“Our Queenslanders, houses ♦gardens: Their Second century”
Kyleigh and Dr Michael Simpson, 2019 (SOLD OUT)
This book illustrates the case for recognition and protection of our architectural and horticultural heritage. In fact, “The Queenslander” house may be Australias best known architectural style on the world stage. As well as defining aspects of structural detail, our book describes the experience of living in a “Queenlander’ and illustrates fine urban and rural examples of these houses and gardens. Our book touches on Architecture, History, Horticulture and Queensland identity with colourful images on most pages.
In the 21st century the pressure to subdivide and repurpose urban land threatens to remove or permanently alter the “Queenslander” which once defined the streetscape and the identity of our towns and cities. Modern tastes and expectations of housing lead to alteration of the “Queenslander” structure which threaten this vernacular housing style often making it unrecognisable. “Our Queenslanders, homes♦gardens: Their second Century”, with chapters defining the structural features which define a “Queenslander” goes on to discuss the use of timber or masonry and takes some time over structures such stumps, stairs verandas and details concerning corrugated iron and structural ornamentation. Chapters concerning “Queenslander” interiors discuss everything from paint and pressed metal to electrical fittings and furniture. The “Queenslander” garden is treated in similar detail with chapters on botanizing and collecting, through structural features such as fences, gates and bush houses to the planting palette.
In the latter part of the book urban and rural examples of “Queenslander” houses and gardens are colourfully illustrated along with note pages on familiar Queensland plants such Frangipani and Agagpanthus.
ISBN-13: 978-0-9871375-5-5
“Queenslander Gardens, Plants for their Second Century: with Historical References”
Kyleigh and Dr Michel Simpson, 2019
This book is based on a detailed inventory of garden worthy plants for “Queenslander” gardens and where available historic references of their use in gardens in their second century. It is essentially a guide for those interested in garden restoration and garden history in Queensland. With such a large topic the authors hope that this book becomes a notebook to receive personal notes and observations. Interesting photographs and observations are illustrated. ISBN-13: 978-0-9871375-6-2
“A Garden Forever, Dreams, Stories, Heritage and History”
Kyleigh and Dr. Michael Simpson, 2014 ISBN 978-0-987-1375-4-8
Our latest book entitled “A Garden Forever, Dreams, Stories, Heritage and History” explores the origins of a domestic garden and how to write its history from pre-European times, through days of farming and early settlement up to the present day of ornamental gardening. We believe that this colourful book will be of vital interest to gardeners, but also genealogists and those with an interest in local, social and garden history. We hope it will serve as a template for writing domestic garden history.
The history of a garden has as much to do with people as it does the physical garden so we have included stories and impressions written by family & friends and recorded timelines and the many events which have attracted thousands of garden visitors. This is a picture book filled with colourful photographs, maps and drawings embedding the sense of permanence which comes from realising that our garden will outlive us through its written history as well as its physical survival.
Finally this book celebrates the curatorial task of identifying, recording and referencing the thousands of plants in hundreds of genus, species and cultivars in a plant collection which has grown over 22 years. Rather than a dry scientific list the garden inventory has been attempted in a way which makes it more readable and accessible to the home gardener.
This self-published book has been printed in Brisbane when most books are being printed in China. The book will retail for $55.00 and a complimentary copy of “Over the Fence and Over Looked” a colourful hardcover book (2009) &Dvd “A garden in the Rain” will be included in your order while stocks last. Available from the author’s shambles@southernphone.com.au
“A GARDEN IN THE RAIN”
This 1/2 hour DVD is on sale for $20.00($23.00 includes postage) This DVD is one that will appeal to all gardeners. It is set at ‘The Shambles’ on the Blackall Range in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. Australian gardening DVDs are a very rare commodity.
“A Year in my (Gulag) garden” 84 pages, soft cover, full colour. Authors Kyleigh Simpson and Christina Donlen. Answers all sorts of Gardening questions ‘without the hoo haa’. We were all thinking it….this book says it.
ISBN 978-0-9804304-3-1
(Sorry, sold out)
“An Open Garden, and Visiting gardens by Motor Car” 144 pages, hard cover, full colour by Michael Simpson 2012. This book is a personal look at the experience of opening a garden to the public. It is also a grown ups picture book visiting beautiful gardens with something for the serious gardener, or garden historian.
ISBN 978-0-9871375-3-1 2012
(sorry sold out)
‘Australian Gardens Making History.The Vital Role of Making and KeepingPlant Inventories’ $15 ($18.50 incl postage), soft cover in the style of an old fashioned Plant Catalogue. Researched comparison of 19th century plant inventories and our modern list, and the scientific and social historical role of recording gardens. 8 colour pages. The garden inventory of today is the material for social, gardening and historical research for tomorrow. ISBN 978-0-0804304-5-5 see www.montvillegarden.com
(sorry sold out)
‘Over the Fence and Overlooked, Traditional Plants in Queensland’s Gardening Heritage ‘ released in 2009 . 224 pages ,hard cover ,case bound. Full of colourful photographs, drawings, plans and includes an extensive plant inventory. A unique, limited edition book for Australian gardeners. ISBN978-1876344665 available shambles@southernphone.com.au
Copies ‘Over the Fence and overlooked ‘still available
“The Shambles , The story of a Montville Garden” 164 pages, hard cover, full colour , by Michael and Kyleigh Simpson in 2007 .A beautifully illustrated personal account of the garden, the garden’s history and much more, even including family pet stories. ISBN 978-0-9804304-0-0 (sorry sold out)