UNFOLDING FLORENCE
Florence Broadhurst lived many lives, as a singer, comedian, painter, businesswoman and designer, before her violent death at age 76. But what endures is her design and print work on wallpapers, drapery, fabrics and screens. Indeed, her work has ever been more in demand, mainly because of its timeless quality.
Florence broadhurst was a world-renowned wallpaper and
textile designer. she combined hints of the orient with europe’s
1930s-style modernism. her patterns, with shiny surface and
sophisticated, very vibrant motifs are extremely elegant.
She fused english floral patterns with splashes and swirls,
bamboo and willow, kangaroos and peacocks...
textile designer. she combined hints of the orient with europe’s
1930s-style modernism. her patterns, with shiny surface and
sophisticated, very vibrant motifs are extremely elegant.
She fused english floral patterns with splashes and swirls,
bamboo and willow, kangaroos and peacocks...
Now, almost 20 years later, the opulent patterns are
the subject of growing international interest.
a carefully restored archive (by david and helen lennie,
You can see her designs everywhere,
from fashion designers marc jacob’s clothing to
stella mc cartney’s collections and Akira Isogawas creations.
the subject of growing international interest.
a carefully restored archive (by david and helen lennie,
You can see her designs everywhere,
from fashion designers marc jacob’s clothing to
stella mc cartney’s collections and Akira Isogawas creations.
Florence maud broadhurst
was born in 1899 in australia.
as a singer, at age of 17 she changed her name to
‘miss bobbie broadhurst’ and toured with opera singer
dame nellie melba and ballet dancer robert helpmann.
followed by a dancing troupe called ‘the smart set diggers’
and then ‘the globe trotters’. by the early ‘20s, she was
performing in south-east asia, india, and china.
was born in 1899 in australia.
as a singer, at age of 17 she changed her name to
‘miss bobbie broadhurst’ and toured with opera singer
dame nellie melba and ballet dancer robert helpmann.
followed by a dancing troupe called ‘the smart set diggers’
and then ‘the globe trotters’. by the early ‘20s, she was
performing in south-east asia, india, and china.
in 1926 she founded an accademy of art, the
‘broadhurst academy’ in shanghai.
‘broadhurst academy’ in shanghai.
Florence pictured with unidentified dancer in Shanghai 1926
Seven years later, in 1933, her life changed when she
moved to london. she got married and acquired a
dress shop on bond street.
her name changed again, into ’madame pellier’
(it was also the name of the shop).
Florence broadhurst stayed in england until 1949, when she
moved with her (then second) husband back to australia.
still untrained as an artist, she began to paint landscapes
and portraits (whilst raising her son, robert).
At the age of 60, in 1959, florence broadhurst founded the
company for which she became famous :
australian (handprinted) wallpapers, later known as
‘florence broadhurst wallpapers’.
She sourced special papers from america and norway,
and had cedarwood frames, made in switzerland.
Florence used vivid colours, printed onto metallic textures,
made her paper stain-resistant and longer lasting.
From 1966, florence and her staff (in her roylston st
studio in paddington) produced over 800 designs and
6000 printed samples.
company for which she became famous :
australian (handprinted) wallpapers, later known as
‘florence broadhurst wallpapers’.
She sourced special papers from america and norway,
and had cedarwood frames, made in switzerland.
Florence used vivid colours, printed onto metallic textures,
made her paper stain-resistant and longer lasting.
From 1966, florence and her staff (in her roylston st
studio in paddington) produced over 800 designs and
6000 printed samples.
Her life was also colourful.
Florence designed herself in a sequence of
metamorphoses that were so successful, she seemed to eliminate
all traces of her former lives and in her artistic evolution it is
difficult to separate fact from fiction:
the beauty of her designs,
the horror of her death and
the secrecy of her life.
Broadhurst worked until she died dramatically, and mysteriously
in 1977 - bashed to death...her murder remains unsolved, but speculation is that she was a victim of serial killer John Wayne Glover. The truth went with Glover after he ended his own life in prison. It is believed that Glover was known to Broadhurst and that they shared a cup of tea together at her home on the day of the killing.
But, with all of that said, it is her huge stamp on the design scene before, now and forever more that will be her legacy.
GUARDING THE GOODS!
Here's Brian our resident pooch, keeping our Stone Warrior company in the front yard. Guarding the showroom for us and also looking out for Dan (panel beater from across the road) who drops past every day without fail to tempt him with a fish cake....aaaahhh...its a dogs life!
We are loving.....
'Hipstamatic Eiffel Tower' This pic almost looks like its been shot with a stiletto shoe in the foreground....love it!...oh...and I wanna..wanna be there!
Thank you this week to our fave Master Chef ever...Mr Aaron Harvie. Aaron has been busy with so many projects, including the latest Pizza Hut ads. He is such a great guy and very generously allows us to share his recipes and pics on the blog. His Food that Rocks website is always full of food inspiration.
This weeks culinary offerings are exceptional and we wanted to share this particular recipe idea with you.
Thank you Aaron for your generosity of heart, and always inspiring us to cook something other than toasted cheese sandwiches.....
WAR PIGS
"Just finished another dish, will be part of the Chilli Festival I am appearing at in July, I call it War Pigs…. Roulade of Pork stuffed with Pistachio, Sourdough and Fetta served with a Chipotle and Bourbon Sauce, Beetroot Puree, Apple Jelly, Fennel Fronds and a brunoise of Pork Crackling."......Aaron Harvie
You know I always had a fear of the Roulade. Any recipe pic that looks really neat and pretty I shy away from...show me a good casserole or stew recipe any day!...so hard to botch up...but the roulade well its got a name thats hard to spell too...there's another excuse. But, I was completely inspired by Aarons creation (he is cooking this up at the Chilli Festival in July so stay tuned for the recipe details) and thought why not attempt the roulade. I did...and it turned out pretty darned tasty and a little bit like the picture too. Just a little bit.
SALMON ROULADE WITH CRAB SAUCE
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 6 (about 120g each) skinless salmon fillets, pin-boned
- 3 tbs (1/4 cup) plain flour, plus 2 tsp extra for sauce
- 1 tbs sweet paprika
- 1 tbs dried thyme
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 150ml dry white wine
- 1 cup (250ml) thick cream
- 250g fresh crabmeat
- 2 tbs basil leaves, finely sliced, plus extra leaves to garnish
Method
- To make the roulades, cut each fillet through the centre horizontally, nearly cutting through to the end, but stopping short so you have one long strip of fish.
- Starting at one end, roll each fillet into a neat round, then secure with a toothpick.
- Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 160°C.
- Combine the flour, paprika, thyme, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Dip both flat sides of the roulades in the mixture. Heat half the oil in a non-stick frypan over high heat and when hot, sear the salmon on one fl at side for about 1 minute or until a crust forms. Turn and repeat on the other fl at side, then place on a tray in the oven for 5 minutes until just cooked.
- Meanwhile, wipe frypan clean, heat remaining oil and add tomatoes. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften, then stir the 2 teaspoons of extra flour and the cayenne into tomato juices. Add wine, cook for 1 minute, then add cream and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the crab to warm through, add sliced basil, then season.
- Place a little of the sauce on each plate, top with a salmon roulade and drizzle with extra crab sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves (and mustard cress, if desired). Serve with boiled chat potatoes tossed in butter and a green salad.
........................................
'When life gives you lemons....ask also for Tequila and Salt'....
The Queens drink...The 'Tequila Slammer'
Ah, she may well have turned down a nice glass of warm, dark guinness on her recent trip to Ireland because she knew in the back of her mind that she was going to be throwing down a slammer or two back at the palatial digs later in the day.
Hmmm....the look on her face is really speaking volumes about her disdain for the 'Black Magic'...hubby looks a bit keen though...or perhaps he has already a few already??
Description
A delicious Recipe for Tequila Slammer, with tequila, salt and lemons. Also lists similar drink Recipes.
A delicious Recipe for Tequila Slammer, with tequila, salt and lemons. Also lists similar drink Recipes.
Ingredients
tequila
salt
lemons
tequila
salt
lemons
Method
Lick the back of your hand, put salt on the (now) sticky back of your hand, lick the salt, down a large dose of straight tequila and then bite into the lemon.
Lick the back of your hand, put salt on the (now) sticky back of your hand, lick the salt, down a large dose of straight tequila and then bite into the lemon.
Serve : Shot Glass
The Tequila Slammer is to be had whilst kicking along on the back steps of the house...sun setting and the cool autumn night air sneaking up on you. One of these will completely render you relaxed and ready to take on the evening...which in my case will be lying on the lounge with top button undone after Pete the Greeks Lamb Pie spectacular that he is busy cooking up as I type!
Dont Forget Paniyiri Festival is on this weekend in Brisbane. We go just for the food and nothing else...oh..and the ladies selling the food. They are just so friendly and welcoming and so very, very proud of their food.
Yassou!!
Wishing everyone a great weekend! We look forward to catching up again next week. Until then have fun...keep smiling and be grateful for all you have....
