I honestly wonder if the people at Stone Ambassador ever sleep because they never seem to stop launching new products, colours and partnerships! This month sees the addition of nine stunning colours to its Zenith Surfaces range; every one of them an intentional design choice.

They tell me there’s a quiet revolution happening in the Australian kitchen and it starts at the benchtop. “For too long, the benchtop has been treated as purely functional. A place to prep, to cook, to clean,” says senior marketing co-ordinator Annalyse Vamvalis. “But the most considered interiors tell a different story; one where every surface is a deliberate design choice, where materiality and mood are inseparable, and where the everyday is elevated into something truly artful.”

Building on the success of last year’s collection, Stone Ambassador’s 2026 design direction is centred around one simple but powerful idea: that a benchtop can be a design centrepiece. Not an afterthought. Not a backdrop. But a statement.

The new colours bring added depth, warmth, and architectural presence to the home, each one designed with the kind of considered detail that designers, architects, and discerning homeowners have come to expect from the Stone Ambassador name.

Belinda Vandenboom of Gallerie B Interiors in Melbourne, says: “Stone Ambassador’s new Zenith stone benchtop range offers designers a considered collection of surfaces that go beyond passing trends, creating spaces that feel timeless and refined. Featuring soft veining and a beautifully curated palette, the collection embraces the warmth we are seeing in interiors while maintaining a sense of longevity.

“These tones pair seamlessly with natural timber cabinetry, bringing depth and warmth to kitchens, wet areas and living spaces, while the more neutral designs provide a versatile foundation for a range of interior styles.”

Meet the nine new colours

Amina

Warm, light-filled, and quietly magnificent, Amina’s gentle mineral movement and understated presence make it one of those surfaces that feels both timeless and entirely of the moment. If you’re drawn to spaces that feel serene without being cold, Amina is your answer.

Sarva White

For lovers of clean, considered design, Sarva White delivers cool refinement with soft tonal layering and delicate cloud-like movement. It’s the kind of surface that lets great architecture breathe. Composed, elegant, and effortlessly modern.

Leylak

Leylak is a quietly unexpected choice; a light, softly luminous surface with the most beautiful subtle purple-toned veining running through it. It’s elegant without being bold, distinctive without being loud. For designers looking to bring something truly special to a space, this one is worth lingering on.

Sahara Swirl

Imagine a surface that captures the warmth of afternoon light: fine, flowing veining and gentle movement throughout a warm, light-toned base. Sahara Swirl brings a sunlit calm to the kitchen, adding depth and refined warmth to any interior palette.

Dubai Drift

Earthy yet refined, Dubai Drift is a surface with quiet strength. Softly layered with gentle veining and natural movement, it brings a grounded, timeless quality to modern interiors; the kind of surface that anchors a space beautifully.

Perla Santana

Warm beige, soft cream undertones, and subtle taupe veining. Perla Santana is natural, understated beauty at its finest. It sits perfectly within both contemporary and transitional interiors, bringing an earthy warmth that never goes out of style.

Lumira

Cool, soft-white, and defined by neutral elegance, Lumira’s soft linear grey veining brings a refined contemporary edge that works effortlessly across a wide range of design styles. Clean, considered, and quietly confident.

Lumira Gold

Where Lumira is crisp and cool, Lumira Gold turns up the warmth. Gentle golden linear veining set against a creamy ivory base introduces a timeless aesthetic and a touch of contemporary luxury that feels indulgent without being excessive.

Marmo Rosa

Perhaps the most characterful of the collection, a warm, creamy base with light pink undertones, layered with soft taupe and grey veining throughout. Marmo Rosa is elegant and composed, bringing subtle contrast and personality to modern interiors in the most beautiful way.

Where everyday living becomes art

What makes this collection so exciting isn’t just the individual colours, it’s what they represent as a whole; a design direction that treats the kitchen benchtop with the same reverence as any other design decision in the home.

“Whether you’re an architect specifying for a high-end residential project, an interior designer searching for that perfect surface to anchor a kitchen, or a homeowner embarking on your dream renovation,  the 2026 Zenith collection offers something genuinely worth considering,” says Annalyse.

Belinda added: “Personally, I love how the new Zenith range represents natural stone. The subtle movement and veining bring a sense of calm and sophistication, helping designers create spaces that feel warm, layered and thoughtfully designed for our clients.”

Designed with artistry. Built to last. Backed by 25 years.

Get your samples or find your nearest showroom today.

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What homeowners think they’re fixing, what’s actually causing the frustration, and how to avoid spending money on the wrong solution.

One of the things I’ve noticed after years working with homeowners is that most people think they’re renovating because they need a better house.

• A bigger kitchen.
• An extension.
• Open-plan living.
• More storage.
• An extra bathroom.

But when you dig a little deeper, that’s rarely the real reason. What they’re actually tired of is how life feels inside the home. The feeling that the house isn’t working for the way they live. The challenge is that most homeowners jump straight to solutions before they’ve identified the real problem. And that’s where expensive mistakes happen.

The following five upgrades are some of the most common examples I see.

1. What homeowners think they’re fixing: “We need a bigger kitchen.”

What’s actually happening:

• The kitchen feels chaotic.
• People are constantly in each other’s way.
• Benches are cluttered.
• Meal preparation feels stressful.

Why this happens:

One of the biggest mistakes I see is homeowners confusing size with functionality. I’ve worked in large kitchens that function terribly and compact kitchens that work beautifully. The difference is usually workflow.

For example:

• The fridge is positioned in the main traffic path.
• The dishwasher door blocks access when open.
• Groceries have to be carried across the entire kitchen before they can be unpacked.
• The bin is nowhere near the preparation area.
• There isn’t enough landing space beside key appliances.

These small frustrations compound every day until homeowners become convinced the kitchen is too small.

What to consider before renovating:

Before deciding you need more square metres, spend a week observing how your kitchen is used. Pay attention to:

• Where people stop and wait for each other.
• Which appliance creates congestion.
• Whether there is enough preparation space beside the sink and cooktop.
• Whether groceries can be unpacked efficiently.
• Whether multiple people can use the kitchen comfortably at the same time.

Often, improving the layout creates a greater impact than increasing the size.

2. What homeowners think they’re fixing: “We’ve outgrown the house.”

What’s actually happening:

• Spare rooms aren’t being used properly.
• Furniture layouts waste valuable space.
• Storage is poorly planned.
• Rooms have no clear purpose.
• Large areas sit empty most of the time.
• Everyday activities happen in the same overcrowded zones.

Why this happens:

The moment a family starts feeling squeezed, the conversation often jumps straight to: “We need an extension.” But many homes aren’t actually short on space. They’re short on purpose.

I regularly see:

• Formal dining rooms used twice a year.
• Spare bedrooms functioning as storage rooms.
• Children’s play areas scattered across multiple rooms.
• Oversized hallways consuming valuable floor area.
• Living rooms that no longer suit how the family spends time together.

The house hasn’t necessarily become too small. Life has simply changed.

What to consider before renovating:

Before committing to an extension, walk through every room and ask:

• How often is this room actually used?
• What purpose does it serve?
• If we were designing this home today, would we use this room the same way?

You may discover the issue isn’t a lack of space. It’s that the existing space no longer reflects the way your family lives.

3. What homeowners think they’re fixing: “The house feels too closed off.”

What’s actually happening

• Mum feels isolated while cooking.
• The kids disappear into bedrooms.
• Family members spend most of their time apart.
• Daily life feels disconnected.
• Conversations happen across walls.
• Nobody feels together, even when they’re home.

Why this happens

Open-plan living is often presented as the solution to modern family life. But when homeowners tell me they want open-plan living, they’re rarely talking about walls. They’re talking about connection.

They tell me:

• “I feel isolated when I’m cooking.”
• “The kids disappear into their rooms.”
• “We never seem to be together.”
• “The house feels disconnected.”

The renovation conversation starts with walls. But the real conversation is often about family dynamics.

What to consider before renovating:

Before removing walls, ask yourself what you’re actually hoping will change. Is it the floorplan? Or is it the feeling of disconnection inside the home?

Many homeowners assume open-plan living will automatically create more connection, but connection comes from how spaces are used, not simply how they’re arranged.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want more visibility of the children?
• More interaction while preparing meals?
• Better connection between indoor and outdoor spaces?
• More opportunities for everyday conversation?

Understanding the outcome you’re seeking helps determine whether structural changes are necessary or whether smaller layout adjustments could achieve the same result.

4. What homeowners think they’re fixing: “We need another bathroom.”

What’s actually happening

• Everyone is trying to get ready at the same time.
• Parents have nowhere to retreat.
• Morning routines feel chaotic.
• Storage is overflowing.
• The existing bathroom no longer supports current family life.

The real problem

• The home no longer supports this stage of family life.
• As families grow and routines change, pressure points become more obvious.
• The goal isn’t necessarily another bathroom.
• It’s creating a home that works for the way life looks now.

Possible solution

Before assuming you need another bathroom, identify exactly where the pressure point occurs.

Is everyone competing for the same mirror during the morning rush? Are toiletries overflowing because there’s nowhere to store them? Or has your family simply outgrown the way the bathroom was originally designed to function?

In some homes, improving storage, separating key functions or reconfiguring the existing layout, can significantly improve daily routines without adding another bathroom.

5. What homeowners think they’re fixing: “We need more storage.”

What’s actually happening

• Food disappears in deep pantry shelves.
• School bags don’t have a designated home.
• Appliances live permanently on benchtops.
• Linen cupboards are overflowing.
• Items are duplicated because nobody can find anything.
• Every flat surface becomes a storage zone.

Why this happens:

Storage is one of the most misunderstood renovation requests. Homeowners often tell me: “We just need more storage.”

But when we investigate further, the issue is rarely the quantity of storage. It’s how the storage has been planned.

Common problems include:

• Everyday items stored in hard-to-reach locations.
• Frequently used items spread across multiple rooms.
• No dedicated home for children’s belongings.
• Storage designed around aesthetics rather than daily habits.
• Deep cupboards where items disappear and are forgotten.

What to consider before renovating:

Before adding more cabinetry, pay attention to what causes clutter. Ask:

• What items are always left out?
• Why aren’t they being put away?
• Is storage located where these items are actually used?

Good storage supports behaviour. Not just belongings.

After more than 20 years working across full-home renovations, I’ve noticed a pattern behind many renovation regrets. Most homeowners don’t renovate the wrong way. They renovate the wrong problem.

The kitchen, the extension, the bathroom, the pantry, the open-plan renovation.

These things are rarely the real problem. They’re simply the solution that’s been attached to it.

Before making any major renovation decision, ask yourself:

• What is actually frustrating me?
• What outcome am I hoping this renovation will create?
• Am I solving the cause or the symptom?
• Have I identified the real problem before choosing the solution?

The most successful renovations don’t begin with a floorplan. They begin with clarity. Because once you understand the real problem, choosing the right solution becomes much easier.

Before you reno!

Kate can help you avoid costly mistakes with a one-hour private zoom call, where she reviews your plans, identifies risks, and helps clarify decisions that will shape how your home works every day.

The post 5 upgrades Australians spend big on that don’t solve the problem appeared first on The Interiors Addict.

Representing a significant evolution for the brand, the Forma collection has been designed for customers seeking investment pieces that bring warmth, character and craftsmanship into the home. Featuring handwoven wool constructions, organic silhouettes and deeply textured finishes, the collection reflects a growing shift towards natural materials and thoughtful, long-lasting design.

“Miss Amara has built its reputation on making rug shopping more inspiring, seamless and accessible,” said Alexandra Tanya Weller, co-founder and creative director. “This collection represents a new chapter for us. We wanted to create pieces that celebrate craftsmanship at its highest level – rugs that showcase the beauty of natural materials, honour the artisans who make them, and bring a greater sense of texture, character and luxury into the home.”

Every rug has been handcrafted by artisans using traditional techniques that cannot be replicated by machine. Working with natural fibres including wool and other sustainably sourced materials, makers spend hours creating the distinctive textures, depth and movement that define each design.

Subtle variations in pile, finish and texture make every piece unique – a reflection of the human hands behind its creation. The result is a collection that feels deeply tactile, highly considered and designed to age beautifully within the home.

“Our customers are increasingly seeking spaces that feel warmer, softer and more connected to nature, which is why natural fibres and handcrafted pieces are becoming more desirable than ever,” Alexandra continued.

The Forma Collection

The collection introduces a range of handcrafted styles, from timeless rectangular designs through to contemporary irregular silhouettes.

Sancha ($549-$2,299)

Handmade in India from 100% wool, Sancha is a refined flatweave design in a soft natural ivory tone. Finished with a full perimeter fringe, it delivers understated texture and timeless versatility.

Gellica and Savita ($1,099-$3,999)

These handcrafted premium New Zealand wool shag rugs feature a plush 80mm pile and sculptural, cloud-like forms that create remarkable softness and visual depth. Made from 80% wool and 20% cotton, each piece is individually shaped by hand, making no two exactly alike. Available in biscuit and warm oat.

Bethany Irregular ($999-$3,299)

A statement-making premium New Zealand wool shag rug in a rich truffle colourway. Its deep pile and organic silhouette bring warmth, movement and a distinctly sculptural quality to bedrooms and intimate living spaces.

Minerva, Oracene and Varessa ($1,199-$4,199)

Among the most luxurious designs in the collection, these handcrafted shag rugs feature a dramatic 150mm pile that creates an incredibly soft and immersive underfoot experience. Available in mocha, warm beige and muted olive green.

Rannis, Janisa and Yosefa ($1,099-$3,999)

Hand-knotted in India from 90% premium New Zealand wool and 10% cotton, these highly textural designs combine thick wool piles with artisanal craftsmanship to create pieces rich in depth, dimension and individuality.

The collection is available exclusively at missamara.com.au. As with all Miss Amara purchases, it’s is backed by the brand’s complimentary styling service and customer-first shopping experience.

About Miss Amara

Founded in 2014 by Alexandra and Aaron Weller, Miss Amara is an Australian-born rug brand redefining how consumers shop for rugs through a digital-first, design-led approach. Now one of the country’s leading online rug retailers, the business has scaled globally with a team of more than 70 across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States.

Driven by customer insight, Miss Amara design and develop their own in-house collections, including their fast-growing washable rugs and cult-favourite Rollie Pollie playmats – categories built in direct response to how customers live and use their spaces.

The post Elevate the everyday with the most luxurious rug range appeared first on The Interiors Addict.

Spanning a huge 3,000 sqm, the K home concept brings together furniture, storage, home styling and everyday essentials in one curated destination.

K home has been designed to help customers explore Kmart’s home range in a more immersive and inspiring way, bringing together room inspiration, curated and dedicated category displays that make it easier to browse, discover ideas and visualise products in their own homes.

The store also includes selected furniture and storage products previously available only online, giving customers the chance to see more of the range in person before they buy.

The store will showcase Kmart’s full Anko furniture range alongside home styling, bedding, décor, storage and cleaning solutions, allowing customers to touch, feel and compare products across categories. The format also creates more opportunities to highlight product innovation, from compression technology furniture to expanded furniture and home décor collections.

K home has been designed as a trial format, building on the strength of Kmart’s home offer and helping the business better understand how customers want to shop a dedicated home destination.

“K home is a store trial designed to help more Australians create a home they love. It brings together more of our home range in one dedicated destination, with curated displays, room-set inspiration and access to a broader range of products that make shopping for the home easier, more inspiring and more enjoyable,” says Kmart group general manager store experience, Courtny Keeble.

“We’ve continued to grow our furniture and home offer and customers have responded strongly. This trial helps us build on that strength and make more of the range accessible. At a time when value matters more than ever, we’re focused on helping customers create a home they love and are proud of, at a price they can afford.”

The K Home trial reflects Kmart’s focus on helping Australians live better every day by delivering great product design at low prices.

K home Box Hill South | Opening Hours: 8am to 9pm (Mon-Fri) and 8am to 6pm (Sat-Sun) | 249 Middleborough Road, Box Hill South, Victoria 3128.

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Here, we look at four homes in the shortlist that fall under this trend.

Crescent House by Studio Bright

Crescent House is a surgical adaptation of a 1970s beach home on a bush-edged Mornington Peninsula site. The original spatial framework of the house is retained, and a unifying external veil shaped by three crescent geometries consolidates old and new elements, reinforcing the home’s relationship to its coastal landscape. 

“Crescent House is the careful adaptation of a 1970s beach home on a bush-edged site on the Mornington Peninsula, supporting a family’s transition from city living to a permanent coastal home. The clients were strongly drawn to the character of the original house, particularly the generous tri-spatial living areas organised around a masonry double-sided fireplace. Rather than replace the house, the project adopts an intricate surgical approach, retaining key spatial qualities while selectively removing a series of ad hoc additions that had compromised both function and clarity.

A unifying external veil brings coherence to retained and new elements. Formed from a simple timber post structure shaped by three subtle crescent geometries, the veil establishes a legible architectural language while mediating light, outlook and privacy. Timber posts land on a custom-formed green concrete plinth, responding to both flooding and bushfire considerations.

The entry sequence is reconfigured through a new boardwalk that navigates the sloping landscape, replacing an awkward arrival via a former carport and bringing visitors directly into the heart of the house. The new volume extends toward the bay to create an elevated outdoor deck among the trees, while bedrooms and family spaces below are partially embedded into the landscape, strengthening the relationship between house and garden.

Existing materials, including slate floors, timber ceilings and roof structure, were carefully repaired and retained. New interventions remain legible through subtle shifts in form, material orientation and detail, reinforcing the project’s careful balance between continuity and change.”

North Melbourne Apartment by Card Practice

An apartment renovation which prioritises small furniture interventions and creative reuse over extensive demolition, in a double brick 1960s walk-up apartment building. The design enhances functionality, clarity, and liveability, without increasing the apartment’s footprint.

Located within a modest double-brick walk-up, this project demonstrates an approach that can be readily applied to many of Melbourne’s apartment buildings. Rather than relying on extensive demolition, the strategy prioritises precise, low-impact interventions that significantly improve spatial quality and liveability. This reflects a broader shift toward working with what already exists, enhancing everyday environments through thoughtful design.

Central to the refurbishment is a reconfigured kitchen that opens sight lines through the apartment, drawing the eye toward surrounding landscape views while forming a defined ‘room within a room’. A carefully framed servery reinforces this idea, operating as an internal window that visually connects adjacent spaces without compromising the compact floor plan.

Storage and seating are consolidated into a continuous piece of joinery that runs along the living area. This element accommodates books, records, and personal objects, while also creating a dedicated dining nook. By integrating multiple functions into one gesture, the design reduces the need for additional furniture, allowing the apartment to feel more generous and cohesive.

The bathroom renovation follows a similar philosophy of restraint and everyday use, focusing on improving functionality while maintaining a calm, pared-back aesthetic. A laundry is carefully integrated within the bathroom vanity, paired with finishes and fixtures that aim to maximise the compact footprint.

Material selection plays an equally important role throughout. A new cork floor introduces warmth and texture underfoot, unifying the kitchen and living areas while subtly distinguishing their functions. The restrained palette and tactile surfaces create a cohesive interior that enhances comfort and everyday living.”

Borland Crossman House by Wowowa Architecture

First published in Belle Magazine (1978), Borland Crossman House is a restoration and adaptive reimagining of a Kevin Borland modernist gem in Glen Iris. WOWOWA carefully disassembled the elements that no longer served a contemporary family, stitching them back in a way that feels both fresh and deeply respectful.   

“Adorned in vibrant primary colours, this renovation to a 1970’s ‘nuts and berries’ rustic and decidedly Australian semi-brutalist brick and timber project is an exemplar of heritage and sustainability. The repair project beautifully balances technical carbon reductive rigor with architectural whimsy, honouring the robust legacy of Australian architecture while ensuring the home thrives for another generation.

The design centres on the iconic double-height, fern-filled internal garden atrium, which is shielded by an east-facing slatted shade structure. Acting as custodians, the clients prioritized circularity, opting for painstaking restoration over replacement. This commitment is visible in the precise spatial interventions; for instance, a faceted half-circle window suite was shifted 800mm to accommodate an eight-person dining table. A delicious array of colors—primary red, yellow, and Blue—is accompanied by dusty mustard, mission brown, and a gorgeous crane wallpaper, nodding to the Robin Boyd Japanese era that facilitated a uniquely Australian fusion to the Melbourne modernist paradigm.

The study serves as the hero of the project. Formerly a mechanical room, it now features a crafted coved joinery desk and a matching facade curtain wall that provides new sightlines through the void to the revitalized internal garden. With extraordinary care, existing timber linings were removed, sorted, repaired, and reinstalled alongside new boards color-matched through a replicated whitewash oil process—completed by the clients themselves. Like treasure, the taps, basins, lights, knobs, and tiles were retained and embellished alongside a taxonomy of precious original details.”

Ernest House by Brighton by Bower Architecture & Interiors

A renovation and restoration of a 1968 Harry Ernest & Associates designed Mid Century single level villa to create a comfortable, light and warm forever home for the clients’ retirement. 

“The brief called for a home that is comfortable, light and warm—modern and open, yet unpretentious and quietly joyful. Designed for a pair of homebodies, it supports daily rituals of reading, music and slow mornings, with sunlight, garden outlooks and spaces that feel both easy and welcoming. A love of art, cooking and entertaining is woven throughout, with moments of surprise and delight.

The architectural response is deliberately restrained: to retain and restore the original house, with interventions limited to precise internal rearrangements, new high-performance double glazing, carefully placed windows and doors to strengthen garden connections, and skylights to draw daylight deep into the plan. Material upgrades improve durability and comfort, with enhanced insulation and a fully electric system—including heating, cooling and hot water—supported by a substantial solar array, achieving a 6-star outcome.

A conversation with the original architect, Harry Ernest, reaffirmed the value of the home’s defining qualities: its brown brickwork in Flemish bond, low-slung street presence and courtyard focus. The light-touch approach honours this legacy while enabling a renewed and enduring life.”

The winners of the 2026 Houses Awards will be announced at a gala event on Friday 4 September, with projects awarded across nine categories. One winner is awarded the premier title of Australian House of the Year. Each award category offers a $1,000 cash prize, and the winner of the Australian House of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash prize. 

After the awards ceremony, the eventual winners and commendations will be announced online on Saturday 5 September 2026, across Architecture Media’s online platforms. A gallery of the shortlisted homes is also on the Houses Awards website. 

The post Updating existing homes a trend in this year’s Houses Awards appeared first on The Interiors Addict.

Her clients had a growing family of two young sons (and a third after the renovation was completed), so the aim was to create a practical, modern kitchen, a new bathroom, and the addition of an ensuite.

“The rooms were small, but had fabulously high ceilings and period details throughout. My guiding principle was to make the design feel unexpected yet sympathetic to the home’s Victorian heritage,” Alison explained.

Several original stained-glass windows were retained and served as a great source of inspiration. In the ensuite bathroom, Alison leaned into the green and red stained glass but freshened it up with a pale green and pink colour scheme. “The wallpaper is a distinctly Australian take on classic Victoriana, with flowering gum, gum leaves and parrots. I wanted this space to be a little more sophisticated and serene for the grownups, but still full of life.”

The main bathroom presented a challenge, with only one small highlight window, so it needed to feel bright and happy. “I wanted it to be kid-friendly without being boring,” Alison said. “A colourful, stylised floral wallpaper gave us plenty to work with, and we landed on a green wall colour with a yellow bath that lifts the whole space. It feels youthful and happy.”

The kitchen was the most complex brief. Her clients’ inspiration imagery skewed towards moody drama, so Alison set out to create a little moodiness with a balance of depth and freshness. The whimsical wallpaper from Borastapeter features an inky green background, covered with a profusion of fresh, vibrant flowers. The cabinetry took its cue from the emerald note in the wallpaper.

“To keep the small space feeling crisp, we chose a subdued plain marble for the benchtops and splashback so it didn’t compete with the wallpaper. Then we added a deliberately unexpected pop of magenta on the island with a feature marble. Brushed brass and bronze finishes pull it all together without adding noise.”

Overall, the project is eclectic, but it has a clear point of view. “Pattern-led, colour-forward, but in a way that makes the space feel lively rather than loud.”

Alison, founder of Leeder Interiors, loves creating eclectic, vibrant interiors that won’t look like your neighbours.

Photography: Adam O’Sullivan

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Anyway, back to homewares. My friend Brit pulled together this roundup of bows for your home. We hope you love them as much as we do!

Set of 4 bow ceramic coasters, $29 from Marval Designs

Bow Vase, $12 from Big W

Cutie bow candle holder, from $14.95, from Pillow Talk

Bow soft pink wall hanging, $69.99 from Adairs

I have this on my kitchen wall. Because why not?!

Bow natural sherpa slipper, $22.49 on sale from from Adairs

Variety of bow wall art, $45 each from Jones & Co.

I have a trio of these in my living room at home. Can’t go wrong with Jones & Co. ceramic wall art! Or in fact anything from there…

Bonnie Bows textured quilt cover set, in single ($60) to king size ($90) and white or pink, from Target.

Set of 3 monochrome ceramic striped bows wall art, $44 from Next

Set of 4 bow linen cocktail napkins, $119 from Maison Balzac

Are you a fan of the bow trend? It’s everywhere in fashion and accessories too, so you basically can’t escape it!

The post Latest homeware trend: bows are everywhere and we’re big fans appeared first on The Interiors Addict.

Nothing quite compares to having a touch of greenery at home – settling into a quiet corner with a favourite book, or simply unwinding after a long day surrounded by plants offers a sense of calmness. When outdoor space is limited or traditional garden beds are not an option, creating a peaceful garden retreat can be challenging. The good news is that with a bit of creativity, even the smallest balcony, patio or outdoor nook can be transformed into a lush sanctuary. 

According to Deborah Holtschlag, founder of Plant Traps, a balcony gardening speciality brand, the key to creating a thriving balcony garden is often simpler than people think. Her award-winning innovation, RailScapes Vertical Plant Hooks, allows plants to be elevated along balcony railings, utilising underused vertical space, to create a layered garden without taking up valuable floor area. 

“Greenery can completely change how a space feels,” says Deborah. “Even a small balcony can become a calming outdoor retreat when plants are lifted into view and layered vertically. RailScapes are designed to fit securely onto balcony railings with vertical spindles, providing a stable bracket for plants. They are practically invisible from the curb making them easily work with your decor or personal style.”

With a few thoughtful choices around plant selection, placement and care, even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed into a stunning floating garden. Here, Deborah shares her tips for urban gardening enthusiasts.

1. Start by making the most of vertical space

RailScapes clip-on hangers can be used on balcony and deck railings, fences or stairs, so the first thing to consider when creating your vertical garden is deciding which space you would like to utilise. Greenery can really elevate the entrance to your home, so a front balcony with cascading florals could improve its street appeal, a green oasis on your back balcony can create the perfect indoor-outdoor feel, or if you are planning a small nursery for vegetables and herbs, an outdoor nook or fence could be suitable. Instead of filling valuable floor space with pots, using vertical areas can keep spaces open and functional while creating a lush, layered garden effect.

2. Let sunlight and climate guide your plant choices

The location of your chosen space also plays an important role in determining which plants will thrive. Consider natural factors such as how much sunlight and wind your balcony or outdoor area receives throughout the day. Hardy plants such as succulents, herbs and compact grasses often perform well in smaller spaces. It is also important to consider your local climate conditions.

For example, in coastal areas, tough and drought-tolerant plants such as coastal rosemary, succulents and lavender are low-maintenance plants, require minimal watering and perfect for sunny spots. Flowers such as jasmine, freesia, and marigolds add vibrant colour and a delightful fragrance, and can really set the scene.

3. Let your plants create texture and flow

Gardens are designed to bring a sense of relaxation, improve mood and create a stronger connection with nature. Choosing plants that suit your environment and naturally create movement and layering is key to achieving this effect. “Vertical greenery introduces texture, movement and natural colour at different levels,” she explains. “It softens hard balcony materials like concrete or metal and makes the space feel warmer, more designed and more inviting.”

Trailing plants work particularly well in vertical gardens as they produce a soft, cascading display. Varieties such as dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, trailing petunias, ivy geraniums and mandevilla can help build a lush, layered look that brings life and depth to the space. 

4. Create simple care routines for your garden

While most outdoor spaces can work well with RailScapes, it is also helpful to consider the day-to-day simple maintenance of your space. Good drainage is important for balcony gardening, so use pots with drainage holes, quality potting mix and saucers where needed. Vertical containers can dry out, particularly in breezy areas, so group those with similar watering needs to keep things easy to manage. “Tending a small garden can become a simple daily ritual,” she says. “It might be watering your plants with your morning coffee or taking a quiet moment outdoors at the end of the day.”

5. Let your garden grow naturally

The beauty of a vertical garden is the sense of possibility it creates. “If you are new to vertical gardening, starting with just a few plants is a great way to begin. Beginning small allows you to experiment with different plants and arrangements while slowly creating layers of greenery that grow into an interesting and balanced outdoor space,” says Deborah.

RailScapes Vertical Plant Hooks are made from high-quality, durable steel, and rust-resistant powder coated. They offer easy tool-free installation to position at any height, and are available from Bunnings nationally. RRP: $19.98. 

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And the winning piece? It looks like it was sculpted.

apaiser, the Australian luxury bathware brand with 25 years of craft behind them, have taken home the Bath Fixtures prize at the NYCxDESIGN Awards, Interior Design Magazine’s annual celebration of the best in global design, now in its 11th year.

The winner? TEMBO, a collaboration with YOO Studio London (yes, the same firm that was co-founded by Philippe Starck). It’s the first time the two have partnered to create a product. The five-piece collection takes its name from the Swahili word for elephant, drawing on a sense of quiet mass and grounded presence. 

Think rounded, organic forms that look hand-carved from solid stone. The kind of bath you’d like to sink into for a few hours (phone off, lights dimmed, completely checked out).

Each piece is sustainably handcrafted in apaiser’s own apaiserMarble®; a blend of marble and stone developed over years of R&D that’s warm to the touch, lighter than natural stone, easy to maintain and available in 18 organic shades. The range includes everything you need to make your bathroom the best room in the house – baths, basins and a bath stool.

Time to start planning your next renovation? For more on apaiser.

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With no street access, and a north facade directly abutting VicTrack land, complicated fire, building methodology, acoustics, equitable light and stability requirements dominated much of the design process. The response by Splinter Society was a mini tower with a full level for each residence, using glass blocks as a key material to achieve fire and light requirements. 

Conceptually, the translucent facades, combined with reflective finishes throughout, form a lantern to the public realm, whist creating an ephemeral effect within the residences.

To address construction constraints, the design embraces modularity and clean simple expression often seen in dense urban contexts. Using prefabricated elements, north and south façades use glass block panels and operable recessed glazing maximising connection to light and views. North and South facades required full translucency combined with a minimal core to futureproof access to light. Prefabricated panels of intricate metal detailing can be appreciated from within, and the adjacent train station.  

Selected for its ability to withstand a train derailment, insitu concrete forms the ground level, with integrated seating to activate the small coffee shop fronting the entry and pedestrian railway link. Bluestone cobbles continue from the lane on one side, through to the pedestrian walkway on the other, creating a complementary pixilated pattern, and emphasising maxmised ground floor permeability despite the small plot.  

The brief was to appeal to the ‘leafy suburb downsizer’ market, typically wanting safe, convenient accommodation with a touch of inner-city feel. This resulted in a programmatic arrangement of full level apartments with lifts opening directly into them, and private car allotments. To broaden the appeal, particularly given the proximity to the train, they separated the bedrooms and bathrooms, added the potential of a third separable room and added a level of storage/bike space, appealing also to students or individuals sharing. Whilst functional, this layout was also critical in achieving required light levels in a future scenario where private land to the north could be built out, and results in extremely good cross ventilation.

The language of the architectural grid is applied to the interior material palette via timber panelling, natural stone and ceramic tiles. The glass blocks present a unique internal finish that creates a brilliant changing light effect through the day. Permeability of light through the floor plate is achieved with textured glass doors and internal walls.

The upper level is a bespoke penthouse, and one residence has two levels, creating a unique offering despite the building’s modular efficiency. 

Balancing performance, scale, and significant site constraints, the project required close collaboration between design, consultant and construction teams to make the project feasible, and achieve beauty through simplicity.  

By day, Newburgh Light House presents a highly refined collection of adaptable homes, beautifully lit throughout. By night, it’s a beacon of light, warming Auburn village and its historic train station. 

Photos: Timothy Kaye | Build: WAF Constructions

For more on Splinter Society

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