TAKE an exclusive look into some of my friends and clients ‘Favourite Room’ from stunning bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, work environments and even hallways! You might even pick up a few ideas for your own homes. If you’d like to have your Favourite Room featured, drop me a line and invite me in!
Ted Wickes & Dominic Maunsell |
29.04.19 |
They own the longest running art gallery in Sydney – Maunsell Wickes Gallery in Paddington – but it’s Ted Wickes and Dominic Maunsell’s colourful semi in Sydney that encloses their favourite space – their dining room. It’s the room that has seen many a dinner party, amazing conversation and buckets of wine flow over the last two decades. I was invited into the vibrant dining room to find out why the duo is so besotted by the space.
Ted took some time to answer my questions.
Our favourite room is our dining room. It is separate to our living room, but we still spend a lot of time in both rooms.
The house was built around 1910 and there was NO dining room. So, I decided I needed to build one. It was important to keep the structural integrity. I thought the best place to build a dining room would be at the back of the semi. There was a beautiful window treatment in the existing room, so I enlarged that room and added some sandstone steps so we could easily move into the garden from the dining room. I just love those steps.
We entertain a lot and we both love food. We probably have a dinner party once a fortnight and we can snugly fit 10 people.
It’s probably my favourite room simply because I designed it. I love the way the room leads into the garden – it’s just lovely especially with the view of a wall of camellias.
It represents our love of entertaining. It also has a lot of art works – including a sculpture of Bacchus by Melbourne artist William Eicholtz – which is very apt as I love red wine! There are loads of windows so there’s plenty of light. I just love the chandelier – it brings out the blue from the living room (the colours we painted the house were specifically chosen by architect/interior designer George Freedman). The chandelier was made in Mysore, India, and we purchased it from Martyn Cook Antiques.
Probably that it faces north. We get sunlight all year round and in winter the sun-filled room is just delightful.
Our very dear friend (Australian composer) Peter Sculthorpe died late last year. We enjoyed many dinners together here over the last 15 years. Peter would always bring beautiful bottles of red wine for me! The last time he had dinner with us here we listened to a live broadcast of his one of his works being performed in Canberra. When it finished, the conductor dialled our phone number to talk to Peter. The whole audience heard him on the phone. It was a very special moment. So, I think I’d like to have Peter back here for a meal.
I’d like it to be larger. Thinking back now, I probably should have built it bigger.
I think the most important thing is to live in a space before renovating. Many people buy terrace houses and don’t live in it, employing an architect to gut it. I moved in and lived here for a while and could see what the house needed. Live in a space before renovating to get a feel for the home.
Diana Palmer |
17.02.19 |
With 360° views of Sydney Harbour, it’s no wonder Diana Palmer has chosen to work from her Darling Point home. Now in the second year of running her ‘dream job’ – an art consultancy business Palmer Art Projects – Diana spends most of her working days in her designated work space, her favourite space. Situated just past the entrance and through the living room, Diana’s workspace is filled with all her favourite things: art (of course), antique family heirlooms and beautiful furniture. We took a peek inside her home and stayed for lunch!!
It is definitely my work space. I have my glass-topped tressle table desk, my art – which helps me concentrate ¬– and the skyline of the CBD.
I am so lucky to have started and work in a business I just love! Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m actually here. My workspace makes me happy and that’s why it is my favourite space. I have beautiful art work around me, I always have flowers and some gorgeous silver cups which belonged to my husband’s grandmother on my desk. I’m always changing the artwork around so the room is always evolving. My desk has lovely antique trestles and my chair – which is probably not good for me – is a gorgeous outdoor iron chair. The whole combination is perfect.
To a large degree the business is who I am. Everything in my workspace represents me, my love of colour, contemporary art – sometimes crazy but always beautiful. I love reading so there is a bookshelf and an antique newspaper holder under my desk.
I’d have to say the light. The room faces north-west and so all day the room is filled with beautiful sunshine. I look at the Harbour Bridge, city skyline, watch the boats come in and out, I really am astounded! It’s a pleasure to sit at my desk.
It would be my Dad. He died before I got married and started my business. I’d love to have him over for lunch.
I’d LOVE to paint it. At the moment it is just white; my husband won’t let me change it! I’d paint the room Swedish grey/blue. I’d also put in organised filing somehow, maybe a beautiful cabinet that was all mine, and then I’d add a wall of bookshelves.
It takes a long time to create that perfect space. I don’t believe that just by having a designer through and having the right furniture make it perfect. It takes time to collect all the pieces important to you. Everything has a story.
Art Acknowledgement:
Andre Hemer
Miranda Skoczek
Alex Seton
Eloise Cato
Judy Millar
Alice Couttoupes
Gillie & Marc |
06.03.18 |
It’s a story that could have been lifted straight from a romantic comedy, but for Marc and Gillie it’s the wonderful story of their lives; filled with love and a shared passion for art. The dynamic duo has carved a niche in the contemporary art scene, creating pieces that inspire, bring joy and have a quirky twist.
It was fate – and a love for art – that brought these two together and they have manifested and expressed this love every day for over two decades, building and creating their own world, one art piece at a time. Together they embrace all art mediums; painting, sculpture, video, photography and more.
Gillie and Marc invited me into their wonderful work studio in Alexandria and shared their thoughts on their favourite space.
We just love our studio! It has two floors with high ceilings. Huge and expansive with loads of shelving to showcase our work. But my favourite space is the centre of the upstairs section where we sit and meet with our customers and visitors.
It’s a beautiful spot as we are surrounded by all we have created, our work. It’s truly special. We have a 180 degree view of our creations, all the things we love. It’s just wonderful to see our passion come to life.
Everything in here is our creation and it represents the bond Marc and I have. We still sit up every night talking about ideas and the ways we can create those ideas. It represents our unity. It has been a long journey and now we have arrived at this place. This is what we love, art has kept us on this path and we are very lucky and grateful.
Our clients give us feedback, it is a big part of our lives. And, the feedback we invariably get is that our art makes them happy. So, when I look around here, it makes me smile. There is a lot of fun in our creations. We are a little bit quirky and a little silly and we certainly don’t take life seriously. Overall our art is positive and sitting here in this space reminds me of all of that.
We have a lot of admirers who are fellow artists and they are all welcome. But really, I’d invite anyone into our studio who appreciates art. We welcome anyone who embraces art and can connect to us.
We always want more space! Everyday, we dream up new ideas and more space would be great!
I don’t have any specific advice, each to their own really. But for Marc and I, because we love creating spaces and undertaking home renovations, our approach as artists is to incorporate all aspects of the interior design in an artistic manner. The furniture and interior has to tie in well with the art you already have. Incorporate all that make you happy and create a warm atmosphere. We also like creating airy rooms with high ceilings. And, remove the clutter!
Howard Steeves & Simon Cary |
27.02.18 |
When you enter the home of Howard Steeves and Simon Cary you might just forget you’re in Woollahra! The European ambience of this three-storey townhouse is the couple’s refuge from the bustle of Sydney. Having lived in their home of five years, Howard and Simon have transformed it into a stylish & elegant home. While they worked with Sydney interior designer Marco Meneguzzi, the two have added their own touches to make their home a reflection of themselves. I was invited in to spend some ‘down time’ in their beautiful courtyard.
The courtyard! It’s large (about 80m2), north-facing with a beautiful fountain; we also have an outdoor BBQ cooking area – and great seating and dining.
We just love to entertain and the courtyard is perfect for having friends over for a meal, drinks and great conversation. It opens up from the dining and kitchen via French doors so it really is like an extension to the house. As it’s protected from the elements, we can entertain three seasons of the year.
We both have very chaotic work lives so it’s nice to have a quiet place to decompress after a long day. The house is very European and the courtyard has a Tuscan feel to it. We holiday in Europe once a year so the courtyard reflects our love of travel and we both love the outdoors.
When we’re sitting out in the courtyard, it really is our little oasis. It is separated by two Oak gates, so it is very private. We can’t hear any noise from the street, no traffic. The European feel is wonderful and it is just expansive and lovely.
Princess Diana!
Absolutely nothing. Well, maybe to have the gates open up to a beautiful view in France!
Work to your priorities. Choose a place you can showcase the pieces that mean something to you such as your antiques, art and other collectibles. As a stylist/costumer (see Howard’s work here) I know how important it is to create the perfect look.
SELLING homes is not just a career; it is an art form – one that is carefully honed over years of life experience and knowledge. And, I can proudly say, that I still absolutely love what I do – day in, day out.
For over 30 years, I have immersed myself in real estate and have built an untarnished reputation in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, among my peers and with my clients – many of who are my friends. People say I exude positivity, and I accept this as the highest compliment.