Our ever-changing spaces

Collection of vintage Criddle's Old Fashioned Black Treacle tins | H is for Home

Today’s post is very photo orientated. We just thought that we’d share a few images of how our two ever-changing spaces are looking at the moment. We’ve had some quite serious illness in the family over the last few months – both human and canine – which really has required lots of our attention and time. We’ve managed to keep on top of the blog, but we’d be the first to admit that our internet shop has suffered a bit. We’ve relied on these ‘physical worlds’ for selling most of our stuff of late.

Shelves of vintage pagkaging and cleaning products in Picture House Antiques, Todmorden

Our original pitch still has its vintage feel. In fact, one wall looks like an old grocery store at the moment with its brushes, soap, polish and old tins!

Shelves of vintage pagkaging and cleaning products in Picture House Antiques, Todmorden

Collection of new old stock boxes of Belvoir leather and saddle soap | H is for Home

New old stock tins of Day & Martin's wax shoe polish | H is for Home

New sold stock - various vintage cleaning brushes | H is for Home

New old stock - various vintage cleaning brushes in a wicker basket | H is for Home

New old stock - vintage Fox laces | H is for Home

There’s a nice Ladderax unit to another wall. We actually had seven of these! We’ve kept one for our house and have sold five in a few weeks – this being the last one remaining. It’s not surprising, as they’re such a fabulous design. They look great with their simple, mid century modern styling – and are so flexible in terms of where you position the shelves and cupboards – they’re easy to erect or move too.

Vintage Ladderax shelving unit | H is for Home

Vintage 'We Deliver Anywhere' glass shop sign | H is for Home

Elsewhere is the usual mix of furniture, crockery, artwork, fabric, lamps and so on.

Vintage wicker hanging chair with pair of vintage cushions | H is for Home

We’ve had some interesting chairs this month such as this lovely 1960s wicker hanging model.

Stack of vintage leather luggage cases, midcentury modern desk chair and large West German vase | H is for Home

Also, this 1950s red leatherette tilt back armchair. We’ve not established the designer as yet, but it really does have the look of Ernest Race about it.

Purple & white vintage dandycord chair | H is for Home

And how about this fabulous plastic weave chair in purple? It’s in great condition and the first time we’ve had one in this colourway.

Shelf of vintage toys | H is for Home

In fact, there’s no shortage of eye-popping colour wherever you look at the moment!

Vintage black & red GPO telephone | H is for Home

Our second shop space across the road has a slightly different look. Traditional antiques rub shoulders with mid century modern. It’s a bit more edited and pieces are given a bit more space to breathe.

Pair of antique miniatures | H is for Home

We love these much earlier pieces and have objects that date from the 16th to the 19th century. They have such character and history.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

It’s not always easy mixing such divergent periods and styles, but we have a very eclectic mix in our own house – so a shop space offering the same range of items was irresistible. There’s only one thing left for the customer to do – decide what fits in their own home – and what works well together for them!

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

You’ll spy another one of those Ladderax units – a very dinky, cute little one this time (just sold). It’s currently displaying an assortment of lovely sculptural glass and the classic Cylinda Line tea set designed by Arme Jacobsen.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

And just to prove that this place really does span eras, sitting against the same wall is an oak gate-leg table dating from about 1680. Vintage industrial storage rack and printing blocks atop. Also, a very sweet 18th century oak spoon rack on the wall – and a couple of framed silhouettes which we love. They look great against dark grey walls! The original vintage TWA travel poster dates from the 1960s and was designed by David Klein.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

Here are a few more images so that you can have your own little virtual browse. Any questions, feel free to ask. And of course, if you’re ever near Todmorden – drop in!

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

Detail from an antique iron candle holder | H is for Home

Collection of vintage printers block letters

Vintage Stelton stainless steel tea set | H is for Home

Trio of vintage art glass objects | H is for Home

…and fear not internet browsers – we’re back on the case now and will be photographing & listing some lovely postable items for the web shop this week.

In the frame

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rolled up vintage Sunday Express poster

We bought these two vintage posters last week…

vintage 1960s Sunday Express bill poster illustrating 'Soccer'

detail from vintage Sunday Express newspaper stand poster illustrating 'Soccer'

…they’re news stand posters dating from the 1960s – and are quite rare survivors.

vintage Sunday Express news stand poster advertising staff writer & illustrator, Veronica Papworth

detail of vintage Sunday Express news stand poster advertising staff writer & illustrator, Veronica Papworth

The vast majority would be thrown away and replaced the following day without a thought… but someone decided to take these home.

original vintage 'Blackpool' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Blackpool' travel poster

We’re accumulating lots of vintage posters at the moment.

framed original vintage 'Westworld' film poster

detail of original vintage 'Westworld' film poster

They’re perfect for filling the walls in our antiques centre pitch.

view of the H is for Home pitch showing various framed original vintage posters

view of the H is for Home antiques centre pitch showing various original vintage posters view of the H is for Home pitch in the antiques centre showing a framed vintage original 'Whitby' travel poster

view of the H is for Home pitch in the antiques centre showing various framed original vintage posers

Travel posters, advertising and film memorabilia.

original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

We look out for bright colours and strong graphics & artwork – or favourite subjects.

detail of original vintage 'Carefree by Coach' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Carefree by Coach' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Coney Beach' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Coney Beach' travel poster

Framing is quite expensive (particularly when the item is about 6 feet tall as in the case of this Rollerball film poster!)

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

Framed vintage original 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

It’s well worth it for the end result though.

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Kes' film poster

We’re trying to be strict with ourselves, but the odd one or two have sneaked onto our walls at home – for a while at least!

vintage original 'Thomas Crown Affair' film poster

original vintage 'Barbarella' film poster

The majority will be on display and available to buy from Picture House Antiques in Todmorden.

framed original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

If any of them really take your fancy, we could look into getting them delivered.

framed original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

We’re adding to the collection all the time – we’ll try to show any new acquisitions on our Flickr pages.

Cupboard love

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detail of vintage contents of renovated 1960s wood & Formica kitchen cabinet
This vintage 1950s kitchen cupboard / kitchenette has been this week’s little renovation project.

vintage 1960s kitchen cabinet prior to renovation detail of 1960s kitchen cabinet prior to renovation

detail of top of 1960s kitchen cabinet prior to renovation

We collected it from a garage over in Wakefield and set about giving it a bit of TLC.

First of all, it got given a good wash inside & out with hot, soapy water. The original red Formica laminate was very faded and mottled, so we repainted it in a lovely vintage spearmint green colour. If you’re uncertain about what colour you want you can buy little tester pots. You can even get colours specially matched at many local DIY shops.

view of fully renovated 1960s wood & Formica kitchen cabinet when empty

We lined the shelves with a chintzy oil cloth that we bought online.

vintage 1960s wood & Formica kitchen fully renovated and stocked with vintage kitchen items and put for sale on the H is for Home pitch at Picture House Antiques in Todmorden

It’s now standing in our Picture House Antiques pitch waiting for someone to come along and give it a new home – in the meantime, it’s great for displaying our kitchenalia shop stock.

Strike a poise!

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Multicoloured collection of vintage Anglepoise lamps | H is for Home

This was an unusual buy at auction last week. A single lot, consisting of 21 vintage Anglepoise (and similar) lamps. We bought them untested – but amazingly all bar one worked perfectly!

White vintage Anglepoise lamp with Kathleen Major print in the background | H is for Home

We put some in our antiques centre pitch this morning….

Orange vintage Finnish lamp | H is for Home

…the others will be finding their way into the H is for Home shop in the coming weeks.