Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Country Style

EACH YEAR, I APPROACH the July issue of Country Style with some trepidation. It features our Moving to the Country special, where we talk to people who have left the city behind and built a life in regional Australia. It’s something I dream of doing one day, but this special issue brings that idea to the top of my mind and envy creeps in. I find myself looking at properties online and trying to figure out how I could do it now. But, in all honesty, I love my job too much. Being the editor of Country Style is my dream job and I realise I am lucky to be living that dream now. It is a privilege to tell stories about life in regional Australia, and I am a…

On Instagram This soulful home in the NSW Southern Highlands, belonging to Dirty Janes co-founder and antiques dealer Athol Salter, got a lot of Instagram love – read all about it online. Visit homestolove.com.au Subscribe and download our app Download the Country Style app (it’s free!) to read our online stories, or combine it with a digital subscription to get every issue. Our digital magazines are as beautiful as print, plus you can customise font sizes and listen to an audio version. On the App Store Country Style magazine NEWSLETTERS homestolove.com.au/country-style Get updates straight to your inbox with Country Style newsletters. They’re filled with sneak peeks. Scan the code, right, to sign up. PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE…

rise and shine Designed to last a lifetime and adapt to any lifestyle, the Cultiver x Colin King Studio capsule linen collection offers 12 pieces to mix and match to your requirements. The Bedroom edit (pictured) favours neutral hues, while new shades Cinnabar and Artichoke inject a dash of earthy colour. View the range at cultiver.com.au light read Bookworms, take note: the Trois floor lamp, $1705, created by interior designer Terri Shannon for Bloomingdales Lighting, will bring a touch of elegance and sophistication to your reading nook. Its textured fabric shades emit the perfect warm glow. Visit bloomingdales.com.au ROYAL TREATMENT Bring some regal, country estate-style vibes to your abode with the Royale three-seater fabric sofa, $1499. Turned legs and rolled arms make it a timeless edition to any home. Visit…

WITH A FRESHLY BUILT HOUSE in the Byron Bay hinterland, Susie Elliot found herself in a staring competition with her family home’s blank white walls. When she began a hunt for large-scale, impactful pieces within a reasonable decorating budget she was left disappointed. Everything fell into one of two categories – mass produced and cheap, or ethically made but too expensive. “I wanted something made with care, a slower process and made by hand,” Susie says. “I was searching for something and I couldn’t find it.” It was a light-bulb moment for the former graphic designer, who set to work creating her own bespoke wall hangings. “Once they were designed, I had to work out how and where to get them made,” explains Susie. “I searched all around Australia, but…

MUDROOM CHIC style buys Redecker hand brush in Beech, $34.95, from Saison. Marwari matte tiles in Rain, $137.45/sqm, from Beaumont Tiles. Tradco hat and coat hook in Matt Black, $20, from Heritage Building Centre. Milford basket, $99.95, from Wicka. Vintage mirror in Grey, $320, from Glam Luxe. FRENCH WASH As a lover of all things French, Karen Miles’s vision was to transform her 1830s workers’ cottage in Oatlands, Tasmania, into her very own piece of Provence. The laundry and mudroom fit the brief nicely, with shaker-style joinery, brass taps and hooks, and a French-inspired colour scheme – Porter’s Paints Hailstorm for the laundry joinery and mudroom feature wall. Karen and husband Stuart popped over to Paris to source an assortment of antiques and treasures for the home, including the pretty…

Layered ham, chicken and pistachio terrine with brandy pickled pears Serves 6-8 1 x 1kg ham hock 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 eschallots, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/2 cup dried sour cherries 1/3 cup pistachios, chopped 2 tablespoons brandy 1/4 cup finely chopped tarragon Pinch freshly grated nutmeg 500g pork mince 2 eggs 10 long slices prosciutto 1 x 400g chicken breast, halved horizontally Brandy pickled pears, to serve Amaranth leaves, to serve Crusty bread, to serve Place the ham hock in a large saucepan; cover with water. Place over medium heat, cover with lid and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour, or until meat is tender. Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the eschalots and garlic and cook, stirring, for…

WHEN YOU THINK OF TAMWORTH, two things spring to mind: country music and that giant Golden Guitar. And while the city’s iconic Country Music Festival – which has launched the careers of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Kasey Chambers, among others – has certainly earned its place on the events calendar, it turns out there’s a whole lot more to this dynamic regional hub. Located in the New England region of New South Wales, just under five hours’ drive from Sydney, Tamworth is the traditional home of the Kamilaroi people. Proclaimed a town in 1850 with about 250 residents, Tamworth is now home to a diverse community of around 65,000. In recent years, it has become a thriving destination for dining, shopping and sightseeing, with a choice of cafes, restaurants,…

A LOVE OF NATURE AND OF THE PAST is what led Danielle Symes to her home in the Adelaide Hills, a restored coach house built in 1870 that she and her husband bought in 2021, against some pretty stiff competition. And no wonder: the magical property is steeped in history and set in half a hectare of established gardens. “Some might dislike the overgrown ivy and rambling rose bushes, but we absolutely love it,” says Danielle. “It makes me think of the movie The Secret Garden every time I walk around the grounds.” The Coach House is a perfect family home for Danielle, her husband Brad, their daughters Harper, 11, Charlie, seven, and all their animals: rescue cats Bella and Poppy, a brood of chickens and the newest addition, Oliver…

TIME TO DINE Refresh your dining space with the Australian-made Eclipse dining table, crafted from Tasmanian oak. Tailor the setting to your taste with a choice of elegant timber stains and leather chairs, along with a matching buffet. harveynorman.com.au ALPACA APPAREL Founded by Alison Brolsma, a breeder of black huacaya alpacas, Alpaca South stocks luxurious brushed throws and scarves created by specialist weavers, as well as hand-dyed yarns and knitted accessories. alpacasouth.com. au; wharncliffe.com.au FEEL-GOOD FASHION From Dust curates a selection of sustainable and ethical garments that enchant and inspire. Find knitwear and clothing made from natural fibres that can be worn throughout the seasons, along with beautiful gift items. fromdust.com.au COSY & CHIC Made from Australian merino wool, Uimi’s Nordic-inspired Ingrid jumper features the label’s signature Fair Isle pattern…

WE’RE JUST HOME from my daughter’s under-16 AFL game. The scores were tight, the play was willing and the ground was sticky. It was cold. Really cold – I bought a cup of International Roast from the kiosk just to warm my hands. Our girl copped a knock to the nose and was advised to ice it, but it’s possible the air was colder than the icepack. There were some fearsome tackles, the scoreboard was dodgy, the umpiring was sketchy and a player was sent off for profanities. But somewhere between yelling, “Too high!” on a tackle, eating my way through a bag of sweets and laughing with the other parents, I realised I bloody love the footy. This has come as something of a surprise. I’ve never been very…

Editor KYLIE IMESON Creative director MIA DAMINATO Deputy editor HANNAH JAMES Senior designer JUDIE SIU Stylist KATE LINCOLN  Senior copy editor GRETA DUMBLETON  Feature writer RACHEL WHITE  Queensland contributing editor CLAIRE MACTAGGART ADVERTISING  Commercial brand manager, Homes MICHELLE O’HANLON  All advertising inquiries ADVERTISING@AREMEDIA.COM.AU SYNDICATION  Email SYNDICATION@AREMEDIA.COM.AU  Website CONTENTSHOP.COM.AU ARE MEDIA  Chief executive officer JANE HUXLEY  Finance director MARENA PAUL  Director of sales ANNA QUINN  Director of content SALLY EAGLE  Director of marketing CARLY BOWRA  General manager JOCELIN ABBEY GET IN TOUCH  Mail COUNTRY STYLE, GPO BOX 4088, SYDNEY, NSW 2001.  Telephone (02) 9282 8000  Email AUSTCOUNTRYSTYLE@AREMEDIA.COM.AU SUBSCRIPTIONS  Telephone 136 116  Website MAGSHOP.COM.AU  Email MAGSHOP@MAGSHOP.COM.AU  Post MAGSHOP, GPO BOX 5252, SYDNEY, NSW 2001, AUSTRALIA Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ACN 053 273 546), 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. The…

1 Allegra chair with loose cover in Tierra Linen Oat, $2195, from Coco Republic. 2 Atlas armchair in Coffee, $2995, from Provincial Home Living. 3 Fable Performance fabric armless sofa in Oyster, $1049, from Castlery. 4 Hestia occasional chair, $5248, from Boyd Blue. 5 Tulla swivel brushed linen armchair in Chocolate, $1480, from MCM House. 6 Reid occasional chair in Beige, $2795, from Few & Far. 7 Alva brushed steel frame armchair in Avalon Piccolo, $1899, from Ellison Studios. 8 Ashley Calaggio linen blend occasional chair in Pearl, $3145, from Coco Republic. 9 1980s Maison Regain armchair in Nougat Boucle, $4450, from Tigmi Trading. 10 Tub armchair in Warwick Brooklyn Stone, $799, from Domayne. 11 Cape Cod single-seater sofa in Linen, $2795, from Few & Far. 12 Teddy lounge chair,…

Madelin Hayes KARRATHA, WA A yearning for more and a love of travel led Perth reporter Madelin Hayes to a life of adventure in the Pilbara, WA. “I GUESS I HAD A BIT of a quarter-life crisis,” says Pilbara reporter Madelin Hayes, 26. “I’m a Perth girl originally. I lived and worked there throughout my early 20s, writing for a section of the Sunday Times called Outdoor Explorer. It was very behind-the-desk work. I was writing about these incredible places that I’d never actually seen for myself. So, midway through 2024, I did some solo travel around Europe and Morocco, and when I got back, I decided to give regional journalism a crack. “I love telling regional yarns, and I would often cover the Pilbara for Outdoor Explorer. I always…

IN THE COASTAL VILLAGE OF DEIÀ, in Mallorca, Scottish decorator and antiques dealer Amanda Pickett has added her name to a creative cognoscenti of writers, artists, musicians and interior designers who have succumbed to the charms of this World Heritage site, an hour north of the capital, Palma. With a magpie eye, Amanda has turned a run-down 17th-century casa de pescadores (fisherman’s cottage) into a creative studio where she can make, transform and imagine. And has become a go-to source for both designers and private clients, who share her affinity for the colourful and extraordinary. Born in Scotland, Amanda came to Mallorca on a whim eight years ago, with her partner Gary Clarke, after the premature arrival of twin girls and in need of a change in scenery to recuperate.…

COLOURFUL TREE CANOPIES AND SHADY COPSES greeted Sue and Ian Rogan when they purchased six hectares in historic Millthorpe 15 years ago. Located in the Central West of NSW, between Orange and Blayney, the acreage was developed as a tree farm and nursery in the 1990s by the Jeffree family, who are descendants of Paul Sorensen, the renowned landscape gardener and nurseryman. Sorensen was based in the Blue Mountains, and his legacy lives on in the European-inspired private and public gardens he designed from the 1920s onwards, including the heritage-listed Everglades in Leura. Many trees featured on Ian and Sue’s land can be traced back to the original Sorensen family nursery in Leura, where a cool-climate arboretum inspired botanical designers and home gardeners alike. Sue, 69, and Ian, 70, now…

THIS MONTH, I AM DELIGHTED TO be sharing with you an extract from my second book, Handfuls of Sunshine. In the book, you will find a collection of over 70 small, unfussy sweet bakes: slices, biscuits, tarts, cakes, scones, buns and other bite-sized beauties. They are things designed to be held in your hands, shared with others, or squirrelled away for a rainy day. The recipes are all intended to bring a handful of sweet joy to any moment – and don’t we all need a little more of that? These are the petite sweet treats that frequent my family’s table; the recipes that are baked and eaten still warm from the oven when they’re really too hot to hold; nibbled at with hungry fingers and sugary lips. They are…

WHAT TO SEE AND DO DUNGOWAN BREWERY Located 25 minutes’ drive from Tamworth, this bar and restaurant is housed in a historic woolshed. Sip wine while overlooking the valley and share seasonal dishes, paired with beers brewed onsite. 803 Ogunbil Rd, Dungowan, (02) 5712 9730; dungowanbrewery.com.au TAMWORTH POWERSTATION MUSEUM Known as the ‘First City of Light’, Tamworth was the first town in Australia to use electric streetlights in 1888. Visit Tamworth Powerstation Museum to view artefacts, appliances and machinery. 216 Peel St, (02) 6766 8324; tamworthpowerstation museum.com.au MARSUPIAL PARK This 14-hectare park is home to kangaroos, wallabies, cockatoos, emus and more. For a sunset hike, follow the Kamilaroi Walking Track up to Oxley Scenic Lookout. tamworth.nsw.gov.au WHERE TO EAT HUMBLE ESPRESSO A hearty brunch awaits in this charming cottage cafe…

THE HOMEMADE GOD Rachel Joyce, Doubleday, $34.99 Four siblings. Netta, divorced, drinks too much, earns big fees as a lawyer and bosses her brother and sisters remorselessly. Susan is a domestic goddess playing to an unappreciative spouse. Goose (Gustav) humbly assists their famous father, whose art is wildly popular. The youngest, Iris, is delicate and without talent. Apparently. Vic Kemp is 76 and one day announces (at a noodle cafe, ominously different from his usual plush hangouts) that he is marrying Belle-Mae, a 27-year-old artist he met online. Before anyone can ask questions, he and Belle-Mae depart to Vic’s lakeside villa in Orta San Giulio, arguably Italy’s prettiest village. They promptly marry and then Vic dies six weeks later in suspicious circumstances. Rumours abound. Why had he lied to his…

STYLE GUIDE Could you please bring The Style Diary back? As a long-term reader of your magazine, The Style Diary was one of my most favourite bits and I really miss reading it. I feel like your magazine isn’t complete without it. I would also love to see more fashion stories on your pages, too. Country women have such a unique and authentic way of dressing and it’s an inspiration to me, as I’m sure it is to many fellow readers. Jacqueline Lewis, via email NATURE & NURTURE Love in Bloom (May issue) is such a celebratory article. Immersing yourself in nature has long been touted as having healing qualities. To be in a garden, nurturing plants and flowers, is very rewarding. My best friend has been battling cancer for…

AT MICHAEL REID’S GALLERY IN Murrurundi, Country Style readers and art lovers gathered around an eclectic collection of sculpture, photography and painting. The exhibition’s uniting theme was ‘Heirloom’, and works interpreting this rich subject by artists including Raylene Walatinna and Betty Chimney, Mai Nguyên-Long and Tamara Dean were on display. Michael’s gallery in the little NSW town is always a pleasure to visit, with its historic elements (a convict cell block that now houses a shop and cafe) blended expertly with the new-build gallery, all set in the lush gardens of 1840s-built Bobadil House, Michael’s home. Sparkling wines in hand, people clustered in front of artworks, deep in discussion. The party was presided over by genial host Michael, whose entertaining conversation spans the gamut from well-informed art-world chat to witty…

“EVERYONE IN THE AREA KNOWS ABOUT BANONGILL Station,” says long-time Skipton resident Jill Bingham, 53. “Before we bought the property, I’d come to a couple of open gardens here and I remember thinking it was the most beautiful place I’d ever been. Never in a million years did I imagine we’d ever live here!” But when fate presented an opportunity, Jill and her husband Dan, 55, seized the chance with both hands. They bought the 2023-hectare property, located in Victoria’s Western District on Wadawurrung Country, off-market in late 2020 and moved in early the following year with their youngest daughters Tess, 20, and Bella, 14. “We were actually looking for more farming land initially,” recalls Jill. “We weren’t looking to buy the house, but it was part of the deal.”…

AND SO I FIND MYSELF SITTING at the kitchen table on my laptop, looking out over the garden and the last gasp of our hydrangeas, amazed at how we got here. Sometimes you think you know where you’re going, and then you end up where you really are. I swear I never thought we’d be renovating a cottage in the Blue Mountains. Mallorca, maybe, but Mount Victoria… who knew? But as it turns out, tinkering around in this little cottage of ours has become one of the most satisfying adventures of my life. The idea was to split our lives between Sydney and Mount Victoria – the most westerly village in the Blue Mountains before you start the descent on the Great Western Highway towards Mudgee – giving us equal…

NOTHING SAYS WINTER like a runny nose and a cough, and nothing says remedy like a hot lemon and honey drink – properly steeped, lemon out, hot but not undrinkable, honey dissolved. I cherish my lemon tree at this time of year as I love a homegrown cold and flu elixir. Nature is clever, giving us exactly what we need right when we need it, and in most parts of Australia that is ripe lemons, full of vitamin C, in winter. I grew up with a lemon tree growing in the farmhouse backyard – a tree about the same age as me. It’s still there, doing its thing, covered in lemons, demonstrating that age does not diminish all use and beauty. Just like people, with luck, proper care and disease…

SHIRAZ IS AUSTRALIA’S HERO GRAPE. We do it very well in a plethora of styles across our vast vinous landscape: warm-blooded shiraz from the Barossa; white pepper styles from the Grampians; earthy Hunter Valley shiraz; spicy Great Southern shiraz; and the Côte Rôtie-inspired shiraz viognier of the Canberra District. Australian winegrowers proudly label their wines as shiraz, unlike Rhône reds (like St Joseph, Cornas or Hermitage) that assume you understand they’re made with syrah, the French name for our shiraz. That said, when I began my journey in wine (half a century ago) I was drinking reds labelled claret, burgundy and dry red. There was no indication of what variety those old-schools reds were made from. As it turns out, I was mostly drinking shiraz. One wine that did clearly…

FASHION DESIGNER EMILY RIGGS is a modern farm woman of her own making. Forget utilitarian workwear; her sartorial sensibility is more polished and preppy. Think pointelle wool dresses, split-hem pants and ribbed skirts, all pieces from her Aussie label Iris & Wool. “Classic silhouettes with a bit of an edge” is how she describes her personal style. Emily traces her love of fashion back to when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at just nine years of age. “I lost my hair and people mistook me for a boy,” Emily, now 36, recalls of the formative period during which her beloved mother also passed away. “Fashion was my saviour and protection; I loved getting dressed up and being complimented. I really believe in the power of fashion and the way…