Interview on Kerri-Anne, channel 9, 2011
Interview on "Design Trends in Window Furnishings", 2012
Interview - The life creative website
What do you believe sets Belle apart from other interior design mags? Do you ever get approached with feature ideas and immediately know “that’s not Belle”?
Yes – all the time! We are in the lucky position of being inundated with content ideas from all over the world, but with only six issues
per year we need to be very selective about what is included. I think what sets Belle apart from other interior design magazines is the quality of its photography, its distinctive layout and typography and its fast-paced editorial mix of Australian and international homes, design news and profiles. We also have a sense of humour which keeps us real.
You said in the June/July Luxe Issue that you don’t necessarily love every home that’s featured in the magazine. What interior trends can you appreciate from afar but wouldn’t consider for your own home?
With hindsight that was a controversial thing to say. What I meant was that not every home published in Belle reflects my own personal taste, but I have a healthy respect and appreciation for a home that is a good example of its genre. I’m always cautious of trends for trends’ sake. It’s interesting to see how trends evolve, but you take from them only what you like and what feels right for your home.
What’s your home style like and how has it evolved over time?
Our home is classic, relaxed, welcoming and totally un-Belle! It is full of books, art and personal mementos collected on our travels together. I think it’s a real and accurate reflection of the life that my partner David and I share. And when you live with two large and energetic dogs you can’t be too precious.
What’s your decor secret shame; a so-bad-it’s-good theme or something a little left-of-centre?
My décor secret shame is that we have a downstairs laundry that is desperately in need of renovation and we keep ignoring it. The Block contestants would have had it sorted in five minutes! And then there’s the portrait of me that was painted for the Archibald … never know whether that’s the height of bad taste or kind of cool.
Christmas is fast approaching. What’s your take on Christmas decorating and do you execute a theme at home?
I’m British – and of a certain age – so I love traditional Christmas decorations that remind me of my childhood. I think an attitude to Christmas must be in your DNA. After many years of living in Australia I’ve adapted to pretty much everything – except Christmas. It never feels quite the same without pouring rain outside and the central heating turned-up full blast!
Let’s talk trends for 2014. What can we let go of and what can we embrace in the new year?
As I’ve already mentioned, I’m not a great believer in trends. What we can embrace moving forward into 2014 is an even greater individuality and sense of what the French so poetically call ‘bricolage’ – a mixing and mashing-up of different styles, eras, textures and colours. Along with this independent spirit comes an increased appreciation of craft, quality and the bespoke.
Do you have any up-and-coming designers on your look-out-for list?
Yes – lots. I’m watching furniture and product designers Front, Nika Zupanc and Sebastian Herkner with interest. In interior design I’m looking at Nick Olsen and Humbert/Poyet.
You’ve been judging on The Block for a few years now. What’s a standout moment for you?
Standing on the rooftop of The Block in the recent SkyHigh series and reflecting on what an extraordinary job the contestants had done. Creating a new landmark building on the South Melbourne skyline.
What’s next for you – with regard to Belle, The Block and anything outside of work?
That’s enough for the time being! Those two things keep me pretty busy. The potential to grow the Belle brand into other areas is exciting.
Lastly, how do you live The Life Creative?
By staying open-minded, interested and willing to learn. There are not enough hours in the day to read all the things I want to read but I do my best!
Yes – all the time! We are in the lucky position of being inundated with content ideas from all over the world, but with only six issues
per year we need to be very selective about what is included. I think what sets Belle apart from other interior design magazines is the quality of its photography, its distinctive layout and typography and its fast-paced editorial mix of Australian and international homes, design news and profiles. We also have a sense of humour which keeps us real.
You said in the June/July Luxe Issue that you don’t necessarily love every home that’s featured in the magazine. What interior trends can you appreciate from afar but wouldn’t consider for your own home?
With hindsight that was a controversial thing to say. What I meant was that not every home published in Belle reflects my own personal taste, but I have a healthy respect and appreciation for a home that is a good example of its genre. I’m always cautious of trends for trends’ sake. It’s interesting to see how trends evolve, but you take from them only what you like and what feels right for your home.
What’s your home style like and how has it evolved over time?
Our home is classic, relaxed, welcoming and totally un-Belle! It is full of books, art and personal mementos collected on our travels together. I think it’s a real and accurate reflection of the life that my partner David and I share. And when you live with two large and energetic dogs you can’t be too precious.
What’s your decor secret shame; a so-bad-it’s-good theme or something a little left-of-centre?
My décor secret shame is that we have a downstairs laundry that is desperately in need of renovation and we keep ignoring it. The Block contestants would have had it sorted in five minutes! And then there’s the portrait of me that was painted for the Archibald … never know whether that’s the height of bad taste or kind of cool.
Christmas is fast approaching. What’s your take on Christmas decorating and do you execute a theme at home?
I’m British – and of a certain age – so I love traditional Christmas decorations that remind me of my childhood. I think an attitude to Christmas must be in your DNA. After many years of living in Australia I’ve adapted to pretty much everything – except Christmas. It never feels quite the same without pouring rain outside and the central heating turned-up full blast!
Let’s talk trends for 2014. What can we let go of and what can we embrace in the new year?
As I’ve already mentioned, I’m not a great believer in trends. What we can embrace moving forward into 2014 is an even greater individuality and sense of what the French so poetically call ‘bricolage’ – a mixing and mashing-up of different styles, eras, textures and colours. Along with this independent spirit comes an increased appreciation of craft, quality and the bespoke.
Do you have any up-and-coming designers on your look-out-for list?
Yes – lots. I’m watching furniture and product designers Front, Nika Zupanc and Sebastian Herkner with interest. In interior design I’m looking at Nick Olsen and Humbert/Poyet.
You’ve been judging on The Block for a few years now. What’s a standout moment for you?
Standing on the rooftop of The Block in the recent SkyHigh series and reflecting on what an extraordinary job the contestants had done. Creating a new landmark building on the South Melbourne skyline.
What’s next for you – with regard to Belle, The Block and anything outside of work?
That’s enough for the time being! Those two things keep me pretty busy. The potential to grow the Belle brand into other areas is exciting.
Lastly, how do you live The Life Creative?
By staying open-minded, interested and willing to learn. There are not enough hours in the day to read all the things I want to read but I do my best!
Interview - The Family Kitchen website
What’s the most unusual kitchen design feature you’ve seen, and what’s the most ingenious?
In my sometimes contradictory roles as editor-in-chief of Belle and judge on The Block, I often feel like I’ve seen everything, but Duncan and Dale’s kitchen on The Block All Stars left me speechless. A cowhide splashback, a church pew and an aquarium created from the original stove! Amazingly it all worked. From a Belle perspective, we’re able to publish some of the most beautiful and design-forward kitchens around. A particular favourite is a kitchen in the current issue of the magazine by Sydney-based interior designer Greg Natale, which features a magnificent, cantilevered, ‘floating’ Caesarstone bench.
What’s one piece of advice you would give anyone tackling a kitchen renovation?
Plan, plan, plan and then plan again. A kitchen renovation is one of the costliest things you can undertake and mistakes are expensive. It’s also one of the best ways to add value to your property. Take time to work out exactly how you need your kitchen to function; for example, does it also need to be a home office, living or dining area?
How often do you cook at home, and what’s usually on your dinner menu?
You’d expect me to say ‘often’, but the answer is actually ‘rarely’. My partner is an ex-chef and can conjure restaurant-quality food on any night of
the week in five minutes flat! How lucky am I? But our kitchen is very much the hub of our home (a terrace in inner-Sydney) and we spend a lot of time there. David’s food is simple, seasonal and wholesome – with definite Italian and Asian accents.
Do you like to entertain? What’s your signature dish?
We do like to entertain, but we’re kind of retro in that we like the big, formal, bells-and-whistles dinner party! Candles, napery, silver and stemware –
the works. We’re not so good at the casual, drop-in-for-supper-this-evening style of entertaining. There’s no signature dish but coulibiac [classic
European salmon pie] has been a crowd-pleaser on more than one occasion. David’s is the best I’ve ever tasted and it harks back to his traditional training in French cuisine.
What three words best describe your family kitchen?
Cosy, contemporary, real. It’s very much a working kitchen.
In my sometimes contradictory roles as editor-in-chief of Belle and judge on The Block, I often feel like I’ve seen everything, but Duncan and Dale’s kitchen on The Block All Stars left me speechless. A cowhide splashback, a church pew and an aquarium created from the original stove! Amazingly it all worked. From a Belle perspective, we’re able to publish some of the most beautiful and design-forward kitchens around. A particular favourite is a kitchen in the current issue of the magazine by Sydney-based interior designer Greg Natale, which features a magnificent, cantilevered, ‘floating’ Caesarstone bench.
What’s one piece of advice you would give anyone tackling a kitchen renovation?
Plan, plan, plan and then plan again. A kitchen renovation is one of the costliest things you can undertake and mistakes are expensive. It’s also one of the best ways to add value to your property. Take time to work out exactly how you need your kitchen to function; for example, does it also need to be a home office, living or dining area?
How often do you cook at home, and what’s usually on your dinner menu?
You’d expect me to say ‘often’, but the answer is actually ‘rarely’. My partner is an ex-chef and can conjure restaurant-quality food on any night of
the week in five minutes flat! How lucky am I? But our kitchen is very much the hub of our home (a terrace in inner-Sydney) and we spend a lot of time there. David’s food is simple, seasonal and wholesome – with definite Italian and Asian accents.
Do you like to entertain? What’s your signature dish?
We do like to entertain, but we’re kind of retro in that we like the big, formal, bells-and-whistles dinner party! Candles, napery, silver and stemware –
the works. We’re not so good at the casual, drop-in-for-supper-this-evening style of entertaining. There’s no signature dish but coulibiac [classic
European salmon pie] has been a crowd-pleaser on more than one occasion. David’s is the best I’ve ever tasted and it harks back to his traditional training in French cuisine.
What three words best describe your family kitchen?
Cosy, contemporary, real. It’s very much a working kitchen.