Innehållsförteckning för November 2016 från Inside Out

Shopping for others is one of my favourite things to do. And what’s not to love? The excitement of shiny new purchases along with the smug sense that you’re doing something good, not just falling in love with another cushion and stashing the credit card statement. See? It’s practically philanthropic. If you don’t happen to be as in love with the gift-buying process as I am, we have our annual gift guide giveaway on page 62. There you’ll find 100 gifts for less than $100, and we’ve divided them up into clever categories based on the style personalities of your loved ones – that should give you a head start. Don’t forget to enter the competition (you’ll find the details on page 71) and perhaps all of your shopping worries…

She’s done it – again. Spanish designer and architect Patricia Urquiola has tried her hand at everything from tableware and modular kitchens to bathtubs and sofas, with brilliant results.This time around, her floorcoverings for CC-Tapis are in the spotlight. Produced by hand in Nepal, these rugs feature a graphic geometric form, which is enhanced due to an innovative blend of Himalayan wool and pure silk.…

Andrew Benn is the architect on our renovation specialists Panel (for more on the Panel, turn to page 128). Here, he reveals what the ideal bathroom should look like. QI’m about to renovate an old bathroom. It’s narrow and there are windows on both sides. Can I have some suggestions? Toni, via email “The best order of fittings in a bathroom is the sink positioned closest to the door, followed by the toilet, then a shower or bath at the far end of the space. In a narrow room, a wall-hung vanity and toilet will give the impression of a larger area – it also makes cleaning the floor much easier. A frameless showerscreen will also give a streamlined appearance. Having windows on opposite walls may not be great for…

The Block is back, baby! It’s bigger and badder than ever and all the new duos have been put through the wringer. Walking through the unfinished building site (yes, they’re still going), it’s overwhelming how much work is left to do. After the contestants have gone home for a couple of months (to watch themselves on TV, no doubt), the common areas and the exterior build work is still in full swing. To see 12 months of work finished in just four brings back so many mixed emotions for me; excitement, anticipation, stress, but mostly just nausea. The ever-looming auction date is fast approaching and there is a mountain of work left. It all seems impossible, but if your head is down and your muscles ache, you’re on the right…

Living with children doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the style you love. Here, homeowner Lee Talbot has created an inviting space for her children.The Mocka table and chairs gives the kids a sense of their ‘own’ zone in the living area, while a woven rug provides a soft landing.An on-trend grey sofa from Freedom can hide small mishaps, while cushions from Kate & Kate and Design Twins offer an instant update.Turn the page for more of this bright home.…

cheat sheet Who lives here: Simon Knott, a director of BKK Architects; his wife, Tai Snaith, an artist, illustrator and picture book writer (taisnaith.com); and their sons, Leo, 6; and Gil, 3. Style of home: An inner-Melbourne Edwardian timber bungalow with a north-facing extension. The design began back in 2008 before Simon and Tai had kids. “Given I’m an architect, I sat on the plans for a long time, thinking about things and tweaking when I had time,” says Simon. The build began in 2013 and was complete by mid-2014. 1. child’s play Architect Simon Knott and artist Tai Snaith didn’t let traditional rules restrict their extension plans. “I thought back to childhood: as kids, we’d pull the toys out of our dollhouse and put furniture where we wanted,” says…

the story so far This family has outgrown their three-bedroom, one-living-area home in Springwood, NSW. They’ve considered moving but can’t find anywhere they like at a price they can afford. Over the 12 years since they moved in, Colin and Emily have done some renovations, such as a facelift for the kitchen as well as enclosing a sunroom to convert it into a third bedroom. But they need more rooms, ideally another bedroom or two, and a second living area so the kids have their own space to hang out when the parents entertain. On the plus side, the house sits on an 780-square-metre flat block. “We like our block, street, neighbours and the overall feel of the area, so we’ve decided to stay and renovate,” says Emily. “We have…

1. Take advantage of thermal mass. “Building with heavy, thick materials – like a concrete slab – will keep a building very cool.” 2. Insulate, insulate, insulate. “It’s amazing how many houses don’t have roof insulation – and good insulation is key to cooling.” 3. Install roof vents. “Whirlybirds are a classic but there are lots of other options on the market. To cool down the house, you just need to make sure there’s a way for rising hot air to discharge.” 4. Choose a lighter roof. Or paint it – the Greeks have been doing it for centuries! “The more reflective the material is, the more it’ll keep your home cool. If you live in a hot climate, you’d be crazy to choose a dark surface for your roof.”…

The deal: Every season, I play around with new cushions to give my bedroom a little refreshed je ne sais quoi – honestly, it does wonders for changing the look and feel of the room. The pros: When your bedlinen game could do with a bit of an update, changing up the cushions is the easiest way to transform your style and make your bed look all kinds of amazing. Cushions are the fun bit when it comes to styling your room, coming in all sorts of sizes and textures. You can choose designs that work beautifully together, and mix textures, sizes and colours. The cons: Scrimping on the cushion inner is a no-no. My recommendation is to invest in luxury feather inserts as they make your cushions feel and…

Wood works, in so many ways. Firstly, it’s a forgiving surface for family homes – not as hard as concrete or tiles, and visually softer and warmer, too. It’s also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re a limewash-loving Scandi fan or passionate about creating an immaculate glossy black finish, you’ll find a type and finish to suit your style. Wood is a natural product and a timeless choice and, if treated with care, your timber floor will last a generation or more. Read on to ensure you choose the perfect planks for your place. solid vs engineered timber To start, you’ll need to decide whether you want solid or engineered timber flooring. “New solid timber flooring is machined from rough-sawn billets of timber, while recycled flooring is moulded from timber that has…

“ Thinking about the purpose of your flooring is the safest way to make sure you’re picking the right option. None of the factors you should consider are mutually exclusive but you’ll still want to think about the factors you want to put emphasis on and the factors where you can compromise just a little. There’s no one flooring type that ticks every box, so it’s about finding what suits your needs best.” DARREN PALMER Carpet Court ambassador Hard flooring is a smart option for any home – and a must-have for anyone with kids, pets or allergies. But with so much variety on offer, it can be tricky to choose the best match for you and your family. Get started with the guide below, then head to Carpet Court…

Nestled in Melbourne’s Ivanhoe is a sleek garden providing the stage for a play called ‘modern family living’.Visit the Silluzio family on a sunny afternoon and you’ll likely find Jamin,Tessa and their two daughters spending the day in their garden.They swim, play, relax and eat, passing some of their best family time together by the pool, on the swing and in the hammock. The garden surrounds the home on a 600-square-metre steep block that looks across parklands to theYarra River. Getting the layout right was top of the list for Tessa and Jamin.The family’s previous house felt detached from the garden: this time, they wanted to be able to open sliding doors from the living area and kitchen and step outdoors.“We knew that we wanted a connection between the garden…

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE Turn your home into a stylish, relaxing haven using soft furnishings and pastel tones. Start with a sofa – the centrepiece of any living room – and decorate with your favourite cushions or throw rug to complete the look. Try the comfortable and chic ‘Charlie’ sofa from OZ Design Furniture, pictured above with the luxe ‘Scallop’ coffee table and warm metallic accents, to create a tranquil space to unwind in this season. Visit ozdesignfurniture.com.au IITTALA Add a piece of iconic Finnish glassware to your home with the ‘Aalto’ vase from Iittala. First presented at the Paris World Fair in 1937, the vase is the product of designer Alvar Aalto’s wish to bring people beauty and function. Its fluid, organic form is still mouth-blown today at the Iittala…

Kathy’s top dessert tips for a dinner party + Make sure you have all the ingredients (never substitute margarine for butter!) and equipment you need before you start cooking. Consider your oven space and make a plan – have both hot and cold desserts. + Large groups eat less than you might think: plan for 10 ‘bites’ per person. + Now is not the time to experiment! Stick to what you know you do well and keep it simple. Forget soufflés and individually plated desserts – stick to big-batch recipes like slab cakes, cookies, brownies and fruit salads. Start early and do the hard work first. raspberry cake with rose petals SERVES 4 hungry people PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes, plus overnight soaking COOKING TIME 1–1½ hours Cake 200g fresh or…

Our last family Christmas was a disaster, all tension and bickering. It’s my turn to host this year and I want the day to be perfect, starting with all-out decorations. Can you recommend a fail-proof theme? Fiona, Castle Hill, NSW Funny, isn’t it Fi, darling, that we consider Santa the most made-up thing about Christmas, when clearly it’s the idea that our tinsel and table-scatter choices could have any bearing on family dynamics so entrenched and complex it’s like a lesser Kardashian’s married into the House of Tudor. It’s a lot of power to ascribe to coordinating napery and miniature poinsettias isn’t it, really? Hoping they will smooth the workings of a vast and disparate inter-generational organism, some of whom drove all the way down from Queensland yesterday – four…

1 SOFT TONES   why it works: This sage green and pale timber seat meets its subtle match in a quilted throw American ash daybed in Willow, $2990, Douglas And Bec, douglasandbec.com. ‘Crinkle’ throw in Peach, $215, Hay, hayshop.com.au. 2 NEUTRAL TERRITORY   why it works: Simple beauty ties these two pieces together: a streamlined jute cover and a handwoven blanket ‘Ilse’ throw, US$120, Minna, minna-goods.com. ‘Safari’ daybed, $798, Dunlin, dunlin.com.au. 1 MODERN RETRO   why it works: A bold design is brought into the now with a fun quilt Restored Knoll ‘Barcelona’ couch by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, $6500, Modern Times, moderntimes.com.au. Hem ‘Rain’ throw, €119, enquiries through District, district.com.au.…

Sky, how would you describe what you do? I am basically a fibre artist covering a broad spectrum of practices. Within my little fibre-art world, I create wall-hangings using a wide selection of materials, and I sometimes refer to my works as wall sculptures. My art practice also extends to teaching weaving workshops. Tell us about your creative process. I spend a lot of time imagining and allowing ideas to percolate. This is a form of meditation, which is probably more like daydreaming. It’s been a struggle to acknowledge that this is a hugely important part of the way I operate creatively. Once I’ve allowed an idea to develop, I’ll start to create in the studio. I might gather the materials and work them into a sample piece or, if…

folded star ornaments It’ll be a starry-eyed welcome to Christmas Day with these beautiful pieces to hang up You will need Largesheetsofgold-colouredconstruction paper Large sheets of single faced cardboard Ruler Pencil Scissors or Stanley knife Blunt paper knife or a dried-out pen 6m of ochre coloured ribbon 1. Cut the paper and cardboard into three squares of different sizes: 20cm, 30cm and 40cm square. 2. Fold and unfold both diagonals – use the blunt paper knife to make clean creases without piercing the paper and cardboard. Turn the paper and cardboard over and fold and unfold both horizontal centre lines. 3. Turn the paper and cardboard over and mark on the horizontal and vertical lines from the edge: 4cm for the 20cm square, 6cm for the 30cm square and…

cheat sheet Who lives here: Interior designer, Mariëlla Houtsma, 26, and Tunno van der Graaf, 25, a builder specialising in facade renovations. Style of home: A 95-square-metre two-storey cottage surrounded by farmland in Berlikum, a village in the Dutch province of Friesland. The cottage was built in 1890 and extended in 2002. DETAIL Mariëlla and Tunno’s home is filled with decorative details, adding to the inviting atmosphere. Wine bottles from Mariëlla’s mother display branches on a bench (opposite) while in the living room, a shelf is filled with candles, presents and other festive knick-knacks (this page). it’s a wrap Brown paper packages tied up with string are one of our favourite things, too. Keep it simple with twine or jazz things up with a branch or leaf and a patterned…

the Panel’s advice Wayd Munro Builder, Focusbuild, focusbuild.com.au The lean-to added on at the back doesn’t provide enough space for a proper family room. If we took off the back wall and roof, we could add a metre or so of space and follow the pitch of the roof, which means you could put in skylights and create space for ducted air-conditoning and heating. We could also go out a couple of metres on the left side, so the existing house would be bigger before we start extending. This building is lightweight and keeping it that way would keep costs down. I think Emily and Colin would be at the top of their budget, but labour is a bit cheaper once you get out of the city so, if they’re…

the range We’re craving the organic tones and textures of the ‘Cinnamon’ range of ceramics and tableware from Australian design studio Lightly. Go to lightly.com.au for the latest. the tiles Give your kitchen a hit of smart geometric style with the cool credentials of concrete. Bentu ‘Six’ tiles are $30 each. Go to remodern.com.au for more. the detail Lift your cabinetry with a flash of rose-tinted metal in the form of this ‘Pluto’ copper handle, €23, Superfront, superfront.com. the smart appliance We’re edging ever closer to the world of The Jetsons with Samsung’s ‘Family Hub’ fridge. With the touchscreen, you can order groceries from Woolworths via an app; keep track of what’s in the fridge with reminders; leave notes and share calendars with family, and even play music. Prices start…

Are there days when you feel as if you’re living in the middle of a tsunami of toys? Many a grown-up has been reduced to a quivering puddle trying to fight the horde of wooden blocks and plastic farm animals. If this is you, I’m here to help! First of all, there are some terrific bins, sorters, and organisers on the market that can help you get the mass of games and soft toys under control – but, for me, that’s not where organising success with toys ends. I believe in setting up a system in your home that will work for you and your kids. So here’s my plan of attack. WHAT’S THE GOAL? In my years of organising homes, I’ve come to realise that getting toys under control…

POT LUCK Add an element of rustic charm with the handpainted ‘Indigo Folk’ range of pots from Pop & Scott. From $135 each, popandscott.com. graphic design Stretch out in the sun on the ‘Nipomo’ Mexican blanket. It’s $169 from homecamp.com.au. OUT & ABOUT Lift your garden game and laze the day away on this plush ‘King Cove’ outdoor setting. It’s $10,160 from kingliving.com. COUNTRY LIFE Explore the lush greenery of sprawling rural estates with the new book, Paul Bangay’s Country Gardens, ($79.99, Lantern). fresh linen Bring luxury outside with Eco Outdoor’s range of Belgian linen upholstery fabric and accessories including napkins, teatowels and totes. They’ll only get better with age. $99.99/lineal metre; visit ecooutdoorcom.au for details. in the bag Sunny picnics call for a chic basket and a way to…

CHECK US OUT here’s what you’ll find this month at our online home how to get your home ready for summer head to our products section: the best outdoor furniture for your space 3 big ideas from the London Design Fair 6 sure-fire ways to avoid dinner-party disasters stay connected...…

‘Easel’ mirror DESIGNERS: Paul Owen and Isabelle Slater of Owen Architecture It’s little wonder that architects sometimes branch out into furniture design. When you design a home, it would be hard to resist the urge to add the finishing touch of the perfect piece to complement your vision. This is exactly what happened for Paul and Isabelle. “Architecture is a personal process and the inclusion of homewares and lifestyle objects into the Owen Architecture practice has been a natural progression,” says Paul. The timber mirror was made by Adam Meisenhelter to Paul and Isabelle’s specifications, and the aim was to create a detailed piece with a humble aesthetic. The sling at the bottom is made from a hand-sewn leather or macramé net, acting as both a storage spot as well…

THE ORIGINAL ‘Akari’ lights by Isamu Noguchi The form: A sculptural range of lights made from traditional Japanese washi paper, a soft handmade paper derived from mulberry-tree bark. What makes it special: Not only was Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) one of the great sculptors of the 20th century, he was also a gifted part-time product designer. He created a small number of iconic furniture pieces, mostly bearing his unique approach to organic forms, while a couple played with harder geometry. Noguchi’s glass-topped walnut coffee table for Herman Miller from 1948 has become a true icon of 20th-century design, but it’s his range of designs for Japanese paper lantern company Ozeki & Co that showcases his ability to create an almost inexhaustible variety of complex shapes – all of which collapse into…

Jacqui Vidal & Alana Langan Founders and designers of Ivy Muse, ivymuse.com.au The starting point Our vision for the wreath was to create a living, breathing design incorporating greenery. We chose one of our favourite plants to work with (heart-leaf philodendron) and set about designing a wreath that made the beauty of the plant the focus. The form The piece features powder-coated and brass-plated steel with a support at the centre that holds an Ivy Muse X Amanda Dziedzic glass ‘Nest’ vessel, offering water for the plant. The best bit We’ve created a wreath that can grow during the festive season, something that can then be planted and continue to live on. The wreath is glazed in pastel tones for a springtime feel I've had lifelong…

CHEAT SHEET Who lives here: Michael Cobbledick, a management consultant; his wife, Claire, a marketing manager, and their sons Leo, 7, and Tom, 4. Style of home: A new 108 square-metre cabin, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, South Africa. The house has two bedrooms, a bunk area and an upstairs play area. STAR PERFORMER The home’s plywood cladding on the walls and ceiling makes an impact. The tone and grain enhances the views of the natural surroundings and creates a modern yet inviting feel to this cabin. BRIGHT DEA Track lighting is installed at intervals across the living area. The positioning directs light to focal points while the beams frame the space and emphasises the pitched ceiling. “THE FORM OF THE CE L NG REFERENCES A TENT, SHELTER NG…

Who lives here: Grant Harris, a builder; his wife, Lee, owner of interiors store, White Nest; son, Lochie, 13; daughter, Peppa, 10; plus 6-year-old labrador, Bill. Style of home: A new modern U-shaped coastal home in Sorrento, Victoria. The facade, particularly of the guest wing, is a nod to the fisherman’s cottage that was originally on the plot. The new build was finished in nine months, from demolition to moving-in day. “Living in a space before renovating gives you complete faith that you’re making the right spatial decisions” LEE HARRIS, HOMEOWNER by the sea Those that grow up in a seaside village will often say it is impossible to leave it. Lee and Grant Harris, both born and bred on the Mornington Peninsula, share this opinion. The couple were determined…

Summer is coming, and with those long lazy days at the beach, we have big power bills to look forward to. After all, three out of four Aussie households use some kind of air-conditioning to beat the heat – and are paying the price for the privilege. But if you get your home’s design right, you can reduce the need for artificial cooling, says architect Andrew Benn from Benn + Penna Architecture (bennandpenna.com). “A bit more thought has to go into it,” he says, “but you can dramatically reduce the temperature of your home with good design.” If your home is in a warmer climate though, a cooling system is worth the investment and there are measures you can take to minimise running costs. tracking the sun When renovating or…

RAINBOW BRIGHT Find joyous colour in hand-dyed quilts, and both screen-printed and linen cushions in the latest offering from I Love Linen; visit ilovelinen.com.au for a further look at the range. IN PROFILE Designer Tim Webber has teamed an opaque glow with an elegant silhouette to form the ‘Fin’ pendant light. They’re $1150 each, timwebberdesign.com. sitting pretty A sculptural seat takes on many roles – it’s a style statement, a spot for extra blankets, or somewhere for you to put on your party heels. 1. ‘Sir Burly’ stool, $330, Dowel Jones, doweljones.com. 2. Sipa ‘Tommy’ low stool, $366, Stylecraft, stylecraft.com.au. 3. Normann Copenhagen ‘Ace’ stool in Lake Blue, $495, Top3 By Design, top3.com.au. in the fold Make a statement with your wardrobe – the handcrafted Beeline Design ‘Cuba’ ladder rack…

The deal: As a chef, all the shelves in my restaurants are open. I like the design aspect of open shelves in domestic kitchens, but they need to be organised. The pros: I like seeing where everything is, and open shelving makes me want to cook up a storm, using everything on display. It would be cheaper to install than a closed pantry, as there are fewer materials needed, and it gives you a chance to show off your fancy gadgets. The cons: If you don’t use items on the shelves quite regularly, they will collect dust. And if you don’t give stacking arrangements much thought, your kitchen can look disorganised and cluttered. The verdict: It’s a yay but I’d have both – open shelves for everyday things and cabinets…

Known for its outdoor-entertaining-ready sofas, garden furniture and accessories, Robert Plumb has focused on the details with its latest locally-made collection. On offer are tables, pots, stools, hanging baskets and hammocks, as well as the ‘Southie’ side table and ‘Molly (Mel) Drum’ fire pit seen here.The fire pit can be turned into a table, when not in use, with the addition of a separate timber top. Genius!…

1. Make or cook food from scratch. It has a huge impact on the amount of waste a household generates and the scraps can be used as composted organic waste. 2. Eat seasonal foods. This simple change often raises awareness of seasons and sparks the interest to start growing and experimenting with food at home. 3. Start with crops like silverbeet or watercress, two of the most nutrient-dense plants in the world, and super-easy to grow. They also respond really well to composted organic waste in their soil. I believe a lot of vitality is lost when food is picked, stored or transported. By growing basics, including these, plus some lettuces, you’re introducing some seriously powerful foods into your diet. I think we’re yet to understand how integral eating food…

a-c Academy Tiles (02) 9436 3566, academytiles.com.au. Artedomus (02) 9557 5060, artedomus.com. Bayside Tiles (03) 9773 5522, baysidetiles.com.au. Carison Bros. (03) 9469 5360, carisonbros.com.au. Cibi (03) 9077 3941, shop.cibi.com.au. Colin Hyett Design 0412 875 550. Colorbond colorbond.com. Corcoleum corcoleum.co.za. Cotton On Kids cottonon.com. d-h Design Twins designtwins.com. Dulux 132 525, dulux.com.au. Farmgate Cheese farmgatecheese.com. Freedom 1300 135 588, freedom.com.au. GlobeWest (03) 9518 1600, globewest.com.au. Goround Interior goround interior.nl. Haigh’s Chocolates 1300 424 447, haighschocolates.com.au. Hay (02) 9538 0855, hayshop.com.au. HK Living (03) 9428 2400, hkliving.com.au. Hub Furniture (03) 9652 1222, hubfurniture.com.au. i-m iConnect Products 02 9977 3651, iconnect products.com.au. IKEA ikea.com/au. Industria X (03) 5979 8311, industriax.com.au. James Hardie 131 103, jameshardie.com.au. Kate & Kate (03) 9676 2484, kateandkate.com.au. Kip & Co kipandco.com.au. Kyo (03) 5255 2444, kyo.net.au. Lark larkstore.com.au.…