Australian_House_&_Garden_2017_01

SHARING NEWS IDEAS

show & tell

commuNIty H G

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 191

THE BOOK NOOK

Written by a clinical psychologist,

Dr Richard Chambers, The Art of

Mindful Origami extends the

concept of art-therapy colouring to

the Japanese art of paper-folding,

promoting peace of mind and

well-being through creative

projects. $19.99, Exisle Publishing.

French interior designer Sarah

Lavoine is your guide to living like

a stylish Frenchwoman. In Chez

Moi, she guides the reader

through the essentials, from

organising your wardrobe to

decorating a home in authentically

chic Parisian style. $35, Abrams.

Isabelle Bruno and Christine

Baillet’s Reinventing Ikea serves up

a selection of inspiring DIY

projects, from simple to

advanced, each transforming

budget designs from the Swedish

chain store into functional, and

unique new pieces. $35, Abrams.

LOVING THY NEIGHBOURS:

TALES OF LOVELY LOCALS

✚ “Each summer, we have a street party in the park across from our

house. One neighbour, a WWII veteran, brings a parachute, which

is strung up between trees for shade. Everyone brings food and

drink to share, and we chat with the neighbours and hear all the

gossip. Someone brings a slippery slide and a hose is run across

the street to it, so the kids can slide down the hill. After that, the

egg-and-spoon and sack races begin. It’s a fun day that we all

look forward to.” Melissa Heath, creative director

✚ “Our beautiful neighbours are always passing on pre-loved toys

and clothes for my preschooler, Henry. The other day he told me

that Marina, one of the neighbourhood mums, had given him

a ‘pinot’. What?! Turned out it was a piano, a sweet little retro

keyboard. That made me laugh.” Kate Nixon, interiors/houses editor

✚ “This year, I installed a street library outside our house. It’s been

lovely to have people stopping and checking out the books.

Whenever I bump into anyone outside my house, they tell me what

a great idea the library is. I love to foster sharing, particularly of

books. Other neighbours organise a street Christmas party in the

adjacent park every year. It’s a lovely way for everyone to catch

up and celebrate.” Sarah Pickette, features editor

Artist

we love

Freya Powell

originally studied

fashion design at Nottingham Trent

University in England. An obsession with

everything floral, however, led her to the

world of canvas and acrylic paints, and

she eventually turned her design-conscious

eye to the botanical realm. Freya’s work

is characterised by strong silhouettes,

pared-back aesthetics and rich palettes.

View her paintings and prints at http://www.

artpharmacy.com.au/freya-powell.

Share your tales of fabulous

neighbours! Email us at

[email protected].

Produced by Laura Barry. Photograph by John Paul Urizar/bauersyndication.com.au (party).