The Opening

So, all the preparation, planning and painting finally came to fruition. I'm not referring to the splendiferous Olympics Opening Ceremony held in London last night, but the opening of the new Emporium at The Olde Watermill Dickensian Village, Barton le Clay, Bedordshire where we have taken space to display some of our pieces.

We are offering an eclectic mix of period, shabby chic and stripped pine furniture selected to compliment each other, and accessorised with vintage kitchenalia and accessories.

While this is an Emporium accommodating a variety of dealers selling antiques, upholstered chairs, chaises etc and vintage clothing, we are delighted with our little corner which is fronted by a Curiosity Shop type window, affording our area character and a useful display shelf.

This, coupled with dark timber horizontal and vertical beams, gives it a lovely cottage feel, perfect for the image we aim to create for Owl Cottage Collectables & Furniture.

The first item of the day to sell was a French night stand which had been painted and distressed - sold to a lady who fell in love with it and bought it for herself as a 40th birthday treat.

We hope this will be the first of many sales and that we will appeal to potential buyers looking for affordable eco-friendly vintage pieces for their home.

While we will continue to offer items on Ebay, we welcome the opportunity of displaying some of our favourite pieces in such a lovely setting and hope many of our past customers as well as our Facebook Friends will visit the Emporium over the next few weeks.

There will be a variety of exciting events being held also as well as a weekly Sunday carvery in the Victorian style restaurant. The Mill, itself, houses a coffee shop for those who want a lighter snack or just a refreshing drink - and there is a children's playground to keep the kids happy while you shop at your leisure.

One man's trash......

We were asked today if we would clear the remaining items from a house that belonged to a lady who had recently gone into a care home. Her house needed to be sold to pay the fees, and the effects cleared as soon as possible.

Although we dont normally do house clearances, we agreed in this instance to help out. While there was nothing of particular value, nevertheless, there were some nice items that could be re-vamped, and it is always far better to recycle such furniture, than them ending up in landfill.

Its always a little bit sad to see someone's life possessions being disposed of in such a way but it does ensure continuity of use for those items and its a true saying that none of us can take our possessions with us when we are called to leave this earth. In fact, it puts life into perspective and makes one realise that it isnt things that are as important, as people, and that we should never take friends or family for granted, but show them that we care whenever we can.

Our possessions are simply on loan to us for as long as we care to keep them and in the case of antiques and quality furniture will almost certainly outlast us. Each piece of furniture tells a story in its scuffs, bruises, ink marks and patina. Thats why I love not only antiques but pre-loved furniture in general. When we no longer have a use for a piece, it can be passed to the next in line who will leave their imprint on it and so it becomes an intrinsic part of our heritage to be enjoyed by each generation.

And with each generation, the finish of the chest of drawers or the table will reflect the fashion of the day.  From the dark wood stains of the Victorian era,  the utility white gloss of the mid 20th century, to the stripped and waxed pine of the 80s - and now the fashion for shabby chic furniture which started in the Noughties.

Victorian Mahogany Writing Table

Stripped Pine Chest of Drawers

Victorian Washstand painted in Annie Sloan Duck Egg

I wonder what the next trend will be - mmmmm - perhaps I should be starting it!

I get a rare Morning off

I visited my nearest stockist of Annie Sloan paint yesterday, Lavender Blue in St Albans, a lovely shop full of shabby chic items,  and chose Old Ochre, a very pale cream, for my next project, a 20th Century dressing table with beautiful triple mirrors.

However, priorities first -  to start the week: hairdressers and a girlie morning with my daughter today.

I left Mike building a huge box which he had to adapt to fit a shabby chic large wall shelf unit. He was just completing the packaging when I arrived back after lunch. It was a remarkable feat of engineering to protect the item from a battering when in transit. I tried all the online couriers for the best quote and found I had greatly underestimated the cost of shipping this. I therefore decided to use Anyvan.com, a brilliant website where couriers will bid against each other for the business. I managed to get a quote which was less than Parcelforce, DHL etc., though still more than I had charged.  However, it is being collected  in the morning and as the size of this parcel is over a metre in length, it will be a relief to wave it on its way.

This afternoon I just had time to list a few small items as well as a pine twin pedestal desk. I would liked to have painted this, but decided it would appeal to those preferring natural pine and I have soooo much to paint after our Saturday foray at the auction.

Often buyers ask me how I can part with some of my items. I bought something on Saturday which I have decided not to part with - a lovely Arts & Crafts spinning chair with poker work decoration including owls, the symbol for our business, named after our cottage. Perfect for my shop window when it opens!

Loved my Bo Peep sheep footstool which was an unusual find. Retailing at £89, I am pleased to be able to offer this at less than half price - not only a bargain for someone but a real quirky conversation piece for the home.

Please feel free to browse our latest listings by clicking on the following link.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Owl-Cottage-Collectables

Auction Day - I lose my iPhone - and trace it again

An early start today as we were delivering a chest of drawers to a buyer in Bucks. before going on to a big auction of antique furniture in Hertfordshire. This entails lots of essential close inspections of whats available, determining what one would really like and having a contingency list in the event of  not being successful in our first choice. Bidding is fast and furious and it is all too easy to end up with something that requires alot of work if it isnt inspected carefully beforehand.

It is also important to see the potential of a piece. While 'brown' furniture is no longer popular it is still solidly made and is often of far better quality than a modern day reproduction. Frequently, the detail to these pieces will be enhanced when painted and contributes to the overall transformation of an otherwise dull item of furniture.

Once the auction had drawn to an end at about 3.30pm, all that was left to do was to load it all on to our Transit sized van. I always maintain this part of our work is what keeps me fit and, besides, is cheaper than annual gym membership!

After much debate as to whether we could load it all on to our van, I had to admit defeat. We will have to go back tomorrow to collect the rest.

To cap it all, I found my iphone was missing. After enquiries in the office and phoning it on Mike's phone, we realised it was not within earshot and had not been handed in. I immediately remembered the Where's my iPhone app installed on Mike's phone and actually identified where it was - travelling in a Northerly direction. Thanks to the app, I was able to lock the phone and only then, realised how much of our lives we lay bear on our mobiles.

After several calls to my own number, I finally got a reply and was able to assess that a member of the public at the auction had decided, having found it, to take it home with them rather than hand it in.  Once locked, it could be of no use to them and I was able to reclaim it after driving to their house. Decided this app is essential for all iphone users.

No pics to this blog today. Sorry! Got home late and after a hot bath, was glad to relax with a couple of G & T's. Settled down this evening to watch the DVD, The Lady, the true story of Aung San Suu Kyi, the woman who was at the core of the Burmese Peace Movement. - A little known but excellent film.

Lots to work on and restore to their resplendent best over the next couple of weeks. Watch this space!

Shipping Day - Couriers & Carriers

With four items of furniture to be shipped out, our first priority had to be to ensure each was fully protected with bubble wrap for transit.

Victorian Dressing Chest Painted in
Farrow & Ball Lime White

A dressing table destined for a Manor House in Cornwall, a Georgian tea table to Wales, a students bureau to Sussex and a bookcase to Baldock which we were delivering. The beauty of Ebay is that it reaches the parts that other websites dont, and we can ensure items are delivered door to door thanks to our reliable Nationwide courier service. We also have the added advantage, thanks to our volume of business, to be able to offer this service at an affordable flat rate.

Regency Mahogany Folding Tea Table

20th Century Students Bureau

Ercol Vintage Bookcase

Since we work from home, as a concession to our neighbours, we rendezvous with our courier at the local A1M service station to hand over the items, rather than have a regular collection outside our cottage. Anything to keep the peace, since early on, our immediate neighbour objected to a courier van being loaded on a weekly basis next door to her house.  Despite the fact she looks out on a beautiful church in a country lane - a commercial vehicle calling once a week was, for her, a blot on the landscape and just unacceptable.

We also sent a parcel off via our local post office, as well as one via Hermes - a brilliant courier employing local people to collect and deliver parcels, hold on to them all overnight until they are collected by a main van and taken to the depot. This keeps their charges to a minimum and provides local employment too. The Post Office could learn from them.

While Mike took charge of packing and despatch, I completed painting an Edwardian washstand in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg which I finished in dark wax fading to lighter tinted wax.

I also painted a Victorian pine table base and two chairs in Duck Egg, with tinted wax to create an aged effect, as well as a bookstand. For the latter, I used the paint effect suggested by Annie Sloan in her book, Paint Transformations - two contrasting shades on the same brush. In this instance, I used Antibes  Green and Aubusson. Delighted with the end result. Photos to follow.

The Olde Watermill Barton le Clay

250-year old Water Mill

We met up with the Proprietor to finalise the space we will be taking at The Olde Watermill, Barton le Clay where a new Antiques and Collectables Emporium will be opening on 28th July 2012.

We will be selling antique and shabby chic furniture and, as we get a feel of the market in that area, will adapt accordingly.

Being at the start of such a project is particularly exciting. We feel this beautiful Dickensian style shopping village offering restaurant and coffee shop in the old mill, as well as independent shops, garden centre and Christmas village from October will be the perfect setting for our products.

Couple this with competitive introductory prices, this is going to  be a hot spot for Christmas shopping for all lovers of antiques, vintage and collectables.

Olde Curiosity Shop style frontage

Entrance to the Emporium

The Ducks take a stroll

Just as we were about to leave, the ducks from the mill pond wandered in for a quick browse. Delightful!

In the meantime, please visit our Ebay store by clicking on the following link, where we can offer Nationwide Delivery from £55 for England & Wales Mainland

Owl Cottage Collectables and Furniture

Meeting our Buyers

Its always nice to meet buyers who come to collect. Frequently they ask if this is our full-time business and we confirm it is. They then say, "I would love to do what you do instead of working 9-5pm.

This always makes us smile because, in fact, we work 24-7 and are available 7 days a week. While we love what we do and wouldnt go back to our former careers - even if we could -it takes total commitment to do what we do to ensure we maintain our 100% positive feedback score.

There is never a dull moment and very little time to relax. Painting and restoration of furniture is, in itself, therapeutic, but there's also the tedious times and today produced one of those annually recurring ones - the tax return. Relevant documents to be produced, annual accounts checked and re-checked. The accountant's bill to be settled. Not fun, but necessary so we can run a legitimate business and make our small contribution to society.

However, there was still time for me to start painting a marble top French Victorian  cupboard in Farrow & Ball's Lime White. I picked out the carvings and mouldings in  dark wax and the whole piece was finished in clear wax and polished to produce a soft sheen. No photos yet but watch this space.

Met a lovely lady today who called to collect a blanket box. It met her requirements perfectly, she said, as she wanted a coffer with drawers and had even asked her husband to make her one! With their first baby on the way as well as a new puppy, they were both delighted to find their ideal and she drove over from Essex to pick it up the day after purchase. That is what makes our efforts all worth while.

You are welcome to browse our Ebay Store by clicking on this link

Car Booting - 7th July 2012

Abandoned all good intentions to catch up with housework today as soon as the sun appeared. A top down drive proved too tempting with so few opportunities available this summer. We decided to head for a local car boot  for a bit of treasure hunting.

A few optimistic sellers had turned up, though the field was by no means as full as it usually is. By the time we arrived, black clouds hung threateningly overhead.

Despite our vow not to buy any more pictures (we have loads and there just isnt a demand for artwork these days - unless its a Constable or by Edvard Munch), we still found three framed pieces that we couldnt resist - one a 1950s water colour, and two limited edition prints.

The watercolour retained its original sale label on the back which showed it had sold in the 50s for Four Guineas (thats £4.20p in new money) . Signed by the artist,  S.J. Light,  the painting was titled 'Modern Gauguin'. It caught my eye languishing against a pasting table surrounded by pots, pans and general household items. Of no great value, nevertheless, I loved the colouring, the artist's concentration and the girls' demeanour.

The two limited edition prints, while modern, are of original pen and ink drawings with colour wash, and the rural scenes are perfect for a cottage style home.





I also found a pair of cherub brass candelabra which I shall vert de gris as they've unfortunately been sprayed in a not very attractive garish gold finish.

These, along with a tapestry throw in excellent condition, a world globe lamp, a 1930s Arthur Wood Deco vase, and 8 new feather cushions (for £3!) made our brief foray well worth while and just in time before the heavens opened, and everyone packed up their wares to make a hasty retreat.

The housework can wait till tomorrow now - unless the sun makes an appearance again. I'm on the lookout now for some lovely cushion covers - Laura Ashley, Cath Kidston - who knows what the next car boot will offer up. 

Racing against Time - Thank goodness for Annie Sloan Paint

Friday is listing day because I like auction listings to end on a Monday evening. This is based on the premise that the weekend is when people decide to make a new purchase. They then hit the shops and Ebay on Monday to fulfil that quest. Monday evenings are when those who return from a day's work can get online to search.  So, we aim to meet that demand by listing for 10 days on Friday evening. That provides us with a deadline to aim for by having items ready for listing on Friday.

So with that in mind, having started to paint a 1930s bureau yesterday, I was keen to finish it today. I also wanted to re-vamp a modern waxed pine settle that lacked character.

Thanks to Annie Sloan's wonderful chalk paint which eliminates the need for excessive preparation, I was able to complete both projects.

I painted the bureau in her shade of Country Grey. We replaced the tatty rexine skiver with a soft faux leather inset panel in blue/grey which complimented the neutral tone of the Country Grey. I lightly distressed the paintwork and finished with Clear Wax already for listing this evening. Having sold a bureau this week which was collected by our customer today, it is nice to have a replacement to go on straight away, as these bureaux are always popular. With more and more people now using smartphones and ipads, bureaux are the ideal space-saving alternative to full-sized desks for a home office environment.

I decided to paint the settle in one coat of Old White from the Annie Sloan paint range and then heavily rub this back to create a limed pine effect. Again, this was finished with clear wax.  This settle is the perfect solution to a cluttered porch to store shoes, school bags etc.

The little bedside chests listed only yesterday, were sold today. Of 1950s utility construction, these were transformed thanks to Annie Sloan Duck Egg and new oak handles. As a result, they made an attractive and affordable pair of bedsides that were snapped up by someone locally who came to collect.

Finally, the Andy Murray match provided a great end to the day. Amazing - the first man from the UK to play in a Wimbledon Final since 1938.  I can remember when Virginia Wade won her Final. The country could do with some Feel Good Factor that his win would generate after all this rain. Fingers Crossed!


Please click on this link if you would like to browse our Ebay Store. Thanks for popping by

Thursday 5th July

While Mike rendezvous'd with our courier to hand over a van load of furniture for distribution all over the country, I embarked upon my latest paint job - a Victorian pine shelf unit which came into our possession in a rather poor finish, and screaming out for an Annie Sloan makeover.

So, I was pleased to have a project where I could use a shade I'd not used before, Aubusson, combined with Farrow & Ball's Lime White for the interior. I was really pleased with the end result.

Antique Pine Shelf Unit Painted in Annie Sloan's Aubusson
with Farrow & Ball Lime White Interior

Listed today are two very traditional and elegant pieces of furniture in Bleached Walnut, a gorgeous pale walnut finish, by the renowned furniture retailers, Maple & Co. Soooo elegant.

Please feel free to browse our Ebay shop for details of the above and other items we have for sale.
A perfect end to the day was for us  to cool off with a top down drive this evening to Wimpole Hall, the National Trust owned property close to where we live, making the most of the sunshine and the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside.

First Entry - 4th July 2012

I'm taking my very first baby step into the world of blogging, motivated by some of the fine blogs Ive stumbled across on my world wide web travels.

Described by some as a silver surfer, though I prefer to think of myself as a savvy surfer, I embraced the internet about 10 years ago and soon went from making the odd purchase on Ebay to becoming a full-time seller with the invaluable help of my husband, Mike.

Our Ebay Store

Now with over 3,700 positive feedbacks, accumulated over the past few years - with not one negative, I'm rather proud to claim,  I have found that, for all its faults, Ebay has provided our business, Owl Cottage Collectables,  with a worldwide clientele from all walks of life and cultures.

What they, and we, share in common is a love of all things vintage.  

Whether it be a high end antique or an upcycled preloved piece of furniture, it is not only far more environmentally friendly than something bought new on the high street, but has an individuality and charm that simply cant be replicated - offering the new owner something which is unique to them.

From our cottage in Cambridgeshire, we enjoy foraging at antique fairs, auction houses and sometimes the odd car boot sale in order to rescue and restore vintage finds to their resplendent best.

I love transforming the odd piece thanks to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and am fast discovering my favourite shades and effects, though would never dream of painting anything which would be devalued as a result.  Here are a few of my past projects and, with the aid of this blog, will add future finds and restorations as and when, as well as a daily journal.