My Week in Sydney

The last time I was at Sydney’s MCA it was a sparkling Autumn day and the view from the rooftop cafe took my breathe away ….. I couldn’t draw my eyes away from the expanse of blue sky, blue water and the Opera House sails …. so pristine and so white !!

Attending a function one evening this week …. in the same space …… I was surprised by what little impact the Opera House and possibly even the Sydney Harbour Bridge had on the skyline. It was the sparkling view back to the CBD and Circular Quay itself that this time …… literally took my breath away. Even the Cahill Expressway was barely evident.

The lights around the foreshore and wharves as pretty and lustrous as strings of pearls.

I do have to mention the impact of the beautifully lit Hany Armanious sculpture …. Fountain, by night. He was our only exhibitor in the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011.

My Week in Sydney

Clock and coffee at the museum of contemporary art, sydney 2626

Deirdre Brennan April 26, 2012 10:09 amJune 21, 2019

What a magnificent day to visit our beautiful MCA. Our decision to start with a coffee was a good one …. we stepped out of the lift on Level 4 …. to this !!!!

This space (called the Sculpture Terrace) flowing off the cafe and with views to die for …. just needs a few more sculptures …. which are coming.

images: mydesignfile

The cafe, apart from the view, is simple, smart … terrific design . The food, coffee and wine menu … just about perfect.

And now for the reason we came: The Clock

Christian Marclay is nothing short of genius with his 24 hour video work which won him the Golden Lion at last years 54th Venice Biennale.

Friends had talked about it, however nothing had prepared me for the joy and delight of this installation.

Entering the cinema-like space with its extremely comfortable sofas (some 40 or so I guessed) one is transported !!! I didn’t want to leave. Short extracts from thousands of films spanning cinema history each suggest or reference a particular time of day. Synchronised with real time, which is captivating, the extracts move cleverly from one to the next with changing locations, eras etc.

You do find yourself desperately trying to recall certain films or to know which films various scenes are taken from … I guess one will never know.

If only they allowed refreshments … one could settle in for a whole morning/afternoon. Maybe people do. I simply cannot wait to attend one of the all night sessions … or at least part thereof.

PS. A glass of wine/cheese etc would be a fabulous accompaniment to the early evening sessions.

My Week in Sydney

Designer rugs by fabulous designers 2136

Deirdre Brennan April 22, 2012 10:14 amJune 21, 2019

The very clever Designer Rugs has engaged a number of designers with differing skills and backgrounds to come up with a range of spectacular rugs…..we are talking Akira Isogawa, Dinosaur Designs and Easton Pearson to name a few.

My favourite rugs are interestingly both by Catherine Martin, production and costume designer to Baz Luhrmann’s fabulous Moulin Rouge and others. Her philosophy for these patterns was to “transform the mundane into the extraordinary”.

The rugs themselves are works of art but to see the rug named Feathers in situ above…. one can appreciate the impact of a stunning pattern but in rather subtle tones on what would have been a very neutral or bland interior.

This rather exotic rug named Peony caught my eye…..I pictured it immediately….. sitting on high gloss Black Japan timber flooring. Such a rich and vibrant addition to a classic traditional or contemporary interior….. a similar feel to a Persian rug. Persian rugs work with any period or style of furnishing and this rug would be equally as versatile.

Rugs certainly change the mood of any room….they are a little like accessories that can dress up or down an outfit….they dress the room !!!

My Week in Sydney

Carolyn quartermaine fabrics rediscovered 2432

Deirdre Brennan March 26, 2012 10:18 amJune 21, 2019

Featured in countless leading design magazines worldwide Carolyn Quartermaine’s fabrics have always been a favourite. It is only fairly recently that I noticed that the fabric house Boyac in Sydney were the agent for them. Carolyn, a London based designer and stylist works on projects both in the design and fashion world.

She is the textile designer who modernised my other favourite fabric….toile de jouy. Always light, floating designs…ethereal. ‘Art and inspiration flowing onto fabric’….Vogue Living Australia.

These fabrics are feminine and pretty yet hold their own in elegant, formal rooms ….. particularly when used as upholstery on french furniture, in fact any antique furniture …..aged, gilt or white washed!!! Her classic designs of lace or script create a formality.

I have on the other hand seen her fabrics used in very formal interiors ….. they seem to provide the whimsical element… it just works.

Since the 90’s Carolyn has always been able to predict and translate trends.

Interestingly, I noticed that there are parts of her collection that have moved away from the colour pallettes here…..she has a brighter more vibrant range with turquoise, aqua and lime…..just fabulous for beach houses and resorts !!

My Week in Sydney

James salmond style 2527

Deirdre Brennan March 23, 2012 10:25 amJune 21, 2019

It was with much pleasure that James Salmond launched his latest collection of exquisite furniture pieces this week. Classic and contemporary is his trademark and doesn’t he do it so beautifully. The thought he puts into each piece is very evident……his wonderful style shining!!

He is always on the hunt for original bits and pieces that he can incorporate into his designs or take inspiration from in some fashion. The cabinet above has been designed around his collection of small stone bottles….only James could create such an elegant piece with the choice of timber and design complimenting the warmth and earthy texture of the bottles.

James explains that this classic chair covered in gold with stud trim is the perfect size, height and proportion to have as a pair with side table in any room adjacent to the dining room…..simply add them in to your dining room setting for extra seating. All furniture is custom made to order with of course your favourite fabric.

I do have to say that James has impeccable taste and style when choosing the perfect fabric to suit his pieces of furniture. The fabrics in his showroom currently are particularly fabulous……grey, gunmetal and gold…..the future direction we are told.

images: tess brennan

The tall bookcases above show his fine ability to combine classic elements yet create a contemporary piece…in fact a piece that would be at home in any interior…as long as you had the ceiling height!!

These bookcases were my favourite pieces in the showroom. When I mentioned this to James he replied “you know you have created something special when you want to take it home” …I guess they are a favourite of his too.

My Week in Sydney

French antiques to share 2200

Deirdre Brennan March 4, 2012 10:38 amJune 21, 2019

I enjoyed receiving notification of the shipment of gorgeous french antiques from Architectural and Antique Elements in Sydney. It is definitely worth browsing amongst their new collection either for fun or if in search of a specific piece.

My favourite pieces are the french oak haberdashery table above, console and chest of drawers with marble tops, french oak buffet and metal trough.

I do love the scrubbed lighter oak finish and am always drawn to it……it reminds me of Appley Hoare’s heavenly french antique shop in Woollahra….sadly for us, long gone. Since then she has run a very successful antique business in Pimlico Road in London.

For those who are interested Appley Hoare is currently based in the south of France still sourcing unique french antiques which can be viewed online. Of even greater interest is the beautiful house she rents in the south of France.

Daughter Zoe Hoare is now in the USA living and sourcing gorgeous bits and pieces as well. Her beautiful taste can be seen in the Oct/Nov 2011 Vogue Living.

My Week in Sydney

Hunter wellingtons…..why didn’t I 2250

Deirdre Brennan March 3, 2012 11:21 amJune 21, 2019

Yes we are all sick of the rain but somehow having the right equipment !! does make it that much more bearable. Definitely a bad call on my part when my daughter offered to send back a pair from London two Christmases ago…..and I said no !!. It seemed such an extravagance at the time …..particularly when I was enjoying heat and sun here and probably at the beach.

Well here we are with the wettest summer in history and I am struggling on with my ballet flats. Yesterday was really the straw that broke the camel’s back. After a morning in the city my ballet flats were awash and my feet frozen …. and I was trying very hard to enjoy my coffee on the way home at our local in Potts Point. My daughter’s toes were of course extremely toasty in her Hunters!!!

These are the Hunter Wellington’s that were purchased in London ….then not able to fit in the suitcase!! Annabel was of course prevailed upon again…. to pack boxes of the remaining everything and ship to Australia. To much excitement and many months later…. they arrived. Just as well that was last year because this year they have not been off her feet.

I notice that Office in the UK have them for 85pounds which is fabulous with our dollar …. and even Nina Leon in Bowral have them…..they did seem expensive last time I looked here from memory. Oh and yes there are the copies !!

After yesterdays fiasco nothing is too expensive and I can’t wait for a shipment from London.

My Week in Sydney

Emma bridgewater hearts on valentines day 2092

Deirdre Brennan February 14, 2012 11:28 amJune 21, 2019

It is worth a trip to London to stock up on Emma Bridgewater hand made pottery ……I spend hours in her shops in London. Her glass is also particularly beautiful so very difficult to choose.

My friend Annabel in London has absolutely loads of it all which we admire……gorgeous when mixed and matched. Somehow all the designs and colours do work together.

The clever thing is that the Emma Bridgewater mugs are not too big and still seem elegant…maybe that is an English thing…..all those tea parties etc.

On it goes with bedlinen, fabulous coated fabric, stationary, cutlery and tin…..

and her sales and seconds are amazing !!!

Our only problem is that the cost of freight is prohibitive……so do what I do and load up friends and family on their return to Australia.

My Week in Sydney

Chairs in underwear from the country trader 2180

Deirdre Brennan February 7, 2012 11:33 amJune 21, 2019

The Country Trader has done it again……the most stylish range of classic furniture !!!

Just when we thought we knew the showroom so well. This is a range of custom made furniture designed to look like it has been stripped and recovered many times…..that beautiful distressed and aged feel.

The styles themselves are divine…the sort of pieces and styles that are normally quite difficult to find….the classic lines and proporton of the furniture makes it unique.

These chairs and sofas can be left to look as though they have been handed down from generation to generation or be reupholstered to capture their former glory !!!!