looptheloopuk-blog

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I've been searching for really good quality vintage grainsacks for a while, so I was excited to discover a few at a local flea market for a reasonable price and just had to get them. A friend of mine has a couple and I've always admired them. They look stylish, add texture and warmth to a room but have a simple design which means they can be matched with other neutral pieces in my house. One of the great things about these types of vintage flour sacks is they come pretty much cushion ready. All I had to do was stuff them with cushion pad wadding and sew up the ends, and in no time I had two beautiful cushions perfect for my new industrial style kitchen bench.

I'm a big fan of the rustic modern look, so adding these cushions to this gorgeous metal industrial bench (as seen for sale on www.looptheloop.co.uk of course) has given my kitchen a whole new feel and the rustic look I love.

Together with the industrial metal bench, we also offer two styles of grainsack inspired cushions via our vintage homeware store (as seen below) they are made from a slightly softer linen, perfect for using on a bed or sofa. They include a sumptuous feather cushion pad with a removable, washable cover. 

There are many uses for gorgeous vintage grainsacks including, table runners, lampshades, cushion covers, decorative bunting, tote bags and for upholstering pieces of furniture. They are made from a robust cotton fabric, the texture can be quite rough but if you select the right ones, such as linen, then they can be used as seat cushions or as sofa scatter cushions. If you're looking for more grainsack inspiration, the lovely Kiki Hodgson, who runs the online store www.angelstores.co.uk has a beautiful and very inspiring collection of grainsack cushions and home accessories, I would definitely recommend taking a look.

As I've mentioned previously, I love the modern rustic look, as seen in Country Living Modern Rustic magazine. This style is all about contrasting textures, combining the old and the new to create an eclectic, unique country modern look. I completely admire new design and interior styles, but I also can't help fall in love with original vintage pieces, which have already stood the test of time. There's something about the mystery of the stories they could tell, the homes they may have lived in and the lives they have cohabited. I have an old rustic cabinet, which some may feel has seen better days, and I do sometimes think to give it a new lick of paint, but I really like it's aged, distressed appearance, the flaking paint and rough edges, and if I did 'upcycle' this piece, I just know it wouldn't be the same.

To give you a few ideas for a modern rustic interior, I've picked some of my favorite images (mostly via Pinterest) to share with you. Enjoy xx

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To celebrate the launch of our new website we're giving away one of our gorgeous blue linen tote bags.

Simply visit our website or click on the image above to enter. Complete the the form and your name will be submitted into our prize draw. 

*The competition will close midnight Monday 31st July 2017. A draw will be made and the winner will be contacted and will receive the bag shortly afterwards.*

Go and enter, good luck! x

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Meet the Artisan

Welcome to our exciting new addition to Loop the Loop. We really admire and love being inspired by amazing artists and makers, so we've decided to create a space to showcase our favorite artisans, to give you an insight into how they got started and what they do. It'll be a great insight, and we hope you enjoy their stories and get to discover fabulous new products and crafts.

Mary Maddocks - Textile Artist

Our first interviewee is the lovely Mary Maddocks, a lifestyle blogger and textile artist from South East London. Mary's textile art combines a passion for woven crafts with a lifelong love of the natural world. Her inspiring Instagram feed captures her love of the great outdoors, interiors and crafts. Like ourselves, Mary loves spending time in rural landscapes, and in particular, West Wales which really influences her woven wall hangings.

To view her collection of beautiful woven pieces and to keep up-to-date with her weaving workshops visit www.marymaddocks.com

Tell us who you are and what you do

I’m a textile artist and lifestyle blogger living in South East London. I create woven wall hangings and jewellery inspired by the natural world. I also teach weaving workshops for people who want to learn how to weave on a frame loom.

How did you get started?

I first learned to weave in school when one of my teachers brought in her table loom and taught me to use it. I loved learning to weave but sadly after finishing school I sort of forgot about it and it was only a few years later that I started to weave again. I have always loved craft and textiles in particular, but during my early twenties I trained and worked as a lawyer and so had very little time for it. Then about two years ago I bought a wooden frame loom and started experimenting with a stash of vintage wools that I had collected over the years. I began making woven wall hangings and woven necklaces and was soon completely hooked! My love of weaving has grown and grown, and I am now selling my weavings and running weaving workshops to teach others to weave.  

What inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by the natural world, and much of my weaving is informed by natural landscapes, colours and textures. I am particularly drawn to the scenery of the Pembrokeshire coastline, the mountains and beaches of the Scottish Highlands and the sun-bleached, dusty landscapes of the Greek islands, where I often go on holiday. My travels often inspire my weavings - for example, I am currently drawn to the stark, black basalt sand beaches of Southern Iceland where I spent time last year. The intricate shapes and textures of natural objects such as driftwood, shells, pebbles and tree bark often work themselves into my art - I am continually fascinated by the complexity and beauty of nature and I want my weaving to reflect this. I always carry a camera with me so that I can snap interesting things I see, in case I want to use it for a weaving later.

How would you describe your style?

Eclectic and maximalist I suppose! Our home is full of vintage and second-hand furniture, ethnic and natural fabrics and materials, collected treasures and lots and lots of plants! I don’t really have a scheme – I just go with what I like and somehow it works!  

What does your usual day involve?

My alarm goes off at 7 am and I have my first cup of tea in bed while listening to the news on the radio (and checking Instagram and my emails). I usually try to be at my desk by about 9am and then I spend a couple of hours replying to emails, planning and drafting blog posts and getting on top of other admin like planning and preparing for upcoming workshops. If I’m styling or shooting products for a blog post, I usually do this in the morning instead, as the light tends to be better earlier in the day. After lunch I sometimes go for a walk in the park round the corner to stretch my legs and get a bit of fresh air, following which I might spend some time in my shed weaving with radio 4 and a cat for company, or I’ll use the time to finish what I was doing in the morning. My husband usually gets home at around 7pm and we’ll have dinner together. I usually weave for a bit after dinner in front of the TV and I’ll be in bed by 11.30.

What are the best bits about your job?

The best bit by far is having the freedom to use my time as I wish, to set my own agenda and to determine the next steps that I want my business to take. That’s probably also the most difficult part of my job too! It’s a wonderful feeling when something you have created all by yourself is successful, and when you take a risk that pays off. I am a very domestic soul at heart so I love working from home and feel very lucky that I no longer have to tackle a London commute. Finally, I really enjoy passing on the skills that I have learnt to others, and watching them become as fascinated with weaving as I am!

What would be your advice to someone starting out?

If something interests you or you have a passion for something, absorb yourself in it as much as you can. Read about it, experiment with it, research and hone your skills as much as you possible can in your spare time. Don’t assume that you can’t do something because you haven’t been formally taught or trained – so many skills can be acquired through hard work and self-learning. Observe what others in your field are doing, but resist the urge to compare yourself – have confidence in your own style and method. If you get to the point when you don’t want to do anything else (like I did), analyse your finances carefully, and if you can manage it, take the leap. I was always more scared of not giving my own business a go than trying and failing – after all, life is short!

What can’t you live without?

Truthfully, my iphone. I dropped it down the loo last weekend and had to dry it out in a bowl of rice for two days. I felt like I had lost one of my limbs. (Oh and my husband of course – he’s quite useful).

Describe your perfect weekend.

A perfect weekend would involve waking up late and eating a leisurely breakfast of smashed avocado and eggs on toast, fresh croissants and banana smoothies accompanied by a bit of Leonard Cohen. We’d then head out of London in our campervan for a walk and a picnic, followed by a hot bath, an Indian takeaway and a film. Rock and roll.

What is your most cherished possession?

My Ruth Tomlinson engagement ring – it’s the most beautiful thing I own and it never fails to make me smile whenever I catch a glimpse of it.

What are your dreams for this year?

We’re expecting our first baby in July, so my dreams are mainly baby-shaped at the moment! I can’t wait to become a mum and also to continue growing and developing my business. I want to carry on holding workshops,  selling my weaving guides and kits, possibly developing a weaving e-guide, and creating a woven jewellery collection. How I’m going to fit all that in around a small person I’m not entirely sure, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

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Shop for unique vintage style home accessories. Add effortless style and elegance to your home from one of the UK's top online vintage homeware boutiques, with one of our home accessories or unique pieces of vintage style furniture. We have a great selection of  decorative home accessories for you to choose from. Our exclusive interior decor products range from copper vases, bevelled edge mirrors, industrial zinc wall cabinets, enamelware to pendant style lighting. The perfect, on trend, interiors store for home decorating ideas and accessories.  Our range of vintage style homeware and home decorations have been carefully handpicked for those who love interiors and creating beautiful homes. We pride ourselves in selecting exquisite, unique and beautifully crafted products which capture the elegant country living look. We also offer rustic home decorations and vintage pieces of furniture and lighting. Pairing the old with the new is one of our specialities. We scour vintage flea markets and antique shops for individual, one-off pieces and also source the best interior designed home accessories and furniture. Our collection ranges from Scandinavian style homeware to rustic, country style items of furniture. The most popular items for sale here at Loop the Loop include hanging glass picture frames, wire wall storage shelves, vintage style pendant lights and grey painted cabinets and sideboards.

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Getting to know us

Hi, it’s Laura here (or Loops as some of you know me) I thought I’d reintroduce ourselves and give you a little insight to the behind the scenes here at Loop the Loop. I co-founded the business a few years ago with my then boyfriend, now husband, Adam, when we moved to the Brecon Beacons in lovely South Wales. We’ve always wanted to be our own boss and run a business that would fit round our lifestyle. We aren’t the typical 9 to 5 type people, we like a more flexible working life. Plus, we now have a little boy, Harry, and I’ve always wanted to look after him at home and enjoy the precious few years before he has to go to school. So, a flexible style business was what we were after, and an online store was the perfect solution.  

I have always been interested in interiors but the spark was reignited when I was asked to do some painting and decorating for some family friends. They had an amazing house and exceptional taste and style. It was a turning point and made me realise how much I wanted to become further involved with interiors and sourcing beautiful products. We then moved to rural Wales and the rest is history, so they say. An average day here at Loop the Loop would firstly involve walking our gorgeous pointer Otti with our two year old Harry, then sending out orders, answering any queries or requests, researching new products and updating our blog and social media plus making any changes to the website. If we take delivery of any new items, I spend time planning how they will feature on the website, then it’s photoshoot time. And, of course spending time with Harry is very important. Last year’s high points for Loop the Loop have included the amazing response we’ve had from stylists and the press, dealing with such lovely customers and being able to find even more lovely products and expand our collection. For us the most helpful website in terms of capturing inspiration has been Pinterest and or course there’s also Instagram. It allows us to recognise recent trends and interior style ideas. It has also helped with planning photoshoots - we do most photos ourselves and we’re still learning, so Pinterest helps when we’re stuck for styling ideas. My most overused phrase… ‘Perseverance is key’ and ‘If it was easy everyone would be doing it.’ What I can’t live without… it’s an obvious one but it has to be my iphone. That’s one of the great things about running a business online: if I’m out and about sourcing products I can still keep up-to-date with orders coming in or any enquiries, plus take photos for Instagram and social media. My advice to a budding entrepreneur thinking of starting up a business is… Make sure you give yourself enough time and be patient. If you decide to ‘go for it’ you need to give it 100%. One thing you might not know about us… The name Loop the Loop comes from the nickname Adam’s brothers’ gave me which is ‘Loops’. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given… I’m not sure where this advice actually came from but it’s always important to remember how far you have come and not take it for granted, when I look back at how much we’ve achieved in the past years with Loop the Loop it really motivates me to keep pushing forward. We began trading during the recession and were prepared for it, as we’re still growing the business we know that we have to adapt to changes and luckily we’ve been able to do that so far. I believe that nowadays most customers look for good quality products that will last and look timeless, that’s why we try and source well designed and made pieces. We admire our amazing friends and family, they have given us a tremendous amount of help and support in the past few years and we feel extremely lucky to have them. In five years’ time I hope that Loop the Loop will be offering a broader, bigger range of products and have a more prominent presence online. I’d like us to be known for providing an excellent, personal customer service and have even more happy customers. It would also be exciting if we could design and offer our very own, branded products.

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I’m in love with marble at the moment, here are a fews pics to swoon over.

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Its Friday, hoorah, it’s a little bit wet and windy here in rural Wales, it’s gong to be an indoors day, so I’m going to find my best mug, pour myself a coffee and enjoy being inside my lovely home.

(image from Pinterest)

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Happy Monday! Well we had a pretty busy weekend, a long drive to visit family on Saturday, then up early on Sunday to source new pieces from a local flea market. It was super chilly but I came home with some lovely vintage finds, including this gorgeous marble topped bedside cabinet. I've just added it to the website so it's available to buy. The other items will be added soon too, so keep an eye on our new arrivals page.

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Love this moroccan shopper basket x

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One of my many New Year resolutions is to have a clear out and keep everything a lot more organised. I've managed to cull quite a few odds and ends in my crockery cupboard, but I do find it pretty difficult chucking things away that still have a use but just don't look that aesthetically pleasing, trying to justify it can be hard. The only thing that reassures me is that having less makes me appreciate the things I do have more, I'll treasure them and make sure they last. That's my little thought for the day, hope you're all having a good Monday #freshstarttotheweek #newyearresolutions #clearspaceclearmind#simpleliving (Image Pinterest)

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We’re so excited with our new arrivals here at Loop the Loop. Our collection of vintage style homeware is constantly being refreshed and updated, like these wooden clothes dryers to these metal wall crates, check out our latest rustic, modern country style furniture here > Homeware Online

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The beginning of a year is a good time to reflect and look forward to the months ahead. Sometimes you look back and think, yeah, that was a bloody good year, look what I achieved, look at where I went, look at all those life changing things I did. But sometimes the year doesn't always look like this. Sometimes it’s ok to think that maybe it was a slow and slightly less busy 12 months. And what’s really wrong with that? I quite often, at the start of a new year, set out with my sails taught, with lots of dreams and goals to aim for. Happily, most of the time I’m lucky enough to achieve them. But when I don’t, and I don’t fulfill what I feel I’m meant to, I can’t help but be a little forlorn and demotivated. I suppose the thing I’ve learnt and keep learning as I grow older is that, although we should enjoy every day and keep doing as much as we can to enrich our lives, it’s actually ok to say hey, I’m happy just in this little content space right now and I’ll enjoy my everyday. So, right now I’m thinking about 2017. There are definitely changes I want to make to my life; there are places I want to visit; people I want to see more of; and a healthier lifestyle I want to follow. But for the first time, I’m going to be more aware that if the goals I set myself aren’t obtained, then they weren’t meant to be for me and I should simply, and happily, explore other paths.

The images above are from Pinterest and sum up what I want this year. 

What do you want 2017 to bring you?

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Our amazing Winter Sale is now on. It’s our biggest yet, with lots of gorgeous pieces of furniture and home accessories reduced to great prices, don’t miss out, grab yourself a bargain http://www.looptheloop.co.uk/sale.html

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What a gorgeous bathroom, exactly what I’d want in my own dream home. Love the mixture of the vintage pieces of furniture.

(via Small Studio Bathroom)

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Stephanie Draime

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Here's a great styling idea using festoon lighting, ideal for creating the perfect atmosphere for a party, you can find the lights here >http://www.looptheloop.co.uk/l…/fabulous-festoon-lights.html

(photo credit: Pinterest)

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A very exciting day, my sister @rosannaemorris is off to hospital to have her first baby. Will be on tenterhooks all day waiting for news, fingers crossed all goes well and my new little niece arrives safe and sound. Good luck Ro, not long now (this fab photo was taken by the lovely @marte_marie_forsberg) #sisters #newmumtobe#hurryupbaby