Designers' Block At Work

Ghost Furniture

2007-03-28T04:08:00.000-07:00

Ghost Furniture

2007-03-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

One Down Loads to Go

2006-11-23T02:56:00.000-08:00

Oh yes one item is finished. Getting this off the ground is hard. Lots of stuff almost there so keep checking back.

Very Hard Work In Progress

2006-10-20T00:25:00.000-07:00

Off to the Paris Flea Markets - Bye!

2006-09-19T02:56:00.000-07:00

Here's Some More

2006-09-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

Just a Teaser

2006-09-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Things I Have Touched

2006-08-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

On finding some things I cannot help but give them a new lease of life. These Sliding Cupboard Doors, that are on two walls of my cottage bedroom, were installed in the 70s and were crying out for some TLC. So I painted them with sky and clouds and stone columns with ivy draping them. Now when I lie in bed I feel as though I'm on a balcony in Italy.
The branches are used for Coat Hangers and a Curtain Pole. One left au naturel and the other painted matt black.
The Old Tin Chest was rusty and half the paint had come off, it didn't look like Shabby Chic it just looked shabby so I gave it a coat of matt black paint and now it sits in the lobby full of wellies and boots.
The old Terracotta Roof Tiles were fixed with 2 plant pots and put outside the cottage window to hold ivy plants.

Thing I Won't Touch

2006-08-27T02:05:00.000-07:00

Just because I am starting a new business taking vintage finds and turning them into something new doesn't mean I will take just anything and change it. There are certain items I find that I just could not bring myself to change. These are just some of those items. The Letters are from an old pub and are scratched from use which gives them an appeal, the National Trust sign you would have to be mad to change and the old French Shutter is so beautiful you just want to touch it and feel its age, nothing more.

What Will Become of Them

2006-08-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

A glimpse at the sort of items that I will be bringing back to life. I am off to the Paris Flea Markets next month, when I hope the barn will be ready to start work in. I can't wait to get there. We are taking the car to bring back some larger items and loads of little treasures.
As it says on the Ghost Furniture site - Bringing quality furniture back from the dead and making it hauntingly beautiful.

And Then There Was a Logo and a Site

2006-08-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

It's very handy living with a marketing guy as he did the corporate identity and the home page of the site for Ghost Furniture for me absolutely free of charge. Isn't that nice?

Just a Teaser

2006-08-05T02:26:00.000-07:00

Just thought it would be a good idea to tease you with some examples of the sort of things we will be using to create this range of genuine eco-chic furniture and accessories.
You will never guess in a million years just what we are going to do with them.
WATCH THIS SPACE.
I am off to the barn today to do some more decorating, just give me a thought when you are sitting relaxing.

Bird Crap and Cobwebs

2006-08-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

The lovely white marks on the floor are bird crap. The barn doors have been left open in the past and stray birds have flown in and messed the place up. There were numerous cobwebs and spiders ran out of lots of corners. This was a huge relief as it proves the barn is dry. I never thought I would be pleased to see a spider.
We have swept, used the Dyson and washed the floors and the place is starting to look like new. At the moment it is being painted so watch this space for an update and more pictures.
I'll just go and rest a bit whilst the painting is being done.

Things That Make Me Go Ooh

2006-07-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

These could be an insight into my new business. Sorry but I can't reveal just what it is yet. It's under wraps.
All these items are dotted around my house and have given me the inspiration to try this new venture. Some have sentimental value and others just appeal. That is what a home is about, having things around you that make you go ooh!

In The Beginning

2006-07-30T01:33:00.000-07:00

This is the barn, situated in a beautiful village in Northumberland in the North East of England, where I will be producing a range of furniture and accessories made from vintage finds across Europe. I will ,with the help of other local artisans, be producing what can only be described as true eco chic.

Too much is thrown away these days. I pass skips full of people's junk some of which can easily be renovated and turned into something stylish and functional. This made me decide to start this business.

Shabby chic is OK but there is so much of it about that is actually new. My pieces will have a history and I will endeavor to record that history with each piece and pass it on to the new owner.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting the progression of the barn conversion and any new pieces I begin to produce. It will be a journey I hope we all will enjoy.