Stylish baroque flowers in bowral, southern highlands

/images/baroque_flowers_1.png

Oh what a joy to have such a divine little shop in the Southern Highlands. Once renowned for all things stylish and smart the beautiful Highlands has had little to offer in the way of boutique shopping of late.

/images/baroque_flowers_2.png

The Southern Highlands has seen the likes of Belinda Seper, Peter Chadwick, Jan Weekes and many others, open wonderfully stylish shops … sadly, no longer. This is the sort of boutique shopping that Sydneysiders with weekenders in the Highlands, crave.

/images/baroque_flowers_3.png

Anyhow, back to Baroque Flowers … it isn’t all about flowers … the shop is full of decorative items such as urns, baskets, glassware and one off antique furniture pieces that compliment the flowers …. and draw you through the door.

/images/baroque_flowers_4.jpg

Vanessa is a very clever florist/stylist who creates not only fabulous flowers but beautiful vignettes within this tiny space.  She puts together unusual combinations of flowers and foliage, both strikingly bold and pretty, rustic and classic.  There is always a surprise element.

/images/baroque_flowers_5.jpg

French and country …. 3 more days !!!

/images/french_and country.jpg

/images/french_and country_2.jpg

Hopewood Country House is open again for the Annual Stocktake Sale for French and Country and Suzie Anderson Home.  It was gorgeous to visit at the weekend and also to know that it is on for 3 more days.  So much to see and take in.  Suzie is very clever with her styling … every room delicious to look at … all so tempting.  There were none of the tell tale signs of a sale when I was looking.

The highlands are looking a picture … Suzie’s setting is particularly beautiful  … it is well worth popping in for a viewing or down from Sydney for the morning … and you won’t be disappointed in the delightful morning tea being served.

Displaying your collections in style

/images/coty_%20farquhar_%20sea_%20shells.jpg

image: coty farquhar

Displaying collections of what ever takes your fancy is a satisfying and pleasurable project.  It is giving a little glimpse of you and your favourite bits and pieces, old or new, precious or not to those who might admire them.

It may be more personal…..a collection on a dressing table ….. or it may be hung on a wall in a living room for all to see!!!

Either way it is a very individual and stylish way to make a statement….bringing together beautiful colours, texture, like with like.

Create attractive groupings within your spaces…. that you have put together…..your favourite things for a myriad of different reasons !!!!!!

.  shells collected on your holiday on a white platter or in beautiful glass bowl (see Coty Farquhar’s image above)

.  pretty china plates hanging on a wall or porcelain teas cups grouped on a sideboard…..take them out of the cupboard and display them !!!

.  silver tea set or silver bowls, platters or candlesticks and of course your silver picture frames……silver always lights up a room but polishing it all can be punishing !!!

.  cut glass or crystal is always so pretty… particularly if you do groupings of vases with a selection of freshly cut flowers from your garden …..just a sprig is all it takes.  These look gorgeous if spaced down the centre of a dining table. A collection of crystal wine and spirit decanters always looks warm and inviting with lamp light.

.  pewter has a special hue that seems to work with grey and white….it can be rustic or minimalist.

.  stacked wood in or beside a fireplace has a warmth and texture that can be a design element in itself.

. bookshelves are fabulous anywhere…the more the better…..whole walls of them !!!!  Books can be arranged randomly…..by subject or by colour !!!

.  folded linen sheets and pillowcases in an armoire or linen press….possibly my favourite thing !!!!

Flowers, flowers everywhere

/images/grandiflora_window.JPG

I am lucky enough to live a few doors from the beautiful Grandiflora florist in Potts Point.  It is a never ending hive of activity…..flowers arriving by the truck load……magnificent bunches of flowers being whisked into taxis for delivery !!!! Cars pulling in to collect all manner of fabulous floral arrangements….my mind wanders….who might they be for…..or what grand occasion could it all be part of.

There is something rather gorgeous about someone carrying a beautifully wrapped bunch of flowers…they seem to glow…literally armloads of flowers…..wouldn’t I love it if they were for me….how romantic flowers are !!!

I think that what sets Grandiflora apart….is the exotic nature of not only the flowers and everything that goes with them….buds..pods etc ……..but also the arrangements.

Their windows in fact are an art form……almost an installation….sometimes even spilling out onto the footpath !!!! which I love.

All so very enticing.

Gardening Essentials

garden_flowers

With my recent flurry of activity in the garden ie weeding, watering, spraying and watching out for (on an almost hourly basis) buds on my newly planted white iceberg shrub roses, I have suffered the irritation of constantly having to return to the house, take off muddy gloves and boots for something – whether it be a tissue drink of water or to scribble something earthshatteringly important down on paper lest it be gone forever.

 

This prompted me after quite some time being irritated, to sit down and compile the definitive list of all things needed at ones fingertips for a session in the garden.  These may not be everyones essentials but they are mine!

  • gardening gloves
  • both mobile and handsfree house phone ( I am sure most people garden to escape such devices however I do run a business and yes, still feel guilty about gardening when I know I should be doing work – real work!)
  • insect repellant
  • sunscreen
  • hat
  • pen and paper – to make a note of jobs you see to be done,  purchases – fertilizer/spray/ new sprinkler/just the right plant to fill a gap
  • my trusty little blue transistor radio – especially to listen to the ABC gardening show on Saturday morning
  • sunglasses
  • tissues

I keep these in a basket in the mud room so that  I can grab it and go whenever the mood takes me.  I have also learnt to keep together in the shed my most used tools such as rake, fork, small pointy ended shovel, small digger and small clippers.

The only thing missing is the timely arrival of someone caring with a tray of tea and adora cream biscuits!!  Someone who will admire all your hard work, the fruits of your labour and listen with interest to your future grand plans.  My mother filled this slot beautifully and I miss her a lot when I am in the garden.  When home my beautiful daughter will take over this role lovingly and it is such a treat.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks