Australian House & Garden December 2021

“Enjoy the new freedoms and SEASON’S GREETINGS from the H&G team.” If the events of the last two years have taught us anything, it is to be resilient, flexible, and in the words of Crosby, Stills and Nash, to love the one (or ones) you’re with. At the end of last year, I was ready to hop on a plane and join my family for the festive season when the Queensland border suddenly closed and all plans were thwarted. In the end, I stayed in Sydney, declined generous invitations for Christmas lunch and spent one of my more unusual, but enjoyable, Christmases painting a lattice garden fence white while listening to an assortment of the ABC’s finest from Classic FM to Triple J to Double J. How’s that for commitment to house and…

ESCAPE PLANS The latest issue of H&G arrived in my mailbox today. As I tore open the plastic covering, I only allowed myself a brief glimpse inside – I will save that pleasure for my day in hospital next week. As I undergo cancer treatment, I will escape in all the beauty and creativity in the pages, enthusiastically poring over every detail with my trusty sticky notes on hand. A long and arduous day made so much easier. Thank you! Amanda Bryce, Gwelup, WA SEEDS OF INSPIRATION H&G has been my go-to guide on multiple house revamps over the years. The house ideas have been invaluable, but I admit that I have often struggled to see how I could apply the garden ideas found in H&G to my own property within my budget. The…

With some properties, it’s love at first sight. But that’s not always the case. When Nina Caple, interior designer and director of Anchor&Belle, and her husband Nick first spotted this quirky Sunshine Beach villa online, they weren’t even sure about going to see it. “It was designed and built in the 1980s by local artist John Cummings and his wife Verushka, who had modelled it on Mediterranean villas they had stayed in on their travels. It was this blend of Italian, Moroccan and Greek architecture, topped off with an Italian-style turret. It was almost too over the top to even look at,” says Nina. But since the couple was eager to find a home in the area that wasn’t a stereotypical beach house, they set their reservations to one side and…

“I ADORE THE FRESH SMELL IN THE AIR AFTER A BIG STORM.” FIRST ADULT HOME? It was on The Esplanade in Elwood, Melbourne. It started out with bright blue aqua turf on the stairs and an indoor rockery, but had a lovely view of the red bridge on the Elwood Canal. BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION? Greece! We were meant to head there last year. DREAM RESTAURANT TABLE? Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark. FAVOURITE DOWNTIME PURSUIT? A run through the Noosa National Park with my girlfriends. On Saturdays, that always ends with a swim at Noosa Main Beach, and a coffee and croissant from Sails. FAVOURITE ARTISTS? Clara Adolphs, Tammy Kanat, Piet Raemdonck (1) and Ochre Lawson. FAVOURITE DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS? Piet Boon (7) – his designs are so beautifully detailed and refined yet effortless and functional. Patricia Urquiola (2)…

YOUR INVITATION TO A FESTIVE SEASON TO REMEMBER FRESH TAKE The addition of fresh flowers and foliage will always enhance a table. White blooms are both elegant and versatile; even a delicate trail of greenery brings life to the party. TWINKLE, TWINKLE Flickering candles instantly set a festive mood. To add to the ambience, team them with crystal, cut-glass and polished-metal tableware to catch the light and make it dance around the room. Stylist’s assistants Kate Lincoln, Lewis Grant & Pavarne Lambert.…

GINGER AND SPICE 24 Oyoy ‘Pin’ hooks/knobs, $49/set of 2, Designstuff. MAGNETIC MONOCHROME 34 Robert Gordon Australia ‘Flask’ lotion bottle, $40, Living by Design. SWEET AND SPARKLY…