I’m Anne-Marie Smith – my passion is recycling, upcycling, design and craft. I have a studio (garage) full of vintage (or junk as my husband likes to call it). I’m a whizz at organising events (bossy). Oh and I love food whether that’s cooking, bottling, baking or eating it!

tea & toast & tapas is a lifestyle blog and online shop stuffed full of ideas, inspirations and handmade loveliness.

No 14 is the biggest upcycling and design project I’ve undertaken here. An original wooden chalet restored and updated but still retaining that seaside chalet feel with lots of vintage touches. Available to rent from Easter 2021 subject to campsite opening dates and Covid 19 restrictions (Contact for Details on Bookings)

The Pop-Up Artisan Market is a whole new venture. An online space for creative businesses based here in the Costa Brava to promote and sell their work to a wider audience. Particularly during these difficult times when the usual places like Arts and Crafts Markets and Events are cancelled and people who would normally buy their unique and original pieces for themselves, their friends and their families from independent traders have few means of seeking them out. Its been running since November last year and we are gradually building a following and adding to our traders all the time. Do get in touch if you think this is for you!

I’m Anne-Marie Smith – my passion is recycling, upcycling, design and craft. I have a studio (garage) full of vintage (or junk as my husband likes to call it). I’m a whizz at organising events (bossy). Oh and I love food whether that’s cooking, bottling, baking or eating it!

tea & toast & tapas is a lifestyle blog and online shop stuffed full of ideas, inspirations and handmade loveliness.

No 14 is the biggest upcycling and design project I’ve undertaken here. An original wooden chalet restored and updated but still retaining that seaside chalet feel with lots of vintage touches. Available to rent from Easter 2021 subject to campsite opening dates and Covid 19 restrictions (Contact for Details on Bookings)

The Pop-Up Artisan Market is a whole new venture. An online space for creative businesses based here in the Costa Brava to promote and sell their work to a wider audience. Particularly during these difficult times when the usual places like Arts and Crafts Markets and Events are cancelled and people who would normally buy their unique and original pieces for themselves, their friends and their families from independent traders have few means of seeking them out. Its been running since November last year and we are gradually building a following and adding to our traders all the time. Do get in touch if you think this is for you!

Faded country house elegance

October 11, 2018 /

This timeless country house style of faded elegance is so easy to achieve and doesn’t require deep pockets. From car boots to charity shops to homeware stores you don’t need genuine antiques just a keen eye for plain and simple and fabulously fussy.

What they call brown furniture is cheap at auction you can bring it back to its full glory with a bit of spit and polish or paint it a deep rich burgundy or red to get that warm glow. Dress up couches and daybeds with ticking, linen and floral cushions. Mix and match plates, old silver plate cutlery, doilies and linens. Nothing says country house more than a faux boot room by your front door, if you cant fit in a sofa (who can?!) then an upholstered stool with hooks on the wall for your collection of hats, baskets and bags and don’t forget the obligatory umbrella holder.

Layer your furniture with throws in plains and patterns, pick up a traditional rug for the lounge or runner for the hall and Lord Fauntleroy’s your Uncle you got the look.

Check out links in sources for more hints, tips and glorious images.

Sources: chaise, bee linen, styling cabinet tops, flatware, jugs and doily, fabrics, hallway, crockery

Images are not mine, unless specified, where available, links to originals and suppliers are provided, if any image belongs to you and is not credited please let me know so I can either provide a link or remove it.

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