Tag Archives: colours

More paint ideas

Posted on February 27, 2017 by coteetcampagne

Back on the subject of walls, here is  an atypical French house I have seen featured in several interiors magazines in France. It has parallels with our project in that although the house is twice the size of our place, … 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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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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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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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 →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

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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Episode 126/2- In which I strip, Trevor slips and the grandson gets “hip”

Posted on October 27, 2015 by coteetcampagne

This last French trip, we needed , or I needed to get to grips with some décapage ( paint stripping ) at last. I have been putting this off with various excuses, but the truth is I just hate strong … Continue reading →

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

More musings on colours and designs for the French house

Posted on September 24, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Look at these colours- found on Pinterest, link below http://georgiannalane.com/ Similar to the colours that I am using in the salon. The doors are a little bright for me but I do like softer turquoises. Note the painted lines punctuating … Continue reading →

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Episode 116- back on the paper trail again

Posted on June 30, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Yes, I am back pondering about wallpaper once more. This is odd, I haven’t included wallpaper in any of my decorative schemes for many years; paint is my go-to solution . France and this house are clearly steering my thoughts … Continue reading →

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Episode 108- at last, some clues to support my ideas on paint effects and the answer to a vexatious question

Posted on April 6, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Have a look at this link, number four “French country decor for walls”- http://www.dreamhomedecorating.com/french-country-decor.html I have seen this decorative paint treatment before, generally in French country interiors and specifically at this beautiful renovation job which has featured in numerous French, … Continue reading →

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

Episode 106 – Tapis time, a rug for all seasons

Posted on March 29, 2015 by coteetcampagne

For those of you who might actually care, I present proof that Trev has recovered sufficiently to climb ladders in France. I am aware that this photo suggests that he is striking a pose , but in fact he is … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Episode 105 – Quelle couleurs?

Posted on March 21, 2015 by coteetcampagne

The question of colours and finishes has bugged me right from the start of our extended project. How do you bring one sad village house in the lovely Languedoc back to life without spoiling it’s character, particularly as much of … Continue reading →

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

Episode 100- UK v France renovation materials costs comparison#1

Posted on March 1, 2015 by coteetcampagne

OK , I can’t speak for other countries but I can certainly give a bit of guidance on what to buy in France  and what you might want to bring over from the UK for your renovation/restoration project. Let’s start … Continue reading →

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

Painting furniture, paint recipes?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by coteetcampagne

So what paint is best? well it depends of course on the purpose and position wood,metal, inside, outside, used daily etc etc These get left outside on the terrace for most of the summer and are going to need a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Episode 97- This post’s a bit blue for you

Posted on January 30, 2015 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, colourisation It started in the “garage” of the French village house (or rather, the “atelier” now, if you don’t mind) around the door frames-left It crept up the stairs as a painted skirting (base) board (!?)      … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three

Posted on January 22, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I am not an expert on ceramics, too much out there and too many collectors to compete with, but if I see a piece with great shape or colours at a bargain basement price, well it’s tempting. Like my antique … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Aging/antiquing fabrics – l’aspect des tissus anciens

Posted on December 13, 2014 by coteetcampagne

If, like me, you have been searching for something specific for your house for AGES and either you can’t get the colours you want, or the price of a genuine period piece would pay one of your utility bills…………..there are … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- Rocking a bit of Rococo in the round

Posted on December 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

There is something about round frames that appeals to me . Maybe because they evoke period interiors with fading fabrics, family treasures  and hand carved furniture. Another place and another time. I bought this French Rococo inspired frame on ebay … Continue reading →

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Episode 93- Hidden historic details #1-Terrazzo finishes

Posted on November 10, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Thursday three- “Rough luxe” embroidery, vintage shop display, something new.. but just right

Posted on October 30, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Thursday Three- “un peu tôt”

Posted on October 22, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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The Thursday Three – antique crochet, vintage embroidery, perfect finds

Posted on September 4, 2014 by coteetcampagne

A late post today, it has been a crazy couple of weeks. I finally found a perfect shower curtain for the French village house –left, Sainsbury’s home collection- http://www.sainsburys.co.uk . It picks up the pale fig ground colour on the … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- French Chic & Perfect Period Pastels

Posted on August 27, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Cooker Contenders- Colour me Confused!

Posted on August 25, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Oh no, not MORE choices Having been dragged on a 100 mile round trip by Trevor to look at MORE range cookers for The French Kitchen, we now have two MORE contenders “AAARRRGGGHHH><{}_%^/’#)*++**&^!?” The Bertazzoni   AD905mFE http://www.uk.bertazzoni.com -Right Trevor … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- C is for chic: crochet lace,ceramics, chinese characters

Posted on August 7, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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The Thursday Three- Mission impossible?

Posted on July 31, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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The Thursday Three- bluebells, shells and boats

Posted on July 10, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Two pictures today- Left- a 19th century watercolour painting with wonderfully evocative, glowing colours. I am fairly sure it was painted in Scotland evidenced partly by the drifts of bluebells, dark forests and distant mountains. It just has that Scottish … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- Felt appliquée & Petit point embroidery

Posted on July 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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??????

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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- Serendipity and waterlilies; les nénuphars

Posted on June 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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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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