David Bromley - Auction of the century

I felt incredibly privileged to visit David Bromley's South Yarra Studio (along with a high proportion of Melbourne) last week for a preview of the works he had for sale through Leonard Joel. After viewing online and selecting everything I aspired to own I went along to have a look in person, only to work out that most things where 3 times the size that I thought. I could not have imagined how large, let alone amazing, the space could be!

The balcony overlooking Chapel St, if only I had looked up one of those times I drove down Chapel St! Below Baby Grand Piano anyone? I would rather like one of these for Ellis House.....

After coming to terms with the fact that I was not going to be the new owner of any original David Bromleys this week I turned my thoughts to the lighting. I loved the way he had put together Chandeliers mixed with industrial lighting mixed with Dutch and Moroccan lanterns, all joined with looped flex across the beautiful ceilings.

And below my exciting purchases, I now have four beautiful glass Dutch lanterns which will be pride of place at the country abode! 

And one very special "Portrait of an academic" I have already began trying to work out the story of this amazing mans past and his life story!

Country Style Christmas Issue

The Country Style Christmas 2012 Issue has hit the shelves and inside is the most gorgeous story on "Seasonal flower arranging"styled by our friends of AURA, Caris and Vanessa from Prunella, the masters of floral art in Kyneton, Victoria and photographed by the legend herself Sharyn Cairns. The photography & styling is just stunning!

Ellis House inspiration for the day.

Its official I am addicted to Pinterest! I could look at it for hours for wonderful inspiration for AURA and for Ellis House, our soon to be country retreat in Kyneton! I love this shot above, it's sophisticated, classically modern and well slightly European. Will this be my country look? Mixed shades of wood, beautiful mottled greys and stunning chandeliers - hmm I could think of worse looks :)
And below I found this great idea for a bathroom window treatment of using a linen table runner as a curtain - from a cool 50s house for sale.

I have found such gorgeous shots of bathroom renovations, but I am instantly relaxed looking at this shot above, I love the soft sage walls with vintage white trim, the wooden furniture and the rust curtains. Oh how I dream of lying in a Bath with a view! 

Ellis House

So not long now and we will be spending our weekends relaxing in the Country (well hardly relaxing, more like painting, gardening and decorating) and I can't wait! So over the past few weeks as well as trying to nut out the perfect paint colours, I have been busy out and about sourcing wonderful finds for the house. It is amazing what you can find when you start looking! As well as many other things I have been looking for the perfect dining table which will seat 8 for the last couple of months. We really wanted a simply styled French Farmhouse table, with character and history. I found a fantastic 19th Century English table 3 weeks ago, and wasn't sure so let it go - but it was passed in at auction so I tried my hand at auction bidding this week and I am now the very proud owner of a wonderful table with loads of history, which as it happens matches my gorgeous antique Japanese stool.

Celebrations

This is gorgeous - makes me think of so many amazing ideas we could have done on our wedding day - but our day was perfect - this can be for someone else's special day :)

My first purchase for Ellis House!

Mum and I headed up to Olinda in Mount Dandenong today, I used to live in Olinda years ago and I remember how beautiful it was going home to the country (I forgot about the rain and fog, gosh it was cold). After many hours of internet searching I have made my first purchase for the new Country house. Here are my beautiful "Coral" (the now colour!) Louis arm chairs, gorgeous oversized wicker basket and cool old style original print. I'm thinking Coral and Linen with soft French Grey and a beautiful Chandelier for Bedroom 3. We are heading up to the house tomorrow for a couple of hours of measuring - fun times ahead :)

Escape to the Country - it was worth the wait!

So it has been a bit of a journey over the past year, with a lot of trips to the country for husband and I but it was worth the wait. We are finally the very proud and excited owners of our new country escape, beautiful barn and all!!!

I can only thank my very supportive and patient husband (and AURA team who have had put up with me and live the dream) for coming on this life journey with me.  Oh and thanks in advance for the huge amount of painting that he may have to do later in the year. I have been told very loudly that he doesn't like gardening!

My husbands pride and joy "the barn" every man needs a shed! Without the barn I don't think he would have let us buy it. But I have to agree it is rather gorgeous. Watch this space, I am looking forward to sharing our adventures when the work begins! Lots of painting, decorating and veggie planting ahead.....

Channeling Constance

Last weekend I was lucky enough to have a day out with Mum in the country. We set off to a fabulous flower workshop called "Channeling Constance" at Prunella, our lovely friends in Kyneton. As well as being expertly guided in our creative arranging we were given a background on Constance. 

Constance Spry is one of their ongoing inspirations, an amazing woman who started her first flower shop in 1929, back when only men arranged flowers. She caused a sensation in fashionable society with her natural flower arranging in unusual containers and objects, using not only flowers but plant materials unheard of at the time; including weeds, grasses and ornamental kale! Constance created the flowers for many a royal wedding as well as being commissioned in 1953 to set the scene with floral creations at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. 

On 3 Jan 1960, she slipped on the stairs at Winkfield Place and died an hour later. Her last words were "Someone else will have to arrange this" now thats one cool lady! 

A special mention of Mums gorgeous creation above! And mine below!

Annie Smithers Garden Tour

Recently we where lucky enough to meet the wonderful Annie Smithers and be taken on a personal tour of her very inspirational working Garden in Malmsbury, country Victoria. The garden grows up to 90% of the produce used in her 2 restaurants. Since the tour I have been propagating my own seeds and working on making our own home garden into a "tiny" version of a kitchen garden....

Above is Annie in action on her very much loved red tractor! And below fabulous images of her acre of kitchen garden. 

 

Beautiful Carrots above, I have high aspirations for my home garden now!

Could this be the most beautiful Radicchio I have ever seen??? I think so!

Total Fennel envy!

Wondrous meters of berries! Annie also produces stunning jams and preserves from her gardens produce. 

Annies very elegant French Toulouse Geese slightly camera shy but absolutely stunning with their "fluffy" feathers on show. So if you are a keen home garden like we are then I highly recommend giving Annie a visit and getting your hands on her fabulous new book, which is full of recipes using the gardens produce and also a very inspiring read.