Long Hill Carriage

Today I shall take you on a little tour around 'Long Hill Carriage'.......

Chris and Annie installed the carriage in their garden in 2006 as a little private retreat, but when the decision was taken to rent it out for holidays Annie decided to give the carriage a bit of a retro twist, mixing authentic vintage pieces with contemporary furniture inspired by the Mid-century Modern look. At one end of the carriage is a seating area with wood-burning stove,

and at the other a doorway leads into the little galley kitchen.....

Here old milk bottles, colourful enamel ware and Tala tins sit comfortably side-by-side on the shelves with Orla Kiely mugs and Cath Kidston cutlery

Long Hill Carriage dates from 1882, and Chris and Annie have been careful to preserve as many of the original features as possible.

The door furniture.....

The wooden windows and sliding ventilation holes.......

Only one of the multiple carriage doors opens from the inside. As was the procedure on the original train the other doors have to be opened from the outside, which requires lowering of the window by means of a leather strap, enabling you then to reach the door handle. It's these little quirky details that make holidaying in a railway carriage a bit different and special!

All around the interior are little displays of authentic railway paraphernalia collected by Chris

Inside the wash house behind the railway carriage is a washing machine and ironing board and folding garden chairs.

The rear of the carriage has been left painted in the original cream and brown livery of the 'Great Western Railway'.

 I have spent the most enjoyable day pottering around my home-from-home, enjoying the sunshine in the garden and filling the carriage with bits of antique fabric as I prepare items for sale to take with me to The Decorative Living Fair on Saturday (see side bar). 

This little chap will be appearing on my stall too!

At night the carriage takes on a warm homely glow.

Tomorrow I shall show you around Annie's very special garden.

xxx