Thursday 10 May 2012

The Decorative Living Fair


 

Hi everybody, and a special welcome to my new followers!

Have just got back from a rather wet and muddy but satisfying morning at the Decorative Living Fair at Eridge, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, set in the middle of beautiful parkland.



Set in the gorgeous grounds of Eridge Park, there is a lovely mix of decorative antiques and painted furniture, vintage collectables, vintage and antique linens and textiles, vintage garden tools, garden plants, and beautiful clothing and accessories.


 
It was quite heavenly for me, browsing stall after stall of gorgeous vintage and antique furniture, textiles, books and collectables - I was in my element and had to be very careful not to get too carried away with my purchases. I had my good friend Jane with me to lead me astray  - we can always convince ourselves to buy when we see something gorgeous at a good price!

 
I came away with a few lovely things, such as this bundle of three pretty tea towels in a lovely vintage style cotton, two in a cream floral and one in a lovely pale duck egg floral


 
This gorgeous pink pressed glass vase or sundae dish, am not quite sure of its original purpose but I shall use it as a vase

 
Our local Annie Sloan Paints supplier Dovetails Vintage in Sevenoaks, Kent  were there with a stall full of their wonderful painted furniture and AS paints, and I bought a brush that I had been after.

Regular followers of my blog will remember that I recently went on an Annie Sloan furniture painting course there (with Jane again!) which was fabulous, and which I still need to do a post on.

But maybe I shall wait until I have had time to paint a few new things using the new paints I bought on the course, and using the techniques learnt, and therefore have something different to show you.


 
I also couldn't resist buying this lovely 1950s floral linen, atleast 2m of wide, unused vintage linen

 
The background is the most gorgeous deep warm red colour, with lovely turquoise, yellow and green flowers and leaves - I can just see these made up as simple cushions, they will be so bright and pretty!


Now don't forget to enter my Jubilee Giveaway if you haven't already

 

Just leave a comment on the Jubilee post dated 9th May 2012 to say which of the Diamond Jubilee tea towels you would like to win if your name is picked, either the Red Roses one below

 

Or the Union Jack Bunting one


 

The Giveaway  prize will also include something I have made, and I am busy trying to decide what that will be at the moment!

The Giveaway ends on Sunday May 27th 2012, so be sure to pop over and leave your comment before then, and if you would like to have a second entry please mention the Giveaway and link to it on your blog (see the button on the Giveaway post).



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21 comments:

  1. I'd have been in heaven there too, some lovely buys! x

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  2. What fun!
    I love the red floral linen!

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  3. Such lovely things you got!!! Uhmmm I wish I were there!!!

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  4. That fair sounds lovely - must put that one in my diary for next year. Cute fabrics Gill, and that sundae glass is just gorgeous!

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  5. I hope the rain kept away my dear!

    I adore your tea towels, and that vintage linen is just amazing! I love it!

    Looking forward to seeing what you make with it.

    Take care Gill,
    Love Donna x

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  6. The colour of that vintage linen is gorgeous.
    What a good day out you had with your friend.
    Lisa x

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  7. It sounds like a wonderful day out and I love the things which found their way home with you, especially the tea towels.

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  8. Lovely fabric. I 'm so interested to know how you got on with the paint course. Do you find Annie Sloan paints easy to use? Xx

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  9. Hi FourHappyBunnies!
    I will do a post soon, but in answer to your question, they are different to use from other paints. Forget neat painting, forget sanding and preparation, you can just paint onto anything without primer or undercoat, but they leave a chalky finish which needs wax to protect it unless on a wall. It lends itself well to distressing, ageing and antiquing if you like a distressed, chippy or crackled look. More in the post to come but hope this helps a little!!!

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  10. Hi, Gill! I love your vintage fabrics..So feminine and airy. Some of my best ideas come to me when it rains! Unfortunately , rain is a luxury here in AZ!

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  11. I'm not sure how to comment on your side pictures, but the turquoise cushion you recently made is just beautiful. Can you tell I have a little thing for anything turquoise/aqua?? ;)

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  12. Thanks Anya, I have a thing about turquoise at the moment too! I recently bought a pot of Annie Sloan "Provence" paint, a gorgeous turquoisy colour, and am having to resist the urge to paint lots of furniture in it!
    Gill xx

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  13. Looked like a great day out. Looking forward to seeing the painted furniture. XX

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  14. Hello Gill:
    The Decorative Living Fair would have been a definite draw for us if we had been anywhere in striking distance. We are often to be found in Tunbridge Wells when in Brighton and find it to be a most attractive town with a wide variety of interesting shops. The Pantiles are particularly appealing, we think.

    You scooped up some wonderful buys. The pressed glass vase also could have had our name on it....if we had beaten you to it!

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  15. Hi, Gill! Cute glas vase and gorggeous fabrics and tea towels. Love`em! All! I wish I cuold go there :o)
    Have a nice weekend
    Natasha

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  16. Hello Gill

    What a great day and I love your fabric. I have some pink pressed glass too (depression glass from USA)
    It teams nicely with my pink tower dishes.

    Hope your weekend is very special

    Helen xx

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  17. I love that glass vase...it's gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing all the things you learnt on the course..and getting a few tips maybe!
    Do pop over and enter my giveaway! X

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  18. Very pretty fabrics. And I love the pressed glass vase you found!

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  19. Wow, that sounds like the most perfect event for you Gill! Glad to hear you had a good time :)
    Best wishes.

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  20. lucky you! what fun you must have had! lovely finds!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x