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

    

 

 

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
 

   

Kaffee Fassett - A Life in Colour

I love sewing, knitting and needle point, but unfortunately my enthusiasm far outweighs my skills! If only I was as talented as the knitwear and textile designer Kaffe Fassett…!

He is currently exhibiting his mesmerising creations at the Fashion Textile museum,Bermondsey.

 

The rooms are an explosion of colour with installations displaying vibrant quilts, paintings, throws, sumptuous needlepoint cushions and chairs, bold knitwear and an eclectic collection of beautifully designed items. I've been inspired to start making a patchwork quilt…

 

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!

 

 

 



The Vintage Home Show, Chiswick

The venue for this show was ideal; the lovely Chiswick Town Hall which is a listed building with ornate stained glass windows, overlooking Turnham Green. Considering it was a Sunday morning, the traders were lively and there was a nice atmosphere in the air....there was even a vintage tea room serving refreshments in old tea sets!

There was a refreshingly different selection of stallholders from similar fairs that I have been to recently. I really liked the presence of old glass, vintage textiles, pottery and several robust typewriters! I came away with a tea-cup and saucer!

There was a £4 entry fee to this show - something I am never keen on - being charged to shop! Perhaps this could have been reduced to £2. How ever the prices inside were reasonable. Future shows planned in Manchester and Birmingham. For a full calendar, please see www.vintagehomeshow.co.uk 

 

Upcycled vintage foot stool

BEFORE!
How the footstool started life; dull, dated tapestry print fabric and boring handles!
 

AFTER!
Recycled using vintage fabric, old trimming, left-over paint and spare kitchen cupboard door knobs



DURING!
Painting, replacing the knobs, pinning and securing the fabric, adding trimming

Before and after end view with magazine rack

Before and after side views

Before and after end views

Before and after drawer knobs 

Before and after fabric

FINISHED!

"Granny" cushions!

I had old sofa covers that once belonged to my granny. I thought it would be a nice idea to recycle the fabric and make a cushion for each of her grandchildren. Cutting up and ironing...

I loved the wild rose print and the deep colours (although some parts were very faded with age and years of sunlight) The linen fabric was easy to sew and perfect for cushion covers.I inserted a hidden zip.

The first finished cushion..just 5 more to go!

3 more to go...

Finished and being closely guarded by OT!

I added a home-made gift tag to each cushion, upcycling those wee ribbon hanging hoops you find in clothes that always seem to poke out. I always cut them off and pop in my ribbon jar!

Each cushion was wrapped in 2 shades of tissue paper, then brown paper, then posted!

"Granny" cushions!