Bench Seat for a Boot Room

I was looking for a bench seat for the bootroom to finish off this space, as it just needed somewhere for everyone to perch.

I managed to find this piece at a local supplier.  (Yes, sshhh! it is new and not vintage!)  And it's available to order if you should like it too!

I just loved the hessian-covered look and the dimensions (1500mm long, 500mm deep) work so well for this spot - a necessity for the boys to sit somewhere while they hoist on trainers, rugby boots and school shoes.

Hessian-covered painted wooden bench seat, vintage fabric cushions, Armadillo&Co Nest weave rug, all available to order via Vintage Finds

And to be frank, with that finish, this piece is perfect for the knocks and scrapes it is likely to get in this room!

Iron and Carved Wood bench seat (2400L 360D 460H)  Available to order via Vintage Finds

I was originally looking at this wood and iron bench seat.  Which I also love for it's simple rustic charm.  It would probably have been my preferred option, but at 2400mm long it would completely fill the space and I think look too cramped.  And so I am happy with the choice I have made.

What do you think?

Jennifer.

In Store Now ... Hand sewn linen cushion covers

These are just the sweetest cushion covers or pillow shams that I found in a market stall in Porte de Vanves.  The hand sewn thread work is just so well done, and also as it came from an attic sale, you can tell these would have been turn of the last century.

I must admit when I bought them I thought they were folded lengths of embroidered antique linens with some drawn-thread work.

When I got them home, on closer inspection, I can see they are the most delightful cushion covers.  All hand sewn - included the tiny button holes.  What a lost art that is!  To delicately and oh so neatly sew these for tiny buttons.

I have six of these in store now.  They are a large size and measure 68 cms across including the flange, and would fit a 55cm x 55cm sized cushion insert.

Surviving with only pink peonies

Well, here it is.

The last day of school before the summer holidays.  Much anticipated, has finally arrived.

Two months of little boys and their little friends running rampant here and at the beach.  Wet towels, grassy feet, and endless rounds of discarded clothing.

So pink peonies it is.

On my desk, and in my morning coffee spot.  I think I deserve two rounds of pink as they could be the last 'girlish' thing I see for months!

In store now ...

Here are some more vintage french house numbers I have in stock, enamelled in a pretty blue and white.  These are rectangle and are 10cms x 15cms.  The numbers I have available in this size are: 49, 58, 43, 63bis, 27, 28, 65, 10 and 56.  If you are after a specific number or size, let me know and I will add it to the list that I am sourcing at the moment.

What does the 'bis' mean I hear you ask?  In an address 63A Orchid Avenue, the french equivalent of the 63A would be 63bis.  Depending how many times more addresses need to be subdivided it would be numbered bis, ter, quater.

I just thought this one was so typically french I had to pick it up!

Sun is shining and weather divine here in Brisbane, spirits are high and so I am in a hive of activity to stock the Woolloongabba store.  Have a great day today whatever you find yourself doing.  

Jennifer x

Do I dare paint my wood floor ... Part 2

So, now we have done it, and as promised I have photos to share.  I am just amazed that it has worked so well.  Very pleased with the end result, and it still remains so functional for us!

As you can imagine, this back entryway area ends up being the logical dumping spot for school bags and assorted sporting equipment, as we come into the house.  And it also had a tendency to be quite dark. 

With the change to a white floor being so much brighter, now it just so lovely that I feel like I am 'stepping into the light'!  Such a change.

French vintage wooden coat rack from country fair in Normandy

I can't quite set aside practicality, just for looks.  

So I have installed a multitude of hooks, racks, hat shelves, and shoe baskets to store and hang everything that would otherwise live as a pile of obstacle course apparatus on the floor.  

And I purposely didn't install doors on the 'locker' style cupboards.  If I did, everything would land in front of the doors and not make their way inside to the hooks!

1950s french bamboo mirror

There are also different styles of vintage bamboo mirrors from France, which I have grouped together.  A couple needed new glass and the others still have their old and vaguely mottled patina.  Hung together like this they work really well for adults and growing children of various heights for a last minute check as they walk out the door! And to me I love the textural interest reflected down our hall.

This has been a drastic change for us.  Have you tried something that worked really well for you, better than you first thought?

Jennifer.
x

 {all images Vintage Finds}