Restyled Refinished Vintage
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Tag Archives: original
Reclaimed materials. Some thoughts
The views expressed in this post may be deemed provocative. I stand by them. To avoid any inference that I am pointing the finger, I will use the original shot of our French house. Well, about 2/3rds of it as … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged architectural, french, materials, original, property, reclaimed, renovation, restoration, village
30 Comments
Episode 157 – In which I think that I may have pushed my vision more than a tad further than anyone would deem standard French house restoration
Nothing here is straight, or straightforward. We knew that in principle, but in practice the reality is that sometimes even more creativity and lateral thinking is required when finishing off our projects. Because I will not let Trevor demolish or … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged door, french, fretwork, house, lime plaster, old, original, plasterboard, renovation, restoration, wall
11 Comments
The Romance of the Raw – mixing it up in the salon
If you have been following this blog you will know that I have been doing my best to preserve the old lime plaster walls and ceilings we still have at the French house .We have to accept that some walls … Continue reading
Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged artists, french, house, lime, original, paint, palette, plaster, renovation, restoration, walls, wax
12 Comments
Restore, recycle, reuse, relook it, relove it
I have been blog-chatting with JP at https://husifrankrike.com/ where he and his wife have been musing on restoring features at their medieval village house ( also in the Aude) and perhaps commissioning replacement features. JP has what looks like a … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged Aude, france, glass, house, joists, medieval, original, project, recycling, renovation, restoration, stained, stone, village, window, wood
12 Comments
La cheminée, le cœur de la pièce- or, why the fireplace is key
I’m not dictating what you should do Chez Vous, but for me, the fireplace in any room is key. Left- from linen & lavender – lifestyle I have two woodburning stoves to fit at the French village house; but if … Continue reading
Quandaries -the buffet- update
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
Episode 143 – More decorative finishes- lambris wood panelling
There are a number of elements we see time and time again in humble French houses. One is lambris, or narrow wood panelling. It’s been popular here for centuries though the default finish seems to be dark treacly varnishes and … Continue reading
Making part medieval French village houses work
For those of you interested in the Demolition Derby clearly in operation on the last post, I present two earlier posts which explain. To clarify- the photo top left of first post below (with the weird wardrobes) shows FRONT of … Continue reading
Maison or Museum? Save or Skip? #1
Forget OCD. Those embarking on the giddy path of French House Rescue; and who have any sensitivity to the building they buy will have to wrestle with a seemingly endless list of OHD’s Old House Dilemmas Though, thinking about that … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged architecture, damp, house, houses, original, property, render, renovation, restoration, stone, style, vernacular, village
33 Comments
French Property P**n Fix- pratique? non…..!
I have had to censor my own posts FOR THE FIRST TIME on FPP because several folk have searched and found me using the tags “French P**n” ; I expect they were very disappointed when this search led them only … Continue reading
Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged chandelier, floors, france, french, house, original, salon, style, walls
17 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 – hand knitted throw, Edwardian picture, vintage fabric
I know, I know, my Thursday Three posts have taken a serious back seat recently. Too many things going on, only one me. This picture came to me free. I was looking at a couple of pieces of furniture in … Continue reading
Episode 132- Adding Architectural Antiques
I see absolutely no good reason not to add in old pieces where they merit it. If they are the appropriate style and period for your project, then go for it. I just found these carved wood panels in the … Continue reading
Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, antiques, architectural, carved, french, house, oak, original, panels, project, renovation, restoration, village, wood
16 Comments
Save Our Souls – A Restorer’s Plea
Renovation, Restoration, Restraint. I have just seen another 100 year old tiled floor and a panel of beautiful wall tiles (reminiscent of those in Monet’s kitchen at Giverny) hacked out and thrown in a skip. I understand all too well … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged floors, french, house, original, renovation, restoration, style, tiles, walls
13 Comments
Wood I?
Yesterday I spent a considerable amount of time closely studying some beautiful knots and blemishes on a rustic wood dining table in Homesense and talking to myself about it. In my defence, I thought I was talking to Trevor, but … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged french, house, original, renovation, restoration, stone, table, wood
17 Comments
entrée libre
So, we need to address the last issue we have with the layout of the village house; the teeny, tiny entrance hall. It’s not as bad as it was, at least it doesn’t have the door (opening outwards) to the … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged decoration, entrance, french, hall, house, kitchen, original, renovation, restoration, village, workshop
14 Comments
Episode 129- “Les murs” to be sung to the same tune as “La mer”
This is what medieval stone walls look like. Before the restoration purists start screaming at me they should note that we had no option but to widen the doorway from the cave to the courtyard as the existing one was … Continue reading
Flipping French Floors #2 – floor envy
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
Episode 126/2- In which I strip, Trevor slips and the grandson gets “hip”
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 bedroom, colours, finishes, france, french, house, interior, original, paint, painted, renovation, restoration, stain, styles, village, wood
11 Comments
Episode 126 part (1) – October progress, yes, we did a bit, quite a bit actually
Yes we did a bit in France, and here is the first instalment. I finished the painted skirtings in marmotte#3 and Liberon lime wax so if I swish a damp mop over the finished floors (not done yet) it won’t … Continue reading
Episode 125- Farewell my lovelies, à très bientôt
Last week we waved goodbye to a pile of stuff destined for the French house as it started it’s epic journey to the far Aude valleys. We will all be reunited very soon; and if I can get the junk … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, bench, bergere, chapel, france, french, furniture, house, kantha, kitchen, original, painted, quilt, renovation, restoration, rugs, vintage, wax, wood
13 Comments
More musings on colours and designs for the French house
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
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged bedroom, colours, french, house, original, painted, renovation, restoration, salon, staircases, terrace, village
6 Comments
Decorating a French house
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
Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged art, artists, country, france, french, house, interior, original, project, renovation, restoration, village
7 Comments
The Thursday Three- Shake your boutis, baby
Most French textile fans will know what I mean by a “boutis”. The word “boutis”is generally used as a blanket (haha gedit?!) term for French cotton quilts , particularly those hailing from or in the spirit of Provence. Sources differ … Continue reading
À Mon Seul Désir
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
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog, Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged antique, art, bedroom, bird, colour, french, lady, life, medieval, original, palette, renovation, restoration, tapestries, toile, tree, unicorn, vintage, wallpaper
4 Comments
It’s salon..g way home
Trust me this is progress. French salon all painted now, including skirtings; apart from front wall (undercoated only) Trevor hates rollers so both parts of ceiling done with brush. Don’t think he will be waving his arms in the air … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used
Tagged cupboard, french, inset, lime, original, painted, plaster, salon, shelves, wood
6 Comments
Episode 109- Grotty French wallpapers I have had to to strip off…
Careful with that punctuation Eugene..Only five layers in the dining area (formerly bedroom 3!) as only converted from barn about seventy years ago. In order- Rather nice French vintage subtle floral, then Screaming Sixties orange, brown and yellow daisies, dodgy … Continue reading
Episode 108- at last, some clues to support my ideas on paint effects and the answer to a vexatious question
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
Episode 98: renovation, restoration, insulation
Well, there’s a striking ceiling treatment Thank you… http://parvum-opus.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/michelde-montaigne.html What do they do in the winter? where is the insulation? Combining the original, the beautiful, and the practical is a whole art form in itself. Whilst I would love to … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged beams, bedroom, french, lime, original, wash, wax, white
5 Comments
Episode 94- Hidden historic details #2- Beams and roof timbers
Regular readers will recall that half our house (the bit that isn’t the barn) is supported by three huge beams,which clearly received only the most cursory attention between being trees and holding our hybrid hovel up. 1) The rather beautiful … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France, What we did, how we did it and what we used
Tagged beams, bedroom, french, house, lime, original, plaster, renovation, restoration, roof, shutters, terrace, timbers, village, wood
4 Comments
Aging/antiquing fabrics – l’aspect des tissus anciens
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
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 84- What changes can be made to an old building?
Renovation, restoration, regulations. If you are planning to buy with a view to restoring and/or renovating an old building in France, I have three pieces of advice for you- 1) Do your homework 2) Take the advice of, or better … Continue reading
French Doors – a few more from a little village in the Languedoc
Renovation, restoration, prime location in France-As my readers seem to love photos of wonderful old doors, I have been out and about around Campagne-sur-Aude and today I bring you a new selection. Left- This is the side door of the … Continue reading
The Thursday Three- Art Nouveau, more embroidery, vintage florals
I will start today with this Art Nouveau piece from the turn of the 19th century. This would have been the back part of a washstand, which would probably have had a marble top. The hand made tiles with the … Continue reading
Posted in Antique and Vintage finds
Tagged antique, design, embroidery, original, vintage
2 Comments
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 61- Cuisine- creating a French country kitchen
renovation, restoration, procrastination This was our kitchen when we acquired this little French gem (haha!) Left- the delightful character features included sticky (with grease) wallpaper sporting a rather gory hunting scene, plus the ubiquitous ochre coloured tiled splashback (also sticky- … Continue reading
Posted in Renovation and restoration diary- France
Tagged france, french, house, kitchen, original, renovation, restoration, village
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Episode 56 – Light and space:creating an illusion Part 1
renovation, restoration, illusions This is the smallest room in our French village house renovation project ( with the exception of shower rooms etc) At about 12 square metres, it suffered from the usual malaises of small windows and dark brown … Continue reading
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