Table of contents for June -July 2024 in Belle

EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Tanya Buchanan Creative director Shayne Burton Managing editor Matilda Ringrose Senior copy editor Janice Hogg Chief copy editor, Homes Peter Griffiths Art production Matus Kundrat Stylist, Homes Sophie Wilson Contributing editors Steve Cordony (Style director-at-large), Karen McCartney (Architecture), Kirstie Clements (Luxe Files) Judy Pascoe (Library), Carli Philips (Melbourne), Harry Roberts (Art), Jean Wright (Design) EDITORIAL OFFICE GPO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 1028 Tel (02) 9282 8456, email: belle@aremedia.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Luca Argenton , Mattia Balsamini, Angelita Bonetti, Jeremy Callaghan, Zeb Daemen, DePasquale+Maffini, Alexandra English, David Harrison, Maree Homer, Timothy Kaye, Alana Landsberry, Gaëlle Le Boulicaut, Rhiannon Lidbury, Tomaso Lisca, Chris Pearson, Prue Ruscoe, Anson Smart, Kristina Soljo, Rhiannon Taylor, Dave Wheeler. ADVERTISING Commercial manager, Homes Rhyl Heavener Brand executive Claire Ellis, (02) 9282 8038 Advertising production manager Kate Orsborn,…

GROUND UP Since the 1920s Italian company Fornace Brioni has produced handmade earthernware tiles from the sediment of the River Po in a 1000-year-old tradition. Its show, ‘Grounded’, was a collaboration with designer Cristina Celestino, who preserved the tile manufacturer’s cultural and authentic qualities while “finding a balance between nostalgia and progress in design”. fornacebrioni.it; cristinacelestino.com MORNING MIST LIGHTING DESIGNERS GIOPATO & COOMBES EXCELLED WITH ‘BRUMA: A THOUSAND LANDSCAPES’. THE SPACE TOOK ON AN ETHEREAL QUALITY AS MODULES OF SUSPENDED CAST GLASS, WITH A SURFACE CALLED ‘PULEGOSO’ (TINY BUBBLES MIMICKING WATER), FULFILLED THE INSPIRATIONAL STARTING POINT OF MISTY AIR IN THE MORNING. GIOPATOCOOMBES.COM CRAFT MAGIC L’Appartamento by artisanal design sales platform Artemest commandeered the ground floor of fin- de-siècle Residenza Vignale, first built for an Austrian prince, with Studio Meshary…

01_RUG INDIVIDUALIST Patricia Urquiola presented numerous new designs and products during Design Week including the playful ‘M’ama non M’ama’ rug handknotted in linen and wool in Nepal for cc-tapis, available in a range of colours. mobilia.com.au 02_FROM SEED Taking us on a a journey to the foothills of the alps in northern Italy, Zegna transformed its Milan HQ into the Oasi nature reserve to celebrate Born in Oasi: Zegna. The book looks at the house’s alpine roots and its founder who also created a thriving ecosystem at the same time. zegna.com 03_EARTHY WIT Presenting the 2024 home collection at their Via Manzoni store, Fendi Casa showcased a sophisticated series of furniture and homewares epitomising artisanship in luxurious raw materials and topped off with notes of whimsy. fendi.com 04_DIVINING MATERIA Showing…

PEOPLE DON CAMERON The filmmaker turned interior designer showed a body of work titled ‘Translations’ at Alcova, a roaming exhibition that revives dilapidated Milanese buildings. Cameron used his photographic explorations of Europe as a jumping off point for his furniture design, with the idea to capture the same atmosphere in a different medium. There’s a gravitas to Cameron who, despite having worked with architecture heavyweights such as Dr Gene Sherman, AM, flies modestly under the radar. @doncameron.studio PEOPLE BETHAN LAURA WOOD The spectacularly colourful multidisciplinary artist’s popularity has exploded thanks to several high-profile accolades, including presenting work at London’s Instagrammable Sketch restaurant and being the recipient of the Mecca x National Gallery of Victoria 2023 Women in Design commission. The London-based designer has built a cult following since launching her…

1_SOFT TOUCH Perfect year round, pure wool cushions in a subdued plaid are a cosy addition to a bedroom, reading chair or sofa. ‘Alby’ Australian wool cushion in Toffee, $106. lmhome.com.au 2_CLASSIC COMFORT The first Australian brand to partner with Woolmark in 1964, Sportscraft is launching a special collection to celebrate this 60-year partnership and mark its own 110year legacy. Each piece is made from fine merino wool, renowned for its exceptional quality and sustainability. ‘Sunshine’ sweater, $250. sportscraft.com.au 3_A SHOE IN Slippers are always a good idea in winter, but make them chic. Slip into ballerina-style curly wool UggExpress ‘Lucina’ slippers. $145. uggexpress.com.au 4_IT’S A WRAP Waverley Mills is Australia’s only woollen mill producing 100 per cent onshore. Its rugs, throws and blankets are artisan-crafted for enduring comfort. ‘Gem’…

Apart from the privilege and thrill of heading to Milano each year for the reveal of new design and furniture pieces, one of the greatest pleasures is meeting some of the stars of the design business and other fellow design media I admire from afar. The Australian contingent of architects, interior designers, industrial designers, media and other committed creatives really comes out in force during this important week of design. People are still shocked that we are willing to travel so far but try to stop us! Another reaffirming part of a trip to Milan is how damned good our Australian architecture and design aesthetic is. We also do a pretty magnificent event and installation, so while I am always wowed in Milano, I am very proud to represent our…

IN FLOWER UMUT YAMAC, A LONDON-BASED DESIGNER, EXPLORES THE THEMES OF MOVEMENT AND DELICACY USING SUPERFICIALLY FRAGILE MATERIALS. HIS PLAYFUL APPROACH DELIVERS POETIC OUTCOMES SUCH AS THE ‘BLOOM’ PENDANT LIGHT AND FLOOR LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE ‘CRUSH’ RUG FOR MOOOI. UMUTYAMAC.COM SHAPE SHIFT Nilufar Depot offered a startling mix of new limited-edition works and rare vintage pieces. Objects of Common Interest’s ‘Fillo’ table showed with ‘Totem’ pyrex ceiling lamp by Bethan Laura Wood. bethanlaurawood.com; objectsofcommoninterest.com MESMERIC COLOUR ‘Solidified’ was a beautifully conceived exhibition of four Dutch design studios: Rive Roshan, Jesse Visser, Umut Yamac and Rick Tegelaar, alongside gallery Form Editions, which showcases work by a small group of Dutch designers. Rive Roshan is the partnership of Ruben de la Rive Box and Golnar Roshan whose preoccupations are the play…

Raquel Boedo and Ned Scholfield founded McIntyre Merino in 2016 after spending a year living on Scholfield’s family’s sheep farm in Victoria. With retail stores in Melbourne and Sydney, and a thriving online business, the apparel label has created a smart niche with a cool, contemporary range of luxury basics made in impeccable Australian merino wool. WHAT DREW YOU TO WOOL? Raquel Boedo Ned’s family have been wool growers for over 150 years. We noticed that our generation was not familiar with wool and garments were designed for an older, more conservative buyer. WHAT IS YOUR LABEL'S ETHOS? We are an Australian brand that exists to share our passion for wool with the world. We truly believe wool doesn’t need to be boring, and design with this in mind. DOES…

BELGIAN ARCHITECT and designer Vincent Van Duysen is not without complexity. At its core his personal style, honed over many years, has its anchor in warm minimalism occasionally edging towards Brutalism with its balance of raw with smooth, tactile and organic, contextual and calm. Clients understand his love of natural materials, the sensorial aspects of his work and how his close attention to how they live translates into a home, tailored just for them, that contains a certain monastic serenity and connection to nature. “I have a good sense and knowledge of people. That’s my strength. Most architects are more mathematical and rational. I am more of an instinctive, intuitive person,” he says, “but the client has to bring their personality to the table.” Locally he has been named as…

STONE AGE Collection Particulière marries a love of timeless materials with a dedication to traditional craft. In ‘Natural Disco’ metallic glazes were applied to lavastone and a 16th-century terracotta method was revisited for Luca Erba’s ‘Terra’ table and stools. collection-particuliere.fr; lucaerba.eu CONVERSATION PIECE At Moooi’s ‘A Life Extraordinary’ the ‘Serpentine’ pendant lights are by Front, the ‘Transformed Remnants’ side table by Willem Zwiers uses pages from discarded books as its core material and the ‘Aldora Vis a Vis’ by Cristina Celestino offers a relaxed sofa context. moooi.com BELLA BELLINI In ‘To the Edge of Matter’ show, the spectacular chaise longue, ‘La Grande Muraglia’ (above), by Mario Bellini is carved from Bianco Covelano marble and covered in velvet, pairing extreme comfort with monumentality. neutradesign.it UP-SCALE PIET BOON’S BOON_EDITIONS COLLABORATED WITH STEFANO…

FASHION HOUSE DOLCE & GABBANA Baroque opulence was on full glorious display in the brand’s Oro 24K homewares collection – a physical manifestation of glamour. Meanwhile, Palazzo Reale hosted an exhibition celebrating the legacy of the house’s founders, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. world.dolcegabbana.com TREND COLLEGIATE MEDITERRANEAN DETAILS AMERICAN PREP AND ITALIAN EXTRAVAGANCE HAPPILY COLLIDE IN THE COURT YARD OF RALPH LAUREN’S PALAZZO. FASHION HOUSE RALPH LAUREN Ralph Lauren’s signature American prep embraced an Italian twist in the designer’s Milan headquarters. Waiters in head-to-toe Ralph Lauren circulated with canapes and champagne for guests, while the upper floor was transformed into a mahogany-clad backdrop for the brand’s homewares. The entire collection – including the chairs and lamps – took inspiration from Ralph’s impressive collection of vintage cars. ralphlauren.com.au FASHION HOUSE HERMÈS…

GAGGENAU THE LUXURY HOME APPLIANCE BRAND PUT ON A SENSORIAL FEAST, COMPLETE WITH A BESPOKE SOUNDSCAPE AND DANCE PERFORMANCE CALLED ‘THE ELEVATION OF GRAVITY’, THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE INVOLVED CREATIVE AGENCY ANOMALY BERLIN, ARCHITECTURE FIRM 1ZU33, FLOORING SPECIALISTS SCHOTTEN & HANSEN AND STONE ARTISANS SALVATORI. GAGGENAU.COM.AU VIABIZZUNO THERE WAS SOME WEIRD SCIENCE GOING ON AT THE LIGHTING DESIGN BRAND’S PAVILION, ‘ELLISSI ELLISSI’. LIKE A MODERN APOTHECARY, BEAKER-ESQUE VESSELS LINED THE BAR NEXT TO THE ‘BOTTIGLIERA’ WALL-MOUNTED WINE RACK, AND ELEGANTLIGHTS TRICKLED FROM THE CEILING. THE COLOURED PAPER ON THE DINING TABLE IS A STACK OF RUBBER-STAMP ARTWORKS BY GIANPAOLO PAGNI, WHO CREATED THEM IN FRONT OF VISITORS. VIABIZZUNO.COM/EN/VBOAUSTRALIA ELLE DECOR ITALIA THE INTERIORS PUBLICATION WORKED WITH THREE DESIGN STUDIOS FOR ITS EXHIBITION, ‘MATERIAL HOME’. INTERIOR DESIGNER ELISA OSSINO, LIGHTING DESIGNER ROSSI…

The wonders of pure merino wool, revisited and redefined. Regarded as a miracle fibre, due to its softness, breathability and sustainability, premium merino wool delivers a feeling of luxury that has long been used across the board in fashion and furnishings. Designer Pieter Mulier’s ground-breaking Fall 2024 show for Alaïa showcased the remarkable techniques and draping skills using just one fabulous fibre – merino wool. The artisanship was unparalleled: long strands of yarn looped to create flowing sleeves and a short, draped skirt, a pale pink coat cut a couture silhouette in tufted wool, while concentric circles of wool fabric were layered to create a tactile 3D dress. Biodegradable and sustainable, merino wool naturally breaks down in soil, making it a completely renewable fibre with minimal environmental impact. Yet for…

WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT YOUR flooring, black oak cabinetry, crisp white paint, stainless-steel trims in the kitchen, HOME? The building was designed by SJB and Carr. My apartment features oak Arabescato marble countertops and aged-iron tapware from Perini. I was really drawn to the architecture and the leafy outlook to the Yarra river that flows through Melbourne. There’s a soft moodiness to the light due to a diagonal concrete beam that partially encloses the balcony. Most people want natural light but I prefer a softer, more romantic light and found this very appealing. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INTERIORS? Collected and curated with a lot of personality. It’s very layered but also feels gallery-like with large swathes of white walls acting as a canvas for everything to harmonise. Most…

1 CATTELAN ITALIA The Scott Keramik table emphasises the artistic-decorative aspect of interior design. Modern sculptural techniques are applied to shape its base, all to be contemplated, just like a work of art. cattelanitalia.com 2 ELEMENTS OF BYRON This five-night rebalance package, packed with wholesome activities and treatments, leaves guests with clear heads, refreshed and glowing from within. Full package is inclusive of five nights’ accommodation in a private villa, $250 spa credit, unlimited Pilates and yoga classes, and daily breakfast for two. Prices start from $3000 for a five-night stay in a one-bedroom villa and $4225 for a five-night stay in a two-bedroom villa for two guests. elementsofbyron.com.au/wellness-2/ 3 ENGLISH TAPWARE Introducing the Water Monopoly Rockwell Bath. The perfect muted grey with unpretentious style, Rockwell’s Seattle Grey brings a…

SMAC STUDIO PRINCIPAL SHONA MCELROY WEARS DION LEE DRESS IN HER PADDINGTON STUDIO. ‘BILLY’ RUG IN PINK FROM HER ART DECO-INSPIRED ICONS COLLECTION WITH HALI. VINTAGE BROWN VELVET CHAIR AND FANS FROM FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. ALL OTHER FURNITURE CUSTOM DESIGNED BY FFORM. DREAMSCAPE #28 PAINTING BY AMELIA AXTON FROM SIBU GALLERY. ‘PROMETHEUS VII’ LIGHT BY CHRISTOPHER BOOTS FROM EST LIGHTING. POMEGRANATE SCULPTURES FROM JANUS ET CIE. WALLS IN BAUWERK ‘JINDABYNE’. DO YOU WORK FROM HOME? Luckily we’re at the stage where we can have this gorgeous studio on a corner in Sydney’s Paddington, where I have lived for the past five years. Part of what drew me here was the corner art galleries I had such connection to and that often spilled out onto the street. It’s quite serendipitous that we ended…