Tabla de contenidos para July 2024 en Inside Out

So much has changed in Australia in the past couple of years, notably the settling of this grim cost-of-living crisis upon us, which means some renovations went ahead with costs that were blown out, some downsized in scale, and some were just… parked. We also know that there has been significant impact on the architects, designers and builders we work with, and a wild upswing in the cost of materials for renovations across the industry. Curious about how the economy is affecting our print and digital audience, we surveyed a group of avid Inside Out readers about its impact on their lives and asked them what they wanted to see. The result is this fresh, redesigned issue and a brand-new section, Smart Spaces (page 42), where we will regularly champion…

These days, we hear so much about how our homes must look authentic, character-filled and layered, which really translates to ‘not looking like you decorated it with items from one store on the same day’. But how do you achieve this look? Well, it’s all about the mix – blending old pieces with new, the big spends with the bargains – and learning to update our homes subtly and harmoniously. Lighting is a great place to start. Every room needs it, and small tweaks can keep your look up to date without having to make big changes or major outlays. The first thing to know is that your pendant, floor lamp and smaller task lamps do not need to match – in fact, it’s better if they don’t. Just as…

They may have been bursting at the seams in their century-old home, yet the owners of this place had no desire to farewell either the house or the leafy inner-city Sydney neighbourhood it was in. Little wonder then, that the parents of two were thrilled to discover the solution to their space requirements was quite literally under their own roof. To the couple, it made perfect sense both from a budget and liveability perspective to convert the home’s unused attic into a restful sanctuary of 20 square metres, just for them. To do so, they engaged interior designer Mariah Burton (pictured above), founder and creative director of Folk Studio, and Tommico Renovations to transform their dream into a sun-lit reality. “When the owners first came to us, their kids were…

cheat sheet WHO LIVES HERE Laura and Sebastian with their three children: Xavier, 12, Clara, 10, and Lottie, six. STYLE OF HOME A two-storey 1940s brick house that’s been fully renovated. LOCATION Sydney’s lower north shore, on the traditional land of the Cammeraygal. TIMELINE A year from December 2021. GOOD NEWS Green choices for the home included new wall and floor insulation, and natural wool carpet. “THE HOUSE HAS A LOVELY CONNECTION TO THE BACKYARD AND POOL. IT’S A VERY EASY PLACE TO ENTERTAIN IN” The old real-estate adage of location, location, location was never truer than with the purchase and renovation of this solid family home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Owner Laura, who works in marketing for a property-styling company, says that she had been looking for the…

“Having people over and cooking for them is one of the most beautiful ways to spend time with your loved ones” CAVATELLI WITH SQUID AND XO SAUCE SERVES 4 2 large fresh squid (about 500g), cleaned by your fishmonger 60ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves, finely sliced 1 small shallot, finely chopped Pinch of chilli flakes 1 tomato, cut into wedges, then halved on an angle 30ml (⅛ cup) white wine 1 tbsp XO sauce 60ml (¼ cup) water 450g fresh cavatelli pasta TO MAKE THE SAUCE 1 Slice the squid into rough pieces 2—3 cm in size. 2 Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a wide frying pan over a low—medium heat and add the garlic, shallots and chilli flakes. Sauté until the garlic…

1 BREVILLE THE BARISTA TOUCH IMPRESS COFFEE MACHINE, $2149 With its precise extraction and hands-free micro-foam milk function, this will take you from bean to delicious cup super fast. 2 FENTON & FENTON NAPERY SET, $615 The perfect high-colour tableware collection, featuring a Wabi Sabi ruffle tablecloth, four napkins, four placemats and four Wabi Sabi plates. 3 NACHTMANN ETHNO BOWLS, $140 Four 16.cm crystal bowls that are perfect for everything from nuts to desserts. 4 SPIEGELAU LIFESTYLE COUPETTES, $110 5THREE These four oversized crystal cocktail glasses will elevate any occasion. 5THREE RIEDEL VELOCE RIESLING AND THREE VELOCE SYRAH/SHIRAZ WINE GLASS TWIN PACKS, $720 6HEXCLAD Twelve of the ultimate wine glasses — and a stylish addition to your dinner-party table. 6 HEXCLAD VACUUM-SEAL STAINLESS-STEEL MIXING AND STORAGE BOWLS, $169 These three…

cheat sheet WHO LIVES HERE Cookbook author and TV presenter Silvia Colloca with her husband, actor and filmmaker Richard Roxburgh, and their children — Raff, 17; Miro, 13; and Luna, seven — plus the family’s pet dog, Mabel. STYLE OF HOME A two-storey 1970s home that was extensively renovated to become a five-bedroom paradiso. LOCATION Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. TIMELINE The renovation was completed in a year. Looking at Silvia Colloca’s remarkably renovated home in Sydney, you’d never guess there was a time when it was almost falling down around her. “Let’s put it this way – it was old,” she says. “There were holes in the roof, and when it rained, it rained in the house. That flooded all…

cheat sheet WHO STAYS HERE Owners Olivia and Rowan, or guests who rent the property. STYLE OF HOUSE A one-bedroom cottage built some time before 1920. LOCATION NSW’s Blue Mountains, on the traditional lands of the Darug and Gundungurra people. TIMELINE The renovation took two years in total, from 2021—23. Our frantic world is dominated by fast fashion, hustle culture and on-demand everything, so it’s reassuring to see the ‘slow’ movement prevail. A slow home design holds environmental and personal wellbeing at its core. It’s about conscious consumption, longevity and reducing the property’s eco impact while gently shaping inviting and nurturing spaces. It delivers comfort without compromising the planet. Olivia, an architect who lives in NSW’s Blue Mountains, believes in taking a slow, sustainable approach to home design. In 2021,…

ALL ABOUT You can apply a tinted wood wash to most bare timber surfaces, including floors, but check the instructions first. Finishing with a sealer is advisable, especially if the surface is in a high-traffic area. WHY WE LOVE IT The effect replicates the look of limed or bleached timber, so it’s great for coastal properties and more casual settings. Popular colours range from greys through to blues, greens and more. PRODUCTS TO TRY Wood Wash by Porter’s Paints, and WoodWash Interior by Murobond. Resene also has an extensive range called Colorwood that includes Greywashes and Beach Hues. SCAN FOR MORE COLOUR-WASHED TIMBER IDEAS WORDS: DEBORAH GRANT. PHOTOGRAPHY: PABLO VEIGA. STYLING: KERRIE-ANN JONES. PROJECT: HARRISON ARCHITECTURE. CABINETRY: SUBLIME CUSTOM JOINERY…

WINE & DESIGN BIRD IN HAND Head to the hills in Adelaide and discover the new LVN Restaurant at the Bird In Hand Woodside winery. Set in a beautiful courtyard among manicured grapevines and flowing sculpture gardens, the main dining room is by South Australia’s Georgie Shepherd, who worked closely with Bird In Hand founder Susie Nugent. Its warm, earthy, textural palette of Venetian plaster, aged brass, marble and natural stone nod to a sophisticated country style while complementing the incredible cuisine of executive chef Jacob Davey. BIRDINHAND.COM.AU; @BIRDINHANDWINE CASTLERY Singapore-based brand Castlery has a new showroom in Sydney at the Moore Park Supa Centa. Spanning 576 square metres and 17 immersive room sets, you’ll find design elements that pay homage to the Australian landscape. CASTLERY.COM.AU NEW GROOVE Check out…

Textured fabrics such as VELVET always look SOPHISTICATED Marble and travertine NATURAL STONE and metals will ELEVATE a space Curate an ART collection that comprises some ORIGINAL PIECES and good-quality PRINTS STYLING ASSISTANTS: NONCI NYONI, CLAUDIA DO…

YOUR FRAMES DON’T NEED TO BE MATCHY-MATCHY Mix up your frame styles. That means timber, wood-look, metallic and coloured frames – they can all look good together. And remember, artworks on stretched canvas don’t have to be framed. Framing works done on paper will help them last longer, so it is recommended to always frame them. START WITH A LARGER CENTRAL PIECE OF ART Group your selection of artworks together and consider which piece – typically the largest – you’d like all the other artworks to be centred around. This larger piece is essential as it acts as a focal point for your entire wall. LAY ALL THE PIECES OUT ON THE FLOOR FIRST Lay each piece of artwork on the floor, starting with the largest central piece. Place your…

cheat sheet WHO LIVES HERE Alberto Sánchez and Aina Salvà, both architects, with their two daughters: Aina, 14, and Iria, 11. STYLE OF HOME A traditional structure that’s become known as The Plywood House. LOCATION Palma, which is on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Sometimes it takes a true architect’s vision to imagine what a small and neglected property could become. In the case of this home in Palma, Mallorca’s capital city, it helped that the owners, Alberto Sánchez and Aina Salvà, were both architects, because this project was no cosmetic update to an existing structure that already featured thought-out spaces or ‘good bones’ from a professional point of view. Rather, taking what the couple have named Plywood House from ramshackle to remarkable required copious quantities of inspiration and insight…

WILDFLOWER LOVES TO WORK WITH Ceramicist James Lemon james-lemon.com Artist Toby Raine @tobyrainepainting Furniture and object design studio Brud Studia brudstudia.com Ceramicist Nicolette Johnson nicolettejohnsonceramics.com Artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran ramesh-nithiyendran.com Wildflowers are resourceful players in the botanical world. They adapt to their surroundings – which can be challenging – and thrive on gathered nutrients, blossoming into a gorgeous abundance. Like its planty namesake, Wildflower is a Melbourne-based furniture-procurement studio with a tenacious focus on pulling in the best its locale has to offer. “We’re sourcing furniture and pieces from a wide range of suppliers and local makers – grabbing from all over to create something really unique and beautiful,” says the company’s founder and design director, Cara Stizza. The interior designer launched Wildflower in 2023, bolstered by her previous experience…

Have a plan. That’s the first advice landscape designer Jason King of Kings Gardens & Pools gives clients when creating their own green Edens. “A master plan will ensure the spaces connect and co-exist in all seasons and at all times of the day,” he says. But ask for a plan of Jason’s own half-hectare garden on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula and he replies, there isn’t one. It’s a fanciful ramble, the lovingly spontaneous result of both trial and error and his own fertile imagination. “We were too impatient and planted out the garden, section by section, to find out what thrives and fails,” he says. “While it looks remarkable, it took longer to achieve and cost more.” When he and his wife, Stephanie, bought the property in 2016 for their…