It took a couple of weeks but I finally managed to turn the cold, grey days of January to my advantage. Instead of sitting and staring at the steamy windowpanes and wishing and wishing for some sunshine and fresh air, I succumbed to a little daydreaming...
We bought this poster from a junk shop last year on the Isle of Wight. An auction poster for the contents of an hotel (incidentally just found via Google that the hotel remains). It's easy to be swallowed up by those words, how I would have loved to have been at the auction. What would I have bought? One of the 17 black and brass bedsteads - maybe. Definitely if the bed came with the bedding - I bet there was some wonderful lace linen and the odd eiderdown or two on offer...
Probably indulged in a marble washstand or two and wouldn't have said no to some of the garden chairs either.
But what I know for certain I wouldn't have been able to resist is "The Bathing Tent". If I'm going to be daydreaming about living in an Edwardian seaside hotel I would just HAVE to have the bathing tent. Visions of Queen Victoria in "Mrs Brown" emerging majestically in her swimming garb from her bathing machine have filled my thoughts this past weekend. I'll have to settle for a bathing tent rather than a bathing machine, but would make sure mine was striped, candy striped or if the Edwardians didn't run to that, then definitely billiard green and clotted cream in colour.
And then this weekend as the temperatures dipped, I gave in to it, Totally gave in to doing nothing. Washing, ironing and cooking either completed or ignored, I took refuge under a pile of blankets and eiderdowns and filled my head with thoughts of 1930s country homes and stately piles, sensible tweed skirts and permanent waves, debutante balls and love's young dream. My eldest daughter, who had miraculously done her homework, gave in to it too and she sat on the opposite sofa her head full of Scott Fitzgerald, glamorous dresses, cocktails and chandeliers... I remembered how my mother use to call me "Dolly Daydream" and for the first time I understood why, but then if you can't indulge in January, when can you?
10 comments:
What a lovely posting. Yes, many hundreds probably thousands of things that we would now wish to own have been discarded - I remember my grandad using an old bedstead as a makeshift fence panel in one of the farm fields and an old bath was put to use as a water trough for the cows - what sacrilege!
June.
Oh I enjoyed indulging along with you today.When I show my Mum my latest find from the antique shop,she says..Oh I remember we used to have one of those.Long ago thrown out of course! :0)
Your delightful poster brought back fond memories of going around old farm auctions with my mother when I was a child. I remember one farm sale vividly.. the auctioneer was leading the party of buyers around the old farmhouse in Cornwall and stopped in the doorway of a virtually empty room.. save for a lovely old linen press. No-one but my mother and I could see it as we were wedged in the doorway with the auctioneer. "Anyone give me a £1 for this linen press" No-one answered.."O.k 50 pence?" said the actioneer.. whereupon my mother raised her hand and won the lot. Those were the days.
It is so cold in Sussex isn't it Kim and what a lovely thought - piles of rugs and lovely books to read. Have you seen deckchairstripes.com they have striped sun and beach shelters in retro shapes. I am very tempted myself. Karen X
Taking refuge sounds great to me and that book about the Mitfords is a wonderful read too.
Oh I so want to read that book. One of the Mitford sisters was interviewed on Radio 4 when it came out and I have wanted to read it ever since. Bliss! Have a lovely week Kim x
I have that Mitford sister's book but it's still on my to be read pile.
Just giving in and relaxing is just what we need sometimes.
Happy February.
Lisa x
Dream on...because Spring will soon lift her lime green leaves and all chaos will be let loose in your garden......
Thank you for your lovely comments xxx
Lynn x
Too right...nothing like a bit of daydreaming to blank out dreary days! And you give us such a clear picture of the past...I'm right there with you.
Noreen and I both love the costumes from the 1930s...those from Agatha Christie novels and country house dramas. Wish I'd got one of those bedsteads.
Happy daydreaming!
Loved reading your blog today gave me time to daydream on this very wet and blustery day. You are right though if you can't do nothing in January when can you!!
Just found your blog and will definitely be adding it to my favourites.
Jillx
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