“Their life is like an artwork. They are just so innately artistic that the way they live their life is art itself,” says Nicole Kidman

The September Issue of Elle Decor profiles the exquisite New York residence of Australian filmmaking duo, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. The art collection includes several works by Anthony White including a major painting from his 2016 Nanda\Hobbs exhibition "Crossing the Rubicon".

An artist could expect no greater endorsement than have "aesthetic royalty" not only collect their work, but hang it in key locations in their primary residence. Their selection of art and design is utterly considered and curated. Catherine Martin, an Oscar winning costume and set designer created digital mock-ups, 3D drawings and interiors presentations to present to her film director husband Baz Luhrmann to sign-off prior to moving in. “I have to be able to communicate it to Baz in a way that he understands as a director,” says Martin. 

“We are very focused on trying to make life a premium experience. It’s not about elitism: It’s trying to find the best, most quintessentially authentic moment in everything,” explains Martin. “I sit in my bed and think, Oh my God, I am a big grown-up girl in a beautiful room. This feels really good.” 

Strictly Townhouse, written by Vanessa Lawrence
Photographs by James Merrell
Elle Decor
September, 2018