Mystery Ladies!

Regular readers of my blog will know that I have a penchant for 'mystery ladies' in the form of old paintings and photos, which I find on my travels across the country in search of website treasures.

Here are two more mysterious ladies for you! The first is a spectacular and huge oil painting of a beautiful young lady - perhaps a debutante - painted in 1965. I spied this painting (how could one miss it?!) at one of my recent buying trips. It was propped up against a tree, its custom built frame leaning alongside it. I simply could not resist her and without even questioning whether both frame and painting would fit in the car with all my other purchases, I told the stallholder I'd take her! The frame is nearly five feet tall and is a work of art itself. But my mystery blonde lady in her pretty blue roses on silver dress with matching shawl and delicate pearls is a true work of art.

I have christened her Maggie - but I wonder who she actually is. I quite like the way she sits waiting to be placed within her frame and have decided to leave her that way for now!


My other mystery lady is a very charming young woman of some considerable years! Although a young lady in the painting, she was painted well over a 100 years ago.

I was instantly drawn to this delicate and entrancing watercolour; the white lace and pearl smothered hat is just beautiful and the delicate frilled shawl of her dress frames the pretty pearl chain and cross around her neck.

One of these delightful ladies has been added to the Vintage Home online shop today - along with some very special and beautiful items - find out which one when you pop along for a visit.

We also have a special treat for you - we are now playing a particularly famous piece of music on the home page, I hope you enjoy it! Plus we have switched the Christmas lights on at Vintage Home and there is a special Christmas message to you all!

I hope you enjoy your browse - I'm off for some festive refreshments - I think a mince pie would go down a treat - any one for a glass of mulled wine?!

The 1950s Home

We recently found this amazing book at one of the many antique fairs we regularly attend. Whilst on the hunt for new stock for the website, Mike stopped to browse at an antique bookstall and couldn't resist this 1950s pop-up book. Although it is a child's book, the pop-up illustrations of a typical 50s house are just amazing so I thought I would share it with you. Here is the kitchen - I love those Rose kitchen units which were all the rage then - and how about that mangle?!

Oh look, the ironing board is out - anyone for an afternoon of ironing?!

Here's the living room - this would have been considered very 'with-it' for that era!

The 'modern' bedroom - looks like a nice cosy eiderdown on the bed! Can you see the 'party frock' hanging in the wardrobe?

It's all mod-cons in the bathroom - they even have a shower!


This is not only a wonderful piece of social history but a really fantastic example of a vintage children's book - I hope you've enjoyed having a peek inside!