• Home Décor

    A life changing stroke in her 40s made Arlene Austin reclaim art

    Arlene Austin has been painting her entire life and the walls of her colourful Inner West Sydney home are lined with her creations. But it took a stroke earlier this year aged just 44, to finally prompt her to push her art out into the world as a business. “When I had the stroke, everything that I’d previously found easy, was hard – writing, reading, concentrating etc. At about the six week mark my doctor said I needed to start pushing my brain again and start the process of recovery. It was at this moment that I decided to start,…

  • Home Renovation

    Beyond Shelter: Exploring the Art and Science of Roofs

    Roofs, often overshadowed by the grandeur of architectural facades, play an indispensable role in protecting us from the elements. Yet, they are more than mere functional covers; they are canvases for creativity, embodiments of engineering prowess, and reflections of cultural heritage. Today, we dive into the world of roofs, unraveling their significance, diverse designs, and their impact on the built environment. The Roof’s Evolution Roofs have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple shelters made from branches and leaves. Over millennia, they’ve transformed into complex structures engineered to withstand varying climates, accommodate modern technologies, and even support…

  • Plumbing

    A Paris Apartment That Mixes Contemporary Art and Design

    By the time Megan Grehl finally met Côme Ménage, it felt as if their relationship was meant to be. Both had studied architecture and urban design internationally, and when Ms. Grehl landed in Shanghai in 2009 to work at the design firm Neri&Hu, she heard stories about Mr. Ménage, who had just left. “We missed each other by a month,” said Ms. Grehl, 37, who now runs her own interior design studio. “Our friends were like, ‘Oh, it’s too bad. You just missed Côme. He went to New York, and you guys would have gotten along so well.’” Ms. Grehl…