In The Bleak Mid-Winter...

As I mentioned in my post below, I was to be at Shepton Mallet early on Monday morning to meet the painter who was due to start work on the exterior of the shop.....And, despite the very cold conditions, he was there ready and waiting when I arrived.

By the end of the day he had prepared all the woodwork and masonry by sanding down and filling, and he had applied the first coat of blue eggshell...

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Tuesday: Bright and (too!) early again, work continued, even though the outside temperatures were bitter. The masonry was given its first coat and the eggshell was finished off, which is where we decided to leave it for now, as the forecast for Wednesday (and for several days to follow) was for snow.

All will need a second coat, so the painter is going to come back to finish when the weather improves. At least the shop front looks tidier now and I can open when I am ready, even if it isn't 100% complete. I need to arrange a sign writer to create my 'Nostalgia' sign above the door too.

Whilst all of this activity was going on outside, I got busy inside (where it was slightly warmer!) and finished off all of the interior painting. (Same colours inside and out) - I've had mixed feedback from local people walking past about my colour choice...hopefully it will grow on them! I do think it reflects my merchandise well and gives a neutral background to the riot of colour that will eventually go on inside.

I've also converted this little area in the corner (I think it was once a loo, but had been used as a small storeroom by the previous occupants.) The ceiling and walls were painted (as well as the electrics cupboard)...

I used selected pages from original 1900's French fashion magazines that I had collected, to cover the two smaller end walls.

I thought these were appropriate, as I intend to use the area as a fitting room. I hope to keep a small selection of vintage clothes in stock, as well as 50's aprons, and of course some hats.

With this in mind, it was vital to hang some mirrors in there too. These have been hung in place and are the ones that I made-over at the beginning of October last year.
One full length mirror...

And a smaller one the other end, ideal for checking the fit of a floral millinery creation!

Two old wooden shoe lasts secured to the wall are perfect as coat hanger hooks.

And I've also displayed my collection of antique and vintage wedding photos on the walls...

which I also mentioned here. The chair that I painted and reupholstered will be added to a corner of the fitting room when I move in properly, along with a vintage fabric curtain across the doorway.

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As forecast though, the snow arrived overnight and so a trip to the shop today was not possible. I was hoping to start moving my stock in at the end of the week, but that may be delayed by the weather conditions...

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Its been a fun 'snow-day' here today - so no school for our youngest...

It is a little frustrating how the country seems to grind to a halt when the white-stuff falls...I really wanted to set an opening date for the shop, but won't be able to yet, until I know how long the snow intends to stick around...so I'll leave you with a selection of photographs that were kindly sent to me by Isabelle. They are from her husband Alan's photo archives, which I believe he uses in his research for his website Somerset in 3D. - Many thanks to you both; these really are fascinating!

(Possibly early 30's?)

Each of the photos are taken in roughly the same direction; looking down the main high street towards Market Place and Town Street. (The shop on the corner, behind the Market Cross is the location of my shop - interestingly, it looks to have been demolished and then rebuilt in the 1970's - I shall have to find out more!)

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(above taken in 1974)

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(Present day!)

Hope you enjoyed the short journey through the decades! - I'm not sure if I've put them in the correct order - I intend to have copies of the photos displayed in my shop when I open, so perhaps I will be able to find out more about the history of the town from some of the local people.

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Keep Warm!

Niki x