DIY white stool makeover

Although I no longer paint or renovate furniture for a living, I still enjoy an occasional project.  When I saw two badly decoupaged wooden stools in a local Devon charity shop I knew they would be a quick and easy DIY painting project.

Cabbages and Roses

I've lusted over the Cabbages and Roses brand for many years, it always seems

Wardrobe to Armoire

Last year hubby and I made a long trip to North Devon to collect two wardrobes I won on Ebay (that is another story in itself).  When I laid eyes on this one I knew instantly I wouldn't be selling it.  It was perfect for us to transform into the French style Armoire with chicken wire I had been coverting for some years.

I think it turned out pretty well.

I gave hubby the job of taking the door panel out and putting in the chicken wire. 

Huge drawer at the bottom for storing all sorts of useful bits and pieces.  Sorry couldn't take a pic of it open as it is full of unattractive bits and can't possibly photograph them on om blog !

Hubby put two large shelves in to give me lots of room to store my vintage china.

Unfortunately I can't find my before picture I took of the wardrobe, but here is the picture as it appeared on Ebay.  

Looking forward to filling it up with wonderful white vintage finds. 

Busy, busy, busy

It seems an age since I last blogged.  It's a combination of things, a little bit of lost mojo but mainly down to spending time concentrating on what makes the money.  I also have a few exciting projects in the pipeline, including a new combined online shop and blog, renting shared space in TWO new local Vintage shops and more.  So life is pretty busy at the moment.

My reloved furniture is being really well received, selling most pieces as I put them up for sale either on facebook or at Topsham each Friday. 

Here are a selction of recently completed items, hope you like them.

The Berkeley Stool

Two customer orders - works in progress

The butler shelf unit

Mirror, Mirror

The Lexy side table

I miss my flowers

One of the things I miss most around my home is all the flowers I used to buy when we were "living the dream" .  After the bubble burst one of the first things I had to give up was the extravagance of buying flowers.  I was spending about £50 a month on them, obviously when times are tough this was first to go, along with trips to the hairdresser, new clothes etc.

Since moving to this house with its established garden I wait for this beautiful  Weigela to flower and my goodness it never disappoints me.  It only stays around for a short while so I make the very most of its beautiful blooms.

Some Kitchen pics

I am duplicating this post from my All About The Boys Blog  as it shows how my kitchen looks now.  A detailed post on the before and after will come soon. 

I still think they sent me the email by mistake and will at any minute realise and withdraw the invitation.  Those who know me will know that cooking is not my *cough* strong point or rather something  I can, but prefer not to do.  I blame years of being waited on in the Army Mess.

Anyway until I'm thrown out of this exclusive and rather imposing club I will continue to masquarade as someone who cooks and reveal my kitchen as requested.

Can you spot whats missing ?

There it is !  The essential cooker and hob.  Apologies for the microwave, we really don't use it that often .  If you look closely you might spot the Marie Claire cookery books ontop of it, never use them, just bought them because they have pretty cover pictures that match the colour of my kitchen.   The sign on the wall ?  Says it all really : Coffee, Tea or ME !

I love vintage and thrifted household items.  Here are a selection I have out on display.   You can follow the progress of the renovation of our home on this blog with a post on before and after transformation coming soon.


So there you go.  My kitchen. Take a minute to pop over and like the WORLDFOODS fusion of flavours facebook page and you will also be able to follow us as we cook (or attempt to) our way to Asian cooking heaven !

Romantic Picnic time - Magpie Monday

The twins and I have been away for the week in Cheshire staying with Grandma but this didn't stop me having a little browse around an amazing Antiques Emporium up there.  Most of the items although fab, were priced out of my comfort zone so I only picked up a cup and saucer for £2 and a set of 3 plates for £2 (will post them at a later date) .  Back home and up early on Saturday as I had a mountain of customer orders to post and no food in the house.  (well can't expect hubby and No1 son to shop, clean etc for themselves when I am away)  !  I had the perfect excuse to "have a little look" in my favourite shop after the post office.

I must say I am finding less and less these days on my trips but I did find these pieces which follow a bit of a blue theme and make a lovely selection to include on romantic picnic for two. Hubby and I  don't get much "us" time these days and we both miss and need it.  So I dream if ever there was a chance for us to get away from it all,  I imagine us sat under a weeping willow tree, by a river, sipping wine and eating strawberries.......

Blue Celeste Meakin plates set of four  for £1

Blue pressed glass Cake stand ( used as a plate for the strawberries) £1.50

Two pretty pale blue candle votives for £1

Pretty Bluebells picked from the garden and popped in an old bottle. Simple, stunning and free.

and the song we would play .......

linking up to Magpie Monday  pop over and take a look at all the other great finds.