re-useability

i spotted a wonderful piece of zoe murphy's recycled furniture on a recent trip to [my favourite place and fantasy future hometown!] Margate in the lovely ingoldsby gallery.  zoe is a local Margate resident who's work "promotes 'loving what belongs to you' by re-using furniture and textiles in an ethical and upbeat fashion" and i just love it all...and dream of owning a piece...for my future seaside home.

check out her blog here (above photos from blog)..i especially love her "guide to Margate 1956" post.  she has recently moved into the new pie factory studios in Margate so i look forward to popping down and checking more of her work. i must plan my next visit soon as the studios have a number of events coming up including a print fair this month and a christmas bazaar in November.

margate meltdown!

spent a brilliant day on the Kent coast at the Margate Meltdown organised by London's ace cafe - total biker heaven! the day started brilliantly as we drove down with Led Zep blaring on the car stereo.  the weather wasn't perfect as the sun decided not to show its face in typical bank holiday fashion  (the grey skies matched the moody grey sea) tho the company was and once we got to Margate everyone agreed with me that it is a fab place, with great potential, and they can see why i'm thinking of relocating. i definitely have a real good feeling about this hidden gem, not only because of the beach, sea, the turner contemporary (currently being built) and great old town...but also just cos the local people are so friendly and chatty - i think i'd feel right at home! so we enjoyed the bikefest, checked out the local arts & crafts, sampled some delicious ice-cream, visited the fantastic traditional carters steam fair and watched the crazy kids getting soaked in the sea - a good day was had by all and a good sleep when we got home from all that fresh air and laughter...the best medicine.

merry Margate

just back from a few days in merry Margate staying at the fabulous boutique b&b the reading rooms run by lovely couple Louise and Liam.  Margate has always been a favourite seaside destination, especially to Londoners, and tho its slightly more shabby than chic these days its in the process of a huge regeneration with the turner contemporary gallery due to open early in 2011. a few of the places i visited and loved include:
the harbour cafe & kitchen - laid back, lovely coffee & food and views of the harbour
bebeached - a wonderful cafe on the harbour arm with great views of Margate and the sea
the indian princess - mouthwatering Michelin guide indian restaurant - a real treat + worth going to Margate for!

and here's a little film, made by Lindsay Anderson no less, about Margate in the 50s...hilarious...

O Dreamland
Uploaded by zohilof. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

even spotted a few mattresses...