Vintage 1930s wooden shoe lasts, crafted by one of the finest shoe factories in Northampton, have been given a quirky new lease of life in the form of bookends, doorstops, coat pegs and candleholders.
At first, Susan and her husband Jimmy had no idea what to do with the vintage shoe lasts, Susan had stumbled upon while sourcing stock for her business, which she then bought on impulse and a sense of nostalgia. They both agreed the shoe lasts should be recycled and preserved, not least because they are an important symbol of industrial heritage.
Gradually, the pair started to see fresh uses for them and set about making a range of objets d’art. Susan and Jimmy both come up with the designs, then Jimmy painstakingly restores each shoe last before hand-making the striking pieces using natural wood.
While the range currently comprises of four key pieces, Susan and Jimmy constantly see new shoe last incarnations and have plans to expand into furniture (one-offs) and lighting, along with creating bespoke pieces made to order.
Several independent lifestyle retailers across England stock the shoe last range. Please contact us for further details.