Make an understated impression. Available in five neutral colours, from subtle, lighter tones through to bolder, darker hues, COLORBOND steel Matt diffuses light to create a soft and textured appearance. Tested in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, its strength and durability are perfect counterpoints to its designer appearance. Visit COLORBOND.COM/MATT or call 1800 702 764
LOVE YOUR LAUNDRY INTRODUCING THE 12KG FRONT LOADER WASHING MACHINE WITH ACTIVEINTELLIGENCEâ„¢ AND 9KG HEAT PUMP CONDENSING DRYER
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EDITOR’S LETTER
FOL LOW US AT
For the best home ideas to spark your imagination insideoutAU
hile Inside Out features incredible homes every issue, we wanted to celebrate the very best of modern Australian homes, those groundbreaking local projects that will influence renovations and new builds to come. We are all about modern Australian living, and the planning, detail and construction that goes into creating homes that bring joy. So we partnered with Brickworks and invited the industry to share what’s happening with the conceptualising, design and execution of houses, and we were inundated with thoughtful, character-filled projects with a purpose: to make the lives lived within them better. The first-ever Home of the Year winning project is an extraordinary house by architecture firm Kennedy Nolan, who brought new life to an Edwardian weatherboard in Melbourne by transforming it into a playful, optimistic and creative home for the family who are lucky enough to live there. See it on p41. Our judges, the esteemed head of school and Dean of Architecture at the University of Queensland, Cameron Bruhn, Brickworks’ Brett Ward and myself, kept the criteria for this particular award front of mind – would each of us want to wake up in this house? So these are our favourite homes for now, the ones we want to wake up in… But rest assured there will be more amazing homes next issue to enjoy.
Be inspired by our curated moodboards @insideoutpins
Your daily renovation and design goals @insideoutmag
WEBSITE
The latest news, inspo and ideas homestolove.com.au/ insideout
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Eliza O’Hare EDITOR / FOLLOW ME @ELIZA_OH
PS The editing process was tough, and we are conflicted that so many of
the brilliant projects submitted aren’t showcased in this issue, but you can see more online at homestolove.com.au/insideout 6 | INSIDE OUT
Make sure you never miss an issue magshop.com.au/ inside-out
PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTINA SOLJO. ELIZA IS WEARING BASSIKE, BASSIKE.COM. HAIR & MAKE-UP: ELSA MORGAN. SHOT ON LOCATION AT IN BED, PADDINGTON, NSW
W
THIS IS THE HOME OF THE YEAR ISSUE
FURNITURE & HOMEWARES | INTERIOR DESIGN | PROPERTY STYLING | DESIGN SCHOOL WWW.COCOREPUBLIC.COM.AU
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contents
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November 2019 the cut 13 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
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THE CUT This month, a striking artwork teamed with the right
accessories creates an instantly inviting zone to linger in NEWS Our round-up of the hottest new finds in the world of design, plus places to visit, things to try and pieces to buy BEST BUYS: BOLD TABLECLOTHS Set the table with striking prints BEST BUYS: BOOKENDS Pillars of strength to support your library COLOUR TREND No shrinking violet here as lilac takes the stage TOP 10 PICKS Earn your stripes in style with these statement makers PERFECT PAIRS Three style match-ups to help you get the power couple of sofa and floor lamp right at your place DESIGN PROFILE: LAETITIA PRUNETTI & JESSICA BOOTH Meet the founders of Willie Weston, a textile company celebrating the work of Indigenous artists through eye-catching fabric designs LIFE & SOUL Author Karen McCartney gives us an insight into her passion for mid-century homes with the release of her new book CULT CLASSIC Our resident design expert David Harrison shines a light on two sophisticated lamps with pretty pleated shades AHEAD OF THE CURVE Our inaugural Home of the Year winner is a contemporary family home where a pool has driven the inspired renovation to effortlessly bring together new and old CATEGORY WINNERS Take a closer look at the innovative Australian designs making their mark in the industry with our impressive Home of the Year category winners
inside: homes & renovation 60 PASSION PROJECT Living in New Zealand has informed the owners’ 70 78 90 96 102 110 114 120 122 124 126
desire for ski-lodge appeal with their Byron Bay family home CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ Mid-century modern design and a Palm Springs vibe come through in this U-shaped home in Melbourne NATURAL INSTINCT A 1920s three-storey home in the Netherlands loses none of its charm with a practical and elegant makeover OPEN HEART Retaining the heritage of this Californian bungalow in suburban Melbourne was key to this considered update LINES OF SIGHT A Japanese aesthetic and atmosphere is evident in this space-smart transformation of an inner-Sydney terrace SPOTLIGHT ON CONCRETE The Brutalist beauty of this hardwearing material is having a style resurgence in design BUYER’S GUIDE: TIMBER FLOORING Engineered or solid? We help you navigate through the myriad options EAT, RELAX, REPEAT The verdict on the contestants’ living and dining areas from our Block insider Shannon Vos KITCHEN NEWS Treat the hub of your home to the latest accessories, furniture and stylish investment pieces I’VE ALWAYS WANTED… A BUTLER’S PANTRY Everything you need to know about creating a kitchen control centre BATHROOM NEWS The latest style releases, little everyday luxuries and big-ticket items to give your space day-spa appeal ASK AN EXPERT All your design and style problems solved
96 42
this month We celebrate the smart thinking behind the homes in our inaugural Home of the Year awards
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out: gardens, travel & entertaining
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130 FULL OF CHARM A pair of front and rear gardens creates 136 138 142 145
a cohesive green sanctuary for the owners of this Sydney home PURPLE REIGN Up your garden game and bring the botanical drama and unexpected shade of violet to your outdoor areas BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SOLAR PANELS Here comes the sun – now how best to harness its power? The details you need to know STAYING POWER The sleek revamp of a 1960s motel has led to a luxe designer Melbourne stay on the city’s fringes ITALIAN SUMMER Chef Nino Zoccali’s rustic Venetian fare
regulars 58 & 88 SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Subscribe to Inside Out and receive
a cool and colourful Tupperware gift set, valued at $66 154 LAST WORD We’re in love with Rachel Castle’s sunny throw
on the cover 13 42 96 110 122 138
What to shop now: 107+ fresh style buys Revealing our… Home of the Year 2019: the best houses in Australia right now Space-saving secrets from a tiny terrace Groundwork: how to choose the right floor for you Kitchen wishlist: butler’s pantry Smart solar: a beginner’s guide to going off the grid
our cover look Our Home of the Year winner deservingly wins the prize for a sophisticated, smart and playful renovation that takes into account the existing Edwardian weatherboard and the family’s desire for a pool to be front and centre of the new floorplan. This Melbourne home ticks all the boxes and you’ll see why on page 42.
Photography: Derek Swalwell Styling: Bek Sheppard
A patterned tile is an easy way to instantly up the style stakes
EDITORIAL EDITOR Eliza O’Hare CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mia Daminato DEPUTY EDITOR Karlie Verkerk HOMES GROUP COORDINATOR Sara Sleeman
ART & STYLE ART DIRECTORS Josie Smith, Katrina Yaxley JUNIOR DESIGNER Sophie Wilson IMAGE RETOUCHER Matus Kundrat MARKET EDITOR Natalie Johnson
FEATURES & COPY
MOST TAPPED THIS MONTH
SENIOR COPY EDITOR Deborah Grant HOMES GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR Tamarah Pienaar SENIOR DIGITAL WRITER Christina Rae
THANKS TO Kate Hassett, Janice Hogg, Stephanie Hope, Virginia Jen, Sarah Pickette ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION HEAD OF BRANDS Anna Mistilis (02) 9282 8111 HOMES COMMERCIAL MANAGER Rhonda Maunder (02) 9282 8687 HOMES BRAND MANAGER Kimberly Anderson (02) 9338 6103 BRAND EXECUTIVE Jennifer Burke (02) 9288 9145 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Kate Orsborn (02) 9282 8364 VICTORIA, SA AND WA SALES DIRECTOR Jaclyn Clements (03) 9823 6341 DIRECTOR OF SALES — NSW Karen Holmes (02) 9282 8733 VICTORIA HEAD OF DIRECT SALES Will Jamison (03) 9823 6301 QUEENSLAND HEAD OF SALES Judy Taylor (07) 3101 6636 CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING Nick Carson (02) 9282 8369 NEW ZEALAND INQUIRIES +61 2 9282 8505 GENERAL MANAGER — PRODUCTION SERVICES Ian McHutchinson PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Sally Jefferys ADVERTISING PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Dominic Roy (02) 9282 8691 SENIOR EVENT MANAGER Cate Gazal (02) 8226 9342
MARKETING & CIRCULATION HEAD OF RETAIL AND CIRCULATION Andrew Cohn MARKETING DIRECTOR Louise Cankett SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Jillian Hogan BRAND MANAGER Sarah Webster CIRCULATION MANAGER Nicole Pearson SENIOR SUBSCRIPTIONS CAMPAIGN MANAGERS Ellie Xuereb, Jesvin Vincent
BAUER MEDIA CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Brendon Hill CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Andrew Stedwell CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Paul Weaving EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, PUBLISHING & DIGITAL OPERATIONS Sarah-Belle Murphy ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Shane Sutton COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Paul Gardiner GENERAL MANAGER, SUBSCRIPTIONS & E-COMMERCE Sean McLintock BUSINESS MANAGER Georgina Bromfield SYNDICATION syndication@bauer-media.com.au
This fibro beach shack was given a stylish all-white renovation and we love everything about it. For more design inspiration, follow us on Instagram
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Address Bauer Media, 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Phone (02) 9282 8000 Email insideout@bauer-media.com.au Online homestolove.com.au/insideout Facebook facebook.com/insideoutau Instagram instagram.com/insideoutmag Pinterest pinterest.com/insideoutpins
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SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES Phone 136 116 Online magshop.com.au/inside-out Email magshop@magshop.com.au Post Inside Out, Reply Paid 5252, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia Download our Inside Out app, now available on smartphones and tablets For Apple users, download from the App Store For Android users, download from Google Play Published by Bauer Media Pty Limited (ABN 053 273 546), 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. The trademark Inside Out is the property of Bauer Media Pty Ltd. © 2019. All rights reserved. Printed by Ovato Warwick Farm, 8 Priddle Street, Warwick Farm NSW 2170. National distribution by Gordon and Gotch Australia Pty Ltd. 1300 650 666. ISSN 0004-931X. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holders. Bauer Media Pty Ltd 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, phone 136 116, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm AEST, email magshop@magshop.com.au or mail letters to: Inside Out Reply Paid 5252, Sydney, NSW 2001, or subscribe online at magshop.com.au/insideout. Subscription rate*: Australia $69.95 (one year, 12 issues); NZ A$79.95 (one year, 12 issues); other countries A$159.95 (one year, 12 issues). All overseas subscriptions sent air speed. *Recommended price
STYLING: KRISTIN RAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER
GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES
Thinking furniture? Think Officeworks. B.
D.
C.
A.
Your work/life balance works a whole lot be er if you have a designated space. At Officeworks we have clever home workspace solutions, from li le corner nooks to complete room layouts. Plus our great range of furniture styles will perfectly suit your home décor. A. Stockholm Chair $199 Also available in green, pink or blue. OTSTOCKGY B. Stockholm 8 Cube Bookcase $99 STOCKH8COB C. Stockholm Desk $179 OTSTCKHMOB D. HP 27" IPS Monitor $328 HP2XN62AA Ø Where you see this symbol, it represents a zero. Colours may vary by store. Most furniture on this page comes flat-packed, ready to assemble. Display accessories not included.
DESIGN | SHOP | PLACES | PEOPLE | SPACES
fall into line
Let your walls shine with this bold beauty
Whether it’s a statement canvas or a cluster of prints hung gallery style, there’s no denying that art has the ability to transform a space from simple to spectacular. Cue this textural, oversized abstract from British-French artist Galina Munroe, inspired by her residency in the south of France earlier this year.
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Curb 2019 oil, acrylic and enamel artwork by Galina Munroe, $6700, Piermarq. &tradition ‘Loafer’ chair, $3970, Cult Design. Ace side table in Tasmanian Oak, $1935, Jardan. Goblet in Mint, $69 for 4, and Jean vase, $159, Maison Balzac.
STYLING NATALIE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPH KRISTINA SOLJO
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JUST LANDED
LIFE OF THE PARTY
TECH
MOVE IT
Carousel is the first in-house handknot collection of custom floor rugs launched by Designer Rugs. The 12 joyful and feminine designs are available in store and online. DESIGNERRUGS.COM.AU
When Sonos commits to its first ever outdoor smart speaker, you can be sure it’s a game changer. Move, priced at $649, has a 10-hour battery life with a wide sound profile for better outdoor acoustics. Plus, it can weather extreme temperatures, rain, sun and falls, and recharges on its cradle. SONOS.COM
WHAT WE WANT
BEACH VIBES To celebrate its sixth birthday, The Beach People has released the Deia round towel in a luxurious soft cotton with gorgeous graphic fish scales. $99; THEBEACHPEOPLE.COM.AU
PETS
the burrow teepee If you love your puppy (and he’s under 15 kilos) you must get your hands on one of these chic teepees made of machinewashable cotton and natural duck canvas. Bonus: the subdued palette is perfect for any interior. From $149.95; BURROW.COM.AU
VISIT
AESOP SYDNEY Aesop’s newest Sydney store is a marvel, constructed from local granite and sandstone, with stainless steel counters and its signature welcoming, calming interiors. Another collaboration with Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, it’s a beautiful, fragrant sanctuary filled with Aesop goodness right in the middle of the city. 188 Pitt Street, Sydney. AESOP.COM
TOP DROP
READ
secret champagne business
PLANT LOVERS Indoor Jungle is a book by a couple of plant nerds, Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan — also known as Leaf Supply — who are dedicated to sharing their knack for keeping happy house plants wherever you live. $49.99; Simon & Schuster.
Ayala, one of the oldest Champagne houses in France, is now sharing the love with Australia. A dry mix of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, the delicate bubbles pair beautifully with white fish, shellfish, poultry or cheese. Ayala Brut Majeur NV, $70; CHAMPAGNE-AYALA.FR
TAILOR MADE
T O TA L LY BESPOKE Luxury bespoke tailor Patrick Johnson and wife, interior designer Tamsin, have joined forces to expand his beautifully made-to-measure Italian suits to women with their launch of PJ Femme. It’s a range of structured jackets with a choice of two trouser shapes, but the exquisite fabric selection and custom-tailoring is what really makes them so desirable. PJT.COM
NEWLY OPENED
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAN GOSSE (THE CUMBERLAND)
boffi melbourne
A converted gospel hall in Collingwood makes the perfect showroom to worship at the altar of Italian design. It’s a holistic design experience at the new Boffi, brimming with the studio’s usual collections of inspired kitchens, bathrooms and furniture. 10 Mater Street, Collingwood. BOFFI.COM
PRO TIPS
coffee at home The iconic 90-year-old La Marzocco coffee machine company has launched the new Linea Mini, a portable pro-grade coffee machine that brings retro Italian barista vibes with it. $5990; AU.LAMARZOCCOHOME.COM
DESTINATION: MANLY
THE CUMBERLAND Manly’s latest offering, The Cumberland, is a sneaky night spot accessed speakeasy-style through the Cove Deli down a hidden set of stairs. The dark and luxurious 75-seater venue specialises in whisky, natural wines and craft beer, with robust charcuterie boards and an irresistible tapas menu. CUMBERLANDMANLY.COM.AU
INSIDE OUT | 15
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BEST BUYS
bold tablecloths
Take your summer entertaining to bright new heights with these audacious prints
STYLING ASSISTANT: KATE LINCOLN.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Les Ottomans block-printed cotton tablecloth, $206, Matchesfashion. Goblets in Mint Green, $69 for 4, Maison Balzac. Summerill & Bishop zebra-print linen tablecloth (2.5m x 1.65m), $379, Matchesfashion. Madras garden tablecloth, $179 for 6-seater, Utopia Goods. Elma floral linen tablecloth, $169, Society of Wanderers. Pomponette vase in Clear, $149, Maison Balzac. Duchess tablecloth, $215, Canvas+Sasson. Tavira tablecloth, $250, Annie Coop. Frilled pedestal bowl, $180, Gretel Corrie Ceramics. Marimekko ‘Oiva Spaljé’ plate, $39, Top3 by Design. Waves & Dots tablecloth in Blue, $245 for medium, Bonnie and Neil. Glass plate in Azure, $89 for 2, and carafe in Azure $79, Maison Balzac.
16 | INSIDE OUT
STYLING NATALIE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPH KRISTINA SOLJO
K I N Q U I LT C O V E R S E T
When comfort and style collide. SS 19/20 ONLINE NOW
L I NE NH O U S E . CO M @linen_house
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BEST BUYS
bookends Let your cherished tomes take centre
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Muuto ‘Compile’ bookend in Plum, $65, Top3 by Design. Terrazzo bookend in Soft Pink, $60, Fenton&Fenton. Polar bookend in Nero and Fiore, $771 for pair, Greg Natale. Kristina Dam Studio marble bookend sculpture, $419, Designstuff. Apollo marble bookend, $145 for pair, Coco Republic. Livelli bookend in Travertine, $900 for pair, Greg Natale.
18 | INSIDE OUT
STYLING NATALIE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPH KRISTINA SOLJO
STYLING ASSISTANT: KATE LINCOLN. BOOKS: MUJI
stage with a little sculptural support
TV when it’s on. Art when it’s off.
Inspiration has truly come home. Switch it on, and The Frame seamlessly presents your favourite entertainment with superb QLED picture quality. Turn it off, and instantly transform your living space into a personalised art gallery with Art Mode. Choose from over 1000 pieces of art and photography on the Samsung Art Store.* Learn more at Samsung.com/au/theframe *Supplied with 20 artworks. Additional artworks available for purchase or via subscription. Subscription and other fees are subject to change. Internet connection and Samsung Account are required.
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COLOUR TREND 2
lilac
Just a touch lighter than lavender, this pretty shade reveals purple’s softer side 1 Dot Soft cushion in Lavender, $190, Hay. 2 Maison Balzac J’ai Soif carafe with glass in Lavender, $89, Aura Home. 3 SpaceCote low-sheen paint in Abbey Road, $83.15 for 4L, Resene. 4 Feathr ‘Utopia’ wallpaper in Lilac, $330 per 10m roll, Wallpaper Trader. 5 Blaise armchair in Mauve, $999, Interiors Online. 6 Bumper large ottoman in Thurmond Lilac, $699, Blu Dot. 7 HK Living ‘Metal Triangle’ table lamp in Lilac, $229, House of Orange. 8 Curved Collar 3 with glass vessel by Lauren Eaton, $149, Saint Cloche. 9 Lilacs print, from $64* for A3, Laurie Maun. 10 Rains tote bag in Lavender, $69.99, Milligram.
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COMPILED BY NONCI NYONI
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stripes
Equally at home in modern or traditional spaces, stripes make a striking statement
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1 Cole & Son ‘Regatta Stripes’ wallpaper in Gold & Sand, $160 per roll, Wallpaper Trader. 2 Hay ‘Colour Carpet’ rug in Light Blue, Red and Cream (1.7m x 2.4m), $1850, Cult. 3 Miss Marigold beach umbrella, $450, Basil Bangs. 4 HK Living velvet striped cushion in Yellow/Purple, $99, House of Orange. 5 Billie vase, $11.95, Amalfi Homewares. 6 HK Living ‘Lobby’ bench in Blue & Purple Stripe, $949, House of Orange. 7 Kitchen cloth in Tricolore Rose, $25, Hay. 8 Day-to-Day bag, $40 for large, Pan After. 9 Sylvia stripe universal laptop sleeve in Pink Multi, $139, Kate Spade. 10 Pure Cal handmade mini pitcher in Blue Stripes, $78.99, Trouva.
COMPILED BY NONCI NYONI
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Maxime 4-seater sofa in Washed Linen Mist, $4995, and Timothy Oulton ‘Element’ floor lamp, $995, Coco Republic.
CONTEMPORARY LUXE
1
why it works Both of these shapely pieces celebrate the possibilities of line and form. King Boulevard 2.5-seater sofa in premium fabric, from $3959, King Living. Maner Studio ‘Arc’ floor lamp, $1995, Great Dane.
PERFECT PAIRS
sofa & floor lamp NEW DIMENSIONS
why it works Contrasting shapes and lines are brought together by pale oak and Scandi-chic appeal. Menu ‘Tailor’ lounge sofa in Natural Oak/ Light Grey, $9495, Designstuff. Turn floor lamp, about $1226*, Douglas and Bec.
Curling up on the couch will become a refined affair with these three elegant pairings
2 why it works Soft and inviting arches create a look that’s comfy and a tad nostalgic. Bolia ‘Madison’ 2.5-seater sofa in Bergo fabric in Beige, $4700, Arrival Hall. Valerie Objects ‘Standing N1’ lamp, $4525, Spence & Lyda.
3 T 24 | INSIDE OUT
COMPILED BY SOPHIE WILSON
*CONVERSION CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT
CURVE BALL
Architect: Scale Architecture
If you desire style, build it with Austral Bricks.
www.australbricks.com.au
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DESIGN PROFILE
The dynamic duo behind ethical textile company Willie Weston are bringing sophisticated Indigenous design to the forefront of contemporary interiors Tell us about your creative journey so far? Laetitia: Jess and I
met at university while we were completing our Masters of Art Curatorship. I went on to work in the contemporary Australian (non-Indigenous) art industry, while Jess spent time working with remote Indigenous artists and art centres in the Top End. We both had a desire to do something on our own and we wanted to continue working with artists, just in a different way. We took the leap after I had some time off with my first baby and Jess had just completed her Masters of Business (Marketing). Where does the name Willie Weston come from? Jess: It’s my maternal grandmother’s name. I never met her but she was quite the pioneering lady. Together with my grandfather, she built some of the first accommodation in alpine Victoria and trekked across the snowy high plains in leather goggles and high-waisted pants! We also liked the alliteration and were inspired by the idea of celebrating an amazing, trailblazing woman like Willie. What is the philosophy behind your brand? Laetitia: At the core of Willie Weston is a belief that Indigenous art and design is beautiful, incredibly contemporary and deserving of a more prominent place in the built environments of today. We also have a fundamental drive to support artists to live in their communities by returning equitable, scalable and meaningful income streams. What is your business model? Jess: We set out to create a business that celebrated the diverse output of Indigenous artists across Australia. But we wanted the artists to be along for the ride too, 26 | INSIDE OUT
so rather than a one-off licensing fee, our artists have an ongoing agreement where they are paid for each metre produced. Most memorable place your business has taken you? Jess: The highlight of each year is visiting Indigenous art fairs across the country, such as the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Tarnanthi in Adelaide. These events give us an opportunity to catch up with everyone in one place and see the latest innovations occurring throughout these amazing communities. What sustainability practices do you have in place? Laetitia: All our fabrics and wallpapers are made in Australia and printed to order, thereby eliminating wastage. We also print with waterbased inks so there is no excess ink to be disposed of or any water used during production. For shipping, we use a certified carbon neutral courier company and package everything using recycled plastic wrap. We are continually working to minimise our impact by eliminating single-use materials wherever possible. What is your design process? Jess: We always begin our practice by developing a relationship with the artist. We then curate a selection of artworks and begin experimenting to see how they’ll adapt for use on textiles and wallpapers. We try to avoid altering any original works, but if it’s necessary, all adaptations and colour changes are approved by the artists. We then print up lengths, shoot the collection and create sampling for our trade agents. What is on the horizon for Willie Weston? Laetitia: We’re excited about our latest collection that features three artists from the beautiful Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley in northern Western Australia. We’re also developing a creative partnership with a high-end rug and flooring manufacturer that creates bespoke products for the commercial and residential markets. For more information, visit willieweston.com WORDS CARLI PHILIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMORFO (PROFILE), MARTINA GEMMOLA (WILLIE WESTON RANGE), HAYDN CATTACH (CHAIR)
Laetitia Prunetti & Jessica Booth
Willie Weston co-founders Jessica Booth and Laetitia Prunetti (opposite) are bringing Indigenous art into the home in new and exciting ways. FROM FAR LEFT Singing Bush Medicine cushions in ‘Night Sky’ by Colleen Ngwarraye Morton and Sugarbag Dreaming fabric in ‘Riverbed’ by Rosie Ngwarraye Ross; Jilamara cushion in ‘Inlet’ by Jean Baptiste Apuatimi and Singing Bush Medicine fabric in ‘Day Break’ by Colleen Ngwarraye Morton; Singing Bush Medicine Wes Armchair in ‘Night Sky’ by Colleen Ngwarraye Morton; Mud Ripples fabric in ‘Cheeky Yam’ by Elizabeth Kandabuma; Fabrics from the Tiwi and
Ampilatwatja Collections; Wak Wak wallpaper in ‘Mud Flats’ by Susan Marawarr and Mud Ripples ottoman and fabric in ‘Wild Red Apple’ by Elizabeth Kandabuma; Natural fabrics from the Ampilatwatja and Tiwi Collections; Mud Ripples cushion in ‘Wild Red Apple’ by Elizabeth Kandabuma (top) and Wak Wak cushion in ‘Storm’ by Susan Marawarr (bottom); Sugarbag Dreaming cushion in ‘Ghost Gum’ and ‘Clay’ by Rosie Ngwarraye Ross and Pandanus fabric in ‘Eucalypt’ by Osmond Kantilla; Ampilatwatja and Tiwi collection fabrics made into cushions, bolsters and seat cushion covers.
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life & soul
Founding Inside Out editor and author Karen McCartney on discovering iconic Australian houses and what makes them worthy of that status
I PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL WEE. ARTWORKS: LAURA FRANCES, R. SCHUURMANS-MADEK, PETER HARDING AND CHRIS BATTERSBY
was on maternity leave as editor of this magazine in 2002
when the idea for the first Iconic Australian Houses book came about. I was living in what I believed to be one – the Marshall House in Sydney’s Clontarf – and in between feeds and nappy changes I began to research what else there was of national significance. The word ‘iconic’ was not quite so overused back then and it became my benchmark for what was fit for inclusion. The house had to represent the original work from an architect of note and be intact, as some houses have undergone so many changes that the architects have renounced them; and it had to break new ground and create a new architectural language, which might be through use of materials, siting, the arrangement of the floorplan, technology, craft or simply ingenuity. As we were photographing everything anew, rather than using existing images, the house interior had to live up to the exterior which made it a little harder for houses to meet the criteria. With the passing of time this new iteration of the two books combined into one volume becomes a valuable record of these houses, and is an ongoing inspiration to a new generation of people who increasingly appreciate the values they embody. When asked to drill down to the three houses that for me sum up the spirit of the book, I find it extremely difficult because each and every one delivers a unique perspective of a distinct period and geography of Australian architecture.
Author Karen McCartney (top left) at home in the Marshall House in Sydney’s Clontarf. The facade of the D House by Donovan Hill features a retractable timber screen (top right) and reads as a walled garden to the street (centre right). The open screen brings in even more sunlight to this corner of the living space with built-in furniture.
INSIDE OUT | 29
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But when pressed I chose the Marshall House by Bruce Rickard (1967) because it was the genesis of the idea, followed by the Palm House by Richard Leplastrier (1973-75) and the D House (1998-2000) by Donovan Hill. The Marshall House has been home to my family for nearly 20 years and was my first experience of living in an architectdesigned house with its remarkable level of consideration given to everyday details. The house is economical with large communal indoor and outdoor spaces and neatly designed bedrooms with serviceable built-in elements. It is sited for winter sun and protection from the westerly heat and is built with honest materials – recycled sandstock brick and timber ceilings that flow from inside to out linking the two spaces. It has views of the water and the sense of trees and sky is embedded in the experience of the house as befits Rickard’s obsession with nature and landscape. The Palm House is close to my heart because this extraordinary design solution could only work in the Sydney climate and also because it taught me that a trusting relationship between architect and client was essential to creating a building of this calibre. Set among a grove of palms – with its canvas walls and retractable roof, its rammed earth walls and crafted timber – it is a house with a small footprint and a powerful presence. Leplastrier talks about the ‘fit’ of a house with its owner, how a well-resolved house becomes an ‘outer garment of their lives’, and this is an example of that premise. The last house in the book is the D House by Donovan Hill in Brisbane’s New Farm. Learning about its concept and execution was an education in how architects are able to stretch the notion of what a home should be, as Timothy Hill designed the 200-square-metre two-bedroom house with adaptability embedded. The floorplan is such that a change of circumstances could see the space reinvented as a consulting room or a shop. The materials are a high/low value mix. “This house is part-fibro shack and part-Italian marble. Some parts tighten up to be almost too small while other doors are massive and oversized,” he says. “It is this ‘unevenness’ that brings the character: rough with smooth, coarse with refined, expensive with affordable. Hill has handled them all deftly to create an award-winning house that relates to its urban setting with a large street-facing picture window, covered by a retractable timber screen. In a world where we are all seeking privacy, Hill gives us the option to engage with the world or withdraw. 30 | INSIDE OUT
Built in sandstock brick and timber, the Marshall House by Bruce Rickard (top left) blends into the landscape. The Palm House by Richard Leplastrier includes a rammed earth wall (top right) and retractable roof (bottom).
Leplastrier talks about the ‘fit’ of a house with its owner, how a well-resolved house becomes an ‘outer garment of their lives’
These images are featured in Iconic Modern Australian Houses 1950–2000 by Karen McCartney, with photography by Michael Wee, published by Murdoch Books. It costs $59.99 and is available in stores nationally.
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cult classic Get your dose of design through David Harrison’s blog at designdaily. com.au
Versatility sits at the core of these two lamps, both of which embody beauty and brilliance THE UP-AND-COMER
Matin table lamp by Inga Sempé for Hay The form A table lamp with geometric
bent brass rod base and pleated shade. What makes it special French designer Inga Sempé designed the petite Matin table lamp (French for morning) in 2019. Possibly influenced by traditional Japanese waxed umbrellas, Matin has many different personalities. When looked at from above, the lamp juxtaposes two basic shapes, the circle and the square, and in profile, a cone is introduced to this play on geometry. Made from bent steel wire finished in brass, it comes in two sizes, while the pleated shade is available in six colours: yellow, green, bright red, white, oxide red and lavender. The lamp also comes with an integrated digital dimmer to control the amount of light emitted. Expect to pay from $390. Buy from Cult; 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au THE ORIGINAL
Le Klint 306 table lamp The form A table lamp with a finely crafted solid brass base and pleated shade. What makes it special The tilt mechanism on this curvy table lamp allows it to be used as
a table or wall lamp. Designed in 1945 by the late Danish architect and furniture designer Kaare Klint, the 306 contrasts the linear pleating of the iconic Le Klint shade with an organically shaped base in bent brass. This unique combination of regimented pleating and fluid shape enables the lamp to slip into a wide range of interiors, from traditional to modern. Klint served as an apprentice to both his father PV Jensen-Klint and architect Carl Petersen, before designing the interior for the very first Le Klint showroom in 1943 for his brother and founder of the brand, Tage Klint, which remains the brand’s flagship showroom to this day. While well known in Denmark for designing The Bethlehem Church in Copenhagen and the decor for the Design Museum of Art & Design in Copenhagen (formally The Museum of Decorative Art), Klint is internationally known for his furniture and lighting products, such as the Le Klint 101 pendant light, the 306 table lamp and his Safari chair for Rud Rasmussen, which has recently been re-edited by Carl Hansen & Søn. Klint is widely recognised as the father of modern Danish design, and during his time as professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, he taught many of the country’s most important mid-century designers, such as Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner. The lamp is available in two finishes – brass or matt black. Expect to pay $2050. Buy from Great Dane; (03) 9417 5599 or (02) 9326 0555; greatdanefurniture.com INSIDE OUT | 39
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HOME OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL
DRUM ROLL
The exterior of the extension in our inaugural Home of the Year is a fabulous celebration of form and texture. Shou Sugi Ban charred timber cladding from Britton Timbers contrasts with render and brickwork in Dulux Grand Piano Half.
PLEASE... It’s Inside Out’s first-ever Home of the Year Awards and with our partner, Brickworks Building Products, we have gathered Australia’s most desirable homes. The criteria was big on clever design and thoughtful interiors, with an eye on sustainability and the use of smart materials, but really, the most important factor was that they had to be homes the judges wanted to wake up in every day. Turn the page and you’ll see what we mean… The Home of the Year Awards categories include Best Use of Material: Brick, Best New Home Build, Best Home Renovation, Best Sustainable Project, and presenting the Home of the Year. INSIDE OUT | 41
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WINNER
Home of the Year
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Old and new, curves and right angles, brick and weatherboard – dramatically contrasting elements bring bold drama and intrigue to this Melbourne home. Little wonder, it’s our Home of the Year WORDS CHRIS PEARSON STYLING BEK SHEPPARD PHOTOGRAPHY DEREK SWALWELL
OPEN-PLAN LIVING The new extension of Sheree and Jonathan Burge’s Melbourne home combines playfulness with an arresting unpredictability. Shapely forms take centrestage, as seen with the King and Queen sculptures by Euan Heng from Niagara Galleries on the custom dining table, designed by Kennedy Nolan with Andrew Lowe from Hub Furniture, as well as the Rich Brilliant Willing ‘Mori Pod’ wall sconce from Living Edge. EXTERIOR (opposite) Sheree walks around the pool. Terrazzo tiles from Signorino Tile Gallery create a seamless link between inside and out. The Knoll ‘Bertoia Diamond’ chairs are from Dedece.
cheat sheet Who lives here Sheree Burge, stay-at-home mum and design enthusiast (in a previous life, a mental health nurse), her husband Jonathan, craniofacial and plastic surgeon, their children, Gracie, 14, Tilda, 11, and Ivy, 3, plus Charlie the cat. Style of home Edwardian at the front, open-plan contemporary at the rear. Brief Hailing from coastal Auckland, the family wanted to be around water so the pool was a priority. A Japanese–Scandi aesthetic was also on the wishlist. The renovation process ran from late 2014 to October 2018. Demolition and construction began in August 2017.
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bright idea
Limiting a room’s colou scheme and accessori ensures maximum impact. In the living are Jody D’Arcy’s print Blushing Rottnest bounces off a wall in Dulux Natural White.
W
hen Sheree and Jonathan Burge,
owners of this four-bedroom house in Melbourne’s inner north, asked Kennedy Nolan to design them an addition that was outside the box, the architects responded both literally and figuratively. The result, a pavilion separated from the main house by a pool, is a fanciful celebration of the curve, sculptured in brick and a world away from the four-square Edwardian weatherboard at the front. Separating the old and the new is a round swimming pool, deep and mysterious, which reflects a soaring half-moon façade whimsically punctuated with archways and circular windows. While solid and monumental, when laid in this staggered form, its brickwork has an intriguing fluidity. The couple bought the then-humble bungalow when they moved to Melbourne from Auckland six years ago. “We loved this little community and it was close to the hospital where Jono [a surgeon] works,” says Sheree. “Because this house was similar to the wooden villas we lived in back in Auckland, it felt like a slice of home.” But such homeliness was compromised by dark, poorly insulated interiors and a rear addition that was “truly falling apart.” Eighteen months after moving in, she and Jonathan hired Kennedy Nolan to replace the old extension and update the front. Sculptural architecture and a central swimming pool topped the couple’s wishlist, says Kennedy Nolan principal Patrick Kennedy. “Having moved from the City of Sails, we wanted to live around water,” says Sheree. “So the pool needed to be somewhere other
than the back of the property catching leaves. And we liked a Japanese-Scandi aesthetic.” After visiting the couple’s existing home, Patrick realised the result had to be “clean, elegant and ordered, but also eclectic and playful”. With three bedrooms and a formal living area in the footprint of the Edwardian villa, the “ordered” is immediately taken care of, but “playful” neatly sums up the surprise at the back, which houses an open-plan living, kitchen and dining zone on the lower level and a parents’ retreat on the upper. With its round windows, archways and sinuous walls, there’s barely a right angle to be seen. “The principle inspiration was the swimming pool, which needed to be more than a summery blue rectangle,” says Patrick. “It needed to be part of the architecture, visually relevant all times of the day and year. The building fabric wrapped around the pool was devised to be unexpected, to make your path through the house fluid.” While the new parts of the house are distinct for their “eccentric geometry” and the dramatic use of the swimming pool as a design element, the most satisfying aspect of the house, Patrick says, is
ur ies
ARTWORKS: UNTITLED 10 AND 14 BY EUAN HENG, NIAGARA GALLERIES
ea,
KITCHEN & DINING AREA Curves and right angles meet in the highly graphic kitchen and dining zone. Japanese Nagoya Mosaic-tile ‘Kayoborder’ finger mosaics from Academy Tiles provide a striking linear base that contrasts with bespoke Victorian ash joinery by Overend Constructions. The Rich Brilliant Willing ‘Gala’ pendant light from Living Edge above the dining setting with Normann Copenhagen ‘Knot’ dining chairs from District neatly combines straight and curved lines in one refined element that also links to the black steel door. PORTRAIT (opposite) The family enjoy a moment by the firepit beside the new extension.
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bright idea Working to a Japanese– Scandi aesthetic, the staircase in the new extension was an ideal statement maker, awash in Dulux Dark Rainforest.
ARTWORK: WHITE TREE BY KEVIN LINCOLN, NIAGARA GALLERIES
LIVING Daughter Ivy relaxes on the banquette seating upholstered in Kelly Wearstler ‘Graffito’ fabric from Elliott Clarke. Adding a whimsical sculptural contrast is the Vitra ‘Akari 33N’ light fitting by Isamu Noguchi from In Good Company, with the custom multi-toned Moss rug from Loom Rugs providing texture. STAIRCASE (opposite) The stairway creates a lush pop of colour in an otherwise neutral palette, while the black timber sculptures by Jo Wilson offer a counterpoint to the straight lines. Terrazzo tiles from Signorino Tile Gallery link to the outdoors.
“the finely balanced relationship between interior and exterior. The experience of this house is enriched by a diverse range of aspects to distinct garden areas with individual personalities. There is always the feeling of something new to discover and an amplified sense of scale.” As a result, paradoxically perhaps, while the architecture is dramatic, the experience is one of calm. While the Modernist-meets-Moroccan back may be in striking contrast with the Edwardian front, the two are connected through common colours, textures and patterns, says Patrick. “Each room has been approached as a part of a wider whole – the fluid contemporary living and dining area is intensely textured and graphic, while the high-ceilinged bedrooms in the Edwardian section are softer and more muted, but the colours and surfaces are complementary.” In the addition, textured brickwork contrasts with bleached timber cladding, charred timber outside and oak within, while terrazzo floors inside flow seamlessly to the exterior. Black steel windows are used to graphic effect, while leaf-green stairs and a huge shag pile rug in the open plan bring the outdoors in. “Without a doubt, that main living area is our favourite space,” says Sheree. “It has such a calming quality, which Jono appreciates after a long day. The curved brick wall, the textural materials, the deep dark pool and steel round windows are so amazing to live with. The reflections on the ceiling, from the pool, are magical. Kennedy Nolan really gave us something that feels like us as a family.” For more of Kennedy Nolan’s work, go to kennedynolan.com.au
from the judges “This poetic and playful house in Melbourne is a celebration of memory and storytelling. Every space, texture, colour and detail has a reassuring homeliness that celebrates the past and imagines the future,” says Cameron Bruhn, head of school and Dean of Architecture at The University of Queensland. “The renovation of this classic Edwardian-era house has created a delightful home that will undoubtedly stand the test of time – in the day-today lives of the family who live here and through the novelty and mastery of the architecture.”
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1 Entry 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Second living room/TV room/ guest bedroom 5 Tilda’s bedroom 6 Bathroom/ laundry 7 Courtyard
8 Kitchen 9 Living area 10 Pool 11 Firepit 12 Storage 13 Landing 14 Study 15 Main bedroom 16 Walk-in robe 17 Ensuite
“Because this house was similar to the wooden villas we lived in back in Auckland, it felt like a slice of home” SHEREE BURGE, HOMEOWNER
TILDA’S BEDROOM Eldest daughters Gracie and Tilda enjoy a sisterly moment. The Victorian ash joinery, wardrobe and bed were all designed by Kennedy Nolan and crafted by Overend Constructions. The Fabrikör display cabinet is from Ikea. Statement lighting comes courtesy of a Gubi ‘Gräshoppa’ floor lamp from In Good Company and Rich Brilliant Willing ‘Mori Squash’ pendant lamp from Living Edge. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) The sensuous curved wall echoes the exterior. The Platek ‘Flamingo’ light is from Inlite.
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“The experience of this house is enriched by a diverse range of aspects to distinct garden areas with individual personalities” PATRICK KENNEDY, ARCHITECT
BATHROOM Light pours into the ground-floor powder room. Vola tapware and Studio Bagno basin from Mary Noall. The graphic interplay continues with gridded Sugie tiles from Artedomus and a black-edged archway that complement the extension’s black steel windows and terrazzo flooring. EXTERIOR (opposite) That striking façade never fails to intrigue, made of ‘Nubrik’ bricks from Austral Bricks painted in Dulux Grand Piano Half.
50 | INSIDE OUT
lasting impression
The brickwork in this house has an amazing sensuousness and solidity. Adding to the paradox, not only does it provide earthy texture but when rendered in white as it is here, it seems to float skywards. Charred charcoal cladding on the top level of the extension counters the brickwork, as does the oak joinery inside.
HOME OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019
WINNERS
With four categories that cover the most innovative house projects of the moment, here our judges explain why these winners made such an impact
PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN ALEXANDER
CATEGORY
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GORDONS BAY HOUSE
Renato D’Ettorre Architects The house A new build on a clifftop overlooking a Sydney coastline. This house was a huge favourite with the panel. It’s hard to beat with its mix of rich materials against the location’s raw natural beauty – which is why it won in two categories. What the judges love it “For me, it’s the purity of all of the materials; the glass, stone and brick all combining to create a tactile, sensual environment to live in,” says Inside Out editor Eliza O’Hare. “The architect’s bold and inventive use of brick – for pieced and solid walls in large veil-like screens and in floors that ground the building – is a testament to the material’s remarkable resilience and versatility,” says Cameron Bruhn, head of school and Dean of Architecture at The University of Queensland. “Highly considered and thoughtfully constructed, the project embodies a true strength in composition and the humble beauty of brick,” says Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products. Standout feature That view. dettorrearchitects.com.au
DOUBLE WINNER
Best New Home Build & Best Use of Material: Brick
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE An incredible glass and brick-lined walkway overlooks the dining area, kitchen and living room below. The master ensuite features an Agape bath. Outside, an infinity lap pool alongside white ceramic glazed perforated bricks. OPPOSITE Living Divani sofas, a Poliform coffee table, Poltrona Frau armchairs and a Paola Lenti rug fill the living room, which makes the most of those amazing views.
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WINNER
Best Home Renovation REDFERN WAREHOUSE
Ian Moore Architects The house A warehouse conversion that retains its industrial inner-city character. Why the judges love it “There’s an element of tropical energy to this house that makes it feel unique. It’s a real celebration of light and the outdoor spaces create a clean and calm sanctuary. I also love the staircase climbing up the louvred wall,” says Eliza. “Set within the red-brick shell of an historic two-storey warehouse, this renovation has created a light-filled home and garden. The architect has responded to the original structure with precision and candour, seamlessly melding old and new,” says Cameron. “This renovation celebrates unconventional domesticity through its dual functionality while remaining true to the building’s past and nostalgic brick exterior,” says Brett. Standout feature The internal courtyard, complete with lap pool. ianmoorearchitects.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The Redfern Warehouse by Ian Moore Architects, viewed from the street. The owners’ sons play in one of the second level bedrooms. Our judges were particularly impressed by the internal courtyard with pool.
HOME OF THE YEAR 2019: WINNERS
THE CUT WINNER
Best Sustainable Project CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Yandoit Cabin’s bathroom with private courtyard. The dark coppertoned metal-clad exterior sits comfortably within its rugged surroundings. The mezzanine level serves as the bedroom, while the ground level features a dining area with a kitchen hidden behind and the bathroom.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM KANE ARCHITECTS (YANDOIT CABIN), RORY GARDINER (REDFERN WAREHOUSE)
YANDOIT CABIN
Adam Kane Architects The house A minimal weekender in country Victoria. Why the judges love it “It is so thoughtful to hide the laundry, kitchen and storage behind sliding plywood panels. It means you’re there enjoying the moment, the view and the emotion of the space – not focusing on chores,” says Eliza. “This engaging off-the-grid home and studio sits artfully in rugged bushland north-west of Melbourne. Within the metal-clad, pyramid exterior, the architect has created warm plywood-lined interiors that carefully choreograph the cabin’s connection with nature,” says Cameron. “This beautifully designed residence is defined as much by its immaculate detailing and sculptured aesthetic as it is by its attention to sustainability,” says Brett. Standout feature The panelled pitched ceiling that leads to a high-level skylight. adamkane.com.au
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HIGHLY COMMENDED
Best Home Renovation
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The Bustle House’s eye-catching façade with entry gate. The open kitchen and dining area. An alfresco entertaining area leads off from the property’s new kitchen and dining addition.
BUSTLE HOUSE
FMD Architects The house A 19th-century Victorian terrace in inner-city Melbourne. Why the judges love it “I applaud how the joyous curves are used in the backyard and side of the house. I can only imagine this would be a happy house to wake up in,” says Eliza. “This renovation brings new life to a classic house. The architect has created a curvaceous timber-clad living pavilion that connects the home to the delightful rear garden and opens up to the sky from an elevated roof terrace,” says Cameron. “Elegant and refined, this project achieves warmth through its cohesive palette of materials and seamlessly marries the old and new,” says Brett. Standout feature The considered garden. fmdarchitects.com.au
HOME OF THE YEAR 2019: HIGHLY COMMENDED
SANDY POINT HOUSE
Kennedy Nolan The house A family holiday house built on a steep sloping block. Why the judges love it “I adore the calmness of this space. The natural colour palette mirrors the existing landscape – it’s a real bushland house. And creating a protected courtyard means that indoor/ outdoor living is seamless,” say Eliza. “This house in Sandy Point, a seaside hamlet south-east of Melbourne, is a celebration of the seasons and profound connections to a place. The home has the quintessential settings of a great holiday house and a robustness that will serve generations to come.” says Cameron. “This holiday house is a sophisticated and invigorating study of contrasts with the lines of the timber cladding combined with circular cut-outs and curved elements,” says Brett. Standout feature The curved internal timber ceilings. kennedynolan.com.au
HIGHLY COMMENDED
PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL (SANDY POINT HOUSE), PETER BENNETTS (BUSTLE HOUSE)
Best New Home Build
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP A view of the western elevation of the Sandy Point House, clad in radially swan silvertop ash hardwood timber. The living room is lined in radiata plantation lining boards. In the ensuite, a rolling timber ceiling is the hero.
INSIDE OUT | 57
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INSIDE warm welcome
Out-of-the-box thinking softens the boundaries between indoors and out
Please join us in admiring this inviting entry, where tactile surfaces come into their own. The recycled jarrah cladding has been used both inside on the walls and out on the custom built-in seat in the poolside area. Limestone floor tiles flow seamlessly from the hall out to the patio, while a simple linen curtain billows between the two. Turn the page to see more.
STYLING SARAH ELLISON PHOTOGRAPH JESSIE PRINCE
INSIDE | HOME
PASSION
PROJECT
This Byron Bay home draws inspiration from New Zealand ski lodges while highlighting the hinterland location
WORDS ALEXANDRA GORDON STYLING SARAH ELLISON PHOTOGRAPHY JESSIE PRINCE
cheat sheet Who lives here Taliah Lowry, co-founder and creative director of Byron Beach Abodes (BBA), her husband Sein, 29, co-founder of BBA, sons Jai, 17, Blaze, 15, and Reef, 9, plus Golden Retrievers Mango Rose and Tamaruke Rocky. Style of home A contemporary four-bedroom home in Tallow Beach, Byron Bay, NSW. It was a two-and-a-half year process from when the couple purchased the land and moved in. They started building at the beginning of 2018 and finished nine months ago.
KITCHEN A built-in banquette and Jess Design ‘Newton’ stools from Island Luxe provide great vantage points to look out to the deck and beyond. A collection of black ceramics by Phendei (opposite) makes a graphic statement on the open shelves. Chapel & Co linen napkins hang from a custom rail in front of a vintage painting.
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L
ife has been a series of happy accidents for
Taliah and Sein Lowry of Byron Beach Abodes. Ensconced in doing something they love, the pair followed their hearts by renovating properties in their hometown, selling one to fund their latest discovery. “That’s how BBA was founded, really by default,” explains Taliah, a self-trained interior designer who has learnt her trade over the course of doing up nine projects, all listed with the thriving holiday rental business. “Everybody who bought the homes wanted me to manage them, so they have ended up staying under BBA,” she says. Each project started out as a forever home for the busy household, which includes three boys and two dogs. The latest one, known as The Lodge, was no different. The couple’s first encounter with The Lodge was naturally serendipitous. “We drove by an open house as you do and went and had a look – we weren’t meaning to buy anything,” recalls Taliah. “But then I saw that vista looking out over the nature reserve and Tallow Beach.” The location spoke to her, with every window and door opening out to nature. “You don’t feel like you are in a residential neighbourhood, you feel like you are out in the mountains,” she says. Down the end of a laneway, the house is conveniently located despite its secluded feel. “We are so close to everything and with three kids and a busy life, the location suits us perfectly,” says Taliah. While the situation and outlook were perfect, the existing structure was not suitable for the family of five. “There was a beautiful ’70s cabin with old cedar cladding there. I loved it, but Sein and I couldn’t see how we could add on to it and renovate it,” says Taliah. The couple, committed to retaining and enhancing the existing fabric of Byron Bay, faced a moral dilemma. But eventually, they found a local designer who relocated the cabin up to her property in the hills. “That was a win-win for us,” says Taliah. “And then we built this house from scratch.” Rather than renting nearby, she and her family moved to Queenstown in New Zealand while the building took shape. Taliah was able to run the project remotely, with trips back every four to six weeks, thanks to her trusted team: builder Greg Lyons and designer and friend, Kate Sacks. As luck would have it, this adventurous move became a source of inspiration for the new family home. “The Lodge was a direct result of being in Queenstown, from having that passion for hiking and living in the mountains and loving the architecture there,” says Taliah. The resulting dwelling is modern yet earthy and textured, clad in greyed-off recycled jarrah boards, with natural limestone floors and a large fireplace. “It has a masculine feeling but with a soft touch from the linen drapery, the sheepskin and the rugs,” says Taliah of the well-appointed four-bedroom home. Natural bushland scrub, rather than tropical palm trees, frames the house, while a cedar spa outside completes the picture.
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KITCHEN The hub of the home strikes a balance between earthy and polished, with Chalford limestone flooring from Eco Outdoor, a Smartstone Borghini Naturale benchtop and splashback and a recycled jarrah-clad island. PORTRAIT (opposite top) Taliah and Reef, dressed in clothes from Island Luxe, sitting on the deck. EXTERIOR (opposite bottom) The Lodge is predominantly clad in recycled jarrah that was left out in a paddock for a year to turn grey.
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“Nearly everything was made specifically, so throughout the process of building I was designing built-in sofas and tables” TALIAH LOWRY, HOMEOWNER
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DETAIL Custom shelves feature vintage art sourced by Taliah during her travels, a camera that belonged to Sein’s grandfather and a bird’s nest found on a hike. POOL The Heaven chair and side table are from Eco Outdoor. DECK (opposite) The custom dining table and benches with seats upholstered in Sunbrella fabric encourage alfresco dining. Golden Retriever Mango Rose likes sitting out here as much as the family do.
“The cedar spa was part of my childhood memories of living on a little island in Seattle, and a lot of people have them in New Zealand, though we lined ours with the same recycled aged jarrah timber so it felt like part of the house,” says Taliah. A unique approach is what sets this place apart. The layout addresses the location, with generous living spaces flowing out onto the deck, pool and spa. The wall colour, Byron Bay White, was developed specifically for the interiors with Porter’s Paints. “I had been dreaming of this dark, moody house, but I walked in after everything had been painted and hated it,” says Taliah. Beyond a handful of curated pieces, including beautiful leather chairs from Island Luxe, the furnishings and fittings are mainly bespoke. “Nearly everything was made specifically, so throughout the process of building I was designing built-in sofas and tables,” says Taliah, who has developed the confidence over the years to create everything from custom handles, railings and lighting with local craftspeople. With the family home now under her belt, Taliah can focus her energy on the Bower Hotel, an ongoing project for the dynamic duo. “Everybody else in their right mind would have knocked it down and built a two-storey hotel on that land, but we wanted that ’60s vibe but to make it five star,” says the busy creative director of the pair’s biggest undertaking yet. “It’s our passion and it’s not necessarily a money-making passion. We are doing what we love, creating, preserving and enhancing various buildings in our hometown.” Watch this space. For more details, go to byronbeachabodes.com.au/abodes/the-lodge
“The Lodge was a direct result of being in Queenstown, from having that passion for hiking and living in the mountains and loving the architecture there” TALIAH, HOMEOWNER
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LIVING AREA This inviting space draws inspiration from the family’s time across the ditch, with a fireplace from Stovax, horns sourced online and a Wilson and Dorset sheepskin. A tactile rug from Armadillo&Co, coffee table from MCM House and Jess Design ‘Earl’ armchairs from Island Luxe complete the picture.
bright idea Sheer curtains filter soft light into this bedroom for the perfect lazy Sunday morning sleep-in. Try Blinds Online for a similar window solution.
GREAT FINDS
textural blend
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Andy leather chair in Tan, $1980, Project 82. Linen napkins in Blue & White Stripe, $40 for 4, In Bed. Savannah rug in Dust (1.7m x 2.4m), $1560, Armadillo&Co. Dott bag in Natural, $159, Tigmi Trading. Woodland outdoor armchair, $799, Harvey Norman. Salt&Pepper ‘Refine’ totem planter in Black, $139, Domayne. ‘1992 ‘Accidental Expression’ grey splatter teapot, $235, Spence & Lyda. Avalon coffee table in Slate, $2150, MCM House.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON
From linen to leather, this home showcases a mix of contrasting materials and finishes
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lessons learnt “Trust your instincts – it’s taken me years but after building The Lodge, I’ve finally learnt to go with my intuition” TALIAH LOWRY, OWNER
“Also, step out of your comfort zone and take the time to research to find unique materials such as, in this case, recycled jarrah and limestone.”
ENTRY Above the custom bench made of exterior cladding is a string bag by The Dharma Door. The Bambino overnight bag from Woolf Leather also has pride of place. REEF’S BEDROOM (opposite left) The custom bedhead is upholstered in Ralph Lauren fabrics from Radford. The Tippy wall light is from Lights Lights Lights. ENSUITE (opposite right) The Victoria + Albert bathtub overlooks the reserve and Tallow Beach.
California dreamin’
This Melbourne family home embraces its owners’ design sensibilities to achieve an enviable sense of style and space
WORDS JACKIE BRYGEL STYLING BEK SHEPPARD PHOTOGRAPHY DEREK SWALWELL
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ÉTAGÈRES SHELVING, JONATHAN ADLER. GAS FIREPLACE WITH CUSTOM CONCRETE HEARTH AND JOINERY, REAL FLAME. WALTER KNOLL BRASS TABLE, LIVING EDGE. LINE FLOOR LAMP, DOUGLAS AND BEC.
COCKTAIL ROOM At the front of the house, the living zone that Ella describes as “the cocktail room” has been furnished with a shapely pair of Ligne Roset ‘Pumpkin’ armchairs and a Ligne Roset ‘Plumy’ velvet sofa. Ella found the vintage travertine coffee table online. The striking wall mural is by Wall&Decò, while the pendant is the Eichholtz ‘Equalizer’ brass chandelier from James Said.
cheat sheet Who lives here Ella Edwards, fashion designer of Dream Monstar and interiors enthusiast, her husband Paul, owner and creative director of brands Nena and Pasadena and Kiss Chacey, their son North, four, and daughter Coco, two. Style of home A U-shaped, Californianmodernist, four-bedroom home, wrapped around a leafy courtyard and pool. Following 18 months of planning and obtaining council approval, the build took 14 months. $$$$ $1.5 to $2 million.
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serendipity – was all it took to convince Ella Edwards that she had chanced upon the site of her family’s dream home. “The property was originally named Capri, which happens to be my favourite seaside place in the world,” says Ella of the blond brick veneer house hugging a hill in Melbourne’s inner-east. “I was determined to not let this one get away.” To Ella, who with husband Paul shares a passion for travel, the wide and elevated site dotted with fruit trees held huge promise. “I’ve always loved rambling Italian landscapes filled with citrus and olive trees,” she says, “and an elevated block with a view somehow makes a house feel less suburban.” Having lived in the home for three years, the couple enlisted leading residential design and construction company InForm, in collaboration with architects Pleysier Perkins and the late interior designer Kanako Nakanishi, with the task of building their new home. “Living on site gave us an understanding of how we could utilise the north-facing aspect to maximise natural light in all areas, particularly the area around a new pool,” says Ella. “We knew we wanted to build a U-shaped courtyard house, and working in fashion design meant we’d already mocked up our floor plan. InForm was very professional and organised, ensuring issues during construction were kept to a minimum.” From the outset, a strong connection to the outdoors was high on the couple’s wish-list. “It was important to us that each space within our home was considered and designed to maximise the outlook,” says Ella. “We’d previously lived in a penthouse apartment with a huge terrace and amazing views, which really cemented the importance of a functional outdoor space.” Equally important in the design brief was that the home pay homage to the mid-century southern Californian architecture Ella and Paul admire. “We’ve travelled to Palm Springs every year for the past 10 years,” says Ella. “The original inspiration for our home was definitely a fusion of the Kaufmann house in Vista Chino and the Parker hotel, both in Palm Springs. We wanted spaces that were comfortable yet memorable.” Offering a contrast between old and new, the home’s material palette consists of timeless terrazzo and oak, smoked glass and sprinklings of brushed brass. Bespoke furniture pieces share the limelight alongside treasured vintage and designer finds. “There’s something special about original vintage design pieces; the life that piece has already had and the fact that it now receives a new life in your own home,” says Ella. “I like to treat interiors the same way I do my wardrobe and I don’t follow trends,” she adds. “I believe a home needs to be in line with your aesthetic to ensure you’re not redesigning every five years.” The completed abode, enveloped by a lush garden dotted with olive and citrus trees, palms, cacti and fragrant orange blossom, is just what Ella and Paul envisaged. And perhaps best of all, it keeps their wanderlust alive. “At night, when the lights are sparkling across the midnight sky, it convinces us, if only for a minute, that we’re gazing at the LA skyline,” says Ella. “It truly is a dream.” To contact InForm, call 0477 116 244 or visit informdesign.com.au Follow Dream Monstar on Instagram: @dreammonstar
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INTERNAL WALLS PAINTED HAYMES MINIMALIST NG12. KITCHEN MIXER, ASTRA WALKER.
ne whirlwind viewing – and a little
KITCHEN The airy kitchen makes the most of natural light. An expansive island bench – Essastone ‘Caolino’ – is partnered with stools from Grazia & Co. “I love to entertain, so it’s important that I have plenty of room for serving food to our friends and family,” says Ella. COCKTAIL ROOM InForm installed a room divider between the cocktail room and front entry, which comprises solid brass poles incorporated into the custom joinery. DINING A custom solid oak dining table with brass trims, designed by Ella and made by AKWT – with Coco Republic ‘St James’ dining chairs – is illuminated by a striking starburst pendant. “The curved table helps squeeze in that last-minute guest,” says Ella.
“There’s something about the way old Hollywood used to live in Palm Springs that really resonates with me. That idea of cocktail parties in elaborate gowns by the pool under the desert sun” ELLA EDWARDS, HOMEOWNER
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ENSUITE A tribute to Ella’s love of all things pink and peachy, the couple’s ensuite showcases sumptuous Fibonacci Stone terrazzo floor tiles in Pavlova and Inax ‘Nuance’ mosaic tiles from Artedomus lining the shower walls. The Melange sconces are by Kelly Wearstler, while Ella designed the custom-made velvet chair. MAIN BEDROOM Ella and Paul’s room has a glam 1970s vibe, with the custom-made oversized bedhead designed to resemble that of a luxury hotel suite. At the end of the bed, which is layered with an Abode Living ‘Ravello’ blanket, is a Grazia & Co ‘Reeno’ bench in wool boucle. USM side table, from Anibou. Attolo light, from Euroluce. LAUNDRY The same terrazzo tiles from the ensuite continue in the laundry, while Inax tiles from Artedomus encase the splashback. Vitra cork stool, from Living Edge.
bright idea Continue your design theme in functional zones, too. Here, the mid-century vibe features in the bathroom by way of the smoky glass shower screen, nude-pink colour palette and vintage-look light fittings.
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GREAT FINDS
modern revival
Channel Palm Springs vibes with these key pieces
FROM LEFT Equalizer large brass chandelier, $2885, James Said. Diamond white concrete pot, $429 for large, Domayne. Muse collection terrazzo in Pavlova, from $181 per sq m, Fibonacci Stone. Wall&decò ‘Floridita’ indoor wallpaper in Bronzage, $230 per sq m, Pure Interiors. Ligne Roset ‘Pumpkin’ swivel chair, from $4050, Domo. Kelly Wearstler ‘Melange’ sconce, $979, The Montauk Lighting Co.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON
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POOL The couple’s bedroom overlooks the pool, which was built by Aquacon Pools and is surrounded by three floating glass gates that appear to hover over the white concrete. “It’s our own little resort within Melbourne!” says Ella. COURTYARD The blackbutt timber conversation pit was constructed by Matt Walsham Landscape Architecture. “It also doubles as a spot to sunbake,” says Ella. Cushions by Basil Bangs. Outdoor Bombala dining setting by Didier.
LESSON LEARNT “Find the right shade of pink, so your house doesn’t end up looking too ‘Barbie-esque’.” ELLA, HOMEOWNER
“I somehow managed to convince my husband to use tones of pink throughout our home, from our front door to our ensuite. But you need to find the right balance between nude and pink. I also love tones of beige, ivory, cream and brushed brass, for contrast.”
NATURAL INSTINCT cheat sheet Who lives here Holly Marder, an interior designer and partner at Avenue Design Studio, her husband Dirk Kraaij, a robotics engineer, their daughters Lola, 8, and Pippa, 9 months, plus Binky the cat. Style of home A 1920s three-storey house in Delft in the Netherlands. After buying the house in November 2013, the couple did cosmetic renovations. An extensive ground-floor renovation was finished in 12 weeks in August 2018.
After a long hunt, an Australian expat has turned her Dutch fixer-upper into an inviting and functional home that satisfies both head and heart WORDS JOANNE HAWKINS STYLING & PHOTOGRAPHY AVENUE DESIGN STUDIO
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LIVING A Soderhamn sofa from Ikea is elevated with a linen Bemz cover. “I’ve spent many hours sitting here looking up at the sky through the skylight,” says Holly (opposite). The ‘Hennep’ sisal rug from Avenue Design Studio adds warmth and softness to the oak floor, with the Kovac Family ‘Not So Low’ chair a tonal, tactile complementary piece.
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hen Holly Marder met Dutchman Dirk
Kraaij in Germany in 2008, she was due to return home to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in six weeks. “But after four weeks, I decided I wasn’t ready to be back in Australia and wanted to see him again,” says Holly. “The minute we saw each other, sparks flew and that was it. It was a proper love story.” After a year working in London – and visiting the Netherlands almost every weekend – Holly moved to Dirk’s hometown of Delft, where the couple welcomed daughter Lola in 2012. But while they knew almost immediately that they wanted to be together, the search for their home proved less straightforward. Holly wanted a “quintessentially Dutch home packed with charm and character”, but Dirk craved functionality. “We would have bought a newly built house, if he’d had his way,” says Holly. “We went to look at a place that I completely fell in love with – it had so much character with amazing windows, exposed beams and panelling. But all Dirk could 80 | INSIDE OUT
see were the wonky floors and the wood rot in the windows. We looked at it from completely opposite ends of the scale.” By the time the pair saw the 1920s row house that was to become their home, they’d already viewed 25 other properties. And the signs weren’t promising – Holly initially dismissed it when she spotted it on a real estate website. “I didn’t have that wow feeling but the real estate agent convinced us to come and have a look,” she says. And despite the three-storey home’s tired appearance, including flaky oak floors, nicotine-stained walls and a rundown kitchen, Holly – now an interior designer – could see the potential, particularly when she walked up to the bright, open-plan attic space. The couple sanded the hardwood floors (“which were hiding under orange linoleum upstairs,” says Holly), updating the kitchen and painting the “putrid” multi-coloured walls. “We held a painting party. It’s amazing what a bit of white paint can do,” she says. Then, in 2018, Holly and Dirk made more extensive changes. An old guest toilet and laundry were removed to make way for an extension, with French doors opening to a small but perfectly
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formed garden. A new staircase was redirected, making space for a toilet and a large kitchen. A favourite feature is the skylight above the new living area, although Holly admits this was almost scrapped to save money. “The skylight has been such a good move,” she says. “The light it brings to the ground floor is beautiful, no matter the season, and it adds interest and height to what would otherwise have been a bit of a boxy space.” When it came to the interiors, Holly’s goal was to create a calming space with a muted colour palette and textural detail mixed in with personal elements. “I’ve always been drawn to natural, quiet colours. I get a bit nervous when there’s too much colour. I always say my fruit bowl is very colourful, but even that kills me a little,” she says. With renovations over – for now - the family are enjoying living in their serene new space. “When you walk in, it just feels good,” says Holly. “It’s not a huge house, but there’s a sense of flow and every area of the downstairs space has a defined use. I’m really grateful that we are able to live in a home like this.” For a further look at Holly’s work, go to avenue-designstudio.com
DINING AREA A mix of chairs, including a CH23 chair by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, surround the Hübsch dining table. “I fantasise about having matching dining chairs but even so, I won’t be able to part with my two vintage Danish chairs,” says Holly. “I drove to the other end of the country to pick them up and they’re so comfortable.” The screenprint is by Antoinette Gispen. LIVING (opposite) Vases by Ineke van der Werff sit atop a Climb wall shelving unit from Munk Collective.
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bright idea The breakfast bar has brought an extra social element, forming a practical hub for the family and guests. “Aesthetically, it has also broken up the space and defined the different living spaces nicely,” says Holly.
BREAKFAST BAR A lastminute but necessary addition to the kitchen, the breakfast bar is completed with Osso walnut stools from Ethnicraft. The sculptural wall artwork is by Rob van Hemert. KITCHEN (opposite) The six-metre-long marble-inspired composite countertop from Hi-Macs is a luxury in a narrow Dutch row house. “It was definitely a splurge but it’s a bulletproof material,” says Holly. “I sold it to Dirk by saying how practical it was.” The sustainable bamboo cabinets are by Norwegian company Ask Og Eng.
LOLA’S BEDROOM In this room there is more colour, largely thanks to a vintage Moroccan boucherouite rug. “I bought it years ago and I’ve always loved it, it’s so fun and playful,” says Holly. A large artwork by Lola Donoghue also amps up the vibrancy while a trestle table (opposite) provides Lola the perfect spot to create art and do homework.
“I wanted our home to feel calm, considered and cohesive from the moment you walk in the front door, and to have an easy flow” HOLLY MARDER, HOMEOWNER
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GREAT FINDS
all is calm
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT IC Light ‘S1’ pendant in Brushed Brass, $800, Euroluce. Rice paper light shade, $65 for 60cm, Hay. Mele 1 small pendant in Ash/Frost, $139, Beacon Lighting. No. 18 side chair in Natural Oak, $220, Thonet. Madras rug (1.8m x 2.7m), $199, Freedom. David Collins small bowl, $53, Planet. Raft linen cushion, $34.95, Linen House. Denmark tallboy in Natural, $999, Snooze.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING NATALIE JOHNSON
For a peaceful interior, blend muted shades of cream and white with touchable textures
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LESSONS LEARNT MAIN BEDROOM “It’s a bit of an unexpected oasis up there,” says Holly of the top-floor space that sold the house for her. “When I walk up the stairs, I still get that little bit of joy in my tummy that I got when I first saw it.” LOLA’S BEDROOM (opposite) “It’s a beautiful, quiet base, while still being busy and fun,” says Holly, here with Lola, of the Farrow & Ball Tourbillon wallpaper.
“Living on site during demolition of the kitchen was a challenge” HOLLY MARDER, HOMEOWNER
“Why we decided this was a good idea, I will never know! Add a young child and the first trimester of pregnancy to the equation and you have a recipe for a potential mental breakdown. But being on site to manage the process closely and do some things ourselves, such as painting, laying the floors and building the kitchen, enabled us to get the most out of our budget.”
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RENOVATE charm factor
Everything old is new again with this careful renovation
When a Californian bungalow came up for sale on their very street, Melbourne couple Karly and Ben took the opportunity to create a home tailored to the needs of their young family. Teaming up with trusted design experts was instrumental in bringing their vision of a heritage-restored modern abode with open-plan living, dining and kitchen to life. Turn the page to see more.
PHOTOGRAPH MARNIE HAWSON
verandah
DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT.
OPEN HEART When a 1920s home came up for sale on their street, a Melbourne family seized the chance to reshape and refresh it WORDS JESSICA BELLEF PHOTOGRAPHY MARNIE HAWSON
FRENCH OAK ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORING (THROUGHOUT), MADE BY STOREY. INTERIOR WALLS PAINTED DULUX NATURAL WHITE.
A fresh coat of Dulux Limed White Half has brightened up the home’s façade. It’s punctuated perfectly by a black timber bench from The Banyan Tree.
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dining area Airy, inviting and a great spot to admire the home’s coffered ceilings, the open-plan dining area benefits from the visual lightness of rattan dining chairs from Open Room. Malmo 1 timber pendant from Beacon Lighting.
cheat sheet Who lives here Karly, the head of CMO advisory at Deloitte, Ben, director and co-founder of construction tech company Hammertech, and their two sons Isaac, 4, and Joshua, 1. Style of home A 1927 Californian bungalow located in the family-friendly suburb of Glen Iris, Victoria, was given a thoroughly modern update. Planning started in early 2016; renovations commenced at the end of 2016 and were complete a year later. $$$$ $650,000.
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bungalow is telling: its intricate stained-glass front door looks original to the 1927 home, but in fact, the striking design feature is actually a recent addition. The renovated Melbourne house is a blend of old and new, and it represents the future for its owners Karly and Ben, and their young sons Isaac and Joshua. The couple were living in a townhouse in 2014 and looking for their forever home when they saw that the bungalow three doors along had been put up for sale. Their leafy street – close to parks, schools and a gourmet supermarket loved by locals – was where the couple wanted to settle down and raise a family, and this house offered them the chance to give an older home a modern update. “We didn’t want to live in a McMansion – we wanted a home with personality,” says Karly. “The frontage of the bungalow was beautiful, with bay windows bordered by shingles and mossy terracotta tiles,” she says. However, there was a fair bit of work to be done on the layout before the home could be considered suitably functional for a growing family. The couple engaged Melbourne-based building firm Tilbuilt and interior stylist Marcia Hong to give the charming old dwelling a fresh look and improved practicality.
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MIRROR, WARRANBROOKE. ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: JOSIE SMITH
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he entrance to this Californian
DREAM IT.
“Our aim was to update the property to make it modern, while retaining its classic features,” says Karly. “With a family of four, including two little boys, in the house, we wanted it to be stylish yet comfortable and kid-friendly.” The home had been subject to an earlier extension, completed in the 1990s, that placed a closed-off kitchen in the middle of the home. “The inside felt dark and the layout didn’t flow very well,” she says, adding that built-in storage was also lacking. The couple, very aware of the realities of raising young children, knew that clean lines and an open plan would serve their family well. “When I was growing up, we didn’t have space to do things together; we just retreated to our rooms,” says Karly. “So as we planned this house, we included common areas where we could have fun and connect as a family, but also have enough space to each do our own thing.”
wishlist + Heritage respected “We wanted to keep the moulding and ceiling details, and include skirting and architrave designs from the 1920s,” says Karly. + Open layout A reconfigured floor plan that incorporated an easy flow from the front of the house to the back, as well as an open-plan living, dining and kitchen. + Kid friendly “We were conscious of making sure our home didn’t feel formal or sterile. It had to be relaxed and a space where the boys could play freely.”
kitchen Delicate sheer curtains from Bracken Blinds and textural rattan stools from Open Room are a beautiful foil to the crisp lines of the Caesarstone ‘Organic White’ island bench. The black Armando Vicario ‘Tink’ sink mixer is from Abey.
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DESIGN IT. The couple were clear from the get-go that they wanted to celebrate the period features of the home by restoring the remaining 1920s inclusions where possible and designing new spaces that complemented them. The home’s original façade, with its new front door custom-made by Armadale Doors and two front rooms, would set the tone for the rest of the renovation. “The key to designing a home with a traditional front and modern rear is to make sure the entrance and the hallway create a seamless passageway between the sections,” says Daniel Tilkeridis, director or Tilbuilt. “In fact, it’s crucial.” To aesthetically bridge old and new, wall mouldings, tall skirting boards and stunning coffered ceilings were included in the design. Tilbuilt’s reconfiguration of the home’s back half incorporated a split-level layout that made the best of the sloping block and added height to the new open-plan kitchen, living and dining space. Glass sliding doors and generous windows allow daylight to saturate the spaces where the family spend most of their time. “We chose neutral colours for the hard surfaces throughout, with a black accent on some of the fixtures. This gave us a great canvas to work with,” says Karly. Interior stylist Marcia responded to the couple’s preferred palette of navy, grey and blush, adding pale-timber pieces “to complement the fresh and relaxed approach to the colour palette”.
the moodboard CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Malmo 1 pendant in Natural Wood (35cm), $349, Beacon Lighting. Knoll Studio ‘Tulip’ side table by Eero Saarinen, from $1465, Dedece. Organic White benchtop, from $550 per sq m installed, Caesarstone. Wash&Wear paint in Natural White, $77.90 for 4L, Dulux. Delta III modular sofa in Manhattan Blue Steel, $6101, King Living. European oak engineered timber flooring in Sand, $117.70 per sq m, Made By Storey. Armando Vicario ‘Tink’ kitchen mixer in Black, $793, Abey Australia.
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main bedroom Relaxation reigns in Karly and Ben’s colourful bedroom. A grey Heatherly bedhead is teamed with an Indian bedspread from Palace on Street.
Comfort takes top billing in the family living area, with a GlobeWest sofa and armchair. Shown above is the formal living room, where the navy armchairs are from MRD Home.
DO IT.
Drawing on his experience as a construction engineer who works on large-scale commercial developments, Ben took on the task of managing the renovation. “It was a huge benefit to us that Ben understood the process and was able to control the budget and keep everyone accountable,” says Karly. The couple’s close involvement with the design and build – and the fact they were living on the same street during the renovation – meant decisions were made swiftly and with certainty. “We were guided by the experts, but learnt to not question our instincts,” adds Karly. Because the Tilbuilt team offered an integrated design and construction service, the decision-making was streamlined and the final outcome is a home where attention to detail shines through. “Even my perfectionist dad, who has been a builder for a long time, approves of the job they did,” she says with a smile. When it came to the finishing touches, Karly and Ben didn’t hesitate to seek expert guidance. “After putting so much work into getting the house right, we were determined to purchase the perfect fittings for it.” That task was deftly handled by Marcia. “We came up with a style that reflected the modern-classic look and feel that Ben and Karly were after,” says the interior stylist of working collaboratively with the couple to curate a selection of perfectly proportioned pieces in unfussy shapes. “After going through the selection process with Marcia we are even more in love with our home – if that’s possible!” says Karly. Tilbuilt; tilbuilt.com.au. Marcia Hong; marciahong.com
ARTWORKS BY JESSIE RIGBY (FAMILY LIVING) AND KIRSTEN JACKSON (FORMAL LIVING). ROSE PRINT (MAIN BEDROOM) BY WARRRANBROOKE. SHEEPSKIN, HIDES OF EXCELLENCE. RUGS, THE RUG COLLECTION. COFFEE TABLE (FORMAL LIVING) AND BEDSIDE TABLES (BEDROOM), GLOBEWEST. TABLE LAMP (BEDROOM), MILK & SUGAR.
living areas
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the best bits + The layout “Our open-plan kitchen, family living and dining room is a big space we can all use, and we love its window seat, high ceilings and abundance of light,” says Karly. + The location “It feels residential and family friendly, but it’s close to the city. We’ll be happy here for a long time.” + The furnishings “The beautiful pieces selected by Marcia are the ultimate complement to all the hard work that went into our renovation,” she says.
ensuite The vanity in Ben and Karly’s ensuite features a crisp top in Caesarstone ‘Organic White’. It’s teamed with a Kado Lussi basin and Milli Pure tapware, both Reece. The stool is from MRD Home and tiles, Du Lucia Tile Gallery.
LESSONS LEARNT
“It’s good to accept that
you can’t do everything!”
KARLY, HOMEOWNER
“With young kids and full-time jobs, we simply didn’t have the time to be traipsing through furniture stores on weekends. Working with an interior stylist made the furniture selection process much more efficient for us, and we ended up with a truly beautiful result.”
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SPOTLIGHT
F OF SIGHT Within this considered transformation of a Sydney terrace, a serene Japanese sensibility comes through in aesthetic, atmosphere and appeal
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dreams of a light-filled and streamlined home seemed a long way off when they first approached Kitty Lee, of Kitty Lee Architecture, to help them with a kitchen and bathroom update. But as they delved into the brief, it made better sense to look at the renovation of the whole house from the get-go. “The scope of the project massively ballooned from what was supposed to be a simple kitchen renovation, but it was definitely the right decision,” says Warren. He and Annie had owned the Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Chippendale for about three years before engaging Kitty to address the dark, cramped spaces and general dilapidation. Kitty devised a plan that would stretch the rear of the terrace to both boundaries of the ground floor, gaining liveable space from a seldomused side passage, and she introduced a lightwell and a split level that now connects the terrace to the outdoors.
WORDS ALAANA COBON STYLING & PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO
CUSTOM CONCRETE BENCH, CONCRETE STUDIO. SIGNATURE PROLINE BUILT-IN SIDE BURNER BARBECUE, BEEFEATER. AXON CLADDING, SCYON. OCEAN GREY FLAMED GRANITE TILES, SURFACE GALLERY
or Warren and Annie,
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cheat sheet Who lives here Warren, a software developer, and his partner Annie, a solicitor. Style of home A narrow heritage-style Victorian terrace in the inner-city suburb of Chippendale, Sydney. All up, the project took 15 months – two months for design and development, another four for the DA process, then three months of construction documentation plus six for the actual construction – and was completed in March this year. The whole project cost was $$$$ approximately $400,000.
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COURTYARD (PREVIOUS PAGE) “Granite tiles from Surface Gallery continue to the courtyard for a seamless extension of living space,” says Kitty. “A new barbecue bench functions as an outdoor kitchen, which was a wishlist item for the couple. It was cantilevered so that the floor area would feel more expansive.” KITCHEN “We are so happy with the kitchen,” says Warren. “The extra storage has improved my workflow, in particular the pull-out shelves.” The success of the zone is due to smart design decisions, as well as elegant style choices, with Elton Group Eveneer Milkwood veneer joinery by BK Joinery, as well as a splashback in Shuk tiles from Skheme. “Cupboards to the ceiling and full-height glazing to the courtyard take advantage of the generous height of the room,” says Kitty. “Triple-stacking sliding doors were selected for flexibility; the doors can be opened from both sides, stacked to either side or stacked in the middle. So, when someone is using the kitchen, the courtyard is still accessible from the other side of the island bench.” MASTER BEDROOM Walls painted in Dulux Herbalist reflect the surrounding trees, adding an element of nature to this inner-city residence.
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NEW WORKS LIGHTING ‘JULIET’ PENDANT LIGHT, HG FURNITURE SOLUTIONS. VANTAGE STACKING DOORS, ARCHITECTURAL WINDOW SYSTEMS. JASPER CHAIR IN TAN, MRD HOME. AFTERNOON NAP ARTWORK, THE ART AND FRAMING COMPANY. CUSHIONS AND THROW, ADAIRS. SAMURAI CARPET IN PYUA, CAVALIER BREMWORTH.
2 the concept
Determined to respectfully renovate this two-bedroom, twobathroom heritage terrace, architect Kitty Lee retained the front, ground-floor portion of the home that housed the living and dining areas, as well as the main bedroom (pictured, right), attic bedroom and study upstairs. Restoring the three original fireplaces and floorboards was an integral part of the considered makeover, along with reworking the rear floor plan to achieve greater functionality, flexibility and natural light within a contemporary structure. The tapered shape – from a modest 4.3 metres wide at the front, to 2.9 metres at the rear of the site – was another challenge that Kitty handled by redistributing rooms to ensure every space reached its full potential. Annie, having previously lived in apartments, appreciated the sense of privacy and space provided by the terrace, and requested an onsen-style bathtub in the main bathroom, which sparked the concept of a minimalistic Japanese sensibility throughout. Opaque glass doors, elegant custom joinery, billowy white curtains and compact spaces with high-quality finishes ensure the aesthetic permeates through the home. By briefing in the requirement for beautiful, functional storage to capitalise on the terrace’s generous ceiling height, the couple are now able to live unburdened by clutter.
the function
A lightwell with a water feature now demarcates the division between old and new, drawing natural light into the home and providing an ambient view when lit at night. Gaining extra width by extending to the property’s boundaries allowed space for a kitchen island topped with an Essastone White Concrete work surface and black inset with a Franke sink and tap. “The sink and cooktop are offset so two people can comfortably use the kitchen at the same time,” says Kitty. “The location of the sink also makes room for seating at one end of the island.” Warren agrees: “We often eat at the bench when it’s just the two of us.” By moving the kitchen to the back of the home and adding a gentle split level, Kitty has fashioned a cooking zone that opens directly out to the courtyard and benefits from an even greater sense of space when the triple-stacking sliding doors are stowed. Upstairs, a new north-facing window in the study has dramatically changed the appeal of the space, and the Juliet balcony off the second bedroom is a winning addition. In this neat spare bedroom, Kitty has designed a wardrobe that is veiled by the same simple curtaining that extends across the balcony door. A single pelmet recessed into the ceiling delivers a streamlined look, and creative attention paid to the wardrobe itself ensures that even when the curtains are drawn, the view is a good one. INSIDE OUT | 99
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the joy
As with any example of great design, it’s the details that bear particular mention, and in this home, the lighting is especially worthy of attention. When asked for some of his favourite aspects of the renovation, Warren says, “Sunlight flooding the bathroom from the skylight during the day, and the lightwell with the water feature looks especially good at night with the lights turned on.” And sometimes, the hardest working rooms in the house have the potential for the greatest improvement. The bathroom and laundry is now a multipurpose space. “Rather than hiding the laundry within a cupboard, the laundry tub has a recessed mirrored cabinet above so that it doubles as a bathroom vanity,” says Kitty. Fusing the laundry with the bathroom reclaimed muchneeded space for Warren and Annie, but the success of this project isn’t all about utilising square metres inside. Just as importantly, the addition of the lightwell ensures connection to the outdoors and a tranquil view from the centre of the home. “Internally, we have used a palette of natural tones, robust materials and different shades of green to visually connect with the glimpses of greenery outside,” says Kitty. “The house embraces its challenging location in the dense urban fabric and finds harmony between utility and its heritage context.” To see more of Kitty’s work, visit klarch.com.au. The builder of the project is Renotech, renotechbuilding.com.au 100 | INSIDE OUT
VANTAGE MAGNUM SLIDING DOOR, ARCHITECTURAL WINDOW SYSTEMS. CUSTOM CURTAINS, KOLONG INTERIORS. CURTAIN FABRIC, CHARLES PARSONS INTERIORS. ‘HANA’ ACRYLIC BATH, THE JAPANESE BATH COMPANY. ‘ICON + LEVER’ SHOWER SET AND ‘ICON’ TAPS, ASTRA WALKER. QUASAR 65 WALL BASIN WITH LH SHELF, PARISI. MATT WHITE NON-RECTIFIED WALL TILES, SURFACE GALLERY. WHITE UNGLAZED SQUARE FLOOR TILES, DI LORENZO.
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SECOND BEDROOM “I made the leather strap hanging rail, which was installed under a simple shelf,” says Kitty. “A recessed pelmet allows a curtain to span wall to wall, a versatile yet cost-effective solution to add texture and softness to the room, control light and privacy and also conceal the wardrobe space without the need for a separate cupboard door.” MAIN BATHROOM “Typical of a Japanese bathroom, the room is divided into wet and dry areas,” says Kitty. “The large skylight over the wet area draws the eye upwards rather than along the narrow space.” BATHROOM/LAUNDRY “A custom full-height opaque glass door from Sapphire Aluminium allows the windowless room to borrow daylight from the lightwell,” says Kitty. A mix of storage options – ceilingheight storage, bench space, open shelving – improve the room’s functionality.
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SPOTLIGHT ON
CONCRETE
Once admired, and in equal measures avoided for its brutalist connection, this bold material is finding new life in modern builds
T
he word ‘concrete’ appeared in 1750 as
a description for mortar, while the first reinforced concrete structures were built around 1900. Dating back to Rome’s Pantheon to present day, concrete has enjoyed some monumental moments at the hands of architectural greats like Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and more recently John Pawson. Concrete is again taking centrestage in contemporary architecture, and the latest award-winning homes add weight to this notion. New techniques have elevated this dynamic material from a static substructure to a celebrated substance with exposed concrete now a frontrunner for everything from façades to flooring and furniture.
THE POD
Whiting Architects used stacked precast concrete and natural concrete render in this light-filled guesthouse to create an impressive sculptural form. whitingarchitects.com
WORDS ALEXANDRA GORDON
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PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL (THIS PAGE), SHARYN CAIRNS (OPPOSITE). DEVELOPMENT AND BUILD: AGUSHI (THIS PAGE). ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGN: WORKROOM (THIS PAGE). STYLING: SIMONE HAAG (THIS PAGE).
HUNTINGTOWER
Workroom and Agushi used grey concrete poured on site as an off-form concrete wall to create texture and a sense of delicate luxury. agushi.com.au; workroom.com.au
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TAMARAMA RESIDENCE In this project by Tamsin Johnson, a subdued palette of washed-out tones is complemented by soft grey concrete and natural fibres. tamsinjohnson.com
architectural elements Incorporating concrete as an architectural element is one way to introduce the material in more measured doses. Concrete makes great kitchen islands or bathroom vanities as it’s easy to clean and almost indestructible. “It’s durable and hardy, so great for benchtops,” says interior designer Tamsin Johnson. It can also make a statement as a sideboard or bench seat. Depending on the way that it’s detailed, concrete can bring softness or a hard edge to an interior. For example, Tamsin’s kitchen at the Tamarama residence (above) feels completely different to the kitchen designed by architect Madeleine Blanchfield for the Clovelly House II (see page 107). “I like the fact it’s so low-key and subdued in tone — it doesn’t need to make a statement, rather settle into a space and let the other features sing,” says Tamsin. Concrete brings a bespoke flavour to your home when used in this capacity. “We love working with concrete, it’s robust but allows us to be playful with texture and colour,” says Madeleine. “It’s one of the only materials that is seamless, unlimited by size or shape and can be imprinted with a material or pattern of choice.” Each unique piece will feature patina and light air bubbles, as is the nature of the material, and will continue to age in its own way.
Beautifully finished concrete brings innate interest to both internal and external walls. “By detailing it well, and exploiting its qualities, we can take a material that is often associated with commercial or industrial building processes and turn it into an invaluable layer that makes a home,” says architect John Bornas, director of Workroom. Cast on site or precast, this high-quality finish is usually left unpainted with the markings borne out of construction serving as decoration. Once considered monastic, it has shaken off its cold and austere connotations and is prevalent in more playful architecture and decorative interiors. The shapely concrete shell that envelopes the Hawthorn House by Edition Office (opposite) illustrates this. “I like the plasticity and textural qualities,” says Aaron Roberts, director of Edition Office. Off-form concrete can be smooth or textured, the type of formwork determining the look. Smooth finishes are achieved using flush materials such as steel or plywood. Textured finishes are created by either attaching materials such as timber boards to the formwork, or by using profiled materials like corrugated sheeting. Recycled Oregon timber board formwork was used at Hawthorn House, the boards spaced out to enhance the textural qualities. “We wanted to achieve a materiality that had a primitive quality about it — part ruin, part contemporary, an ageless tactility,” explains Aaron. Precast concrete is cured in a controlled environment using a reusable mould, then transported to site and lifted into place. Advantages to this process include greater control over material quality and lower costs as the forms are used numerous times in contrast to the site-specific form work that off-form concrete requires. “There’s a real craft to creating great work in concrete; from its specification to the contractors that prepare the form and those pouring and finishing the work, there’s a lot of embedded knowledge and care required from multiple parties to build well using concrete,” says Aaron.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANSON SMART (THIS PAGE), BEN HOSKING (OPPOSITE)
concrete walls
“We wanted to achieve a materiality that had a primitive quality about it — part ruin, part contemporary, an ageless tactility” AARON ROBERTS, ARCHITECT
HAWTHORN HOUSE
The concrete exterior, cast on site against a framework of timber boards, adds an organic simplicity that beautifully mirrors its surroundings. edition-office.com
costing Concrete can be a cost-effective building material for many applications. Seek out the best craftsmen to achieve a high-quality finish. Although this might mean selecting a higher priced contractor, it is essential to beautiful walls, floors and furniture. It’s a very durable material so won’t incur constant maintenance costs over the lifetime of the building. “Concrete columns and off-form concrete elements are expensive, however, once poured they are finished items with little work required,” says Sam Grosser of Grosser Construction.
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THORNTON RESIDENCE
Doherty Design Studio utilised this cast concrete and fibreglass basin by Concrete Collective to add understated glamour to this modern country home. dohertydesignstudio.com.au
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maintenance
PHOTOGRAPHY: PRUE RUSCOE (THIS PAGE), DEREK SWALWELL (OPPOSITE)
Although easy to maintain, concrete is a porous material, so decorative surfaces should be sealed. Joints also require sealing to minimise water penetration and stop grime build-up. And if cracks do appear, repair them quickly to retain structural soundness and keep water from seeping in, which can lead to problems in the substructure. Day to day, it’s best to clean stains off immediately and avoid the wrong chemicals. A mix of warm water with dishwashing liquid should remove any dirt. If the surface is particularly stained, add baking soda to this combination. Stay away from vinegar, as this eats away at concrete. Floors can be repolished at any time to return them to their original state.
CLOVELLY HOUSE II
The concrete bench designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects and built by Bellevarde uses a tinting system that is customisable on site. madeleineblanchfield.com
“We love working with concrete, it’s robust but allows us to be playful with texture and colour. It’s one of the only materials that is seamless” MADELEINE BLANCHFIELD, ARCHITECT
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No longer limited to warehouse conversions, concrete flooring is increasingly popular. “Many clients believe concrete to be cold, sterile and unforgiving where we find the complete opposite,” says John. Practically speaking, it competes with timber on pricing but is a better choice for high-traffic areas. “It’s elegant, robust and practical,” says architect David Welsh of Welsh & Major. It’s also easy to clean, and fire and flood resistant. Whether freshly poured for a new build or an existing slab, it can be polished to varying degrees to deliver the desired effect. A heavy polish will expose more stones, resulting in a heavily patterned finish. “Not many materials can be quiet and robust when used one way, yet quite cheeky and rambunctious when used in another,” says David. For those after a perfectly smooth surface, a steel trowel finish can be applied before polishing. Epoxy coating or coloured concrete flooring are other finish options. Made from resin and hardener, epoxy comes in a variety of shades and is often applied to existing slabs. In order to colour the concrete itself, pigment or oxide can be added prior to the pour. Alternatively, dry pigment can be swept across the surface of freshly finished concrete. Coloured concrete can also be used for walls and furniture. When it comes to concrete floors, the thermal properties of concrete are worth considering. Concrete is a cold surface, and although heating can be added if working on a new build, it’s best to avoid using it in dark rooms and insulate it against heat loss to maximise thermal mass capabilities.
“Not many materials can be quiet and robust when used one way, yet quite cheeky and rambunctious when used in another” DAVID WELSH, ARCHITECT
EDSALL STREET RESIDENCE
Ritz&Ghougassian used concrete blocks from Austral Masonry and polished concrete floors in this brutalist beauty. ritzghougassian.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM BLANCHFORD (THIS PAGE). DEREK SWALWELL (OPPOSITE)
flooring
pros and cons The advantages of building with concrete substantially outweigh the disadvantages. The ingredients are readily available and unlike other natural stones, it’s free from defects and flaws. It can be cast to any shape. “The biggest advantage of concrete is its durability and flexibility in design elements. Essentially almost any shape can be achieved,” says Sam. Maintenance costs are low, and the deterioration is not appreciable with age. The weight compared to its strength could, however, be seen as a disadvantage. “Time is another consideration,” says Sam. “While it’s a fairly fast process, curing time before stripping can add to your timeline.” Concrete can be prone to concrete cancer, a term that refers to the corrosion of the reinforced steel bars and mesh within structural concrete. Common contributing factors include poor waterproofing, saltwater chlorides forming in buildings near the sea, weather and ground movements. The structural integrity of the building can be compromised if left untreated.
DUNES
Designed by Whiting Architects and built by Bartlett Constructions, a concrete rendered fireplace was imprinted with sandblasted timber. whitingarchitects.com
BUYER’S GUIDE
timber flooring
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF KUSTOM TIMBER (THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE LEFT); COURTESY OF CHOICES FLOORING (OPPOSITE RIGHT)
Hardworking, beautiful and easy to care for – timber flooring ticks a lot of boxes. Here’s how to use it with confidence
PATTERN PERFECT Classic herringbone flooring adds another refined dimension to this home. Habitat oak engineered parquetry flooring in Beach House from Kustom Timber.
WORDS GEORGIA MADDEN
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OPEN WIDE Wider boards will create a sense of space, as seen with engineered flooring from Kustom Timber and Abode Prime hybrid flooring in Verona (right) from Choices Flooring.
Solid hardwood can generally be sanded back up to three times and retain its grain and colour LEON TRAVIS, BORAL TIMBER
F
or natural good looks, timber
flooring is hard to beat. “It has a warm, tactile appeal and being a natural material it creates a calm, grounded feel in a space,” says Maria Roussos, principal at Sydney design firm Schemes & Spaces. “It has other benefits too – it’s insulating, hypoallergenic, wears better than carpet and can make a room feel bigger than it actually is.” Flooring is a major decision – and one that you’ll want to be happy with for years to come. “A big consideration is whether you want the floor to be the star of the room or play a supporting role,” says Heather Nette King, interiors stylist and Carpet Court ambassador. “The more detail and features a floor has – think parquetry or a deeply knotted timber – the more it will attract the spotlight. If you want the focus to be on another element, say a fabulous wallpaper or rug, stick to plain timbers with more even grains.” Here, we help you navigate your way through the main options.
solid timber
Consider this type of flooring a long-term investment – it generally costs more than other flooring types, particularly when you factor in installation, but with proper care, it should last a lifetime. It’s made from solid hardwood planks, which are either laid as a structural floor or installed over a structural subfloor by a professional, before being sanded and coated on site. You’ll find all manner of species, colours and grades (the amount of knots and grains) on offer, with boards ranging from about 100mm to more than 200mm wide. To ensure your timber has been responsibly sourced, look for PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. “Depending on foot traffic, a solid floor will need maintenance every eight years or so,” says Randy Flierman, CEO of the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (AFTA). “Solid hardwood can generally be sanded back up to three times and retain its grain and colour, compared
with an engineered timber floor with a four-millimetre top layer, which can typically only be sanded back once in its lifetime,” says Leon Travis, general manager of sales and distribution at Boral Timber. To up your home’s luxe factor, consider a patterned parquetry floor, which is laid in individual timber blocks or comes on panels similar to mosaic tiles. “Chevron parquet in a narrow block size with bevels is an emerging trend,” says Ivan Kirton, director of We Love Parquet. Or opt for recycled or reclaimed boards. “These floors have a rich history and are as eco-friendly as it gets,” says Bree Anastasi, co-founder and managing director of Timber Revival. “Plus, being 40 years or older, they’re well-seasoned, so they offer great stability.” Expect to pay: From around $150 per square metre (supply only) for new, solid blackbutt timber. INSIDE OUT | 111
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Engineered flooring gives you the elegant look of solid timber without the complex installation or price tag. It can be laid directly over an existing floor, such as concrete or tiles, and as it’s generally made up of three separate layers (a solid timber layer, a core HDF layer and a plywood base), it won’t contract or warp in the same way solid boards do. “Large board widths give a room a great sense of scale – 260mm-wide boards are very popular right now,” says Anne Plumb, general manager of Royal Oak Floors. “Having less boards and joins also helps to create a seamless look in a room,” says Heather. “The other advantage with engineered boards is colour – they can go through some amazing processes and treatments prior to installation to create colours that wouldn’t be possible to do on site,” says Anne. Soft blondes, warm greys and weathered finishes are popular options. Engineered timber is usually prefinished, making it quick to install by a professional – no sanding, sealing or staining required upon installation (although you can sand, stain or paint it down the track). Quality is generally determined by the thickness of the timber layer, which ranges from about 0.6mm to 6mm thick, says Mark Chaz, director of Kustom Timber. “A thicker top layer feels more solid underfoot, has greater acoustic qualities and lasts longer. The thinnest top layer we’d recommend is 3mm thick.” Expect to pay: From around $90 per square metre (supply only).
laminate flooring
If you love the look of timber floors but your budget is stretched, consider timberlook laminate. It’s made up of several layers, including a durable HDF core, a design layer featuring a high-resolution image of timber and a hardy melamine top layer. Technological advances make it virtually impossible to distinguish the latest laminates from real wood, with deep embossing and natural textures. “Laminate is scratch-, stain- and impact-resistant and the latest generation is water-resistant, too, so it’s suitable for wet rooms such as bathrooms,” says Kendall Waller, national product and technical manager of Quick-Step. Thanks to its click-and-lock system, laminate is also easy to DIY install directly over an
existing floor – no nails or glue required. “A good underlay is crucial if you want to reduce footfall noise,” adds Kendall. “Longer and wider laminate boards are on trend right now,” says Jason Verstak, group manager for marketing at Choices Flooring. “Blackbutt and spotted gum are popular, while oak is sought after for homes in coastal areas.” Hybrid flooring, which combines the durability of laminate with the soft appeal of luxury vinyl, is another budget-friendly option. “It’s quick and easy to install, with minimal to no subfloor preparation,” says Jason. “Plus it’s waterproof and scratch-, stain- and scuff-resistant, making it ideal for busy households.” Expect to pay: Around $60 per square metre (including installation).
PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON SHIFF (TOP LEFT); COURTESY OF CARPET COURT (CENTRE)
engineered timber
CLASS ACT Add a bit of drama with Masterpieces laminate flooring in Grey Chevron from Carpet Court and Habitat engineered flooring in Black Japan (left) from Kustom Flooring.
FLOOR SHOW (clockwise from top left) Palazzo engineered flooring in Frozen Oak Extra Matt, Quick-Step. European oak engineered flooring in Aged Smoked & Limed, Royal Oak Floors. Plantino Noosa laminate in Barwon Blackbutt, Choices Flooring. European oak solid block parquetry in Black Japan, We Love Parquet. European oak engineered flooring in Peppercorn Grey, Royal Oak Floors. Plantino Noosa laminates in Maroo Oak and Eyre Spotted Gum, Choices Flooring.
bamboo flooring
Blackbutt and spotted gum are popular, while oak is sought after for homes in coastal areas JASON VERSTAK, CHOICES FLOORING
Bamboo is technically a type of grass rather than a species of wood. But don’t be fooled; bamboo flooring is actually more impact-resistant than many timber varieties and is a popular choice for active family homes. Plus it boasts impressive eco creds – unlike oak, which takes 40-plus years to grow, bamboo can be harvested every five to seven years and regenerates in between, says Richard Lock, director at Bamboo Floors. Bamboo flooring has a straight grain and a colour-consistent finish, and it comes in a wide variety of colours and textures. “Mid-tone natural shades are a popular choice,” says Richard. Choose from strand-woven bamboo flooring, where strips of bamboo are glued together to make boards, or engineered bamboo, which has a layer of bamboo over several layers of wood. Most bamboo flooring products are floating, so they’re DIY-friendly and can be laid over existing timber, tile or slab floors. Boards come pre-finished and ready to go, and they can be used in every room in your home, except bathrooms and laundries. Expect to pay: From around $60 per square metre (supply only).
COLOUR SMARTS Timber flooring comes in myriad colours and finishes. Here’s a rundown of the options available, according to Anne Plumb of Royal Oak Floors: LIGHTER TONES Pine, ash, tallowwood, European oak or beech. MEDIUM TONES Spotted gum or blackbutt. DARK TONES American walnut, jarrah or brushbox.
STYLE MATCH To choose a timber that suits your decor, Carpet Court ambassador Heather Nette King, recommends: FOR A CHIC, URBAN LOOK A parquetry floor. For a sophisticated vibe, go for grey and match it with grey walls and navy velvet upholstery. A MODERN COUNTRY STYLE A mid-tone native Australian timber, such as blackbutt. A COASTAL LOOK Extra-long and wide pale oak floorboards.
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The Block: Glasshouse co-winner and interior architect Shannon Vos. voscreative. com.au
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EAT, RELAX, REPEAT
Our own Block insider Shannon Vos urges the current contestants to lift their game (and lower their TVs!) for living and dining week
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f the kitchen is the heart of the
home, surely the living and dining spaces are the brains of the operation. A space where everyone gathers, a space to relax and recharge and a space for community. And if the lounge rooms are designed just right, it can be the think tank for the whole home. This year’s Blockheads have certainly had a lot to think about – the sizes of these homes is mind-boggling and the dexterity needed to juggle trades, budget, aspirations and the reality of these builds is a somewhat rare commodity. But, under great stress, diamonds are formed. Let’s see who dished up the jewels and who was left lumped with coal.
Jesse & Mel House 5 29/30
WINNER Real-estate mogul Jesse and his partner
Mel were sticking to their guns this week and dished up a very corporate living space. Though the room ticks all the boxes in terms of functionality and layout, it’s missing that layer of homeliness and charm that tugs at buyers’ hearts. They nailed the layout and catered for a dining room of eight and a lounge of six bums, but it does seem tight. The ‘Jesse-built’ black-marble tiled plinth is a huge architectural feature and the giant timber batten acoustic wall panel is a hero. Navy blue velvet occasional chairs seem a bit corporate-office, and the dining setting, although generous, is easily forgettable. What I do love is their treatment of the ceilings with recessed lighting, and the architectural detail that surrounds the fireplace. It’s these details that snagged them a much-needed win and will add true value come auction time.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHANNEL 9 AUSTRALIA
STYLE STEALS
FROM TOP Marvel Pietra charcoal lappato tile, from $63.58 per sq m, Beaumont Tiles. Basique 50cm round tray, $50, and Lobby velvet armchair, $899, Freedom.
Mitch & Mark House 1 22/30
STYLE STEALS
Mitch and Mark’s elaborate plans upstairs certainly came back to bite them on their
proverbials this week, and the lack of natural light in this space is an issue. Although the stylish duo’s furniture selection was light and bright, things grew dim when the lights were turned off. The dining setting is simply divine with regal blue velvet chairs, pops of gold and a light white terrazzo table, but the lounge seems squashed into the remaining space, and for a 460-odd-square-metre home, you would expect so much more. The boys channelled their inner Palm Springs mid-century-modern aesthetic, but there were too many hero pieces crowding the space and fighting for attention. The mirror TV seems set way too high, the artworks are somewhat disjointed and there’s only room for three to watch TV. It’s not the boys’ best work. Space and natural light are what will sell a home, and the lack of both saw the stylish duo fall short.
FROM TOP Seaside View Green framed artwork by Sarah Brooke, from $680, Middle Of Nowhere. Tribeca white textured bricks, from $83.54 per sq m, Beaumont Tiles. Pila accent table in Marble Effect, $349, Freedom.
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Tess & Luke House 2 22/30
Cash-strapped Tess and Luke had space
issues from day one of living and dining week. Their oversized kitchen island benchtop literally forced them into a corner, and they were left making the best of a (self-inflicted) bad situation. Visually, their living space is a dream, but it would be a practical nightmare to live with some of their decisions. The colour palette is enviable, with natural terracottas, ochres and deep, brooding charcoals, though more natural light is needed to pull off such moody tones. The chevron timber floors are amazing, and the colourful artworks are perfect for the space, but the incompetent layout of the dining table lets them down, as it cuts the island benchtop’s useful space in half. As a result, the living room is squashed into the remaining space and offers comfortable seating for just five. The kitchen/living/dining space really needed to be treated as a whole, and not as separate entities, which led to a lack of choice for most contestants.
STYLE STEALS
FROM TOP Clouds at Dusk framed artwork, $1750, Lauren Danger. Vintage linen fringe cushion in Clay, $59.95, Aura Home. Sarah Ellison ‘Alva’ linen armchair in Oyster, $1595, Life Interiors.
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Shannon’s pick
I think Andy and Deb beat Jesse and Mel to the post – just. The level of homeliness and character and that cascading aura of natural light won me over, as well as the use of colour and natural materials, all despite the mistakes in the functionality of the room.
Deb & Andy House 3 28/30
Andy and Deb bucked the dark and
moody trend, opting for white, light and bright, which was the perfect option for a townhouse with common walls on both sides. A larger than life vaulted sky well sees natural light flowing through the space, which has been cleverly styled in a sophisticated coastal aesthetic. Eclectic timber and cane pieces sit perfectly with the kitchen’s selections and the oversized Aboriginal artwork is the best piece we’ve seen in a long time. The abundance of texture (both soft and hard) gave Andy and Deb’s space that warm, cosy feeling other contestants tried to obtain with dark and moody tones, but the clinch is they kept their palette light and bright which opened up their space tenfold, and used earthy tones to build character. Though the TV is set way too high and they could have done with a few more seats, they’ve nailed the St Kilda coastal brief and opened the downstairs to this year’s hottest commodity (natural light).
STYLE STEALS
FROM TOP Jaanymili framed canvas print by Miimi&Jinda (1m x 1.4m), $1700, The Block Shop. Sarah Ellison ‘Paloma’ coffee table, $1695, and ‘Zee’ dining chair, $479, Life Interiors.
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El’ise & Matt House 4 24.5/30
After a sub-par kitchen reveal, El’ise and Matt were itching to impress with their
homely and character-filled living space. They introduced hints of ’70s retro and a familiar charm with an eclectic point of difference, and the flow on from the kitchen into the living space was seamless. The use of bold, primary colours again links to the kitchen space, and plenty of texture gives a tonne of warmth. The stone-clad fireplace, although charming, is positioned all wrong, the TV seems too high (again) and the expansive kitchen almost pushes the living space into a claustrophobic corner. While El’ise and Matt should be applauded for thinking outside of the box and nailing the eclectic St Kilda vibe, functionality issues prevented them from receiving a better score.
STYLE STEALS
FROM TOP Orlando metal leg occasional chair in Paprika, $1560, GlobeWest. Vienna Rose wool rug in Grey (2.4m x 3m), $2799, The Block Shop. Luxury velvet cushion in Olive, $59.95, Aura Home.
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C U RV Y FOR M With its swivel base, rounded silhouette and timeless appeal, the Adelaide chair from BoConcept can be upholstered in a variety of colours and finishes to suit your dining zone. Team it with an expansive Vancouver table and you have an inviting contemporary entertaining zone. From $1139 each; boconcept.com
hula party Pull up a fun pop of pastel perfection to your island bench with Andreu World’s Hula stools designed by Benjamin Hubert. Crafted from injected aluminium and topped with an upholstered seat, Hula is available in 10 vivid colours, and there’s a height-adjustable version and different swivel options, too. From $975 each; kezu.com.au
KITCHEN NEWS
cook up Give your entertaining zone a refresh with these style staples
C OA S TA L CA L L I N G Bonnie and Neil’s latest Coast collection brings the easy calm of life by the sea to the table. And this hand screen-printed ‘Wattle Khaki’ linen tablecloth is on our wishlist! From $245; bonnieandneil. com.au
shaping up
LITTLE LUXURIES
Shell and heart motifs in Gold, Silver and Black finishes, as well as more marble beauties are the newest offerings from Kindred by Marble Basics to adorn your bench or tabletop. Our favourites? The sweet shell salt and pepper spoons, $29.95 for 2, and the Baby Moss round tray, $170; marblebasics.com.au
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3 OF A KIND
Eco-chic water bottles. 1 Monbento ‘Positive’ bottle in Denim, $29.90; top3.com.au. This BPA-free and shock-resistant bottle features a compact square shape to fit into your gym bag or handbag. 2 Bottle in Deep Sea Green, $44.95; solcups.com. The reusable coffeecup brand also offers a hand-blown bottle with a 850ml capacity. 3 W&P Designs ‘Porter’ water bottle in Mint, $59.95; until.com.au. Protected by a matte silicone sleeve, this glass bottle is dishwasher safe.
From the very beginning, Melbourne-based company Lightly has been making inroads on the design scene with its signature blend of simple forms with striking tones. Fifteen years later, its Second Nature collection introduces the Arc and Lunae trays in a beautiful set of shades: Teal, Forest and Nutmeg. From $35; lightly.com.au
O N T H E S U R FAC E Natural imperfections have been translated into two new colours from Caesarstone. Primordia has a weathered concrete look with off-white mineral and oxidised rust-look markings. Empira White is a marble quartz teaming pure white with dark veins. From $900 per sq m, including installation; caesarstone.com.au
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I ’ V E A LWAYS WA NTE D. . .
A BUTLER’S PANTRY
Dress for success – no tuxedo required – with this keen entertainer’s must-have for a streamlined cooking zone
a luxury reserved for huge kitchens in expensive properties, think again. Situated just off the kitchen, and larger than a standard walk-in pantry, butler’s pantries used to be where the hired help would polish silver and store estate heirlooms. Today, this zone offers extra space for cooking and storage, as well as being the perfect place to hide dirty dishes or do food prep so it’s not in full view while you’re eating or entertaining. Here’s how to create a functional and fabulous butler’s pantry…
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space
A butler’s pantry is possible even in a small kitchen. Consider bi-fold doors that run along the top of a benchtop and can hinge up or push back into a small gap. With these doors, you can create a concealed space for appliances, as well as out-of-sight shelving and drawers. A corner cupboard on top of a benchtop can also be useful; remove the bottom shelf and run the benchtop all the way into the cupboard. Add power points inside so you can keep a kettle or toaster in there. Appliances can be pulled out of the cupboard when you need them, then slide back inside out of sight.
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essentials
A badly designed butler’s pantry is likely to become a dumping ground. To make it fit for purpose, ensure all open shelves are at least 300mm deep so plates and utensils can be easily stored. Benchtops should be 600mm deep, and you’ll need a few power points for your regularly used appliances. Include cupboards or shelves underneath for
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extra storage. If space is no issue, a sink, small dishwasher and wine fridge are useful additions, particularly if you love throwing a dinner party or two. A sliding door is a clever space-saving design choice, allowing you to have the room closed for privacy, or open so you can chat to people in the main space.
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finishes
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lighting
Using the same cabinetry in both the butler’s pantry and the kitchen will give a sense of continuity, and also make a small space feel larger, particularly if the cabinetry is white. A mirrored splashback will also achieve the same result. And as a butler’s pantry isn’t always seen, it’s possible to cut costs by choosing more budget-friendly surfaces, without affecting the overall look of the whole zone.
Light and ventilation are essential, especially if you’ll be using your butler’s pantry for food prep. A window is ideal, but if that’s not possible, strip lighting or lights focused on the countertop are a good option. If the zone is enclosed, an extractor fan is essential.
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storage
A butler’s pantry will only make your life easier if it’s properly sorted. Keep tea, coffee and mugs within arm’s reach of the kettle, rather than in the main kitchen. Glasses can be placed under a shelf if space is tight. Although a butler’s pantry is a great place for storage, be sensible about this – items on high rotation should still be in easy-to-reach spots. Open shelving can make it easier to grab things quickly and easily, but beware of dust!
HIDE AND SEEK ‘Out of sight and out of mind’ may well be how a butler’s pantry is treated, but making the most of this valuable space pays off in organisational dividends. Open shelving (above) gives you a chance to display treasured pieces, as well as keep entertaining essentials at hand while a sliding door (opposite) will help keep your kitchen visually clutter-free.
WORDS KATHERINE CHATFIELD
PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER (THIS PAGE), ANNETTE O’BRIEN (OPPOSITE)
I
f you thought butler’s pantries were
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space Find a home for everything.
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lighting Both natural and electric.
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essentials Cater to your individual needs.
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ďŹ nishes Go for similar style details.
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storage A mix of open and concealed.
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soft spot Inspired by sunny holidays in the Greek Islands, Aura Home’s ‘Paros’ fringed towels are made from sustainably sourced cotton to lessen their environmental footprint. From $14.95 for the face washer; aurahome.com.au
GRAND SCALE Artedomus’s ‘Beton’ collection now includes concrete-look tiles and generously proportioned porcelain panels. The larger size of the ‘Artetech’ porcelain panels means they can be used on walls (as seen here), benchtops and floors. artedomus.com
3 of a kind A trio of statement incense burners to try. 1 Travertine incense plate, $1350, store.henrywilson.com.au. This luxe stone burner has a double-sided brass insert to fit thin and thick incense sticks. 2 Marah Jones ‘Bend’ incense burner in Stone, $55, pampa.com.au. A handmade tactile piece by Gold Coast ceramicist Danielle Watford. 3 2-in-1 mosquito incense holder in Ruby-Gold, $14.99, dusk.com.au. Neat and simple, this handy burner is also suitable for mosquito coils.
PERFECT CIRCLE
Only Orb’s smooth teak exterior conceals a 40-hour candle within, masquerading as an objet d’art when the scented inner isn’t in use. Only Orb teak and glass scented candle, $89.90; top3.com.au
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BATHROOM NEWS
fresh start
SINK UP The latest evolution from Zuster’s ‘Issy’ bathroom range for Reece allows you to pair an Issy vanity with a semi-inset basin for a seamless look. Issy Z8 1.5m six-drawer vanity unit, $5647; reece.com.au
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The latest style essentials to add a little day-spa luxury to your everyday routine
solid form Feeling fresh while travelling is a breeze with Solid State’s solid fragrances. Our picks to hit refresh? Aviator with its top notes of grapefruit, mint and bergamot that mellow into woody tones, and Wayfarer, which is an intoxicating blend of spice, tobacco, tonka bean and dried fruit. They’re $39.95 each; opusdesign.com.au
happy feet Sage and Clare’s everpopular, tongue-in-cheek bath mat is available in a new-season colourway. Tula Nudie bath mat in Pickle, $99; greenhouseinteriors. com.au
hanging around With its refined pairing of walnut and brass detailing, the Scandiluxe ‘Luxe’ single towel rail from The Design Hunter will bring a degree of timeless appeal to your bathroom makeover. $229; thedesignhunter.com.au 124 | INSIDE OUT
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Attention all garden lovers! If you admire a beautiful garden and the power of plants to transform a home, you’ll love Great Australian Gardens Volume 2. Featuring country and urban projects, this book showcases 25 diverse, beautiful and inspirational gardens that have appeared in the pages of Australian House & Garden magazine. It’s a stunning coffee table book to pop under the Christmas tree for the gardener in your life!
On sale now
Only $59.99. Available where all good books are sold and bauerbooks.com.au
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ask an expert
KMTC Lifestyle reverse cycle wall mounted split system air conditioner, from $1619, Fujitsu General.
Stylish solutions to all your design dilemmas from people in the know Akira outdoor rectangular extension dining table, $1999, and Faux outdoor dining chairs, $199 each, Domayne.
Q
How do I know that my chosen air conditioning unit will be able to heat and cool effectively in the space I have?
Sophie, via Instagram
Before speaking to a specialist, it’s useful to know the number of rooms that require cooling, the size of each room, the direction the home faces and if the home is insulated. The specialist will then be able to advise the size and type of air conditioning unit most suitable. To ensure the correct size and type of system is specified and installed, request a heat load assessment. This initial assessment is an important component of the quote process conducted by an air conditioning specialist, to ensure you choose the most efficient solution. KYLE RAFTER,
Q
I want to incorporate furniture into my new outdoor area but only have a limited amount of space. How can I maximise my scope for entertaining while minimising my furniture’s footprint? Tom, via email
NATIONAL PRODUCT MANAGER, FUJITSU GENERAL AUSTRALIA
For those areas where space is limited, extension dining tables offer great versatility. You can have the table closed when not in use, then extend when you’re entertaining guests. Low dining packages that incorporate a dining table and dining lounge have a small footprint and allow you to dine in comfort. For a moveable option, lightweight aluminium chairs with easy-care textilene upholstery can stack to free up space when not in use. Or, if you’re looking for furniture to suit balcony living, compact sofas or high and narrow dining table options work best. You could also replace multiple chairs with bench seats that coordinate with dining tables for a smart and contemporary edge. AMBER COOKE, GENERAL MANAGER, DOMAYNE FURNITURE
Q
Q
I’ve just bought a house and we’re able to have gas connected to the property. Is it worth doing, and what are the benefits? Mary, via Instagram
Gas is well known for its functionality – it’s responsive, instant and easy to use. It provides an array of benefits for the home as a source of energy for cooking and hot water, while helping to heat the home as well. The reliability, warmth and control of natural gas is perfect for both inside and outdoors. And with the summer months approaching, more homes are plumbing in their barbecue so they never run out of gas and are able to use the space all year round. KATE HAWKE, SPOKESPERSON, NATURAL GAS
Pegasi ‘M’ curve pull out sink mixer in Switzrok Matte Black, $880, Faucet Strommen.
Everyone has a dream for their kitchen but at times it can seem a little far away. For me, a good quality mixer has the ability to completely transform the appearance and performance of a kitchen. This is one of the most used fittings in the kitchen – whether it’s to wash your hands, do the washing up or rinse the veggies for dinner – and makes these tasks much more enjoyable. A beautiful, high-quality kitchen mixer isn’t just a quick fix, it’s an investment which can be used in your dream kitchen later. Swapping out cabinetry handles is another cost-effective way of modernising your kitchen. Once again, keep in mind the possibility of reusing these handles in your full revamp. CLARA SELLERS, MARKETING MANAGER, FAUCET STROMMEN
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EDITED BY KATE HASSETT
BBQ PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER
My budget can’t quite stretch to a full renovation, but I want to update my kitchen. What are some more immediate ways I can do this in the meantime? Amelia, via email
A CELEBRATION OF FOOD & FAMILY
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OUT sunny disposition
Long balmy days are just around the corner Update your outdoor nook for summer with these bright pieces from Fenton&Fenton. The Italiandesigned Maya lounge chairs have been crafted from rope on a sturdy iron frame made to withstand the elements. Choose a mix of tones, pair with a terrazzo stump side table and you’ll be sitting pretty postswim or with a cool beverage in hand for your dose of vitamin D.
GUTTER BASIL BANGS CREDIT ‘MAI TAI’ OUTDOOR CUSHION (ON LEFT), $90, FENTON&FENTON.
Maya lounge chairs in Burnt Coral and North Atlantic, $860 each, and Terrazzo cylinder stump in Soft Pink, $450; fentonandfenton.com.au
STYLING HEATHER NETTE KING PHOTOGRAPH ARMELLE HABIB INSIDE OUT | 129
OUT | GARDEN
FULL OF
Enclosing this updated Sydney cottage are a pair of inviting gardens connected by texture, colour and intuitive design
CHARM
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WORDS LOUISE McDAID PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE HUNFALVAY
FRONT GARDEN Tall Podocarpus henkelii act as boundary plants, forming a leafy backdrop to shapely Buxus microphylla, the vivid purple Strobilanthes dyerianus ‘Persian Shield’ and soft tufts of Zoysia tenuifolia. (Opposite) An overarching olive tree, Fortunella margarita ‘Nagami’ and a topiary of coastal rosemary greet visitors to this Sydney home.
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or the perfect finishing touch to their newly
renovated home, the owners of this house in Sydney’s East wanted an entertainment area with a barbecue, a grassed area for their dogs with privacy and lots of greenery, as well as that seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. The pair turned to Courtney Taylor from Terraneo Landscape Design, who chose sandstone pavers with cottage-style plants fashioned to complement the heritage parts of the home and fuse the contemporary renovation with the outdoors. The home’s charming period façade features a front door not aligned with the garden gate, so the entry path needed a plan. “I didn’t want to put a 45-degree angle in the path, cut through the garden and break up the space,” says Courtney. He decided on large-format sandstone paving to form a diagonal walk. The slabs were saw-cut to size on site, with six men needed to move them. Dichondra growing between the slabs softens what could otherwise dominate. The dense ground cover blends into the zoysia no-mow grass. “I really like the look of zoysia and it is fitting for a cottage look,” says Courtney. Diverse species create a casual effect, with westringia and buxus topiary to bring a refined edge that links to the contemporary house renovation. Pops of vibrant plant colour throughout the year, along with contrasting leaf textures, add to the overall enchantment. These front and rear gardens are the link between the home’s disparate façades, a heritage front and a modern rear. Podocarpus screening trees, silver-leafed plants and giant bromeliads are used front and back, as is the characterful sandstone. Out the back, the transition between home and garden is eased with an additional sandstone step and a house-width infill of dichondra. The indoor/ outdoor flow is further accentuated by plants flanking the steps and a Scarlett O’Hara bougainvillea trained onto the side fences, all counterbalancing the brick and concrete. Instead of lawn, the owners wanted a generously proportioned entertainment area, with the striking sandstone an ideal solution. The custom-designed barbecue station built with weathering steel is a feature in itself. A cut-out circle in the higher benchtop houses a coal-burning barbecue, while the lower bench contains a Weber Q barbecue. The station complements its surroundings with its patina harmonious with the backyard’s other tones - silvery grey-green foliage, earth-toned paving and interior brick wall. More sandstone steps lead to the garage, traversing the slope, mirroring the front path. Native violets grow around the steps, with other shade-loving plants flourishing beneath the mature camellia. These are mostly low-growers, keeping the air space free. This negative space balances the podocarpus screening and the ‘borrowed’ magnolia, yucca and dracaena peering over the neighbour’s fence. “I’m a big fan of negative space,” says Courtney. “It creates depth beneath the camellia where the area is too short for layered planting.” This careful, considered balance between each of the elements creates a coherent whole. Welcoming out the front and the back, this home invites you to venture out into a verdant oasis. To see more of Courtney’s work, go to terraneo.com.au
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OUT | GARDEN
“We like how the garden feels connected to our living space indoors, and how green it is” THE OWNERS
BARBECUE AREA The weathered steel top of the barbecue zone works with the timber and sandstone steps. Scarlett O’Hara bougainvillea is trained onto the fence, with a bromeliad in front. ENTERTAINMENT AREA (opposite top) The Tribù ‘Mood’ outdoor table is at the heart of this space. Viola hederacea (opposite bottom) is planted between the sandstone pavers.
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“Large-format paving is my preference whenever I can use it – I like the look” COURTNEY TAYLOR, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
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ENTERTAINMENT AREA Large-format sandstone pavers (this page) are linked to the home by a sandstone step. Dichondra is planted between to soften the transition from the interior to verdant exterior. (Opposite) Star jasmine and an aromatic mix of curry plant, lavender, santolina and liquorice plant tumble over the paving border edge.
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purple reign Introduce a little drama to your garden with burgundy foliage plants. Or turn the traditional on its head and go for a purple-based design with green plants as accents. Here are species for pots, baskets and beds COMPILED BY ALLY JACKSON
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PHOTOGRAPHY: ALL ALAMY, EXCEPT CREPE MYRTLE (TOUCH OF CLASS)
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18 1 Black rose Aeonium arboreum ‘Schwarzkopf’. A flower-imitating succulent. Drought-tolerant, easy to propagate and flowers with yellow, pyramid-shaped flowerheads from late winter through to spring. It works as a single specimen in a pot, where it will thrive; just ensure free-draining soil and don’t over water or it will rot. If you mass-plant in a gang, it starts to resemble a rose bush. 2 Common sage Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’. Long-lasting herb that tastes great. Regularly picking the new leaves keeps it a tidy bun shape. A lilac-purple dusts the immature foliage on this cultivar. Contrasts well with silver/blue plants such as echium.
3 Smoke bush Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ or ‘Grace’. The pinkish flower spray contrasts beautifully against the deep purple of this small tree’s foliage. Perfect for modern backyards, in autumn it puts on an extra show when the deciduous leaves turn from scarlet to pink and orange. Drought-tolerant and frost hardy. 4 Coleus Solenostemon scutellariodes ‘Black Prince’. A colourful foliage plant that doesn’t demand much. The green stems contrast with its red to purple, scallop-edged leaves. As the blooms are fairly insignificant, pinch them out as they form to keep the plant at its bushy best. 5 Bugleweed Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’. A low-growing groundcover with pretty blue, bee-attracting flowers in spring and summer. It looks great lining a pathway, planted en masse. Better in full sun but okay in part shade; allow for air circulation around the plants to avoid powdery mildew. 6 Purple heart Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’. There’s a blueberry-like grey ‘bloom’ that covers this plant’s purple foliage, making it extra mesmerising. Forms a trailing groundcover that will grow in shade and sunny areas in beds, pots or shallow soil around rocks. Has a weed warning so you’ll need to control it. 7 False shamrock Oxalis triangularis This is one for collectors. The purple, clover-like foliage opens with the light and looks like resting butterflies at night, closing in half when it’s dark. Nodding pink flowers sit above the foliage. Powdery mildew can be an issue. It’s a bulb, so goes through annual dormancy; have somewhere out of sight to rest the pot until the plant’s new leaves start to grow. 8 Dwarf purple fountain grass Pennisetum macrostachyum ‘Rubrum Compacta’. Has purple leaves and plumes of feather-like flowers that appear in summer and autumn. Great to watch wind blowing through when planted in groups. To rejuvenate for spring, mow or cut close to the ground at the end of winter. 9 Honeywort/blue shrimp plant Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’. Unmissable in the garden, this plant will self-sow when growing in a sunny position in well-drained soil. Come winter, its long-lasting purple flowers are surrounded by purple leaves up the stem, which eventually transform into a silvery green. 10 Crepe myrtle Lagerstroemia ‘Diamonds in the Dark’. Grown in full sun, this deciduous crepe myrtle retains the purple tones of the juvenile foliage into maturity. It produces lots of white and pink (imagine the beautiful clash!) to red flowers from early spring
until autumn. Use it as an accent plant in the garden (in pots) or feature as a hedge. Highly prized for its ornamental qualities. 11 Persian shield Strobilanthes dyerianus. Native to Myanmar, this exotic beauty prefers its sunlight dappled. The immature bright purple foliage fades to pink with age. Tip prune to encourage a bushier plant, stimulating growth points to enjoy more of the dazzling young leaves. 12 Black mondo grass Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’. Taking purple foliage to its darkest edge, this low, tufty, grass-like plant looks best planted in groups at the front of a bed. Lilac to pink flowers adorn it in summer. Its colour and textured leaf make it a fantastic contrast plant. 13 Freckle face Hypoestes phyllostachya. Brightening up dark, shady corners of the garden, this is great in a vertical garden, hanging basket or pot indoors. Small purple flowers bloom in summer. It has weed status in Queensland and NSW, so keep it under control. 14 Purple basil Ocimum basilicum ‘Osmin’. A relative of sweet basil, this annual herb grows quickly and easily from seed, delivering a striking colour in the garden. Bees love the flowers, which are long-lasting on the plant. You can also use them as an edible garnish for your meals. 15 Silver inch plant/spiderwort Tradescantia zebrina. The striped leaves of this groundcover shimmer with a silvery glow, depending on the angle, and the purple underside flashes as it clambers over itself. A great plant for shade and dappled light, it’s easy to care for in hanging baskets or at the base of pots with its foliage trailing over the edge. 16 Pink fringe flower Loropetalum chinense rubrum This pretty shrub grows to 2m, with purple-red foliage and pink flowers that resemble fireworks from spring through to summer. Keep it clipped to a desired height as a feature plant or hedge. The growth pattern is horizontal, so it can bring an entirely new texture to the garden. 17 Little Ruby Alternanthera dentata ‘Little Ruby’. A third of the height of common Alternanthera. Has bold burgundy foliage that is spreading and ground-hugging to 40cm. Once established, it thickens up like a purple carpet. Small pale-yellow pompom flowerheads appear in late winter to early spring. 18 Bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’. Much loved for its large rosette of purple-toned leaves, which get darker in cooler temperatures and also with more sun exposure. A tough plant that looks good in pots or garden beds.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO
SOLAR PANELS
Harness the sun’s power and save money: it’s a tantalising proposition that can be very rewarding, in both a feel-good and financial sense. Here’s where to start
M
ore than 2.2 million rooftops
across Australia are today kitted out with photovoltaic (PV) panels that are performing the always slightly wondrous task of transforming sunlight into energy. And given how wholeheartedly our nation has embraced household solar, you might think the number of PV installations would have peaked by now, but that’s not the case: demand remains strong (even in the absence of the government rebates of yesteryear). If you’re considering putting in a solar-power system, there are a few things you need to consider.
orientation is key
As keen as you may be, not every roof is suitable for solar panels: the biggest issue is shade from surrounding buildings and trees. A north-facing roof is ideal, since it receives the most sunlight over a day, but other aspects will work – just slightly less efficiently. “Solar panels on a west-facing roof, for example, capture afternoon sun and can offset the cost of electricity in the shoulder time between peak and off-peak,” says Chris Pond, owner of Sydney Solar Electricity (sydneysolarelectricity.com.au). Any company that sells and installs PV panels will be able to help you calculate the size of your roof and estimate the sun hours it receives. WORDS VICTORIA BAKER
size matters
The size of a PV system is described by its peak output in kilowatts (kW) – that is, how much electricity it will produce on a perfectly sunny day. As an example, a 5kW PV system has the capacity to generate approximately 20 kilowatt hours of power per day (depending on location and other factors). To work out which size you need, spend a little time studying your past few power bills. “One of the most important things to look at is your average daily kilowatt usage,” says Chris. “Your aim is to match your system output to the amount of power you use.” Household system sizes are generally between 3kW and 10kW. Another important factor is when you run your household appliances. If you use a lot of power outside daylight hours – for example, it’s rare anyone is at home on weekdays – you might have to consider battery storage. If you don’t have a battery, excess power can go back into the grid and you’ll receive a feed-in tariff from your electricity provider, usually as a credit on your power bill. Tariffs vary between retailers and from state to state.
is it worth it?
As you would for any big household investment, ask for recommendations, get multiple quotes and make sure potential suppliers are accredited by the Clean
INSIDE | RENOVATE
BREAKTHROUGH
THE NEW SOLAR TILE
PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER
Right angle The twin roof of this home in Kangaroo Valley, NSW, maximises sun capture.
Generating solar power is no longer just a matter of bolting PV panels onto your roof. From Bristile comes an integrated power-generating roof tile that architects love for its ability to sit flush with surrounding roof tiles (while still offering the same strength and durability). The financial incentive to use them in your next build is pretty compelling: a 5kW system can potentially pay for itself in 4.5 years, depending on how much energy your household typically uses. The payback period would be about eight years if you opt to include battery storage in your solar roof-tile package. There are a couple of different packages you can choose from, but each includes complementary digital monitoring technology that makes it easy to track the PV system’s performance and see the amount of energy generated and how that translates to savings. bristileroofing.com.au/solar
INSIDE OUT | 139
Energy Council (cleanenergycouncil.org. au). Calculating the payback time for a PV system can be complicated, because it takes into account a number of factors, including how much you currently pay for your electricity, the times at which you generally use the most power, how much your new system will generate, how much you’ll be able to send back to the grid and what feed-in tariff your electricity company will provide. “The LG website has a solar savings and payback calculator,” says Chris. You can find it at lgenergy. com.au. Generally speaking, a 5kW system (without a battery) in most capital cities will pay for itself in four to five years.
the equipment When it comes time to choose your panels, visit the Clean Energy Council website to find an approved solar retailer. “Choose panels from a reputable company with an office in Australia, because the warranty
you receive is only as good as the company giving it to you,” says Chris. “Cheap panels can discolour and crack after about five years. I would say the leaders in the field are SunPower and LG because their panels have the highest wattage per square metre and this is increasing every year.” As well as the panels themselves, you’ll need an inverter, which converts the solar power to AC energy for use in your house. There are several types, including string inverters, which connect a string of panels, and micro inverters, which are each connected to an individual panel. “In my view, the best choice is an optimised inverter, which has the advantages of both a string inverter and a micro inverter but is more efficient,” says Chris. Installation by the company you bought your PV system from should be complete within 48 hours. Alternatively, you can buy panels from a retailer and then find a separate subcontractor to install them.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GUTTER CREDIT MICHAEL J LEE (MAIN SHOT), PETER BENNETTS (LEFT)
Extra clever Architect Ben Callery ensured solar panels were part of a suite of sustainable living inclusions that were added to the extension he designed for the Beyond House, a renovated Melbourne worker’s cottage. See more at bencallery.com.au
INSIDE | RENOVATE
That’s gold! Among its many green features, such as solar hot water and a living roof, this home has 2.5 kW of solar panels that generate more than 30 per cent of its energy. For more information, visit zeroenergydesign.com. Construction by Cape Associates; capeassociates.com
TALKING POWER
Confused by the jargon surrounding solar power? Here are some of the words and acronyms you need to know.
Affordable technology and volatile electricity prices have seen Australians continue to embrace solar power at home
AC Alternating current; the type of electrical current that’s used in homes Array A system of multiple connected solar panels DC Direct current; the type of current that’s generated by solar panels FiT Feed-in tariff. This is the amount you’ll receive from your electricity provider for power you generate and feed back into the grid Inverter One of the components of a solar system that converts DC power from solar panels into AC power to use in your home Kilowatt (kW) A measure of electrical power Kilowatt hour (kWh) A measure of electrical power over time; you’ll see this on your electricity bill Photovoltaic (PV) This term refers to the creation of electricity from light. Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) These are part of a subsidy system provided by the Federal government and will reduce the price of your solar system. They are usually handled by your supplier, so the quoted price you receive should include this subsidy.
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OUT | TRAVEL
DESIGN DESTINATION
A leap of faith saw a classic 1960s motel reborn as plush, luxury accommodation on the big-city fringe of Melbourne
T
he spot the 1967-built Downtowner motel sat on
had always been fabulous. Perched on a corner of Carlton’s Lygon Street, bumped up against the fringe of the Melbourne CBD, it was a gateway to the wonder of the city laneways and retail and theatre districts, and the magnetic nightlife of Little Italy. So when family-run business Zagame’s decided to reinvent the Downtowner into an edgy urban 97-room hotel, the idea was bound to be a winner. The renovations were a team effort: client Robert Zagame lead Robert Ficarra of Interlandi Mantesso Architects, Kas Makohon of Lukas Partners for the interiors, and Linda Whitfield of Surround Style for the selection of soft furnishings. The extensive makeover had a budget of $18 million, and the transformation delivers exactly what you want from a Melbourne city hotel – dark exteriors and moody lighting creating a city retreat, packed with smart technology throughout and all the luxe comforts you could desire. Now called Zagame’s House, it’s rather like a big-city version of the award-winning Mornington Peninsula hotel, Jackalope. Its 90-vehicle carpark is a bonus. Drive straight in from the airport, immerse yourself in the city’s best then jump in the car like a true Melburnian and head out on a day trip. And the pet-friendly accommodation means your fur pal can come along too.
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The rooms are both design-led and smart. Grey felt fabric panels on the walls create warmth and texture, while beautiful bespoke cabinetry with custom steel mesh doors hide all manner of luxuries and necessities. Rooms hold a welcoming assembly of friendly objects, along with curated collections of books to flick through, your own mini wine store with a selection of drops priced from $40 upwards and Marshall Bluetooth speakers. My room had two televisions – one in the bedroom at the foot of the super-king bed and the other in the plush lounge area. The mini bar is pretty incredible too, offering craft beers, small batch mixers, bespoke tequila, rum and vodka, as well as Martini, Negroni and Old-Fashioned cocktail mixes. In the bathroom, two huge selfie mirrors await as well as a menu of items every city wanderer may (or not) need – nail clippers, black socks, lip balm and Berocca as well as laptops, iPad, a Go Pro, even a last-minute necktie. The Cowshed hair and body products are for sale as are the soft cotton robes, the hairdryer and straightening irons. Breakfast happens inside 1851 where Chef Chris Bonello (previously of Vue De Monde and Bistro Vue) serves a breakfast reinvention – try the sweetcorn fritters with 63-degree eggs. The wine bar, Lord Lygon, serves up over 280 wines, plus a brilliant selection of delicious wine-friendly warm dishes, along with some excellent international charcuterie including French sausage, Irish cheese and local delights. The Lord Lygon also doubles as a neighbourhood fine-wine store with takeaways for your room or a nearby BYO encouraged. Zagame’s House, 66 Lygon Street, Carlton; zagameshouse.com.au WORDS ELIZA O’HARE
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ZAGAME’S HOUSE
STAYING POWER
THIS PAGE (clockwise from top left) The welcoming fireplace in the lobby by Lukas Partners was built by Elite Shopfitters, with brickwork in Austral Bricks Allure and finished in Dulux Black Ace. Artwork by Lulu Zagame. Stools by Voyager and bespoke communal table by Hugh Makin sit on a rug by Cadrys. Neon sign by Metrofusion. Grey felt wall panels in the suites are a soft and cosy touch. Darkon designed the lighting with feature pieces by Volker Haug and Ross Gardam. OPPOSITE (from left) Cabinetry in the suites was designed by Lukas Partners and built by Elite Shopfitters. Lounge furniture in the spacious foyer includes statement pieces from Space, Grazia & Co and Spence & Lyda. Artist Ryan L Foote designed the purple etched mirrors.
Rooms hold a welcoming assembly of objects, along with curated collections of books to flick through INSIDE OUT | 143
Renaissance Gold available online and at selected David Jones and Myer stores nationally. wedgwood.com.au
OUT | ENTERTAINING
ITALIAN SUMMER
A new cookbook by chef and restaurateur Nino Zoccali reveals the passion and power behind the Venetian Republic
RECIPES: NINO ZOCCALI. STYLING: VANESSA AUSTIN. FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAN BENSON. LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREA BUTTI. INTERVIEW: ELIZA O’HARE.
GNOCCHI WITH ISTRIAN PORCINI MUSHROOMS AND PAG CHEESE SEE RECIPE ON PAGE 150
N
ino Zoccali (pictured above) might be Australian but his heart is deep
in the Venetian Republic. The executive chef and owner of two of Australia’s most revered Italian restaurants, Pendolino and La Rosa in Sydney’s historic arcade, The Strand, are loved for their exquisite pasta as well as the moody, sensual interiors by Dominic Alvaro. “We were unapologetically trying to create a real Melbourne vibe in Sydney – an amazing European style restaurant,” Nino explains. Dark wooden furniture and low lighting are key, but an articulated wall that houses the olive oil shop inside Pendolino also allows for an expandable private dining experience. INSIDE OUT | 145
Besides manning the kitchen in his two restaurants, Nino’s other great passion is olive oil. He’s been a judge on the National Olive Oil Panel for 15 years, and rates the local produce highly; even higher than Italian oils. “Australia produces some of the best olive oil in the world – we punch well above our weight.” This month Nino launches his second book, this one celebrating the recipes of the Venetian Republic. He has been visiting the area every year for the last decade to attend the annual wine fair in Veneto where he sources the boutique wines he stocks exclusively in the restaurants. “We are very entrenched in the region,” Nino says. “But Venice really doesn’t exist without the Venetian Republic. To fully understand Venice you need to understand the territories that they governed for so long. It’s an amazing story from a food, wine and cultural perspective.” The book is divided into those four chapters of influence; Venice, Veneto, Croatia and the Greek Islands and it’s the cross pollination of ingredients and techniques from these areas that are the backbone of this collection of recipes. And water, fish and salt are key. It took four trips in seven months to capture the images from each of the regions, in an attempt to experience each of the different seasonal shifts. “It was hectic. There’s not much use going to Croatia and Greece unless you’re there in the summer” he laughs. And the result is this delicious book brimming with fresh summer recipes that will bring a little of the Venetian Republic into your own home.
cyprian slow-cooked calamari stifado SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 10 minutes
The method of slow cooking in Greece is known as stifado; in Italy it’s stufato, based on the Italian word for stove – ‘stufa’. While commonly reserved for meats, slow cooking can be used for calamari and octopus too, delivering stunning results. The base ingredients of white wine, olive oil, bay leaf, onion, garlic and tomato create great flavour in this dish. For a more intense version, the white wine can be substituted for any quality medium-bodied red wine. 250ml (1 cup) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 1 onion, finely diced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 250ml (1 cup) Xynisteri white wine (or any quality dry white wine) 1.6kg (8 cups) chopped tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 bay leaves ½ tablespoon Greek oregano 1kg small whole calamari, cleaned 8 baby potatoes, cut in half 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Place the olive oil and onion in a large saucepan over low heat and cook until the onion is translucent. 2 Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano and 500ml (2 cups) water and bring to a simmer. 3 Add the calamari and potatoes and cook over low heat for 30–60 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
“Venetians are proud, but this pride has always been balanced with a willingness to admit that Venice has taken many cultural cues from her neighbours” NINO
OUT | ENTERTAINING
CYPRIAN SLOW-COOKED CALAMARI STIFADO
INSIDE OUT | 147
OUT | ENTERTAINING
VENETIAN CARNIVAL FRITTERS SEE RECIPE ON PAGE 150
148 | INSIDE OUT
BELLA VISTA (clockwise from top left) A charming canal in Venice. Boats moored at Split, Croatia. Rolling hills in Verona, and the narrow streets of Padua in northern Italy. Doge’s Palace and another quaint canal in Venice. A bougainvillea-lined alley on Hvar island, Croatia. The famous Rialto fish market in Venice.
OUT | ENTERTAINING
gnocchi with istrian porcini mushrooms and pag cheese SERVES 4 PREP TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes
This recipe – that of my dear Croatian friend and fellow chef, Ino Kuvacic – utilises two of my favourite ingredients: amazing porcini mushrooms, in this case grown in Istria (which borders Italy), and Pag cheese. The latter can be substituted with parmesan or a mild pecorino. Regardless of which cheese you choose, ensure it’s of a reasonable age so it can impart a beautiful, strong flavour to the finished dish. And, as with all gnocchi, moisture is your enemy here. Be sure to use very starchy potatoes, and remove as much water from them as possible after boiling by patting with tea towels. GNOCCHI
500g whole, unpeeled floury potatoes 1 egg, lightly beaten 40g (scant ½ cup) grated Parmigiano Reggiano 40g salted butter, softened and diced ½ teaspoon sea salt 100g (²⁄3 cup) plain flour
venetian carnival fritters SERVES 8 PREP TIME 10 minutes, plus 1 hour soaking COOKING TIME 10 minutes
You will find these fritters in the pasticcerie throughout the whole of the Veneto during the annual Carnevale period – a time of particular indulgence and excess every January. This version is fantastic, but an equally beautiful iteration is made without sultanas and with a custard centre. These are best served warm with an espresso (and good luck stopping at one). 250g (1½ cups) sultanas 4 egg yolks 500g (3⅓ cups) 00 flour, plus extra for dusting 2 teaspoons baking powder 400g (1¾ cups) caster sugar 100ml (scant ½ cup) rum Juice and zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 lemon 175ml (¾ cup) vegetable oil 175ml (¾ cup) milk 4 tablespoons egg whites 2L (8 cups) grapeseed oil, for frying
SAUCE
125ml (½ cup) extra-virgin olive oil 320g fresh porcini mushrooms, sliced ½ tablespoon finely chopped thyme 125ml (½ cup) white wine 20g (¹⁄3 cup) chopped parsley Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 tablespoons grated Pag cheese (or any quality Tuscan or Sardinian pecorino), to serve 1 To make the gnocchi, place the potatoes in a large pan of cold water and cook over medium heat until tender. 2 Drain and peel the potatoes while still hot. Using a food mill or mouli, purée the potatoes into a large bowl. Add the egg, grated cheese, butter and sea salt, then carefully work in the flour to form a dough. 3 Dust a work surface with a little flour to prevent the dough sticking, then divide the dough into quarters. Roll each one into a log, then cut into 2cm pieces. Using a spatula, place the gnocchi on a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate until needed. 4 To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the porcini mushrooms and thyme and sauté until the mushrooms have softened. 5 Add the white wine and parsley, increase the heat to high and cook for a further 2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper. 6 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, add the gnocchi and cook until they rise to the surface. Drain the gnocchi, toss with the porcini sauce, and season. Serve with the grated Pag cheese.
150 | INSIDE OUT
1 Soak the sultanas in warm water for 1 hour, drain and dry on paper towels, then dust with a little flour to absorb any excess moisture. 2 In a large mixing bowl, mix together the egg yolks, flour, baking powder and half the caster sugar. Add the rum, orange juice and zest, lemon zest, vegetable oil, milk and sultanas and beat until smooth. 3 Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold through the batter. 4 Heat the grapeseed oil in deep pan or deep fryer to 180°C. 5 Using a tablespoon, spoon the batter into the hot oil; cook for 2–3 minutes until brown. Turn and cook for 2–3 minutes on the other side. 6 Remove the fritters from the oil and drain on paper towel. Roll in the remaining caster sugar to serve.
This is an edited extract from Venetian Republic by Nino Zoccali, published by Murdoch Books. It costs $49.99 and is available in all good book stores.
INSIDE OUT | PROMOTION
extras BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME
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INSIDE | HOME & FAMILY AS SEEN ON
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INSIDE | HOME & INTERIORS
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INSIDE OUT | NOVEMBER 2019
LAST WORD
The irrepressible joy of Rachel Castle’s vibrant designs is simply infectious
We’ve long been fans of the graphic floral artworks, spotted bedlinen and velvet penny round cushions in a rainbow of tones that make up designer Rachel Castle’s eponymous Castle range. And this cotton throw with its joyful slogan is no exception. This beauty is made for lounging on the couch, in bed or in the sun-dappled shade. Oh Yeah throw, $159; castleandthings.com.au
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PHOTOGRAPH: CAITLIN MILLS. STYLING: LOUELLA BOÎTEL-GILL
back to nature