• Posts Tagged ‘Vintage style’

    Autumn craft course

    by  • September 28, 2011 • Crafting • 1 Comment

    With the kids now back at school, why not learn something new for yourself and attend a craft course. One of our favourite British fabric and wallpaper designers, Lewis and Wood are holding a series of creative workshops throughout October and November, tailored to discovering a new skill such as upholstery, block printing and lampshade making. Each day course, priced from £95, includes expert tuition in Lewis & Wood’s Gloucestershire studio, a delicious lunch and refreshments.

    Lampshade making at Lewis and Wood

    Lampshade making at Lewis and Wood

    Block printing at Lewis and Wood

    Block printing at Lewis and Wood

    Read more →

    A Friday treat from Hope and Greenwood

    by  • February 11, 2011 • Crafting, Eating • 5 Comments

    This lovely book came into our office this week and I just had to share it with you. Miss Hope of the nostalgic sweet shop, Hope and Greenwood presents 50 of her favourite chocolate recipes. Beautifully photographed, each recipe looks simply delectable and I can’t wait to make something. Hooray for all things cocoa-based! Published in early March and available from all good book shops.

    Miss Hope's Chocolate Box, £12.99, Ebury Press.

    Miss Hope's Chocolate Box, £12.99, Ebury Press.

    Pink Fancies

    Pink Fancies

    Strawberry and Cream Lollies

    Strawberry and Cream Lollies

    Read more →

    Revived 1950′s wallpapers

    by  • January 7, 2011 • Crafting, Living • 6 Comments

    When this new collection from Little Greene popped in my inbox it filled me with joy, especially on a rainy day such as this! Launching this month they have collaborated with The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, home to the largest wallpaper archive in the UK. I love how they’ve taken eclectic designs from the 50′s era and applied their expert eye and use of colour resulting in a relaxed style that is really liveable today. The soft pastel palette and pretty motifs would work perfectly in a modern country home.

    Fabulous archive wallpaper prints from Little Green
    Florette Acid Drop, £38 a roll, Skirting: Pale Lime no.70 acrylic eggshell £37.50 per 2.5L; Cupboard: First Light no.49 acrylic eggshell £37.50 per 2.5L
    fabulous archive prints from Little Green wallpaper

    Herbes - Cocktail, £38 a roll

    new wallpapers little green

    Walls: Cones - Aurora, £38.00/ roll; Back of dresser: Cones - Lush £38 a roll. Paint: Skirting: Indian Sand no. 54 Acrylic Eggshell £37.50 per 2.5ltr; Chair: Orange Aurora no. 21 Acrylic Eggshell £37.50 per 2.5ltr; Cabinet: Shirting no.129 Acrylic Eggshell £37.50 per 2.5ltr

     

    Read more →

    Letterpress prints

    by  • December 8, 2010 • Crafting, Living, Out and About • 3 Comments

    Lovers of lettering and typography (or people who buy Christmas presents for them) need look no further. Aardvark is an artistic partnership based in St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, designing quirky prints with real homespun charm. They’re printed on a proper traditional letterpress in nearby Rye. Boat of Life has some great suggestions, and The Aardvark Manifesto is a good one too.

    Boat of Life letterpress print

    Aardvark manifesto letterpress print

    Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine

    Read more →

    Marks & Spencer Crochet Cool

    by  • November 19, 2010 • Crafting, Living • 5 Comments

    While the rest of the nation is settling into winter we’re enjoying a little light relief as we get stuck into our spring/summer ’11 issues. One of my favourite collections seen so far is Crochet Cool from Marks and Spencer where they’ve taken this classic technique and given it a fresh, modern makeover. Statement crochet rugs, large scale prints and crochet corsage detailing on cushions and throws all come in wonderfully vibrant colours.

     

    beautiful spring summer crochet home textiles from marks and spencer

    Fashion Vintage Floral Bed Set, £49.50; Fashion Vintage Stripe Bed Set, £49.50; Fashion Vintage Crochet Throw, £75; Home Text Cushion, £25; Modern Task Light, £29.50; Clock, £25; Tea Light Holders, £25 (set of 3).

    Beautiful crochet designs from marks and spencer spring summer collection

    Penrose Medium Sofa in Baker Chenille Amethyst, £499; Love Letters, £19.50; Multi Crochet Flower Cushion, £45; Fashion Vintage Print Cushion, £15; Ditsy Print Floral Cushion, £15; 3D Large Flower Cushion, £35; La Perla Cushion, £15; Round Button Velvet Cushion, £15; Fashion Vintage Corsage Cushion, £25.

    Read more →

    H&M launch new homeware

    by  • November 5, 2010 • Living • 1 Comment

    Fashion retailer H&M have launched a fabulous and very affordable homeware range this week. Our decorating team went to the launch party and discovered a feast of quirky and individual pieces for every room in the house! Fresh bed linens, sack cloth cushion covers, vintage-style tea towels, Christmas stockings and all with a cosy country feel! Products can be bought easily on line and here’s a sneeky preview of my Autumn/Winter favourites.

    Christmas present and gift ideas on the highstreet, latest Christmas shopping buys from Countrydays

    From left to right: Christmas sack, £14.99; Teatowel, £2.99; Cushion cover, £7.99; Textile holder, £14.99; Christmas teatowel, £2.99; Christmas stocking, £7.99.

     

     

    Read more →

    Linwood weaves

    by  • October 22, 2010 • Living • 0 Comments

    Now that the cold weather has set in I’m really drawn to this new ‘Kilim’ collection from Linwood. The rich colours and warming textures are inspired by original Kilim rugs. They have shown them off perfectly here on statement chairs and heavy draped curtains. Made from 100% natural fibres the collection includes 3 designs in a range of colourways.

    Linwood Kilim fabrics, £99.90 a metre.

    Linwood Kilim fabrics, £99.90 a metre.

    Linwood Kilim fabrics, £99.90 a metre.

    Linwood Kilim fabrics, £99.90 a metre.

     

    Read more →

    Real vintage collectibles

    by  • August 11, 2010 • Living, Out and About • 2 Comments

    A find for lovers of real vintage homeware, visuals and collectibles: Milly & Dottie‘s blog celebrates their love of the 20th-century kitsch our mothers probably remember from their childhood.

    Milly & Dottie's jolly holiday

    Right now, it’s jolly summer holiday pics and brilliant tips from old magazines that make the pair well worth a visit – and their black-and-white photo of ‘snail watching’ is utterly charming. And if you fancy a little light shopping, don’t miss their Emporium…

    Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine

    Read more →

    Bottle Green Homes

    by  • August 6, 2010 • Living • 3 Comments

    There are some lovely home accessories available from this new on-line boutique. What I like about Bottle Green Homes is everything is sourced solely from the British Isles. Each item is chosen carefully, including vintage and modern country styles. I think they have got the balance just right between beautiful and useful… enjoy browsing!

    Vintage bottles, from £12.

    Vintage bottles, from £12.

    Cushions, from £30; throws, from £55.

    Cushions, from £30; throws, from £55.

    Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine

    Read more →

    New ceramics

    by  • June 11, 2010 • Crafting, Living • 1 Comment

    Our Shopping Editor, Alice Humphrys, visited the exhibition Pulse this week to keep on top of new design talent emerging around the country. One favourite was design boutique Welovekaoru who believe in preserving the rich heritage of the British ceramic industry. They have a unique range of fine bone china and only use local artisans and craftspeople  to produce their designs. I love this modern take on an iconic classic. Perfect for afternoon tea!

    Elizabethan teapot, £60; cup and saucer, £22.

    Elizabethan teapot, £60; cup and saucer, £22.

    Read more →