GEORGICA POND

Website Progress and House Details

2013-05-23T18:40:00.000+10:00

I have been working on my new website and blog for several months now. I didn't realise it was going to be such an involved and drawn out process, and that my ability to commit time to it would be so sporadic.

Here's the gorgeous side table I bought from Hopewood a few weeks ago in situ. I think my husband has forgiven me for secretly buying it, particularly as I managed to sell a whole lot of stuff on eBay this week. Don't forget the final open weekend is this Sat/Sun in Bowral. See my previous post on this for info.

What was going to be a three week process of blog and website development, has turned into a three month saga. But I am in the very capable and patient hands of Eric at Nella Creative, so it's been a very easy and relaxed project despite it dragging on. In fact, it's the first website or graphic design project I've ever enjoyed. I can't recommend Eric highly enough.

Part of the new website is a portfolio and gallery of our home. I am nervously sticking my hat in the ring offering design services, although I'm not entirely sure or at all confident about how that's going to go with three young kids and a blog I struggle to keep up with, but I thought I'd give it a crack. So I've been wandering around the house taking a few detail shots for the gallery.

As part of the new website I will also be able to help you with Fabrics and Wallpapers, product sourcing and consulting. I have created a very comprehensive FAQ section about the house that I hope will answer a lot of the questions I get asked regularly.

I have also joined Creative Jack Management, a new blogger agency who represents a great stable of sensational bloggers, and who will be representing my media interests on the blog going forward. So if you are interested in advertising, sponsorship, giveaways or ambassadorships Dana will be the contact. There will be more about this when we launch, but don't worry, I'm very mindful of not changing the essence, spirit and purpose of this blog.

All images by Melinda Hartwright for Georgica Pond

Hopefully it won't be too long before I can reveal the finished product and we go live.

Now on another note - are you in the business of interior design or decorating in Australia? Did you study in Sydney? Where? Would you recommend it? I'd love to hear about your experiences and thoughts if you did.

Our marble benchtop and other surfaces 18 months on

2013-05-19T12:43:00.000+10:00

I often get emails from people wanting to know how the marble in our house is holding up. We have honed marble benchtops in the kitchen, polished marble tiles in two of the bathrooms, marble and granite basketweave tiles in our ensuite and two polished marble vanity tops.

However, when we were renovating and I was trying to decide whether or not to risk marble, I searched and searched the internet for compelling arguments and the right advice, trying to be convinced either way.

Kitchen companies seemed to be almost entirely against it, many tried to convince me to go for something more practical and hard wearing like Caesarstone, which I've had before and loved. But I just desperately wanted to have marble in our kitchen, and I was determined to find enough evidence to support my case.

I read many blog posts from people, mostly in America who had marble kitchens and I emailed several people with marble counters asking their advice. They almost all recommended marble without reservation, although many did say that it was prone to some scratching, occasional staining and definitely etching, but if you really want marble, you just accept that it will be imperfect very quickly, and that is part of the charm.

I think that even if somebody had told me it would turn lime green within two years, I would probably still have gone with it, I just so wanted a white kitchen with a marble benchtop. They do look beautiful, and if you are going for that classic American style kitchen it's hard to go past a marble surface.

So nearly 18 months on, I thought I would give you an update on the marble so that if you are in the same position, agonising over whether or not to use it, then hopefully this will help a little.

Bear in mind we have three small children and a dog, and live near the beach. So whilst I took a great deal of care with all the surfaces when they were brand new, and was paranoid about anything being put on them or spilt, after a few weeks I just didn't bother and they have been treated as you would any other regular surface. They have endured very well, although there are marks and scratches but that doesn't bother me. I'm simply delighted to have marble.

Here's the result in the kitchen. I have marble on the main island where I do all the prep, serving and feed the kids dinner and also on the side benches and around the cooker. I used the island for my craft projects, DIY and everything else as well. It's the dumping ground of the house, because everybody walks in and dumps their stuff on the island daily, so it has school bags, handbags, briefcases, laptops, car keys and kids toys thrown at it all day long and dragged across it all day long.

1) Staining - I have had no problem with staining of any sort. Our marble is honed and sealed and I would recommend both for a kitchen particularly. Honed means there is a softness to the look but that leaves the marble a little more absorbent, but it has more durability in terms of scratching, and the sealer helps with stains. I have read that polished marble is better for preventing stains, but then scratches show up more than on honed.

When the marble was first installed I had manuals and reference books for how to deal with staining of every kind, and what special treatment they each require. I was nervous about leaving my kitchen in the hands of a babysitter or visitor, in case they didn't realise how precious and vulnerable my marble was. What if they left a drop of red wine, or black tea, what about a dribble of oil or God forbid tomato or lemon? What if they don't wipe up their spills immediately? I soon didn't worry.

I use all manner of cleaning products on it, whether I'm supposed to or not. I probably should have a special marble cleaner but never got around to buying one. I have even had a go with diluted bleach and it didn't seem to cause any problems. Even stains that have been left for days like tea bag drips, oil around the cooker, red wine come out easily with a wipe.

While I was out yesterday Poppy drew all over the counter with Texta because she wasn't allowed a biscuit! My husband attacked it with Jif and the marks have all come out.

2) Scratching - marble is a softer material than a manmade composite like Caesarstone or even the tougher granite, so you have to expect it will scratch and rather easily I have found. If you drag something across it, then it will scratch. If you cut food on it without a board, then it will scratch. But I have also found that the scratches blend in and eventually disappear. As you've probably heard, marble develops a patina and it all just kind of blends in over time. Sometimes with a bit of a wipe or buff with a cleaner and they will come out, but generally over time they are worn away.

However, if you like things perfect and pristine, without a scratch or mark and want the benchtop to look as good as the day it was installed then I would seriously consider whether marble is for you. It will age, it will look more worn and weathered (although only in some lights and at some angles) than other more indestructible surfaces. But that doesn't worry me.

3) Etching - now this is something that seems to be unavoidable. Etching looks a bit like a water mark or a light discoloration, and it can appear that the surface has been slightly eroded away.

It can be caused by anything acidic, such as lemon, fruit juice, wine, soda, vinegar etc. I have some etching in various spots around the benchtop, mostly where the kids eat meals, but you can only see it if you put your head at a certain angle and it catches the light. Otherwise it isn't noticeable. It seems etching is a part of marble that is very hard to do anything about unless you can be there to wipe up spills the instant they occur, because the chemical reaction occurs immediately the acid comes into contact with the marble.

This is where we prepare the tea and coffee and there are cup rings and drips left for hours or even days, and the stains always come out. There isn't any etching either.

4) White Spots - in our kitchen this is probably the one thing that does annoy me. There are white spots in some places, where I can only assume something heavy has been dropped or banged on the surface. It's almost like the surface has shattered in that tiny little spot and gone white. These are obviously slightly deeper in the marble surface and I can't seem to get them out. I imagine they could be removed if the surface was sanded and honed again.

From what I can ascertain, these are likely what is known as stun marks. They appear as a result of tiny explosions inside the crystal of the stone and are caused by pin point pressure on the marble, such as banging something sharp or pointed. They can only be removed by re-honing or grinding the surface.

The photo below shows where I do all the prep for meals and most of the action takes place here. Apart from the white dots, there isn't anything noticeable about the marble in terms of staining, scratching or discolouration.

The above shows the spot where Amelia eats and you can imagine the mess a ten month old makes with food. Most of her food, particularly fruit is served on the marble directly so she can pick it up herself, because she tends to tip plates upside-down and throw them on the floor. This area is pristine, no marks or etching.

The only obvious damage was caused on the edge of the sink, and I don't even know how. I imagine something heavy like a cast iron pot was being cleaned, or a frying pan, and it banged the edge causing the chip. I'm sure it could be buffed or honed out by the professionals but it doesn't bother me enough to spend the money.

Now in the bathrooms, I have polished marble tiles on the floor which I also sealed myself. They do scratch a lot, particularly if you aren't vigilant about people wiping their shoes. If you have gravel pathways or driveways then that can be a problem because grit gets stuck in the treads of shoes which can scratch badly. But again, it's really only something you see in certain light at certain angles, and it doesn't bother me.

Up close and on my hands and knees this is what the floor looks like with the light shining on it, but when I stand up you can't tell.

The kids' bathroom is the same. There is quite a lot of scratching of the polished floor tiles, but it doesn't worry me because after a while it all becomes an even patina. Again, if you want the tiles to look brand new for years and years, then marble probably isn't for you.

The vanity top in the kids' bathroom doesn't get a lot of battering. I bought it from Recollections. It is a polished marble surface, so I think if it was being used more often and had older kids or teenagers using it, then it would probably look a bit worse for wear. They clean their teeth at the basin and that's about all it's used for at the moment.

There's a few scratches on the edge of the basin, but I don't know how they got there and they are hardly noticeable.

The basketweave floor tiles in our bathroom were sealed by me before we moved in, but I haven't done it since. The only problem I have had is that the grout does discolour slightly in the shower where oils and soap residue runs, but a bit of diluted bleach or shower cleaner gets that out. And that's not due to the tile. The same applies where we stand in front of the vanity. Otherwise I have no complaints.

As for our vanity, that has probably faired the worst, but it does have a lot of use. I bought the vanity from Schots in Melbourne. It has a polished surface which I also sealed myself. The white spots below were caused when I dropped the hairdryer on the edge. Not much I can do about that.

The most noticeable damage is around the taps, where there is a lot of water splash and it can stay wet for a long time because I don't religiously wipe down the taps after every use. I seems that the water has penetrated the surface and caused a kind of white veining. It won't come out and I can imagine will only get worse.

You can notice the etching when the light shines on the surface. I don't know what this was caused by.

On a different note, one place that wears really badly is the staircase. Another situation where having gravel or grit stuck in the treads of shoes then walking up the stairs is causing this deep scratching of the Resene stain. I will have to sand and restain it, otherwise have a sisal runner installed to prevent the problem.

Hopefully this will be of some use if you are considering installing marble in your home, and are unsure about how hard wearing it is, what its limitations and disadvantages are. At the end of the day, I think you have to do your research, evaluate your options and ultimately decide what kind of person you are and the kind of lifestyle you and your family lead.

Marble is a magnificent and very beautiful natural product that has been used as a building material throughout the world for hundreds of years. It's used in bars, restaurants, shops, foyers, churches and any number of other places where high traffic and high wear is likely to happen. If it can withstand this, it can probably handle your family.

Here's a couple of interesting posts/articles about selecting and living with marble.

For The Love of a House blog here

Perfection or Patina - Houzz here

How to remove marble stains - Marble Institute here

25 reasons why I love marble - The Enchanted Home blog here

Ten most common marble problems here

White marble for a kitchen yes or no - Cote de Texas blog here

Hopewood Country House

2013-05-14T19:12:00.001+10:00

For those of you who haven't heard of Hopewood Country House in Bowral, you are in for a treat. And if you already know it, and are familiar with the many talents of owner Suzie Anderson, you'll know how stunning it is.

Hopewood is an historic stately home built in 1884 and situated on 11 acres of formal landscaped gardens just 5 minutes from Bowral centre. It has great historical significance in the area, having had several high profile owners including the Horderns, who developed the gardens into a showpiece of the Highlands. It has been an orphanage, a monastery and a retreat centre for youth during the course of its life, and has been owned privately for the past ten or so years.

Suzie and her family purchased the property some years ago, and undertook extensive renovations on the house, gardens, pavilion and stables. For the past several years it has been a very popular destination for weddings in the Highlands, and has offered beautiful French Provincial styled guest cottages for wedding guests and those wanting a weekend away in the country.

The main house where Suzie and her family reside

The converted stables where the open days and weddings are held

One of the guest cottages

The potting shed

Charlie relaxing in the grounds on chic cream leather outdoor beanbags!

The perfect spot for a garden wedding ceremony.

Suzie is also the owner of the interior decorating business French & Country, which started many years ago at the Sydney Antique Centre, and has expanded into her latest venture Suzie Anderson Home.

Thankfully, Suzie opens the grounds of Hopewood several times a year for an "open weekend", where her vast and enviable range of French inspired wares sourced through the year from around the world, are on display and for sale to her devoted customers and the public, who flock from everywhere to snap up a touch of Suzie style.

The entrance to the pavilion and converted stables features a beautifully appointed cafe, where you can enjoy a coffee, tea or light refreshments whilst taking in the gorgeous the surroundings, French wares and sunny outlook. Suzie is one of those people who just does everything with panache. She has a knack for it, so everything from the cup of coffee you buy to the way the staff are dressed exudes her unique style.

It is an experience you won't forget. Suzie has the most amazing taste and eye when it comes to decorating, styling and merchandising her wares. She has an innate creativity and flair, and just wandering around the many rooms of her expansive emporium is a feast for the senses.

Suzie's favourite colour palette is one of soft and faded greys, whites and sage greens, with touches of black, teamed with lots of natural fabrics and textures, heavy linens, sisals, with a mix of timber, iron and wicker furnishings. She always has a beautiful range of painted furniture, elegant lighting, and has over the last few years incorporated a Belgian influence which brings a more contemporary, masculine side to the traditional and classically French style.

The vast range of homewares, furniture, antiques, soft furnishings, accessories and flowers must be seen to be believed. You won't leave empty handed. Even if you think don't need anything, just the styling and presentation of the products will make you feel you simply can't live without it!

If you think you don't like French style decor, you'll be converted here. The aesthetic Suzie has created is elegant, chic and stylish but relaxed, liveable, comfortable and effortless. It's very hard to resist.

And if you love colour and pattern, once you've done a turn around the place you'll be wanting to redecorate everything in the soft, muted tones that Suzie is renowned for. I always come away from these weekends, ready to ditch my blue and white decor and opt for the soft, neutral colour scheme.

Rooms are set up and displayed as actual rooms of a house, so there's bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, living rooms etc, and they look lived in not displayed like a shop, but in a way that inspires you to want everything in them. Just the experience of being there is enjoyable, taking it all in, even just for inspiration and ideas. I always learn something from visiting the place.

That's the side table I bought secretly in a rush while my husband was outside with the kids. I got in trouble for that sneaky purchase, but it was worth it! Suzie had it delivered to Sydney the next day.

Honestly, I could have gone made and redecorated our whole house in about 15 minutes. I warn you, it's dangerous!

Apart from the interiors, there is the potting shed which sells a beautiful and earthy range of garden related wares, including pots and potted plants, topiaries and shrubs.

The worst thing about all of this is that Hopewood has recently been sold. Suzie is now moving onto the next chapter of her life, and next business venture, focusing on Suzie Anderson Home which no doubt will be equally as exciting and successful. But the good news is that there is one last and final open day coming up soon.

So if you want to come along and snap up a bit of Suzie style, or you just want to come for the experience (and believe me if you want to learn something about styling, this is the place) - I highly recommend it. Hopewood is open for the final time on 25-26th May, 2013.

Don't miss out! Everything is for sale, including the furniture in the guest cottage. But be early, things sell quickly. You can park onsite, and enjoy a stroll around the gardens and a cuppa at the cafe.

I'll be back to snap up a few final bargains - might see you there.

PS Do yourself a favour - leave the kids and your husband behind, I know I will!

A Mother's Day in Autumn

2013-05-13T12:49:00.002+10:00

This weekend we visited the farm again, and it has changed since we were there are few short weeks ago. Much more colour has developed in the trees, many more leaves also lost, and the lawns blanketed in rich autumn colours.

So before it all turns wintery and bare, I thought I'd share a few of the last beautiful photos I took late Sunday afternoon. The response to the open weekend was fantastic and they raised over $50,000 for the botanic gardens between all 6 gardens. We had over 1,000 people through the garden, all full of praise and compliments. It was lovely to share it with so many people. I had the pleasure of meeting a few gorgeous girls who follow the blog, who kindly came from near and far to see the garden.

Photos by Melinda Hartwright

Enjoying the last of the late afternoon sun on Mother's Day. Hope you had a wonderful day with your family and were spoilt and appreciated as mothers should be. It's always nice to share Mother's Day with several generations of mums too. This is my grandmother, who is the great-grandmother of my kids. She is the Peter Pan of our family, ever youthful of mind and body and so amazing with kids too.

I often get asked what camera I use and how great my photos look, but these are all taken on my iPhone and I sometimes think it takes better shots than my Canon 650D! Or perhaps I'm just so rubbish at using the DSLR properly that the results are better with an automatic phone camera!

PS My sister read my last post on the Balmoral Boathouse and thought it read like a sponsored post, so just in case you thought that too, I wanted to mention that it was just a regular post about somewhere I visited with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed, and as I love sharing great places and new experiences I thought I'd share it with you. If I gushed a bit it was because I thought it was worth it.

Balmoral Boathouse

2013-05-09T19:18:00.002+10:00

I have been trying to get to the new Balmoral Boathouse for a few weeks, and finally made it there yesterday. If you know the sister cafe The Boathouse Palm Beach, or even Armchair Collective in Mona Vale, you will know that queues and waiting for tables are standard fare at these popular establishments, and sharing tables with other diners is often the only way to get a table without waiting a few hours, especially at peak times.

They also don't take bookings, which can be slightly frustrating, but if you hanker for a sensational view, some great modern Aussie cuisine, and a relaxed and rustic beachside vibe where you can wander off the beach in your sandy swimmers or arrive in sequins and heels, then you'll suffer the inconveniences for the pleasure of the experience.

The majority of the tables and seating is outside, with only half a dozen tables currently under cover. This will present a problem when it rains, but I'm assured by management that they are awaiting Mosman Council to approve more permanent pergola style structures, as below, so that inclement weather doesn't mean soggy chips.

The first restaurant in the group, The Boathouse Palm Beach is a local icon of the insular peninsula, a haven for Palm Beach foodies, celebrities and anybody who craves everything from the best fish and chips, to fresh flowers, bread and milk, deli style food, great coffee and an unbeatable view. The same formula has been applied here.

Thankfully they have brought this highly successful recipe to Balmoral, one of the most desirable and spectacular beachside locations on Sydney Harbour, and a place that should be teaming with sensational, casual dining options. We've had Bathers Pavilion for years, but I'm getting a bit bored with it and the menu doesn't seem to have changed since it opened, plus those tiny cramped egg shaped tables drive me nuts.

There have been a number of other contenders, including The Public Dining Room, but what we've been craving there is a stylish but casual dining establishment, where you can roll up straight off the beach in your thongs and wet towel and order a glass of sauvignon blanc and a plate of salt and pepper squid or perch on a director's chair overlooking the glorious harbour and devour a plate of fresh Sydney rock oysters and an ice cold beer. There are no pretences, no affectations. It's a place for everyone, kids are welcome and if you fancy it they'll deliver your meal to you on the beach where you can eat amongst the seagulls and sandcastles.

I met two girlfriends for lunch. We had to share a bench with some other friendly ladies to start with, then moved when a nearby table became available. You generally have to queue to order food, but the kitchen is fast and efficient and you don't want long to eat. You take a number and wait for your food to be delivered by smartly dressed waiters in nautical inspired outfits.

I can't go past anything fried on a menu, so this Salt & Chilli Calamari was right up my alley, along with the squid ink aioli and side salad. I would have gone for the very popular fish and chips, but I did show some restraint. Had it been the weekend I would have had that and a glass or two of vino. But school pickup was looming, so I thought I'd better be responsible.

One of their most popular dishes is the prawn kebab roll with avocado salsa. You can have everything delivered takeaway as well as dine in.

Potted plants, an abundance of fresh market flowers bursting from vases and magnificent array of pots and greenery make the place feel lush, relaxed and homely. It's a really cool, easy vibe. A bit like sitting on the deck of a friend's place, enjoying their hospitality.

The cafe shares the space with the Balmoral Boatshed which currently hires out boats, canoes and the like. The cafe is currently expanding their seating options, having installed some roller doors along one side of the shed, which will create more covered seating and allow for functions. Mosman Council has imposed restrictions in terms of seating capacity, table numbers etc, covered areas etc which I find absurd. Why curtail the growth and development of a place that can only be viewed as an asset to the neighbourhood and bring business and money to the area.

This fabulous aqua striped wallpaper is a real feature of the cafe, and looks amazing as a backdrop to the abundant floral displays.

The barista can't complain how his workplace conditions - how's that for a view from your office!

There are lots of beach inspired decorative touches, which fit in perfectly with the seaside location.

On the weekends, the coffee bar and drinks bar are open daily, and you can grab a takeaway coffee to enjoy on the beach.

All the flowers, greenery, veggies, plants and fruit are available for sale and updated regularly.

I'm glad I didn't take the kids. There are packets and bags of lollies and chocolates at perfect kid eye level at every turn in this place. Bit of a nightmare for parents!

There's the famous fish and chips and the calamari I had. Hot, crunchy and read to eat.

The cafes are known for their eclectic displays of fresh fruit, veggies, deli foods and boutique groceries. Always beautifully displayed and bursting with colour and freshness.

It's a visual feast - full of colour and vibrancy.

Great for adults and kids to be able to get fresh fruit as snacks by the beach rather than the usual rubbish that is on offer from the nearby kiosks.

I think this is a great asset to the area. Balmoral is an iconic Sydney beach and this addition can only be seen as a positive. Go and enjoy!

Williams-Sonoma and West Elm - Now Open

2013-05-06T14:54:00.001+10:00

Here's the final store tours for Williams-Sonoma and West Elm. I imagine that most of you who are within a few hours drive of Sydney have probably already been to the stores by now, and shopped up a storm, so this post is for the benefit of those who live interstate, out of Sydney or haven't had the chance to get there yet.

I know you've probably been inundated with posts and social media feeds from all the bloggers who attended, so if you're sick of seeing photos of these stores, humour me and I promise I'll get onto something else tomorrow!

American retailers just know how to do things so well. The devil is in the details and they have an attention to detail that is beyond compare. Whether it's the store fit-out, the shopping bags, the point of sale, the complimentary services, the visual merchandising - it all adds up to an utterly delightful shopping experience.

I thought these silver rimmed glasses were really beautiful.

Murchison-Hume have created a range specially for WS. I love this "Boys' Bathroom Cleaner". It must be industrial strength! They also have their own branded range of cleaners, detergents and soaps.

You must have heard that this is the first WS Cooking School anywhere in the world. Very exciting for those foodies interested in taking lessons in such a beautiful culinary environment. They are holding regular classes starting very soon, some 2, 4 or 6 hour classes. So get online and check out the offering.

They have used Miele appliances throughout.

Marble, marble everywhere. You can't say that marble isn't a hardwearing product or that it won't withstand the demands of domestic use. They have it all over the stores, and if it's good enough for WS in a commercial application, it's good enough for me!

I'm hoping they will be getting more WS branded foodstuffs in the store. A lot of the wares currently on shelves are local products ie Simon Johnson, Breville etc, and cookware which we can get anywhere ie Le Creuset. I know I personally want to go to these stores and get specifically Williams-Sonoma branded products, not just something I can get up the road at DJs or any old cookware shop. And I will pay a premium for that, if necessary.

They have these lovely pedestal tables all over the stores. You may remember white ones in Pottery Barn Kids. The timber cutting boards, bread boards etc are really lovely. They would look great displayed around a kitchen.

This will give Donna Hay a run for her money - I have lots of DH aprons and tea towels in aqua or "Donna Hay blue", but the WS are really lovely too. Nice and thick. Although not as cheap as a set of 4 from Bed Bath n Table!

I adore dough bowls and I've had my eye for one for the centre of our dining table which is long and narrow. These are perfect. I'm going to have to add this to my birthday/Mother's Day/Christmas/anniversary list which is growing by the day since these stores opened. Never again will I say, "Oh don't worry darling, I really don't need anything".

Beautiful details on their products - like this lovely pot handle on their saucepans.

I tried to ascertain the difference between all the pancake mixes, but the young man didn't seem to know. So I guess it will be a case of such it and see, to pick the perfect one.

They have a few coffee machines for sale at WS, and you can test the coffee. I thought these little paper cups were sweet.

Again, the store fit-out was what blew my mind. It's like a proper American kitchen in the store - with white cabinetry, marble countertops, subway tiles and the like. Just perfection.

And finally West Elm. Now I must confess I have never shown a great deal of interest in the West Elm brand because it always seemed a bit too eclectic and modern for my house and style, but I was mistaken. They have some really lovely classic accessories and pieces of furniture in the store, in fact, probably a better range than the Pottery Barn stuff at this point. So make sure you go through it with a fine tooth comb!

Now as I was in such a dither on the day of the preview, trying to take photos and take it all in, I did miss a lot of the details of West Elm products. When I returned the following day I couldn't believe how much I had missed and how many things I wanted! So here's a few of my favourite items, that were flying off the shelves on opening day.

Love me a Parsons table, and this comes in several finishes including a gorgeous grasscloth.

Marble topped anything is a winner with me and they have several options.

West Elm has a really nice selection of frames, framed artwork and mirrors. Very reasonable prices too.

So there you have it. I think overall I was absolutely thrilled with what they have done, the store fit-outs, the product selection, the pricing. Ok, so there are many things which I had hoped would be available, like lighting, tapware, lamps, vanities etc, and the range of offer is rather limited compared to what you can get in the US, but we will see over the next 12 months how the range grows and expands. Don't forget how much they cater to seasons, holidays and special occasions. That's going to be amazing to see. And I'm sure that things will change as they gauge demand, and see what the Australian market wants and needs. So make sure you let them know. Feedback will determine the direction things take.

Many of you have commented that we cannot now get access to Australian shipping through the US websites. I have noticed this, and it's rather a shame, although I guess to be expected. They want to drive Australian customers to the local stores and websites understandably, however the range of products available here in comparison is so tiny, that many people are still trying to buy off the US sties. So I will try to find out more about the coming availability of the product lines, and what we can expect in coming months.

You can shop online at all the stores now, and they deliver Australia wide.

All in all, a very exciting development for retail and homewares in general in Australia. Don't you agree?