Three things worth hunting for with interior stylist Jess Hislop
Some people have a knack for finding things you never knew you wanted. Jess Hislop is one of them.
An interior stylist, mother of three, and the woman behind Rondelie Estate in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, Jess has an eye for pieces with a past and a fondness for the unexpected.
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We recently spent a Day in the Garden with Jess, discovering what life looks like beyond the interiors she styles. But there's another side to her creative world we're rather curious about: the things she collects.
For those who love a good antique find, a well-thumbed interiors book or the possibility of growing something wonderfully unusual, Jess shares three things she simply cannot pass up.
1. Vintage and antique treasures
"They just don't make them like they used to."
It's a saying Jess keeps returning to, particularly when searching for antique garden tables, benches and pots.
There's something about the patina of old stone, weathered timber and worn edges that makes these pieces so appealing. They've already stood through countless seasons, acquiring a character that only time can give.
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Jess has always had a particular affection for European antiques, especially pieces with decorative details and craftsmanship that have endured for generations.
Her latest find is a 19th-century stone garden bench, with each side weighing approximately 200 kilograms. Safe to say, it won't be moving in the next gust of wind!
For Jess, the pleasure lies in knowing these objects have already lived a life, with hopefully another hundred years still ahead of them.
Quality over quantity, always.
2. Coffee table books
Jess's love of interiors and gardens extends to her ever-growing collection of coffee table books.
You'll find them piled throughout her home, inviting visitors to pick one up and settle in for a read.
Among her current favourites are the Flamingo Estate books by Richard Christiansen, which she finds particularly inspiring.
And while inspiration is readily available at the touch of a screen, Jess much prefers an afternoon spent spreading her books across the dining table, turning pages and adding sticky notes to ideas that catch her eye.
It's a small pleasure worth making time for, particularly when looking for fresh interior design and garden inspiration.
3. Weird and wonderful seeds
After years spent sourcing pieces for interiors, Jess has found a new passion in hunting for unusual plants and garden seeds.
The same instinct that draws her towards an interesting antique now has her searching for curious varieties to grow at Rondelie Estate.
True to her eclectic style, Jess wants the garden to have as much personality as the house, filled with plants that are a little unexpected and entirely her own.
The only difference? A treasured antique can take its place immediately. Seeds require patience, a little nurturing and time to reveal what they'll become.
And for someone who loves the thrill of discovering something special, perhaps the anticipation is half the fun.
More from Jess's Day in the Garden
It's easy to see how Jess's love of collecting carries through every corner of Rondelie Estate, from the objects she brings home to the plants she's waiting to grow.
Haven't read Jess's Day in the Garden yet? Join us for a day at Rondelie Estate, where Jess shares more about family life, her garden plans and the pleasures of country living. Read the full feature here.
