Welcome
There’s so much of my life that I’d love to share with you, from my journey as a novice gardener to how I host and entertain. In my job, and over the past 20 years working alongside the best of Australia’s interior designers, decorators, gardeners and hosts, I’ve learnt a lot.
And it’s information I hope you find as helpful and inspiring as I have.
Let me know if there is a topic you’d love me to explore!
Order, order!
As soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, I feel ready to shake off the year that was and sashay into the good intentions that January 1st brings. The first thing I feel compelled to do is clear the clutter. After you’ve removed all the Christmas decorations, it’s amazing how open your home looks. And how much the debris of life stands out. Room by room, I collect all the things I don’t want anymore and sort them into donate, sell, recycle or remove. Clutter gone, it immediately feels easier to deal with what’s left. I tackle one job at a time: pulling books out of the shelves, stemware and dinnerware out of cupboards and drawers, clothes out of wardrobes. I give each item a quick clean, wipe down the space they’re going back into and then replace the items with the enthusiasm of a visual merchandiser. Later on, if I need a moment of calm or motivation, I’ll go back to peek into an organised cupboard and smile. Tell me I’m not the only one who does this?
White and airy textiles
I love white textiles. Towels, bedlinens, chair slipcovers – I even wear a lot of white. People often ask me how I keep it all clean and, actually, I find whites easier to maintain than colours. There’s not much I haven’t been able to fix without a soak in Vanish or with a spray of Preen. Where colours fade, whites get brighter. In January, I make the most of the long sunny days and give everything in my linen cupboard a soak and a wash (I’m team frontloader, in case you’re wondering), and then dry outside on the line. I do the same with my furniture slipcovers, but I move the chairs outside to air and then replace the covers while damp so they can dry in situ. The smell of sun-dried linens is intoxicating, and the sun makes them extra white. It’s a wonderful ritual to start the year afresh.
A new hue for the new year
After the holidays, it’s only natural to feel a little glum. To remedy this, I dive into a new decor scheme, changing out cushion covers, throws, candles and flowers all over the house. In summer, I love blue and white. It’s fresh, uplifting and has a holiday feel. As for home scent, it’s all about fig and citrus. Trudon Cyrnos is a favourite. I also love to make a list of everything I want to do during summer, from drinking rosé with friends at the Sydney Opera House or reading a great novel set by the beach, to growing tomatoes and basil and making caprese salads. It helps me to stay in the moment rather than race ahead. The year will unfold, one season at a time. And my one resolution is to make the most of each one, starting with summer.
All-time classic colour palette
One of the most iconic and timeless colour palettes of all time comes into its own in the height of summer. From decor to fashion, I’m a blue and white devotee, but my favourite place to use it is in dinnerware. I adore the designs of Spode, Villeroy & Boch’s Old Luxembourg, Royal Delft and my own collection of Royal Copenhagen. And I can’t resist a single, solitary vintage plate in an op shop. They make wonderful saucers for terracotta pots, or as accent servingware when teamed with white. While classic, blue and white takes on a modern edge when teamed with contemporary glassware and brushed steel or brass cutlery. I love it elevated with either elegant green foliage or cheerful red, orange or yellow florals, depending on the occasion. Mix and match however you like – you can’t go wrong.
Shop The Edit: From Elle
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Hosted by Editor Elle Lovelock,
The Edit podcast opens the door to beautiful homes and the people and stories behind them.
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