini Ward, Dave Wheeler, Simon Whitbread ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION Group category manager Rhyl Heavener (02) 8114 9420 Advertising production manager Kate Orsborn (02) 9282 8364 Brand executive Amelia Paterson (02) 9282 8038 Sales director, agency and direct – NSW, Victoria, SA & WA

Karen Holmes (02) 9282 8733 Victoria head of direct sales Demi Martelo (03) 9823 6368 Queensland head of sales Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 Production controller Sally Jefferys Advertising production controller Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691 Senior event manager Cate Gazal (02) 8226 9342 M A R K E T I N G & C I R C U L AT I O N Marketing director Louise Cankett Circulation and insights manager Nicole Pearson Data and distribution manager Joshua Blanshard Subscriptions campaign manager Jesvin Vincent Marketing enquiries homes@aremedia.com.au A R E M E D IA C O R P O R AT E Chief executive officer Jane Huxley Finance director Marena Paul Group publisher – homes Shane Sutton Director of sales Andrew Cook Customer director Sally Eagle Business manager Georgina Bromfield Syndications syndication@aremedia.com.au New Zealand enquiries +61 2 9282 8505 SUBSCRIPTION SALES & ENQUIRIES

Magshop GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Phone 136 116 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm AEST) Web magshop.com.au All other Australian House & Garden enquiries: (02) 9282 8456 Published by Are Media Pty Ltd (ABN 053 273 546), 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. The trademark AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN is the property of Are Media Pty Ltd and is used under licence. © 2022.

All rights reserved. Prepress by SBM. Printed by Ovato, 8 Priddle Street, Warwick Farm, NSW 2170. National distribution by Are Direct; (02) 9972 8800. ISSN 0004-931X. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holders. Are Media does not accept responsibility for damage to or loss of freelance material submitted for publication. Allow several weeks for acceptance or return. For enquiries regarding subscriptions, call 136 116 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm AEST, email magshop@magshop.com.au or mail letters to: Australian House & Garden, Reply Paid 3508, Sydney, NSW 2001 or subscribe online at magshop.com.au/hg. Subscription rate*: Australia $105.60 (one year, 12 issues); NZ A$120 (one year, 12 issues); other countries A$180 (one year, 12 issues). All overseas subscriptions sent air speed. *Recommended price, Australian House & Garden.

“Cinnamon Bloom” from the House Of Heras Collection

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YOUR H&G Australian House & Garden kept me from giving up on our dream of purchasing a home. Like many other optimistic first-time buyers entering the housing market mid-pandemic, the journey was a roller-coaster. Five times we were outbid.

Many tears were shed and as I was pregnant as well, I was ready to give up. In April last year, we viewed a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom tropical oasis – along with 25 other prospective buyers. This time it was our lucky day, and we successfully became homeowners that afternooon!

We moved into our home in May and four days later, I gave birth to a beautiful little boy. My message to anyone reading this letter who may be in a similar situation is this: don’t give up. It will be worth the wait. Thank you for encouraging me to keep trying.

Bradie Mercer, Rosebery, Northern Territory TOU RING IN ST Y L E

FRIE N DS IN DEED

I love all things ’80s and the Memphis Design trend (February) brought back great memories. Ken Done’s book reminded me of the time I was travelling through Europe in the late ’80s – dressed head-to-toe in Ken Done!

Marianne Kennedy, Camp Hill, Queensland

I’m in the process of purchasing a house on the northern Tasmanian coastline.

Wondering how to decorate it, a good friend passed on some of copies of H&G. So much to see! I now know exactly how I’m going to decorate my new home. I’ll also be subscribing to H&G myself!

Margaret Genders, Beauty Point, Tasmania

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

LOCA L HEROES

A stunning artwork caught my eye in December’s issue. It was by Gabriella Possum and I had to find something similar for my home. I just found the perfect piece – by Gabriella’s niece, Khatija Possum – titled Women’s Dreaming. Thank you for opening my eyes to our amazing Indigenous artists.

Emma Kurzel, St Kilda, Victoria

A RT F U LLY DON E

Huge congratulations, H&G, as the February issue is a masterpiece. Not only have you brilliantly featured artists Lottie and James, but every single article is so up to date, aspirational, individual and on trend. Keep up the good work – and can you feature more art, please?

Joan Goad, Brim, Victoria

W RIT E IN TO W IN The author of each letter published receives $50.

Our favourite also wins a prize.

This month, Bradie Mercer receives an Australian House & Garden bedding package, including a king-size Avallon Vertical Stripe quilt cover set, valued at $189.90, and two Norwood cushions, valued at $59.95 each. Email your letter to H&G@aremedia.com.au or post to Your H&G, PO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028. Please include your full name and address to be considered for publication.

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The posts that made your month Interior designer Annie Bowen’s own home intrigued Facebookers, Insta-fans adored a magical Melbourne garden, while well-organised kitchens and butler’s pantries were the hot items on Pinterest.

Facebook facebook.com/ australianhouseandgarden Highlights from each issue plus links to tours of our favourite homes.

Instagram @houseandgarden View the most inspirational images of the month from H&G headquarters and out and about.

Pinterest pinterest.com.au/ houseandgardenau Picture-perfect images from our pages and sensational products to covet.

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A WORLD AWAY Drawing on countless international influences, this multifaceted home is the perfect fit for Globe West’s Stephen Mendel and his wife, Tanya.

STORY Chris Pearson | ST Y L IN G Olga Lewis | P HOTO GRA P H Y Martina Gemmola

Bifolds frame the vistas from the living room. Sketch ‘Cantaloupe’ chairs, Sketch ‘Island’ sofa, Tully coffee table, Natadora ‘Fable’ ottoman, Elle ‘Block’ side table, Ethnicraft ‘Geometric’ side table, Tepih ‘Gradient’ rug, all Globe West. Sculpture by Camie Lyons. Alpine Dry Stone and Howqua Freeform cladding, Eco Outdoor. The ceiling is clad in blackbutt. OPPOSITE Stephen and Tanya share a quiet moment with Milly the cavoodle. Marina ‘Coast’ dining table and Granada ‘Scoop’ dining chairs, all Globe West. Ironbark decking. Exterior painted Dulux Grey Port.

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The stacked-stone fireplace is a talking point in the living room.

Sketch ‘Island’ modular sofa and ottoman, Tully coffee table, Natadora ‘Fable’ ottoman and Elle ‘Block’ side table, all Globe West. Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Fireplace in Alpine Dry Stone and Howqua Freeform cladding, Eco Outdoor.

Hearth is honed bluestone. The antique jugs are from South Africa. Off-white gloss wall tiles (in kitchen), Signorino. White Canary artwork by Dean Bowen. >

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erhaps not surprisingly, global influences permeate the Mornington Peninsula getaway of Stephen Mendel, co-founder of furniture company Globe West, and his wife, Tanya. When he first saw the fivebedroom house in 2018, it evoked happy memories of his childhood. “Warm and welcoming, it was reminiscent of traditional farmhouses in South Africa’s Western Cape, where I grew up,” he says of their solid masonry, pitched roofs and architectural detailing.

And a more recent stay at the bohemian Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon became the inspiration for the subsequent renovation. “The warmth, relaxed vibe and quirky design all made a lasting impression on us,” says Stephen. Adding to that, his company’s globally inspired furniture (hence its name) is peppered throughout. So it’s little wonder the couple, their two adult daughters, Gaby and Asha, and cavoodle Milly, visit at every opportunity.

“We love the area,” says Stephen. “It’s close to the beach, but still feels rural and we’re in walking distance of the general store and wineries. And, because the house is equidistant between our offices and our city home, we can share our time equally between the two.”

The couple was looking for a retreat that they could use in summer and winter, and which catered to the vagaries of Victoria’s mercurial weather. But the original 1980s house needed a total update. “Being an older home, with just two bathrooms for five bedrooms, it didn’t have the ratio that would make it a comfortable entertaining space for our family plus visitors,” says Stephen. “And the ceiling heights were low, so you couldn’t take advantage of the incredible views and sunsets.”

They hired long-time friend Russell Casper of Casper Architecture & Design (CAD) to work his magic on the spaces. “Stephen and Tanya asked me to design a casual but sophisticated family retreat, taking full advantage of the view,” says Russell. The brief stipulated two distinct areas – living spaces and sleeping quarters, with a clear demarcation between the two. “We wanted a space where we could all congregate as a family, but also enjoy > TOP Stephen and Tanya in the kitchen. Sketch ‘Odd’ stools,

Globe West. Futura pendants, Mondo Luce. Benchtops in Atlantic Pearl and Sea Pearl on island, Corsi & Nicolai. Joinery in Dulux Currency Creek, Ausmade Joinery. Wyndam limestone tiles, Eco Outdoor. LEFT Natadora ‘Starling’ chairs and Woodland ‘Bowl’ low stool, both from Globe West, in the living room. OPPOSITE Vases, Morning Light by Emily Heysen takes centrestage, beautifully complemented by a Linea ‘Oslo’ dining table, Sketch ‘Poise’ dining chairs, Harper buffet, Tepih ‘Stitch’ rug and a Lark basket, all from Globe West.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

“WARM AND WELCOMING, IT WAS REMINISCENT OF TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSES IN SOUTH AFRICA’S WESTERN CAPE, WHERE I GREW UP.” Stephen Mendel, owner

H G AT HOME WITH Texture rules in the main bedroom which features a V-groove wall treatment, luxe bedlinen from Aura Home and a fluted bedside cabinet. Felix ‘Slope’ bed and Benjamin ‘Ripple’ bedside table, both Globe West.

Starlight pendant, Mondo Luce. Signature ‘Jaro’ carpet installed by Carpet Logistics. Ceramics by Katherine Mahoney. Artwork by John Lloyd. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT In the powder room, the Elle ‘Oval’ mirror and Boden ‘Speckle’ vase are both from Globe West. Wall tiles, Signorino. Benchtop in Sea Pearl, Corsi & Nicolai.

OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT An Avery ‘Croft’ chair from Globe West occupies a corner of the main bedroom.

Joinery, Kerry & Co. OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT & RIGHT A Southport ‘Diablo’ stool and Lark ‘Woven’ bowls, both from Globe West, round off a stylish guest bathroom. Wall tiles, Signorino. Vanity in Elba marble, Corsi & Nicolai. Kado ‘Lux’ bath, Reece. >

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

H G AT HOME WITH

our privacy. And we wanted the house to flow seamlessly from inside to outside and be equally as comfortable in summer as it is in winter.”

Leaving a double-storey wing housing the bedrooms virtually intact, he replaced its timber windows with double-glazed aluminium in smart matt black and remodelled the bathrooms. “It was structurally sound and well placed – we knew we could work with it,” he says.

But Russell demolished the single-storey wing to make way for a one-level extension that embraces living and dining areas, kitchen, laundry, mud room and garage.

With its wall-to-wall glazing and lofty ceilings, it makes the most of the sweeping vistas, which include views to the new pool as part of an indoor-outdoor connection.

The interiors are a nod to Stephen’s past as well as the home’s location. “We wanted a farmhouse feel, with texture and warmth created from different materials.

It’s quite distinct to our city home, which is contemporary,” he says. “Instead of modern finishes, we preferred antique brass tapware and other traditional fittings and used colour in the joinery and paintwork to create warmth.”

With its stacked-stone cladding, limestone flooring blackbutt V-groove ceilings, and its embracing of soft greens, tans and warm greys, the materials palette was driven by the colours and textures of the area. “It was great to see that Stephen and Tanya were keen to explore natural materials, in colours of the landscape and with nothing engineered,” says Russell.

Not surprisingly, the home is a showpiece for furniture from the firm that Stephen founded and runs with brother Alan. “We love our large Sketch modular sofa, where we can sit back and relax while enjoying the fire with a glass of red,” he says. “The textural Harper buffet and the Tully coffee table are also among our favourite pieces.”

The couple spends most of their time in the family room, which extends onto the deck and pool area. “It’s the perfect place to take in the sunset, in summer and winter, and delivers total relaxation,” says Stephen. “It was important that the pool blend seamlessly into the landscape and this has since become our happy place to enjoy time away from our everyday routine.”

That room also houses the home’s signature fireplace, with its striking stonework chimney. “It’s spectacular, like an enormous piece of art,” he says. “Each piece was carefully placed to fit like a jigsaw.” Just like this multi-faceted home, which, from the living room to the pool and the fire pit, has become the perfect fit for the > couple, their family and friends.

Casper Architecture & Design, Malvern, Victoria; (03) 9500 9599 or casperarchitecture.com.au.

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“STEPHEN AND TANYA WERE KEEN TO EXPLORE NATURAL MATERIALS, IN COLOURS OF THE LANDSCAPE, WITH NOTHING ENGINEERED.” Russell Casper, architect

A bay tree lends shade to the firepit area. Sorrento occasional chairs and various Southport stools, all Globe West. Firepit, Entanglements. Garden designed by Candeo Design and installed by Natural Elements. OPPOSITE TOP Loungers from Haven Sunbeds on the ironbark deck.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM Milly supervises use of the raw brass outdoor shower. Cuba bench seat, Globe West. Towel, Aura Home. Wall painted Dulux Grey Port.

H G AT HOME WITH

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Tanya strolls along the front path beneath the olive trees. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ adds a burst of colour near the orchard. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT & BOTTOM RIGHT The exterior, painted Dulux Grey Port, is framed by a mature stand of radiata pine flanking the driveway.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT The hallway’s oak door was made by LBA Joinery. Lining boards in Haymes Paint Hazy Hills. Original Baltic pine board flooring stained in walnut.

Positano bench seat and Tepih round rug, both Globe West. Vessel by South African artist Louise Gelderblom. >

H G AT HOME WITH

LIFE & ST YLE From the Greek Islands to G&Ts, a few of Stephen Mendel’s first and favourite things.

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FIRST HOME? A weatherboard California bungalow with

FAVOURITE PAINTERS OR PHOTOGRAPHERS?

a lean-to kitchen, renovated to create an open-plan family home.

FAVOURITE DESTINATION? Our last trip was sailing around the Greek Islands. Being able to experience the beauty of the smaller islands like Milos and Serifos is hard to beat. But Italy is a close second… the food, the culture and the Milan Furniture Fair, especially the Brera design district, keep me going back.

FAVOURITE COLOUR? I’ve always gravitated towards shades of green, especially khaki and moss. They feel warm, calming and remind me of nature.

FAVOURITE FURNITURE DESIGNER? Patricia Urquiola (her Lilo armchair, 3). She’s incredibly versatile and has designed for countless iconic brands across so many product segments.

FAVOURITE GLOBE WEST ITEM? The Classique dining table (5) holds a special place in my heart – it was the first collection broadly embraced. In saying that, my current favourite is the Artie buffet – I love the organic shape and fun play on colour.

MOST UNFORGETTABLE MEAL? Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill (2). The ambience, service and pairing of locally sourced food and wine all contribute to an unforgettable experience.

FAIL-SAFE DISH? For the safety of our friends and family, I leave the cooking to Tanya. But I do make a mean gin and tonic.

My secret is using the herbs from our garden for a twist.

Tanya and I love to collect art from all our travels. It’s less about the artist and more about the piece or experience. That said, Dean Bowen (6) and Adriane Strampp (1) are two local artists we love.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

PIECE OF MUSIC YOU CAN’T BE WITHOUT?

Easy answer – Scatterlings of Africa by Johnny Clegg and Savuka.

It reminds me of growing up in South Africa and my friends now scattered around the world.

ITEM OF CLOTHING YOU MOST RELY ON?

Birkenstocks (7). Made famous by me before they were cool.

I have religiously worn them through five fashion cycles.

FAVOURITE LEISURE ACTIVITY? Eating, drinking and exploring new restaurants. We love nothing more than a long lunch with friends – followed by an afternoon nap.

DREAM CAR? A vintage convertible Mercedes 560SL (4).

I love the clean lines and classic design. Oh, to dream!

CAREER HIGH? I am most proud of how Globe West continues to evolve and its talented team – who inspire me every day. An inability to travel to source inspiration has allowed us to focus on our own design talent.

NEXT MAJOR PURCHASE? A mixed-media piece by artist Joshua Yeldham is on the bucket list and I am contemplating an electric vehicle. #

Riding School by Adriane Strampp (1), courtesy of King Street Gallery. White Canary (Crimson Wing) by Dean Bowen (6), deanbowen.com.au. Photography from James Broadway (2).

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5

Since 1999

Upbeat design

wallpaperdirect.com Make your home your own Sanderson / Morris / Scion

Interior design by Schemes&Spaces, schemesandspaces.com.au. Photography by Ryan Linnegar.

DESIGN H G

Ask an expert

TIPS ON TA P From planning to plumbing, our design experts are here to shower you with their best advice on updating and futureproofing a bathroom.

STORY Georgia Madden

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enovating a bathroom is no small feat, with lots to consider, including finishes, fixtures, plumbing, electricals and layout. And as one of the busiest rooms in the home, it pays to get it right. Here, bathroom design experts reveal how.

PLAN WISELY

Planning is key to a successful bathroom or powder room renovation. “You need to consider everything from plumbing and waterproofing to electricals and tiling,” says Maria Roussos, principal at interior design firm Schemes&Spaces and designer of the bathroom at right. “Start by determining the most important elements for you and the space. When will the bathroom be used, and by how many people? This will help you work out storage and lighting requirements.”

Factor in safety and accessibility too. A bath is preferable for children; a bench seat in the shower might prove useful for those with limited mobility.

Budget everything

INCLUDE THE ESSENTIALS

What makes a well-designed bathroom? “A spacious shower with a ledge or niche for body products, ventilation, ample storage, effective lighting, and a toilet that’s hidden from view,” says Maria. “Low-maintenance, easy-care finishes, room to move and comfort – think temperature, lighting and the way surfaces feel to the touch – are also important,” says Russell Henderson, senior designer for Smarter Bathrooms+.

WORK OUT THE LAYOUT

To create a functional layout, draw the bathroom or powder room to scale, including fixtures, advises Maria. For ease of movement, you want about 70cm of clear space in front of the toilet and 20cm either side of it. “Also include space for things such as door swings, towel rails and drawer openings. For a freestanding bath, you’ll want at least 20cm clearance from the edge of the bath to the wall to allow for cleaning,” she says. If your bathroom is small, always go for quality over quantity. “Don’t go for a freestanding bath if that means having a tiny shower cubicle. Skip the bath and go for a more spacious shower – it feels more luxurious,” she says.

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PLANNING A POWDER ROOM

“Powder rooms, while small, are generally easier to design than bathrooms as there tends to be less to include – usually just a toilet, vanity or basin and a mirror. That means you can take more risks with colour and design, really making a statement in the process,” says Maria. “The fittings and finishes can be more lavish and you can indulge on a smaller scale without blowing the budget,” adds Russell.

As for powder room essentials, Maria says privacy, lighting, some storage and a bit of ‘wow factor’ should all be on the list.

FUTUREPROOF YOUR BATHROOM

If you want the bathroom you’re renovating to see you through your retirement years, futureproof it with features that enhance its accessibility.

“Level-entry showers, non-slip tiles, underfloor heating, motion-sensor night lights, smart toilets and easy-to-operate lever taps are all things you could include,” says Russell. “Even if you don’t put handrails in now, it’s good to ensure there are adequate noggings and fixing plates built into the studwork for any future fixing required.” #

Expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 for a new bathroom – depending on size and the fixtures you choose, says Jacqui Schofield, co-founder of Boomer Home Loans, a specialist over-55s home-loan provider. Your budget should include labour costs, says Russell, but you should also have a contingency fund of at least 10-15 per cent to cover any design changes or ‘surprises’. That figure might seem daunting, but there are different types of loans out there to help make your renovation dreams happen, whatever age or stage of life you’re at.

“Older Australians may need to renovate for safety reasons – for example, to create room for wheelchair access. It can be difficult for retirees to get traditional bank loans, so we offer specialist home-loan products to help people access the money they need, says Jacqui. “A reverse mortgage, which allows you to access the equity that you have created in your home, can be an effective solution in this case.”

Boomer Home Loans; boomerhomeloans.com.au.

Our rugs lie lightly on this earth.

A R M A D I LLO - C O.C O M

AUTUMN LIVING 1977 CRYSTAL VASES

Styling by Sophie Wilson. Photograph by Alana Landsberry.

CHIC GIFTS FOR WONDER WOMEN

Gi f t g u ide

Wallpaper Republic ‘Sinharaja’ wallpaper, $374/2x 10m rolls, Milton & King. Frank teak and rattan dining chair, $589, McMullin & Co. Mini tote bag with interlocking G, $1785, Gucci.

Vintage brass planter, from $65, Garden Life. Majuli marble stool, $2130, Contents International Design. Anchorage concrete dining table, from $2695, Coco Republic. Striped cushions, $200 each, Bonnie and Neil. ON TABLE From left Tamegroute pedestal bowl, $90, Love After Love. Date Night candle set, $130 (includes 3 candlesticks, 3 taper candles and 3 pillar candles), Studio Billie. Twist taper candles, $40/pair, and Moroccan brass candleholders, $420 each, all Love After Love. Dynasty ceramic plates, $59.95-$129 each, Alfresco Emporium. Muse ‘Mombasa’ vase, $69.95, Pillow Talk. Vintage French ‘Rosaline’ Champagne flutes, $240/set of 4, Love After Love. Herringbone flooring in White Smoked, $110/m², Royal Oak Floors (throughout).

H G GIFT GUIDE

To her,

Looking for some gorgeous glassware, an artwork, a book or covetable treasure she wouldn’t buy for herself? We’ll help you find that special something...

ST Y L IN G Sophie Wilson | P H OTO GR APH Y Alana Landsberry

Stylist’s assistants Kate Lincoln & Nonci Nyoni.

W I T H L OV E

Wall painted Eggshell Acrylic in Rubble Half, $135/4L, Porter’s Paints (throughout). Sense fragments artwork by Paige Northwood, $2200, Jerico Contemporary. Schefflera plant, $275, and Bakir Kazan brass planter, $2950, both Garden Life. Dane dining chairs with bouclé upholstery, $635 each, Contents International Design. Como marble dining table, $7995, Coco Republic. ON TABLE From left Elegance crystalline gin balloons, $189/pair, Waterford Crystal. Multi Colour Wave ceramic dinner plates, $120/set of 4, In the Roundhouse. George ceramic vessels, $129 (small), and $159 (large), McMullin & Co. Pale Pink & Seafoam cocktail napkins, $69.95/set of 4, In the Roundhouse. Clementine bowl, $169 (large), Clementine vessel, $129, Teddy vessel, $109, and Clementine bowl, $99 (small), all McMullin & Co. OPPOSITE Clockwise from bottom left Martini glass, $59, Maison Balzac.

Bonsai Hobnail tumbler, $35, Love After Love. Melodia white-wine glass, $11.95, Alfresco Emporium. Bauble glass, $55, Maison et Jardin.

Pomponette Champagne coupe, $139/pair, Maison Balzac. Diamond Cut wineglass in Green, $34, Love After Love. Opera glass Champagne coupe, $14.95, Alfresco Emporium. Lismore crystal tumbler, $429/set of 4, Waterford Crystal. Vintage French ‘Rosaline’ Champagne flutes, $240/set of 4, Love After Love. >

Anaglypta ‘Portland Floral’ paintable wallpaper, $34/10m roll, Wallpaper Direct. Ian K. Fowler ‘Bistro’ wall light, $649, The Montauk Lighting Co. Lack floating shelf, $33, Ikea. Essastone Marmo Bianco stone-composite splashback and benchtop, from $532.60/m², Laminex. ON SHELF From left Column pillar candle trio, $65, Hardtofind. Brass mortar and pestle, $89, Saardé. Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Rosé Vintage Champagne, $350, Dan Murphy’s. Rosaline Hobnail jug, $205, Love After Love. Traditional Glassware tumblers, $7 each. ON BENCH From left Volute glass pedestal bowl, $129, Maison Balzac. Tamegroute ceramic pedestal bowl, $90, Love After Love. The Arrangement boat vase, $72.95, Robert Gordon Australia. Circa ceramic planters, from $14.95 each, Pillow Talk. Paint Your Own cabinet doors in Alpine profile, Kaboodle Kitchen. Cabinet doors painted Eggshell Acrylic in Khaki, $135/4L, Porter’s Paints. Brionne Olive cabinet knobs, $75.50 each, Noble Elements. OPPOSITE Kennedy ribbed ottoman, $890, Globe West.

Felix suar wood console, $1495, Coco Republic. Wall painted Eggshell Acrylic in Rubble Half, $135/4L, Porter’s Paints. VASES Clockwise from left Leaf Crest ceramic vase, $110, Alfresco Emporium. Mon Jules footed vase, $540, Love After Love. Aerin ‘Gilded Clover’ vase, $870, Palmer & Penn.

Daisy vase, $899, Maison et Jardin. Clear Hobnail carafe, $205, Love After Love. Amelia urn, $89, Alfresco Emporium. Treasures of the Sea ‘Alana’ crystal vase, $1190, Waterford Crystal. Gaspard glass vase, $249, Maison Balzac. >

GIFT GUIDE H G

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H G GIFT GUIDE

Mon Jules footed vase, $540, Love After Love. TEACUP STACK From top Toile de Jouy teacup, $270, Dior. Ralph Lauren Home ‘Garden Vine’ teacup, $165 (includes saucer), Palmer & Penn.

Anthemion Grey fine bone china and 22ct gold teacup, $599 (includes saucer), and Jasper Conran ‘Chinoiserie Green’ teacup, $270/set of 2 (includes saucers), both Wedgwood. Ralph Lauren Home ‘Garden Vine’ saucer, as before. Anthemion Grey saucer, and Jasper Conran ‘Chinoiserie Green’ saucer, Wedgwood.

FOREGROUND From left Bretagne saucers in French Vanilla and Bretagne Green, $8.95 each (includes teacups), and Lauren saucer, $9.95 (includes teacup), $9.95, all Provincial Home Living.

Wonderlust Waterlily saucer, $139 (includes teacup), and Wonderlust Emerald Forest saucer, $139 (includes teacup), Wedgwood. Bees brass-plated teaspoon, $8, Bonnie and Neil.

Wonderlust Waterlily teacup, $139 (includes saucer), Wedgwood.

Bretagne teacup, $8.95 (includes saucer), Provincial Home Living.

OPPOSITE Clockwise from top left Jasper Conran ‘Chinoiserie Green’ saucer, $270/set of 2 (includes teacup), both Wedgwood.

Green New Lily of the Valley dinner plate, $220, Dior. Straw Wave placemat, $80/set of 4, In the Roundhouse. Ralph Lauren Home ‘Garden Vine’ dinner plate, $85, Palmer & Penn. Vintage cigarette lighter, $349, Maison et Jardin. Yellow Wave side plate, $80/set of 4, In the Roundhouse. Bretagne charger plate, $19.95, Provincial Home Living. Renaissance Red plate, $89.95, Wedgwood. Bamboo teaspoon, $8, Bonnie and Neil. Green Wave side plate, $80/set of 4, In the Roundhouse. Traditional glass condiment dish, $13.50, and footed bowl, $23.50, Saardé.

Red Toile de Jouy dinner plate (27cm), $220, and presentation plate (31cm), $280, both Dior. Barclay dish with dragonfly lid, $44.95, Alfresco Emporium. Bees teaspoon, $8, Bonnie and Neil.

Green Leaf decorative plate, $300, Dior. Essastone Marmo Bianco benchtop, from $532.60/m², Laminex. >

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Christie rise and fall pendant light, $1568, Dunlin. kantja (grandmother) and nguulka (grandfather) artworks by Alicia Bilyara Bennett, $2000 each, Jerico Contemporary. Frank armchair, $929, McMullin & Co. Enes throw in Toffee, $139, Saardé. Juno ‘Josephine’ 4-seater sofa, $5765, Globe West.

Checkers cushions, $200 each, Bonnie and Neil. Diana Jumbo GG small tote bag, $4485, Gucci. White Linen cushion, $175, Bonnie and Neil. B365 Linden table lamp, from $2340, and Gypsy side table, $690, both Contents International Design. Boston Vintage coffee table, $2795, Coco Republic.

ON COFFEE TABLE From left Vintage silver-plate tea set, $1199, Maison et Jardin. Aerin ‘Corvo Cachepot’, $1485, Palmer & Penn. Trudon ‘Cyrnos’ candle, $799, Libertine Parfumerie. OPPOSITE Wallpaper Republic ‘Sinharaja’ wallpaper, $374/2x 10m rolls, Milton & King. Tully bookcase, $5060, Globe West. B345L floor lamp, $2230, Contents International Design. Muse ‘Mombasa’ bamboo vase, $69.95, and basket, $169.95, Pillow Talk.

ON BOOKSHELF From top left Tijuana decorative urn, $119.95, and Tulum decorative urn, $119.95, both Provincial Home Living. Practising Simplicity book by Jodi Wilson, $33, Murdoch Books. The Arrangement bud vase, $31.95, Robert Gordon Australia. SECOND SHELF From left A House Party in Tuscany: Recipes, Stories and Art from Arniano book by Amber Guinness, $65, Thames & Hudson. Speckle vase, $115, Bonnie and Neil. The Kitchen Dresser: In praise of a furniture icon book by Simon Griffiths, $50, Thames & Hudson. Belle: Beautiful Australian Homes Volume 3 book, $60, Are Media Books.

THIRD SHELF From left Australian House & Garden: Great Australian Homes book, $40, Are Media Books. Taste Tibet: Family recipes from the Himalayas cookbook by Julie Kleeman and Yeshi Jampa, $50, and Around the Kitchen Table: Good things to cook, create and do the whole year through book by Sophie Hansen and Annie Herron, $40, both Murdoch Books. FOURTH SHELF From left The Arrangement scallop vase, $41.95, Robert Gordon Australia.

The Space Between the Stars book by Indira Naidoo, $33, Murdoch Books. Colour is Home: A brave guide to designing classic interiors book by Charlotte Coote, $60, Thames & Hudson. BOTTOM SHELF J’Jute Bartolo tray basket, $218, Dunlin. Lorne ‘Panel’ vase, $175, Globe West. >

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GIFT GUIDE H G

H G GIFT GUIDE parluku (babies) artwork by Alicia Bilyara Bennett, $1200, Jerico Contemporary. Peta floor lamp, $489, McMullin & Co. Boracay bedside table, $799, Provincial Home Living. Hutwoods cedar leaf & vanilla bean wood wick candle, $75, Hardtofind. Freesia candle, $615, Gucci. Glass vase, $119, Maison et Jardin. Wonderlust Waterlily teacup and saucer, $139, Wedgwood. Albie occasional chair, $1295, Globe West. ON BED From rear Linen pillowcases in White, $100/pair, In Bed. Flocca linen pillowcases in Petra, $79 each, Hale Mercantile Co. Emin seagrass cushion, $129, Hardtofind.

Chizgi linen-cotton lumbar cushion, $109, Saardé. Linen quilt cover in Optic White, $270/queen, Carlotta+Gee. Enes throw in Toffee, $139, Saardé.

Emin seagrass cushion, $129, Hardtofind. Linen flat sheet in Pinstripe Navy, $225/queen, In Bed. >

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H G GIFT GUIDE ON BED From left Linen pillowcases in White, $100/pair, and Striped pillowcases, $105/pair, all In Bed. Flocca linen pillowcases in Petra, $79 each, Hale Mercantile Co. Linen flat sheet in Pinstripe Navy, $225/queen, In Bed. Woven Stripe bolster, $220, Bonnie and Neil. Jasper Conran ‘Chinoiserie White’ teacup and saucer set, $279/pair, Wedgwood. The Fern pyjama set, $189, Hardtofind. Kristine linen flat sheet in Fog, $429/queen, Hale Mercantile Co. Linen quilt cover in Optic White, $270/queen, Carlotta+Gee. Enes throw in Toffee, $139, Saardé. >

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GIFT GUIDE H G CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Obvious ‘Une Vanille’ eau de parfum, $199/100ml, Bond No. 9 ‘Jones Beach’ eau de parfum, $466/100ml, Lubin ‘Magda’ eau de parfum, $299/100ml, Santa Maria Novella ‘Acqua della Regina 1221 Edition’ eau de parfum, $198/100ml, Trudon ‘Aphelie’ eau de parfum, $299/100ml, Ormaie Paris ‘28˚’ eau de parfum, $345, Penhaglion’s ‘Artemisia’ eau de parfum, $289, all Libertine Parfumerie.

The Alchemist’s Garden 1921 eau de parfum, $520, and Ouroboros trinket tray, $595, Gucci. Motherhood necklace, $149, Murkani. Dream Dancer earrings, $98, Love After Love.

Cancun decorative urn, $29.95, Provincial Home Living. Meca ceramic wall tiles in Snow, $135/m², Perini. Sicily Stone White floor tiles, $51.85/m², Beaumont Tiles. >

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H G GIFT GUIDE

Ralph Lauren Home ‘Anette’ double sconce light, $1199, The Montauk Lighting Co. Kado ‘Neue Arch’ mirrored shaving cabinets, $914 each, Reece. Milos concrete basins, $960 each, Concrete Nation.

Milani extended basin mixers in Brushed Brass, $299.90 each, ABI Interiors. Vintage Wash hand towel, $39, Saardé. Trudon ‘Alabaster Abd El Kadr’ candle, $299, Libertine Parfumerie. Montego Rhythm body bar, $14.95, Glasshouse Fragrances. Flow resin soap dish, $39, and bathroom tray, $79, both Saardé. Royale glass bowl, $49.95, Alfresco Emporium. Kado ‘Neue All-Door’ wall-hung vanity with Friday Quartz benchtop, from $2331, Reece. Turkish towels in Crema (top) and Sand, $99 each, Købn. Muse ‘Norfolk’ ottoman/stool, $199.95, Pillow Talk. Maximo Textured floor tiles, $44.05/m², Beaumont Tiles. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

ORANGE NSW

Venture out to nestle in “Food, wine, fashion and stunning landscapes...

Orange is the perfect winter escape.”

Fashion

Adventure

Gone are the days of city trips for high-end boutique shopping. Orange and neighbouring villages offer a robust retail scene that is well and truly flourishing.

The Orange region hosts an array of rich landscapes and dramatic views to explore.

There’s nothing quite like venturing out to take in that much needed fresh and crisp country air.

Food and Wine

Accommodation

Long known for excellent local produce, cool-climate wines and fine dining restaurants, the gastronomic scene is Orange has exploded into one of Australia’s most prominent and sophisticated food and wine destinations.

Orange offers visitors an excellent variety of hotels, B&Bs, boutique luxury, camping and caravan parks and apartments, cottages and holiday houses; so many options to snuggle in and feel right at home.

Upcoming Events Orange Chamber Music Festival 28 April – 1 May Orange Winter Jazz Festival 10 – 12 June Orange Winter Fire Festival 5-7 August

Plan your trip now orange360.com.au

Dulux Duck Egg Blue ®

TIME FOR A CHANGE

DULUX CAN HELP ®

Try a Dulux Sample Pot, Dulux Colour Sticker or book a Dulux Colour Designer.

Visit dulux.com.au or call 13 25 25 for colour or project help. ®Dulux and Worth doing, worth Dulux are registered trade marks of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Photograph by Martina Gemmola.

C L E V E R R E N O VA T I O N S A N D B R I G H T N E W P O S S I B I L I T I E S

Hou se s

Soaring ceilings and beautifully proportioned rooms lie at the heart of this Queen Anne-style home in Melbourne, now a modern masterpiece with the addition of a contemporary pavilion.

The striking artwork is by Thanh Chuong while the hallway wall features a collection of Fornasetti plates.

See more on this artful renovation over the page...

PAST MADE PERFECT Seeking somewhere spacious for the extended family to gather, one Melbourne couple spotted this unique property and really made it their own.

STO RY Georgia Madden | ST Y LI N G Olga Lewis | PH OTO GRA PH Y Martina Gemmola

HOUSES H G GARDEN These stairs lead from the back pavilion to the highest point of the property.

Bench seat, Julian Ronchi.

FACADE Previously covered in decades of paint, the home was stripped back to the original brickwork, which was then restored and repointed.

Statue by David Bromley.

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H G HOUSES

M

ark and Michelle had been on the lookout for a spacious home close to their adult children and grandchildren when they stumbled across this property, known as The Trossachs, in the real-estate pages of the weekend paper in 2016.

Located in outer Melbourne and named after the home town of the Scotsman who built it around 1900, the four-bedroom, Queen Anne-style home boasted ornate decorative features, soaring ceilings and established gardens. It also came with a fascinating history including, it’s said, several years as a girls’ school in the mid 1950s.

“We were attracted to the architecture and the amount of space, but also to the site itself,” says Mark. “The gardens have views to the Dandenongs and right back to the city. When we first walked in, it just felt like home.

It’s a big property but there’s nothing rambling about it – the rooms are all beautifully proportioned and there’s a sense of calmness. We felt we could > make it a lovely home for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

FORMAL DINING This page The decorative sliding doors

are original to the house. Yarra Bend Dusk artwork by Andrew Browne. Gubi ‘Moon’ dining table, OwnWorld.

Minotti ‘Aston’ dining chairs, Dedece. Tigermoth Lighting ‘Shallow’ chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. Custom sideboard. Oushak rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets.

HALL Opposite Artwork by Paul W. Ruiz. Armchair, Hermon & Hermon. Louis XIV library table, Lydie du Bray Antiques. Prometheus I pendant light, Christopher Boots.

Rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets. Engineered European-oak flooring, Tait Flooring (throughout).

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H G HOUSES SITTING ROOM This page Tigermoth Lighting

‘Stem’ wall lights, The Montauk Lighting Co. The mirror, armchair and rugs are part of the owners’ existing collection of furniture. Custom curtains in Warwick Fabrics ‘Ibiza’. Calacatta marble fire surround. Eldvarm fireplace screen, basket and companion fire set, Top3 by Design.

MUSIC ROOM Opposite Moooi ‘Meshmatics’ chandelier, Space. Artwork from Silver K Gallery.

EF Chapman ‘Cabinetmaker’s’ picture light, The Montauk Lighting Co. Armchairs, Jardan.

Maison de Vacances ‘Royal Velvet’ cushions in Ambre, Tigger Hall Design. Moooi Carpets ‘Dodo Pavone’ rug, Questo Design. >

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“ The rooms are all beautifully proportioned and there’s a sense of calmness.” MARK, OWNER

H G HOUSES

With its original grandeur largely obscured by a series of unsympathetic extensions and a tired interior, rejuvenating the residence was going to be a big task. Fortunately, the couple had their saviour on speed dial: architect Darren Carnell and his team, who had helped them renovate three previous properties. “Mark and Michelle wanted us to take this very detailed period house and bring it into the 21st century,” says Darren. “The prime motivation was to create spaces that were conducive to entertaining and enjoying time together as an extended family, but it was also important to include some casual, intimate areas for when it’s just the two of them at home.”

Somewhat surprisingly, there was no heritage overlay on the house, which gave the designers free rein. “We started by removing anything that wasn’t original, including a kitchen and carport extension,” says Darren.

“We then set about restoring the period features, such as the complex brickwork on the facade and the bluestone windows, both of which had been painted over.” They made some delightful discoveries during the restoration process too, including a magnificent coffered ceiling in the formal dining room that had been covered over. “Restoring it was costly, but it was absolutely worth it,” adds Darren.

To create a relaxed, everyday living space, Darren added a Modernist floating pavilion with floor-to-ceiling glazing at the rear, inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion. “The pavilion is nestled in this incredible, park-like setting, with terraces on three sides,” he says. The structure houses a kitchen, family room, casual dining area, wine cellar, scullery, laundry and powder room, and creates a striking juxtaposition beside the more opulent entry, formal dining and living areas at the front of the house.

For the furnishings, Mark and Michelle called upon Danielle Tregenza, interior designer at AND Interiors. “We could have brought a lot of antiques into the space, but that didn’t feel like us,” says Mark. “We wanted a more contemporary look, with pieces that blended the old and modern sections.”

The first time Danielle visited, she was struck by the scale of the historical part of the house, with its dramatic archways and original detailing. “Mark and Michelle were keen to select special pieces that matched the home’s grandeur and sense of understated luxury, but were durable enough to suit family living,” says Danielle. The same colours, shapes and materials are used in the pavilion in a more casual way, tying old and new together.

The process of bringing the house back to life was, says Mark, “a lot of fun.

We knew we were building something that we’d be enjoying for the rest of our lives. It will be the last property we renovate – that’s for certain!” > Darren Carnell Architects, Daylesford, Victoria; (03) 5348 1220 or dc-a.com.au. AND Interiors, Warrandyte, Victoria; andinteriors.com.au.

Scott Bros Design Construction, Melbourne, Victoria; scottbros.com.au.

Melbourne Gardenscapes, Ringwood East, Victoria; 0416 207 373.

“The pavilion is nestled in this incredible, park-like setting, with terraces on three sides.” DARREN CARNELL, ARCHITECT

KITCHEN/DINING This page and opposite Homeowner Michelle is

delighted with her family-friendly kitchen, located in the contemporary pavilion extension. The benchtops are Maximum porcelain panels from Urban Stone. Calacatta marble splashbacks, Corsi & Nicolai. Lower cabinetry in Dulux Beige Royal; the full-height cabinetry is European oak veneer. Appliances, Miele. Billi Quadra XL filtered water tap and Sussex ‘Scala’ mixer tap. Artwork by David Bromley. Pearl dining table, Zuster. Knoll ‘Bertoia’ side chairs, Dedece. Fessura rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets. Triptyx pendant light, Christopher Boots. >

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PAVILION The walk-in wine cellar is a true luxury. Capri sofa, Arthur G. Aerin

‘Graphic’ floor lamp, The Montauk Lighting Co. Noguchi coffee table, Living Edge.

Rug, Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets. The figures next to the fireplace (left) are a pair of vintage mannequins designed for teaching acupuncture. >

THE PALETTE Dulux Raku (music room)

Dulux Tuft (main walls)

Dulux Whisper White (pavilion)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

HOUSES H G

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H G HOUSES

“Our mission here was to bring the home back to life with colour and interesting materials.”

DARREN CARNELL, ARCHITECT

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

MAIN ENSUITE Top left, top right and above left Mutina ‘Rombini’ 3D wall tiles, Urban Edge Ceramics. Haven bath with

bath tray, Apaiser. Scala bath filler, Sussex Taps. Metropolis Berlin Night floor tiles, Signorino. Vanity finished in European oak veneer, Briggs Veneers. Milli ‘Axon’ basin mixers, Reece. Arch vanity chair, Snelling Studio. Tigermoth Lighting ‘Mini Crescent’ wall lights, The Montauk Lighting Co. Custom dressing table. Table- and vanity tops in Pietra Grigio limestone from Corsi & Nicolai. MAIN BEDROOM Above right and opposite Grange bench, Domo. Bed and bedside table, Poliform.

Table lamp, Flos. Bedlinen, Cultiver. Armchair, floor lamp, side table and rug, all Mark and Michelle’s existing pieces. >

CUBBY Lily and her cousins adore the new cubbyhouse, previously a gazebo by the tennis court. STATUE Leapfrog

by David Bromley adds to the park atmosphere of the gardens. OUTDOOR DINING Mark and Michelle brought the dining furniture with them from their previous home. PATH This leafy passage leads from the pavilion to the driveway.

PAVILION The lushly layered garden creates a soothing green cocoon for the pavilion. Planters, Julian Ronchi. Garden statues sourced from Bromley & Co. >

HOUSES H G

THIS IS THE LIFE

Mark has collected vinyl records for years, but this is the first home in which he’s had a dedicated room to enjoy them.

“For my 60th birthday, Michelle bought a series of old photos of all my favourite musicians and hung them on the walls – it was wonderful,” he says. “I love to spend time there, particularly after a couple of glasses of red and I feel like listening to some classics.”

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THE LAYOUT

Library

Bath Bed

Bed Family Kitchen Dining

Bath

Pool

Michelle and Raffy the groodle to relax, with and without guests. Pavers, Tile Lab. Outdoor sofas, coffee table and Dedon ‘Leaf’ sunloungers, all Cosh Living. Outdoor cushions, Lucy Montgomery.

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Bed Bath

First floor

Ground floor

POOL AREA There are plenty of spots for Mark,

Bath

Bed

Laundry

Formal dining Bath

Entry

Wardrobe

Formal living

HOUSES H G

1

THE SOURCE A heritage home, a modern pavilion ... and some elegant pieces that expertly blend old and new.

3 2

5

6

4

7

9

Produced by Saffron Sylvester.

8

10 1 Moooi ‘Meshmatics’ chandelier, $3825, Space. 2 Cleo wall light by Kelly Wearstler, $1065, Becker Minty. 3 Beaumont wall mirror, $2140, James Said. 4 Lucena vase, $60, Hardtofind. 5 Areaware candleholder, $79.95, Hardtofind. 6 Rotolo coffee table, $5350, Fanuli. 7 Natural Walnut laminate, $116.60/m², Laminex. 8 Fistral 3-seater sofa, $1399, Freedom. 9 Phoenix ‘Vivid Slimline’ bath filler with hand shower, $1359, Harvey Norman. 10 Malibu wool rug by Greg Natale (200x300cm), $4950, Designer Rugs. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

TERRACE This page An existing plunge pool was filled in to create a sitting area that would be used more regularly. Kettal ‘Basket’ armchairs, Mobilia.

GARDEN Opposite The house is perched on a hill, completely surrounded by trees and has water views from different parts of the house.

HOUSES H G

ART OF SOUL A thoughtful interior refresh has elevated this special weekender on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to a spectacular new level.

STORY Georgia Madden | ST Y L ING Olga Lewis | P H OTOGRA PH Y Anson Smart

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FORMAL LIVING

“Unexpected colour combinations always bring dynamic energy to a space,” says interior designer Sarah-Jane Pyke. Mustard Meridiani ‘Prince’ sofa, Pure Interiors. Fat Tulip sofa, Cult Design. ClassiCon ‘Euvira’ armchair, Anibou. Custom coffee table by Arent&Pyke.

Vitra ‘Akari 10A’ floor lamp, Top3 by Design. Segovia rug in Slate Blue, Robyn Cosgrove. Society Limonta throw, Ondene. >

HOUSES H G

“We wanted this holiday house to be just as lovely as our everyday residence.” MICHELE, OWNER AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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f you were to list all the features you’d wish for in a weekender, this two-storey hilltop house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches would likely tick every box: privacy, water views and generous rooms that spill onto a gum tree-framed garden.

For the last 12 years, Michele, her husband Andrew and their three now-adult children have escaped here at weekends from their inner-Sydney home, using it as a place to unwind, entertain and spend time together as a family.

They originally bought the four-bedroom property as a complete package from architect Susan Rothwell, who designed and furnished the house, and even painted

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the artworks that hang on the walls. But by 2020, Michele and Andrew were ready to apply their own spin.

“We wanted it to feel more modern,” says Michele. “The kitchen needed upgrading and we wanted to include a study where we could work from home when needed.”

They knew just who to call. “Interior design firm Arent&Pyke had done a number of other projects for us, including our current home, and their aesthetic very much reflects our style,” says Michele. “And even though this is a weekender, we wanted it to be just as comfortable and lovely as our everyday residence.”

Sarah-Jane Pyke worked on the redesign with Juliette Arent, her co-principal at Arent&Pyke, and Thea Kiel, >

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KITCHEN Top left and bottom, left and right The striking blue joinery is oak veneer finished in Dulux Hat Stand. Eos Neo swivel mixer tap, Franke. Boiling/chilled/sparkling water tap, Billi. Wall sconce, Studio Henry Wilson. Vintage pepper grinder. Bowls, all Ondene. Vintage vase, Conley & Co. A walnut veneer benchtop demarcates the dining zone of the island. &Tradition ‘Pavilion’ stools, Cult Design. X4 pendant light, Allied Maker. BREAKFAST PANTRY Top right “The breakfast cupboard can be hidden away but it looks beautiful open,” says Sarah-Jane. Wall tiles, Surface Gallery.

Dinnerware, The DEA Store. LIVING/DINING Opposite ClassiCon ‘Euvira’ armchair, Anibou. Custom coffee table.

Bust, Mercer & Lewis. Rug, Robyn Cosgrove.

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CASUAL LIVING Top and above left An artwork by the home’s original architect, Susan Rothwell, hangs above the

sandstone fireplace. Frigerio ‘Davis’ sofa, Pure Interiors. Zanotta ‘Magiolina’ chairs and Nau ‘Molloy’ coffee table, Cult Design. Artek trolley, Anibou. The custom TV unit is stained in Dulux Hat Stand. An old but loved armchair was reupholstered in fabric from Utopia Goods. Cushion, Hale Mercantile Co. Pieces on shelves, Water Tiger, Orient House and Ondene. STUDY/TV ROOM Above right and opposite The Susan Rothwell paintings inspired the room’s colour scheme. The custom ottomans were upholstered in Kravet ‘Basics’ linen. Custom desk and shelves, Arent&Pyke.

Pierre Jeanneret ‘V Leg’ chair, Tigmi Trading. Clarkson wall sconce, Bloomingdales Lighting. Column side table, Mercer & Lewis. Lumina ‘Daphine Terra’ floor lamp, Enlightened Living. Throw, Hale Mercantile Co. >

“The huge doors opening onto the landscape make it feel very Australian.” SARAH-JANE PYKE, INTERIOR DESIGNER

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THE PALETTE Dulux Hat Stand (feature joinery)

Porter’s Paints Alpen

Porter’s Paints Grey Suede

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

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senior interior designer. “It’s a really well-built house that was functioning beautifully, so it was about boosting the comfort level and giving it some more personality,” says Sarah-Jane. “The nature of the architecture, with huge blackbutt-framed doors that open onto the landscape, make it feel very Australian. It’s a very barefoot coastal vernacular and that was the vibe we set out to create, while adding a level of refinement so it didn’t feel ‘beachy’.”

Sarah-Jane also wanted it to feel ‘lived-in’. “There is nothing less relaxing than walking into a space that feels ‘box fresh’,” she explains. “The owners wanted people to be able to walk into this house, take their shoes off, relax on the sofa and not feel like they have to plump cushions the moment they stand up.”

The ground floor comprises two living areas – a formal sitting area in marble, tones of mustard and inky blue that flow through glass doors to the garden, and a cosy retreat to the side where the family read, watch television and play boardgames around a sandstone-clad fire.

“They spend a lot of time in this spot, so we made sure it delivered,” says Sarah-Jane. “The coffee table is long and low to accommodate puzzles, the sofa and leather armchairs are comfortable enough to curl up in for a few hours with a book, and there’s a custom ottoman under the coffee table you can pull out and put your feet on.”

A custom joinery unit with arched rattan doors conceals the television, and is timber-framed and painted in the moody blue of the ocean outside. “The unit’s curves bring a sense of softness and playfulness to this rather angular room, while the lightness of the rattan balances out the heavy stone fireplace,” says Sarah-Jane.

The muted blue carries through to a new kitchen, with a generous granite and timber-topped island at its centre and plenty of concealed storage. “The family cooks and entertains regularly so the kitchen needed to work hard,” she says. “Many of the working parts are hidden away, including a wine fridge and a breakfast cupboard for all > those essentials such as the kettle and toaster.”

LANDING Right, top “We changed the balustrade from

slatted timber to a low wall with a brass rail to make the stairwell less beachy and more sophisticated,” says Sarah-Jane.

GUESTROOM Right, bottom Custom bedhead upholstered in fabric from South Pacific Fabrics. Pillowcases, In Bed. Society Limonta quilt, Ondene. Antonio wall sconce, Bloomingdales Lighting. Tuck side table, Jardan. Vase, Iggy & Lou Lou. Bowl, Planet. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite Custom bedhead upholstered in fabric from Arthur G. Society Limonta quilt and throw, Ondene. Profile side table, Zuster. Vase, Conley & Co. Athena Jahantigh ceramic bull, Becker Minty.

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H G HOUSES Upstairs, the design team created a new study and TV room, with colours inspired by a pair of artworks by Susan Rothwell depicting the local coastline. One of the owners’ original sofas was re-covered in a coastal blue-and-white striped fabric, and a custom desk and arched bookshelf installed so they can work from home in comfort.

Each of the four bedrooms was given a character lift with a bespoke patterned headboard in varying tones of umber yellow, coral and teal, along with new bedlinen, furnishings and a fresh coat of paint.

“You feel yourself relax the moment you step foot inside this house,” says Sarah-Jane. “The spaces feel open yet connected, and the trees and water are all you can see when you look outside. It truly is magical.”

Arent&Pyke, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 9331 2802 or arentpyke.com. Wrightson & Co, Collaroy Plateau, NSW; 0497 808 587 or wrightsonandco.com.au.

“The garden doors are open day to night. It’s lovely to watch the boats going by and see the water change colour,” says Sarah-Jane.

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THIS IS THE LIFE

Just a one-hour drive from their Sydney home, this weekender is the owners’ spot to decompress. “We love having friends and family over,” says Michele.

“We use all the areas.

Andrew can be in the study upstairs with the balcony doors open, the kids can be outside or in the dining area with friends, or we can all be together in the cosy TV area in front of the fire.”

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THE SOURCE Muted tones taken from the landscape and luxe-yetlaidback pieces make for sophisticated barefoot living.

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1 Cire Trudon ‘Louise’ bust, $195, Libertine Parfumerie. 2 Gypsum marble coffee table, $6595, Coco Republic.

3 Dabee Winter artwork by Susan Rothwell, POA, Justin Miller.Art. 4 AYTM ‘Varia’ sculptural vase, $165, Space. 5 Jaisalmer cushions, $458/set of 3, Walter G. 6 Compagna lounge chair by Lucy Kurrein, POA, Spence & Lyda. 7 Austral Bricks ‘Piccolo’ pavers, $88.75/m², Brickworks. 8 Akari 13a floor lamp by Isamu Noguchi, $1668, Mr Kitly. 9 Rond vide poche, $380, Studio Henry Wilson. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

OPEN SEASON Seeking to establish a new home base for their blended family, one Melbourne couple found a century-old tree offered more than shelter and beautiful views...

STO RY Jackie Brygel | ST Y L IN G Olga Lewis | PHOTOGR A PHY Tim O’Connor

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FRONT EXTERIOR This page and opposite Three of

the renovated home’s lucky residents, Lucy and Oliver Stewart-Dowdle and their pet rabbit Willy. Fermob ‘Louisiane’ bench from Classic With A Twist. Flos ‘Climber’ wall light by Piero Lissoni, Euroluce.

Jarrah decking. >

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KITCHEN Carley loves every inch of her light and spacious kitchen. Wood-Finish

aluminium battens, Sculptform. Axis downlights, Lights Lights Lights. Valcucine Italian Kitchens cabinetry and splashback in Matt Glass Pure White, all Rogerseller. Benchtops in Cardoso granite (island prep area), Dekton Sirius (meals area), Matt Glass Pure White (wall side). Brodware ‘City Stik’ mixer tap and Franke ‘Urban Fragranite’ sink, both Mary Noall. HydroTap in Gunmetal (right), Zip. Appliances, all V-Zug. Hay ‘About a Stool’ stools, Cult Design. Architect’s Collection flooring, Royal Oak Floors.

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THIS IS THE LIFE

This house is perhaps the utimate family home: inviting, generous and flexible enough for each of the six members to have their own space, it also transforms into the consummate party host with ease. “We love to cook and entertain here,” says Carley. “We built the house first and foremost for liveability, tailoring it to our needs with four growing children,” adds Mike.

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his 1890s property beckoned to owners Carley Stewart and Mike Cannington from the moment they saw it in late 2018.

Located on a 733-square-metre block with city glimpses in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held neighbourhoods, it was indeed a rare jewel. But the home’s greatest attraction was not within its walls. “We particularly loved the beautiful peppercorn tree in the backyard,” says Carley. Adds Mike: “Like the original house, the tree is over 100 years old and one of just six in the area on a protected tree register. It’s simply stunning.”

Beyond the front door, however, the two-storey blockwork and weatherboard home was far less appealing. Not least

because the couple was seeking an inviting, family-friendly nest to share with their blended brood – Carley’s children, Lucy, 11, and Oliver Stewart-Dowdle, 13, and Mike’s children, Charlie, 10, and Oliver Cannington, 13. “The home was last renovated 20-plus years ago and needed lots of TLC,” says Carley. “We knew the heritage overlay would be restrictive, but the location and land size outweighed any hesitations we had about the potential limitations.”

As the director of building company Mil Constructions, Mike knows what it takes to create a dream home and was perfectly placed to guide the project. Meanwhile Carley, managing director of ASAP Skin Products, has always had an eye for beautiful interiors. “It’s in my blood,” she says. > “My parents have been renovating all their lives.”

H G HOUSES Together, Carley and Mike – who discovered their design and decorating sensibilities easily aligned – homed in on the property’s weaknesses then set about addressing them.

The front two rooms of the home (one at ground level and one room on the first floor) were retained in line with the heritage overlay. The rest of the house presented in a “very boxy way”, so Carley and Mike demolished the rest and replaced it with a structure that delivered a more open feel.

They also included a self-contained studio above the garage.

Mint Pool and Landscape Design were engaged to redesign front and rear gardens – the latter including an alfresco entertaining zone – and install a pool.

On the ground floor, two children’s bedrooms at the front of the home are separated by a shared bathroom.

Further along the hall are additional utility areas (a powder room, laundry and bag drop). At the rear, a new kitchen, dining and living zone spill out to an outdoor sanctuary framed by a lush Fytogreen vertical garden. Upstairs are a serene main bedroom suite, two additional bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Seen from many vantage points, of course, is the gracious peppercorn tree. “It’s very much at the centre of our lives,” says Carley. “We designed the house so that our bedroom and the studio above the garage look out into the >

LIVING This image, left and below Rug, Ruthie L Designs. Ivy

coffee table by Clare Cousins, Grazia & Co. Valley modular sofa, Jardan. Vertical garden, Fytogreen.

Real Flame ‘Caldor’ wood fireplace, Ignite Fireplace Studio.

DINING Opposite Embellish dining table, Zuster. Fritz Hansen ‘Grand Prix’ dining chairs, Cult Design.

Customised Volta pendant by Estiluz, Lights Lights Lights.

Cabinetry by Antic Cabinets, finished in Nikpol Perfectsense laminate. Marimekko ‘Urna’ vase, Kiitos Living by Design.

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H G HOUSES STUDIO LIVING AREA Sabrina sofa and armchairs and Jade coffee table, all Zuster. Nordlux ‘Spider’ pendants, Lights Lights Lights. Bremworth ‘Untouched’ carpet in Peaceful, Don Currie Carpets. Artworks by Ellie Malin. SPIRAL STAIRCASE An external staircase by Enzie Stairs leads to the

main bedroom suite so Carley and Mike can avoid walking through the house in their wet swimmers. The stairs are clad in Wood-Finish aluminium battens, Sculptform. Spa tiled in Bisazza ‘Stefania’ glass mosaics, Perini. Garden and pool area designed by Mint Pool and Landscape Design.

canopy, but the addition of the cocooning nest-like hanging lounger has made it a beacon for the whole family. It’s like a mini playhouse for the kids and Mike and I love hiding out there, reading the weekend papers, supervising the kids in the pool or just taking time out to relax.”

Carley decorated most of the interior herself, opting for a pared-back material and colour palette that imparts a sense of refined harmony. “There’s lots of white, grey and black and light smoked oak, with accents of sage green, navy and gold,” she says. “Much of the furniture is from Zuster, in fact. I really appreciate that the company is Australian owned and the pieces are locally made, and it’s all so beautifully designed and of exceptional quality.”

For the children’s bedrooms, Carley and Mike engaged the services of interior designer Sarah Elshaug from The Retreat Stylist. “We wanted the kids to have their own spaces and feel empowered by decorating them in their

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own way,” says Carley. Each child briefed Sarah with their needs, wants and style preferences, and she came up with a personalised plan – presented via Zoom since it was during Melbourne’s extended lockdown period.

“We love the way Sarah captured their individual visions and personalities,” adds Carley.

Now the family has settled in properly, the couple can’t think of anything they would have done differently at this house, the place they intend to call home for many years. “The result has far exceeded our expectations,” says Carley. “We really feel very blessed,” says Mike. > Mil Constructions, Port Melbourne, Victoria; milconstructions.com.au or @milconstructions.

The Retreat Stylist, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; 0418 464 862 or theretreatstylist.com.au.

Mint Pool and Landscape Design, Yarraville, Victoria; (03) 9434 0525 or mintdesign.net.au.

THE LAYOUT Alfresco

Family

Kitchen

Entry Bed Bath

Dining

Ground floor

Bed

Laundry

Pool

Bath

Bath Studio

First floor

The house was ‘quite boxy’ at the rear, so the renovation aimed to open it up and connect it to the outdoor areas.

Bed

Study

Retreat Bed

Bed

THE PALETTE Dulux Natural White (exterior)

Dulux Plasticine (front door)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Colorbond Monument (cladding)

HOUSES H G MAIN BEDROOM This image and below left Bedhead and bedside

table, Zuster. Colorbond Standing Seam exterior cladding. Limestone paving, Sherrie’s Slate & Stone. MAIN ENSUITE Zen basins, Apaiser.

Fimo ‘Spiller’ taps, Mary Noall. Zuster ‘Halo’ vanity. Super White granite benchtop and splashback and Anthology Dark wall tiles, all Signorino.

POOL AREA Mike and Carley relax in a Dedon ‘Nestrest’ hanging lounger while Carley’s son Oliver cools off in the pool. Tosca outdoor dining table, Tosca armchair, and Arc side chairs, all Cosh Living.

Concrete pavers in Atlas, Anston Architectural. OLIVER C’S ROOM Opposite Palmy wallpaper, These Walls. Bed, Lilly & Lolly. Mustard Made ‘Shortie’ locker, Sedonia. Pia table lamp, Norsu Interiors. Little Louli ‘Palm’ quilt cover set, Abode Living. >

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REAR EXTERIOR Peterson

Tegl handmade Danish bricks, Robertson’s Building Products. Double-glazed aluminium windows, Advanced Windows and Doors. Colorbond Standing Seam cladding in Monument. Blackbutt decking, Lamcal Building Supplies. Limestone paving, Sherrie’s Slate & Stone.

“ The peppercorn tree is very much at the centre of our lives here. The nest-like hanging lounger is a beacon for the whole family.” CARLEY STEWART, OWNER 96 |

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THE SOURCE Serene green tones bring nature in; sleek black provides contrast to take the interior to another level.

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8 10 1 Volta pendant light by Estiluz, POA, Lights Lights Lights. 2 Designer Boys Art ‘Abstract Fluidity III’ wall art, $715, Living by Design. 3 Tom Dixon ‘Elements Collection: Earth’ candle, $399, David Jones.

4 Zip awning with Everview Plus External Sunscreen (4x2m), $2591, Wynstan. 5 Lemmy modular sofa, $19,052, Jardan. 6 Morris ‘Willow Boughs’ wallpaper, $188/10m roll, Wallpaper Direct. 7 Mondella ‘Cadenza’ gooseneck mixer with pull-out spray, $129, Bunnings. 8 Milroy Double Cross cushion, $54.95, Hardtofind. 9 Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto book, $79.95, NGV Design Store. 10 Zachary nesting

coffee tables, $4290/set of 2, James Said. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

HEAVY LIFTING Referencing the solidity and permanence of castles, this residence looks right at home in Brisbane’s leafy suburbs.

STO RY Sarah Pickette | STY L I NG Bini Ward | P HOTO G R APH Y Toby Scott

HOUSES H G FACADE Sisters Annabelle (left) and Adelaide chat on the

Endicott crazy paving that runs to dado height in the entryway.

Their brother, Addison, reads in the half-height playspace tucked in above the front door. Exterior (opposite) painted Dulux Linseed; carport and blockwork rendered in Dulux Bronze Fig. The roof and fence battens are Colorbond Woodland Grey. The home has an 8kW photovoltaic system, with three-phase power supplied to the carport for vehicle charging.

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lightweight timber and tin construction did not appeal to the owners of this Brisbane home. No way. They were after something weightier, stronger, more permanent. The house they sought would use heavier materials and be far more European in feel than your average Queensland home.

“It had to be hard-wearing, solidly grounded and speak to the family’s love of castles. Light and good ventilation were important too, as was creating a futureproof home that could grow with the family,” says Bec Caldwell, architect and director of Maytree Studios, who took on this project alongside her colleagues, architect Andy Keeffe and interior designer Alisha Bouris. Initially, the brief also asked that the house be so robust it “could basically be hosed out”, adds Bec. But as the design process went along, the owners realised the value of refinement, balancing materials such as concrete with spotted gum and subtly veined engineered stone.

Belonging to two medical professionals with three children ranging in age from seven to 11, this house was designed while the owners spent a year living in Scotland.

In 2020, on the family’s return to Queensland, construction began. But before things got underway, the team at Petro Builders looked at what was salvageable from the site.

“They really believe in reuse and were very active in problem solving,” says Bec. “Builders as good as these > guys make a huge difference to a project.”

HOUSES H G LIVING Muuto ‘Outline’ chaise from Living Edge. &Tradition ‘Boomerang’ chair, Zanotta

‘Quaderna’ bench and Nanimarquina rug, all Cult Design. BD Barcelona Design vases from Living Edge and joinery by Anglewood Bespoke Furniture. Hergom ‘Glance’ woodburning fire, BBQ & Fireplace Centre. Curtain, DIY Blinds. REAR EXTERIOR GRM Biowood cladding in Spotted Gum adorns this spot, which runs off the kitchen and into the central courtyard. Timber doors made by Darra Joinery and aluminium doors by AWS.

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THIS IS THE LIFE

“I’ve lived in this suburb of Brisbane since I was eight years old,” says one of the owners. “It’s a beautiful, family-friendly spot, with an excellent public school that I attended. One of the best things about living here is the area’s many parks and natural reserves. It’s not only leafy and lovely, it’s close to the hospital where we both work, so we can ride our bikes to work.”

KITCHEN This page and opposite Muuto ‘Fibre’ stools from Living Edge are set

against the spotted gum fascia of the island bench, made by Anglewood Bespoke Furniture. The same spotted gum is used on the stair treads and handrail. Island bench topped with Titan Quartz Calacatta Milano from Stoneville Australia.

Emporio Oxygene mixer tap, Gessi. Stairway wall in Lace special finish by Render Systems Australia. Floors are machine-polished Boral concrete in Snowdrift. The splashback’s sliding window provides access to pots that are filled with herbs.

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“The kitchen and garden have a strong connection.”

BEC CALDWELL, ARCHITECT

From first glance, it’s evident that this is a proudly individual design. “It doesn’t show off, but sits comfortably adjacent to the neighbouring park in muted, natural tones,” says Bec. Positioned right above the front door is a half-height children’s playspace with a window to the street, where the kids can greet visitors as they approach the front door below. “There’s a piano up there; the children are all learning to play.”

While the kids and their ideas for the home have been happily factored in, so have spaces that ensure the house will suit the family for decades to come. “The owners might be fully mobile now, but we have made spatial allowances so a lift can be added without too much trouble if it ever becomes necessary,” says Bec. From the split-level home’s entrance, steps lead down to the ground floor, where the kitchen, living and dining areas open out to a level patch of lawn. “Here, we had to be mindful of the owners’ differing wishes,” says Bec. “One gets cold, the other is always too hot. One hates flyscreens, the other wanted a bug-free interior. To keep everyone happy, we designed a door and window system that has four modes: timber-framed glass doors that shut or open fully, retractable flyscreens and retractable security screens that allow the home to passively cool while maintaining security. ” Upstairs, the main bedroom looks out over a roof garden and incorporates a stained-glass window one owner designed for the other to mark their 10th wedding anniversary. And between the two daughters’ bedrooms there’s a “secret sliding door” the girls can use to access each other’s spaces.

The home has plenty of nooks in which members of the family can read quietly, and just as many spots for them to gather. “I can sit at the spot where the garden meets the house, with a breeze on my face, listening to my daughter practise her flute and my son playing with the chickens.

Bec and the team took our ideas and enhanced them, so > that functionality and simplicity meets beauty.”

Maytree Studios, Albion, Queensland; maytreestudios. com.au. Petro Builders, Anstead, Queensland; petrobuilders.com.au.

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THE PALETTE Dulux Linseed (exterior)

Dulux Vivid White (interior walls)

ENSUITE Large-format Argon matt porcelain tiles in Perla from Earp Bros are

teamed with an Oasis bath in Snow White from Concrete Nation. The vanity was custom made to match the kitchen, with a spotted gum base and Titan Quartz ‘Calacatta Milano’ top. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite top Annika Stinson, practice manager at Maytree Studios, takes a moment to appreciate the view. Gebrüder Thonet Vienna ‘Single Curve’ stool (with books), Space.

Miniforms ‘Soda’ low side table, James Richardson Furniture. ADELAIDE’S ROOM Opposite bottom Bed, Ikea. Bedlinen, Hale Mercantile Co. Striped cushion, Lucy Montgomery. Comic pendant light, Caribou. >

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Dulux Bronze Fig (carport)

THE LAYOUT Ground floor

Study Garage Terrace

Dining

Laundry

Bath

Living Kitchen

Store

First floor Bed

Bed Bath

Bed Roof garden

Robe Bed Bath

Loft

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STUDY A Miniforms ‘Valerie’ chair from James Richardson

Furniture provides a comfortable perch for working. Seated at the desk, the homeowners look out over the chook pen and into a landscaped garden bed filled with sunflowers. A jacaranda and the mature gums in the adjoining park shade the home.

Spotted Gum cladding, GRM Biowood.

“Every space in the house is oriented to capture a view.”

BEC CALDWELL, ARCHITECT

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THE SOURCE The earthiness of timber, clay and terracotta keep this fairytale ‘castle’ grounded.

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Produced by Saffron Sylvester.

10 9 1 Miniforms ‘Soda TS500’ table, $2405, James Richardson Furniture. 2 Laminex Moroccan Clay laminate (on benchtop), $116.60/m², Laminex. 3 Kaiser Idell ‘Luxus’ table lamp, $1190, Cult Design.

4 Zip awning in Outlook Shale Grey 539 (4x2m), $2591, Wynstan. 5 Laguna cross-leg stool, POA, Xavier Furniture. 6 Plantino Native Memento engineered-timber flooring in Ironbark, from $89/m², Choices Flooring. 7 Amouage ‘Exceptional Extraits Honour Woman 43’ eau de parfum, $750/100ml, Libertine Parfumerie. 8 Gebrüder Thonet Vienna ‘Single Curve’ stool by Nendo, $1470, Space.

9 Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller ‘ColourForm’ chaise, POA, Living Edge. 10 Scalloped European pillowcases, $120/pair, Bed Threads. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

H G HOUSES

STREET ENTRANCE The front verandah was

retiled in Fitzroy pattern tiles with Norwood border from Renditions Tiles. Exterior painted Dulux Rampart. Wellington wall light, Emac & Lawton. FP Collection ‘Ashton’ planter, Flower Power. Högsten armchair, Ikea. Blinds, Wynstan.

HALL New wainscoting completely transformed the long hallway. Existing pendant light.

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A L L G O OD T HI NG S Four years after a major overhaul of this inner-Sydney terrace, the owner was ready to make one final push to transform it into a forever home.

STO RY Georgia Madden | STY LI NG Jono Fleming | P H OTO GR APHY Nic Gossage

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any new friendships are formed at the school gate, but homeowner Tara went one better – there, she met interior designer Josie Simpson of Altus Design Studio, who would go on to help her complete the renovation of her four-bedroom inner-Sydney terrace. “Our sons are school friends, but it wasn’t until Josie started doing interior design work for mutual friends that I thought of engaging her professionally,” says Tara. “I had always decorated my homes myself, but this time I wanted someone to help me take it to the next level.”

Tara, who lives in the end terrace with her sons Harrison, eight, and Charlie, six, had undertaken a major renovation four years before, replacing an old lean-to at the rear with a new extension housing an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that opened onto the garden.

A few loose ends remained, however. “The facade, roof and front windows weren’t touched in the previous renovation and they urgently needed attending to,” she explains. “I wanted to address some other bits and pieces that weren’t quite completed or finished to a high standard as well.”

The house had charming heritage features, including original dormer windows, but it was lacking cohesion. “The front exterior of the house didn’t do justice to the beautiful extension at the rear,” says Josie.

“The window frames were rotting, the roof was leaking and there were uneven tiles on the front verandah. Plus, it had a cavernous hallway that extended 16 metres from the front door, which did little to create that feeling of warmth and welcome that you want when you enter a home.”

What began as a brief to assist with colour and furniture selection grew to encompass a complete renovation of the facade, including a new roof, verandah and tessellated tiles, updates to the hallway and dining area, and new door hardware and artwork throughout.

Tara had been toying with the idea of selling, so her focus was on making changes that would add value to the house and choosing furniture that could be transported to a new property.

“My previous furniture was fairly low-end since it had to withstand the full force of a pair of preschoolers,” she says. “I was definitely ready to upgrade to some more stylish pieces that would go the distance.”

To allow room in the budget for a few big-ticket items, including art, a new dining table, and armchairs in the sitting room, Josie retained many of Tara’s existing pieces. The key to making them feel fresh again?

Showcasing them in new places or in different ways, says Josie.

“I’m a big believer that you shouldn’t replace something just for the sake of it. In this case, Tara really loved the sofa in the family room, so we introduced a rug underneath it to connect it to the rest of the space. We were very selective about what we replaced and did a lot of repurposing and moving pieces to different rooms.”

But some things were worth splashing out on. To add interest and character to that long, drab hallway, Josie chose decorative panelling on the walls. This also served to anchor the artwork and pendant lights, which previously felt lost in the space.

In the dining area, Josie designed space-savvy banquette seating with buttery leather upholstery for the family to enjoy meals together. “I was nervous about the banquette because it seemed like such a big statement,” says Tara. “But it, along >

KITCHEN Homeowner Tara loves her kitchen’s &Tradition ‘Copenhagen SC7’pendant lights from Cult Design and Lando stools from Life Interiors.

DINING ‘Easy care’ was key to the brief, so Josie opted for furnishings and fabrics that were designed to go the distance. Custom banquette

upholstered in Oxford Oatmeal leather from NSW Leather Co. Pillar dining table, Grazia & Co. No.811 Hoffmann chairs, Thonet. Aerin ‘Selfoss’ wall sconce, The Montauk Lighting Co. Cloud Garden One artwork by Suey McEnnally. Plates, The DEA Store.

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“We only touched spaces lightly but it feels like a whole new house.”

JOSIE SIMPSON, INTERIOR DESIGNER

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with the new wainscoting in the hallway, are the things that have made the most impact.”

Paint, too, has done wonders to transform the interior. In the kitchen, the cabinetry was refreshed with a coat of crisp Dulux Casper White Half and Dulux Domino on the island for contrast.

In each of the bedrooms, new VJ-panelled bedhead/shelves are painted in dusty blues and greens – a nod to the nearby bay.

“It was all very light touches with this project – we weren’t putting in a new kitchen, bathrooms or major pieces of joinery – but the space is now cohesive,” says Josie. “It feels like a whole new house.” Tara couldn’t agree more. She was so happy with the end result that instead of following her plan of putting the > house on the market, she has decided to stay put.

Altus Design Studio, Balmain, NSW; 0400 490 482 or altusdesignstudio.com.au. Wolf+Willow, Mortdale, NSW; 0401 057 255 or wolfandwillow.com.au.

FAMILY ROOM Above left and bottom right Bifold doors retract to make

the family room and garden one serene space. Existing sofa from Customs Designs. Kazbek Silver Blue rug, The Rug Establishment.

Zoe side table, Anaca Studio. KITCHEN Above right and opposite Lisa Morgan’s artwork A Cautious Burn takes pride of place next to the kitchen, which only needed paint and smart cabinet hardware to feel like new. Existing splashback tiles and tapware. Buster+Punch cabinet pulls and knobs, Living Edge. Cooktop, Smeg. Stools, Life Interiors. Eka tray, Inartisan. Peter Anderson x DEA ‘Soh’ planter, The DEA Store.

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THE PALETTE Dulux Rangitikei River Half (boys’ room panelling) Dulux Monsieur (music room joinery)

MAIN BEDROOM Above and opposite The artwork above the original fireplace is Sensuality 2 by Lucette Dalozzo; a Lisa Morgan painting,

My Morning Was Pink #3, hangs above the bed. Bedlinen, Bed Threads. Pillowcases, Cultiver. Cushion upholstered in Scopello ‘Celadon’ linen, Arthur G. End bench from H+J Furniture upholstered in Husk fabric in Celadon, Warwick Fabrics. DCW Editions ‘Mantis BS5’ wall lamp, Spence & Lyda. Orson side table, Globe West. Glass vase, Hay. Horn vase, Dinosaur Designs. Simone Karras vase, Jardan. >

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Dulux Ocean Depth (main bedroom panelling)

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THE LAYOUT Ground floor Entry Bed Living Bath

Bed Bed Bed First floor

Bath Kitchen Dining

Family

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MUSIC ROOM Aboriginal art by Maggie Nakamarra White. Kelly armchair, Jardan. Wind Print by Tym Yee (on shelf), Palette by Jono Fleming. Existing joinery. Ridge Neopolitan rug, Tribe Home. STAIRS Opposite top left The artwork is an heirloom. CHILDREN’S BEDROOM Opposite top right The boys’ own artworks are displayed on the shelf. The Lowdown locker, Mustard. Rug, Armadillo. Shutters, Wynstan. MAIN BATHROOM Bjorn mirror, Middle of Nowhere. Oxbow vanity, Beaumont Tiles. Plume basin, Timberline. Carrara marble wall tiles and Industrial Plomb floor tiles, Di Lorenzo Tiles. >

H G HOUSES THIS IS THE LIFE

Tara and her sons adore living in this convenient spot, just two minutes’ walk from the ferry and the area’s main shopping strip. “I love the village atmosphere, the parks and harbour views all around us and the local cafés, bookstores and restaurants,” she says.

“We don’t ever have to get in the car – we walk everywhere, and I get the ferry into the city for work. We feel very lucky.”

REAR GARDEN “We love having people over – the more the merrier! We have had parties with

about 20 kids and their parents all here at once. It’s hectic but the house can take it and I love it,” says Tara. Landscaping, custom concrete bench and blackbutt screen by Wolf+Willow.

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THE SOURCE Update your fabrics and surfaces for a more sophisticated aesthetic that is family-friendly too.

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Produced by Saffron Sylvester. Styling by Sophie Wilson, photograph by Kristina Soljo/Are Media Syndication, artworks by Louella Woodham (left) and Matthew Johnson (10).

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1 Gubi ‘Multi-lite’ pendant, from $1010, Cult Design. 2 A Quiet Habitat artwork by Lisa Morgan. 3 Issy ‘Z1’ wall mirror, $1200, Reece. 4 Spotted Begonia short vase, $145, Bonnie and Neil. 5 Simplehuman sensor soap dispenser, $169, Howards Storage World. 6 PureGrain laminate in French Navy, $116.60/m², Laminex. 7 Loewe Home Scents ‘Honeysuckle’ candle, $127.45, Net-a-Porter. 8 Kirra outdoor cushion, $104.95, Hardtofind. 9 Melody swivel chair, $5250, James Said. 10 Australis shutters, POA, Wynstan.

11 Henne counter stool, $99, Freedom. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

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H G HOUSES ENTRY The beautiful stained-glass door is original.

Rugs, Zebra Home. Ceiling lights, Fat Shack Vintage.

Wall hanging, unknown artist.

Ceiling painted Porter’s Paints Prussian Green. EXTERIOR Owners Georgina and Jack with their children (from left) Luna, six, Max, eight, and Billy, 10, and pet blue-tongue lizard, Rocky. Planter, Clennett’s Mitre 10.

Restoration generation

When Jack Shapiro inherited his godfather’s Hobart home, he was determined to restore the dwelling to the joyful space he remembered.

STO RY Georgia Madden | ST Y L IN G Belle Hemming & Lynda Gardener | PHOTOGRA PH Y Marnie Hawson

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DINING Pendant light, The

Society Inc. Dining table, Lounge Lovers. Dining chairs, Provincial Home Living.

Tasmanian oak flooring (throughout). Plant stand, Chandlers Nursery. Platter, Robert Gordon Australia.

Vintage vase. KITCHEN Blackwood joinery. Paloma splashback tiles in Moss Green Gloss, National Tiles. Pendants, Fat Shack Vintage. Bar stools, Canvas+Sasson. Tapware, ABI Interiors. Siemens cooktop.

Mitsubishi Electric fridge.

LIVING The house overlooks Hobart CBD and the River Derwent. Sofa, Papaya. Rug, Zebra Home. Coffee table, Calibre Furniture. >

“The magic of the house was always in its space and location.” JACK SHAPIRO, OWNER

THIS IS THE LIFE

Georgina, Jack and their children currently live a short drive from this house. “It isn’t particularly well-suited to young children so for now we’ll stay put,” says Jack. “But we may move here when they’re older.” The couple currently rent it out on Airbnb. “The feedback has been amazing,” says Georgina. It can also be a base for her family when they visit from South Australia and Sweden.

“The house looks beautiful and feels joyful again.”

JACK SHAPIRO, OWNER

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eaview, this charming Federation house overlooking Hobart, is a very special place for Jack Shapiro. “It was owned by my godfather, Stephen, who was a great family friend,” he says. “My parents ran a Saturday market stall in Hobart, and throughout my childhood we would stay there on Friday nights.

I looked forward to it all week. We always had so much fun, whether it was having parties or just talking and watching movies together.”

The house holds fantastic memories for Jack – both bitter and sweet. “Memories of when I was young and we enjoyed such happy times together and also, more recently, when Stephen was unwell,” he says. “He didn’t have children of his own but he loved kids. My parents separated when I was a teenager and I spent a lot of time with him here during that period. He was a huge influence and showed me there are many different ways to live a great life. And he was just the same with my children [Billy, now 10, Max, eight, and Luna, six].”

When Stephen passed away in 2019, he left Seaview to Jack.

“I felt incredibly lucky to be able to hold onto his legacy,” he says.

“But the house had deteriorated over the years and didn’t feel anything like the house I remembered. It just felt tired and sad.”

The three-bedroom home had undergone a number of changes over the years, leaving it with a bit of a mish-mash of styles. In 1997, a fire destroyed a lean-to at the rear of the property, which Stephen had replaced with a Japanese-inspired extension housing a kitchen, dining and living area. Sliding doors were installed in preparation for connection to a wraparound deck that never quite materialised. “I think he might have run out of money – the doors opened onto a 3-metre drop to the garden,” says Jack.

Despite the amount of work required, Jack and Georgina were determined to bring Seaview back to the vibrant and functional home it once was, and to finish what Stephen had started.

“The first thing we did was install the missing deck,” says Jack. Inside, the main structural work included the creation of an ensuite for the main bedroom and renovating the existing bathroom and laundry. Elsewhere, the updates were largely cosmetic. “The biggest change to the kitchen was the splashback,” says Jack. “The old one was made from corrugated iron; we replaced it with moss-green tiles, which looks a >

DECK “It’s a great spot to unwind and take in the incredible views across River Derwent and the city,” says Jack of the new deck. Sofa and side table, Early Settler. Custom scatter cushions.

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THE PALETTE Porter’s Paints Prussian Green (main bedroom, bathroom, entry) Porter’s Paints Popcorn (entry walls) Porter’s Paints Jaguar (main bathroom)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

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lot more sophisticated and is far easier to maintain!” Crisp black tapware, lighting and appliances complement the blackwood joinery and existing celery-top pine detailing of the extension beautifully.

But the work didn’t end there. Windows with burgundy and pink panes were replaced with clear glass, the Tasmanian-oak floors were resanded, the timber detailing in the extension restained and just about every room repainted. “It looks like a different house to the one we walked into in 2019,” says Georgina.

With the major works complete, Georgina took an Airbnb hosting course in preparation to rent out Seaview as short-term accommodation. It was then that she came upon interior decorators Belle Hemming and Lynda Gardener. “I really liked their work and could see from their Instagram feeds that they’d worked on different types of houses, from vintage to modern,” says Georgina. “Seaview is quite a tricky blend of styles – Federation at the front and contemporary Japanese-inspired at the rear – and I felt they would meet the challenge head-on.”

Jack and Georgina engaged Belle and Lynda to collaborate on the decorative touches that would complete the project. “Lynda

and I looked to create a calming and original interior that blended the old and new parts of the house,” says Belle. “We wanted the colour scheme to be moody, intimate and a little bit regal – hence the deep blues, teal and moss greens. Vintage and contemporary sit side by side, and the inclusion of a few Oriental pieces speak to the Japanese-inspired extension.”

After a few stop-starts due to Covid, work on the house was completed in August 2021. And it’s not just Airbnb guests who get to enjoy it, either – extended family from near and far is welcomed as often as possible too. “Stephen was one of my mother’s best friends so staying here will mean a lot to her. I love that,” says Jack.

“I think Stephen would be really pleased with what we have done – the house looks beautiful and feels joyful again,” he adds.

“We hope to have many more parties and celebrations in this > wonderful old house as our children grow up.”

Belle Bright Project, Glenlyon, Victoria; 0413 689 006 or thebellebrightproject.com.au. Lynda Gardener, Melbourne, Victoria; lyndagardener.com. Saga Custom Built, Richmond, Tasmania; 0400 195 708 or sagacustombuilt.com.au.

MAIN BEDROOM Above left and opposite Walls painted in Porter’s Paints Prussian Green ensure a dramatic main bedroom, with contrast provided by

a custom linen bedhead from The Upholstery House and a pendant light from The Society Inc. Bedside tables and lamps, Provincial Home Living.

Bedlinen, Cultiver. A mix of custom cushions and cushions from Macey & Moore. Grey throw, Shaynna Blaze. Rug, Globe West. The vintage artworks are by unknown artists. A dresser from The Black Hen leads to the ensuite. Armchair, Lounge Lovers. MAIN ENSUITE Crayon Bianco Gloss subway tiles bounce off Promenade Ash Matt floor tiles, both from National Tiles. Pedestal basin and mirror, Schots Home Emporium. Tapware and towel ring, Restoration Online. Stool, Asian Tide. Wall light, Fat Shack Vintage. Vintage artwork. Towel, L&M Home.

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THE LAYOUT

Entry Bed

Bed

Living Bed

Laundry Kitchen

Family

Dining

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Bath

Bath

BEDROOM Walls painted Porter’s Paints Blue

Spruce lend a moody beauty to this room.

Bed, Temple & Webster. Bedlinen, In the Sac. Blue throw, Society of Wanderers. Bedside table, Perfect Pieces. Lamp, Indigo Love. All vessels and artworks are vintage finds. MAIN BATHROOM Opposite “The black main bathroom is more contemporary in style and in the modern section of the house,” says Jack. Wall tiles, TileCloud.

Basin, stand and mirror, Schots Home Emporium.

Shower, Harper’s Bathroom. Pendant light, Fat Shack Vintage. Basket, Freedom. Vintage artwork by unknown artist. The bath was part of the previous extension and is clad in celery-top pine to match the window frames and ceiling.

Tapware, ABI Interiors. Towels, L&M Home. >

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THE SOURCE Design classics and natural materials bring disparate eras and aesthetics together in the most beautiful way.

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1 Antique demijohn, POA, The Drill Hall. 2 Saardé ‘Vintage Wash’ face washer, $11, Oliver Thom. 3 Thonet GmbH 210R carver chair, $3120, Anibou. 4 Bongo side table, $329, Freedom. 5 Ball Bubble pendant light by George Nelson, $715, Living Edge. 6 Saucer Bubble pendant light by George Nelson, $710, Living Edge. 7 Zip awning in Everview Plus External Sunscreen Black (4x2m), $2591, Wynstan. 8 Gubi ‘BL3’ floor lamp, from $1569, Cult Design.

9 Lucas 3-seater sofa, $3790, Papaya. 10 Quick-Step ‘Intenso’ prefinished flooring in Smoked Mountain Oak

Extra Matt, from $147.95/m² (supply only), Choices Flooring. For Where to Buy, see page 190. #

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Produced by Saffron Sylvester.

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BRAND PROMOTION

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COLOUR Natural colours immediately create a sense of calm. Opt for ivory, cream, soft greens and grey.

SHAPE Create a sense of retreat by using soft edges and avoiding sharp corners.

A gently curved armchair or a sofa with French seams is ideal.

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OPPOSITE PAGE Salsie modular sofa, $2,399. Kobe cushion in Ivory, $69.95. Koi cushion in Natural, $59.95. Rohld table lamp,$349. Coastal Desert framed canvas, $199. Fira coffee table, $1,299.

Plume vase, $79.95. Vivian bowl, $49.95. Whitehaven soy candle, $29.95. Cobble occasional chair, $799. Avoca floor rug in Natural, $699. THIS PAGE Cobble occasional chair, $799. Belmont cushion in Mid Green, $59.95. Rohld table lamp,$349. Lorne basket in Natural/ White, $79.95. Luiza throw in Mid Green, $99.95.

BRAND PROMOTION

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ABOVE IMAGE Fira coffee table, $1,299. Plume vase, $79.95. Vivian bowl, $49.95. Whitehaven soy candle, $29.95. 1 Provence cushion in Sand, $39.95.

2 Wanda floor lamp, $299. 3 Gorge 3D wall art, $449. 4 Clam bowl, $69.95.

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G a rden s Photograph by Mitch Lyons.

Golden grasses and hardy coastal shrubs encircle this beachside home, softening the angles of the architecture.

For more on this salt- and wind-tolerant garden, turn the page...

P L A N T- F O C U S E D S PA C E S T H A T I N V I T E A N D D E L I G H T

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Designed by landscape architect Bethany Williamson, the garden surrounding this beach-facing home mimics natural outcrops of vegetation found locally. The plant palette includes ground-hugging succulents, hardy shrubs and grasses – all species that can withstand the salt spray yet tumble and bend with the breeze. The grasses in the rooftop section of the garden include wheat-toned Poa poiformis, limecoloured Dianella ‘Little Jess’ and golden coast spear grass (Austrostipa stipoides).

The spear grass is Bethany’s favourite: “I just love its form and colour.”

FULL E XPOSURE This frontline coastal property on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula is subjected to both surf mist and salt breezes, so it took some clever planting to produce a garden that digs in and looks at home in the bold location.

STO RY Elizabeth Wilson | P HOTO G R A P H Y Mitch Lyons

Some of the plants are indigenous to the area, but not all. “I wasn’t concerned with picking just indigenous plants, it was more about selecting plants that would work with the conditions and provide the colour, form and texture I wanted,” says Bethany. Apart from some irrigation in the roof garden, the plants rely on rainfall. Shrubs at the front of the property include silvery cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii), white native fuchsia (Correa alba) and white-flowering creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium ‘Broad leaf’). The gravel driveway is compacted Dromana toppings with bluestone crazy paving leading to the front door.

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ometimes, the wind roars so fiercely around Kate and Will Parson’s beachside home that they have trouble standing upright against the force. “It can be brutal,” says Kate. “But it’s exhilarating!”

So when they decided to build a new residence on this clifftop site at Ocean Grove, on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, they wanted to create a home and garden that could stand their ground against the elements and celebrate the ocean-facing setting. And that’s exactly what they have achieved – although it has taken a couple of decades of trial and error to get here.

The couple bought the property in 1995, intending to make it a weekender. The original dwelling, a postwar fibro shack nestled behind sand dunes, was sweet but needed upgrading.

They built a replacement home but within a decade it, too, had succumbed to the extreme conditions and started falling apart. Then, a few years ago, with visions of making this their permanent residence, they started yet again – this time enlisting Auhaus Architecture to design a contemporary, environmentally savvy bolthole to stand the test of time.

The result is a concrete and hardwood home that wraps protectively around the site, enclosing an elevated, tiered courtyard and pool. Firmly planted and harnessing light, the home is a salve to those onshore gales.

Having a garden was always part of Kate and Will’s plan, “to help soften the concrete and settle the structure into the landscape”. Their previous gardening attempts here had been hit and miss (more miss than hit, admits Kate – with the exception of lavender and cumquats) so they knew the answer lay in using native species. Auhaus recommended landscape architect Bethany Williamson, who came onboard early in the construction phase. Bethany was excited by the site, and the challenge of contending with swirling, saltladen winds. “Obviously we needed to work with plants that would survive,” she says. “And that meant using frontline coastal native plants.”

There are lots of plants labelled ‘coastal’, but not all of them can cope with salt spray, says Bethany. For her cues she looked to the local environment. “I focused on the species growing naturally in the sand dunes and at what was growing happily in other people’s gardens nearby – that’s always a good indication of what will work,” she says.

Drawing on this inspiration, she created a plant palette of groundcovers, shrubs and grasses that looks uncannily naturalistic. “I wanted the garden to look like it was part of a sand dune,” says Bethany. “It needed to look like no one had designed it – like the planting had naturally wrapped itself around the house.”

The planting occurs in three key areas: the rooftop above the garage; the front entrance and the cliff face. > AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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For visual consistency, Bethany used combinations of the same species throughout, planting them in swathes and drifts as a counterpoint to the bold angles of the architecture.

Textural groundcovers such as pigface (Carpobrotus), cutleaf daisy (Brachyscome), creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium), blue chalksticks (Senecio serpens) and pig’s ears (Cotyledon) mingle with reliably resilient shrubs including Correa alba, cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii) and woolly bush (Adenanthos).

There are four different grasses: coastal tussock grass (Poa poiformis), dianella, knobby club rush (Ficinia nodosa) and spear grass (Austrostipa stipoides). All the species are native except for the Cotyledon (a South African native) and two New Zealand Christmas trees. Colour-wise, Bethany has created a tapestry of muted grey-greens with drifts of lime-green (dianellas) and daubs of silver (cushion bush) while the wheaten-toned grasses echo the tones of the timbers cladding the home. “The colours are delicate,” says Kate, who enjoys being able to see the colour and movement of the swaying grasses from every room of the house.

Kate and Will love their “extreme garden” as they describe it. And they’re not alone. “It has created a wonderful wildlife habitat, too. We’ve never seen so many insects, butterflies # and lizards here,” says Kate.

Bethany Williamson Landscape Architecture, Melbourne, Victoria; bethanywilliamson.com.au.

Bluestone crazy paving leads to the front door. “I love how natural the garden is,” says Kate. “It tumbles down the sides, it drapes, it spills and looks like it belongs.”

OPPOSITE Clockwise from top left The garden is a foil for the hard angles of the architecture. Silvery and wheaten grasses are a perfect colour match for the weathered hardwood timber cladding. The riot of grasses and shrubs was “designed to look not-designed” says Bethany. A tapestry of texture and colour greets at the front entrance.

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FEATURE PLANTS GROUNDCOVERS Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) Cut-leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida) Pigface (Carpobrotus) Kidney weed (Dichondra repens) Blue chalksticks (Senecio serpens) Cotelydon orbiculate (Pig’s ear) SHRUBS Woolly bush (Adenanthos sericeus) Correa alba Cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii) GRASSES Flax lily (Dianella ‘Little Jess’ and D. ‘Breeze’) Knobby club rush (Ficinia nodosa) Coastal tussock grass (Poa poiformis) Coast spear grass (Austrostipa stipoides)

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Starting with a humble paddock in Victoria’s West Gippsland, David Musker and Philip Hunter have built a wondrous garden, now celebrated in a new book.

STO RY Elizabeth Wilson

Located a short stroll from David and Philip’s home, this parterre garden is the formal entrance to a special wonderland that unfolds and reveals itself over almost two hectares. Two pencil pines stand sentinel amid mass-planted roses, iris and cardoons, enclosed within low hedging of English box. In the centre is a circular pond and beyond that is the ‘cherry walk’ featuring two spectacular Yoshino cherry trees (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’).

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here’s a magical quality about the garden at Broughton Hall. Spreading over almost two hectares amid rolling dairy country in Victoria’s West Gippsland, it’s an unfolding wonderland of terraced botanical displays, intricate parterre, maze-like pathways and spectacular colour.

Its very presence, on a ridge in the middle of farming land, is so unlikely and flamboyant, it appears almost mirage-like in the landscape.

But there has been nothing instant or effortless about the evolution of this unique plot. It’s the culmination of almost 25 years of hard graft and dedication by horticulturist, designer and nurseryman, David Musker, who moved to this property with his partner Philip Hunter, in 1996. The couple’s tree

change, and the transformation of the garden, have been recorded by Philip in his engaging new book, The Charmed Garden at Broughton Hall.

David and Philip had looked at lots of properties before they discovered this one at Jindivick, about 75 minutes’ drive from Melbourne. They were seeking a site with enough land to allow Philip, a physiotherapist, to graze Highland cattle, and enough scope for David to a develop a garden where he could experiment with rare and interesting plants.

With its emerald paddocks overlooking the Tarago reservoir, this property fitted the bill. It was also blessed with good rainfall (1.2 metres a year) and rich, red volcanic soils.

They bought two parcels of land – 110 hectares in total – and lived in an old weatherboard cottage until they built their new home, a Georgian-inspired single-storey dwelling, on the top of the ridge. The plan was for David to create a garden in the adjacent paddock, on a north-facing slope.

“David said he’d get the excavators to come in and help mark out the garden. I thought it would be an area of 20 metres or so,” says Philip. “But when I came home from work that day, there were highways of red earth across the landscape!” David had designed the entire thing in one day. All he needed to do was to fill in the design, piece by piece.

Before the house was completed, David had planted a birch forest – 300 trees – to >

ABOVE At the front door is a massed collection of “welcome pots”, containing rare and interesting plants highlighting the botanical variety displayed in the garden. OPPOSITE Clockwise from top left A resident peacock strolls across the lawn near the entrance to the parterre garden: in the background is a smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’). A sitting nook in the ‘pink garden’. David (left) and Philip with their standard poodles Zed and Merlin. Two magnificent Yoshino cherry trees (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’). David has shaped the Broughton Hall logo from clipped English box, enclosed by a low circular hedge. “We started with box hedge cuttings saved from pruning the other hedges, stuck those in the ground and watched the design take shape,” says David. A mass of apricot-toned ‘Pat Austin’ roses. Bonica, a pretty pink floribunda variety in the rose garden.

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the south of the dwelling, to provide a “gentle entrance” to the property. But it is at the north-facing rear of the home where he has let his imagination soar.

Designed on an axis that lines up with the centre of the home (the house has a symmetrical layout, featuring a central domed hall from which all other rooms flow) the garden cascades down a series of terraces.

The upper terrace features a parterre garden – the formal entrance to the garden – with a round pond centrepiece and garden beds enclosed by immaculately clipped English box hedging. Below the parterre section, the garden becomes looser and more wild, with pathways leading in neat tributaries off the central axis. In one direction is a rose garden featuring hundreds of plants – many of them rare varieties – including old-fashioned roses and David Austins. In another direction is the ‘yellow garden’ built in memory of Philip’s father who adored yellow blooms, and further afield is a ‘pink garden’ dedicated to rosy hues and featuring an enormous lipstick maple underplanted with roses, perennials, bulbs and rare salvias. The ‘cherry walk’ is lined with 25 magnificent mature cherry trees that explode into white come spring, while the colonnade features 12 columns festooned with roses. Venturing down the central steps is a continual reveal, flowing to further formal areas, more meandering rose beds, towering banks of maples, and massed plantings of perennials and succulents.

Circular shapes are a recurring motif throughout, designed to represent continuity,

eternity and unity, says David. They also serve a practical purpose of creating protective nooks within the garden.

There are plenty of places for sitting in the garden too. “David places importance on resting and listening in a garden,” says Philip, who teaches meditation on the property. “Having quiet peaceful spots to sit, with a beautiful outlook, is a joy.”

David and Philip love sharing their piece of paradise, and open the garden to the public seven months a year. David runs a nursery on the property as well as maintaining a garden-design business. After 24 years of shaping and maintaining this extraordinary site, David’s passion for plants remains undented. “People underestimate the beauty of maintaining a garden,” he says.

“You’re so blessed if you can be in a garden enough to feel the rhythm of it, and feel instinctively what it needs. It’s living with it, and watching it, and sharing every moment with it that’s remarkable.” # The garden and Musker’s Nursery are open 7 months of the year, March-June and September-December. Thursday to Sunday, 10am–4pm, $20 (children free). muskersbroughtonhall.com.au.

Read the full story of the making of this extraordinary garden in The Charmed Garden at Broughton Hall by Philip Hunter, ($80, Hardie Grant Books).

LEFT An aerial view of the garden captures the scale, colour and artistry of David’s extraordinary endeavour. Designed on an axis that lines up with the centre of the home, the garden flows out from an upper lawn terrace into sections including a parterre garden, cherry walk, colonnaded walkway and further down the central stone steps to a gravel garden. In the lower terrace (bottom right) is a copse of maple trees underplanted with hellebores and cyclamen, conjuring a Japanese garden. Circular motifs are repeated throughout the design, as are generous pathways.

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Produced by Elizabeth Wilson. Styling by Three Birds Renovations. Photograph by Jacqui Turk.

Bathrooms and powder rooms CLEAN, SERENE AND DREAMY

Happy place A white-on-white palette and luxurious, personalised details ensure this ensuite is a calming retreat at the end of a long day.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

STO RY Elizabeth Wilson | P HOTOG R A P H Y Jacqui Turk

Bathrooms and powder rooms

BATHROOM

design notes

In a busy household, it’s important to carve out spaces for relaxation and retreat.

And that is exactly what has been achieved in this main ensuite, part of a family home designed by Three Birds Renovations in collaboration with Rawson Homes. Bonnie Hindmarsh, creative director of Three Birds, wanted to make the room – separated from the main bedroom by a nib wall – a luxurious, boutique hotel-style experience for the homeowners. Her starting point for creating a sense of holiday-at-home luxe?

A palette of white and pale grey, with accents in natural materials to add warmth. The flooring is a Carrara marble-look porcelain tile which also wraps up the side walls. Not only does this give the room an ethereal, floaty quality it’s also a cost-effective option compared to stone. Luxurious touches such as a sweet wall light, an artwork, a supply of candles and sumptuous bath towels all elevate the experience of the room, making it a personalised, soothing sanctuary.

Three Birds Renovations; threebirdsrenovations.com.

Rawson Homes; rawsonhomes.com.au.

TILES Rose Bay Carrara-look porcelain tiles, $52/m², and Brunswick Kit Kat tiles, $69/m², all TileCloud.

TAPWARE Mizu ‘Drift MK2’ gooseneck mixer taps in Brushed Gold, $351, Reece.

BASINS Kado ‘Lussi’ cast solid surface above counter basin, $595, Reece.

VANITY Custom joinery

by Carrera By Design.

Caesarstone Pure White benchtop and splashback.

Brass T-pulls, $29 each, Lo & Co. BATH Kado ‘Lux Petite’ freestanding bath, $2050, Reece.

LIGHTING Russes wall light, $485, The Society Inc. ACCESSORIES Karoo mirror, $809, Uniqwa Collections. Linear portrait, Lounge Lovers. Hermes side table, $450, Clo Studios.

Badami mat, $190, The Dharma Door.

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Hotel style With a guest suite this charming, visitors will want to stay forever...

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

STORY Laura Barry | ST Y L I N G Megan Morton & Julie Manfredi Hughes | PH OTO GR A PH Y Prue Ruscoe

Bathrooms and powder rooms Julie Manfredi Hughes, director of Décor JMH,

had a very clear vision of what she wanted to achieve when renovating her heritage home in Sydney’s Paddington. This gorgeous bathroom is located in the studio, a new first-floor extension to the garage. Contemporary and playful, the interior design was inspired by boutique hotels, says Julie. It features a wall-mounted Catalano Zero basin and coordinating toilet, teamed with matt-black tapware from Rogerseller and a metal bench seat, which is perfectly located under a sunny window. The same large-format terrazzostyle tiles from Di Lorenzo Tiles are used on both walls and floor to create an elegant soft-grey backdrop with textural appeal. There are also luxe touchpoints, such as the Benedini Associati for Agape mirrored cabinet from Artedomus and the vertical heated towel rails from Rogerseller’s Eccentric range. “The monochromatic colour scheme plays into the the minimalist style of the room while keeping the aesthetics interesting yet timeless,” says Julie. “The architecture is

by Luigi Rosselli. I love the romance of the archway entrance as it invites you to glimpse through to the bathroom.”

Décor JMH; decorjmh.com or @decorjmh.

Luigi Rosselli Architects; luigirosselli.com.

BATHROOM

design notes

TILES Modernist Terrazzo large-format tiles

in Light Grey, Di Lorenzo Tiles.

LIGHTING Flos mini ‘Glo-ball’, $319, Euroluce.

MIRROR Benedini Associati for Agape mirrored cabinet, Artedomus (discontinued).

TAPWARE & TOWEL RAILS Eccentric progressive wall mixer in Matt Black, $495, basin outlet, $295, and vertical heated towel rail, from $700, all Rogerseller.

BASIN Catalano Zero+ basin, from $695, Rogerseller.

SHOWER FRAME Frameless 90 Degree shower screen, POA, Greater Glass.

BENCH For similar, try Palissade bench seat in Black, $610, Hay. PAINT Aquasatin trim paint in Grey Fox, $140/4L, Porter’s Paints.

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BATHROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

TILES 9204 white matt wall tiles, $29/m², 115397 small subway feature tiles, $85/m², and 92480 grey vein floor tiles, $55/m², all Tiles by Kate.

VANITY Polytec Prime Oak Woodmatt with Quantum Quartz Alpine White benchtop. Custom made by Luxe Joinery.

Bugle handles in Matt Black, $60.50, Kethy.

TAPWARE Pegassi M basin set in Brushed Brasss, $916, Faucet Strommen.

BASIN Eden oval basin, $350, Loughlin Furniture.

BATH Silkstone Norsk bath $6400, Faucet Strommen.

TOILET Arcisan ‘Synergii’, $748, Bathroom Collective.

LIGHTING Finn 1 pendant, $99.95, Beacon Lighting.

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

Double act Hidden features and timeless design make this family bathroom the perfect space to soak in.

STO RY Annika Baker | P HOTO GR A PH Y Simon Whitbread

For families with young children, the bathroom is a busy place. And while

practicality is important, a good design ensures the bathroom can be a calm, relaxing space too, says Sally Paterson, director of interior design company Heliconia. By incorporating a laundry chute, open shower and freestanding bath, this bathroom achieves all this without compromising on the clean aesthetic the owners wanted. “This is the main bathroom for the kids, so it needed to be family-friendly but still beautiful when viewed from the hallway,” says Sally.

Located inside the cabinet on the right-hand side of the custom vanity, the laundry chute is the hidden hero of the room. “This bathroom sits directly above the laundry downstairs, so including the chute was a no-brainer,” says Sally. It saves the adults from carrying loads of washing down the stairs plus the novelty factor encourages the kids to actually use it, helping to keep the bathroom – and bedrooms – tidy. The epitome of a well-functioning home.

Heliconia; www.heliconia.com.au.

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Clean and calm Family-friendly and white-on-white? It can be done, as this beautiful Sydney bathroom shows...

STO RY Annika Baker | STYL ING & P H OTO GR A P H Y Ess Creative

The owners of this Sydney home desired maximum flexibility from this bathroom in their

newly renovated California bungalow. Although its primary purpose was a powder room for guests, the 2x3-metre ground-floor space also needed to be fully equipped for use by the family when required. ‘Unfussy and easy-care’ were also key parts of the brief, says interior architect Sally Rhys-Jones, who opted for wipe-clean engineered-stone for the benchtops and shower niche, and large-format floor tiles to minimise dirt- and mouldcatching grout lines. A clerestory window summons natural light into the room, softly illuminating the handmade wall tiles which are used floor to ceiling to create the illusion of space. Elegant chrome tapware ties all the elements together beautifully .

Rhys/Jones Interior Architecture; www.sallyrhysjones.com.

BATHROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

TILES Handmade white

wall tiles, $118/m², Tiles By Kate. Fibonacci terazzo nib wall/floor tiles in Platinum, $160/m², Di Lorenzo Tiles.

MIRROR Bjorn Arch, $403, Life Interiors.

VANITY Custom designed

by Sally Rhys-Jones, made by Blank Joinery. The benchtop is Quantum Quartz Alpine White.

TAPWARE Brodware ‘Manhattan’ wall-mounted basin set, $705, ‘City Plus’ wall mixer, $372, and ‘City Plus’ shower rose and arm $437, all Candana.

BASIN Ovale undercounter basin, $509, Studio Bagno.

NICHE Talostone Superwhite.

LIGHTING Duomo Piccolo wall light, $430, Nightworks Studio.

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An unorthodox layout meets striking 3D tiles to deliver a Sydney ensuite that’s truly one of a kind.

STO RY Sarah Pickette | STY L I NG Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab | P H OTOG RA P H Y Dave Wheeler

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

All rounder

Bathrooms and powder rooms BATHROOM

design notes TILES Rombini

The vanities that lead into this Sydney

ensuite were measured, remeasured and then measured again, says architect Joe Snell, laughing. “It is an unconventional layout, so I can understand the owners’ nerves around everything fitting.” They needn’t have worried: the curvaceous his-and-hers vanities not only fit, they draw the eye to the bathroom’s star feature – its wall of terracotta-toned tiles. “I’ve had my eye on three-dimensional tiles for years but I’ve always worried they could date,” says Joe. “These ones won’t, because they’re elegant and change the look of the room as the light shifts.” A shower is tucked behind the right of the wall, and on the left a cavity-slider door allows the toilet to be closed off.

‘Triangle Large’ 3D tiles in Red, POA, Di Lorenzo Tiles.

VANITY Custom made

by Navan Joinery + Bespoke Furniture using Natural Oak in Ravine by Polytec and topped with Caesarstone in Cloudburst Concrete.

TAPWARE Sussex ‘Voda’ set in Brushed Nickel, $1045, ACS Designer Bathrooms.

BASIN Moda ‘Elisa’ cast-stone basin, $800, ACS Designer Bathrooms.

BATH Moda ‘Teresa’ cast-stone bath, $4700, ACS Designer Bathrooms.

Studio Snell; studiosnell.com.

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Playing around Uplifting colour and pattern take centrestage in this family-friendly wet zone.

STORY Jackie Brygel | ST YL I N G Julia Green | P HOTO G RAP HY Armelle Habib

Bathrooms and powder rooms

There’s something undeniably joyful about this family

bathroom, part of the inventive rebirth of a heritage home in Melbourne. “The bathroom will mainly be used by the three kids, so we wanted to make it fun and playful as well as functional, but not childish,” says interior designer Terri Shannon of Bloom Interior Design & Decoration.

Certainly, the polka-dot floor tiles set a whimsical scene yet provide a “neutral-enough” base for the bathroom that the family won’t soon outgrow. The shower wall, clad in sky-blue ceramic tiles, is another focal point, complemented by the surrounding timber joinery and a white Caesarstone benchtop and elegant countertop basins.

Bloom Interior Design & Decoration; bloominteriordesign.com.au.

BATHROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

TILES Super Matt White wall tiles, $88/m²

Earp Bros. Inax ‘Herning’ feature wall tiles in Dark Blue, $255.20/m², Artedomus. Polka Dot Grey floor tiles, $149/m², Teranova.

TAPWARE Brodware ‘City Stik’ basin set in Brushed Swiss Brass, $833, and ‘City Plus’ ceiling-mounted shower rose, $435, Benton’s Finer Bathrooms.

BASINS Laufen ‘Ino’ counter basins, $1520 each, Reece.

VANITY Custom solid timber joinery.

Benchtop in Caesarstone Frozen Terra, $600-$700/m² (installed).

TOWEL RAIL Brodware ‘City Plus’ double towel rail, $320, Benton’s Finer Bathrooms.

BATH Mizu ‘Bloc’ inset bath (discontinued); for similar, try Posh ‘Domaine’ inset bath, about $505, Reece.

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

CL ASSIC with a T WIST Vintage and contemporary elements combine in this fun space.

STO RY Elizabeth Wilson | P H OTO GR A PH Y Armelle Habib

BATHROOM

design notes

created this ensuite for her teenage son, Charlie, she decided to “have a bit of fun”. Like the rest of her home, the room combines a sense of classic style with a modern sensibility and a few quirky twists. Colour-wise, Kate opted for blue as an obvious choice, but she has offset the watery zellige wall tiles with terrazzo floor tiles in terracotta tones. “We wanted to achieve both a sense of history and a modern feel – and that’s where the terrazzo comes in,” says Kate. “It’s an age-old material reimagined for contemporary use.” The reproduction antique ceramic basin and toilet in powder blue complete the picture.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

When designer Kate Walker

TILES Zellige Aqua Gloss wall tiles, $129.95/m², National Tiles. Fatima’s Reflection and Ghosted terrazzo, Fibonacci Stone.

TAPWARE Perrin & Rowe basin set, $970, and shower set, $4505, The English Tapware Company.

BASIN Rockwell wall-hung basin in Powder Blue, from $2000, The English Tapware Company.

LIGHTING Fontaine single sconces, $594 each, The Montauk Lighting Company.

TOILET Rockwell lavatory with close couple cistern, from $3200, The English Tapware Company.

ARTWORK Print from The Lens Collective.

KWD; katewalkerdesign.com.au.

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

Quite contrary A thoughtful combination of elements has transformed this guest bathroom into a work of art.

STORY Jackie Brygel | ST Y LI NG Anna Flanders | P H OTOG RAPH Y Dion Robeson

BATHROOM

design notes VANITY Nea Italia

Artwork by Barney Ellaga, Linton & Kay Galleries. For Where to Buy, see page 190.

‘Diamante’ vanity (imported from Italy), about $5000 including shipping.

TAPWARE Bastow ‘Georgian’ hob spa set, Tribata.

MIRROR $20, Kmart.

LIGHTING Custom sconce, Brass Decor.

RUG Antique Males prayer rug, $800, Temple Fine Rugs.

There’s a glorious contradictory quality to the sophisticated guest bathroom in the Perth

home of building designer Kerry Jacobs, director of JUO. And that’s just as Kerry, who transformed a crumbling circa 1908 worker’s cottage into a spacious, light-filled sanctuary, intended it to be. “This bathroom responds to the era and character of the cottage, but with a contemporary twist,” she says. “The base palette is classic and monochromatic – black, white and chrome.” While the undisputed focal point is a lacquered Nea Italia ‘Diamante’ freestanding vanity, an antique Males prayer rug imparts softness and colour, as does the evocative artwork, by Indigenous artist Barney Ellaga, reflected in the mirror above.

JUO; www.juo.com.au.

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WALL

Visualise Now FLOOR

Mi Plank: 2824 Silkwood

For more inspiration visit polyflor.com.au

Try our new WALL & FLOOR Visualiser

Bathrooms and powder rooms

All at sea Sand-flecked terrazzo and deep blue tiles are a fitting match for this bathroom by the beach.

STORY Annika Baker | P H OTO G R A PH Y Armelle Habib

BATHROOM

design notes TILES The Blue wall tile, $132/m², and Ciottolo Grande terrazzo, $255/m², Ceramica Senio.

VANITY & MIRROR

Custom designed by Anchor & Belle, made

by Orchard Joinery.

The vanity top is Portsea Grey limestone, $473/m² from CDK Stone, installed by Embassy Stone.

TAPWARE Brodware ‘Yokato’ wall mixer set and plate in Aged Iron, $1291, NCP Plumbing Noosaville.

BASIN Kiln 515 rectangular basin in Coast, $1320, Robert Gordon Australia.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

Interior designer Nina Caple wanted to create

a sense of laidback luxury for her newly renovated home, located just 200 metres from the beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

This 2.4x2.4-metre bathroom, which she designed for her 12-year-old daughter Mia, was no exception. The beach location is referenced in the colours and energy of the terrazzo flooring, which is complemented by the deep blue of the splashback tiles.

The vanity, finished in a soft grey, also picks out tones in the terrazzo. The handmade counter-top basin, by Robert Gordon Australia, is another elegant focal point.

Anchor & Belle Interior Design Studio; www.andchorandbelle.com.au.

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

Country air Renovating this home in the style of a classic English cottage resulted in a sweet suite.

STO RY Elizabeth Wilson | P HOTO GR AP H Y Marnie Hawson

BATHROOM

design notes TILES Subway tiles, Teranova.

TAPWARE Perrin & Rowe basin set with low spout, $1460, The English Tapware Company.

BASIN Soho powder room basin, $750, The English Tapware Company.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

When James Watts bought a weatherboard cottage in the NSW Southern

Highlands, he felt a surge of nostalgia. The surrounding rolling hills and quaint village atmosphere reminded him of his childhood homes growing up in the English countryside. So, when it came to decorating his sweet cottage, he was keen to give it “a British nuance”. His approach to designing the bathrooms was the same as for the rest of the home – it was about “vintage finds, heritage style and textiles”. The meant classic tapware and tiles, a beautiful blind for the window and a generous heated towel rail to help combat those frosty Southern Highlands mornings.

TOWEL RAIL

Hawthorn Hill towel warmer, The English Tapware Company.

MAT Sahara entrance mat, $190, Armadillo.

BLIND Custom, No Chintz.

ACCESSORIES Stool, Saardé. Towels, Hale Mercantile Co.

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Lightness of being A serene all-white palette bathed in light elevates bathing to new heights.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

STO RY Jackie Brygel | ST YL I NG Petra Pantano | PH OTO GR APH Y Shannon McGrath

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

The guest bathroom in the beautifully refurbished 1880s

Melbourne home of Petra Pantano – a collaboration between Petra’s interior design practice Studio Petra and architecture studio Tecture – celebrates natural light in all its glory. “There’s something special about a large skylight above the shower,” says Petra. “Being bathed in sunlight while you shower somehow helps you start the day feeling fresher and more relaxed.” The wash zone’s mix of refined materials also contributes to the bathroom’s overall sense of calm. Elba marble on the vanity is a luxurious anchor point and it’s complemented by oakveneer joinery, fluted glass, handmade Japanese wall tiles and charcoal bronze tapware.

Studio Petra; www.studiopetra.com.au Tecture Architecture; www.tecture.com.au.

BATHROOM

design notes

TILES Kayoborder wall tiles, $150/m², Academy

Tiles+Surfaces. Fjord tiles in White Natural, about $90/m², Artedomus.

TAPWARE Astra Walker ‘Icon+’ wall lever taps in Charcoal Bronze, $1010, and ‘Icon’ wall spout, $662, Mary Noall.

VANITY Custom-stained American oak veneer vanity.

Elba marble benchtop, about $400/m², Artedomus.

BASIN Vitra under-counter basin,$295, Rogerseller.

MIRRORED CABINET Cabinets from Paradise Kitchens, with custom powdercoated metal frame by joiner.

WALL HOOKS Astra Walker ‘Icon’ robe hook in Charcoal Bronze, $128, Mary Noall.

LIGHTING Pearl wall light by Cedar & Moss, imported from the US. SKYLIGHT Velux skylight, Diamond Skylights.

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BATHROOM

design notes TILES Ice Pietra wall/

floor tiles in Pearl, $66.45/m², and Mono Square mosaic tiles, $7.50/295x295mm sheet, Beaumont Tiles.

MIRROR Eclipse mirror, $569, ADP. VANITY Cobalt Quartz wall-mounted vanity, $2589, with Cherry Pie Solid Surface benchtop, POA, ADP. TAPWARE Mizu Drift ‘MK2’ basin mixer set in Brushed Gold, $518, shower mixer, $389, and twin rail shower, $1293, Reece.

BASIN Siera basin in Matt Pink, $355, Castano.

Point of difference The colour scheme for this bathroom morphed from dark to light, with spectacular results.

STO RY Sue Ramsey | PH OTO G RA PH Y Marnie Hawson

in Ballarat was originally destined to be designed in a dark palette, in the same vein as the owner’s ensuite. But architect Ammon Beyerle, principal of Here Studio, felt there should be some differentiation between the two bathrooms. The owner, on board with that idea, suggested a classic colour scheme of cream, white, and grey as a starting point. Tapware in a Brushed Gold finish was then added for a touch of luxe, together with a horizontal brass tile edge to “lift the dynamism”, says Ammon. “What we’ve ended up with is a space that’s serene and where beautiful quality materials can shine.”

Here Studio; herestudio.net.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

The guest bathroom in this Mid-Century Modern-style home

Bathrooms and powder rooms

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Flight of fancy STO RY Elizabeth Wilson | P H OTO GR A PH Y Armelle Habib

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

Visitors feel like special guests in this powder room, where imagination soars to new heights.

Bathrooms and powder rooms

POWDER ROOM

design notes

WALLPAPER Heron

print wallpaper in Pink, $870/2x 70cmx3.5m panels, Gucci.

TAPWARE Perrin & Rowe three-hole basin set with low spout and white porcelain levers, from $1460, The English Tapware Company.

VANITY Paris basin on stand, from $3150, The English Tapware Company.

LIGHTING Ralph Lauren Home ‘Ella’ flush-mount ceiling light $2299, Kelly Wearstler ‘Melange’ pill form sconce, $979, and Juliette table lamp $1969, all The Montauk Lighting Co. TOILET Architectura, Villeroy & Boch.

SHELF Cosmopolitan quartzite.

ACCESSORIES Italian brass shield mirror, Nicholas & Alistair.

If the walls of this powder room could speak, they’d make the

sounds of giant, elegant water birds cavorting with dragonflies at dusk. This amazing Heron print wallpaper by Gucci, depicting graceful birds against a pink background, is the hero of this opulent room created by designer Kate Walker. Located at the front of the home, in a compact space that used to be a laundry, Kate has taken this room from its pragmatic former life into a whole new luxurious realm designed to help make guests feel uplifted and glamorous on arrival. The pink stone and brass detailing help elevate the experience. “It’s incredible what you can do with some clever space planning, decorations, paint and wallpaper,” says Kate.

KWD; www. katewalkerdesign.com.au.

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Out of the blue Colour and curves prove a winning combination in this pint-sized powder room.

STO RY Sue Ramsey | STYL I NG Maryann Schmidt PH OTO G RA PHY Tom Ferguson

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Blue was an apt choice of hue for the guest

powder room of this family home, located on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. “The owner loves blue and wanted to draw inspiration from her seaside location,” says interior designer Maryann Schmidt of Hunt & Design.

The entry to the space has a dramatic curve so Maryann referenced this by installing a curved wall-mounted basin. Her advice for designing petite powder rooms? “Make sure they pack a punch in terms of style, and think about the placement of all elements to ensure the space flows for optimal functionality.”

Hunt & Design; huntanddesign.com.au.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

TILES Lingotti wall tiles in Azzurro, $98/m²,

Di Lorenzo Tiles. Grange floor tiles in Silver Matt, $94/m², Surface Gallery.

MIRROR Custom made by Precision Glass.

TAPWARE Circa wall-mounted basin mixer, $650, Sussex Taps.

BASIN Gallaria ‘Alta’ pedestal basin, $1707, Cass Brothers.

LIGHTING Flos ‘Mini Glo-ball’ lights, $319 each, Euroluce.

TOWEL RAIL Milli ‘Mood’ towel rail, $132, Reece.

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The perfect gifts for mum Find a Mother’s Day gift as extraordinary as she is, with unique ideas and inspiration from the very best, independent Australian designers, artisans and craftspeople.

HA RDTOFI ND.CO M. AU

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Taking shapes A minimalist approach maximised light, space and style in this Sydney powder room.

STO RY Annika Baker | PH OTO GR A PH Y Prue Ruscoe

Creating a peaceful space that offers a

nod to the home’s 1920s architecture was central to the brief for this Sydney powder room. To this end, architect Brooke Aitken opted for an arched mirror. “Its shape references the curved walls around the adjoining bath area,” she says. A microcement finish applied to the walls amplifies the sense of calm in this luxuriously zen room. “It’s a design device that is inviting and soft, and it provides a contrast to the crisp, rectilinear nature of the stone basin,” says Brooke.

Brooke Aitken Design; brookeaitkendesign.com.au.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

WALL TREATMENT Micro cement

coating to match Dulux Bleaches, Chic Coatings.

MIRRORED CABINET Custom design

by Pullicino & Son. TAPWARE Brodware Progressive mixer and spout in Brushed Nickel, $797 from Candana.

BASIN Custom made by Arciuli. Silver Liberty dolomite, $442/1100x1240mm slab, SNB Stone.

TOILET Roca ‘Meridian’, $750, Reece.

FLOOR TILES Ottawa and Thassos mosaic tiles, $329/m², Teranova.

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Rolled, stretched and framed: Canvas Art Co offers affordable art that’s ready to hang (from $76). And frames are made with sustainable timber. View the collection to find a piece you love at canvasartco.com

Mondella takes the hard work out of choosing bathroom fittings. Products are grouped into co-ordinated design collections – and colour coded to make it easier to find your style. mondella.com.au

Soft, snuggly and sure to keep you warm as the cooler months approach: Morgan & Finch’s flannelette pyjamas, $49.95 at Bed Bath N’ Table, come in a range of adorable designs. bedbathntable.com.au

H&G ESSENTIALS The Swiss-made Jura E8 coffee machine from Harvey Norman offers a flawless grind and state-ofthe-art brewing technology, plus feather-light milk foaming. Find out more at harveynorman.com.au

Create a beautiful lifestyle and home with these must-have products.

Goodbye faded plastic: the Crystal Rain Gauge, $120, is made of toughened glass and has easy-to-read calibrations. It will collect and measure up to 200ml without requiring emptying. crystalraingauge.com.au

The Summer 2022 Collection from Coco Republic is inspired by cool desert minimalism and includes beautifully designed pieces in light- and dark-grained marbles, travertine and concrete. cocorepublic.com.au

Breathtaking wall art is easy to acquire with Designer Boys Art, where you’ll find works to suit all interiors.

The Mayfair Floral artworks, $865, will instantly add beauty to your home. designerboyscollections.com

The ILVE Professional Plus oven has touch-screen controls and an array of functions for perfect cooking every time. Its elegant finish makes this appliance one of the best looking on the market. ilve.com.au

The YSG x Laminex ‘Fantales’ living space offers rich inspiration for how to beautifully fit out a hybrid work and living space. Take a look at the colour collection, which starts at $116.60.m², at laminex.com.au

Liebherr, the German specialist in home refrigeration, provides the perfect solution for food storage and wine preservation. This is a brand renowned for its design, precision and innovation. See more at liebherr.com.au

The Aurora bath linens from Provincial Home Living are woven from 100% Turkish cotton in a honeycomb pattern. Take a look at the selection of gorgeous hues in-store or online at provincialhomeliving.com.au

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Drama class Sometimes natural light isn’t an option, but dark and moody definitely isn’t second best...

STO RY Annika Baker | ST YL I N G & P H OTO GR A PH Y Ess Creative

POWDER ROOM

design notes

VANITY Custom designed by

Rhys/Jones Interior Architecture, built by Captive Cabinetmaking.

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

BENCHTOP & SPLASHBACK When renovating the powder room of their 1920s Federation

home, the owners only had two words for interior architect Sally Rhys-Jones: smart and sophisticated. Since the room lacked natural light, Sally played up the moodiness of the modest space.

The walls are painted Dulux Baltica – a dark grey with blue undertones – for drama and a cocooning feel, and teamed with cloudlike Chambord Grey limestone on the vanity for contrast.

A frameless mirror extends to the ceiling, creating the illusion of a larger footprint and making the most of every ounce of light.

Rhys/Jones Interior Architecture; sallyrhysjones.com.

Chambord Grey limestone, $295.90/m², from SNB Stone.

Fabricated by Central Coast Granite.

TAPWARE Brodware ‘Manhattan’ wall set, $705, Canada.

BASIN Studio Bagno ‘Sotto Ovale’ under-mount basin, $449, Candana.

LIGHTING Articolo Lighting ‘Spoti’ wall light, $1870, Est Lighting.

FLOOR TILES Chambord Grey limestone, $295.90/m², SNB Stone.

PAINT Dulux Baltica.

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Make Mother’s Day memorable

with a Gourmet Traveller Gift Card Buy online at gourmettravellergiftcard.com.au and at leading retailers

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Natural beauty This luxe powder room is testament to the power of organic materials.

STORY Jackie Brygel | ST YL I N G Julia Green | P HOTO G RAP HY Armelle Habib

Tactile finishes make a splash in the guest

bathroom of this new home in coastal Victoria.

For KWD, the design studio charged with the interiors, a luxe palette of natural materials in creamy whites and misty greys seemed fitting for the property’s setting.

“Materiality is so important, and you just can’t beat the texture and tones of natural materials,” says interior designer Kate Walker, director of

KWD. Indeed, from the silky swirls in the Atlantic marble vanity to the limestone floor tiles and oak shelf, the room showcases both colour and texture beautifully. A duo of delicate glass pendant lights completes the vision. “It’s only a small space, but this powder room encapsulates the overall feel of the home and offers guests a glimpse of what makes this house so special,” says Kate.

KWD; www.katewalkerdesign.com.au.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

VANITY & SPLASHBACK

Atlantic Marble, through KWD & Co. TAPWARE City Stik wall-mounted basin set in Brushed Nickel, about $596, Brodware.

SHELF Evenex Clear Oak veneer, Elton Group.

FLOOR TILES Grey limestone, through KWD & Co. LIGHTING Soktas ‘Ollo’ pendant lights, $900 each, Creative Lighting Solutions.

WALLS Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

Under the illusion Take a tip from this Melbourne powder room and play with scale to achieve big results in the smallest of spaces.

STORY Jackie Brygel | STY L ING Rhiannon Orr | P HOTOGR APHY Jack Lovel

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

Situated under a staircase in a late-Victorian

terrace, this powder room occupies the most compact of spaces. Function was the prime consideration in its design – but architect Penny Kinsella was determined not to sacrifice style. “The space is quite tiny,” says Penny, “but by selecting fixtures that are of the smallest practical size, a petite room can feel surprisingly spacious.” Striking modern wall tiles by UK design studio Raw Edges deliver texture and playfulness yet still complement the home’s heritage features. The Lunar pedestal basin is a highlight in its own right; polished-nickel accesssories and a mirror with built-in lighting bring a bit of sparkle.

Penny Kinsella Architects; @pennykinsellaarchitects.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

TILES Tape wall tiles

by Raw Edges for Mutina, $168/m², Urban Edge Ceramics.

MIRROR Custom design

by Penny Kinsella.

TAPWARE Eccentric Progressive wall mixer tap, $495, and wall outlet, $295, Rogerseller.

BASIN Lunar Collection pedestal basin, $2695, Apaiser.

ACCESSORIES Eon shelf, $225, robe hook, $95, Rogerseller.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

185

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Bathrooms and powder rooms

Fine lines A harmonious mix of materials adds more than a little interest to this petite Sydney powder room.

STO RY Sarah Pickette | ST Y LIN G Jack Milenkovic/Atelier Lab P HOTOGR AP H Y Dave Wheeler

For Where to Buy, see page 190.

Architect Joe Snell seized the opportunity to play with layering in the

powder room of this Sydney home. Set against a moody wall (painted Dulux Domino), three-dimensional tiles give the space vibrancy and ensure it’s aesthetically aligned with the home’s main bathroom (see page 158). “I wanted this room to feel unexpected and almost like an art piece,” says Joe. A weighty block of marble also works a treat here – even though it appears to have been included purely for its good looks, a drawer on its left side provides a spot for storing toilet rolls. “The basin is one of a handful of brass elements we included through the house,” he says. “By using this material sparingly, we’ve made sure it has an impact.”

Studio Snell; studiosnell.com.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

TILES Rombini ‘Large Triangle’ tiles, POA, Di Lorenzo Tiles.

VANITY Custom made by One-Up Building, using Carrara marble from FGA Granite & Marble.

TAPWARE Sussex ‘Voda’ mixer set, $1255, ACS Designer Bathrooms.

BASIN Gareth Ashton basin, $1545, ACS Designer Bathrooms.

ART Forest in Mist by Lilianne Ivins, $1000, Studio Gallery.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

187

Bathrooms and powder rooms

Green light Focusing on the details delivered layers of interest in this Melbourne powder room.

STORY Jackie Brygel | ST YLIN G Sarah Harris PH OTO G RA P HY Jenah Piwanski

When planning the renovation of a powder room in her own

Victorian house, interior designer Sarah Harris began by thinking about the little things. “It’s the smallest details that can create the greatest impact,” she says sagely. Certainly, there’s much to intrigue and please the eye in this compact space, especially the colour palette. “Green is a consistent theme in the home, so it was natural that we followed that route here,” says Sarah. “The freestanding basin is quite unusual and makes a great focal point. It informed the whole design really – the terrazzo splashback/shelf, the black tapware, the textured finger tiles and the oval mirror all mesh beautifully.”

Resident House; www.residenthouse.com.au.

POWDER ROOM

design notes

oval box mirror, $2644, Design Precinct.

TERRAZZO EM-172011 terrazzo, $129.80/m², Signorino.

TAPWARE Astra Walker wall set with mixer, $648, Mary Noall.

BASIN Ceramica Cielo ‘Catino Tondo’, $4479, Design Precinct.

TILES Inax ‘Yohen Border YB102’ tiles, POA, Artedomus.

188 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

For Where to Buy, see page 190..

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W H E R E T O BU Y

Locate your nearest stockist by contacting the following suppliers. # 1stDibs 1stdibs.com A ABI Interiors (07) 5520 2775; abiinteriors.com.au Abode Living abodeliving.com Academy Tiles+Surfaces (02) 9436 3566; academytiles.com.au ACS Designer Bathrooms (02) 9386 9809; acsbathrooms.com.au ADP adpaustralia.com.au Advanced Windows & Doors (03) 5623 3131; advancedwindows.com.au Alfresco Emporium (02) 9919 0601; alfrescoemporium.com.au Allied Maker alliedmaker.com Anaca Studio 0407 159 893; anacastudio.com.au Anglewood Bespoke Furniture www.anglewood.com.au Anibou (02) 9319 0655; anibou.com.au Antic Cabinet Makers (03) 9798 8945; antic.com.au Anston Architectural 1300 788 694; anston.com.au Apaiser (03) 9421 5722; apaiser.com.au Are Media Books aremediabooks.com.au Armadillo (02) 9698 4043; armadillo-co.com Artedomus (02) 9557 5060; artedomus.com Arthur G (03) 9543 4633; arthurg.com.au Aura Home 1300 304 269; aurahome.com.au Ausmade Joinery (03) 9775 0005; www.ausmadejoinery.com.au AWS 1300 026 189; www.awsaustralia.com.au B Bathroom Collective (02) 9011 5711; www.bathroomcollective.com.au BBQ & Fireplace Centre bbqandfireplace.com Beacon Lighting 1300 232 266; beaconlighting.com.au Beaumont Tiles beaumont-tiles.com.au Becker Minty (02) 8356 9999; beckerminty.com Bed Threads bedthreads.com.au Benton’s Finer Bathrooms www.bentons.com.au Billi 1800 812 321; billihome.com.au Blank Joinery (02) 9666 1441; blankjoinery.com.au Bloomingdales Lighting bloomingdales.com.au Bonnie and Neil (03) 9384 2234; bonnieandneil.com.au Boral 1300 134 002; boral.com.au Brass Decor (08) 9386 6057; www.brassdecor.com.au Brickworks brickworks.com.au

Briggs Veneers (02) 9732 7888; www.briggs.com.au Brodware (02) 9421 8200; brodware.com.au Bromley & Co bromleyandco.com Bunnings (03) 8831 9777; bunnings.com.au C Caesarstone 1300 119 119; caesarstone.com.au Calibre Furniture www.calibrefurniture.com.au Candana (02) 9389 8631; candana.com.au Candeo Design www.candeodesign.com.au Canvas+Sasson (03) 9790 1266; canvasandsasson.com.au Captive Cabinetmaking (02) 9905 4468 Caribou (07) 3390 6411; www.caribou.com.au Carlotta+Gee carlottaandgee.com Carrera by Design (02) 9725 5110; www.carrerabydesign.com.au Cass Brothers (02) 9569 5555; www.cassbrothers.com.au Castano www.castano.net.au CDK Stone (03) 8552 6000; cdkstone.com.au Central Coast Granite (02) 4324 2930; www.centralcoastgranite.com Ceramica Senio (07) 5449 7377; www.ceramicasenio.com.au Chandlers Nursery www.chandlersnursery.com.au Chic Coatings www.chiccoatings.com Choices Flooring choicesflooring.com.au Christopher Boots (03) 9417 6501; christopherboots.com Classic With A Twist (03) 9510 4561; classicwithatwist.com.au Clennett’s Mitre 10 clennettsmitre10.com.au Clo Studios (07) 5455 3310; clostudios.com.au Coco Republic 1300 000 220; cocorepublic.com.au Colorbond 1800 022 999; colorbond.com Concrete Nation (07) 5593 4075; concretenation.com.au Conley & Co conleyandco.com Contents International Design (02) 9662 2443; contentsid.com.au Corsi & Nicolai Australia (03) 9546 3644; cnanaturalstone.com Cosh Living (03) 9281 1999; coshliving.com.au Creative Lighting Solutions (02) 6680 7007; creativelightingsolutions.com.au Cult Design 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au Cultiver cultiver.com

Custom Designs Furniture (02) 9663 2663; www.customdesignsfurniture.com.au D Dan Murphy’s 1300 723 388; danmurphys.com.au Darra Joinery (07) 3279 2477; www.darrajoinery.com.au David Bromley bromleyandco.com David Jones 133 357; shop.davidjones.com.au Dedece (02) 9360 2722; dedece.com.au Dedon, available from Cosh Living coshliving.com.au Dekton (02) 8311 1518; dekton.com.au Design Precinct designprecinct.com.au Designer Rugs 1300 802 561; designerrugs.com.au Di Lorenzo Tiles dilorenzo.com.au Diamond Skylights (03) 9455 0544; www.diamondskylights.com.au Dinosaur Designs (02) 9698 3500; dinosaurdesigns.com.au Dior (02) 9695 4800; www.dior.com DIY Blinds 1300 918 390; diyblinds.com.au Don Currie Carpets (03) 9510 1888; www.doncurriecarpets.com.au Dulux 132 525; dulux.com.au Dunlin (02) 9907 4825; dunlinhome.com.au E Early Settler earlysettler.com.au Earp Bros (02) 9410 3222; earp.com.au Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413; ecooutdoor.com.au Elton Group 1300 133 481; eltongroup.com Emac & Lawton (02) 9517 4455; emac-lawton.com.au Embassy Stone (07) 5315 8158; embassystone.com Enlightened Living (02) 9318 0833; enlightened-living.com.au Entanglements (03) 9576 9600; www.entanglements.com.au Enzie Stairs 1800 035 078; spiralstaircase.com.au Est Lighting (02) 9194 3422; estlighting.com.au Euroluce (02) 9356 9900; euroluce.com.au F Fanuli (02) 9908 2660; fanuli.com.au Fat Shack Vintage (03) 9943 9026; fatshackvintage.com.au Faucet Strommen 1800 505 116; faucetstrommen.com.au FGA Granite & Marble (02) 9588 5400; fgagranite.com.au Fibonacci Stone 1300 342 662; fibonaccistone.com.au Flos, available from Euroluce (02) 9356 9900; euroluce.com.au Flower Power (02) 9727 7201; www.flowerpower.com.au

Franke 1800 339 451; franke.com.au Freedom 1300 135 588; freedom.com.au Fytogreen (03) 5978 0511; www.fytogreen.com.au G Garden Life (02) 9517 3633; gardenlife.com.au Gessi www.abey.com.au Glasshouse Fragrances (02) 9757 3080; glasshousefragrances.com.au Globe West 1800 722 366; globewest.com.au Grazia & Co (03) 9555 5760; graziaandco.com.au GRM Biowood grmaustralia.com.au Gucci www.gucci.com H H&J Furniture (02) 9821 2699; hjfurniture.com.au Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets (03) 9421 1113; halcyonlake.com Hale Mercantile Co halemercantilecolinen.com Hardtofind hardtofind.com.au Harper’s Bathroom www.harpersbathroom.com.au Harvey Norman 1300 464 278; harveynorman.com.au Hermon & Hermon hermonhermon.com.au Howards Storage World 1300 479 479; hsw.com.au I Iggy & Lou Lou iggyandloulou.com Ignite Fireplace Studio www.ignitefireplacestudio.com.au Ikea (02) 8020 6641; ikea.com.au In Bed inbedstore.com In the Roundhouse www.intheround.house In the Sac (02) 8323 5789; inthesac.com.au Inartisan 0411 944 234; inartisan.com Indigo Love (02) 4441 8277; www.indigolove.com.au J James Richardson Furniture (03) 9428 1621; www.jamesrichardson.com.au James Said jamessaid.com.au Jardan (03) 8581 4988; jardan.com.au Jerico Contemporary (02) 9380 6524; www.jericocontemporary.com Julian Ronchi (03) 9530 2035; www.julianronchi.com.au Justin Miller Art (02) 9331 7777; justinmiller.art K Kaboodle Kitchen kaboodle.com.au Kerry & Co www.kerryandco.com Kethy (02) 9542 4991; kethy.com.au Kiitos Living by Design (03) 5254 1835; kiitos.com.au Kmart 1800 634 251; kmart.com.au Købn kobn.com.au KWD & Co kwdandco.com.au L L&M Home (03) 9419 6800; lmhome.com.au

STOCKISTS H G Lamcal Building Supplies 1300 375 144; lamcal.com.au Laminex 132 136; laminex.com.au LBA Joinery (03) 9878 0572; www.lbajoinery.com.au Libertine Parfumerie (03) 9661 1258; www.libertineparfumerie.com.au Life Interiors (03) 9005 8303; lifeinteriors.com.au Lights Lights Lights (03) 9372 8541; lightslightslights.com.au Lilly & Lolly (02) 9699 7474; lillyandlolly.com.au Lisa Morgan www.lisamorganart.com.au Living by Design (08) 8399 1250; livingbydesign.net.au Living Edge 1300 132 154; livingedge.com.au Lo & Co (02) 9071 0020; loandcointeriors.co.au Loughlin Furniture (02) 4322 2186; loughlinfurniture.com.au Lounge Lovers 1300 738 088; loungelovers.com.au Love After Love loveafterlove.com.au Lucy Montgomery lucymontgomery.com Luxe Joinery @luxejoinery Lydie du Bray Antiques (02) 4872 2844; lydiedubrayantiques.com.au M Macey & Moore www.macey.store Maison Balzac 1300 342 662; www.maisonbalzac.com Maison et Jardin (02) 9362 8583; www.maisonetjardin.com.au Mary Noall (03) 9690 1327; marynoall.com.au McMullin & Co mcmullinandco.com Mercer & Lewis www.mercerandlewis.com Middle of Nowhere middleofnowhere.com.au Milton & King au.miltonandking.com Mitsubishi Electric 1800 652 216; mitsubishielectric.com.au Mobilia (08) 9284 5599; mobilia.com.au Mondo Luce (02) 9690 2667; mondoluce.com Mr Kitly (03) 9078 7357; www.mrkitly.com.au Murdoch Books (02) 8220 2000; murdochbooks.com.au Murkani Jewellery murkani.com.au Mustard Made mustardmade.com N National Tiles 1300 733 000; www.nationaltiles.com.au Navan Joinery+Bespoke Furniture navanbespoke.com.au NCP Plumbing ncpgroup.com.au

Net-A-Porter www.net-a-porter.com NGV Design Store (03) 8620 2243; store.ngv.vic.gov.au Nicholas & Alistair nicholasandalistair.com Nightworks Studio www.nightworksstudio.com Nikpol www.nikpol.com.au No Chintz (02) 9386 4800; nochintz.com Norsu Interiors (03) 9886 0457; norsu.com.au NSW Leather Co (02) 9319 2900; leatherco.com.au O Oliver Thom oliverthom.com.au Ondene (02) 9362 1734; ondene.com One Up Building oneupbuilding.com Orchard Joinery orchardjoinery.com.au Orient House (02) 9660 3895; orienthouse.com.au Ownworld (02) 9358 1155; ownworld.com.au P Palette by Jono Fleming palettebyjonofleming.com Palmer & Penn (02) 9328 4800; www.palmerandpenn.com.au Papaya (02) 9386 9980; papaya.com.au Paradise Kitchens (02) 9757 4400; www.paradise-kitchens.com.au Perfect Pieces (03) 9500 1098; www.perfectpieces.com.au Perini (03) 9421 0550; perini.com.au Pillow Talk 1800 630 690; pillowtalk.com.au Planet (02) 9211 5959; planetfurniture.com.au Poliform (02) 8339 7570; www.poliformaustralia.com.au Polytec 1300 300 547; polytec.com.au Porter’s Paints 1800 656 664; porterspaints.com Precision Glass (03) 8794 8906 Provincial Home Living 1300 732 258; provincialhomeliving.com.au Pullicino & Son www.pullicinoandson.com.au Pure Interiors pureinteriors.com.au Q Quantum Quartz (02) 9772 9888; wk.com.au R Reece 1800 032 566; reece.com.au Render Systems Australia rendersystems.com.au Renditions Tiles (02) 8339 1100; www.renditions.com.au Restoration Online www.restorationonline.com.au Robert Gordon Australia (03) 5941 3144; robertgordonaustralia.com

Robertson’s Building Products (03) 8199 9599; robertsons.net.au Rogerseller 1300 559 759; rogerseller.com.au Royal Oak Floors (03) 9826 3611; royaloakfloors.com.au Ruthie L Designs 0415 578 583; ruthieldesigns.com.au S Saardé saarde.com Schots Home Emporium schots.com.au Sculptform 1800 008 828; sculptform.com Sedonia www.sedonia.com.au Shaynna Blaze shaynnablaze.com Sherrie’s Slate & Stone @sherriesslatestone Siemens siemens-home.com.au Signorino (03) 9427 9100; signorino.com.au Silver K Gallery silverkgallery.com.au Smeg (02) 8667 4888; smeg.com.au SNB Stone (02) 9793 2001; snb-stone.com Society of Wanderers societyofwanderers.com South Pacific Fabrics (02) 9327 7222; southpacificfabrics.com Space (02) 8339 7588; spacefurniture.com.au Spence & Lyda (02) 9212 6747; spenceandlyda.com.au Stoneville Australia (07) 3505 3959; www.stonevilleaustralia.com.au Studio Bagno (02) 9601 1948; studiobagno.com.au Studio Billie studiobillie.com Studio Gallery (03) 8597 9190; studiogallerymelbourne.com.au Studio Henry Wilson henrywilson.com.au Surface Gallery (02) 9566 2002; surfacegallery.com.au Sussex Taps (03) 9308 6599; www.sussextaps.com.au T Tait Flooring (03) 9822 3381; taitflooring.com.au Talostone (02) 8783 0600; talostone.com.au Temple & Webster templeandwebster.com.au Temple Fine Rugs (08) 6140 1763; www.templefinerugs.com.au Teranova (02) 9386 0063; teranova.com.au Thames & Hudson Australia www.thameshudson.com.au The DEA Store (02) 9698 8150; thedeastore.com The Dharma Door (02) 6629 1114; thedharmadoor.com.au

The Drill Hall Emporium (03) 6261 3651; thedrillhall.com.au The English Tapware Company 1300 016 181; englishtapware.com.au The Lens Collective thelenscollective.com.au The Montauk Lighting Co montauklightingco.com The Rug Establishment (07) 5450 6230; therugest.com The Society Inc thesocietyinc.com.au The Upholstery House www.theupholsteryhouse.com.au These Walls thesewalls.com.au Thonet 1800 800 777; thonet.com.au Tigger Hall Design (03) 9510 2255; tiggerhall.com Tigmi Trading 0418 602 231; tigmitrading.com TileCloud (02) 9557 6785; tilecloud.com.au Tiles by Kate (02) 9949 4300; tilesbykate.com.au Tilelab (03) 9686 2055; www.tilelab.com.au Timberline Bathroom Products 1800 642 162; timberlinebp.com.au Top3 by Design 1300 867 333; top3.com.au Tribata (03) 8579 0075; www.tribata.com.au Tribe Home tribehome.com.au U Uniqwa Collections (07) 5596 0884; uniqwafurniture.com.au Urban Edge Ceramics (03) 9429 2122; urbanedgeceramics.com.au Urbanstone urbanstone.com.au Utopia Goods (02) 9699 9710; utopiagoods.com V Villeroy & Boch 1800 252 770; villeroy-boch.com.au V-Zug (03) 9832 7500; vzug.com/au W Wallpaper Direct wallpaperdirect.com Walter G walter-g.com.au Warwick Fabrics 1300 787 888; warwick.com.au Water Tiger watertiger.com.au Waterford Crystal 1300 852 022; waterfordcrystal.com.au Wedgwood 1300 852 022; wedgwood.com.au Wynstan 1800 157 622; wynstan.com.au X Xavier Furniture (07) 3806 5370; xavierfurniture.com.au Z Zebra Home zebrahome.com.au Zip 1800 947 827; zipwater.com Zuster (03) 9852 8410; zuster.com.au

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H G DESIGN DIRECTORY

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FLEXIBLE STEEL GARDEN EDGING WHICH BENDS TO VIRTUALLY ANY SHAPE FOR LAWNS, DRIVES, PATHS FLOWER AND VEGETABLE BEDS EverEdge® is easy to install, suits all soil types and is avilable in a variety of colours and depths. EverEdge® is made from 1.6mm gauge mild steel galvansed and power coated or with a Cor-Ten rusted finish.

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H G THE CREATIVE TYPE

Sarah Tracton This award-winning Melbourne lighting designer has infused her handcrafted porcelain lights with delicacy and skill drawn from her fine-arts practice.

ST Y L IN G Olga Lewis | P HOTOG R A P H Y Tim O’Connor

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

MC Escher lithograph reproduced courtesy of The Escher Museum, The Hague.

“Transitioning from fine art to design has been a learning curve. As an artist, you create instinctually; as a designer, you always have to have the end-user in mind.”

Growing up, I was rarely without a pencil or paintbrush in my hand. My earliest art memory was drawing an outback landscape.

I was about five years old and I remember marvelling at the variety of iridescent colours in my pastel set. That fascination with material combinations stayed with me and led to my studies at the National Art School in Sydney.

I’m always curious to master new materials and techniques. Pen ink, charcoal, lithography, clay, filmmaking, paint – no medium is off limits. Next on the horizon is the development of a rechargeable battery system which will allow customisation without touching wiring inside walls. I’m also looking at wireless motion-sensing, touch controls and prismatic configurations of my flat-sheet lighting.

Why lighting? The concept of creating functional art captivates me. When I realised how exquisite the translucency of porcelain was, lighting was an obvious next step.

Beautiful lighting has a powerful positive effect on our senses and its impact is immediate.

Because my lighting is handmade, it lacks the geometry of machine-made pieces. But it’s those imperfections that give a piece – and a room – individuality.

I love exploring the infinite possibilities of porcelain, especially its translucent properties when paired with LEDs. Porcelain is an exquisite, yet challenging material to craft with as it’s very sensitive to temperature changes and humidity. If cracks occur during firing, I make the pieces whole again with gold leaf using the kintsugi technique, which creates unique pieces with a new type of beauty plus prevents wastage of this precious material.

Before hitting the studio, I get caffeinated and go for an epic early morning walk. I spend my day immersed in iridescent coloured stains, glazes, paper pulp, brushes. mixers and porcelain slip. In their early drying stage, the lights are so fragile that they can break with the slightest misstep on the way to loading the kiln for their firings. I take notes to record colour alterations and shrinkage rates. My technical collaborator and I will also chat about the progress of our residential commissions, analysing architectural plans and new designs we have on the drawing board. We are always looking to push boundaries in both technology and scale.

I really prefer to work in a quiet environment.

Silence enables me to enter an almost

hypnotic immersion state of flow, which, for me, is optimal to creativity.

Good work-life balance is important too. I try to achieve it with as much screen-free time as possible, reading, and shopping for fresh produce from the farmer’s market.

I always get a thrill out of collaborating with renovators looking to commission unique lighting for their residential projects like they would choose art for their homes. It might be a loft in Brooklyn, New York, or the conversion of a 1920s church in northern NSW – no two projects are alike. When the lights are finally installed and switched on is also very special.

My biggest achievement is turning what I love to do creatively into a small business.

My biggest challenge has been transitioning from fine art to such a technical design field – it was quite a learning curve. As a fine artist, you create instinctually; as a designer – in any field – you always have to have the end-user in mind. Winning a 2021 Good Design Award for my Lucent Collection was validation that I have made that transition successfully.

I’m currently completing a commercial cookery course at the William Angliss Institute.

Producing ceramics is a collision between water, heat and atmosphere, which is very much like the cooking process. The endless possibilities of flavour and temperature combinations intrigue me as much as colour theory and the tactility of clay.

I really like to immerse myself in the things I’m learning, so Larousse Gastronomique by Prosper Montagné – the chef’s bible! – is on my reading list too.

I adore paintings from all eras, but especially masters of chiaroscuro and the Romantics.

Caravaggio, Pierre-Paul Prud’hon, Francisco Goya, and Michelangelo. The graphic work of MC Escher is amazing too.

Iconic design comes in many forms. Some of my favourites are the luxe gold and glass tables

by Pierre Vandel and elegant Danish furniture from the mid-20th century, but I also love a Rubik’s Cube and cochlear implants.

Travel is an endless source of inspiration for my work. Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, is absolutely stunning. I also love New York for its indomitable 24/7 creative energy.

My dream project? Creating drawings and porcelain chandelier lighting for a 12th-century chateau in France. # Sarah Tracton; www.sarahtracton.com.

OPPOSITE Sarah, pictured with some of her recent works, says she loves the “ethereal, almost

celestial” quality of porcelain lighting.

SARAH’S FAVOURITE THINGS From top Drawing Hands

lithograph by MC Escher.

Mid-20th century Danish rosewood armchair, Pamono.

Dyadic Float wall light by Sarah Tracton. Vintage coffee table by Pierre Vandel.

Carefully considered contrast.

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Croydon House, NSW, by Ben Giles Architect. Photography by Katherine Lu. The COLORBOND steel colour swatch represents actual product colour as accurately as possible. However, we recommend checking your chosen colour against an actual sample of the product before purchasing. COLORBOND , the BlueScope brand mark and colour names are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited.

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