Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2018 i Real Living Australia

LIKE MANY OF YOU, I’M ABSOLUTELY obsessed with decorating. As a child, I would pinch my mum’s Ikea catalogue and circle all the things I wanted for my bedroom. I was constantly drawing floorplans of my perfect future house, creating colour schemes (white, grey and peach was my idea of heaven in the ’80s) and now, decades on, my habits haven’t changed. Hand on heart, becoming editor of real living is a dream come true. I’ve spent half my career working here and watching the mag evolve, but one thing has remained the same – decorating is at the core of everything we do. I’ve got so many ideas I want to share with you over the coming issues; there’ll be lots more to shop, beautiful styling projects to try…

IN A LATHER IN A LATHER MADE WITH PURE BOTANICAL OILS, BUTTERS, MILKS AND NATURAL CLAY, THESE VEGAN-FRIENDLY SPHAERA SOAPS ARE AS KIND TO THE PLANET AS THEY ARE TO SENSITIVE SKIN. WE ESPECIALLY LOVE THE ACTIVATED BAMBOO CHARCOAL (LEFT, TOP). $24 EACH; SPHAERA.CO.NZ STAFF PICK ELLE LOVE LOCK Editor BAGS THIS! Founded by textile designer Caroline Sherman, Among Equals is an online store and collection of artisanal bilum bags hand-woven by the women of the Papua New Guinea highlands. Profits from the social enterprise go towards supporting the weaving communities in PNG, and the women who work there. Amongequals.com.au STAFF PICK MADELEINE WRIGHT Senior Designer VEGIE TABLES Tucked beside the harbour on Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf is Alibi, a design-led bar and restaurant serving up an indulgent list of cocktails,…

A DOUBLE-HEIGHT VOID FILLS THE LIVING AREAS AND STUDY MEZZANINE WITH GENEROUS NATURAL LIGHT. WHO LIVES HERE? WHO LIVES HERE? TANYA MCKENNA, SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT, HER PARTNER PETER CHADWICK, A TRADES MANAGER, AND THEIR LIVELY BOXER DOG, HENRI. ALIVE WITH LUSH FOLIAGE AND DEEP FOREST-HUED WALLS, the Perth eco-home of sustainability consultant Tanya McKenna and trades manager Peter Chadwick wears its green credentials as proudly as its paintwork. “Our vision was to have a beautiful, green-themed urban home,” Tanya says. “Because we used so much concrete, timber and brick, we wanted a bold colour that pops, but this dark green is also calming and moody.” With four renovations behind them, the couple wanted to build a sustainable house from scratch. The result is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a mezzanine-style study…

Andrew Simpson and Sarak King, Supercyclers With a passion for showcasing original, sustainable design solutions and products, Sarah K has banded with other like-minded designers to form her Supercyclers community. As part of this, she created her Marine Debris Bakelite range with fellow Supercycler Andrew Simpson, which sees 100 per cent recycled plastic collected from Australian beaches transformed into something beautiful. Supercyclers.com; @supercyclers…

For Lauren Roe, founder of online homewares boutique I Love Linen, moving from a two-bedroom Melbourne townhouse to this airy four-bedroom home in the Tallebudgera Valley, Queensland, was literally a tree change. “I grew up in Queensland but had lived in Melbourne for 15 years,” she says. “I had a great desire to move to a warm climate, where I could wake up to 360-degree views of nature.” She spent three years looking for this place, which ticked many green boxes. “It had windows at every opportunity and was built in a pavilion style for maximum airflow.” Wide eaves keep the place cool in summer while a rainwater tank provides water for her lush garden. Lauren made a few cosmetic changes to the ’90s home, such as changing the lighting…

ELECTRIC What they are: Electric vehicles (EVs) run only on electricity. How they work: Electricity is stored in a battery pack. Some cars have two engines for the front and rear wheels. Charge at home (you’ll need a carport or garage) or a charging station. How they reduce environmental impact: Zero exhaust emissions means no harmful air pollution. The electricity to charge the car may be sourced from greener energy such as solar or wind. Some EVs are made from recycled materials. Cost: Battery costs are dropping, so EVs will become more affordable – Tesla’s $60,000 Model 3 is coming soon. Running costs are about 70 per cent less than conventional vehicles. HYBRID What they are: Hybrid vehicles have a petrol and electric set-up. How they work: There are several…

WHETHER YOU’VE BEEN a diligent plant parent or you’ve gotten a little lax tending to your greenery, things can and will go wrong. When dealing with the natural world some things are beyond our control and it’s important to learn from mistakes. Each experience adds to your plant knowledge and will help you tackle any future issues. Observation is key; not just checking in with your plants, but looking at how they respond to water and light, as well as noticing any changes in growth. YELLOWING LEAVES Older plant leaves may yellow and drop off as part of the natural ageing process and this is completely normal. However, if lots of leaves are turning yellow, including new growth, it’s possible your plant is getting too much light. Try moving it…

MELBOURNE PHOTOGRAPHER NIKOLE RAMSAY is a self-confessed beach girl, so visiting the mountains in New Zealand’s South Island in the middle of winter was “a bit outside my comfort zone”. Yet now she would return in a heartbeat, especially to the Aro Ha eco resort near Queenstown. “My sister and I were looking for a holiday which was active, challenging, nourishing but also relaxing and calming,” she says. With its Zen-inspired luxury and “wellness adventures”, Aro Ha ticked all those boxes and plenty more besides. Each day, the pair hiked in the lofty mountain air for more than three hours, then wallowed in spa treatments in the afternoon, including blissful massages, the perfect reward for a morning of exertions. “I was a huge fan of the open-air plunge pools,” says…

WHETHER YOU’RE STARTING FROM SCRATCH with a renovation or just looking for some quick and easy style updates, there are plenty of ways to embrace eco design and interiors in your home. On the larger end of the scale, cork flooring is a great natural choice. It’s harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, and this bark grows back every three years, making it an ideal renewable resource. Cork is also soft underfoot, durable, easy to clean and antimicrobial if anyone in your household has allergies. Other good eco-friendly flooring options include reclaimed timber, bamboo, polished concrete or recycled glass tiles. DIY HANGING GREENERY ALYSIA FROM HAMBLINS FLORIST TELLS US HOW TO RECREATE THIS AMAZING INSTALLATION. HAMBLINS.COM.AU Position two ladders or platforms at eye height and rest a metal…

SALVAGE YARDS ARE A GOLD MINE FOR SECOND-HAND BUILDING MATERIALS, LIKE THESE OLD BOARDS USED TO LINE THE LIVING ROOM WALLS. WHEN YOUR BEACH SHACK HAS LITTLE MORE THAN A FEW ROOMS, three baths may seem a little excessive. But for Sonya Marish, director of Jatana Interiors, it’s the perfect amount. “For me, baths evoke feelings of holidays, relaxation, warmth and romantic vibes. I can’t imagine not having them in my holiday home.” And though the small weatherboard shack is only 10 minutes down the road from her actual home in the Byron Bay hinterland, owning a little beachside getaway was always a childhood dream of Sonya’s. “Since I was a little girl, I loved the idea of living on the beach.” POTENTIAL PLUS That dream was realised three years…

Alexandra Brown, Ms Brown With a strong belief that natural products and luxury products should co-exist, Alexandra launched her range of skincare and garment washes made from plant-based ingredients. Each of the lovingly created products are kind to your skin and the environment. Msbrownstore.com; @msbrownstore Julia Denes, Woodfolk Natural Accessories A jewellery designer by trade, Julia was inspired while travelling in Central America to work with more natural materials like woods, ceramics, beads and shells. And so, Woodfolk was born. Her pieces use natural techniques and rich colours to complement the home and wearer, rather than overshadowing them. Woodfolk.com.au; @woodfolknaturalaccessories Carl Wilson and Victoria Aguirre, Pampa Based in Byron Bay, partners Victoria and Carl work directly with skilled artisans in Argentina to produce a range of handmade woven rugs, cushions…

WE ARE FAMILY PIXEL, 4, LIVES WITH ALEX, HIS WIFE MEL AND THEIR BABY REMY IN MELBOURNE. CHECK OUT ANIMALSINCHARGE.COM.AU AND INSTAGRAM @ANIMALSINCHARGE MEET PIXEL: AN ENERGETIC FOUR-YEAR-OLD ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL WITH SOME SERIOUSLY GOOD TASTE. Pixel likes going for long runs outside, leather armchairs and hand-crafted collars, and when he’s not hanging out in Melbourne’s Abbotsford with his family, he likes to get away to their renovated Victorian farmhouse in Strzelecki, Gippsland, for some time in the country… Who is Pixel’s celebrity spirit human? Definitely George Clooney. He’s devilishly good-looking, but he’s also a bit of a charmer. Does he have any quirks? He just does not like French Bulldogs. When we see other dogs out and about, he gets excited and wants to meet them, but if it’s…

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS… MAKE POTTERY. At least, that’s what the talent behind the eponymous James Lemon ceramics did. “I found myself making pottery after a rough break-up,” James explains. “Throwing myself into work and a new skill took my mind off it and allowed me to contribute creatively. There was a real sense of satisfaction after cracking the kiln that I didn’t get with other creative outlets, so I kept at it. Eventually, it got to the point where juggling jobs, uni and my work got too much, so I dropped what I could and started properly investing in my work.” The result is a beautiful collection of tactile vessels and dinnerware that have become hugely popular, thanks to their smooth kinks and grooves. “I released my first…

IF PATCHOULI EVOKES COMMUNES AND CRUSHED VELVET, think again. The earthy, spicy scent has ditched its hippie stigma, with beauty brands embracing its calming, anti-inflammatory qualities. 1 Grown Alchemist Body Cleansing Bar: Geranium Leaf, Bergamot & Patchouli, $22, Mecca. It may look like a soap, but it doesn’t act like one, nourishing the skin rather than sapping it of moisture. 2 Diptyque Tempo EDP (75ml), $204, Mecca. Brings a spicy freshness to patchouli to give it a modern, wearable edge. 3 Aesop Resolute Hydrating Body Balm (120ml), $39. Spicy on the nose, hydrating on the body, and just what winter skin needs. 4 Ayu Pitta Body Oil (100ml), $60, Theayu.com.au. Blends 29 herbs with sandalwood, rose and patchouli for a sense of calm. 5 Jurlique Balancing Blend Aromatherapy Mist (50ml),…

COSY CABIN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, PERCHED IN SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK IN WALES, SITS THIS TINY CABIN, DESIGNED BY THE TEAM AT TRIAS ARCHITECTS. SIMILARLY TO MYSTEE’S HOME, THE CABIN IS SMALL IN STATURE AND SYMPATHETIC TO ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, USING LOCAL SLATE RECLAIMED FROM NEARBY FARMS TO COVER ITS EXTERIOR WALLS. WHEN I FIRST STARTED building my tiny house three years ago, I didn’t have land or even the prospect of it. But I craved a home, so I started the process of building a mobile home with the hope that I’d find somewhere to live in it when I was ready. Prior to this I was moving around a lot, helping on permaculture farms and travelling. In the process I culled my possessions over several…

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE – those who put things where they belong and those who leave things all over the place, much to the annoyance of the first. For the neat freaks, coming home to a clutter-free environment is one of life’s greatest and most attainable pleasures, assuming you’re not sharing your home with those who are, let’s say, more random. On the subject of home, Japanese organising guru Marie Kondo says, to achieve order with minimal effort, we must first create “homes” for our possessions. So we have gone “home-hunting” and found the most efficient storage solutions to streamline your living and work areas. Follow our suggestions and show clutter the door. SHOP IT! MAKE STORAGE FUN WITH THESE POP-ART COAT HANGERS IN OUT-THERE, FUNKY COLOURS. THEY’RE…

WHETHER YOU’RE RENOVATING or renting, there are plenty of ecofriendly changes you can make to live more sustainably at home. Here’s what they are, who they’re good for and how much they cost. RAINWATER TANKS The promise Sydney Water estimates households can cut water usage by 40 per cent – that’s a saving of about $200 a year. “You’ll also have water during drought periods and if you have a garden you can use water more freely,” says Jean Brennan, urban ecology manager at Sydney’s Inner West Council, which offers a water tank rebate to residents. She says a huge benefit is that your tank will help to prevent stormwater from degrading local waterways. What’s involved Brennan suggests you look at how much water you use, how you use it…

HEAT OF THE MOMENT Q: What colour should I paint my house to reflect heat? Are there any specific paint products that help with this? A: When looking at paint colours, remember light hues will help to reflect the sun’s rays, while dark colours tend to absorb it. We recommend you try prospective paint colours on your walls before selecting your final colour, as your light levels, material substrate and colour-matching apps can make a hue look different. IT COULD BE CURTAINS Q: What window treatments do you recommend to help me regulate temperatures in my house? A: A lot of products will help you to maintain the temperature in your house, so do your research and speak to experts about what is available. But first decide if you’d prefer…

BREAKFAST IS OUR culinary introduction to the day and should delight, satisfy, sustain and nourish us for the morning. I always try to incorporate protein into my breakfast (and meals generally), as it helps keep me satiated until lunch. It also helps keep blood sugar levels balanced, which is one of the best ways to maintain metabolic efficiency (our body’s ability to burn fat) as well as protect collagen, the protein that keeps our skin lovely, firm and bouncy. Begin with a shot of apple cider vinegar in water just after waking – it will help to fire up your digestive system and increase acids in the gut, which aid digestion of your breakfast. I try to mix up my breakfasts, alternating between sweet and savoury, although I love savoury…