Gonna take a sentimental journey Gonna set my heart at ease Gonna make a sentimental journey To renew old memories (Buddy Green 1897 – 1981) Some decorators take as their starting point a penchant for a particular design style, whether it be  French Provincial or Victorian, cottagey or coastal, urban chic or folk. Some let the bones of the home do the ‘telling’ and work within the dictates of the architectural framework of the house, decorating … Read more

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. (Joel A Barker) It takes vision. It takes talent. It takes commitment. And it takes incredible courage to tackle a project the size and dimension of Grenfell Hall in Central New South Wales … turning it into the amazing homage to Victoriana country living that it is today. Warwick Crampton is the gifted visionary … Read more

And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm is all about. (Haruki Murakami 1949 – ) There is an old saying that goes something along the lines of … Read more

Happy is the person who knows what to remember of the past, what to enjoy in the present, and what to plan for in the future. (Arnold H. Glasow 1905 – 1998) Nowadays, too often too many people buy an old home and strip it of its period character and integrity in the pursuit of creating a house fit for modern living. Karen White is not one of them! When she purchased ‘Voysey Cottage’ in … Read more

Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being. (Albert Camus 1913 – 1960) There is a school of thought which suggests that where we live and how we adorn the place we call home can be directly related to where we come from and what we have lived through. It can be an express reflection of the things we have endured in childhood as we create … Read more

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. (Abraham Lincoln 1809 – 1865) It is the reality of our very existence. Nothing stays the same. Things are always changing. Circumstances and times continue to move forward, and we each daily move with them. When we have the opportunity to stand and look back, … Read more

Positive feelings come from being honest about yourself and accepting your personality and physical characteristics, warts and all; and, from belonging to a family that accepts you without question. (Willard Scott 1934 –  ) There’s an old rule of thumb regarding the purchasing of property which stipulates that it is the wise investor who will always buy the worst house in the best street rather than a good home in a streetscape that is less … Read more

Gonna take a sentimental journey; Gonna set my heart at ease. Gonna make a sentimental journey, to renew old memories … (Bud Green, Les Brown & Ben Homer © 1944) From the front gate to the back door and beyond, inside and out – and every nook in between – the home of Julie Craig and husband Andrew evokes marvellous memories of times past, of loved ones and special friendships, of happy days and distant … Read more

It is the home that lonely children dream … a meeting place for kindred minds and hearts a holiday for souls. (Nan Witcomb) Over the course of one’s lifetime, there are various occasions which cause one to stop and take stock … to refocus, think afresh and to determine what is – and what isn’t – really important. It’s all a part of the process of personal evolution and growth, and often leads to major reassessment … Read more

Our ideals, laws and customs should be based on the proposition that each generation in turn becomes the custodian rather than the absolute owner of our resources – and each generation has the obligation to pass this inheritance on in the future. (Alberto Moravia 1907 – 1990) For as long as she can remember, country decorator and avid collector Rhonda has been in love with a unique heritage property in the NSW Blue Mountains. With … Read more