Australian House & Garden June 2016

When we launched our $25,000 design competition, My Ideal House, in January, I dared to dream that we would engage H&G readers, design professionals and the housing industry in a discussion about what we should be striving to achieve in Australian homes of the future. What I hadn’t anticipated is how overwhelmed I would be at this moment, fresh from judging the utterly beautiful, uplifting and thought-provoking schemes presented by our six finalists. Your responses to our online survey, regarding what you expected to see in your ideal home, helped set the criteria for the competition, entered by 81 aspirants. At judging time, the shortlisted finalists outlined their splendid new visions for a suburban lot. With each presentation, our judging panel was taken on a journey through a house for tomorrow. The…

SIMON GRIFFITHS Photographer This month, veteran photographer Simon visited the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show to capture the show gardens in all their glory for our annual round-up (page 135). “It takes a designer with great personal style to make a winning show garden,” says Simon. “Someone who creates trends rather than follows them.” CHRISTINA GEE Editorial assistant & writer H&G’s much-adored editorial assistant is a skilled multitasker, juggling her varied roles with a smile. One of the jobs she enjoys most is writing Show & Tell (page 206). “I love giving readers a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at H&G.”…

Big dreams My partner, our three year old and I rent a one-bedroom half house and are looking to buy together for the first time this year. After reading your April issue and seeing all the renovations people have completed, I am now inspired to buy a rundown house on a good-size block and turn it into something special. Keep up the good work! Amanda Byrne, Vincentia, NSW Totally floored A few years ago I purchased my first home, and in a few months I am starting my renovations. Although I have most things lined up, I had been meaning to go back and have another look at the flooring for my bedrooms. I had taken some samples home and been to the store a few times, but I was still feeling quite indecisive...…

Chloe Quigley and her family lived with the shortcomings of their squeezy semidetached Melbourne home for a decade before renovating, making the rewards of its new layout all the sweeter. “This new home makes us all so happy,” says Chloe. “It’s true what they say: good design changes lives.” The tight-knit clan is proof that a family home doesn’t require a sprawling floor plan. For them, the magic lies in a compact layout where every inch has been carefully considered. “We’re a close family of four and we move as a pack, so it was important our home reflects that,” says Chloe. Chloe and her partner Scott Robinson bought the early 1900s single-storey semi in 2003. At only 5.5m wide, the house had a classic configuration: a hallway with two bedrooms off…

COLOUR FULL From Haymes Paint comes a clever online concept, The Colour Library. Within it you’ll find inspirational images of the latest seasonal colours, shown here styled with pieces from Etsy makers. “Digital technology means there’s a more fluid environment when it comes to colours and trends,” says Wendy Rennie, Haymes Paint colour and concept manager. “The Colour Library helps us build an evolving palette that you can adapt to your taste.” See more at www.haymespaint.com.au. Rays of delight What sets Feltmark’s Ellum indoor solar light apart is its built-in motion sensor, magnetic wall-mount and the fact it will run as a nightlight for about six months on one charge. Available from August for about $85; www.feltmark.com. Big love A lightbulb moment occurred when the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre ordered…

1 Pep up your pots “A couple of cans of spray paint is all you need to give cheap terracotta or ceramic pots a fresh, modern look. Consider on-trend shades of matt black, gold or fluoros. Arrange groups of pots of different sizes with mixed plantings for maximum impact.” Daniel Tyrrell, landscape designer, Daniel Tyrrell Landscapes; danieltyrrell.com.au. 2 Create a warmer welcome “Give your entrance an instant lift by repainting the front door, and think outside the square when it comes to house numbers. I recently had a signwriter hand-paint a number on a front door in the style of an old lolly shop and it looked amazing. Complete the picture with a large porch light to illuminate the space, as well as a quality doormat.” Megan Morton, stylist; www.meganmorton.com. * Painted Dulux…