Monthly Archives: June 2014

Episode 76- Panic in the Pissoir!

Posted on June 30, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, vegetation-September 2013 The trees are coming in!!! Let me explain- the big house behind Maison Priest was owned by an English lady who has decided to sell and had been unable to visit as often as she would … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged france, french, house, property, renovation, restoration, South, terrace | 6 Comments

Episode 75- Papier peint, oui ou non? to wallpaper or not to wallpaper

Posted on June 26, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I had absolutely no intention of using any wallpaper anywhere when we bought the French house. Almost all my recent decorative treatments have been paint based. I liked what was left of the wallpaper in the tulip bedroom, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, chinoiserie, design, france, french, historic, Linen, paint, painted, renovation, restoration, style, textiles, vintage, wallpaper | 1 Comment

The Thursday Three- three French interior design essentials!

Posted on June 25, 2014 by coteetcampagne

How about these for village house in France? From ebay, carved, painted and gilded pale French blue corbels How can the rest of the world have missed these? Someone has glued felt on the back to turn into bookends but … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, bedroom, carved, chic, design, france, french, house, interior, kitchen, painted, village, vintage, wood | 2 Comments

“One of those days in England”

Posted on June 23, 2014 by coteetcampagne

With thanks to Mr Roy Harper, who provided the title, I would like to share some great photographs taken as Trevor and I had a healthy but sedate country walk along the canal by Stourton Junction where the Stourbridge canal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged country | 1 Comment

A Georgian cottage in England- a look at our UK house (shoestring budget)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Galleries, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, bedroom, restored, upcycling, vintage | Leave a comment

Episode 74 – In which we reminisce on deceased vacuum cleaners..

Posted on June 20, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, suction (or lack of it) We have managed to wear out three vacuum cleaners since we started the French village house project. The yellow one glimpsed left- in our scary kitchen/diner/guest bedroom was part of the three essential … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged france, french, house, kitchen, renovation, restoration, village | 2 Comments

The Thursday Three- Light fittings and Lions (GGRRHH)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by coteetcampagne

The annual vide-grenier in our French village has thrown up some real gems over the last few years. I purchased a pair of these Empire style appliques (wall lights) from our Mayor. If he ever comes round for an aperitif, … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, bedroom, brocante, chic, france, french, house, interiors, renovation, restoration, restored, shabby, style, vide-grenier, village, vintage | Leave a comment

Gallery – Finds for French village house

Posted on June 16, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Galleries, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, france, french, house, renovation, restoration, village, vintage | 2 Comments

Looking back-over my shoulder

Posted on June 16, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Feeling nostalgic today so have posted some vintage pics. I love black and white photos. There is something spare but subtly expressive about the absence of colour. Snaps like this heralded the beginning of the casual shot and a significant … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged antique, chic, embroidery, lace, Linen, vintage | Leave a comment

Episode 73- ” A light in dark places”

Posted on June 13, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation restoration, considerations- César Manrique Apart from my admiration for Mr Manrique’s paintings and sculptures, our visit to his home/studio/gallery on the Canarian island of Lanzarote threw up some more inspiration for dealing with dark places in style. http://www.cesarmanrique.com/fundacion_i.htm I … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, art, bedroom, cave, chic, colours, design, france, french, house, kitchen, paintings, renovation, restoration, style, vintage | Leave a comment

The Thursday Three- Serendipity and waterlilies; les nénuphars

Posted on June 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I have hung the first picture” Les nénuphars” (waterlilies) up at the French village house, in the terrace bedroom, which is not far off completion. This feels like a big step. I found this in a troc (junk shop ) … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, argeles, bedroom, chic, colours, design, france, french, house, Linen, neutrals, renovation, restoration, style, village, vintage | Leave a comment

Episode 72- Hot, hot, hot!

Posted on June 9, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, conflagration Trevor is now, as I predicted, bored to tears sitting at home whilst he awaits further tests. Watching old episodes of Columbo & Murder She Wrote have lost their charm and he is all kindled out, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged design, france, french, house, kitchen, renovation, restoration, village | 4 Comments

Bonus post-three more treasures

Posted on June 5, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I should either be wrestling with one of my piles of files or doing my Advanced French homework before class tonight, but I am putting both off for a quick bonus post right now. Left-brass coal scuttle with wonderful patina … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged antique, embroidery, france, house, Linen, renovation, restoration, terrace, village, vintage | Leave a comment

The Thursday Three- Three colours : Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge)

Posted on June 4, 2014 by coteetcampagne

An early Thursday Three as tomorrow is shaping up to be a very full day. Today’s gems have a red theme. First we have this piece of fabric which amuses me enormously, just look at the two grumpy birds! Looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged antique, art, colours, embroidery, vintage | Leave a comment

Episode 71- In which I make a few decisions…

Posted on June 1, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, visualisation- It’s June 1st, the sun is blazing down outside and I am feeling much more positive and determined to be proactive: I will meet the next obstacle head-on. Decided to get into French mode this weekend as … Continue reading →