Wednesday 23 January 2013

Home is where the heart shape is....Warning this post is quite brown...


Hands up if you have made a 'Heart Warmer' yet?  Sorry to read of so many mohair allergies - I will be setting up a 'Mohair repository' so that you may donate all scarves for 'alternate' use - all scarves welcome 'Chez La Cootard'



Sorry - photo is a little skew whiff!  I mentioned in a previous post my fondness for the Arts and Crafts movement (no - not the 70s  macramé one).  This began at the age of about 17-18 (odd child....) and I busily would buy up bits that took my fancy (providing it was cheap of course).  Along with the Pre-Raphaelites such items were not particularly in vogue at that time (not sure what was as I was always out of kilter) so able to pick up all sorts of things. Common denominators  are certain  motifs - hearts in particular but also trefoils, peacocks and honesty seeds.  The focus here are heart motifs in our house - bought several decades ago and  all nestles quite happily amongst things from the 50s and 70s (1950s and 1970s that is!).  I have no problem with that mix - that is how most homes have always been - a bit from here and a bit from there and ours is no different.  This is most ably illustrated by watching old editions of The Liver Birds where you will note that Beryl and Sandra's flat is full of things from the then contemporary 70s but also 50s and 30s (Bronte and I like to watch The Liver Birds and comment on the wallpaper etc)

Arthur: " I wish that she would get on with it"
Martha: "That's just what I was thinking - why use 570 words if 3 will do...."

So what is this?



This large and heavy object lives on our dining room table - dates from 1900s, has lovely coloured tiles (a bit bashed but hey!)  and inlaid with little pewter hearts peppered around the edge.

Arthur: "Yes - but WHAT IS IT?"

I am coming to that Arthur - patience is a virtue - this is a lemonade or drinks stand as you might have seen in a drinks establishment of that time.  How lovely. I used to have a very old metal lemonade bottle holder (with lovely Edwardian lettering around its triangular edges) but no longer sadly - I would pair the two together and 'make' the children play shop with me...I hope that they are not scarred for life.....

I will add in some other Arts and Crafts heart things scattered around the house here:

A little bowl that lives on a small oak writing bureau (that I bought from 'Skippy's Nearly New' junk shop in Brixton thirty years or so ago - anyone remember that shop?)



Hearts are quite often 'inverted' in the Arts and Crafts world (as these tiny ones on the bowl are)

I remember someone asked on this blog if it was a pulpit seen  in our dining room......!  Sorry I cannot recall who asked that but it is not a pulpit but an Edwardian cloak cupboard (must be a proper name).  We bought this from a shop in Crystal Palace about 25 years ago (not sure why I find it important to tell you those sort of details) - the partition on top is for hats and there are hooks in the main part for cloaks/coats.  Also not sure why but it has lived in our dining rooms and I just like looking at it!


I use this for housing some more Arts and Crafts pots (yet another weakness....)

This cupboard also benefits from having lovely trefoils which, as you will see in a minute, is the main reason why I thought our present house was the one for us (I am ashamed to say that the white bits you can see  are some bits of Blu Tack...)


My £5 chair with cut out heart


I have bleated on about this chair before but here are some others with cut out shapes...

Though this house was in a right ruddy state before we bought it I remember seeing the stairs with this motif in each an every spindle and thinking: 'Oh, that matches our furniture'





A mirror bought from the old Greenwich market a few decades back - lives in our hall


Mirror lives above the Arts and Crafts seat that I garbled on about previously. Dear Hattatt when that moment of the 'Great Downsize' arrives - as it surely one day will - I will let you know and you will be most welcome to this lovely piece.  I very much like the idea of things going to appreciative homes.


If you are still here I will press on...nearly done...


These hearts are on a washstand in our spare bedroom 

...and yes I do 'force' guests to use the jug and bowl for washing purposes - cold water at that (ha ha) !!!!


I was about to post this post and realised that I had forgotten about another favoured heart item - our front gate!!! I have mentioned our gate before but I do not think I posted 'before' pictures.

This is how it looked when I bought it ......


As soon as I saw those hearts I knew.....

Now I am not fond of things being over restored and it certainly does not have to look pristine but this gate was sadly pretty rotten in places

Poor long-suffering Dom (who is not a builder/carpenter/plumber etc) painstakingly took the gate apart.  He photographed it along the way so that he would know how to put it back together again.  It is fantastically well made with peg joints and it is very,very, very, very heavy.  It took a while.... but...



It cheers me up when I go through it (sad but true) and I like leaning over it to chat to my neighbours -even the postman tells me how he likes our gate.


Front path could do with a clean...


FINALLY -  and this is possibly my favourite heart item - our 1900s copper umbrella stand (I bought this from a shop off Chapel Street Market  (London) again 25 years ago.  It also sits by the front door (other side) and I love it greatly.


It is quite beaten up but I love how it has been made from a single sheet of copper - curved round and riveted back onto itself and there, on both 'sides', is a repoussé heart.


I have always liked the combination of copper with oak and will write more about copper 'bits' another time..

Please let me know if at any time I am boring the pants off you

Arthur: "You are boring the pants off me" 

You don't count Arthur....

For now that's it from the 'Hearts and Crafts Movement'  !!!

PS - Contrary to any impression that I may convey we do not live in a museum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

57 comments:

  1. You do have a way with words Jenny! I think you must live in a tardis to fit everything in!

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    1. Thank you Anne - either a tardis or too much stuff.......
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  2. Hello Jenny:
    We cannot possibly wait for you to 'Downsize' for we are certain that either it will never happen [why would you leave such a wonderful house?] or, even more likely, we shall long be in our graves. We want it ALL, and we want it NOW!!!

    These are absolutely the most marvellous items with which to surround yourselves and to enjoy in your daily lives. You are true collectors simply for, we suspect, the love of beautiful things, and everything from the garden gate, and superb tiled path onwards, is evidence of this as well as being a complete and total joy.

    Thank you so much for the link to our own blog. We thought this to be so kind and it is very much appreciated.

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    1. Oh dear - I cannot consider your demise!! I am flattered indeed that you should like these bits and bobs - I fear that I inflate some of these things....selective photographs as always. I do not show the toilet roll for example!
      Best wishes as always
      Jenny

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  3. Love the gate and the fact that so much hard work and love went into restoring it. Many of your items remind me of the work of Charles Rennie Macintosh, especially the copper umbrella stand.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Ah well spotted Liz - I will eventually post some of the photos my books that were designed by CRM - the only thing by him that I am ever likely to own! I have a few bits from 1900 that feature the Glasgow Rose
      Many thanks for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  4. Love this post. Will be busy making heart shaped items this afternoon for a friend's charity event next week. This post has given me new enthusiasm for the project! Word-wise, I think its great that HEART is an anagram of EARTH.

    blessings from our cold snowy village xx

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    1. Gosh - I never thought of that Angela - how lovely. I shall pop round to see you heart shapes
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. I love how the spirit of the gate lives on....

    how many other nutty, spirited housewives have leaned oever that chatting, I wonder?

    Apart from you!!!
    D x

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    1. Thank you kindly dear Ms D
      I do like a natter you know!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  6. I think I've realised finally why I like your blog so much...my grandpa was a carpenter and my gran a maid in her younger years, both country folk. Their taste and life were so simple, it was reflected in their home, simple. practical yet stylish.
    Gran was a housekeeper for more years than I've had on earth for a family who had the most lovely arts & crafts house and I think it's the memory of all the carvings, furniture and fabrics that I remember from my summer holiday days spent there that are similarly reflected through your photos.
    I could of course just be rambling! {it has been known} either way on such a chilly day your photo's gave me a lovely warm glow
    Nicky
    x

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    1. Oh Nicky that is lovely - thank you for sharing that. That type of story is the glue that keeps us together I think. I wish I was a carpenter - I certainly appreciate 'nice' wood but would love to be able to make something with it. Does that house still exist I wonder?
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  7. J, Me again!
    D have just noticed those teeny tiny dolls in your spiffing new header photo, do they have crocheted tiny dresses...? Pleeeeeze do tell me all about them. I love.
    D

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    1. thank you again - I have left a link on your blog
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. You never, ever bore the pants of me, Jenny. I just love seeing your collections. More please. xx

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    1. Awww - thank you dear. I dread to think how much stuff there is in this house....oh dear
      Keep warm
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. ~ Ooh what a treat, Jenny, seeing all your beautiful collections!
    I LOVE the entrance too, through that beautiful gate and across those sweeping black and white tiles (would love them) into your wonderful home....
    The best homes are those that have evolved through time, through love and hard work and collecting of those items that mean so much to us....Just beautiful!
    Jenny have YOU been watching, Mr Selfridge, I wonder?...Ooh I feel a post coming on....Take time to dream ~ Love Maria x

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    1. Ah dear Maria - thank you for your kind words. This home is still evolving (just had some radiators moved....). I have been watching Mr Selfridge - only with half an eye (not sure what the rest of eye is doing!)....cannot really find my way in. Not as good as I hoped but as always I like looking at the costumes...shallow that way!
      Keep cosy
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  10. I am so jealous, I love Arts and Crafts but also of your beautiful front door.
    Gillx

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    1. Thank you Gill - that is very sweet of you
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  11. Seeing and reading about all your treasures Jenny, is a real treat and no, you never bore......your gate is just fabulous and v v jealous of your brolly stand :)
    x

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    1. Hello Barbara - you are very kind indeed. I do like that brolly stand I must say
      Keep warm at all times
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  12. Now that IS a gate of which to be truly proud ( I do Love a handsome gate!.. I think it is so important to be surrounded with beauty and boy have you done that my dear Jenny.. I just adore the Arts and Crafts soul, smiles Cass x

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    1. Thank you dear Cass - it is a nice gate to 'tra la la' through indeed!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. I love looking at all your art and crafts pieces. But I'm afraid I paint all of my furniture ! But none of it is precious
    like yours.... Love your gate you have restored really well.
    Rosezeeta

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    1. Hello there - painting furniture is fine and lovely. I have plenty of painted furniture too~
      Many thanks for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  14. Oh Jenny, I just love hearts! I particularly like the little chair (I have an old chair with a heart cut out, it was left to me by a lovely old lady) and the mirror ... but most of all I love the gate! It's like something from a fairy tale, perhaps from Snow White or leading to Hansel and Gretel's cottage in the woods. Lovely post and thank you for popping over to Thriftwood!

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. Dear Claire
      Thank you for calling in too - and for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. I love the arts and crafts period too. Love the wallpaper behind your umbrella stand and your front path and your bunting, I could go on and on!

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    1. Thank you Gill - you are too kind dear. If you could see round the corner the truth would be revealed!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. I bought deco tea sets and strange vases when I was 15. I sat in bus stops knitting....I think it scared the boys away, a good idea at the time. Now married with 3 children in crafting and chaos.
    Your words are wise and your collections of things delightful.
    ps. don't clean your path in this weather
    x

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    1. Dear JaneBean - maybe it is a phase that we all have to go through - our own rite of passage!
      Many thanks for your tip
      Kind regards
      Jenny

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  17. Oooh, I love your house so much that I think I want to come and live with you ...
    M x

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    1. Dear Vintage Jane
      I have put the kettle on and just baked a cake...
      Thank you kindly for your kindness
      Best wishs
      Jenny

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  18. I think it's wonderful that your home has a "theme". And hearts in so many different places! I echo The Vintage Gardener with your gate and bunting and wallpaper behind the copper umbrella stand.

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    1. Thank you kindly RetroSandie
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. All your heart things are simply darling and sweet! I do love that old gate!! :) Hope you have a wonderful day! xo Holly

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  20. I was just going to ask if you lived in a museum, put mind reader on your skills list too! If I was your postman I would love your gate too! :) x

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    1. Ho ho Ada
      Postman not too fond of our very, very small letterbox though!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  23. oh the gate is adorable and your beautiful tiled path!!!....i am a lover of all things 'heart' related too - i think you have snaffled some utterly gorgeous things and have made your home stunning....what i'd do for a good old nosey around in your house!x

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    1. You are not alone - every home I go past that has a light on I want to have a look round!
      Keep warm
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  24. Wow, I love all your treasures you have collected over the years, you must have such an eye of spotting such beautiful things! It's difficult to choose a favourite - the gate, the umbrella stand ,(I love the wallpaper behind it too) or those lovely art and crafts tiles!
    Sarah x

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    1. thank you dear Sarah
      did you recognise those beach huts?
      Cold by the sea at the moment do you think?
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. Hi Jenny, I am sooo glad that you take the time to write new blogs.They are always so fab and full of such covetable items.For the amount of stuff you have I feel sure that you are an estate agent and you go around taking snaps of beautiful things and passing them off as yours!!Isn't it odd how popular certain types of wallpaper are?!!!!Eagerly awaiting the next installment.Warm Rgeards Pam.

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    1. Dearest Pam - I have just posted a message to try and put your mind at ease as to where I live - it made me laugh anyway!
      Best wishes as always
      Jenny

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  26. Dear Jenny, this post has the exact opposite effect on me of boring the pants off! I have eagerly awaited it as I
    am mighty fond of a squashed heart or two myself. I had a big thing for Arts & Crafts in my first home and still have some nice pieces to this day, all most thriftily bought in the same sort of stomping ground of the SE as your good self. I love your coat cupboard most. Well, the gate is vying for first place too. Then there's the stairs...
    Hen xxx

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    1. Good evening dear Hen
      Perhaps our paths crossed sometimes in London! Yes - the squashed heart is particularly appealing I think.
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  27. Hearts Galore Jenny! Each is more wonderful than the one before. A lifetime of collecting has brought you such joy. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    I have posted a very easy to follow link at the end of my current post on my blog that allows you to prohibit photographs from your blog being posted to Pinterest. It was easy enough that I was immediately successful. Thank you for your supportive comment about my difficulty with the P. Elizabeth

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  28. Thank you for sharing all your hearts with us. I love it when things are a little bashed/lived in (except of course the bone china) because everything that is made should be loved. Thank you also for answering the pulpit question. I think it might have been me. My favourite piece has to be the gate and I can quite see why you and everyone else should like it too. (I admit to having a bit of a thing about entrances whether it be gates or doors.)
    Philippa xx

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    1. Thank you dear Philippa - it is a very nice gate! I hope that you are wrapped up warm and cosy this evening
      best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Love Hubby's hard work on the gate, though the dining room cupboard is just pipped at the post as my fav,by your gorgeous umbrella stand,lovely.

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  30. I just love everything in your house. All the wonderful bits and pieces that truly turn it into a home... hearts, trefoils, cloak cupboards... :-)

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  31. Bring on the Arts & Crafts...I'll never tire of it! You have such wonderful things!

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  32. I'm more than a little bit in love with your gate and am now coveting it, even though we have nowhere that a gate could go at all at the front of our house.

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