Sydney’s hidden jewellery box

/images/three_rooms_sml.jpg

I literally stumbled across this exquisite little jewel box …. aptly named ….

three rooms

antiques – art – design

Nestled at the bottom of William Street, Paddington this shop (comprising three rooms) is a visual feast …. glass fronted cabinets filled with pretty and precious antique pieces to tempt !!

Open only a matter of weeks, owners Ian Hadlow and Christopher Becker have a passion for the intrinsically beautiful and the handmade.

Their vision …. to educate the next generation about true craftsmanship.

Their carefully chosen location …. in a street renowned for unique, glamorous and quirky fashion …. ‘fashion is art’ I am told.

/images/three_rooms_1.jpg

With many years experience in antiques, visual merchandising and fashion between them, this, I have no doubt will be the showcase for all things beautiful !!!

/images/three_rooms_2.jpg

As I stood on the street admiring the most beautiful pink necklace in the window, I found myself surrounded by a team from Vogue …. nothing less than a fashion shoot with a girl in a black velvet Celine cocktail frock …. elegantly draped in the doorway.

three rooms is both stylish …. and elegant and is already on the map !!!

A little inspiration from chanel during australian fashion week

/images/chanel_spring_%202012_13.jpg

As fabulous as many of the designs were during Australian Fashion Week …. and I am thinking Zimmerman and Toni Maticevski who I particularly admired, nothing came close to the sort of detailing that Chanel is famous for.

/images/chanel_spring_2012_13_1.jpg

images: go runway

I love these textures and fabrics and colours !! and just when I thought the beautiful shade of nude was on its way out. I love working with these gorgeous neutral shades for upholstery whether it be wools, flannels, mohair, linen or velvet … and on whatever style or period of furniture.

Antiques can be modernized and reinvented by upholstering in neutral textiles.

Natural and neutral tones for textiles and rugs work as a backdrop for the warmth of timber furniture, flooring and even subtle architectural detail.  These interiors being both harmonious and …. inviting to live in.

Grain sack fabrics both rustic and elegant

/images/grain_sack_fabric_1.jpg

I first stumbled across these fabrics at the iconic Peppergreen antique emporium in the Southern Highlands…..sadly no longer.  Shelves and even bolts of this vintage linen, cotton and flax grain sack fabric. I think what draws me to it is the subtlety in colour variation.  All very neutral, really only varying in texture from the soft scrubbed finish to a much coarser, almost hessianlike fabric.

/images/grain_sack_fabric_2.jpg

/images/grain_sack_fabric_3.jpg

The faded imprint of the logo or manufacturer only adds to the appeal….almost like works of art.

 Also falling into this category of fabrics I feel are the gorgeous antique european mangle cloths.  These are a softer colour palette and finer texture….fabulous for tablecloths and serviettes. I love the subtle stripe to the edge…..always faded red or navy.

/images/grain_sack_fabric_4.jpg

/images/grain_sack_fabric_5.jpg

images: homelife

Being so neutral these fabrics combine well with pattern…..however with their subtle shades of cream, putty or taupe are at their most elegant when incorporated into a cream or white interior.   Have fun with scatter cushions and interesting trimming….and think about loose covers !!

The most exciting part is searching for these fabrics at your favourite antique market…..

French antiques to share

/images/elements_i_love_1.jpg

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.

/images/elements_i_love_2.jpg

/images/elements_i_love_3.jpg

/images/elements_i_love_4.jpg

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 !!!!

A new shipment at Parterre Garden

I was very excited to receive news from Parterre of the new shipment from France and Belgium.

The showroom/shop has been completely refitted to showcase all the new pieces and I can’t wait to see it all !!! Always looking magnificent….and such a temptation.

I love the mix of larger, serious pieces of furniture and mirrors with small decorative vases and other exquisite collectables.

Chairs in underwear from the country trader

/images/country_%20trader_upholstered%20_furniture.jpg

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 !!!!

Belgian furniture at parterre garden

/images/parterre.JPG

Having time to kill between appointments I thought I would have a quick look at Parterre Garden in Woollahra…always such a beautiful and inspiring showroom.

It does help having such fabulous pieces to style.  Their lighting and lamps I feel underpin the entire look….so unique.  The glassware, mirrors and candles are heavenly !!!

What makes the showroom such a delight are the fresh flowers…today mainly roses….spilling out of sparkling glass urns.  I never quite manage to achieve such a lavish look but after a visit to Parterre….full of inspiration…. I do try to raise the bar somewhat.

My very exciting find today was their elegant range of Belgian outdoor furniture(below)……looking far too divine to possibly put outside….Massant…..specialialising in French chairs of the 18th century.

Parterre have a brilliant web site with the beautiful Massant furniture, other pieces seen in the showroom….and much more!!!!

/images/parterre_outdoor

Holiday Browsing for Design Inspiration

 Koskela     91 Campbell street Surry Hills……The Country Trader    197 Young Street Waterloo……ici et la    7 Nickson Street Surry Hills……davidmetnicole    382 Cleveland Street Surry Hills……Doug Up On Bourke    901 Bourke Street Waterloo……Ondene    12 Transvaal Avenue Double Bay……Orient House    45 Bridge Street Glebe

January is a fabulous time to be in Sydney ….usually the weather has settled, the Festival of Sydney is in full swing and ….we have more time!! Take a day to have a fossick around and gain some inspiration for the new year.

Remember……Plan your route so as not to miss any of the above, take notepad and pen and/or digital device and enjoy stopping for coffee/lunch….. to discuss/jot down what you have seen, must have, will be going back to get, going home to measure up for.

Find the latest coffee shops you have read about, enroute.  I just might have to share a few of my favourites before xmas.! Have fun.

 

 

The Country Trader Extravaganza

 

What fabulous fun was had by all at The Country Trader Extravaganza.  Billed as the Greatest Show on Earth, it was all of that and more.  The Circus theme had everyone in the mood from the minute you arrived…..like entering the big top with all the entertainment that goes with it !!!!

In addition to the ever expanding collection of divine antique pieces….large and small, the massed Christmas decorations were breathtakingly beautiful and hard to resist.

Very festive indeed….not to mention the most beautiful Christmas pudding I have ever tasted (very similar in flavour to the one I make but somehow twice as good when you haven’t slaved over it yourself….or was it the accompanying Moet & Chandon!!!!)

Geoffrey Clark does nothing by halves….ever.

 

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks