Wearing Hermès dress and boots to their 2023 event in Sydney.
Double denim with a riding boot.
DL 1961 Denim Shirt | DL 1961 Denim Skirt | Toteme Riding Boots
Brooke wearing Acne Studios leather jacket, Bassike pants, Bassike heels, Rylan handbag & Maggie Marilyn t-shirt.
Brooke wears Sir the Label vest, Sir the Label pants and Bassike belt.
Our Arts & Craft Federation Home. Circa 1904. Restoration: 1st March 2021 - near completion.
Henri Matisse
Still Life with Lemon (Nature morte au citron)
1917. Oil on wood panel
A favourite room of our home. Our formal living.
Vintage Rosewood Desk, Lamps from The Vault, Home Decor from Fourth Street Home, Jonathan Adler Armchairs and Coffee Table.
Tones of green on white.
Anna Quan blazer, Anna Quan knit top, Citizens of Humanity Jeans, Celine heels.
I have always loved denim, it is and always will be a staple in my wardrobe. Denim is casual and effortless but can always be dressed up. Versatile, comfortable and classic, I wear denim skirts not only in the warmer months, but also in the cooler months with stockings.
Here are four ways I have worn a denim skirt, four different occasions.
To a dinner meeting, which turned into a very fun night. Wearing - Nobody Denim Gallery Shirt Linen Black, Nobody Denim Capri Skirt Luce, Celine heels.
Lunch with the girls.
Wearing - Nobody Denim Luxe Rib Tee, Nobody Denim The Edge Skirt Cielo, Incu Collection Jacket, Senso heels.
Casually at home one Saturday.
Wearing - Nobody Denim Luxe Rib Neat Tee Natural, Nobody Denim Piper Skewed Skirt Calma.
To a birthday party at a bar.
Wearing - Nobody Denim Luxe Rib Tank One Shoulder Top, Nobody Denim Nero Skirt, Celine Heels, Rylan Mini Bag.
Shot in collaboration with Nobody Denim.
Images by Ana Suntay-Tanedo
Featuring -
Anna Charlesworth Wall Light | McMullin Vessel | MCM House sofa | Vintage Persian Rug | David Jones Linen Cushions | David Jones Alpaca Cuchions | David Jones Alpaca Throw
Rylan Link Statement Necklace
Rylan Link Statement Earrings
Photographed by Daphne Nguyen
Dinner at home.
A room in my home. A collection of both contemporary and vintage furniture.
Niels Moller Sideboard
Christiane Spangsberg Charcoal Drawing
Timothy Oulton Chaise
Jonathon Adler Burl Wood Coffee Table
Dunlin Home Candle Sticks
Rylan introduces jewellery for 2019.
Featuring the Rylan Deco Statement Earring.
Photographed by Daphne Nguyen
Styled by Brooke Testoni
I recently got interviewed by Farfetch on why I shop vintage. It went a little like this.
Describe your style in 3 words…
Effortless, Vintage, Timeless.
What’s your everyday uniform?
My everyday uniform is normally denim, a boyfriend t-shirt or shirt tucked in, a low or block heel back with vintage or statement earrings.
What’s the style vibe in your city?
The girls in Sydney have a great effortless street style. No matter what they wear, it always has a comfortable, effortless yet fashionable feel. Even when it comes to night, they never over do it.
Why do you buy vintage?
I invest in vintage pieces because they have character. There is a hidden story behind every piece. The main reason behind wearing vintage though is due to the fact, you could be one of the only people in your city wearing that piece. There is something very special about that.
What pieces do you look out for when vintage shopping?
When it comes to vintage pieces, I love to search for a beautiful coat or jacket, a pair of special earrings and denim.
Who are your favourite retro style icons?
I truely think that Jane Birkens style was so beautiful and effortless. She wore denim better than anyone. I loved her casual yet preppy take on high waisted denim, shirting, mini shift dresses and blazers.
If you could go back in time, what decade would you pick and why?
There are so many trends I love from both the 60s and 70s, but I would have to say the 60’s was my favourite overall. I loved the ‘daring hemlines’ movement. I can never say no to a mini shift dress or skirt. I am also a huge fan of a preppy look, and wearing a block and a low heel.
How do you mix vintage and contemporary pieces?
Easily! I don't think there is a rule when it comes to mixing these pieces. I always just refer to how I usually dress. If I am wearing a classic jacket, pair it back with earrings with personality. I never ‘over-do’ an outfit. I love to always have a classic and statement element.
Wearing - Vintage Jil Sander Coat (similar vintage Prada Coat here), Marni Earrings, Balenciaga Mules and J Brand Denim.
Since having Franco, I like to spend a lot more time at home. I styled a home office nook in my formal living for just that.
I mixed a creamy palette back with a contrast of deep rosewood. I wanted to create a space which was light, airy, yet warm and elegant. This creamy textured Beni M’Rirt woollen rug from Tigmi Trading, gives a brighter feel to the room and helps separate the dark wood of the floor and furniture. The softness of the wool helps to add warmth to a federation home with very high ceilings, plus serves to compliment the window feature rather than being too visually dominant.
This desk, I sourced at the start of 2018. It is a small danish desk which is petite in size and can nicely stand in the middle of a room without feeling too chunky and oversized. The chair I paired back with the desk is actually a spare dining room chair of ours. She is a Vestervig Eriksen rosewood dining chair with ivory leather.
The two Jonathan Adler armchairs in the room are of a midcentury design and are made up of cream sheep skin, linen, brass and dark walnut. I feel like they serve to link the room, between the hard woods and soft, creamy textures.
On top of the desk sit homewares I have collected plus a little flora. The small bowl, onyx jar and stone candle holder are from Fourth Street Home. The lamp is an older one from West Elm and the ceramic vase and flannel flowers are from my good friends at My Flower Man.
Wearing – Elissa McGowan dress, Rylan Link Statement Earrings.
Home office by Brooke Testoni
Photographed by Caroline McCreadie
I absolutely love a night with friends, dining over wine, and talking and laughing for hours. It is good for the soul. It is nice to go out, but there is something more intimate, cosy and inviting about cooking at home and having your close ones over. This month I put on an intimate dinner at my home with a handful of friends. I have received a lot of questions regarding the details, so here they are:
I decorated the table with flowers, homewares and an abundance of candles, my husband and I cooked for 7 girls, and for drinks, we served the new 2012 Champagne Penfolds made in collaboration with Thiènotwhich was a delightful treat.
On the menu:FOOD –
We started with Nonna’s special polenta recipe, set over night, baked and served as chunky fries garnished with Parmigiano Reggiani cheese, a variation on a Caprese salad with a mix of varied fresh tomatoes, Italian burrata and fresh basil. We also served this with a selection of roasted root vegetables.
For mains, we served crispy skin barramundi with a burnt butter sauce served on a bed of mashed peas, a side of sea salt air fried chips and a green salad with avocado and roasted pine nuts.
I am lucky my Mother-in-law makes our favourite desert when we have people over. Her homemade meringues (which are unbeatable in our eyes!), are chewy in the middle and crunchy on the outside. She makes her own berry compote and serves them with fresh berries and creme.
DRINKS –
2012 Champagne Thiènot x Penfolds Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Cuvèe(Penfolds newly launched Champagne made in partnership with Thiènot to celebrate 175 years of winemaking innovation).
Penfolds Bin 311 ChardonnayPenfolds Reserve Bin17a ChardonnayPenfolds Magill Estate
In the room:
We ate in my dining room which consists of a vintage rosewood dining table from Vampt, Vestervig Eriksen dining chairs, a Bruno Mathsson chair, Eileen Grey lamp, a Dunlin Home light, MCM House mirror, Five Fables bar cart and Cadry’s antique rug. I decorated the table with natural linen, brass candle holders from Fourth Street Homeand Mitchell Road Antiques, french glassware from One French Summer (Mosman store) and a bunch of lemons from my local grocer.
and,
On the playlist:
I am an old soul when it comes to music, so my playlist consisted of tracks from the 50’s and up. A few of my favourites are Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, The Supremes, Arethna Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles, Bill Withers…the list goes on.
Wearing – Paris Georgia Basics dress and Celine heels.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask below.
Shot by Jacopo LancioniShot in collaboration with Penfolds
A nook of rich colours
Rosewood meets brown and mustard
A blend of rich colours, complemented by a hue of mustard. An addition of a vintage find and a little flora, voila – a nook of rich colours.
From left to right –
Burgundy leather Bruno Mathsson chair, vintage Rosewood drawset from Vampt, Brass candlesticks from Fourth Street Home, vintage vase from Mitchell Road Antiques and ‘Motherhood’ painting from Cathelijne Biskop.
Styled by Brooke Testoni
Featured – Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz | Dunlin Home candelabras | George Jensen vase | Iittala hand blown vase | Laguiole by Jean Dubust cutlery | Camergue table linen
Inside my Formal Living Room
Brooke Testoni here!
If you don’t already know, I am studying interior decoration, which is a true passion of mine, that I have left on the back burner for too long. One of my goals of 2018 (I will touch more on them in my next entry) is to focus more on expressing my style in interiors and furniture design. I hope you will enjoy this. I would love to know of any topics you would like me to cover in the comments below!
I wanted to show you my formal living room as it is my favourite room of our home. You could say it is my ‘zen’ room, where I can escape to quietly read, do work or even meditate. I have slowly collected furniture and home decor that I love from around the world, which has now made the aura of this room come to life. When it comes to styling items together (this relates to both fashion and furniture), I always mix a little old with a little new.
Lets touch on the larger pieces first. The Niels Otto Moller sideboard is my favourite piece to date, the rosewood detail on this piece, truly melts my heart. I always like my rooms to feel warm and inviting so I love to mix warmer toned woods, tans and neutrals. The leather chaise which does look like a vintage piece, is actually new from Timothy Oulton. Lastly, the MCM house mirror (similar one here) mixes an industrial feel back to the mid century features of the room.
The smaller pieces: A room simply isn’t complete without a little love of decorative items! I love to fill a room with decorative pieces (organised mess!) I find in stores/vintage stores. The vases and the two-armed lamp are vintage. The candle stick which is new, I came across on social and I bought her instantly. It is produced by an amazing Australian company called Dunlin Home. Lastly, the one-line illustration on the wall is from sweet Christiane Spangberg, which I have heard is having an exhibition in Sydney in the next few months, so run, don’t walk!
Photographed and styled by Brooke Testoni
Wearing denim back with classic ribbed basics in black, white and a pop of colour.
‘When you like a certain piece, buy it in more colours.’ I love that motto and have now realised I abide by it quite often! Here I photographed three ways I wear ribbed tops. Wear them as a classic, play with colour and layer them for a little fun.
Wearing – Nobody straight leg denim and Nobody black ribbed top, Nobody black denim skirt, Nobody black knit, and Nobody red ribbed turtleneck, Nobody black skinny leg denim, Nobody saffron ribbed top and Nobody white ribbed top
Photographed by Ana Suntay-Tanedo in collaboration with Nobody Denim
A billowy sleeve and stark white denim paired back with white heels, a statement necklace and cognac coloured satchel.
Wearing – Mahsa top, Anine Bing denim, Celine heels, Rylan Bag and Rylan necklace.
Knit on knit, back with straight two tone khaki knee high boots.
Wearing – Viktoria & Woods knit top, Viktoria & Woods knit skirt and Aska boots.
Featuring gloss embossed and smooth Italian leather, Rylan is a curated collection of handbags inspired by the past, hand finished for the woman of today.
Now available from Moda Operandi, Totokaelo, Macondo and Autumn Sonata.
Photographed by Daphne Nguyen
Styled by Brooke Testoni
Equipment silk top, Equipment silk pants, Tory Burch silk scarf, Tory Burch silver clutch (available at Tory Burch Bondi Junction store) and Prada heels (similar here).
Anine Bing blazer, Anine Bing pants, Bassike t-shirt and Christian Louboutin heels.
I recently got interviewed by Farfetch on why I shop vintage. It went a little like this.
Describe your style in 3 words…
Effortless, Vintage, Timeless.
What’s your everyday uniform?
My everyday uniform is normally denim, a boyfriend t-shirt or shirt tucked in, a low or block heel back with vintage or statement earrings.
What’s the style vibe in your city?
The girls in Sydney have a great effortless street style. No matter what they wear, it always has a comfortable, effortless yet fashionable feel. Even when it comes to night, they never over do it.
Why do you buy vintage?
I invest in vintage pieces because they have character. There is a hidden story behind every piece. The main reason behind wearing vintage though is due to the fact, you could be one of the only people in your city wearing that piece. There is something very special about that.
What pieces do you look out for when vintage shopping?
When it comes to vintage pieces, I love to search for a beautiful coat or jacket, a pair of special earrings and denim.
Who are your favourite retro style icons?
I truely think that Jane Birkens style was so beautiful and effortless. She wore denim better than anyone. I loved her casual yet preppy take on high waisted denim, shirting, mini shift dresses and blazers.
If you could go back in time, what decade would you pick and why?
There are so many trends I love from both the 60s and 70s, but I would have to say the 60’s was my favourite overall. I loved the ‘daring hemlines’ movement. I can never say no to a mini shift dress or skirt. I am also a huge fan of a preppy look, and wearing a block and a low heel.
How do you mix vintage and contemporary pieces?
Easily! I don’t think there is a rule when it comes to mixing these pieces. I always just refer to how I usually dress. If I am wearing a classic jacket, pair it back with earrings with personality. I never ‘over-do’ an outfit. I love to always have a classic and statement element.
Wearing – Vintage Jil Sander Coat (similar vintage Prada Coat here), Marni Earrings, Balenciaga Mulesand J Brand Denim.
Maison Cleo skirt | Wynn Hamlyn jumper | COS socks | Balenciaga heels (similar here)
Wearing - Paris Georgia Basics top, J W Anderson bag from Net-A-Porter, Ellery Pants
Wearing AG Denim
Shot in collaboration with AG jeans
Wearing – Chloe blouse | Chloe white jeans | Chloe sunglasses | Chloe gold ring via Net-A-Porter
At home wearing Misha Nonoo turtleneck, Calvin Klein jeans and Monies Earrings.
Rita by Ulrika Lundgren | Rebecca Vallance pants | Prada heels
