Innholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2018 i Belle

ALAANA COBON Alaana wrote about the glamorous revamp of a house in Sydney’s north, p132. Who are some of your enduring creative influences? Melbourne interior designer Chelsea Hing is someone whose work appeals to me. She’s bold and gains her clients’ trust. I’m also drawn to the work of florist Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora. Where is home for you? Sydney’s northern beaches. Favourite local haunts? For coffee and breakfast I like Berkelo in Brookvale or The Boathouse at Shelly Beach. For homewares, Smithmade in Balgowlah or Mr and Mrs White in Harbord. For restaurants, Chica Bonita or Sunset Sabi, both in Manly. Utimate travel escapes in 2018? Mexico, Morocco or India. Design items you are coveting? Eero Saarinen’s ‘Tulip’ table or Hay’s ‘Ikea’ bag. On your reading/viewing list? Gut by…

Whitewashed walls, rough matt ceramics and raw timbers bring the austere luxe of a Mediterranean masseria to home. Celebrate the chic simplicity of homespun wares and traditionally crafted furniture and objects.…

ASKED IF SHE COULD IMAGINE being anything other than an architect, Rachel Neeson of Sydney practice Neeson Murcutt says she came close to being a professional contemporary dancer. “I eventually realised I wouldn’t even be B list – more C list – so I went back to architecture and rekindled my love for it.” Indeed a love for the craft comes through in how she discusses projects past and present. A current undertaking with new partner Stephen Neille, is the adaptive reuse of Spring Bay Mill in Tasmania, which plays with notions of retention and heritage but in a non-traditional way. “We call it ‘dusting and reuse’ because we are applying a light touch to the whole site and not just placing emphasis on pieces of high significance – rather…

WHAT HAS INFORMED AND INSPIRED YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC? It’s always changing and adapting. I’m a big believer in being inspired and looking at things differently, and we like to change our aesthetic from project to project. Obviously our clients are the most important aspect, but the ability to create something new is always exciting. IS THERE A COMMON ELEMENT THAT RUNS THROUGH YOUR WORK? Yes – we seek purpose and reason to all aspects of design. Some design can be frivolous, but there is always a reason for it. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SITE OF YOUR STUDIO AND WHAT DID THE ALTERATIONS ENTAIL? What appealed was the abundance of natural daylight, the ability to open all the windows and the fact that the space did not look…

The Belle Luxury Home Building Awards 2017 were conceived to celebrate excellence in premium residential construction and shine a light on these master craftspeople, often the unsung heroes of design projects. The Awards cover new builds, additions and alterations, joinery and landscape design. Sydney-based building company Horizon took out the big prize as overall winner for New Build for a stunning home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and was also awarded the gong for Best Use of Interior Materials for the same house. Beebo Constructions took out the overall award for Alterations and Additions for another home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Best Exterior (New Build) and Best Landscape Design (New Build) went to Concept Build for Kent Court, a Melbourne home. They also won the Best Landscape Design (Alterations and Additions)…

”WE HAD REFERENCES FROM NEW YORK PENTHOUSES TO VILLAS IN ITALY AND USED MANY CONTRASTS TO GIVE A NARRATIVE.” A COMPLETE MAKEOVER of the tired and outdated interior breathed new life into this half-floor apartment. davidhicks.com What was the brief? The owners wanted to open up the living spaces to take advantage of the city and parkland views and to streamline the floor plan in general. A high level of finish was also sought as they were after a sumptuous yet understated feel. They liked how we incorporate timber, stone, metal, mirror and wallpaper in our projects and were keen to have this layering. How would you describe the interior? It is a rich tapestry of layered tones. The apartment has a floating feel due to the floor-to-ceiling perimeter glazing…

IOANNA LENNOX INTERIORS was lucky to work on one of the prized Quay West penthouses in Sydney. ioannalennox.com What was the brief? With uninterrupted panoramic views over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Quay West Towers are perfectly positioned in one of the most idyllic enclaves of the city. Add 36 storeys and the vantage point of height and those views are multiplied tenfold. This was the location of a three-bedroom apartment with a marble entry foyer and decor stuck in a bygone beige era. Our client was an English gentleman who was relocating to Australia, and his brief was to keep it simple, make the apartment feel relaxed like a home and to let the views take centre stage. Any major challenges? Despite its penthouse persona, the apartment…

An eye-catching Spanish Mission exterior, courtesy of a 1981 renovation, belies the elegant art deco interiors of this gracious 1930s home. The grand dame stands on a generous suburban block on a tree-lined street on Sydney’s north shore and became the dream home of Sophie Vander, her husband David and their four daughters, just two days before they hosted the family Christmas. Sophie, the owner of art consultancy and online art gallery Curatorial+Co., was not instantly taken with the property when David showed it to her online while they were still living in Singapore. “But it kept turning up in various searches I did. By the time we moved back I had fallen for it, I could see it as our home.” But before the family moved in, they painted…

It took Hong Kong-based Marcus Foley five years to find the perfect plot on which to build his villa in Bali’s Batu Belig neighbourhood. “I knew I wanted to be on this street so when the agent said a block had come up, I jumped on a plane that night and bought it the next day,” he says. “It’s in a quiet cul-de-sac, just two minutes’ walk to the beach and, even though it’s so close to the action, you can’t hear a thing. It’s on a beautiful brick road that feels like a piece of paradise.” The Australian-born interior designer drew up meticulous plans for the old rice paddy, but scrapped them when an industry contact showed him some photos of an old Dutch colonial house “in the middle…

A QUICK BITE with SIMON BLACHER { Co-Director of Commune Group } Favourite food experience? BBQ, Hong Kong. No-frills curbside dining, eating grilled razor clams, along with the coldest beers on the island! Tipple of choice? Japanese whiskey highball with mint leaves. Favourite restaurant? Ramblr in Melbourne. Nick Stanton’s menu is where dining in Australia should be. Recent projects? This year we opened Neptune Food & Wine, including Impala cocktail Bar, as well as BKK. Looking forward to? A research trip to Vietnam with head chef from our Hanoi Hannah venue ahead of our new site opening. communegroup.com.au MELBOURNE GET THE SCOOP Piccolina Gelateria has brought its gelatos and granitas to Collingwood for summer. Italian flavours using natural ingredients churn from the emerald bar designed by Hecker Guthrie. piccolinagelateria.com.au NEW…

Hello readers, I hope you are somewhere stress-free or on a glamorous sojourn reading our new issue – the first for 2018. Are you thinking about resolutions for the New Year? Searching for inspiration? Seeking talent to collaborate with to make your dream space come true? If so, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for someone to build your forever home – go straight to p73 where we reveal the winners of our inaugural Belle Luxury Home Building Awards, sponsored by Brickworks and Tongue N Groove. The winners are among an elite group of fastidious building professionals who turn the visions of the design community from ideas to reality. They are often the unsung heroes of projects, and here we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s…

1_CARPET CARE Stylecraft has worked with five Australian designers on a range of handcrafted rugs with 10 per cent of sales supporting Tjanpi Desert Weavers. stylecraft.com.au 2_SHINE ON Graphic blending of silver and gold in the ‘Everything is Golden’ mirrors by Sydney designer Patty Hava makes a statement piece to adorn walls. havastudio.com 3_BEETLE MANIA Valencia’s Mut Design has teamed up with Sancal to bring a sense of play to acoustic panels. ‘Beetle’ are soundabsorbing textile sculptures that mimic the form of a beetle. kezu.com.au 4_LIGHT THE WAY Inspired by the fluted columns of the Stoa of Attalos, Coco Reynolds’ ‘Attalos’ table lamp becomes a timeless reflection on the architecture of the past. marzdesigns.com 5_GLASS ART Drops of coloured glass form the series of ‘Pastille’ tables by Edition van Treeck…

THE ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? Émile Gallé – he designed the renowned Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque bottle. CONTEMPORARY ART THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE? Modern design that incorporates notions of Art Nouveau ethos. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? I collect beautiful moments, amazing encounters and memories from my experiences in the art world. I am very interested in contemporary art – particularly ceramics and bronze pieces. I am also a book addict – art, architecture, design. FASHION MUST-HAVES? Comfortable high heels [9]. I am always on the go, running between meetings, so I need to be swift on my feet. FAVOURITE WATCH? My father’s super flat gold watch – a vintage 1970s timepiece from Vacheron Constantin. FRAGRANCE OF CHOICE? Powerful fragrances tend to compromise the tasting of Champagne (it can…

BEST USE OF INTERIOR MATERIALS ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS Ciolino Constructions ”LIGHT AND LAYERED, LEAFY AND LUXURIOUS. AN ELEGANT MESHING OF OUR FAVOURITE LATIN ART DECO AND MID-20TH CENTURY INFLUENCES.” FORMER GLORY INC. resurrects historically and architecturally significant buildings. Managing director Dean Bialek worked with SJB’s Jonathan Richards and Ciolino Constructions to join two period apartments to form his own family penthouse. @formergloryinc What was the brief? A Latin-inspired rejuvenation of the original art deco features with bold, geometric ceramics, warm timbers, raw brass detailing and custom terrazzo. References included the American Trade Hotel in Panama City, Hotel Parco dei Principi by Gio Ponti in Sorrento and Hôtel Saint-Marc in Paris by Dimore Studio. How did you come to live in this apartment? My partner Celina had owned and lived sporadically…

”THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS TO MAKE THE COMMERCIAL SCALE OF THIS SPACE FEEL RESIDENTIAL AND COMFORTABLE AS A HOME.” FITT DE FELICE was asked to create a luxurious, stylish and comfortable family home that would also be a great place for entertaining for the owners and their young adult children. How did you resolve the challenges of the space? With the five-metre ceiling height of the apartment shell and a 48-metre-long floor plate, the biggest challenge was to make the commercial scale of this space feel residential and comfortable as a home. The low-slung blade ceiling along the circulation spine helps break up the volume and gives a strong tie between the two distinct ends. This 30 metre-long corridor is punctuated and animated by a series of black steel portal…

”... NEW DARK TIMBER FLOORING THAT FLOWS FROM THE LIFT LOBBY THROUGH THE ENTRY HALL AND LIBRARY.” WHEN AN AUSTRALIAN expat couple found their ultimate home base, a threelevel penthouse with sweeping views from the Sydney Opera House to the Heads, they entrusted interior designer Pia Francesca and architect Ron Keir to work their magic using preferred contractors such as the builder Horizon to “make the space work”. piafrancesca.com What was the brief? The owners wanted to integrate spaces more cohesively so that rooms flowed and long corridor spaces became elegant rooms. The kitchen had to be able to cater for sit-down dinners for 20 or cocktail parties for 100. How were the challenges of the space resolved? The ugly structural columns could not be removed and the kitchen was…

SYDNEY SPECIAL REQUEST A RICH DIVERSITY OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE, ART AND ECLECTIC COLLECTABLES SOURCED FROM AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS ARE ALL ON DISPLAY AT THE VAULT’S RECENTLY OPENED SHOWROOM IN SYDNEY’S ROSEBERY. THEVAULTSYDNEY.COM GOLD COAST NATURAL SELECTION Focusing on a sustainable design ethos, contemporary furniture supplier Uniqwa Furniture has expanded and moved into its new luxurious Gold Coast showroom (right) that has taken cues from nature and African culture. uniqwafurniture.com MILAN GOING ALFRESCO Swathed in natural hues paired against hedged wall accents, the new Janus et Cie retail space in Milan showcases a carefully curated selection of iconic luxury outdoor furnishings. janusetcie.com SYDNEY BACK TO BASICS Bassike’s recently refurbished Paddington flagship (above) delves into the brand’s minimalistic aesthetic with contemporary furnishings and premium design details courtesy of Sydney-based firm Akin Creative. bassike.com…

At first glance, it’s fair to assume that a 19th-century Victorian home in Melbourne’s leafy suburb of Kew would have little to do with Japan. Ask architect Matt Gibson and he tells a different story. When his clients, a family of five, moved in, the dwelling was a puzzling state of preserved front rooms and a slapstick extension at the rear that allowed glaring sunlight in the west to pierce the living zone. In addition to a top-to-toe refurbishment, the brief was sun protection, a better connect with the garden and a more sheltered outdoor space. It was Japanese-born project architect Erica Tsuda who first introduced Matt to the refined concept of Hiro-En, an eastern design device where a generous, low verandah mediates between the interior and exterior areas. Matt…

Eat/drink FOUR BARREL COFFEE San Francisco is serious about its coffee and this does not disappoint. See its impressive roasters and behind-the-scenes shenanigans while drinking your coffee, watched by four mounted boar. For other suppliers, look for the Blue Bottle sign. fourbarrelcoffee.com BIX What a joy to open the door to this supper club on Gold Street. It features a jazz band playing toe-tapping music, soft lighting, a glowing full bar and restaurant, with a mezzanine all the better for viewing the crowd. The art deco building and interior feel like a luxury ocean liner of times gone by. bixrestaurant.com DOWNSTAIRS AT BLACK CAT Pay the cover charge (it doesn’t even matter what’s on) and head downstairs to the jazz club. They do lighting well in this town – it’s…

POLO IN THE CITY Centennial Park, Sydney CLICQUOT BEACH HUT North Bondi Fish THE OTHER ART FAIR Carriageworks, Sydney THANKSGIVING DINNER Criteria, Melbourne THE BELLE TEAM LAUNCHED its brand new tome edited by design expert and author, Karen McCartney, and designed by Belle’s creative director, Joshua Morris, titled Twenty-One Australian Architects Breaking New Ground. Rob Mills, one of the architects featured in the book, opened his new home to guests for the party which was catered by Melbourne restaurant Ishizuka. The Land Rover Polo in the City series took off with the first matches in Centennial Park. Land Rover hosted a fabulous line-up of celebrities and international polo players alongside the new Range Rover Velar. Clicquot Beach Hut kickstarted summer at North Bondi Fish. Flutes of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label…

1 NOTE TO SELF The ‘Memo’ rug has a Scandinavian simplicity perfect for a simply serene interior. contentsid.com 2 KEEP IT CLEAN Leclerc Briant Champagnes are biodynamic and what could be better than pure bubbles? This is 100% chardonnay and teams beautifully with lobster or filet mignon. Cheers! frenchvine.com.au 3 ILLUMINATING The Bomma ‘Tim’ pendant light boasts an organic simplicity and style. spenceandlyda.com.au 4 STYLE ON THE TILES Belle style director-at-large Steve Cordony has released ‘Labyrinth’, an elegant collection of marble tiles for Di Lorenzo. dilorenzo.com.au 5 NICK LEARY, the award-winning fine art and commercial photographer, has worked with King Living to release a stunning series of abstract photographs including Springs. kingliving.com.au 6 THE LAST STRAW This gorgeous ‘Everyday Objects Gold Vermeil Crazy Straw’ has to be the most luxe way…

WHAT HAS INFORMED AND INSPIRED YOUR INTERIORS STYLE? Reflections of nature inspire me – a monochromatic palette of black, white, grey and brown in marble, stone and wood, often interspersed with shades of green, particularly in the form of plants. I often enliven this neutral palette with pops of colour, then use layering, tonal colours and texture to convey luxe and comfort. The final result is a polished and sophisticated but intimate and homely interior. My style has evolved due to working in consumer marketing and research, focusing on brands, packaging and product development. I have a keen eye for presentation and draw inspiration from food, fashion, nature and many facets of design. I’ve also been inspired by my travels overseas and in particular, my sojourn in Paris. IS YOUR…

1_TIMELESS LINES The curved marble top on AP Design House’s custom ‘Nodo’ console, $11,400, strikes a perfect balance with the angular burl plinths. apdesignhouse.com.au 2_BLUE MOOD The exquisite duck-egg blue painted panels on designer Paolo Buffa’s ‘Elm’ sideboard, POA, takes a useful piece to a higher level. geoffreyhatty.com 3_PIECE BY PIECE USM Haller’s multi-faceted modular credenza, $7599, is as practical as it is aesthetic. ecc.com.au INTERIOR DESIGNER Alexandra Ponting of AP Design House (pictured with Belle interior design editor Lucy McCabe) believes “A beautiful sideboard is an integral piece for a home. It allows you to have a clutter-free space, by hiding all of those messy necessities of life. It can act as a foundation to a curated art wall, or simply be an art piece in itself. I look…

IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT when designer Kathy McKinnon first walked into this heritage-listed three-storey sandstone Darlinghurst terrace. kmck.com.au How did you become involved in this project? I knew I wanted to work on this project. It had been somewhat neglected but had beautiful bones. The brief was to renovate the kitchen and bathroom, build an internal vertical garden with an adjoining glass roof atrium, redesign the rear courtyard and transform the attic into a sitting room/office. What were the challenges? My client wanted everything done as soon as possible, including council approvals. We called the engineer and got all the changes specified and approved immediately. Everything in the courtyard is movable so the owner has the option of parking a small car there. The upstairs floorboards were all…

LUCY McCABE, INTERIOR DESIGN EDITOR, BELLE Designed to complement any kitchen aesthetic, the Zip HydroTap offers amazing functionality, without disrupting the quietude of this sophisticated scheme. Enjoy the convenience of instant filtered, boiling, chilled or sparkling water from a tap that seamlessly enhances the existing classic timber and marble finishes. A MIX OF NEW AND RECYLED MATERIALS lends warmth and integrity to this sleek and highly functional kitchen, allowing it to sit perfectly within the context of a classic Australian weatherboard home. Tongue and groove joinery reimagined in a crisp, minimalist fashion offers a nod to the home’s history while complementing the light contemporary ambience and today’s family-friendly functionality. Robust marble and rugged reclaimed flooring anchor this scheme and create a stunning palette for the Zip HydroTap to shine. In…

ARTWORKS AND ANTIQUES were central to fulfilling the design brief given to Cameron Kimber by the owners of a newly built home. cameronkimber.com How did you become involved with this project and what was the client’s brief? I have known the clients and their extended family for several years and have worked on many projects with them. Whenever they build a new house, it is always an exciting project for me as each one of their houses has a distinct style and flavour. The brief for this latest house was to be bespoke and have a club-like atmosphere but also to incorporate many pieces of their antique and art collections into the overall plan. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them with your scheme?…

With its combination of seductive ‘Russian Blue’ lacquered walls and a dazzling gold leaf ceiling, the library is one of designer Kelly Behun’s favourite spaces in this characterful Park Avenue apartment. It sums up, in the best way possible, the nature of the collaboration between Kelly and her client: a globetrotting art collector with a large, extended family. Having seen some of her previous work in magazines, Kelly’s client contacted her with the challenge of creating a welcoming New York base to suit the needs of three generations. “The library is a real favourite of mine,” says Kelly. “It was all about getting the right shade of blue. My client had used this blue in one of her homes in the past and it had to be this very precise…

“Reclaimed wood, plastered walls and handcrafted tiles make you want to touch the space.” Designing luxury hotel suites has taught interior designer Leanne Smeallie of Ampersand Interiors the value of collaboration. After nine years in this early 1900s property on Sydney’s north shore, she knew it was key to transforming the home’s puzzle of rooms into a modern family space. Architect Brian Hess of Hess Hoen was Leanne’s choice. “I knew he would bring fresh perspective and help funnel my ideas into a complete package. Also, I like collaboration. With my clients I am happy to be the key decision maker, but with my own home I wanted to revel in the process.” Brian says Leanne’s pragmatic brief was threefold – redesign the ground floor to create better communal space…

To celebrate its new collaboration with Vipp, the Danish design company with the very refined industrial aesthetic, the team at Cult held a series of suitably stylish launches in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Belle was lucky to be at a special supper hosted by Vipp chief designer Morten Bo Jensen and Cult managing director Richard Munao. Guests were treated to a Danish midsommar-style affair with a three-course menu created by Jack New of Edition Roasters and matching wines by 10 William sommelier, Matt Young. Burrata with ash, chive oil and sherry-roasted grapes, and plates of mussels in miso lime broth, rye crumbs and chorizo oil kicked off the meal, followed by beef cheek with kombu gravy, Japanese mushrooms, potato puree and nasturtiums. Kintsugi pavlova with burnt chocolate mousse completed the…

LOS ANGELES CASHING IN ON ITS PAST The NoMad is the latest boutique hotel to open in LA’s buzzing Downtown neighbourhood. Designed by Jacques Garcia, its Deco-style rooms look to Italy for inspiration, a nod to the building’s historical roots. Built in 1920, it was originally the Bank of Italy. thenomadhotel.com A SHORT STAY with BOB CADRY {Owner, Cadrys} Favourite hotel? Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains outside of Marrakech, a majestic oasis filled with fabulous Berber art. Favourite design piece collected abroad? I collect pieces of craftsmanship as opposed to design pieces. On a recent trip to Sumba in Indonesia, I found beautiful locally woven antique Ikat textiles. How does travel influence your work? My vocation is also my vacation. Every culture has its unique way of producing rugs…

A AÃRK Collective aarkcollective.com Alessi alessi.com Alex and Trahanas alexandtrahanas.com Anica Design anicadesign.com.au Apaiser apaiser.com Atelier Biagetti atelierbiagetti.com B Bang & Olufsen bang-olufsen.com Barneys New York barneys.com Bastille & Sons bastilleandsons.com.au Bathe bathe.net.au Becker Minty (02) 8356 9999; beckerminty.com Belle Property belleproperty.com Blum blum.com/au Brickworks (02) 9830 7800; brickworks.com.au Busatti (02) 9363 4318; busatti.com.au C Cadrys (02) 9328 9188; cadrys.com.au Caesarstone caesarstone.com.au Camerich (02) 9699 1088; camerich.com.au Catkalloo Design 0413 585 851 Chanel chanel.com Coco Republic cocorepublic.com.au Contents International Design contentsid.com Cromwell (03) 9510 5294; cromwellaustralia.com.au Cult cultdesign.com.au D Designer Rugs (02) 9550 9933; designerrugs.com.au Di Lorenzo dilorenzo.com.au Domestic Textile domestictextile.com.au Domo domo.com.au E Elliott Clarke (02) 9361 6199; elliottclarke.com.au F Fanuli fanuli.com.au Fendi fendi.com/Australia Forty Winks fortywinks.com.au G Gaggenau gaggenau.com/au Garden Life gardenlife.com.au Georg Jensen georgjensen.com/en-au Gift and Homewares…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR NEW STUDIO? It is in a heritage warehouse in a Melbourne CBD laneway. It was intended to be more than a “working space”, and has been designed to be spatially flexible yet inspirational – a New York/Soho-style loft with a Bauhaus twist. WHAT INITIALLY APPE ALED ABOUT THE SPACE? It is architecturally significant as the first conventional building in Australia constructed entirely of reinforced concrete. YOUR DESK ESSENTIALS? An endless supply of Artline felt-tip pens in all colours, white trace paper and cool tunes. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR WORKSPACE? The building showcases its original brick walls, concrete ceilings and timber floors so its true texture is evident. Recessed arches, timeworn steps and hexagon columns all remain. A white palette forms the background of the…