We love bunting here at SlaterSparke. It’s such a simple little decoration that can be hung up at a wedding, birthday, party or simply at home, to give that sweet old fashioned English country garden look. Makes me think of quaint church fayres and village fetes. I found some beautiful ‘Happy Birthday’ bunting for my son’s first birthday recently and, it looked so pretty in our dining room, I really didn’t want to take it down afterwards! The bunting featured in the photo above is from Printed Wonders and there are loads of beautiful retro fabrics on eBay, so you could even make your own.

Bodie & Fou is an adoreable online shop packed with a mix of fantastic finds for the home. Great for wedding gifts that are a little unique and not overly priced. I found this beautiful lampshade above and simply had to share it with you!

www.bodieandfou.com

Yet more DIY wedding inspiration. Simple colourful flowers in some vintage vase jugs can look so stylish as your centre pieces, or dotted around the garden for that summer wedding. The flowers you wouldn’t even need to buy from a florist, any fresh flowers would look nice from your local M&S. Remember to buy them on the morning of your wedding to guarantee they are freshly cut the day before, so will last that little bit longer!

Why not save the pennies and create your own vintage wedding table.  You can collect crockery and various other items from car boot sales, charity shops and other brick a brack shops around your area.  You’ll be surprised what you can pick up for 50p when next door they’re selling it for £20.00.  Its definately worth looking around. All things vintage is a hot topic and has been for a while now so get out there and create your own style, it not only looks great but can be a fraction of the price.

‘I Want Vintage’ is a unique website who gather the best vintage shops, suppliers and specialists from across the UK.

They source quirky, chic and unique vintage furniture and decor items for your home whenever you get the urge. Their website contains links for you to buy the products straight from the vintage shops, suppliers and specialists.  It enables you to hire items for weddings, parties and any other bash your planning.  Take a look at their website www.iwantvintage.co.uk

I’ve just spent the evening thumbing through this amazing new book called ‘The Way We Live With The Things We Love’ from Thames & Hudson. The publisher have brought out some amazing books on style from around the world, and this is no exception. Every page is crammed with glossy photographs of  rooms full of eccentric bric-a-brac, rustic ornaments, beautiful old-fashioned pictures, art, funky furniture and quirky antiques. I especially like the little flea market finds from various parts of Europe - amazing objects that are totally unique. Only problem is, I won’t find any of this on the high street so I’ll have to keep searching the flea markets and hope I can find my own little treasures!

I recently came across these great vintage style boxes from a lovely company called Rose and Grey.  They are a small family run business with some wonderful products for you and your home.  Guarenteed to add a touch of style and elegance mixed in with a vintage feel…

Everyone’s talking about ‘Cool Britannia’ at the moment, last time I heard that phrase was when Oasis and Blur we’re first in the charts and its made its way around once more!  There are so many wonderful union jack items out there.  I’ve recently bought a lovely union jack cushion from John Lewis for £28 but you can pick them up from all over the place.  Get the look from,  Jan Constantine, Not on the high street, Etsy and many more, just trawl the internet and find your touch of patriotism!

]]> http://www.slatersparke.com/blog/home-garden/cool-britannia-how-the-union-jack-can-brighten-up-any-room/feed/ 0 http://www.slatersparke.com/blog/home-garden/rockett-st-george-i-love-this-peace-cushion/ http://www.slatersparke.com/blog/home-garden/rockett-st-george-i-love-this-peace-cushion/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:54:28 +0000 Hayley http://www.slatersparke.com/blog/?p=121

I recently purchased a ‘Peace’ and ‘Love’ cushion from this fabulous website and they have finished off my lounge perfectly, I’m so impressed with the quailty as well, simply divine!

I came across this website today and being a lover of anything retro or vintage I had to add something to my blog about it. Emma just loves recycling and making stuff…

emmalovesretro, sums it up. From old photographs and music, to clothes, cars, fabric and furniture, glass, ceramics, books and magazines… if it’s from the Fifties, Sixties or Seventies, Emma is simply mad about it.

www.emmalovesretro.co.uk