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Design

November

Meet the interior designer whose bold style tears up the rule book

The vibrant visions of Luke Edward Hall take risks few other designers would dare to brave – and it pays off.

October

The Timothée Resort in Busselton, WA.

It’s makeover time for Australia’s ’80s-era motels

Refreshed accommodation is drawing design-savvy travellers with an appreciation for nostalgia.

NZ House has movable timber louvre panels that can cover the entire ocean façade or be readily rolled away.

The architects creating ‘flexible’ high-end houses

The work of Tom Kundig – who often incorporates “gizmos” into his designs – is being celebrated with a new book.

September

The most recognisable stool in the world is getting a makeover

Artek’s Stool 60 has become the blueprint for many stackable seating solutions in the 92 years since it was designed.

5 things you need to know about Singapore Design Week

From innovations in kintsugi mending to lamps made from mushrooms, see the highlights from this year’s design event.

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Kelly Wearstler’s Lotura Family.

Add some LA glitz to your home with these glamorous lamps

With designers like Los Angeles native Kelly Wearstler in their stable, importers Robyn and Joel Kaufman are bringing the world’s best lighting to Australia.

Meet the artist riding the new wave of popularity in textile art

Tammy Kanat stepped away from the world of jewellery design to pursue a new passion as a weaver. More than a decade later, her career change has paid off.

The futuristic Tesla Diner and supercharger station, promising a drive-in experience, opened in Hollywood in July.

The servo is getting a glow-up

Electric vehicle drivers are demanding a more pleasant experience while they wait for their cars to charge.

August

An East Melbourne terrace house showcases classic Flack moves: deep jewel colours, high gloss surfaces and rare vintage furniture.

The maximalist master who’s designed homes for Troye Sivan, Andy Lee

Today, interior designer David Flack’s eye-popping style has made him a favourite with celebrity clients, but his first project was a childhood cubby house.

Kevin McCloud.

Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross’s new podcast is for serious design nerds

Tim and Kev’s Big Design Adventure is an attempt to escape “an emerging tyranny of the visual”. It includes an Australian innovation described as “amazing”.

This Stradbroke Island home is communal living at its best

A row of identical modular cottages houses three siblings and their families – and is being lauded as the future of sustainable living.

July

A pair of Brazilian modernist Oscar Niemeyer Alta chairs in ivory leather set off a living area.

Step inside this modernist penthouse with 360-degree views

One of Australia’s most esteemed interior designers has turned his hand to a 1000 square metre apartment in South Yarra, Melbourne.

Saskia Havekes at her Grandiflora store in Potts Point, Sydney.

The Sydney florist who made $300 bouquets normal

Florals? They became groundbreaking because of this woman. Grandiflora founder Saskia Havekes is a rebel who revolutionised how Australia sees flowers.

Architect William Smart.

When Rich Listers want an architect, there’s one man they turn to

William Smart designs houses for those without budget constraints. Designing his own presented a unique challenge.

Lighthouse residence, Byron Bay by Brisbane’s BVN architects. 

Step inside one of the nation’s most extraordinary new homes

This award-winning residence in Byron Bay is perfectly at one with nature – even when there’s a cyclone at its door.

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Designer Brahman Perera in front of his ‘Temple Silhouette’ carpet for Ruggable.

These are the viral rugs to buy this season

Interior designer Brahman Perera is one of three Australian studios commissioned to make carpets for the internet-sensation Ruggable.

June

Gelephu International Airport

Architects are turning to the past to design the buildings of the future

The marriage of craft and technology is upending building conventions in intriguing ways.

The Bolo is a direct-to-table container, no need for replating takeway.

Is this going to revolutionise the Friday night takeaway?

Industrial designer Charles Wilson is on a mission to change how we consume restaurant meals at home.

When sustainability costs $14,400 per square metre

We check in to an innovative, carbon-neutral apartment in the Ferrars & York building in South Melbourne.

Icebergs surround the Falkor.

When contemporary design and millennia-old ice sheets collide

Designer Brodie Neill has found inspiration on the front lines of the climate crisis – the iceberg strewn waters of Antarctica.

Robert Lockyer, Founder and Chief Client Officer of Delta Global, surrounded by his many sustainable packaging boxes.

The luxury packaging founder on a mission to change the world

Robert Lockyer risked it all to start his own eco-minded packaging brand – now he’s working with the world’s top fashion houses.

May

Penelope Seidler in Venice to open her exhibition at SMAC.

Australia’s architectural titan takes Venice by storm

The late Harry Seidler’s wife, Penelope, reflects on his contribution to the built environment at a major retrospective.

Volker Haug’s pendant lighting.

Meet the Melbourne-based master of lighting design

Lighting maestro Volker Haug is celebrating two decades of business with an exhibition as part of Melbourne Design Week.

Artist and furniture designer Ella Saddington has designed a new collection inspired by armour.

When modern furniture meets medieval armour-making

Australian designer Ella Saddington’s new collection employs the smithing processes used in historical warfare to create glam lamps and tables.

A fabulous fungus composition by Dr Lisa Cooper.

Forget flowers – how about a bouquet of mushrooms?

The textures, colours and shapes of fungi are being used for mycelium arrangements – that can be dished up for dinner later.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/design