Far Too Handy!

When I have one of my website parcels ready for dispatch, I have to take it to the Post Office in a neighbouring village, since the one in our village closed down a few years ago. I have to get into my little car and make the 4 mile trip along the road. When the parcel has been dealt with, I need to turn my car around to come back home...its a busy little road and so it sometimes involves me having to go quite a way up the road to do so safely. No...really it does...and then what do I spy just as I'm about to do the U turn? (Do you get the feeling I do this on purpose?! teehee)

You see, my friend owns a tantalising little shop with this very seductive sign outside...

And I just know that inside she will have found more treasures to tempt me. For a tiny shop, she has a very fast turn-over of stock and I know for a fact that there will be something new (read old!) requiring my consideration, every time I visit! ;-))

Anne and her small business featured on my blog in 2006 - I am a big fan of her simple lifestyle and the choices that she makes for her happiness. She's always very welcoming and offers her treasures to me at a very good price! In fact I would say that at least 50% of the furniture in our home has come from Anne's shop over the years.

Well today was one of those days when I needed to be at the Post Office once more...now if you were me, what would you do, knowing this Aladdin's cave was just another two minutes further up the road?! ;-))

Sorry...just couldn't help myself...

It's very rough and ready inside, and I'm always slightly worried that the ceiling could come down at any moment...but then the walls have been standing since 1777, so I think I'm probably safe for another few years yet...

Anne either strips, waxes or polishes old furniture back to its former glory. Or she will give pieces her own unique paint finish, often adding hand painted flowers and doodles to cupboard panels and drawer fronts.

Occasionally too, things will be left as she has discovered them, with layers of peeling paint and attractive scabby bits! - Like this wonderful old panelled cupboard (which sadly I don't have space for! Believe me; I racked my brains thinking where it could be accommodated!)

There is usually a choice of several country style dressers...

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And dressing tables, chests of drawers, cupboards and chairs.

But what did I find on today's visit, I hear you ask?!

Well, did you spot the old chimney pot in the photos above? A handing over of a £10 note and it was mine! (Roll over garden centres!) - I make that around £2 per foot! This is a tall beasty(!) and will look gorgeous filled with trailing summer flowers in a week or two...You should have seen Anne and I grappling with it, trying to lift it into the back of my car! Where there's a will...

The little bamboo table was also £10 (roll over IKEA! ;-)) and is going to live in the summer house when I've added a panel of fabric to its top. Perfect for resting a cup of tea on, with my gardening books stored on the shelf beneath.

The drawer/divided shelf thingy behind the table will be painted, and I'll line each of the cubicles with vintage wallpaper. The unusual little ornate cabinet will also receive a make-over; don't let its looks fool you - its not solid mahogany, more like stained plywood, but a paint job will have it looking very 'Frenchy', I think.

I'll leave you with one of my most favourite 'Anne bargains' - our dressing table, which was one of the first items I bought from her around 12 years ago. Now-a-days, my purchases are of a smaller size, as I just haven't the room left for the large chunks of furniture, but each purchase does 'speak' to me. I love the sense of history each piece possesses; the aura old furniture offers a home and the unique touch each carefully selected item adds to its surroundings.

You can't beat junk shop shopping, can you? - That sense of recycling, the thrill of finding a treasure, and the comfort of handing over of a reasonable sum for something fabulous.

Have a lovely weekend,

Niki x