Domain Review Bayside & Port Phillip - May 15, 2024

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

FINDING THE ONE

Tristan Ceddia and Adriana Giuffrida live in a modernist bungalow that came along at just the right time

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Broadsheet  Founder and publisher: Nick Shelton   General manager: Sian Whitaker  Publications director: Nick Connellan   National editor: Michael Harry   Melbourne food & drink editor: Audrey Payne   Studio and strategy director: Roya Lines   Media partnerships manager: Jessica Kirsopp

Broadsheet  Editor: Jo Walker   Assistant editor: Gitika Garg   Design lead: Ben Siero   Designer: Ella Witchell   Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh, Annie Toller   Writers: Claire Adey, Jay Clough, Sanam Goodman, Grace MacKenzie, Quincy Malesovas, Sasha Murray, James Williams   Photographers: Pete Dillon, Nic Gossage, Amy Hemmings, Casey Horsfield, Kaede James Takamoto, Tess Kelly, Arianna Leggiero, Ashley Ludkin, Ben Moynihan, Jake Roden, Samantha Schultz, Hilary Walker, Saskia Wilson  Illustrator: Tete Garcia

Cover credits: Adriana Giuffrida and Tristan Ceddia shot by Hilary Walker

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Some of the best house-hunting tales are about serendipity. The “For Sale” sign glimpsed from a car window. The auction attended on a whim. The house that came up at just the right time. For this week’s cover feature, we visit a family home that seems like it was meant to be – in a suburb that’s seen many milestones for its creative owners, and a site that seemed to have been lost before being won for good.

Walker Broadsheet Editor

Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/

Sydney: 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont 2009, NSW Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/

www.domain.com.au

Melbourne: Level 1, 231 Smith Street Fitzroy 3065, VIC Instagram: @broadsheet_melb Facebook.com/broadsheet.melbourne

Sydney: 258A Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010, NSW Instagram: @broadsheet_syd Facebook.com/broadsheet.sydney

www.broadsheet.com.au

Jo

NOW OPEN

Ramen Ramen

Food Court, Shop G51/235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley

Ramen Ramen, an unassuming noodle shop in The Glen Shopping Centre food court, opened just before Easter, adding to a growing list of great food court offerings around town.

The fit-out here is inspired by ramen shops in Japan, with blond wooden bars, Japanese lanterns and dividers that offer privacy to solo diners (or can be moved for a group).

While many fast-casual ramen shops rely on broth concentrates, Ramen Ramen’s rich and creamy soup is made fresh in-house using a combination of chicken and pork. The Kyushu or tonkotsu broth is simmered for 24 hours and paired with wavy, three-day-aged wheat noodles, plus toppings like chicken katsu or the restaurant’s signature tonkotsu.

There’s a vegan-friendly vegetable ramen made with kombu broth; a verdant matcha ramen with smoky sous-vide duck fillet; and several mazemen (broth-less ramen). And for dessert, there’s yuzu and matcha soft serve. — QM

Photo: Arianna Leggiero

ADD TO CART

Hommey bedding collection

Best known for comfy cushions, Melbourne label Hommey has extended its homewares range yet again with its first bedding collection of quilt covers, pillowcases and flat and fitted sheets. Woven from 100 per cent organic cotton, all pieces are made with a 200 thread count and stonewashed for an extra-soft feel. It’s a real snoozefest of 12 colourways, including restful neutrals like sage, cocoa and coconut; and signature stripes such as Picnic (red and sky blue) and Wasabi (mint and olive green). — JW

From $59 / gethommey.com

IN THE DIARY

Matters

Now in its second year, collaborative exhibition Matters is returning to the historic Villa Alba Museum. Curated by Sydney designer Marlo Lyda and Melbournebased artist Jordan Fleming, the free exhibition is prompted by the question “What matters to you?” Presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, the show features experimental works by both established and emerging Australian names including Tom Fereday, Kate Benazi, Adam Goodrum and Jon Goulder. — GG

From May 24–27 / Villa Alba Museum, 44 Walmer Street, Kew / designweek.melbourne

Photo: Tess Kelly

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

By Audrey Payne

Nathan Toleman’s Mulberry Group (Lilac, Heide Kitchen) is set to open two new venues in Abbotsford this June. Molli will be a bar and bistro, with next-door spot Little Molli opening as a deli, cafe and provisions shop hybrid. Aleksis Kalnins, who is currently head chef at the group’s restaurant Hazel, will lead the kitchen at both venues and Kayla Saito will oversee drinks. 20–30 Mollison Street, Abbotsford / @molli.abbotsford / @little.molli.abbotsford

Enter Via Laundry, the fine-dining Indian spot from chef Helly Raichura, has opened a more casual bar at the front of the restaurant. The walk-in bar serves what Raichura describes as nostalgic Indian cocktails alongside moreish snacks. 507 Nicholson Street, Carlton North / entervialaundry.com.au

Jemma Whiteman and Matt Young of Sydney restaurant and sake bar Ante are stopping by Public Wine Shop for a one-off three-course lunch on Sunday May 19. It’s $90 per person and bookings are essential. 179 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North / publicwineshop.com.au

Owner Ricardo Garcia Flores has opened the doors at El Columpio, a new neighbourhood-style Mexican restaurant. Flores started his Melbourne hospo career as a dishwasher and kitchenhand at Movida’s Paco’s Tacos. Now he’s making tacos using recipes from genuine Mexico City taquerias and pozole (a hearty hominy-based soup) at his own venue. Level 1/52 Johnston Street, Fitzroy / @elcolumpiomelbourne

Steer Dining Room has become one of a handful of Australian restaurants to serve Kobe beef, the most sought-after kind of Wagyu. It’s served across three courses, including tataki-style with sous-vide egg yolk and shiitake mushroom. 15 Claremont Street, South Yarra / steerdiningroom.com.au

Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar

Thelatestin Melbourne foodnews

Name: Kevin Purdy Age: 27 Occupation: Chef Tell us about your outfit today. The jacket was free. I work in hospo and a customer left it behind – it was a great find. The shirt is an old high street one from back in the UK. My trousers are from Moochi – great staple, good quality. And my shoes are Dr Martens loafers. What do you gravitate towards when shopping?

I definitely go for more muted colours. Think forest vibes, so greens and browns. But I don’t shy away from a pop of colour if there’s a really nice statement piece.

THE MARKET ’BURB

South Melbourne is one of the most sought-after suburbs in the city due to its close proximity to the CBD (two kilometres) and Southbank. It’s popular with all ages, but young professionals and families in particular are moving to the suburb.

1

Source: Data based on sales within the last 12 months

Photo: Samantha Schultz

Photo: Ashley Ludkin

Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

OPINION

How You Can Help Save Your Favourite Hospo Venue

Words by Jay Clough · Illustration by Tete Garcia

Iloved my hospitality business. As a career professional, running my own business was an opportunity to express myself in ways working for someone else could not. I loved the persona it gave me, the confidence it instilled and the knowledge that I was in complete control. Except that I wasn’t.

Forces outside of hospitality owners’ hands are having devastating effects on the venues we love. The post-Covid wave is crashing, and venues we once considered immovable cultural objects are making the same heartbreaking decisions I had to: it quite simply costs more to keep opening the doors than it does to shut them permanently.

The harsh truth myself and others are learning is that this industry we love is not fair. No business is immune from the current financial pressures. And sadly, no restaurant is forever.

Young people in the prime consumer demographic have never had less money to spend on dining out. There are only so many venues

we can afford to visit, and winter is coming. There will be more closures. So how can we, as consumers, show our support for the venues we love when we are under just as much strain?

It’s now commonplace for venues, particularly casual eateries and cafes, to sell branded merchandise. The quality has never been higher, with businesses seeking out specialised branding agencies to deliver fashion-forward hats, shirts, totes and coffee accessories to sell alongside their food and beverages. High mark-ups for these products mean the business keeps more of your dollar than they would from a coffee or toastie. Merchandise is a meaningful way to make your contribution to a business go further, and look cool doing it.

Or give the gift of a good time: a restaurant voucher. Not only does a voucher offer an instant cash injection to a venue, it creates a consumer relationship where one may not have existed before. Plus, with any luck the person you give the voucher to will feel obliged to

bring you along, so it’s a gift to yourself as well.

The monthly cycle of a restaurant can become a punishing, depressing reflection point. When forecasting wages, assessing stock and negotiating with suppliers, it is easy to lose faith that the investment is worth it, especially when bookings begin to dry up.

It has never been more important to make a reservation ahead of time; names in the book offer a business a reason to keep going, often when it seems that all indications are pointing to the contrary.

Following your favourite venue on social media and sharing their posts is a good way to spread the word, but it rarely translates to new customers. For that, the dreaded online review is the best possible way to make a business more visible and viable. Google reviews with bright, clear images are a valuable asset to prospective punters, and if the venue offers takeaway, delivery platform reviews help a great deal as well.

But the most valuable thing we can offer to the venues we love right now is something free, but rarely given: empathy. Things are tough, and for so many hospitality professionals right now, a job that used to be fun and engaging has become a stressful slog. If you’re told it’s a 45 -minute wait for a table on a Saturday night, take it as a sign you’re in the right place at the wrong time, and book in for next Wednesday night. If your food’s taking a while and the staff seem flustered and rushed, don’t take it personally; they’re probably understaffed and under serious pressure to make ends meet. With a little patience, generosity and grace, you can make a tough situation a little easier. Think of it as a karmic investment in a brighter, more sustainable hospitality industry.

Jay Clough is the creator of the industry newsletter Bureau of Eating and Drinking

HOME OF THE WEEK

An epic beachfront beauty

Words by Joanne Brookfield

It’s not an exaggeration to say that a property like this doesn’t come onto the market every day. Swansea is a renovated Queen Anne Federation mansion sitting on an impressive 1500-square-metre beachfront block – making it almost two and half times the average land size in Brighton.

Agent Matthew Pillios describes it as “one of the greatest homes that’s ever been built and restored in Brighton’s history”.

“To have the epic views of the Melbourne CBD and our bay, this architectural masterpiece is going to be a dream for many home owners,” he says.

With a $25 million to $27 million price tag, Swansea is just a dream for most buyers. However, for those with that kind of budget, Pillios promises a home with “palatial proportions and every conceivable luxury”.

The vendors engaged architect Andrew Caine to undertake the extensive 2018 renovation that fully restored the original house – including re-pointing the facade, renewing the ornate ceilings and oak floors and installing “hush” glass (which provides sound insulation) in the windows.

He also designed an extension which, in effect, doubled the size of the original house, adding a contemporary style and a sculptural staircase with marble steps to link the old and new sections.

The home now boasts such high-end amenities as a lift, which links the basement garage level – with its golf simulator and media room, temperature-controlled wine cellar, bathroom and 10-car parking – with the two levels of living above.

There are grand formal rooms, an office that looks out to the front garden and water beyond, a linen closet with laundry chute and drying room, and a ground-floor guest suite with a marble en suite and bay views.

The upstairs main bedroom wing includes his-and-hers custom-built dressing rooms, where shoes and suits can be stored behind glass and illuminated, an automated external sliding privacy screen and a lavish, sky-lit bathroom with a marble-encased bath.

Designed for entertaining, the ground floor features a Wolf-appointed marble kitchen with a butler’s pantry offering additional wine storage, among other

conveniences. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls retract on both sides, opening up this expansive informal living zone to the patio, pool and gardens for al fresco enjoyment.

Set back from the street, directly opposite the beach, “the location is one of the best in Melbourne, with sublime water and city views and easy access to the best of Bayside living,” Pillios says.

Brighton’s famous bathing boxes are a moment’s stroll away, and Church Street and private schools are nearby as well.

Brighton

82 Esplanade

$25 million-$27 million

6 5 10

Expressions of interest

Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Brighton

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“An architectural masterpiece harmonising luxury and privacy, this waterfront gem boasts unrivalled elegance, breathtaking views, and unparalleled entertaining spaces.”

The property was last sold for $8.25 million in April 2018, and no properties on Esplanade have been sold within the past 12 months. RECENT SALES

$15.3 million 17 St Ninians Road, June 2023

Matthew Pillios Kay & Burton

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Words by Sanam Goodman

FINDING THE ONE

Photos by Hilary Walker

Creative director Tristan Ceddia and fashion designer Adriana Giuffrida first met in Black Rock. Now the duo call the bayside suburb home, living with their kids in an “incredible” modernist bungalow that came along at just the right time.

Tristan Ceddia describes living in his Black Rock home as a “full circle moment”. It’s the suburb he grew up in, and it’s where he met his wife, Adriana Giuffrida, 18 or so years ago.

“It’s really interesting to think about the journey to get here,” Ceddia tells Broadsheet “It’s probably why living here feels so right.”

Ceddia, a graphic designer and creative director, founded multidisciplinary design studio Tric in 2021 with his business partner Rick Milovanovic.

Even if you’ve never heard of the company there’s a high chance you’ve seen its work for a clutch of local and international brands: branding for beloved sandwich shop Hector’s Deli, for instance, or campaigns for Mecca, Nike, MAAP and Blackhearts & Sparrows.

Before Tric Ceddia founded prolific design studio Never Now in 2005, worked as art director at Australian fashion label Ksubi and was creative director at Oyster Magazine He also helped Giuffrida build her brand Poms, a cult accessories label she dreamt up on their honeymoon and launched in 2011

“Poms was an amazing experience that I ran for about 10 years while we raised our young kids,” Giuffrida says.“I had huge success with the big fluffy pompom earrings. Then I moved into designing eyewear adorned with removable crystal jewels. It was a really great time.”

After closing down the label in 2021 , Giuffrida went back to her career as a fashion designer and consultant. She had previously worked for Ksubi, P.A.M and local label Something Else.

The pair’s shared penchant for creativity and love of design is apparent in every aspect of the Black Rock abode they purchased in 2020 Its architecture echoes the modernist homes peppered throughout the neighbouring suburb of Beaumaris. “We live near where a lot of modernist architects built experimental

holiday houses in the ’60s and ’70s,” Ceddia says.

“Our house is a little old holiday house that’s evolved over the years. Like, none of the walls are straight and we’re just adding to it in our own way.”

When it comes to their approach to home styling, Giuffrida reckons it’s a culmination of all the places they’ve lived in together over the years.

“Our first place was full of monotonous furniture because we didn’t really have anything. Over the years of living in four or five houses together we’ve collected things that make our home a combination of where we were and where we are now.”

* Names: Tristan Ceddia and Adriana Giuffrida Live: In a modernist “bungalow-esque” home in Black Rock

Since: 2020

With: 10-year-old daughter Valentina, 8-year-old son Enzo, and Slinky the dog

*

What’s the story behind the house and how you found it? AG: We found the place in 2020, during Covid in-between the first two lockdowns. We were in a villa unit beforehand with two small kids, and when we were locked down and stuck in there we knew we had to find somewhere bigger.

I’d actually seen this place online and showed it to Tristan because I thought it would be the most incredible place for us.

We watched it get sold and were like, “Oh well, we couldn’t afford it anyway.” And then when we sold our unit, it popped up again –the sale must have fallen through.

It just happened to be perfect timing so we snapped it up. Because we were purchasing during Covid we only had like five minutes to come and look and we couldn’t touch

or open anything. But we just had a really great feeling about it. It was meant to be.

Tell us about the vibe of the house? TC: It was built in the 1960s so it’s definitely got a modernist vibe, and it’s a bit like a bungalow.

AG: It’s set back on the block, so there’s a lot of garden and greenery at the front. You open this beautiful big chocolate-brown front door and you walk into a little entryway, where you’ll find two of the bedrooms. The dining table is in a little nook, made to fit the space by our good friend and designer Fred Ganim.

There’s a couple of steps to get down to the living room from the kitchen, and you can look out onto the garden and pool from there. The sky-blue carpet in the lounge really matches the pool. Valentina’s room is upstairs, which is kind of like a little treehouse. It all feels very fresh, light-filled and open.

What’s been your approach to decorating? TC: It’s all mismatched and everything is just sort of put together in a way that flows. I think we’ve always had the mentality that you could go out looking for something that’s red, and you’ll find something else that’s great that’s green. And so you accept that and you don’t try and fight it.

I feel like we also manifest things that we want. We don’t go and target them in a shop, we’ll allow ourselves to just come across things. We go to a lot of op shops and find a lot of pieces online.

AG: We’ve got some great denim Kartell couches because Tristan is really good at finding incredible vintage designer furniture bargains online. We also have this beautiful Strip sofa by contemporary Italian furniture designer Arflex and plenty of USM modular pieces that we sourced from my sister-inlaw’s online platform, Collecte.

Do you have a favourite item? TC: We have a wind vane out the front that our friend

Brendan Huntley made. It’s really beautiful and it’s kind of hidden when you enter the house, so you have to look up through a certain spot to see it.

AG: It’s hard to say what my favourite piece is because we’ve got so many amazing friends who have helped us shape our home. One of my favourite things would be something that Brendan also made, which is a little bust that he gave me after we had our first child. What’s your favourite room in the house? TC: The lounge room would have to be my favourite spot. We sit there all the time.

AG: When we’re all at home I really like sitting on my bed reading, because then I can look out onto the front garden. Or I like sitting in the backyard, reading.

I also love where the dining table is because that’s where we gather. The kids have sports and all sorts of things to do in the evenings, so it’s nice when we can sit and have dinner together.

Do you spend much time working from home? TC: I have a work-from-home day on Thursdays, so generally Rick will come over and work and we’ll sit at the dining table or the coffee table. It’s nice to have that day where we can work independently and at our own pace.

We used to have a desk upstairs during Covid that we built specifically to separate work life from home life, but we dismantled it and made the room our daughter’s room. What do your weekends look like, and how do you spend time around the neighbourhood? AG: There’s lots of sports that the kids play, like soccer and tennis, so we do a lot of running around.

TC: We’ve got the beach, which is really nice, and there are really nice lifesaving clubs around. There are heaps of good parks, too. We actually spend a lot of time at home, either by ourselves or we’ll have friends over. We love to cook.

LIKE A LOCAL

Abbotsford

By Sasha Murray

For those who love Melbourne’s inner north but prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, Abbotsford has to be top of the list. It’s quiet, leafy and within walking distance of Fitzroy, Collingwood, Clifton Hill and Richmond.

Morning people thrive in Abbotsford, in part because it’s bordered by Yarra Bend Park. On a sunny day, locals love to run along the river (or walk with a coffee in hand). Stop in at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, a not-for-profit and working community farm next to Abbotsford Convent. It’s a great place for kids, who can meet the resident guinea pigs and cows, and it also hosts music events, bonfire nights and other activities.

If you prefer unwinding indoors, book a class at the lightfilled, women-owned Sasana Yoga Studio. Or get into some retail therapy. Dotted around Abbotsford are womenswear label FME Apparel, sleek record store Dutch Vinyl and Minh Phat Supermarket, one of Melbourne’s most established Asian supermarkets.

For coffee and eats try Three Bags Full, a classic brunch spot close to Victoria Street; stellar sandwich shop Raph’s Deli; or The Carringbush Hotel, a friendly pub with an all-vegetarian/ vegan menu and 30 beer and wine taps. Or head to Jinda Thai, a traditional BYO Thai restaurant known for its spicy jungle curry and hawker boat noodles.

Though it’s more secluded, don’t overlook the Abbotsford Convent for a great meal. It’s home to Cam’s Kiosk, a dreamy casual wine bar with cheap pastas on Mondays and a patio for afternoon drinks. Plus its sophisticated sister restaurant Julie. While you’re on the leafy grounds, take a turn through heritage gardens and check out open studios for locally made wares and art.

As night falls, Johnston Street is the place to be. Start with dinner at charming pizza and pasta diner Rita’s or a pub meal at The Retreat. For drinks, try Californian-inspired rooftop bar Full Moon Fever atop local-favourite boozer Lulie Tavern, or head to Bodriggy Brewing for lively beerhall vibes. Then finish off the evening with a dance or two at Dr Morse Bar & Eatery or House of Plants.

Perhaps one of Melbourne’s most underrated suburbs, Abbotsford has a mix of modern apartments, heritage buildings and spacious houses. Its close proximity to the CBD and thriving food and dining scene ensure its popularity.

Average Age 33

Median Weekly income $2,197

Clockwise from top: Bodriggy Brewing, photo Amy Hemmings. Julie, photo Samantha Schultz. The Carringbush Hotel, photo Pete Dillon. Lulie Tavern, photo Jake Roden

“Abbotsford

Clockwise from top: Gahan Reserve, photo Amy Hemmings. Cam’s Kiosk, photo Ben Moynihan. Abbotsford Convent grounds, photo Amy Hemmings. Julie, photo Samantha Schultz

Andrew Crotty Biggin Scott

LOCAL MAKERS Rubble Workshop

Words by Jo Walker · Photos by Nic Gossage and Saskia Wilson

Rubble Workshop is billed as a “modern stone-age family business”. Daughter Jerrie-Joy Redman-Lloyd acts as stylist and art director. Mum Gillian Redman-Lloyd manages operations and quality control. And dad Max Voss-Lloyd carves concrete blocks “using some of the oldest tools known to man”, he says.

Together they create Rubble’s cartoon-meets-classical style lamps, wall lights, clocks, candelabras and “rubbleorahs” (aka menorahs) – decor based on a chic Flintstones aesthetic that champions quality, artisanship and more than a touch of the absurd. “The fact that we light people’s homes, it’s very special,” Max says.

Like so many recent artistic ventures, Rubble began during Covid. Jerrie-Joy had just moved to Sydney after a long stint in New York working on art direction for commercial and editorial projects, as well as films. Gillian (a high-profile architectural events coordinator) and Max (long-time TV producer whose credits include Masterchef and Project Runway) were at home in Adelaide. Everyone was looking for a project. Jerrie-Joy was looking for a lamp.

“We’ve always had so many lamps as a family, we never used the ceiling lights,” Jerrie-Joy tells Broadsheet. “I mean, coming from Dad’s background in film and television, everything’s all about the lighting, right? It’s all about setting moods.”

And so the first Rubble prototype came together via interstate video meet-ups. “It did just start with me saying, ‘Hey, make me a lamp,’” Jerrie-Joy says. “Then it became a really organic conversation with the three of us planning just one single lamp for me to have. We started sharing designs back and forth. We started workshopping cool shades. It became this extra-fun thing that we were talking about all together.”

That first lamp featured proudly in Jerrie-Joy’s Zoom background, and soon came requests from other friends and creatives for their own piece of Rubble.

The name is inspired by Jerrie-Joy’s Cockney slang-loving grandfather, whose favourite catchphrase was “What’s the rubble?” (meaning what’s the trouble). The moniker is also a nod to Barney Rubble, and “the fact that the lamps have this really naive, Flintstone-era energy about them”, she says.

“We were on the cusp of the Stone Age revival,” Gillian adds. “We were creating these Stone-Age masterpieces and syncing up archaeology and all the pieces of the Grand Tour and we just went a little crazy.

“Also, we were in lockdown, so we couldn’t travel or see one another. We were creating these things to entertain each other.”

While all family members have a hand in the designs, Max is the one who crafts each piece in his home studio in Adelaide. Lamp bases, lights, clock bases and menorahs are carved from blocks of aerated concrete – similar in look and feel to natural stone. Each piece takes three or four days to make, and goes through “the drawing stage, the template stage, the dust stage, the water stage, and then the sealing stage”, Jerrie-Joy says.

Max works from a small number of templates, handcarving forms with hammer and chisel till they’re ready for Gillian and Jerrie-Joy’s feedback. “And then it’s ‘More curves. I want more curves,’” he laughs. “‘Make it rounder!’ ‘Go back and do this!’ ‘Jerrie wants more scallops!’”

Even with all the creative input, it’s a process he enjoys. “I have this sort of rough and ready thing that becomes more and more beautiful as I carve it and work it and refine it until it just takes on a life of its own. It becomes almost a cartoon character.”

When Rubble launched in earnest in 2021, the family’s witty little concrete cartoons were an instant hit worldwide. American design blog Sight Unseen championed the label, as did outlets like Architectural Digest, Wallpaper magazine and Curated Spaces. Rubble Workshop sold out of stock, then sold out again. “It just went bang and we knew straight away that we’d hit onto something that people love,” Max says.

Over time, new products have joined the Rubble line-up. Wall lamps and space-age Perspex lampshades were design milestones – and now the family has added their riff on old-fashioned mantle clocks.

“We’ve always loved clocks,” Jerrie-Joy says. “They are more than just time-keepers, they are silent sentinels, standing guard over moments and memories. Their presence called out for a touch of Rubble spirit and we couldn’t resist reimagining them with a playful twist.”

More valuable than the accolades and accomplishments, Rubble has helped the family get to know each other in new ways, Gillian says. “We get to work together as a family and get to communicate on this level, rather than just daughter-father-mother.

“It’s really nice to move into the business world together and test each other’s mettle in this way, because we’ve come to know each other in a completely new light. It’s been challenging, and it’s also been absolutely great and wonderful.”

All designs are handmade to order via rubbleworkshop.com. Current lead time is three to four weeks.

BEST OF Bougie Trackpants for Elevated Cosiness

By Gitika Garg

REEBOK X ANINE BING JOGGER – $180 Scandi label

Anine Bing’s new collab with Reebok is peak nostalgic, laidback cool. Its cuffed joggers are a comfy choice for WFH-wear or simply lazing around. With a drawstring and an embroidered college crest-like logo, it’s a step up from your regular grey trackies. reebok.com.au

CAMILLA AND MARC CANTON TRACKPANT –

$240 If you want to look uber chic while grabbing your morning coffee, popping by the grocery store or heading to an appointment, and still be comfortable, this straightleg number subtly says, “I haven’t given up”. Pick between chocolate brown or navy with contrast piping down the side and a stylish split at the hem. camillaandmarc.com

NAGNATA SYMBOL TRACKPANT – $420 If you’re willing to splurge on cosiness, luxe Byron Bay label Nagnata’s take on trackies features logo detailing and piped finishes for added sophistication. Made from its signature heavy-weight woven knit, the unisex style comes in vibrant green, cream, black and chocolate colourways. nagnata.com

PAIRE MERINO-BLEND RELAXED PANTS – $189 Melbourne label Paire is best known for comfy merino-blend socks, sweat-proof T-shirts and butter-soft underwear. But its loungewear is not to be slept on. These unisex trackpants, made from a blend of Aussie merino wool and organic cotton, offer superior warmth and snugness in three colourways. It’s like walking around wrapped in a blanket. paire.com.au

VENROY WIDE LEG TRACKPANT – $180 Bondi-born label Venroy leans into ’70s style with a wide-leg look, drawstring waist and striking red stripes down the seam. Made from a breathable cotton-poly blend, the retro silhouette is equally suited for comfort on the couch or the street. It’s giving Sporty Spice and we’ll happily take it. venroy.com.au

COMMONPLACE ESSENTIALS CLAREMONT TRACK-

PANT – $157 New Zealand leisurewear label Commonplace Essentials flexes retro logo-adorned basics. Its 100 per cent cotton trackie daks lean into the classic thick, dad-style silhouette with a fleece lining perfect for winter lounging. Go for neutrals like grey, white and marle or muted hues like forest green, French navy and pale blue. shop.commonplace.co.nz

LUXURY

Words by Kay Keighery & Maria Harris

Hampton

7 Linacre Road

$4.7 million-$4.9 million

8 5 5

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, May 21

Agent: Buxton, Richard Slade 0419 588 873

Five levels of unabashed luxury await the buyer of this chateau-inspired mansion just metres from the beach. With eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, a heated pool, cellar, theatre, sauna, gym, man cave, Pilates studio, study and glamorous retreat, it is almost like a suburb in its own right. If that were not enough, the spectacular rooftop terrace with a kitchen has 360-degree views of the city skyline, Port Phillip Bay, the yacht club and beyond.

South Yarra

201/23 Kurneh Place

$6.5 million

3 3 2

Contact agent

Agent: Kay & Burton, Peter Kudelka 0418 319 439

Architect Rob Mills’ characteristic use of curves ensures the facade of this boutique block is fetching. Behind that comely introduction, apartment 201 radiates a regal air befitting of its Royal Botanic Gardens precinct location. Spacious, discerningly appointed and dressed with classic aplomb, it’s a house-sized pad prepped for comfort, quiet and an elegant lifestyle. A terrace connecting to the kitchen, dining and living hub adds fresh-air benefits.

Middle Park

132 Page Street

$4.85 million-$5.3 million

4 4 1

Auction: 2.30pm, May 18

Agent: Jellis Craig, Warwick Gardiner 0438 308 555

Pass through the leadlight front door here, and you’re in for an eye-opening experience. Ingeniously extended upward and outward and renovated with flair, what was previously a humble period abode is now a cross-century, family-courting dazzler. The main bedroom suite woos with a walk-through wardrobe leading to a swish en suite. The open-plan living area connects with the deck-and-pool backyard, while a studio over the separate garage bestows extra flexibility.

Hampton

40 Grenville Street

$6.2 million-$6.8 million

4 4 4

Auction: 1.30pm, May 18

Agent: Fredman, Joel Fredman 0413 487 837

Hampton keeps scaling new heights. Bursting with contemporary confidence, this new build sits around 400 metres from the beach and struts space, style and amenities to challenge counterparts in more cliquey postcodes. Several living areas complement the family-friendly format. The main bedroom suite is deluxe. Uniting with the hub through glass sliders, the covered entertainment terrace, with a barbecue and suspended fireplace, addresses the picturesque pool and spa.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Maria Harris, Richard Cornish, Joanne Brookfield & Kay Keighery

Clearance Rate of 61%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR NATIONAL  EDITOR SAYS Natalie Mortimer Domain national magazine editor

“In March, one in five new loans in Australia went to first-home buyers, down from a peak of 30 per cent in January 2021, but holding steady for over two years. Victoria and the ACT saw the highest share of new loan commitments to first-home buyers.”

Fairbairn Road

$2.65 million-$2.9 million

3 2

Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, May 21

Agent: Marshall White, Fraser Cahill 0400 592 572

The owner of this re-imagined single-fronted Victorian home is a designer. And it shows. Charlotte, c1885 has been transformed into a sophisticated two level entertainer. Luxurious finishes and fittings include travertine in the kitchen and bathrooms, bronze tapware, double-glazed, steel-framed French doors and hydronic heating. Upstairs, the main bedroom suite gives the feeling of being among the trees. The house sits between Hawksburn and Toorak villages.

Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, May 28

Agent: Marshall White, Jack Nicol 0400 774 428

$4 million Black Rock 2 Glenmore Crescent Sold by Buxton*

*As reported on May 4, 2024

Architect Cera Stribley says this boutique development harnesses the cosmopolitan charm of Toorak. This last remaining threebedroom garden apartment, which includes a fitted study, laundry and butler’s pantry, has a soothing palette of European oak timber floors and bespoke joinery. Paved terraces wrap around the exterior.

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, May 16

Agent: Marshall White, Joanna Nairn 0419 994 664

A far cry from its Edwardian origins, this home brims with contemporary designer style and fabulous family spaces. Set in this iconic street, home to Malvern Central School, it includes formal and informal living plus an upstairs children’s zone of three bedrooms, a bathroom and a retreat. Walk to three tram lines and Glenferrie Road shops.

4 2 2

Expressions of interest: Close 4pm, May 28

Agent: Kay & Burton, Adrian Wood 0404 861 508

In the heart of cosmopolitan St Kilda, behind a box hedge, is this historic home with an expansive modern renovation. Baltic pine floors, cast-iron fireplaces and soaring ceilings characterise the three original bedrooms, the main with en suite. Another bedroom upstairs could be a study. Pubs, cake shops, the beach and trams are in walking distance.

Toorak

4 3 2

Auction: 2.30pm, May 25

Agent: Shelter, Todd Braggins 0420 618 618

Negligible maintenance requirements boost the breeze-in, breeze-out draw of this townhouse, the rear of two. The proudly presented domain features a bright, open-plan hub adjoining a sunny courtyard. Stroll out to trains, trams, parklands and Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre.

Timeless Australian Design

4 3 2

Auction: 1.30pm, May 18

Agent: Buxton, Richard Slade 0419 588 873

Down a quiet street lined with flowering gums, this light and spacious, two-level house has been the builder’s own family home. The quality of the timber and stone finishes, oak flooring, lighting and seamless cabinetry is superb. It has open living spaces below and lofty bedrooms above.

Auction: 1.30pm, May 18

Agent: Marshall White, Nicholas Hoo 0435 728 272

This is a new, modern home built by Mayfair Living. The owners gave the deceptively spacious inner-city cottage two generous bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, underfloor heating, and a soaring, 5.5-metre vaulted ceiling in the open living area. This flows to a sunny courtyard with laneway access.

Absolute Beachfront Dream in Exclusive Long Island Enclave

Absolute beach frontage and spectacular panoramic views sweeping across the bay are just the beginning with this expansive four-bedroom, three-bathroom coastal retreat. Boasting an exclusive Long Island position and secluded amongst the dunes, this is a magnificent opportunity to secure a dream lifestyle overlooking the iconic beach boxes and crystal blue waters of Port Philip Bay, all while being a leisurely stroll from Frankston’s heart.

belleproperty.com

18 May at 11:30am

Premier Beachfront Block in Vibrant Lifestyle Hotspot

Opposite the spectacular crystal blue waters of Port Phillip Bay and steps from the sand, this substantial 821m2 (approx.) cleared and level beachfront block offers an exceptional opportunity in a popular coastal hotspot. An enviable lifestyle location, create your vision of dream beachside living with a premier family home, or luxury waterfront townhouses (STCA.) Stroll to Mordialloc Village, plus moments to elite independent schools.

Expressions of Interest Closing Monday 27 May at 5:00pm

Unique warehouse conversion with rooftop entertaining

• Unique tri-level warehouse conversion with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

• Distinctive New York loft vibe, both striking and inviting

• Chef’s kitchen and open-plan dining room, first-floor living room

• Rooftop terrace perfect for brunches or starlit parties with district views

• Moments from trams, Balaclava Station, and vibrant local dining and shopping

Architectural waterfront masterpiece.

Expressions of interest

Viewing

Strictly by appointment

Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

Alex Schiavo 0419 239 549

Jamie Mi 0450 125 355

Ground Floor Elegance, Beachfront Setting

Timeless Design, Contemporary Edge

• Two separate living / dining zones each open onto their own large terraces

• Extensive stone kitchen with walk in pantry and wet bar

• Split – level living with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms upstairs

• Side by side parking plus storage. Ducted AC and hydronic heating

• Opposite the foreshore plus moments to Victoria Avenue, shops and cafes, public transport and parks

• Every inch filled with abundant

as well as a distinctive vista from each of its rooms

• Tightly held block with elevator,