Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Australian Home Beautiful

CREATING THE DREAM It’s nearly 17 years since we bought our semi near the sea, so I’ve had quite a bit of time to think about the home of our dreams. Back then, we had two little munchkins and after moving from our first home - an apartment - were thrilled with all that space. And there was more to love: the pool under the palm trees I knew the kids would never leave, the light pouring into every room, and that gum tree out front that had me at hello. It was the perfect home for our little family. Working for HB for nearly a decade, I’ve been incredibly lucky to see so many home dreams come to life. I’ve seen beautiful schemes created with soul, fabulous ideas and…

AT A GLANCE Who: Tania Robinson, founder and creative director of artisanal candle brand Southern Wild Co. What she does: Celebrates Australia’s landscape and culture using the evocative power of scent. Where: Central Tablelands, NSW. Why she does it: “I want to bring the raw beauty of Australia into your daily rituals.” Visit: southernwildco.com.au Follow: @southernwildco It was during a visit to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2017, when graphic designer Tania Robinson had her lightbulb moment. Wandering through the Australian Impressionists room, moved by the emotional expression of colour and light she saw in the artworks, Tania was struck with a vivid thought. She turned to her gallery-going friend and asked: “How amazing would it be to capture the scents in these paintings, the fragrances of…

WHO LIVES HERE? Fleur, a media manager; her husband Phil, who works for Microsoft; daughter Grace, 11, and six-year-old twins Max and Maddie. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SPLURGE? Fleur: “My awesome Mercury chef’s oven by Falcon from New Zealand (try AGA). I had to talk Phil into it, but it gets used all the time.” YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIAL USED IN THE HOME? “The Carrara marble.” WHAT IS LEFT TO DO? “I would like to add more blinds. I am not good with curtaining. I find it all a bit frou-frou!” WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING? “I had lots of time to think and plan, so… no!” WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? “I do love my pantry with a secret door because no-one can find me when I am in there. Plus,…

The week Veronica and Mark moved into their home was life-changing in every way. “Two days later I gave birth to our baby girls,” recalls Veronica. “We came home with a new family to a brand new house – albeit with no kitchen sink! It was overwhelming, but really special.” Eighteen months earlier, the couple had purchased a sizeable block of land (1030 square metres) in a quiet suburb in south-west Sydney. As the founders and owners of King Homes NSW, Veronica and Mark had designed and built countless custom homes for clients, but this was their first opportunity to create their own abode from the ground up. “It was a different experience – we got to really think about how we live and what would work for us,” explains…

WHO LIVES HERE? Annette, a speech therapist; her husband Ryan, CEO of a software company; their children Rosie, four, and Eddie, one; and Queenie the Himalayan Persian cat. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPOT OR ITEM? Ryan: “In front of the real wood fireplace. I love the sound and smell when tending a fire.” Annette: “We never planned to spend so much on the chandelier above the dining table, but now we’re glad we did.” ANY TIPS FOR A CHILD-FRIENDLY HOME? Annette: “Have separate areas for separate activities. Rosie mostly plays in the rumpus room and draws in the craft nook. That way, all the toys and crayons stay in one place.” WHAT IS YOUR TOP RENOVATION TIP? Ryan: “Before signing off on plans, visualise yourself in the space. We physically…

HOMEBEAUTIFULMAG @HOMEBEAUTIFUL HOMEBEAUTIFUL.COM.AU PINTEREST.COM/HOMEBEAUTIFUL HOMEBEAUTIFUL@BAUER-MEDIA.COM.AU THE DAILY HOME EDIT MEET THE HB TEAM KATRINA YAXLEY, SENIOR ART DIRECTOR How did you get your start in the home and interiors magazine industry? “I have worked on home magazines for almost 20 years now! I loved flicking through Dolly and Cleo magazine when I was younger, and after studying graphic design, I landed my first mag job.” What is your favourite section of HB? “Definitely our homes section! I love seeing the new and inspiring ways people are decorating their homes and how we bring them to life on the pages.” Tell us about your own home decorating style. “I would describe my home as relaxed contemporary Australian, with a subtle nod to tradition.” Do you have a favourite HB feature or…

“FORGET THE FLANNELETTE PJS AND CHOOSE A GIFT THAT’S AS SPECIAL AS YOUR MUM. THINK chic and tasteful, AND ONLY THE FINEST QUALITY” ~ KATRINA O’BRIEN, ACTING EDITOR “WHY NOT CHIP IN WITH SIBLINGS AND GIFT MUM WITH SOMETHING SHE’S BEEN COVETING? LIKE a one-of-a-kind item OR PIECE OF ART” ~ VICTORIA KINGSBURY, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR FLOWERS ARE LOVELY, BUT gifts she’ll appreciate forever PACK A SENTIMENTAL PUNCH ~ KARINA MACHADO, ACTING DEPUTY EDITOR…

With a reputation for designing trailblazing buildings across the globe, architect Greg and his wife Nancy chose to use a different design muscle when they took on the renovation of a 200-year-old farmhouse. Instead of putting their own spin on the structure, or adding a contemporary extension, they breathed new life into the property in the most respectful way. “The idea was always to keep what I found on the farm as pure as possible,” says Greg, who with Nancy, shares the home with the couple’s children Zwiki, 21, Luca, 17 and Shama, 13. Lured by the charming farmhouse in Buffelsdrift – a small farming district nestled in the middle of South Africa’s Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) – Greg embarked on a design and renovation process that spanned four years,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Veronica, a HR manager; her husband Mark, a builder; their twin daughters Mila and Willow, one; Juicy the pug-cross and Stella the ragdoll cat. WHAT INSPIRES YOU CREATIVELY? Veronica: “International interior designers who create contemporary homes. We often see these trends flow into Australia.” HOW DOES YOUR HOME FUNCTION THROUGH THE SEASONS? “We focused on materials that provide thermal efficiency. CSR Hebel allows our home to remain cool in the warmer months, and retain warmth in the cooler months.” ANY GO-TO INTERIORS SHOPS? “King Living for its contemporary designs. I also like IKEA, Adairs and Target.”…

“AS HIGH-END, BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION, IT NEEDED TO BE SPECIAL AND I THINK THE MOODY PALETTE REALLY CREATES A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE”~ SAUL With more time spent at home last year, Saul Myers found staying put was the perfect opportunity to make the most of his sprawling block on the NSW Central Coast. Having previously teamed up with HB to renovate a beach house, which he shares with his son Brooklyn, 7, on the leafy property, it was time to realise his long-held plan – to design and build a stylish self-contained studio to sit at the front of the site. “I saw it as a great way to create a little earner I could rent out, which offered guests a unique escape from the everyday,” says the one-time House Rules judge.…

When designing a kitchen, there are countless decisions to make, and a key consideration is cabinetry hardware. Do you opt for knobs, pulls or a combination of both, or choose concealed or minimalist styles? As handles are one of the most tactile items we interact with daily, it’s important to choose wisely, says Lauren O’Brien, associate director and interior designer at Austin Design Associates. “They’re integral to the space in terms of functionality and style so they need to be practical, hardwearing and complement your aesthetic,” she says. With a vast range of hardware in various styles and finishes on offer, arm yourself with our expert guide to finding the ideal match for your cabinetry. HARDWARE KNOW-HOW Before you begin handle hunting, Lauren recommends imagining how you want your kitchen…

FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT SPECIAL, SERVE COCKTAILS ON A SILVER TRAY WATERMELON & MINT CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL Makes 1 Half fill a Champagne flute with rosé sparkling wine. Top with 2 ice cubes and 3 torn mint leaves. Add 2 teaspoons of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of peach schnapps and 2 tablespoons of fresh watermelon juice. Use a swizzle stick to combine. Top with more sparkling wine if necessary. PLOUGHMAN’S SCONES Makes 20 Scones 2 cups self-raising flour, plus extra for bench½ tsp salt50g chilled butter, chopped, plus extra for greasing¾ cup (90g) grated parmesan¾ cup milk, plus extra to glaze¼ cup chutney or mustard of choice (see tip)200g shaved leg ham200g vintage cheddar or gruyere, shavedLemon thyme sprigs, to garnish (optional)Cornichons, to serve 1. To make scones, preheat oven…

COLLECTION POET’S DREAM Robert Gordon lets history unfold in its new ‘Poet’s Dream’ collection. Paying homage to founder Gordon’s ancestor, Edward Dyson – a prolific journalist, poet and playwright – the collection mixes the family’s artistic heritage with ceramic shapes inspired by designs of the 1980s. Available in a rich chocolate brown and natural cream, the range starts at $49.95 for a serving bowl. See the full collection at Myer, myer.com.au.…

What’s on your wish list right now? “A Carmen ‘MKII’ Chair in Kelly Wearstler ‘Graffito’ from Arthur G and Sabine Marcelis’ Ice Lavender ‘Soap’ table (7).” What are your favourite Australian brands or designers? “I’m always looking for new Australian designed and made product. A few of my go-to brands are Grazia & Co, Jardan (3), Dowel Jones, Volker Haug, Dean Norton, Arthur G and Capra Designs (5).” Where’s your favourite place to shop? “Bungalow Trading Co (6) is the perfect destination for colourful homewares, art and fashion; I usually manage to find something for myself while sourcing beautiful things for shoots or interior projects.” Visit: 149 Martin St, Brighton, Vic. Bookmark: bungalowtradingco.com.au. “Having loved working with Designstuff for so long as an online destination, I was excited to see…

Bringing an older property into the modern era takes masses of patience and a steadfast vision. For heritage-home lover Fleur, the intricacies of the renovation process are always worth the character-filled outcome. The home she shares with her husband Phil and their three children, Grace, 11, and six-year-old twins Max and Maddie, is her fourth renovation project. The five-bedroom Victorian home in Sydney’s Mosman has been given a fresh start, with a polished original exterior and a historically minded modern interior. “I used to call it ‘The Cream Shack’ because everything inside and outside was cream,” says Fleur. When the couple first viewed the property in 2013, the potential shimmered through those beige layers and decades of unceremonious updates. “Phil liked the size and tall ceilings, and I liked the…

WHO STAYS HERE? Greg, architect, director of SAOTA, ARRCC and OKHA, his wife Nancy, mental health practitioner, and their children Zwiki, 21, Luca, 17 and Shama, 13, plus their Boston terriers, Blue and Lola. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST RESTORATION CHALLENGE? Greg: “Building with earth was challenging but very rewarding. The building has an authenticity that is very unusual.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE? “I love the poplar furniture and screens that we designed.” YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? “Oddly enough our favourite space is the courtyard outside of the kitchen. We spend long evenings here. It’s quite magical.”…

Their shared story spans more than two decades, but high-school sweethearts Annette and Ryan are also one in their passion for the signature house that defines their home city of Brisbane. “Before we had kids, we lived in a beautiful Queenslander, which we loved, but it was completely unsuited to family living,” says Ryan. So the couple began the hunt for a Queenslander that combined the character features they adored with a family-friendly layout. “We hoped to find the perfect move-in-ready house, but that didn’t happen,” explains Ryan. “We did, however, find this beautiful 100-year-old home and loved it instantly.” Although recently renovated, the inner-suburbs home presented some layout challenges, but the couple were won over by its traditional architectural details, soaring ceilings, natural light and views forever. “Ryan has…

Step inside the bathroom of your dreams – the feature tiles you’ve been lusting over, tapware to die for, and maybe even that freestanding tub you’ve always coveted. It’s a vision straight from your Pinterest board, but something is not quite right and the atmosphere is off. The culprit? Lighting. It’s one of the most important – yet often overlooked – elements of bathroom design and harnesses the unique power to sully even the most immaculate designs and luxurious of finishes. “Lighting plays a major role in any space, but especially the bathroom,” says Carmel Wylie, interior designer at GIA Renovations. “Seeing as it’s mostly hard finishes, it can be easy to turn the room into a clinical-looking space if your lighting isn’t right,” she warns. As the place in…

There are some very cheap fixed rates on the market right now, which begs the question: should you lock in? While you can certainly save thousands, it pays to know the ins and outs, so you can avoid the pitfalls and ensure you’re financially fit for the future. HAVE RATES HIT ROCK BOTTOM? The Reserve Bank of Australia has been clear it doesn’t intend to increase the cash rate until 2024. Variable home loan rates will stay low through this period, but ultra-low fixed-rate loans might start to rise as the economy picks up speed. Put simple, if you want to take advantage of those rock-bottom, fixed-interest rates, now may be the time to lock in. In most cases you won’t pay a premium to fix your home loans, as…

Love is in the details, and that certainly goes for your table setting and menu – especially on Mother’s Day. This year, HB editor-in-chief Elle Lovelock created a vibrant autumn table fit for a very special celebration indeed, her first Mother’s Day as a mum. “I love that Mother’s Day is a time to focus on the women who care for us … the aunts, friends, and mothers of fur babies, too,” reflects Elle, who prefers the intimacy of a gathering at home. “I always pick a theme for styling the table. This year, I’m going for a mix of olive-green foliage with soft pink, rich burgundy and pops of orange.” For this feast, pay homage to the season with this mouthwatering cheesecake recipe. Starring fresh figs and caramel, it’s…

THE DREAM WHO Andrew, a defence consultant; his wife Christine, a stay-at-home mum; daughters Georgia, 19, Viktoria, 15, and Annabelle, 13; as well as Christine’s mum Tania and Margaux the poochon. WHERE Geelong, Victoria. THE DREAM To add a new extension to a Federation home that has been in the family for 60 years WHY DID YOU DO THIS NOW? Andrew: “When we bought the house in 2005, it was always our intention to fully renovate and extend – it just took a long time for everything to fall into place and do it right.” As a kid growing up in rural Victoria, Andrew fondly recalls travelling to the “big smoke” and visiting his grandparents. “I had to go to Geelong for football training and so I would stay at…

THE DREAM WHO Alison, an interior designer; her husband Dave; and their daughter Ava, five. WHERE Melbourne, Victoria. THE DREAM To renovate a period-style home, give it a new lease of life and prove that you can reinstate beauty without knocking them down. WHY DID YOU DO THIS NOW? Alison: “We’d just had Ava and wanted to live closer to the city and spend time together. This house was the ideal mix of location and project for us to do that.” Homeowners Alison and Dave put in an offer on this 1930s Californian bungalow in Melbourne after falling in love with its period features – from the 3.1-metre-high ceilings to the ornate cornices and ceiling roses. However, their offer was rejected. “My husband was emotionally invested in it, so I…