Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Belle

Listening to the news recently, I heard the words ‘privilege of proximity’ regarding international relations. While we’re not talking foreign affairs here, it struck me that I have had the privilege of proximity in seeing the work of Australia’s finest designers evolve over the last decade and a half. Working on Belle and House & Garden opens the doors to many stylish and clever compositions from our talented pool of Australian architects and interior designers. So I’m delighted to finally announce the 2021 Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards winners (p43). Despite Covid disruptions and the inability to have a fabulous party, it is exciting to reveal our finest talent. Winners of the top accolade, Belle Fanuli Interior Designers of the Year Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke, have been…

Contemporary art adviser Amanda Love and her businessman husband Andrew have made art their life, and their Sydney home, breathtaking in its proportions, is an artwork in its own right. Distinctive, classic, all white – the freestanding late-Victorian villa with rear stables looks very different from the Tuscan-style terracotta facade it presented when the couple bought it 30 years ago. While the front rooms were beautifully proportioned and symmetrical with high ceilings and flooded with natural light, the rear of the house was less appealing. The couple engaged architectural and design practice BKH with a ‘relate to purpose’ brief to turn the house around. A sympathetic renovation and rear extension comprising an expansive kitchen, family room and loggia was completed in 2006 and chronicled in a monograph on BKH published…

With the exception of its Federation shell, the online real-estate listing for this single-storey home in Sydney’s Hunters Hill is unrecognisable from its current expression. Under the stewardship of Poppy Tzaneros, director of Poco Designs, the period house – which has been at the mercy of many messy adjustments over the years – has been gutted and transformed into a charming home for a young family. Brimming with joie de vivre, everything is new but executed with the classic in mind: brushed-brass joinery detailing, polished-plaster treatments, herringbone flooring, internal arches, a coffered ceiling, a minty coloured wall alcove, and, in particular, traditional mosaic flooring running down the central spine. “There’s a sense of permanence,” says Poppy. “It feels like it’s always been there. And that’s a really good thing, it…

The natural beauty of the Australian bush and the nearby jacarandas were the inspiration for the renovation of this holiday house at Calabash Bay outside Sydney. With water views from every room interior designer Carole Whiting made the most of the property’s position right on the Hawkesbury River. Built as one of the original guesthouses in the area more than 30 years ago, Calabash Bay Lodge had been converted into a family home before the current owners, Kim and Derek Ellis of Wild Luxury, turned it into a luxury holiday rental property in 2008. More renovations ensued in 2014 before the lockdown of 2020 presented the opportunity for a more extensive makeover. When Carole was called in it was initially to upgrade the kitchen and dining area but, as with…

“OUR DESIGN ETHOS CENTRES around restoring and celebrating the charm of period homes, and introducing modernity through lighting, furnishings and materiality,” explains interior designer Jillian Dinkel of her well-considered scheme for this inner-city penthouse apartment in Sydney. “The overall effect we strived to achieve was a sense of timelessness. With a tight footprint and a dated design, this apartment required both smart space planning and a restrained take on Art Deco style. We chose a material palette that would patina and look better with time while introducing pops of colour, unexpected details and a good dash of drama.” What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget? “The Apparatus Studio ‘Cloud’ pendant light sourced from Criteria and the expansive use of Calacatta Gold marble from Euro Marble.”…

A MIX OF PLAYFUL, GUTSY and, most importantly, robust was the look Susanna Bilardo and Alexandra Moeck of Enoki desired for the kitchen of this Adelaide Hills home. “The focal point is the angular island bench that is seamlessly fabricated from Super White dolomite,” says Susanna. “It is where everyone congregates.” The junction of slabs is celebrated with a solid, flat bar of matt-black anodised aluminium. “This kitchen and its scullery are located at the heart of the home, quite literally in the ‘crux’ of the T-shaped plan,” explains Alexandra. “They flow into the open-plan dining/lounge spaces with ease, and can be divided when needed via an oversized cavity door that works effortlessly. Warmth is provided through a shiplap spotted-gum ceiling and charred Eveneer joinery.” What luxury item did you choose…

SARAH-JANE PYKE of design studio Arent&Pyke had the client of her dreams when it came to this bathroom in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “Our client was ready to embrace an all-encompassing bespoke interior that was feminine and full of whimsy, yet also elegant and grounded. Their brief was to create a jewel of a home that dazzles with colour and decorative pattern, to add joy to everyday living. This bathroom was designed to be enjoyed by visitors to the home – and with adult children now living independently, that includes the grandchildren coming for a sleepover. Spotting the monkeys hidden in the ‘Fornasetti Frutto Proibito’ wallpaper delights the child in us all. Pattern and colour are balanced beautifully by the whites and cool Carrara marble, so the space feels fresh and…

INSPIRED BY A STAY AT boutique hotel The Ludlow on New York’s Lower East Side, this evocative bathroom was conceived by interior designer Jillian Dinkel, who says she often looks to luxury hotels and resorts for ideas to apply in residential contexts. “Our design ethos focuses on restoring and celebrating the charm of period homes, introducing modernity through careful space planning, lighting and materiality. Although the footprint was limited, we increased the functionality with storage solutions as well as touches of luxury throughout. We strived to find the perfect tension between old and new.” What luxury items did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “The custom steel-framed arch surround at the shower, which was was a very tricky detail to execute and required careful planning and collaboration with…

SYDNEY-BASED INTERIOR ARCHITECT JEMMA BRENDER WORKED AT STELLAR NEW YORK DESIGN FIRMS STUDIO SOFIELD AND MARKZEFF BEFORE RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA TO SET UP HER OWN BOUTIQUE PRACTICE. DEDICATED TO CREATING BEAUTIFUL, LIVEABLE AND ENDURING SPACES, JEMMA FUSES TIMELESS ELEGANCE AND A MINIMALIST AESTHETIC INSPIRED BY EUROPEAN CLASSICS. HER LOVE FOR ANTIQUES, PATINATED MATERIALS AND TEXTURED, TONAL SPACES BRINGS AUTHENTICITY TO PROJECTS. JEMMABRENDER.COM.AU 01 INSPIRING SPACES Puglia, Italy, is a destination to which I will surely return to visit Masseria Moroseta, a stunning boutique hotel outside the white city of Ostuni. Designed by Studio Andrew Trotter as a modern farmhouse, its pared-down luxury is mixed with barefoot chic. masseriamoroseta.it DREAM SCAPE On my wishlist is a stay at Il Pellicano, Porte Ercole, Tuscany. I love how the rugged coastline tucks away this authentic and…

Terracotta tones, neatly framed in classic black and white, temper the excess of marble, the exuberance of geometrics and the flash of a suite of metals. Gilty secrets – delve into a trove of polished pieces to add a splendid flourish to any space.…

AUSTRALIA has created its own original, instantly recognisable style. Our love of summer and the natural world means we take a more relaxed, casual approach to design with houses that are easy to live in, and that reflect our beautiful climate and an unshakable belief that our lives be connected to the landscape. We have such an incredible outdoor lifestyle so it makes sense that our culture likes to design houses and gardens in ways that are chic and effortless. It’s all about spaces that can be dressed up or down in which to relax, cook, eat, swim and entertain. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN More than recycling and zero waste – water conservation and homemade energy are incorporated into the best Australian designs. OUTDOOR ROOMS Blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces…

In partnership with FISHER &PAYKEL EXPERTS AT LOOKING at the bigger picture, Tom Mark Henry approached this kitchen in Sydney’s Paddington aiming to make it the house’s main social hub. “Its full-height glazing, tiled floors and steel-framed windows unify it with the tranquil, light-drenched courtyard, enhancing the house’s spatial qualities of openness and connection while creating a versatile entertaining space,” says design manager Carla Matias, adding that as a highly active area, it was essential that every aspect was well considered. An integrated Fisher & Paykel refrigerator blends effortlessly into the joinery, providing substantial storage for entertaining. “Likewise, the minimal design of the ovens and cooktop ensure this space’s connection through to the courtyard remains the focal point, while also allowing well-considered design details to remain uncompromised.” What luxury items did…

WITH CHARCOAL and chocolatey timbers, flashes of bronze, a branching light fitting and sweeps of stone with scribbly, lightning-like streaks, this kitchen draws inspiration from its natural outlook and distils it in a sleek, contemporary fashion. For interior designers Meryl Hare and Kristie Nixon of Hare + Klein, these elemental cues are integral to the design language of the home, which was recently remodeled by architect Jeff Leung. “The front section is a series of planes and textures with metallic highlights and dramatic marble surfaces detailed with aged-brass inlays and a routed section that wraps around to the back,” says Meryl. “An open display cabinet at the back gives a focal point and depth to this elevation. The dramatic light fitting and hand-forged bronze handles add glamour.” What luxury items…

ONCE TUCKED AWAY in a dark, low corner this kitchen showed potential for reinvention through its generous sense of scale provided by its central vaulted living area, explains architect Oli Booth. “From an early stage, we worked closely with Fisher & Paykel designers and engineers to find ways in which these newer products such as column refrigeration and freezers could be used most effectively in the space. To do this, we enhanced the verticality, so full-height cabinetry and low toe kicks. Ventilation was also a really important component to work through. With integration of the appliances, we could create blocks and modules that responded. We had the fridge and freezer in the bar area, and then the dishwashing hub on the island. We created these cores throughout the space and…

NICOLA HERBST OF Auckland-based Herbst Architects had much more than a blank canvas to work with on this kitchen project – try a relaxed getaway home high on the hills in the Northland province of New Zealand’s North Island, with views out over Tutukaka Harbour to the Pacific Ocean. “This horseshoe-shaped kitchen is in an open-plan living area, with cabinets rising to the clerestory windows and cupboards at the side,” says Nicola. These cupboards sit on tubular stainless-steel legs, for a ‘floaty’ aesthetic. Made of sturdy gaboon marine plywood – a hardwood perfect for this humid subtropical location – the cupboards and island’s base tonally pair with copper for the splashback and island ends, while the rangehood’s black steel covering offers contrast. “The bench is just a set of drawers…

THE MASCULINE LINES of this crisp bachelor’s bathroom scheme was tempered by its designer Tamsin Johnson, who introduced gentler elements such as sculptural ‘Origami’ lights by Vibia and warm chevron timber flooring. It’s her trademark approach and the result of elements that clash and contrast for the perfect balance. “The subtly ribbed glass softens the strong, blackened steel-framed door and the delicate hues of the honed marble benchtop temper the harsh lines of the stainless-steel mirror.” What luxury item did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “The artwork by Coady introduces a purple pop of colour to the monochromatic space, adding refreshing humour and playfulness.” tamsinjohnson.com…

A SOOTHING COLOUR PALETTE ENRICHED with subtle variations in texture was what Poppy Tzaneros and her team at Poco Designs decided upon when creating this bathroom for a young, growing family. “It has a sense of playfulness while showcasing timeless elegance through the use of beautiful materials and design details. Our main approach was to come up with a bathroom that was homely and usable but that kept in tone with the remainder of the house, with defined details such as the marble skirting and dado rail wrapping around the room. We loved the idea of natural sunlight beaming onto the neutral and subtle tones of the selected finishes, paired with brushed brass fixtures that add character and depth to the space.” What luxury items did you choose for this…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACE? Stephen Javens, K.P.D.O. director of architecture: It’s largely white and neutral, with some beautiful, functional pieces such as our USM system, a particular favourite, and some not so functional pieces such as a ‘Spring’ table by Shiro Kuramata for Living Divani. We have artworks by Reko Rennie and a beautiful neon sculpture by Jonathan Jones. There’s a stunning shelving system by Franco Albini, our meeting room chairs are by Eileen Gray and the meeting table is a sculptural K.P.D.O. creation. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SPACE? DID IT REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT ALTERATIONS? Kerry [Phelan, founding director and director of interiors] and I love the volume and light. We opened up the space slightly, adding curtains in long drops to define spaces for the…

FLORIDA VILLAGE VOICE PARTNERING WITH THE CITY OF WINTER PARK, FLORIDA, ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE ADJAYE ASSOCIATES HAS CREATED A “21ST-CENTURY PROTOTYPE OF A MULTIPURPOSE KNOWLEDGE CAMPUS IN THE PUBLIC REALM … DESIGNED AS A ROBUST SPACE FOR COMMUNITY GATHERING, EDIFICATION AND EMPOWERMENT”, SAYS SIR DAVID ADJAYE. TAKING THE CONCEPT OF A MICRO-VILLAGE, COMPRISING A NEW TWO-STOREY LIBRARY AND AN EVENT CENTRE WITH ROOFTOP TERRACE, THE THREE PAVILIONS ARE COMPOSED OF ROSE-PIGMENTED CONCRETE. A WELCOME PORTICO USHERS VISITORS FROM THE STREET AND UNIFIES THE THREE STRUCTURES. ADJAYE.COM FRANCE GIMME SHELTER Working with a social innovation grant from the Île-de-France region, architecture practice Atelier Craft developed ‘Aire de Repos’ (right) – a mobile multi-activity space for young migrants. Currently located at La Station Gare des Mines in the 18th district of Paris, the…

Arent&Pyke JULIETTE ARENT & SARAH-JANE PYKE WITH ECCENTRICITY and functionality in equal measure the Garden House by Arent&Pyke defies description except that it is a winning formula. Garnering first prizes for Best Residential Interior (sponsored by Luxaflex), Best Residential Kitchen Design (sponsored by Winning Appliances) and Best Residential Interior – Readers’ Choice (sponsored by Fanuli) for Garden House as well as being named Interior Designers of the Year are fitting accolades for Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke’s body of work. A certain magic happens in their projects – a heady concoction of glamour, humour, quirky touches and feminine embellishment. In fashioning the Garden House to comply with the clients’ passion for art, colour and gardens, disparate elements combined to create a timeless scenario reminiscent of an Italian villa yet firmly…

WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT YOUR HOME? From the street, it’s a fairly unassuming 1920s Californian bungalow. When you enter, however, a floor-to-ceiling glass window looks out onto a generous north-facing garden with a pool and assortment of fruit trees – orange, mandarin, apple, apricot. The property was once owned by a builder who used high-quality materials in the extension and unusually wide Sydney blue gum timber floors. When we bought the house in 2020, we inherited some chickens and a bunny rabbit! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INTERIOR? It’s very tranquil. There’s lots of natural light thanks to the 21 bifold doors running the entire length of the rear area. It’s so quiet I can hear the birds chirping away in the trees. Sometimes it feels like I could…

It feels as if you’re walking into a cave,” says Samantha McKenzie, director of Acustico Lighting and the owner of this home in Melbourne’s Brighton. For Samantha, an interior designer by trade, creating a home that was sturdy and sensorial was a top priority. “I wanted it to feel like walking into a big, warm hug with heavy drapes and loop-pile wool carpets. It needed to feel solid, all-encompassing and cosy.” It was during a 10-month sabbatical in 2013 with her family in the town of Cernobbio in Lake Como, Italy, that Samantha says sowed the seeds for her architectural vision. “Everything there is stone or marble and it’s so solid you can practically feel the weight of ancient history when walking on the cobblestones. Also, Milan wasn’t far away…

[ Caulfield North ]…

SET AGAINST A SOARING MARBLE BACKDROP, the generous vanity serves as the focal point in this highly considered master ensuite. “It is flanked by a custom steel structure to hug and provide a practical role as towel rails,” says Enoki principal Susanna Bilardo. Stone was celebrated here as in other spaces in this home. “Cote D’Azur marble was used extensively for its dramatic veins. Our client viewed it like artwork,” says Enoki associate Alexandra Moeck. “During construction it was quite an operation to get the full-size slabs in and mirror matched. The play of natural light on the stone through the day is something to behold.” What luxury items did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “The marble!” says Susanna. “We originally planned for marble cladding as the…