The past few days I’ve gathered photos of displays I’ve created over the past 35 years of business.
From shop and window displays, My home and now apartment, The Johnston Collection 2010, antique fairs around Australia, customers homes, the lane way behind my workshop, the neighbours garage door, a nice fence in the side st, anywhere I think would suit, I tend to do it!
Cheeky? Thats for sure!
So I thought I’d share a few, will take several posts to show all. I’m still locating photos and stories screenshooting and emailing myself stories.
I hope you’ll enjoy parts of my decorative history.
Professional photos by Russell Winnell Photography
Photos taken within three meters of wall space in my showroom today.
18th century English George III country oak low standing chest of drawers.
My personal small collection of Drip Glazed, Australian Deco Regal Mashman pottery. Always loved them.
Words by Jamie Allpress, Allpress Antiques
Photography by Russell Winnell
Recently I was invited to re-arrange the entire contents of The Johnston Collection, to create my own interpretation and to give visitors to the house a fresh experience.
I heard about the Johnston collection many years ago and on seeing it was ‘enthralled’ by the overall quality and uniqueness of Mr Johnston’s collection.
I sold this amazing dresser to a great friend Stuart, in Euroa. He had a wall taken out and re built to allow this magnificent piece to fit into his farmhouse. I found this magazine amongst many other publications from years ago.
The customer I purchased this from had originally bought from Lee Harper many years before. So I was very lucky to have the pleasure of handling this piece and showing off at a Sydney antique fair, also 2003.
(See the red fabric I used to line the walls with, in Carters Antique Price Guide photo.)
I recently re purchased a magnificent 17th century English oak refectory table. I remembered I featured years ago as part of a full page advertisement in the then popular Carter’s Antique Price Guide.
The other day wandering round a Sydney antique centre, I found the book featuring that ad!
Truly remarkable find!
So whoever buys this table can have the price guide as reference.
Last night after closing shop I visited my customers home, they recently purchased some beautiful art from me, as Julian Stafford, Picture Rail Systems hung them yesterday.
They look perfect for the spaces intended and Julian did a fantastic job!
Notice how many styles blend in the first photo.
18th century English oak low dresser.
19th century French silver gilt on black cushion mirror.
Italian style glass ball on brass lamp.
Italian Majolica jardinier.
19th century Japanese Imari charger, resting on a 19th century Persian wide kilim hall rug.
19th century English William & Mary style yew & walnut chest on stand.
The side of English Queen Anne walnut dining chair.
All looking so beautiful together…
From carvings to paintings, to painted ceramics, clocks sets, coffee tables, 17th century botanicals, Dutch hanging marquetry inlaid wall cabinet, Italian Murano chandeliers.
19th century English Parian ware jugs in off whites and blues/ floral painted jugs/First half 19th century English masons jugs,
From carvings to paintings, to painted ceramics, clocks, even a delightful green tea cup and saucer once owned by the most beautiful woman in the world 👩🏻.
Sun flower paintings/19th century landscape oil painting/Jasmine in glass vase/flowers in vase in an old advertisement photo/floral carving in oak to the top of French pollard oak poudreuse/19th century English Parian ware jugs in off whites and blues/ floral painted jugs/first half 19th century English masons jugs and mugs/English Deco chinoiserie clock/Italian Noveau Majolica vase-jardinière.
Had to bank a cheque this morning, sold a particularly nice small sized Regency style chest of drawers yesterday, several of my customers still use cheques.
Drove down to Acland St to deposit and had a coffee at Abbey Road Cafe.
My friend, the prettiest, grooviest, waitress in Melbourne, Simonè, always brings me the perfect coffee…
I could spend all day just photographing if I was able.
From large contemporary art 2014 to my favourite botanical artist, Hendrick Draakestein 1686.
18th century French fruitwood dough bin, with 19th century English Parian Ware Jugs
I recently replaced the plants to my jardinier in living/dining room. They’re quite perfect, but very hard to photograph.
I have many plants inside and outside my apartment, most belonged to my mother Nina, so I love having them around.
I look after my plants even compliment every now and then..
The flowers I regularly place on my dining table “interlopers” to the indoor plants are also well maintained, trimmed and re watered, to last as long as possible.
Thought I’d take a few quick snaps this morning and post.
