furniture

what a view – another grampians house

I think Lucinds and Patrick’s house (it most definitely came with the farm – as opposed to some land that came with the house) has one of the best views in the whole wide world. Really.  Don’t you think?  Even with a swing set and Jemima’s strewn gumboots interrupting the view?

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They live in Dunkeld, at the southern end of the Grampians, and their house is a 1960s delight, with nearly every room boasting glorious views of the Grampians across paddocks studded with sheep and river red gums.

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I love visiting them in Dunkeld and sitting out on the crazy paved porch under the wisteria that Patrick tends so nicely.

When the Jackson’s bought the neighbouring farm to their family property and Lu and Pat moved into the house on it, it really was completely uncool.  Back then the 1960s were just daggy, even architect designed 1960s … Luckily for them tastes have changed and now it is supercool.

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For example, check out the bifold door above.  It separates the formal lounge/dining area from the kitchen/living spaces.  When they first moved in we thought it was dreadful. Now, it’s sorta groovy, most definitely ‘of it’s era’. Who would ever have thought that consatina-ed brown fake woodgrain would be back?

Anyway, check out the formal areas. Lu’s done a great job. The lounge room is furnished with a couch that ‘came with the house’. The previous owners had it, and Lu bought it at the clearing sale that accompanied the house sale. $20.  It has come in super handy for sleeping everyone at parties as it is one of those click-clack numbers.

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And the timber coffee table in the corner is second hand.  As is the light on it.   The light’s pretty groovy huh? It was her Nanna’s.

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And then Patrick insisted on a photo of his art. He made Merv Hughes and Vivian from the Young Ones in high school. Note Merv is missing his cricket ball.  So much creativity going to waste shearing sheep!

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For a couple of years Lucinda drove to Warrnambool every day for work (100kms each way) and was very excited when the Mill Market opened at the old Fletcher Jones factory. She bought her sideboard from here (and the vintage toffee poster in a previous photo). And then lots of the rest of her stuff is Ebay. When you live in the country Ebay gives you the same access as everyone to exactly what you are looking for (if you are willing to travel to pick stuff up – and Lu loves a road trip!).

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Her six cherry red chairs, for example were bought on Ebay for $120. I forgot to ask how much she paid for the table.

Great house huh?  Good work Lu.

the union club hotel

In the last 2 weeks I have been to the Union Club Hotel twice. It is lovely to visit this pub. It feels like home you know?

And it has been the same for so many years.

I went with Katrina and Jeremy for drinks before going to Hell Of The North (which was delicious). Before that we (clive and I and the kids) went for dinner on a weekday. I took some snaps of the eclectic art work and interior to remind myself what makes a pub feel like home.

Clive reading Mr Smith

Clive reading Mr Smith

Many a fun night has been had in this minuscule homely function room

Many a fun night has been had in this minuscule homely function room

Some of the interesting artwork that graces the walls

Some of the interesting artwork that graces the walls

The world's ugliest AND most uncomfortable couch

The world’s ugliest AND most uncomfortable couch

India reading her book on the cool and grungy club lounge

India reading her book on the cool and grungy club lounge

Jemima doing some acrobatics on the rooftop terrace

Jemima doing some acrobatics on the rooftop terrace

hello moonee ponds

I think I need to branch out a little and start exploring some second hand shops a little further from home. For some reason Moonee Ponds seemed like a great start. I did a Google search for op shops there and found a recommendation for The Brotherhood op shop at 24 Margaret Street. It was in someone’s top 5 op shops in Melbourne!  You can read the review I read here.

Promising … so off I headed. Just west along Glenlyon Road, over Sydney Road past Moonee Valley racecourse and over Mt Alexander Road, continuing into Puckle Street and then turning right into Margaret Street before the train line. Easy.

And it was worth the drive.

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This op shop has loads of clothes. And some large furniture items (dining settings and lounge suits), a smallish bric a brac section and a book corner.

I bought a few things including these great Country Road pants for me ($5) and this nice Gumboots t-shirt for India ($2).

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I will definitely go back … It really would be a super op shop day to combine this one with Savers on Sydney Road …