All posts tagged: industrial

“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 mighty fine nine

Published by Karen Knox

In my previous post, all about how to make the most of your space, clever ways with storage popped up a fair bit. We all need storage. In every room. Not just under the stairs, in the garage and up the loft ladders. The living room needs it too. Which brings me quite nicely onto a little product research i’ve been doing for a client. Brief: Find me a cool industrial chest of drawers that will fit in my living room. Somewhere I can chuck all my day to day crap and keep my 5 year old’s pens and Play-Doh in. Ok then. I shall. Obviously, I started scavenging for something vintage, salvaged, quirky and unique. However, these pieces are getting increasingly more expensive, and harder to find in decent condition. When you do spot something it often needs couriering, so you don’t get to give it a once over until you’ve already bought and paid for it. I don’t mind taking a risk for me in these situations, it’s all part of the fun. …

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 …

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 …

My trip to Dowsing & Reynolds #designupnorth

Published by Karen Knox

I took a little trip yesterday to pick up some fabric lighting cable for a project i’m doing. It involves this: An emergency exit light box. I picked it up for £2.50 from a charity shop last month. Had no idea if it worked, or if I could even “remodel” it, but I love a challenge. Aka. Giving my OH something else to re-wire. Light boxes are springing up everywhere at the moment, typography is HUGE right now and interchangeable letters in said light boxes are even HUGER. (Is that a word?). Especially when they nail that nostalgic vibe of old light up cinema signs. Lightbox UK Not like this one obviously. I don’t even drink beer. It makes me pull a really awful face. More like this one from Goodwin & Goodwin. This pulls a lot of my loves together in one big light up box: Lighting Typography Vintage Industrial Iconic phrases, sayings, mantras I want some of this. I’m gona make my own. First things first, I need a flex to wire into the …

Mid Century Score – Pt 2

Published by Karen Knox

It’s been a good week for scouring and sourcing. The mid-century teak recliner has now travelled 100 miles to its new home. I actually rang to check it had made it safely as it looked a little precarious, a 55 year old chair strapped to a roof-rack. I would have shed actual tears if it had come a cropper. And now to Pt 2 of my mid-century scores. A teak industrial style desk which was quite literally “saved”. Black legs, original screws and bolts. Storage compartments and original drawer with drawer pull. I fell in love instantly. The shape, mid century line and simplicity was right up my street. The entire piece needed tlc and I cherished the thought of bringing this beauty back to life. The wood was not in fantastic shape, so it was all sanded back, danish oiled and then waxed. I find it all so therapeutic, seeing that teak glowing again. It would look fantastic in a vintage lover’s home. Some people may have decided to paint the whole thing, cover …