Earth To Millie?

Architect Robert Joyce created this exquisite masterpiece in the U.S. for clients who love all things French. It was conceived as a provincial farm village with the cluster of simple farm buildings housing various parts of the family's life. Sometime today you've got to find a few minutes to visit Joyce's website here - go to the Country Houses page & open the magical world of the Provincial Village house. There are 67 large, glorious images of this project & if my reaction yesterday to this visual treat is anything to go by, you'll be absolutely speechless. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you've come back to earth!

Image: Robert Joyce Architecture

Sinking Fast

'OK MOTH, you're in trouble. I've just noticed these in the behind the hedge. You'd better explain & be quick about it.'

'Yeah, aren't they just the best Mills! They were just waiting for me at the Stirling Tip when I was down there yesterday. The Tip boys put them aside especially for me.'

'Keep going MOTH, I can hardly wait to hear more.'

'Well you know how I've always wanted a fish cleaning sink like my old mate Bucky built for himself at his McShack? Do you reckon these 2 beauties would be just perfect for that or what!'

'MOTH, when was the last time you went on a fishing trip?'

'Umm well Mills, that would be a couple of weeks ago.'

'And MOTH how was the weather on that trip?'

'You know perfectly well that it was RS Mills - it rained the whole bloody time.'

'So just remind me, how many fish did you exactly catch MOTH?'

'Geez Mills, that would have been none - no need to rub it in.'

'And would that have been the same weekend that you stormed home early with not a fish to be seen & the worst Man Cold you've ever had?'

'Ummm yep, that would have been the one.'

'So MOTH, before that weekend, when was the last time you had a fishing weekend away where you actually caught anything?'

'You know exactly when that was Mills. You were away in Greece for that Conference & you gave me a Leave Pass to go fishing with my mates up at Broome. Fish Mills, you should have see 'em!! We didn't even have to put a line over, they were just jumping straight into the boat of their own free will!! We took 'em back to the kitchen at the Cable Beach Resort & those chefs cleaned 'em for us & cooked 'em up for our dinner!'

'So if my memory serves me correctly that would have been in the Winter of 1994. And even then someone else gutted & cleaned your fish. '

'Nothing gets by you my little Pirhana Fish does it.'

'No MOTH it doesn't.'

'All right Mills, point taken. I'll load 'em on the truck & take 'em back, but let me tell you I'm not happy about it.'

In your dreams mate!

Images: Not On The High Street & iFish

Attention: Heidi

Yes, that's you Miss Heidi Claire of Burton Texas, friend to many & famous blogging personality. This house is gorgeous, really gorgeous & well, you try & guess where it is.

Nope, it's not in the South of France or deep in the countryside of Provence. It's in the place you want to run away to & be more than anywhere - the beautiful Clare Valley right here in South Australia. Sam & Tom Barry, sons of Peter & grandsons of Jim & the young scions of the famous Barry wine making dynasty have recently purchased the winery Clos Clare in the heart of the Valley. With the purchase came the fabulous homestead Warilto....pretty nice hey.

While Warilto may be out of your reach for the time being, look what I found for you this week that is not ! www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-clare-107204048

Right in the heart of the town of Clare is this stunning c1867 old stone villa sitting on 1.5 acres of garden. Now while the Realtor has taken some pretty inventive 'creative licence', describing it as a 'Gracious country home with stylish renovations', you need to prepare yourself, as it's a bit of a shocker inside, but oh girl, what potential it has! So stay with me on this, 'cos I've taken the liberty to show you some ideas on how you & the J. boy could tart it up & live happily ever after.

Here's the current entrance.

I reckon it would fab looking like this!

The Hall is a bit sad.

But could be a beauty, when transformed into this.

What looks to be the original fireplace & French doors should be the only things to stay here in the Living Room I reckon.

And with a bit of tweaking, it could look like this.

Here's a little study for you to sit & do whatever, those original doors are fabbo.....but the rest of it's really not you Heides.

But this is. That poor little room is just waiting for this mirror & that desk & that chair & those lamps.

The Dining Room is another room suffering from an overdose of wallpaper frieze-itis. Must have been a job lot.

This is much nicer & very do-able with the right paint finish.

What is it with those hideous friezes! Even the kitchen didn't escape. Methinks there may some pretty awesome floorboards happening under all that yukky brown linoleum.

This kitchen is you girl, really you. Nothing more to be said really.

Except I've not seen this much kitchen gorgeousness in a long, long time.

There are 3 bedrooms, this needs to be transformed from this......

........to this.

And this........

........to this.

And this pink shamozzle from this.......

.........to this.

The bathroom is a total gut job. But I know a good bathroom renovator who may be willing to work for beer & food.

Something simple like this could work.

We'd have to go on the hunt for a fireplace. I know just the place to find one - a wonderful little antiques shop in the pretty village of Auburn, further down the Valley.

The laundry is well, to put it mildly - terrible.

This is more you.

Now I reckon this room is an under-rated treasure. A bit of covered rear verandah is happening here, but doesn't appear to be used for anything.

With a few simple pieces, it could easily turn into this.

This is how the rear aspect currently looks. There's the entrance to a stone cellar hiding in that foliage somewhere. Just perfect for stashing all that divine Clare Valley shiraz. It lacks anywhere to sit & lounge about.

So get the J. boy to whip this up for you. You can sit there for hours & congratulate each other on making the move & the fabulous job you've done on the renovations.

With just a little help from your mate Millie. Have I got your attention now?

Images: 1. Clos Clare 2,3,5,7,9,11,13,16,18,20,22,25,27,29. Real Estate 4. Les Merles 6,8,28. Steven Shubel Design 10.Trouvais 12,17. Linen and Lavender 14,15. Decor de Provence 19. Lemonde de Rose 21. Portofo 23,24. Andreas von Einsiedel 26. UK TV 30. Cote Sud

Doctor's Orders

Hey Millie

Jonny here. Your Dr. tells me you're not too happy at the moment. You can't get out & exercise because you've busted your foot. Well would it help any if I gave you some gentle one-on-one rehab? We won't overdo it I promise. Remember when I did my knee a couple of years ago playing for England? I would never have made it through the operation without you, so it's only fair I return the favour.

I thought we could head to the beach first. Don't worry, I'll carry you down onto the sand. I know how weighty & uncomfortable that nasty old cast is.


You just stumble along anyway you can. I'll be right with you, every step of the way.


Excuse me for one moment while I take off my hoodie.



'Cos I thought we could head off to the park for a bit of a slow shuffle. I'll pace myself to make sure you are OK.

Then we'll just toss the ball around for a bit. This will make sure you keep your upper body strong so you can still give that MOTH of yours a biff when he needs it.

Oh I'm so proud of you! You've done really, really well.

So well in fact, that if you give me a minute I'll slip into something a little smarter.

And take you out for a lovely, long lunch!

Image 1: OFM Image 2: The Mirror Image 3: The Times Image 4: The Age Image 5: Daily Mail Images 6,8: The Guardian Image 7: Sporting Life Image 9: Property Investing

Game, Set & Match?

As some of you are aware, when we bought our 'Renovators Delight' nearly 4 years ago, we also 'won' a disused clay tennis court at the bottom of our garden as part of the deal. Currently MOTH uses the space as his Blokes Therapy Space - think wood piles of different degrees of readiness for our Winter fire, big vegie patches all in containers, the Christmas Lillies in their pots, etc. Although it's surrounded by very big old trees, it's actually the sunniest area on our entire property, so it's quite a drawcard.

I've always thought I'd like to restore it to it's original use like the wonderful Tennis Court in the first image. Then I saw this fabulous Petanque Court & changed my mind instantly. The boys play a mean game of Bocce, so I guess I could convert them to the more refined French game fairly easily. They would just have to yell in more hushed & restrained tones!

Then I saw this stunner from the Architectural firm of Brooks & Falotico & those 2 ideas went out the window! I want this beauty built & built quickly - the perfect Millie retreat to escape the grumpy Christmas Grinch! I could install a Boom Gate on the path coming down from the house & that certain Grinch would be barred.

Looking at our poor neglected court from the path that meanders through the garden down from the house.

This space is just crying out 'Build on me, build on me!'

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Image 1: Allan Greenberg. Image 2: Granoff Architects. Images 3, 4 & 5: Brooks & Falotico