Pick of the Pads: Past Perfect

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White house exterior in Country Living magazine June 2014

It didn’t take much thought for our choice for Pick of the Pads this month.

Country Living June 2014 magazine cover

We’re already quite familiar with this gorgeous Welsh cottage, Bryn Eglur, owned & renovated by Dorian Bowen – and when it appeared in this month’s Country Living Magazine we just had to share it with you.

'Past Perfect' article title page from Country Living magazine June 2014

For Justin in particular, it’s a real favourite house from years of scouring interiors magazines.

'Antique dresser in Country Living magazine June 2014

The word character was probably invented for it!

'Wooden box bed in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s cosy & comfortable with perfect retreats to eat, sleep or read.

'Antique settle in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s packed full of gorgeous country antiques too. An oak dresser filled with pottery & pewter, spindle back chairs, settles and spoon racks.

'Cast iron range in Country Living magazine June 2014

Spaces are softened with textiles & fresh flowers.

'Rustic stairs in Country Living magazine June 2014

Perfect, photogenic corners everywhere you look!

'Grandfather clock in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s full of traditional charm, but there’s also no sense of it being in a museum with modern facilities such as this gorgeous kitchen.

'Whitewashed kitchen in Country Living magazine June 2014

And the best thing is… if you love it as much as we do, you can stay there!! Yes, it’s a holiday let! And for those fellow dog owners out there – your treasured pooches are welcome too.

'Whitewashed bathroom in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s one of those cottages that offers a good location to explore the area, but also provides a gorgeous home to relish every hour you spend relaxing indoors. Perfect indeed!

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Pick of the Pads: Brixton East

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"Loft Living" feature of Brixton East in the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine

We’ve chosen this fabulous factory space for this month’s Pick of the Pads. Dating from the 1870s, the building was disused & distressed when interior designer Andy Luckett bought it 18 years ago. After many years of hardship, discomfort & hard graft he’s created something very special – Brixton East.

cover of the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine

The converted factory is featured in the October edition of Homes & Antiques Magazine and now incorporates apartment, studio space & shop.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a green tiled bathroom

There are many aspects of Andy’s home that we love. It retains a homely, comfortable feel whilst looking functional & easy to live in too.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a kitchen and dining area

The original fabric of the building remains intact with big windows, exposed brickwork & beams. The spaces are now filled with character, colour & texture.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a mosaic of 4 interior décor photos

There’s no shortage of unusual, quirky pieces – but it’s very well edited and never enters the realms of being cluttered.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a vintage Esso illuminated advertising sign

It also looks like it’s evolved naturally over time with antique & vintage finds – some still serving their original purpose, others up-cycled for a new lease of life.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a vintage wooden coat rack with shoes, coat, scarf and bags

The building is available for event hire and Andy also opens a pop-up shop on the ground floor which should be of great interest to those who share his taste for the enticing antiques & vintage industrial pieces that fill his home – the next sale is in December. For details of the shop, upcoming events and more pictures of the building visit his website at www.brixtoneast.co.uk

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Ideal Home Photoshoot

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photography light illuminating vintage Kenneth Townsend "London Series" tiles and other items on a shelf

In our last post we mentioned this week’s photoshoot of our home.

photography equipment in a pile on the floor of our sitting room

Photographer, Simon Whitmore and stylist, Sally Denning arrived on Wednesday morning laden down with loads of equipment – cameras, lenses, lights, light reflectors, computers – all essential kit to produce glossy magazine-quality images.

photography light illuminating a shelf in our sitting room with a view through to our kitchen and laundry area

There were hours of arranging, discussing and reviewing images. Our blog photos take us quite a bit of time, but this is a different world!

Photographer, Simon Whitmore and stylist, Sally Denning in our kitchen discussing photos

The house feature is for Ideal Home Magazine and will be published sometime in the Autumn.