Two footstools and a tassel

Today it’s all about the footstools and a tassel at Blickling - if you’ve visited you might recognise the flooring of the Long Gallery. And if you haven’t, the Long Gallery is just what it says. It’s original use was for exercise and it has the most amazing ceiling - which I’ll share another day - today we’re spending time looking down, rather than up. And admiring the needlework.

The colour on both of the footstools were still pretty vivid, and both had a very polite note that they were too fragile for visitor use, though both looked very inviting. This one features birds and flowers, and what look like chillies. Maybe they are, maybe they’re not, but to me they could be.

And that bird definitely has its eye on them, so could be in for a surprise.

The second is more floral, and in all of my photos I think it’s upside down. So you can either enjoy it as I did, or turn your neck to try and imagine it the right way up.

Aren’t they both great? I think on balance the first one would be my first choice, but aren’t they both fab?

The tassel above also caught my eye, a relatively simple thing, but so much detail. And so, so pretty.

Post Comment Love 12-14 February

Welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo - a friendly linky which I co-host with Suzanne, where you can link any post published in the last week. We know you’ll find some great posts to read, and maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked and share some of that love. If you were here last week it was great to have you along, if you’re new here this week we’re pleased you’re here.

There’s been snow here again this week, not a huge amount but still quite a novelty even though it’s the second lot this year. It’s been pretty chilly too, and when we woke up yesterday there was another dusting. I’m still not a fan, and have done my best to hibernate.

We were due to have some work done in our bathroom this week, but because of the number of emergency call outs for our plumber we have rearranged it for the middle of March.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Love this #92 Shell Art

It’s been a while since my last Love this post, and as I keep pausing over these images as I scroll through my photos I thought it was about time.

I was - and am - absolutely smitten with these when I saw them on our visit to Houghton Hall last October, and could have quite easily have left with both of them, had my bank balance permitted. They are exquisite, and much more superior to my childhood shell art which I’m sure involved polyfilla, an empty plastic golden syrup tub and shells collected from the beach. There might also have been shells which we’d bought from the Shell Shop in Lyme Regis, a memory that definitely takes me back!

Both of these are by Blott Kerr-Wilson, a sea shell artist - and clearly one way above any of my childhood efforts, and quite frankly above anything I’d attempt even now. Both were on display in the stables, and both are pricey, just shy of £3000 - but oh, so lovely.

Who’d have thought that mussel shells (above) and sea urchins and tusk shells (below) could be quite so beautiful?

I’m not even going to say one day, but I know I’m glad I saw them and have a photo - as that’s as close as I’m going to get to these beauties - admiration from afar!