Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Australian Home Beautiful

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elle Lovelock CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katrina Yaxley DIGITAL EDITOR Diana Moore MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Hooton CATEGORY EDITOR Brittany Smith ART & STYLE ART DIRECTORS Andrea Healy, Alice Ierace STYLIST Kate Lincoln FEATURES & CONTENT  SENIOR COPY EDITORS Kate Barber, Julia Fairley  SENIOR DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER Teneal Zuvela  SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT PRODUCER Emily Murray  EMAIL HOMEBEAUTIFUL@AREMEDIA.COM.AU ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Michelle O’Hanlon ALL  ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ADVERTISING@AREMEDIA.COM.AU SYNDICATION EMAIL SYNDICATION@AREMEDIA.COM.AU  WEBSITE CONTENTSHOP.COM.AU ARE MEDIA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jane Huxley  FINANCE DIRECTOR Marena Paul  GENERAL MANAGER, HOMES & LIFESTYLE Jocelin Abbey  HEAD OF COMMERCIAL, HOMES & LIFESTYLE Rhyl Heavener  DIRECTOR OF SALES Anna Quinn  DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Sally Eagle  DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Carly Bowra GET IN TOUCH  LETTERS TO: Home Beautiful, Reply Paid 5252, Sydney, NSW 2001. EMAIL: homebeautiful@aremedia.com.au Printed by IVE, 1/83…

SHOP | DISCOVER | DECORATE | STYLE | EXPLORE HOLIDAY FLAME Bring the scent of summer to your festive table with Hunter Candles’ ‘The Pav’ 2025 Christmas candle (pictured centre), $64. Hand-poured in Sydney, it smells of sweet meringue, passionfruit curd, lemon zest and cream, and burns for more than 50 hours. Find it at huntercandles.com.au. BLOWN AWAY Glassblower Leisa Wharington crafts all things glass, from statement chandeliers to delicate keepsakes, including Christmas baubles (above), $75 each. Head to leisa wharington.com.au to find them all. NATURAL BEAUTY MAISON BALZAC AND TANORA TEAM UP FOR THE PALAMÓS COLLECTION (SHOWN LEFT), FEATURING A CARAFE, $129, AND GOBLETS, $119/SET OF 2. THE PIECES BLEND THE BRANDS’ SIGNATURE GLASSWARE AND HANDWOVEN RAFFIA. HEAD TO MAISONBALZAC.COM OR TANORA.COM.AU. DRAM GOOD For a spirited gift set,…

At the beginning of her career in the early 1990s, Adelaide (pictured, this page) worked at Colefax & Fowler in Sydney under the tutelage of Australian designer Martine Burns. A number of those lessons continue to influence Adelaide’s work today. “Martine used to say that a room needs something to muddle it up, that imperfection can make perfection.” That guidance aligns with Adelaide’s vision today and her affinity with the imperfections found in the natural world. A torn autumnal leaf, the tiny idiosyncrasies found in handmade seagrass wallcoverings or artisan-blocked textile patterns are equally appealing to her eye. Adelaide frequently incorporates a painting, cushion or rug into a room to create an unexpected clash with the overall design scheme, piquing visual interest. Often, she’ll introduce a single vivid colour, like…

For similar chairs, try ‘Martinique’ armchairs, $379 each, Early Settler. Cushions, clockwise from left Cushion cover in Amore Stripe Forest, $149/50cm x 50cm, Basil Bangs. Rich green cushion, $320/55cm x 55cm, and classic green striped cushion, $260/55cm x 55cm, both Highgate House. ‘Elm’ cushion, Country Road (discontinued). Green ivory border cushion, $195, Highgate House. Cushion cover in Al Mare Stripe Forest, $149/50cm x 50cm, Basil Bangs. Linen tablecloth in Milk, from $145, I Love Linen. On back counter For a similar Champagne bowl, try Benzer Champagne and punch bowl, $129.95, Victoria’s Basement. In bowl Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, $99.99/750ml, Dan Murphy’s. Handpicked Sparkling Cuvée, $50 each/750ml, Handpicked. Life ring, $285, Coastal Vintage. Wine and bar tray, $280, Georg Jensen. Grape @Riedel Champagne flutes, $65/set of 2, Riedel. For other products,…

There was once a time, in the not-too-distant past, when the sunset plunged our homes into darkness each night. When Home Beautiful was first published in 1925, many Australian homes didn’t have electricity. As Sue Walker explains in The Untold Story of William Shum, “It was expensive, the supply was unreliable and people were frightened of being electrocuted.” HB embraced this innovation, encouraging readers with articles about “the strange new world of the all-electric home”. The schemes born in that period still inform our homes. We spoke to lighting designer and Bond University lecturer, Dr Susan Lambert, and co-founder of The Montauk Lighting Co, Marie Botsis-Premici, to shine a light on how the past and present mingle with electric yet timeless style. ’20s – ’40s Pretty pendants There’s a lot…

It’s official. We can talk about Christmas! I’ll let you in on a secret: here at Home Beautiful, we’ve been working on our Christmas content since August. And I’ve loved every minute. It’s such a magical time of year, and for many of us, it starts in November, which is why we’ve kicked off the festive season with this ‘Countdown to Christmas’ issue. (Another secret I’ll share is that next month, we have a second fabulous issue packed with festive content!) Whether you’ll be hosting or guesting this year, we have plenty of advice and inspiration on the following pages. Start with our shopping story on page 59, where we set up a gorgeous poolside lunch decked out with foil-wrapped Haigh’s Chocolates in a palette of green and white. I…

HEAVEN SCENT Whenever I clean the house, my four-year-old son asks ‘Who’s coming over?’ It makes me think, do I really only deep clean when we are expecting guests? That’s a worry. But we do entertain quite often, so the house is generally tidy. I was asked recently for my top tips to elevate an interior, and one of them is a fancy, aromatic multi-surface spray. I love the Tasmanian Pepper and Lavender range from Bondi Wash and the Diptyque La Droguerie multi-surface cleaner – sprayed on benchtops, they scent a room quicker than a candle while making things sparkling clean. Bonus tip: use them to wipe down your front door inside and out for a beautifully fragranced welcome. WALK THIS WAY When people arrive at your home, the most…

AT A GLANCE Who The owner and designer behind Fledge & Thread, Keren Fraser. What she does Illustrates baby and children’s clothing and bedding, paints original decor and artworks, and creates an audio book series. Where In her colour-drenched home studio in Western Australia. Why she does it “My hope is that our designs build on the imagination for little ones.” Visit fledgeandthread.com.au; @fledgeandthread Every year, Keren and her sister end up in hysterics as they attempt to recreate a Christmas cake that their mum used to bake. “We make it the same way every year, but the recipe says things like ‘a pinch of this’ and ‘a dash of that’, so we’re there going, ‘What does this even mean?!’” Keren says with a laugh. It’s one of those festive…

INSIDE STORY Alyce’s home Who lives here? Alyce Tran, co-founder of In The Roundhouse and brand strategist at LTK Australia. What do you love most about it? “I like how there are clearly defined zones, so if I’m working from home or in my bedroom I feel away from the rest of the house.” What are your go-to festive table colours? “I tend to stick with pinks and greens but I’m loving rich bold colours at the moment. I’m styling with our latest collections.” How do you help guests feel instantly comfortable? “Hand them a drink and give them something to do so they’re not awkwardly hovering while I run around.” When I get on a call with Alyce Tran, one of the founding forces behind In The Roundhouse, it’s…

There’s a certain magic to hydrangeas, the sort that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. One moment the garden is all leaf and promise, the next it’s transformed into a painter’s palette of blushing pinks, soft blues and creamy white petals, as though someone has spilt a box of watercolours across its borders. Hydrangeas bloom with the self-assuredness of plants that know they’re beloved – sufficiently timeless to have graced our grandparents’ gardens – yet bold enough to hold their own in contemporary planting schemes. I have always thought hydrangeas have a personality: generous, theatrical in summer, occasionally unpredictable and utterly dependable once you understand their moods. They thrive on a moderate dose of care and conversation, and in return they’ll fill your garden with billowing clouds…

Picture this scene: it’s a balmy evening at home and you’re feasting with friends and family. Your favourite playlist croons in the background, and mingling with the scent of blossoms is the aroma of sizzling pizzas, each freshly topped with ingredients by the very hands that devour them moments after they leave the oven. It’s no wonder the allure of pizza ovens has captured a spot in our imaginations and landscape designs. It’s not just for the delicious food they serve up, but also the traditions they create when loved ones cook and dine together, making memories for years to come. What types of pizza ovens are there? Rewind thousands of years, and the ovens we see in Roman ruins were built by hand, brick by brick, or fashioned from…

STICKY PEACH & PEPPER-GLAZED HAM SERVES 20 Prep + cook time 1 hour 40 minutes 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns 1 tbsp medley peppercorns 1 tsp fennel seeds 2 tsp dried chilli flakes 11/3 cups (430g) peach jam 1 tbsp grated ginger 1/3 cup (115g) honey ½ cup (110g) brown sugar, firmly packed ¼ cup (60ml) Chinese cooking wine (shao hsing) or dry sherry 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 8kg whole ham leg 3 long sprigs rosemary Caramelised peaches 6 yellow peaches (900g), halved, stones removed 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup (55g) light brown sugar, firmly packed 1 Place peppercorns, fennel seeds and chilli flakes in a mortar and pestle (or spice grinder) and lightly crush. Place in a medium saucepan with jam, ginger, honey, sugar, cooking wine…

HOMEBEAUTIFULMAG @HOMEBEAUTIFUL HOMEBEAUTIFUL.COM.AU PINTEREST.COM/HOMEBEAUTIFUL HOMEBEAUTIFUL@AREMEDIA.COM.AU THE DAILY HOME EDIT Home Beautiful INSTA LOVE WE LOVE A GRAND ENTRANCE AND, IF OUR INSTAGRAM IS ANYTHING TO GO BY, SO DO YOU. BUILT IN THE 1930S, THIS HOME HAS A GEORGIAN-STYLE EXTERIOR, WITH SEASONAL PLANTINGS THAT LEND A MIDAS TOUCH. WASTE NOT, want not We’re so lucky at Home Beautiful to have a team that’s filled with people with a range of skills and talents. Diana Moore, our digital editor (pictured, above), is one such example. At our Lunch on the Lawn springtime event (see page 22), she put her floristry experience to good use. When the frivolities were coming to a close, she collected the flowers and greenery from their vases, wrapping them into stunning bouquets for each guest to take…

1. A warm welcome. 2. Editor-in-chief of Home Beautiful, Elle Lovelock, with Waffa Nakad and Georgia Charles, both Circa. 3. Guests received Haigh’s Chocolates. 4. Jane Huxley, CEO of Are Media, with Tara Lamond and Sonia Thompson, both from Coco Republic, and Michelle O’Hanlon of Home Beautiful. 5. Guests were treated to Handpicked wines. 6. Ketryna Small and Tracey Tomkins, both loyal readers. 7. Alexandra Mason of Studio aem and Holly Doran. 8. Tablecloths by Isla Design set the scene. 9. Heather Prideaux, Karen Stewart and Kym Kitching-Downs. 10. Home Beautiful’s Elle Lovelock presented a masterclass on hosting. 11. Susie Michaels, One Media Co, and Alexandria Innes-Brown, Home Beautiful. 12. Our exquisite tablescapes featured cutlery, placemats and tableware from In The Roundhouse and napkins by Walter G. 13. Katrina Yaxley,…

Keen to downsize, Justine and Andrew sold their family home with a lengthy settlement of six months to allow plenty of time for them to find the next place. With just seven weeks left before this period was up, Justine found a four-bedroom home for sale 600 metres away in a beachside suburb of southern Sydney. “Andy was out surfing and by the time he came home, I was running out the door to see it,” recalls Justine. “We both saw the potential in it immediately.” The location held special significance for Justine and Andrew, who had previously owned a home on the same street when their two daughters were little. PLANNING PROCESS As soon as the place was theirs, Justine called her best friend Ky Drury, founder of interior…

1. Jo Malone London 25-Day Advent Calendar, $895, Myer. 2. Signature Advent Calendar, $534, L’Occitane. 3. 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, $290, Glasshouse Fragrances. 4. Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beauty Treasure Chest, $342, Mecca. 5. Premium Make-up & Skincare Advent Calendar Gift Set, $105, Sephora. 6. Revlon Beauty Advent-ture Set, $149.95, Myer. 7. 12 Days Advent Calendar, $124.95, Circa. 8. Jurlique 24-Day Advent Calendar Set, $199, David Jones. 9. Diptyque Holiday 2025 Advent Calendar, $820, Mecca. Baubles, from $11.88, all Florabelle Living. For similar wallpaper, try Metallic Sisal Grasscloth Wallpaper, $671/7.3m roll, Milton & King.…

Life’s a beach throughout the year, not just the summer holidays, for TV presenter and model Kate Waterhouse (of Australia’s racing royalty), her husband Luke Ricketson (of one-time Roosters rugby league fame) and their daughters, Sophia, 11, and Grace, nine. A beautiful beach on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, with its golden sand, calm waters and majestic fig trees, beckons across the road from their barefoot paradise, where coastal ease flows through each room. The only downside? Tootsies trailing sand across the sublime limestone floors. Kate and Luke settled on the property in 2021. “The solid structure, incredible light and sense of openness drew us instantly,” she says. “And, being so close to the beach, I could instantly imagine it as somewhere for our family to make memories.” But only after…

ALL SPRUCED UP The look This festive door evokes evergreen elegance, with mixed foliage, pops of berries and a crisp white bow that hints at mistletoe mischief. A merry moss-coloured coat of Wattyl Baldrick Green brings the look to life, resulting in a joyful entrance ready for the season’s celebrations. Styling tip Hanging seasonal greenery adds a festive touch without the formality of a traditional wreath. To prolong the freshness of your arrangement, trim the stems regularly and put them in fresh water. Misting the foliage daily can also help maintain its vitality. The materials To create this abundant bunch, Susan Avery Flowers and Events combined conifer, preserved ming fern and moss foliage with red Hypericum berries. A length of ribbon neatly conceals the wire or twine used to bind…

While we haven’t permanently moved into our gardens just yet, alfresco spaces might soon need their own floor plans as we increasingly embrace multi-zone living. “People are happy spending more time at home and want to make their outdoor space as inviting and multi-purpose as possible, even with a small footprint,” says Anna Williams, director of Your Beautiful Home. “More people are asking for a variety of zones in the backyard; destinations that create a sense of occasion in different areas and for different purposes.” Whether your dream is a sunken fire pit or cool cabana, our experts provide you with all the inspiration you need to plan, create and decorate your own outdoor living spaces. OUTDOOR KITCHEN Promising extra cooking space, more mingling with your guests and no cooking…

A HOLLY, JOLLY WELCOME Greeting guests is simple – it’s the moments directly following that are key. Once you’ve relieved people of coats or hats, switch into guide mode. Encourage guests to move into your home, so they end up right where you’ ll be entertaining – this helps avoid awkward hovering – then offer everyone a welcome drink. THE FURNITURE CLAUS No matter whether your soiree is a formal dinner party or casual drinks and nibbles, your decor will help set the tone. Furniture placement silently communicates this to guests, showing them where to sit or stand and conveying any etiquette, and seating arrangements play a big part in encouraging or stifling chitchat. “The biggest mistake I see when people set up for guests? Lining seating up against the…