Australian House & Garden May 2021
Australia's number one home design and decorating magazine, filled each month with gorgeous houses and gardens to delight in, homewares to covet and food to savour. Plus, you'll find loads of travel ideas, health and beauty news, expert advice and much, much more.
in this issue
editor’s letter
“We can show our GRATITUDE and appreciation by SPENDING some time with these WONDER WOMEN.” We talk about occupational hazards all the time and in the scheme of things, working in homes magazines is pretty low-risk! But in terms of managing one’s budget and life expectations realistically, it can wreak havoc with your state of grace. As I read through all of the incredible houses in each issue, I often hear a voice in my head that starts nagging and questioning: ‘When are you going to have a house like that? Why doesn’t your bedroom look serene and chic – you can’t even finish your piles of bedside reading. Why does your kitchen attract clutter? Why don’t you excavate and extend the house that way? What’s the average cost per metre of…
your h&g
Something I have loved doing over the past few months is setting our table with colourful tablecloths, bright napkins and whatever flora I can find either in our garden or on our daily walk. You can only imagine my sheer joy when I found the story ‘Visual Feast’ in the March issue. I was immediately flooded with ideas. What fabric could I buy and turn into napkins or tablecloths? Do I have some little vases or ornaments around the house? The possibilities are endless now that I have the right inspiration! Kate Hedges, Alderley, Queensland HOT PROPERTY As I was wandering the grocery aisles, ‘The Kitchen Files’ coverline (March) caught my eye. I admit that it’s not something I would typically do, but I popped a copy in my trolley to read at home.…
h ^ g social
Facebookers liked the clean lines and luxe finishes of a slick kitchen, Instagrammers fell for a marvellous marble island, and Pinners pined for a family-friendly butler’s pantry. Facebook facebook.com/ australianhouseandgarden Highlights from each issue plus links to tours of our favourite homes. Instagram @houseandgarden View the most inspirational images of the month from H&G headquarters and out and about. Pinterest pinterest.com.au/ houseandgardenau Picture-perfect images from our pages and sensational products to covet.…
as good as a holiday
GLORIOUS COLOUR AND TEXTURE NOW DEFINE THE RESIDENCE. There’s nothing like a global pandemic to trigger a re-evaluation of priorities. In the case of Johnathon Murray and his husband Brian Hadnutt, 2020 was indeed a watershed year – one in which the couple madethe decision to sell their city apartment and fast-track a long-desired tree-change. And what a joyous move it has been. The pair swapped Sydney’s fashionable eastern suburbs for the NSW Southern Highlands, moving to a charming village surrounded by lush bushland, valleys, rainforests and waterfalls. For Johnathon, senior account manager with Designer Rugs, it’s a wondrous region to which he has long felt a deep emotional connection. “I spent a lot of time here as a child,” Johnathon says. “My mother and her family grew up in this part…
life & style
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in the garden lately. You might even call it an obsession! I find it very rewarding.” Johnathon shares some firsts and favourite things. FIRST ADULT HOME? A townhouse in Centennial Park, in Sydney’s inner east. It went through a few different looks over the years. BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION? I’ve always wanted to go to Scandinavia (4). Seeing the Northern Lights would be absolutely magical! A FAVOURITE MEAL? My husband Brian is an amazing cook, so anything made with love by him is my favourite meal. DREAM CAR? A Citroën DS (10). A true classic. I LOVE A VASEFUL OF… Any flowers that are orange or hot pink (8). I don’t shy away from colour! FAVOURITE ARTISTS? Australian artist and designer Loudon Sainthill and French founder of Cubism, Georges Braque (1), both…
set the mood
Autumn is in the air. With the mornings crisp and the leaves turning from green to gold, it’s time to add an extra blanket to the bed and have a few throws handy for snuggling on the sofa. If your floors are timber, tile or stone, an area rug is essential for avoiding ice-cold toes but used on top of carpet, they can be a great way to reinvigorate a room. Window treatments improve insulation so it’s worth teaming sheers with heavier curtains now too. Woven elements infuse warmth and texture throughout an interior – think side tables, seating, lighting, baskets and occasional furniture. Upholstered seating, squishy scatter cushions and strategically placed artworks complete the welcoming picture of seasonal everyday living. Fresh ideas & easy updates “Woven furniture and accessories introduce warmth…
