Salvage Hunt

So it arrived, the first salvage hunt of the season an early rise and a 2 hour car journey to Lincoln to peruse the wonders that is the Arthur Swallows Fair Antiques and Home show, one of the largest shows you could possibly visit.   A bit daunting you may think if it’s your first time there, stalls as far as the eye can see, punctuated with the biggest articulated lorries that have travelled from far and wide from all over Europe; full to the brim with masses of stock from industrial lighting to scaffolding planks and everything else in between.

Sadly the weather gods weren’t on our side, it was a bit grey and a bit wet but that didn’t dampen the spirits.  I focused on the detail as taking images in not so good conditions is rather tricky!   You can also find yourself overwhelmed by the size of Lincoln so it’s good to go micro and really look to see what is available around you.

The textures, colours, different media, from metals to wood to glass to utterly bonkers, you name it you can find it here.  It is a superb show if you are home renovating, there is everything you could possibly want or need to give your home a quirky individual look.  Just having a little imagination goes a long way and the sellers are always there to help.

Some of the smaller items that caught my eye were an array of beautiful Indian antiques on a pitch, their hand carved printing blocks displayed in large marble bowls were wonderful.  Also the diverse collection of original paint rollers from Romania, the inspiration behind the new trend of updating walls and fabrics using the modern equivalent.

Did I come home with any purchases?  Of course I did, I can’t resist, just like a child in a sweet shop.  Another beautiful slubby linen sheet acquired from the lovely Gaille Skinner from France, her stand is sublime, finding out from Gaille about the history of the linen I bought was fascinating.  I have a kitchen decorating project starting in a few weeks and this will make the perfect Roman blind the defused light it will create will be magnificent.

Also another very large board, it is amazing that I only bought one as the choice was phenomenal, the Dutch contingent never fail to have the best wooden goods.  I came away with another peg rail too, it is now painted to match the other one in my spare room, so I have symmetry and a place to hang the vintage deck chair waiting for summer.  The large board on the other hand will be a multi functioning piece from using it on the kitchen table when having a feast to using it as a board over the bath when having a leisurely soak; it fits perfectly and holds everything you could possible need whilst relaxing.

The last item purchased was a flax comb.  Why I hear you ask, well I have no idea I just like them.  I’ve been on the hunt for a while for a good one and the Eastern European sellers didn’t let me down.  What I shall do with it now is still in the air, they do look wonderful as a piece of wall art so, maybe.