Homes And Antiques

Homes and Antiques magazine came to our home yesterday, and it was really great fun to spend the day with a team of ladies who appreciated my efforts to make it ready. They are a lovely bunch and I am so happy that my vision to re-invent this house has been noticed by my favourite magazine.

This is an extra mid-week blog to give special thanks and links to all the friends, new and old, who supported this effort. The full feature will be in the September issue, which is out in August. I'm only giving you snippets here so as not to spoil the big reveal.

flowers by Wild Orchid of Leighton Buzzard

I met Lorraine Issott (yes I know, similar surname how funny),
when I ran into her shop on Monday, she stocks the most beautiful flowers and was happy to help. Lorraines shop is in Leighton Buzzard, my favourite high street for everyday shopping. Thanks Lorraine, yours flowers made it into the photos, I hope I did an ok job arranging them.

Several items in the bathroom made the final cut, the Lavabo from Judith at Heartfelt Designs and an art deco ceiling light from Amanda Leader (not seen here). Thanks to you both for making my bathroom so unusual and pretty.

You all know my friend Poonam from Holy Cow Home, thanks for the horse hook, it completed the look in the guest bedroom.

This ball of fluff is Coco my blind cat, modelling one of the many Kantha quilts supplied by The Bohemian Beach Company. If you didn't know already, the cushions are Van Asch, honestly where have you been?

Barcelona Orange Chalk Paint on wall.

The brightly coloured cabinets are from Namaste UK. They have an online shop, lots of keenly priced Indian fairtrade goodies, delivered to your door.

Two ladies have gone above and beyond the call of duty, they are Patricia from the shop in Leighton Buzzard called Making The Best and Jane from Serendipity Reclamation. Patricia supplies products for making all kinds of things, soaps, candles, beer, and also holds workshops for Annie Sloan chalk paints. Jane has moved out of the cold draughty rec. yard and into the world of designing beautiful dressers and tables from reclaimed wood. Although neither lady normally supplies vintage fabrics, it just so happens that the fabric on this cushion and lampshade came from them, by hook or by crook. Isn't it nice to make things from your friends vintage finds.

The editor of Homes and Antiques was kind enough to notice my recent changes, she even commented on how I had styled the kitchen sink ... but of course, for Homes & Antiques, nothing is too much trouble. If you haven't seen my facebook page, theres often updates there too, it still has the title Vintage Stitches

Wooden painted cupboards

http://www.namaste-uk.com/

Vintage Kantha quilts/blankets on e-bay from this seller

https://www.facebook.com/TheBohemianBeachCompany?ref=br_tf

Paints on walls in hot vibrant colours are Annie Sloan chalk paints

At www.anniesloan.com

Enamelware and bathroom "Lavabo" from

Judith https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartfelt-Designs/402570936494533

Paints and some vintage fabric from Patricia at : Making The Best in Leighton Buzzard. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-The-Best/147225911987184

Other vintage finds from Jane at http://serendipityreclamation.com/

Indian bits and bobs from a tiny café in the woods near Berkhamsted (little Heath) called Sanuk http://sanukatlittleheath.co.uk/

Horse Hook https://www.facebook.com/HolyCowHome

Amanda Leader