Everything's coming up roses!

Well, here we are at the end of May! I don't really know where the last month has gone to as it has been a whirl of activity here at the cottage and at the Vintage Home website. Lots of exciting things have been happening here including some re-decoration, quirky purchases of the vintage-type and chance meetings with some wonderful people. I promise I will elaborate on all of this, and more, throughout the coming months! I'm also hoping to spend some relaxation time in the garden during June, appreciating the many flowers; isn't that rose a beauty? After several days of wet and dreary weather, it was a treat to be able to get outside and photograph the signs that Summer really is on its way!
This is a nice little spot, don't you think? I look forward to sitting here with a cold drink and a good read.


We have lots of these wild gladioli growing the garden, such a pretty colour...

One of my all-time favourite cottage garden flowers, the sweet william...

Here are the geraniums in the greenhouse, they are just about ready to plant out into their terracotta pots.

Despite the recent wet weather, we have been out and about gathering together lots of vintage stock for the website. There are some pretty additions which reflect the season ahead; this delightful green and cream basket is so sweet...

...these stunning curtains are covered in carnations!

This pretty lamp has a wonderful floral shade...

...and this 1950s chair is covered in gorgeous roses!

This is the star of the show though; a Victorian prie dieu with original fine hand embroidery - exquisite roses, of course!

A really big thank you to every one who has recently purchased from the shop and I hope you enjoy your browse at the latest goodies. I think I might have that little sit-down now - have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

More Vintage Treasures...

I have been busy updating the website over the weekend and have added some really lovely items - this beautiful antique mirror and shelf is simply gorgeous, the detail in the cherubs and pretty flower garlands is wonderful.

There are some rather special quilts too, this pretty pink roses and paisley quilt has never been used...

...and this stunning Victorian Welsh quilt is a real treat; hydrangea flowers on one side and amazing handstitching consisting of hearts, circles and leaves!

This is quite breathtaking; another Victorian Welsh quilt with a different fabric on each side; floral baskets on one, finches and roses on the other! It is all handstitched and I do believe has never been used. These quilts were often made by family members as a wedding present and this beauty has been safely stored away for over a hundred years!

There are lots of pretty homewares and accessories too, like this darling basket...


...and an exceptionally pretty box covered with wild roses.

Thank you to everyone who has recently made a purchase. The above is a small selection of the new stock so there's plenty more to see! I hope you all enjoy having a browse in the shop - have a lovely week!

Let there be light (and lots of fabric etc!)

I have been asked by many of you if I would share some photos of the studio we work from. Well, it isn't usually very tidy and we're often knee-deep in vintage stock and textiles, but I had a tidy up the other day (don't peek at the sleepdeck!!) and managed to make a couple of presentable corners. The above photograph is scarily devoid of any colour - but the ceiling is the only part of the Clock House which is this empty!! The light fitting above was a lucky find at our local 'antiques emporium' - changing a bulb is fun!

Here's fabric corner - the trunk was supposed to be ample enough to store our working fabrics - hence we are now on the lookout for a tall cupboard!!

Here's where we grab five minutes with a cuppa (if the cat hasn't beaten us to it first!!)

I couldn't resist showing you this 1940s rug - I was so tempted to keep it as it looks absolutely lovely in front of the doors - but I have been very strong and added it to the shop before I could change my mind!

When I have tidied the other areas of the Clock House, I will share some more photos with you!

A Riot of Roses!

Just a brief note to say we have added lots of lovely vintage treasures to the website. In addition to these pretty glasses, there are many more gorgeous roses to be found!

An Edwardian writing box...

...a beautiful Catherine Klein religious print...

...and a superb roses and paisley eiderdown!

Thank you for your recent purchases and lovely emails. With sunny and warmer days just around the corner, we will be celebrating the season with a few surprises - more news on that in the coming months!

There'll be even more beautiful vintage delights in the coming weeks - so pop back when you can. Have a lovely weekend!

Let it Snow..?

Once again our mad English weather had a special Springtime treat for us on Sunday and we awoke to a heavy blanket of snow. Here are some photos snapped in our garden and the lane...

My dainty tulips wearing snowcaps...

No dip for the birds today...

A snowy tangle of brambles...

Sunny side up...or down?

At least it's nice and toasty in here!

As pretty as the snow is, let's hope we see some warm and sunny weather soon!

Mirror, Mirror...

...on the wall...

Who is the fairest of them all?

The lady with the silken shawl...

...or the darling Belle of the Ball?

I have added some beautiful vintage treasures to the shop today - these gorgeous mirrors and antique prints are just a small selection of the goodies on offer! A big thank you to every one who has recently made a purchase and for all your lovely emails and messages. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

My Little Helper...

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Easter - if only the weather had been as glorious as it was today! I think Spring officially began today - and very welcome it was too! Despite the wonderful weather, it's been all hands on deck here with preparations for our forthcoming website update, when there will be a huge amount of vintage stock and Man Made goodies added to the shop.

After enjoying a few hours in the sunshine, Dennis helped us select some fabrics for our bags and cushions and gave this lovely old 50s primula barkcloth a high five! (Perhaps that should be a 'high four'!!!)

But it all proved to be too much like hard work for him and he soon succumbed to the land of nod...

I hope you all have a lovely week!

Happy Easter!

I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!



We have a few trips planned this weekend - and a special Easter party to attend...



...it's a pity we won't all be enjoying balmy Spring sunshine here in the UK, but I'm sure we won't let it spoil the holiday!


I hope you all enjoy a wonderful time with family and friends!

Colour, Kitsch and Beautiful Blooms!

We've been very busy during the last few weeks making bags and cushions to add to our Man Made range and thought we'd share with you some of the latest additions to the website. As you can see from the colourful 'Sophia' bag above, it isn't just pretty country florals that are transformed!

These cushions were made from the prettiest 1930s Sanderson prints - I can't decide whether I like the painterly colours of the chrysanthemums...


...or the delicate colours of the hyacinths.


Then there's this beautiful 1950s French carnations fabric; wow!


This harlequin patchwork bag is a favourite of mine, all of those beautiful 1950s rosy blooms brought together are a real treat!

Whilst we're on the subject of colour and vintage fabrics - I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the website of Squint Limited - sit back and enjoy the show!!

I'm off to rummage through some more vintage fabrics for our next batch of handmade treasures! Enjoy the rest of your week!