Dairy House Antiques

Cosy

2011-11-03T11:08:00.003Z

It's a bit miserable outside but here at Dairy House, the woodburner is lit and a warm welcome awaits - come and have a look round! You know you want to!

2011-10-30T11:38:00.000Z

Dairy House Christmas Market - Sunday 20th November 2011 - 10am to 4pm

We are having our first Christmas Market! As well as the usual Dairy House traders there will be a few additional stalls outside along with some extra goodies inside and dotted around the place!

Come and join us for a day of good cheer, with the log burner lit and mulled wine and mince pies!

Our address is: Station Road, Semley, Near Shaftesbury, SP7 9AN - Tel 01747 853317- There is a map here.

We look forward to seeing you!

Normal Service Resumed ...

2011-10-24T14:24:00.000+01:00

At last I am able to say that blogposts, updates and a new website are all very much in the pipeline!

The last six months have been a roller-coaster ride during my husband's protracted illness, which meant I had to step back from day-to-day Dairy House dealings. I'm so grateful to the dealers for ensuring the business continued to run smoothly, but am thankful that I am now able to roll up my sleeves and get back in harness, albeit gently to begin with! To help take us forward it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Woo Gilchrist who will be spending at least 2 days a week at Dairy House. She and I will be working on some new ideas to bring Dairy House Antiques back into the limelight!

Please make a note in your diaries and visit us on Sunday 20 November 2011 for our Christmas Market. More information to follow in the next blogpost, on the new website (hopefully up and running next week), Facebook and Twitter.

We shall be creating a festive atmosphere and many of the dealers will be on hand to chat to you about their stock, and generally add to the enjoyment of the day.

Ever Onward ...

2011-06-06T11:49:00.000+01:00

The last few weeks have flown by with the brisk sales in May continuing into June. The stock at Dairy House continues to impress and new items are brought in almost daily.

I wonder how many of you have watched the Antiques Road Trip series on BBC2? Another series is in the offing and Dairy House has been chosen as one of the shops in which to film. That is happening next month and should be an interesting day. As far as I know the presenters will be James Braxton and Thomas Plant.

The spell of good weather has meant that garden furniture, pots and other outdoor items have been selling well, and brown furniture is always a good seller for us, regardless of what the media would have us believe. A number of our regular trade buyers have visited from far and wide - the furthest on his regular buying trip from Tasmania.

Here are a few images from the DH archives. I hope to be able to add some new ones soon, but hope you'll enjoy these in the meantime.

Time to Grow ...

2011-04-20T10:55:00.008+01:00

It's now 3 years since Dairy House took on its new style - 3 years during which we have continued to grow - in the number of dealers, the amount of space and also sales. We know that we have been very lucky but it has not been purely down to luck.

All our dealers have contributed time and energy to ensure that their stock is replenished regularly and looks its best; and they spread the word wherever they go. We continue to advertise both locally and in the glossies to keep the Dairy House name in people's minds. Our customers continue to support us, with new 'regulars' appearing almost daily! The 2 Vintage Textiles & Costume Days have brought in the crowds, many of whom have revisited and become Dairy House friends. We pride ourselves in offering stock at realistic prices and like to think we have something for everyone. You may have a tiny cottage or a mansion, an old property or a modern home needing a little character. Our furniture and decorative items range in size, thus promising the likelihood of the right item being found.

We like to think we have 'got things right' but, of course, are always open to suggestions from our private and trade customers.

This post has been edited as unexpected family illness has arisen preventing us from going ahead with the planned expansion at the present time. I'm sure all will be well in time, but it is obviously not the right time to be organising new premises.

Hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Sue

Eight More Sleeps ...

2011-04-02T20:56:00.001+01:00

Just eight more sleeps before the 2nd Annual Vintage Textiles & Costume Day @ Dairy House!

Sunday 10 April from 10 am to 4 pm

Do come if you can!

Not only have we spent the last few weeks planning for the Textile Day but we have also been playing "musical rooms" at Dairy House. A number of dealers have swapped rooms, thus confusing both our customers and ourselves, but the end result has been worth it. The main entrance has moved once again and is now via the double doors straight into the large main room. This has created a much better first impression and will also help considerably on the Textiles Day, hopefully avoiding some of the bottlenecks experienced last year.

The ten visiting dealers, in no particular order, are Loveday James, Donna Flower, Niki Fretwell, Helen Roskell, Chloe Cyphus, Caroline Bushell, Tamsyn Gregory, Tracey Hewlett, Justine Smith and Diana Marx. They will be joining 10-15 Dairy House dealers who will be 'in residence' on the day.

If last year is anything to go by there will be much fun and frivolity, laughter and merriment!

Do remember, though, that if you are thinking of visiting Dairy House to look for furniture or other antiques rather than textiles, these will be available for sale as normal.

We all look forward to seeing you.

Sue

Time Flies ...

2011-01-17T13:13:00.000Z

We say it so frequently, don't we. Time has flown by since ... we last met/so-and-so was born and so on!

In this instance I'm referring to the fact that it is almost 3 years since I took over Dairy House Antiques. I took over on 1 April 2008 and am truly amazed by how swiftly that time has passed. It has been an interesting and fascinating time with a couple of milestones along the way.

In September 2009 we opened what we now refer to as the Cheese Room - an extra 500 sq ft of sales space. Our dealer numbers increased and there are now 19 of us - some with large spaces, some with cabinet shelves. There is always plenty to see. We are thankfully very lucky compared to some - always busy, and the mix of stock changes constantly.

In April 2010 we held our first Vintage Costume and Textiles Day at Dairy House, and most of you were either there on the day or read about it on many blogs! And here we are again, just under 12 weeks away from the 2nd Annual Vintage Costume and Textiles Day!

Sunday 10 April from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

The day is a great opportunity for all enthusiasts to meet a number of costume and textile dealers from the West Country and beyond, and also meet many of the Dairy House dealers who are delighted to talk about the antiques, decorative pieces, vintage and collectable items on display in the shop. The mix of textiles and antiques works well as many of you already know. Today, many more of us like to mix old with new, and create our own individual styles. If you haven't been to a textile fair in an antiques shop before, now is your chance to do so!

Nearer the time I will be able to list the names of those who will be attending. Numbers are limited and there is already a waiting list, but you can rest assured that there will be plenty for everyone at prices to suit all pockets.

We had so many lovely visitors to last year's event, and many have now become regular Dairy House customers. We look forward to seeing all and more on Sunday 10 April.

In the meantime day-to-day life continues at Dairy House Antiques, with stock going out, coming in, regular customers popping in, new customers finding their way around and adding us to their list of places to visit, and all of us looking forward to Spring when the shop gets a little warmer!

Ring in the New ...

2011-01-07T22:32:00.000Z

A little late, but

All Good Wishes to Dairy House

blog followers

for a Happy and Prosperous 2011

Thank you for visiting the blog, the website and the shop over the past year, and we look forward to seeing or hearing from you this coming year.

Details of the 2nd Annual Vintage Textiles, Costume and Antiques Day @ Dairy House to be held on 10 April will follow soon.

Snow Update

2010-12-18T10:28:00.000Z

Dairy House is closed today because of the heavy snow. Please check by phone (01747 853317) before making your journey over the next few days.

Weather permitting, our hours of opening over the Christmas period will be as follows:

Sunday 19 December OPEN

Monday 20 December OPEN

Tuesday 21 December OPEN

Wednesday 22 December OPEN

Thursday 23 December OPEN

Friday 24 December CLOSED

Saturday 25 December CLOSED

Sunday 26 December CLOSED

Monday 27 December CLOSED

Tuesday 28 December OPEN

Wednesday 29 December OPEN

Thursday 30 December OPEN

Friday 31 December OPEN

Saturday 1 January CLOSED

Sunday 2 January CLOSED

Monday 3 January CLOSED

Tuesday 4 January OPEN

Best wishes to all our customers for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Salisbury Life ...

2010-10-28T08:21:00.001+01:00

Salisbury Life is a monthly glossy magazine which "does exactly what it says on the tin" - inasmuch as it gives an idea of what's going on in the area. We are 25 miles from Salisbury and are well within the catchment area of the magazine. As a result, Dairy House Antiques (and Hossack and Gray who display their goodies in our Cheese Room) has been advertising in the magazine over the last few months and we have been rewarded with a wonderful double-page spread: a well-written article surrounded by plenty of photographs.

I'm never sure whether certain advertising is going to work for us, but I've been thrilled with the number of new customers who have come in over the last 2 or 3 weeks and told me they came after reading the article and seeing our ads. I think this one has worked!!

If you'd like to view you can find Salisbury Life here. Flip to pp 44 and 45 (maybe stopping off at p 26 to see the ad).

We also have an advertisement in The Lady this week (the issue with Ann Widdicombe and Anton du Bueke on the front cover! I wonder if we will gain any new customers from that one!

Semley in Summer

2010-08-03T12:19:00.000+01:00

Time has flown by here at Dairy House Antiques and blogposts have sadly been non-existent. Hopefully these photos will restore the balance!

These are just a few of the items we were selling in May

We have had a very busy few months and have acquired a number of new regular customers, as well as flurries of those passing through on holiday or business. Sales in May were an all-time record, much to the delight of all the dealers, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that this trend will continue for the rest of the year.

Some pieces in the following photos are still available, some have been sold, but of course for every item sold a new piece is brought in, so stock is changing on an almost daily basis.

Needless to say, if you see anything of interest then by all means ask. It may still be available!

Of course, if you are wandering along the south of England during August, do remember that Dairy House is only 5 miles off the A303. We are open 7 days a week, although we will be closed on August Bank Holiday Monday. Approximate distances to other places are: Frome 19 miles; Shepton Mallet 30 miles; Bath 32 miles; Dorchester 34 miles; Bournemouth 35 miles; Andover 39 miles; Bristol and Ilminster 45 miles.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

Textiles and Costume ... With a Little Help from My Friends ...

2010-04-12T20:56:00.000+01:00

Well, what a day ... what an amazing day ... the weather I ordered back in November obliged, although a rather chilly wind got up in the afternoon ... but over all it was a day to remember.

This was the scene on Saturday afternoon, just prior to closing up for the day ...

... and this was the beautiful sunrise (through a rather dirty windscreen) as I set off along the A303 at 6.30 am!

Within minutes of my arrival, all the stallholders had arrived and there was a flurry of activity for the next 2 hours with trestle tables being erected, bunting tied as high as possible, and the inevitable bursts of chatter interspersed with quiet as everyone made their individual spots look as inviting as possible. (Not a difficult task considering all the fabulous items piling out of cars, bags, boxes, cases etc.)

Cars were moved, bollards put in place to avoid any nasty accidents, and people started to arrive. Soon after 9.00 am (advertised to start at 10.00!) the first customers were brandishing purses and wallets and plenty of squeals of delight were to be heard ... until I had to make the annoucement that gorgeous Guy, the man with the Silver Coffee Machine, wouldn't be coming. He phoned to say his van had died. Quite a serious death as it happened. He began to reverse out of his drive with his little van all beautifully washed and polished for the event, fully stocked with tea, coffee, chocolate and traybakes, and the engine cut out. In fact, the engine mounting collapsed and nothing can be done until a replacement has been delivered and, hopefully, he finds that there is no additional damage to the engine. Such a shame for him ... especially as he travels the local industrial estates and business parks 5 days a week.

Luckily Gillie (I think you all know of her by now) had already arrived to start preparing lunches for the stallholders, and she and Mr Washerwoman hot-footed it to Tescos for supplies so that we could still have our tea, coffee and cake. What a stalwart she is ... and before long another friend had arrived, simply to enjoy the event, but as I knew she and Gillie would get on exceedingly well (being of like-mind and quite mad), I introduced them and before I knew it Cathryn and Gillie were running the kitchen and keeping everyone supplied with drinks. About an hour later I was aware that another lady was dispensing coffees ... Cathryn had phoned one of her friends, asked her to bring plenty of trays and then, once Gill had arrived, coerced her into staying for most of the day as a 'runner'. What marvellous friends ... a real Dunkirk spirit, all mucking in together and ensuring that everyone was looked after. The day could so easily have been marred because of Guy's misfortune, but these 3 wonderful ladies were marvellous.

I took a lot of photos early on, before the crowds, and meant to take more later, hoping to give a real feel of the event.

Looking at them now I realise that I didn't take the photos I thought I had ... like the queues either side of the doorway with people trying to get both in and out; people elbowing their way through to get to other rooms within Dairy House; up to 10 people at a time looking through my drawers of fabric and Sally stuck up a stepladder fighting off customers, wondering if she would ever get out of her room alive ... Still, you get the picture, even if you can't physically see it!!

Maybe the photo of the cars parked up and down the road will give an indication of numbers. Bear in mind that these are the cars that couldn't get onto the estate to park. We shall know for another time to dress Mr Washerwoman in a hi-viz jacket for his own safety!

This is Justine, one of our regular Dairy House customers. She makes gorgeous bags, and often pops in to stock up with fabrics! Today she was in her element!

Here's Debbie! She's one of our dealers and she has the little room on the first floor where I began my Dairy House life nearly 5 years ago.

A mix of regular Dairy House customers and new faces deep in conversation on the top floor which Lizzie and I share.

Tamsyn spent the day with her buttons on the top floor, demonstrating how to make necklaces, hearts and lots of other goodies. Tamsyn has a lovely shop in Gillingham, just a few miles from Dairy House.

And finally Liz looking quite serious at this point. She did sterling work at the desk for most of the day, taking money, answering questions, being bombarded but, most of all, having a lovely time!!!

A few of us have discussed numbers, and we think that over the day we must have had between 500 and 700 visitors ... a fabulous response to all the advertising and promotion of the event. All the stallholders were busy for most of the day, with a slight breather a lunchtime to eat their ploughmans, recharge their batteries and tidy up their stalls ready for the second wave which came, without quite the frenzy of the morning rush, but with determination nevertheless.

Whilst we were planning the event I had visions of Dairy House full of customers to the extent that we could barely move, and thought how fabulous it would be if that really was the case ... and it was! It really was!! Visitors came from far and wide. I'm not sure who had the longest journey, but one travelled from Wales, one from Ramsgate, others from Totnes, Cornwall, the Midlands, Ludlow, Bournemouth, Sussex, London ... the list goes on. Many trade buyers came who hadn't been to Dairy House before and who, I'm pleased to say, are coming back when it's less crowded!! It was good to see that as well as the visiting sellers having a good day, a considerable amount of Dairy House furniture sold, too.

So here is the Oscar speech I prepared earlier to record my thanks for the rather larger than little help from My Friends ...

Thank you to everyone for making the day so successful. Thank you to the 'behind the scenes' Dairy House males who didn't feel they could cope with a shop full of ladies (I shall show them all the photos of men!) but who worked tirelessly clearing a space for Gillie to make lunch, shifting furniture, cleaning windows, fixing lights etc. Thank you to the Dairy House dealers who came on the day to sell and to assist with the normal Dairy House Sunday trade. Thank you to all the visiting dealers, all of whom I think of as friends who, despite their disappointment at not meeting Guy, were more than happy to accept mugs of tea and coffee from Gillie, Cathryn and Gill without complaint. I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as we did - judging by your comments I think you did. Thanks, too, to Mr Washerwoman, Mr Nostalgia and Mr EleganceMaison for your unstinting help on the day. Naturally a huge thank you from everyone involved to all those wonderful customers who made our day complete. And finally thanks to Mrs Washerwoman who helped me get the whole thing off the ground, and to my dear friends Gillie and Cathryn without whose help the day would have been nowhere near as relaxed and stress-free. If I've missed anyone it is simply because I'm still a wee bit tired, and I apologise. As soon as I remember you I shall edit this post!!

There WILL be another Vintage Textiles and Costume Day @ Dairy House. The provisional date is 26 September, but there will need to be a few tweaks to the arrangements for next time, so I shall put on my thinking cap, chat with the Dairy House dealers, and see what we can come up with.

Sue

Vintage Textiles and Costume Day ... 11 April 2010 ...

2010-03-26T10:18:00.005Z

The time has flown by since the first mention of our exciting new venture at Dairy House over 3 months ago.

Nearly all the postcards have been given out, advertisements have been placed in numerous publications, the bunting is made and there appears to be quite a buzz in the world of vintage textiles. Customers are coming into Dairy House waving their cards, saying they'll be there on the day.

We have all fingers and toes crossed for a fine day so that all the visiting sellers will be happy under the veranda. If it rains the sellers will set up somewhere over the 3 floors of the building. Whatever the weather, several Dairy House dealers will be bringing in plenty of textiles and costume for you to browse through, which they'll be displaying within their areas. So, inside and out there will be plenty to see.

We 'kick off' at 10.00 am and will begin to flag at 4.00 pm. Normally all the other businesses on Semley Industrial Estate are closed, so there should be plenty of parking available. However, I would ask everyone to respect other business users (just in case) and park sensibly on both the Estate and Station Road - it's better to park on the opposide (railway) side of the road to avoid congestion. If the day is the success we feel it is going to be, we hope to make it a twice yearly event (provisional date for the next event is Sunday 26 September 2010), so obviously wish to keep all our neighbours happy!!

The above photos, taken from my files, are intended to give an indication of what will be available, and the items are not necessarily still available for sale.

For those in need of refreshment to aid the purchasing process, Guy and his Silver Coffee Machine will be on hand all day ... during the week he travels around the local business parks/industrial estates keeping us all amused and refreshed! He certainly sells the best cappuccino and hot chocolate ... and chocolate brownies ... and flapjacks ... and ... and ...

If lunch is required we will be happy to direct you to either The Beckford Arms or Pythouse Walled Garden. Both serve delicious food and are only a 10-15 minute drive away.

We're all getting very excited now and look forward to welcoming you all ...

Go here for details of who will be attending

If you're not sure where we are you can get directions from this Google map link, and should you need any further information please email me at mail@dairyhouseantiques.co.uk. I pick up my emails every evening.

Sue

Mother's Day ...

2010-03-12T13:20:00.000Z

I was hoping to offer plenty of Mother's Day gift ideas earlier this week, but sadly 90% of the photos were out of focus. Not my best efforts, obviously. However, I managed to salvage a few ...

There are, of course, plenty more gift ideas in the shop - I just haven't managed to show you them here!

Up the Reds ...

2010-02-13T22:25:00.001Z

Moira and I decided red was the colour to choose this month in view of Valentine's Day, although the photos have taken on a somewhat orange hue.

You'll appreciate that it is the same subject-matter in all these photos, but it wasn't easy to pick the best.

Once again we've tried to pick at least one item from each dealer.

There are numerous reddish pieces of furniture at Dairy House this week, including a red leather buttonback 2-seater sofa, a similar wing chair; a set of 6 balloon-back dining chairs with red upholstered seats and a couple more items which I'll hopefully photograph tomorrow and add to this post.

We're planning a green theme for the next photo shoot - hopefully to coincide with Spring ... the first green shoots and all that ...

A Little Bit of What's Available at Dairy House This Week ...

2010-02-08T19:40:00.001Z

The photos have got the better of me, have a mind of their own and have chosen where they, themselves, would like to be within this post. That doesn't have much bearing on the views of the management, but I'll just go along with what's here in the order in which it comes. It'll be good exercise - ground floor, first floor, cheese room, first floor, ground floor and so on. All those stairs - I'll be so fit!!

So first off is this gorgeous little teaset. Not sure of its origins, but it's price tag won't break the bank. It's under £20.

A painted marriage chest like the one above was on one of the antiques shows one afternoon last week. Not sure which one, but I caught sight of it and realised it was very similar to this one.

The picture below would make a good Valentine's gift perhaps.

Two photos from the first floor - I love round tables - and a mirror encased in antique embroidery work.

I love the 3 wonderful paper panels tucked away on the ground floor. This is just a small portion of one of the panels. They are each about 2½ feet wide and at least 6 ft tall. If only our ceilings were high enough and our rooms large enough to hang these ... but they're not!

French Toile screen and an ostrich feather fan.

Painted canework and upholstered chair with open arms, and matching stool.

A selection of paintings and prints.

Rugs and a few choice small furniture items.

That's it for now, but all these items are current stock in case there is a "must have".

More soon!

Vintage Textiles and Costume Day @ Dairy House - updated with list of stallholders

2009-12-17T21:19:00.010Z

A date for your diary
Sunday 11 April 2010

10.00 am to 4.00 pm

@ Dairy House Antiques

Some of the specialists you know well from the West Country circuit will be displaying their gorgeous textiles and costume under the verandah at Dairy House on a sunny day next April. They will be joined by a number of Dairy House dealers who have an interest in textiles and it is anticipated that there will be at least 15 stallholders. What a grand opportunity to browse and buy from the best in the West!

This will be the first of what we hope will become regular events at Dairy House and we look forward to welcoming you.

As promised here is the list of stallholders for the

Vintage Textiles and Costume Day
@ Dairy House on Sunday 11 April 2010

Caroline Beaven
a long-established local textile dealer
Caroline Bushell
Fountain Antiques, Honiton
Linda Clift
http://www.lindaclift.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Drake
http://www.vintagelizzie.blogspot.com/
Loveday James
a regular at the Talent 4 Textiles and Shepton Antiques Fairs
Niki Fretwell
http://www.nostalgiaatthestonehouse.blogspot.com/
Helen Roskell
Vintage goodies
Chloe Cyphus
http://www.chloeantiques.co.uk/
Donna Flower
http://www.donnaflower.com/
Cecile Gemmell
http://www.elegancemaison.blogspot.com/
Tamsyn G
http://www.fromragstostitches.co.uk/

Dairy House dealers taking part include

Sue Meager
http://www.vintagetovictorian.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dairyhouseantiques.blogspot.com/
Liz van Hasselt
http://www.thewasherwoman.blogspot.com/
Martin Bull
Jenny Hirst
Mary Hossack
Debbie Jeffery
Sandie Lewis
Moira Lord
Nikki Vallance
with possibly one or 2 more!

As you can see there will be plenty going on. The Silver Coffee Machine will be on hand all day to provide tea/coffee/hot chocolate and maybe the odd traybake. Unfortunately the kitchen (if it can be called that) at Dairy House doesn't lend itself to offering beverages to the public, but Liz and I can heartily recommend Guy's goodies!! In addition, we can recommend Pythouse Walled Garden and the Beckford Arms (both less than 15 minutes away) if anyone requires lunch.

Sue

Mellow Yellow ...

2009-12-02T19:02:00.005Z

Moira and I played with all the yellow bits and bobs here this morning. We're quite getting into the colour-coordinated photoshoot. It's amazing how many things we find when we set our minds to it. I think we're both determined to try and avoid typical Christmas colours, although we may find that we have to use red and green before too long! Until then we'll keep trying to find 'other' colours.

Hopefully I haven't duplicated any of the photos - no doubt you'll tell me if I have!!

Mellow Yellow ...

2009-12-02T19:02:00.000Z

Christmas is Coming ...

2009-11-22T20:40:00.004Z

Two of us spent a jolly hour or so this morning picking out something blue from each dealer's stock, in order to take a photograph for Christmas advertising. It all evolved from the idea of putting together some of the T G Green Cornishware which always seems to sell well at this time of year. However, we got somewhat sidetracked and the blue theme became a challenge!

As you can see, there is plenty to tempt the Christmas shopper looking for a little number in blue, and for those finding it difficult to choose we are pleased to offer Dairy House Antiques Gift Vouchers (from £10.00 upwards)! What colour theme shall we choose for the next photocall?

Our normal opening times are Monday to Saturday 10.00-5.00 and Sunday 11.00-4.00. We will close around 2.00 pm on Christmas Even and reopen at 10.00 am on Tuesday 29 December. We will be closed on New Year's Day, but all other days and times will be as normal.

Time to Light the Fire ...

2009-10-21T21:22:00.007+01:00

Those of you who have visited Dairy House in the winter will know that you need to put on extra layers before you enter the shop! Bearing in mind the original aim of the building was to keep the milk cool before it set off on its journey to London, the concrete floors (on all levels) covered with beautiful black-and-white tiles, the steel RSJs and thick walls have proved 'fit for purpose'.

I have now started 'layering up' before leaving home and am currently on 3 layers. Another few weeks and the thermal vests and longjohns will be brought into use, along with thicker jumpers, wool coats, scarves, gloves and boots!!

As you can imagine, I was delighted to see that one of my colleagues moved his massive bookcase from in front of the woodburner the other day. By the time we get to April the chimney breast is hidden for 6 months or so, but by October it needs to be exposed once again, and the fire lit.

How lucky that this particular dealer currently has 2 leather armchairs for sale. Very comfy, and just right for snuggling into with one of my Welsh blankets on a really chilly day. I do hope they will still be there tomorrow!!

Why not join me in a quick tour ...

The furniture in this room is quite dark and there isn't much daylight. Even less yesterday when I took the photo. Such a grim and dismal wet day, but it doesn't seem to matter to our customers. They still buy regularly from this dealer. A new customer came in (nearly 75% of customers during the last week were first-timers which was super) and said what a shame it was that brown furniture doesn't sell now. I leapt to its defence immediately. Dairy House is renowned for its brown furniture and it's only in the last couple of years that our dealers have begun to sell painted and other decorative furniture to compliment it. For 10 years Dairy House thrived on its brown furniture trade, and even in this current state of uncertainty we are exceedingly lucky to have maintained high sales, generally increasing month on month, and I must say, here and now, that our brown furniture sales are still buoyant.

This doesn't mean that we don't like painted! This is the room that both Niki and Liz like. This dealer has some amazing finds from time to time, and many's the time I've wished I'd been in front of her at fairs!!

Here's another room on the ground floor. Another Liz. She has some more interesting goodies out of camera, including a lovely Victorian painted brass bed.

There's a mix of painted and pine in this room, together with some vintage wooden toys.

Another dealer's decorative items are shown off against the check floor and yellow walls

and adjoining her are the carpets belonging to Red Fox, another of our dealers.

This is a section of another dealer's pitch on the first floor ...

This is the sight that greeted me when I went up to the top floor yesterday. I thought it would be sensible to keep the curtains, blankets, quilts and eiderdowns upstairs as I was rapidly running out of room in the main entrance. The only problem is that customers tend to open them out but rarely fold them up neatly afterwards. I think I'm fighting a losing battle, but perhaps one day I'll win it! The grand plan is to hang all the curtains on the rail. I've managed to put a few up as you can see, but I still have plenty more to hang.

Next to me on the top floor are Liz and Jack. Their old French picture frames are wonderful, and I'm hoping to measure a couple tomorrow, just in case they're the right size for some of my Scheurer fabrics!

Making our way back downstairs we'll just stop off and see what books are on offer ...

Finally, back in the front of the shop is a lovely collection of green Kleenware, some interesting plates and a set of crystal glasses in one of the cabinets ...

... and this last little room has some interesting bits and pieces.

I haven't managed to show you photos of every room as several were blurred. I'll take more and show you those another day. Meanwhile, this has given you an idea of where I go 4 days a week. There'll be an update on the Vintage to Victorian blog shortly with some more photos.

Cheese Room Open ...

2009-09-04T13:53:00.005+01:00

We made it! No grand opening - too tired! - but everyone finally arranged their stock over the Bank Holiday Weekend so that everything was 'up and running' on 1 September. There have been some sales for each dealer already, so the Cheese Room is in business ...

Dairy House is open 7 days a week, apart from Bank Holidays, which means that we shall be open every day from now until Christmas! So, you have 111 days in which to visit to choose your Christmas gifts! And don't forget we offer Gift Vouchers, too!

I promise I won't mention Christmas again until everyone else does!

Before you go, have a look on Vintage to Victorian to see my latest acquisition!

2009-08-30T22:26:00.004+01:00

It would appear that we have a write-up in the Antiques Trade Gazette - the weekly newspaper for dealers. I didn't realise it was in, but have been told by several people at Shepton Flea today that there was an article. One of them kindly emailed me the article. If you click on it you should be able to read it. It's not quite what I said to the journalist in my email to her, but I suppose it hits the spot, although I would like to think we were a bit bigger than a small antiques centre!! (Shame about the numerous typographical errors)

I forgot to charge up the camera battery so it'll be another 24 hours or so before I can post photos of the Cheese Room in all its glory, looking as if it's spent its whole life displaying antiques! Liz will be posting photos of her space on The Washerwoman soon, but I shall endeavour to take some pics tomorrow.

Done ... and Dusted ...

2009-08-26T19:46:00.004+01:00

Floor cleaned (thanks Moira), white edging painted on the steps, temporary covering over window shutters (no-one will notice when the furniture's in). Isn't it a shame about those areas of concrete on the floor where someone, sometime, needed to dig down for pipes or somesuch. However, once the furniture is in situ I'm sure we won't notice them. I can't believe it's all done. We left a couple of things in there this evening which will be moved out of the way tomorrow, but all the hard work is done and I, for one, am ready for a very early night!! I'm sure there'll be something I've forgotten, but the far end will be filled with Hossack & Gray's furniture tomorrow, followed by Sandie Lewis's and Martin Bull's over the next few days. Once Hossack & Gray have vacated their space upstairs, Liz and Jack will be moving in (on Saturday). Hopefully everyone will have their spaces all shipshape and Bristol fashion by 1 September ... let the fun begin!

Nearly There ...

2009-08-26T08:14:00.003+01:00

These were taken at the weekend. I'll be taking more photos today as we have ... finished! Just the floor to clean this afternoon and dealers will be moving in from tomorrow. What a relief!!!

Home Strait

2009-08-20T20:48:00.002+01:00

Pics to be added later or in next post. Just thought you'd like to know that we're nearly there and the game of musical dealer space will take place on Thursday/Friday/Saturday next week, ready for all to be organised (???) on 1 September.

Liz van Hasselt filled 2 cabinet shelves with goodies today - she'll be blogging them soon, and she and Mr Washerwoman will be bringing in lots more goodies to fill their space on the top floor on Saturday 29 August after the present incumbent moves downstairs to the Cheese Room.

I have 2 more large RSJs and 2 small ones to paint, which I hope to get done on Monday/Tuesday, and Mr Vintage to Victorian titivated a few areas of dodgy emulsion and painted the area of bare concrete by the entrance with floor paint this afternoon. There are a few other tiddly bits to do, but I'm hoping all that will need doing on Wednesday is scrubbing that gorgeous floor.

I'll endeavour to photograph the finished, empty room before showing you the end result filled with dealers' stock.

A Quick Tour ...

2009-08-15T22:31:00.007+01:00

As promised in my last post on Vintage to Victorian, here are the other photos I took in the shop on Thursday - just to give you an idea of what's on offer at the moment.

And just in case you feel like visiting, but don't know where we are ... here are the directions!

I'll add some more when I have a spare minute or two, but for the time being it's back to the paintbrushes as time's running out ...

Progressing

2009-08-08T08:11:00.003+01:00

Since these latest photos I have spent another 3 hours achieving. I reckon there's about 6 hours' painting left to do to the walls and ceiling, to be followed by painting the beams and the windows. Then it's a case of clear the room, scrub the floor and off we go ...

Moira (our book dealer) and I spent an hilarious few hours with me on the scaffold and she on the stepladder chatting and working. You achieve so much more if there's someone to chat to. We were pleased with our afternoon's work and we're delighted with the progress. Won't be long now ...

Update: Now that she has posted some pics etc on her blog, I am at liberty to say that one of the new dealers joining us at Dairy House is Busy Lizzie, aka The Washerwoman. So exciting ...

Ample Warning

2009-07-31T15:52:00.006+01:00

I thought you might like to make a note of this in your diaries:

Monday 23-Sunday 30 November 2009

is the First

NATIONAL ANTIQUES WEEK

There has been a National Antiques Day for some time, but following feedback from national and regional antique dealers' associations this is to become National Antiques Week.

The theme for the week will be

"Antiques are Green"

All members of WEADA (The West of England Antique Dealers Association), of which Dairy House is one, have been asked to promote the week and encourage people to think more about investing in antiques as part of the campaign. Other Associations across the country will be participating, too, so look out for details of activities in your area.

I'm not sure yet what we shall be doing at Dairy House, but watch this space to see plans unfold. Any suggestions gratefully received. I had thought it would be a good time to finally arrange a bloggers day, but realise that the November Vintage & Handmade Fair is at the end of the week, so we shall all be making our way to Chipping Sodbury rather than Semley on the Saturday! But we shall certainly be doing something ...

Update: I stand corrected ... the Vintage & Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury is on 14 November and NOT Saturday 29 November. How did I manage to get that wrong?!

New Beginnings ...

2009-07-30T23:57:00.003+01:00

Most of you will have come across Dairy House through , Vintage to Victorian, but I thought it was time that Dairy House Antiques had its own blog as well as the more formal website. There are plenty of changes afoot, and now seems a good time to start this new blog.

I've tried to set up an appropriate template but would very much appreciate your comments as to whether the colours I've chosen make the text easy to read, or the opposite. If it looks awful do please say. I'd like to get it right!

I do hope you'll pop by from time to time to see how we're progressing, and as soon as our new dealers have joined us I plan to tell you a little about all our dealers and what a visit to Dairy House Antiques has in store.