Inside Out magazine - May/June Issue

Inside Out 'in store' furniture round up

Australian Stylist Sibella Court's New York loft

Sibella Court again

Li Edelkoort's restrained Parisian warehouse apartment

Haven't even had a thorough read yet... but I always feel a sense of urgency to post my favourite pages from the latest magazines the moment they hit the shelves. Actually, I was mildly irritated because a colleague at work bought her current issue of Inside Out this week and had it sitting on her desk BEFORE I'd even received my subscription copy. The cheek of it! I had to avert my eyes from her desk for a whole day until I got my own :)

Anyway... This issue its all about busy, eclectic interiors... and people to be jealous of. There's Australian stylist Sibella Court's gargantuan New York loft filled to the brim with with antiques and kooky ephemera, Supermodel Natalia Vodanova's lavish New York pad, trend forecaster extraordinaire Li Edelkoort's stunningly minimal Paris warehouse... to name only a few. It's all stunning, of course... in an infuriatingly perfect way!

Must quibble on one teeny thing though. There is also more than one interior in this issue which prominently features those vintage tram destination scroll signs. (and when I say prominently, I mean, fills up most of a full page photograph). You know the ones I mean. Seriously. Twice in one issue? Come on people.

Andrew Egan's New York apartment

Angelucci 20th Century - New Shipment!

leather butterfly chair, arc lamp

slimline lounge, eames desk chair
Photos - Angelucci 20th Century

Just in time for the weekend, some shopping inspiration...

As if you didn't know(!), Angelucci 20th Century stocks a fantastic selection of classic 20th Century pieces, as well as some beautifully made reproduction pieces. I love their made-to-order repro slimline couches (pictured above), and also their butterfly chair with a variety of covers... (top image).

Their website is really worth a look, it's exhaustive - lots of photos of all their vintage and repro stock, with prices and clear details/dates.

After much anticipation Angelucci have also just received a new shipment of stock from France - a collection of stunning lamps, side tables, glassware, tables and chairs. A selection is currently on the shop floor and in the coming weeks more will be on display....

Can you think of a better way to spend your Saturday morning than browsing beautiful furniture in a stunning showroom? No. I didn't think so.

French 1950's desk lamp, French 1950's tiki-top table, Hans Wegner Sofa

Angelucci 20th Century
92 High st, Windsor
ph. (0)3 9525 1271 or 0414 339 001

Interview - Natalie Walton

Feels silly to say it, but every once in a while I come across someone that I just find myself really inspired by and drawn to (in a professional sense of course!). It doesn't happen often but when it does it re-energises me, fills me with new ideas, renewed motivation - and even longer to-do lists! At the moment, that someone is Natalie Walton.

I was so excited to read Natalie's fantastic guest blog on Design*Sponge a few weeks ago... It was wonderful to see some great Australian content reaching international readers! Of course I immediately checked out Natalie's own blog, Daily Imprint, and became an instant fan. It's no surprise that I find Natalie such an inspiration - as deputy editor at Australian magazine Real Living, she makes a living out of inspiring others.

Natalie's favourite Real Living cover - love those colours, and that Noguchi lamp on the dresser...

I admire Natalie's ability to successfully juggle so many creative endeavours - constantly tackling new challenges at work, sharing daily bursts of inspiration on her blog, waking up an hour earlier in the mornings to work on her novel(!!) - talk about motivated!






Real Living feature on Natalie's renovation of her own apartment in Sydney - gorgeous pictures and an amazing transformation on a very tight budget!

Read on for one of my favourite interviews yet! I particularly love Natalie's description of the creative people that inspire her - simply, 'women who are living the dream'. Now that's something to aspire to!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

Writing has always been a passion of mine. So too has reading – obviously, they go hand in hand. I never really knew “what I wanted to be when I grew up” but I knew it had to be something to do with these two activities. I studied English Literature at university and it seemed logical to put a practical spin on what I’d learnt, so I went on to complete a Master of Arts in Journalism at the University of Technology Sydney. I started out as a financial reporter – of all things! – and slowly worked my way through the ranks to get on a title that I could be passionate about – interiors. In one of my many moments pondering what direction to take in life during my late teens, I actually considered becoming an interior designer. On reflection my job strikes the perfect balance.

Working at a gorgeous interiors magazine seems to be what many people would consider a ‘dream job’! Is it a dream job in reality? Was it what you always wanted to do? Has it lived up to your expectation?

Interviewing creative and passionate people; writing on topics I’m interested in (eg, how to buy art); travelling to other cities and documenting my experiences; reading interiors magazines; brainstorming feature ideas; trying to make the best magazine possible – of course it’s my dream job! I never had one particular concept on a pedestal as being my “dream job” but I knew it had to meet certain criteria. And this role definitely ticks all the boxes.



Above - excerpts from Natalie's recent travel feature on Brisbane - I love the personalised feel of these stories... also love seeing her husband Daniel in these shots!

What's the best thing about your job?

All of the above!

And the worst?

Not always having the time or resources to achieve all the ideas I have in my head – but then that’s also part of the thrill. There’s always a race against the clock – and budget!

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Every day is really different and that’s what I love about this role. So often in previous jobs once I’ve learnt what I needed to know a certain level of boredom has crept in. Whereas this has yet to happen at Real Living – there’s just no time! But, generally speaking, I research feature ideas, write articles, help organise photo shoots, read proofs and make corrections to ensure we’re putting the best possible issue out, help devise a schedule of which features will run when, plus a million other things.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Being deputy editor of real living which is put out by Australia’s largest magazine publisher – ACP Magazines.

What would you say defines ‘Australian style’ (in architecture/interiors)?

There is a casualness and relaxed nature to Australian style. And I think we often shirk away from saying this as if it means that our style is insignificant. In fact, I think it’s the perfect blend of British (fashion forward and edgy) and American (classic and conservative) style.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in people who are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do, especially when it’s in a creative field. But I recognise that not everyone can have an “interesting” full-time job, but if those people don’t have some outside interest – whatever it is: birdwatching; photography; vintage car restoring – then they’re not people I really want to be stuck talking to at a barbecue. Above all, I want to learn. If I’m not learning, I’m bored.

Which designers, artists or creative people do you look up to or are you inspired by?

There really are so many. That’s why I’ve got a blog dedicated to them! I look up to people who work on a smaller scale – such as those I featured on my recent guest blog at Design*Sponge (Real Living editor Deborah Bibby, Dumbo Feather publisher and editor Kate Bezar; interior stylists Clair Wayman and Megan Morton; interior book authors and editors Karen McCartney and Shannon Fricke; illustrators Kat Macleod and Emma Magenta; and “creators” Jodie Fried of Bholu, Kristina Karlsson of Kikki.K, Marnie Goding of Elk Accessories and Virginie Fontes of Honey Bee Homewares and Toile a Matelas) – basically women who are living the dream. On a larger scale I love women who seem to have no fear: Vivienne Westwood, the late Isabella Blow, Anna Wintour, Coco Chanel, Gertrude Stein, the list goes on. As for men, I’m in love with Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, TS Eliot – I can’t seem to move beyond the modernist period.

I read that you are writing a novel! I don’t know how you find the time! What can you tell us about this ‘labour of love’?

I wish I could finish! I’m so ashamed to admit that it’s a project that’s been going on for more than five years now. But during this time I’ve moved countries, travelled around Europe, got married, had a miscarriage, fallen pregnant again (fingers crossed, I’m now 28 weeks’ pregnant), changed jobs more than four times and started a blog. Excuses? I’m still trying to work that one out. When I’m being good I get up at 5.30am and write for an hour in the morning, when I’m being bad I don’t. At the moment I’m bad – but I’m hoping to finish it – I’m SO close! – during maternity leave. It’s taking so long because, to me, how something is written is just as important as what is written. Every word is there for a reason.

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

Professionally, I’m just focussed on getting all loose ends tied up before I go on maternity leave in June. Personally, the birth of my first child… and getting that novel finished.

And to steal one of your own interview questions(!) – what five words best describe you?

Passionate, impatient, indefatigable, knowledge-hungry, word addict.

Sydney Questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Sydney?

I believe meals made with love are the tastiest – so home-cooked meals (when someone else is doing the cooking) are the best. But I still can’t forget the first time I had zuppa di cozze at Gelbison in Bondi; spaghetti arrabbiata with crab at North Bondi Italian Food and every cheese and cherry strudel I’ve eaten (many!) at the Gelato Bar in Bondi – yes, it counts as a meal to me.

Your favourite bookshop in Sydney?

Ariel in Paddington for making the rest of the world seem that much closer. And second-hand bookshop Gertrude & Alice in Bondi for filling my shelves.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

I love Saturday because it is “my” day – my husband works – and so I try to fill it with quality “me time”. I start almost every day with a walk down to the beach (used to be a run but the bump is a bit in the way at the moment) then I read the Saturday Sydney Morning Herald, clean the flat (that part I can do without) and write my novel – bliss!

Sydney’s best kept secret?

The Museum of Contemporary Art. I’m not sure what the attendance figures are like at the moment but there was a time when it was struggling to get funding and there was talk of it closing down. I’m so happy it didn’t and wish more people would check it out (not just tourists) because to me it is the best way to give my brain and imagination a good shake up and super-charge of creativity.

below - excerpts from Natalie's travel feature for Sydney and Melbourne.

Natalie's next challenge is just around the corner - she's expecting her first baby in the coming months! Good luck and congratulations Natalie :) It's just the start of another exciting chapter...

Jonas Carlberg wallpaper mural

Oh hello. Just a quickie today... bit tired, and don't want to overshadow the gorgeousness of those Arthur's Circus shots from yesterday...! How lovely is that shop!? All Melburnians must visit. You won't be disappointed.

Anyway here's some generic interiors eye candy - it's a flower wallpaper mural by Swedish designer Jonas Carlberg... Can't seem to make their website work but there's quite a lot of info about them on Behance....

(via Behance.)

Arthur's Circus

Arthur's Circus is a gorgeous new Melbourne shop full of all the kooky and colourful retro-style bits and pieces that we seem to be falling over ourselves for these days... lovely one-of-a-kind things like vintage lighting, industrial furniture and signage, vintage prints and posters, antique toys and nik naks much much more... The shop also showcases the work of local artists and photographers.

Arthur's Circus belongs to Natalie Jeffcott - an ex-visual merchandiser and photographer, and her partner Nick Fitzgerald - a former electrician and avid collector,re-decorator and restorer of furniture/bikes/things. Their love of vintage goodies, and their desire to showcase Natalie's photography and the talents of others, inspired Natalie and Nick to open their little treasure trove in North Melbourne.

Natalie also has a gorgeous blog that is full of photos from the shop and latest news, as well as generally entertaining ramblings and inspiring images. You can also check out Natalie's photography here. AND There's also another great blog post about Natalie over at Poppytalk with lots of photos and an interview about her many collections!

ALSO if you're a snoop like me you'll also love sneaking a look into Natalie and Nick's beautiful Melbourne home - some photos below but check out the whole slideshow at Apartment Therapy. OH OH and if you aren't Circussed out yet (I'm not) you can see even more Arthur's Circus eye candy on their Flickr page.



Arthur's Circus
631 Queensbury st, North Melbourne
Thurs - Fri 11am - 6pm, Sat - Sun 10am - 4pm.
Also open by appointment

bookcase bedroom!?

It's a Bookcase Bedroom! I don't understand it, and I'm not sure I'd want one in my own house... but man it's cute!

Maybe for a kid's room??

progress shots below...

(via best pics around)

Inside Out

Just got the latest issue of Inside Out.... Lots of lovely things as usual. So hard to choose favourites.... but here goes:

Images from Todd Oldham's home -




Todd Oldham is well known in the US... not so much here. He's pretty much got an interiors empire happening over there. Hugely successful. Very fun, retro, playful aesthetic. Actually his website's great... have a look. ANYWAY I wouldn't want my home decked out like his, but I like that his place seems real and reflects his personality. Crazy colours, eclectic pieces everywhere... Can someone please tell me what those giant carved timber gemstone shapes are? I don't get it... but I want one!



Above - a couple of shots above from winemaker Peter Logan's (second) home in Sydney... not bad for a holiday house! I like the original brickwork and massive dark timber beams framing the windows... that courtyard almost looks Japanesey...

And lastly... I don't normally get into white minimalist homes... or homes that ooze $$$$$$.... but this home in the Greek islands is just incredible. That view! My scans (and dodgy photo stitching) don't do the photos justice... go buy the magazine for a better look.

desire to inspire

Stephen Roberts
D'arcy Jones Design
1100 Architect
Jonathan Adler
all images via Desire to Inspire

Desire to Inspire is a blog so choc-full of interior design eye candy it'll make your eyes water. ha ha! The site is a collaboration between Jo and Kim, both with a serious eye for great design. Their forte is sourcing the most beautifully styled interior shots from a wide variety of sources - magazines, photographer/stylist portfolios and all around the web. I don't know how or where they find it all!

Kim's recent post on staircases offers no less than 18 examples of different, unique staircase options! I also loved her fireplaces round-up last week.

(Actually when I was googling Megan Morton yesterday I realised that Desire to Inspire have covered a lot of Megan's work on their blog. Megan has even contacted them directly and sent in some exclusive personal shots of her more recent work...)

Megan Morton

Megan Morton is a fantastic interiors stylist based in Sydney. Every time I open an Australian magazine and am inspired by a beautiful photograph of some gorgeous house - 9 times out of 10 Megan Morton seems to be the stylist. Seriously! This means a) she is very good at her job, and b) she gets some fantastic blank canvases on which to work her magic!

Megan is representated by Flipp agency, who also represent many other talented photgraphers and stylists worth checking out.