Inside Out 04.2021_

RENOVATE sense of space Simple, smart design reigns in this updated terrace Sunlight pours through a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass in the combined kitchen/dining room of this Melbourne home, where eating is far from the only thing that happens. The joinery running along one side of the home opens here to a cleverly concealed study nook, which maximises space without compromising the room’s streamlined aesthetic. Heta dining table, Hub; No18 bentwood chairs, Thonet. Turn the page for more. PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN LINNEGAR

DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT. heart of glass Focusing its redesign on a new wall of windows has transformed this family home in Melbourne’s south WORDS JESSICA BELLEF PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN LINNEGAR kitchen This side of the space is light while the opposite wall is the start of the dark cabinetry running the length of the home. Joinery by Nexus Designs, fabricated by Kurv Living. Benchtop, honed Carrara marble. Brushed platinum tapware, Astra Walker.

INSIDE | RENOVATE cheat sheet Who lives here A family of four with a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, plus their groodle pooch. Style of home A Victorian-era terrace in inner Melbourne, with a light-filled contemporary extension that’s enhanced functionality, and a smart new look throughout. The property was purchased in 2013. Building work started in 2015, and the last piece of furniture was delivered in 2017. INSIDE OUT | 103

the moodboard breakfast bar Opening the 2.7m-high, timber-veneer doors reveals this hidden gem and other great storage spaces, such as a handy appliance unit and a walk-in pantry with soft-closing sliding door. Families change shape as their children grow, which CLOCKWISE (from tapware) Icon + Lever ‘a67.00lh’ brushed-platinum ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: JESSICA BELLEF happened predictably a few years ago to the four tapware, $595, Astra Walker. Carrara C marble, POA, Signorino. ClassiCon occupants of this home in Melbourne’s south. “We ‘Selene’ brass pendant light by Sandra Lindner, POA, Anibou. Kaldewei love the area and have been here for a long time, but ‘Meisterstück Classic Duo’ oval bath, $7679, Bathe. B9 Cava ‘Le Corbusier’ we simply outgrew our other house,” says the owner. bentwood armchair, $305, Huset. B&B Italia ‘Bend’ sofa, from $17,575, Space. As luck would have it, a charming terrace house soon PureGrain laminate in Terril, from $113.52 per sq m, Laminex. AbsoluteMatte became available nearby. Despite the property’s tired state and laminate in Polar White, from $105.38 per sq m, Laminex. an outdated 1980s extension with no redeeming features, the remaining heritage elements drew the locals in. “There was an dream it integrity to the original rooms at the front of the house,” says the owner. The home’s orientation also appealed, as light is Architect, interior designer and client were united in their vision obviously critical in a terrace. Its rear elevation faced north, to honour the property’s original character. “Good heritage so there was definitely potential to open up the back and bring homes have a scale and solidity that is very valuable. The key is in a lot more natural light. to introduce the natural light and functionality that suits how we like to live now,” says Sonia. The family prioritised green space, Emma Mitchell of EMArchitects was asked to design the briefing Emma to reduce the building footprint slightly so that extension, with a focus on harnessing that light. With the big more area could be given over to the garden. picture locked in and construction by Matt Ritchie of MR Contracting underway, Sonia Simpfendorfer, from Melbourne- To make way for the new open-plan kitchen and dining based interior-design firm Nexus Designs, was brought on board area at the back, the existing extension was to be demolished. to reimagine the interior. “The clients wanted practicality and “A higher ceiling in that space would then create a feeling of functionality – and for it to look fantastic,” Sonia explains. “They spaciousness without needing a big footprint,” says Emma. knew themselves well and briefed their design team clearly.” Black steel-framed windows were requested from the get-go by the homeowners, who also wanted skylights to bring in as much light as possible. And as is the case for any household with children, maximising storage was a priority. 104 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | RENOVATE day bed Above the black leather built-in seat is one of the home’s seamless skylights. The steel window frames were designed by architect Emma Mitchell as an integral part of the building’s structure. Brick wall, painted Dulux Lexicon to match the white cabinetry and work with the concrete floor. “This house is stunning but also feels simple and honest. Now that it’s painted, the old brick wall in the kitchen has such a beautiful texture” SONIA SIMPFENDORFER, INTERIOR DESIGNER wishlist + Open kitchen and dining area “With room for lots of guests,” says the homeowner. + Black steel-framed windows A stylish way to capture light at the back of the house. + Custom joinery For more storage throughout.

living Half the room is a corridor, so furniture placement was crucial. The black square at left is a steel window box looking out to a light well. The rug was custom-coloured by Behruz Studio to match the concrete. Print by Georges Braque. “I love how much storage we achieved, and the glimpses through to the next spaces that make you want to explore” SONIA design it Sonia was asked to give the interior fit-out a fresh, clean look and improved functionality. “The clients were very clear that they were looking for simplicity – for fewer finishes, not more – and for visual and functional streamlining,” Sonia offers. “They weren’t distracted or tempted by trends or fashion; they just wanted the good stuff!” The designer says she developed a refined material and colour palette that “walks the line between timeless graphic crispness and the warmth and practicalities necessary for comfortable family living”. Glimpses of the original brick walls indicate the transition from old to new, providing an enduring backdrop for Sonia’s work. “I like to identify the things that keep the value and beauty of a heritage house while being ruthless about what needs to be changed to make it actually work,” she says. Neat joinery solutions and clever space planning throughout the home delivered on the clients’ request for optimised storage and an uncluttered look. Sonia also curated furniture and lighting schemes that dovetail beautifully into the updated section as well as the existing rooms. “The pieces were chosen in response to the scale of the spaces, as well as comfort and sculptural form,” she explains.

INSIDE | RENOVATE shelves Light pours onto this semi-internal space and shelving via another well-placed skylight. Balloon dog, IMM Living. ARTWORKS BY SARAH FAULKNER (SMALL WHITE-FRAMED), GRAEME ROWE (LARGE BLACK-FRAMED) do it the best bits Confidence and a clear vision underpin this striking home’s + Larger kitchen “This has allowed us creation. Its nimble contractors and the homeowners’ sharp to have a bigger dining table so we can decision-making ensured a smooth renovation journey, despite invite more friends over,” says the owner. a mid-term layout reshuffle on the second level and a tweak of the joinery design on the ground floor. “The clients were very + Downstairs bathroom “The new design decisive, which meant the build powered on,” says Sonia. is fabulous. Large and open, it has plenty of storage yet still offers privacy.” The outcome is an elegant expression of well-designed simplicity, with an overall feeling of calm. In the renovated + More light “We love the big windows spaces, uncomplicated forms are a fitting modern companion and their views of our garden.” to the terrace’s original elements, such as the marble fireplace in the front bedroom and the brick walls. Now 12 metres of sleek INSIDE OUT | 107 joinery runs through the living and kitchen areas and hides masses of storage and a study nook, while the north-facing wall of glass framed in black steel overlooks the garden and separate garage with its office space and bathroom above. Daily life has definitely improved for the owners and their children, and they are excited to see how the home evolves in coming years: “As the children grow, it’s impossible to predict exactly what they’ll need, but we are really happy here now.” See more residential projects by EMArchitects at emmamitchell.com.au. Inspired work by Nexus Designs can be viewed at nexusdesigns.com.au

INSIDE | RENOVATE bathroom Light comes through the shutters and is bounced around the room. Kaldewei ‘Classic Duo’ bath, Bathe. Tapware, Astra Walker. Tiles, classic penny rounds. ensuite Carrara marble also features here and space is maximised by the mirrored cabinet. American oak handles, Kurv Living. 8 7 6 1 Entry good news 2 Main bedroom 5 3 Bath/laundry Natural light was a priority for the 4 Living owners, who now have plenty of it 4 5 Kitchen/dining flowing into their terrace through 3 6 Garden strategically placed skylights and 2 7 Garage bigger windows where possible. 8 Office GROUND FLOOR 1 9 Rumpus FIRST FLOOR 10 Bedroom 11 Bedroom 12 Bathroom 9 10 11 12 108 | INSIDE OUT

lessons learnt “Our clients were unwavering in their desire to keep things simple” SONIA SIMPFENDORFER, INTERIOR DESIGNER “They wanted a pared-back, timeless feeling so we kept the focus on the modest elegance of the spaces and respected the architect’s sensitivity to the building’s history. Maximising storage and practicality were also key. I like to find new ways to add plentiful storage without making rooms look complicated and this applies to all my projects, in homes of every era.” main bedroom A black Japan finish on the pre-existing floorboards has given this downstairs room a more contemporary look. Original Carrara marble mantel. Selene pendant, Anibou.

BUYER’S GUIDE WINDOW DRESSINGS Add a layer of softness, texture or colour to your interiors with well-chosen curtains, blinds and plantation shutters WORDS LYNNE TESTONI

INSIDE | RENOVATE OPPOSITE Curtains made with Amalfi ‘Mercury’ linen in Concrete, $110 per sq m, Warwick Fabrics. Tretur block-out roller blind, $69, Ikea. Lola armchair, $3179, Jardan. Circula low side table in White, $999, Blu Dot. Moma ‘Chess & Checkers’ game, $89.95, Until. Dinosaur Designs ‘Horn’ vase in Malachite, $140; Asobimasu ‘Kyokusen Facet’ vase in Ivory, $220; and Natalie Rosin ‘Ronchamp 1 Chalk’ object, $140, all from Jardan. PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTINA SOLJO (OPPOSITE). STYLING: NATALIE JOHNSON. STYLING ASSISTANT: PALOMA MAINE The perfect window dressings are the finishing touches curtains to your rooms. Adding individuality and warmth, they can be the detail that turns a house into a home. With New looks and luxurious textures make an their ability to control privacy, heat and light, curtains, blinds and open-and-shut case for fabric folds shutters can also highlight a view and tie all the furnishings in a space together to create a cohesive design scheme. 2 1 Many homeowners have spent the past 12 months working from home, unable to travel overseas and going in and out of 3 lockdown periodically, so it seems we are nesting more than ever, and spending more money on our interiors. 4 5 Chrissie Jeffery of No Chintz believes people are drawn to their homes in times of crisis. “When that happens, all you 1 Tiger Stripe fabric in Blush (roller blind from $56; roman blind from $84), have to retreat to is your own home” she says. “It’s a sanctuary. Tuiss Blinds Online. 2 Double S-fold curtains in Penthouse Sky Neutral, I don’t know exactly how lockdown has affected us, but my from $247, Tuiss Blinds Online. 3 Thorens voile fabric in Smoke (S-fold business has just seen an enormous surge in sales of window sheer curtain from $208), Tuiss Blinds Online. 4 Melody fabric in Bone coverings, beyond anything I’ve seen in two decades.” White (roller blind from $69), Tuiss Blinds Online. 5 Selection of five V&A William Morris fabrics (from $88 for roller blind; $92 for roman blind; And after years of minimal window dressings, curtains are $124 for curtain; $347 for S-fold curtain), Tuiss Blinds Online. back in a big way. While blinds are still popular, orders for curtains are on the rise as homeowners return to a more luxurious, layered style of decorating. Both Luxaflex and Wynstan released new curtain ranges recently, reflecting this increased customer demand. “With their soft, floating curves, curtains bring a touch of luxury to a room,” says Amelia Taylor, Wynstan’s head of product and marketing. “We are seeing many people pairing sheer curtains with blockout roller blinds. This creates style and function – definitely the best of both worlds!” Curtains are also great insulators, which can help reduce heating and cooling costs. Danielle Crosby, marketing manager at Dollar Curtains + Blinds, says that blockout curtains provide excellent light control and privacy, and reduce outside noise levels, allowing you to have complete control over your environment, depending on the occasion and your mood. The most popular curtains in Australia continue to be translucent full-length curtains, usually in white or soft shades of grey. Design expert and Luxaflex ambassador Neale Whitaker has noticed a lot of sheer curtains in homes as well as lightweight linens that act like sheers because of their translucent qualities. “What I’m seeing a great deal of is the combination of sheers layered over blinds,” says Neale. “I love sheers just on their own because they let the light in, but there seems to be a trend towards using roller blinds and having sheers over them so that you don’t actually see the blind underneath, but you do get the softening effects of the sheer.” INSIDE OUT | 111

INSIDE | RENOVATE Roman shade with Chester fabric in Cedar (100cm x 140cm), $396 (including installation), Wynstan. Brooklyn oak chair with rattan seat and leather sling back, $1015, Jardan. Unico ‘Porter’ desk, $649, RJ Living. ON DESK Trey bookend in Crystal, $28, and Lumio Classic fan book light, $320, both Jardan. Mono notebooks, $38 each; Tint large glass, $64 for set of two; and Anything tape dispenser, $38, all Hay. Printworks pencils in Skin Tone, $24.95 for set of 12, and Izipizi ‘Reading Collection D’ glasses in Light Tortoise, $59.95, Until. Plant pot, stylist’s own.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTINA SOLJO (OPPOSITE). STYLING: NATALIE JOHNSON. STYLING ASSISTANT: PALOMA MAINE. blinds THE LATEST TRENDS *PRICES SHOWN ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE SIZE IN BASIC FABRICS, FINISHES AND STANDARD OPERATION See the light with a twist on two traditional favourites No Chintz owner Chrissie Jeffery loves Either on their own or paired with curtains, blinds tend to the rich, new decorative fabrics and have a more streamlined appearance and are a popular choice in wallpapers coming out of the UK and spaces where you already have a strong and dominating feature, sees a return to more ornate window such as a decorative rug or artwork. The two main types of dressings. “It started in England, with blinds are roller blinds and roman blinds. Roller blinds wrap young designers who’ve fallen in love with around a circular rod at the top of the blind and are usually made pattern,” she says. “There are some crazy from a single fabric, while roman blinds are raised in rectangular rosy wallpapers — all very Arts and Crafts. panels, often underpinned with a rod to maintain a crisp profile. “Then, last year, interior designer Ben Blinds are ideal if you have limited space or need to dress the Pentreath reinvigorated the classic area behind a sofa, says Chrissie Jeffery, who claims that curtains wallpapers and fabrics of William Morris. never work behind large pieces of furniture such as sofas or He’s gone and recoloured them and beds. She often recommends roller blinds for new homeowners they’re so fantastic. They’re fabulous, and who are still deciding on their interior-design style, because a challenge to the all-white sheer curtain. they allow for an efficient control of light and privacy without Everything comes in cycles, and we’re intruding on the look of the room. Chrissie then advises adding seeing a new one begin.” suitable curtains later on, when the aesthetic is finalised. There is definitely a trend towards Matthew Walsh, managing director of Tuiss Blinds Online, curtains, claims Neale Whitaker. “When believes roller blinds are the most popular choice because they I look through the interior-design posts work with most design situations. “In terms of which blind is from overseas — from North America, best where, it’s important to consider how the room is used,” he the UK and Europe — I am seeing quite says. “For example, in a kitchen, you want a blind that is easy to decorative curtains coming back, which clean in the case of grease or food spatter. Also consider whether is really interesting because I never you want something in the space that essentially disappears when thought I’d see that. I’m also seeing quite it’s open – like a roller blind – or if you prefer the softness of heavy, traditional drapes in silks and a roman blind or curtain on display all the time.” brocades and other beautiful fabrics, particularly from the UK.” 1 However, Neale can’t see the move 3 to heavily decorative fabrics taking off here. “It’s not relevant in Australia,” he says. “Here, curtains means sheers, and there are sheers everywhere. I think the fact that Luxaflex recently introduced sheers to their range is an indication of that sort of movement within the market.” 2 45 1 Enjoy zebra blind in Luxe White, from $82, Tuiss Blinds Online. 2 Duette Shades ‘Architella Elan’ roller blinds in Daisy, from $981* each, Luxaflex. 3 DuoLight Max Cotton honeycomb blinds in White, from $65 each, Tuiss Blinds Online. 4 Moda double roller blinds in Slate (top) and Ebony, from $66 each, Tuiss Blinds Online. 5 Automated roman blind in Mosman Mist, POA, Dollar Curtains + Blinds. 6 Translucent roman blind in Inky Charcoal (120cm x 240cm), $579, Wynstan. 6 INSIDE OUT | 113

Plantation shutters can filter light while the air flows. Shutters in Pure White, POA, Dollar Curtains + Blinds. RIGHT Luxaflex ‘Silhouette’ Shadings (priced from $1151*) are easily automated. shutters THE JOY OF AUTOMATION PHOTOGRAPHY: ANSON SMART (OPPOSITE). *PRICES SHOWN ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE SIZE IN BASIC FABRICS, FINISHES AND STANDARD OPERATION A Hamptons look could sort your style and insulation issues “Most people will raise and lower their blind once or twice a day, so if you want Plantation shutters are still enjoying their moment in the sun. to manually operate it, you’ll need access,” Synonymous with the ever-popular Hamptons style, they work explains Wynstan’s Amelia Taylor. “If items particularly well in wet areas because they can be adjusted for obstruct the window (or you prefer not to privacy while having a streamlined look. do it yourself), consider automating it.” Neale Whitaker has installed Luxaflex’s PolySatin shutters in Automation is very affordable for all the wet areas of his home – the kitchen, bathrooms and window treatments — prices have dropped laundry – and says they are both practical and stylish. “I think over the past decade as the technology they’ll always have a place in interiors. I am the biggest fan of has become more accessible. And if you plantation shutters; I think they look absolutely beautiful. are worried about losing the remote, Whether you’re in the city, the country or by the beach, they’re Wynstan allows customers to use their a classic style. And I love them as a backdrop to many different smartphone to control both curtains and design looks. They’re here to stay because the Hamptons look blinds. This means you can operate them is synonymous with plantation shutters, and that aesthetic is still even after you’ve left the house. number-one in Australian homes.” If you are considering automation and Danielle Crosby, of Dollar Curtains + Blinds, agrees. “We’re doing a new build, talk to your builder early selling more and more plantation shutters each year,” she says. on, as automation can be hard-wired by “Shutters are an ideal choice for thermal insulation; you open your electrician during construction, the blades to stream light into rooms and close them to insulate, making it much more affordable. creating a more energy-efficient home all year round. They can also transform your home’s facade. Installing shutters across your front windows can have a huge impact on your kerb appeal and provide sound insulation from traffic noise.” 114 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | RENOVATE “WHETHER YOU’RE IN THE CITY, THE COUNTRY OR BY THE BEACH, SHUTTERS ARE A BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC STYLE” NEALE WHITAKER, LUXAFLEX AMBASSADOR Even a small plantation shutter can enhance a room’s light and airflow, as this bedroom shows. Add sheer curtains for a softening effect.

INSIDE | RENOVATE Shannon Vos, interior architect and The Block: Glasshouse co-winner, is at voscreative. com.au FEELS GOOD Summer loving had us pretty bad, but now it’s time to embrace the colder weather with open arms. That means ramping up the warmth at home with fibrous, textured materials and a moodier, earth-inspired colour palette As summer 2020/21 breathes her last, we start to think about the change in temperature and the inevitable metamorphosis of how our homes should look and feel. Game Of Thrones character Jon Snow said it best when he growled, “Winter is coming.” So how do we prep our homes for cooler times at the drop of a hat? Those who are seasonally prepared will break out the blankets and furs, the shag rug and maybe even mulled wine. But how can the rest of us reimagine our spaces without lifting a hammer or calling a tradie? Let’s look at some of the options...

Looking effortlessly chic in the Copenhagen home of Ferm Living founder Trine Andersen is this never-fail combination: black and white abstract art with neutral ceramics, natural timber and a little glass bling. Melbourne design firm One Girl PAINT Interiors added colour, texture and shape to this Edwardian home I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – nothing can and its previously beige interiors. transform a room like a coat of paint. It has the power to refresh Now the sitting room is snug, and alter the mood, as well as the ability to expand a space or warm and full of talking points. bring things in a bit. Paint is the ultimate transformer and one of the easiest jobs to tackle at home. Colour psychology is an PHOTOGRAPHY: EVE WILSON (ONE GIRL), MARTIN NEVE (FERM). entire volume in itself, but there are a few basic principles that STYLING: PAIGE ANDERSON (ONE GIRL) determine how a space feels and reacts to light. Bright and/or dark colours painted on walls and ceilings tend to bring elements forward and draw attention to them. This can be great for use in a bedroom or a retreat, where you want to create a cocooning effect and make things feel cosy and warm, but bright or dark tones can also make a space seem smaller than it actually is, especially in an open-plan setting. Lighter tones, and schemes with low levels of contrast, can really open up rooms, giving the illusion of more space. This can be great for a living area, where you want to create a lighter, breezier atmosphere, and for rooms on the smaller side when floor space is lacking. Colour schemes that follow the natural tonal order (darker tones down low and lighter tones above) tend to follow nature’s lead and bring a sense of relaxion and peace. That’s why our ceilings are generally painted white, our walls are a touch darker (an off-white maybe) and our floors (timber, carpet or tile) are even darker still. Flip this tonal order on its head, however, and you create drama, character and intrigue. While that may not be suitable for living with, it could be just the thing for an interesting commercial space or a more daring temporary set-up. INSIDE OUT | 117

INSIDE | RENOVATE Slotting a velvet ottoman seat “THE MOST COMMON into this niche and accessorising PHRASE I HEAR FROM simply was quicker and cheaper NEW CLIENTS IS, ‘I KNOW than a built-in option for Sydney WHAT I LIKE — I JUST interior designer Kristy McGregor. NEED HELP BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER’” SHANNON VOS, INTERIOR DESIGNER DECOR come. When you’re choosing one, just remember that round tables may be more social, but rectangular designs can squeeze The easiest and most cost-effective way to change the look of in more bums when guests come calling. a room, or your entire home, is with decor and soft furnishings. New rugs, cushions, throws, wall art, vases and other accessories Important things happen in bedrooms, and having the right will all work together to create warmth and character. mattress and bed frame will set you up for better sleeps and thus better days. This could also go a long way to setting the scene I bet your living space would love a new oversized artwork, when the kids go to sleep (who am I kidding). Storage is also a centrepiece for the dining table (think a collection of candles king in bedrooms, so look for beds that have drawers or gas lifts, and vases at varying heights, and throw in a plant for good and even space under the bed for a box or two. measure) and some cushions for the couch. The kitchen could do with more greenery, something to keep the paperwork tidy A bedhead can make a great design statement, and an and an oversized bowl for all your lemons. Bathrooms and oversized one that extends past the width of the bed will make laundries can be a bit trickier to freshen up, but don’t your room look more spacious and grand. Team that with some underestimate the power of a fresh set of towels, a candle and carefully chosen wall lights (always with dimmers), a new linen some carefully draped devil’s ivy. bedspread and Barry White on repeat, and your boudoir will quickly become a very popular room. FURNITURE TRENDS Another substantial change you can make in a space is with furniture, and that’s most obvious with the big-ticket items. The future of furniture and decor is a bright one, with palpable Your living room will thank you for getting rid of the 2020 textures and grass-roots craftsmanship. The imperfect is being vibes that are now embedded in your old couch. The endless embraced via a wabi-sabi aesthetic and pieces in natural days spent in lockdown watching re-runs of KUWTK need to materials such as ceramic, glass and timber. They’re unrefined, be forgotten pronto, so a comfy new sofa is the best way to say organic and tangible, and what we want in our homes as we goodbye to them 2020 feels. escape from the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Dining spaces tend to be smaller than living spaces, so having Further to this, Kate Hopwood, head of design at Freedom, a suitably sized table that caters not only to the day-to-day but sees a change in the market as the cooler weather draws near. to the occasional dinner party will serve you well for years to Namely, an increase in heavier and warmer textures, and a focus

Nothing says ‘we go together’ more than a tonally balanced vignette, easy to do yourself at home and beautifully illustrated by this capture at the Sydney home of Strutt Studios interior architect Sophie Bowers. PHOTOGRAPHY: MAREE HOMER (McGREGOR, STRUTT), MEGAN PLOWMAN (LAHAUS). STYLING: KERRIE-ANN JONES Perth’s Lahaus Studio took the (McGREGOR), LISA QUINN-SCHOFIELD (LAHAUS), JONO FLEMING (STRUTT). ARTWORK BY PABLO PICASSO (McGREGOR) Tuscan out of this suburban villa by lightening its heavily coloured interior. Introducing new shapes and a smaller palette has switched the focus to its key pieces. on dinnerware and napery (now that dinner-guest restrictions have eased – touch wood). That means thick knitted throws, plush pillows, shag rugs and tantalisingly tactile artworks. Even better if they’re handmade and have a sense of uniqueness that engenders warmth and inclusiveness. BALANCE Tying in everything you like and emerging with a balanced look is usually the biggest hurdle for home decorators. In fact, the most common phrase I hear from new clients is, “I know what I like – I just need help bringing it all together.” Creating a resolved, coherent interior takes years of practice, but there are a few rules I generally stick to. The first one is to ensure your elements ‘speak’ to each other, which will help create a story that runs through all the rooms. A home with a story is a home of character and personality, and one that feels inviting and homely. If the various elements relate to each other, there’s a greater likelihood of cohesiveness. Choose pieces that ‘speak’ to each other through texture, shape, colour, line and size, and your home will be magazine- worthy in no time. Similar or complementary timbers, same- family tones and repeated colours will all help a space to feel balanced. Then, adding a statement pendant light or an oversized artwork that can become the focus of the room will top things off nicely. And of course, either of these can be swiftly swapped out when the time comes for a new(er) look. INSIDE OUT | 119

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INSIDE | RENOVATE renovation revolution Four years ago, friends Rebeka Morgan and Kribashini Hannon launched the BuildHer Collective, an online global community aimed at empowering women to build or renovate their own properties with confidence PHOTOGRAPHY: DYLAN JAMES DREAM TEAM After years in the What are your professional backgrounds? I (Kribashini) am construction industry, managing a client-side commercial development manager, so I come at large-scale projects and renovating issues or problems from a client perspective and enjoy managing properties for profit, Kribashini (top) and design teams and builders. Rebeka has been developing Rebeka recognised the need for a [properties] for herself for years and is a registered builder, so she female-led, renovation-education tool. comes at issues from a buildability and end-product point of view. How did BuildHer begin? In 2017, Rebeka was wrapping up another business and sounding out new opportunities and I was trying to start a family, so I felt like a new pathway was in my future for the lifestyle I wanted. Then, once the idea sparked, we couldn’t believe how great it was. The demand was huge; so many women were renovating or building alone, without any support or help and we could truly help them. The building industry is highly regulated and complex, and there are lots of different professionals who can do similar things, but it’s hard to know the point of difference. There was also no central process map or pathway to follow, and being in the industry for so long meant that we intrinsically knew this and could relate to how hard it must be for those who didn’t. Explain how your different skills make the business work Our different backgrounds shape all the decisions we make, and are at the core of everything we do. Because of that, we feel like we have shaped BuildHer to really align with what women need, whether they are hiring a builder or tradies themselves, or want to be an owner-builder. We love having differing approaches because it means we can help all women, depending on what pathway they choose in the design and building space. Why do you think it’s important for women to be empowered to take on these roles? Building and construction is a largely male-dominated industry that women have struggled to break into, for a range reasons. A lot of these barriers can be overcome with education and confidence, and this is how BuildHer empowers women. In fact, this industry is creative, analytical, logistical and collaborative, so there’s no reason why women shouldn’t be involved. Many women have natural abilities in those areas, but lack the confidence to take the first steps. What has BuildHer done that’s surprised you? We have created a fantastic community of women who truly believe in what we do, and by helping each other and raising each other up we all win. They show up for each other, whether that’s helping to pick a paint colour or giving feedback on a floor plan, or even going to an auction for moral support. We are so proud of them and how they help each other. Turn the page for some BuildHer tips INSIDE OUT | 121

ABOVE This mid-century f inding home in Melbourne was renovated in conjunction with the BuildHer Collective. OPPOSITE Founding members Rebeka and Kribashini discussing a new project. 122 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | RENOVATE WHERE TO START Looking for inspiration for your home might come easily to you, or it could be excruciatingly hard. Among the BuildHer community, we’ve met women who feel they’ve spent their entire life looking for and collecting inspiration for their dream home, mapping out every detail in their head before they even begin. Then there’s another group who, no matter how hard they try, are unable to nail down exactly what they want and which direction they’d like to follow. When it comes to sifting through your inspiration, it’s important to narrow down the direction you want to take. But before you get to decoding your vision, take a step back and look at the resources available to you. Once you have a collection of images that inspire you, then you can begin to filter them to create practical mood boards. Here are some of the resources we recommend: books These can be a bit hit and miss. Naturally, you don’t want to cut your books to pieces, so you will need to photocopy or scan the images you want to use. For bigger-picture inspiration, we like to look at reference books that explore some of the great architects and interior designers across the eras, along with inspirationpublic buildings that inspire creativity. Rebeka and Kribashini share their expert tips for discovering your personal style and sticking to it

magazines arranging your images: you might like to put together an overview of what you are trying to achieve, or maybe you’d Print magazines are a fantastic place to look for more tangible prefer to create mood boards for individual rooms, focusing on inspiration because you can chop bits out. They are curated by fixtures and fittings, or perhaps you want to concentrate on editors and stylists with a keen eye for upcoming trends, and the colours, soft furnishings and fabrics. content is generally professionally designed and photographed to really showcase builds or products. We like to start with a mood board for every room to help us determine where we are headed in each space. As you look The limitations here are the long lead times – it can take through the images you are drawn to, you can become more several years to build a designer’s vision and then photograph it, selective until you are left with a handful of core photographs, and editors usually work on a magazine issue months before it’s which will guide your next steps. released. As most of us are looking to build classic and not ‘fast-fashion’ homes, this is not necessarily a problem, but the Once your room mood boards are looking pretty schmick, images can take time to collate if you’re looking for multiple highlight what you particularly like in your favourite images and styles of inspiration that are not bound to a specific trend. what you are less keen on in others. This will help you to further refine your aesthetic and draw out what is speaking to social media your vision. Each image will, generally, evoke an emotion. When this happens, take note of how the image makes you feel Instagram has fast become one of the best sources of inspiration and whether it reflects your values and feelings. Does the for building and renovating. The content is fresh, up to date and emotion align with how you want to feel in a space and, more abundant, and if you follow the right designers, you’ll find posts generally, what a home means to you? Do the images reflect of what inspires them alongside their own work. You can save what you want to achieve? images onto digital mood boards and contact people directly with questions about products and processes. We have had great When there are so many styles and design choices available to success using Instagram to help people gain the answers to their us, narrowing down a concept can be a harder task than initially home-related questions while also finding inspiration and thought. Once you’ve refined your mood boards, see if you can details for upcoming projects. find a common theme or view. Perhaps the images are cool and moody, or maybe they are light and bright. Do they have a retro Pinterest is also incredibly useful for creating style collections, feel, or another thread that stitches them all together? which you can then link to different products. The only problem with Pinterest is that it can be hard to narrow down There are many programs you can use to bring your mood your image selections when there is so much beautiful boards together. PowerPoint is easy and commonly used, but inspiration to look through. Try and pick a minimal amount Word, Illustrator, Style Sourcebook (a website that collates of styles and stick to them. furniture and material samples), pinboards and sketchbooks are just as good. The method doesn’t matter as much as the actual mood boards collection and processing of ideas, so use the tools or program you feel most comfortable with. Once you’ve gathered your inspiration, we recommend creating at least one mood board. There are no rules when it comes to 124 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | RENOVATE BOTH PAGES Some of the mood boards and builds Rebeka and Kribashini have been involved with. In their book (below), they suggest making a mood board for each room you’re renovating and refining your overall aesthetic from there. materials boards This is an edited extract from BuildHer by Rebeka Once you’ve created your mood boards, the next step is to take Morgan & Kribashini your selected materials and create a materials board. This means Hannon ($45, Smith selecting specific paint colours, cabinetry materials and colours, Street Books). splashbacks, tiles, flooring, curtains and blinds, and any other fixtures in your home, to see how they all fit together. A materials board is also a fantastic option for showcasing your inspiration and helping to ensure that what you’ve gathered is cohesive. We collaborate with many architects and designers and everyone works differently, [creating everything] from formally presented materials boxes, with samples cut and glued into place with a key on the side, to a box of samples that you can move around and play with. How you collate your materials board is up to you. The technique doesn’t matter; the point is to bring your samples together to check that they work, both in terms of colour and theme. Gathering materials may seem like an easy task, but finding cohesion can be harder, as it comes down to selection and composition, which may or may not be a key skill for you. It is lovely to have a finished collection of materials for a house. Our preference is to keep materials loose in a box so we can play with them. We can switch them out, add details along the way, or replace materials if we need to. We continue to work on it as we build, staying ahead of the trades. Our years of experience enables us to do this, as we understand lead times and potential building issues, so it won’t cost us more to continually develop the design. If you are working with a fixed-price build, you will need to select your materials ahead of time and make sure they all work together in the spaces they will eventually occupy. BuildHer Collective is online at buildhercollective.com.au, or follow Rebeka and Kribashini on Instagram @buildhercollective

INSIDE | RENOVATE Q Which building products would you recommend to help protect our home from the elements? Catherine, via email Finding the perfect material that is both durable and beautiful can be difficult. The humble brick is a timeless material that has many benefits for climate-dependent living. When designing for warmer climates, use a lighter-coloured brick that will reflect the sun, as it will save on energy costs. For a design solution that is both practical and striking, Austral Bricks’ La Paloma bricks in Miro deliver an incredible visual impact while being highly durable, weather-resistant and maintenance-free. BRETT WARD, GENERAL MANAGER INTERNATIONAL MARKETING, BRICKWORKS BUILDING PRODUCTS Q I really want my bedroom to feel cosy and inviting, and would love At this home in Sydney’s some tips for warming up the space. Sam, via Instagram Cronulla, Emma Buchan’s Layering is key to a cosy bedroom. Create a colour palette of calming, use of tone and texture muted tones such as beige, baby blue and mauve, and layer them in has resulted in many various shades throughout the room. Texture is also important, so don’t layers of success. shy away from all of the soft furnishings — think rugs, fuzzy throw blankets and cushions in various shapes, fabrics and colours. A textured wallpaper is another great way to add character and warm up the space. EMMA BUCHAN, DIRECTOR, EB INTERIORS ask an expert Stylish solutions for all your design dilemmas La Paloma bricks in The striking Miniforms ‘Célia’ Miro, $2655 per 1000, cabinet, $6638.50, from Austral Bricks. James Richardson Furniture, is silk screen-printed on ash. Q I love the look of coloured kitchen cabinetry, but I’m worried about choosing a colour that will go out of style. Do you have any advice on colours that won’t date? Jane, via email Using colour in the kitchen is a great way to inject personality into your space and liven up the heart of the home. Navy blues and muted greens are so classic that they are often considered to be an extension of a neutral colour palette. Two great options are Laminex Spinifex (below), which is a soft, organic green with a grey base, and French Navy, which is a classic deep, rich navy. You really can’t go wrong with either of them as they work in so many different spaces. SACHA LEAGH-MURRAY, GENERAL MANAGER SALES AND MARKETING, LAMINEX FROM ABOVE Spinifex and French Navy laminates, from $81.07 per sq m, Laminex. Q How should I go about designing with pattern? PHOTOGRAPHY: FIONA SUSANTO (BRICKWORKS), I am looking to incorporate it into my living room ALESSANDRO DI BON (JAMES RICHARDSON but don’t want to go overboard. Danielle, via Instagram FURNITURE) If you haven’t worked with pattern before, a great place to start is by adding a statement piece of furniture. Selecting a gorgeous cabinet in a neutral colour with an interesting pattern will allow you to inject some personality into your space without overwhelming it. Miniforms’ ‘Célia’ cabinet is a high-impact piece comprised of ash or walnut timber screen-printed with a stunning copper-scalloped pattern. Inspired by the Art Deco movement, this cabinet is the ultimate statement piece and will elevate your space. GEORGIA DANOS, CREATIVE AND BRAND DIRECTOR, JAMES RICHARDSON FURNITURE 126 | INSIDE OUT

@beautycrew

stone washed Soft shades of grey swirl through the Elba stone used for the joinery and floor tiles of this bathroom designed by Melbourne’s Templeton Architecture, setting the scene for the Agape Ottocento tub; all POA. artedomus.com PATTERN POP The new collection of bathware from Kip & Co is rich in blush and butterscotch punctuated by pops of lavender, mustard and jade. We can’t wait to be wrapped up in one of their luxe waffle towels. kipandco.com.au scent to try clean sweepBATHROOMNEWS Reminds Me Of Him diffuser oils from Scent Australia Home offer an earthy blend of leather, sandalwood and black musk aromas; $190 for a set of five. scentaustralia.com.au Wash away the day with this stimulating collection of little luxuries and planet-friendly products fresh cool glaze faced This gorgeous Wellness set (a ceramic stone tumbler, Resorè face towels are made trinket box, soap dispenser and tray) by Robert using a special blend of fibres Gordon, comes in three gentle colours starting at $29.95 from Myer. that discourage bacteria build-up so your skin is always squeaky clean. mecca.com.au BRUSH UP Made from cornstarch, these Biobrush toothbrushes from Caredent are 100 per cent plastic-free and available in five colours; $5 each at Coles.

INSIDE | RENOVATE STATEMENT PIECE The Cross Collection by Scarabeo is a light and simple alternative to a typical bathroom vanity. Available from Paco Jaanson in nine different finishes and your choice of light or dark timber legs, POA. pacojaanson.com.au laze away These beautiful olive green towels are available from brand-new, online-only homewares destination Laze Living. Hand towel, $17, and bath towel, $43. lazeliving.com 3 OF A KIND Creative bath mats 1 Pieces ‘Wavy Patterned’ rug, from $3159, Mr Porter. 2 Ferm Living ‘Way’ mat in Sugar Kelp, $119, Designstuff. 3 Pebble bath mat in Olive, $75, Mosey Me. WORDS: MATILDA RINGROSE. PHOTOGRAPHY: CAITLIN MILLS (KIP & CO), 1 3 SHARYN CAIRNS (ARTEDOMUS). STYLING: AMBER LYNETTE (KIP & CO) 2 sustainable solution NEW ROUTINE Just add water to a Pleasant Concerned by the endless stream of single-use State refill bar and do your bit plastic passing through their homes, friends to clean up the oceans. Ruby and Nat created The Daily Routine. Their pleasantstate.com clever handwashes are in reusable bottles and made with biodegradable pods full of non-toxic soapy goodness. thedailyroutine.co PURE THING This face cleanser by Horace has a dream team of ingredients, including Japanese activated charcoal and soothing aloe vera, to target impurities and brighten the complexion; $23. mrporter.com INSIDE OUT | 129

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OUT herbal hangout Fresh vegetables share air space with drying clothes in this multi-zone garden Basking in sunshine, this secluded corner of a Sydney garden is the perfect spot for growing herbs and vegetables and drying the constant loads of washing that a family of four churns out. Elsewhere on the property is a swimming pool, flat lawn and entertaining area, so a lot of boxes were ticked in this design by Sticks And Stones. Centre of the frame are pots from Koskela and Bunnings filled with mixed herbs, while a Birdies iron trough from Bunnings hosts assorted veges and Madagascan jasmine, which creeps skywards along the wall behind. Turn the page to see more. WORDS CHRIS PEARSON PHOTOGRAPHY BRIGID ARNOTT

TALL Graced by attractive feature walls screening the less lovely, this resort-style garden in Sydney’s OR DEReast has a little of everything 132 | INSIDE OUT WORDS CHRIS PEARSON PHOTOGRAPHY BRIGID ARNOTT

OUT | GARDEN Oiled-cedar and white-pine slats and brick walls painted Dulux Natural White form the structure of this garden. The transplanted frangipani tree is framed by Heliconia pendula, which runs along the fence line, underplanted with Philodendron ‘Xanadu’. Murray Rose copper shower, Robert Plumb. Pacific chairs and Breeze sofa, Harbour.

OUT | GARDEN ABOVE Decking planks in New On the level, with a seamless flow inside and Guinea rosewood run at right out so that house and garden meld into one angles to the internal floor, and the living areas spill onto carpet-like lawn: drawing the eye outside and that sums up the barefoot brief given to emphasising the garden’s landscape designer Fiona Ericsson of Sticks length. ABOVE RIGHT This And Stones and architect Michael Cumming all-weather space is a hit with for this project in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. the owners. Pots, Bunnings. Easy-care succulents include an The owners, who have two young sons, bought the array in the bowl, Crassula ‘Blue Federation home in 2015 and moved in one week before the Bird’ in rear pot, a yucca in front. first of their children was born. “It was on a big block in a OPPOSITE The working areas family-friendly area with double parking,” says the owner. of the garden and the vegie “Coming from a terrace, we felt like we’d moved to a park.” patch are hidden from the rest of the yard by lattice screens. But that generous garden consisted of a high-maintenance variety of grass and plenty of it, punctuated by discrete and 134 | INSIDE OUT rather formal beds. Most significantly, even though bifolds and a covered deck at the rear of the house had been added in an earlier renovation, there was a disconnect between the living areas and the garden. Like the Great Divide, three steps separated the deck visually and physically from the green expanse below. However, there were pluses. “The house and garage that bookend the courtyard gave a private feel to a generous space,” explains Michael. And as Fiona points out, “The backyard is protected and in full sun, with a well-draining, sandy soil.” The double garage with pergola beside it, together with a feature frangipani, were elements the owners wanted to retain, but the rest definitely needed a makeover. “The owners wanted a resort-style garden, with a turfed area to create a flow from inside to out for the family to enjoy,” says Fiona. Michael concurs: “We envisioned opening up the living room and connecting it seamlessly to a beautiful landscaped courtyard. With this young family and their love for the beach and Sydney summers, the brief was to connect the living room to a beautifully liveable deck and garden, including a new pool.” No resort is without the latter, which Michael installed at the same height as the living areas. He raised the garden, too, so it, the deck and pool are on the one level without pause. “It makes the living spaces and garden feel part of one another,” he says. Meanwhile, in the living room, Michael replaced bland aluminium bifolds with three generous timber sliders, leading to the new deck comprising thin slats of New Guinea rosewood.



OUT | GARDEN “The brief was to connect the lounge room to a beautifully liveable deck and garden, including a new pool” MICHAEL CUMMING, ARCHITECT 136 | INSIDE OUT

Poised between indoors and 2 out, this external kitchen gets plenty of use. Five Minuti pizza oven, Alfa. Signature ProLine barbecue, BeefEater. Bird of paradise adorns the tall pot from Koskela, with Crassula ‘Blue Bird’ in the smaller one from Bunnings. 1 34 DESIGN DETAILS 1 Screening is used to great 3 The sculptural pizza oven effect, in this case to separate provides both a talking point and the garden’s various elements, place to gather in this family including the lawn and pool. area. Pizzas are on the menu Hills ‘Everyday’ wall-mounted most weekends, enjoyed in this clothes line from Bunnings. sheltered, informal space. 2 The cedar screen at the rear 4 Timber and tile used for the hides the garage and provides a pool area are a study in backdrop for the striking Murray contrasts, the former treated to Rose outdoor shower from withstand pool-water splashes Robert Plumb. The tough Sir and the rigours of the weather. Walter buffalo grass runs up to Just as hardy and striking is the the wall, creating the effect of Heliconia pendula in the garden an outdoor room. immediately behind.

OUT | GARDEN ABOVE In the kitchen garden, “Care was taken to sand and refinish the internal floorboards assorted vegies occupy a to create a consistent tone inside and out,” he explains. weathered Birdies iron trough from Bunnings, with For a sense of privacy and containment, timber batten screens Madagascan jasmine reaching were installed on each side of the deck, mounted horizontally up the wall behind. BELOW to accentuate width. Together with the ceilings and existing Pots from Koskela and brickwork, they are painted white to evoke a breezy summer Bunnings contain rosemary, feel. Adding to its indoor-outdoor credentials, the covered deck basil and other herbs (in large), boasts a barbecue and pizza oven, plus a custom-designed plus Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ rosewood bench and coffee table. (medium) and yucca (small). OPPOSITE The hardy plants At the back of the garden, another timber screen was run beside the pool are resistant the full width of the yard, for a sense of enclosure and to link the to pool chemicals. garage with the adjoining pergola; one half is painted and the other is stained to soften the expanse. Similarly, the pool fencing 138 | INSIDE OUT and deck fixings are all hidden to reduce visual clutter. Many items were recycled from the earlier garden. “We updated the pergola by painting it to match the garage, and moved the bin store from the front yard to the utilities area beside the garage, where we also created a clothes-drying space and a vegetable garden,” says Fiona. As well as those hardscaping elements, a signature frangipani tree near the house, which would have impeded the flow between inside and out, was cleverly recycled. “This magnificent mature frangipani was moved about two metres towards the back to make the design work,” says Fiona. It now envelops a second seating area near the timber-battened pergola. Plant-wise, restraint ruled. “We kept the plant palette simple, to let the house and garage be the heroes,” says Fiona. The requested lush green foliage includes swathes of large-leafed tropical and subtropical varieties, such as Heliconia pendula and Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ in mass plantings along the boundaries, both for instant coverage and to engender that luxuriant resort feel. They are further fostered by the shag-pile carpet of the Sir Walter buffalo-grass lawn. The robustness of all three makes them ideal for the splash zone beside the pool, while a palm backdrop is a fortuitous borrowed landscape from next door. “I love this plant palette,” says Fiona. “It makes the space feel calm and open yet private at the same time.” Generating calm is perhaps not the overriding purpose of the project, though. “The back garden is now an extension of our house,” says the owner. “We have two little boys, so levelling it out has made it feel part of the living area. As a result, they spend so much more time outdoors – running around, playing cricket, tennis, rugby and, of course, swimming. It feels like our own little country club, which was so perfect during the long months of lockdown.” Projects by Sticks And Stones can be viewed at sticksandstonesld.com.au. To see more of Michael’s work, visit michaelcummingarchitect.com.au

“I love the simple plant palette. This space feels calm and open yet private at the same time” FIONA ERICSSON, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

OUT | GARDEN I’VE ALWAYS WANTED A ... f ishpond Creating and maintaining an environment where living things thrive can have a wonderful flow-on effect Having a fishpond may not be 2 installation ponds,” says James. “But in Australia, the PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIGID ARNOTT everyone’s idea of fun, but those You can buy pre-made pond kits only states that allow pond hobbyists to who love them know that this from hardware stores and landscaping keep koi are NSW, ACT and WA. The humble water feature has the power to retailers, however these are usually best rest can only keep goldfish, but there are create tranquillity in the most urban of suited to small projects. If you plan to heaps of different species, colours and locations. From the soothing sounds install a large pond, you’ll need to consult fin shapes to choose from.” of rippling water to the calming nature a professional to ensure the landscaping of fish swimming in and out of reeds, a and lining are done correctly. Remember, fish require food and fishpond could bring the quiet moment oxygenated water to survive, so choose of contemplation your garden is missing. Concrete is robust; rubber and plastic pond-happy plants that will supply food can also be used, though require careful for the fish, and a water pump that 1 location & depth installation to ensure the pond is properly oxygenates the water. When choosing a location for your water-tight. “If you’re doing a natural- fishpond, be sure to avoid areas that are style pond, a durable, UV-stable PVC 5 water pumps & filters vulnerable to gusty winds and lots of pond liner is best,” says James. “Just make To maintain effective filtration and, falling leaves, or where water pools after sure it’s also fish- and marine-safe.” therefore, water quality and clarity, you heavy rain. A sunny location that’s will need to install a pond pump. “Low protected from some of the harsher 3 plants voltage is best, and try to match the size elements and is partially shaded is perfect When it comes to landscaping your of the pond with the size of your pump for both fish and pond plants. water feature, rocks, pebbles and pavers so it works effectively to move water are excellent for framing, but you’ll need around,” says James. “Somewhere with a little cover from a specific selection of plants to ensure a foliage around the pond, and planting successful ecosystem within: oxygenators, Look for a pump that can process your within the pond to protect fish from floaters, submersibles and marginal plants. pond’s entire water volume within two predators is best,” says James Headland Some species that James recommends hours, or faster if the pond also has fish. of Sydney’s Pangkarra Garden Design. include water lilies (Nymphaea spp), A submersible pump is the easiest to “Standard depth regulations specify that Marsilea mutica and Iris versicolor. Ask a install as it’s simply placed in the pond, ponds are to be no deeper than 300mm. specialist at your local plant store for while external pumps require plumbing If your pond is deeper than that, you’ll recommendations that suit your climate. through the wall of the pond, which need to cover the top of it with mesh to requires extra water sealing. prevent small children falling in.” 4 fish Not all fish species will thrive in Solar-powered pumps are best, but Of course, shallow ponds are good for a pond, so be sure to consult an aquatic if you require an electric connection, growing lily pads. They also take up less expert before purchasing. “Koi and ensure it’s installed by a professional – space and are cheaper to install, but are goldfish are the most popular fish kept in never use extension cables. Consult an really only suitable for small fish. aquatic gardening expert if you have any more questions about filtration. 140 | INSIDE OUT WORDS LAURA BARRY

1 DESIGN INFO This semi-protected pond location is in a Central Coast, NSW, Place the pond garden by James Headland in a partially of Pangkarra Garden Design. shaded spot out The home is by architect of the wind Frank Macchia. 2 5 installation Follow guidelines filtration for the set-up Keep the water and choose your clean at all times lining carefully with a good- quality pump 3 4 plants fish Make sure you Goldfish are have the right allowed in all mix of fish- states so take friendly flora your pick

OUT | ENTERTAINING POACHED SALMON WITH CHIPOTLE, TA M A R I N D & MAPLE TI MELY A much-anticipated book by one of our favourite food writers, Sydney-based Katrina Meynink, features 90+ slow-cooked T R E AT Sdishes for every mood and stage of the week. Here’s a taste... 142 | INSIDE OUT

TURMERIC HERB CHICKPEAS & RICE

poached salmon with chipotle, turmeric herb chickpeas & rice tamarind & maple SERVES 4 SERVES 6—8 This is the kind of superbly simple, healthy dinner that you can It feels a bit criminal putting this here. It’s so simple to make yet throw together in an instant. This recipe uses dried chickpeas, but if time is lacking, you could wash and strain a tin of completely luxurious to taste. The tang of the tamarind and the chickpeas, reduce the cooking time to about 1 hour and reduce the amount of stock by just over half. smokiness of the chipotle work wonders with the sweet salmon. 80ml (⅓ cup) rapeseed oil 3 tbsps maple syrup 2 tbsps olive oil HERB STIR-THROUGH 3 shallots, grated 800g—1kg side of fresh 1 onion, finely chopped 100g (2 cups) baby spinach 6cm piece ginger, grated 3 garlic cloves, crushed ½ bunch coriander (cilantro), 3 cloves, toasted and roughly salmon, skin on, bones 5cm piece ginger, finely sliced removed 3 tsps freshly grated turmeric, leaves, roughly chopped crushed 375ml (1½ cups) vegetable handful of dill fronds 1 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted stock or 1½ generous tsps ground ½ bunch flat-leaf (Italian) turmeric and roughly crushed TO SERVE 250g (generous cup) dried parsley, roughly chopped 2 tsps chipotle powder Steamed coconut rice chickpeas 2 tbsps marjoram or lemon 1 tsp black peppercorns, Stir-fried Asian greens ¼ preserved lemon, finely chopped thyme leaves toasted and roughly crushed 750ml (3 cups) vegetable 2 tsps coriander seeds, toasted or chicken stock, plus extra TO SERVE if needed Greek or coconut yoghurt and roughly crushed 3 tbsps sultanas (golden raisins) Coriander (cilantro) leaves 2 tbsps tamarind purée 370g (12 cups) cooked white rice 1 Set the slow cooker to the sauté function. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and, once hot, add the shallots and ginger and cook for about 1 Set the slow cooker to the sauté function. Add the olive oil and, PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: MINDI COOKE 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. once shimmering, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, 2 Gently scoop out the mixture into a bowl and combine with all until translucent and fragrant. of the spices, the tamarind and maple syrup and the remaining oil. 2 Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric and cook for another minute. Whisk, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Gently rub the mixture Add the chickpeas and preserved lemon and cook until coated in into the top side of the salmon. the mixture. Add the stock, cover with the lid and cook for 8—10 3 Wipe your slow-cooker bowl clean, then line it with baking paper. hours on a low setting. This makes it easier to remove the fish after cooking, otherwise it 3 Add the sultanas for the last 20 minutes of cooking, along with will collapse. Gently lay your piece of salmon in the cooker, tucking a splash more stock if the chickpeas have absorbed all the liquid. the tail in on itself to create an even fillet. Carefully pour the stock 4 Stir in the cooked rice, adding more stock again if necessary, around the sides of the fish so it doesn’t wash the marinade off the to create a slightly loose, stew-like consistency. Cook for an top. Close the lid and cook on low for 2 hours. additional minute, then remove from the heat and stir through the 4 Check it at the 11/2-hour mark. You can actually remove it at any spinach and all the herbs. time from the 1-hour mark, depending on how you like your salmon 5 Let the mixture rest for 1 minute to allow the spinach to soften, cooked. If you like it pink, go for a shorter cooking time. I suggest then add a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Season to taste and serve with noting how long it takes the first time you make this recipe so you a few extra coriander leaves. can get to know your slow cooker. 5 Serve with coconut rice and Asian greens. 144 | INSIDE OUT

OUT | ENTERTAINING “This is, essentially, your omelette on toast without having to get your frying pan to the perfect temperature, and the cooked mushrooms make for a wonderful surprise” KALE & MUSHROOM S T R ATA

OUT | ENTERTAINING “You can use your slow cooker for all sorts of interesting things, from poaching and steaming to smoking, melting and brining — the possibilities seem to be endless” kale & mushroom strata sichuan braised eggplant SERVES 6 SERVES 2 OR 4—6 AS PART OF A SPREAD This is, essentially, your omelette on toast without having to get Traditionally, this is made with some pork mince added to the your frying pan to the perfect temperature, and the cooked mix, but I love it as a vegetarian option and quite like to serve mushrooms make for a wonderful surprise. It’s ideal for feeding it with crispy fried tofu and steamed rice on the side. It is dead a crowd, or you can simply halve the recipe below and make it easy to make – nothing actually fancy about it, other than the a rather generous serving for two. Cooking the eggs like this taste, which is nothing short of glorious – and it is something gives them the most glorious, custard-like mouthfeel. I’ll never I imagine you would share as part of a spread of delicious dishes use a regular oven for this style of cooking ever again. This tends to gorge on banquet-style. to work best in a slow cooker with a wide dish so that some chunks of bread stay firm while others soften. 2 tbsps rapeseed oil 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar 1 large eggplant (aubergine), 80ml (⅓ cup) vegetable or 2 tbsps olive oil 250ml (1 cup) full-cream 30g butter (whole) milk cut into large cubes chicken stock ½ onion, finely chopped 5 black garlic cloves, sliced 1 tbsp chilli bean paste 225g mixed mushrooms 250ml (1 cup) pouring 8cm piece ginger, sliced and 2 tbsps marjoram or lemon (single/light) cream TO SERVE chopped finely Freshly snipped chives thyme leaves 75g (½ cup) grated mozzarella ½ tbsp roughly crushed Steamed rice 200g (4 cups) cubed, day-old 75g (½ cup) grated Swiss Flash-fried firm tofu (optional) Sichuan peppercorns sourdough (crusts on) cheese 1 tbsp brown sugar 150g (2 cups) chopped 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsps soy sauce flash-fried saltbush leaves to cavolo nero 1 Set your slow cooker to the sauté function. Add the oil and, once 6 eggs serve (optional) hot, cook the eggplant in batches for about 5 minutes, turning regularly until starting to brown on the edges and soften. Add the 1 Set the slow cooker to the sauté function. Add the oil and butter garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant. and, once the butter is melted and foaming, add the onion and cook 2 Add the remaining ingredients, stir to coat, then turn the slow for 3 minutes, or until starting to soften. cooker to low. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour. 2 Add the mushrooms and herbs and turn the heat to low. Cook for 3 Gently turn the eggplant mixture out onto a serving plate and 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are beginning to soften. top with the chives. Serve piping hot with steamed rice and some 3 Gently remove the mushroom mixture and wipe out the bowl of flash-fried tofu, if using. your cooker, then line it with some baking paper. Add the bread chunks and mushroom mixture (reserving one or two bigger mushrooms for the top), then add the cavolo nero and toss gently to combine. Nestle the reserved mushrooms on top. 4 Add the eggs, milk, cream, cheeses and mustard to a jug and whisk to combine. Pour over the bread mixture, then cook on low for 11/2—2 hours. I keep the lid off, but if you prefer to keep it on, line the lid with a paper towel to capture the moisture. 5 Scoop into bowls and season generously with salt and pepper. Top with saltbush leaves, if using. 146 | INSIDE OUT

SICHUAN BRAISED EGGPLANT

OUT | ENTERTAINING SLOW-COOKER HACKS vpaisntiallcahcioarpdraamlinoem apricots with 1 Perfectly melt chocolate and prevent burning. Add the SERVES 4—6 chocolate to glass jars, place them in the slow cooker, then pour in enough water to come three-quarters of the way up I’m obsessed with slow-cooked apricots, and love their sweet, the jars. Cook on low for 1 hour. soft nature and residual tang. Perhaps it’s a hangover from my childhood – my grandmother made the ultimate apricot pie. Swap out stock for beer or even coffee for a stronger, I would do anything for just one more piece of it made by her loving hands. The toffee crunch of the praline is a great contrast 2 heartier flavour in less time. to the soft apricots, and the caramel toffee is a lovely friend to Try poaching in it There’s no danger of water boiling in your the warming spices in this dessert. 3 slow cooker, so it makes an ideal environment for gentle 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste 80g pistachio nuts, roughly 4poaching. Think of it as a pseudo sous-vide machine. 6 green cardamom pods, chopped Use it as a smoker While you are never going to achieve bruised TO SERVE the same authentic smoky flavour as using a proper smoker 12 apricots, halved Labne or mascarpone or barbecue, you can introduce a smoky flavour to your cooking 200g caster (superfine) sugar Dried rose petals, to garnish by incorporating wood chips at the base of your cooker as part 350ml sticky white dessert wine of the braising process. Here’s how I do it: Soak 1–2 cups wood (optional) chips (I like hickory) in water for about 30 minutes, then drain. PISTACHIO PRALINE Place the chips on a sheet of baking paper, gathering up the 200g caster (superfine) sugar edges to enclose the chips, and make a packet that will sit in the 1 tbsp ground cardamom base of the cooker. Make a few small incisions in the bag with a sharp knife or pair of scissors to allow the steam to escape. 1 Set the slow cooker to low and add all the ingredients for the Place the bag in the base of the cooker and put your protein, apricots. Give it a gentle stir, cover with the lid and cook for 4 hours. or whatever you are cooking, directly on top. Pour 250ml 2 Remove the lid and cook for another 30 minutes to allow the liquid (1 cup) liquid into the base of the cooker to create a little steam, to reduce slightly. Allow to cool completely in the bowl. 3 To make the pistachio praline, bring the caster sugar and 100ml 5but not enough to swamp the wood chips. water to the boil in a small saucepan over a medium—high heat. Try eggs for binding Eggs will always help to bind a sauce Brush down the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush to and are best suited to white, creamy sauces. Mix an egg remove any stray sugar. with some flour to create a roux before adding liquid to make 4 Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, until a sauce, or simply whisk in an egg yolk to help bind and thicken it becomes a lovely caramel colour. Stir through the cardamom and pistachio nuts (be careful as the mixture will spit). 6your sauces or soups. 5 Pour onto a sheet of baking paper and set aside to cool for about Use it for proving Fill your slow cooker halfway up with 10—20 minutes. Break into shards and set aside. water and put on the low setting. Place the lid on the 6 When ready to serve, smear a plate with a generous amount of cooker upside down, lay a tea towel (dish towel) on top, then set labne or mascarpone. Gently scoop out the apricots using a slotted your bowl of dough in the lid. The radiant heat from the hot spoon (being careful as they will be very soft) and place on top. 7 Spoon over a few tablespoons of the poaching liquid, then top 7water below will help the dough to rise. with the pistachio praline and serve. Do your own brining Brine leaner cuts of meat before cooking to stop them drying out during the low, slow cook. This is an edited extract from For a very basic brine, add 80g salt to 1 litre (4 cups) water and Slow Victories by Katrina stir to dissolve. You can also add aromatics. Brine the meat in Meynink. Published by Hardie Grant Books, $35. 8the fridge overnight. Photography by Katrina Add a steaming basket and some water to the base of the Meynink and Kait Barker. slow-cooker bowl and use to steam things like dumplings. Or simply load a bunch of herbs and greens directly into the steamer basket and place a piece of fish on top. The fish will 9steam in the moisture from the herbs below – no liquid required. Use it as a large steamer Build a platform (most slow cookers come with a stand or platform insert that can be used for this) in the slow cooker’s bowl, place the food on top, then fill with water until just under the top of the platform. 148 | INSIDE OUT

VA N I L L A CARDAMOM APRICOTS WITH P I S TAC H I O PRALINE

OUT | ENTERTAINING THE GOODS quick smart The new breed of multi-cookers is more versatile than ever 1Breville ‘The Fast Slow Cooker’, 1 2 SecretChef promises even heat $199, Harvey Norman With a 6L distribution and perfectly slow-cooked capacity that makes entertaining easy, 6 this product functions as both a slow 8 meals. Equipped with cool-touch cooker and a pressure cooker, which means it can infuse your dishes with handles, removable crock insert and delicate flavours over many hours, or it can achieve delicious results in a flash. power cord, this little beauty is great for Bonus points for its low-heat function that’ll keep your meal hot and fresh until the time-poor chef that hates cleaning you’re ready to serve. “This slow cooker has the best of both worlds in one up afterwards (both the pan and lid can machine,” says food expert Jessica Brook of Sage Creative Co. “It is one be tossed in the dishwasher). “This one of the larger on the market, making it more suitable for families or people is a great first buy, with similar functions 2who entertain regularly.” to the Kmart model and great heat Philips 8L ‘All-In-One’ cooker, $349, Harvey Norman Durable 6distribution,” says Jessica. and easy to clean, this straightforward Bellini 5.5L ‘Sear BSSC19’ slow multi-purpose cooker from Philips cooker, $39, Target If you’re sitting features an anti-scratch pot with on the fence about buying a slow ProCeramic+ coating and a detachable 4 inner lid. Perfect for busy family 3 cooker, this purse-friendly option from kitchens, this affordable option also Target may be just the ticket. With three has 20 pre-set cooking programs, heat settings, a removable non-stick 3cancel button and LED display. 5L slow cooker, $19, Kmart pot, digital controls and timer, this small Budget-friendly and big enough for making family meals, this cheap and investment has pretty much everything cheerful slow cooker has adjustable low, you need to get started on casseroles, high and warm temperature settings, a stainless-steel body and ceramic pot. soups and desserts. “This is one of my “For its price point, this slow cooker is a great introduction for people who 5 go-tos when suggesting slow cookers are unfamiliar with them,” says Jessica. to first timers, for both its value and “It is not overly complicated, and is a functions,” says Jessica. “It also has good size for most recipes (perfect for a simple digital display and handy a whole chicken). It doesn’t have an automatic off switch though, so will 7automatic off switch.” Tefal ‘Cook4Me+’ multi-cooker 4need to be used when you’re at home.” in Black, $399, Myer KitchenAid ‘5KMC4244AOB’ multi Capable of pressure cooking, steaming, cooker with Stir Tower in Onyx Black, $749, Appliances Online simmering, browning, reheating and From stir fry and casseroles to baking cakes, this multi cooker from KitchenAid gentle cooking, Cook4Me is a one-touch has more than 10 cooking functions to sear, sauté and simmer your way to pressure multi cooker for those who culinary success. The inclusion of the three-speed Stir Tower means you can love food. With a curvaceous body and mix, flip and swish ingredients for even blending and heat distribution — hands just one dial button, Cook4Me allows free! A nifty solution for busy cooks. “KitchenAid is a well-known and trusted users to scroll through more than 150 brand,” says Jessica. “Its appliances recipes on the screen, or create their 5really do stand the test of time.” Sunbeam ‘SecretChef’ 5.5L slow 8own recipe in Manual mode. cooker, $59, Harvey Norman Morphy Richards multifunction With a wraparound element lining the pot, $230, Appliances Online sides and three cooking settings, Boasting a unique 40-degree ‘fondue’ mode for cheesy or chocolatey 97 moments, Morphy Richards multifunction cook pot with variable heat settings has easy-to-clean non-stick pans and is compact in size, making it perfect for small kitchens that lack storage space. We love this trendy 9shade of sage green, too. Crock-Pot ‘Choose-A-Crock’ one-pot cooker, $129, Myer This cheeky little stainless-steel number gives users the choice of two pot sizes to suit any meal, or even cook two dishes at once. A digital programmable timer allows cooking times of up to 20 hours, and automatically switches to warm mode when the cycle is complete. 150 | INSIDE OUT WORDS LAURA BARRY AND JESSICA BROOK