table runners

I bought these beautiful pieces of vintage French linen some time ago, the patterned pieces are rectangular in shape and the plane piece was square. I thought how lovely they would look made up as table runners with the plain piece on the back but I knew that the coloured piece wouldn't go with the decor in our home. Back then we didn't have any idea that we would be able to buy our cottage in Wales and that they would look perfect in that setting and on the lovely Ercol table and chairs that we have bought to use there. 

The table and chairs were finished I a dark varnish, my husband has sanded the table top and painted it in grey like the one in the bottom photo, two chairs are also painted and we have two more chairs like these and two with arms to paint before the set is finished. 

I have made up the runners, the plain piece was exactly the right size to back them both and I think they will look great against the beautiful beech table top.

                                   

                                  

                                  

                                  

Cushions

I've been getting on with some sewing the last couple of weeks. We had taken the cushions from our Ercol sofa, over to our cottage as they are made from vintage woollen blankets and I though they were more suited to a cottage. I bought some lovely big cushion Inners and looked through my fabric stash to see what I had that would suit our ercol furniture. The fabric I chose was  a curtain sample made of green Sanderson fabric. This was already made up into a rectangular, lined curtain just the right size to fold over and make a simple cover with no fastening just an envelope style fold over at the back.

                                     

For the second cushion I used a couple of pieces of Daisy Chain by Jonelle Duracolour which I made into the same style cover as the other. The quality of both these fabrics is lovely and great to sew with and all the better as I had picked up both pieces in charity shops :)

                                     

                            

ercol daybed

                               

Some months back I posted our ercol daybed that we restored, my husband sanded the woodwork and re webbed the base, I then bought new cushions and re covered them. I had some fabric left over and so bought two rectangular cushions for the ends. I have now got around to making covers for them. Just in time for our Christmas visitors to arrive :)

finally finished

I have finally finished a quilt that I have been making on and off for a few years. This one is for me. It isn't huge and I have made it to use in our lounge, to hang over the Ercol sofa which is nearly finished. Its all down to me now, when I can find foam at a good price and able to be cut to shape, I will get the cushions made. But it is now being used with the original cushions and a throw to cover them. 

This quilt is made from single log cabin blocks, backed with a vintage bed sheet and hand quilted in brown thread. 

I am happy with the finished product. Most of the fabric was bought years ago whilst visiting New York. 

Progression

Well the Ercol day bed has progressed from the garage to the utility room, a little more of the dark varnish has been rubbed off and I have a magazine picture on my notice board to give me hope as to whet it will look like...soon. (not with red covers thought) The little Ercol coffee table below was dark wood until this week and it has now been rubbed down and waxed and is looking pretty good, it goes nicely with our larger Ercol coffee tableFor those who don't know of Ercol furniture this is taken from the website and we have been  collecting old pieces of this furniture to renovate, for a number of years now.

'In 1920 a young designer called Lucian Ercolani started his own business in High Wycombe, the chairmaking capital of England. Here he perfected the technique of steam-bending wood in large quantities to form the famous Windsor Bow, and discovered how to 'tame' elm; a beautifully grained hardwood other furniture makers considered impossible to work with.

Design and people were the cornerstones of his company. This remains true of the family owned private company that continues his beliefs in the 21st century.'



Pottery

The twins have been having pottery lessons for some time now, Maggie in particular really enjoys it and now that Parpar has a pottery wheel in his garage so much fun is to be had!

(still waiting for the Ercol Sofa to be finished though)

Nice Fabric!

When it was Mothers Day in the UK my eldest son was working in New York (He's a fashion photographer) so I didnt get my gift from him until I saw him over Easter...he knows what I like, while in NY he visited some antique shops up state and he bought me this piece of 50's fabric. He suggested I use it to make a couple of small cushions for the Ercol Day Bed that we have in our garage...waiting for my husband to finish rubbing it down so I can make new foam cushions for the base and back. I have all the fabric ready and waiting but cant start until the woodwork is finished and I have bought the foam.

I love the 50's styles that are making a come back. I am not sure who has designed this piece of fabric but I especially like fabrics designed by Lucienne Day. Along with her husband and fellow designer, Robin Day and other designers including Ray and Charles Eames, Lucienne was part of a design movement that is now known as Mid-centry Modern.

I am really looking forward to the daybed being finished!

Lucienne Day

Ercol

We have a liking for 50's and 60's furniture and over the years have collected pieces of Ercol, dining chairs, a rocker and armchair and a coffee table. We recently bought a sideboard. The most desired Ercol is that made in light elm and beech and what many people don't know is that the furniture made in dark varnished wood is just the same underneath and easily rubbed down.This side board was less than a quarter the cost of a light coloured one, and after my husband rubbed it down it is exactly the same.(I forgot to take a before photo) We have recently bought an Ercol Daybed, designed in the 50's by Lucian Ercolani which we are going to rub down, make new cushions for and put in our study to double up as a sofa and spare guest bed. I have added some photo's of some revamped Daybeds as well as the one we have bought. I will post 'after' photo's when it is finished.