Summer on the Bellarine Peninsula

I know how fortunate we are to live on this beautiful peninsula but it's when scores of visitors arrive marvelling at the beaches, the shops, the wineries I remember why I love it.  Queenscliff, in particular, has it all.  There is so much to do here, whatever the weather.  There are a number of art galleries, including our own, museums, the gorgeous beaches, the ferry to Sorrento for a day trip, feeding the stingrays, coffee at Gusto, ME store, Hobson's Garden Cafe to name a few.  Lunch at the same establishments or maybe the Queenscliff Hotel or the Queenscliff Inn.  The Vue Grand is a special destination and you can wrap up all of your holiday there from coffee, lunch, dinner, accommodation, a bubbly on the rooftop bar, a performance of Faulty Towers with your dinner and lots of pampering.  There are lots of interesting shops, ours the most gorgeous of course. If you want to be far from the madding crowd but still experience Summer by the sea, come to Queenscliff and don't forget to visit Ashby House on the corner of Hobson and Hesse Streets.

Christmas at Ashby House Interiors

I love Christmas in Queenscliff. 

It reminds me of the Christmas of my childhood when family, food and peace were the main features of the season.  There is an absence of the craziness which seems to pervade big shopping centres and people go about their Christmas activities in a calm and unhassled way.  You can drive up and park outside where you want to and punctuate your shopping with a good coffee and bite to eat.  If your activities linger on into the afternoon, you can have a stroll along the beach before you go home and maybe a glass of wine and an early dinner at one of the excellent establishments in town.
 
As Ashby House Interiors our focus is on quality not quantity, glamour not glitz and above all serenity!! We will help select your special Christmas decoration and/or a gift for family and friends and giftwrap all at no charge. 

We'd love to see you over the weeks leading up to Christmas and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Enjoy!!

An Appartment in Paris

Part of the charm of staying in Paris is, even for a little while, to live like a Parisian lives.  To stay in an apartment near Rue Mouffetard is to experience Paris as the locals do.  It is in the heart of the Latin Quarter, a neighbourhood with local shops and businesses catering for the locals who range from busy professional couples and families, students and retirees.

The market around Place Monge metro station operates three times a week: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays which is especially popular with Parisians.  The lower part of the street is pedestrianised, making it a charming area where the visitor can truly experience the “real” Paris.  You’ll find any number of cafes, restaurants, patisseries, two wine shops, four speciality cheese shops, three or four chocolatiers, first class butchers that also sell their own pâtés and terrines, a terrific fishmonger, fruit and vegetable shops as well as a florist or two.
Check out the gorgeous Paris Gourmand apartment and picture yourself after a long day of sightseeing, shopping and strolling sitting on the terrace having a drop of wine  before heading out for a meal at any of the local restaurants all within a very short distance from the apartment.

http://www.parisgourmandapartments.com, 

Sinikka Floral Design

Had an idea for ages to do a Spring window in our beautiful shop to herald the coming of all things floral, fresh and new.  Unfortunately I don't have the talent to back it up, just the idea.  Someone who does though is Sarah Wilkinson from Sinikka Floral Design, another talented Bellarine Peninsula gal.  Sarah has set up the most gorgeous display in our Hesse Street window showcasing our spectacular fake blooms, some of our Spring stock just arrived, but most of all her talent in putting together this fabulous rustic display.  Come in and check it out when you get the chance.  Sarah does floral design for all kinds of events and displays.

It will be in store until the end of September after which time I am going to have a different theme for the next month.  Look forward to seeing you!

Nikole Furnari photographer

Sometimes people wander into your life when you need them.  Such was the case with the lovely and talented photographer Nikole Furnari.
Nikole as it turned out was commissioned by Penguin in London to take the gorgeous shots that you see in the book, "At My French Table" She came into my shop one afternoon and we immediately started talking about things French, travel and we hatched a plan to do a photo shoot of some of my stock, which she subsequently did.  She also took some of me for an article in French Provincial Magazine, which is no mean feat given that I hate having photos of me done. The results are what you see here on my blog, facebook, some on our website (the good ones) front page of the current issue of French Provincial, back page on the June/July issue.  Beautiful shots evoking all things French but also what comes across here is Nikole's rapport with people.  She is a genius!

Laguiole

For all of you Francophiles out there come in and check out our Laguiole cutlery, which is high grade stainless steel made in France.  We have the Jean du Bost range which is made in Thiers, France.  We have ivory, multi coloured, red, black and some navy.  There are cheese and pate knives, cutlery sets, and lots of other bits and pieces but it's all gorgeous!!!
They all feature the bee emblem which is what Napoleon used for his heraldic symbols because bees represent teamwork and efficiency.  Very French.
There you go, learn something every day!!
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