Monthly Archives: March 2015

Les grandes inondations en France..

Posted on March 31, 2015 by coteetcampagne

A diversion from our renovation and restoration woes now- I blogged this last winter about terrible flooding on the French Mediterranean coast and inland & about frantically trying to contact friends in the area to see if they were safe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | 6 Comments

Episode 106 – Tapis time, a rug for all seasons

Posted on March 29, 2015 by coteetcampagne

For those of you who might actually care, I present proof that Trev has recovered sufficiently to climb ladders in France. I am aware that this photo suggests that he is striking a pose , but in fact he is … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged colours, french, house, kilim, Linen, renovation, restoration, rug, style, village, vintage, wool | 2 Comments

The nearly Thursday Three

Posted on March 25, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Likely to be busy tomorrow so here we are “mecredi”. You can catch a glimpse of terrace bedroom paint effect above, plus I have decided to use the terrazzo skirting reclaimed from tulip bedroom in here. It has little chips … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, bedroom, enamelled, iron, renovation, restoration, terrace, terrazzo, vintage | 6 Comments

Episode 105 – Quelle couleurs?

Posted on March 21, 2015 by coteetcampagne

The question of colours and finishes has bugged me right from the start of our extended project. How do you bring one sad village house in the lovely Languedoc back to life without spoiling it’s character, particularly as much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged bedroom, colours, french, house, languedoc, painted, project, terrace, village | 8 Comments

The Thursday Three – Stucco & carved oak.

Posted on March 19, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Today’s thursday three are a 16thc carved bog oak panel, a vintage suitcase from local Vide-grenier and a page from a back copy of “Campagne Decoration” magazine. The latter is especially for my reno blog buddy Bizzyella, who is thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, carved, effects, france, french, grenier, oak, paint, stucco, vide, vintage | 5 Comments

Episode 104- Campagne March 2015

Posted on March 17, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Just rolled out of bed decadently late and grabbed this shot from the tulip bedroom. Look at that sky! For the restoration fans, the lethally lead painted shutters held together with string are going. They are so warped and sagging … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged bedroom, joints, painted, plasterboard, shutters, tulip | 4 Comments

Episode 103 – rough luxe life

Posted on March 16, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Well it has finally come to pass that Gill is getting fed up with roughing it in French hovels.I NEED to get another few spaces closer to the finish line. Unfortunately I cannot pick up my paintbrush until M. Trevor … Continue reading →

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

The Thursday Three- On time and on thursday, wow!

Posted on March 12, 2015 by coteetcampagne

May I present, for your delectation, and possible envy, bargain of the year. I am unlikely to top this. £4.99 off ebay and no-one else bid!!!!!!!!!!!!! (over two feet wide) Probably 19th century (I think, but may be 18thc-gasp!) bead … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged antique, beadwork, bedroom, embroidery, faience, france, silk | 9 Comments

Episode 102- Where do I begin? the cave story- part 1

Posted on March 9, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Ok, so you may not want to trawl the archives for the full saga so I have decided to post some bite-sized summaries on progress in French house to date. Left- we have one end of the cave. On purchase … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged bedroom, boiler, cave, courtyard, doors, french, hardwood, house, joists, layout, renovation, restoration, stone, village, walls | 2 Comments

The Thursday Three- In which I actually make a critical curtain decision

Posted on March 4, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Yes I know, I am obsessed. In my defence, having survived years of dust, dirt, demolition, rubble & squalor in our French village hovel , I think I am entitled to think about lovely fabrics and finishes. Longer term visitors … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged antique, curtains, france, french, house, Linen, renovation, restoration, silk, velvet, village, vintage | 4 Comments

Episode 101-UK v France renovation materials costs comparison#2

Posted on March 3, 2015 by coteetcampagne

France v UK prices & products Tools? Trevor, who likes to spend hours comparing prices and performance of these says that Mr. Bricolage & the Weldoms chain http://www.weldom.fr/ both have their own power tool range at rock bottom prices. … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged boiler, france, insulation, renovation, restoration, tools | 9 Comments

Episode 100- UK v France renovation materials costs comparison#1

Posted on March 1, 2015 by coteetcampagne

OK , I can’t speak for other countries but I can certainly give a bit of guidance on what to buy in France and what you might want to bring over from the UK for your renovation/restoration project. Let’s start … Continue reading →