We’re known for vintage here at H is for Home…
…but we also like to stock a smattering of new items too.
Things that we think sit well – contemporary products with a vintage or folk art feel.
We look for a handmade aspect too. These are a few examples – all currently available on our website.
We live in Todmorden – and run our website from here too.
It’s a small market town in the Pennine hills on the border between Lancashire & Yorkshire. The market is one of its major assets.
Thursday is flea market day, with a mix of regular traders & one off stall holders having a clear out or raising money for charity.
We try to get there most weeks, trawling stalls for potential H is for Home stock. We’ve picked up all manner of things over the years – from 200 year old chairs to 1960s lamps.
Some traders know what we like now and draw our attention to things they’ve got or will soon be getting hold of.
After the secondhand stalls have been scoured, there’s a great place to stop for coffee – it has an unbelievable choice of teas & coffees all on display on their shelves… with homemade cakes and doughnuts to boot!
Also on the inside market are a florist, greengrocer, cheese stall, biscuit seller, haberdasher, butchers, bakers, but alas, no candlestick maker! Having said that, there’s Dawson’s – a great, traditional hardware stall that never fails to have that little brush or screw that no one else seems to stock. They, no doubt, have candlesticks… and the candles that go in them too!
The market has at least 4 different butchers – everyone has their own regular or favourite. Ours is Paul Standsfield whose stall greets you as you enter through the main doors. He is Fudge’s firm favourite too as he’ll always throw in a big, tasty beef or venison bone for him.
On other days of the week, the outside market has the usual range of food, clothing and homeware stalls.
Special mention has to go to Alexander Gourmet Med, a Mediterranean food specialist who’s usually there on a Saturday. The owner is extremely passionate & knowledgeable about everything he sells. He knows where it was made, which family made it, the methods they used and what makes it unique. We buy great olives & other antipasti, honey, chocolate, coffee, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. He’s an endless source of birthday & Christmas presents!
We hope you get the chance to visit one day!
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What makes that perfect coffee break?
Well designed machines to make it in…
Striking pots to serve it in…
Beautiful cups to drink it from…
And not forgetting… cosies to keep it warm!
Coffee time @ H is for Home
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Geoffrey Baxter joined James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) in 1954 where he initially worked as Assistant Designer to William Wilson.
Baxter’s contemporary work soon began to filter into the Whitefriars output.
Scandinavian design was a strong influence during the 1950s & 60s, but under the direction of Baxter, an individual, strong, distinctive look evolved for Whitefriars and British glass in general.
New shapes, colours and textures were developed.
The main photograph above shows pieces from the textured range first produced in 1967. Actual tree bark was used in the moulds!
We have this piece known as a nail head vase in the tangerine colour way – along with other Whitefriars items – available for sale at H is for Home.
They look fantastic in groupings or as stand alone pieces.
They provide that initial flash of colour, but also give a wonderfully tactile experience on closer inspection.
To find out more about Geoffrey Baxter and Whitefriars Glass this book is invaluable:
Whitefriars Glass, The Art of James Powell & Sons (from Amazon.com)
Whitefriars Glass, The Art of James Powell & Sons (from Amazon.co.uk)
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Where were we with our nature-influenced design blogs? We’ve been slightly sidetracked with the opening of our new shop.
Details of a vintage 1960s/70s calorific value tea towel
We’ve previously looked at fish, birds, flowers and leaves – today it’s the turn of fruit & vegetables.
‘Eden’ design by Meakin & Figgjo Flint butter dish
1950s strawberry bowl
They’ve been used as inspiration in artwork, illustration, decorative objects and unsurprisingly kitchen and dining wares.
Hornsea Pottery & Goebel Pottery
Pair of Arabia preserve pots
Apples have always proved a very popular decorative subject, particularly strong during the 1960s & 70s it seems.
We love this glass apple designed by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors in 1955
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love – Song of Solomon, 2:5, King James bible.
Cookbook illustrations from the 1950s are a firm favourite of ours.
And obviously you’ll need something to put all this fruit & veg in!!
These are two nice recent finds – a 1960s globe cane fruit basket and a 1950s Rye Pottery fruit dish.
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