For the Love of a House and Garden...
The Glenmore Hat from Australia
You know how I said I do not like having my photo taken? Well, on special occasions, I will attempt the odd selfie, especially as it makes my daughters laugh..when mom does her mom smile. ;) I had a good reason for this one...I wanted to show you my latest purchase, the 'Glenmore' hat. The story follows...
In Australia...
Winter may be on the horizon in Sydney but does that stop me from thinking about the garden and adding to my hat collection for Tahilla Farm. In fact, Sydney is the perfect place to think about hats. When it comes to the sun, they have protection covered... Slip Slop Slap (sunscreen) and a Hat...you never leave home without either one.
The story behind the woman and the hat...
On a visit to Sydney (2016), I discovered a fabulous book, Glenmore House by Mickey Robertson. I loved everything about it, the house, the gardens, the story behind both and the woman behind it all, Mickey Robertson.
My darling daughter, Miss Christine, picked up on my heavy hints for it making a wonderful Christmas gift for mom (me). Clever girl that she is, she carried it in her hand luggage from Sydney to Boston and presented it to me on Christmas Day. I love when my heavy hinting works!
It wasn't long before I had Mr. H reading along with me and before we knew it our architect and builder were looking at the book with us. There are few ideas that might work well with our carriage house renovation at Tahilla Farm. I love when the creative thought process takes twists and turns..all the way to Australia.
Back to the hat...
Mickey also inspired me with her 'essentials' for the garden. And you guessed it....I am now the very happy owner of the wonderful 'Glenmore' gardening hat (above) and Mickey's Essential Dress (here). The hat is a design collaboration between the Australian hat designer, Axel Mano and Mickey Robertson. The dress, 100% (linen/cotton/hemp) was designed by Mickey and made in her Sydney based workroom.
You would think that after all this I would have met Mickey by now but alas, timing has not worked in my favor. We have messaged back and forth and I am guessing she is as delightful in person as she is in the written word. My goal is to attend one of her gardening/cooking sessions at Glenmore House by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!
Moving on to Tahilla Farm...
Kingsley Bate Chippendale Bench
It won't be long before I am in New Hampshire wandering the gardens of Tahilla Farm. Before I return I am hoping to place an order for this Kingsley Bate Chippendale Bench to sit at at the end of a crushed stone path. Made from either Javanese or Burmese teak (depending on availability), we designed the garden with this bench in mind. The Chinese latticework will remind of our days in Hong Kong. It's all about the experience...in the garden.
The Kadai Firebowl at The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Time honored traditions from India...
I have been coveting the Original Kadai Firebowl (below) ever since I spotted it at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show a few years ago. Each one is up to 100 years old, often used as cooking bowls at weddings and festivals across India. Hand picked in Rajasthan..I can't help but wish for one at Tahilla Farm. I am hoping, one day, to see a family reunion around an Original Kadai bowl, with fires blazing and sticks of marshmallows toasting...or maybe a gathering for a wedding. ;)
Lightweight Denim Overall by Rosie
Made in the USA...for those messy days in the garden.
Tried and true, I love my Rosie's! I purchased them last summer to wear around the garden. You will not win a beauty contest in this pair of overalls but you and your friends will most certainly marvel at all the features they come equipped with. Made of 100% cotton twill fabric...they are durable and most important of all on a hot summer day, they breathe! They are generous in size and easy to slip on and off. There are 11 pockets including a hidden pocket. You will be amazed at what you can slip into this overall. It comes with knee pads which are easily removable. The pant legs zip off at the knee for comfort in the summer. They wash well too..mine went into the dryer without a problem.
SHOP THE ESSENTIALS...
You can contact Mickey about her book, Glenmore House, the Essential Dress and the Glenmore Hat here
The Glenmore House book is available on Amazon USA in both hardcover and Kindle here
Axel Mano summer hats
The The Kingsley Bate Chippendale Bench is available from Austen Teak
The Original Kadai firebowl from the UK
Rosie's workwear from the USA and the Lightweight Denim Overall
Happy Gardening!
Jeanne xx
