Whilst spending time helping out in my father’s gallery in Maleny, I have been trying to make the most of my rare days off to explore some of the galleries and design shops in the area.
Maleny lies at the centre of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, nestled amongst the spectacular Blackall Ranges. Here you are surrounded by breathtaking vistas as you wind your way between the towns, weaving between the Glasshouse Mountains, Baroon Pocket Dam, and the Kondalilla Falls, with views all the way to the coast at times.
The region was once an important ceremonial area for Aboriginal Tribes, and is now home to a thriving artist community. This area is an oasis of design, and is one of the reasons I love coming back to visit.
Some of the shops / designers that I have spotted on this trip are:
Classic Country Living Antiques and Interiors, Maleny
This recently opened shop offers antique furniture, jewellery, textiles and collectables with a distinctly botanic feel to complement the country furniture found in many properties on the range.
Shannon Garson Porcelain, Maleny
Shannon Garson is a ceramicist specialising in thrown, decorated porcelain. Although I haven’t yet found her work in person, I have long been following her on line, and she definitely deserves a mention here.
Gary Myers Gallery, Maleny
Living on the range provides Gary with the inspiration to use a colourful and dramatic approach to his paintings. I bought a Gary Myers painting the last time I visited Maleny, and it takes pride of place in my living room.
Main Street Gallery, Montville
This fabulous gallery is packed with work by various local artists, many of whose work has been framed by Holden’s Gallery, including Di West, Phillipa Stewart-Hall and Patricia Cale.
Elements at Montville, Montville
Dad and I stopped by for afternoon tea at this fabulous little place which offers an eclectic selection of homewares, fashion, jewellery and gifts. The chocolate brownie wasn’t half bad too, as were the views over the Kondalilla Falls valley!!
Accent on Living, Woombye
Accent on Living offers a total decorator service providing custom home furnishings and finishes, curtains and blinds and a full colour and finish consultancy for external and internal features.
Lasting Impressions Gallery, Kenilworth
This impressive fine art gallery, situated in the tiny town of Kenilworth, was showcasing an exhibition by Australian artist Pam Walpole when I visited.
Reneé Blackwell Design, Conondale
Combining a love of ethnic beads and gemstones with exciting contemporary designs, Reneé Blackwell creates rare and exotic treasures to adorn the body.
There are many other wonderful shops along the art gallery trail – these are just a few that have particularly caught my eye – happy shopping!
Image credits from respective companies.
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