ele HOME Issue 5

HOME Hello Three Birds!

The Art of Living Simply

Interior Designer

Laura Solensky $12.95 AUS (inc. GST)

home . interiors . garden . design

Creating the perfect indoor oasis

Life takes you unexpected places, love brings you home.

IMAGE: from Practicing Simplicity by Jodi Wilson.

Escape with us... eatliveescape.com

editor’s letter

T

here is a lot to process at the moment with all that is happening in the world. We have just come out of two years of an international pandemic with stop-start lockdowns and are now faced with heartbreaking scenes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the devastating floods in New South Wales and Queensland. It makes it hard to write an editor’s letter that at times can feel quite trivial compared to what many other people are going through. But I suppose that’s the key, we need those little joys in life, whether that be from taking time out to enjoy a magazine, go for walk in nature or watch your favourite show. Sometimes, whatever it is that gives you that brief reprieve from reality, is a wonderful thing.

In this issue we chat with photographer, Jodi Wilson, the author of Practising Simplicity. Jodi and her partner packed up their home and moved their four young children into a caravan, setting off to explore Australia. Over the course of a few years, the family embraced a lifestyle that was grounded in nature and living with less. At times like this it heightens the fact that defining ourselves by what we own, collecting possessions and comparing ourselves with others does not bring us sustainable happiness. Rather it is our lifestyle choices, our health, our layered experiences and those people we choose to surround ourselves with that are important. Jodi’s book highlights these sentiments and is a beautiful read for anyone who enjoys the simple pleasures in life or is looking to declutter their lifestyle.

Our cover stars this issue are the Three Birds - Erin, Lana and Bonnie. Back in 2014, the best friends decided to leave corporate life behind and start working for themselves. The hugely successful Three Birds Renovations was created. I don’t think there are many of us who love home design and renovating who haven’t taken inspiration from a Three Bird’s reno when designing our own homes. Their style has a quintessential Aussie feel that combines coastal cool with relaxed holiday vibes. We chat with the three ladies about their style, success and the release of their second book - Three Birds Renovations Dream Home How-To. How-To. This issue we showcase three stunning, but very different homes. Pittsburgh based interior designer, Laura Solensky, walks us through her home. Laura calls her style, Grandmillennial, which she describes as an appreciation for traditional but in a well-edited and fun way. Her home truly shows off her skill of mixing new and old with colour and texture We also head to the Central Highlands city of Ballarat to visit a charming, renovated cottage where a Melbourne family have created a cosy home away from home. We visit a modern coastal retreat in Gerringong, New South Wales, which has just inspired me to book my next holiday to the bucolic IIawarra region of New South Wales. I’m a big fan of this part of the Australian coastline and it is a real pleasure to be able to visit once again.

Katie S kinner Editor

I’M LOVING...

HOME Credits Editor-in-Chief: Mia Cowling Editor: Katie Skinner 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 5, 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 Image from Three Birds Renovations: Dream Home How-To by Bonnie Hindmarsh, Erin Cayless and Lana Taylor, image Maree Homer © Maree Homer. Murdoch Books RRP $39.99

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It has everything you need but is also just a beautiful, basic little cottage.” – Claire Tinker, page 42

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

21 FRIENDS WITH FLORA One vintage Italian flower truck, two best friends and a shared dream.

74 THE ART OF LIVING SIMPLY Writer and photographer Jodi Wilson talks about living simply.

10 EAT Check out the delicious homemade treats at Eudlo General Store, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

24 FEATURE ARTIST Yarra Ranges based artist, Carolyne Hallum.

84 THE PLANT RUNNER Create your very own indoor oasis.

11 SPECIAL GIFTS FOR MUM Find that special gift for the mum in your life.

16 VISIT Grandvewe Farm, Tasmania, showcases the best in sheep milk produce.

28 THE THREE BIRDS Meet Erin, Bonnie and Lana, the triple threat design influencers.

41 HOMES TO LOVE Three unique homeowners from around the world showcase their beautiful homes.

89 IN THE KITCHEN The latest in good food and drink.

90 POSTCODE Orange, New South Wales

ISSUE 7 OUT NOW!

InStyle

Colour Me Happy

Bed Threads has launched a new colourway for their linen bedding range, Limoncello.

Their newest colour is a perfectly pale yellow inspired by sun-dappled holidays and the lemon-laden Amalfi coastline. With a sorbet-hued softness, Limoncello is refreshing and relaxed, and this versatile pastel will brighten any bedroom.

Yellow has emerged as a huge colour trend for 2022 it's like the home decor version of dopamine dressing, and as a colour associated with optimism, joy and creativity, embracing pops of this sunshine hue in your home can really boost your mood. bedthreads.com.au

The Life Eclectic

Annie Sloan

The Life Eclectic by Alexander Breeze is a newly released interiors book that celebrates the individuality of eclectic decorating styles through 15 homes of creatives from around the world. Each homeowner has a unique perspective on eclectic interior design, from maximalist clashing prints to monotone styling.

RRP: $60 hardiegrant.com

Fine artist and colour expert Annie Sloan has launched a collection of decoupage papers in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Inspired by the vast archive of botanical drawings from the RHS’s world famous Lindley Collections, the range includes twelve designs showcasing flora and fauna. anniesloan.com

Pacific

Dedicated to a love affair of the Pacific, spanning a lifetime, bottled in a book.

Forever influenced by the romance of the South Seas — PACIFIC is photographer Ming Nomchong’s debut book. We are taken on a journey through the eyes of the artist and spellbinding words of Kathryn Lyster.

1st edition hardcover, limited print run of 500.RRP: $169.95 mingnomchong.com/art-shop/p/pacific

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, one of the city’s most iconic hotels, has announced the launch of a brand-new room – Park Suite by Coco Republic.

Situated on the 20th floor with a stunning view of Hyde Park and the skyline, the room has been styled and furnished in Coco Republic’s breathtaking trademark design combined with the elegance of Pullman Hotels. Just as well suited for dynamic business stays as it is for a delightful city escape, the discrete sophistication of the Park Suite by Coco Republic guarantees that it will be a hot ticket in Sydney in 2022 and beyond.

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park 36 College Street, Sydney NSW 2000. accor.com

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Eudlo General Store The redeveloped Eudlo General Store, which has serviced the local community since 1925, opened late last year. Renowned local restauranteur, Tony Kelly, of Riceboi, Giddy Geisha and Piggyback fame, has set about breathing new life into this Eudlo icon. Serving up the house speciality, beautiful house made pies, it’s the perfect spot to grab a Supreme coffee and a bite to eat. There are all kinds of take-home goodies on offer as well the essentials such local Maleny honey to farm fresh pastured eggs. Eudlo General Store is committed to supporting local producers and providing great food, coffee, and essentials to locals and visitors alike.

Open seven days from 7am – 4pm 9-11 Rosebed Street, Eudlo, QLD @eudlogeneralstore

GIFTS FOR MUM Find that special gift for the mum in your life.

KIP & CO

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1. BG Barware Stirred & Shaken Complete Copper Kit $129 at Temple and Webster/ 2. Kip & Co Pink Marble Salad Servers $79/ 3. Kip & Co Summer in Sicily Linen Tablecloth $159/ 4. Bared Tan Leather Low Heels Toucan $259/ 5. CUT Store LUV AJ Daisy Rope Earrings in Gold $120/ 6. OnceWas Sati Viscose Dobby Pleat Sleeve Button Front Dress - Saffron Flower Print $329.95/ 7. STHAL Pizza Plate in Seaweed $171.50/ 8. Kip & Co Summer in Sicily Linen Apron $69/ 9. Country Road Demm Spoon Rest $12.95/ 10. Kip & Co Island Life Cheese Knife $25/ 11. Oroton Billie 6 Piece Coaster Set – Grass Green $100/ 12. Australian Distilling Co. Brisbane Gin 700ml $75

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The Zen Mum

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Holiday Namaste Yoga Mat $89

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10 1. Kip & Co Butterfly Garden Linen Robe $139/2. Alcyon 160ml Kiyoshi Teardrop Ultrasonic Diffuser $119 at Temple and Webster/ 3. Oroton X Lumira Candle – Fig Tree $79/ 4. Luk Beautiful Food 100% Natural Lip Nourish $30/ 5. Bondi Wash Nourishing Shampoo $30/ 6. Grown Alchemist Age-Repair Lip Due Kit Lip Love $50/ 7. Kip & Co Jade Green Adult Slippers $39/ 8. Oski + Lottie Wabi Sabu Incense Bowl $59 /9. Eminence Organics Soothing Chamomile Tonique $69/ 10. STHAL Cup with Handle in Ocean $60/ 11. T2 Tea The Quiet Mind Loose Leaf Tea $22/ 12 Kip & Co Velvet Eye Mask in Alligator $15

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1. Trudon Alabaster Hermera Candle $299/ 2. Santa Maria Novella Rose Gardenia 1221 Edition $198/ 3. Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm $95/ 4. Oroton Hyacinth Multi Drop Earrings $180/ 5. Torannce Sedgwick Dress Floral Pink $459/ 6. Chiswick Living Mulberry Silk Pillowcases $49.95 at Temple and Webster/ 7. Charlotte Tilbury Dreamy Glow Face & Body Highlighter $75/ 8. Kip & Co Velvet Eye Mask in Peach Pie $15/ 9. Oski and Lottie Brushed Brass Carrie Table Lamp $420/ Perrier Jouet Blason Rose $124.99

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1. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray $57/ 2. Davine SU Aftersun available from Salon Style $49.95/ 3. Shona Joy Flor Linen Balloon Sleeve Drawstring Midi Dress $460/ 4. Local Supply Limited 2106 Sunglasses Pink $220/ 5. Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Hair Mask available from Adore Beauty $42/ 6. Sofi Aperitivo Spritz & Esky Kit $150/ 7. Oroton Oro Texture Small Day Bag $499/ 8. MAYDE Crescent Towel Waikiki $119.95/ 9. Bared Footwear Hornbill 2 White Rainbow Stripe $249

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Grandvewe Farm ele HOME chats with Nicole Gilliver, co-owner of Grandvewe Farm, which overlooks the picturesque Tasmanian D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Here the family have taken using sheep’s milk to a whole new level, turning their farm into thriving businesses including cheesemaking, distilling spirits and sheep milk-based skincare.

IMAGES: Supplied

Q&A

Tell us about Grandvewe Farm and your family.

Grandvewe Farm is forty acres, poised sixty metres above the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the idyllic south-west of Tasmania.

Grandvewe Cheeses was born from an idea hatched by the matriarch of the family, Diane Rae, in 2002. Diane, and her children, Nicole, and Ryan, have always had an appetite for taking the path less trodden and thus the Grandvewe Farm Sheep Cheesery was born. It was recognised by Diane in the late 1990’s that there was a trend away from cow-based dairy and that the market was now seeking a nutrient dense dairy alternative that didn’t come with the dairy protein and l actose-based reactions commonly associated with cow products.

As further impetus to the idea it was also around this time that the Australian cheese eating public had become increasingly aware of more exotic styles of cheese than the ubiquitous vacuum sealed rectangle of cheese and the market seemed to be increasingly interested in more European offerings. As people from a business background rather than a rural background we set about seeking to take advantage of what was perceived as a rising tide of interest not just in cheese but a tangible experience with the food producer, thus it was clear that a tourism-based farm gate model was going to be our best option.

Our family is an unconventional family of three comprising Diane Rae, Nicole Gilliver and Ryan Hartshorn as equal co-owners. We are at our collective heart very much the same, but as individuals very different.

Thus, it was necessary that the three directors each carve out our own respective identities within the business which has seen the birth of three distinctively different brands/ products that all tie neatly back into our common belief system of making luxury sheep milk products inextricably linked to our DNA (pun intended) of ethics and sustainability in this space.

What is the philosophy behind Grandvewe Farm?

The philosophy of Ewenique Enterprises (comprising Grandvewe, Hartshorn and Ewe Care) is to constantly challenge commonly held beliefs around the manufacture and packaging of familiar products by pushing the boundaries of sustainability. Ewenique Enterprises, and Grandvewe, Hartshorn and Ewe Care by extension, seeks to engage consumers in alternate conversation around the beliefs of what constitutes sustainability and the next direction of its boundaries specifically with regards to sheep milk. We thrive on turning problems into high value solutions or, costs into revenue.

VISIT

Dillon Davey (farm hand)

Nicole Gilliver (Co Founder - Ewe Care)

Ryan Hartshorn (Head Distiller - Hartshorn Distillery)

Emma de Souza (Production Manager - Grandvewe Cheeses)

Grandvewe Farm is the home of several family owned and operated brands.

Tell us more about them.

Grandvewe is the first value added sheep milk enterprise that we embarked on. At the core of its conception is an unyielding requirement to innovate and challenge and this has set the tone for the subsequent brands. Grandvewe Sheep Cheesery was founded on a system of poly culture and organic closed loop farming some 20 years ago when not much was known of such ideas. Every element of waste was closely examined to maximise sustainability and minimise carbon footprints. From deep litter composting shed floors to breeding the first ever commercially viable Australian dairy sheep to registration as the first (and still the only) dry floor factory. Factories use and waste huge amounts of water. Grandvewe only uses what falls from the sky. All water is either recycled or reticulated back into tanks for later reuse.

Hartshorn Distillery is a seven-year-old distillery born from a vision of Ryan’s to turn our biggest waste product, whey, into a highly valued distilled alcohol.

With our DNA inextricably linked to creating value out of waste, which is a cost to business, Ryan took this opportunity in sheep milk whey and turned it into Australia’s most awarded vodka. Hartshorn Distillery broke the mold and won the title of World’s Best Vodka in its second year of operation and to this day it is still the only distillery in the Southern Hemisphere to have ever held this title.

Ewe Care was a pre COVID side hustle that launched in earnest as a highly functional natural sheep milk skin care range in July 2021, right amid COVID craziness. Ewe Care shifts lower solids milk less suited to cheese making into highly functional science backed skin care that not only highlights the intrinsic benefits of sheep milk for hydrating, calming, and reinvigorating the skin but, also challenges people to think hard about packaging by presenting the entire range plastic free and home compostable. Ewe Care has partnered with local ceramicist, Ian Clare, to package the range in hand thrown Raku ceramics burned with unique wool patterns, from waste belly wool, making each piece a totally unique and truly beautiful reusable bathroom ornament. All refills are packed in certified compostable sachets. As well as the superfood value of sheep milk for your skin, Ewe Care highlights the functional benefits of uniquely Tasmanian indigenous botanicals as well as Fucoidan Kelp found only in Tasmanian and Patagonian waters.

Did we see gin in the product mix? Tell us more about that.

Absolutely! Though Hartshorn is a dedicated vodka distillery we also make one gin. And we will only ever make one gin. We will make more vodka that pushes the boundaries of vodka as you know it because that’s who we are and why we roll out of bed. To innovate and push boundaries and set trends rather than follow. But we make one gin quite unconventionally, not surprisingly. For starters, we use our Sheep Whey Vodka as the base alcohol rather than commercial ethanol which gives an entirely different complexity to the exercise. We also vapor infuse each individual botanical individually, store them separately for a minimum of three months and blend them at bottling. All the botanicals are delicate Australian natives, two of which are foraged off our farm and not known to be used in any other gin.

Sheep milk not suitable for cheesemaking is repurposed into luxury skincare. Tell us more about Ewe Care and what makes the range so unique?

Ewe Care again exists to solve a problem. Sheep milk in skin care is scientifically proven to reduce skin redness, has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-aging properties associated with lactic acids which are gentle skin exfoliators. It is a veritable superfood for the skin and has three times the vitamin C of any other milk!

The problem we had was that milk at the start of the season was thinner, so lower yielding. Not ideal for cheesemaking though cheeses are certainly made from thinner milk, but this milk profile was perfect for skin care. Aside from the aforementioned benefits associated with sheep milk in skin care, we wanted to highlight some of the other natural Tasmanian ingredients in our formulas. Ewe Care is formulated with a plethora of Tasmanian native botanicals including Fucoidan Kelp, Coastal Tea Tree, Cape Grim Water and Tasmanian Mountain Pepperberry which all play an important role.

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Is Grandvewe Farm open to the public?

The Grandvewe Tasting House is open to the public from Friday to Monday from 11am -5pm. There are three main experiences on offer, all of which are designed to take the visitor on a quirky journey of expecting the unexpected.

The Tasting Tempter is a simple sensory experience giving the visitor an insight into our products and how they specifically relate to our story.

The Old World Butter Experience is a slightly longer offering whereby guests are invited to milk a steel sheep called Shirl (she’s a blacksmithing piece of local art).

Shirl has an udder filled with milk that guests milk to start their butter making journey. Once Shirl has been successfully milked the guests work up a sweat hand churning their own butter that eventually is theirs to take home.

The Spirited Alchemist is the most academic of our offerings. Guests are given a booklet introducing them to the history of gin and explained the old world and new world styles and their respective fundamental blending techniques. At this point guests are invited to undertake an experience in the alchemy of gin blending which eventuates in their own unique 500ml blend that they can take home to share with friends and family, but not before they’re invited to decorate the unique black Hartshorn bottle with their own white pen. A unique blend and design of their own!

What does the rest of 2022 hold for Grandvewe Farm?

2022 is all about expanding the distillery and growing Ewe Care, all while trying to figure out the ‘new normal’ on the farm. Having had 40 thousand visitors per year prior to COVID with two seven day per week tourism businesses reduced to four days, we are anxious to find out what the new normal has in store and continue to pivot where required in this space to hopefully restore some of the ‘old normal’.

Address – 59 Devlyns Rd Birchs Bay Tasmania 7162 @ewe_care @hartshorndistillery @grandvewecheeses ewecare.com.au hartshorndistillery.com.au grandvewe.com.au

Grandvewe Goodies!

Sheep Whey Gin

Vanilla Whey Liqueur

Grandvewe White Pearl Persian Feta

Grandvewe Yoghurt

Ewe Care Night Cream & Raku Night Ceramic

Friends with Flora Meet Tamie and Jill, the founders behind the Brisbane based flower truck, Friends with Flora.

IMAGES: Jeff Harris

We are two creative best friends who met working as visual merchandisers in a homewares store. Tamie also has a degree in event management and Jill is a professional musician. We have a love of all things flowers and styling and always knew we would end up starting a creative business together.

We’re based in Brisbane but we also travel anywhere from the Sunshine Coast, down to Byron Bay regions and anywhere in between! We decided to start our floral design and event styling business, Friends with Flora, together back in early 2020, right before COVID hit. It seemed a little crazy starting a business in the events industry during such a crazy and unknown time. However, we persisted and are really happy with how our business has grown and what is in store for us going forward.

Flora the Flower Truck was inspired by a trip that Jill took to Nashville, Tennessee back in 2016, well before Friends with Flora was even a twinkle in our eye! The Flower Truck movement in the US has become popular over the last few years and a concept that we absolutely loved and felt was something unique and inspiring we

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could bring to our local community. We also knew that starting an events-based business right when COVID first hit was a little crazy and wanted to add something to our offering that would complement our existing business without relying solely on weddings and events.

Flora is a ‘build your own bouquet’ flower truck, based out of a three-wheel Italian Piaggio Ape (pronounced Ah-peh, Italian for bee) in Brisbane, essentially a flower shop on wheels. We have built relationships with local cafes, markets, and other small businesses to host Flora as a pop up where we can sell flowers by the stem and encourage customers to build their own bouquet of flowers. We also have pre-made bunches available too for those that prefer to just grab and go. Driven by our passion for providing our flower loving friends with the highest quality florals, we also have a keen focus on sourcing locally grown florals! Our flowers come from across Australia, and we love supporting some local Queensland micro flower farms as well.

Flora is also available to hire for weddings and events and can be used in so many different modes. We can bring the truck to you for your bridal shower, wedding, corporate event or even to host a floral workshop. She also makes a super fun photoshoot backdrop!

There are so many floral designers that inspire us both locally and overseas, but I think we also inspire each other. Even though our styles align to create a cohesive business we also bring a lot of different styles to Friends with Flora that keeps us on our toes and pushes each other out of our comfort zones. We also find a lot of inspiration from different mediums like home and textiles.

Creating beautiful spaces and seeing the looks on people’s faces when they see it for the first time - it is truly rewarding and makes all the hard work worth it! We are also loving connecting with our local community and seeing how much people love and are responding to Flora the Flower Truck.

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Due to all the COVID related postponements there are apparently more weddings happening than ever in 2022 so we will be busy keeping up with that! Flora the Flower Truck will also be a big part of the rest of 2022 being her first year out in the world. We really want to focus on building relationships with local growers and small businesses as much as possible. @friendswithflora friendswithflora.com

Q&A Favourite coffee haunt?

Darvella Patisserie, Bulimba - can’t go past those donuts!

The Farm House, Kedron Favourite restaurant?

Donna Chang, Brisbane - give us velvet booths and the best Duck Fried Rice any day.

Favourite overseas destination?

Jill - Nashville and anywhere in the UK Tamie - Japan Most influential person in your life?

Tamie - I get my drive and determination from my Mum but my love of flowers comes from my grandmother.

Jill - My Husband, we have been together for over 20 years and he constantly inspires me with his unwavering support of our business.

Favourite downtime hobby?

Music and reading but we’re hoping in our spare time to start growing some of our own flowers for our weddings and also for Flora.

Favourite fashion label?

It’s so hard to pick just one! Sydney label Kilvari, but we both love Seed, Witchery and Country Road.

Favourite flower?

I think it changes every season - right now we’re loving beautiful floating blossoms like sweet peas and cosmos, but we can’t go past a beautifully reflexed rose.

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Artist

Carolyne Hallum Images: Michelle Barnard

ARTIST

Feature Artist Q&A Tell us about yourself.

I am fortunate to call myself a full-time artist who has two beautiful adult children and our first grandchild on the way. I also work in a retail store which allows me to escape my studio for a day or two to mix and socialise with co-workers and customers.

Where are you based?

My husband and I live at the foothills of Mount Dandenong, Yarra Ranges, with my studio in our home.

How would you describe your creative style?

Being self-taught, I am continuing to explore my creative style. I have only been painting for a few years now and I’m still finding ways of using and pushing paint around getting the results I like.

I use acrylics, either on canvas or board.

How did you begin your career?

As long as I can remember I have always enjoyed making and creating things. I ran my own ceramic line for a few years when my children were young but ended that when it became too big to handle on my own. Then a few years back, I opened a pop-up shop in my shed with my art and other wares and I was lucky enough a shop owner came and purchased some pieces, and it all began from there.

Who and what inspires you?

Inspiration for me comes in many different forms like a vase of flowers, a snippet from a magazine, cuttings from the garden, everyday surroundings or even a piece of material or tablecloth.

There are some lovely artists out there that inspire me also who have given me some wonderful advice over the years.

What do you love about your work?

What I love is painting and the freedom to create. I love the people I have met along the way and the opportunities I have had.

The people, the customers, knowing that my art is in someone’s home to enjoy and my stores who believe in my work – this is why I paint.

What does the rest of 2022 have in store for your work?

With an artist in residence just closing at the Provincial Hotel in Ballarat, I am planning on fulfilling some commission pieces who have been patiently waiting. I have art included in this year’s Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba and a few new stores lined up with an exhibition to look forward to at the end of the year.

Where can we see/buy your work?

You can view all work on my Instagram account and contact me directly for commissions. My work is also currently available through: - Rose Street Trading co., Armadale - Highgate House Interior Design, Brisbane - The Storehouse, Toowoomba - French Willow, Mt Evelyn @carolynehallumsart

ARTIST

Flying High Since launching into the design world in 2014, the Three Birds, Lana, Bonnie and Erin, have steadily become Australia’s go-to style influencers and renovators. ele HOME meets the three ladies to talk about design, success and the release of their second book, Three Birds Renovations Dream Home How-To. How-To.

IMAGE: Maree Homer

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

Tell us about yourselves and how the three of you came to know each other?

We are Lana Taylor, Marketing Director, Bonnie Hindmarsh, Creative Director and Erin Cayless, Operations Director – AKA the Three Birds.

We’ve been best friends for almost 20 years and have seen each other through all the ups and downs of life: meeting and marrying our husbands, starting families (we now have nine beautiful kids between us) and juggling busy careers.

Tell us about your business?

In 2014, we took a leap of faith together, quit our corporate jobs and created Three Birds Renovations in pursuit of a more fulfilling life - working for ourselves, doing something we loved, and with more family time.

Within a few short months of starting out we had successfully bought, renovated and sold our first property. Fast-forward to today and we have transformed over 14 properties, amassed a gorgeous group of followers on social media (who make it all worthwhile!) and learned more than we ever could have imagined.

We’ve poured all our hard-earned knowledge into our online courses, Three Birds Reno School and Three Birds Styling School.

We teach our students everything we’ve learned along our journey of renovating, building and styling homes – we’ve made all the mistake, so they don’t have to!

How did the three of you begin your careers in design?

We were desperate for a change from our corporate jobs so Bonnie and Erin, who had job-shared for years, decided to go out on their own to start a new career flipping houses. They called on Lana as the marketing brains behind their new venture… and Three Birds Renovations was hatched.

None of us had actually renovated before but Bonnie’s parents are keen renovators and Bon’s got it in her genes! So, we went from there and learnt on the job. We make no secret that we’re completely self-taught and employ professional trades on the tools rather than DIY.

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

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We are lucky enough to go to work each day with our best friends, with the support of a fabulous team and to do what we love.”

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

IMAGE: Maree Homer

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

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We kicked off the year with the very first intake of our newest online course, Three Birds Styling School and have welcomed over 9,000 new students throughout the year. That’s in addition to the 17,000 students in our Reno School.

Our lucky 13th House was completed and revealed! Appropriately named the ‘Australian Staycation’, the new build was our biggest project to date and we were super-chuffed to see it on the front cover of Australian House & Garden magazine.

Dreams became reality as our Three Birds Dream Home was born!

Five years ago, we had the idea (some would say a craaazy idea) to one day create a Three Birds home that people could buy and build on their block of land. Last year, that idea came to life after we teamed up with legend-builders, Rawson Homes, to build the very first Three Birds Dream Home. It’s fair to say we were proud mummas when this baby also made the front cover of Australian H&G. We gave away over $130,000 worth of products to one of our gorgeous followers who was the winner of the Three Birds Ultimate Home Renovation Comp!

We sold 50,000 copies of our first book, making it ‘Australia’s number one home improvement book.’

And launched our second book Three Birds Renovations Dream Home How-To. The cherry on top for us is the bonus chapter which features the beautiful homes of some of our clever Reno School graduates.

What have you learnt from the past two years while the world has been in the grips of COVID? Has the experience of the pandemic changed how you design and work?

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

How would you describe Three Bird’s signature style?

‘Coastal cool’ – to us, it’s as much about how a home feels as how it looks - open and airy with relaxed holiday vibes and great indoor/outdoor living spaces are top of our wish list for any property.

It’s reminded us of the importance in remaining agile and flexible in the way we work. During Sydney lockdown we moved all our meetings online, which came with some challenges. Picking paint colours and selecting furniture isn’t quite the same as visiting showrooms to see and touch the items in person!

What is Three Bird’s best interior design tip?

To create your home to look and feel the way YOU and your family want to live. If you’re designing your dream home, don’t be a slave to trends, choose what you love and what makes you feel amazing every day.

What do you love about your work?

That we are lucky enough to go to work each day with our best friends, with the support of a fabulous team and to do what we love.

Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

Don’t underestimate the power of paint. If you can’t afford to render or clad your home, a fresh coat of paint will do wonders to transform a room or exterior from drab to fab.

How did your Three Birds show come about?

We started documenting our projects for our friends and family and which led us to realise just how many people are interested in the journey of transforming a home. Our YouTube channel seemed like a natural progression for our business and now we document each of our projects from go to woah on Three Birds TV. Has the success of Three Birds surprised you all?

Absolutely! It hasn’t been without a whole lot of hard work but we’ve certainly had many ‘pinch me’ moments along the way. Like these ones from last year alone:

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

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IMAGE: Chris Warnes

That said, during the pandemic we’ve completed our 12th, 13th and 14th houses and while there were many challenges created

by COVID restrictions, it’s given us great confidence in how adaptable we are as a business. We created Three Birds to be flexible around our family lives and that has proven true over this time. It’s been rewarding and heart-warming to see how people rallied together and what can be achieved in the middle of a global pandemic. In terms of our online course, the Three Birds Reno School, each intake we've always had more enrolments than the previous but as people are spending more time at home during COVID-19 we've definitely seen an increased interest in home renovation and improvement.

Travel is restricted so many people are treating their homes as a staycation and focusing on creating a home that they love to live in.

What is the Three Birds favourite project to date? Why? That’s like making us choose a favourite child! Each of our 14 homes to date has a special story behind it.

You are all busy lives with careers, family etc. – how do you balance this?

When we’re not filming, we plan our days to be relatively flexible around our families and activities. Some days this means phone meetings enroute to footy training, others we’ll be on a Zoom call from the hairdressers.

What exciting things do the Birds have in store for us in 2022 and 2023?

We’ve just renovated our Three Birds Reno School course which is very exciting because all the lessons are now available

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

IMAGE: Maree Homer

IMAGE: Monique Easton

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THREE BIRDS

IMAGE: Chris Warnes

in video format, in addition to the PDFs and downloadable template our current students know and love.

Houses 15 and 16 are underway and we can’t wait to reveal them to our followers. There’s lots more in the works too! #watchthisspace If you could give our readers one great piece of advice for making their house a beautiful home, what would it be?

Define your style and start with a cohesive vision board. We hear so often from women who would love to style their home beautifully but don’t know where to start, what to buy or how to make it happen.

Creating a Vision Board to articulate this style is the first step to a beautiful home. We teach our students how to do this (and everything else they need to know to style their home!) in our online course Three Birds Styling School. @threebirdsrenovations threebirdsrenovations.com threebirdsrenoschool.com threebirdsstylingschool.com

Q&A

Lana Taylor, Marketing Director Favourite coffee haunt? Bonds Corner Café, Northbridge Favourite restaurant? Piato, McMahons Point Favourite overseas destination? Thailand Most influential person in your life? My kids Favourite downtime hobby? Watching Veep Favourite fashion label? Zimmermann Favourite flower? Bougainvillea (not technically a flower) Favourite book? Wuthering Heights

Three Birds Renovations: Dream Home How-To by Bonnie Hindmarsh, Erin Cayless and Lana Taylor.

Murdoch Books RRP $39.99.

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HOMES TO

love

“

I think your home should feel personal to you and make you happy.” Laura Solensky pg 54

The Gold Rush A pretty Ballarat cottage became a weekender dream for keen renovators, Claire and Richard Tinker.

STORY: Katie Skinner IMAGES: Tizia May

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Photographer Stuart Cantor’s ‘The Merc or the Moke’ brings a freshness to the living space.

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Australian photographer Kara Roselund’s ‘Eucalyptus’ print works beautifully in the main bedroom with the Olive et Oriel ‘Eucalyptus Trees Wallpaper Mural’.

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laire and Richard Tinker love to renovate. It was this passion that led them to their Ballarat weekender, Goldies. The family, including their three young children, Poppy (six), Georgina (five), and Harry (five), wanted a home they could renovate to use as an escape from their busy lives in Melbourne, as well as to rent out via Air BnB. After an exhausting 2020, the Tinkers were looking for a weekend away and, on a whim, booked a place in Ballarat, a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, known for its rich regional culture and the area where the gold rush was sparked in the 1800s. “We absolutely fell in love with the beauty and charm of Ballarat.

Such gorgeous tree lined streets, beautiful old heritage houses, incredible food and walks and nature. We quickly set to task looking at houses. We missed out on a few – but Richard drove up one day for a viewing, walked into this house and said, ‘it’s the one’, and the deal was done. I think the state of the house put a lot of people off, but this was completely what we were looking for, something we could design ourselves.”

Goldies is Claire and Richard’s fourth renovation “I do the design, planning, budgeting and Richard is really handy. He’s a great painter too. We try and do everything we can ourselves and then call in the trades for everything else.” The couple also brought experience and skills from their respective careers Richard, being a project manager and Claire, an executive assistant who had also studied civil engineering and interior design. With these combined skills, the couple purchased the home in June 2021 and began renovating straightaway. “The house was completely gutted inside, not even doors or skirting boards. The back had a lean-to which was basically falling over. There was no toilet inside either! We moved some walls to make the bathroom bigger and so we could fit a toilet in the house. We rebuilt the back lean-to area from the stumps up. We couldn’t wait to sand the old, blackened timber boards to see how they came up, the Baltic pine was light and beautiful underneath. I would never cover those in a million years – they have such character and bring so much warmth into the house.”

When the couple bought the property, the original brickwork was covered by 1970s vinyl cladding. The couple set about exposing the original brickwork and rebuilding the original hearth and repointing the brick. Ballarat can get a little chilly at times and with this in mind the couple also installed a wood burner in the main living area, ducted heating throughout and replaced all the windows with timber double glazed ones. Carpets were installed in the bedrooms for extra cosiness and warmth and the whole house fully insulated.

Claire and Richard designed the home and the garden themselves, including all styling choices. Claire says that their style choices depend on the house and the location. “We tend to be drawn to classic style. Design that won't date and is sympathetic to the house. I like to mix some unique items to make a place more interesting.” The garden needed to be frost tolerant to survive Ballarat’s brutal winters but also able to withstand dry, hot summers. The couple planted lavender, silver birch, bay trees and pear trees, and these, combined with the already established orchard out the back, created a weather tolerant, easy to maintain garden which fitted the country cottage brief.

When describing what she loves about the home, Claire says ‘It is just so cosy and warm. You just want to slow down when you arrive.

It’s the perfect getaway. The MOST comfortable beds as well (so important for an Air BnB). Beautiful French linen sheets – there’s nothing that compares. It has everything you need but is also just a beautiful, basic little cottage. The green room (or the snug) is also a little surprise. We have a record player so it’s great to have a drink and play cards while we listen to music.” Then there are all the great activities to see and do in Ballarat, “go for walks around Lake Wendouree, get coffee at Common Ground. The restaurant and food scene in Ballarat is of such a high standard. There’s always something going on in Ballarat – art exhibitions, light festivals, laneway festivals.

So much to do!” @goldiesballarat Goldies is available for accommodation stays goldiesballarat.com IMAGES: @tiziamayphotography

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COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Kangaroo Pouch

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Porters Khaki

Dulux White on White

The dining room features the captivating artwork ‘Aldo’ by photographer Giovanna Aryafar.

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Claire and Richard’s greatest budget buy were the kitchen second-hand cabinets for a modest $500. The kitchen walls and cabinets are painted in Dulux ‘Kangaroo Pouch’.

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Getting to know you – Claire Tinker What designers inspire you?

Tamsin Johnson is just incredible. I love the way she mixes antique fittings and furniture through her designs. Every single space is so considered.

Matt Martino cannot put a foot wrong – I want him to design a coastal house for us one day.

Favourite places to eat and shop in your region?

Shop – Fossick Wares, The Foundry and Vintage 216 Eat – Common Ground, Johnny Alloo, Carboni’s Italian, Ragazzone, Pancho, Meigas and Moon & Mountain. Underbar is a 16-seat restaurant (if you can get a booking!) – chef is from ex three-Michelin starred restaurant in New York.

Drink – Roy Hammond and Renard.

Favourite pieces in your home?

Artwork can completely transform a house. I love an eclectic mix of artwork. I would never buy to ‘match’ interiors. I think whatever interests you and makes you stop, and look is going to have the same effect on others.

My three favourites in the house are: The Merc or the Moke - photographer Stuart Cantor Eucalyptus - photographer Kara Roselund Aldo - photographer Giovanna Aryafar

Claire and Richard Tinker

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It is just so cosy and warm. You just want to slow down when you arrive. It’s the perfect getaway.”

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Biggest splurge?

Artwork!

Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

Our greatest budget buy was the kitchen. I found the kitchen on marketplace in Mt Eliza. Richard and my brother-in-law hired a truck and drove to Mt Eliza to dismantle and collect it, drove it to Ballarat and our builder installed it. It was millimetre perfect! And then we painted it and it just looks perfect. Not bad for $500!

The Details Exterior paint: Tint Paint ‘Refer to the Stars’.

Front door: Tint Paint ‘Wild Thing’ Interior paint: Dulux ‘White on White’.

The green room: Porter Paints ‘Khaki’ in chalk finish.

The kitchen walls and cabinets: Dulux ‘Kangaroo Pouch’

The Grandmillennial Situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this beautiful home is the brainchild of interior designer, Laura Solensky. Laura has combined traditional style with colour, pattern and textures to create an inviting and warm space that feels good for the soul.

WORDS: Katie Skinner IMAGES: Megan McGreevy

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early five years ago, interior designer, Laura Solensky and her husband, Ryan, came across a listing for a foreclosure sale and as soon as she saw it, Laura knew it was the one. “We were living in our first apartment and had begun dreaming of buying our first home. We had six months left on the lease, so we were not quite ready, but I was always checking the listings. It was the week of Christmas when it was listed, and I knew right away I wanted it. It had amazing potential and resale value, which was the goal. Fix it up, live there for a few years and then sell it. It was more than a starter so I knew it would be somewhere we could stay longer if we needed to. We ended up calling the day after Christmas to go see it and placed an offer that day. It was a bit of back and forth as a bidding war ensued, but we won! And the funniest part- it was less than a mile from our apartment.”

Laura, Ryan and their two dogs, Henley and Pete, moved in and began renovating every room in the house. The home was a mess, so the renovation was top to bottom including new flooring, paint and wallpaper, new kitchen, and bathrooms. Luckily, Laura had the design know-how while Ryan had the building skills to bring Laura’s ideas to life.

Laura began to share her creative journey on Instagram and from there she has built a loyal following who visit her grid to experience her world of colour, pattern and textures which she mixes with traditional, a style that Laura calls Grandmillennial. “My style is traditional with a twist. I love the layers of a room and bringing in textures, patterns and colours. I think your home should feel personal to you and make you happy.

It is the place we make so many of our most cherished memories. I want to set the scene for that!”

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When I walk into a room and see a colour or pattern I love, it instantly brightens my mood. I don’t think people understand the importance our environment has on our mental and emotional health.”

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COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Elusive Blue

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Dulux Spring Green

Dulux Antique White USA

Laura’s business quickly grew, and she was soon offering a virtual design service. As this took off, she moved to offering a full-service design studio. “I went to college for business and marketing and have always been creative. I would rearrange and decorate my room hundreds of times over the years. I always loved design but never really thought it could be my career. I mean, could I really love my job?! But after buying our house, my passion only ignited.”

Laura designed the interior and exterior of her home with the goal to appeal to potential buyers but also feel true to her own style. “When I walk into a room and see a colour or pattern I love, it instantly brightens my mood. I don’t think people understand the importance our environment has on our mental and emotional health. We take in what is around us and I want that to be a space that feels joyous, energizing when needed or calming and relaxing. It all depends on what the space is and how you want to feel in it.”

Laura’s happy place is her garden, but she admits her thumb is not the greenest “I am learning as I go but it is so relaxing and rewarding to me. I love all flowers, especially peonies, hydrangeas and roses so that is mostly what you’ll find out there.”

One of Laura’s top tips when decorating is the use of paint. “Paint is so easy, affordable and impactful! And the best part- easy to change. If you want to transform a room, start with paint. Or wallpaper if you are like me!” Laura also stands by the ethos of buy what you love “I so often hear people wanting something neutral or bland because they feel they won’t tire of it, but I don’t think that is true at all. I think you buy what you love because when you do you won’t get sick of it and when you see it you will be happy. When you love something, you will always be able to find a spot for it.”

When asked what Laura loves most about her home her answer is succinct “I love how happy it feels”. And isn’t this what we all want to feel when we step inside our homes.

This blank wall in Laura's kitchen became the perfect spot for her vintage ship gallery.

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Laura is a fan of mixing new with vintage and is constantly collecting and styling her vintage finds.

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Getting to know you – Laura Solensky What designers inspire you?

There are many. Sarah Bartholomew, Mark D Sikes, James Farmer, Ariel Okin, Tori Rubinson to name a few.

What do you love about living in Pittsburgh?

I love to go thrift and antique shopping, garden, read, watch movies, walk my dogs, kick box and spend time with my family and friends. . I enjoy quality time with my family and shopping for treasures!

Favourite pieces in your home?

That is a hard one! I love to mix old and new, so I have a few of each that are special. The bamboo china cabinet is vintage and a place where I store some of my treasures. The grass cloth credenza is new but one of my favourites as well. The wicker plant stand is another new item, but I love filling it with plants and florals. I love collecting vintage and antique art so there are many pieces, including my ship gallery wall, that I adore.

Biggest splurge?

My dining room has most of my “splurge” items and that is common. The dining room is somewhere that should make a statement but also feel comfortable to spend time in.

Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

I would say thrifting vintage pieces. There are so many amazing second-hand finds out there! Check your thrift stores or local antique shops and you may be surprised! It will add so much character to your home and keep it from feeling “bought and delivered”.

Favourite overseas destination?

I haven’t been but have France on my bucket list. Especially the flea market!

Most influential person in your life?

My mom. She has been an incredible mother, person, entrepreneur and all-around example to me.

Favourite downtime hobby?

Shopping, ha-ha.

Favourite fashion label?

Hmm, I don’t have one favourite but love wearing colourful, chic and fun outfits. I say invest in a pair of jeans and handbag and you’ll always have a great base.

Favourite flower?

Peony and Hydrangea are tied! @laurasolenskydesign laurasolenskydesign.com

Interior designer Laura Solensky

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ele HOME interviews Simone Mathews, the creator of the Gerringong, New South Wales based holiday home, The PAUSE. Interview: Simone Mathews IMAGES: The Palm Co. and Hayley Haynes

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Ben created the custom kitchen concrete island, and coupled with pendants from Uniqwa, this creates an organic feel.

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Q&A Who lives here or owns the home?

The PAUSE is a purpose-built holiday property we (my husband and I) created as a business.

I am an interior designer by trade, an online educator, a HPO (nickname for holiday property owner) and dabble in property development. I am married to my builder husband Ben, and together we have four boys aged 17, 15, 13 and 9.

When was The PAUSE built?

The PAUSE was built in 2020, during the first lockdown in Australia. It was a new build, and everything was created from the ground up. We completed everything in this year from the build to the styling to the landscaping.

Since opening the only thing that has changed is that the landscaping has matured to become a lush tropical oasis.

How did you find the property? Are you originally from Gerringong?

We originally renovated the original farmhouse and cottage that is next door, known commonly as SOUL of Gerringong. The PAUSE was created on this small parcel of land.

We are not from the area originally, we moved to Gerringong four years ago. We were meant to stay for nine months but the town was hard to leave. As a child, I holidayed in the area and when we got married, it was just down the road. So, you could say that we have always had a connection with this area on the NSW South Coast.

Do you have design backgrounds? What’s your personal story?

I am an interior designer, and my husband is a builder. Originally, I was in marketing and real estate, and when I had children, I worked in our construction business whilst developing on the side. After five years of

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COLOUR INSPIRATION Dulux Mt Aspiring

Dulux Domino

Dulux Natural White

Simone and Ben had brass wall lights seen throughout the home designed and made in Bali.

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The vanity and bathroom tiles were custom made in Bali, with the bath and basin from Natural Stone Bath Worx. The tapware is from Brodware.

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study to become an interior designer, I found the career that I love. It really is true when they say, ‘when you love what you do, you will never work another day’. After ten years in this industry, I love it just as much as when I first started.

How would you describe your style?

I don't really define myself by one style. Instead, I use my 70/20/10 rule to create a unique style for each project. You use 70 percent of one style as your base, add 20 percent off another and a final 10 percent layer to bring it all together.

But if I had to define my ultimate style it would be 70% organic, 20% classic and a final 10% coastal style to bring it together.

What do you love most about The PAUSE? I love the simplicity of The PAUSE. It is less home, but it also feels so welcoming and warm. Each room and space has a hero, and it is all worked around it. In the hallway it is the brass wall light that draws you in, in the kitchen/living area it is the custom concrete island that Ben created, outside it is the pool with the tropical gardens, in the guest rooms it is the subtle use of arches, in the ensuites it is the handmade tiles, and in the master bedroom it is the feeling of space with the drama in the ceiling.

Who designed the exterior and interior of the home?

We worked in collaboration with Paul from GUD Studios. We have worked with Paul many times, and we really do understand collectively how to create homes that make you feel good, that function and are practical and look good.

Who designed the garden? What type of planting have you gone with?

The landscape design was created by Ben and I and the selection of plants and plating to create the tropical oasis was completed by Clint from Bamboo South Coast. He is an absolute magician.

Your best interior design tip?

Create a home that feels good, make how it looks second. And to have a home that feels good, it needs to function for how it will be used, it needs to be practical, and it needs to work with your financial goals. As far a design tip, focus on the proportions of your space and the items that you select and use. This is the absolute key.

What designers inspire you?

Studio McGee from the US is an absolute fave. I also really connect with the Indiana Hicks vibe.

Favourite places to eat and shop in your region?

In Gerringong I have to say Gather as I designed it and the cocktails are amazing. For a lunch or dinner out, The Blue Swimmer at Gerroa is quaint, and it feels like time stops when you are there, and the food is all local produce. For a bit of homewares shopping, Deer Willow in Kiama and T&C in Albion Park are an absolute must to visit. For a spot of clothes shopping, Zibe Clothing Boutique and Kalm in Gerringong are always good to pick up a couple of pieces for your wardrobe.

Favourite pieces in your home?

Brass wall lights and timber doors we designed and had handmade in Bali.

Biggest splurge?

Custom steel staircase balustrade.

Greatest budget buy or budget decorating tip?

Using a linen flat sheet as a throw on the beds. Creates the layers and textures for a guest bedroom to be inviting and can be laundered every time you change the sheets.

What’s your favourite way to spend a day in your region?

Wake up in the morning as the sun is rising and head to Werri Beach for an ocean dip. Walk across the road to The Kiosk for a morning coffee and breakfast.

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Simone Mathews

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If you're feeling energetic, walk the coast walk from Werri to Kiama, it is so beautiful, and you get to take in the rolling green hills on one side with the coast on the other. Once in Kiama, go to Deer Willow for a spot of lunch to enjoy the local produce and the local friendly service.

Head back to The PAUSE and chill out by the pool in summer or by the fireplace in the cooler months. I love to have a bath in the stone bath upstairs to relax.

Walk across the road to Gather for some cocktails and tapas style food, a great place to connect with friends and enjoy the evening.

Stroll back home to The PAUSE and head to bed as the beds are literally like sleeping on a cloud.

That is my favourite way to spend the day … actually, can I go there now? (lol) @soulhomeaus soulhome.com.au thepause.com.au Home Details Exterior paint: Dulux Mt Aspiring Interior paint: Dulux Natural White Bathroom tiles: Custom made in Bali Vanity: Custom made in Bali Bath and basin: Natural Stone Bath Worx Bathroom tapware: Organic Brass by Brodware Kitchen tile splashback: Custom made in Bali Kitchen pendants: Uniqwa Benchtop: Custom made by BAM Constructions Group Bedroom linen: Cultiver Sconces in bathroom, hallway etc.: Custom made in Bali Bedroom artwork: Art and Framing Co Living room artwork: Ozlem Savelle commission ele HOME

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Practicing Simplicity The decision to pack up her family and travel around Australia led to a life-changing adventure for writer and photographer, Jodi Wilson. Her new book, Practising Simplicity, Simplicity, details the family’s journey to embracing slow living.

WORDS AND IMAGES: Jodi Wilson

Tell us a about yourself, your family, and the inspiration behind your book Practicing Simplicity.

I’m a writer, photographer, yoga teacher and mother of four.

In 2018 my partner and I sold 80 per cent of our belongings, spent our hard-earned house deposit on a 4WD and a caravan and hit the road. We ended up spending 2.5 years travelling; a life-changing adventure that changed everything for us. My book is the story of that journey; the leap of faith, working through my fear and the eventual grounding I experienced by spending 10+ hours a day in nature. It also details my experience of slowing down and living with less which prompted me to really consider what we need to live well.

In your book you talk about living with less and what we do need to live well. How does someone break that cycle of working to accumulate and ‘keeping up with the Jones’?

And what do we really need to live well?

A really practical way to practice simplicity is to weigh up the time you spend working for the things you may not need. On the road we only carried the essentials with us every item needed to be considered for its size, weight and purpose. Everything had to earn its keep. We’ve always purchased second-hand over new but on the road we stopped accruing things for the simple fact that we didn’t have space for them. We didn’t have to work for the things we didn’t need which consequently gave us an abundance of free time. I think living well is getting enough sleep, eating good food, going into nature and being awed by huge trees, deep oceans…the exquisite, perfect detail of leaves and petals and life. Keeping up with the Jones’ is a way of life that means you’re constantly chasing. Perhaps it’s time to slow down, ask yourself what really matters and then make those things a priority.

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What are small changes we can make each day to help simplify our life?

Be conscious of where you shop and what you buy (and perhaps most importantly, what you choose NOT to buy), use up all the food in your fridge before you purchase more, get into nature because it reminds you what matters (barefoot on the grass, an ocean swim, standing in your suburban yard and looking up at the night sky, planting herbs in pots, visit your local community garden), prioritise rest, say no to social obligations if you feel you need a break.

Many people are feeling isolated and burnt out from their workplace, life etc. The pandemic seems have exacerbated these feelings and we keep hearing about the ‘Great Resignation’. Do you think we will see a fundamental shift in general – where people chose a simpler path and focus less on work taking precedent in life and accumulating things?

When you choose uncertainty, or when uncertainty comes hurtling into your life unexpectedly, I think you naturally prioritise what’s important. You find yourself mulling over what really, truly matters. I think that shift is already occurring, but I also think we live in a consumerist society; it takes conscious effort to step off that path. As I write in the book: “There isn’t one clear-cut path to living simply, but by starting with the small things we do each day, we come to realise that change is simply about choice…and I think it starts with choosing to care.”

How did you manage in a caravan for three years with four kids?

Easily, it’s a great way to live and I spent very little time cleaning.

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What were your favourite places you visited? What are your must-see destinations from your experience?

We never set off to see places or tick things off the list. It was just about spending time with our kids before their childhood evaporated in school bells and lost lunchbox lids. That said, our 10 days at Uluru were unlike any other. South Australia is an exquisite state of contrast - desert and sea, a vibrant city, and the quirkiest small towns. But Tasmania is where we found the freshest air and the clearest water, the slow pace, and distinct seasons that we love. That’s why we now call it home.

Many of us do not have the option to pack up and leave our normal world behind. What advice would you give to these people to simplify their current life and possibly work towards a different way of living?

As the imitable Annie Dillard says: how we spend our days is how we spent our lives. Grand change and adventure aren’t necessary but slowly changing your daily habits and rituals can really shift your life experience. I think this has been incredibly pertinent in the pandemic; we’ve worked out what matters to us, what brings us joy, what we need to live well (early nights, weekends with no plans, less obligation and more choice).

Generally, I think we’re more understanding of each other’s choices, too. And if anything, this collective uncertainty has emphasised the fact that all we can really do is focus on today which ultimately forces us to live in the present moment without thinking too much about what’s to come.

My advice: make the choices that feel right for you. Practicing simplicity is about letting go of expectation and making mental space so you can start where you are, with what you have.

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After a few years on the road what is it like to be back? What experiences did you bring back from your travels that have helped you keep life simple now you are home?

We actually chose to settle in a new state. Living so well with so little meant we could no longer justify returning to our original home on the NSW central coast because of the exorbitant cost of housing. Instead, we’ve opted to settle in a little town in Tasmania where the slow pace, affordable house prices and distinct seasons allow us to live in a way that feels right and true. It hasn’t been without sacrifice, but it definitely feels like the best place for us to be.

Images from Practicing Simplicity by Jodi Wilson.

Photography by Jodi Wilson.

Murdoch Books RRP $32.99. @practisingsimplicity practisingsimplicity.com

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Practising simplicity is about letting go of expectation and making mental space so you can start where you are, with what you have.”

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The Plant Runner

Creating the Perfect Indoor Oasis By co-founders, Duncan Hilder and Dominic Hooghuis IMAGES: Supplied

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Tell us about The Plant Runner and the co-founders, Dominic and Duncan.

Since establishing Australia’s first mobile greenhouse in 2017, The Plant Runner has blossomed into an all-encompassing plant care and lifestyle hub. Founded by qualified horticulturalists and best mates, Dominic Hooghuis and Duncan Hilder (aka ‘Dom and Dunc’), the brand is on a mission to simplify plant care with its custom plant food range, a curated selection of sustainable accessories, and jargon-free advice.

Over four years, the company has amassed over 40,000 Instagram followers, sold more than 250,000 bottles of its signature Indoor Plant Food, and helped hundreds of thousands of people propagate their plant dreams There are some incredible examples on Instagram of indoor plant styling but for the plant novice, where should we start?

The best advice we can give is to start small. Don’t go all out and fill your house in one big shop. Pick a few plants that resonate with you and use them as the guinea pigs. Starting with just a few plants is an opportunity to learn about your home (light, drafts, humidity) and your own routine (do you remember to fertilise? Are you a waterer-byroutine or are you more relaxed with your schedule?). Once you’ve got the basics down, then you can build that indoor jungle!

What are the best indoor plants to use and what are your favourites?

If you’re getting into plants, pick a few ‘low-maintenance, high reward’ staples like Devil’s Ivy and Monsteras. These are some of our go-to’s for an ‘instant jungle’ look. They’re also easy to look after and very forgiving, so for new plant parents, they’re perfect! As for us, Dom loves his statement plants like large Ficus or showy Calathea orbifolia, and Dunc has a thing for variegated plants like Monstera deliciosa Thai Constellation or Syngonium Albo Variegata.

How do we look after these plants to keep them thriving and looking their best?

The key to a successful indoor plant jungle is in finding the perfect combination of light, water and temperature. For most of the more well-known indoor plants like our favourites listed above, best care includes placing the plants in a bright room with indirect sunlight, watering only when the top few centimetres of potting mix is dry, and keeping the room temperature as warm and consistent as possible (so avoid drafts from windows and air con). Additionally, a regular

Duncan Hilder and Dominic Hooghuis

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fertilising regime, using quality potting media, and regular leaf cleaning will see your plants really thrive. Our Plant Care Booster Kit and custom potting mixes are the perfect products to keep on top of your plant care game.

Help! Some of my indoor plants have spotted leaves or the leaves are turning yellow. What is wrong?

Unfortunately, these symptoms can mean a number of different things for different plants. Spots on foliage could be leaf spot and is a disease that can spread if left untreated. Remove the affected leaves and give the plant a spray with a natural fungicide. Make sure the plant has good airflow (so it’s not stuck in a corner) and avoid misting. Direct sun on the foliage can also cause spotting, so make sure you know what’s going on before you start treatment.

Yellowing leaves is usually a sign of overwatering or underwatering (easy to figure out which - just stick your finger in the soil!) so adjust as necessary. That being said, it could also be a result of pests, temperature issues or even a nutrient deficiency. If you’re not sure, take a photo of your plant into your local plant shop and ask an expert. Our educational blog is another great resource for a range of plant related topics.

I have a fiddle leaf fig that is hugely temperamental. Why are they such a pain and what do I do to make it happy?

When Fiddles are really thriving, you can’t beat them. The problem is they do have a reputation for being a little fussy. The trick to a happy fiddle leaf is to provide it with lots of bright, filtered light. Keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid leaf burn. Water once the potting mix has dried out (stick a finger or a skewer in the soil to make sure it’s dried through) and when you do water, water well. Fertilise regularly with a quality Indoor Plant Food (like ours!) and keep the temperature as consistent (and warm) as possible. Fiddles hate drafts so don’t place near windows and doors that are regularly used and avoid the aircon or heater. Good luck!

How do I style different rooms in my home with plants?

Whilst in an ideal home you could place any plant anywhere and it’ll be happy, every home is different. Always learn a bit about your plant before placing it in your home so you can find a space that's going

to provide it with its most basic light and temperature requirements.

Once you’ve got this down, start playing with height and textures.

Tall, thin plants like Strelitzia nicolais are great for corners and draw the eye upward, making rooms feel bigger while simultaneously providing a focal point for what would otherwise be an empty corner. Trailing plants are great for shelves and benches and can soften edges by giving that “jungle” feel. Using plant stands to create levels will make displays more interesting, while mixing up pot shapes, colours and textures can be just as important as the plants you choose.

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The Plant Runner Haws Mist Sprayer – Copper $65

The Plant Runner Plant Care Essentials Kit $28

The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Potting Kit from $17

The Planter Runner Soil & Microbe Booster $19

Silent Gin

Silent Gin, the UK’s Number 1 Super-Premium Gin is renowned for its unique mix of 24-botanicals and eye-catching glass bottle design, has taken Australian gin lovers by storm. Founded on the banks of the magical Silent Pool in Surrey Hills UK, the gin and bottle design were inspired by the area’s natural beauty and fresh water source.

Dan Murphy’s or BWS, $79.99. silentpooldistillers.com.au

In her new book Cinnamon and Salt, Italy-based food writer Emiko Davies delves into the rich, multicultural history of Venice and its unique cuisine, detailing more than sixty classic and modern recipes, from fried to sweet and from small plates to drinks.

RRP $40 hardiegrant.com

Three

Magenta Magic

KitchenAid launches their 2022 Colour of The Year, Beetroot! The rich magenta reflects the vibrancy found in making the most of everyday moments. Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - $949.00 kitchenaid.com.au

Tread Softly Pink Gin

Restaurants

To Visit Now!

Featuring a delicate blush colour, Tread Softly Pink Gin is lusciously distilled with juniper and finger limes, secondary notes provide a profusion of pink peppercorn and hibiscus, complemented by cinnamon, lemon myrtle and nutmeg. RRP $59.99 each. fourthwavewine.com.au

In the Kitchen Frogmore Creek

Looking for the perfect drop for your dinner party?

Look no further, Frogmore Creek’s Winemakers Reserve Pinot Noir is a tantalising taste sensation you’ll need to win the night. Immersed in fresh, juicy blueberry notes with a rich, balanced palate followed by a silky tannin, you can pair this drop with succulent steak, cheddar gouda, roasted duck and seared salmon.

RRP: $90.00 frogmorecreek.com.au

Hanging Around

Olli Ella’s latest release, the Rattan Onion Basket Duo is the perfect addition to your pantry storage game. Handmade from 100% Natural Rattan. Onion Basket Duo available in ink and straw RRP $69.90

P

omona Distilling Co, Pomona, QLD

Truffle Explosion

Australia's leading extra virgin olive oil brand, Cobram Estate, has launched its highly anticipated Truffle Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Truffle Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil combines Cobram Estate’s extra virgin olive oil with black truffles to create a balanced, earthy infusion product that will bring a beautiful flavour to any meal.

RRP $9.50 available at leading supermarkets

Gin O’Clock

Gin O’Clock is excited to quench your thirst with three new delicious ready to drink gin beverages, Timeless G&T, Sugar Free G&T and Pink Gin & Soda.

Dan Murphy's and BWS stores RRP $19 40

G

erard's Bistro, Brisbane, QLD

B

unkers Beach House, Bunker Bay, WA

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VISIT POSTCODE 2800 Orange, NSW Visit Orange and surrounds, where boutique shopping, delicious food and stunning countryside abounds.

Where to eat and drink?

Byng Street Local Store 47 Byng St, Orange, NSW @byngstreet Birdie Noshery & Drinking EST 120 – 122 Summer St, Orange, NSW @birdienoshery Racine Bakery 166B Summer St, Orange, NSW @racineorange Spilt Milk Bar 45 Sale St, Orange, NSW @spiltmilkbar The Agrestic Grocer 426 Molong Rd, Orange, NSW, Orange, NSW @agrestic_grocer Parrot Distilling Co 66 Endsleigh Ave, Orange, NSW @parrotdistillingco Where to shop?

The White Place 26 Byng St & 26 Casey St, Orange, NSW @thewhiteplace_home Jumbled – The Sonic 33 – 35 Sale St, Orange, NSW @jumbledonline Anything Grows 54 Summer St, Orange, NSW @anythinggrows Mary and Tex Curious Emporium 187 Summer St, Orange, NSW @maryandtex The Corner Store Gallery 382 Summer St, Orange, NSW @cornerstoregallery Where to stay?

The Byng Street Boutique Hotel 62 Byng St, Orange, NSW @byngstreet_hotel

eatliveescape.com Keep up to date with the latest travel, food and lifestyle stories, news and inspiration online with us at eatliveescape.com

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