Monthly Archives: January 2014

The Thursday three- (bit of a blue theme)

Posted on January 30, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I carry around the following three items in my handbag 1) A list of nearly every possible measurement to be found in the French house; including a list of window sizes, floor areas, ceiling heights and other useful dimensions that … Continue reading →

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Episode 41- La cave

Posted on January 30, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, drastic intervention! This was the cave, or at least about a third of it, when we first bought our village house in the Languedoc Roussillon. In French, a cave may be loosely translated as a cellar (as in … Continue reading →

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Episode 40- A brief recap …………from the Lang(our)doc

Posted on January 27, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, explanation….. A number of questions have continued to vex us since we started working on our less-than-lovely French house/hovel in the lovely Languedoc. Some have been answered,  and some remain a mystery 1) What exactly is FCVT (French … Continue reading →

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Stumpwork, goldwork, woolwork-lovely!

Posted on January 22, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I thought my  fellow vintage and antique embroidery fans might like to see some more of my pieces destined for the French village house.-left woolwork Jacobean style embroidery. Tough to date, but the ground fabric is old style woven linen … Continue reading →

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Episode 39- Village life and soul!

Posted on January 21, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, location….. The Tour de France came through the village in summer 2007. Not the twiddly little medieval bit, thank goodness! ( that WOULD have been a challenge) but along the D118 route on the newer outskirts as the … Continue reading →

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Episode 38, part 2- A little more about a little street in France

Posted on January 20, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, rumination… If you are thinking of buying a house in France  I do believe that the head has to be engaged first. A little check list…… 1) Budget – critical of course (including running costs & necessary works, … Continue reading →

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Episode 38- A little street in France, part 1

Posted on January 19, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, revelations……………. What is it that makes you want to look beyond the obvious, embrace the unexpected, and take that leap into making something beautiful from the basest of raw materials? This is not the first time I have … Continue reading →

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In which the Student becomes the Master

Posted on January 17, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Is this normal? We were sitting drinking tea in bed one morning and I reached in to the Laura Ashley carrier bag on my side of the bed and whipped out my latest  vintage embroidery . I see that I … Continue reading →

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A little French inspiration for 2014..

Posted on January 13, 2014 by coteetcampagne

“what matters is not to add years to life but to add life to the years” We found this little vintage card in the French house, there is a calendar on the back in sepia ink .       … Continue reading →

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Episode 37- Brown studies

Posted on January 12, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, rumination…. Why do the French tend to favour shades of brown in interior and exterior decoration? I try not to generalise here, and it may not be the case so much these days, but if any of you … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three..

Posted on January 9, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Yes I have been out and about cushion hunting again ( I think this is becoming a certifiable medical condition) “But Doctor, the cushions are calling to me!” More Finds For France, bien sur Right- £3 from Store twentyone!    … Continue reading →

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Secret of amazing new diet and exercise programme!

Posted on January 6, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, reduction…………….. I have just been laughing at one of the blogs I follow ” Renovation of a derelict house in Brittany,France” in which Jenny refers to getting into clothes that were formerly too small. I know all about … Continue reading →

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Episode 36- Safe(r) stairs stories

Posted on January 5, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, elevations..2011 We are now used to our typically twisty stairs in France, even though as yet we have no hand rails ! In the usual local Languedocciene style, both sets of stairs in the house turn through 90 … Continue reading →

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The half finished house gallery

Posted on January 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

As our “before” and “during” photos of the village house are so relentlessly depressing, I thought an update on some of the worse (?) rooms/areas might cheer up my patient viewers, so here goes – (If you want to see … Continue reading →

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Episode 35 (part 2)-In which I dream of how to pay for kitchens & bathrooms..

Posted on January 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, deprivation..2011 Dreaming and planning is just about all we can do this year, as Spring brings another shock.. Having been lured ( not entirely unwillingly!) away for my safe Civil Service job, my boss has now decided to … Continue reading →

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Episode 35- In which I dream of kitchens and bathrooms…

Posted on January 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, insulation..2011 Thanks to my little incident with the light fitting in the salon (see earlier post-BANG!!!), we are literally in the dark for our first visit to France in 2011. I have had enough by day two, candlelight … Continue reading →

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