All New Shabby Chic Thread!

shirlgirl2004

xxvickixx wrote: »

I popped into the market today and bought some wadding for my seat pads. I've decided that a ticking in navy and white will be good but the only one I could find locally was £20 odd quid a metre - eeek! I'm a bit nervous about buying on ebay as I like to have a little feel first IYKWIM. They had a cream and navy one in Franklins at about £8 which wasn't too bad but it just wasn't right with the other colours. If anyone happens upon any please let me know.

There's a great craft shop in Tiptree called "the cheap shop" . Let me know if you don't find some and I'll pop over and see if they have anything that looks right. Most of their fabric isn't that cheap but sometimes you get lucky. Wondering if I saw some in that shop in Maldon, that definitely had ticking but not sure about navy. Wish I knew the name of it, I'm popping into Maldon tomorrow so will find out the name then, the shop is shut sundays though.


ETA: Found the details here , could be worth a phone call if you don't have any luck elsewhere.

xxvickixx

Thank you girs! I hope I have everything finished before we go on holiday (it's a couple of months yet) so it is all lovely to come back to but I am certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for a few authentic bits!

Tiptree is somewhere I've meant to visit for ages, see the jam factory sort of thing. I've lived in Essex for 12 years now but not really seen much of it. When I lived in Bristol we went everywhere with the Caravan club so really knew the old Avon country or whatever it's called now!

Which reminds me I went to look at the homeless furniture place in Bristol last week, something haus? It was great and I certainly saw some bargains but nothing I was after, I'd love a place like that near me.

shirlgirl2004

xxvickixx wrote: »

Thank you girs! I hope I have everything finished before we go on holiday (it's a couple of months yet) so it is all lovely to come back to but I am certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for a few authentic bits!

Tiptree is somewhere I've meant to visit for ages, see the jam factory sort of thing. I've lived in Essex for 12 years now but not really seen much of it. When I lived in Bristol we went everywhere with the Caravan club so really knew the old Avon country or whatever it's called now!

Which reminds me I went to look at the homeless furniture place in Bristol last week, something haus? It was great and I certainly saw some bargains but nothing I was after, I'd love a place like that near me.

Believe me there's nothing worth seeing in Tiptree, it has a really bad reputation so I only venture there if going to the cheap shop.

I noticed a shop in New Street, Chelmsford (I think) last week that was a furniture place along the same lines. Have you seen it/been there? I was driving at the time so couldn't do more than a quick look as I drove past.

ETA: I'm google mad tonight LOL it's called Ray of Hope

xxvickixx

Ah that looks brilliant, must check it out. I wish I knew about it before though, I'm getting really tired of giving things on Freecycle lately with people messing me about and not turning up, I'll give that guy a call first now.

While I'm moaning about people...Someone bought a light fitting on ebay last week from me and have failed to collect it twice now, I waited in this afternoon/evening too when I really wanted to pop to the shops. What would you do? She's already paid me the 99p via paypal though so I can't just relist.

shirlgirl2004

xxvickixx wrote: »

Ah that looks brilliant, must check it out. I wish I knew about it before though, I'm getting really tired of giving things on Freecycle lately with people messing me about and not turning up, I'll give that guy a call first now.

While I'm moaning about people...Someone bought a light fitting on ebay last week from me and have failed to collect it twice now, I waited in this afternoon/evening too when I really wanted to pop to the shops. What would you do? She's already paid me the 99p via paypal though so I can't just relist.

I'd be tempted to refund the money and relist, either that or only give a very specific time for her to collect when it suits you. If you say 11 and she isn't there then I'd give 5 minutes to allow for watch differences and then go out. Don't put yourself out for 99p.

cmazza

Fantastic job on the blind xxvickixx

Keiss_21

xxvickixx wrote: »

Thanks girls, I'm pretty pleased with myself these last few weeks. My laundry and veggies are suffering for it though, anybody want some supersized courgettes?

Long time (well, only a few weeks really) lurker making an appearance at last.

Loving all the work being done on here. You have inspired me to get going with some re-decorating at home. Love the blind vicki, it looks really good!

I am lucky in that all my windows (apart for the conservatory) are aproximately 3 feet by 3 feet square, so making roman blinds is realatively easy...and cheap! I still need to make one for our bedroom though, and the sitting room ones (bay-window of three) are starting to look tatty...though not bad for 14 years!!

We (DH, DS1(20) & DS2(17) & me (50 this year :eek:)) live in a right hotchpotch of a small cottage: the front is over 300 years old while the back was put on in the 50s. We had the conservatory built when we moved here nearly 15 years ago.

We re-painted the kitchen ceiling last weekend (the Pacific Breeze ceiling was too white, and clashing with the cream units...been bugging me for over a year!!) DH put in the new kitchen last May/June (Ikea) - cream units with solid oak worktops, and vinyl rhinoflooring on the floor (terracotta mixed with cream and pale blue/green - wall paint matches). The floor is too uneven to tile/laminate , so vinyl it is...got a great deal on e**y.

I mixed some of the wall paint with the ceiling paint and painted the ceiling - it looks so much better, but may do another coat tomorrow, used a paint pad fpr the first time...fantastic!! Also got DH and DS1 to move the freezer to a different corner, it's amazing how much bigger the room looks now!!!

We talked about what we kind of storage we could have in now spare corner, and then remembered the 50s unit that I got from my former neighbour (now sadly passed away). It is in the shed atm and we will paint it there (Barley White to match the woodwork and units) before bringing it up to the house. I might paint some of the doors to match the wall or darker (teal) chimney breast, or do some free-hand designs on the doors a la pennib, who has produced some amazing pieces.

By the way pennib - am I correct in thinking you live up in Caithness, thought you mentioned it a while back?? Just asking...as I grew up there (well, from the age of 61/2)...and was back there at the beginning of July for a week seeing my dad and sister....we are in Worcestershire now, so it is quite a trek for us!

I also got a gateleg table and chairs from my neighbour (she went into a home and couldn't take much with her), and I am contemplating whether to strip it and polish/oil it or just treat the top and paint the rest....not sure about that yet.

Will post piccies in the coming days to see what you think.

Thanks again for inspiring me to get things sorted round the house. I was ill most of last year and it is good to get back to some painting and decorating so that I can at last get things to be the way I want.

I must admit I don't "do" pink, but do love colour and refuse to paint any walls white ...my in-laws house is all white inside..(well it was once:o), I could never do that!! Still wondering what colour to paint the conservatory, it's next on the list!! It's a sunny yellow atm, and contemplating green...with dark red windowsills , skirting and door surround...or may go with the same barley white that's in the kitchen...ooooh the agony of choice!!

Right off to bed soon, so I can get up early tomorrow and paint the kitchen ceiling ..then get the unit sanded and washed down....may get the first coat on in the afternoon....can't wait! It is white with blue doors atm...nice, but doesn't go with the decor. Also there is a shelf (Ikea and silver) that is going to turn barley white too, but needs priming first....I can see another trip to the local paint shop soon, as I may run out of barley white!!

Thanks for all your inpirational posts...I am definitely hooked on here now!!

Oh dear...this is a rather long post....sorry...will try to be more concise next time.

debbsi

Thanks for your lovely comments about my sideboard - I love it - its great getting complements, inspires you to do more!!
Danemi - Where are you going in France- we are sailing on 13th to St Malo then driving down to Sarzeau in southern Brittany - I cant wait!! We have been to france a few times now - but only just getting into the french style - so cant wait to get looking at the local brocante - I hope there are some flea markets near to where we are going!!

bargainbird

Kiess - Your Name sort of gives away where in caithness you lived , i lived near in wick for 9months - Welcome x

xxvickixx

debbsi wrote: »

Thanks for your lovely comments about my sideboard - I love it - its great getting complements, inspires you to do more!!
Danemi - Where are you going in France- we are sailing on 13th to St Malo then driving down to Sarzeau in southern Brittany - I cant wait!! We have been to france a few times now - but only just getting into the french style - so cant wait to get looking at the local brocante - I hope there are some flea markets near to where we are going!!

I think you mean me? We are looking to go to Southern Brittany/ Western Pays de la Loire , round the La Baule/Pornic ish area maybe, I went there a few times as a teen with my parents but hope to enjoy it more now! We'll be camping so not quite decided where. My parents are joining us in their motorhome and my uncle also is camping so it should be fun.
We are doing the Dover - Boulogne crossing and probably making an overnight stop on the way through France. I'm excited also about the shopping and the food, mmmmmm.

Welcome Kiess x