Author Archives: admin

Type drawer twist

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I found these pictures ages ago on Etsy from the seller BlueBirdHeaven, and have been keeping my eyes peeled since for a type drawer. My penchant for beautiful storage was piqued with this winning combination of vintage, practical and pretty.

I picked this one up at good old Retropolis. Its in need of a bit of TLC but has a good combination of long, wide and short compartments.

I then had a peek on t’internet for some other ideas. Turns out there is a whole host of things one can do with a type drawer….

1. Advent Calendar from Modcottage

2 & 3. Picture frame or lego storage by aliedwards

4. Ink pads from Craftystorage

 

A welly cool project

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Footwear storage is a passion of mine. Such is the case that i recently considered purchasing a very overpriced wall mounted welly rack. Until i realised how easy it would be to make, especially with a handy construction pal, a trip to the salvage yard and a sunny saturday afternoon. My sculptor friend Ali T provided me with the base, an old warped, weathered piece of hardwood, and the dowels are a collection of old broom handles.

Mathematics being a low point for both, we spent a while figuring out how to space the 6 pairs of holes across the wood. Luckily we followed my dad’s time-honoured advice – “Measure twice, cut once”.

Once the first pole was tested for strength and length with Malkie’s big boot, we carried on with cutting each end down to size, sanding further and then hammering in.

The finished product houses 6 pairs of happy boots. It was such a successful project (unusual for me when it comes to hammers, drills etc), maybe we’ll start taking commissions…

On a shoe-string

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A few years back, i decided that cheap shoes were a bad idea, and committed myself to buying only good quality, well made footwear. No easy task when it comes to second-hand shops. I have often bought shoes that look good in the shop, and the moment you step out in them you realise why someone put them into their charity bag. So i thought i would share with you my recent successes – two great pairs of shoes during one charity-shop foray.

Gotta love these Converse mid-calf orange laced boots…£9

These sheepskin-lined leather ankle boots in the bag for a pleasing £10.

Retropolis

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I had to get straight onto the blog to share my latest delightful furniture purchase from my latest salvage venue. I occasionally pop in to Drum Farm Antiques near the city bypass, and was pleasantly surprised during yesterday’s visit to find a new business adjoining the warehouse called Retropolis Antique and Vintage Emporium. Only 4 weeks old, they have a great spread of furniture and trinkets, either lovingly restored or in need of an imaginative friend. as it happened, i was late for a meeting so i didn’t get to ponder and pontificate in my usual way over the cabinet, an eclectic paring of glass-topped and shelf-bottomed loveliness, formerly a shop fitting. But it was love at first sight and there was no need for deliberation, especially at the enticing price of £70 including delivery later that evening. Luckily there was a rugby match on so that i could spend the evening staring at my new illuminated friend, dreaming up possibilities whilst Malkie was otherwise occupied.

I have opted for a cutesy china/enamelware combo for the display, but i’m sure this is merely the first incarnation of many. I have tried to keep it simple but also make the most of a great display opportunity. But i’m wondering if i should stick to a few signature wow-factor pieces….what do you think?

Pair o’ chairs 1

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Mostly when i buy an old wreck of a chair, table or otherwise, i drive home thinking of my expansive plans for re-vamping and re-working my fabulous find. However, its amazing how easily you can get used to a furniture’s foibles as time passes. Not so for this chair though, recently purchased at the lane sale as a pair for £1. Whilst its elm and blue velvet components were visually pleasing, the webbing in the seat was completely gone, making it somewhat akin to a parking your bum on an uncomfortable toilet seat. Thus began my first ‘proper’ upholstery job yesterday. Here’s a recap of the events as they unfolded.

1. Chair on arrival

2. Stripping the seat back to the frame

3. New sisal webbing, fixed with staple gun

4. Next 2 layers: horsehair and cotton

(5. A few more undocumented layers, as it started to rain!)

6. Colefax and Fowler fabric remnant to finish

Now to put it to the ultimate test – survival in our busy household…