Dah, dah, daaaah…ta-da! Our lustre or chandelier! Now, I’ll leave it to you design folk to call this a reveal but those of you who have been reading for any length of time will know that this has been one long, long search. Ah me, the good things are worth waiting for aren’t they. Because, truly the universe threw us a bone this time. One for me to think about when I claim with a blustery sigh that my luck is no more.
I found it on French ebay. All of the branches detach from the base and the patina is sublime. It is rusted and the wood is cracked, the real thing. We are guessing mid-1800s. Right away my alarm starting ringing so hard that I could barely sit still but I am no fool. I know that beauties like this don’t go unperceived by the professionals. Except that for some reason, it did. It is one yard by one yard, absolutely giantly gorgeous and we got it for…90€. Yeah, you read that correctly, baby! Ding, ding, ding we have a winner!!
And it arrived like the elegant lady that she is, right on time before my Sister’s arrival, just when I was hoping to spruce up les environs a little bit (although I know that Robin and I could have a great time in a tent in the wilderness, still, bah I can’t help it). I then turned towards our pair of bridge chairs (from the 50s and 30s if you are looking left to right) and finally bought some wonderful cream fabric with a slight stretch in it from my wonderful seller at the market (more of her soon) for 10€. I do not have a hand for this type of thing but between tacks, sewing and even moving tape (!), they look a fine spot better than they did with the “temporary” getup that has been in place for a year!
So one plus two equals something much more pulled together on our non-existent budget. All that remained were a few more touches…
…gathering the most winsome lavender roses to make a girl sigh…
…stocking up on regional specialities until the refrigerator door would barely close…airing the vintage linen sheets…but most importantly…
…ramping up the welcoming committee!
As I have most likely made clear by now, a lovely time was had by all and I will be sharing more of our time together soon. Robin, come back soon! I love you, Sister!
Thanks to all of you that were so appreciative of my last post about our shooting an ad for Apple in Botswana. For those of you that for some crazy reason were not glued to your computers this weekend, you can see it here. And yes, I will happily continue with our Past Adventures, including reposting the initial two for all of you wonderful new readers.
Have a fantastic week everyone!
Oh, it is trés magnifique! Definitely worth the wait for this lovely lady to find her way to you. Heather, I too am a chandelier connoisseur (I would have at least one in every room of the house if I had my way) and I am absolutely smitten with this one. You lucky, lucky, girl! Your sister must have felt like a queen with all the special touches you rolled out for her — and who wouldn't feel special with such a fine welcoming committee. Thanks for sharing your find with us! XO
Wait – scuse me, you sewed those chair covers?? Or, should I say, you made them?? I truly didn't understand that – I think I thought those were Ikea chairs that you ordered new covers for – I'm serious!!! You did a damn fine job on them – I am so impressed! But of course, the chandelier takes the cake!! It is more awesome in person; thank you for sitting on your find so that I could see it in person before reading about it on your blog!! Lovely pictures and reminders of all that you did to make my visit special, but you forgot the most enthusiastic member of the welcoming committee – YOU!!!
this is such a beautiful post – with your weathered chandelier and your smokey purple roses!! Love the chairs and the welcome committee – !!!!!
That is a BEAUTY, you lucky girl! It looks so perfect in your room, too.
I didn't comment on your last post…I didn't want to break the spell that the story cast over me. It was fabulous – not only because you were working under pressure and pulled it off beautifully – but also because 60 Minutes had the interview on last night with Steve Jobs' biographer. I was spellbound by that interview, and then first thing this morning here is YOUR post about the shoot for him and that elephant and 6 degrees…
You have such an elegant home! I'm envious of all that space you have! Wow! I'm sure it will come as no surprise when I tell you that Paris doesn't offer such accommodations, well at least in our price bracket. 🙂
And 90euros for the chandelier?! What a steal! It's absolutely gorgeous. Bravo!
That chandelier Heather was worth waiting for. The right bells and whistles, thrown in the great price…Lady Luck was on your side. You did a great job with the chair covers. Love the other half of the welcome committee. You both did a great job spiffing up for your sister's visit. It was sad to read your post when she left. xxx
Hello Heather
The chandelier is incredibly beautiful, gracious and elegant. I love the feeling of the entire space. It is airy and tranquil and the light is beautiful. The faded elegance of the rug, Florentine coffee tables and your covered chairs are sit like good companions, waiting to welcome friends. The roses are divine. We have out of town company coming this week and I have been saving my pennies for fresh flowers.
Thank you for sharing. Now I can envision you as you live.
Wishing you a week of joy
Helen xx
That's one lovely chandelier and it was well worth the wait. It looks awesome. Those roses are swoon-worthy too.
Mighty fabulous that Chandelier. And so is the rest of the room including your beautiful dog and the lovely lavender roses. The chairs are all right too. ox, Gina
Oh congratulations Heather, what a wonderful find! It is even more exciting than my own personal best: the Aalto dining table I found at a yard sale for $15. That's right, $15! When I first saw the tag, I assumed that there was at least one more zero there — especially because these puppies usually go for over $1000.
Sometimes we do have great luck in the design sphere. Luckily (ha, ha) our luck in other parts of our lives — such as in love and in pets — is pretty darn good!
It is blazing hot here in the Boston area. I hope you are finding some cool breezes in Arles this week.