At home with William Johnston

The Johnston Collection

When Louis de Vailant, Director & Curator of The Johnston Collection, called to enquire whether we would be interested in curating The Johnston Collection, a house Museum in East Melbourne, we were very excited. Immediately we met with Louis at ‘Fairhall’ for a private tour to view the collection, then onto Government House, to the stables at the rear, where the overflow of Mr Johnston’s vast collection is stored. Hours of collating images, descriptions, sizes and placement followed and before long the front doors were open and our tour was ready! The Johnston Collection Tours

Courtesy of The Johnston Collection: Barb & Alexandra Brownlow Rearrange Mr Johnston’s Collection
Tuesday 12 March 2013 – Wednesday 19 June 2013

Our Rearranging Mr Johnston’s Collection series offers an opportunity to see William Johnston’s collection through another person’s eyes and aesthetic. This year we have invited Barb Brownlow and Alexandra Brownlow of Brownlow Interior Design to offer their response to our most spectacular and intriguing collection. Barb Brownlow has worked in the design industry for over 35 years and brings a wonderful aesthetic and much relevant expertise to William Johnston’s collection. Barb has a special interest in early English and continental furniture, materials and textiles. Her daughter, Alexandra, has also worked extensively in the interior design industry, having completed a degree in interior design at RMIT and spent seven years at Australian Design House, Dedece, before joining Brownlow Interior Design.

In thinking about the proposal, the mother and daughter team arrived at the idea of pooling their complementary skills and bringing a refreshing approach to the Collection. They believe quality furnishings and antiques should last for generations, a position that is consummately in keeping with our role as a museum. As Barb says, ‘your interior decoration should reflect your personality.’ The Brownlow’s skill will create comfortable interiors in ‘Fairhall’ to reflect 21st century living. Some selected accessories for this ‘Fairhall’ tour are kindly provided by Brownlow Interior Design.

To learn about the History of this wonderful collection www.johnstoncollection.org

Photography ©Earl Carter

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