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!
Tina Clark |
03.02.15 |
THEY say necessity is the mother of invention, and it certainly is the case for Tina Clark. (You’ll get that pun in a minute)! This highly successful stockbroker and mother of two beautiful girls – Sabine and Gigi – searched in vain for two years to find just the right storage boxes for her collection of clothes, shoes and accessories. So, what did she do? Design her own gorgeous yet functional brand of storage boxes, Sagitine. Her unique line of ‘wardrobe care’ has only just been launched and has been a smashing hit. So it comes as no surprise, her favourite room is her bedroom-cum-wardrobe. Tina invited us into her favourite space to be enthralled by her ingenuity.
I love my bedroom. It is very sunny and light and looks out into my lush garden. I can hear the waves, it’s a far cry from living in Hong Kong.
It’s my little sanctuary, away from the kids’ mess! I have blockout blinds, which allows me to have a deep rest. And, most importantly it is filled with my boxes, which are basically part of the furniture. I have a stand of 30 boxes, ‘The Sydney’ which is two-metres high. It looks lovely and has curved leather handles. It really goes well with my Art Deco chest of drawers from the 1920’s. I also have a stack of ‘Marrakesh’ boxes for my large sweaters. Again, these boxes have great curves and are very pretty.
I love art and every single space is filled with art. It is a relaxing room, low key and filled with my beautiful boxes. I also love Art Deco; clothes jewellery, furniture. My boxes remind of the old steamer trucks used in days gone by when people had proper luggage. I love the old fashioned look.
I love the outlook into the garden. There are black and white tiles in the courtyard and it is just lush. I have a great view of Tamarama beach.
Without a second thought, it would be Rob Lowe! I met him in Paris in 2010, on the street when I was 6 months pregnant. We chatted or half an hour and he was so nice. I even confessed to him he was my longest crush – ever since St Elmo’s Fire!
I’d add a walk-in wardrobe so that I could display all my boxes and there would be lots of space to see them. I’d finally have the proper space for everything fit in perfectly.
I’d say you need to live in it before you do anything so you can see how the light works. Also, don’t buy anything for a short-term fix. You should buy furniture you can keep and use for the rest of your life. If you need to, save up and buy a good piece rather than waste money on crappy piece.
Jan Logan |
22.12.14 |
For jewellery designer, Jan Logan, relaxing in her “sanctuary” – her living room – is one of life’s greatest treasures. Jan, who has lived in her Paddington terrace for over 20 years, loves the feeling of tranquillity which she gets from spending time in her favourite room. Her two-story (plus attic) home is situated on a wide, tree-lined, private and quiet cul-de-sac. While she lives alone, her “welcoming” home is often bustling with the friends, family and her eight grandchildren.
My favourite room is the living room/atrium, which opens into the courtyard at the back of the terrace.
It is such a peaceful, relaxing and harmonious space. The room carries on from the kitchen area and opens into the atrium. It is contiguous and works well with the flow of the house. It is filled with beautiful artworks, books, the TV, music and my piano. It’s just lovely and relaxing.
I’m originally from the country, Narrabri, and I think this room reflects my background. It is a Country style home with polished wood floors. It has a very relaxed feel and is full of things I’ve collected over the years. It certainly isn’t minimal. Some of the items include blue and white porcelain from the East, two lovely wooden trunks and an old oak dining table which I originally brought up from the country. We’ll be using it on Christmas Day – I am hosting lunch for 14! The colour scheme is ivory – clean and crisp.
I love the painting I have hung up, but the item I cannot live without is a sculpture carved by my son made from an iron bark from the country (His work can be found at www.adlogan.com).
I’d love to invite Bob Geldof. I’ve seen him interviewed frequently and he is very articulate. I think he would be very articulate, interesting and good company.
Nothing, I love it all, it’s perfect.
I think it’s nice to have light and to have comfort.
Richard Martin |
27.10.14 |
In a two-storey Paddington terrace hides an artistic jewel. On the ground floor, Richard Martin’s gallery is filled with contemporary artworks. He hosts exhibitions and conducts all his business from his gallery. However, it’s on the first floor where he calls home. After a 30-year corporate career, Richard decided to follow his passion: ART and has built a successful and rewarding career in the art world. While downstairs is filled with art, Richard’s living area is also bursting with eclectic pieces due to being an avid art collector and artist himself. Richard invited me into his private sanctuary.
It is the living room. Bright and light, I’ve filled it with my favourite art pieces. There’s also a great northern view of Trumper Park.
The lounge room is marvellous, so uplifting. I feel very inspired when I’m in the room. I feel relaxed and it’s easy to unwind here. It’s also a great place to entertain. Last week, I had a showing downstairs and invited 40 friends for drinks and canapés. There’s such a lovely feel here!
Art is my life passion; it represents who I am. I love having art all around me and I have filled this room with all my favourite pieces. It’s such a nice environment, it fills me with joy. I’m an art collector first before an art dealer, and have sourced all the pieces in this lounge room personally. If you have a passion, I’d encourage anyone to follow their heart. I’m so lucky I am able to do that.
Some of the pieces in here include the 1965 coffee table, a sculpture by Evan Penny, a black and white by Brett Whiteley (my favourite) and a lot of 3D pieces.
The whole feel; it’s so uplifting.
Could you imagine having Picasso and Brett Whiteley here! We’d have a conversation about art, have some drinks and a great meal. Then collaborate on artwork. How good would that be!
I am comfortable with change and I occasionally move things around. I do have favourites that I’ve owned for years. If I were to change one thing, it would be to have more wall space.
It is important to surround yourself with things you love. People often ask me, ‘Can I put that with that’, and I answer as long as you identify with it, then you should do what makes you feel good as you are the one living in the place. It comes down to one thing; love.
Nick Eddy |
25.09.14 |
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Absolutely nothing. It’s timeless.
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!
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.