Thrifty
Don’t throw it..Rethink it! by guest blogger Lisa Madigan
With sustainability at the forefront of many of our minds it’s a time when creativity can truly shine in a new light. Rather than the constant consumption of mass produced items we’re starting more and more to support artisans and craftspeople, opting for items with character over being compelled by sheer quantity and slashed prices. We’re following the line of production and caring about where things are sourced from and that all those involved in the production process are being fairly treated. It’s a wonderful and exciting time!
We’re also looking at how we can apply a sustainable ethos to our own homes, to the things you already possess and in our attitudes. Which brings me to – don’t throw it, rethink it…
It’s amazing how when you bring in a weathered old wooden ladder that’s sat outside hidden amongst garden tools and vines for years it can come into it’s own as a gorgeous interior highlight. Holding anything from gorgeous scented candles like the divine range from Palm Beach Collections, to little dishes for your favoured jewels. I have one ladder that’s a staple piece in our bathroom to hang towels from, and recently placed one in the bedroom { that came from the garden } to hang my ever rotating scarf collection, along with some smaller odds and ends on the top shelf. They’re handy and they hold a silent story and I love that.
One of my current irresistible interior impulses is to use vintage bottles to hold my favourite cuts from the garden, feathers, dried foliage and twigs. I’m also hooked on giving flowers a second form, allowing them to dry naturally like the hydrangea below, they’re exquisite and are just as stunning mixed with fresh cuts in vases of different shapes and sizes.
Or why not take a second look at an old piece of furniture. A cherished chair of mine was a roadside find, maybe there’s something hiding in your shed or garage or cupboard that you can take another look at with fresh eyes, perhaps it’s not longer fit for it’s original use, so get creative. Something as simple as an old crate can be flipped on it’s side to create a book shelf or a chair that no one could ever sit on could be a beautiful tableau as a bed side table.
I admit the raw look may not be for everyone, but there are many ways that we can begin to appreciate what we already have and looking to items that have soul and a bit of history rather than the latest lifeless tv unit. I’m not saying all new is bad, quite the contrary, there are some amazing products being produced with integrity and skill, and it’s these that I love to support wholeheartedly and mix in with all of my lovely weathered old bits.
It’s all about balance and harmony a contrast and diversity in textures and form, each piece contributing to the whole.
Supporting our future and acknowledging our past.
Sustainability most certainly is now.
Lisa Madigan is an artist, stylist, online retailer and creative all-rounder. She styled the cover story of the current SOHI Magazine.
The Word on SOHI
Sometimes when publishing we forget that we have two audiences. We have our local audience, and we have our non-SOHI audience: the SOHI-curious. We were asked today about our recommendations for places to do and things to see in the area and we thought since Winter is approaching it might be timely to post on ‘Friends of SOHI’ who are doing their ambassadorial bit to impress out-of-towners and generally give all of us a good name!
Regarding places to stay : For those of us who have our batteries recharged by a little bit of isolation, The Rectory Park Cottage at Kangaroo Valley is the place to go.
We also love ‘friend of SOHI’ Bluemetal Vineyard with their cute cottage. It gives the feeling of being away from it all but it’s very close to the villages of Berrima, Mittagong and Bowral.
For things to do, we would recommend a treasure hunt at Grandpa’s Shed at Fitzroy Falls. You have to go right inside to appreciate it as the street view is pretty awful. Don’t forget your heart medication. We had heart palpitations when we saw the floor to ceiling wonder.
The Burrawang Pub is where we take Sydney friends to try and trick them into thinking that the whole of the Highlands looks this awe-inspiring. The views are unbeatable and if you don’t mind your kids running rampant and free over green grass, then it’s what you might consider kid-friendly. The Burrawang General Store Cafe is where we go when we want fine food on a Wintry day and it’s right across the street, so you can arrive then decide on the spot what your tummy is asking for.
The Robertson Cheese Factory serves an incredible breakfast – we highly recommend the brekky roll.
If you have an entire day free, you can’t go past FoodPath Tours for both a brilliant learning experience and a way to pretty much cover the whole Highlands area and all it offers. The tours are an essential foodie experience. Jill and Nick are so incredibly knowledgeable and the suppliers you will meet are so candid and fascinating. There will be more on Jill and Nick and their passions in our upcoming print edition.
Sturt is great. There is a gallery filled with works which all tell a story, a shop stocking clothing, homewares and furniture all hand made in Australia, and a wonderful sunny cafe and garden. You could spend some serious time here.
If you’re thinking of rambling, pack a picnic and plenty to drink and keep your eye out for signs to Belmore Falls, Carrington Falls, Fitzroy Falls and the walking track before Joadja. We don’t want to give away too much detail here as the best rambles we have had have come from randomly following signs with no firm plans. Stick to the roads and tracks and open your heart to an adventure. It’s the only way.
(image: Sascha Walters, the Burra Pub view).
Please comment if you would like to share your tips on SOHI visits.
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SoHi Hipstamatic Competition
We have a new toy. It’s the Hipstamatic app for iPhone. This app makes digital photography look analog. In fact, ultra analog. Like a Holga or a Diana without the duds. Almost everyone you photograph looks stunning in a fuzzy kind of way. We’ve decided to run a competition to see who can shoot the best snaps of SoHi using the Hipstamatic. It’s a timeless, old school kind of place, the old SoHi. So we expect lots of nostalgic shots of the croquet crew, the pony club, ladies knitting in Samoyed wool, and the dwarf lady at Bundanoon market who sells dolls clothes without a hint of irony. The app is only $2.50US so it’s a bit cheaper than medium format film in a $50 plastic camera with a 1:12 success ratio. Send us your best shots by April 15th and the best shot will win a 24×30cm print of the ever-popular Florence.
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The Cockatoo Run
The Cockatoo Run is an absolute weekend essential for anyone with little children. The train used on the run is a vintage diesel train (with steam starting up again in April when the weather cools down), which runs from Sydney Central via Wollongong, then via Robertson to Moss Vale. Tickets from Sydney and back are exy, but a family ticket from Robertson to Moss Vale is only $25 return. Here’s the gorgeous bit: in true Highlands style, the train runs on most Sundays, leaving Robertson around 12.30pm and returning from Moss Vale around 3.30pm. And if you call the office to double check on these shady details, there won’t be anyone there on a weekend. But if you’re the gambling type, this is simply the most charming Sunday activity. And if you’re already thinking about how you might struggle to find something to do for an hour in Moss Vale, may we heartily recommend the Post Office Cafe right next to the train station? It’s like little Waterloo in there, and they don’t miss a detail. Cheese and tomato toasties translate beautifully to sourdough with tomato jam and Persian feta. You can get more details about the Cockatoo Run here. You don’t need to pre-book the Sunday trip from Robertson, but you would definitely need to book Sydney-Moss Vale. And here is the address and map for the Post Office cafe. But please don’t tell anyone!
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Saintly eating
This weekend at the Bowral Farmer’s Market at Moss Vale Showground we discovered a very saintly cereal. Tracey Anne Oxley, who has a home at Sutton Forest, was giving samples of her home made muesli. All the ingredients are puffed and she offers two flavours, each named after one of her wheat-intolerant little boys, Jasper and Oliver. Oliver is represented at her market stall by goji berries, currants and vanilla and Oliver toasted is flying the flag for Banana and cinnamon. The muesli is light as a feather, completely organic, home made, and as far as we can tell, a million miles from the rubbish we are sometimes forced by convenience (and false marketing) to serve our little ones. Tracey is at the markets each month but she is also supported by The Organic Whole Food Store in Bowral Street. The label is called Edenderry, after Tracey’s Sutton Forest home. The picture above is of Edenderry’s namesake in the UK. Bit different to our ‘Kurban Country’, no?
We also wanted to share with you the Highlands secret catering resource. It sounds super-sophisticated and expensive, but it’s not. It’s SOL (Spring of Life) Food, made by Simon and Vicky Elderton, the loveliest, most down to earth vegans you’re ever likely to meet. They’re web-invisible, so here’s their number for next time you want to impress the hell out of your friends: 0248 693352. SOL is vegan sushi, dumplings and spring rolls that taste so naughty you would swear they were made of meat. We fed about a dozen adults and around 10 children for around $120. Simon and Vicky can also be found at Bowral Farmer’s Market at the Moss Vale Showground.
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