All posts tagged: sourcing

The addiction is real…

Published by Karen Knox

…But at least this addiction is affordable. Ish. I’ve been spreading the love about Netto, for a few months now over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The Danish discount food store might not be the first place you might think of when it comes to design, interiors or home decor, but after flicking through my Instagram feed i’ve realised just how many amazing finds i’ve had from there. Some for work and some for home, either way, it seems i’ve found a lot of lovely pieces. I’m lucky enough to have a Netto about a mile away, so I pop in every week for a hunt. They have new pieces come in store each week. Once they’ve sold out, that’s it. If they’ve not sold that week they’re discounted by 50%. So you can get some ridiculously good prices if you drop in at the right time. Let’s have a peep. Instagram pics first: Scandi framed alphabet picture £2.50 (I got a couple of different designs). It’s currently in the “Holding Area“, Destined for a project. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Whole Kit & Kaboodle

Published by Karen Knox

Yesterday I had a proper day of hunting. Yes, another one. I know. I am currently re-designing my entire bedroom (which doesn’t need doing at all) but it involves mixing new with old, but specially selected old. Not just any old charity shop find. No siree. After a trip to Otley Car Boot sale, which was enormous, but disappointing on the furniture and vintage front, I drove over to The Whole Kit and Kaboodle, in West Leeds for a mooch “A Kaboodle – : Is an old fashioned term meaning group or collection. A Kit – : Is a set of objects, as in a toolkit, or what a soldier would put in his kit-bag.” (Pic from Facebook) Here’s Simon, who runs it all. He was most definitely a magpie in a former life and thrives on finding the most amazing/vintage/random story filled items he possibly can. See him on this vehicle? I think that sums him up perfectly. I took some photos of my visit, because this place is a real treasure trove. So many things to make you smile. Antiques, …

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 …

Mid Century Score

Published by Karen Knox

Today has been a bit of a mixed bag. I found out I didn’t make it to the shortlisted stages in the Amara Interior Blog Awards this morn. 🙁 I wasn’t really surprised as i’ve only been blogging for six months or so, so to be nominated at all was an achievement indeed. But admittedly I was a bit bummed out. So to cheer myself up, I ate some chocolate and decided to have a drive out and hunt down some bedroom furniture for a project i’m working on. Retail therapy in other words. Only three miles from home, I quickly indicated right and parked after spotting a few chest of drawers outside a house clearance business in North Leeds. Let’s have a look-see then. Hmmm… Yeah I like those. Battered step ladder come stool. Perfect for industrial style interiors. Yep. Mid century chest of drawers that would look pretty cute after a good sanding to get rid of all that orange. But they were a little boxy for me and i’m looking for something with legs …