Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair

 This week I managed to get to the Ardingly Antiques Fair to sell on my stand. It really was a case of "Third time lucky" as in previous years my attempts to get there in January were thwarted by the weather and other disasters.
Despite the miserable grey and windy weather the customers came and were enthusiastic on the first day...
Rosie and I had similar ideas about the theme of our stands despite the inclement conditions. I had 40's beach shoes, shell necklaces and a 50's beach bag decorated with painted shells, while Rosie had this beautiful oil painting from France on her stall.

 Maud, however had a different approach to selling. She allowed her customers to delve headfirst into her van of sumptuous textiles! The weather was so windy and unpleasant that neither she or Rosie actually unpacked all the stock from their vans. They had also both got seriously stuck in the thick mud even before it was daylight.

I am afraid to say that after one day of  trying to trade in these conditions, we all decided to pack up at the end of the first day. The buffeting wind was threatening to blow the marquee away, and none of us were confident about leaving the stock there overnight and risking a second day of driving rain and more wind. BIG APOLOGIES to any of our customers who braved the elements to visit the  fair on the 2nd day..... we will return to Ardingly on Tuesday March 1st and Wednesday the 2nd hoping for kinder weather!

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".

It's cold..it's been snowing......

Woke up to this fantastic scene this morning. I know blogland will be FULL of gorgeous snowy pics..

But couldn't resist putting on the wellys and stomping out into it to take a few photos. My camera is unable to take any decent interior shots, but can pull out the stops outside!

Love this view of the church, as I was wandering around the graveyard I could hear the organ playing "once in Royal David's City". Obviously getting into practice for the carol service tomorrow evening.

Antiques Fair at Cothay Manor

Only a few days late with this posting! Last Saturday was the Antiques Fair at the unbelievably beautiful Cothay Manor in Somerset.

We didn't have a stall at the event, so had the rare luxury (for us) of being able to visit and view at our leisure.

As usual I have no inside pictures of the fair. All I can tell you is the quality of the stands was very impressive. Caroline (Fountain Antiques) had her stall in the stunning bedroom with a vaulted roof. She had piles of immaculate linens and textiles on display.

Outside the air was mild, so I was able to wander around with my camera.....

This strange fellow was on the wall just inside the gatehouse! if you want to visit this stunning 15th century medieval gem click here for the opening times.

Turn Back Time, the 1930's and 1970's High Street in Shepton Mallet

A few months ago I had a phone call asking if I could supply some vintage clothing for a unique and very special project.

 A series of television programmes were being made in Shepton Mallet which Niki  has covered from beginning to end as she was right there in the midst of all the action and activity in the town.

 I was able to dip in and out as I was asked to supply for 2 of the decades being covered. My first job was to find some 1930's clothing and hats to supply Gill (below) with items to work on or sell in her workroom (above).

Always ready  for a challenge I managed to gather a selection dresses, coats and lingerie for the researchers to use.
However I WISH they had consulted me on the toy shop as I was appalled to see this imported pink dolls house in the window! What a shame they didn't use a doll house from the 30's. It was a time when Triang toys were making the most fantastic dolls house and many survive today so it shouldn't have been hard to find one.

 I know I am a bit of a perfectionist (blame the star sign I was born under!) but that is just the way I am!

 However, I did think the attention to detail on the shop fronts and clothing that the  families wore were fantastic... Some of these photos are from Niki's blog (with permission of course) as most of the piccies I took didn't come out clearly.

On one of the days I went over to Shepton Mallet I was able to see the families close up as they enjoyed lunch before being launched into the next decade. Their clothing  was beautifully put together and attention to detail was superb. I also loved the fact that there were vintage cars dotted around the streets.

My next involvement was for the 1970's. Once again I had to supply clothing for Gill's shop (above).

I went armed with lurex dresses, hot pants, flares and maxi dresses.....

The shop was obviously a great success as a lot of my clothing sold in the week it was open and Niki tells me that it is now open as a Vintage shop. That is great news as it shows that despite being entertaining  and informative TV it has also achieved something it set out to do.... and that is to get the High Street back and to open up shops that people want to visit...

Lastly my favourite, the 70's record shop.. fantastic! Unfortunately there are unlikely to be any takers for this one. As the programme pointed out most of us nothing to play vinyl on anymore....if want a bit of nostalgia click here, or if you want to watch any of the programmes on iplayer click here.

The House That Nearly Died

This interesting notice caught my attention yesterday on arrival at Barrington Court. This stunning 16th Century Manor House was the location for a Christmas Antiques Fair organised by Chasty Cottage Fairs.

What an incredible setting for an event!

I could barely set up my stand without resisting the temptation to take some photographs. Part of my stand was within the old fireplace, fortunately I had taken plenty of lamps to light the space. At 10 am the customers started to pour in. I was kept busy until after lunch when I took the opportunity to explore and take some more piccies.

Below is the view into the courtyard with its frozen pond. There are newer parts to the house that were restored in the 1920's by the Lyle Family. The property had fallen into terrible disrepair in the previous century and was almost derelict in 1907 when the National Trust bought it.

The foggy morning gave it real atmosphere, it reminded me of a film from 2001 called The Others. It certainly could have been filmed here!

If you get the chance to visit  Barrington Court, the gardens are also something very special. Their design being influenced by Gertrude Jekyll. I certainly intend to make a special journey to see these gardens next year.

This last photograph was taken of the front of the house at about 8 am. I was struck by the similarity to a dolls house that I read about a few years ago. It was called Childs Court and can be seen here . Not only do the houses look the same. There is also the similarity that both houses were rescued and restored lovingly from a very poor state.