House & Garden (July 2024)

Tags: magazine magazine house and garden

ISBN: 0004-931X

Year: 2024

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customise with generous hidden storage.

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Colour Takes Centre Stage

JULY

Cover stories

14 Top 50 Rooms Enter now.
31 Milan Moments Hot hues and
cool finds.
47 Little Black Book Find the perfect sofa.
57 Buon Appetito Dinner Italian style.
65 Beautiful houses Maximum impact.
80 Design Stories Colour takes centre
stage in an 1882 cottage in Sydney.

Decorating & design

31 Milan Colour Inspiration 2024
Schemes from the design capital.
43 Art History Ornate frames and rich
hues imbued with European flair.
194 The Creative Type Artist Scott Petrie.

Entertaining

57 Made to Share Italian flavours
from The Cordony Kitchen.
170 Smooth Operators Set sail
for the Mediterranean on
Norwegian Viva.

Instagram

Houses
17

66
80
92
102
112
122

Country Life Pip Brett, owner of
vibrant store Jumbled, invites you
into her Orange, NSW, home.
Inside Story Fresh ocean breezes
sweep through this modern home.
Love at First Sight A historic
inner-city home gets a sympathetic
yet contemporary makeover.
Easy Breezy Green living made
simple with thoughtful design.
Fine Detail This contemporary home
embraces colour on all fronts.
Staying Power A compact terrace
becomes a spacious entertainer.
Calm Curation This art-filled
Sydney home is the epitome of
sophisticated contemporary style.

132 Colour Crush Not a white wall is
in sight in this appealing apartment.
144 World View A suburban Spanish
mission-style home is transformed.
156 Chapter Two A Melbourne family
home hits the refresh button.

Gardens

178 Wildest Dreams A seemingly unruly
green space is meticulously planned.
186 Pretty Petals Mike Booth offers
expert advice for a blooming garden.
188 Bold and Beautiful Contemporary
buys for a modern backyard.

Facebook

For our readers

6 Subscribe to H&G and save.
12 Privacy Notice

Styling by Alexandra Gordon. Photography by Dave Wheeler. See page 80 for more.

H^G social

Our posts that made your month.
A bold Brisbane renovation felt the
love on Instagram. An AFL x The Block
crossover drew fans on Facebook, while
Three Birds Renovations’ Erin Cayless’s
modern farmhouse won hearts on Pinterest.
Facebook facebook.com/
australianhouseandgarden
Highlights from each issue plus links
to tours of our favourite homes.

On our cover
An artwork by Peggy
Nampijinpa Brown and
a Fanuli armchair bring
vibrant colour to this
month’s cover, styled
by Alexandra Gordon
and photographed by
Dave Wheeler (page 80).

Instagram @houseandgarden
View the most inspirational
images of the month from H&G
headquarters and out and about.
Pinterest pinterest.com.au/
houseandgardenau
Picture-perfect images from our pages
and sensational products to covet.

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EDITOR’S
TOP PICKS

Portrait photograph by Angelita Bonetti.

Welcome to our Italian-inspired issue!

I was fortunate to visit
Milan for the annual design fair this year along with a large cohort of design-loving Australians,
including my fabulous companions pictured above: Lauren Treloar from Dulux – the sponsor of our
Milan-inspired ‘Decorating’ feature – and Selena O’Hare from Whispr, who works with companies
like Laminex and Brickworks, which are at the forefront of Australian design. There is always so
much to inspire in Milan, from the giant fair at Rho, where big global design companies show their
latest and greatest to buyers and designers from around the world, to the fabulous line-up of
installations and art exhibitions that are held in palazzos, disused industrial spaces, fashion houses,
villas and showrooms. It is wonderful to be inspired by global design trends in Italy and equally
gratifying to see more Australian designers taking our unique aesthetic to the rest of the world.
Australian designers Tom Fereday, David Flack, Volker Haug, Fiona Spence, Greg Natale, Don Cameron
and Nicci Kavals were just some of the names from Down Under who were showing in the Italian
design capital. In terms of your own decorating goals, you will draw plenty of ideas from our charismatic
colour palettes and pieces to shop to complement the looks from Milan starting on page 31. Amanda
Cordony from The Cordony Kitchen has prepared a delicious nonna-approved feast perfect for
entertaining family and friends during the cooler months. Our sourcing experts, Melissa Penfold
and daughter Isabella Walker-Smith, bring us the lowdown on sofas. Whether you are after Italian
sophistication or something more casual, there is a sofa for you, and Melissa and Isabella have done
the legwork for you. Janice Hogg, from our team, explored the Mediterranean from the comfort of a
Norwegian Viva cruise. Set sail with Janice on page 170. And as usual, we have an exceptional selection
of houses and a showstopper of a garden. We talk to entrepreneur and designer Pip Brett for our
‘At Home With’ story and visit her stylish home in regional New South Wales. Pip and her builder
husband ‘Speedy’ wanted to create a forever home for their family and achieved that goal with their
stunning residence with mountain views, page 17. I am always interested in reading our house stories
and every story in this issue has led to happy homeowners who exude joy when talking about living
in their new space, and that’s what we hope to help you achieve – whether it’s restyling a shelf, a room
or doing a complete renovation or building from scratch – good design makes us happy!

Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief

5
WISH LIST
1 ‘Puffa’ clutch in Grain Red,
$700, A-Esque. 2 Creed
Queen of Silk eau de parfum
(75ml), $469, Libertine
Parfumerie. 3 ‘Aero’ fabric
armchair in Cotton Velvet
Ochre, $1199, Freedom.
4 Versailles x Trudon
Collection candles and
diffusers, from $75, Trudon.
5 ‘Luna’ timber bar stool,
$2293, King Living.

EDITORIAL
Editor in chief Tanya Buchanan
Creative director (acting) Marissa Foye
Deputy editor Karen Spresser
Chief copy editor Peter Griffiths
Senior copy editors Bethan Lacoba, Debbie Duncan

Colour to match

your style

The Elegance Push2Go security screen
door lock, combines effortless security with
the choice of almost any colour to match
the style of your home.

ART & ST YLE
Art director Andrea Healy
Stylist Sophie Wilson
Prepress specialist Matus Kundrat
CONTRIBUTORS

Victoria Baker, Angelita Bonetti, Mike Booth, Alexandra Brownlow, Victoria Carey, Amanda Cordony,
Steve Cordony, Michelle Cox, Alexandra English, Tom Ferguson, Christine Francis, Martina Gemmola,
Alexandra Gordon, Marnie Hawson, Belle Hemming, Janice Hogg, Timothy Kaye, Alana Landsberry,
Olga Lewis, Rhiannon Lidbury, Clancy Paine, Maria Papantoniou, Judy Pascoe, Chris Pearson,
Melissa Penfold, Carli Philips, Prue Ruscoe, Jeremy Simons, Kristina Šoljo, Studio-T, Derek Swalwell,
Fiona Susanto, Linda Tjaturono, Isabella Walker-Smith, Dave Wheeler, Sue Wheeler, Lesley Workman.

PRODUCTION
Production planner Sally Jefferys
Advertising controller Dominic Roy
ADVERTISING
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Advertising production manager Kate Orsborn
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Head of research Natalie Bettini
Senior research & insights analyst Ania Falenciak
S Y N D I C A T I O N syndication@aremedia.com.au, contentshop.com.au
A R E M E D IA C O R P O R AT E
Chief executive officer Jane Huxley
Finance director Marena Paul
General manager – homes Lisa Hudson
Director of sales Andrew Cook
Director of content Sally Eagle
Director of marketing Carly Bowra
Head of commercial creative & content Simon Smith
Business manager Dawn Mirontos
Editorial coordinator Susie Munson

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CALL FOR ENTRIES

Madeleine Blanchfield Architects. Photography by Anson Smart.

Are you a design professional with an exciting new residential
project to share? Now is the time to enter Australian House & Garden’s
Top 50 Rooms competition, celebrating leading creatives.
Submissions open

How to enter

2024 Top 50 Rooms categories

For further details, call
(02) 9282 8456 or email
houseandgardentop50rooms
@aremedia.com.au.

Australian House & Garden together with leading retailer Winning Appliances is
thrilled to announce that entries are now open for the 2024 Top 50 Rooms showcase.
In its 26th year, the competition celebrates interior design innovation, featuring
beautiful rooms in a diverse range of categories. We are looking for projects that
display an outstanding commitment to quality, creativity and functional design.
Entries close Friday, July 19, 2024, with the Top 50 Rooms to appear in the
October 2024 issue of H&G.

Best Kitchen
Best Bathroom
● Best Indoor-Outdoor Connection
● Best Bedroom
● Best Use of Materials

Best Use of Soft Furnishings
Best Laundry
● Best Use of Colour
● Rising Star
● Readers’ Choice

●

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

Please note that our online entry
process is the same as last year. You
will find entry forms and guidelines
for submissions via the link below:
homestolove.com.au/Top50.

A fee of $50 + GST per entry
applies (you may enter multiple
categories: a $50 + GST fee
will apply to each entry).
For full T&Cs visit aremedia.com.au/competitions.

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2024
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in Limewash

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at home with H G

COUNTRY life
A weekend away was all the inspiration the founder of homewares
store Jumbled needed to build her young family a new home.
STORY Victoria Carey | PH OTO G R APH Y Derek Swalwell | P ORT R A I TS Clancy Paine

EXTERIOR Pip Brett with Rosie the dog at the front door of her home

on the outskirts of Orange in the Central West of NSW. Exterior painted
in Murobond Cement Paint in custom colour ‘Rock the Kasbah’.
Artwork by Diana Miller. Ponds made from concrete sheep troughs
flank the entrance. Pip is wearing a dress by Devotion Twins, Jumbled.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G at home with

RUMPUS Walls painted Murobond Murowash Rope 50%. Built-in
seating area inspired by Moroccan architecture. Artwork, Boys from
the South by LRNCE. ‘Kit Kat’ coffee table in South Australian
limestone, DenHolm. On table, Ben David ‘Candy’ glass vase and
Hommey cushions, all Jumbled. Timber owls made by Pip’s uncle,
Richard Brett. Terracotta head made by Pip and wire sculpture made
by her son Digby. Wall light, Pop and Scott. Opposite The house
was carefully positioned to blend in with the surrounding landscape.

18 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

wanted a house that worked for, not against us.” These wise words were to
be the foundation of Pip Brett’s new home on the outskirts of Orange, the
Central West town in New South Wales where she grew up. The 40-year-old
is on a girl’s weekend in Mudgee when I eventually catch up with her. She’s
just arrived back from Brisbane’s Affordable Art Fair to represent the artists
she sells at Jumbled, her fashion and homewares emporium on Orange’s
Sale Street. It was on another girl’s weekend, a few years ago, that this mother of two
had a lightbulb moment while standing at a kitchen sink.
“We were staying at Little Hartley and the place had a kitchen with the most
beautiful view. And I thought, ‘I want a view like that’,” she says.
Pip is the sort of person who makes things happen. Family and friends are central
to everything she does so it wasn’t simply a desire for a view that drove her into the
biggest building project of her life — it was the need to create, with her builder partner
Nick ‘Speedy’ Luelf, a beautiful and secure place for their boys Digby, 12, and Barnaby,
10, to grow up in.
“I began to think into the future. I thought about what it would be like when the
boys have grown up and eventually came home with their families. Would they be
able to fit in? What would that look like?” she asked herself. “And I wanted something
that Speedy and I could grow old in.” Luckily, Pip’s old school friend, Felicity Slattery
of Studio Esteta, was the perfect person to help her find the answers to these questions.
With one project already behind them, the conversion of an old Masonic hall
into The Sonic, Jumbled’s headquarters, Pip, Speedy and Felicity set out to create
the home of Pip’s dreams.
>

H G at home with

The first step was to find the right block of land. “I was away for work and Speedy
rang me and said ‘I’ve just seen something. I want you to come straight from the
airport to see it and I’m going to get your mum to meet us there, it’s so perfect’,” she
says. “We arrived at sunset, kangaroos were everywhere and there was such beautiful
light. It was the golden hour.”
There were some obstacles to overcome as there was only council approval for a
house site at the front, not further into the block with the view across the dam and
up to Mount Canobolas. “We could build a house right at the front gate, as opposed
to where the beautiful view was. So, we could have settled for what I called the ‘Passion
Pop’ view, but we wanted the ‘French Champagne’ one,” she says with a laugh.
Despite growing up in the Orange area, Pip had never been to Spring Creek Dam
due to restricted access around the area because it is part of the town’s water supply.
The land had remained on the market because other prospective buyers had been
put off by the thought of trying to change the location of the approved building site.
After consulting with a town planner, the pair decided to put in an offer. “He told
us that we were about the sixth lot of people to come and talk to him about this >

LIVING Opposite and top Views across the dam and towards Mount Canobolas, a well-known
Orange landmark. Walls painted Murobond Murowash Rope 50%. Calm artwork by Tegan Franks.
Black sculpture by Ros Auld. Vases and Hommey cushions, all Jumbled. Coffee tables, Tigmi
Trading. ‘Mags’ sofa, Hay. ‘Chromatic’ rug in Gold, Halcyon Lake. ‘Hourglass’ wall light, Anna
Charlesworth. Bottom A reflection pool nearly didn’t make the build due to budget but is now a
much-loved feature. The soft pink exterior sometimes looks like a sandy beige depending on the light.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G at home with

22 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

“You can still enjoy
the view while being
protected from the
elements.”
PIP BRETT, OWNER

KITCHEN Opposite Artwork by Rachel Castle. Custom pendant
light, Giffin Design. ‘Icon’ tapware in Eco Brass, Astra Walker.
‘Fable’ oak bar stools, Didier. Antilia splashback tiles, Artedomus.
Rangehood tiles, Porcelain Bear. Shelf, benchtop and island poured
on site by Steve Drain from Crete FX in Orange. ‘Tuscany’ travertine
floor tiles, Amber Tiles. Clockwise from top Pip and Speedy designed
a cutout in a courtyard wall to frame Mount Canobolas. Pip in the
kitchen. Black Swan artwork by Katie Nalgood, Spinifex Hill Studio.

block,” explains Pip. “In the end, it was quite easy to get it changed and we were lucky,
because if it hadn’t had that question mark over it, other people would have bought
it before us.”
Once they exchanged contracts, it was time to make sure they had the right house
site on the 24-hectare block. “We set up an old table and chairs in the paddock, and
for about a year, we would go out there for afternoon drinks. We’d take a little boombox
and listen to music while the kids would play around us,” she explains. “And after a
while, we’re like, this is it. This is the spot.”
Now it was time for Felicity to step in. She was armed with a rigorous set of questions.
How did they want to live? What was important to them? Several things came out of
this intensive questioning. First was the realisation that the house needed to be their
“forever home, a place we will never get sick of” explains Pip but also the discovery
that she hated big rooms with a passion. “I feel like I go into so many people’s homes
to deliver things and they end up trying to fill them up as they are too big. I like rooms
to only be as big as they need to be.”
In practical terms, the design list also began here: The house needed to be on one
level, hallways needed to be wide, the building’s imprint was to be as small as possible,
ceilings high and doorways large. Everyone did not always agree. “Speedy is more
about function and I’m definitely more about form. We usually get something in the
middle. We all argue, but Felicity is usually on my side,” says Pip with a smile.
The roofline was a difficult decision. “I really wanted the flat roof but Speedy was
worried about leaking because he is a builder,” she says. In the end, they did decide
on a flat roof and the square outline of the building makes a strong statement in the
paddock. The colour of the exterior walls was another carefully considered choice
— they had painted their last home, a miner’s cottage in town, a pretty lilac. “I wanted
a very earthy look. I’d been taking tours to Morocco for a couple of years and loved
the colour on the buildings there,” explains Pip as she tells me of the many test
swatches it took to arrive at the custom soft-pink tint ‘Rock the Kasbah’.
The build was finished in 2020. Pip and Speedy loved the experience so much they
took on another renovation and recently opened the doors to Sona, their beautiful
accommodation in an old bank in Molong. A new project is already on the horizon.
Today, back at Spring Creek, although black Angus cattle may graze contentedly
next to those pink walls and a sheep trough can be spotted as a pond in the courtyard,
it’s clear this house is far from your typical farmhouse. It’s a great example of the
transformative powers of good design. “We both feel super privileged that we were
able to build a home especially for our family,” she says. And yes, today Pip Brett does
have a stupendous view from her kitchen sink.
>
Visit Pip’s store Jumbled at 33-35 Sale Street, Orange, NSW. For more information,
go to jumbledonline.com. Studio Esteta: studioesteta.com.au.

KITCHEN Custom pendant light, Giffin Design. Artwork by Rachel Castle. Ceramics by Pip.
Small artwork on shelf, Pink on Peaches by Nicole Nelius, Jumbled. ‘Icon’ tapware in Eco Brass,
Astra Walker. ‘Fable’ oak bar stools, Didier. Antilia splashback tiles, Artedomus. Rangehood tiles,
Porcelain Bear. Shelf, benchtop and island poured on site by Steve Drain from Crete FX in Orange.
‘Tuscany’ travertine floor tiles, Amber Tiles. ‘Huxley’ table with ‘Brooklyn’ dining chairs, Jardan.
‘Wave’ rattan pendant lights, Eccola.

at home with H G

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G at home with

OUTDOOR Above The drought-tolerant garden was designed

by Winnie Buttenshaw from Greenspace Landscape Design.
The ‘Tuscany’ travertine interior floor tiles were also used outside.
BATHROOM Top and bottom right Custom mirror and vanity,
Zylem. ‘Flute’ wall light in Speckled White, Anchor Ceramics.
‘Icon’ tapware in Eco Brass, Astra Walker. Benchtop in ‘Breccia’
marble, Mediterranean Marble. ‘Chi’ marble bath in Cotton,
Apaiser. BEDROOM Opposite ‘Millie’ timber bed, Mubu Home.
Bed linen, In Bed. Vase, Jumbled. ‘Alien Orb’ wall sconce in
Terracotta, In Common With.

26 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

“We have tiles
throughout the whole
house with hydronic
underfloor heating.
It is total heaven. ”
PIP BRETT

H G at home with

LIFE & ST YLE
A selection of Jumbled founder Pip Brett’s favourite things…

“POTTERING
IN MY KITCHEN
IS ONE OF
MY FAVOURITE
PASTIMES.”

5
2

FIRST HOME? I bought an old miners’ cottage in the CBD of
Orange. It was the dream. The worst house on the best street. It was
yellow and tiny, but luckily my husband became a builder while we were
living there, and we put on a lovely light-filled extension and painted it
the most beautiful lilac with charcoal and white trim.
I’M CURRENTLY READING? This is so bad, but I haven’t been
able to read books since having kids unless I’m on holidays. I devour
them as soon as I get on a flight or a deck chair.
I LOVE TO COOK… when I have time. Pottering in my kitchen is one
of my favourite pastimes. I love Moroccan flavours. I just cooked the
most delicious Ottolenghi recipe of braised chicken with almonds,
olives and preserved lemon.
FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE? Agrumes Epices (5) from
Héritage Berbère in Morocco. It’s a little shop in Marrakech next to
Le Jardin Majorelle and when I put it on, it transports me back to that
magical place and I feel totally inspired. I’m about to run out of my
second bottle… so I might need to book a flight soon! It’s a spicy
mandarin fragrance.
I LOVE A VASE FULL OF… sunflowers (2). They are the happiest
of flowers and I love a splash of yellow in a space so it’s a win-win.

28 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

6
FAVOURITE MOVIE? Frida, the movie about the life of

Frida Kahlo. After watching it I booked a flight to Mexico and went
to her house. It was magical.
THE NEXT PLACE YOU WOULD LOVE TO VISIT? I would
love to go back to Morocco. I used to take tours there before Covid, but
I would love to take my kids there. I would stay at Rosemary (1), the
new riad by designer LRNCE. I would then head out to the desert to see
camels and the most wonderful sunsets.
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT? Hey Rosey (6) in Orange, where
I live in the NSW Central West, is the most wonderful and exciting food
experience. It’s on the main street of Orange, but you feel like you are
in a tiny village in Spain.
WOULD YOU CHOOSE NEW SHOES OR A BAG? Shoes,
but they have to be sneakers (4). I’m all about comfort as I spend all
day on my feet.
FAVOURITE ARTISTS? This is tough because I adore art.
I would have to give a top five. My mum Kezz Brett, Spencer
Shakespeare, Nyangulya Katie Nalgood, an Australian indigenous
artist, Tetiana Naumovych-Senziuk, a Ukrainian artist, and Elle
Campbell (3) in Perth. I have her artwork at home, and I adore it. #

Photograph by Marina Denisova (1). Getty (2)

FF0724h

AUSTRALIAN MADE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
MEET THE LILY SOFA
SYDNEY 269 MILITARY ROAD CREMORNE T 02 9908 2660

MELBOURNE 681 CHAPEL STREET SOUTH YARRA T 03 9826 8777

FANULI.COM

Photograph by Angelita Bonette of Cimento Collection, curated by Elle Decor Italia at Palazzo Bovara.

TIMELESS STYLE TO BRING HOME

Milan colour
inspiration 2024
Travel to the Italian capital of interior design with Dulux and Australian House & Garden
to discover the latest palettes and memorable looks to brighten your own home.
PR O D U C T IO N Tanya Buchanan and Sophie Wilson | P HOTOG R A P HY Angelita Bonetti

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Cimento Collection, curated by Elle Decor Italia
at Palazzo Bovara, drew on delicious honey,
cream and toffee tones in rippled shapes.

2
3

MOD CLASSIC The cocktail room designed

by Elicyon at L’Appartamento by Artemest.

MATC H TH I S LOO K
7

Dulux
Russet Tan

Dulux
Dulux
Chocolate Souffle Smooth Caramel

Soft layers of EARTHY BROWNS have a cocooning effect
1 Flexform ‘Lauren’ armchair, POA, Fanuli. 2 ‘Jonathan’ leather armless sofa in Caramel, $1349/module, Castlery. 3 Ground Control Rugs

‘Riverweave’ rug (230x160cm), $1299, Hardtofind. 4 Dinosaur Designs ‘Bow’ resin vase in Brown, $450, Net-a-Porter. 5 Anko wavy tray,
$15, Target. 6 ‘Mika’ side table in Burl Wood, $799, Castlery. 7 Vintage Jimma wooden stool, $2400, Tigmi Trading. 8 Aura Home luxury
velvet cushion in Tobacco, $79, Myer. 9 Murano Costantini-style vase, $1650, Cleo Collects.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

decorating H G
4
3

5
2
1
PURE MINIMALISM A glimpse of a scene by
HENRYTIMI reveals monolithic, spare designs.

6
7
11

Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

MATC H TH I S LOO K

Dulux
Natural White™

Dulux
Beige Royal
Quarter

Dulux
Lexicon® Half

RAW NEUTRALS embrace the essence of natural materials
1 ‘Marlow’ armless sofa in White Quartz Bouclé, $899, Castlery. 2 Amalfi espresso cup and saucer, $65, Greg Natale. 3 Piped linen pillowcases
in White and Navy, $110/two, Cultiver. 4 Julie Neill ‘Alberto’ large low ceiling chandelier in Plaster White, $4190, The Montauk Lighting Co. 5 ‘Olwen’
coffee table in Frost, $999, Castlery. 6 Anko pedestal bowl in Grey, $6, Target. 7 Aura Home waffle throw in Feather, $169, Myer. 8 Ian K. Fowler
‘Palati’ large tall sconce, $2190, The Montauk Lighting Co. 9 ‘Clare’ dining chair in Chai Weave, $705, GlobeWest. 10 Ground Control Rugs
‘Reality Weave’ rug in Cream, $1599, Hardtofind. 11 Aura Home vintage linen fringe cushion in Natural, $79, Myer. >

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1
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3

CONSECUTIVE CHORD An outdoor setting
at Paola Lenti showcased vibrant ocean hues.

MATC H TH I S LOO K
9

Dulux
Water Raceway

Dulux
Lime Parfait

Dulux
Recuperate

Blue and green JEWEL TONES with soft lilac in between
1 ‘Charlie’ fabric bench, $499, Life Interiors. 2 Waylande Gregory ‘Eggbox Balls’ ceramic box in Lavender, $495, Becker Minty. 3 M+Co Living ‘Arena’
boucle occasional chair, in Azure Navy, $1750, Life Interiors. 4 Polspotten ‘Tip Tap’ stool in Lilac Purple, $633, Farfetch. 5 The Little Brown Jug
still life by Ella Holme, $540, Cleo Collects. 6 ‘Shell Check Blue’ cushion, $165, Bonnie & Neil. 7 ‘Bush Blossom Garden’ sarong, $89, Utopia Goods.
8 Bitossi ‘Rimini Blu’ centrepiece, $370, Space. 9 ‘Fifi’ stripe ruffle cushion, $25, Target. 10 ‘Trees’ blue round tray, $129, Utopia Goods.
11 Paola & Joy ‘Cora’ table lamp in Lilac/Pastel Green, $199, RJ Living.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

MEXICAN FLAVOUR The bedroom
of Artmest’s L’Appartamento,
curated by Tamara Feldman Design,
referenced the designer’s heritage.

2
8

9
1
13

Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

MATC H TH I S LOO K

Dulux
Carmen Miranda

Dulux
Topelo Honey

Dulux
Murray Red

BERRY RED AND TERRACOTTA tones create depth and romance
1 ‘Chysanthemum’ stool in Matte Ruby, POA, Janus et Cie. 2 Bitossi Home ‘Sea Shell’ tongs, $72, Emporean. 3 17th-century tapestry, $12,500,
Tigmi Trading. 4 Paola & Joy ‘Blake’ table lamp in Toffee, from $199, RJ Living. 5 ‘Palm Cove’ towel in Burgundy, $99.95, Hardtofind.
6 Chapman & Myers ‘Claymore Grande’ ceiling flush mount light in Gilded Iron, $2290, The Montauk Lighting Co. 7 Garlic & Onion still life by
Karin Mizuno, $890, Cleo Collects. 8 Greg Natale ‘Soleil’ box, $120, The Iconic. 9 ‘Liberty’ saddle bag in Burgundy, $185, Hardtofind. 10 Loewe
‘Home Scents’ tomato leaves scented candle in Red, $159, Net-a-Porter. 11 ‘Anjelica’ bar cabinet, POA, Greg Natale. 12 ‘Bryant’ dining chair in
Spiced Cacao, $299, West Elm. 13 ‘Urban Story’ classic foldover clutch in Maroon, $124, Hardtofind. >

4
PRINTS CHARMING The colour-filled Cabana

store recently opened its doors in Milan.

5
12
6

10
8
MATC H TH I S LOO K

Dulux
Bright Delight

Dulux
Golden
Marguerite

Dulux
International

ELECTRIC BLUE meets SUNSET hues for bold yet classic global style
1 La DoubleJ ‘Bubble’ gold-plated porcelain vase, $1100, and 2 Murano ‘Rainbow’ glasses in Orange, $500/two, both Net-a-Porter. 3 ‘Mate’
three-seater sofa bed, POA, Bolzan. 4 Dolce&Gabbana Murano champagne glass, $550, Net-a-Porter. 5 ‘Grevillea Blue’ napkins, $55/two,
Utopia Goods. 6 ‘Eve’ apple in Red, POA, Janus et Cie. 7 Buon Ricordo ‘Seafood Blues’ vintage dinner plates, $385/four, Emporean. 8 Kartell
‘Thierry’ occasional table in Burgundy, $1430, Space. 9 Vue mohair throw in Cobalt, $69.95, Myer. 10 Bitossi ‘Tribe’ vase in Yellow Glossy, $1220,
Space. 11 ‘Ember’ tile print cushion, $15, Target. 12 Rebecca Udall ‘Eleanor’ dessert plate, $71, Emporean.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

decorating H G
1
3

4
ORGANIC MATTER A curved seating zone at
Flexform creates a sense of intimacy, reinforced
by the layered material and colour palette.

10
6

MATC H TH I S LOO K

Dulux
Brown Land

Dulux
Olive Blend

Dulux
Olive Leaf

OLIVE and RAFFIA notes build a sophisticated, nature-based scheme
1 Mid-century handpainted screen by Serge Damon, $8900, Cleo Collects. 2 ‘Matcha’ fabric occasional chair in Velvet Olive, $1039, Freedom.
3 Chrome glass vase in Brown Metallic, $74.50, House of Orange. 4 70s glassware saucers in Mud Brown, $41.95/four, House of Orange. 5 Iittala ‘Alvar
Aalto’ vase in Moss Green, $339, Myer. 6 ‘Pier’ round side table in Green, $380, GlobeWest. 7 Flexform ‘Ortigia Outdoor’ armchair in Green, POA,
Fanuli. 8 ‘Banksia’ rope ottoman in Celery Green, $1225, GlobeWest. 9 Bitossi ‘Tribe’ centrepiece in Brown Matt, $1620, and 10 Foscarini ‘Plass’ table
lamp in Grey, $1110, both Space. 11 ‘Ourea’ raffia table lamp in Green, from $249, Few & Far. >

3
2
5

6
7

4
1

SUITE DREAMS A collaboration between Frette

and Thom Browne took on achromatic simplicity.

12
10

11
Dulux
Water Worn

Dulux
Ashville

Dulux
Domino

Shades of STEEL GREY and CHARCOAL evoke timeless glamour
1 ‘Billy’ bowl in Ceramic and Silver, $620, Greg Natale. 2 Kartell ‘Stripes’ outdoor cushion in Dove Grey Black, $300, Space. 3 ‘1977’ vase in Smoke
Crystal, $490, Greg Natale. 4 ‘Verona’ classic oval mirror, $680, GlobeWest. 5 Duzi Objects ‘Sunjug’ sculpture by Douglas Powell, $930, Cleo Collects.
6 Sabre ‘Icone’ fork, $35, and knife, $40, Palmer & Penn. 7 Atlas ‘Etch’ marble coffee table in Black, $2820, GlobeWest. 8 Thomas O'Brien ‘Keira’
sconce, $1490, The Montauk Lighting Co. 9 Arteriors ‘Solara’ centrepiece, $900, and 10 Palacek ‘Aptos’ swivel stool in Black, $6400, both Boyd Blue.
11 Linen pillowcases in Slate, $110, Cultiver. 12 Amalfi ‘Tuxedo’ lounge chair in Slate, POA, Janus et Cie. 13 ‘Duncan’ sculptural side table, $399, Castlery.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

MATC H TH I S LOO K

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3
4

ORCHARD FRESH A citrus flavour infused
this corner of the Appartamento Spagnolo.

6
12

10
MATC H TH I S LOO K

Dulux
Happy

Dulux
Apricot Fizz

Dulux
Pea Case

A medley of LEMON, PEACH and FERN makes a sweet impression
1 Fibonacci ‘Anda’ lounge chair, POA, Janus et Cie. 2 ‘Scallop’ light shade in White, $85, Soffle. 3 Heritage ‘Manor’ rattan vase in Brown, $69.95,
Myer. 4 Mandarins still life by Ella Holme, $670, Cleo Collects. 5 Ginori ‘Oriente Italiano’ pickle dish in Citrino, $277, Emporean. 6 Pepper mill and salt
mill in Bamboo Green, $75 each, both Le Creuset. 7 ‘Indian Summer’ mural in Pink, $235, Milton & King. 8 Officina Ciani ‘Marina’ outdoor chair in
Green, $4845, Emporean. 9 Holiday ‘Tato Carnival’ bowl, $114.95, The Iconic. 10 Bitossi ‘F.1' sculpture in White/Yellow, POA, Space. 11 Officini Ciani
‘Zig Zag’ outdoor pouf in Rosso, $2949, Emporean. 12 Mosey Me seersucker quilted robe in Pistachio/Cream, $239, The Iconic. >

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2

1
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SWEET HIVE Artemest’s L’Appartamento
entrance designed by Meshary AlNassar.

13
8
12

Dulux
Vanilla Ice
Quarter

Dulux
Image Tone
Quarter

Dulux
Silver Tea Set

Muted DUCK EGG and POWDER BLUES combine for a serene scheme
1 Aerin modern embossed shagreen jewellery box in Mist, $1395, Becker Minty. 2 ‘Regnskur’ oval pendant lamp shade in Turquoise, $49, IKEA.
3 Rometti Tanit ‘D’ vase by Jean-Christophe Clair, POA, Space. 4 Helle Mardahl ‘Bon Bon Mega’ glass object, $1090, Cleo Collects. 5 Linen House
‘Rejeaneration Adrie’ European pillowcase in Olive, $69.99, The Iconic. 6 ‘Hanson’ round side table in Pale Blue, $325, GlobeWest. 7 ‘Artie Wave’
coffee table in Powder Blue, $1735, GlobeWest. 8 Greg Natale ‘Debbie’ bowl in Sage and Gold, $390, The Iconic. 9 Fine-Day ‘Wonder’ quilt cover
in Navy Blue Stripe (queen-size), $200, The Iconic. 10 Kristalia ‘Elephant’ rocking chair, POA, Fanuli. 11 ‘Shadow Palms’ mural in Blue, $195,
Milton & King. 12 Kartell cushion in Houndstooth, $320, Space. 13 Luisa Beccaria ‘Rosy’ wine glasses in Blue Fog, $250/two, Emporean. #

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Currency conversion correct at time of writing.

MATC H TH I S LOO K

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ART HISTORY

For a vintage European ambience, hunt for antique pieces with a botanical twist.
PR O D U C T IO N Tanya Buchanan | ST Y LI N G Olga Lewis | P HOTOG R A P HY Kristina Šoljo

1 Vintage painting, $550, and 2 Vintage painting, $750, both Dusty Luxe. 3 Fiorella IX by Diana Watson, $1200, .M Contemporary.
4 Study with glass by India Mark, $1500, Michael Reid Sydney. From left Wallpaper, for similar see ‘Trefoile’ in Eastlake, Nine Muses Textiles.

Sardine plate, $180, di Lunedì. Glasses, $12.95/four, Dirty Janes. Italian blue shell dish, $550, Jase Christopher. Casa Pupo lamps, $415
each, The Merchants Warehouse. French vintage plates, $25 each, confit pot, $280, and pitcher, $195, all Dusty Luxe. Wall sconce,
$680, and chair, $650, both East Wing Studio. ‘Carpet Stripe’ linen in Mauve styled as a tablecloth, $310/m, Nine Muses Textiles. >
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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4

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

decorating H G

12
1 Still life by A. Kien, $1250, The Vault Sydney. 2 Antique French oil still life of flowers in original
frame, $950; 3 Vintage French oil painting, $650; and 4 Vintage French oil painting of woman in
sunset Provence scene, $750, all Dusty Luxe. 5 Study with bent glass bottle by India Mark, $1200; and
6 Lemon III by Kaspar Kägi, $1850, both Michael Reid Sydney. 7 Fruit Plate 1 by Stacey Rees, $500,
staceyrees.com.au. 8 Vintage painting of The French Alps, $850, Dusty Luxe. 9 Fiorella X by
Diana Watson, $1200, .M Contemporary. 10 Antique French oil still life of oranges and cheese,
$1200, Dusty Luxe. 11 Melons and Morning Glories by Raphaelle Peale. 12 Still life with a White Mug
by Jean Simeon Chardin. On table, from left Berry jam jars, $80/two, and plates, $25 each,
all Dusty Luxe. Candle holders, $560/two, and 1950s chair, $650, both East Wing Studio.
Val Saint Lambert crystal vase, $1800, Jase Christopher. Flowers, Bess Paddington. Terracotta
plate, $260, di Lunedì. Green glasses, $12.95/four, Dirty Janes. ‘Joseph’s Fruit’ linen in Oud styled
as a tablecloth, $310/m, Nine Muses Textiles. Large vase, stylist’s own. Rug, $8800, Cadrys. #

DESIGN NOW, PAY LATER.
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& INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

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cocorepublic.com.au

*Term only available for purchases of $2,000 or more. Available to approved applicants only and subject to completion of satisfactory credit check. Minimum monthly repayments are
required. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment amount will generally not repay a purchase within the interest free period. A monthly account fee of $9.95 will also apply and a
one-off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Any balance outstanding at the expiry of the interest free period will be charged at the standard variable interest rate, 25.9%
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See your contract for further details. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878.

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M E L I S SA P E N FO L D & I SA B E L L A WA L K E R-S M I T H

S OFA S
A RE YOU WA NTI N G TO C H A N N EL EU RO PE A N G L A M OU R LI K E
M E L I S SA A N D I SA B E L L A O N A N A N TO N I O C I T T E RI O - D E S I G N E D S O FA?
M AY B E YO U A R E A F T E R S O M E T H I N G A L I T T L E M O R E M O D E S T ? M E L I S S A
A N D I S A B E L L A H AV E T H E B E S T S O FA A DV I C E A N D S U P P L I E R S F O R YO U.
ST Y L IN G Sophie Wilson P HOTOG R A P HY Fiona Susanto

Hair and make-up by Michelle Cox.

Melissa and Isabella
pictured at Fanuli’s
Sydney showroom.

uying a sofa is a big investment and a well-made one should last, not be something you throw
out in five years’ time. regardless of how well a sofa is made, you will not be happy with it if
you don’t also love the way it looks. Finding a great sofa is like finding a soulmate: the beginning
of a beautiful friendship. Whether a sofa is destined for a public room or a private space, its function
– size requirements, lifestyle and comfort level – and design will set the room’s tone. after a lifetime
of research, interviewing industry experts including one of the world’s greatest sofa designers, antonio
citterio, and parking ourselves on every sofa we’ve seen, here is a rundown of where a-list stylists,
designers and influencers source their sofas. Melissa + Isabella. >
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

LUXE FOR LESS

IKEA

Head here on a tight budget and even
tighter timeline. There is a year-long return
policy with 10-year warranty on a vast
range of sofas and sectionals in endless
styles, which can be ordered online. Seek
out the ‘Kivik’, a simple design and good
playroom option, starting at about $499.
Or must-have sofa ‘Hyltarp’, which comes
in seven great colours from $999. The
‘Ektorp’ is perfect for people who want
something classic in various configurations
with integrated storage for stashing away
blankets, remotes, books or toys; from
$499. The bestselling ‘Landskrona’ sofa
in a rich dark-blue velvet looks far more
expensive than it is, at $1199. ikea.com.au
BEMZ

Swedish-based Bemz is making it easy to
customise IKEA sofas online with a range
of ready-made and custom slipcovers that
add instant polish to new or old designs in
quality cotton, linen and velvet, with heaps
of colours and patterns to choose from.
bemz.com/en-au

FREEDOM

5
1 ‘Aero’ three-seater fabric sofa in
Jacquard Boucle Cream, $1999, Freedom.
2 ‘Carson Contempo’ curved sofa, $3299/
two pieces, Living by Design. 3 ‘Como’
three-seater linen sofa in Wheat, $2599,
James Lane. 4 ‘Loft’ four-seater sofa in
Florence Natural, $3499, Lounge Lovers.
5 ‘Sevilla Curve’ daybed in Mangrove Leaf
Boucle, $699, Living by Design.

48 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Style for less. A good range of practical,
well-priced and good-looking sofas,
such as ‘Hawkesbury’, from $3800, and
‘Retreat’, from $2099, in contemporary
styles and fabrics, plus versatile sectionals
such as ‘Sorrento’, from $1649, or
‘Sanctuary’, from $2959, with lots of
room to comfortably stretch out. Prices
are modest enough, but look out for the
regular sales. freedom.com.au
JAMES LANE

The Millennial’s fave sofa brand has
affordable, chic designs that look like
designer ones for a lot less. They come with
removable linen-blend slipcovers in colours
that will outlast fashion (charcoal, espresso,
ivory, white), so you can change your look
with the seasons (or your moods). Plenty of
simple, subtle sofas to choose that can be in
your home in days, including the vintage-

style ‘Xander Luna Flint’, from $1399, the
‘Como’, from $2199, and sectionals offering
endless versatility, such as ‘Riley’. Seek out
the ‘Haven California’ three-seater, $1999,
as well as the bestselling ‘Sunday Chaise’
three-seater sofa, $2999. The generous
‘Sonoma’ modular seven-seater, $3999,
will fit the entire family. A+ looks; you’ll want
them all. jameslane.com.au
LIVING BY DESIGN

The South Australian business is a great
source of statement-style sofas at a fair
price. Seek out the ‘Sevilla’ canvas
slipcover three-seater modular in sand,
oyster, white, denim, $1999. We also
recommend ‘Cortona’ sofas in soft
boucle shades of ammonite grey,
2.5-seater, $1499. Also, the glam
‘Sauveuse’ rounded four-seater sofas
in textured velour navy or pharaoh
green, $2299. Check out the ‘Carson
Contempo’ curved two-piece sofa, in
earth, dove, white, terra rust, or navy
velvet, $3299. They can be in your house
in a day or two – the company is scoring
points for being nimble, achieving
ever-faster speed to market, and satisfying
consumer demands for sustainability.
livingbydesign.net.au

LOUNGE LOVERS

Shop here if you want a good variety
of styles and fabrics to choose from,
from sleek Mid-century modern looks
to classic leather sofas. About $1899
will score you a classic, linen-blend,
slip-covered three-seater design in
white, stone or cloud. The new modern
three-seater called ‘Frankie’ for $1699 is
worth checking out. Discover luxe velvet
sofas and bestsellers such as ‘Florence’.
loungelovers.com.au

THE SHED

MCM House’s newish outlet offers sofas
and other furniture at reduced prices.
Worth visiting for those on a budget.
mcmhouse.com >

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Flexform ‘Alfred’ sofa by Roberto
Lazzeroni, and ‘Fly’ coffee table
by Antonio Citterio, all Fanuli.

“Add cushions or take them away.
Remember that whatever you choose
can change personality depending
on your choice of upholstery.”

TRENDING GIFTS FOR HIM
Consider our best selling gifts for your next gift-giving occasion.
1

1. Personalised Inital Men’s Jewellery Box, $95.00. 2. Personalised ‘name’ Pocket Knife, $49.95. 3. Personalised Vintage
Year Round Whisky Glass, $44.99. 4. Personalised Solid Oak Watch Box, $244.00. 5. The Footy Jumper, $90.00.
6. Personalised Men’s Engraved Leather Bracelet, $69.90. 7. Personalised Large Canvas Holdall, $125.00.
8. Personalised Leather Tri Fold Wallet, $127.50. 9. Top 10 Tinnies Gift Box, $79.00.

SCAN TO SHOP

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SMART CASUAL

BODHI LIVING

MCM HOUSE

a well-thought-out collection of
impressive contemporary sofas, from hot
brands such as gubi’s ‘Bohemian 72’ sofa
by gabriella crespi and gubi’s ‘Basket’
sofa by Joe colombo. the ‘cosmos’
comes in oatmeal, mocha or charcoal,
‘ayla’ three-seater sofa in Sage, $3120.

gracing hotspots such as raes at
Wategos, osborn House, Bannisters
Hotels, Merivale’s Mimi’s, and aria, to
name a few, McM House sofas are design
go-tos. they’re extremely practical yet
sophisticated, elevating any space. Look
at the bestselling linen slip-covered ‘Joe’
sofa or the ‘Judd’ outdoor sofa with thick
timber frame and leather-wrapped,
linen-filled cushions. mcmhouse.com

bodhiliving.com.au

COCO REPUBLIC

Sofas to suit most needs, from thick
elliptical designs wrapped in ivory boucle
to modern sprawling numbers that can
seat the entire family. We recommend
new collections such as ‘Positano’, ‘dune
Slope arm’ and ‘Vittoria’, which join
perennial faves, ‘Huxley’, ‘Longbeach’
and ‘newport’. cocorepublic.com.au
DOMAYNE

5
1 ‘The Vittoria’ sofa, from $2795,
Coco Republic. 2 ‘Harmony’ sofa,
from $3499, West Elm. 3 ‘Kala’

modular lounge in Matrix Pewter,
$4299, Domayne. 4 ‘Blok’ two-seater
wide-seam corduroy sofa in Green,
$2999, Kave Home. 5 ‘Jean’ sofa in
Brushed Oyster, $3080, MCM House.

Buy a stocked model or customise your
own australian-made design, such as the
‘tarquin’, a classic with hardwood framing
and quality fabric to suit your specific
setting, from $3999. You won’t go wrong
with ‘Statton’, another timeless shape,
from $1799, and then there’s ‘Malta’,
a curvaceous modern sofa with italian
designer looks, from $2999.
domayne.com.au

LA MAISON

isabella has a ‘Simonata’ sofa in her own
home, which is covered in white linen.
She values not only its solace but its near
indestructibility. “People are always
surprised to see we have white seating,”
says isabella, mother of nine-month-old
baby rupert, “but the slipcover is
endlessly washable, durable and, in a
pinch, bleachable. My husband loves the
sofa, too. it is his office headquarters at
night and on the weekend”. We also
recommend stunner ‘Saint Malo’,
three-seater, $3099, as well as rattan
classics ‘orient Bay’, two-seater, $1299
and ‘rattan’ sofa, $999, as well as plenty
of Hamptons looks. lamaison.net.au

OZ DESIGN

great-value sofas in classic looks to
suit a range of interior styles and colour
schemes. Look to the ‘Kobe’ for a
Mid-century look in beige, navy or three
different leather-style finishes, from
$2199. the ‘dali’ is a neutral staple,
from $1999. ozdesign.com.au
POTTERY BARN

traditionalists will love the classic
silhouette of the ‘carlisle’, which
competes well with Britain’s most famous
brands, such as george Smith and
george Sherlock, for less. this model
nods to the past with turned-walnut legs
and brass casters, and is similar to the
seating used at this year’s Vanity Fair
oscar Party to create a glamorous place
for emma Stone, Billie eilish and more to
convene. Look at the elegant ‘Marina’
sofas with sloped arms, rounded edges,
pleated corners and comfy cushion seat,
plus machine-washable slipcovers. also
worth checking out: the ‘Big Sur’ squarearmed sectional, ‘tallulah’ and ‘dream’
wide-arm sofa. potterybarn.com.au
KAVE HOME

Brimming with contemporary pieces such
as the bold, beautiful ‘Blok’ series in
droolworthy shades, from $2999. Stunners
include ‘Mihaela’, ‘neom’, ‘compo’, ‘noa’,
‘gala’, and the ‘Portlligat’, a faux rattan
three-seater outdoor sofa for $2499, that
we think would work equally well indoors.
au.kavehome.com >

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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SMART CASUAL

SIXPENNY

Some of the most beautiful sofas we’ve
seen, with a relaxed look, deep seats,
available in lots of fashionable, hand-dyed
colours and in natural linen, cotton
canvas, velvet or leather. nine designs,
seven available in modular sectionals you
can reconfigure. expect high-quality
construction and high levels of comfort.
You can order replacement covers, so it
is possible to change your sofa’s look in
the future. sixpenny.com
RJ LIVING

8
Textile Cleaning
& Protection

Coffee on your new B&B Italia cream
sofa? No problem. Save the expense
of new slipcovers and engage this
Sydney company to rejuvenate your soft
furnishings. The 30-year-old family
business specialises in cleaning fabrics
of all kinds, and can get out those tricky
wine, coffee or ink stains, and repair
pulled threads. All work takes place
on-site so no need for furniture
removals. Designers from Thomas
Hamel to Blainey North, and brands
Fanuli, Jardan, Coco Republic, Space,
Poliform and Harvey Norman are all
repeat clients. textilecleaning.com.au

1 Gubi ‘Basket’ three-seater sofa, $8999, Bodhi Living. 2 ‘Berg’ three-seater chaise sofa in
Corduroy Cocoa, $3298, RJ Living. 3 ‘Portlligat’ three-seater outdoor sofa, $2499, Kave Home.
4 ‘Hucks’ modular sofa, $3360/two-seater, MCM House. 5 ‘Block’ two-seater sofa in Opal Forest,
$2199, RJ Living. 6 ‘Elias’ cotton canvas sofa in Moon Dust, $4878*, Sixpenny. 7 ‘Carlisle’
upholstered sofa, from $2589, Pottery Barn. 8 ‘Simonata’ sofa in Natural, $3199, La Maison.

52 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Best it-girl sofas with sculptural form that
command a room, comfortable and visibly
of their time in a modern palette of rust,
forest and oyster velvets, corduroys and
more. Seek out the gorgeous ‘Berg’, a good
alternative for Living divani’s ‘extrasoft’ sofa
designed by Piero Lissoni, with cosy blocks
of varying heights that can be configured
into irregular sofa-scapes that invite catnaps
and laptop-work time. rjliving.com.au
WEST ELM

West elm is great at nailing the ‘corporate
living in the inner city’ look. their sofas
are comfortable and well-constructed,
with high-density foam cushions, webbing
suspensions and solid hardwood frames.
the ‘Harmony’ modular sectional has a
build-your-own feature for designing the
perfect combination of modules,
including a storage chaise. the best
small-space, a cute-as-a-button sofa is
‘Mella’, $1499. westelm.com.au
WILLS BISGROVE

Leading australian designers swear by this
company. You’ll have to order through a
decorator or upholsterer, but you won’t go
past the country-house classic ‘adelaide’,
which cameron Kimber uses in his own
residences. adelaide Bragg, anna Spiro,
charlotte coote, Hecker guthrie and
the Maine House are also fans, opting
for designs such as ‘Sheffield’, ‘Kingsford’,
and ‘Bradford’. willsfurniture.com.au >

*Currency conversion based on rates at the time of print.

Freedom.com.au

Matcha Fabric Occasional Armchair / Dunbar Floor Rug/ Cosh Floor Lamp

Design Your World

HIGH END

1STDIBS

FANULI

GEORGE SHERLOCK

More than 4000 dealers from 28
countries sell a wide range of Mid-century
modern, post-modern, antique, Art Deco
sofas. Prices range from the $2000 mark
and rise sharply. Expect designer names
such as Florence Knoll, Artifort, Cassina,
de Sede, and many more. 1stdibs.com

If a sofa doesn’t fit, Fanuli will make one
that does, with its highly customisable,
meticulously constructed Australianmade designs. Handy if you have an
odd-shaped living room, so you can get
what you want for that awkward corner,
and not just the one or two sizes or
designs that an international brand thinks
you should want. The sofas are great for
those seeking quality, long warranties
(10 years), with a tailored, modern look
and handcrafted timber frames. Given
that comfort is highly subjective, you can
even customise the firmness level you like
from hard to soft. We are told the ‘Keely’,
‘Chloe’ and ‘Scarlett’ designs are this
furniture brand’s top three sellers in their
Australian-made range. Available in most
fabrics, leathers, colours or weaves
imaginable. You can also find fabulous
Italian designer brands at Fanuli, including
Flexform sofas, which are used in some
of the world’s best interior projects.
Newcomer ‘Gregory’ is elegant, and
perennial faves ‘Groundpiece’ and
‘Soft Dream’ are also worthy of their
designer price tag. fanuli.com.au

Have a look at this British stalwart
who makes fabulously deep sofas, such
as ‘Extended Mac’ and ‘Extended’
two-seater, a classic roll-top sofa,
known in the trade as the Howard shape.
The name comes from one of the most
highly regarded companies of all,
Howard & Sons, which has been making
comfortable upholstered furniture in
England since 1820 and was the downfilled choice of the Queen. You can’t
go wrong with a Howard sofa (about
$4000), which ships internationally.

ANIBOU

Almost every style hero lists the
Gervasoni ‘Ghost’ as their favourite sofa
design. It’s chic, low-key and perfect for
relaxed, elegant living, and one of the
most-copied sofa designs on the planet.
anibou.com.au

DEDECE

Bigwig architects get their sofas here,
seeking out the famous Knoll ‘Hamilton’,
and brands such as Minotti, the 80-yearold Italian furniture maker producing
bestselling designs by artistic director
Rodolfo Dordoni who has been with the
business for more than 30 years. Repeat
clients include Iain Halliday, Alex Tzannes,
Alex Popov and Rob Mills Architecture.
dedece.com.au

georgesherlock.com

KING LIVING

Famous for its modular workhorse sofas
that come with big rectangular seats and
backs and in a variety of great fabrics or
leathers. Sectional sofas for the family
that are great during the child-centric
phase of life, and that can accommodate
a family or crowd while keeping their
shape, with clean lines and a minimum of
demanding cushions and toy-swallowing
cavities. Great sales, too.
kingliving.com.au

decorating H G

LIVING EDGE

Herman Miller does some of the best
sofas in the world, loved by international
architects and backed by an impressive
12-year warranty. our pick is the ‘rolled
arm club’ sofa, a modern take on the
trad chesterfield with legs in walnut,
white or ebony ash. or the beautiful, luxe
‘Bolster’ sofa: it’s high-end, but if your
look is modern, you’ll love it. other
modern design sofa classics made under
licence by Vitra: Walter Knoll, as well
as Muuto, Heller and Stellar Works.
livingedge.com.au

MOBILIA

*Currency conversion based on rates at the time of print.

the gucci and Prada of interiors, selling
two of the most prestigious brands in
interior design: Poltrona Frau and
cassina. Seek out two unusual yet iconic
italian sofas shaped, respectively, like a
chubby cloud (tobia and afra Scarpa’s
‘Soriana’, 1969), and a Manhattan skyline
(gaetano Pesce’s ‘tramonto a new York’,
1980) used in Kelly Wearstler’s Malibu
living room and popularised for a new
generation by social media. Both designs
have been reissued in the past few
years. Keep your eyes peeled for Vico
Magistretti’s famous cassina ‘Maralunga’
sofa, as well as famous brands such as
glas italia, Moroso, Joquer and inclass –
mostly large, heavy designs. So get your
tape measure out and check that your
sofa will fit through doors, stairs and lifts.
mobilia.com.au

5
1 Thonet bentwood sofa, POA,
Anibou. 2 Geiger ‘Rolled Arm’ sofa,
$5500, Living Edge. 3 ‘Tuxedo’ sofa,
from $8170*, Nickey Kehoe.
4 ‘1977’ three-module curve sofa, $4707,
King Living. 5 Kartell ‘Lunam’ sofa,
from $10,820, Space. OPPOSITE The
Flexform ‘Harper’ seating system, designed
by Antonio Citterio and made in Italy,
and can be customised in various sizes
and configurations to suit your
living room; available from Fanuli.

NICKEY KEHOE

a sofa that merges modern and traditional?
nickey Kehoe’s new iteration of the
‘tuxedo’ sofa is sitting at the top of
american designers’ lists this year. it can fit
in with any interior. Shipping from the US
can be arranged with a domestic freight
forwarding service. nickeykehoe.com
ONDENE

ondene makes fabulously deep sofas,
chosen by designer collette dinnigan
for her Southern Highlands estate. Simply

great classic contemporary lookers with the
Belgian design aesthetic. the delacourt
collection sofas come in beautiful tones,
shapes and configurations. Forever pleasing
and a low-key luxe vibe. ondene.com.au
SPACE

Bring some high design to your home, with
sofas by heavy-hitters such as B&B italia,
Maxalto, arflex, giorgetti, edra, Baxter,
Kartell. the italian designer who reinvented
the sofa, Mario Bellini, still has his iconic
sofa here. the ‘camaleonda’ (1970),
which looks like a batch of dinner rolls,
had fallen out of production by 1995, but
became so sought after by collectors and
interior designers – not to mention widely
copied – that B&B italia reissued it four
years ago. Many of the sofas here have
become aesthetic touchstones of our age
because they feel as radical today as they
did when they were first introduced. they
are all humanely imagined – intended to
enhance life daily. all now made with
environmental sustainability in mind.
spacefurniture.com.au

STUDIO CAVIT

the place for Meridiani sofas used by top
local designers, Blainey north, thomas
Hamel, and Jack Freeman in big-budget
projects. our faves are ‘rene’, ‘Harold’
and ‘norton’. timeless italian-made
classics. also, Baker Furniture iconic sofas
by thomas Pheasant, Barbara Barry and
Jean-Louis deniot. We’ve visited the
Baker factory in north carolina, in the
US – and you won’t go wrong with one
of their designs, which feature eight-way
hand-tied springs that you only see in
high-end sofas. Pieces to pass down
for generations to come.
studiocavit.com #

next month

RUGS
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

Styling by Steve Cordony and Olga Lewis. Photograph by Jeremy Simons. Calligraphy by Lesley Workman.

A U T H E N T I C I TA L I A N D I S H E S W I T H H E A R T

Nonna Franca’s sugo
with capunti pasta.

Appliances throughout are AEG, available from
Winning Appliances. Escoffier induction copper fry pan,
Chasseur. Terracotta sculpture, stylist’s own. Ceramic
pot and bowl, Mercer & Lewis. Salt dish, The DEA Store.

MADE to share
Flavour abounds in these nonna-approved mouthwatering dishes made
with love by The Cordony Kitchen at Winning Appliances.
RECI P ES Amanda Cordony | ST Y L IN G Steve Cordony and Olga Lewis | P HOTOG R A P HY Jeremy Simons

Porchetta on
homemade focaccia.

58 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

entertaining H G

Zucchini, green olive
& mozzarella fritters.

Salt holder, Mercer & Lewis. Turkish chopping board,
Orient House. Glass, stylist's own. OPPOSITE Plate,
stylist’s own. ‘Corda’ cheese board, Alex and Trahanas.

H G entertaining

60 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

‘Corda’ cheese board,
Alex and Trahanas.
Ceramic jug, Dior.
Murano vase, Secondi.

NONNA FRANCA’S SUGO
WITH CAPUNTI PASTA

Prep time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 3 hours. Serves: 6–8.

4 tablespoons (80ml) olive oil
2 (900g) veal osso buco
500g pork belly, skin on, 4cm cubes
1 brown onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 carrot, whole
1 birds eye chilli, whole
3 tablespoons (60g) tomato paste
1 cup (250ml) red wine
2 bay leaves
2 x 700g bottles passata
1.4L water
½ teaspoon sugar
100g unsalted butter
500g capunti pasta, or any dried small pasta
Chilli flakes, grated parmigiano reggiano,
to serve
1 Place 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavybased, large pot on medium to high heat.
Season veal and pork, then brown on all sides
in batches. Set aside to rest.
2 Place onion, remaining oil and a pinch of salt
into the same pot and cook on medium heat
for 8 minutes or until onion is translucent.
3 Add garlic, carrot, chilli, and tomato paste.
Stir for 1 minute. Add red wine and simmer
for 4 minutes.
4 Add bay leaves, passata, water and sugar.
Season.
5 Add veal and pork and their liquid
to sauce. Bring to a light simmer. Cover
and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring
occasionally. Remove lid and cook
for a further 45 minutes.
6 Remove carrot, chilli, bay leaves and
visible pieces of fat and discard. Break
up veal (serve with bones, if preferred),
and pork chunks, and stir butter through
sauce. Bring a large pot of salted water
to the boil and cook pasta according to
packet instructions.
7 Serve sugo with pasta, topped with chilli
flakes and parmigiano reggiano. Leftover
sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. >

H G entertaining

Sambuca biscuits
& chestnut cream.

Cup, The DEA Store. Plates, stylist’s own.

PORCHETTA ON
HOMEMADE FOCACCIA

Prep time: 25 minutes.
Cooking time: 2½ hours. Serves: 8–10.

2 tablespoons (40g) fennel seeds
2 tablespoons (40g) black peppercorns
1½ tablespoons sea salt
2 teaspoons (10g) finely chopped
fresh rosemary
2kg fresh pork belly, skin on,
room temperature
1 tablespoon (20ml) olive oil
100g store-bought basil pesto to serve
1 Preheat oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan-forced).
Prepare a roasting pan with a wire rack.
2 Place fennel seeds, peppercorns, half a
tablespoon of the sea salt and rosemary into
a mortar and pestle and grind to a fine
breadcrumb consistency.
3 Cut 4 x 50cm lengths of cooking twine and
lay them vertically in a row, evenly spaced to
suit the width of the pork belly. Place the pork
belly, skin side down, over the twine.
4 Sprinkle fennel seed mixture over pork belly
and roll up tightly. Holding pork roll tightly
together (ask someone to help), wrap the
4 lengths of twine around the pork and knot,
trimming excess twine.
5 Rub oil and remaining sea salt into pork.
6 Place pork onto the pan and roast for
2½ hours, until the skin is crispy and golden.
7 Serve thinly sliced pork with basil pesto on
homemade focaccia (see recipe below).

NO-KNEAD OVERNIGHT
FOCACCIA

Prep time: 10 minutes + overnight.
Cooking time: 30 minutes.
Serves: 6–8.

3 cups (450g) packed white bread flour
2 teaspoons (10g) smoked sea salt
(you can use unsmoked, if preferred)
2 teaspoons (10g) dry yeast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
300ml lukewarm water
6 tablespoons (120ml) olive oil
1 teaspoon (5g) fennel seeds
1 Place flour, salt, yeast and garlic powder
in a large clean bowl and mix together.
2 Add water. Mix together and form into

a ball. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the oil over
dough ball. Cover and refrigerate for
10 hours or overnight.
3 Remove dough from fridge and bring to
room temperature.
4 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200ºC
(180ºC fan-forced). Grease a 28x22x3cm
baking tray with 2 tablespoons of the oil, tip
focaccia dough onto tray and push out to
the corners. Pour over remaining oil and use
your fingers to form dimples over the top of
the focaccia. Sprinkle over fennel seeds and
bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown.

ZUCCHINI, GREEN OLIVE
& MOZZARELLA FRITTERS

Prep time: 20 minutes.
Cooking time: 16 minutes. Makes 8–10.

2 zucchini, grated and liquid squeezed out
½ cup pitted green olives, roughly chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella
2 eggs, lightly whisked
1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
½ cup warm water
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt, extra to serve
¼ teaspoon cracked pepper, extra to serve
100ml olive oil
5g chopped parsley, to serve
1 Place zucchini, olives, mozzarella, eggs,
flour, water, baking powder, and salt and
pepper in a large bowl. Mix to combine.
2 In a large non-stick frying pan, heat 50ml of
the oil to a medium heat. Use an ice-cream
scoop to spoon 4–5 fritters into the frying
pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes each side, turning
once halfway through cooking time. Place
cooked fritters on paper towel to drain.
Repeat with remaining fritter batter and oil.
3 Sprinkle parsley and extra salt and pepper
over fritters and serve.

SAMBUCA BISCUITS

Prep time: 15 minutes + resting.
Cooking time: 12 minutes.
Makes 25–30.

3½ cups (500g) packed self-raising
flour, sifted
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
½ lemon, zested
150g salted butter, softened

2 eggs and 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten,
room temperature
¼ cup (60ml) Sambuca
Icing sugar to serve
1 Place flour, sugar, pinch of sea salt and zest
in a large bowl and mix together. Add butter
and use fingers to create a breadcrumb
texture. Add eggs and Sambuca and form
mixture into a dough, then shape into a log.
Wrap in greaseproof paper and refrigerate for
30 minutes.
2 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 190ºC
(170ºC fan-forced) and line a baking tray with
two layers of baking paper, to prevent biscuits
from browning too much.
3 Remove dough from fridge and place
between two sheets of baking paper.
Roll out to a 1cm-thick oval shape.
4 Use a glass (6cm diameter) to cut out
a circle from the dough. Use glass to cut
circle in half to form a crescent shape. Place
crescent onto baking tray. Repeat with
remaining dough, placing crescents on tray
in rows, and bringing leftover dough together
as you work. Repeat until dough is used up.
5 Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden. Cool
completely then dust with icing sugar.
6 Serve with chestnut cream (see recipe
below). Biscuits will last in an airtight
container for 2 weeks, or you can freeze
biscuit dough and cook as you need.

CHESTNUT CREAM

Prep time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 10 minutes.
Serves: 6–8.

500g jar roasted whole chestnuts
300ml thickened cream
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 orange, zested
1 Place chestnuts, cream, vanilla bean seeds,
coconut sugar and zest in a medium saucepan
on medium heat. Bring to a simmer, turn heat
to low and simmer for 8–10 minutes, then
remove saucepan from heat.
2 Use a stick blender to blend mixture into a
smooth paste, transfer to a bowl and place in
fridge. Serve as a dipping sauce for Sambuca
biscuits. The chestnut cream will last for 1 week
in an airtight container in the fridge. #
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

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Photograph by Prue Ruscoe. Calligraphy by Lesley Workman.

THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED FOR CONTEMPORARY LIVING

In this light-filled dining room, a Flos ‘Taccia’ lamp from
Euroluce sits on a custom lacquered sideboard made by
Blank Joinery. Artwork by Jacqui Fink. Turn the page to
see more interiors by Partridge Daniels.

INSIDE story

A four-storey coastal home in one of Sydney’s dream locations
is given the head-to-toe upgrade its owners have always wanted.
STO RY Sue Wheeler | P HOTOG R A P HY Prue Ruscoe

HOUSES H G
LIVING Walls painted Dulux Natural White. ‘Agra’ rug in Juniper, Armadillo. Sofa, owners’ existing. Cushions, Eadie Lifestyle. Hay ‘Slit’ table,

Cult. Bowl, Dinosaur Designs. ‘Maland Rattan’ armchairs, Living by Design. Custom coffee table using original beams from the house,
Blank Joinery. Custom lacquered sideboard, designed by Partridge Daniels, made by Blank Joinery. Flos ‘Taccia’ lamp, Euroluce. New engineered
oak floorboards, from EuroStyle Floors, unite the living areas. On deck Emu ‘Heaven’ lounge chair, KE-ZU. ‘Stump’ stool, Woodpatch.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

HALLWAY Vintage Carlo Nason for Mazzega pendant light, 1stDibs. Custom
bronze/brass handrail with concealed lighting, JN Custom Metal. Foscarini
‘Double’ wall lamp, Space. New engineered oak floorboards, EuroStyle Floors.
DINING Opposite ‘Gaia’ pendant light, Ochre. ‘Lando’ leather dining chairs,
Life Interiors. Bowl, Manyara Home. Custom lacquered sideboard, designed by
Partridge Daniels, made by Blank Joinery. Existing dining table. Flos ‘Taccia’ lamp,
Euroluce. Artwork by Jacqui Fink. Vintage Oushak rug, Perryman Carpets.

HOUSES H G

f a happy home is one that’s both comfortable and
functional with spaces that flow and feel connected,
then this four bedroom house on Sydney’s Lower North
Shore needed some serious cheering up. Built in the
’70s, its awkward floorplan and dated interiors didn’t
tick many boxes, but the owners couldn’t go past its
covetable location. Secluded, and high up among the treetops,
with direct access to a reserve and tranquil stretch of beach, it
played to the family of four’s passion for sailing and outdoor
pursuits. However, five years after they bought it, dealing with
major waterproofing issues that required a new roof and windows,
it made sense to create the home they really wanted: A light-filled
house with a logical layout and purposeful spaces and a cohesive
modern aesthetic reflecting its coastal location.
The four storeys comprised a garage at the top, the main entry
and living areas, the bedroom level leading to a terrace and pool
and a basement used for storage. “Apart from the waterproofing
issues, the home had been poorly built and was cold, dark and a
bit hodgepodge with lots of wasted space,” recalls Emma Daniels,
of interior and building design studio Partridge Daniels, who led
the project, along with builders Kendall Design and Build.
“The clients wanted to improve the circulation of the home and
its outdoor connection, particularly on the bedroom level which,
despite having a living area leading to the terrace and pool, was

rarely used because it was so dark and uninviting.” During the
12-month renovation, not only was the house “pulled apart and
re-built”, the sandstone basement was excavated to accommodate
a gym, a bigger storage area for the family’s watercraft and bikes,
and a spacious, “quarry-like” cellar (the owners’ favourite place
to entertain). “At one point you could see the digger in the basement
from the kitchen,” quips Emma.
On the problematic lower level, moving walls and enclosing
bedroom balconies to push the floorplan closer to the windows
(hello natural light) allowed for a main ensuite, walk-in robe and
a comfortable sitting room with new bifold doors connecting to
the outdoors. Here, they extended the terrace by moving the pool
fence closer to its edge to create a more enticing space. Flipping
the stairs was also central to the redesign, making it easier to
travel between floors and introducing natural light, aided by a
double-storey void that draws light from the living area to the
level below.
The heart of the home boasts a generous kitchen/dining/living
area opening to a refurbished deck and the sale-clinching view.
Also on this level are two offices (one added during the renovation),
a powder room and TV lounge, plus a mudroom, laundry and drying
cabinet to take care of all that sports gear! Since the owners and
their adult children love to cook, the sleek, fully integrated kitchen
is a family highlight. Emma says, “We kept it quite simple with >
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G houses

KITCHEN Walls and joinery painted Dulux ‘Natural White. ‘Gaia’ pendant light,
Ochre. A double-sided lacquered sideboard, designed by Partridge Daniels and made
by Blank Joinery becomes a stylish room divider. Stainless steel benchtop. Island in
Calacatta Vagli marble, Kitchen Stone Gallery. Nau ‘Sia’ stool, Cult. Foscarini ‘Double’
wall lamp, Space. Existing dining table. ‘Lando’ leather dining chairs, Life Interiors.
Bowl, Manyara Home. Artwork by Jacqui Fink. Custom oak handles. Zellige tiles in
‘Blanc’, Onsite Supply + Design. Zip HydroTap, Winning Appliances. Vintage Oushak
rug, Perryman Carpets. Engineered American Oak floorboards, EuroStyle Floors.

70 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

THE PALETTE
Dulux Royal Battle
(ensuite vanity)
Dulux Natural White
(walls and fluted plaster)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

KITCHEN Walls and joinery painted Dulux Natural White, Blank Joinery. Zellige
tiles in ‘Blanc’, Onsite Supply + Design. Stainless steel benchtop. Island in Calacatta
Vagli marble, Kitchen Stone Gallery. Nau ‘Sia’ stool, Cult. LIVING Walls and plaster
moulding painted Dulux Natural White. ‘Chinois’ bamboo blind, Blinds by Peter Meyer.
Sofa, owners’ own. Cushions, Eadie Lifestyle. ‘Maland Rattan’ armchairs, Living by
Design. Hay ‘Slit’ table, Cult. Leather stool by JN Custom Metal and Atelier Furniture.
Noguchi ‘Akari’ lantern, Living Edge. Brass planter, lamp and sculptures, Orient
House. Objects of Virtue white vases, Garden Life. Fireplace hearth in leathered
granite in Antique Black/Brown, Granite & Marble Works. ‘Agra’ rug in Juniper,
Armadillo. Engineered American oak floorboards, EuroStyle Floors.

HOUSES H G

lots of storage, the hero being the cantilevered island, in Calacatta
Vagli marble, which is where the family love to sit and eat.”
The calm interiors are pared back yet striking, reflecting the
owners’ preference for a contemporary ‘coastal’ rather than,
‘beach’ aesthetic. “While the interiors are modern they are also
timeless, so they won’t date quickly,” adds Emma. “The natural
surroundings inspired the palette, which is mainly muted, though
we’ve been more adventurous with colour in smaller spaces, such
as the powder room, which has deep blue tiles. We’ve added layers
of interest with lots of texture and natural stone and marble.”
Portholes and nautical references nod to the family’s love of
sailing. ‘Graphic’ lights and bespoke pieces bring an extra level
of detail and finesse, including a white scalloped fireplace and
a six-metre long artwork by Jacqui Fink suspended in the void.
“With the lights we tried to get some nice silhouettes into each
space without them dominating it,” explains Emma. Bathrooms
are equally considered, with clean lines elevated by Palladiana
tiles, marble and brushed nickel finishes.
Moving back in 2023 and “thrilled” with the renovation, the
owners love everything from their new cellar to the portholes,
not to mention that it “fixed all the things we didn’t like about
the house when we bought it”. Now the house is as stunning as
>
the view… and there are no waterproofing issues.
Partridge Daniels: partridgedaniels.com.
Kendall Design & Build Co: kendallco.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G houses

74 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

THIS IS
THE LIFE

OUTDOOR This page and opposite ‘Zen’ table, Remarkable Outdoor Living. Emu chair,
KE-ZU. Houe sunlounger, SLH. Cushion and throw, Orient House. LANDING Opposite,
top left Custom handrail, JN Custom Metal. Artwork by Jacqui Fink. HALLWAY Top right
Table lamp, Euroluce. Mirror, JN Custom Metal. Sideboard, designed by Partridge Daniels,
made by Blank Joinery. Wall light, Anna Charlesworth. POWDER ROOM Bottom right
‘Oxford’ wall tiles in Cobalt, Surface Gallery. Foscarini ‘Double’ wall lamp, Space.

The owners rarely used
this lower level, except
to sleep in, but the extra
light and new bifold
doors connecting the
sitting area to the terrace
and pool turned it into
a family favourite.
“Moving the pool fence
closer to its edge has
made a big difference
to the alfresco area
too,” says designer
Emma Daniels.

ENSUITE Walls painted Dulux Natural White. Linen curtains, Master

Workroom. Custom vanity in Dulux Royal Battle. Benchtop and wall
stone in Elba marble, Granite & Marble Works. ‘Maya’ bathtub, Ulia.
‘Yokato’ tapware in Brushed Nickel, Brodware. ‘ADA Alabaster’
sconce, Allied Maker. Stool, Inartisan. Custom Palladiana floor tiles.

76 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

HOUSES H G

“The wall light has a ‘graphic’ presence and
adds a refined, decorative detail to the room.”
EMMA DANIELS, DESIGNER

MAIN BEDROOM ‘Joe’ bed, MCM House. Bedside table, made by

JM Custom Metal. InscapesDesign ‘Laurie’ wall lights, Etsy. Bed linen,
Cultiver and Studio Sutram. ENSUITE ‘Ada’ Alabaster sconce, Allied Maker.
Custom Palladiana floor tiles. LAUNDRY Benchtop in Elba marble,
Granite & Marble Works. ‘Oxford’ wall tiles, Surface Gallery. Muuto ‘Dots’
wall hooks, Living Edge. ‘New Castro’ floor tiles, Onsite Supply + Design.

HOUSES H G

THE SOURCE
In an open layout, clean lines, textural variety and a palette
of muted neutrals create an air of casual elegance.

4
3

7
6

Produced by Marissa Foye.

1 ‘Akari 55A’ pendant light, $950, In Good Company. 2 Canvas+Sasson ‘Nook Camden’ blended linen bedhead in Mint, $825,
LivingStyles. 3 Australian House & Garden ‘Norwood’ throw in Earth, $149.95, Myer. 4 ‘Agra’ rug in Artichoke (300x240cm),
$4900, Armadillo. 5 ‘Maland Porto’ sling armchair in White Leather, $699, Living by Design. 6 Muuto ‘Tip’ wall lamp in Black,
$380, Living Edge. 7 Solid wood side table, $2325, 1stDibs. 8 IIttala Alvar Aalto vase, $379.90, Designstuff. 9 Cushion cover
in Antica Blush, $85, No Chintz. 10 ‘Zaza Deep 2 Flex AB’ three-seater sofa, from $3,290, King Living. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G HOUSES
LIVING ‘Shore’ armchair, Fanuli. Cushion, No Chintz.
Missoni throw, Spence & Lyda. ‘April’ side table, Nikari. Vessels,
Dinosaur Designs. Sculpture, Alex and Trahanas. Fire Dreaming
artwork by Peggy Nampijinpa Brown. EXTERIOR The front of
the worker’s cottage was retained and improved with new
roofing, thicker posts and new shutters, windows and front door.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
A close collaboration between all involved struck a pleasing balance
between traditional and contemporary, colourful and neutral.
STO RY + ST Y L IN G Alexandra Gordon | P HOTOG R A P HY Dave Wheeler

H G HOUSES
hey say you can’t judge a book by its
cover. This is true of this home, located
on a narrow street in Sydney’s east.
Built in 1882, the worker’s cottage
appears small from the street despite
the wide frontage typical of the style.
The front of the house is, in fact, the only part of the
1882 home that remains after the 18-month renovation
directed by Katie Molnar of Molnar Architects. “Katie
was the first architect I met with and I knew I didn’t
need to meet any others,” says the owner, adding “we
clicked right away and I felt we were on the same page
with the brief from the get-go.” As a result of the
collaboration, a surprisingly spacious and light-filled
home has been created for the event director, her son,
6, and their ‘Wockerdoodle’, Beau. “I love the tradition
of the facade, which juxtaposes with what is revealed
immediately inside the front door,” says the owner.
The house was bought with the same kind of
decisiveness that made the project such a joy. “It had a
special energy and charm that I felt instantly – I didn’t
think twice and bought it the next day,” recalls the owner,
who wasn’t actively looking at the time. “A close friend
called me one evening to say she had just seen a house
she thought I would adore and that she had already told
the agent I would be there the next morning to inspect
it,” she says, laughing. While it was a bit of a mess there
was an immediate emotional connection for the owner.
“I grew up in a historic stone homestead in regional NSW
and the materiality reminded me of my childhood home,
even though it was in the city,” she says.
It also had a huge amount of potential. The northfacing block is unusually deep, owing to a debt settlement
between neighbours in 1938 that resulted in one giving
the other additional land as repayment. There is a
substantial elevation from the front to the back, which
enabled the addition of a second storey while preserving
the substantial ceiling height at ground level. “The home
feels proportionally generous given the small land size,”
says the owner of the 228-square-metre block, in which
Katie has cleverly managed to fit everything including
an underground cellar and two laundries without
compromising on space. “Every inch works hard from
the inbuilt entry console to the study nook overlooking
the combined dining-kitchen-living room, where each
area is distinct but benefits from borrowed space afforded
by the visual connection,” says Katie.
The process wasn’t always streamlined, but it afforded
some unexpected treasures. “We were faced with a number
of significant challenges, such as 200 days of rain during
the year of construction and Covid sweeping through
the building team multiple times,” recalls the owner. >

LIVING Ceiling in engineered timber, GoodWood Floors. Fire Dreaming artwork by Peggy Nampijinpa Brown. Massproductions ‘Puddle’ coffee table,
District. ‘Keely’ sofa, and ‘Shore’ armchair, both Fanuli. ‘Tuscan Arezzo’ sisal rug, Premier Carpets. Serax vase, and bowl No 533 by Caroline Blackburn,
both Spence & Lyda. Floors in solid French oak, Enoak. DINING Custom Nau ‘Molloy’ dining table, and Frederica ‘The Spanish’ dining chairs, all Cult.
Artworks Wanampi Tjukurpa by Kukika Adamson, APY Gallery. Gratitude Blossom by Damien Hirst, HENI Primary. Extract The Juice From Everything
by David Shrigley. No 855 bowl on table by Caroline Blackburn, Spence & Lyda. OUTDOOR Skargaarden ‘Djurö’ table and armchairs, and
The Window 70 Play artwork by Erli Fantini, all Parterre. Plant pots, Robert Plumb. Landscaping by Wyer & Co.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

“The combination of whites,
timber and stone provides
a quiet backdrop for the
colourful art and furnishings.”
KATIE MOLNAR, ARCHITECT

KITCHEN Joinery in Resene Half Sea Fog, Eastcoast Joinery. Splashback and benchtop in

Oriana marble, Onsite Supply + Design. Wolf oven, Winning Appliances. ‘Haniburton’
handles, Style Finish Design. Ceramics, Alex and Trahanas. Nau ‘Molloy’ stools, Cult.
‘160 Carronade’ pendant lights, Le Klint. Vase, No Chintz. Amazing artwork by Mel Bochner.
OUTDOOR Wolf barbecue, Winning Appliances. Skargaarden ‘Korsö’ table, Parterre.
‘Palissade’ armchairs, Hay. Ceramics, Alex and Trahanas. Landscaping by Wyer & Co.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

HOUSES H G

H G HOUSES
GUEST BEDROOM Friends photographic print by Caroline Christie. ‘Pearl’

bed, Fanuli. Society Limonta quilt, Ondene. ‘H Tissage’ cushions, Hermès.

ENSUITE The natural palette of the home is continued with handmade

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

zellige tiles and limestone surround and floor tiles, all Onsite Supply + Design.
‘Classic Duo’ bath, Kaldewei. Society Limonta towel, Ondene.

Excavation was required to resolve the level changes,
and in doing so, ceramic water vessels once used by the
builders of the original house were unearthed. Another
find were the piers cut from the historic Paddington
sandstone quarry. These were restored for reuse in the
garden. Sandstone is the foundation for the natural
palette, weaving its way from the front step to the dining
room walls and fireplace hearth. “The combination of
whites, timber and stone provides a quiet backdrop for
the colourful art and furnishings,” says Katie.
A transformative connection now exists between inside
and out. When the doors slide away at the back, there is
a seamless flow to the lush garden designed by Anthony
Wyer of Wyer & Co. “The home’s living area looks onto
the garden, so it was vital the space felt abundant,” says
Anthony. “Once the garden beds were established, we
looked at adding lushness vertically, allowing climbers
to cover the boundary walls and create privacy screening,”
he says of the strategy for the resort-like garden that’s
unusually private within this inner-city setting.
With all elements so thoughtfully considered, the end
result is a bespoke sanctuary. “We really set out to design
a perfect jewellery box of a home, and we surpassed even
our own high expectations,” says the owner.
>
Molnar Architects: molnararchitects.com.
Wyer & Co: wyerandco.com.au.

THE PALETTE
Resene Double Sea Fog
(exterior rendered walls)
Resene Half Sea Fog
(walls, exterior cladding and trims)

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

Clockwise from top left MAIN BEDROOM Looking into the walk-in robe and ensuite. Blanket, Polite Society. Serax vase, Spence & Lyda.
SON’S ENSUITE Casa handmade tiles, and Aren Bianco limestone, all Onsite Supply + Design. Society Limonta towel, Ondene. MAIN ENSUITE
‘Soul 2’ basins, Studio Bagno. Wall lights, Flos. Vase, Dinosaur Designs. STAIRWELL Crystal Ball artwork by Stephen Ormandy, Olsen Gallery.
‘172’ pendant light, Le Klint. GARDEN Opposite ‘Uno Due Tre’ pool tiles, and paving in Aren Bianco limestone, all Onsite Supply + Design.

HOUSES H G

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

THIS IS
THE LIFE

“My son and I find it the
most liveable home.
Everything in it was designed
for purpose and pleasure to
suit our life,” says the owner.
“We spend a lot of time
gathered at the kitchen island.
We gather there to prepare
and eat meals, do homework,
and more. The materials
used are natural and robust.
It has the special “lived-in
feeling” that comes with
housing a family and a dog,
but transforms beautifully
into an elegant space for
grown-up entertaining with
minimal effort.”

POOL AREA At the end of the pool is a Royal Botania ‘Nara’ bench
from Parterre, softened by cushions from No Chintz. A Trachycarpus
palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) towers over the CB Ideal ‘Roulette’ outdoor
shower, adding texture and height without taking up a large footprint.

HOUSES H G

THE SOURCE
Get playful with a vibrant colour palette, velvet and timber
pieces, and graphic art for an inviting atmosphere.

4
2
3

6
7

Produced by Marissa Foye.

1 White small gingerjar shape lamp, $5540.97/two, 1stDibs. 2 ‘Round Skipping Stone’ vase in Tortoise, $105, Dinosaur Designs.
3 ‘Boulder’ rug in Natural (300x200cm), $7199, Jardan. 4 A Safe Space artwork by Will Cooke, $1400, Saint Cloche. 5 ‘Tamiera’
bar chair in Natural Oak, $1317, Living by Design. 6 ‘Betsy’ armchair in Pink Luxe Velvet, $3840, Fenton & Fenton. 7 Ethnicraft oak
coffee table, $1635, Trit House. 8 Middle of Nowhere ‘Flynn Curve’ leaner mirror in Bright White, $998, Norsu. 9 ‘Mirri’ velvet
cushion in Tobacco, $69.99, Adairs. 10 ‘Apollo’ jug, $49.95, Country Road. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

EASY breezy

This light-filled, energy-efficient Melbourne home proves it’s easy being
green, with sustainability (and style) at the forefront of its passive design.
STO RY Chris Pearson | ST Y L IN G Belle Hemming | P HOTOG R A P HY Marnie Hawson

EXTERIOR The owners’ son and

houses H G

a mate with Cavoodle Bernie.
Accoya ‘Charred’ shou sugi ban
and Accoya ‘Sioo:x’ finish vertical
timber cladding, both in shiplap
profile, Britton Timbers. Aluclad
double-glazed spruce windows,
Thermotek Passive House-certified
door and Nerli exterior blinds, all
Logikhaus. Deltalight ‘Mini Reo II’
downlight, Inlite. Landscaping by
McNuttndorff Landscapes.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

THE LAYOUT
Ground floor
Bath
Bed

Robe

Study

Bath

Alfresco

Laundry

Bed

Pantry

Dining

Kitchen

First floor

Rumpus
Bath

Bed

KITCHEN/DINING ‘Tula’ dining table, Naco Design. Sofa, Nick Scali. David Trubridge
pendant light, Mondoluce. Ceiling lights, Richmond Lighting. Benchtops in Airy
Concrete 4044, Caesarstone. Joinery by Pride Kitchens. Franke sink, Reece. Ovens and
Fisher & Paykel fridge, all E&S Trading. GoodWood Victorian Ash flooring, Buildwood.
Interior finishes and fittings specified by Maxa Design and MVH Constructions.

94 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Living

houses H G

or owners Caroline and
Nick and their two boys,
the move from a draughty
old cottage into their new
luminous “barn”, with its
views to a lush garden, has
been a green change and a very welcome
one. Even though their new home is larger,
the family’s energy bills have shrunk.
“We’ve always lived in oldy-coldy period
homes, so heating responsibly and
minimising our energy use were priorities
here,” says Caroline.
When the couple bought the property
in 2019, it was occupied by a boarded-up
bungalow. Their only option was to bring
in the bulldozer, she says. “We bought the
block because of its long northern aspect
that cried out for huge windows from an
open-plan living zone. Striking old trees
in neighbouring properties would provide
unique and beautiful views.”
The couple was keen to make the most
of that aspect while also being kind to the
planet, so builder Mark van Haandel of
MVH Constructions, who had renovated
their previous house, urged them to adopt
Passivhaus principles (German for ‘passive
house’), a voluntary European certification
scheme committed to using up to 90%
less energy than standard buildings.
“We really trusted Mark and found his
passion for sustainable building
inspiring,” says Caroline. And who better
to design their new sustainable home
than fellow Passivhaus fan, building
designer Sven Maxa of Maxa Design?
“Our previous house, an 1880s cottage,
was the absolute opposite,” she adds. “We
wanted to work with a small firm that
combined comfort with passive design
know-how. We were after a light family
home with views to the greenery, with a
spare and functional aesthetic and natural
finishes. It had to be future-proofed for
teenagers with an upstairs zone, as we
want to be here for years.”
Accordingly, the brief included “high
ceilings and windows to maximise views,>

houses H G

“We were after
a light family
home with a spare
aesthetic and
natural finishes.”
CAROLINE, OWNER

LIVING Walls and ceiling in Econamel and flat white
paints, to match Dulux Snowy Mountains Half,
Ecolour. Artwork by Joe Blundell. ‘Chroma’ throw in
Forest, Waverley Mills. Tan cushion, The Upholstery
House. GoodWood Victorian Ash flooring in Bona
Traffic satin, Buildwood. OUTDOOR Aluclad
double-glazed spruce windows, Logikhaus. ‘Stargem III’
flood light, JD Lighting. Eaves in GoodWood Victorian
Ash shiplap lining boards, Buildwood. Matrix cladding
in Monument, James Hardie. Abodo ‘Vulcan’ pergola
beams and blackbutt decking, Britton Timbers.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

H G houses

THE PALETTE
Polytec Serene Legato
(laundry joinery)
Dulux Snowy Mountains Half
(interior walls)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Dulux Monument
(exterior cladding)

MAIN BEDROOM Curtains in Warwick
Fabrics ‘Burano’, Life By Shades. Vintage
chair. Throw, Linens Unlimited. Bench seat in
Warwick Fabrics ‘Beachcomber Marine’ fabric
from Cushion House, Pride Kitchens. Knitted
blanket, Koala Comforts. LANDING Moooi
pendant lights, Space. BATHROOM Vanity,
Pride Kitchens. Benchtop in Empira White,
Caesarstone. Basin, mixer and shower set,
all ABI Interiors. ‘Rialto’ floor tiles, wall tiles,
and BNK bath, all Yeomans. Heated towel rail,
The Blue Space. ‘Norma’ wall light, Mondoluce.
KITCHEN Ceiling lights, Richmond Lighting.
LAUNDRY Joinery in Polytec Serene Legato,
Pride Kitchens. Benchtop in KStone KSoul,
Stone Italiana. ‘Posh Solus’ trough, Reece.
‘7 Lath Supreme’ ceiling airer, Lifestyle
Clotheslines. ‘Rialto’ floor tiles, Yeomans.

split levels to create zoning and deal with
the sloping site, and a connection to
outdoor areas,” says Sven. The owners
provided images that showed a “theme
of raw, natural and exposed materials like
concrete, timber and zinc”.
The end result is a home with a main
bedroom suite and guest bedroom each
side of the entry, from which a hallway,
with a study to one side, steps up into an
expansive open plan with double-glazed
walls overlooking a thriving garden.
“Strategic full-height windows connecting
to a northern deck and an eastern alfresco
area maximise solar gain and take in
views towards trees and sky, while we
have emphasised the inside-outside

connection with window seats in the main
bedroom and office,” says Sven. Mature
trees and slatted-timber awnings provide
shade when needed. Two more bedrooms
and a rumpus looking directly into the
canopy comprise the kids’ zone upstairs.
“Our home is a modern barn: spare and
spartan but with warm bones, with
natural tones and materials wherever
possible,” says Caroline.
Durable, low-maintenance materials,
chosen by MVH and Maxa, include
external cladding in charred Accoya
sustainable timber, while internally, Mark
and Sven embraced low-toxicity natural
options, including GoodWood solid
Victorian ash floors and a feature ceiling

in the open plan. E0-grade board joinery
appears throughout. Furnishings that
combine contemporary and organic –
exemplified in a David Trubridge bamboo
pendant light – were selected by Caroline.
“Our home feels like a sanctuary,” she
says. “I feel peaceful when I walk in. I love
the subtle scent of the timber, and the
insulation and big passive windows mean
it’s so quiet. The garden design means it’s
light-filled but private. And, with the
constant movement in the leafy branches,
we always feel so close to nature.”
>
Maxa Design: maxadesign.com.au. MVH
Constructions: mvhconstructions.com.
McNuttndorff Landscapes: mcnuttndorff.
com.au. Logikhaus: logikhaus.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

THIS IS
THE LIFE

This passive house
becomes an active
house when everyone’s
home. “We cook a lot,
especially Nick, who
gives the outdoor pizza
oven a workout,” says
Caroline. “We watch
the Geelong Cats play;
there are Nintendo family
battles in the lounge,
jigsaws and chess on
the dining room table,
while grandparents and
friends drop around for
pasta and a glass of wine.”

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING Accoya shou sugi ban cladding, Britton Timbers. Aluclad spruce double-glazed doors and windows,

Logikhaus. ‘Stargem III’ tri-colour twin-head outdoor spotlight, JD Lighting. Eaves in GoodWood Victorian Ash shiplap lining boards,
Buildwood. Matrix cladding in Monument, James Hardie. Abodo ‘Vulcan’ pergola beams and blackbutt decking, Britton Timbers.
Landscaping by McNuttndorff Landscapes. Custom timber outdoor setting, Nook&North.

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Embrace a clean aesthetic with a minimal black and white
palette, and touches of woody notes for natural warmth.

8
7

Produced by Andrea Healy.

9
1 ‘Navicula’ pendant light by David Trubridge, from $5010, Lumen8. 2 Moooi ‘Random Light II’ suspension lamp, $2045, Space.
3 M.M Linen ‘Tusca’ bath towel range in Mustard, from $12.99, Myer. 4 Creed Aventus for Her shower gel, $139, Libertine
Parfumerie. 5 ‘Alarik’ dining table, $1999, Freedom. 6 ‘Unikko’ bedspread (260x260cm), $445, Marimekko. 7 ‘Seireeni’ cushion
cover (50x50cm), $102, Marimekko. 8 Hay ‘About A Chair AAC12’ chair, from $525, Cult. 9 ‘Boston’ two-piece square coffee table
set, $599, Harvey Norman. 10 ‘Madrid Retreat’ modular sofa in Dove Linen Weave, from $1940/module, GlobeWest. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

101

FINE DETAIL
A beautiful tapestry of colours, textures and styles now adorns this
Melbourne home, thanks to a creative mother-daughter design duo.
STO RY Judy Pascoe | P HOTOG R A P HY Christine Francis

102 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

CASUAL LIVING Sofa in Morris & Co ‘Pure Orkney Weave’,

Domestic Textile. Cushions in Clarence House ‘Congo Multi’,
South Pacific Fabrics; Lula ‘Leopard Pink’, Lula Fabrics; and
Carolina Irving Textiles ‘Trebizond’ in Green/Pink, and ottoman
in Fermoie ‘Wicker’, both Elliott Clarke. Antique tray, lamp, side
table, guinea fowl, bowl and parrots, all Brownlow Showroom.
Artworks by Russell Drysdale (left) and Rosemary Ryan (right).
ENTRY Antique dresser, owner’s existing. Mirror sourced by
Paul Bangay. The Studio with Mimosa framed poster by
Pierre Bonnard. Chair, lamp, and ‘Ocelot Rug Collection’
rug, all Brownlow Showroom.

HOUSES H G

s an aficionado of the architecture of
the late Wayne Gillespie, this owner
was delighted when she found one of
his houses for sale in inner Melbourne.
Looking to move from a large property
also designed by Gillespie, it was
serendipitous to find a smaller version in the form of a
townhouse in the same suburb where she currently lived.
Celebrated for his contemporary approach and generous
spaces, Gillespie was one of Melbourne’s best known
residential architects in a career that spanned 30 years
until his death in 2001. This two-storey townhouse, one of
a pair, was built in the late 1980s and, testament to his
brilliance, looks as fresh today as it did then.
Barb and Alexandra Brownlow of Brownlow Interior
Design had worked previously with the owner and were
called upon to ‘decorate’ her new abode. “No structural
work was necessary,” declares Alexandra. Instead the mother
and daughter design team assembled a fresh scheme of
textiles, paint colours, wallpapers, carpets, window
treatments and custom furnishings for the owner to peruse.
It helped that the designers and owner share a love of
the same colours – pink and green – and they found
inspiration in an image of an English country house
designed by Nicky Haslam that featured an entirely pink
room. That became the starting point for the formal
sitting room with its walls papered in a coral pink Phillip
Jeffries grasscloth and cushions in a tonal raspberry silk
Namay Samay print.
Other existing pieces belonging to the owner sparked
design decisions, such as the dramatic John Coburn tapestry
that now hangs behind the antique Georgian console in
the entrance. “The tapestry was an important piece that
we wanted to connect with the adjacent rooms,” says
Alexandra. While its bold patterning reads as red, on closer
inspection there are several other shades including pale
blue, celadon green and pink, and Barb and Alexandra used
those colours liberally in the adjoining rooms and
throughout the house. “It’s such a strong piece we had to
make sure everything flowed from there.”
>
CASUAL LIVING Sofa in Morris & Co ‘Pure Orkney Weave’,

Domestic Textile. Cushions in Clarence House ‘Congo Multi’,
South Pacific Fabrics; Lula ‘Leopard Pink’, Lula Fabrics; and
Carolina Irving Textiles ‘Trebizond’ in Green/Pink, and ottoman
in Fermoie ‘Wicker’, both Elliott Clarke. Antique tray, floor lamp,
side table, French pintade guinea fowl, bowl and parrots, all
Brownlow Showroom. Owners’ tub chairs with loose covers in
Altamira Stonewash Linen in Oyster, and cushions in Carolina Irving
Textiles ‘Trebizond’ in Green/Pink, Elliott Clarke. Roman blinds in
‘Park Avenue Petite Fabric’ in Moss, Diane Bergeron. Artworks by
Rosemary Ryan and Charles Blackman. ‘Serengeti’ rug, Armadillo.

HOUSES H G

THIS IS
THE LIFE

The owner delights in
making the most of the
beautiful northern light
that floods the casual
sitting room to engage in
art projects. The dining
table serves as a quasi
easel. The view through
the expansive window of
the Paul Bangay-designed
garden provides certain
inspiration. At other times
the room becomes a
sanctuary for reading
or a convivial spot for
entertaining friends.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

105

H G HOUSES

THE PALETTE

Phillip Jefferies ‘Extra Fine Arrowroot’
in Coral Red (sitting room)
Fabricut ‘Jocena’ in Fern
(powder room)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Dulux Casper White Quarter
(interior walls)

ENTRY John Coburn tapestry, and dresser, owner’s existing. Vintage lamps, and ‘Ocelot Rug Collection’ rug designed by Barb Brownlow,
Brownlow Showroom. Baskets, Orient House. SITTING ROOM Sofa in Nicky Haslam ‘Safari Spot’, Tigger Hall Design. Cushions in Gaston
Y Daniela ‘Floralia Barroca’, Domestic Textile; Namay Samay ‘Zeimoto’ in Raspberry, Burdus & Co; and Colony ‘Marly’, Boyac. Side chair in
Colefax & Fowler ‘Blakeney Check’ in Old Blue, Domus Textiles. Dresser, owner’s existing. Table lamps, Cromwell Australia. Artworks, from
left, by John Loxton (also far right), Harold B Herbert and Cressida Beale. Phillip Jeffries wallpaper in Coral Red, The Textile Company.

As well as the pink formal sitting room, the colours are
picked up in the textiles in the bedrooms and the casual
living and dining room that’s filled with northern light and
enjoys an expansive view over the Paul Bangay-designed
garden. “The colours appear in all the soft furnishings,
making a subtle connection through each room,” says
Alexandra. “While it is very deliberate, it doesn’t immediately
appear that the house has been ‘decorated’, rather it feels
that perhaps it’s always been that way.”
Certainly the combination of colours and patterns
provides an energy but, says Alexandra, “it never feels too
busy or jarring but instead is soft and lovely”. The scheme
is grounded by the owner’s collection of significant antique
pieces. “We like to reuse as much of the client’s existing
furniture as possible and we continue the story of those
pieces in a new iteration in a new space,” the designer says.
Sofas and dining chairs were reupholstered to “freshen
and liven them up in their new home”, and new decorative

pieces added to the mix. The owner’s art collection, which
includes works by Charles Blackman, Russell Drysdale
and Cressida Beale among others, adds to the established
nature of the home. Everything, from furniture to art, was
looked at with fresh eyes. “With each new property you
have to go through the same concept and design phase to
fully develop a style language or design direction that is
site specific and the architectural features will determine
how that rolls out,” says Alexandra.
The redecoration took place over a period of five years.
However the scheme is completely timeless and Alexandra
says “it is a look that we would still do today”.
The owner was an enthusiastic participant throughout
the process, fully engaged and appreciative of the level of
detail involved. Hence, “it was one of the most successful
decorating jobs we have ever done”, says Alexandra. >
Brownlow Interior Design: brownlow.net.au.
Paul Bangay: paulbangay.com.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

107

“The casual living and dining room is filled
with northern light and enjoys an expansive
view over the Paul Bangay-designed garden.”
ALEXANDRA BROWNLOW, INTERIOR DESIGNER

HOUSES H G

GARDEN Outdoor setting, Lister Teak Garden Furniture.
Landscaping by Paul Bangay. DINING Robert Brown

dining table, owner’s existing, and chairs with loose covers
in Fermoie ‘Poulton Stripe’, Elliott Clarke. Roman blinds in
‘Park Avenue Petite Fabric’ in Moss, Diane Bergeron.
Artworks, left to right, by Cate Maddy, Russell Drysdale
and Rosemary Ryan. POWDER ROOM Fabricut ‘Jocena’
wallpaper in Fern, The Textile Company. Antique mirror, baby
clam shells, vintage vase and plate, all Brownlow Showroom.

BEDROOM Bedhead in Bennison ‘Honfleur’ in Blue Green,

Bennison Fabrics. Cushion in Colefax & Fowler ‘Mazely’
in Leaf Green, Domus Textiles. Gustavian bedside table in
Antique White, Chelsea Textiles. Onion lamp in Champagne
Crackle with shade in Colefax & Fowler ‘Seaweed’ in Blue,
both Bragg & Co. Ottoman in Stroheim ‘Biron Strié Check’
in Blue, The Textile Company. Artwork by Marc Chagall.

HOUSES H G

THE SOURCE
For a softer heritage look, layer floral prints, woven
textures and ornate details in pretty shades of blue.

7
6

Produced by Andrea Healy.

8
10

9
1 Dolce & Gabbana Sicilian neroli and lemon scented candle, $495, Net-a-Porter. 2 Xavier Furniture ‘Laguna’ cross leg stool,
$399, Gaudions. 3 Morris & Co. ‘Marigold Blue’ rug (275x185cm), $729, Ruggable. 4 19th-Century Italian giltwood mirror,
$3200, The Vault Sydney. 5 Seletti ‘Hybrid Melania’ vase, $338, Farfetch. 6 Bamboo table lamps, $2200/two, The Vault Sydney.
7 Hand-embroidered quilt in Indigo Blue, $1349, Ralph Lauren. 8 ‘Bondi Hamptons Akola’ ottoman in Indigo, $849, Domayne.
9 J’Jute ‘Allora’ diagonal basket, $338/large, Dunlin. 10 ‘Vimle’ three-seater sofa, $1049, Ikea. Loose-fit ‘Vimle’ three-seater

sofa cover in Gingham Cotton in Sky Blue, $749, Bemz.

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111

Staying POWER
Rather than downsizing, these empty nesters upgraded their
terrace to turn it into an oasis the whole family can enjoy.
STORY Alexandra English | PH OTO G R APH Y Tom Ferguson

houses H G

COURTYARD The courtyard is paved in granite cobbles from Surface Gallery
with the patio in ‘Urban’ porcelain tiles in Grey from Artedomus. Furniture,
owners’ existing. EXTERIOR The walls of this Victorian terrace are painted
Resene Quarter Powder Blue and front door painted Resene Apricot.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

113

hile Alex and her husband were on an
extended sojourn in Sydney’s Eastern
Suburbs after selling their house in
Balmain, they began to love it so much
they couldn’t imagine returning to the
Inner West. So they found a home in
a neighbourhood that proved to be the right dose of peace and
quiet, while also within close proximity to the CBD.
This was 10 years ago. Their adult children have since moved
out, but rather than looking to downsize, the couple wanted a
place for family to come to for birthdays, Christmases and any
excuse, really, to linger longer at the dining table. Their house,
a terrace with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, was in great
condition, says Alex, except the kitchen was somewhat lacking
in space. “Guests would come over and they loved the place but
they would look at me sympathetically,” Alex says, with a laugh.
“We’d have family over for celebrations and somebody was always
standing holding the bowl of salad — and it was always me.” >

114 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

STUDY Walls painted Resene’s Eighth Truffle. Joinery in American
oak, East Coast Joinery. Vintage French poster. Photographs by
Gordon Undy. Daybed and cushions in Maharam ‘Linden’ fabric in
Hygge. Blue cushion, Ivy Lane. Hem ‘Lolly’ side table in Black Green,
District. ‘Finn’ rug in Sea Foam, Tribe Home. Lost Profile Studio
‘Surveillance’ pendant light, Est Lighting. KITCHEN Joinery in
American oak, East Coast Joinery. Splashback in Sareva quartzite,
Artedomus. Fisher & Paykel cooktop and oven, Winning Appliances.

THE PALETTE
Resene Eighth Truffle
(kitchen, study and living walls)
Resene Powder Blue
(exterior walls)
Resene Apricot
(front door)

KITCHEN/DINING Walls painted Resene Eighth Truffle. Joinery in American Oak,
East Coast Joinery. Splashback in Sareva quartzite, Artedomus. ‘Crevasse’ dining table,
Catapult. Chairs, owners’ existing. Bench seat in NSW Leather ‘Murano’ leather in Sage,
Improvision Design. ‘Hillside’ and ‘Form Study’ cushions, Ivy Lane. Artwork by Ben Hall.
‘Double Cup’ wall lights, Anna Charlesworth. X-Bond flooring, Seamless Surfaces.

“I wanted very badly to have
enough room at the table to
seat 16 to 20 people.”
ALEX, OWNER

houses H G

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117

THIS IS
THE LIFE

The owners love their
upgraded terrace with
plenty of room for
entertaining. For Alex
and her husband, it’s
family first, always.
Even when it comes to
decorating their home.
Their niece, Ali, is a
ceramics artist (The Bare
Stone Ceramics Studio),
and she’s created vessels
and bowls for the couple
who proudly display
them in their home.

houses H G

LIVING Walls painted Resene Eighth Truffle.

Artworks (clockwise from left) by Paul Ryan,
Euan Macleod and Robert Malherbe.
Toogood ‘Cobble’ side table and stool,
District. ‘Kelly’ armchairs in Greyson leather,
Jardan. ‘Crete’ rug, Tribe Home.

THE LAYOUT

Powder

Ground floor

Living

Kitchen
Deck

Sitting

Courtyard

Dining

First floor

Attic
Bed
Laundry
Bed

Study

Bath

So, the couple decided it was time to either renovate or move.
Surprisingly, given that they “hate” to renovate (“We’re not very
good at it,” says Alex), they opted to stay and enlisted the help
of designer Hayden Bagnall of Bagnall Design Office, who they
discovered through a colleague. Hayden’s boutique interiors
firm specialises in alterations and additions, and often works
on inner-city terraces. “They’re always interesting,” he says.
“They follow the same rationale, so they have the same obstacles,
but at the same time, they’re all different and have their own
quirks.” Hayden finds working within heritage and conservation
limitations creatively fulfilling. “Our response is always to treat
the terraces appropriately, and where we can, add something
interesting and clever,” he says.
The owners’ brief had two main components. The first: “I
wanted very badly to have enough room at the table to seat
16 to 20 people, and I wanted there to be enough room for the
salad,” says Alex, who loved the idea of a large dining table
in the kitchen area. “I gave up on the idea that you could ever
get anyone out of the kitchen, so I thought, we’ll just do
everything in there.” Hayden’s solution was to transform half
of the downstairs powder room’s attached laundry into a
pantry (the laundry was moved to the second floor near the
bedrooms), making enough space for a kitchen and dining
area. “Now, if more people come, there’s always space for

Bed

Bath

everyone,” says Alex. “I’m a bit of a sucker for the rear of a
terrace,” Hayden adds. “The kitchen and dining space feels
really connected to the garden.”
The second part of the brief was a liveable living area.
“I wanted to be able to sit down and watch the television without
twisting my neck,” Alex jokes. Her husband was adamant the
television be hidden, so Hayden devised a cabinet with a screen
rising from the top. The couple also has an extensive art
collection that couldn’t be hung because of the living area’s
recessed walls. Hayden’s team flattened the wall, so now the
entire collection is on proud display. Their collection also
includes a Tony Twigg sculpture that uses repurposed sandstone
steps from the courtyard as its base, which sits in a lightwell
between the living and dining. “The front of the house was
originally two rooms, and we wanted to create one big foyer,”
Hayden says. “Now when you enter the house, you walk into a
warm, cosy sitting room, through a compressed hallway with
the lightwell and a little garden, and then emerge in a big volume
kitchen. It feels in proportion, but also super spacious.”
At the moment, one of the couple’s daughters is staying in
the top-floor guest room. “She doesn’t seem to give any indication
of wanting to go back to her own very nice apartment,” says
Alex, lovingly. Lingering longer, indeed.
>
Bagnall Design Office: bagnall.au. C3 Projects: c3projects.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

119

POWDER ROOM Wall painted Resene Parchment. Vanity
in Resene Double Tapa with benchtop in Carrara marble,
and custom mirror, all East Coast Joinery. Mixer and towel
rail, Brodware. STUDY Joinery in American oak and desk
in Elba marble, East Coast Joinery. ‘Continental’ shelf,
Laker Studio. Normann Copenhagen ‘Form’ chair , District.
‘Finn’ rug in Sea Foam, Tribe Home. BATHROOM Wall
painted Resene Black White. ‘Luminosa’ tiles, Surface
Gallery. Vanity, Elba marble benchtop, and shaving cabinet,
East Coast Joinery. Tapware, Brodware. GUEST BEDROOM
Artwork by Sarah Plummer. ‘Palermo’ bed linen, L&M Home.

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Shapely furniture and homewares in light tones bring
interest and tranquillity to interiors in equal measure.

4
2

Produced by Andrea Healy.

3
8

7
6

1 Toogood ‘Dough’ mug, $89, and pitcher, $215, both District. 2 Massproductions ‘Puddle’ table, $215, District. 3 ‘Double Cup’
wall light, POA, Anna Charlesworth. 4 ‘Cayman Silver’ rug, $6490, Designer Rugs. 5 Malin+Goetz scented candle in Bergamot,
$106, Mecca. 6 Città ‘Hillside’ patchwork cushion, $158, RJ Living. 7 ‘Heirloom’ stripe tea towel in Tobacco, $24, Aura Home.
8 ‘Kelly’ velvet armchair in Wildflower, $3580, Jardan. 9 ‘Rose’ boucle two-and-a-half seater sofa in Cream, $1999, Life Interiors.
10 Vola one-handle ‘590HM’ kitchen mixer, POA, Bathroom X. #

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121

KITCHEN Inspired by the local

coastline, a sculptural Calacatta Vagli
marble island from Uniquip Stone is
the hero of the space, with surrounding
joinery by TD Shopfitting in a metallic
finish by Axolotl. ‘City Stik’ kitchen
mixer, Brodware. Stools, Grazia & Co.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G

CALM

curation

A young family commissions an elegant
home with plenty of space for art.
STO RY Victoria Baker | ST Y LI N G Linda Tjaturono
P HOTOG R A P HY Timothy Kaye

H G houses
LIVING/DINING Sliding joinery by
TD Shopfitting hides a TV above
a gas fireplace by Real Flame within
a long Galassia marble shelf. The
curved forms of an Okha ‘Reverb’
sofa, a custom oval table by Joel Elliot
Furniture and Gubi ‘Beetle’ dining
chairs add playful elements to the
family’s open plan. Carlo Nason
glass objects on table, 506070.
SITTING ROOM The moody
‘Blue Room’ off the entry is painted
Dulux Surf’n’Dive. I am Batman
artwork by Alvaro Barrington hangs
above a vintage Pierre Jeanneret chair.
Three Legged Cauldron ceramic
sculpture by Dominique Fung.

124 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

nterior designer Louise Liu of Studio Liu describes
the owners of this three-level home in Sydney’s
Lower North Shore as “trustworthy and
adventurous – the best kind of clients”. With a
design by Castlepeake Architecture already in
place, the owners sought Louise’s help to refine
the interiors. “The initial brief was for a home that would
be enduring and luxurious but with personality,” says
Louise. With their discerning eye for art, including upand-coming Asian artists, it was also important to the
owners that the interior provide opportunities to showcase
a growing collection of art across different mediums.
So began a journey that would last through several
Covid-affected years, with the family moving into the
finished home last year. “When building bespoke homes,
the price of a well-made home is perhaps time,” says
Louise. While Louise took on much of the project
management, the owners attended weekly site visits and
were involved in every aspect of the decision making. >

H G houses
LIVING Joinery, TD Shopfitting.
‘Reverb’ sofa, Okha. Cushions,
Morrow Studio. ‘Pacha’ chairs, Gubi.
Side table by Floris Wubben, and
L’Aveugle sculpture by Anne Breton,
both Studio ALM. ‘Kashi’ rug in
Atlantic, Boyd Blue. Vase by Gaetano
Pesce, 506070. Curtains, Neu Studio.

“I always advocate for the cultivation of meaningful
design and a sense of enduring beauty – a space
that can stand the test of time.”
LOUISE LIU, INTERIOR DESIGNER

THIS IS
THE LIFE

“This home is a real
reflection of my clients,”
says Louise. “Each space
is unique yet cohesive
with the overall mood,”
adds the owner. “We love
that the design is really
beautiful yet practical.
We loved working with
Louise and how she
designed our home to be
joyful and timeless. Our
home is our sanctuary
and we love how it makes
us feel so comfortable
and happy.”

After nailing down the flow, Louise worked on creating
texture and depth, with materiality the key. “I chose natural
and robust finishes that would age gracefully,” she says.
On the main living level, with its open-plan kitchen, dining
and living areas, this translates to herringbone timber
flooring, kitchen joinery with metallic finishes applied by
Axolotl, and striking stone elements.
Colour and shape were inspired by the surrounding
curving coastline, abundant trees and rock formations, as
explored in the design of the sculptural kitchen island. “In
a nearby reserve there is ancient stone with Indigenous
carvings, and I wanted to reflect that with an abstract take,”
Louise says. The resulting island is separated into two
monolithic bases with a cantilevered, off-centre benchtop.
Louise describes the intricacies of layering and texture
as ‘pivotal’. “I wanted each of the spaces to speak through
a play on dark and light, allowing different art displays to
shine,” she says. This approach is explored in what the
owners call the ‘Blue Room’, a small sitting room off the
entry, in which an enveloping steel blue (Dulux Surf’n’Dive)
is complemented by bronze and aged brass finishes. “This
room was an anomaly but a purposeful one,” says Louise.
I wanted the brooding space to pique your interest and once
inside, a collection of art and books would keep you there.”
Playful elements are introduced through furniture and
art, with curvaceous sofas, an oval table and classic Gubi
dining chairs an antidote to the seriously grown-up interiors.
“I always advocate for the cultivation of meaningful design
and a sense of enduring beauty – a space that can stand
the test of time and won’t be subject to becoming landfill
after a short period,” says Louise. “Guiding clients to invest
in furnishings is a commitment that can help reduce waste.”
A staircase beautifully detailed with a brass and timber
handrail leads to the bedroom level with a living area, where
sliding brass mesh panels conceal and reveal books and
art. The main bedroom is calm and inviting, with a custom
leather bedhead and its ensuite features a luxurious shower
and bath enclosure clad in Carrara Bianco Gioia marble.
The journey was long, but ultimately rewarding for the
owners. “They were very involved from day one and were
across every single detail,” says Louise. “That makes the
result more special because they love every bit of it.” >
Studio Liu: studio-liu.com.
Castlepeake Architecture: castlepeake.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

127

128 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

ENSUITE Top left In the bath and shower wet area, Carrara Bianco Gioia marble from Uniquip Stone clads the walls and floor. ‘City Stik’ shower
and tapware in Bronze Statue, Brodware. LANDING Top right Classic design details include herringbone floors, moulding and a timber and
brass balustrade detail. Good Mood artwork by Barbara Kruger. Bottom right Prometheus and the Eagle artwork by Kaifan Wang. FAMILY ROOM
Bottom left Sliding mesh screens hide bookcases in the relaxed family room, with joinery by TD Shopfitting. Libre by Larissa De Jesús Negrón
artwork on a shelf of Carrara Bianco Gioia marble from Uniquip Stone. POWDER ROOM Opposite “I love this room because of its depth and
bold usage of marble. It’s the jewel of the house,” says Louise. Walls painted in Dulux Domino. A custom vanity by TD Shopfitting with integrated
brass towel rail sits below a custom brass mirror. Split Double Pop artwork by Alexandra Noel hangs in the hall outside.

houses H G

THE PALETTE
Dulux Surf’n’Dive
(sitting room)
Dulux Vivid White
(walls and living joinery)
Dulux Domino
(powder room)

MAIN BEDROOM Custom bedhead
upholstered in Italian aniline leather
from Pelle Leathers. ‘Sims’ bedside
table, Merlino. ‘Roy Lettura’ floor lamp,
Viabizzuno. Lights on the Window
artwork by Miranda Fengyuan Zhang.

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Sculptural curves, layered textures and thoughtfully curated
art pieces combine to create a contemporary scheme.

4
5
3
6

Produced by Andrea Healy.

10
9
1 Florris Wubben ‘Stool Model 3’ stool, $4900, Studio Alm. 2 Viabizzuno ‘Roy Lettura’ floor lamp, POA , Est Living.
3 ‘Fremont’ accent chair, $1299, Domayne. 4 Willow artwork by Miranda Fengyuan Zhang, Halsey McKay Gallery. 5 ‘Agra’ rug in
Marlin (300x240cm), $4900, Armadillo. 6 ‘Yokato’ pullout kitchen mixer, POA, Brodware. 7 ‘Ash black Blossom II’ vase, $50,
Kusu Ceramics. 8 Alterfact ceramic vessel, $280, Pépite. 9 B&B Italia ‘Camaleonda’ sofa, $47,520, Space. 10 Palecek ‘Crawford’

nightstand, $7100, Boyd Blue.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

131

COLOUR CRUSH
Mixing friendship with business can be risky, but for a homeowner and
an interior designer, it formed the foundation for a beautiful renovation.
STO RY Alexandra English | ST Y L IN G Maria Papantoniou | P HOTOG R A P HY Alana Landsberry

houses H G
LIVING Walls painted Porter’s Paints Chintz Grey. ‘Alva’ armchairs and
‘Pièrre’ side table, Sarah Ellison. ‘Avery’ sofa and ‘Marais’ coffee table, both
Coco Republic. ‘Cora’ table lamp, Paola & Joy. ‘Agra’ rug in Burnt Umbra,
Armadillo. Suzanne Kasler ‘Collette’ pendant, Bloomingdales Lighting.
‘Quadro’ Oak flooring, Havwoods. KITCHEN Wall in venetian plaster
in Porter’s Paint Tea of China, Volantes Decorating Service. Splashback
in Monet marble, Worldstone. Strawberries artwork by Elena Novosaduk.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

133

LIVING Walls painted Porter’s Paints Chintz Grey. Mantle

in Monet marble, Worldstone. Suzanne Kasler pendant
light, Bloomingdales Lighting. Palecek mirror, Boyd Blue.
Armchairs and side table, Sarah Ellison. Coffee table,
Coco Republic. Artwork by Margaret Kemarre Ross. Console,
Life Interiors. Candelabra, Few & Far. Rug, Armadillo.
STUDY NOOK ‘Benjamin Ripple’ desk, GlobeWest. ‘Cara’
dining chair, Coco Republic. ‘Cora’ table lamp, Paola & Joy.

134 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G

nterior designer Sally Taylor was
given one brief for this
apartment: “Please, no white”.
Christine, the owner, is a doctor
who spends most of her waking
hours working in clinical, stark
spaces with bright-white lighting. She
wanted the opposite for her home: warmth,
colour and soft textures — a sanctuary
that would allow her to shift from work
to home mode with the turn of a key.
Located on the Lower North Shore of
Sydney, the apartment is one of a small
number in the complex, which Christine
says was likely once a hotel or boarding
house transformed into a series of
spacious, light-filled units. The building’s
history is evident through original sash
windows and large balconies, which
makes hers feel more like a mini house.
“It’s got a really old-school feel, with high
ceilings and large spaces – large bedrooms,
large bathrooms, a large foyer area,”
Christine says, describing what first
attracted her to the apartment. “It was
just a gut feeling, to be perfectly honest.”
When she and her then newborn son,
Luke, moved in eight years ago, the place
was in good condition but “definitely
needed a little bit of love”. Years later,
looking for a designer she could trust,
Christine turned to Sally, who she’d met
at mothers’ group. Sally’s portfolio is
primarily made up of hospitality venues,
but she also takes on heritage residences.
“It’s such a personal thing being trusted
with someone’s home, and building that
relationship,” says Sally. “In this case, our
kids have grown up together.”
Christine is the first to admit that she’s
not creative (“I’m a medical person”) and
put all of her trust in her friend. But her
suggestions for a deep green kitchen and
pink bathroom suggest she might not be
as left-brained-leaning as she thought. “I
just said to Sally, ‘I want colour, lots of
colour’,” she laughs. “I told her, ‘The
kitchen: bright forest green! I’m going for
it and I want you to work with me’.” >

H G houses

Sally also notes the kitchen as one of her
favourite spaces in the home. “The Monet
marble has a green vein to it and it’s just
so beautiful, with beautiful movement,”
she says. She specified the stone to wrap
around the rangehood, wall opening,
benchtops and splashback, where it meets
a waxed plaster finish, which “has a
significant sheen to it, but it’s not glossy
and precious”. For the joinery they chose
a deep tone of Porter’s Paints Tea Of China,
“which sits so beautifully with the marble”.
Then there’s the pink bathroom: more
a dusty rose, not Barbie pink. “Sally spent
a lot of time helping me find the right
pinky-terracotta colour tiles,” Christine
says. The tumbled pink limestone from
Turkey “has a softness to it; it’s not
polished or honed, it’s quite organic”, adds
Sally, who chose a grey slab of marble
with an ivory and pink vein through it to
give a sense of strength to the bathroom
“to stop it from becoming too girly”.
Another of Christine’s favourite
features is the lighting. “I’ve only ever
had downlights, and Sally showed me how
much fun lighting could be,” she says,
naming the floral chandelier in her
bedroom and the star light in Luke’s room,
as well as the chandelier over the dining
table, as some of her favourite choices.
While some warn against working with
friends, Sally and Christine’s friendship
was the basis for a successful and evolving
project. “Sally comes over in a social
setting now and opens all my cupboards
and drawers to make sure everything’s in
the right place,” Christine, says, laughing.
Sally adds, “I love being able to come
around for a champagne and keep adding
things. It’s nice for her home to evolve as
she finds pieces that are meaningful.”
Most of all, working with her friend
added an extra layer of comfort to
Christine’s home. “Sally was very kind
and patient. Once I understood where we
were going, I just completely trusted her,”
says Christine. “She just got it. I love
coming home and being in the space.” >
Sally Taylor: sallytaylor.com.au. Monet
Constructions: monetconstructions.com.au.

136 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

KITCHEN Walls in venetian plaster and joinery painted in Porter’s Paints
Tea of China, both by Volantes Decorating Service. Custom oak shelving
with brass trim, Freestyle Joinery. Rangehood, splashback and benchtop
in Monet marble, Worldstone. ‘Henley’ handles in Acid Wash Brass,
Hepburn Hardware. Fresh Fish art print. Stools, Provincial Home Living.
DINING ‘Classique’ dining table and ‘Mimi’ chairs in Military Green, all
GlobeWest. Custom rug in Duchess, Armadillo. Barry Goralnick ‘Choros’
chandelier, Bloomingdales Lighting. Curtains in Designer’s Guild linen.

138 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G
MAIN BEDROOM Julie Neill ‘Alberto’ chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. Bed and bench,
Heatherly Design. Custom bedside table, Freestyle Joinery. ‘Royal’ duvet and ‘Arag’ throw,
Analu. Bed linen, Bed Threads. Custom curtains in Designer’s Guild linen. ‘Scala’ table lamp,
Bloomingdales Lighting. ‘Huggy’ armchair, Sarah Ellison. ENSUITE Mirror in ‘Gold Leaf’,
Mirror Gallery. Ralph Lauren ‘Barton’ wall lights, The Montauk Lighting Co. ‘Dunya'
travertine tiles in Coral, Tiles of Ezra. Splashback and benchtop in Silver Agate marble, Styled
in Stone. Tilting mirror, The English Tapware Company. ‘Allard’ ottoman, Rachel Donath.

THE PALETTE

“I’ve lived in lots of
apartments and this is
the first one that really
feels like home. I walk
in and I love coming
home and being in
the space.”
CHRISTINE, OWNER

Porter’s Paints Chintz Grey
(living walls)

THE LAYOUT

Porter’s Paints Tea Of China
(kitchen joinery)

Dulux Still
Bed

Bath

Po
wd

Kitchen

Bath

Living

Robe

Dining

Bed

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Study

houses H G

WALK-IN ROBE Joinery panels in Cole & Son ‘Verdue Tapestry’ wallpaper, Volantes
Decorating Service. Joinery, Freestyle Joinery. Custom ottoman, Casa Mia. ENSUITE
‘Dunya’ travertine wall tiles in Coral, Tiles of Ezra. ‘Contemporary Collection’ tapware in
Natural Brass, The English Tapware Co. MAIN BEDROOM Chandelier, The Montauk
Lighting Co. Armchair, Sarah Ellison. Bench, Heatherly Design. Side table, Rachel Donath.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

141

THIS IS
THE LIFE

“I’ve lived in lots of
apartments, and this is
the first one that really
feels like home. I walk
in, and I just love it. I love
coming home.” says
Christine. Her favourite
spot in the house is in the
living room, on a chair in
front of the balcony
doors. “I love it there
because it’s my little
space, it’s my little chair.
I can sit there with a cup
of tea, read a book and
just relax,” she says.

BALCONY ‘Hanging Cocoon’
woven cane chair in White,
Coastal Drift. Original tiles.

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Strike a colourful chord with a memorable mix of
curved lines and designs in softened pastel tones.

2
4

Produced by Andrea Healy and Bethan Lacoba.

7
6

10
9
1 ‘Diamond’ cushion in Caramel & White, $89.95, Provincial Home Living. 2 ‘Alberto’ large low ceiling chandelier in Antique
Gold Leaf, $4190, The Montauk Lighting Co. 3 ‘Agra’ rug in Moonstone, $4900, Armadillo. 4 ‘Giselle’ ribbed goblets in Peach,
$59/two, Aura Home. 5 Palecek ‘Tia’ wall mirror, $5825, Boyd Blue. 6 Sarah Ellison ‘Huggy’ swivel armchair in Malibu Dune,
$1699, Life Interiors. 7 Ceramic water jug with rope handle, $260, Alex and Trahanas. 8 ‘Marais’ coffee table, $1745, Coco Republic.
9 ‘Bennet’ daybed in Paprika, $3105, GlobeWest. 10 ‘Cora’ floor lamp, $479, Paola & Joy. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

143

WORLD VIEW
A fusion of Japanese-inspired design and Spanish mission-style architecture
brings a contemporary edge to an interior designer’s family home.
STO RY Judy Pascoe | P HOTOG R A P HY Prue Ruscoe

144 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G
EXTERIOR Family dog Monte soaks up the sun. The original
Spanish mission-style exterior has been painted Murobond
Shellstone Half. Front door painted Porter’s Paints Bayleaf.
LIVING ‘Brenne’ desk by Christiane Lemieux, and 1960s chair
by De Ster Gelderland, both 1stDibs. Cushion, Wilson & Dorset.
On wall, Sydney Cottages by Ronald Peters, Vintage Art Emporium.
Renewal VI by Hannah Quinlivan. Botanic Garden Buildings
by Cassie Hansen. Blinds, Bayliss Blinds. Flooring in American
white oak, Nash Timbers.

verlaying her 1930s Spanish missionstyle house in Sydney’s north with a
Japanese-influenced sensibility was
an inspired approach by interior
designer Theresa Chan of Studio-T.
Blending the two styles showcased
craftsmanship and sophisticated detailing while
maintaining the charm of the home’s existing aesthetic.
Having lived in the house with her husband, two
daughters and Monte, a Havanese dog, for 10 years,
Theresa was well aware of the positives and negatives
of the property before embarking on the renovation.
While the family loved the Spanish mission aesthetic
with its arches, decorative ceilings and panelled doors,

other features were less appealing. The kitchen was
problematic, and the layout and joinery were poor.
However, the generous 1000-square-metre block of land
had a perfect north aspect and was flat, facilitating an
easy extension and construction process.
The family’s wish list included a well-proportioned
layout for the home with an extra bedroom and living
space, and a clear separation between living and sleeping
zones. “It makes it easier when we have guests over and
the kids are needing to study or sleep,” Theresa explains.
They also required more storage and soft natural lighting.
With help from architect Jonathan West of AJ Architecture
and Theresa’s former business partner Janice Yim, the
plans took shape and work commenced in 2022.
>

houses H G

LIVING Joinery, North Shore Custom Cabinetmaking. Foscarini

lamp, Space. Vessels by Katarina Wells. KFF armchair, and
side table, both Etsy. Vintage armchairs, Coco Republic.
Cassina sofa, Mobilia. USM sideboard, Anibou. Coffee table,
Mark Tuckey. Aqua Bowl II by Valerie Vigar, Saint Cloche.
Rug, Armadillo. Flooring in American white oak, Nash Timbers.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

147

The single-level house has been transformed, with a more
functional floorplan, into four bedrooms plus a home office,
a separate family room adjoining a courtyard and an expansive
kitchen and pantry, living, dining, and laundry opening to a
landscaped garden. The main bedroom suite occupies the
former kitchen area.
The home is now filled with natural light, thanks to the
revamped layout and the central courtyard that can be viewed
from most rooms, helping to create a feeling of spaciousness.
“It has eliminated the previous dark, tunnel effect and ventilates
the house through the large, sliding windows,” says Theresa.
“And having expansive windows and doors on all sides of the
house allows different lighting qualities throughout the day.”
Wishing to create a calm, warm environment, Theresa focused
on Japanese-inspired design and enduring natural materials.
“My interest in Japanese joinery meant that the beauty was in
the detail rather than anything showy or obvious,” she says. A
definite nod to Japanese design is the tall hallway cabinet, a
hero piece crafted in walnut with sliding doors, that does double
duty as a linen cupboard as well as a school-bag packing zone.
Timber and stone were top of the materials palette with
Theresa selecting walnut joinery for richness and oak
floorboards for softness. She turned to Japanese tiles for texture
and depth of colour, while the walls and joinery are finished
in a sand shade – Porter’s Paints Half Old Church White – to
lend freshness. “All the finishes have a peachy undertone – from
the stone to the tiles in the ensuite and laundry,” she adds.
When it came to the furnishings Theresa chose a judicious
mix of iconic, vintage, contemporary and custom designs to
pique interest and create a timeless feel. A burl wood desk and
a vintage Dutch chair with spindle back by De Ster Gelderland
share the space with a USM ‘Haller’ storage unit and a Cassina
‘Maralunga’ sofa. Bespoke items, such as the shoe cabinet in
the hall designed by Theresa and the bench by furniture designer
Chris Colwell, personalise the home, while the Japanese wood
weave blinds lend a sense of zen to the living spaces.
The artworks run the gamut of serendipitous vintage finds
to pieces by Hannah Quinlivan, Zsofi Samu and Cassie Hansen.
Contemporary lighting from Foscarini, Vibia and Wever
& Ducré provides illumination throughout.
This well-planned home is a sanctuary for its inhabitants:
elegant and sophisticated, but also practical and functional. >
Studio-T: studio-t.com.au. Jonathan West: 0414 630 969.
Ryan Jones Building Co: ryanjonesbuildingco.com.au.

“My interest in Japanese joinery meant the beauty was
in the detail rather than anything showy.”
THERESA CHAN, DESIGNER

houses H G

KITCHEN Joinery, North Shore Custom Cabinetmaking. Benchtops and

splashback in Storm granite, Worldstone. Anchor Ceramics pendant light,
Rakumba. Brodware ‘City Stik’ mixer, Candana. Miele oven, Winning
Appliances. Vase on island by Katarina Wells. Flowers, Bess Paddington.
ENTRY Front door painted Porter’s Paints Bayleaf. ‘Vibia’ pendant light,
Koda. Cabinet, North Shore Custom Cabinetmaking. Bench, Chris Colwell
Designs. Blue Sky Hill artwork by William Salmon, Vintage Art Emporium.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

149

H G houses
KITCHEN Joinery, North Shore Custom Cabinetmaking. Benchtops and

splashback in Storm granite, Worldstone. Woven blinds, Bayliss Blinds.
Anchor Ceramics ‘Potter DS’ pendant light, Rakumba. Qasair rangehood,
Asko cooktop, Miele oven, all Winning Appliances. Nemo wall light in Yellow,
Mondoluce. Brodware mixer, Candana. Large vessel by Katarina Wells.
Flowers, Bess Paddington. ‘Taburet’ bar stools, Life Interiors. Fisher & Paykel
fridge, The Good Guys. Flooring in American white oak, Nash Timbers.

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

THE LAYOUT
Bath

Family
Courtyard

Terrace

Bed
Bed

Kitchen

Dining

Living
WC
Bed

Bath

Study

Bed

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

Laundry deck

Laundry

Pantry

Porch

THE PALETTE
Porter’s Paints Half Old Church
White (interior walls)
Murobond Shellstone Half
(exterior walls)
Porter’s Paints Bayleaf
(front door)

H G houses

FAMILY ROOM ‘1977’ sofa, King Living. Thonet ‘S 43’ chair, Anibou.

‘Daphine Terra’ lamp, Enlightened Living. Rug, Finnish Design Shop.
Danish Farmhouse Chickens artwork by Roald Hansen. Vessels by
Alessandro di Sarno. GARDEN Generous doors and windows fill the home
with natural light. HALLWAY Bench, Chris Colwell Designs. Artwork by
Zsofi Samu. POWDER ROOM Inax tiles, Artedomus. Wever & Ducré
wall light, Est Lighting. Basin, Rogerseller. Brodware tapware, Candana.

“All the finishes have a peachy undertone – from the
stone to the tiles in the ensuite and laundry.”

THERESA CHAN

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

THIS IS
THE LIFE

While Theresa’s home
is the scene of frequent
gatherings with family and
friends, it is also ideal for
relaxation. A large window
on the western side of the
home affords the perfect
spot to contemplate the
setting sun. And when
the landscaping is more
established and the crepe
myrtle and the Judas
tree grow taller, the
courtyard will become
a wonderful quiet and
shaded space for reading.

MAIN BEDROOM Bed, Mark Tuckey. Bed linen, Cultiver.
Vibia ‘Pin’ wall light, Koda. Dreaming Of You artwork by
Ria Green, Saint Cloche. BATHROOM Porcelain tiles in
Solid Greige, Artedomus. Vanity benchtop and splashback
in Storm granite, Worldstone. Moda ‘Julieta’ basin,
ACS Bathrooms. Brodware tapware, Candana. Towels,
Città. STUDY Herman Miller ‘Setu’ chair, Living Edge.
Blinds, Marlow & Finch. Artwork, owners’ collection.

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Invest in a few key Mid-century showstoppers, then pair
with neutral yet contemporary pieces for a timeless look.

4
2
5

Produced by Andrea Healy.

7
1 Foscarini ‘Buds 2’ table lamp, $2245, Space. 2 Vibia ‘Flat’ pendant light, POA, Koda. 3 Thonet ‘S 43’ chair, POA, Anibou.
4 Inner Landscapes artwork by Lucas Wearne, $2900, Curatorial+Co. 5 ‘Rushdi’ floor rug, $699, Freedom. 6 UrbanStone
‘Marigold Terre’ standard limestone pavers, POA, Brickworks. 7 Cassina ‘Maralunga’ sofa, from $16,669, Mobilia.
8 USM ‘Haller’ sideboard in Special Edition Olive Green, $4659, Anibou. 9 ‘Amber’ vessel, $340, Katarina Wells Ceramics.
10 Vibia ‘Pin’ floor lamp, POA, Koda. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

155

H G houses

Chapter TWO
For their second renovation of this home, the owners sought
extra space to give their teenagers more independence.
STO RY Carli Philips | ST Y L IN G Belle Hemming | P HOTOG R A P HY Marnie Hawson

LIVING Looking out to the garden, a home office
set-up is completed with Gubi ‘Nagasaki’ chairs.
Vintage Japanese folding screens. Vintage coffee
table, Oluce lamp, and Cassina sofa, all Angelucci
20th Century. Cushions, The Upholstery House.

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157

158 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

houses H G

his 1860s house was full of surprises
when architect Imogen Pullar’s clients
first purchased it. Most notably, it was
the marble slabs buried in the front
yard and the presence of squatters
that raised eyebrows. The design team
concluded that the slabs were likely the work of the
original owner’s son, a monumental mason who also
crafted the home’s beautiful parapets.
“The owners really liked the existing design so we
didn’t want to touch too much,” says Imogen, referencing
the home’s first renovation and addition completed in
2009 by Nest Architects. The 10-metre setback of the
heritage dwelling necessitated that the house be
concealed behind, a great success that Imogen credits
to the architects who created the home’s “light-filled
airy spaces that cleverly open up to private internal
courtyards and lightwells”.
Imogen was first introduced to the house as a
graduate student when she worked for Nest Architects,
assisting on the measuring and drawing up of the
house along with other projects for the owners. By the
time she established her own studio, Imogen had
cemented a strong and trusting relationship with the
owners, paving the way for a collaborative and organic
process for their second renovation. “It was quite a
daunting task to come back over 10 years later to help
them to sensitively alter the house to suit their
changing needs. We wanted to build on Nest Architects’
design without disturbing it.”
Spurred on by the needs of their teenage children,
the brief was all about creating more independent
zones. “The house suited the then young family, but as
the kids became young adults there was a need to provide
for more individual living areas for everyone to have
privacy and then come together as a family in the central
space,” says Imogen. The concept involved creating a
new pedestrian entrance from the side-rear laneway
with a concealed laundry and a staircase leading to a
new first floor living area reserved exclusively for the
couple’s kids to spend time with their friends and to
study. “The idea was to create a separate zone for the
teenagers to be autonomous,” says Imogen.
>
LIVING Vintage Japanese folding screens. Vintage coffee

table, side table, lamp, black jug, Cassina ‘Maralunga’
sofa, and outdoor chair, all Angelucci 20th Century.
Bookcase frame from IKEA powdercoated black, with
custom formply shelves. Sculptures by Mirka Mora. French
1960s vessel, Accolay.

THE PALETTE
Wattyl Confetti Shower
(interior walls)
Porter’s Paints Palm Beach
(window frames)
Wilsonart Hunter Green
(kitchen joinery)

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

H G houses

Beneath, a robust recycled red brick double car garage
was designed to replace the dilapidated tin-shed.
On the ground floor, the front heritage rooms, central
kitchen and rear bedrooms remained intact. The site
conditions were tight and there wasn’t a lot of room to
build out so the expanded footprint only covers an
additional 22 square metres of the site. This includes
a slightly enlarged north-facing living space that
connects to the garage and opens onto a small private
courtyard with an underground water tank.
Imogen built in furniture, including desks, shelving
and banquette seating. The owner filled in the gaps with
iconic modernist pieces. Other cosmetic changes
included new cabinetry finishes and replacing the floors
with terrazzo. “During the first renovation they ordered
granite tiles from overseas but they were not what they
expected when they arrived,” recalls Imogen of the glossy
flooring. “They were installed anyway but the owners
never really liked them so we pulled them out and put
terrazzo in.” The house also was also upgraded to have
a fully electric hydronic heating system throughout,
heat pump hot water system and 10kW of solar panels
to reduce the family’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Imogen executed a pitched roof for the two-storey
addition in an effort to reduce visual bulk and
overshadowing. Created from recycled red brick, it’s a
material that pairs well with the grittiness of the location.
“We didn’t want to do anything overly architectural
facing the street,” she explains. “It was tagged within
five minutes of being built but that’s just what this area
is like, so we weren’t precious; we wanted tough materials
that could cope with the neighbourhood.”
>
Imogen Pullar: imogenpullar.com.
Blue Rock Construct: bluerockconstruct.com.
McNuttndorff Landscapes: mcnuttndorff.com.au.

KITCHEN Joinery in natural-grade blackbutt veneer. The
Carrara marble benchtop was part of Nest Architects’ 2009
renovation. Splashback in handmade Moroccan tiles, Perini.
Vintage Louis Poulsen pendant lights, Angelucci 20th Century.
‘090H’ mounted mixer, Vola. Wolf oven, Winning Appliances.
DINING Adam Goodrum ‘Molloy’ dining table in American
Oak. Vintage Paolo Rizzatto wall light, Angelucci 20th Century.
Artworks by Donald Moko, Annie Hall, Jorgen Axelvall
and Rhys Lee. STUDY NOOK Oluce desk lamp, Angelucci
20th Century. Gubi ‘Nagasaki’ chairs, In Good Company.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

161

houses H G
KITCHEN/DINING Joinery in Wilsonart laminate in Hunter
Green. Adam Goodrum ‘Molloy’ dining table in American
oak. Vintage Arteluce ‘265’ red wall light, and Hvidt &
Mølgaard dining chairs, all Angelucci 20th Century. ‘Last
Minute’ bar stools, Viccarbe. Vintage dark teak cabinet.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

163

H G houses

“The house is a beautiful meld
of historical Victorian Melbourne
architecture with modern
comforts and spaces.”
OWNER

164 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

UPSTAIRS SITTING Above Banquette upholstered in DePloeg ‘Polder’ fabric by Svenska KJ. Tivah adjustable wall light, Havit. Artwork below,
owners’ existing. Custom cushions, The Upholstery House. Checked cushion, Città. Throw, Linens Unlimited. Console, owners’ existing.
Yngve Ekstrom sofa, Angelucci 20th Century. Below left Scientific photographic print: Air Force by Dr Casey Ahrt. Vintage Magnus Olesen
desk. Chair, IKEA. COURTYARD A barbecue is tucked behind the timber doors. Vintage Knoll chair and ottoman by Harry Bertoia, Angelucci
20th Century. BATHROOM Wall tiles, tapware, sink, all existing. Waffle hand towel, In the Sac. ‘Suki’ bath tiles and Axel ‘Brick’ floor tiles, all
Perini. Vanity benchtop in Fatima’s Reflection terrazzo, Fibonacci. Joinery in blackbutt crown-cut veneer. Blackbutt handles, Dorset Australia.

SIDE ENTRY Door by Whetstone Timber Windows & Doors,

part of the refreshed exterior. “It was tagged within five minutes
of being built, but we weren’t precious; we wanted tough materials
that could cope with the neighbourhood,” says Imogen.

THIS IS
THE LIFE

“We’d been living here for
15 years since the original
renovation,” says one of
the owners. “It needed
a few upgrades, so we
took the opportunity to
do everything in one go.
The house is a beautiful
meld of historical
architecture with modern
comforts. Our favourite
spot is the side sitting
room, which has the best
morning light and a ‘home
office’ desk that looks out
to the garden.”

houses H G

THE SOURCE
Infuse personality into your living space with
retro flair and a splash of colour.

5
6

2
3

Produced by Andrea Healy.

8
10

9
1 Kartell ‘Shibuya’ vase in Orange/Violet/Smoke, $345, Space. 2 ‘Classica’ rug (300x200cm), $3828, Pampa.
3 Oluce ‘Atollo’ table lamp in Satin Gold, $3210, Living Edge. 4 ‘Flex’ modular shelving unit, $1599, Freedom.
5 Flos ‘265’ wall lamp, $2855, Living Edge. 6 ‘Othi’ cushion, $129, Few and Far. 7 Gubi ‘Nagasaki’ dining chair,
$785, Cult. 8 Giant corn stool, $250, Third Drawer Down. 9 Swedish tubular chrome armchairs on castors,
$4800/two, Juliet’s Balcony. 10 ‘Airlie’ bench (190cm), $499, Harvey Norman. #

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

167

NEW SHIP

Smooth

OPER AT OR S
Savvy staff on well-equipped cruise liner Norwegian Viva make
light work of conjuring the perfect Mediterranean sojourn.
STO RY Janice Hogg | P HOTOG R A P HY Angelita Bonetti

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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

On deck, opportunities abound for relaxing in comfort.
OPPOSITE Norwegian Viva’s signature French restaurant,
Le Bistro, takes the restaurant offerings to another level.
Elegant interiors, crisp white linens and porthole vistas
set up a unique oceanic experience in à la carte dining
featuring classics such as Escargots à la Bourguignonne,
Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée, Coq au Vin and Sole
Grenobloise with assorted glacées and sorbets to finish.

travel H G

t’s late summer in the Mediterranean and temperatures are sizzling, a buzz after the bite
of a Sydney winter. We will be visiting four glamorous destinations after shipping out
from Rome’s Civitavecchia port, sailing on to Tuscany, Cannes, Ibiza and Lisbon.
Norwegian Cruise Line has cherry-picked the finest ingredients for the ultimate no-fuss
Med holiday, whether you venture off the ship in port – or not. Onboard, the contemporary
experiences are a lively and varied complement to the memorable onshore adventures in
medieval villages and iconic destinations on offer. I’ve been having visions of cerise bougainvillea
spilling over whitewashed walls, freshly caught seafood served at a leisurely lunch with an icy glass
of local wine after a morning exploring an ancient village. The tours more than delivered on my
dreams with a visit to the charming medieval Côte d’Azur town of Saint Paul de Vence where artist
Chagall is buried and an Ibiza trip that peaked with a lavish seafood lunch on the island.
Norwegian Viva has been beautifully kitted out with interiors in light timbers, custom rugs and
sparkling statement light fittings to delineate the spaces, and everywhere I look there is art on the
walls, handmade ceramics and glass objets in glowing jewel colours on specially crafted cabinetry.
My starboard balcony suite in soothing neutrals comprises an ultra-soft double bed to sink into
after a hard day’s sightseeing, an ensuite bathroom, heaps of storage, and a little balcony with table
and chairs, the perfect spot for starwatching, sunrises or simply meditating on the mesmerising
blue sea, which is millpond still as we steam between ports.
At midday, the following day’s program is delivered to each cabin and includes a mind-boggling
number of activities – there is a line-up of all the next day’s onshore tours (always at least seven to
choose from) to book. All are led by experienced local guides, but if you’re happy to stay onboard
there are so many options: from swimming at one of the three outdoor pools, speeding around the
go-kart track, free-falling on The Drop – a ‘dry’ slide plunging 10 heart-stopping levels down the
side of the ship – mini golf, the Galaxy pavilion VR arcade and other adrenalin-raising activities. >
One of two infinity pools on Norwegian Viva’s Promenade Deck, surrounded by luxury lounging. OPPOSITE Top
The Thermal Suite at Mandara Spa is blissfully peaceful and offers swathes of heated loungers in front of expansive
floor-to-ceiling windows for the ultimate relaxation before or after spa treatments. BOTTOM The stylish Balcony
Stateroom includes a generous queen bed, spacious ensuite and stunning views from the private balcony.

172 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

travel H G

“My little balcony is the perfect spot
for catching sunrises, starwatching
or simply meditating on the
mesmerising, millpond-still sea.”

H G travel

Smaller, more intimate spaces delineated by statement lighting, bespoke carpets and rugs, and a sophisticated
selection of contemporary furniture in a marine palette are generously sprinkled throughout the communal areas.
Pampering and wellness options include the Mandara Spa, with a vitality pool (pictured), the Salon for hair and
body services, and the Fitness Centre for yoga classes, Pilates and state-of-the-art gym equipment.

My inner teenager briefly flirts with the idea of terrifying myself but browsing the ship’s boutiques
for jewellery, watches and original art is more my speed, and the Mandara Spa becomes my favourite
place to retreat to with its Thermal Suite – a sequence of hot and cold therapies via five different
saunas and steam rooms from charcoal to salt plus therapeutic pools and an ice room, all designed
to squeeze every last drop of adrenalin from your body. Facials, massage (deep tissue, Swedish,
seaweed wraps and more) and all manner of soothing treatments using luxurious Elemis products
are on the menu. The spa is adults only and a blissful retreat from the screams of happy kids
plummeting down the The Drop plus a swathe of heated loungers in a dedicated space above the
bow offers even more rest and relaxation for dozing or looking out at the ultra-blue horizon.
Dining options have been carefully thought out and mostly designed as dedicated ‘restaurants’
where there is waiter service, or you can order from an electronic menu, the international flavours
ranging from burgers to tacos to Indian food. A handful of fine-dining establishments offer another
level of luxury, including the succulent seafood in European style at Palomar and Le Bistro.
I’ve loved every moment of my dip into cruising the Mediterranean and when we dock in Lisbon
only the excitement of exploring the city dulls my fleeting regret at leaving Norwegian Viva without
having taken a spin around that go-kart track or throwing myself down The Drop. Next time.
Norwegian Cruise Line: ncl.com/au/en. #

174 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Scan to sign
the petition

The person she cares for thinks she’s a
superwoman, but she’s not paid super.
Seven out of 10 primary carers are
women* and are expected to have
superhuman abilities to care full-time,
look after family and keep money
coming in. But without super, it’s really
hard. The deﬁcit adds up – big time.
Enough to make or break her in later life,
putting her retirement and future at risk.
She deserves more.

Let’s guarantee super for carers.
For more information visit
costofcaring.com.au
*Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018

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Photograph by Martina Gemmola. Calligraphy by Lesley Workman .

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

At the front, an existing gum tree provides
instant shade. Plantings include lace-leaf
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum
Seiryu’), evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus
sinensis transmorrisonensis) and Japanese
windflower (Anemone x hybrida). Turn the
page for more on this beautiful garden.

WILDEST
DREAMS
A well-planned backyard evokes the
untamed, free spirit of wild grassy
plains its delighted owners dreamed of.
STO RY Chris Pearson | P HOTOG R A P HY Martina Gemmola

178 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

gardens H G
A ‘wild’ tableau is enjoyed from the extension designed by architects Mihaly Slocombe, including lace-leaf Japanese maple
(Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Seiryu’) and dwarf Tahitian lime (Citrus ‘Tahitian’), evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis),
Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu) and orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), providing splashes of warm colour.

H G gardens

hen owners Bryan and Allison sit in
“We created depth at the rear with dramatic raised garden
their open plan watching the wispy beds, which look good from every angle,” she says. “Thankfully,
grasses outside shimmering and the architects created panoramic views from the new extension,
shimmying in the wind, the evocative so we could really nail that idea.” She also introduced an elegant
vista whisks them away to the wild steel arbour with climbers for dappled shade in summer, natural
grasslands of the Victorian plains. Yet, stone steppers front to back, concrete planter troughs that
enjoying the best of both worlds, the couple lives in Melbourne’s complement the retaining walls and a charming weatherboard
inner north-west, with all the urban conveniences that implies. shed, with the materiality embracing natural stone and timber.
When they bought their double-fronted Edwardian bungalow
Then she really went to town – or the Outback, perhaps –
in 2018, they encountered a “rudimentary” backyard, according with massed, seemingly wild plantings. “It might sound
to Bryan – a tidy expanse of lawn fringed by shallow garden strange, but creating a wild garden takes meticulous planning,”
beds and a shed smothered in passionfruit vines.
says Seam. “We balanced grasses and perennials for a soft
“We saw so much potential, as the house hadn’t been touched and colourful, layered effect.” Perennials include purple and
in decades and it had a west-facing backyard, which held the orange coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’
and Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’,
promise of long, sun-filled summer nights
respectively), while the grasses feature
hanging out with friends and family,” he
evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus
says. “We saw what could be achieved
“CREATING A WILD
transmorrisonensis ) and feather
with a sophisticated and interesting
reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora
garden, with different levels.”
GARDEN TAKES
‘Karl Foerster’).
But first up, they renovated the house,
METICULOUS
“With hundreds of plants going into
restoring the front to its original glory
the garden, we had big days of setting out,
and adding a light-soaked rear extension
PLANNING.”
digging, and planting. Our backs didn’t
designed by architects Mihaly Slocombe.
Seam Lam, landscape designer
thank us for it!” says Seam. The front
Then, in 2021, they hired landscape
yard, meanwhile, echoes the back, with
designers Saint Remy and director Seam
Lam to add gusto to the lazy front and back gardens. “Seam’s densely planted grasses and perennials, which flank deep steps,
display at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden interspersed with gravel and groundcover, leading to the entry.
But the seemingly random results have surpassed the couple’s
Show had the whimsical vibe we were going for, so the rest is
history,” says Bryan. “We asked her to make the most of the wildest dreams. “It doesn’t feel like you’re in the city,” says
new view from the house by creating an immersive garden Bryan. “I love the aesthetics of the natural stone and concrete
experience, with natural materials and native wildflowers and contrasted against the greenery. And the vegie troughs have
grasses, all low-maintenance, together with a produce garden, given us so much pleasure and a connection to the earth.”
a timber storage/potting shed and a shaded barbecue area.” “There is something new every time I look into the garden,’
And it had to exude a sense of calm, “to transport us away from Allison adds. “Be it a flower or colour with the changing seasons.”
“There’s so much to love,” adds an understandably proud
the city, with grasses blowing in the wind and lots of flowers
Seam. “The backyard is bathed in light, there’s a lawn for
throughout the seasons.”
And, as the garden had to serve three generations, including sprawling in the sun and nooks for sitting in the shade. There’s
their daughter, Caitlyn, 12, and Bryan’s mum, Adeline, it also crunchy gravel, colour at every turn, bees and butterflies, and
had to incorporate lawn and avoid trip hazards, “so pin-neat a booming herb garden. It all instills pure joy.” #
paving was important”, says Seam. She also had to make the Saint Remy: saintremy.au.
steep front steps easier to negotiate with a gentler angle of climb. Mihaly Slocombe: mihalyslocombe.com.au.
OPPOSITE Top left Lace-leaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Seiryu’) at the end of the path offers delicate seasonal colour, offset

by evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis), orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), sedum autumn joy
(Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’), cut-leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida) and Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata). Endicott split-stone
steppers, Eco Outdoor. Top right Cut-leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida) against a concrete retaining wall. Bottom right Above and below the concrete
retaining wall is a fabulous layering of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis), purple
coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’), orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), sedum autumn joy (Hylotelephium spectabile
‘Autumn Joy’ and cut-leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida). Bottom left Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’).

180 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

FEATURE
PLANTS
TREES
Dwarf Tahitian lime
(Citrus latifolia ‘Tahitian’)
Japanese maple ‘Seiryu’
(Acer palmatum dissectum)
GRASSES
Miscanthus (Miscanthus
transmorrisonensis)
Feather reed grass
(Calamagrostis x
acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
Peruvian feather grass
(Stipa ichu)
PERENNIALS
Chocolate foxglove
(Digitalis parviflora)
Purple coneflower
(Echinacea purpurea
‘Magnus Superior’)
Cut-leaf daisy
(Brachyscome multifida)
Prostrate rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis
prostratus)

H G gardens

182 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

A neighbouring industrial building provides a handsome backdrop, offsetting a ‘wild’ garden with massed plantings of evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus
sinensis transmorrisonensis) and Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu). English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) provides scent and colour, while Virginia
creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and Lowe’s Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Lowii’) tumble along walls and structures. Prostrate rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus) softens retaining walls. Endicott split-stone steppers, Eco Outdoor. Weatherboard shed, Design A Shed. Concrete trough
planters, CCP Civil & Precast. ‘Palissade’ low lounge chair and ottoman, Hay. OPPOSITE Looking towards the new extension designed by architects
Mihaly Slocombe. The walls of glazing create an intimate connection with the garden, featuring evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis
transmorrisonensis), reed feather grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) and Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu), offset by orange coneflowers
(Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’). Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) trails above the patio. ‘Palissade’ low lounge chair, Hay.

“THERE IS SOMETHING NEW
EVERY TIME I LOOK, BE IT A
FLOWER OR COLOUR, WITH THE
CHANGING SEASONS.” Allison, owner

EXTERIOR Opposite At the front of the home, an existing gum tree provides instant shade and frames the house from the street – but errant
gumnuts can litter the garden! Plantings here, including lace-leaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Seiryu’), evergreen miscanthus
(Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis) and Japanese windflower (Anemone x hybrida), reprise the overall feel of the rear garden. Fermob
‘Louisiane’ bench in Honey, Classic with a Twist. A lickety split philodendron (Philodendron hybrida ‘Lickety Split’), with heart leaf philodendron
(Philodendron cordatum) trailing down below, offset the home’s white facade. White Choob pots, The Balcony Garden. Evergreen miscanthus
(Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis) and Japanese windflower (Anemone x hybrida) grace the path with Endicott split-stone steppers from
Eco Outdoor. Where the wild things are – Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu) sums up the essence of this garden.

184 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

gardens H G

Evergreen cymbidium orchids
enjoy gentle winter sunlight.
Opposite, from top Camellia tree
blossoms; a vegetable garden
thriving with mulch.

“DO YOU HAVE PRIZED
CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS?
NOW’S THE TIME
TO APPLY A SLOWRELEASE FERTILISER.”
Mike Booth

gArDeNs H G

PRETTY petals
For year-round colour, there’s no better time to sow seeds and plant bulbs than July.
STORY Mike Booth

Photography by Jeremy Simons (portrait), Sue Ferris, Brent Wilson and Getty Images.

or gorgeous winter colour, now is the time to plant
carpet of snow (Alyssum), pot marigold (Calendula),
peonies (Paeonia), polyanthus (Primula x polyantha)
and candytuft (Iberis). Flowering pansies (Viola x
wittrockiana) and primrose (Primula vulgaris) are also
perfect for adding interest in the front garden or courtyard.
If you’re looking for a plant that gives a different feel,
add coral bells (Heuchera), or if want that wow factor,
flowering bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii) is sure to stand out.
This year, I’m giving ranunculi (Ranunculus asiaticus) a go.
I’ve been growing them in my hothouse and am planting
them out in preparation for my spring colour.
July is a great time to start planting deciduous fruit trees.
If you’re planting them in the ground, make sure the hole is
twice the size of the root ball and backfill with plenty of
compost. If you’re planting in a pot (many dwarf varieties
thrive in pots), make sure you use a premium potting mix
and slow-release fertiliser.
Attract birds to your garden with natives such as
banksia, grevillea, hakea, wattle (Acacia) and bottlebrush
(Callistemon). Many natives are coming into flower and
some of the new varieties are spectacular. They can also
grow very well in a pot on a balcony.
For summer colour, now is the time to plant bulbs of
agapanthus, arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), canna lily,
bearded iris (Iris × germanica), gladiolus and lilies (Lilium).

The July to-do list
●

●

WHAT TO PRUNE IN JULY
●

●

Prune roses, hydrangeas, wisteria, deciduous fruit trees,
crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia) and grapevines (Vitis).
Avoid pruning spring-flowering deciduous ornamental
shrubs and fruit trees that are grown purely for their
beautiful blossoms. If you prune now, you’ll miss out on
the spectacular flower show you’ve been waiting for.
Wait to prune frost-affected plants until frost has finished.
Frost-bitten foliage may look ugly, but it serves an
important purpose by protecting any tender new growth.

●

Keep azaleas and
camellias well-watered
to ensure prolonged
flowering.
Now is the perfect time to
attack bindii weed in your
lawn before the burr
develops. Bin-Die is a
broad-spectrum selective
weed killer that will also
control oxalis, clover and
a range of other weeds.
Use gloves and make sure
there is minimum wind.
Keep your lawn short. This
allows more light to get
through and for it to
thicken. Core your lawn
to help aeration.
Try not to over-water your
garden and lawn as this
will cause rot. Remember,
plants are less thirsty in the
winter months, so adjust
your watering accordingly.
Promote abundant
flowering by removing
dead flower heads from
annuals and bulbs.
Mulch your garden and
vegetable beds to help
prevent weeds and feed
the soil as it breaks down.

WHAT TO FEED IN JULY
●
●

Winter-blooming annuals will benefit from liquid fertiliser.
Do you have prized cymbidium orchids? Now is the time
to apply a slow-release fertiliser. #
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN |

187

A ‘Palissade’ low lounge chair from Hay sits peacefully
in a garden by Saint Remy, surrounded by evergreen
miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis transmorrisonensis) and
bursts of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus
Superior’) and orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida
‘Goldsturm’). Endicott split-stone steppers, Eco Outdoor.

188 |

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

Gardens H G

BOLD AND
BEAUTIFUL
Graphic prints and modern designs bring a contemporary
finish to a garden that features soft and whimsical plants.

1
1

2
4
3
6

Produced by Andrea Healy. Garden photograph by Martina Gemmola.

8
7
1 Fermob ‘Luxembourg’ table, $2110, Arrival Hall. 2 Fermob ‘Aplô’ outdoor lamp in Cactus, $170,
Trit House. 3 Barebones classic work gloves in Natural, $36.95, Botanex. 4 Eva Solo ‘FireCube’ fire pit,
$1199, Designstuff. 5 Fiskars ‘X14 Universal’ axe, $85, Bunnings. 6 Kas ‘Barnaby’ outdoor cushion in
Green, $29, Domayne. 7 ‘Bompu’ concrete planter in Dark Grey (60x60cm), $409, Schotts.
8 Arflex ‘Marenco’ outdoor armchair, from $10,205, Space. #

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Scott Petrie
This contemporary artist shares his backstory, his creative work
processes and what inspires him, including a love of travel, global
cuisines, good humour and great coffee.
P HOTOG R A P HY Kristina Šoljo

THE CREATIVE TYPE H G

David Katon photography by Romello Pereira.

“As an artist, I am always searching for new direction,
creating depth and exploring…”

From a young age, I had a passion for
fashion. Right after high school I studied
fashion design at an arts school in
Darlinghurst, then worked for a few fashion
brands after my graduation. Soon after,
I moved away from fashion design and
wanted to explore the world of art. I started
taking drawing classes, fascinated by
abstract and impressionist art.
I then entered a few art competitions and
was fortunate enough to have my work
exhibited in several inner-city galleries
and I won a few local prizes. I built
more confidence after entering these
competitions and I started to grow a strong
following of potential clients through
exposure and word-of-mouth referrals. My
journey became more exciting as I built my
brand and my art while exhibiting my work
in galleries for maximum exposure.
I grew up at Palm Beach on Sydney’s
Northern Beaches. My lifestyle was
dominated by swimming, snorkelling,
and trekking through national parks. I was
fortunate enough to be surrounded by
water and nature, which has had some
influence on my artwork, the choices in
textures I use, and on my brand.
The inspiration for my work comes in many
forms. First, from my love of nature and
culture. I’ve been very fortunate to live in
Asia and I have travelled all over Sri Lanka,
Thailand and Indonesia, among other
countries. My partner is of French and
Moroccan decent. We've spent a great
deal of time in Morocco, travelling across
the country, embracing the culture and
feeling overwhelmed by the warm
hospitality of the people and their delicious
and colourful assortment of food.
My days vary and I don’t follow a particular
routine. Sometimes I may paint early for only
a bit, or there are times where I paint all day
or drop in to the studio late at night. I Iike to
see the art unfold in different light. I work by
layering paint, so the painting may change
throughout the process. I also like to work
on several works at the same time.
I love to listen to music, everything from
jazz to re-mixed pop songs, Arabic, and
also podcasts.
My biggest career challenge to date? Being
commissioned by Italian architect Renzo Piano
to create two large artworks for a residential
building in Sydney that he was designing

(Residence 6 in the Macquarie Apartments). It
was a challenge but an amazing opportunity.
As an artist I am always searching for new
direction, creating depth and exploring. I am
working on a few projects. I’m very happy
with the new sculptural works I’ve been
developing for the past eight to 10 months.
I’ve been trying to find the balance of subtle
shapes and colour. I fold and paint canvases
over each other. These works are very
detailed and are for an amazing home in
Sydney. Another project I’m working on is
two large paintings over 2x2m, for a beach
house in Victoria near Bells Beach.
To create work-life balance, I wake up early
and I immediately try to read a little. Then
most days I walk then I hit the gym. This
routine clears my head and makes me more
focused on my art.
Honestly, humour nourishes my creativity.
You have to laugh. Anything silly is right up
my alley! I watch lots of comedy shows.
One of my favourites is Strangers with
Candy, with actress Amy Sedaris. In terms
of entertainment, I’ve also recently enjoyed
watching (TV drama series) Palm Royale
– it’s so great. And The Real Housewives
of Atlanta is another favourite!
I am so lucky to work with so many artists,
designers and creatives and have been
influenced by many. My dear friend David
Katon has been a great support and mentor
over the years. He is a talented architect and
incredible designer. I have also admired
Greg Natale and witnessed him becoming
such a powerhouse in interior design. There
are too many more to name, but I would
also add artist Mark Rothko to the list of
those creatives who have influenced me.
I love vintage, quirky artwork and furniture.
I like the 1960-feel of the ‘Alky’ lounge chair
designed by Giancarlo Piretti. I also enjoy
online auctions for high-end and secondhand homewares and furniture pieces.
My idea of true luxury? Private planes.
In terms of a travel destination that has
inspired me, I was so lucky to travel to
India a few years ago. The colour, food
and culture were amazing. I loved it.
For the best coffee in Sydney, I frequent
Bill & Toni’s on Stanley Street in Darlinghurst.
Margaret in Double Bay has amazing service
and food, and The Apollo in Potts Point
also has great food and people. #
Scott Petrie: scottpetrieart.com.

SCOTTS’S FAVOURITE THINGS
From top Sea Fantasy artwork by
Mark Rothko. Greg Natale ‘Onda’
bowl in Red Travertine, $645,
Top3. The ‘Alky’ lounge chair by
Giancarlo Piretti. Point Piper
residence designed by David
Katon Studio. OPPOSITE Scott in
his studio, pictured with his works:
Coastal View, Bushland, Modular 1,
Vision, Dixie, Beyond the Valley.
Orange 1, Dream and Country Hills.

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