Interior experts reveal their most prized home purchase, ever

Finding items for your home that are equal parts beautiful, functional, and that will last the test of time can be a true test for even the most experienced of furniture and homewares shoppers. And as any keen decorator would know, sourcing these timeless pieces is certainly no mean feat.

In light of this, we asked five of Australia’s most talented interior experts to reveal what their most prized home purchase is – because if anyone has mastered the art of finding the perfect home addition, it’s them.

Greg Natale, designer

Greg Natale and his Andy Warhol print of Marilyn Monroe. Photo: Felix Forest

“I have a very soft spot for this Andy Warhol print of Marilyn Monroe. This one is prized for its nostalgic reasons. I purchased her from the Conny Dietzschold Gallery for the first apartment I bought and she has travelled with me through all my homes. I always find a place for her on the walls. In my last apartment, she was the starting point for the entire interior scheme — I love the vibrancy and the scale.”

Steve Cordony, interior stylist

Steve Cordony. Photo: Supplied

“My most prized possession at home would be my vintage Louis Vuitton trunk which my partner bought me for my 30th birthday. It was always a dream to own one — not only as a beautiful styling tool (I use it as a coffee table at home) but also a nostalgic reminder of how people used to travel. It is not only a special piece because of the sentiment from my partner, Michael, but also as I love creating interiors that contrast perfectly between traditional and contemporary.”

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Vintage Louis Vuitton trunk. Photo: Rachel Kara

Neale Whitaker, TV presenter and columnist

Neale Whitaker. Photo: Supplied

“If my home was going up in flames I’m not sure there’s anything I’d grab once all humans and dogs were safely out the door. But I can confess to a great affection for my S-Chair. Designed by British maestro Tom Dixon for Italian manufacturer Cappellini in the early 1990s, it’s quite possibly my favourite chair. As a fellow Brit, I’ve watched Dixon’s career from his early days in a funk band through creative stewardship of Habitat UK to his current pole position in the design firmament. And despite my huge respect for his contemporary work, I don’t believe Dixon has ever surpassed the curvaceous S-Chair. To me it’s more artwork than chair. Look, touch, but don’t sit!”

S-Chair, Artworks by Robert Doble (above) and Jai Vasicek (below). Photo: Supplied

Jason Grant, stylist and author

Jason Grant. Photo: Supplied

“A big comfy sofa is one of the most important purchases for your home and an item that needs to be well considered. The Scout sofa is classic in style, feather-filled and upholstered in grey Belgian linen and comfortable – so it ticks all my requirements. For larger investment pieces, I prefer items to be classic and timeless – nothing too fussy, and designed for longevity. I always try to buy less and buy better and this sofa has worked in a number of spaces I have lived in and it always take pride of place in my home.”

Scout sofa. Photo: Jason Grant

Sarah Ellison, interior stylist and designer

“My most prized possession would have to be the Stacey dining table from my recently released furniture collection. I designed this table with the idea of bringing some luxe into the everyday so I use it as my kitchen dining table. With its beautiful matte brass base and marble top it ticks all the boxes for me in terms of being functional and beautiful. I think people get scared of using certain materials such as marble as they believe them to be hard to maintain. Marble does patina, but I think this is what makes it interesting, gives it life and makes it yours.”

Stacey dining table. Photo: Dave Wheeler

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