Newman's Jewellers

Alstons Corner Building (1913), Collins and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

I found another painted sign while walking around the city. When I took the photo I was unsure of the actual date, but the colour pallet and fading of the paint as well as the typesetting of the sign to me indicated it had some age to it. With a little bit of research I uncovered part of the story of the Newman's Jewellers sign.

Hand painted Newman's Jewellers sign, side of Alstons Corner

If you look really closely you can see there are two layers to the Newman's Jewellers sign. The link to this black and white photo shows you the original sign, which proudly reads Newman's Jewellers. Unfortunately I could not find a date for this photo but I assume it was taken not long after the sign was painted. If you look closely at the photo I took you can see the original type in red paint, and then a second layer on top which is indicating that they have relocated. Something like this is so easily missed or forgotten about, which in many ways is sad as Newman's Jewellers was a significant business during it's time.

Newman's Jewellers was founded in 1852. To put this into a historical perspective, this is one year after the beginning of the Victorian Gold Rush. It highlights how the city of Melbourne was built on the proceeds of gold, and that people flocked to the city to set up businesses and take advantage of this new found wealth. Obviously Newman's Jewellers was a solid business and was well regarded and trusted in the community as it was around for a long time. They moved from their location at Elizabeth street, where the sign is, to a location in Collins Street some time in 1930.

If you are interested here is a link to a digitised newspaper article from the 27th of June 1931, which makes reference to the Newman's business and explains it's standing and important place as a jewellery company in Melbourne.

It would be curious to see if any academic research has been done on this sign. Conservation research could uncover interesting things like the type of paint that was used and how many times it was repainted. But isn't it incredible that something of this age which has been exposed to the elements and left unprotected is still with us today?!?!

Love
Mosey x

A Whimsical Adventure

I feel this whimsical street art composition is appropriate to post on such a lovely sunny Melbourne day.

Found by surprise down Melbourne Place, Melbourne, I couldn't leave without taking a photo of it.

Anyone fancy taking a flying and sailing adventure???


Love
Mosey x

Church Street Hawthorn

Along Church Street, Hawthorn there is a great strip of shops and cafes that I really enjoy visiting. There is some really beautiful and interesting architecture here as well. I love seeing the eclectic mix of architectural styles and eras which is often seen in these types of local shopping strips. If you take a walk around the side streets as well you will see some incredible homes. It's such a picturesque area.

Here are some photos of my favourite buildings along here.

Love

Mosey x

A monster in China Town

This is a great street art composition I found down China Town. I love the vibrant colours and the use of pattern. To me it looks like a patchwork quilted monster, in the way they have divided up sections of the body with different patterns and colours. It's a bit of a pity that people have tagged over the top of it, but that's the nature of street art.

Love
Mosey x

Progress

The subject of 'progress' is an interesting topic, with everyone having their own opinion.

While studying my degree in archaeology we were frequently presented with the ideas of progress, preservation and conservation, and the precarious balance between these issues. 

In archaeology we are taught the harsh truth that in its nature archaeology is destruction. In order to learn and discover we must pull apart and destroy the site. This of course means that a strict code of ethics must be applied to all archaeological research, which also includes consideration for preservation and/or conservation measures. Here in Melbourne, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust have a say in the outcome of archaeological sights and historically important buildings. But as to be expected there are always many interest groups involved. 

These kinds of ethical and moral questions can be applied to older architecture, and the way in which it affects our changing urban landscape.

It is impossible and unrealistic to keep all our beautiful old buildings. If we were to try, it would hinder progress and new developments in design, building techniques and technology. As time passes our wants and needs, as well as the way we use and relate to spaces changes. Older buildings aren't always practical or usable in their original intent or purpose. Does that in a moral sense make it ok to change the building or to even demolish it? What types of buildings are worthy of keeping in tact? Who decides upon the criteria in which these buildings are subject to?

These types of questions may seem slightly absurd or petty when thinking of an unused 1940s office building, or the run down Federation style home in the street next to yours. However they are important things to consider in a holistic sense. If no one is considering these things, and we all rush out and knock down every old home or change every heritage building to the point where they are no longer recognisable, we will lose all our history and the opportunity to discover and learn about our past. 

I'm not saying we need to go to the extremes of opposing every new development, but just some thought, consideration and care needs to be applied. The two most important questions to ask are, how will this change our urban landscape, and is what will be replacing the original building or structure worthy to be put in its place?

It is these questions of progress, preservation and conservation that I ask myself when I see an old building, particularly when new development is proposed or has begun. Perhaps these are some things you can ponder as you look at the photos on this blog and when you see progress happening in your own local area.

Love

Mosey x

There was much controversy with this Collins Street site in the 1970s, as several historical buildings were demolished to make way for the Nauru House and to give it a Collins Street frontage and address. There is still mixed feelings about the way in which the space in front of the Nauru House has been used, many feeling it is an unattractive use of the space and not worthy of replacing the original buildings.

Right side details showing 'scaring' effect on the brick work as a result of the demolished building.

Details showing the resulting effects on the brickwork on the standing building. If you look closely you can see the outline of the demolished building.

Construction site on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell Streets. You can see modern additions to the older building on the left of the construction site.

Collins Street, Melbourne. You can see construction of a new building happening behind these two strong, solid historical buildings. It will be interesting to see how the skyline will change once construction has finished.

Taken from the Myer Emporium building, of the old Myer building on Lonsdale Street. This building was sold in 2009, and in its original form obviously didn't suit the needs of the new owners. This is a great example of a popular solution for some historical buildings. The facade is kept intact, however what is done with the interior is up to the owners. This photo highlights both the original front and back facade. 

Back view of the front facade of the old Lonsdale Street Myer building. You can see the way the facade is being held up while each interior levels are built up. 

Street Art

Street art is something I have not explored on my blog yet, and may seem a bit left of centre compared to my previous posts. However it is one of those things that you stumble across when you are out and about, which is the overarching theme of this blog.

As a snapshot in time, street art will probably become an important indicator and/or way to trace social history in the future; not only through artistic styles, but through the themes and subject matter and how that relates to the issues of our time.

These pictures were taken down Croft Alley, which is off Little Bourke Street in China Town. Very much hidden away, it was exciting to see so many different styles, compositions and colours together in this space.

Love 

Mosey x

Painted Signs

Here are two pictures of painted signs I came across when I was wandering around the city. 

The first painted sign is on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell Street. I had seen it a few weeks ago but I didn't have my camera with me. When I went back construction on the site had begun, and the scaffolding was obstructing the view of the sign. However I still think it was worthy of recording.

The second painted sign is down Bourke Street. The blue and yellow is still rich in colour, making the sign stand out against the side of the inter-war period building.

Love 

Mosey x

Sign on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell Street

Sign located down Bourke Street

Equity Trustees Company Building

Equity Trustees Company Building

This beautiful building is located 472-478 Bourke Street Melbourne. Built between 1930 and 1931, the architects Oakley & Parks designed the building in the Palazzo style, referencing historical architecture and design elements such as Italian Romanesque style.

The gold building name sign, the use of straight lines with soft curves, and the detailed carved panels are my favourite features of this building.  

Snail view of front facade

Ground and first floor view

Left entrance with turned timber feature

                        Porch ceiling detail                                                        Outside lamp above front entrance 

                                           Details of ornamentation front of building.                            

Enjoy

Love Mosey x

Myer building cash tube system

Hello everyone,

These pictures were taken inside the Myer building in Bourke Street Melbourne, and show the original cash tube system that was in place.

It was the curved shape of the pipes along the ceiling and intricate details on the opening of the tubes that caught my eye. I work in retail myself so it is interesting to me to see an old fashioned set up like this. Modern cash tube systems are very simple and hidden away, the average person would not notice them when they walk into a shop. It is interesting how everyday things were given so much time, energy and treatment. I suppose they were trying to show their customers and staff how sophisticated and advanced their system was.

Love
Mosey x

Original cash tube system at Myer

Detail of cash tube opening

Great Petition

This sculpture references the Great Petition or Monster Petition of 1891, in which the Women's Suffragists campaigned for the right to vote in Victoria. The petition had 30,000 signatures, and was so heavy that it had to be carried by several people when presented to the Victorian Parliament. 

Great Petition is located in Burston Reserve between Macarthur Street and Parliament Place, Melbourne. It was created by Susan Hewitt and Penelope Lee in 2008 to celebrate the effort and hard work of Victorian women in achieving this precious right; and as the plaque says "it is a permanent acknowledgement of those who united to bring about change".

As you walk around the sculpture your interest is never lost as you look at the different shapes and angles, and the never ending curves.

Love 

Mosey x

Great Petition 2008

Detail of sculpture curves

Myer Mural Hall

Myer Mural Hall

The Myer Mural Hall is located in Bourke Street, Melbourne, on the sixth level of the Myer building. The space is in the art deco style and features a large ballroom dance floor with eight incredible murals across the walls, which were painted by Napier Waller and completed in 1935. Each mural celebrates important women in the areas of opera, literature, dance, arts, fashion and history. It is these murals that take your breath away when you first walk into the Hall. 

Left mural celebrating historically important women, right mural celebrating operatic women. 

My other favourite features in the Hall were the pendant light fittings, and the P&O style staircase. 

Deco style light pendant                                                             Under view of pendant          

P&O style staircase

Love
Mosey x

Tasma Terrace

A few weeks ago I went to an event called Open House Melbourne. This is a wonderful annual event where architecturally and/or historically important buildings are open to the public. It is a fantastic opportunity for people to visit and get a closer look at buildings throughout Melbourne which are often normally not opened to the public.

Tasma Terrace

I visited Tasma Terrace which is located in Parliament Place, East Melbourne. The architect Charles Webb designed this terrace in the 'Boom Style', and it was built in two stages in 1878 and 1886. The term Boom Style pretty accurately evokes the image of Melbourne at this time.  It was born from the prosperity of the Victorian gold rush, and subsequently Melbourne was one of the richest cities in the world. Tasma Terrace is considered an important part of Melbourne's architectural history as it is a rare example of a three-story terrace. The fight to restore and preserve it in the early 1970s lead to legislation being passed which established an advisory council in charge of the preservation of government owned historic buildings. This was a first in Australia. 

The interior was fascinating. What was most interesting to me was the way they layered textures and patterns. For example as the eye travels up the walls you see two different types of wallpaper, an elaborately patterned architrave, which then leads to a wallpapered ceiling. These types of lavish design elements seen in Boom Style architecture was intended to show off just how well to do wealthy people were. The wallpaper on the ceiling was my favourite.

Wallpaper detail from main sitting room                                          Wallpaper detail from ceiling

Leadlight pendants from hallway

The exterior details are my favourite part of Tasma Terrace, particularly the iron lacework. The facade was restored to its original state by the National Trust in 1979. 

Iron lacework detail from front facade

Ironwork on front gate                                                               Detail from front gate

Front door handle                                                          Tile detail from front porch area

Love Mosey

xo

The spark of inspiration

When a building was recently demolished at the Union Road shops in Surrey Hills, what was revealed to the world was such a pleasant surprise it was worthy of recording. This is what inspired me to start this blog.

These pictures are from the two exposed walls on either side of the demolished building. These types of hand painted signs and posters were common place during this time. Luckily for us, these particular signs were somewhat protected from UV light and the elements as the building in between was built very close to, but not attached to the neighbouring buildings. 

The colours, composition, fonts, and general aesthetics of the painted signs were what caught my eye. They hark back to an almost forgotten time.

Love

Mosey x

Exposed signage from left side of demolished building.

Bushells sign located on the right side of demolished building.

Detail of paper poster located next to Bushells sign. Can you see the two wine glasses?

Welcome

Hello and welcome to mosey around....

Through this blog I will share with you my love of architecture, design and art. It will serve as a sort of visual diary of the photos I have taken; with the main aim being to record the things we often fail to see or appreciate when we go about our everyday lives.

Most of all I hope it encourages you to mosey around and have your own adventures. Who knows what you may discover if you stop every now and then and take a look at what's around you.

Love

Mosey x