Country Style - November 2014 AU PDF

AU S T R A L I A C OA S T T O C OA S T
ESCAPE THE
EVERYDAY
NOVEMBER 2014
HOME SWEET HOME 25 PAGES OF DESIGN ADVICE AND DIY PROJECTS
THE DECORATING ISSUE
t RENOVATE A ROOM IN A WEEKEND t HOW TO MIX PATTERN
AND COLOUR tKITCHEN, BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY UPDATE
ABSOLUTELY
BEAUTIFUL
Come inside
interior designer
Anna Spiros home
WILD ART
A PAINTERS TREK
THROUGH THE
FLINDERS RANGES
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SILVER STAR
The jeweller who
turned her hobby
into a business
FROM CHARLEVILLE
TO ROYAL ASCOT
Black Caviar trainer
Peter Moodys journey
us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr.
IMVERYSENTIMENTAL AND
THE THINGS I LOVE MOST IN
MYHOME ARE THE ONES THAT
HAVE AMEMORYATTACHED.
My great-great-grandmothers chaise longue, teacups
and saucers given to me by my mother, an old pine
table that I used to sit at in my grandmothers
kitchenthese are my favourite things. I know
interior designer Anna Spiro feels the same way
and similar associations are important in her work. You draw
inspiration from your familys past. It might be that your
grandmother collected a particular brand of china and so you collect
the same set. You may want to hang the plates on your kitchen wall,
so that every time you look at them you are reminded of her, she
writes in her book Absolutely Beautiful Things. Annas gorgeous house
not to mention her lovely golden retriever Ned! are on this
months cover and you can see inside her home on page 112.
Another very inspiring house in this issue is Pincally Station,
where Zanna and Matt Gale live with their three daughters. This
lovely home is flled with many pieces of furniture made by Matt,
often after Zanna has discovered something in one of the sheds.
Ive got this great idea is often how the next renovation or
furniture building project starts, Matt jokes. Like Anna, Zanna
credits family for her ability to create such a lovely home: Ive
inherited my style and way of pulling things together from my
mum and grandmother. See what she has created on page 38.
Enjoy the issue,
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
4 Country Style NOVEMBER 2014
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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CONTRIBUTORS
Did you have a country childhood? I grew up by the beach north
ofSydney, and I always feel most at home when Im near the ocean.
Whats your favourite part of Australia? I love the coastline south of
Sydney, heading down past Kiama and Nowra the hills are green and
rolling, there are cows and sheep grazing, and beautiful ocean views.
Where would you like to visit? Country Victoria, around Daylesford,
is so picturesque, and has a wonderful food and wine culture.
Describe the Australian countryside. To me, country Australia is
about community people coming together with their neighbours.
Thats so hard to fnd in big cities.
Did you have a country childhood? My sister and I spent our school
holidays with our grandparents in Cobram, a small Victorian town
on the Murray River. Those are some of my fondest memories.
Whats your favourite part of Australia? Im a massive fan of
country Victoria, be it the trees or the seaside.
Where would you like to go next? Im defnitely a country girl
trapped in the city, so anywhere with space and rural beauty either
inAustralia or Italy, which is my second-favourite place in the world.
Describe the Australian countryside. Theres something about the
sometimes rugged and torn-up land, the old gum trees by the side
of the road, the community of a country town Those things,
the landscape and its colours make my heart warm.
LEAH TWOMEY
Pictured with daughter Ivy, Leah
wrote the page 112 article about
Brisbane decorator Anna Spiro.
LEESA OREILLY
This Melbourne-based stylist
headed to Daylesford for the
home story on page 46.
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02 9417 3813
www.everydaycashmere.com
The Ultimate Robe available in
French Grey and B lack
in this issue
In stores now
Sinfonia
COLLECTION
www.biancalorenne.com or freephone au 1800 705 393 nz 0800 242 567
november | contents
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cover stories: the decorating issue
18 Silver star: the jeweller who turned
her hobby into a business
28 From Charleville to Royal Ascot: Black Caviar
trainer Peter Moodys journey
96 Wild art: a painters trek through
the Flinders Ranges
105 Home sweet home: 25 pages of design
advice and DIY projects
106 Renovate a room in a weekend
112 Absolutely beautiful: come inside interior
designer Anna Spiros home
125 Kitchen, bathroom and laundry update
people
18 Lasting beauty
Lucinda Newton has forged a successful career
making jewellery in a Victorian seaside town.
86 Verse with a view
A painter and a poet join forces to create a book.
91 Our life in the country
To spend more time with their daughters, Bronwyn
and Alan Wood quit the city to become farmers.
my country childhood
28 Peter Moody
The champion trainer says his love of thoroughbreds
began early in south-west Queensland.
homes
32 Many mansions
Two families on the South Australian coast have
joined together in a row of four houses.
38 Station masters
Creative homemaking on a huge and remote
pastoral property north of Broken Hill.
46 Inspired decision
A move to Victorias Daylesford sparked the
creativity of fashion designer Victoria Varrasso.
gardens
54 Hidden treasures
Concealed in a Danish wood is an enchanting garden
created by grandparents for their extended family.
145 In the garden
Useful tips from the botanical world plus our
planting guide for November.
32
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TO SEE MORE INSPIRING DECORATING IDEAS, VISIT HOMELIFE.COM.AU
SUBSCRIBE AND RECEIVE A BONUS COUNTRY
STYLE 2015 DIARY OR CALENDAR. SEE PAGE 14.
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OUR COVER
STEP INSIDE THIS QUEENSLAND
HOME TO SEE HOW ANNA SPIRO
PUTS HER DECORATING
PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE.
SEE STORY, PAGE 112.
PHOTOGRAPHY JARED FOWLER
STYLING ANNA SPIRO
AU S T R A L I A C OA S T T O C OA S T
ESCAPE THE
EVERYDAY
NOVEMBER 2014
HOME SWEET HOME 25 PAGES OF DESIGN ADVICE AND DIY PROJECTS
THE DECORATING ISSUE
t RENOVATE A ROOM IN A WEEKEND t HOW TO MIX PATTERN
AND COLOUR t KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY UPDATE
ABSOLUTELY
BEAUTIFUL
Come inside
interior designer
Anna Spiros home
WILD ART
A PAINTERS TREK
THROUGH THE
FLINDERS RANGES
K
ITC
H
E
N
&

B
A
TH
R
O
O
M
SPEC
IA
L
SILVER STAR
The jeweller who
turned her hobby
into a business
FROM CHARLEVILLE
TO ROYAL ASCOT
Black Caviar trainer
Peter Moodys journey
food and wine
62 Happy return
Chef Karena Armstrong ends a seven-year break.
70 Flavours
Asparagus, sea salt and an Italian gourmet tour.
72 Go the whole hog
Exploring the great pig and wine alliance.
74 Life of brine
Steve Cumper explains how he came to love clams.
76 Never too late
When a man retires its time to start baking.
78 Last chance
Our Harvest Table competition closes soon.
journey
96 Learning the landscape
A modern painter follows the footsteps of Hans
Heysen in South Australias Flinders Ranges.
decorating
106 Time to change
Renovating tips, from weekend makeovers
to major project planning.
112 Bold moves
Pattern and colour in designer Anna Spiros home.
120 Understudy
Latest trends in ooring nishes.
125 Design essentials
New ideas for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
132 The best in modern appliances
148 Field guide
More homewares and decorating inspiration.
fashion and beauty
134 Port of call
Watch the water for travellers from afar.
142 Natural extract
Essential oils that can help your complexion glow.
regular reading
12 Your Page: readers emails and letters.
25 A Month in the Country
103 Dog Tales
150 Books
151 Collectables
170 Country Squire
services
14 FREE DIARY OR CALENDAR FOR SUBSCRIBERS
151 Stockists
152 Style Board
153 Country Emporium
161 Country and Coastal Retreats
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THOUGHTS OF HOME
When I came across Time of Her Life in the September
issue I was surprised that my home town of Portland,
NSW, featured in an article in Country Style. My father
was an ironworker at the Portland Cement Works
from the 1950s to the 1970s. Every weekday at noon,
a whistle would sound to warn of blasting at one of
the huge quarries.We knew everything would shake
and there would be a shower of dust. I had a happy
childhood in Portland riding my bike, camping,
catching yabbies in one of the nearby dams,
picking blackberries and attending dances at
a local hall. Thank you for a wonderful story.
Robyn Giblett, Kianga, NSW
The September issue inspires happy
memories of childhood days.
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LETTER OF THE MONTH
Share your thoughts and experiences with us by writing to
Country Style, Level 1, Locked Bag 5030, Alexandria, NSW2015, or by
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Congratulations to Linda, who
has won a customisable leather
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(03) 9499 5304; enni.net.au
MOVING TRIBUTE
I loved the story Sweet Reminder that appeared
with the Heirloom recipe in your September issue.
What a lovely tribute to a mum. My mother died more
than two years ago after a painful battle with cancer.
She was a wonderful cook and a generous host, and
loved family get-togethers where laughter erupted
around the table. After reading the story, I rescued
Mums cookbooks from a dusty cupboard. It was lovely
to remember those fun-flled meals. Some of the recipes
were from her school days, so theyre quite special.
Remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones
is essential. Not a day goes by when Im not thinking of
Mum. I have just baked a batch of butterfy cakes from
her recipe with my daughter. It was a truly emotional
experience. Laughter was mixed with tears as my
grandmother. Those cookbooks
are now dust-free and displayed
on the kitchen bench. Thanks
so much for the article.
Linda Carol, Riverview, NSW
FLORAL FAVOURITES
This painting, Nasturtiums in Alexs
Vase, and other works by Southern
Highlands artist Laura Jones
charmed Facebook followers.
Love this work. Is Laura Jones a new
Margaret Olley? Gilian Hampton
Talented painter! Monie Lecomte
Oh my, have just been to my art
group. Wish my paintings were
something like that Lovely work.
Kate Micallef
IN THE PINK
On Facebook, shared delight at the September cover.
Just the cover makes me happy I cant wait to look
inside. Felicity Hawkins
I wish I could LIVE in your magazines! Simone Budge
The cover is stunning and, as in every issue, theres
so much to inspire and enjoy. Jan Dwyer
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Editor-in-chief VICTORIA CAREY
Creative director GIOTA LETSIOS
Associate editor KYLIE WALKER
Melbourne editor VIRGINIA IMHOFF
Chief subeditor GREG TAYLOR
Art director JO QUARMBY
Senior designer JOSIE TAYLOR
Editorial coordinator ANNA DELPRAT
Regular contributors DIXIE ELLIOTT (Food) LARA HUTTON (Fashion)
ROBIN INGRAM (Wine, Country Squire) ANNABEL LAWSON (Books)
JOHN McPHEE (Collectables) SARAH NEIL (Food & Subediting) CHRISTINE REID
(Gardens) BARBARA SWEENEY (Flavours) JULIETTE WINTER (Health & Beauty)
Staff photographers GUY BAILEY SAM McADAM-COOPER
JEREMY SIMONS CRAIG WALL
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Lucinda Newton in her Port Fairy
jewellery store. FACING PAGE
Finished rings and bracelets
lie on working drawings.
PEOPLE PORT FAIRY VICTORIA
WHEN LUCINDA NEWTON TURNED A HOBBY INTO
A BUSINESS, SHE STAYED TRUE TO HER BELIEF THAT
JEWELLERY ISNT JUST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
WORDS VIRGINIA IMHOFF PHOTOGRAPHY MARK ROPER
I
n Lucinda Newtons hands, semiprecious stones are
as beautiful as diamonds. The diverse and dazzling
gems are the inspiration for many of the pieces in
the jewellery designers eye-catching Luone collection.
As she slides open a drawer in her Port Fairy store, her
fngers lightly run over lustrous stones in all manner of
hues, from jade, topaz, lapis lazuli, citrine and onyx to
pink, green and smoky quartz.
The colour and uniqueness of the stones appeal to
me, she says. I love quartz, as it goes with everything
and pearls, as they can be worn all the time. I never
tire of looking at these drawers.
Lucindas studio is in a corner of the store. Here she
also works in silver and gold, making rings, necklaces,
earrings and cufinks, often in combination with the
gems, and South Sea and freshwater pearls. The pieces
she designs are timeless and classic and stunningly
pretty. Each is individual and distinctive, right down
tothe serpentine clasps she makes for the necklaces.
I like jewellery that you can wear every day in jeans
anda singlet, and then with a dress worn to a wedding,
Lucinda says. I prefer people to wear my pieces all the time
and not save them for special occasions. More recently she
has introduced a small collection featuring diamonds and
sapphires Ive done quite a few engagement rings.
Lucindas interest started early. She grew up in
Toowoomba, Queensland and, from a young age, dabbled
in making jewellery for herself. But when Lucinda went to
university in NSWs Bathurst, she studied communications
and public relations, then in 2005 headed of to London to
work. However, she also took a course in silversmithing.
Ispent a lot of my time in London designing jewellery,
she adds. I kept thinking of things that I wanted and
couldnt fnd, so I made them myself.
Returning home in 2007, Lucinda was ready to takethe
plunge. She called her collection Luone, acontraction of
her maiden name Lucinda ONeil. Imoved back home
with Mum and Dad for a while anddecided to jump into
jewellery design full-time. People wondered how I could
give up a salary but I just started. And I loved it.
In 2009, she married Tom Newton. We met in
Toowoomba in 2002 and I thought he was very >
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP
LEFTNecklaces of pearls and
semiprecious stones; at home with
her daughters, two-year-old Polly
(left) and three-year-old Annabelle;
silver ringsand bracelets in their
early stages; wielding the braising
torch; anecklace will rise from the
ashes. FACING PAGE A finished
necklace on Lucindas work bench.
ITS NICE FOR THE CHILDREN TO
BE IN A COUNTRY TOWN WHERE
YOU KNOW EVERYONE.
handsome, Lucinda recalls. Then we kept crossing
paths over the years The couple lived in Brisbane
where Tom worked in the dairy industry, in animal
nutrition. Then in 2010 he was transferred to
Warrnambool, a major dairying region on Victorias
west coast as national manager for the company. By
coincidence the couple had recently visited Port
Fairy, 30kilometres west and liked what they saw.
Port Fairy, settled in the 1840s where the Moyne
River runs into the Southern Ocean, has long been
ahaven on astorm-battered coastline. Today,
whitewashed whalers cottages, Victorian merchants
homes and towering Norfolk pines line the wide
streets. However, visitors to the town, which is
famous for its music festival inMarch, will now fnd
boutique businesses such asLuone, galleries, cafs
and restaurants inside the 19th-century shopfronts.
For the frst six months the couple rented, before
buying a cottage in the historic fshing town. For
Lucinda the move to Port Fairy was an easy
transition, and great for my business.
The couple now have two daughters Annabelle,
three, and Polly, two. Its nice for the children to
be in a country town where you know everyone,
Lucinda says. They go to day care at the moment
and its only three doors away from home. And Im
getting used to the weather. I remember when I was
in Brisbane, Id get excited about wearing boots.
Here I can wear boots until December!
When she started the business, Lucinda considered
using resin beads, but fell in love with gemstones,
despatched to her by wholesalers. I love using them
in all shapes and sizes. Until the kids are at school
Ihave to go slow, but one day Id love to travel
overseas to gem fairs.
Meanwhile, she is glad to be sitting at the
workbench with hertools before her. I love being
in the shop when its quiet as thats when I work on
pieces. People ask me where I get my inspiration
from, but I mostly design from my head. I just do
what I like and thereare so many variations.
My favourites are necklaces, as they give me more
freedom and theyre a bit more fun. I love to make
things in diferent lengths and colours and I do get
a bit carried away.
*
Luone is at 10 Bank Street, Port Fairy, Victoria.
0412 071 601; luone.com.au
Wearing one of her own necklaces,
Lucinda arranges a display cabinet.
I KEPT THINKING OF THINGS
THAT I WANTED AND COULDNT
FIND, SO I MADE THEM MYSELF.
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From Margaret River to the Gold
Coast, there are festivals of lm,
music and plenty of food and wine.
Country Style NOVEMBER 2014 25
A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY
Until Dec 7
th
IMHOFF: ALIFE OF GRAIN
ANDPIXELS Until December
7th Retrospective exhibition
by Robert Imho at the Art
Gallery of Ballarat. Superbly
crafted images, like this
picture (below) of actor Ruth
Cracknell, froma lifetime
lmmaking. (03) 5320 5858;
artgalleryofballarat.com.au
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WHENTHE COUNTRY
COMES TOTHE CITY
SUSTAINABLE LIVING EXPO 8th9th
Clever design concepts and new
technology feature prominently at
this expo, as do the experts behind
the ideas. Engage in workshops,
talks, performers, art and kids
activities. $5. (03) 6234 5566;
sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au
TASMANIAN BEERFEST 14th15th
Breweries exhibit their best on the
Hobart waterfront at Princes Wharf
for this boutique and craft beer
festival. Enjoy live entertainment,
meet the brewers, get tips and
sample Tasmanian produce.
Various ticket prices, from $35.
tasmanianbeerfest.com.au
U
ntil youve walked in the bush with a guide who
knows the plants that brush up against you, the aromas
that tantalise or the foods that are edible, then were
just visitors to this country. Theres something to be said for
the things learnt in childhood. Like languages, this is the
kind of knowledge that is absorbed on the air, not necessarily
through books but osmosis-like through pores. Growing up in
the UK for the frst six years of my life, it was English country
gardens and the literature of Enid Blyton that fgured strongly
as infuences. And now the larger wedge of my life has been
spent in Australia, Im catching up with what I didnt learn
through young eyes. I can now recognise a mountain pepper
berry or a warrigal green, and know when the kangaroo apple
is ripe, and therefore safe to eat. Learning about what grows in
the bush will teach you about Aboriginal culture. So, a visit
to Tasmanias Rocky Cape National Park introduces the
visitor to the nectar of young banksia, and how the fower was
soaked in water and enjoyed as a sweet drink by the Indigenous
people of the north-west. A bush foods workshop with
Tasmanian horticulturalist Kris Schafer will introduce you to
her love of the edible climbing blueberry (Billardiera longifora),
named after the French botanist Jacques-Julien Houtou de
Labillardire, who visited Bruny Island in 1792. Planting bush
foods in your own backyard as a complement to the introduced
species means the best of both worlds will be at your fngertips.
This summer, I aim to bake Double Blueberry mufns.
Words by Hilary Burden, author of A Story of Seven Summers
(Allen & Unwin, $29.99)
ACT
WINE, ROSES AND ALL THAT JAZZ 1st2nd
More than 30 cellar doors come alive with
performances, food and wine tastings.
(02) 6226 2557; canberrawines.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
THE LAKESIDE FESTIVAL 1st A feast of live
music, art exhibits, and local food and
wine on the shore of Lake Wallis, at
Forster Tuncurry. Tickets $5.
lakesidefestival.com.au
OBERON GARDEN CLUB OPEN GARDENS
1st2nd Visit six varied gardens around
Oberon. Tickets $12. (02) 6335 8257;
oberonaustralia.com.au
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS ARTS FESTIVAL
1st30th The highlight event is the Art
Studio Trail, where more than 50 artists
from Bundanoon to Colo Vale open
their studios to the public on the rst
two weekends of the month. Also
workshops, concerts and special gallery
events. (02) 4868 0855; shaf.com.au
BALLINA PRAWN FESTIVAL 15th The
coastal town and home of the Big Prawn
commemorates its history on the banks
of the Richmond River with a parade,
competitions, entertainment, reworks,
and food and wine. (02) 6681 5049;
ballinaprawnfestival.com.au
TAKE A SEAT: AUSTRALIAN MODERNIST
CHAIRS November 22ndFebruary
22nd An exhibition at Penrith Regional
Gallery tracing the development of
seating styles and Australian home
design from the 1940s to the 1970s.
(02) 4735 1100; penrithregionalgallery.org
QUEENSLAND
BUSH CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION 21st30th
Visit a Christmas gift gallery at the
Toowoomba Masonic Centre to nd
pieces made by more than 120 rural
artisans. Garden art, ceramics, toys,
jewellery, textiles, leather, paper,
pewter, Christmas puddings and
cakes, sauces, condiments, teas,
chocolates and more. (07) 4696 4529;
bushchristmas.com
BONJOUR FRENCH FESTIVAL 23rd The
perfect day out for a Francophile, this
Gold Coast festival at the Evandale
Parklands boasts French food, art,
sport, music, cars and culture. 0416 085
762; bonjourfrenchfestival.com.au
bush food lessons
14
th
16
th
BLUES IN THE BAROSSA Hear some
outstanding Australian blues performances,
accompanied by plentiful food and drink, in the
Hyde Park grounds of the Seppeltseld Winery.
0468 991 698; bluesinthebarossa.com
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CLARE VALLEY CARNIVAL OF MUSIC
21st22nd Hear a variety of world music
in Auburn. Make sure also to visit the
arts market featuring works by local
artists. (08) 8849 2420; hatsincsa.com
GORGEOUS FESTIVAL 28th29th A music,
food and wine festival at McLaren Vale
that celebrates the diverse avours of
the Fleurieu Peninsula. (08) 7184 1086;
gorgeousfestival.com.au
VICTORIA
CLUNES BOOKTOWN FOR KIDS FESTIVAL
1st The famous Clunes Booktown festival
now has a junior arm. Hear talks by
authors and illustrators, engage in ction
workshops, visit the Village of Lost
Trades and view an Anzac Exhibition of
inspiring illustrations. Tickets from $20.
clunesbooktown.com.au
CASTLEMAINE & DISTRICT FESTIVAL OF
GARDENS 1st9th The theme of this
years festival is Gardens Out of the
Box. See lovely gardens in bloom
as you tour the goldelds town.
(03) 5470 5905; festivalofgardens.org
LEXINGTON HOMESTEAD OPEN
GARDEN & FAMILY DAY 16th
A kindergarten fundraiser in Moyston;
enjoy market stalls, food and wine, kids
entertainment, a vintage car display and
tour the beautiful garden designed by
Rick Eckersley. Tickets from $16.
0408 414 660; trybooking.com/94741
TASMANIA
TASMANIAN BREATH OF FRESH AIR FILM
FESTIVAL 6th9th Held in the Tamar
Valley near Launceston, this progressive
festival uses lms to encourage
discussion of cultural issues. Watch
lms, take part in master classes, and
view the talented competition entries.
(03) 6331 8158; bofa.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
BLUES AT BRIDGETOWN FESTIVAL 7th9th
Blues fans will have the opportunity to
see local and international acts; the
stellar line-up includes The Beautiful
Girls and Joe Louis Walker. Multiple
venues, weekend tickets from $195.
(08) 9761 2921; bluesatbridgetown.com.au
GEOGRAPHE CRUSH FOOD AND WINE
FESTIVAL 7th Produce from WAs
south-west region of Geographe
will be exhibited at Boyanup, with
wine seminars, cooking demonstrations,
and entertainment. Tickets $20.
(08) 9228 9166; wineandfood.com.au
LARRY LOBSTER FESTIVAL 15th This
crustacean-themed festival at Port
Denison has a petting zoo for the
children, markets, stalls, live
performances, asideshow alley and
camel rides. (08) 9927 0000; irwin.wa.
gov.au/Larry-Lobster-Festival.aspx
MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE
21th23th Head to Western Australias
south-west for a weekend lled with
fabulous food, wine, performances,
afood trivia night, gourmet beach
barbecues and more. (02) 9332 9000;
gourmetescape.com.au
Please send your event news to
austcountrystyle@news.com.au. Events
may change and we recommend
contacting the organisers to conrm
details and ensure availability.
A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY
P
eter Moody spent long days in the saddle
fromanearly age at his family property near
Wyandra,atownship on the Mitchell Highway
insouth-west Queensland. Even as a kid, at races at
Wyandra with Mum and Dad, there was always an
appeal, he recalls. I think it was the competition
andthe beauty of the animals it certainly wasnt
thegambling side. This was simply apath Iheaded
downand Ive never looked back. Ittotally captured
mein every way, shape and form.
Peter was born in Charleville, 100 kilometres north
ofWyandra, in 1969, the youngest child of Garth and Jan
Moody. At age 15, he left west Queensland for Sydney,
where he worked with racing greats T. J. Smith and Colin
Hayes prior to becoming a stable foreman for Bill Mitchell.
In 1998, Peter and his wife, Sarah, began Moody
Racing and had their First Group 1 success when Amalf
won the Victorian Derby in 2001. Two years later, the
Moody Racing headquarters moved from Brisbane to
Caulfeld. Peter trained the 200910 horse of the year
Typhoon Tracy and won the frst of four successive
Melbourne Trainers Premierships the same year.
Its been a pretty rapid rise for us, he says. We
came into an industry that had the Cummings dynasty,
the Hayes dynasty, T. J. Smith with his daughter Gai
Waterhouse, and the Freedmans We were a bit of
Johnny-come-lately that no-one knew. I arrived on
the scene pretty unheralded from Queensland, came to
Melbourne and won the training championships, not
onlyin Victoria but also Australia, three or four times
over the past six years. You sort of pinch yourself
There is little peace for Peter following the success
ofBlack Caviar, a mare he discovered as a yearling
andtrained to become one of the worlds greatest
galloperswith 25 straight wins. The national icon
won15 Group Ones and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes
atEnglands Royal Ascot in 2012.
My actual life hasnt really changed but the way
Im portrayed has, Peter refects. You become such
arecognisable fgure, I suppose. No matter where you
goor what you do, through the deeds of Black Caviar,
everyone knows. Its something I struggle with at times.
Peter and Sarah have three teenage daughters Cara,
Breann and Celine. His stellar trajectory from outback
Queensland to Royal Ascot belies the workload and
commitment along the way. Theres only one reason
why weve had this kind of success and thats through
bloody hard work, Peter says. Theres no respite.
My day starts at 3am and Ill get home about 8pm after
Ive worked my horses all morning and inspected some
yearlings for an upcoming sale.
I have about 300 horses, 1100 clients and 50 staf, but
at the same time I like to have my fnger in everything.
Ithink thats part of the reason why Ive been successful.
PETER MOODYRACEHORSE TRAINER
The man who trained the great champion Black Caviar tells Claire
Mactaggart how thoroughbreds caught a Queensland boys heart.
FROM LEFT Baby Peter placed in
a dolls pushchair by his big sisters
(He was their little toy! says mother
Jan); at the Wyandra property; with
sister Fiona at pony club. FACING
PAGE Peter at his Melbourne stables.
MY COUNTRY CHILDHOOD
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I SPENT MY early years at my parents
property, Alpha, just outside of Wyandra
andwe also owned another property that
surrounded the small town. I lived there
until Iwas about nine or 10, then Mum and
Dad separated and I moved into Charleville.
Igrew up like most country kids and did pony
club, local shows and race meetings. My frst
horse was called Doubtful, a thoroughbred
he was passed down through my sisters.
Horses were an integral part of our life.
I have three older sisters and they went ofto
boarding school when I was still small. Imsix
years the junior of my youngest sister, Fiona
Tanya is eight years older and Alison is
10 years so I pretty much grew up without
them. But we all went to Wyandra Primary,
which had only about 30 to 40students.
Wyandra township had aDepartment of
Main Roads ofce and a railway siding,
and serviced the local pastoral stations. >
ABOUT CHARLEVILLE The town lies some 740 kilometres west of Brisbane, on the bank
of the Warrego River. Founded in the early 1860s as a way station on the stock routes, Charleville
has always been a service point for the pastoral industries of south-west Queensland. In 1902
Charleville was the location of an unsuccessful attempt to fire cannons into the clouds in order
tobreak adrought. The cannons used remain on display in Charleville today. With apopulation
ofabout 3500, Charleville is the largest town and administrative centre of the Murweh Shire,
which covers 43,905 square kilometres. One of Queenslands eight Flying Doctor bases is at
Charleville (pictured), and the town also boasts a Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum.
FROM LEFT In
Sydney, the teenage
Peter at the track and
with sister Alison.
As a kid I couldnt wait for
Saturday to come around so we
could go to the races.
We had cattle and sheep on our
property it was a mulga block
andpretty hard country. One of my
earliest memories was spending time
with my dingo-blue heeler cross
thatwould always drag snakes home.
Iused to leave home after breakfast
with him, and a 303 rife with no
bolt in it, and not come home till
dinner. Now I have three teenage
daughters and Im afraid every time
they pass thefront gate. But back
thenit was adiferent ball game:
Icould be out riding my horse or
playing with the dogs all day. You
look at kids now and if the TV or
computer breaks down, theyre bored.
I was a pretty easygoing kid;
Ikept my head down and stayed
outof trouble. It was a big change
forme when we moved into town
from the property. But from the
age of about 10, my interest in
racing bloomed through my mums
new partner, Tony Facey. He was
astockman but he was involved
in racing. He trained a few horses
and even though I wasnt that close
to him he was a hard master
that started my involvement.
There was another old bloke
called Frank Cavanough who took
me under hiswing. I always had
alove of horses but it was then that
my love of thoroughbreds really
kicked in and its a passion that led
me to where I am today.
As a kid I couldnt wait for Saturday
to come around so we could go to the
races. It didnt matter if it was Bourke
in NSW, Longreach in the north,
Roma in the east or Birdsville in
thewest I just couldnt wait.
I went to Sydney when I was
15through an association with
FrankCavanough his grandson
Brett, who trains in southern
NSW.Brett Cavanough was a local
lad andhis stepfather was John
Drennan, who was Tommy J. Smiths
horse breaker for 30-odd years, and
acountry Queensland lad himself.
A lot of western Queensland blokes
would do the breaking in with John
and work with T. J. Smith. I was
one and Inever really came home.
I stayed there until I was about
18. I couldnt believe it that Id
come from Charleville and could be
standing at Randwick or Rosehill
with these great racehorses.
It was pretty interesting to
be growing up in Sydney in the
mid-1980s. It was a great period and
Iwas having the time of my life doing
something I really enjoyed. I went
home for about six months when
Iwas 18. I missed my mates and I did
a few of the things I hadnt got around
to while I was working my tail of
in Sydney. I had my eyes open a bit
wider than my friends back home did!
But I quickly realised that if I wanted
acareer inracing, I had to be back
down in that region. I took on board
that thiswas to be my career.
Growing up in the country taught
me a strong work ethic not just
because of where we lived, but
also the people I grew upwith.
That played a massive partin
where I am today.
MY COUNTRY CHILDHOOD PETER MOODY
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The cottages contain a mix of handmade and
handed-down treasures combined with shop
nds. Kristina Alexanders eldest daughter,
Nathalie, made the driftwood boat as a birthday
gift, while the hanging sh is by Robe artist Lisa
Enright. FACING PAGE Feathers and pampas
grass gathered on a beach walk sit beside
aceramic parrot from Robes Holiday.
HOME ROBE SOUTH AUSTRALIA
WITH A LARGE BLENDED FAMILY, WHY STICK TO
ONE HOUSE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FOUR IN A ROW?
WORDS GRETEL SNEATH PHOTOGRAPHY MARK ROPER STYLING TESSA KAVANAGH
MANY MANSIONS
C
hristos Stoios did a double take when his boss
askedhim to move to Robe to oversee new business
interests. I thought he said Rome! says the
43-year-old property manager. South Australias Limestone
Coast isnt quite the Mediterranean but five summers
on,the salty breeze of the seaside town is under his skin.
I lived on Melbournes Mornington Peninsula, so
itsasimilar environment with the beaches, the surfing,
thevillage atmosphere, and the surrounding vineyards
andfarms, he explains. You have your peak periods
when all of the tourists come, but the rest of the
yearitsquiet and relaxed.
Christos bought a row of cottages in the oldest part of
town, planning to transform them into one large home,
butthis changed when he met Kristina Alexander four
years ago. Between them, the couple have seven children
aged from 14 to 27 and the existing building layout, with
its individual entrances, bathrooms and kitchens, suits
a modern extended family.
Theres certainly enough space and it works because
we can rotate, Kristina explains. There are essentially
four houses that we can choose from and reconfigure,
depending on the situation. If all of the children are here,
we can fit quite comfortably, but whentheyre not, we can
rent out one of the cottages forovernight accommodation.
Its largely smooth sailing, despite the fact that three of
the cottages have been named after local shipwrecks the
Duilius, which was wrecked on the rocks of Guichen Bay
in 1853, the Phaeton, which ran aground in 1857 on only
her second voyage from Hong Kong, and the Alma, which
came to grief in 1861. (Happily, the passengers on all three
vessels are believed to have survived.)
The cottages have new kitchens and bathrooms but
maintain their simple, pared-back charm, with raw timber
flooring and limewashed walls made from local stone. In the
main living area a concrete floor and an open-plan layout
give a more contemporary feel, and the blending of
households extends to the furniture and the decorations.
Kristina manages Holiday, a local homewares store, and
its clear that a Robe-designed range it sells inspired
bytravel and adventure matches her personal decorating
approach.My style has certainly evolved and is a lot >
HOME ROBE SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Christos and
Kristinametfour years ago; the entrance to
one of the cottages; the dining table and chairs
are from Charlicks Bazaar in Mount Gambier;
kelp root hauled up ina lobster pot by Kristinas
son Sam sits alongside afarm scene painted
by Kristinas mother. FACING PAGE A vintage
doorbell by the entrance to one of the cottages.
See our feature on the best country
dining rooms at homelife.com.au/
country-dining-rooms
THERES CERTAINLY ENOUGH SPACE
AND IT WORKS BECAUSE WE CAN ROTATE.
more eclectic now, she muses. Its funny how you
changeas you get older. Once upon a time, I would
cringeatthechildrens colourful handmade Christmas
treeornaments clashing with my gorgeous, symmetrical
two-tone vision. But now I think its beautiful being
surrounded by their bits and pieces.
Stacked pebbles, a bowl of shells and a boat made from
driftwood are among reminders of times spent together
bythe sea. Christos is an avid beachcomber A lot
ofthose things have got so much meaning and history,
hesays and he and Kristina confess to a friendly battle
of wills when it comes to curating all the flotsam and
jetsam that finds its way home.
Weve got so many old oars, and bits of rope, wire and
driftwood that I keep shoving in the shed, says Kristina
with a smile. But somehow they keep mysteriously
reappearing in the house and garden.
I dont want my house to look like a spec home,
Christos says. Id rather people see what weve done in
ourlives and this is a collection filled with all of our
interests. The garden is a favourite space and theyre out
there most days. Because theres no need to travel far
for work, we canfit so many other things intoourday
including gardening, Kristina says. The rear has been
configured with screens and gates sothat it can accommodate
both private and open spaces,depending on guests.
The garden was non-existent when Iarrived and it
hasbeen hard going because of the conditions, Christos
says. This area can get quite windy and cold,and theres
only ashallow layer of soil over sand, soit hasbeen
aprocess of elimination trying to work out
whatgrowswell and whats never going to make it.
So far, the succulents and pencil pines are winning
while the couple wait to see what the seasons bring
in particular, whether the liquidambar will survive
the onslaught of winter storms.
I feel like Ive lived in so many different places, and
havealways said that I wanted to plant a tree and actually
see it grow, Kristina says. So now that Im finally settled,
its fingers crossed.
*
The Duilius cottage, in the centre of Robe, is available for holiday
rent. Telephone (08) 8768 2341 or visit happyshack.com.au
A stag cushion from Holiday, a print handed
down by Kristinas mother and Kristinas own
zebra that I drew when I was 12. FACING PAGE,
FROM LEFT The kitchen was made by former
Robe-based cabinetmaker Brian Grellet; the wall
in the living area was built with local limestone,
and the combustion heater can run 24/7.
ABOUT THE HOME
t Dulux Antique White USA is used widely throughout
the cottages. Its fail-safe and it goes with everything,
declares Christos. dulux.com.au
t When asked about favourite sources for furniture and
homewares, the couple naturally nominated the Holiday store
where Kristina is the manager. 10 Victoria Street, Robe, SA.
(08) 8768 1800; holidaydesign.com.au
t Other frequent destinations are One Rundle Trading Co in
Dulwich, (08) 8431 3033, onerundle.com.au; Charlicks Bazaar in
Mount Gambier, (08) 8723 9704, charlicks.com.au; and Country
Road, 1800 801 911, countryroad.com.au
t Most of the artwork in the cottages has a story attached to it,
and has been created by family and friends. Kristinas mother,
Carmen, is responsible for many of the photographs on display.
We wont lose a generation in this family; Mum records
everything for us, Kristina says.
ROBE SOUTH AUSTRALIA HOME
Zanna and Matt Gale with (from left)
Lucy, 10, Bella, 13, and eight-year-old
Millie, plus blue heeler Maggie and
Lolly the King Charles spaniel.
FACING PAGE Silver Highlander
byNSW photographer Tony Sheffield
(tonysheffield.com) hangs above
a bench madefrom old shearing
shed floorboards by Zannas mother.
HOME BROKEN HILL NSW
station masters
ON A REMOTE PROPERTY, THE GALE HOME
IS FILLED WITH CREATIVE CHARACTER.
WORDS AND STYLING CLAIRE MACTAGGART
PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE
A
tPincally Station, each piece of handmade
furniture tells a story and, according to Matt
Gale,the tale begins whenever his wife,
Zanna,declares Ive got this great idea Zanna
often fndsinspiration in old timber and steel found
on their sheep and cattle property, 270 kilometres
north ofBroken Hill, and her designs usually rely
upon Matts carpentry skills to be realised.
Shes always searching through the workshop
and Ive gone in to fnd the wooden pigeonholes
have disappeared and all the screws tipped out on the
bench! he says, laughing. Its clear, however, that Matt
enjoys his role in their creative partnership. Hes always
on the lookout for bits and pieces, such as tables, wool
bale stencils, and even a windmill fan from a property
in South Australia that now graces their family room.
Matt can turn his hand to anything, Zanna says. He
recently came home from a clearing sale with a crate that
he turned into a cofee table. Its so much better to see
what you can achieve with something old or found.
The restoration of their sprawling homestead, which
covers more than 500 square metres, has been a gradual
but rewarding journey for the couple and their three
daughters Bella, 13, Lucy, 10, and eight-year-old
Millie. In 1991, when his family diversifed into grazing,
Matt moved from an irrigation farm near South
Australias Padthaway; aged just 17, he began managing
Pincally, 65,000 hectares of undulating sandhills and
creek fats framed by the Mount Arrowsmith Hills.
At the time, the six-bedroom house was still powered
by agenerator and had a dark, multicoloured interior.
Theoriginal section of the house is almost a century
oldand a large living room connects to an extension
built 50 years ago, with a central breezeway and rooms
on either side, encased by a wide, screened verandah.
The couple married in 1996 after meeting in Broken
Hill at the St Patricks race day. Zanna, originally from
Menindee in NSWs far west, was working as a
governess on astation south of Broken Hill. When I
frst came here, itneeded a good clean-up, Zanna
recalls. You couldnt even see through the windows,
and dust came in everywhere. We gradually replaced
the louvres with glass panes, applied plasterboard >
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Off to saddle
up; Maggie keeps an eye on proceedings; the
windmill fan has pride of place in thefamily
room; bougainvillea separates the side garden
from the rear; the property carries Senepol
and Santa Gertrudis cattle, as well as sheep;
two woven baskets and Willy Wagtail by
NT artist Malcolm Jagamarra hang above
a display of some of Zannas ceramic collection.
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP RIGHT
The property covers 65,000
hectares; a chandelier from
Milduras Rose Harvest Antiques
hangs above atable that Zanna
restored; the station is 270
kilometres north of Broken Hill;
wool bale stencils decorate a wall.
BROKEN HILL NSW HOME
Country Style NOVEMBER 2014 41 Country Style NOVEMBER 2014 41
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Inspecting
awater bore 30 kilometres south of the
homestead; near the hallway in the original
section of the home sits an early portrait
of Bella by Broken Hill artist Jodi Daley;
after rain this swamp fills up and we can
waterski on it! says Zanna; a double
Falcon oven is the heart of the kitchen;
Lucy shows Dad how to drive the ute.
I LOVE THE VASTNESS OF THE
LANDSCAPE BUT ITS NICE TO COME HOME
TO OUR LITTLE GREEN OASIS.
CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Zannas studio
(I like all the rooms in our house but this
ones a favourite); taking a rest on one
of the many sandhills on the property;
Lucys bedroom with a stool from Thom,
Dick & Harrys in Broken Hill; Millie and Lucy
give Dad a hand cleaning a stock trough.
and painted the walls in of-white shades. As time
wenton I could see so much potential; we pulled
upold lino that was glued to jarrah foorboards,
andsanded and polished them.
During the drought of 2009, a massive dust storm
swept through the region. It came in every nook and
cranny, says Zanna. We taped the windows and doors,
and covered furniture with sheets. When I cleaned the
verandah, Iflled a wheelbarrow with sand.
Now, dust is further minimised with an extensive
garden of olive trees, hedges and shrubs as well as a large
vegetable patch. I love the vastness of the landscape but
its nice to come home to our little green oasis, Zanna
says. You defnitely need to have a garden here.
I love what Zanna has created, Matt says. Were
lucky to have so much room and a big verandah with
views of the garden. The swimming pool is a favourite
spot; we live out there in summer.
Zanna has collected pieces that refect the character
of the house and landscape, such as a heavy timber
lamp base made from a piece of red gum she found
in the workshop. Ive inherited my style and way
of pulling things together from my mum and my
grandmother. I like raw materials and rustic, early
Australian pieces really suit this house. I keep moving
things around until they look right.
Earlier this year Zanna enrolled in a correspondence
design course and, while she enjoys working outside >
on the property, she has also found time to pursue
along-held interest in decorating. Aspare bedroom has
become a studio: I like all the rooms in our house but
this ones a favourite Theres a lot of light and its my
own space to do what I love.
The Gale family enjoy sharing their station life with
guests and ofer bed-and-breakfast accommodation in
arenovated shearers cottage. We love entertaining, and
with so much space you can have a lot of people here
and not be on top of one another, Zanna says.
On the other side of the garden, in a corrugated-iron
building beside a grove of olive trees, is Lucy and Millies
schoolroom Bella is already away at boarding school.
A couple of horses are saddled and waiting patiently
outside so, as soon as their lessons are complete, the
girls can spend the afternoon exploring.
Its a wonderful environment to grow up in, Zanna
says. They learn somany things and are lucky to be
able to just set ofon ahorse or a motorbike.
*
For information about accommodation at Pincally Station,
visit outbacknsw.com.au/pincally.htm
ABOUT THE HOUSE
Zanna has painted most oI the interior in
Wattyl's Orchid. (02) 887 3333, wattyl.com.au
Zanna sold her car to buy two three-seater Moran
leather chesterIelds aIter she married Matt.
"These proved to be a great investment and l don't
think they will ever date, they just get better with
age." 1300 78 222, moranIurniture.com.au
Favourite shops: Thom, Dick & Harry's in Broken
Hill Ior homewares and gourmet groceries.
(08) 8088 7000, thomdickharrys.com.au, Rose
Harvest Antiques Home & Garden in Mildura,
(03) 5021 1757, and Fine and Sunny, also in Mildura,
Ior Australian designs and ceramics. (03) 5022 0007.
Cushions provide pops oI colour in a neutral
interior. Zanna likes Bonnie and Neil's hand-printed
linen designs. bonnieandneil.com.au
CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE
When schools finished,
itspony time for Lucy and
Millie; Zanna in the studio,
where she works on her
correspondence design
course; some of the merino
flock; I love hats! says
Zanna. This old ladder,
picked up at a garage sale
inBroken Hill, is a great
placeto store them.
Thegirls double up for a ride on
Jeeba; the original French doors
in Matt and Zannas bedroom
open to the screened verandah;
abed from the old shearers
quarters has been refurbished
for Millie; Poppy the ragdoll cat;
checking the level inthetank
at North Four Mile paddock.
inspired decision
A MOVE TO SPA COUNTRY SPARKED THE
CREATIVITY OF DESIGNER VICTORIA VARRASSO.
WORDS VIRGINIA IMHOFF PHOTOGRAPHY LISA COHEN STYLING LEESA OREILLY
HOME DAYLESFORD VICTORIA
Artist Anita Mertzlin designed the
logo for Victorias label, Manteau
Noir. FACING PAGE Victorias home
studio features an antique French
table and Japanese herbalist chest,
and bolts of European fabric.
F
ashion designer Victoria Varrasso likes her home
to refect her passions. From the garments she
designs and wears to the varied objects she collects
and the art on her walls, she describes her compositions
as abeautiful way of self-expression.
A lover of European vintage and antique pieces, from
the classic to the quirky, up to the early 20thcentury
and all things French, Victoria regards her style as an
extension of her inner self. The same themes play out in
her Daylesford store, Manteau Noir, which is a magpies
nest of enchanting artworks, artisan treasures, homewares
and Victorias own Manteau Noir label garments.
I love creating an interesting design dialogue
where layers combine, and convey a sense of irony
and humour, she says.
Victoria, who designed the label Victoria Loftes, which
she owned with her brother Jonathan from the 1990s until
2005, moved to the spa town of Daylesford in 2013 with
husband Laurence Varrasso, a mechanical engineer who
designs steel architectural features. Accompanying them
was their family of fur babies: Jasper the whippet, Willa
the American bulldog and Louie, a Cornish Rex cat.
For the time being, home is a timber miners cottage
overlooking Daylesford, as they build their dream house
of corrugated iron and steel on three hectares of
farmland at nearby Eganstown.
While this longtime collector admits only a smattering
of pieces have made it here (the rest wait in containers
while their new house takes shape), most are things she
cant live without. In the sitting room, Jasper unashamedly
reclines on a treasured 19th-century handpainted French
sofa, while hanging above are Georgian silhouette cameos
and oil portraits. A cabinet displays Georgian pewter,
transferware and a collection of 1940s pottery found in
markets and auctions here and in Paris. Victoria >
Laurence and Victoria feel at home
in Daylesford; the 1860s miners
cottage; Georgian silhouettes
alongside Victorias collectables.
The sitting room furniture includes
a1920s gilt rattan chair purchased
from Kerry OConnor Acquisitions
in Melbourne. A vintage green
Camark pottery vase sits on
a coffee table from Rajasthan.
DAYLESFORD VICTORIA HOME
Jasper the whippet reclines amid
Genevive Levy and Manteau Noir
cushions on the French sofa.
FACING PAGE A Howard
portrait cushion from Manteau
Noir sits on a side table.
MY LOVE OF OLD THINGS
CAME FROM VISITING
MY GRANDPARENTS HOUSE.
VICTORIAS FAVOURITE SHOPS
Newlyn Antiques, near DaylesIord, is a Iavourite Ior
"really wonderIul porcelain, ceramics and transIerware.
They always have a wide selection oI Victorian Irames."
(03) 5345 7458, newlynantiques.com.au
DaylesIord's Mill Markets is the place Ior a treasure
hunt. "l've Iound great pieces here over the years. lt's
incredibly eclectic but you can Ind colonial pieces, and
they do a good homemade beeI and burgundy pie
in the caI." (03) 5348 4332, millmarkets.com.au
ArteDeco, in DaylesIord, specialises in Art Nouveau,
Art Deco and 20th-century decorative arts. Victoria
Iound her German Art Deco clock here. The online store
is very extensive. 0407 321 85, artedeco.com.au
lzzi & Fopo, in Melbourne, is the Irst port oI call when
new containers oI European antiques arrive.
(03) 1771, izziandpopo.com.au
also admits she cant resist anything with an acorn motif,
French majolica ware and Victorian mourning jewellery
(Im obsessed with the way people used to grieve).
Vintage photography is also a favourite I have
a big collection of daguerreotypes.
Its not the value of the piece that concerns her, rather the
sense of time and history. I love things worn from being
passed through many hands, things with a beautiful,
painterly quality. I dislike anything overtly shiny My
love of old things came from visiting my grandparents
house in Melbourne, and going through my grandmothers
belongings and fnding beautiful things.
When they moved to Daylesford, Victoria returned
tofashion design after a long break. Her Manteau Noir
collection is made from natural fabrics, predominantly
European linen, hand-dyed in muted colours and
madein Melbourne.
While the collection is inspired by Victorian-era
childrens clothing and French artist smocks and
theres alsoa very minimalist Japanese aesthetic The
garments are ageless and more about style than fashion.
Victoria also has a range of printed linen cushions.
Ihad felt burnt out but when we moved hereIwas
inspired to becreative again.
The couple fell in love with Daylesford not long after
they met in 2006. We started coming here for weekends,
Victoria says. We just fell in love with the town.
However, the search for a building site would take
three years. Eganstown is very close to Daylesford,
thereare rolling hills and chocolate soil. The house will
be all corrugated iron and steel. Its an opportunity for
Laurence to showcase his steelwork and I can create
something to my design aesthetic. Its an opportunity
forus to put our skills together.
*
Manteau Noir is at 27 Vincent Street, Daylesford, Victoria.
(03) 5348 1902; manteaunoir.com.au
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT
Vintage fittings and a linen shower
curtain in the bathroom; a 1940s
European oil; an Art Deco lamp
and Victorian Doulton pieces
sit onthe French dresser.
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A WOOD IN THE DANISH COUNTRYSIDE CONCEALS THIS
MAGICAL GARDEN THAT MIXES ORDER WITH WILDNESS.
WORDS JULIA MINCARELLI PHOTOGRAPHY BIRGETTA DREJER/SISTERS AGENCY
hidden treasure
POSTCARD MERN DENMARK
Four-year-old cousins Elisa Hansen
(left)and Alba Drejer, the Hansen familys
youngest grandchildren, under one of the
gardens many rose arches, surrounded by
yellow mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and
purple butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii).
FACING PAGE The David Austin Jacques
Cartier rose has a strong, rich fragrance.
D
enmark is a fat land the highest point is only
170 metres above sea level. Eighty kilometres south
of Copenhagen on Zealand, Denmarks largest
island, theres little to obstruct the view of patchwork farms
stretching to the horizon in every direction near the village
of Mern. But turn up a narrow lane between two ploughed
felds and a little wood flls the skyline. And hidden behind
these trees lies a beautiful garden whose wild profusion is
just what the owners intended.
Gerda and Erling Hansen used to live in Copenhagen,
where Erling worked for the Royal Danish Airforce.
Butover the years they had often headed to the south
ofZealand for holidays and had been intrigued by the
property in the wood, not least by the coincidence that
the former farmhouse, built in 1808, happened to be
named Hansens Place.
We visited it a hot day in April, when the garden was
full of fowering bulbs; the plum trees in fower were like
white clouds, and a yellow carpet of crocuses and dafodils
covered the grass, recalls Gerda. We immediately realised
it was a fabulous place where you could feel many
diferent moods. We had been looking for a place far from
the city, where we could enjoy our retirement years and
this seduced us we felt a need to live here.
Space was another strong attraction. In Copenhagen,
we had only a villa with a small garden, Gerda says.
TheMern property covers 1.2 hectares and, apart
fromthelarge homestead, has a separate building
convertedfrom a former stable, thats great for guest
accommodation a consideration for the Hansens,
whoare frequently visited by their family. The youngest
ofthe grandchildren, cousins Alba and Elisa Rose, love
toride a swing or build forts among the trees, and to
wander down the path that leads to a little pond where
the air resounds to the sound of frogs. >
WE IMMEDIATELY
REALISED IT WAS
A FABULOUS PLACE...
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT
Gerda Hansen; Ghislaine de Feligonde
and the dark pink Champion of the
World enfold a favourite spot for
summer evening drinks; Erling
withgrandsons Hugo Hansen, six,
andHector Drejer, nine; Japanese
windflowers bloom throughout the late
summer andautumn; a pink foxglove
offsets aJacques Cartier rose and blue
catmint. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE,
FROM TOP A flower bed edged with
lambs ear; Alba as a toddler, on the
path to the pond; William Lobb, an
old-fashioned David Austin rose.
Supporting a May Queen rambling
rose, the pergola is a cool refuge for
afternoon tea. FACING PAGE The house
almost disappears behind the dark pink
Louise Odier and the apricot-hued Old
Glory Rose, all ringed with catmint.
I SCATTER SEEDS AND LET THEM FALL
WHERE THEY MAY WE LET FATE DECIDE...
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Hector and
Alba enjoy their grandmothers pancakes;
the dark pink John Clare rose mingled with
the lighter pink Felicite Parmentier and
another Jacques Cartier; the apricot-yellow
Buff Beauty tea rose is one of many David
Austen roses in the Hansens garden.
We both had an interest in gardening and had so many ideas
when we arrived, Gerda says. But they wisely took their time
We chose to start small and frst enjoy the garden at
diferent seasons, before we really began to change it.
And when they started planting, Gerda had one clear
priority. One of my passions is roses. They were the frst
thing we planted, as I know from experience that it takes
time to get them to grow. Today they bloom everywhere,
not just in bushes but also climbing in such profusion
thatsome trees are swathed in roses.
It took the couple many years to make the garden
howit is today, but along the way they made a conscious
decision to let chance play a part. A little wild, yet with
acertain control, is how Gerda characterises the outcome.
Sometimes I scatter seeds and let them fall where they
may we let fate decide a little.
Rose bushes are allowed to mingle with the colourful
perennials and other fowers without getting into formal
beds, and we let the ground cover run rampant, even on the
lawn. We have avoided small creeping plants, instead choosing
things like geraniums, catmint andlambs ear that really grow
strongly and can keep the weeds down.
The diferent spaces are divided by boxwood hedges,
fowerbeds, a pergola and plum trees that make a natural
transition between the garden and the wood. We have
created many seats to enjoy these spaces, says Gerda, as she
stoops to savour the fragrance of a briar rose (Rosa eglanteria).
The scent is like apples and its very concentrated after the
summer rains But whats special about this one is that its
the leaves that smell of apples and not the fowers.
Beyond the wood, felds of wheat, barley and sugar
beetare sown and harvested in strict methodical order.
But inside Hansens Place, Gerda and Erling are happy
tolet a little chance wildness take fower.
*
For more garden stories and our November planting guide,
turn to In The Garden on page145.
COUNTRY CHEF KARENA ARMSTRONG
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KARENA ARMSTRONG IS BACK, COOKING HER
VERSION OF SOUL FOOD AT THE SALOPIAN INN.
RECIPES KARENA ARMSTRONG WORDS DAVID SLY
PHOTOGRAPHY LISA COHEN STYLING VICKI VALSAMIS
Prawn dumplings in sweet corn
soup(see recipe, page 66) Enjoy
with the full-bodied flavour and soft
textured palate of the 2013 Logan
Chardonnay. FACING PAGE The cosy
dining room ofThe Salopian Inn,
ahistoric pub inSAs McLaren Vale.
W
hen chef Karena Armstrong moved from Sydney to McLaren Vale
in2004, she intended to carve out a more simple rural life. Her
husband Michael had accepted a marketing job in Adelaide, but
they chose to live in the famous vineyard district 45 minutes south of the city
and not far from Karenas parents at Moana Beach. She saw herself leaving
commercial kitchens behind to concentrate on raising a family.
However, in early 2013 the Salopian Inn was left vacant and friends suggested
Karena step in and revive the McLaren Vale dining institution that dates back to
1851. Having been away from restaurants for seven years, and with afull-time job
catering for three young sons Harry, eight, Sebastian, six, and Fletcher, four
the 40-year-old found the prospect daunting. However, Michael convinced her
to take on the challenge. In April that year they opened the new Salopian Inn,
with business partners Elena andZar Brooks of Heirloom Vineyards. I was
nervous, but determined to showthat I could do it, Karena says.
Michael gave up his high-paying job to be the manager and now works long
hours in the restaurant. Its not easy running a family and a business together,
Karena observes. But weve both got very clear skill sets that dont cross over.
Opening her own restaurant came after an impressive cooking career that
includes stints at the Lake House in Victorias Daylesford, the Melbourne Wine
Room, and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, and Billy Kwong in Sydney. Karena has
built her kitchen brigade around women, several of whom are mothers juggling
domestic duties. Hospitality work can be so anti-family. Im in a position where
Ican change that, Karena says. Kids can come in to say hi to their mums during
ashift; they come in to eat with their mums during a break. It sets the right mood.
The Salopian Inns varied menu represents the sum of what Karena loves to
cook Asian and French traditions, embracing both farmhouse generosity and
bold avour marriages, from steamed pork buns and prawn wontons to red braised
duck and Middle Eastern seafood stew. Its a pretty eclectic menu, she says. But
theres always choice and variety, and the customers love it.
And how does running a rural restaurant compare with her experiences in city
establishments? Youre much more entwined in the community and you actually
get to know your customers, which is really nice. I love it.
The Salopian Inn is at the corner of McMurtrie and Main roads,
McLaren Vale, SA. (08) 8323 8769; salopian.com.au
VIETNAMESE CHICKEN
SALAD WITH PICKLED
CARROT & PEANUTS
SERVES 6
1.9kg whole free-range chicken
1 lemongrass stem, white part only,
roughly chopped
1 bunch coriander with roots, washed,
roughly chopped
2 golden eschalots, peeled, chopped
2 teaspoons Chinese ve spice
*
10 white peppercorns
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
cup peanut oil
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons sh sauce
2 bunches asparagus, trimmed,
halved lengthways
2 Lebanese cucumbers
1 small red onion, halved, thinly sliced
extra 1 cup coriander sprigs
1 cup mint leaves
3 cups bean sprouts, trimmed
1 cups roasted unsalted peanuts,
roughly chopped
3 long red chillies, thinly sliced diagonally
PICKLED CARROT
4 large carrots, peeled
1 teaspoon caster sugar
teaspoon sea salt akes
1
/3 cup rice wine vinegar or
white wine vinegar
DRESSING
cup rice wine vinegar or
white wine vinegar
1
/3 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon caster sugar
teaspoon nely ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
Place chicken, breast side down, on
aclean work surface. Using poultry
shears or a large sharp knife, cut down
both sides of backbone and discard.
Turn chicken breast side up and push
down to fatten. Cut small 5mm-deep
incisions into thickest parts of breast
and legs. Place chicken, breast side up,
in a large ceramic baking dish.
Process lemongrass, coriander,
eschalots, fve spice, peppercorns,
tamarind paste, peanut oil, garlic and
fsh sauce in a small food processor
until a smooth paste forms. >
Vietnamese chicken salad with
pickled carrot & peanuts The citrus
freshness, elegance and intensity of
the 2007 Mount Pleasant Lovedale
Semillon is a great match for this dish.
FACING PAGE, FROM LEFT The rustic
exterior of the historic Salopian Inn;
Karena Armstrong has revitalised the
McLaren Vale dining institution.
Rub lemongrass mixture into chicken.
Cover with plastic wrap and place
in refrigerator for at least 2 hours
or overnight to marinate.
To make pickled carrot, use
avegetable peeler to peel carrots
lengthways into ribbons and place in
abowl. Sprinkle with sugar and salt.
Set aside for 5 minutes. Add vinegar
and set aside for 30 minutes to pickle.
To make dressing, whisk together
all ingredients until well combined.
Preheat a barbecue grill over a high
heat. Cook chicken, skin side down,
for 2 minutes or until charred. Turn
chicken and reduce heat to low. Cover
barbecue with hood. Cook chicken for
25 minutes or until juices run clear
when a skewer is inserted into a thigh.
Transfer chicken to a plate and cover
with foil. Rest for 15 minutes. When
cool enough to handle, remove chicken
meat from bones and coarsely shred.
Meanwhile, half fll a large frying
pan with water and bring to boil
over a high heat. Blanch asparagus
for 12minutes or until just tender.
Drain and refresh in iced water. Drain
and pat dry with paper towel. Using
avegetable peeler, peel cucumber
lengthways into ribbons.
Drain carrot and place in a large
bowl with asparagus, cucumber, onion,
extra coriander, mint, bean sprouts,
peanuts and chilli. Add chicken and
toss to combine. Just before serving,
add dressing and toss to combine.
*
Available at supermarkets.
PRAWN DUMPLINGS
IN SWEET CORN SOUP
(SEE PHOTOGRAPH, PAGE 63)
SERVES 6
6 corn cobs, husks and silk removed
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 medium brown onion, peeled,
thinly sliced
3cm piece ginger, peeled, nely grated
3 garlic cloves, crushed
8 cups salt-reduced chicken stock
cup Chinese rice wine (shaoxing)
*
or dry white wine
1
/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon salt
teaspoon ground white pepper
cup coriander sprigs, to garnish
1 green onion, trimmed, thinly sliced
PRAWN DUMPLINGS
200g green prawn meat or 400g medium
green prawns, peeled, deveined
2 green onions, trimmed, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons soy sauce
teaspoon caster sugar
pinch of white pepper
24 wonton wrappers
To make prawn dumplings, line
abaking tray with plastic wrap.
Finely chop prawn meat and place
in a bowl. Add green onion, ginger,
soy sauce, sugar and pepper, and mix
until well combined. Place 6 wonton
wrappers on a clean work surface.
Place 1 teaspoon of prawn mixture
into centre of each wrapper. Brush
edges of wrappers with water, then
fold in half diagonally to enclose
prawn mixture and form a triangle.
Transfer to prepared tray. Repeat,
in batches, with remaining wonton
wrappers and prawn mixture.
Using a sharp knife, cut down
length of each corn cob, close to
core, to remove kernels. Place
kernels in a bowl.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over
amedium heat. Add onion, ginger
and garlic, and cook, stirring, for
4minutes or until softened. Add
corn kernels and stir to combine.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for
10minutes or until corn kernels
soften. Add chicken stock, Chinese
rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, sesame
oil, salt and white pepper. Bring
to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer for 20 minutes or until
soup thickens slightly.
Meanwhile, line a tray with
baking paper. Bring a large saucepan
of water to boil over a high heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low or
until water is just simmering. Add
6wontons and cook for 4 minutes
or until wrappers are just tender.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer
wontons to prepared tray. Repeat,
in batches, with remaining wontons.
Place 4 wontons in each serving
bowl. Ladle over hot sweet corn
soup, and top with coriander sprigs
and green onion to serve.
*
Available at Asian grocery stores.
Substitute dry sherry.
CHILLI CARAMEL PORK
RIBS WITH GREEN BEAN
& SESAME SALAD
SERVES 6
1 cup soy sauce
1
/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1
/3 cup Chinese rice wine (shaoxing)
*
1
/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
10 garlic cloves, crushed
3 long red chillies, chopped
2 lemons, rind nely grated, juiced
cup peanut oil
1.5kg American-style pork ribs
cup sesame seeds
extra 2 tablespoons lemon juice
400g green beans, trimmed
1 teaspoon sea salt akes
1 cup coriander leaves
1 cup mint leaves
CHILLI CARAMEL
1 cup caster sugar
cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
5 long red chillies, thinly sliced diagonally
Combine soy sauce, vinegar,
Chineserice wine, hoisin sauce,
sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chilli,
lemon rind and lemon juice, and
2tablespoons of peanut oil in a large
ceramic baking dish. Add ribs and
turn to coat in marinade. Cover with
plastic wrap and place in refrigerator
for 4 hours to marinate.
Preheat oven to 180C. Cover
baking dish with foil. Bake ribs for
3hours or until meat falls easily away
from bones. Transfer pork ribs to
aplate. Reserve cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, to make chilli caramel,
stir sugar and cup water in a small
saucepan over a medium heat until
sugar dissolves and mixture boils.
Reduce heat to medium-low and
simmer, without stirring, for
10minutes or until mixture turns
arich caramel colour. Gradually
stir in lemon juice, taking care as
mixture may spit. Stir in fsh sauce
and tamarind paste. Add chilli and
simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce
thickens slightly. Cool.
Increase oven temperature to 200C.
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Transfer ribs to prepared tray and brush
with remaining peanut oil. Roast for
15 minutes. Coat ribs liberally with
chilli caramel and roast for a further
4minutes. Remove from oven and
drizzle with remaining chilli caramel.
Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over
amedium heat. Cook sesame seeds,
shaking pan often, for 5 minutes or
until toasted. Transfer to a bowl.
Whisk together 2 tablespoons of
reserved cooking liquid and extra
lemon juice until well combined.
Add salt to a saucepan of water and
bring to the boil. Cook beans for
2minutes or until just tender. Drain
and refresh in iced water. Drain and pat
dry with paper towel. Combine beans,
coriander and mint in a bowl. Drizzle
with lemon dressing. Toss to combine.
Arrange ribs and bean salad on
serving plates. Sprinkle bean salad
with sesame seeds and serve.
*
Available at Asian grocery stores.
Substitute dry sherry. >
KARENA ARMSTRONG COUNTRY CHEF
Chilli caramel pork ribs with green bean
& sesame salad The 2012 Heemskerk
Abels Tempest Pinot Noir has the perfect
fresh, focused savoury characters and
subtle spices to accompany the ribs.
FACING PAGE Karenas husband
Michael is the restaurant manager.
PASSIONFRUIT CURD
WITH MERINGUE
& RASPBERRIES
SERVES 6
2 eggwhites
cup caster sugar
2
/3 cup thickened cream
teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 x 125g punnets raspberries
PASSIONFRUIT CURD
200g unsalted butter, diced
6 egg yolks
cup caster sugar
300g passionfruit pulp
(about 12 passionfruit)
To make passionfruit curd, place
butter, egg yolks, sugar and passionfruit
pulp in a heatproof bowl set over a pan
half-flled with simmering water
(make sure bowl doesnt touch water).
Whisk until butter melts and mixture
is well combined. Continue to stir
with whisk for 1012 minutes or
until curd thickens. Remove from
heat. Cool. Transfer to a sterilised
jar and store in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 120C. Line
abaking tray with baking paper.
Usingan electric mixer, whisk
eggwhites in a clean, dry bowl
until soft peaks form. Gradually
add sugar, 1tablespoon at a time,
and whisk until combined. Whisk
for afurther 2 minutes or until sugar
has dissolved and meringue is stif
and glossy. Spoon meringue into
apiping bag ftted with a 1cm plain
nozzle. Pipe 4cm-long sticks onto
prepared baking tray. Bake for
30minutes or until meringues are
crisp and dry. Turn of oven. Leave
meringues in oven, with door
slightly ajar, to cool completely.
Whisk cream and vanilla in a bowl
until soft peaks form.
Layer passionfruit curd, whipped
cream, meringues and raspberries in
serving glasses. Serve immediately.
GINGER & LIME
CHEESECAKE WITH
RUM TOFFEE PINEAPPLE
SERVES 8
1 cup almond meal or pistachio meal
cup caster sugar
3 limes, rind nely grated
100g unsalted butter, melted
FILLING
500g cream cheese, at room temperature
cup caster sugar
3 egg yolks
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
5 limes, rind nely grated, juiced
RUM TOFFEE PINEAPPLE
1 ripe pineapple
100g unsalted butter
cup caster sugar
6 kafr lime leaves
2
/3 cup rum
Preheat oven to 170C. Grease
a36cm x 13cm futed tart pan with
removable base. Combine almond
meal, sugar and lime rind in a bowl.
Add melted butter and stir to combine.
Press almond mixture evenly over base
of prepared pan. Cover with baking
paper and fll with pastry weights,
riceor dried beans. Bake for
15minutes or until golden brown.
Remove paper and pastry weights.
Roughly chop cream cheese. Using
an electric mixer, whisk cream cheese,
sugar, egg yolks, eggs, ginger, vanilla,
lime rind and cup of lime juice until
smooth and combined. Pour mixture
over almond base. Bake for 15 minutes
or until just set and lightly browned.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
To make tofee pineapple, remove
skin from pineapple. Cut pineapple
into quarters lengthways and remove
core. Thinly slice lengthways. Melt
butter in a large frying pan over
amedium heat. Add sugar and stir
until sugar dissolves. Cook, stirring
occasionally, for 8 minutes or until
mixture turns a rich caramel colour.
Increase heat to medium-high. Add
lime leaves and pineapple, and stir to
coat in tofee mixture. Add rum and
stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes
or until pineapple is glossy and lightly
caramelised. Cool.
Slice cheesecake, and serve with
pineapple and tofee sauce.
*
Passionfruit curd with
meringue & raspberries
The 2011 Heggies Botrytis
Riesling delivers luscious toffee
apple sweetness balanced
by bright natural acidity.
YOURE MUCH MORE
ENTWINED IN THE
COMMUNITY AND YOU
ACTUALLY GET TO KNOW
YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Ginger & lime cheesecake with rum
toffee pineapple An ideal match for
this dessert, the 2013 Bloodwood Silk
Purse is a lightly botrytised ice wine
with flavours of ginger and apricot
nectar, and great acid/sugar balance.
BRENDAFAWDON, AMOUNT TAMBORINE
CHEF, IS LEADINGAFOODIE TOUR OF
ITALYS LIGURIANCOAST FROMOCTOBER
28 TONOVEMBER 2. IF YOUHURRY, YOU
COULDSTILL BOOKTOENJOY SUPERB
CUISINE ANDCOOKINGCLASSES IN
STUNNINGSURROUNDINGS. (07) 3844
1132; MONDO-ORGANICS.COM.AU
flavours
SALTY TALES AND FRESH ASPARAGUS
CATCH BARBARA SWEENEYS FANCY.
SAVOURY COMPANY IN NSWS BARHAM, BUNDARRA BERKSHIRES MAKES DELICIOUS FRICANDEAUX
SPICED MINCED PORK TO SERVE WITH BREAD, PICKLE, CORNICHONS OR CHEESE. BUNDARRABERKSHIRES.COM
TASTE THE SEA
Olssons Macrobiotic Sea Salt
($6.20, 250g) has a distinct
mineral tang, the flavour
of the Queensland coast
where it was formed.
1800 804 096;
olssons.com.au
Australians lag way behind
the Swiss in the asparagus
stakes: for every bunch eaten
here, the Swiss consume eight
grilled, steamed or dipped in
a tasty fondue. Lets try to
catch up: Australian-grown
green asparagus is available
through to April, but if its the
purple variety youre after,
November is when to nd it.
The Fennellys 12-hectare property
is near thesmall town of Wilberforce
andonly astones throw from the
Hawkesbury River. When the couple
bought it 12 years ago, there was
acitrus orchard of 150 trees, mostly
the bitter Seville orange used in marmalade. I couldnt
bear to pull them out and I do love marmalade, says
Susan. So she kept the orchard and continued to sell to
a large jam manufacturer until she was told that it could
import oranges for less than the 29cents a kilogram it
had been paying her. Susan now supplies a small
producer, Lynwood Preserves (which has the jam in the
jar within 24 hours of picking), and sells direct to home
jam makers through the online shop Farmhouse Direct.
The Hawkesbury has always been a fruit-growing
district and the climate enables Susan to eschew the use
of chemicals. However, drought in the past few years
has affected the oranges. Theyre smaller and there are
fewerof them, she says. But they still taste sweet.
Hawkesbury Estate Orchard. (02) 4575 4095;
farmhousedirect.com.au
Susan and Stephen Fennelly,
Lower Portland, NSW
MEET THE PRODUCERS
Theyre a community-minded lot at
Victor Harbor. A recent Long Table
breakfast at the market under
amarquee with tables for eight, and food
supplied and cooked by stallholders
raised $1200 for charity. Everyone felt
good about it, says market manager Lea
Auerbach. But then, theres something
tofeel good about every week: fresh
seafood, Red Angus beef, free-range
pork, eggs, vegetables, dried fruit, wine
and homemade Greek sweets.
t 8)&/ Saturday, 8am12.30pm
t 8)&3& Grosvenor Gardens,
Victor Harbor, SA
t $0/5"$5 0429 537 404;
victorharborfarmersmarket.com.au
7JDUPS )BSCPS
'BSNFST .BSLFU
FLAVOURS
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FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION
Telephone ~ 02 8338 7200
Email ~ paulinl@paragold.com.au
W
hat is it with pigs and wine? Pigs and swine
Iunderstand. But pigs and wine? I know plenty
of wine bores but not any wine boars. But still
this nebulous association persists. Ive just received two
pieces of correspondence from winemakers and both had
a pig embossed on their stationery. One delivery. Two pigs.
One was from Pig In The House, a boutique vineyard and
winery near NSWs Cowra, owned by Jason ODea and his
wife, Rebecca. The 20-hectare vineyard began conversion
to organic practices in 2001 after the couple moved into
an old house among the vines that was once home to
somedomestically inclined free-range pigs.
Is there still a pig living in the house? It depends
who you ask, says Jason.
Okay, an established link there but what about the
next piece of mail? It was from Mudgees newest producer,
Well Mannered Wine, with a letterhead bearing a handsome
pig divided into cuts. Pigs and manners seemed an unlikely
association, so I read on. Under winemaker James Manners,
Well Mannered Wine has released two products worth
investigating a 2013 Manners Shiraz and a 2013
Manners Tempranillo. I can only assume the pig has
something to do with his business partner Nick Bacon.
Hunt around and youll find an under-priced Marlborough
sauvignon blanc and a central Otago pinot noir carrying the
Squealing Pig label. The 2013 Black Pig Shiraz from McLaren
Vale is not to be snorted at, and Pepper Tree Wines in the
Hunter Valley makes an interesting Sticky Pig dessert wine.
Look out for Jim Barrys Three Little Pigs Cabernet
Shiraz Malbec, named after the three pigs that managing
director Peter Barry adds to the menagerie at the winery
each year. They are a popular attraction up until Christmas
Day, after which they mysteriously disappear.
And then, of course, theres the Piggs Peake winery at
Pokolbin. No pun is left unturned here. Sows Ear Semillon,
Silk Purse Verdelho, House Of Straw Merlot, Hogshead
Chardonnay, Suckling Pig Zinfandel and, everyones
favourite, Crackling Rose. Nothing cute about the
quality, though. These are seriously impressive wines.
But back to Pig In The House and how they went with
their organic venture. The current release, the 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, has been named the 2014 National Association for
Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) Certified Organic
Wine of the Year. Awards organiser Ben Copeman, NASAAs
general manager, says the first competition open only to
wines grown and made in Australia by certified producers
attracted around 100 entries, which is impressive.
Winner Jason ODea commented that 2014 marked
10years of organic certification for Pig in the House,
andthe award recognised the commitment and hard
workinvolved in growing and crafting organic wine.
Commitment, note, not pig-headedness.
*
Top tipple 2012 Pig In The House Cabernet Sauvignon, about $25
There are fresh, fragrant fruit notes across the blackcurrantmulberry spectrum with just a hint of juniper.
This wine is poised rather than complex and finishes with a satisfying dusty, silky texture. It should be
enjoyed while it retains its vibrance. No wonder this hogged the spotlight at the NASAA awards.
go the whole hog
Rob Ingram discovers theres much more
than word play to the pig and wine alliance.
WINE
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The Integrated Side-by-Side combination
with three climate zones
With BioFresh, food retains its healthy
vitamins, fresh appearance and full
avour for up to three times longer than
in an average refrigerator crisper
Professional quality freezing performance
Automatic IceMaker
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Email sales@andico.com.au or call
1800 685 899 now for more information
and your nearest stockist.
The perfect
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R
Im a shellfsh lover from way back. And I have a particular
weakness for the bivalve varieties scallops, mussels, oysters,
pipis and cockles, as well as vongole and other varieties of clams.
In the late 70s, when my family lived in New Zealand for a stretch,
Dad and I followed the locals down to the beach at low tide and scoured
the sand for clams. Unfortunately, my father didnt apply his considerable
cooking talents to preparing these ill-fated molluscs. Instead, he boiled
the bejesus out of them. In the frst minute of cooking, the clam shells
gave up the good fght, utterly vanquished and splayed, while the
shrivelled meat was boiled for about half an hour more, until the
smell of overcooked shellfsh and briny water flled the kitchen.
Dad served up these bivalve bullets with basmati rice. One mouthful of
the salty, rubbery, gritty swill was enough to put me of clams for years.
My little sister cried and Mum refused to entertain a taste. I wonder if
the fsh and chip shop is still open, Dad said, with an air of defeat.
During my apprenticeship, the Italians I worked with persuaded me to
give them another go. On receiving a bag of fossicked clams, the chef
conjured up a classic spaghetti alle vongole for staf dinner. While everyone
else tucked in, I tentatively poked at my meal. Finally, their slurping and
noises of appreciation impelled me to dive in from then on I was a fan.
The Italians are experts when it comes to clams. They tend to cook
them quickly over a high heat with very few other ingredients, enabling
you to taste and appreciate their glorious favour. One of the best ways to
enjoy clams is in a pasta dish enhanced with the addition of pangrattato
an Italian term for toasted breadcrumbs. Pangrattato act like little
sponges, soaking up the oil and delicious cooking juices, while sticking
to the pasta. (In many ways, they are quite similar to bivalves.)
So, roll up your sleeves and give clams a go in this simple pasta dish that
combines the fresh favours of parsley and lemon with the sweet, refned
taste of just cooked clams. And, if its your frst experience with this
more-ish mollusc, I assure you it will be absolutely nothing like mine!
*
Steve Cumper was the frst winner of Country Styles Country Chef of the
Year Award, and is the owner of The Red Velvet Lounge at 24 Mary Street,
Cygnet, Tasmania. (03) 6295 0466; theredvelvetlounge.com.au
3 cup white wine
cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 lemon, rind finely grated, juiced
To make pangrattato, process
sourdough in a food processor
until coarse breadcrumbs form.
Heat 2tablespoons of oil in alarge
frying pan over a medium heat.
Cook breadcrumbs, stirring frequently,
for 34 minutes or until light golden.
Transfer to a plate lined with paper
towel. Cool.
Cook spaghetti in a large saucepan of
salted boiling water according to packet
instructions or until al dente. Drain.
Return to pan and cover to keep warm.
Heat a heavy-based frying pan with
atight-ftting lid over a high heat until
very hot. Add clams and wine. Cover
and cook, shaking pan occasionally,
for 4minutes or until clams open.
Addgarlic, parsley, lemon rind and
juice, spaghetti and remaining oil,
andgently toss to combine. Season
with sea salt and freshly ground black
pepper. Add half of pangrattato and
tossto combine.
Divide among serving plates. Serve
immediately with remaining pangrattato.
NOTE Clams are sold live their shells
should be closed, or close when tapped or gently
squeezed, and they should have apleasant
sea smell. Due to their sandy habitat, clams
can contain a bit of grit, so check with your
fshmonger to ensure theyve been purged.
Steve Cumpers chequered
history with clams.
life of brine
PHOTOGRAPHY CRAIG WALL
STYLING GERALDINE MUOZ
COUNTRY COOK STEVE CUMPER
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never too late
In retirement, Bill Bevan found he had a air for baking
and has spent the past 25 years perfecting his skills.
WORDS SARAH NEIL PHOTOGRAPHY CRAIG WALL STYLING GERALDINE MUOZ
N
inety-one-year-old Bill Bevan discovered his talent for baking late in life.
The former trawler skipper and truck driver from Corrimal in NSW stepped
up to thestove in his 60s and has since perfected the art of baking, winning
asponge competition at his granddaughters primary school, and making the family
Christmas cakes and puddings. His greatest achievement so far fve years ago when
Bill was 86 was a three-tiered fruitcake for another granddaughters wedding.
When my mother became ill during her early 50s, Dad took over the cooking
and began to bake the cakes Mum fancied, says Bills daughter, Sharne Sjostedt.
Mum really loved this sponge cake it was her favourite.
Although he was a dab hand at the barbecue, Bill had no real experience in the
kitchen but he was a fast learner. He really likes the process and he follows
therecipe exactly, Sharne says. Dad is now recognised as the baker of the
family. Hisscones, sponges and cakes of all descriptions take pride of place
at celebrations. At least once a fortnight he makes something to take to
the Corrimal Community Mens Shed for morning tea usually
banana bread, and sometimes cupcakes or date slice. He takes pride
in his baking and it delights him that people enjoy what he makes.
A few weeks ago, Dad made a wedding cake for my friends son.
It took eight hours to cook and he decorated it with plain icing.
These days I usually help him with the fruitcakes, but he insisted
on making this one on his own. It was a labour of love.
*
SHARE YOUR FAMILY FAVOURITES
Do you have a recipe that has been passed
down through generations? Send us your
recipe, the story behind it and, if possible,
aphotograph (preferably acopy or scan) of
the relative who passed it on. Remember
toinclude a daytime telephone number.
Email us at austcountrystyle@news.com.au
or send a letter to Heirloom Recipe,
Country Style, Level 1, Locked Bag
5030, Alexandria, NSW 2015.
SPONGE CAKE WITH
PASSIONFRUIT ICING
SERVES 8
20g butter, melted
2 tablespoons plain flour
4 eggs, separated
cup caster sugar
1 cup cornflour
1 tablespoon custard powder
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 cups pure icing sugar
12 passionfruit, halved, pulp removed
1 cup thickened cream
Preheat oven to 200C. Brush two
20cm round sandwich pans with
melted butter to grease. Dust each
pan with 1tablespoon of plain four
and line bases with baking paper.
Using an electric mixer, beat
eggwhites until stif peaks form. Add
caster sugar and beat for 3 minutes or
until sugar dissolves and meringue is
thick and glossy. Add egg yolks and beat
until just combined. Sift cornfour,
custard powder, cream of tartar and
bicarbonate of soda over egg mixture.
Using a large metal spoon, fold in
cornfour mixture. Spoon mixture
among prepared pans. Bake for
20minutes or until golden and sponge
springs back when lightly touched. Line
2 wire racks with baking paper. Turn
sponges onto prepared racks to cool.
Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add
passionfruit pulp, 1 tablespoon at a time,
and stir until icing is smooth. Stand for
10 minutes or until thickened slightly.
Whisk cream until soft peaks form.
Place 1 sponge, top side down, on
acake stand or serving plate. Spoon
over cream. Top with remaining sponge
and spread with passionfruit icing.
HEIRLOOM RECIPE
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HARVEST TABLE COMPETITION
HOW TO ENTER
For Best Class or School Harvest Table, send photographs and a description of how
you created the table in 300 words or less, with the school and class name, contact
name, address and telephone number. For Best Home Harvest Table Journal, send the
journal with the adults and childs name, address and telephone number. We will be
unable to return all journals; photographs become the property of NewsLifeMedia
Pty Ltd. Send entries to Country Style, Harvest Table Competition, Level 1, Locked
Bag 5030, Alexandria, NSW 2015. Entries close on October 17, 2014.
OUR HARVEST TABLE COMPETITION, WITH
$5000 AND AN IPAD4 IN PRIZES, CLOSES SOON.
LAST CHANCE!
All entries to our Harvest Table competition must be received by
October17. The contest, now in its fourth year, is a popular activity
atmanyschools and in both city and country students are establishing
plots of wintervegetables, nurturing tropical fruit, or fnding acorner
togrow pots of herbs or salad greens. We hope youhave enjoyed getting
outside and watching the progress from planting toharvest, followed
bythecelebratory feast: now, make sure you send in your photographs
andjournals in time for the judges to choose the winners.
*
There are two great prizes to be won:
1. $5000 for the Best Class or School Harvest Table.
2. An iPad4 (16GB with wi-f) for an individual students
journal on their vegetable patch (their own or their schools).
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Warwick Fuller (left) and Sean
Murphy with kelpie Digger, and
Tinkers Hill in the background.
FACING PAGE Close-up of a chair
Warwick painted many years ago.
LITTLE HARTLEY NSW PEOPLE
LANDSCAPE PAINTER WARWICK FULLER AND ABC
JOURNALIST SEAN MURPHY DECIDED TO CREATE A BOOK
TOGETHER AFTER MEETING BY A CAMP FIRE.
WORDS CATHERINE McCORMACK PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE
verse with a view
L
ike many good camp-fre yarns, the story of
howlandscape painter Warwick Fuller and
ABC journalist Sean Murphy came to collaborate
on Warwicks new self-published book, Impressions
&Interpretations, is a mix of luck and a little liquor.
Last year, I was doing a story in Dubbo for Landline on
theAustralian Plein-Air Artists Group, Sean says. They go
camping four or fve times a year, and paint outdoors and eat
camp food and talk a bit of bull around the fre at night with
a few red wines. It was at one of those after-dinner sessions
that Warwick mentioned his ambition to do this project.
The book Warwicks frst is a collection of
55favourite paintings, each accompanied by a poem from
Sean. I didnt want to have a book that was just 100pages of
paintings; I thought that would be a bit boring, but Ididnt
want to write a lengthy essay either, Warwick saysof his
search for someone who could add some ftting words.
That night, I told Sean I was having trouble fnding
someone who I felt really understood my work and could
interpret it. Sean said, I write a bit of poetry. Lucky it was
dark or he would have seen my eyes roll.
To Warwicks surprise, Seans work was good and had
all the qualities I like in poetry. So he showed me another
one and it was even better! The two spent the next year
exchanging ideas, with Sean often writing while on the road
for Landline. Poetry is something Ive dabbled with over
the years, but this project is the frst time Ive really applied
myself to it, he says. It was a bit of a journey of discovery.
In turn, Seans poems have, given me great satisfaction,
Warwick says. I like it best when my work can resonate
with somebody so well that they can respond to it in the
same way I responded to the landscape.
He paints mainly outdoors but also in his studio at home.
Perched atop 10 hectares near Little Hartley, a few
kilometres west of Mount Victoria in the NSW Blue
Mountains, the little timber house is well positioned
toappreciate the landscape. The front door is reached via
araised wooden footbridge, with the living area and balcony
opening to panoramic views of the Kanimbla Valley. Below,
acurved path leads to an outdoor setting among the gum
trees and, further still, hidden deep in the greenery, the clear
water of the Coxs River cuts its course across the property.
Warwick built the house 15 years ago, when he and his
wife, Wendy, moved to the area. Originally we were going
to live here for a year while I built a mudbrick house lower
down, he says. But, in the end, Wendy didnt like the idea
of going lower because the views are so beautiful from here.
The balcony in late afternoon is Warwicks favourite spot.
The little point there, which youll see in many of my
paintings, is Tinkers Hill, he says. In late afternoon, the
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT New
tools for the former toolmaker; Sean
in writing mode; Warwicks studio
takes upthe top storey of the house;
the view from the verandah towards
the Coxs River and Marsdens Rock.
sun sets behind it, and you get lovely folds in the hills and
shadows, as well as beautiful skies and sunsets.
Largely self-taught, Warwick grew up in Sydneys western
suburbs where, nobody talked about art, nobody had art
books or talked about going to galleries, he says. It didnt
even occur to me that there was a career in it. The
tradesmans son instead began an apprenticeship with
atoolmaker at 15, hoping to one day work his way into
thedrawing ofce. That same year, 1965, he met Wendy,
who became the catalyst for his frst landscape painting.
She said, What do you do? and I said, Im an artist.
I didnt say that out of bravado or to try and impress
her,I just thought of myself that way because I was always
drawing and painting with poster paints. She said, Could you
paint me a picture? I went up behind the picture theatre at
Fairfeld where theres a little bit of something that I liked,
and painted this awful picture and framed it.
The work still hangs in his studio, alongside a large
collection of fnished paintings, works in progress and
colourful art supplies. With red kelpie Digger often asleep
at his feet, Warwick tends to fnish paintings here or
translate smaller works onto larger canvases. In the early
days, he painted at night and in his spare time. Then at 29,
with two young children, he very naively threw in his
day job to paint full time. I think Iwas painting for nine
or 10 years before I was earning enough to pay tax, he
says. It has now been more than 35 years of Warwick
donninghis wide-brimmed black hat, taking his easel
intothe landscape and, painting as fast as I can so I can
capture what Im looking at.
To date, he has held more than 60 solo exhibitions in
Australia and overseas, won a swag of awards and has work
in private and public collections. In 2012 he was invited by
the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who had
seen his work at a London show, to accompany them as
ofcial artist on their tour of Australia, with four of his
paintings later acquired for the royal collection.
The book and his collaboration with Sean have been
ahighlight in what has been an challenging emotional
time of late, withWendy, who is sufering Alzheimers,
now in care at nearby Leura and Warwicks painting
having to take something of a backseat. But he remains
grounded at the little house with the big view. Its a great
place here, I know all the neighbours, hesays. Even
though were spread out, theres a really wonderful
community feel. I absolutely love this place.
*
Impressions & Interpretations has been launched withan
accompanying exhibition that runs until October 27 at Lost
Bear Gallery, 98 Lurline Street, Katoomba, NSW. The book
may alsobe purchased from warwickfuller.com for $85 plus postage.
LITTLE HARTLEY NSW PEOPLE
The nished book Warwick checks
a sketch forthe work in progress to
his left;capturing a favourite vista
on the Little Hartley property.
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WHEN BRONWYN AND ALAN WOOD LEFT SYDNEY TO LIVE
ON THE LAND, THEIR MAIN AMBITION WAS TO BE MORE
INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN.
our life in the country
WORDS KYLIE WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE
OUR LIFE IN THE COUNTRY
Alan and Bronwyn
Wood with two of their
daughters, Mathilda,
left, and Jemima with
her quarterhorse, Spin.
alan I grew up in the north-west of Sydney; it was
asemi-rural area then, so I used to jump on my bike on the
weekend, go fshing in farm dams and crayfshing in creeks.
And then when I was 12, one of the boarders at my school
took me back to his farm at West Wyalong. I loved it. I learnt
how to drive a tractor and fall of a horse. Thats where it
started. I spent a lot of holidays on peoples farms after that.
I think the love of the country was always in me. Its hard
to be a small farmer these days, though, because everything
is about economies of scale and being big. You cant
compete on a price level, no matter how good your
productis: we cant produce olive oil for what they sell
itfor in the supermarket. Thats why we value-add for
example, in the food range as well as olive oil we do
dukkah, tapenades and marinated olives.
For 20 years I sold people things they didnt need, they
didnt want and that, generally, were bad for them things
like soft drink and takeaway food. As a young guy you
dont think about that. And now we do the opposite, we
sell food thats really good for you.
I just love being in the country. And I like the fact that
our children are growing up in such an active, healthy
outdoor environment. If I was living in the city, I wouldnt
see them in the morning and I probably wouldnt see
them in the evening, either. Certainly not in the industry
Iworked in the hours were very long, I was rarely
home before eight oclock.
So now I see them in the morning and drive them to
the school bus, and we all sit down to dinner together
andI can help them with homework. I have far more
involvement in their lives. That was what moving was all
about, really; I wanted to see my children grow up and
Iknew it wasnt going to happen where I was.
There have been challenges. When we bought the farm
ithad a crayfsh business, but the ponds leaked, which meant
we werecontinually pumping water and then we ran into
adrought. So we lost the crayfsh business within two years of
moving here and because of that we lost the farm tours wed
been doing, too. But Bronwyn and I, we work well together,
and weve just jumped each hurdle as it came. Stuf happens
when youre a farmer and you just have to roll with the
punches. I think were both pretty resilient you have to be.
If we have a fault, the two of us, its that we put our
children before the businesses, all the time. Most people >
T
hirteen years ago, Bronwyn and Alan Wood left
behind busy lives in Sydney for a dream. I worked
in advertising for 20 years and I was over it,
Alan says. Wed had Jemima by then and I knew if
Istayed in advertising I wouldnt see my children. I was
always away from home and working a million hours.
And then I lost my job. We came close to doing the
expat thing and I had a job offer in Sydney, but then we
thought, Lets do something crazy. So we put our house
on the market and it sold in three days.
With their then 18-month-old daughter, they moved
to Queensland on April Fools Day, says Bronwyn.
They lived at Maleny and Kin Kin until 2004, when
they bought a small farm near Kilkivan, in the Wide
Way-Burnett region about three hours north of Brisbane.
Today, the 80-hectare property which they named
Fat Hen Farm, after the creek that borders their land is
home to Jemima, 15, Charlotte, 12, and nine-year-old
Mathilda, plus ve horses, two dogs, two cats and plenty
of fat hens. The Woods raise sheep, fatten cattle and run
two businesses Fat Hen Farm food products, and an
Olive Skin Food skincare range, both using oil from their
olive grove. Most of the chilli and herbs used in the food
range are picked from their own vegetable garden.
Its a busy life. There are the cattle and sheep and other
animals. There are farmers markets every weekend to sell
their wares, and with three active daughters Jemima
and Mathilda are keen riders, attending eventing and
showjumping competitions, while Charlotte is a netballer,
swimmer and runner theres plenty of family travel, too.
When Country Style visits, Charlotte is away at a school
camp. On the day she returned, the family would head
straight to Brisbane for the Ekka, the annual agricultural
show, before another weekend of markets and sport.
Having children was a big deal for us, we wanted
tobe present parents, Alan says. It has been a great
wayto bring them up.
I just love being in the
country. And I like the fact
that our children are
growing up in such an
active, healthy outdoor
environment.
Alan and Bronwyn amid the 650
trees in their olive grove; youngest
daughter Mathilda exercises her
pony, Rocky; Efe, one of the
familys hens, thinks shes a dog,
says Bronwyn, and likes to hang out
with Slim; the property is always
achanging landscape, says
Bronwyn; the Fat Hen Farm food
range includes extra virgin olive oil,
dukkah, tapenade and marinated
olives; sheep are also run on the
property; the house, Bella Vista,
was built in 1907. FACING PAGE
Relaxing on the homes wide
verandah, with Pepe, one of
the cats, and Efe the hen.
are dedicated to their income and retirement savings,
and all of that. We put our family frst thats ultimately
why were here. If we were just about money, Id still
beworking in the city.
bronwyn I grew up on the North Shore in Sydney,
although my family history is farming and rural on my
mothers side, and all my cousins live in rural NSW. Maybe
its because I havent always lived on the land that I know
Im so lucky to be able to live a country lifestyle, even
though it comes with many ups and downs.
Weve experienced real extremes of drought and then
devastating foods over the past few years and it is amazing
to watch the land change so dramatically from dust to lush
green in such a short period. I love running my dogs in
the early mornings across the property because its always
achanging landscape.
We enjoy the outdoor life very much and I try not to
take that for granted. Spending the frst 15 years of my
working life in a city ofce and commuting in Sydney
trafc has given me a real appreciation of what we have
here. Ican see my horses roam in the paddocks from my
ofce window and because we are our own bosses, we can
decide our own work times. I can down tools, leave the
computer, catch my horse and take her for a ride I fnd
it great to de-stress and clear my head.I love the space, and
the peace, of living here. And I love having horses. I always
wanted apony when I was a child.
The people we bought the property from did food and
skincare in a smaller way. I renamed the skincare range
andrelaunched it about a year after we got here, with
justfour products, and its been growing ever since.
Andearlier this year I launched a junior range, which
Jemima uses. Everything is chemical-free, sulfate-free and
100 per cent made from plant ingredients. I make it all
byhand we turned what was a bed and breakfast
onthe property, a little one-bedroom cottage, into our
production and packing space. During holidays the
girlswill help with putting things in jars.
One reason we enjoy bringing up the kids in this sort of
environment is because they are less exposed to the needs
and wants and must haves that kids in the city face. Im
really happy that theyve been able to grow up with
afreedom lots of kids in the city dont get. And theyve
learnt that food doesnt just come from a supermarket shelf.
They appreciate the importance of the daily care of their
animals and helping with the farm chores.
We look after our property and work as hard as we
can,but we put the kids frst. I like to always spend the
afternoon with the kids when they get home from
school they catch a bus to Gympie, which is about
half an hour away. Theyre our investment, not from
a fnancial point of view, but our investment in the
future. Theyre the future of our country.
*
For more information about Fat Hen Farm food products and
theOlive Skin Food range, visit fathenfarm.com.au
FROM LEFT Jemima on her
thoroughbred, JR, and Mathilda
on Rocky take a ride through the
olive trees; Mathilda with Efe.
Available at leading homewares and department stores.
www.maxwellandwilliams.com.au
PAINTER HANS HEYSEN HELPED CHANGE THE WAY AUSTRALIANS
SAW THEIR COUNTRY AND NOW ARTIST TOM CARMENT AND
PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL WEE FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.
WORDS AND ILLUSTRATIONS TOM CARMENT PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE
learning the landscape
JOURNEY FLINDERS RANGES SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mountains form a vast amphitheatre
17 kilometres by eight kilometres at
Wilpena Pound in the heart of the
Flinders Ranges National Park.
R
iding along a pebbly dry creek bed in the Flinders
Ranges, a man on horseback noticed a very
woolly merino wether up a narrow-mouthed
gorge. This wether must have missed several musters and
stayed alive because of a small spring in that glade. Heavily
weighed down by wool and trapped among the steep rocks,
it had nowhere to go but not much need to move, either.
The man caught the wether and shore it with hand
clippers. The heavy feece of long wool would have been an
awkward burden on the long ride back to the homestead, so
he placed it under a fat rock, to be retrieved at a better time.
Later, it annoyed him that hed never rediscovered that
small gorge, and he went to his deathbed with the feece
lost. Years passed until, eventually, one of the sons located
the feece, under the rock and still in good condition.
Andrew Nicolson Snr, from Middleback Station, told me
this story a few years ago, and when I asked him recently if
he could check the facts of it for me, he reckoned that
maybe there were two stories: one of a lost feece, at
Wirrealpa Station, and another, of a sheep that had not
been shorn for fve years, with unbroken fbres of record
length. His friend at Elders Stock and Station Agents in
Port Augusta had processed it.
Tales like these were born out of the regions hard
history. In the 1840s and 1850s, under the misapprehension
that rain follows the plough, early European settlers
travelled north into South Australias Flinders Ranges.
They cut down trees, fenced of paddocks, built stone
houses and planted wheat as far as Wilpena Pound. Soon,
bad seasons forced them back south and only the pastoralists
with their merino sheep remained. Ruins of houses lie
scattered across the bare hills between Quorn and Hawker.
Hans Heysen, after whom this walking track is named, was
a German-born painter who settled at Hahndorf in the hills
east of Adelaide. His paintings of venerable gum trees in
golden light had enormous popular appeal from the 1920s
onwards. The art critic Robert Hughes likened Heysens tree
trunks to the way Rubens painted the fesh of his large nudes.
Heysen went out each day, dressed in jacket and gaiters,
drawing in pencil and conte crayon, and painting in
IT BECAME ACCEPTABLE TO CONSIDER THE
MORE ARID PARTS OF AUSTRALIA LOVELY.
watercolours. He turned these studies into oil paintings
only on his return to Hahndorf, back in his studio.
Heysen made eight visits in all, during an era when
atrip to the Flinders took time and careful planning.
Itwasnt until 1928 that Heysen ventured north, up to
thedrier landscape of the ranges. He found the dramatic
landforms impressive and was attracted to the clean
edgesof the hills, without much foliage.
Heysen didnt travel to the ranges when theyd had
agood season and lots of rain, when the hills would
havebeen covered, as he said, in a mantle of green
whichto me was most disconcerting and out of
harmony. In his minds eye it was a bare, brown and
ochre landscape. Despite this limitation, Heysens images
of the ranges helped to transform conservative popular
perceptions of beauty. It became acceptable to consider
themore arid parts of Australia lovely.
The Heysen Trail runs from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu
Peninsular to Parachilna Gorge and covers 1200 kilometres.
If you walked the whole thing, as some hardy walkers do, >
FLINDERS RANGES SOUTH AUSTRALIA JOURNEY
FROM FAR LEFT Wide open spaces north of Wilpena Pound;
Morning at the Pound, the painting and the photograph; Tom
Carment sets to work; Toms sketch map of the trails northern
end; Yanyanna Hut, a former shepherds hut, now shelters hikers.
BELOW Blinman Run pastoral station once carried 120,000 sheep.
it would take 60 days and need a lot of preparation, including
food and water drops. During the peak of summer, its too
hot for the inland sections and during winter, it can be windy
and wet, with the nights long and cold. Water is often
unavailable along the route and fres are mostly banned.
I chose to walk the northernmost section, between
Wilpena Pound and Parachilna Gorge the most
spectacular and perhaps the hardest part. It would
normally take fve days. I cheated and didnt walk it in
alinear fashion, as I went there with my Adelaide friend
Tanya, a landscape architect, and her 10-year-old daughter,
Eloise. We pitched our two tents at Wilpena Pound, and
walked and drove out from there each day to sample
diferent sections of the track to the north.
Our main aim was to walk some way along each section,
eat a sandwich, draw and paint watercolours. The distance
we covered depended on how Eloises walking legs felt.
By day six she was able to manage 19 kilometres.
Wilpena Pound is a destination for many inland travellers
and tourists, who usually dont stay longer than a day or
two. Its at the edge of a circular fat valley surrounded
by sharp-edged hills, and is not, as is often assumed,
the crater of an old volcano. The northernmost part
of the trail starts just three kilometres west, along the
road fromhere where the ABC Ranges join the Gorge.
Theinformation panel at thetrack head told us that
there was once an Aboriginal ochre mine on a nearby
hill. The Adnyamathanha people tunnelled between
the rocks into rich seamsof red ochre. This was shaped
into oval cakes thatwere carried on heads orin dilly
bags. At a certain time of year, the men would walk
hundreds of kilometres to trade the ochre for
boomerangs, shields, and pitjuri (anintoxicant leaf).
The trail south from this noticeboard exemplifed
the picture postcard idea of the Flinders big, gracious
rivergums growing out of a dry stony creek bed, smaller
cypress pines studding the steep scarps on either side.
After days of cloud and misty rain, we were cheered by
a sky of deep cobalt blue. We kept going until we reached
the junction of Wild Dog Creek, from where we could
look down valleys in three directions. We sat and painted
within a stones throw of each other until we were hungry.
On our last day we walked across the big circular plain
tothe southern side of the Pound at Bridle Gap, over nine
kilometres away. It was a big efort for Eloise, but we all
agreed the view from the Gap was worth it and I cracked
open a tin of baked beans to celebrate. We did watercolours
on the rocky bluf. On the trek back, Eloise, growing
weary, kept stopping to scrape mud of her white trainers.
I worried that Id cajoled her to walk beyond her limit.
Cmon, youll only get them muddy again in the next
puddle, I said. Look, I promise to clean them for you
when we get back. Im ashamed to say I didnt do that.
*
FLINDERS RANGES SOUTH AUSTRALIA JOURNEY
WE SAT AND PAINTED WITHIN A STONES THROW
OF EACH OTHER UNTIL WE WERE HUNGRY.
CLOCKWISE, FROM FAR LEFT
Evening, East Wilpena; bush scene
at Wilpena Pound; Flinders Ranges
looking south from Yanyanna; a south
Flinders Ranges view at early evening;
capturing the colours; working on
the view; Evening, St Mary Peak.
Tom Carment is the winner of this years
$20,000 NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting
Prize, so its no surprise painting outdoors
was a primary objective of his Flinders
Ranges trip. This is an edited extract from
Tom and Michael Wees book, Seven Walks:
Cape Leeuwin To Bundeena (Roc-Hin,
$69.95.) As a special offer, readers can order
the volume with a15 per cent discount at
sevenwalks.com, or telephone (02) 8003
4299 and quote the code ACS 2905.
See whats possible
BRAND NEW SEASON
PM
AEDT
lifestyle.com.au/granddesigns
D
ogs have always been part of the Costello
household. Years ago, if you visited Merelyn
andChris, and their children Joel and Emma,
youwould have had a furry of six Scottish terriers
weaving around your ankles and claiming your attention.
Time has brought changes. In 2007 Merelyn and Chris,
art dealers and owners of Fine Art Australia, movedfrom
Sydney to the town of Berry onthe NSW south coast, and
the Scotties, sadly, are no longer with them. The yelps of
excitement and dancing blur of black, tan and white that
greet you on arrival belong to a family of fve kelpies.
Arkie, Tilly, Bo, Diddley and Molly are part of the
furniture literally. The dogs have pride of place in
theliving room, where they recline on large beanbags,
andthe rug by the fre is an especially nice spot in winter.
With so many acquaintances to be made at the same
time, is it any wonder that theres a little confusion? It takes
a while to get a fx on whos who. So thats Arkie? No,
thats Diddley. Okay, how about that one?Molly? You can
always pick Molly, shes got a little bit of cattle dog in her.
The dogs came to Merelyn and Chris via family
connections in Hillston, in western NSW. Chriss
great-grandfather, John Costello, was a pioneering
grazier in the late 19th century, exploring vast tracts
of NSW, the Northern Territory and Queensland with
his brother-in-law, Patrick Durack. Chris grew up on
a merino property near Hillston.
The kelpies are all descended from an earlier Bo, a prized
working dog that belonged to Chriss father. It was on
avisit to Hillston in 2009 that Arkie, 11 months, and
four-month-old Tilly were pressed on Merelyn and Chris.
They were excess to requirements on a neighbours farm
and would have been put down, Merelyn says.
Three years later, in 2011, on another visit out west,
Merelyn and Chris again made the trip back to the coast
with canine cargo. Bo was a rescue dog in the truest
sense of the word; poor eyesight had ruled him out as
a working dog and that would have sealed his fate
if not for the Costellos.
Bos arrival coincided with the Costellos move to Berry
and the plan was for Arkie and Tilly to remain in Sydney
with Emma and Joel. It was decided that Bo, who was going
to make the move to Berry, would need a companion. Calls
were made and a drop-of was arranged: a tiny six-week-old
fawn kelpie, soon to be known as Diddley, had found a new
home. The addition of Molly was just as spontaneous, the
last in a litter that Emma was fnding homes for. Eventually,
all fve dogs came to reside in Berry.
The daily ritual involves a turn of the property. Merelyn,
Chris and the dogs are trailed by their very own entourage:
Nelson, Felix and Oscar three rather inquisitive British
Alpine goats and Maurizio, a ferocious Peking duck.
Emma, a veterinary bioscience student at the University
ofSydney, rescued Nelson and Maurizio from the Sydney
Dogs and Cats Home when she was on placement there.
Nelson had been found wandering the streets in Sydney,
says Merelyn. Emma phoned, saying, Mum, would you
like a goat for your birthday? Hes utterly divine!
Hot on Nelsons heels were Felix and Oscar, twins
with a huge size disparity and named after the characters
in The Odd Couple. I did some research and found that
goats need company, Merelyn says.
Those three goats cost absolutely nothing, says
Chris. Except maybe $3000 for fencing
Later in the day, Chris will get on the motorbike and
race thedogs around the property: they clock up fve to
eight kilometres every day. These dogs need to be
walked and exercised constantly, he says.
Back when they had terriers, the long-term plan had
been to rescue senior dogs but the kelpies arrival put
that plan on hold. Kelpies are full of life and made for
country living, Merelyn says. I just really like the
breed. They adore us and we adore them. Rescuing
senior dogs? That will be the next step.
*
A SERIES OF RESCUES BROUGHT
THIS FAMILY OF KELPIES TOGETHER.
WORDS BARBARA SWEENEY PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE
finding home
BERRY NSW DOG TALES
FROM LEFT Molly, Bo,
Arkie, Diddley and
Tilly at NSWs Berry.
RENOVATING FROMWEEKEND DIY TO MAJOR
PROJECTS, A DESIGNER PUTS PRINCIPLES INTO
PRACTICE AND NEWIDEAS FOR KITCHENS,
BATHROOMS AND LAUNDRIES.
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CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Botanicals wallpaper in
Cerulean, $259 for 6m x 48.7cm, and Digital Bird fabric
wallpaper, $129 for 1m, both from Emily Ziz. Workshop
lamp, $330, from Doug Up On Bourke. Paint brush,
stylists own. Spanish glazed tile in Emeralda, 100mm x
100mm, $110 a square metre, from Aeria Country Floors.
Adex Modernista tile in Gris Azulado 150mm x 75mm,
$60.50 a square metre, from Bisanna Tiles. Encaustic
cement tile in Sea Green, 200mm x 200mm, $93 a square
metre, from Aeria Country Floors. Pure Low Sheen paint
in Just White, $82 for 4 litres, from Murobond. Paint tin,
$5, and green bottle, $6, both from St. Vincent de Paul.
Monger soap dish, $45, from The Society Inc. Lost &
Found vintage chair, $149, from Murobond. Background,
canvas, $14.99 a metre, from Spotlight. Canvas painted
with Eggshell acrylic paint in Elegance, $43.20 a litre,
from Porters Paints. For stockist details, see page 151.
DECORATING
time for change
INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY HOMES
WE HAVE FEATURED OVER THE YEARS, OUR
DESIGN EXPERTS SHARE THEIR TOP TIPS.
WORDS CATHERINE McCORMACK
F
ew pastimes are as challenging or rewarding as home renovations. Creating
light-flled interiors that make life easier and more enjoyable is the end goal
but theres plenty of scope for creativity and fun along the way. Some of my
fondest memories of renovating are sitting on upside down buckets at the end of the
day so sore, but flled with joy, says Brisbane-based stylist and photographer Kara
Rosenlund. For more than a year, Kara and her husband Tim spent every weekend
transforming their neglected workers cottage into a bright and beautiful home.
Telltale signs its time to renovate? Marked and dirty walls, cracked paint, cornices
or skirting boards, structural issues, and a lack of space and natural light. Most experts
recommend you live in a house for some time before changing it, but there are
many ways to revitalise without knocking down walls. We asked the experts to share
their best renovation ideas for those who have aweekend, a few weeks or more
A coat of paint is one of the
easiest ways to change the feel
of a room here you can see
how what a dramatic statement
the black chosen for the loggia
at South Australias Kingsbrook
estate makes. (This beautiful
property is available for
events and accommodation;
kingsbrook.com.au)
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1
For a quick update, you cant go past the
power of paint. I would say maximum
impact with minimal efort would have to
be the paint job, says Kara, whose preference
is always classic white. Colour still has its
place Im loving using warm greys and
deep colours in the living space, says
interior designer Sarah Trotter of
Melbournes Hearth Design. A simple trick
to enhance space in the living room: paint
the wall behind the television dark grey or
charcoal and watch it disappear. Another
quick change: You can paint the kitchen
cupboards, too, if theyre not poly, says
Sydney interior designer Denai Kulcsar.
2
Another easy way to breathe new life
3
4
the average bathroom far more pleasing.
5
Improve the appearance of bedrooms
by de-cluttering, incorporating ample
storage and changing to beautiful white
linen, Sarah says. Its what I do when
Ineed to refresh my own room.
6
The fastest, most cost-efective
renovation of all? Rearrange your
furniture. Nothing says weekend more to
me than moving chairs from room to room
and restyling the shelves, says Kara. >
WEEKEND
WARRIORS
If time and money are in short supply
or you just need a change of scene,
fast try these fantastic DIY ideas.
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RENOVATING DECORATING
Get a similar look to
the kitchen cabinets
shown above with
Pure Aqua Gloss in
Seaglass, $39 a litre,
from Murobond.
MORE THAN
A WEEKEND
Invest a little more time and money in these
renovation projects and reap the rewards.
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Change your fooring. A key design
element, fooring links and defnes living
spaces. Rip up or replace old carpet, re-tile,
or sand and stain timber boards. Stain pine
foorboards to achieve a walnut colour,
advises Sydney interior designer Karen
Akers. Knotted pine often doesnt let
furnishings sit well within a room. For
more ideas, see our fooring special on page 120.
2
If your budget doesnt stretch to a new
kitchen, give the existing one a facelift.
Update the door hardware and replace the
sink, benchtops and splashback, and the
kitchen will look fresher, brighter and
more modern, says Denai. On trend now
are cement benchtops and splashbacks, dark
cabinets and copper accessories.
3
Update your bathroom. Most new
bathrooms take around 12 weeks from
design to completion. Get there faster, while
spending less, by keeping plumbing in its
original position and updating key fxtures.
Replace the vanity and tapware, remove
border tiles, paint the room and make the
shower screen frameless or semi-frameless,
Karen says. Swap to a freestanding bath at
the same time. Visually, afreestanding
bath grounds the space, says Kara.
4
A few architectural tweaks can help
your living areas look new. Widen
openings or square of arched doorways,
Karen suggests. Decorative cornices can
also enhance the sense of space and height.
5
Turn an open fre into a feature.
A lovely stone or tiled hearth adds so
much character, as well as efcient wood
storage near the fre, Sarah says. >
A beautiful hearth
turns a fireplace
into a feature.
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BELOW Paint isnt
just for walls think
of it when planning
ooring, too.
RENOVATING DECORATING
Adding architectural details
such as this fretwork in an
Inverell home can transform
a space. BELOW Flooring
choices can set the tone for
paint and furnishings.
MORE THAN A MONTH
Need more space? Open plan is where its at.
Consider approaching an architect or interior
designer before embarking on these major works.
1
Extend for the future. People so often
overlook the growth of the household and
renovate for now rather than considering
their future needs like storage, extra
bedrooms and larger bathrooms, Kara says.
Cant quite picture your perfect home?
An architect or interior designer can help.
We can give you advice and guidance
about things you wouldnt have thought
of, which can create better fow and
abetter use of space in the house,
Denaisays. We can also engage the
rightprofessionals to get the job done.
It all comes down to the team youve
got if youve got a great team on board,
it saves so many headaches.
Setting a realistic budget is crucial.
Most peoples budgets will be too low for
all the work they want to complete, Karen
says. You need to allow for additions or
unforeseen costs, which can be as much as
30 to 40 per cent of the original budget.
Living on site while works are underway
can also cost you: You are actually
slowing down the tradies as theyre
working around you and need to spend
time every day cleaning up, Karen says.
2
A new bathroom adds instant value
to ahome. Overseas, the trend is for
spaces that are larger and more open-plan.
In the design stage, it can help to break
the room into task-specifc zones and
incorporate fttings and fxtures made
to be shared think double basins and
abath big enough for two. Concrete and
timber-look tiled foors are an emerging
trend, as is natural marble with a tint of
colour. As for the practicalities: allow
four to six weeks for construction. Youve
got tounderstand from day one that its
abig project and youve got a lot of tradies
working in a small space, Denai says.
3
Open-plan living. Often the frst
thing clients say when they come to
me is, Our house is too dark, Denai says.
They want to open it up and make it feel
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DECORATING RENOVATING
The secret to a smooth renovation, no
matter what youre tackling? Be very
patient and organised, says Denai.
For anew bathroom, allow at least
amonth for construction.
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bright and happy and airy. There are a lot
of ways to do that, but often its just about
knocking out a few walls and putting in
bigger windows. If youre planning an
extension, factor in time for council
approvals and remember orientation is
everything north-facing is ideal for
passive heating and cooling, but an
architect will be able to advise how to
bestcapture light and airfow on any site.
Inside, open-plan kitchen, dining and
living areas continue to inspire, with living
spaces extended outside via bi-fold or
sliding doors onto a covered deck.
To visually connect indoors with
out, Tessa suggests creating a beautiful
alfresco dining scene: Id start with a big
wooden dining table, glass vessels for
candles so they stay lit in the wind, half
wine barrels and zinc tubs planted up on the
deck, ideally under a canopy of grapevine or
wisteria, she says. Perhaps add a big basket
of foor cushions in the corner that you
scatter on the deck when its balmy.
4
Dreaming of a new kitchen?
Custom-built kitchens usually need
to be in the planning stages for around
12 weeks before they are installed,
saysKaren, who warns that working to
a shorter timetable may mean you have
to settle for the fttings and fxtures that
happen to be available in-store at the
time of purchase.
Flat-pack enthusiast? These are a fast and
cost-efective option, but do have their
limitations. They are usually white,
cupboard sizes are predetermined and
thestyle of doors is simple, Karen says.
You can also expect hiccups at the
installation end. You often end up
withgaps that shouldnt be there or
thingsthat dont line up, Denai says.
You have to understand it wont be
aperfect fnish. Her advice? Pay the
money to have a qualifed tradesman
install it. That way, if any issues pop
up,theyre on site to rectify them and
make the situation work.
*
Big windows and high ceilings create
a bright, welcoming space. BELOW
LEFT Georgie Oates of Tamworths
Redchair Interiors made the island
bench a focal point of her own kitchen.
QUEENSLAND INTERIOR DESIGNER ANNA SPIROS
PASSION FOR VIBRANT COLOUR AND MIX-AND-MATCH
COLLECTIONS IS UNFURLED IN HER HOME.
WORDS LEAH TWOMEY PHOTOGRAPHY JARED FOWLER STYLING ANNA SPIRO
BOLD MOVES
An iron pendant lamp, custom-made for Black
& Spiro Interior Design, helps illuminate works by NSW
artists Karlee Rawkins, Hilary Herrmann and Gemma
Smith. The white-framed drawing by Pip Spiro, Annas
sister-in-law, hangs in the centre above the ticking
covered sofa offset by patterned cushions. FACING
PAGE An antique chair has been covered with a striped
Scalamandre fabric (now discontinued), with the
added colour of a pink and red cushion in a Lisa
Corti fabric and a needlepoint cushion from the US.
DECORATING
D
ecorator Anna Spiro is known for her kaleidoscopic
style of clashing patterns and vibrant fabrics, along
with her keen sense for mixing collections of
traditional pieces with modern wares. The inspiration, she
says, comes from her grandmothers, and from her mother,
who instilled a love of blue and white, taught her that the
best collections are eclectic and never themed and
declared that there is nothing quite so beautiful as fresh
flowers from ones own garden.
Annas home near Brisbanes Wellington Point is
a30minute drive fromBlack & Spiro, her interiors shop
and decorating business. Itsan 1880s open-plan timber
Queenslander with wide verandahs and a large garden thats
planted withpoppies, astors, calendulas and cosmos among
the hedges, with dahlias planned for the end of spring.
Home to Anna, her husband Brad, sons Harry, 12, and
four-year-old Max, and golden retriever Ned, theres
enough garden for a life lived outside, tending to the
flowers while the boys play on the grass.
Inside and out, Annas house has been painted in one
ofher three favourite shades of white Wattyl Magic
White. (Theother two are Dulux Vivid White and Porters
PaintsAbsolute White.) The one exception is her
bedroom, adark sanctuary in navy blue complemented
bya white French quilt and white quilted bedhead under
a collection of antique flower paintings. Blue and white
GP & J Baker curtains complete the look.
When it comes to colour there is a trick to getting the
mix just right. I like beautiful jewel colours, and I like to
include a little of every colour pink, orange, yellow,
blue, green and a bit of brown to ground the colour.
Thats the biggest secret of all, the brown, because it
neutralises the colour and stops it being so tutti-frutti.
While she swears there will never be a place for grey
inher decorating, Anna also avoids black, saying the
rightnavy blue will do what black does, only better.
Its still dark and strong, but not so gothic.
Vignettes of collected objects, such as ginger jars and
stacks of books, are balanced against scatterings of cushions
(always an odd number and always on the square), and
amishmash of furniture thats perfect in its imperfection.
This is what Anna calls neo-traditionalism or bringing >
DECORATING
A small stool covered with a yellow
Burmese silk next to the antique
chair; the 1880s Queenslander is
similar to the homes of Anna
Spiros childhood; in the navy blue
bedroom are two framed antique
paintings alongside acanvas by
Brisbanes Maureen Hansen; a flea
market lamp has gained a green
linen shade and sits on atable
found on aSunday walk; Ned the
retriever by a Dutch benchseat;
Anna on the verandah. FACING
PAGE An antique French bedhead
upholstered with aDesigners Guild
fabric is paired with afloral cushion
fromNew Yorks Carson & Co. The
vintage cane table and lamp are
from Pigotts Store in Sydney.
ANNAS TOP TIPS
WALLPAPER "l like to use wallpaper in a small space, like a powder room. l like it in a space that
doesn't have much going Ior it, because the wallpaper can give it something special. Also, l always
like to wallpaper an entire room, not just a Ieature wall, as l like seamless continuation."
FABRICS "l always like to use linen and cotton because they're cool and natural. And when doing
a soIa, use a Iabric with a mix oI Iibres as it's more durable than 100 per cent linen, which will sag."
SOFAS "l like to select soIas with a small arm that doesn't date and they don't take up a lot oI
room, either. l don't like a soIa with a big, Iat arm on it. Also, make sure it's as comIortable as
possible. l usually do a plain soIa, then add the pattern with cushions and armchairs."
On the bedside table an old chest
oI drawers stands a small vase,
a keepsake Irom Anna's grandmother.
FAClNG FAGE A large painting by
Adelaide's Richard Dunlop hangs on
the leIt, beside two colourIul works
by Oueensland-based Nadine Sawyer.
DECORATING
CLOCKWISE, FROM
TOP LEFT Kitchen shelves
display woven baskets,
apothecary jars, platters
and jugs; plates and
bowls from Italy beside
an old French wine jug;
aDavid Bromley artwork
hangs above an inlaid
chest decorated with
books and snow globes;
an old sideboard
supports a French gilt
mirror and aclassical
buston the verandah;
appliqu and vintage
textile cushions arranged
underneath apainting by
Sydneys Julian Meagher.
back the old and doing it in a new way. The imagination
and cleverness come when you have aroom of furniture
that doesnt match, Anna declares. Sometimes people
usetoo many pieces from the same collection how
uninteresting and boring!
Her childhood was spent in old Queenslanders with
big gardens and this is where she developed her colour
palette. Mums garden was bright and beautiful, and
thats how Isee colour.
Annas first book Absolutely Beautiful Things
(Lantern, $49.99) was launched in October, and
theauthors pride ismingled with poignant memories.
Last Christmas, with chapters yet to be completed, she
read her 98-year-old grandmother, Ann Curlewis, the
dedication page. Anna had afeeling the painter who had
steered her towards a life in design would not live to see
the book in print and she was right.
With tears in her eyes, Annas voice wavers as she recalls
that special moment. She taught me all sorts of amazing
things. On Christmas Day I said, Grandma, Id like to read
you something special that Ive written about you in my
book. A few days later she called my mother and said,
Youknow, Ive been thinking about what Anna wrote
and isnt it lovely that what I did made such an impact
on her and she holds it so close to her heart.
*
Black & Spiro Interior Design is at 768 Brunswick Street, New
Farm, Queensland. (07) 3254 3000; blackandspiro.com.au
Turn to page 148 for more information on Annas new book
andmoreinspiration for interiors.
SHE SWEARS THERE WILL NEVER BE
A PLACE FOR GREY IN HER DECORATING...
DECORATING
In the main bedroom, all
door and window frames
are painted the same shade
as the walls, so the effect
is of seamless colour. The
white flower painting is by
Sydneys Robert Malherbe
and the artwork on the top
right is by Annas beloved
grandmother Ann Curlewis.
understudy
WHEN PRODUCING A NEW LOOK, THESE
FLOORING TRENDS CAN PLAY MAJOR ROLES.
1 Allure Locking vinyl plank ooring in Aspen Oak, $69 a square metre, from
Harvey Norman. 2 A3 tracing paper, $19.60 for 50sheets, from Eckersleys Art
& Craft. 3 Coloured cork tile in Mid Grey, POA, from Calypso Cork. 4 Largo
laminate plank in Dominicano Oak Grey, $59 a square metre, from Quick-Step.
5 Coloured cork tile in Iceberg White, POA, from Calypso Cork. 6 Niro Yura
glazed porcelain tile (300mm x 600mm) in Lead Grey Matt, from $53.90
asquare metre, from Choices Flooring. 7, 8 Curlicue cut-pile wool carpet in
ToDie For, $128 a square metre, and Tussore chunky loop-pile wool carpet
in Sumac, $117 a square metre, both from Cavalier Carpets. 9 Dolomite
marble tile (305mm x 305mm), $270 a square metre, from Aeria Country
Floors. 10Niro Yura glazed porcelain tile (300mm x 600mm) in Snow, from
$53.90asquare metre, from Choices Flooring. 11, 12 Intergrain Natural Stain
timber stain in Iced White and Silver Fir, both $44.90 a litre. 13, 14Bianco
Mosaic wool/sisal carpet, $125 a square metre, and Quartz Lattice wool/sisal
carpet, $175 asquare metre, both from The Natural Floor Covering Centres.
15Handmade cotton owers, from $25 each, from Paper Couture. Background,
Formica laminate ooring in Whitewashed Oak, from $50 a square metre,
from Formica. All other props, stylists own. For stockist details, see page 151.
WORDS CATHERINE McCORMACK PHOTOGRAPHY FELIX FOREST
STYLING CLAIRE DELMAR
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DECORATING FLOORING
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efecting the worldwide trend for elegant,
pared-back interiors, the latest fooring draws
inspiration from nature, with a move toward
organic colours and beautifully nuanced materials
that create a seamless fow between spaces.
I like to create the feeling of as much light
as possible in a space, so wood or concrete with
asoft grey tone are my favourite looks for fooring,
says stylist Claire Delmar, who compiled our edit
of the latest products and fnishes. In her home,
Claire installed spotted gum foorboards fnished
with Bona Naturale. Its a matt fnish, which is
always my preference, she adds.
People seem to be more interested in texture
rather than pattern now, observes interior designer
Danielle Signorino from Signorino Tile Gallery.
Large format, concrete-look tiles, which come in
abroad spectrum of grey tones, are right on trend.
These are far more durable than concrete foors
andhave a refned but still somewhat industrial,
imperfect look about them, Danielle says.
Bigger is better when it comes to timber and
timber-look foors, too. Wider, longer boards are
certainly the current trend, says Shaun McGovern
ofHarvey Norman Flooring, whose popular Classica
XXL Oak laminate range features boards at 236mm
x 2260mm. Combine this with a rough oak fnish
in natural or of-whites and you have todays most
fashionable foor, he says. Similarly, timber-look
tiles which ofer all the colour and character of
thereal thing but are scratch-resistant and waterproof
can be as large as 330mm x 3000mm.
Despite the benefts of porcelain, vinyl, laminate
and bamboo fooring (cost efective, hard-wearing and
more consistent in colour and fnish), most designers
remain advocates for recycled timber and Australian
hardwoods, such as blackbutt, tallowwood and
Tasmanian oak, which inject a feeling of warmth
thattheir engineered counterparts may lack. Parquet
fooring in a herringbone pattern is also making
acomeback, with designers choosing blond timbers or
dark stains. For an organic look, treat timber with oil
or a matt stain rather than slick, glossy polyurethane.
Another trend in open-plan spaces is a seamless
transition between indoors and out, with outdoor
decking that matches the colour and size profle
ofthe foorboards or tiles inside. Untreated timber
which fades to a gentle grey is a new direction
outdoors but can sufer from the weather in the long
term. Instead, look to products such as Feast Watsons
Grey Look Deck, which delivers a silver-coloured,
aged patina while still protecting the wood.
Back inside, A stone look that creates an
organicfeel is also very appealing, says Claire.
Thelatest designs? Brick-shaped marble tiles laid
inaherringbone weave as pictured on page 128
look particularly beautiful in kitchens, bathrooms
and transition areas.Just remember that natural stones
do require additional care. Theyre porous and
must be sealed after installation, and cleaned with
non-abrasive cleaning products, Danielle says.
For a softer touch in living areas and bedrooms,
sisal continues to inspire, with the latest carpets
blending sisal with wool, and featuring dark hues
such as charcoal, black and navy.
Want to inject more colour at home? Stick to
soft furnishings. Its always great to start with
a neutral base then add to this with rugs, says
Claire. That way you can always update your look
and you arent locked into a certain style. Again,
directional patterns such as stripes and diagonals are
a great way to add layers of colour and texture, or
make a design statement with colourful kilims and
pretty Middle Eastern boucherouite rag rugs.
*
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DECORATING FLOORING
1 Eggshell acrylic paint in Blackheath, $43.20 a litre, from Porters Paints. 2 Calico,
$7.99ametre, from Spotlight. 3 Classica XXL laminate ooring in Glacier White,
$49 a square metre, from Harvey Norman. 4 Vintage Japanese bowl, $230, from Planet.
5, 6, 7 Murowash mineral at paint in Salt, Donkeys Tail and Lambs Ear, all $39 a litre,
from Murobond. 8, 9 Tussore chunky loop pile wool carpet in Sawthorn and Lisburn
chunky loop pile wool carpet in Damask, both $117 a square metre, from Cavalier Carpets.
10 Spanish glazed ceramic tile (100mm x 100mm) in Emeralda, $110 asquare metre, from
Aeria Country Floors. 11 Curlicue cut-pile wool carpet in To Die For, $128 a square metre,
from Cavalier Carpets. 12 Alison Fraser teacup, $15, from Slab + Slub. 13 Coloured cork
tile in Snow, POA, from Calypso Cork. 14 Dry Martini textured loop pile wool carpet in
OnThe Rocks, $83 a square metre, from Cavalier Carpets. 15 Belgian Platinum Lattice
wool/sisal carpet, $175 a square metre, from The Natural Floor Covering Centres.
16Clore Glazed Lava Stone tile in Caviar, from $700 a square metre, from Pyrolave.
17 ReadyCork Vita cork ooring in Oak Blanc, $78 a square metre, from Quick-Step.
18Encaustic cement tile (200mm x 200mm) in Sea Green, $93 a square metre, from
Aeria Country Floors. 19 Variano timber ooring in Light Oak, $53 a square metre, from
Quick-Step. 20 Woodwash Interior woodwash in Syrupwash, $43 a litre, from Murobond.
21 Eggshell acrylic paint in Blackheath, $43.20 a litre, from Porters Paints. 22Bianca
Carrara marble cobblestone (200mm x 200mm), $330 a square metre, from Aeria Country
Floors. 23 Royal Oak Floors Concreate wall panel (1200mm x 600mm) in Natural White,
$93.50 a square metre, from Harper & Sandilands. Background, canvas, $14.99 ametre,
from Spotlight. Canvas painted with Eggshell acrylic paint in Elegance, $43.20 a litre, from
Porters Paints. All other props, stylists own. For stockist details, see page 151.
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FROM LEFT Green Loves Blue print, from
$59 (unframed), from The Minimalist. Blue
ceramic bowl, stylists own. Birdy green
vase, $120, from Koskela. Ceramic pears,
stylists own. Extra large rope bowl in light
blue, $50, from Koskela. Ish tea towel, $35,
from Koskela. Resin-coated Carrara marble
table top, from $269, from HC Commercial
Furniture. Wooden utensils, stylists own.
Flowers from Mandalay Flowers.
For stockist details, see page 151.
TAKE INSPIRATION FOR THE
PRACTICAL SPACES IN YOUR HOME
FROM THESE ROOMS BY MELBOURNE
DESIGNER TERRI SHANNON.
DECORATING
DECORATING KITCHENS
Working for a couple who love cooking,
interior designer Terri Shannon aimed for
aclassic but contemporary look with plenty
of space. We made the kitchen larger by
building a big island bench outside the
original kitchen area. The Versailles solid
European oak floor is $250 a square metre
from Floors by Greensborough.
YOU, THENADDSTYLISHACCENTS.
1 Lindsay Blamey Peninsular and In The Pacific prints, $95 each.
2 Green Loves Blue print, from$59 (framed from$159), fromThe
Minimalist. 3 Le Creuset 28cmround casserole in Dune, $599.
4 Thonet barstool with custompaint finish and natural sock detail,
from$368. 5 Tony Sly bowls, $29.95 each, fromThe Bay Tree.
6 Marlux pepper mill, $70.25, fromThe Bay Tree. 7 Madrid oil
bottle, $12.95, fromFreedom. 8 Metal tray, $95, fromKova Lifestyle.
9 Tumbler, $9.95, fromThe Bay Tree. 10 Marquis pitcher, $99.95,
fromWaterford. 11 Linen tea towel and Fog plaid linen tea towel,
$16 each, fromDunlin. 12 Devonshire tile in Sky (25080), $88 a square
metre, fromBespoke Tile and Stone. 13 Signature A50.08.V2 kitchen
mixer in chrome, $628, fromAstra Walker. 14 Pordamsa glass dome,
$66.50, and 20cmtasting plate
15 Eggshell acrylic paint
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DECORATING BATHROOMS
The owners wanted a five-star bathroom,
explains designer Terri Shannon, and they
love marble, too. For the floors in the
bathroom and laundry, marble was cut
to size and laid in a herringbone pattern.
ANDREFLECTS YOUR STYLE
1 Lee Broomclear crystal bulb and pendant, $402, fromCaf
Culture. 2 Appelles Blackseed shampoo and Tamanu
$39.95 each. 3 Douglas and Bec oak-framed mirror
strap, $1020. 4 Victoria + Albert ios bath, $5500. 5
Milan soap dispenser, $49.95, fromBed Bath N Table. 6
English a51.57.9 900mmdouble towel rail
Astra Walker. 7 Dulux Wash & Wear 101 Barrier Technology
in Spanish Olive (left) and Natural White, both $41.45 a litre.
8 Shefford under-counter basin, $659, fromCanterbury Sink
and Tap. 9 Calacatta Oro Polished tile, $259 a square metre,
fromSNB Stone. 10 Vanessa Megan Mint & Citrus soy wax
$39.95. 11 Ambrose bath towel in smoke, $54.95, and Living
Textures bath towel in white, $39.95, both fromSheridan. 12
English A51.20 bath mixer and hand shower
Astra Walker. 13 Sun Valley Bronze CK-400 cabinet knob
fromMother of Pearl & Sons.
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TIDY, EFFICIENT AND WELCOMING .
1 Science beaker, $24.95, from Vintage & Nostalgia Co. 2 DF Subway
White Bisel tile, $27.50 a square metre, from De Fazio Tiles and Stone.
3Sun Valley Bronze CK-603 cup pull, $59.70, from Mother of Pearl
& Sons. 4 Calacatta marble bench top, POA, from Apex Stone.
5 Signature A50.08 kitchen mixer in chrome, $538, from Astra
Walker. 6 Boholmen stainless steel, single-bowl sink, $69, from IKEA.
7 Sockerrt vase, $19.99, from IKEA. 8 Mandalay rattan basket,
$96.80, from Satara. 9 Bumerang clothes hanger, $9.99 for eight,
from IKEA. 10 Classic 600 Egyptian cotton bath towels, $35 each,
and hand towels, $18 each, from Abode. 11 Annie Sloan Provence
reed diffuser, $57. For stockist details, see page 151.
Interior design and project administration Terri Shannon of Bloom
Interior Design & Decoration. (03) 9397 4343; bloominteriordesign.
com.au Builder Carsen Building Concepts, 0402 085 185.
DECORATING LAUNDRIES
11
The sleek laundry
features plenty of
storage, amarble
benchtop and
50-millimetre timber
venetian blinds from
Think Shutters.
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1 AGA S-Series Six-Four oven, $13,750, from the AGA
Shop Australia. 2 Fisher & Paykel E522BRE4 519-litre
Elegance refrigerator with bottom-mounted freezer,
$1759. 3 Sunbeam KE5200W Retro kettle in White Choc
Chip, $109. 4 Electrolux EBR7804S Expressionist Collection
blender, $69.95. 5 Trent & Steele 4-slice toaster, $119, from
Harvey Norman. 6 Ilve 600STC 60cm oven, $2399. 7 DeLonghi
Nespresso Lattissima Plus coffee machine in Pearl White,
$429, from Harvey Norman. 8 KitchenAid KSM156 Platinum
stand mixer in Frosted Azure, $849. 9 Miele W1913 7kg
washing machine, $1799. For stockist details, see page 151.
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DECORATING APPLIANCES
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FASHION
PROMENADE DECK
WHILE BOATS BOB AT ANCHOR,
TAKE A TURN BY THE WATERS EDGE.
Tommy Hilger Dalamance blouse,
$159. Sylvester Chevron skirt, $195.
Dinosaur Designs Shield bangle, $115.
Peter Lang Nina silver bracelet, $85.
Repetto T-Bar shoes, $335. FACING
PAGE Baku Swimware Essential swim
singlet, $119.95, and Casablanca swim
skirt, $79.95. Koolaman Phillipa necklace,
$135. Lovisa bangles, $16.99 each.
Busatti Riveria beach towel, $150.
FASHION
UNDER THE BOARDWALK
WHEN THE SUN BEATS DOWN, FIND
A COOL BREEZE IN THE SHADE.
Ginger & Smart Riviera dress,
$399.Koolaman Phillipa necklace,
$135. Dinosaur Designs Shield
bangle,$115.Ginger & Smart
NakedHeart sandals, $299,
and Primacy tote, $569. Chairs,
stylists own. FACING PAGE Trelise
Cooper Moonlight Serenade
dress with pearl detail, $699.
JUST ONE THING MISSING FROM
THE PERFECT PICNIC...
PIER GROUP
KEEP AN EYE TO WINDWARD
FOR A WELCOME SAIL.
Eileen Kirby All I Want dress, $970.
Elk StackedDisc necklace, $65, and
Spike bangles, $45 each. Peter Lang
Ninasilver bracelet, $85. Deckchairs,
$140 and $300, from Ici Et L. Cushions,
$225each, from My Island Home. Vintage
rattan hamper, $180, from The Bronte
Tram.For stockist details, see page 151.
FASHION
SAFE HARBOUR
TIME AND TIDE WILL REWARD
YOUR PATIENCE EVENTUALLY.
R. M. Williams Katnook shirt, $99.95.
Sylvester Marina jacket, $255, and
Marina skirt,$195.Lovisa bangles,
$16.99 each.Repetto T-Bar shoes,
$335. For stockist details, see page 151.
Hair and make-up by Andrea Black.
Photographed at Vaucluse Amateur 12 Foot
Sailing Club, Sydney, NSW. va12sc.org.au
FASHION
&E^(03) 9486 9277 |
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O
ur sense of smell has a profound efect on our everyday life
it is fully formed and functioning even before we are born
and is 10,000 times more powerful than our sense of taste.
Smell isthemost sensitive of our senses, which may help explain
why aromatherapy has become such an integral part of modern life.
Whether used in an oil burner, added toabath or applied to the skin,
essential oilscan infuence our mental and emotional wellbeing as
muchas our physiological state.
Take neroli essential oil, derived from the waxy white blossoms of the
Seville orange tree. Neroli not only has great therapeutic properties,
but also has the most incredible smell, says Vanessa Gray, director of
Australian-based organic skincare range Vanessa Megan. It has a greatly
relaxing efect on the body and mind, and has a wonderful rejuvenating
and regenerative efect on the skin. We now know that its the high
content of linalool and linalyl acetate that makes neroli a general tonic
not only is it prescribed for anxiety and nervous tension, it is also
highly regarded for its anti-infammatory efects on the skin.
Combating infammation is important to your spring skincare routine.
While its traditionally the season of renewal, this is also a time that
marks the arrival of far less agreeable issues, from redness and irritation
associated with hayfever and allergies to post-winter congestion.
The best essential oil to reduce any redness on the skin is German
blue chamomile, Vanessa says. The deep blue colour isnt actually
present in the plant, but it forms in the oil and has the most incredible
healing properties for red skin. Its a miracle worker on skin, calming
redness, dryness and irritation, as well as allergies, eczema and psoriasis.
If your skin is sufering congestion, geranium essential oil is
benefcial for sluggish complexions or oily skin types prone to
breakouts, as it can help balance the secretion of sebum. Rosemary
essential oil can work wonders on discolourations. Its known to have
skin lightening efects and helps to naturally correct age spots, Vanessa
says. Rosemary is recommended in anti-ageing skincare due to its
powerful regenerating, rejuvenating and stimulating activities.
Itstimulates biological activity and cell growth to reduce fne lines
andwrinkles, and can also help skin look frmer and more elastic.
While many skincare companies use essential oils for their
anti-ageing properties, they also serve a secondary purpose: studies
show that our emotions are sometimes infuenced by our sense
of smell. There are so many great essential oils with therapeutic
properties they have the power to lift the spirits, pep you up
and help you feel full of joy, Vanessa concludes.
*
natural extract
JULIETTE WINTER EXPLAINS WHICH ESSENTIAL
OILS CAN HELP YOUR COMPLEXION GLOW.
PHOTOGRAPHY CRAIG WALL STYLING SAMI SIMPER
ESSENTIALLY SOUND
A selection of feel-good skincare products
that utilise essential oils; clockwise, from top.
r Dry skin adores the Aesop Damascan
Rose Facial Treatment (25ml, $75).
Dab it straight on cleansed skin, or add
to your moisturiser for a super hit of
hydration with evening primrose, rosa
damascena and orange fower oils.
r The Aromatherapy Company
Therapy Range Natural Soap Bars
(150g, $13.95 each) come in Wild Mint
& Bergamot or Wild Rose & Vetiver
with a dash of oatmeal to gently exfoliate.
r Described as a multivitamin for the
skin, Vanessa Megan Natures Elixir
Face Oil Serum (20ml, $79.95) contains
sea buckthorn and argan oil, rosemary oil,
lemongrass and vetiver.
r Prep your skin for summer with this
Natio Spa One Minute Miracle Body
Polish (400g, $19.95), which uses apricot
seed and oils of lemon myrtle and ginger.
r Aveda Shampure Composition
(50ml, $49) is an aromatic oil with
25 calming fower and plant essences.
Sprinkle in a bath, rub on stressed shoulders,
massage into the scalp or add to your clothes
dryer for freshly scented laundry.
r Using essential oils of rose, magnolia
and geranium, Sisley Black Rose
Precious Face Oil (25ml, $250) leaves
skin soft, smooth and revitalised.
r Enjoy the silky blend of organic
coconut, rosehip and jojoba oils mixed
with the subtle scent of tangerine and
neroli in Vanessa Megan Body
Beautiful Oil (200ml, $59.95).
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HEALTH AND BEAUTY
VIC
Bentons Finer
Bathrooms
1300BENTONS
www.bentons.com.au
NSW
Cass Brothers
Petersham & Waverley
02 9569 5555
www.cassbrothers.com.au
SA
Routleys Bathroom
Kitchen Laundry
Malvern
08 8291 3000
www.routleysonline.com.au
WA
Tuck Plumbing
Fixtures
Osborne Park
08 9444 7988
www.tuckplumbtec.com.au
COLOUR CHANGE
DELIVERING POPS OF PINK, PURPLE OR
BLUE DEPENDING ONTHE SOIL ACIDITY,
IN THE SHADE PERFECT FOR A SUNNY SPRING DAY, THE WASHABLE AND FOLDABLE NOOSA HAT, $49 AND
SHOWN IN SANTA MONICA LINEN, COMES IN MORE THAN A DOZEN COLOURS. 0412 099 081; TOPSHOW.COM.AU
Inspiring gardens to visit, good reading
and favourites to plant this month.
in the garden
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OPEN GARDENS
NSW November 12Sustainable
practices feature at Kentgrove Victorian
Kitchen Garden, one of several open
gardens at Goulburnonthe rst weekend
of the month. Vegetables, mini fruit trees,
vines, herbs andberries incoveredraised
beds plus a rose garden, a four-tieredpond
and walkingtrails. 67GormanRoad,
Goulburn, 10am4.30pm. $8.
Queensland, November 2233 This
romantic garden (above), designed by
Carolyn Robinson, features a spring
palette of blues, mauves and pinks. Also
vegetables and chickens. 321 Townsend
Road, Glen Aplin, 10am4.30pm. $7.
For more listings, visit opengarden.org.au
BE ENTHRALLED AS
KAREN HALL AND PETER
COOPER, OWNERS OF
WYCHWOOD, A TRULY
MAGICAL TASMANIAN
GARDEN, SHARE THE
EVOLUTION FROM BARE
PADDOCK TO TODAYS
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
(MURDOCH BOOKS, $59.99.)
work of art
IN THE GARDEN
LATE SPRING IS A GREAT TIME TO BE WORKING IN YOUR GARDEN.
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES FOR PLANTING IN NOVEMBER.
planting guide
NAME OF PLANT HEIGHT OF PLANT SUN OR SHADE PLANTING ZONE
Aster
flowering perennial
60cm1.2m
C T S Tr
Beetroot
annual vegetable
1520cm C T S
Capsicum
perennial vegetable grown as an annual
4090cm C T S Tr
Chilli
annual or perennial fruiting bush
30cm1m C T S
Chinese cabbage
annual vegetable
30cm C T
Cucumber
annual vegetable
2030cm T S
Daylilies
flowering perennial
20cm1.2m CT S
Dianthus
flowering perennial
1550cm T S
Gerbera
flowering annual
4050cm C T S
Nasturtium
flowering annual
2030cm C T S
Petunia
flowering annual or tropical perennial
12mm C T S
Phlox
flowering perennial
up to 1.2m T S
Rosella
flowering annual
2m T S Tr
Sage
perennial herb often grown as an annual
1020cm C T S
Silverbeet
annual or perennial vegetable
60cm C T S
Summer savoury
annual herb
3090cm C T
Turnip
annual vegetable
3060cm C T
Zinnias
flowering annual
3080cm C T
KEY
Sun
Semi-shade Shade
C = Cool climate T = Temperate S = Subtropical Tr = Tropical
IN THE GARDEN
French metal table, $590, fromAndrewWilson Antiques. Seed packets,
stylists own. Glass lantern, $24, from Est. Vintage wasp catcher, $35,
from Andrew Wilson Antiques. Wooden box, $60, from Izzi & Popo.
Nutscene twine, $5, from Est. Oooh 7cm rubber pot, $10, and Twee
pot in green, $19.95, both from Shelley Panton. Jug, $45, from Andrew
Wilson Antiques. Pocket pruner, $39.95, from Garden of Eden Nursery.
Jar with teal lid, stylists own. Oooh pot, as before. Blue twine, $4.95,
from Gewurzhaus. Garden book, $12, and tool (part of a pair), $36,
both from Waverley Antique Bazaar. For stockist details, see page 151.
Add character to garden corners, or your
potting bench, by collecting interesting
boxes and jars. Give them a second life as
planters or use to hold tools and seeds.
the little things
NOTABLE
IDEA
Artist Cressida
Campbells
woodcut designs
now feature in
a series of card sets. Six dierent sets,
based on themes such as the bush
and the verandah, in a decorative box.
$59.95 for a set of 36, from galleries
and bookstores. cressidacampbell.com
Looking for an easy
way to kill weeds fast?
Zero
Rapid Weedkiller from Yates
kills
weeds fast. Its unique, rapid formulation
kills weeds, roots and all. So, to get
rid of weeds fast in your garden, use
Zero Rapid Weedkiller. Easy!
table is $1495 fromWeylandts.
(03) 9445 5900; weylandts.com.au
myshopify.com
COIR VALUES
HANDWOVEN IN INDIA,
THE GERANIUM COIR
RUG ADDS RUSTIC
TEXTURE. 1.8 METRES
IN DIAMETER, $685,
AT ARMADILLO & CO.
(02) 9698 4043; SHOP.
ARMADILLO-CO.COM
PATTERN MAKER
These three wallpapers have been
designed by Anna Spiro for Porters Paints:
from left, Round and Round The Garden in
Ginger Jar Blue, Rosey Posey Trellis in Pink
Ginger, and Higgledy Piggledy Stripe in
Chilli Coral. Her talent for mixing colour
and pattern gained attention when she
launched her blog, Absolutely
Beautiful Things. Annas
artful arrangements seen
in her Brisbane home
(pictured left) that we also
feature on page 112 are
admired by many and her
new book shows how to
achieve her signature style.
(Absolutely Beautiful Things,
Lantern, $49.99.)
FIELD GUIDE
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REVIEWS ANNABEL LAWSON
Novembers usually a busy month all the more reason to
escape on a book-propelled journey to realms unknown.
INTERNAL MEDICINE
TERRENCE HOLT, BLACK INC, $27.99
In looking back to time spent as a resident physician, Holt
pulls no punches, but staf and patients, including their
families, receive his expertise and compassion. He shares
his unspoken, sometimes scathing, refections with us.
This magnifcent memoir pulls you in and graduates
youas intelligent support to the ailing and ageing.
A DOG WALKS INTO A NURSING HOME
SUE HALPERN, ALLEN & UNWIN, $27.99
No, its not the frst line of a funny story. Halpern has
alabradoodle called Pransky who works in a public
nursing home. These therapy dogs do so much good.
Itsusually the least likely patient, the profoundly sad or
the curmudgeonly one, whos frst to weaken under that
gaze that only dogs can do. A buck-me-up read.
VILLAGE OF SECRETS: DEFYING
THE NAZIS IN VICHY FRANCE
CAROLINE MOOREHEAD, CHATTO & WINDUS, $35
During World War II, villagers in the Plateau Vivarais
Lignon in Frances Massif Central sheltered men, women
and children hunted by Nazis. In contrast to the Vichy
governments often eager compliance with the Nazi
persecution of Jews, these villagers risked torture and death
to help strangers. They wanted no thanks. An arresting
body of research that Moorehead manages with aplomb.
WIFE ON THE RUN
FIONA HIGGINS, ALLEN & UNWIN, $29.99
The funniest scene in this very funny novel occurs in
abeauty salon in Daly Street, Darwin. In the opening
chapters Paula ceases to trust her husband and is wracked
with feral loathing for the cyber bullies who attack her
teenage daughter. She gathers up father, son and daughter
and of they go to live for three months in a caravan
without computers, Facebook or phones, and without
theerrant paterfamilias. Higgins is generous with twists
and turns, nothing formulaic here. Its the perfect
home-alone read, though maybe a wee bit unfair to
males in general. See what you think.
THE HEIST
DANIEL SILVA, HARPERCOLLINS, $29.99
His friends know Gabriel Allon only as an art restoration
expert, one of the best in Europe. We, his fans, know of
his secret life as an underground agent for the Israeli
government. This is his 13th adventure. An unnamed
Syrian dictator is ordering up stolen Caravaggios and Van
Goghs as though they were toasted Bath buns. Allon pulls
of a dangerous mission and his boss promotes him to
afull-time post in Tel Aviv. Never again will Allon lift
tiny fakes of dirt and varnish to expose the dazzling
colours of a 15th-century original, so grab this last chance
to revel in the international art scene with its freeloading
rogues, and pink and white popinjays.
GOLDEN BOYS
SONYA HARTNETT, HAMISH HAMILTON, $29.99
The arrival of wise and winsome Rex Jenson as the
neighbourhood dentist makes Freya Kiley keenly aware
ofher own fathers inadequacies; hes a violent drunk.
Hermother, trapped by too many pregnancies, is
inefectual. Colt, the dentists eldest son, is strangely
ambivalent about his fathers ambitions for his family and
his practice. Theres a price to pay for so much passion and
the one who pays is the least to blame. A novel that steadily
gains momentum and eventually achieves greatness.
TOP WITH CINNAMON
IZY HOSSACK, HARDIE GRANT BOOKS, $39.95
I cant remember when Ive had this much fun with
acookery book. Izy is 18 and has her own website
(topwithcinnamon.com). Ive made zucchini and cornmeal
fritters, vegetable galette, red velvet cakies, cranberry and
faxseed scones with treacle butter, chocolate chip cookies
(with a hint of basil), Izys reconstructed Anzac biscuits,
amatchless Swedish chocolate cake that contains no
chocolate, and fnally gingerbread gussied up with malt,
molasses and apple. Outstanding.
*
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$
25
Q
I was given this painted wooden plaque by my
90-year-old grandfather, who came to Australia from
Germany during World WarII. His sister, who remained
inwhat became East Germany, sent him this in the 1960s.
Before the reunification of Germany things were very
difficult in the east; there was not much available to buy
asgifts, so this is very precious to me. Im curious to
findout where exactly it may have come from.
Louise Marshall, Tempe, NSW
A
Souvenirs of this kind have been made in Germany
for centuries, especially in the Black Forest region.
The tradition reached the height of invention in the 19th
century and continues today. Thebest known examples
arecuckoo clocks, and furniture with carved decoration
incorporating stags, bears, guns and displays of game, birds
and hares. Your slice of wood, bark and all, with painted
stag head is probably more a celebration of the wild
thanasuccessful hunt. Obviously, its value for you
issentimental, but it is also a reminder of a long tradition.
collectables
John McPhee evaluates readers
precious objects.
AUCTIONS
tb AustraIian coIoniaI, antique and
bistoricaI. Mossgreen, MeIbourne.
A fabulous mixture of things to
tempt browsers. mossgreen.com.au
?tb Tbe Lumsden famiIy
coIIection of Cbinese snuff bottIes.
Bonhams, Sydney. Specialist sale for
specialist collectors. bonhams.com
17tb Cbinese and Asian
art. Mossgreen, MeIbourne.
A dedicated auction bound to
attract attention. mossgreen.com.au
25tb Important AustraIian
Art. 5otbeby's AustraIia,
5ydney. This will be the last
big art sale for the year.
sothebysaustralia.com.au
WHERE TO BUY PRODUCTS FROM THIS ISSUE.
stockists
Abode 1800 022 633 abodeliving.com Aeria Country FIoors (02) 9975 7883 aeria.
com.au AGA (03) 9521 4965 agashopaustralia.com Andrew WiIson Antiques
(03) 9510 5205 wilsonantiques.com.au Annie 5Ioan (03) 9357 84781 anniesloan.
com Apex 5tone (03) 9360 0133 apexstone.com.au AppeIIes 1300 038 429
appelles.com.au Astra WaIker (02) 8838 5100 astrawalker.com.au Baku 5wimwear
(02) 9764 3199 bakuswimwear.com.au Bed Batb n' TabIe bedbathntable.com.au
Bespoke TiIe and 5tone (03) 9429 9588 bespoketileandstone.com Bisanna TiIes
(02) 9310 2500 Bona (03) 9543 4399 bona.net.au Busatti (02) 9363 4318 busatti.
com.au CaIypso Cork (02) 6658 7493 calypsocork.com.au Canterbury 5ink & Tap
(03) 9761 4603 sinkandtap.com.au CavaIier Carpets 1800 251 172 cavbrem.com.au
Cboices FIooring 132 003 choicesooring.com.au De Fazio TiIes and 5tone
(03) 9387 2300 defazio.com.au DeLongbi 1800 126 659 delonghi.com.au Dinosaur
Designs (02) 9698 3500 dinosaurdesigns.com.au DougIas and Bec (03) 9419 1146
douglasandbec.com DuIux 132 525 dulux.com.au DunIin (02) 9907 4825 dunlin.
com.au EckersIey's Art & Craft (02) 9957 5678 eckersleys.com.au EiIeen Kirby
(02) 9211 9648 eileenkirby.com.au EIectroIux 1300 363 640 electrolux.com.au
EIk Accessories (03) 9478 1800 elkaccessories.com.au EmiIy Ziz (02) 9380 4180
emilyziz.com Est (03) 9819 0726 estaustralia.com Feast Watson 1800 252 502
feastwatson.com.au Fisber & PaykeI 1300 650 590 sherpaykel.com.au
FIiss Dodd www.udder.com.au FIoors by Greensborougb (03) 9499 7755
oorsbygreensborough.com.au Formica 132 136 formica.com.au Freedom
1300 135 588 freedom.com.au Garden of Eden Nursery (03) 9696 0551
gardenofedennursery.com.au Georgie Oates redchair.net.au Gewurzbaus
(03) 9415 7183 gewurzhaus.com.au Ginger & 5mart gingerandsmart.com Harper
& 5andiIands (03) 9826 3611 harper-sandilands.com.au Harvey Norman 1300 464
278 harveynorman.com.au HC CommerciaI Furniture (02) 8188 1018 hccf.com.au
HCP Group AustraIia (02) 8188 1018 hcgroup.net.au Ici et La (02) 8399 1173 icietla.
com.au IKEA (02) 8020 6641 ikea.com.au IIve 1300 694 583 ilve.com.au Intergrain
1800 630 285 intergrain.com.au Izzi & Popo (03) 9696 1771 izziandpopo.com.au
Kingsbrook kingsbrook.com.au KitcbenAid 1800 990 990 kitchenaid.com.au
KooIaman 1300 789 524 koolaman.com.au KoskeIa (02) 9280 0999 koskela.com.au
Kova LifestyIe (07) 3257 7055 kovalifestyle.com.au Le Creueset 1300 767 993
lecreuset.com.au Lindsay BIamey 0405 815 275 lindsayblamey.com.au Lovisa 1300
568 472 lovisa.com.au MandaIay FIowers (02) 9362 5000 mandalayowers.com.au
MieIe 1300 464 353 miele.com.au Motber of PearI & 5ons Trading (02) 8332 6999
motherofpearl.com Murobond 1800 199 299 murobond.com.au My IsIand Home
(02) 9362 8760 www.myislandhome.com.au Paper Couture 0409 361 661
papercouture.net.au Peter Lang (02) 9319 7033 peterlang.com.au PIanet (02) 9211
5959 planetfurniture.com.au Porter's Paints 1800 656 664 porterspaints.com
PyroIave AustraIia(07) 5472 0498 pyrolave.com.au Ouick-5tep (03) 9798 0808
quick-step.com.au P. M. WiIIiams (08) 8259 1007 www.rmwilliams.com.au Pepetto
(02) 8338 1810 repetto.com 5acba Drake (07) 3112 1818 sachadrake.com 5atara
(03) 9587 4469 satara.com.au 5beIIey Panton (03) 9533 9003 shop.shelleypanton.
com 5beridan 1800 625 516 sheridan.com.au 5ignorino TiIe GaIIery (03) 9427 9100
signorino.com.au 5Iab + 5Iub 0425 212 770 slabandslub.com.au 5NB 5tone
(02) 9793 2001snb-stone.com 5potIigbt 1300 305 405 spotlight.com.au 5unbeam
1300 881 861 sunbeam.com.au 5yIvester +649 846 5225 katesylvester.com
Tbe Bay Tree (02) 9328 1101 thebaytree.com.au Tbe Bronte Tram (02) 9389 1337
thebrontetram.com Tbe EssentiaI Ingredient (02) 9557 2388 essentialingredient.
com.au Tbe MinimaIist theminimalist.com.au Tbe NaturaI FIoorcovering Centres
(02) 9516 5726 naturaloorcoveringcentres.com.au Tbe 5ociety Inc (02) 9331 1592
thesocietyinc.com.au Tbink 5butters (03) 93974381 thinkshutters.com.au
Tbonet 1800 800 777 thonet.com.au Tommy HiIger (03) 8416 8600 tommyhilger.
com.au TreIise Cooper 1800 873 508 trelisecooper.com Vanessa Megan
(02) 9568 5264 vanessamegan.com Victoria + AIbert 1300 737 779 vandabaths.
com/aus Vintage & NostaIgia Co. (03) 9571 8483 vintagenostalgia.com.au
Waterford 1300 852 022 wwrd.com.au WaverIey Antique Bazaar
(03) 9560 4284 facebook.com/waverleyantiquebazaar
COLLECTABLES
If you have a precious (or simply mysterious) object that
puzzles you, send your inquiry, along with a colour print or high-
resolution digital image, your suburb or town, and your daytime
telephone number, to Collectables, Country Style, Level 1, Locked
Bag 5030, Alexandria, NSW 2015, or send an email to Josie Taylor at
josie.taylor@news.com.au The photographs must be clear and show
the whole object against a white background. Photographs will not
be returned, even if they are not published.
BROWSE OUR ADVERTISERS
AD DIRECTORY Abode Living abodeliving.com Bianca Lorenne biancalorenne.com.au Birdsnest birdsnest.com.au Cass Brothers
cassbrothers.com.au Cellini cellini.com.au Circa Home circahome.com.au Everyday Cashmere everydaycashmere.com Fella Hamilton
fellahamilton.com.au Givoni givoni.com.au Gordon Smith gordonsmith.com.au Harvey Norman harveynorman.com.au Ilve ilve.com.au Inner
Space Furniture leuramall.com Koolaman koolaman.com.au Liebherr www.liebherr.com.au Maxwell & Williams maxwellandwilliams.com.au
Phoenix Tapware phoenixtapware.com.au Private Collection by Legend Australia privatecollectionaustralia.com.au Sacha Drake sachadrake.
com Smeg smeg.com.au Sorbet sorbetstyle.com.au Tasmanian Gourmet Foods tasmaniangourmetfoods.com.au/products The English Tapware
Company englishtapware.com.au Threadz and Clarity threadz.com.au Town & Country Style townandcountrystyle.com.au Yates yates.com.au
Acclaimed British company
protect your garden plants,
fruit and vegetables from
common pests, such as
caterpillars, try spraying with
Yates Success Ultra Insect
Control. yates.com.au
COASTAL ESCAPE Seascape is a residential
development of 27 lots at Bicheno, a pretty town on
Tasmanias east coast thats near Freycinet National
Park and the Bay of Fires. bichenoseascape.com.au
COLOUR YOUR WORLD
Natural fibres, classic
designs and fresh, vibrant
colours are the hallmarks
of the new summer
collection from Victorian
label Fella Hamilton. Call
1800 800 866 for a free
catalogue or to see
moreof the range, visit
fellahamilton.com.au
function in the latest from the
Vivid Slim Line Oval range of
bathroom accessories. The Vessel
Mixer has sleek oval lines and
asix-star WELS water efficiency
rating. phoenixtapware.com.au
summer party season and
an elegant, flattering dress
is a wardrobe essential.
The Antoinette dress
indelicate green lace
fromAustralian-owned
fashion brand Sacha Drake
fits the bill perfectly.
sachadrake.com
STYLE BOARD
the natural choi ce
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i n f o @ me r i n o k i d s . c o m 1 8 0 0 6 4 3 0 5 6
Enter coupon code
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Homeware and Tableware.
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www.missmolly.com.au
Breatheable 100%Cotton Canvas European Design Bell Tents of the Finest Quality.
Lightweight, practical and stylish. Zip off groundsheet allowing sides to be rolled
up during the heat of the day. The ideal tent for the Australian climate!
E. info@belltent.com.au
www.belltent.com.au
See our full range of bedding and accessories at
www.redplumlinen.com.au
2 duck trading co - info@2ducktrading.com.au
www.2ducktrading.com.au 02 93802672
2 duck trading co, the market basket specialist, offers a full range of
authentic French styled market baskets for all your carrying needs.
Aklanda s Casaveen s Merino Gold s Uimi
s Merino Snug s Walnut Hill s Indus Design
s Maya Neumann Hats s Skibo s Otto + Spike
s Signature Hand Knits s Smitten Merino
s Merinomink s McDonald Textiles
Possum Fur-Merino garments
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Jumpers Cardigans Coats Shirts
Hats Gloves Socks Scarves Bags
Shop online www.urallawoolroom.com.au
Email urallawoolroom1@bigpond.com
Address 38 Bridge St URALLA NSW Ph 02 6778 4226 Fax 02 6778 4230
E. treasureemporium1@gmail.com TreasureEmporiumDesign
SUMMER FASHION
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Cotton and Bamboo Sleepwear, perfect for summer
Tel: 1800 336 153
www.clementinedesign.com.au
Clementine
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High quality, hand embroidered
100% cotton bed linen including
a Creek Water range.
0412 885 855
www.lettobellolinen.com.au
PRE-CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
For free Postage input the code RRXS14 when you place your
order on the website from November 1, 2014
Jewellery Handmade and Designed by
Renata of RITZYROCKS specializing
in Venetian Glass.
Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets, Earrings
and more from $20.00
www.ritzyrocks.com.au
...PD L O
Leigh Fortington
Collections So
Special, So Elegant
every piece is
made with Love.
Exclusively stocked
at select outlets.
m. 0403 968 911 e. sales@leighfortington.com.au
www.leighfortington.com.au
facebook: leighfortingtonjewellery
info@justatouchofeverything.com.au
www.jatoe.com.au
J UST A TOUCH OF
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jatoe1 @Jatoe1 @Jatoe1
45 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, NSW2107
Open 7 days Mon-Sat 9am 5pmSun 10am 4pm.
FOLLOWUS:
Rust Online @RustOnline RUSTONLINE
www.rustonline.com.au 02 99734268
UNIQUE FRENCH COUNTRY AND INDUSTRIAL FURNITURE AND
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Shop online or
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Suede, leather and cattle
hair belt straps to match
with your choice of buckle.
Brass and silver buckles plus
a range of dress buckles
for both men and women.
Colourful gaucho, African
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a wide range of unique
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US ON:
www.bucklesandbelts.com.au
Discover your
Inner Diva
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For you & your home. Uni que beauti ful pi eces wi th a story to tel l .
Seraph J ewel l er y & Gi f ts
The J uncti on, Newcastl e P: 041 4 490390
E: genevi eve@seraphj ewel s.com.au
Largest Stockist of your favourite
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Metalicus, Vigorella, Valia, & more.
Layer in comfort all year round
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0412 071 601. Port Fairy. Victoria.
Silversmith. Bespoke Jewellery Designer.
follow us on facebook
80 ORiordan Street, Alexandria (next door to Domayne)
Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
P: 02 9667 4415 . Website: www.laurakincade.com
AMERICAN FURNITURE FOR AUSTRALIAN LIFESTYLE
Freecall 1800 071 100
New Zealand 0800 330 778
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Start your own Interior
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FOR FREE INFO KIT
PHONE 1800 071 100
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Finding greener pastures 90cm x 90cm
Acrylic, ink and oil on canvas
A MA ND A
B R O O K S
Original Artwork
Commissions welcome
0417071336
info@artbybrooks.com.au
Boutique Bedroom Style Capturing A Bygone Era Of Romance
Call Dianne on 0417 596 781
White Out Of The Box
features style, sentimentality
and an exquisite range of
gorgeous linens, nightwear,
quilts and treasured gifts.
At The Tyabb Packing House
14 Mornington Tyabb Road
Tyabb Vic 3913
whiteoutofthebox.com.au
twig & moss brings
together a range of
products that have
a sense of whimsy
inspired by nature.
We have an eclectic
mix of designed and
handcrafted pieces
from Australia and
around the world
that have been made
with love & respect
for people and the
environment.
Phone: Mel -
0432206202 or
Amanda -
0488281872
319 High St, Maitland, NSW, 2320 www.twigandmoss.com.au
Welcome to an elegant lifestyle range offering beautiful accommodation,
soft furnishings and bedlinen. Lovingly designed and made in
Australia fromthe nest quality products.
Ph 0414 484 393 www.colonialcoastdesign.com.au
Phone: 02 9975 4414
(phone orders welcome)
Everyday beautiful things, for beautiful families, every day.
www.bellesfamilles.com.au
STEVEN SKLIFAS
PHOTOG RAPHY
www.stevensklifas.com.au
p. 0417 513 517 e. info@stevensklifas.com.au
TREASURE YOUR
GARDEN FOREVER
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www.adirondackchairsaustralia.com.au 02 4464 2992
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
Rolls Royce in quality
Islington NSW 2296
02 4962 2992
crabapplevintage.com.au
Lucy Watts
Artwork
- original artworks
- commissions
- art cards
- Christmas gifts
info@lucywatts.com.au
m: 0428 758 284
p: 02 6J75 1072
www. l u c y wa t t s . c o m. a u
LiliahRoseJewellery www.liliahrose.com
Visit studio by appointment Ph: Suess 0487 234 982
E: suessliliahrose.com Made on The Sunshine Coast
Liliah Rose Jewellery is a
hand crafted collection
of Limited Edition Pieces
created from heirloom
worthy forgotten and
neglected antique and
vintage elements.
Every piece tells a story of the past and
is as unique as the woman who wears it.
Dee Jackson
Dee Jackson
T: 02 9416 2265 | M: 0439 986 452
E: deejackson@deejackson.com.au
www.deejackson.com.au
Australian
artist,
Dee Jackson,
creates
beautiful
watercolor
portraits.
Intersection Farnsworth and BrownStreets Castlemaine
S h a d e s o f G r a y
Artists Chelly and Peter Gray have their studio gallery open
for their Annual Exhibition of new works:
www.shadesofgray.net.au mobile: 0409 189 964
Exhibition dates 1st - 8th Nov 2014 10am - 5pm.
Closed Wed 5th Nov.
Open evey weekend during Nov & Dec until Christmas.
New, larger store at
0407 819 574
Hand-picked
furniture & curiosities
web: www.labrocante.com.au
Lorikeet Mixed media and wood on linen
122 x 91 cms Catherine Stewart
www.moreegallery.com.au
Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10.00am -5.00pm Sat 10.00am -12.00pm
The Moree Gallery
Max Centre
Heber St
Moree 2400
(02) 6752 3927
info@moreegallery.com.au
Location: Shop 5, Magnolia Mall, 285 Windsor St, Richmond, NSW
greygoosestudio www.greygoosestudio.com
Greygoose Studio
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ALL SAINTS BODALLA
Bed & Breakfast
www.allsaintsbodalla.com
p 02 4473 5764 | m 0450 731 909
59 Princes Highway, Bodalla NSW
Luxury home stay accommodation in the surrounds of
a spectacular 3-acre garden.
Established in 1864 as the All Saints Rectory, this
restored country home now provides a tranquil escape
on the South Coast of NSW. An ideal couples retreat.
Property features include:
12 unique landscaped gardens
Continental breakfast Wood fire pizza oven
10 metre salt water swimming pool
Bookings available October - May
Martin OByrne 0417 594 960
Roberts Real Estate (03) 6391 6522
418 Evandale Road, Western Junction
www.robertsre.com.au
This elegant and tastefully modernised homestead dates back to mid 1800s
and is situated on (approx.) 19.3 acres of fertile land at the foot of the Great
Western Tiers. The residence is beautifully complimented by extensive, diverse
and well-established gardens with glorious country vistas and mountain views.
An extremely versatile foor plan featuring German double glazing, Miele
appliances and wood, gas and electric heating. Plentiful quality water and 300
truffe trees compliment the property. This is an extraordinary opportunity to
live sustainably and generate an income. Connected to the NBN.
Price $895,000.
OLD FOREST VALE CRESSY - NORTHERN TASMANIA
6 6 6
Iconic Hidden Valley B&B For Sale
A Magnicent 1895 Queenslander on 4 glorious acres
in the heart of Historic Eumundi.
15 m|ns to Moosa and 1hr to Er|sbane Commerc|a| k|tchen E & E ||cense
Great turn over Owners ret|r|ng What a L|festy|e Oon't m|ss out!
Price: Offers over $1,450,000
Agent: Linda Shore-Perez
P: 0427 378 687
E.linda@villarealestate.com.au
W: villarealestate.com.au
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HOLIDAYAT WARRANE
BATEMANS BAY
SPRING SPECIAL: Stay 4 nights for the price of 3*
Luxury accommodation for large groups.
Warrane is a place for all seasons!
Accommodating up to 17 people
Main home sleeps 10 Separate cottage sleeps 7
Whether it be relaxing and unwinding with a glass of
red by the fire or swimming in the solar heated pool,
set amongst 3 private acres with manicured gardens.
Situated on the South coast and only minutes away from
cafes, beaches and restaurant in the popular tourist town,
Batemans Bay.
*Conditions apply
Phone: 02 4472 9294
E: holidaywithus.batemansbay@ljh.com.au
www.batemansbay.ljhooker.com.au
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CAFE OPPORTUNITY
Charming Cafe in the heart of Kangaroo Valley
with thriving patronage, street-side exposure,
long lease and seating for 60.
Presents a great opportunity for an enthusiastic
chef/cook. Join the growing local business in this
delightful picturesque village 1 from Sydney.
Harcourts Kangaroo Valley
Sales Agent: Graeme Smith
m: 0418 907 110 p: 02 4465 1996
e: graeme.smith@harcourts.com.au
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COLE HOUSE
Serviced Apartments
36 Forbes Road, ORANGE NSW 2800
Telephone: 02 6369 1166
enquiries@colehouse.com.au
www.colehouse.com.au
The Cole House Serviced Apartments are on
Forbes Road Orange and consist of 1 four bedroom
(sleeps 8), 2 three bedroom (sleeps 6) and 1 two
bedroom (sleep 4/5) familyapartments, opposite
Golf Course with off-street parking and located close
to town. All apartments are spacious, tastefully
appointed and as comfortable as a fine home.
Reverse cycle air conditioning and fully equipped
kitchens, TVs, Austar.
Wireless internet and many extras.
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MEADOWVALE
322 Ridge Rd, Central Tilba NSW
Phone: 0411 403 254
Email: cottagequilts@hotmail.com
www.meadowvale.com.au
Set on 5 rolling green acres just a few minutes drive
from the National Trust village of Central Tilba in an area
surrounded by beautiful lakes and stunning beaches,
MeadowVale is perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Snuggle up by the woodburning fire, BBQ on the
patio and visit the nearby winery or cafes and
winebars on Bermaguis whalf.
With a dedicated sewing/craft room, MeadowVale
makes a perfect place for a quilt retreat.
Cosy enough for couples, can accommodate up to 10.
THE MEWS APARTMENTS & DAVI D J ONES COTTAGE
www.bathurstheritage.com.au Ph: 0263324920 Email: enquiries@bathurstheritage.com.au
Te Mews Apartments, 108 William Street Bathurst, PO BOX 9046 Bathurst, 2795
BATHURST HERITAGE APARTMENTS AND COTTAGES
Te Mews Apartments are located in the very centre of Bathurst, within the Heritage Listed Royal Hotel complex.
Tey are spacious, quiet and fully self-contained.
David Jones Cottage, at 244 William Street, is a splendid, newly renovated, Victorian home.
Discerning travellers will enjoy these beautiful, ideally located, properties.
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LOCHINVAR LUXURY
COTTAGES
Mt. Panorama
www.lochinvarbathurst.com.au
Phone 02 6331 2469
Mobile 0418 615 610
The Lochinvar Luxury Cottages offer superb private
cottages for those who demand privacy and style.
The Cottages are of a traditional design with first class
amenities, are superbly appointed and have stunning
north-facing views across the Macquarie Valley
and Bathurst.
Everything is provided to ensure your complete
indulgence and pleasure.
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he Outlook Cabana, is
a unique and highly
desirable accommodation
unit, situated 85 km from
Sydney or just over an
hour by car.
This large one room self-contained Cabana,
with an 11 metre solar heated pool, a
generously sized deck, comes with ocean
views and surrounded by eighteen acres
lled with gardens, natural birdlife and
grazing livestock.
Activities include Kayaking on Avoca Lake,
at the base of the property. The Outlook
sits 5 minutes from Avoca and Terrigal;
both offer all that could be required on a
coastal retreat.
THE OUTLOOK CABANA | Ph (02) 4384 4852 / 0427 189 567
256 Scenic Highway, Terrigal - Avoca Beach, Central Coast, NSW | www.theoutlookcabana.com.au
Bishops Court Estate 226 Seymour Street Bathurst NSW 2795 Ph: 02 6332 4447
www.bishopscourtestate.com.au
Enjoy ultimate luxury and relaxation,
allow yourself to be pampered with delectable treats and stunning
wines from our region and breathe in the aroma of utter peace.
Its the little things that count at Bishops Court Estate.
SPECIAL OFFER
FOR ALL COUNTRY
STYLE READERS
Book 2 nights and receive the
third night free during
Nov, Dec & Jan.
Bookings by phone
only.
A Fox and Co Hotel
Dream Experience
Formerly de Russie
Suites Mudgee
...same owners
...new brand
Perry Street Hotel 40 Perry Street Mudgee NSW 2850
p. 02 63727650 enquiries@perrystreethotel.com.au www.perrystreethotel.com.au
Perry Street Hotel is Mudgees only
boutique self-contained apartment hotel.
Built within the historic 1862 Mechanics
Institute, the imposing two-storey
structure is home to 13 stunning suites
styled with a distinctly modern, urban
inuence.
Taking inspiration from the colours and
architecture of Berlin, Perry Street Hotel
offers a premium and innovative
accommodation experience with subtle
luxuries and thoughtful extras for the
discerning corporate or leisure traveller.
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CHELSEA PARK
Hollywood in the Highlands
Contact 02 4861 7046
for information Chelsea Park
589 Moss Vale Road Bowral
Check websites www.chelseapark.com or
www.arcadia-house.com
Unique Bed & Breakfast in an Art Deco Mansion.
Choice of romantic getaway or Arcadia House A
self contained home.
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2A Henry Lawson Avenue McMahons Point
North Sydney NSW 2060
Ph: 02 9963 4300 Fax: 02 9922 7998
info@harboursideapartments.com.au
www.harboursideapartments.com.au
Enjoy a slice of Harbour life at Harbourside Apartments.
Sydneys absolute waterfront accommodation offers fully
serviced and equipped studio, one and two bedroom
apartments. Conveniently situated at McMahons Point
Ferry Wharf Harbourside is the perfect Sydney base for
business or pleasure whether your stay is for a day,
a week or as long as you wish.
HARBOURSIDE
SERVICEDAPARTMENTS
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Alpine Way
Thredbo NSW 2625
Ph: 02 6456 2088
Freecall: 1800 352 088
www.penderlea.com.au
Horse riding, bush walking and trout fishing on a 2800
acre property bordering Kosciusko National Park.
15 minutes to Thredbo, superb mountain retreat.
Two and three bedroom self contained alpine chalets
and fourteen bed cottage, spa, sauna and fireplace.
Also budget accommodation.
PENDER LEA
THE PERFECT ALPINE GETAWAY IN THE HEART OF
THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS.
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BAREFOOT SPRINGS
Cambewarra Mountain (Beaumont)
Telephone: 02 4446 0509
www.barefootsprings.com.au
From $480.00 per couple for a two night weekend
inc. cooked breakfast. See website for specials.
Relax and enjoy breathtaking views over the Shoalhaven
coastline. Close to Kangaroo Valley, Berry and Nowra.
Three secluded luxury Studio Cottages with double
spa, log fire and well-equipped kitchenette; also a
private Queen Room with en-suite in the main house.
Savour fabulous cooked breakfasts and gourmet
dinners and wander around the beautiful gardens and
acreage which abound with native birds and wildlife.
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BELLS AT KILLCARE
5 star boutique hotel
90 mins drive north of Sydney
Multi award winning restaurant
Italian chef Stefano Manfredi
25 private cottages
Luxury day spa
Spectacular coastal bushwalking
Arrive by seaplane, helicopter,
ferry (Palm Beach) or car
61 2 4349-7000
www.bellsatkillcare.com.au
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LORD HOWE ISLAND
World Heritage
NSW
EBBTIDE APARTMENTS
Ph: 02 6563 2023
www.ebbtide-lhi.com.au
Come and stay in the most secluded
north easterly location.
We have 3 delightful self catering one
bedroom units and 2 Cottages for those who
like a little more privacy.
All have queen and single beds, individual verandas,
BBQs and private outdoor settings.
Youll love this tropical hideaway.
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COTTAGES ON MOUNT VIEW
1329 Mount View Road, Mount View
Hunter Valley
Telephone: 02 4990 8989
stay@cottagesonmountview.com.au
www.cottagesonmountview.com.au
Immerse yourself in your own private spa
with views straight to the stars!
Escape your busy everyday to our tranquil location
minutes to boutique cellar doors, fine al fresco dining,
golf, gardens and galleries. Share your love of good
wine, good food and good friends anytime. Or take
advantage of our special mid-week rates
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TOWN OF 1770 - QLD
Accommodation at its best simple luxury right
on the beach.
Ph: 07 49620144 Mob: 0403 924 324
E: info@shutters1770.com
www.shutters1770.com
Two beach houses right on the beach for those who
want to be spoilt!
Sleeps 6-7 per house, 2 minute beach walk into
town.
Unique & tranquil - your own private oasis, no
estates !!
visit the Great Barrier Reef, surf, fish, relax & revive.
We offer simple luxury for your beach escape.
Perfect for couples, families, or take both houses &
bring your friends!
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SAINT ELOI
569 Moss Vale Rd, Burradoo
Saint Eloi a beautiful French guest house,
sleeps eight, only an hour & a half from
Sydney & youre in the Southern Highlands.
With your own French courtyard & a beautiful green
back drop, perfect for an intimate wedding party, great
for a girls weekend retreat. We also venue hire.
Look forward to seeing you soon. X
ph: 0419 585 279
email: burrows@iinet.net.au

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R e d f e a t h e r i n n
Experience Spring in Tasmania. Join us for one of our cooking classes or experience our rustic dining showcasing local produce and
wines. Why not take a package to include accommodation, restaurant and free entry into our beautiful National Trust Properties
nearby. Luxury guest house and unique cooking school just minutes from Launceston. www.redfeatherinn.com.au
embrace spring
with a Tasmanian gourmet foodie indulgence
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RIVERSDALE ESTATE
COTTAGES
15 mins to Hobart, 8 mins from Airport
Luxe self-contained cottages on private country Estate
Set amongst award winning vineyard and olive grove
1 queen & 2 singles, crisp sheets, feather pillows, mohair rugs
Panoramic water views, rolling countryside, rambling
walks & private beach
French provincial antiques, boutique library & cd
selection in each cottage
Families welcome! Puzzles, games & colouring in books.
Denholms Rd, Cambridge Tasmania 7170
Telephone: 03 6248 5432 or 0409 232 250
wendy@riversdaleestate.com.au
www.riversdaleestate.com.au
Irresistible Country Life...Take the Time... Q
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TREEFERN RETREAT
Springbrook, Gold Coast Hinterland, Qld
Treefern retreat is a four bedroom holiday house
which sleeps 8-10 people
Features decks, fireplace, freestanding bath,
spa bath and is fully self-contained
Walking distance to Twin Falls, Canyon Lookout
and Springbrook National Park
Beautiful birds, walks, rainforest, cliffs, waterfalls,
mountains and brooks await you
For bookings go to www.stayz.com.au
For more information please email:
chris@treefernretreat.com S
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BAROSSAVINEYARD
COTTAGES
Come and enjoy the Barossa experience in these newly
built, fully self-contained stone cottages located in the
heart of the Barossa Valley.
The cottages have an outlook to the Barossa Ranges
and are surrounded by award winning wineries
and restaurants.
Brian and Sandra Downes
182 Bethany Road,
Bethany near Tanunda 5352
South Australia
Mobile: 0419556449
www.barossavineyardcottages.com.au
Itching to paint but worried about having no skills? Try my NO FAIL
Jacqueline Coates Blooms Painting Method, a system anyone can
apply to get amazing results, even if you dont have a creative bone in
your body. Apply to other subject matter as well. Hundreds of students
are off to a great start as a result of my workshops. For pleasure or
to turn a hobby into a business, I help you get going. Includes bonus
sessions on colour mixing and how to sell your work.
BRISBANE Metro Arts, Nov 10-16, 2014
SYDNEY Willoughby, Dec 15-20, 2014
MELBOURNE Glen Iris, Jan 11-17, 2015
BAROSSA VALLEY Salon Rouge, Mar 22-28, 2015
Call Jacqueline Coates to book in Mobile 0412 587 438 Email jacquelinecoates@bigpond.com
See www.bloomspaintingworkshops.com for more details and what clients have to say about their Blooms painting experiences.
Create a masterpiece from
scratch in my 6 day Blooms
workshop
NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Includes all art
materials and catering
Introducing my new Barossa Valley Art Immersion
FREEDOM TO PAINT OILS
28 Nov - 2 Dec or 6-10 February, 2015
Visit www.freedomtopaint.com
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CEDARWOOD
APARTMENTS
www.cedarwoodfallscreek.com
P: 03 5758 3393
F: 03 5758 3330
E: info@cedarwoodfallscreek.com
Cedarwood is centrally located in the top of the village
with fantastic views, excellent access from the street
& nearby trails, & is an easy ride or walk to most other
locations in the village including bars & restaurants.
Cycle friendly we offer value in a range of apartments
from budget to luxury, studios or self-contained style
& we have onsite management. All apartments have
balconies with BBQs and great views.
ONE OF AUSTRALIAS HIDDEN GEMS
Discover a haven in Tasmanias Cradle Valley rain forest
Fine dining in the most relaxed atmosphere, Wonderful waterfall walks,
Tree top cabins. The way the world should be.
Please contact reception for rates and specials
Ph: (03) 6492 1112 | Fax: (03) 6492 1113
Email: reservations@lemonthyme.com.au Web: www.lemonthyme.com.au
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15 Hunter St, Hobart
Telephone: 03 6270 1444
zerodavey@escapesresorts.com.au
www.escapesresorts.com.au
5 mins to Salamanca, CBD & Art Galleries.
Superb Studios & Apartments.
Fully equipped kitchens/wash mach & dryer.
Security car parking.
Spa studio/apartments available.
Mini gym & Sauna.
Wireless/broadband internet.
Plasmas in all studios/apartments.
ZERO DAVEY BOUTIQUE

APARTMENT HOTEL
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Candlelight Cottages
7-9 Monash Avenue, Olinda Village 3788
Ph: 03 9751 2464
www.candlelightcottages.com.au
CANDLELIGHT COTTAGES
COLLECTION
Less than an hour from Melbourne, 500 mtrs
from Olinda, Sassafras, Mt Dandenong villages
in the spectacular Dandenong Ranges.
Classic Cottages - Modern Luxury.
Cottages steeped in history with fresh modern
interiors and all the lifestyle luxuries you have
come to expect.
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Snap up a Jacqueline Coates original blooms painting.
Up to 50% OFF studio clearance. Proceeds to save a stone
miners cottage in Kapunda, South Australia.
Prices from $300. Bonus print with every purchase
over $500.
Lay-buy available. Packaging, postage and
couriers arranged.
New releases throughout October so no one misses out!
Hosted by One White Kite Cafe & Gallery, Kapunda.
Blooms Painting Sale
Email Jacquelinecoates@bigpond.com
Ph Jacqueline M. 0412 587 438
Or Julie @ One White Kite, M.0408 088 559
Jacqueline Coates Art Gallery
PAINTING SALE CATALOGUE at
www.jacquelinecoates.com
Live amongst the locals for a week or two at one of our well appointed
self-contained studio apartments within a 15th century Gatehouse in the
regions most picturesque mediaeval village.
RATES starting at $785 per week!* *All inclusive
vence@provencepassport.com | www.provencepassport.com
To nd out more call Liz on 04J9 3S9 79S A bientt!
The Gatehouse Studios In Provence
Don't just visit Provence and the Irench Riviera - Live here
Love Travel
Pack your bag. See the world
Luxury travel you can afford
Luxury accommodation, tours and cruises to
over 100 countries with endless locations, city
and regional. Five star hotels, eco villas, luxury
yachts, resorts, activities and day excursions.
Become a member in a unique and exclusive
global travel club. Join now.
GO PLACES TRAVEL INCOME
www.goplacestravelincome.com
Contact: Ron 0407 698 793
HISTORY | NATURE | CULTURE | INDULGENCE
NINAS PATHWAYS
Join me on a small-group tour of beautiful Sri Lanka.
UNESCO sites, wildlife, beaches, cooking classes,
a train journey, tea plantations, stunning hotels.
www.ninaspathways.com.au
0419 213 327
TUSCANY
ACCOMMODATION
Villas, Apartments,
Farmhouses all over
Tuscany
Budget to luxury
Helpful Advice
Call Lyn Aitken 0412 467 388
www.gotuscany.com.au
Osborne House
E UROP E AN COT TAGE S
Fully restored terrace houses in ancient villages
in Gascony - France, northern Tuscany - Italy
and Catalunya - Spain
Enjoy local culture, dining al fresco and buying
local produce at village markets
You have the unique option to visit all 3
beautiful properties in one trip.
All houses are available for rent thoughout the
year.
Contact us for more information 0417 861 435
www.osbornehouse.com.au
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L OU B R E S S AC
La Maison DArche
s Loubressac, One of Frances Most
Beautiful Villages, situated in the
picturesque Dordogne valley, SW
France.
s A charming 3 storey stone cottage
for rent in a fairy-tale village.
s Stylishly renovated for 2-5 people.
s Fabulous restaurants, markets,
wineries, chateaux close by.
s Easy access from Paris, Bordeaux,
Toulouse.
www.mostbeautifulfrenchvillage.com
Ph: (03) 59743300 0414 908599
LIVE THE DREAM
Learnwhat it takes to be a successful
travel writer injust 12 weeks.
FREE CALL
1800217 970
wwwTr
Dipl p oma
THE
ULTIMATETRAVEL
JOURNALISM
COURSE
Your one way ticket to
TRAVEL WRITING SUCCESS!
Ladies, join me as we shop, travel and laugh in some
of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Ill
take care of the planning and guide you throughout
the tour while you take a well deserved break.
TRIPS IN 2014 AND 2015:
VIETNAM: Mar 22-Apr 1, 2015
HONG KONG: July 20-26, 2015
STYLE IN PERTH & SINGAPORE: Sept 2 8, 2015
ALL INCLUSIVE TRAVEL COMPANY
CONTACT DETAILS
P. 0411 596 242
Boutique Voyage
www.boutiquevoyage.com.au
hot property
T
he local heritage expert stopped
by Handyman Hall recently to
advise us on the preservation
ofthe old slab stables beside our house.
They appear in a book about the
treasures of the districts rural heritage,
but to date have been one of our TLC
(Too Little Cash) projects.
We got talking about features that
increase the value of a property and
before long it had become another of
those city/country issues. The stables,
which once housed the communitys
police horses, probably add about
$25,000 to the value of our place.
In the city, said the heritage advisor,
we often joke that when aphotograph
of awood-fred pizza oven appears in
a real estate ad, it adds $50,000 to the
sale price. He was talking of Sydney,
where the median house price has
cracked the $800,000 barrier.
The $50,000 has nothing to do
withan oven price, of course: itsthe
perceived value of the lifestyle that
itrepresents. Now that the worship of
food and wine has more or less replaced
organised religion, an entertainment
area with pizza oven is a real estate deal
clincher. The pizza oven is the new
beach within walking distance.
Of course, even beach within
walking distance was a promise
wenever knew in the bush. Okay,
TheChosen One reminds me that
the advertisement for our place said
closeto water but thatturned out
to be in the basement. The irresistible
lure in this neck of the woods is close
toschool bus; but, somehow, this
fails toconjure up the same fantasy
of sunnysybaritic pleasure.
For years now, city folk wouldnt
dream of opening a home for
inspection without a gleaming
KitchenAid mixer on the kitchen
bench. Now, Im told, there has to
be aNespresso capsule cofee machine
anything requiring actual manual
operation is just so yesterday.
Out here, where house prices change
imperceptibly over decades, weve not
been easily seduced into the aspirational
fantasy world. People here like to have
akettle and perhaps a fridge in their
kitchen. We dont crave a pancetta
andprovolone pizza with peach and
pelargonium salad, and a carafe of
cabernet carmnre for lunch. We take
aquick break for a cuppa and a corned
beef sandwich. Our reward for this
austerity is paying and, okay, getting
$300,000 for a really nice house.
In the bush, when youre going to
dress the house for inspection, you take
the deer head of the wall or put it
upto cover a stain. In the city, there are
teams of people practising the strange
artof aromatherapy who will come and
make sure your house doesnt smell of
the smoke from an illicit cigarette or the
whatever from an incontinent pet. Here,
we fry up some sausages and onions.
All of this suggests that $200,000 of
that Sydney $800,000 median is spent
on merely the deception of a trendy
lifestyle. This is unfair for young
families trying to get into the market.
The dream of our generation was to
getrid of the mortgage. The dream of
todays young hopefuls is to get one.
Well, youre welcome out our way,
kids. Find a house at the right price and
look for the country clues to your new
lifestyle. It may not be a wood-fred
pizza oven, but keep your eyes open
for a bait spreader, a box-thorn puller,
a concrete strainer post, an ex-army
ammo box or perhaps a hernia belt.
And dont give a thought to isolation.
If you think people will presume youve
disappeared of the face of the Earth or
that no-one cares if youre still alive, just
miss a couple ofmortgage payments.
*
Watching city house prices from afar, Rob Ingram
muses on country real estates very different values.
In the bush, when
youre going to
dress the house for
inspection, you take
the deer head o the
wall or put it up to
cover a stain.
P
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COUNTRY SQUIRE
The Country Squire column has appeared in every issue of Country Style since its inception 25 years ago. Rob Ingram lives in a former courthouse,
police station and jail in the NSW central west village of Cobbora near Dunedoo as he says, its better to do time in my jail than somebody elses.
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