Bright and fresh canvas

$460,000-$500,000 CAMBERWELL 7/887 Toorak Road Auction 11am, April 2 Agent Noel Jones, 9809 2000 Melway 59 H5

Stroll to the foreshore

$2.1 million-$2.2 million WILLIAMSTOWN 29 Hannan Street Auction 3pm, April 2 Agent Compton & Green, 9397 1600 Melway 55 K10

On the market after 82 years

$1.3 million-$1.4 million BRIGHTON 2 Yuille Street Auction 10.30am, March 19 Agent RT Edgar, 9592 9299 Melway 76 F3

A picture is worth ... well, how much?

When the news came of a record amount paid for a work of art at auction, the reaction of TV news media was predictable.

Back in the espresso lane

Coffee talk is still hot, writes Matt Preston.

Sotheby's star auctioneer is going, going, gone

SOTHEBY'S star auctioneer Justin Miller ended his 22 years with the company last night by selling works from the collection he valued when he started with the auction house in 1988: the fabled Australian art collection of the late Dr Donald Sheumack, best known as Norman Lindsay's physician.

Champion of breakfasts

IT'S grand final day, so where better to have breakfast than North Melbourne? It's the logical choice given the tradition but this little pocket of culinary and design edge is now also rapidly pushing the likes of Brunswick, St Kilda and Smith Street for the crown of the city's best breakfast location. That's thanks to the popular haunts of Errol Street or the more esoteric and studied cool of the likes of Fandango or Auction Rooms.

Title deeds

The art of a winter sale

Top Five ... Modern Coffee

Fair trade and organic

Competitive Bidder

Auction Rooms North Melbourne Where: Auction Rooms, 103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne, 93267749. Prices: Breakfast $6-$14, lunch $7-$15, cakes $2.50-$6.50. Cards: AE MC V Eftpos Unlicensed Open: Tues-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat and Sun 8am-4pm

Slow Start To Auction Season

THERE was thunder, torrential rain and the buzz of people making offers outside the auction rooms but inside the gavel was silent.