Monthly Archives: June 2012

Etsy Focus – Ally’s Antiques

Posted on June 29, 2012 | 4 Comments

My Etsy Focus this week is on an eclectic little store called Ally’s Antiques, which I realised after seeing it’s pretty wares is actually based out of Oxford – where I live! So I get to support a local store this week which makes me even happier.

Vintage Willow Pattern Tea Cups

“My name is Ally, I am French and I live in Oxford, UK. For as long as I can remember, I have always been rummaging in car boots and antiques fairs. I love collecting vintage artefacts and I recently discovered a passion for British ceramics and blue and white china.

With an academic background in Japanese and British art history, I am now starting a career in antiques and art dealing. The thing I love most about this job is the background work: I love to research the history of an item, find out who made it and why, and share my discoveries with my clients. I will try my best to do the same with the articles I sell on this page, so please let me know if you have any question about them!” Alexandra Domeracki

Vintage Industrial Metal Blue Green Hole Puncher

I love the eclectic mix of antique, vintage, retro and second-hand that Alexandra features in her store – there’s a little something for everyone.

1960s Retro Red Sphere Ice Bucket and Soda Syphon

Victorian Nursery Plate

Alexandra is on Twitter and also has a blog where she continues her discussions on antiques and vintage finds.

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Posted in Etsy Focus

Tagged Etsy, Vintage

Portfolio – This Week on Mydeco

Posted on June 26, 2012 | 1 Comment

I’m back over on mydeco today with a new post featuring a few Alice in Wonderland inspired homewares.

This year is the 150th anniversary of the first telling of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Celebrations for this anniversary are culminating with a weekend of activities around Oxford. I’m so looking forward to Alice’s Day.

Anyway, here’s the link to my mydeco post:

Wonderland Magic: Bring some frabjous style into your home

He Rabbit hanger by Design Atelier Article on mydeco

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Posted in Portfolio

Tagged Decor, Design, Interiors, mydeco

Sunday Brunch

Posted on June 24, 2012 | 2 Comments

Find me on Instagram: ahiddenblossom

Happy Sunday folks! How are you doing? I’ve had a super busy week at work and i’m on a hen weekend currently so I’ve pretty much entirely neglected my participation in BYW2. Hopefully I’ll get up to speed before the final week.

Did you do anything to celebrate mid summers eve? It pretty much passed me by this year.

Anyway, I hope you’re having a beautiful day and you enjoy my round up of fun things I’ve found across the web this week:

♥ Jenny Rose Flowers over on The Stockman Diaries ♥

♥ When Not Everything Is As It Seems on the Mydeco Blog ♥

♥ Indoor Neon-lit Signs over on Poppytalk ♥

♥ Test Shoot over on Charlotte Love ♥

♥ Peach Cobbler Scones over on Joy the Baker ♥

♥ Wall of Plates over on The Style Files ♥

♥ Sofa Day Dream over on Strawberry Koi ♥

♥ 29 Sandwiches You’ve Never Tried over on More Design Please ♥

I also came across this new publication this week – Stuff Uncovered. It’s pretty eclectic but features a few good articles on vintage homewares and styling that are worth a look ….

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Posted in Sunday Brunch

Tagged Decor, Design, Eclectic, Inspiration, Interiors, Vintage

Etsy Focus – Handz: Restyleshop

Posted on June 22, 2012 | 4 Comments

I’m really excited about my Etsy Focus post today – I’ve just been bursting to share with you the work of Jan Skácelík, a Czech graphic designer who has a fabulous bright and vibrant Etsy shop called Handz: Restyleshop.

Mid Century Modern Stig Lindberg Tea Retro Print

“Hello, My name is Jan Skácelík and I´m graphic designer / photographer / music composer from Olomouc, Czech Republic.

I love everything about design and especially vintage 50s / 60s Scandinavian stuff like Cathrineholm enamelware, Stig Lindberg, Marianne Westman, Eames, Danish modern furniture etc, vintage 60s book illustrations… “

Retro Polaroid Camera Print

I absolutely adore Jan’s cute modern prints that make use of retro motifs and typography. The polaroid camera in the print above is lovely – I used to own one just like it.

Retro Vespa Print

How about this fabulous vespa print? Inspirational quotes feature in almost all of Jan’s work.

Eames Rocking Chair Retro Print

Jan Skácelík has a beautiful blog called Design Attractor that features gorgeous Scandinavian interiors. You can also find more of ‘Handz: Restyle’ on Facebook and Twitter.

Every Friday I highlight an Etsy store that has caught my eye. If you enjoyed this post why not pop over and see my past Etsy Focus features.

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Posted in Art, Etsy Focus

Tagged Art, Etsy, mid century modern

Rockett St George

Posted on June 19, 2012 | 4 Comments

I’ve been having a hoot recently browsing the website of the funky homewares label Rockett St George. This online store takes modern vintage to a whole new level.

1. Amazing Bottle Chandelier

2. ‘Ceci N’est Pas Un Livre’ Woman Self Shelf in White

3. Reproduction Vintaged Chair in Blue

4. Adjustable Industrial Round Dining Table with Distressed Wooden Table Top

I love their eclectic mix of vintage industrial pieces and unusual modern items. They feature unique homewares using upcycled materials as well as iconic furniture from well known designers.

Rockett St George can be found on twitter, facebook and even have their own blog. If you’re not familiar with them yet, I recommend you get acquainted …

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Posted in Interiors, Vintage Finds

Tagged Decor, Design, Eclectic, Furniture, Homewares, Interiors, Vintage

Instagram – Finally!

Posted on June 18, 2012 | 7 Comments

Ok, so last week I finally took the plunge and bought an iphone! Can you believe it’s the first Apple product I’ve ever owned?! I finally feel like I’ve been initiated into the world of great design.

First on the app-download list was Instagram! I’ve been missing out for months while the rest of you have been having lots of fun with your dreamy instant photography. But no more! I am finally in on the action.

I thought I’d share with you what I’ve been up to in the last week through Instagrams …

1. This little lost duckling turned up in the bushes outside our office. We soon returned her to her mummy.

2. I went home to see my family for Father’s Day and popped into The Belle Isle – this lovely little display was on an old industrial cart.

3. A quick healthy snack – blueberries from Riverford Organic.

4. Pink Gin and Tonic! Need I say more?!

5. Trying out an Instagram self-portrait.

6. Window display for Liscious Interiors, Oxford.

7. A bunch of pretty summer blooms put together by our lovely gardener at work.

8. A wall of vintage suitcases – also at The Belle Isle.

9. A totally indulgent sunday brunch of fried eggs and beans on toast – yum!

So i’m hooked, and I hope to show you more of my adventures through Instagram soon. If you fancy following me, it’s the same name I use for twitter, facebook, pinterest and flickr – ahiddenblossom.

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Posted in Personal, Photography

Tagged Blogging, Instagram, Photography, Vintage

Sunday Brunch

Posted on June 17, 2012 | 4 Comments

Happy Sunday all! How are you? I’m down in Sussex with my family this weekend. The image above is of a portrait one of my sisters painted of me, probably around 10 years ago now, as I was a teenager. It forms part of a series of my two sisters and I and hangs in my parents dining room.

I hope you have a relaxing day. Here are my my favourite links from the week for you to browse through …

♥ Loop the Loop over on Patchwork Harmony ♥

♥ Styling Details over on Trend Daily ♥

♥ Vintage Style Wedding Postage Stamps over on Just Something I made ♥

♥ S is for Snail Mail over on Decorator’s Notebook ♥

♥ Cook Eat Smile over on Heart Home Mag ♥

♥ Recipe: Caprese Pops over on Almalu’s Place ♥

♥ Summer Idea: Southwest Ranch Escape over on Happy Interior Blog ♥

♥ No.74 over on Room to Bloom ♥

♥ The Glossary: Shabby Chic over on Llustre Blog ♥

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Posted in Sunday Brunch

Tagged Decor, Inspiration, Interiors, Vintage

Etsy Focus – Present & Correct

Posted on June 15, 2012 | 1 Comment

This week my Etsy Focus post features London based stationary store Present & Correct. As well as brand new designs, they feature a range of products using ephemera and vintage papers.

“Our work is inspired and driven by a lifelong love of paper ephemera as well as memories of school and the activities we took part in. We look to stamps, labels, tags, picture books and educational aids for ideas and feelings. A new notebook, that first day at school and getting top marks in class. Those are the things we like.”

Present & Correct Science Journal Letter Set

This cute letter set has been created from 1960s science journals. The graphics and illustrations were just so fun that they couldn’t be left forgotten. Not only will they look great in the post but they might just teach your recipient something!

Present & Correct Office in a Jar

How about this for a super gift, or just for your own office? Present & Correct have collected together a selection of vintage office stationery items and popped them neatly inside a recycled jam jar. Great idea!

Present & Correct Paper Bag

Looking for new (old) crafting items? Present & Correct have a vast collection of ephemera that needs sharing with the world. Their little paper bags offer you a great selection of vintage papers to choose from …

“Inside each one you will find a great selection of old tickets, stencils, labels, numbers, envelopes, stickers, paper bags, iron on motifs, postcards… and every single bag is different. An ace little gift or addition to your craft drawer.”

As well as their Etsy store Present & Correct have a main website too. They’re also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.