Soho Flea Market 2013

This was the second annual Soho Flea Market, held on Dean Street, London. A delightful collection of about 30 stalls selling crafts, upcycled paraphernalia, jewellery, stationery, ceramics (Melody Rose) and fashion. Home made treats served by Meringue Girls and their pink flamingos, eco friendly lampshades (The Baobab Tree), lush chairs (Velvet Eccentrics) and sassy shoes (Valentini Argyropoulou) 

One of my favourite stalls selling quirky china - Jimbobart!

Passionate plates and ceramics! by Melody Rose

Eco-friendly home furnishings by The Baobab Tree - really liked these simple and pretty shades!

The market supported the work of Kids Company charity. For more details about future events please see www. Cityshowcase.co.uk
 

   

Selina Lake "Pretty Pastel Style" inspired recycled drawers

I've recently been reading extracts from Selina Lakes new "Pretty Pastel Style" book. It inspired my colour theme when revamping some old drawers that had grown tired and dull. I hoard paint! I mixed a very bright pink with white until I created a pastel shade.

"BEFORE" The dull drawers!

I needed some extra storage in my kitchen, but am limited for space, so wanted one tall unit. I planned to stack 2 units on top of each other, so first had to remove the legs off each unit.

I've always wanted a wardrobe with "fabric curtains on the doors" like an old French armoire! Until I have one though, I thought I'd experiment on a smaller scale on my drawers! I hammered out the plastic drawer fronts, ready to hang some fabric there instead! 

With plastic fronts bashed out of the unit, I applied the first of several coats of paint.

 

Making "mini" curtains for the drawer fronts using vintage-y looking floral fabric!

Fabric inserted into the drawers!

Finished! Complete with pastel bread bin!

AFTER! I stacked the drawers on top of drawers I'd re-worked last year!

 

 

 



Beautifying my Bathroom cupboard!

Before and after!
I recently had a large bathroom cupboard built....practical but not very pretty!
I gave it a mini make-over to "beautify" it, using a vintage rose door handle and left over wallpaper!



 

Colour Makes People Happy!

These 60 clogs displaying paint colours are hanging inside the nicest paint shop I've ever been in!

"Colour Makes People HAPPY!" is a magical venue located in East Dulwich selling Dutch paints created by the owner Simon March
 

...each paint has a cheeky name.....
 ....and comical and quirky description:

The brand of paint is called Siecle and has its own manifesto!

Paint parties are also run from the venue; including clog painting and artworks created using this huge picture painting device built by Simon! I'd love a go!

 I love individual and independent shops like this and wish the high street was full of them!
 

 

 

 

Vestry House Museum

This grade II listed building lies at the heart of the delightful Walthamstow village, built in 1730

It's original function was as a workhouse for upto 30 paupers. The caveat above the door is moving: "If any would not work, neither should he eat" 

A garden has recently been added to the back of the building displaying plants known to be grown there by the workhouse inmates in the 18th century

Before the police,  a "Watch" operated from the house.The outline of the "Cage", which housed prisoners overnight, can still be seen on the side of the building. Later the police inhabited the building for 30 years and you can enter one of the original cells!

Upstairs, you can explore life during past and present Waltham Forest through fascinating displays on domestic life, local history, fashion, toys and games. The collection of washing paraphenelia includes the "dolly" that was used before wshing machines existed

Tongs to create frills on clothes

A speecial iron for collars

I'd only seen trivets for pans before - but they existed for irons too!

A candle box

A collection of humorous postcards capturing the hard lives of servants

There is a reconstructed 1940s room in the house. This wedding dress is 70 years old and was made on the sewing machine during the black-out

3 brides wore the dress which was made out of material bought from the local market with clothing coupons

Girls in the workhouse were taught to sew from an early age

A garment sewn by a young girl

A collection of tea caddies, cheese jars (including one from my favourite cheese shop, Paxton & Whitfield!) and bottles

A reconstruction of a Victorian parlour

This is a delightful museum - a hidden gem in the middle of Walthamstow village!

Lace wallpaper!

I recently found an antique lace tablecloth at a local yard sale. I washed and ironed it and then hung it on my wall to give the illusion of "lace wallpaper"!

Bush Theatre

I saw a wonderful play this week-end: Chalet Lines, by Lee Mattinson.
An added bonus was that it was being performed in the Bush Theatre which has recently moved into the former Shepherds Bush library. A modern twist of green neon above the entrance gives a taste of what's to come.

The foyer is home to a friendly bar, leading into a reading room/café with book shelves piled high with play texts and gorgeous hardback "coffee table books", perfect for browsing through whilst enjoying a pre-theatre meal or cosy drink. During Chalet Lines, the room was decked out with garlands of multi-colored bulbs, echoing the Butlins chalet set! There was a lovely atmosphere in the room.

When transforming the library in to a theatre, the builders removed the foundation stone of the library and unearthed a time capsule. It included a copy of the West London Observer and Advertiser, dated 1895 and a hand written note by the library commissioner. The papers contained adverts, including a cure for drunkenness and The Bush hotel. The Bush has buried their own capsule.

The 140 seater theatre is a versatile space and much of the interior was recycled or home made from materials found on site. I loved the lob-sided set for Chalet Lines.

Theatrical loos: papered with old pages from different plays!

WWW.BUSHTHEATRE.CO.UK

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The surreal world of M&Ms!

M&M World, selling confectionery and merchandise, is housed over 4 floors in Leicester Square. It is huge, very bright, lit by neon/spot lights and decorated in harsh primary colours. Although it seemed like a cross between Disney land and a petrol station shop, there was something about the concept that drew me in to the cavernous space and endeared me to the M&M life size characters, especially the green dame! (Although they looked asthough they were trying to escape!)

I think she's heading to the exit as fast as her dinky boots will carry her!

I was struck by this surreal and bizarre environment, complete with mixing laboratory and periodic tables, yet despite all the gimmicks, it felt devoid of any atmosphere! But I guess their target market of tourists and children, will love it and happily part with their M&Money!

I did like the exterior lighting! Shame it wasn't replicated within the store

  

"Help! Get me out of here!"

 

Very sinister looking!

Trapped in these clinical dispensers, the M&Ms reminded me of pills!!

London's strangest attraction!