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

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Up-cycled vintage Mannequins all ready for Hilton Arts Fest

Here they are, my revamped mannequins which were rescued from the bin of a local museum. His & Hers all ready for the Hilton Arts Fest. 
So what do you think?



Thursday, September 5, 2013

Hilton Arts Festival - Simply Sam raising funds for Khazimula

TO BE SOLD AT HILTON ARTS FEST TO RAISE FUNDS FOR kHAZIMULA CHILDREN'S PROJECT - PLEASE SHARE

This painting of Chester Williams, by world renowned painter, FLEUR FERRI, will be sold at the Hilton Arts Festival. A percentage of the funds will be handed to the Khazimula Childrens project (http://www.khazimula.co.za/) in Nottingham Road. We hope to sell the painting in excess of R35,000. The highest offer over R15,000 gets to take the painting home and will be contacted via email after the show. 

Chester Williams was the first non-white player to be included in the Springboks and was the famous winger of the SA national Springbok team that won the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand in 1995.

Fleur Ferri (1929-2006) art is represented in collections worldwide. Selected to record the last Sitting of Westminister System of Government in 6m painting of the State President & 29 Parliamentary figures for the Houses of Parliament; Has painted portraits of eminent government & public figures in SA & abroad; 14 portraits of Southern African Heads of State; among the many distinguished South Africans painted by Ferri are: Dr Anton Rupert (Rembrandt Foundation), Mr Harry Oppenheimer and Nelson Mandela

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Eau-La-La - My 'French' inspired Bicycle from the local dump

I've been at it again. Yesterday I drove past the local dump and spotted exactly what I've been looking for to put outside my gate, at La Petite Maison'. Luckily, this morning, this beauty was still waiting for me. My 'French' inspired bicycle had to be old & rusted so's not to tempt theft, and that exactly what it is, with such character.


Monday, August 26, 2013

Simply Sam Trading at the Hilton Arts Festival

2013 poster
Simply Sam Trading at The Hilton College Arts Festival
Find us in the Campbell Hall
Simply Sam Trading will be selling some amazing pieces including quirky ceramics by great SA artists, Vintage Ware, the odd antique up-cycled piece of furniture, as well as our usual range of items. Find us at the Campbell Hall connected to the main reception building. Hilton Fest Map
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Find Simply Sam Trading at the Hilton Arts Fest in the Campbell Hall along with

JOHN THE POTTER
CHRISTIANE JAMAR VARNE
AMANDA LEGGA
LIEZE MEYE
MICHELLE OFFERMAN (SHARING WITH PATRICIA LATEGAN
MARYNA WAGENAAR

Book your show tickets here



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Look what I found in the Museum's Rubbish Bin

I'm all about recycling - love it. There's nothing gives me more pleasure than taking an old neglected 'thing' and restoring, either back to its original state, or up cycling into something quite wacky. This includes furniture, buildings, even broken pottery.
So you can imagine my delight, whilst driving yesterday, when I came across these two scruffy, yet vintage, mannequins outside of one of our Museums. On my trip to Paris last year I spotted lots, but the word 'Paris' stamp onto them had the prices sky rocketing. Needless to say my Parisian mannequin is still some where in Paris, to be bought on another trip.

So watch this space. I plan to give these sad mannequins a new lease on life, similar to the second photo below.




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Let us sell your Antiques for you

At Simply Sam Trading we offer an online web store with beautiful items for sale, all of them wonderful quality items. If you are looking for a platform to sell your Antique items why not let us list them for you AT NO COST unless your item is sold. We work on a 'commission only' basis. We'll up-load your item, then send this out to our customers as well as advertise your items through our social media channels. Let us do the hard work for you. Simply email your pics and a description and we'll contact you for the rest. simplysam@telkomsa.net

Below is a matching pair of antique Kaap style chairs we are selling for a young entrepreneur who is saving for a trip overseas.

A pair of unique old time CHURCH CHAIRS (priced per each), with rush seats and shelves to the back section. Possibly fruit wood

Friday, April 19, 2013

Simply Sam Antiques Brocante & Gifts now at VinLee Art Gallery Hilton College Road

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New Retail Outlet now open in Hilton, Kwazulu Natal
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We're excited to announce that Simpy Sam Antique Brocante & Gifts have opened a retail outlet in Hilton, Kwazulu Natal. Conveniently situated at the VinLee Art Gallery, on the Hilton College Road, VinLee Gallery boasts some stunning Art, including collectable art by many well known artists in South Africa. Names such as Keneth Baker, Walter Meyer and Kaffie Pretorius, to name but a few. This was why we felt our choice of outlet had a compatible charm. Not wanting to showcase our stock in a stuffy shopping mall, we looked for an outlet with a breath of fresh air, and that's exactly what you'll find at VinLee Gallery, in the wide open landscapes, just off the Hilton College Road.


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Join us weekends from 9am-4.30pm for a complimentary glass of wine, coffee or tea and drink in the beautiful views. Select antique pieces, gorgous hand-made 'proudly South African' gift items and beautiful art that will knock your socks off. If you're a descerning buyer, you'll love what we have in store for you at the VinLee Gallery. 5kms from the Hilton off-ramp on the Hilton College Road. Follow the signs for VinLee and Simply Sam Trading


Open Weekends 9am-4pm or by appointment
LeeAnn 0834504157 Sam0726059909  


Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sophie's Choice Willowmore

To think we almost missed this wonderful antique shop & restaurant deli in Willowmore en route to George. Sophie's Choice in Willowmore will certainly delight the taste buds with real coffee and perfectly baked treats presented like something from a Victorian tea party. Their antique shop, though quite pricey for a little our of the way 'dorpie', has some real treasures. You will not be disappointed. About 50km away from Uniondale.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ode to Oranges - hot off the press

Midlander, Linda Hatting, followed her dream with her recently published 'Ode to Oranges' Recipe Book filled with delicious recipes á l'orange, a simple cookbook on oranges and "parts of my life through the seasons". Stunning photography and inspiring recipes from some of the top culinary venues in the Natal Midlands. This wonderful books allows you to take a piece of the beautiful Natal Midlands home with you. So go on, spoil yourself, or treat a friend. Available on line or direct from Blueberry Gallery Cafe, R103 Nottingham Road

Thursday, February 14, 2013

A Week in the Kitchen - by Karen Dudley just arrived

I love this book, A Week in the Kitchen - by Karen Dudley - which has just arrived, so I am excited to say that our copies will be at Blue Berry Gallery Cafe tomorrow.

Karen Dudley is the owner of 'Kitchen' 111 Sir Lowry St, Woodstock, Cape Town and one can see, just flipping through her beautiful book that this is Cape Town's place to visit. Beautiful beautiful photography of real people, enjoying real food, in a real stunning place.

Karen's book can be ordered online at Simply Sam Trading - postage takes approximately 7 days or visit Blueberry Gallery Cafe, R103, open daily 8am-4pm

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Spoil me Valentine

Even though I realise the commercial aspect of Valentines Day, I have to say that I love the idea, when we have inadvertently neglected our partners, to have a conscious excuse to spoil the one we love.
This year I have a 'surprise' booking at the local Thai restaurant. Our daughter is having a giggle to herself because my husband mentioned to her, that he is going to surprise me, at the same restaurant. The biggest surprise is going to be when he tries to book, at the last minute, and discovers their full. But that's fine. Because that's when I'll step in and say surprise, surprise.
Isn't that a lovely partnership - that we both had the same idea and know instinctively what the other is all about.

A couple of ideas for 'spoils' from Simply Sam Trading include these stunning French Armoires that are being sold at cost, due to space constraints.
If you are a red heart person then you'll love our 'red heart' pottery, available at Blueberry Gallery Cafe.
If you're partner has really forgotten who you are - nudge him back to reality with this cute, yet heart wrenching message, by John Bauer on ceramic tile.


Happy Valentines

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Woman & Home on persuing your Dreams

I see I made it into the latest edition of Woman & Home magazine and I have to say Karen Edwards did a superb job of the photographs. Check out the article here.
There are some lovely articles including one on Fee Halsted, founder and owner of Armore in Nottingham Road. Certainly worth buying.

Love a bargain? Beautiful Pieces of furniture with beautiful prices

Child's Desk & Chair
Your opportunity to purchase gorgeous quaility items that have 'URGENT SALE' attached to their price tag

If you love a bargain don't waste time in looking at these beautiful items displayed here, which have been priced to sell quickly. The owner no longer has space and has drastically reduced these items to move them quickly. So if you are a Francofile who has longed for a well priced French Armoire, don't miss your opportunity now. Because as they say, opportuntiy doesn't knock twice.

If you have a little darling of pre-school age, this stunning vintage chair with matching hinged desk, is one of a kind and could well become a family heir loom, handed down over generations to come. It is in perfect condition and will add a special look to any young child's room.

Large Edwardian Partner's DeskIf you work from home you deserve to have a large enough work space that gives you that 'boss' kinda feel. This is an Edwardian Partner's Desk with a lovely inlayed faux Leather top, double cupboard space one side and double drawer space on the other. So there you go, his & hers. Wife on one side, hubby on the other ...

All items available over our webstore: www.simplysam.co.za
Payment Gateway 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

New Vintage Stock just arrived at Simply Sam Trading - Antiques.Brocante.Gifts

We have just received a few small items at Simply Sam Trading. My favourite is a lovely worn vintage Persian Carpet - for lovers of Shabby Chic, this one is definitely for you. Take a peek ...
Worn Persian Carpet 

Vintage School Clock

I have just listed a very interesting item on Simply Sam Trading that of an old vintage School Bell Clock. You remember they would ring reminding you about tea breaks, lunch time, but best of all, end of school bell at 4pm, for people like me who were schooled in the UK.

So when I discovered this little gem, I got to thinking of all those parents who battle to raise their children in the mornings. Imagine installing this in your kitchen and have it set for 6am and, just like 'Pavlov's Dog', you're children would most probably jumped out of bed - conditioned so to the sound of the bell at school. It would certainly be an unsual conversational piece.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Marlene vd Westhuizen's Gorgeous Books - Free Delivery*





New copies of Marlene vd Westhuizen Books are arriving at Blueberry Gallery Cafe tomorrow - Look out for Abundance, Delectable & Sumptious - all gorgeous books. Go on indulge yourself.
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Order over our Webstore before 14 February 2013 and we'll deliver free  www.simplysam.co.za *all postal deliveries via SAPO




Saturday, January 26, 2013

Transforming 'Cafe le Fort'

We are about to start renovations on our little fifty square meter cottage - which some of you will know previously as 'Cafe le Fort' - which is tucked away in the pretty little Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, in just under one acre of garden, surrounded by a nature reserve, pretty meadows and trickling streams. The views face onto fields of horses, at its best during fowling time, when these wobbly legged beauties grace us with their presence.
A couple of years ago we felled some of our own trees, mainly Deodar, but also some Cyprus, both of which give the most amazing scent which is a natural deterrent for insects. The Deodar is the hardest of the soft woods and is an excellent structural wood, having been used for builds, some of which are still standing some three hundred years later. You can imagine my delight when I read this, and realised i'd found an inexpensive way to add an additional 90 sqm extension to our cottage, using our sixteen cubes of planked wood. Originally we thought of a timber home extension which would be bolted to our existing cottage, but after a visit to Dirt Traders, in Curries Post, i was so excited to see their new shop, a Wood & Iron building that looks like a little historic building. I'm now sold on the concept of combining our shuttered, Frenchie style, cottage with a wood & iron addition which will house two mezzanine bedrooms and a spacious lounge with folding doors spilling out into the refreshing views.
The current building will have two rooms knocked into one to create a simple kitchen/diner (I've already purchased a trendy black Smeg fridge) with the main en suite bedroom and a separate bathroom, next door.

Once complete we see this as the perfect little spot for parents of children at one of the boarding schools in the Midlands. A little piece of God's garden in which to appreciate time with family and friends.

Building starts in two weeks time, so watch this this space for further updates and pic uploads

Thursday, January 24, 2013

La Popote restaurant

Don't you just love it when you find a hidden gem of a place that stocks beautiful items, serves delish food, in a setting that makes you feel like you're somewhere in Europe. A little piece of escapism. La Popote restaurant, on the fringe of Hilton, is one such place. Situated at the renowned landscape gardener's home, Sue Tarr, this little gem has been around for years and is owned and run by Lesley Strachan. Sue's little shop occupies the spot where the original stables were and, if you look carefully, you can still see the original manger and steel partitians. Beautiful antique tables showcase lovely gift items, some from Sue's daughter who is the founder of a crochet job creation project just outside Ladysmith.
Today I shared my little secret with two friends who have just moved to Hilton. I'm sure, having never been to this little hide away before, they'll become regular patrons in the future. If you're familiar with La Popote you'll know they offer scrumptious home-made delights such as pear tart served with home-made ice cream, a light refreshment with a creamy cappucino.
Open for breakfast and lunch including Sundays at Sue Tarr's Summerhouse - 084 584 6930 033 343 2352

Planning Session "in the Field" at Nicolson's Restaurant

Yesterday we sat amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Garlington in Hilton, KZN, drinking in the stunning views of farmers fields and natural vegatation from the fashionable, Nicolson's Restaurant. We had come to brain storm some business ideas and what a wonderful environment to get those creative juices flowing.
But let me take this opporuntiy to punt Nicolson's It's been a while since I was last here and I was delighted to see they have added a little cocktail bar just off the front entrance to the restauarnt - note to self to come here for a sun downer after work - it has a real trendy feel and yes, the views, fresh air and tranquility, make for a very special place - quite a contrast when you think you're mere minutes away from the polution of Pietmaritzburg. The waitrons at Nicolson's have the descretion to attend to your needs when requred, without unnecessary interuptions. I have a foreign friend who becomes very upset if staff start to remove plates before evereyone at the table is finished (very European) - well she would love it at Nicholson's. I've adopted her sentiment and was very pleased to see we were left alone until such time as we were all done.
All in all, tasty and well presented food, lovely decor, well managed, great spot. 033 329 5200

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Nelson Mandela - The Mask of a Great Man

Last weekend we happened upon an African Sculpter, in a unique Catholic Monastry in Kwazulu Natal. I love visiting these places. Not just because I myself am Catholic, but because of the history associated with the buildings, the people and the simplicity of the way things used to be. This man had carved the most amazing crucifix of Jesus, almost life size. There was a piece of wood lying to one side that was about to become another crucifix and it was truly amazing to see how passion and talent can turn a simple piece of wood into something so beautiful. Leaning against the wall I found a carving of a face which reminded me of something out of Alice in Wonderland some how, like the cat in the tree. He turned out to be an interpretation of Nelson Mandela - here he is...

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sometimes one needs to be taken back in time ...

So if you're a Led Zeppelin fan - this is for you - you'll love it, an old classic to bring back memories and maybe a little tear



Woman & Home here I come ...

Yesterday I had quite an exciting morning in Fort Nottingham with KZN Midlands photographer, Karen Edwards, shooting photographs for an article for the March edition of Woman & Home. The weather was just perfect and what fun putting together a set with beautiful items from Simply Sam Trading.
Karen Edwards is a beautiful ex model who has an amazing talent at putting at ease anyone who is in front of her lens. We had a great laugh when she pottered around in the garden to take a particular shot and started calling 'snakey snakey' with the explaination that she had to think of something to let the snakes know she was there and scare them away.
Look out for my post coming in March where i'll be up-loading the article.....