Monthly Archives: May 2014

Episode 70- part two, where are we now? five “facts”

Posted on May 30, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation , restoration, stagnation…   I am really rambling now. If a picture paints a thousand words, then the photo posted for episode 70 (part one- below) might well confirm the current state of play on the France project :- … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Thursday three- carved wood furniture

Posted on May 29, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Today’s three are two furniture treasures unearthed in the Languedoc region in the South of France and one little gem from my most frequented hunting grounds, Black Country charity shops. Left-my only photo showing most of my “buffet de cuisine”or … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Episode 70- Iron or Platinum??-part one

Posted on May 27, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, postulation and random musings.. This is our 70th post….according to differing sources, if this were a wedding anniversary, it would be represented  by either iron or platinum(?!) If we apply these to the French village house that’s quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Antique & vintage textile gallery- some favourites

Posted on May 25, 2014 by coteetcampagne
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog, Galleries, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Episode 69- Perspectives……(a shift in)

Posted on May 24, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, acceleration………. Well you just never know what life will throw at you. If we go down the simplistic “everything happens for a reason” road, then Trevor’s sudden and unprecedented health scare could be taken as a timely wake-up … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Thursday Three- Art Nouveau, more embroidery, vintage florals

Posted on May 21, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I will start today with this Art Nouveau piece from the turn of the 19th century. This would have been  the back part of a washstand, which would probably have had a marble top. The hand made tiles with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Bonus blog- To wash or not to wash? that is the question…..

Posted on May 19, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Well, if you acquire a stunning piece of embroidery or antique or vintage textile , do you risk washing  it or not? Good question: I will probably horrify textile conservationists and museum curators world wide but, personally, I usually do … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Episode 68- While we are waiting…..

Posted on May 19, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, positive contemplation…. Whilst we await the results of a battery of tests (see Episode 66-Stop everything..) and news as to whether we can actually progress our project (i.e.can Trevor manage the stairs in the French village house or … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Episode 67- Shocking news ! We have facilities!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, sanitation………….May 2014 I am in a state of shock. We wandered into the village house, as we do, fully expecting leaky roof due to wind-slipped tiles, martins nesting on the bedroom window ledge( they are very set in … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Carte Grise-Getting the golden ticket… some hints and tips

Posted on May 16, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, Restoration, Replication……. May I introduce today’s guest blogger, Trevor, who has battled with this little bit of bureaucratic mystery for some time. “There are many things to be done to register a car in France, but there is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Thursday three- Latest French Vide-Grenier finds

Posted on May 15, 2014 by coteetcampagne

We went to a great Vide-Grenier (literally “empty your attics”) market in Quillan in late April. Some great antique and vintage treasures Left-This wonderful cotton/linen union curtain fabric has a really evocative design in typically French country colours . Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Episode 66- Stop everything……..

Posted on May 12, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation & restoration stops,   Where do I start?! regular readers will know that we were in France for the first time  for seven months at the end of April. We got back on May 5th; I have posted a … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Bonus blog- More antique and vintage finds

Posted on May 9, 2014 by coteetcampagne

These wonderfully chic early 20th century chromed light switches were in place at  the French house when we first moved in. I wanted to reuse them  but the Bakelite backing had melted (??!!??) and my Electrician was of the opinion … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Thursday Three- Fresh from France for you

Posted on May 8, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Today’s three French treasures are a mix of old and new again This chopping board was found under the sink in the French village house behind a pile of anti-insect products. I cannot say I have noticed the presence of … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Episode 65- French living for beginners

Posted on May 6, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, forced relaxation…2014 I don’t want to relax, but we don’t have a choice right now. Trevor is not in any state to Do It Himself so we nearly have a proper holiday. (I say nearly, things are never … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments