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!
Merci Laura! Hoping that you are having a beautiful summer in Rome…
Yet another thing we have in common, Jeanne. I practically DID have them in every room in our old house but the buyer's one stipulation was that they got to keep all of the lighting! And since they paid our asking price (and were the first to visit even before it was on the market) we agreed. So poof! Time to start from scratch!
I couldn't help it but jump in the air Sister!! I was so thrilled to see pretty you (fresh as a daisy) coming out of customs!!! Yippeee!!!
Linda, I never want anyone to feel pressured to leave a comment and am so happy that it resonated with you. 🙂
Ella, we did our time in Paris and so know verrry well what it means to have a 100m2 apartment! If I told you what our rent is you would fall off your divan!
Thank you so much, Helen–coming from your painterly perspective I am quite thrilled by your compliments! The rug is one of my favorite pieces. I can't tell you how hard it was to find one that was faded! And yet that is another example of great luck. I do believe that is precisely why no one else wanted it and so with shipping it was only 200€. Another ebay score.
I hope that you have a wonderful time with your out of town company and I am sure that your home will be gorgeous and welcoming.
xo,
H
Judith! That is a pretty crazy deal too! Wow. You must have been so thrilled. 🙂
And funny you should mention it because out of nowhere we have big winds a blowin' through town–muuuch better than the frying pan heat of the past month. Hope that you are Karina are staying cool…
I totally adore the chandelier (what a great finding!) and how it blends with the other items of your living. Everything looks so elegant, chic, sophisticated and faithful to the Provence and French taste.
Bonne journéee et à très bientot!
laura
How perfectly muted and gorgeous. Right up my chemin. Beautiful, Heather.
aidan x
Your chandelier is just beautiful and, budget or no budget, your living room is perfect! x Sharon