Regional Shopping Guide
AS THE WEATHER COOLS, MAKE STAYING INDOORS MORE ENTICING WITH UNIQUE FURNITURE, ART AND DECOR FROM REGIONAL STORES WITH PLENTY OF STYLE.
ACT Dirty Janes Canberra
Antique collectors Australia-wide, along with fans of Mittagong’s The Shed and Bowral’s beloved Dirty Janes, will be familiar with the dynamic father-daughter duo that is Athol Salter and Jane Crowley. Joined by Jane’s husband Robert in 2015, the respected team have an exciting new venture opening in the nation’s capital as of March this year. Situated on a half hectare of land in Fyshwick, the 1960s ex-government building will be reimagined, “to bring our visitors a special mixture of vintage grandeur and quirky upcycling,” says Jane. More than 85 specially selected stallholders will set up shop in the 2000-squaremetre building, selling wares such as painted furniture, designer jewellery, second-hand clothing, regional artworks, collectables from places like Europe, North America and Japan, plus farmhouse finds from the outback and even fresh flowers. Surrounding vegie patches, chooks, goats and a garden shed are sure to delight local customers. “I grew up in Canberra — it was a logical step for our business. It’s a beautiful city and we felt there was a real need to bring some more vintage shopping to the residents of the city and surrounding rural areas,”
Jane says of the decision to expand to the ACT. “There’s also tonnes of onsite parking and plenty of room for culinary delights, including a tea room, to keep our customers happy.” Follow @dirtyjanes_canberra on Instagram for more details. 80 Collie Street, Fyshwick, dirtyjanes.com/ dirty-janes-canberra
NSW Sunday Thistle
The façade of this charming 1880s shopfront has been painted in glossy black, adding timeless style to what is arguably already Bathurst’s best street. Step inside onto original timber floors
and, along with the historic features highlighted by whitewashed walls, you’ll be treated to racks of well-crafted womenswear in earthy colours. Salvaged furniture, bundles of native grasses and dried wildflowers in the window echo owner Shylo Land’s sentiment that local and sustainable pieces, made to last, are the future of fashion. With an experienced eye for quality and fit, Shylo is equally passionate about helping her customers feel good, and loves to help them experiment beyond the classic uniform of jeans and T-shirts. “I want my clients to wear a pair of beautifully made pants with an amazing blazer and have everyone comment on how fantastic they look. This is what gives me so much joy,” she says. Winters in the Central West are notoriously chilly — be sure to check out Shylo’s new season curation of cashmere knits (and some great natural skincare), before crossing the road to Legall Patisserie for cosy French fare and the finest of pastries. You can shop Sunday Thistle online, too. 59 Keppel Street, Bathurst, sundaythistle.com.au
Farmgate & Twine
Residents and regulars of the village of Adelong, in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, know to look for
Gina Roche’s signature basketware filled with leafy English box plants. When they’re lining the window of her quaint little shop, it’s time to drop in for a browse and a chat. Gina lives and breathes the country way of life, evident via her innate ability to source classic homewares and gifts that, while practical, invoke thoughts of fresh farmhouse kitchens, green rolling hills and picnics in the garden. But Gina points out things aren’t always so idyllic. The launch of Farmgate & Twine happened to coincide with years of drought and a bushfire in their area and she refreshingly admits that juggling family life, their cattle property and a small business can be trying: “There have been many times when I have thought possibly this wasn’t the best way forward.” Luckily for us, Farmgate & Twine is thriving thanks to the launch of an impressive website, a nurturing community and the support of her husband, Jim. The pair work well as a team, which Gina holds dear. She notes that until recently, “it was more me helping in the stockyards,” whereas lately it’s been, “him tying ribbon to keep up with demand during our #buyfromthebush feature”. Popular products include woollens by Tweedmill Textiles and Waverley Mills, Simpson Cottage pinafore aprons, The Grampians Goods Co. candles, Heaven in Earth’s sustainable kitchenware and The Fine Cheese Co. ceramic cheese bakers. Opening times are posted on Facebook @farmgateandtwine, you can make an appointment or shop online. 76 Tumut Street, Adelong, farmgateandtwine.com.au
QUEENSLAND Paint Me White
The name of this shop speaks for itself — it’s a treasure trove of vintage furniture that’s been given a once-over by DIY paint expert Sandy Palmer. Lining the shabby-chic shelves are plenty of new farmhouse-style homewares, too, plus candles and other decorative pieces (don’t miss locally stitched cushions in genuine French grain-sack linens). Sandy has a loyal following, with clients turning to her for help in furnishing their homes, beach houses and Airbnb properties. The store doubles as a creative workshop where, for the past seven years, Sandy has taught customers to transform their own furniture using Jolie Premier Paints (her preferred decorator’s paint for the Australian climate). Follow @paintmewhite on Instagram for inspiration and information on special workshops, >
including an annual course led by Carolyne Hallum in painting hydrangeas and roses on canvas. If you’re not able to visit the store (located in the lovely Gold Coast hinterland), you can shop Jolie Paints, specialised brushes and clever paint soaps on Sandy’s website. Shop 3A, Mudgeeraba Village Shopping Centre, Mudgeeraba, 0408 276 762, paintmewhiteshop.com
Coastal Vintage
If you’re decorating your house near the ocean or you just need a little token of beach life back at the farm, look no further than Coastal Vintage. The warehouse that nautical dreams are made of is located in Noosa, but the well-stocked online store ships globally (or across the seven seas, as the team might say). Led by Sally Oulton, Coastal Vintage is a product of her years spent working on yachts sailing the Mediterranean and Caribbean paired with her love for styling, plus a family background in antique dealing. Sally cleverly sources an eclectic range of new and second-hand furniture, pendant lights, coral, timber oars, heirloom giant clam shells, glass fishing floats, old ship steering wheels, brass porthole windows and even retro life rings to hang on your walls. There’s something for everyone, but stock moves fast. Unsurprisingly, the store is a magnet for interior designers and stylists needing props, and Sally tells us, to decorate bars, hotels, restaurants, movie sets and (of course!) the occasional cruise ship. Follow @coastalvintage on Instagram to be first in the know when new shipments arrive. Shop 7/41 Gateway Drive, Noosaville, 0406 112 420, coastalvintage.com.au
VICTORIA Here
Elm-lined streets, historic buildings and volcanic lakes and plains make the rural town of Camperdown a popular place for weekend outings. Another reason to visit? Lily Currell’s clothing store, Here. The shop retains its original character with lovely old brickwork and cracks in the plaster, but Lily’s custom-designed additions of concrete, copper and hardwood timber lend the space a modern feel. She sells a thoughtfully curated range of Australian designer wares, with a focus on good fabrics, independence and sustainability. “Our concept is less is more. We love imagining our customers wearing their pieces right now, in five years, 10 years… for a lifetime,” says Lily. Unique garments from labels like Rowie, Frank & Dollys, Kindling, Metta Melbourne, Uimi Knitwear and Miann & Co make up the collection, with footwear from on-trend brands Rollie
Nation and St Agni complementing homewares and leather goods in soothing native tones. Of her recent online launch, Lily says “We haven’t looked back! It’s amazing to connect with a wider community of conscious consumers from all over Australia, as well as those in our local area”. 129 Manifold Street, Camperdown, (03) 5593 2078, herehomestyledesign.com
SA Local Images
This lovely light-filled art gallery, in an 1860s weatherboard cottage, is located in the village of Penola in the Coonawarra wine region. The gallery was run by Penola local Lois Hodge for 33 years until recently, when creative all-rounder Harriet Mort took the reins. Harriet, an event florist and painter, lives in a farmhouse at nearby Bool Lagoon and she has amassed a wonderful collective of female Australian makers whom she now represents at Local Images. Along with her own artworks, Harriet stocks antique furniture sourced by Hare and Thistle, Prim + Co silk scarves, Navy Blonde handcrafted leather bags, pieces from Noss Ceramics and luscious linen clothing by Sada Looms.
“It’s amazing to connect with a wider community of conscious consumers from all over Australia, as well as those in our local area.”
She also gives us the hot tip that gorgeous Lady Kate jumpers are set to arrive just in time for winter. Out the back of the gallery is a studio, affectionately known as the potting shed, from which Harriet paints, works her floral magic and runs workshops. Follow @harrietmort_art and @blommeflora on Instagram for more (and put May 14–17 in your diary… it’s the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival). 55 Church Street, Penola, (08) 8737 3434.
TASMANIA Mr Wolf
This enchanting shop, a destination in itself, is the creation of stylist Vonda Mason and her photographer daughter, Estella. The space is mesmerising, with its accents of green, timber, brass and black, and it’s full to the brim with eclectic items for the home and garden. Vonda and Estella are passionate about using visual cues to tell stories, evoke emotion and shift the mood of a room — you can feel their expertise in this when you step into the store. Along with textured cushions, rugs and interesting Israeli floor mats (that look like tiles), there are woven baskets, pendant light shades, bell jars and books, plus an apothecarystyle selection of botanical teas, candles and skincare (we especially love the sumptuous body scrubs and face oils by Lisa Soon). Stay tuned to the @mrwolf_shop Instagram feed for news on an extension, making room for more one-off furniture and lighting, plus the launch of the pair’s own designer range. Vonda’s account @vondamason_stylist is also worth a follow to peek at the transformative work she’s done in redecorating aged care homes. 38 Steele Street, Devonport, (03) 6423 1892.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Sociologie
When she’s not in her Busselton clothing store meticulously curating a chic assortment of Australian womenswear and accessories, you can find Kate Cox on her dairy farm in nearby Vasse where she and her husband, Edward, run 1000 Friesian cows. This collision of farm and fashion worlds is not as unlikely as it sounds — Kate’s retro-industrial store is fitted out with repurposed farm furniture (and she’s been known to sell surplus hydrangeas from her garden). Her love of natural fibres shines through, too, with Kate explaining, “I focus heavily on [sourcing] Australian Merino wool, cashmere, cotton, linen and silk because these fabrics last longer and wear better on the body.” While the brands stocked in Sociologie appeal to both young and old (popular labels include Morrison, POL, Lounge the Label, Cable, Mia Fratino, Seaside Tones and Lisa Brown), Kate often works with mature women, helping them find special-occasion wear or artfully styling their everyday wardrobes. “There is nothing more empowering than feeling confident in clothing regardless of your size, shape or age,” Kate says. You can shop a selection of Sociologie’s range online. 62A Princes Street, Busselton,
(08) 9754 3970, sociologie.com.au