I haven’t always loved vintage… Oh no. My conversion to vintage has been a slow and steady one. It all started about 6 years ago ….
Phil and I spent a lovely spring weekend on the gorgeous island of Muck, one of the Small Isles off the west coast of Scotland. We stayed in the Bunkhouse on the island and, there in a corner, I discovered a treasure which would change my life forever…. a great big stack of Country Living magazines! I picked them up for a little browse, expecting to find articles on wellies and grand country mansions ….
But no! What I found was a fabulous mixture of beautiful homes with thrifted, vintage and handmade goodies. I loved the vintage throws, the knitted blankets, the sun-filled rooms, the flowers, the colours, … EVERYTHING….
… I loved the vintage china – the tea sets, the teapots, the fabulous decoration of the plates…. And I loved the gorgeous mismatched glasses, plates and linens, all creating a wonderful homely look… And that was it – I was hooked!
(all photos copyright of Country Living magazine)
I now have my very own great big stack of Country Living magazines which provide me with inspiration and always bring a smile to my face…. and, since that surprise find in Muck, the love of ‘Country Living’ style has led me to start my own business to help others create that style for themselves… Of course there have been other steps on the way… But we’ll save them for another day….
It’s lovely to find out how others found their passions and to see them grow. I don’t collect Country Living but I subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors, Period Living and English Home!! My interior book collection is ever growing too.
I’m glad you went on your holiday to Muck as we might never of had Peony & Thistle in our lives and its a better place for it Dorothy!
Jane x
Aw, thanks Jane! I love those magazines too! And I have a stack of interior books as well – mostly borrowed from our wonderful local library… I can spend hours looking at them!!!!
Fabulous! Glad I’m not the only one to hoard and covet vintage paraphenalia! I’ve taken it a step further and have made vintage scrapbooks of all my favourite photos etc. which I thumb through when inspiration runs dry. Needless to say the house is brimming with ‘finds’ that I can’t bear to part with!
The funny thing is that when I sell my handmade work at art fairs and exhibitons I use some of my vintage stuff as props – yes you’ve guessed it, folk are always wanting to buy them!
Hi Jules, I have to admit that I have some scrapbooks too…full of inspiration! Love them!
A woman after my own heart! Collecting and reading Country Living with so much inspiration. I always bring them home with me after visiting the UK because I just LOVE them.
!!
As for my collections of china and linen, well…we’ll better not go there but I am certainly following my passion!
Never heard of Muck before must go and check it out, although not sure of the name though! LOL
Pam x
Lovely to find so many Country Living fans and good to hear you’re following your passion with china and linen too!
Hello!
What a lovely post. I bought my very first Country Living last year. I had finally moved out of my parents house and in with the husband. We have now moved again after buying our first house, it is a 4 storey Victorian terrace and I just can’t wait to get cracking on every floor to make it as homely as I see depicted in their pretty pages.
Keep up the wonderful work!
Phoebe
x
Ooh your Victorian terrace sounds wonderful! Have fun getting it the way you want it!
First time in your blog and found this lovely nostalgic post
I think that I am a currently in this situation that I start to like country style and vintage and flea market finds more and more… For the last years I have been more keen on clean lines and functional interiors, but I found myself more and more looking at Country Living and finding great inspiration from it
All the best,
Anu
Hi Anu! It’s amazing how our tastes change over the years, isn’t it!
My favorite style is an modern version of Country Living. Love it as well.
I have long loved magazines to a fault, but lately I’ve been less inspired by them, for some reason. I do currently enjoy Mollie Makes, MaryJane’s Farm, Country Living (US and UK), Southern Living (US), Bon Appetit, a couple of German country living mags, and (still) Martha Stewart Living.
Mollie Makes is lovely! I love it too!