Second hand style from Retrouvius

I am a self confessed sucker for salvage and one of my favourite ports of call is the London based company Retrouvius which sells a range of architectural salvage – windows, doors, flooring, panelling – and also furniture, lighting and lots more bedsides. They have a wonderful warehouse in Kensal Green where you can view their stock but they also have a very good website which is regularly updated and has good information about items for sale. There are a number of Retrouvius items in the Angel and Blume office that I found when we moved in last year and having just received their email with new stock, there may be one or two new editions in the not too distant future. Here are just a few of the tasty pieces that are currently on their website.

Mahogany plan chest with hinged doors, salvaged from a Kensington museum

Desk chair with painted metal frame and original vinyl upholstery

1950s Italian cocktail cabinet

Eighteenth century cast iron hob grate and fireback

1950s Italian armchair with curved wing arms and tapered legs

Double antler hooks mounted on new back plate

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Book Club – The Vintage Modern Home

As a big fan of all things Vintage I was thrilled when this lovely book landed on my desk last week. Written by Katherine Sorrell  it is packed with gorgeous images and practical tips. As the former Associate Editor of Homes & Gardens Katherine knows her stuff and has broken the book down into chapters that focus on broad subjects such as colour, pattern and texture.

She starts the book by asking the reader to asses what they already have and to spend some time thinking about what look you can pull together from your existing possessions. A great piece of advice which we are all guilty of forgetting when rushing out to buy something new. The photos are varied and inspiring – I love this shabby chic dining room with its mix of vintage furniture and cheerful accessories.

How great is this casual arrangement of vintage signs and prints. And that fisherman’s lamp – gorgeous!

There are ideas for every room in the house and there are enough images to fill two books. This kitchen image is lovely and light and airy. It is also a perfect example of the rest of the book which aims at encouraging readers to make the most of their own space and to create a cosy, comfortable home which reflects their lifestyle, without feeling like they have to live in a magazine-styled show home.

Click to buy The Vintage Modern Home.

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Salvage treasures – as featured in Agenda magazine

Uncover hidden gems and ensure your home stands out from the crowd. Victoria Harrison of the interior designers Angel + Blume lets you in on some trade secrets.

 

Images: 1 from Decorating with Blue and White by Gail Abbott, photography Mark Scott, 2 Gail Abbott

If you’ve never been to a salvage yard you don’t know what you’re missing. Like a treasure hunt for grown-ups, at a good architectural salvage yard you can uncover all sorts of hidden gems, from Victorian fireplaces and Georgian chandeliers to door handles and stained glass. All these items and many more are out there just waiting for a bit of TLC and a new home. Here’s how to salvage a little bit of history…

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