A DIY: Modern China

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Rebecca@florencefinds

This afternoon, unusually for Florence Finds, we’ll be getting our craft on with this DIY project sent in by Anna from Angel in the North.

It’s fair to say that shabby chic and vintage china isn’t usually my style but I instantly fell in love with the modern take on these charity shop finds and the bold type Anna used for the lettering. I think they lend a really quirky touch to the trend and I can see them anywhere in the home, maybe even a child’s bedroom with a name stencilled on instead?

Over to you Anna!

What you need:

China plates in a style of your choice. (Mine were £1.50 for three in a local charity shop. The number you need and size will depend on the text you want to use. Mine were 16cms in diameter which meant the letters were 7cm high).

Sharpie permanent marker in black, fine point
Ballpoint pen
Ruler
Scissors and craft knife

1. Create a stencil for your letters by printing your text onto thick paper or card and cutting it out. The font I used was Bodoni MT in 400 point.
2. Position your stencil in the right place on your plate and draw round it using a ballpoint pen.

3. Go over the line with the Sharpie (it helps to use a ruler for the straight edges) and fill in. Let the first coat dry overnight, then you might want to do a second coat to get a dense, even finish.

So, do you like readers? I think it’s a seriously clever idea and I love that it’s so easy yet so effective.

As ever, if you’ve got a home DIY, whether it’s a revamped and painted chair, a window treatment or anything else you think is worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you – send them in marked SUBMISSION to hello@florencefinds.com

Thanks Anna!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Real Homes: Thrifted Colour

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Rebecca@florencefinds

This afternoon you’re in for a real treat with a real home tour by Zoe from Conversation Pieces. I knew as soon as I found her blog that I had to ask her to share her home with those of you who don’t already know her via her blog. As Zoe says below, it’s right up my street because of all the colour and the seriously quirky style she has curated through a mixture of ‘finds’, up-cycling and fantastic taste. I am more than a little bit jealous of her colour mixing skills.

When Rebecca first emailed to ask to feature my home, I was delighted… not the least because I’ve always loved how bright and colourful the Florence Finds logo is!

If you’ve come across my home before, you’ll understand why I think we’re a great match. If not, well, this little tour will probably show you why.

So… a little about me. Well, I’m an Edinburgh-based copywriter and freelance writer, who’s secretly a ‘frustrated artist’. Yes, my fondness of interior design comes from the fact that I can’t paint but I can paint furniture. (I think it’s why I also like styling and photography so much too!)

I’m also a bit of a thriftoholic (ok, maybe a big bit). My ideal day sees me hitting a car boot sale early and coming home with lots of lovely finds.

Our home gave me the perfect excuse to hone this ‘talent’… after buying it, we had next to no money (and no furniture) so decorating and furnishing our home had to be done on a very strict budget. Always one for a challenge, I became an expert at recovering old chairs from Freecycle, spotting bargains on ebay and tarting up charity shop finds.

Except that wasn’t the only challenge… the flat we fell in love with and moved into straight away was missing windows, had no heating, no kitchen, no modern plugs and no hot water. We must have been bonkers – but we were head over heels with the place! (The only low point was when my now husband tried to recreate a shower using a plastic bucket and some tepid kettle water over a freezing to touch cast iron bath… I may have uttered a few expletives that day!!)

Fast-forward three years and we still have some bits and pieces to do (no more than most people)… and we have a home filled with colourful things that make us smile. From our wedding sign that hangs in our kitchen to the felt ball rug I made in the living room, everything has a happy memory attached to it.

It’s not the first flat I’ve owned, but it’s the very first that anywhere has ever really felt like ‘home’. Though that’s probably more to do with who I live with… and that the fact that he loves as much colour as I do.

Are you not in awe of Zoe’s talent for combining her finds? This is the sort of home that always makes me green with envy. I never know how you make it look so cohesive, like all those things were meant to be together!

If you’re the car boot type (and I wish I could make myself forsake that Sunday morning lie-in!) then Zoe has some great tips here. Head over and have a look and do tell me your favourite part of her home, I’m way too in awe to choose! Thank you so much for sharing Zoe!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Spotted: Inspiring Lighting

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Rebecca@florencefinds

After last week’s stunning Kitchen make-over and an overdose of fashion pretty I wanted to get back to interiors and motivate myself to add the finishing touches to my affectionately titled ‘Grey project‘. I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself with as much inspiration as possible when you want to get creative… although not all of it will become part of your final project, it helps refine your own personal taste and make sure your vision is totally unique.

The problem with redecoration projects is, for me anyway, in the finishing touches and I really believe that these kind of things can’t be bought in a day if you want a truly unique look. So today I’m doing a round up of stunning lighting that has inspired me, one way or another, and hoping to give myself some salvage chic inspiration for my rooms.

I love the hollywood movie drama of these letter lights (& light) and a single letter or symbol is enough to create great drama in a room. Want to DIY it? Try this tutorial.
The cheapest chandelier ever if not that practical… cluster together blown glass hanging votives and add some candles for serious impact.
Bare bulbs are where my heart is at right now, but how to make them look warm rather than adding too much cold industrialism to a room? Group tons of them (and not all have to be lit) like this DIY chandelier in one of my favourite home tours ever.
Industrial cage lamps clothe bare bulbs and can be found at Rockett St George.
Or how about these quietly decorative standard lamps?
Perhaps you like your lighting a little more modern and get eco-friendly to boot with these high-design energy saving bulbs.
And 2 super simple lighting ideas – bulb and bracket or bulbs on a bookcase (DIY.)
Make simple look stylish by hanging spaced out blown votives.
And lastly my favourite neon lighting from a UK supplier to boot. Individual letters connect together to make words so you can make your design super personal.

So readers, do you love?

I hope I’ve brightened up your morning and do share if there is something you would consider doing in your home here.

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Florence’s Christmas Gift Guide #1

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Rebecca@florencefinds

Ok ladies, without wishing to strike the fear of God (or Christmas Shopping) into you all, it’s 5 and a half weeks to Christmas and that means it’s time to turn our attention to gifts.

I’ve been purposely putting off gift guides not wanting to engage in starting the ‘Christmas Fear’ too early this year but you know what, I haven’t bought a single present yet so this is as much a guide for me as you!

I know as I’ve got older (read ‘busier with more presents to buy’) Christmas shopping has become less of an enjoyable thing to do and more a chore to tick off. Of course there are still people I love shopping for, but many of my friends and family are so darn difficult it just becomes an added stress and pressure. The idea of these guides is that you get to find some little gems that perhaps your friends won’t have seen before and as a result you get bonus gift-buying points! They’re all available online too to make life even easier.

I’m starting with an easy one… finds for beauty queens and some retro style gifts.

I always try and get something limited edition for friends who are addicted to make up and it’s always such a treat to recieve so goes down well with any woman in your life. I love this Laura Mercier Face Illuminator (Limited edition) – Rose Rendezvous £31
Wipe clean make-up bags are an essential for travelling and organisation but not often as pretty as this Key-Per Triple Pouch, from Fossil – £35
New make-up brushes are always good for a beauty queen and this set from Marks and Spencers covers all the basics for a bargain £15. Try Mac for more specialist shapes.
We all have lots of basics in our make-up bag but sometimes don’t splash out on the real McCoy when we’re on a budget. Why not upgrade your friends trusty essentials to the top of the range brands? For the last word in lash curling get the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers or for brows, these Tweezerman for Benefit slant tweezers.
Got a friend who always has perfect nails? Update her nail wardrobe with the Nails Inc Heavy Metals collection – bang on trend metallics for party nails – £25
Everyone knows someone who’s addicted to lipgloss and this set has a good range of wearable colours in a cute gift box. Ticket to Glossy Town, Benefit – £19.50

I just love the range of purses Fossil has with crafted details like this Scarlett Penelope Wristlet. Fossil – £45
A friend of mine has this and I thought it was fabulous… iPhone vintage look camera case, perfect for giving modern accessories retro style. – NotOnTheHighStreet.com – £18
My new favourite Cath Kidston print comes in a super soft scarf for winter… British birds shawl, Cath Kidston – £48
How about some retro kitchen style? Orla Kiely Mug, John Lewis – £8.50
Retro Alarm clock – £16.95 – Brilliant 60′s style design for a bargain price.
I spotted these 50′s Petticoats over on Love My Dress (check out the competition to win one!) How much fun do they look? Doris Designs – £63
You can’t get more retro than the perfect red pout… Chanel Red lipstick

Have you spotted something here that you know someone will love or are you cheating and compiling your own Christmas list?

Is there something you would like to see Florence’s gift guide cover to help your Christmas shopping? Drop me a comment below and I’ll see what I can do!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Beautiful Butterflies

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Rebecca@florencefinds

In the Rockett St George email newsletter I got recently I couldn’t help but notice this super budget friendly idea for decor.

*Rockett St George Butterfly Gift Wrap

The print above is actually a sheet of very high quality gift wrap paper, but the newsletter mentioned a customer framing the paper and using it as a print. At £2.50 you really can’t do better than that and there are a whole range of different designs you can choose. I already own the world map design which I intended to frame (must get around to doing that!) but I love the vintage/salvage vibe of the butterfly print too.

Love,
Rebecca.
xo