An Enduring Legacy

The greatest legacy is that

which benefits the widest number of people

for the longest period without limit to value.

(Cat Stevens 1948 - )

I continue to be staggered by the number of people I meet on a weekly basis who confess their addiction to Australian Country Collections. Almost daily they come into my gallery in the NSW Blue Mountains and tell of their great love of the title and ask why I no longer write it. They explain how they keep their dog-eared copies of the editions which I wrote close at hand and continue to read them from cover to cover – some of the issues being nearly 15 years old. So many customers tell me that their original copies of Collections are valued amongst their most prized possessions as the early editions of the magazine continue to offer them endless country inspiration and comfort.

I am always so honoured – and somewhat humbled, I must say – when I hear such expressions of passionate support! I am also a little taken back with their pleas for me to resume the role! While it is wonderful to think that so many are still avid supporters of my work and the traditional styles of country I have always loved and honoured, I must admit that the experience of being able to translate ‘words into reality’ as afforded me by my country gallery in the mountains is such a rewarding and inspiring experience that it would take a bullock train to drag me back to the days when I was locked away in my office, slaving away seven days a week, seldom seeing another living soul as I poured out words, sold advertising and made up the artwork of the various publications on which I worked.

The other thing that would definitely impede me from resuming a role within the industry, churning out issue after issue, is today’s seemingly universal demand by publishing houses across the board to produce decorating titles that all adhere to the same formula. A pretty something here, a whitewashed wall there … everything nowadays seems so pared back and pristine that I would have great difficulty ‘fitting in’. And nor would I want to! Even words in such magazines seem scant, not to mention the photographs where interiors images no longer present full roomsets (as they were always shown ‘back in my day’) but rather a corner of cupboard here, a bowl on a tabletop there.

The same feelings of ‘country magazine demise’ are indeed shared by so many people who come into my gallery. It seems that, in recent years, we have all collectively become starved of truly inspirational, wonderfully warm and inviting publications that truly ‘touch the heart and fire the country-decorating soul’. What, it seems, we all hanker for is a publication that offers – from cover to cover – a diverse collection of country-inspired decorating stories which have us struggling to choose the best version that reflects our own tastes … because they all do! We want a publication brimming with countless ideas that inspire us to get up and get decorating … not magazines in which we struggle to find just one or two appealing tips within. And we want to be moved … we want to feel a sense of connection.

Such sentiments were certainly presented ‘fair and square’ on the RRC Forum recently when a member mentioned how she, like so many others, has been starved for so long for true country decorating inspiration and had found little on the Australian newsstands that she would buy. Then, one day, she came across an American import that finally got those country passions firing again. Produced by well-known Country Sampler, it was a special magazine publication that showcased many of the best homes they had featured over recent years. “Have others seen it?” she wondered. Like wildfire the news got out amongst country devotees across the land and, before long, the magazine was a scarce as hens teeth, being almost impossible to be found on any newsstand anywhere because ‘the faithful’ had snapped up every copy between here and the black stump!

When I am confronted, as I have been so much of late, with calls to once again resume work producing a country decorating magazine for an audience thirsting for a title that offers more than ‘the same plain and the pretty’ and goes back to the true heart of what country it all about – where it comes from, what it is built on and the essential ingredients that make it so significant (from colour and collectables to heirlooms and things which reflect the land, life and love) – I find I have cause to once again return to those earliest editions of Australian Country Collections and wonder why they are so special. Leafing through the pages of the beginning issues (which now fetch a pretty penny on eBay!) I must say that I too can’t help but be struck by their timeless quality … something that is synonymous of the country look itself.

As I re-read stories of editions past and pour over many of the decorating profiles of people who so generously opened their homes to me and the team over the years, a passion for the true essence of country style is rekindled. The foundations on which true country style is built (particularly its fascinating heritage in places like Britain and America); its ability to encompass the traditions of many periods and places; its unique quality of being immediately personal; its adaptability and ease of combining elements new and pristine with those much-loved and well-worn; its important integration of handcrafted elements … all these are the essential ingredients which serve to make true country style the most enduring and timeless decorating style of all.

Leafing through past editions of the magazines I have produced over the years, I am also struck with a tinge of guilt. I should do more for the ‘true believers’! I should find the time to include more home profiles here on the website. I should devote more time to developing the eMag even further and present lots more editorial content than is presently showcased. And then, as the next anxiety attack kicks in I reason … if God wanted me to do so, He would give me another eight hours in every day, because that’s what it would take!

Thus I, and fellow members of the RRC family must be content during the present season to see the website given as much attention as time permits outside of my primary task of continuing to set up and develop the Rick Rutherford’s Country gallery in the NSW Blue Mountains, the venue being, in effect, words and pictures turned to reality. Nine different country looks showcased within the walls of a wonderful heritage building in Lawson, it’s the culmination of a dream to not only create such a special place but to also daily communicate one on one with the people who come through the door to view, to be inspired, and to be simply linger within the midst of this ‘magazine in living form’.

But having said this, I’m praying that the days are soon approaching where there will be more time available to devote to my great love – writing and sharing country inspirations with fellow readers. So, stay tuned for several new Home of the Month profiles which will soon be added to the site, as well as some wonderful new Poetry and Prose contributions and several other significant updates. There’s a number of other developments in the wind as well, so keep your eyes on the site for news as they unfold!

So it’s exciting times ahead – as the RRC experience moves forward … with one eye firmly on the past, standing firmly on the foundations of traditional country style and the enduring legacy of all it represents. And I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Until next time

Rick xxx

Come Join The Party

There’s a party going on … somewhere! To be precise, it’s being staged at the Blue Mountain’s beautiful heritage country gallery Rick Rutherford’s Country, and the guests are being feasted to more than just a glass of vino or two!

During the course of recent Yulefest celebrations, Rick Rutherford’s Country has recently seen huge numbers of new customers flood through the door who have been drawn by the breathtaking displays and wonderful atmosphere of this unique mountain’s attraction. And many of them have asked if they can ‘stay and party’, so the gallery has responded with an invitation to all to come and do just that!

Due to so many requests from customers interested in visiting the store after hours, in the company of a group of their own friends so that they can all enjoy the hugest selection of wares the country store has to offer due to the launch of an exclusive party plan concept which will commence in the store from August.

It’s so simple. A customer organises a group of 20 or more of their friends and relations who want a great night out and they then book the date. We supply wine for the gathering and the hostess supplies the nibbles. All guests receive 10% off everything in the store, plus the hostess is entitled to an extra gift of a $100 shopping voucher to be spent either on the night or at any other time within a year!

It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the gallery and shop in the company of your closest friends and like-minded country fans, as well as having the chance to view and purchase – ahead of other customers – many of the new lines that come into stock. And, on top of it all, it’s the promise of a great social activity combined with the prospect of being able to purchase some great homewares, quilts, exclusive handmade treasures, loads of Christmas items and unique gifts at better-than bargain prices.

If you would like to ‘come join in the party’ all you need to do is gather up 20 friends and call us … we’ll organise the rest.

Rick Rutherford's Country - The Shoppe

Rick Rutherford’s Country – The Australian Country Collections Shop

is located in ‘Badger House’, 3 Badgery Crescent, Lawson. It’s open to the public from 10am to 5.30pm daily (closed Tuesday and Wednesday until November 1st when we open seven days a week until Christmas Eve). For further information contact 4759 3434. From Sydney travelling up the Great Western Highway, come past the Baptist Church on the left BEFORE reaching the Lawson township and turn right across the bridge – Rick Rutherford’s Country is the building right in front of you, shining with a fresh coat of cream paint and red trim.