Such a personal thing, like so many other things in life, there is no one size fits all solution to what inspires.  I freely admit to losing a few ( many) hours wandering around the internet, getting lost in other peoples lives.  But I do love holding a book in my hand and turning pages of a magazine still.

We have been shopping lots in the past few weeks and have found lots of great stuff, which is filtering its way through the morris brown at the moment.  One of the books we purchased has been a great source of inspiration, with its quirkiness and calm that emerges through its pages.  It is called “Undecorate”, and I am mighty tempted to claim a copy for myself!  Here is a little taste…

Calmness on the cover...

Quirky

Gorg!

Just a teaser…

The other thing that has been inspiring me this week are these beauties…about the only success in the vegie garden other than masses of onions, strangely!

A few months ago, we had some beautiful, very old doll heads and body parts.  We wrote about them right of the beginning of our blogging journey, and took great joy in displaying them…and listening to the comments their presence  inspired. These seemed to fall into two very distinct camps, the people who loved  them, and the people who felt they ( and I suspect us) were quite macarb!

A few people have asked us if we could get some more, but like with anything old, once they are gone, they are generally gone.

Unique...

A few weeks ago, we came across this dolls head, she could be quite good company!

We think (nearly) everything we sell has a particular beauty to it, whether it be because of its patina, imperfections or story.  And because it has the ability to be transformed into part someone else’s story.  We love to see and hear what people do with what they buy from us…its part of the pleasure!

We have some lovely cupboards and drawers in store at the moment.  This one is my particular favourite:  Loads of storage, quirky and fun, it was apparently made in the 1950′s from old timber, so it does have a sense of history.  Perfect in the family room to hide toys, DVDs and just stuff, or in the kitchen to brighten your day!

Patina...

Did I mention its on casters?

Call us on 9729 1263, or 59 624042 for measurements…

Evening images

The collage is far from perfect, but the evening was…!

Have you missed us? We have missed you!  Here is a sneak peek at some of the treasures waiting when we re-open heathmont MB this Friday 27 Jan, yes we are back to our normal hours…

Healesville is also filled to the brim with special treats as well, and we are there Australia Day ( tomorrow) and as normal…Enjoy

Sneak...

Interested?

Olinda-Monbulk Rd

Gentiana Nursery is located in the heart of the Dandenongs and this weekend the garden created by the owners is open, as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme.  Its well worth a visit, its unusually flat for a hills garden and has a couple of lovely stand out features…

Set of cubes

There is lots of great sculpture pieces dotted around the garden, made by these guys.Here are a few more examples…

Double Sculpture

Potholder

Lovely setting. The green background and the rust contrasts beautifully

There were quite a few others to enjoy too!

The other surprise was the display of bonsai through the garden. Using simple display stands, the bonsai make a beautiful statement through the garden.  In the past, bonsai have held little interest, but after seeing them displayed in the way, there is a whole new appreciation…

Elegant

Patience

Living sculpture

Its a beautiful Sunday, perfect for a wander…

Collection of old dipping tins

Lovely old dipping tins, a bit battered and a tad rusted, perfect!  So many possibilities…In a previous life, dipping tins were used to collect grapes or sultanas, in areas such as Mildura. Lots, like so many other fabulous things from the past, were discarded, when something “better” came along.  Luckily, there are still a few lurking around and being enjoyed again, in various, inventive ways. They look great planted with succulents, or herbs…

Here, they have been used to harvest and store onions, but perfect for potatoes, or collecting other vegies

Perfect storage in a dark place...

Ready for action...

We have sold quite a few dipping tins over the years.  While some  have been used outside,

perfectly aged

lots have been used inside for storage , often in the kitchen under long island benches, holding cutlery, tea towels, kitchen utensils, bottles of drink etc…They would could be utilised for holding children’s toys,for carrying serviettes and sauces to the BBQ or holding cleaning products in the laundry!  Magazines are also a good choice!

Country Style fits perfectly!

We have been lucky to source a number of dipping ins and they are instore at the moment at mb Healesville.  If you are interested, give us a call on 59 62 4042, or pop in and visit us!

Tree of dipping tins

Do you have a handbag fetish, a common affliction amongst many of us!  Always on the hunt for the perfect one to carry you and your belongings through the days.  One of the perks of buying for morris brown is being able to order one ( or two…) extra  every now and then for us!

Here are a few lovely handbags gracing us at morris brown at the moment: pop in and see if any suit you!

Comes with a detachable shoulder strap...

Stylish...

Funky!

The divine Nancybird: need we say more...

Over the shoulder weekend bag, available in two colours...

Beautifully detailed leather bag...

And this one? Sold!!!

With summer well and truly upon us, I am craving summer shade.  Although our house is old, we do lack big shady trees.  We have been busy planting to make up for this, but there are a few growing seasons to go before we can enjoy the rewards of our labour.  Here are a few ideas that we have seen lately, that are inspiring us…

Diggers Club at Dromana, a great frame for growing vines on

A quicker fix than waiting for those trees to grow: this could be covered in wisteria or grapevines within a few years, and with an old table underneath, could inspire thoughts of long Italian lunches…

At Paul Bangays own garden near Daylesford, he too, is planting for the future.  In years to come, this fabulous table will have its own umbrella of plane trees to provide shade for the lucky people sitting beneath them, enjoying the superb view.

imagine the feasting under this arrangement...

Beautiful grapevines instantly cool you: this one is at the iconic Cliffys of Daylesford…

bliss!

An old seat covered in lichen invites afternoon snoozes and reading sessions!

we have an old garden seat at mb Healesville waiting for the right tree to come along!

Finally, at the beautiful Musk Farm, this gazebo is just waiting for a jug of Pimms to be enjoyed…

Perfect for summer cocktails!

Do you have a shady spot to relax?…

All set?

Apologies, I am not sure where this image came from, but it is lovely!  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Christmas themed table like this…

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all your loyal support in 2011.  We hope you have a fabulous, and peaceful festive season with your loved ones, and a great 2012.

Its time to sit back, relax and enjoy!  Roll on the plum pudding…