All posts tagged: thrifting

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 …

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 …