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