fancy forgetting we have a blog!!!!!!

Well it certainly has been an amazing past few months!
We opened Big House Collective, had a party, and have not stopped since, hence no blog updates........
But today is different, today I've been able to sit down, make a cup of tea and update our adventures.
We have our 'regulars' now, they drop in browse, chat, buy and spread the good word that we're here! We see dozens of Melbournians, NZers, Sydneysiders, Adelaidians, and people from all manner of places in fact. We have 80 something year olds, new babies, hipsters, and middle aged men and women 30+ all finding out what this place is about! The locals have been fantastic with their support and appreciation.
The response has been phonomenal to say the least, and we're proud of the people that have pulled together to make this the place it is.

We've also had some not so good stuff happen, but the update is that Jo from Berry'd Treasures has survived a major health scare and is now resting at home, getting healthy and ready to join us again for more exciting adventures at Big House.









Robyn is travelling the countryside, sourcing fabulous gems, such as this rare Dodo, caged for its own safety!

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The Essess are always collecting more stuff for Retro lovers, and have just moved on upstairs into the grooviest little room - EVER!

Dear Prudence has been preparing for the Spring, so that Vintage Fashion lovers will have some beautiful choices with hats frocks, jackets and other accessories ready soon.

The Second Sock has been working hard to stack the shelves full of rare, 1st edition and collectible books and vinyl.

Our new Gallery is almost ready to be opened officially with another party, our cafe is still underway and our Arts program is steadily filling up, providing felting classes, charcoal and life drawing, knitting, crochet and sewing, among others.
Newest of all, Portraits done in Oils.  This is offered thanks to the talents of Brodaigh de Carteret an amazing artist who lives and breathes art.  Sittings can be booked through us here!

There are more people joining us and we'll be introducing you to them individually over the next few weeks, but for now, thanks for supporting our place!

Hope your weekend is funfilled and not too freezing bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrr

Berry'd Treasures...

We have such a wide range of goodies for sale at The Big House Collective....

There is a special room upstairs dedicated to Berry'd Treasures, our antique expert..

Berry'd Treasures stock, Auto Trolley's, Queen Anne Coffee Tables, Antique China, Fur Coats, Framed Pictures, Mirrors, Vases, the list is long......


This Vase is made by Wilkinsons Pottery, Staffordshire... The design is 'Oriflamme'....

This beauty plus lots more available from Big House Collective, 614 Sturt St Ballarat...

It's all happening......

Wow it's all happening at The Big House Collective.....!

New spaces have been filled, magnets, buttons, brooches, iPhone Pouches, Specs cases, Cards, Badges, the list goes on...
Plus lots of Vintage Furniture, Fashions, Shoes and Collectables...

We've been so busy I haven't taken any new photos but will do soon!

In even more exciting news The Big House will be starting classes soon.
First class available is Learn to Screenprint! Yah!

Then if that isn't enough plans are underway to create our own Cafe.... You will be able to relax in our garden and drink coffee or wander around our fabulous shop..!

And if you love your garden then check out our side garden, full of vintage/rustic furniture and plants.....!

Pop on down for a visit between 10am to 6pm 7days a week..

614 Sturt St Ballarat, next to Haintz Chemist!

The Hottie Challenge

We have been mighty busy at The Big House Collective.... So much has been happening.. We now have an outside garden area at the side of the Big House with plants etc for sale..

New cabinets and spaces filled with fantastic retro/vinatage goodies...

We also support Art and Handmade so we are spreading the word for our favourite Handmade Brooch maker, Curlypops...

Curlypops is looking for peeps who would like to participate in a group entry to the
Open Drawer-Art and Textiles Learning Centre who are supporting a huge art/textile exhibition to raise money for the Margaret Pratt Foundation, heres a little preview..:


The Margaret Pratt Foundation Heart Lung Transplant Trust is a registered charity whose aim is to encourage, develop and maintain Australia’s world class expertise in the field of organ transplantation by supporting research that addresses the problems faced by children and adults after heart and lung transplant.
The aim of the research must be to improve the outcomes for heart and lung transplant recipients.
The Margaret Pratt Foundation has donated $700,000 to date in 2011 to promote research into the causes and prevention of chronic lung rejection. The foundation donates to provide funds for the researchers working at the Alfred Hospital, right here in Melbourne.

So if you would like to participate then head on over to Curlypops to sign up..

And if you are in Ballarat this weekend 14th and 15th MAy 2011, just mention this blog to recieve 10% off any large furniture purchases.. eg: Dressing Tables, Kitchen Dressers, Tables and Chair Sets, Lounges......
Hope to see you there!

Big House Collective Grand opening...!

The Big House has been busy organising, moving, pricing and tagging..! After all the hardwork of filling the Big House with Retro/Vintage/Industrial/Handmade/Art etc.. We have finally organised the Grand Opening...!

Big House Collective
614 Sturt St Ballarat, Vic..
Friday 6th May 2011
6pm to 8pm..

Pop along for a drink and some nibblies to help celebrate our Opening..! Bring your friends and enjoy a tour of 'The Big House', meet some of the 'Collective' and check out the furniture, collectables, antiques, kitchenallia, Paintings, Prints, Jewellery etc.... There really is something for everyone..


If you would like to RSVP, leave us a comment or pop on over to our FB page..

Can't make it to the Opening? We are open 7days a week 10am to 6pm..

I oh so LOVE our blog BANNER!

Thanks so much to CURLYPOPS for our fabulous blog makeover!  We've been so busy with moving and unpacking and setting up, then shuffling, then re-arranging, that our little blog had become quite neglected.

We hope to keep you up-to-date with new arrivals, news, nonsense and our  ever evolving beautiful new home.
Sel from the ESSESS  came in today to unwind and do some pricing, we're a little weary from such a busy weekend of moving more retro and vintage furniture, cleaning it all up then finding places for it all to fit.  The collectible pieces are ggggorgeous, and when I remember to A. charge my camera batteries, and B. put the memory card back into the camera,  then I can finally show you what I'm on about!

Sel's mum has created a great little succulent garden out the back, beside the pond, and next visit, plans to add a herb garden-LOVE herb gardens.

Froggies are sitting lazily by the pond, waiting for  us to give it a good clean out, and add a few water plants.

We're starting to settle in a little more, we have comfy chairs, and these great tables just arrived yesterday, compliments of our new friend Michelle, we're looking forward to catching up with her again to talk retro......and our pidgeon hole front desk is filling up quickly with all sorts of oddities, whimsy and fantastical items, so much to see, lots of  'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' and a bit of 'my grandma had one of those' and 'why did I throw out my 70's patchwork purple leather platform shoes???'

All in all, a great first week......hope your week is enjoyable, let us know about interesting finds or info about our favourite topics - RETRO & VINTAGE








 

New Stock from Curly Pops.........

Big House Collective is passionate about supporting Handmade......

We have a fabulous cabinet full of goodies from Curly Pops...

Gadget Pouches, Spec's pouches, Brooches to name a few..!

Pop in to the shop 10am to 6pm 7 days a week...

Also Upstairs opens tomorrow! Loads of Retro and Vintage Fashion, shoes and hats from Dear Prudence....

We have a huge changing room and mirror available also!!!

Groovy 70's Love Seat.........

The Essess will be moving this Groovy 70s Love Seat into the Big House tomorrow! If you love the 1970's then maybe this beauty will look nice in your Loungeroom..? Love the colour and it is on casters whick makes it easy to move around the room!

The Big House Collective has a busy weekend ahead as Dear Prudence makes the finishing touches to the 'upstairs' Vintage and Retro fashion, shoes and headwear..! Upstairs opens monday 18th April..

So much is happening, feel free to come and visit and check out all the vintage/retro/handmade goodies for sale!

Open 7 days 10am to 6pm.......

Big House and THE ESSESS REVIVED RETRO REPOSITORY....soon

Hi there,
we're in the midst of setting up our new shop, both online and in Ballarat, we've made a facebook page, we have an email address, and when we get a little bit more time, we'll tweek some more and make our blog a bit more fun............

Think giveaways, special treats, random thoughts, rambling grumbles, happy places, vintage, retro, handmade and art-and we have Big House Collective!

There's sure to be story time, show and tell plus special features including profiles of our great big family........

Our first up special guest will be Selena from THE ESSESS REVIVED RETRO REPOSITORY....stay tuned for the full depth interview coming soon!

hello jo