Tag Archives: painting

My Pre-Raphaelite Fix

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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First fantastic find of 2018- local landscape

On the subject of finding shocking bargains in various charity and junk shops; I present what may well be The Find of 2018. Hidden behind various rubbish prints on the bottom shelf in a dark corner of Parchemin Limoux was … Continue reading

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Monday, and the weekend’s booty

Saturday saw us trawling the big Vide Grenier that forms part of Espezel’s agricultural and artisan fair Foire Espezel It’s very beautiful up there in the Plateau de Sault, but at nearly 900 m above sea level, the drop in … Continue reading

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The Thursday Three – quilting, sanding, painting, waxing

More photos of this lovely piece fresh from France on our etsy shop (right) Very Petit Chateau. Trev has been working hard on our very brown coffee table Remember this table? Tutorial on request..        

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21st century schizoid plans

I had a brilliant trip to Toulouse on Thursday with bride-to-be Bev#1  (who loves fabric and old stuff as much as I do)  and Welsh Bev#2 ( who comes from the same South Welsh valleys as my Mother’s family). There … Continue reading

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The Thursday Three – and some thoughts on storage.

I don’t think you have seen these? The bug lamp, the Art Nouveau copper dustpan, this little painting? Actually you might be able to help me, I have been looking for a copper handled brush to match the pan, does … Continue reading

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

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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Episode 149- Perceptions and the interception dance

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

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An enigmatic Spanish lady

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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Episode 141- French property P*** again!

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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Flipping Furniture Finds with Fabulous French Finishes

I have posted about Trevor being bored since taking redundancy last year. “What” I asked him “do you want to do with yourself now, apart from driving me to distraction?” “Something completely different from what I was doing before; with … Continue reading

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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

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Episode 124- Pest Control Chez Nous

Inspired by some new FFRs (Fellow French Renovators) I decided that a post about bugs and their management was long overdue. Hanging light voiles and lace at the windows to keep the big summer bugs out (yes WBFM, there IS … Continue reading

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Les trois pour jeudi

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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Why water is key for me

I like to watch water, even if it isn’t doing a lot. I have always felt a strong affinity with rivers and lakes particularly . We are a long way from the sea here in the UK, the furthest “inland” … Continue reading

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The Thursday Three- Toile de Jouy and vintage frames

I know my Thursday Three has been rather neglected lately, so, to compensate, I bring you, on tuesday, this stunning curtain. In a Chinoiserie influenced toile, lined and backed in a a more conventional country pattern of little vignettes framed … Continue reading

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Episode 110- The squirrel made me do it….

I have finally found the critical nearly white and neutrals for ceilings, walls, panelling and  painted furniture at the French village house.It has only taken several years to source this.The kitchen/diner has so many nearly white paint samples, tried and … Continue reading

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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

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Painting furniture, paint recipes?

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

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The Thursday Three- It’s all in the detail

Whilst we are a still a long way from finishing touches and putting the personal into our French village house, I am already mentally editing and allocating our stuff room by room for when the fun bit starts. Whilst “finishing” … Continue reading

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The day after Thursday Three

What are these little gems? Left & Right- Crochet wool with silk linings, at about 9″ x 6.5″ way too small to be nightdress cases. Maybe made for handkerchiefs  or funky clutch bags? I have to find a use as … Continue reading

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The Thursday Three- bluebells, shells and boats

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- 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

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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

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Episode 53- In which the fickle finger of fate waggles a bit..

Renovation, restoration, trepidation Things are happening….is this good? can I cope? Or are we reading things into a series of random coincidences? I am trying to take a leaf out of my favourite French chef’s book and be master of … Continue reading

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

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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Episode 37- Brown studies

Renovation, restoration, rumination…. Why do the French tend to favour shades of brown in interior and exterior decoration? I try not to generalise here, and it may not be the case so much these days, but if any of you … Continue reading

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Episode 28- Bad idea

renovation, restoration,decoration 2010 I don’t usually make terrible errors of judgement when it comes to decorating decisions, quite the opposite and I am often asked for advice by friends because they love what I do with my rooms ( squeezes … Continue reading

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Episode 26- Blown Away again

renovation, restoration, more inspiration I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, but apart from using landscapes in some of my allegorical paintings I have never been inspired before to paint views. All this has … Continue reading

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Episode 21- Up on the roof

renovation restoration,creation- late September 2009 We are battling with the French bench we bought at M.Bricolage which basically comes as a kit with two cast iron leg/supports for each end, some kind of metal strap bracing for the middle and … Continue reading

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Episode 20- I can’t help falling in love with old things

renovation, restoration, anticipation-2009 In order to stay sane and remind myself that at the end of this project we will have the best village house in the Languedoc Roussillon, I need to keep a focus on my ever evolving vision … Continue reading

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