Gifts and Glasses Galore!

I really don't know where the days go to at the moment! I have had so many lovely things I'd like to show you but simply haven't had the time to update my blog as often as I'd have liked! But I am pleased to show the gorgeous hand-made items I received from Alison who has a lovely blog and makes some very pretty cards and fabric hearts etc. Everything arrived wrapped so prettily with ribbon and pastel flowers - what a lovely surprise it was! Alison was so thoughtful adding the bookmark as she knows I'm currently on the look-out for a certain book!

I promised some photos of my 50s glass collection and here they are! I have quite a few and they vary from the very tiny tot glasses right up to the pint glasses for beer! This isn't all of them - there are lots more in the cupboards and dotted around the cottage!


I haven't actually counted the glasses - but I know I have more than enough for a garden party!


I'd like to thank Louise, Dorothy and Bonnie for very kindly nominating me for the Thinking Blogger Award. Thank you so very much, I am extremely flattered ladies! I know I should reciprocate and choose my five favourite blogs. However, all the wonderful blogs I visit have already received the award! If you have a look at the many listed in my side bar you will be in for a treat! Don't forget to visit Dan's Blah Blah Blog - his observations on day-to-day life are so entertaining! In fact, his current post is very timely!!!

Lastly, I hope I won't hear too many groans of protest, but here is yet another wisteria photo! The blooms are fading now so it will be the last photo, I promise - well, the last photo this year! Although the leaves are very pretty..!

More Wonderful Wisteria!

I know I've already shown you photos of the wisteria and my lane and I apologise if you are experiencing a distinct sense of deja-vu, but I just couldn't resist showing you a few more photos! The wisteria really has excelled this year and is looking quite splendid.

Along with the blossom trees in the lane, we have quite a wonderful show.

I promise to bring you some photos of my 50s glass collection very soon, but in the meantime, close your eyes and breathe in the heady scent of the wisteria blooms...

Views of my village and garden

In response to Lisa's question on my last post, when she asked if the rest of my village is as pretty as our little cottage, I thought I would share some photos with you. Sue inspired me to get adventurous and make a slide show - so I've actually put two slide shows together! The first is a collection of village photos (the SITV stands for Stanford-in-the-Vale, the name of the village, but it's so long I have had to abbreviate it for the slide show!) I intend to get out and about and take some more photos of the village soon but I hope you enjoy these in the meantime!

The next slide show is a collection of photos taken today whilst I pottered in the garden. Here are some lovely Spring flowers, including more of the wisteria! Do you like the signs? I painted the one shown in front of the flower bed many years ago and it sits outside in all weathers! The ceramic sign was created especially for us by the very talented ceramic artist Mary Rose Young. It will soon become hidden by the wisteria leaf, so I thought you should see it while you still can!

I hope you enjoy the photos!

Floral Wonders!

A big 'Thank You' to everyone who has commented on my recent blog posts - I will be catching up with you all soon! To show my appreciation I'd like to share some flowery, Summery photos with you! The wysteria is just beginning to bloom so I will capture more photos of that in the coming weeks, when it is at its best!

The above photo evokes thoughts of Summer for me! Yes, I think we are in for a glorious Summer this year! We've just been spoiled rotten with fantastic weather all over Easter and the long-range weather forecast says we've more to come!

I'd also like to share some of my many collections with you, here's a sneak preview of my 50s glasses, these will feature in my next post I think!

I hope your week is full of sunshine!

An Easter Feast of Treats and Delights (but no chocolate!)

I am so happy to see the weather improving day by day (with the odd setback of course!) and am hoping to spend some time in the garden over Easter. It has been a busy time just lately and I have neglected a few of my blogger friends - so apologies to you all - normal service will be resumed, as the saying goes!!! In the meantime, I'd like to share these delights with you - yes, I've been shopping!!!

Since opening my shop, I've had the pleasure of sending out lots of lovely vintage items to many of you (thank you so very much for your custom!) So I thought it was time I did some shopping too! First up above, are these really beautiful roses cards by Louise - aren't they wonderful? They came sweetly wrapped in ribbon with a lovely vintage postcard - perfect! Then I was 'in the right place at the right time' (sat at my computer in other words!!!) when Niki's email dropped in my mailbox. 'Yippee!' I thought, if I'm quick I'll manage to bag some of her handmade and vintage goodies before they disappear quicker than you can say 'Hot Cross Buns!' The adrenaline took hold and I felt like I was at the head of the queue at Harrod's sale time! I was lucky after all and here are my buys - a truly beautiful bedspread, and two of the prettiest pillowcases to which Niki has applied her magic sewing skills. To make it even more special, she sent me a present too, this beautiful glass! I collect this type of floral glassware but don't have one like this, so Thank You very much Niki!


I'm planning a little more shopping this weekend with a trip to a flea market or two. But before I go I'll be adding some fresh vintage items to my shop just in time for Easter, including this glorious eiderdown!



Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Buried Treasure!

A few years ago we decided to investigate what was behind a wall in our living room. My husband was convinced there was a large fireplace so, mindful of the mess involved, I reluctantly agreed to get the builders in! I am so glad we did! We found this huge inglenook fireplace, complete with original brickwork, an arched seat, hanging rods and even an old cast iron kettle, which had been buried all these years! From what we know, the fireplace was bricked up in the late Victorian years. The cottage dates back to around 1800, a time when inglenooks were generally no longer being built. Our cottage is quite tiny so it was truly amazing to find this very large inglenook. The builders removed 6 tons of rubble - all of which left via the window!

I didn't want to scare you, so I have put the 'after' photo first!

I wouldn't be without our cosy woodburner now! Logs are a great way to keep the chill out - in fact they keep you warm twice; while you are stacking and piling them and then when you burn them!

I was reading Jane's blog recently and she has also discovered an inglenook! Have you made any amazing discoveries in your home?

Childhood Days

As the promise of Spring nears and the days begin to get longer, my thoughts turn to childhood, those carefree years when time really did seem endless. Growing up in the country was wonderful; days were filled with adventure playing hide and seek in the fields and building dens in the hedgerows. I have a real fondness for the fun and colourful make-believe characters of my era, in particular the Golliwog and Noddy - two of my favourite childhood toys and stories. I was an avid reader as a child and my staple diet of Enid Blyton's wonderful books kept me enthralled for many years, including the Famous Five, Secret Seven and Mallory Towers books - think I read them all!

The photos below are original Charlotte Becker prints from the 1940s, well before my time of course! She painted beautiful soft and delicate pictures of babies and animals, so perfect for a nursery wall. These are two of my favourites, isn't that dog so cute?!


Who are your favourite childhood characters?

Picture Perfect!

Many, many years ago, before I had even heard the words 'shabby chic' or 'vintage' I fell in love with the pretty floral and distressed painted look that epitomises everything that is English country cottage. I didn't know of any good flea markets where I could find old watercolours or oil paintings, so I created my own vintage-style pictures at home! I painted and distressed the wooden frames and was inspired to frame all manner of everyday items that I thought were beautiful. The delightful floral picture above is, in fact, a paper bag! The one below is a greetings card. I found a delightful coloured mount which exactly matched the feature wall in our bedroom, and there it has hung ever since. In fact, I have had both of these pictures hanging on my walls for many years and despite having found some beautiful paintings in the years since, I still think they look lovely!


Of course, I absolutely love the roses paintings that I have managed to find over the years - this beautiful oil painting is one of my favourites!

I think it is a wonderful talent to be able to paint! One of my favourite artists is a blogger too! If you haven't seen Joanna's work then you really will be in for a treat!

The pretty picture below is an original 1950's print and has a very interesting history attached to it. These are roses gathered from the gardens of the Glaxo premises in Greenford, England and are awaiting arrangement as they lie on the reception desk of the entrance hall. The original was painted by Gayford Rix (what a brilliant name!) Each rose is named on the reverse of the print. This delightful print will be added to my shop later this week! How I wish I knew where the original painting was!

Is there anyone who can resist a painting of roses?!

Ready for Summer!

Well, we've certainly had our share of nasty weather this week! Gales, heavy rain and a cold wind! I know there has been the odd peek of sunshine too, but it's not enough! I find myself yearning for the days when I can wake in the morning and throw open the bedroom window as the sunlight streams through. I look forward to long evenings when I can leave the stable door open. How lovely to sit as the sun slowly sets, reading a book and sipping on a cool glass of wine.



It would be wonderful to breathe in the beautiful scent of my ancient rose as I tend the garden. But that is not to be just yet. So, in the meantime I hope you enjoy these photos which were taken during last Summer.

Of course, There are always these colourful, floral delights inside my home, which I surround myself with all year round!





I shall be counting the days until the clocks go forward on 25th March!

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!!!