Now, in my mind, You cant reeeeally be a lover of vintage unless you have some references to the past within your home, and im not just talking clothing here!

Whatever era/s you adore the most is obviously where you will get your inspiration from. You can do this with old paintings and pictures, nick- nack and bric - a - brac, but the biggest purchase you will most likely make is an actual piece of furniture. Whether it be modern furniture styled to look like it has come from a specific era or actual vintage, that has survived wars (Not just world ones but family ones too!) and house moves and all sorts of trauma. Furniture in the golden olden days was built to last. Furniture, along with most things, just aren't made like they used to be....and now I sound like I'm about 80.....BUT ITS TRUE! This is what today's blog is about - Old Furniture, but more specifically G-Plan.

G Plan was a name coined by the manufacturer E.Gomme and his advertising agency. In 1953, he decided to produce a wide range of modern furniture, with pieces created for the whole house. These pieces would be available over several years, giving owners time to collect the pieces they liked the most, this was always part of their plan, hence, G-Plan. It was advertised in magazines and cinemas.

What is incredibly popular at the moment is the look of G-Plan furniture, and I must say I've been on this bandwagon since I visited my Grandmas house and at the ripe old age of 8, asked if I could have her sideboard when she was done with it.....(and she still isn't.... but maybe thats because she thought I was a rude little grabber trying to take all her stuff....but...then....that doesn't explain why she tried to force sherry glasses on me everytime i went round...?!)

Where were we, ah yes, so I recently bought a piece very similar to the picture below and it really does add a huge amount of character to whichever house it enters. People always comment on it and how chic it is, but also how it looks like its lived there forever. The best part of buying vintage furniture is filling it with all your own stuff and the fact that most old furniture is timelessly classic and you can constantly enjoy looking at it. It never goes out of style. The perfect investment, like that expensive coat you bought and always wear, or that shirt you dont wear because it's too big, but admire it in your wardrobe all the time because you love it and what does it matter if it doesnt fit?! You don't HAVE to wear it to enjoy it!

G-plan can fit seemlessly with any decor which is perhaps why it has become so popular, no matter what your style, it can blend in with all your current belongings as if it were taylor made for you, yet visit two different houses with the same piece and they will have the same huge impact, but in completely different ways.

It just looks so effortlessly cool!

Of course there are the people who absolutely HATE the stuff and think its great for grannies but after that point, needs to just be chopped up for firewood...and everyone is entitled to their opinions....but these people are idiots and probably have a house full of Ikea and they likely have no imagination- so their lounge is set out exactly like page 52 of the Ikea catalogue.

What is interesting is that people are now modernising their pieces, and customising them to suit their houses and personalities, and its fun to see a new lease of life brought to something to make the owner love it even more than when they bought it. People are painting, adding vinals and glitters, the posibilities are endless and also solve the common problem virtually every person living somewhere has.... NICE LOOKING STORAGE! (Not just printed cardboard boxes stacked up in the corner of the room. Cool when you're 14..not so much past the age of 21)

Below are some good, pretty examples of customised G Plan.

Urban Village, as always can help you out if youre after some G Plan living. We have a few pieces in our Pop up SALE shop - (which by the way has been opened for crimbo and is packed with loads of vintage lovliness with prices starting from as low as £2!!!) So pop in and check them out if you fancy yourself a great investment and furniture with real character that will last you a lifetime.

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Be vintagey, Love Libby @ Urban Village x