~Renovated chairs~

More painting and renovating today.  Two of my chairs were on their last legs :)  They needed replacing before they collapsed.  These 2 lovelies came free from family - good quality solid dining chairs, just very worn and old. Cue me donning my Summer Outfit again - no not a Boden nautical holiday ensemble, but a pair of paint spattered shorts and t-shirt. The season's must-have outfit don't you know!?
Here they are... 

I think they were 'Old Charm' or something similar. I used a coat of primer as they were so dark, then 3 thin coats (so no drips!) of trusty Farrow and Ball eggshell in New White.

 

 

The 'drop-in' seat pads were covered in a neutral twill fabric I had already using my staple gun. No sewing required.

 

 

I know I've shown this before, but here is my dining area, with furniture acquired relatively cheaply and renovated.



 



 Green chairs - Ebay, M&S solid quality chairs, 4 for £30. Painted in F&B Cooking Apple Green
Table - Ebay, cost £50 but was a state. I gave it a good sand and painted the legs in F&B
Dresser - gifted from a friend, just needed a few coats of paint
Vintage ceramic chicken - £3 car boot sale

I am also linking to Frugal Queen's room renovation post yesterday. I hope more people feel inspired to re-purpose rather than buy buy buy. I've always tarted thing up because I've had to make do and mend rather than buy new.  However, I like the process too,  and rather than resenting the fact I can't afford expensive painted furniture from Laura Ashley or Barker and Stonehouse, I feel blessed that I can turn my hand to most things.
I'm now off for a shower to scrub the paint splatters off my legs :)

~Thrifty coastal find~

Thankyou so much for leaving bloggy comments, I love hearing from you.
I am remiss at replying but forgive me as I'm a whirling dervish with the paintbrush at the moment - chairs, walls, skirting boards -interspersed with a bit of crafting and much ebaying of stuff with the aim, of course of a simpler life...
There is definitely a 5 year plan with regard to coastal living, and I am determined to streamline and organise. For my coastal cupboard of loveliness, I found these late 60s early 70s tin canisters in the Care and Share charity shop in Filey on Saturday for £1

They have twist on lids and are in fantastic non-rusty condition.
One of my crochet WIPs is this cushion front in Sirdar Sublime yarn which is also *ahem* coastal inspired...

 

 

The colours are inspired by this collection of seaside prints from my favourite artist Tracy Savage who is based in Hornsea.

Not sure how I'll feel when September comes and my fix of pebbles, sea and sand are reduced :(

~More of the Summer Hols~

As promised a few more photos of mine and Laura's weekend away further up the Yorkshire Coast at Robin Hood's Bay. I found this B and B last year when we had a walk round RHB, it looked just my cup of tea and if I'm going to pay to stay anywhere I like it to exceed what I've got at home if you know what I mean, otherwise what's the point? So we stayed at Lynnfield B and B which is a beautifully renovated Victorian house at the top of the steep hill on the main street.  It was built in 1897 for the aptly named Captain Storm and it remained in the family until 2010 when the current owners bought it and renovated it - doing a fantastic job.

 We stayed in a twin room on the ground floor.  Look how lovely it was with crocheted throws and beautiful art deco lights...

 The view into the back yard...

 An original built-in cupboard housing some of a huge collection of Hornsea and mid 20th century pottery.  The breakfast room was also a showcase for more stunning pottery - have a look on their website for more pics.

 The matching art deco light fitting.  I would like to take this home!

 A pristine shower room with lovely toiletries...

 

Breakfast was delicious with lots of choice and local produce.

 

We didn't have the best weather - it was incredibly humid and grey at times with sun and showers thrown in...but we got out and about and visited Runswick Bay further up the coast which was very pretty and sort of like a Yorkshire Cornwall :)

I'd never been to Sandsend before either, which is 2 miles north of Whitby.  We loved it here with it's cafes on the beach, surf school, galleries and gift shops and fantastic beach.  I particularly liked Wild Hart gift and vintage gallery which also has a branch in York.  I fancy Sandsend as a few days away next Summer.

 

 

I like a beach with sand and pebbles as you know...

 

...and it was a fantastic place to find sea glass which passed an hour or two!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed that little trip to the Yorkshire coast again!



~Crochet ta-da and Summer Holidays Part 1~

I have to say I am really enjoying the summer hols - I know I am lucky to work term-time but I do only get paid for 39 out of 52 weeks so that's the trade-off isn't it?
I have completed a few crochet garlands - this one is the rainbow one I did in lovely cotton yarns (leftovers and bargain buys) for my cousin's daughter in Australia...

 Jack and I spent a few days in Filey last week and we had gorgeous weather apart from a crazy thunder, lightning and rain storm one day which you could see roll in from Flamborough Head across the sea.  Cue hundreds of people running to take shelter in the amusement arcade :)   I feel lucky as my friend's family has a bungalow there, so we get to go there quite often for just the cost of food and petrol. I really recommend Filey as it's a traditional seaside town and is absolutely pristine with plenty to do both locally and within a short drive.


 

Filey beach near the Coble Landing last Tuesday

 

I've made tomato chutney and blackberry cheese from the first blackberries in the hedgerows in my village.  The basic method I blogged about before is here. I love making fruit cheeses as you can eat them on toast or with cheese and cold meats. As they are sieved, they are a great way of using fruit with loads of pips or stones.

 

Also, when you go to the coast don't forget the neglected courgettes will swell to epic proportions...this one will be ratatouille-d later today for the freezer.

 

Back soon with some more seaside photos from further up the Yorkshire coast.