CLOSING OUT THE FINANCIAL YEAR
If you have been following the recent headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking the market has paused for winter. On the ground, our experience is rather different. Right across the suburbs we operate in, the story is a straightforward one: deals are getting done, properties are transacting, and we are seeing genuine demand from qualified buyers and underbidders.
What we are noticing is a market that rewards preparation and realistic expectations on both sides. Buyers are active, and in current conditions, many are negotiating with a degree of opportunism, testing where value sits before they commit. Sellers who meet the market are achieving solid results, often within days of auction rather than on the day itself. The activity is there; it simply takes a little more conversation to bring buyer and seller together.
We are also seeing real strength in the off-market space, where well-matched buyers and sellers are quietly transacting away from the public campaigns. For those who value discretion, or who want to test the market before committing to a full campaign, selling off market remains a productive avenue.
As we close out the financial year, attention is already turning to spring. Many owners are using these weeks to prepare, positioning themselves to launch with confidence as the new season opens.
If you have been considering a move, now is an ideal time to start the conversation. Speak with your Marshall White agent about the right strategy and timing for your property, whether on or off market. ■
By John Bongiorno
CHINCHIN GRILLED RIB-EYE
OIGÅLLPROJECTSXROBERTDAVIDOV
SMALL ACTS OF PERMANENCE
PROJECTS WHITE & WESTON
ARMADILLO WOVEN IN NATURE
DESIGN PRECISION
55 CHATSWORTH ROAD PRAHRAN
Conceived by internationally acclaimed architect Adam Kane, this exceptional Prahran residence delivers a masterclass in contemporary design, where restraint, materiality and liveability exist in perfect balance. A cohesive palette of handmade brick, limestone, micro-cement, oak and Taj Mahal marble creates a home defined by warmth and quiet sophistication.
Beyond its striking façade and sculptural cactus garden, soaring ceilings and expansive glazing enhance the sense of light and space throughout. Beneath a dramatic vaulted ceiling, the open-plan living and dining domain centres around a beautifully appointed kitchen featuring Taj Mahal stone and premium Smeg and Miele appliances, extending seamlessly to a limestone courtyard and solar-heated pool.
“Conceived by renowned architect Adam Kane, this exceptional residence represents a masterclass in contemporary design, where every detail has been carefully considered to create a home of remarkable warmth and sophistication.”
JAMES MCCORMACK
MARSHALL WHITE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, AUCTIONEER
Thoughtfully designed accommodation and integrated workspaces ensure exceptional functionality, while every detail reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and timeless design. Moments from Hawksburn Village and Orrong Park, this is a residence of remarkable calm and enduring elegance. ■
This generous grilled rib-eye pairs smoky char with a deeply reduced master stock jus and fragrant spring onion oil. A Chin Chin favourite designed for sharing, it’s a refined take on steak night entertaining.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 x 1–1.2kg bone-in beef rib-eye or tomahawk steak
Salt and pepper, to season
2 cups master stock
1 bunch spring onions, trimmed Spring onion oil, to serve
METHOD
1. Remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. Season generously with salt and pepper after 15 minutes.
2. Place the master stock in a saucepan over medium heat and reduce by half until rich and glossy.
3. Preheat a barbecue or chargrill pan to high heat. Cook the rib-eye for 2–3 minutes on one side, then flip and repeat. Continue grilling over a total cook time of 8–12 minutes for medium rare, turning regularly to create a charred lattice effect. Place the spring onions beneath the steak for the final 2 minutes of cooking.
4. Rest the steak for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
5. Arrange on a serving platter, spoon over spring onion oil and the reduced master stock jus, then serve with the grilled spring onions.
CHIN CHIN COOKBOOKS
WOVEN IN NATURE ARMADILLO
In a world where colour often takes centre stage, Australian design house Armadillo is inviting us to look beyond the surface. Its latest release, the Meridian Collection, is a celebration of texture, craftsmanship and the quiet beauty of natural materials, proving that restraint can be just as expressive as bold design.
Comprising nine handcrafted rugs, the collection explores how fibre, weave and construction can shape the atmosphere of a room. Rather than relying on pattern or colour, each piece is defined by the integrity of its materials and the skill of the artisans who create them. Crafted in India using premium fibres sourced from around the world, including New Zealand wool, European blends and Indian jute, every rug carries a connection to place and provenance.
“The relationship with material is what defines the outcome,” explains co-founder Sally Pottharst, whose philosophy of thoughtful design and longevity has helped establish Armadillo as one of Australia’s most respected names in interiors.
Among the standout pieces is Selva, a contemporary interpretation of the traditional kilim rug. Handwoven from Afghan wool, its softly layered striations create an organic patchwork effect that feels both timeless and modern. Available in natural hues including Oat, Desert, Silt and Walnut, Selva offers a refined foundation for contemporary homes and relaxed commercial spaces alike.
Another milestone within the collection is Field, Armadillo’s first rug crafted from Responsible Wool Standard-certified wool. The certification provides greater transparency from farm to finished piece and reinforces the B Corp brand’s commitment to conscious design
and sustainability. Woven using a traditional soumac technique, the design’s softly shifting stripes create a sense of understated movement and warmth.
Marking a new creative chapter, the Meridian Collection has also sparked Armadillo’s first collaboration with Melbourne artist and designer Jessie French. Commissioned to create the sculptural Sill room divider, French translated the earthy tones and layered rhythms of the collection into a striking contemporary work using her innovative algae-derived MarbleWood material. The partnership reflects a shared belief in craftsmanship, environmental consciousness and creating objects designed to endure.
Since its founding in 2009, Armadillo has championed a slower, more considered approach to interiors. With Meridian, the brand continues to demonstrate that true luxury lies not in excess, but in the beauty of materials, the skill of the maker and the lasting connection between our homes and the natural world. ■
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SMALL ACTS
Melbourne’s creative community will have a new reason to visit Fitzroy this winter, with Small Acts of Permanence, a captivating exhibition by architect and designer Robert Davidov opening at Oigåll Projects from 2–19 July.
Best known as the founder of Davidov Architects, Robert Davidov has built a reputation for spaces defined by quiet elegance, timeless materials and thoughtful restraint. In his debut sculptural exhibition, those same sensibilities are translated into a collection of striking ceramic works that blur the line between art, object and architecture.
Rather than pursuing perfection, Small Acts of Permanence embraces the beauty of process. Each piece is shaped through a dialogue with clay itself, allowing pressure, weight and even imperfections to become part of the final form. Rich ultramarine glazes flow across the surfaces, creating deep blue tones that reveal the textures and stories beneath.
The resulting collection feels both ancient and contemporary. Some works hint at vessels or fragments of buildings, while others invite personal interpretation, encouraging visitors to slow down and appreciate the quiet poetry of material and form.
Presented by Fitzroy gallery Oigåll Projects, the exhibition reflects a growing appreciation for craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of handmade objects. In an age of constant noise and instant gratification, these sculptural pieces offer something more considered: a reminder that beauty often lies in simplicity, imperfection and the marks left by time.
Whether you’re passionate about art, architecture or design, Small Acts of Permanence promises an inspiring winter outing and a chance to experience the work of one of Melbourne’s most respected creative voices in an entirely new light.
Small Acts of Permanence will be on display at Oigåll Projects, 122 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, from 2–19 July 2026. Admission is free. ■
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DESIGNED BY BUILT BY GARDENS BY FINANCED BY
THE LOCAL EDIT
MELBOURNE MAGIC FESTIVAL
29 JUNE - 11 JULY 2026
Arrow on Swanston, 488 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
BLUEY’S BIG PLAY
1 JULY - 2 JULY 2026
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL
3-5 JULY 2026
Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC 3008
MALVERN EAST CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
9 JULY 2026
St. John’s Anglican Church, 5 Finch Street, Malvern East, VIC 3145
MOTHER: STORIES FROM THE NGV COLLECTION
UNTIL 12 JULY 2026
Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 3000
SALON AFTER D’ARC: THE GIFT OF HEARTBREAK
15 JULY 2026
Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne VIC 3000
TOP ARTS 2026: SHOWCASING EMERGING ARTISTS ACROSS VICTORIA
UNTIL 19 JULY 2026
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006
RUN MELBOURNE
19 JULY 2026
Grand Slam Oval, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne, VIC 3000
OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE WEEKEND
24 - 26 JULY 2026
Various locations around Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
6-23 AUGUST 2026
ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 and other venues
NOW OR NEVER FESTIVAL
19–30 AUGUST 2026
Various venues including Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
CHRISTMAS IN JULY HIGH TEA BUFFET 25 JULY 2026
Stamford Plaza Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000
WINTER NIGHT MARKET EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING
UNTIL 26 AUGUST 2026
Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA UNLOCKED
UNTIL 31 AUGUST 2026
State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
24 SEP – 4 OCT
Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale VIC 3032
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL
29 SEP – 18 OCT
Various venues across Melbourne
IMAGINATOR
UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2026
The District Docklands, Docklands, VIC 3008
MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK
19-25 OCTOBER 2026
Melbourne Town Hall, 90–130 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 and various locations
A 3-4 B 2-3 C 2-3
From $4,900,000
Boutique collection of just five oversized luxury residences by Studio McCue, where sculptural architecture, privacy and northern light define everyday living.
DEVELOPED BY INTERIORS BY BUILT BY
KIERRA HAGEDORN 0432 737 911 SALES BY MORE
28 ALBERT ROAD
SOUTH MELBOURNE
A 3-4 B 3-5 C 2-8
From $2,500,000
In Melbourne’s coveted Domain Precinct, First Light will soon unveil a groundbreaking fusion of art and architecture, promising to redefine the concept of luxury living through its innovative design and unparalleled attention to detail.
KIERRA HAGEDORN 0432 737 911 SALES BY
DEVELOPED BY DESIGNED BY INTERIORS BY
FOXEYS ROAD, TUERONG
DOMAIN ROAD SOUTH YARRA
DESIGNED BY BUILT BY GARDENS BY FINANCED BY
A 3-4 B 2-3 C 2-5
From $3,200,000
Eight architecturally designed 3 and 4 bedroom residences in Armadale, offering boutique luxury living with a focus on space, privacy, natural light and refined design. ROSS HAMS 0410 160 151
MODERN REFINEMENT
Beautifully renovated with high-end finishes throughout, this Brighton East residence delivers effortless contemporary living. Light-filled interiors and a seamless connection to expansive outdoor entertaining spaces create exceptional lifestyle appeal, while secure gated access and a sought-after location close to parks, schools and beaches ensure enduring convenience. ■
FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT
AMELIA FALVO 0439 390 644
ASHLEIGH COUTTS 0439 390 037 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OUR OFFICE LOCATIONS
ALBERT PARK
110 Bridport Street, Albert Park, VIC 3206 (03) 9822 9999
ARMADALE
1111 High Street, Armadale, VIC 3143 (03) 9822 9999
BALWYN
Level 2/379-381 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, VIC 3103 (03) 9822 9999
BRIGHTON
Level 1/225 Bay Street, Brighton, VIC 3186 (03) 9822 9999
FLINDERS
10/33 Cook Street, Flinders, VIC 3929 (03) 5931 1000
HAWTHORN
Level 1/801 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122 (03) 9822 9999
MOUNT ELIZA
98 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza, VIC 3930 (03) 9787 6650
SORRENTO
60 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC 3943 (03) 5981 3000
Photo by Claus Troelsgaard