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P rocrastination is really my only reliable friend when it comes to trying to distil the contents of each issue into the editor’s letter – everyone else falls away and I nd myself completely off topic, not writing but reading insightful stories about princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and how dif cult it is to balance being a young working woman with royal duties, followed by a scan of galleries of celebrities with the most disastrous plastic surgery! Just to give you a little more background on how my sidekick, procrastination, operates: he highlights that it is a sunny Friday morning in August and there’s a hint of Sydney spring in the air and tempts with ideas of frolicking out in the sun harbourside. Then he gets everyone daydreaming about what we would like to have delivered to the of ce while we nish our deadline. Flutes of rosé Champagne and a tray of salmon blinis would be very welcome – he’s not sure if Deliveroo can do…

Then he’s gone and thank goodness inspiration arrives, literally leaping off the pages driven by the creativity of all the amazing designers who are in the new issue. This is our kitchen and bathroom edition and, as someone in need of an extremely urgent bathroom renovation and slightly less pressing kitchen overhaul, I have been scanning every stunning project with heightened interest, from talented and innovative designers like Tamsin Johnson, Decus, Chelsea Hing and lots more – see p165.

Renowned interior designer Greg Natale has wowed again with his magni cent and highly patterned take on a country home for a design-savvy couple who love dark, luxurious spaces – even in the children’s wing – these youngsters get used to sophistication early – p104 and p196. Greg’s new book, The Patterned Interior published by Rizzoli, features this project and many other fabulous homes and goes on sale in September.

If you’re a talented young artist who’s not represented by a gallery, drag out the easel and start painting. Belle Artstart, supported by Belle Property and Studio Gallery, is back and we are looking for Australia’s most incredible young painters. This year the rst 80 contenders to enter and pay will receive their canvas for free, generously provided by Studio Gallery. And, speaking of rewarding talent, we are also looking for Australia’s best boutique builders so if that’s what you do or you know someone in the eld we urge you to enter the Belle Luxury Home Building Awards – see p73.

If the Australian winter is getting you down – yes we are all a little pathetic when it comes to shorter days and chillier nights – you’ll want to hop on a plane after reading Carli Philips’ lovely story on Florence and some of its hidden gems – as she says, the city is virtually an open-air museum.

Enjoy the issue and we will be back with Luxe Coastal Homes in our November issue.