Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 21 i Australian Country Homes

In 2019, Okra Candle’s Michelle Rust was in search of a particular style of candle for an event she was curating — but she couldn’t find what she wanted anywhere. “I went to a candle maker and what they came up with was not a success,” she says. So Michelle and her partner Erik talked it over, “and we decided, cool, we’ll try it ourselves”. Armed with a reasonably priced 3D printer and plenty of enthusiasm, the couple embarked on the project that has, in just three years, become their burgeoning candle-making business, Okra Candle. Michelle and Erik complement each other perfectly: she has a creative eye and loves nothing more than to style beautiful tablescapes, events and spaces; he is a biochemist by trade who also happens to be…

After 14 years living and working in the hustle and bustle of Asian cities, Taya and Steve Michalski returned to Australia determined for a change of pace. While they candidly admit they had no idea what that might have involved, the size of the shift became apparent when Steve came back from the school run one day and announced that son Oren’s school was in lockdown. It wasn’t that there’d been a bomb threat, a fire or a rogue student running amok; in fact, it was a quintessentially Australian problem. Someone had spotted a red-bellied black snake in the school bagging area, so the students, all 69 of them from prep to Year six, had to be relocated to an upstairs area until a snake catcher arrived to sort out…

A regular discussion I have with some people who are intrigued by silver revolves around value. “What’s it worth?” and “How much!?” are two of the most common questions asked. Of course there is the ‘bullion’ or ‘scrapper’ method by which some ascribe to, which sadly leaves me feeling very cold and disheartened. It’s touted by those who believe in their ‘fool-proof’ solution to weigh a piece of silver and multiply the weight by the ‘latest’ silver scrap (or spot) price. Silver is a precious metal and of course will always have an intrinsic value — the same goes for gold, platinum etc. They are commodities which are traded, and price fluctuates depending on market conditions. A reliable source of truth for live metal prices is The Perth Mint (perthmint.com.au).…

It’s amazing to see more homes that look good while still being kind to our shared planet, but which are the best items to put on your wish list? Discover the energy-efficient appliances and accessories that will help your next kitchen or bathroom reno score high on sustainability. SHOP WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN MIND With so many products out there, it may feel overwhelming to find those that are truly kind to the planet. Fortunately, clear guidelines exist that help you narrow down your options and find the best appliances for your home. For most kitchen and bathroom appliances, the star rating is a good way to gauge how efficient a model is when compared to similar models. Plus, it’s so simple to understand — the more stars an appliance…

Rich, earthy tones, brushed metal and exotic fragrances can help transform your bathroom into an autumnal oasis that is both cosy and inviting. Whether you’re renovating your ensuite or simply looking to alter a few elements for a very ‘fall’ feel, autumn is a fantastic theme that we’ve seen trending in 2023. Fiona Gould, interior designer and stylist at House of Rohl (houseofrohl.com), has the following tips to share if you’re looking to embrace autumn in your home this season. 1. Create a warm and earthy colour palette Linen in rich and warm colours such as red, brown and orange is an easy and affordable way to add autumn accents to your bathroom. This can be implemented in many different forms. You may look to invest in some rich and…

“The flooring enjoys a strong connection to the land, with “stone pavers taken out of the veld” — Greg Truen There’s an undeniable charm to be found at Buffelsdrift, located in Ladismith, South Africa. This collection of farm buildings juts out from the surrounding landscape in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. They straddle the line between whimsy and nature, as if they grew from the very earth itself. Yet there’s nothing unintentional about this restoration by SAOTA and Jaco Booyens Architect. In fact, their clever and respectful work on this property garnered them a gold medal in the 2019 Domus Restoration and Conservation Award in Italy. For SAOTA director Greg Truen, the project began when he acquired the farm in 2016. While some refurbishments had taken place in…

Forget beer budgets. Grace and Fernando Ferreira cheerfully admit they had Champagne taste on a water budget when it came to their home on a semi-rural site close to Queanbeyan and with easy access to the national capital. With an owner-builder’s licence, some creative recycling and a design by Collins Caddaye Architects (CCA), they have been able to create a showpiece home that fulfils all their aspirations for a hospitable hub that can comfortably accommodate just the two of them or the many guests who routinely respond to their generous natures and open-door policy. Portuguese-born, Grace had spent time in Australia when her parents moved here when she was in primary school. She returned to her home country in 1987 and met Fernando the following year. They dated for five…

With the 20/20 vision of hindsight, Barry Byrne says buying property at Mount Wilson was probably the worst business decision he has ever made. “In 1992 I could have bought an inner-Sydney house for $300,000,” he says. “Today it would be worth millions, or multi-millions if I’d been a developer and put a skyscraper on it. But instead I bought Bebeah. A townhouse may not have given me as much pleasure, but it certainly would have left me richer.” He is referring to the home he shares with partner Miguel Alvarez, a Gothicinfluenced Victorian retreat on 12 acres (five hectares) at Mount Wilson. The house is one of the original cluster of summer retreats in the heritage garden village, located just over two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Sydney but light years…