a visit to Melbourne and the Johnston collection

On a little escape to Melbourne over the weekend, I visited the Johnston Collection, a collection of beautiful antiques brought together over many years by the late antiques dealer, William Robert Johnston. He generously donated his collection to the public in the form of a charitable trust which was to take effect upon his death. It is all housed within his former Georgian style Victorian period residence, Fairhall. In the image above is a wonderfully classic French Empire period commode with a marble top and a French gilt mirror. I love the light coming in through the French doors, lighting up the marble urn.

Another French gilt mirror above a Regengy period chair. The green glass Hundi lantern makes a change from plain coloured ones.

This French oak armoire dates to around c.1800 and is not going anywhere...the trims on the ceiling above it are fitted in around the top of the armoire! This piece is just outside the kitchen and would have once made a very good pantry cupboard for Mr Johnston. Although we did find out that he did not like to cook and preferred to dine out.

The kitchen is charming but definitely not a cook's kitchen. I fell in love with the French oak refectory table as it had a lovely honey colour. Windsor chairs are classic too.

This drawing room is gorgeous, especially the French doors which lead out to the little courtyard and garden. The most spectacular part of the entire room, however, is the Regency crystal chandelier (only just visible in the above picture). It is not electrified but holds candles encased by storm shades. It may have been the most beautiful chandelier I have ever seen. Again, I must get my chandelier up soon. I have nearly finished cleaning each lustre but I am now more inspired than ever to see it above the dining room table...watch this space.

For more information on The Johnston Collection, visit http://www.johnstoncollection.org/. All photos from here.

antiques and interiors for decadent living

Decadent indeed! I love this dining room with the mix of opulance (crystal chandelier, French gilt mirror) and natural textures (linen covered chairs, pewter plates and washed timber table). Alex MacArthur, antique dealer based in the south of the UK, certainly knows how to put a room together...

The cupboard and the butcher's block to the left has heaps of character and warmth. Mixed this time with an industrial light fitting and stools. I could eat breakfast in this room every morning, no worries.

The collection of silver frames make an interesting display. She also uses found objects (antlers, shells) to decorate. My kind of decorator!

Another wonderful dining room with a gorgeous chandelier. I bought a chandelier on our last buying trip for our dining room. It is still in boxes...not for long though, these rooms have inspired me to unwrap each lustre and clean it until it sparkles. The mirror is wonderful too, as is the early table...sigh.

What a comfortable lounge room! The baker's stand is very, very similar to the baker's stand we have in store at the moment. I love to think of the stories a Parisian baker's stand could tell...all the quick pleasantries and exchanges between boulanger and client. In this room the baker's stand is a great feature against the wall, but also quite useful holding stacks of magazines. The coffee table appears to be a vintage gym apparatus. Another chandelier completes the room. All images from Alex MacArthur. Her store is in Brighton in the south of England and her nearby home doubles as a private furniture showroom where everything is for sale! If I get a chance on our next buying trip I will have to check it out. And report back.