Tag: magazine

Pick of the Pads: So Last Century!

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Mid century modern decorated sitting room

This fabulous house appeared in a recent edition of Stella Magazine.

'So Last Century' article in Stella Magazine from 29 March 2015

It’s the Marseilles home of Virginie & Jean-Baptiste Moutte, co-owners of vintage furniture store, Relax Factory.

Cover of Stella Magazine from 29 March 2015

As you’d expect from mid century modern dealers, their home is brimming with beautiful pieces from the era.

Armchair in a mid century modern decorated sitting room

We love their use of bright, primary colours which does indeed put you in a cheery, holiday kind of mood.

Kitchen in a mid century modern decorated sitting room

 It’s done supremely well – well judged and not at all gaudy.

Yellow bedroom in a mid century modern decorated sitting room

There are eye-catching feature walls, textiles & artwork – or, as in the case of the dining space below, bold chair covers to lift the more muted, natural tones of the room.

Dining table in a mid century modern decorated sitting room

With all the wonderful furniture, lighting and vintage accessories on view, the house could work as a staged shop display, but it manages to look very lived in and homely too – a little gem!

Sign of the Times

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pile of original Sunday Times magazines from 1966

We bought a batch of vintage 1960s Sunday Times magazines the other day. The word ‘sixties’ just trips off the tongue like it was yesterday, but it’s half a century ago now! These magazines are like time capsules from the era.

Original Sunday Times magazine cover from 1966 featuring white stockinged legs and shoes

Some have wonderful covers such as this one with skirt length predictions.

photograph of G.F. Trumper Hairdressing shop from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

There are some really interesting articles…

photograph of people at the seaside in summer from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

…and great photography from the likes of Eve Arnold, Robert Freson, Lord Snowdon, Ernest Cole, Peter Laurie, Donald McCullin, Duffy, David Montgomery, Ray Green, Constantine Manos, Horst Baumann & Maxwell Boyd to name just a few.

photograph of under 23 fashion contest finalists from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

There are features on fashion and food…

photograph accompanying a feature on soul food from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

…and, as is often the case in magazines from this period, some eye-catching ads that would be good enough to frame in themselves.

Pakistan International Airlines ad from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

Throw in some wonderful illustrations, drawings & cartoons – and you have a really great read, wonderful source material and archive.

illustration accompanying a feature on spices from an original Sunday Times magazine from 1966

We’ve just listed them all individually on eBay – quite a mammoth session! There are a few photographs and a brief description for each edition. Here’s the link if your interested in taking a closer look.

Vintage Vogue

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Vintage Vogue magazine cover from February 1962

We bought a pile of vintage Ideal Home magazines recently. We were delighted with them in their own right, but in amongst them was a lovely copy of Vogue which was a real bonus.

Model wearing green Capri pants in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

It dates from February 1962 – and priced at 2’6!

Patent in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

These vintage Vogues are very collectable and it’s easy to see why.

Line drawings of hairstyles in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

The fashion is obviously the real draw – gorgeous clothes, shoes, jewellery, hair & make up from the era.

Kanyana fabric ad in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

Looks which still look very current over 40 years later!

Model with red top and lips and dusky eye make up in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

Model wearing a blue dress and hat in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

There are other great features – the fabulous new mini in its early years of production…

Mini car ad in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

…and introducing pasta – now arriving on UK shores!

Pasta article in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

There are some genius illustrations too – the header for Vogue Travel is good enough to frame.

Travel in Vogue guide in Vogue Magazine, February 1962

These vintage magazines really are a great read – snap them up if you see them… and take a second look in that dusty pile of National Geographics in the corner of the charity shop – there might be a vintage Vogue lurking halfway down!

Pick of the Pads: Country Contemporary

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'Country Contemporary' article in the October 2014 issue of Country Living Magazine

We’ve chosen the wonderful Italian home of Marco & Francesca Constanzi for this month’s Pick of the Pads.

cover of the October 2014 issue of Country Living Magazine

It’s featured in the October 2014 edition of Country Living magazine.

stone patio

It’s a renovated lamia, a traditional stone-built building originally constructed to provide shelter for livestock. The couple have a wonderful tale to tell when it comes to finding the property. They were driving through the beautiful countryside of the Puglia region looking for the perfect retreat when they crashed (literally) into a local farmer – well, he crashed into them more accurately. They got chatting (as you do when you crash into someone) and he offered to show them properties that were for sale in the local area – all those hidden gems. Whilst they were looking, they came across the run down lamia – how about that for fate, destiny, divine intervention?

white-washed mezzanine floor

It was the perfect opportunity – a beautiful structure set in a truly idyllic location amongst the olive groves.

white-washed bedroom with star-shaped light fixture abouve the bed

We think you’ll agree that they’ve done a stunning restoration – Marco being an architect helps!! They reduced the thickness of the walls which were originally a metre wide – this provided enough space for one large central room with mezzanine, a bathroom and a kitchen. Obviously, with the climate of southern Italy to enjoy, there’s also the option of lots of al fresco living too.

stone patio

It’s stunning in its pared back simplicity, the beauty & integrity of the building shines through – the muted, natural colours are gorgeous – and the restraint shown by Marco & Francesco is amazing; the spaces being simply decorated with country furniture, vintage rustic finds & foraged keepsakes…

mosaic image with candle-lit rooms

…a few cushions & textiles here and there to soften the hard edges – a simple log fire, candles or fairy lights to warm it up.

rustic wooden kitchen countertop

The renovation has been sensitive to the original building, yet enhanced it – creating something magical. We just love it!! And of course, we’ll be heading off to the Lake District sometime soon to see if we can crash into a local farmer!

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