Happy Friday folks! Well, it has been a busy week at No 69. With the extension seeing massive progress, it is finally beginning to feel like a part of the house. I’ve had a few jobs that I really should be doing but instead, chose to totally ignore these in favour of more enjoyable pursuits; some of which I have listed below, in Five Things I Love This Week #4.
Kitchen Ceiling Light
In FTILTW #2 (not a catchy abbreviation, I’ll admit) I told you the story of our dining chairs. Well, on that same journey, we took a trip to a brilliant wee reclamation yard, just South of Inverness, at Daviot. We often stop in on our way back to Aberdeen. A good mix of architectural salvage and vintage curiosities, we have discovered something new every time we visit. In fact, on our first visit, we found an identical replacement for the original Victorian cast iron threshold grille that was rotting at our front door. I had been fruitlessly searching online for years, before discovering it, propped up against a tree as we entered the yard. It was destiny.
This visit was very much the same story. After weeks of searching for just the right lighting fixture (at the right price!) for our kitchen, Daviot came up with the goods. We were after a large vintage opal glass shade (40cm diameter or more) and that’s exactly what we found. At £40, it was a bargain. She’s a bit of a fixer upper… but aren’t we all.
Once home, it remained untouched for a few weeks… then I discovered that the metal gallery (the bit that holds the glass to the chain/cord) was stuck in place. Nothing would move it. Bugger. Having tried to remove the screws in several different ways (shouting at them didn’t work), I eventually had to saw the heads off and drill the screws out. This was nerve wracking, as I REALLY didn’t want to be the person to destroy a vintage glass shade!
Once the gallery was off (phew) I considered my next move. I could have re-drilled and threaded the holes to take new screws but decided against that in favour of a makeover. Duh. Of course I did.
I ended up buying a new gallery on Ebay, coming all the way from the USA. It arrived this week. Just look at her…
Isn’t she fancy now! Just like Eliza Doolittle. All she wants is a room somewhere…
Well gorgeous, you got one!
Ceramic Glaze
I don’t have a lot to say about this, other than ‘I love it’. This is part of a display at the newly refurbished Aberdeen Art Gallery, which btw, is brilliant. If you’re local (or just visiting) it is a must-see.
Primark Mirrored Trays
I love a tray for displaying smaller items and a mirrored tray has the added bonus of being an elegant feature as well. Most decorative trays seem to be of a standard size but these wee cuties from Primark are perfect for a narrow shelf or ledge, or in this case, a mantelpiece. At only £10 for two, they’re a bargain as well.
Patterned or Textured Glass
If you’re a follower of interior trends, you will more than likely have spotted the recent rise in popularity of reeded glass in both homes and commercial spaces. Personally, I love it… but I don’t like to consider it a trend. I prefer to think of it as an overlooked classic; much like textured glass in general.
Yes, I’ve said it. I really like textured glass.
There is something ‘familiar’ about textured glass, that I find quite comforting. Perhaps it’s the connections to home and the slightly unfashionable 60’s/70’s council house vibe that makes it feel unpretentious and welcoming, or maybe it’s just that it can hide a heap of crap. Maybe it’s both. I’m not saying that it’s going to be a ‘huge thing’, but I think it’s an element that we will be seeing a lot more of.
The stunning example below is from Stirkoke House, a beautiful Baronial mansion, in my home county of Caithness. Built in 1895, this cloakroom window is one of the only remaining areas of detail left, in the fire-damaged ruin. Isn’t it exquisite?
We are planning to incorporate textured glass into the kitchen cabinets, having spotted a few dreamy examples on Pinterest. This image really caught my attention…
A very simple, textured striation that you may have found in a 70’s bungalow, used to beautiful effect in an elegant kitchen. I love this pattern!
Paper Flowers
This is another follow up from Five Things #1. Do you remember the paper flowers book? Well, I did a thing. I did a thing that was so enjoyable and relaxing that I fully intend on making time to do that thing a lot more. Take a look at my first attempt at a Clematis…
Next up was a fading Peony…
A few areas need worked on but overall, I’m really pleased with the end result. I have a few plans for these, including overflowing one of my Wedgwood urns with beautiful fading flowers and creating a display inspired by this antique dome that we spotted in the reclamation yard… no dead birds though, obviously.
Hope you enjoyed this week’s five. See you all next week! Have a fab one xx
Love the display from the Aberdeen Art Museum. It’s the colours all orderly and beautiful, just like when i was a kid and git a huge set of Cumberland pencils and didn’t want to spoil them by using them but loved putting them into order….ooh that sounds a bit sad. Anyway i loved them.
10/10 for tge clematis too, thing is if that is your first attempt then well done you : no pressure on us mere mortals then.
I love reading your favorites of the week. You find such neat stuff. The flowers are amazing! How long did they take you? Thanks for sharing with us!
I love what you’ve done with the vintage lamp; it’s gonna look fab in your kitchen!
Oh and those trays are really cute, and they do look very elegant. Who could have said they’re from Primark? I certainly couldn’t have.
Have a lovely week yourself.
Renaud
Thank you again!
Well done you – the first try flowers are magnificent!
Is there no end to your talent?
Fabulous light find, and with the new end she is perfect!
We will be in either Aberdeen or Edinburgh, from Tassie, in early May.
I’m thinking that it should be Aberdeen as I would give my right arm to go rummage through the treasures!