Monthly Archives: November 2015

In which Trevor reveals the high spot of his year so far

Posted on November 30, 2015 by coteetcampagne

So Trevor has been a salaried employee for the last eighteen years. Some companies think that the best way of saving money in difficult times is to reduce the number of employees by over four-fifths, to cover the same area. … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | 30 Comments

How green are these valleys?

Posted on November 26, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I feel like a tranquil post today. I love how the layers of the last foothills of the Pyrenees change colour as we drive away from the Pyrenees-Orientales up toward the greens and blues of the beautiful Aude valleys. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged Aude, Carcassonne, climate, high, languedoc, mediterranean, mountains, orientales, pyrenees, quillan, valleys, village | 12 Comments

Flipping French Floors #2 – floor envy

Posted on November 22, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I have had floor envy for a while now. Investigations have not turned up any charming original tiled floors in the French house which we could have lovingly restored. There is a small area of tomettes on the first floor … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged cave, floor, french, heating, house, original, project, renovation, restoration, stone, terracotta, tiles, travertine, village, vintage, wooden | 8 Comments

The Thursday Three – Venetian style hand engraved mirrored sconces

Posted on November 18, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I only wanted two, so the third one is a bonus. Each side of my black Venetian glass mirror Three words- Cave, candles, bathtub…..

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds | Tagged antique, candles, cave, engraved, mirror, sconces, venetian, vintage | 6 Comments

Flipping French Floors #1

Posted on November 16, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Builder’s debris, strong cleaners, constant sweeping and damp dusting, strong sunlight & no protection, years of benign neglect; no wonder My French Floors have had enough. Seeing the way the thirsty floor in the terrace bedroom soaked up the lime … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged floor, floors, french, house, insulation, kitchen, oil, pine, renovation, restoration, wax, white, wood, wooden | 15 Comments

Terrible times in France

Posted on November 14, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I am following this latest news from Paris. I truly feel like I have been attacked personally Words fail me, except – à tous les peuples français, soyez assurés de notre amitié et de notre soutien

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | 1 Comment

French style made simple- another humble house

Posted on November 11, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Thinking about rough French country decor again; (always) Look at this for inspiration. Not grand at all, but a sweeping statement of personality and good taste. Such simplicity, such style, such authenticity, such a successful re-imagining of an old house. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged art, artist, colours, country, decor, french, gallery, house, ochre, renovation, restoration, style | 10 Comments

Episode 127- so we kiss goodbye to the plank and bucket table

Posted on November 7, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Shocking- we have a coffee table with a large surface area and capacious shelf beneath. OK, it needs work, but if you have been on any of this journey with me you will be nearly as excited as I am. … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged french, house, renovation, restoration, salon | 15 Comments

The Thursday Three- Mirror Man Mirror Me…

Posted on November 4, 2015 by coteetcampagne

“All things that pass are wisdom’s looking-glass” Christina Rossetti I like that… and I like mirrors. No,that’s not quite true, I LOVE mirrors and the tales that old ones tell. Bevelled glass with flaws, fade and foxing. All the things … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged antique, french, house, light, mirrors, village, vintage | 13 Comments

In which I reveal our new game- Making Trevor Guess

Posted on November 2, 2015 by coteetcampagne

So, I recently started playing this new game which amuses me mightily and sometimes he even cracks a smile too. Basically, I wave my latest treasure under Trev’s nose ( I have given up “concealing” items around the house & … Continue reading →