This post is written in collaboration
As regular readers know, we have a lovely cottage on the North Norfolk coast that we visit regularly in both the Winter and Summer.
We realise it is a luxury to have a second home, therefore when it came to furnishing it, we were very mindful of how we furnished it, plus we were on a budget! Therefore, we turned to the plethora of second-hand and antique shops in the North Norfolk area to furnish our house.
Our plans for the house were that we wanted to be homely and cosy, but practical as when we are not using it, it is rented out. We also wanted to inject a little of the essence of Norfolk into it – think the coast and Norfolk’s wildlife. Therefore, all purchases tied in with this.
Our best buy was the corner sofa in the living area, which we found in a charity shop in Fakenham. The sofa has become essentially linked with coming to Norfolk to relax and destress. We even managed to find a few cushions to add to the comfort.
We did actually buy some original art work for the lounge, but we also added in pictures we found in the second-hand shops of Fakenham and Wells-next-the-sea. I love these vintage rail travel posters, Norfolk as been a popular holiday destination for years!
Moving into the dining area, to keep in with our seaside theme, my son managed to seek out a few model boats, which maybe I wouldn’t have picked, but I love them within our cottage – it makes it ours. I also love the ornaments and dried flowers (all second hand) that we’ve put into the room.
The house was already decked out with curtains and blinds, but fabric tends to have a shelf life, and I’ve been looking at Swift Direct Blinds for inspiration. The page is full of ideas for fabric and colour palettes and current interior trends.
Into the kitchen, it is amazing how much kitchen ware you can pick up – from kitchen utensils, gravy boats, jelly moulds and mixing bowls, are kitchen is full kitted out, so much so our guest have commented ‘they want for nothing!’ We even have a second hand chocolate fondu!
Into the bedrooms, we made sure they all had storage by finding storage chests and drawers – I particular like the ones in the master bedroom. We also found more artwork, so the walls weren’t plain. My daughter found some London prints, to remind her of home!
I couldn’t tell you the exact cost of furnishing our holiday home, but I think it was in the region of £1500, and certainly we recycled, up cycled, repurposed an awful lot of furniture and homewares. As indeed the phrase goes, one man’s rubbish is definitely another man’s treasure.
I’d love to know if you are a junk shop trawler too and where you you find the best treasures. I can while away so much in time in these places!
If you would like to rent the cottage, please visit Travel Chapter
