Canberra's Parisian secret

Written by Emma Davidson

And it has nothing to do with lacy lingerie or blue movies... Kate Sandford from Histoires has a lovely range of French provincial antiques on display at Artforge in Collie Street, Fyshwick. These are not your usual “look but don't touch” expensive pieces. Histoires brings home unique French antiques that have a story to tell, so they can be used in your everyday home life instead of being kept for Sunday best.

Kate first got into farmhouse antiques while living in Switzerland. She and her husband would go on recon missions to France, coming back with their treasures strapped to the roof rack (usually via back roads with unattended border controls). When they moved back to Canberra in 2006, there was nothing to fill that void in her life. So last September, she went back to Paris to buy her first shipment for Histoires. Her Parisian antiques buyer, Jean-Pierre, helped her find some unique pieces at great prices.

For those of us who can't afford a house full of antiques, having one feature piece among more affordable reproduction or vintage-style furniture can really lift the modèle (that's French for “style”) of the room, and is a great conversation starter when you have guests. “Yes, I found that gorgeous old table under several layers of mud in the back of a barn near Avignon... champagne and canapes, anyone?”

Although Kate says her weakness is outdoor garden settings, she also came home with some lovely occasional tables, buffets, and dining tables. She also loved finding decorative pieces like mirrors, candelabras, and crystal chandeliers. Although a select few pieces are on display at Artforge, the rest can be viewed at Kate's home. Kate can be contacted on 0431 499 356 anytime to make a time for a viewing.

Lovely.

Decadence and wine: Parlour Wine room

A new venue for decadence and the devine is now open. I took a look at the New Acton East precinct to see that things are looking absolutely gorgeous. At Parlour Wine Room, opened only 2 weeks, the look is chic-antiques-meets-drama-queen and I love it! Who wouldn't feel like royalty in one of these thrones?

Parlour Wine Room has gone to considerable lengths to a offer their comprehensive 140 strong wine list, sampling some of the finest wines, sparkling and Champagne that the ACT, regional Australia and the international wine community has to offer - as well as classic cocktails such as the perfect martini, Manhattan or Old Fashioned cocktail. To accompany the wide selection of wine is a creative menu of Spanish Tapas with a modern Australian twist and an ample array of deserts to keep the sweet tooth happy.

Parlour Wine Room 16 Kendall Lane (off Marcus Clark St), Newacton Pavilion.

Recycle in Style: Canberra Antiques Centre

Funky, young and exciting are not necessarily synonymous with antique shopping, but in a corner of Fyshwick, I discovered, Canberra Antiques Centre is not your typical stuffy dealer.

To the soundtrack of "You Can Leave Your Hat On" I sashayed around the Retro clothing area, stopping to check out the many vintage dress patterns for sale, marveled at the wonderful collection of glasswares and figurines... and then, peering around the corner to spy the Jet Age area... hello dolly...

The centre is a showcase to a dozen collectors who each present their own take on antiques with a unique display, some with clothing, fabrics, lighting, some with rustic antiques and others with ornate elegant furniture. Owner, Doug Mulley, who is a passionate collector of more traditional antique furniture and items tells me "our target buyers are a younger market now, we still get older clients coming through, but we find that younger people are more comfortable with our range of exciting collections - and music", this in reference to his refusal to play classical music, opting instead for a bit of modern rock!

Great style and sass here...

...and here's what I couldn't leave without... a very kitschy owl oven mitt, some loverly vintage buttons and a retro belt buckle, a tie (for me!) and a vintage vogue dress pattern circa 1960's... stay tuned for that one on Ninaribena Makes.

Canberra Antiques Centre is on Townsville st Fyshwick.

Behind the Curtains with: Erin Cain

I was privileged to be invited to the elegant home of Erin Cain, Interior Designer, last week.

Erin describes her style as "a clean take on antiques, and without clutter". Her style is very elegant and her home is full of beautiful and unique furniture and objects.

Just inside the entry (wallpapered with a pearlised, soft blue Laura Ashley paper) is a beautiful antique chest with an amazing ornate mirror.

Opposite the kitchen (with the most gorgeous island bench I have EVER seen) is a gallery wall of iconic artworks, including a reproduction of a Norman Lindsay painting.

Of finding the right pieces for her home, Erin says it's all about the thrill of the hunt. An opportunist, she sources items from ebay, revolve, auctions and garage sales, preferring to be surrounded by pre-loved and unique items. But a splurge item is on the way, a beautiful scrolled arm sofa will be fully restored and upholstered with a Designer's Guild fabric in Chocolate brown with tree blossoms in blue.

Another element to her interior design is the beautiful artwork she paints, a large canvas dominates the dining room, the tulips inspired by works in a book by Decorator Nina Campbell.

And just wait until you have seen the children's rooms, where Erin lets her imagination run, and her talents shine. 5 year old Zeke has a floor to ceiling mural in a riot of colour and very cute characters, painted a few years ago "it's time for a change of pace in here" says Erin, Zeke has out grown (the theme of) this mural."

Things are dialed down in the restful bedrooms for Hunter, 2 and a half, and baby Jasper, 2 months.

In Baby Jasper's room, the tree and birds are an arrangement designed by Erin and made from wallpaper offcuts and are set against a pale blue wall. Erin also made the cushions in the cot...too cute!

If you need an amazing child's room, (and after seeing her work - who wouldn't?) Erin would love to assist, you can contact Erin by email at ecain@dodo.com.au or by phone on 6258 8212.

...and stay tuned to Canberra's Got style for more of Erin's work in an up-coming Canberra Children's Rooms feature!