Pine makeover and an eidy...

I bought an unusual pine display cabinet with dovetail drawers the other day...the shelves on one side longer than the other for added quirkiness I suppose.

Nicely made and a nice shape with potential for an F&B paint job.

So..... a light sand and a quick test of F&B Lamp Room Gray on the bottom corner to see what it would look

like....et volia....

Three coats later and a final seal with a dirty wax glaze.

Then move into position behind the sofa temporarily and decorate with bits and pieces.

As usual I am tempted to keep everything I buy, however, I think this one will be destined for a Fair eventually as I am fast running out of space.

This pretty, feather eiderdown however is definitely on its way to a Fair this Sunday at   Carlisle

Between a single and a double size....54 ins x 64 ins with a pink background and floral bouquet detail.

A peachy pink frill edge and double heart centre.

 Nice and clean...from a good home  (hmm..... sounds like I am re-homing a dog! )

If anyone is interested beforehand it is £65 plus P&P

Julie x

Local pressed glass.......

The North East of England was a great producer of pressed glass in the 19th and 20th centuries as a cheap alternative to blown glass. Semi molten glass was poured into metal moulds, which when cooled, took up the pattern detail.
These glass plates with "Give us this day our daily bread" were made by George Davidson in the 19th century.

The tiny plate has the raised impressed Davidson lion mark which was used around 1880's....hard to see in the daisy pattern but easily felt by running a finger over the surface.
So many registered numbers and makers marks can be missed by relying solely on eye....
Always, always... feel.... good for spotting chips too!

Quite a little cutie....

As is the tiny glass chamber stick with the words "good night ".....

I had a great weekend at the Summer Fair @ Hexham......the big blue dresser sold and is now doing service in a new kitchen with a very high ceiling, the cushion collection depleted and my re-covered Georgian chairs have gone to lovely new homes.
A big thank you to all my customers.....

So, now the re-stocking for Bank Holiday Monday at New College, Durham begins...pressed glass and pretties I think....

Hope you all have a nice BH weekend.

Julie x

Dressers.....

Well, this is the old pine dresser as promised.....

Two panelled cupboards and three drawers with chunky knob handles on the bottom half and a fancy detail to the top half......

The base I know is older than the top which is often the case, but the pine colours have mellowed and they do actually look a good match.


 However, I am not a great lover of pine and have been thinking about painting it. Not a solid paint job with lots of layers.... but more of a subtle wash in an old green or blue/grey.

This inspirational collage from The Paper Mulberry got me thinking....

Bringing things slightly up to date perhaps and away from the 1980's Laura Ashley days ( which I remember so well!) of pine dressers and chintz.

I must say, it has been great for displaying my next lot of stock for sale as I price it, instead of putting it straight in a box......or in other words....."playing shops"

I will be at The Summer Fair at Hexham this weekend with my usual small pieces of furniture, cushions, fabric pictures, vintage glass and the big blue dresser too if I can get it all in the Land Rover.
I did say in my last post it was 7ft tall, however, I have re measured it and it is actually 7ft 9ins......oops, think I am going to need the trailer!

Apologies for the wonky pictures... its my dodgy photography..... not the cupboard......

Bye for now,
Julie x

Big things.....

I seem to be buying "big things" at the moment.....this cabinet was in two pieces when I saw it and naively thought it a standard size, but put together it is a towering 7ft tall and quite dramatic.

The big toile cushion on the left is my latest addition from the lovely Jo at Hesta Nesta who has been updating her website with gorgeous goodies at very reasonable prices.

A huge white bowl and two large meat plates have been added to the white china collection in the kitchen courtesy of the Fleamarket in Malvern....( for the sharp eyed amongst you, they are not my knickers jammed in the laundry room door, but an ever growing pile of white lace edge tableclothes that need soaking and washing!)

A couple of large, blue and white meat plates, both damaged......

This one is enormous, complete with a gravy well depression.....

I could just imagine it coming from a farm or large house where they had to feed a lot of people.

Someone has obviously treasured it too a long time ago, as it has been well riveted and an incredible, homemade metal contraption attached to hang it on the wall.....

Quite ingenious.....

Can I finally say a "big" thank you to those who take the time to leave comments and to my new followers.
I am terribly guilty of not replying individually, so big apologies!
Off to look at a "big" old pine dresser this morning that might be ideal for my new plates...will keep you posted.
Hope you all have an enjoyable week,
Julie x

Herefordshire holiday......

Back home now from a restful stay in a lovely  converted barn  with beams, coir flooring, hand painted kitchen and limestone bathrooms....Orchard Barn, Eardisley, just outside the village of Almeley, Herefordshire.
A beautiful conversion.....and we were Stephen and Andrea's first guests!

Doors opening onto the large garden from every room made sitting out in the evening extremely pleasant, especially when accompanied by Andrea's pretty selection of hens.

An ideal base for visiting some National Trust properties....I think Lower Brockhampton has to be one of my favourites....I just love the fairytale, timber framed building.

With a well stocked moat...

Some unusual trees....am I right in thinking this is a medlar?

Weathered timber everywhere.....

Even the fence was wobbly like the house.....

An obligatory visit to  Baileys  for a few purchases and refreshments in their courtyard....

And a busman's holiday to the Fleamarket at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire.

A glorious day weather wise and lots of sellers....

 I even managed to buy surprisingly well.... this stand with interesting things at sensible prices took most of my money.

The drive back home yesterday involved a slight detour to Ludlow for a visit to The Wearhouse,

For some gorgeous"decorative" eye candy....

And finally,   Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire  for more "timber"eye candy....

Now all I have to do is sort out my new found stock for Sunday at Penrith and Tuesday at Hexham....along with the holiday washing and the removal of millions of flies from the front of the car.....where do they come from?

Back soon,
Julie x