Located in the beautiful Derwent Valley, Tasmania



Monday, October 29, 2012

the world of pinterest! and amazing kitchens


Where have I been living?  Why has it taken me so long to find Pinterest?  This is what I am now asking myself after my recent discovery of this online pinboard where you can organise and share things you love.  I think vaguely I have come across it over the last year.  But not so much that I have put too much time in to scanning all of the amazing images pinned by seemingly like minded interior lovers!


As you may know my kitchen is complete, although I could imagine one day in a few years giving the cupboards a change of colour.  But I still love looking at other kitchens!  And if I were looking for inspiration I would definitely head to Pinterest for a fix.  Look at these industrial kitchens that I found!



I love the over sized pendant lighting in this kitchen, and the brick walls.  How fabulous!  But there is so much more to see on Pinterest then interiors.  I am headed back there now to drool a little more.

And guess what?  The Drill Hall Emporium has been pinned quite a bit!  That makes me feel very special.

Until next time,

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

our new store coming soon!


I have a confession to make. I have been keeping a little secret from my readers and it is time to let it out.  We have bought a gorgeous little property in our town of New Norfolk to start another store, in addition to The Drill Hall Emporium.  We are going to have 2 shops! 

The property is the one that you see above.  Currently it is the Big Red Box, selling fashion accessories.  Our plan when we getting our hands on it is to give it a face lift but to keep the exposed timber windows as we think they are a nice feature.  I would be interested to know what you think about the timber, actually, as some people have suggested we paint it?  The interior of the store has exposed red brick walls and timber floors, so much character. 

The property was originally the town bakery, as you may be able to make out above the verandah "J E Fuller Baker".  Out the back of the property, the old Scotch ovens are still intact.  Imagine the yummy bread that came out of those long ago!  Well actually, it was still a bakery in the 1970s and had been running since the 19th century to our knowledge.

We will be very busy soon with our renovations to the property, I will keep you informed on progress.  I have been tossing and turning each night with the excitement of it all.  And as to the type of store we will be opening?  Until the time is right, that may have to remain yet another little secret...

Monday, October 8, 2012

a few days in Stanley, Tasmania staying @VDL

 
After the arrival of our latest shipment the store has been very busy.  We are putting pieces out daily and sending other pieces all over the countryside.  So we decided to take a little mini break in Stanley, my favourite coastal town situated on the North West of Tasmania.  It is a good 5 hours drive from Hobart, but very much worth the distance. 
 
Stanley is famous for The Nut an ancient volcanic formation overlooking the historic fishing village (image of The Nut later in this post).  The village was settled in 1826 and even today is home to less than 500 people.  The original settlers were workers from the Van Diemen's Land Company, who were granted land in 1825.  So the most fitting place to stay is @VDL a boutique accommodation in the original stone VDL Company Store.  It was built in 1843 and sits no more than 20 metres from the waters edge and a short walk from the village.  My idea of heaven!



 The architecture is European in style and it is built out of bluestone with colonial winidows.


The grounds are beautifully kept and gives a very welcoming feeling upon arrival. 


The downstairs shared lounge area is inviting and tastefully furnished.  The huon pine trunk is hand made by a local craftsman in the village.  If you fall in love, you can walk up the street and buy one!

 
We got settled in and strolled to the village.
  
 
We stocked up on some supplies at the local providore.  They bake their own bread (coming straight out of the oven as we walked in the door) and have a modest but good selection of cheeses and other goodies. 

 
Next stop was the browndog homewares and gift store, owned I believe by the @VDL managers. 
 
  
 
Comfy and earthy homewares displayed in the browndog store.  I love the big canvas floor cushions.  

 
 
I also fell in love with these little porcelain lamps, perfect for a little person's room. 
 
  
 
They also stock local products such as the Stanley Soap Co soaps, these looked yummy enough to eat. 
 
 
Dinner was at Xanders Brasserie, a local and tourist favourite.  




 The specials board consisted of as many dishes as the menu.  It made it quite hard to choose!  But I settled on the seafood cornucopia, Xander's version of a fisherman's basket.  I managed to fit it all in, but only just! 


 The village consists of many beautiful cottages, such as this one above. This one would date from the late 19th century and sits above the top road of the village with the nut behind. 


The next day was very windy and the chair lift to the top of the nut was not operating for safety reasons.  So it was a morning trek to the top.  But I loved every minute of the hard slog.  Well maybe not loved, but it was certainly a good feeling working off the seafood cornucopia from the night before!  I didn't really enjoy almost blowing off the nut, though.  A walk on the beach in the afternoon was great for taking photos and just enjoying nature.


And then the journey up to Highfield, a historic farm and residence built in the 1830s on the hill overlooking Stanley and the nut.  On the road up to Highfield are these ruins, they look like two entrances from an early building. 


Another ruin on the way to Highfield.  This was actually the original convict quarters and dates to the 1830s.

 
Highfield is built in the Regency style, partly evidenced by the gorgeous verandah.  Highfield is open to visitors.  I have already been through the property a few times so on this occasion I admired it from afar.  I do recommend a tour though if you ever have the opportunity. 
 
I am back home now preparing for the Runnymede antiques fair that begins this coming Friday the 12th October (see previous post).  I will post pictures from the fair early next week. 
 
Have a wonderful week
 
 
 

Monday, October 1, 2012

antiques fair soon at Runnymede in Tasmania!

Runnymede New Town Tasmania National Trust property Photo © KLW NFC Imprint. 2012 from here

Late next week we are lucky enough to be exhibiting at an antiques and decorative arts fair at the historic National Trust property Runnymede in New Town, Tasmania. The event is being organised by Warwick Oakman of Warwick Oakman Antiques and Gemma Webberley, Runnymede's curator. Along with ourselves and Warwick Oakman, other exhibitors include Despard Gallery, Eaglemont Antiques, Evandale Antiques, J.B Hawkins, Leven Antiques, Miles Davis Keilar Antiques, Ricketty Rix Antiqus and Walkers of Richmond. As such, there will be a fantastic and diverse range of antiques, art and objects.

We will be setting up in the kitchen, above. It has a fantastic stone floor and nice simple white walls which will show off our pieces really well. Then it is just a matter of deciding on what pieces to take! We have a gorgeous little Tasmanian huon pine dresser which I think would suit the property. We will also take 19th century garden furniture for the courtyard and gardens, which are really beautiful. I am quite excited, I love planning for fairs!
Four wheeled buggy 1889-1890 Werners Coach Builders at Runnymede New Town TasmaniaCreator(s):Werners Coach BuildersDate: 1890 -Description: Four wheeled buggy constructed between 1889-1890 by Werners Coach Builders Argyle Street Hobart.Photo © KLW NFC Imprint 2012 ARR Image from here
 
There will be antiques exhibited in the stables or coach house, above. Again, a gorgeous stone floor!
Runnymede has a fantastic history. It is a rare 19th century whaling family’s home named after Captain Charles Bayley’s favourite ship, Runnymede. It was the home of members of the family for more than 100 years.
Friday 12th October - Sunday 14th October 10am until 5pm. (10-4 on the Sunday). Entry $10 proceeds of which go to the National Trust of Tasmania. Refreshments available throughout the event.