Being Creative

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...

Plankbridge Shepherds Huts

My new exciting find... Plankbridge Hutmakers. They make the most beautiful Shepherds Huts. 

I really, really, really want one!

If you are considering buying a Shepherds Hut it has to be a Plankbridge.  

Take a look... PLANKBRIDGE HUTMAKERS

Officially a Spring Clean Day

The weather has been beautiful today. I've opened all of the windows and allowed the fresh air to breeze through Grubby Cottage. 

All the bedding has been line-dried and there is a distinct feeling of spring. 

In the garden we have the sheep on the farm that have now become cautiously inquisitive of our presence and soon there will be lambs born right before our eyes.

Today is officially a spring day at Grubby Cottage.

Image: my own. Walls: Farrow & Ball Wimborne White. Bed: Antique Black Iron and Brass Bedstead. Cushion: Jan Constantine 'Love'.

Vintage Caravan - Exterior Colour?

It's still a frustratingly slow start. I have so many ideas and hopes for the renovation but just can't seem to fit it all in with work and home life and when I do have the spare time I always seem to be at the mercy of the weather.

The tiny Sprite 400 caravan still has a partially primed exterior surface. All my hard work of cleaning her is now undone and I will have to start again and give her yet another good clean to finish the priming. As with all projects you really do need to be consistent and hands on until it's finished.

I'm really looking forward to a good days work on the exterior. In the meantime, whilst it's snowing outside, I've been busy painting my vintage van in photoshop! I'm a photographer and have been using my skill's to help me choose an exterior colour. I recommend anyone embarking on a painting project to try the photoshop colour testing.

Here goes... Miss Potter as she is right now...

Here she is in Farrow & Ball French Gray...

And in Farrow & Ball Old White...

Again in Farrow & Ball Pigeon...

We can never really match how the true colour will be in photoshop, natural light will effect the overall appearance, but nevertheless it can give you a nod in the right direction.

Farrow & Ball - Colour Key Trend 2015

My favourite Farrow & Ball colour key trend 2015

Farrow & Ball Light Blue No. 22, has to be my favourite key trend for 2015.

It's such a calming palette best described by FB as a way of introducing the softer side of life by escaping the brashness of modern day. It's a way of creating an interior where colours shift and change like our landscape.

Light Blue is perhaps a more greeny/grey light blue which is heavily influenced by natural light. It's a really easy colour to work with. Undertones of grey can be lifted through this colour as there is so much depth but it's a colour with contradiction... Light Blue No.22 is a 'warm' light blue/grey/green as opposed to the coldness of an average blue palette.

Simply add a drop of warm white/grey such as Dimpse No. 277 to Light Blue No.22 to make your room colour sing.

Marlborough College Bed. Fit for a Princess?

Locally sourced, with all proceeds of sale going to charity, my newly purchased beds have come from one of the most famous public schools in the world...

HRH Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) is perhaps one of the most well-known pupils to have attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire, as did her sister Pippa Middleton and HRH Princess Eugenie of York. 

The solid iron beds with original spring bases are brimming with character. Having several coats of old chipped paint they come a very colourful history. They have been dated to around 1905 and are in great need of a sympathetic restoration.

Bespoke Bed Design.

I've experimented and used a shot blaster to strip the old chipped layers of paint finishing with a powder coat for a strong evenly coated surface.

It was important in the design brief that the beds continued to display their character of age and history and I couldn't be anymore pleased with the results...

Original Cast Iron.

Remarkable Detail.

Waxed bun feet restored.

The Final Result.

I've restored two of these beds for my two daughters. My interior design brief was to create a very english modern country bedroom. The walls would be a chalky pink... Farrow & Ball 'Middleton Pink' was an obvious choice, Laura Ashley pink gingham and country patchwork quilts.

Farrow & Ball Paint

I love the palette and quality of Farrow & Ball paint and I've been considering the exterior paint for my vintage caravan project.

Farrow & Ball's 'Old White' is an old favourite of mine. I have a large bookcase painted in the aged grey/green white and it looks lovely.

Choosing exterior paint can be tricky. I've purchased quite a few sample pots and at £3.99 a pot it can end up being quite costly.

My favourite Farrow & Ball exterior paint that I have used to date is Lichen - it's a very soft green with a grey tone and perhaps a popular colour amongst the traditional Cotswold Stone houses.

The vintage caravan was originally painted in two colours - Beige top and bottom and a green stripe running through the centre. Although I like to be sympathetic to the age and character of the caravan I  don't necessarily want to paint it in this way and I'm hoping a block of colour will work.

Farrow & Ball's Blue Gray is a favourite as is Light Blue. French Gray and Mizzle have caught my eye. Pigeon looks fantastic.

What colour does a girl choose? Damn you Farrow & Ball - I want them all!

Vintage Caravan - Exterior Preparation.

Today has been about the exterior preparation of my Sprite 400 Caravan.

The old painted surface of aluminium was rather pitted with old age. Scotch Brite, water and Cif worked a treat. A light sand and degreasing next.

I can't wait for the fun to begin with Farrow & Ball colour...

Have you met Miss Potter?

Miss Potter, my new office at the bottom of the garden... This old girl is a Sprite 400 and although in perfect original condition dating back to the late 1960's she is in great need of paint and fabric to make the perfect cosy garden space.

I'm really not keen on the overly shabby chic look or the loud busy colour and fabrics of Cath Kidston as most people do to vintage caravans. I want to create a relaxing space of muted green/gray and cream. I think Farrow and Ball will be just the job! What do you think?

For inspiring vintage caravan design see Jo Pilkington's 'Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans'. I've met Jo and she very kindly gave me a tour of her glamping site in the heart of the Wye Valley.  

I challenge you not to be inspired into seeking out your very own vintage van!