Author: Sam Duffy

Back in March 2020 I left London, it had been my home for the whole of my life, born and bred so the sayings goes!

With a car full of toilet paper and wine, I hit the M40 with not a car in sight, we were on the brink of a pandemic but also the beginning of a new personal era.

With lockdown upon us, I took advantage of the time to decorate my beautiful home built in 1896 and become familiar with my new garden that month on month offered up new plants, fruits and I even started my allotment, a true oasis.

I am really looking forward to the Country Living fair at Alexandra Palace, north London N22 7AY.

My location will be by the center near the CL magazine stand on stand G28.

I shall be showing all my seasonal crafts, good ideas for weddings and christenings. Also I’ll have some vintage finds and 20% off my corsage hangers.

There is loads going on from crafting to cooking, a great day out and free parking.

Find out more via #CLSpringFair #StepInsideCL

Come and say hello.

Sam

November 2015, I finally bit the bullet and work commenced on my long awaited garden workshop.

I had a small budget stashed away but the thought of mud moving through my house (no side entrance) had delayed the build.  In the summer months, I was busy enjoying my garden, then as autumn through to winter would approach the cycle of putting it off, began again.

My son’s friend Paddy declared he would do the foundation… the dirty bit.  Before I knew it his dad PJ was on the scene and over the next two to three months up it went.  It wasn’t an unusual or a special build, I just needed somewhere warm and light.  Now I could house all my collections, some might say hoardings and somewhere to get me off the kitchen table!

I have alway made things, my mum taught me to sew and I did basic woodwork in my dad’s workshop, where he did antique restoration after a long career as a fashion photographer. Between the two of them they oozed style in everything they created, not in a grand way, they just had it, lifestyle.

So the penny didn’t fall far with an appreciation for detail, colour, old-finds

and a love of as I say “cutting and sticking”, so my ‘makes’ began.

The workshop was born, just over a year ago and it could still do with the green climber reaching the front to soften the basic shape. I have yet to put up my festoon lighting a birthday present from my sister, but I have painted the floor and filled the shelves.

With my radio on, coffee to hand, the picture of my dad (now no longer with us) on the side, I am in my slice of heaven…..my long-awaited space to create.