Oh Mister Finch Textile Designer

I recently came across the work of this amazing textile designer, who goes under the name of Oh Mister Finch. His fantastical work reminds me of the props used by the photographer Tim Walker and I love his study of nature and the different scale of his designs, from miniature foxes in cravats to giant bees pulling carriages. Beautiful and sinister at the same time.

Anchor Hocking green milk glass

Last bank holiday weekend my friend Bev and myself went on a marathon car booting spree. On every bank holiday Monday throughout the year, there are at least three amazing car boot sales in and around Cheshire and to get the best of the bargains you need to be up and about about 7.00am.

We started the day at St Margarets church Bowdon, where I bought a few bits, but nothing that made my heart skip a beat. This is a lovely setting though in the village of Bowdon, with the stalls in the grounds of the church and home made cake and coffee served inside whilst you are serenaded by the church organist, all very vicar of Dibley. Then on to Dunham Massey village Hall, which is always worth getting up early for and finally Timperley Cricket club where I bought most of my bargains, including these lovely green opaque glass cups and saucers.

Since buying them, I have become quite obsessed with Jadeite as it was commercially known. Made in the US between 1945 and 1975, by Anchor Hocking, this green "milk glass" is collectable and affordable due to its popularity at the time, making pieces relatively easy to find, especially on Ebay, where there are quite a few American sellers with pieces for auction.

 

I really love the pea green colour, very retro and when grouped together make a stunning collection.

The Richmond Tea Rooms~ Manchester

Yesterday my friend Lynsey invited a few friends to The Richmond Tea rooms, to join her in celebrating her forthcoming nuptials in a few weeks time.

The venue was a lovely place to while away a few hours on a Sunday with good friends and the food was delicious. I was especially impressed as everything on the menu could be made with a choice of wheat or gluten free bread and as anybody suffering from a food allergy knows, these places are hidden gems.

The tea rooms, are decorated in homage to Alice in Wonderland, all chequer board floors and teapot lights, very dramatic and theatrical, ideally suited to its location in Manchester's Gay Village. After our sandwhiches, we dived into a selection of cakes. There was coffee and walnut, lemon drizzle, chocolate and Victoria sandwhich to name a few. You can also have a glass of champagne or a cocktail or choose from their huge selection of teas and coffees all served in mismatched china.

At the back of the tea rooms is a lovely bar, decked out like a Scottish hunting lodge, with green tartan fabric covered walls, stags antlers and glass lanterns.

We had a wonderful day with our 11 year old daughters, who were all made welcome and enjoyed alcohol free strawberry daiquiris.  I'm looking forward to our next visit already.

Mary McCartney Photography Exhibition

If you're in Manchester over the next few weeks, The Lowry are holding an exhibition of the work of photographer Mary McCartney. The exhibition, Developing Photography, runs until 9th June and features images of famous personalities such as Tracey Emin, Beth Ditto, Vivienne Westwood and Helen Mirren.

McCartney seems to be drawn to the subject of strong women, possibly inspired by her own mother, Linda, herself an amazing photographer, activist and feminist.

 

The Great Gatsby

I can't wait for next Thursday and the release of Baz Luhrmann's latest extravaganza, The Great Gatsby.

If I could have lived in any era it would have been the roaring twenties. All that decadance, dancing and champagne, simply divine darlings! Of course I would have had to have been as rich as the guests at Gatsby's parties to have lived that life style, but a gal can dream.

I remember seeing the 1970's screen adaption, when I was a little girl, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow and it must have left a big impression on me, as ever since I have been obsessed with Art Deco and the era.

When I got married, 23 years ago this year (I can hardly believe I am saying that) meringue wedding dresses were what all the fashionable brides were wearing, but I only tried one dress on and ordered it the same day, to be sent from America. It was a 1920's style cocktail dress, in cream chiffon layers, embroidered with sequins and bugle beads. I wore it with satin Mary Jane shoes and a cream floppy hat from Harvey Nichols in London. I traveled to the church in a vintage cream Bentley and we had a jazz band play for us at the wedding breakfast. I was Daisy Buchanan for the day and I loved it!

 

Of course I'll have to go and see the film a few times over to get my deco fix, all the costumes, the jewellery and the sets can't be taken in and admired at one screening. If you want to bring some Deco style into your home, now is a good time as the stores are full of products echoing the 1920's. I've put together some of my favourites.

1.  Banana Leaf Wallpaper by Neisha Crosland 
2. Glass Light~Amazon
3. Ellis Chair~Laura Ashley
4. Rug by Neisha Crosland~The Rug Company
5. Amelie Furniture~Graham & Green
6. Earrings~ Butler & Wilson
7. Glass perfume bottle~Not On The High Street
8. Swarovski clutch~Butler & Wilson
9. Champagne bucket~John Lewis

 This weekend I'll be busy finishing my copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's book, just to wet my appetite. Toodle pip peeps!

House Doctor Scandinavian Simplicity

I love these images from the new House Doctor S/S 13 catologue. The Scandinavian brand delivers simple stylish home wares photographed in their chic paired back way, perfectly. The Scandinavians really under stand the art of less is more. These images and this style of interior, although simple are difficult to achieve. It's just the right amount of texture, the simple foliage, the subtle props used to enhance. Beautiful!

 

This is one of my favourite images. So simple, but so graphic and effective.

 

I love the old scaffolding planks used to hang photographs on.

 These wire work baskets made the plainest household objects look stylish.

 

Amazing art work, bits of salvaged wood and old picture frames, make this minimalist space have soul and personality.

 Simple glass ware, when grouped together become a display.

Salvage Hunting

It's a big celebration day today in Holland as Queen Beatrix abdicates and her son Willem Alexander becomes the first King of Holland since 1890. Today is also Vrijmarket day in Holland which translates as free market and it is the one day of the year that every resident of Holland is allowed to set up a stall or blanket outside their home, in the local parks or on the streets of the cities, to sell their unwanted items. It sounds like one amazing day to me and reminds me of Lille in France, when their city is taken over for three days every September to become one huge flea market.

I'm always on the look out for vintage and industrial props and am forever scouring flea and antique markets, for the unusual and the pre loved item that will really enhance an image with character and personality.

At the moment, I am shooting the look books for a large retailer, which will be sent to the press to show case their new interior products for the forthcoming season and these are some of the props I am seeking out.

 

Anything botanical is very current for styling trends at the moment

Rusty wirework

 

Industrial graphics, stenciled numbers and I'm like a magnet to them

 

Old leather or vellum suitcases 

 

I love the use of brown paper props on this image, created by stylist Sibella Court

 

Galvanised metal and worn wood, beautiful

 

The rusty hinges on this chest add depth and texture

 

Beautiful collection of metal, basket ware and fabrics

 

Anything pre loved and pre used is perfect

 

Vintage type writers make great props