Queensland Homes Winter 2017

After all these years working as a writer and stylist, and now as Editor of Queensland Homes, I’m finally revamping my own apartment. My home may be small in space, but I’m dreaming big on style! I’ve been scouting new tiles with a pop of colour and pattern for my ensuite, and I’m about to install beautiful white plantation shutters and some plush new carpet in the bedrooms. I’m also working on the design for an in-built bookshelf in my dining nook to house my (ridiculously large!) collection of books, magazines and treasures from my travels. And of course, my new space needs some fresh new décor pieces to suit. I’ve been making a moodboard – a collection of products and photos of homes I’ve seen and loved – and…

Moroccan spice Dreaming of faraway places? Cure your travel bug with the offerings at Tigmi Trading, including beautiful and rare Berber rugs and artifacts from Morocco, like this lush Beni Ourain floor cushion. tigmitrading.com Italian accent Contemporary elegance is the signature style of SP01, Australian-designed furniture made in Italy. We’re loving the blush tones and sleek lines of the SP01 Ling 15 armchair. Choose the natural ash or the carbon stain, and have fun playing with the 70 combinations of fabric and leather available for a custom fit. From $5,615. sp01design.com.au World of style Australian design studio Sage and Clare has released a collection of artisanal, handmade and modern bohemian décor delights from around the world, and we could not be happier to discover these bright and beautiful wares. sageandclare.com Honest work Derlot designer Alexander Lotersztain has…

“I live in paradise here in Coolangatta – I get to wake up, head to the beach for a walk or swim then jump into my creative endeavours for the day” MY BACKGROUND: I started out with a degree in Fine Arts at Queensland College of Art, then moved to Melbourne and studied screen print design and graphic arts, where I heard [much-loved Australian illustrator and designer] Beci Orpin was looking for an assistant. As Beci is one of my biggest inspirations, I jumped at the chance to apply and much to my shock, I got the job! Beci was an amazing mentor to me for five years. Returning to my hometown of Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, I started my homewares label, Beneath The Sun. It challenged me in many ways and…

Santa Barbara on the central California coast is well known for its Spanish-derivative architecture, dotted with white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflecting the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. This sprawling ranch, owned by a well-travelled couple, generously surrounded by the landscape and greenery of the majestic Santa Barbara mountain range, had all the hallmarks of that traditional style. But, although generous in scale, the home’s interior was a haphazard cacophony of pattern with a poor flow between the living spaces. Interior designer Kathryn M Ireland (kathrynireland.com) worked to restructure the house and incorporate the better elements of colonial architecture, widening the dark entry hall and replacing flooring. Removing the false ceilings also allowed the traditional timber ceiling beams to once again command attention. Drawing on the vibrant colours and motifs of Mexican…

“The new interior looks as though it was always part of the master plan, with a natural, seamless flow from one entertainment area to another” THE BRIEF To create a link between the home’s existing media room and games room. BESPOKE DETAILS A fabulous curved bar was custom designed by Suzie to serve as a striking but functional focal point between the entertainment and living spaces. THE DESIGN Suzie had worked on a previous project for the client, so when he and his new wife purchased a completely different residence for their new life together, they asked the interior designer to step in and help make the home better orientated for family life. "The main challenge was to create a connection between the family room, media room and games room, which has its own island fireplace,” says…

“My favourite space is the master bedroom. The colours are dark and rich, but the feeling is still calm and inviting, while the mix of textures create a look of luxury” THE BRIEF Create a New York loft-style apartment in the heart of Brisbane’s trendy inner city suburb of Newstead. BESPOKE DETAILS Many pieces throughout the apartment were designed by Robertsons and custom-made specifically for the space, including the stunning bedheads in all three bedrooms. THE DESIGN Making apartment spaces feel bigger is always a challenge, but Tonie and the Robertsons team overcame this with clever use of mirrors in the lounge, master bedroom and study area. Careful furniture choices also helped inject a sense of space. “It’s a fallacy that smaller furniture in smaller spaces works,” says Tonie. “It’s important to keep the integrity of…