I'm a little bit in love with Sarah Moore.
I bought her first book, Homemade Gifts Vintage Style two years ago, (reviewed here), and it's now become a bit of a chicken and egg situation, because I honestly couldn't tell you whether my own vintage styling and love of thrifting has developed as a direct result of that book, or whether I love her style so much because it matches my own so closely. All I know is that when I heard that her latest volume was to hit the shelves, I had to own it, so own it I do.
Like many others I thoroughly enjoyed watching Sarah on the recent series The Great Interior Design Challenge, (she's also a regular columnist for Country Living magazine doesn't one know) and was doing a little happy bounce around my room when she scooped the big prize. I feel she has won something for all those clever people out there who turn their backs on consumerist mass production and use good old-fashioned crafting skills and a new perspective to turn something unwanted into something practical and homely.
Vintage Home contains over fifty project ideas. It's presented in a similar way to Homemade Gifts, Vintage Style but I think Sarah somehow delivers this one with more confidence, and more self belief behind her words. The book contains stunning photographs...
It's a brave challenge to take on writing a book based on using thrifted materials, because of course it's not as easy as popping out to B&Q or Hobbycraft and stocking up on all the materials you need. There's serendipity involved, patience, and a little, well... luck. It could be months before you track down that perfect fabric for reupholstering one's pouffe or that picture frame worthy of being made into an abacus. But I think this gives the book longevity. Even two years later I still walk around car boot sales and charity shops, spot the perfect tartan wool blanket for converting into a notebook cover, and scurry home with my prize to make the how-to from Sarah's first book. It's the thrill of the chase that's almost as delicious as the finished result.
Whether it's style inspiration you're after or some practical ideas for your home, I'd say Vintage Home fits the bill. I picked up my copy from The Works for a bargainous £6, but I know it'll become a much flicked through favourite on my craft book shelf.
Do you own either of Sarah's books? What did you think?
