Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i Real Living Australia

SUBSCRIBE TO REAL LIVING AND RECEIVE AN ECOYA CANDLE VALUED AT $42.95 p74 & p134 ROUTINE. I MUST ADMIT, I LIKE IT. Now, don’t get me wrong – I can let loose with the best of them, but I find building some structure into my day makes me feel like I can fit more in. And that includes sleep! This issue, we’ve woven a wellness theme throughout the pages, because as we all set the program for our year ahead, it’s important to factor in our wellbeing. Get enough exercise, nutrients, rest… that sort of thing. It’s also important to reassess how we live. Is your home as healthy as it could be? Check out our feature on p112 to learn some neat tricks to detox your place. On p108…

YOU’D BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING this super-cool resort was in Palm Springs or Rio de Janeiro. But in fact, it’s smack bang in the middle of Brisbane. Yep, Brisbane. The Calile Hotel opened in the James Street Precinct late last year and has been the talk of the hospitality design scene ever since. Designed by Richards and Spence architects, the hotel embraces its tropical climate with open-air breezeways instead of traditional hallways and lobbies, cork flooring and stone surfaces to temper the Brisbane heat. The palette is colourful but muted with rooms painted in an array of blues, greens and soft apricot pinks. Complementary coloured marble is used to great effect, amplifying the schemes, while brass fittings, white linens and pale timber furniture and joinery make the perfect accents. The…

THREE YEARS AGO, RACHEL CRETHAR’S idea of wellness involved eating particular foods and exercising a certain number of times a week. That was until she founded Rock & Co, an online store selling curated wellness products and crystals. Rachel was juggling a career and motherhood when she read that citrine crystals invite money and happiness. “I bought one and visualised money pouring through our front door. The following week, money came from places we hadn’t anticipated,” Rachel says. “I dived in and took a crystal healing course. It felt like a fun creative outlet.” For two years she worked on the store at night while her children were in bed, and today her dream is her full-time job. “Each step of growth for the business has been a big personal…

who lives here? Olivia Babarczy, an interiors and fashion designer, with her husband Julian, their son Oscar, 11, and three daughters, Evie, 8, Lila, 6, and Saskia, 3. Interiorcollective.com.au | @theinterior_collective WHEN YOU STEP INSIDE Olivia Babarczy’s home you can’t help but take a deep sigh of relief. It might have something to do with the sounds of the ocean in the distance, the fresh, open spaces or the refined mixture of natural elements and sumptuous textures. But when Olivia, an interior designer, and her husband Julian first came across the house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it wasn’t so perfect. “It was very much in need of some TLC, and I thought ‘that’s just my kind of project!’,” Olivia recalls. COOL CHANGE Prior to the Babarczy family moving in, the…

at home 1 The Old Boathouse Warehouse, Salisbury Qld For years, I’ve sourced beautiful vintage items from store owner Katherine, who has since become my dear friend. She sells such a gorgeous array of natural pieces – which I’m really attracted to – all reasonably priced. I’m obsessed with old cane gypsy pieces at the moment. They make the best side tables in your lounge or bedroom. Instagram: @theoldboathouse_warehouse 2 Nicolette Johnson Ceramics Nicolette creates beautiful ceramic forms inspired by nature, at very affordable prices. Her pieces are sold at a variety of art galleries in Brisbane, as well as online. Nicolettejohnsonceramics.com 3 Mecca I use the Dr Barbara Sturm skincare range. I work outdoors in the sun a lot, these products really hydrate and rejuvenate my skin. Mecca.com.au online…

For the living area How do you like to use your living space? If you see it as a place for lively conversation and hanging out with friends and family, consider using warm tones like reds, yellows and oranges. Or if you view yours as more of a haven, a quiet spot to snuggle up with a book or binge-watch your favourite TV shows, earthy hues like brown, beige and grey will bring a sense of comfort, warmth and security. For the kitchen or dining room White is a popular choice for kitchens, thanks to its fresh and immaculate qualities, but feel free to add a dash of personality with splashes of bright colour. Boost your appetite and your guests’ with muted yellows or help spark dinner party conversation with…

WITH PLANS OF STARTING A FAMILY in the pipeline (their two daughters have since made that dream a reality!), business owners Catherine and Travis Sanders (he runs Small Batch Food Company and Farmgate Cheese; Smallbatchfoodcompany.com.au, Farmgatecheese.com) knew there was no better time to create their ideal family home. All it would take was a 15-month renovation on an old Victorian terrace in Melbourne’s Hawthorn. “The home has good schools nearby, while still being close to the city, shopping and friends,” Travis says. “But being a typical terrace, it was long and dark, with windows down only one side of the property.” And although the couple admit that they entered the renovation process rather naive, they did have a clear vision of what they wanted their home to become, and sought…

style tip Wallpaper the inside of a nook or the back of a bookcase to create a “decorative moment” style tip Trinkets gathered while travelling help create visual layers. Mix old with new for an eclectic and inspired look Essential ingredients for a colonial look 1 Natural textures Given that this style originated in tropical climates of the West Indies, Caribbean, India and Africa, furniture was made from natural grasses, rattan and bamboo to allow for any movement and expansion. These materials also add texture – consider a sisal rug, woven light fittings and lots of baskets for storage. 2 Light and dark Dark timber floors are a major feature of this look. Originally, teak, mahogany and ebony were sourced from local forests, but today we can stain our floors…

WE LOVE A GOOD PARTY, and when Marimekko reaches a milestone, that’s cause for celebration! The Finnish design company has a colourful history of creating homewares, clothing and bold prints you can spot a mile away in a sea of sober neutrals. You might say bringing joy to people’s lives is the brand’s reason for being. “Marimekko is much more than its designs. It’s an attitude. A reflection of everyday happiness,” says the company’s senior designer Sami Ruotsalainen, who in 2009 was tasked with creating Oiva, a new tableware collection. “I was briefed to design some cups and mugs with a shape that would be relevant for the next 100 years,” he explains. “That number 100 was used to demonstrate the timelessness we were looking for. When I started designing…

who lives here? Lena Catterick, founder and designer at Yoli and Otis, her husband (and fellow co-founder), Carlo, and their children, Yolanda, 5, and Louie, 3. Yoliandotis.com | @yoli_and_otis | @villaarjunabali CANGGU MIGHT JUST BE THE HIPPEST PLACE IN BALI RIGHT NOW with its concept stores and coffee shops filled with golden-latte-drinking creative types, but before it became the new Byron Bay, it was home to Lena Catterick and Carlo Letica. The couple are co-founders of Yoli and Otis, a brand that began with just one product – organic, herbaldyed baby carriers – and has since expanded to include womenswear, childrenswear and accessories that are both eco-friendly and elegant. It’s no surprise that this ethos of simplicity and sustainability has carried through to their home. HIDEAWAY HOME Purchased three years…

1 Perfectly imperfect finishes Create calm in your home and embrace wabi-sabi, the Japanese acceptance of transience and imperfection – nothing lasts, nothing is perfect. Look for one-of-a-kind ceramics where the glaze drips unevenly or flooring with beautiful veining and a grainy texture. Laminex’s new range of palettes captures the wabi-sabi spirit perfectly. “Ethereal smoked tones, soft veining and delicate grains represent honesty and an organic sensibility,” says marketing manager Catherine Valente. Ah, the relief in imperfection! 2 Restful and rejuvenating colours Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour expert and trend forecaster for Dulux, draws on a variety of influences and countries when collating her annual colour forecast. This year, the palettes were created with rejuvenation and environmental consciousness in mind. “Legacy” is an elegant collection of warm, brown-based peach, coral and salmon…

1 business and pleasure The space: Your office is in a living room or open-plan area. Make it work: Place a rug where you’d like your work zone to be, then layer up with a roomy desk to define and fill the space. Use an ottoman as extra seating, and keep the style consistent with the rest of the room. Decorate your desk with books, flowers and other items you’d usually find on a shelf. 2 creative corner The space: Your study area is more of a small nook. Make it work: Transform an alcove into a functional home office by painting the walls a contrasting colour and using them as an artful moodboard. Stack books in a stylish display, add a lamp in lieu of natural light and choose…

See you later plain, white bathrooms. There’s never been a better time to inject mood, colour and texture into your bathroom via tiles, cabinetry and fittings. Bathrooms are quite a distinctive space in your home, so it’s a brilliant room to experiment with colour and design and bring in extra personality if you’re keeping things neutral elsewhere. The beauty of updating a bathroom is also that you can go for a whole room renovation – or retrofit new trends and looks in cabinetry, taps or fittings – without having to overhaul everything. The latest bathroom trends are seeing natural and raw materials becoming stars – think timber, concrete and quartz. Black accents and dark moody tiles are here to stay for a long time yet so don’t overlook their power…

repair Serves 2 Prep time 10 mins ¼ small papaya, skin and seeds removed Flesh of 1 small mango Pulp of 1 passionfruit1 yellow peach, pitted2 dates, pitted2 tbsp coconut flakes¼ cup almonds1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped¼ tsp ground turmeric1½ cups almond or cow’s milk4 ice cubes 1 Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth. 2 Transfer to a glass and enjoy. tip Add dates or honey to any smoothie for a hint of sweetness cleanse Serves 2 Prep time 10 mins ¼ avocado, skin removed½ cup green grapes½ pear, roughly chopped1 small cucumber, roughly chopped1 kiwifruit, skin removed½ packed cup baby spinach leaves2 silverbeet leaves, stems removed2 sprigs fresh mint2cm knob ginger, skin removed1 tbsp pepitasJuice of 1 lime1½ cups coconut water4 ice cubes…

WHEN COURTNEY KIRBY WAS A LITTLE GIRL, she wanted to be an artist. She loved drawing, flicking through magazines and collecting gems. But her career path was far from crystal clear. “I tend to get bored easily,” she admits. “I’ve been a hairdresser, a nanny, worked in an office and managed a retail store.” Then, during her second pregnancy, she suffered antenatal depression. To distract herself, Courtney began creating essential oil blends with healing properties. “A friend introduced me to therapeutic-grade essential oils and I learned how beneficial they could be,” she explains. The mum-of-two launched an Instagram account and built her brand, Courtney + The Babes. Made by hand in small batches, her roll-on oils, mists and creams use ethically sourced, natural ingredients. “The essential oils I use are…

A VERY SUCCESSUL BLIND DATE: you could say that’s how Saasha Burns and her husband Sammy Leetham fell in love with their Byron Bay Hinterland home. The duo behind lifestyle brand and supplements range BEAR had been looking in the area for about a year and were travelling overseas when they came across the property online. “We didn’t see it before we bought it, but we knew straightaway it was the home we’d been looking for,” Saasha recalls. In fact, they only saw their home for the first time when they made the move from Melbourne, with a mattress and 10 boxes. Going with their gut had clearly paid off. It was structurally sound, in a beautiful location and ready to be refurbished to suit their minimalist style. IT’S PERSONAL…

This month, be inspired by three women who take a stylish approach to wellness…

Bookcases Think creatively and these clever units can hold so much more than just books – office binders, framed photos, indoor plants, plastic tubs of kids’ toys, your record collection, the list goes on. For the perfect display, combine practical items (like books and files) with objects that offer visual interest (think vases, sculptures, candles or items collected during your travels). Coffee tables A coffee table that comes with built-in storage – either a shelf or drawers – offers endless options. Display your favourite tomes on top for guests to flick through, then neatly pile magazines, board games and puzzles or folded throws and cushions underneath. Sideboards and buffets These stand-alone pieces can hide special-occasion servingware, bins of toys and craft supplies underneath, while lamps, plants or a standing mirror…

SCARY FACT: POLLUTION LEVELS INSIDE OUR HOMES can be up to five times higher than those outdoors, thanks to a combination of household chemicals, cooking odours, mould and allergens all congregating together in one confined space. So at a time when we’re more health-conscious and eco-conscious than ever, it pays to give careful thought to the products that we use to build, furnish and clean our homes. Whether you suffer from allergies or asthma, or just want to limit your exposure to unnecessary chemicals, here are some simple and effective changes you can make today – your health will thank you for it! deal with dust Most of the dust in our homes comes from outside (dirt, pollen, smoke particles), while the rest is made up of indoor matter like…

1 GET A BETTER DEAL Our reluctance to haggle can cost us money. Take home loans: An ACCC report into mortgages found less than four per cent of borrowers who have variable home loans with the top five banks try refinancing with another lender. But when you compare the average standard variable rate (4.46%) with the average lowest variable rate (3.72%), you can save $1968 in repayments on a $400,000 loan in the first year. Savings can also be found on mobile plans. TPG’s T4G plan was recently named Money magazine’s Best-Value Mobile Plan (High Usage). It offers unlimited calls and SMS, plus 10GB of data, for $29.99 a month. The worst plan is $55. With broadband, Exetel NBN50 unlimited took Money’s Best-Value NBN Plan – $59.99 per month versus…

33°49 ’29.0”S / 121°55’4 3.4”E SO OFTEN, THE WRONG TURN CAN BE THE RIGHT TURN. Fiona and Matt Shillington got lost while on a Sunday drive along the south coast of Western Australia five years ago and happened upon a rundown and neglected holiday village five minutes’ drive from Esperance. Having just relocated from Sydney, the couple were on the lookout for a new business opportunity, and immediately saw strong potential in their discovery. “The grounds were overgrown and we didn’t really dig the A-frames to begin with (they’re now the most popular!), but there was a sense of space and calm,” Fiona says. And so, they bought the place and set about making it into the perfect Aussie holiday destination: Esperance Chalet Village. The 17 chalets, shacks, cabins and…