a lunch at The Agrarian Kitchen to celebrate Rodney Dunn's cookbook!

 

Back in October we were lucky enough to be invited to a lunch at The Agrarian Kitchen to celebrate the launch of Rodney Dunn's much anticipated first cookbook.  The weather could not have been more perfect for the day...partly sunny, no wind and quite mild. 

 

 An extra long, beautifully decorated table was set up in the front garden of the cooking school, beneath large trees for shade.  It was all so picture perfect I was so pleased I remembered to take the camera.   

 

 Delicious brioche buns supplied by Jay Patey, founder of Pigeon Hole Cafe and Pigeon Whole Bakers, were set up on a serving table



 

to accompany the delicious roast pig!  I believe Rodney (pulling the meat apart, above) arose at some terribly early hour that day to get the pig roasting and cooked in time.  Yummy coleslaw and relish made this a fabulous pork roll!





 

Iced tea was served in a mid-20th century drink dispenser alongside locally made (as in just down the road!) apple cider.  Dessert consisted of a rhubarb, meringue and pistachio tart that Alistair Wise, of Sweet Envy, just "whipped up".  I wish I could just "whip up" a creation like this! 

 



And here is the cookbook itself!  Obviously it is a pure delight, no tricks, just good food using seasonal and available produce.  I have already made a few dishes from it and a list of the others that I would like to try.  We supplied some of the props used through the book, I had a great time spotting bits and pieces from our store!  You can buy your signed copy direct from The Agrarian Kitchen via their website.

Did I mention our sister store, Flywheel printed the letterpress invitations for the day?  Simple and honest, no tricks here either.

Until next time,

Christmas display and letterpress gift vouchers now in store!!!

 

We have been so very busy at both the Drill Hall Emporium and Flywheel with preparations for Christmas.  This is a result of our missing out on a proper Christmas trading period with Flywheel last year, we opened just a week before!  So we have went a little crazy with baubles, gift wrap and letterpress goodies at Flywheel.  At the Drill Hall we have created a subtle Christmas themed entrance. 

 

We have opened up our Cherrywood buffet de corps which now plays host to Christmas gifts wrapped with paper from Flywheel.

 

Displayed on the Spanish trestle table in front we have a small fawn and a very large elk antler with mercurised glass acorns. 

 

 

You may see that we have used vintage buckles for embellishment on the gifts.  These are made from bakelite, gilded metal, wood and mother-of-pearl.  Rhinestone buckles would also look nice but we have stuck to a more natural and neutral look. 

 

On the carved Indian table we have a brass tray set with a Christmas inspired candle, now available in store, and these gorgeous 19th century etched and gilded glasses.  Eggnog anyone?

On the French walnut armchair we have a super soft Scandinavian reindeer hide, so very cosy. 

Maybe we took things a little far by having our own resident "angel"?  But we really couldn't help ourselves. 

But that is not all we have been doing in preparation for Christmas.  At Flywheel we have printed Christmas gift certificates for the Drill Hall on our Chandler and Price platen press. 

 

These are letterpressed with hand mixed red ink on white cotton card and feature little snowflake details.  I want one myself!

 We as a family are proud to admit that we adore Christmas and the anticipation that grows as the countdown begins.  And now that it is officially less than a month away, we are already counting down!

 Until next time,

clocks, linen, tureens and more to be sold at the Shabby Market tomorrow!

 

You may remember last year we had a little stall at the Shabby Market in Lenah Valley?  It was a huge success for us, we nearly sold out of everything we took!  It is on again so I have spent the day going through our storeroom looking for goodies to take.

 

 

 Most of which has never made it into the shop, including this late 19th Century alabaster and gilt metal clock.  Here is a little snap shot of what I have found and what will be for sale tomorrow at the Shabby Market...

 

Cute little cruet set, made by Carltonware c.1930.

Pretty china and useful silver wares. 

A stack of vintage linen, available per piece, all freshly laundered and ironed.

English china teapot dating to c.1930.

 

 

Two blue and white English china tureens, dating to the late 19th century.  This is only a very small selection of what I have found and I am still looking! 



So come along and take a look at the Lenah Valley Community Hall, Creek Road, Lenah Valley 9am until 2pm.  You can also visit the Shabby Market Facebook page for more information. 

Until next time,

our exhibition at the Runnymede antique fair!

Finally, I have gotten around to collating our images of the Runnymede antiques fair that we took part in last month.  I thought I would create little collages to give you an idea of our room, which was of course the kitchen.

We love the flagstone flooring and the wide fire surround.  And in the afternoon the sun streams through the French doors.

We took our Georgian oak dresser along which suited the room perfectly.

We decorated using majolica leaf plates, chopping boards, French cutlery and glassware. 

 We took over the central courtyard with French garden furniture, trestle tables and garden tools.  It rained quite a bit of the weekend but it didn't stop the serious antique hunters from coming along. 

The fair will be held once again next year as it is an important fundraising event for the National Trust of Tasmania.  I am already crossing my fingers for sunshine!

Until next time,

handmade with love linen cushions in store!

I feel like I have been caught up in a whirlwind of media possibilities of late.  We have had a pinterest page for The Drill Hall Emporium for a while now (see it here), maintained magically by mum.  We also have a Facebook page which is such an instant place to receive feedback.  And now we have just joined Instagram!  And can you get any more instant than Instagram? I feel a little crazed but then again, when you are inspired by beautiful objects and images, the more creative media outlets the better, right?

Anyway enough reflection on the changing times, lets go back to basics.  Mum has been busy again pouring her skills into these linen cushions. 

This Union Jack inspired cushion is an absolute one-off creation at this stage.  Isn't it gorgeous?  And isn't mum clever?
 

And she also made these Swiss Army inspired cushions using alpaca wool for the grey cross in the centre. 

There are two only of this design.  Now, how do I put these images on Instagram?  Help anyone???

Until next time,

The Drill Hall Emporium closing for shipment arrival!!!

 (Image from paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com.au)

The Drill Hall Emporium will be closing this Tuesday 27th August at 1pm due to the arrival of our latest overseas shipment, reopening Saturday 7th September at 10am with lots of new goodies...spread the word!

And stay following our blog for little sneak peeks of our treasures.  But for us, we need to roll up our sleeves and get busy...

Flywheel will remain open during this period.

Until next time, 

Megan Morton stylist extraordinaire loves our store!

 

We were lucky enough to have the wonderful Megan Morton (responsible for the three books Homelove, Things I Love, and I Love My Room) in our store last week and she very kindly commented on her Facebook page "Drill Hall, best shop in Australia".  A very big call but we will take the compliment nonetheless! 

 

 

We first met Megan a few years ago in our store, at which point she bought this gorgeous Chesterfield couch.  It was used in photo shoots for Alannah Hill, can you believe?  It really suited the look of Alannah Hill clothing with the faded salmon silk upholstery.  I would love to have it back, really!

 

 

And what did Megan find on this visit?  Well, these wonderfully vintage ice skates which I have admired myself for a little while.  Nice spotting, Megan.

 

For more on Megan Morton and her cleverness, visit here. 

Until next time,