new in store...grainsack cushions, wool blanket cushions & more

My mum has had a very busy last few weeks making our latest range of grainsack linen cushions and also our winter wool range!  Each cushion is made with love and pride, and I am very proud of her for all her hard work.

  

The latest grainsack cushions have ties at the side with an internal linen flap for hiding the feather cushion insert. And you all know how much I love blue stripes! Above is a double dark blue stipe running the length of the cushion. 

 

 

This is a lighter blue grainsack linen with the stripes running the vertical of the cushion, again with the ties.

Here are the three types of stripes that are available, they are backed in a soft neutral linen and there are two of each design.  

These are a lovely pale blue square grainsack cushions.  The blue is so sweet. 

And our depleted stocks of red striped cushions have been replenished!  A nice simple bright red stripe running the length of the cushions.  There are four of these. 

The winter wool blanket range of cushions is definitely making me feel very cosy.   I am thinking hot chocolate, wood fire, a good novel, rain beating on the windows...I am sure you get the idea.  These cushions above are made with vintage English wool fabric and a neutral ribbed lambswool as a contrast.  Vintage wooden buttons. 

Of the winter range, these cushions above are possibly my favourites, but I can't quite decide.  These are made from vintage English wool blanket fabric in a grey colour and my clever Mum has hand-dyed the contrasting red blanket.  They are just divine. 

 

These are made from a soft dove grey English wool fabric and are contrasted with an English wool in a purple colour with vintage purple buttons.

I have displayed four of the winter cushions in an antique leather case. 

I would love to hear which is your favourite, if you have one.  Or are you like me who can't decide?  I totally understand. 

These cushions are also a new range for our store.  They have been made from antique French monogrammed panels and are edged in a vintage neutral linen. 

I have a current fettish for French monograms.  The monogram tells a story, perhaps of a young Parisienne preparing for her future home?  I even wonder about the initials, was this young girl Eleanor? Elise? Emilie?    

Lastly we have these French striped pillow covers, made from vintage French linen in a gorgeous natural shade.  They have ties on the side.  So dreamy!

 

 

Image from here

I wish every one a wonderful weekend.  By the way, there is rain predicted this weekend for Hobart, my cosy winter's day dream may come true...

new in store! architect's table, French industrial table, plan drawers and more

It has been an incredibly busy week here at The Drill Hall Emporium.  And I wouldn't have it any other way!  We had several pieces of furniture go out for deliveries and loads of reshuffling to make way for some really fabulous pieces, including this iron based architect's table, above.  

This table is such a unique piece, I can just see it in a creative person's study or living area, ready for use.  I myself feel more creative just looking at it!   And I can't help imagining what sort of plans were drawn at it, many I believe as there are thousands of little pin holes in the pine top. It has a patent mark to the adjustable iron base, I plan to research the number so that I may accurately date it.

 

This is a large French walnut plan chest which we have placed at the front entrance of the store to make a great impact. It would be fantastic for plans as originally intended, but it could also be used to store almost anything. Linen, for example, as the wide and deep drawers would keep large pieces nice and flat.

This table originated in a French engineering factory and is very industrial, especially the construction of the iron base.  It measures a whopping 4 metres in length!  The wooden top has a lovely patina to it, it certainly has been well used.   

The base legs terminate in iron "feet" with holes for screwing the table down.  I love the green painted finish contrasted with the natural look of the top. 

These 19th century drapery shears are massive!  At almost 16 inches in length, they are bound to give you RSI.  But I tried them out of interest, they are really sharp despite their age and cut amazingly well.  The brass pivot screw has the maker's name engraved into it, they are made by R.Heinisch, Inventor, Newark, N.J. 

And lastly we have a collection of original French butcher's hooks.  Of course, they need not be used to hang meat these days, they can be used in a kitchen to hang pots and pans, or similar.  We have already sold a few of which will be used as meat hooks.

We have also had some fabulous French linen come into the store this week, and a new range of grainsack cushions...images next week. 

I wish all of my readers a great weekend, whatever your plans.  I am working tomorrow in the store (not really work, I don't think!) and will potter around the house on Sunday, perhaps plant some winter greens.  Until next time!  

melbourne antique fair highlights including country oak dresser!

I have returned from the AAADA (Australian Antiques and Art Dealers Association) antiques fair which was held last weekend in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition building in Carlton Gardens.  I may have seen you there, but if not, I have taken some pictures to give you an idea of what I was involved in and a few of my favourite pieces... 

Image from here

During fair set up, I managed to sneak away to buy some flowers on Brunswick Street for Richmond Antiques' stand.  I was told to go to Vasette, an amazing florist shop that had every type of flower imaginable.  A flower lover's dream, that is for sure.

The choice was difficult but I settled on some white hyacinths, I love white flowers.  I just love white, full stop.

The hyacinths were for a pair of 19th century garden urns, I wanted to make the flowers look "planted" rather than displayed as you would in a vase.  But don't worry, they all had water underneath the moss.

This is the country area of Richmond Antiques' stand, it was much admired during the event.

Including this gorgeous English c.1800 country oak dresser with green plates.  Isn't it delightful?

And this is a French folding wine tasting or vendange table, originally used during the wine harvest seasons in France.  It is in cherrywood and has a wonderful patina. 

An English 19th century decoy duck kept watch over the stand.  Or maybe he did a lot of people watching?

 Also to be found on Richmond Antiques' stand were these amonites on museum stands, as well as a whale vertebrae. 

 Next door to us was this Persian hall runner, I fell in love with it immediately and drooled over it throughout the weekend.  It was exhibited by Behruz studio.

More rugs with Behruz studio.  I love the colours of the two rugs on the left wall.  They were a little outside my budget (and would probably not fit any of my rooms) but it costs nothing to admire...

 This marble figure is Italian, was originally part of a fountain and dates to the 16th century.  It was exhibited on Brans stand, all the way from Perth.

More delectable items on the carefully edited Brans stand.  I love the blue and white Chinese porcelain pots with the orchids.

Image from here

Another stand that I admired belonged to Brownlow Interiors.  Alexandra Brownlow did a fantastic job setting up her stand to show how antiques are used to great effect in the modern interior.  Above is a 19th Century centre table with a marble top, with a pair of giant clam shells. 

Image from here

Image from here

Alex has a natural flair for decorating as you can see from her display, above. 

Overall, I had a tiring but very enjoyable time at the antiques fair.  I returned to Tasmania to a busy store at The Drill Hall Emporium, hence the delay in sharing my images.  I hope they were worth the wait and that you get a bit of a feel for what went on at the AAADA antiques fair...