Australian House & Garden May 2025

WISH LIST As always, the year is flying by. I am writing this from Milan, a city I am so fond of – I have been lucky enough to visit many times over the past decade. It is this time of year when designers and companies from around the world show us what they have been working on, which shapes the trends that end up in our homes. It’s always great to run into Australians, not only taking in the installations but showing their work to the world – one day, we stumbled across Melbourne lighting designer Ross Gardam’s beautiful work in the busy Brera area. We will bring you what we’ve seen and what will make it to Australia in upcoming issues. Our fabulous cover and upfront story is…

EDITORIAL Editor in chief Tanya Buchanan Creative director Antonietta Panuccio Deputy editor Peter Griffiths Senior copy editors Bethan Lacoba, Debbie Duncan Editorial assistant Rhiannon Lidbury ART & STYLE Art directors Marissa Foye, Andrea Healy Stylist Sophie Wilson CONTRIBUTORS Brigid Arnott, Kirsten Bookallil, Nicholas Caldwell, Jonathan Cohen, Lisa Cohen, Amanda Cordony, Steve Cordony, Michelle Cox, Jamee Deaves, Claire Delmar, Marnie Hawson, Les Hewitt, Kate Hickling, Maree Homer, Mitchell Kemp, Alana Landsberry, Olga Lewis, Jack Lovel, Abbie Mellé, Cieran Murphy, Eliza O’Hare, Judy Pascoe, Chris Pearson, Melissa Penfold, Carli Philips, Nikole Ramsay, Prue Ruscoe, Megan Sander, Toby Scott, Anson Smart, Kristina Šoljo, Karen Spresser, Melissa Tomarchio, Pablo Veiga, Isabella Walker-Smith, Tory Waller, Dave Wheeler, Jen Wilding, Lesley Workman. PRODUCTION Production planner Carla Olivieri Advertising controller Dominic Roy ADVERTISING Commercial category manager Rhyl…

Melissa Penfold’s harbourside apartment in Sydney’s east is exactly how you would imagine it to be. Welcome to Melissa-Land, an earthy, caramel-rich space, layered in tone and texture (and throws and cushions) on the fourth floor of a modernist apartment block designed by superstar 60s architect Douglas Snelling. It is the most elevated example of each of the six essential elements of decorating she shares in her latest book, which is about to hit the stands as her global followers (more than 320k of them) are busy pre-ordering copies. Her rules are: Ease, Flow, Light, Nature, Timelessness and Awe, which translate to practical things like bringing in lots of daylight; sticking to natural materials, bringing nature and greenery into our homes, creating lots of storage (because mess is stress); and…

PORTRAIT Basket, Dusty Luxe. Fruit bowl, Robert Gordon. Green bowl, French Knot. Vase, Provincial Home Living. Dish and pot, Pepperwhites. Chair, Castlery. Sconce, The Montauk Lighting Co. Flooring, Natural Floorcovering Centres. ‘Ticking Stripe’ in Navy wallpaper, Milton & King. TOP FIVE basin mixers UPON REFLECTION ‘Hawthorn Hill’ tilting mirror in Chrome, $1850, The English Tapware Company. A BEAUTIFULLY PERFUMED luxury soap duo will elevate an everyday moment. ‘Médie’ and ‘VIXI’ liquid soaps, $159 each, Trudon. RAIN FORECAST A character-filled alternative to regular chrome or popular gold finishes, authentic antique brass tapware is a timeless choice. Shower arm and head (250mm), $390, Yabby. TURKISH DELIGHT Creating a beautiful bathroom experience, even when renting or on a budget, is all about small moments of luxury. Quality towelling is the perfect opportunity for…

VERMICELLI SALAD WITH PEANUT & TAHINI SAUCE Prep time: 15 minutes. Serves: 4Ω6. 150g rice vermicelli ½ cup julienned carrots 120g (2 cups) shredded green cabbage 1 cucumber, thinly sliced rounds ½ red capsicum, thinly sliced strips 10g mint leaves 10g coriander leaves ¼ cup crushed salted peanuts, to serve Peanut & tahini sauce 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter 2 tablespoons tahini 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 lime, zested and juiced 2 teaspoons maple syrup 4 tablespoons (80ml) water 1 Place vermicelli in a medium bowl and cover in boiling water. Soak for 3–5 minutes, until soft. Drain. 2 To make peanut and tahini sauce, in a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, tahini, soy sauce, lime juice and maple syrup. Add water gradually, whisking until sauce reaches a smooth, pourable…

Traditional pieces in CALMING SHADES of blue are beautiful choices for those with CLASSIC TASTE. 1 ‘Junie’ napkins, $55/four, At Holm. 2 Bitossi centrepiece in Aqua, $169, Isabel. 3 Australian House & Garden ‘Esperance’ pitcher, $39.95, Myer. 4 Diptyque Orpheon limited edition eau de parfum, $309, Mecca. 5 Vintage table mug in Cobalt, $17.95, Robert Gordon. 6 ‘Vieux Luxembourg’ teapot, $219, Villeroy & Boch. 7 Oribe shampoo (250ml), $30, Mecca. 8 Australian House & Garden ‘Esperance’ tapas bowls in Pale Blue, $29.95/four, Myer. Ralph Lauren ‘Aiden Stripe’ wallpaper in Navy/White/Red, $280/roll, The Fabric Editors. PINK sparks joy whether it’s on a pretty teacup, a gorgeous patterned CUSHION or a centrepiece. 1 ‘La Piscina’ wine cooler, $220, Alex and Trahanas. 2 ‘Kabrina’ bowl, $139, Sage+Clare. 3 GG Emblem wallet, $850, Gucci.…