Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i Country Style

JUST LIKE the start of spring, the arrival of newcomers in a regional town brings fresh ideas and a shot of energy to a community. When someone moves to the country, it is often for a new beginning and to try their hand at something different; often it’s to make a dream come true. This is the case with Espen Harbitz, who owns The Oriana in Orange, NSW. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Orange, a place very dear to my heart as I lived there as a child. It was in Orange that I first rode a horse, first saw snow, and first experienced the joy of a public pool on a stinking hot summer’s day. Espen bought The Oriana back in 1997 with his late partner Ted…

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Fifth FAI Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship, Sept 2-9 The skies above Northam, just over an hour’s drive from Perth in the picturesque Avon Valley, will be filled with the sight of hot air balloons as top female pilots from 13 nations – from Brazil to New Zealand and Latvia – compete in the Fifth FAI Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship. This the first time the event has been held outside Europe, and it will also see the largest number of balloons flown in a competitive event in WA. Northam Festival of Ballooning, a tailor-made music, entertainment and international food festival, will be hosted by the Shire of Northam and incorporate the Championship’s Opening Ceremony and welcome to competitors. Spectators can also enjoy ballooning demonstrations, inflation…

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY IT’S EARLY SPRING and all the ewes are in their lambing paddocks. In midwinter we scanned them, the portable ultrasound machine showing (to those who know how to look) whether the ewe was dry (not pregnant), or had a single lamb or multiple lambs. The month before they lamb, we give them a long-lasting drench to protect them from parasitic worms, and since then they have been left to be sheep. Slowly their bellies swell, their udders fill and, in the weeks before they lamb, a waxy secretion will form a seal over their teats in readiness for their offspring’s first drink. The land, too, is swelling, responding to the warmer days and longer daylight. Down here in the deep south of Australia, spring arrives…

AIMÉE TUCK AND PAUL MCMAHON don’t shy away from challenges or bumpy life lessons. “We are quite different in our personalities,” says Aimée, “but we both love the outdoors and are creative in our own ways. Paul is quite analytical, while I am more emotionally driven and artistic.” Perfectly balanced in a Yin and Yang sense, they make a formidable team. Aimée is a high school art teacher, and Paul works as an engineer for an Indigenousowned business within the rail industry, but they have set themselves on an exciting path encompassing cottage renovations, Airbnb hosting, and Land Rover restorations. Five years ago, Aimée, 36, and Paul, 39, relocated from sun-soaked Byron Bay to Bright in Victoria’s crisp High Country in pursuit of work and outdoor adventures. Mountain biking, paragliding,…

HANNAH PUECHMARIN INTERIOR AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER, 32 Hannah lives with her husband, César, on a leafy block of land on Mount Glorious in Queensland. What do you love about where you live? I love having incredible birds visit our garden, and I love the beautiful walking trails around here. How would you describe your style? Feminine and relaxed. Are you interested in fashion? I enjoy pulling together fun outfits for different occasions. Who are your style influences? I tend to draw inspiration from a variety of fashion styles. I also love following French influencers on Instagram. What’s the best style advice you’ve ever received? That clothes can be an amazing way to empower yourself when you need a confidence boost. What are your wardrobe essentials? Dresses with pockets, denim jackets,…

BRITTANY SMITH While writer Brittany currently lives in Sydney, she’s still connected to her country roots. See page 112 for her stories about three stunning rural weddings. Brittany’s family lived in Tottenham, “the soul of the centre” of NSW, before moving to a semi-rural area in south-west Sydney shortly before she was born. Despite this, the Smiths regularly made the trip back to visit loved ones. “Our family friends were farmers and I loved exploring their land,” Brittany, 28, says. “The endless expanses of earth fascinated me.” Now living in Sydney, she cherishes weekend escapes to the country with her partner Bryce, 27. “I have family all over the state,” she says. “Rural Australia has such a unique beauty and visiting people is a great excuse to sightsee.” NAT SALLOUM…

dock of the bay Next time you’re sitting on the dock of the bay (or in the garden, or paddock, or beach), grab a GlamSwag. A super-soft feather inner keeps you cushioned, while a waterproof waxed-canvas cover keeps you dry, and a soft plaid top keeps you comfy. Visit glamswag.com.au FIT FOR A QUEEN This magnificent machine is called Majestic, and it absolutely is. Ilve’s Majestic oven series can be crafted to your needs, from its size to its cooktop configuration, rail, hood and, of course, colour, with 213 custom shades to choose from. Visit ilve.com.au A FINE VINTAGE Beautiful wood, elegant details, heirloom character – and plenty of space to store your favourite bottles: this vintage wine rack, crafted by an artisan in the French Alps, is brimming with…

WORKING AS A magazine stylist, Aimee Jones was constantly left frustrated when trying to find the kind of floral products she wished to weave into her images for some of the biggest glossy titles in Australia. “I’d be looking for napkins for a shoot and keep finding the same linen ones over and over again,” she says. “At the time, I felt like the market was flooded with neutrals and linens. It was all very beautiful, but I was like, ‘Where are the florals?’” Born in London and raised in 1980s Australia, Aimee’s childhood was full of sun-soaked days outside in swingy summer dresses. “My dad was an amazing interior designer and my mum worked in textiles and weaving, and she’d sew us beautiful little Liberty-print floral dresses,” Aimee, 46,…

GET THE LOOK…

THE ART OF CHEESEMAKING has been around for thousands of years, and the topic is infinite. The history of cheese is rich with beautiful stories of provenance, tradition, technique, skill, flavour and more. For me, I suppose you could call cheesemaking a hobby or, more accurately, a fledgling addiction. My cheesemaking journey started as a way of trying to deal with the stress, intensity and demands of working in professional kitchens. Learning and teaching myself something new allowed me to slow down, be creative, and to think about food differently. This book comes from my experiences of making cheese, both at home and in professional environments. Woven among the information and recipes are stories and anecdotes about how I make, age, eat, share, care for and love cheese. CHEESEMAKING BASICS…

LEESA CHANDLER IS A VERY BUSY WOMAN. She works in building project management, is a mum of two and she’s also the boss of Pip & Haze, designing artisan lampshades made from gathered fabrics. Originally from Toowoomba, Queensland, Leesa lived in many places before settling in rural Roma in 2012. That’s where she found her perfect match, when her flatmate’s boyfriend brought his brother Ed around. “After numerous flat-pack furniture constructions together without an argument, I knew Ed was a keeper,” Leesa says. “He’s now my husband. His family are local graziers and country living suits us. We like the relaxed lifestyle. We also have two beautiful girls, five-year-old Hazel and four-year-old Pippa, who I named my business after.” Interiors have always interested Leesa, however it’s the delicate forms and…

WHILE MANY COUPLES consider themselves lucky to have met, newlyweds Bea Ferguson, 30, and Morgan Rees, 38, have more reason than most. “I’m originally from Scotland and Morgan is from New Zealand,” explains Bea, “so we were very fortunate to meet.” The fateful moment happened at a party, after both had moved to Australia, when a mutual friend introduced them not once but five times. “He definitely wasn’t subtle,” Bea says, laughing. “He had always thought we would be a good match.” The persistence clearly worked because after three years of dating, Morgan proposed on top of a glacier in New Zealand’s Queenstown. With loved ones living all around the world, planning the wedding meant creating a global guest list stretching from Amsterdam, Scotland, England and New Zealand to Australia.…

6 Pikolinos W1U-8505 boot in Tan, $319.95, from Peter Sheppard.…

ARTISAN APPEAL Support slow fashion and ethical practices with conscious purchases from SoulSong Life. The new Spring Collection features vibrant, bohemian-inspired dresses and smart-casual shirts made from 100 per cent cotton. soulsonglife.com LUXURY RETREAT Made in Australia and crafted from Victorian ash, the Forum upholstered two-drawer bed boasts luxurious Warwick ‘Brooklyn Ivory’ fabric and French provincial stain. Enjoy generous storage space with the Forum Bedroom Suite. harveynorman.com.au BRIGHT FORECAST Spring has arrived, so step out in bold, beautiful colours and chic patterns. Browse Zebrano’s new-season collection of top Australian and New Zealand designer labels, which are flattering for curvy bodies in sizes ranging from 14 to 26. zebrano.co.nz ALL WRAPPED UP Snuggle up in a Merino Possum Cable Sweater from The Wool Company and experience unrivalled warmth and softness in…

FORGING AHEAD It takes a great deal of courage to uproot one’s city life and start over in the country. For those courageous families in the July story Moving to the Country who’ve taken the plunge and made a new life for themselves, they’ve done so by moving their hearts as well as their heads. And while they have experienced some ups and downs in the process, it’s clear that they’ve all found their ‘happy place’, and are now enjoying the connection to nature, being part of a welcoming new community, and living life at a slower pace. Bliss! Special thanks also for Tilly Pamment’s scrumptious cake recipes. They’re divine; I can’t wait to have her new cookbook on my kitchen bench. Judith Caine, Donvale, Vic THEN AND NOW When…

9 Custom Blossoming Pear lampshade, $279, from The Boathouse Home.…

DUNGOG NSW AFFECTIONATE, INTELLIGENT, playful: these aren’t characteristics typically associated with donkeys, but Susie Corlett, owner of Rocky Hill Miniature Donkey Stud in Dungog, New South Wales, says the equine animals are just misunderstood. “Sometimes you go into the paddock and they throw themselves at your feet and demand to be cuddled,” she says, laughing. It’s an irresistible invitation, Susie adds, noting that miniature donkeys are “like your childhood teddy bears come to life” with their oversized ears, fluffy coats and dainty features. Susie, 53, and husband Mike, 56, fell head over heels for the unique animals around 10 years ago. They called into a miniature donkey stud while driving from Sydney to Melbourne one Christmas and it was love at first sight. “We just went weak at the knees,”…

MOUNT GLORIOUS QLD THE SMALL VILLAGE OF Mount Glorious, sitting high on the D’Aguilar Range in South East Queensland, is enveloped in rainforest. Piccabeen palms, quandongs, alocasia, figs and ferns provide dense habitat for local wildlife, including bower and rifle birds, as well as noisy pittas and honeyeaters. It’s a world away from the hustle of Brisbane, which takes 40 minutes to drive to – and that’s the appeal for avid birdwatchers César and Hannah Puechmarin. The couple spend hours exploring forest trails with binoculars or noting the wildlife that flits through their garden on the summit. “Birds and nature are where Hannah and I connect the most,” says César, 31, who is studying veterinary science and works part-time as a wildlife nurse. “We live in a subtropical rainforest surrounded…

DOWN THE GARDEN PATH “SPRING IS SUCH A VIBE,” one of my teenagers said to me. I resisted the urge to quote poetry, or point out the metaphor of seasons as renewal and rebirth because that is never going to translate to TikTok, and instead, went outside and tried to work out what my springtime garden needed from me first. The ground is warming up, which means the weeds are about to arrive, along with the cabbage moths. I need to de-winter the vegetable garden in order to fit in spring veg – those overdue winter vegies (grown out of season here on the NSW South Coast) attract clouds of pretty but extremely destructive white butterflies. I’m going to pull out all the kale before the aphids find it (hello,…

TILLY’S TABLE MUCH AS I LOVE WINTER, the arrival of spring – with her softer air, whispers of warm weather and longer days – is always most welcome. She creeps in, here in the mountains where I live, with bulbs and blossom in hand. It takes me a while to notice, until one day sunny yellow daffodils seem to have poked their heads up everywhere and then suddenly the streets are brimming with colour and fluffy spring blooms. It’s delightful and cheering – and on the afternoon school pick-up run, you have to dodge smiling daytrippers with their backpacks and cameras. Spring is also when I start to think about lighter flavours. Cool and crisp replacing warm and comforting. Fresh, tart fruit instead of spices and chocolate. And lemon –…

A SCHOOLYARD IN Orange, NSW, was where this love story began. Tom Baker, 29, was two grades ahead of Ally Davidson, 27, but that didn’t stop them from noticing each other. “I had always thought he was handsome,” says Ally. “I told my friends I had dibs.” In 2013, the pair began dating and, after eight years, welcomed their son, Henry, into the world. Six months later, Tom proposed. “We are both from the country and couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else,” Ally says. Their dream venue belonged to Ally’s aunt and uncle, a property named Jerula, just outside of Cowra. Thankfully, they were happy to host and over the next year of planning everything else fell into place as effortlessly as the location did. On the big day, the…

SHOPPING beneath the veil You’ll spare your wedding blushes with Amélie George’s stunning and delicate Blusher veil with flowers. ameliegeorge bridal.com THE PERFECT TOUCH FROM TOP Willow earrings, $139, from ameliegeorgebridal.com; Alida Solitaire diamond ring, $11,500, from nataliemariejewellery.com; Anya Hindmarch I Carry Your Heart recycled satin clutch, $1042.31, from net-a-porter.com; Bondi luxe velvet ring box, $59.50, from hardtofind.com.au; Meggan Morimoto Martina mule with beige blossoms, $949, morimoto.com.au PIECE OF CAKE Expect gorgeous bespoke designs and trademark features such as hand piping and icing flowers (seen on the Adeline cake, pictured) from Perth-based luxury wedding cake design studio De La Rose Cakes. For more, visit delarosacakes.com/wedding-cakes INVITING CHOICES The ‘write’ wedding stationery can set an elegant tone for your special day. Michaela McBride Calligraphy offers invitations in their signature designs with…

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator, $48, from Mecca, features bamboo charcoal for gentle exfoliation. Sol Skinfood Nourish Organic Body Scrub, $26, from Sol Cleanse, is infused with mineral-rich pink Himalayan salts and essential oils. Organic raw sugar and richly hydrating oils in Ikou’s Organic Body Buff, $49.95, will transform dull skin. Create a wellness ritual with the Japanese Dry Body Brush, $24.95, from Ikou, which invigorates the lymphatic system. Massage skin with Royal Blossom Miracle Glow Body Scrub, $35, from Nontre, which has pure shea butter and almond oil for silky-smooth hydration. Drunk Elephant Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Scrub, $51, from Mecca, gently sweeps away dead skin cells and pampers skin with coffea arabica seed oil, almond milk and marula oil. Awaken skin with the Andrée Jardin…

I’VE HAD THE BEARD for a while now. I grew it, thinking it would say: “distinguished mature gentleman”. Well, that was the plan. What it ended up saying was: “seniors’ discount, please”. The Chosen One wasn’t greatly sympathetic. She said there was no need to feel sorry for myself just because the cafe gave me free mocha sprinkles on my coffee. Last week, it was free onion rings with my McSenior Burger. Was I still fretting about that? “Look around,” she said, “there are plenty of, er, mature gentlemen in here enjoying free mocha sprinkles with their Later Life Lattes. Some with distinguished beards; some with telltale $4.50 pensioner haircuts. Whatever, the country bloke has certainly undergone a transformation. I hesitate to use the word gentrification, but a mid-morning cuppa…