My paint color chart

This is a great and easy reuse/recycle DIY project I have to show you here. 

I wonder why I haven't done it before… Anyway, it's a very useful work to do when you need inspiration for your tones and colors you want to use or mix for any painting project you have in mind. 

I had a few solid oak planks from my coffee table and some wooden covers left over from my wine crates project you can see here. Some were in bad shape and a bit damaged but nothing serious. Only 10min sawing, sanding and drilling I made a few boards to get together  with a small rope, that's it. 

I painted all of them and wrote the chalk paint reference as they all have a specific name.

Once dry I applied white wax on one side and dark wax on the other side to get the aged effects on both. It's a great way to remember the painted and distressed tones for each color but the most important thing is you spare time because there is no need to remove and open every single paint bottle/recipient you have in your crafts storage before you start any project.
 

How to line an old trunk

My old trunk is now lined and finished. It has been a huuuuge work but totally worth it and I am happy with the result as it has kept its antique look! After removing canvas and glue I sanded, cleaned and sealed with primor. I have used an natural rough linen and a vintage mattress ticking on edges (beige/white strippes). I also reused the lateral strap after cleaning and painting it (Aubusson blue ASCP). Silicone and pins have been used to hold fabrics. Last, I cleaned the metal trim with vinegar, painted white and waxed. I used black shoeshine in order to hide ugly marks on it and waxed afterwards. It is now in the entrance hall and currently being used as shoe and bag storage.

 AFTER

Charming Andalusia...

 

White villages are the joy of Andalusia. It's so easy to be charmed by old entrance doors and flowers hanging on lime-washed walls in narrow streets. Human being always used and developed any kind of within reach materials such as stone, wood, lime… We find them in any type of construction since ever: houses, farms, churches… Lime for instance is used since Roman Empire, has been gradually extended under the moslem era and is now intrinsically linked to rural life. Habits remain nowadays and compose a cultural heritage.  Simple utensils and basic housing tools brand the aesthetics. 

 

Ongoing project: how to line an old trunk?

See final result clicking here

Hi, 

Choosing the right inner lining for any kind of furniture is always a long and delicate matter... Will it fit? Will I like, regret, etc...? Whatever... A few weeks ago I detailed in this post a long list of antiques I could get from last removal. So we have this old trunk in the family since ever; it has been purchased at Lechner warehouses in Geneva, Switzerland and finally gifted to my mother in late 50ies. She then used it as luggage for years, hence last trip stickers still on it: price, destination and delivery place...

Nail polisher organiser

Organise and customize your nail polishers...  These are the typical projects you might be able to do when you have spare or boring time on your agenda.  This 100 years old little case used to be a timepieces storage. I have it from all the antiques stuff I took from our family home.  Once painted I used a Provence fabric to uhpholster and... here it is...
 

Waxed table show for boho chic store

This is a waxed table work on an antique farmhouse table.  Damage was not really severe but urgently needed a great clean, sand, wax and patina. It was due to be shown in a store as a counter top.

BEFORE

The whole place experienced an extreme and unique makeover in terms of deco.  Firstly the laminated floor was removed giving place to a wonderful polished cement. Walls were then whitewashed with lime; false ceiling went off too and steel grids were fixed instead to sustain natural fabric lamps. The aim was to re-use industrial elements for the decor. Rolling corrugated steel bars (used in construction) and wooden planks have been used for hanging shelves.  Adding a few white sprayed branches of olive trees the place now looks like a typical Andalusian penthouse surrounded by local nature. Coming back to the antique table: once cleaned, sanded and protected I waxed (les Antiquaires wax) with heat gun and obtained a great patina. It stands now in the shop and the mixture of industrial elements combine perfectly with boho chic style of the articles. 

AFTER

Check out BEFORE and AFTER as well as tutorial. 

Autumn

Autumn is one of the season I like the most, essentially because of leaf color.  A wide range of shades are displayed on nature; especially in cold countries. The leaf color has an interesting process as different tones are progressively changing until the winter arrival.

One of the Northern American native legends (Wyandot, Hurones) explains this natural fact as a result of an animal fight between Deer and Bear in the Land of Sky. The Bear wins the fight and the Deer has to run away but as he runs, the Bear's blood drops from his horns and eventually falls down to the Lower World making the leaves of the trees many colors: some are red, yellow, brown, scarlet and crimson. An awesome legend which reflects native spiritual relationship towards mother nature. In other tribes Autumn is the perfect time for weddings (source: First People). I had the opportunity to picture a fall foliage last year while I was in the US, on the Canadian border. Leaves were not 100% red or crimson but it was an amazing show! Enjoy...

Family's antiques

Check out the last antique stuff I could find during our last removal. Most of them were properly packed in cupboards and old trunks waiting for their turn to be shown all over the house. There are splendid and genuine! Some of them were purely deco items but I also remember when some were used on a regular basis for home ware needs such as grinding coffee, making homemade jam in copper pans, weighing food in the old English scale… I now have to find a place for each of them!
 

 

A bohemian home in Dakar

The pictures as follow were taken more than 12 years ago when I went to Africa. Before landing in Ghana, my first stop was in Senegal. So I had the privilege to stay at my friend and artist’s home: Martine Nostron (http://www.martinenostron.com). As said before I cannot really describe this with pictures so will try reminding feelings: free spirit, creativity, talent, strength…

I remember an airy and bohemian home. It was all about no material lifestyle; no power of consumption to which we are so much used to, but just creativity. 

Back to blog!

Yes, I am back again! 

Sorry for being so inactive... I come back with new ideas, projects & DIY for the blog; hope to have enough time to make it!! 
I await your visits!
Thanks & hugs...

From reclaimed plank of wood to wall coat

DIY:  WALL COATS FOR ENTRANCE HALL

This construction-plank of wood is a leftover from my exterior table project.  Standing idly in a corner of my porch, it waited patiently its turn to be transformed into something magnificent… 

BEFORE

I have never been in love with blue but since my last trip across the East Coast, ideas and inspiration taken from Pinterest and the beach style topics on Houzz I guess I have changed my mind. Firstly, a space had to be created in the entrance hall for what would eventually become my navy-themed area; therefore the shoe cabinet and coat hanger had to go.  These were replaced by an unpainted trunk from my craft room.

Check out the BEFORE/AFTER pics and tutorial afterwards.

AFTER

Ongoing project: what to do with reclaimed scaffold wood plank?

See completed project here

Anne

HOUZZ

http://www.houzz.com/user/annecharrierevintage

FYI: in case you still haven't stumbled upon the HOUZZ web site check it out and discover the largest platform for home design and inspiration. They have a huge residential design database and provide great ideas for remodeling and home improvement. I have posted few of my projects.

Anne

 

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com - See more at: http://www.woodmeister.com/woodmeister-master-builders-awarded-2014-best-of-houzz-award#sthash.TNkveohk.dpuf

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com - See more at: http://www.woodmeister.com/woodmeister-master-builders-awarded-2014-best-of-houzz-award#sthash.TNkveohk.dpuf

I love Spain

I have been wishing for a while to pay a tribute to Spain.  You might ask why but there is not really reason for it; I just consider that if you really love the place you live in and you are tremendously happy with every single piece of it then you have to communicate your happiness. This space is a public platform after all.

 
As far as I am concerned, Spain is an easy country to be in love with. I mean it, I really do.  I think I fell in love with it when I started Spanish lessons at school and when I came here I just met this long way friend which had taught me during these past years about its History, its people,  its CULTURE. I could suddenly understand and talk to this old friend, put a face on the Spanish History, people, traditions and much more…  Living in Andalusia makes easier any European's way of life in terms of weather, art, human essence…  Up to date passion is the adequate word for what I really feel for Spain: passion for its History, people, customs, culture. Spain is unique...

Outdoor furniture makeover

This is a "medium size" project I want to share with you today: a table and chairs refurbishment and new look. A few years exposed to weather result damaging on any piece of wood, even treated and/or varnished. It was actually uncomfortable to sit due to the rough wood flakes on the chairs.  I just love these kind of works; you just don't give back a great aspect to the wood but also create effects with the paint to achieve the result.  Be my guest checking out the before and after pics and tutorial afterwards. Hope you enjoy...
 

BEFORE

AFTER

Upcycled shutters - Part II

Everything is completed: shutters and tailored made cushions for welcoming summer!

Upcycled shutters - Part I

Most of the works have been done on the shutters rescued from the trash. It’s been a long and hard work as no paint stripping is strong enough to remove lacquer; it has been a nightmare and I only could remove and age using the heat gun.

Check out the makeover for a cozy corner.

Kitchen island

KITCHEN ISLAND: DESIGN &  CONSTRUCTION

We were thinking about a kitchen island for a while; just to sit and have breakfast or a quick lunch… Taken from rubble materials we thought a recycled solid wood beam will be fine. 

We ordered a simple pine wood base and asked the carpenter to fix the old beam pieces on the top. I recycled a kitchen cabinet which I used so far for a paint and products storage unit on the terrace. 

I have used a different technique for aging the pine wood base ; it hasn't represented the same difficulty for the beam as the whole piece had been exposed against weather, hence this old aspect. The project is eventually completed and fits perfect in the kitchen. 

Ongoing project: improve outdoor area with vintage and junk stuff

See completed project here

Hello!

This is something I really want to share with you today! 
Our outdoor patio is in fact our second lounge. Due to mild climate temperatures all year round we spend about 70% of our time in it so I always wished to have a cosy corner out there. I had it indeed but I thought about a little new re-decor with vintage and upcycling stuff. 

Treasure 1 is my childhood bed, rescued from my mother's last removal.  This is a beautiful iron handmade piece tailored made by a friend of ours when I was born. 

Treasure 2 is this pairs of shutters I found by the trash container the other day. They were standing there waiting for someone like me to take them home and get a new life! They are in great shape and completely lacquered in white. This is my next project and I will publish the outdoor makeover when I am done. 

Anne

Kitchen makeover

This was my original kitchen. 

Everything was white: access door, wall tiles, cupboards, floor… 

We made modifications a while ago as we wanted an open plan from the kitchen to the living area; washing and drying machines were moved to a built-in laundry place and we put wooden floor all over. One of the corner cupboards was modified (brown color on the right hand side).