Curb Alert Tip: How Do I Get That Dresser Home?

Let's say you're walking or driving along the road and see that someone has put a great dresser or chest of drawers out on the curb for trash, or marked "free." Wow, you think - this is just the type of piece you were looking for to makeover for your (fill in the blank) family room, bedroom, etc.

BUT you don't have room in your vehicle to get it home at the time you come across it -

How I became the proud owner of five neglected wishbone chairs

I always keep my eyes and ears open on the hunt for great vintage treasures. Last week I decided to randomly type in the words 'bentwood chair' in the search box of our local Gumtree and in the listings I found something that immediately caught my eye. I contacted the owner to arrange a viewing and in his back garden I found five battered, dirty, damaged chairs - but of an unmistakable design and the leftovers of the labels on the bottom made me smile from ear to ear: here I had no less than five original Hans Wegner wishbone chairs. He got them from a house-clearing somewhere, some time. I couldn't believe my eyes - nor the price: £60 for the lot! They do need complete re-lacquering and seat replacement at some point, but for now I am the proud owner of a beautiful set of salvaged Danish designer classics.

Looking good around our beech dining table!

I added cushions...to prevent my cats from getting their claws into those vintage paper cord seats!

Some more wishbone chair love (in much more grand and stylish homes than mine ;-) ...

http://pinterest.com/pin/178595941442396649/

http://pinterest.com/pin/196751077440968595/

http://pinterest.com/pin/9570217928624774/

http://pinterest.com/pin/9570217928624774/

How I became the proud owner of five neglected wishbone chairs

I always keep my eyes and ears open on the hunt for great vintage treasures. Last week I decided to randomly type in the words 'bentwood chair' in the search box of our local Gumtree and in the listings I found something that immediately caught my eye. I contacted the owner to arrange a viewing and in his back garden I found five battered, dirty, damaged chairs - but of an unmistakable design and the leftovers of the labels on the bottom made me smile from ear to ear: here I had no less than five original Hans Wegner wishbone chairs. He got them from a house-clearing somewhere, some time. I couldn't believe my eyes - nor the price: £60 for the lot! They do need complete re-lacquering and seat replacement at some point, but for now I am the proud owner of a beautiful set of salvaged Danish designer classics.

Looking good around our beech dining table!

I added cushions...to prevent my cats from getting their claws into those vintage paper cord seats!

Some more wishbone chair love (in much more grand and stylish homes than mine ;-) ...

http://pinterest.com/pin/178595941442396649/

http://pinterest.com/pin/196751077440968595/

http://pinterest.com/pin/9570217928624774/

http://pinterest.com/pin/9570217928624774/

Travel post: Italian vintage in wonderful Tuscany

I was lucky enough to spend all of last week on holiday in beautiful Tuscany, Italy. If you've ever been there you will know how the area is steeped in history. Cities like Florence and Siena are like fabulous outdoor museums with churches and 'palazzos' around every corner (as well as gelaterias and equally mouth-watering bag and shoe shops).

I didn't have much time for treasure hunting (too busy eating, drinking and catching up with my mum and sister who joined us on the trip!), but did find a great little shop in sunny Siena I wanted to tell you about: Aloe & Wolf.

Hidden away in one of the charming side streets off Piazza del Campo, this little vintage shop is packed with the most fabulous treasures from the 50s, 60s and 70s - although mostly clothing rather than home decor. I am not a great vintage fashionista (I often find the clothes are sort of just not 'it'), but I tell you, Italian vintage clothing is something else! Glamourous, well fitting and great-looking.

The shop also sells handmade, 'upcycled' designer bags by 2Periodico, a lady in Rome, and guess what: I bought one. Re-using pages out of vintage fashion magazines, covering them with plastic and combining them with recycled pieces of soft Italian leather, these funky bags were just to much of a temptation...

If you need a great place to stay in Tuscany, I can thoroughly recommend Borgo San Benedetto, a country resort, hidden away to ensure rest and relaxation, but well placed between all the big and small tourist spots too. Lovely apartments, bed and breakfast, pool and a fabulous restaurant on site too. And yes, that cute guy on their homepage is real - I've seen him with my own two eyes ;-).

Borgo San Benedetto, apartments

Here are some other impressions of my lovely week.

Duomo, Siena

Piazza del Campo, Siena

Picturesque street in Siena

The yummy 'Panforte' cake

Palazzo del Campo, Siena

Me doing the relaxation part

Travel post: Italian vintage in wonderful Tuscany

I was lucky enough to spend all of last week on holiday in beautiful Tuscany, Italy. If you've ever been there you will know how the area is steeped in history. Cities like Florence and Siena are like fabulous outdoor museums with churches and 'palazzos' around every corner (as well as gelaterias and equally mouth-watering bag and shoe shops).

I didn't have much time for treasure hunting (too busy eating, drinking and catching up with my mum and sister who joined us on the trip!), but did find a great little shop in sunny Siena I wanted to tell you about: Aloe & Wolf.

Hidden away in one of the charming side streets off Piazza del Campo, this little vintage shop is packed with the most fabulous treasures from the 50s, 60s and 70s - although mostly clothing rather than home decor. I am not a great vintage fashionista (I often find the clothes are sort of just not 'it'), but I tell you, Italian vintage clothing is something else! Glamourous, well fitting and great-looking.

The shop also sells handmade, 'upcycled' designer bags by 2Periodico, a lady in Rome, and guess what: I bought one. Re-using pages out of vintage fashion magazines, covering them with plastic and combining them with recycled pieces of soft Italian leather, these funky bags were just to much of a temptation...

If you need a great place to stay in Tuscany, I can thoroughly recommend Borgo San Benedetto, a country resort, hidden away to ensure rest and relaxation, but well placed between all the big and small tourist spots too. Lovely apartments, bed and breakfast, pool and a fabulous restaurant on site too. And yes, that cute guy on their homepage is real - I've seen him with my own two eyes ;-).

Borgo San Benedetto, apartments

Here are some other impressions of my lovely week.

Duomo, Siena

Piazza del Campo, Siena

Picturesque street in Siena

The yummy 'Panforte' cake

Palazzo del Campo, Siena

Me doing the relaxation part

Turning a page... Nina's Apartment will soon be selling at Yeadons Bookshop

 

I am so excited to share this news with you all... Not just a little bit... but UBER excited! I will be partnering up very soon with one of the best booksellers in the UK; Yeadons Booksellers in Elgin, north Scotland. This shop, one of the oldest continuously trading bookshops in Scotland - already established in 1887 - will be the perfect environment for my eclectic mix of vintage, handmade and upcycled homeware. It is a beautiful 1930s building, tastefully decorated with custom made shelving and vintage furniture and stocked with a carefully chosen, eclectic selection of books.

Recently Yeadons started selling vintage homeware alongside their books, which went down a treat with the customers, complimenting the great mix of books and stationary and the friendly shopping atmosphere. From next month Nina's Apartment will be 'moving in' with them adding to the selection of wares with vintage treasures, handmade cushions and revamped furniture. I can't wait!

In the meantime, have a look at this Vintage Inspiration board on Pinterest, to get you in the mood for for what's to come...

Turning a page... Nina's Apartment will soon be selling at Yeadons Bookshop

 

I am so excited to share this news with you all... Not just a little bit... but UBER excited! I will be partnering up very soon with one of the best booksellers in the UK; Yeadons Booksellers in Elgin, north Scotland. This shop, one of the oldest continuously trading bookshops in Scotland - already established in 1887 - will be the perfect environment for my eclectic mix of vintage, handmade and upcycled homeware. It is a beautiful 1930s building, tastefully decorated with custom made shelving and vintage furniture and stocked with a carefully chosen, eclectic selection of books.

Recently Yeadons started selling vintage homeware alongside their books, which went down a treat with the customers, complimenting the great mix of books and stationary and the friendly shopping atmosphere. From next month Nina's Apartment will be 'moving in' with them adding to the selection of wares with vintage treasures, handmade cushions and revamped furniture. I can't wait!

In the meantime, have a look at this Vintage Inspiration board on Pinterest, to get you in the mood for for what's to come...

Time for a coffee break! A collection of vintage and retro coffee and teapots now in store

I have been doing some treasure hunting for my little Etsy business lately and have gathered a wonderful collection of coffeepots and teapots on the way. Some didn't even make it to the shop and got snapped up by friends already! Here's the beauties that are now available and ready to go to a good home. They're all in superb condition, clean and sound. If you buy any of them I'll of course make sure they are securely packaged so they'll arrive safely at your door, wherever in the world you live.  Thanks for looking! Nx

J & G Meakin Studio England coffeepot Buy here

J & G Meakin Studio England coffeepot Buy here

Japanese inspired teapot Buy here

Retro coffeepot Buy here

Time for a coffee break! A collection of vintage and retro coffee and teapots now in store

I have been doing some treasure hunting for my little Etsy business lately and have gathered a wonderful collection of coffeepots and teapots on the way. Some didn't even make it to the shop and got snapped up by friends already! Here's the beauties that are now available and ready to go to a good home. They're all in superb condition, clean and sound. If you buy any of them I'll of course make sure they are securely packaged so they'll arrive safely at your door, wherever in the world you live.  Thanks for looking! Nx

J & G Meakin Studio England coffeepot Buy here

J & G Meakin Studio England coffeepot Buy here

Japanese inspired teapot Buy here

Retro coffeepot Buy here