Events

The Harvest Table

I recently had the great joy of spending a day at Spargo Creek, just outside Daylesford, at ‘Oak & Monkey Puzzle’, the truly idyllic home and garden of landscape architect turned grower / gardener / foodie / forager Natasha Morgan.

Natasha’s home is a unique hub for creative community, and plays host to various creative workshops and events throughout the year.

Her latest offering is The Harvest Table’ an inspired workshop which brings together floristry, food, event styling and handcrafted ceramics. This one day workshop is a  collaboration with talented Melbourne stylist Tamara Maynes, and is scheduled in April next year.  The perfect last minute Christmas gift for someone special, perhaps?!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins

The Harvest Table – a unique creative workshop set in the idyllic country garden of foodie/ forager / preserver Natasha Morgan, with stylist Tamara Maynes. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

The Harvest Table – a unique creative workshop set in the idyllic country garden of foodie/ forager / preserver Natasha Morgan, with stylist Tamara Maynes. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

The Harvest Table – a unique creative workshop set in the idyllic country garden of foodie/ forager / preserver Natasha Morgan, with stylist Tamara Maynes. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

The Harvest Table – a unique creative workshop set in the idyllic country garden of foodie/ forager / preserver Natasha Morgan, with stylist Tamara Maynes. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
21st of December 2016

Natasha Morgan is a landscape architect by training. In 2014, she discovered an 1800’s property in the tiny hamlet of Spargo Creek, near Daylesford in Central Victoria. Lured by the property’s magic, she left behind a life and career in Melbourne to pursue a tree change with a purpose.

Natasha’s property, named ‘Oak and Monkey Puzzle’, comprises a grand old house where Natasha lives with her two young kids, surrounded by a rambling garden and various sheds and outhouses which have become an evolving hub for local artisans and craftspeople to run workshops and events. ‘It is a joyful work in progress’ says Natasha.

When Country Style magazine featured Natasha’s property in their June 2016 issue, Natasha was introduced to stylist Tamara Maynes, who worked on the shoot. The two instantly connected, and it wasn’t long before a creative collaboration began to take shape.

‘I was in awe of a Dutch master-esque table Tamara created for the Country Style shoot’ says Natasha. ‘At day’s end I asked if she would collaborate on a special Harvest Table experience and to my delight she said YES! Tam, being a creative wonder woman and ‘slow maker’, suggested we incorporate local artisan ceramics and the obvious choice was to ask local legend Bridget Bodenham to make a range of inky tableware to complement the workshop studio’s inky dark interior.’ And that’s how it happens in the country!

Set in the Natasha’s abundant garden, The Harvest Table workshop is a one day workshop which brings together Natasha’s foraging and floral aesthetic (plus delectable 2-course lunch!) with Tamara’s craft and styling expertise.  One of our very own collaborators, photographer Caitlin Mills, will also be on hand to capture the styling wizardry on the day!

‘The workshop will be a magical day of celebrating the seasons blooms and botanicals, through the creation of an abundant Dutch Master inspired table setting, with the addition of specially commissioned ceramics by local potter Bridget Bodenham’ explains Natasha.

In addition to this event, Natasha offers different seasonal workshops celebrating local collaboration and artisanship throughout the year. Do keep your eye on her website for details!

‘My hope is that Oak and Monkey Puzzle is a special place to visit, to experience and learn, to share and cultivate skills, to continue meaningful collaborations – and ultimately engender a community’ says Natasha.

‘The Harvest Table’ workshop
with Natasha Morgan & Tamara Maynes
Saturday 8th April 2017

Oak and Monkey Puzzle
Spargo Creek
Victoria

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