home
“I love entertaining, and
this cocktail shaker is
perfect for mixing
a drink for loved ones.”
GEORG JENSEN
‘Manhattan’ Cocktail
Shaker in stainless steel
21025182, $240.
WORDS REBECCA TAY PHOTOGRAPHY ADRIAN GAUT AND FRANCOIS HALARD
µ
RRP REFERS TO RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE OF AUSTRALIAN BOOKSELLERS AND RETAILERS.
Born in Duranbah in northern NSW
to honey farmer parents, perhaps it was
inevitable that Richard Christiansen would
become a horticultural champion himself.
Since taking over Flamingo Estate, which
he named for the fantastical pink house
set in seven acres of gardens in Highland
Park, Los Angeles, he’s transformed it
into a cosy, colourful home for himself and
his boyfriend – plus their dogs, chickens,
goats and bees. He’s also launched his own
brand of body-care and wellness products,
and created a community of growers and
makers committed to environmentally
friendly agricultural practices.
WHAT DOES “INNER WORLD”
MEAN TO YOU?
It’s about abundance and making
pleasure a priority. Being able to stop
and enjoy a moment, rather than moving
through it. We always say that Mother
Nature is our doctor, therapist and friend,
and by bringing aspects of the garden to
my home, I feel more connected to the
world around me.
WHAT MAKES A PLACE FEEL
LIKE HOME?
In a world where we spend countless hours
staring at screens, and focusing far too
much on what things look like, a home
should be the place we stop and ignite
all our other senses. I want to be able to
close my eyes and hear the sounds of the
garden echoing, or feel the cold marble
while sitting at the bar. A good home is
fi lled with inspiration for the senses. An
absolute must is an abundance of candles
and flowers. I love the ability a scent has
to transport you to another world.
HOW HAS TRAVEL SHAPED
YOUR HOME LIFE?
The New York Times once described
Flamingo Estate as an epicentre; the
best of the world brought together in
one place. When we began refurbishing
the property, we collaborated with
creatives from all over the world. I’m
Australian, the architects were based
in Paris and the landscapers were from
Morocco. We travelled to Africa, Japan
and India, gathering all kinds of art,
textiles and surfaces for the home, and
what we loved was how these countries
embrace colour and form. In turn, the
house is anything but beige and is an
evolving tribute to the globe.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT
RELAXATION AREA? WHAT DO
YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOURS?
Every Sunday, I wash my sheets with
essential oils and dry them in the sun.
The garden is where I feel the most
centred, so I love having my bedroom
emanate these scents. With my scented
sheets, my sage candle and my
boyfriend next to me; it’s the perfect
setting for a relaxing evening.
“Linen napkins are a musthave in my home (and every
home). Sage green is also one
of my favorite colours so
I couldn’t look past these.”
DAVID JONES
COLLECTION
‘Linen Union’ Napkins
23604441, $49.95 for set of four.
the
relaxation
edit...
“A fabulous hold-all
for your nightstand or
in your entryway to
bring a bit of Studio
54 into your home.”
GREG NATALE
‘Carter’ Bowl
24323976, $180.
“I adore Hermès – for their
quality and longevity as a business
– and I love this charming
collection of illustrations from
their longtime collaboration
with Alice Charbin.”
Hermès: Heavenly Days by Alice
Charbin and Rachael Canepari,
RRP µ $59.99.
“Can you ever go wrong
with a Missoni throw?”
MISSONI HOME
‘Humbert’ Throw
24229779, $760, and
Cushion 24229780, $280.
DAV I D J O N E S . C O M
27