Table of contents for August 2018 in Inside Out

A hhhh… fresh white spaces. There are few things that make me happier. Each year, as the white issue rolls around, I look forward to the sense of calm it brings. And yet I know that isn’t the case for everyone: how do you keep it clean? Is it realistic? No really, guys, this issue is full of ways to have a fresh white space without necessarily compromising on livability or personality. Part of having a space that’s light and bright is limiting the clutter, so as you weather the cooler months, take some time to assess whether you really need all the stuff you live with. I’m not talking a Marie Kondo-style clear-out or minimalist, empty rooms: just a careful edit that helps your home feel lighter somehow. There’s…

1. Reuber Henning ‘Shibori Wave’ rug, POA, Halcyon Lake, halcyonlake.com. 2. ‘Pier’ throw, $119.95, Linen House, linenhouse.com. 3. Karimoku New Standard ‘Castor Stool Plus’ stool, $440, Stylecraft, stylecraft.com.au. 4. Ballograf ‘Epoca’ ballpoint pen, $6.95, Milligram, milligram.com. 5. Octaevo ‘Year Of The Sun’ planner, $44.95, Gingerfinch, gingerfinch.com.au. 6. Studio Arhoj ‘Sip’ cup, $36, Luumo Design, luumodesign.com. 7. ‘PS 2017’ table lamp, $49, IKEA, ikea.com.au. 8. ‘Interior Expressions’ low sheen acrylic paint in (top) Daisy Chain and Gaiety, $74.90/4L, Haymes Paint, haymespaint.com.au. 9. Muuto ‘Connect’ modular sofa, from $18,000, Living Edge, livingedge.com.au. 10. ‘Real Good’ chair, $249, and felt chair pad, $49, Blu Dot, bludot.com.au. 11. Good Thing NY ‘Field’ candleholder, $24.95, Gingerfinch, as before. 12. ‘Kali’ side plate, $14.95, Aura Home, aurahome.com.au. 13. ‘Half Moons’ pillowcase, $29, Nancybird, nancybird.com.…

“Combine practical pieces with soft textures and playful elements for a cosy baby’s room”NATALIE JOHNSON, MARKET EDITOR 1 After sailing the high seas (well, bath time), your little one needs a place to rest before the next big adventure. ‘Folk’ bassinet, $549, The Rattan Collective, therattancollective.com.au. 2 Thematic accents, such as cushions, blankets and toys, should be soft, comfy and fun. Tamar Mogendorff ‘Shell’ pillows, from $199.95 each, Hello Little Birdie, hellolittlebirdiestore.com.au. 3 Whether it’s for feeding, reading, cuddling or just watching your little one snooze, parents need a cosy perch, too. ‘Stockholm 2017’ armchair, $349, IKEA, ikea.com.au. THE STORAGE Keep books, toys and a lamp handy and portable with this clever table. Lind DNA ‘Curve’ table in Pastel Green, $495, Leo & Bella, leoandbella.com.au. AND THE REST… On floor: ‘Agra…

THE ORIGINAL ‘String’ shelving system by Nils Strinning The form: A wall-mounted, ladder-based storage system. What makes it special: The fact that this system is still in production nearly 70 years after it was conceived is special in itself. Designed in 1949, the ‘String’ system by Swedish designer Nils Strinning (1917–2006) has stood the test of time both mechanically and stylistically. Vintage versions still achieve good prices, while the brand continues to introduce new elements and new material and colour variations. It's lightweight, easy to install, relatively inexpensive and can be moved and added to over time. Available in many colour and veneer combinations with add-on desks and storage boxes, the system can evolve into a complex library and entertainment solution. In 2005, the ‘String Pocket’ was introduced with smaller…

We all need rules in our lives: a definitive set of laws that keep us from tearing the place apart, and a structure that balances the chaos and the mundane. We have them on the road, at work and at school, but our home is the one place where we should be able to bend… nah, destroy any notions of rules, control or regulation. Sure there are ‘guidelines’ and recommendations, but your home is your creative sanctum, and creativity should know no bounds. So let’s get some of those dated, old-fashioned and purely nonsensical roadblocks out of the way. 1 ALWAYS PAINT YOUR CEILING WHITE Yes, an all-white ceiling has real virtues when you need to open a space up, but a feature ceiling can be a powerful tool in…

Why do Brisbane homes seem to shine so bright? It has something to do with the sunny climate, the optimistic local architects and the perfect parcels of land that make for inspiring ‘afters’. In this case, the ‘before’ was a two-bedroom cottage in Brisbane’s Camp Hill. Owners Dom and Katrina loved their home but were keen to maximise its charms – and their lifestyle. “Our brief [to architects Paul Owen and Steve Hunt of Owen Architecture] was for a home that we could grow into as a family, that made it easy to spend time outdoors and where we could surround ourselves with family and friends and entertain in an easy, casual but beautiful way,” says Katrina. Despite some tricky timing, with the birth of their son just days apart from their move-in date,…

2015 November Emma and Simon purchase the vacant double block of land. 2016 January Planning begins. March Discussions take place with the builder. The final fixtures are locked in. August Building permit is granted. The slab is poured and construction begins. October Emma selects the final colours. 2017 May The kitchen and bathrooms are installed and the interior painting is completed. June Furnishing and styling is completed, artwork is hung and the garden is planted. The family move into their brand new home.…

Who lives here: Ali Griffiths, a stylist, art director and set designer; her partner Michael, a residential builder; and her daughters Lucy, 17; and Lola, 11. There’s also extra room for Michael’s grown-up children, Stephen and Georgia. Style of home: A bright and airy beach house in Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The front of the home pays homage to its former days as a weatherboard fisherman’s cottage. The couple did a quick refresh before moving in, then spent three years planning their renovation. They carried out the renovation in stages over two years, doing much of the work themselves, and moving out for a year.…

After house-hunting with partner Tiffany for 11 months and narrowly missing out at a few auctions, homeowner Philip decided a new strategy was needed to secure their first home. “We wanted something with character and the houses we had lost out on were mostly double-fronted Victorians that had already been renovated,” he says. When he spotted a tiny single-fronted Victorian terrace that had clearly seen better days, he decided to bid for it, much to Tiffany’s initial dismay. “I had no interest in it as it was just the weirdest, grossest house,” she says. “But Philip said, ‘You just need to back me on this because I think it could work’. So I did.” “We were in way over our heads,” says Phillip, but they knew that the dark terrace…

the story so far Rebecca Cox and her girlfriend, Fiona Doherty, purchased this three-bedroom freestanding home in Sydney’s Inner West in 2006, downsizing from a rambling six bedder in a neighbouring suburb to make expenses more manageable. The first of their two boys, Asher, (now 12) was on board at the time and since then, they’ve added Reuben, 9, to the mix, and what was a tight fit is getting tighter. “We’ve been watching the house crack and deteriorate around us as we just can’t decide what to do,” says Rebecca. The house is on a large plot for the inner city but they can’t build down as others in the street have done, because the house is built over the mains sewer. “We need a new kitchen, an extra…

Once upon a time, we hammered a ‘For Sale’ sign in the front yard and hastily made the kids’ beds to prepare our homes for sale. These days, there’s an industry of home-staging experts and interior designers on hand to help sellers create the kind of homes buyers will fight over. “A well-staged home can increase the sale price by roughly 25 per cent,” says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors (vaultinteriors.com.au). “It’s about creating an emotional response in the buyers so they see the way the house is presented – and they want that lifestyle.” Spring is the season, too, when many homeowners decide to sell, which means you need to be extra savvy to stand out from the crowd. seek help With so much at…

The deal: Wallpaper can add texture and interest to bedrooms, ideal for anyone looking to change up plain white walls. The pros: Adding texture can soften the overall feel of a room. In my mind, a bedroom should be the softest space of all. There are some fantastic options for children’s rooms, too, in the form of playful prints in minimal palettes. You could even choose customised paper featuring their favourite drawings. The cons: Wallpaper can add some expense, as it can be laborious to install. Should it get damaged, it’s difficult to replace/patch – not like a painted wall. The verdict: Yay! There are many beautiful, subtle options that can add texture without overwhelming a space – think linen and seagrass for an elegant look. If you can only…

With me, my husband, three teenagers and a dog, our home is full to the brim, but moving isn’t an option. A friend suggested putting up a granny flat for extra living space. What are the pros and cons? Valerie, Pymble, NSW Since I’m a pro at thinking up cons, let’s get those out of the way first,Val.To be truly useful, a backyard shed needs to be a room of real proportions. Nobody’s going to want to relocate their ‘me time’ to an upcycled Wendy house with three feet of bulkhead. Likewise, no-one’s going to study for Calculus II in a bin cupboard with a porthole window and a leaf blower still propped up in the corner. Then, too, unless you remain constantly vigilant, the outbuilding you envision as the…

Inspired by classical music, Sydney interior designer Greg Natale’s latest range of marble tiles,‘Staccato’, draws on a quartet of colourways –Verde Green, Carrara Gioia, Norwegian Rose and Emerald Green.The result is a visual feast – a chessboard design that champions rhythm while still celebrating marble’s natural variation, with each segment the next note in the composition. ‘Staccato’ marble tiles, $389/sqm, Greg Natale, gregnatale.com.…

SOLID STUFF  why it works: Clean lines and timber texture create a sleek, contemporary look with a hint of warmth Linear wood LED table lamp, $199, West Elm, westelm.com.au. ‘Finch’ bedside table, $1770, Jardan, jardan.com.au. IN ORBIT  why it works: Space-age style meets geometric lines in this playful combination ‘Wink’ table lamp, from $203, ISM Objects, ismobjects.com.au. Muuto ‘Halves’ side table, $595, Living Edge, livingedge.com.au. SCANDI LIFE  why it works: Raw, natural finishes complement sweeping curves Secto Design ‘Teelo 8020’ table lamp, $836, Fred International, fredinternational.com.au. Studioilse ‘Companions’ bedside table, $2620, Spence & Lyda, spenceandlyda.com.au.…

QI am bamboozled by the white paint chart. Can you please recommend a fairly foolproof all-round white paint colour? Tina, via Facebook “Dulux Lexicon Quarter is a cool white,” says interior designer Romy Alwill of Alwill Interiors (alwill.com.au). “We tend to use this one for more modern, edgy homes. It has a sharp and crisp ‘gallery white’ feel without being cold. Dulux Natural White is a ‘medium’ white. Our favourite go-to, it tends to work really well in a house that receives good natural light from many angles, and it’s a great modern white that looks fresh with any interior palette and architectural style. For a warmer white, I suggest you try Dulux Antique White USA. It’s a bit warmer than the others, but has its place in older-style homes…

REFRIGERATOR + SMART TECHNOLOGY SAMSUNG FAMILY HUB 634L FRENCH-DOOR REFRIGERATOR (SRF630BFH2, $5,499) With advanced cooling technology, and a 21.5-inch LED touchscreen that lets you do everything from order groceries to stream TV, the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator is as smart as it is chic. Voice-activated controls quickly adjust settings, make shopping lists and more, while food reminders help to minimise wastage. You can even check the contents of your fridge anytime through your smartphone or by using voice control. SMART ZONING The customisable Entertainer’s Drawer provides plenty of storage flexibility, thanks to its four pre-set temperature settings. With one touch, it can be optimised for fresh meat, poultry and fish, chilled beverages, deli foods or wine. INNOVATION Three built-in cameras allow you to see inside your Family Hub fridge on…

“I’ve always loved beams, arches, Indian doors and other interesting elements, but was wary of going too far. We thought it best to start with a blank canvas and see what areas needed something interesting, and which areas were better left clean and modern. So the builders have been back a few times to change doors, add ceiling beams, create arches and add wood panelling. We’re so happy we took our time to decide where to add these features.”…

1 ‘Aloft’ ottoman, $599, Arro Home, arrohome.com. 2 ‘Dreamweaver’ pendant light in Starburst, $890, Pop & Scott, popandscott.com. 3 ‘Resort’ cushion, $165, Bonnie And Neil, bonnieandneil.com.au. 4 ‘Tribal’ jute floor mat, $79, Kip&Co, kipandco.com.au. 5 ‘Martini’ side table, $199, West Elm, westelm.com.au.…

1 ‘Solid Block’ stool, $450, Mark Tuckey, marktuckey.com.au. 2 Herman Miller moulded armchair by Charles & Ray Eames, $1120, Living Edge, livingedge.com.au. 3 Solid oak mirror, $690, Beachwood, beachwood.com.au. 4 ‘Nomi’ bench, $399, Country Road, countryroad.com.au. 5 ‘Terzini’ bar stool, $450, MCM House, as before.…

Dressing your bed beautifully might satisfy your inner stylist, but it’s your bedding basics – the quilt, mattress protector and pillows – that give you the best shot at long nights of serene shut-eye. So what’s the difference between feather and down, what’s warm, what’s not… and what actually is a mattress topper? We consult the industry experts to find out – we’ve also sourced the best bedding in town. quilts The traditional doona filling is a combination of feather and down. “Down is super soft, luxuriously lightweight and easy to shape,” says Dimity Green, bed accessories product specialist at Sheridan (sheridan.com.au). “It’s crafted as a three-dimensional cluster, which makes it breathable. Due to its luxurious feel and excellent insulating properties, down is more prized than feathers. Feather adds support,…

Q Dear Peter, My partner and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful, as we’re about to move into our new home. It’s great news, except I’m dreading the move. We have so much stuff! Any advice you have would be appreciated! Jim Toowoomba, QLD A Dear Jim, as you know, moving house is one of life’s biggest stressors. The anxiety you’re feeling right now is common. The solution is to prepare as much as you can – and understand that you can’t control everything. Unexpected things will happen; that’s life. But a well-organised move can enormously reduce moving-house stress. From personal experience and helping clients pack up their homes, I’ve uncovered five hard truths that people should consider when getting ready for a move. Some of these may hurt…

“We like to look at a project holistically – it’s about treating everything with the same respect,” says Brett. “For us, a project would be incomplete if the client went out and bought furniture that didn’t align with our design goals.” For this garden, Brett linked the outdoor dining setting to an existing white pergola. “Most pergolas are timber or black steel, but this garden is very light and bright so we wanted to bring that into the furniture selection as well,” he says. He sourced the table and chairs from Cosh Living, choosing a combination rather than matching table and chairs. The 3.4-metre-long Manutti ‘Air’ table is topped with a hardwood timber surface on a white powder-coated frame. The ‘Echo’ chairs are also by Manutti. “They’re very tactile, with…

ESCEA Crafted in the southern end of New Zealand in a perfect balance of form and function, Escea gas fireplaces are made for the contemporary home and look as stylish as they are clever. Using the latest in gas fireplace technology, an Escea fire will quickly and efficiently deliver a powerful heat – it can even be operated remotely from a smartphone. And, giving you complete design freedom, Escea’s flexible flues can run up, down, or even sideways. Visit escea.com.au CAESARSTONE The ‘Metropolitan’ collection by Caesarstone has been designed to reflect the authentic patinas of industrial materials. The textural Excava surface (pictured) combines the features of rust and concrete and is characterised by the effects of casting and oxidisation. It shows the geological decay of stone that’s been weathered by…

1. ‘Florida Keys’ chandelier, $5500, Gypset Cargo, gypsetcargo.com. 2. Natural Curiosities Animals Playing 1 artwork, $2995 (framed), Coco Republic, cocorepublic.com.au. 3. Handpainted leopard mask, $220, Emma Gale, emmagale.com.au. 4. ‘Tiger’ cushion, $165, Bonnie And Neil, bonnieandneil.com.au. 5. ‘Chiavari’ chair, $3885, Gucci, gucci.com. 6. ‘Frankie’ pillowcase, $99/pair, Sage x Clare, sageandclare.com. 7. HK Living daybed, $2995, House Of Orange, houseoforange.com.au. 8. ‘Palm Springs’ bedhead, $529/king,The Family Love Tree, thefamilylovetree.com.au. 9. ‘Savanna’ rug, $8900/240cm x 300cm, Jenny Jones Rugs, jennyjonesrugs.com. 10. Jamida Of Sweden ‘Kruger’ tray by Emma J Shipley, $79, TheTray.Shop, thetray.shop.…

‘Petal’ clock DESIGNER: Kate Elton Growing up with a shipwright father made design an easy choice for Kate Elton. “Having him as my role model made my progression into this industry feel natural and logical,” she says. Based in Sydney’s Bondi, Kate studied design at both high school and UTS, graduating with a Bachelor of Design in 2011. Crafted from rock maple and copper, the undulating face of the ‘Petal’ clock is inspired by the way flower petals fan out. “Flowers are naturally cyclical, so my clock conveys time as a rhythmic cycle,” she says. “I love using natural materials wherever possible. I’ve been enjoying working with timber and cork recently.” The asymmetrical timber grain contrasts with the waves of the face, creating a sense of movement and flow, while…

The IKEA + you philosophy focuses on well-designed, functional and affordable solutions for real people. These are the design team’s updates for Lauren and Josh’s home, which they describe as “simple, neutral and a beautiful base to work with”. Work: A wall-mounted shelving system is more compact than the desk they had in the living room. Storage: A kids’ nook was added for two-year-old Charlie so he can keep his toys there, plus it’s a perfect play area. Sofa: A classic leather sofa paired with armchairs that can be moved around when guests visit makes the space work harder – and look better. Plants: A variety of pots and a mix of real and artificial plants introduces greenery with minimal effort. Lighting: The space previously only had downlights – table and floor lamps…

Floor-to-ceiling glass stacker doors are pushed all the way open in this light-filled home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Carefully selected furniture, designer lighting and a continuation of materials ensures that this outside zone feels like part of the home’s interior, while making the most of the sunshine.A sculptural selection of greenery contrasts with the hard surfaces and provides a connection to the surrounding landscape.Turn to page 92 to see the rest of this spacious home.…

“You can’t help but smile when you walk in”EMMA O’MEARA, HOMEOWNER Within the walls of Emma and Simon O’Meara’s seaside home, creativity shines.A sunny abode inside and out, this is a house that speaks clearly of its owners’ love of colour and texture. From the hint of blush on the front door, to the statement colours and whimsical design elements layered on a crisp white backdrop, the home leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. “I’ve always been a glass-half-full person, and I think the house reflects that”EMMA O’MEARA, HOMEOWNER To interior stylist Emma, it’s only fitting that friends have given the home a name that echoes its distinctive features.“They call it ‘The Gingerbread House’ because of the shingles, the pitched roof and all the colour,” she says.“It’s my…

+ The glass skylight in the original hallway. “We’ve made it as large as possible and when you look up and see the sky, it’s so beautiful. It’s my favourite detail, by far,” says Tiffany. + The master suite with double shower. “Having a toilet upstairs meant we had room for a double shower in our ensuite, which makes us feel like we’re on holiday when we’re in there,” says Tiffany. + The character. “We restored what we could in the original part of the house, such as a fireplace, cornices and the wrought-iron fence at the front,” says Philip. “It makes me feel good to bring the house back to its original glory.” + The outdoor shower. “When we come home from the beach and Jaggy is a sandy…

the floor plan While there’s plenty of space to extend out the back, I don’t think it’s necessary, especially as there are some easement issues running close to the house with underground stormwater pipes. I think we can comfortably work within the current footprint by going up to add a master suite. There is precedent for this in the street, so the planning process should be quite straightforward. I’d suggest leaving the front section of the house unchanged but creating one big family kitchen by knocking through the existing kitchen, dining, study and bathroom. I’d also move the bathroom from the back of the house to the area that’s currently taken up by the side entrance. The full-width kitchen can then open onto the deck, creating far better flow. the…

Located in the rolling hills of the Macedon Ranges in Gisborne, Victoria, this garden by Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design features a fire pit surrounded by rustic logs – a favourite spot for toasting marshmallows. Kathleen’s timber-clad studio sits lightly on the land with an array of native and exotic plants softening the surrounding gravel. Drought-hardy and frost-tolerant shrubs, grasses and perennials provide year-round colour and texture, while the tall Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’ frames the space. See more of Kathleen’s work at kmldesign.com.au.…

a-b African Trading Port @african_trading_port Armadillo&Co (02) 9698 4043 armadillo-co.com Arro Home (03) 9824 0485 arrohome.com Artedomus (02) 9557 5060 artedomus.com Azul Bereber azulbereber.com Banksia Lounges (03) 5229 2167 banksialounges.com.au Beachwood (02) 9918 7162 beachwood.com.au Beaumont Tiles beaumont-tiles.com.au c-e Camberwell Bathrooms (03) 9889 0005 camberwellbathrooms.com.au Cosh Living (02) 9317 3011 coshliving.com.au Deiji Studios deijistudios.com.au Designstuff (03) 8598 9700 designstuff.com.au Dulux 13 25 25 dulux.com.au Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413 ecooutdoor.com.au Exotic Thatch exoticthatch.com.au f-h Fred International (02) 9310 3263 fredinternational.com.au Fusion Cabinets (03) 5256 3544 fusioncabinets.wixsite.com Geelong Tiles & Bathware (03) 5229 9111 geelongtilesandbathware.com Gineico Interiors 0417 950 455 gineicointeriors.com GlobeWest (03) 9518 1600 globewest.com.au Haymes Paint 1800 033 431 haymespaint.com.au Hello Little Birdie hellolittlebirdiestore.com.au i-l IKEA ikea.com.au Incy Interiors (02) 9412 3884 incyinteriors.com.au Infancy (02) 9565 2866 infancy.com.au Janz…