Archive for the ‘around the house’ Category

Kerb Appeal!

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

"Curb Appeal!" blog post banner

pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath prepared for planting

Way back in March we decided to plant up an old tin bath that was in the back garden just taking up space and the front of the house was in need of a bit more kerb appeal.

pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath just planted with rosemary and lavender

We already had two dolly tubs planted up outside the front door and we thought that the long bath would look prefect between them, under the window. We decided that the grey of the galvanised planters would really complement the silvery green of plants like lavender and rosemary.

pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath with rosemary and lavender being grown in them

Here they are in late summer – over a foot tall, in full flower, with the Virginia creeper either side turning that beautiful crimson! How do you think it looks?

Our next project will involve reinstating the iron railings that once enclosed the front of the house. This will provide a contained, private space for lots more containers then!

Star buy!

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

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vintage Seth Thomas starburst clock

This wonderful vintage starburst clock was our ‘star buy’ at yesterday’s auction.

Also referred to as sunburst clocks, this one has a brushed metal face with a radial pattern of wooden star/sun rays.

vintage Seth Thomas starburst clock

Produced by the very good maker Seth Thomas in the 1960s, it wasn’t cheap – but it’s a great example. The condition is superb and it’s keeping perfect time.

vintage Seth Thomas starburst clock on our bedroom wall

The clock seems very happy in our bedroom. We know we shouldn’t be keeping shop stock, but it won’t do any harm to look at it for a while.

The modern, stylised shape and brushed metal is softened by the warm wood, providing a great link between old & new when going for that eclectic look.

vintage Metamec starburst clock

We already have an example of this type of clock in our top floor lounge/bedroom.

detail of vintage Metamec starburst clock

It dates from the same period, but this one is made by Metamec.

vintage Metamec starburst clock on our upstairs lounge stone wall

This one was also bought as shop stock – two years ago!!

Sounds of the 60s

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

"Sounds og the 60s" blog post banner

vintage 1960s Garrard radiogram in teak cabinet

On the same day we bought our vintage Anglepoise lamp, we bought this fabulous 1960s radiogram.

vintage 1960s Garrard radiogram in teak cabinet with lid up showing record player

We’d actually  been on the look out for an amplifier to go with a record deck we had – but suddenly, as bidding was about to stop at £30, we couldn’t resist this beauty!

detail from vintage 1960s Garrard radiogram in teak cabinet showing push button controls

It’s a Garrard Dynatron – radio, record player and speakers – housed in a teak cabinet.

vintage 1960s Garrard radiogram in teak cabinet

Not only does will it provide music in  lounge – we think it’s a great looking piece of furniture. Streamlined & good proportions, it fits the space exactly – the teak is a lovely warm colour too.

vintage Garrard radiogram showing soft close lid vintage Garrard radiogram showing soft close lid vintage Garrard radiogram showing soft close lid

Justin was very impressed with this particular feature… the slow, soft-close lid – no danger of records jumping.

vintage 1960s Garrard radiogram in teak cabinet

And most importantly – it sounds good too!

Take a seat!

Friday, August 13th, 2010

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vintage leatherette Art Deco 3-piece suite

We’re super-pleased with this purchase we made on Thursday. We’ve been on the hunt for a club chair for some time…

vintage leatherette Art Deco 3-piece suite

…then not only did we get a club chair, we got two club chairs… and a matching 2-seater sofa!!

It’s an original 1930s Art Deco suite, re-upholstered in the 1960s in a tan leatherette. Fantastic shape, comfortable with lovely stud detailing.

And a little extra… the lady who sold it says it was re-covered in the same leatherette as was used for Concorde. We’re trying to track down some old photos from the plane or Concorde airport lounge interior.

vintage leatherette Art Deco 3-piece suite

Fudge approves – and has made himself very much at home!

vintage leatherette Art Deco 3-piece suite

It’s found a home in our top floor bedroom/lounge. We spent the entire day re-arranging everything to accommodate it.

vintage leatherette Art Deco 3-piece suite

It was worth it though… there’ll be many books read in these chairs…  cups of tea /glasses of wine drunk, crackling fires watched.  We love it already!

Potato masher… we think!

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

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We often feature mid-twentieth century items in our blogs, but we also have a real passion for old country furniture.

We picked up this wonderful piece of rustic kitchenalia – we think it’s an antique potato masher.

Perhaps Irish in origin, although we’re not sure at this stage… a bit more research is required.  It’s a very unusual piece.

BLOG UPDATE: 22nd  June.  We now think that the object in question is actually a cheese press. The wet cheese, contained within a cloth is pressed by the wooden block, the excess liquid draining through the holes. We’re still not sure about the country of origin. British/Irish is still likely, although continental Europe is a possibility – and we were also sent pictures of a very similarly designed piece which was in a U.S. auction of farm machinery. (Thanks to Erik Schepers).

If you like cottage interiors or country furniture, these books are well worth a look:


Irish Country Furniture (Amazon UK)

Irish Country Furniture (Amazon US)


English Cottage Interiors (Amazon UK)
English Country Furniture (Amazon UK)
English Cottage Interiors (Amazon US)
English Country Furniture (Amazon US)