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!
Your home is looking so lovely, Heather! Love this chandelier – just divine!
~ Clare x
Beautiful post .. love that third picture down. Your roses are gorgeous against the silver and your living room is stunning. Gorgeous chandelier and such a cute pup!
xxleslie
After I posted my comment, I thought to myself, of course she knows how Paris is. Everyone has to pay their Paris dues before wising up and moving out! I still have a few more Paris years to go until I enjoy the luxuries of space, cheaper rent, sunshine, and beauty. For now, I'll just live vicariously through blogs like yours. 🙂
Thank you so much Ann. We have been searching for a year! We would find things (like a beautiful Italian lustre at the Montpellier deballage for 1600 €) and then couldn't afford them and find nothing when we could. So we are relieved. Merci as well for the compliment. We have travelled a lot and always tried to bring things back when we could. 🙂
Totally different from the crystal giant that I had found not too long ago but we are thrilled with it Contessa. I do love me some sparkles though…