Your very first residential design job can be daunting. Can I? Will they? Does it? Why? What? How much? And this is the fabulous result of Melbourne-based Northbourne Architecture + Design.

“For the interior design, Northbourne drew inspiration from the client’s love of patterning, texture & contrast, evident in the client’s artwork collection. These ideas were interwoven into the whole design including joinery design, colour selections and material choices.”

“A forceful feminine approach was counterbalanced through the array of exquisite furniture & soft furnishings used with a striking sense of personality.” 

Hollywood Regency with a high end 80s vibe. A rich mix of pinks and burgundies played against black and grey. Brass and stone and feathers. What else could your glam heart desire? St. Ives Residence by Sydney-based interior design firm Designers in the City.

(A Galah, in case you do not know, is a beautiful grey and pink parrot native to Australia. If you look closely you can see a painting of one hanging beside the fireplace.)

It’s that time again. Time for a sneak peek into the pages of the latest issue of Inside Out magazine out tomorrow. Social and Senior Editor Matilda Duffecy has again generously sent along some pictures to whet our appetite.

Our new August issue hits newsagents and digital outlets on Thursday! This issue explores, among lots of other things, practical ways to live with white. We’re featuring homes that showcase “white with texture”, “white with timber”, “white with vintage charm” and “white with bright”.  Our cover home represents a huge renovation in Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Here is a detail of the dining area. As you can see it’s a beautiful ode to pared-back style. Styling by Claire Delmar. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.

Our best buys features this month pull together seriously stylish teacups and pendant lights. Small details to bigger finishing touches. Styling by Alicia Sciberras. Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper.

I love the kid’s room this month. It’s for a base camp for a girl scout set for adventure who loves the great outdoors. Our style editor Jessica Hanson has created a lovely scene with beautiful timber tones and hints of pastel. Phu Tang photographed this feature.

We’ve included quiz-style features before and this month we’re covering off “which way you do white”. Not only has Vanessa Colyer Tay styled a beautiful feature celebrating “white with a colour pop”, “white with texture”, “white on white” and “black and white”, but writer Ceri David has whipped up some hilarious words exploring the intricacies of each trend. We’ll even have a fun online quiz at insideout.com.au once the issue goes on sale. Here is the image for “black and white”. Photographed by Sam McAdam-Cooper.

And just to spice things up, I’ve included a shot from this month’s entertaining feature. You can see the important accompaniments to our modern Mexican fiesta – Tomato, capsicum & chilli salsa, Avocado salsa and the all-important refreshing beverage, a Michelada. Delish! Styling by Alicia Sciberras. Food styling by Kristen Wilson. Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper.

 Love that Bondi Beach home! Can’t wait to see more when my digital copy of Inside Out drops tomorrow. Don’t fret if you aren’t in Australia. You can read along on  Zinio, Google Play, the Apple Newsstand and Nook.

It’s no surprise that French architect Camille Hermand is one of our favourites. Her latest project sees her take on a family home in a western suburb of Paris. No suburban hohum here though. Her signature use of black and white is enriched with deep accents of blue and a deliciously tart citron yellow while a striking concrete staircase leads you up through the floors. Talk about Parisian chic in the ‘burbs!

I have a proposition. Weekends should become weekdays and weekdays become one long weekend. And where would you find me if it was now the beginning of the weekend and not the work week? Why getting away from the rat race and heading to this cute as a button cottage in the Victorian spa town of Daylesford. The Weekender is the family getaway of interior designer Suzanne Cunningham of One Girl Interiors but we can rent it out for an escape as well. Now that’s the perfect plan of action for a Monday don’t you think?

Photography by Eve Wilson.