At Home with Andy Allen
Step inside MasterChef judge and restaurateur Andy Allen and his wife Alex's newly styled home.
We caught up with the couple to explore the inspiration behind their beautifully curated space and how, through their selection of GlobeWest furniture, they’ve created effortless flow and connection between their indoor and outdoor living areas.
What does "home" mean to you, Andy?
First and foremost, comfort – I love to be comfortable at home, our lives can be pretty busy and we’re often travelling so there’s nothing like the feeling of getting home and being able to simply relax. Entertaining is also a big part of my life – it’s actually a big reason why I got into cooking, and so a huge part of my home life will always be entertaining, whether that’s cooking for my wife, Alex, or inviting a bunch of friends over. I love to feed!
When furnishing and styling your home, what kind of atmosphere or feeling were you and Alex hoping to create?
When we were styling our home we wanted a space that felt warm and inviting, and colour was a really important part of that. Although the living, dining, kitchen and outdoor areas are four separate parts, we wanted to make them feel cohesive and nearly like one big space that just flows beautifully together.
How did you and Alex collaborate when styling the home? Did you both bring different perspectives?
I think we were both on the same page for most of it, we kind of split a couple of sections up and you know, the kitchen was a place where I kind of got to take the reins a little bit as well as the outdoor dining area. Whereas, like the lounge room and dining area, was mostly Alex’s number – and she’s really good at finding all the styling elements and bits and pieces that make our house feel like a home.
Does the way you think about food and cooking carry over into how you’ve approached your interiors?
I think so. You know I’ve never really thought about it that way, but the use of colour and also texture is massive in food. I feel like that’s why I’m always really conscious when choosing pieces of furniture and styling to make sure there’s different colours and textures, but also not to go overboard and throw every single item on the plate. Sometimes less is more.
Can you share your favourite spot in the house and why it feels so special?
For me it’s probably the kitchen. When we were house-hunting we were pretty set on finding a decent kitchen that also felt integrated to the rest of the home so I could be tinkering away and still feel really connected to what’s going on around me. We’re really lucky with our layout and how open everything is – I can be cooking or prepping and still be very much in the action. But then also as the weather gets warmer I’m so drawn to our outdoor space, especially now having our beautiful outdoor table and getting as much sun as we do, I can really see myself spending a bit of time out in the backyard. We’re lucky in that because our house is so open, all of the areas really do feel like one big living space.
What was it about the GlobeWest pieces that felt right for you and Alex, and how do they reflect the way you live at home and/or your personalities?
I think for me, again, I wanted to have a little bit of colour and texture in the house but not be too wild, and there was a huge range at GlobeWest that really fit the bill. Same for the outdoor area – we wanted colour but nothing too crazy, plus it had to be robust enough to stand up to the weather and be easy to clean. I think what we ended up choosing ticked all those boxes.
How does entertaining at home differ from cooking in a professional kitchen?
I treat it kind of similarly to be honest. Preparation is the key to just enjoying yourself while entertaining so I do a fair bit of prep before my friends come over, and then just try and execute three, four, five dishes when they’re there so we all eat together. So it's quite similar to sitting in a restaurant, and that’s the way that I do like to do it. I like my friends to feel like they’re in my home restaurant.
What role does comfort, and functionality play in your home compared to aesthetics?
It’s really 50/50 - comfort and functionality are just as important to us as aesthetics. I think the last thing you want is a house that looks good but you don’t feel comfortable in, so it’s such an important balance to get right. We bought a home to really live in, so for us all the pieces needed to stand the test of daily wear and tear whilst also looking the goods.
Classique Pedestal Side Table, Sidney Renzo Sofa Chair, Bower Frame Rug, Hayes Side Table, Easton Marquee Floor Lamp
What is your favourite meal to make and enjoy at home?
I’m a bit of a weirdo in that we don’t really eat the same thing twice. I still really like cooking at home, so for me it’s probably less of a specific dish, but literally it’s probably what you see in the photos – it’s getting outside, using the BBQ, the outdoor oven as well and creating a few dishes that highlight seasonality and are packed full of flavour. Like, everything should be charred and caramalised – flavour for me is king.
Do you have any rituals at home, whether around meals, relaxation, or hosting?
We don’t have too many rituals, our lives are pretty busy so no two weeks are really the same. I do like to make Alex a coffee every morning – I’ve got a pretty you-beaut La Marzocco coffee machine and I’m lucky that we get some beautiful beans from our coffee partner Single O at Three Blue Ducks. She’s capable of doing it herself, but I feel like making a coffee is a beautiful ritual, because every day you just try and get it absolutely perfect. So I like my wife to wake up to that perfect cup of coffee every morning.
What makes your house truly feel like home?
I think it’s about being careful and conscious of what you want each space to deliver, and finding the right furniture to complement and bring that to life. I also think it’s all the little things that you collect throughout your life and have on display – for us, our house felt a whole lot homier once we got some art on the walls and I think this will continue the longer we live in it and collect bits and pieces along the way.
Get the Look
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NewAllegra Outdoor Sofa Chair - Verdant Stripe - Aluminium White$2,585.00ETA - 07/01/26
Selected colour: Verdant Stripe
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