Tag: interior

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Kids Rooms

The best new children’s interior buys: Amy’s edit.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a dedicated children’s interior round-up but with so many fabulous new finds for little ones, I thought it rude not to share.

Violet Eyes prints: Nailing that gorgeous whimsical child-like vibe, Violet Eyes’ new range is even better than the last and all of the designs feature Liberty of London floral prints. From $15.

Violet eyes printViolet Eyes print

Little Louli Cactus quilt cover: Featuring hand drawn cacti and ants and handprinted in Australia, each quilt is unique. $139.

Little Louli cactus bedding

Living Textiles Swan Princess collection: This pretty pink new nursery range is simple and timeless. From $19.95.

Living Textiles Swan collection

Al+Em jumbo pin board in grey: The perfect place to display their latest creations, this pin board works as a constantly evolving gallery display. $304.95.

Al & Em pinboard

Aimee Wilder star tiger print wallpaper: I LOVE this for a little boy’s room but it’s available in pink and plenty of other fabulous colour ways too. $252 per roll.

Aimee Wilder tiger wallpaper

Olala night light: I have bought battery operated night lights in the past and never will again – who wants to replace batteries on the daily?! These French cuties emit 12 hours of light and recharge on a wireless base. Little ones can carry them to the toilet at night too. $55 (for one) or $89 (for three).

Les Follies night light trio

Snurk single quilt cover set (ballerina): From a soccer player to an astronaut, mermaid, princess and ballerina, these photographic print quilt covers are lots of fun. $125.

Snurk quilt cover set

Paper Provision prints: I love these minimalist children’s prints (the bespoke monogram ones in particular) and they are compatible with IKEA frames too. From $24.95.

Paper Provision prints

Eight good looking children’s play kitchens

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Interiors Addict

The 2018 Australian Interior Design Awards shortlist

Arent&Pyke's Treetop House. Photography: Anson Smart

In its 15th year, the 2018 Australian Interior Design Awards shortlist was announced last week to much industry anticipation. Designed to celebrate the best of Australian interior design across residential, public and commercial sectors, the awards are held by the Design Institute of Australia together with Architecture Media’s Artichoke magazine.

Justine Hugh-Jones Design 'Taylors Bay Residence'
Shortlisted: Justine Hugh-Jones Design’s Taylors Bay Residence, NSW. Photography: Anson Smart

We always enjoy looking at the entries as they’re a great place to find interiors inspiration and there’s nothing better than checking out the work of creatives at the top of their field. It’s also wonderful to see Australian interior design getting the recognition it deserves.

Shortlisted: Arent&Pyke's Amarelo Terrace, NSW. Photography: Felix Forest
Shortlisted: Arent&Pyke’s Amarelo Terrace, NSW. Photography: Felix Forest

This year saw more than 600 entries (the largest in the competition’s history) for projects throughout the country and overseas in places such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and America.

Shortlisted: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects for Centennial Park House, NSW
Shortlisted: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects for Centennial Park House, NSW. Photography: Prue Ruscoe
Shortlisted: Fiona Lynch for Paddington House, VIC
Shortlisted: Fiona Lynch for Paddington House, VIC. Photography: Sharyn Cairns

After taking out the Residential Decoration Award last year, SJB continue their triumphant streak with five projects shortlisted including a North Bondi penthouse with a stunning emerald green tiled bathroom.

SJB's North Bondi penthouse
Shortlisted: SJB’s North Bondi penthouse, NSW. Photography: Anson Smart

Arent&Pyke featured prominently in last year’s nominations also and this year, their ‘Treetop House’ features a stunning kitchen. The blue-grey marble island bench and complementary range hood is an inspiring combination.

Shortlisted: Arent&Pyke’s Treetop House project, NSW. Photography: Anson Smart

The final awards will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and will be handed down on Friday May 25 at a ceremony in Sydney. We eagerly await the results.

Finalist: TomMarkHenry's Bondi residence. Photography: Damian Bennett
Shortlisted: Tom Mark Henry’s Bondi residence, NSW. Photography: Damian Bennett

For more on the awards | Last year’s residential winners

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Designers Interviews Kids Rooms Styling

Design feat: A super stylish combined office & playroom

Combined office and playroom
The combined office and playroom is divided into zones

While it could be the stuff of nightmares, this gorgeous space manages to combine a home office with a little girl’s play room without compromising on style. The creation of Magdalene Liacopoulos of The Bebe Style Co., it’s shared by Courtney Bell, owner of kids’ decor brand Belle & Co. Living, and her daughter Macey.

Combined office and playroom
The combined office and playroom is divided into zones

“The brief was to put together a combined office and playroom –  a space where Courtney was able to have a functional and inspiring work area while still being able to care for Macey and having a shared spot where she is stimulated and happy,” says Magdalene.

Children's play area
Macey’s play area features a velvet mini mattress for reading and sleeping alongside her mum’s beautiful storage cases

“Courtney’s interior style is modern and classic and we wanted the room to be an extension of the rest of the home. Being a girl’s area, we added a feminine touch with the hints of blush pink,” says Magdalene – the most notable of which is the feature wall of removable pink marble-look wallpaper from Loaded Visuals.

Removable wallpaper
The removable wallpaper is the hero of the space. I love this pink console from Adairs too.

“That was definitely a risk that paid off. We discussed wallpaper early in the design process and struggled to find a design that would tie in with all the furnishings and then I put forward the marble design and Courtney loved it! I think it finishes the room off beautifully and I couldn’t imagine the room without it.”

Courtney's desk
Courtney’s desk

A large room to fill, this presented its own challenge but Magdalene rose to the occasion by sectioning the space into separate zones. “The biggest challenge was probably the size – a big space can be a blessing and a curse – as it does need a lot of furnishings to fill the space. We achieved this by creating dedicated zones to help fill every corner.”

Desk details
Desk details

The inevitable clutter that comes with children was another obstacle but one that Magdalene overcame with a variety of clever storage solutions including an Olli Ella ‘Pollie’ shelf where Macey stores her butcher’s paper. The lovely felt board above displays her creations. “Another challenge when working on a children’s playroom is finding a home for all their toys and we did this by ensuring there was plenty of concealed storage and baskets – as it can start to look overrun very quickly,” says Magdalene.

The craft zone
The craft zone

Macey’s play area also features a versatile Onyx & Smoke ‘Laysleepplay’ velvet mini mattress where she can read and rest and a gorgeous Incy Interiors velvet ‘Hugo’ settee that faces a large IKEA ‘Billy series’ shelving unit that features customised hardware from Anthropologie. Courtney’s IKEA Hemnes desk also features gorgeous custom knobs from the American brand as well as a West Elm upholstered dining chair.

Incy Interiors velvet settee
The Incy Interiors settee is a highlight of the space

Gorgeous storage cases from Courtney’s own homewares brand also feature. Made from powdercoated metal sheeting and available in five colours with three different hardware options, they make a great addition to a little girl’s space. “I started the business because I kept seeing similar cases popping up on European Instagram accounts and became frustrated that we didn’t have access to them in Australia – as with a lot of beautiful interior décor and furniture, and if companies did ship here it was ridiculously expensive! My goal is to make beautiful, practical and affordable homewares available to the growing Australian market of interior lovers and decorators,” says Courtney.

Storage details

For more on Bebe Style Co. | Shop Belle & Co storage cases online | Nursery design 101

Photography: Sue Ferris

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Expert Tips Styling

Dulux latest colour trend: Autumn has never looked so inviting

While terracotta has shrugged off its 1980s associations and has been trending for a while now, the latest Dulux colour forecast (titled The Kinship Palette) celebrates the earthy hue in a seriously major way. And with autumn just around the corner, we’re feeling inspired by the warmth and versatility of the shade – especially when cleverly combined with white.

Wall (upper): Dulux Natural White | Sideboard: Dulux Maiko | Partition: Dulux Beige Artifacts, Sassy & Reddy Brown

“This colour palette exudes warmth, but in a sophisticated and contemporary way. It is easy to work with, allowing you to add character with minimal fuss,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour expert.

Combining terracotta tones with russet, soft grey-greens, cosy neutrals and vibrant red, the palette pairs fabulously with the tribal-inspired, earthy textures that are in vogue at the minute – think natural, warm timbers, stone and linen.

Wall: Dulux Natural White | Partition: Dulux Sassy

And while these colours do require some decorating confidence, like dark paint, sometimes just a splash is all you need to ramp things up a notch. “If you’re nervous about the idea of introducing deep colours to your space, you needn’t be. You’ll find that even a small amount of these richer hues against a white or neutral background, in the right spot, can make a big impact,” says Andrea. Accent areas, ripe for colour experimentation, include the front door, the edge of a shelf or even a storage nook.

Wall (upper): Dulux Natural White | Sideboard: Dulux Maiko | Partition: Dulux Beige Artifacts, Sassy & Reddy Brown

“Paint is such an easy and affordable way to keep your interiors up-to-date, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone colour-wise can be incredibly fun and rewarding. Best of all, if a colour isn’t what you’re looking for, you can easily change it,” says Andrea.

Wall (upper): Dulux Natural White | Wall (lower): Beige Artifacts | Partition: Dulux Sassy

Michelle Halford, interior stylist, writer and Dulux Colour Trends 2018 contributor, has plenty of great ideas for making these rich, autumnal hues work in your home. “Offset rich colours with a soft, complementary neutral to create balance and introduce furniture and accessories in warm, natural materials, such as 
a vintage timber console or dresser, rattan chairs, woven lighting and baskets. Bold abstract art, textured wall hangings and plenty of greenery provide the perfect finishing touches,” says Michelle.

Wall (upper): Dulux Natural White | Sideboard: Dulux Maiko

“You can also up the cosiness factor by adding in lashings of texture – think oversized knits, luxurious velvets and linens,” says Michelle who suggests using black accents in your furniture and artwork to ground your scheme.

Photography: Mike Baker | Styling: Bree Leech

Check out the paint colours that increase the value of your home

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Design Designers Interviews

Nostalgia trip: Melbourne restaurant takes us back to school

Like most design lovers, we love an inspiring hospitality interior and Melbourne’s Spice Sibling serves up plenty of that alongside tasty Thai/Australian fusion cuisine. A coffee spot by day and restaurant by night, we thought it a rather fitting feature given the school term kicked off recently.

“The brief called for a fresh, contemporary and inviting design with wide appeal as the space was to serve two purposes. It was also imperative that we made the most of the wide shopfront to create a strong street presence,” says Yaron Kanor, creative director at Studio Y, the interior firm responsible for the restaurant’s interior design.

A cute neon light feature

Drawing on nostalgic childhood references, the restaurant features schoolyard motifs alongside gorgeous soft shades of green. “The reference point was not a design period, it was childhood itself. Drawing inspiration from schoolyard nostalgia, Sibling Spice offers a contemporary take on childhood memory by bringing iconic elements from the schoolyard to life,” says Sophie Metcalfe, Studio Y interior designer.

“Extracting key schoolyard motifs like the canteen, classroom, sporting field and mesh fence, we recreated them in an appealing setting that’s delighting visitors of all ages,” says Sophie. The wide shopfront features an enticing takeaway nook that certainly adds to the street appeal of the business and is a busy hub of its own.

Takeaway coffee nook

The schoolyard scheme was a potentially risky one as it so easily could have veered into kitsch territory – something Studio Y were highly conscious of. “In incorporating these playful elements, it was crucial that the overall design was cohesive and avoided gimmicks. We added refinement with a palette of soft greens, dappled light and warm, light timbers,” says Sophie.

It certainly is an inviting space

“Our designers also loved integrating the great branding by POP & PAC to tell the Sibling Spice story. Turning what was once a derelict newsagent in Carnegie into the playful, warm and thriving restaurant it is today was a great homework assignment for us!” says Yaron.

Photography: Michael Gazzola

For more | More fabulous hospitality interiors

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Architecture Bathrooms Bedrooms Design Designers Interviews

This Sydney company can build a luxury home in 12-16 weeks!

Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADD as a child, Neil Hipwell struggled to stay focussed at school. But what he lacked in classroom application, he more than made up for when he discovered a latent passion for carpentry. “When I was 14 years old, I did work experience with a local carpenter and absolutely loved it! The next day, I began my carpentry apprenticeship and never returned to school,” says Neil, the director of Sydney’s Sutherland Shire based design and construction company FutureFlip.

Always ambitious, Neil went out on his own after completing his carpentry and building apprenticeship at 19. “It was one year after the GFC and it was tough to stay on top as a new business. I worked as hard as I could to build the best reputation for FutureFlip and 10 years later, we have defined ourselves as one of the area’s most reputable construction companies,” says Neil who completes just under 20 projects per year – a mix of single and duplex residential. “We have created a signature design style that we love just as much as our clients,” says Neil.

No doubt key to the company’s success, Neil has developed systems that allow his projects to be completed within an amazing 12-16 weeks, without compromising on quality. At three times faster than the industry standard, it’s a pretty impressive feat. “I did my apprenticeship with a traditional building company and worked on luxury architectural homes. Throughout my apprenticeship, I saw so many ways to improve on the old fashion systems and procedures as there were so many down days, mainly due to poor communication,” says Neil.

“As our business developed, we introduced new processes in the way that we communicated. We adapted a style of project management that you would see in commercial development, and applied it to residential construction. Essentially, Futureflip’s model sits within a niche pocket between boutique builder and project home developer however we can do custom designs quicker than anyone,” says Neil.

While FutureFlip’s design signature incorporates beautiful raw materials and exposed timber detailing (all of which certainly don’t look cheap), Neil is intent on making it relatively accessible. “I take a lot of inspiration from the materials and design accents that are incorporated into extremely expensive projects. We develop similar methods and materials so that our clients can have the sort of luxury that we would normally only see on 20 million dollar projects,” says Neil.

A project that was years in the making, Neil’s own home (pictured throughout) is his personal favourite and I can see why – aside from its stunning view (it’s located on the water in Lilli Pilli, coincidentally on the street where my mum grew up!), it’s brimming with beautiful details. “It took years of conceptualising, designing and planning to get each individual room of the three storey build to fit the way that I had envisioned, but I am so happy with what the team created. It’s the perfect family home that is a bold statement in the area. It truly is one of a kind,” says Neil.

Photography: Mitch Fong

For more | Follow FutureFlip on Instagram

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Design House Tours Kitchens RENO ADDICT

This award-winning London home sprawls over seven levels!

While Aussie design talent is our focus here at Interiors Addict, occasionally a fabulous overseas project piques our interest. Located in Jen’s motherland, this award-winning London terrace renovation spreads over seven sensational storeys and we think you’ll love it as much as we do.

Kitchen – we’re loving that marble splash back

“The brief was to create a contemporary family home, not in a stark clinical sense, but rather, colourful and practical,” says LLI Design director Sam Lee, the firm responsible for the renovation. Said colour is scattered throughout the home, with a recurring blue theme and also in the form of the owners’ large collection of vintage travel posters.

The kitchen dining area features bespoke upholstered banquette seating

At 3500 square feet in size, and with generous rooms, the central renovation challenge revolved around changing the home’s flow. “Overall, the rooms seemed disconnected from each other without flow or relationship between them. The staircase and hallways were poorly lit and had a gloomy feel too,” says Sam who brought light into the staircase by adding extra skylights on the top floor and a floor-to-ceiling window on the third-floor landing. The seven levels are connected by a central core staircase.

Kitchen: A unique spot for a fireplace

The key to the overall success of the design was to re-think the dynamics of all the spaces and change the existing layouts to provide flow,” says Sam of the project that recently won an award in the ‘Interior Design London’ category of the United Kingdom Property Awards.

Bespoke joinery in one of the children’s bedrooms

And when it comes to fabulous design features, a standout space is one of the children’s bedrooms. “On the fourth floor, bedrooms two and three and the accompanying ensuite bathroom were redesigned as personal spaces for the family’s children. In bedroom two we designed a fun, mid-height bed unit with storage shelves to be used as steps up to the bed and a den underneath with sliding doors,” says Sam.

A fabulous reading nook is concealed beneath the bed

The fourth floor also contains the children’s ensuite complete with unique feature tiles and custom blue joinery. “We redesigned the bathroom with more storage and specified interesting feature tiles,” says Sam.

The children’s ensuite

The formal living room is an inviting space, the hero of which is the statement fireplace and log feature. “We removed the existing fireplace and designed and installed a contemporary bespoke Pietra Serena stone fireplace with clean confident lines,” says Sam who also designed bespoke storage and display units either side. “We also specified a large and very comfortable L shaped sofa and ottoman as well as some comfy armchairs with tables and lamps beside them,” says Sam.

Formal living room

“The utility room featured bespoke joinery units to accommodate an airing cupboard, washing machine and dryer. They were installed at waist height with washing baskets under so there was no need to bend down to change over the washing,” says Sam.  An unexpected feature wall of Cole & Son’s iconic Fornasetti “Clouds” wallpaper completes the space.

Laundry

For more from LLI Design | Check out our other house tours

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Designers Furniture Homewares

Say hej! IKEA and HAY join forces with new collection

There’s nothing better than when two of your favourite brands join forces, especially when the prices are in the double digits! Renowned Danish design company HAY  have joined forces with IKEA, bringing their high end designer products to Australia at an affordable price.

Each piece in the new IKEA YPPERLIG collection is a celebration of the basics; where products are clever yet understated, all with a timeless quality that ages beautifully.

The collection has a classic Scandinavian feel with light colours, high quality and clean design. While Scandinavian design has always reflected the traditional values of functionality, humbleness and simplicity, this collection moulds the traditional with the contemporary, featuring multifunctional and space-saving home furnishing pieces.

YPPERLIG consists of larger items such as sofas and coffee tables all the way to smaller accessories like candle holders, textiles, containers and mirrors. The collection even includes a makeover of the iconic IKEA FRAKTA bag, transformed in different colours and weaving patterns.

Shop online | IKEA hacks

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Designers House Tours Interviews RENO ADDICT

Real home: An architect’s daring extension in Melbourne

Built in the late 1800’s, this Victorian home was given the architectural treatment recently with the addition of a highly original rear extension. Not only is the house now much more light-filled and its configuration much more user-friendly, the rear of the home now features a dark stained, curvilinear timber wall that creates a shadow of the original house.

“The brief was for a contemporary rear extension including a new kitchen, dining, bathroom and living spaces. The existing kitchen and laundry were dark and poorly oriented and the relationship to the rear garden was limited. Retention and sensitive renovation of the existing residence was an important aspect of the project,” says the home’s owner and architect Thom McKenzie of Melbourne firm Winwood Mckenzie.

The extension boasts a gorgeous new marble kitchen

The open plan living and new marble kitchen replace a series of separate rooms while allowing more light in and a stronger connection with the garden too. A standout feature of the striking addition is a large, curved glass window and bench seat in the kitchen that sits beside two large sliding windows that form a contemporary bay window design – Thom’s favourite part of the renovation.

The contemporary bay window provides seating too

“The reinterpretation of the bay window uses curved glass in the kitchen and large sliding windows in the dining area to create window seats that catch the sun and continue the rhythm of the existing facade of the house. It creates a joyful and sun-filled domestic space and intimate connection to the garden that captures the spirit of the Victorian architecture without mimicking it. The spaces and functions are planned to capture the sun throughout day at the appropriate time,” says Thom.

In exciting news, you can wander through ‘Shadow House’ yourself as part of the upcoming Open House Melbourne program on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July.

For more on Open House Melbourne | For more on Winwood Mckenzie

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Designers Expert Tips

Neutrals are far from dull, says Shaynna Blaze

Quercus & Co

There’s no denying the appeal of neutral paint colours – simple, stylish and timeless, they also take some time to grow tired of. And while they do have a bit of a reputation for being dull, it needn’t be the case says interior design maven, The Block judge and Taubmans brand ambassador Shaynna Blaze. “There are plenty of ways to play with whites, greys, pastels and beiges to bring your home to life without overpowering it,” she says.

Avoid the comfort zone
As I wrote recently, the coloured neutral has been having a moment of late and for good reason. Given the tremendous adaptability of neutrals, don’t feel as though you must play it safe with your colour choice – virtually any colour can act as a neutral in its diluted form.

“There is a clever new generation of shades which seemingly have a stylish foot in both the neutral and colour camps,” says Shaynna who cites Taubmans current colour of the year, Violet Verbena as a great example. “Whether in its quarter, half, or a striking full-strength formulation, this mutable ‘chameleon’ colour can appear as the palest dove-to-charcoal grey, or with a graduating blue-purple haze to it,” says Shaynna.

Nursery walls painted in Taubmans colour of the year, Violet Verbena

The new beige rules
“The use of beige, all too often accented with deep browns, used to make many interiors look tired. However, teaming beige with soft greys and greenery really brings it to life,” says Shaynna who also recommends pairing beige with bolder hues for interest. “Try adding more bold touches of navy and black for a really dramatic take on colour schemes that used to send you to sleep. Some of Taubmans’ best beiges are Fossil Find, Taupe Stone, Tenacity and Portland Stone,” says Shaynna.

Walls painted in Taubmans Fossil Find

Grey remains
It’s been an interiors favourite for years now and Shaynna assures us that grey isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “Grey is a chameleon and will take on aspects of the colours around it, so work with grey as a ‘texture’ rather than a feature. Select a grey that has a warm undertone, such as Taubmans Stormy Shadow, and then add tones like Whisper White, then layer with oak timbers and softly accented accessories to bring a sense of calm to a room,” says Shaynna.

Wall painted in Taubmans Stormy Shadow

Keep it simple
A fail-safe look, a simple neutral palette will never go out of style but make sure you layer up the space to avoid the boring factor. “Sharp whites and soft greys can be the perfect platform to create a simple yet stylish look. The secret to making this work is layering with marled texture in fabrics, roped patterns and aged grains in light timber,” says Shaynna who cites Taubmans Snow Drop, Cotton Sheets, Stormy Shadow and Oyster Bar as some of her favourite neutrals.

Wall painted in Taubmans Snow Drop

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Designers

Meet the mother of Australian Modernism, Marion Hall Best

I came across the innovative Australian interior designer Marion Hall Best recently when perusing the line-up for A Modernist Season, the design program kicking off in Sydney this July. With a highly  successful career that spanned the 1940’s to the 1970’s, Marion had a very original aesthetic that was defined by the use of vibrant colour, and I was struck by just how pioneering her work was.

Marion designed this room for Peter Sculthorpe in 1971

“Best had a love of colour and an uncanny ability to use it to transform a room. Sydney Living Museums holds the largest collection of textiles, furnishings, ephemera and imagery relating to Best’s work, which will be on display in this exhibition showcasing her career,” says the exhibition curator Michael Lech.

A woman before her time: Marion with her Modernist furniture imports, many of which have become design classics

While Marion designed mostly private commissions, her work featured in exhibitions, magazines and newspapers at the time as well as at her two retail stores – one was in Woollahra and the other in Sydney’s CBD. While Marion’s work was described as electrifying, vital and avant-garde for the time, those superlatives could easily be applied today, such was her trailblazing work.  “Gentle, soft colours are not restful, but dreary, sapping the energy and the mind. By contrast, bright, clear colours challenge the mind,” said Marion.

Marion designed this room for Mary Quant in 1967

A design visionary, Marion was inspired by the Modernist movement and colour theory of artists of the interwar years, and she is credited with introducing international Modernism to the Australian market. She was the first to import textiles by Marimekko, Jim Thompson Thai silks and Indian cottons, French wallpapers from Nobilis and Follot, furniture by Knoll, Herman Miller and Cassina plus lighting from Flos and Iittala.

Marion’s Woollahra studio

“Best’s ability to transform space through colour has rarely been matched. Her work, once seen, was seldom forgotten,” says Michael.

Marion wearing Marimekko fabric in 1968

Marion Hall Best: Interiors opens on Saturday 5 August 2017 at the Museum of Sydney.

For more.

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Designers Styling

Anna Spiro, Jason Grant & more to speak at Decor + Design

The International Seminar Series is always hotly anticipated at Melbourne’s Decor + Design show and this year’s speaker line-up looks like one of the most impressive yet. Mr Jason Grant, Anna Spiro, James Treble, David Hicks and Sibella Court are just some of the prominent design creatives that will be sharing their insights and expertise at the event that runs for three days from Thursday July 20.

Sibella Court speaking at last year’s event

“We are extremely excited for our 2017 line up for the International Seminar Series. We have secured some huge names from around the world, along with the best of the best here in Australia to present across a wide array of topics, set to educate, inspire and engage attendees,” says Chris May, Event Director at Informa Australia, the organisers of the event.

Anna Spiro

This year’s theme, ‘Awakening: Conscious Design’ promises an environmental bent with key topics including zero waste design and conscious retailing. This is in addition to a more general discussion of design and interior trends across retail, hospitality and residential spaces. An invaluable opportunity for established professionals and budding designers alike, the practical discussions will also discuss business practices such as digital strategy within the industry and styling for Instagram.

Mr Jason Grant

Check out the fabulous line-up below.

THURSDAY 20TH JULY
Sibella Court, The Society Inc (AUS)
 Hotel and Restaurant Interiors: Evoking Atmosphere – 10.30am

Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus (UK) 
Directions: Macro interior Trends for 2018 – 12.00pm

Jo Mawhinny, (Living Edge) and Robyn Holt, (Design Consultant and Former Editor- in-Chief of Vogue Living) (AUS) 
Conscious Retailing: Buying for the Discerning Consumer – 3.30pm – 4.15pm

FRIDAY 21ST JULY
David Hicks, David Hicks Studio (AUS) 
Crafting Sophisticated Spaces – 10.30am – 11.15am

Tim Street-Porter, Street Porter Studios (USA) 
Inside Hollywood Homes – 12.00pm, alongside Lisa Green, Editor-In-Chief, Australian House and Garden

Anna Spiro (Anna Spiro Textiles) and Shilo Englebrecht (Shilo Englebrecht) (AUS) Showcase: Australian Handmade Textiles – 1.30pm – 2.10pm with Lisa Green, Editor- In-Chief, Australian House and Garden

Adelaide Bragg, Adelaide Bragg and Associates (AUS) Classic Australian Interiors – 2.30pm – 3.15pm

Row Murray, Kenobi Digital (AUS) 
Workshop – Digital Strategy for the Design Industry – 2.30pm – 4pm

Stephen Pikus, Stephen Pikus Designs (RSA)
 The Future is Now: Zero Waste Design – 3.30pm – 4.15pm

James Treble

SATURDAY 22ND JULY
Mr. Jason Grant, Stylist (AUS) 
How to be Super Stylish on Instagram – 10.30am – 11.15am

Wendy Rennie, (Colour and Concept Manager, Hyames’ Paints) and Andrea Lucena-Orr (Colour and Communications Manager, Dulux) (AUS)
 Workshop – Colour: Australian Paint Master Class – 10.30am – 12.00pm

James Treble, Treble Studios, The Living Room (AUS)
 From Conception to Completion: Interpreting Trends and Managing Projects – 12.00pm.

Interiors Addict is the proud media partner of this event.

For more.

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Designers Interviews Travel

The five-year-old business dominating hospitality interiors

With a high-profile body of Sydney work including The Grounds of Alexandria, Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Merivale venues Charlie Parker’s and Fred’s, the architecture and design firm Acme & Co has certainly raised the interior stakes for Sydney hospitality venues of late. And it’s a pretty impressive effort for a company that isn’t even five years old.

Acme & Co’s Caroline Choker and Vince Alafaci

The firm was established in 2013 by architect Vince Alafaci and interior designer Caroline Choker, who bring different yet complementary skills to the table. “I earned my stripes at Bates Smart Architects where I worked for eight years before establishing my own practice, which I ran for 11 years, before joining forces with Caroline,” says Vince.

The Grounds of Alexandria

Caroline has enjoyed a less traditional career path, kicking things off with a Bachelor of Visual Communication in the late 1990’s, followed by a stint as a fashion designer before earning interior design qualifications from the Whitehouse Institute of Design in 2005 and a diploma of building shortly after. “Vince and I created Acme & Co in 2013 with a vision to unify the relationship between architecture and design,” says Caroline.

Fred’s restaurant

“We started dating in 2011, but it wasn’t until we collaborated on a project together two years later that the idea of Acme & Co was born. Sharing the same aesthetics and approach to design, we immediately saw the potential in merging our respective disciplines of architecture and interiors. We naturally collaborate with each other, and know how best to use each other’s strengths to push the possibilities of our projects. We work, live and play together, and somehow it all works perfectly,” says Vince.

Archie Rose Distilling Co.

The duo view their work as highly personal, and take cues from the history of a site too. “It’s very personal for us, our inspiration really does come from our own experiences – the places we’ve travelled to, art we’ve collected, music we listen to, people we meet and the food we eat.  These experiences and memories are then translated into the spaces that we create,” says Caroline.

The Grounds’ Potting Shed

And likening it to choosing a favourite child, the pair struggle to pick a preferred project. “We find it impossible to label any particular project as a favourite. However, the four most celebrated projects to date, and some of which we are most proud, are The Grounds of Alexandria, The Grounds of the City, Archie Rose Distilling Co in Rosebery and Merivale’s Fred’s and Charlie Parker’s, on Paddington’s Oxford Street,” says Vince.

Fred’s bar

The firm has also received plenty of industry recognition, winning the ‘Emerging Design Practice’ by The Design Institute in 2014, when the company was only one year old. “Several of our projects have also won accolades in their own right, such as Interior Design Excellence, Best Bar and Restaurant Design and Best Cafe Design. We have also just been nominated for the INDE Prodigy Award which is a tremendous honour. It is always incredible to be recognised by the industry that we love,” says Vince.

The Grounds of Alexandria

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Designers Interviews

Designer profile: Award-winning Kirsten & Jonathan from SJB

Fresh off the back of big wins during the recent design awards season, we caught up with the directors of  SJB recently, Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards. Not only were the talented duo awarded the ‘Interior Designer of the Year’ and the ‘Best Hospitality Interior’ awards at the 2017 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards but they also won the ‘Residential Decoration Award’ and received two commendations at the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards too.

SJB directors Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards

After studying interior design at the University of Technology Sydney, Jonathan pursued exhibition and museum design – a path that saw him cross paths with some architectural greats. “The first exhibition I designed was at the State Library of NSW about sketchbooks of famous architects. I had the pleasure of working with architects like Harry Seidler and Glen Murcutt on displaying some of their wonderful sketches,” says Jonathan who worked in museums and galleries in Sydney Melbourne and London before joining SJB. “At that time, SJB was still new to Sydney and I loved the hospitality work they were producing – to me it seemed a natural progression from the theatre of gallery design,” says Jonathan.

‘Redfern Terrace’ project

Kirsten’s career began after studying architecture at the University of Melbourne, when she worked for SJB in Melbourne. “After about 18 months I was seconded to the interiors team and it was then I realised that interior design gave me more opportunity for experimentation with new materials and a greater understanding of detailing for human scale. So not long after long after I took a permanent role with the interiors division and then relocated to help establish the practice in Sydney,” says Kirsten.

‘A Private Residence’ project

“Given I was new to SJB and Kirsten was relatively new to Sydney, we both had a sense of new beginnings. We had enormous fun working on fabulous hospitality projects in the early 2000’s and we learnt a lot very quickly. It was fun and it was also stressful and we realised we were a well-balanced partnership,” says Jonathan of the early days. And it’s a partnership that has continued to flourish, as illustrated by the pair’s recent win at the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards where they took out the ‘Best Hospitality Interior’ award for their 12-Micron project.

Buena Vista hotel project

With a nuanced approach to their design practice, the pair prefer to add to the existing elements of a space rather than start afresh. “Even if those elements might seem unfashionable. We think of our interiors as another layer in the ongoing history of a building rather than a totally new space. This can be more of a challenge when we are given a new open building shell as sometimes there can be very little to draw from, which is often why we also look at the wider context such as where the project is located and how we can evoke a recognition of that place or the people who will be occupying the space,” says Kirsten who cites natural materials, unique small details and recognition of past design periods as their design signatures.

‘Redfern Terrace’ project

As for more general inspiration, Kirsten and Jonathan often seek it outside of the world of design. “Nature is always an incredible inspiration with its random patterns, textures, shapes and colours. Sometimes it can even be a song or music that evokes something in us or incredible fashion designers like Raf Simons or interior designers like Andree Putman and Patricia Urquiola,” says Jonathan.

‘A Private Residence’ project

As for a favourite project, Kirsten cites ‘A Private Residence’ which was recently bestowed the ‘Residential Decoration Award’ at the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards, in addition to a commendation for the firm’s ‘Redfern Terrace.’ “The client is very anti fashion and she helped to push me to develop a design which was luxurious and expressive,” says Kirsten.

‘A Private Residence’ project

For Jonathan, it’s a couple of Bondi Beach projects that he has most enjoyed. “I have been working on a few magnificent residences in Bondi Beach over the last four years. Three different clients that all live near one another but the outcomes have been very different. It’s been a pleasure working on them to achieve a wonderful design – but more than anything the satisfaction of the project relies on the mutual enjoyment you have with the clients. When the clients are willing to embrace wonderful design, it brings me enormous joy creating something special,” says Jonathan.

The ’12-Micron’ project at Sydney’s Barangaroo

Photography: Katie Kaars, Felix Forest & Anson Smart

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Designers Interviews Styling

Designer profile: Meet Catherine Heraghty of The Stables

No doubt many of you are familiar with the modern Australian, coastal aesthetic of the boutique interior styling company The Stables. Their use of soft, muted colours, clean lines and natural light has earned them a plethora of fans and given they recently added a cushion range to their offering (featured in the pics below), we thought it was time we found out more about the lady behind the feed, Catherine Heraghty.

Catherine Heraghty

After studying design at Sydney’s Enmore Design Centre, Catherine kicked off her career by launching a property styling business which she juggled with a number of other jobs. “When my property styling business was in its infancy I had to hold other jobs to support myself. For quite a few years, whilst running it, I was also a studio manager at another design agency in Surry Hills. In another role, I was the PA at a very well-known Sydney based textile designer and I also did quite a bit of assisting on editorial and advertising shoots,” says Catherine who went out on her own once the business could support her.

“I eventually took the leap of faith and worked solely on my own business which is a scary step to begin with but I never looked back!” says Catherine who sold the property styling business 18 months ago with a desire to downsize and get back to basics.

“Whilst I am a qualified interior designer, I classify myself as an interior stylist – this is what I love and I know this is where my strengths lie. So, I just started doing what I loved and The Stables was born! It gained traction very quickly, especially on social media platforms,” says Catherine who now boasts over 100k followers.

A tranquil, accessible and stylish Instagram feed, it’s easy to see why Catherine has carved out a significant following. “I love light and airy spaces and I am definitely drawn towards soft and muted colour palettes. I try and inject as much texture into my space as possible by the way of natural finishes to warm spaces up, for example, timbers, woven products, baskets and throws,” says Catherine.

There’s no doubt that Catherine’s social media following also keeps her very busy. “Instagram is almost a full-time job in itself and the amount of opportunities that this incredible platform can provide you with still amazes me every day. Essentially, this part of the business involves lots of styling which is the fun part! I constantly have to create fresh content for social media to keep it interesting for my followers,” says Catherine who collaborates with brands on a regular basis. “It basically involves styling clients’ products The Stables way!”

As for inspiration, Catherine mostly finds it online but has found herself returning to traditional print media of late. “Given the fast-paced lifestyle we all lead these days, I really love to get inspiration from a magazine as I find this a slower process rather than letting my thumb scroll through hundreds of images in just minutes. I like that print media makes me slow down!” She isn’t a fan of blindly following trends and is careful to always put her own mark on things. “I get so much of my inspiration online like everyone else but the key for me is to try and put my own spin on something rather than just copying a look and reproducing someone else’s style.”

But it’s hands-on design that gives Catherine the most satisfaction, and it’s a side of the business that is continuing to grow. “The first and most important thing to me are my clients. The work I do for each client is extremely varied, some clients come to me with an empty five-bedroom house and want me to furnish it from top to bottom. Others come to be with a two-bedroom unit which they are planning on gutting and engage me to select all the finishes and then furnish it. Others may come to me with problem areas of their home, for example their living room and they want me to transform it for them or make it feel finished,” says Catherine.

Photography: Gez Xavier Mansfield

For more | Shop Catherine’s cushions online

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Art Designers House Tours Interviews Styling

Hunter collector: Inside the home of Alex Zabotto-Bentley

An avid collector, the Sydney home of interior designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley is as much a gallery space as it is private residence. Taking up the entire floor of a converted Victorian stately home in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Darling Point, like any fabulous interior, the home gives a fabulous insight into its owner, his life, travels and passions.

“A home’s interior has to feel real and it has to speak of the person who lives there, like a book slowly exposing characters and stories. A successful space is an unfolding narrative with layers of meaning – motifs, art, collectables and furniture are all important. This space reflects my travels, my love of 1940s neutral palettes, my art collections, my obsession with amazing books, the pleasure of cooking and entertaining, and at the end of the day, my love of comfort,” says Alex, design director of AZBcreative. He has just launched a residential arm to his business, adding to his impressive commercial portfolio, together with offices in New York and Bali.

Interesting vignettes feature throughout the home

Filled with a vast collection of art and books, the home references classic French apartments, old Hollywood set design and there’s not a trend in sight. “There’s nothing worse than an interior that’s trendy. I wanted to retain a sense of the building’s history, without creating a museum piece. I love old French apartments that were re-decorated before WWII, mixed with the set-design colour palette of classic Hollywood city spaces – think Cary Grant’s luxe, gentleman’s apartments and spaces from Rome to Monaco,” says Alex who used soft white and grey paint to capitalise on the apartment’s natural light and highlight the collections within.

“I love masculine furniture, robust and beautifully crafted but then offset with other pieces that are light and frivolous. Combined, they create the perfect balance of light and shade, masculine and feminine, yin and yang. Everything in balance. I am a collector and it is an art to present those collections so they are as exciting to your guests as to you,” says Alex who hangs his art in Paris salon style. “It allows you to group pieces that work together and hang them above each other. It also allows you to hang more art but also give the room a grander feel,” says Alex.

Alex’s colour-coded library

And with so many pieces, gathered over a lifetime of travel, the space could so easily look cluttered. “You can imagine what it was like trying to perfectly place these elements. You need a PhD in elegant clustering to keep a sense of balance and space and not turn it into an episode of Hoarders!” says Alex who started collecting art at the age of 17.

“Every piece tells a story and recalls a memory of a great trip or a weekend combing through flea markets and auctions all over the world. I love the thrill of discovering a new artist or a new piece to add to this ever-growing collection. You have to be very disciplined but it also pays to have a massive AZB warehouse for storing my ever-evolving collections!”

Alex in his home

One of the apartment’s standout pieces is a painting of an owl by Joshua Yeldham. “It’s one of the most prominent recent pieces I’ve bought. It is quite delicate, yet it commands your attention – I love that tension between intricate and bold. I’ve tried to maintain a balance of masculine and feminine energy in the space. It’s definitely a masculine retreat, but not too much,” says Alex.

“As for furniture, I love my two modernist Italian timber and brass armchairs, crafted in the 1970s, the massive 1840s French credenza and the new Volta Paris cantilevered coloured sculpture on my mantel piece, reminiscent of Calder and Mondrian, is the bomb!” says Alex whose passion for collecting and curating has become part of his creative offering too.

‘The Owl’ by Joshua Yeldham sits above Alex’s favourite modernist Italian armchairs

“We have just created the AZB art procurement service, as I have several international clients now. I love having them on the same trajectory as me. Sourcing and finding art for clients is a wild trip, as their budgets are infinitely more than mine! For a moment, I get to feel as if these acquisitions are part of my own collection. It’s a fantastic feeling, just for a moment!” says Alex.

Bedroom

Photography: Jacqui Turk

For more on AZBcreative | Follow Alex on Insta

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Designers House Tours

Minimalist & monochrome: An extraordinary real home in Noosa

Mid-century inspired and with glazing for days, this incredible Noosa property is the work of its owner Sarah Waller, an English designer and licensed builder, who spent 20 years conceptualising her dream home before seeing it come to life. “A move from the UK to Australia offered me the opportunity to design and build something unique for my family and I – our own iconic home,” says Sarah of the home that is referred to as the Glass House.

Kitchen & dining

Nestled in the Noosa Valley, the home features clean lines, and sublime minimalist details such as a flat roof and large expanses of full-height glass. The abundance of glass was designed to take in the home’s gorgeous natural environment that features soaring coconut palm trees and frangipanis.

The lines between the inside and outside are blurred

Sarah worked across the entire process from the design and build to the home’s styling and final decorative touches. “To manage the entire process and bring it all together is incredibly satisfying and now we’re living and experiencing the home, you get a true appreciation that beyond its aesthetic qualities it has a wonderful feel. Sometimes I pinch myself that it’s ours,” says Sarah who heads up her own Noosa-based residential design studio, Sarah Waller Design.

Bedroom

The home’s award-winning kitchen is a standout space and features large swathes of black timber joinery and a generous island bench in fine matte black laminate and marble-look porcelain. Fibonacci Stone Arctic Ice terrazzo tiles extend from the interior floors to the outdoor patio for a seamless connection between outside and in and the kitchen also features a fully concealed butler’s pantry that houses open shelves, additional bench space and a second sink.

The bedrooms were also designed to capitalise on the expansive views. “I love that you have all the comforts of indoors, yet you really feel part of the landscape. We wake up with the sun and experience the subtle changes in weather throughout the day,” says Sarah.

Pool

The pool evokes 1950’s Palm Springs and features a cabana perfect for lazing around in the warmer months – the effect is utterly resort-like. We love!

Photography: Anastasia Kariofyllidis

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Designers House Tours Interviews Styling

House tour: This luxe coastal retreat avoids seaside clichés

While it’s important to consider a home within its context, it’s easy to churn out the same old design tropes – particularly when it comes to a beachside abode. Located in the southern Perth suburb of Mandurah, this beachside home combines a light, airy, coastal feel with sumptuous luxury to an original end. “The owners wanted an intimate and ambient high-end, luxe coastal feel but were adamant that they didn’t want a typical coastal design,” says the project’s interior designer Kristie Hill of Colourcube Interiors.

Lounge room

Home to a middle-aged Scottish couple, the home also accommodates the owner’s grandchildren and numerous guests. “The owners are Scottish and have a lot of overseas visitors stay for lengthy periods of time, so they wanted their own space, and space for their visitors so they weren’t living on top of each other,” says Kristie.

Entry

Designed to take in the beautiful ocean view, the main living spaces are upstairs. “Upstairs is their living area, kitchen, integrated dining, family, master bedroom and ensuite and powder room,” says Kristie.

Guest bedroom

The ground floor is comprised of the guest living, rumpus room, three guest bedrooms and a back yard complete with pool. “The finishes they wanted were to be minimal, easy maintenance, no fuss and easy on the eye.”

And while the original design brief stipulated a focus on neutral colours, this soon changed once the couple moved into the home. “They initially didn’t want to introduce too much colour, but once the home was completed and we were considering furniture selections, it was apparent that we need to add character and warmth to the home through colour,” says Kristie.

Neutral spaces are invigorated by bright colour pops

A design highlight, the master bedroom feature wall has shades of mid-century design and makes quite the statement. “The cladding in the master bedroom is an absolute stand out,” says Kristie of the wall that is covered in Merbau timber – a material that features throughout the rest of the home.

Master bedroom – we love the beautiful Merbau timber clad feature wall

The home’s kitchen is a treat too, with the whole design focussed around easy indoor/outdoor living designed to maximise the view. “You walk up the stairs and right there in front of you is this massive kitchen, and a walk-in pantry and scullery. The clients knew the importance of a high-end functional kitchen in such a large house and didn’t hold back when it came to selecting finishes,” says Kristie of the space that features an integrated dining table, a space-saving measure.

Kitchen

“Initially the kitchen was designed the opposite way, but the island and other benchtops were too small for the home. So, we came up with the idea of integrating the dining table to allow the kitchen much more space, and to flow more effectively to the front balcony, which has uninterrupted views of the coastline. It’s a beautiful space, morning or afternoon, summer or winter. The winter sun beams into the main living and kitchen by midday and the summer sunsets on the balcony are incredible. I feel we created this amazing indoor/outdoor space that can be utilised all year round for different reasons,” says Kristie.

The kitchen island features an in-built dining table

Photography: Claire McFerren of Gathering Light

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