Tag Archives: style

Restoration Meditation – is a totally cohesive style critical to success?

Posted on December 12, 2017 by coteetcampagne

So, the question is, do you have to run the same style or colour palette from room to room to make a house restoration work?  Rustic or Refined? I’m with Frederic Mechiche again here Mechiche Hyeres He mixes both in … 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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Maison or Museum? Save or Skip? #1

Posted on July 8, 2016 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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French village houses

Posted on May 30, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Taking our promenade around Campagne one evening we notice that many of our neighbours are painting their shutters and walls. There are no colour restrictions imposed here; despite the historical buildings and yes, you can see the church from our … Continue reading →

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French Property P**n Fix- pratique? non…..!

Posted on May 21, 2016 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Friday French Property Porn Fix- by popular demand

Posted on May 6, 2016 by coteetcampagne

No, really, I have been asked to bring on the FPPF at least once a week. Would I ignore my blogbuddies? Left – from http://indulgy.com/post/vf11h4S3U1/french-countryemagdeco Right- Sorry, the link to this is so old it’s disappeared. Love the use of  … Continue reading →

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Flipping Furniture Finds with Fabulous French Finishes

Posted on May 3, 2016 by coteetcampagne

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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Save Our Souls – A Restorer’s Plea

Posted on February 29, 2016 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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In which I conclude that we will never be style icons

Posted on January 25, 2016 by coteetcampagne

I took this as one of a series of shots trying to capture the sunlit, glittering fountain framed by the city walls. Carcassonne lower city is laid out in grid pattern like many other iconic cities worldwide. It is (architecturally) … 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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The Thursday Three- Passementerie, rings and heraldic motifs

Posted on September 17, 2015 by coteetcampagne

All vintage today. Substantial cotton bobble fringing. Old but very clean metal curtain rings- I have been looking for a quantity of these for a while as I want to hang as many curtains as possible on traditional French style … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- Shake your boutis, baby

Posted on June 18, 2015 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 112- Argeles apartment, part 2

Posted on May 1, 2015 by coteetcampagne

There is still stuff to do at the Argeles apartment, but just minor things like boxing in a run of pipework and losing the textured wall covering in the bedroom. Oh, and the shower room tiles, though in good condition … 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 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 →

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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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The Thursday Three- the clocks are ticking (again)

Posted on November 20, 2014 by coteetcampagne

The clocks are ticking………………..again is this it? I don’t know, but I will, literally, keep you all posted. Left & Right- Little ceramic clock. Very reproduction, but screamingly suitable for my take on French Country style. (note, those letter could … Continue reading →

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Gallery, some more textile treasures

Posted on November 1, 2014 by coteetcampagne
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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 →

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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- it’s curtains…………….

Posted on October 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

    because we are near the end of the French village house project (and because I am obsessed with textiles)  I am applying what is left of my mind to CURTAINS! I bought these chunky cotton canvas ones- Left … Continue reading →

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Episode 83- My Right Foot

Posted on August 10, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, inflammation My right foot has been thoroughly traumatised this week. On Tuesday I stepped on an eviscerated slug (in bare feet- me, not the slug) that had crawled under our ill fitting back door ) vile sensation. On … Continue reading →

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Gallery- a few pieces more…..

Posted on July 31, 2014 by coteetcampagne
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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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Episode 75- Papier peint, oui ou non? to wallpaper or not to wallpaper

Posted on June 26, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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The Thursday Three- Light fittings and Lions (GGRRHH)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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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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Episode 71- In which I make a few decisions…

Posted on June 1, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 61(part 2) French Country Kitchens without tears….?

Posted on April 14, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 60- Tall Tales.. A journey toward terrace chic

Posted on April 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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The Thursday Three- latest

Posted on April 10, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 46- South of France, colour inspiration

Posted on February 16, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation,restoration, colours and  inspiration-May 2012 I am beginning to understand why artists who have spent time in the South of France have rhapsodised about the quality of light and the way it creates the unique colours here. left- Snow topped … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- Treasure post today instead!

Posted on February 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 43- French restoration, let your imagination run riot!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by coteetcampagne

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 →

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Episode 19- French property renovation(Hot Spots,part deux)

Posted on December 1, 2013 by coteetcampagne

Summer 2009-We take a break from work on the house as there is absolutely no point doing any further plastering, panelling or decoration or constructing new floors or ceilings until the rewiring can be done. This is frustrating for me, … Continue reading →

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