Teak coal bucket by 'Listers'
Probably 1950s, with a lift out metal liner. This brand is principally famed for making the highest quality garden furniture. Never a cheap option, as quality always commands a certain price; made to last a lifetime.
Woodburner by Aarrow fires of Bridport
Local product c.2000
Set of pure 1950's 'Atomic ball' adorned fire tools (a.k.a. 'companion set'); a very rare survivor - never seen another one.
Victorian mahogany veneer glazed bookcase with original, slightly imperfect, hand-made glass; essential, yet inexpensive, storage. A hundred years older than the newest elements in this setting but equally at home.
Dog; 'Scudder', half Italian Greyhound, half Bedlington Terrier, ALL adorable (model's own)
'Moroccan pouffe'
An essential in any living room for occasional seating or for putting one's feet up. A classic of it's type and probably 1960's rather than the more leathery 1920/30's versions; jaunty and cheerful.
1950s E.Gomme cocktail table
From their novel furnishing system christened 'G-Plan'. This model comes from the 'Brandon Range' which was the first literally 'branded' with their 'Gold Stamp'. Also note the 'Huntley & Palmers' (kingfishers) and 'Crawfords' (1937 Coronation) biscuit tins under the glass top...
Sofa is a classic 1960's 'Greaves & Thomas' "put-u-up Davenport" (extending sofa bed) in original fabric. To brighten it up there is a new (available from 'Girls Own Store' www.girlsownstore.co.uk) tartan rug plus various vintage and modern cushions; note the 'lyre pattern' cushions, Mulberry, circa 2001.
1950's / 60's G-Plan room divider / shelving unit (matching sideboard on the right of picture) from the 'Tola' range as identified by the dark wood finish and black painted panels with contrasting gold loop handles. Quality fittings and traditional construction methods made these expensive in their day; a striking design in any setting - only a fool is afraid of dark wood!!!
1959 revolving easy chair retailed by Heals of Tottenham Court Rd. English made, I think, but 'Danish' in spirit and look. The tweedy fabric is very faded; it was jade green when new. Growing old gracefully is one of the joys of vintage objects. Note the cushions recycled from oriental carpet fragments from another Bridport emporium (bridportantiquerugs.co.uk)
1940s / 50s Axminster rug
The classic floor covering where fitted carpets are just not the 'done thing'! Here it is 'mixed and matched' with Oriental rugs to cover most of the bare floorboards; various ages from 1930's to modern.
1930s 'Deco' oak standard lamp
I have a weakness for standard lamps and there are always a wide selection in the shop of every age and price. REMEMBER - "Standard lamps are anything BUT standard!".
'Art Deco' two-bar electric fire
Probably made by Bunting, in the form of a butterfly with polished aluminium wings atop a faux wood cast metal base - quite simply stunning and much rarer than the 'yacht' fires of the same era.
French bronze patinated spelter model of a prowling panther on a marble / onyx / alabaster base and with a chrome decorated clock (out of picture). Pure 'Art Deco' and exemplary of its type.
Four variants of post-war 'HMV' beehive fan heaters. An early example of badge engineering (1960's BMC were not the first!) appearing under many other brand names - Morphy-Richards, Cavendish, EMI etc. Just a tiny fraction of my out-of-control fan-heater obsession...
An original painting by George Wallace Jardine of a fantastical scene; nude female standing on a crescent moon, above a modernist tower, in a forest with a unicorn looking on (!). Chosen simply to complement the room colour, walls are naked without pictures, but later found to be by a 'known' artist from Wallasey.
A very early and totally original, down to the full-size bulb holder and no base, 'Crestworth' (pre-Mathmos) lava lamp in gold finish and yellow wax. An amazing survivor from half a century ago. The modern Mathmos family goes from strength to strength (www.mathmos.com).
1960's original smoked perspex, opaque white plastic and chrome, pull-cord table lamp as featured in the Conran 'Home' book of the period. Can't remember who designed it but I think it's British rather than by Verner Panton et al.
Various items which summarise the decade they were made in; a monolithic 'Sharp' radio cassette; 1950's 'Metamec' 8-day clock which belonged to my Granny; a candy pink 'Zeiss-Ikon' movielux 8mm projector - just unbelievably cute.
One of a pair of Quad Electrostatic Loudspeakers. Nothing more to add.
'Snowbird'; study for a full size sculpture by Everard Meynell (www.evmeynell.co.uk). Bought on a whim, all the best things are, during a 'Yellow Book' garden opening at the artists home many years ago.
In my home, as well as my shop, I select apparently disparate, eclectic, items which somehow go together in a concept I call 'Layered Living'. No need to be constrained by era, perfect condition or the completely fettering concept of 'taste'. Just trust that old things tend to be better made ("made to last a lifetime") than their modern counterparts and have the advantage of not being 'ten a penny'.
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