Biophilic design isn’t just about adding greenery—it’s about creating immersive, sensory-rich spaces that restore, inspire, and connect us to the natural world.
3 min
Sydney-based biophilic design expert Ozge Fettahlioglu, a.k.a. “Madame Cocoplum,” shares her top seven tips for transforming your home into a serene, sustainable sanctuary. Renowned for her local and international design projects, Ozge reveals how nature-inspired luxury can elevate your lifestyle and property value.
Stress Reduction: Thoughtfully integrated natural elements—abundant daylight, elegant water features and organic textures—reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
Restorative Ambience: Imagine a home where the soft murmur of water and the dynamic play of sunlight instantly restore your sense of peace.
Market Differentiator: Properties that merge nature with high-end design stand out in competitive markets and often command premium prices.
Tangible Benefits: Buyers are increasingly drawn to spaces offering refined aesthetics and measurable health benefits—making these homes a wise long-term investment.
Sensory Richness: From the warm touch of natural stone to the gentle echo of a water feature, every detail is curated to stimulate the senses.
Elevated Aesthetics: Reflective surfaces and organic forms create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, turning each room into an immersive, ever-changing environment.
Premium Materials: Think of all-marble finishes, natural stone accents, and glass elements that echo organic shapes. These materials are as eco-conscious as they are elegant.
Responsible Design: Sustainable choices elevate your living space while demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship—an essential value in today’s luxury market.
Evidence-Based Approach: Biophilic design is supported by neuroscience. Studies show that nature-rich environments improve mental clarity, elevate mood, and even enhance sleep.
Masterful Integration: This is more than just adding greenery—it’s a refined blend of architectural planning, smart climate control and artistic intent.
Versatility in Design: Whether your aesthetic leans towards sleek minimalism, mid-century modern or the quiet elegance of Wabi-Sabi, biophilic principles can seamlessly align with your vision.
Tailored Sophistication: Every element is bespoke, curated to respect your personal style and complement your existing décor. It is never imposed as a one-size-fits-all solution.
Global Resonance: Nature is a language we all understand, regardless of background or location.
Borderless Appeal: Whether your property is an urban penthouse or a coastal retreat, nature-integrated design has international allure and timeless charm.
Consider a recent project where a client sought to reimagine an underused penthouse lounge.
“We installed floor-to-ceiling glass panels to flood the space with natural light and frame breathtaking views—making the panorama the focal point of the design,” Ozge said.
“Strategically placed mirrors amplified the light, bringing movement into the room with the reflection of birds in flight and the shimmer of water below.
A sleek, self-contained water feature added a tranquil acoustic layer, while a carefully selected human-scale statue—an elegant nod to the organic form—served as a striking centrepiece.
“Materials were key: we used all-marble and natural stone, complemented by glass and other reflective surfaces that echoed nature’s fluidity.
“A subtle reconfiguration of the seating enhanced spatial flow, transforming a once-forgotten conversation pit into a coveted setting for intimate gatherings, quiet reflection and uninterrupted views.
This project exemplifies how true biophilic sophistication lies not in scattering houseplants but in the seamless integration of natural materials, spatial awareness, and sensory design.
Following the successful launch of its Palais Collection, MAISON de SABRÉ has unveiled a new modular handbag system offering more than 720 styling combinations.
Automobili Lamborghini and Babolat have expanded their collaboration with five new colourways for the ultra-exclusive BL.001 racket, limited to just 50 pieces worldwide.
The Matildas captain has joined one of the world’s most exclusive luxury watch brands, sharing candid insights into the sacrifices required to succeed at the highest level of world football.
3 min
Australian football superstar and Matildas captain Sam Kerr has joined one of the world’s most exclusive luxury watch brands, reflecting on the sacrifices behind a career at the pinnacle of professional sport and revealing she only signed with her new club last week.
As Richard Mille’s first and only Australian partner, Kerr has joined an elite group of global athletes, artists and innovators associated with one of the world’s most prestigious watchmakers.
Speaking in Sydney, the 32-year-old reflected on her next chapter, the extraordinary growth of women’s football and the personal sacrifices required to reach the top of the game.
Founded in 2001, Richard Mille has built a reputation for producing some of the world’s most technically advanced and exclusive timepieces. The Swiss watchmaker is renowned for its use of ultra-lightweight materials, Formula One-inspired engineering and limited-production watches that often sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in some cases, more than $1 million.
Its ambassadors include tennis great Rafael Nadal, Formula One stars Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, actress Michelle Yeoh and sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
During the Sydney event, Kerr wore the Richard Mille RM 07-04 Automatic Sport, a lightweight model featuring a pink case, blue strap and skeletonised movement. Designed for active lifestyles, the watch reflects the brand’s philosophy of combining high-performance engineering with luxury craftsmanship.
For Kerr, becoming the brand’s first Australian partner is a source of considerable pride.
“Of course, being the only Australian is incredible to me,” she said. “I am very proud to be Australian and I like to put Australia on the map.”
The announcement comes as Kerr prepares for the next stage of her football career following her departure from Chelsea after six-and-a-half years.
While speculation around her future has been mounting for months, Kerr revealed a decision was only finalised recently.
“Everyone thinks that it was decided and I’ve known that (it was) reported that I’d signed somewhere in April, but honestly, I only signed my contract on Wednesday last week,” she said.
“I really hadn’t decided what I was going to do until last week.”
Kerr said she expects details of her new club to be announced around the beginning of July once her Chelsea contract officially concludes.
Despite her excitement about what lies ahead, she admitted leaving one of the world’s biggest football clubs has been emotional.
“I am really sad about it,” she said. “It’s been my home for 6.5 years. I have so many good memories there. I have so many amazing teammates. I’m sad to leave.
“It sucks to leave such a big club like Chelsea too, but it comes to an end to everything, right?”
The 32-year-old also reflected on the transformation of women’s football during her career, describing the Matildas’ rise from relative obscurity to household-name status as one of her proudest achievements.
“What the Matildas have done over the last four or five years has been incredible,” she said.
“The most important thing for me is that you leave the game in a better place.”
Kerr noted that when she began playing, there were few professional pathways for women, limited sponsorship opportunities and crowds that bore little resemblance to those regularly attending matches today.
“We are a part of that generation that still knows what it was like when there was no one in the crowd,” she said.
Today, she said, crowds of tens of thousands remain something the team never takes for granted.
“Even last night we had 20,000 on a Tuesday night nearly. That’s special to us,” she said.
“We feel very lucky that people come out and spend their money and come to a game and watch us.”
Yet behind the accolades, sponsorships and sold-out stadiums, Kerr said there have been significant personal sacrifices.
“I’ve been living out of home since I was 17 years old. I’ve missed a lot of my family’s life,” she said.
“I’ve missed a lot of weddings. I’ve missed funerals. I’ve missed so many things that people don’t see.”
Kerr revealed she was unable to return home for her grandmother’s funeral last year because of football commitments.
“You have to love what you’re doing. You have to want to sacrifice,” she said.
“Everyone makes sacrifices, of course, and what I do is a massive privilege, but there comes a lot of sacrifice with it.”
Away from football, Kerr said Australia remains central to her identity despite spending much of her adult life overseas.
“I think we take for granted in Australia the beaches, the ocean, the open spaces,” she said.
As she prepares for a new club, a new season and a new role with Richard Mille, Kerr said she remains motivated by the same passion that first drew her to the game as a teenager.
“It was really organic,” she said of her relationship with the luxury watchmaker.
“It’s a real family brand.”
