NATURE
Y
ou can hear the deep sighs from
Rockhampton to Rockingham,
that involuntary expulsion of air that
expresses so much: we made it. It’s time to
cap off 2016 (if not put the genie back in
the bottle) and move on to the next year
with a pop of a cork. How delicious it is
to be approaching a couple of weeks to
disengage from deadlines and technology
and reconnect with family and nature. With
a few after-work swims under the belt now,
I’m hungry for more and anticipating the
rhythm of the summer holidays... No
rushing, good books, card games with
the kids, summer fruit, leftover ham,
and at least three swims a day.
Those close to me tell me I’m a much
better person when I’ve had a morning
ocean dip. And there is much research
supporting the positive effects of
interacting with nature. Time outdoors
can enhance your memory, promote
healing and sharpen your sense of smell.
Interacting with animals, meanwhile,
leads people to nurture closer human
relationships, value community and
be more generous with money.
Holidays are often the catalyst for positive
lifestyle change and this was certainly the
case for the owners of our upfront home
this month, homewares retailer/interiors
writer Natalie Walton and her family, who
took the plunge a year ago and bought a
home on a bush block on the NSW Central
Coast. Our beautiful shoot shows their
cleverly revamped cabin and possibly theworld’s best treehouse, now the preferred
address of her three older kids.
Meanwhile, in more urban settings, the
other homes this month all foster indoor-
outdoor connection. Louvres capture cross
breezes, deep verandahs add valuable
living space and kitchen serveries make
outdoor entertaining a daily delight. Rising
to the fore are natural materials both
attractive and durable enough to withstand
the indoor-outdoor dance we do this
season: timber, cool stone, sisal, wicker
and easy-wash linens and cottons set the
interior palette of an Australian summer.
WA contributor Anna Flanders shares
her safari experience this month (page
148). If Anna’s journey inspires you, enter
the competition to win a $25,000 luxury
safari for two to Botswana and Zimbabwe,
thanks to The Classic Safari Company.
There’s escapism of a different kind in the
beautiful words of award-winning novelist
Hannah Kent, who kicks off our new
column, On Home, masterfully.
Enjoy the year end, and new beginnings.
We’re looking forward to bringing you
another bumper year of inspiration for
your home and other life projects.CHASING
Love that look...
These homewares
speak of carefree
summer living.Designed by Ilse Crawford, the
Sinnerlig bamboo pendant
lampshade (50cm), looks fab
and casts pretty shadows too.
$69, Ikea; http://www.ikea.com.au.Handmade in Morocco using palm
fibre, you can find this storage
basket, $32, via Natalie Walton’s
online store Imprint House;
http://www.imprinthouse.net.A contemporary version of the Sacco
(Design Moment, page 66) the
beanbag in Light Denim (100x150cm)
has good looks and great form. $590,
Photograph by Darren McDonald (Lisa)Koskela; http://www.koskela.com.au.
summer
styleEDITOR’S LETTER H G
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