Vintage Chic

The coming cold snap has made me think of warm cosy things; and few things to me are more warming and cosy than snuggling down in a favourite armchair with a steaming cup of tea and a lovely book to flick through. For Christmas my sister bought me a copy of Vintage Chic by Christina Strutt the creator of the sublime Cabbages and Roses. Before I buy a book I always like to have a sneak peak before I part with my pennies so I thought I would write a bit about it and share a few of my favourite images from its pages for those who have seen the book but were still on the fence as to whether to buy or not!

 The book has a nice introduction by Christina Strutt and is peppered throughout with little tips and advice on how to achieve the vintage look, I also really like that she promotes vintage living as an antidote to the current economic downturn.
I love the pretty pastel colours in the above dining scene, the lovely spriggy little flower arrangements in small glass jars are so summery and informal and just shows that you don't need to splash out on fancy table arrangements! Plus the candlesticks are gorgeous!

 I would love to have a big country dresser in my kitchen, but I really like how this photo shows that a similar effect can be achieved with simple shelving above a kitchen worktop. I am coveting most of the china in this picture but I feel like this photo looks a lot less "staged" than some images in interior books as there are practical items included in the shot too!

 In another photo of the same kitchen, it shows a busy (some would say cluttered) worksurface and an obviously well loved Aga (I really want that C&R Aga towel!) The "realness" of these photos definitely appeal to me. I do find some interior books and magazine photos much too contrived and set up in a way that no one is really able to live with, it's so refreshing to see some images that seem like they might not have needed much "setting up" at all!

 This living room looks so warm and cosy, a perfect place to curl up with a book! I am definitely coveting the C cushion! Also, I wouldn't have thought about using an old quilt as a soft throw - an idea that I may have a go with in the cottage!

 In contrast to some of the busier images, these photos are so light and pretty. I love the delphiniums and the white and blue linen covered chair. It really reminds me of those hazy summer days when you can fling open the windows and let gentle summer breezes meander through the house.

I'm not a huge fan of red, but I find the colour combination of pale sly blue and red in this image quite appealing.I love the cast iron bedstead and how the look is keep light by the white bedlinen and pale wall colour.

Overall, I really like this book and I know that it is one I will enjoy dipping in and out of in the future as well and reading cover to cover!