Thrifty buys and steals....

I love a bargain, I mean who doesn't? and because I do I have managed to fill our home with many cheap and salvaged items. Its a good job that I like things slightly battered and worn because when something comes out of a skip it generally is. Not everything has been free though and I thought I would share with you some of my lucky finds. 

When we moved to this cottage we didn't have a dining table and chairs so this was one of the first buys. I was lucky enough to get the table for £15 and then the four chairs for the amazing total of £7.50! It was in our local junk shop and I have had many things from there now. The chairs have now been painted and every now and again I contemplate painting the table - but I just can't bring myself to do it. 

When the school that I worked in was being knocked down ready for a brand new building I made sure that I got first dibs on any of the old school furniture. I was delighted to get my wall display cabinet which was used to keep wool in and also a beautiful old filing cabinet. Both make great additions to the room but are also practical. After collecting all of the vintage china for our wedding last year I really couldn't part with most of it so the cabinet was perfect and FREE!

We have a small house and so everything has to fit and has to be useful, after seeing this brilliant idea on holiday for storage crates fitted to the wall I went on the hunt for some. 

If we ever end up with enough wall space I would love to recreate this look from Santorini but I love the way crates can be used for loads of other things and I'm looking forward to using my other crates in the garden this year too. My apple crates were £3 each and this one just £5. 

Now finally, we lasted about 8 years without side tables in out bedroom. Well to be honest I didn't like any of them out there and would rather go without than have boring! Then one day at an antique fair Martin spotted this for his side! £8 and I agreed.

A few months later it was my turn and I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted this beauty. No price on it and when I asked.... Is £5 ok she said? Er yes that would be great thanks!! 

So for the grand total of £46.50 I have all of this. Not bad eh? I have shoes that cost more. There are many other items in the house that were either lifted from a skip (people throw away ottomans all the time) or found for a few pounds and I would pick these over high end pieces any-day. xxx

March Styling the Seasons french spring styling.....

During the last few months Instagram has become an amazing source of inspiration for me and one the most exciting things for me to do is #stylingtheseasons 

During my recent holiday I actually lay on my sunbed thinking about what I could do for March and what part of my home could do with a little makeover. The shoe cupboard area has pretty much been the same for ages and part of what March means to me is white and fresh so this is where I started today. 

Once I started to put together all of the green and white objects I realised that It was reminding me of France so I added the canvas that I made after a trip to Paris. To my complete surprise it was 10 years ago when me and a great friend visited for a day. Yes I know it was only a day but believe me we made the most of it! The city was beautiful and I think a return trip is on the cards really soon. 

I then found out one of my most favourite books. I purchased this book about 20 years ago when I started out on my Illustration degree. Sara Midda is a brilliant illustrator and she brought out this book with beautiful watercolours of the South of France. At that point I had never been but every time we go now I think of this book. 

I replaced my wire heart that I have been collecting pretty things on with my lovely white wooden star, I think it creates a much calmer space and really works with the other objects. After picking the only snowdrops in the garden which perfectly matched my favourite cup and saucer my shoe cupboard was complete. TA-DA!  Oh and the white tulips were a Mothers Day gift to myself - perfect! Happy spring everyone, just wish the weather would hurry up and join the season. 

I love it. Hope you do too. xx