Webwise shopping

Made.com sofa and rugMADE.com

Online shopping continues to boom. The home & garden sector is one of the biggest growth areas. Furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, textiles, kitchen & dining ware all lend themselves perfectly to the web shopping experience.

The vast majority of people don’t employ an interior designer, but they have their own ideas, creative flair and preferences. People want their home to look unique, to stand out from the crowd, to have personality. The web enables you to create an interior that’s perfect for you.

hanging lamp from CasafinaCasafina

So, whether your moving into a new home, giving your current one a fresh look or simply adding that single special piece that you’ve had your eye on… a great place to check out is VoucherBin.

They have a range of offers and voucher codes available – high street names and online favourites such as Made.com, Cox & Cox, Casafina, Love the Design and Dotmaison can all be found there; the kind of companies that offer innovation and affordability when it comes to giving your home a design aware look.

Bedding from Cox & CoxCox & Cox

Some people love the ‘brand new’ for their homes, some love the aged character of antique, some love both. Even keen vintage fans don’t tend to fill their home exclusively with vintage homewares. They might also like the look or practicality of a brand new piece, the products of a specific new designer, a company’s ethos, a modern twist on an old classic… and so on.

Also, many people like to mix old with new – an eclectic look that has timeless style… a look that is here to stay.

Homewares available at Love the DesignLove the Design

So, if you’re browsing the internet and see the perfect thing… pause for a moment before clicking to buy… there’s the distinct possibility that the thing you’re after or something similar will appear on VoucherBin.

You’ll find voucher codes which give you discounts of up to 75% off the regular price. If you’ve got a budget to stick too – and most people have – it might just help you finish that dream space without short cuts or compromise. Check it out!

[disclosure*]

Fudge has been collared!

'Fudge has been collared!' blog post banner

orange dog collar and lead

We received a surprise cheque in the post last week. Not a lottery style win or anything, but a couple of hundred pounds that we weren’t expecting. So, only one thing for it – ‘save half, spend half!’. Adelle got a pair of new shoes, Justin needs some new jeans – and Fudge got a lovely new collar & lead set.

tissue-wrapped collar and lead with complimentary dog treat

They were ordered from Suzy Q based in Hove. Not on the High Street give 5% of the sale price to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Lovely attention to detail in the packaging – nice tissue paper wrapping, pretty labels and a dog treat!

personalised, engraved collar

The collars are very well made – and customised too which is included in the price. Just one word of caution – if you have a dog that pulls very hard, we have known this type of clip-in fastening to pop open suddenly. This might be an issue if your dog has an aggressive streak, runs into busy roads or heads off into the hills as soon as it gets chance!

Fudge sporting his new, orange matching collar and lead

We went for the vibrant orange – he might be ten years old, but Fudge still likes to turn heads. You can almost hear him saying, “Don’t I look handsome… not bad for an old man”. The George Clooney of the canine world!

Christmas is coming!

"Christmas is coming" blog post banner

vintage rocking horse in the Christmas decorated shop window of Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

In addition to our web shop we have an antiques centre pitch.

vintage Christmas decorated shop window of Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

Following  Bev & Tim’s efforts, it’s now looking wonderfully Christmas-y.

vintage Christmas decorated pine dresser in Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

There’s a lovely tree and other festive decorations.

Christmas tree and vintage Christmas decorated shop window in Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

The window looks fab…

vintage Christmas decorated shop window in Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

…with its selection of traditional vintage toys including board games, teddies, dolls and a gorgeous rocking horse.

vintage toys and games in Christmas decorated shop window in Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

Do pop by if you’re in the area – you may just find that perfect present!

Tin-tastic!

"Tin-tastic" blog post banner

trio of Marks & Spencer biscuit tins designed by Sanna Annukka

Marks and Spencer are selling these Christmas biscuit selections…

Marks & Spencer chocolate chunk selection biscuit tin designed by Sanna Annukka

…with gorgeous tins designed by Sanna Annuka.

Marks & Spencer Swiss biscuit collection biscuit tin designed by Sanna Annukka

Future classics with their vintage Scandinavian folk art feel.

Marks & Spencer Swiss biscuit collection biscuit tin designed by Sanna Annukka

She was responsible for this Swiss biscuit tin last Christmas – it’s currently changing hands for £15-£20… without the biscuits!

detail from a Marks & Spencer Swiss biscuit collection biscuit tin designed by Sanna Annukka showing a Swiss milk maid

We’ve bought ours early this year – they’re sure to be popular again.

detail from a Marks & Spencer chocolate chunk selection biscuit tin designed by Sanna Annukka showing alpine trees

We’ll be giving a few tins as presents – but some will have to go under our own tree!!

Marks & Spencer Scottish shortbread petticoat tails tin

They’ve also got a butter shortbread tin with a sweet little Scottie dog on the front.

detail from Marks & Spencer Scottish shortbread petticoat tails tin showing a black Scottish terrier with a red tartan collar and lead and an envelope in his mouth

We recently posted a blog featuring illustrations by Miroslav Sasek – we don’t know who designed this tin – but it also has a vintage feel is very reminiscent of his work.

detail from Marks & Spencer Scottish shortbread petticoat tails tin showing legs of two mean and a woman and small flock of pigeons

Here are the actual illustrations from the book…

illustration of a Scottish terrier from vintage book, "This is Edinburgh" by Miroslav Sasek

…published in 1961.

illustration of a Scottish terrier from vintage book, "This is Edinburgh" by Miroslav Sasek

It’s not only going to be a tin-tastic Christmas in our house – looks like it’s going to be biscuit-tastic too!