Tables and chairs ...

I needed to source some garden furniture earlier this year, and since I'm a bit of hippy earth-mother (as you know) I wanted to find some lovely rustic furniture that was, ideally, handmade. First I wanted some comfy seating ... and lucky for me I found a lovely three-piece bamboo suite from an ECCO charity shop for £50! The cushions were all handmade. Although meant for inside, I've painted and weather-proofed it for outside.





Then I met Les - a log supplier in Waltham Abbey. I chanced upon his log yard and I'm so glad I did! Les sells logs (funnily enough) but he also sells gorgeous little tables that consist of a long tree stump with a large slice of wood on top. Simple but oh so effective! He sells them in all shapes and sizes, and he also sells lovely carved mushrooms, signs and much more ... all of which is made by hand. Les isn't the only one, plenty of log yards make furniture like this. You can easily put one together yourself too. Just make sure the top is secured to the trunk, and ensure it's sturdy - especially around pets and children.

I left there with one large table (above) that's now happily sitting in my garden. It looks like it's grown out the ground which I love. It has been at the centre of many a lunch and has been complemented by all who've laid a cup on it's rustic loveliness. I also bought a smaller one that's sitting in my lounge. Such a table would set you back £100 in some garden centres, but not in Les's yard! No siree ... in Les's yard it was a mere £30. I couldn't believe my luck. Once I got it home I gave it a rub down with oil, "any oil will preserve it, vegetable / olive etc" Les said. I mentioned the word 'varnish' and he turned his nose up at that ... I agree, let's keep it natural people.