New Year Resolutions...getting the brushes out!

 A Happy New Year to everyone! I have been reading other blogs and see that there are many good intentions and New Year Resolutions being aired! I started this week with a frenzy of sorting, tidying and decorating.

 A long overdue project is shown here. I treated myself to a pot of Farrow and Ball cream emulsion for the walls. The tricky bit was painting up to the 1930's paper floral border which I wanted to keep.

 After 2 days of painting I had the fun part of putting everything back into the room, freshly dusted and polished. I have changed the curtains (you can just see a glimpse above) to a vintage linen pair of floral design on a black background.

 Pictures have been moved and changed around with a definite floral and garden theme dominating (oops, sorry about the reflection!)

In between waiting for layers of paint to dry I have been organising a Textile event due to take place on Saturday March 3rd in the Trull Memorial Hall. This has come about from the comments of local friends asking for something to take place in Taunton (our local town).  Details can be seen here on The Vintage Bazaar Blog. It should be a fun event with 20 stalls piled high with Textiles, Linens, trimmings, buttons & bits. Admission is 50p. Hope to see you there!?

Homestyle magazine cuttings

This images come from a collection of old magazines that date from the late 40's/early 1950's. It is interesting to see the comparison of the cosy pre - war styles and the more modern ideas that were emerging in the 1950's.

  Below -"A simple Bedroom as pretty as a garden!" - using Rosebank "Summer Sprays" fabric.

 above Rosebank Fabric - "In tune with today's furnishings". This has a lot more of a modern feel to it.

 Traditional florals in the bedroom (above) verses "Essentially simple/contemporary style" below...

Sanderson fabric is used in this scheme which has both elements of the traditional, but with some less fussy elements. The rest of the magazines include some wonderful  knitting patterns and sewing projects. I will be bringing these to the London Antique Textile Fair on Sunday the 2nd October 2011 which is being held at Chelsea Old Town Hall SW3 5EE.

The Sewing (and sorting!) Room

 This week has been a busy one (as usual). Apart from drying out the stock from yet another soggy fair, I have also been sorting out various rooms at home. This room (above) became empty after son no. 2 took the spare bed off to his new flat (!)

 Ah ha, I thought.. space for a sewing room perhaps? Somewhere to sit and price stock? To attend to preparation....

 .. and to stash stock ready for the busy run of fairs this Autumn...

 So far, so good... it isn't a big space, so I will need self-control not to turn it into "a room of doom" (a very fitting expression coined by Donna )

Love the way the sunlight pours in and the old green painted shelves work well with my favourite piece of 50's Cactus fabric! So, lots of lovely priced and sorted textiles and buttons to bring to the Vintage and Handmade Textile fair on Saturday 1st October in Chipping Sodbury!

When in Portscatho.....

Yesterday morning Mr W and I set off at an ungodly hour to drive to Cornwall. Our destination was the Memorial Hall at Portscatho on the stunning Roseland Peninsula.

 We had been invited to take part in The Homespun Fair organised by Jane, Gertie and Christine. Once we had set up the stand it was time to take a few photos of the other stands (many apologies to those whose stands I have not included, the camera was being a tad temperamental!) No doubt Sal will have some extra piccies on her blog.

 There was a definite "sea side" theme to several stands in the hall ...

 Also lots of colourful beautiful stands stacked high with delectable goodies.... which were soon pounced upon and purchased as soon as the doors opened. To be honest, I was lightly overwhelmed by the throng of smiling, friendly shoppers. So, apologies to anyone who may have thought I was rather vague at times. The 4 'o clock alarm call does really odd things to your head, and remembering familiar faces and names can be something of a challenge!

After lunch the mad rush calmed down and I was able to walk down to admire the sea, the view and the shop!

 I have waited a long time to visit this little gem. The Sea Garden is just beautiful and every surface is crammed with gorgeous-ness!

Thank you girls for inviting us to share your day, we had a lovely time. (Oh and I forgot to mention the cakes.. which were sublime..) Keep an eye here for news of the next event in Portscatho!

A slice of Interior Decoration History

Some time ago I bought this folder at a Flea Market. Inside I was delighted to find these beautiful images of interiors. The artist is Watson Charlton, there is very little information about him. I would guess these images date from the 1920's or 30's.

On each page there are close up views of the textiles to be used to create such an interior. Sadly some of the pages are damaged by water so that the colours are not as crisp as they may be.

This one (above) is described as "Bradstowe" - Hollyhock Cretonne 3/6 per yard from Messrs Skinner and Son . 46 High Street, Broadstairs.

The Oak Dining Room has curtains made from "Egmont Taffeta" at 3/11 per yard from Messrs. Williamson and Cole, 26 High Street, Clapham, London.

Probably my favourite, this green bedroom . "The coolness of the green makes this a delightful room on the sunniest day, and the gay rose colour is bright at all times". The fabric used is Green Stripe Cretonne at 2/6 per yard from Waring and Gillow in Oxford Street, London.

Sadly the picture of this bedroom has got a lot of water damage, but I felt I had to include it as it so typical of the period between the wars.

"A Vieux Rose Bedroom" using "Old Bleach Linen, an ideal material for hangings and bedspread. Its softness makes such graceful folds that the simplest curtains look charming."

Above is "Tulip" Cretonne 2/6 per yard. It is used on the sofa and curtains in The Flower Room. (below) I love the description that accompany it. "Flower paintings, beside being a delight to the eye, can  be immensely important items in the furnishing of a room"

An English Room.

 This quintessentially English room is so evocative of the 1930's don't you think?

The fabric (below) is " Autumn Garland" Cretonne 2/11 per yard

"This Cottage Style room (below) will make many a housewife whisper: That is just the cheerful type of colour scheme our room wants" 

Lastly it is suggested that "Checks" are used for the kitchen. The curtains are made from "Sunregina Loom cotton and the paintwork is painted orange yellow, while the walls and ceiling are enamelled a lighter hue".

Home Sweet Home

The past week has been good as there is only one more fair on the horizon before Christmas.

This means there is time to catch up with a bit of sewing. Shown above is the "sewing chair" where I like to sit in natural daylight. The old wooden sewing box came from my grandmother and it lined with pretty 30's floral fabric, the Lloyd loom chair from a Car Boot sale & the cushion from The Fountain Antiques Centre in Honiton.

Next came some time to tidy, dust & clean the house......nice to see the kitchen worktops for a change!

Housework is not my favourite occupation, but it does mean that you can take time to look at my favourite bits & bobs in the home.

I bought this plaster head in Lewes in the 1980's so she is a real "old friend".

An eclectic selection of bits & bobs adorn the shelves.. and my family are always complaining "that I have too much stuff"....... Do I? Really?

Then came the opportunity to sort out my winter clothes, I am rather fond of blue/green jumpers as you can see!

This oil painting of a house & garden was a recent treat. It was destined for the Dairy House but somehow found its way onto my kitchen wall.

A little more dusting required..... my growing collection of lustre ware & cider mugs. I have spotted another one in a local Antiques shop that I might have to succumb to soon if somebody else doesn't buy it.

Sadly not a very good photo of my 1940's lady. I bought her at Shepton Mallet Antiques fair some years ago.

At this point you can see that my trusty camera is not taking the best piccies in the world. Despite help & advice from "technical support" (aka eldest son) it would appear it is beyond repair. This might be my last blog posting for a few weeks until I can buy another one.... grrrrr frustration!

Anyway, I struggled on & took a few more pics, including my Lloyd Loom sofa & screen. I bought the screen in Bath Antiques market about 18 yrs ago & still adore the chubby cherubs & over-blown roses. The sofa was a more recent find in an Antiques centre.

Some "Red Regatta" 1950's china, along with my french spotty butter dish....

We are expecting friends for supper, so a wonderful opportunity to get out the whole set.

and still going with the sailing theme, an interesting old 1930's black & white photo of Cowes regatta which came from an auction. You cannot see it, but there are some suitably dressed people on the boat, he is wearing a smart blazer & peaked hat, she is elegant in her print dress and sun visor.....

That's all folks! Back to the housework & a little more sorting.... I will have this house "ship shape" by Christmas!