new in store...winter wool cushions, feather hats and chemist's bottles

Are these cushions not the most delightful cushions for winter? They are made with vintage English and Scottish wool fabrics, and vintage buttons, of course! And these checked cushions are cosy too, again made with vintage wool blanket fabric.

These vintage feather hats are also new in store. I love the vibrant colour of the velvet against the soft cream feathers in the bottom hat. And the other hat is decorated with feathers under the brim.

We also have a collection of vintage chemist's bottles with lovely simple labels. We are still awaiting the arrival of our latest shipment of antiques. I will have loads of goodies to show over the coming weeks.

Launceston boutique shopping and a great Tasmanian provincial cafe!

One of my favourite stores in Launceston is The Vintage Rose which happens to be right near the Albert Hall, the venue for the Launceston Antiques Fair (see previous post for our stand at this fair). Owner Amanda has such a flair in choosing and displaying her lovely vintage and French inspired home wares and linens. Unfortunately I was too busy at the fair to visit her store on this trip to Launceston, but I took some after hour images of the great window displays... I was quite taken with the big earthenware pitchers on the ladder. For more on the Vintage Rose click here. Next stop was Gallery 54 in St John Street, Launceston a boutique showcasing the delightful jewellery designed by Katherine Brunacci. At the gallery's opening last April (see previous post) I bought some gorgeous semi-baroque pearl earrings. This time I fell totally in love with and subsequently purchased the above silver and gemstone pendant necklace titled "Lantern Pendant" from Katherine's Autumn 2011 collection. It is a truly magical piece and features moonstones around the lantern shaped pendant. It is beautifully hand crafted and is weighty, too.

(Images Copyright Katherine A Brunacci, not to be used without permission)

Other examples of Katherine's work. The sterling silver crucifix necklace features a handmade chain of adjustable length and the cross is inspired by a Victorian period crucifix. The winged pharaoh necklace has malachite and fire opals incorporated into the chain. Too many gorgeous pieces to choose from! A lot of Katherine's pieces are limited editions for example the Lantern Pendant of which there is only one more available. For more on the talented Ms Katherine Brunacci click here. After we had packed up at the antique fair and on our way home we stopped at the Ut Si cafe in Perth, northern Tasmania for lunch. I enjoyed a warming Jerusalem artichoke and potato soup with their famous wood fired bread. I was a little jealous of a fellow diner's mushroom and pearl barley risotto though!

A friend has started a new blog titled "touche de vintage" which will feature vintage pieces incorporated into fashion. To visit, click here.

new in store...blanket cushions and draught stoppers for winter!

Just in time for the cold season, we have a new range of cushions which have been made from vintage English wool blankets. Each cushion has vintage buttons to further add charm. I love these blue and cream chequered cushions in the French basket, they give me warm fuzzy feelings as I conjure up images of hot chocolate and log fires.

They come in two shapes...rectangular and square.

Cream and brown striped and chocolate brown blanket cushions. These are one off designs, there is only one cushion of each type with these.

These cushions are the softest! And the stripe is a subtle beige colour. Almost my favourite.

Green checked cushions with fringe and vintage button detail. The reverse of these cushions are in a simple cream blanket fabric to add contrast.

We also have a new range of linen and silk draught stoppers in store to help beat the chill.

I have saved the best cushions for last! Made from pure Irish linen, these cushions have been hand stitched with quotations. These are again one off designs.

industrial butcher's shelf trolley...from store to a Hobart home

The industrial butcher's trolley sitting in our store earlier in the year. I found it very useful to display objects such as hat blocks and shoe lasts. I love the pale washed timber. The butcher's trolley as it now sits in its new home, a light filled area of a Hobart home. It is in front of French doors which lead outside to a paved courtyard...the perfect spot to put a few items that may be carried outside for al fresco entertaining in summer.

Such as a wicker cloche to cover food. There are also trays to carry condiments and an antique wooden cutlery tray for vintage cutlery.

Other unique objects are displayed including a collection of Victorian plates inset into metal warming bowls.

Two stoneware gourmet boilers are displayed together. These originally came from our store too. The No. 4 size is particularly rare...it is tiny!

Large industrial castors on the bottom on the shelf make it easy to move around.

This vintage vellum suitcase also came from our store. It has been used on the bottom shelf to conceal a few unsightly items such as bookwork and a telephone directory. Very clever. I have two such vellum suitcases myself, stacked on a chest of drawers (and hiding one or two items as well!).

A collection of pewter candlesticks, each of a slightly different form.

Overall, a very practical shelf that looks amazing with its little collections of antique objects.

And the family dog agrees!

new in store...industrial scales, linen cushions, French chopping block and more!

Vintage chrome grocer's (or trade) scales on a marble base, made by Salter. I would think these would date to around the 1930's. They would look great in a cafe or a produce store.

Detail of the face of the scales. I love the red marker! They will weigh up to 30 pounds.

A collection of vintage wooden decoy ducks. They are lovely and pale in colour, one has a bit of green painted detail, the others are plain.

This industrial bottle carrier has been buried in our back storeroom for a little while. I uncovered it today and it is now out in the store on the wine cage.

This is a very chunky (and heavy) vintage French chopping block. It dates to around 1940. It has signs of a little use, but it is perfectly ready to be chopped on again!

French double handled herb choppers. I love the feel of the handles, they are so smooth with wear. I can imagine the French kitchens that these were used within and the comforting meals they helped to prepare.

Part of our latest range of cushions are these linen cushions with bird motifs. More cushion images to come!

And my favourite find of the week are these gorgeous little child's shoe lasts. The paler pair are stamped "Judi" which relates to the name of the design. Both pairs are a small size 5. How cute!