A visit to the ever so stylish Peony Haute Parfumerie, Melbourne

On a little getaway to Melbourne last year, I managed to get to one of my favourite stores, Peony Haute Parfumerie owned by the one and only gorgeous Jill Timms.  I had only been to Peony once before and both times I was so amazed by this delightful little find on Auburn Road, Hawthorn. 



 

I instantly knew this is a special store from the front window display.  I am sorry about the reflection but I hope you can spot the French charcuterie table and the antique French chemists bottles through the glass window?  All so wonderfully displayed, you feel as if you are in Paris about to enter a very chic store indeed! 



Inside, the products are expertly curated, with carefully sourced French perfumes and perfumed candles.  Jill has used a 19th century glass dome to show some Arquiste products, above.  You may be able to see two 19th century bulls eye lenses, also under the dome.  Jill found both of these with us at The Drill Hall Emporium!

 Ever since my first trip to Paris, where I accidentally happened upon the Astier de Villatte boutique store, on Rue Saint Honoré near the Louvre, I have held a secret love affair with their white glazed ceramics.  Peony stocks their perfumed candles along with some of these gorgeous ceramics. 

I really, really could not resist the Delphes candle.  Not that I need to justify a little gift for myself, but I figure I can burn the candle and then keep the lidded jar for some other purpose.  And along with the candle wick trimmer, also from Peony, I am very happy indeed!

 The candle is now in my hall way alongside my collection of sea urchins, coral and crystals. 

I am sorry for the length of time between posts, life just gets away.  I still enjoy making contact with my readers and will continue to do so through my blog.  Perhaps I will go for quality, not quantity!

Until next time,

a white (and silver) christmas countdown

Image: The Laurel Hedge

I am very in love with this gorgeous knitted stocking with little crystal embellishments. It (almost) makes me want to start knitting! But I think I will leave that to the experts and try and source a ready-made version...if anyone knows of where to find, please let me know. Doesn't the colour of the wool look lovely against the white boards? It makes me feel excited about Christmas and the chance to decorate.

Image: The Laurel Hedge

I adore silvered glass baubles such as these. I can't get enough! I have seen them for sale in a store in Hobart, Store and co. I think I will have to go shopping... I am picturing them hanging from white painted branches in a galvanised tin tub. With a bit of linen thrown into the mix. Somewhere.

Image: Château de Moissac

And candles. Of course.

As my countdown to Christmas begins I contemplate how fortunate I am. I have wonderful family and friends to share the time with and can't wait to cook together, laugh together, and to give more of myself. Well, that is the plan, anyway...

new in store...soy candles, fishing floats and etched glass domes!

We have been very busy here at the Drill Hall Emporium making our very own range of soy candles... Our first scent is "lemon verbena" which is very refreshing. We will also have gardenia, frangipane and vanilla in the range. These will be for sale in our store very soon. They are all housed in vintage preserve jars of varying sizes and all complete with tin lids. The jars are recycled and recyclable...very eco. As is soy wax which is a slow-burning and clean-burning wax, and a renewable resource. But enough about the eco-benefits...how beautfiul are they? Also just arrived are these antique glass fishing floats. We have them displayed in a large wooden bowl and I can't stop looking at them!

Each one is unique and of a slightly different colour. I have a favourite picked out already.

These gorgeous glass domes are 19th century and are etched with grapevine designs. We were lucky enough to find an entire collection of seven. But they will be sold separately to keep every one happy (well seven people, anyway). I think a collection of perfume bottles would look wonderful underneath.

Cire Trudon Candles

On my visit to Sydney last week, I couldn't help but be captivated by this shop window display on Queen Street Woollahra. It may bave been the carved oak angels but I think it was the French Cire Trudon candles with the famous gold labels displayed under French glass cloches. After this, I started seeing these candles everywhere! They are generally displayed under glass domes or bell jars (cloches)... These exquisite candles are made by the oldest French candle manufacturer, Cire Trudon. Claude Trudon was a merchant who opened an apothecary in Paris in the 1600s and became the royal candlemaker. Below is the candle shop that has been in operation on rue de Seine, Paris since 1643 - now that is history! And the ulitmate Cire Trudon candle? This 2.3kg, 700+ hour burn time La Grande Bougie candle housed in a hand blown vessel. A wicked indulgence at $695... (available at http://www.beckerminty.com/ ) But we only live once, right?