In 2016, Australian designer Lisa Buxton packed and prepped a container full of art and furniture that she had accumulated over seven years spent in New York. After studying at the Parsons School of Design, Lisa had gone on to work for fellow New York-based Australian Antony Todd in event design, helping to style parties for the likes of Elton John and Anna Wintour. Then, just as she was heading back to Melbourne, Lisa met Ari (on the day he arrived in New York) and her plans changed. Together, they ended up in the city for another three years before moving back to Australia and getting married.
In 2020, during the pandemic and a pregnancy, Lisa and Ari began renovations on their newly purchased 1930s home in Armadale – timing she admits was challenging but a stress eased thanks to the help of her friend and collaborator, interior architect Lucy Bowen. “Lucy is great with space planning,” says Lisa. “She has a family and understands those needs so we were on the same page.” While Lisa had long-held visual ideas, functionality was still of primary importance. “You have to love what you live in, but it also has to be practical and I’m acutely aware of that with two young kids. My clients are mainly families so I know that’s the number one priority at the end of the day.” However, Lisa still deferred to her dream mood board – a bold scheme of visual and decorative concepts she had been adding to over time but never quite managed to convince clients to try.
Now, with her own renovation, the time was ripe, especially for the wavy aubergine leather banquette and sherbet-pink powder room with a Rosa Calmante stone basin, both of which were her design ideas that had been bubbling away for years.
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The wow factory
The sisters steering Zuster furniture brand put a creative spin on their own industrial zone.
OPEN INVITE
This handsome home in the NSW Southern Highlands welcomes within its walls both generous rural views and a steady flow of guests.
DUAL ACCENTS
American heritage style meets Spanish mission design in this harbourside Sydney home.
Grand vision
It can be easy being green or it is for this house -that cleverly combines lavish spaces and timeless style, while also being kind to the planet.
POWER AND GLORY
An angular concrete structure packs a punch in a new build on an elevated site in Sydney while its interior design offers a softly layered and textured counterpoint.
COLOUR BURST
A joyful exuberance permeates this heritage home reinvented by interior designer Andrew Parr with zesty hues, lively contemporary art and iconic furniture.
LA VIE EN ROSE
Poised above Pittwater in Sydney's north, this weekender is alluringly relaxed - and offers holiday fun for family and friends.
COOL, CALM COLLECTIVE
An ever-changing array of covetable antiques, objets d'art and unique pieces ensure the interiors of this beautiful store has a collected feel and sense of permanence.
BOLD CHOICE
Architect and trailblazer Piero Gesualdi's Melbourne emporium, Mondopiero, is a celebration of timeless design and craftmanship, with a sprinkling of decorative flair.
HIGHER CALLING
In a world that is typically more about me, me, me, quietly luxurious day spa Venustus keeps thriving three decades on with a true commitment to inspired client service.