Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Australian Home Beautiful

There is a simple beauty in the dependable tradition of Christmas. Almost every year, my family has done the same thing; we all head down to our (too-small) house on the Hawkesbury River and spend Christmas and the days around it together, playing cards, reading books and solving the world’s problems over a few good glasses of wine. It can get a bit squashy, sure, but at the same time, it’s an instant escape up there on the river, with no cars and limited mobile coverage – just surrounded by our ever-growing extended family. This year, however, for the very first time, my little family is going to break tradition and head in our own direction. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to feeling slightly nervous. For years we’ve…

OPEN YOUR HOME TO THE SEASONAL CHANGES AND EMBRACE THE FRESH BREEZES OF A COASTAL CHRISTMAS ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF GATHERING TOGETHER TO SHARE THE LOVE OF WARMER AND BRIGHTER DAYS BREAK BREAD WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE HEALTHY AND FRESH FLAVOURS MAKE FOR DAZZLING CELEBRATION FARE IT’S THE FINISHING TOUCHES THAT ADD TO THE CHRISTMAS AMBIENCE MAKE THIS SIMPLE WREATH Cut a piece of wire to desired length. Bend each end to form a hook shape, then bend wire to create a circle. Hook each end and tighten using needle-nose pliers to secure. Grab a little greenery from the garden and secure to wreath with florist wire. Clip a candleholder to centre, place a candle in holder, then hang. ESCAPE TO A COSY CORNER AT DUSK FOR A QUIET…

TABLE SETTING {left} “I do like a modern setting, but my table is always different,” says Ruth. For Christmas lunch, Royal Doulton plates from The Works add a pop of colour against white linen napery and a white wooden tree from Celebrating Christmas. The table itself is a statement, with a beautiful parquetry top and enough room for 14 people. “DECORATING A HOUSE IS AN EVOLVING PROCESS. YOU DO IT OVER TIME AND YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT” ~ RUTH They say travel broadens the mind but for Ruth, Eric and their three teenage children, it also provided a little European know-how for beautifully simple Christmases at home. “We had a white Christmas in Germany and Austria a couple of years ago, which was such a special thing to do…

Hayden and Kirsten have never lived ordinary lives. When they were engaged, the New Zealanders lived in separate parts of the country: Kirsten in the centre of the North Island, where she had a sports massage business, and Hayden 120 kilometres east in the Bay of Plenty, where he played for the New Zealand Sevens rugby union team (now known as the All Black Sevens). Before moving to Europe in 2006, when Hayden was offered a contract to play in Italy, they purchased an investment property in a beachside suburb in the picturesque Bay of Plenty region, with the dream of renovating it for themselves and their future family on their return. “Our goal was always to create a home full of friends and family,” says Kirsten. Four years, one…

WITH THANKS Show your gratitude with a thoughtful fragrant gift. Take three bunches of flowers of varying sizes and clean all stems of branches. Group flowers together with the largest bunch at the back, then tie stems together with string. Finish with a natural-style wrap, ribbon and small trinket. FESTIVE TABLE SETTINGS Layers of fragrant and earthy elements can transform a lonely napkin into a beautiful personalised place setting for the Christmas table. Write your guests’ names on small chalkboard tags, then string onto cotton ribbon, along with a cute ceramic decoration, before tying around loosely folded napkins. Finish by tucking a fresh sprig of pine behind the ribbon for a hint of festive scents. USE THE florals OF THE SEASON TO CREATE A GIFT THAT’S PRECIOUS AND personal FRESH-FLOWER…

NOW IS THE time to take entertaining outdoors, and creating an uplifting atmosphere is the key to hosting successful summer soirees. Naturally, you won’t want to be fumbling around in the dark, but there’s lighting, and then there’s lighting. We’ve asked the experts for their top tips and inspiration – from task illumination, necessary for ensuring you don’t singe your snags, to ambient lighting – so your great outdoors can shine all year-round. 1 TRIP THE FLAME FANTASTIC “I adore over-candling for the table,” says interior designer and author Shannon Fricke, who likes to place pillar candles of varying heights along the length of a setting. “They add a dramatic flavour and a warm glow,” she remarks. Opt for battery-powered candles for outdoors as they won’t be snuffed out by…

CHRISTMAS MAGIC (FROM PAGE 41) GRILLED ZUCCHINIS & ARTICHOKES WITH MARINATED MOZZARELLA Serves 6-8 2 tsp brown mustard seeds 3 tsp coriander seeds 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley 1½ tsp dried chilli flakes 2 tbsp preserved lemon rind, finely chopped 2 balls (400g) fresh buffalo mozzarella 5 (500g) small zucchinis, trimmed 4 (500g) finger eggplants, trimmed 720g jar marinated artichokes with stems, drained (see tip, below) Fresh olive baguette, to serve 1. Put seeds in a small frying pan over a medium heat for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and pound lightly to release flavour. Transfer to a medium bowl and add oil, parsley, chilli and lemon rind. Stir until combined. Add mozzarella to bowl and coat with…

THE HALO EFFECT Methven’s new Aurajet™ shower has a unique halo-shaped design that delivers 20 per cent more spray force and twice the amount of skin contact*. Available in a range of limited edition Pantone colours. Exclusive to Reece. Experience Aurajet™ at methven.com/aurajet. *Compared to a Methven conventional shower MORE THAN RECLINERS LA-Z-BOY Furniture designers continue to surprise with a new contemporary product range branded 'Urban Attitudes'. No longer just recliners, LA-Z-BOY Furniture Galleries are now offering designs with a lighter, more feminine touch. Find your match at la-z-boy.com.au. BEAUTIFUL BOUNDARY Appreciate your home more with Hebel’s PowerFence – an affordable masonry fence that can complement the design of your home using rendered finishes. The lightweight aerated concrete panels are steel reinforced, so panels feel solid, are lightweight to handle,…

winning letter After years of scrimping, saving and planning, my partner and I are ready to begin renovating our home. I’ve been taking notes and bookmarking ideas for such a long time: now, finally, I can put to use all the inspiration I’ve gained from HB into my own home. Thank you for the insight needed to tackle such a large job! Tori Ritchie, Brisbane, Qld, via email This month’s prize… is a Danish Eiderdowns queen quilt, standard pillow set and a pair of Rialto ‘Superfine’ pillowcases from The Bedspread Shop, valued at $377; thebedspreadshop. com.au, (03) 9500 0692. “I keep page clippings of HB in a scrapbook and when I get the chance, I try to incorporate the HB style : easy, elegant and laid-back living.” ~ Louise Stockburger,…

FOR THE HOME THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL THAT YOUR ‘HOMIES’ ARE SURE TO ADORE ALL THAT GLITTERS ADD SOME SPARKLE UNDER THE TREE WITH PRESSIES THAT REALLY SHINE FOR HER STYLISH, SOOTHING AND SWEET… SURPRISES SHE’LL TRULY LOVE MERRY MEN INDULGE THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE WITH THINGS BIG, SMALL AND SPEEDY CHILD’S PLAY FROM THE PRACTICAL TO THE FUN-FILLED, GIFTS FOR THE LITTLE FOLK THE CHEF FANTASTIC FINDS FOR YOUR FABULOUS FOODIE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUTDOORS SPOIL GREEN THUMBS WITH THESE CLEVER IDEAS FOR THE GARDEN HOT TYPE PERSONALISE YOUR PRESENTS WITH A LETTER OR TWO OF INTRODUCTION BRIGHT FUN BOLD COLOURS, WITH A TOUCH OF KITSCH, FOR YOUR ECLECTIC CIRCLE…

Bobbing up and down a meandering road, hugging the lush hills lining the NSW southern coastline, a sense of serenity abounds. On this steamy summertime morning, crickets hum in full force and, as visitors slowly cross the one-lane bridge that leads to Mandie and Andrew’s family getaway, there is a strong sense of stepping back in time. That is, until a striking house is revealed in the distance. As the forest of ancient gums clears, there sits what Mandie describes as a “Corten box” – a dramatic modern addition, all rusted steel, concrete and sandstone – that is respectfully wrapped around an original cottage, built in 1878 and now swathed in charcoal paint. “It was hilarious,” Mandie says, recalling the construction of the substantial modern addition to their holiday home.…

TILES Get the look with bevelled-edge 150mm x 75mm subway tiles, $74.95/sqm, Amber Tiles. With its lofty, double-volume spaces and urban farmhouse feel, this contemporary home on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, is the epitome of relaxed family living, and the perfect place for homeowners Amelia and Grant to raise their two daughters. The couple bought the house two years ago, seduced by the generous size of the block and the easy access to the mountain footpaths where they frequently walk, cycle and run. “The luxury of space we have here and the fact that we are enveloped in greenery is truly unique,” says Amelia. “Especially when you consider that the city centre is just a 10-minute drive down the hill.” While the position was…

NO LONGER a luxury reserved for connoisseurs with sizeable cellars, wine cabinets – shelved units designed to store wine at optimal temperatures – are fast becoming a must-have on winedrinkers’ wishlists. “With our expanding wine culture and love of entertaining at home, Australians now appreciate the importance of storing wine properly, particularly in our hot climate,” says Thomas Benhamou of Vintec Australia. Of course, you can still store your favourite tipples in a stylish wine rack… but placement is key. Here, we help you make sense of the wine storage options available. Cheers! SPOILED FOR CHOICE Wine cabinet or fridge? For those who take their wine seriously, a climate-controlled cabinet is a better option than a wine cooler or bar fridge. The latter generates intense cold and generally removes ambient…

foodie cheer Gathering for a sensational meal is one of the highlights of the season. From cherrystudded treats to two great Christmas menus, our heavenly summer recipes will inspire and delight.…

PUDDING PLEASE “Dense and full of flavour, this is one for the pudding connoisseurs!” ~ Olivia Clarke, HB editorial co-ordinator NUTTY DELIGHT “Nibbles of nuts… and dark chocolate? These wouldn’t last long around me.” ~ Wendy Moore, HB editor PIECE OF HEAVEN “This melt-in-yourmouth shortbread, with its pie-plate design, would make a lovely gift.” ~ Imogene Abady, HB creative & food director 1. Iced chocolate vanilla star biscuits, $15.90/110g pack, Phillippa’s. 2. Christmas pudding in bowl, $39.95, The Essential Ingredient. 3. ‘Hero’ pecan fruit cake, $77/1.3kg, Mother Meg’s. 4. Traditional buterscotch lollies, $4/160g, Coles. 5. Gold mini chocolate panetone, $4/110g, Woolworths. 6. Dark chocolate scorched almonds, $21.95/250g, Haigh’s. 7. Whisky and marmalade pudding log, $43/800g, Newcastle’s Pudding Lady. 8. Shortcrust mince pies, $4.99/pack of six, Aldi. 9. Masoni ‘Margherita’ panforte,…

“I LIKE TO PAIR HARD-EDGED, CRISP GEOMETRY WITH SOFT TEXTURAL DETAILS AND HAND-IMPRESSIONS” ~ ABBY ANY GIVEN WORKDAY, jewellery designer Abby Seymour can be found beneath the soaring ceilings of the Younghusband Woolstore building in Melbourne’s Kensington, where she shares a studio space with textile designers Ink & Spindle. At her workspace, Abby’s shoulders will be hunched, her neck bent, muscles tensed and eyes narrowed as she threads minuscule chain pieces together into one of her tassel pieces. She might spend 12 hours soldering ring after ring, or painstakingly buffing silver to a polish. “After getting familiar with the collection, you get to the point where making becomes second nature,” she says. “And I love getting lost in the process.” It’s immediately clear the self-taught jewellery maker is detailoriented and…

UPDATE FESTIVE COLOURS BY EMBRACING blues & neutrals IN YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATING THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A REAL TREE TO BRING THE christmas spirit INTO YOUR HOME IT’S A DAY THAT BRINGS generations TOGETHER GATHER YOUR friends & family AROUND AN ELEGANT, RELAXED TABLE ADD A TWIST TO traditional fare WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS AND DISHES THAT WARM THE SOUL THIS spectacular dessert WILL DRAW INSTANT APPLAUSE. AND THE BEST THING OF ALL? IT CAN BE MADE UP TO TWO DAYS BEFORE IT GOES ON SHOW IT’S A TIME FOR old-fashioned fun... A GAME OF CRICKET, A TURN ON THE TYRE SWING AT THE END OF THE DAY, INDULGE IN A sweet treat AND A STRONG ESPRESSO…

GREAT SHOPPING MIGHT be closer to home than expected. At any given shopping strip or centre, the big-name stores are upping their game with in-vogue design at irresistible prices. Between in-house design teams producing on-trend loveliness and a slew of high-end collaborations, we’re taking a fresh look at the chain stores we’ve so often taken for granted. SHOP 1: Typo Fellow stationery tragics would understand the allure of a Typo window, and now, a new collection of homewares will turn style-philes into regulars, too. Since launching in Victoria in 2009, Typo has expanded to more than 145 stores across 10 countries. Its team of designers and illustrators work closely with Typo’s trend forecaster and buyers to put a new spin on top trends: think painterly printed cushions, marquee lights and…

“We wanted the house to have a real connection to the outdoors” ~ Deena Passionate decorator Deena can’t help but smile every time she walks up the timber steps to the front door of her family’s sun-kissed coastal home. It’s not only because the airy abode perfectly reflects her current love of all things light, bright and naturally beautiful. Or that the house occupies a postcard-worthy setting in a sleepy village on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with the sand and sea little more than a stone’s throw away. It’s also because this is the ninth home that Deena and her husband Tim have reinvented or built in just nine years. And there’s every chance they’re not done yet – much to the dismay of Deena’s mother. “She tells people that she…

Because every house can be a beautiful home ’Tis the season …for family, friends and fabulous feasts. And we’re here to help: with advice on everything from getting guest-ready and creating the perfect wreath to where to store the bubbly. Read on for more. MIRACLES ASIDE, the magic of a fantastic Christmas comes down to planning, often executed with military-like precision in the weeks leading up to the festivities. There are practicalities to consider: overnight guests need beds, grandparents might require comfy seating, toddlers will want room to run around. Then there’s the question of atmosphere: that ephemeral mix of chemistry and mood that can immortalise events for decades to come. By getting a jump on preparations before guests arrive, you’ll be more likely to enjoy the occasion. So, here…

THEY MIGHT TAKE up prime real estate on your kitchen bench, but certain small appliances go above and beyond mere gadget status to really earn their keep and help you entertain with ease. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or you shudder at the sight of a saucepan, today’s appliances can simplify steps, save time and inspire success. They are also designed with style in mind, so there’s no need to hide them away. From powerful chop-andblend devices to more sophisticated all-in-one automated cookers that will serve up succulent meats, fast finger foods, curries, soups, risottos, desserts and more, you’ll find a whole host on the market. Here’s our selection of the benchtop marvels that can ramp up your kitchen repertoire and help you create a feast to impress.…

BLACK FOREST PAVLOVA See recipe on page 220 CHERRY & ROSEMARY FOCACCIA See recipe on page 222 The sweetness of cherries is offset by rosemary and salt in this fabulous focaccia BUTTER-YELLOW custard GETS THE CHERRY TREATMENT IN THIS CAN’T-STOP-AT-ONE-PIECE tart CHERRY CUSTARD TART See recipe on page 222 CHERRY POPSICLES See recipe on page 222 CHERRY & VANILLA JAM Makes 1.25L 1kg cherries, pitted 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 vanilla bean, split lengthways 1kg jam-setting sugar 1. In the bowl of a food processor, add half of the cherries and pulse until chopped. Put in a large, heavy-based pot. Cut remaining cherries in half and add to pot, along with lemon juice. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean using the tip of a knife. Add seeds and bean to cherries.…

LIGHT THE WAY Dreaming of a light Christmas? The distinctively sleek and elegant silhouette of the Lanie Floor Lamp from Beacon Lighting instantly updates a space with its mix of copper and raw ash timber. ELEGANT STYLING Blue and white ginger jars are a simple way to add instant charm and whimsy to your home. Curate a selection of jars to make a stunning focal point. RRP $49.95. For more information, visit strutliving.com.au. TASTING KIT Enjoy craft beer in glasses designed to maximise enjoyment. Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit RRP $69.95. Visit riedelglass.com.au/spiegelau/craft-beer/craft-beer-glasses-tasting-kit.html. KICK BACK Take some time to relax this busy festive season with a Two Trees hammock. Easy to install, and offering modern style and comfort, it's perfect for long, perfect for long, lazy days outside. Available at…