Karen M ccar t ney Contributing editor
WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS? In Santiago, Chile, where we will stay at the Matildas Hotel and enjoy a well-deserved Christmas dinner after a 14-hour flight. DECORATING TIP FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON? Normally it is a fresh pine tree from the local Boy Scout sale piled with an odd assortment of much-loved decorations collected over 20 years. WHAT W ILL YOU B E S IPPING OVER THE
I can’t go past a gin and tonic. Archie Rose Distilling Co has opened my tastebuds. I love their collaborations, such as the series with renowned tattoo artist Horisumi on a series of gins celebrating Japanese seasons [9]. HOLIDAY FASHION MUST HAVES? I am not good with summer fashion so I rely on nding a few good, multipurpose dresses from Lee Mathews to see me through. ULTIMATE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? I’ve never been to Chile before so I’m looking forward to seeing the countryside and meeting architects Pezo von Ellrichshausen and staying in their celebrated Poli House. WHAT IS ON YOUR SUMMER P LAYLIST? Anything by Billie Holiday says summer to me; Charles Bradley. HOLIDAY NETFLIX/STAN/ ITUNES BINGE? Any gritty crime series that is British or Swedish. FAVOURITE SHOPS AND ONLINE STORES FOR GIF T GIVING? The Store by Fairfax; Potts Point Bookshop for books; Ginkgo Leaf has beautiful gifts for those who are dif cult to buy for; and Montmartre Store in Sydney’s Mosman which is run by two French women who source directly from their home country. I go to Mr Porter and vintage site Pamono. WHAT'S ON YOUR SUMMER READING LIST? I have a pile of The New Yorker magazines to catch up on. I’m determined to read Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible [4]. WHICH FLOWERS/FOLIAGE WILL FEATURE ON YOUR FESTIVE TABLE? I am a fan of orchids for their exoticism, fragile beauty and stamina. WHAT’S ON YOUR TO DO LIST FOR 2018? I love a January list but I nd the year just gathers you up. I will publish another book, and lots of travel is on the agenda.
WISHLIST 1 Photograph by Alicia Taylor from Becker Minty. 2 Table lamp from Don Cameron. 3 Handbag from Jamin Puech. 5 ‘ Drop Cloth’ silk and cashmere scarf from Martyn Thompson. 6 Fountain pen from Montblanc. 7 Naomi Goodsir ‘Iris Cendré’ perfume from Peony Melbourne. 8 Destination Architecture book. 10 ’Scissor’ outdoor table by David Harrison from Robert Plumb. 11 Sterling silver and onyx cu from Georg Jensen. 12 Fort Standard storage jars from Criteria.