Happy Friday - A very happy day

image; galerie montmartre

Actually, I have an extra smile on my face today.....things just seem to be happening. And it feels great!

We had a lovely creative (as I hereby call anyone that's out there giving their art/creativity a red-hot go) by the name of Angela White - some of you may know her from her crafty blog - to take some photos of our space for her newest blogging venture 'Open'. Seriously, Angela was with us a total of ten minutes and took these beautiful shots....that's one pretty impressive photographer, I'd say.

And then there is my dearest Lucy, who did a fabulous interview with Phillip Graham of 'Tarlo & Graham'. The pictures show his amazing space off to a tee. I'll let you read for yourself.....but you may want to check out the Melbourne questions.....particularly the art spaces that ring Mr. Graham's bells....

So, as you can see, things are happening and I have a smile as big as our Joker friend!

Welcome to Sunny Fitzroy

images; stephan t

I am loving this so much, you would think it was my creation!

Actually, I walked past the guys as they worked a few Sundays back, with Petit and Petit-Petit Garcons, and kept going without saying a word. I didn't want to tempt fate, stop for a conversation to have some paint smeared, spilt, smudged - you know the types of things that little people can get up to when your attention is elsewhere! Although, I did notice a couple of weeks ago that someone had taken it upon themselves to roll the word 'wall' across the work that Mike and his team had done....I would've had proof but the camera decided not to co-operate.

I have a feeling that this piece is near completion and although I am excited to see the final product, I'll miss watching it's progress.

Awe-Summm Award....who me?!

Oh really, Kate, you shouldn't have - many thanks for my first ever award since I have started blogging. You are very generous, indeed, and gorgeous, as is your fabulous blog - Everyday Calm - which I turn to for both inspiration and peace.

Here are the rules and guidelines to the Awe-summm award:

* List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

* Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

* And finally link back to the blogger that tagged you.

Okay, so 7 things that make me Awe-summm....hmmm...feels like bragging or self indulgence or something, but what the heck!

1. I grew up with neither money or an entrepreneurial background, yet have created a business that pays the bills and keeps me inspired.

2. I am also a singer - having joined my first band at 16 yrs - and have sung professionally in venues throughout Melbourne.

3. I make decisions quickly and often the bigger the decision, the faster I make it! (ie. moved my whole life overseas within two weeks and stayed away for seven yrs.....met and married my partner within a year - you get the picture..)

4. I learnt early (after a disasterous audition) to trust my instincts and I am soooo grateful for that lesson.

5. I can make and maintain friendships and absolutely love nurturing my relationships. (Although since Petit Garcon and Petit-Petit Garcon, I've dropped my standards somewhat!) I am so fortunate to have such good, creative and interesting people in my life. I love people!!

6. I can see the big picture and somehow I seem to get there - eventually.

7. I am a recovering people pleaser; still something that I work hard at.

And now, the part that comes so much easier, choosing 7 Awe-Summm blogs and bloggers to join in the award winning 'look-at-how-Awe-Summ-I-am' fun!

1. The Design Files - lovely Lucy, beautiful and humble creative talent; she has no idea of her impact, which makes her even more special. x

2. Daily Imprint - Natalie is single-handedly responsible for my blogging addiction, the girl can write and unearths all sorts of interesting people on a daily basis.

3. Shannon Fricke - I love her style, her attitude and the fact that she has spent the past month in France to celebrate her birthday

4. In Search of the Real Captain KK - discovered her blog through the Creative Women's Circle bloglist and check in regularly to see how she's doing.

5. The Style Files - Danielle constantly inspires me, the homes she features send my head in a spin most days!

6. Inchmark - I find this blog completely unique, beautifully photographed and I love the library book posts.

7. Abbey Goes Design Scouting - possibly too busy, with the impending birth of her child, to do anything with this award. However, I've always enjoyed her blog....and she loves French vintage posters...(!)

Thanks for reading.

x shelley t

Creative Women's Circle - Shannon Lamden

image; tess mccabe

All was wonderful, once again, at Creative Women's Circle on Saturday morning.....could be something to do with stepping out of my usual weekend routine taking care of two gorgeous, boisterous little people (my Petit Garcon and Petit-Petit Garcon) while L'Homme De Montmartre plays shop-boy at Galmont. But I think it also has much to do with simply sitting with a group of female small business creative types as a speaker shares her experiences along the creative path.
I could listen for hours.

Shannon Lamden was terrific, very self deprecating with a wicked sense of humour. She spoke about the career path that led to her fabric design business. I appreciated her honesty and willingness to answer all our questions. And then, afterwards we had a fabric swap, which worked a treat for me, as I am finalising a design for Petit-Petit Garcon's patchwork quilt. (I'll talk about that in a future post; that's a whole other story!)

Congrats must go to Tess McCabe on another successful gathering. I'm hooked.

Happy Friday - Cappiello Magic

maurin quina, 1906

this piece is the poster that started graphic design as we know it today with the bold typography, few words, yet a very clear message -

in this case, the cheeky 'green devil' character more or less saying 'it's a bit naughty but go ahead and try it anyway'!- a massive departure from the flowery art-nouveau advertising of that day.

this image single-handedly created a collector's market.

veuve amiot, 1922
champagne fit for a king!

cachou lajaunie, 1922

not endorsing smoking - no! have a cachou lajaunie mint after your ciggie, folks....

all images by leonetto cappiello; photographed by stephan t for galerie montmartre

Some more Cappiello magic to send us into the weekend with a big smile.

Lovely Legs

images; galerie montmartre

We got some new stationary at Galmont today - I love new stationary.

As I looked at the branding, I realised that the original image we used as our illustration was created in 1927 , yet it is still so relevant today.

Leonetto Cappiello was brilliant, little wonder he is known as the forefather of graphic design.

Happy Friday - Air France

image; air france europe by jean carlu, 1959; photographed by stephan t for galerie montmartre

I must still have travel on my mind as we dressed the window at Galmont with Air France posters, a vintage globe and an old shipping trunk today. So I've chosen an Air France image to take us into the weekend.

Air France placed a great deal of time, effort and resources into their poster advertising campaigns using the very best poster artists of the day. And so, of course, they are now beloved by poster enthusiasts and novices alike. This vintage poster by Carlu is a little more cheeky than the often sleek images, which suits just fine on a Friday afternoon.

Have a great weekend!

Tour Eiffel la nuit.

image; pia jane bijkerk

I wasn't going to post tonight, everything all seemed a little too contrived and what I'd planned wasn't working out....so I started looking at the blogs of others. I came across this photo on
Pia's blog and could not stop looking at it, what a glorious image.


Pia Jane Bijkerk - a well known and much loved Aussie blogger living on a houseboat in Amsterdam - is currently all over the design blogworld due to the release of her extraordinarily beautiful looking book 'Paris: Made by Hand' (should be in Australia this week), she sure can take a photograph! This photo was taken out of the window of the place she was staying in while she was working on her book. All I know is that I feel anything is possible when I look at photos like this.....and that I really hope to get back to Paris in the very near future!

For Mum...

all images by bernard villemot photographed by stephan t for galerie montmartre

Do I hear you ask what a certain Mum - who has a certain daughter who has a certain 'interest' in vintage poster art - collects? Why Villemot, of course!

So this is for you, Ma - Happy Mother's Day!

Place de Vosges

image; Australian Vogue Living May/June 2009

pg. 158 - apologies to unknown photographer, have misplaced your details

All together now, let's say, "Ahhhh".

Isn't this a beautiful image? Typically French, apparently the Parisians consider this to be the country in the city. (As it is situated close to the Marais) I'm not sure if I want to walk along the paths or throw the attic windows open and people watch from above - either choice will do.

Danish Delight

images; bo bedre via The Style Files

While checking out some of my favourite design blogs over the weekend, I happened upon the home of Rie Elise Larsen over at The Style Files and was instantly smitten.

I love her use of vintage pieces with more modern designs, the tolix chairs in a variety of colours, the light of her apartment, the mix and match fabrics, the considered furniture placement which looks as if it 'just happened' that way. Gorgeous. And then I saw it.....lo and behold if there wasn't a vintage poster sitting on the dining wall!

Now I know the girl's got style!

Canterbury Art Exhibition

image; bouquet d'affiches, herve morvan, 1978

photographed by stephan t for galerie montmartre

Well, Galerie Montmartre are exhibiting at the Canterbury Art Exhibition this weekend.

We're really excited to be part of something that is an established and popular community event, a school fundraiser(got to love that!)....and of course, an opportunity to show a good cross-section of what Galmont has to offer.
So, if you are in Melbourne and at a bit of a loose end and wanting to see more art than you can poke a stick at, then Canterbury is the place for you.

Hope to see you there!

Please note; Galmont Fitzroy also open as usual.

exhibition and sale; may 2nd 9 - 5pm & may 3rd 10 - 4pm.
Canterbury Primary School; Molesworth St. Canterbury, Vic.

NYC via Melbourne.

image; manhattan.about.com

Today was a glorious Autumn day in Melbourne - bright, blue sky; crisp, cold air.
It actually felt like a real NYC day to me. As much as I enjoy my life here, there are moments that suddenly have me pining to return to the city we once called home.
Today was one of those.

Let's hear it for...

image; http://www.thisnext.com/

Savon de Marseille Extra Pur. This is such beautiful soap, it feels great, smells divine and the packaging is brilliant in its simplicity. It is at least 75% vegetable oils and also biodegradable; I can tell you from experience that a little goes a long way.
I mean, is there anything this soap can't do?!

Lest We Forget

image; Australian Travel Poster, Douglas Annand, 1937, photographed by Stephan T for Galerie Montmartre

This weekend we remember those who fought for our freedom - Anzac Day 2009

Cheers!

image; happy galmont client

Look at this photo.

This is the type of thing that arrives in our email in-box and makes us sigh.

A happy client sent this; he and his partner took the shot right before they unwrapped their 'new' Billecart champagne poster.

They were toasting their purchase.

Honestly, sometimes people can be so great.

Catherine the Great(s)

image; Vogue Living May/June 2009 - photographer Ditte Isager

The latest Vogue Living (May/June 2009) was waiting patiently on my doorstep when I arrived home yesterday. It is the Collector's Edition, guest edited by none other than Catherine Martin, Oscar winning design genius, so the magazine is pure visual beauty and inspiration, with a distinct French flavour.

But it is this picture that took my breath away and will sit on the wall of my office forever.

This image alone reminds me that style is timeless; to embrace my individuality; to pursue creativity in all its forms; to never underestimate the power of unique footwear(!); and that cycling is a very cool thing (especially when embarking on your journey out of a glorious pair of French doors).

I want to be this image when I grow up.

Happy Friday - Salon des Ensembliers; Foire de Paris

image; stephan t for galerie montmartre

Melbourne is such a fabulous place to be, especially in April, there is so much going on!

This weekend seems particularly busy, we have The Weekend Australian Art Fair (formerly Affordable Art Fair), the Home Ideas Show....and my personal favourite The International Comedy Festival. So, in celebration of all these celebrations, I've chosen this poster to share for the weekend - a little bit of art, a little bit of home and a little bit of comedy.

Have a fabulous Friday and I'll see you next week.

Fitzroy - EverFresh; part 2

images; stephan t for galerie montmartre

A little more progress with my friend the Young St. mural in Fitzroy. The boys weren't keen to pose, but were happy for us to click away as they worked.

Further updates in a couple of weeks...

Fitzroy - EverFresh; part 1

images; stephan t for galerie montmartre

Well, the adorable mural that I spoke of here is starting to take shape. And I am loving what I am seeing.

Mike Makatron and Peter Rizak are the talented team behind it, they told us that they have been commissioned to work on at least 20 pieces in the Fitzroy area alone. Although a little camera-shy (as you will see in part 2 posted in a couple of days), the boys were more than generous with their information, which is fantastic for a local blogger like myself who just feels such a surge of pride when I see good things happening in the 'hood!

Easter Greetings

Have a wonderful Easter break everyone!

Galmont is open on Saturday, maybe you'll drop by and say hello. Be sure to come back and visit Femme de Montmartre, as I have some great things planned in the coming weeks; I'm loving this blogging life!

image; stephan t for galerie montmartre

Home Matters...

I love my Eames rocker; I love black and white; I love typography; I love graphics; I love a tram ride; I love the City of Melbourne, Nth Fitzroy and Brunswick St; I love my house; I love walking through the front door after a long day away; I love a 'wow' factor; I love that L'Homme de Montmartre took a Sunday off and helped me hang this 'tram roll'; I love that this is what greets me every day when I get home.

Creative Women's Circle - Lucy Feagins

image; Daily Imprint

image; The Design Files

You can blame the lack of posts this week - it is my intention to post every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - on the lousy flu that almost got the better of me...But I nipped that sucker in the bud and to celebrate my 'feeling better-ness' (!), I decided to go along to the Creative Women's Circle (started by graphic designer Tess Mc Cabe) this morning and listen to the lovely Lucy Feagins speaking about her creative life in set design/dressing and blogging.

The setting was Guildford Lane Gallery, a fabulous warehouse space in the Melbourne CBD, it was a beautiful morning and then to be surrounded by a group of inspiring, creative business women all thirsting for knowledge and inspiration was enough to tip me over the edge! Lucy was generous with her thoughts and spoke beautifully, answering all the questions and listening to comments raised. The walk back to Fitzroy via Gertrude and Brunswick St, was just as lovely, I dropped into a few of my favourite businesses (which you'll be hearing about soon) to say hello and generally felt a little giddy - maybe I just need to get out more!

PS. Be sure to check out Lucy's blog, it is becoming somewhat of a little Aussie Design hub, to say the least.

Cassis

image; shelley t for galerie montmartre

We had some visitors today, not just any visitors, but the first group from 'Cassis' the French themed events group run by Muriel Brock and Francoise Thomas.
Muriel and Francoise have created a fabulous tour in Melbourne for the many Francophiles (and there are alot of us; we even refer to the top of Collins st in the CBD as the Paris end town!)who wish to indulge in the French inspired culinary and cultural delights of the city and inner north. Galerie Montmartre was delighted to make the list. It was so lovely to share our collection and our knowledge with this group, the collective sigh when L'Homme de Montmartre unveiled the first poster was enough to make me laugh aloud.

Cassis can be contacted via email, as the website is being finalised;
muriel@cassis.com.au or francoise@cassis.com.au
tours are held from 11 - 2pm. fridays & saturdays incl. morning tea & lunch

Room with a View

image; Vogue Living May/June 2008

I'm not exactly sure how productive I'd be if this was the view from my office. I mean really, can you imagine perching your cute little butt on this tufted seat - in one of my favourite shades of grey, I might add - and look out on the Eiffel Tower everyday?! It's too much for me to even contemplate....

But I love my office at Galmont, it's a great space for many reasons; not the least is that it's a little glass cube that looks over our gorgeous retail space and it's right off the hustle and bustle of Brunswick St.

For us, there was no other place in Melbourne to be than Fitzroy -a place with so much history and so much happening and besides, L'Homme De Montmartre grew up here. I can get all nostalgic thinking about all that Fitzroy has given me, so I thought it was time to share the love and produce my personal 25 Reasons to Love Fitzroy, no easy feat, but I'm up for the challenge! The new fortnightly series will start next week and feature other inspiring retail spaces, eateries, community people and places - hope you'll join me in sampling some of Fitzroy's delights.

Creative Framing

image; Derek Swalwell for Home Beautiful April 2009

Once people have fallen deeply in love with a vintage poster and feel that they have a handle on all the information regarding the piece, the very next thing that is usually discussed is framing options. And that's where our friends at Creative Framing come in, not only is Mark (the owner) as passionate about framing as we are about vintage poster art, he sources the very best archival materials so that our lovely posters stay looking lovely without any nasty chemicals spoiling the paper or the image. Creative Framing give a life guarantee on their work because they are so sure about what they do.

So, it was no surprise to see that the folks down at Home Beautiful (April 2009) have asked Mark for his opinion regarding 'making treasured artworks look terrific'. I've scanned the page for your perusal.

Everybody say 'Cheese'

image; Stephan T for Galerie Montmartre

And to finish the week with a happy image from Galmont, check this little guy out.

This beautiful piece by Switzerland's premier vintage poster artist Herbert Leupin -advertising Agfa film - arrived yesterday and I feel pretty sure he won't be with us for long before he is snapped up - pardon the pun...it is Friday after all.

Have a great weekend...x

Fitzroy - Reserved Please Respect

image; Stephan T for Galerie Montmartre

When you have a retail space in an inner city suburb, graffiti becomes a way of life. At least once a fortnight, you can see L'Homme De Montmartre repainting a spot or two on the outside of our building to get it back to its shiny black beauty. No complaints, we love this place! So, I felt so excited approaching Galmont one morning to see that another retailer has taken the problem into their own hands by commissioning a professional to enhance the side of their establishment.

This is the just the beginning! I think it will look awesome when it is completed. So we will spend the next few weeks monitoring its progress and sharing the results.

I especially love the little message (bottom left-hand corner) to tell others that this is a work in progress - I have no doubt that the locals will show it respect.

Warts and all

image; Belle magazine, April 2009

As someone who adores vintage poster art, I was thrilled to find this image recently. If you look closely at the poster above you can see it has been framed without one bit of conservation work, it's simply there 'warts and all'. The piece is creased, it has a tear, it is even lifting from the backing. This makes it all the more endearing to me, as it reminds me that vintage posters were only ever made to be destroyed or plastered over by the next advertising campaign. It also confirms my bias (!) that poster art is unique and looks amazing whether it is left as it was found or restored to its former glory.

I am pretty sure that most poster artists of old would find it hilarious that there are so many of us who put their works in places as important as the dining room...let alone frame them!

Silhouettes on Bicyclettes

image; galerie montmartre

As I was flipping through the final 'Domino' magazine ever....again - it still hasn't quite registered, I almost think there's an April issue lurking about somewhere (!) - I was reminded how 'darn cute' silhouettes were and thought of a vintage poster we have here in Galmont that I have completely fallen in love with.

Isn't it adorable?

Have a happy weekend!

Ballarat Antique Fair

Image; Erin Slattery for Galerie Montmartre

There was so much about my time in the US that I loved, but probably my time attending flea or collectable markets take the cake. It was all about the hunt. What was waiting for me? What strange object would grab my attention and demand I buy it? How could I include my latest find in a way that would live harmoniously with the rest of my things? How was I going to get this stuff home?!!

On arriving back to Australia in 2001, L'homme De Montmartre and I searched high and low for an antique fair that was similar to those we experienced. We walked into Ballarat Antique fair in Western Victoria and that old familiar feeling -the thrill of the hunt - returned.

So, now we show there every year in the hope that some other person will be thrilled to have discovered Galerie Montmartre in all her vintage poster and paper glory - hope to see you there!

Ballarat Antique Fair - March 7, 8 & 9

Ballarat Badminton Centre

Dowling St. Wendouree

Let's hear it for...

image; Ligne Roset campaign 2008/2009

I've been completely captivated by the latest print advertising coming out of Ligne Roset this season. The mix of industrial chic and sleek design is so classy to me, I just had to share it.