Monthly Archives: November 2016

Cold feet – and why just a few square metres of flooring is giving me another hovel related headache

Posted on November 29, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Why do these small decisions choke up the narrative on these projects? The biggest decision is what property to buy, everything else after is relatively less onerous ; Right? Wrong! – and I am still “sweating the small stuff” here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged bricks, cement, french, house, projects, property, reclaimed, renovation, restoration, salon, tiles, tomettes | 34 Comments

Eric Ravilious and 20th century British Art

Posted on November 28, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I found this painting in a junk shop in Birmingham. It was filthy; but oil paintings are tough and almost always clean up well. Even in that condition I could see the strong composition, colour & form. It’s unsigned (unusual … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged art, British, colours, eric ravilious, exhibition, hastings, war artist | 9 Comments

Friday French Fix- Old and Bold spaces – Chambres anciennes et audacieuses

Posted on November 25, 2016 by coteetcampagne

When engaged in old French property rescue, we should be bold and daring Yes? Let’s be Aude-acious in the Aude! http://www.weranda.pl/domy-i-mieszkania/rezydencje/rezydencja-w-kolorach-piasku-i-oceanu http://decoholic.org/2014/12/17/fireplace-styles-100-design-ideas/ http://wingsviewathome.tumblr.com/?og=1

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged anciennes, art, Aude, chambres, french, inspiration, property, renovation, restoration | 15 Comments

More Friday French Property P**n- How to hang

Posted on November 18, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I have around 100 pictures, paintings, prints & mirrors to hang at the French village house. Not all are huge, though some are almost wall-filling….. So I think about how to group and where to hang these a lot. To … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged art, design, french, gallery, hanging, house, mirrors, painting, pictures, renovation, restoration, village | 15 Comments

Qui n’avance pas, recule

Posted on November 15, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I think we have bitten off more than we can chew. Photo by permission of The Grandson Is that a proverb? an idiom? an adage? weigh it up right here- http://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/aphorism-proverb-idiom-saying-pun.html Anyway, my French neighbour V has decided that she … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged blog, french, house, language, project, proverbs, renovation, restoration, sayings, village | 12 Comments

Les couleurs pâles, poussiéreuses et fanées- Pale, Dusty, Faded

Posted on November 13, 2016 by coteetcampagne

These subtle colours, in French they’re called “Les couleurs pâles, poussiéreuses et fanées”. My favourite shades, that faded, dirty, dusty,”washed “palette. Greyed pastels, warmed neutrals. They work so well Chez Nous The word “couleur” is feminine in French, suprisingly, I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog | Tagged antique, berlinwork, colour, embroidery, french, historical, house, needlepoint, oak, old, paint, shades, stool, vintage | 15 Comments

Episode 149- Perceptions and the interception dance

Posted on November 10, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I have been loathe to invite anyone into the French house whilst my vision for the whole place remains less than blindingly obvious in most areas. This couldn’t go on, so on our last trip we allowed in some curious … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged aquarelle, blog, cave, chair, diner, french, house, kitchen, os de mouton, painting, pyrenees, renovation, restoration, salon, staircases, watercolour | 5 Comments

Tread carefully part 2- an update on safer stairs stories

Posted on November 7, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Looking through JP’s latest post on his wonderful blog here I had a strong sense of deja-vu. Trapphuset till vinden då och nu OK, students, compare and contrast JP’s photos with mine here- Episode 36- Safe(r) stairs stories Tread carefully…. Although the … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged french, house, renovation, restoration, stairs, village, wood | 21 Comments

More lovely French doors- The Thursday Three from the Languedoc

Posted on November 3, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Three more fabulous doors. I wonder what secrets lie behind these? I particulary love the grey doors below, and note that two newer carved wooden panels have been added to support the brass knobs. Entirely in keeping with the orginal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged carved, doors, french, languedoc, panel, vintage, wooden | 8 Comments

Episode 148- In which we can see the wood for the trees

Posted on November 1, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Just in case my recent posts have suggested that we are galloping toward the finishing line, here is hard proof that we are not. This is the workshop ceiling. The big beam left to right used to hold up half … Continue reading →