Australia has so much talent!
This is what I think each time I read the feature stories in a fresh issue. Take The Block’s new judge Marty Fox – who knew that he and his wife Charlotte had flipped 14 houses? As it says in the story, he could show The Block contestants a thing or two about savvy home renovation. On The Creative Type page, we talk to Sophie Holt, who I have long admired for her incredible style and ability to turn a brand around with her unique inthe-moment yet timeless touch. Sophie shares some of her inspiration and how she paces herself through busy work days – I don’t know about you, but I love these kind of pages and find myself looking up all our featured creatives’ favourite books and artists – that can take you down a fun rabbit hole for a bit too long! I hope you are enjoying cooking ( and not just reading!) the recipes we feature each month. I am a big fan of the delicious seasonal dishes Amanda from The Cordony Kitchen prepares for us, and this menu is a visual masterpiece. As this was a Greek feast and we always like to tap into expert knowledge, Amanda had excellent input from Frida, the mother of our contributor Olga Lewis. I will be making Frida’s spanakopita the next chance I get. Creativity runs in the family and Olga has curated a fabulous collection of art that would work perfectly in the bathroom, boudoir or any sanctuary really – see page 67. If you are planning a new bathroom or laundry turn to page 181. Just seeing a beautiful freestanding bathtub makes my shoulders slide down from my ears! Mother’s Day is on the horizon, and whether you are a mother or not, it is a great reminder to celebrate those who have had a nurturing influence in your life. These beautiful figures who always come through for us in the good times and bad deserve a special treat, and our stellar stylist Sophie Wilson has assembled a gorgeous line-up of gift suggestions – all splendidly colour coordinated as only stylists know how, to inspire your gift-giving. It’s not a new trend, but the cost-of-living conversations have definitely prompted everyone to think about innovative housing solutions. I think the story on page 88 of multigenerational design planning will resonate with many readers. David, a retired civil engineer, has created a dream retirement scenario with his daughter, son-in law and three grandchildren, and now has a gentleman’s retreat. As he says, at 80 he deserves it!
Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief