Table of contents for Febuary - March 2023 in Belle

ADELAIDE STRIKE A POSE Was Andy Warhol the original influencer? This animates ‘A Social Media’, a new show tracing the pop artist’s obsession with photography. Presaging the spectacle of selfhood that dominates visual culture in an age of TikTok and Instagram, Warhol saw the power of the image in constructing personae, immortalising the celebrities and superstars who were his friends, anointing them with icon status. The exhibition explores the artist’s 250 works – and through the recollections of Henry Gillespie, Australian editor of Interview magazine (left) in the 80s – revealing Warhol’s image-making as candid, collaborative and connected to his social whirl. March 3-May 14. agsa.sa.gov.au MELBOURNE EVERYDAY WAYS Poised between hard-edged abstraction and hyperrealist trompe l’oeil, Casey Jeffery’s paintings (left) are nuanced studies of textiles inherited from her migrant grandparents.…

INSPIRING SURF CULTURE IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS. FOR THIS REASON, RAES ON WATEGOS IN BYRON BAY, NSW, IS UNBEATABLE FOR A LOCAL HOLIDAY DESTINATION – NOT ONLY IS THE HOTEL EFFORTLESSLY COOL, BUT I CAN WALK FIVE MINUTES UP THE HILL AFTER BREAKFAST AND GET TO THE PASS, ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST WELL-KNOWN SURFING SPOTS, FOR HOURS OF SURF-GAZING AND SHOOTING. RAES IS A BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH A QUIRKY SHAPED, PERFECTLY AQUA POOL AND LOTS OF CRISPY WHITEWASHED PLASTER. THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT AND THEIR PIÑA COLADAS ARE THE PERFECT BALANCE OF COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE. RAES.COM.AU 01 SPACES ISLE BOUND I love warm climates and grew up in the Blue Crush (2002) generation so, for me, Hawaii is the ultimate feelgood destination. From the moment you land in…

Stacking up the three-dimensional in light relief with piles of geometrical wizardry in glowing copper tones. Sensuous curves and right angles mingle, swathed in starry, rainbow-hued metals or revealing crystalline layers of semi-precious gemstones.…

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SET SMACK AMID a dynamic and lively area of inner Melbourne, this home offered a smaller footprint set over four levels without compromising on luxurious amenities and space essential for regular entertaining and house guests for a couple moving from a larger home in Toorak. The empty nesters, who lead a busy family and social life, had sought out a “pristine location with unique architectural features”, explains Richard Misso, creative director of interior design studio The Stylesmiths. What was the brief? The property was a grand, dark and heavy classical Georgian-inspired design. This highly decorative interior proved a little overwhelming for our clients and made spaces feel closed in and sombre. Keen travellers, they had gathered an eclectic collection of antiques and art which they felt needed some curation. These…

“If there were any more bars in this house we’d have to get a liquor licence,” jokes Stephen Javens, director of architecture at K.P.D.O. who designed this Melbourne home alongside the studio’s director of interiors, Kerry Phelan. Their client, a businessman and brilliant host who likes to play jazz for his guests, briefed the pair for a house that offered “occasions for entertaining”. This meant different spaces for different parties – a disco for dancing; a whiskey bar for late-night booze; a Welcome Room for casual cocktails and coffee; an elegant entry outfitted with a regularly in-use shiny Steinway ‘Baby Grand’. “Any plans we had for a media room were ultimately scrapped,” says Kerry. “Who wants to sit and watch TV when you can go to a party?” The owner…

With its unexpected injections of startling rich blue against dove grey and pale placid surfaces, director at design practice Mim Design, Charlotte McGill, says this house in Melbourne’s Prahran was inspired by what was right in front of them: their client. “Jan has an effortless elegance. She wears beautiful clothes but simply: jeans and a fresh shirt. She’s very polished but also one of our coolest clients. “Conceptually, the house epitomises this perfect pairing of effortless elegance with chic modernity. Our keywords on this project were sophisticated, refined and inviting,” says Charlotte. Jan bought the property in 2019, a treasured but tired Victorian terrace that was ready for a thoughtful second innings. As with most homes of the 19th century in this inner-suburban area, there were lots of dim, poky…

DO YOU WORK FROM HOME OR THE OFFICE? I have always ‘worked’ wherever I am but I go to the studio every day. Since Covid we have a flexible working arrangement with the team but I love being in the studio. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACE? Free flowing. It’s an industrial warehouse in Sydney’s Alexandria – an open-plan space of 500 square metres with a 20 metre-high ceiling. It has exposed brick and great light. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SPACE? Our physical studio has always been important to us. We always look for as much space as possible and I love raw buildings because I feel comfortable in them. Creative energy flows in open environments. We put in new stunning large-scale pendant lights – light is…

POWELL & GLENN is a Melbourne practice with the equivalent of architectural royalty embedded in its heritage. The pivotal figure was founder Allan Powell who was something of a maverick in his approach to life and work, refusing to align with the prevailing architectural doctrine of the day he took a job with the society architect Guilford Bell (1912-1992) whose clients were Australia’s elite, among them the Fairfax and Myer families. Bell designed modernist houses where an intense focus on symmetry married with sequences of interior and exterior spaces: internal courtyards, walled walkways and swimming pools central to the house plan. While Powell learnt from Bell, drawn to his sophisticated and worldly manner and his ability to create poetic moments with light and shadow, he was very much his own man…

CHIC AND SERENE: A SPACE WITH A HANDCRAFTED BESPOKE POP-UP DRESSING TRUNK TO ENJOY LIFE’S LITTLE LUXURIES AND PREPARE FOR THE DAY.…

ON THE LOOKOUT for a new project as his own home where he could make an impact and hoping to move closer to the city, interior designer Brett Mickan assumed he’d have to sacrifice space to do so. “When this 300sqm apartment with many challenges came up for sale, it was just too much to resist,” he says. “A predominantly underground space with a secret gambling den sent my spidey senses into overdrive and I knew I could use all my tricks from my career in theatre, film and interior design.” How did you become involved with this project? I live here with my husband Nick. We like to find spaces with potential for big change and to create the ultimate entertaining space to enjoy with our friends. After living…

BRIMMING WITH HISTORY and fantastic architectural features, this apartment was a passion purchase by our clients who fell in love with the space and all of its potential, explains Richard Misso, creative director of interior design studio The Stylesmiths. “It is contained within a 1902 heritage building that started life as a hospital administration ward and was later transformed into permanent residences. While originally the owners were unsure of the end use they knew the property was special and after letting it to their son and his friends as student accommodation for a few years, they decided it was time to turn it into a warm and inviting home for themselves.” What was the brief? While the property has always had huge potential it is also rather compact for an…

DOWNSIZING FROM a large, freestanding family home in Queens Park while keeping a base in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, the owners secured this property for its outstanding views and handy location, says Nicholas Kaiko of Kaiko Design Interiors. “Its proximity to the city meant they could still be close to the parks and vibrant lifestyle of the eastern suburbs, but also walk to work. The development where this apartment is situated combines sensitively refurbished heritage buildings and a new seven-storey contemporary unit block,” says Nicholas. What was the brief? Initially, our client came to us requesting help with a simple refresh. Quite organically the project grew to incorporate an entirely new kitchen, the introduction of a fireplace, refreshed bathrooms and a more layered and detailed approach to the decorative elements. What were…

It can be somewhat of a surprise to move from a very contemporary home to one where heritage features are dominant. Such was the case with the owners of this Sydney eastern suburbs home whose former ultra-modern terrace couldn’t have been more different from the 1930s ‘Hollywood Hills’-style house they purchased. Engaging designers Tania Handelsmann and Gillian Khaw of Handelsmann+Khaw during the search for a new home, both owners and designers were instantly attracted by the romance of this property with its commanding presence on an expansive high-set block of land accessed by a sweeping private drive. “It seemed to recall houses in the Hollywood Hills,” says Gillian. “The site is very elevated but the flights of stairs to reach it created anticipation and, at the top, the views were…

SPONSORED BY CARPARK DISCO CHIC was the vibe, channeling the Milano mix. In true Italian style the Fanulis and supporting sponsors Signorino, Winning Appliances, Ilve, Fhiaba and Voyager Estate served a banquet of delicious food, beautiful wines and a Messina gelato cart. Belle hosts Steve Cordony, Tanya Buchanan and the Fanuli team unveiled the winners. DJ Sveta mixed an amazing set. Congratulations to our fabulous winners: Belle Fanuli Interior Designer of the Year: David Flack from Flack Studio; Best Residential Interior: Kennedy Nolan with Always House; Emerging Design Star: Brahman Perera; Best Commercial Interior: Brahman Perera with Henne; Best Residential Kitchen Design: Alexander & Co with Pacific House; Best Residential Bathroom Design: Handelsmann + Khaw with Wilkinson Villa; Best Work with Colour: Arent & Pyke; Best Hospitality Interior: David Flack…

WHAT WERE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SPACE, AND WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED ABOUT THE SITE? Representing some of the world’s most iconic and exquisite liveable design pieces meant we ultimately wanted to create an atelier that, like our competitors in Europe and the US, had gallery-like proportions for furniture, lighting and objets. The works we represent are ultimately pieces of art, versus retail furniture in a showroom, made by artisans in small quantities and holding long-term collectible value. Located in the former Vicki Lee Gallery in Surry Hills, the space resembled to us a refined building site that when styled gives the viewer a feeling of inspiration and endless possibilities. WHAT DID THE ALTERATIONS ENTAIL? While we kept the raw concrete and exposed ceiling, the addition of polished-plaster works, linen drapery,…

AN IDEAL LOCATION, enviable views out to Sydney Harbour and charming heritage architecture were all drawcards for these owners who spotted the potential of this well-proportioned apartment. To help adapt the space located within the heritage-listed Kilmory, a grand Arts and Crafts-style estate built in 1913 in the exclusive harbourside suburb of Point Piper, for contemporary family life, they engaged heritage interior design specialist Jillian Dinkel of Jillian Dinkel Designs. How did you become involved with this project? Interested in our specialisation in heritage and period home design and in the contemporary curation of modern lighting and furnishings, our clients enlisted us to re-imagine the interior of this apartment from top to bottom to align with their lifestyle and sophisticated taste. In addition to improving the aesthetics of this heritage…

IN AN ENVIABLE POSITION nestled between The Royal Botanic Garden and the meandering foreshore of Sydney Harbour, this residential building is located along Sydney’s historic Macquarie Street. “The clients purchased their apartment as their city home and engaged the Atelier service at Space early on during construction of the entire project to complete their interior fit-out,” says David Hartikainen, head of interiors for Space Furniture including its Atelier service. How did you become involved with this project? Atelier was a trusted team due to our familiarity with the entire site, having worked on the interiors for the public areas within the building alongside the developer. The clients came to us seeking a unique, luxurious interior that could be delivered with ease. What were the challenges of the space and how…

This character-filled home in Sydney’s inner west boasts a colourful past – in more ways than one. Back in the early 90s, it featured on the pages of Belle, revealed in its Memphis splendour, with saturated primary hues and sawtooth joinery, so unashamedly chic at the time. The then-owners, design writer Davina Jackson and former NSW government architect Chris Johnson, had also extended the 1886 villa at the back to create a luminous, light-filled pavilion overlooking a courtyard while converting the attic space into three bedrooms. Between old and new was a double-height void. Meanwhile, cornices, moulded ceilings, architraves and ceiling roses were blissfully intact in the original section. While Ettore Sottsass’s whimsy soon had its day – and the couple later replaced that aesthetic with an earthy, ethnic one…