It's time to look back at the last twelve months at gilhoolie and make some real plans for 2013. Sometimes I can't believe some of the events below only happened a matter of months ago and I have to say, I'm really looking forward to more fun and learning in the next twelve months. So,... Continue Reading →
I can't help rummaging in charity shops lately. You never know where you might find another lampshade that's just waiting to be stripped down and restored. I've also been collecting old lampshade books from the 1970s and 1980s, which are great for tips and instructions, not to mention the photos and old library cards tucked inside, I... Continue Reading →
Oh dear, another dilemma at gilhoolie! This time, what to cover my big antique lampshade in. I've been trawling the internet since I stumbled across my lovely lampshade and base in an antique shop and finally made a decision today, hooray! You know when you have an idea in your head and you just can't... Continue Reading →
It's been all about practicing this week. I finally stripped my old lampshade frame yesterday. I think I had been putting it off because I was worried about what I'd find and there didn't seem much point until I had chosen some fabric to recover it with. Amazingly, the horrible, faded, dusty cover came off... Continue Reading →
I had the best day out last Saturday in London with my husband. We started off by catching the train and sitting and chatting with a cup of tea, very civilised and bliss to have some rare, quality time on our own. We were on our way to meet some friends for drinks and dinner... Continue Reading →
No, they don't play a tune! I made these lined lampshades for a very musical family who wanted two lampshades for their lovely music room. They already had patterned blinds that they didn't want to replace, so I decided to keep the outside of the lampshades plain by using a soft slate blue fabric and... Continue Reading →
This lampshade was most definitely a labour of love. Now it's complete I love it, but making it wasn't an easy experience... but then the reward when I finished it was great! When you know what you're doing these hand-stitched lampshades aren't actually as difficult to make as you'd think but when you don't know... Continue Reading →
It's been too long since my hand-stitched lampshade course and I'm only just finishing off my next project. Luckily I have some really good handouts from the course but I wish I had made another one straight away! I remembered how to do the outside fabric but really struggled with the lining, taking two attempts... Continue Reading →
It's been quite a while since I studied Interior Design and it was really good to have the chance to refresh that knowledge by putting together a sample board for a client last week. I didn't have to do this but I find it helps visualise how a scheme is going to look with the... Continue Reading →
