Friday, 23 January 2015

Colefax Fowler Sale and Headboard Update


Unlike last year when I went to the Osborne Little sale, 
I didn't really need anything.
I eyed the toile wallpaper on the left but there was no matching fabric.
I was looking for a bargain, another option fit my headboard, 
and an addition to my stash for future projects.
Rolls and rolls.
But as is the case with these things, your brain becomes mush and the shopping list becomes a distant memory.

There were a lot of classic fabrics but the bargains were not as good as at Osborne Little plus they didn't include VAT which is 20%.

My father always warned me not to go broke saving money.
But shopping with an industrial trolley make you think it's Ikea.
I wish I had a need for the MC summer palace wallpaper in plum with gold.

This fabric is Saskia by Manuel Canovas.
I have loved this fabric for ages and so I got a few meters.
I have draped it and hung it everywhere and 
it doesn't go properly with any room in my house but tulips are one of my favourite flowers so I will enjoy it regardless.

Meanwhile I chose this Jane Churchill embroidered fabric that just brings calm to the room. It's not punchy or a design statement but even Mr CSW is pleased with it.
Have a lovely weekend x
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40 comments:

  1. Alexandra Petersen23 January 2015 at 20:26

    I love the 'don't go broke saving money' I have never heard it before and sums up my shopping! You seem to have a good haul, I am sure you could resell on ebay if you don't use any of it? Always in the back of my mind to justify any 'bargain' that I shouldn't really be buying....

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda23 January 2015 at 22:27

      I think I spend more money at the cheap shops or when I think I am getting a bargain! I did have to take out wallpaper bc I don't ebay even though that was one of the things that made me almost keep it for some reason!

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  2. Blue Booby23 January 2015 at 21:58

    I agree with dad, you never save money when you spend money. Your headboard turned out great...your room is going to be quite a relaxing retreat.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda23 January 2015 at 22:28

      Thank BB it is calming and I want my home to be relaxing especially living in a busy city!

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  3. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 22:08

    my hubby & your dad must be related - same mantra
    Perhaps my rolls of silk purchased 20 years ago whilst in China and your purchases can co exist together?
    And I should also throw in some spectacular fabric in the great fabric purchase of 1996. Den xx

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda23 January 2015 at 22:30

      Oh yes! Another fabric junkie! I have a few that I just has to have bc I have loved them for so long and I am sure I will find something or it could make a great gift. X

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  4. Charlotte23 January 2015 at 22:21

    I was there today too! I love your dad's sage advice and agree about the trolleys. I moved house recently out from Chelsea to South Bucks and have a long long list of fabric needs. I managed to get lots of fabric today, so I am quite pleased. Some of the ladies in the queue were hilarious - I had a great conversation with a lady who appeared to redo her house on an annual basis. Just think of all the money she has saved over the years!
    My regrets were: (I) not getting there early enough - all the beautiful embroidered silks seemed to be in other people's trolleys by the time I swanned in at 11.30; (ii) not noting the names of the fabrics I bought - I can only remember two of them, so I have lots of guess work to do now online (I got about 6 different types).
    Love your blog.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda23 January 2015 at 22:35

      We just misses each other bc I left then! I got there at opening bc I knew that if you go late you don't get the trolley and you just can't walk around with bolts! They were cheeky though bc they didn't include vat! We are not trade so they shouldn't have done that bc people has obviously miscalculated and then the queues were growing bc people has to decide what to jettison. But they had some good classic wallpapers. I hope you are pleased with all your bargains though. I am looking for dates for Osborne little but no signs yet. You should check them out as their sale is 90%! Ps you can ring the office and just email them pics bc my tags fell off so don't know the name of two either. Thanks for your kind comment too Charlotte

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    2. Charlotte24 January 2015 at 10:47

      Thanks for the tip - I'd never thought of that. What a good idea.
      I thought the prices were amazing and I found that, if I had a roll of 11m and said I needed 8, they would just give me the whole thing - so I think I bought around 70m, but paid an average of £25/m so VAT negated. x

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    3. Coulda shoulda woulda25 January 2015 at 07:53

      I just looked at my fabric and I think they must have give n me some extras as well bc I know I didn't ask for that much of certain styles! You must have needed a lorry with all tht fabric! X

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  5. Heidi23 January 2015 at 22:48

    Love the MC fabric for the bedroom - looks perfect, that's a real success. So true on the buying things you don't need front. I have a box full of Pierre Frey offcuts I bought from the agent at very, very good prices around 8 years ago. But I haven't used even a meter of any of them!! I love so many different fabrics, but I think you have to decorate for the house you have and your personal style, so a lot of the thing I'd bought would have worked in a different house…. a bit like what I do at my Dad's house is very traditional/ Arts and Crafts/ English country house, and if I were to move in there I'd continue on in the same vein to be honest as it just suits the house, but that's not the style I've got at my house which is vastly different. So I hoard fabric and wait to see if I ever have need for it in my next project/ stage of life! xx

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda23 January 2015 at 23:45

      Pierre Frey doesn't seem to do retail sales and must have VIP or trade only sales. I have been researching! But I don't think I should go to another sale bc my stash is growing and mr CSW is thinking I am being silly now. But I am itching to use that tulip fabric!! You can use the Pierre Frey in your next house ;) xx

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  6. cilosophy24 January 2015 at 00:50

    Don't go broke saving money- love it.
    You have a good weekend too x

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    1. Anonymous24 January 2015 at 09:12

      Love it too! There are so many great sayings. Years ago one of my oldest friends was thinking of buying a holiday house in the mountains. But her father said "To have milk you don't need to buy a cow" and she understood what he meant - in case it's too cryptic- he meant why not just rent?
      Love your tulip pattern - and the bedhead, so beautiful. I'm a fabric impulse buyer and hoarder too. And I don't even have sewing skills (just embroidery and tapestry and not up to Heidi's standards) I love the Marche Saint Pierre bargains in Paris and usually come away with heaps, particularly toiles. Have also bought Canovas fabrics at Besson in the rue Napoleon - Canovas shop nearby will let you into to drool and select but will only sell to trade. So you go to Besson and tell them what you want. Love Pierre Frey too - always lick the windows there when in Paris. Best wishes, Pammie

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    2. Coulda shoulda woulda24 January 2015 at 22:21

      There's also the other saying which is why buy the cow when you get milk for free which is similar but might be referring to things slightly different!! If I ever found a pierre Frey sale I might have to buy storage!! X

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  7. Chronica Domus24 January 2015 at 03:04

    Gosh, I'd go dizzy from the choices too, and how wise your father was. I echoed your experience when I stumbled across a ribbon and trimmings shop while in NY recently. I spent an entire hour there, to the chagrin of my husband, mesmerized by the choices. I purchased all manner of ribbons solely on the fact that I was attracted to them, and not because I actually need them. Talk about a kid in a candy store.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda24 January 2015 at 22:17

      Don't get me started on ribbon!!!

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    2. Pigtown*Design27 January 2015 at 14:26

      I wonder if CD is talking about M&J Trimmings? It's is soooo amazing and the selection is fabulous. Samuelson is also brilliant, but verrrry expensive!

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  8. Cynthia24 January 2015 at 03:37

    Fabrics are my downfall! All the choices are so beautiful, but your headboard fabric is exquisite!

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  9. Si Je Veux24 January 2015 at 11:00

    AARRGH! I so wanted to be there and have a good old rummage.
    But then keeping my powder dry for the big one, O&L, can't be a bad thing. Can't wait!

    Your embroidered headboard looks lovely Naomi, what a beautiful choice. And how I love the Saskia by Canovas... or anything by Canovas. Another fabric junkie here!

    The Designers Guild fabric sale ends today people! Half the sale price!!
    Run, don't walk, to the Kings Road.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda24 January 2015 at 22:18

      I love the tulips but might end up as tablecloth! Must not go to any more fabric sales this year!!!

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  10. Jane and Lance Hattatt24 January 2015 at 11:01

    Hello Naomi,

    What a dazzling array of fabrics. We should have been like little children in a sweet shop but, quite probably, would have left empty handed after being unable to make any decision at all.

    However, we love the tulip fabric. So elegant and stylish. It is only a question of time before the right project comes along calling out its name!

    And, your headboard looks delightful. Over the years we have used a number of Jane Churchill fabrics and find that they do not date. They always manage to look fresh.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda24 January 2015 at 22:19

      I think JC fabrics do withstand trends and I love the calming effect and now look for that much more than a statement as I get older!

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  11. GSL24 January 2015 at 19:25

    I'm a little embarrassed to only recently discover the Virginia connection to C & F with the Nancy Lancaster connection whose mother was a Langhorne and whose aunt was Lady Astor. I should have known that style that fab can't just be British.
    Don't worry, I'm a quick study and will be up to speed soon.

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  12. Anne25 January 2015 at 07:25

    Just got the chance to look up your blog today and so many delightful posts to catch up on! I have to address the gorgeous headboard fabric! I am in love with beige/brown/grey tones for the house at the moment. So calming in this chaotic life! Though the tulip fabric is also a stunner. It's hard to not stockpile beautiful things for "future use"....I luckily live with a minimalist who keeps me in line lol.

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    1. Coulda shoulda woulda25 January 2015 at 07:54

      Mr CSW is trying to have me see reason but bc of his advice I won't buy more fabric unless I "need" it. As I get older I just want the feels good rather than a style statement now!! Happy new year Anne x

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  13. Unknown25 January 2015 at 16:41

    Oh you did a fantastic job with this, Naomi! Love the clean lines and subtle tones. Isn't it fun to see a project come together like this?
    Happy Sunday!
    xx

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  14. Blighty25 January 2015 at 17:56

    I love your new headboard fabric, that is gorgeous. I got rid of our headboard in decluttering madness a couple of years ago but now of course I want one again covered in nice fabric of my choice... I also have to be careful in choosing fabric that won't scare Mr B, he is a delicate creature and large pink flowers for example scare him xx

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  15. Janice Grinyer25 January 2015 at 21:16

    This - "But shopping with an industrial trolley make you think it's Ikea." This so much :/ !

    I am a textile addict - "HAVE TO TOUCH ALL FABRIC" I give you kudos to your restraint...

    Love the final selection; perfectly calming for a peaceful sleep!
    xox

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  16. Jen Lawrence26 January 2015 at 01:35

    Great saying. I agree wholeheartedly but sometimes don't enforce the rule. I had some canovas fabric from a decade ago that I finally put to use as makeshift curtains in the living room. I tossed them up to block sunlight that was messing up a skype interview and the fabric is so lovely it's going to stay there. The tulip print is perfect! I'd have bought it too.

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  17. wellfedfred26 January 2015 at 03:16

    Love your choices, as usual - and the perception that when there's lovely stuff to be had, the whole world is IKEA.

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  18. Jenny Rose-Innes26 January 2015 at 10:42

    I think your headboard choice is perfect... I love it and you will love it for years!... those sales are so overwhelming that nothing makes sense. I have lots of extra fabric too and it is so difficult to store and looks so untidy!... am looking for a huge basket and am going to make the rolls calico sleeves, and tie them up with bright ribbon! xx

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  19. Unknown26 January 2015 at 18:52

    Oh I love decorating and buying new goodies for the house but I don't have an excuse to buy anything. I'm pleased Mr CSW was happy with your choice - I recall you've had your disagreements about home ware before ha! xx

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  20. LPC27 January 2015 at 04:48

    Love your final choice.

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  21. About Last Weekend27 January 2015 at 05:19

    It's lovely - that place is like a candy shop, I would not have made it out!

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  22. Anonymous30 January 2015 at 08:01

    Fabric heaven. You got cushions too?

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  23. kim at northerncalstyle.1 February 2015 at 06:44

    This came out beautiful. You won't tire of it I think. I love the Manuel Canovas fabric too. It's so 80s and I love that!!!

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  24. Le comptoir de Stephanie (FunkySteph)4 February 2015 at 21:08

    Oh those fabrics are gorgeous! And I love the headboard.

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