ele HOME Issue 4

HOME

INTERIOR DESIGNER

SHEA MCGEE Summer Garden Tips

The Kitchen Forecast

$12.95 AUS (inc. GST)

home . interiors . garden . design

Life takes you unexpected places, love brings you home.

editor’s letter

W

elcome to 2022. What a few years we have had. I don’t think I would be the first person who is hoping for a more relaxed new year with less emphasis on the pandemic and the emergence of a ‘new’ kind of normal.

Summer is the perfect time for a regional road trip and what better opportunity to visit one of Australia’s best restaurants, Brae. Located in Birregurra, about an hour and half southwest of Melbourne, Brae is the brainchild of chef, Dan Hunter, and partner Jules Bagnato. It’s a must visit for exceptional food, produced ethically and sustainably from Brae’s working farm and local suppliers.

The property is designed to encourage visitors to explore and reconnect with where food comes from.

We visit three unique homes from around the world. Shea McGee talks to us about her and husband, Syd’s, journey from near financial ruin to Netflix superstars. We visit Shea’s incredible Utah home and delve into Shea’s modern traditional style. We also head to Tipperary, Ireland, where Caroline Hassett invites us into her country home. With bucolic views and a property seeped in generational history, Caroline, with her mix of old and new, has created a beautiful family home.

Finally, we visit Esperance, Western Australia. It is such a delight to feature a west coast home. Long term Esperance local, Sonia Siemer, is the owner of The Stockman’s Crib and she talks to us about her journey of transforming a rundown worker’s cottage into a warm and charming holiday rental.

The start of the new year is the perfect time to reassess old habits and make some healthy changes. We feature recipes from naturopath and author, Kelly Healey, from her new book ‘Eat for Life’. These recipes are the perfect blend of deliciousness and healthy fuel for your body. And landscape gardener, Charlie Albone, gives his top tips for a maintaining a beautiful summer garden.

When summer hits in Australia, we all long for a crystal clear, sparkling pool for a cooling dip. We chat to Cindy and Dan Mead from the @reno.diary about their recent Brisbane pool build. Cindy and Dan are seasoned renovators who know a thing or two about creating an outdoor oasis and they share their ideas on how to create your own private, luxurious outdoor sanctuary.

I hope you enjoy our summer edition, and we look forward to sharing with you more incredible homes from around the world in issues to come, those that help inspire your own creative home journey throughout 2022.

Katie S kinner Editor

INFLUENCERS I’M LOVING

HOME Credits Editor-in-Chief: Mia Cowling Editor: Katie Skinner Digital Content Editor: Zachary Skinner Our Contributors Katy Holliday Social Instagram: @eat.live.escape_home Facebook: facebook.com/eatliveescape Twitter: @eatliveescape Web eatliveescape.com Subscribe eatliveescape.com Advertise Want to advertise with us?

Email: hello@eatliveescape.com eat.live.escape is proudly published by MJC Digital Pty Ltd PO Box 91 Woodend Victoria 3442 Australia mjcpublishing.com ABN 19 630 569 989 Views and opinions expressed by contributors and authors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

All rights reserved. eat.live.escape is committed to sustainable business practices and supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Issue 4, 2022 ISSN 2653-049X Copyright eat.live.escape 2022

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ele HOME acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the place where this magazine is published. ele HOME also pays respects to Elders past and present.

Front cover Interior designer, Shea McGee at home.

IMAGE: Supplied

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“

I feel very fortunate to honour these timeless crafts in a modern way, this is always at the forefront when I am renovating as it fills my heart with such joy being the custodian of another’s craft and passion."

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Issue 4 | contents

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11 9 IN STYLE ele HOME checks out what's new in the world of home and design.

10 MELLOW YELLOW 11 BRAE Visit one of Australia's best restaurants in the regional Victorian town of Birregurra.

11 FLORA AND FAUNA 20 OUR BEST FRIENDS Top tips for choosing and looking after your four-legged furry friend.

25 HOMES WE LOVE Three unique homeowners from around the world showcase their beautiful homes.

51 SUMMER DAYS Renovators, Cindy and Dan Mead share their top tips when building a pool and outdoor area.

71 THE HEALTHY SUMMER GARDEN Gardener, Charlie Albone shows us how to make your summer garden flourish.

76 EAT FOR LIFE Naturopath, Kelly Healey shares recipes that are not only delicious but also nutritious.

83 THE KITCHEN FORECAST 89 IN THE KITCHEN 90 VISIT Maroochydore, the heart of the beautiful Sunshine Coast..

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FLOWER POWER After much anticipation, the world-renowned Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show presented by Scotts Osmocote will return to Carlton Gardens 30th March until 3rd April 2022.

Location: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens Tickets: melbflowershow.com.au

Merlyn

IN STYLE

The Myer family, in collaboration with Hardie Grant, recently launched the book, Merlyn: The Life of Merlyn Baillieu Myer. The stunning 400-page biography, eloquently written by Michael Shmith, tells the story of one of history’s most elusive figures, Dame Merlyn Baillieu Myer – wife of Sidney Myer, intrepid traveller, property owner, sartorial icon, passionate philanthropist and the ‘Mother of the Myer store’.

RRP $80. hardiegrant.com.au

Keeping it Cool Due to the unique hyper-evaporative fibres in the Chilly Towel, this towel becomes cooler than ambient air when wet, which enables it to maintain a temperature that feels cool to the skin. Perfect for the gym, travel and hot flushes. chillytowel.com.au

THE THREE BIRDS Emro Designs was founded in 2019 by proud Minjungbal/Bundjalung woman, Emma Rolls.

The collection includes rugs, cushion covers, recycled outdoor mats and stunning picnic rugs. This Indigenous business helps to bring traditional stories to early learning and homes around the country. emrodesigns.com.au @emro_designs

Target Australia have just launched an exclusive homewares collection with Melbourne-based surface pattern designer Mable Tan. Partnering with Target Australia, the glorious summer range includes a variety of homewares, from wall art to towels and coverlets focussing on pastel prints in Mable’s signature styles.

Visit your local Target to check out Mable’s collection.

Bonnie, Erin and Lana have released their new book, Three Birds Renovations: Dream Home How-To. Australia’s favourite Birds are back with BIGGER home transformations, BOLDER extensions, BREATHTAKING new builds and hundreds of new tips.

RRP $39.99 murdochbooks.com.au

MELLOW YELLOW Sunshine hues to brighten up deliciously long summer days.

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1. CUT Store Luv AJ Pave Heart Pendant Necklace in Gold $175 / 2. Apero Label Malta Beaded Oversized Tee $99.95 / 3. CUT Store Luv Diamond Heart Bijoux Hoops in Gold $85 / 4. Libertine Parfumerie Trudon Candle Ernesto $149 / 5. Oroton Mini Floral Shorts $279 / 6. Libertine Parfumerie Compagnie de Provence Mimosa Flower Hand Cream $11.90 / 7. Urban Eden Love Boat Small – Hot Mustard $69 / 8. ELK The Label Dahme French Linen Pant $229 / 9. STHAL Bowl in Pineapple $134 / 10. Libertine Parfumerie Compagnie de Provence Liquid Exfoliating Soap $49.95

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VISIT

Brae

\ˈbrā\ n. A hillside; a gentle slope IMAGES: Colin Page, Trevor Mien and Kristoffer Paulsen

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Well worth a visit is the destination restaurant, Brae, the brainchild of Australian chef extraordinaire, Dan Hunter. Set on a hillside in Birregurra, Victoria, Australia, Brae is a contemporary restaurant and guest suites on a working organic farm – a place to be immersed in nature and eat from the land.

On opening Brae in 2013, chef and owner Dan and partner, Jules Bagnato, realised their vision of a restaurant as an authentic reflection of their values and ambition – a place where Dan is committed to a sustainable method of farming, cooking and hospitality. Here, Dan and his team grow organic food and use only ethically grown produce from Brae Farm, the surrounding land and local farmers to offer a unique Australian cuisine built around an immense respect for nature, place and seasonality.

Brae is recognised as one of Australia’s and the world’s best restaurants.

Brae was named the Good Food Guide’s 2020 Australian Restaurant of the Year and Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2020 Regional Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant reached number 44 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017 and is currently ranked at number 57 on the 2021 list.

Dan Hunter

Brae’s dining room and guest suites, both designed by Six Degrees Architects, reference the handcrafted ethos of the restaurant menu.

Custom-made steel, brass and timber features, unique Australian artworks, artisanal glassware and bespoke crockery – some utilising clay from Brae’s dams and ash from the restaurant’s wood fires – create a handcrafted space reflecting Brae’s natural surround.

Organic principles and regenerative farming techniques are employed at Brae Farm to produce seasonal vegetables, orchard fruits, citrus, nuts, berries, honey and grain crops for use in the restaurant. Olives are pressed for olive oil and Brae Farm’s own organic wheat grain is milled on site daily for bread and has been used to produce ‘Liquid Asset’, an organic wheat beer brewed in collaboration with Prickly Moses Brewery. The property and its food production are designed for guests to explore, with walking paths and signage helping reconnect visitors to their food and the place it comes from.

Brae's luxury guest suites

Brae Farm employs organic principles to produce seasonal product.

If you want to make a weekend of it, Brae offer six spacious, eco-friendly guest suites. The suites feature slate floors with underfloor hydronic heating, marble bench tops, brass fittings, recycled bricks, Australian black-butt timber panelling, solar energy, harvested rainwater and an eco-friendly worm farm biological waste treatment system, resulting in a building with zero net emissions.

Guests are supplied with gumboots and umbrellas for a morning stroll through Brae Farm. An 11am check out allows for a leisurely in-room breakfast of organic, wood-fired sourdough bread, freshly baked pastries, Brae Farm honey, jams, and preserves, St Ali coffee, Schulz Organic Dairy milk, freshly squeezed juice and seasonal produce harvested from the property and nearby. A stay too good to pass up.

Red flowering eucalyptus ice cream, quandongs stewed with rhubarb and mead

Aged pekin duck, wood roasted on the bone, sour squash, muntries and purslane

Asparagus, olive plant and sea butter

Iced oyster

About Brae

Location: 4285 Cape Otway Road, Birregurra, Victoria 3242 From Melbourne: 1.5 hours by car.

From the Great Ocean Road: 30 minutes by car Dinner Thursday Lunch Friday to Monday braerestaurant.com @braerestaurant

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Brae: Recipes and Stories from the Restaurant Dan Hunter RRP $80

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Shona Joy

FLORA AND FAUNA If you can’t escape to the great outdoors, bring these beautiful pieces indoors with you.

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1. Adairs Wandering Folk Beach Umbrella Emerald $249 / 2. Sheike Botanica Maxi Dress $219.95 / 3. Fenton & Fenton Pink Summer Tablecloth by Whitney Spicer $350 / 4. Target Cushion Golden Wattle

by Mable Tan $25 / 5. Adairs Wandering Folk Indoor Mat Dawn Floral $49.99 / 6. Target Drink Bottle Cheeky Cockatoos by Mable Tan $12 / 7. Marimekko Pieni Unikko Cushion Cover $53 / 8. Marimekko Unikko Bath Towel $72

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Our Best Friend Pets are a wonderful addition to any family, bringing so much joy and unconditional love. ele HOME looks at top tips when raising pets and those tricky questions you need to ask yourself before embarking on the lifelong commitment of pet ownership.

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Pet ownership has boomed during the pandemic with approximately 70 per cent of all Australian households owning a pet, with nearly fifty per cent owning a dog, according to a survey conducted by Animal Medicines Australia. Wait times for shelter dogs is at a record high, buying a new puppy nearly sees you taking out a second mortgage, and the popularity of shows such as Chanel Ten’s The Dog House, where we see dogs finding their forever owner, have skyrocketed.

Before making the commitment to pet ownership, there are a few questions to ask yourself to determine what sort of pet is right for you.

• Where do you live?

Are you renting or do you own your home? Generally, a large pet such as a dog is unwelcome in rentals and may exclude you from many properties. Likewise, if you own an apartment without access to a garden or open space, a large pet is not for you.

• Will your pet be expected to socialise with young children?

Some animals and certain breeds love young kids, but some don’t. Pick carefully based on your family dynamic.

• Does anyone in the family have allergies to animal dander?

If so, a short-hair, hypoallergenic dog such as a Groodle or a Cavoodle may work for you, or you may need to stick with a goldfish...

• How long will your pet be left alone all day?

Cats do not seem to mind their own company and can generally stay out of mischief when left alone. Dogs, however, love human company and may struggle with anxiety and boredom if left at home alone all day.

• How energetic are you?

If your idea of the perfect day is on the couch in front of Netflix then maybe look at a cat or a dog breed such as a greyhound (who love to laze around). If you’re more inclined to active days, a larger, energetic dog breed may be for you.

Har vey

Ellie

Top Tips when Raising Pets 1: Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date. Under-vaccinating can place your pet in danger of contracting otherwise preventable illnesses.

2: Keep your pet’s teeth free of plaque and tartar build-up.

Periodontal disease is a leading cause of heart disease in dogs and cats.

3: Keep your pet trim and fit. Obesity is an underlying cause of many serious illnesses in pets, including diabetes and heart disease.

Ensure a well-balanced, quality diet, and avoid the temptation to feed your pet table scraps.

4: Keep up the exercise for your dog, at least 20 minutes every day is ideal. This is good not only for your dog’s physical health, but for their mental health as well (and yours).

5: Brush their coat daily – especially if your cat is prone to hairballs.

6: Ensure all tick and flea treatments are administered regularly and in accordance with the product’s instructions.

7: Pet proof your home and keep all potential poisons i.e. mouse/ rat baits, out of reach.

8: Book your dog in for obedience training and keep up the training at home. Consistent repetition and reward will reinforce what they have learnt, making them a pleasant and happy dog to be around.

9: Book an annual veterinary check-up, including a thorough physical examination.

Evie

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FURRY FRIENDS The perfect gifts for your four legged loved one.

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1. Bondi Wash Dog Pamper Duo $60 / 2. Temple and Webster Delia Cat Tree $79 / 3. Pooch and Hound Dog Bow Tie – Bold Floral $15 / 4. Kip & Co. Pet Bed Aussie Icon Large $179 / 5. Country Road Alfie Leather Poop Bag $49.95 / 6. Bell & Bone Dental Sticks Lamb, Mint and Manuka Honey $14.95 / 7. Kip & Co Dog Collar Big Hearted $35 / 8. Country Road Alfie Small Bowl $29.95 / 9. Pooch and Hound Waste Bag – Blue Dogs $20 / 10. Pooch and Hound Bandana – Pink Floral $20 / 11. Kip & Co Dog Lead Rainbows End Large $45

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HOMES WE

love

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The S tyle Influencer Cover star, Shea McGee, hit our screens in 2020 in the Netflix show Dream Home Makeover.

From that moment, Shea has never looked back, becoming a powerhouse design influencer. ele HOME chats to Shea about her career trajectory, family and design.

Words: Katie Skinner Images: Supplied

D

uring lock down in October 2020, I stumbled upon a new show on Netflix called Dream Home Makeover. It was everything I needed at that moment, escapist television filled with beautiful but attainable design, led by two warm and down to earth stars, Shea and Syd McGee. The series went on to be a huge juggernaut for Netflix and along with their successful homewares label, McGee & Co and design studio, Studio McGee, this couple have become design superstars.

Shea and Syd’s story to stardom is what dreams are made of. Looking at the couple, you would think they were made for television but it was not a clear path to becoming television stars. Shea graduated with a degree in public relations but soon found that her love of interior design was where her true passion lay. Shea started giving family and friends design advice which led to her first “real” paid project which was styling built-ins for a client. Syd and Shea then bought their first home in California which was in need of renovation. Shea began documenting the process on Instagram and from there things really took off.

As Shea’s online popularity grew, the couple were approached by other networks about making a show, but none of them ever felt like the right fit. ‘They always wanted Syd to be the contractor and he’s the CEO, so it didn’t feel authentic. We got a call from Netflix and actually created our own sizzle reel and presented it to them during our first meeting and the format was developed from there. They didn’t want to change who we are and what we do, so it was a very natural fit.’

Eldest daughter, Wren, has a bedroom of most girl’s dreams. The wallpaper is by McGee & Co. and the grey-blue panelling balances the warm and cool tones in the bedroom.

The William Morris wallpaper in ‘Pimpernel’ packs a punch in Ivy’s ensuite. The colour of the green vanity is pulled directly from the wallpaper and is finished with a mix of polished nickel and gold hardware.

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One other nice thing about having a curved sofa in this spot is that you walk behind this sofa and it’s beautiful from all sides.”

COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Natural White

Dulux Mid Tan

Dulux Domino

It is well known that the couple nearly went broke building their business. Money, or lack of, placed major stress on their marriage as they tried to get their business off the ground. A decision to move from California to Utah and lower their cost of living, saw the business slowly start to build, but it was a hard slog. But the couple persevered, working all hours to build a successful business.

One of Shea’s favourite features of this open plan living room are the bifold doors which open up to the undercover patio, bringing the outside in.

The rest is history. Dream Home Makeover has gone on to be a worldwide success and the McGee design studio has flourished. Those early days of Shea documenting her home on Instagram honed Shea’s ability to understand her audience.

This acute knowledge of the McGee buyer has seen the couple successfully launch a multi-year collaboration with Target, publish a book ‘Make Life Beautiful’, and sign on for season three of Dream Home Makeover.

Personally, the family added daughter number three to the mix in 2021, with the birth of Margot, who joins big sisters, Wren and Ivy. When asked what Shea has taken away from the last few years of running a successful business during a pandemic and adding to her family she says ‘I’ve learned that so much of my happiness in life comes from the people I’m surrounded by and I’m so lucky to have my family by my side every day! The pandemic definitely made us slow down, appreciate our home and made me think about new ways of designing multi-use spaces!’ We can’t wait to see more from this design duo when season three of Dream Home Makeover hits Australian screens in 2022.

The home does not have a formal dining space and kitchen nook, so the dining room needed to encompass everything in one. Shea’s goal was to bridge a beautiful formal and casual look together so it could work for any dining scape or situation.

Q&A How did you begin your career in design?

I took a more unconventional route to being a designer. I initially graduated with a degree in Public Relations, but soon found that I had a love for designing after Syd and I moved into our first apartment. From there, I started giving friends and family design advice, but my first “real” paid project was styling some built-ins for a client. After that, Syd and I bought our first home in California and it needed some updating. I went to work designing our home and documented the process on Instagram – bookshelves turned into rooms which turned into full home projects!

How would you describe your signature style?

Our signature look is all about mixing styles – juxtaposing modern and traditional, old and new, and layering lots of textures.

Your best interior design tip?

Trust your gut!

What designers inspire you?

While I love to look at other designers’ work, I actually find a lot of inspiration through traveling and spending time outside.

What do you love about your work?

I love that I get to create beautiful spaces that families can live in and create memories in for years to come!

Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

Adding foraged branches to a vintage jar easily elevates your space, adding both personality and a lived-in feel!

Shea is a firm believer that master bedrooms should never be an afterthought and she put this ethos into play to create her and Syd’s sanctuary. The room features vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light and a fireplace. Shea has layered with lots of texture in the window treatments, bed linen, and the shiplap ceiling to create a luxurious, warm feel.

Your show, Dream Home Makeover, is incredibly popular in Australia. What do you think it is about your style that appeals to such a varied audience?

I think our style mixes aspirational design and approachability which really resonates with people. I’m all about balancing beauty and comfort in the homes we design.

Shea introduced the reclaimed beam to the master bathroom to add a rustic element. Marble mosaic floor tiles, a vintage rug and two tone curtains add warmth. The bathroom also hides a stackable washer and dryer and a steam cupboard.

What’s your family’s favourite way to spend a day?

We love to get outside! Whether it’s swimming, playing on the beach or skiing, we love finding inspiration in nature and getting some good exercise in at the same time.

What’s your favourite project to date?

That’s such a tough question! Every project holds a special place in my heart, but I’d have to say my favourite is my own home! After years of renting, I’m so happy to finally have a space that I can truly make my own and that we can make memories as a family in for years to come! @studiomcgee @mcgeeandco studio-mcgee.com mcgeeandco.com

The mud room is one Shea’s favourite rooms, particularly the dutch door. Custom cement floor tiles, shiplap walls and ceiling are combined with deep navy cabinetry and gold 33 hardware, styling that flows on from the kitchen.

Shea designed an English style kitchen with modern functionality. One of Shea’s non-negotiable items was having an unlacquered brass faucet.

The hallway is painted in a creamy white (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore three quarter strength) and Shea carried the painted white brick from outside in through to the entry. This brings an added texture to a small space.

Ivy’s bedroom features a canopy bed from McGee & Co. with colour brought into the room via textiles and art. Mix n match nightstands, vintage artwork and various patterns and textures bring personality to this whimsical bedroom.

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Our signature look is all about mixing styles – juxtaposing modern and traditional, old and new, and layering lots of textures."

The McGee’s great room.

Shea wanted the entryway to feel cosy and intimate. When designing this room, she added an arched doorway to stop the room feeling too boxy. The pendant is from McGee and Co. collection called Modern Schoolhouse Lantern.

Syd’s dream office is dark and moody with the walls, shiplap on the ceiling, and built-ins painted in Green Black by Sherwin Williams. Given the rest of the home is white, the office space is quite dramatic when you first walk in. The McGee & Co. art piece and console are layered with personal touches, such as the lost winds pendant which is from Syd’s favourite surf spot in San Clemente, California.

Get the McGee Look Get Shea’s modern traditional look with these curated pieces

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1. The Montauk Lighting Co. Launceston Ring Chandelier Antique Burnished Brass POA / 2.

Ewe Care Night Cream and Raku Day Ceramic $180 / 3. Miss Amara Sadie Coral Peach Turkish Style Distressed Rug from $195 / 4. Oz Design Sanur Chair Natural Rattan $749 / 5. Temple & Webster Black Sabi Terracotta Table Lamp $179 / 6. James Lane Hanoi Basket Large $39.95 / 7. Make Life Beautiful Hardcover Book by Syd and Shea McGee $39.99 / 8. Fenton & Fenton Caribbean Bar Cabinet $1,800

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Amongst the Irish Evergreens Caroline and Brian Hassett’s stately modern farmhouse, tucked away in rural Tipperary, blends seamlessly into its picturesque surroundings as though it has always stood there.

Words: Katy Holliday Images: Supplied

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I love going to bed at night and seeing the moon behind the tall trees and waking in the morning to the beautiful views. It really never grows old”

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The open plan kitchen and living area features a solid ash kitchen unit painted in Farrow and Ball Hague Blue. The units were made by Richard Burke Design (Richardburkedesign.ie) in Nenagh. The reclaimed brick wall and exposed beams give the room a contemporary, loft-like feel.

The large arched window in the lounge room shows off an incredible view which includes a row of trees Caroline’s great uncle Jack once planted on the property nearly 90 years ago.

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I love drawing nature into our home”

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The walls are lime-rendered inside and out, with rounded corners throughout. The slates on the roof are all reclaimed local slates. The stone used to support the porch was salvaged from the rubble of a dilapidated shed once erected on the property.

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or Caroline Hassett, building in the Irish countryside was not just a dream but a return to her roots. Growing up, she lived just three miles across the road from her mother’s childhood home, which is where she and Brian have now built their own beautiful abode.

“My mother was born and raised in the little stone cottage at the bottom of our garden. I spent my childhood coming over here and even though I moved away aged 17, I always knew this is where I eventually wanted to settle down and rear my own family one day,” she says.

Caroline’s vision came true in 2015, when she and Brian moved onto the property and began what would become a two-year build to create their masterpiece and a home for their four young children Charlie, Esmée, Milo, and Henry.

“As you can imagine, life is fairly hectic but it’s lovely,” she says.

“The house is surrounded by fields and trees where the children can run around and play.”

The couple embarked on a direct labour build, project-managing it themselves while engaging the help of a local architect to navigate Tipperary planning requirements.

Honouring the rich local history of her family, the Hassett’s kept the existing stone cottage, stable and old hay barn, and adjusted their build to suit the aesthetic. “We wanted the house to be in keeping with its surroundings, so we went for a traditional farmhouse style build, albeit with a more modern interior.”

“The walls are lime-rendered inside and out, with rounded corners throughout. We have sliding sash windows and the slates on our roof are all reclaimed local slates.” Brian painstakingly added holes to every single slate by hand during the build, a mammoth task which the couple feels paid off in the end.

Using natural materials in abundance, such as reclaimed brick, stone and wood, accentuated by vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams, there is plenty of warmth and texture throughout the home. The front cottage-style half door and the back door were both handcrafted by a local joiner.

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The muted green mudroom is a great place to hide away wet weather gear.

The wallpaper mural is from Graham and Brown – Deep Sky Balloon Race.

The home also boasts a boot room for those wet, muddy Irish days, a spacious laundry room, and a playful nursery for the youngsters to enjoy.

While the inside of the house is deliciously inviting, the couple didn’t miss a beat ensuring their design truly appreciated the beauty of its natural setting. The large arched windows in the lounge and master bedroom beckon idle hours spent gazing out upon the row of trees Caroline’s granduncle Jack once planted on the property nearly 90 years ago.

“We are so lucky where we live that we have incredible views all round. I love going to bed at night and seeing the moon behind the tall trees and waking in the morning to the beautiful views. It really never grows old,” she says.

The open plan kitchen and living area is the hub of the home with an amply sized solid ash kitchen unit painted in rich Farrow and Ball Hague Blue and complemented by quartz benchtops. Above the stove is a reclaimed wooden beam hundreds of years old, rescued from Balbriggan Church.

“I love coming down in the morning and switching on the coffee machine and just looking out our kitchen window or pottering around the kitchen while the kids sit at the island bench.”

The couple spent months tirelessly saving for the kitchen.

They lived in their home for seven months before the installation was complete. “We hadn’t even a sink and Charlie used to whizz round and round the empty space on his balance bike at the time,” Caroline says. “We even managed to host a Christmas dinner for both our families with nothing but an oven and a kitchen table.”

In the main bathroom, a cast iron clawfoot bathtub claims centre stage and exudes luxury, while the dark woodeffect tiles heighten the serenity. Both the tub and the custom-made washstand are painted in the home’s signature highlight Hague Blue, adding an extra layer of sophistication.

Endless country views.

Great storage is a must in kid’s bedroom and playrooms.

Caroline has used some clever IKEA storage ideas.

The iron bed frame is originally from IKEA. Caroline painted it yellow for a gorgeous pop of colour.

The kitchen is quite traditional with a dark shaker kitchen, adding a contrast to the neutral painted walls. The reclaimed wooden beam above the oven is hundreds of years old, rescued from Balbriggan Church.

The cast iron bath from Wilsons Yard in County Down was an investment buy that the couple saved up for. The bathroom’s dark and moody colours evoke a romantic feel.

COLOUR INSPIRATION

The units in the laundry room are from IKEA, the light is from eBay and Caroline made the 48 curtain from a piece of French ticking fabric.

Dulux Blue Accolade

Dulux Limed White

Dulux Toffee Tan

“Our home is quite traditional in ways with a dark shaker kitchen, panelling and wainscotting adding a contrast to the neutral painted walls.” Caroline lightens it up with bohemian touches in the textiles, house plants and the decor she hand selects.

“I love drawing nature into our home, and I definitely have a slight houseplant obsession!” she laughs.

When it comes to interior styling advice, Caroline says it’s best not to over complicate the process. “Simple things like a floor lamp in a corner, a throw, a piece of art or a few lanterns are all an area needs.

Don’t buy things just for the sake of it. Wait, and only buy items you are really drawn to or that have meaning to you.”

While plenty of furnishings have been sourced locally, Caroline spent years collecting trinkets and wares on her travels. “I would spend my days wandering through the old parts of cities, taking photographs of the buildings, and traipsing through flea markets, picking up textiles and ceramics. It’s something I’m passionate about.”

“I have always loved interiors and architecture, especially old buildings. I have a slight obsession with old Irish cottages and their history.”

Caroline has not failed to overlook her family’s own history in the finer details. Knick-knacks like an old horse and carriage number plate that belonged to her great-great-grandfather are proudly displayed, while the stone used to support the porch was salvaged from the rubble of a dilapidated shed once erected on the property.

Taking time off from her work as a teacher to enjoy raising her children on the land her family has occupied for centuries is a nourishing experience for Caroline. “Every morning I make a black coffee and just step outside for a few minutes in the fresh air to listen to the sounds of the countryside. It really does wonders for the soul.” @ahousebythetrees

Somewhere over the rainbow.

Quartz benchtops compliment 49 the deep blue cabinetry.

Q&A Designers that inspire you?

There are so many amazing designers out there, but I think Studio McGee and Leclair Decor are two that just jump out at me.

What do you love doing in your region?

Whether it’s just for a walk, a hike or to the local park, we love to get outdoors with the kids with no phone and no distractions. Then, finishing up with a nice lunch or coffee and cakes in a little cafe.

Favourite pieces in your home?

The irreplaceable things, like my kids’ clay foot and handprints, the old wireless radio which came out of the old cottage here and still works, the alpaca throw we picked up on our honeymoon in Peru, and my family photographs. I have photographs framed everywhere!

Greatest budget styling tip?

DIY. It’s amazing what you can do once you give it a go. I think sometimes people are afraid they can’t do something, but it’s not that they can't, it’s just that they have never tried. Take your time and live in your space first to get a feel for the place and what you want before rushing into anything.

The Stockman’s Crib Sonia Siemer, the owner of Stockman’s Crib, talks to ele HOME about the old worker’s cottage she has transformed into a warm and welcoming holiday rental in Esperance, Western Australia.

STORY: Sonia Siemer IMAGES: Lucy Vincent

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Sonia painted the interior in a custom soft warm white she made herself. A good alternative is Dulux White Dune.

I

grew up on a farm in a little town called Grass Patch, 100 kilometres north of Esperance, in a caravan at the end of a shed.

I have farmed all my life and love the wide-open spaces and being connected to the earth. I have three children - Dimity (29), Maxim (27), and Nicko (18) and four precious little grandchildren.

I purchased the property in Esperance, almost three years ago. It was a little asbestos cottage with mustard walls and Norfolk pines kissing the front door. It was important to me to find a place that had character and history. I had been looking for a property for some time that had a story and needed some love. My passion truly lies in bringing life to places once loved and that have fallen by the wayside, I can see their potential and it really ignites a spark to bring them back to their glory days in a way that maybe someone else hadn’t seen and to inspire others to not be afraid to restore rather than demolish.

I reclad the outside and returned the house to its original layout more in line with its humble beginnings in 1897. The kitchen and bathroom were updated and put back in the original format, complimenting the era of the building. It was really important to me to retain as much of the original building as possible, especially considering there are so few in Esperance. I repurposed all the doors and as much timber as possible but just in new ways.

The old garage and workshop became the new dining room/champagne house, and it is one of my favourite spaces. I had local craftsmen make the timber doors and a blacksmith custom make the door hinges and hardware. I feel very fortunate to honour these timeless crafts in a modern way, this is always at the forefront when I am renovating as it fills my heart with such joy being the custodian of another’s craft and passion.

This house was built by a gentleman George Doust who was a stockman for a local pioneering family, the Dempsters. The Dempsters had a grand house up the hill and a wool shed on the ocean front just around the corner, where George shore the sheep in the wool shed and loaded the wool bales onto the sailing ships.

He was a shepherd to the boss’s flock and a husband to Katherine and father to 12 children! George’s story pulls a heart string for me as I have a love of the land and the ocean and early Australian architecture, especially workers cottages. It felt like our paths had aligned and I am very grateful to now be the custodian of this sweet little cottage that is a little farm in the middle of town.

Sonia loves decorating pieces that come from nature, using beautiful collections of seahorses, shells, eggs and bird nests displayed 53 on pieces of driftwood or in vintage domes.

Carefully curated vintage finds add a personal and cosy feel to the home. Sonia loves including vintage art pieces in her home such as portraits of unknown ladies and gentlemen, or still life pieces, especially old-world roses.

The exterior of the cottage is painted in Dulux Surf Mist half.

Sonia’s chickens certainly have the life in this luxe custom built chicken coop.

I don’t have a background in design just a joy that is sparked by removing old layers and letting a house shine with a bit of a helping hand! I find in my travels I am always drawn to the early Australian workers homes be they pastoralists, miners, or townsfolk, we always end up finding each other and something passes between us. I don’t think I could live in a shiny new house I need those rich textures and the stories that lie within those walls to feel content.

My style is always about storytelling, telling the story of the adventures I have, and the treasures collected along the way be it furniture or nature’s gifts, or even a modern unique piece anything that really is unique appeals. I love to marry all these things together, I have a deep appreciation for many styles but seem to always be drawn to wares that have texture, a patina or story.

I like many elements of my house, but I love how the two buildings come together connected with the courtyard that feels very French and gives a nod to the French explorers who sailed into the Recherche Archipelago. I also love that there is almost a mini farm feel with chickens, vegetables and orchard and a picking garden for flowers to fill the house, it creates a sense of nostalgia. It’s really the feeling of home I love the most.

I designed and made all the decisions for the interior and exterior, I was very fortunate to have a great local builder, Jimmy of JMAC Building, who is just as passionate about building interesting spaces and has a true creative flair. It allowed me to be hands on with Stockman’s Crib from the beginning to the end. It was important for me to be involved as that is what I love the most about a project and being able to get a real sense of what the house needs next.

Gardening is one of my other loves and I can’t imagine not ever having a garden. To align with the story of the early days at Stockman’s Crib, I really wanted to expand on the story of those humble beginnings. I imagine that being as self-sufficient as possible was a mainstay of life, hence a vegetable garden with an orchard and chickens for eggs too bake and to feed the scraps. It was also important to have roses and cottage flowers to pick and fill the house. I know as a child making cubby houses out in the bush, a vase of flowers was always the most practical but most beautiful way to decorate a space, and it still feels this way now for me. I have also included hedges of olives and Japanese box and an espalier jasmine that fills the street with its heady scent, and always a Wisteria to welcome you as you enter the front gate. The garden is a romantic nod to practical and beautiful.

The best interior advice is an old one but so true, always choose what you love and it will bring you great joy. My house is full of old pieces that I have lugged around for years and can’t seem to part with, and they always fit no matter what house they live in because I genuinely love them.

Sonia repurposed an old table that had been sitting on the veranda into the bathroom vanity. She added a piece of stone off-cut and a basin and voila, the perfect vanity for the space.

“

My passion truly lies in bringing life to places once loved that have fallen by the wayside...” wayside...

COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Surfmist

Dulux White Dune

Dulux Pink Clay59

Sonia has used Hale Mercantile pure linen bedding in the bedrooms. The linen adds a textural, luxury feel while 60 complimenting Sonia’s vintage aesthetic.

Sonia converted the garage into a dining room/ champagne house – the perfect spot for a glass or two on a summer afternoon.

Sonia’s top interior design tip is to collect pieces that speak to you and build your story around them.

I also think the best decorating pieces come from nature, I have all these beautiful collections of seahorses, shells, eggs and bird nests displayed on pieces of driftwood or in vintage domes. I never tire of them. I also love vintage art pieces such as portraits of unknown ladies and gentlemen, or still life pieces, especially old-world roses, but I can happily throw in a modern landscape or rural scene. I always know the pieces meant for you will find you.

My top interior design tip is to collect pieces that speak to you and build your story around them. Keep them close to your heart as another may not see or feel what you do, at the end of the day it’s filling your dream. The designers who inspire me are the people who are quietly going about telling stories that are theirs or those of their houses and when these marry together, I think that’s where the magic happens and that is unique and inspiring!

Esperance has been the best kept secret for a long time, our isolation and vast natural beauty are incredible. I have lived here most of my life and it still takes my breath away every time I drive over the hill and see this incredible white sand and crystal blue water.

It doesn’t seem like it could possibly be real, but it truly is.

Esperance is growing up and I love that our children are coming back and bringing all their talents and vision to our little town so they can have the best of both worlds to bring up their own children.

I love watching how they are reinventing traditional industries like bakers, butchers, and shop keepers to provide services but also a wonderful lifestyle.

My biggest splurge and favourite piece is a beautiful Maker and Son lounge, it’s really like a fluffy cloud and the best way to unwind with a book and a glass of wine after a busy day! My greatest budget buy and budget decorating tip is I always try to look at things I have and how they can be used in a different way. For the bathroom vanity I had an old table sitting on the veranda, which I gave some TLC to and bought a piece of stone that was an off cut and popped a basin on top. It cost barely anything, and I love how it came up. I also love the outdoor dining room in the old garage, all it needed was a coat of paint, the old work bench is just as it was and the concrete floor has many stories of its own and it’s beautiful!

My favourite way to spend the day is walking across the road for a morning dip in the most incredible blue ocean, then home, opening the dining room doors and having some girlfriends over for eggs Benedict with fresh eggs from the girls in the chook house.

Definitely a glass of champagne and a table filled with flowers from the garden and a day that rolls into late afternoon filled with friendship and whatever else is left in the fridge to make a grazing plate!

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The Esperance Local – Sonia Siemer My favourite place to shop in town is Woven Esperance for great Australian designers.

Wild Posse Mother + Child for the sweetest little outfits for my grandchildren.

Downtown Espresso Bar and Cloud Eleven for coffee.

Bob and Jim’s General Store for fine Aussie produce.

Bread Local for delicious sourdough and pastries for picnics.

Esperance Distillery Co for great local gin.

Lucky Bay Brewing for great local beer and pizza.

FishFace for awesome local fish and chips.

Taylor St Quarters for a cocktail and dinner looking over the bay. @stockmanscrib stockmanscrib.com IMAGES: @lovechilds_

Summer Days One of the great Aussie dreams is a backyard pool, especially if you live in our northern states. ele HOME chats to Cindy and Dan Mead, experienced home renovators, who have turned their Brisbane backyard into a resort style oasis.

IMAGES: Villa Styling

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COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Aqua Frost Half

Dulux Lexicon Quarter

Dulux Beige Imp

Having some outdoor living with shade is essential in Queensland.

This outdoor living space fits the bill perfectly.

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Cindy and Dan designed the pool themselves and had it custom built. They also designed and made the daybed. The couple used Dulux Lexicon Quarter, a cool white, to paint both the interior and exterior of their home – weatherboard is from Bunnings. Heliconias line the pool adding a tropical, relaxed feel. Pots are from Kira and Kira and The Balcony Garden.

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What designers inspire you and where did you take inspiration from when renovating your outdoor area?

We have drawn a lot of inspiration from Mon Palmer, we both absolutely adore her projects. We also follow international accounts on Instagram and are forever saving design elements from projects in the Mediterranean.

Greatest budget buy/ tip when renovating this area?

This is a tough question as landscaping is so expensive! But if we had to say one thing it would be to buy your plants off Facebook marketplace. Sometimes you have to dig them out yourself, but the reward is a beautiful mature plant, for a quarter of the price.

We did this for all the birds of paradise we’ve used along the fire pit and alfresco area and collected them over a period of about six months from several different sellers.

What are your top tips for designing your dream outdoor/pool area?

1. Our top tip would be firstly to ensure you have lots of space for lounging in and outside the pool. Pools are no longer just for swimming, they’re a lifestyle! So, think about long and wide benches in the pool and several day beds and sun lounges, both in an out of the sunlight so you and your visitors can be comfortable and make the most of the pool zone.

2. Secondly, it’s important to add low maintenance plants that don’t drop any foliage into or around the pool. We’ve gone for heliconia for the tropical feel and olive trees in line with our Italian coastal theme, and we avoided some of our favourite plants like bougainvillea - as tempting as it was, we didn’t want to be forever cleaning up after them. We’ve also set up an automatic irrigation system, so we don’t have to think about watering the plants.

The sunken fireplace is a showstopper. The couple installed the Barbeques Galore Maxiheat Rustic Firepit to make the most of the area during Brisbane winters.

Tell us a bit about yourselves?

Dan and I are high-school sweethearts, who have been renovating houses and flipping them for the last eight years. We are both 35 years old, based in Brisbane and we have a serious passion for DIY renovations, styling and sharing our journey and “how-to’s” with our followers on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook.

Currently onto house number three, in our spare time on the weekends we are renovating a 1940’s Queenslander in a modern coastal theme, with hints of the Amalfi Coast in our styling.

Do you both have design/ building backgrounds?

How did you get into design?

We don’t have any design qualifications and our three home renovations to date have all been self-taught and completed on our weekends. During the week, I work as a senior human resource business partner for a global recruitment company and Dan is a project manager for a commercial glazing business. Dan has glazing trade qualification which comes in handy whenever we need to install windows, doors, or glass.

How would you describe your signature style?

Our style is what we call “Amalfi Coast inspired Coastal” We have tried to keep all the classic Queenslander features at the heart of everything we do, complimented by Italian coastal styling elements such as travertine tiles, terracotta pots, bougainvillea, olive trees, lemon trees and birds of paradise inspired by Le Sirenuse.

Any pitfalls when designing your entertaining/pool area?

We had a difficult space to work with because our block is so sloped, so our pool cost a lot more than the average due to the large portion of out of ground construction required and the use of a cantilever deck. Also, because we built our pool so close to the boundary, we were unable to build timber decking all the way around our pool as it’s a fire hazard. The pool building company didn’t know about the fire hazard restriction imposed by the council, so we had to redesign all our plans mid-way through the process, which was extremely stressful.

We ended up using travertine tiles instead, with timber decking at the opposite end of the pool which in the end we have preferred, so it was a blessing in disguise.

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3. Our third tip is to mix up your design elements to add more interest and depth to the zones, and to balance everything out (especially when using white outside). We’ve used a lot of white weatherboard and white concrete, but have balanced it out by incorporating natural timber, warm travertine tiles, lots of greenery, and neutral styling pieces like our beige day beds. @reno.diary IMAGES: Villa Styling – Louise Roche @villastyling Sun lounges from Remarkable Furniture are topped off by custom made cushions by Square Fox Design.

The outdoor umbrella is from Basil Bangs.

“

Our style is what we call Amalfi Coast inspired Coastal”

What a spot to spend your summer days! The couple transformed the back of the garage into the perfect daybed spot using Bunnings weatherboards painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter.

What a transformation! The couple used tallowwood decking with a blend of Woca Australia decking oil to achieve a coastal feel. Outdoor stools are from Abide Interiors.

Before

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Cindy and Dan

Dan built the outdoor kitchen and concrete bench himself with products from Barbeques Galore including the Ziegler and Brown Turbo Elite Built in BBQ and the Ziegler and Brown Turbo Island Fridge. To achieve the white concrete bench, Dan used Hanson’s coloured concrete in Moonscape. Olive trees line the perimeter of the garden to give the Amalfi Coast feel the couple were after.

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THE HEALTHY SUMMER GARDEN Summer is still a busy time in the garden, with all the great work done in spring preparing is now paying off. Like us, many plants struggle with Australia’s hot humid summers. We asked Richgro Ambassador, Charlie Albone, for some tips and tricks that you can apply to your own garden this summer.

Weeds This spring was particularly good for plant growth - including weeds too. Right now, there are many weed seeds in the ground waiting to germinate.

Keeping weeds under control before they set seed saves a lot of work in the future. If you don’t have time to remove a weed completely at least remove the flowers before they drop their seeds.

Fertiliser and fungicide usage To ensure roses are performing at their best, fertilise fortnightly with a liquid feed throughout the flowering season. A fertiliser with a ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium such as 8-2-10 plus trace elements will do the job.

To minimise fungal issues water in the early morning and a fortnightly spray of Fungicide until April will provide protection.

Remove spent flowers and diseased growth throughout summer and autumn.

It’s a good time to fertilise Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons to encourage bud development for flowering in the cooler months. There are a few specialised Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons fertilisers readily available. Don’t overuse fertilisers as these plants often have shallow sensitive roots which can be damaged by over fertilising.

When to prune It is also a good time to prune Wisteria to keep unruly summer growth under control. Wisteria in the warmer climates can have all the wispy growth removed throughout summer. When pruning in Autumn leave about one foot of this year’s growth for next year’s flowers as Wisteria flower on old wood.

Check that your garden is adequately mulched anywhere between 50 to 75 mm thick for most plants. During hot windy weather, the soil surface can dry out stressing plants. A mulch layer helps to maintain water in the soil and suppress weeds. If you use an organic mulch such as straw or compost this will add nutrients and improve soil health.

The most important tip in Summer is to make sure your garden stays well hydrated over this hotter period. Be sure to add or top up mulch and apply a soil wetter to your entire garden and pots.

Keep your garden healthy and waterwise Bare soil is an invitation for weeds to grow. Mulch, mulch and more mulch! Don’t leave a square centimetre exposed. This will also protect fine delicate roots from extremely hot temperatures.

Mulch will help retain moisture in the soil and hence decrease the amount of watering required.

Re-apply Richgro’s Ezi-Wet Water Saving Soil Wetter to the whole garden if you are finding the water beading and running off the soil surface.

Roses and flowering plants Keep watering Roses with deep soaking and apply a soil wetter if the soil appears dry and water repellent. Feed Roses and flowers with a light dressing of fertiliser. A complete fertiliser is good, but a specialised one like Richgro’s Black Marvel Premium Rose Food will give them the boost they require and ensure you are not wasting fertiliser unnecessarily.

Inspect plants carefully for insects such as two spotted mites thriving in the hot dry weather. Apply some Richgro Lime Sulfur if plants are under threat.

December can be a flowering month for many plants and once they have finished flowering, dead head or trim them to encourage new growth. Do this in the afternoon to allow the plant to adjust to their new shape before the full sun hits.

Fruit and vegetables Feed all established fruit trees including citrus as well as existing vegies. For your fruits, a good, specialised fertiliser like Richgro Black Marvel Premium Fruit & Citrus Food will have amazing results.

Protect edible crops from high temperatures. Top up mulch on your veggie patches and herb gardens especially if you are heading off for holidays. Choose a sustainable, low environmental impact natural mulch such as Richgro Natural Pinebark or Hard Wood Mulch.

Vegetable gardens will need a little more water (at least once a day) as the temperatures reach consistently over 32+ Celsius.

Water in the morning or in the evening.

When it starts getting warm there are a few things you could still add into the patch. You can put in some Sweetcorn, Capsicum, Chilli, Beetroot, Eggplant, Carrots, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Cucumber.

Lawn and turf maintenance Lift mower blades when mowing the lawn. A longer blade of grass protects the lawns root system reducing evaporation and the temperature of the soil.

Apply a soil wetter to improve watering in hotter weather. If Black Beetles come up from holes in lawns, treat with Richgro Lawn Beetle and Grub Killa.

Potted gardens Mulch the top of the pots. If you notice that soils are very dry and the water sits on top rather than drain into the soil, apply Ezi-Wet soil wetter – it helps the water in.

CHARLIE’S GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE TIPS

* Top up mulch and apply a soil wetter to your entire garden and pots.

away on holiday bunch all plants in pots together and place them in the shade, they won’t dry * If goingout as quickly and it makes it easier if you have a neighbour or friend watering for you.

* When watering, choosing the right time of the day can make all the difference – best to water in the cooler morning, avoid watering late in the afternoon and evening as this can encourage fungus diseases especially in lawns. dog somewhere cool to lie. A pile of damp sawdust is great, just hose down every night or * Give the morning and as they dig it, so it is cool for them to lie in. It will save your garden.

Richgro Black Marvel Garden Compost 25L available from Bunnings $8.98 Richgro Black Marvel Garden potting Mix 25L available from Bunnings $9.98

Eat for Life Energise, revitalise and restore!

Kick start your journey to better health and wellbeing with these easy to follow recipes from renowned Australian nutritionist and naturopath, Kelly Healey.

Spanish Prawns

Roasted Beetroot, Balsamic Walnut, Fresh Fig & Goat’s Cheese Salad

Breakfast in a Glass

Coconut Poached Chicken with Green Beans, Avocado & Spring Onions

MAKES: 6-8 SHOTS + PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES

SERVES: 2 + PREPARATION TIME: 25 MINUTES

Ingredients 250 ml ( 8 ½ fl oz/1 cup) almond milk 8 strawberries 2 tablespoons psyllium husk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons pink pitaya powder (Unicorn Superfoods) handful of fresh raspberries

Ingredients 300 g ( 10 ½ oz) green beans, topped and tailed 2 spring onions ( scallions), chopped 1 avocado, diced 2 makrut lime leaves, cut into thin strips 2 tablespoons crispy shallots

To serve 1 tablespoon rolled oats 12 almonds fresh pomegranate seeds 3 tablespoons Greek yoghurt

Poached chicken 1 × 400 ml ( 13 ½ fl oz) tin coconut milk ( reserve 2 tablespoons for dressing) 150 ml ( 5 fl oz) water 2 makrut lime leaves 1⁄2 chilli, roughly chopped 1 lemongrass stalk 1⁄4 bunch coriander ( cilantro) stems 1 knob of ginger, sliced 1 tablespoon fish sauce juice of 1⁄2 lime 2 chicken breasts

Method 1. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Pour into glasses and top with the rolled oats, almonds, a dollop or two of Greek yoghurt and a few pomegranate seeds.

Enjoy.

Kelly says…

This is both very quick to make and full of antioxidants. Adding the psyllium husk (available in most health food stores) accounts for almost a quarter of your recommended daily fibre intake.

Kelly’s nutritional tip…

Pomegranates have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. They are also very high in fibre, which aids weight loss.

Dressing 80 ml ( 2 ½ fl oz/ 1⁄3 cup) poaching liquid ( see method) 1⁄2 teaspoon yellow curry paste 2 tablespoons coconut milk juice of 1⁄2 lime, plus extra if necessary 1 teaspoon fish sauce, plus extra if necessary Method 1. For the poached chicken, place all the ingredients except the chicken in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and continue to simmer gently for 8–12 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave the chicken to cool in the liquid, then roughly shred using a pair of forks.

Set aside.

2. To make the dressing, place all ingredients into a glass jar and shake well. Taste and adjust to your liking by adding more lime or fish sauce if necessary.

3. Blanch the beans in a saucepan of salted boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and refresh in ice-cold water. Strain and transfer to a large serving bowl.

4. Add the spring onions, avocado and shredded chicken to the bowl with the green beans. Pour over the dressing, reserving a few teaspoons for garnish, and toss to combine.

5. To serve, pile the salad high on a serving platter, scatter over the lime leaves and crispy shallots and drizzle over the reserved dressing to finish.

Kelly says…

Vietnamese cuisine is one of my favourites, and this dish is full of the wonderful flavours of ginger, lime and coconut milk – a delicious and extremely nutritious ingredient. I find poaching chicken like this leaves it creamier and more tender than grilling, while also containing less saturated fat.

Breakfast in a Glass

Roasted Beetroot, Balsamic Walnut, Fresh Fig & Goat’s Cheese Salad SERVES: 4 + PREPARATION TIME: 1 HOUR Ingredients 4 whole beetroot ( beets) ( approx. 440 g/16 ½ oz) total weight) olive oil spray 4 figs, sliced 2 pomegranates, seeds only 1⁄4 cup goat’s cheese 1⁄4 cup flat-leaf flat-leaf (Italian) parsley leaves, chopped Balsamic walnuts 100 g ( 3 ½ oz/1 cup) walnut halves 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons crispy shallots Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.

2. Wearing kitchen gloves (so that you don’t stain your hands), peel the beetroot and cut each into 6–8 wedges.

Place on the prepared baking tray, spray with olive oil and cook for 45–60 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the balsamic walnuts. Add the walnuts to a roasting tin, pour over the balsamic vinegar and use your hands to mix together well, then roast in the oven for 10 minutes, mixing them around every few minutes or so, until the balsamic has reduced to a sticky glaze.

4. When the beets and nuts are done, remove them from the oven and leave to cool.

5. To serve your salad, lay the beets over the bottom of a large serving bowl and top with the sliced figs. Sprinkle over the walnuts and pomegranate seeds, crumble over the goat’s cheese and scatter over the chopped parsley to finish. Serve.

Kelly says…

A delicious combination of superfoods; this salad is best served at room temperature.

Kelly’s nutritional tip…

Beetroot is rich in folate, an energy-giving B-vitamin that is important for healthy red blood cell growth and function.

Spanish Prawns SERVES: 2 + PREPARATION TIME: 30 MINUTES Ingredients 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1⁄2 white onion, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced 2 tablespoons tomato paste 60 ml ( 2 fl oz/ 1⁄4 cup) white wine 1 × 400 g ( 14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 400 g ( 14 oz) raw prawns ( shrimp), tails on 60 g ( 2 oz) Greek feta 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. 2. Warm the olive oil an ovenproof frying pan set over a medium heat, add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for a further 2 minutes, then add the tomato paste and cook for another 1 minute.

3. Pour the white wine into the pan and stir to deglaze, then bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half. Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for a further 10 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and reduced. Remove the pan from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Arrange the prawns over the tomato sauce mixture evenly and crumble over the feta, then transfer the pan to the preheated oven and cook for 10 minutes, or until the prawns are cooked through.

5. To serve, divide the prawns and sauce among bowls and scatter over the freshly chopped parsley (alternatively, take the pan to the table and serve it from there).

Kelly says…

I adore Spanish food and fell in love with this quintessentially Spanish dish in Ibiza. It’s full of delicious flavours and is low in carbohydrates yet is also filling due to the prawn’s high protein content.

Kelly’s nutritional tip…

Consisting of 85 per cent water, rich in calcium and iron, low in fat and containing roughly 15 g (1⁄2 oz) of protein each, prawns are a great source of vitamins and nutrients and an excellent alternative to meat.

Turmeric, Ginger & Lemon Shots MAKES: 6-8 SHOTS +PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES Ingredients 200 g ( 7 oz) ginger, peeled 200 g ( 7 oz) raw turmeric, peeled 2 lemons 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper Method 1. Pass the ginger, turmeric and lemons through a juicer into a jug.

2. Stir through the black pepper and pour into shot glasses or small tumblers as needed (any extra will keep for up to 8 days in the fridge).

Kelly says…

Turmeric, a natural anti-depressant and mood booster, has been used medicinally in India for thousands of years. Here it’s combined with ginger and lemon to provide a powerful immune-boosting shot that is great taken daily on an empty stomach (or with food if you have a sensitive stomach) in the morning when you feel the first signs of a cold or flu.

Kelly’s nutritional tip…

The combination of the black pepper with the turmeric here both enhances turmeric’s health benefits and enables the nutrients within it to be more easily absorbed by the body.

Coconut Poached Chicken with Green Beans, Avocado & Spring Onions

Eat for Life is the perfect gift for foodies and anyone wanting the perfect action plan for New Year health resolutions!

The irresistible collection of healthy recipes covers every meal in the day including delicious breakfast, snacks on the go, lunch, dinner, and guilt-free treats. Boasting more than 60 vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, each recipe is accompanied by stunning photography and features a unique nutritional tip from Kelly.

Inspiring people to make wholesome lifestyle changes, Eat for Life also contains a seven-day meal plan and breaks down Kelly’s five pillars of health: consistency, sleep, exercise, hydration and eating a balanced diet. Readers can learn about key vitamins, their function and food sources, as well as tips for re-organising pantries and a list of Healey’s must-have kitchen items.

RRP: $50 Stockist: kelly-healey-naturopath.myshopify.com @kellyhealeynaturopath

Turmeric, Ginger & Lemon Shots

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The Kitchen Forecast

@lucyslaneportfairy

Kitchens are the heart of the home and can reveal a lot about those that live there. More than ever before we are seeing kitchens become a more personalised space with the use of bold colour, curves, and clever storage ideas. ele HOME takes a look at the 2022 kitchen forecast.

@paintthetownpastel

@homewithhelenandco

Pastels Pastels are back! The revolt against all white kitchens continues with the trend towards using more colour in our kitchens not losing steam. Not since the 1950s have we seen so much colour in our homes and pastels, once reserved for the bedroom, are blooming into our kitchen design. Candy pinks and apricots, sunny yellow, and sorbet blues and greens, you name it, anything goes.

@paintthetownpastel

@paintthetownpastel

@lucyslaneportfairy

Personalised Charm Kitchen design is becoming a much more considered and eclectic space. We will continue to see more personalised spaces that display our individuality but also create a charm and a cosiness. Treasured vintage pieces such as paintings and ceramics, mixed with natural linens to create individualised kitchens that are anything but cookie cutter. The use of colours in cabinetry will be another trend that helps bring your own personal style to your kitchen space.

@longmeadowestate

@lucyslaneportfairy

@longmeadowestate

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Calm

@cedarandsuede

The pandemic has heightened our sense of home as our safe place. We are seeking calm, nurturing spaces more than ever. This means clean lines, muted colours, and lots of storage to keep spaces clutter free. Colours such as soft greens connect us back to nature, while all white kitchens offer simplicity and a classic timelessness.

@cedarandsuede

@frontporchproperties

@frontporchproperties

87

@bay_beachouse

Organic

We will continue to see organic forms, such as curves, used in our kitchen design in 2022. Think recycled materials, concrete and wooden benchtops, lots of foliage, wooden beams and shelving, and pendant lights made from natural materials. The interest in sustainable products and eco-friendly appliances is constantly growing and we will see a real switch over the next few years to use kitchen products that are kind on the earth.

@noabythebeach

@noabythebeach

Tiny Bar Sydney In the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Tiny’s is set to wow Sydneysiders with its unique bottled mix of all the good times we’re craving.

Named for its signature Tiny bottled cocktails, Tiny’s is big on the things that count: cocktail craft, a mouth-watering menu, style-saturated surroundings and a party vibe that doesn’t quit. tinyssandwichbar.com.au

Rameau d’Or Rośe Looking for the perfect summer tipple?

Pale with just a hint of peachy blush, intensely floral with lavender, pink grapefruit and spice-tinged berries; perfect for a seafood BBQ. vintagecellars.com.au

In the Kitchen

Three

Restaurants

To Visit Now!

D

ier Makr, Hobart, TAS

FishMe! Sydney’s new one-stop-shop for the finest, freshest, and biggest seafood delivered right to your door, has been a sure-fire success for Sydneysiders during the lockdown period when it launched late 2021.

Providing the freshest premium seafood at competitive prices, FishMe! cuts out middleman and bricks-and-mortar overheads to ensure customers are getting the best quality at the best prices. fishme.com.au

S

The Revitalising Rosemary Collection

ardine Dining, Paynesville, VIC

Compagnie de Provence’s new invigorating scent transports you to the colourful, vibrant south of France. The revitalising freshness of rosemary, a citrus aromatic scent evoking summer breaks by the Mediterranean lands, is enhanced by notes of blood orange and reveals hints of sage and lavender. The perfect addition to your kitchen or bathroom. libertineparfumerie.com.au

Tia Maria Matcha Tia Maria, the world-famous coffee liqueur recently launched its brand-new creamy liqueur with a delicious Japanese twist – Tia Maria Matcha. Bringing a cafe taste to homes across Australia, Tia Maria Matcha is a uniquely fresh and indulgent liqueur with the distinctive flavours of Japanese green Matcha. tiamaria.com

H

arvest Kitchen, Tanunda, SA

89

VISIT POSTCODE 4558

Maroochydore, QLD Visit Maroochydore and surrounds, the heart of the gorgeous Sunshine Coast.

Where to eat and drink?

Sum Yung Guys 1/205 Weyba Road, Noosaville, QLD @sumyungguys The Noosa Chocolate Factory L1 Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore @noosachocolatefactory Orleans Restaurant and Bar 24 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore, QLD @orleansrb Rice Boi The Wharf, Mooloolaba, QLD @riceboi_mba Sunshine and Sons 104 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, QLD @sunshineandsons.com.au Where to shop?

CLO Studios Shop 3/10 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads, QLD @clo_studios RAW Sunshine Coast 23 Kayleigh Drive, Maroochydore, QLD @rawsunshinecoast The Station 103 – 105 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore, QLD @thestation_ Maple Flowers + Décor Shop 5, 21 – 37 Birtwell Street, Coolum Beach, QLD @mapleflowersdecor Where to stay?

Loea Boutique Hotel 361 Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore, QLD @loea_boutiquehotel

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IMAGE: Lucy Vincent