Greenhouse From Old Windows

The instructables blog gives a step by step guide of how to make a greenhouse from old disused windows. The size of the greenhouse in the picture is 7ft high x 10ft deep x 6ft wide, but the size of your greenhouse will depend on your windows and the time you want to put into project.


instructables

Protest at the British Museum

Above: Students from Kefalonia stage peaceful protest at the British Museum [photo from The British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles]

British Museum, London

Forty five secondary school students and five teachers from the 2nd General Lyceum in Argostoli (Kefalonia), visited London in order to stage a peaceful protest for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens at the British Museum on Sunday 03 May 2009.

This protest was supported by Marbles Reunited a British campaigning organisation and Friends of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Parthenon Sculptures were removed from the Parthenon in Athens between 1801-1812. They were subsequently bought by the British Government in 1816 and placed in the British Museum's Duveen Gallery, where they have remained.

The first recorded request for their return was made by Greece in 1833. The British Museum has long argued why these sculptures should remain in London. One such argument was that Greece had nowhere to display the sculptures. However, this argument is no longer valid as the New Acropolis Museum, designed by Swiss architect, Bernard Tschumi will officially open on 20 June 2009. It will hold around 4,000 artefacts and will have an exhibition space of 14,000 square metres.

At present the British Museum's policy remains the same, that the Parthenon Marbles the largest collection of Parthenon sculptures outside of Greece, will remain in London. Greece has however received fragments from Heidelberg, Palermo and the Vatican.


The British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles

Shepton Mallet, Somerset - Morris Country Interiors is run by Mark and Kim Morris, and situated on the site of an imposing Victorian factory building. Inside is a big, bright and airy room full of colour and stuffed to the brim with dressers, plan chests, boxes, bowls, tables and shelves. The room is divided by a wall covered in Mark's own paintings, scenes of old French street also full of colour and life. Through a doorway is the workshop where Mark and Kim add their magical finishing touches to curtain poles, finials, holdbacks, and rings. One part of the business is to provide a bespoke service making up curtain fittings to match any fabric or colour. Mark has a plenty of tales to tell of the many buying trips in England and France they have been on over the years. Morris Interiors have exhibited at the Salvo Fair for many years. Their stand this year is sure to be one of the most colourful as always.

Morris Interiors website





Above: Antique curtain poles of brass and mahogany, 1-2m long, tend to be short as French windows are tall and thin. £30 - £100 each



Left: A dresser made by Mark in the days when they handcrafted reproduction furniture from reclaimed timber with antique fittings. Covered now in antique curtain pulls. £10 each






Left: Another dresser with antique finials £20 - £60 pair.



















Above: Antique French brass curtain rings in sets of all sizes £2-£5 each






Left: Antique French curtain hold backs £50 - £100 a pair. Normally made from turned fruitwood, apple, pear and cherry. Mark thinks its because there are not many knots and not so much grain, and therefore easier to turn.

Make do and mend your home with architectural salvage

For years architectural salvage was reserved for the eccentric and the expert - those with an eye for the hidden value of fixtures and fittings ripped from the carcasses of demolished or gutted properties. But today, as modern builds lacking the charm and character of period properties saturate the market, and as an increasingly stoic wartime mentality of ‘make do and mend’ kicks into every aspect of our recession-occupied lifestyles, architectural salvage is enjoying a new popularity.

So with this in mind, and to help you get started on the hunt for architectural salvage items for your home, this handy check-list should help.

Consider the setting before committing to installing any major piece of architectural salvage. Victorian flooring may be beautiful, but in the wrong home it could look very out of place. Think carefully about the overall look you want to achieve, and plan meticulously the items you are looking for. As with any interiors overhaul, creating a mood board or concept map of your ideal outcome is highly recommended and will give you a good idea of what to look for when you visit salvage yards.

If you are unsure of what you want to add to your home, it’s worthwhile to visit salvage yards or workshops to see what is available and to compare prices. Most salvage experts are only too happy to offer you advice and recommendations.

‘Don’t overdo the salvage,’ advises Adam. ‘Think carefully about where everything will go, or your home could end up looking like a scrap-yard! A few good pieces such as flooring or fireplaces, are better than a lot of clutter.’

Check the salvage seller has signed up to the Salvo Code. ‘The Salvo Code aims to give customers greater confidence, in particular that items which they buy have not been stolen or removed from protected historic buildings without permission,’ advises Ruby Kay from Salvo Llp. The Salvo Code lets you know that you are buying from a safe and responsible source. You will still need to be vigilant about pricing. Think carefully about the price of an item you want to buy, and check if it is worth it or if you can get the same or similar item for a more reasonable price elsewhere.

Be prepared to see the potential of items in salvage yards. Not everything is displayed in showroom fashion; many pieces will be stacked up or in need of a good clean. Having a good rummage and seeing beyond the muddle and grime will help you uncover hidden treasures!

Take photographs (ask the seller’s permission first), measure up, and take notes. These will help you make a sensible decision.

Unless you have some architectural or interiors knowledge, if you are looking for actual structural salvage features such as beams, pillars, staircases, bricks, and so forth, it’s important to seek expert opinion before buying, and to ensure you are fully able to install these features safely and professionally.


Queens of Vintage

Retrouvius

Repurposed rain gutters

It might come as a surprise to you that old gutters can hold enough dirt to grow vegtables. This gutter garden shows a great use for salvaged gutters and looks really attractive against the house.


New World Geek

Rural & Domestic Bygones

Gaze Auction Rooms, Diss Norfolk
2 May 2009, 1132 lots


Above: A 'Glico Oils' motor oil tin. Sold £55



Above: A wrought iron bottle drier. Sold £60



Above: A baker's hand cart. Sold £140



Above: A G.R pillar post box, with keys. Sold £900



Above: A pine apple store with plaque supplied by 'Stebbings & Sons, Attleborough'. Sold £260



Above: A wooden wheel and hopper push seed drill. Sold £20



Above: A three tine hay fork made from a single piece of wood. Sold £70


Gaze

Salvo Fair 09: 4 page Period Living article

Written by Caroline Wheater with snippets from Simon Kirby from Thomas Crapper, aka Mr unusual uni/bi/tricycle owner, Robin Cook from Lighthouse Emporium, Guy Trench from Antiques By Design, Maud Lomberg from Beyond France and Mark Morris from Morris Interiors. Read all about it in Period Living's June issue, out now!

www.salvo-fair.com