the next thrifty chair makeover!

So those of you that may have seen my last chair makeover may be excited to know I've now done the other one! As planned, it is completely different from the Cath Kidston oil cloth one AND it cost me absolutely nothing! not a penny!
To remind you what the original chair looked like.....

and now she looks like this.....!!

what do you think?! do you prefer this one or this first one?!
here's a few more closer pics....

Luckily I managed to find some pots of paint in our shed left behind by the previous owners, so I just painted one coat of this ochre colour - kind of a light grey / green - and then I gave it a rub with sandpaper in a few areas to give it the good old 'shabby chic' look! For the seat cover, I had a batch of Ian Mankin fabric samples knocking around that I knew I'd find a use for one day, and I just stitched them all together on the machine and re-covered the seat with it! Voila!
I think I've definitely found a new passion, it is so satisfying bringing something back to life!

xxx

Wallpaper by Vivienne Westwood

So we all know that wallpaper is firmly back on the map when it comes to style in the home, and now the queen of style in the fashion world puts her stamp of cool on it too....
but what do you think of Vivienne Westwood's designs? will they work on our walls?

Cut-out Lace

Magnolia

Squiggle

Union Jack

Absence of Rose

Trompe l'oeil Drape

Tartan

For me, I am tempted to order samples to see them in the flesh, like the cut out lace... others I think would just give me a headache - Trompe l'oeil Drape - although I do think this would look really cool in a funky restaurant or bar.
My faves out of these examples are actually the Union Jack and the tartan, very Vivienne Westwood, and very British, and I think they could work really well for a bold statement wall.
Which is your fave? Or are you not impressed?
Check out lots more of the designs at the Cole & Son website. xxx

In the Press...

Things have been pretty hectic of late, I never seem to have a moment! The shop has been getting busier in the run up to Christmas, so I must admit most of my time is going into that, so I thought I'd share a few recent product mentions Patchwork Harmony has had in the press...

Mail on Sunday's You magazine had a lovely feature with Cath Kidston, which included patterns to make some lovely things (which you can download templates for here), and they included my little Make Do & Mend tin in the round up of items you need for your sewing box....


I'm sold out of these at the min, but have 2 other designs.... (£2.75 each)


The Sunday Express's S Magazine, featured my little jam pot in an interiors piece about country style....


And Saga magazine included my handmade seedmarkers by Esther Coombs in their Christmas Gift Guide.... This was styled by Katie Sellers whose work I love, and I think it looks great! very quirky!

xxx

Cosy up with Anta

I don't know about you, but I am frrreeeezzziingg!! It literally seemed November 1st arrived and so did Winter! But of course the best thing about Winter is cosying up with a hot mug of tea, lighting the fire and snuggling on the sofa with a good film.... and the range from Anta seem well prepared for these times.... Inspired by the Scottish landscape and traditional Scottish style, their gorgeous throws, cushions and stoneware display a modern twist on this, so would look fab in a country pad as well as a more modern interior....

oh and in the summer you can always use the throws for picnics!

I really like their stuff as it is good classic design, that will never go out of fashion... and looks so cosy! :)

Lucky Scottish readers can check out their shops, the rest of us can buy online.

xxx

All the Luck in the World...

I am loving this little shop I just came across called All the Luck in the World, based in the Netherlands and run by graphic designer & artist Jane Schouten. It sells vintage and re-styled items and has a really eclectic feel...


you can also buy online, but mostly I've just been enjoying browsing Jane's flickr page which has lots of lovely images of her products, inspiration and her home....

recycling wallpaper samples

Its probably taken me about 2 months to make a decision on which wallpaper to go for in our hallway! Its such a difficult decision! and I seem to have ended up back at my very first choice anyway... (i think!)

Harrys Garden by Louise Body....

So then I thought I want to do 'something' with the leftover wallpaper samples which are all lovely and seems a shame to throw them away....
I love this image from a recent shoot Selina Lake & Debi Treloar styled and photographed for Homes & Antiques magazine..... and it has actually got at least 2 of the samples I have in there!

see more from this feature on Selina's blog.

I'm just a bit worried I might not be able to make it look as fab as this, or if my other half will allow! So I think my plan is to do it on a smaller scale and use them to create a noticeboard for my office.... something like the one here.....

Country Homes & Interiors/House to Home

So now I'm on the hunt for a great frame! It would be really easy to pick up a plain wooden frame and paint it, but I am envisaging something slightly more ornate.... I'll be keeping my eyes peeled at the car boot this Sunday!

xxx

Blog Birthday winners!!

Thanks so much for all your blog birthday wishes! I cannot believe its been a year!
Now it is time to announce the winners of the giveaway - thanks for all your entries!

First prize winner of a set of my chocolate mould decorations is.....

And 2 runner up prizes of £5 gift vouchers for Patchwork Harmony are....

Congratulations to the winners! I will be in touch to get your goodies off to you.
xxx