Something Old, Something New!

Like many of you 'vintage girls' out there (and I'm not referring to our ages!) I have more than a few collections of vintage treasures. I never seem to have any trouble starting a new collection either - it's the stopping that causes the most bother!!! One of may favourite collections are old talc tins. I recently saw Niki's post with her gorgeous bathroom cabinets stacked with lovely things and thought I'd share a few of mine with you all. I must confess to having added to the collection since I took the photo above! I've also placed a few in my shop as I decided it would be good to share them with others!

Another growing collection of mine consists of the wonderful ceramics of Virginia Graham who is based in Cardiff. She produces some amazing pieces using moulds and shapes based on vintage crockery etc. For example, a teapot may have the handle shape of a Victorian teapot, the spout shape of an Edwardian teapot and the lid shape from a 1930s teapot! She then decorates them using vintage designs such as a rosy chintz or Cornishware stripes. I absolutely love her work, she is so talented and has some amazing ideas!

As a lover of vintage I'm very rarely drawn to 'new' but these lovely ceramics fit in perfectly with all of my old items. I'd love to see photos of your 'new' vintage treasures!

I am totally obsessed with fabric! In fact, I can't get enough of vintage fabric and will always be found rummaging through the wonderful old textiles that turn up at the flea markets and antique fairs. I do enjoy being creative and armed with a glue gun, pins and a hammer, I have covered all manner of everyday objects around the cottage.


I have many old books which have lost their paper covers, these are ideal for covering with fabrics. When I couldn't find the right vintage fabric I even used a new (but vintage style!) material covered with pretty little roses. The old painted step table originally had a piece of plain vinyl on the top so I replaced it with this pretty rosebud and oak leaf fabric which compliments they soft grey paint.


I found this old hatbox which was very plain in appearance and covered it in this delicate old roses fabric. I finished the edge of the lid with a length of dusky pink velvet ribbon. I may add some embellishment to the top when I find the right fabric flowers!




These are very quick but very effective ways of revamping items. I have also covered stools and chair seats etc., but I will save those photos for another day!

A Valentine's Treat for You All!

Upon this day I bring to you,
A pocketful of dreams come true,
A treasure trove of vintage finds,
Delightful wares of many kinds.

Whence time-worn fabrics cast their spell,
And speckled mirrors kiss and tell,
Ancient books with dusty pages,
Tell of love throughout the ages.
Where floral paintings grace the wall,
And pretty quilts with lace enthrall,
Eiderdowns adorned with posies,
Painted boxes crowned with roses.

So step into a bygone day,
Let slip your cares and woes away,
As through the halls of time you roam,
And dream awhile at Vintage Home.


I hope you enjoy your visit to my new online shop!

Let it snow!

Well, we've finally had some snow here in Oxfordshire and as I'm sure it will be a dim and distant memory by this time tomorrow I thought I would show you some photos of the wonderful white stuff!

This is our neighbour's dog in the lane outside the cottage; isn't he lovely?



This is the snowman my husband built this morning! I hope he looks after my scarf!



Now this is just what you need to keep you warm during this cold snap; what could be more cosy than a snuggly eiderdown? Oh, and that reminds me, my online shop opens its doors next week on 14th February! There'll be lots of cosy quilts and eiderdowns for sale but until then, please stay warm!

Tattered and torn, faded and worn...

Like many of you, I have a real love of timeworn treasures. There is nothing more alluring than spying a beautiful old book whose cover bears the signs of the many years of handling, yet remains so divinely pretty. And who can ever resist an age distressed tin, with its exquisite decoration ever-so-gently softened by the passage of time?

What is more beautiful than a delicate floral fabric when its pattern has been gently faded over the years, ensuring the colours reach that perfectly softened tone that only time can add?



Vintage linens have a smell and feel that cannot be recreated by new fabrics. They retain their pure whiteness yet develop a gentle softness that is a delight to hold against the skin. We enjoy filling our homes with pretty china and what is more delightful than a rosy bowl whose glossy patina has been oh-so-gently worn by the passage of time..?



I love to surround myself with tattered and torn, faded and worn objects of beauty, be it an old Barbola mirror, a scratched and dented tin, or sun-faded fabrics; who can resist them?!

Miss February!

Well, as promised, here she is! This is the next beauty on my lovely calendar.



Once again, there are the delightful jewel encrusted roses all around her!



I do have a real dilemma though - I'm reticent to remove the previous month's page, which means I can't display any further months - I will have to stare at January throughout the year!!!

Roses, Roses, Roses!

Just like many of you, I absolutely adore roses and never tire of seeing them in any shape or form. It's generally a pretty dull time in the garden at this time of year and despite the early signs of Spring flowers, it will be a few months until we see the roses again! So I thought I would share these roses with you in the meantime! The beautiful barkcloth fabric above is one of my favourites and the pretty ribbons and roses cotton fabric below is so pretty!



I really enjoy seeing roses - and other flowers - around the home on textiles, china, barbola mirrors and paintings. These are two of my favourite paintings. The first is a stunning yard long oil painting dated 1921.



This beautiful oil painting is Edwardian and is very much in the style of Catherine Klein. Again, it is a yard long painting but has always been hung this way up - just as well as it really wouldn't fit anywhere else!



Finally, a few of my favourite things, as the song goes! A delightful old chest of drawers covered in wallpaper...



...and a roses pastel painting with one of Niki's wonderful rosy creations!



I'd love to see all of your favourite rose items!

A Moment in Time...

I was sorting through some old black and white photos the other day and came across several I'd like to share with you all. Sadly, many of the photos have been passed around the family and become torn and marked, so apologies for the less-than-perfect appearance of some!



The first is me! Despite most baby photos being embarrassing, I've always liked this one because I think I look so happy! Apparently, according to my mum, I was a very happy 'bouncing' baby and laughed and chattered a lot (nothing's changed there then!!!)

This is one of my favourite photos. My mum and aunt decided they would like a photo with me and the cat. Of course, the cat had other ideas so my aunt is trying to keep her in the shot! Both my mum and aunt are highly amused by it all - but I'm a little perturbed at the family cat being restrained in this manner!

Here are a couple of much older photos. The first is my grandmother, Gwendoline, and was taken in the 1920's. I believe she was about 19 at the time. Just look at that 20's fashion!



This is Lily, my mum's cousin and was taken about 1930. She doesn't look particularly happy does she?!



Finally, this is my husband's family. This photo shows two of his aunts and an uncle, along with his dad, who is the youngest in the photo. This was taken in the 1930's and they are stood outside their 'picturesque' country cottage - which I'm informed had no electricity and no running water - very typical for such cottages at that time.



Having found a huge pile of these old family photos, I'm now going to make it a priority to find a lovely vintage photo album and put all my old photos in and label them up so there'll be no guesswork as to who's who.

I'd love to see some of your family photos - don't forget the baby ones!!

Decisions, decisions...

I've been busy collecting all sorts of vintage treasures together, ready for selling on my new website. We're getting nearer and nearer to 'launch day' so I thought I should get organised and gather together my stock. After all, a shop with no stock would be no use at all, would it?!

But anyone who knows me will confirm that I only tend to buy the things I like - which does make shopping an absolute pleasure of course - but it's an absolute disaster when it comes to parting with things!!!



For example, there are these wonderful old handpainted panels which I am so tempted to keep as I'm sure I'd find a use for them one day! Then there's this lovely old handpainted, age-distressed table - why aren't I keeping that?!

I also love this old roses and chippy table too...

...and I've just remembered this gorgeous 1940's French bedspread - a real beauty! Oh dear!

I'm sure you can see my dilemma! I suppose I just need to be strong don't I?!

and so to bed...

The weather has been so awful just lately hasn't it?! Gales and rainstorms have lashed us from all sides and it's been so dark and dreary! I must admit, I've found it very hard to leave my bed in the mornings. On one such typical morning this week, as I was lying there with the sheet pulled up under my chin listening to the rain lashing against the window pane, I found myself musing about bed linen...



For some time now, especially since I've been buying and selling textiles, I have been using vintage linens, eiderdowns, blankets and quilts on my beds. The 'continental duvet' has been cast out and I can honestly say it will never return! There is nothing nicer than climbing into a freshly-made bed when you have crisp cotton or linen sheets and pillowcases - it's just delightful! I have never been warmer and cosier since layering the bed with Comfy quilts and Witney blankets - ooh such comfort! Even the bed in the guest room enjoys the same vintage warmth!



Eiderdowns are perfect for those really chilly nights and layering with sheets, blankets and quilts mean you can quickly adjust to the changing temperature of our fickle English weather!





All that talk of bed and cosiness has made me quite sleepy! I think maybe an early night is in order. Now, where's that hot water bottle...?!

Sweet dreams everyone!

New Year, New Stock, New Beginnings!

I have been visiting my antiques unit today, which is in the Brackley Antique Cellar in Northamptonshire. It is a huge antiques centre with 150 dealers. I specialise in vintage textiles - such as eiderdowns, quilts and fabrics - all with a floral theme.



I also sell oil and watercolour paintings, painted furniture, china, lighting and all manner of other vintage treasures.



I have also enjoyed selling similar items on ebay and therefore decided to launch my own website selling vintage goodies! It is currently 'in production' and should be up and running in a month - I will let you know when it is ready! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the pictures which show a small selection of my latest stock for the antiques unit. I will show you some more soon...!

January!

I had a wonderful calendar as a gift for my birthday and each month portrays a beautiful vintage-style lady, surrounded by jewels, roses and lace. Here is 'Miss January' - these are lovely large pictures so I will probably frame them at the end of the year.

Here are some close-ups of the roses around the cameo.





I've just had a peep at February's - can't wait to show you that one!

Happy New Year!

Whether you spend it with a friend or family...

...or simply relaxing alone...

...however you see the New Year in I hope you have a wonderful time! I would like to thank everyone for all of their lovely comments over the past few months and I look forward to reading all of your great blogs in 2007!
A Very Happy New Year to You All!