Being Creative

Sourcing Local British Timber

From the beginning...

... to the end.

Locally sourced hand-picked british timber from one of our country's largest English hardwood sawmills. 

Quality materials and quality workmanship with attention to detail.

Grubby Cottage Renovation

A Grubby Cottage renovation. It's just up our street. We can see the potential in this little gem...

A lick of paint maybe?

A new light bulb?

(what's in the jar?)

Clean the windows?

Mr Muscle oven cleaner?

A beautiful and inspiring building and renovation project.

Source: images - my own.

It's That Sunday Feeling

A beautiful winter's day.

Dream Cottage Renovation

A genuine Grubby Cottage...

My heart is skipping a beat with this little treasure... 

Mr. Grubby Cottage and I are bursting at the seams with inspiration and ideas on how to bring this little gem back to life...

This could be the most beautiful family home. I want this cottage so much I could cry. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Which Car to Tow Sprite 400 Caravan?

There was a healthy debate at Grubby Cottage about which car we should buy to tow and show my vintage Sprite 400 Caravan.

My inspiration came from a Morris Minor... 

Mr. Grubby Cottage however had plans of a 1968 Mustang!

Look who won...

(Edna - The Sprite 400)

Our 2nd Sprite Restoration. It's addictive!

There has been a slight delay in the restoration of Miss Potter but with good cause...

We decided to save another Sprite 400. It's addictive!

BEFORE

Arrival.

AFTER

Completed.

BEFORE

First impressions of interior.

AFTER

Completed interior.

Home from home.

Tea for two.

I renovated the interior in Farrow & Ball paints and Laura Ashley fabrics whilst Mr. Grubby Cottage did the all important messy and greasy mechanical work on the chassis and body. Whilst being quite a challenge, in many ways, this restoration has been a true labour of love. What should have gone to scrap now has a new lease of life. Born 1968 and still going strong... Perfect!

Dog Bakery

A bakery for a dog? 

See more at Four Legged Fancies (Bath)

Tow It and Show It?

Today was our Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally, a good old country living fair of agricultural heritage. It was a really good family day out.

 

It was here that we met a lovely couple from a classic car club. Their car on show was a Rover P6 2200 in the most beautiful sage green/grey colour (forget engine size - it's all about colour). And would you believe it on show next to it was their 1965 Sprite 400.

I was invited in to have a look around the vintage caravan. The interior was almost original. The exterior was hand painted. It was proudly on show complete with awning. The middle-aged couple were really interested to hear about my Sprite 400. I was handed a car club leaflet and asked "Are you gonna tow it and show it?" I was lost for words...

I'd never really considered towing and showing but it got me thinking. I do have a squidgy soft spot for a Morris Traveller! The car would be perfect for towing my spritey little Sprite 400. Ahhhh the lazy summer days out, picnic rug and champagne. How idyllic. How romantic!

So, after much discussion with the gorgeous Mr Grubby Cottage we decided that one day, in the not too distant future, we will indeed tow and show. However, a little work is needed to convince, persuade, butter-up Mr GC's choice of car. We are not really singing from the same hymn sheet...

Little Helper

My little helper replaced the hinges to the vintage caravan cupboards this weekend. It was lovely to have an extra pair of hands. 

I explained to my little helper that the caravan table turns into a double bed. After much thought and a sigh he said 'cool, where's the button Mummy'?

The 1960's was a much simpler way of life Son!

Rust, Rust and more Rust - Sprite 400 Chassis

It was love at first sight when I purchased my Sprite 400. Thoughts of turning this little time-warped capsule into a usable family space made my heart skip a beat. My tiny vintage bubble van was all mine, bought and paid for, mine to keep.

You've watched George Clarke's Amazing Spaces yes? I guess this is very much like one of those projects. It's about creating a magical space that I can share with my family. In a moments notice we can be on the road and change our view at any given time. The kids are going to love it! Ok, so I've not given it too much thought about losing our creature comforts but that's all part of the fun right? Glamping I believe it's commonly known as. When it's not a family road trip it will be a room at the bottom of the garden.

So far the project has took far more man hours than I ever anticipated. It's definitely a labour of love. I have to admit that I did not foresee the painful process of cleaning up the vintage caravan chassis. My fingers hurt with all the degreasing, wire brushing and sanding. I really haven't enjoyed this job at all but I'm willing to get stuck in and see this project to the end (with the help of Mr. Grubby Cottage).  

A vintage caravan project will push your diy boundaries but it's achievable. It just takes time and patience. You have to be prepared to multi-task. You will do more preparation work than renovation and this can be a bore at times. If this happens simply walk away and do something else - this will keep your project on the move.

Chickens, Eggs and Coops

Fresh eggs in the morning? Check out these adorable chicken coops by rural Dorset based family company Flyte So Fancy

My favourite has to be the Maggie six hen house shown below. 

Source: Images my own/flytesofancy. 

Sprite 400 - One foot in the past and one foot in the present.

Miss Potter, my little Sprite 400 caravan is well on her way to having a full makeover. It's almost the equivalent to botox and collagen. This project is in full swing and I can almost taste the excitement of interior design to come with the most gorgeous fabrics, textures and colour. I can't wait!

Let me remind you of what she looked like...

Stored in a barn for 30 years this little cutie had at one time been very-much loved by it's previous owners. There was a lot of teak effect hardboard, stencilled flowers, tired looking peach walls and flea bitten turquoise curtains with matching musty-smelling foam seating (not fire-retardent!).

Some may say that I should have kept the late 1960's / early 70's decor... 

To quote Plankbridge Hutmakers, who are Master Craftsman of the most beautiful shepherd huts... 

'one foot in the past and one foot firmly in the present'. 

There will be a touch of hardwood teak restored that will be my nod of respect to the nostalgia of the 1970's interior. I've restored the old gas lamp and kept all the fixtures and fitted furniture. 

But as you will see it will be a very light, cosy and relaxing space... Can you visualise this? 

I know I do. The colour of my rainbow for this little gem is a palette of Farrow & Ball greeney/greys and a delicious light cream white. 

More to come soon...

A friend of Grubby Cottage

He likes nothing more than a tickle on the nose it seems...

He's often waiting for my children to return home from school. He waits patiently at the bottom of the garden and mimic's the children's nodding seemingly encouraged by their laughter. He makes us smile!

Bold & Noble - Made in England

Beautiful screen-prints by Bold & Noble.
The quintessentially english design is fresh and bold. The modern colour palette is distinct, memorable and complimentary.

I love, love, love the 'Yellow Moss' nature prints.

Go & discover... 

"Bold & Noble was born at our kitchen table. 

Our vision: to create beautifully-made screen prints people would love. While Granny babysat, we worked nights on our first collection—which keeps on growing."

Trees Around Britain - Yellow Moss

"We use traditional methods and all our collaborators are based in England."

Birds Around Britain - Norfolk Blue

"We make products that stand the test of time, by hand, in the old-fashioned way."
Source: Bold & Noble

Bee Kind - Warm Grey

The Bold & Noble collections include Coastal, Illustrated Letters, Type Maps (including limited editions) Nature, Patterns & People.

See more... Bold & Noble

Kids & Vegetables at Grubby Cottage

There's something so heart-warming about watching my little helpers prepare sunday lunch. It's one of those proud Mummy moments...

And not only do I get the help...

My little ones are eager to eat up all of their finely prepared vegetables. Kids & Veg? I know! It's as easy as that (so far...) All we need now is a veggie patch... 

Primrose Hill London

Primrose Hill delicatessen... 'Anthony Delicatessen' 146 Regents Park Road, London.

This has to be my favourite spot in Primrose Hill.
We often call in on our way home for the most delicious cured meats, olives, brioche bread and more recently...

Cakes!

There is something very homely and comforting about buying food from the bustle of London city then two hours later having lunch in the quietness of our rural garden filled with only the sound of birdsong. This is city and country living.

Primrose Hill is the perfect stopping off point in London. 

The kids can stretch their legs in Regents Park before a long journey home.

I guarantee that you will be spoilt for choice with the independent shops.

There is a Cupcake Cafe and a traditional book shop, a handful of coffee shops, Nicholas wine merchants and a florist.

Elias & Grace do the most delightful designer children's wear.

There are a few home interior shops such as my favourite Graham & Green. They are so helpful and will post to you if needed. 

Mary Portas's shop Mary Living & Giving is a great little charity shop too - my girls love the vintage wardrobe dressing room - check it out! 

Or, if that's not for you why not take time out for a 'recovery treatment' or 'party prep' at Cowshed?

'From Horns to Hooves"!

Cowshed offer a wide range of beauty and therapeutic treatments.

Shhhh, between you and me... 

Primrose Hill is one of London's little gems.

Sprite 400 Caravan - Interior Seating Renovation

My little Sprite 400 caravan project is flying along now after a very slow start. I've got so much to tell you! We've had quite a few Spring days and it's been a pleasure to work outside in the fresh countryside air. I've been balancing the interior and exterior jobs according to the weather and I've finally made progress with a huge leap.

Miss Potter's interior seating was in need of attention.
The chipped 1970's black stick-on tiles were a menace to remove from the hardboard frames.

We left the chip-board in situ and covered with a light-weight tongue & groove. We used NO MORE NAILS INVISIBLE by Unibond. This is great stuff! It has enough instant adhesive coverage to hold the T&G in place but if you make a mistake on positioning the bond allows plenty of movement before it dries. Definitely the product of the week for me!

The T&G was cut in bulk pieces for accuracy. No More Nails (Invisible) adhesive used. Clamps were used in places when needed but not necessary. 

Result...? A good cost-effective repair. I'm looking forward to seeing it painted. At the moment it looks like a 1970's sauna! 

Now, I did say that I've been busy with the exterior...  It's looking great. 

We must chat about it soon!

OKA - Garden Rooms Spring Collection

'Blur the boundaries between interiors and exteriors, borrowing the best from both worlds, to create 'outdoor rooms' where you feel right at home...'

Source: Annabel Astor, Sue Jones & Lucinda Waterhouse of OKA

I spy with my little eye... (adding to my wish list)

The most delightful 'Sorano Pottery' by OKA. A good price too.

Go on. Treat yourself...

Relax and enjoy an earl grey on a refreshing spring afternoon.