Life & times

We asked some of our favourite creatives to reflect on the year that was, share their hopes for 2022, and reveal their exciting projects on the horizon...

Little WONDER

The unassuming facade of this cottage in Sydney’s inner west offers few clues to the design magic beyond the front door.

Living the dream

Embracing the quirks of this Queensland property, designer Nina Caple added her own deft touches to transform it into a comfortable, resort-style home.

Family TIES

Few on the verge of an empty nest would opt to build a bigger house, but one savvy Sydney couple did just that and found much to love in their own style of multi-generational living.

Joanne and Angela Neylon

Landscape designer Joanne founded her garden design business 40 years ago. Her daughter, Angela, is an interior designer who represents the ‘interior’ in Joanne Green Landscape & Interior.

POOLED RESOURCES

Hugging a centrally positioned swimming pool, the interiors of this Melbourne family home pick up on its wonderfully watery outlook.

Top 50 Rooms

A well-designed room draws you in and feels just right. On the following pages we present our 2021 showcase of gorgeous, inviting rooms. We hope you enjoy – and make sure you vote for your own favourites online. We’ll reveal the category finalists next month.

Melissa Penfold

The style maven and design influencer share the highlights and insights gained from her creative journey.

Living on the edge

Hedges do more than provide privacy: the right specimen can bring fragrance, flowers and order to the garden too. Here, Tammy Huynh shares her top five picks.

Taste MAKER

After a successful career in the restaurant business, Julie Manfredi Hughes is pursuing another creative passion: interior design.

Fresh APPROACH

A calming palette and thoughtful detailing preserves the classic beauty of this Federation house while delivering a new level of liveability to its owners.

BUSH BEAUTY

With sweeping national park views, this house was designed to make the landscape the hero – all while staying safe from fire threat.

Top forms

A genius extension with a richly detailed interior makes this Edwardian home in Melbourne truly special.

WONDER LAND

Designed as a fun-filled playspace for the owners’ children, this Sydney backyard has become a favourite with their many friends too.

The long view

Years of dreaming and careful planning have gone into the creation of this spectacular home in Sydney’s south.

ZEN ZONE

With light, views and a gentle, minimalist aesthetic, this renovated Sydney home exudes serenity.

By The Bay

This stylish haven in Sydney’s south challenges long-held notions of how a coastal home should look – in the most inspiring ways.

All Things Considered

The owner-designer’s instant, heartfelt connection with this Federation bungalow was just the beginning of a love story...

California DREAMING

She adores her classic california bungalow, but there’s no place trish Bruno feels more at home than behind the wheel of her 1966 Mustang convertible, writes motoring expert Elise Elliott.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

When a sweet but tired 1950s beach shack with absolute water frontage came up for sale, architect Harry Poulos just knew he could turn it into a dreamy family holiday home...

In the tones

Triumphant use of colour propelled this Melbourne home out of its time warp, setting it up for a bright and beautiful future.

Passion PROJECT

Having spotted the potential in a 1920s bungalow, one Sydney couple put heart and soul into making it the perfect family home.

Deborah Hutton

The media personality, spokesmodel and designer shares highlights and insights on her multifaceted creative journey, including a new foray into hat design...

Top grass

As lawns begin to waken from their winter slumber, they may be looking a little worse for wear. act now to maintain order, writes Tammy Huynh.

LONDON CALLING

Channelling English sensibility into a Victorian terrace delivered a family-friendly home with timeless European style.

WORLDLY WISE

Palm Springs, Marrakech and harbourside Sydney meet in this garden by landscape designer and author Richard Unsworth. It’s just one of the beauties showcased in his book, The City Gardener.

Transform Your Space With Colours, Materials And Textiles

Colours, materials and textiles – these elements can help transform a space, and they all come into play beautifully in this Victorian home.

Memory Lane

Nostalgia for a childhood home, the desire for bucolic views and theatrical design skills all played a role in the revival of this cottage in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Simply The Best

When the team from Three Birds Renovations decided to create a namesake project home, they put all their favourite elements together under one roof.

Let There Be Light

Thanks to a considered upgrade, this early 1900s cottage makes the most of its compact lot in sweet, sophisticated style.