Sommaire pour December 2018 de Inside Out

The countdown is on, and you’re feeling calm. Right?! The busiest part of the season is here, with back-to-back holiday parties, school functions and endless shopping lists to get through, but just think of the break to come. Take a deep breath, sit down and flick through this issue for ideas and inspiration to keep things simple, but special. If you’re entertaining this summer, you could do worse than follow the lead of the family behind the Robert Gordon pottery business. We visited them in Victoria and captured some gorgeous moments (and recipes) to inspire your own relaxed lunch. Find the story on page 140. We also have personalised ideas for setting the table and great last-minute gifts for those Secret Santa dilemmas. Just to keep things practical, we’ve also…

1 Natural rattan with a tropical cushion creates a holiday feel perfect for daydreaming. ‘Latitude’ two-seater, $1095, The Family Love Tree, thefamilylovetree.com.au. 2 This colourful rug in blue and green is ideal for wet or sandy feet. ‘Cuban Green’ vinyl rug, $1650/244cm x 305cm, Bonnie and Neil, bonnieandneil.com.au. 3 Hang bags, towels and other stuff out of the way on this super-cool suspended rack. ‘Hanging’ drying rack, $337, George & Willy, georgeandwilly.com. THE STORAGE Stack your surfboards in style with this freestanding rack made from bamboo. ‘Catrina’ 2 boards surf rack, $429, Cactus Rack, cactusrack.com.au. “Create the ultimate in laid-back surfie style with 1970s details such as rattan and vibrant cushions”JONO FLEMING, STYLE EDITOR AND THE REST… ‘The Shack’ lantern, $150, The Society Inc. Outside: ‘Frida Mermaid’ wall hanging, $79,…

If you’ve bought a heritage property, the chances are you’ll want to make some changes. The way we inhabit our homes today is quite different to how our grandparents used to live; we love open-plan living zones, not the multitude of small rooms common to older homes. Plus, our needs alter as our children grow, and a parents’ retreat starts to look appealing. Often, making big changes means building an extension, but the challenge is blending that modern addition with an older property. Why not embrace the difference, build the space of your dreams, and create a visual connection with your exterior finishes? This is where Axon fibre cement cladding comes in. Available in three styles, with a stylish, modern feel perfectly suited to a bold design, it’s also pre-primed…

Erin Cayless, Bonnie Hindmarsh and Lana Taylor (pictured opposite, from left) make renovating look fun. The Sydney-based friends, founders of Three Birds Renovations, are eternally upbeat, perfectly presented and are building a following based on their signature style. In case you’ve missed the memo, that would be white-on-white interiors with a hint of blush, a touch of boho texture and a layout planned around entertaining. But it takes substance as well as style to pull off this many projects; this is their ninth, with several more in the pipeline. They’re too savvy to give away all their secrets – you’ll need to sign up for their online Reno School for that – but having refined their process over the last four years, they’ve learnt a thing or two and have…

“THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THAT DIDN’T GO TO PLAN. THERE ALWAYS ARE!” LAUREN CHARGE, HOMEOWNER “I think the most important thing to do every time you hit a problem is to instantly start thinking about the solution. There’s nothing to gain from dwelling on the problem. I constantly found myself saying, ‘OK, I understand that’s the problem. Now, give me some solutions and I’ll pick the one I think works best.’ We were fortunate to have such helpful tradespeople, and when problems cropped up, they’d come to us with a bunch of solutions. There’s always a ‘work around’ and in the end some things worked out better than the initial plans.”…

Morocco has long appealed to creatives, adventurers and designers, thanks largely to its rich heritage and history combined with its modern galleries and restaurants. When French couple Cyrielle Rigot and Julien Tang visited the North African country for the first time in 2010, it was a clear case of love at first sight. Initially captivated by the light, which appealed to photographer Cyrielle, the pair spent the next four years visiting as often as possible. “We travelled through the entire country by car or motorcycle,” says Julien, an artistic director. “We used to come regularly on holidays and it became almost an obvious decision for us to settle here, despite us not knowing another person living here!” The couple initially bought, restored and lived in an old riad, transforming it…

1 Warehouse pendant light, from $118, Fat Shack Vintage, fatshackvintage.com.au. 2 ‘FL001’ Zellige Mosaic tiles, $300/sqm, Tiles of Ezra, tilesofezra.com.au. 3 ‘Slouch’ chair, $495, The Family Love Tree, thefamilylovetree.com.au. 4 ‘Artemis’ bust, $1295, Mercer & Lewis, mercerandlewis.com. 5 Florabelle large ‘Civita’ clay planter, $179/set of 2, Temple & Webster, templeandwebster.com.au.…

Cheltenham is less than 20km to the CBD and is a popular bayside suburb because it’s well serviced by train and main road links and also schools – there are 23 within a 5km radius. But new apartment developments within walking distance of the station have brought singles and young professional couples into the area, which has led to good cafes and restaurants opening. When people move here they tend to stay and upgrade to a bigger house – I’m a good example of that because when my family outgrew our three-bedroom home, we moved 13 houses away! Lauren and Max’s house is a lovely Californian bungalow in the popular area of Cheltenham, known as the ‘Golden Triangle’. It would appeal to couples, small families or downsizers attracted by only…

The wise man might have built his house upon a rock, but if he used the wrong materials, it was probably expensive, poorly insulated and a nightmare to maintain. Choosing the right base structure when you’re extending, renovating or building a new property helps to make your home comfortable, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. Durable, low-maintenance materials can make houses sustainable and, depending on how they’re used, help with insulation and energy efficiency, too. “If the original building is charmingly old, use new materials that maintain integrity. If the climate has large temperature swings, use heavy materials with good thermal mass, such as bricks,” says Andrew Benn, director of architecture studio Benn+Penna. “As a general rule, if the site is steep and tricky, lightweight cladding is better.” bricks Clay or concrete…

For those who regularly serve wine at parties or buy beaujolais in bulk, it’s time to get serious about wine storage. Fridge temperatures are generally around 3°C, which is fine for a temporary fizz-cooling solution, but too cold for storing wine for any length of time. “There is no white wine designed to be drunk at 3°C,” says Gary Brown, Harvey Norman’s senior brand manager, home appliances. “If you take a bottle of white wine out of the fridge and put it on your table, it’s probably going to take till the third glass before it tastes as it should.” For those who enjoy wine, a dedicated cabinet is the answer.…

the napkins Make sure the floral trend is in bloom on your table with these linen napkins from House of Heras. $120/set of 4, houseofheras.com. the kitchen Snaidero, Italy’s leading designer of exclusive, innovative kitchens, has opened its Sydney showroom, designed by Greg Natale. Visit snaiderosydney.com.au. the mixer Add calm to your kitchen with the ‘Misty Blue’ Heritage Artisan Series Model 4.8L Stand Mixer, $1299, from KitchenAid. A blast from the past, this colour returns to mark KitchenAid’s 100th birthday. For more info, go to kitchenaid.com.au. the cabinet It’ll always be happy hour at your place with West Elm’s new ‘Zelda’ Bar Cabinet, $1299. Find it at westelm.com.au. the bar stool It’s so beautiful you’d be forgiven for spending more time staring at this stool than sitting on it! The…

Stand out on the sand or preen poolside with Fenton & Fenton’s new range of towels. Inspired by the idea of chasing the sun all year round, the collection, designed by Mr Fenton, comes in bath mat, hand towel and bath towel sizes and is made from 100 per cent cotton.…

Richard Unsworth of Garden Life on how to prevent your pot plants drying out 1. Watering: Pot plants can wither faster than the rest of your garden, so ensure they get enough water during summer. Plants in hot exposed areas require more watering than ones in shadier spots, except drought-tolerant plants which love the sun and need less watering anyway. 2. Material: Terracotta dries out quickly as it’s very porous, so you’ll need to water plants in this kind of pot more frequently than others. Or, line your terracotta pots with a bitumen or other waterproofing paint to slow down evaporation. Avoid using saucers to capture water, as most plants hate having wet feet. 3. Potting mix: Re-wet the potting mix thoroughly when you water. Remove the hose nozzle, allow…

CHOCOLATE, RASPBERRY & BUTTERMILK CAKE “This is the fudgiest of all the chocolate cakes I know and it’s perfect, even without the raspberries on top. While it needs no accompaniment, there is nothing that can’t be improved with a big dollop of double cream”NADINE INGRAM, BAKER SERVES 10-12 220g good-quality dark chocolate (minimum 60% cocoa solids), roughly chopped 110g unsalted butter, cut into large cubes 4 eggs 90g light brown sugar 60g almond meal 60ml buttermilk 180g frozen raspberries 1. Preheat oven to 140°C. Line a 22cm springform cake tin with baking paper and dust with flour. Place chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water to melt, stirring occasionally with a spatula until melted and combined. Ensure water isn’t touching the bottom…

THE KIDS’ CANCER PROJECT Cuddly bears in The Kids’ Cancer Project collection are designed to be donated to children in hospital to make their stay less scary. Proceeds go to kids’ cancer research. thekidscancerproject.org.au/bears CARPET COURT Be inspired by the latest interior trends and interviews with industry leaders. Express your inner creativity and start designing. Visit the Carpet Court website and order your free copy today. carpetcourt.com.au/catalogue-order AERO FAN Redefining how we think about ceiling fans – and on the heels of its multi-award winning range of energy efficient DC ceiling fans – Aeratron has welcomed the release of the new AE+ Series. aeratronae.com.au GOURMET TRAVELLER For the first time, Gourmet Traveller has compiled a collection of its most dazzling travel photography. Visit some of the world’s most beautiful and…

Inspired by the golden era of late mid-century furniture design, ‘Golden’ – the new collection from interior stylist Sarah Ellison – combines beauty and utility to create practical works of art. The ‘Elton’ side table incorporates the designer’s trademark coastal signature, using natural materials to produce a contemporary piece influenced by the heady nostalgia of Australian summer in the ’60s and ’70s. ‘Elton’ side table, $695, Sarah Ellison, sarahellison.com.au.…

Designtree ‘Frankie’ lamp DESIGNERS: Rebecca Asquith and Tim Wigmore The design team formed their Wellington studio in 2011, combining Tim’s craft and design skills with Rebecca’s background in model-making to create pieces both separately and in tandem. The felt and timber ‘Frankie’ lamp is a collaboration, with the components machine-cut and hand-finished by the couple in their studio. “We like the high-tech, low-tech approach, and I think we get more control over the quality by finishing each piece ourselves,” Tim says of their manufacturing process. “The fabric shade is an acoustic felt, so it helps tune the sound of the spaces it goes into. We dig the idea of it performing more than just the task of lighting.” NZ$795, designtree.co.nz . Daast ‘Gradient’ table lamp DESIGNERS: Andrew…

Q My partner and I are planning a new pool and can’t agree on the tile colour. Any pointers? Alex, via email “The pools I am drawn to the most have a natural feel,” says Hugh Main, director of landscape design firm Spirit Level (spiritlevel.com.au). “When recreating this effect, we use tiles in slightly different colours to give the water a dappled effect. Tiles with a natural grey, green or brown tone become more blue when the sky is reflected in the water. These look inviting and like they belong in the landscape. Black tiles turn the water into a mirror, which looks glamorous, but isn’t always appropriate for a young family because you can’t see the bottom of the pool. Pool tiles are commonly glass, but there are great…

A cupboard filled with simple giftboxes tied with white twine is a chic and modern alternative to putting presents under a traditional Christmas tree christmas cake topper YOU’LL NEED: SHEET OF SILVER PAPER / UNBLEACHED COTTON CANVAS / GOLD SEWING THREAD / HOLE PUNCH / TWO GOLD-STRIPED PAPER STRAWS / DOUBLE-SIDED ADHESIVE TAPE / GIFT TAG HOW TO: Cut silver paper into 20cm x 6cm rectangle. Cut unbleached cotton into 20cm x 4cm rectangle. Stitch unbleached cotton piece onto silver paper with gold thread. Write ‘hohoho’ with a pencil on the cotton and then, using a hole punch, make holes through the stencilled letters. Fold banner around straws and attach with double-sided tape. Place a silver gift tag in one of the straws for a finishing touch. star plate decoration…

2016 February Lauren and Michael purchase their beach house and arrange for a delayed settlement until May to focus on the plans for council. September Work begins, but is delayed when Evelyn is diagnosed with ADEM. 2017 February Evelyn is given the all-clear and project resumes. “We’d done very little until this point and, with the lack of trades available over the Christmas period, it was a good time to start back up,” Lauren says. November Third daughter Claudia is born. 2018 March The renovation is completed and Salt welcomes its first guests (besides the Charge family).…

Self-awareness is a powerful thing. It can be liberating to know where your strengths lie, as well as when you’ve reached the limits of your comfort zone and need support to venture beyond. Chris and Elizabeth, who have lived in their terrace in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs since 2012, are proof of this. “We’ve found that we can’t help making safe choices,” admits Elizabeth. “We like grey, and we ended up with pretty well everything in our house being grey.” And there’s nothing wrong with that, per se. Grey can be lovely, after all. But they’d started feeling stifled by their default choice. The tipping point coincided with the arrival of their third child in 2014. Looking around at their home, the couple knew something needed to change. “It was dark…

Who lives here: Parisian expats Cyrielle Rigot, an analog photographer; Julien Tang, an artistic director; their five-month-old son, Nino Bandith; and pets Petite, a Yorkshire terrier, Boussa, a Marrakech street dog, and Harley, a Marrakech street cat. Style of home: A three-storey Moroccan townhouse, known locally as a hôtel particulier, tucked away within the Marrakech medina. The revamp of the family’s home started with a kitchen overhaul, before the remaining cosmetic changes were completed over a period of one and half months.…

Sally Holbrook Director, Northbourne Architecture + Design Lauren and Max’s home has some beautiful period features, including the grand entrance portico and original double front doors – although they should definitely look at replacing the stained glass dolphins that were obviously added at a later date. The main bedroom, which opens onto a private front garden and captures northern light, is lovely and even though Lauren and Max have thought of moving into the middle bedroom, I think they should stay put, especially as they could put in an ensuite and walk-in robe by the fence at a later date. I can see why the couple are frustrated by problems with the existing floor plan, especially the bathroom being used as a thoroughfare. There is much that can be done…

+ CLT (cross-laminated timber) is made from gluing layers of solid timber together and will become more cost-effective in the next few years,” says Bill. “It’s possible to erect an entire house in a matter of days using this product.” + Straw bales, often rendered with cement or earth, offer excellent, cost-effective insulation. + Mud bricks are made by mixing earth and water, which dries in moulds in the open air. They’re cheap and energy efficient, with good thermal and acoustic qualities.…

TURKISH BATH Handmade in a small Turkish community, these pre-washed towels and bath mats from Loom Towels use 100 per cent organic cotton and dyes. ‘Cyan’ bath mat, $75, ‘Cyan’ bath towel, $149 from loomtowels.com. bathe by the sea Create an instant coastal vibe with these soft, striped ‘Pierre Terry’ towels from Citta Design. The range is priced from $6.90 at cittadesign.com. clever candle Designed as two semi-circles of stone, the ‘Stratosphere’ candle, $99.95, Addition Studio, allows for multiple creative combinations. Additional candle available for $59.95. Go to additionstudio.com. TAP INTO IT Nature meets tech in IB Rubinetterie’s ‘Marmo’ Basin Mixer. It’s handmade using white Carrara marble and is $1958 at pacojaanson.com.au. mirror image Applying your make-up has never felt so stylish or easy than with OSC Illuminated’s two-way Makeup…

winning pin! We love the dreamy study nook in this Scandi-style kid’s room, featuring limited edition art prints from Norsu Interiors. in your news feed A white coat of paint paired with lush greenery gave our readers ample ideas for upping their kerb appeal. reader spotlight The relaxed monochromatic styleof @hausofcruze’s guest bedroom is heaven. Share pics with us using #sharemystyle and @insideoutmag. most double-tapped Timber fencing adds a soft touch to this bold exterior designed by Templeton Architecture, making this home our most popular. follow Inside Out Instagram @insideoutmag Pinterest pinterest.com/insideoutpins Twitter twitter.com/insideoutmag Facebook facebook.com/insideoutau YouTube youtube.com/insideoutaus…

he starting point for revamping an outdoor T room should be how you’re going to use it. If you’re planning a dining zone, position it within easy reach of your kitchen and barbecue; a lounge area, on the other hand, can be further removed from the house – even at the end of the garden. Next, work out how much space you have to play with. You can fit a pair of comfy chairs just about anywhere, but for a dining area, you’ll need a minimum of a metre of space all round your setting so that you can move chairs in and out, and walk around it easily. Now, take your tape measure shopping. If your outdoor room is visible from indoors, opt for a low setting so your…

BUTTER Use a good unsalted butter. We always use Australian and New Zealand butters. It’s painful paying for expensive butter, but worth it. EGGS Buy free-range at the very minimum. Using high-quality, large eggs can make the world of difference and all of the recipes in my book have been made with large 70g eggs. Also, make sure eggs are at room temperature when you use them. If you keep them in the fridge, take them out the night before cooking. This is particularly important when adding them to butter and also when making meringues. Given that the egg is the binding ingredient in the cake, a fresh egg will produce a fluffier cake that doesn’t dip in the middle. Check the ‘best before’ dates on the eggs; if they…

NORDIC APPEAL  why it works: White on white ensures a clean, neat look in small study spaces. ‘13Eighty’ chair, $494, Hay, hayshop.com.au. ‘Stash’ desk, $699, Blu Dot, bludot.com.au. BLUSH CRUSH  why it works: Pink and brass accents add softness to mid-century style. Gubi ‘Beetle’ chair with conic base, $599, Luumo Design, luumodesign.com. ‘Mid-Century Art Display’ mini desk, $449, West Elm, westelm.com.au. LINEAR FUNCTION  why it works: Black lines teamed with natural oak create a graphic effect. Ethnicraft Oak Whitebird desk, $1355, Clickon Furniture, clickonfurniture.com.au. Expormim ‘Huma’ armchair, $2019, Ke-Zu, kezu.com.au.…

THE ORIGINAL ‘Circulaire’ mirror by Jacques Adnet The form: A leather-bound mirror with leather hanging strap and buckle detail. What makes it special: Jacques Adnet was an architect, interior designer and one of the undisputed masters of French modernist design. Originally working with twin brother Jean, the two parted ways in 1928 – Jean to be artistic director of famous French department store Les Galeries Lafayette, while Jacques took on the role of design director of Compagnie des Arts Français (CAF), where he gathered an array of incredible talent, including François Jourdain and Charlotte Perriand. The ‘Circulaire’ mirror, created during Jacques’ partnership with French brand Hermès, has been reissued by Danish label Gubi – who deliver it at a far more approachable price. The brass buckle and emphasised stitch detail…

When Lauren and Michael Charge happened upon a dilapidated house for sale in Shoal Bay, NSW, they knew immediately it would make the perfect holiday home for their young family. Embracing elegant, natural and durable interiors, with plans to let the breathtaking view speak for itself, they created the luxe coastal retreat they’d both dreamed of. Turn the page to see more.…

You could win 3 nights at Salt at Shoal Bay for up to 6 people, valued at $2890, plus more than $1000 worth of extra goodies from local businesses. To enter, visit homestolove.com.au/insideoutbeachgetaway and tell us in 25 words or less why you’d love a holiday at Salt at Shoal Bay. Conditions apply, see www.homestolove.com.au/insideoutbeachgetaway. Commences 22/11/18. Ends 11:59 AEST/AEDST on 19/12/18. AU and NZ residents 18+. This is a game of skill, not a game of chance. Accommodation available June, July, August 2019, excluding school holidays and public holidays, and subject to availability. The Promoter is Bauer Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.…

2012 Chris and Elizabeth buy the house and move in with their two children. 2014 Baby number three arrives, motivating the family to renovate and create a more open, family-friendly space. 2015 Architects are enlisted and plans drawn up, with DA approval coming in December. 2017 April The family moves out so building work can begin. May An interior designer comes on board to help with finishing touches. 2018 January With only the outdoor landscaping left to complete, the family moves back in.…

Who lives here: Veronique Willing, a professional classical soprano and property stylist; her husband Tim, a property developer; their children Grace, 10, Oscar, 9, and Sophie, 7; and Miss Lani, a German pinscher. Style of home: Post-war brick bungalow with a family-friendly layout and a mix of classic and contemporary design touches. The Willings found the home online in 2011 and asked Tim’s father and brother to take a look. In 2012, they headed to Perth to start the reno, moving in that same year. $800,000. “There were no delays,” says Veronique. “It all progressed like a dream!”…

2014 After four years of regular visits to Morocco, Paris-based Cyrielle and Julien relocate permanently from their native France to Marrakech, in search of an “authentic lifestyle”. 2015 Cyrielle and Julien buy a late 16th-century riad – a Moroccan abode built around a courtyard – and restore it, transforming it into their guest house: Riad Jardin Secret (riadjardinsecret.com). 2017 Having lived in their guest house for nearly three years, Cyrielle and Julien purchase their own home, originally built in the late ’70s for a friend of French designer Yves Saint-Laurent, and move in.…

the story so far Lauren Hel and her husband Max purchased their three-bedroom Californian bungalow in February 2017. They were previously living in a townhouse in Sydney and, although their new home in Cheltenham in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs was on a sub-divided block, they loved the period features and its location on a tree-lined street near a kindergarten for their son Sebastien, now three. “The heritage character of the house was what attracted us initially,” says Lauren. “I loved the high ceilings, the floorboards and the entrance. It was also within our budget and we bought it before auction.” And so the couple made the move down from Sydney and into their new home. But it didn’t take long before they realised the floor plan wasn’t all that functional. “We…

the floor plan This is quite a difficult floor plan to fix without spending too much money. However, the cramped kitchen is a big priority, especially as Max has already started to dismantle it. The laundry is large and there’s wasted space leading to the back door, so I’d remove the laundry and second toilet, and then push the kitchen over to the western side and add a combined laundry and butler’s pantry at the far end. As Lauren would like to keep a second toilet, it might be possible to incorporate a new WC. On the back wall of the kitchen, I would suggest a new servery window and breakfast bar, and then add sliding or bi-fold doors between the dining area and kitchen to improve access to the…

If you have a large family, or if gatherings chez vous are a regular affair, a big refrigerator with plenty of useful features can help make entertaining a breeze – not to mention help your fresh food last longer and be kinder to the environment. Here are a few things to consider when it’s time to go shopping. the big issue It’s not all about size, although of course you need a fair amount of space to fit in a cornucopia of canapes. Liam Bryers, general manager marketing for Whirlpool, suggests a minimum capacity of 600 litres will suit regular entertainers. However, adjustable storage can be just as important. “If you’re cooking for what feels like an army, you’re best off selecting a fridge with a large capacity and flexible…

…ceiling shower head Michael Phelan of Phoenix Tapware weighs in The deal: A single large ‘ceiling dropper’ showerhead is sleek and luxurious. The pros: You’ll get a ’designer’ finish with this showerhead: it’s stylish, simple and luxe, and provides a lovely spa-like showering experience. It’s also perfect for larger showers where an arm isn’t long enough to reach the centre. The cons: Some find it doesn’t have the versatility of a twin shower (which has overhead and handheld showerheads) as the only option is to get under it, making it harder to keep your hair dry. A twin shower offers more options and is easy to fit onto an existing standard pipe on the wall. A new ceiling dropper could mean more plumbing costs. The verdict: Nay! I have to…

Q My partner and I are having an issue with the onslaught of bills, mail and school notes that come into the house. Our daughter recently missed out on a party because we lost the invitation and didn’t realise until it was over. Any suggestions on how to keep it under control? Gemma, Balgowlah A You might be surprised to hear that paper clutter is one of the organising challenges I’m asked about most, and also one of the easier areas to organise. No-one wants to spend quality home time filing paperwork, but we also don’t want to be burdened with late fees on bills or miss appointments. The trick is to set up a simple system. Here’s what I recommend... 1. Open and pay bills only twice a…

TOP TABLE An industrial-style dining table on castors adds a contemporary edge to your outdoor entertaining set-up. Pair with chairs in hot shades for added personality. ‘Kanto Castor’ table, $1299 and ‘Boheme’ chair, $129, both from Early Settler, earlysettler.com.au. FOR THE FUR BABIES Looking for the perfect gift for the pet-lover in your life? You can now purchase the stylish pet products from Molly Barker with a premium giftbox, $15, and have the goodies delivered straight to their door. Go to mollybarker.com.au. marble marvel Enjoy the great outdoors while protecting yourself from mosquitoes in style with a marbled citronella candle, $13.98, from Waxworks. For more, see waxworksworks.com.au. TILE STYLE Re-create the look of weathered cement and add an urban feel to your space with Concreto Natural Greige tiles, $39.95.Visit nationaltiles.com.au.…

Family and food are twin passions for Sam Gordon, his brother Bobby and sisters Hannah and Kate. This combination makes for a very merry Christmas – especially once you add their partners and kids (ten in all, with another on the way) and their parents, Robert and Barbara, into the mix. It was actually Robert’s parents who first started a pottery business in the 1940s and the brand has been an Australian favourite since the 1980s, when the factory was established in Pakenham, outside of Melbourne. All the siblings work in the business, along with a loyal and long-standing team. The latest development is a relaxed eatery onsite. “As well as being a store and a place you can hand-paint a pot, it’s now a place you can sit down…

a-e A Boy Named Aaron aboynamedaaron.com.au ABI Interiors abiinteriors.com.au Adairs adairs.com.au Armadillo&Co armadillo-co.com Artedomus 1300 278 336 artedomus.com Artessa Home Apparel artessa.net Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100 astrawalker.com.au B&B Italia spacefurniture.com.au Beacon Lighting 1300 BEACON beaconlighting.com.au Bisanna Tiles bisanna.com.au Bliss Kitchens blisskitchens.com.au Bon Bentwood bonbentwood.com.au Bonnie and Neil (03) 9384 2234 bonnieandneil.com.au Briggs Veneers (02) 9732 7888 briggs.com.au Brodware 1300 800 300 brodware.com Bunnings bunnings.com.au Byron Farmers Market byronfarmersmarket.com.au Cadrys Collection cadrys.com.au Caesarstone caesarstone.com.au Calico calicowallpaper.com Carla Hananiah carlahananiah.com Carrer By Design carrera.com.au Cole and Son cole-and-son.com Concept Pools Australia conceptpoolsaust.com.au Contents International Design (02) 9662 2443 contentsid.com Cotton On Kids cottonon.com/au/cottononkids Cult Design cultdesign.com.au Cutek cutek.com.au Dangar Barin Smith dangarbarinsmith.com.au Daughter daughterchildrenswear.myshopify.com Dedece dedece.com Deji Studios dejistudios.com.au DeLonghi delonghi.com Designstuff  (03) 8598 9700 designstuff.com.au Dulux 132 525 dulux.com.au Early…

We’re about to complete a year-long renovation and will be moving in the week before Christmas. My family is suggesting we host lunch to celebrate the new house, but I just can’t bear the thought of 30 semi-inebriated people wreaking havoc on my beautiful interiors. Am I within my rights to say no? Glenda, via email How funny you should ask this just as I’m tapping out the last chapter of my forthcoming book, The A to Z of Festive Stains. It’s sure to be a bestseller since, as well as being a time of celebration and wonder, Christmas is the season of spilt champagne, candle wax, glitter, watermarks, wine rings, duck fat, runny cheese, pine needles in the carpet, Cadbury’s Celebrations melted into the suede sectional and children. As…