Salvaged lamp stand make-over

I recently found an old lamp stand dumped on the side of a road. I rewired and painted it.

As there was no shade, I decided to make one using 1950's style fabric

Before and after

    

 

 

Johnsons Island

Johnsons Island is one of London's hidden secrets! It opens it's doors to the public only twice a year. I visited over the summer and felt as if I'd stepped into a magical world!

Accessed by a footbridge off Catherine Bridge Rd, it is located on the Grand Union Canal in Brentford.

It is home to a small community of talented artists working in an eclectic collection of cosy....

...and creative huts!

This regal "Grey heron" wire drawing by sculptor Dianne Preston flew back home with me....and..

...if there was enough room in my lily pad, this handsome chap would have also come home with me! 

Although I loved all the huts and the different art works, I had a soft spot for Dianne Prestons birds. She actually lives on a narrow boat on the canal, where the birds inspire her work. For a list of all artists and details of future open days, please visit the website 

Skip-diving!

Take a seat....

....it all started with a loud noise outside which seemed to be attracting Blue-Belles attention.....

..on closer inspection, it materialised that a skip had just been delivered to a neighbours house....

...the skip started to fill up until I couldn't resist any longer! I strolled over and asked the owner if I may have a quick rummage! To my delight, it turned into a very fruitful rummage.....

....I sourced these two elegant chairs, completely free!

 

Salvo Fair 2013 - Knebworth House

Salvo 2013 took place at Knebworth House. The grounds were taken over by magnificent dogs, architectural salvage, reclaimed building materials, antiques, retro items, garden ornaments and quirky pieces!

Authentic post boxes restored to their former glory and a hymn board salvaged from a demolished church (which will now become my "photo display" board!) I bought the board from "Antique Church Furnishings", who specialise in religious artefacts and furnishings.

Ornate antique bathroom fittings reclaimed from houses in France



Original stained glass doors and windows made from salvaged glass

Fixtures and fittings to create a vintage office!

Industrial light fittings and shades and Singer sewing machine table legs - probably from an old factory. 



Wonderful! An old Belfast sink unit, splattered with years of paint, from an art studio!

   



I love architectural drawings filing cabinets & shoe lasts made into coat hooks!

 

    

Loved it!

For further details about future Salvo fairs, please click here to see their website.

"Gods Own Junkyard"; a slice of neon salvage heaven!

I've always found coloured neon very seductive! Inspired by artists such as Tracey Emin and Chris Bracey, I've harboured a desire to have a light installation in my lily pad!

Hidden behind an old door in Walthamstow, in what was once a used car sales room, is the most magical grotto, stacked to the rafters with neon artworks, created by Chris Bracey; Gods Own Junkyard!

The pieces have either been made from old objects, are salvaged signs or vintage neons and props rescued from films and photo shoots that Chris has created during his career as a light artist. 

  

Salvaged fairground & circus lighting.

Outside is the "Yard", piled high with more old movie and advertising props...

..including giant champagne bottles used in an Agent Provocateur campaign...

"Byzantium" film neon sign has just been returned to the yard after the UK premiere

Not the usual barmaid....

More architectural signage - repaired and resurrected

Chris Bracey has been making signs for 37 years and was taught by his father how to make them. They started their careers supplying most of the signage to Soho sex shops!

I love the neon on salvaged wood and the huge retro bulbs.

A slice of salvage heaven! Now time for me to plan what neon I'd like .... 

Gods Own Junkyard is open on Fridays and Saturdays 10.30-16.00.
96 Vallentins Road, Walthamstow, London E17 

 

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!