Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Belle

For this issue of Belle, interior design editor Lucy reported on the here-and-now of design, p40, and styled vivid wallcoverings, p85. Favourite career experiences? Collaborating with interior designers to translate their work into beautiful, dynamic imagery. Also, visiting the spaces of artists and designers who inspire me and witnessing their creative process. Your enduring influences? Pierre Yovanovich, Joseph Dirand, Kelly Wearstler, Axel Vervoordt, Jacques Grange and Henri Matisse. Where is home for you? With my husband Sam and baby Grace in Double Bay. I love its proximity to the water, where I can take Grace for walks, and its closeness to my family in Elizabeth Bay. Favourite local haunts? Picnicking at Redleaf Beach, happy hour at Bistro Rex, coffee at Gypsy Espresso, Saturday mornings at Kings Cross Farmers Market, browsing…

Edited through time, life’s collections create a bricolage effect where the clash of colour and materiality is unexpectedly harmonious. Partnering like with like balances the patchwork effect in a room, concocting calm instead of chaos. Though defined by the period from which they were born, objects from across the generations unite.…

1_EN PISTE Hôtel Le Coucou in ski haven Méribel, France, called on designer Pierre Yovanovitch who worked with local trades to create furniture and lighting that reflect the region’s tradition. pierreyovanovitch.com; lecoucoumeribel.com 2_ATTENTION SEEKER Designer Chris Wolsten’s ‘Tropical’ chandelier references the designer’s adopted home of Medellín, Colombia, and its jungle surrounds. thefutureperfect.com 3_GREEN LIGHTS Brooklyn artist Eny Lee Parker’s L Series lamps give collected vintage shades a fresh spin with an unusually proportioned ceramic base. enyleeparker.com 4_ONE FOR THE ROAD Constructed in a graphic black iron frame, Mexico City-based designers Nomade Atelier’s ‘Casbah’ chair is a study in linear balance and gravity. 1stdibs.com 5_DRAWING CLASS Hand-knotted in Nepal by Tibetan artisans, British designer Faye Toogood’s aptly named Doodles rugs for cc-tapis feature graphic stitching that connects playful abstract shapes. poliformaustralia.com.au…

MANY THINGS in life pivot on the seemingly inconsequential, and for celebrated Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte it was his squeamishness, his inability to cut up a frog, that precluded him from the career in medicine his parents hoped for. With an interest in history and a facility for design, he made his way into the architecture profession, studying locally as well as at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. For me, one of the privileges of writing this feature is to interview architects in a context meaningful to them and often revealing of their personal preoccupations. I meet Daswatte in a suburb of Colombo at his home office, a glazed pavilion, open to a generous sitting room and surrounded by the lush planting so distinctive of this…

SYDNEY’S POTTS POINT district has come upon a rather dramatic refashioning over the past several years. At the gateway to The Cross, the once-audible buzz of the neon Coke sign has been upgraded with high-tech, eerily silent LEDs. At the other end of the ‘Golden Mile’, the surrounding gardens of the El Alamein fountain now host wholesome food and wares markets on weekends – a steep departure from the shenanigans of times gone by. In between these icons, new and old businesses find their feet and rub shoulders: from influencer-occupied fitness factories to the once-strip-club-now-chic-bar Dulcie’s. Setting off from the fountain, heading north along Macleay Street, the elegant Potts Point high street and its surrounding thoroughfares continue to flaunt an effervescent flurry of restaurants (Bistro Rex, The Apollo, Fratelli Paradiso,…

THE ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? My friend David Bromley for his ability to be very creative and run a successful business, his permanent can-do attitude and boundless energy [3]. CONTEMPORARY ART YOU MOST ADMIRE? I’m pretty into Ben Quilty [9] and Joshua Yeldham [2]. I admire Bromley’s work as well. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? Most of the art in my home is from people I know. I always have a few cars I love. WHAT ARE YOUR FASHION MUST-HAVES? Shoes are a bit of a fetish. FAVOURITE WATCH? I am wearing an Apple watch so I can go to parties with no wallet or phone [8]. FRAGRANCE OF CHOICE? The new roll-on oils from Raconteur. [5] BOOKS – WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW? When We Were Orphans…

THE PERFECT GUEST is invited everywhere because they give an evening zip. They are congenial, undemanding, thoughtful and entertaining towards other guests and the hosts. If you’re a perfect guest, no-one will expect a reciprocal invitation – which is lucky, because you’ll be out all the time. You’ll never have to cook again. A good guest is rarer than a good host. ARRIVE ON TIME Never earlier, and not more than 20 minutes late. No need to turn up like Santa; a small gesture such as flowers, wine or chocolates is acceptable. And don’t pressure the host to serve your wine – chances are they have lined up bottles with considerable care. WORK THE ROOM Put in the hard yards when socialising. Remember names and what people do, laugh at…

“THERE WAS POTENTIAL TO EXPLORE AND EMPHASISE SOME UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN MATERIALS AND SENSIBILITIES.” Looking around this waterfront abode in Sydney’s Balmoral, you’d swear the beautifully composed colour palette had been lifted straight from its coastal surrounds. But just a few years earlier, when the home’s owners first moved in, this property was experiencing something of an awkward phase akin to adolescence. Built in the 1920s, the house had undergone “a pseudo-Tuscan style” renovation in the early 1990s that included the addition of a second storey and basement. This growth spurt certainly increased the floor area, but the original features were lost in the process and what remained was “fairly confused and characterless”, says interior architect Anna Trefely of Esoteriko, who was engaged by the owners, a family of three, to…

Just four photographs provided the starting point for the design of this expansive coastal property that is home to a large family. With a heritage listing, the requirement was to upgrade the original house and add a contemporary wing. Presented with the photos – of a staircase, some flooring, living room joinery and an open-plan kitchen – Alexandra Donohoe Church, principal of Sydney-based Decus Interiors, remarkably was able to ascertain the owners’ tastes, and her initial concepts for key areas were accepted with enthusiasm. On a generously sized corner block with glimpses of water across a golf fairway, the house had vast potential to be a significant and substantial family home. Once the heritage requirements were determined, the new extension was built to include open-plan living, dining and kitchen, with…

[ Darlinghurst ] In partnership with…

[ Kew ] THE SWEEPING STONE-CLAD rangehood in this highly functional yet refined kitchen by Kate Walker, founder and director of design company KWD, is a standalone style feature, as well as an engineering feat. “While it is a very classic way to design a rangehood we made it look ultra-modern through the scale of it, taking it from head to ceiling height. We looked at the traditional elements of the home and the client’s desire to have a modern extension. The kitchen design had to be family friendly with lots of storage to suit the busy family while being clutter-free – hence the concealed cupboards and integrated fridge.” What luxury item did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget? “The Super White Dolomite stone for the rangehood.” katewalkerdesign.com.au…

[ Paddington ]…

[ Caulfield North ] THE OWNERS OF THIS imaginatively immersive space engaged Flack Studio “due to our focus on materiality and the unexpected nature of our designs”, says founder and principal David Flack. Tiled head-to-toe in custom toffee-coloured terrazzo with a statement blue mirror and streamlined brass accents, the resulting bathroom certainly fulfilled that expectation. “The client wanted something sophisticated and timeless, while still maintaining grunt. They were very clear: they didn’t want cookie cutter nor something they had seen in magazines. It had to ooze an equal amount of class and crazy – and humour was a must. It was clear that a holistic approach was necessary in bringing it together.” flackstudio.com.au…

[ Balgowlah ] THE S TORM-GREY stone veining which ripples through this marble-clad bathroom by interior architect Sally Rhys-Jones, with junior designer Nadja Tate, is a fitting reflection of the dappled landscape beyond. So, too, is the classic colour palette and refined hardware. “The approach to the design of this space was to give it a feel of pared-back luxury that sat well within its bushland and waterfront setting,” says Sally. “We let the materials and views be the hero. The layout ensures the shower and bath enjoy the view while still feeling private which gives it a sanctuary-like feel.” What luxury item did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “The stone is the hero of this bathroom. It all started with the slabs in the shower and…

VANCOUVER CARB LOADING VANCOUVER STUDIO STE. MARIE HAS DESIGNED THE INTERIORS OF FLOURIST, A BAKERY WORKING CLOSELY WITH CANADIAN FAMILY FARMS, IN MALTY HUES WITH A FARMHOUSE-MEETS-SCANDI SENSIBILITY. FLOURIST.COM TALKING POINTS CODE RED This organic red-wine remover is magic on spills. attirecare.com POUR OVER IT Cisco’s ceramic teapot comes with its own teak coaster. ciscoandthesunhome.com ROSY FUTURE This graphic tray will add style to whatever it serves. marimekko.com LONDON LIKE A LOCAL Co-owned by Sir Terence Conran, Wilder restaurant (below) in Hackney’s Boundary Hotel works alongside farmers to produce elegant dishes made with ingredients sourced from the woods, meadows and coastlines of Britain. wilderlondon.co.uk NEW YORK COUNTER CULTURE Soho Diner (below) in the Soho Grand Hotel blends the simple pleasures of a five-and-dime store with the spirit of the city’s…

IT’S NOT OFTEN that multiple calendars sync up over Christmas and 40 of our design industry companions can take the time out of their busy schedules to join us for a celebratory summer lunch. But when it does occur, it’s an occasion to remember. The elegant Belle event was held late last year within the Janus et Cie showroom in Sydney’s Rushcutters Bay, where Belle style-director-at-large Steve Cordony finessed two long tables with a festive twist to host invited guests among the showroom’s divine displays of outdoor furnishings. Chef Savva Savas of Plated was on hand to curate the day’s seasonal menu: polenta small cakes with red onion relish, dolce latte gorgonzola, spiced walnuts and red vein sorrel was a canapé highlight. Guests heard amusing anecdotes and inspiring ideas from…

» In association with COCO REPUBLIC, Australia’s leading furniture and design brand, Belle is delighted to announce that entries are open for the 2020 INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS » Now in its tenth year, this prestigious awards program is committed to supporting the creativity and innovation of the local industry by celebrating and rewarding excellence in Australian interior design and decoration by individuals, partnerships and design practices at residential, hospitality and commercial levels. 2020 AWARDS CATEGORIES » BEST RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR » BEST RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR – READERS’ CHOICE » BEST RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN DESIGN » BEST RESIDENTIAL BATHROOM DESIGN » BEST HOSPITALITY INTERIOR » BEST COMMERCIAL INTERIOR » BEST WORK WITH COLOUR » EMERGING DESIGN STAR » HALL OF FAME » BELLE/COCO REPUBLIC INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS ENTRIES…

The artist and designer applies poetic principles to his functional pieces for Italian bathware brand Valdama. Your creative influences? I was an artist first and foremost and then through [architect and designer] Alessandro Mendini I was exposed to design as a way of communicating sculpture and harmony. I set up my studio in the 80s and started to work on products, still with an artistic application but looking at furniture and lighting that could be used in homes. Art is very close to me and to translate that to an object is something Alessandro inspired me to do. How do you apply your artistry to fixed objects such as bathware? It is still about art, harmony and sculpture first. Yes, the product is a fixed item to be used but…

TURIN FITTING FORM Tasked with providing Turin with a Rinascente store to equal Milan’s, Italian architects Act_Romegialli undertook a three-year renovation of this historic building. Reinstating a sense of theatre at the entry with the barrel-vaulted ceiling and travertine facade recalling elegant Turin arcades, architect Gianmatteo Romegialli has overseen a return to form for one of Italy’s heritage brands. actromegialli.it JEVNAKER NATURE CAPTURE Romanian photographer Laurian Ghinitoiu was the deserving winner of The Architectural Photography Awards 2019 for this poetic image of The Twist gallery at Kistefos Museum in Norway which was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. Capturing the pleated form as it twists, the curving slice of light and the watery setting sums up the optimum meeting of built form and nature. laurianghinitoiu.com; big.dk MELBOURNE READING ROOM The State…

ON A RECENT summer afternoon, Eric and I decided to take a staycation. I’d been working long hours and Eric was suffering in the heat, but mostly we needed to reconnect with some quality time together. We decided to check in to The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney’s Chippendale, a designer establishment with the benefits of air conditioning and room service. On arrival I was thrilled to discover the rooftop pool, but Eric was the one who was truly spoiled. In our room he found his own mini retro-style velvet lounge to sleep on and handmade Motion Ceramics food and water bowls to dine from, along with a selection of plush toys and a menu for complimentary pet in-room dining. He also received a handwritten welcome letter from the hotel,…

EDGY ARCHITECTURE True to its title, this book explores design that is not just cutting edge but right on the edge – of mountains, clearings, rocky escarpments and cliffs. And whether the structures resemble a pair of binoculars or stack of irregular shaped boxes, these are unique and distinctive properties, and their interaction with the surrounds and striking views are a given. There’s inspiration aplenty in these pages for creating something dramatically different. Agata Toromanoff, Lannoo, $70 CHARLOTTE PERRIAND This volume was released to accompany an exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris marking the 20th anniversary of the death of the French designer. Perriand is regarded as an avant-garde pioneer, and her furnishings in leather, stainless steel, bamboo, rubber and wood were at the forefront of a new…

The storied history of this handsome Italianate mansion dates back to the 1880s when it occupied a three-hectare block in Melbourne’s affluent Toorak, complete with horse stables and a carriage path. Commissioned by a banker, the estate has been home to some of Australia’s most prominent families and later served as reception rooms before being subdivided into flats and a boarding house. While its modifications have been as varied as its tenants, its architectural gentility has always remained intact. After purchasing the property, the current owners also bought the plot next door, so phase one involved amalgamating the two and building a tennis court on the east side of the block. On the west, a pool was relocated and a manicured garden by Paul Bangay took its place. “While the…

Pastel pink lets me show my softer side – that’s why I love this house,” says its designer Greg Natale, best known for his masculine black-and-white interiors. Proof he won’t be pigeonholed, the colour departure for this Sydney home resonates for a more pervading reason. “When I was a teenager in the 80s, pink and grey was so hot. That gorgeous pairing made me yearn to become an interior designer.” Greg took his cues for the palette from the bleached-oak parquet flooring. Chosen by the owners, builder Vince Ciolino of Ciolino Constructions and his wife Melissa, it became the starting point for the scheme and, indeed, the whole house. Frequent travellers to Europe, the couple presented Greg with a mental scrapbook of ideas, festooned with romantic features such as Juliet…

[ Orange ] TRADITION MEETS STATE OF THE ART in the kitchen of Steve Cordony’s Rosedale Farm. Chevron parquetry flooring, striped Roman blinds and the distinguished details of the Shaker-style joinery evoke a sense of pastoral grandeur while modern appliances and notes of polished brass break the mould. After all, this is a kitchen designed to entertain at a moment’s notice. “I wanted the kitchen to be a mix of classic American elegance and Shaker style. After much deliberation and sampling I decided to go with a deep khaki/charcoal colour that the brass hardware and lighting would contrast with.” What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget? “I love to cook so the appliance choice made a big impact on the overall look and design of…

[ Caulfield North ] THIS MODERNIST RESIDENCE was originally built in 1963 by Michael Feldhagen and later renovated by Peter Corrigan in the 90s, but it wasn’t until David Flack took on its latest reincarnation that the interiors aligned with the needs of a modern family. “It was important for us to create a family home that was sophisticated, while honouring the architecture and the past architects. Our focus was to ensure a consistent language while maintaining its artistic roots,” says David. “The previous renovation in the 90s only concentrated on the bathrooms and kitchen, and the house felt extremely chaotic as these rooms were themed. It was clear that entertaining was a regular occurrence, so alongside doubling the space we created a scullery and four entrances to allow easy…

[ Orange ] YOU WOULD BE FORGIVEN for mistaking Steve Cordony’s master bathroom for an opulently restored suite in an historic hotel. “I contrasted European detailing with contemporary elements such as the steel-frame shower and toilet dividers to create a dichotomy between old and new. As this is the master bathroom, I wanted a beautiful big tub to be the focal point and also to keep the original raised platform, which acts as the wet area, finished in marble.” What luxury items did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “I had always wanted beautiful curtains in the bathroom, and given the size of the room and additional ventilation I was able to install them. Morgan Ferry of Simple Studio chose the fabric and style, and they are my…

[ Paddington ] FUNCTIONAL DECOR doubles as elegant furniture in this master ensuite by Alexandra Donohoe Church of Decus Interiors thanks to the tall, arched silhouettes and cloud-like, but not overcast, colour scheme. “The layout of this ensuite was designed to enable the vanity and mirror to stand front and centre to the door so that the view from the master bedroom was a beautiful, seemingly standalone piece of furniture. In terms of materiality, the soft, gentle greys of the colour palette in the bedroom were swept through this ensuite, offering a quiet space for retreat. For continuity, we specified the same Carrara marble for the floor tiles, wall tiles and vanity top, with the base colour matched to the paint on the joinery units and walls.” What luxury items…

[ Kew ] THE LIMITED PROPORTIONS of this Melbourne bathroom forced interior designer Kate Walker of KWD to think outside the box, in more ways than one, to devise a successful design. “This bathroom is in the original part of the home, so we were very confined with space. It is also a family bathroom so we wanted to make sure we were conscious of functionality and space, and originally planned to incorporate a bath and a shower. Our solution was to create a wet room, positioning the shower in front of the bath. Optically, this offers a great deal of space while, practically, it allows for both a shower and bath in a small area.” What luxury item did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “Taking the…

Being chauffeured from The Peninsula Paris hotel to the Champagne region of France in a glass-roofed BMW is one of the biggest ‘pinch me’ moments of my 37 years. My suit-clad driver’s English was impressively reasonable; my French was embarrassingly terrible. But the one thing I did manage to discern in our exchange was his desire to whisk me around for a scenic drive through the streets of Paris before our 90-or-so-minute journey to Champagne because, to quote loosely, “looking up at the buildings from the back seat is something not to be missed”. And how very right he was. Before long, the scenery changed to rolling hills among dense woodlands – something from the pages of a storybook – then marvellous rows of grapevines wrapped tight the landscape between…

THESOCIETYINC.COM.AU INSTAGRAM @SIBELLACOURT Sleep PUMPHOUSE POINT For an exceptional sense of place and breathtaking landscapes, you cannot go past multi award-winning Pumphouse Point, Lake St Clair. The drive to the destination sets the tone for your stay as eucalypts, ferns and native wildflowers among a changing forestscape prelude the lake and its small driftwood beaches. Then, before long, glimpses appear of the 1930s pumphouse that seems to be floating on the water’s surface. Greeted at check-in inside the caretaker’s cottage, my companion and I were ferried across to The Pumphouse, with baggage, by so-called ‘flume buggy’. On the way we took the opportunity to learn about the history of where we were about to stay. The culmination of developer Simon Currant’s vision and designed by architectural firm Cumulus Studio, the…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OFFICE? Minimal and uncluttered as I mostly work away from home. The palette is fairly neutral, but artworks by artists including Tom Cole, Jodie Whalen and Sean Rafferty inject splashes of colour and give me something to muse on. WHAT ARE YOUR DESK ESSENTIALS? Two computers so I can view a number of windows. Lots of under-desk space with deep drawers. A tape measure, spirit level, light meter and gloves. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR SPACE? While I do have an office, my ‘workspace’ is often in the homes and offices of art collectors where I’m consulting on installations or collecting information about their artworks. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY? I’m fortunate to work as manager of The Laverty Collection built by Liz and Colin Laverty,…

1 TAILOR MADE Bestow your abode with bespoke pieces by specifying the size, fabric, timber stain and accessories across a range of homewares. domayne.com.au 2 MELBOURNE DESIGN WEEK, March 12-22, will host an exciting array of works across its program, including Partu (Skin) by Johnny Nargoodah and Trent Jansen, presented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert and Arc One. ngv.vic.gov.au 3 AUSTRALIAN CHARM The seven stylish, character-filled suites of Ship Inn, located in Tasmania’s Stanley, tell the tales of local shipwrecks, bankrupt prime ministers and drunken sailors. Hic! shipinnstanley.com.au 4 OCCASIONAL CARE Sweeping sculptural lines and a contemporary aesthetic sit at the heart of the three-legged ‘Fairfax’ chair from Coco Republic. cocorepublic.com.au 5 TAPPING INTO DESIGN Among the winners and finalists of the inaugural Zip Water Kitchen Design of the Year competition,…

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR ENDURING CREATIVE INFLUENCES? Louise Olsen: Poetry – words that inspire, open us up and fertilise the imagination. Stephen Ormandy: Twentieth century art has had a major influence on my work – it’s one of the most dynamic centuries with the birth of abstract art. No-one’s ever defined who created it but it grew out of a few European artists, with Kandinsky, Malevich and, most recently, Hilma af Klint at the forefront. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR STUDIO? LO: I’m lucky to have two studios, one in Redfern and another on a lake in the country. I love the silence there, where I can float and dream with very few interruptions. The Redfern studio at Dinosaur Designs is a buzz of wonderful energy and…

Last year finished on a high for internationally sought-after interior and furniture designer Francis Sultana, who I met nearly a decade ago when I visited his first studio in a compact shopfront on London’s Fulham Road. In 2019, he celebrated 10 years of his design studio with the launch of a tenth furniture collection and a book marking the occasion, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors. Francis’s world is, in the words of the author, Bronwyn Cosgrave, “a rarefied place”. His clients count as influential art collectors, and the abodes that Francis shares with partner David Gill (a 16th-century palazzo in Malta’s capital, Valletta, and a prized ‘set’, as the apartments are known, in Albany, one of London’s finest addresses) are filled with exceptional works of contemporary art and design. It…

AS IS THE CASE for much of the furniture they select, Hayden Bagnall (pictured below, right) and Heath Baldwin of Sydney-based interior design outfit Baldwin & Bagnall say that they seek bench seats that merge visual interest with comfort. “Quality details, fine materials and interesting proportions are key,” adds Hayden, of their edit of 12 handsome benches. “There appears to be endless possibilities when it comes to bench designs, and you can have as much fun as you like making your selection, given it’s often an added luxury within a space,” say the designers. “A bench seat can fade into the room, serve practicality or stand out as a strong sculptural element. Either way, they’re nice to use when layering different pieces of furniture in a room.” baldwinbagnall.com 1_ROUND THE…

Exclusive to Domayne, the Dunlopillo range of mattresses, bases and pillows offer everything from superior support springs to temperature regulating comfort and natural fibres for softness and sustainability. With three outstanding mattresses to choose from – Dunlopillo Conform, Regenerate and Attune – each has a comfort-level ranging indicator from Extra Firm to Ultra Plush. “Dunlopillo has been developed from natural fibres and sustainable latex” sleep science Dunlopillo mattresses combine the very best in natural fibres with the latest technologies to create blissful sleep engineered to perfection. From anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial latex to adjustable bases, unique temperature regulating and moisture wicking fabrics, you’ll know you’re sleeping on the very latest in mattress innovation. comfort zones To allow ideal spinal alignment and offer strength and support to hips, shoulders and other…

As far as first impressions go, you could say the entrance to this home in Melbourne’s Bayside area leaves a textural, full-bodied taste in your mouth. As you walk beneath its columned arches and drink in the celestial moulded ceilings, a travertine bar greets you; a glass of wine awaits. This is how Kathryn Robson describes those irresistible first moments inside the Spanish Mission-style residence she and Chris Rak, both of architecture and interior design firm Robson Rak, reinvigorated for a dynamic family of six. When Kathryn and Chris initially met with the owners, a couple who at the time had two very young children, they immediately clicked. “The house’s Spanish Mission style appealed to our clients – they’re not afraid to think outside the box – but they bought…

THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO “OFFER INDEPENDENT LIVING IN A MULTI-LEVEL HOUSE WITHOUT TOO MUCH SEPARATION AS A FAMILY”. For their Mixed Use House in Melbourne’s St Kilda, Matt Gibson Architecture + Design (MGA+D) and DDB Design sought to challenge Australia’s typical housing paradigms: traditional, inward-looking homes on detached quarter-acre blocks or cramped domestic apartments. Matt wanted to explore an alternative style of occupancy that he says “falls outside of traditional classifications”. Responding to population growth, property unaffordability and density, changing lifestyles and the ever-evolving modern family, this dwelling has been designed with the principles of vertical, multi-generational living in mind. Located on a narrow block in a commercial precinct, the clients wanted an “adaptable building” that could be both their full-time residence and also fulfil council requirements that a business…

[ Paddington ] A FRESH, WELCOMING AND CASUAL dining and cooking area is how Alexandra Donohoe Church of Decus Interiors describes this serene kitchen. “With a deliberate intent for simple and clean design, we detailed integration of all the appliances and secreted the kitchen gadgetry into pockets of hidden cupboards. In terms of materiality, the Calacatta Oro marble was key to introducing warmth into the scheme while maintaining a connection to the rest of the home’s palette. This is echoed in the warm finish of the pendant light and stools.” What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget? “The to-die-for beauty of the Calacatta Oro marble made it a must-have. The custom pendant lights fit the full width of the kitchen island which grounds the piece…

[ Paddington ] WITH ITS MIX of elegance and idiosyncrasy, this guest bathroom in Brisbane’s Paddington exudes an effortless grandeur and that wonderful, elusive sense of having always existed. Interior designer Alexandra Ponting sought out unexpected and artistic details to enliven her scheme, resulting in a luxurious space with European inflections and an abundance of charm. “I wanted to create an elegant, charming space; something more than the everyday. The grand English bathtub is the ultimate luxury and hero of the room. It really anchors the tumbled marble chequerboard tiles. Lovely accents include French pewter and oak tapware, a custom-made Italian linen shower curtain, sage-green Murano glass towel holders, a marble vanity, and trim tiles that look like blue-vein cheese. It is a lovely, timeless room.” What luxury item did…

[ Manly ] WITH A WALK-THROUGH WARDROBE at its entrance, it was only natural that interior designer Megan Brown took sartorially inclined cues when creating this handsomely textural ensuite. “The connection with the master bedroom is wonderful. The way you walk from the bedroom through a rich and luxurious robe into this beautiful space is magic and feels so special. The wall lights are truly exquisite, particularly in combination with the honed marble, ribbed glass and oak door. The irregular glazed surface of the handmade tiles glistens and glows and is pure pleasure. In this incredible harbourside home we have created a private sanctuary that balances raw, organic simplicity with sensual, elegant refinement. It feels as though you are stepping into an oasis of calm.” What luxury item did you…

[ Wahroonga ] RESOLVING THE LAYOUT and style shortcomings of this tiny ensuite proved to be a rewarding challenge for interior designer Lynne Bradley. “Jarring right-angle geometries were replaced with curves to usher a gentler flow and unify spaces, while pattern was introduced through new, hexagonal marble-mosaic tiles. Applying an exacting radius formula to the arc of the shower screen, shaving cabinet, vanity and the integrated curved wall that ends in a shower seat allows the owners to comfortably utilise the space simultaneously. The use of colour is a key element to the success of this space, too. The wall tiles are grouted with a soft green grout that mimics the green of the vanity.” What luxury item did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “Without a doubt,…

Indonesia is one of Australia’s nearest offshore tropical holiday destinations, enticing tourists each year to its islands. Although this country is known for its heightened sensory experiences, whether on the back of a scooter or at a buzzing beach club, the Aman hotel group’s presence in the Southeast-Asian region – both in Bali and Central Java – proposes three incredibly peaceful, luxury resort options that feel equal parts immersive, respectful of local culture and utterly private. Let us introduce Amanjiwo, Amankila and Amandari. AMANJIWO Cycling through the peaceful fields and small villages that envelop Amanjiwo in Central Java, the intoxicating scent of sun-drying cloves fills the air. It’s intense and memorable. But cloves are not the only crop that you’ll spot along the narrow roads that meander through this region…