The Editors: Jack Milenkovic of Belle Magazine on Where To Satisfy Your Design Fix In Sydney
(This Sydney Design Guide by Jenny Nguyen-Barron first appeared in ForbesLife. Click here to read the original article)
Scandinavian design has long been a favorite aesthetic style amongst contemporary design aficionados and savvy home decorators alike. It’s elegant symmetry and its capacity to communicate quality and craftsmanship through design are just some of the reasons why so many are drawn to this strong visual style. But in recent years, thanks partly to visually inclined social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, there is a new kid on the contemporary design block that everyone’s talking about. Meet Contemporary Australian Design ”“ an aesthetic that is laid back, pared down, playful with clean, uninterrupted lines. It’s the sum of all its parts ”“ a product of its unique natural landscape that boasts endless access to natural light and a warm climate, which gives the young country’s designers inspiration to bring elements of the outdoors into its wide open indoor spaces.
To better understand this relative newcomer to the international design stage, we met with Jack Milenkovic, the Creative Director of Belle Magazine – one of Australia’s most highly regarded monthly interior and lifestyle magazines best known for it’s single-minded focus on the refined, indulgent side of design. Milenkovic is a seasoned magazine creative who has spent time in both the interior (Belle, InsideOut) and fashion (GQ) glossies circuit and has won many coveted publishing awards such as Australia’s Designer of the Year.
Inspired by the likes of Alexey Brodovitch and Fabien Baron, Milenkovic has worked to bring a “sense of dynamic energy, elevating the level of sophistication and drama” to Belle’s pages ”“ particularly in the magazine’s signature FOCUS section where local industry talent get to enjoy a bright, multi-page spotlight.
One of Milenkovic’s favorite FOCUS stories where Belle throws spotlight onto the new guard of Australia’s creative floral designers ”“ Photo: Mick Bruzzese / Courtesy of Belle Magazine
In our discussions, Milenkovic gives us an insider point of view of Australian design and the respect it has been gaining in the world’s design circles. And for design-minded people heading down to Sydney, read on for Milenkovic’s Sydney Design Guide where he has selected the restaurants, cafes and spaces that inspire him the most.
JENNY NGUYEN-BARRON: Do you think Australia has an overarching design aesthetic?
JACK MILENKOVIC: Yes definitely. Australia does have an overarching design aesthetic that has grown particularly in recent years. I’d say it’s because there’s so much exciting new design talent coming through and they’re really focused on owning and shaping the Australian aesthetic.
NGUYEN BARRON: How would you define contemporary Australian design?
MILENKOVIC: I would describe is as young, fresh, a little paired back but still full of visual energy. It really reflects on Australia’s lifestyle and culture.
NGUYEN-BARRON: Would you say Australia is gaining more respect in design circles around the world? If so, why do you think that is?Â
MILENKOVIC: Definitely, we have so much talent brimming with success across various genres, more so in recent years than in the past. Part of it is because the Internet and social media age has allowed our design talent to cross borders and get some international recognition that previously, we might not have gotten so easily. It’s created a knock on effect and the international design community is noticing.
NGUYEN-BARRON: How are you lending your support to young and emerging Australian design talent?
MILENKOVIC: Actually in the current issue of Belle Magazine, we produced a feature that puts a bright spotlight on the next generation of Australian creatives. It’s a spread that spans 16 pages and covers the work of young creatives and designers that we shot all over the world from Sydney to Stockholm and LA.
NGUYEN-BARRON: Is there an up-and-coming Australian designer that you think we should be keeping a close eye on?Â
MILENKOVIC: There a quite a few that we have featured recently, but I do think that Daast a talented design duo based in Sydney are creating some really interesting pieces.
Designers Alexander Kasbin & Andrew Southwood-Jones from Daast ”“ Photo: Mick Bruzzese / November 2014 Belle Magazine
NGUYEN-BARRON: Which Sydney abode is giving you home-envy right now?
MILENKOVIC: I particularly love our cover story home for the current 40th birthday issue (November 2014) in Sydney’s upscale suburb of Woollahra. The home was was designed by architect Nick Tobias and interior designer Sarah Davison and it strikes the perfect balance between architecture and interior decoration. I particularly loved how they’ve integrated from the outside, in ”“ It does an amazing job of capturing the Australian lifestyle.
Photo: Justin Alexander / November 2014 Belle Magazine
SYDNEY DESIGN GUIDE
1. The Incinerator Café, Willoughby
It’s the ground floor of the 1930’s Walter Burley Griffin designed Willoughby Incinerator building converted into a stunning café. Designed by award winning designers Acme & co.
2 Small St, Willoughby NSW 2068, Australia
+61 2 8188 2220
The Incinerator Café ”“ Photo: Courtesy of The Incinerator Café
2. Ester Restaurant, Chippendale
I love the mix of the traditional warehouse building with some modern and paired back features and the strong use of the color blue on the exterior and interior which has been designed by Anthony Gill Architects. Ester has recently received a prestigious “Hat” from The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards and multiple other awards for its menu and interior. I can’t go past the baked cauliflower with almond mayonnaise. It’s one of my favorite dishes of all time.
http://ester-restaurant.com.au/
46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
+61 2 8068 8279
Ester Restaurant ”“ Photo: Courtesy of Ester
3. The Cross Street Project, Bondi
Who doesn’t love Bondi?! As part of The Cross Street Project, a Bondi Beach apartment has been decked out with wares from nearby galleries, boutiques and designers. Visitors can either purchase the residence as an empty space, with all of its appointments, or even any of the individual home wares and artworks displayed inside.
http://www.crosstreet.com.au/about-the-cross-street-project/
Unit 1, 13 Cross Street, Bronte NSW 2024, Australia
Photo: By Caroline McCredie, courtesy of The Cross Street Project
4. Cho Cho San Restaurant, Potts Point
Designed by interior architect George Livissianis in his always beautiful and refined aesthetic, Cho Cho San is the new take on Japanese dining in Sydney. It comes from the guys who brought us The Apollo, which is another beautiful George Livissianis interior.
73 Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
+61 2 9331 6601
Cho Cho San Restaurant ”“ Photo: Courtesy of Cho Cho San
5. Bentley Bar + Restaurant, Sydney CBD
Created by award winning designer Pascale Gomes-Mcnabb, she has customized pretty much everything in that space. I love the web-like steel structure suspended from the ceiling, which Pascale actually assembled on site herself alongside a tradesman!
Ground Floor, Radisson Blu Hotel, 27 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
+61 2 8214 0505
Bentley Bar + Restaurant ”“ Photo: Courtesy of Bentley Bar + Restaurant
(Feature image: Jack Milenkovic, courtesy of Belle Magazine)
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