TUCKED away in an Art Deco apartment block in Woollahra is a piece of tranquillity for Sydney lawyer Nick Eddy. This haven of H2O is not ostentation or extravagant, but an understated, elegant room that washes the days worries away. Nick was gracious to share a few insights into his personal, favourite space.

“My bathroom! It’s the only room in the house where the phone doesn’t ring. Surprisingly, it’s also the perfect room to keep orchids alive!”

Why is it your favourite room?

It’s a peaceful room. Very nice, sunny, and carries on the art deco feel of the rest of my home. My bathroom is like a retreat – the perfect place to unwind, and a great place to think.

How does your favourite room represent who you are?

Tidy and pretty minimal, just like me. I renovated about two years ago and added some lovely features. I love the lights bedside the Ralph Lauren mirror, the marble sinks and English taps are beautiful and elegant. All the finishes fit the neutral palette theme of the house and the silver accents add that bit of class. There’s also a heated towel rack and simple mosaic tiles – very simplistic.

What do you like most about your bathroom?

Without a doubt, my favourite aspect is the shower. I can’t focus or start my day without a shower. When I renovated, the bath was the first thing to go – I haven’t had a bath since I was about six!

The shower, made by English company Perrin & Rowe, has two shower heads and is very soothing as it completely covers you with water.

If you could invite anyone into your bathroom, who would it be?

No one! I’ll keep my bathroom for myself thank you! Plus, if I did say whom I’d like in my bathroom, it might be incriminating.

What would you change about your favourite room?

Absolutely nothing. It’s timeless.

What advice would you give on how to create the perfect space?

You definitely have to think about your renovation very carefully first. After you’ve thought it through, then just DO IT – without hesitation. If you go for it, you’ll never regret it.

My other piece of advice is that you shouldn’t imitate what’s trending otherwise in a few years time it will look hideous!

Source: http://www.lovethispic.com/image/59122/green-walls

LUSCIOUS and vibrant Green Walls evoke life, energy and exuberance. Welcome to a trend that will continue to grow (pardon the pun) and gain fans due to the sheer beauty and practicality of it. A recent trend, it has flourished in popularity and presence. The great thing about establishing a Green Wall is that you are only limited by your own imagination. So, visit nurseries, take a walk around your suburb and look through magazines for inspiration and get your green thumbs working.

How to get started

Source: http://tokyo-diy-gardening.org/category/garden-types/vertical-gardens/green-walls/

Any outside wall will do, even better if it’s an ugly wall you want to cover up! Think about the atmosphere you want to create, and just like the way you style the inside of your home, take into account the colours, dimensions and the infrastructure you have to work with.

DO plant evergreens. This will ensure your Green Wall stays green year round.
DON’T grow anything spiky or thorny. The last thing you want is to avoid being near your living wall for fear of being pricked!

Creating the perfect display

Before buying a lot of plants, think about the overall impression you want your Green Wall to exude. Are you after an edible garden? Maybe one that is fragrant? Flowering or low maintenance? Personally, I am not a fan of native plants and I don’t think they work well or look particularly attractive for a feature wall.

Succulents If you are looking for something hard, succulents are great and very low maintenance. They come in a variety of shapes and colours – some even flower!
FlowersJasmine is a great choice if you want a fragrant addition to your outdoor living areas: everybody loves the sweet scent of jasmine wafting through the night breeze!
Edible Another idea – one I truly love – is growing an edible Green Wall filled with all your favourite herbs. Basil, parsley, sage, coriander – whatever you use in your kitchen! There’s nothing more satisfying than snipping off some rosemary to add to your lamb roast or picking off a few mint leaves to throw into your mojito!

Adding other elements

source: http://www.greenovergrey.com/living-walls/overview.php

When you’re furnishing the inside of your house, it’s the extra touches that make a room complete. The same rule goes for your outdoor living area. Creating a Green Wall is not only about the living elements, but the added pieces that bring it all together.

THINK decorative pots and planters. Chose pieces with complementing textures, materials and colours. Wall mounted planters can blend in to create a seamless living artwork.
MIRRORS work well to add an extra dimension and produce a feeling of space.
LIGHTS can be both practical and whimsical introducing and allow you to enjoy your Green Wall at night. Be adventurous and inventive. Incorporate an element that is certain to be a talking (and selling) point for your home.

For more information and inspiration check out these websites:

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/green-roofs-and-walls
www.growinggreenguide.org
www.greenroofsaustralasia.com.au
www.greenroofs.org
www.greenvillages.com.au

Creating a positive, vibrant atmosphere for Fiona Guth starts at the very entrance to her home. With the very first step, Fiona has transformed the hallway of her Federation house – her Favourite Room – into a bright, welcoming and cheerful space. It was a brave and bold colour move, but a fabulous choice that has withstood years of happy mood-setting entrances.

What is your favourite room in your house?

My hallway! I just love it. It’s painted the brightest shade of yellow you can imagine. It’s a stark contrast to the rest of the house that is painted in mostly white/ecru and natural colours. You can’t help but be happy when you step into my hallway. It has a great energy.

Why is it your favourite room?

Apart from the yellow paint, I have a gorgeous multi-coloured Robyn Cosgrove rug and 14 different paintings. Before I painted it yellow, I was a bit nervous – but then I thought ‘It’s only a coat of paint’. I haven’t looked back since. It was previously painted blue – a really cold, sad colour. The yellow paint is so warm – it’s just like sunshine. My hallway is the main artery to the rest of the house and leads into a huge living area.

How does your favourite room represent who you are?

There is a lot of artwork – 14 pieces, including pieces from artists such as Dickenson, Bromley, Coburn, Nolan and a Jeffrey Smart etching. My husband and I love collecting art and the hallway is an extension of our love for collecting artworks.

What do you like most about your hallway?

I love the scale of the hallway – it’s just massive! The ceilings and architraves are high and, there’s a lot of space. Being a hallway there isn’t a lot of natural light, so the colour of the walls makes it bright and cheerful.

If you could invite anyone into your room, who would it be?

I’d invite Jeffrey Smart so he’d finish off the etching I have of his in my hallway! I just love the Campari sign he painted in Venice.

What would you change about your favourite room?

My hallway is constantly evolving. I have two tables which I move around. It’s not a static room, there’s always something I change around; candles, flowers in the urn, etc. I might even change the colour one day?

What advice would you give on how to create the perfect space?

When styling a room, you have to be mindful of the scale. And, don’t be afraid of trying a bright colour – it is only a coat of paint!

It takes more than bricks and mortar – or rather ornate high ceilings and Victorian style – to make a home. For Marcia Osborne, as she closes the chapter of a 35-year-old residency in Woollahra, the memories created in her home with her husband Ron, two children and six grandchildren, are priceless. Before moving on to making new memories, Marcia shares which room in her house is her absolute favourite.

Marcia describes her house as a large, freestanding Victorian Italianate with interesting architecture.

What is your favourite room in your house?

The combined lounge/dining room is my absolute favourite room. It features grand, high ornate ceilings. I enjoy the peace and serenity that I experience in there. There are two different aspects – one which looks out into the courtyard and the other through the floor to ceiling French windows looking onto the front yard. Over the years, the room has seen many celebrations; parties, chamber music concerts and parties.
The wallpaper and soft furnishings are a neutral palette. It’s has a very relaxing ambience.

Why is it your favourite space?

It is just full of happiness! It’s a formal space, however it is also where we gather as a family to celebrate. My lounge room is also a lovely retreat when it’s just me, somewhere I can enjoy the outlook and relax.

How does your favourite room represent who you are?

I enjoy colour and design and I styled this room just for me. I chose all the colours and furniture. As the matriarch of the family, it’s where my family gather around me and we can enjoy each other’s company.

What do you most like to do in your lounge?

I love entertaining – friends and family! I also really enjoy having music in the house and have often had chamber musical concerts in the room.
My favourite piece of furniture is a beautiful four seater white art deco style sofa. It’s comfy, decorative and elegant.

If you could invite anyone into your room, who would it be?

My family. And musicians.

What would you change about your favourite room?

Nothing!

What advice would you give on how to create the perfect space?

When styling a room, you need to figure out a system you like; the furnishings and colours need to bring that feeling of calm and all-in-all needs to be complementary. Add items you like and work with what you already have. Create a positive space full of happy feelings!