Upstairs Downstairs

As the wind and rain lashed against the windows yesterday, I found myself thinking about a visit over the summer that Mr Treasure and I made to one of my favourite National Trust houses - Lanhydrock in Cornwall. I was busily sorting out my work room yesterday, but vowed to write a post about it over the weekend...so, here we go...

I love Lanhydrock because it's filled with all sorts of glorious bits and pieces that appeal to my inner vintage magpie. I'm also fascinated by the stories of the people and way of life in these big country houses.

The kitchen is enormous and is beautifully light and airy. Now, I'm not much of a chef, but I think even I could be inspired to whip up something other than beans on toast in a space like this!

I think Lanhydrock's got a lovely lived in feel...it's as if everyone's just popped out and will be back any moment to carry on with life in the big house.

Wouldn't it be great if flour still came in tins?!

It was definitely a case of the 'downstairs' staff not being seen or heard as they went about their daily tasks.

I'm a bit of a sucker for vintage leather suitcases and they're everywhere at Lanhydrock!

When I was little I would have loved a dolls house this size... and a rocking horse! I do remember our local pharmacy having a rocking horse that you could sit on whilst you waited for your banana or strawberry flavoured antibiotics to be made up, but it wasn't the same as having one at home!

Gorgeous patchwork.

There's something really appealing about old packaging...

...and 'proper' linen tea towels.

Tucked away in amongst the servant's quarters is The Luggage Room. Perhaps my favourite room in the whole house...just look at all that fabulous vintage luggage!

The Drawing Room. It's so typically Victorian!

My Dad's attracted to old books like a moth to a flame, always has been! As a bookbinder himself, he likes to study the bindings and "ooo" and "ahh" over the gold tooling or marbled end papers. These are just some of the books in The Gallery at Lanhydrock.

I'd love to tickle these ivories...not that I can really play, I'm afraid I didn't stick at my piano lessons when I was growing up.

If you love big country houses and a a jolly good costume drama, don't forget to watch 'Downton Abbey' tomorrow night on ITV1!

Vintage Lovelies Over at Folksy

My little Folksy shop has been somewhat bereft of things to sell in recent months. However, I'm pleased to announce that I've just added an array of goodies (all of which have been made by my own fair hands!)

Do pop over for a browse! Here's a sneaky peek at what you might find...

Vintage-inspired decorations

All made from vintage embroideries and fabrics and contain a lavender-filled sachet for extra loveliness!

Back view.

This one has a vintage lace trimming and is finished off with a Cath Kidston diamante brooch.

Back view.

Back view.

Small decorative cushions

Made from vintage fabric and the image of a vintage label that's been transferred on to cotton fabric. Decorated with hand embroidery and vintage trimmings, with a lavender-filled sachet inside each for a soothing aroma.

Back view.

Back view.

Vintage inspired patchwork sewing cases

Made using fabrics from the 1930s, '40s and '50s, with a felt flap and small pockets inside for all those sewing essentials.

Inside view.

Inside view.

Keep watching this space as I'll be adding some one-off hand bound leather and vintage fabric notebooks to my Folksy shop very soon!

Great Days Out

Mr Treasure and I found ourselves in wartime Britain over the weekend! Bantock House (in Wolverhampton) had a 1940s weekend, so we popped along to see what it was all about.

There were re-enactors aplenty and they all looked fabulous in their 1940s attire. I spotted these two having a chat as we walked across the car park!

The view over the Knot Garden.

Hoorah for bunting!

It really was like stepping back in time. I felt out of place in my modern day clothes!

I would have loved to have gone for a spin in this vintage Rover.

Amongst the stalls of bric-a-brac and clothing for sale were more great 1940s outfits!

Even Winston Churchill made a speech or two!

At the end of the afternoon, all the re-enactors came together to lead the finale of song singing.

It was really interesting to watch everyone at work during a 'raid' in the specially recreated Ops Room at 'RAF Neethley'. Telephones rung, plotters plotted, squadrons were scrambled and we all felt like we were in the thick of it!

Dig for Victory!

And now for something completely different...

I had a stall at the first ever Cotswold Vintage Fair the weekend before last. It was a great day, expertly organised by Tonia of Poppy Corkhill. Here's a little peek at just some of the vintage loveliness that was on offer...

I just loved this 1940s gal on the Rosablue stall, but unfortunately she wasn't for sale!

All sorts of goodies from Lucy Bloom.

Handmade lovelies by Gracie May.

Fabulous kitchenalia from Vintage Treasures.

Vintage china hire at Miss Emmelines.

'Mr Gillette' took centre stage on Hesta Nesta's stall.

More of Hesta Nesta's vintage treasures.

Fabulous sparkles and textiles from Betty & Violet.

My stall was right opposite the hall's back door, so I was lucky enough to have this rather glorious view all day.

I'm now busily making lots of handmade vintage lovelies ready for the next fair I'll be having a stall at, which is The Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on 28th November.