Taste Of Salt
Sun Herald
Sunday June 3, 2007
With its seaside elegance, this home offers a deliciously artful retreat from the city.
Who lives here? Providore Simon Johnson with his partner, David Nichols, a senior director at a medical company.Describe your home's style. "The house [on Sydney's Whale Beach] was built in the late 1960s. We've really done nothing to it other than clean it up a little."What were your priorities when decorating? "My priorities are driven by the things that showcase great art: wall space and ceiling height. We also wanted to keep the relaxed beach-side feel." What's the best thing about living here? "I love the relaxed environment of a seaside suburb. The hustle and bustle of work are released the moment I hit the Bilgola bends. Getting home from a day at the office, having dinner on the balcony, a glass of wine and maybe a walk along the beach - it's heaven."What's your favourite piece? "I suppose a particular favourite is a Gretchen Albrecht work that I bought years ago when I first started collecting. It's called West Coast (winter) and the wonderful use of stained colour on the canvas kind of draws you in."Where do you find inspiration? "Travelling is a big part of my life. I'm always overseas looking at all things food-related, yet my life is more than just food. It's about culture, the arts, the music and all the wonderful things that go with it. They all inspire me."Are there any things you wish were different? "I would change the ceiling height; it does feel a little constricted." What are your favourite haunts? "Queen Street in Woollahra [in Sydney] has great galleries and fashion houses, as does Paddington and Oxford Street. I go to Robert Burton for the beautiful linens and bedding. In Melbourne, I love Brunswick Street for the eclectic mixture of shops."Any design tips? "Keep it simple and buy what you like. Don't buy things because people tell you to."
© 2007 Sun Herald
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