the world of pinterest! and amazing kitchens

Where have I been living?  Why has it taken me so long to find Pinterest?  This is what I am now asking myself after my recent discovery of this online pinboard where you can organise and share things you love.  I think vaguely I have come across it over the last year.  But not so much that I have put too much time in to scanning all of the amazing images pinned by seemingly like minded interior lovers!

As you may know my kitchen is complete, although I could imagine one day in a few years giving the cupboards a change of colour.  But I still love looking at other kitchens!  And if I were looking for inspiration I would definitely head to Pinterest for a fix.  Look at these industrial kitchens that I found!



I love the over sized pendant lighting in this kitchen, and the brick walls.  How fabulous!  But there is so much more to see on Pinterest then interiors.  I am headed back there now to drool a little more.

And guess what?  The Drill Hall Emporium has been pinned quite a bit!  That makes me feel very special.

Until next time,

our new store coming soon!

I have a confession to make. I have been keeping a little secret from my readers and it is time to let it out.  We have bought a gorgeous little property in our town of New Norfolk to start another store, in addition to The Drill Hall Emporium.  We are going to have 2 shops! 

The property is the one that you see above.  Currently it is the Big Red Box, selling fashion accessories.  Our plan when we getting our hands on it is to give it a face lift but to keep the exposed timber windows as we think they are a nice feature.  I would be interested to know what you think about the timber, actually, as some people have suggested we paint it?  The interior of the store has exposed red brick walls and timber floors, so much character. 

The property was originally the town bakery, as you may be able to make out above the verandah "J E Fuller Baker".  Out the back of the property, the old Scotch ovens are still intact.  Imagine the yummy bread that came out of those long ago!  Well actually, it was still a bakery in the 1970s and had been running since the 19th century to our knowledge.

We will be very busy soon with our renovations to the property, I will keep you informed on progress.  I have been tossing and turning each night with the excitement of it all.  And as to the type of store we will be opening?  Until the time is right, that may have to remain yet another little secret...

a few days in Stanley, Tasmania staying @VDL

 

After the arrival of our latest shipment the store has been very busy.  We are putting pieces out daily and sending other pieces all over the countryside.  So we decided to take a little mini break in Stanley, my favourite coastal town situated on the North West of Tasmania.  It is a good 5 hours drive from Hobart, but very much worth the distance. 

 

Stanley is famous for The Nut an ancient volcanic formation overlooking the historic fishing village (image of The Nut later in this post).  The village was settled in 1826 and even today is home to less than 500 people.  The original settlers were workers from the Van Diemen's Land Company, who were granted land in 1825.  So the most fitting place to stay is @VDL a boutique accommodation in the original stone VDL Company Store.  It was built in 1843 and sits no more than 20 metres from the waters edge and a short walk from the village.  My idea of heaven!



 The architecture is European in style and it is built out of bluestone with colonial winidows.

The grounds are beautifully kept and gives a very welcoming feeling upon arrival. 

The downstairs shared lounge area is inviting and tastefully furnished.  The huon pine trunk is hand made by a local craftsman in the village.  If you fall in love, you can walk up the street and buy one!

 

We got settled in and strolled to the village.

  

 

We stocked up on some supplies at the local providore.  They bake their own bread (coming straight out of the oven as we walked in the door) and have a modest but good selection of cheeses and other goodies. 



 

Next stop was the browndog homewares and gift store, owned I believe by the @VDL managers. 

 

  

 

Comfy and earthy homewares displayed in the browndog store.  I love the big canvas floor cushions.  



 

 

I also fell in love with these little porcelain lamps, perfect for a little person's room. 

 

  

 

They also stock local products such as the Stanley Soap Co soaps, these looked yummy enough to eat. 

 

 

Dinner was at Xanders Brasserie, a local and tourist favourite.  







 The specials board consisted of as many dishes as the menu.  It made it quite hard to choose!  But I settled on the seafood cornucopia, Xander's version of a fisherman's basket.  I managed to fit it all in, but only just! 

 The village consists of many beautiful cottages, such as this one above. This one would date from the late 19th century and sits above the top road of the village with the nut behind. 

The next day was very windy and the chair lift to the top of the nut was not operating for safety reasons.  So it was a morning trek to the top.  But I loved every minute of the hard slog.  Well maybe not loved, but it was certainly a good feeling working off the seafood cornucopia from the night before!  I didn't really enjoy almost blowing off the nut, though.  A walk on the beach in the afternoon was great for taking photos and just enjoying nature.

And then the journey up to Highfield, a historic farm and residence built in the 1830s on the hill overlooking Stanley and the nut.  On the road up to Highfield are these ruins, they look like two entrances from an early building. 

Another ruin on the way to Highfield.  This was actually the original convict quarters and dates to the 1830s.

 

Highfield is built in the Regency style, partly evidenced by the gorgeous verandah.  Highfield is open to visitors.  I have already been through the property a few times so on this occasion I admired it from afar.  I do recommend a tour though if you ever have the opportunity. 

 

I am back home now preparing for the Runnymede antiques fair that begins this coming Friday the 12th October (see previous post).  I will post pictures from the fair early next week. 

 

Have a wonderful week

 

 

 

antiques fair soon at Runnymede in Tasmania!

Runnymede New Town Tasmania National Trust property Photo © KLW NFC Imprint. 2012 from here

Late next week we are lucky enough to be exhibiting at an antiques and decorative arts fair at the historic National Trust property Runnymede in New Town, Tasmania. The event is being organised by Warwick Oakman of Warwick Oakman Antiques and Gemma Webberley, Runnymede's curator. Along with ourselves and Warwick Oakman, other exhibitors include Despard Gallery, Eaglemont Antiques, Evandale Antiques, J.B Hawkins, Leven Antiques, Miles Davis Keilar Antiques, Ricketty Rix Antiqus and Walkers of Richmond. As such, there will be a fantastic and diverse range of antiques, art and objects.

We will be setting up in the kitchen, above. It has a fantastic stone floor and nice simple white walls which will show off our pieces really well. Then it is just a matter of deciding on what pieces to take! We have a gorgeous little Tasmanian huon pine dresser which I think would suit the property. We will also take 19th century garden furniture for the courtyard and gardens, which are really beautiful. I am quite excited, I love planning for fairs!

Four wheeled buggy 1889-1890 Werners Coach Builders at Runnymede New Town TasmaniaCreator(s):Werners Coach BuildersDate: 1890 -Description: Four wheeled buggy constructed between 1889-1890 by Werners Coach Builders Argyle Street Hobart.Photo © KLW NFC Imprint 2012 ARR Image from here

 

There will be antiques exhibited in the stables or coach house, above. Again, a gorgeous stone floor!

Runnymede has a fantastic history. It is a rare 19th century whaling family’s home named after Captain Charles Bayley’s favourite ship, Runnymede. It was the home of members of the family for more than 100 years.

Friday 12th October - Sunday 14th October 10am until 5pm. (10-4 on the Sunday). Entry $10 proceeds of which go to the National Trust of Tasmania. Refreshments available throughout the event.

 

 

At home with May and Axel Vervoordt recipes for every season

 

Isn't this image so very beautiful in its simplicity?  That is what I thought when I opened straight to this page of a gorgeous book that was given to me for my recent birthday.  It is from a book titled At Home with May and Axel Vervoordt, Recipes for Every Season.  You may already be aware that I am one of Axel's biggest fans and whilst this book is more from May's perspective in terms of styling and food, I see Axel's influence throughout the book.  Axel describes his wife's ability to make table settings look like still life paintings and he also admires her respect for ingredients and her creativity with cooking. 

 

And indeed, the front cover could be used for a still life!  I love the grey colours on the rustic table.  

Here is an outdoor table prepared with food.  I did a double take with the green bowl, we have only just had such a bowl with a pouring lip come in to our store! 



 

So now I am wondering whether I share some of May's passion for beautiful earthy serving pieces.  And she describes within the book her weakness for buying baskets and collecting wooden spoons.  I can also relate to this problem...

 



 

 

May also has a fetish for these Georgian English tazzas, I can admit to owning a few myself.  But doesn't it look gorgeous presented with these flaky pumpkin tarts?  She writes "sharing food with friends is a timeless gift that delights the palate and inspires memories".  Beautifully worded. 

 



 

This book is more than just pretty pictures, the pictures are accompanied by recipes such as this wild mushroom dish.  I can't wait to trial a few.

 





I was also given these beautiful gift cards letterpressed by my sister Rachel.  I will have to admit to being thoroughly spoilt!

Swedish slagbord tables and simple Swedish style

Image from here

I can't believe how quickly the time has passed since loading our shipment in July!  We should be receiving it this week some time and I am very excited, particularly when I start to remember what we have coming. 

One of my very favourite pieces is an original c.1800 Swedish slagbord table that we were lucky enough to find, similar to the example above.  It was only yesterday that I was going through my latest Veranda issue and there was one featured in a beautiful American home.  These tables are oh so stylish as they are usually quite simplistic and straight in design.  As such, they can often be contrasted with more detailed or elaborate dining chairs. 

Here is our table.  I have since done a little research on these tables as I was unfamiliar with the term slagbord.  It literally translates to gateleg table and therefore refers to the folding construction.  The more desirable slagbords have a lime washed finish like ours, or those with some remnants of original paint.  You can also find reproduction versions, but why would you want a reproduction when you can have a piece with so much more charm and history?  Reproductions have a place I guess, just not in our store (or my home, for that matter!). 

Here is our table folded.  You can see why I was excited with it, not only is it gorgeous it fitted into the shipment easier because it folds up!  But this also makes it a more practical piece in the home, it can be folded away when not in use if space is tight. 

The hinges underneath the table show its age and character.

 

 

Image from here

Here is another Swedish slagbord table used more in a casual setting.  I love the chairs, by the way. 

For all my local customers and for any one else who may be considering visiting the store, we will be closed this coming Wednesday 5th September for around 10 days.  I will let you know when we reopen with all our exciting new goodies.  I am rubbing my hands together with anticipation, but that could also be from the cold! 

Have a wonderful week, and I will post sneak peak images as we are sorting...

 

chunky throws on antique bed...divine!

 

Image from here

I have had this image saved on my screen throughout winter, I think I was drawn to how beautiful and warm the bed looks!  Look out how chunky the throws are...the muted colours are gorgeous.  And so casual, isn't it?  My favourite part of the image is the vellum suitcase poking out from under the bed.  As much as I whinge and whine about the cold, there is something comforting about cosying up and keeping warm...

But I love Spring, and we are seeing little bits of Spring every day here in Tasmania.  Most of the blossom trees are out in full glory and the birds are tweeting just that little bit more.

Have a great week, Tammy

the Drill Hall Emporium and Tasmania make Country Style's top 100 travel experience list!

I am very excited and also proud that our store, The Drill Hall Emporium, made it into our favourite magazine Country Style's top 100 places to visit in Australia.  I think that makes us a destination store! 



 If you are like my family, we share our magazines around.  I was away when the July issue of Country Style came out but have now thoroughly enjoyed looking right through, including the travel special pages 85 to 117. 

I am proud of Tasmania for featuring so predominantly in the top 100 great travel experiences.  Number 1 is Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania's east coast, number 2 is Tarkine Trails on Tasmania's west coast and number 6 is the Agrarian Kitchen cooking school which is only a ten minute drive from our store! 

Here we are in print, in at number 62.  I really enjoyed reading about other great places to try and get to, some of which are right here on my own doorstep.  It makes you realise that you needn't go far to have have an adventure or to relax, Australia is full of wonderful places to visit. 



I couldn't resist sharing another favourite page of the July issue, this French chair is gorgeous.  We have a pair of similar chairs in the store at the moment, also stripped back like this one...

Very alike, isn't it?  Now for a cup of tea and on to the August issue of Country Style.

Have a wonderful week!  Until next time...Tammy

English cottages with so much pride!

In the Cotswolds of England I am always out pointing beautiful stone cottages, some with slate roofs others with traditional thatching.  I am in constant awe of how adorable they are.  This home, above is a bit larger than a cottage, it is actually in the town square of Stow-on-the-Wold, a shopping village in the heart of the Cotswolds.  I love the buxus topiary in the urns out the front, and the bunting in celebration of the Jubilee.  You can just tell the owners are house proud, can't you?

It makes me wish for a little more time at home fixing up all those little areas of neglect...