There's something visceral about owning something a genuine antique from another culture, another land. Especially when you know the provenance of said antique. I have no desire to own a Malaysian/Balinese antique, but to own a French or Swedish antique would be divine. I love to have just a few choice pieces of French/Swedish antiques in the home (rather than fill it will the same style -one would wonder if it was all repro!). I always remember the living area of
Something's Gotta Give with the one Swedish
horloge comptoise.
I really enjoyed the long weekend two weekends ago when husband, Hannah and I went to
Geelong district in Victoria. I love the houses there and the sea air. Of course, I visited my
favourite haunts in Geelong... but we also did some exploring.
We went to
Queenscliff, about 40 mins on from Geelong, a lovely touristy seaside town. Whilst sharing a raspberry gelato, we discovered
Ashby House, a gorgeous French shoppe, selling antiques, homewares and linens.
What sets them apart from the other French-style furniture stores is that
Ashby House is full of GENUINE French antiques. Michael and Julie Melican visit France twice a year (what bliss, husband and I would love that life) to buy for their shop. They come home with containers full of the best things!
Like this giant Spanish antique armoire, from the 17th century. I don't know if you can see from the perspectives of the room, but this armoire is huge. It barely misses the ceiling!
There was also a unique armoire ... with two side sections with shelves but a glassed middle section with four wide, deep shelves... I loved it.
Michael and Julie treated us to a special stay-past-closing-hour-to-yak! I loved this French antique grandfather's clock and mentioned it to Julie, who was keen to share more about it. Turns out Michael and Julie pick these up, broken or not... and brings them home. Michael's taught himself to repair these great things. Apparently these are not "grandfather clocks"... these are "
horloge comptoise", or clocks meant for the working folk, the unique thing is not the look, but the strikes. It strikes on the hour once, ringing out the hours, but then in 30 seconds it repeats itself. This is because people who are working in the fields, barns, stables etc don't often know the exact time, but hear it ring... and then they know in 30 secs they will get to hear and count the strikes again. Fascinating! (for me).
But this is my favourite piece. A small ceiling lamp ($1200)... Perfect to hang above the my "dressing table" area in our bedroom.
People, it's worth a visit. Queenscliff, Geelong and especially
Ashby House. Check out their fine white linen, their antique silverware and silver compotes, their large French antique furniture, their gorgeously selected artwork, their clothes and even garden settings.
45 Hesse Street
Queenscliff VIC 3225
Australia
+61 3 52581907
