A Winter Fair – magical moments in the countryside

Picture if you will the following scene, a quintessential English village green on a cold crisp morning of a beautifully sunny autumnal day. The doors of the village hall flung wide open and the sound of artisans and traders setting up their stalls with exquisite wares, laughing and hugging one another as old friends reunited do. This was my scene last Saturday as I arrived at the Home and Vintage Living Winter Fair in the Surrey village of Grayswood, no more than a few miles away from my own home. This week sees a change to my usual up-cycles, home styling and crafts. Instead I thought you might like to join me as I reminisce a few enchanting hours…

There is always an air of the magical in a scene created by the wonderful Julie and team Home and Vintage Living. Regular readers will recall my last visit earlier in the year to their spring fair. If you haven’t already read that post, I urge you to click here to see just what I mean. This years Winter Fair showcased Julie’s collaboration of unique artisans, craftspeople and sellers of the most splendid wares, all gathered together to showcase their carefully chosen pieces. Even before stepping foot inside the village hall expectant shoppers were met by several hardy stall holders bracing the cold with a selection of beautiful vintage garden accessories, antique furniture and sumptuous quilts to mention only a few of the wonders on offer.

This years welcoming winter fair foyer was artfully decked in Julie’s effortless style giving just enough of a feel as to what eager shoppers would be rewarded with as they queued patiently, way way back into the car park even before the doors opened.

And once inside, perhaps what would prove to be the most difficult choice of the day: Where to look and go first. Every last stall was faultlessly perfected. Such attention to the smallest of details and oh so much to see. Hoards of expectant customers very quickly filled the hall. Generations of families and groups of excited friends, perhaps searching for that special something or simply soaking up the atmosphere. From linens and textiles to vintage clothes and jewellery. Beautiful books and handmade dolls and quite possibly, every imaginable vintage delight one could hope to see. It was all there. No one could surely leave empty-handed. I met a few of the lovely traders, some I have the pleasure of following on Instagram, some local and a few having travelled a fair distance to this wonderful event. I told those I met of my little blog and how I hoped to convey just a snippet of the day in my words and pictures.

So let’s start at the very lovely Penny from Rosablues wonderfully styled stall, showcasing her unique and irresistable dolls dressed in their hand knitted mohair jumpers and Cabbages and Roses. tulle and lace skirts. Not to mention her fairies who sparkled and twinkled together with an array of delightful vintage toys and treasures…

Next and describing their offerings as “a woven tapestry of hand painted words and ancient patina” thepaintedanthology with their fabulous stall showcasing a plethora of vintage buckets and stylish terracotta pots to suit every pocket and taste…

And then the wonderful Emma of forget_me_not_originals who perfectly covers treasured old and classic books in the most exquisite floral fabrics, ensuring every one is as beautiful and individual as the last…

I met for the first time the lovely Elaine Gardner whose pretty vintage textiles and decorative antiques had the more tactile of customers delving into her stall thick and fast in the hope of finding that one-off special piece…

And the fabulous Lynne and Brigitte that is Shoofly offered the most charming collection of brocante, antique jewellery and an eclectic mix of stylish vintage clothing. Their inspiring stall was quite literally a treasure trove of delights…

And who could fail not to want every last trinket on offer at the wonderful and talented Karen from ostrichandsilkworms stand. Touch with your eyes was a phrase I used for many years when dragging my small children around countless antique stores and fairs, one I had to remind myself of, as the temptation to touch the faded covers of the time-worn books and brocante often became too much.

I met greytogreenhome at a previous Home and Vintage winter fair when I bought my very first french doors from the delightful Julie. You can read that story here if you like and once again this elegant stall bursting at the seams with countless pretties did not disappoint.

Penny of cinammonvintage had the most charming and nostalgic of stands. Pictures and cross stitch, candlesticks and jugs all set off beautifully with twinkling lights. So much vintage loveliness playing its part in a trip down memory lane for the more wistful of shoppers.

And I clearly was not the only one to fall in love with the stunning chalkandflint. The delightful duo that is Ali and Carrie were rushed off their feet and who could be surprised?  Decoratively displayed vintage baubles amongst beautiful homeware and brocante galore, made for a splendid country display.

And upstairs where delicious cakes and treats awaited those who chose to rest a while, Julie’s own inspiring style, showcased in her heavenly handmade crafts. Sumptuous french linen cushions, intricate wire works and the most precious and delicate, deep purple hydrangea heads, pressed and framed to grace the walls of any like-minded home. And a doll’s house to make even the adults gasp in delight.

Unbelievably this is only a selection of the many exceptional stalls at last Saturday’s winter fair and I feel a terrible injustice for those I simply could not fit in this time. And it will only be a matter of time, for of course there will be more exciting events to come from the fabulous Home and Vintage Living team. To keep yourself updated simply follow their Instagram account where details of all their future events and marvellous pop-ups leading up to Christmas will be.

I hope you enjoyed today’s different post. For those of you expecting my new series My handmade gifts for friends that starts next Thursday, when I will be showing you my first simple yet beautiful gift idea for the festive season. And if you are new to the blog welcome, do stay a while and click around for a feel of what whitewoodandlinen is all about. And I hope you will come back and join us again next week, same time, same place. Until then, enjoy your week everyone x