homeware
Vintage
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MEET JOHN AND MARILYN, WHO LIVE IN A WORLD MOST OF US CAN ONLY DREAM OF SURROUNDED BY AUTHENTIC VINTAGE TREASURES WHEREVER YOU TURN WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS: IAN SUMNER
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Above: ‘William’s Room’ is named in memory of William Wilton who was a local blacksmith and built the cottage in the early 1800s. Top right: This particular bedroom is furnished with items from the late Victorian period. Right: John and Marilyn have tea in the early 1950s kitchen, complete with Midwinter ‘Domino’ tea set
JOHN WRIGHT – previously a designer with the famous Somerset shoe company C&J Clark – along with his partner Marilyn Paul, live in an early 19th century cottage near Castle Cary in Somerset, attached to a former car garage, complete with petrol pumps. John bought the garage and cottage about 15 years ago and left it more or less as it was when he purchased it, as it perfectly reflects their shared love of items from the past. John’s also got a bit of a passion for classic and vintage vehicles, such as his recently rebuilt MGA that he once raced, and a rare aluminium-bodied BSA three-wheeler car. Inside the garage, every surface and wall is covered with tools and automobilia. John www.vintagexplorer.co.uk
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trawls the local auctions, fleamarkets and collectors’ fairs searching for items for both the house and garage, while Marilyn keeps an eye out for vintage clothing, and enjoys dressing the rooms to create an authentic feel – what a team! Back inside the house, each room of the cottage has a different theme: ‘William’s Room’ is named in memory of the original builder and is home to items from the early 1800s, the parlour is 1930s, and the kitchen – complete with flying ducks – would be familiar to those who remember the post-war period. I first met John when he was helping typeset in the traditional manner when I was photographing for a feature about the
bookbinding department at Downside Abbey School near Bath. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to photograph his unique home twice, and sometimes drop in to have a cup of tea and a welcome slice of cake and ask him about his latest finds. John has an ability to track down rare and authentic pieces on a regular basis; original packaging, Art Deco electric fires, picnic hampers, vintage lawn mowers are all staples of his shopping list. On my most recent visit, his latest buy, a mahogany wig-stand, now has a new home in the Georgian themed room! I have no doubt that each visit will turn up something new. But with a place like this, can you ever really have enough? ve
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homeware
Clockwise from top left: John lights his pipe beside his rare aluminium three-wheeler BSA. Old oil and grease tins, which John picks up whenever he can. The old fuel pumps outside the garage doors – sometimes passing motorists stop to try and buy fuel! Some of the hundreds of tools that line every bench. An old petrol pump and other items await attention
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homeware
Clockwise from above: Marilyn in an original leather car coat from the 20s with her beloved Scottie. An old unused tyre still retains its original packaging. Another project waits for John’s attention. John with his trusty pipe and the MGA he once raced
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