Here, Belle showcases the latest in luxury kitchen design with a glamorous batch of high-end kitchens that exhibit a considered approach to materiality and plenty of panache, brought to life by some of the most renowned architects and interior designers.

Luxe Hamptons

This classic kitchen sits within a Georgian-style home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Designer Alexandra Kidd of Alexandra Kidd Design specified Dulux ‘Deep Aqua’ for the joinery to satisfy the clients’ love of colour. The Baker ‘Dressmaker’s’ chandeliers in bronze from Studio Cavit add a decorative flourish.

Dark and moody

This kitchen by Miriam Fanning of Mim Design, exudes confidence through its robust but beautiful materials, top-of-the-range appliances and specifically designed elements. “The design of this project does not deliver a themed look. Instead, it delivers a unique custom approach to kitchen design incorporating a timeless aspect with the use of authentic, visually appealing materials and product selection,” explains Miriam.

French flair

A glamorous yet family-focused apartment epitomises the style of designers Humbert & Poyet with both classic and contemporary references. Functional and chic, the kitchen mixes Arabescato marble with green cabinets, black BassamFellows ‘Tractor’ stools and the ‘Asterios’ pendant light in bronze and frosted glass by Humbert & Poyet.

Coastal luxe

Madeleine Blanchfield honoured this Crescent Head site with a home embracing all the elements of the quintessential Australian beach lifestyle: sun, views and an enviable location. The north-facing kitchen makes the most of the stunning vistas of mountains and ocean.

Global glamour

A world of influences informed the design of this glamorous kitchen in Sydney. Thomas Hamel blended English character with American charm to deliver a kitchen that was at once functional, inviting and glamorous. “As with the brief for the whole project, the kitchen had to feel ‘international’. The client didn’t want the space to feel like a typical Sydney terrace or traditionally Australian. We took style cues from English joinery details and combined them with a custom American-style rangehood.

Monochrome magic

SJB’s chic black and white design scheme for this Melbourne home, complete with bespoke fittings and luxe finishes, took it to another level of sophistication. The most significant architectural work was done at the rear, with a long kitchen designed as a showpiece to entertain family and friends.The glass skylight runs the length of the kitchen ceiling and admits plenty of light.

Timeless beauty

An inner-city terrace house in Sydney’s Potts Point received an elegant makeover from Alexandra Kidd. There are many beautiful bespoke details and clever uses of space. The kitchen epitomises these elements as the heart of the home. The narrow, central island in Champagne-coloured stainless steel and Calacatta marble encourages gatherings and is the perfect proportion for an intimate dinner party.

Statement stone

A considered mix of texture and tone give warmth, character and sincerity to this neutral kitchen, giving it a real sense of understated luxury and timeless elegance. Neolith’s eco-friendly Everest Sunrise used for the benchtop and splashback has a gentle, neutral quartzite-like finish with stunning gold accents that are only highlighted by the metallic accents on the stove. Super durable and low maintenance, Neolith is known for being highly resistant to water, heat, scratches, stains, and UV rays – making it an extremely functional, low-maintenance and sustainable finish.

The post 8 luxury kitchen designs to lust over appeared first on Homes To Love.

“The listing wasn’t great and the outside wasn’t particularly charming but we were instantly captivated by the high ceilings. We knew we could do something really special with it,” they say.

Owned by one family for five decades, the home had been divided into three separate apartments, each with its own kitchen and lived in by different members of the family.

“We met the vendors at the auction and they shared their memories of the house over a bottle of celebratory champagne. They gave us a box documenting all the additions and changes made over time and even if it was a little hodgepodge it had been renovated with love and all the original features were intact,” explain the owners who engaged Sarah Comerford, founder and CEO of Sydney-based practice Home By Belle for the renovation.

The couple had been living in a terrace nearby for 11 years but after Covid they realised the need for more space. Their brief was for a house well-suited to entertaining guests and practical enough for family life.

One of the owners grew up in a typical North American home in Canada and yearned for something similar with “the warmth of an old house married with a modern vibe”. Functional amenities were important, but not at the expense of retaining traditional aspects.

“Sometimes when people take on big, old houses they try to modernise them. We were pleased to work with Sarah who wanted to retain features such as the stained glass even though some pieces didn’t necessarily match,” say the owners.

The interiors were so voluminous that Sarah and her team used wainscoting to minimise the “excessive scale”. On the ground floor, panelling was introduced with a dado rail and large artworks added to absorb some of the vastness of the walls. The soaring ceilings likewise called for generous pendant lights, often hanging in clusters.

While the house has a grand foyer with a bedroom and ensuite off to the left and a music room off to the right, the day-to-day entry is around the side. Access is now via a mudroom and generous adjacent laundry kitted out with thoughtful bamboo drawers so shoes can be aired out, hooks for schoolbags, three washers and dryers, and joinery that runs all the way up to the ceiling.

“We have stepladders all over the house, but it still made sense to use the whole wall as cabinetry. We store Christmas decorations in there – you’re only going to get them down once a year and this way it doesn’t take up much-needed everyday space. It felt like an indulgence but it’s also very practical,” says the client.

The living room runs off the central spine, and the kitchen and dining areas are arranged in an L-shape at the rear. An opening beside the dining banquette leads to the butler’s pantry.

The dining room is a special spot for the couple who put a call out on social media for a woodworker to design them a table. Suggestions led them to Mudgee-based Tim Griffiths from MBT Timber Designs who carved them a five-metre table in camphor laurel cut from a tree on his own property.

“It has a steel frame that could hold up a building,” says Sarah, who laid the floor underneath with a modern, monochrome ‘tiled carpet’ to make cleaning up easier. Six months in and it’s already a regular hotspot for friends.”

“We just hosted a birthday that started on the front porch for cocktails, moved upstairs for champagne and oysters on the terrace, and then for dinner downstairs – we could fit all 18 people for a sit-down meal. The spaces feel grand but warm. It caters well to a lot of people.”

The parents retreat takes up a third of the first floor, the bedroom and ensuite split by a walk-in-wardrobe. The bathroom, a calm space in fresh hues, contrasts with the rich, moody scheme of the bedroom. Sarah borrowed floor space from the sunroom balcony to create more seating and a workout area.

On the same level, the couple’s sons share a bathroom while their daughter has her own ensuite.

“This new home of ours is a place we want filled with family dinners, celebrations, Christmases, Easter lunches and neighbourhood parties. It’s a place we want our kids to bring their friends home to.”

Home by Belle: homebybelle.com.au

The Design Team

The post A grand home transformed with modern features became an entertainer’s dream appeared first on Homes To Love.

They found a trove at this year’s Salone Del Mobile, so here we bring you 19 of their favourites.

TREND: Red hot

What we saw: Reds, oranges, yellows and golds that are all a little muddy, not shiny and bright were recognised by Dulux’s colour expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr.

TREND: Crafty creations

As seen in: Horsehair, bamboo, walnut and paper illuminated by artisans including ceramicist Magdalene Odundo, who created these pointed leather hanging lamps. Also shown are creations from Anthea Hamilton, Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa.

TREND: More is more is more

As seen in: The result of Wood’s Mecca x NGV commission, Kaleidoscope-o-rama, a psychedelic exhibition that was on display at the NGV Triennial. In an expansion of that exhibition, Wood and Italian rug company CC-Tapis created a series of “fancy woods” rugs, designed to promote intimate gatherings.

TREND: Collegiate Mediterranean

As seen in: American prep and Italian extravagance happily colliding in the courtyard of Ralph Lauren’s palazzo.

TREND: Bold and beautiful

As seen in: Colour, shape and texture coming to the fore at the Cassina perspective 2024. The esteemed furniture company wheeled out some of its most successful designers – think Patricia Urquiola and Michael Anastassiades – to display some of their most interesting new pieces.

TREND: Haute home

As seen in: Armani’s haute furniture collection, a masterclass in sophistication, taking the same artisanal approach to homewares as it does to its haute couture collections, .

TREND: Sublime restraint

As seen in: Enduring styles and timeless materials that defined Flexform’s collections, an investment that will work in many different interior scenarios forever.

TREND: Interactive modular

As seen in: The Swiss design company’s modular furniture system, ‘micro-architecture’. With almost endless formations, each element can be transformed to suit its user’s purpose. To demonstrate, the brand created an interactive space where visitors saw the pieces adapted in real time, with peepholes, doors and pull-outs for added fun.

TREND: Quiet luxury

As seen in: Riva 1920’s ‘Avant’ open wardrobe. With a primarily neutral palette and sleek fabrications, Fanuli’s partner brands embraced form and texture for individual exhibitions that proved natural doesn’t mean dull.

TREND: Opposites attract

As seen in: The ‘Onda’ console, part of Natale’s Collaboration with the Italian marble house, Serafini. In a continuation from last year’s ‘Onda’ table, the console displays both the solidity and softness of stone through fluid lines, carved waves and intricately veined marble in contrasting tones.

TREND: Surface tension

As seen in: Hermès’ exhibition, ‘The Topography of Material’ where the brand unveiled 16 traditional flooring patterns, drawn from heritage motifs and assembled from a variety of materials including Italian stone, sand, bricks and wood.

TREND: Updated classics

As seen in: Statement pieces enhanced with subtle detail updates, like the modern updates to classics that have been part of the Flexform collection for many years.

TREND: Sensory synesthesia

What we saw: Synesthesia is the phenomenon of experiencing more than one sense at a time, like tasting shapes or hearing colour. In an effort to create that ultra-sensory experience, Google teamed up with Chromasonic for ‘making sense of colour’, an installation that augments reality without the need for AR goggles. The meditative experience started in chambers that changed colour according to sound, and moved into a series of rooms that pondered what colour feels, smells and tastes like.

TREND: Everyday, elevated

As seen in: Fhiaba’s collection, who jumped on the home glamorisation trend with precious metal-hued fridges and wine coolers.

TREND: Painterly textiles

As seen in: Interiors retail supremo Fiona Spence and former Missoni HOME Creative Director Wanda Jelmini new ‘INNATE’ collection, a dreamy collection of textiles inspired by the work of Australian artist Luke Sciberras and the Australian landscape.

TREND: No sharp objects

As seen in: The De Padova living room where curved surfaces create a sense of calm. The group celebrated Boffi’s 90th anniversary with this display, called ‘A Way of Living’.

TREND: Playing with scale

As seen in: Kavals collection of small-scale pieces, which she developed after being frustrated by a lack of compact furniture available for her own home.

TREND: Historic homage

As seen in: Vases from Yakusha’s tiara collection made from Ukrainian clay and adorned with topaz. They represent a 5th-century royal tiara from the Hun era that was stolen by the Russians when they invaded Ukraine in 2022.

TREND: Past and present

As seen in: ‘Purple Nebula’, inspired by the cosmos, expressed in a monochromatic and slightly alien dining room. It was a contemplation of how design can form connections across time, culture, continents and creative expression.

See more Milan Design Week over the years

Previous

01:29

The best in show at Milano Design Week 2024

The best in show at Milan Design Week 2023

Belle’s wrap up of the best in show at Milan Design Week 2022

Next

The post The 19 trends spotted by Belle editors at Milan Design Week 2024 appeared first on Homes To Love.

Explore the activations by precinct, see inside the luxury fashion houses, meet the designers and see the furniture makers; these are Belle’s finest in class at Salone Del Mobile 2024.

Tour Salone Del Mobile 2024 by precinct

Milan Design Week ignites a tremendous activation across the city in established showrooms and repurposed spaces, from grand villas to tiny shops, garages and galleries. Tour the best on display with design gurus Karen McCartney and David Harrison.

Discover Cinque Vie’s brand fit outs

In Milan’s oldest streets, shops are given over to inventive brand fit outs in intimate spaces that serve to encourage conversations with designers.

‘Grounded’

Since the 1920s Italian company Fornace Brioni has produced handmade earthernware tiles from the sediment of the River Po in a 1000-year-old tradition. Its show, ‘Grounded’, was a collaboration with designer Cristina Celestino, who preserved the tile manufacturer’s cultural and authentic qualities while “finding a balance between nostalgia and progress in design”. fornacebrioni.it; cristinacelestino.com

‘Bruma: A Thousand Landscapes’

Lighting designers Giopato & Coombes excelled with ‘Bruma: A Thousand Landscapes’. The space took on an ethereal quality as modules of suspended cast glass, with a surface called ‘pulegoso’ (tiny bubbles mimicking water), fulfilled the inspirational starting point of misty air in the morning. giopatocoombes.com

‘Me and You’

Melbourne-based lighting practice Volker Haug Studio and interior designers Flack Studio partnered in a dazzling show of collaborative talent with a beautifully detailed lighting exhibition titled ‘Me and You’. A tiny corner shop in Via San Maurilio was expertly fitted out with perforated metal wall lights combining with a central pendant light in fibreglass and bronze. volkerhaug.com; flack.studio

L’Appartamento

L’Appartamento by artisanal design sales platform Artemest commandeered the ground floor of fin-de-siècle Residenza Vignale, first built for an Austrian prince, with Studio Meshary AlNassar from Kuwait undertaking the design of the entryway and flower room. Pretty tones and whimsical fixtures, such as the ‘Madia’ intagliata chest by Giuseppe Rivadossi, soften the transition from house to garden. artemest.com; mesharyalnassar.com

‘Experiential Matter’

UNobject, a new Taiwanese design house, launched ‘Experiential Matter’ exploring sensory bonds between humans and materials. In the Baroque surrounds of Palazzo Litta is a lightweight 3D-printed chair, ‘Topo’, with an emphasis on ergonomics and the transformation of recycled plastics. un-object.com

Stroll Isola and Nilufar Depot’s vintage galleries

To the north of the city Isola’s highlight was Dutch show ‘Solidified’, while Nilufar Depot is always a must-see with a cavernous gallery of the very best in vintage and contemporary work.

‘Crush’ rug

Umut Yamac, a London-based designer, explores the themes of movement and delicacy using superficially fragile materials. His playful approach delivers poetic outcomes such as the ‘Bloom’ pendant light and floor lights along with the ‘Crush’ rug for Moooi. umutyamac.com

‘Fillo’ table with ‘Totem’ ceiling lamp

Nilufar Depot offered a startling mix of new limited-edition works and rare vintage pieces. Objects of Common Interest’s ‘Fillo’ table showed with ‘Totem’ pyrex ceiling lamp by Bethan Laura Wood. bethanlaurawood.com; objectsofcommoninterest.com

‘12 Chairs For Meditations’

‘12 Chairs For Meditations’ by Andrés Reisinger starred at Nilufar Depot with the Spanish designer’s installation revolving around a 5x5m glass mosaic-tiled panel made in Mexico by Taller Perdomo. reisinger.studio

‘Solidified’

‘Solidified’ was a beautifully conceived exhibition of four Dutch design studios: Rive Roshan, Jesse Visser, Umut Yamac and Rick Tegelaar, alongside gallery Form Editions, which showcases work by a small group of Dutch designers. Rive Roshan is the partnership of Ruben de la Rive Box and Golnar Roshan whose preoccupations are the play of light on surfaces and observing the movement and colour shift across objects and lighting such as on these rippled glass panels. riveroshan.com

Inside Porta Venezia’s big-brand expressions

Porta Venezia, one of Milan’s historical gateways to the city, hosted big-brand expressions in galleries, showrooms and even private apartments.

‘Natural Disco’ with ‘Terra’ table and stools

Collection Particulière marries a love of timeless materials with a dedication to traditional craft. In ‘Natural Disco’ metallic glazes were applied to lavastone and a 16th-century terracotta method was revisited for Luca Erba’s ‘Terra’ table and stools. collection-particuliere.fr; lucaerba.eu

‘A Life Extraordinary’

At Moooi’s ‘A Life Extraordinary’ the ‘Serpentine’ pendant lights are by Front, the ‘Transformed Remnants’ side table by Willem Zwiers uses pages from discarded books as its core material and the ‘Aldora Vis a Vis’ by Cristina Celestino offers a relaxed sofa context. moooi.com

‘To the Edge of Matter

In ‘To the Edge of Matter’ show, the spectacular chaise longue, ‘La Grande Muraglia’, by Mario Bellini is carved from Bianco Covelano marble and covered in velvet, pairing extreme comfort with monumentality. neutradesign.it

Boon_Editions with Studio Rotolo collection

Piet Boon’s Boon_Editions collaborated with Stefano Giacomello of Studio Rotolo to illustrate the latter’s 3D modelling skills in a collection of hyper-realistic super-sized pieces. boonparis.com/boon_editions; studio-rotolo.com

Spotti Milano on Viale Piave

Retailer Spotti Milano on Viale Piave curates its showroom continuously, often through the unique lens of a particular stylist, architect or designer. For MDW 2024, it featured the versatile ‘Lorentz’ sofa system by David Lopez Quincoces for Living Divani and the extraordinary ‘Bloom 2.4’ pendant light by Mario Tsai. spotti.com; livingdivani.it; quincocesdrago.com; mariotsai.studio

Visit Durini’s prestige showrooms

The traditional home for brands such as B&B Italia and Cassina, Durini is the go-to district for prestige showrooms that define contemporary design.

‘Indochine’

Cassina re-released Charlotte Perriand’s 1943 ‘Indochine’ chaise lounge as a cradle of painted tubular metal and recycled PET fibre padding. In Vietnam and confined to her bed at the end of her pregnancy, Perriand designed the original in rattan because it was impossible to source steel during the Pacific War. cassina.com

B&B Italia

The B&B Italia showroom in Via Durini showed ‘Assiale’, an elegant, monolithic table in Levanto red marble by the maestro Piero Lissoni. It comes in two sizes and also has an extendable option in a glossy or satin lacquered finish: the 210cm top jumps to 294cm, while the 250cm top slides to a massive 334cm. bebitalia.com

Gallotti&Radice

Gallotti&Radice’s new Studiopepe-designed showroom takes a holistic approach to a soft, contemporary aesthetic, and includes a 3D paper wall treatment. Studiopepe also designed this new dining table, ‘Selce-T’, with a sculptural base and hand-applied natural pulverised stone powder on the surface. gallottiradice.it; studiopepe.info

CC-Tapis’ Rude Arts Club

Designer Faye Toogood applied her amorphous, sensual aesthetic to a rug collaboration with CC-Tapis (‘Tiddlybits’) and to Tacchini daybeds and sofas. Both collections were on spirited display at CC-Tapis’ Rude Arts Club. cc-tapis.com; tacchini.it

See Varedo’s avant-garde designs

A roving exhibition, Alcova seeks interesting venues for avant-garde design each year. For MDW 2024, there were two: Villa Bagatti Valsecchi and Villa Borsani, both in Varedo.

Villa Bagatti Valsecchi

Canada’s A-N-D Light exhibited in the grand entrance area of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, showing its new modular pendant and floor light by Caine Heintzman called ‘Vale’. The brand also incorporated UMA’s new ‘T4’ sofa, and Bethan Laura Wood’s ‘Kaleidoscope-o-rama’ rug for CC-Tapis. a-n-d.com; umaobjects.com; cc-tapis.com

Villa Borsani

Parisian architect Berenice Curt’s ‘Testa dei Marmi’ (Head of Marble) series of sculptural totems with polished stainless-steel bases and shield-like heads crafted from reclaimed marble pave the way to Villa Borsani. berenicecurt.com

Surfacedesign, Inc

The San Francisco-based landscape and urban design firm Surfacedesign, Inc. presented outdoor furniture in the form of fine stainless steel sheets anchored by rough-hewn rocks that appear to have emerged from the earth. The use of fractured rock is the brand’s signature. sdisf.com

‘Mazer’

Australian designer Tom Fereday has been showing his work in Milan since 2016. This year he revealed his ‘Mazer’ collection of solid stone furniture. Each chair, stool and side table features a dish-shaped depression in the stone that subverts the collection’s otherwise brutal geometric forms constructed in Roman red travertine. tomfereday.com

‘Torsi’

Italian ceramics company showed a collection of brightly coloured garden planters by Objects of Common Interest. Bearing the signature fluted qualities of Grecian columns, the ‘Torsi’ series can be stacked or arranged creatively. bitossiceramiche.it; objectsofcommoninterest.com

Explore Brera, the designers’ headquarters

Brera is biggest drawcard of the design destinations, with a density of studios and brand HQs being activated during Design Week.

‘The Small Hours’

Salvatori showcased the prodigious designer Patricia Urquiola’s ‘The Small Hours’ bathroom collection. She took the brand to the next level by introducing marbles such as Verde Antico alongside matte-finished steel, and timber furniture pieces that act as a ‘hinge’ between the rest of the house. salvatoriofficial.com; patriciaurquiola.com

‘Enlightened Living’

Australian brand Rakumba launched a number of lights at its ‘Enlightened Living’ installation, including ‘Gallery’ and ‘Port’ by Tom Fereday and ‘Bell’ by AFTR. Shown here is ‘Petal’ by German-based Sebastian Herkner, with its generously thickened glass and organic form working brilliantly as a pendant, wall and table light. sebastianherkner.com; rakumba.com.au

‘One Page’

According to furniture brand Moroso, Ron Arad’s reinterpretation of the classic lounge chair, the ‘One Page’ armchair, is set to become an icon of design with its rigid moulded polyurethane shell, soft internal padding and lyrical shape that’s inspired by the curve of a sheet of paper. moroso.it; ronarad.co.uk

‘Stone Garden’

The Japanese brand Time & Style showed lateral thought with its ‘Stone Garden’. Focusing on the attributes of the traditional Japanese home – cedar, cypress, stone and straw – the brand developed a range of floating platforms to encourage a sense of horizontal expansion. Layered upholstery and tatami coverings alongside finely crafted screens contribute to the overall serenity. timeandstyle.com

‘Gruuve’

Always in favour of a big gesture, Italian brand Moroso launched Patricia Urquiola’s ‘Gruuve’ sofa, which channels a 1970s spirit with its dynamic, convivial seating possibilities. moroso.it; patriciaurquiola.com

Plus Via della Moscova’s luxury showrooms

Flexform

Flexform’s flagship store sits graciously on Milano’s Via della Moscova in a chi-chi neighbourhood. with its soaring windows and endlessly fascinating parade of passersby it is a dream destination in which to showcase the luxury Italian brand’s classic and contemporary pieces. In Australia, all pieces are available to order from fanuli.com.au.

Discover the luxury fashion houses of Salone Del Mobile 2024

From the runway to the hallway, luxury fashion houses have made it increasingly clear they are master hands at designing more than just exquisite clothing.

Dolce & Gabbana

Baroque opulence was on full glorious display in Dolce & Gabbana’s Oro 24K homewares collection – a physical manifestation of glamour. Meanwhile, Palazzo Reale hosted an exhibition celebrating the legacy of the house’s founders, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. world.dolcegabbana.com

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren’s signature American prep embraced an Italian twist in the designer’s Milan headquarters. Waiters in head-to-toe Ralph Lauren circulated with canapes and champagne for guests, while the upper floor was transformed into a mahogany-clad backdrop for the brand’s homewares. The entire collection – including the chairs and lamps – took inspiration from Ralph’s impressive collection of vintage cars. ralphlauren.com.au

Hermes

The installation at La Pelota was an understated yet powerful ode to the spirit and soul of heritage. Their commitment to fine craft even extended to detailing undetectable to the untrained eye. In a conversation with Belle, Lafarge – the creative director of home textiles at Hermès – explained how the maison approaches the tricky skill of silk and cashmere embroidery, as well as the fastidious nature of adding twice-dyed fringe to the house’s iconic blankets. “We always apply meticulous attention to detail,” she says, adding that it’s a thrill to see patterns emerge through embroidery. The textiles team also borrowed from the fashion department this year, introducing raw silk twill previously reserved for jockey silks. hermes.com

Armani

The historic Palazzo Orsini – aka Armani Casa – always attracts long, winding queues of visitors. This year, they entered the palatial residence to see the brand’s new furniture collection alongside Armani Privé haute couture creations and archival ready-to-wear pieces. armani.com/en-au

Loewe

While creative director Jonathan Anderson once described craft as the “essence of Loewe”, fans of the brand know a sense of humour is just as important. Both were on display in a curation of lamps created by 24 international designers and ranging from the starkly chic to the endearingly strange. loewe.com

Meet the designers at Salone Del Mobile 2024

While in Milan for this year’s design week, the Belle team opened our little black book of designers. Here, we pay them a visit as their creativity is celebrated on a global scale.

Don Cameron

The filmmaker turned interior designer showed a body of work titled ‘Translations’ at Alcova, a roaming exhibition that revives dilapidated Milanese buildings. Cameron used his photographic explorations of Europe as a jumping off point for his furniture design, with the idea to capture the same atmosphere in a different medium. There’s a gravitas to Cameron who, despite having worked with architecture heavyweights such as Dr Gene Sherman, AM, flies modestly under the radar. @doncameron.studio

Bethan Laura Wood

The spectacularly colourful multidisciplinary artist’s popularity has exploded thanks to several high-profile accolades, including presenting work at London’s Instagrammable Sketch restaurant and being the recipient of the Mecca x National Gallery of Victoria 2023 Women in Design commission. The London-based designer has built a cult following since launching her eponymous design studio in 2009 for her exploration of the transmission of knowledge and the domestic sphere through colour and materiality. bethanlaurawood.com

David Flack and Volker Haug

Flack Studio is primarily an architecture firm, while Volker Haug Studio specialises in lighting design. These Melbourne studios teamed up for a debut lighting collection, Me and You. flack.studio; volkerhaug.com

Greg Natale

Renowned for his use of colour and texture in his interior design, Natale is a deft hand at minimalism with a focus on materials and tactility. Whatever the brief, though, the result is bold. gregnatale.com

Fiona Spence and Wanda Jelmini

Friends and self-proclaimed ardent design disciples, Fiona and Wanda have created a sumptuous collection of towels, fabrics and cushions inspired by the Australian landscape. innatecollection.com.au

Nicci Kavals

The founder and creative director of Melbourne lighting studio Articolo makes a complicated design ethos look easy. Her aim is to design products that are “complex and not easy to manufacture”, she has said, but are still “enduring and sophisticated”. For her debut furniture range, her goal was to challenge the eye and make people look twice. Mission accomplished. articolostudios.com

Victoria Yakusha

This Ukrainian artist and furniture designer doesn’t shy away from complicated concepts. Last year, she pondered time and space. This year, Yakusha considered art as collateral damage in war. Under Russian control, Ukraine’s sacred burial mounds – remnants from previous civilisations – are at risk of being destroyed in what she refers to as one of the largest art heists since World War II. Yakusha’s exhibition, SKARB, is a reflection on the struggle to protect the country’s national treasures. yakusha.design

See the furniture exhibitions at Salone Del Mobile 2024

Year on year, furniture designers level up their offerings in exhibitions that take everyday necessities like chairs, tables, beds – even kitchen appliances – into the realm of high art.

Gaggenau

The luxury home appliance brand, Gaggenau put on a sensorial feast, complete with a bespoke soundscape and dance performance Called ‘The Elevation of Gravity’, the immersive experience involved creative agency Anomaly Berlin, architecture firm 1zu33, flooring specialists Schotten & Hansen and stone artisans Salvatori. gaggenau.com.au

Viabizzuno

There was some weird science going on at the lighting design brand, Viabizzuno’s pavilion, ‘Ellissi Ellissi’. like a modern apothecary, beaker-esque vessels lined the bar next to the ‘Bottigliera’ wall-mounted wine rack, and Elegantlights trickled from the ceiling. the coloured paper on the dining table is a stack of rubber-stamp artworks by Gianpaolo Pagni, who created them in front of visitors. viabizzuno.com/en/vboaustralia

Elle Decor Italia

The interiors publication, Elle Decor Italia worked with three design studios for its exhibition, ‘material home’. interior designer Elisa Ossino, lighting designer Rossi Bianchi and landscape designer Antonio perazzi created seven rooms, each with a dedicated material theme: Powders, Surfaces, Marble in Movies, Reflections, Soft, Organic and Hues. elisaossino.it; rossibianchi.com; antonioperazzi.com/en

Draga and Aurel

The founders of this multidisciplinary art, design and furniture studio and workshop, Draga and Aurel, Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, in collaboration with architect Giuliano Andrea dell’Uva, set up “an apartment of wonders” at Rossana orlandi gallery. featured in the installation are pieces from their new collection, ‘lewit’, and striking paintings by basedow. draga-aurel.com

Henrytimi

In an attempt by Henrytimi to elevate natural materials to the status of art object, the founder of this eponymous studio incorporated a patinated mirror and stone for a harmonious display of light and shadow, reflection and void in what he refers to as “material minimalism”, inspired by archaeology. henrytimi.com

Alessandro Ciffo

At Rossana Orlandi Art Gallery, Alessandro Ciffo’s exhibition, ‘La Bürsch’, showed a domestic space that appeared to be created entirely from monolithic marble, but was actually clever hyperrealism made from regenerated silicone. (eagle-eyed fans wouldn’t have been surprised given silicone is Ciffo’s preferred, and only, medium.) @alessandrociffosilicone

Paola Lenti

At Paola Lenti, the collective of weavers, architects, upholsterers, tailors and engineers takes leisure very seriously. The new ‘Baleari’ seating series features the brand’s signature handwoven rope belts in vibrant hues with high gloss frames. pictured here are the lounge chairs, and there is also a chaise longue. dedece.com

See more Milan Design Week

Previous

The best in show at Milan Design Week 2023

Belle’s wrap up of the best in show at Milan Design Week 2022

How to bring the best of Milan Design Week into your own home

Next

The post The best in show at Milano Design Week 2024 appeared first on Homes To Love.

What appealed to you about your home?

Our north-facing home is an oasis on a quiet tree-lined street moments from the best Bondi has to offer. Living in the area all my life, it is wonderful to find that sense of calm here.

Virtually a new build, designed in close collaboration with architects MacDonald+Duque, friends Rachelle Lawler and Peter Martignago, and built by my husband Davor Pavlovic and Mick Fahey of Habiqo Constructions, it’s the most personal home I have lived in.

Davor put in much hard work, passion and love to what was a rundown semi. He kept the facade and two bedrooms and demolished the rest.

We have a beautiful wall extending from the hall into the living room that Miguel of Macquarie Renderers plastered with passion as he worked to music. He said that the music infuses into the walls and when there is a full moon these will dance. And they do. I have not put artwork on these walls because they are works of art.

How would you describe the interiors?

It glows as light changes over the day, dancing across the neutral colour palette so it all feels inviting and calm. I am drawn to natural fabrics and materials, and they are layered here in a tactile way. Everything has its purpose and the restraint translates to a peaceful energy.

What do you enjoy about living here?

It feels like a sanctuary. The steel-framed doors to the garden are open year-round and I love the connection to the lush greenery, magpies singing and our dog Wolfie running in and out. I’ve planted to attract more native birds and am excited when lorikeets visit the grevilleas.

We entertain a lot and the kitchen-dining area is perfectly designed for Davor and I to work at the island, chatting to guests at the generous table. We created features to support our wellness with a steam shower and sauna in the studio and our magnesium pool. Tending to my worm farm and veggie garden is like a daily meditation.

Do you have a work from home set up?

I have a lovely office at the front of the house, but often find myself on the back deck, which has beautiful light and is surrounded by leafy plants. I work long hours and weekends, so the dining table is a regular work space for me so I can stay connected as family and friends pop in and out, and closer to the kettle for my many cups of tea.

Describe a typical work day?

I wake about 5:45 am and try not to check emails and phone first thing. Instead, I love to start my day by going for a walk at Bondi Beach or Centennial Park. Walking clears my head and is when I feel most inspired. Breakfast might be eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and salmon or a hearty bowl of porridge of buckwheat, almonds, miso, apple and quinoa.

As CEO and creative director of a growing company, I spend my day on call or in meetings on global distribution, creative campaigns, and working with microbiologists, naturopaths and nutritionists to develop new products. I visit our fermentation plant where it is exciting to see the scale of production in full swing, given it all started on my kitchen table years ago. I punctuate my day with pauses to enjoy my daily Glow® in water or a smoothie, or one of our other delicious skin-loving elixirs, and lots of herbal tea, and I pop out for walks with Wolfie.

After dinner, I wind down and switch off by putting down my phone and enjoying time with my family. I love reading books at night.

The Beauty Chef: thebeautychef.com

Rachel Lawler: rachellelawler.com.au

The Design Team

The post Beauty Chef founder Carla Oates’ tactile Bondi home glows under the light of the full moon appeared first on Homes To Love.

A few days solo in my gorgeous residence, enjoying delicious healthy food prepared by a team of talented chefs and some incredible therapies is just the ticket. I had brought about 10 books, which I was determined to read.

Unlike in the real world, I had two personal assistants, Purna and Setiawan. One of these super-efficient organisers was always on standby, including for menu selections, treatment bookings, local knowledge and a speedy buggy to drive around in. Unleashed from the office; I preferred strolling the estate at leisure.

The brainchild of founder and hotel entrepreneur Christina Ong, Como Shambhala Estate is renowned for its holistic approach to wellness and breathtaking natural setting – it’s an exclusive private retreat where you rarely cross paths with fellow guests.

This jungle nirvana inspires transformation and nurtures the senses.

I am a treatment enthusiast and look forward to sampling from the extensive spa menu. The signature massage, a harmonious blend of acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy, promises to soothe tired muscles and release stress. I made my way through the spa menu with an array of massages, among them the nurturing and rejuvenating Como Shambhala massage, plus a fantastic Sundari facial.

Pilates and yoga were also on the agenda. I was lucky to have one-on-one sessions with Italian yoga teacher Monica, who was strict and fabulous and described her techniques so beautifully that I wish I could work with her daily.

I have never been good at meditating – there is no sedating the hamsters running around in my mind – so I was interested to see if I could make it work. Our fabulous meditation guru ran us through the steps focusing on breathwork – it sent me into a gorgeous sleep in the lovely hut at the base of the estate but I’m not sure I can replicate that at home.

The impressive hydrotherapy pool is a great design, and exercising in a warm pool with an instructor directing your every move with a beautiful view out to the jungle hardly feels like a workout.

At the heart of Como Shambhala’s philosophy is its emphasis on nourishing body and soul. The cuisine celebrates raw, organic ingredients sourced locally, ensuring every dish tastes terrific and nourishes the body.

With its open-air setting, the Glow restaurant offers panoramic views of the jungle, making dining a holistic experience. The delicious freshly brewed ginger lemon tea in the spa and restaurant is a big favourite with guests, and I have been making it at home since I returned.

Accommodation is designed to be a seamless extension of its jungle environment and wellness ethos. The rooms and villas, perched on the edge of the Ayung River, offer breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and rice paddies. Each residence is a private haven of comfort and luxury, with traditional Balinese design elements harmoniously blended with modern amenities.

Spacious terraces, private plunge pools, and outdoor showers allow guests to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the jungle, fostering a deep connection with nature. I loved my villa and canopy bed with a view of the jungle and enjoyed my semi-outdoor bath. One wellness goal I am going to strive for is regular repeat visits to this jungle nirvana.

Book your stay at COMO Shambhala Estate or via booking.com

For flights to Bali, Virgin Australia currently operates twice daily return flights per week from Melbourne, and daily return services from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast to Denpasar (Bali).

Ready to book?

See more Bali accommodation

Previous

You can now book Peppa Hart’s Bali home, Casa La Playa, for your next holiday

The Slow: a boutique hotel in Canggu, Bali

Bali hotel guide: luxurious places to stay

Next

The post Is COMO Shambhala Estate Bali’s most restorative wellness resort? appeared first on Homes To Love.

“The client’s brief for a ‘beach house that isn’t a beach house’ informed the choice to have v-groove panelling sitting alongside more avant-garde choices such as the island that reads like a piece of furniture or sculpture.”

The space captures the vibrant energy of its beachside locale, particularly in the art selection, from the unconventional use of a bespoke Ben Mazey ceramic installation as a splashback, to its playful neighbour, a painting by Brendan Huntley. The kitchen is sandwiched by points of connection to nature, with a wall of windows on one side and an internal courtyard on the other. The result is a living space bathed in sunshine, at all times in conversation with the bustle of the suburb beyond.

What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget?

“Commissioning the artist Ben Mazey to produce a one-of-a-kind custom artwork for the rear wall, creating something joyful for something as utilitarian as a cooktop splashback helps to transform the kitchen into a space that is deeply personal to our client. The kitchen island itself is entirely bespoke.”

Madeleine Blanchfield Architects: madeleineblanchfieldarchitects.com

Skope Constructions: skopeconstructions.com.au

The Design Team

See more coastal homes

Previous

A beachside home in Sydney inspired by its location

A neutral beachside apartment in Bondi filled with beautiful tactile finishes

An interior designer’s touch proved the best bet for this coastal home

Next

The post A colossal marble-filled kitchen anchored by the beauty of its Bondi surrounds appeared first on Homes To Love.

Now in its 14th year, this prestigious awards program is committed to supporting the creativity and innovation of the local industry by celebrating and rewarding excellence in Australian interior design and decoration by individuals, partnerships and design practices at residential, hospitality and commercial levels.

2024 Award Categories

• Best Residential Interior
• Best Residential Kitchen Interior
• Best Residential Bathroom Interior
• Best Hospitality Interior
• Best Commercial Interior
• Best Work with Colour
• Emerging Design Star
• Hall of Fame
• Best Residential Interior – Readers’ Choice
• Belle/Fanuli Interior Designer of the Year

Enter the Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2024

See a sample of the questions you’ll need to answer here. For further details please phone (02) 9282 8456 or email belleawards@aremedia.com.au

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Entries close Friday, August 23, 2024 with the winner to appear in the December/January 2025 issue of Belle.

Read Terms & Conditions here.

See the previous Belle Interior Design Award winners

Previous

The Belle Fanuli Interior Design Award winners for 2023

Designer profile: SJB architect Adam Haddow

The Belle Fanuli Interior Design Award winners for 2022

Next

The post Call for Entries: Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2024 appeared first on Homes To Love.

Having visited a friend’s house that had been designed by Greg they were “blown away by the level of detail” and knew that was what they wanted for their own home. “The bones of the house we bought were good but the finishes were not,” explains the owner. “Greg came highly recommended and he understood exactly what we wanted – a modern home with warmth and beautiful finishes. We are very big on detail!”

Never one to tinker around the edges Greg decided a full-scale gutting was the only way forward. He decided to make the staircase the focal point and so located the new spectacular spiral creation front and centre, its black marble treads and risers glinting opulently across the home’s three levels. “These stairs are the spine of the house and make a strong vertical statement,” says Greg, “topped off by the pendant light that the owners chose.”

With the brief specifying a black-and-white palette Greg was in his element but the owners’ wish for “a clean, modern and sleek interior” meant a change of beat for him. Known for his lavish layers and decoration, Greg said he held back on the patterns in this project but introduced plenty of texture and materiality. A fluted finish on the kitchen cabinetry, on the marble fireplace surrounds and in the bathrooms is tactile and eye-catching, while marble drawer fronts and stone skirting boards take luxury to another level.

“I’m a modernist at heart,” says Greg, “and as a creative I think I’m evolving and my business is evolving. When I was studying it was all about modernism and minimalism and I’ve gone back to that but I’ve warmed it up with colour, timber and texture.”

Purple accents were introduced at the wife’s suggestion and Greg designed rugs, cushions and accessories that splice the regal shade with blush pinks, rose and wine hues, while timber stools and side tables provide more warmth. The owner comments, “Greg styled the house with the furnishings, the artwork, even all the ornaments, which are just amazing throughout.”

True to the owners’ desire to live ‘apartment-style’, the top-floor, 30-metre-long semi-circular space generously accommodates living, dining and kitchen. It leads through glass doors to surrounding terraces overflowing with greenery designed by Chiselled in Stone, fitted with barbecues and the accoutrements of outdoor living and taking in the stellar views. “The gardens play a big part in this house’s appeal,” says the owner.

Inside, the custom sinuously curved sofa follows the line of the room offering a stylish spot for conversation or relaxation. Nearby, the marble dining table is the scene of many spirited gatherings, and “having dinner there in front of the city is amazing”, enthuses the owner. “The living area is just something – unless you build it or create it you’ll never find anything like it,” he says.

“It’s not a big house,” says Greg, “but it does have a lot of space.” As the owners are frequent entertainers and also have three children and four grandchildren who visit often space was definitely a priority. “When it’s just my wife and me it’s very comfortable,” says the owner, “but we can easily have 100 people for a party. Our friends and family love it – they say it’s just like coming to a hotel – it has that feeling.”

The home’s facade is an elegant take on Brutalism with its original cladding of charcoal ceramic tiles. Greg removed the balconies and changed the window frames to black to enhance the sleek appearance. The sandstone steps and planter boxes were retained, again for warmth. Near the pool, an enormous monolith of Sydney sandstone is a commanding presence jutting out above the seating area, its angularity softened by the planting. “The original spirit of the home is still there,” says Greg, “but now it’s modern, opulent and warm with beautiful detailing.”

The owners couldn’t be happier. “We’re very proud of our home,” they confirm.

Greg Natale: gregnatale.com

Ginardi: ginardi.com.au

See more luxurious Hunters Hill homes

Previous

RecipeTin Eats’ Nagi Maehashi has put her $7 million home back on the market

Sold! Cate Blanchett finally offloads her Sydney Hunters Hill mansion

A venerable Federation home with new elegant interiors

Next

The post Curves and cool tones feature throughout this Greg Natale-designed home appeared first on Homes To Love.

Hannah Cecil Gurney, daughter of de Gournay founder Claud Cecil Gurney and now director of the handpainted wallpaper company can attest to the allure and impact of using wallpaper in your home.

“In my childhood, my father covered our entire house head-to-toe in his scenic wall coverings, rich in palette and pattern,” she says.

“I was aware of their transportive powers from an early age.”

Despite interior design’s penchant for white paint and minimalism, wallpaper offers the opportunity to make a statement, and can easily be updated with your evolving taste. These days there are even removable options for those cautious of making too big of a commitment.

So, if you’re looking for a low-commitment way to inject life and personality into your space, find inspiration in these bold wallpaper designs as well as our top wallpaper picks including designs from Milton & King and Natty & Polly.

8 aesthetically-pleasing wallpaper designs

Whimsical landscapes

Hannah Cecil Gurney, daughter of de Gournay founder Claud Cecil Gurney and now director of the handpainted wallpaper company, has lived in a wonderland of wall coverings since childhood. So, it’s little surprise that her London home is a fabulous fairytale of colour and pattern.

Pastel grasscloth

This formerly masculine apartment was given a timeless and refreshing modernisation courtesy of Thibaut ‘Shang’ grass-cloth wallpaper throughout. It made the perfect backdrop to the owners’ cabbageware collection.

Bold and gold

Drawing inspiration from the gilded and glamorous palaces of Italy, this maximalist dining space from Brisbane’s ‘Gucci Mansion’ centres around equally maximalist gold crane-printed wallpaper.

Neutral texture

Adding both texture and colour, grass-cloth continues to be a classic choice when it comes to wallpapering as seen in this eclectic, colourful Byron Bay home.

Country florals

Pale sage and floral patterns deliver a freshness and sense of romance to this ensuite bathroom designed by Thomas Hamel & Associates.

Moody botanical

In this former bakery in Newtown, bold, botanical wallpaper from Cole & Son complements an emerald-painted original fireplace, creating a small jungle in the heart of the city.

Cosy gingham

Reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers film, this cosy guest bedroom from an Adelaide Bragg-designed apartment proves that mixing and layering patterns can really work. In this instance, we have blue and green-toned florals and gingham set against Colefax and Fowler Tealby Stripe wallpaper.

Country manor

Another example of where bolder can be better is this anything-but-dull guest bedroom from Anna Spiro’s Melbourne home. A palette of warm-toned prints set against Brunschwig & Fils ‘On Point’ wallpaper provides plenty of visual intrigue and character.

Our favourite feature wallpapers

01

Check wallpaper

$235 per roll or $38.21/sqm, Milton & King

Style: Classic country cottage

Wallpaper doesn’t have to be a strictly maximalist affair, as proven by this classic gingham wallpaper you’ve likely seen across country homes everywhere. Charming yet simple, this classic design is unlikely to go out of style anytime soon. It’s also available in beige, black, navy blue, pink and turquoise.

Shop now

02

AS Creation Allotrop wallpaper

$119 per 53cm x 8.5m roll, Natty & Polly

Style: Retro vibes

If you’re in love with all things 60s and 70s, this bold geometric wallpaper is for you. Featuring the classic earthy tones of the time period, this AS Creation wallpaper is guaranteed to splash plenty of retro vibes across your space.

Shop Now

03

Cranes wallpaper

$395 per roll or $32.11/sqm, Milton & King

Style: Glam maximalism

Inspired by traditional Japanese silk folding screens, this eye-catching wallpaper depicts graceful cranes soaring through golden clouds, providing the ultimate dose of glamour and maximalism to any space. It’s also available in black, green and pink.

Shop now

04

Herbarium Herbs wallpaper

$215 per roll or $34.96/sqm, Milton & King

Style: Botanical whimsy

Based on hand illustrations, this forest-inspired wallpaper is great for those who want to add a touch of earth-toned whimsy to their interiors.

Shop Now

05

Harlequin Air Soft Cloud wall panel

$838 per 68.5cm x 13.35m roll, Wallpaper Shop

Style: Dreamy skies

Perfect for a nursery, this tranquil wall panel lifts you up into the clouds with its soft, watercoloured look and light tones. The skyscape comes from Harlequin’s Colour series which features the same Air Soft Cloud panel in a beige colourway.

Shop Now

06

South Asian Subcontinent mural

$235 per mural or $42.57/sqm, Milton & King

Style: Victorian-era manor

Seen across stately country homes and palaces in the Georgian and Victorian eras, landscape murals add instant visual intrigue and a sense of historic prestige to any space.

Shop Now

07

Anaglypta Derby Paintable wallpaper

$90 per 10cm x 52cm roll, Natty & Polly

Style: Heritage pressed metal

Exuding heritage charm, this textured wallpaper from Anaglypta is reminiscent of the gorgeous pressed metal ceilings of an historic home. What’s more is that it’s paintable, meaning you can customise it to your space or leave it white and apply it to your ceilings or walls.

Shop Now

See more on wallpaper

Previous

How to use statement wallpaper in your home

5 steps to to prepare a wall for wallpaper

Everything you need to know about removable wallpaper

Next

The post The enduring allure of wallpaper: why this decorative detail continues to captivate appeared first on Homes To Love.

Tasked with this brief, Yasmine completely overhauled their kitchen, cocooning it in toffee-hued plaster and overlaying the space with her signature blend of rich colour, tone and texture.

Yasmine describes the space as a “tactile haven”, a dreamy, moody space where “touch plays a key role, instilling a sense of connection via finishes”.

What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget?

Through carefully restricting overhead lighting and opting for sculptural pendant lights, sconces and lamps, the space transforms in the evening with a soft glowing atmosphere of calm.

“Combining tumbled black stone mosaics plus vertical and horizontal applications of leathered Magnesia marble, the monolithic island bench glitters like a black diamond and is emblematic of the home’s refined and boundary-pushing renovation. Glowing turquoise glass bricks lend levity to its mass as sunlight filters through them.”

ysg.studio: @ysg.studio

Promena Projects: promena.com.au

The Design Team

See more marble kitchens

Previous

10 luxe ways to use marble in your home

A striking blue marble adds serious wow-factor to this converted warehouse

How to care for marble benchtops

Next

The post Sumptuous tones and a monolithic marble bench transforms this moody kitchen appeared first on Homes To Love.

In the quest for health, wellness and longevity, bathhouses are a burgeoning trend across the globe and have become an integral component of a modern luxury lifestyle. In a world increasingly preoccupied with daily stresses, our prioritisation of health, wellness and mental clarity has taken centre stage. This has given rise to a new love in our own backyard.

Wellness has taken the plunge, and so have we. Here is our list of Australia’s best bathhouses to add to your wellness routine. 

TotalFusion Platinum, Newstead, QLD

Kirstie Clements recently reviewed TotalFusion Platinum for Belle magazine describing the new wellness sanctuary as “a multi-storey no-expense-spared 9000 square-metre urban sanctuary in Brisbane’s Newstead.” This is what she had to say:

“The day may be punctuated by a stint in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, salt or snow cave, the infrared sauna for a snooze on a NASA-endorsed red-light therapy bed, by heading to the rooftop pool area to enjoy a float, or by shocking yourself into wellness by trying the 5 degrees celsius magnesium plunge pool.”

Opened in Brisbane’s Newstead in 2023, the $80-million gym and wellness centre is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. “TotalFusion Platinum has quite literally thought of everything an holistic New Age health club could possibly offer – and then upped the ante. Designed by architects, Caroline Choker and Vince Alafaci of ACM, the calming space features a glass elevator and sculptural, custom-made staircase, Roman-travertine flooring, Australian timber wall panelling and bronze smoked mirrors, strategically planted and finished with an indoor fish pond.”

“It has incorporated all the wellbeing aspects of science and nature, to create a truly new standard of health club,” says Kirstie.

The gym membership starts at $55 per week, and the wellness memberships grant unlimited access to hot and cold pools, infrared saunas, traditional saunas, and cutting-edge recovery tools… with pricing on enquiry.

Read her full review in the April edition of Belle Magazine.

The Bathhouse, Albion, QLD

Described as what is soon to be one of the world’s most luxurious bath houses, The Bathhouse Albion will be opening its doors in the growing Albion Fine Trades Precinct in June 2024, offering a curated blend of luxurious restoration and rejuvenation. It is set to redefine luxury and wellness in the architecturally-designed space, akin to European bathhouses in centuries foregone. 

Expansive ceilings, atmospheric lighting, and an abundance of travertine stone will set the tone when you step inside where you’ll find the heated vitality pool, 12 degrees celsius cold plunge, a 6 degrees celsius ice bath, tiered steam room, float room, traditional sauna, Finnish sauna, infrared saunas, refreshment & tea lounge, and luxurious change rooms.

“Our aim is to transcend the standard of service and experience available in the Australian market and create a space where our guests can re-energise and restore, as part of a balanced lifestyle in an unmatched seang,” says Managing Director, James Walsh.

The bathhouse can be enjoyed casually or as a member with sessions starting from $59.

The Banya Bathhouse, Mullumbimby, NSW

An immersive social, bathing and dining experience in the heart of the Byron Hinterland, The Banya Bathhouse is a meticulously styled day spa housed in the bones of an old 1920s bank. 

From the street, an unassuming red brick building from another century, but one step inside and you’ll be treated to a visual feast. Continue past the restaurant and fully stocked cocktail bar, and your eyes will be drawn to the sundrenched pool area, where a large black and white marble check-tiled pool steals the show, alongside two hot mineral spas, a wood-fired sauna, cold bucket contrast showers, steam room and a cold plunge pool. 

And just up the terrazzo tiled staircase, you’ll be greeted by a pink rooftop adorned with comfortable leather daybeds under canopy umbrellas (and yes, you can order your cocktails to be delivered up here) along with private massage rooms where you can fully unwind. 

Guests are encouraged to stay a while and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and why wouldn’t you want to? Ninety minutes in the bathhouse goes for $60, with discounts offered for group bookings.

Soak Bathhouse, Mermaid Beach and West End, QLD; Bondi location coming soon

Soak Bathhouse is a communal wellness centre with locations across urban destinations that offer relaxation and rejuvenation services in as little as 90 minutes. And in good news for Sydney-siders, Soak Bathhouse will be opening in the heart of Bondi Junction in late 2024, bringing with it a new type of social wellness and relaxation to the eastern suburbs.

Soak Bathhouse was designed to help its customers incorporate microdoses of wellness in an accessible and affordable way. That’s why its central West End rooftop (yes, rooftop!) location features seven spas, an indoor/outdoor warm mineral pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and infrared saunas, and offers LED facials and massages. Plus, you can choose how you Soak, with mid-week early bird sessions and the Soak and Sip packages available.

Soak sessions start from $39 per person.

Hepburn Bathhouse, Daylesford, VIC

Providing traditional bathing since 1895, the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa in Daylesford’s historic region draws water, rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and sodium, from its natural source and is heated to 38 degrees celsius for a sensorial experience. Guests can also visit the aroma steam room, spa couches, salt and magnesium pool, walk-in cool down pool, creekside pool and mineral hammam, which combines mineral-rich water and steam.

Prices start from $58.

See more on spas and wellness

Previous

The backyard spa has had a designer makeover

Are spa baths making a comeback?

Why you should invest in an at-home infrared sauna

Next

The post Discover the ultimate wellness and luxury experience with these atmospheric bathhouses in Australia appeared first on Homes To Love.

“I love red but he can’t see it,” says the designer. “It’s a quirky tongue-in-cheek detail.” Fortunately the client also thinks it’s very funny.

There are many more such moments in this richly layered, finely detailed home that sits high on the block and enjoys fantastic ocean views. The client, a busy entrepreneur with a partner and three children, had lived around the corner for several years but had always wanted this house. Finally he knocked on the owner’s door and offered to buy it. “He made it happen,” explains David.

Aged only seven or so years old the house was in the archetypal coastal vernacular – all white, and decorated in a Hamptons meets Ralph Lauren style. For the new owner, a former New Yorker who loves “urban grit”, a different design direction was sought. Enter David Flack, the principal of Flack Studio, a designer known for his idiosyncratic approach and exceptional creative flair.

The client specified something “tactile and effortless”. To the designer’s pertinent question, “How do you want to feel in the space?” the client told David, “I want it to feel great when I come home.”

While the shell of the house was retained the three-level interior was gutted to offer more versatility in the floor plan. “Getting the spatial planning right is paramount. We want to get the most out of all the rooms and make sure there are no dead zones,” says David.

Across the three levels are bedrooms, bathrooms, living dining and kitchen and, as well, indulgent recreational spaces such as a whisky tasting room and wine cellar, a library, sauna, rumpus room, TV room and outdoor terraces and pool.

The house is certainly substantial yet the footprint is quite compact and everything feels very private, and the sun-splashed gardens designed by Florian Wild are perfectly in sync.

Although the new floor plan appeared to be sorted, David reserved the right to tweak as the need arose. “Our work is like a canvas,” he says, “and right until the very end we might be changing things to make it extra special.”

And just because something has been designed one way it doesn’t mean it can’t be redesigned to accommodate a newly acquired artwork or piece of furniture. To wit, the living room room was reconfigured to showcase a spectacular neon ray of sunshine by artist Nell.

Art is always a crucial element in a Flack interior. “We curate the art right from the beginning,” explains David. “While we’re designing the space we are thinking about art and talking about artists and working through what the client likes. It’s a lovely process – it’s about the art being the client’s collection and not about what would look great on the walls.”

Some of the more intriguing works in this collection which features street art and some “really cheeky pieces” are a boxing gloves installation by Steve Carr and a massive work in a mesmerising blue by Berlin artist Gerold Miller.

While the ocean view is exploited from expansive terraces there is plenty to catch the eye inside, from the extraordinary collection of artworks ranging from street art to cheeky installations and sizzling neon pieces.

Furnishings too are carefully curated – a “nice mixture of vintage and new”, and include an extraordinary coffee table commissioned from artist Sanné Mestrom that calls to mind a voluptuous female form. With a diameter of 1500m and weighing 400kg it had to be craned into the living room – and is there to stay.

Elsewhere a solid walnut dining table by Christophe Delcourt with vintage ‘Cab’ chairs and an amazing credenza in the entry designed by Flack Studio are standouts.

As the owner loves timber, David played to his preferences, lining the ceilings and swathing the library in rich American walnut. “It’s the antithesis of a coastal room, very dark and moody but amped up with so much light,” he says.

At every turn there is something that catches the eye: an unexpected colour combination, a striking artwork, a unique piece of furniture. “The house is effortless in its approach and how it feels,” explains David.

“It oozes personality and has a good energy and a pulse. You feel happy and excited when you’re there. When you understand the owner you realise the house is all him.”

Clearly the owner is enraptured. “I f***ing love this house,” he enthuses. “It’s an absolute joy to live in.” His friends describe the home as “epic” – and “that makes me happy”, declares David.

But lest anyone wish for a similar home the news is bad. “You’ll never see a copy of this house,” says David. “Every house is different because of the response to the architecture and the response to the client. We are always going to keep delivering something unique.”

Flack Studio: flackstudio.com.au

Florian Wild: florianwild.com

The Design Team

See more homes with art

Previous

A historic mansion brought back to life with contemporary art

15 homes that feature beautiful art

01:48

16 homes where statement art steals the show

Next

The post The antithesis of an oceanic home fuelled with street art, quirky details and idiosyncratic pieces appeared first on Homes To Love.

Moving on after selling her family home, Anna-Carin could see how she could transform the apartment for herself and her partner Lance, a commercial film director and photographer, and their visiting adult children. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom space had undergone several renovations over the years “that didn’t enhance or emphasise the light and space. I pretty much knew what had to be done to heal it,” she says.

Anna-Carin likes to ascribe a theme song to each design project and for her own apartment it was Solid Air by John Martyn that represents grounding and solidity as well as the lightness of mood she wished to create in her home.

From the entry, a long corridor has doors to the main bedroom and second bedroom/study on the left with two bathrooms on the right. At the end of the corridor the wonderfully light and spacious sitting, dining and kitchen area is revealed.

With the leaves of the trees outside brushing against the windowpanes there is a sense of being surrounded by nature despite the urban bustle of the densely populated suburb. “I wanted a homogeneous tranquil space that would become a place for music, dinners, rest and play,” she says.

Removing some walls gave her the openness she wished for, though she retained all the windows and solid timber internal doors (some with leadlights), the skirting boards and architraves. “I wanted to heal the spaces and leave as much as possible that was original, yet instil a sense of today.”

To further personalise the space Anna-Carin designed a custom colour with Wattyl ‘Kelburn Grey’ that was used throughout for walls, ceilings and joinery and provides a monochromatic background that nevertheless has a chameleon quality, changing with the light and time of day. “It’s sometimes blue, sometimes green and always warm and soothing,” she says.

The limestone in the bathrooms and the quartzite in the kitchen are in the same tonal family, as are the floorboards. Anna-Carin’s inspiration for the shade was the Vola grey tapware designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Bank of Denmark in 1968, and speaks to her Scandinavian heritage.

While the rooms are already generously sized Anna-Carin used handmade mirrors from Outlines Mirrors in Melbourne to amplify the sense of space in strategic spots such as around the base of the kitchen island and at the end of a wall in the living room “to confuse an awkward corner”.

Her furniture is a mix of pieces she already owned, including some brought from Sweden over 30 years ago, repurposed items found at vintage and antique stores and on Facebook Marketplace, and iconic designs such as the USM ‘Haller’ system cabinets.

Her favourite area of the home is the dining nook beside the kitchen. Furnished with a round table found on Facebook Marketplace and vintage Børge Mogensen chairs, the window seat set into an alcove offers space for extra guests. “I love a round table that can seat six to eight people comfortably, where one conversation can be had and everyone around the table feels safe and included,” she says.

“I love sitting there in the morning and looking at people walking their dogs, and I love it in the evening, seeing all the apartment windows and imagining what everyone is doing, and I love having family and friends around that table sharing food and stories.”

While the sizeable second bedroom has been given over to a study, furnished with a Svenskt Tenn table and a Systemtronic bookcase, the space is large enough to also be used as a music room where Anna-Carin and Lance can indulge their passion for playing and listening to music.

An elegant selection of accessories including slender candlesticks and shapely vessels adorns shelves and surfaces in the apartment while on the walls, moody photographic works by Lance are a great counterpoint.

While an apartment renovation can often be fraught, Anna-Carin says the process was smooth – thanks to an efficient builder and understanding neighbours. The five months of planning was an important investment. “Spend time to sharpen the axe before you chop the tree,” she says.

Anna Carin: annacarindesign.com.au

The Design Team

The post Anna Carin’s evocative c1920 apartment that honours its original period features appeared first on Homes To Love.

The house was conceived under somewhat difficult circumstances – for expat clients during a raging pandemic, ”a double whammy”, says founding principal Nick Tobias. However, as they were repeat
clients there was an existing synergy, and copious Zoom meetings “really pushed us to become more rigorous in the way we presented ideas to them”, says Nick.

“There was a lot of detail all the way from the macro to the micro.”

The site is a generously sized waterfront block, steep and long, with a beautiful landscape including a watercourse and a plethora of tree ferns and gums meandering down to the water’s edge. Retaining that lush paradise was entrusted to landscape designer Myles Baldwin. “We worked carefully with nature on the site,” says Nick.

Preserving the majority of the garden was paramount so there was a limited area in which to position the house. A small cut in the land allowed the creation of a platform for the four-storey cube-shaped house. “By every measure it’s a large house with lots of amenity but we wanted to keep as compact a footprint as possible,” says Nick.

Presenting a single storey to the street the house cascades down the site offering every floor and room a dual aspect – to the garden and to the waters of Middle Harbour beyond. Says principal Richard Peters, “The square plan with the stair in the middle allows light to come in from overhead [the skylight] and enables every room to navigate the perimeter which gives access to views of the garden and water.”

A bridge from the entry portico traverses the garden linking the street to the house. The bridge is a key feature in the design and one Richard says is “definitely a statement”. Nick adds, “The bridge was a big gesture in the concept design and it comes through as a big gesture in the experience. As a striking architectural element it’s pretty cool.”

It offers views down to the courtyard garden that’s filled with tree ferns and also into the double-height living room with its spectacular custom brass chandelier by Rossana Orlandi that “appears to float next to you”.

From the street-level garage and study a centrally positioned skylit staircase provides access to the living, dining, kitchen and outdoor terrace on the floor below. Four bedrooms – designed like hotel suites, each with its own bathroom and walk-in robe – occupy the next level, while the lowest level houses casual living, a wellness facility, gym and steam room, and a covered barbecue and outdoor entertaining area. The pool and sun terrace sit half a level lower.

The close connection that the home enjoys with its surroundings means that it feels very private and serene, and with the owners being nature lovers the architects worked to bring a strong sense of the garden inside. “It’s like another world in there – it’s really beautiful,” says Richard.

“I see it more as a house inside a garden, rather than the garden being secondary. The house was really designed from the inside out, and the garden absolutely takes precedence. No matter where you are you have complete engagement with the setting and the serenity is really special.”

A sense of spaciousness is evident throughout with the double-height living area offering the fullest expression of volume. “The owners especially like the feeling of space and we worked hard to pull that off with the double-height Vitrocsa sliding doors. The celebration of space is very dramatic,” says Richard.

The colours within the house are muted but echoes of the water, sky and garden are evident in the casual living area’s deep blue Edra ‘Standard’ sofa and the green Edra ‘Element’ armchair in the double-height living room. “The clients didn’t want monotonal nor anything loud but rather something that felt natural and discreet. Everything is super high quality,” says Nick.

Richard adds, “The material palette is quite restrained and a lot of the care comes out through the detail.” The concrete-framed structure is complemented by walls rendered in Venetian plaster “that gives a nice patina and plays with the light exceptionally well”, he continues.

Timber features and brass detailing underscore the firm’s ethos of timeless design, while artworks and idiosyncratic pieces such as the Campana Brothers ‘Corallo’ chair for Edra in orange provide flashes of colour within the otherwise very chilled interior.

Tobias Partners: tobiaspartners.com

Pacific Plus Constructions: pacificpc.com.au

Myles Baldwin Design: mylesbaldwin.com

The Design Team

See more waterfront homes

Previous

A waterfront family home in Sydney that’s soaked in sunshine

A less-than-spectacular semi turned stunning waterfront weekender

A Sydney pied-à-terre that exudes understated elegance with an art-deco influence

Next

The post This four-storey mansion maintains a harmonious connection with its lush surroundings appeared first on Homes To Love.

Their ornate detailing, unique designs and rich character make them extremely desirable and particularly special projects for interior designers and architects to work on.

From thoughtful restorations to sympathetic and modern additions, these heritage homes exude a sense of timelessness. Take inspiration from these unique and enviable design elements that have been glorified by some of Australia’s top talents.

A colourful reimagining of this heritage home transforms it into a feast for the eyes for a blended family of five to hang out and spread out as needed.

“Colour was important in every room,” explains designer, Brooke. “Bethany and Tim are incredibly colour-confident and urged us to ensure that every room had a separate colour associated with it.”

A sensitive update to this handsome heritage house has made it fresh and relevant for a family of six. “It was important to respect the history and character of the house but not to make it stuffy,” says designer Suzanne Gorman.

This stunning house in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was on a grand scale with traditional features such as arches and decorative ceilings that were to be maintained through the sensitive redesign by Luigi Rosselli Architects. “Texture and tone were really important but we also wanted to strike a balance between minimal interior forms and richly decorated architectural elements,” says interior designer Romy Alwill.

The brief for the revamp of this heritage terrace was to insert modern conveniences while being true to the building’s original spirit and to provide adequate space and accommodation for a growing family.

D’Estaville was originally built in 1859 in the Classical Revival style, and while the current owners admit it was at first imposing, they saw the potential for a softer, more contemporary family home. Working with architect Brett Nixon, director of NTF Architecture, the practice’s project architect Ben Ellul, interior designer Tess McKinlay and heritage consultant Miles Lewis, the heritage property is now a place their children and pets roam free.

Behind its prim and pristine classic facade, this grand Victorian terrace in Sydney’s inner west relaxes as a versatile and practical home for an extended family. “We wanted somewhere we could live without it being too precious, that also married the old and new,” say the owners.

This period Melbourne home was transformed with sophisticated style and a wondrous collection of artwork, heirlooms and vintage pieces. The result is a celebratory clash where pieces like a traditional French bench seat and Spanish table from Holly Hunt in New York live together.

In the communal spaces of this historic 19th-century mansion, monochromatic and minimalist furniture is juxtaposed with the highly ornate ceiling roses and intricate mouldings.

Interior designer Siobhan Rothwell and her architect husband, William, purchased this 160-year-old sandstone home and sensitively restored it’s Victorian Georgian style. A restrained palette was used throughout, inspired by the original sandstone walls, while contemporary touches create a striking contrast between old and new.

Bold colour and contemporary features up the ante in this Victorian terrace and anchor it firmly in a new era courtesy of architect David Luck and Hecker Guthrie.

A clever combination of old and new gives this heritage house a fresh personality that befits its youthful owners. The result is layered vintage that nods to the past, complemented by furnishings, carpets, art and fabrics very much of the present.

Design practice Studio 103 took on a time-sensitive project with just three months to complete the renovation and refurbishment of this heritage Victorian terrace in central Melbourne.

Barely touched since the 1800s, this handsome Victorian house in a leafy Melbourne suburb has a newfound sense of lightness thanks to a robust renovation by Adelaide Bragg. Architect John Watkins was brought in to assist with the structural changes, including a new rear and upstairs addition.

Designer Mardi Doherty’s approach to this Melbourne home was to strike a balance between a new, pared-back aesthetic and allowing the existing features to shine.

Tanya Hancock Architects was tasked with transforming this Gothic Revival house into a light-filled family home. “We were focused on restoring the incredible heritage elements but we also wanted sleek design,” says the owner.

With a keen interest in architecture and interior design, owner and health professional Peter Stewart tackled the renovation of this Victorian terrace, with the help of a heritage architect. While respecting its heritage and period features the home was injected with a subtly modern aesthetic.

The original section of this Sydney home revamped by architect Telly Theodore features a muted and timeless colour palette, while heritage details including the ceiling roses and wainscoting have been preserved.

The stately French-inspired home on Wollumbi Estate dates back to the 1900s. Its current owner was careful to exercise restraint when renovating to ensure it maintained its authenticity with its vaulted wooden ceilings, French doors, stone fireplaces and original architraves.

The post A collection of beautifully updated heritage homes appeared first on Homes To Love.

What appealed to you about your home?

My apartment has a simple layout, good light levels and classically proportioned rooms. I enjoy being near the water and the leafy surrounds of the foreshore. I also love the relaxed vibe of the local area.

How would you describe the interior?

I don’t usually use new elements that interpret an interior style literally and like to use either original or juxtaposed design elements. I designed steel doors with white glass inserts for the bedrooms and bathroom to allow more light into the entry hall. The bathroom is simply finished in a mix of marbles. I have included one of my favourite art deco-style wall lights from Laura Kincade, a new fitting but timeless.

My apartment is in an art-deco building with original features. I aimed to support the classic feel of the original space while making it work as a background for a mix of collected items, ranging from 18th-century oil portraits, a Le Corbusier table, a suite of Empire gilt chairs from a Normandy chateau, Murano glass table lamps and a favourite item, a Warren Platner chair.

What do you enjoy about living here?

Its calm feeling. I don’t usually use a lot of colour in my work, so like most of my projects the background is stylistically monotone in order to allow a variety of pieces to sit together, giving each visual room to breathe.

Do you have a work-from-home set-up?

Yes, but more often I find myself working on the go on projects. It is important to be in situ, interacting with people and overseeing the many design elements involved in a project.

Is there a common element, aesthetic or approach that runs through your work?

Each project is approached independently. I try to include a reference to the building or location if appropriate. I work under the ‘less is more’ concept, aiming for classic line simplicity. When editing items of art and furniture, the integrity of design and craftsmanship is important.

My approach to space is a hierarchy based ethos, allowing all elements such as finishes of floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, artwork and lighting to sit together in a kind of layered balance. I also like the energy created in the juxtaposition of random elements, both decorative and architectural.

Can you tell us about your art collection?

I have a mix of black and white watercolours and photographic prints, some of which I found at markets in Madrid. My favourite photographs are by Max Dupain, Anthony Basheer and Kara Rosenlund. Adding into that mix are several 18th-century English and French oils in gilt frames. I recently commissioned two metal sculptures by Kurdistan-born artist Sardar Sinjawi.

What’s your next purchase?

My next art purchase is going to be a large black and white photograph by Ugo Carmeni. On my last trip to Italy I went to the ‘Venice, Mapping Time’ exhibition at Museo di Palazzo Grimani. The exhibition was part of a collaboration to record the city’s ageing stonework.

What projects are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to my upcoming venture into retail. I am opening a shop at The Merchants Warehouse, a vintage market in Annandale, Sydney’s closest thing to Clignancourt. This will help me alleviate many overflowing storage rooms! I have also started working on an enjoyable residential project in the south of France.

If you didn’t live here, where else would you live?

Having lived in several older style properties with formalised spaces, I’d enjoy a change to more open-plan living, say like a warehouse space. It would offer a more fluid vibe, which would prompt new creativity.

Can you describe a typical workday?

It varies: often a mix of good coffee, showroom visits, on-site inspections and client meetings. Also, sourcing the odd and the beautiful from auction sales and retail, locally and overseas.

Which other designers, artists, musicians, writers and architects are inspiring you? 

I am an old school Carlo Scarpa addict, and the work of Vincenzo De Cotiis blows my mind with his beautiful raw simplicity. I have always felt the strong influence of the Regency period, finding inspiration in the artefacts in Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.

Brian Hoy: brianhoydesign.com.au

The Design Team

See more dramatic homes featuring art pieces

Previous

A uniquely designed space with a home-as-gallery ethos

01:48

16 homes where statement art steals the show

A historic mansion brought back to life with contemporary art

Next

The post Interior designer, Brian Hoy’s grand baroque home is an ode to yesteryear appeared first on Homes To Love.

Building a well-designed space that feels like a restaurant can have a significant impact on your home’s aesthetic and feel, so its well worth lending a thought to how you style the space around your table.

Whether you’re partial to sleek and refined modern black dining chairs, prefer something with a touch of glamour or even stylish outdoor dining chairs, you are sure to find inspiration here on your shop for dining chairs.

The best divine dining chairs of 2024

01

Gray 23 Chair

from $1190 at Gervasoni

Best: sleek black dining chair

The Gray 23 chair is defined its simplicity, with two vertical slats and one curved horizontal slat matching the curves of the seat. The sturdy structure is made from walnut or oak wood, and will suit a variety of styles. Featured in Belle.

Size: 49 × 47 × 80 cm

Colours: Natural lacquered American walnut / oak; white, grey, air force blue, black lacquered oak.

Materials: Walnut or oak.

Key features:

• Minimal backrest
• Lacquered walnut or oak
• Additional optional seat cushion for added comfort
• Designed by Paola Navone, Architect, interior designer and art director

Shop now

02

Dante Negro Dolmen Graphite Chair by Margherita Rui

from US$1175 at Artemest

Best for: a glamourous accent

A chair with a touch of glamor to suit a sophisticated, contemporary decor. Designed by creative director Margherita Rui and handmade in Italy. This piece is currently on show at the Artemest Galleria New York.

Size: W 56cm x D 52cm x H 69cm

Colour: Black, Navy.

Material: Metal

Key features:

• Handmade In Italy
• Upholstered with black fabric on the seat and backrest
• Timeless design

Shop now

03

Lounge Armchair, Benjamin Cherner 2012

from US$2499 at Cherner Chair

Best for: lovers of curves

A dynamically comfortable and gracefully curved form in the classic Cherner Chair style. Available in most Cherner finishes. Featured in Belle.

Size: W 31.5″ x D 28.5″x H 29.5″

Colours: Natural Walnut, Classic Walnut, Natural Red Gum, Classic Ebony

Material: Molded plywood, solid bentwood and laminated wood.

Key features:

• Manufactured to last, to cherish, and to hand down to future generations
• Assembled from woods collected form sustainably managed forests
• Classic vintage style

Shop Now

04

Celine Dining Chair

from $449.99 at Mocka

Best for: stylish versatility

On-trend contemporary curves meet mid-century chic with a comfortable, curved boucle seat. The style is universally versatile, and the hand painted frame adds shine to elevate your dining space.

Size: 77.5cm x 54.5cm x 57cm.

Colours: Cream and bronze.

Materials: Boucle and metal.

Key features:

• Durable boucle fabric
• Hand-painted metal frame
• Comes in set of two chairs

Shop Now

05

Paolo Castelli Enso Beige Chair

from US$2,950 at Artemest

Best for: geometric shapes

The classic design rewritten with geometric shapes in contrasting tones and textures. A neutral toned chair that will suit any contemporary dining space.

Sizes: W 56cm x D 62cm x H 82cm

Colours: Beige, walnut.

Materials: Textile, walnut-stained ash.

Key features:

• Custom-made furniture using an artisanal methods
• Defined by rigorous profiles softened by its fully enveloping back
• Padded with expanded polyurethane for impeccable comfort

Shop now

06

Paolo Tilche’s REA Chair

at DePadova

Best for: liven up the dining room

A sleek, modernist eclectic design by Architect Paolo Tilche. Dating back to 1956, the chair exemplifies slow consumption. Featured in Belle

Sizes: 45cm x 53cm x 75cm

Colours: Tan

Materials: Steel frame, full-grain leather.

Key features:

• Sleek design
• Steel frame that passes the test of time
• Comes in dining chair and bar stool

Shop Now

07

TrabA’ Julie Burgundy Chair by Emilio Nanni

from US$1325 at Artemest

Best for: a daring pop of colour

A sleek statement in your home, bringing the burgundy in a contemporary woven leather textile.

Sizes: W 43cm x D 47cm x H 77cm

Colours: Red.

Materials: Beechwood structure, leather

Key features:

• Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques
• Exquisite craftsmanship in its skillfully interlaced back and wooden seat
• Handcrafted for you

Shop now

See more dining room inspiration

Previous

10 fabulous formal dining rooms

24 of the best dining room ideas to inspire you

14 dining area design ideas

Next

The post Divine dining chairs that make a statement in your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

How did you come to choose this site?

Our clients were already living in Observatory Tower and were looking for a larger apartment with harbour views when the property came up for sale.

What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them?

There were several challenges, the major one being lack of light through the apartment. The entry, kitchen and master bedroom were dark with minimal natural light. We alleviated this by removing the narrow corridors from the entry to the kitchen and living to allow natural light to flow all the way to the balcony overlooking the harbour to the entry.

Another challenge was the ceiling height as the building was previously an office that was converted to residential apartments. To create the illusion the ceilings were higher, we kept the wall a crisp bright white.

Time constraints were imposed as, soon after the client purchased the property and began the renovation, another opportunity arose which meant they would be selling the property as soon as it completed.

The apartment’s location on level 21 of Observatory Tower meant that communication between all parties was vital to ensure the project ran smoothly and on time without affecting other tenants in the building.

What was the starting point for the interiors?

Understanding the client’s lifestyle and how they live in the space. The apartment was their pied-à-terre for when they were in Sydney as they split their time between their main residence in Newcastle and the city. We also considered the client’s exquisite art collection, antiques and wardrobe.

How would you describe the completed interior?

Understated elegance with an art-deco influence. Simple yet refined with a touch of glamour.

Two bedrooms were combined to create a master suite with lounge, walk-in robe and ensuite.
The kitchen includes a marble-clad island bench, an open bar as well as the Shaker cabinets with fluted glass inlay.
The Armac Martin joinery and door hardware from Noble Elements.
The timber flooring from Woodcut in ‘Osaka Brown’.

What are some of your favourite elements?

Were there any devices employed to maximise the sense of space?

Walls and ceiling were painted a crisp bright Dulux ‘Vivid White’ to offset the rich chocolate timber floors which helped frame the iconic views of Sydney Harbour and also create the illusion that the ceilings were higher.

Joinery in a light shade, Dulux ‘Terrace White’, and light stone, Athena from Cav’Art Designer Stone, were selected to help make the space feel more spacious.

Soft transparent sheer curtains were installed to retain the stunning view of the harbour while still providing privacy and light in the space.

What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes?

The client loves art-deco style but wanted a modern and fresh take on it. We introduced finishes such as fluted glass, polished chrome and nickel, black-and-white marble, and dark timber floors that were a nod to the period while keeping the space bright and light. We also factored in the client’s large number of art and antiques collected from their travels they wanted to display.

Were you and the clients happy with the execution? What do you enjoy about being in the space?

We are very happy with the execution. The client loved it so much that they held off listing the property for a few months because they wanted to enjoy all their hard work. I love the lightness yet warmth of the apartment. It’s simple and refined with a touch of glamour. It’s the perfect place for a city escape away from everyday life.

Jacob Olsen Interiors: jacobolsen.com.au

The Design Team

The post A Sydney pied-à-terre that exudes understated elegance with an art-deco influence appeared first on Homes To Love.

“We strive to draw out our clients’ most unique aspects, and work to create an original perspective within each project,” says Dylan. “We definitely welcome the atypical, as those parts of a personality – the quirky and left wing – are what make for interesting individuals, and in tandem, interesting interiors.”

Dylan is also the creative force behind a collection of couture furnishings designed exclusively for the international brand Jean de Merry as well as his personal brand.

“When we create products, we try to exhibit a more egocentric aesthetic than that found in our interiors – something like ‘futuristic organic heirloom’. The furniture is not created for a specific individual, as are our interiors – so I am able to inject more of my own opinions into the furniture, and take chances that are harder to pull off when dealing with an entire interior,” he says.

Dylan was also the winner of the Emerging Design Star prize in the 2019 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards. Take a look at some of his beautiful projects that have featured in Belle over the years.

In a magical transformation, Designer Dylan Farrell deftly upped this glamorous four-bedroom home’s formal, classical credentials, while, paradoxically perhaps, also making it fun and functional for family living.

“It exemplifies the formal, yet luminous and relaxed, mood we were attempting to strike,” says Dylan. 

Despite its harbourside location, this Italianate mansion designed by Dylan Farrell displays a definite Continental drift.

From the intricately carved Italian-inspired front doors to a Moorish-style dressing room upstairs, and living spaces evoking French baroque and Swedish neoclassicism, the Sydney house is an enchanted journey through seemingly disparate styles and eras. Yet they all combine beguilingly in their own European union.

This modern mansion with a French sensibility and Californian creature comforts creates a sparkling impression in Toorak.

Dylan worked alongside Thomas Hamel and architect Russell Casper of CAD Architecture & Design on the classically styled Toorak abode.

Even the stunning water views on the doorstep can’t upstage the polished interiors of this reborn home in Sydney’s Point Piper.

A lighter touch was needed, so Dylan Farrell and Thomas Hamel of Thomas Hamel & Associates and Timothy Moon of Timothy Moon Architects were hired to re fashion the two-level home.

Embracing its position amid bushland this expansive harbourside home references the landscape in the tones and textures of its materials palette.

A custom ‘Rachis’ table by Dylan Farrell Design for Jean de Merry sits under the sweeping curve of the staircase which is clad in ebonised oak.

Dylan Farrell composes his interiors, furniture and lighting enterprise from his Sydney studio in Paddington where an ever-evolving mood is at play.

The post Designer series: the best of Dylan Farrell appeared first on Homes To Love.

Size up your space

What you include in your home gym will depend on the size you have to work with. Luckily, even quite small spaces can comfortably fit the essentials for a holistic health plan. 

Ideally, you need a workout zone to perform cardio, allowing at least three-square metres around each piece of equipment for you to comfortably move around. 

A mat or floor area will meet your stretching, yoga and bodyweight workout needs. Around two square metres should be sufficient. If you’re incorporating free weights and/or a bench, the space should allow free and comfortable limb extension while exercising.

Another consideration is your ceiling height, particularly when it comes to exercises that involve jumping, like burpees and skipping. And finally, think about ventilation and light to ensure your exercise experience is as pleasant and rewarding as possible.

Selecting the surface

Choosing the correct surface is crucial for stability, safety and support during your workouts. Ultimately, the choice of flooring depends on the type of exercise you’ll be doing, your equipment, budget, and of course, personal preference.

Rubber flooring offers cushioning, durability and impact absorption. It’s ideal for high-impact activities and exercises involving weights.

Softer surfaces like foam and cork bring comfort, cushioning and shock absorption, and are perfect for workouts like yoga, stretching and Pilates.

Simple to install and highly versatile, interlocking floor tiles — crafted from rubber, foam, or vinyl — offer cushioning for you and protection for the floor underneath. They’re easily customised to your evolving tastes, and a cinch to replace when required.

If you’re using existing carpet, concrete or hardwood floors, place protective mats or pads under heavy equipment to protect both your joints and the floor surface.

Elevate your equipment

Wellness and well-designed should not be mutually exclusive. Each item in your home gym should aesthetically complement the other, while supporting your health goals.

Technogym’s Personal Line, designed by Italian architect Antonio Citterio, fits the bill — and then some. The hundreds of immersive trainer-led sessions, an integrated display and easy-to-use app help you conquer your goals — whether you’re a seasoned athlete or fitness fledgling.

When it comes to other essentials like weights, resistance machines, benches, wellness balls, jump ropes and foam rollers, Technogym has your back there, too.

Start in style

Sometimes, we need support when styling our homes, and a wellness space is no exception. Technogym’s interior design experts can work with you to create a bespoke layout that allows you to make the most of your space. Simply plan, order your chosen equipment, and have it delivered. You can even upload your floor plan with the easy Floor Planner, and add your equipment and furnishings to preview the wellness space of your dreams in 3D if you wish to do it yourself.

The post How to create the ultimate at-home fitness and wellness space appeared first on Homes To Love.

With a large number of brands to display, they desired enough space “to host events and to slow the customer down, encouraging them to stay longer”.

The central courtyard was required to help cement the sense of “permanence while offering some freshness in contrast to the old pharmacopeia feel”.

What was the design concept for the store’s interiors?

I wanted the feeling of Libertine Parfumerie to reflect that of an established continental pharmacy, but not a pastiche or imitation. Those old chemists were so dignified in their design and were generously packed-in and detailed, causing a sense of wonderment and fear of missing something.

I also wanted to convey a feminine strength in the colour palette, with mint and subtle earthy pinks that contrast strongly against the chocolate-stained wood. We added a smaller space beyond the courtyard, accessed by another set of French doors, so the Libertine Parfumerie team could entertain or host private consultations.

Libertine Parfumerie at The Intersection in Paddington marks the first Sydney store for the luxury fragrance retailer,
with interiors crafted by local designer Tamsin Johnson.

What did the alterations (if any) entail?

These focused mainly on fenestrations and floors (now Versailles-style French oak parquetry) along with the introduction of French chocolate-stained oak carpentry en masse.

What do you hope customers enjoy about the space?

I want customers to feel at home yet transported. The boutique needed a particular warmth, sense of space and layout that would slow the customer down, allowing them to tour through the many brands. I hope the rich decoration feels inspiring and comfortable. There is a lot to appreciate beyond the product housed in the store – of which there is a lot – so it was important to let everything breathe.

What are some of your enduring creative influences?

My husband Patrick [who founded tailor P. Johnson in 2009] is a permanent presence in my creative thoughts and approach. We have almost always worked together and continue to push each other creatively. Then there are a few favourite influences in artists Carl Andre and Axel Vervoordt, painter and rug designer Ivan Da Silva Bruhns, and interior designers Angelo Donghia and Mario Buatta, among others.

How does the space reflect the work that you do?

In my work I intend to make someone feel comfortable and at home, and to stimulate and engross the viewer with information, without a sense of staging or caricature. Here I wanted somewhat of an old-world sensation made fresher, with a little more joy and play – very much aligned with my ongoing approach.

What are some of your favourite pieces in the fit-out?

The 18th-century solid-marble antique basins are such a wonderful shape that I reclaimed from France and had restored locally. I am very fond of the hand-painted marble effect on the walls. The French doors leading to the little courtyard add a brighter contrast to all the rich wood and marble.

A sense of spaciousness was important to allow shoppers breathing room to discover new, rare and intriguing fragrances.

Is there an aesthetic or approach that runs through your work?

Whenever I think my aesthetic is formed, I discover it isn’t quite yet. It is an unfolding sort of vocation with a strong respect for artists and artisans and a focus on the beauty of objects and how they interrelate. I’m happy with some conflict of elements, some play, some richness, intensity but also rest where it’s due.

Which designers, artists, writers and architects are inspiring you at the moment?

French interior designer and sculptor André Arbus for his beautiful formality violated necessarily by some eccentricity. French interior designer Andrée Putman, who “loathed pompous luxury”, once said “Design beautiful things for nothing. I take interest in the essential, the framework, the basic elements of things.”

What upcoming projects are you looking forward to?

I am excited about my second book with Rizzoli coming out in 2024.

Top product recommendations from the Libertine Parfumerie range?

‘Italian Leather’ EDP by Memo Paris evokes a feeling of passing through the history-seeped buildings of northern Italy. Venice is one of my favourite cities to visit so perfumes that remind me of time spent there – surrounded by the Adriatic Sea – are a plus. Anything from Santa Maria Novella hits the mark.

Tamsin Johnson: tamsinjohnson.com

Libertine Parfumerie: libertineparfumerie.com.au

The Design Team

The post Inside Libertine Parfumerie’s first Paddington store with a liberal spritz of French style appeared first on Homes To Love.

Currently working on other projects with architect Kelvin Ho, founding director of Akin Atelier, they immediately sought his expertise on a makeover for the apartment.

This pared back Bondi Beach pad was put on the market in early March 2024 with a price guide of $5 million. Described in the listing as “Occupying a prized north east corner position against a breathtaking beach and ocean backdrop,” the two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse apartment is represented by Mackenzie Dale, William Manning and Sally Manning of Highland Double Bay, and is slated for an April 6 auction, unless sold earlier.

You can see the full listing here.

On the market

What was the brief?

The clients came to us with a really great site: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse apartment in an original Bondi apartment block overlooking arguably one of the world’s most famous beaches. As there is no outdoor space, the brief called for the apartment to feel really open and unpretentious – a tranquil oasis above the bustle of Bondi.

What were the challenges of the site and how did you resolve them?

The original layout was complex and disjointed and there was a disconnect between the key living spaces which we had to resolve to allow light and views into almost every room. We stripped the space back to an empty shell and devised an entirely new floor plan.

The new design has a series of rooms pinwheeling off the central kitchen with the lounge, dining and master bedroom all enjoying the incredible views. The strategy was to have an open flow between all the rooms – the kitchen, dining and living are essentially one volume.

As the bathrooms are in the darker part of the apartment, we introduced skylights to draw in the light. To create a sense of being outside even when you’re not, we devised a materials palette that focuses on textures with a rough, worn, outdoor feel.

Are there any considerations when designing a home in a coastal setting?

For this project – and most homes with such an outlook – a key design consideration is creating access to the view and light from as many points as possible. From a functional perspective, the materials need to be hard-wearing and low maintenance, and suitable for sandy feet and salty air, but this shouldn’t lower the overall calibre of the space.

What were some of the ideas and influences that shaped your design?

Simplicity in materials was pivotal in creating a neutral backdrop to the ever-present and constantly changing view. We wanted to express a relaxed and casual mood so the space felt easy to live in, particularly as the overall footprint is small.

For consistency we used large-format Calcetta limestone tiles – an outdoor paver that has been tumbled to look and feel 100 years old. This hard flooring is softened with vintage rugs. Hand-trowelled micro-cement was used in the kitchen and living areas to lend a handmade, artisanal feel to otherwise refined architectural elements such as the rangehood and the fireplace plinth.

How would you describe the completed home?

The penthouse is a light-filled beachside residence addressing composition and tactility with a minimalist point of view.

How does the project respond to the landscape?

Materiality and the colour palette address the environmental context of the space. The colours balance the beach views in a warm and lived-in way. Although the project is coastal, it is Bondi and there is an unmistakably kinetic energy to it, so we deliberately kept the palette very calming and tranquil.

What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes?

We wanted it to feel like a beach pad but with a few bona-fide design pieces. And we aimed to further that feeling of a nuanced and worn-in space by balancing the new with the old, sourcing vintage rugs and furniture for some areas.

While every surface is brand new we didn’t want the home to impart that mood so we’ve chosen materials, finishes and furniture that suggest a worn, handmade feel. We’ve avoided hard edges where we can, subtly rounding off ends and corners, playing into that softened, aged look. We also specified patinated finishes for hardware such as tapware, handles and drawer pulls.

Was the client happy with the execution?

Yes, very happy. They use the apartment as a mid-week stay and occasionally on weekends.

akinatelier.com

The post A neutral beachside apartment in Bondi filled with beautiful tactile finishes appeared first on Homes To Love.

The initial brief was for two new bathrooms, but architect and interior designer Alena Smith’s sound advice to the owners was to hit pause on the ad-hoc patch-up jobs and instead look to a master plan that may cost more in the short term, but would undoubtedly make for a more gratifying future and eliminate the need for endless repairs.

“My client lived in the house as a child and is now raising her own family there. It’s something of a full-circle heirloom,” says Alena.

“We wanted to give it an upgrade and breathe new life into it, but it was important to respect its heritage too. We refer to this project as having ‘contemporary legacy’.”

In the early stages, Alena says her client’s verbal brief and their mood boards weren’t in sync. “They were originally looking towards something more Hamptons style, but that’s not what they were telling me.

“We spoke about bringing the landscape in which wasn’t something possible through that vehicle.” As Alena had already worked with them some years ago, there was a relationship built on trust that enabled a shift in thinking.

The home’s major ailments were structural issues, dampness and faux heritage accents from a poor 1980s renovation that needed to be remedied. Functionally, the internal circulation was impractical.

“The floor plan was confusing and it felt like moving through a loop,” explains Alena. For the revised footprint, the existing staircase leading to the ground floor was blocked off and relocated to the rear of the house.

The stairs leading to the first floor were left in position however, with the introduction of a compact bar tucked underneath.

Off the ground-floor hallway, the living room connects to the dining room through grand, cedar double doors that were removed for protection during the construction process. Of the dark dining room, Alena says it had a floor so sloped it “felt as if you’d had a few drinks”.

To brighten up the space, the existing jarrah was replaced with light oak underfoot and operable windows redesigned to open into a previously disused internal courtyard.

“It’s like a lung that allows more natural ventilation, more sunlight and views out to greenery,” she says.

Running along the airy and open passage is a long, low joinery unit that in its linear gesture stretches towards the kitchen. Given that there’s no back-of-house storage, the cabinetry serves as a “pantry zone where the children can get messy without interfering in the main kitchen”, says Alena.

“It was conceived as a piece of furniture floating above the floor rather than a heavy piece that looked like a kitchen. It’s a real workhorse disguised in a nice costume.”

At the rear, the meals area features a custom Ross Didier American oak table framed by an informal honeycomb-hued banquette. Adjacent, the kitchen island in a Stone Italiana surface is subdued yet still robust.

“It was important that nothing be jarring so we specified natural tones. It’s almost monochromatic, but still light and friendly,” explains Alena of the palette.

The lower ground floor, a space previously rendered unusable given the onslaught of moisture, has been transformed into what Alena calls the “classic Sydney indoor-outdoor room” with the addition of a bedroom, laundry, sauna-spa and bathroom.

Channelling a resort-like atmosphere, the scheme is flush with desert colours in ochre, bone, clay and roasted almond. Floor tiles creep up the stucco-finished fireplace wall to form a version of contemporary skirting boards and recycled timber beams have been installed across the ceiling.

On the first floor overlooking the pool, the parents retreat is lined in top-to-toe timber-style wallpaper that forms the ensuite envelope. With its cylindrical form, the shape of the shower was inspired by an African rondavel hut.

During construction, a wall of sandstone was unexpectedly uncovered, a happy accident that was ultimately left as an exposed feature wall. Elsewhere, a pared-back and expanded dove-grey bathroom services two bedrooms.

“We wanted the house to have earthy hues but were conscious of not letting things look muddy,” says Alena. “There needed to be strength in the period bones and a modern sophistication, but the client also wanted to evoke the African landscape of her heritage in texture and tone.”

Alena Smith: alenasmith.com.au

The Design Team

The post An 1870s heirloom terrace that blends period bones with modern sophistication appeared first on Homes To Love.

The result is a harmonious whole that’s punctuated with delightful twists and surprises at every turn, thanks to an inspired collaboration between architect Madeleine Blanchfield and heritage architect Zoltan Kovacs.

Madeleine was already working on a project for the family, when this 1907 pile came on the market six years ago.

“This was our favourite house in the area and we had always wanted to buy it,” says the owner. “Before we bought our previous house back in 2001, we had reached out to the owners. We loved the fact it was a large block to house our family of seven, as well as the building’s heritage, including the 110-year-old oak at the back.”

“A hybrid between Victorian and Federation, it was a quirky local icon,” explains Madeleine. “Being owner-built, it had idiosyncrasies.” But one of its strongest virtues was the site. “It had presence but also humility. It didn’t take over the street frontage, leaving half the block empty for a north-facing garden.”

But, despite its noble bearing, it was dilapidated, with rusty pressed-metal ceilings and rotten timberwork, together with clumsy ad-hoc additions on the back and ill-matched front windows, casualties of awkward mid-century makeovers.

“We had to make use of the spaces without damaging the existing fabric and rebuild what was lost,” says Madeleine, who shared the task with Zoltan of Zoltan Kovacs Architect.

“The brief was to create an open, spacious and light-filled home connected to the garden, able to accommodate a large family,” she says. “The owners had a strong sense of style and wanted a spacious, flowing home, with space to be together but also apart,” she says. “And it had to be unique, a legacy they would be proud of.”

“Most important was a big dining room for our Shabbat dinners and holidays,” adds the owner, “together with a kitchen that could easily cater for lots of hungry mouths. And it had to be liveable and durable, with nothing precious.”

While the downwards sloping site could have been a challenge, Madeleine turned that constraint into an inspired plus. Over its two levels, the heritage home became five bedrooms for the five children, together with a study.

“We made discreet structural changes. All rooms were repurposed but remain intact and true to their past, with the front windows and painstakingly restored detailing such as pressed-metal ceilings and carved timberwork,” she says. “With Zoltan, we worked through old photographs and replicated the original detailing.”

The back, by contrast, is a light-soaked revelation. A jumble of additions yielded to a brand-new wing, says Madeleine. Over two levels it drops down the site but belying its size, from the street it reads as a humble single-storey pavilion in a garden.

In a dramatic juxtaposition to the old section, in form and detailing it is unashamedly contemporary, delineated by a crisp black shadowline and flat roof. It houses the entry, with the main bedroom suite and family room sharing that level.

From there, the extension magically expands – a broad spiral stair sweeps down into a voluminous open plan flooded with light and opening to the rear garden. “Slightly visible from the street, the extension breaches the level change in an epic, but discreet, way,” says Madeleine.

Here “double brick” takes on a fresh meaning. The heritage building sported brick detailing, which Madeleine adopted as the primary material in the addition, internally and externally.

The red brick allows the addition to be “robust and powerful while recessive from the street”, but it also provides decorative detail, inside and out.

Used extensively on the internal walls, it’s periodically punched out to create screening and filtered light. Judicious curves in the spiral staircase and selected walls and doorways provide counterpoints to the material’s linearity. “And the rich brick walls create the perfect backdrop for the owners’ warm and eclectic art and furniture,” she explains.

Terracotta marble in the powder room and bar, walnut beams and richly veined marble in the kitchen complement the brick. Terrazzo flooring on the lower level “picks up on all the other materials in its flecks but is a calmer, more subdued finish,” says Madeleine. “In this earthy, heavy palette, brass tapware was also the natural choice.”

Madeleine, the owners and stylist Kirsten Bookallil collaborated on the furniture selection. “I love the Edra sofa and how versatile it makes the living space, but the real standouts are custom pieces, designed and made by Khai Liew. His walnut dining table and pendant light are works of art,” says Madeleine.

That dining area served up a surprise for her, too. “It’s an unusual, brief space. We thought it might be a letdown relative to other rooms, which were dramatic and had more natural light,” she says. “But it became a wonderful exercise in curation, a gallery-like space with dramatic curves and a skylight to the entry garden above. The 20-seat dining table in a skylit space is hard to beat.”

And the owner is besotted with the light and loftiness of her new home. “I love that the whole house is designed around the beautiful oak tree,” she says. “Even when lying down in our bedroom, you see it. I feel I’m in a treehouse. And the vast sky beyond is so calming.”

Madeleine, meanwhile, is justly proud of the smooth flow and cohesion between what could have been disparate spaces. “But there’s not too much consistency, which maintains excitement and surprise,” she says. “And it allows both old and new to be appreciated to the full.”

madeleineblanchfield.com
Zoltan Kovacs Architect, 0418 607 952

The post An eye for detail helped seamlessly blend two contrasting design styles in this heritage home appeared first on Homes To Love.

Where do you live?

In the leafy Melbourne suburb of South Yarra in Boon Wurrung Country. It’s close to the CBD, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birrarung (Yarra) River and Prahran Market with some of the best-preserved, handsomely decorated 19th-century Victorian terrace houses and Art Deco apartments. My block was built in the 1970s and has a glass atrium that frames the building’s entrance.

In March 2024, Emily decided to list her bespoke one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne’s South Yarra. Set in a prime position and finished with a delicate designer’s eye, it has been listed by Nick Gatacre and Tyson Powell of Belle Property – South Yarra with a price guide of $450,000 – $490,000.

You can see the full listing here.

Onthe market

What initially appealed to you about the apartment and what changes did you make?

It’s an inner-city dweller’s dream: handy to the shops, parks and the river. I recently spent a year in Europe and was influenced by more compact styles of living. While my apartment is small I made key changes to open it up.

Having great windows that provide a lot of natural light helps. I replaced the 1970s carpets and tiles with European oak floorboards from Bowens which instantly made the space feel larger.

I chose a mineral paint in warm white for the walls, which is finely grained to create a sense of soft movement, and exchanged the ancient vertical blinds with soft roman blinds and sheer linen curtains. It’s like a small sanctuary amid a bustling community.

New banquette seating built by Stevens Waters under the window features a cosy reading nook and hidden storage, an in-built Botticino marble dining table replaces a wall, and a poky bathroom has been reimagined as a ‘day spa’ with Moroccan zellige tiling, a custom travertine wash trough and cobblestone floor.

What informed the selection of furniture, art and finishes?

Considering the size, I wanted to develop a light and meditative space. Colours are pared back, but textures and finishes are enhanced. A range of natural materials and finishes include brass, soft marble, textured wool, aged and smoothed timber, and nickel tapware.

How would you describe the interiors?

It is an urban retreat and an opportunity to celebrate a small, domestic environment by focusing on the core elements of space, tactility and tone: the bathroom wall tiles are handmade with uneven faces, the floor tiles are chalky cobblestones and there are hand-knotted silk rugs underfoot.

I diffused the abundance of natural light with some sheer linen drapery and incorporated a Lumina ‘Daphine’ lamp and three Akari lights to add filtered warmth in the evenings. A selection of aged bronze hardware also creates earthy accents throughout.

What inspires your interior style?

My ethos has always been ‘less is more’ and ‘quality over quantity.’

I like to be guided by materials that feel good in my hands and products that spark a natural affinity with the space I’m designing. It’s important to consider not only aesthetics but longevity, as well as sourcing ethical and sustainable products where possible.

Is your home a sanctuary or does it double as a workspace?

I have an office in Carlton North, but because of the pandemic my apartment currently functions as both. I designed the space to be flexible, sociable, relaxing and motivating, creating a balance between efficiency and comfort.

It is this neutrality and adaptability that allows me to switch from work to relaxation. That, and a nice glass of wine at the end of the working day!

What are your most treasured possessions?

I’m fortunate to work and collaborate with many Australian artists and designers. My most prized possessions are a marble sculpture by my friend Zachary Frankel and a walnut coffee table we collaborated on. Next to the table is a beautiful timber telephone chair that belonged to my late stepfather.

What is inspiring you at the moment?

I have been expanding my book collection during lockdown and am reading a book on the French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand. It’s a great source of inspiration for thinking about beautiful and functional contemporary design.

I am also currently inspired by country living decor and design. Provincial farmhouses are synonymous with getting out of the city and living the ‘simple life’. They have a lovely appeal and we can learn from them, even in our urban settings.

Anything you’re coveting?

An infrared sauna at home would be the dream.

If you didn’t live in Melbourne where else would you live?

A few years ago I had an extended stay in Copenhagen and would love to return. I was inspired by the city’s functionality and style. You can walk or ride your bike everywhere, the small spaces are beautifully considered, design is evident at every turn, and everyone dresses so well!

emilygillis.com.au

stevenswaters.com.au

The post An interior designer’s tranquil tone-on-tone apartment appeared first on Homes To Love.

That’s exactly the way high-end buyer’s agent and Luxe Listings Sydney star Simon Cohen came home to his newly renovated, two-storey apartment in Potts Point. He bought the formerly three-bedroom home — which enjoys views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from its three outdoor terraces — back in 2021, while off-market, for a reported $5.5 million. 

He then briefed interior architecture practice Studiojos and his long-time friend and now business partner, Jack Freeman of Freeman Gallery, to custom fit the home to his distinct style and taste. 

“This became a detailed process where every element — custom furniture, art curation, bedding, glassware and cutlery — was sourced and designed [with Simon in mind],” says Jack. Every detail was considered, down to the monogrammed hangers in the two walk-in wardrobes. 

For the interiors, Simon requested to keep things ‘ultra light and airy’, which required the team at Studiojos to redefine archetypal masculine design. “Subverting the traditional dark and moody bachelor pad using shades of grey, taupe and bronze gave the home a very warm feeling, which fit his style like a fine tailored suit,” says Joss Knight, founder of Studiojos. “When it came to materiality, there is a recurring use of saddle-stitched leather, woven metals, rich velvets and suede.” 

Inspired by the works of renowned Italian architect and designer, Carlo Scarpa, there is a subtle brutalist-inspired undertone to the finished space, which has been lifted with a softer Parisian aesthetic. Details like a stepped motif that appears across the panelling, doors, fireplace and furniture all “act to offer a cool edge on a classic design,” says Joss. 

In a rather bold move — but one that reaffirms its specification to Simon — the three-bedroom home was converted to an “oversized” one-bedroom pied-à-terre. There are two bathrooms, a concierge, and even a tailor room. 

The renovation sparked more than just joy for Simon; it also became a business idea. Simon and Jack have since launched Freeman Cohen, a service that offers a similar turnkey experience for buyers of high-end real estate and new developments, so they too can have everything exactly the way they like it when they first walk in the door.

cohenfreeman.com
free-man.gallery
studiojos.com.au

Catch up on Luxe Listings Sydney

Simon Cohen is certainly no stranger to luxe homes, with the high-end buyer’s agent and CEO of agency Cohen Handler starring on the Amazon Prime series, Luxe Listings Sydney.

Stream Luxe Listings Sydney on Prime Video from $9.99/mth, with a 30-day free trial.

See inside Simon Cohen’s luxe Potts Point home

As specified by Simon, the interiors subvert the typical ‘masculine’ style, with a fresh, bright and light colour palette.

The curved staircase is one of Simon’s favourite aspects of the home; he considers it a work of art in itself.

The blending of Brutalism and Parisian style is particularly evident in the main living space, with the stone fireplace, angular coffee table, herringbone floors and soft colour palette.

The stepped detail is a recurring motif throughout the home, shown here in the custom fireplace, coffee table and decorative plinth.

The designers chose a material scheme of greys, taupes and bronze to add warmth to the home.

A stone-wrapped island bench grounds the kitchen, while a wall of mirrors helps to double the size of the space.

The repeated stepped detail is evident again in the kitchen joinery, adding to the sense of continuity throughout the home.

A bottle of champagne was waiting on ice for when Simon walked through the door for the first time, along with hand-selected glass and tableware.

The same stone that featured in the kitchen was also used for the bathroom vanities.

A freestanding bath makes good use of space in the irregularly shaped bathroom — an unfortunate yet common feature in Potts Point apartments.

The TV room has a darker and much richer material palette, helping to give the space a more cacooning feel.

As part of the turnkey experience, a concierge team moved Simon’s wardrobe into the new home, colour-coordinating it to his liking. The space includes a show all and custom fabric-lined accessory displays, inspired by luxury high-fashion boutiques.

There are two separate wardrobes in the home, designed to display Simon’s bespoke suiting and accessories. One of the spaces also has a designated area for his tailor to measure and suit him in the comfort of his own home.

The monogrammed coathangers show the level of customisation throughout the home.

While the apartment originally had three bedrooms, it was converted into an “oversized” one-bedroom to provide more space for the things that Simon values more.

A secondary bathroom also features the same stone vanity and netural colour palette echoed throughout the rest of the home.

The property enjoys views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from its three outdoor terraces.

The post Inside Simon Cohen from Luxe Listing’s “oversized” pied-à-terre in Sydney’s Potts Point appeared first on Homes To Love.

Designed by prominent engineer Sir John Monash in the early 1900s, the building has had many iterations over the years; offices, rag trade businesses and, eventually, subdivided into apartments. In 2014, boutique property developers Uschi and Danny Schwartz moved into the now entirely residential building with a dream to eventually purchase two apartments and convert them into a single residence.

In March 2024, the opportunity to own a slice of history in Melbourne’s CBD came about when this unique building, known as The Bond Store, came on the market. It was previously sold by property developer Danny Schwartz and his fashion-and-interior designer wife, Uschi — who completed its stunning overhaul — to the currents owners back in 2019.

Inspections are available by appointment only, with expressions of interest closing Wednesday April 24 at 12pm.

You can see the full listing here.

On the market

The building had extra sentimental value for Uschi, who worked there as an apparel designer in the early 2000s. By 2018, the couple had secured both ground-floor apartments and enlisted architect Steven O’Connor of O’Connor and Houle, whom they had worked with before. Two years later, they decamped from upstairs to their new street-level home.

Uschi and Danny gutted the interiors but left the chunky structural columns intact. Years of rendering was scraped away to reveal a historical record of past occupants, with writing and even calligraphy scrawled across layers of paint. Peeled right back, the raw expression serves as a humble contrast to the apartment’s soft palette and silky cabinetry.

Also unmasked were beams hidden above a dropped false ceiling and brick arches behind plasterboard walls. “We uncovered them, but we also had a picture of Uschi from over 20 years ago standing in front of them, so we knew they were there,” says Danny.

A glass entry vestibule leads into the generous open-plan space, with rooms encircling the perimeter. Each room is accessible by a glass door, offering an unobstructed view to the central core. The absence of any traditional doors creates a gentle, diaphanous quality but, for added privacy, a frothy veil of linen sheers runs around all the translucent panels.

Within the open living area, transitory rooms are made possible by pulling across curtains on ceiling tracks, creating temporary partitions such as the one used for exercise, which has equipment cleverly folded and concealed within a joinery unit. The only rooms tucked out of view are a guestroom, the bathrooms and son Benji’s room, which is located on a small split-level landing.

In place of downlighting, fabric Paris au mois D’août pendants hang like fat droplets, spotlighting clusters of soft, curved furniture such as Ligne Roset’s cosy, upholstered bucket-style armchairs in a milky palette of clotted cream, coffee and almond. Colour is applied sparingly and the material mix is restrained, composed largely of Canadian maple.

In the bathrooms, Italian limestone is used on the splashback, vanity and even carved out for the basins.

Due to its urban location, there was no opportunity for a yard or outdoor area, so the couple approached the owner of a single car garage abutting the building. It took two-and-a-half years for him to sell, and in its place they built a terrace inspired by the courtyard at the Greenwich Hotel in New York.

Lined in heated limestone flooring with an exposed brick and mirrored wall, it’s dotted with terracotta pots from Florence, Fermob bistro chairs and a pizza oven. “When we did the renovations, people popped their heads in and asked what pizza restaurant was opening!” says Uschi.

The couple, who have a combined 40 years of industry experience between them, had great vision.

“And because we had already lived upstairs with a similar floor plate we knew what to expect,” says Uschi. “We didn’t want walls – we wanted it as open as possible. We wanted the raw columns to be a feature but at the same time to blend into the soft colours. Considering you’re in the heart of the city, it’s really very calming.”

Select internal walls feature seamless joinery reaching up to the datum line. Above that, and up to the ceiling, are glass panels designed to make the most of the natural light. Wedged between the building’s original shell and the new panes of double-glazed windows are a series of verdant plants sitting under grow lights.

“We wanted to feel a sense of greenery but still wanted to see the city through it,” says Uschi. “Everywhere you stand, you can see across to the other side of the apartment. The design embraces as much light as possible while maintaining privacy. But we are on the ground floor, so occasionally we do see a bobbing head. We can see the CBD, not hear it, which is exactly what we wanted.”

oconnorandhoule.com
gluxbuilders.com.au
bass-strait-builders.com.au

The post A pair of neighbouring apartments converted into one open-plan abode appeared first on Homes To Love.

“We felt it important that it has a conversation with that incredible icon of a building,” says Brooke. “We designed the bedroom as a contemporary reminder of the owner’s time spent in her favourite locale, so every night she can feel a bit of Paris is with her.”

How did you become involved with this project?

The long-time owner, Elizabeth Pakchung, contacted our firm. We had met before through other clients and she had been following our work. Elizabeth is currently on the boards of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the Asian Australian Artists Association and the National Portrait Gallery.

What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them?

The apartment block was designed by Marjorie Boyle Architect for Sir Eric and Lady McClintock and Mr and Mrs Jon Cleary, the author, in 1970 for use as both their residences. Jon was very concerned about privacy and the bottom level of this two-floored apartment had closed itself away from the incredible view, providing only high-level windows and no external space.

It had very small internal stairs set in a difficult location in the floor plate, and the kitchen was set back into the building with only one door connection to the dining with no view out to the harbour. Elizabeth was also very concerned about longevity of use of the apartment into her future knowing how difficult access can be in older years.

We resolved these issues by opening up the space to the view in all areas that we could. We created a balcony to the master bedroom with large sliding doors so that every morning she can wake to that scene.

Our stairwell was rearranged so that it did not cut into living space, and we demolished walls throughout the main floor so that the kitchen, dining and living all flowed towards that view.

What was the starting point for the interiors?

Elizabeth had a very good brief in both visual and physical requirements and her love for Parisian design was a major factor in our response.

How would you describe the completed interior?

A mix of Elizabeth’s passion and our design eye. It’s a space designed to entertain in but also one to feel comfortable in when home alone. The design had to complement and consider the view as another artwork rather than the entire focus. We were able to push boundaries such as designing bespoke polka dot tiles to complement the Fornasetti tiles in the powder room.

Elizabeth suggested materials and finishes that we crafted into architectural elements which were remarkable – such as creating a kitchen island that extended into a dining table in Calacatta Vagli marble at nearly 6m long.

What are some of your favourite elements?

The stairwell that spins under the Lindy Lee artwork, Listening to the Moon, in front of the Opera House view.

What do you enjoy about being in the space?

Elizabeth is so happy with it and is constantly entertaining as a consummate host with her effervescent nature. She was an incredible client who, regardless of the issues that arose on site, always trusted the process.

brookeaitkendesign.com.au

The post A fresh, Parisian-leaning perspective helped rework this iconic Sydney apartment appeared first on Homes To Love.

What were the requirements for the space?

The property’s potential became obvious, so the owners pivoted to open it up to guests seeking exquisite boutique accommodation for gatherings, weddings and events. Creating a unique function space was added to our scope, as was the design of the spa, pool and cabana to complete the luxury experience.

We employed a softer, more-rustic aesthetic embracing the weather-worn structures of the 1800s dairy and sheds, in contrast to the heady decorative schemes for the homestead and guesthouse.

What did the alterations entail?

The Gables has been re-purposed as an indoor reception venue complete with a bar, lounges, bathrooms and function areas. Two original concrete silos had new openings cut to connect interior and outdoor areas.

These hold lounging spaces, one with a large circular fireplace, the other with a magical ‘moon phases’ illuminated ceiling.

Set on a hillside, the curving pool and cabana drink in the views. Featuring an outdoor shower, bathroom and small kitchenette, the cabana is a destination in itself.

The spa is a deeply calming space with encaustic terracotta-look concrete floor and biscuity limewashed walls – a haven for massages, meditation or yoga.

How would you describe the completed space?

There is a continuous dance for us between the decorative flourish and restraint.

What are your favourite features?

The brick floor in the silos, custom concrete benches and moon-phases ceiling combine to create an incredible enchanting experience.

Is there are common approach that runs through your work?

Our schemes are highly detailed and layered, and feature brave colour combinations. We love to incorporate as many custom elements as necessary, and to add a flourish or dusting of sparkle to elevate and make it truly bespoke.

What projects are you looking forward to?

Completing a retail space where people will come together to relax, recharge and enjoy an immersive experience in communal areas. We’re also looking forward to designing that boutique hotel which doesn’t know they need us yet.

greyleigh.com.au
weareduet.com.au
@studiorewild
emilysimpsonlandscape.com.au

You can read more about the renovation of the main homestead at Greyleigh here, or book your own stay here.

See more

The post A re-born 1800s dairy (and popular wedding venue) on the NSW South Coast receives a luxe refresh appeared first on Homes To Love.