I like to pick up bits and pieces from boot sales like chairs and small items of furniture. My husband on the other hand often has bigger ambitions. Some months back he casually announced he had won an old hall stand on Ebay ! "Its lovely" he exclaimed. "might need a bit of work" he added. He also only bids on items that require local collection, his thinking is not so many people will bid if it is not in their location. He does have a point, he won the hall stand for £10.50. As he was working it was left to me to collect it, it's OK the seller assured me its in several pieces and will easily fit in your car ! He wasn't wrong !

Here are some photos he remembered to take before he set to work repairing the stand. We think it's either Edwardian or Victorian. Its certainly old and was in a really sorry state having been in storage or a garage for many years.

In this picture you can see the mirror in the centre panel was still in relatively good condition, just some age spots which I think add to its beauty. All the original hooks were the first thing he removed and put to one side to bring back to life later.

This is the base which also has a tray which fits in the bottom for umbrellas. Hubby removed the wooden storage box as there was a lot of damage, this has now been fixed and is waiting for him to paint. The wood was cracked and as you can see from the photo the arm on the left as you look at the photo was missing and broken (the seller did provide this piece, just wasn't attached).

The broken pieces of the left arm

more damage. Trying to educate hubby to take lots of pics from good angles before he starts renovating. Think he is getting better, at least he remembers now. Look at the dirt and yuckyness at the bottom of this piece.

It really never ceases to amaze me how talented my husband is. I am thrilled to bits with the end result. We had planned to sell this piece but, well its staying put now. Think it suits our entrance hall beautifully.