Tag Archives: art

My Pre-Raphaelite Fix

Posted on February 3, 2018 by coteetcampagne

My last region of residence in the UK was south west of Birmingham. I was very lucky to have the Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum  (see previous posts) a twenty minute train ride away. This called to me constantly, siren-style, … Continue reading →

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Art Music Song

Posted on January 30, 2018 by coteetcampagne

Back in the UK for eleven days. I appreciate the place far more now we don’t actually live there and I fitted in as many cultural outings as possible around my work commitments. First stop, the quirky Ikon gallery in … Continue reading →

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Gilding the lily

Posted on January 7, 2018 by coteetcampagne

I am experimenting with an updated version of my alternative “gilding” technique. I have gilded with both silver and gold leaf, but where the detail needs to be supersmooth, and/or finely detailed with nuanced colours, then paint gives, in my … Continue reading →

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Carpe Diem part 2- Back in the UK and a timely perspective on life and music and poetry

Posted on November 8, 2017 by coteetcampagne

Our UK visit was an opportunity to see our good friends Richard and Lisa and Lisa’s father John Hammond. John is a fascinating, well read and well travelled man who lived in South Africa for many years. His passions include … Continue reading →

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A brief lull on the crooked path to our great escape

Posted on May 6, 2017 by coteetcampagne

Francetaste, you might want to look away now. I know you want to see the bigger picture but the detail is all I have right now. I’ve just packed the penultimate box . Or rather repacked a box that had … Continue reading →

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Mixing materials

Posted on March 7, 2017 by coteetcampagne

I am fascinated by the gorgeous mix of materials and colours in this one French house found on http://www.cotemaison.fr I like the change in colour on the stair risers at the door way. And the raw wood panelling on the … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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                

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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 →

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Quandaries -the buffet- update

Posted on October 24, 2016 by coteetcampagne

              So, I dredged up the photo above-left-, which is the only photo I had of the QB (Quandary Buffet) taken when we bought it. Surrounded by stuff. Next time we saw it was … Continue reading →

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Friday French Property P**n – Four modestes maisons

Posted on October 22, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I know it’s Saturday, but I had a very, very, long and arduous day yesterday so forgive my tardiness.   I would love to find a big, old wall panel like this-left. The inset cupboard- right is very much like … Continue reading →

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An enigmatic Spanish lady

Posted on October 20, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Is she Spanish? I can’t say for certain, but that’s my feeling. Painted in gouache in a frame that suggests it’s original because it is of the same vintage as her dress. Properly made gilt frame with the red underpainting … Continue reading →

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Wood is Good- The wood rescue diary

Posted on September 23, 2016 by coteetcampagne

“Whether made into a wooden pillow or table, wood with excellent fine grain is a guarantee of splendid poems, and the composition of perfect documents.” ~Liú Shèng (d. 113 BC), “Ode to Fine-Grained Wood,” quoted in Beyond the Screen: Chinese … Continue reading →

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French interiors- four alternatives to white walls

Posted on September 20, 2016 by coteetcampagne

          Celebrating interesting old walls in small spaces. Above left-above right and right Or,if you have the space & the ceiling height-below-why not celebrate those cracks too?                                              http://www.hemis.fr/?idPageWeb=95&afficherVignetteDuSujet=519&nouvelleRecherchePhoto=1   http://thebridescafe.tumblr.com/tagged/Home/page/7 http://thepoetryofmaterialthings.tumblr.com/ … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three – Broderie & Brexit

Posted on September 1, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I have spent another week editing our lives on every level. The pile of boxes, books, pictures and mirrors in our UK garage has been rigorously sorted and tidied and the stuff destined for France edited down to what I … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- 1901-1910

Posted on August 18, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Did I introduce you to this chair? Who knows? I can’t remember. World, meet my Ewardian with a hint of Egyptian Revival chair. It will be a bedroom chair in either the cave or the tulip room. EER chair, meet … Continue reading →

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Friday French Property P**n Fix

Posted on August 12, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Five more lovely rooms                 top-bottom & left to right decorbydesign.blogspot.com http://www.mysweetgite.com/la-maison-verte/ http://sottoilmontevineyards.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/interior-designer-frederic-mechiche.html    http://www.anindiansummer.in/2014/11/frederic-mechiche.html decorology.blogspot.co.uk I have posted photos of Frédéric Méchiche’s medieval village house in Hyères before. The red toile bedroom is … Continue reading →

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In which I consider channelling Madame Récamier

Posted on August 11, 2016 by coteetcampagne

This is Parisian it-girl Juliette Récamier, born in  1777 and much admired and painted by many, including David & Gérard and even (in spirit) Magritte https://mydailyartdisplay.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/madame-recamier-by-jacques-louis-david-francois-gerard-and-magritte/ Picture above found on – http://architectdesign.blogspot.co.uk/2014_10_26_archive.html This lady was  generally depicted draped across a … Continue reading →

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We adore chaos because we love to produce order

Posted on July 11, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Thus spake M.C. Escher. Speaking for myself, he was right. To create order from a state of chaos, both architecturally and aesthetically, is why we took on this French house. I have been overhelmed and undermined; Poor Old Trevor has … Continue reading →

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Episode 141- French property P*** again!

Posted on July 5, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Whatever the climate, politically, creatively, economically or meteorologically I still need a French Property P**n Fix today. Left-From this handcrafted life via Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/541909767644586378/     Right- from paintingsilove.com Link seems to have disappeared That is a PAINTING! Look at … Continue reading →

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Me and Room Service (baby)- The Thursday Three

Posted on May 12, 2016 by coteetcampagne

You may be familiar with the Jackson C Frank song “Blues run the game“, covered by Counting Crows, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake. Anyway, it was played on the penultimate episode of “Vinyl” a couple of weeks ago and has been … Continue reading →

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FPPF – French Property Porn Fix of the day

Posted on April 29, 2016 by coteetcampagne

For absolutely no other reason, apart from the fact that it’s Friday and I am losing the will to live, I present for your delectation some beautiful French or French flavoured interiors.           What have these … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three – And a lesson in staying open minded about your restoration plans

Posted on March 24, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I thought I had it sussed out in the salle d’eau off the cave bedroom I had bought a smoky glass bowl and an Art Deco style stand for that room. Plus the tap, plus the waste. I liked it, … Continue reading →

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I dream about French murs, or, how walls are my new obsession

Posted on January 30, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I am obsessed with looking at options for  Our French Walls. If they are flat, I will capitalise on that and consider  a little wallpaper or wonderful paint colours.I will judiciously introduce light and dark where aspect and proportions permit … Continue reading →

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Goodbye Mr Bowie

Posted on January 11, 2016 by coteetcampagne

So, what a shock to wake up to and what a talent lost to this world . A true artist who brought together music, theatre,  mime, film, literature, poetry , art and an extraordinary level of invention. To us Art … Continue reading →

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Cafe culture in lovely Limoux

Posted on December 27, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Now, regular readers know that we like our cafe culture and the opportunities for people and place watching that it affords. You have to love a place with a climate that allows you to indulge in this hobby outside for … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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

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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 →

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À Mon Seul Désir

Posted on June 11, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I have two framed woolwork needlepoint tapestries for the tulip bedroom. Mille-fleurs,  mythic animals, unicorns, symbolism These simplified but still very evocative pictures were inspired by the six tapestries woven around 1500 and now restored and displayed at the Musée … Continue reading →

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Episode 111 Bowled over-Les lavabos part 2

Posted on April 23, 2015 by coteetcampagne

As a COMPLETE contrast to the Chinese basin I posted last, here is my bowl and stand for the en-suite to cave bedroom. My bowl is actually perfectly plain apart from subtle ribbing, whereas the one –left- has a raised … Continue reading →

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

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 →

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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 →

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The Thursday Three- In which I have the blues again..

Posted on March 20, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Three more treasures.. yes, the favourite colour is creeping in again A very cute and comfortable little stool  with a bit of a Moroccan vibe Right- A very beautiful, very large pot currently acting as umbrella/walking stick cache-pot. The glaze … Continue reading →

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Saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday…..

Posted on March 8, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Thank god it’s Saturday..   Too much to do, too little time, too many irons in the bonfire. Need a tranquil post today to manage stress levels Oil painting by my great uncle Arthur Sheffield, professional artist and designer. (Lucky … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three….06/03/2014

Posted on March 6, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I love plaster casts and statues. They remind me of my time at Art College- 1971-1974- where I think we were probably the last generation to be tutored in the disciplines of drawing both from life models and from these … Continue reading →

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