New Etsy listing: Vintage mens grooming kit

There are some lovely markets and carboot sales here in the North East of England, there's even a vintage fair or two (which I'm getting very excited about).  I love to rummage around peoples rubbish as you may have guessed.  At a recent market in the lovely Chester-le-street I happened across this darling vintage mens grooming kit.  All it needed was a little cleaning and it was good to go up on Etsy.

Isn't it the sweetest thing?  It comes with a removable mirror, comb, brush and two chromium plated dispensers.  Check it out here.

I have a bunch of vintage books prettifying my bookcase but I think maybe it's time to bite the bullet and whack them up on Etsy too. . .

Retro accessories

I love the occasional retro accessory thrown into the mix of home deco.  A little bit of old in with the new adds depth to an interior.  Even a little bit of new disguised as something old does the trick.

I think this is especially true of old suitcases.  They're so versatile and reasonably priced at markets and on ebay.  This peacock print suitcase is sold at Liberty of London.  Its a gorgeous print and the colour and works in summer or winter interiors or even as an actual suitcase.  So great.

There has been a serious decline in the old cord home phone, but for an office I still think they can work and look super stylish while they're at it.  This silver Liberty of London phone is to die for.  I would actually start answering the home phone if it looked like this and not like the usual glorified mobile phone.  Putting a silver sheen on an old accessory will always win my heart.

Speaking of metallic finishes, this vintage French steel desk is calling my name!  I love the tarnished material, it's the kind of piece that looks perfect where ever you put it, with any accessory.  Find it at mydeco.com or click the image for a direct link.

Project typewriter

I have finally finished restoring my typewriter!  Well restoring may be the wrong word as I have gone for a more worn look for it but I still think it looks prettier than when I got it.  Unfortunately I wasn't forward thinking enough to take before and during pictures but I do have plenty of after photographs.  

I am currently selling this in my etsy shop here

This typewriter started life as a bland beige, so very sad to look upon.  Now it has attitude and demands center stage!

I used pink enamel paint all over the body and sanded it to a worn, matte look.  I left the keys and base the original grey colour and I think the colours go well together.

It is missing the guiding ruler which is unfortunate but it doesn't detract from the beauty of the typewriter.

And unfortunately I don't have a users manual although I have searched high and low for one.

I have cleaned and oiled the innards and will supply a new ribbon.  The finicky cleaning was actually my favourite part of this project.

What do you think?  It was a love/hate project but I powered through and I adore the result.