Driving up to this cattle farm in Nulla Vale, Victoria, (located about 80 kilometres north of Melbourne), two identical gable-roofed forms arise from the land, appearing from a distance much like abandoned rural sheds.

Upon closer inspection, one of these buildings is in fact a house made from salvaged bricks and upcycled corrugated roofing, forming a grounded connection to the home’s expansive site.

The revealing journey of arriving at the property is no accident, having actually inspired the entire design by MRTN Architects. ‘The project was informed by the experience of discovering the site, by winding through the land to come across the two clear shapes of the house and shed, that command views all round,’ explains Antony Martin from MRTN Architects. ‘Early design conversations were had about how the shed and house were conceived as wagons that have been travelling along a desired line through the site, and have stopped along the way as if to say, ‘This is where we will stay.’

The home is currently used as a holiday house, while the shed serves as carport, wood store and storage facility for the PV panels and battery required to run the off-grid residence. The exact position of both structures was chosen for their outlook, which takes full advantage of the property’s distant views, and ancient trees and granite outcrops in the foreground. ‘We laid out a driveway to access the house site and designed it to wind along the natural contours of the land and allow the house to become gradually apparent,’ says Antony.

A further driving element of this design is the client’s intention to one day build a larger house on the site, incorporating these two structures. ‘Our brief was to provide the means for habitation of the site, but to do so in a way that suggested an initial occupation of place rather than a fully-fledged domestic setting,’ Antony says. ‘This direction was very informative part of the design process as each plan had to be tested with a range of potential expansion options.’

MRTN approached this challenge by referencing the way rural sheds are built to easily accommodate more storage as required. ‘Skillion roofs are added or gables are extended so that small sheds became larger, rather than demolished and rebuilt. This type of growth is referenced in the triangular window sections in the gable ends of the house,’ Antony says.

The home’s aesthetic derives from the surrounding architectural vernacular and the client’s desire to feel immersed in the land. ‘The key to the brief was that they wanted to create a connection for themselves to the site; to spend time there and gain an understanding and deeper appreciation for a part of the world that they see themselves having a long connection to,’ says Antony. Among the most significant inspirations are the many historic, near-ruin, out buildings and sheds found in this part of Victoria. ‘We didn’t want to replicate a city home environment in the country. Inside the house has a raw, unfinished quality to it that makes it part-home, and part-shed. The feeling of being in shed heightens the experience of being not outside but not quite inside either.’

While small in footprint, the impact of this design is profound, and features sustainable planning that looks brightly to the future. Antony says, ‘There is nothing quite like being outside in the early evening, when the sky to the west becomes an incredible deep blue colour, while inside the fire keeps the home warm. Light is reflected of the ceiling and the roof trusses create these wonderful shadows.’

Belynda Henry has been painting Australian landscapes for over 25 years, drawing on her local environment as a source of inspiration, and a way to explore her own memories. In Waterfalls and Waterholes, the Archibald and Wynne Prize-shortlisted artist applies her distinctive style that captures natural forms through loose, gestural movements. This collection depicts the artist’s experience of living and working in the lush valley of the Central Coast, as well as a recent visit to the tropical and verdant Daintree Rainforest.

While travelling, Belynda made many small studies of the area, and brought them back to the studio. She explains, ‘I noticed a whole new visual language evolving, and out poured 18 small canvases and works on paper, that to me seemed more vibrant and energetic than what I was painting before I left.’ With the threat of a crocodile around every corner, while wandering the Daintree, Belynda’s peaceful scenes are now ‘mixed with an emotional and thrilling landscape discovery.’ 

Belynda paints what is literally in front of her, but explains that this really is ‘a summary of everything [she has] seen, learnt, felt, and observed over the last 20-something years of creating’. Her glistening pools of blue and green have a dreamlike quality, and draw the viewer into their cooling and mysterious environments.

The artist explains ‘I’m obsessed by the landscape; landscapes move me, their colours inspire me.’ Realised in a series of oil paintings on textured linen, as well as the expressive gouache on paper works for which she is renowned, Waterfalls and Waterholes is imbued with the exhilarating freshness of cool water on a warm day, embracing the lush lyricism of these landscapes.

Waterfalls and Waterholes 
Belynda Henry 
November 26 – December 15 
Australian Galleries 
15 Roylston Street 
Paddington, New South Wales

Nat Wheeler, co-founder of Norsu Interiors, explains that like all good projects, the idea for this renovation emerged ‘over a drink.’ Nat was chatting with homeowner Jess (who provides day-care for Nat’s son) about Jess and husband Andrew’s soon-to-increase family. The parents had three children, and after years of having many temporary foster children welcomed into their family, were about to have two children permanently become part of their clan. There was no limit to the love on offer… but there was a real pinch when it came to physical space in the home. Overnight, the family grew from five to seven, with only one bathroom, all the kids in one shared room, and a poorly laid-out kitchen (take a look at some of the ‘before’ photos here and here to get an idea of the challenges presented!).

Nat and co-founder of Norsu Kirsty Sadlier knew they had to do something to help, but also understood that a full renovation wasn’t a feasible option for the family. Instead, the duo put their thinking caps on, and brewed up a creative response. Following Nat’s motto that there is ‘always a way to find a solution’, Norsu reached out to Soulspace Studios (having met at the Tiny Home Festival) to see if they would be able to assist – who generously jumped on board by donating their building services.

Norsu’s plans were to create a new space in the backyard of the family home for Oscar (the family’s 18-year-old son) to live in. While it is designed for Oscar, it also serves as a get-away for all members of the family to nip into, and offers a second bathroom for all of the kids to use. Nat highlights that Norsu are often known as ‘the pink girls’, so this interior design for a teenage boy was a chance to create a space for a new kind of client. Norsu created a mood board before the process started, that Oscar (and his parents!) were thrilled with.

With the help of designer Lauren Bartlett-Bragg from the NorsuHOME styling team, they created an aesthetic Nat describes as ‘edgy, but warm and inviting’. The palette of black, dusty blue, charcoal, and mustard, with natural linen curtains and raw timber and charcoal wall panelling offers a gently masculine, but universally welcoming space.

Alongside this inventive use of the tiny home addition, Norsu also installed a brand new kitchen, with generous donations of kitchen cabinetry (Zesta Kitchens), tiles (Perini Tiles), stone benchtops (CDK Stone), flooring (Scandinavia Floors), tapware (Meir), paint (Dulux), timber (Bowens), basins (Nood Co) and panelling (Easycraft). The list of collaborators on this project is never-ending, and Nat explains ‘we’ve never experienced generosity on this level before.’ She describes how she initially pitched the project to parents Jess and Andrew, who thought she was joking. But Nat felt that Norsu’s huge and engaged Instagram following were there ‘for a reason, if you’ve got that following, you’ve got to use it for good.’

This brilliant project highlights Nat’s philosophy that with a bit of creative thought (and many, many helping hands), there ‘are always other ways’ of helping. This project was about creating physical space for a growing family, but Nat also highlights how people can get involved with Berry Street to assist in providing children with a safe home. For this family, their home is now safe, beautiful, and functional, thanks to the generosity of a whole community.

Norsu Interiors would like to thank Soulspace Studios, Zesta Kitchens, 181 Electrical, Bowens Timber, CDK Stone, Stonelux, Perini Tiles, Meir, McGann Maintenance, Dynamic S’tiling, Scandinavia Floors, Sergi Cranes, Dulux, EasyCraft , Ferraro Plumbing, Sheridan Window Furnishings, ThermoGroup Australia, Warwick Fabrics, Voltex, Light Planet, Hettich, Nood Co, Kate Collingwood Photography, Royal Timber Flooring, Lo and Co Interiors, Earth Wool Insulations, Hollow Tree Showers, Superior Glass Solutions, Ben Ecclestone Cabinets, The Home Improvement Company, Pott Australia, The Cullin Design, 3 Square, H&G Designs and Blackhaus Studios for their generous contributions to this project! 

Photographer and stylist Kara Rosenlund and her husband Tim have created a pretty dreamy life in Stradbroke Island! After purchasing the sweetest little dream beach house on the island, weekends are now spent with the gentle ritual of catching a ferry over from Brisbane to their 1970s A-frame property. We’ve been dying to get a glimpse of this coastal gem, and wit the release of Kara’s new book, Weekends, we finally get to see this heavenly home in all its glory.

The simple beauty of this nostalgic beach shack has prompted the couple to embrace simple pleasures – swimming in the sea, taking time to make a perfect prawn sandwich, hanging the washing on the line to dry in the Queensland sun. She explains, ‘these weekends started to remind me of the weekends I grew up knowing, quintessential Australian weekends from a simpler time.’

Inspired by these new routines, Kara began photographing small moments as part of her day, which is how this special new book was brought to life. Part scrapbook, part photo album, Weekends is Kara’s most personal endeavour yet.  She explains, ‘because the book came from a very sentimental origin, I continued with that narrative, so it only made sense for it to be deeply personal!’ Peppered throughout the soft-bound book are Kara’s handwritten notes, photographs, collages, a couple of special recipes, and an ode to iconic Australian photographer Olive Cotton. Guiding readers through her photographic process, Kara shows us how to develop an artist’s eye with the camera.

Weekends emphasises the joy of lazy summer weekends, of sun-drenched days and sandy feet and salty hair and small pleasures. Kara explains ‘I hope the book brings a sense of joy and freedom and shines light on enjoying the simpler things in life. The small things are often the big things!’

Weekends will be released on Thursday November 28th. You can preorder it here. Kara has also released a special series of prints from the pages of Weekends. Click here for more info!

Architects Kim Brigland and Aaron Roberts, of multi-award-winning firm Edition Office (including recent winners at the TDF Design Awards!), explain that they’ve long been fans of the incredible artist Yhonnie Scarce. When the commission opportunity came up to create a temporary installation for the NGV’s Grollo Equiset Sculpture Gardens, they knew they had to find a way to work with the South Australian glass blower and sculptor!

Yhonnie is a Kokatha and Nukunu artist, renowned for her masterful contemporary glass blowing and sculpting. She creates dynamic installation works that question dominant narratives and bring new perspectives to Australian history and culture. After some initial emails, international skype sessions and sharing of resources, the architects and artist have created an arresting, immersive piece for the NGV. In Absence seeks to provide visitors with an understanding of indigenous construction, design, industry, and agriculture before European settlement – thousands of years of sustainable systems and ideas that have been largely erased from Australian education and history.

Research into eel traps (including the recent world heritage listed Budj Bim indigenous eel trap aquaculture network, which has been maintained over 6600 years), grain storage techniques, and the works of Bill Gammage and Bruce Pascoe helped to shape the concept for the pavilion. In particular, Yhonnie’s knowledge of smoking trees informed the design of the cracked timber monument.

The black-stained Tasmanian oak vertical cylinder is split into two chambers. Yhonnie’s glass-blown yams line the walls, with 1600 of the precise objects installed to creep upwards with increasing density towards the sky, capturing the light with a sense of shimmering movement. Yams are a powerful and recurring motif in Yhonnie’s work, and across her extensive career have represented Aboriginal bodies, the desecration of land, loss of bush food sources, and internal organs. For In Absence the specific meaning is not prescribed, but Yhonnie speaks about the enduring and continuing culture of harvesting traditional foods and the importance of sustaining traditional practices.

Yhonnie highlights the power of this pavilion in communicating the resilience of Australian Aboriginal people, and the environmental sustainability of Indigenous communities in land management across tens of thousands of years. This message is woven through all aspects of the design, including scent – the smell of a smoking tree in one chamber, and the bright new fragrance of eucalyptus in the another. Aaron explains how these two scents reflect the broader intention for the pavilion to communicate both ‘a deep history and a deep future’.

In Absence invites visitors to walk into what the architects describe as the ‘false emptiness’ of the chambers. The team hope that by engaging with the space, Yhonnie’s work, and a curated program of talks, people will leave understanding the long history of Australian Aboriginal agriculture, engineering and architecture, and the ongoing resilience, vibrancy and tenacity of culture.

In Absence will be on display in NGV’s Grollo Equiset Garden from November 2019. Entry is free. 

Interior designer Tamsin Johnson and husband Patrick stumbled upon their Tamarama home slightly unexpectedly. The 1970s beach side bungalow caught their eye one dark Friday night in the middle of winter, when Tamsin was 8.5 months pregnant. With not-great-timing and only a late night glimpse, the couple turned up to the auction the next day regardless… and the rest in history!

The beach bungalow is typical of the older style houses in the Tamarama area, with simple bones and an interior layout of many little rooms. Tamsin and Patrick quickly set about gutting and reconfiguring the house. ‘We retained the facade, but not much more’ Tamsin admits. The redesign included converting six small rooms into one large space on the top floor, for a more open-plan approach. The renovations also entailed upgrading series of small windows into a huge opening to welcome in the ocean views, complete with bifold steel framed doors that spill out onto the terrace.

When the structural renovations complete, Tamsin put her interior design skills to task, transforming the interiors into a calm, refined space that feels like ‘an extension of the coastal surroundings.’ The aim was to create a home that would offer both ‘warmth and togetherness in the winter’ and ‘freshness and tranquility in the summer time.’ We can definitely see that perfect balance playing out here!

The family are also big entertainers, and wanted their home to be easy for cooking, and hosting friends and family. Tamsin describes her design approach as one that ‘relies on the warmth of materials, the smell of the ocean, natural finishes and collected furniture.’ A neutral base palette and chalky white walls also provide the perfect backdrop for the Johnson’s enviable art collection, which they have built over the past 12 years.

The family love the Tamarama area, and the strong sense of local community. Tamsin highlights ‘we know all the neighbours and the kids play in the streets after school.’ Connected to its surroundings, yet sleek, cosy and intimate, this is a home that gets the balance just right.

Dinosaur Designs are the ultimate Australian design brand. Their handcrafted resin homewares and jewellery designs are just so distinctive, and instantly recognisable.

It’s no secret we’re huge fans of this iconic Australian brand, and they have wowed us again this season with their newly released ‘Joie De Vivre’ summer collection.

Featuring new homewares and accessories in lush hues and tactile shapes, Joie De Vivre brings together a bright, summery palette of Melon, Guava, Honeycomb, Dark Turquoise and refreshing Snow Swirl. We can’t quite imagine a better palette for festive summer gifting!

The Design Files’ Top Picks :

For The Table :
Flow Dessert Bowl
Large Rock Bowl
Medium Rock Bowl
Rock Jug
Small Bowl Flow Spice Dish
Stone Dinner Plate

Decorative :
Tall Skipping Stone Vase
Resin Bold Skipping Stone Vase
Bud Skipping Stone Vase

Wearable :
Earth Temple Earrings
Large Pebble Loop Earrings
Long Mineral Bracelet
Medium Rock Bangle
Mineral 2 Drop Earrings

The Dinosaur Designs Christmas Countdown offer :

Receive a beautiful Rock key ring for free when you spend $200 or more online during the Christmas Countdown period – available in your choice of colour ways. (no promo code necessary – this offer is valid for all online sales only until December 8th)

Shop Dinosaur Designs Now!

The brief to Paul Uhlmann Architects was to create a fun weekender on their Pullenvale property, inspired by the classic red and white American Barn aesthetic. Paul and his team began creating designs responding to this brief, with a distinctly Australian flair.

Paul explains ‘rather than a red and white, American-looking building, we quickly introduced the idea of an oiled timber building that would grey and age over time.’ The form of the building was shaped by placing the bedrooms within the roof space, which allowed the structure to have a single form and strong silhouette against the landscape. To modernise and ‘Australian-ise’ the barn, Paul describes how the architects introduced a curve, as an alternative to the traditional gable roof. Twenty designs and drawings later, and hint of inspiration from early Glenn Murcutt work, and the form was achieved!

The barn is designed to be cosy and warm in the winter, and open and breezy in the summer. The roof space offers sky windows for views and ventilation for the first floor bathrooms, bedrooms, and a kids bunk room, while the lower floor opens out with sliding hardwood baton sleeves. Paul explains ‘these provide security, cross ventilation, throughout the living/dining and kitchen area, shading during the day, and light up like a lantern at night.’

The dramatic exterior is matched by the voluminous interiors. The cathedral-like ceiling creates a sense of generosity and expansiveness, while the details provide plenty of warm corners and cosy nooks. Paul highlights that ‘there is timber basically everywhere’ which provides a material warmth and texture. The internal timber linings were finely band sawn and oiled, in contrast to the external hardwood board and batten cladding, which were finished to patina over time and fade to grey/into the landscape.

The barn is topped off with Zincalumane roof sheeting – a material nod to the iconic Australian shed, realised in this bold new form.

If you’ve been to the iconic St Kilda establishment The Stokehouse since its redevelopment in 2016, you’ll likely recall the undulating clusters of pink-hued cylindrical glass chandeliers, poised over diners in dense formations, so delicately suspended they make you hold your breath. That’s the kind of work Mark Douglass creates – truly innovative and exploratory, demonstrating masterful control of his medium. His personal work is extremely varied and imbued with creative spirit, and his most recent exhibition, Art Objects, a series, reflects different stages and styles of his three-decade-long practice. The exhibition takes place in the showroom of renowned antique dealer Graham Geddes, with Mark’s distinct, contemporary glass works nestled in amongst ornate antique collections. 

Art Objects, a series presents an exploration of Mark’s practice over time, allowing him to revisit and reappropriate techniques and themes that have defined his work over the last 30 years. Hand-painted vases sit alongside reflective metallic totemic sculptures and silver ‘morph’ objects, a collection of pieces designed to sit together in harmony before each goes its own way. 

Mark and Graham first met over 25 years ago through their then young sons, Gus and Hunter, who went to school together. The two share a mutual appreciation for each other’s areas of expertise, with Mark honing his appreciation for objects in different styles and periods from Graham’s extensive knowledge, while Graham has encouraged Mark’s art practice over the years, purchasing two pieces at his first exhibition of paintings and art vases at Mark’s first solo exhibition in 2002.

Art Objects, a series has brought together these two veterans of Melbourne’s art and design community, marrying contemporary art with historic antiquities, in one truly spectacular setting!

Email grahamgeddes@grahamgeddesantiques.com or phone 0395090308 to arrange a viewing of Art Objects, a series.

Art Objects, a series by Mark Douglass
November 28th – December 8th
Thursday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm, by appointment
Graham Geddes Antiques
899 High St Armadale
Melbourne, Victoria

Located in Bardon, Brisbane, among the leafy foothills of Mt Coot-tha, is ‘The Nest’ by Shaun Lockyer Architects.

Most significant about this project is its sheer size, being positioned on a rare 4240-square metre block. (For perspective, the Urban Development Institute of Australia reports the median greenfield lot size in South East Queensland is currently around 440 square metres.)

It was the client’s intention this home provide an ‘acreage lifestyle’ normally only achievable on a rural estate. Major works were required to manipulate the land to achieve this outcome, creating more than 1500 square metres of flat, open lawn mimicking a sprawling paddock.

The focal point of the property is the north-east aspect over the garden, pool and tennis court, all of which enjoy distant city views. The open-plan living pavilion in particular embraces this aspect, with large doors enabling the space to become either fully internal or fully external as required. ‘The experience of this space is more akin to being on a verandah than being in a house, which is a very deliberate outcome we intended as a result of considering the space in a sub-tropical context,’ says Shaun Lockyer.

The widespread use of concrete is softened by the use of grey ironbark and various natural stones. ‘Our preference is always natural materials that age gracefully,’ Shaun says. ‘Sandblasted concrete, spotted gum timber, natural stone and textured renders all are characterised by a tactility and warmth that one only finds in natural materials.’

The overriding aesthetic here is heavily inspired by mid-century modern architecture, specifically the work of Californian modernists around the ‘60s. ‘The use of heavily verticals and light horizontals is testament to this vernacular,’ says Shaun.

Among the home’s passive design features is the timber rain screen, which provides shade, protection and security. Deep eaves, excellent cross flow ventilation, and natural light make for a sustainable long-term proposition. ‘The use of first principle design that optimises orientation, natural breezes and year-round comfort is seminal to the work,’ Shaun says. Beyond good design, this house also incorporates solar power, LED lighting, and thermal mass.

One can only imagine the many memories this spectacular home will be host to!

Royce Akers is tired, but happy – though he recognises it’s a bit basic to be a parent and complain about being tired. I told him there was no limit to the number of times he could say it to me. When I asked him how Kalu would describe him he answered, ‘If she said I was a good cook and made her laugh every other day, I’d be happy.’ I liked that he set himself reasonable goals.

Almost four-year-old Nushi wakes up each morning knowing exactly what she wants to wear. Royce thinks she would be an incredible character in a Korean horror film, though she gets scared easily. He says she inherited his big moon face, and that he’s in awe of her amazing ability to describe her feelings. Looking after his one and a half-year-old Billy feels like hanging out. He can’t talk yet, but Royce is convinced Billy understands banter better than most people. 

He said it sounded dumb, but the move from Collingwood to Preston was a big change for him and Kalu. They used to party and have people fighting outside their bedroom window all night. Now he’s a guy who thinks a lot about mowing the lawn.

How do you and Kalu share the parenting load?

I think we do our best to keep it as even as possible. It’s a conversation but we’re not a couple that keeps a ledger. I go to work during the week, so when I’m home I try to do as much as I can and I love it. But I know doing breakfasts and bedtimes is never going to be the same as the full eight hours Kalu has them alone during the day. She’s recently started selling a bit of sourced furniture through Curated Spaces, so on the weekends, we make sure she has time to work on that.

How has your work-life changed since becoming a parent?

I’ve adapted to running on a quarter of the usual brain capacity. It’s meant relying a little more on others and it’s been good to stop pretending to always know the answer – which is a tendency I have. I also stopped going out, which presents challenges when you work for a youth media company like Vice. But as with everything else, you just have to rely on others to keep those connections with culture.

Would you like to take on more parenting responsibilities? If yes, how do you see that happening?

When Billy came along I said I’d scale things back to four days a week but it didn’t happen for a couple of reasons. I feel bad about that. 

Do you still travel a lot for work? How does it work alongside family life?

I’ve scaled work travel way back since the kids came along. I’m not into being away from the action.

What’s your experience with Dad guilt? Is it a thing?

I feel guilty about constantly talking about them. I feel guilty when I’m not with them. When I get mad at them I feel guilty afterward. So without googling Dad Guilt, I’m pretty sure I get it from time to time. I’ve had other Dads tell me they feel guilty watching Bluey. The dad on that show has become a low-key role model, which is hilarious and awesome.

How do you keep the romance alive in a long term relationship? Asking for a friend.

There are all sorts of waivers I’d need to sign before answering this one. 

What’s been your proudest moment since becoming a parent?

Childbirth was unbelievable both times. Those were moments where I was super proud. I was in awe of Kalu and the kids. 

What do you hate most about parenthood?

Look, it’s gotta be the nights, but we’ll fix that eventually.

FAMILY FAVOURITES

Rainy day activity?

Getting out of the house is crucial. There’s a trampoline centre near here that’s pretty fun. We go to the library a lot too. Looking forward to when movies are more of a thing.

Sunday morning breakfast?

The kids are obsessed with pancake dots – where you drip the batter all over the pan so it makes heaps of tiny pancakes. Kind of annoying to make, as opposed to big beautiful fluffy pancakes, but what can you do.

Date night?

Umbertos or Neighbourhood Wine… anywhere within 10 minutes drive.

Go-to album?

We have a Google Home thing in the kitchen so we don’t play many albums these days. The kids have songs they love (Here Comes The Sun, Good As Hell) and then the machine just adds more songs on after.

Weekend getaway?

Nanna’s house down at Point Lonsdale.

It was so inspiring to meet and interview kikki.K founder Kristina Karlsson for our podcast earlier this year – and it’s been brilliant to see her excellent book, ‘Your Dream Life Starts Now’ taking flight this year (we highly recommend it!).

kikki.K’s Christmas message this year is to be ‘a giver of good’. To this end, they’ve created a range of meaningful, thoughtful gifts that will help loved ones dream big, get organised, make goals for the year ahead, and start 2020 inspired and ready to leap into action!

The Design Files’ Top Picks :

Vintage Rose Everyday Essentials Gift Pack – including Stainless Steel Drink Bottle, A5 Bonded Leather Journal, Tall note pad, Retractable Metal Rollerball Pen, Notepad Cube, Leather Pencil Case and Slim To Do List!

2020 A5 Bonded Leather Weekly Diary in Vintage Rose – these sleek, embossed leather diaries come in a great range of colours, but we love the dusty rose pink.

A5 Snap Journals – a handy, take-anywhere journal.

Metal rollerball pens – there’s no excuse for throwaway pens, these beautiful metal rollerball pens are beautiful to write with, and refill-able!

‘Your Dream Life Starts Here’ by Kristina Karlsson – Kirstina’s best selling book was released earlier this year and is already gathering a cult following… a great gift to inspire turning dreams into action in 2020!

Dream Life Journal – This handy journal accompanies ‘Your Dream Life Starts Here’, and is designed to capture all the thought-starters and activities outlined in the book.

Dreams Toolkit – Including prompt cards, a notebook and pen, this is a great starter pack to inspire big dreams!

101 Dreams Jar – Including cards with prompts as well as blank cards, this sweet little glass jar kit encourages you to write down 101 dreams and turn them into action!

Woodland 2020 A5 Sweet Weekly Diary in Pale Pink –The ‘Woodland’ collection is a super sweet, illustrated range of diaries, planners, stationery and accessories with kikki.K’s distinctive Scandinavian flair. A gorgeous gift for girls, big or small!

Woodland Leather-Free Personal Planner Medium 

Woodland Everyday Gel Pens 3-pack

Woodland Stackable Lunch Box and Steel Drink Bottle – so cute!

The kikki.K Christmas Countdown offer :

kikki.K are offering 30% off TDF’s Top Picks for Christmas – use discount code TDFXMAS. *Not available in conjunction with any other offer

Shop kikki.K now!

Stephanie Rooney was struck with inspiration for her latest photographic series while traveling in Lagos, Portugal.  The Geelong-based photographer was eating breakfast in a cobbled laneway (sounds idyllic!) watching the coloured shop fronts and local community members gather for their morning coffees.

Stephanie was drawn to the bright and ‘almost cartoon like’ architecture, where the homes conveyed a sense of joy and personality. As an ‘on the rise’ tourist destination, the homes have not yet been turned into short-stay accommodation, which makes Lagos an especially charming town to visit. Sophie highlights ‘all the homes in this series are residential, just out of the frame were washing lines, garbage bins and parked motor bikes.’

For someone who usually works with subdued tones and neutrals, the vibrancy of this collection  is outside of Sophie’s comfort zone, but she has relished the chance to work within a brighter palette whilst exploring the architectural language of Lagos. ‘I find this collection really invigorating.’ she says.

You can purchase prints online at Sophie’s online store, of visit the KO Creative Studio in Geelong.

Lento 
The KO Creative Studio
December 1 – 20 
1/14 Lambert Avenue 
Newtown
Geelong 

Donna Hay is a household name both here and overseas, having edited her self-titled magazine for 17 years, reaching subscribers in 82 countries around the world. Over the past 20 years, she has also authored 27 best-selling cookbooks, selling over six million copies worldwide (!), and has hosted TV series screened in over 17 countries.

It was such a pleasure to chat with Donna and get a closer insight into the inner workings of her inspiring brand and business. I learnt that Donna actually isn’t a big goal setter, nor much of a forward-planner… which really surprised me! Instead Donna prefers to remain open to opportunities when they present themselves – and right now, after 17 years of magazine deadlines, she’s relishing the freedom to be creative on her own terms.

In this podcast conversation, Donna shares her thoughts on how it felt to close her magazine last year, after 100 issues! We also discuss what she feels has underpinned her success over the past two decades, her thoughts on the wellness industry, the future of food, and so much more.

Notes and Links

Donna’s latest book is ‘WeekLight’ – the perfect collection of easy, healthy meals to make you feel good.

Visit www.donnahay.com.au for more info about Donna, her books, and of course zillions of mouth watering recipes!

You can also follow Donna on Instagram at @donnahaymagazine and @donna.hay!

Just when it’s time to start winding things down… we are amping it up! Yep, thats right… we still have ONE more art exhibition to share with you before this month it out…  and it’s a big one!

Art&Artefact celebrates some of our favourite local artists and makers, with an emphasis on emerging and early career artists – making this show one of our most affordable yet. The exhibition opens Saturday December 14th, so if a ceramic vase, landscape painting, still life, or portrait has caught your heart, please get in touch via art@thedesignfiles.net – presales are open now!

Enjoy scrolling through the brilliant works of Caroline Walls, Maggie Green, Emma Fuss, Emma Lipscombe, Stephen Baker, Emma Currie, Hannah Nowlan, Jesse Dayan, Katie Daniels, Lucy Roleff, Bec Smith, Rachel Castle, Bugai Whyoulter, Cameron Gill, Claire Johnson, Asobimasu Clay, Tantri Mustika, Kirsten Perry, Jessica Tremp, Mark Alsweiler and Anna Varendorff.

AND please join us on opening day for a drink, a chat, and decadent snacks from Firecracker – this is one exhibition not to be missed!

Art&Artefact 
Opening Saturday December 14th 
Drinks & Snacks from 2pm-5pm 
14 Little Oxford Street 
Collingwood 
Melbourne 

GALLERY HOURS
Saturday 14th  10:00 – 5:00pm
Sunday 15th 11:00 – 3:00pm
Monday 16th CLOSED
Tuesday 17th 10:00 – 4:00pm
Wednesday 18th 10:00 – 4:00pm
Thursday 19th 10:00 – 4:00pm

We’re always partial to a fresh new bedlinen update, and this year we have Australian linen specialists Bed Threads on our wishlist! Their soft, scrunchy 100% French Flax bedlinen is ultra luxurious, yet fairly priced, because they sell directly to customers online (you won’t find them in any retail stores). They’re also a certified carbon-neutral business!

Bed Threads linen comes in a palette of 16 delicious colours… it was VERY hard choosing favourites, but here we highlight our top colourways… complemented by a small edit of art prints and homewares.

The Design Files’ Top Picks :

Bed Threads ‘Build Your Own Bundle’ Rust Bedding Set + Terracotta Separates – YES, terracotta is still in and honestly, we can’t imagine a more perfect colour combination than these tonal hues.

Bed Threads ‘Build Your Own Bundle’ with a Turmeric Bedding Set & Lavender Separates – For a little more punch, turmeric and lavender makes the perfect pair.

Bed Threads Bedding Set in Oatmeal – In 2020, bright whites are moving aside in favour of warm neutrals. Bed Threads’ ‘Oatmeal’ linen offers softer, cosier take on ‘the white bed’.

Bed Threads Bedding Set in Charcoal – The perfect deep hue for a moody, manly bedroom.

Rachel Saunders Woman Vase in Crème – A sweet bedside detail.

Art Prints by Stephanie DeAngelis – Bed Threads collaborated with artist Stephanie DeAngelis to create this limited collection of prints inspired by each sign of the zodiac. We especially love the Taurus and Pisces designs!

The Bed Threads Christmas Countdown offer :

10% off all purchases for TDF Readers until this Sunday December 8th – use code THEDESIGNFILES

Shop Bed Threads now!

In Sydney – a city where property prices rate among the highest in the world – it’s so refreshing to see a home with a distinct personality, completely bucking ‘style for sale’ trends.

In this renovation project by Lymesmith and Amber Road, they have successfully updated a two-storey, architect-designed, ‘60s home in Cronulla to offer a better entertaining experience and some seriously character-filled interiors. ‘It was a delightful job because the client was so open and willing to try things out,’ says Sonia van de Haar, creative director of Lymesmith. Nothing was seen as too precious or too serious, and nobody cared about ‘resale values’.  The driving concept was to make a house that reflected the client’s commitment to living life their own way and enjoying it NOW!’

One of the most distinct elements of the renovation is the black crazy paving flooring that works to blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. The idea for this flooring originally came from Yasmine Ghoniem of Amber Road, but the client, Harry Kapoulas, soon jumped on board. Harry ordered a truckload of stone and worked with a tiler to break this up and lay it. ‘It was a real DIY job and everyone loves that aspect,’ Sonia says.

The second key element of the interiors is the wonderful use of colour, made up of contrasting quiet and bold schemes. The quiet colours (warm shades of white, mushroom pinks and black) are the base neutral shades holding everything together to create harmony, while the brighter and deeper colours draw attention to the living areas and hero decor items. ‘This second colour set plays a more active role, especially in the downstairs kitchen and living area. Mustard terracotta and [navy] blue are dynamic elements that vibrate and delight the eye, says Sonia. ‘We were consciously having fun with the wackier side of mid-century design;’

That would be enough for most homes, but not Polychrome! Lymesmith were then commissioned to make two wall paintings for the house, developed from aerial photographs of the house location and drawing from the interior colour palette. ‘Moving through the house really is a pleasure,’ says Sonia. ‘One experiences colours in new relationships to each other, in relation to the garden, and in a myriad of unexpected ways.’

One of the reasons this home is so daring is because of the timeframe it was completed in. A serious illness in the client’s family meant this project was halted for almost three years. When returning to the home, both the designer and the owners had developed a new perspective of the space. ‘It was a great opportunity to look at the previous work with fresh eyes, which actually led to a bolder end result, which truly reflects the owner’s commitment to joyful living,’ says Sonia. ‘People that have come face to face their own mortality are more willing to live in the now and express their individuality.  So, our clients didn’t need inspiring, they inspired us, and they trusted us to bring our passion and talents to the project.’

Beneath all the colour and fun of this home, Lymesmith and Amber Road have executed a practical strategy perfectly suited to the client’s desire to entertain family and friends, and enjoy Cronulla’s relaxed beachside lifestyle. The kitchen and dining was relocated downstairs to better connect with the garden, and a formerly oversized and dark garage was integrated into the interiors to form an additional guest room and study.

If for some reason the owners of this home change their mind and seek a more neutral space in future, Sonia says this would be easy to revert back. In the meantime, this house proudly reflects and celebrates the individuality of its owners.

Stylist Simone Haag and her husband Rhys moved into this Ringwood property in 2011, and ‘furnished the home the best we could with the budget of newlyweds!’ Years later, and now with three kids, it was time to update the home to reflect a new style of living. The family engaged Kennedy Nolan to extend the living room and add a private master bedroom, dressing room, and en-suite bathroom. Simone enthuses ‘this gave me greater scope and space to continue furnishing my house, which, as should be no surprise to anyone, is what I love to do!’

Simone applies the same philosophy to her own home as she does for clients, which ‘comes down to a series of principles, such as honouring the architecture, and harnessing the personality of the family residing there.’ Her own family space is comfortable and adaptable, elevated with an edit of carefully-curated furnishings and objects. Simone explains ‘it is a happy space that has an abundance of ceramics and op shop finds, alongside celebrated pieces, showing a journey of my travels and creating a safe space for my family.’

For Simone, successful design should be integrated into a home, to provide an unobtrusive (but beautiful!) backdrop for living. She highlights ‘great design should actually go unnoticed – it should be integrated, and above all else, talk to the narrative of the homeowners who inhabit the space.’

This approach helped inform the way Simone brought technology into her own home – after many years of resisting bringing a TV into the house!  Prior to recent renovations, the home had a small living room and a large fireplace, and there simply wasn’t an obvious spot for a TV. Once the renovations had opened up the space, and beautiful custom joinery introduced, the room was ready for a TV (and the family was ready for Netflix!). For Simone, the Samsung Serif designed by the Bouroullec brothers perfectly complements the considered design of her home.

For anyone attempting to integrate technology seamlessly in their home, Simone offers some advice. Firstly, it’s all about subtlety – ‘I feel like you want your eye drawn to furniture, art or objects ahead of technology.’ Secondly, she advises steering clear of symmetry – ‘set a television slightly off centre, and style around it she advises. It’s ok to treat the TV as a feature (the Samsung Serif’s ‘Ambient Mode’ graphic, as seen here, turns this piece INTO a design feature!). You don’t have to hide technology in a cupboard, or forfeit your Netflix subscription – clever home styling and careful selection of tech items can enhance the liveability of a home. For this textured, leafy and layered home, being comfortable and adaptable is the key to a happy and well-loved home!

The Samsung Serif, designed by the Bouroullec Brothers, features a unique I-shaped profile, making it iconic from every angle.  The Serif brings together the very best in contemporary design, with transformative technology.

To be in the running to WIN a Samsung Serif 43 inch TV, valued at $1599, simply enter your email address and answer the question in the form below. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, December 8th. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 10th – see here for Ts & Cs.

A tight budget turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the owners of this Byron Bay home, having inspired an innovative and minimal waste design by Studio Jackson Scott.

The brief provided to the design firm was to create a comfortable, three-bedroom family home on a modest budget. The client also asked for the home to reflect his late father, from whom he inherited the land. ‘His father was a carpenter, so it was important that this house expressed his affinity with timber and belief in humble construction,’ says Scott Jackson, director of Studio Jackson Scott. ‘We had to think carefully about how to construct this building to ensure that design intent remained strong, while construction details and methods remained simple.’

Fibre cement sheets were chosen as the primary material for the home’s external cladding due to their lightweight nature, economy and ease of installation. By tailoring the project design to suit the size of standard fibre cement sheet, the production of unusable off-cuts normally created during construction was curbed. A further benefit of using theses sheet was the geometric pattern they formed on the house’s façade. ‘This was somewhat of a happy accident as these battens were required to protect the joints between each fibre cement sheet,’ explains Scott. ‘This was a good example of how ‘restrictive’ construction details can in fact bring out a more unique outcome.’

Scott sees adhering to sustainable designs principles as his duty as a designer. ‘The construction industry is responsible for using large amounts of natural resources and contributing heavily towards the waste that ends up in landfill every year,’ he says. ‘Designers have a responsibility to strive towards projects that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.’

Unpainted plywood provides warmth and texture to the interiors, contrasted with blackbutt timber on the facade. These materials, along with the concrete floors, are robust, durable and tactile – much like the home’s surrounding landscape. ‘We used these materials to create a ‘natural’ aesthetic that echoed the beauty of the Australian bush and beach surrounding the house,’ Scott says.

Despite limitations in size and budget, the OCM House has emerged as an elegant, sophisticated and exemplary family home.

Reef

I had an underwater mask as a little boy, and it opened up a world that has fascinated me for a lifetime. Since that first gaze upon the rocks, pools and small fish of Sydney Harbour, I’ve been fortunate to dive and snorkel in many of the great reefs of the world. Spotted, dotted corals, darting iridescent fish, flickering with colourful patterns, and underwater gardens, rich with every shape and size of vegetation, that show the majesty of nature.

And then there are sharks. Most are harmless, and to be admired for their brilliant design. And then a few are to be avoided. Although we used to dive with tanks, Judy and I are now happy to gently snorkel in the shallows of the coral reef. I’ve made many paintings about being underwater. I could not possibly compete with the beauty of nature, and can only try to make paintings that show the feeling of the underwater experience.

Purchase the ‘Reef ‘ mini-book by Ken Done here. 

Beach

In Australia, most people cling to the edge of this vast continent. The land is lined with beautiful beaches, from the tropical, palm-fringed north to the rocky, crystal clear coves of Tasmania, and I’ve been fortunate to travel to many of them. Whether it’s on the coast of Arnhem Land, where the water is a pale, milky emerald (but you swim at your own risk as crocodiles often float just under the water), the endless sands and red rock cliffs of Western Australia or the kaleidoscopic colours of Manly or Bondi on a boiling hot summer’s day, we all love the beach. It’s suffused with childhood memories of endless summer holidays – surf-o-plans, bindi eyes and being dumped by curling Pacific rollers that have surged across the oceans to land on this blessed shore.

I also have the great fortune to live at the beach, with my studio overlooking the sand. We’ve lived here for more than sixty years and it is a constant inspiration. We walk the sands every morning and swim year-round. I want it to go on forever.

Purchase the ‘Beach ‘ mini-book by Ken Done here. 

Outback

Even if you haven’t visited the vast inland of Australia, you feel its presence. But only when you fly over it do you really sense its size – at least four hours at supersonic speeds and you’ve only just covered a line coast to coast.

Hot, dry, westerly winds blowdown in the summer, and icy blasts from the snowfields to the east let you feel winter’s chill. Close up, in every rocky outcrop, you are reminded of the dot patterns and stripes of Aboriginal art. The colours of the land are unlike anything you will find in Asia or Europe: rich reds, fuchsias, oranges, umbers, blacks, pinks and cadmium yellows.

Its rock formations, such as Kata Tjuta or the Bungle Bungles, will stay in your mind forever. There is a great spirituality in and around the outback, and if you have a chance to camp out there you will see a night sky that hints at the vast, uncountable stars and galaxies in which we are but a tiny, tiny, tiny blip.

Purchase the ‘Outback ‘ mini-book by Ken Done here. 

Sydney

I’ve lived in Sydney most of my life. As a teenager, I travelled across the harbour every week to go up, by tram, to the National Art School, having received special exemption to enrol in 1954. This was before the Opera House was built, and the land was used as a tram shed instead.

I live beside the harbour now, and my gallery in The Rocks is close to both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. It is stunning to see them both in a single vista; I never tire of it, and I’ve made many works to show their relationship.

Sydney is undoubtedly one of the world’s great cities, much as Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s great harbours. We have travelled to cities around the world, but nothing, for me, will ever beat Sydney. From little coves to crowded beaches, it’s a growing metropolis that has learned to protect the past.

Purchase the ‘Sydney‘ mini-book by Ken Done here. 

The above are extracts from Ken Done’s recently released mini-books – Reef, Beach, Outback and Sydney. Published by Thames & Hudson, they retail for $24.99 each, and are available now!