Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i Real Living Australia

WE ALL SHOP IN DIFFERENT WAYS. For some of us, it’s a weekly sport, while others like to go at a slower save-up-and-splurge pace. I’m a seasonal shopper – I love to wait until I need a few things to change up my decor or wardrobe and then buy everything all at once. This winter, I’ve got my eye on some new cushions, some spicy candles and a beautiful Bemboka throw to combat the cooler weather. Oh, and some more red-wine glasses – I’m so clumsy, I keep breaking them and nothing annoys me more than an incomplete set! Winter is all about hunkering down and making the most of being inside, so we’ve rounded up everything you need to make your home so calm and cosy you’ll never want…

KIMBERLY CRUZ NEVER SET OUT TO BE A CERAMICIST, in fact, she still considers her pottery as a “side hustle”, with a full-time day job as a designer. But thanks to exposure on social media, her work has taken off. “It all happened organically,” Kimberly explains. “I posted my work on Instagram, people got interested, so I started taking orders!” Despite her success, Kimberly doesn’t want to become a production potter, preferring to take her time. “I’ve learnt to say ‘no’ and not set deadlines, focusing on the quality of my work, not quantity. I treat each piece like art, embedded with the energy or vulnerability I may have been feeling when I made them. Thankfully, the stores I work with are very understanding and happy to wait,” she adds.…

who lives here? Mette Helena Rasmussen, 34, artist, interior stylist and owner of vintage wallpaper store Retro Villa, with her two children Villa Malou, nine, and Johs, four. Retrovilla.dk; @retrovilla how to display art 1 Hang one oversized, signature artwork on the wall for dramatic effect, using it as the starting point for your other furnishings and fittings. 2 Alternatively, cover a whole wall with artworks of various sizes for a personalised collage. Create a plan on the floor before hanging. 3 For unity, keep a tight rein on the colour palette, drawing cues from the room and vice versa. Or choose frames of the same colour. LIKE A MUM ASKED TO CHOOSE HER FAVOURITE CHILD, for Copenhagen artist Mette Helena Rasmussen, no one artwork will ever be better than…

A well dressed window or door does wonders for any room. Aside from the benefits of privacy and blocking light, there’s a certain kind of cosy in a room when you get the window coverings right. They can also help screen unsightly neighbouring buildings, gardens or fences. Spotlight’s range of ready-to-hang and custom-made curtains and blinds feature both contemporary and classic styles, textures and colours designed to suit any style of window. There’s also a comprehensive selection of curtain tracks, rods and curtain and blind accessories available. But before you start measuring your space, do a quick room assessment to ensure the best solution. Things to consider include ease of cleaning, what tones work best in your room, amount of direct sun during the day and ease of installation. And…

simplicity is key Casually displayed alpaca throws ($270 each) add to the store’s homely aesthetic. A simple stool, thick linen curtains and custom-designed mirror turn into an inconspicuous changing room. The brass hooks and A3-Joint stool are Studio Henry Wilson. HOME – AND IN BED’S NEW FLAGSHIP STORE – are where the heart is. That’s because the brief was to create a space that feels like you’re walking into a friend’s home! “I wanted it to be warm and welcoming, and somewhere you want to hang out, linger and explore,” says In Bed founder Pip Vassett. To amplify the store’s homely feel, design studio We Are Triibe opted for a soft colour scheme – putty on the walls and dusty blue for the shelving – paired with tactile finishes, such…

WHEN LIGHTING YOUR HOME, it pays to have a plan. “A well-considered lighting plan can help you create continuity, build inviting spaces and avoid problem areas,” says Beacon Lighting product knowledge specialist Denise Hammond. Your requirements will vary from room to room, and may need a combination of three lighting types: ambient (general lighting); task (for specific jobs); and accent (for drama and depth). Denise adds, “Consider brightness – different areas require different levels of light.” kitchen THE BASICS With many of today’s kitchens part of an open plan, lighting needs to adapt to the moment, whether you’re prepping food, washing up, eating or doing homework. “Multiple layers are needed, with each space treated independently,” Denise says. “The styles and even the colour (cool or warm white) don’t have to…

“From Wabi-Sabi ceramics to ornate wallpapers and lanterns, the Japanese-inspired interiors trend is stunning in all its forms. To work the look at home, incorporate just one or two elements.”…

we are family Gus, 6, lives with Kristine, her husband Nathan and their four children, Ava, 7, Helena, 6, Jude, 3, and Florence, 2. Sohmelbourne.com; @sohmelbourne treats Meet Gus. calm and carefree, he’s happy to step up or dress up. From school walks to adult talks, he’s the perfect family man. What inspired you to choose this breed? I was out walking one evening and met a couple with a breathtakingly beautiful dog, a Siberian Samoyed. He was such a sweetheart and so content just to be near his owners. That was all it took; here was the breed I’d been searching for! Where did you and Gus meet? In the Central Highlands of Victoria. Nathan picked up this little fluffball of a puppy and called him “Gussy boy”. That…

Last week I went with my young boys to see my mum. We were sitting at the kitchen bench having a cup of tea, eating carrot cake and going through our regular game of “Guess who I saw at the supermarket?” (They were mostly people from my primary school who, apparently, have an unhealthy addiction to filling up their trolleys with frozen pizzas.) Suddenly, out of nowhere, my eldest son came running into the room with a door snake in his hand. “What’s this, Dad?” he screamed, even though he was less than a metre away. “That’s a door snake, son, you put it at the base of the door to stop the draughts coming in,” I replied. He paused, thought it over, shrugged and then ran off and hit…

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So you’ve nailed the perfect lounge, some great lighting and the perfect paint colour. But is it time to update your flooring? From tiles to timber, vinyl to laminate and rugs, flooring can make a huge difference to the mood of your room. Daunting as it may seem, updating your flooring can be easier than you think, with great solutions on any budget. For a classic look, consider timber. For high-traffic areas and areas that connect with the outdoors, tiles are the perfect easy-clean solution. For rooms with animals or active kids, consider laminate for its scratch-resistant and hygienic qualities. CREATE WARMTH WITH A NATURAL TIMBER LOOK, USING LAMINATE OR VINYL OR EVEN TIMBER-LOOK TILES FOR EASY DIY GET THE BATHROOM TILES RIGHT AND YOU CAN CREATE A BATHROOM THAT…

AN ULTRA-SOFT, LONGHAIRED SHEEPSKIN FROM ICELAND? A BI-PRODUCT OF FOOD PRODUCTION? AND PLUMP NECK CUSHION SOFTEN THE STAINLESS-STEEL FRAME. YOU’D BE FORGIVEN FOR thinking this chair featured in a “Hottest New Chair Designs of 2018” listicle. But in actual fact, it was designed back in 1950! The timeless Flag Halyard chair was created by Danish designer Hans J Wegner, who came up with the concept on a hot summer day while watching his kids playing on the beach. Wegner dug a hole in the sand to create a reclining seated position that still allowed him a good view, and ideas for the ergonomic design started flowing. He took the concept back to his beach house for further development and it was only a short time before the chair went into…

who lives here? Cécile Siméone, an interior designer and boutique shop owner, with her husband Dominique Casagrande, and their two daughters, Jade, 16, and Devone, 10. @cecile.simeone WHEN DECORATING, YOU CAN RUN THE RISK OF CREATING a space that is packed full of the things you love, but as a whole it lacks cohesion. This is not the case for interior designer Cécile Siméone’s home, which is filled with standout pieces that would work just as well on their own as they do side by side. Cécile has achieved just the right amount of balance by adding complementary textures, layers and tones throughout, working to bring everything together rather than competing. CENTRE OF ATTENTION Cécile has anchored each room with a statement piece to help draw the eye. In the…

PROP SWAP PREFER A PRINT? TRY THESE STRIPED SHEETS (OR KEEP THEM AS YOUR SPARE SET!) PROP SWAP CONSIDER THIS BLUE VELVET OTTOMAN AS A BEDSIDE ALTERNATIVE…

overseas 1 Night Palm, LA Put LA and ceramics in the one sentence and you have me every time! Add in some art by Jessalyn Brooks and show’s over! Nightpalm.com 2 Ulla Johnson, NY Beautiful clothes in a beautiful space – I tried on garments in this flagship store just so I could enjoy it that little bit longer! Ullajohnson.com 3 Coming Soon, NY An online reminder of one of the kookiest stores I visited in NY. Colourful, controversial and expertly curated. Comingsoonnewyork.com 4 Studiotwentyseven, Miami Interior designer and founder Nacho Polo brings together some of the world’s most iconic designs. Studiotwentyseven.com at home 5 Otomys, Richmond, Vic With a boutique arthouse service and a diverse selection of artists and works, this gallery links art and interiors. Otomys.com 6 Modern Times, Melbourne One of the first…

You’ll need: Painter’s tape; drop sheets; cutting-in paint brush; medium roller; paint tray; Porter’s Paints low-sheen paint (for base coat) and French Wash paint; wide paint brush (50-75mm); muslin cloth 1 Tape wall edges (if only painting one wall) and lay down drop sheets. 2 Use cutting-in brush and roller to apply base colour and leave to dry for up to two hours. 3 Apply second coat of base colour and leave to dry for up to four hours. 4 Use your wide brush to apply French Wash paint, using haphazard strokes and working in small sections. 5 Dab scrunched-up muslin over the wet paint quickly and repeatedly. Flick your cloth into corners and edges to ensure the same ragged finish throughout. 6 Continue this process without stopping (no toilet…

“FOR RICHER, FOR POORER.” It sounds reasonable at the time, but when the going gets tough, many couples choose to go their separate ways. Financial stress is one of the top causes of break-ups, according to Relationships Australia, and while bills, budgets and debt are hardly the stuff of romance, couples who talk money often end up with a stronger relationship. Whether you’re married, engaged or just starting out, if you’ve never sat down to have a money chat, the first one can be a little awkward, so it’s best to go in lightly. Your partner’s response to “What would you do if you won $1 million?” will give you a much better insight into their values and spending/saving habits than the more direct, “Do you have a spending problem?”…

make a mural To create this feature wall, Real Living style editor Kerrie-Ann first sketched her design on paper for reference. She mapped out the design on the wall in pencil and painted from the top down, covering any paint splatters as she went. Here, matte-finish paints have been used, with a French Wash effect on the top, light-pink layer, but you can mix and match textures for a layered effect, working within your own colour scheme. And don’t be afraid to think beyond the bedroom – a feature wall like this will also provide a lovely focal point in a living room, dining area or entryway. set the scene Vignettes are little clusters of decorative items that you can change around or add to whenever the fancy takes you.…

STAFF PICK SANDY DAO Creative director EVERYDAY LUXURY Make workdays a little more luxe with the Zodiac notebook from An Organised Life. It has an inspiring zodiac character summary by LA astrologer Natalie Benson on the inner page. $15.95 each; Anorganisedlife.com BLOOMIN’ BEAUTIFUL A fresh and green interpretation of the original, Gucci Bloom Acqua di Fiori is an uplifting, youthful and energetic fragrance inspired by friendship and innocence. Expect notes of galbanum and cassis buds with jasmine, rangoon creeper, tuberose, musk and sandalwood. $129 for 50ml, $165 for 100ml SET THE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GEER HAS WORKED WITH BRANDS SUCH AS LEVI’S, MIMCO, MYER AND HERMÈS, BUT HIS TRUE PASSION IS DOCUMENTING AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE, PLACES AND SPACES. HIS WORK, LIKE SCENE 4 (PICTURED), IS CLEAN, GRAPHIC AND SATURATED. JAMESGEER.COM STAFF…

AFTER LOSING OUT to its flashier cousin, body wash, and getting a bad rep for stripping the skin, soap is back in favour – with skin-loving ingredients and new formulations. 1 Malin+Goetz Rum Soap Bar, $23, Mecca. A silky lather with a sexy, subtle scent. 2 Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Body Scrub Bar, $32. Offers both cleansing and gentle exfoliation. 3 Sphaera Activated Bamboo Charcoal with Cedarwood, Bergamot and Peppermint, $22 (approx). Sustainably sourced oils and activated charcoal help detoxify skin. 4 Sphaera Citrus and Poppyseed Exfoliating Soap, $22 (approx). Citrus oils cleanse, purify and remove odours. 5 Lanolips Lanolin and Egg White Cleansing Bar, $10.95. Mimics skin lipids for a gentle, pore-refining clean. 6 Sans [ceuticals] Green Clay Cleansing Bar, $36.80. Infused with probiotics to strengthen the skin…

who lives here? Chloe Brookman, co-founder and director of Olli Ella, her husband Charlie, their three children Tennyson, 8, Arlo, 6, and Nell, 2, and their two groodles, Digby and Pippy. Olliella.com; @olliella “I LOVE FLOOR RUGS FOR THEIR WARMTH AND DURABILITY. WITH THREE CHILDREN AND TWO DOGS, EASY-CLEAN RUGS ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT!” BREAKFASTS IN BED, WRESTLING MATCHES ON THE FLOOR, puppy play in the backyard and movie marathons on the couch – it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic existence, and for Chloe Brookman’s clan, this is a happy reality. Their 1970s-style bungalow, lovingly named “Hilda”, in the historic Byron town of Bangalow, is the quintessential family home, thanks to its open-plan layout, numerous chill-out zones and child-friendly finishes. “The kids can really let loose here,” Chloe says. “They’re…

IGNITE THE SENSES WITH ONE OF THESE LOOKS, INSPIRED BY THREE NEW RELEASE SCENTS…

You’ll need: removable wallpaper; a ladder; clean cloth; sharp retractable trimming knife; ruler (metal works best) 1 Prep your walls using the below tips. 2 Start on the left-hand side of your wall and line up your first panel of wallpaper along the edge of the wall and ceiling, making sure it’s level. Don’t worry if it’s overhanging the wall, you can trim the excess later. 3 Peel 10cm of the backing paper from your wallpaper and stick it to the top of your wall. Once you’re happy with the position, gently peel the remaining paper from its backing and use your hand or a clean cloth to smooth it onto the wall. 4 Remove all bubbles and wrinkles as you go. If the bubbles are too big, gently lift…

01 ROLL OUT A RUG Say yes to rugs! The added tactility on the floor will transform the feeling of the room, especially if you choose a style of rug with a high pile or tassels and fringing. You get bonus texture points if you experiment with layering multiple rugs. 02 GO GREEN Decorate with foraged pieces found in nature – think tall cuts of pampas grass in a sculptural vase or a pretty vintage tray filled with seedpods and shells. Or hunt down air-purifying plants with a variety of leaf shapes and sizes, and cluster them together for full impact. 03 EMBRACE IMPERFECTION Invite an element of roughness into your space with vintage items that feature the bumps and knocks of old age or handmade pieces that show signs…

ASK AN EXPERT WE ARE TRIIBE SLIP RIGHT ON Q: I want to have some removable slipcovers made for my old sofa – what are the best fabrics to use? I’d like to be able to wash them if they get grubby. A: We love the look of linen slipcovers. They come in a huge array of colours, are easy to wash, lightweight and have a beautiful, natural feel and look to them. COLOUR CUES Q: I’ve inherited an old chair, which I love, but it needs reupholstering. How do I go about choosing the right colour? My sofa is charcoal – should I choose the same colour or do something different? A: You definitely don’t need to match the chair to your charcoal sofa. It’s actually quite nice to…

3+ HOURS vincotto & plum ricotta cheesecake Serves 8 Prep and cooking time 1 hour 45 mins (plus standing time) 150g digestive biscuits100g amaretti biscuits75g unsalted butter, melted, cooled350g cream cheese, chopped, softened500g fresh ricotta1 cup (220g) caster sugar1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind1 tsp vanilla extract4 eggs1½ tbsp cornflour¼ cup (60ml) lemon juiceEdible white flowers (optional) Vincotto plums 2 cups (500ml) water½ cup (110g) caster sugar⅓ cup (80ml) vincotto8 blood plums (700g), halved, stones removed 1 Preheat oven to 150°C. Release the base of a 20cm springform pan; turn base over. Spray base with oil. Place a sheet of baking paper over the base, allowing a 4cm overhang. Clip the base in, paper-side up. Grease sides of pan and line with baking paper, extending the paper 2cm above the…