How often have you wondered into a shop and wanted to snap up absolutely everything in there? I don't think it has ever happened to me, which is why I have decided to open up our very own little boutique stuffed full of things I adore. I am delighted to be hosting a mini pop-up shop over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend (2nd-4th June) at The Heard of the Country Shopping Village, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Below is a snippet of the small and carefully selected collection of goodies I have been busy gathering over the past month. Alongside some brand new pieces of upcycled and painted furniture, you'll find unique vintage finds as well as vintage-inspired new pieces from some of my favourite homeware designer-makers.

I do hope you can join us over the weekend. The Heart of the Country has some great independent shops to wander around and the savory galettes at The Pear Tree Creperie there are worth visiting for alone!

The weather may still not be particularly spring-like, but we're banishing the rainy blues and celebrating with a super 40% sale off the entire collection. So go on, treat yourself to one of our fabulous pieces - they won't be around for long as we make way for some exciting new designs. As ever, give me a shout if you have any questions. Enjoy. x

I was over the moon when Grazia magazine in Germay contacted me asking to feature one of our chest of drawers in their 10 hottest commodes feature, and even more chuffed to see the published article this week. Doesn't Grace just look right at home alongside these other fabulous chests and sideboards?

We are off to north Devon this morning for a much-needed break by the seaside. We're not holding out much hope for the weather, but the wellies and waterproofs are packed, and we are looking forward to a few days of chill-out time.

It is crazy how much running a new business alongside full-time jobs can really take its toll on your energy levels, and as much as we love it, our families often have to remind us to take a break. So that's exactly what we're doing - I'll be switching off from the blog and Twitter, but will still be around on phone and email for any furniture or workshop enquiries. See you next week. x

As an inherent bowerbird that loves to collect things to feather my nest I often need to be reminded that treasured moments are far more important. Do you need this reminder today?

Source: The Acid Dream Partnership

So Saturday saw some friends join us for a fun day of furniture painting in our little studio at The Heart of the Country Shopping Village in Swinfen, near Lichfield. It was an opportunity to trial our workshop format ahead of the classes starting on the 19th May and I'm pleased to say it was a great success. If you would like to book or find out more, sign up to the newsletter or get in touch with Hannah on studio@rubyrhino.co.uk / 07739 395 739.

The floors in the cabin where we will be holding the workshops needed something - they were just rough boards with a half-hearted staining job and covered in splashes on paint. So we decided to contrast the dark wall and paint the floor in a pale shade of French grey. It has totally transformed the room to feel much bigger and brighter. Here was my inspiration.

One; two; three; four

Obviously I absolutely adore painted furniture, but lets be honest - an entire house of it can be complete overkill. For me, the idea is to introduce a select few pieces, a statement chest of drawers say, and a blanket box for example, and mix and match with other styles. One of my favourite ways to contrast painted furniture is with industrial pieces like these goodies from Danish brand, Bloomingville. It makes the look feel fresh, edgy and modern.

Morning guys, how was your weekend? We spend most of ours decoratating the little cabin where we will be holding our furniture painting workshops. It is not ready to share pictures just yet, but it is looking rather lovely. I decided to go for that chaffinch wallpaper from Anthropologie on one wall, and opted to paint another in a beautiful dark inky blue called Antwerp from Dulux, with the two remaining walls in milk white. 

My mum, lover of all things neutral, thought I was mad going for a dark colour in a small space, but I knew we needed to create atmosphere and a moody wall was just the way to do it. She eventually admitted that it totally works! Below is the little inspiration board I had in mind while choosing the colour - I love how it creates a dramatic backdrop and everything just pops against dark colours like navy, charcoal and black. I promise to share more pics very soon. Until then, please sign up to find out more if you are interested in joining in the painting fun.

One - unknown; two - unknown; three; four