Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Real Living Australia

WHAT’S ON EMMA’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST? IT MAY SOUND CRAZY but when we first sat down months ago to discuss the direction of our Christmas edition, we couldn’t ignore the atmosphere around us. Political unrest, terrorism – to say 2017 has been a bumpy ride would be an understatement. Interior design, like any creative endeavour, doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Just as writers and musicians are influenced by what’s happening around the globe, so too is our little corner of the creative universe. So this issue we wanted to create an antidote to the collective state of anxiety. It started with our cover; a custom-made neon sign a bright shining symbol of what we all want for Christmas more than anything, peace. We looked for gift ideas that give back in…

“IT IS SO REWARDING WHEN PEOPLE LIGHT UP AT YOUR WORK AND WHAT YOU DO BRINGS PEOPLE SUCH JOY,” AMBER SAYS. Feeling festive A large felt moodboard decorated with colourful images, fabrics, felt decorations and Christmas tags hangs on the wall. As well as an abundance of Christmas trees, angels, reindeers, tinkling bells, feathers and a whole lot of sparkle filling the entire studio. STEP INSIDE DOWN TO THE WOODS’ HQ IN FITZROY and it feels like you’ve hopped off a sleigh and landed in Santa’s workshop. Amber Clohesy, owner of the whimsical homewares brand, has always had a strong festive focus in her designs, but as the company grew she decided to stick to what she loved… Christmas. “Travelling to Europe during the festive season last year inspired me…

All that glows Homeowner Emilia loves candles, and has them dotted all around her home. Here, tea lights and tapers are displayed on an antique dresser alongside a bowl, vase and lamp from her favourite Danish homewares brand, Tine K Home. Winter warmers Emilia heats glögg – a Swedish type of mulled wine – on the stove each day and serves it in classic Iittala glasses. Rice pudding topped with cinnamon sugar (opposite) is another family favourite – cats included! WHO LIVES HERE? LIFESTYLE BLOGGER EMILIA RUUSKANEN AND HER HUSBAND TIMO, THEIR SON NIILO, EIGHT, DAUGHTER KLAARA, THREE, AND THEIR THREE PETS, ALMA THE DOG, KYLII THE CAT AND KITTEN TAAVI.UUSIKUU.INDIEDAYS.COM | @EMILIANUUSIKUU Hearth and home Panelled walls feature throughout the home and add a rustic touch. The fireplace gets…

If you love all that glitters, try this twinkly rose-gold look. To make sure it feels grown up, temper the sparkle with natural elements, such as this Scandi-style wall decoration – the perfect carrier for a string of fairy lights.…

The MSZ-EF Series room air conditioner meets the demands for improved energy efficiency while fitting in elegantly with home interiors. The air conditioner has minimal shaping, with all waste carved away. It has a unique design that lets it dispense with the open front grill and create a more attractive appearance as it runs. At the same time, it provides excellent energy-saving performance from its thin profile. Available in three colours, to match a wide array of interiors. SUPER QUIET The MSZ-EF Series features impressively low power consumption and a unique “Quiet Mode” fan setting for a super-quiet operation. MSZ-EF25VE2W/B/S – $1599 RRP…

Dreaming of a white Christmas Rockin’ around the Christmas tree Have yourself a merry little Christmas…

Light the way Nothing says Christmas like a festive red lip. Here are our picks, from left: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Indépendante, $53, 1300 242 635. Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Lipstick in Brat Pack, $72, Mecca. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Parisian Red, $56. MDMflow Semi-Matte Lipstick in Supreme, $28, Mecca. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Orange Électro, $55. Turn the page for more gorgeous gift ideas for your nearest and dearest.…

AIM FOR THE STARS For this Christmas door ornament, the key is to go large. Choose an ornament you love – we’ve gone for a star – and hang it on a nail. A tassel adds festive flair. Meri Meri hanging star, $30 for set of 3, Papier d’Amour. Low sheen acrylic paint in Sydney Harbour, $45.40 for 1L, Porter’s Paints. PAPER TRAIL Create your own yuletide bunting with paper ornaments. Simply attach them to a length of string or ribbon and use decorative tape to attach them to the door. BLING IT ON Disco balls are a fun alternative to regular baubles! Cluster them in different sizes and insert a few sprigs of greenery for freshness. COTTONING ON Take a different approach to wreath making and use a non-traditional…

NEW art IN THE FRAME LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER KARINA ILLOVSKA CAPTURES THE BEAUTY OF PEOPLE AND PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. SHE ALSO DONATES 20 PERCENT OF THE PROFIT FROM EACH PRINT SHE SELLS TO MAYANFAMILIES.ORG WHICH SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES IN THE GUATEMALA HIGHLANDS. KARINAILLOVSKA.COM.AU PLY ON EARTH You’ve found the perfect plant, but what about a pot to hold it? May we suggest the Flor planter from Plyroom – it’s made from sustainable FSC certified wood with a non-toxic finish so you know it’s a safe bet. $185; Plyroom.com.au OH, GLOW ON THEN Not only is Abhati Suisse skincare good for your complexion (the washes, lotions and lip treatments are incredible), it’s good for the world, too. They work with Educategirls.in and Weforest.org to fund education initiatives and support communities and sustainable development in…

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Homeowner Rachel spent a decade working in the UK and always felt most homesick at Christmas. “I don’t think you really appreciate an Aussie Christmas until you don’t have it,” she says. Cake stand, gold-rimmed bowls and Christmas tree candle from The Bay Tree, cutlery from Freedom, small resin bowl from Dinosaur Designs and framed David Shrigley “Life is Fantastic” tea towel from Third Drawer Down. FLORAL FANTASY Rachel handprinted the linen table cloth (opposite), made specially for the occasion. SHARE THE LOAD Everyone contributes to the girls’ lunch. “The bone broth cocktails are Michelle’s recipe, Heidi always comes with decorations from her styling jobs and we are so lucky to ever see Megan, so she is allowed to come with only her Kris Kringle gift,”…

HUE KNOW IT! To subtly bring the new-season colours into your home, play with on-trend homewares and accessories. What colours best capture spring for you? For me, spring is best represented by bright colours. This season reminds me of flowers blooming, fresh air, and lots of light. So I like to take that inspiration from the outside through to the indoors, with lots of bright pinks, reds and yellows, paired with tropical teal green. Given that spring is a season for decluttering, it’s also a good time to simplify your interiors and go for much lighter, brighter alternatives – and in a more unrestricted and untraditional colour palette. I always feel as though you can afford to go a little wilder and take some risks in spring, which applies to…

YOU TOOK HOURS TO FIND THE PERFECT LEGO SET FOR YOUR NEPHEW AND THEN HE OPENS IT, TAKES ONE LOOK, SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS, DROPS IT ON THE FLOOR AND OPENS THE NEXT PRESENT. It might astound you if you are a regular reader of this column that I’m not going to devote this Christmas piece to a dining table so full of decorations and overpriced reindeer woven out of sticks that there’s no room for the actual turkey. Instead, I’m going to give you some timely advice on how to avoid family arguments over the festive season. Follow my advice and you’ll soon be on the sleigh to happiness. Learn to bite your tongue. You’ve spent a bundle on decent wine and an organic piece of meat that cost more…

Giving back As part of its mission to support women in the arts, Mecca collaborates with a contemporary, female artist to design the packaging for its Holiday collection each year. The 2017 honours go to indigenous artist Claudia Moodoonuthi (one of her winning prints pictured in background). “The colour, energy and sheer beauty of her work struck a chord with us,” Jo says. “It’s so joyful … I love that our customers can take home (or gift) a piece of art.” For the wishlist Byredo Rose hand wash, $62, Mecca Cosmetica Joy Burst cracker, $20, and Diptyque Carousel and candle duo, $147, Mecca.…