Tuesday 14 April 2015

"Autumn Leaves" Whimsy at the Hydro Majestic

For the April design in my Bring Back the Whimsy collection, I'm taking my inspiration from the seasonal changes around me this month.


Deciduous trees are in the minority in most Australian landscapes, and the stunning colour changes of Autumn can pass us by.


Here in the Blue Mountains, however, the climate is more temperate and the seasonal shifts are more evident. Spots of ambers and reds pop up all over the place, and some particularly pretty avenues are briefly lined with autumn colours.


With this inspiration all around, I've created a whimsy that shows off the changing and falling leaves, with some bright berries as a bonus.


I asked my grandmother, Wendy, to act as model for me this month, when we went for high tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel in Medlow Bath.


It was an absolute pleasure to finally visit the recently re-opened Hydro. I've spent the last 5 years driving past on the way too and from work. Firstly, looking with sadness and frustration at the neglected buildings and grounds. Later, watching with hope as renovations began, new paint was applied and gardens were replanted.


I had never been to the Hydro before, but Wendy was there many years ago, during its not-so-decadent days. She described it as "shabby" the last time she visited. This time was a very different story.


It is just a glorious set of buildings, inside and out, and the views we enjoyed in between bites of scones and clotted cream were rather glorious too.


We even saw a lyrebird ambling along the edge of the bushland!


Having Wendy model for me was very special, since conversations with her about hats from the 1960s inspired my interest in whimsies to begin with. These conversations have also inspired another project I'm working on, and I hope to share that one with you before too long!


I hope you are all getting to enjoy the changing seasons, wherever you are, and whether that is the new warmth of spring or the crisp coolness of autumn.
SHARE:

20 comments

  1. What a great whimsy! I love the tiny fall leaves, as I adore fall in general. Your grandmother is also totally adorable. What an amazing view that is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am lucky enough to be surrounded by great views, and I want to feature them more often on the blog!

      Delete
  2. Wendy looks lovely! The whimsy is quite elegant yet has a light feel, as if the leaves are caught in a tiny wind flurry. Very fitting for the Hydro in its new form. I'm curious to see how they've finished the renovations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I was going for!

      We'll all have to go sometime. It is worth a sticky-beak around, and the food was good too :)

      Delete
  3. Oh, Wendy looks lovely, and so does your whimsy! Another fantastic creation Tanith, I adore the tiny floating leaves, they look so perfect for autumn. ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Bonita! I think I will have to have Wendy model for me again :)

      Delete
  4. Love the whimsy and think Wendy wears it well. I particularly like the photo of her looking straight at the camera and smiling. The Hydro looks stunning, was the inside as impressive? I thought they'd never get the renovation finished. Looking forward to your next creation. (I know I love mine.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The inside was very impressive! I was having my doubts about the reno too. I think it was only 2 years later than they promised!

      Delete
  5. Your grandma is beautiful and this is my favorite whimsy yet
    Retro rover

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I'm glad you like it! She is beautiful :)

      Delete
  6. I love that you got your grandma to model it, she looks fabulous. I really like the falling autumn leaves idea. The Hydro looks very interesting to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I will have to pass on all these compliments to her :) It is a fascinating place. I only got to see some of it, since some is hotel and function rooms, and I'd love to see more!

      Delete
  7. This is darling, and I love that it's your grandmother wearing it! We're just gearing up for summer here, but I'll have to keep this in mind when the weather cools down again. Such pretty colors, very delicate and appropriately "whimsical".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am a bit jealous of all the summery talk from the Northern-hemisphere bloggers, but I guess I will be the smug one in another six months :)

      Delete
  8. What a lovely set of pictures! Such lovely place. Your grandmother is a beautiful lady! Doesn't she look wonderful with your gorgeous whimsy :-)

    I love so much each whimsy you been making, absolutely delicious!

    Beta xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! She is indeed and I was very happy to have her model for me :)

      Delete
  9. Your grandmother is beautiful and she looks so wonderful in that Whimsy. And what a wonderful venue for High Tea. It thrills me to the bone when neglected beautiful buildings are returned to it's splendor and the public is allowed to enjoy it.

    Have a super day :)

    Liz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      Me too! There are so many neglected old buildings. I wish I was rich and could rescue them all. But since I'm not, I just have to enjoy it when someone else does!

      Delete
  10. How tremendously pretty! I love, flat out love and really admire, too, that you used your dear grandma as your model. It's a poignant reminder that great style and design (like this stunning whimsy) no know age and can do amazing things on ladies at all stages of their life.

    Oodles of hugs to both of you,
    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jessica! I really enjoyed having Wendy model for me, and I think she had a bit of fun too. I like having a variety of models, and especially those close to me too.

      Delete

Blogger Template Created by pipdig