Our new chair

We have just installed our new, vintage Swedese Lamino chair which we recently bought at auction. Although it was more that I originally intended to pay it was definitely worth it, as it is amazingly comfortable as well as very stylish. The only problem now is working out whose turn it is to sit in it, we are considering a rota...

Another piece of Rorstrand

I bought this cup and saucer in the 'Eden' pattern a few weeks ago from Marjoriedoo, a vintage clothes shop in Coventry.

It's one of my favourite Rorstrand patterns and a Marianne Westmann design. I also have a ceramic 'pencil' cheese board from the same range, though its been languishing in a box since I moved to this flat as our crumbly walls our not good for hanging heavy ceramics on.

Peterborough finds

Last Friday I went to the giant antiques fair at Peterborough (thanks for the tickets Julian!).

I bought some nice vintage fabric, a few pieces of Hornsea pottery, some Danish stainless steel and wooden items.

I also bought a vintage 'Swan ink' bottle for Matt's collection, an unusual Noregian pewter leaf dish and a small Rye 'Cottage stripe' mustard pot - pictures below..

1940s 'Utilty' sewing box

A few months ago we bought a slightly battered wooden box from Ally Pally antiques fair. I think it may have been a sewing box originally but its lining was missing and it had a bit of woodworm. It also has the distinctive CC41 logo underneath which means that it was produced under the 'Utility' scheme introduced during the Second World War to ensure that there was a supply of quality and price controlled furntiture (plus other household goods and clothes). I think this item is probaby a post-war example.

I have treated the woodworm just in case any of it was still fresh and have now lined it with some paper from Paperchase which had a 1940s style pattern.

Yellow cat money box

I picked up this funny yellow ceramic cat money box at a flea market a few years ago. He was a bit bashed about and his ear had been glued back on but I just loved the bright acidic yellow glaze and his quite angry looking face.

I didn't know anything at all about it except that it was Italian, although I did think it was odd that the shape was the same as Lisa Larson ceramic cats. But recently while browsing on ebay I saw one for sale. Handily, the seller identified it as being made by Baldelli Pottery. It also confirmed that these ceramics were often based on designs by Stig Lindberg and Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg Pottery.

I have also found a whole blog dedicated to collecting them and another blog showing some of the other animal designs.

Viners candlesticks

I have quite a few pieces of stainless steel on ebay this week, including pieces by Old Hall and Viners. As well as the stainless steel, I am also selling this unusual pair of pewter candlesticks.

They were made by Viners and designed by Gerald Benney, the renowned silversmith and metalware designer. He is probably most well known for the 'Studio' cutlery range for Viners. The candlesticks feature a fine textured surface which is typical of his work.

Mid century design posters

I have just bought this great poster on Etsy. I can't wait to get it, although our walls are already groaning under the weight of too many prints and posters...