Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i Belle

WILLEM-DIRK DU TOIT Willem-Dirk shot the serene David Goss bathroom in Kitchens & Bathrooms, p188. Who/what are some of your enduring creative influences? My partner, Sarah, and not surprisingly, Melbourne. It has quite niche tastemakers in all creative fields who seem to make waves internationally. It’s a constant inspiration. Where is home for you, and what do you love about it? I’m from a town called Paarl, near CapeTown. It’s blissful to visit but I call Melbourne home. Favourite local haunts? Neighbourhood Wine, Aka Siro, NGV’s Triennial exhibition... wow! The rainforest in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Ultimate travel escape in 2018? King Island and/or Mozambique. Design item you are coveting? We bought a new home and are starting afresh. Top of the list is Adam Cornish’s ‘Converse’ sofa. What is…

Take some sage advice – green is the new black, non-negotiable in an on-trend interior.…

MELBOURNE IN GOOD SHAPE One of the most significant stockpiles of recent Australian art, the collection of Michael Buxton (right) comprises more than 300 works by 58 artists spanning three generations, and now has a permanent home at Melbourne University’s VCA. Designed by Fender Katsalidis, Buxton Contemporary is a major endowment, allowing privately held works by leading artists such as Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt and Mike Parr to be publicly exhibited. Curated by Melissa Keys, ‘The shape of things to come’ is the museum’s debut showing, pivoting on pieces by Hany Armanious, Emily Floyd, Ricky Swallow (right) and more to explore the myriad roles played by contemporary artists. March 9 to June 24. finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au SYDNEY WORLD CLASS Overseen by Mami Kataoka, the 21st Biennale of Sydney assembles work by 70…

ARCHITECT NICK TOBIAS is a man of many mentors – while some are family members, others he had the instinct to seek out. Each has shaped the man he is today and, as a result, the work Tobias Partners now produces. “While my home life as a child was quite tumultuous, my glamorous French grandmother was a constant creative force. She educated me in art and music – not only how to look and listen – but also how to make it. We did a lot of craft projects together,” he says. This was twinned with the influence of his godfather, architect Professor Victor Berk whom the teenage Tobias would accompany on site visits in Berk’s Lamborghini. “The building sites were like Lego on steroids for me with their cranes…

LONDON GRAPHIC EDGE Milan-based interior and design firm DIMORE STUDIO has instilled 60s- and 70s-inspired elements into FENDI’s new apartment-like boutique in London, showcasing a warm palette and geometric patterns that are synonymous with the Spring 2018 runway collection (right). fendi.com/au LONDON TAILOR MADE Having recently relocated to a more substantial space in London, the chic P Johnson showroom (right), designed by interior designer Tamsin Johnson, features unique mid-century shop fittings and artworks by Antoni Tàpies. pjt.com NEW YORK DECADENT DESIGN Artisanal furniture brand Konekt has opened an engaging showroom in Chinatown that juxtaposes deep blue walls with brass detailing. ‘Thing’ stool and ‘Bianca’ chair (right). konektfurniture.com SYDNEY LIGHT WORK Owner of VBO Australia, John Bechini, has worked his magic on a revamp of his Chippendale HQ (above), filling the…

Clean and crisp, this home might be Modernist in its inspiration, but brimming with sunshine and energy, it thinks way beyond the minimalist box. Its architect Shaun Lockyer labels his take “subtropical Modernism” and, with foliage seductively cascading from the roof, and light-soaked, airy, yet intimate spaces seamlessly blending inside and out, there’s nothing chilly and unwelcoming here. The owners had been living in the same street on Sydney’s lower North Shore when they saw this property for sale. It was then occupied by a 1980s home, which failed to optimise the sloping site with its dress-circle harbour views. They hired architect Shaun Lockyer and interior designer Justine Hugh-Jones, both of whom they had worked with on previous projects, to design a brand-new three-level house that would blend with its…

This is not the project we expected to be building,” says architect and interior designer Brooke Aitken as she walks me through a recently renovated home overlooking Sydney’s Parsley Bay. Brooke’s name had been given to the owners after they saw renovations she had done for their friends, and she was engaged to design a top-floor renovation of their existing home. The brief and discussions centred around the aesthetic of minimalist luxury resorts, and designers Christian Liaigre and Kelly Hoppen. A sketch of a design proposal had been presented and accepted, and stage one was about to start when the owners called to say they’d just bought a new house. It was bigger and better located, but badly laid out – a hangover from the ‘closed rooms era’, made worse…

The Japanese haute cuisine known as kaiseki ranks high among the world’s ultimate food experiences. A culinary art form practised only by the most seasoned experts, this meticulously prepared and exquisitely presented degustationstyle dinner can trace its origins back 600 years to the tea ceremonies of Zen Buddhist monks, and later to the Japanese imperial court. Now, acclaimed chef Tomotaka Ishizuka has channelled the ancient tradition at his eponymous 16-seat restaurant, set within a thoroughly modern, bunker-like space beneath Melbourne’s Bourke Street. Essential to the kaiseki philosophy is a precisely calibrated balance of taste and texture that seeks to draw out the authentic flavours of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Added to this is a predilection for the theatrical, with each of the approximately 12 courses presented in a strictly prescribed order…

A SHORT STAY with RACHAEL FRY { Creative director and founder, Criteria Collection } Favourite hotel? We recently stayed at Finca Cortesin in Spain and it was spectacular, mixing a modern and Moorish aesthetic. Favourite design piece collected abroad? On a recent trip to Palm Springs to visit my family, my great grandfather gave me some beautiful woodblock prints from his time in Japan during WWII. Does travel influence your work? Yes! It is an essential part of what I do. It is critical for me to see new work, visit designers and artists, and to experience other galleries. Ultimate destination for 2018? I want to see more of the Australian landscape. criteriacollection.com.au PERTH ARTSY TYPE INTERCONTINENTAL HAS HONOURED ITS NEW PERTH CITY CENTRE LOCATION BY COMMISSIONING MORE THAN 300…

DESIGNER JUSTINE HUGH-JONES “This kitchen was a joint design collaboration between the interior designer and architect. The generous proportions of the kitchen were intentionally designed and balanced to silently disappear behind the seamless integrated dark-stained oak joinery allowing other stronger design elements to take centrestage, turning the focus of the kitchen to become more of a story of beautiful detail and texture. The island in Arabescato Vagli marble and the pleated curves of the timber veneer pendant lights mediate beautifully between the grain of the timber ceiling and the polished terrazzo floors. This is further softened and balanced beyond by the natural light and garden views through a large frameless window.” justinehughjones.com FACT FILE Interior design JUSTINE HUGH-JONES DESIGN Architecture SHAUN LOCKYER ARCHITECTS Builder County Constructions. Benchtop/island bench Arabescato Vagli…

DESIGNE R EMMA TEMPLETON “We wanted to create a separate yet central kitchen that would embrace the extraordinary garden vistas and introduce natural light to this old Victorian house. We designed the space so a full corner of the floor-to-ceiling windows slide open to flow onto the garden paving giving the space generosity, light and country air.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The sliding steel doors that allow the kitchen to flow into the garden are central to its position and operation. We chose to create a clear glass window as part of the splashback to visually connect to the corridor behind. It is quite a large home, so it was important to provide connections between spaces to give it an intimacy that…

WHEN YOUR KITCHEN DESIGN starts with two exclusive ingredients – Sub-Zero, the food preservation specialist, and Wolf, the cooking specialist – the rest of the design recipe is easy to prepare. Industrial good looks and superior technology lend substance to luxurious finishes. And your kitchen will be truly bespoke – an exquisite original owing to the plethora of customisation possibilities of both. Choose from a collection of models that make a statement or those that blend seamlessly into your scheme. The Sub-Zero and Wolf designs are authentic, sophisticated and tactile. These pieces are essential both for performing your daily rituals and starring at your next dinner party. NATIONAL SHOWROOM Bank House 11-19 Bank Place, Melbourne VIC 3000 Available exclusively from e&s, Winning Appliances and Spartan Electrical FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT…

DESIGNER ANDREA D’CRUZ “The bathroom existed as a dated design from the 80s, complete with corner spa. We rationalised the space by relocating and removing elements to create a generous double vanity and focal point with the freestanding bath. Shapes such as the fish-scale tiles, oval bath and basins were chosen for their relationship to the art deco lines of the Chrysler Building with which our client shares a fond affiliation. The overall aesthetic is light, bright and high on glamour.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The nickel and shell drawer pulls from Mother of Pearl and the shower door pull imported from Japan are a couple of items that add sparkle to this highly glamorous bathroom.” dcruz.net.au FACT FILE Interior design D’CRUZ…

DESIGNERS MERYL HARE AND BELINDA CHIPPINDALE “It is rare for a bathroom to be given such a perfect position in the floorplan of a new home – overlooking captivating Sydney Harbour. We took advantage of this by placing the generous sculptural freestanding bath in the optimum position to enjoy the views. The finishes palette is soft and calm, creating the ambience of a relaxing and luxurious private sanctuary. The elegant Apaiser ‘Eclipse’ bath exudes luxury. More than just a beautiful sculpture, it offers a place to unwind, revive and enjoy the view. Natural grey marble flanks both the floor and the walls, and the finishes palette is deliberately soft and calm. Waxed grey stucco and handmade glass mosaics add glamour and texture.” hareklein.com.au FACT FILE Interior design HARE + KLEIN…

DESIGNER ALEXANDRA BROWNLOW “By replicating the home’s Shaker-style detailing in the powder room, we successfully created continuity so the finishes are the feature. Wall-hung cabinets create a sense of space and allow the oak flooring to do likewise. Classic and refined wall sconces from Articolo add a sophisticated pared-back feeling. We settled on an antique French mirror in a gesso finish as a simple contrast of colour and shape against the beautiful toile paper on walls and ceiling. We chose it for its warmth of colour as the small room with low ceilings needed something to draw you in. brownlow.net.au FACT FILE Interior design BROWNLOW INTERIOR DESIGN Builder Magnus Construction. Joinery Emerald Shopfitters. Vanity Dulux ‘Natural White’ finish. Splashback Carrara marble from CDK Stone. Wallpaper Manuel Canovas ‘Balleroy’ from Domus…

BANG & OLUFSEN North Bondi KATHARINA GROSSE ART DINNER Carriageworks, Sydney PORTSEA POLO Portsea, Victoria LOVERS OF ART enjoyed an intimate dinner at Carriageworks to celebrate the launch of German artist Katharina Grosse’s enormous, kaleidoscopic abstract fabric installation titled ‘The Horse Trotted Another Couple of Metres, Then It Stopped’, sponsored by Anna Schwartz and BresicWhitney. The site-specific installation was commissioned as a key part of the Sydney Festival. Architect Nick Tobias’s private residence was a fitting venue for a soiree to showcase Bang & Olufsen’s sleek designs and superior sound. Party guests enjoyed the exclusive opportunity to see Nick’s architectural flair up close accompanied by suitably stylish technology. Casual style reigned supreme at the fabulously social Portsea Polo where Stella Artois sponsored an elegantly busy marquee.…

1_SHAKE IT UP ‘The Gift To Be Simple’, trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort’s Paris exhibition, focuses on Shaker furniture, and the idea of form following function. edelkoort.com/gallery 2_GOING DUTCH Designer Piet Hein Eek presented some classics alongside new objects and ceramic lamps at IMM Cologne, conveying the design as art conversation. pietheineek.nl 3_METAL URGE Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus have worked with La Chance to expand the on-trend metal technique of galvanisation seen in the Bump collection. livingedge.com.au 4_CHECK MATE Designer Ferdinand Kramer released a playful chess game accent to the iconic 1951 ‘Calvert’ table for e15 during IMM Cologne. The silkscreen design in natural oak or red is a limited edition. e15.com 5_CAFE CULTURE True to the BDDW aesthetic are these cafe tables with carved wood tops, brass stems and…

Timber is one of my favourite materials to work with in interiors. It allows you to add warmth and texture with different colours and finishes, as well as graphic detailing when playing with different laying techniques including European-inspired herringbone and even cladding walls. Our relaxed Australian design ethos is very well suited to the earthy qualities of timber and it is the perfect material to layer upon and introduce elements such as brass, marble and glass to complete the look. tongue n groove…

WHAT HAS INFORMED THE DESIGN OF YOUR STUDIO? Sophia Leopardi: Our design studio is many things – it’s a second home, the place where the majority of our time is spent, a space to be inspired and inspire our clients and collaborators. We wanted it to reflect our work and the values that underpin it. It’s where we create and we love it. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SITE OF YOUR STUDIO AND WHAT DID THE ALTERATIONS ENTAIL? We had been searching for a space to more accurately demonstrate our design philosophy, and the derelict 300sqm space in the 100-year-old State Heritagelisted Darling Building, uncovered on a walk to the pub, was an enticing opportunity to work with a storied building and create our own. Past the pigeon…

WHAT HAS INFORMED AND INSPIRED YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC? My mother is an interior designer so I grew up with an appreciation for furniture and design. I draw on interiors a lot as I find the colours, textures and shapes lend nicely to jewellery, accessories and apparel (which I have recently launched). I visit most of the major art fairs which I find incredibly inspiring: Frieze, Fiac and, my favourite, the Venice Biennale. I travel a lot and find this is when I come up with my best designs. IS YOUR HOME A SANCTUARY OR DOES IT DOUBLE AS A WORKSPACE? It’s everything! Sometimes I don’t leave all day. The light is fabulous. My kitchen is my office. It’s quite handy – matcha all day! WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT…

On reflection: patterned brights or textured sheers make for flexible options.…

“I like pieces that have a story. They have to have a sense, a reason for being there.” A self-confessed addict of (r)evolution, the owner of this Paris apartment is constantly forming and reforming combinations of art, furniture and decorative pieces. He creates improbable marriages such as in the lounge room where a Pierre Guariche lamp sits next to an 18th-century gold-framed mirror with a Haussmannian cornice, with a ‘Rio’ rocking chair by Oscar Niemeyer for company. “I have some modern pieces. I don’t live just in the past. I like mixing combinations of modern and ancient.” A passionate collector, he had limited his interest to French Figurative and Narrative art and a few classic furniture items. The problem was that six years ago he realised he was tired of…

Rhythm is a word interior designer Dylan Farrell often uses when he relates the story of this house in inner Melbourne. The ground-floor rooms, their palettes alternating in black and white, are like notes on a piano, their ebb and flow creating a harmonious unity. “It’s the assembly of simple ideas, one note at a time into a complex song,” he says. “It’s not showy, just subtle things making an impactful whole.” He first sighted the six-bedroom, three-level house when the owners Sarah Lew and her partner bought it back in 2015. Its exterior was a modernist take on Italianate style, the rear grandly boasting three tiers of concrete colonnades. Sarah was drawn to the home’s “captivating scale, symmetry and natural light”. Reflecting the classical references, the bones were solid,…

CANGGU With its lush rainforests, beach clubs, volcanic cliffs and holy sites, the Island of the Gods has many personalities. While Seminyak pulses with energy and eateries, mountainous Ubud offers meditative respite and practitioners of age-old crafts. Flourishing with creativity and a burgeoning ‘clean eating’ community, Canggu is the latest hipster hotspot and a must visit – get there before the secret’s out! CANGGU Once a quiet fishing village where surfers came for the waves, roadside food and cheap guesthouses, this sleepy area near Seminyak has become a trendy, laid-back hub for creatives and health nuts. While island stay THE SLOW (theslow.id) has spotlighted the area, romantic HOTEL TUGU (tuguhotels.com) was the first to open in the 90s and has been refurbished with Asian-fusion dining venue JI TERRACE BY THE…

DESIGNER DYLAN FARRELL “Our goal was to create a crisp, clean urban living and entertaining space with a juxtaposition between severe industrial modernism and deconstructed rusticated material finishes. To do this we designed and built an entertaining feature kitchen in front with the purpose-built prep-and-cook kitchen tucked away towards the rear. To finish it off with a signature look and feel, we sourced materials that will degrade and age with panache and style to embellish the space over time.” What luxury items did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The favourite pieces were the cooktop and decorative rangehood. We wanted to use these key pieces along with the kitchen island to create a really monumental showcase cooking area at the kitchen face.” dylanfarrell.com FACT FILE Interior design DYLAN…

DESIGNE RS MERYL HARE AND BELINDA CHIPPINDALE “The brief was to design a kitchen as a showpiece for entertaining and to be a functional gathering space for a family with young children. The eat-in kitchen plays a pivotal role in bringing together family and friends and flows onto the balcony with a barbecue and pizza oven. Natural stones, timber veneers and a solid oak tabletop inject warmth, luxury and a connection to the exterior palette. Our client’s love of cooking and entertaining meant that quality appliances were a priority. The Wolf oven was a dream purchase along with the Italian pizza oven that was shipped in specially.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The Bronzea limestone used as a splashback and lining for the…

DESIGNER DAVID GOSS “The previous bathroom was dark and in poor condition after several renovations over the past 100 years. A chimney was removed and a large skylight added to bring in as much natural light as possible. An awkward floorplan was reconfigured to include a powder room, laundry and walk-in pantry within the existing footprint. We wanted a contemporary design to subtly reference the house’s age, so we added a change in material to suggest a dado. Modern tapware references the original brass door hardware. The material palette was chosen to be tactile, textured and soft to create a sense of serenity, focusing on the light that moves through the space. The favourite element is definitely the large skylight over the bath. We never used the bath before. Now…

DESIGNER JUSTINE HUGH-JONES “This powder room was designed to be a beautiful and luxurious sanctuary within a house whose raw concrete and timber finishes make a strong and powerful design statement. The approach was to choose a vanity that displays a sensuous and exclusive attention to detail in all its aspects of materiality and form. The Must by Altamarea ‘Composizione’ vanity embraces beautiful materials and the striking plinth design creates a feeling of lightness and a playful absence of gravity. It is complemented perfectly by the finish of the copper Vola tap and the burnished brass mirror.” justinehughjones.com FACT FILE Interior design JUSTINE HUGH-JONES DESIGN Architecture SHAUN LOCKYER ARCHITECTS Builder County Constructions. Vanity Must by Altamarea ‘Composizione 2’ in Bronzo Nuvolato finish with Boschetto marble plinth and basin from Pure…

DESIGNE R SARAH-JANE PYKE “This was a previously unused bathroom with a low ceiling so our aim was to create maximum impact so it could be enjoyed by the family and guests. A bold patterned floor wraps up the wall to add drama. The rich room is ref lected in a f loor-to-ceiling mirror that magnifies its scale and proportion. The ‘Popham’ tiled floor and wall upturn in ‘Brasilia’ command attention in this small room. The bold geometry is softened by the subtle undulations of the tapware and the Kelly Wearstler sconce. The mirror conceals ample storage and the low drawers ensure the room feels spacious.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The luxury of this room is in the finishes themselves. Raw brushed-brass…

DESIGNER ALEXANDRA KIDD “Many years and many renovations had masked the beauty of this home. When we stripped back the layers, an unexpected discovery was a ‘secret’ room that we reimagined into this guest ensuite. The room is subterranean so the introduction of natural sunlight was paramount. For consistency with the overall theme, we explored textures and finishes to highlight the original features so this home’s bathrooms all followed the same palette and signature but with the addition of a unique finishing element to personalise each one.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The natural light flooding the bath and shower areas.” alexandrakidd.com FACT FILE Interior design ALEXANDRA KIDD DESIGN Builder Mattah Constructions. Joinery Resene triple ‘Sea Fog’ polyurethane gloss finish by Esito. Vanity…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO? Messy, sunny, at capacity. Very central, I can ride my bike to most design events. I’m a five-minute ride to Tait and a 10-minute ride to Cult, that I work closely with. WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR WORKSPACE? It is very convenient. I own a corner terrace, live upstairs and my studio is on street level. Not a long trip to work but independent from home for my headspace. Good coffee and food a few doors up. The building is heritage listed, which is a mockery given how dilapidated it was when I bought it. I have since given it a makeover. It was built in 1885 so it has some history. I have heard it was many different things: upholstery shop, delicatessen, it…

1 FINNISH LINES ‘Marimekko: Design Icon 1951 to 2018’ is a dazzling exhibition featuring more than 60 outfits, homewares and original fabrics. bendigoart gallery.com.au 2 ‘TRANSMISSION’, the new exhibition of Marisa Purcell’s mystical work, will run from March 20 to April 10. edwinacorlette.com 3 REED THIS Aromatic reeds in Molton Brown’s new scent, ‘Rosa Absolute’, will keep your rooms fragrant for four months. davidjones.com.au 4 GLAM LAMPS The ‘Linden’ table lamp designed by Kelly Wearstler is decorative and sophisticated and available from contentsid.com. 5 FLOOR SHOW Armadillo’s chic ‘Agra Knot’ rugs come in three sizes and six colours, including Kingfisher pictured. armadillo-co.com 6 SPARKLING SUCCESS From the Italian word to bloom or flourish, Magnum + Queens’ ‘Fiorire’ Sparkling 2015 is the latest offering from magnumandqueens.com.au 7 MARCH IS ART MONTH…

‘MOLA’ GRINDER MI LL DART BRAEDER “I lost a beautiful heavy silver pepper mill and could never find another so I designed this one.” ‘PLATEAU’ VASE ZACHARY HANNA “Intended to subvert the traditional vase towards a sparse horizontal concept.” ‘ALIAS’ HAND MIRROR JOSH CARMODY “Driven by nostalgia for the past and inspiration from contemporary technology.” ‘SMOKESTACK’ INCENSE BURNER SET DAVID KNOTT “Sculptural incense burners stimulating our sense of smell and sight.” ‘VITE’ WAITER’S FRIEND TOM FEREDAY “Designed to be a valuable tool that is elegant and enjoyable to use.”…

A change of scenery led to a shift in tide for the artist Julian Meagher. The culmination of a month-long residency at Mimosa Rocks National Park under the auspices of Bega Valley Regional Gallery, his new series ‘Inlet/Outlet’ represents a break from figurative still-life studies towards a wilder, more intuitive style centred on the landscape. “To be honest I was in a bit of a creative rut at the time,” says the two-time Archibald finalist. “I’d been painting still life for a few years and had gone as far as I could with that for the time being, so I was looking to paint something different. That’s why residencies are so good in that they can sling you out into thinking differently and taking risks.” Living at the historic Myer…

1 TRUNK CALL Reminiscent of ancient China, the ‘Trunk Tall’ cabinet, $20,775, by Neri&Hu is a modern take on a classic design in white lacquered HDF with American oak interior. spenceandlyda.com.au 2 BY DESIGN This bespoke cabinet, POA, by Justine Hugh- Jones Design impresses with its muted teal facade and elegant aesthetic. justinehughjones.com INTE RIOR DESIGNER JUSTINE HUGHJONES believes armoires have developed from being merely storage furniture to a focal point in the home. “Armoires were named and created centuries ago by the French as a large cabinet used for storing weapons and armour. Today they can be fabulous centrepieces in a room and are a beautiful storage alternative to built-in joinery. Adaptable to different living spaces throughout the home, they are used for a multitude of storage needs –…

LUCY McCABE, INTERIOR DESIGN EDITOR, BELLE Brushed Nickel is an elegant and highly versatile finish, eschewing bling in favour of a soft, organic feel. Its warmth and vibrancy work with the sinuous curves of the Zip HydroTap Arc, which off ers instant filtered, boiling, chilled and sparkling water, yet cleverly conceals its technical wizardry within a visually simple and sophisticated design. Set against a backdrop of raw, tumbled limestone, the Zip HydroTap Arc has been paired with accessories inspired by the elements for a look that’s subtle yet sublime. WIN A ZIP HYDROTAP ARC IN BRUSHED NICKEL plus installation, valued at more than $6000 (Includes Zip HydroTap, Font and Zip Premium installation). ENTER AT HOMESTOLOVE.COM.AU/ZIP “Combining brains and beauty, the Zip HydroTap Arc is the understated star in this raw…

Walk through the double doors and into the vast marbled hallway of this home in Sydney’s south and you could be in a Hollywood movie. You almost expect a 1940s starlet to glide down its sweeping staircase, negligee floating in her wake. “There’s a lot of drama,” confesses its designer, Greg Natale. “I love drama and infuse that into all my interiors.” A spectacular staircase, too, always features in his script. “It’s a no-brainer, a beautiful way to make a sexy statement.” When the owners of this house, a professional couple with four children, found this site on a hill overlooking a bush-clad valley in 2015, they realised only a scene-stopper such as this would do it justice. “It had beautiful views and air. We knew we could build our…

THESOCIETYINC.COM.AU INSTAGRAM SIBELLA COURT Sleep THE NEW ROAD RESIDENCE I dream of staying here. The owners of Hostem have staged this beautiful residence in an 18th-century linen merchant’s house creating a magical palette as a backdrop for Faye Toogood’s ‘Roly Poly’ chair, Stuart Shave gallery artworks, Rick Owens pieces and a kitchen by Plain English. The notion of ‘if you like it you can buy it’ tops off what is a memorable experience. 33newroad.com CHILTERN F IREHOUSE A hotel housed in London’s first purpose-built fire station with 26 rooms that feel like the private house of your long-lost English greatuncle. Owned and imagined by André Balazs (Chateau Marmont and The Mercer) it oozes thoughtfulness for the guest experience. As well as beautifully appointed rooms, think marble bathrooms, fireplaces, 24-hour kitchen,…

DESIGNE R ALEXAND RA KIDD “This kitchen renovation was part of a complete redesign of a Victorian terrace. When we stripped back the layers, the original sandstone walls were a beautiful surprise. We wanted to complement this treasure and chose to leave it in its raw state and explored using textures and finishes to highlight it. Once a small closed-off room, we opened it up to engage with the adjoining family rooms allowing us to incorporate an eat-in kitchen for this young family. The cabinetry’s dark timber base was selected to contrast with the sandstone’s warm honey tones and the bronze mirror reflects the stone, adds light and lets the owners keep their eyes on the children in the adjoining rooms even while washing the dishes!” alexandrakidd.com FACT FILE Interior…

DESIGNER ALEXANDRA DONOHOE CHURCH “The clients have a passion for antique and vintage pieces, and love rich, dramatic and textured materials. Entry to this powder room is via a hidden door set within the library joinery so our intention for this beach house was to create a jewellike room as an element of surprise. As the property is quite modern we chose key vintage pieces such as the Borsani mirror from Nicholas & Alistair to balance the strong forms such as the custom vanity.” decus.com.au FACT FILE Interior design DECUS INTERIORS Architecture SQUARE DESIGN Vanity Custom-designed vanity unit in Breccia Nera stone from Artedomus. Wall finish Porter’s Paints ‘Grigio’. Flooring Antique concrete tiles. Tapware Caboom ‘SQT 751’ gooseneck spout re-finished by Astor Metal in Australis Brushed Nickel, and Gessi ‘Rettangolo’…

DESIGNER DAVID HICKS “The bathroom is located in the master suite of this clifftop holiday home. The sandy colour palette extends from the other areas of the house while the blue bath provides a pop of ocean colour. My favourite bathroom items are the bath itself and the sand-coloured textured granite we sourced from overseas. They both complement the style of the house and its location.” What luxury item did you choose for this space regardless of budget? “The Agape ‘Ottocento’ bathtub from Artedomus because it forms a sculptural centrepiece for the bathroom.” davidhicks.com FACT FILE Interior design DAVID HICKS Joinery/vanity Two-pack polyurethane in Dulux ‘Natural White’ on MDF by E&C Joinery. Flooring ‘San Sebastian’ granite from Artedomus. Bath Agape ’Ottocento’ from Artedomus. Tapware ’Tonic’ in Polished Chrome from Rogerseller.…

DESIGNER LUCY BOCK “The bathroom was designed within the home’s existing footprint and reconfigured to achieve a more functional floorplan. The client shared a love of bold and bright colours so it was an absolute joy to design a space that was playful and colourful yet imbued with refinement and luxury. Classic pieces were incorporated into the design to make the space feel like a special room in its own right. Michael Anastassiades ‘Ball’ wall light (not seen) is like a little jewel and adds sparkle to the space. The Agape ‘Stairs’ towel ladder is also a favourite item which sits beautifully against the grey Elba marble and blue glass mosaic tiles. Marble on the floor and walls was a definite luxury and a perfect contrast to the blue tiles…

DESIGNER EMMA TEMPLETON “We set out to create a space with understated luxury using simple, honest materials. The space is both a place of daily routine and restful retreat, thus requiring both practical and beautiful solutions. The position of the ensuite within the dwelling had previously meant that the room had no ventilation and no natural light. We were able to address these issues with the use of skylights and carefully considered material selection to enhance the best qualities of the space. Due to the location of the ensuite within the house we had limited opportunities to introduce natural light while retaining privacy. The angled skylight to the south provides beautiful, soft natural light. This is the quality that makes the space inviting and joyful. The handmade tiles celebrate this…

A Abey abey.com.au Academy Tiles academytiles.com.au Adam Standfield Cabinetmaking (02) 9693 5578 Andi-Co andico.com.au Angelucci 20th Century angelucci.net.au Anibou anibou.com.au Antique Floors antiquefloors.com.au Apaiser apaiser.com Armadillo & Co armadillo-co.com Artedomus artedomus.com Arthur G (02) 9332 1488; arthurg.com.au Articolo articololighting.com Astra Walker astrawalker.com.au Aura Objects auraobjects.com B Bathe (02) 9509 0000; bathe.net.au Becker Minty (02) 8356 9999; beckerminty.com Behruz Studio (03) 9824 8156; behruzstudio.com Bell & Ross bellross.com Belle Property belleproperty.com Bemboka bemboka.com Bentons bentons.com.au BoConcept boconcept.com/en-au Bisanna Tiles (02) 9310 2500; bisanna.com.au Blum blum.com/au Brickworks (02) 9830 7800; brickworks.com.au Brodware brodware.com Buckford Illumination Group buckford.com.au C Cadrys (02) 9328 9188; cadrys.com.au Caesarstone (02) 9091 2900; caesarstone.com.au Cafe Culture + Insitu (02) 9699 8577; cafecultureinsitu.com.au Camerich (02) 9699 1088; camerich.com.au Candana (02) 9389 8631; candana.com.au Captain’s Choice (03) 8526 2300; captainschoice.com.au…