Australian Home Beautiful November 2021

ELEMENTS OF STYLE Whether you have your interior style honed to perfection or you love experimenting with new looks each season, there’s something about finding out what’s coming up next that’s so appealing – discovering a new trend, deciding if it’s for you or not. My own style is inspired by my Dutch heritage, with a blend of classic antiques and contemporary finishes and accents. Think of the designer Axel Vervoordt – though he is Belgian, not Dutch. Being married to a Scot, I also admire all things British and the way the Brits work with fabrics in upholstery, window treatments and soft furnishings. They really celebrate the tiniest of decorative details. I rarely veer off my design course, but each year I enjoy picking up a few pieces that nod to current…

MEET THE HB TEAM KARINA MACHADO, ACTING DEPUTY EDITOR How did you get your start in magazines? “I started out as editorial assistant at Time magazine before becoming a writer at Who magazine, where I spent most of my career. In 2019, I joined HB as a contributing senior editor and it’s like working alongside (super talented!) friends and family.” What is your favourite section of HB? “I always lose myself in the homes section. So many ideas, and so many sighs as I pore over those pages.” Tell us about your personal home-decorating style? “French country with a hint of Hamptons charm. I love a grey-and-white palette layered with books, art and eclectic pieces gathered over time.” Do you have a favourite HB feature or cover? “I’m all about the garden, vegie patch and outdoors right now, so…

COLLECTION Exterior Collection Enjoy alfresco entertaining all year round with Sika Design’s Exterior Collection, meticulously tailored to the Australian lifestyle. Curved, voluptuous and geometric, the expressive seating is accompanied by entertaining essentials, including sunbeds, ottomans, stools and bar trolleys – just right for balmy nights by the pool with a cocktail in hand. Available in Natural, Dove White or Moccachino, the collection is designed to withstand the sun’s UV rays and heavy-duty use. ‘Margret’ armchairs, from $695 each, and ‘George’ table, from $3850. See the full collection at Domo, domo.com.au.…

Spotlight on: Life in colour A lick of paint goes a long way to transforming your home into your own soothing sanctuary. ‘Volume 15: Awakening’ of Haymes Paint’s latest colour library is influenced by Australia’s slow rekindling with nature, creating a sense of calm. Pictured here are Haymes Paint ‘Artisan Surface’ paint in Chalk Clay, $105/4L, and ‘Artisan Scumble Medium’ paint in Coconut Grove, $48.90/2L. Explore all the colour possibilities at haymespaint.com.au. COUNTRY ROOTS Honouring old world craftsmanship and modern sensibility, the exclusive collaboration from Utopia Goods and SAVED NY pays luxurious homage to the Australian landscape. Featuring two limited edition cashmere throws, this ‘Youngiana’ throw in Indigo, $1550, represents the ribbed “clap” of the eucalyptus tree known for its winding branches. IN THE DETAILS ORGANISE YOUR HOME WITH DECOR THAT’S AS USEFUL AS IT…

ALANNA SMIT INTERIOR DESIGNER Nothing conjures a holiday vibe at home like a resort-style setting, whether that’s by the pool or in an indoor/outdoor room. “Wherever possible I’ll add a touch of island living,” says interior designer Alanna. “It creates an escape that allows you to relax completely.” The key pieces of furniture are clean, contemporary and luxurious, and Alanna chose a fresh palette of neutrals and sage to bring a soft sophistication to the scheme. The cute umbrella and stripey towels by the pool bring to mind a boutique hotel. “Considered landscaping and softscaping is important,” says Alanna. “In both spaces, I used beautiful pots and vessels with lush palms and cascading succulents to add layers and to bring the outdoors in. The oversized weave of the lounge and the rattan…

AT A GLANCE Who: Karen Davis and Pepa Martin, resist-dye artists and founders of Sydney-based dye studio, Shibori. What they do: Create beautiful patterned fabric, leather and wallpaper using traditional Japanese dyeing techniques, for both private and commercial spaces. Where: Sydney’s Inner West, NSW. Why they do it: “Creating for us is like an escape,” says Karen. Visit: shibori.com.au. Follow: @shibori_textiles In the calm, but eclectic Shibori design studio of resist-dye artists Karen Davis and Pepa Martin, a show is about to begin. In one corner of the studio in Sydney’s Inner West, pools of indigo swirl in anticipation, while Karen and Pepa act as puppeteers, unravelling a story as they move and manipulate the fabric. “[Our clients] want to tell their story through us. They have an idea of what they want, and walk through the…