A visit to the ever so stylish Peony Haute Parfumerie, Melbourne

On a little getaway to Melbourne last year, I managed to get to one of my favourite stores, Peony Haute Parfumerie owned by the one and only gorgeous Jill Timms.  I had only been to Peony once before and both times I was so amazed by this delightful little find on Auburn Road, Hawthorn. 



 

I instantly knew this is a special store from the front window display.  I am sorry about the reflection but I hope you can spot the French charcuterie table and the antique French chemists bottles through the glass window?  All so wonderfully displayed, you feel as if you are in Paris about to enter a very chic store indeed! 



Inside, the products are expertly curated, with carefully sourced French perfumes and perfumed candles.  Jill has used a 19th century glass dome to show some Arquiste products, above.  You may be able to see two 19th century bulls eye lenses, also under the dome.  Jill found both of these with us at The Drill Hall Emporium!

 Ever since my first trip to Paris, where I accidentally happened upon the Astier de Villatte boutique store, on Rue Saint Honoré near the Louvre, I have held a secret love affair with their white glazed ceramics.  Peony stocks their perfumed candles along with some of these gorgeous ceramics. 

I really, really could not resist the Delphes candle.  Not that I need to justify a little gift for myself, but I figure I can burn the candle and then keep the lidded jar for some other purpose.  And along with the candle wick trimmer, also from Peony, I am very happy indeed!

 The candle is now in my hall way alongside my collection of sea urchins, coral and crystals. 

I am sorry for the length of time between posts, life just gets away.  I still enjoy making contact with my readers and will continue to do so through my blog.  Perhaps I will go for quality, not quantity!

Until next time,

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,