Monthly Archives: August 2015

Warning- This Is A Rant

Posted on August 29, 2015 by coteetcampagne

This is the wartsandall blog, so I must tell it how it is and vent my frustrations. Hence this open letter to the guest(s) at the Argeles apartment who, jointly or severally, pushed me to the limit this week. ” … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | 13 Comments

Les trois pour jeudi

Posted on August 28, 2015 by coteetcampagne

A little late, yesterday was pretty full, more on that later. Today’s three are:- One of a set of Art Nouveau tiles, an old painting on glass  and a very French fabric padded box

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

Emotional rescue

Posted on August 26, 2015 by coteetcampagne

The Languedoc is dotted with quirky properties in various stages of benign and active neglect: just waiting for some mad and optimistic adventurer to spot and save them. Properly save them I mean. Not get someone else in to board … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Carcassonne

Posted on August 22, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Carcassonne castle, “Le Cite”( e accented but won’t work on this damn notsosmartphone) Is a stunning early medieval fortified city in the Languedoc  and not far north of the village house. A UNESCO world heritage site, there is so much … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Thursday Three – les cocottes

Posted on August 20, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Actually five today These gorgeous little Le Creuset style lidded iron dishes came from the vide-grenier up the road at Alet-les-Bains. Briefly home to Nostradamus and to a local boy who grew up to be chef to the last Tsar … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

A little light lunch

Posted on August 17, 2015 by coteetcampagne

This was a little light lunch at the village cafe. I had what looked like a five egg omelette ( I managed two thirds). Trev had a monster duck breast. Both meals came with the usual fresh crusty bread and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France | 8 Comments

Who needs the gym?

Posted on August 15, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Before   So this will be my grandson’s luxurious guest suite next week. Hopefully he will have a door on his bathroom too! At least it is relatively clean now. So much effort to shift the rubble and detritus  from … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | 7 Comments

Decorating a French house

Posted on August 9, 2015 by coteetcampagne

The time has come. We can no longer procrastinate and put off decisions about the detail. Clear plans must be made now as we move forward with the last of the hidden work that will underpin the final look. Although … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Le salle de bain part 2- Perfect Plumbing- where? how? why?

Posted on August 8, 2015 by coteetcampagne

What does “bathroom” mean to you? even amongst English speaking nations, the meaning is slightly different. Generally I take it to mean a room with a bath, a basin and a toilet. The French are keen on hiding their toilets … Continue reading →

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

Episode 119- Le salle de bain? bathrooms Part 1

Posted on August 6, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Le bain la baignoire, la salle de bain, la salle d’eau, la salle de douche. Long term readers will be familiar with our original “bathroom ” facilities at the French village house. Originally, we had top left- this lovely toilet, … Continue reading →

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

Episode 118- Waxing Lyrical

Posted on August 4, 2015 by coteetcampagne

In my road to restoration and renovation perfection I have picked up a few liquid and paste waxes to finish floors, wood, walls  and furniture at the French house. This selection of greys will be well used. I have already … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments