News
Our new rusted iron range
by Dan, November 15th, 2011
We’re really excited about our new range of rusted iron plant supports and pot holders. Working together with Mick Merchant, a local traditional blacksmith, we’ve designed some lovely vintage-look iron garden accessories that are now available to buy in our online shop.
Made from sturdy, long-lasting 6mm round mild steel, we’ve weathered these plant supports and pot stands outside for a few weeks, but the great thing is they’ll only look better the more weathern-worn they become. All items in the range will also be available in a brushed steel finish with a coat of lacquer to protect them against the elements.
The rusted iron supports will provide support for your plants and shrubs throughout the growing season but will also add some elegent structure to your borders during the winter months.
We will be selling the rusted iron pot stands with a special offer on some vintage terracotta pots – filled up with winter pansies, violas or cyclamens, these pot stands are another way to bring some colour and interest to your garden or patio during the winter.
Mick Merchant comes from a family of blacksmiths that have been working a forge in West Oxfordshire for over three generations and his skill and experience have been invaluable in helping us create this range.
Working in partnership with Mick it’s great to be able to help a local blacksmith sustain their business during what is a difficult time for traditional craftsmen.
French Brocante Finds
by Claire, October 20th, 2011
How lucky were we, to time our last french brocante trip of the year with the Indian summer that we had at the beginning of the month? We will be adding more stock to the shop over the next couple of weeks so do check back to see some of the wonderful things we found, including some lovely vintage wirework baskets, bottle carriers, french enamelware, old wine crates and much more.
Our latest photoshoot
by Dan, May 12th, 2011
We’re so lucky to have John Brown as a friend and neighbour. Once again he’s taken some beautiful photos for us at our latest photoshoot. Although watering cans and tin baths aren’t as exotic as the Lemurs of Madagascar that he normally photographs they do tend to keep still for longer.
Another friend, Helen, kindly let us use the orchard on their family farm and fuelled us with tea and biscuits while we dragged bits and pieces between the trees. The orchard at Merryfield Farm is a beautiful place which is crowded with daffodils in spring, overgrown with cow parsley in the early summer only to offer up a fine harvest of apples in the autumn.
The new Mabel & Rose online shop is now open
by Claire, April 1st, 2010 - 1 comment
So, while we wait for the spring weather to make more than just a fleeting appearance come and enjoy browsing our range of vintage one-offs. We hope you find something special to get you in the gardening mood this Easter.
We will be adding more products over the coming days and weeks so please do check back regularly. If there is something specific that you’re after please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will try our best to source it for you.
Mabel & Rose Photo Shoot
by Claire, March 11th, 2010 - 3 comments
We’re excited to report that we’ve done our first photo shoot ready for the Mabel & Rose site launch in – dare we say it – a couple of weeks time. While we knew exactly the kind of shots we were after, we weren’t sure that our own photography skills and equipment were going to cut it.
Luckily for us, we were able to call on a good friend of ours, John Brown, a very talented natural history and documentary cameraman and stills photographer. John spends a lot of time travelling with his work, so we only had a small window of opportunity between Ants in Arizona and Lemurs in Madagascar. Thankfully the weather was kind to us on the morning of the shoot – not that freezing cold temperatures and snow on the ground would normally be classed as kind – but at least it didn’t rain.
Without giving too much away, we couldn’t resist showing you a couple of the stunning images that John took – the rest we’re keeping under wraps until the site goes live.
Happy New Year
by Claire, December 31st, 2009 - 2 comments
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that January and February are normally my least favourite time of year. I love the run up to Christmas but once the festivities are over I can usually be found huddled by the log burner wishing the days away until spring so that we can get out in the garden again – I find being stuck indoors with children particularly hard.
This year however, I’ve got lots to look forward to and plenty to keep me busy. I will be dedicating the next couple of months to getting the final bits and pieces ready for the Mabel & Rose launch in early spring.
I planted these old vintage potties up with hyacinths at the end of the summer in the hope that they would be ready for Christmas. Alas they are still a way off yet, which reminded me of a gardening quote “Who has learned to garden who did not at the same time learn to be patient?” – H.L.V Fletcher – 1949.
Perhaps I should add ‘be more patient’ to my list of new years resolutions along with the usual culprits which are to do some exercise, cut down on sugar, read more and try to live for the moment……here’s wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2010.
Mabel & Rose at the town garden
by Claire, November 19th, 2009 - 2 comments
We had hoped that we might have the Mabel & Rose website ready to launch before Christmas, but things always seem to take longer than we think (hopeless optimism strikes again)! Not only that, but as Christmas is a really hectic time of year, we decided that it might be best to wait until the new year when we can give the shop our full attention.
In the meantime however, we are really excited that the town garden will be exclusively stocking a selection of our shabby chic garden accessories in their shop in North Parade Avenue, Oxford.
A selection of Mabel & Rose shabby chic garden accessories available at the town garden, North Parade Avenue, Oxford
Great looking, locally produced fruit and veg at the town garden
The town garden stocks an eclectic range of gardening goods along with the best of local produce. We are thrilled that they will be using some of our vintage garden trugs, baskets and planters to display their fresh fruit, vegetables and other tasty treats.
Our rustic garden goodies will be available to buy in the town garden from Tuesday 24th November, so if you’re local to Oxford, or planning a visit to the area do stop by. You can take the chance to stock up on organic veggies and get a Mabel & Rose sneak preview – Steve and Pete would love to see you there.
Vide-Greniers
by Dan, October 9th, 2009 - 3 comments
On our family holiday this year in the beautiful, sleepy Limousin region of France, a friendly local farmer told us that a very large Vide-Grenier was being held in a nearby town. Vide-Grenier, literally translated means ‘empty attic’ and is the nearest French equivalent to the car boot sale.
In France Vide-Greniers are very much a part of rural life and they often coincide with national holidays and celebrations. They’re a day out for all the family and a great place to find antiques and vintage treasures – but you need to get there early to beat the rush!
By the time we arrived at the sale, which was held in a huge field set in the picturesque rolling hills, it was already in full swing and the crowds were gathered. The sun was shining, spirits were high and there was plenty of lively bartering going on. We had a great time and found some lovely stuff for our new vintage garden store, including this fabulous shabby chic potting bench pictured below. Unfortunately boot space was pretty limited so we were only able to cram a few things in – gone are the days of traveling light, now that we have young kids in tow!
Un photo "pour les Gendarmes" Monsieur?
Welcome to Mabel & Rose
by Claire, September 24th, 2009 - 2 comments
For the last few years I have enjoyed being at home looking after my young children but lately I have found myself wondering what I might do with my time when they start school.
Cabbage Rose (Rosa centifolia)
Finding something flexible enough to fit around family life was a priority and my thoughts led me to what I enjoy and feel passionate about – shabby chic and vintage style, gardening, growing and cooking my own produce, caring for our environment and finding creative ways to reuse old things.
And so the idea of Mabel & Rose was born – an online shop selling vintage garden accessories and traditional crafts.
The website is currently being designed and developed and should be ready in a few months time. In the meantime I will be foraging for vintage goodies and sharing news, ideas and inspiration in this blog.
