Table of contents for May 2019 in Country Style

Three-year-old Gigi loves picking flowers and helping her mother in the garden. Lots of little girls all over the world love doing the same thing, except this one has an extra-special garden — a flower farm filled with dahlias like the beautiful peachy coloured Cafe au Lait blooms she’s holding a bunch of on page 53. Gigi’s parents, Janae and Chris Paquin-Bowden, had always liked the idea of growing flowers, but the two school teachers had to first teach themselves how to do it. “I got a book from the library about how to be a flower farmer and on our honeymoon I read it about a hundred times,” Janae says. “The garden came first and we lived in the shed that we built before we were married; bit by…

to Bernadette Brandes who has won a selection of Robert Gordon homewares worth $500. The Pakenham-based pottery is still a family business, run by the third generation. Shop online at robertgordonaustralia.com or call (03) 5941 3144. Share your thoughts and experiences with us by writing to Country Style, PO Box 4088, Sydney NSW 1028, or by emailingaustcountrystyle@bauer-media.com.au. Please include your address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.…

FOR GIANLUIGI AND LIZZIE Buscaino life revolves around the weekly harvest of organically grown herbs, vegetables and edible flowers, which are picked to order. Their haul is then delivered to customers in the local area or collected from their property, Piccolo Farm, in the semi-rural township of Thirlmere, NSW. The couple, who describe themselves as “farmers, foodies and permaculturists”, joined the growing self-sufficiency movement when they turned a move to a small rural holding to grow food for their family into an agricultural enterprise that produces vegetables and eggs for sale. “We were both suburban kids and new to farming,” says Lizzie, who was raised in Stockholm, Sweden. “I’m as Swedish as they come, but I felt at home the minute I got here.” Gianluigi, who grew up in Sydney’s…

Long Table Dinner with Sophie Hansen, May 11th Meet Sophie and celebrate the launch of her second book, A Basket By The Door, at Ballakaye in the rolling hills of the Pyrenees Ranges, an hour’s drive north-west of Ballarat. Enjoy a grazing plate followed by a sit-down meal of delicious homegrown and local fare accompanied by Pyrenees and Grampians wines. Guests receive a copy of the book and a gift from Grounded Pleasures, a return bus trip from Ballarat and a welcome glass of premium local wine. Tickets are $150 per person. 0400 959 863; settlerandsons.com.au…

JANAE AND CHRIS PAQUIN-BOWDEN had always imagined growing their own produce on a patch of land, where their children could grow up surrounded by pets and livestock. However, it wasn’t until they got married in Lyonville, just over 100 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, that this grand plan started to take shape. “We both always loved the idea of having our own property, and having animals and a garden of some description,” says Janae. “When we were married [in 2014] we knew we wanted to use local, sustainably grown flowers that were chemical free, but we couldn’t find them anywhere.” As the 36-year-old recalls, it was one of their Suffolk sheep that saved the day. “We found a couple who trade flowers for all kinds of things, so we traded a…

• The recycled European oak flooring throughout the house is from Angus and Emma’s business Woodstock Resources. Their main showroom and concept store is in Jugiong, NSW, but they also have showrooms in Surry Hills, Sydney, South Melbourne and a feature display at Suzie Anderson Home at Mossvale in the NSW Southern Highlands. 0439 878 470; woodstockresources.com.au • Angus designed the stainless-steel kitchen benchtops and had them made by Aircare Engineering in Young, NSW. (02) 6382 5299; aircareengineering.com.au • Emma and Angus transformed the original ballroom into the master bedroom and painted it in Taubmans Blue Blush. 13 16 86; taubmans.com.au • Mylora is available to rent as holiday accommodation. Visit airbnb.com.au…

Layer upon layer of cosy throws, cushions and rugs in a range of earthy tones and natural fibres will amplify the comfort factor in your bedroom.…

AN ACT OF KINDNESS Sophie Hansen experienced 12 years ago was the inspiration for her new cookbook, A Basket By The Door. When she and husband Tim brought their newborn daughter, Alice, home to their deer farm near Orange, NSW, they were touched to find a basket on the verandah. “It contained a bottle of wine, an apple cake and a tray of lamb shanks ready to be reheated,” recalls Sophie. “I appreciated the fact that dinner was sorted for the next two days. And that someone cared enough to make, pack and deliver these things to our door, well out of town.” As well as ideas for nourishing gifts, the cookbook includes recipes to enjoy with friends and family, such as the delicious sweet wreath (opposite). “There’s something so…

SEASONAL CHANGE Enjoy catch-ups with friends, all while looking fabulous in Black Pepper’s newest winter collection. blackpepper.com.au FASHION ESSENTIALS Stay warm between seasons with the Zip Trim vest. The quilted design and faux-fur collar lining provide maximum heat insulation and style. yarratrail.com.au A FINE ART Learn to paint blooms with award-winning art teacher Jacqueline Coates. Book in for her upcoming Melbourne class at artscreativehub.com/workshops THAT ARA FEELING Since 1949, Ara has been designing a wide variety of shoe fashions of the highest quality, so you can trust in that well-known Ara feeling. ara-anz.com AFFORDABLE UPDATE Get 12 months interest free* on all Wynstan blinds, doors, shutters and awnings, with minimum purchases of $3000. wynstan.com.au SOMETHING SPECIAL These original rose-cut diamond drop earrings are from the latest antique collection at Lannah…

BECK SIMON This Melbourne-based stylist travelled to Mylora — a grazing property near Binalong, NSW — for our story about Emma and Angus Graham’s historic home, on page 58. Arriving at Mylora, Beck was struck by the grandeur of the homestead and its beautiful gardens. “I couldn’t wait to see inside and it didn’t disappoint,” she says. “The modern–classic interior is really quite special and the history of the property is fascinating.” Beck has worked as a freelance stylist for the past seven years and finds it intriguing to visit other people’s houses. “A home reveals quite a lot about a person or family,” she says. “Country people are so welcoming and always have delicious food prepared!” Beck’s love of regional Australia is rooted in a childhood spent in Kyneton,…

BOB HICKSON, my husband’s charming uncle from Dirranbandi, Queensland, almost made it to 90 years of age. A couple of weeks before he died, his daughter observed, “Dad, what’s going on? You’re sleeping a lot.” “I’m just practising being dead,” said Bob, his blue eyes twinkling. A bit later in hospital, his son apologised to him for not being able to keep him at home. “Sorry Dad, we didn’t plan it like this.” Bob reassured his son, saying softly, “Oh, it’s not so bad.” And then, just before he died, he whispered “thank you” to the nurse, gently saluting him from his bed. The next time the nurse came into his room, Bob was dead. Bob Hickson died with humour, resilience and gratitude. I imagine it takes a lot of…

NSW Art Deco: The World Turns Modern, May 31st–August 25th Tweed Regional Gallery hosts an exhibition of sculpture, painting, photography, design and fashion from the National Gallery of Australia that includes works by Margaret Preston and Mervyn Napier Waller. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm. Free entry. 2 Mistral Road, Murwillumbah South. (02) 6670 2790; artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au Scone Horse Festival, May 3rd–12th Highlights include the Australian Tentpegging Championships, sheepdog trials, farrier displays and stockhorse demonstrations. (02) 6540 1300; sconehorsefestival.com.au NT A Taste of Kakadu, May 10th–19th May is a great time to visit World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park with this 10-day festival, including bush-food cooking demonstrations, weaving, basket making and foraging walks. Entry to the festival park starts at $19. Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu National Park. (08) 8938 1120; parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/taste Uluru Camel Cup,…

AUTHOR HOLLY RINGLAND discovered the power of plants as a small child, barefoot amid her family’s subtropical garden at Gladstone in Queensland. Her grandmother, Joan Corfield, lived in an old Queenslander with a fairy garden of roses and bell flowers alongside, protected from the scorching summer sun. “Whenever there was something wrong in the world, I would be directed to the fairy garden and Granny would hold my hand and have me look into the faces of flowers and plants,” the 38-year-old recalls. “I think she was bringing my awareness to the fact that nature is bigger than we are and what goes on with our feelings and in our head.” It’s a theme Holly has woven through her best-selling debut novel, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, published by…

DRIVING THROUGH THE undulating hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a glimpse of red peeks cheerfully through a clearing in the native bushland. At the side of the road, an eye-catching letterbox provides a touch of whimsy and a tantalising hint of what’s to come. Then, as your wheels crunch through the oval-shaped poinciana seeds that line the driveway, you are rewarded with the cheery sight of Little Red Barn — the much-loved abode of interior designer Rachel Luchetti and her builder husband Gerard Cook, who transformed a kit-home barn into a family retreat. “Arriving at the barn is always such a wonderful feeling,” says Rachel, who takes their two sons, Leonard, aged four, and two-year-old Walter, to visit at every opportunity. “As we live in an inner-city apartment, we crave…

• A wood-combustion Esse 990CH boiler from Pivot Stove and Heating provides hydronic heating in the concrete slab. 1300 474 868; pivotstove.com.au • The roof and rear wall are covered with Colorbond Night Sky corrugated steel. 1800 022 999; colorbond.com • Janae’s father Ian Evans did the landscaping. 0418 507 213; ianevanscreativelandscapes.com • Leon Beatty from LMB Constructions in Bendigo carried out the building work. 0415 503 875; lmb-constructions.business.site • The Salvage Yard in Castlemaine provided the timber beams for the trusses and recycled bowling-alley flooring for the benchtops. 0435 500 112; thesalvageyard.com.au • Central Kitchens in Bendigo East made the kitchen cabinets. (03) 5430 2000; centralkitchens.com.au • Laminex Black was used for the kitchen cabinetry. 132 136; laminex.com.au…

Bring the design of your bedroom together with furniture from the My Design collection at Snooze. Expertly crafted in Australia from feature-grade blackbutt veneer, the bespoke furniture range is available in an array of stains and finishes. Achieve a balance between practicality and style with fully customisable bedside tables (in a range of sizes), shelves and handles. Add allure to your bedroom and complete the look with a My Design narrow bedside table in feature-grade blackbutt veneer in Charcoal. STYLE NOTES 1. Layering is what makes a bedroom blissful. Cushions, throws, rugs and curtains will all work hard for you. 2. Good bedside storage is a great asset to any bedroom. Customise your bedside table to your specific needs with the My Design collection at Snooze. 3. Studs, buttons and…

Jamie and Melody Flood OWNERS OF TEN ACRES SOURDOUGH Ninderry residents for 14 years. ASK EUMUNDI LOCALS WHAT THEY LOVE about their quaint Queensland village, set in the Sunshine Coast hinterland 21 kilometres south-west of Noosa, and the words ‘creative’ and ‘community’ are sure to keep cropping up. With its wide main street lined with historic weatherboards now home to cosy cafés and artisan wares, the former timber centre of 2200 residents is today best known for its bustling twice-weekly markets and strong community spirit. Artist Amy Clarke was drawn to Eumundi’s creative energy when she moved there with her husband Ross and two young children Charlie and Coco in 2006, following a long stint in Sydney and a year of renting nearby on the coast while house hunting. “I…

1. Feeling flat? Warm up your complexion with a hint of bronze with Natio Bronze Glow Perfecting Primer ($16.95 for 50g), which can be used under foundation, or on its own for a hint of colour. 2. Given six months to live with a brain tumour that doctors thought could be environmentally derived, Indie Lee got through her surgery successfully and decided to embark on a mission to educate people about what they are putting on their skin while launching her own range of clean, ethical products. Try Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser ($49 for 125ml) with strawberry seed and coconut oils, and Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner ($49 for 125ml) with antioxidants and flower and fruit extracts to calm and protect. 3. New Australian beauty company Ipsum is created in the…

FIRST LOVE How fabulous that your first article featured an Aboriginal artist, Gloria Mengil. Aboriginal art is the most striking work to be seen in Australian contemporary galleries. It needs to be showcased more, and the connection to country, storytelling and Indigenous life to become mainstream in our media. Sue Shearer, Bradbury, NSW ART LESSONS As a teacher, I love how Country Style champions and celebrates artists. For decades I have been teaching art to young students and have showcased many of these artists in the classroom. Your feature on Gloria Mengil was particularly poignant. Gloria is very passionate about the power of art and how it brings people together. Unfortunately, Australia gives most media attention to sports stars. Artists receive little or no government funding. By giving these creatives…

Wynstan’s Cellular Shades deliver more than just shade, privacy and a sophisticated look: they can also help you save on your heating and cooling bills. As smart as they are elegant, Wynstan Cellular Shades conserve energy by trapping air in their honeycomb-cell interior, creating an extra layer of insulation within the blind, so you don’t have to go straight to the heater to warm your living areas this winter. The custom-fitted versatility of the Cellular Shade means they can be adapted to windows of any dimension – even horizontal skylights and angled loft windows – and they hug so closely to the window edges that light gaps are virtually eliminated and noise reduced. Wynstan Cellular Shades are also surprisingly strong and durable, making them the perfect window treatment for your…

SA Victor Harbor, every Saturday There are many reasons to visit Victor Harbor, around an hour’s drive south of Adelaide. You’ll be able to sample wines at the area’s many vineyards and there’s also the charming farmers’ market held in the park in the middle of town. Here you’ll find organic vegetables from Virgara’s Garden, hot doughnuts from Dee 4 Desserts and, at this time of year, citrus from the Riverland courtesy of Con and Harry Mantzarapis. The third weekend of the month is also popular when Kangaroo Island Living Honey comes over to the mainland. 8am–12.30pm. Grosvenor Gardens, Victor Harbor. 0438 858 667; victorharborfarmersmarket.com.au…

This industrial centre with a population of over 33,000 people is located 450 kilometres north of Brisbane on the coast of Queensland. Often referred to as the ‘engine room’ of the state, the major industries include two of the world’s largest alumina refineries and Queensland’s largest power station and cement plant. The Port of Gladstone handles over 100 million tonnes of cargo each year and is the state’s largest multi-commodity port. For a true sense of the harbour, city and islands, head to the Auckland Hill or Round Hill lookouts for a bird’s-eye vantage point. The Gladstone Harbour Festival is celebrated in April each year, while further afield, the Captain Cook 1770 Festival is held annually in May featuring re-enactments of Cook’s second landing, street food and live music. The…

• As a builder, Gerard was able to complete most of the work himself. His Sydney-based business, Reconn, works on commercial, residential, hospitality and civil projects. 0413 319 811; reconn.com.au • Gerard made the concrete benchtops in the kitchen while the cupboards and sink are from IKEA. ikea.com.au • Tapware in the bathrooms is from Astra Walker. “Both the main bathroom and the ensuite bathroom designs are a hybrid of industrial and traditional concepts,” says Rachel. (02) 8838 5100; astrawalker.com.au • The Jasper sofa from King Living is a family favourite. “It’s super comfortable and huge,” says Rachel. 1300 546 438; kingliving.com.au • The pool is from Allcast Precast, on the Sunshine Coast, which specialises in concrete water tanks and plunge pools. (07) 5442 2522; allcastprecast.com.au • Little Red Barn…

A RICH VEIN OF AUSTRALIAN folklore runs through southern NSW’s Binalong district and Mylora, a historic homestead in the area, features in many tales regaled by locals. It is immortalised in one of Banjo Paterson’s first published poems The Mylora Elopement, based on his memories growing up on the neighbouring property, Illalong. However, the property also has links to less reputable characters, and it’s these stories that often attract the most intrigue. Mylora’s previous owners were the Garry family, whose ancestors were early pioneers of the area. During the 1850s gold rush, hold-ups were common on the Cobb & Co route flanking the outer reaches of the property, as bushrangers sought their fortune with pistols rather than pickaxes. Local legend has it that after robbing a mail coach, notorious outlaws…

NATURAL CHOICE Brisbane designer Darcy Clarke’s Tangelo cane pendant (above and opposite) for Danish company Sika-Design was launched at Paris design show Maison & Objet earlier this year. Hang it in a single drop or in a cluster of three for impact. Sika-Design is renowned for its high quality cane furniture, such as the Margret chair (left) and Celia headboard and Romeo trolley (right). Available from domo.com.au PERFECT PALETTE Loved for his magical decoupage, New York designer John Derian’s range for Designers Guild was on show at Paris Déco Off, an event where the world’s design crowd gather to see the latest textiles and wallpapers. The popular Mixed Tones Canvas in Neutral is pictured below. Available from radfordfurnishings.com.au SLEEP EASY French design house Ligne Roset — a family run business…

THE ORCHID WHISPERER What Gordon Giles doesn’t know about orchids isn’t worth knowing. For more than 45 years this orchid obsessive has lived and worked on a beautiful property on Vineys Lane in Dural, an area that has long been the centre of the nursery industry in NSW. Many years ago, Gordon had a dream to develop a modern greenhouse complex and went about setting up his first glasshouse to grow Phalaenopsis orchids. Initially the flowers were cut and Gordon was the major supplier to the Sydney Flower Market, but changes in technology, trends and the environment meant he needed to adapt. Expanding into indoor foliage and potted orchids has seen Gordon and business partner Keith Wallace continue to thrive. Due to their beautiful blooms and ease of care, Phalaenopsis…

KICK START Chef Darren Purchese has done it again. In this, the third of his series of Chefs Eat… books, Darren waxes lyrical about another of his food loves — breakfast. In Chefs Eat Breakfast Too (Hardie Grant Books, $29.99), Darren’s enthusiasm for the most important meal of the day is infectious. The Weet-Bix will soon be languishing in the cupboard while you perfect a boiled egg, chicken congee or surprise your mother with the impressive chocolate streusel brioche. HEALTH BOWL FARMER JO, THE BYRON BAY-BASED MUESLI COMPANY, BELIEVES MUESLI SHOULD TASTE GOOD AND BE GOOD FOR YOU. IN AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST, THEY’VE ADDED A PROBIOTIC TO THEIR MUESLI. THE NEW RANGE, FROM $7.99, IS ALSO VEGAN AND PALEO, PLUS LOW IN SUGAR — LESS THAN FIVE GRAMS PER SERVE.FARMERJO.COM.AU…

Adairs 1300 783 005 adairs.com.au Aerin 1800 061 326 esteelauder.com.au/aerin Allcast Precast (07) 5442 2522 allcastprecast.com.au Amouage (02) 8002 4488 agencedeparfum.com.au Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Armadillo & Co (02) 9698 4043 armadillo-co.com Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100 astrawalker.com.au Aura Home 1300 304 269 aurahome.com.au Bedtonic bedtonic.com Bianca Lorenne 1800 705 393 biancalorenne.com.au Black Pepper 1800 001 399 blackpepper.com.au By Arna byarna.com.au Byzantine Design (03) 9078 2811 byzantinedesign.com.au Canvas+Sasson (03) 9790 1266 canvasandsasson.com.au Carlotta + Gee carlottaandgee.com Carrara Marble & Granite (02) 9708 4422 carrara-marble.com.au Central Kitchens (03) 5430 2000 centralkitchens.com.au Choices Flooring choicesflooring.com.au Città cittadesign.com Clementine Posy (02) 4655 3285 clementineposy.com.au Coco Republic 1300 000 220 cocorepublic.com.au Cotswold Furniture 1800 677 047 cotswoldfurniture.com.au Country Road 1800 801 911 countryroad.com.au Cultiver 1300 016 772 cultiver.com.au D.S. & Durga mecca.com.au Designer Rugs 1300 802 561 designerrugs.com.au Designstuff (03) 8598 9700 designstuff.com.au Domo (03) 9277 8888 domo.com.au Eadie Lifestyle (02) 4927 6309 eadielifestyle.com.au Early Settler 1300…

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’S ELIZABETH walked in the country… with or without Mr Darcy. Jane Eyre’s Jane walked in the country. As did The French Lieutenant’s Woman. William Wordsworth was forever walking in the country… as lonely as a cloud, as I recall. And if we’d seen a cloud out here recently, it would have been a very lonely one indeed. When The Chosen One and I made our migration to the sticks, we didn’t know much about the country, except that you walked in it. So we got oilskin jackets, beanies, stout shoes and staffs and an even stouter dog, and we started to walk. Now I don’t recall Elizabeth or Jane having this problem, but before our body mass indexes had even noticed we were walking, white Toyota utes…