All posts tagged: antique

The Purple Brown Master Bedroom – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Good day! How are you all doing out there? It has been exactly six months since I last wrote. Hopefully it gave you enough time to read my previous post though, as that was quite a long one. Today’s instalment is the final reveal for the Master Bedroom at The Ilkley Project. Yay. Let me show you the Purple Brown room! If you’re not aware of the Ilkley project, then here is a little refresher of some of the rooms we’ve done so far: The Striped Guest Bedroom The Kitchen/Dining Room with the yellow ceiling Which you might have spotted on page 168 in last month’s Homes and Gardens magazine…. There are also two home offices i’ve not photographed, mainly because they’re in use most days. But if you’d like a more thorough look of the room’s i’ve photographed at the Ilkley project so far you can click over to the project’s portfolio page. For those of you still here, let’s see the master bedroom as it was when Mr & Mrs C moved in in …

The William Morris Bedroom – Pre-reveal

Published by Karen Knox

It’s been a while since i’ve written about the William Morris project. You can read the last instalment here. Let’s just say, this one has been a slow burner. What was initially going to be one bedroom redesign, quickly turned into a complete renovation of three bedrooms, the landing and staircase. So…. things have taken considerably longer, as i’m sure you’d expect. Here was the room on my very first visit. Pretty much everything needed to go. Everything apart from the William Morris wallpaper, the beautiful Deco chairs and the antique chest of drawers. The room was stripped right back to the bare bones. The overpowering built in wardrobes were ripped out, missing coving, dado and picture rails replaced…. Carpet was ripped up and floorboards repaired, sanded and varnished, radiator moved and re-plumbed, switches and sockets rewired. Walls were then re-skimmed ready for the decorator. We’ve still got a couple of bits left to sort in this room, but I thought you’d like to see where we’re at at the mo. The floorboards now revived and full …

Masonic Villas – Update

Published by Karen Knox

It’s been some time since i’ve updated this project. And i’ll tell you for why… it’s all been put on hold for one thing. One piece to fall into place. And now that piece is finally done the decorating can now start. In fact it already has. Hoobloominray! How many people does it take to change a light bulb? Well actually, fit a new ceiling light over the mezzanine of this landing area? The answer: Six. SIX! This huge 4.5m drop was crying out a for a light. A huge statement chandelier. Why wasn’t there one there already I wonder? Grab a cuppa and i’ll tell you a story…. Chapter 1. Once upon a time there was no light over a beautiful landing area. The mezzanine was sad, dark and lonely without a chandelier so the Making Spaces fairy decided it was time to call on some of her friends. Chapter 2. In order for the new light to be wired in, the Lighting Fairy needed to access the loft space. The existing loft hatch was …

How to: Source Vintage

Published by Karen Knox

As you all know, i’m a huge fan of unique, vintage, salvaged and rare finds. Both at home and in my design projects. I’ve found a fair few little beauties over the past few years and have become pretty good at knowing “how to” and “where to”. I recently helped my very good blogging friend and boho style-meister, Kimberly Duran aka, Swoonworthy with her recent furniture hunt. Kimberly was looking for a mid-century sideboard as part of her big dining room remodel, but with very specific dimensions and wood-tone in mind. After introducing her to Vintage & Retro & Tings on Facebook, she scored this most beautiful, solid Afromosian, Richard Hornby design. For less than £250, delivered. Swoonworthy indeed! I’d also written an article for High In Style magazine, all about “How to: Source Vintage” for their January edition. With all of this in mind, I thought it was about time I shared with you, my fave people, my top tips for sourcing all things deliciously vintage. Hopefully saving you some money but most importantly making your spaces as unique …

The Other Duckling

Published by Karen Knox

I love discovering new places to shop online, especially places that offer something more than just “the norm”. What’s even better is when they fit with your own working ethos. Allow me to introduce you to Erica and Andrew from The Other Duckling. Aka; My new favourite online boutique. “The Other Duckling brings you an eclectic collection of delightful home accessories, home furnishings and gifts including designer made homeware, vintage, revamped and shabby chic furniture, fleamarket finds and Erica’s exclusive greetings cards.” A few years ago, Erica, whose background is in textiles, was working as managing creative at Innocent Drinks and Andrew who originally hailed from the world of fashion photography was working in high end digital media. But, after turning 35 they began to re-think what they wanted out of life. Finally making the big decision in 2008 to leave London and their uber successful careers to move to the Hampshire countryside, where they purchased a 17th century property (and lifelong project). As you do. “Between building, filling, painting and tearing our hair out we started …

Sherwood Forest Gets Dressed (a bit)

Published by Karen Knox

I’m annoyed. Annoyed with the weather. The light, to be precise. The light over the past week has officially been rubbish. 1/10. Must try harder. And this, dear readers is why I haven’t posted a blog for a week. A WHOLE WEEK. Unheard of. I do apologise. Sorry peeps. But I’ve soldiered on, taking snaps here and there as the project has developed and here are some i’ve managed to cobble together over the past week. Let me show you what’s new… All of the room has been painted now in Valspar’s Sherwood Forest, except for the skirting boards. Above are the phrenology and skull knobs from Orchard Lane Interiors, now gracing the doors of the cupboard doors either side of the fire. (**rubbish lighting photo) In the right hand fireplace recess we have a collection of gawkworthy items, most of which were already at hand. Stylist’s dream! Anything new has links below. Specimen drawers Phrenology head Lots of bizarre and lovely glassware collected from around the world, including a bottle with a snake in. A cloche …

Vintage Home Show #designupnorth

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve just got back from the Vintage Home Show at Pudsey Civic Hall, in Leeds. And i’m still buzzing. A design lover’s dream event. This was my smile BEFORE I got there… imagine how big it was after i’d got back!! The Vintage Home Show is a Discover Vintage event, which was founded by fellow Leeds-ite Keeley Harris in 2009. Since then she’s been organising vintage events across the UK. The Vintage Home Show was launched in 2012 in Manchester and the Leeds show is the first time the event has been held in Yorkshire. Keeley herself has been dealing in the world of vintage since the age of 15 and is now well-known in the field, having shared her expertise on TV and in the National Press. Her current book “Style Me Vintage Home” was launched in March this year. “This event is all about the 1950’s-1970’s with bright colours and bold patterns as well as teak furniture and funky chairs and if you love bright orange, you’ll be right at home” And I totally was at home. Hyperventilating in …