A MARKET OF DECISIVE MOVES
Now that we are properly into the year, the market feels more decisive. Upsizers are out in force, particularly families looking for space, multiple living zones, and proximity to schools, while downsizers are equally active, seeking low-maintenance living, high-quality finishes, and walkable convenience. That two-way flow is helping maintain consistent buyer activity across a wide range of price points and property types.
What is most noticeable right now is how informed buyers are. They are tracking comparable sales closely, inspecting with a sharper filter, and moving quickly when a property feels like the right fit and the price guidance is aligned with the market. The recent rate rise has not derailed sentiment, but it has reinforced a value-first mindset. When those fundamentals are in place, interest converts quickly and strong results follow. For sellers, the take-out is simple. Presentation and pricing are still the levers that drive urgency, and the strongest campaigns are those that remove doubts early, with clear guidance, strong marketing, and a home that feels ready from the first inspection.
If you’re considering a move in 2026, now is a smart time to get clarity on your property’s value, buyer demand in your suburb, and the best pathway to market. Reach out to your local Marshall White team for an appraisal and a tailored strategy for your next step. ■
By John Bongiorno
MARION
CRISPY WHITEBAIT SANDWICH
INCONVERSATIONWITH
INHALE, EXHALE: THE BREATH HAUS
COMMUNITY DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER AT THE NGV
PROJECTS WHITE & WESTON
curated coastal
2 GLENEAGLES AVENUE
MORNINGTON
Setting a new benchmark in contemporary coastal luxury, this brandnew four-bedroom residence by Little Brick Studio delivers elevated family living with resort-style flair. Positioned on a landmark Esplanade corner, the home pairs architectural presence with panoramic Bay views stretching from Arthurs Seat to the Heads.
Introduced by an oversized pivot door, the ground floor unfolds to expansive living and entertaining spaces anchored by a sculptural curved staircase and shimmering pool outlooks through floor-toceiling glass. European oak floors, bespoke timber joinery and Taj Mahal stone create a refined, cohesive palette.
“Defined
by modern architectural design and resort-style amenities, this brand-new home offers bay views and a superb coastal lifestyle just moments from the water.”
CHELSEY GIBSON
MARSHALL WHITE DIRECTOR, AUCTIONEER
Upstairs, a lift-connected open-plan domain captures coastal vistas, centred around a statement Taj Mahal island and premium Miele appliances, complemented by a butler’s pantry with twin Vintec fridges. The rooftop terrace elevates entertaining with breathtaking sunsets.
A luxurious primary suite offers a dressing room and opulent ensuite, while three additional bedrooms, multiple living zones and a gasheated pool complete this exceptional beachside sanctuary moments from cafés, village shops and coastal trails. ■
This season, Marion borrows a favourite from their neighbours at Cutler with the much-loved whitebait sandwich. Nestled between pillowy slices of bread, crisp whitebait meets a tangy pepper mayonnaise in perfect harmony. Designed for sharing, it’s an effortless choice for long lunches and relaxed gatherings with friends.
Crispy Whitebait Sandwich from Marion
@marionwinebar marionwine.com.au
INGREDIENTS
Whitebait
100g New Zealand whitebait (see note below)
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 litre vegetable oil
Salt, to taste
Sandwich
10 slices soft white sandwich bread
20g salted butter, softened
Green chilli mayonnaise
100g quality mayonnaise or aioli
1½ tablespoons fermented green chilli sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tempura batter
75g plain flour
75g self-raising flour
60g cornflour
200ml cold sparkling water
Note: It is important to use New Zealand whitebait. Australian silverfish is often labelled as whitebait but is not of the same quality.
METHOD
1. To make the green chilli mayonnaise, combine the mayonnaise and chilli sauce in a small bowl. Season to taste, adding a squeeze of lemon juice if needed to balance acidity. Set aside.
2. Just before cooking, prepare the tempura batter. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and lump-free.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of bread browns quickly.
4. Mix 20g of whitebait with 1½ tablespoons of tempura batter and a pinch of parsley. Gently lower into the hot oil and fry until crisp and golden, turning halfway through. The whitebait should cluster together, forming a fritter. Drain on paper towel. Repeat to make five fritters.
5. Using a fluted biscuit cutter, cut 10 rounds from the bread. Arrange on a board, butter each round and add a small dollop of green chilli mayonnaise.
6. Place a whitebait fritter on top, season lightly with salt, then sandwich with the remaining bread rounds.
7. Repeat with the remaining fritters and serve immediately.
Photography Credit - Magenta Burgin
INHALE, EXHALE: THE BREATH HAUS
We sat down with the team behind The Breath Haus to explore their mission of connection, community, and accessible breathwork.
What first inspired the idea for The Breath Haus, and how did the journey from vision to reality unfold?
The Breath Haus was born from a simple truth: people are hungry for connection — to themselves, to each other, to something deeper. Breathwork gave us that doorway, but we realised there wasn’t anywhere that made it feel fun, modern, and relatable. We wanted to create more than a studio — we wanted a community hub where people could show up exactly as they are, breathe together, and leave feeling lighter, more alive, and more connected. The journey from vision to reality was full of trust and leaps of faith, but seeing people walk in and find both themselves and each other has made it worth every step. The Breath Haus isn’t just about breathwork. It’s about belonging.
For someone walking in for the first time, how would you describe the sensory experience of The Breath Haus?
The Breath Haus has been designed to take your breath away and make you feel safe before you even lie down on the mat. From grounding scents and groovy music to the warmth of the energy in the room, every detail is intended to soften you the moment you arrive.
Beyond the practice itself, what do you hope guests take away from their time here?
Beyond the practice, we hope they leave with a sense of curiosity — curiosity about what they can discover when they give themselves space to breathe and reconnect. There is a breathwork technique for every situation, and our hope is that people leave The Breath Haus with a taste of that — knowing that they can shift how they feel, at any moment, simply by coming back to their breath. It’s not just about what happens on the mat, but about carrying that awareness into daily life.
Many people are new to breathwork. What advice would you give someone curious about starting?
Follow that curiosity and let go of expectations. You don’t need to “do it right” — your only job is to bring awareness to your breath and notice what comes up. Every experience will feel different, and that’s the beauty of it. Start simple, give yourself permission to explore, and trust that your breath will meet you exactly where you are. Breathwork isn’t about forcing, it’s about allowing. The gentler you approach it, the more it can reveal. Even stopping now to take three slow nose breaths is breathwork.
What do you see as the future for The Breath Haus?
We’re in an exciting chapter. The Breath Haus has always been about giving people accessible ways to regulate their nervous system and feel connected, and over the next year we’re doubling down on that mission. Digitally, we’re upgrading our app with new masterclasses, guided practices, and recovery tools so the studio experience can travel anywhere. We’re also expanding partnerships, collaborations, and activations — from high-impact experiences with leading brands in sport, lifestyle, and wellness to immersive retreats with Australia’s top sanctuaries. Activations will extend into new spaces, from festivals and hotel pop-ups to corporate off-sites and community events, ensuring more people can experience The Breath Haus wherever they are. ■
LEARN MORE
DUKE EDWARD OF WINDSOR (FORMER KING EDWARD VIII) AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR (WALLIS SIMPSON, WITH A NECKLACE BY CARTIER) DURING BALL in Versailles on June 17, 1953 © AGIP / Bridgeman Images
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER AT THE NGV
NECKLACE CARTIER LONDON, SPECIAL ORDER, 1934 Platinum, diamonds Owned by the Sassoon family Cartier Collection Nils Herrmann, Cartier Collection © Cartier
FLORAL BASKET PENDANT WATCH CARTIER PARIS, 1909 Platinum, pink gold, diamonds, enamel Owned by Nellie Melba Cartier Collection Nils Herrmann, Cartier Collection © Cartier
Diamonds may be forever, but they have never looked quite like this.
Opening exclusively in Melbourne on 12 June 2026, the NGV’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® presentation, Cartier, assembles more than 300 resplendent jewels, tiaras, necklaces, brooches, timepieces and original design drawings - an unprecedented Australian survey of the maison’s artistry and innovation. Direct from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the exhibition traces Cartier’s ascent from a family workshop to the first truly international jewellery house, revealing how design excellence, technical bravura and cultural curiosity forged an unmistakable style.
At its heart is the story of three brothers — Louis, Pierre and Jacques Cartier — who, at the turn of the twentieth century, expanded the firm to Paris, London and New York, bringing design and manufacture inhouse and refining the ethereal ‘Garland style’. The exhibition traces its origins through the Art Deco decades and beyond, spotlighting Jeanne Toussaint’s visionary tenure as Creative Director (1933–1970), when the panther motif evolved into legend and modern glamour found its feline emblem.
Cartier’s reputation broadened thanks to the devotion of royal figures and leading creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion. Pieces owned and worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Rihanna, Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Windsor, Dame Nellie Melba, the Maharaja of Patiala, the Begum Aga Khan III and American heiress Barbara Hutton shimmer with biography as much as brilliance. Taylor’s latticework diamond necklace set with seven Burmese rubies, gifted by Mike Todd, burns with the “red fire” she so famously described. A diamond rose clip worn by Princess Margaret at her sister’s coronation brings ceremony into intimate scale, while Wallis Simpson’s trove — among them the witty Flamingo brooch, an opulent amethyst-and-turquoise Bib necklace, and the 1949 Panther clip set with a 152.35-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire — reminds us that audacity is a Cartier signature.
A spectacular display of over 20 tiaras is a highlight, linking classical laurel wreaths and celestial halos to modern occasions of state and style. Highlights include the Scroll tiara of 1902, worn by Clementine Churchill at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and by Rihanna on the cover of W, alongside the Sun tiara of 1907, featuring a heart-shaped 32-carat fancy intense yellow diamond, and the 1934 diamond-andplatinum Halo tiara, inspired by ancient Egypt.
Material intelligence threads throughout. Jacques Cartier’s sourcing voyages to the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka expanded the house’s gemological palette, while the exhibition’s dedicated materials section lays bare the stones, metals and techniques behind the myth. A rich selection of Tutti Frutti jewels, timepieces that chart Cartier’s watchmaking innovations, and contemporary works featuring Australian opals illustrate the maison’s dual allegiance to heritage and reinvention.
Fittingly, the exhibition design, conceived by the NGV with Rotterdam practices Studio Sabine Marcelis and CLOUD, responds to colour, light and materiality, echoing Cartier’s own language while guiding visitors through a sequence of luminous set pieces. ■
THE LOCAL EDIT
NELL: FACE EVERYTHING AT HEIDE
UNTIL 1 MARCH 2026
Templestowe Road, Bulleen, VIC 3105
2026 MELBOURNE CHAIN REACTION CHALLENGE
1 MARCH - 7 MARCH 2026
Sydney - Melbourne
GOLF2CURE
2 MARCH 2026
Yarra Yarra Golf Club, 567
Warrigal Road, Bentleigh East, VIC 3165
SOUL NIGHT MARKET BRIGHTON
6 MARCH 2026
2 Esplanade, Brighton, VIC 3187
POINT NEPEAN PORTSEA MARKET
7 MARCH 2026
Point Nepean Quarantine Station, Coleman Road, Portsea, VIC 3944
KINGSTON FARMER’S MARKET
7 MARCH 2026
3 Jean Street, Cheltenham, VIC 3192
MORNINGTON RACECOURSE MARKET
8 MARCH 2026
320 Racecourse Road, Mornington, VIC 3931
HEIDE MARKET
8 MARCH 2026
7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen, VIC 3105
VERY SPECIAL LADIES LUNCH
20 MARCH 2026
Cnr Birrarung Marr Walk & Russell St Ext, VIC 3000
MELBOURNE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
20 MARCH - 29 MARCH 2026
Melbourne, VIC 3000
BOROONDARA FARMERS MARKET
21 MARCH 2026
484 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122
MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY NET FUN RUN
22 MARCH 2026
Mornington Athletics Track, Dunns Road, Mornington, VIC, 3931
MOTHER: STORIES FROM THE NGV COLLECTION
27 MARCH - 12 JULY 2026
Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 3000
MECCA X NGV WOMEN IN DESIGN
COMMISSION 2025
UNTIL 1 APRIL 2O26
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006
HILL AND RIDGE COMMUNITY MARKET
4 APRIL 2026
184 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill, VIC 3937
MOONLIGHT CINEMA
UNTIL 5 APRIL 2026
Central Lawn Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3141
WESTWOOD | KAWAKUBO
UNTIL 16 APRIL 2026
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006
GUIDE DOGS VICTORIA COMMUNITY FAIR
18 APRIL 2026
2 Chandler Highway, Kew, VIC 3101
DIVA AT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM OF PERFORMING ARTS
UNTIL 26 APRIL 2026
100 St Kilda Road, Southbank, VIC 3004
RUN THE TAN 26 APRIL 2026
Tan Track, Melbourne, VIC 3004
MAYTIME FAIR
2 MAY 2026
Xavier College, 135 Barkers Road, Kew, VIC, 3101
WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS 1900-1975: A LEGACY OF LIGHT
UNTIL 3 MAY 2026
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006
LET’S PARTY! FASHION FOR KIDS: DESIGNED BY DANIELLE BRUSTMAN
UNTIL 3 MAY 2026
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006
22 MILLEWA AVENUE, MALVERN EAST
TRANQUIL RETREAT
11 SHEOAK GROVE MOUNT MARTHA
A 3 B 2 C 2 $850 pw
Tucked in a quiet cul-de-sac backing onto Sheoak Creek, this beautifully presented three-bedroom home combines coastal charm with leafy tranquillity moments from Mount Martha’s beaches and village. Lightfilled interiors with vaulted ceilings flow to an expansive treetop deck, while modern comforts, stylish finishes and flexible accommodation create an inviting, low-maintenance sanctuary. ■
FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT
JENNIFER O’CONNELLL 0439 390 109 KATE MORGAN 0473 001 022
OUR OFFICE LOCATIONS
ALBERT PARK
110 Bridport Street, Albert Park, VIC 3206 (03) 9822 9999
ARMADALE
1111 High Street, Armadale, VIC 3143 (03) 9822 9999
BALWYN
Level 2/379-381 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, VIC 3103 (03) 9822 9999
BRIGHTON
Level 1/225 Bay Street, Brighton, VIC 3186 (03) 9822 9999
FLINDERS
10/33 Cook Street, Flinders, VIC 3929 (03) 5931 1000
HAWTHORN
Level 1/801 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122 (03) 9822 9999
MANNINGHAM
Level 1/908 Doncaster Road, Doncaster East, VIC 3109 (03) 9840 1111
MOUNT ELIZA
98 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza, VIC 3930 (03) 9787 6650
SORRENTO
60 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC 3943 (03) 5981 3000
