EDITOR’S LETTER

Regular readers will know that I’m a big fan of white, white and more white, so I always approach a colour issue with admiration for the design professionals and owners who embrace the bold and the beautiful – whether they lean into subtle, moody hues or bright, impactful blocks of colour. I appreciate the tonal mastery of so many of Australia’s leading interior designers, because I know that putting together a colour scheme that you can live happily with every day takes a lot of skill!

I love our ‘At Home With’ story, about the collaboration between the talented interior designer and colour wizard Brooke Aitken and her childhood friend, Meredith. They worked together to create Meredith’s beautiful family home in Palo Alto, California. We don’t usually feature overseas houses in Australian House & Garden, but this house has so many Australian connections we felt it was worthy. Visitors comment on the Australian feel the house has, and Brooke and Meredith have certainly added lifeaffirming jolts of colour in a dynamic yet considered way. The two are great friends and think in sync, which made this design process very easy – see more on page 23.

Sydney interior designer Sally Birch worked with Kay and Alexandra as they transitioned from a big old home to an apartment more suited to their busy lifestyles. The result is a very personal and fabulously liveable space, which you can see on page 134. H&G regular and colour maestro Brett Mickan also led his clients on a colourful journey, creating a beautifully warm home (page 88) that is uniquely stylish yet speaks to the heritage of the original residence.

I believe that even if you are confident about what you want in your interior, and have the budget, engaging a design professional is the best way to maximise results and take some of the hassle out of the renovating and decorating process. The house by Studio Senior in Sydney’s east (page 122), embraces my kind of colour work: fabulous pops of colour in the artworks provide interest and a focal point in an otherwise neutral interior.

I was able to enjoy some colour therapy of my own this issue too. I worked with King fabric expert Sebastian Nash on choosing upholstery for some stylish furniture pieces for compact spaces – see the gorgeous palette we came up with on page 53. Many of us have trouble sleeping from time to time. Maybe a shot of pure indulgence in the boudoir might help the situation? See Kirstie Clements’ covetable selections on page 69. We hope this issue brightens your day and inspires some vibrant decorating plans. We will see you next issue, for the highly anticipated reveal of our Top 50 Rooms.

“Putting together a COLOUR SCHEME that you can live happily with EVERY DAY takes a lot of skill!”