Now maybe it’s the really rather warped way that I see things, but it seems to me that in the U.K all that is old , antique or , tsk, that nonsensical word- vintage, is a very serious matter indeed, populated by people in tweedy coats, frowns, those funny little eyeglasses and the occasional silly moustache.
Think The (dreadful) Antiques Road show and what you come up with is Middle Class England at it’s most suffocating, family heirlooms, dust and hacking jackets abound (Though Cabbage and Roses did do those so very, very well…), fuzzy little ladies polish their crystal to a mirror like sparkle and keel over in a dead faint should you dare to touch it and men who look like they’ve been dug up preside over albums full of very dull stamps.
And that my dears is what the average Antiques Fair in Great Britain is like. To be taken with a dose of some very serious, preferably inherited salt, and a home counties accent.
Not so America. Just look at those lovely Gypsies. And Magnolia Pearl. And very probably the lovly Chris from Urban Prairie. All gearing up for a party of a week in Texas in celebration of all that is junky, and scrumptious and glittering and bashed to smithereens but lovely all the same…
Bringing the same spirit and glorious good taste to the serious business of buying and selling- and when it’s over throwing a junkily delicious prom to end all proms and celebrating in style…
Just one more reason why I should have been American.
Oh I do hope you like it as much as I do! The gorgeous Amber from Shabbee Chick Designs has finally blessed BrocanteHome with a design I couldn’t even begin cobble together with my minimal/non-existent design skills and I have never been more thrilled. You know that thing you did as a teenage girl when…
Right now my lovely landlady is showing our house to an estate agent and I am trying to blend in to the laminate floor while simultaneously channeling my terribly well-concealed distress into talking to you precious people . Because you my Darlings are my opium. The hug I need when I feel like stamping my…
Darlings, do excuse me if I disappear for a few days won’t you? I am working on something rather wonderful for my Housekeeping Superstars and need to throw my heart and soul into it… Fingers crossed it will make life easier for all of us… Have a nice weekend won’t you?
The easiest and prettiest way to cover a coat hanger? Wrap it in ribbon- no sewing required! Either use a glue gun to secure the ribbon to the hanger, or pierce the ribbon with scissors and thread over the hook and start wrapping… Choose gorgeous tapestry ribbon for a hanger too pretty to hide…
Look I know I go on about not being precious. I know I tell you that life is too short to save your best vintage china for Christmas Day, and that life would be full of teeny tiny joys if we would only stop waiting for that special occasion. I know all this and HouseKeepers…
26 Comments
You could still move! or at least visit us on this side of the sea!
But, I know you realize, you wouldn't quite be you if you were born here! Guess what? My in-laws retired to Arkansas and live rather near Eureka Springs! Next time I visit I'll let you know. 😀
But, I know you realize, you wouldn't quite be you if you were born here! Guess what? My in-laws retired to Arkansas and live rather near Eureka Springs! Next time I visit I'll let you know. 😀
I am so at this event with you Alison. I can't go and I'm already half way there! Let's pretend in our minds over the weekend that we ARE there! "Scooting about" (as you say) in our puffy prom dresses buying all sorts of delicious treasures, and kiss kissing Rachel, Pearl, Chris, and all the junk gypsies on each cheek. Meet you at the gate? lauren
I am so at this event with you Alison. I can't go and I'm already half way there! Let's pretend in our minds over the weekend that we ARE there! "Scooting about" (as you say) in our puffy prom dresses buying all sorts of delicious treasures, and kiss kissing Rachel, Pearl, Chris, and all the junk gypsies on each cheek. Meet you at the gate? lauren
haven't been by here in ages – I have been soul searching – gawd, lots to catch up on. I think I will come back later, with a lovely cup of tea and browse your blog – taking time to enjoy it all without having to rush! but I must say – you have a cutie pie of a kiddo there with his casserole!
haven't been by here in ages – I have been soul searching – gawd, lots to catch up on. I think I will come back later, with a lovely cup of tea and browse your blog – taking time to enjoy it all without having to rush! but I must say – you have a cutie pie of a kiddo there with his casserole!
I would love to go to this! I'm only one state away in New Mexico! Maybe next year! I'd also love to go the Farm Chics fair too! Dreams CAN come true! Alison, there are so many things I covet from England! One of them being pretty oil floral and spotty oilcloth! Oilcloth here in the U.S. is so Blah! Oh, and pink Laundry Powder Bins? Haven't spotted any in the U.S. Plus, England gave us Rachel Ashwell and Cath Kidston among many others! (Love Cabbages and Roses too!) We'll all have to visit eachother sometime. It would be so fun! 🙂 Susana
I would love to go to this! I'm only one state away in New Mexico! Maybe next year! I'd also love to go the Farm Chics fair too! Dreams CAN come true! Alison, there are so many things I covet from England! One of them being pretty oil floral and spotty oilcloth! Oilcloth here in the U.S. is so Blah! Oh, and pink Laundry Powder Bins? Haven't spotted any in the U.S. Plus, England gave us Rachel Ashwell and Cath Kidston among many others! (Love Cabbages and Roses too!) We'll all have to visit eachother sometime. It would be so fun! 🙂 Susana
allison, i love brocante home. i wish you lived in the u.s. next door to me! we love the same things. Thanks for bringing me so much beauty and inspiration. cindy m., tennessee, united states
allison, i love brocante home. i wish you lived in the u.s. next door to me! we love the same things. Thanks for bringing me so much beauty and inspiration. cindy m., tennessee, united states
Yes we have one or two things for you to fall in love with, but I think most of us would give it all up to be over there, where you can buy real oilcloth from Cath Kidston and lovely loverly things from Plumo and Lily Blue. The UK has the originals, while here in the US we mostly have imposters. Have you ever seen our oilcloth here? It's a plastic imitation with a mesh backing. There's no fabric in it at all! Can we all come visit you and have a true tea and biscuit and wander over to Cedar Farms? Please???
Yes we have one or two things for you to fall in love with, but I think most of us would give it all up to be over there, where you can buy real oilcloth from Cath Kidston and lovely loverly things from Plumo and Lily Blue. The UK has the originals, while here in the US we mostly have imposters. Have you ever seen our oilcloth here? It's a plastic imitation with a mesh backing. There's no fabric in it at all! Can we all come visit you and have a true tea and biscuit and wander over to Cedar Farms? Please???
Ah…all that is vintage, all that is chic! I just read through Country Living USA and enjoyed it thoroughly. There is also a nice little section on 'Coming Up Roses' that is just so beautiful. Can you purchase Country Living USA in Borders, UK? Great accent, Alison! Have fun dreamin'…
Ah…all that is vintage, all that is chic! I just read through Country Living USA and enjoyed it thoroughly. There is also a nice little section on 'Coming Up Roses' that is just so beautiful. Can you purchase Country Living USA in Borders, UK? Great accent, Alison! Have fun dreamin'…
Alison, Yes, the WHOLE gang is here! A lot of parties last night under the big Texas stars. Gotta go… so much junk, so little time! Wish you were here! Chris
Alison, Yes, the WHOLE gang is here! A lot of parties last night under the big Texas stars. Gotta go… so much junk, so little time! Wish you were here! Chris
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You could still move! or at least visit us on this side of the sea!
You could still move! or at least visit us on this side of the sea!
But, I know you realize, you wouldn't quite be you if you were born here! Guess what? My in-laws retired to Arkansas and live rather near Eureka Springs! Next time I visit I'll let you know.
😀
But, I know you realize, you wouldn't quite be you if you were born here! Guess what? My in-laws retired to Arkansas and live rather near Eureka Springs! Next time I visit I'll let you know.
😀
I am so at this event with you Alison. I can't go and I'm already half way there! Let's pretend in our minds over the weekend that we ARE there! "Scooting about" (as you say) in our puffy prom dresses buying all sorts of delicious treasures, and kiss kissing Rachel, Pearl, Chris, and all the junk gypsies on each cheek.
Meet you at the gate?
lauren
I am so at this event with you Alison. I can't go and I'm already half way there! Let's pretend in our minds over the weekend that we ARE there! "Scooting about" (as you say) in our puffy prom dresses buying all sorts of delicious treasures, and kiss kissing Rachel, Pearl, Chris, and all the junk gypsies on each cheek.
Meet you at the gate?
lauren
Sounds fun. 🙂
Sounds fun. 🙂
OOh,
And I've always wanted to live in England!
Sandi
thevictoriangypsy.com
OOh,
And I've always wanted to live in England!
Sandi
thevictoriangypsy.com
haven't been by here in ages – I have been soul searching – gawd, lots to catch up on. I think I will come back later, with a lovely cup of tea and browse your blog – taking time to enjoy it all without having to rush! but I must say – you have a cutie pie of a kiddo there with his casserole!
haven't been by here in ages – I have been soul searching – gawd, lots to catch up on. I think I will come back later, with a lovely cup of tea and browse your blog – taking time to enjoy it all without having to rush! but I must say – you have a cutie pie of a kiddo there with his casserole!
I would love to go to this! I'm only one state away in New Mexico! Maybe next year! I'd also love to go the Farm Chics fair too! Dreams CAN come true! Alison, there are so many things I covet from England! One of them being pretty oil floral and spotty oilcloth! Oilcloth here in the U.S. is so Blah! Oh, and pink Laundry Powder Bins? Haven't spotted any in the U.S. Plus, England gave us Rachel Ashwell and Cath Kidston among many others! (Love Cabbages and Roses too!) We'll all have to visit eachother sometime. It would be so fun! 🙂
Susana
I would love to go to this! I'm only one state away in New Mexico! Maybe next year! I'd also love to go the Farm Chics fair too! Dreams CAN come true! Alison, there are so many things I covet from England! One of them being pretty oil floral and spotty oilcloth! Oilcloth here in the U.S. is so Blah! Oh, and pink Laundry Powder Bins? Haven't spotted any in the U.S. Plus, England gave us Rachel Ashwell and Cath Kidston among many others! (Love Cabbages and Roses too!) We'll all have to visit eachother sometime. It would be so fun! 🙂
Susana
allison, i love brocante home. i wish you lived in the u.s. next door to me! we love the same things. Thanks for bringing me so much beauty and inspiration. cindy m., tennessee, united states
allison, i love brocante home. i wish you lived in the u.s. next door to me! we love the same things. Thanks for bringing me so much beauty and inspiration. cindy m., tennessee, united states
Yes we have one or two things for you to fall in love with, but I think most of us would give it all up to be over there, where you can buy real oilcloth from Cath Kidston and lovely loverly things from Plumo and Lily Blue. The UK has the originals, while here in the US we mostly have imposters. Have you ever seen our oilcloth here? It's a plastic imitation with a mesh backing. There's no fabric in it at all! Can we all come visit you and have a true tea and biscuit and wander over to Cedar Farms? Please???
Yes we have one or two things for you to fall in love with, but I think most of us would give it all up to be over there, where you can buy real oilcloth from Cath Kidston and lovely loverly things from Plumo and Lily Blue. The UK has the originals, while here in the US we mostly have imposters. Have you ever seen our oilcloth here? It's a plastic imitation with a mesh backing. There's no fabric in it at all! Can we all come visit you and have a true tea and biscuit and wander over to Cedar Farms? Please???
Ah…all that is vintage, all that is chic!
I just read through Country Living USA and enjoyed it thoroughly.
There is also a nice little section on 'Coming Up Roses' that is just so beautiful.
Can you purchase Country Living USA in Borders, UK?
Great accent, Alison!
Have fun dreamin'…
Ah…all that is vintage, all that is chic!
I just read through Country Living USA and enjoyed it thoroughly.
There is also a nice little section on 'Coming Up Roses' that is just so beautiful.
Can you purchase Country Living USA in Borders, UK?
Great accent, Alison!
Have fun dreamin'…
Alison,
Yes, the WHOLE gang is here! A lot of parties last night under the big Texas stars. Gotta go…
so much junk, so little time!
Wish you were here!
Chris
Alison,
Yes, the WHOLE gang is here! A lot of parties last night under the big Texas stars. Gotta go…
so much junk, so little time!
Wish you were here!
Chris
This looks like so much fun! Wish I could go with you too…
This looks like so much fun! Wish I could go with you too…
You should also check out the Farm chicks for some Pacific Northwest vitagie goodness. http://www.thefarmchicks.com
These ladies are fabulous!
You should also check out the Farm chicks for some Pacific Northwest vitagie goodness. http://www.thefarmchicks.com
These ladies are fabulous!