Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i Real Living Australia

5 THINGS THAT FILL UP MY SENSES This month we’re exploring how each of the five senses plays a part in the way you style your home. Each homeowner featured has a special connection to one of the five senses, which you’ll see reflected in this symbol. It’s a great reminder that personalising your home goes well beyond simply switching up paint colours or furniture. There are so many simple (and affordable!) ways you can change up the sensory experience of your home. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to do just that after reading this issue. THE SENSORY ISSUE SINCE STARTING THIS GIG, I’ve had some incredible adventures. I’ll never forget travelling to Ikea HQ in southern Sweden to interview design icon Tom Dixon about beds… and coffins! Or chatting to…

WHEN TALKING FASHION, the word “function” usually means a sensible heel height. But to Huw Bennett, it means pieces that will withstand seasons, daily wear and red wine spills… Huw is the creator of Worktones, a boutique workwear company specialising in form and function with a sustainable mindset. In his former life as one of the creators of fashion label Vanishing Elephant, Huw dabbled in uniform design – and liked it. “I enjoyed that it wasn’t seasonal,” Huw explains. “It was about the client’s fit-out, their branding, colour scheme, and bringing that to life.” One job led to another, and soon Worktones was born, offering bespoke workwear in unexpected fabrics and prints, from camouflage denim to hand-dyed aprons using the traditional Japanese technique of Shibori. Huw lives in what he…

THE SENSORY ISSUE SCENT WHETHER IT’S A SPECIAL EVENT, A GIFT or simply a pretty posy for the dining table, Grandiflora is the go-to florist in Sydney. It was founded 23 years ago by Saskia Havekes and the tiny Potts Point shop has remained mostly untouched since then. “It was a drycleaner before we moved in and it was pretty dodgy,” Saskia says. “We had to take the ceiling out and were literally on our hands and knees chipping away at the floor – we did all the design ourselves.” But while the decor was shabby, the space had charm; Saskia loved the curved front window and the Art Deco feeling. Plus, the location offered closeness to the city with a village environment. Saskia’s arts and crafts-style home in Woollahra,…

WHO LIVE SHERE? CECILIE NOER, SINGER AND CO-OWNER OF FURNITURE STORE ØJE-BLIK, HER HUSBAND DANIEL AND THEIR CHILDREN LUCA ISABELLA, EIGHT, PHILIPPA JEMIMA, SEVEN, AND COCOELLE VINNIE, TWO. CECILIENOER.COM; ØJE-BLIK.DK, AND ON INSTAGRAM @ØJEBLIKDESIGN THE SENSORY ISSUE SOUND THERE ARE TWO THINGS CECILIE NOER CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT – colour and music, especially in her home. “Both of those things give life and atmosphere,” says the jazz singer and owner of Danish furniture store Øje-blik. “In the same way I unfold my creative ideas and inspiration through music, I also do the same when decorating my home and designing my own furniture range,” she says. “Being in an inspirational space is what life is all about for me – with a good cup of coffee!” A SPLASH OF COLOUR Cecilie shares…

EXPLORE / DISCOVER / TRAVEL WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD “IBIZA”, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not peace. Yet, this is exactly what Yvonne Hulst, designer, architect and co-owner of Harissa Villas Ibiza, has created with the sprawling, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom boutique resort, Villa Uma. Far from the beach parties and glow sticks, Villa Uma is a breathtaking reminder of why tourists were drawn to the Spanish island to begin with. “We found a beautiful piece of land in the south-west of Ibiza, on top of a mountain in the Cala Carbó area,” Yvonne says. “It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, with its majestic rock in front of the shore, called Es Vedrà. We love the sunsets on this part of the island, with its rough, untouched nature…

Q: OVEN LOVIN’ I love the look of those big freestanding ovens, but getting one means I’ll have less bench space – what’s more important? A: It all depends on your personal preference and how much space you have. A large freestanding oven can be great if you have room for it, but installing something too large may impact the way you work in the rest of your kitchen and make it uncomfortable and not functional. If you think you have the room for it, tape it out on the floor – put some boxes there or something of a similar size and see how it feels in the space in a three-dimensional way. Q: OPEN-PLAN VS SEMI-OPEN-PLAN Should we go for an open-plan kitchen with less storage, or semi-open-plan…

WINNER OF THE BLOCK ALL STARS ASTHMA FRIENDLY Choices Flooring’s Asthma Friendly category features the only residential carpet accredited by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program. The Brease range reduces common household odours, improves air quality and helps control dust mites, so it’s the superior choice if you have an asthma sufferer in your home. ULTIMATE The Ultimate category is for those looking for a little bit of luxury in their home. However, as well as being luxurious, it also offers high stain and wear resistance and ultra-soft synthetic fibres. It’s family friendly and highly durable, making it ideal for homes with pets. FAMILY FRIENDLY Carpets within this category offer superior wear and stain resistance and medium durability, making them perfectly suited for busy family living. They also…

Decorating with tiles is like creating a work of art, especially when using The Eclipse Collection exclusive to Choices Flooring. Tile flooring can be used seamlessly throughout an entire space. Whether it’s in the bathroom or the living room, tiles offer a clean, consistent look through a room and with so many different styles and colours, tiles are a versatile option for the entire home. From timber look floor tiles to hexagon wall tiles the combinations are endless as are the benefits. A very low maintenance flooring solution, tiles are waterproof, easy to clean and are non-allergenic so perfect for those that suffer from asthma and allergies. Depending on the style of home, tiles offer an excellent range of colours and designs to suit any décor. From traditional tiles that…

The kitchen is usually the most high-traffic space within the home, so it’s important to select materials that are durable as well as timeless. Plantino Laminate Deluxe Classic flooring in Chamonix design provides an elegant foundation to suit a variety of kitchen looks. Combined with crisp white subway tiles and matching stone benchtops, this clean, neutral colour palette can be easily adapted seasonally or to suit your personal taste by introducing new furniture pieces, kitchen accoutrements, wallpaper, fittings and other decorative elements. For style-savvy green thumbs looking to cultivate the cool, organic feel of an eco-conscious café, these subtle tones and natural textures are the perfect foil for lashings of indoor greenery, which inject the space with colour and interest. Or, for those whose interiors vibe is more ‘sea change’…

When styling a home office, you want it to be as practical as it is inspiring. It’s important to choose the right foundations to create a versatile base that can be adapted to suit any interior style. The Abode Wide Board flooring in Boden Oak combines the best features of luxury vinyl and laminate flooring making it hardwearing, low-maintenance and eco-friendly! The classic oak finish and chic wide boards complement most decorating styles – especially my two favourites – industrial and eclectic. Industrial style is great for a home office as it creates an inspiring ‘workshop’ vibe. This look relies heavily on wood and metal finishes so a timber trestle table makes the perfect desk. Finish off with an industrial style desk lamp to incorporate task lighting into the room.…

Creating a bedroom for a child or teen is a fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity. Painting the walls a vibrant colour is a great place to start. Be brave because this is relatively easy to change should they outgrow it. A deep green creates an enchanting atmosphere that will no doubt fire up young minds. Brease carpet, in colour Portland, is a neutral shade that is very forgiving of stains making it a smart choice for kids of all ages. The solution-dyed nylon blend is easy to maintain and can handle lots of rough and tumble from everyday use. Not to mention this carpet is asthma and allergy friendly, so perfect for a little one’s bedroom. A young child is full of energy so I kept the look simple…

IT WASN’T THE PROXIMITY TO THE CITY that put the sleepy Queensland suburb of Camp Hill on the radar for Patience Hodgson and John Patterson, but rather a case of Mum knows best. “My mum grew up here and talked a lot about her neighbours and living close to the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve,” says John. Patience is a convert to John’s Seven Hills heritage. “The Reserve is a transformative location,” she says. “It takes you out of the ’burbs and tricks you into thinking you’re off hiking some secluded inland track.” It’s a far cry from their days on tour – the couple make up two-thirds of indie rock band The Grates, and spent time living overseas. “We bought the house in 2007 while our band was touring, spent…

NEW art STAFF PICK ELLE LOVELOCK Deputy editor LOCAL TALENT IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO INVEST IN SOME ART, KATIE WYATT IS ONE AUSSIE PAINTER YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT – HER IMPRESSIONIST - STYE WORKS ARE INSPIRED BY AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPES. FROM $990 (AND WORTH EVERY DOLLAR!) AT GREENHOUSEINTERIORS.COM.AU THE OUTSIDER Is this not one of the most spectacular play houses you’ve ever seen? Castle & Cubby has collaborated with Captain and the Gypsy Kid to create the CATGK A-frame cubby/cabin for both kids and the young at heart. It’s made from eco-friendly and sustainable timbers, with perspex instead of glass for windows. Plus, it’s waterproof and has gapless flooring so you could use it as a guest room. Truly! Castleandcubby.com.au DESIGN REDUX Henning Koppel was the man behind some of the…

THE SENSORY ISSUE SIGHT WHO LIVES HERE? ITALIAN ILLUSTRATOR DAMIANO GROPPI AND HIS DOG, TORRONE. DAMIANOGROPPI.COM | @DAMIANOGROPPI BACKLESS SHELVES CREATE A HANDY DISPLAY WHILE ALLOWING THE WALL COLOUR TO COME THROUGH WHEN YOU SPEND YOUR DAYS CREATING VIBRANT ILLUSTRATIONS, you’ll never be happy coming home to a house with white walls. As such, the sprawling apartment of Italian artist Damiano Groppi is a celebration of colour, with each room painted a different sorbet shade. One room flows into the next, each with its own energy; the lounge feels calm in ochre and turquoise, the kitchen is lively in pastel pink, and there’s a stillness to the sky-blue bedroom. THE BRIGHT SIDE And colour isn’t restricted purely to the walls and ceilings. The carefully selected furniture, rugs, cushions and plants…

THE SENSORY ISSUE TASTE WHO LIVE SHERE ANTON FORTE, RESTAURATEUR AND BAR OWNER AT SWILLHOUSE (A COLLECTIVE OF SYDNEY BARS, INCLUDING SHADY PINES SALOON, THE BAXTER INN, FRANKIE’S PIZZA AND RESTAURANT HUBERT), HIS PARTNER ALLIE WEBB, AN ARTIST, AND THEIR SIX-YEAR-OLD ECLECTUS PARROT CALLED QUANAH. SWILLHOUSE.COM @GROOVERSTICK | @ALLIEWEBB “We are pretty busy city people – we drink and eat out a lot so it just seemed like the obvious idea to try and find a more peaceful existence for the weekends,”Allie says. WHILE THEY DID WANT TO LIVE SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL, they weren’t necessarily looking for an architectural piece of art, explains restaurateur Anton Forte. “But that’s essentially what we ended up with.” Anton, owner of some of Sydney’s hippest bars and restaurants, and his partner, artist Allie Webb, decided…

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA From the moment Anna Whitehall entered this Edwardian home in Kensington, Melbourne, she knew it was special. But she didn’t comprehend its full significance until months later, when she and her partner, Tom, found out that the first home they’d purchased – after bidding on 10 auctions – was where her grandma, Elvie, had grown up. “Elvie’s family rented it when she was a child and she went to the school at the end of the road – where our son, Lenny, will go, too,” says Anna. “Of all the places, I couldn’t believe we ended up here, in this house!” When the couple decided to update the century old, two-bedroom house, they turned to architect Nick Harding, of Ha Architects. The addition of a bedroom and mezzanine…

TIMBER With our new house we went with Plantino Engineered Oak because we loved the natural look of the product and because it’s a natural product it also ages gracefully. Plantino Engineered Oak also has protective properties added to make it easy to clean and maintain, providing resistance against scratches and stains. Finally, its construction provides stability and in the event a board is damaged it’s easy to repair by replacing a single board - so it’s perfect for busy family homes. BAMBOO Another great hard flooring option is Plantino Bamboo, which is one of the hardest wearing floors you can buy making it even tougher than timber and highly resistant to impact. It’s easy to install with a universal click-locking system and its hi-tech coating system offers excellent resistance…

Australians love their living room. It's a space to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. Selecting a flooring to handle all facets of family life is extremely important. Windsor Wool - Ashington (colour shown is Elliyton) is great for those with busy lifestyles. The natural sustainable fibre of wool ensures it is perfect for all seasons; providing a cool environment in summer, while adding insulated warmth for winter. The timeless colour and style is perfect for achieving a glamorous luxe look in your living room. Start by introducing some statement occasional pieces. Opt for refined finishes such as glass or marble with brass details. Add a touch of sophistication with a mix of fabrics – velvet, linen and even silk are all great options. Complete the…

When it comes to decorating you don’t have to makeover your entire room to make a big impact. It can be as simple as changing a few key decorating pieces to completely transform the look, which can be done easily and on a budget. With this bathroom makeover I decorated with two different looks in mind, Eco and Scandi. Large format Eclipse Collection white tiles on the floor and walls help to make the space look bigger while Genero Design luxury vinyl in Oak Light is suitable for wet areas and gives a fantastic earthy feel to the bathroom. Blonde timber and white is very fresh and now but also has a classic look that won’t date, so this is a timeless combo. The blonde and white base also perfectly…

BEST BRUNCH Southside Tea Room (3) 639 Wynnum Rd, Morningside Go for: Breakfast that bites back. From campfire steak and eggs to gingerbread pancakes, there’s not a morsel on the menu that won’t tempt your tastebuds. And don’t miss their Plaster Fun House nights for an extra lick of nostalgia. BEST COFFEE Blackbird Espresso, 4 Newman Ave, Camp Hill Go for: Your hot bevvy of choice, whether it’s black straight up on single origin beans, a turmeric latte or even an Asian-style iced coffee made with evaporated milk. Take it in with a classic toastie or smoothie bowl to help set you up for the day. BEST EATS California Native, 4/321 Chatsworth Rd, Coorparoo Go for: The Californian-meets-Mexican fare. Baja fish tacos, scallops with roast kiwifruit salsa, steak con queso…

When it comes to lighting, it’s important to choose the right style for your space and lighting requirements. Not sure where to start? Pendants are one of the most versatile options; you can hang them at varying levels depending on the mood you’re trying to achieve in each room. Hang low to create intimacy or grouped together for maximum visual impact. Whether you prefer sleek and minimal or something more traditional, feature lighting also brings a layer of texture and decorative polish to a room. Consider the materials and shapes used in your space and choose a pendant to match. HOW TO HANG Do stagger the height and vary the size of pendants when hanging them in clustered pairs or groups. However, if they’re hung in a line, for example…

CURTAIN CALL WHETHER SHEER, OPAQUE, PATTERNED OR PLAIN, CURTAINS WILL ADD THE FINISHING TOUCH TO ANY ROOM. HANG THEM AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE THEM TOUCH THE FLOOR TO CREATE THE ILLUSION OF A GRANDER-SCALED ROOM BLOCK IT OUT Practical and stylish, the simple design of a block-out blind works with all decorating looks – you can even team it with curtains. MAKING SHADE Outdoor blinds can help to shade from the sun and to enclose entertaining zones, giving you that little extra piece of privacy. TONE ON TONE IN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES, GO FOR AN OUTDOOR BLIND IN A SIMILAR COLOUR AS THE EXTERNAL WALLS SO IT VISUALLY RECEDES INTO THE HOUSE. When decorating your home, consider your window treatments as a style statement as well as a…

THE SENSORY ISSUE TOUCH WHO LIVE SHERE? SARAH ANDREWS, DESIGNER, STYLIST, WRITER AND INN KEEPER, AND JAKE THE WHIPPET, 12. SARAHANDRES.CO | @HELLOSARAHANDREWS IMAGINE HAVING A PLACE JUST FOR YOU, that you could decorate purely for your own enjoyment. Designer, stylist and self-confessed nomad Sarah Andrews is living this dream in her little Aussie shack, which sits on the rugged coastline north of Geraldton, WA. “I’ve lived here on and off my whole life,” Sarah says of the converted tomato growers’ shack that sits on her parents’ country property. “As the eldest child, it’s where I spent most of my time, away from the chaos of a big family living in a small house, and it’s become my permanent home as an adult.” Over the years, she’s made some adjustments,…

THE KITCHEN SPECIAL NATURAL WARMTH KITCHEN DESIGN BY ARJAAN DE FEYTER | ARJAANDEFEYTER.BE; @ARJAANDEFEYTER INFORMAL FORMALITY KITCHEN DESIGN BY LUIGI ROSSELLI ARCHITECTS | LUIGIROSSELLI.COM; @LUIGIROSSELLIARCHITECTS CROWD PLEASER KITCHEN DESIGN BY WIT & DELIGHT | WITANDDELIGHT.COM; @WITANDDELIGHT_ TIMELESS RESTRAINT KITCHEN DESIGN BY TEMPLETON ARCHITECTURE | TEMPLETON.COM.AU; @TEMPLETONARCHITECTURE BITE SIZED KITCHEN DESIGN BY BICKER DESIGN | BICKERDESIGN.COM.AU; @BICKER_DESIGN SURF’S UP KITCHEN DESIGN BY DEVOL | DEVOLKITCHENS.CO.UK; @DEVOLKITCHENS LAYERED EFFECT KITCHEN DESIGN BY GABBE | GABBE.COM.AU; @GEORGIA_EZRA SIMPLY MARBLELOUS KITCHEN DESIGN BY OBUMEX | OBUMEX.BE; @OBUMEX_INTERIORS BOLD AND BRASSY KITCHEN DESIGN BY ARCHIER | ARCHIER.COM.AU; @ARCHIER_ BLACK BEAUTY KITCHEN DESIGN BY VIPP | VIPP.COM; @VIPP DOWN TO EARTH KITCHEN DESIGN BY JESSICA MATSON ARCHITECTURE AND AMBER ROAD DESIGN | JESSICAMATSONARCHITECTURE.COM, AMBERROADDESIGN.COM.AU; @AMBERROADDESIGN, @JESSICAMATSONARCHITECTURE ISLAND DREAMS KITCHEN DESIGN BY BIASOL | BIASOL.COM.AU; @BIASOLDESIGN PRETTY…

ON … THE POWER OF SCENT A WHIFF OF INCENSE ALWAYS DELIVERS ME TO THE COUCH OF A MID ’90S SHAREHOUSE AND A HOUSEMATE WITH A SEVERE ADDICTION TO THE X-FILES,EATING WEET-BIX FOR DINNER AND SLEEPING WITH THE LEAD SINGERS OF BAD FUNK BANDS. They say that smell is the most nostalgic sense and it isn’t always a good thing. I have a friend whose ex-boyfriend was partial to over applying Lynx Africa spray-on deodorant. Unfortunately for her, whenever she gets on a packed train there’s undoubtedly at least one gentleman who has been overly generous with the said product. With every whiff she cops she’s catapulted back to a time of a man with a white Camry, commitment issues and a disastrous holiday to Bali. It always baffles us…

Inspiring Choices 2018 features price range indicators which reflect the product quality. These are identified based on a variety of factors, including materials (natural, engineered etc.), the manufacturing process, and the added benefits and features included in individual products (asthma friendly, extended warranties etc.). These price ranges are category specific and are based on the product only, they exclude freight and any extra services some Choices Flooring stores may provide, they are to be used as a guide only. GOOD QUALITY BETTER QUALITY BEST QUALITY To make the installation of your flooring easy some Choices Flooring stores include extra services within their final prices. These extra services may include, but are not limited to the following: • Installation• The moving of furniture• Removal and disposal of old flooring• Floor preparation•…

The Genero Collection luxury vinyl flooring eliminates noisy footsteps and is warmer to walk on than traditional hard flooring. Its impact resistant qualities provide a hard wearing foundation for busy environments and is suitable for every area in the home, including bathrooms and laundries. All these features make it the perfect flooring solution for a holiday house, rental property, low budget renovation or busy family home. LUXURY VINYL PLANK LUXURY VINYL TILE There are many luxury vinyl designs to consider when choosing flooring for the home. Whether it’s a replication of a traditional timber species, such as oak or spotted gum, or a more modern design such as bleached or a whitewashed look, the options are endless. And the options don’t stop there as luxury vinyl are also available in a…

The dining room is a space for connection. Whether playing host to a casual everyday meal or a convivial occasion with friends and family, serving as a temporary workspace or a spot for an impromptu catch-up, the dining room setting needs to feel suitably intimate and relaxed for the mixed requirements of daily life. Plantino Engineered Oak Royale flooring in Corsican Grey species provides the perfect foundation to achieve this versatility, allowing you to create your own unique interior by layering furniture pieces, lighting and decorative accessories. The mid-century and modern country styles created here, both hark back to the dining room’s traditional function as a space for interaction – something we crave as our lives become more frantic and technology-driven. Utilitarian bucket chairs, indoor plants, earthenware, framed prints and,…

Your bedroom should be a comfortable space to enjoy. It should be a calming sanctuary that you can retreat to after a long day. When choosing a foundation for your room it is important to incorporate something with a calming effect that is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The Harlow Collection - Barclay carpet does just that with its luxurious style that is soft to touch thanks to its innovative fibre technology. This warm grey colour is a smart and versatile base that suits many different styles and spaces. The luscious feel of this carpet boasts comfort and sophistication. When styling to achieve a peaceful monochromatic vibe, you can’t go wrong with a neutral colour palette. Mix textures and materials such as leather, concrete and metal for a sleek…