Vintage Foundry Workbench

Here's another one of our foundry benches. We've managed to take a few pictures before it goes off to its new home in france (congratulations Sean!).

We're very pleased with how it's looking and running now it has been stripped down, washed up, scrubbed, sanded and lightly waxed. All the drawers are moving perfectly, the wood has the deep patination after years of oil spillages and the metal hardware is knocked and dinked and shining nicely.

Some of the smaller ones have been making their way through the shop and the website but the larger ones have not generally been posted. We have a range of benches from 5m to 3.5m to 2.5m to 1m. We cried when we had to unload the truck at our barn in Kent. It was an impossible task (almost) but thanks to our friendly neighbour's forklift we managed to do it...!

Let us know if you fancy one of these great benches for your space? Please give us a call or email in the first instance for prices and availability. They can usually be turned around to order in 2-3 weeks depending upon how busy we are.

Livingetc

let's go swimming

When brocanting in Rochefort who can resist a trip to the wild and windswept Île d'Oléron off the west coast of France? Less well known than its cousin Île de Ré - where Parisians flock for their summer break - it has many hidden secrets. Below are some pictures we snapped at one of its tiny sand beaches where you can purchase and personalise your own beach hut. Often made of wood these little houses are painted with stripes and reflect the many colours of the Atlantic Ocean which they look out onto.

In the spirit of the seaside and all things summery we have a very unusal victorian beach hut. Although showing signs of use it is still in relatively good condition and extremely charming. It is also very versatile as the yellow striped canopy is supported on a folding wooden frame so you can take it with you and put it on your beach anywhere. Ideal for this summer...

We also have a number of these vintage life-rings which have been salvaged from the port at Felixstowe. They look great in the sunshine with their bright citrus colours and each of them has got its own name - football clubs and more exotic destinations. Essential for the beach this summer...

http://www.oleron-island.com/

Old School Chairs

We have several runs of pel/cox chairs coming through at the moment. They will be updated here and online as we get chance to go through them and photograph them. In the meantime do call or email if you want more details.

This newer model (we're guessing late 1960s/early 70s - but do contact us if you know better?) - complete with nylon glides at the base has a great form and profile and the chairs are in a very clean vintage condition. The ply is more-or-less unmarked and the paint has very few chips.

If you are looking for yourself for home, for the office or for a restaurant or cafe or even a theatre (no we are serious) do let us know and we will be glad to quote for all quantities from 1 to 100+. just let us know.

Vintage Elementary Physiology

Carefully hoarded and passed on. We are pleased to offer for sale a rare set of vintage anatomical physiology charts now newly framed and ready for display.

The images are detailed and skillfully executed. Signed by Robert E Holding - Zoological and Anatomical Artist. His colours have remained strong and vibrant.

We are offering the pictures for sale individually. However do let us know if you are interested in taking on the full set - if you have the requisite space and the desire?

John Tann & Co

A bit of local interest...the entire end of this terrace on Treadway Street in Hackney, London E2 still displays an advert for an historic London company - John Tann & Co. The lettering would originally have been painted in - probably in black. It would have been very impressive. It still looks good today if a little neglected - the letters set in relief into the rendered wall.

We have a very good run of their old document safes at the moment which we have restored and reimagined for use in today's modern interiors. You can find them on-line, in-store and they are also for sale on the lower ground floor at Selfridges, London.

We'll keep you posted of any other John Tann pieces that we come across...

1950s hospital cabinets - before & after

Great one-off pieces and several runs from the Czech Republic are now being restored and coming available online and instore.

We secured a good run of these very elegant former hospital cabinets. Under the thick white enamel there is a very slinky metal cabinet waiting to be revealed as you can see. Beautifully detailed with radius edges and formed panels - even louvre vents on the back. Ideal as bedside tables or as occasional tables.

If you are interested in a pair for your home, or perhaps one for your office or maybe it might be your chance to snap up a dozen for that special project... just let us know...?