Before and After: 80s Stools

My lastest purchase is a set of 4 stools which have 1988 printed on the underside. They were filthy, had loose joints and horrible PVC seat covers.

My first job for these was to take the seats off and strip back the PVC to see what was underneath. Luckily there was a fantastic retro grey and brown fabric which I couldn't resist cleaning up and keeping.

The wood then needed to be cleaned. It had a particularly thick layer of dirt so I gave the surface a good scrub with the scourer side of a cleaning sponge, and cleaning with a slightly abrasive quality cleaner such as a cream cleaner.

I had to make sure I wiped the surface thoroughly with a cloth to remove all of the cream cleaner afterwards. Some of the joints in the wood were a bit loose so I applied wood glue in the gaps and tightened the joins using straps to hold in place during drying. If you try this at home make sure you wipe off excess glue before it dries using a damp cloth.

Once the glue was dry I then fed the wood with a wood feed called Liquid Gold (it is expensive but worth every penny - I'm sure you can find other brands out there). I applied this with a soft cloth liberally, let it dry and then buffed with a clean cloth.

The seats could then be screwed back on and the final results look fab.

xx

New Car

So I ran out of time on Friday because I was at the garage buying a car. That's right, buying a car. I have been going to markets with all my items in a tiny Nissan Micra since I started the business properly back in February. As you can imagine, I get many a funny look from the other stall-holders in their vans when I potter along in my little vehicle rammed to the rafters with furniture. I also found that I would then sell my big items and my stall would look a little sorry for itself. So I have bought a van.

Ok, it is a van with more comfort and luxury, and room for passengers of course. It is a Citroen Berlingo in Sahara Gold. I haven't chosen a name yet. Recommendations are welcome. I really feel that this is another step forward for the business. It is a little present to myself as I have finally managed to make back the money I initially invested in the business. I feel very proud of myself and hope the business continues to grow. Lets hope all the hard work is paying off and by this time next year I will have doubled my investment!
xx

New Item Friday

I'm afraid it is just the one item for you this Friday. There is a very good reason for this - bascially I ran out of time - and I will explain why on Monday. But the item I have is a bit of a cracker.

This dish has a fantastic retro shape and glaze. It would look fantastic in the centre of the dining room table.

I have a lovely weekend planned - catching up with an old friend on Saturday, showing her round the new house, and a family barbecue on Sunday.
Lets hope the weather stays fine and I hope you all get to enjoy it.
xx

Finally Time For Pimms

I have been working really hard in the workshop getting some new items up together, and to treat myself of an evening I have been enjoying a glass of Pimms in the sunshine. That's right, we finally have some sun and that has to mean a glass of Pimms.

I enjoyed my glass with a cute little pimms stirrer that I found hidden in my Mum's cutlery draw. I couldn't resist a little google search for other Pimms related items, after all Pimms is essential for any summer get together.

Drink Measure Optic

Bunting and Spoons

1950s Pimms

Ice Bucket

And so that we can still enjoy Pimms in the wind/rain/cold I found this fantastic article for a fantastic Pimms winter cocktail - check it out HERE.

image courtesy of Consume Like Me

I hope you all get to enjoy the sunshine.
xx

Wedding Invitation

I have talked about my upcoming wedding in previous posts and wanted to fill you in on some details of what we have been up to lately. We have less than 6 months to go until the big day, so we are due to sent out our invites. The overall theme for the wedding is a 1930s shooting party, but we have thrown in some librarian touches. Think Gosford Park with lots of books.

Sourced from HERE

Hopefully the invites show a hint of the style and theme we are aiming for.

The invite is a book mark and shows the stag and pheasant which will be a running theme throughout the day, which gives us a hint of the shooting theme. After all, the groom is the stag and the bride is the hen (which is the name for a female pheasant don't you know!). There is also an information card which looks like a library card, the text written over the top looks like a typewriter has filled it in. And the postcard RSVPs all have images on them of old penguin book covers. The RSVPs have a cute little 'fill in the blanks' section on the back rather than the traditional text, just to give it a bit more fun. Hopefully the set shows the theme/style we are aiming for.

What do you think? Considering they were designed, printed and assembled by us I think they look rather good. Once the RSVPs come back we plan to make a collage of our favourite covers and get it framed on the wall as a nice little keepsake.
xx

Bristol M Shed Market

I am so tired. I have had a very physical day - working this morning and then painting rooms, moving boxes and building shelving units this afternoon. Because of this tired-ness I thought I would keep it simple this evening and tell you about the market in Bristol on Sunday.

The market was held by Magpie & I in the M Shed, which is a renovated building in the heart of Bristol. Unfortunately, I had to work so my lovely Mum and Dad took my goods along for me and set everything up beautifully.

There was a lovely mix of stalls there, including vintage, craft and food. We managed to come away with some good sales so I was pleased, but apparently the market has been busier in the past. This Sunday they had competition from the Harbour Festival taking place on the opposite side of the river. The market in the M Shed is held on the top floor and they had the most spectacular views of all the boats across the river.

The festival looks fantastic and I wish I could have been there to go and look round - I'll have to remember it for next year. In the mean-time I think the Magpie & I markets are worth going to on a regular basis - I'll keep you filled in on ones coming up in the future!
xx

New Item Friday

There is a new market we will be attending on Sunday, in Bristol at the M Shed. We are quite limited on space so have been trying to be savvy with the items we take, having held a few things back from other markets especially for Sunday. I thought it was about time I added them onto the shop. So let me introduce you to two items that are perfect for your summer trips.

There is also a fantastic festival going on in Bristol this weekend - the Harbour festival. The market we are attending in the M Shed is right in the heart of everything. If you don't have any plans then you have to come along.

But in case I don't see you, have a lovely weekend.
xx

Small Garden Ideas

So I have decided what kind of bench I would like in my very small outside space - check out the previous post HERE. But I would still like some plants and decided I should get some inspiration for gardening solutions in small spaces.

Sourced from artinthepark

So I could make or buy a traditional wooden out-door shelving unit. The unit could then be painted a lovely colour and it would offer me a bit more space for pots.

Sourced from Royal Horticultural Society

Using wire mesh I could create a wall of pots. This could be easily adapted and altered as my plants grow. It also gives a lovely wall of greenery which looks like a mini jungle.

Sourced from Apartment Therapy

Or maybe I should get creative and find unusual items to place my plants in. An old shoe organiser could be great for your salad leaves, and could be hung up anywhere.

I hope this has given you some inspiration like it has me. I need to get some planning on the go - I think a visit to the garden centre is in order.
xx

Raya Carlisle at Design Sponge

There is a fantastic sneak peak over at Design Sponge that I have found particularly inspirational for my own home. It is the very colourful and stylish home of Raya Carlisle. Check it out HERE but I have some images below to wet your appetite.

xx

Before and After: Kitchen Unit

One of the purchases I planned for the new house was a little cupboard/unit for the kitchen. Our new kitchen is small and I felt I just needed that extra space.

When I found this unit in a local furniture shop I knew it was perfect. It is just the right height for chopping, and has a handy cutlery draw and plenty of space for extra storage, but not too big. I decided to strip it back and give it a fresh coat of paint as it was a bit battered. Whilst I was stripping the paint layers I found that the original layer was actually red, and I couldn't resist recreating the original look.

This is the what it looks like now, sat in my new kitchen. 

I haven't included the rest of the kitchen in the photo as it isn't quite how I want it yet. Give me some time to get it ship shape....

xx

Orange Sunday

On Sunday it did not rain!
You heard me right, we had some patchy grey clouds but no rain. So we headed to Shepton Mallet showground as promised to sell some of my wears. We had a bit of a slow day, saved only by a sale of one of my big items. However, we managed to find some lovely items to buy. I got a lamp stand for the new house, some glasses for the wedding reception and something else rather special...

I can not decide whether to keep these caddies for myself, or keep them in the shop. I just think they will go perfectly in my new kitchen. Hmmm...

The only other thing I got from the market was severe sun burn all over my face. The wind was a bit chilly so I was wrapped up and my face was the only thing exposed. Now my head looks like a strawberry. Very embarrassing.
xx

New Item Friday

I have 3 very quirky items for you today. They all have the possibility to be used in any way you want, for sweets, keys, jewellery, etc, so get your imagination flowing.

I must admit that the pink dish is rather a favourite of mine but I really don't know what it was originally used for! If anyone out there does know then please pass the information my way.

As long as the weather holds, I will be at Shepton Mallet market on Sunday with a feast of items for you. If you are in the area please come and see me. Otherwise, have a lovely weekend.
xx

Garden Bench

So this is my new, very small and rather shabby, courtyard. There's not much space but I plan on clearing it out, giving the walls a fresh coat of paint and putting in some plants. The only other thing on my mind is possibly a bench up against the wall, so that I can enjoy a cup of coffee in the sunshine (when we get sunshine that is...).

It would have to be a very small bench but I have been searching on-line to find what is out there.

Zebra Home Design £175

Lassco £300

Jamb £1850

The 3 above are gorgeous but way over my budget. I did find a cheaper option which is rather cute.

B&Q £49

But then I found this image...

Garden Junk - Angie, Ohio

That's right. Some wonderful person in the US has made their own bench out of 2 old chairs and jazzed it up with some bright paint. This is my favourite by far. Watch this space for some bench d.i.y.
xx