Casual Cottage Chic ~ Brocante

"The clock is ticking, the time is passing me by, passing me by..."

 
 

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ~ New Life to an Old French Table

The weather has finally been warm enough (okay, now it's hot!) to finally use my new Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and Waxes! I painted this charming wooden table in the Old White and distressed it slightly after applying the clear wax. I think it's the cutest little shabby cottage chic table (24" by 12" and 22" tall) for almost any room in the house ~ bedroom, bathroom, baby's room, entry hall. Great by a chair with a lamp for reading; lots of room to store your books and magazines. Wonderful and sturdy spindle legs and charming scalloped top. Solid wood that will last for years and years! You can purchase from my website. Once it goes into my space at the antique shop, it won't last long and will find a new home.

 

Antique French Wine Bottle Drying Rack ~ So Many Uses

Yep, I've acquired another of the smaller sized antique French zinc drying racks used to dry the wine bottles. These smaller ones are perfect for the kitchen counter or to use in your craft room to hold your supplies. I use mine for displaying my collection of English white ironstone mugs. This beauty is for sale on my website.
 
  It won't last long as this size is getting very difficult to find over in France!

Primitive French Straw Bee Skep For Your Garden

  Bees have been kept for their honey from ancient times. Although honey was originally collected from bees’ nests in hollow trees, people soon decided to make artificial nests for the honeybees to live in. This made collecting the honey much easier. The earliest and most simple man made form of beehive is the bee skep. Early hives were made from straw and clay and mimicked the natural cavities bees would choose in the wild. By Medieval times intricate straw skeps were being made. As these were not weatherproof many were covered with thatch or a render similar to that used on house walls (a mix of mud, dung and lime). The basic design was very similar in all cases ~ an upturned bowl with a small hole at the base for the bees to enter and exit the hive. Most had a "handle" made from a short, thick tree branch or a woven loop. The handle was used by the bee keeper to check for honey without upsetting the bees. It is rare to find these old woven bee skeps ~ most are destroyed when honey is removed. This bee skep is from the southern region of France; lovely aged and weathered patina. Tightly woven, it measures 18 inches tall (excluding the handle), with a base diameter of 16 inches. Old rope tied around the woven loop for hanging when not in use. We love these old bee skeps used in your garden or display on a patio table; lovely centerpiece! If interested in purchasing, please contact me directly. We only have a few available.

Watering Your Flowers the English Way

 The design of English watering cans with the long spouts happened around 1886. The long spout watering cans were used by professional gardeners in Britain’s landed estates and glasshouse nurseries. The design provided a perfect balance and wouldn't tip or strain arms and shoulders. Vintage English galvanized watering cans are highly desirable today. Spring is the perfect time to start your own collection of English vintage galvanized watering cans (available in our shop) or add to your collection!