Keeping it Realtor

Retro Industrial Storage Units

I must admit I've recycled furniture since as long as I can remember.  Not because I was dedicated to saving the planet from an early age, but because I wanted to change a look without spending a lot of money.  Also the husband never throws anything away so I've got an endless amount of items "in stock" just waiting to be given a new lease of life.  So when I saw these fab retro industrial storage units in Viva Terra I had a good look through the garage, shed and loft but unfortunately there's nothing even remotely similar there! 

I'm so glad that someone had the foresight to save these units.  They're available in tall or short and come in a beautiful shade of blue or white. 

I'm off to check the garage again! 

Friday Fun with washing up bowls.

 

We've all seen these tough rubber washing up bowls made by Normann Copenhagen and available from Pedlars.  But... have you see this? 

 

It's a handmade limited edition soft tub for adults and children.  Could it be the upscale edition of the old tin bath in front of the fire?     

Wooden shoe ladder.

Beautiful shoes are like a work of art and deserve to be admired and not only when you wear them.  So if you've not got a lot of space for a large shelving unit then how about displaying your six favourite pairs of shoes on this wooden shoe ladder.  You could always rotate them from top to bottom to remind you which ones you wore last. It's hand crafted from mahogany and finished with a hand-applied distressed finish.  Decorative and perfect for a small space.  Buy it at  Pottery Barn.    

Object of desire alert - Origami Horse Ornament.

When I was small I used to admire a china horse ornament that belonged to my aunt.  It was quite an imposing ornament and I used to love looking at and if I knew I was going to her house I would take a pencil and paper and try and draw it.  The drawing never, ever captured the horse so I vowed that as soon as I had a house of my own I would own a similar ornament.  My young self didn't realise that trends would change and china horse ornaments would, in a modern setting, fail to wow in the same way that it did in my childhood.  However here's a fabulous horse ornament that I think has the wow factor.  Made of antiqued silver polyresin this Silver Origami Horse stands at an impressive 13.25" tall and 16.5" long by 5" wide and would look quite imposing in any setting.  I love it nearly as much as I loved that old china ornament.  If you love it too you can buy it from Z Gallerie.      

Cushion Covers and a puzzle.

On The Conran Shop site there are two questions asked about this squiggly applique design Basmah cushion cover.  The questions relate to what the design is.  Could it be a face or the countour lines of a map?  I must admit when I first looked at this colourful cushion cover I thought it was the trace lines of my hula hoop attempts on the Wii!  This fabulous random design has a cream cotton base, is hand stitched in India from 100% cotton and the cushion pad is also included.  I love it but what do you see when you look at it? 

Cool Britannia Tableware

The country's in recession but we've got the Royal Wedding to look forward to this year and the Olympic Games in 2012 so we're gearing up for a splurge of patrotism. It's the one thing we do well especially when times are tough.  

We all show our patriotism in different ways.  Some people fly the flag, organise street parties or wear daft tee shirts. 

Royal Stafford however have made some really cool tableware.  You don't have to buy the whole set either you can pick and choose and maybe start with something small like an egg cup or a cereal bowl.   

Cool Britannia tableware, fabulous. 

Marshmallow tree fork.

Here's a pretty little beach accessory to finish our beach themed week with.  It's a marshmallow fork shaped like the branch of a tree and it would be useful for toasting marshamallows or hotdogs on the beach or in the fireplace at home.  It's made of steel, has a wooden handle and It's like a little work of art.  It would make a lovely gift. 

Driftwood Candelabra with a surprise.

I know I'm all over the place with beach decor.  I like bold and obvious beachy but I also like pastel and subtle beachy.  It's not that I'm hard to please it's just that I like it all.  If you're like me then maybe you should see this driftwood candelabra.  The driftwood is obvious beachy but the candelabra is a bit of a surprise.  The driftwood has been sanded by hand and seven metal discs applied for either votives or pillar candles.  There's also another surprise in that you could also use it to display cupcakes. I think it would look beautiful lit with candles so I'd keep it purely as a candelabra.  So will it be cupcakes or candles for you?      

Long White Photo Frame with a story.

Every pictutre tells a story and with this long white photo frame you'll be able to tell 12.  I think the suggestion of capturing a year with one photo for each month perfect.  There's more.   The frame's a story in itself as it's made from the wooden panels  of recycled beach huts.  It's one of those subtle beachy accessories that I love.  It's  huge at 158cm long with a vintage, distressed look and would look perfect in any setting.   They're also available in other colours and sizes. 

So now you know, old beach huts don't die, they retire, and if you're lucky they can come and live with you.   I'd definitely make room for one of these old boards would you?

   

Pillows that make me think of the beach.

Whilst I love beach themed decor I don't always need the obvious lighthouse, boat or bold blue and white stripes to evoke a beachy feeling.  So when I saw these beautiful solid silk hand loomed pillows that beachy feeling just washed over me.  The texture and colours of the handspun Tasar silk coupled with the natural capiz shells just conjures up the beach to me.  These beautiful pillows are handcrafted in rural India by a women's livelihood project working toward sustainability.  Each pillow is handmade and hand dyed and at $34 a pillow they're totally affordable.  I should add that the pillow inserts are sold separately.  I love them.