Monthly Archives: December 2013

Beautiful creatures……

There is a definite avian and piscine (English definition!) theme creeping into my vintage finds for the French house! In France, we spend warm days watching eagles and warm evenings watching the martins hunt and play in the skies over … Continue reading

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A few treasures more………….

For all you French chic,antique and vintage fans out there, a few more gems destined for the village house in France, just need a man with a van!-   Left- still life in ebonised frame Right- Enamelled pewter and oak … Continue reading

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Episode 34-How bad can it be? “before” images of French village house

renovation, restoration, reinvention Some newer viewers have asked just how bad the house in France was we when we bought it. As I can’t yet present the full French “before and after” story, we will start with some early photos … Continue reading

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Episode 33- There’s a mirror in the bathroom…..

Well, in the French house shower room anyway. The vintage painted cast iron mirror came first, found in a charity shop in Stourbridge town, which sat in my garage in the UK for years waiting for a perfect room to … Continue reading

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Episode 32- Be careful what you put in your hand luggage!

renovation, restoration, inflation- Autumn 2010 As the fares we pay on a well known budget  airline have increased since we first bought the French house, we no longer take hold luggage when we fly to France because the cost would … Continue reading

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Episode 31- 1,000 miles in the back of a Land Rover- Part 2

Renovation, restoration, diversion …………..August 2010 We go over to some friends for drinks and are almost over the bridge when we realise we have forgotten the wine.We turn back and the elderly ladies who convene on the benches every night … Continue reading

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Episode 30- In which we block the street

  Renovation, restoration, “You have reached your destination, may the force be with you!” Son-in-law is quite at home in the village now. Having never spoken any French before, he can confidently order a large beer or a coffee in … Continue reading

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A taste of things to come

Looking through  my framed  embroideries DEFINITELY destined for the French house is therapeutic. We can’t get over to France again till next year and I need to remind myself that we are going to finish this long project and that … Continue reading

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Episode 29- 1,000 miles in the back of a Land Rover- Part 1

renovation, restoration, duration-Summer 2010 My son-in-law is a huge Land Rover Defender fan. He was determined to make the trip to France in his latest model in July 2010 and overrode my daughter’s protestations that it would be better to … Continue reading

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Episode 28- Bad idea

renovation, restoration,decoration 2010 I don’t usually make terrible errors of judgement when it comes to decorating decisions, quite the opposite and I am often asked for advice by friends because they love what I do with my rooms ( squeezes … Continue reading

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Va Va Voom!-Vintage French finds

Another excellent reason for spending as much time as possible in France – these little gems! Boudoir Chic powder bowl Little brass saucier pan set-(Don’t think I dare use them as interior metal is of unknown provenance!) Vanity set in … Continue reading

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Oh you pretty things!!

Today I though I would open my archive of vintage gems, many destined for the French house, some sadly for ebay as I can’t fit everything in! This is the trouble when I can’t resist ebay myself…. or junk shops, … Continue reading

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Episode 27- Help, I’m an antique embroidery addict!

renovation, restoration, saturation…. It’s no good, I must trim my collection down. I am furnishing a modest village house, not a chateau ( though, thinking about it, I could easily do that !) The problem is, I have been collecting … Continue reading

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Episode 26- Blown Away again

renovation, restoration, more inspiration I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, but apart from using landscapes in some of my allegorical paintings I have never been inspired before to paint views. All this has … Continue reading

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Episode 25- Blown Away

renovation, restoration, inspiration- June 2010 Occasionally we do get out and about in this beautiful area. One day we hike up to the hills above the village and try to capture the amazing view from up there. We need to … Continue reading

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Episode 24- More luxury guest accommodation

renovation, restoration, stagnation June 2010   With virtually no electrics and no news to be had regarding our original electrician, we asked around locally for an alternative contractor. We had taken pains from day one to use local artisans for the … Continue reading

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Episode 23- Allchange

renovation, restoration, decisions- Late March 2010 We drove over to France in March 2010 in the old Kia Sportage, packed to the gunnels as usual. What a workhorse!? She isn’t cheap on fuel and this is a long trip but … Continue reading

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Episode 22- Up on the roof II

renovation, restoration, relaxation As we sit among the village roof tops and look at the hills and the birds we feel a shift into a new perspective on life. The village is so quiet that most of the time the … Continue reading

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Episode 21- Up on the roof

renovation restoration,creation- late September 2009 We are battling with the French bench we bought at M.Bricolage which basically comes as a kit with two cast iron leg/supports for each end, some kind of metal strap bracing for the middle and … Continue reading

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Episode 20- I can’t help falling in love with old things

renovation, restoration, anticipation-2009 In order to stay sane and remind myself that at the end of this project we will have the best village house in the Languedoc Roussillon, I need to keep a focus on my ever evolving vision … Continue reading

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Episode 19- French property renovation(Hot Spots,part deux)

Summer 2009-We take a break from work on the house as there is absolutely no point doing any further plastering, panelling or decoration or constructing new floors or ceilings until the rewiring can be done. This is frustrating for me, … Continue reading

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