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Design Designers

Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2021 finalists announced

Now celebrating its 11th year, the Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards is one of the most prestigious events on Australia’s annual design calendar, garnering hundreds of submissions and culminating in a glittering reception attended by the design world’s leading lights. The program is committed to supporting the creativity and innovation of the Australian interior design industry, rewarding excellence by individuals, partnerships and design practices across residential, hospitality and commercial levels.

Greg Natale Designs’ Brisbane House, a finalist in best residential interior

Finalists in all 10 categories have been revealed (listed below in detail) in the August/September issue of Belle – on sale now – having been selected from a pool of almost 300 submissions by expert judges.

Joining Tanya Buchanan, editor-in-chief of Belle and House & Garden magazines, this year’s judging panel included Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs; Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora; and Belle contributing editors Karen McCartney, Steve Cordony, Jean Wright and Lucy Montgomery.

Rocks Revival by Thomas Hamel & Associates, a finalist in best residential interior

Tanya said: “We are really excited by the quantity and quality of entries for this year’s Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards making this year’s judging particularly challenging. The outstanding entries were submitted from a mix of established, mid-career and emerging interior design and architecture practices. It is so inspiring to see the strength and originality of the Australian design aesthetic and at Belle we feel privileged to be an integral part of the landscape of Australian interior design.

“We welcome Fanuli as our headline sponsor and are delighted to be working with Fabio, Sandro and Marco and the rest of the Fanuli team in making the awards an annual event to remember.”

Queens Park by Arent & Pyke, a finalist in best residential kitchen

Categories and awards span across residential interiors, covering kitchen and bathroom design to hospitality, commercial, best work with colour including the category for Best Residential Design (Reader’s Choice).

Voting for the Readers’ Choice competition is open now. You’re invited to select your favourite interior from the 10 projects shortlisted for Best Residential Interior to go in the running to win a Flexform ‘Joyce’ armchair from Fanuli, worth more than $4,000.

Lena by Smart Design Studio, a finalist in best residential bathroom

In addition, there will be awards for Emerging Design Star, Hall of Fame and the creme de la creme Interior Designer of the Year award, which will this year be presented by Fanuli.

Winning designers and their work will be published in Belle Magazine later in the year following the prestigious, invite-only awards evening, to be held at the Fanuli showroom in Cremorne, Sydney.

Vote for the Reader’s Choice Award

FULL LIST OF FINALISTS

Best Residential Interior

Parc House by Alwill Interiors

Garden House by Arent&Pyke and Polly Harbison Design

La Casa Rosa by Arent&Pyke and Luigi Rosselli Architects

Ottawa House by Fiona Lynch

Brisbane House by Greg Natale

Elizabeth Bay Apartment by Handelsmann + Khaw

Elsternwick House by Kennedy Nolan Architects

Palais Penthouse by SJB

Rocks Revival by Thomas Hamel & Associates

Budge Over Dover by YSG Studio

Best Residential Kitchen Design

Best Residential Kitchen Design

Garden House by Arent&Pyke and Polly Harbison Design

Queens Park House by Arent&Pyke and Vitale Design

Peace Project by Carole Whiting Studio and Whiting Architects

Clovelly Beach House by Handelsmann + Khaw

Horizon Flinders by Mim Design

St Hubert’s by Robson Rak

Budge Over Dover by YSG Studio

Best Residential Bathroom Design

Garden House by Arent&Pyke and Polly Harbison Design

La Casa Rosa by Arent&Pyke and Vitale Design

Peace Project by Carole Whiting Studio and Whiting Architects

Brisbane House by Greg Natale

Lena by Smart Design Studio

Rocks Revival by Thomas Hamel & Associates

Soft Serve by YSG Studio

Brisbane House by Greg Natale Designs, a finalist in best residential bathroom

Best Commercial Interior

Alexander House by Alexander & Co

80 Collins by Fiona Lynch

Buff Nail Studio by Golden

Smart Design Studio by Smart Design Studio

Studio Kate by Casa by Studio Kate

Studio HQ by Thomas Hamel & Associates

Aje by Those Architects

Best Hospitality Interior

Harbord Hotel by Alexander & Co

Poodle Bar & Bistro by Bergman & Co

CicciaBella by Fiona Lynch

The Upper by Luchetti Krelle

Four Pillars Eileen’s Bar and Gin Laboratory by YSG Studio

Best Work with Colour

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent&Pyke

Greg Natale, Greg Natale

Justine Hugh-Jones and Katrina Mackintosh, Hugh-Jones Mackintosh

Patrick Kennedy and Rachel Nolan, Kennedy Nolan Architects

Yasmine Ghoniem, YSG Studio

Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan, a finalist in best work with colour

Emerging Design Star

Carole Whiting, Carole Whiting Studio

Jolanta Scott and Jessica M. Otto, Martin J Scott Design

Lucy Partridge and Emma Daniels, Patridge Daniels

Phoebe Nicol, Phoebe Nichol Interior Architecture

Bianca Fraser, The Unlisted Collective

Belle Fanuli Interior Designer of the Year

Jeremy Bull, Alexander & Co

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent&Pyke

Fiona Lynch, Fiona Lynch

Andrew Parr, SJB

Yasmine Ghoniem, YSG Studio

Hall of Fame

Andrew Parr, SJB

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent&Pyke

Meryl Hare, Hare + Klein

Thomas Hamel, Thomas Hamel & Associates

William Smart, Smart Design Studio

Categories
Design Designers

2019 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design finalists

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Dylan Farrell Design's 'Sydney Contemporary Perch' project
'Best Residential Interior' finalist Dylan Farrell Design's 'Sydney Contemporary Perch' project

When it comes to interiors inspo it doesn’t get much better than the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards. Drawn from over 300 submissions, this year’s finalists are a pretty glittering bunch and they represent some of Australia’s finest creative talents. Acclaimed interior design stars Arent & Pyke and David Flack received several nominations while lesser known designer Dylan Farrell made a splash also having been nominated in both the ‘Emerging Design Star’ and ‘Interior Designer of the year’ categories.

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Arent & Pyke's 'Under the Tree' project
‘Best Residential Interior’ finalist Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Arent & Pyke's 'Under the Tree' project
‘Best Residential Interior’ finalist Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project

“After nine years, we continue to be impressed by the level of creative artistry in the Australian design space. This year, the chosen finalists showcase cutting edge and experimental design, setting new standards for the Australian interior design industry. Through this initiative we are able to discover new, emerging talent as well as witness the extraordinary evolution of those already known,” says Belle magazine editor Tanya Buchanan.

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Dylan Farrell Design's 'Sydney Contemporary Perch' project
‘Best Residential Interior’ finalist Dylan Farrell Design’s ‘Sydney Contemporary Perch’ project

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Dylan Farrell Design's 'Sydney Contemporary Perch' project
‘Best Residential Interior’ finalist Dylan Farrell Design’s ‘Sydney Contemporary Perch’ project

The awards are comprised of eight categories including best residential interior, best residential kitchen design, best residential bathroom design, best hospitality interior, best commercial interior, emerging design star, best work with colour and Belle Coco Republic interior designer of the year.

'Best Residential Interior' finalist Kennedy Nolan's Oak House project
‘Best Residential Interior’ finalist Kennedy Nolan’s Oak House project

'Best Residential Kitchen Design' finalist Kennedy Nolan's Caroline House project has already featured in many other awards
‘Best Residential Kitchen Design’ finalist Kennedy Nolan’s Caroline House project has already featured in many other awards

“We are proud to be a part of this prestigious accolade that continues to raise the bar for Australian designers,” says Coco Republic executive director Anthony Spon-Smith who joins Tanya on the year’s judging panel alongside stylist and Belle style director-at-large Steve Cordony, publisher and author Karen McCartney amongst several others.

'Best Residential Kitchen Design' finalist Flack Studio's Caulfield North residence
‘Best Residential Kitchen Design’ finalist Flack Studio’s Caulfield North project

'Best Residential Kitchen Design' finalist Flack Studio's Caulfield North residence
‘Best Residential Kitchen Design’ finalist Flack Studio’s Caulfield North project

This year also sees the very exciting arrival of international judge and acclaimed interior designer Kit Kemp. Known for creating witty and award-winning spaces, Kit will lend an international flavour to the awards when they are handed down at an invitation-only event at Coco Republic in Sydney’s Alexandria on 21 May.

'Best Residential Bathroom Design' finalist Flack Studio's Caulfield North project
‘Best Residential Bathroom Design’ finalist Flack Studio’s Caulfield North project

'Best Residential Bathroom Design' finalist Alwill Interiors' Peppertree House kid’s ensuites
‘Best Residential Bathroom Design’ finalist Alwill Interiors’ Peppertree House kid’s ensuites

Last year’s winners

Categories
Competitions Designers

The 2017 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards winners

Taking out top honours in the ‘Best Residential Interior,’ ‘Best Residential Design’ and ‘Best Residential Bathroom Design’ (joint winner) categories, Smart Design Studio’s ‘Indigo Slam’ made quite the splash at the recent 2017 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards night.

Smart Design Studio’s ‘Indigo Slam’ project

The Sydney home, created as a gallery space for one of Australia’s foremost art collectors is, rather fittingly, equal parts sculpture and private residence.

Smart Design Studio’s ‘Indigo Slam’ project

Currently in its seventh year, the awards are hosted by Belle magazine and the premium furniture and homewares purveyor Coco Republic. This year saw 270 submissions battle it out across nine categories including residential, commercial and hospitality divisions.

The Rado Emerging Design Star award recipient Yasmine Ghoniem’s (Amber Road) ‘Deco House’ project

“Congratulations to all our winners and entrants. Year on year, the awards showcase the innovative thinking that shapes the Australian interior design industry and this year was just exceptional. It is always a privilege to see the outstanding work of the brightest talents in our field,” said Tanya Buchanan, the editor of Belle magazine.

‘Interior Designer of the Year’ SJB’s ‘Redfern Terrace’ project

The ‘Interior Designer of the Year’ award was taken out by the interior design directors of SJB, Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich.

B.E. Architecture’s ‘Hamden Road Residence’ won the ‘Best Residential Bathroom Design’ category together with Smart Design Studio for their ‘Indigo Slam’ project

This year saw the addition of two new award categories, the ‘Rado Emerging Design Star’ award that was won by Yasmine Ghoniem of Amber Road and the ‘Best Work with Colour’ award that was won by David Flack from Flack Studio. We featured David’s fabulous work on Ginger and Smart’s flagship store recently.

‘Best work with colour’ award winner David Flack’s Ginger & Smart flagship project

The full list of winners:

Belle Coco Republic Interior Designer of the Year
Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich, SJB

Best Residential Interior
Smart Design Studio, Indigo Slam

Best Residential Interior – Readers’ Choice
Thomas Hamel and Associates, Sydney Homecoming

Best Commercial Interior
Fiona Lynch, Viktoria & Woods

Best Hospitality Interior
SJB, 12-Micron

Best Residential Kitchen Design
Smart Design Studio, Indigo Slam

Best Residential Bathroom Design
B.E Architecture, Hampden Road Residence (joint winner) and Smart Design Studio, Indigo Slam (joint winner)

Rado Emerging Design Star
Yasmine Ghoniem, Amber Road

Best Work with Colour
David Flack, Flack Studio

Categories
Interviews Styling

Steve Cordony on his inspirations, daily rituals & style tips

Steve Cordony is one of Australia’s leading interior stylists, and Style Director At Large for Belle Magazine. We sit down with Steve to chat about interiors and design inspiration, his creative process and what beautiful Australian living means to him.

Image courtesy of Sheridan
Image courtesy of Sheridan

Where do you look to for inspiration?

I love referencing fashion; I am constantly on style.com looking at the inspirations behind designer’s collections. Interiors and fashion go hand in hand, from looking at colour combinations to overall trends. I am also constantly travelling which is probably my biggest source of inspiration. I love visiting different countries and cultures and seeing how they interpret colour, style and textures. Blogs, magazines (I spend hours at my favourite newsagent on Oxford Street in Sydney!) and social media platforms, especially Instagram, which is like a constant scrolling feed of visual inspiration, are huge sources of inspiration.

Describe your personal aesthetic…

I would describe my personal aesthetic as modern luxe. As much as I would love to have my home look like an Armani Casa showroom in Italy, I also want it to feel warm and inviting. I love showcasing items from my travels, whether it’s fabric from Turkey that I have had made into cushions for the sofa, or beautiful brass lassi cups from India; these pieces add character and a personal touch which go beyond just looking good.

Describe what beautiful Australian living means to you…

For me, Australian living represents a relaxed sophistication and a strong sense of personality. It is important to create a space which represents you and your lifestyle.

Which key elements do you feel make a house a home?

It is so important to make a house feel like a home. Even if your space is ultra luxurious, it is crucial to have those small details which add a sense of personality and warmth. Items and photographs from travels or family heirlooms and memories are the best way to give your space a homely feel.

Tell us about your daily rituals…

[contextly_sidebar id=”sSDNwQ21GQWw7gt0X2ne6kZappWoFaMU”]The first thing I do (sometimes second after checking Instagram!) is make the bed – my mother would be shocked to hear this because I never did it when living at home! There’s nothing like jumping into a beautifully made and styled bed in the evening. My mood always dictates what I wear that day, so once I’ve chosen my clothes, it’s breakfast and then on to checking emails in the office or hitting the road sourcing for a client or a shoot. At the end of the day, my partner and I always try to have dinner at the table rather than vegging out in front of the TV on the sofa.

What elements in your home are quintessentially Australian?

I’ve grown up with Sheridan linen and towels and these were the first items I bought when I moved out of home! We have some beautiful artworks by artist Leila Jeffreys of native birds which are stunning and bring the outdoors in, in a contemporary way. I love having books throughout the home, and have so many on Australian design and architecture. I always have greenery or fresh flowers in beautiful Dinosaur Designs vases and vessels and there is, funnily enough, an Akubra lying around!

Which styling tips do you always apply when creating a beautiful space?

My ultimate styling go-to tip is keep it neutral and layer with accents. The starting point for any room is always choose one hero, whether it is a great rug, an artwork or bed linen, and build the room around this. It is also important to edit – restraint is key. When styling accessories, I always love to layer with books to give height to decorative items. Balance, whether it be asymmetrical or symmetrical, is key. Always stand back and look at what it is you’re creating – you will know if it feels right using your ‘design eye’!

Steve has collaborated with Sheridan to style their Spring/Summer 2015 hotel luxury at home range. See how he styles the look three ways on the blog tomorrow.

Categories
Interviews The Block

Neale Whitaker on The Block, Vogue Living and his inspirations

As a judge on The Block and the editor-in-chief of magazine Vogue Living, Neale Whitaker, unsurprisingly, has a wealth of interior design knowledge. Seen as one of Australia’s foremost style gurus, he is a man who shuns trends, disliking the lack of individuality they can impose.

IMG_5441 (2)

“As an editor, it’s my job to see trends at the broadest possible level, how everything interconnects,” explains Neale. “I rarely get enthused by specific colours or moods because those trends come and go so quickly. For me, the most interesting contradiction is the way in which design is increasingly dependent on technology and information-gathering, yet escapism and romanticism have never been so popular. Yin and yang for sure.”

Vogue Living's current July/August edition
Vogue Living’s current July/August edition

[contextly_sidebar id=”2puVQTN4IVNGzh4RIdYv6uYBzWFAT340″]Excited by so many things, for Neale inspiration doesn’t come solely from interiors, but rather from people, places and projects. So when asked the difficult question, to name his favourite products and designers of the moment, Neale’s answer was always going to be hugely diverse. “I’m intrigued by clever brand-builders. Ben Gorham is doing brilliant things at the Swedish fragrance brand Byredo; the Swedes are effortlessly cool in my book. The work of Italian interior architect and sculptor Vincenzo de Cotiis is awe-inspiring, as are the industrial lighting designs by New Yorkers Apparatus and Lindsey Adelman. Lee Broom is doing some really glamorous but interesting work in London. And mid-century Italian design will be the next era to have its place in the sun — I’m convinced of that.”

The work of Vincenzo de Cotiis, one of Neale's inspirations
The work of Vincenzo de Cotiis, one of Neale’s inspirations. Photo credit: decotiis

The work of
The work of Apparatus, another of Neale’s inspirations. Photo credit: Apparatus Studio

Previously at the helm of Belle magazine for eight years, Neale only took up his new post at Vogue Living late last year. “I feel incredibly privileged to be editing such an iconic magazine and excited by the opportunities we have across online, digital and social media. Vogue Living is truly a brand.”

Having been the boss of two of Australia’s biggest magazines, Neale is constantly surrounded by contrasting yet beautiful spaces, which has left him with a personal style that is hard to define. “What’s my style? That’s hard. The best answer I can give is unpredictable. In my role I have to appreciate and understand so many different styles. I’m often surprised by the things I find myself attracted to!”

The Block judges: Neale, Shaynna and Darren
The Block judges: Neale, Shaynna and Darren

However, it is all this experience and diversity of inspirations, likes and dislikes, that make Neale such an ideal judge for The Block, and is why, after five years, us viewers can’t get enough of him and why he himself keeps coming back. “I never get tired of seeing what each new group of contestants can achieve. It’s also a privilege to be involved with such an incredibly popular show. And after five years, The Block feels like my extended family — from the production team to the soundos and the cameramen. Not to mention my fellow judges. They’re a brilliant crew.”

With rumours already swirling about the next season of The Block — which went into production this May — I couldn’t resist asking Neale what’s in store. Though fair warning, his lips were fairly sealed! “You can expect blood, sweat, tears, laughter, drama — and some damn good renovations!”

Want to hear more from Neale? He will be talking about the who, what and where is currently inspiring him at this month’s Life Instyle, Melbourne. His talk will take place Friday 31 July from 10-to-11am. Tickets cost $100. For more information. 

Categories
Covet my coffee table House Tours Styling

Covet my coffee table: with stylist Steve Cordony

It’s no secret: Steve Cordony is my favourite stylist in Australia. There are so many great ones whose work I love, but Steve, who is now a freelance interiors and event stylist as well as contributing interior design editor for Belle, just blows me away with his talent. I’m delighted that he is sharing his beautiful coffee table (or should I say vintage Louis Vuitton trunk?) with us today.

steve cordony 1

“I think your home should represent not only your personal style but be a 3-dimensional scrapbook of your life,” says Steve. “The little vignettes around our home are collected over time from travels or gifts and represent a certain memory.

steve cordony 2

“The potted orchid is a lovely ‘new office’ present from my friend Jac at Murchison Hume, I bought the bronze tray on a trip to India last year and the candles are Chabaud and Tom Dixon.

“The spotted gold bowl is Waylande Gregory from Becker Minty and the porcelain and gold bowl was bought on a trip to New York. The Japanese painting brushes are from Bali (look for similar from Orient House) and the gold tray is also from India.”

steve cordony 3

And don’t forget your book stack (or two). “Books — every table needs books!”

See Steve’s stunning work on his website.

Check out all our other coffee tables here. Let us know who you’d like to see next in the comments!

Categories
Interiors Addict

Sunday Snippets: The best of the week in interiors

First, I must apologise for the lack of Sunday Snippets last week. As most of you will have heard by now, I had a crazy weekend: got engaged on Saturday and had my birthday on Sunday! Can’t complain!

Back to this week, here’s what been happening in my world and interiors…

  • I shared a new online find, I Love Linen, where you can pick up everything you need to recreate that hotel bed at home, but at a massive discount.
  • Hot on the heels of Real Living magazine, Country Style launches its own bed linen collection with Domayne this week.
  • The new belle magazine hit the news stands and I was delighted to find two photos of little ole me in there! Did you spot me?
  • I LOVE candles and I told you about a new Melbourne brand called Voyager that have a really clever ‘floating’ design.
  • Bay & Fyfe is one of Sydney’s hottest new lifestyle brands, currently producing some stunning scarves featuring art by Sneaky Sound System’s Daimon Downey. Founder Frith Hucks gave us an exclusive look inside her Sydney home, where many of the scarves decorate her walls as pieces of art.

A pretty big week all round! I hope you all have a fantastic new week ahead! Jen x

Categories
Interiors Addict

ATTENTION! Superstar stylist line-up  Want to learn from some seriously cool people from the styling

ATTENTION! Superstar stylist line-up Want to learn from some seriously cool people from the styling

Categories
Interviews

Reality TV was a huge learning curve for Darren Palmer but one he will never regret

Now running the successful Darren Palmer Interiors, with his work published in respected magazines, a regular interiors column in GQ and teaching at Coco Republic Design School, he’s come a long way since growing up in country Queensland and just quietly, we think he could be the next big thing.

At 27, after working in graphic design and advertising, Darren decided it was time for a career change. Around the same time, he bought and renovated his first apartment. “A dear friend who is an interior designer really loved what I’d done with the place. His business partner was overseas for three months and I asked if I could work with him and learn the ropes. He was really happy to include me in some projects. Belle Magazine published my apartment in their renovation issue and it all grew from there.”

Darren caught the public’s attention on Channel 9’s HomeMADE and also appeared on The Block this year. Wisely, he has focused on making the most of the exposure from HomeMADE, which even he admits, didn’t do brilliantly. “I came out of the reality TV world with a really positive experience. TV exposure helps you to build rapport with people that you haven’t met and it’s a great pre-qualifier as they’ve seen your work and feel comfortable with you because there’s credibility that comes along with exposure.”

Since the show, his business has grown, along with his personal style. “I’ve been featured in Belle’s kitchen and bathroom issue and named as one of their Mood Makers for 2011. I’ve had work featured in Luxury Homes Magazine and taught at the Coco Republic Design School. I was also fortunate to be a part of this year’s hugely successful The Block, which all probably would’ve been a lot harder had I not been given a start on HomeMADE.” Humble Darren is no celeb though. “Generally people forget who’s been on TV and for what within six months. You stop being recognised after a while!”

He simply describes his interiors style as natural, drawing from the colours and textures of nature.“Things like a sunset when the sky is those beautiful muted, desaturated colours after the sun is gone, to the textures of wood, stone, leather and sisal. I love anything that’s textural and real, not synthetic. I really like to create spaces that are inviting, relaxed and texturally diverse and layered yet refined, slick and sophisticated.”

Darren thinks this year’s reality renovation TV verged on overkill. “I think people only have enough space to care about a few shows at a time and fortunately the one I was involved with was that show, though I really feel for The Renovators’ contestants as this was a big deal, that would’ve taken a lot of energy and effort, with not as big of a reward after it finished as they might have enjoyed.

“In terms of the industry it’s a double-edged sword with the up side being that the viewing public are more literate in design, exposed to new ideas and are in some ways able to see how much work goes into design. On the flip side it does make design accessible which can make people think “Oh I can do that” which can tend to make it a little harder to sell your level of skill.

“I think as long as there’s integrity behind the way the genre is managed, and the products that are used, it’s more good than bad, and it’s certainly a great way to get noticed and get experience from a participant point of view. It was certainly my steepest learning curve to date.”

What’s next? “I have loved the direction that my career has taken in terms of speaking and writing so that’s definitely somewhere I will be putting energy and I would really love to be back on the box again. There’s a few focuses there but I’m confident I can manage it.”

Outside of work, he’s a self-confessed “massive dork”, married with a two year-old son, two dogs and a cat. “I like to train at the gym and generally be one of the least interesting people you’ve met. My big goals personally amount to trying to get a sleep in and being a good dad. Pretty boring but kind of wonderful.”

He recently bought an apartment in North Bondi which has new paint and floors but will one day have a major overhaul, plans for which are constantly ticking away at the back of his head. “For now it’s a really nice cosy home for my family with high ceilings and nice big 1930s proportions. I intend to make it the ultimate kid and pet-friendly designer house – an interesting brief but I have a good insight into how to fuse functional and beautiful.”

Tomorrow: Mistakes people make with decorating, how to get it right, why he hates feature walls and who he admires.