Happy New Year - highlights from 2011

2011 got off to a pretty good start for West Egg when this blog won an Honest Scrap Award. The Honest Scrap is a pay-it-forward internet meme that allows bloggers to be recognised and in return recognise other bloggers they feel demonstrate qualities of heart, soul and sincerity. 

The West Egg blog was and still is very much the new kid on the blogging block so I was thrilled to receive this kind of recognition.

 One of my favourite restoration jobs this year, this farmhouse table looked stunning when it was finished.

March 2011 was so hectic - the website for West Egg's online store was finally ready. This is what it looked like when it first launched. It's been through a few changes since then! So straight in at the deep end - I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The sun rising over Kempton Park - approximately 6:30am and freezing, freezing cold. Still the best place to source stock especially from my lovely contacts who come over from France. 

West Egg listed on the House Directory - an online resource run set up by Nicolette Le Pelley and Cheryl Knorr. Nicolette is a former deputy editor of The World of Interiors and Cheryl is an interior designer. They have both been so supportive of West Egg - forever grateful. 

Vintage trunks definitely the most popular and best-selling products from West Egg. Once they are re-lined with ticking fabric and have their wooden frame restored, these trunks are so unique and provide a really original feel to a room. This was one of my favourites. 

My little limelight hogger, Alfie the pug sneaking into another photo shoot. Loved restoring and painting this French armoire - so beautiful. Annie Sloan paints rock.

Discovered Pinterest. Lost hours of my life.

Featured in "Maison Chic" page in the September Issue of VOGUE magazine. Amazing. 

 

Won the #WOW competition run by Jacqueline Gold.  Jacqueline's comments were: "Well done to @westeggUK who revamps antique furniture so people can use them in their home. Fabulous website!" #WOW

Before I started West Egg and I was commuting back and forth from London (with a head full of West Egg ideas), I was rather taken with a column in the Evening Standard one night so I ripped it out, took it home and stuck it on the pinboard. The article was called "These five pearls of wisdom are pure Gold" and outlined the 5 secrets of Jacqueline's success - definitely a keeper! It's been on my pinboard in the office ever since....funny how things turn out. You can see the article by clicking here. When I told Jacqueline this story this was her response: "@westeggUK I'm just thrilled I inspired you. I love your biz & hope to check you out in the future as I'm moving house at the end of the year. Jx."

So much fun running the furniture painting workshops - visit www.westegg.co.uk for more information.

Launched West Egg's SOURCEBOOK in September 2011 - totally free, quick and easy to use. Still early days but it's running well and had lots of press coverage which was really great.

West Egg launched it's first line of vintage inspired cushions in late 2011. Designed and hand-finished by the exceptionally talented artistan Lucinda Nicol, these cushions are just the beginning for this collaboration and 2012 will see the arrival of several new products in store. Exciting!

Decorex 2011 was AMAZING. So inspiring and met some really wonderful people.

My first feature on the Q&A Expert Panel for Period Homes & Interiors magazine. Totally blows my mind I get to do this.

In November I had to set up a new blog for recipes and other home type blog posts as the poor West Egg blog was getting out of control. Visit Nest Egg here.

I have some great snaps from December but I'm currently in a remote barn somewhere in Norfolk and I can't upload the photos onto my blog so these will have to wait. I'll put them on Nest Egg next week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I hope you're as excited for 2012 as I am!

Louisa x