Winchester

Last night's 'Red sky at night....' promised a lovely day today and it has just been gorgeous, so warm and sunny.

We had booked to have lunch at the Hotel du Vin in Winchester (where the Creme Brulee is to die for!) then spent the afternoon wandering round the shops and walking along the river.

First a prezzie for hubby in Jack Wills

then just a little one for me in here.

It's very pretty walking along the river

Then through the backstreets to the car.

Last weekend the weather was equally nice and we visited a National Trust property called The Vyne in Hampshire. It's an impressive 16th century house dating back to Henry VIII's reign. It's a real mis-match of styles as one owner of the house was a definite recycler taking bits of the house such as doors, wall hangings, fireplaces etc. from one area and utilising them somewhere else.

We've been thinking of having a summerhouse at the bottom of our garden. I'd like one like this!

After another lovely lunch in here we walked round the walled garden.

Shrouded in Mystery

When I was in France I bought a piece of linen because I liked the detail and monogram at the top. I didn't know what its purpose was because of its shape (tapered at the bottom and buttonholes at both sides). I had decided it would look quite nice as a curtain on the long window in our spare bedroom ....until I asked my French cousin what he thought it was. Have you guessed? It's was obvious when he explained the shape and that the buttonholes are for tying the sides together. Yes, it's a shroud!!!! So the monogram is for the person who would be wrapped in it. But why was it for sale? Did the person not die? Intriguing. Would you still use it as a curtain, or not?

I love this maid's starched collar I bought recently

and this towel rail is just perfect for displaying some of my linens and lace.

So that's another item not going on the website.

On Monday Jane and I had a stand at Goodwood Antiques Fair. We did very well and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, meeting lots of lovely people. The only photos I have include me and they are awful so I won't be sharing them with you!

All I bought myself is a basket and a vintage scarf. I deserved a treat!

Dahlias & a Blue Basket

We recently celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. We were married in a small chapel in a village in Cornwall which my mother had decorated with dahlias. I picked these few from our garden this morning.

I also painted this vintage basket in Farrow & Ball's 'Ballroom Blue'. It was intended for the website but, like so many things, I think I may end up keeping it for myself.

Petworth

On Sunday we visited Petworth House, a 17th century mansion owned by the National Trust.

Sadly photography is not allowed so I'm not able to share the interior with you.

Petworth has a lot of antique shops so we had to look in every one before our return home.

I liked this table but the prices in this shop were way out of our league. They did have some beautfiul things though.

In the antiques centre was 'The Linen Room' where I found a couple of pieces to buy. It was really difficult to photograph this as, despite there not being many people shopping I think they were all in this unit.

We bought a French pelmet but found it to be too small for our dining room window so have placed it around the picture rail above the fireplace.

This room was formerly our sitting room when I have previously blogged about it but now that we have finished decorating the other front room we have decided to have that as our living room because it is such a sunny room.

A friend of mine recently gave me this plaque for the kitchen . Do you think she is trying to tell me something?

I will leave you with this thought.....

Brighton & Edward Hopper

This weekend we went to Brighton. My art group (it sounds very grand, it isn't!) had been studying Edward Hopper and there was an exhibition called the 'American Scene' at the Royal Pavilion. This is my favourite painting by Hopper.

It was very interesting and we also had a look around the museum there. I loved this art deco serviette holder

and this handkerchief vase.

Unfortunately, most of the photos I took didn't come out well because of the reflection of the glass cases. There were a lot of fashion exhibits. This dress was worn by a herb thrower at George IV's coronation.

Not a good photo but this dress was stunning.

I had some platform boots just like these but mine were maroon. I wish I'd kept them.

I had to take a photo of a Mod's scooter since were in Brighton.

We were lucky with the weather. It was a beautifully sunny day and everyone was out making the most of it.

The cafe on the beach here was called 'Oh So Social'!

New Stock

Oh dear, it's raining yet again and it's not exactly warm either. Never mind, I shall be sitting at my computer all day listing a lot of new stock onto the website. I have previously been listing lots of French linens. I just love these monogrammed sheets.

Today I am listing mostly kitchenalia, particularly enamelware. I love these storage jars and this pretty wash basin.

Of course I have to keep something for myself too, I can't sell everything. This torchon holder matches my allumette tin exactly.

I like the colour of this enamel bowl too but my kitchen isn't green. Never mind it matches the tea towel!

I think my favourite Farrow & Ball shade is French Grey; I would almost paint everything in it. This basket has had the F & B treatment.

After all that hard work I shall reward myself with a slice of Victoria Sandwich.