Inside Out 04.2021_

THE CUT K ENARTICON DONE 40 52 | INSIDE OUT For four decades, his colourful signature style has made Ken Done a superstar of Australian art. Amber Creswell Bell, the author of a new book on Ken’s life and career, reveals the fascinating stories behind some of his most famous works WORDS AMBER CRESWELL BELL

PHOTOGRAPHY: STUART SPENCE (PORTRAIT). ARTWORK IMAGES COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS AND PUBLISHER 1THE CABIN STUDIO (1980) This is a work from Ken’s very first exhibition in 1980, a complex painting of the view from his Sydney studio. At $1500, it was the most expensive piece in that show and did not sell. A couple of days later, Aaron Kaplan, one of two directors of local culture magazine Billy Blue, called and offered Ken $1000 for the work. Reluctantly, he sold the painting at the reduced price. Fifteen years later, he bought it back for $30,000. This painting – Ken’s favourite work from that first show – held enormous sentimental value as it represented a place that was intrinsically special to him: his beloved home at Chinamans Beach. 2LISTENING TO MARGARET MEAD (1978) One of Ken’s very early works, this actually predates his first exhibition. Despite being 43 years old, it still stands up as an exceptional contemporary work. It is sophisticated, with a bold use of black in the foreground. The colour palette is gorgeous, and it has such a sense of movement. I wish I owned it!

THE CUT 4 BEACH WITH BIKE (2006) 3 LOOKING TO THE BEACH (2005) If this painting One of the beautiful things about a painting is that it’s not meant to be doesn’t capture the essence a photograph. It can represent how something feels rather than just how it and mood of Australian looks. This painting, I think, captures the feeling inside Ken’s studio. One of my beach culture, then I don’t favourite details in it are the colourful little plastic spades that hang on the studio know what does. In a wall. The spades were left behind on the beach by children and Ken uses them minimalist, abstracted as paint palettes. I love how he has rendered that in this piece. way, Ken captures the familiar poses and personalities that we can all so readily recognise in our population of coast clingers.

5 WET FRIDAY (2010) 6 VSEIRAIDGIAARNDEN (2011) There is nothing like a storm over One of Ken’s great loves is the the ocean, and this painting is world under the sea, and diving has been utterly pregnant with the familiar a fixture in his family’s life. He will tell brooding drama and atmosphere of days you that it is impossible to paint what you like this. Ken’s colour work is so see when diving – it is almost implausibly successful in conveying the gentle palette beautiful. What Ken attempts to do that often accompanies grey in such instead, in his many paintings of weather. A lot of people know Ken for underwater scenes and reefs, is to create what they consider to be bright colours, a feeling of being there. He does that so but he has often made beautiful pictures well, and I love this particular work. with more subdued shades of mauve, pale grey, pink and soft yellow. 7NO 7 (2020) This is a very recent work. Ostensibly simple, I remember discussing it with Ken, who described the actual complexity of colour selection and placement in a piece such as this. Like a musician instinctively knowing the right notes to play, Ken also has a sixth sense for colour and which colours sizzle when in proximity to others. He is a true colourist. INSIDE OUT | 55

8 FROM THIS DAY (1988) Music has been an important facet of Ken’s art practice from the very beginning. He always paints while listening to music, which is often a chosen album on repeat. Over the years, he has also collaborated with many musicians – painting them or creating the artwork for their album covers. Jazz musician James Morrison once even interpreted several of Ken’s paintings into music. I love this painting simply because it demonstratively merges these two loves, showing just how closely aligned they are in Ken’s mind. 9 ROBERT KLIPPEL (1996) This is such a brilliant portrait of Robert Klippel, who is considered Australia’s greatest sculptor. I love that the painting presents Ken strikingly in the form of Robert’s own sculptural work. What many might not know is what an extraordinary portrait painter Ken is, including self-portraits. His versatility knows no bounds. 56 | INSIDE OUT

10 CAUGHT IN  THE CUT THE NET (2011) On the night of 31 May, ABOUT THE AUTHOR 1942, three Japanese midget submarines Amber Creswell Bell is an art curator, a writer of entered Sydney Harbour, causing fear and books on the arts, a speaker and an enthusiastic mayhem. To mark the 70th anniversary creative hustler. She champions emerging and of this event, Ken was commissioned under-represented artists and ceramicists, curating to find a visual language for this story exhibitions independently and with well-established in a series of paintings. Caught In The Net commercial galleries. Amber is currently the creative refers to the submarine that was captured director of Michael Reid Northern Beaches gallery, in the security net in Sydney Harbour, curating both the emerging art and ceramics programs. and the submariners who were killed. Amber’s first book, Clay (2016), showcased more Not only is this work stunningly than 50 contemporary ceramic haunting and dark, it successfully shirks artisans from Australia and the assumption by some that Ken only abroad. Her second book, paints sunshine-drenched harbour scenes. A Painted Landscape (2018), profiled the work of 50 Australian 1 1 MY FATHER (1982) landscape painters. Amber's Ken was born in 1940, when newly released hardcover book, his father was away with the Ken Done: Art Design Life, is RAAF in World War II. That meant Ken published by Thames & Hudson didn’t meet his bomber-pilot father for with a retail price of $80. the first five years of his life, until the end of the war. This was an event met with excitement and trepidation as, up to that moment, his father had been the stuff of stories and a photograph by his mother’s bed. I think this painting powerfully conveys how this unusual situation must have felt to a young boy.

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coastal cool INSIDE The design of this home reflects its beachside location Sweeping views of the Indian Ocean provide a glittering backdrop for this home south of Perth. Robust materials were selected for the build, and concrete sensibly chosen for both the indoor and outdoor living zones, which means sandy feet fresh from the beach and changeable seaside weather are all welcomed. From the kitchen, bifold windows open onto the perfect perch for a late-afternoon drink – ideal for the owners, who love to host family and friends. Turn to page 78 for more. PHOTOGRAPHY JODY D’ARCY STYLING ANGELA KINNEY

INSIDE | HOME STUDY CORNER This quiet part of the house is ideal to work in. Recycled timber desk by Timberzoo. Rattan chair from Freedom. Framed print by Penny @Loha. EXTERIOR (opposite) Owner Briony and dog Clive at their home beneath the gum trees. The facade’s silvertop ash is from Barwon Timber. Outdoor table, Jati. hdaapypsy For a surf-loving family on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, the decision to rebuild their longed-for beach cottage in a sensitive way meant the beginning of an endless summer WORDS HARRIET SIM PHOTOGRAPHY NIKOLE RAMSAY STYLING EMMA O’MEARA 60 | INSIDE OUT

cheat sheet Who lives here Briony and Ben Roberts, real-estate business owners; their sons, Remy, 14, and Tully, 12; plus two dogs, labradoodle Clive and spoodle Jack. Style of home A four-bedroom renovated beach house at Barwon Heads in Victoria, which retains the best design elements of the site’s original cottage. The house was purchased in November 2016 and knocked down in December 2018. The rebuild began in April 2019 and took a year to complete.

“We wanted to build a comfortable, relaxed space for our family, where the boys could create beautiful childhood memories” BRIONY ROBERTS, HOMEOWNER

INSIDE | HOME Growing up along the sunny shores of Barwon ENTRANCE (above) A handy Ikea bench — and Clive — near the door. Heads on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, Carpet, Solomons Flooring. Gold pot, Cactus Designs Indoor Plants. real-estate agent Briony Roberts would KITCHEN (below) “Make design decisions based on your lifestyle,” advises often admire this block among the gum Briony, whose open-plan kitchen has easy access to a north-facing deck trees. She especially loved the cottage that sat and pool. The stools were made by Nat Starr, a friend of Briony’s. on it, for its traditional design, abundance LIVING AREA (opposite) The Plush sofa gets plenty of use. Floor, raw of light and close proximity to the beach. oak with a Woca white pre-colour finish. Ottoman and cushions, Rigby’s That home was front of mind when Briony and her husband Homewares. Walls, Dulux Natural White. Artwork by Natalie Jade. Ben entered the property market in 2016 and approached the owners. After negotiating with them to sell the house off- INSIDE OUT | 63 market, the couple and their two young surf-loving sons, Remy and Tully, secured the ultimate coastal retreat. A short drive from Geelong, charming Barwon Heads boasts pristine shores and rivers, a local school and the bustle of popular cafes. “We ride our bikes out for dinner and drinks,” says Briony. “When the boys aren’t surfing, they often take their fishing rods down to the jetty at the end of our street. Being in a central position means that someone is always dropping in, which we love, too. I grew up in the middle of Barwon Heads and we walked or rode everywhere – and I wanted to provide that same, simple lifestyle for our kids.” The initial plan was to renovate the house while keeping the character of the original building. However, the discovery of asbestos and a big restoration quote put paid to that. It was a tough decision to make after two years of living there. “We loved the original beach house – it was light and bright and had a great feel to it,” says Briony. “It was always at the forefront of our design to keep as many elements of that house, which is how we came up with the brief: a new old beach house.” Sticking close to the existing floor plan, the couple asked Ben’s childhood friend, Jesse Plumridge of Ardor Design Build, to bring that brief to life. And so, while the home is ostensibly new, elements of its heritage are everywhere, from the original whitewashed timber floors to the 36-year-old whale weathervane on the garage roof, gifted by Briony’s parents. The thoughtfully renovated home now has four bedrooms and ample living space within, while the generous garden includes a pool and shower tailored to the family’s outdoor lifestyle. “Even when it’s windy on the beach, our pool area is so private and protected. It’s beautiful here all year round,” says Briony. “And the outdoor shower means the boys can come straight from the surf with their sandy feet.”

One of the rebuild’s major design requests was to utilise the KITCHEN/DINING (above) “The best space in our home generous natural light, creating a trans-seasonal space that brings is the beautiful combined kitchen, dining and living area,” the outside in. This was achieved by incorporating sweeping says Briony. “The round windows are inspired by the glass doors across the entire back of the house. original house and we’ve used them throughout.” Borghini Naturale quartz benchtop and splashback from Smartstone. Designing a home that accommodates not only seasonal Dining table, Mandaleigh Furniture. Dining chairs by Nat changes but the transitioning needs of the growing family was Starr. Bosch oven and steam oven. Fisher & Paykel fridge. also a major practical requirement. “The kids are getting more Tapware, Sussex Taps. Pendant lights, Rigby’s Homewares. independent and come and go as they please from the surf, Art photograph by Amelia Anderson. HALLWAY (above left) to get hot chips or go to their mates’ houses,” says Briony. Texture comes to the fore in the rattan side table from Black “We use a keypad entry code for our front door, which means Salt Co and wicker wall art from Rigby’s Homewares. we don’t have to worry about hiding keys or losing them. We have enough individual space, but also a really lovely family area where we share quality time together.” Encouraging privacy and independence while still ensuring a comfortable and secure home is another thing the Roberts factored into the interiors. “It was important to have common study areas where Ben and I can see what the kids are doing on their screens,” says Briony. “So we built a study in the front living area, where it’s private and quiet but not hidden from view.” As you move about the home, you get a sense of the family’s lifestyle. Soft hues and sophisticated design melds with playful beach prints. A surfboard perched proudly in one corner hints at the family’s love of the waves, while seamless integrated storage throughout keeps the remaining beach equipment under wraps. Despite the household being predominantly male, Briony has injected her own personal touches – a decision that met with a little resistance from her husband. “Much to Ben’s disgust,” she says, laughing, “the ensuite in our bedroom is pink; I needed something feminine in our house full of boys!” Contact Ardor Design Build through ardordesignbuild.com.au 64 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | HOME good news During the build phase, the house was pre-wired to allow for the family’s future needs, which may include installing an electric vehicle charger in the garage for an electric car. FIRST FLOOR 1 Deck GROUND FLOOR 2 Entry 18 3 Garage 4 Living/study 5 Bedroom 6 Bedroom 13 7 Walk-in wardrobe 10 12 8 Ensuite 11 16 9 Main bedroom 56 10 Bathroom 14 11 Laundry 4 12 12 Butler’s pantry 13 Kitchen 14 Dining area 7 17 15 Living area 9 16 Deck 3 15 17 Pool 8 18 Attic bedroom

LESSONS LEARNT “Be patient because things take time” BRIONY ROBERTS, HOMEOWNER “I’m a really visual person and found it difficult to envisage how things would look from the plan, so I’d often go on site and make changes, which delayed the process. It taught me how to be patient. Things are worth waiting for if it means getting them right. It was also important to develop a great relationship with our builder. He worked well with us and nothing was too hard for him to change — even though he probably hated me by the end!”

INSIDE | HOME “The guest room in the attic came up so well that sometimes we wish it was our bedroom!” BRIONY GUEST ROOM (above) “This was a last-minute inclusion,” says Briony. “It was such an incredible space and seemed a waste to use it just for storage.” The rug was sourced for her in Morocco by the owners of Rigby’s Homewares, which also supplied the throw. Quilt cover and floral pillowcases, Society Of Wanderers. Apricot pillowcase, Kip & Co. Chaise longue, Black Salt Co. Chair, Kmart. REMY’S ROOM (right) A custom timber board by master shaper Tom Wegener and a surfboard from Bass Surfboards confirm the boys’ favourite pastime. Bedside table, Ikea. Floral quilt cover, Kip & Co. Pillowcases, Society Of Wanderers. Print, 41 Orchard. ENSUITE (below and opposite) Playful Bungalow encaustic tiles by Tile Cloud gave Briony just the right amount of pink in her bathroom. Vanity top, Borghini Naturale quartz by Smartstone. Sink, Concrete Republic. Brushed gold hardware, Reece. INSIDE OUT | 67

INSIDE | HOME DECK Briony and Ben chose outdoor furniture from Freedom’s new range. Armchair by Home Bazar from Bunnings. POOL AREA (opposite) The whole family chilling out around the pool, which was installed by Geelong-based company Gordon Ave Pools & Spas. Deckchairs and plant pots, Bunnings. GREAT FINDS CLOCKWISE (from top) Cosmic Universe unframed canvas print (35cm x 30cm), $222.22, Natalie Jade. Pebbles hand towel, $25, Kip & Co. Kuba light shade, ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: PALOMA GARAY $280, Rigby’s Homewares. Bangalow encaustic tiles in Pink Round and Baby Pink, $138 per sq m, Tile Cloud. Cannes armchair in Charcoal, $600, Freedom. Wanda pillowcase, $109 for two, Society Of Wanderers. Bijou Moroccan rug (185cm x 378cm), $3250, Greenhouse Interiors. Maine & Crawford ‘Casablanca’ pot, $69.95, Temple & Webster. Zimbabwe Binga basket, $160, Rigby’s Homewares. Callum buffet, $1699, Freedom. Halo basin in Dusty Pink, $690, Concrete Nation. 68 | INSIDE OUT

bright idea Rough-sawn cypress formed the old home’s side fence, so the Roberts decided to continue using it around the pool. Ben installed each paling himself. “It was a long and arduous task,” says Briony, “given that he has estate-agent’s hands!”

FA M I LY PROJECT The renovation of a Sydney house owned by one woman for nearly 70 years is a multi-generational hit WORDS JOANNE HAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WHITBREAD STYLING OLGA LEWIS

INSIDE | HOME CHEAT SHEET Who lives here Nicola Wines, a digital services manager for a national sporting body, and her boyfriend Nathan, an electrical estimator. Style of home A two-bedroom 1920s red-brick semi in Sydney’s Five Dock that’s been transformed with a considered and colourful renovation. Building work started in October 2019 and finished in June 2020. Approximately $800,000— $$$$ $900,000. KITCHEN Creating a new skillion roof was the brainchild of designer Alexandra Marrotte. The facing battens are blackbutt timber with a Grey Mist stain. Underneath, the polyurethane cabinetry is a mix of Dulux colours: Grid (dark blue), Spartan Blue (light blue) and Kinder Quarter (light grey). Smokey mirrored cabinets, DecoGlaze. Benchtops, Super White Dolomite (on benchtops and spashback), CDK Stone. Linear Slimline pendant (over island), Lighting Collective. Hof stools, Great Dane. Wave vase, Jardan. Vintage ceramic, Conley & Co. Artwork by Rina Freiberg, through The Wellington Gallery. INSIDE OUT | 71

As a child, Nicola Wines was a frequent visitor to “I like to play with the juxtaposition the Sydney home of her grandparents, Betty and of traditional features against more Ken. “When my mum Lisa went back to work, modern, contemporary elements” my grandparents looked after me three days a week and, after that, they were still the go-tos ALEXANDRA MARROTTE, SPATIAL DESIGNER for babysitting because they lived around the corner from us,” recalls Nicola. “We were all very close.” So close in fact, that when Betty passed away in 2018 – after living there since 1952 – the inner-western-suburbs property was left to her son Paul and his wife Lisa, in the hope that it would eventually become a home for her beloved granddaughter. “I’m an only child, as is my dad,” says Nicola, “and I think it was important to Betty that I could live close to my parents and everything I’d grown up with, if that’s what I chose to do.” While she loved the 1920s semi, Nicola geared up for a major revamp. Although the original section of the house (containing two bedrooms, a hallway and a living room) was solid, the back was a collection of tired, poky rooms on different levels, some of which had been added in the 1970s. With so many memories involving the house – Paul was also born there – the family was keen for the renovation to respect yet not be restrained by its history. “I wanted it to pay tribute to my grandparents’ house,” says Nicola, “but at the same time, feel like it was my home.” Designer Alexandra Marrotte of Sydney-based Amarot was engaged to fix the floor plan, after Lisa saw how she had transformed a colleague’s Victorian property. “That finished result was incredible, and I liked that Alexandra was a young architect with fresh ideas that could work well in the renovation of an old house,” says Lisa. Key items on the wish list included another bedroom and a bathroom (“we knew the renovation was going to cost a lot of money anyway, so it made sense to add them,” says Lisa), an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area and, at Nicola’s request, vivid pops of colour throughout. Alexandra’s design response was to knock down everything apart from the original front section; the wider-than-average block meant that the space behind it could include a new main bedroom, ensuite and main bathroom, with a European laundry tucked into a hallway leading to the rear. The combined kitchen and living areas are now at the back, with a raised ceiling and clerestory windows bringing in much-needed northern light. “Lifting up the ceiling was also crucial because we had to raise the floor in that area to make the house level from front to back,” says Alexandra. “The skillion roof also became an important design feature because of the light it introduces to the space, not to mention the wonderful glimpses of trees and sky through those upper windows.” DINING AREA Glass tinted with ecoGlaze reflects the sun, and double-lined curtains prevent heat or cold transfer, making it really pleasant to be in here right through the year. The Ana dining table is a super-flexible laminate- topped style featuring a butterfly extension, and the 58/68 chairs are a classic design by Hans J Wegner, both from Great Dane. Jumbo Diamond vase in Baby Blue, Jardan. Tiki sofa, Fred International. Marcel pendant cluster in Smoke, Beacon Lighting. Wall colour, Dulux Silver Jewel. Abstract artwork by Ray Saunderson, through The Wellington Gallery. 72 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | HOME 14 12 5 6 1 Entry 9 Kitchen 10 2 Bedroom 10 Dining area 3 Bedroom 11 Living area 13 9 3 4 Sitting room 12 Laundry 87 5 Main bedroom 13 Deck 42 11 6 Walk-in wardrobe 14 Shed 1 7 Ensuite 8 Bathroom

INSIDE | HOME good news The new back section of the house was built according to passive solar design principles, with a north-facing skillion roof, clerestory windows and louvres to capture breezes. HALLWAY (top) Looking into the living area, where the tops of the curtains A striking element of the new space is the blue and grey and air-conditioners are concealed by the batten detail encircling the space. polyurethane kitchen cabinetry (“I don’t tend to do white “Putting timber up there makes it feel much more special,” says Alexandra. kitchens,” says Alexandra with a laugh), which is combined with “It also draws the eye up to the detail of the roof.” Flooring, natural blackbutt luxurious slabs of Super White Dolomite stone on the with a matt finish. Rugs throughout the home, Cadrys. BEDROOM (above) benchtops and splashback. More stone has been used in the A quiet corner with a chair from Cult, Knock Out table from Fred International bathrooms, where elegant grey-toned Fior di Bosco marble is and Rina Freiberg art. LIVING AREA (opposite) Another work by Rina plays paired with vertically laid handmade subway tiles and porcelain to the room’s multi-coloured mood. Sequence coffee table, Cult. Poppy pouf floor tiles. The overall look is serene. “We wanted the and Lektor lamp, Fred International. Vase, Conley & Co. Rope dish, Greg Natale. bathrooms to be crisp yet quite neutral and relaxing,” she adds. Despite the block being a snug 395 square metres, the house feels spacious, thanks to more light and consideration given to the flow and proportions inside. “Every room was mapped out so it ended up being the size and design it needed to be,” says Alexandra, who also helped with the colour palette. In the original part of the house, the period features have been offset with liberal splashes of colour. The sitting room is painted vibrant Murobond Turquoise (or ‘Nicola Green’, as Lisa calls it), while the main bedroom walls have a moody vibe courtesy of Murobond’s inky-blue Pacific. Reno over and Lisa, Paul and Nicola couldn’t be happier with the finished result. (“So much so that our friends ask us why we haven’t moved in,” jokes Lisa). She thinks Betty would be thrilled that Nicola and her boyfriend Nathan have made the place their home. “Being a Depression-era child, Betty wasn’t very good at spending money, and I don’t think she could have imagined this sort of renovation to her house. But in saying that, she would have loved it,” says Lisa. The same goes for granddaughter Nicola, who sums it all up by saying, “Sometimes I have to pinch myself over how fortunate I’ve been, and how lucky I am to live here.” Alexandra Marrotte is the director of Amarot. See more of her spatial design work at amarot.com.au or @amarot.designs 74 | INSIDE OUT



GREAT FINDS CLOCKWISE (from rug) Vintage overdye rug in Soft Blue, from $3775, ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: NATALIE JOHNSON Coco Republic. PP Mobler 58/68 chair by Hans J Wegner, from $2200, Great Dane. Zoe cushion in Beetroot (50cm), $65.95, Weave. Elk bolster cushion in Mustard (18cm x 60cm), $210, Jardan. Crinkle Plaid throw, from $245, Hay. Sequence table in Headland Red, $1650, Coco Flip. Wave ceramic vase in Oyster, $280, Jardan. BZippy & Co ‘Jumbo Diamond’ ceramic vase in Baby Blue, $650, Jardan. Antipodes fabric in Flax, POA, James Dunlop Textiles. Infinity Marble ‘Fior di Bosco’ porcelain slab tile (160cm x 320cm), $1356 per slab, Tile Republic. Murobond ‘Murowash’ paint in Pacific, $104.95 per 4L, Paint World. Vaughn floor lamp, $99, Freedom. Fogia ‘Poppy’ pouf in Diamond 402, from $2167, Fred International. 76 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | HOME lessons learnt “BE BRAVE WITH YOUR CHOICES” LISA WINES, HOMEOWNER “While respecting the history of the house and the strong family connection, we wanted it to be light and modern. Making this a home to suit a new generation meant being adventurous with aspects that show individuality and the choices of the occupants. Bold colours were a specific request of Nicola’s, and have been incorporated using paint and fittings that work with the more neutral original features.” MAIN BEDROOM After living in bland rental apartments for some time, Nicola wanted colour in the original part of the house, to make it feel like her home. “The beauty of paint is that I can just repaint the wall in a different colour if I get bored of it,” she says, adding that this room’s Murobond Pacific is beautiful and changes with the light. Side table, Vampt Vintage Design. Cushion, Jardan. Artwork by Rina Freiberg. LAUNDRY (opposite top) Laminex Oyster Grey Natural joinery is jazzed with Evenex Deep Grain Oak overhead cupboards and a Fior di Bosco stone benchtop. ENSUITE (opposite) All the home’s wet areas have the same materials, and there’s a custom shaving cabinet here. Wall and floor tiles, Kalafrana Ceramics. Tapware, Phoenix. Ceramic vase, Hay. Towel, Hale Mercantile Co.

INSIDE | HOME STYLE CENTRAL Having the best global furniture at their fingertips meant the founders of WA’s Empire homewares had a surfeit of standouts for their new beach home WORDS JACKIE BRYGEL PHOTOGRAPHY JODY D’ARCY STYLING ANGELA KINNEY AND SAMANTHA TATULLI 78 | INSIDE OUT

cheat sheet Who lives here Jill and Perry Coleman, who are longstanding furniture and accessory retailers and the founders of Empire homewares. Style of home A Mediterranean-inspired beachfront home 220km south-west of Perth, with four bedrooms and spacious entertaining zones inside and out. The design and build phases were approximately two years, and the home was completed in 2017. MAIN ENTRANCE (both pages) The chair above sits to the right of the hall table, and the passage leads to the home’s media room. Outside the window is a spectacular group of staghorn ferns that form a natural backdrop for the room’s aged timber, concrete and organic fabrics. The console is a one-off bleached-teak piece Jill found in India on one of her overseas buying trips. Much of her home’s contents was, at some point, sold by, or sourced through, Empire.

INSIDE | HOME LIVING AREA (above) All the furniture is from Empire, while the rug is by Armadillo. Sergio antique mindi wood and rattan buffet. Yuki modular sofa and chaise. Brass and marble side table. Bespoke reclaimed teak root coffee table. Leather pouf. Artwork, vintage. ENTRANCE (below) A print by Stuart Cantor evokes the old-school Mediterranean glamour Jill loves. Vintage cabinet, Empire. MAIN BEDROOM (below) This sitting area features Empire’s Parakeet linen sofa and marble and brass Flower coffee table. Extra cushions, House Of Casa. Antique marble sculptural figures, a special find in Hong Kong. Everything has meaning in Jill and Perry Coleman’s beautiful and beguiling home by the sea in Western Australia. Jill is a passionate collector who founded popular interiors brand Empire homewares with Perry almost three decades ago, and has brought her much- imitated style to this incredible house. Cocooned in greenery beside the white sands of Geographe Bay, it’s a serene sanctuary filled with intriguing one-of-a-kind pieces that tell a uniquely personal tale and cast a spell on all who visit. It’s been 16 years since the couple, now grandparents, set up home in this very special part of the world. “At the time,” says Jill, “there was an old house here. It had problems and needed to be brought up to scratch. But we loved the position – right on the water, just 10 metres to the beach. You couldn’t get any closer really. We lived in the house, doing bits and pieces, for years. Eventually, I drew up a plan for a major renovation, but no-one could really give me a price for it.” Six years ago, the Colemans decided the time had come to build a new house on their perfectly located block and, while Jill called on the expertise of their family friend, semi-retired Eagle Bay architect Mario Bernardi, for the project, she knew exactly where to source inspiration for the two-storey design. “Over the years I have travelled a lot with my work, and I particularly love the Mediterranean,” she says. “I’ve always admired the homes in that part of the world and their clean lines. I also love the work of modernist architect Richard Neutra and the residences he built in the Californian desert. But I really 80 | INSIDE OUT

“Aside from green, my other love is pink. I guess that’s the Mediterranean influence. It softens everything” JILL COLEMAN, FURNITURE RETAILER/OWNER

DINING Green has been used to stunning effect with these hand-cut Emerald vases. The custom teak dining table, Breuer chairs and double hanging chair (outside) are also from Empire. ENTRANCE (opposite left) At the back of the stairs is the timber door designed by Perry. The sculpture next to it is vintage Indonesian. KITCHEN (opposite right) Jill is a great cook and wanted a kitchen she’d love to spend time in. She specified herringbone teak for the island front and Carrara marble for the benchtop. Gras N313 pendant lights, Spence & Lyda. Bar stools, Mushroom lamp and Smoke glass vase, all Empire.

INSIDE | HOME wanted this place to be an eclectic reflection of my travels, and Jill and Perry’s daughter, Elissa Coleman, who is the creative for it to feel like a very beachy house.” director of the brand and now CEO of the five Empire retail spaces across WA, sums up the overall look. “My mother wanted Purist in design and free-flowing in nature, this is indeed the interior spaces to mirror the surrounding landscape, so a a home at one with its pristine landscape. A raw palette and coastal palette has been used throughout. A monochromatic artisan finishes, from exposed concrete flooring to rammed- scheme can appear flat, so she created layers of textures using earth walls, imbue each space with a strong sense of organic soft fabrics such as linens and wools for depth and interest. materiality. There are open-plan living areas overlooking the The palette also forms a seamless and beautiful canvas for my ocean downstairs, along with three bedrooms and ensuites, family’s favourite objects and collections. And because she loves a media room and a plant-filled atrium. Upstairs is the main to decorate, the interior spaces are always evolving.” bedroom suite, a home office, an art space and a rooftop terrace. Ditto for the outdoor spaces. Jill is a keen gardener and felt Throughout, consistent splashes of Jill’s favourite hues it was important for the house to “grow into itself ”, too. – emerald green and blush pink – come to the fore, while Thriving plantings of low-maintenance succulents and cacti expanses of glass usher in light and views. There are also many bring a life-affirming sense of movement to the house and eye-catching design elements, including the arched walkway garden, creating a continuous link between them.“It’s like an under the stairs and the monumental yet fully retractable timber oasis now,” she says. “The cacti have gone crazy in the courtyard and glass door (designed by Perry) that makes an indelible and I love that. It’s also a very cool home in summer, with all impression in the foyer. “That door is such a feature,” says Jill, of the concrete, and in winter we have the big open fire. In “as are the recycled teak doors at the entrance to the courtyard.” autumn, the weather is just beautiful every day.” When the time came to decorate, Jill says the process was Above all, this home offers an effortless welcome to family a little more taxing than she anticipated. “It’s a funny thing, but and friends, especially the ones who get to stay. “We wanted I could probably walk into someone else’s home and know to build a beach house that would be easy to live in and enjoy exactly what pieces they could add, or what I’d do. But with my with those we love,” says Jill. “This place isn’t pretentious or own home, I found it quite challenging. I think it’s because the precious – it’s very much a ‘people’ house.” house doesn’t have a lot of walls available. I had to place things Empire has a huge range of furniture and accessories across its stores. that I knew had a real reason to be there – and I had to really See more at empirehomewares.com.au or @empirehomewares love them. Even now, I’m still adding and changing things.” INSIDE OUT | 83

INSIDE | HOME “We don’t have any chrome here — it’s all aged brass. I didn’t want the house to be shiny in any way so I opted to keep everything quite organic” JILL MAIN BEDROOM (above) Just inside the suite’s entrance are two gorgeous Empire pieces, the Louis mirror and Cuban low buffet, plus a studded brass pot. Tapestry bed and Mushroom lamp, also Empire. Gras wall light, Spence & Lyda. Bed linen, Society Of Wanderers. GUEST ENSUITE (opposite) Jill chose hand-cut glazed tiles from Italy for the feature wall at the back of the shower. Retreat mirror, Empire. Tapware, Astra Walker. Towels, Missoni and Bemboka. 84 | INSIDE OUT

LESSONS LEARNT “A house needs heart and soul” JILL COLEMAN, HOMEOWNER “Some people think it should simply be a case of ‘out with the old, in with the new’ when moving into a new place. But I have never believed in starting afresh with everything. My advice would always be to make the pieces that are closest to your heart work, regardless of your new home’s style.”

OUTDOOR DINING (below) Adding a blush-pink wall (in a Dulux custom colour) to this scheme of black and neutrals was a stroke of genius. Teak table, Positano chairs and vases, Empire. Ay Illuminate bamboo and cotton pendant lights, Spence & Lyda. TERRACE (right) In the open space overlooking the water are Salur teak armchairs and recycled-teak stumps from Empire. Patterned cushions, House Of Casa. GREAT FINDS ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: KATE HASSETT

INSIDE | HOME good news Empire’s drive for sustainability includes sourcing new and vintage pieces in high-quality teak, mango wood, rattan and bamboo. CLOCKWISE (from far left) Breuer side chair in Black/Rattan, $299, Empire. Nala rug (170cm x 240cm), $1640, Armadillo. Lynette velvet cushion in Dusty Mauve, $89.95, Eadie Lifestyle. Terra Australis candle, $70, Lumira. Sergio buffet, $1999, Empire. Hand-cut Honeycomb vase in Sea Green, $229, and hand-cut Drum vase in Sea Green, both Empire. Aalto vase in Opal White, $349, Iittala. Bagni Da Maria framed print (67cm x 100cm), $1199, Stuart Cantor Photography. Z1 silk-cashmere pendant light in Black/ White, $1450, Spence & Lyda. Round leather ottoman in Brown, $380, April & Oak. Sari Studio bedside table in Black/Black Marble, from $899, Empire. Ocean Beach encaustic-look hexagon tiles in White, $115 per sq m, Tile Cloud. Root Block coffee table in Raw, POA, Empire. J’ai Soif carafe and glass, $89, Maison Balzac. INSIDE OUT | 87

INSIDE | HOME B E YO N D T H E Heritage restrictions weren’t going to stop a NSW family from having the contemporary home their hearts were set on B R I E F WORDS SHARON MISKO PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTINA ŠOLJO STYLING KAYLA GEX

EXTERIOR James Hardie cladding and black timber panelling from Eco Timber Group sit well with the painted sections in Dulux White On White and Resene Black. The roof is galvanised steel. Wall light, Beacon Lighting. cheat sheet Who lives here Jess Hunter, an interior designer with her own business; her husband Sam, director of operations at Manheim Auctions; their four daughters ranging from five to 12: Bea, Lily, Olive and Ellie; and black labrador Willow. Style of home A new house in the heritage township of Berrima that comprises a traditional Georgian- cottage element at the front and two contemporary pavilions at the back. After the design work was done, the build took 18 months and was completed in July 2019.

INSIDE | HOME A fter living in a 1950s weatherboard LIVING AREA (above) cottage for some time, NSW Southern Breeze-friendly windows and Highlands interior designer Jess Hunter a fireplace make this the place and her husband Sam were set on a to be all year. Custom sofa. contemporary new build for their next Curtains, The Curtain Theatre, family home. But finding a great block using linen from Fabric House. they could build on freely in the Dining chairs, GlobeWest. heritage township of Berrima proved challenging. KITCHEN (top left) Black Dekton Domoos benchtops To avoid compromising their dream, the couple found an by Cosentino complement the empty block in 2017 and engaged Bowral-based architect fuss-free dark concrete floor. Tina Tziallas of Tziallas Architects, who came up with a clever Appliances, Miele. Artworks design that met the local heritage requirements and gave them by Georgie Wilson. the new home they were after. In her plan, Tina placed a Georgian-style cottage at the front and linked it to two equally new pavilions, which met all the council’s criteria. “We were able to come up with the perfect balance on the outside,” she says. “And on the inside, we could do whatever we wanted!” Another key part of the brief was a home that sat comfortably in the surrounding landscape and had a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. Tina achieved this by allowing a comfortable amount of room between the pavilions and blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. “This design has encouraged us to utilise and live on the whole property,” says Jess. While Tina was busy synthesising traditional and contemporary architectural styles on the outside, Jess devised a clever scheme to link the interiors, using the same materials and a limited colour palette throughout. 90 | INSIDE OUT

good news The Hunters installed hydronic heating throughout, which is an environmentally clean and cost- effective system that warms by circulating hot water through radiators or pipework in floors or ceilings. “The pavilion design has encouraged us to utilise and live on the whole property, with no boundaries between indoors and out” JESS HUNTER, INTERIOR DESIGNER/OWNER

INSIDE | HOME LAUNDRY This space is luxuriously large, and its white walls and dark floor link it to the overall scheme. Benchtop, Caesarstone Pure White. Tiles, Di Lorenzo. Cabinetry, Steves Joinery. Stool, Ikea. Peg caddy, Kmart. OFFICE (opposite) One open and one enclosed shelf strike the perfect balance. Bench (as in kitchen). Timber panelling, Glosswood. Chair, GlobeWest. Lamp, Beacon Lighting.

The pavilions focus on three areas: open-plan living, 6 7 1 Entry 1 a parents’ retreat, and a kids’ zone. Robust polished-concrete 5 8 2 Garden area flooring became the signature feature, and hydronic heating was 4 3 Bedroom installed to combat the chill of the winter months. Jess warmed 3 9 4 Bathroom her design visually with three main elements: Glosswood 5 Bedroom panelling (in the hallway), linen pendants from MRD Home 22 1 2 6 Entry 2 (dotted about), and masses of floor-to-ceiling curtains (in every 14 13 7 Bedroom room), which immediately softened the place. 12 10 8 Bathroom 11 9 Bedroom For the kitchen, Jess specified minimal joinery to create an 10 Main bedroom even greater sense of openness. She chose practical Dekton 16 11 Walk-in Domoos Matte Nero for the benchtops and print-resistant black 15 wardrobe/ensuite Laminex AbsoluteMatte fronts for the cabinetry. “There are lots of little fingers in our house,” she says, “and I didn’t want to be 12 Powder room cleaning the cupboard doors a million times a day.” 13 Laundry/pantry 14 Entry 3 Jess managed the build while working on numerous projects 15 Study for her own business, and moved her family seven times during 16 Kitchen that time. Aside from that, she absolutely loved the process. 17 Dining area “I’d do it over and over again,” she says. “I’m very lucky that 18 Living area Sam trusts me because I really got to run with it.” 19 Terrace 20 Veg garden Working with an architect from the start of the project was 21 Lawn key to the success of the build, she says. “Many people think 22 Parking “Many people think interior 20 17 21 design follows the build, but 18 working with the architect from the beginning creates 19 a more cohesive result” JESS interior design follows the build, but working with the architect on the floor plan and interiors from the beginning creates a more cohesive result. And that way, you can resolve any issues early on – from where the power and plumbing points are going, to furniture choices and any custom joinery that you may need. This can save a lot of time, money and stress. I also recommend buying major furniture and lighting pieces during the build in case the budget is tight at the end.” Though the home has only one living area, there’s plenty of room for everybody to do their thing. Jess says it’s a very fluid space, mostly revolving around the kitchen. “We all move easily from indoors to out, be it prepping for a barbecue or setting up the fire pit, and the kids rollerskate on the concrete floors between the two – we love it.” For more information on Jess’s work, visit jesshunterinteriors.com and her Instagram accounts @jesshunterinteriors or @_number_sixteen_. Tziallas Architects is at tziallasarchitects.com.au and @tziallas_architects INSIDE OUT | 93

INSIDE | HOME

MAIN BEDROOM Linen from Target and The Beach People vibes with the Glosswood panelling and curtain-fabric folds. Wall light, Soktas. Artwork, Few And Far. ENSUITE (opposite top) A wall piece from Bowral store Arkke offsets the boldness of the Meco bath. The shower features Di Lorenzo tiles and Milli tapware from Reece. Brush, Bare Body Beauty Co. KIDS’ ROOM (opposite, bottom left) Ikea provided the bunk beds, pendant light and curtains. Side table, Adairs. Rug, Jumbled. MAIN BATHROOM (opposite, bottom right) The black- framed screen lines up with the polished concrete floor and tiles from Art Of Tiles. Vanity, Reece. Basin, ABI Interiors. Hooks, Designstuff. INSIDE OUT | 95

GREAT FINDS Q&A Describe the location of your home It’s in Berrima, a special part of the Southern Highlands. We’re out ADDITIONAL PRODUCT SOURCING: JOSIE SMITHof the day-to-day busyness of Bowral, but on weekends we still get a nice amount of tourists visiting. Berrima CLOCKWISE (from top) Hanging timber drying rack in Black, $437, George & Willy. has that old-town charm, and we love that the kids can Go Your Own Way print, from $395, Georgie Wilson. Kadai iron fire pit, $1300, Few walk to school, ride their bikes around the streets and And Far. Zest Boujad wool rug (159cm x 246cm), $2495, Jumbled. Mydal single pine get themselves to the local ice-cream shop. bunk bed, $299, Ikea. Dot velvet cushion in Warm Grey (45cm x 60cm), $195, Hay Shop. Steel surface in Surfmist, POA, Colorbond. Dekton ‘Domoos’ matt surface, Did some design plans or items change during the POA, Cosentino. Matita Denim mosaic tiles, POA, Di Lorenzo. Bare face cleanser and build, perhaps due to lack of space or budget? charcoal body wash, $38 and $36, Bare Body Beauty Co. Droplet glass wall light, $1050, Soktas. Paros bath sheet in Khaki, $79.95, Aura Home. Sketch ‘Requin’ dining As always in a build, something had to give, although chair, $395, GlobeWest. Van Der Rohe metal vase (18cm x 41cm), $135, Few And Far. we said the pool was never going to be that thing. But of course it was; stage two was the pool! Anything non-negotiable in your build? The cellar. It was the one thing Sam really wanted. Best surprise discovery in your home? Our main- bedroom pavilion has become a sanctuary for me, because I can close it off and have quiet time away from my family when I need it. The other surprise element was the stream next door to us. The kids go exploring over there, they build their own structures and enjoy nature – I love that! Like to share any cost-saving tips? We used Ikea wardrobes in the kids’ rooms instead of custom joinery. 96 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | HOME lessons learnt “A couple of things spring to mind” JESS HUNTER, INTERIOR DESIGNER/OWNER “There are two things I wish we’d done differently. One of them would have been to put flyscreens in the living room to ward off pesky insects. I would also have loved more wardrobe space in the main bedroom, but we wanted a separate powder room next door.” BACKYARD The family gathered around the fire pit, a recent purchase from Few And Far. Outdoor furniture, Ikea. FRONT GARDEN (opposite) Jess chose crisp White On White paint by Dulux for the exterior. Bench seat, House Of Orange. Woven seat, Byron Bay Hanging Chairs. Wall light, Lighting Collective. Stonework by Oakwood Fencing And Landscaping.

THE CUT Is this Australia’sHOTPROPERTY best house? How a TV search for domestic design bliss led to a barn-style build in a Melbourne suburb OVERALL WINNER Camberwell House 98 | INSIDE OUT

INSIDE | HOME FINALIST Bayside House PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON SMITH (GROSVENOR), VICTOR MILAT (BAYSIDE), MARTINA GEMMOLA (CAMBERWELL) From a selection of incredible properties across the country, FINALIST Grosvenor House a winner has emerged for Australia’s Best House, the (this image and above) Channel 9 TV show hosted by Megan Gale. “Australians have a healthy obsession with all things house and home,” she FINALIST says of the seven-episode series that managed to film last year in the grip of COVID-19. The pandemic didn’t deter the judging Winner: Best modern house panel – interior designer Kate Walker, architect Luke Fry and builder Andrew Purdie – either. To find a superstar house for Grosvenor House by Gerard Smith Design the title, they checked out candidates ranging from a clever project home delivering a luxurious bang for the owners’ buck, Scooping a unanimous vote by the judges, this Noosa home a waterfront house built to make the most of its views, and a of exceptional open and private spaces combined with soaring whimsical residential project that feels more like a home in an raked ceilings and a 6m-long concrete waterfall kitchen bench Italian village than the suburban acreage it’s on. blitzed the modern-house category. “It’s an iconic example of resort living in Queensland,” says judge Luke Fry. FIRST PRIZE FINALIST Overall winner Winner: Homes that entertain Camberwell Home by Heartly Bayside House by Anthem Build This is an incredible black, barn-style house in Victoria. The free-standing contemporary structure was inspired by both This clean-lined Victorian home is a clever combination of Scandinavian and New Zealand design, and sketched by the luxurious materials and calm simplicity. Until you get to the owner, Belinda Alexander. Heartly director Mikayla Rose, who extraordinary concrete-encased man cave, complete with wine offers architecture and design services, took over from there. cellar, fridges and an underground window into the swimming pool above. “It’s ideal – the sort of place to have a formal setting Mikayla understands the attraction of her project. “The house with guests or just bring the kids down to chill out. This is a has this really strong sense of intrigue,” she says. “Visitors are left great multi-purpose build,” says judge Andrew Purdie. wondering, ‘What’s going on there? I want to see inside.’ There Watch the show on 9LIFE and 9now. Entries for the next series close are lots of little design elements where something is concealed on July 30; send to [email protected] and not immediately obvious – like a secret main bedroom and a hidden office/butler’s pantry. Each is a space within a space.” Judge Kate Walker had this to say about the interior details that appealed to her. “The concrete floor, the timber, the leather pulls on the handles – they’ve really juxtaposed the strength of the concrete with other materials.”

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