Formerly Known as The Rights of Fans
Why Settle for Flimsy Furniture? Vintage Quality Wins Every Time Why do people keep buying flimsy flat-pack furniture that barely survives a house move? It wobbles, peels, and turns to sawdust in no time. Meanwhile, beautifully crafted, sturdy 1960s furniture, built to last, ends up at the tip! Madness. But fear not—this gem has been … Continue reading Saving the Planet….Well Upcycling a Wooden Couch!
Interesting Finds. Hidden in a Mirror Mrs Bamberger Shocks London! Meandering around Ford market near Arundel last Thursday, I happened upon a very lovely 1920s mahogany inlaid oval mirror. The glass was loose so it was only £5, it was a bargain but a project. Now, with projects these days I know if I don't … Continue reading Hidden in a Mirror: Mrs. Bamberger Shocks London!
Back then, I was in my mid-30s, still shaking off the hedonistic remnants of my youth, where weekends revolved around pubs and football. Conveniently placed between the two, my shop often bore the brunt of my Saturday escapades. On home game weekends, I’d enlist my good friend Mark to man the store while I immersed … Continue reading A Simpler Time: The Day Dame Kiri Bought a Mirror
Ah, the glamorous world of selling vintage goods online! It’s all gilded mirrors, rare finds, and... moral conundrums over curtains. Yes, dear reader, today’s tale is about some rather fabulous velvet gold curtains, a £250 bribe, and a lesson in why it’s always better to take the high road, even when it’s lined with potholes. … Continue reading The Moral Maze: The Battle of the Velvet Gold Curtains – Vintage Gazumping Drama
There’s something nostalgic about zinc. As a young boy, I remember wandering into proper DIY shops on the high street—long before the era of big-box stores—and marveling at the array of zinc washing cans, buckets, and other practical items. Zinc, with its lightweight nature and rust-proof qualities, was the perfect material for everyday tools, especially … Continue reading Interesting Finds: A Zinc Revival in Our Throwaway Society
Last year, a resident submitted a planning application to convert a very large garage with a pitched roof—which, in fairness, already looked like a small house—into an Airbnb. The local residents all opposed it, and it was quite rightly turned down. A quintessential English hamlet should not have its integrity spoiled by commercialism. However, without … Continue reading Why Reeves Has Adopted Trumpism to Take on the NIMBYs and Rebuild Britain
Picture this: it’s the late 19th century, and a fearsome farmer, bristling with indignation and armed with a trusty shotgun, chases down a group of poachers across his sprawling estate. The scene is pure drama, filled with muddy boots, barking dogs, and the distant caw of startled crows. When the chase is done, the farmer … Continue reading From Guns to Umbrellas: The Curious Journey of a Victorian Gun Cupboard
Picture this: you’re walking into your dining room, office, or grand hallway, and BAM! There it is – the most magnificent French table (or is it a desk?) you’ve ever seen. This isn’t just furniture; it’s a statement, a conversation starter, and possibly the answer to your interior décor dreams. Let me introduce you to … Continue reading Stunning French Upcycled Décor. Is It a Table Is It a Desk Is It a Spider? A Humorous Take on a Very Unusual Table Project
If you’re looking for a piece of furniture that screams, “I’m stylish, I’m retro, and I might just double as a spaceship,” look no further than the iconic 1970s globe chair. This spherical wonder is more than just a seat—it’s a statement. It’s the kind of chair that looks like it could have been plucked … Continue reading 1970s Globe Chairs: The Retro Seating That’s Out of This World
I bought this little gem at Ford Market near Arundel on the 2nd of January, and let me tell you, my New Year's resolutions didn’t even make it past day one. I had vowed to stop buying things that need a ton of work, but there I was, standing in front of this piece, absolutely … Continue reading Failing my New Year Upcyling Resolution on 2/1/2025! Upcycling Project Restoring a Vintage Bookcase.
What is a sideboard/dresser? These are sideboards or cupboards with drawers that are augmented by decorative features to the top, such as mirrors and decorative backings with shelves. Nobody makes them anymore. No, they have been replaced over the last century with dressers or simple sideboard or cupboards with no tops. Why? Sideboards were prevalent … Continue reading The Rise The Fall and The Comeback of the Victorian Sideboard Dresser
For my new eclectic blog, one of the new categories as we put the blog together, will be a section where I wax lyrical about classic vintage pieces we all either grew up with or recognise. First up, the 80s middle-class classic the antique old world map coffee table. They were made in the 1980s. … Continue reading Vintage and Retro Classics. Globe and World Map Campaign Style Nest of Coffee Tables.