Country Style celebrates the diversity of modern Australian living, from the country to the coast and is a trusted source of information for Australians who are driven by the dream of a beautiful regional lifestyle.
My best friend is from a cane farm in Broadwater in the NSW Northern Rivers. Her father is a lovely man – a very hardworking farmer who is practical, honest and full of good advice. One particular pearl of wisdom sticks in my head: “Your home is your greatest asset, so invest in it”, or something to that effect. He is, of course, correct. Homes require maintenance and updating, especially the rooms that work the hardest: your kitchen, your bathroom and your laundry. These rooms also happen to be the most expensive to renovate. On the upside, they add the most value to your home. But in these times of rising prices, there are lots of ways to update your kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and this special issue of Country…
national forest Laminex has been furnishing Australian homes for 90 years. This woodland-inspired scheme has a kitchen island clad in the brand’s Gumnut and Danish Walnut, and cabinets in darker Daintree. Visit laminex.com.au STATE OF THE ART This gorgeous still-life in oils, ‘Pumpkin and Steel Pitcher’ by artist Adam Mennella, would be a lovely – and thematically appropriate – addition to your kitchen, $500. Visit bluethumb.com.au caffeine queen Whip up a cafe-style coffee at home with Breville’s Nespresso Creatista Pro, $946. With eight preprogrammed settings, it can turn out espressos, long blacks, flat whites and more, all while frothing milk to perfection. A handy touchscreen and brushed stainless-steel finish top it off. Visit harveynorman.com.au TEA TIME A handbuilt ceramic cup and saucer turn your morning cuppa into a blissful ritual.…
QUEENSLAND HOME Kara Rosenlund is rushing to catch the ferry to North Stradbroke Island, in Queensland. The fine-art photographer is heading for the 1970s A-frame she bought with her husband Timothy O in 2018. Back then, her bags were filled with paint samples, fabric swatches and second-hand finds from eBay. Six years and two children later, the contents of those bags are more centred around the needs of the children, Edie and Alby, rather than the latest renovation. “We’re always racing to catch the barge,” she says. “I usually have flowers or branches on my lap to make the trip that bit more challenging, or vintage furniture in the back, and the kids are sandwiched between boxes of supplies.” This 45-minute ferry trip from Cleveland’s Toondah Harbour is a welcome…
KITCHEN INSPIRATION COSY CORNERS You’d never guess this charming country kitchen in a heritage homestead resides in a busy suburb of Sydney. The knotted pine floors, V-groove-panelled cabinetry and ceramic relief-tiled splashback all hint at a more bucolic setting. Lauren Mahoney and Steven Zahra of interior design firm Studio Trio designed this kitchen for a family of five, taking care to make the space as beautiful as it is practical. “The custom rangehood and freestanding cooker really set the tone for this kitchen,” says Steven. “It’s a place to cook and enjoy long or short meals.” Brass light fixtures, tapware and cabinet pulls, a farmhouse sink and pretty blue fabric blinds add to the homely feel. “The corner nook is a wonderful place to sit and take in the morning…
DEEP THINKER A perfectly elegant rolltop bath from Victoria + Albert Baths adds the grandeur of a bygone age to even the most contemporary of bathrooms. This is the York bath, POA, which is double-ended and extra deep, and hides essential pipework in its pedestal base. Visit vandabaths.com GENTLE TOUCH Soft, thick and woven from OEKO-TEX-certified organic cotton, Cultiver’s Speckled Bath Towels, from $90, feel lush and luxurious. Perfect for bringing a spa atmosphere to winter bathing. Visit cultiver.com.au ROBE OF HONOUR Wrap yourself in cloud-soft microplush with this bathrobe from Freedom, $69.95. You might just end up wearing it all day. Visit freedom.com.au. CLEAN-ZING Grapefruit and geranium essential oils scent this Grampians Grown Cleansing Body Brick, $31.95, created in Victoria with local olive oil and traditional soap-making methods. Visit…
GRASSY VISTAS Rich stained timber, sandy, speckled marble and moody grey concrete echo the everchanging landscape of this rural escape near Trentham, Victoria. And from the vantage point of the bathtub, which is anchored by an expansive window overlooking the surrounding green paddocks, the owners, a retired couple from Melbourne, can watch the weather turn in the distance. Perfectly formed ceramic basins, brushed brass tapware and a decadent rain shower enhance the luxurious nature of the space. This bathroom, along with the rest of the home, serves as a gift for the couple, the perfect escape from their busy city lives and former desk jobs in Melbourne, which they love to share with their friends and family. “Being outside has really awakened our senses,” says the owner. “You just realise…
