A Summer in Style: How Six Tastemakers Are Spending Their Holidays

From sunshine essentials to dream-filled days, we chatted to six designers and founders from the David Jones family on their ultimate summer holidays.

A year plagued by uncertainty calls for a summer break to remember, filled with long balmy nights and making memories with loved ones. To inspire your holiday plans, we’re offering an exclusive sneak peek into how the people behind some of Australia’s most iconic brands are spending their summer days.

From luxe resort fashion and swimwear to homewares inspired by the sun, curate your dream summer holiday with David Jones.

“Summer is all about being outside and entertaining in the sun. You need the right soundtrack, the right food, but most importantly, the people you love. My summer soundtrack to long days in the sun is by my friend Arman Naféei. It transports you to the Balearic Islands. At Christmas we escape the city for a couple of weeks spending time with family and friends between Avalon and Cronulla. The majority of our days are consumed by the beach. We get there early before the wind picks up and slowly but surely, everyone ends up back at the house sprawled out over lounges.”

“My dream summer involves lazy, laid-back days with the family at home. In the morning, you’ll find me sitting on the deck out the back of our North Bondi house in the sun, with the family doing the Sydney Morning Herald crossword with a cup of tea. Then I’ll pack a picnic lunch and we’ll all head down to Nielsen Park and sit under a tree and I’ll read a book, eat delicious food and swim and snorkel. Then, we’ll head home to watch a movie.”

“This Summer I am looking forward to spending time with family in Wagstaffe, a quaint sea town near Killcare on the Central Coast of NSW. The minute we arrive, we like to really switch off from the city. The kids love exploring and being outdoors and there are always new areas to see around the coast. Our favourite beach to hike to is Lobster Beach, it’s hidden away along the coast and the only way to get there is on foot through Bouddi National Park or via boat. We usually pack a picnic and spend the afternoon swimming and building sandcastles.”

“It’s going to be my first summer in the 1950’s boathouse we recently bought in Pittwater (north of Sydney). It’s water access only, which means that we will visit friends and beaches solely by boat, and listen to the waves and wind from our pontoon while drinking champagne.

I get a huge sense of pride and happiness when I am surrounded by all my Maison Balzac objects at home, especially in the evenings when I light a dozen Tapered Candles in different colourful holders, the dinner table is set with pink wine glasses, amber goblets and azure glass plates. The symphony of hues and the prospect of a fresh seafood feast with friends is the best of summer feels to me!”

“Up until the last 18 months, my dream summer would have been heading overseas but I think the past year has made me realise that we have the best summer in the world right here in Australia. So I’ll take a house in the hills a short walk from Elizabeth Beach on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Give me a pile of novels, good food, good wine and the world’s best gin and I reckon that sounds like summer bliss.”