Here’s something for all you vintage industrial or shabby chic fans. We think this old decorator’s work table is gorgeous.

It dates from the 1920s/30s era, and as you can see, it once belonged to J.Sergeant from Tardy Gate which is (or was) a small settlement in the South Ribble area of Lancashire. It’s now been somewhat consumed by Preston & its suburbs, but was once a farming community. Great place name isn’t it?

The trestle table has a hinged plank top & folding base for ease of transport & storage. We’ve been told that Mr Sergeant actually travelled around by bike!

It’s not a fine piece of antique furniture, but we love everything about this object – the design, the lettering, the colour, the wear & tear, its original function and the fact that it can be re-used today. We could see it in a craft room, studio, office or even kitchen – it would also make the perfect display table for a shop or market stall.

We bought something of a similar ilk just recently. These vintage step ladders might also have belonged to a decorator – or a shop maybe. Again they have their original lettering – don’t you just love that stylised ‘S’?

We have a friend whose surname is Sutcliffe (hello Rebecca if you’re reading this!) who snapped them up when she saw them – how could you not? They can still be used for their original purpose – but you can also use them for displays, plant pots, hanging clothes or towels – and we saw some recently bedecked with Christmas baubles which looked great.