Australia's largest private historical wallpaper & textile collection

Last Tuesday was my first lunch date with Tony Cardamone (finally) and it could not have gone more smoothly. The lunch date started off with Tony introducing himself, Maria and Paula, who both work closely with Tony. You all know that I can’t get enough of historical wallpaper and textiles, they are just so alluring and captivating. So, finding Tony is like finding my design soul mate. His love for textile and wallpaper jabbed my enthusiasm. There is never too much of a good thing.

but first let me take you back on how I arriveD at this luncheon. A design friend of mine FROM CATC Design school invited me to come along to view a Textile & Wallpaper Exhibition at one of Melbourne's Design Schools. my first thought was how exciting and  as I entered the room it was like a tsunami had hit me. There are "OVER 6,000 books" in the collection. I didn’t expect that. I thought it would be only a couple of books. Wow!!!

I looked everywhere chasing Historical Textile and Wallpaper Classes around the world. Which landed me in a class in NYC, I am not complaining. BUT, if only I’d known Tony before, he is (literally my neighbour) in my own backyard.
 
during the luncheon,  Tony has inspired me, not only because of his love of design but also his generosity with his knowledge and time.   I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A DREAM. His home is like a wanderlust for a design lover. Every room is filled with treasures, every wall is filled with his love of artwork, ceramics, books - all aspects of design from his travels around the world. oh and by the way did I mention about WILLIAM Morris Fabric on his sofa, Hokusai print?? OMG,  I could go on and on.

Recently, Tony has donated his personal historical collection of fabric and wallpaper design books to the Bendigo Kangan Institute's Design School. The BIGGEST private collection in Australia from Tony’s 40 years within the design industry. A HIDDEN DESIGN GEM.
 
Tony’s mission is to increase the design community's awareness of this historical textile and wallpaper collection and to utilise this as a resource tool.

Tony spoke with me about the lack of funding which has impacted in completing the cataloging of the collectionS. I asked Tony how can I help and we decided to connect again in 2018 to create a Fundraising Event.
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what a finsih to my beautiful lunch date, which has left me with new inspirations and good memories. I honestly cannot thank him enough for his openness to invite me. I want to use my experience to support him in HIS fundraising events to continue to preserve this Melbourne-based, Australian Historical Collection. Tony needs our support.

I HOPE belson design BLOG WILL GIVE YOU MORE INSIGHTS ABOUT TONY’S COLLECTIONS AND MAYBE EVEN INSPIRE SOME OF YOU GUYS TO COME ALONG TO THE 2018 FUNDRAISING EVENT.
 
JOIN THE CONVERSATION TO COME ALONG!

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