#67 luxury Guest Editor Jase Sullivan ISSUE EIGHT OF SIX COLLECTABLES JASE SULLIVAN HARLEY GRAHAM HGA STUDIO STAMP GREG NATALE WARREN AND MAHONEY MIM DESIGN STUDIO MANIFOLD SIMONE HAAG KATHY MCKINNON KMCK STUDIO PRINEAS RUBY SHIELDS CASTORINA ALEXIS WILLIAMS JOSHUA YELDHAM TAMSIN JOHNSON THOMAS HAMEL NATALIE PAGE 67 59
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Set the stage for the extraordinary. Introducing the Vario wine climate cabinets Expressive series. gaggenau.com.au The difference is Gaggenau
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#67 lightbox #21 22
DESIGN NEWS A gathering of the most beautiful, interesting and sometimes challenging designs shaping our world.
shortlist #61 62
WINNINGS X HABITUS HOUSE OF THE YEAR The incredible shortlist for 2026 Winnings X Habitus House of the Year.
portrait #87 88
88
PAT & LARA RAFTER Tennis meets love in Byron Bay.
96 RUBY SHIELDS The dynamic interior designer making her unique perspective known. 104 CASTRONOVA One of the most beloved emporiums of vintage design pieces.
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#67
luxury Shaking up our ideas of luxury to include everything that makes us feel good, the feel-good man himself – Jase Sullivan – takes us on a visual adventure.
features #116
on location #136
118 BAREFOOT LUXURY
138 Y HOUSE
Jase Sullivan takes us through his take on luxury and the importance of a good floor. 126 CASA DECOR Being housed in a different Madrid mansion each year gives this design fair kudos. 132 TURNING 40 Rugs, rugs, rugs, the legacy of bringing colour and warmth to our homes.
Colour, form, light, and poise make this home sing. 146 FINCA TALLUCA Purpose built for tropical Australia with an abundance of verve. 54
EXETER HOUSE An amazing Tudor confection from the master of luxurious living.
162 THE BLACK HOUSE Sharply defined forms with a warm centre.
138
170 LEESTHORPE MOSMAN Materiality, sculptural form, and elegance coalesce for perfection. 178 ZEPHYR A home that openly plays with light and line. 186 GRUYERE FARM Romantic and whimsical, a farmhouse like no other. 194 YOSEKI Curves and colour coalesce in a joyful celebration.
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An Australian Way Of Life Johanna Elliptical Table & Otway Armchairs by Kett.
Exclusive to
The first word HELLO!
F
ABOVE Guest Editor Jase Sullivan.
or me, luxury is found in the space to make intentional choices. It is the freedom to shape each day according to your own values, to invest time in the people and pursuits that bring meaning, and to resist the pressure of constant busyness. True luxury lies in living with clarity, purpose, and a sense of ease. Some of life’s greatest luxuries have little to do with material possessions. Feeling secure in where you live, having the opportunity to explore the world, and creating lasting memories with family and friends are privileges that enrich everyday life. Even the quiet ritual of beginning the morning outdoors, moving through nature before the demands of the day begin, is a reminder that luxury is often experienced in life’s simplest moments. This perspective naturally informs my approach to design. Rather than pursuing excess, I am drawn to spaces that feel authentic, enduring, and deeply considered. A truly luxurious home is one that reflects the individuality of its owners, evolves gracefully over time, and supports the way they want to live. In the end, luxury is not defined by extravagance, but by the quality of the life a space allows you to experience. As such, I have dived straight into Features (p. 116) with a piece on the importance of good foundational layers and walk you through some of my favourite projects before taking a look at Casa Decor, in Spain, where experimentation and craftsmanship continue to redefine contemporary design. In the Profile section (p.87), I take you through my good friends Pat Rafter and Lara Rafter’s home in Byron Bay where luxury is very much about barefoot living — and roller-skating inside is a must. The irrepressible Ruby Shields also comes under our gaze, and we pay our respects to the radical eclecticism of Patrizia Castorina and Ugo Cocchis. The On Location projects (p.136) are incredible, with some very exciting and exacting work taking shape in my local area from HGA and Kathy McKinnon. In Victoria, Studio Stamp is exploding with colour and joy in the city, while Simone Haag and Studio Manifold are doing sublime work in the country. Three of the biggest names in design and architecture, Mim Design, Greg Natale, and Studio Prineas, show exactly why their brands are revered, with absolutely incredible projects. Then we have a knockout project from New Zealand superstar Warren and Mahoney’s own Hayley Fisher. Lightbox has been a joy to curate all of my favourite suppliers, makers, artists, and creatives (p. 21). A true highlight of this edition is the Winnings × Habitus House of the Year, where the entire shortlisted collection of projects is celebrated (p.61). Together, they speak to the remarkable depth of design talent across our region and the enduring power of thoughtful architecture. Whatever luxury means to you, I hope these pages encourage you to slow down, find inspiration, and embrace a life lived with intention, comfort, and a sense of ease. JASE SULLIVAN GUEST EDITOR
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Welcome home
V-ZUG Studio, Melbourne R7, 459 Church Street Richmond 3121 vzug.com
Habitus takes the conversation to our contributors, discovering their inspiration and design hunter® journeys
JASE SULLIVAN
GILLIAN SERISIER
DAVID CLARK
MARTINA GREMMOLA
Internationally acclaimed as a designer, Jase is celebrated for his innovative approach to interiors that blends contemporary and vintage with astounding clarity. Renowned for his mastery of colour, texture, and form, Jase’s work balances striking aesthetics with effortless functionality, creating spaces that are visually compelling and deeply liveable. In 2025, Jase was honoured with the number one spot for Best House by Elle Decoration UK, further cementing his reputation as a leader in contemporary design. His practice spans interior transformations, custom cabinetry, and bespoke furniture design, with each project thoughtfully tailored to reflect the individuality and lifestyle of his clients. Every space is meticulously crafted with exceptional attention to detail, delivering results that feel both personal and enduring.
In her role as Editor of Habitus Magazine, Gillian brings a twentyyear oeuvre of design writing to the publication. Focusing on architecture, design, art, and interior design, her breadth of knowledge is expansive and generous, with all genres and styles regarded for their own merit. For the highly collectable series, Gillian is working with the best designers in the Indo-Pacific region to create content that is engaged and varied. Moreover, by creating each issue through the lens of her Guest Editor, their unique personality is allowed to shape each issue of Habitus. The result is always surprising.
David has worked in the interior design industry for more than 30 years as a curator, consultant, creative director, and editor. His publishing career began as design editor for Belle Magazine, and as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Living Australia (2003–2012), he elevated Australian designers globally. He was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame and made an Honouree of the Australian Design Centre. He is an advocate for the continuing elevation of an Australian design ecosystem and good design everywhere. Portrait photography, Jenni Hare.
One of the most extraordinary photographers in the design world, Martina’s Naarm / Melbourne practice sees her working with designers of all disciplines. Her images are known for their warmth and mood as she captures her surroundings with sensitivity and balance. Led by light and form, she is constantly inspired by the spaces she works in, and the warm relationship she forms with her clients and collaborators.
RUBY RUBY # 96
FINCA TALLUCA # 146
RUBY RUBY # 96
AUSTRALIAN LUXURY # 88
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DAVID OLIVER
ALEESHA CALLAHAN
JAN HENDERSON
SARAH HETHERINGTON
Lauded as an interdisciplinary creative practitioner, David has an accomplished career across architectural photography, simulation, publishing, interiors, and performance. As the founder and creative director of Paint & Paper Library, his work across architectural colour, surface pattern, and interior design has led to books on colour for Rizzoli and Octopus Publishing. He has also been a contributing editor and photographer for leading design titles. “What I enjoy most about interior design is the process of transformation — how positioning, inclusion, and reconstruction stimulates transformation. The joy of architecture lies in its uncontrollable reflexes — building something physical that emerges, resists, and recalibrates as homes evolve.”
One of the most inspiring and thoughtful writers in the realm of architecture and design, Aleesha has written and commentated on every aspect of the creative world shaping our lives for the past ten years. As the previous Editor of Habitus, she introduced Australia to a plethora of architects, interior designers, artist, artisans and the shifts in thinking behind these talented makers. Having first trained and practised as an interior designer, her passion for mid-century design and architecture began while living and working in Berlin. She continues to enrich our world as a contributing writer, with her extraordinary ability for getting to the heart of the issue always impressing.
One of the best writers in the industry, Jan is currently an Editor and Program Director of the INDE. Awards at Indesign Media Asia Pacific. Her previous roles have included Acting Editor of Indesign magazine, Associate Publisher at Architecture Media, Editor and Co-Editor of inside magazine and Interiors Editor of ArchiTel.TV. As Principal of Henderson Media Consultants, she contributes to various architecture and design magazines, is a regular speaker at events, and has participated as a juror for many industry awards. Jan is passionate about design and through her different roles supports and contributes to design in Australia.
Sarah is always on point as an art, architecture, and design writer. A member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA), Sarah has most recently embarked on a career as an art advisor following her role as Director, Galleries at Sydney Contemporary. With over two decades’ experience working in the art world, Sarah has previously held positions at the Biennale of Sydney, Liverpool Street Gallery, and Ivan Dougherty Gallery, UNSW. Sarah was a Board Director of Art Month Sydney during its inaugural year, and for many years has been an Asia Pacific correspondent in the architecture and design media.
CASTORINA #104
GRUYERE FARM # 186
LEESTHORPE MOSMAN # 170
YOSEKI # 194
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CHAIRMAN Raj Nandan raj@indesign.com.au GUEST EDITOR Jase Sullivan gillian@indesign.com.au EDITOR Gillian Serisier gillian@indesign.com.au DIGITAL EDITOR Timothy Alouani-Roby timothy@indesign.com.au ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR Dakota Bennett dakota@indesign.com.au SUB EDITOR Rachel Fieldhouse CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sylvia Weimer sylvia@spacelabdesign.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Timothy Alouani-Roby, Dakota Bennett, David Clark, Aleesha Callahan, Allan FraserRush, Jan Henderson, Sarah Hetherington, Fel Lukins, Gillian Serisier, Jase Sullivan, Joy Weideman. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ ARTISTS Photographers: Jessie Ann, Ganidu Balasuriya, Brock Beazley, Brett Boardman, Sharyn Cairns, Zella Casey Brown, David Chatfield, Talib Chitalwala, Lisa Cohen, Maxime Delvaux, Ritchie Jo Espenilla, Andrea Ferrari, Tom Ferguson, Felix Forest, Martina Gemmola, Gavin Green, Armelle Habib, Ian Hutchinson, Timothy Kaye, Michael Lean, Katherine Lu, David Oliver, Traianos Pakioufakis, Vinay Panjwani, Victoria Pearson, Anson Smart, Mark Smith, Syam Sreesylam, Peter Tanevski, Alicia Taylor, Barton Taylor, Jason Varney, Pablo Veiga, Clinton Weaver. Artists: Richard Adams, Hunter Amos, Hannah Barclay, Rhett Baruch, Georgia Bisley, Daniel Boddam, Linda Bowden, Kelly Brown, Tim Christie, Yvette Coppersmith,
Sue Currie, Ara Dolatian, Scott Elk, Ali Enache, Dale Frank, Tom Fereday, Kate Florence, Jordan Gogos, Kanchana Gupta, Deborah Halpern, Bill Henson, Emma Itzstein, Ildiko Kovacs, Tamsin Johnson, Virginia Leonard, Alfred Lowe, Linde Ivimey, Dante Marioni, Jonny Niesche, Colin Pennock, Patricia Piccinini, Elliott Routledge, Ebony Russell, Kansas Smeaton, Fredrikson Stallard, Morgan Stokes, Elena Strohfeldt, Charlotte Swiden, Grahame Sydney, Martyn Thompson, Karlien van Rooyen, Julian van Vlasselaer, William Versace, Joshua Yeldham, Peggy Zephyr. CEO Kavita Lala kavita@indesign.com.au SENIOR BRAND MANAGER Brunetta Stocco brunetta@indesign.com.au PARTNERSHIPS AND MEDIA MANAGER Katie Staver katie@indesign.com.au GROUP OPERATIONS MANAGER Sheree Bryant sheree@indesign.com.au HEAD OF PRODUCTION Anna Carmody anna@indesign.com.au PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Paul Ayoub print@indesign.com.au FINANCE MANAGER Vivia Felice vivia@indesign.com.au MARKETING EXECUTIVE Nicola Nolan nicola@indesign.com.au EVENT MANAGER Roisin Fagan roisin@indesign.com.au PRODUCT MANAGER Radu Enache radu@indesign.com.au
COVER IMAGE Casa Decor project Dos Latitudes by Studio Tarq featuring the bespoke Mesa Choco table by Alta Estudio. Photo, Jordo Casosa. Story, page 126.
HEAD OFFICE 98 Holdsworth Street, Woollahra NSW 2025 (61 2) 9368 0150 | (61 2) 9368 0289 (fax) www.habitusliving.com
Printed in Singapore. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions or any consequences of reliance on this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, the publisher or the publication. Contributions are submitted at the sender’s risk, and Indesign Media Asia Pacific cannot accept any loss or damage. Please retain duplicates of text and images. Habitus magazine is a wholly owned Australian publication, which is designed and published in Australia. Habitus is published quarterly and is available through subscription, at major newsagencies and bookshops throughout Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia and the United States of America. This issue of Habitus magazine may contain offers or surveys which may require you to provide information about yourself. If you provide such information to us we may use the information to provide you with products or services we have. We may also provide this information to parties who provide the products or services on our behalf (such as fulfilment organisations). We do not sell your information to third parties under any circumstances, however, these parties may retain the information we provide for future activities of their own, including direct marketing. We may retain your information and use it to inform you of other promotions and publications from time to time. If you would like to know what information Indesign Media Asia Pacific holds about you please contact Nilesh Nandan (61 2) 9368 0150, (61 2) 9368 0289 (fax), info@ indesign.com.au. Habitus magazine is published under licence by Indesign Media Asia Pacifi . ISSN 1836-0556
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lightbox #21
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habitusliving.com
Crafted The hand crafted and unique qualities of pieces collected over a lifetime or those defining pieces hand-picked for a bespoke project.
Instinctive and balanced, the work of artist and ceramicist NATALIE PAGE (NPage Studio) ranges from hand-built forms to cast work and commissioned pieces. This variety of methods makes the studio vital and adaptable to Natalie’s process for design, which is driven by her curiosity and the excitement of creating and playing in the studio. nataliepage.com
Based on Arakwal Country / Byron Bay, THE DUSTY ROAD, founded by Paige Miller, specialises in bespoke, handcrafted furniture and custom upholstery. Highly regarded for high-quality, sustainable, and eclectic pieces, The Dusty Road has collaborated with many of the best in the industry including Guest Editor Jase Sullivan and Guest Editor of Habitus # 65 Yasmine Ghoniem. Image, Lo Scoglio, by Charlie and Angelica Arnott. Photo, Alicia Taylor. thedustyroad.com.au
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lightbox
# 23
As one of Smeg’s newest releases, ISOLA signals a forward-looking shift in how kitchen appliances are imagined and experienced. SIGNATURE APPLIANCES is proud to be the first showroom in Australia to have Isola on display, offering an exclusive first look at this striking new collection which includes the pared-back simplicity of Flat, the raised, dimensional silhouette of Alta, and the intelligent integration of Alta Pro’s motorised downdraft system. signatureappliances.com.au
Combining rigorous horticultural knowledge, exacting creative vision, and an unwavering passion and commitment, MYLES BALDWIN is one of the country’s most sought-after landscape designers. He is also charming beyond words. Image, Pool House by Powell & Glenn, Landscape Construction by SCR Landscapes, Garden Maintenance by Leaf by Leaf. Photo, Lisa Cohen. mylesbaldwin.com
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