Interview With ele HOME Editor, Katie Skinner -

We catch up with Katie Skinner, the Editor of our new home and interiors magazine, ele HOME, and find out more about her inspiration and vision for the latest home, garden and design magazine to hit the market.

1. Tell us about the inspiration behind ele HOME.

After the success of ele Magazine, the Editor-in-Chief, Mia, reached out about the potential of launching a sister publication, ele HOME. I have been an avid magazine reader since a young age and have always admired Australian editors such as Lisa Wilkinson and Ita Buttrose. The chance to mix my love of writing and creating with my passion for interior design was an offer too good to pass up.

We went into ele HOME wanting to create a beautiful, content driven, attainable and inspirational magazine that showcases the amazing Australian talent we have in our interior designers, artists, local businesses, and homeowners. And always in a positive and constructive light, there is no room for negativity in ele HOME.

2. What sets ele HOME apart from other home and interiors magazines?

ele HOME is about accessibility, it is not all high-end luxury and million-dollar homes. We showcase individuality and not necessarily ‘perfect’ houses but homes that are designed and created with love rather than on trend and buying whatever is ‘in’. Like our sister publication, ele Magazine, we wanted content rich pages that you can pick up time and time again for inspiration.

3. How do you find inspiration for your feature articles?

Word of mouth is a big influence, I am contacted daily by homeowners, family, friends and designers with great leads on homes to feature. Social media such as Instagram and Pinterest have led me to some great ideas and contacts.

I write dream lists of people I would like to interview and start reaching out. Local travel has also been a big influence during the pandemic and weekends away to places like Bay Beachouse in Hervey Bay and Husk Distillers in Northern NSW have led to feature stories.

ele HOME Editor Katie Skinner on location at the Bay Beachhouse

4. What emerging trends are you seeing in the world of homes and interiors?

We are in a ‘nesting’ phase where our homes have become our sanctuary as we continue to work from home and entertain at home more than ever. I think this will continue over the next few years as we see more investment in our homes such as outdoor entertaining areas – pools, outdoor showers, fire pits and wood fired pizza ovens. Bed linen and soft furnishings have become a focus as we continue to make our homes our sanctuaries.

The spotlight on indoor plants and our gardens will continue. There will be a strong focus on sustainability and making our homes future proof from the harshness of the Australian weather, things like using the correct insulation, alternative power sources, double glazing, water tanks, composting, and building homes that make the most of our easterly and northerly aspects will all become even more important.

5. Which current designers and stylists are you inspired by?

I’m always inspired by Brisbane interior designer, Anna Spiroand loved her recent collaboration with her sister in-law, watercolour artist Pip Spiro. I love interior designer, Amy Spargo, for her innate ability to mix patterns and colour but still look classic and fresh. Melbourne artist Kirsten Jackson inspires me to introduce more colour into my home and Jungalow’s Justina Blakeney has inspired me to fill my home with house plants. I’ve now become quite adept at propagating cuttings and I have pretty much covered most flat surfaces in my home with plants.

Aussie brands and designers also feed my inspiration, we have such as abundance of talent here. Brands such as Kip and Co., Greenhouse Interiors, Rachel Castle and Bonnie and Neil all inspire me with their use of colour and print. Artists such as Kezz Brett, Kimmy Hogan and Rachael Little make me pick up the paint brush and start creating again.

Renovated Kitchen Space designed by Katie

6. What can we expect from upcoming issues of ele HOME?

We have more gorgeous homes to share, some even on wheels! We’ve also had the pleasure of interviewing some big names in home design including Shea McGee from the Netflix show, Dream Home Makeover, whose home will be featured in an upcoming issue. We will continue to promote great local designers, artists, and creators and showcase those who inspire us.