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Whilst doing some serious sorting out and tidying last week, I came across a little cross stitched name that I have stashed away for years. It is cross-stitched unto perforated paper and  a silk ribbon. When my dad died, his name was Samuel or Sammy, I found this in an antiquarian book shop, I loved it and took it for a sign from him. He left a small inheritance to be divided amongst his family, it wasn't much but I wanted to buy something to keep in remembrance of him, instead of just buying clothes or something else that wouldn't last. Another couple of things I am sentimental about a little cardboard box covered in forget me nots that has seen better days and our funny little Guinea Pig, Jingle I found this lovely cross stitched picture, again done on perforated paper. It is quite faded, but I just love the subject matter, a man and his dogs, my dad loved dogs and my daughter seems to have inherited this from him. Whilst I was in the Antiques business, I bought and sold a fe...

My newest addition to the shop is a beautiful mahogany tilt-top breakfast table and chairs. I know some of you will be horrified that I painted them, when they are antique. The thing is, the table had been refinished badly and was a bit unloved, so I caressed it and loved it and painted it!  For once in my life I actually remembered to photograph it before and after, but the quality of picture is not great...sorry! The chairs are beech, stained to like like mahogany, and although the velvet seat pads were in very good nick, I decided they needed updating and covered them in a natural linen. Apologies for my long absence....balance, balance, I need to find you! Wishing you all a happy week ahead, with love, Linda xx

Wouldn't it be a bit of fun to imagine you had a room like this to decorate.....a blank canvas. Although it is obviously a Period room, with the wooden floor, neutral paint colour, you could go really modern, or fill it with Geogian antiques, or have a mix of old and new. How would you decorate it? (Oh by the way, money is no object!) Picture from  here . I think if it were mine, the first thing I would do is find a lovely antique dog grate to bring the fireplace to life. Next would be to install a pair of bookcases either side of the fireplace to make it cosy. Perhaps a pair of reproduction Regency style bookcases. (I would have to paint them of course!)  source . Perhaps some built-in bookcases would be better? Photo from  here . Photos from  here  and  here . I would need a lovely piece of art for above the fireplace and rather like this painting by Jane Swanston called Still Spaces 13, and to be found  here . An antique rug for the centre of the ro...