Simply Sam Trading - Antiques.Brocante.Gifts

We stock a variety of vintage, antique and hand-crafted items. Available on our web store simplysam.co.za or select antiques and beautiful 'proudly South African' hand-made Gift items on sale or to view at VinLee Art Gallery Hilton College Road, Natal Midlands. Hilton off-ramp, N3, Kwazulu Natal

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

In the Pink

Is colour just a fashion do you think? Have I been brainwashed by the decor mags, yet think I have a mind of mine own! Its just that I developed a craving for a kinda dusky Pink. It couldn't be sweet pink, Marshmellow Pink, or even bright smartie pink. No, it had to be this kinda greyish dusky pink. Try explaining that to the man in the paint shop when it seems there are hundreds of shades of pink to choose from. But I settled, on this, well, um, pink. I have painted a wall in our showroom pink, a wall in my kitchen, pink! My bath (as you can see) is ..... pink. Even my coffee mugs are pink - I had the audacity to email my supplier who supplies me with the gorgeous red heart pottery to ask her if perhaps, maybe, she could send a few items in - Pink? Imagine my delight when I received coffee mugs, dinner plates, side plates, milk jugs ....... all looking stunning in my kitchen (though I have to confess they're displayed alongside red and lime green which I think make a fab combination). Imagine to further my delight when I discover my neighbour, ceramicist Mick Haige, had mixed his very own combination of this dusky pink - and I am now the proud owner of a 'Mick Haige' dusky pink pitcher jug. So to complete the picture, enter my 'work in progress' garden and right in front of your very eyes you'll see I have my very own vintage pink (not dusky pink though unfortunately!) bicycle. So have I been conned? Well, i'm 'in the pink' and loving it!

In the Pink - meaning - In perfect condition, especially of health

Would you 'settle' for a Monks Bench .......

I have to say that you either love the Monks Bench, or you hate it!  If you are the former then this is for you. I have been asked to sell two really lovely Monks Benches, one being light Oak and the other solid Teak. Though they are not antique, they are in excellent condition and make a wonderful statement in any boot room, entrance hall etc. 


Kindly follow the link below if you should be interested.
http://www.simplysam.co.za/Antiques-gifts-and-other-specialities?search=monk


settle is a wooden bench, usually with arms and a high back, long enough to accommodate three or four sitters.
Settle-PSF.png
They are commonly movable, but occasionally fixed. It shares with the chest and the chair the distinction of great antiquity. Its high back was a protection from the draughts of medieval buildings, protection which was sometimes increased by the addition of winged ends or a wooden canopy. It was most frequently placed near the fire in the common sitting-room.
Constructed of oak or other hardwood, it was extremely heavy, solid, and durable. Few English examples of earlier date than the middle of the 16th century are extant; survivals from the Jacobean period are more numerous. Settles of the more expensive type were often elaborately carved or incised; others were divided into plain panels. They were commonly used in farmhouse kitchensFrom Wikipedia

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

For all those 'self confessed' Francophiles out there ...

If you're a self confessed 'Francophile' then Simply Sam Antique Brocante & Gifts has something especially for you. The gorgeous new 'Papillon Diary/journal has just arrived in our store and is full of beautiful photography and stories to inspire. Papillon Diary 2011 is a full colour lifestyle Diary/Journal, with a French Flair, offering advice and guidance from various, successful Women who have walked the path of an entrepreneur. Sharing inspiring stories and insights from their own journey to enrich and inspire you. Offering an all encompassing guide to top and credible suppliers, services and products in South Africa and Provence.

Product: Papillon Diary 2011.
Price: R250.00

Click the link below to see all our available French inspired books availablehttp://www.simplysam.co.za/s.nl/sc.7/category.9574/.f

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Transforming a bathroom with a very ordinary Shabby Chic Shelf

What do you do with a shabby shelf when you're husband tells you it looks like a rotten tomato box? Tell him to look at the photos alongside this article. This shelving unit had been used at Simply Sam Antique Brocante & Gifts for many months as a little display shelf, when customers spotted it for their bathroom. They were looking for something quite simple, with a bit of shabby chic, and obviously had an eye for something unique, as these photos alongside show. With the right display items they have turned something very ordinary into a unique bathroom shelf unit with a bit of pizazz. Just makes you realise a bit creativity can go a long way and it doesn't have to cost a fortune.