Table of contents for June 2016 in Inside Out

Gawd, I love a really great ‘before’ shot, don’t you? There is nothing like gratuitously bad decor decisions just aching to be fixed. A friend recently bought a place with the most incredible plush cobalt-blue velvety carpet I’ve ever seen, and while she was sweating and trying to point out the potential (“Just imagine there’s no carpet at all...”), all I could think about was how brilliant the ‘before-and-after’ shots were going to be. Of course, she has a whole raft of exciting changes planned but, in the meantime, to buy her a bit of financial breathing space, she’s going to start the process of a ‘make-do makeover’. You know the type; a halfway measure that doesn’t cost the earth, but stops you feeling frustrated at the previous owners every…

1. Romy Northover ‘Freedom’ cup, $58, Mr Kitly, mrkitly.com.au. 2. ‘Nolan’ cutlery in Graphite, $229/24-piece set, Country Road, countryroad.com.au. 3. Friend & Founders ‘Shelvish’ storage unit, $1595, Fred International, fredinternational.com.au. 4. ‘Diamond’ timber wall tiles, $29 each, Bonnie And Neil, bonnieandneil.com.au. 5. Louise Kyriakou ‘Ceramic Faces – Panchito’ wall plaque, $198, Modern Times, moderntimes.com.au. 6. ‘BeoLab 5’ speaker, $31,000/pair, Bang & Olufsen, bang-olufsen.com. 7. Normann Copenhagen ‘Krenit’ bowl, $148, Space Furniture, spacefurniture.com.au. 8. ‘Lousi’ blanket, $950, After Online, afteronline.com.au. 9. Moroso ‘Los Muebles Amorosos’ sofa, from $16,910, Hub Furniture Lighting Living, hubfurniture.com.au. 10. ‘Clean & Protect’ low sheen interior paints in White Comfort, $56.90/4L, and Black Ace, $60.90/4L, British Paints, britishpaints.com.au. 11. Flos ‘Snoopy’ lamp, $1906.30, Euroluce, euroluce.com.au. 12. ‘Scope’ dinner plate, $19.95, Country Road, as before. 13. Lucie Kaas…

‘Mr. Dowel Jones’ floor lamp DESIGNERS: Dale Hardiman and Adam Lynch of Dowel Jones Glancing at the refined silhouette of Mr. Dowel Jones, you’d be forgiven for guessing its material makeup incorrectly. Yes, there’s the timber element that is humorously referenced in the lamp’s name, but the black details are made from compressed rubber. “Originally, the lamp’s key components were 3D printed, but after meeting now long-time friend Ash Allen, he suggested producing the components in rubber,” says Dale (pictured left). “Besides being a notable designer, Ash runs a rubber factory in Thomastown, Victoria.” The addition of rubber meant that there are no screws, thanks to the flexibility of the material. “The overall form looks quite animated, so we felt it needed to be given a name to suit its…

THE ORIGINAL ‘Egg’ chair by Arne Jacobsen The form: A sensuous cut-away, egg-shaped lounge chair on a four-point-star aluminium swivel base. Current versions also feature a discreet tilt operation. What makes it special: The ‘3316’ chair has been affectionately called the ‘Egg’ since its original design in 1958. It is an icon of 20th-century design and one of the most readily recognised Danish products ever produced. A revolutionary reinterpretation of the traditional wingback chair, the design removed virtually every element of the concept, bar the wrap-around headrest. The form was everything and the upholstery hugged it like the skin of a fruit or the shell of a hard-boiled egg. Created by Jacobsen for the lobby and reception areas in the 20-storey SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the chair was just…

“With the variety of shapes, you’ll find an eggcup to match your morning mood” ALICIA SCIBERRAS, ACTING STYLE EDITOR From left: ‘Cara’ linden wood eggcup, $20, Mr Kitly, mrkitly.com.au. Donna Wilson ‘Meg’ bone china eggcup, $25, Space Furniture, space furniture.com.au. Chabatree teak eggcup, $14, Ten Things, tenthings.com.au. Stoneware eggcup, $13, Le Creuset, lecreuset.com.au. ‘Open Kitchen’ porcelain eggcup, $8, Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com.au. Barber & Osgerby ‘Olio’ eggcup, $59.95/set of 4, Royal Doulton, royaldoulton.com.au. Lucie Kaas ‘Bordfolk – Girl With Black Triangles’ beech eggcup, $29.95, Urbaani Homewares, urbaani.com.au. Alessi ‘Dressed’ thermoplastic resin eggcup by Marcel Wanders (shown without spoon), $54, Top3 By Design, top3.com.au. Hourglass, $29, Zakkia, zakkia.com.au. ‘Flocca’ tablecloth, $169, Hale Mercantile Co., halemercantileco.com. Background in ‘Clean & Protect’ low sheen interior paint in Blue Fortress, $60.90/4L, British Paints, 132 525. PAINT…

Texture is one of the key elements in interior design and yet it can easily be forgotten about in a flurry of big decisions. It can end up being ‘that missing piece. At its core, texture is the physicality of how a surface or a thing feels. Think of wiggling your toes in a shag pile rug, running your hands over a grainy timber table or sinking into a plush sofa (I’m imagining at the end of the day with a glass of wine, but you choose your fantasy). Texture adds depth, weight and interest to a space; it can make us feel warm and cosy, and without it we are left cold and wanting. Every good space needs elements of texture. Sure, we can make a room look warm…

PURE AND SIMPLE The innovative bin emptying mechanism drives out collected dust and debris with the push of the button, so there’s no need to get your hands dirty. As an added bonus, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball’s bin capacity is 33 per cent larger than that of the previous generation of Dyson Cinetic barrel vacuums, which means even less work for you. SMOOTH MOVES Engineered to have a single stable resting point and low centre of gravity, the vacuums can right themselves if they fall over. The use of the ball instead of wheels means they can also turn on the spot and roll smoothly around furniture and other obstacles. POWER PLAY The use of Cinetic science, Dyson’s unique cyclone technology, means you get a highly efficient machine that…

“CHOOSE A MIX OF SLIMLINE CHAIRS FOR A SMALL DINING SPACE” ALICIA SCIBERRAS, ACTING STYLE EDITOR CHEAT SHEET Who lives here: Petra Tungården, blogger, stylist and fashion and home editor-in-chief for Metro Mode , a Swedish newspaper. Style of house: A 47sqm fourth-floor one-bedroom apartment in Kungsholmen, an island of Stockholm, Sweden. There isn’t a single item in my home that I would get rid of or replace,” says Petra Tungården, reflecting the care she has taken in curating the collection of new and second-hand finds in her cosy Stockholm apartment.A childhood habit of rearranging the furniture in her family home led to a love for interiors, and an approach to her own space that is equal parts passion and precision. When she found the apartment three years ago, her…

the Panel’s advice Andrew Benn Architect and director, Benn + Penna Architecture, bennandpenna.com Right now the front entrance is very confusing and doesn’t do the house any favours at all. To create a connection from the house to the water, I’d suggest a new corridor along the boundary, leading from the front of the house. It’d be great to have a small structure to announce the front gate, perhaps a Balinese-style pavilion (with more pavilions down to the water’s edge) that would be in keeping with the tropical surrounds. We could then build another small structure housing an outdoor shower (using recycled water, of course) on the jetty. The house needs a significant facelift and the sequence of pavilions could offer that without having to upgrade the entire building. Wayd…

The best cooks are serious about their knives, and for good reason. Your kitchen prep work will be quicker, easier and more enjoyable if you’re using the right tools for the job. Whether you’re building a complete collection over time or buying a full set, you’ll need to know whos who on the block, so you can tailor your choices to your cooking style. Here’s our guide to size (yes, it matters), style, storage and safety. > the essentials Chef’s knife This is an all-purpose knife, sometimes called a cook’s knife. It has a deep, triangular blade, around 20cm to 30cm long, and can be used for most chopping and slicing tasks. A Santoku knife is the Japanese equivalent, and features a less-pointed end. Paring knife A small knife for…

yay or nay? … a stainless-steel kitchen. Chef Matt Wilkinson, co-owner of Melbourne’s Pope Joan weighs in The deal: No-one except a chef really wants stainless steel all over their home kitchen. It’s like having an endless glass of Krug – amazing at the start, but a little overwhelming after a while. The pros: Cleaning! Stainless steel is easy to wipe and is the ‘bling’ of the kitchen world. It’s strong and wears really well over time. The cons: A stainless-steel fridge is the worst if you love naff fridge magnets (like me!) – they don’t magnetise unless you have them designed in ferratic stainless steel. The verdict: A mixture would rock my world – the splashback, exhaust and sink in stainless steel with a marble bench and timber-fronted slats…

Seaside influences take a dramatic turn in the winter months, with cloud-like whites and greys meeting natural timber tones to create a rustic yet inviting atmosphere. Handmade ceramics and fresh white linen keep the palette restrained with a refined depth, while organic wood grain adds striking contrast to the table. ‘Camargue’ and ‘Gris Perle’ pleated bowls, $45 each; ‘Gris Perle’ platter, $95, all MH Ceramics, mhceramics.net. Olivewood spoons, $29.95 each, Lime Lifestyle, (02) 9949 6148. Glass jar, $15, Honeybee Homewares, honeybeehome wares.com.au. Linen tablecloth, $175, Cultiver, cultiver.com.…

my top 5 table styling details Fruit and vegetables Instead of flowers, fill small jars with fresh herbs or bigger vases with leaves such as kale or spinach. Glass vases and jars I like arranging crackers so they spill out of a jar on its side. I also like to fill old maple syrup bottles with small blooms and place them around the table. Knick-knacks A simple jug, cups and saucers in different colours or designs, and retro glass plates or teatowels can be some of the greatest presentation treasures in entertaining. Materials and ribbons Longer strips of material can be great as tablemats or runners, while smaller offcuts can be used on platters, tied around vases, jars or chairs, or used with napkins and name cards. Presentation platters Start…

stay connected... kitchen layout mistakes Before you plan your kitchen reno, check out these layout hits and misses according to a designer connected home What’s the buzz? Find the expert lowdown on 6 ways to automate your home…

1. Bower ‘Arch’ floor mirror, US$2900, Bower NYC, bowernyc.com. 2. Hay ‘Field’ breadboard, $140, Cult, cultdesign.com.au. 3. ‘Tombstone’ mousepad, $48, Dowel Jones, doweljones.com. 4. Dwelling photographic prints, $4100/ editions of 3 (framed), Paul Wells, paulwells.com.au. 5. Marset ‘Follow Me’ lamp, $289, Designstuff, designstuff.com.au. 6. ‘Roxbury’ console, US$8805, Kelly Wearstler, kellywearstler.com. 7. Menu ‘Shrine’ shelf, $149, Designstuff, as before. 8. ‘Thoronet’ dish, $795, Henry Wilson, henrywilson.com.au. 9. Bedhead, from $1500, Douglas And Bec, douglasandbec.com. 10. Fogia ‘Arch’ wenge unit, $1716 (top), and oak unit (bottom), $2277, Fred International, fredinternational.com.au.…

Q I don’t know if I should install a traditional fireplace or a gas alternative in my home. What should I take into account? Alex, via email Gas fireplaces offer convenience. They ignite with the flick of a switch and turn off just as easily. They also have fans installed to help push the heat into the room, and they don’t smell like smoke. Traditional fireplaces, on the other hand, require a lot more work. You have to get them going, tend to them throughout the evening and then clean up afterwards. When it comes to installation requirements, a traditional fireplace will be more difficult to install due to more Building Code rules (especially regarding chimneys and flues), but a gas fireplace will need a gas and electrical feed. Overall,…

Gregory, how did Porcelain Bear begin? In 2010, the Porcelain Bear label was conceived, intended as a sub-brand. That year, Anthony started to spend time in my studio. We used to chat about life and listen to music and he was really the only person I’d allow in. He was fascinated by the process – making moulds and slipcasting porcelain – and offered to assist me one day a week. Over the next few years, one day grew into more and we left my studio in North Melbourne, moved to our current studio and Anthony came on full time. We used the name Bonasera Ceramics, but switched to Porcelain Bear in 2014. What’s the significance of the name Porcelain Bear? The polar bear is a beautiful analogy for porcelain in…

Clockwise from left: Oyoy brass bookend, $96/pair, Top3 By Design, top3.com.au. ‘Fundo’ brass bookend, $195, Mr Kitly, mrkitly.com.au. ‘Fin’ bookend in Gunmetal Bronze, $350/pair, Henry Wilson, henrywilson.com.au. Kelly Wearstler ‘Little Head Trip’ marble sculpture, $925, Becker Minty, beckerminty.com. ‘Geode’ agate bookends, $104/pair, Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com.au. ‘The Basic Step’ marble sculpture, $140, Marble Basics, marblebasics.com.au. Pineapple bookend, $74.95/pair, Alfresco Emporium, alfrescoemporium.com.au. ‘Clear Quartz Point’ stone, $425, Becker Minty, as before. Cassina ‘LC14 Tabouret Cabanon’ stool, $1264, Cult, cultdesign.com.au. ‘Slotted System 1’ bookcase, US$199, Book/Shop, shopbookshop.com. Background in ‘Clean & Protect’ ow sheen interior paint in Love Note, $56.90/4L, British Paints, britishpaints.com.au. PAINT COLOUR MAY VARY ON APPLICATION…

cheat sheet Who lives here: Jade Hurst, creative director and founder of brand agency, Raw; her husband, Ben, director and founder of Little Wonders Childcare; their children Ivy, 3; and Mickey, 16 months; and their Abyssinian cats Gus and Lily. Style of house: A 1900s extended and restored character villa in Ponsonby, New Zealand. The house was finished in just four months. Jade and Ben spent about $550k on the project. Try before you buy is something you nearly always do when choosing a new outfit, but when it comes to buying a home, it’s another story. One whirlwind viewing can seal the deal, leaving you with a house you’re going to call home for a long time. Jade and Ben Hurst, on the other hand, had five years to…

Who lives here: Lauren and Geoff Lewis, owners of property styling business, Bowerbird Interiors, and their daughter, Bowie, 3, and son, Hendrix, 10 months. Style of house: Originally a 1980s four-bedroom brick-veneer project home in a southern Sydney suburb, an architecturally designed contemporary two storey home now stands proudly in its place. The project took 18 months to complete, with 13 months build time. The property was purchased for $1.1 million and the couple budgeted around $1 million on their home. The block was sub divided to fund the project. FUTURE PERFECT A knock down re-build project in Sydney’s southern suburb of Caringbah South turned out to be Lauren and Geoff Lewis’s dream home in the making. The couple (pictured left) wanted to design a home from start to finish…

Congratulations! You’ve bought the house and you’re ready to move in. The problem is the kitchen is dated, the bathroom sports ’70s-era pink tiles and let’s not start on the storage… You may want to change it right away, but the worst thing you can do is rush into a renovation. You need to live in a place and get to know it, right? To make it bearable, here are our top hacks on what to update before you renovate. 1 FLOORING Shiny pine-y floors? Cold, unfriendly terracotta tiles? Crappy carpet? Your floors are a surprisingly big part of your interior style. There’s a lot of sense in focusing on what’s on the ground before you move all your furniture into the house. “If it’s old and ugly carpet, rip…

As long as you’re using it properly, a sharp knife is actually safer than a blunt knife, as it’s less likely to slip. How often you need to sharpen your knives depends on the quality of the steel, and what you’re using them for. To make your edges last, avoid cutting on hard surfaces like steel, stone or glass. My first choice for sharpening is a whetstone, but learning to sharpen by hand on a stone takes practice. First, soak your stone in water for a couple of hours, then place it on a wet teatowel to stop it sliding. Using the knife handle in one hand, and the tips of the index and middle finger of your othe to press down on the blade, swipe forward from tip to…

THANKS TO SWEET TART BASE MAKES 4 PREP 10 MINS (+ 40 MINS RESTING TIME) COOKING 22 MINS 1 1 /2 cups (225g) plain flour 2 tbs pure icing sugar 125g chilled unsalted butter, chopped 1 egg yolk Place flour, sugar and butter in a food processor and whiz until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add yolk and 1 tbs cold water, then whiz until the mixture just comes together. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until just smooth. Shape into a disc and enclose in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease four 2cm-deep, 8cm fluted tart tins. Roll out pastry between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using an 11cm round cutter, cut 4 rounds from…

Hugh Burnett has designed gardens from the Hamptons and Houston to country New South Wales, but for this project on Sydney’s lower North Shore, the focus was on a much shorter journey, from street to door. Homeowners Trisha and Garry share a love for travel and a passion for Italy, with Trisha having a particular love of fine art and design. They had never finished work on their front garden and carport, despite having had a DA in place since a renovation years earlier.“After our initial renovation, the thought of further construction was rather daunting, so for several years the project stayed in the too-hard basket,” says Trisha. After engaging Hugh, who was then working with landscape design company Good Manors,Trisha and Garry briefed him with an update to the…

IXL A spa-style bathroom is the dream and that requires not just pretty accessories but some ingenious fixtures as well. Local manufacturing company IXL launched the ‘Tastic’ three-in-one heat, light and ventilation unit more than 30 years ago and has recently extended the range with the ‘Tastic Neo’ modules. These new versions offer ventilation, heating and lighting components in either single or dual-function modules to suit your space and requirements. Visit ixlappliances.com.au FANCY FEAST If you’re a foodie, you’re no doubt a fan of farmers’ markets, amazing cafes and five star dining experiences. Now you can treat your foodie friend, aka your cat, to the Fancy Feast ‘Inspirations’ range of chef-inspired gourmet meals. The recipes are created with fine cuts of meat or fish that are cooked and combined with…

My son is still living at home even though he’s nearly 30. I’d love to turn his bedroom into my sewing room, but I can’t bring myself to boot him out. He says he can’t afford to buy yet. Wanda, Pymble, NSW Were you to conduct a poll in the leafier and more lawn-proud suburbs of our city,Wanda, you’d find this exact scenario ranks first among what, for ready reference, we’ll call Boomer Problems. Ahead of rose blight, joint pain and collectively “where our glasses are”, adult children who won’t leave home is an ongoing scourge to the over-fifties. And I feel for you, caught between maternal guilt and seething resentment. On one hand, you feel responsible that having bought up every bit of real estate for tuppence-ha’penny in 1970,…

sitting pretty Fresh from the 2016 Milan design fair is this deceptively simple seat The ‘June’ dining chair is the latest creation by Austrian designer Frank Rettenbacher for Zanotta. A blend of clean lines and soft facets, the chair is a lightweight piece with no visible screws between the backrest and seat, a real feat of clever and considered design.The upholstered seat adds a playful yet sophisticated touch, with plenty of fabric or leather options available to suit your style. To find out more about the Zanotta ‘June’ dining chair, contact Space Furniture on (02) 8339 7588.…

1 MODERN LINES  why it works: Both pieces keep it simple with visually light forms and a bright hit of colour Hitch bookcase and desk , $999, Blu Dot, bludot.com.au. Howe SixE chair , from $335, Living Edge, livingedge.com.au. 2 INDUSTRIAL EDGE  why it works: This combo’s utilitarian appeal harks back to school days, complete with primary colours Spoinq Spranq chair , $395, Spence & Lyda, (02) 9212 9749. Herman Miller Eames’ desk unit , $3475, Living Edge, 1300 132 154. 3 SCANDI COOL  why it works: The contrast in form, material and tone creates an elegant, sophisticated look Desk in American Ash, $1590, Douglas And Bec, douglasandbec.com. By Lassen ‘ML33 chair in Kvadrat Hallingdal fabric, $3300, Fred International, fredinternational.com.au.…

‘Clean & Protect’ low sheen interior paint in Grey Canvas, $59.60/4L, British Paints, britishpaints.com.au. ‘Lumbersider Waterborne’ low sheen interior paint in Half Breathless, $44.33/1L, Resene, resene.com.au. ‘Clean & Protect’ low sheen interior paint in Island Sand, $56.90/4L, British Paints, as before. ‘Clean & Protect’ low sheen interior paint in Ace Of Spades, $60.90/4L, British Paints, as before. Add sophistication and depth to your room by going dark. Create a background that contrasts with furniture beautifully, particularly patina-heavy pieces. Break up the intense mood with spots of interest, using lighter earth tones in your accessories. ‘Wash&Wear 101 Barrier Technology’ interior paint in Ragin’ Cajun, $45.90/1L, Dulux, dulux.com.au. ‘Eggshell Acrylic’ paint in Nebular, $44.05/1L, Porter s Paints, porterspaints.com. ‘Eggshell Acrylic’ paint in Chintz Grey, $44.05/1L, Porter s Paints, as before. PAINT COLOUR…

“ISCD can give you the platform to launch your own career” DANI BUTCHART, STYLIST AND DESIGNER Floral installations, pop-up spaces and residential interiors – they’re all in a day’s work for Sydney-based stylist and designer Dani Butchart. The former creative brand manager for fashion label Fleur Wood, who describes herself as being “slightly obsessed with all things pretty”, shares how studying at ISCD set her up for a new career in the design industry. Why did you choose ISCD? It offered the best course for the path I wanted to forge and the teachers are highly experienced. How did you find your time at ISCD? Memorable! I loved every minute of the course – it’s hands on and practical. What were the most valuable things you learned at ISCD? Be…

“Go all out with colourful touches that can grow with your daughter”VANESSA COLYER TAY, STYLIST 1 This versatile bed can transform into a spare sleeping space for friends during sleepovers and act as a dreamy daybed the rest of the time. Up the fun factor with upholstered panels, customised to suit your tween’s favourite colours. Line the space beneath with pillows for extra comfort. ‘Kura’ reversible bed (converts from a low bed to a high bed – mattress not included), $299, IKEA. 2 Add texture and a bold graphic design with a luxe wool rug, ideal for friends to gather on. ‘Desert Shapes’ rug, $748/ 160cm x 230cm, Lightly. 3 Personality-packed cushions give your daughter the chance to express her own style, and are the essential ingredient for pillow fights!…

With cooler weather finally upon us, it’s time to settle in. It’s easy to think about the finishing touches – a generous sofa, plenty of cushions and a plush rug, but consider the surfaces of your space. For instance, the ceiling is an ideal canvas for interesting detail – in this Melbourne home, oak panelling adds warmth, as well as an architectural feature.A cement-rendered wall and stone platform add to the relaxed sophistication of this zone, and this blend of materials is also reflected in the accessories. For more of this refined family space, turn the page.…

cheat sheet Who lives here: Nicole Lucas, a flight attendant; her husband Tim, who has a business manufacturing plumbing supplies; and their two daughters, Charlotte, 16, and Hannah, 14. Style of house: An old Queensland cottage in Brisbane, transformed into an open three-bedroom home. After 12 months of planning and seeking council approval, the build took 15 months. Nicole and Tim spent around $1 million on the project. 1 curated cool When the Lucas family moved from the country to a smaller home on the river in Brisbane, they enlisted the help of interior designer Melissa Blight of Twofold Studio. “I didn’t want minimal,” says homeowner Nicole, “and I wanted to display the blue-and-white china I’ve collected over the years from Europe and Japan.” Melissa and Nicole chose Bonnie And…

the story so far Simon purchased the house in 2002. It was one of the first homes built in the Gold Coast’s Florida Gardens in the early 1960s. During the floods of 1974, it was one of a handful of homes not inundated. In fact, some of the neighbours recall camping out in Simon and Chantay’s house. From the street, the property has a solid fence without a discernable entrance. Once through the gate, the house appears like any other single-storey brick suburban house. But there’s an exciting secret. In the backyard, a palm-tree-lined passageway leads to Little Tallebudgera Creek. Unlike other artificial Gold Coast canals, this is free-flowing water on a natural winding path. The challenge is that the house, as it’s presently positioned, hides the walkway and view…

Sometimes one key design element drives an entire project, and ends up having an outsized impact on the result. Finding that game-changing piece of the puzzle takes not only bravery and a bit of faith, but also an uncompromising approach to seeing it through. The story starts conventionally with the home’s owners, a couple with two small children and a cat, keen to create a better indoor-outdoor connection in their traditional townhouse, located in Antwerp, Belgium.Architects Silvia Mertens and Pieter Peerlings of Sculp[IT] (sculp.it) pushed that idea to the limit, with a plan to add a steel-framed extension to the back of the house, resulting in three storeys of glass, including a pair of pivot doors described as the largest in the world. After six months working with specialist engineering…

YAY OR NAY? … having a customised vanity Jasmine McClelland, interior designer, weighs in The pros: A custom vanity means no gaps – great for cleaning! – and provides plenty of options, when it comes to style and size. There are also practical benefits of varied storage options. You can add or remove doors and drawers, depending on whether the vanity is for a family or in an ensuite. The cons: Obviously, having a vanity made can be pricey compared to buying one ‘off the shelf’. And, with anything bespoke, there’s bound to be a lead time that can stretch out to several weeks. The verdict: Yay! I am in the ‘pros’ camp as there are so many benefits if you can afford custom-made and have the luxury of time.…

Not too long ago, kitchen pantries were built to hold things like tea, sugar, bread, and maybe a couple of cans of mushy peas. These days, with more eclectic cuisine and bulk shopping options, today’s kitchens are often built with all manner of shelving options, all the way up to a butler’s pantry. I’m not convinced we’re better people for it. But even if your pantry isn’t big enough to hold a small car, I’ll bet there are still items on those shelves that haven’t seen daylight for months. Guess what? Today’s the day we’re going to whip that pantry into shape so that come dinnertime, your pantry will serve as your faithful helper and not a door-bulging, jam-packed mess. 1/ Clear off your kitchen bench and dining table. This…

Here’s your front-row seat at renowned chef and ILVE ambassador Giovanni Pilu s kitchen. From homemade pasta and a hearty soup to espresso zeppole, this Italian menu has elegant entertaining at home sorted. Dress the table with soft linen and handcrafted tableware for a refined touch. fresh pasta dough This dough is used for long pasta and shapes such as stracci (which literally means ‘rags’), soft pastas generally served with delicate sauces. MAKES About 800g 500g tipo 00 flour, plus extra, to dust 2½ tbsp fine sea salt 8 egg yolks 2 eggs 1. Sift the flour and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Lightly whisk the egg yolks and eggs together in a bowl. Mixing with the dough hook, slowly drizzle most…