Inspiring Spaces for Children
Issue 13
Be Bold The Free Movement Revolution Our Boldest Room Reveals Ever Rachel Castle on when the Kids Leave Home
Editor’s Letter
Editor’s Favourites
GO ON, CELEBRATE YOUR OWN STYLE.
Convertible Nappy Bag by Arch Bags $132 www.archbags.com Practical, flexible and so stylish. This awesome bag can easily switch between a tote and a backpack, has plenty of pockets to keep things organised and includes a gorgeous matching change mat. This is a nappy bag that ticks all the boxes for me!
I’m currently growing out my grey hair. I started going grey in my mid-twenties and I will be forty this year. That’s fifteen years of dying my hair. Fifteen years of covering up my true self to fit in. Enough is enough right? Time to let those greys shine! I absolutely adore this issue of Minty for the same reason. It was planned with a clear intention - to celebrate bold decisions and designs that have come from the heart. Trends can step aside, in this edition of Minty, we are here to applaud finding confidence in your own style.
Flare Overall by EmCo+PoRo Linen $129.90 www.emcoporolinenkids.com.au Slow fashion for kids. A big yes to that! Everything at EmCo + PoRo is made in Australia and designed to be handed down for generation to come. We love the retro vibes and the soft organic corduroy. Simply timeless.
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I am particularly excited to share Lee Grinham’s story. Fed up with sleepless nights, she ditched the cot and embraced bedsharing with serious style. Personally, I hope sharing this space opens the flood gates and starts to normalise this everyday practice for so many carers. When we talk bold, how can we go past our cover image. Tanya Harrison has taken her daughter’s love for animals to the next level with this Amazonian room, creating a powerful visual backdrop for the space. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Romi Weinberg’s unwavering commitment to a white aesthetic (even in kids’ rooms!) is born from creating a calm environment for her family. And we also showcase Louella Boîtel-Gill’s home that delivers an eclectic mix of the old and the new to craft a warm and inviting home, an approach she takes with all her clients.
Rainbow Wool Knit Blanket by Goldie and Ace $149.95 www.goldieandace.com 100% wool and so cosy! The signature Goldie + Ace cool, whimsical vibe shines with the rainbow design. Do we really have to share it with the baby…?
Flower Power Upsy by The Upsy Store $130 www.theupsystore.com.au A little boost with serious style. The Upsy Store have revolutionised the booster seat with their innovative design. Each Upsy is splash-proof, wipes-clean, lightweight, portable and totally adorable. Flower Power is my pick of the bunch!
There is no denying the common thread across the selection of vastly different spaces featured in this edition… they are designed with a purpose that comes from within. A desire to take charge of the aesthetic. And perhaps, like my grey hair, by being inspired by their own natural preferences, these homes allow the owners a chance to relax into their own style. For me, this is everything. So that’s it, I’m calling it, the biggest trend for 2019 is… drumroll please… no trends! Go with what you and your family love and you can’t go wrong.
Baby Flower by Rachel Castle $200 www.castleandthings.com.au Hand screen printed acrylic (250mm x 280mm) on 300gsm Montvaal paper, this limitededition print is a classic. Perfect as a stand-alone feature or as part of a gallery wall, this Rachel Castle piece is sparking all the joy for me!
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ISSUE 13 B E B O LD
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Boori 25 years of combining classic heritage with contemporary trends
Colour me Happy Amelia McFarlane is bringing the bold into our wardrobes
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Out with the old and in with the BOLD Must haves to brighten your interiors
Call of the Wild Annabelle’s jungle room
P56 P26 The Free Movement Revolution Confidence through scaffold exploration
The Other Side of the Precipice Rachel Castle on what really happens when the kids leave home
P34 Getting (Sm)art Delving into the arts with children at home
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At Home with The Johnson’s The beach loving, soul singing powerhouse family behind Blacklist Studio
At Home with Lee Grinham Sharing some sleep truths with serious style
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Step It Up Elevating Interiors with Arent & Pyke
White Magic Two stunning rooms by Romi Weinberg
P90 P72 Beechley Baby Awards We reveal the winners of this prestigious award
Bunking Down We tour the kids rooms at Louella Boîtel-Gill’s latest project
P100 Dream Recipe A room collaboration with a nostalgic twist
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M I N T Y PA RT N E RS H I P
Boori COMBINING CLASSIC HERITAGE WITH CONTEMPORARY TRENDS
ST YLING MADELIN E MCFARL AN E PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANCOISE BAU DET WORDS JACQU I G REIG
Every step of the Boori design journey is inspired by nature.
BOORI IS ARGUABLY AUSTRALIA’S BEST KNOWN NURSERY BRAND. Synonymous with timeless, classic design.
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“Our furniture is designed to support families as they grow, which is why we offer a range of products with unique technologies that prevent the need to buy additional furniture at every stage of a child’s development,” explains Marketing Manager Rebecca Ebdon-Taylor. “Our Expandable™ cot beds can transform into a full sized single bed using the easy-store conversion kit included and our Convertible Plus™ cot beds are able to convert into both a double bed and cosy sofa!” Every step of the Boori design journey is inspired by nature – combining the beauty of classic heritage with contemporary trends to create timeless pieces. “When buying furniture, especially for children, parents are placing their trust in the manufacturer. Australian products are subject to strict quality and safety standards so parents have peace of mind that our
furniture is not only solid and sturdy but will keep their child safe,” says Rebecca. Along with their signature quality, Boori is justifiably proud to be the first nursery brand to receive Greenguard gold certification – meaning their products do not emit any nasty chemicals and therefore do not contribute to the air pollution in their customers’ homes. Boori has its own purpose-built manufacturing factory based in Shanghai, which is overseen by Justin. Here, they have been able to refine the manufacturing process to ensure every product is the best it can be – using machinery that’s specifically designed to optimise the use of raw timbers, with their skilled craftsmen shaping and sanding each individual component that makes up the final piece of furniture. This has been a key factor in the global growth of the brand, as has the current focus on environmental sustainability. Consumers are increasingly aware of their impact on our planet and actively seeking products that are sustainably manufactured and built to last. “Nature is very much the centre of Australian Heritage so with more people increasing their efforts to protect our natural world, Australian products with Australian heritage are becoming more and more popular internationally.”
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aving started as an independent nursery store in 1993, and with its roots firmly in Australia – the name Boori is derived from the Wiradjuri word ‘boorie’, meaning boy/child – Boori is now a global brand achieving international success. It was while searching for furniture for his own children that Boori founder, Justin Chui, realised there was a lack of solid, coordinating nursery furniture. He also discovered there was a lack of children’s furniture that could truly grow with your family, withstanding the bumps and knocks of family life.
2019 Insta inspiration @bigwildimagination @_artventure @artpantry
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ave you ever considered bringing more art experiences into your home for your children to engage with but don’t know where to start? Do you think you need particular skills or experience to plan art experiences for children? Or perhaps you’ve been worried about the materials or space required for such undertakings? Wonder no more! Be prepared to get smart about the benefits of art for your children (and yourself) and be assured you don’t need a fine arts degree to bring artistic experiences into your home. What’s the difference between art and craft, and does it matter? “Art means something to you. Art is a power that can create lots of stuff. Art is everything… Art can have questions; it can have love in it; it can have superpowers. Art can have superpowers. Art can give an experience, a wonder, a no or a yes.” (Liv, 7 years old, 2018, p. 182) The definition of arts and crafts is quite a contested subject with a complex debate that has continued for centuries! Interestingly, ‘crafts’ have oftentimes been categorized based on elitist beliefs about what constitutes more basic endeavors compared to those considered to be fine arts. However, many ‘crafts’ can be artistic, creative endeavors as well. For instance, artistic endeavors can include painting and drawing, weaving and crocheting, sculpting and carving, collage and mosaic, and of course the many performing arts such as drama, dance and music. In addition, artistic endeavors are likely to be: creative, imaginative, open-ended, process-oriented, flexible, subjective, and meaningful. P 37
What are the benefits of children engaging in art-making? “Living in this space of art and creative practice as an expression of lives lived now and all that brought them to this moment, changes lives, society and history” (Nicole Monks, 2018, p.97). Art can be a powerful way to convey a message or idea, process internal feelings or emotions, communicate with an audience, and explore deeper parts of our psyche. Art making can therefore be a powerful learning process for children and adults in therapeutic and experiential ways. In addition, art is potentially connected to all other learning disciplines, such as language and literacy, mathematics, science, design, technology, and history to name just a few. For instance, you need mathematics to work out how to draw perspective in a landscape; and you need to understand symbolism and language to use these in design. There are endless ways art experiences will connect with all areas of life and learning.
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ST YLING MADELIN E MCFARL AN E PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS K ATH RYN BOWN @ LIFELONGLEARNINGFAMILY
DELVING INTO THE ARTS WITH CHILDREN AT HOME
What are the basics and how do you begin? There is no one way you should begin or one set of art supplies you specifically need. The most ‘successful’ experience you can plan for your child is based on something they are already curious about. For instance, if your child is interested in gem stones and crystals, you might begin by sourcing some water colour paints, brushes, water colour paper and some crystals displayed on a tray. If your child recently asked you why the sky is blue, you might buy or print a colour spectrum wheel, source a crystal that can refract light in a window, along with some washable acrylic paints and large paper. I’ve sourced some art supplies and have a sense of where to begin, what next? If you can, sit alongside or even better, participate with your child in their art making/performing. Use conversation to explore further and deeper. Delve into their interests by listening to their ideas and observing how they create art. The process can be just as important as the product. Make a note of questions asked or ideas shared that can then form the basis of the next step for your art making/performing, whether it’s the next day or next week. SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLANNING AND ENGAGING IN ART-MAKING WITH CHILDREN
MOROCCAN TRELLIS RUG $1,208 WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU // NOFRED MOUSE TABLE SCHOOL (6-10 YEARS) LACQUERED OAK $459 WWW.MYLITTLEGIGGLES.COM // NOFRED MOUSE CHAIR SCHOOL (6-10 YEARS) LACQUERED OAK $429 WWW.MYLITTLEGIGGLES.COM.AU // MIRA VACOV WOODEN SITTING MOUSE BENTLEY $22 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // CARVED VASE STRAIGHT NATURAL $32 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // TERRAZZO POT – SNOW $65 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // CARVED VASE ROUNDED – CONFETTI $32 WWW.ZAKKIA.COM.AU // ROSY CHEEKS BY MICHELLE ELSKI PASTEL INK AND PENCIL ON FRENCH COTTON PAPER $500 UNFRAMED WWW.LUUMODESIGN.COM // BLOOMINGVILLE BUNNY FACE PLATE $35 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // LITTLE HARLEQUIN PAINTING GOUACHE AND ACRYLIC ON 300GSM CANVAS $1400 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU // BY AND BY ACRYLIC ON WOOD $800 WWW.MARNIEROSSARTIST.COM // BLUSH PRETZEL HAND SCREEN PRINTED ACRYLIC ON 300GSM MONTVAAL PAPER $200 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU //UNTITLED LUCY ANDERSON OIL ON WOOD $1100 WWW.MCMHOUSE.COM // NOW ACRYLIC ON WOOD $360 WWW.MARNIEROSSARTIST.COM //BLOOMINGVILLE AUDREY PLATE $19 WWW.KIDOSTORE.COM // UNTITLED LUCY ANDERSON OIL ON WOOD $1100 WWW.MCMHOUSE.COM // LITTLE WHITE GARDEN GOUACHE, ACRYLIC AND WATERCOLOUR ON 300GSM CANVAS $1200 WWW.CASTLEANDTHINGS.COM.AU
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SPACE Think about dedicating a corner, room or outdoor space to your child’s artistic endeavors. Or perhaps use a caddy on wheels to take advantage of different spaces such as a table, a rug, an easel or sitting under a tree. Consider having a travel art bag that you can bring to the park or beach to take advantages of destinations that inspire creativity, majesty and awe. STORAGE Think about how to store and present art materials in enticing ways. Make practical decisions to ensure you are able to set up and clean up efficiently. QUALITY Unsurprisingly, consider quality art supplies over quantity, from ethical and sustainable art suppliers. Model to your children commitment to caring for equipment and they will last for years.
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INSPIRATION If you’re finding it difficult to work out where to start, outsource your springboard to an online tutorial. There are many artists offering up their expertise and ideas in the way of YouTube tutorials as well as other paid subscriptions. You might also find inspiration in Instagram accounts dedicated to fostering art with children. DISPLAY Sometimes its also prudent to value and appreciate the product. Displaying your children’s art works respectfully and thoughtfully will go a long way to encourage and support your children’s engagement in the arts. Some possibilities include: framing and hanging; storing in purpose bought portfolios; displaying on a shelf; taking photographs of works or performances and keeping them in albums; and taking videos to reflect on and remember.
Liv and Bown, K. (2018) An interview about art, activism and unschooling. In R. R. Scarlet (Ed.). Becoming with art in early childhood. MultiVerse: Sydney. Monks, N. & Scarlet, R. R. (2018) Bling flag – what do we do with what art does? In R. R. Scarlet (Ed.). Becoming with art in early childhood. MultiVerse: Sydney.
Colour me happy Amelia McFarlane is bringing the bold back into our wardrobes
ST YLING AM ELIA MCFARL AN E HAIR & MAKEU P M ELISSA RICCIO PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS K ATE R ABBITT
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melia McFarlane is passionate about connecting with women and strongly believes in the impact that colour can have on us all. Following her personal experience losing her self-confidence when becoming a mum, Colour Me In Styling was born. Amelia studied a BA in Communications and a Certificate in Colour Theory at the International School of Colour and Design and worked successfully as a commercial stylist doing print ads, fashion shoots and celebrity red carpets. Understanding the power of colour and the way it can affect emotions, mood and energy, she soon realised that her passion for dressing women and helping them rediscover their personal style could become a business.
a very negative view of their body because of changes after having children. For example, having a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit you can have a massive impact on your self-esteem. "Imagine if every time you got dressed you were faced with a wardrobe of things you couldn't wear? Being reminded every day about all the things that don't fit you is not a great way to start the day." For this reason, a big focus of Amelia's work is helping clients to understand how to work with the body they have and to focus on the positives!
"I've always loved connecting with women. I have a real interest in human psychology which led me to do further research into colour theory. I also love working with women to help them reconnect with their bodies and to shift their thinking."
First up, Amelia works with her clients to establish what they are naturally drawn to. At first, the goal is to find that part of their personality that is lost and help them express their creative edge.
Amelia's experience has highlighted how women can get stuck in a rut with their clothing choices, leaving them feeling flat and uninspired. In particular, mums can get caught in
"By emphasising the parts of their body that they love, I see a huge shift in confidence and overall perspective."
"My main aim is to enhance a client's natural sense of style so that ultimately they feel like a more vibrant and confident version of themselves."
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"I love working with women to help them reconnect with their bodies and to shift their thinking."
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Call of
DESIGN PERI MOON EY PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS CELIN E BARN ES
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n Annabelle’s room, the wild has most definitely come a visiting! The Kingdom Home Designs Botanical Wallpaper features a riot of plants and animals arranged in vivid glory. From a trumpeting elephant to a prowling leopard (a customisation especially for Annabelle), the animals circle the room calling out for others to join them in their escapades. Tanya, Annabelle’s Mum, confirms “Annabelle has a huge love of animals, especially leopards, so that is why we created an Amazon room. When Annabelle first saw it her huge smile just lit up the room.” Tanya runs Raja Homewares which was born out of her passion for interiors and a love for creating adventurous rooms. “Raja’s aim is to give every little King and Queen a space that becomes a part of treasured childhood memories,” she states. Tanya called on her friend and stylist Peri Mooney to style Raja’s launch campaign shoot. “I love her style and trust her judgement implicitly so I wouldn’t have anyone else! An interior designer helps to bring the vision together and was well worth it for us,” she says.
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"The essential requirements for the room were to provide a restful haven for Annabelle at the end of each day, whilst still being a fun place for her to play!"
Tanya confirms, “The essential requirements for the room were to provide a restful haven for Annabelle at the end of each day, whilst still being a fun place for her to play and, to provide plenty of storage space for large toy and book collections.” In Annabelle’s room, the Raja Homewares rattan pieces like the Dreamland Petite Daybed and Mini Malawi Chair give the room a worldly feel creating today’s fantasy kingdom, while also allowing for an easy transition into Annabelle’s early teen years. Raja Homeware’s focus on high quality, handcrafted pieces – that can stand alone or complement other furniture – are the perfect choice for longer-term relevance. With the Amazon as their inspiration, Tanya and Peri mixed deep greens of the forest with interesting pops of colour from peacocks to papaya fruit. Keeping other elements neutral like the Raja Homewares rattan pieces and the sisal rug from IKEA, ensures the wallpaper remains the main event. The use of the Cultivar Goods Blush Bed Linen and soft accessories balance out the vibrancy of the other elements of the room. Tanya’s favourite piece is the rattan Eden Bed coupled with the gold canopy from Numero 74 Designs. Tanya describes a typical night as one where Annabelle pulls the canopy around her tightly like she's camping out and snuggles up cosily under her covers.
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"We wanted a room Marlo would grow into, a room that felt accessible to her from the start."
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Do you follow any particular parenting philosophies that you would like to share? I had many ideas about how I would parent before I had Marlo (as most of us do) and it has been more than 16 years since Chris was a father of babies, so we quickly found many of our perspectives changed around caregiving once she was born. I would say we are a mixture of quite a few different philosophies however we heavily lean towards respectful, gentle and attachment parenting. For example, Marlo hated the pram from day one so I wore her most of the time when we were out and she would just instantly fall sleep (I’m sure if she could remember she would think we never went out as she was always asleep out of the house). We also incorporate Montessori and some RIE (Resources of Infant Educarers) into our parenting, the basis of which is to trust children to be the initiators, explorers, and self-learners. We don’t like to adhere to one method as there can often be conflicting messages and sometimes there is no space for flexibility and so we just do what feels right for Marlo. What was the brief for this room? We had set up the room prior to Marlo being born but after a couple of months of her being here it just felt totally wrong for her. We had a cot and a ‘nursing‘ chair – all the things I’d read we would need. But, as she grew, we just didn’t parent that way and so we had to make the room fit us, and fit her. We were conscious that we wanted a calm and accessible environment not one filled with toys, and we are lucky enough to have the space to create a separate playroom for her. What was your inspiration? We were definitely influenced by the Montessori idea that all things should be accessible to your child, that they have the freedom to move around their own space and have access to their belongings, and for there to be no sleeping restraints, such as a cot.
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White Magic – BO'S AND TATUM'S ROOMS
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Romi Weinberg is passionate about styling and has been living and breathing style for almost ten years now. Known for her preference for a white aesthetic, she confirms, “White is not negotiable. I’ve never lived in colour and can’t imagine anything else. It helps me feel calm and relaxed.” “It was very important to me that the girls’ rooms spoke to the rest of the house to ensure fluidity,” explains Romi. The bedrooms Romi has created for her two daughters Bo and Tatum stay true to the muted mantra with the walls painted in Dulux USA Antique White (quarter strength), white timber floorboards and white timber shutters. Dirty pinks, silver or gold and a touch of fluoro give their rooms a quirky edge and each space its own story. “I wanted both of their rooms to be feminine and ethereal but different at the same time,” says Romi. While many may blanch at the thought of keeping white looking good and displaying special pieces with young children around, Romi is proof it can happen. “I’ve always had bits and pieces which I’ve collected through my travels. Even when the girls were toddlers, grabbing everything in sight, I never put anything away. They’ve learnt not to touch and to respect the space very early on,” she recalls.
ST YLING ROMI WEIN BERG PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET WORDS CELIN E BARN ES
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PHOTOGRAPHY FR ANÇOISE BAU DET ROOM DESIGN & ST YLING LOU ELL A BOÎTEL- GILL WORDS NICOLE R AY
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Housing five children is never an easy task, but a task Louella Boîtel-Gill took in her stride when it came to this stunning home nestled on the shores of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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ousing five children is never an easy task, but a task Louella Boîtel-Gill took in her stride when it came to this stunning home nestled on the shores of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
UNICORN HEAD FROM FRECKLES AVALON // MIFFY NIGHTLIGHT FROM FRECKLES AVALON // BLACK DINOSAUR BOOKENDS FROM FRECKLES AVALON // ANGLE WINGS BOOKENDS FROM FRECKLES AVALON // BEDLINEN FROM SOCIETY OF WANDERERS // RUG BY KOSKELA // JIELDÉ DESK LAMP FROM EUROLUCE // WATERMELON BEDSIDE LIGHT FROM FRECKLES AVALON
An interior designer based in Sydney and Byron Bay, Louella focuses on the minutiae of everyday life to create spaces that feel better and work more efficiently for her clients. Louella explains, ‘There is no point just making it look pretty. It’s got to be something that the whole family can live with. Things like surfaces, you’ve got to be able to put hot cups of tea on them and not worry about the stain. The patina that you develop over all of your furniture, tells a story. The mix of old and new tells a story. It’s these things that make your home, your home’.
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For Louella, this was a project that started out small - a revamp to the kids’ rooms as the bunks they had bought weren’t quite doing the trick. From there, it grew into a bigger project including a facelift to the kitchen, powder room and master bedroom, plus the creation of the mudroom and study. Louella, who has a very hands-on approach to her work, soon became a regular fixture at the home, as she transformed it into a warm and welcoming abode. For the kids, Louella created three spaces. A shared room for boys aged twelve and eleven. A shared room for boy/girl twins aged nine. And a teen retreat for a sixteen year old boy.
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DREAM RECIPE WORDS CELIN E BARN ES DESIGNER JACIN DA MALLOY, HIDE & SLEEP INTERIORS PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX AN DRENA PARKER
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