All posts tagged: furniture

The Vintage Hunter

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve been at it again. Busy being a magpie. I thought i’d show you some of my vintage scores picked up over the last fortnight. Some have already been re-homed in projects. Others have been cuddled and caressed gently by moi ready to be sold to their new owner. ** this post does contain crap mobile phone quality photos – apologies. ** Let me show you some rather excellent Gumtree finds I picked up a couple of weekends ago. Listed as a “Retro Coffee Table”, I could tell immediately by the shape of the frame (and the carpet) this was an original early 70’s G-Plan number. And I had just the place for it. (Did you also spot the rather kitsch and slightly unnecessary gold serving trolley in the background? Yeah me too.) The G Plan Coffee Table looked stunning after a good clean & polish. The solid teak frame was in fantastic nick and the crystal clear glass top came up a real treat with a bit of Pledge. This beauty was delivered to its new home …

The "Holding Area"

Published by Karen Knox

Time to fess up… Last time I mentioned a big shop, I was bragging about how we’d made a huge saving for the Masonic Villas project. Loads of items were picked up from La Redoute’s  40% off Easter bank holiday weekend. What I didn’t mention is that I also took full advantage of said sale event and bagged a few cheeky little numbers for me-sen. I was not idly shopping. I was working! My orders, (yes I made three) have taken a while to arrive, coming one at a time which has been kind of annoying. But most of them are here now so i’d thought i’d share some piccies. Mihnéa Embroidered Cotton Cushion Cover First up, the cushion cover. It was made for this room, this chair in fact. Classic mid-centry colour combo, great shape, looks hot. £14 in the sale. Boom. Galice Vases These quirky incandescent lightbulb vases were a must at just £8.50 for the pair. Absolute bargain. They look v. cool sitting next to our Watt Table Lamp on the dining room shelves. Light …

“Here are a few of my favourite Pins…”

Published by Karen Knox

(Did you get my Sound of Music reference?) I’ve not mentioned the Masonic Villas project for a little while, mainly because i’ve been working like a donkey, juggling four other projects dotted around the region. Eeesh. Anyhoo, the last time this project got a mention on le blog, the living room had just had the ceiling lighting updated. Since then, i’ve been busy planning the schedule of work, solving problems, booking trades and placing orders. The paint for the whole redesign is on its way. Exciting indeed. I’ve also been Pinning like a demon, pieces that I think would look fab in this project. Some of them will make it, some won’t, but I thought it would be nice to share with you, some of my finds. To be precise, 10 of my finds. Pieces for the living room, home office and hallway. Come see. Lara Armchair – Fern and Grey Leather Chair – Cox & Cox Hoxton Swing Arm Wall Light – Bluesuntree Indian Cart Coffee Table – House Junkie Beni Ourain Moroccan Berber Rug – …

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 …

Jumbo & Friends

Published by Karen Knox

Today i’d like to introduce to you a brand new design company based right here in the U to the K. Jumbo & Friends have landed, excitedly bringing their fresh perspective on children’s furniture with them. And I love it (and kind of want it all). It all began in 2013, when the creative founder, Esther fell pregnant and began the search for a cot for her son’s bedroom. Let’s just say she wasn’t really feeling what the current market had to offer. “that’s why I decided to create something different that would make children’s furniture more exciting, beautiful and engaging so that it becomes part of their world and ours, and makes it better!” Esther and her son A lady after my own heart. If it doesn’t exist, make it so! Launching the website just last week, these guys are already firing on all cylinders. After an energetic phone interview with Esther and this ten second video teaser of what was to come, I knew Jumbo & Friends had to make it onto the blog. Beautifully …

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 …

Home Office in a Day

Published by Karen Knox

I was recently set a challenge. Could I update a currently unused third bedroom from a room of storage chaos to a sleek and super cost effective home office? In one day. 8 hours. Let’s have a look-see…. Well yeah, of course I can. They don’t call me Karen “make-over in a day” Knox for nothing you know. Bah! Firstly, this rather large and unnecesary sofa needed to get the hell outta there. The room is about 2x3m so this took up more than a third of much needed space. A “free sofa to anyone that could collect” Gumtree ad worked a treat, giving me a near empty room and someone else a much needed free sofa. Perfik. The CD towers, old cushions and a spare light shade were getting sent to the charity shop but everything else in that room needed a place to live. I had a budget of £150 to spend on the entire room. Eek. I needed to purchase: A desk Filing drawers Drawers for the existing Ikea Kallax unit A chair …

Mid Century Score – Pt 3

Published by Karen Knox

It’s a Saturday quickie peeps. I’m full of cold and feeling properly sorry for myself. Mainly because it means I can’t gorge myself on Halloween fun and drink tonight. Unless it’s something tasting of paracetamol and lemons. Eugh. Just wanted to show you my eBay find in situ which I mentioned in a previous post last week. My Mid Century walnut drawers looking rather resplendent against the dark teal walls. A colour that I still can’t capture very well. This photo shows the wall colour better. I so wish I could invite you all around so you can see it in real life. Anyone?? Also some pieces i’ve been collecting over the last few weeks to dress the room. Two metal vases/pots in a distressed finish. £3 for the large and £2 for the smaller one. £5 for two. From Netto. I know. Good eh? And that little coppery brass tray was two squid. I bought two for drinks/candles as I think coasters always look a bit cack. Trays are a little more thought out …

Midtown Magic Bedroom

Published by Karen Knox

My bedroom. As it was a few months ago anyway. It was lovely. Light, bright, clean and simple. Good enough for a magazine shoot might I add… but it never really floated my boat. I’ve been itching to get this room more up my street for over a year now, but every time I even mentioned it to the OH, he would wince. a) It’s a big job to sell all that furniture b) and BLOODY expensive to replace it all. Wardrobes were always the sticking point. The ones I liked were always upwards of £600. And we needed two. So there’s £1200 straight away before i’ve even got all creative with my shizzle. During a quick evening session on Gumtree (am always on there hunting down furniture and decor finds for local pick up, don’t forget those 1930’s chest of drawers I picked up for £10), I came across a brand new in box, never built or even opened, LEDGER wardrobe from Made.com. RRP £600. It was on Gumtree for £300. And it was four …

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 …