Our Christmas Gift Guide

 

Our Christmas Gift Guide

 
Our Top Picks for Christmas Gifting: Make This Holiday Extra Special
Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s time to find gifts that bring joy, style, and thoughtfulness to your loved ones. To make your search effortless, we’ve curated a selection of unique, stylish, and practical gifts to suit every personality and lifestyle. From luxurious home decor to summer must-haves, here are our top picks for Christmas gifting in 2024!
 
Warm Ambiance: Scented Candles
Nothing sets the mood like a beautifully fragranced candle. Perfect for creating cosy spaces, these make a versatile and elegant gift for anyone on your list. Our Favourites include Ralph Lauren Scented Candles and Chameleon Sand Candles for their luxurious and timeless appeal.
 
Home Upgrades: Floor Lamps and Statement Decor
Give the gift of functional yet stylish homeware that makes a statement. A chic floor lamp or coastal-inspired wall art can elevate any living space. We recommend Indah Island Lamps and Shades, which are both versatile and elegant, paired with coastal Indah Island aesthetic wall art to complete the look.
 
Summer Essentials: Hats and Accessories
Summer-ready gifts are always a hit. Hamptons-inspired hats and lightweight accessories are perfect for sunny days. Check out the Indah Island Hamptons Hat or a Zimmermann Towel for an effortless summer style.
 
Beauty Staples: Nail Polish and More
For the beauty lovers in your life, you can’t go wrong with classic essentials. High-quality nail polish in trending shades or luxury skincare products always impresses. Our top picks include Gucci Nail Polish, the Sass & Bide Fragrance, and Age Is Not a Number Miracle Cream—all guaranteed to delight.
 
Our Hamptons Kitchen Magazine is a must-read for everyone to enjoy—bringing endless inspiration and timeless design ideas to life.
 
This Christmas, make gift-giving extra special with a selection of thoughtful and stylish picks. From candles and homeware to beauty staples and summer accessories, these ideas will leave your loved ones smiling all season long

Balsam Hill

 

Natalee Bowen & Balsam Hill Collaboration 
Bring Luxe Holiday Style to Life

At Indah Island, we believe that style is not just about decor—it’s about
creating an atmosphere that makes people feel at home. This Christmas
season, Natalee Bowen, founder of Indah Island and Hamptons Living
magazine, has teamed up with Balsam Hill to do just that.
Known for her beautiful Hamptons-inspired aesthetic, Natalee’s
collaboration with Balsam Hill blends timeless elegance with a cozy, festive
charm that turns every home into a holiday haven.
Balsam Hill has earned its reputation as the go-to source for realistic, highquality holiday trees, wreaths, garlands, and seasonal decor. Their
dedication to craftsmanship and quality makes them a natural partner for
Natalee, whose design ethos is centred on creating beautiful, inviting
spaces that feel luxurious yet approachable.

When it comes to holiday decor, Natalee is all about timeless elegance and quality
pieces that can be enjoyed year after year. Balsam Hill's selection perfectly
complements her Hamptons-inspired interiors, with options that are both versatile
and unique. The brand’s commitment to creating lifelike and beautifully designed
pieces ensures that each tree and decorative item adds a touch of holiday magic
without overwhelming the space.
In this collaboration, Natalee styled several spaces, sharing her expertise on how to
create balanced holiday arrangements that work with existing interiors.
Her design approach features soft, neutral palettes mixed with classic touches of
greenery and metallics, ideal for creating a cohesive look throughout the home. In true
Hamptons style, Natalee incorporates natural textures, fresh blooms, and thoughtful
layering to achieve a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere.

Bringing the Outdoors In
Balsam Hill's lush wreaths and garlands make it easy to extend the holiday decor to
porches, entryways, and dining spaces. Natalee showcases ways to effortlessly bring
the outdoors in by combining Balsam Hill’s lifelike greenery with her signature
aesthetic. Her tips include layering garlands around doorways and mantels, arranging
wreaths in unexpected spaces, and adding personal touches, like ribbon or lights, to
make each piece her own.

Tips for Creating Your Own Festive Look
For those looking to recreate Natalee’s holiday style at home, she suggests
starting with a statement tree from Balsam Hill, paired with minimal yet
impactful accessories. Choose a palette that complements your decor and let
each piece shine. Natalee encourages using greenery to add texture and warmth
throughout the home, creating a seamless and sophisticated holiday look.

A Final Word from Natalee
"I love how Balsam Hill’s pieces instantly add a sense of warmth and
sophistication to any space. This collaboration has been such a joy to bring
together, and I hope it inspires others to create beautiful holiday memories in
their own homes," says Natalee.
This partnership between Natalee Bowen and Balsam Hill is a perfect example of
how two brands can come together to offer something truly special. As the
holidays draw near, we’re excited to share this journey with you and hope it
inspires a season of warmth, beauty, and togetherness.

Transforming Hallways: From Passages to Stunning Hamptons-Inspired Spaces

Hallways

The Overlooked Canvas of Your Home

Often dismissed as mere passageways, hallways hold incredible potential to enhance the flow and style of your home. With a little creativity, you can transform these transitional spaces into captivating areas that reflect your personality and embrace the timeless elegance of Hampton's design.

What to Call It

While "hallway" is the most common term, consider calling it a corridor or foyer, depending on its layout and function. Regardless of the name, it deserves attention!

How to Style Your Hallway

Play with Colour: Choose a bold or soothing colour palette that complements your home’s aesthetic. Light shades reminiscent of coastal hues can create an airy feel, while deep tones add drama and warmth, capturing that classic Hamptons vibe.

Artistic Expressions: Turn your hallway into a mini-gallery. Hang a curated collection of artwork or family photos to tell your story and spark conversations, all while keeping with the sophisticated style of Hamptons interiors.

Lighting That Inspires: Illuminate your hallway with striking light fixtures—think wall sconces, pendant lights, or a statement chandelier. Good lighting not only brightens the space but also highlights your design choices, enhancing that airy Hamptons feel.

Function Meets Style: Incorporate functional elements like coat hooks, a stylish console table, or a bench for added convenience. This makes the hallway practical without sacrificing the elegance associated with the Hamptons style.

Bring in Nature: Add a touch of greenery with low-maintenance plants. They can enliven the hallway and improve air quality, making the space feel fresh and inviting, much like the beautiful landscapes of the Hamptons.

SHOP Indah Island & Co for all your Hallway Items 

 

 

Penfolds and The Hamptons Farm Estate Announce Partnership

A Partnership of Luxury Living at The Hamptons Farm Estate

In the realm of luxury living and indulgence, the partnership between Indah Island and Australian winemaker Penfolds stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of opulence and sophistication. This exclusive alliance, set against the backdrop of the Hamptons Farm Estate, promises an unparalleled experience that transcends the boundaries of taste, style, and refinement.

Indah Island, renowned for its bespoke and breathtakingly beautiful interior designs, has embarked on this unique partnership with Penfolds, one of Australia's most iconic winemakers. The Hamptons Farm Estate, known for its grandeur and natural beauty, becomes the perfect canvas for this collaboration, where luxury, design, and world-class wine converge.

Under the visionary leadership of designer Natalee Bowen, Indah Island has long been synonymous with creating spaces that redefine luxury living. With an impeccable eye for detail and a commitment to crafting unique, tailor-made interiors, Indah Island has garnered a reputation for transforming houses into dream homes. At The Hamptons Farm Estate, these designs come to life in a setting that celebrates nature, elegance, and exceptional craftsmanship.

On the other hand, Penfolds, with a rich winemaking history spanning 180 years, has become a global icon in the wine industry. Known for producing exceptional, award-winning wines, Penfolds is a natural partner for those who appreciate the finest things in life. Their portfolio includes some of the most prestigious wines, making them a perfect complement to the refined lifestyle offered by Indah Island.

The partnership between Indah Island and Penfolds goes beyond a business relationship; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. Picture stepping into an Indah Island-designed residence at The Hamptons Farm Estate, where every detail has been meticulously curated to reflect a harmonious blend of comfort, style, and sophistication. Now, imagine complementing this luxurious ambience with the exquisite flavours of Penfolds wines, creating an experience that is truly second to none.

As part of this extraordinary collaboration, Indah Island and Penfolds will host exclusive events and private tastings at the Hamptons Farm Estate for their discerning clientele. These events will offer guests the opportunity to savour the finest wines in a setting that is nothing short of spectacular. Whether it's an intimate wine-tasting evening or a grand soirée, the synergy between Indah Island and Penfolds at the Hamptons Farm Estate promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for those who seek the finer things in life.

This partnership is not just the convergence of two luxury brands, but an elevation of lifestyle to new heights of sophistication. Indah Island and Penfolds are redefining what it means to live in the lap of luxury, offering a symphony of elegance that resonates with connoisseurs of both design and wine. Through this collaboration, guests and homeowners alike will have the chance to experience a life of exceptional taste, in every sense of the word.

Exploring a few of My Favorite Things & Embracing the Indah Island lifestyle

Founder Natalee Bowen When selecting items for my wardrobe, I gravitate towards pieces that embody the essence of my Indah Island Brand – those that are both functional and luxurious, yet possess a timeless quality.

As Indah Island embarks on the exciting venture of launching a Lifestyle Brand in 2024, it is my pleasure to offer you a closer look into the key elements that have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of my personal narrative.

The Lifestyle Brand from Indah Island aspires to be a companion on your personal journey, offering not just products but a reflection of the values and aspirations that define you. Each item is thoughtfully crafted to blend seamlessly into your lifestyle, enhancing your experiences and reflecting the essence of what makes your journey uniquely yours.

Subscribe today and join us on this journey of continuous discovery!

How to get the Country Hamptons look

We have the pleasure of writing a series of guest editorial columns for Home Beautiful, focusing on a range of particular styles under the banner of Hamptons homes.  We continue the series with the Country style for the May edition of Home Beautiful.

Long before the Hamptons became a beloved vacation destination for New York’s most affluent, it was simply a string of isolated, barn style farmhouses on sprawling estates in the American country. It wasn’t until the late 1900 to early 2000’s, that the wealthy elites started building their beach side holiday mansions, and this is the ocean-esque concept we mainly associate with Hamptons style.  Fortunately, the Hamptons style isn’t limited to the coastline and can be just as magnificent on a rural property. The houses you see on the original farms usually host traditional practical barns, and they have these beautiful homestead-style houses.  It should come as no surprise then that this timeless interior style has been adapted so well to suit our Australian country charm.  American summer getaways only last three months of the year, yet Australia’s glorious climate is perfect for open plan living that transitions into indoor/outdoor entertaining all year-round.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

THE FEATURES:

There's just something about being in the country that revitalises you - the air is better, you sleep deeper and the days seem longer!

A Country Hamptons house is an eclectic mix of both traditional and tropical styles.  Think rustic timbers, earthy hues and full wraparound verandahs. Barn style sliding doors and timber accents abound in a country home, with a no-fuss, laid back atmosphere.  There is a homeliness to a country house, with huge collections of books, hooks for your copper utensils and eclectic collectables throughout.

While the kitchen remains the heart of the home and the centerpoint for entertaining, it should incorporate more timber than marble as durability becomes a priority.  A butlers sink is always an essential and so perfectly suited to the farmhouse aesthetic, and shaker style cabinetry with matte black hardware provides timeless storage.  If you’re brave, choose a beautiful blue hue for your island bench!  Kitchen vignettes really sell the country charm vibe, when you stack wooden utensils in white ceramics, fresh herbs on open shelves and lots of heirloom cookbooks.

Although the rule of thumb is generally ‘do not mix metals’ in a single zone, a country home tends to have grander proportions so mixing up the finishes of your hardware and tapware can be a fun way to inject some eclectic personality!  In the Hamptons Farm Estate, we used black handles throughout, with polished nickel tapware and most of our feature lighting shows off a brass tone.   Include just enough of everything to create balance and you’ll find that on a big scale it all works together!

Cornices and skirting are pared back in a country Hamptons home.  We tend to see more Hardie Groove Lining on the walls than traditional wainscoting.  There’s also no reason you cant do both – with a half height wainscoting design and big panels of VJ separated by a simple dado rail. Dark timber floors will ground your home (pun intended!) with a tone of warmth while bringing in some old-world character.

For practicality’s sake, the Country home wouldn’t be complete without a mud room! Acting as an informal second entry, it is designated to intercept dirty shoes, Akubra hats and wet coats before they are traipsed through your beautiful home!

The kitchen may find it has some competition to hold the title “heart of the home” when a beautiful fireplace is involved! Floor to ceiling stone would make a magnificent feature and a wooden mantle will be the focus point of for your styling all year round!

When I was dreaming of our Great Room in the North Wing of the Hamptons Farm Estate, I knew I wanted soaring ceilings and huge windows to give us constant views of the beautiful rural landscape, and a spacious area to host family, friends and events.  A barn style pitched ceiling with exposed wood beams is sure to clearly communicate that you are standing in the greatness of a country style home! Bi-fold doors open out to our full wrap around verandah and extend all our living spaces, bringing the outdoors in!  Not unlike the colonial Australian style, a sprawling verandah helps with the cooling of the home and providing more entertaining space, like an extra wide hug!

THE FURNITURE:

When filling a country lounge room, I always start with a gorgeous linen sofa, with a layered neutral palette with pops of caramel to complement the colours of the landscape.  Oak woods are perfect in a Country Hamptons look, providing a natural texture in a warm tone.  Slip-cover armchairs in an off white are both practical and beautiful!  Hardware and lighting incorporate a masculine element when finished in a wrought iron or matte black.

When it comes to cushions, I have a rule of three: bring together a stripe, a geometric and a floral print.  This way, there is beautiful interest on your sofa and the patterns will bounce off each other.   Spring and Summer see the incorporation of duck egg blues and eucalyptus greens into my country palette, with lush layers of linen in a stone shade of white.

Comfy outdoor living is key in a country home, so I love to use an array of plump wicker chairs and sofas, clustered for entertaining and lovely conversations.  I love to continue the interior palette of soft blues and greens into the soft furnishings outside.

We hope you enjoyed this excerpt from our guest editorial column with Home Beautiful!

Subscribe to Home Beautiful's newsletters and magazines or pick up a copy from your local newsagent - on sale the first Monday of each month - to stay up to date!

How to get the Classic Hamptons look

We have the pleasure of writing a series of guest editorial columns for Home Beautiful, focusing on a range of particular styles under the banner of Hamptons homes.  We commenced the series with the Classic style for the April edition of Home Beautiful.

Within the walls of our homes, we are able to create personal retreats and escapes; a cocoon from the rituals of day-to-day life.  Designing your home extends to designing your lifestyle – one that will be the envy of all!

The timeless appeal of the Classic Hamptons style is a refined balance between sophistication and relaxation with indulgent luxury.

The way to master the flow of your home is to add details from front to back that capture the eye as you walk through.  The Classic Hamptons home begs for applause from the moment you enter; with coffered ceilings, layered wainscoted walls and sweeping staircases that delight the senses!

THE FEATURES:

The staircase of a Classic Hamptons home should be its crowning jewel!  Details like a bold newel post with carefully designed spindles – either in a Chippendale pattern or with ornately carved spindles – can be carried throughout the home into other features, making the spaces communicate together.  A black step with a white riser and a bold handrail demand attention!

Coffered ceilings are perfect for a high-end luxury home!  These often include intricate mouldings to add allowance for shadow to pop in every square! Coffered ceilings can be used in an entrance, a great room or any area that requires an extra layer of drama!

Wainscoting is like icing on a cake for your walls. It starts with a beautiful deep, rounded edge dado rail that then works down towards a carefully designed smaller rail. That then guides you along the wall in a square or rectangle design.  This style looks exceptional in entrances, on staircases and they can become a major feature of any wall just by layering these intricate mouldings. They masterfully blend with skirting, cornices and architraves that then allow your colour palette to pop!

Cabinetry is always a highlight but when it comes to a Classic Hamptons home, there is no greater feature than the kitchen itself!  Gone are the days of hiding the kitchen – a Hamptons home is all about entertaining and showing off! The island bench is always the centre of attention, embracing lengths of soft toned Carrara marble. 

A feature oven is a must have, sizing no less than 900cm. This becomes a wide, freestanding masterpiece that is not only for cooking but for centralizing the cabinetry design.  A beautiful rangehood demands bold extruding features with glass cabinetry either side, to showcase your collated dinnerwares. Tapware, hardware, butlers sinks and stunning pendant lights are all distinctive elements in a Classic design.

A bath is a must have feature for a Classic Hamptons bathroom.  Whether you use it or not becomes irrelevant when it commands such a luxurious presence in a space!

With freestanding tapware – which is practically jewellery for a wet area – and panelling or shelving, wow moments will abound!  Your counter can be a spot to indulge in by adding a feature mirror, wall sconces and pendants, with a double basin that features refined front panelling that is more than just shaker style.  Marble flooring with a statement border or a checkboard detail is what it’s all about!

A Classic Hamptons outdoor area should be an experience – opening up to flowering arbours, an entertaining alfresco and relaxing sun loungers by the pool.  Outdoor spaces are as equally important as indoor design as it fully encapsulates your lifestyle.   The pleasures of hosting your loved ones and swanning around the pool are sure to be an entertainer’s dream come true!

THE FURNITURE:

When styling a Classic Hamptons home, we introduce the traditional blue and white palette, but include floral and oak tones for depth that translate to a more traditional style. Our Indah Island x Carnival Homewares stripe rugs are essential to set the scene.

Blue linen sofas in a traditional roll arm style are both comfortable and beautiful! Our best-selling Bobbin Armchair is a perfect choice for more statement seating. Their dramatic back design make these chairs breathtaking from all angles! Chesterfield chairs with deep button backs are another great option.

An oak coffee table grounds the space and contrasting side tables bring personality into the room.  I always love to include a bit of rattan in every space to incorporate another layer of natural texture.

Vignettes with eclectic antiques and blue and white ginger jars are a fun way to let your personality shine through.

Lastly, lighting is more elegant in a Classic Hamptons home, with hanging chandeliers of crystal and brass.  Wall sconces and pendants will take your bathroom to the next level and beautiful table lamps scattered throughout will bring ambience and interest to each space.

We hope you enjoyed this excerpt from our guest editorial column with Home Beautiful!

Subscribe to Home Beautiful's newsletters and magazines or pick up a copy from your local newsagent - on sale the first Monday of each month - to stay up to date!

Our Hamptons Estate & Modular Walls

When designing the outdoor living space of the Hamptons Farm Estate, we wanted to remain connected to the massive acreage of the property, like traditional Hamptons estates were built on.  We knew we needed a robust boundary wall that wouldn’t overpower the views and balanced out our landscape design.

We wanted to tie together both the farmhouse and the outdoor living area, while incorporating a compliant pool fence.  In consultation with our celebrity landscape designer Dave Franklin, we knew that ModularWalls would be the perfect solution!

We chose ModularWalls for their style, their excellent technical support and the DIY opportunity.  Saving money on installation was a big winner in our books! The delivery was efficient and beautifully presented.  The assembly instructions were very clear, and it was reassuring to know we could easily get in touch with ModularWalls if we needed any further technical support.

When considering a fence design, we wanted something that would match the Hamptons aesthetic and provide protection against the harsh outback wind.  The Modular Wall’s EstateWallexudes class and luxury yet has a bold, masonry presence.

The EstateWall achieves everything we hoped for, and it has zoned our outdoor resort living space so well.  We are honoured to recommend ModularWalls to anyone seeking a stylish and functional fencing solution!

 

Why we chose the Architects Choice for our Hamptons Pool Fence

In Australia, we are fortunate to spend a lot of time outside entertaining and enjoying life.  In consultation with our celebrity landscape designer Dave Franklin, we knew we wanted to tie together both the farmhouse and the outdoor living area to create a resort like experience.  Our goal was to design a one of a kind outdoor entertaining space that exudes luxury and charm with a Hamptons farmhouse feel.  Our beautiful Aqua Technics pool sets a relaxing tone to spend long summer days beside.

 

We knew we needed a compliant pool fence, yet I was insistent that it shouldn’t interrupt the visual flow from the Farmhouse verandah into the gorgeous outdoor entertaining area. For this criteria, we could not look past The Architects Choice. 

 

As the most trusted supplier of glass pool fencing, glass balustrade and wire balustrade in Australia, they are partnered with Royal Life Saving Australia and Water Safety NZ.

 

The panels are DIY so all you need are a few tools, basic DIY skills and a mate to assist – as the glass is quite heavy. The quality glass panels make fitting and aligning the gates quick and easy with custom hinges, latches and panels all designed to fit together.

 

For the Hamptons Farm Estate we have used the stainless steel spigots giving a frameless look with 1800mm wide by 1200mm high glass panels.  The gate is an 890mm wide by 1200mm high, toughened glass and all the latches and hinges are The Architects Choice range, with a self-closing magnetic latch.

 

The overall look we wanted was seamless lines and clean, clear views. Allowing for the entire outdoor entertaining area to flow effortlessly from the moment you step outside, with unobscured views. Perfect for safety and elegant aesthetics.

 

The Architects Choice is easily accessible from Bunnings Warehousewhere the process is simple. Go to The Architects Choice website  choose your post system, either frameless spigots or semi-frameless. Choose accessories, measure up your site, then use The Architects Choice calculatorto work out exactly what is needed, then head into your local  Bunnings Special Orders Desk with the printed list. Simple!

 

Boasting premium automotive-grade toughened glass, certified pool fencing with mechanically polished edges. Partnered with Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Water Safety NZ, The Architects Choice is not only staunch on their products but their water safety advocacy producing only the strongest and safest water safety complaint products for the DIY market.

 

Go to The Architects Choice social media pages on Facebook or Instagram or their Youtube Channel for all the installation ‘How To’ guided videos.

 

Hamptons Outdoor Living with NewtechWood

One of our “must haves” for my Hamptons Farmhouse were big expansive verandas, leading out to the amazing rural landscape. When the size of your outdoor deck is larger than most Australian homes you need to select your decking materials carefully. Wrapping around our renovated Hamptons farmhouse, the expansive 293 sqm deck complements the home’s exterior and enhances the outdoor furnishings while unifying the indoor and outdoor space.

Not wanting to compromise on design details, the decking had to be hardwearing but also achieve the laidback luxe style I am renowned for.

My search for the perfect decking came to an end as soon as I laid eyes on NewTechWood’s latest composite decking range. I knew instantly the Coastal Range would create the warm wood textural backdrop which would be an ideal canvas for my outdoor furniture and decorative pieces. This is high quality composite wood decking taken to the next level. The NewtechWood Coastal Decking Range has deep grained wide planks that truly look like wood and add another rich layer of texture to my outdoor entertaining area.

While the coastal range is available in three colours I selected Antique which was so aligned with my aesthetic, you would have thought it had been custom made for my Hamptons Farmhouse given its vintage finish and natural colour variegation.

I’m all about eye-catching design and natural textures, but practicality and function also play an enormous role when choosing finishes for my own home and the homes of my clients.

NewTechWood uses the innovative Ultrashield technology to ensure that the composite decking boards are fully capped, giving protection to the boards making it very low maintenance.  I don’t have to paint, seal or oil the deck ever, which means I don’t have the inconvenience of removing all the furniture annually as I would for a traditional wooden deck.  It won’t splinter, crack, mildew or mould and the colour is UV resistant and won’t fade.

The coastal decking range delivers a natural looking high-end finish with all the convenience of being long lasting and ultra-low maintenance and is also backed by a 25 year warranty. You can find out more about the Antique Coastal Decking I used here : https://newtechwood.com.au/composite-decking-australia/coastal-range/