For Summer 2023, Finnish design house Marimekko sets a completely new mood. The collection interprets better living through the lens of optimistic futurism, which is seen in the simplified and mono-material aesthetics of the season.
The new collection plays with dynamics between different shapes and the dialogue between positive and negative space.
The kitchen selection presents new essential items designed for casual, family style dining. Items in the Oiva tableware assortment come in a new brown base, which combines beautifully with white base ceramics from previous seasons. The collection also introduces new additions for tea lovers – brown base Oiva tea mugs and teapot in Seireeni (siren) print by Maja Isola from 1964.
In textiles there’s a new crewel embroidered Seireeni cushion cover, which is made from unbleached cotton linen blend and the quilted Seireeni bedspread made from unbleached cotton and recycled polyester filling.
The season’s colours play with the dialogue between nature’s own shaded and industrially manufactured colours. Natural shades, such as sand, burnt red and sky blue are mixed with artificial tones of spearmint green and joyful yellow. The overall aesthetic sets a hopeful atmosphere that yarns for those perfect summer days ahead.
The season’s prints offer futuristic interpretations of some Marimekko classics. Fresh colourways and simplified prints bring a breath of something new, yet familiar at the same time into the season.
The prints come in monochromatic shades and simplified aesthetics. Minimal icons, such as Tilliskivi (brick) by Armi Ratia, Seireeni (siren) and Unikko (poppy) by Maija Louekari and Pyykki (laundry) by Jenni Tuominen, which both showcase a hand-painted aesthetic.
Former Block twins, and interior designers, Alisa and Lysandra Fraser are back with the second season of their online series The Design Duo. The six-part series is based on a multi-million-dollar newly built home in Queensland’s Paradise Point. It’s just kicked off and it’s a great pervy insight into the sisters’ design process as they curate the bespoke waterfront residence. Today we’re bringing you a few pics of the home’s incredible master bedroom, ensuite and dressing area.
Bedroom
Dressing area
“This is our biggest ever project to date and we couldn’t be happier with the finished product. We have worked on this build for two and a half years and have put our blood, sweat and tears into this project, but seeing the homeowner’s reaction to the finished result made it all worth it – this is what reminds us why we do what we do,” says Lysandra. I think it’s safe to say that we would be pretty thrilled if this was our home too!
BathroomBathroom
A local couple engaged the twins to create a timelessly designed, four-bedroom beachfront home for them and they appear to have nailed the brief. The online series documents the entire build process and gives viewers the opportunity to tune in and discover some of the twins’ best tricks of the trade along the way.
Inside the master bedroom’s dreamy walk-in-robe
Walk-in-robe
Showcasing the duo’s refined eye for detail, the high-end custom build features bespoke details and luxe fixtures and key suppliers include Reece Bathrooms, Beaumont Tiles, CDK Stone, Godfrey Hirst, Neolith, Taubmans Paint, Zip Tap, PGH, Bradford & Bosch and Luxaflex window coverings.
Alisa and Lysandra Fraser
New episodes will run weekly, and the series is set to wrap up on March 6, 2023. Tune into The Design Duo.
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Artist Grotti Lotti (aka Casey Manson), whose unique painting style has an amazing way of capturing the beauty of nature, has launched an exciting collection in partnership with Australian homewares brand, Linen House. They hope the linen will free the mind and re-energise your sleeping space!
The Linen House x Grotti Lotti collection features three incredible pieces of work from Grotti Lotti, available to purchase as quilt cover sets and European pillowcases, as well as feature cushions. My Energy Is My Currency, Just Start Somewhere and Blow It Up, follow Casey’s signature loose and colourful contemporary style. The designs have been selected from Casey’s painted artwork and are digitally printed on a silky soft cotton sateen with a plain dyed reverse.
Casey’s first piece from the Linen House collection was My Energy Is My Currency, a thoughtful, earthy and relaxing piece. “I became completely immersed in this piece – based on some dried protea flowers in the studio I nicked from my mum’s block. The title is based on the notion that energy is interchangeable; it’s not always about the final product but the energy that goes into the piece that gives it life and captivates others. I love the thoughtful, earthy but relaxed nature of this piece. It has its own energy and synchronicity.”
My Energy is my Currency
Bright, loose and fresh, Just Start Somewhere includes her favourite colours and is centred around native blooms. The piece’s deep, earthy greens highlight her feelings of zen when in amongst nature.
Just Start Somewhere
Blow It Up, is an abstract of Casey’s own heart and mind with thick brushstrokes and pops of colour. Created after a small break, Casey put brush to canvas, allowing herself to create without rules or expectations.
Blow It Up
Casey said: “I’m so excited to have worked with Linen House on this bespoke collection. It has long been a dream of mine to create textiles from my work and Linen House have been the perfect team to work alongside to bring this dream to life. I am beyond proud of this collection, from my home studio to your homes, I hope you love them!”.
The collection is available now, exclusive to Linen House and Myer.
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Kmart is kicking the year off with a bang with its February home range. It features some of its best buys yet which is really saying something. Designed and developed by Kmart’s in-house design and buying team in Melbourne, the collection features a plethora of functional furnishings, on-trend textures and colourful home accent pieces including bedding, occasional chairs, rugs, decorative vases and more.
Kmart’s February home range features these lovely wares
“Our customers are constantly looking for new and affordable ways to refresh and update the spaces within their home and we are proud to be able to bring the latest home and décor trends from across the globe to Australia. This season, it’s about creating gentle, restful nooks within the home, whilst still injecting personality via pops of colour, unique textures and nostalgic shapes and angles,” says Kmart’s divisional merchandise manager Meryn Serong.
Kmart’s lovely new pot collection
There are excellent bedding options too
The range has been created around three key aesthetics (Timeless, Natural and Urban) and the prices start from just $5. The Timeless and Natural aesthetics are all about creating calm, cosy spaces and key pieces within those ranges feature ceramics in sculptural waves and curves as well as rattan, blonde timbers and fabrics like boucle and shearling. The Urban collection features black touches as well as bold coloured glassware.
We love this coloured glassware
Highlights from the range include the said coloured glassware which comes in $14 sets and provide endless tablescaping opportunities. There are fun new sculptural candles too and the new pot and vase line-up features some stellar designs.
The new towel line-up is pretty gorgeous
The candle range starts from $5
The brand’s popular DIY offering has been expanded also, reflecting the increasing popularity of upcycling and DIY renovating. Fix-up finds include a new range of statement handles perfect for transforming and elevating existing furniture pieces, as well as an array of versatile wall tiles.
There are plenty of great new lighting options too
Renting. Let’s face it – it’s got plenty of challenges, but there’s a certain sense of satisfaction in transforming a blank slate into something that feels cosy and ‘you’. And there are plenty of temporary ways you can style your rental property without running the risk of losing your bond and upsetting your landlord.
A serial renter in Sydney, Sophie Cartwright is a lighting designer and founder of the gorgeous new lighting brand Soffle. Today, she shares her top tips for adding personality to your rental space.
Sophie Cartwright
Use indoor plants to add a fresh feel Adding greenery into your rental space will give it an instant lift. Choose fake florals to jazz up your coffee table, add herb pots to add a homely feel to your kitchen, and an orchid or eucalyptus plants to reinvigorate your bathroom; an easy and inexpensive way to breathe life into your space.
Create a green corner and take it with you when you move house!
Create wow factor with a statement pendant light The main light in most rentals usually comes from a pendant light. With so many different affordable styles available, the main ceiling light is a real opportunity to stamp your personal design aesthetic on the space.
As well as providing plenty of lovely lumens, a large pendant light can be a focal point in a lounge, drawing the eye as you enter the room and tying everything together.
Replace window coverings Roller blinds or stained old curtains can make a rental feel very run-down. Switching these out for drapes or new curtains is a great way to introduce new colours and patterns into your home. Trial different fabrics and textures to liven up any space.
Photo: Draperly
Use table lamps to introduce colour and texture When starting to design your space, texture and colour are key ways to put your unique style into a home. As well as providing a lovely layer of warm, atmospheric lighting in a room, well-chosen table lamps can also bring a pop of colour and texture whether they’re on or not!
In the room below, the scallop jute Soffle lampshade paired with a textured base creates a striking look which provides drama and contrast against the neutral backdrop of the room.
Spend more on versatile furniture pieces The downside of rentals is that you’re often moving from one to the next, and for this you need versatile furniture pieces that work in any space. Sophie’s top tip is to choose pieces that will work hard for you. Think coffee tables that have heaps of storage, ottomans that can double as toy chests, or sofa sets that work well together or great separately as a sofa and occasional chairs.
A storage coffee table, like this one from West Elm, is a great idea for small spaces.
Create a reading nook with a floor lamp Floor lamps add height and elegance to a room, and they’re also great for dividing spaces up and creating different zones such as a reading nook. You can make these cosy corners with soft materials and a fabric lampshade, like this reading nook by Sophie, featuring Soffle’s extra-large scallop lampshade.
We love this Soffle Scallop lamp shade
Change up your lampshade for a quick transformation Lampshades are an easy, effective, fun (and affordable) way of quickly styling up a room. As well as complementing an existing design theme, they can also be a way of introducing bold new colours, patterns, materials and textures.
During the summer months, choose bright colours and linen textures to freshen up your look and during the cooler months opt for dark greens, blues and heavy textures to anchor your space and add warmth.
The Soffle scallop lamp shade below, in duck egg blue, sets off the hues for the rest of the room decor below. It creates a lovely, relaxing harmonious vibe while still hogging plenty of limelight for itself.
The brainchild and nickname of founder Sophie, Soffle offers a slice of Australian design that’s committed to doing good. Soffle works in partnership with SolarBuddy, and for every lamp purchased, they’ll donate $5 towards a solar light a child can use to light up their home with brightness and comfort. SolarBuddy works with children all around the world who don’t have access to this much-needed essential.
After trawling the Australian market in vain looking for beautiful, modern and affordable light solutions, Sophie took matters into her own hands. Soffle was created for like minded people who love the sense of warmth and welcome a well placed light can create.
The team behind this gorgeous Wollongong Art Deco home renovation is back with a similar makeover on the shores of Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast. Lumiere Lakes is a stylish three-bedroom holiday home on the water’s edge owned by Zoe and Dane Cartwright of Illawarra’s Projection Build who modelled the design on their permanent residence with Sherson Architecture at the helm.
“We wanted to create the ideal coastal getaway – a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy the beautiful waterfront location. It’s light-filled, calm resort style living and is the dream home away from home,” says Zoe.
Dining room. The walls are painted with Dulux Vivid White and warm engineered timber flooring complements.
The home’s neutral palette and tranquil feel bears more than a passing sartorial nod to cult holiday destinations like Byron Bay’s Raes on Wategos and Brisbane’s The Calile Hotel. “The home features coastal Moroccan elements with modern functionality and each inclusion was chosen to make holiday living effortless and enjoyable,” says Zoe.
Lounge
The home sleeps 10 guests across its three bedrooms – there’s a master bedroom with ensuite, another large bedroom and a custom bunk room that features two double beds and two single beds designed to sleep children from two families.
Bedroom
Bunk room
The kitchen features Organic White Caesarstone benchtops, travertine tiles and Navurban Balmoral timber veneer joinery that hides a variety of integrated appliances. The space is also home to a stylish butler’s pantry that is accessed through an elegant arch threshold.
Kitchen
Butler’s pantry
The bathrooms feature Caesarstone benchtops (again in Organic White) as well as timber veneer cupboard fronts (Navurban Balmoral) as well as tiles by Inigo Jones and Co, tapware by ABI Interiors and Bjorn oval mirrors.
Ensuite
Ensuite
Nestled on a long 809 square metre block, the home features a multitude of entertaining spaces including two entertaining decks that step down to the water – a fire pit completes the space and ensures the outdoors can be used year-round. “My favourite feature of the home is the crazy pave floor finish that surrounds the fire pit space that overlooks the manicured reserve and water’s edge of Lake Conjola,” says Zoe of the area that features an outdoor entertaining kitchen too.
The tranquil outdoor entertaining space
Outdoor fire pit
“We wanted somewhere low maintenance that could be easily rented on the holiday property market whilst we weren’t using it. It’s built to entertain and host like a private, secluded waterfront resort.”
From bed linen to furniture, there’s always something new to discover within the kids’ interior scene. And this month, not only are we bringing you the latest children’s interior finds but we’ve also got a fabulous giveaway. Il Tutto’s bouclé recliner is the perfect addition to any chic nursery space – scroll down to go into the draw.
Ailanto Design: A collaboration between Amanda Ferragamo and the recently profiled Australian interior designer Keeley Green, Ailanto Design is a purveyor of luxury hand-designed wallpaper, fabrics and homewares for children’s rooms. All of the brand’s whimsical designs are hand-drawn by Amanda who draws on her extensive travels and family life in Italy for artistic inspiration.
Ailanto Design Angkor Wat wallpaper in apricot and Broad Not Bored fabric
Ailanto Design Cottontail wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric
Ailanto Design Woodland Squirrel fabric wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric
Il Tutto Paige glider recliner chair in vanilla bouclé: Il Tutto’s popular Paige recliner chair is back but this time it’s wrapped in a luxe, on-trend vanilla bouclé fabric. The chair fully reclines, boasts a high backrest and armrests positioned at the correct height for relief while breast or bottle feeding your baby. The chair retails for $889 but scroll down for your chance to win one for your nursery, or even elsewhere in your home if you don’t have a baby (it sure is stylish enough!).
Il Tutto Paige chair
Lorena Canals rugs: Available locally from Momy Decor, the Spanish designer Lorena Canals has been a trendsetter in the children’s home decor market ever since she created the washable rug concept. The range is brimming with fabulous designs that are practical, cosy and lightweight so that you can easily move them around.
Kaarol washable rug, $428.
Tropical Green washable rug, $438
Linen House Kids: The new range of children’s bedding at Linen House is rather fun and many of the designs are reversible meaning you get two looks for the price of one! With something for every child’s room there’s large spots, hearts, bears and bunnies as well as large, bold checks and more.
Rockabye River play mat: Eco-friendly, biodegradable, certified non-toxic, extra thick, durable, easy clean and waterproof this Australian owned and designed range of play mats are also super cute and fully reversible. 200cm x 140cm. $189.95.
Savannah/Outback play mat
Our Journey Home/Reef play mat
Savannah/Outback play mat
The winner was Kate Bowles from VIC.
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When interior designer Kathryn Trentini bought this 1980’s Port Macquarie villa she saw a lot of potential and was particularly inspired by its original archway design. “I loved that the arch was still there, and it really represents that era. I feel like they were trying to be a bit fancy with that arch!” So Kathryn instead focused on this one feature and sought to infuse a modern interpretation of the 80’s aesthetic throughout the renovation.
BEFORE lounge roomAFTER lounge room
One of a row of four red brick villas, Kathryn originally intended to renovate the property and find a long-term tenant but changed her mind when a friend suggested she list it on Airbnb. “It is my first foray into the short-term rental space, and I think we’ve managed to celebrate the best of the original spaces while enhancing the home’s features through contemporary material choices and design ideas,” says Kathryn who has named the home Arthouse Villa in a nod to the beautiful original artworks dotted throughout.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
There was significant space planning involved, especially in the bathroom and kitchen which were both reconfigured to make much better use of the home’s footprint. “The kitchen was u-shaped and had a tiny ledge on one wall that was completely useless. Even though the room was massive, the kitchen was really lacking,” says Kathryn. It’s certainly true that, compared to the 1980’s, we ask so much more of our kitchens these days and that is reflected in the redesign.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
The new galley style kitchen features an integrated fridge, double pantry, oven with combined microwave and dishwasher and it’s also got a mini butler’s pantry where the kettle, toaster and coffee machine are stored. “That’s a great option if you can’t fit a full butler’s and it’s perfect for small apartments or for people that don’t want a whole other space to keep clean,” says Kathryn. One side of the kitchen features tall cabinetry while the other is bench height with an open shelf above. “I loved the idea of being able to display non-kitchen stuff. I see it as an opportunity to add personality,” says Kathryn.
AFTER kitchen
A standout feature, Lo & Co honed marble handles not only link back to the arch but they are super luxe too. “The kitchen finishes are very simple really, but the handles really do add a lovely luxury element that improves the entire aesthetic,” says Kathryn who used them on one wall of cabinets and used an inexpensive painted timber dowel and brass handle on the other.
AFTER kitchen
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining
The bathroom design was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity; Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. “I wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great,” says Kathryn.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom. Kathryn sourced the vanity from Reece, wall lights from Beacon, tapware from ABI Interiors and mirror from Bunnings.
“Overall, I’ve had amazing feedback from visitors who say that they really like the unit’s sense of understated luxury. They like that it’s not precious and they feel comfortable here, but it still ticks that luxury box,” says Kathryn.
Gemma Peanut. You may know her from her time as a Neighbours actress, but she is now an online photography teacher and one half of parenting podcast We Don’t Have Time for This with her bestie Kate Reeves. Her most recent role has seen her enter the design world through the renovation of her Cabarita Beach holiday house Yo Caba Caba.
Gemma Peanut in her new beach house
Originally built in 1990, the home was relatively untouched when Gemma and her husband purchased it with the intention of using it as a holiday home for themselves as well as listing it on Airbnb. After considered listing it without touching the interiors, the couple decided that it didn’t spark joy in its original state and a fun and colourful renovation ensued.
“Our house in Sydney is very Zen with a neutral palette that provides a calm backdrop against the chaos of raising small children. I knew I wanted the beach house to be the antithesis of that. It’s loud, fun and joyous,” says Gemma, who used to live in LA and drew inspiration from her visits to Palm Springs when creating the interior. “I love the vivid colours of the 50’s and the furniture shapes of the 70s,” says Gemma.
Bedroom
Armed with myriad Pinterest boards, Gemma came up with the interior concepts and hired a renderer to create drawings of the designs. But with so many ideas she found it difficult to consolidate them and commit – especially when it came to the home’s statement kitchen.
“I was most nervous about the colours. Pink and blue are not your typical kitchen colours and I was worried that it would look like a bad gender reveal!” She needn’t have worried though – the kitchen’s sorbet tones, curves, retro-inspired tiling and brass pendant light fittings are more than Insta-worthy. “I figured that one of the main reasons people choose an Airbnb over a hotel room is for the kitchen, so I really wanted it to be quite special,” says Gemma of the renovation’s biggest splurge area.
Kitchen
Kitchen
The nearby dining and lounge rooms are furnished with a mix of high and low-end buys; a bargain moss green Early Settler sofa sits alongside a more expensive leather one while a McMullin & Co coffee table sits atop an affordable Miss Amara Rug. “One of the biggest splurges would be the Balmy Studios table in the dining room but we bought a lot of affordable buys from Temple & Webster too,” says Gemma.
Lounge room
While wallpaper features throughout the home it’s at its most effective in the bedrooms where it’s paired with custom bedheads from Land Home. “The bedheads were my favourite purchase as I got to choose all the fabrics for them and they really elevate the rooms,” says Gemma who sourced bed linen from a variety of sources including Target and Bonnie and Neil.
Anna Spiro wallpaper features in this bedroom
Unsurprisingly, the renovation has proven a success and the home has been solidly booked all summer. Gemma stayed in the home during the renovation, but her husband hasn’t even slept there yet! “We’re really excited about staying there in March,” says Gemma.
Alfresco
Pool
“I’m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego – it allowed me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do.”
Located on the dunes at Blairgowrie in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Camillo House is one of the most unusual and beautiful holiday homes we’ve seen. “The home is more than unique, luxury accommodation. Created with sensory pleasure in mind and an incredible attention to detail, it is a backdrop to live fully,” says the home’s founder Clare Hillier who explains that the home was borne from the depths of Melbourne’s arduous COVID lockdowns.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
“The world felt smaller than it ever had in 2020 and I started dreaming of creating a true escape – in every sense of the word,” says Clare who spent hours online each day looking for the perfect property before stumbling upon this home. “I remember saying out loud ‘this is it’!” says Clare who inspected the home the day after finding it, promptly purchased it and then spent a summer camping in the house getting to know it better before commencing the renovation.
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining
After much contemplation, two years of hard work ensued with Clare determined to create a home that remained true to its faded 1980’s beauty, while having an identity all of its own. “Our vision for Camillo was that it would be more than luxury accommodation. Rather than playing a supporting role in our guests’ holiday tale, we wanted to create an experience in and of itself,” says Clare.
BEFORE loungeAFTER lounge. The home boasts a beautiful art collection.
In collaboration with Blair Smith Architecture, the home’s layout was reconfigured to make the most of the ocean views while every room and surface was updated. “Pine lining boards running across the walls and ceiling combined with a rabbit-warren floor plan made the space feel like a Swedish sauna,” says Clare of the original abode.
AFTER fireplace
Many details were updated – the original exposed mission brown bricks were bagged and a ply ceiling was introduced (a quieter alternative to the hectic orange pine boards) and all of the windows were replaced. The original slate floor was resurfaced to remove the 1980’s high gloss and the material formed the inspiration for the home’s entire colour scheme. “With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette,” says Clare.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER A custom travertine and spotted gum bedhead features in one of the bedrooms
“We have decorated the home almost entirely with vintage furniture that we sourced from near and far and pieces we designed and made ourselves,” says Clare who also selected all the home’s materials and interior fixtures and fittings. Incredibly, while Clare has always had an interest in interiors she isn’t formally trained!
BEFORE bathroomAFTER bathroom
The kitchen features statement ‘Cosmopolitan’ quartzite which is repeated in the master ensuite shower shelf. Travertine and venetian plaster feature in the second bathroom and Verde Green marble tiles feature in the third bathroom – salvaged from Facebook Marketplace. “They were a steal from a lady who was renovating her bathroom and throwing them out,” says Clare.
AFTER The third bedroom and bathroom
“As an antidote to the grind of modern life, we designed spaces and selected materials with sensory pleasure in mind and a devotion to attention to detail. There is something that is more playful about creating a space for people to escape to than when you are designing a home for everyday living,” says Clare.
AFTER master bedroom and ensuite
Just 50 barefoot steps from the beach, the home has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, four living spaces, a cook’s kitchen, four decks and an outdoor bath. The bespoke designer space also enjoys stunning ocean views while showcasing 25 original artworks from Australian and international artists.
AFTER games roomAFTER one of the home’s four decks
“Totally at one with the landscape, Camillo is a hideaway that celebrates the raw beauty of our part of the world. Whether it’s a secluded bath outdoors, watching thunderstorms roll in over the dunes while lying in bed or nightcaps and card games around the firepit, Camillo frames the rituals of time away towards a deep connection with nature and each other.”
The new year holds excitement in interior design trends as we get to explore new styling or revisit old designs. Interior designer and stylist Liz Hayward takes a dive into the biggest trends she expects to see this year, as well as what’s no longer in.
Liz Hayward
Earthy tones and natural hues
We have seen this trend grow stronger over the past few years when everyone was seeking a place of calm and tranquillity, and it doesn’t look to be going anywhere any time soon. The difference we will see this year, is a slight injection of subtle colour to complement. Think soft greens or hints of mauve and understated pink tones to offset the neutrals.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo has been having a moment in recent times, and this looks to only increase in 2023. We are seeing a move away from the marble that has been a common selection for many years now, and into the character filled terrazzo. This will go hand in hand with textured tiles and injecting the organic and handcrafted feel to a space.
An explosion of sculpture is hitting the interior design world. Whilst traditional style artworks will always have their place in our homes, mixing this will sculptural pieces -whether it be wall hung and floor standing will be a huge trend in 2023.
Black, white and grey has always a been a fan favourite in Australian homes, we are now seeing a step away from these cool tones and a strong step towards adding warmth into our spaces with warm tones, natural fibres and textured details.
Our homes should be a reflection of those that live there. Collecting and displaying objects that have meaning to you and your family is so important in creating a personalised space. I think more and more see will see a move away from homes that look like they have been lifted out of a magazine spread, and more into homes that tell the story of those that live within.
We have seen this trend grow stronger over the past few years when everyone was seeking a place of calm and tranquillity, and it doesn’t look to be going anywhere any time soon. The difference we will see this year, is a slight injection of subtle colour to complement. Think soft greens or hints of mauve and understated pink tones to offset the neutrals.
Growing up as an expat, Brisbane based interior designer Keeley Green lived in Africa, Papua New Guinea and England which explains the global influence you can see in her work. “I would describe my aesthetic as comfortable elegance and it has an international feel too. It’s also very collected as I don’t like to use things from just one era,” says Keeley who spent her early years globetrotting before settling in Bundaberg where she married, had two children and worked as a property developer in the family business for 16 years.
Interior designer Keeley Green
But it wasn’t until the breakup of her marriage that Keeley decided to pursue a design career and she began by moving to Italy and undertaking a Masters at the Florence Design Academy with her two children in tow. “Florence was an incredible experience. While I was dealing with my separation it was great to give my children a dose of culture and to role model for my daughter.
“I wanted to teach her about resilience, being courageous and following your dreams,” says Keeley who studied for 18 months in the Italian city. During that time, she met Amanda Ferragamo (of the Salvatore Ferragamo family) with whom she set up a wallpaper and fabric business called Ailanto Design — a business she continues to run.
After Keeley completed her studies, she moved to the UK and set up a design studio in England which she ran for a few years. But it was when her eldest child was about to start high school that Keeley made the decision to return to Australia (family beckoned) and she set up her Brisbane based design studio soon after. “It was my mother that said if I didn’t come home then my children would start their lives there and I’d find it hard to leave. It was great advice.”
Beach House project
Beach House project
Keeley’s team work on a range of projects that vary from luxury residential work to boutique hospitality jobs and, rather interestingly, super yachts. “I have really enjoyed working on the yacht projects lately because they’ve been such a steep learning curve. We work with clients at a very high end and when you work on a luxurious property it’s usually quite large whereas with a super yacht it must have all the same things but it’s much smaller,” says Keeley who has enjoyed using her design skills in a different setting.
Old Vicarage project
Old Vicarage project
And though Keeley is based in Brisbane, she has just launched one-hour Zoom consults in order to service clients anywhere. “The idea behind the consults is to make our services accessible to more people as not everyone can afford to engage us for a full design service, nor do they necessarily need to,” says Keeley who covers all sorts of things during the consults including floor plan revision and ideas, furniture layouts and selections, home décor selections, paint and wall treatments, exterior design and more. As an aside, 10% of fees raised from the Zoom consults will be donated to the domestic violence charity RizeUp Australia.
Beach House project
The Old Vicarage project
“If you enjoy the challenge of managing your own project but have some burning interior design questions, or you don’t have the budget to engage a full-time interior designer, this would be a great option for you.”
Whether renovating or designing from scratch, it’s easy to get immersed in the fun part of the design process (colours, finishes etc!) when space planning is just as important. Improving the functionality and workflow of a space is key and this is especially the case in the kitchen. Part of a whole apartment renovation in Sydney’s Manly, this kitchen was overhauled recently with fabulous results.
BEFOREAFTER kitchen
Finishes aside, it’s the change in orientation that has made the biggest difference to this kitchen. “The old island bench has been rotated by 90 degrees and now sits perpendicular to the workspace. This has created an entirely new personality for the space and allows the owners to take advantage of the lovely views from the terrace beyond,” said David Bartlett, Art of Kitchens owner and head designer.
The island bench is the central focus of the design, oriented to allow the owners to fully enjoy the beautiful natural vista outside. “The island is perfectly balanced to provide enough space to be functional, but not so large that it becomes an impediment to good visual flow,” said David. A large overhang creates a casual meals area, and the tiled surface imparts a gorgeous retro feel.
The island bench features a lovely green feature tile
Located by the seaside, the main goals of the renovation were to enhance the owners’ lifestyle and create a connection with nature – this is mostly obviously seen through the colour scheme. “Reflecting the stunning landscape of the exterior, the colour scheme is a lovely balance of Dulux Bottle Green in a satin polyurethane finish together with a Carrara honed marble island benchtop and splashback,” says David. A stainless steel benchtop was chosen for the back run for added functionality and a sink has been fabricated into it for a seamless, hygienic finish.
The pantry area is fitted out with LED lighting as well as organisational elements to ensure everything that’s needed is close by and easy to find. A Blum oil drawer is helpfully located adjacent to the cooking zone for ease of access and storage space is maximised by taking the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling and utilising a range of drawers under the benchtops.
“Of note is the casual breakfast/meals area behind the benchtop. A bench seat provides variable seating options while the playful striped upholstery reflects the main green of the kitchen cabinetry. The freestanding timber table has a shape reminiscent of a surfboard, further reflecting the beachside location of the apartment.”
Held biannually in Paris, Maison&Objet is one of the world’s most esteemed interior design trade fairs and this year’s event saw the celebrated Aussie interior designer Greg Natale debut his new collections with a major exhibition titled Fantaisie. Drawing on art, fashion, architecture and music, Greg’s gorgeous new lifestyle range spans tabletop, accessories and objets d’art and is finished in the designer’s signature mix of luxe materials including exotic marble and travertine, ceramic, crystal and brass.
Pieces from Greg Natale’s latest line-up
“I was inspired by the incredible intersection of art, fashion and music that emerged from the underground club scenes of the 1970s and 80s. Many of my new ceramics are named after the New Wave superstars of that era,” says Greg Natale.
Paying homage to Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry, Debbie is a collection of vases, bowls and planters that layer punk rock inspired gold spikes or silver studs over elegant forms while Visage draws on London’s 1980s Blitz Kids and features shades of Bowie, Cocteau, Matisse and Picasso. The stylised silhouettes that zigzag across the collection recall the theatrical makeup worn by Steve Strange, the leader of the New Wave synth-pop group Visage.
Debbie collection
The Visage collection comes in two stylish colourways — deep, dramatic burgundy or the lighter, more artisanal sand
The Billy Idol inspired Billy bowl is raised on geometric platforms and features a perforated finish punctuated by gold or silver embellishments. The clean design is also a nod to the work of Swiss architect Mario Botta.
Billy collection
Onda is a series of sculptural accessories carved from jewel-toned marble and a sand and red travertine – the series of elegant bowls and vases feature gentle undulating wave-like profiles. The Jackie vase, Aristotle candle holders (available with Bianco or Nero Marquina marble accents) and Boule bowl are brass pieces inspired by ancient Greek columns and torcheries.
Onda collection
The Blitz bookends reflect Greg’s obsession with 1980’s postmodernism and the underground music scenes of the same era whiel the complementary Blitz candle holders feature stacked geometric shapes in black and clear crystal – they can be flipped up or down to create different looks. Finally, Greg has added his first wineglass to his signature tabletop collection – the stemless design joins the Studio 54-inspired Rubell family of tumblers and highballs.
3 spring onions (white part sliced in rounds, green part sliced on an angle, separated)
2 carrots (peeled, diced )
1 bunch broccolini (sliced )
3 cups cooked long grain rice (chilled )
1 cup frozen peas
1 large handful beansprouts
4 free range eggs
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Toss the chicken thigh with half the Birch & Waite Teriyaki Miso Stir Fry Sauce then place into a baking dish. Leave this to marinate for 20 minutes or longer in the fridge.
Preheat an oven to 220C and roast the chicken for 15-20 minutes, until nicely caramelised and cooked through. You can use the top grill function in the oven for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking if needed to get it nice and golden.
Meanwhile, place a large frying pan or wok over a high heat and add the oil and white part of shallot, carrot and broccolini. Stir fry for 2 minutes then add the rice and stir fry that for 2 more minutes before adding the peas and remaining Birch & Waite Teriyaki Miso Stir Fry Sauce.Stir fry for 1 minute then add the bean sprouts and ¾ of remaining green shallots.
Place another non-stick pan over a high heat. Add the remaining olive oil and fry the eggs to your liking.
Slice the cooked chicken thighs. Spoon the fried rice into serving dishes and top with the chickenandfried egg, spooning any cooking juices from the chicken over the top.
Finish with remaining shallots and sesame seeds.
Foodie Friday: Teriyaki salmon bowl
In celebration of World Salmon Day last Tuesday, we’re sharing this delicious recipe from Tassal. Serves: 2 Ingredients 2 x…
Foodie Friday: Nasu Dengaku (miso eggplant)
This recipe was created by Chef Gianni Carrieri, culinary expert at Appliances Online.
Research from Australia’s largest online tradie marketplace, hipages, shows $1,500 is the average cost to repair a botched DIY job.
With Aussies around the country on a summer break and planning home renovations or refreshers, hipages chief customer officer Stuart Tucker, shares his top tips to help homeowners looking to get on top of their DIY projects.
Know when to call in an expert for help
For many Aussies, it can be tempting to try and undertake a summer job yourself with more than 23% of Aussie homeowners believing that they can fix most things around their home. However, nobody knows this better than Aussie tradies who say half (48%) of their customers underestimate the complexity of a job, and that 10-to-20% of repair jobs could have been avoided if they had been attended to by an expert sooner.
Avoid making a more costly problem, or putting your safety at risk. Know when to put down the tools, pick up the phone and call in an expert. Some common jobs where you should engage a licensed trade include:
Roof repair (missing roof tiles, roof punctures or cracks)
Outdoor landscaping (including tree maintenance, retaining walls, water features and shade structures)
Once you’ve determined what your renovation project is or what you are looking to get refreshed, I recommend reaching out to an expert to get started. In the consultation, provide as much detail in writing and through photos to help you book the right licensed tradie for the job.
Helpful questions to ask yourself and share with your tradie include:
What room or area are you looking to get fixed or refreshed?
Where in your home will the DIY project take place (outdoors, indoors, floor level etc)
Roughly, how big is the area or renovation in mind?
What materials would you need and overall budget?
What timeframe can this be completed in?
Hire a trusted tradie
More than 20% of Aussie homeowners admit they’ve had a DIY go wrong. This Summer season, if you’re looking to get some jobs done around the house and they’re a bit beyond your skill set, consult an experienced tradie to avoid a DIY disaster.
Use the hipages platform to reach out to a trusted tradie, focusing on those with the appropriate licences where required. Here, you can hire an experienced or verified tradie and view photography and reviews from their past jobs as a proof point of their work.
Outer’s first ever dining collection has arrived in Australia just in time for summer. To celebrate the launch, they teamed up with Queer Eye’s design expert Bobby Berk to put a refreshing twist on dining al fresco. Aussies can now enjoy the most innovative outdoor dining furniture that doesn’t compromise on comfort, durability or sustainability. It’ll set you back at least 10 grand though!
Outer is on a mission to solve all of the pain points of traditional outdoor furniture. The brand is raising the bar by creating sophisticated, durable and sustainable outdoor living products that last a lifetime – and this dining collection is no different.
Perfect for the harsh Aussie climate, the new dining tables are made from aluminium and teak that won’t overheat, ensuring a pleasurable outdoor dining experience. The table is also outfitted with the innovative OuterShell protective cover to prevent debris from building up when the table is not in use.
Expecting a large party? Outer’s extendable dining table has you covered, with built-in expandable leaves to accommodate up to 12 guests. To perfectly complement the tables, the director’s chairs are a timeless design that are made with all-weather Textilene fabric that repels water and resists mildew and fading.
On the collection, Bobby said: “I like that Outer has taken the best elements from their seating collection, like the clean lines and timeless materials, and translated it into an equally stylish dining collection. These pieces have a lot of versatility and could work on a small deck, a large patio, or even a balcony. And the best part: the table has a built-in extension so that whether you are dining for just your family or a larger group everyone has a seat at the table.”
Terry Lin, co-founder of Outer, said: “We’re thrilled to launch our dining collection in Australia. Not only was this collection designed to withstand the infamous Australian weather, but also to make it easier for people to spend more time dining, working or relaxing outside.”
With its combination of weatherboards and clean lines, the Scandinavian Barn remains a popular aesthetic because it marries contemporary and traditional design so beautifully. Typified by steep, pitched rooves (a necessity to stop snow gathering throughout Scandinavian winters), countless homes have been designed in this style of late and lovers of the aesthetic will be pleased to hear about a new exterior cladding product that is perfectly suited.
‘Scout’ features James Hardie Oblique Cladding
Ideal for this style of home, James Hardie Oblique Cladding is a fibre cement shiplap board product that adds clean lines and geometric precision to house exteriors and is ideal for renovations and new builds alike. Pre-primed, the cladding is non-combustible and comes ready to paint with your colour of choice; it’s also resistant to rot and moisture damage.
The fibre cement shiplap board product has oblique (slanting) groove edging and is available with 175mm and 275mm groove spacing options. This feature creates a highlight next to a square groove shadow and the result is a sophisticated look that gives exterior walls excellent depth. The product is available in two board widths (200mm and 300mm) which offers multiple installation options; you can do a simple repeat, alternating rhythm or staggered look.
Showcasing a simple repetition of 300mm wide boards with a light colour scheme, ‘Scout’ by Selah Homes achieves a modern take on a classic Scandi-barn silhouette with distinctive grooves. The home features two distinct Scandi-barn styled buildings that sit adjacent to each other and the single and double storey buildings link internally through a short connecting hallway.
The backyard at ‘Scout’
Another home that has been clad in the product is ‘Twin Peaks’ which combines 200mm and 300mm width boards that have been painted with Resene’s Element which is a gorgeous dark hue.
“The staggered installation provides the point of difference, moving away from the traditional alternating narrow and wide vertical groove look,” says the home’s owner Lucinda Laing of the product that was combined with recycled brick for a stylish end result.
‘Twin Peaks’ features cladding with staggered installation
