Tuesday 5 February 2013

The Furniture Man (and flowers from a friend)


Since we moved to this little town in November 2010 there has been The Furniture Man, a cheerful soul with the pitch nearest the pub who sells all manner of interesting old finds from house clearances, although mainly - as you'd guess - furniture. Looking around the room I'm typing in right now I'm mentally tallying the sheer number of purchases we've made from him; the old ammo chest we use as a coffee table, the coffee table we use as a side table, a stack of vintage suitcases upstairs in the bedroom, 1930s picture frames, old cigar boxes, a writing slope, inkwell and still more. It reads like the conveyor belt on the Generation Game, minus the cuddly toy. Just before Christmas, as I was choosing books from his '10 for £1.50' box, we got chatting and he told me he was taking a break from the market indefinitely. I felt quite sad as I paid up and he bagged my books for me, I hope he is still cheerful whatever he is up to at present. My last hoard of Furniture Man books are stacked haphazardly on the windowsill, my favourite of which is easily The Heart of a Friend, just a simple little volume full of thoughts on friendship - which leads me to the bunch of white roses, pink carnations and gypsophilia currently hanging out in an old Kilner jar nearby. They were from my beautiful friend Lulu and have lasted almost a fortnight, there is something extra special about flowers from a friend I think.

20 comments :

  1. This is really lovely, I always think furniture with a bit of a story to can't be beaten, all your finds sound gorgeous!

    Sophs xx

    The Sopho Diaries

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  2. Even the covers of these old book are lovely!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. I'm pretty certain your Furniture Man is tracking Bengal Tigers in the heart of the Indian Subcontinent as I type... mostly just to find out from them where the best secondhand furniture can be found for resale. Bengal Tigers know these things, you know.

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  4. Lovely finds! The antique books are gorgeous

    http://blackswanwhiteswan10.blogspot.com.es/

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  5. Your 'Furniture man' sounds interesting. I wish there was a furniture man near me who sold amazing vintage suitcases!
    Daniella x

    http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. Oh my, I wish I had a man like that living near me.. but then I'd be seriously out of pocket! Maybe he'll go back to it one day? xxx

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  7. What a shame he has gone. I love old books like these ... I love to smell them too!! M x

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  8. Sounds like the there could be a good short story in the furniture man - perhaps he has gone to brighten up someone else's flat with thrifty finds? Hope he comes back soon for you though - unless he fancies coming and setting up near me? Flowers are always a pleasure.
    xx

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  9. Your photos are so beautiful. May I ask which camera you use? Ah I hope he returns with more books for you to purchase
    http://www.farfelue.com/

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  10. Jem you have the most wonderful tales to tell. I like the idea of furniture having a real story behind it. Such a shame that gentleman has moved on now, but of course his spirit will live on! xxx

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  11. Beautiful flowers!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  12. A great £1.50'sworth you got there. Lovely friendship quotes too.

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  13. Jem this post is perfection. Those books!! I love books! Especially when they come with a price tag like that! ;) I love those flowers, they look so beautiful. What a nice friend you have x

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  14. Aww, he sounds lovely. You got quite the bargain there & you're right, flowers from a friend are extra special <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  15. I love having a nosy at other people's book collections! I think the cover art is fascinating! What a bargain you got too! Such a shame he's leaving, I bet you will miss him! Xxx

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  16. Hello, I have just stumbled upon your blog via love-audrey. I really enjoyed this post, even if it makes me yearn for book and furniture stalls (I live in Dubai where it's all about the new). Have you read your Agatha Christie "Murder of Roger Ackroyd"? It's an amazing story.

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  17. I totally find the way you take photos quite cool. It makes the book covers more beautiful.

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  18. Quite a bargain xx

    1stepclosereveryday.blogspot.com

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  19. Great illustration love the work. You should apply to www.thescarfboutique.co.uk they will be looking for illustrators for t-shirts.

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