The Byre

You Think Its Cold!

2012-02-03T21:10:00.001Z

-28 Degrees this morning in Kiev, quite a shock to your nose and ears.

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T08:17:00.002Z

Thanks to all The Byres customers, you grew our sales by 65% versus 2010, thanks for your continued loyalty and support.

I was out walking Mr Mac this morning to be met by a Corgi half way down a very steep icy hill, as you can imagine my "Wait" command was ignored and the lead was yanked from my grasp, tumbling down the hill and shouting stay also appeared to be less than effective, eventually I managed to compose my self and the command was finally listened to and he came back.

As you can imagine my mood was not the best until, we preceded down through the forest to be met by a naked man doing star jumps bearing in mind its -2 this morning, of course I pretended to ignore, but could not help my self and faced the man and in my clearest English wished him a good morning and hoped that the temperature would rise shortly!

Expect the Unexpected.

The Adventure Continues

2011-11-15T21:12:00.003Z

You cant stop the adventurer, yes Angus has travelled into dangerous lands from the Desert to the Snow Ridden Planes of Churchill, Manitoba.

Thanks to Lynne from Colorado

Never Stop Trying

2011-11-09T19:37:00.002Z

Always something new at The Byre, due in the next few days!

So Much New

2011-09-18T05:38:00.006+01:00

Pop in and have a look at the shop, we have added two new accessories suppliers, some new Halo office pieces, new leather sofas and chairs and a wonderful Mirror Gallery.

New Adventure

2011-09-05T20:02:00.006+01:00

Well I have had some trips but never one like the following:

This is the first flight in my long career that they clapped on take off, yes take off not landing. You know when you are flying an Eastern European flight by three factors, one they announce not to drink your own cognac, two they clap on landing, three 90% of the mobiles start bleeping as we are landing, its just not British.

Land in Inverness, bags lost, return home, empty the house, try to load car, boot broken, Garage closed, stress levels rising, Kids deaf, car loaded via passenger door, and some climbing, Mr Mac loaded, Kids Loaded, forgot a bag, forgot some food, lost the instructions, search, flap, finally leave 1 hour late, pick up lost bag, stuck behind dutch Carvan, running late, get to Hotel drop of kids and wife, take dog to farm, sweating only thirty minutes till it starts, get back, phone rings dog escaped, swear, apologise to kids, Ailsa drives back to get dog, I shout at bickering kids, ready for 50th anniversary party.

Next day make it to Airport, met by parents and Brother with the biggest cage you have ever seen, more luggage, check in, get dog into cage, crying dog, flight delayed, kids tired, finally arrive in Kiev, Mr Mac stuck behind security door, key not working, thirty minutes later Mr Mac free, Cars loaded and on the way to new home at least for a while, finally after setting of at 11.30am arrive at 4.30 am in new home, bedraggled but at least all together.

Furniture still not here, maybe it will come tomorrow maybe it wont, at least we have inflatable mattresses, a tiny little bit of humour left just!

Change

2011-08-13T22:16:00.004+01:00

Its sure been a crazy last couple of weeks, Last week we experienced the best and worst of Scotland, Camping in August, ok knew it may not work out great but hey didn't expect the flood coming through the tent in the middle of the night! Sure was an exciting get away, not to be forgotten. Now I am getting used to low flying airplanes, stray barking dogs and air con, not something I have dealt with in Scotland.

Back

2011-06-16T21:27:00.007+01:00

I am not saying I have been to Georgia or California, and I certainly have not been to me, but I have found some amazing lovely new pieces, we now have over 50% new products since our opening over a year ago.

IRONY

2010-12-11T12:10:00.004Z

I was asked by my oldest to explain Ironic, I did my best as in expect the unexpected, but it was difficult to grasp, so for the last week I have created a list of the Ironic things that have occured to make it crystal clear:

Isnt it Ironic that:

The day I gave the landrover to my wife, 13.5cms worth of snow and -14 temperatures happened and all where I was heading!

A customer wanted to order #5k of furniture for delivery next week, we had everything except the Sidebaord, no order!

Having Boarded the plane to Belfast at 4pm from the freezing cold to the blasting heat, to sit for three hours watching the Flybe staff drink water, till we finally took off! (I know more anger than Irony)

Having tried to collect my sleeper tickets at the train station this morning to be informed that they are not their, then twenty minutes later being informed by head office that they are!

I finally manged to get a break and get to the toilet to discover a few minutes later no toilet roll!

Biggest Weekend of the year, Snow way!

2010-11-27T11:17:00.002Z

Those in the know, know that this should be the biggest weekend of the year, however they should look at the weather forecast, Having Dug the car out this morning, and managed at walking space to drive into Inverness, have spent the morning talking to my self as there is a distinct lack of customers entering the shop in fact if one looks outside my window, it feels if the world has stopped. On the bright side its warm in here, great music is being played and I am learning all about the world of Health & Beauty.

Please No..!

2010-10-20T10:47:00.004+01:00

Last Thursday night I was dressed as a biker doing the YMCA to a room full of strangers, and then the next day trying to convey the message that I was intelligent, charming and full of relevant experience, all I think you would agree challenging, this morning was even harder!

Winter Jacket zipped to the top, bunnet on head and lead in hand with my best friend! on the way to the beach, the artic wind was blowing hard and I was cold, none the less I have a responsibility. Mr MacKenzie was busy chasing the seagulls along the beach, whilst I was hunched up and walking to keep warm. On the return trip, I shouted on Mr MacKenzie, who in his excitement to obey his master ran at full pelt into a large and deep pool of water, then he stopped in the middle and refused to move, I continued to walk expecting him to run out and join me, no he refused to move. I cameback issuing the command COME, again he just looked at me with water up to his tail still wagging, I tried the bribe two biscuits waggled in the air again he just looked at me, then I used some innapropriate langauage again just smiled wagged his tail and looked a little pathetic, my final attempt, i ran around the big pool shouting encouragement no joy! Realisation hit me, i had to go and get him! I took my shoes and socks of touched the freeaing sand, rolled up my jeans to my knees and stepped into the freezing water to pull out, the stupidist dog I have ever known out.

The Byre is International!

2010-10-13T12:13:00.003+01:00

Well when I say international we are proud to have completed our first furniture export order not without its complications and have another satisfied and rather cool customer. The picture is of the lovely apartment in Prague featuring two Professor chairs from The Byre! I feel good.

Glamour & The Sale

2010-09-30T10:24:00.007+01:00

Yesterday I had a coffee with Callum Best, now I didn't know who he was till yesterday, very deep young man with a lovely golden brown tan.

1st Of October, the Sale starts, 50% of our Exclusive solid Cherry Wood collection. 33% Of Dorma, 20% of Halo's Wentworth & Sharwin ranges and everything else 10%, WOW!

Monday Mornings

2010-09-27T11:24:00.004+01:00

I never know who I am going to wake up beside!

This morning it was Scarlett, no sign of the wife or Angus, the Bark and the Whining get me up, and the day starts slowly as normal, Mr MacKenzie needs his wee and his breakfast, down the beach and as usual shouting at myself, whilst Mr Mac eats dead crabs, Birds, Shells and completely blanks me, finally we get home, kids are up and Bagels are demanded, Mr Mac wants one, out he goes, now the pressure begins to build 8.35am teeth not been brushed, Angus still not dressed, lost my travel pass, pack lunch to be made, where are the keys, tension rising, Lulu is asking about what to wear at the School Disco next week, Scarlett wondering if I have heard the new song by Kesha, Ailsa telling me to get up a bit earlier, then Angus on my Shoulders, Dog Barking, kissing Ailsa bye, Scarlett running down the road to get Rhona, Lulu me Angus start running, shoulders aching, Lulu has some more stories to tell whilst Angus continues to say Dad,Dad,Dad, Bell rings as we arrive in school, girls run of to their lines, Angus and me running of to the Nursery, Angus lets me go to work, running to the train station, made it, open the door, make a coffee and open The Byre.

I love family life!

Cross Cultural Amusement

2010-09-17T16:18:00.002+01:00

A young Chinese man walked into the shop today, spent a couple of minutes checking out his hair in my lovely mirror and then sat down on my Nizam Sofa, I was talking to another customer and after they had gone, some ten minutes later, I realised that the gentleman was still sitting there, I asked him if everything was ok, he explained that he was waiting for the bus to Glasgow!

Mutiny

2010-09-13T15:08:00.005+01:00

Saved in the Nick of time, another poorly managed dispute, my star and the forgotten ones, I am ashamed to say I overlooked Henrietta Hen, Daisy Cow, Lord Olivier wise, and Angus was so upset as he can't help being the most popular!

I have hopefully calmed the situation down and no one is thinking about running away ever again!

Lets spread a little love and loose any negative vibes.

Green Eyed Monster!

2010-09-10T10:05:00.003+01:00

I came in this morning to a very disgruntled and frankly jealous rabble of door stops, they claim that Angus is getting all the attention and that they are just as important as him and they demand equal rights. Following a lengthy and open discussion it appears calm has been restored, I have assured them if any customer buys one of them and sends a photo in they will go on the blog.

They are in alphabetical order as follows, Barkley the Bassett, Bertie the Hedgehog Blake the Scottie, Bruno the Bulldog, Campbell the Scottie, Chico the Chihuahua, Ella the Daschund and Sacha the Schnauzer.

Triplets

2010-08-24T11:14:00.001+01:00

Angus has become three, must be the heights!

Angus in Dubai

2010-08-21T09:55:00.003+01:00

Angus has been of on his travels again, this time Dubai, thanks to the Macleods, he is feeling much warmer, needs a lot more to drink, but I am informed does not miss the rain that he had to look at out of the window of The Byre for the last 4 weeks. It would seem that Angus has that Scottish trait shared by Carnegie to travel the world making it a better place.

Anyone else out there with an Angus please send your pictures.

Bum

2010-08-20T10:15:00.000+01:00

The nice photo is my Roman Bottom, fine piece of art, its there to bring a smile to your face, when things don't go so well, like hanging on the telephone for twenty five minutes to BT to report a fault with their line, or trying to speak to a human being in the bank but constantly getting that annoying recorded voice, or that customer who likes the lovely Nizam leather sofa with classic studs but thinks its £99 not £990, and even though you try really hard they still don't get it!

Pa Ruskie

2010-08-18T12:41:00.002+01:00

I had the pleasure of serving a number of Russian tourists yesterday with a collection of the fab Dora Doorstops, bearing in mind I am located in the far North of Scotland in a city with the population of 70,000, I was impressed with myself speaking in Russian to the holiday makers, the thing that surprised my ego was that the Russians showed no surprise or enthusiasm at my language skills, they just took it as a matter of fact. Having thought about it I realised that I have just presumed that wherever I go in the world they will speak English, so of course a country that is the biggest in the world with a population in Moscow being twice my country what do I expect!

Laugh or Cry

2010-08-05T11:34:00.001+01:00

Having spent a number of hours lifting and moving furniture around Plot 18 at the Scottish Housing Expo late last night, I managed to pull a muscle in my lower back. Once I made it home had a hot bath and applied ointment on the back. Woke up this morning and with help of Wife got socks on. Whilst emptying the car, Mr Mackenzie (puppy) decided he wanted to have some fun, so grabbed a pile of important papers out of the box and ran of with them. I shouting instructions like, sit, stay, come, please and don't f.... move, with zero success, then I had to bend down for each individual piece of paper thrown all over the garden, tears running down my face with that crazy dogs tail swinging with happiness. Anybody who manages to visit Plot 18, please take a moment to appreciate the pain and suffering that was gone through to make the inside of this house look great!

Better late Than Never!

2010-08-03T17:24:00.003+01:00

The Scottish Housing Expo opened its doors on the 1st of August, unfortunately my house was not quite ready so all the furniture will be going in tomorrow the 4th of August, Plot 18 as in picture. Hopefully this will spread the name of the byre far and wide amongst the more discerning customer.

Inspiration

2010-07-19T14:45:00.003+01:00

I am pleased with my latest addition to my window display, "Big Mama", I have received a number of compliments, people love its cheeky sexiness!

Sale Starts the 16th

2010-07-15T13:52:00.003+01:00

What Can I say its 11 degrees and raining, Scotland Mid July what else can we expect! For all those currently living in a Caravan waiting for your house build to finish, my sympathy is with you, think it will all be worth it in the end.

I have Dorma, Cath Kidston, Jan Constantine all on sale plus some discontinued furniture, so if you are brave enough to venture out the house I am here.

Angus Travels The World

2010-07-10T09:57:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Lynne from Colorado for this photo of Angus bought in The Byre last week now free and roaming the Flatirons of Colorado. Where will we find the next Angus?

Big Ball Of Fluff

2010-07-10T09:53:00.002+01:00

New Addition to the Family Tett, Mr MacKenzie 11 weeks old, just wait till he is fully grown!

The Byre To Furnish Home at Scottish Expo

2010-07-01T15:02:00.005+01:00

From the 1st to the 31st of August, we are very excited at the Byre as we will be furnishing one of the best homes at the Scottish Expo, Check it out Plot 18, you can see all the Byres grooviest pieces there. www.scotlandshousingexpo.com

Looking Good

2010-05-31T12:38:00.003+01:00

New stock in, New delivery Of Jan Constantine, including summer colours and a Scottish Cushion, new Ash bedroom range from Halo, Crystal Lights, and some fabulous Red Chinese Antiques due in tomorrow. Sun is shining, I have a rather good Summer music mix playing, Living on an Island, Mr Blue Sky, Someone somewhere in summertime, tide is high. Rock on.

It Really does Pay!

2010-05-22T11:23:00.004+01:00

I had been open for a week and a lady was interested in some Dorma Bedding but was not to sure about the colour, so I suggested she bought a pillowcase and tried it, she took it back to me and advised that it did not match, I thought I gave a refund back on her card, one month later I realised that the refund had not worked, I phoned the bank and they advised that I had taken additional 20 pounds not a refund, however they could not tell me the customers details, I felt guilty and a bit stupid. Well on Thursday the lady in question arrived in my shop just looking, I asked her if she was the said lady, it was and to her complete surprise I gave her the £40 back (she doesn't check her statements) and then she spent a lot more!

Cherry Tricksters

2010-05-11T13:44:00.005+01:00

My proactivity and passion took a bit of a hammering when my existing customers came in the shop looking forlorn, I asked if all was OK they replied that the 3 pieces of Cherry Wood that they bought had wood worm, I almost cried on the spot, then took a deep breath and said that I would give them a full refund, they then told me they were just joking and gave me the photo I asked them for for the blog! I have recovered from the scare but would like to remind my other customers that although I have a good sense of Humour, I am not as young as a I used to be and the old heart can only take so much.

The picture is of the Cherry wood in situ in the customers conservatory.

I must just mention that we just had a flurry of snow outside, on the 11th of May!

Local Art

2010-05-10T11:12:00.003+01:00

Grey, Cold a Monday and still a Hung Parliament. What more do we need to cheer ourselves up than a great picture painted by a local artist, I now have three artists in the showroom. Sila Collins-Walden based in Inverness, Duncan MacGregor-Young from Skye and Pat Hay based in Dingwall, whose picture is shown.

Reflection of the week

2010-04-29T13:43:00.006+01:00

I have travelled all over the world, lived and visited some interesting places, but one week in my shop, has introduced me to the biggest diversity of people I have ever talked to. I have had a songwriter, an artist, a Milliner, a couple of Loonies, a Canadian, an American, a Moroccan, an Uzbekistanian, a Russian, a Cross-Dresser, a special force commando, some lovely ladies, and the required grumpy old man who "was just killing time waiting on his bus".

The Highlands are not this closed off little place, it is a beautiful cross cultured crazy place.

As I reflect on the week I leave you with a nice picture of my new leaning Mirrors now in stock at £195.00 only!

CherryTastic

2010-04-22T13:09:00.004+01:00

A number of customer's have been asking me about the Cherry wood pieces we have at The Byre.
The Cherry wood comes from North America and then is created in a workshop in Bulgaria using real artisan's, utilising our own designs. Its fantastic watching them be made, piece by piece, anyway I promised a couple who have just bought 3 pieces that I would post the picture of the Man who made them. So here he is at work.

Drama and Confusion at the Byre

2010-04-20T17:52:00.007+01:00

Lesson for me from today, choose names of products carefully before committing to writing. I named the School Bell the Oban High School bell, as I went to school there (a rush of nostalgia), how could I predict that 3 separate people from Oban would come into the shop and then think that the £20.00 bell really came from Oban High, and that I had managed to secure so many of the bells from the school! It looks like I need to change the name to "Bell"

Its Like Buses

2010-04-20T13:07:00.005+01:00

There is no ash dropping today, just sleet and snow, its funny thought we had left Russia and moved to the warm and dry side of Scotland!

My advice, learnt today, is if you see something that you truly desire and can afford then buy it then and there. My very nice red Chinese Cabinet has found a new home in Inverness, and I have another happy customer, but alas I now have a potential of three temporarily unhappy customers, one already visited me yesterday and wishes they had bought it. Great news is that all though you can never get exactly the same again as 100 years old Chinese antiques are not all the same and life has treated them all a little bit differently, I have found a really rather fab cabinet as pictured, hopefully I can secure it and have it here in a month or so.

No Drip, No buses and Happy Customers

2010-04-07T13:49:00.004+01:00

The drip has stopped, the buses are no longer parked in front of my shop, I have started selling, and customers are so far happy, well all except one.

A rather large fellow walked in to the shop yesterday and having spent two minutes in the store, felt he had no option but to explain to me the following " your shop wont survive in Inverness, its far too expensive, people that want your stuff live in Edinburgh" I thanked the nice man for his candid opinion, hoping that he would leave, alas he decided to stay put and stare at me. I broke first and explained in a rather pompous fashion that it was ok as I was loaded and that I didn't need the money, clearly not true, anyway he responded by explaining that he knew a guy who was a multimillionaire! I said that was great and thanks for his comments that i would take on board. Still he did not depart, then thankfully two customers arrived who wanted to place a nice order, this meant the large guy left. On his way out he explained to customers on the way in that they would need a rather large cheque book to shop in here. Positive energy is a great gift!!!

Todays Picture is of one of the many buses that parked in front of my entire shop and refused to reverse out of the way a little, anyway that problem is behind me now.

Pranksters

2010-04-01T10:05:00.005+01:00

Even with the gales blowing and the driving rain/sleet still managed some sales.

I was April fooled three times this morning, firstly my wife removed all my pants from the drawer and hid them, second the telescope with the black ink on held to my eye, and last and the best, on my season card for the train, a label saying I was an April fool, which the ticket collector thought was fairly amusing.

I have had to update my blog as I have just bitten into my ham sandwich which I made early this morning to find a large piece of paper with April fool written on it! Families!

Snow Way

2010-03-30T11:16:00.002+01:00

Its the end of March and we have snow, well scottish snow, which is freezing cold wet snow mixed with an Artic wind. Sure was an exciting walk to the train station this morning!

Yesterday was a top sales day, the Chinese antiques were the top selling items, the only problem I have is that three customers all want my Chinese Bench, who will be first and how will the others take it?

Looking out my window, its doubtful that many customers will venture out of their house, which is a pity as I have made a great play list today including, Vanessa Paradis, Your so Vain and a blanket on the ground.

Rocking On

A Good Day

2010-03-29T10:09:00.002+01:00

There are times when the lack of customers and the drip drip drip of my leak get me down, then there are days, that, well just feel great.

Not only did I sell lots, I met really interesting people from around the world, It took some time to explain to the nice Chinese lady, that the School Bell at £20.00, was not subject to negotiation!

I sold the fab glass mirror to a lovely lady who has been in the shop five times looking, she has saved the money each week to be able to buy it, I have promised her that once she has put it up in her house to come back to me and we will drink a bottle of champagne to celebrate!

After chatting all day and selling (My walls are bare), I went to the local pub had a great pint of locally made beer, got the train and met some very nice Dundee fans who insisted that I had one of their beers, Scotland rocks.

A New Start

2010-03-25T10:48:00.000Z

So, given up the high paying secure job and followed the heart and not the head back to Scotland, opened the shop nearly four weeks ago, you sure get to know peoples personal details, loves lost, child hood stories, what they like, what they don't, I have measured almost everything in the shop now, unfortunately I can't remember all the sizes so seem to regularly measure again, some customers enjoy a good chat and my great measuring abilities, or maybe they don't have much else to occupy them selves, anyway its good to talk.

My new Doorstops are creating some excitement, especially Blake the Scottie Dog, and I have now added Chico the Chihauhau to the ever growing assortment.

Coming soon some lovely new Cath Kidston beach towels.