Interior designer Josie Simpson of Altus Design Studio purchased this Blue Mountains property in 2019. While the settlement took longer than expected, she used the time to collect all her ideas and inspiration buzzing around her head for a unique new accommodation offering.

Cloud Parade is the result of all that planning. With sublime escarpment views and a clean, contemporary interior scheme, Josie has created a cosy and sympathetic companion to the spectacular national park surrounding this home.

Making the most of potentially the best views in the country? Mission accomplished!

To make your way across to spectacular Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island, Queensland), you have to take a short ferry ride. A brief stroll away from the arrival port in Dunwich, you’ll find Delvene Cockatoo Collins’ bright, beautiful shop.

Delvene Cockatoo Collins is a Quandamooka woman and artist living in Minjerribah. From her little store she sells a range of screen printed homewares, ceramics, stationary, and garments that tell the stories of her family and culture. In her personal art practice, she uses materials and knowledge passed down over generations.

In a holiday place where many people come and go, Delvene’s art practice and store are a grounding presence. We were lucky to spend some time in her special place, to learn more about her work.

Anyone who has excitedly counted down the days to an upcoming trip knows the ways in which travel can be good for you. The optimism and excitement that comes wi

Lauren Lea Haynes is not your average student. With limestone sculpting, furniture design and…

In the world of showstopping, special occasion desserts – this nostalgic tiered vanilla sponge from our divine food columnist Julia Busuttil Nishimura takes the cake (sorry not sorry for that pun!) for dishes you can achieve at home.

With fresh raspberries, tart lemon curd and crème fraîche icing folded into layers of pillowy butter cake, this is what you make when it’s time to celebrate something special. Like, say…. Mother’s Day?

If there was ever a test-case to convince doubters on the value of a landscape designer, then this revamped courtyard in Woodend by Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design (KLMD) is it.

Previously an uninspiring stretch of bare and bedraggled residential turf running beside the length of the house, the space is now a lush and functional outdoor room comprising timber decking, an outdoor seating area, pizza oven and integrated veggie patch. Transformations are one thing when you have good bones to work with, but here, KMLD has really made something from nothing.

The Hunter Valley’s reputation for rustic sophistication is well deserved, but can sometimes eclipse the area’s other equally enticing attractions. *Hint hint* There’s a lot more to this region than beautiful wine (though there is a LOT of that)!

Beyond the stunning scenery and world-class wineries lie cute cafes attached to flower stores, galleries buried in bushland, and a divine accommodation offering perched atop a lily pond! Still need convincing? Read on for The Design Files’ hit-list of places to eat, drink, see + stay!

Cut your meat consumption for World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month.If you’ve toyed with the idea of going vegetarian, perhaps October is the month to give it a shot, because October is