On Our Radar - Chinese and Mongolian Antique Cabinets

There's nothing like a beautiful cabinet to display your precious things on and we are enamored with how unexpectedly fresh these antique Chinese cabinets we found on Pinterest look. We always had this kind of versatility in mind when we bought our collection in Beijing last year, to re-envision them into a modern aesthetic. The literal China-as-theme-decor was never our intention - already Alissa has styled some lovely white cabinets in the stores with chunky pastel Mud ceramics, white linens and smooth oak chopping boards. The look is chic, organic and refined, like they would be at home in a Provincial kitchen.

We are so excited to be launching our majestic one-off Mongolian and Chinese artifacts and cabinets, hand-picked from our recent travels (to see our snaps click here) - every piece has a history unique to itself and the mark of supreme craftsmanship.

Interior-wise, as the pictures above show, the possibilities for cabinets are endless. In classical surrounds, dining rooms and grand hallways, to modern apartments, industrial spaces, in kitchens, bedrooms and even bathrooms. They are the perfect platfom to display your collections, keepsakes and treasures.

In her book Things I Love (buy it here), interior stylist Megan Morton discusses the history of using cabinets to display personal objects - otherwise known as 'whatnots'. She tells how it began in the Regency period when 'clutter loving' Victorians would pile their best plates, cake stands, tea caddys and Wedgwood greenware onto fruitwood cabinets, thereby proving to visitors their taste and social status.

Here's a small glimpse at some of our artifacts and cabinets:

"No matter how sure you are you don't want a whatnot, I reckon every home, no matter how modern, should have one...at the end of the day, you need an important and sacred place where you, too, can show and play with the things you're naturally drawn to."
- Megan Morton

To view the complete catalogue of the Majestic China collection visit our Southport and Newfarm stores and our design showroom in Burleigh at 13/110 Kortum Drive Burleigh QLD 4220.

Gather & Share - Chicken with Peppers

A one-pot meal that's full of flavour is a mid-week must-have for any busy cook's repertoire. Here's one that's got us heaving out the Le Crueset, warming up the oven and smacking our lips in anticipation.
It comes from the gorgeously photographed homage to Italian heritage, Limoncello and Linen Water (buy it here), by the always wonderful cookery writer Tessa Kiros.

The book is not just a cookbook, but a tribute to the role of women in the family and in our lives.

"Many years ago, a mother would teach her daughter how to keep a home using a doll's house as an example. The daughter would learn how to make sense of it all and keep order through the various rooms. She would also be taught the art of hospitality, the times of year of celebration, how to decorate the house and, eventually, how to keep order and make sense of her own home." 
Tessa Kiros

Chicken with peppers 
by Tessa Kiros from Limoncello and Linen Water

3 Large capsicums (peppers) 2 red and 1 yellow
1 Whole chicken, skin removed cut into pieces
10 Whole garlic cloves unpeeled
3 Fresh bay leaves
3 Rosemary branches
100g Good black olives
4tbsp Olive oil

Method: 

1: Pre-heat the oven to 180°c/gas 4.

2: Halve the peppers, remove the seeds and chop each half into about 4 rustic pieces.

3: Put in a 30 x 23 cm casserole dish and add the chicken, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, olives and olive oil.

4: Season with salt and pepper and turn it all through with your hands. If it really is too tight to turn, mix in a large bowl and return to the dish. Cover with the lid.

5: Put in the oven and bake for about 1½ hours or until the chicken is cooked through and soft and the peppers are gorgeous.

6: Take the lid off and bake for another 20 minutes or so to give some blush to the chicken.

7: Serve warm, with bread. Bread here is essential. If the skin of the peppers is starting to come away and it bothers you, just slip it to the side of the plate.

Friday Fashion - Tartan

Images clockwise from top left: Harpers Bazaar, Tales of Endearment, Elin Kling, Tales of Endearment

Putting multiple checks together in one outfit might be something best left to the bolder fashionistas among us - but we are seriously considering giving it a red hot go, as Lucy of our Southport store is often heard to exclaim. (Infact, Lucy has already snapped up the Odd Molly tartan pants we've got in for Autumn).

Tartan and checks never really leave the fashion radar. Lately though we have seen them layered with each other; a quality of fabric and integrity of texture the necessity to pull this look off. Think pure wool and flannel, cashmere and silk. 

Our Odd Molly tartans have a great zip detail at the ankle and are slightly cropped, perfect for our milder winters. 

As is the way, this trend has travelled off the catwalk into interiors. Expect to see some great herringbone chairs in St Barts soon. 

Gather & Share - Individual Carrot Cakes

Autumn has come a-creeping through the gaps in the morning doorframe. Only yesterday we were flinging the covers off in fitful sleep, too hot to dream. Now we are waking with a small but perceptible brr. It's the season of poetic wandering through transforming landscapes. Of preserving and baking. A gentle turning from the outward thrusts of summer.

At St-Barts we are stocking up the bookshelves for this time of inner inspiration. We believe in community and friendship as the metaphorical sunshine for the darker seasons of our souls and nothing encapsulates this better than in the sharing of food. And so we are collecting recipes and will post them on this blog in a new regular section Gather & Share.

Top of our baking list are these individual carrot cakes from Share - The cookbook that celebrates our common humanity. The recipes come from women living in war-torn countires in which the charity Women for Women International operates. Also in the mix are recipes from renowned international chefs. 100% of the publishers profits go to the charity - now that's a reason to celebrate. Share is now available online or in the St-Barts stores.

Individual carrot cakes 
by Marco Borsato 

“I believe in and have seen the resilience and power of children, in spite of all the terrible experiences they have been through. In my work with former child soldiers, I see valuable knowledge and potential, which gives me great hope.” Marco Borsato

Prepare 15 minutes | Cook 30 minutes | Makes 12

250g light muscovado sugar
200ml vegetable or sunflower oil
3 eggs, beaten
300g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons ground mixed spice
500g carrots, finely grated
finely grated zest of 1 orange
200g walnuts, chopped
250g sultanas or raisins
For the topping
175g icing sugar
200g full-fat cream cheese
1–1½ tablespoons orange juice finely grated zest of 1 orange

Method:

1: Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Grease and flour 12 × 175ml pudding basins (or a 12-hole muffin tray) and place a disc of non-stick baking paper on the base of each. Place on a large baking sheet.
2: In a large bowl, mix the sugar and oil and beat for 2–3 minutes, before adding the eggs and combining well. Sift the flour and mixed spice into the bowl and mix.
3: Stir in the carrots, orange zest, walnuts and sultanas until just combined. Spoon the mixture evenly between the pudding basins and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until a skewer placed in the centre comes out clean. Turn the cakes out onto a rack and allow to cool.
4: Meanwhile, make the topping. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl, add the cream cheese and beat until combined. Gradually add the orange juice until the mixture is of a spreadable consistency. Spread evenly over the top of each carrot cake,sprinkle with the orange zest and serve.

For more information on Women for Women International, visit www.womenforwomen.org

Salt Water Sandals - Chic Feet

It seems too crazy to be true, but it's fact - these are leather sandals that can be machine washed. More importantly, they're super chic and extremely comfortable.

The Salt Water sandal has been a cult classic in the United States for 70 years and have gained a huge following in Australia recently. We love the story of how they were originally made (for children) from scrap leather off military boot production during wartime shortages in the 40's. This leather had been treated to withstand all conditions - including getting wet.

Practical for salt water frolicks (as the name suggests) yet stylish and effortless with summer dresses or a rolled up jean. Comfortable and durable, they've been spotted on fashionable feet from the Hamptons to Paddington.

We've got them in tan, black, white and gold.

Welcome to the club.

On Our Radar - Layers Of White

New York Fashion Week, Spring 2014 and everyone was talking about the prevalence of white. Crisp white layered upon itself, or variants of white, cream, pale golds, silver, in various weights and fabrics all worn together yet still creating the over-all feeling of white. Accents of brown and black broke the spell, a focus on tailoring revealing the beautiful bones of the garments.

It got us thinking about interiors. How a white foundation to a room can be built upon to suit many styles. From minimal, modern and masculine to gently opulent and ecclectic depending on the personality creating it.

Images sourced from Harpers Bazaar and Pinterest

We love a white interior best when luxed-up by earthy wood, gorgeous linens, hides, glamourous chandeleirs and lashings of warm, natural light.

Shop the white look at www.st-barts.com.au or by clicking the links in the descriptions below.  

1: Light fandango 2: Round cowrie shell mirror 3: Pineapple arm chair 4: White linen cushion
5: Dimple glass lamp 6: Cowhide rug

Lisa Brown - AW14 Instore

You're lucky we even managed to send this collection to the shop without buying the lot for ourselves. Lisa Brown A/W14 is now in Brisbane. We love everything, where to begin? Draped jersey pants in gold and black have an amazing architectural edge - worn with a simple white t-shirt and boots and it's the easy kind of style that speaks volumes without shouting. And the Moroccan print silk was too beautiful to limit to one piece... 

Limited sizes mean you have to be quick but after that you'll have a fashion lifetime to enjoy. 

Brisbane St-Barts is shop 6/31 James Street, Fortitude Valley.