Architecturally designed chocolate and giveaway!

The marriage of architecture and chocolate is heaven-sent for a design and food glutton like me.

When Nuffnang said they’d sponsor this post about the new Ferrero Online Boutique and the exquisite centrepiece designed by well-known Australian architect, Iain Halliday, I could hardly refuse.  

Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepiece makes a striking statement in a contemporary tablescape

It certainly puts the bling into Christmas décor...with a crunchy hazelnut centre!

I can see this centrepiece working extremely well in a stylish setting for Christmas cocktails or as sweets for a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Iain from BKH collaborated with Ferrero Rocher to design a series of gold revolving concentric shelves with integrated LED lighting (which does not melt the chocolate). It can hold 75 Ferrero Rocher pralines.

The amount of thought which went into making this centrepiece look extra fabulous impresses me. Good design is when form meets function and it certainly fits that category.

Design render for the Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepiece

Award-winning architectural firm BKH is synonymous with interior style and sophistication - they are the team behind the stunning Scanlan and Theodore Boutiques in Sydney and Melbourne and the gorgeous China Beach restaurant in Sydney.

China Beach restaurant by BKH

So, you see, the Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepiece comes with an impressive design pedigree.

There is a very limited number of Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepieces available. You can only order online from the Ferrero Boutique.

And I am saving the best news until last...you have a chance to win your very own luxurious centrepiece!

Add caption

Yes, you do.

And you know you want it.

I know I do. What a great excuse to throw a party!

To enter, you need to leave a response on this post, describing how and where your new Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepiece will be used during this festive season.

The most imaginative response judged by Ferrero Rocher and Ian Halliday will win.

The Promotion commences Monday 29 November, 2010 until 5pm AEDST Monday 13 December, 2010. It is only open to Australian residents. Click on the terms and conditions for full details.

To get your creative motor running, here is my entry:

“It is dusk, the swimming pool is glimmering and the martinis are flowing. The Ferrero Rocher by BKH Christmas Centrepiece is sitting in the middle of a Saarinen tulip table, which is being used for the Christmas buffet. My happy guests, some with lampshades on their heads, are dancing the Watusi." 

Now, beat that my friends!

p.s Because I feel guilty about excluding my overseas readers, I will run another giveaway later this week open to everyone, everywhere.

Glamping

We just got back from a terrific few days of glamping at Brunswick Heads in Northern New South Wales. It is a delightful part of the world.

Glamping image from here.
Our camping trip wasn't so indulgent...

Well, maybe I'm going too far describing our trip as glamping, but we do strive to have a home away from home feel.

We go camping twice a year with a few other families which is wonderful fun for all our children. And our camp leader, Captain Boyter, looks after us very well - cooking us hot breakfasts each morning and the most delicious dinners at night.

For me, it is an absolute treat when someone else does the cooking. It makes it more of a holiday.

Polynesian bedding for the air mattresses

We glamp Polynesian style. I bet you never knew you wanted to glamp to a theme too, huh?

I find Polynesian-style cotton bedspreads are extremely practical because they fold compactly, do not show the dirt or sand easily and dry quickly if they get wet during a storm. They are bright and cheery too!

Our tent.
I'm going to invest in a tatami (woven straw mat) for the entry annexe when we next go camping.

Our tent is too small for us. We bought it a few years before we had Son #3, so it is a tight fit for our family of five now.

We're thinking of upgrading to a larger model - one with an east wing, courtyard and west wing. Alfresco claw foot bath tub would be an optional extra...

So, tell me, what sort of tent do you have? Are you are real camper or do you glamp?

A medley of cool things

We have a busy, busy weekend planned and before I forget,  I just wanted to show some recent purchases which have put a smile on my dial.

Ha! I bet you're jealous of the Teletubbies bedding. Number 2 Son's; not mine!

My clever friend, Melissa from Seamstress and the Daughters, made this flour sack pillow. I never thought I'd buy a flour sack made into a pillow, but I could not pass up on the "Brisbanecentric" theme of this pillow.

Who needs Belgian flour sacks when you can have Brisbane ones!

Love, love, love my new book.

I bought Iconic Australian Houses 50/60/70 by Karen McCartney from Book Depository. It was THE book to buy for Modernists last Christmas. I'm behind the times, but better late than never.

Murano style bud vase

And a while ago when I was at the flea market, I picked up this gaudy Murano-style bud vase (probably made in Japan). Isn't it the most gorgeous colour?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Casement window frames

Mr Rooney, our sensitive new-age builder, set up a temporary joinery workshop in our carport this week.

He's been busily building frames for our new old timber windows - by far the best option for installing windows in the "out of square" sunroom.

Timber casement window built into a frame

He's planning to recycle the existing window sills too. They are in good condition and hardwood. Mr Rooney told me that we would be saving an orangutan in the Borneo forest by recycling our existing timber rather than buying the new stuff.

He's a deep thinker for a man with rather nice thighs.

Mr Rooney thinking deeply.
He's like Eldin the philosopher/ painter from Murphy Brown. Remember?

I don't envy him this job though. It looks tedious but he's got a radio to keep him company.  I also wasn't game to offer Mr Rooney lunch or a cup of coffee today, because yesterday he started to feel nauseous and went home sick. He said he was alright up until I offered to make him a sandwich...the thought just made him ill!

Anyway, he's back on track and doing a very fine job.

p.s  Just Martha from Jelly Shane has a dilemma concerning some strange markings on her timber floors. She thought Mr Rooney would know the answer and I forgot to ask him today...Have you any idea Mr R?

Home advice for Santa

 sponsored by nuffnang

I’m not afraid to give décor advice to the Prime Minister or the Federal member for Kennedy and I’m certainly not afraid to give it to the man in the red suit.

Listen here, Santa.

AN OPEN LETTER TO SANTA:

Dear Santa,

The media have us believe you live in a cosy country cottage in the snow, surrounded by Arts and Craft style furniture and cutesy stuffed toys as decorative objects.  It can’t be all myth, surely?

For crying out loud, it’s nearly 2011, Santa! And it is no way for a grown man to live (without people getting suspicious).

Seriously, you need to move house. Keep the North Pole cottage as your business premises because I appreciate you’ve got work to do...just get yourself a funky pad in the off-season.

Move to Queensland. There are some really affordable homes there, because it’s a buyer’s market.

I’m thinking a modernist home for you, maybe in Tarragindi or, if you have cash to splash, the Gold Coast.

A 1960s flat-roof open plan bungalow with a swimming pool and a tiki bar would be my pick – Palm Springs resort style. Yeah!

Your furniture should be Danish Mod and have sharp clean modern lines like in Mad Men. Also keep the cutesy toys to a minimum and control yourself with the holly, please.

Contender for Santa’s Palm Springs style home

Did you know, such is the concern about where you should buy your next place, there’s a ‘Help Santa Find a Home’  competition?

Yeah that’s right. There’s a daily clue on Facebook and Twitter to help people search for your next house. When they think they’ve found your house, they need to submit it to realestateVIEW.com.au. For their efforts, they can win one of five $500 Myer Gift Cards from realestateVIEW.com.au.

Real estate stalkers, like me, can enter daily to increase their odds of winning!

Santa, I wonder what kind of home you’ll end up buying... Tell me, am I on the right track? Is Modernism your thing or are you a Bo-ho vintage kinda’ guy?

Hugs and kisses

Brismod x

p.s We totally loved your open house inspection video. You rocked the lotus position on the Balinese-style day bed.

p.p.s. We’ve all been extra nice this year too. We’d love a new bathroom, please. xx

Flashdance weekend

Thanks for all the funny Flashdance comments from yesterday. You guys should get a comedy gig somewhere.

Saturday

Yes, Jason and Mr Rooney, our fabulous builder, make a formidable team. 

Mr Rooney measuring 

Mr Rooney gave Jason a crash course in arc welding 101, hence the welding masks in the previous post. Together, they welded a cross beam onto the stair posts and drilled and welded brackets for the joists. 

Jason channeling Jennifer Beals

Afterwards, Jason said he felt like the chick from Flashdance; the only knowledge of welding he could draw upon. 

Mr Rooney broke into a song and dance routine to rival Irene Cara and Jennifer Beals. It was 1983 again at the Sow's Ear - you had to be there. 

Cross beam attached to the white posts. The old stairs will be decommissioned at the last possible minute.
Thoughtful Mr Rooney attached rings for a swing for Son #3.

Mr Rooney is also not one to let free labour go to waste. He recruited Sons #1 and #2 to unscrew the old hinges on the timber casement windows (the ones we bought from Will), explaining carefully how to use the drill. 

The boys did a marvellous job. Son #1 made sandwiches for Jason and Mr Rooney (I was out with the other children) without even being asked. He must've liked hanging out with the guys.

Jason helping the boys with the windows

While the kids were working, Mr Rooney and Jason started formulating plans for fitting the casement windows into the sunroom.  It won't be a case of taking out one window and replacing it with another - nothing is square, so it's going to be a fiddly job!

One window was sacrificed as a template - to use for sizing and general experimenting.

They decided that the next day would be set aside to work on the windows -  making them exactly the same size, perfectly square, sanded and rebated for installation.

Sunday

Mr Rooney set up a joinery workshop in our garage and carport. He then gave Jason a crash course in Joinery 101. Mr Rooney is a born educator and Jason has learnt more this weekend than ever before.

Precision is the name of the game for Jason

Sons #1 and #2 were given the task of sanding down the windows.  Again, Mr Rooney explained everything carefully and gave them each an orbital sander. 

It was like the dueling sanders down there. We've never seen the two boys any happier and they'll have a good memory of their first foray into power tools. They did another marvellous job. 

#1 Son in the sweat shop

In the afternoon, I took all the boys to the park while Jason and Mr Rooney got stuck into the heavier duty power tools - the table saw and router. 

When we came back, seven sets of window were perfectly sized and finished on the front lawn. They will be an excellent starting point when installing windows in a non-square house like the Sow's Ear.

Hopscotch Casement window and son #1 with safety-wear

Jason and Mr Rooney worked extremely hard this weekend. I don't think Jason has ever enjoyed renovating  as much as he has this weekend. He was so happy which is never ever the case after working on the house. 

So, thank you Mr Rooney. You're good company and a top fellow.

A well-deserved beer for the men, lollies for the kids.

What a feeling

Today has been a busy one. Another is planned for tomorrow.

I'll fill you in on Sunday night, but in the meantime here is a teaser:

What do Jason and Mr Rooney, our nimble builder, have in common with the image on the right?

Your most creative responses, please.

House history research

In my quest to complete a house history for the Sow's Ear, I am finding the original owners of the house far more interesting than the house itself! Particularly dear Zoila Ceferina Mabel Stables.

I've been liaising with The University of Queensland about Zoila Stables who was an Arts student in the 1920s. The archivist was only able to give me a date of graduation which was 1928; the year that the Sow's Ear was built.

There was nothing else, however she did say to contact the Fryer Library on the Campus as they held publications and manuscripts of some of Australia's leading writers. I knew Zoila had written a book.

Eureka!

"Our Austlit database records that Zolia Stables wrote under the pseudonym of “Eleanor Peters”.  

It states:  “’Eleanor Peters’ was the pseudonym of Zoila M. Stables, who was born in Argentina of English parents and moved to Australia some time before the publication of ‘Tare Harvest’, her only work.” 

The Fryer Library said there are no copies of this book held in Australian libraries.

I knew Zoila held the copyright of Tare Harvest by Eleanor Peters, but did not put two and two together.

Zoila was Eleanor!

screen print of an excerpt from an American publishers journal about Ms Peters/Zoila

I know I will be able to track down biographical information and literary reviews from when the book was published in 1936.

The new information also explained why I could not find Australian birth records for the Stables family and why Zoila had a Spanish name.

A quick search on the Queensland State Archives site lead to the Stables immigration records. Zoila entered Australia in 1911 under the name of Mabel Stables. She was 11 years old.

She arrived with  her nine-year old sister Florence (her middle name Ethel was used in the immigration records), seven-year old brother Stanley and 39 year old Mother Mary (Florence was used in the records).

Now I have approximate years of birth for the first owners of the Sow's Ear, which is terrific.

The best news is the Fryer Library said they were interested in acquiring a second-hand copy of Tare Harvest, because they aim to have a comprehensive collection of Australian literature and also Zoila was a past UQ student.

A good week for research! And maybe Zoila wasn't such a fruit-loop after all...

Coffee

I've been doing a little bit of a clean up in the kitchen this morning. The oven and the coffee maker are now clean - such annoying but necessary jobs.

I also dug out our coffee percolator which we have largely ignored since we went down the coffee appliance track a few years ago. The only time we use it now is when we go camping or holiday in a self-contained apartment.

I'm going to try to use it more, especially when we have dinner guests or when a crowd drops in.

Anyway, coffee is an extremely important part of our morning ritual, especially when we are woken up by the little one at 5am each morning. Ahh...the coffee hit makes everything seem more optimistic at that hour.

We are not hard-core coffee aficionados, as our coffee machine is basic and we no longer grind our own beans since I gave my old Moulinex grinder away during the great purge of 2009 when we moved house. (I seriously don't know what I was thinking!)

Door Sixteen did a great post on their coffee set-up in their city apartment, so this post is very much inspired by that. I thought it was really interesting to see how other people do coffee at home.

This is our coffee set-up. The old illy tin actually contains Lavazza which is our coffee staple of choice.

I grew up drinking Lavazza - my Italian father used to grind the beans religiously every morning for our morning coffee. We've flirted with other coffee brands - cheaper and more expensive - but always go back to familiar favourites.

The machine is a basic 15 BAR pump variety which produces a nice crema on an espresso and also has a steam nozzle to heat or froth our milk. We also use filtered water to minimise the scale build up in the machine. It's a cleaner taste.

We drink from glass, because they fit well under the machine and are the perfect size for morning latte. Jason takes raw sugar in his coffee, which is contained in a small Georg Jensen sugar bowl.

And my most favourite thing is the set of Robert Welch teaspoons which was given to us as a gift last Christmas.

This particular pattern of cutlery won a Design Council Award in 1965 and is featured in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The people who gave us this gift had no idea of the pedigree of the spoons. They were stunned at my elation and then flattered for having such good taste.

Now tell me, how do you do your coffee, if you drink coffee? Or is tea your brew? I'd love to know.

P.S We are not elitist because we also have a jar of instant in the pantry...caffeine hits are welcomed in any form.

Flying Zoila

If you've been reading Fun and VJs for a while, you probably know I'm trying to find more information regarding the original owners of the Sow's Ear - the Stables family - for my house history research.

After my visit to the crematorium a fortnight ago, I contacted the office to locate the rest of the Stables family. They are all cremated at Mt Thompson's Crematorium...all in different niches scattered throughout the grounds...

...except for Zoila. I don't have her date of death, yet and it makes it hard to search their records without a date.

I can find lots of information about Zoila online though, because she was a published author, attended the University of Queensland in the 1920s and was a participant in a case study in a book about out of body experiences or astral projections by Robert Crookall.

Just recently, the entire text of the book called The Study and Practice of Astral Projection, published in 1966 was made available on the internet.

Image from here

When I read the case study out loud to Jason, we both giggled like school children and thought Zoila sounded like a complete Fruit-loop. With a capital F.


"One night I had what I then considered a dream, but what I now believe to be a genuine projection. I simply woke to find myself flying through the air at a considerable height above the ground."  

"I have never for a moment believed I was dreaming during a projection;any more than I could believe I am dreaming at the present moment! The experience is far too real for that. I KNOW I am not."

Oh man! I'm just imagining Zoila levitating near the ceiling as I write. I know one shouldn't mock the things they don't understand...but, seriously?

Interestingly, I also discovered from the book that the Stables family did not always live in Brisbane.

"We lived then on a small selection in the empty western grazing areas,and were 200 miles from the nearest town."

I did a quick search of historical electoral rolls and found out that they were living in the Capricornia Electorate, near Rockhampton, I suspect. 

I'm waiting for some more information about Zoila through other sources; hoping, in particular, to find a photograph of her. 

I'd love to put a face to the name.

Repurposing a beer bottle

At Jason's 40th Birthday, one of our guests brought along some Lucky beers for apératif.

They were the cutest beer bottles I had ever seen and I had to keep one. But what on earth do you do with an empty beer bottle?

Lucky Beer Buddha bottle

 Inspired by Mise from Pretty Far West who is reknowned globally for re-purposing Bonne Maman jam jars, I thought to follow her lifestyle-guru lead and re-purpose the Buddha beer bottle.

And then I remembered that Amanda from Small Acorns and Ani's House from The Clothesline wrote blog posts about re-using pretty bottles for dish-washing detergent. (Ha! I bet they thought no one was paying attention. Funny the things you choose to remember about fellow bloggers)

The Cusson's Morning Fresh concentrate was carefully decanted into the little green Buddha. I just plugged a spare olive oil pouring thing-a-ma-jig on the top et voilà.

re-purposed Lucky beer bottle at the sink 

Isn't he charming?

It is very zen at our sink. Enlightenment awaits all who washes the pots and pans at the Sow's Ear.

Rub its tummy and good fortune is yours.

Furtive visit

Last night we were in the kitchen talking with our financial planner, Steve, who was doing our annual review (please don't think grand thoughts - it was basically a reminder to do power of attorneys, update insurances and tut tut the state of our meagre investments, post-GFC).

A very glum affair until the door bell rang. It was 9pm. Who'd be calling in at this time?

It was our neighbour telling us he saw a man running into our yard and that this man was somewhere on our property.

Well, the financial results were flung aside.

Jason raced to the backyard with the neighbour, while mild-mannered Steve followed them and I flooded the outside area with light.

It was action central at the Sow's Ear.

Our neighbour said he saw two suspicious looking men lurking on either side of the street before one ran into our yard. He immediately called the police on his mobile phone.

While Jason and his band of followers were downstairs, I locked all the doors and windows and checked on all the children who were sound asleep in their rooms.

The search outside proved fruitless. Whoever had come into our yard must've climbed a side fence and ran off.

Our neighbour got into his car and went around the block to see if he could locate them. Within a few minutes the police had arrived. They searched the neighbours yard, had a quick look in ours and poked their heads into Boo's house (the deserted house on the other side of our place).

The intruders had scarpered off. The police did a round of the area, but there was very little they could do and that was that for the evening.

I don't think poor Steve the financial planner had experienced a more eventful client visit! It was the most animated we had ever seen him. He definitely earned his commission this quarter.

We are all a bit jumpy at the moment and double checking that all the doors and windows are locked tonight. Make sure you check yours too. xx

20 Hopscotch casement windows are mine

All mine...Mahahaha!

I'm rubbing my hands together, heady with delight from our latest acquisition.

My new best friend, Will from Chermside, contacted us after reading the blog to say that he had 20 timber casement windows, in hopscotch profile, that were spare. He asked whether we, or anyone we know, would like to buy them. They were priced attractively.

After consulting with Jason and Mr Rooney, our toned and spritely builder, about measurements and other technicalities, it was a deal. We took the lot.

Hopscotch profile casement windows with clear arctic glass being delivered

The casement window stockpile

Will said he had no need for the windows now that he and his wife had just sold their lovely 1936 Queenslander. He wanted the windows to go to someone who was a keen renovator and contacted us before he advertised them.

Anyway, he's done us a great favour, because a bulk lot of the same windows don't come up for sale all too often. Many thanks to Will!

Mr Rooney kindly picked up the windows on our behalf. He is a good man, but you knew that already. And very well-read too I might add (read his book reviews in the comments here).

The windows are now destined for the sunroom to replace the bay of clear single light windows that are there currently.

Sunroom photo taken a few months ago 

Mr Rooney said he will need to plane the windows and rebate them and assured me in an exaggerated Continental accent, "They'll be verrey niiiice!"

He also said in the very next breath that it would be a pain-in-the-arse too, as that is the nature of fitting windows. I'm sure Jason vividly remembers his experience.

P.S
For those in Brisbane, Will is having a bit of a clear out sale now that he is moving.  Follow the link HERE to his Gumtree ad. He's selling an old Wilson Boiler, bulk lot of brass window stays and other bits and pieces.

And thanks again, Will!!

P.P.S
The lovely Katrina Chambers has also given some blog-love to Fun and VJs on her blog. Katrina was the guru behind our "new look". She is a a very talented blog designer, so check her site out if you need a new look for your blog or business.

Florence cushions and a thank you

All my Florence Broadhurst cushions, kindly donated by the fabulous Jo from Desire to Inspire, have been sewn and stuffed. 

I outsourced the sewing to my beautiful friend N, who did not get cross with me when I pinned all the zips incorrectly. She took pity and showed me how it should be done.

There are so many cushions!! I've read that it is a sin to "undercushion" in Blogtopia, so this will rectify the situation somewhat. So, if you can undercushion, surely you can overcushion?

Lots of Florence Broadhurst cushions

N slaving away at the sewing machine

And a big thank you to Make mine Mid-Century  for the parcel I received in the post. I won her giveaway to celebrate her 100 readers. Way to go MmMC!

MmMC writes an hilarious blog about her love for mid-century (she has great Bitossi ceramics pieces, by the way), family fun and studying law.

In my parcel, there was a cool red bracelet by ruby luxe which I love. Red is my colour of choice for my accessories. How did you know? I also received The Little Prince which I am ashamed to say I have never read. And a cute little badge to pin on my hoodie!

Don't you love the Eames chair stamped on the card? Very stylish! Thanks so much again!!

The bounty.
I would flunk hand model school but gee that's a cute bracelet.

Work on the external stairs begins

I know someone who will be deserving of a nice cold beer this evening.

Mr Rooney, our determined builder, dug the post holes for the external side stairs today. Manually.

Normally such a job would be straightforward but very hard work...Unfortunately the old mango tree roots were an obstacle where Mr Rooney was digging which made the work that much harder.

He came prepared and used a small electric saw to cut through the roots which were underground.

Throughout the day, I could hear the occasional gasp of breath and long heavy sighs while I was pottering inside the house - poor Mr Rooney!

To his credit (and my amazement), not one curse or blasphemous expression escaped his lips...I think he needed to save his breath for lifting the ridiculously heavy steel posts, all by his lonesome.

Anyway, it is all captured with the magic, that is digital photography; for your viewing pleasure:

Mr Rooney digging

Digging some more

The post holes are dug. The steel posts are ready to be cemented in. Heavy duty, aren't they?

Mr Rooney catching his breath after checking the posts were level

The Concrete Taxi arrived. It is mixed on site.

A few wheel barrow loads of cement are needed for the posts

Mr Rooney troweling the cement

Mr Rooney, you really are a champ!

Painting balustrades and a jackhammer

Part of our busy weekend saw Jason painting the deck balustrade.

It's kind of tough to squeeze renovating into the day when you have other things you need to do or places to go. First thing in the morning is always good because we are up so early.

Painted deck balustrade

Anyway, Jason is very pleased with how the deck railings are looking. They are being painted in stages.

We have opted not to paint the feature tulip rail a contrasting colour as is typical of Queenslander homes today. They will just stay white like the rest of the railings, as our preference is for a more seamless look.

Queenslander house painted in heritage colours. Notice how the feature rails are painted a different colour.
image from here

different angle of newly painted balustrade.

The top handrail is painted Dulux Peppercorn Rent which is a very dark brown. Jason is completely sold on this colour. I'm still not 100 per cent certain, but I am liking the final result.

 
Mr Rooney, our industrious builder, left behind his jackhammer for Jason to use this weekend. Late this afternoon he used it to make a start on removing a random concrete slab that is in our backyard.

He was a bit cranky today, so it was probably good that he got stuck into the concrete (rather than us!!). He seemed a lot calmer afterwards.

Jackhammer Jason

West German planter hit

You know you've made it in the world when you have your own dealer; someone to call for your buzz.

My go-between is called Katherine. She works theoldboathouse and sometimes she contacts me when the good stuff comes her way.

Like West German pottery planters. Yeah, you know what I'm trying to say.

These pots are so fine. Who you callin' a gutter junkie?

West German planters on the left and right of the large pot

I had no imagination regarding what plants to put into them. The brown and orange planter has a peace lily (with a house of three boys, Peace is the holy grail) and the brown and cream planter has a succulent.

Anyway, Katherine's your go-to-girl on the streets of Brisbane for your retro wares - a purveyor of fine vintage goods.

Also a little birdie told me that Mr Rooney, our anti-ageing Oil of Olay using builder, is celebrating a birthday today. Best wishes to you Mr Rooney and take it easy...as there are stairs still to be built.



* all drug slang courtesy of here (too much time on my hands).