"Country Style & Design" by Justin Bishop was officially launched last night at Readings Bookshop. Thank you to everyone who attended and to Readings for hosting the event.
COUNTRY STYLE & DESIGN BOOK LAUNCH
Melbourne-based stylist, Justin Bishop will be discussing his divine book, Country Style & Dessign, sharing ideas and answering your questions about creating the perfect ambience in your home and garden.
Thursday the seventeenth of May, 2012 at 6.30pm
READINGS BOOKSTORE - 701 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn
Free, but please book on 9819 1917
Bank Street Wood Fired Pizza and Garden
This weekend I went "Country".
My good friends Janelle and Callum have opened an amazing cafe, in the town of Avenel in the shire of Strathbogie, Victoria.
I've watched from afar, over the last two years, as they've slowly transformed the former town bank into a truly amazing oasis in the heart of this sleepy village.
Their hard work has certainly paid off and it is now a charming wood fired pizza restaurant with an absolutely stunning garden complete with a kitchen garden, a huge open outdoor seating area and a lake!
I spent an afternoon with them and enjoyed every minute. (Not hard when the pizzas are to die for, the platters are superb and the service, unfaltering.)
I'm going back soon, for a longer stay!
Below are a few shots that I took during the afternoon.
Sheila Scotter 1920 - 2012
I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Sheila Scotter, a true style doyenne, affectionately known as the "Silver Duchess"
The formidable former editor of Vogue Australia, and founder of Vogue Living, died at her home in Albert Park, Melbourne, on Good Friday, aged 91.
Miss Scotter took over as editor of the fledgling Vogue Australia in 1962 and ruled the local fashion scene for almost a decade.
Miss Scotter's forthright manner and generosity with opinions became as much a part of her persona as her impeccably styled silver mane and signature black-and-white ensembles.
I admired her style and individuality, she was one of a kind. There will never be another like her.
RIP.
AUSTRALIAN BELLE MAGAZINE
The first review for my new book "Country - Style & Design" in Australian Belle Magazine April/May 2012
"Having helped restore his family home in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley, and later his own home in the Dandenong ranges, Justin Bishop has developed a passion for traditional design with clean, modern influences. His beautifully photographed book looks at country style from England, France, the US and, of course, australia, before going on to room-by-room sections. thinking of setting up your own rural idyll? this will certainly whet your appetite."
- Nigel Bartlett, Belle
Winter Entertaining
For me, winter is a time for entertaining indoors, with friends and family enjoying my home.
Hosting a winter dinner party is one of my favourite ways to do this. Traditional winter food is good for the soul and will ward of the cold. In my home a winter menu is casual and loosely structured; it might start with a hearty soup and an oven-roasted bruschetta. Pasta, a roast or slow cooked lamb might follow with red wine and cheese (a favourite winter accompaniment) and of course, a sensational home made pudding or some biscotti for a lighter ending.
When it comes to styling a room for a winter occasion I try to evoke a sense of history and tradition. I set my table with old family crockery and original glassware. I use vintage cutlery and historic serving platters. I might add stacks of antique books and other traditional accessories for authenticity. I like to create an atmosphere filled with elegance and time-honoured style.
A collection of luxurious throw rugs and cushions, an open log fire, and sparkling candlelight (another favourite) will always complete the scene.
Inspirations 2012
While the movies, Howards End, Room with a View, and The Remains of the Day were made many years ago, they continue to be a source of inspiration to me today. The work of Ismail Mercant and James Ivory is timeless.
Here is the trailer for The Remains the Day...
Christmas Wreaths 2010
The perfect Christmas decor shouldn't just be "wrapped up" inside your house... bring it outside for ALL to enjoy.
With my house renovations dragging on and on, I am enjoying some Christmas spirit at my front door step.
A Christmas wreath is a great way to spread some festive cheer amongst your neighbourhood. Such a simple treatment but effective in so many ways.
As usual I've opted for a traditional, monochrome and slightly organic style. But the possibilities, as always, are endless.
Choose a colour or style that YOU like and go with it... let your personality shine through.
I'll upload some images of the wreath I've mentioned on my Sassafras home very soon. In the meantime please enjoy these designs, that I found inspirational, with compliments of ... Martha Stewart, a master of festive styling!
Christmas at home...
This year my Christmas decor was right on the mark!
A magazine editor asked me to provide her with some content for a story on "designer" Christmas decor at home. I obliged with my take on a "traditional" tree with matching accessories. I worked with a collection of my favourite things; old glass door knobs, my great grandfathers building tools (including his original measuring tapes which substituted for tinsel) and finished it off with pine cones and brown pears - for an organic edge!
Gifts were wrapped in Hessian and brown paper, then tied in chocolate ribbon in satin and velvet.
I was very pleased with the "look", a good blend of monochromatic colour schemes and interesting objects!
The photos and accompanying story went to print alongside the work of three other designers, all with a very different design aesthetic!
This year I'm eager to do something unique again. Faced with building delays on the house extension, I've been unable to create anything as yet. This week however, things are nearing completion, with a bigger space to decorate! Hopefully I'll have something to show you very soon.
I'll keep you posted.
The Style of Australian "Country"
If I claimed to be an authority on any particular interior design style it would be the style that is Australian “Country”.
From my grass roots, growing up in my families ancestral home in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley, to holidaying on my Aunts property on vast open farmlands in southern Western Australia, the simple, paired down classic style of Australian “Country” has been ingrained in my psyche.
Beautiful country interiors, exteriors and gardens are a perfect vehicle for my knowledge, experience and design ethic. I love to work with a traditional Australian country style with clean, modern influences; Inspired by collections of images, styles and stories representing the essence of Australian “Country” interior design.
I travel and research, write and photograph. I discover visions, places, stories and things that represent the stunning country style that I know and love.
