• Blog
  • About
  • Kind words
  • Contact

Word & the wild

Storytelling and seasonal living

Home

A handmade home

A handmade home

Handmade, upcycled, and the perfectly imperfect always draw me in. I can’t resist a story or something made just for me with love.

The skill of makers fascinates me, so inevitably handcrafted things find a special place in our house. There’s been a lot of chat about Danish hygge this season and taking pleasure in life’s small moments.

A few simple new additions to our handmade home have helped us to cherish the little things this year.

The curtain call

After eight years without proper curtains or blinds it seemed like a small landmark to finally be able to shut out the dark. A starry sky is undeniably magical, but without curtains the reflective blackness overwhelmed the kitchen and filled it with echoes.

Made to measure by the very talented Sarah Alford of Sarah Jane Interiors, curtains and blinds transformed our living space adding warmth and texture. Sarah’s roman blinds and eyelet curtains brought our home to life with substance and weight, the soft grey tone of the material framing our light, Scandi-style living space.

Instead of retreating from the dark, we now have a place to celebrate with friends or enjoy a slow Sunday cuppa in the winter months. Our very own slice of hygge heaven.

Dressing up

Nothing says cosy country kitchen to me quite like a rustic Welsh dresser.

Found in a Monmouth antique shop, it’s more of a ‘to do’ upcycling project. I’d always intended to paint it but fell for the faded and silvered wood instead. From the bent and battered brass handles to the rusted hinges, every detail is comfortably worn.

Turning the tables

The perfect kitchen table is a thing of dreams. Candlelight, good food and great company. A busy meeting point for visitors and family.

Our simple scaffold table and benches were made by volunteers at the wonderful Bristol Wood Recycling Project, which is a self-financed, not for profit social enterprise and cooperative. The project operates as a timber yard, a wood waste collection service and a workshop.

Made to our own size and finish the table and benches are full of character. Technically you should wax or protect the surface, but we love the natural wood so much that we’ve not got round to it yet.

img_7688forweb

A handmade home celebrates the skill that goes in to making ordinary and extraordinary objects. Life is bigger than ‘things’, but we try to make sure that we appreciate what we do have.

Warmth to wrap up in, sit by or draw around you. Twinkling, soft candlelight. Natural materials and bringing the outdoors in. A way to find beauty in the ordinary.

Do you love all things handmade too? Feel free to give your favourite craftspeople a mention below. 😉

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment

You might also like...

Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Janice says

    February 17, 2017 at 8:42 am

    Oh my word…everything about this is just gorgeous! Love the silvery wood of the dresser and the sheepskin on the bench. Also am going to tell my hubby about that wood recycling project and workshop…he is always bemoaning his lack of gear and space and how he’d be a carpenter in another life! He would love it!
    Beautiful blog Hannah!

    Reply
  2. Hannah says

    February 17, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    Thanks for your very lovely comment Janice! There are SO many talented craftspeople and makers out there, your Gathered Threads blog (gatheredthreads.co.uk) is such a wonderful read. I love your idea of all the important bits of life gathered up together. How handy that your husband is a wood worker too 🙂 Definitely recommend the BWRP, they made such a beautiful table for us! x

    Reply

About

Word and the wild is written and photographed by freelance writer Hannah Beal.

I’m Hannah, a writer, content creator and communications professional. I help people discover and tell their brand stories. Word & the wild is where I blog about living a simpler, wilder and more creative life.

Read more

Let’s connect

  • E-mail
  • Instagram

Search

Networks

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

DON’T MISS A POST

  • Privacy policy

Latest Posts

  • The Newt | Somerset
  • Wild Spring Feast | Herefordshire
  • Canopy & Stars | France
  • Nights at the circus | learning trapeze
  • San Luis Retreat | Italy

Connect

  • E-mail
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright 2025 Hannah Beal

 

Loading Comments...