Restyled Refinished Vintage
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Our apartment at Argeles-sur-Mer is available to rent now. Email us direct for the best prices for this season and next. See our "Galleries" post for more photos of our little seaside place in the South of FranceApartment gallery
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Tag Archives: chic
Lots of small things that make a big difference
I know I haven’t posted much re progress on the village house for a while, but Trev has certainly been working hard on a whole host of small but critical projects. This storage cupboard, left , was created from part … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged aged, chic, french, house, kitchen, renovation, restoration, rustique, village, waxed
9 Comments
Wedding of the decade
No, not mine. I have had the privilege of being involved in the beautifully conceived and elegantly styled design and production of my friend Beverly Lambert’s French Rustique Vintage Chic wedding. A ceremony at Esperaza Mairie on Friday will be followed … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog
Tagged antique, Aude, chic, french, rustique, vintage, wedding
10 Comments
Moroccan tables- tables marocaines
These are rather festive, a saturated red. Basically they are Annie Sloan Emperor’s silk over an ochre-ish base. The top has been rollered, which on this surface gives a slightly, dimpled finish; ideal for rubbing antique wax into. Layered with … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog
Tagged Annie Sloan, antique, beeswax, chalk, chic, Emperor's silk, leather, moroccan, ochre, paint, riad, tables, vintage
10 Comments
Buying Property in France- A cautionary tale
Just to let you know, I now take requests.See “Taste of France” blog- https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/37172339/posts/1025435832 The area around Puivert is mentioned. Very pretty, has a chateau & museum, too cold for me. It took a while for us to find out … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged Aude, chic, damp, features, floor, french, house, languedoc, lead, original, restoration, Roussillon, stone, village, wood, woodworm
12 Comments
The Thursday Three- satin and dragons
How about these chic oriental lounging pyjamas and fluffy trimmed slippers? All in silk satin with dragon embroidery; and they pack away into a little satin suitcase! I would happily wear these if I could get into them, obviously designed … Continue reading
Episode 93- Hidden historic details #1-Terrazzo finishes
OK, our Maison may not be as grand and glamourous as this one on http://www.thisoldhouse.com , but we have old terrazzo staircases and we have discovered that under layers of dust, dirt and caked on cement, we do have some … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used
Tagged antique, beams, bedroom, chic, colours, france, french, historic, house, maison, medieval, period, renovation, restoration, South, stone, terrazzo
2 Comments
The Thursday three- “Rough luxe” embroidery, vintage shop display, something new.. but just right
Ok, what is rough luxe”? Apart from being a hot new buzz word in interior design ( which doesn’t really matter to me,as you may have deduced from my random style) it seeks to epitomise the spirit of “authenticity of … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, chinoiserie, colours, design, french, house, interior, Linen, original, period, renovation, style, terrace, village, vintage
9 Comments
The Thursday Three- “un peu tôt”
There is an interesting “rapport réciproque” or mutually beneficial exchange of antique and vintage pieces between the UK and France that is enjoying another surge in popularity right now. Nostalgic fabrics, textiles and homewares with a vintage French feel are … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged antique, chic, colours, france, french, interiors, Linen, original, renovating, renovation, restoration, style, vintage
2 Comments
Episode 86-Some thoughts on dust, squalor, chaos & the psychological phenomenon that is “project syndrome”
Renovation, restoration, indoctrination I am recognising a syndrome that may affect those of us undertaking major builds, renovation and restoration property projects. We have been living in our “every room a half finished building site ” French hovel for so … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- French Chic & Perfect Period Pastels
After lots of thought and a few experiments the palette for the village house in France has been set. Although we have increased the total area of usable/habitable rooms from 80 to just over 120 square metres approx I still … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, chic, colours, france, french, house, Linen, palette, period, renovation, restoration, terrace, village, vintage
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The Thursday Three- C is for chic: crochet lace,ceramics, chinese characters
Whilst it may be true that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, it is also true that you don’t know what you want until you see it! I have been looking for a light antique or vintage … Continue reading
Episode 81- Food for thought
Renovation, restoration, alimentation….Fresh trout from the river, vegetables that taste of something, cherries, peaches and naughty patisserie, home made ice cream, cuts of meat that you would not normally touch even with a robot arm, a drop of violet or … Continue reading
Posted in Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, chic, france, french, house, kitchen, paint, renovation, restoration, South, stone, terrace, village, vintage, wood
2 Comments
The Thursday Three- Mission impossible?
The year we viewed the French village house, before we had even bought it, I went into a UK chain of shops called “The Pier”, now sadly defunct. I bought a wonderful long patchwork table runner made up of heavy … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, chinoiserie, colours, embroidery, french, house, pastel, renovation, restoration, style, terrace, village, vintage
6 Comments
The Thursday Three- from deepest France
Sorry it’s a bit late today but yesterday I had other distractions. Today I am using my shiny new wordpress mobile app to bring you three more French chic gems. From … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged antique, chic, france, french, grenier, renovation, restoration, vide, vintage
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The Thursday Three- Felt appliquée & Petit point embroidery
Today’s gems are- Left- three small vintage (14cm square) petit-point tapestries in subtle colours and silver gilt frames Right- Felt appliqued cushion hand made in Hungary Below- the clocks are ticking.. toward what? and why 14:20 hours??????
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged chic, colours, embroidery, tapestry, vintage
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Episode 75- Papier peint, oui ou non? to wallpaper or not to wallpaper
I had absolutely no intention of using any wallpaper anywhere when we bought the French house. Almost all my recent decorative treatments have been paint based. I liked what was left of the wallpaper in the tulip bedroom, but it … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, chinoiserie, design, france, french, historic, Linen, paint, painted, renovation, restoration, style, textiles, vintage, wallpaper
1 Comment
The Thursday Three- three French interior design essentials!
How about these for village house in France? From ebay, carved, painted and gilded pale French blue corbels How can the rest of the world have missed these? Someone has glued felt on the back to turn into bookends but … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- Light fittings and Lions (GGRRHH)
The annual vide-grenier in our French village has thrown up some real gems over the last few years. I purchased a pair of these Empire style appliques (wall lights) from our Mayor. If he ever comes round for an aperitif, … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bedroom, brocante, chic, france, french, house, interiors, renovation, restoration, restored, shabby, style, vide-grenier, village, vintage
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Looking back-over my shoulder
Feeling nostalgic today so have posted some vintage pics. I love black and white photos. There is something spare but subtly expressive about the absence of colour. Snaps like this heralded the beginning of the casual shot and a significant … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog
Tagged antique, chic, embroidery, lace, Linen, vintage
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Episode 73- ” A light in dark places”
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
The Thursday Three- Serendipity and waterlilies; les nénuphars
I have hung the first picture” Les nénuphars” (waterlilies) up at the French village house, in the terrace bedroom, which is not far off completion. This feels like a big step. I found this in a troc (junk shop ) … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, argeles, bedroom, chic, colours, design, france, french, house, Linen, neutrals, renovation, restoration, style, village, vintage
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Episode 71- In which I make a few decisions…
Renovation, restoration, visualisation- It’s June 1st, the sun is blazing down outside and I am feeling much more positive and determined to be proactive: I will meet the next obstacle head-on. Decided to get into French mode this weekend as … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, country, france, french, house, kitchen, painted, palette, renovation, restoration, southern, stone, style, village, vintage, wood
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Episode 68- While we are waiting…..
renovation, restoration, positive contemplation…. Whilst we await the results of a battery of tests (see Episode 66-Stop everything..) and news as to whether we can actually progress our project (i.e.can Trevor manage the stairs in the French village house or … Continue reading
Bonus blog- More antique and vintage finds
These wonderfully chic early 20th century chromed light switches were in place at the French house when we first moved in. I wanted to reuse them but the Bakelite backing had melted (??!!??) and my Electrician was of the opinion … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged antique, apartment, chic, embroidery, france, french, house, Linen, village, vintage
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The Thursday Three- Fresh from France for you
Today’s three French treasures are a mix of old and new again This chopping board was found under the sink in the French village house behind a pile of anti-insect products. I cannot say I have noticed the presence of … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged chic, french, house, kitchen, painting, village, vintage
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Episode 65- French living for beginners
renovation, restoration, forced relaxation…2014 I don’t want to relax, but we don’t have a choice right now. Trevor is not in any state to Do It Himself so we nearly have a proper holiday. (I say nearly, things are never … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged apartment, argeles, chic, embroidery, france, french, holiday, house, Linen, property, renovation, restoration, village
2 Comments
Embroidery-knotwork, silk ribbon, velvet
Yesterday was one of the best Easter Monday holidays ever, at least since my children were small and it was all about eggs and piling into whatever car we could commandeer and heading for countryside or sea. Despite showery forecast, … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog
Tagged chic, embroidery, french, house, medieval
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Episode 61(part 2) French Country Kitchens without tears….?
renovation, restoration, a bit more rumination. 2013- We now have a neat and tidy ceiling in the dining end of the kitchen at the French village house. We cannot claim credit, JM’s boys did it following construction of the terrace, … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, chic, france, french, house, original, painted, panelling, renovation, restoration, style, village, vintage
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Episode 60- Tall Tales.. A journey toward terrace chic
Renovation, restoration, elevation The most dramatic change, to date, in our ongoing project to renovate and restore a village house in the far south of France has been the genius addition of the roof terrace. We started (see episode 2 … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- latest
Today’s vintage three are.. Left- rather baroque tall footed table lamp, loving the finial above the shade. Right- chic ceramic candlestick with butterflies and flowers, cannot translate stamp on base! Crazed glaze, reminiscent of famille rose style pieces Below- four … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- TT3 (on wednesday)
New, but in the true spirit of French vintage chic Today’s gems are –left- powder coated metal hook with crystal knob £3.99 from Store Twenty One They have some amazing stuff at amazing prices, but you cannot order online,so if … Continue reading
Episode 58- Further changes, French bedroom chic on a budget
renovation, restoration, delectation-2013 So at the other end of this little bedroom we have this small, high window with a pretty good radiator underneath- we will keep this First we move the radiator to a more practical position in the … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used
Tagged antique, bedroom, chic, doors, embroidery, france, french, house, lime, renovation, restoration, terrace, village, vintage, wood
2 Comments
Episode 57- Light and space; part two
renovation, restoration, demolition & decoration So we now have an opening into the shower room from this little bedroom. A couple of steps are cut into the thickness of the wall; these will be … Continue reading
Episode 50- April showers part 2 “Am I in the right house???”
renovation, restoration, shocking realisation……….. I wake up, I open my eyes, where am I? I can’t be in our neglected part medieval, several years spent in the slow restoration of hovel..can I???? No, I can see straight walls (never!) tasteful … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- Treasure post today instead!
Yes I know it’s only Tuesday, but 1) I have my Intermediate French class tomorrow ( for which I confess I haven’t done my homework yet- don’t tell Professeur Dora!) and.. 2) I have to put on my special outfit … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged chic, french, languedoc, renovation, restoration, style, vintage
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Episode 43- French restoration, let your imagination run riot!
renovation, restoration, use YOUR imagination.. You may not have a resident nutcase in the attic (I zoomed in on this photo and found a deranged looking Trevor peering through the tulip room window!) but if you are buying a modestly … Continue reading
Episode 42- TULIP FEVER!
renovation, restoration, yet another explanation …………. Why oh why? -you ask- do we call thebedroomthathadnowindowandasaggingceiling the tulip room? Because, dear reader, it has the unrestorable (sadly) remains of vintage hand printed authentic French wallpaper with red and aubergine tulips on … Continue reading
The Thursday three- (bit of a blue theme)
I carry around the following three items in my handbag 1) A list of nearly every possible measurement to be found in the French house; including a list of window sizes, floor areas, ceiling heights and other useful dimensions that … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged chic, design, french, house, Linen, vintage
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Episode 41- La cave
renovation, restoration, drastic intervention! This was the cave, or at least about a third of it, when we first bought our village house in the Languedoc Roussillon. In French, a cave may be loosely translated as a cellar (as in … Continue reading
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