A PEEK Inside the Collections

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST, NEW SOUTH WALES ~ February 09, 2012

Oour exhibition of the year so far, House at the Museum of Sydney revealed a remarkable range of objects from some of Australia’s oldest interiors.

Over three years, photographer Robyn Stacey gained unprecedented access into the quite incredible collections of Elizabeth Bay House, Vaucluse House and Rouse Hill House. She photographed hundreds of the 29,000 artefacts in the Historical Houses Trust’s collections, crafting lovingly composed still-lifes that effectively capture glimpses of high society life in the embryonic colony.

We love creative collaborations and labours of love, and delving into the lives of the families who once called these houses home is a rare and wonderful thrill. From Mary Antoinette’s Memoirs to magnificent Punjab curtains, House is a treasure chest and a window into a close yet tantalisingly out-of-reach past.

GLORIOUS GARNITURE

Highlighting botanical diversity at Elizabeth Bay House, these three Rococo Revivial vases, with their distinctive green glaze, curvaceous forms and rustic ‘twig’ handles, form a garniture: a set of vases for display on a chimneypiece, chiffonier or other piece of furniture.

THE DRAWING LESSON

Here a taxidemied penguin joins the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Edinburgh Review and a Penny Magazine for the Society of the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, in a shrine to learning and reason.

In the early 19th century some social theorists advocated that women should be excluded from the realm of the scientific arts, arguing that for them, analysing plants’ reproductive systems was inappropriate. In reality, women artists were quite active in the natural sciences, and by the late 19th century Sydney’s taxidermy trade was dominated by women.

A CONVERSATION with Lillie O’Brien in Hackney

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM ~ February 8, 2012

WE LOVE JAM. The talented Lillie O’Brien of London Borough of Jam is making waves with incredible conserves that fearlessly combine the unconventional and the traditional. Her Wild Fennel Blossom with Peach, Raspberry & Liquorice and Lemon & Verbena jams are made in beautiful copper preserving pans, then stored and sold in elegant glass receptacles.

After the Apple caught up with Lillie on a freezing February afternoon at Chatsworth Road Market in Hackney, where despite the cold she was on a foodie high.

AFTER FOUR YEARS AS A PASTRY CHEF AT ST JOHN BREAD & WINE OPPOSITE SPITALFIELDS MARKET, LILLIE IS NOW A FULL-TIME JAM-MAKER. SO WE BEGAN BY ASKING, WHY SWEET THINGS?

Surprisingly I don’t have a sweet tooth which is very odd for a pastry chef. I would much rather sneak into the kitchen and eat savoury snacks. Of course I have to try sweet dishes all the time and appreciate them: and I could easily eat a whole jar of jam.

WHAT RECEPTACLE DO YOU MAKE YOUR JAM IN?

I make my jam in copper preserving pans. They’re a excellent conductor of heat which means the jam will cook evenly and quickly. This results in a jam that tastes more like the fruit rather than “sugar” as it hasn’t reduced too much.

WHY JAM? DOES IT HOLD SPECIAL MEMORIES?

Yes, my mother always made her own jam & preserves when I was growing up. It’s so lovely to have a larder full in the winter months to keep you inspired in the kitchen.

WHAT GOES INTO LONDON BOROUGH OF JAM?

A load of love and not a lot of sugar.

YOUR FUSIONS ARE INCREDIBLE, WHAT’S YOUR SECRET?

All of the jams I make have some sort of natural flavour added to compliment the fruit. I never mix any fruit together, always leaving it in its purest form, and only use fruit according to the seasons. Being a pastry chef at St John has taught me the golden rule of only using seasonal produce.

CAN YOU REALLY FORAGE FOR FRUIT IN INNER-CITY HACKNEY?

Of course! You can forage all over London. In the warmer months I get Blackberries, Elderflower, Elderberries, Rose hips, Fennel Blossom all locally in Hackney. If I need anything particular that is not available in East London then I would use a independent company like Forager to source it for me.

WHERE DO YOU DISTRIBUTE YOUR JAM?

I currently supply E5 Bakehouse and Leila’s shop which are both in East London. I try and alternate the varieties they both have though in the winter months now they both have the same.

Its all about the Seville Oranges and Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb at the moment.

Lillie O’Brien is a Melburnian occasionally dreaming of sunshine, but loving her London life.
Learn more at londonboroughofjam.tumblr.com

SLOTH MESSENGER coveted by Georgina Murison

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ January 23, 2012

After careful consideration and much deliberation, Sydney’s gorgeous Georgina Murison purchased her first luxury handbag, After the Apple’s Sloth Messenger in Nutmeg. Here, in her own words, young Georgina reveals what her bag means to her. Thanks for sharing.

“After three weeks of shopping around, “umming and ahhing” over it, I couldn’t get past it,” recalls Georgina. ” I had to have it… even the Mulberry bags I’d previously lusted after seemed drab in comparison.

“So I purchased it. As soon as the bag caught my eye I was intrigued. I immediately sensed that it was Australian, and also that the bag itself was so well made and organised – something that I never find in handbags.

“It’s amazing to find such a luxurious, hardwearing and altogether well crafted piece: it has since travelled with me throughout Victorian alpine regions right through to New South Wales’ best beaches.

“I know I could have bought a generic Coach bag like everyone else my age – but I know this bag is a stand-out which no one else I know will own. For that I love it… and the combination lock of course!”

Georgina: After the Apple is lucky to have gorgeous lassies like you. We’re delighted your bag has been such a hit.

A CONVERSATION with Rosie Crerar

BRONTE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA ~ January 06, 2012

Rosie is a film darling, and Scossie… a Glaswegian fully dipping her toe into life down-under. Living overlooking Sydney’s Bronte Beach, she works on Bondi Beach at Australia’s premiere short film festival, Flickerfest, as Program, Industry & Festival Operations Manager. Flickerfest launches Friday 6th January for 10 days, before touring to 37 venues nationwide till May 2012.

We catch up with Rosie to discuss her chosen Interior. After the Apple loves interiors. Spaces. Hidden nooks and crannies. Cavernous vastness. Chaotic visual delights.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHOSEN INTERIOR. HOW DOES IT FIT INTO YOUR LIFE?

Living in rental accommodation in Bronte, there is lots which is loaned and transitory… The one fixed thing is the view from our living room window. The frame of the ocean is a breath-taking and happy thing to wake up to each day, something which doesn’t belong to us but I love to behold!

HOW DOES YOUR INTERIOR INSPIRE YOU TO BE WHO YOU ARE? HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?

Looking out from our living room window at the view outside gives perspective. It’s wild, uncontrollable and mesmerizing out there. I like it.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIOR IN A FILM YOU ENJOY OR ADMIRE?

Twin Peaks TV series, dream sequence. We tried to recreate it in an nightclub in Glasgow once as an homage to David Lynch, as part of our short film fest. It didn’t really work, the curtains got ripped and someone puked in the nude.

Poinsettia (Christmas Flower)

MEXICO ~ December 20,2011

In 1828, Poinsett took an interest in the red-flowered Mexican plants. He took specimens of them to grow for himself on his plantations in South Carolina. Joel Roberts Poinsett, who, in 1825, became the first ambassador to Mexico from the United States of America.

The plant would have been familiar to the Aztecs for centuries before the Spaniards arrived. It is particularly associated with the area of Taxco del Alarcón in the south of Mexico, where it flowers in the winter months. The Aztecs used its red ‘flowers’, which are actually the upper leaves of the plant, to make red or purple dye, and drew its sap as a medicine against fever.

Although, despite the delicious Red leaves, a Poinsettia is a little tough to care for. Unless you have the special touch.

A Poinsettia basket. An obvious but pleasing Christmas gift.

TRAILBLAZER MOTHER sported by Jon Hewitt

SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ December 15,2011

The dapper Jon Hewitt says the following about the Trailblazer Mother “Having bought After The Apple’s Mother Bag for my best friend, I found I just couldn’t part with it after discovering it made for a rather fetching hat”.

The Trailblazer Mother is back in stock after many months of numerous customers asking for more. This time we have crafted it in Tuxedo Reticulated Python. Thank you Jon. We believe you helped this movement.

SLOTH HANDBAG adored by Nadia Rice

NEUTRAL BAY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ December 09,2011

Adoring and gorgeous Nadia Rice says the following about her Scarab Handbag “I absolutely adore my After the Apple Handbag from the Sloth collection. This bag is striking, unique and perfect colour for Summer. I receive compliments whenever I take it out and it remains my favourite purchase thus far.”

We are very lucky to have Nadia carrying her Handbag in the crook of her arm. Both the bag AND Nadia look FABULOUS.

Alocasia Cuprea (Bronze Cuprea)

THE TROPICS ~ December 09,2011

We believe this is the most stunning Alocasia there is. And we LOVE Alocasias. These plants (commonly known as African Masks and Elephant’s Ears) are mainly valued for their gorgeous leaves, which are very large, heart- or spade-shaped and beautifully coloured and variegated in gleaming shades of green, purple, bluish-green, red and bronze. They also produce small, calla-like flower spathes.

Your Bronze Cuprea needs a large pot with good drainage. Feed the plants weekly while growing and protect from strong sunlight. It’s a small growing Alocasia with a maximum height of 2.5 feet. Very sweet.

We suggest you gift-one for a Christmas gift; we’d be most pleased with this in our sack.

A CONVERSATION with Retna Wooller in the ‘Dam

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS ~ December 06,2011

Retna talks us through the receptacles which make her Xmas Day complete. She feels very adult saying that she will ‘bring a plate’. Food is better than any present she thinks. Food, good company and a day off from thinking.

GOOD LIQUOR TASTES EVEN BETTER WHEN SNIFFED AND SIPPED FROM A RECEPTACLE OF CREDIBILITY. WHAT WILL YOU BE SIPPING FROM THIS XMAS DAY?

Iused to be a beer and giggles kind of girl, until I moved to the Northern Hemisphere. Here, they drink to stay warm. Raised on the beach, Christmas was about the blistering sun and eating til you had to lie down. In Amsterdam, it snows, I don’t eat lobster for Christmas lunch and there isn’t any beach to go for a swim. Even though it is everything we understand Christmas to be, I have only just become used to having Christmas in the snow.

One thing that reminds me of the perfumes of my old faith, sans guilt, is a beverage called Gluhwein. It is actually German or Austrian and my god it is so yummy. It is like mulled wine but better! There are so many aromas in there and you serve it warm so it is extra lovely. People drink it when they go ice skating. Serve it as hot as possible.

I will be drinking mine from my Villeroy and Boch Mug from the Acapulco collection. My Gluhwein receptacle.

IN WHICH POT IS YOUR XMAS TREE TAKING UP RESIDENCE?

Oh dear. Christmas here is a little confusing for me. I just put the Christmas tree up in the front of the house and my boyfriend told me that people will be angry I didn’t wait until after Sinterklaas. Today is Sinterklaas’ birthday. He travels about with his helpers (children here black out their faces so they can look like Sinterklaas helpers) and there is a period of about three weeks where you put your wishes in your shoe, along with a carrot (for the donkey or something) and Sinterklaas delivers you little gifts in the lead up to the big gift which he gives out on his birthday.

If you are bad, you have to go to Spain. Yes, I am making this tradition sound a lot more ridiculous than it is, but I have asked so many local people about it and I get a different story every time. Don’t shoot the messenger here.

Plants are sold here in metal pots, or plastic. I actually transfer all the plants I get into a ceramic planter. I have a drill and I drill holes in the bottom, create a surface of stones so as not to let all the water run out, then replant the plant. Plants don’t seem to be happy unless they are in a ceramic pot.

FROM WHICH BOX WILL YOU PULL YOUR XMAS DAY CLOGS FROM?

They have just put the salt buckets out on the tops of bridges, which means snow is just around the corner. As Christmas gets closer you notice more and more people riding their bikes wearing a plaster cast. People slip off their bikes, break an arm and then get back on again. Not me. It is the one time of year I take public transport. I also develop a kind of stomp-like walk to avoid slipping. I look like a complete idiot, but I have not suffered any broken bones as a result.
The other day I purchased my first proper winter boot. They are Timberlands and a lot of the inside is made from recycled material. I always thought Timberlands were for Rappers, but since reading up about this boot I discovered the way they make things is very ethical. The closest thing I can get to wearing something dainty in this weather.

The box my boots came in is 100% recycled and study. I have to store all my Winter boots away during Summer, so i keep all my shoe boxes to make this easy. I actually really love shoe boxes, so I have never really thrown them out. I think of them as part of the purchase.

Retna Wooller is a journalist, fashion stylist and feature writer; residing in Amsterdam, always on the money. http://retna.com.au/

GYR HANDBAG loved by Shelagh Hewitt

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA ~ December 06,2011

Stylish Shelagh Hewitt had this to say when asked about her After the Apple Handbag. “I love my Handbag for its modern yet classic look and its total functionality in keeping all your bits and bobs separate, yet easily accessible.” We cherish a practical women with obvious sensibilities. After the Apple are very pleased to have an ATA Handbag on Shelagh’s shoulder.