Table of contents for February 2016 in Inside Out

Most of you will be familiar with the old saying, but in this issue, it stands true! Each month, we collate great advice from all areas of the building and decorating industry but, on this occasion, we’ve picked out some of the best in the business to give you their tips and tricks. Great renovations are all about making informed decisions! From our usual reno dream team – architect Andrew, builder Wayd, decorator Lisa and interior architect Shannon – we’ve rounded up the complete brains trust in flooring, joinery, kitchens, bathrooms, garden design and sustainability, so you can rest assured you’re making good decisions for both your future and your kids’! For those of you who can’t commit to holes in walls for art or shelves (or are renting and…

website insideout.com.au Facebook facebook.com/Inside.Out.magazine.au Instagram @insideoutmag Pinterest pinterest.com/insideoutpins YouTube youtube.com/user/insideoutaus Twitter twitter.com/insideoutmag tweet alert Discover 200 years of architecture at @state libraryofnsw’s ‘Imagine A City’ exhibition. behind the scenes Head to our Facebook page to see the on-set action of the ‘Best Buys: Statement Tiles’ feature. Market editor Joseph Gardner applied all the skills of an Italian mosaic master to perfect the finished story. bonus photographs If you’re inspired by our ‘Dream it. Design it. Do it.’ feature on page 100, head to our website to see more shots of this renovation project, styled by Marsha Golemac with photography by Brooke Holm. pinboard inspiration Find great ideas on our Pinterest boards. We’re loving the smart study nooks from the ‘Home Work’ feature in our March-April…

‘Golden’ shelves DESIGNER: Clark Bardsley Has another day passed and you still haven’t used algebra? Well, thankfully, this ancient theorem is put through its paces when Auckland-based Clark creates a set of his ‘Golden’ shelves. “The shelf is a literal representation of the famous Golden Ratio diagram,” he says. “The divisions in the shelf are strictly designed using 13th-century mathematician Fibonacci’s ratio, which has been used by designers to rationalise beauty through proportion for centuries.” The shelves are made of elite-grade birch plywood, hand-assembled to the ratio’s exacting standards, while a brass badge inscribed with the style name is a golden touch in more ways than one. NZ$795, The Clever Design Store, thecleverdesignstore.com . Visit clarkbardsleydesign.com . The Mesh Series ‘Shield’ shelf DESIGNER: Miranda…

Q I want to do the right thing in my renovation. What sorts of things can I incorporate that won’t eat into the budget? Ann, via email “When you’re doing a renovation, these sorts of environmentally conscious improvements will save you money,” says Jon Dee, social entrepreneur and host of Sky News’s Smart Money. “Replacing halogen downlights with LED downlights can cut your lighting energy use by up to 83 per cent (plus the lights can last up to 25 times longer). Insulating and draught-proofing your home can reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 40 per cent. Upgrading to solar hot water can reduce hot water bills by up to 75 per cent, whilst heat-pump hot water systems use 60 per cent to 70 per cent less electricity…

This design-savvy entry option is great for a large opening, as seen with this example. Sliding from a wall bracket above, it’s also space smart. Style-wise, this barn door (constructed by Williams & Campion, williamsandcampion.com.au) also suits this rammed-earth and timber home, offering a rustic way to close off the room beyond. And to tie it even further to the house, the handle is a branch found by the owners at the local beach. For more of this one-of-a-kind home, turn the page.…

cheat sheet Who lives here: Owner and designer of jewellery brand PFYT Collective, Deena Theslow; her husband, Adam, a leak detector, and their children Sari, 9, and Ryder, 6. Style of house: A three-bedroom white-washed coastal abode filled with heirlooms and op-shop treasures. The majority of the reno was finished in the first year. The completed project cost around $100k. For the first three weeks in their new home, Adam and Deena Theslow camped – with no electricity – on the floor with their toddler daughter, Sari, and 12-month-old son Ryder. The young family had decided to return to Adam’s hometown of Yaroomba, a tiny coastal village that sits cheek-to-cheek with Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.Their new home was a 1980s red-brick house that had been disembowelled by the previous…

WHAT NEEDS TO GO Here’s what Todd and Kate don’t like about their home at the moment the small rooms at the back of the house their good-sized backyard isn’t being properly utilised the layout of the house jus t doesn’t work for them and their plans for the future CHEAT SHEET Who lives here: Kate Boughen, 29, a brand manager at TAFE SA; her husband, Todd, 30, a cabinetmaker, and their baby son, Oliver. Style of house: Located in the south-western suburbs of Adelaide, this 1951 three-bedroom home and is in a conventional style of the era, with a built-on family room and brick garage. Until Todd and Kate bought it a year ago, it had been owned by the one family since it was built. the story so…

Once upon a time, pots and pans vied with cutlery for the top spot on wedding registry lists. Not so much these days, as most people can’t wait until they get hitched to bag a decent set of pans. So, assuming you’re doing your own cookware shopping, here’s what you need to know before you go. material world Pans can be made of many things and your choice of material depends largely on how you like to cook and how often. Stainless steel is the most common material. It’s affordable, durable and rust resistant, and modern designs can be easy on the eye, too. “There are two key forms of stainless steel in cookware,” says Myer category buyer – cookware, Stephen Rajasingham. “These are tri-ply and copper. Tri-ply has two…

Keeping a garden in top shape also applies to potted plants. Creating a focal point with feature planting further defines a seating zone. In this case, a Crassula ‘Blue Bird’ succulent (silver dollar jade) is the main attraction, showcased on a unique platform.“The planter is from Parterre,” says landscape designer Matthew Hook of Outdoor Establishments.“The hole was intended to be used as an ice bucket, but we drilled drainage holes and converted it into a planter.” Turn the page for a detailed look at this designer garden on Sydney’s lower North Shore.…

Q+A WITH… Danielle Alvarez Chef at Fred’s How did your career begin? I started out as an intern at The French Laundry, a Michelin-starred restaurant in California. I remember carefully cracking open eggs and peeling the inside membrane from them. It was for its famous dish – the custard served in the egg with the potato and chive chip. I think I went through hundreds of eggs just to get 12 perfect each day. Where are your favourite places to eat in Sydney? 10 William St, Sagra and Mr. Wong. What are local ingredients you’ve enjoyed discovering? Muntries: the little native apple berries. I made an upside down cake with them that was incredible. Fred’s opens at 380 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW in February. Visit merivale.com.au .…

British Paints Retouch™ is a quick and easy way to rejuvenate tired walls. Within a matter of minutes, you can create a feature wall with fun stencil art. Let your imagination run wild! Give a small study nook a graphic geometric look for big impact. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3… 1. Cut out your stencil and affix to wall 2. Pour in your choice of British Paints, and screw on sprayer 3. Spray on evenly THE PALETTE…

style hang-ups Stylist Jason Grant has created his own collection of home accessories His work and home have graced these very pages and now Jason Grant has brought his signature relaxed, colourful style to a limited-edition lifestyle collection. You’ll find tableware, storage, textiles, small occasional furniture and our fave – these honeycombesque planters – in the MJG range. ‘Retro’ mesh planters, $45 each; leather hold-all, $229; ‘Ace’ striped carryall, $79; round utility floor cushion, $185. On cushion: Utility pouch, $79. Launching on February 1, visit mjgstore.com.…

THE STATS What: Stylizimo Who: Nina Holst Where: stylizimoblog.com Started: Early 2010 You’ll find: DIY projects, product picks, decorating inspiration and great examples of Nina’s ‘Scandinavian glam’ interior style. “I like the Scandi look with a touch of nature, decorated in ways that might look expensive but aren’t necessarily,” she says. Tell us about the monochromatic and understated look of your blog and home? I like to keep things clean and tidy, and I find that a black-and-white scheme creates a nice clean canvas to which I can add decorative or natural elements. I think it is a style that has come to me over a period of time. If I look back at photos that are four or five years old, my style was very different then. I think…

1 Black-and-white wallpaper with delicate illustrations – in this case, rabbits – will add a touch of whimsy to the look. Pax And Hart ‘Bunnies’ wallpaper, $40/ linear metre, Jimmy Cricket, jimmycricket.com.au. 2 Create a soft, cosy spot for your bub’s tummy time that complements the feel of the nursery, too. Grey is a chic unisex tone choice. ‘Silver Linings Cloud’ rug in Cloudy, $595, Little P, little-p.com. 3 A classic cot endures with its traditional turned timber details. Freshen it up with a modern colour for a fun element. Green is a great tone to try, a step up from a neutral shade. ‘Georgia’ cot in Fizz, $1499, Incy Interiors, incyinteriors.com.au. THE STORAGE Small baskets offer relaxed appeal and are great for storing spare swaddles or go-to toys. ‘Netted’…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, big is not always better.And with housing options shrinking by the second, that’s a good thing. But this means we need to be clever with our design choices. Here, I expose the five faux pas of, let’s call it,‘cosier’ living. 1 ‘meh’ lighting Small is one thing,but small and dark is another thing altogether.Almost nothing has the power to transform a room like good lighting can, but all too often I see people disregarding one of the most important elements of design.A single lighting option just won’t cut it for me anymore; every room needs to tell a lighting story. Light can give the illusion of space, and the way to do this is with multiple sources. Please, steer clear of…

CHEAT SHEET Who lives here: Fashion designer, Arabella Ramsay, 37; her husband, Chris Wilson, 36, a yoga teacher; daughters Marlowe, 4, and Lottie, 3; and Wally, the white wolfhound. Style of house: A unique four-bedroom rammed-earth and timber home on the Victorian coastline. The revamp of the kitchen, living area and new study and toy room took three months. This renovation cost around $200k, including furniture. BRIGHT IDEA Let the tones of an artwork inform your decorative choices. Here, a Michael Muir painting is matched by a geometric rug from Loom Rugs and throw from Marmoset Found. Many dream of making a sea change or a tree change; Arabella Ramsay and her young family did both. Drawn to the coast of her youth with a yearning for more space for…

“WE WERE INTERESTED IN HAVING SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL AND LIGHT” CÉCILE GRAF, OWNER CHEAT SHEET Who lives here: Cécile Graf, a graphic designer; her husband Walty, a civil engineer; their children Ian Loïc, 16, and Mia Aimée, 12; and Aila the labrador. Style of house: A four-bedroom, light-filled hillside family home. Sixty-four steps lead up to the front door of the home of Cécile Graf and her family in Rüti, a town of 12,000 located a 25-minute train ride south-east of Zurich in Switzerland. Built into the side of a steep hill, it seems to cling to a slope once used to cultivate vines. “It was a very challenging task,” says graphic designer Cécile, who lives here with her husband Walty, son Ian Loïc, daughter Mia Aimée and Aila the…

DO + Pre-season your cookware by washing it in warm, soapy water then rinsing and drying thoroughly before use. + Place paper towels between pans if stacking. + Use wood or nylon utensils. It is safe to use metal utensils on some non-stick coatings but check the packaging before you scrape. DON’T + Cook over high heat. + Use spraying oils as an ultra-thin layer of oil will burn off at low temperatures and can reduce the non-stick properties of cookware. + Expect cookware to last forever. Over time, the surface will deteriorate and one day your omelette just won’t want to leave the pan.…

Large floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors open up from the kitchen and living area onto a rear courtyard, where brick paving has been replaced by a lovely entertaining area to enjoy with family and friends. The trees cut into the sandstone paving are 25-year-old Olea europaea (olive trees), sourced from Queensland and craned into position. “The trees were hard pruned prior to installation, to encourage new growth,” says the garden’s designer, Matthew Hook of Outdoor Establishments. “The result is an almost lollipop form. The juvenile new growth provides an eye-catching contrast against the gnarly old trunks.” The trees are underplanted with a thriving lawn of Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nanus’ (dwarf mondo).…

The custom cubbyhouse was designed and built around the existing jacaranda tree for the family’s children to enjoy. It sits in the rear dining area near the barbecue zone, allowing for easy supervision of the kids from the house and main dining area. “The brushwood fencing was already in place further down the boundary, so we decided to extend it all the way to the rear boundary past the cubbyhouse,” says Matthew.…

Q+A WITH… Nathan Burkett Landscape architect, Nathan Burkett Design A garden should be… plant-focused and have an appeal of comfort. It should have elements that draw you into it to interact with the surroundings and in-built seating can be a great feature to achieve this. Lighting is also important as it encourages use of the garden in the evenings – it also means that you can enjoy its beauty from inside the house as well. What are three things to consider when planning a small-space garden? You need to consider the mature size of whatever you are planting, as you need to account for growth. You also need to think about fragrance and ensure that the types of foliage you are using are suitable, especially in a small area. Visit…

a-c Academy Tiles (02) 9436 3566, academy tiles.com.au. Alape alape.com. Art Rebels artrebels.com. Artedomus (02) 9557 5060, artedomus.com. B&B Italia bebitalia.com/en. Beaumont Tiles beaumont-tiles.com.au. Beautiful Spaces Inside & Out (02) 9310 7776, beautiful-spaces.com.au. Bourkeshire Interiors 0414 427 140, bourkeshire.com.au. British Paints 132 525, britishpaints.com.au. d-f Di Lorenzo Tiles (02) 9698 8737, dilorenzo.com.au. Dinosaur Designs (02) 9698 3500, dinosaurdesigns.com.au. Dougal wearedougal.com.au. eBay ebay. com.au. Eclectic Style (07) 5470 2946, eclecticstyle.com.au. Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413, ecooutdoor.com.au. Exhibit Interiors (02) 9281 4281, exhibitinteriors.com.au. Funkis (02) 9368 7045, funkis.com. g-i Georg Jensen 1800 441 765, georgjensen.com. Godfrey Hirst 1800 630 401, godfreyhirst.com. Great Dane (03) 9682 2777, greatdane furniture.com. Herman Miller hermanmiller.com.au. House Doctor en.housedoctor.dk. Hub Furniture Lighting Living (03) 9652 1222, hubfurniture.com.au. IKEA ikea.com.au. j-l Jardan (03) 8581 4988, jardan.com.au. Ke-Zu (02)…

You could win a mini room makeover, courtesy of British Paints. The prize includes sessions with a colour consultant and stylist to refine your room’s look. You’ll also receive a voucher for a professional painter, paint, a paint voucher, paint accessories and a furniture voucher, as well as a 12-month subscription to Inside Out . The mini room makeover prize is valued at up to $4500. TO ENTER Take a photo of a weekend paint project and share it on Instagram by tagging both @insideoutmag and @britishpaints with the hashtag #IOpaintproject. In the caption, using 25 words or fewer, describe what colours would feature in your room makeover and why. For full terms and conditions, search for ‘Terms February 2016 issue’ at insideout.com.au. COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: ENTRIES OPEN AT…

#1 painted skirting A lick of paint around a room’s border is a sweet way to add a hint of colour You will need + Ruler + Pencil + Painter’s tape + 25mm wall paintbrush + Large wall paintbrush + British Paints ‘Prep 4 In 1’ Water Based preparation coat + British Paints ‘Clean & Protect’ Low Sheen interior paints in Sweetest and Fool’s Crown 1. Measure 25mm above the top of your skirting and, using a pencil, mark a line along the length of your wall. 2. Measure 25mm above that line and lightly mark another line along the length of your wall. 3. Secure painter’s tape along both edges, leaving an area in between to be painted. 4. Use the small paintbrush to paint this area with the…

CHECK US OUT here’s what you’ll find this month at our online home decorating tips for a luxe bedroom We reveal the style secrets behind creating a timeless and elegant look that’s big on layers of texture how to style a bedside table Check out our series of how-to videos with interior stylist Lisa Koehler head to our products section: 9 clever storage solutions for small- space living expert advice What’s the difference between an interior stylist and interior designer? Find the right style expert you need in this guide. head to our guides section: buyer’s guide to curtains & blinds For all the details on different types and styles – and the pros and cons of each – check out this feature.…

THE ORIGINAL Molteni & C ‘D.552.2’ table by Gio Ponti The form: A triangular-shaped side or coffee table in rosewood, brass and glass. Featuring a soft triangular shape with rounded corners, this table has a solid rosewood base with a graphic interlocking structure that is visible through the transparent glass top. In high 1950s style, the legs are finished off with contrasting brass tips. What makes it special: Gio Ponti was one of the most important figures in 20th-century Italian design and architecture. Not only was he the editor of the hugely influential Domus magazine from 1928 to 1979, Ponti was a well-respected architect, interior designer and furniture designer to boot. Creator of the iconic ‘Superleggera’ chair for Zanotta and the stunning Villa Planchart in Caracas, Venezuela, his work is…

Your background is as an academic historian. What inspired you to start Showroom and host different pop-ups in store? I started blogging five years ago. I was taking photographs around my home and discovered it wasn’t possible to find the styling props I wanted, so I started a little online store and a market stall. That went well, so I opened a pop-up shop and that’s what sparked the idea for Showroom. Initially, Showroom was to be a collective of local artisan pop-ups housed in a beautiful, permanent location. The model has evolved significantly over the past 16 months. I realised it was important for the shop to have a singular, distinctive point of view. I’ve been able to realise my vision for the space more fully since moving last…

PAINT COLOUR MAY VARY ON APPLICATION…

Joinery expert Barry Delahunt, joiner and founder, Bespoke Carpentry & Joinery, bespoke carpentryand joinery.com.au Q Joiners are expensive! Why can’t I use a carpenter? Would you ask a decorator to paint you a masterpiece? “Carpenters build structural pieces but joiners create pieces that are on show,” explains Barry Delahunt of Bespoke Carpentry & Joinery in Sydney. “For example, if a carpenter built a roof, it would be covered with plasterboard on the inside. If a joiner built a roof, you could look at it from the inside and it would be beautiful. Joinery is about detailed, aesthetically pleasing work.” Q Is it worth it? If you have a tricky space or want something distinctive, joinery is the way to go, even if it can be expensive. “A flat-pack kitchen is…

Who lives here: Interior designer and artist Georgie Marks, 26; and her mother, Lu Marks, a former designer. Both lived on-site during the transformation of a down-at-heel home into a bells-and-whistles home. A young family of three recently purchased the property. Style of house: A four-bedroom home in Melbourne’s Richmond boasting natural light, custom joinery and modern finishes. The project was in town planning for seven months and took six months to build, with three months spent on the front of the house, prior to the extension. “Our budget grew with the process,” says Georgie. The total spend came close to $400k. The house was purchased for $660k and sold for $1.45m. BEST ADVICE It’s one thing to inherit your mother’s sense of design and passion for architecture, but it’s…

1 IN THE KITCHEN Yes, it’s true. Integrating laundry appliances into the kitchen has long been a common solution in many parts of Europe. Although it’s not as popular in Australia, putting your washer and dryer here – as in this example by Provincial Kitchens (provincial kitchens.com.au) – makes sense for many of the same reasons as having a laundry in the bathroom (plumbing and ventilation). As well, your kitchen will almost certainly already have task lighting, “which makes spotting stains and sorting socks that much easier”, says Christine Gough, interior design leader at IKEA (ikea.com.au). You can choose to have them on display or fully integrated behind cabinetry for a seamless look, and there’s also plenty of built-in cupboard space to store the soapy necessities. “But don’t be afraid…

MY BATHROOM... David Giorgio Head of Design Team, GWA My bathroom is a place of… Utility. Whether it’s getting ready for work in the morning, or washing away tension, the bathroom is a place where I prepare for the next chapter in the day. What aspect of bathroom design do people too often overlook? Great design is often described as that perfect balance of substance and utility. These spaces need to rejuvenate, but often lack functionality, or versatility in function. There are a lot of beautiful products out there, however, aspects like storage, durability or material, cleaning, and ease of use for everyone living in that home is often not given the level of consideration it should. In my dream bathroom, I would have…The complete Caroma Marc Newson range. I…

“The attention to detail that went into these walls was second to none” MATTHEW HOOK, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER A side passage from the dining zone leads to a sitting area looking out over the front garden and pool. With the custom-built gas fire in place, this space is used day and night throughout the year. “Garden lighting is great but it is hard to beat the flicker of a flame burning at night,” says Matthew. Crackenback cladding was used on all the walls in the sitting and dining areas. “The attention to detail that went into these walls was second to none,” says Matthew. “All the corner pieces were cut from sandstone blocks.” The Acmena smithii (lilly pilly) hedge on the boundary is an original planting. This hedge was almost pleached…

how to create the perfect barbecue area The position of your outdoor cooking zone in the garden and proximity to the house will ultimately determine how complex the barbecue area needs to be. If you’re far away from the kitchen, be sure to incorporate power points, refrigeration and running hot and cold water into the design. It’ll mean avoiding having to run back and forth from the kitchen when entertaining. Also consider how you entertain – a dual benchtop layout with bar seating creates a hub for guests to gather.…

speedy miso rice bowl SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes 2 bunches broccolini, trimmed1 tbsp coconut oil2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced¼ tsp dried chilli flakes2 green shallots, thinly sliced150g oyster mushrooms1 tsp soy sauce4 eggs450g packet microwave brown rice, cookedSesame seeds, to serve Miso dressing 1 tbsp white miso paste2 tbsp mirin seasoning1½ tsp fresh ginger, finely grated1 tsp soy sauce1 tsp sesame oil 1. For the dressing, whisk ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside. 2. Place broccolini in a heatproof bowl and cover. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until just tender. Heat 3 teaspoons of the coconut oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, chilli and white part of shallot. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until…

My husband and I are about to buy a New York-style loft off the plan, but some friends have told us open-plan living is impractical and we’ll regret it. Should we go ahead? Erin, Elwood, Vic Your clue here, Erin, is the ‘NewYork-style’, a phrase no less potent for its flagrant overuse by real-estate agents who, I suspect, have it set up as a keyboard shortcut alongside ‘level stroll to’ and ‘whisper quiet, but with easy airport access’. Especially when paired with an artist’s impression of a couple reclining on a space-defining sofa drinking negronis against a backdrop of exposed beam work, those three little words instantly conjure all the charm and sophistication we associate with that glittering metropolis. But as any veteran of the Sex and the City bus…

Painting. It’s one of the first things we do as a kid (hello smock and butcher’s paper!) and it endures as one of the things homeowners are most keen to do themselves. From small-scale projects to whole rooms or apartments, most people have picked up a brush or a roller at some point. And why not? You can achieve a big change in a relatively small amount of time. I know how satisfied I feel after I’ve washed that final roller and packed away the tin. This issue, we’ve teamed up with British Paints to kick-start those paint projects you’ve been meaning to get to. Whether it’s finally choosing the perfect white (we love Love Note) to freshen up your living space, or giving your bedroom a pop of colour…

TANNER + TEAGUE Created by Sam Fisher, head designer at Tanner + Teague, this leather bag features the heavily crumpled look the Melbourne-based label is known for. The bag is part of a new range of leather accessories designed to fit perfectly with Tanner + Teague’s clothing line, which reflects the draping and construction skills Sam mastered in his years as a senior pattern maker for renowned British designer Vivienne Westwood. Visit tannerandteague.com.au HARDTOFIND Fun, stylish and durable, this tote bag is the perfect shopping companion or gift for a shopaholic friend. It’s made by Old English Company in 100 per cent heavyweight cotton and available from Hardtofind, an online retailer that sources unique products from independent craftspeople and manufacturers across Australia and around the world. To shop online and…