Thursday, May 16, 2013

Before It Gets Better

May Mantel Porch


I know everyone  (well not everyone in the whole world, but at least readers of this blog) is waiting for the next episode of the Cottage Flooring series, but let's juts take a little break, shall we?

Bon tout le monde piaffe de lire le prochain épisode de la série sur les sols, mais faisons une toute petite pause, d'accord?


My front porch is a too shabby tiny veranda, but it's about the only place I can decorate lately.

Because inside, before it gets better, it's really chaotic. The kitchen and dining-room now have proper insulation. The plumber also got some of the pipes ready for the boiler to be put back in its place.

A l'intérieur, c'est le tempête avant le calme (enfin j'espère): l'isolation est posée, le plombier est venu mettre tous les tuyaux pour reposer la chaudière. Du coup, mon menuisier n'arrêtait pas de se cogner dans les fameux tuyaux... que j'ai donc ornés de mon couvre-théière, histoire de ne pas avoir un blessé sur le chantier! Vous le voyez?


The carpenter kept bumping his head in the said pipes, so I put a tea cosy there so he wouldn't hurt himself. Can you see it?

So let's go back to a few weeks before today. I was happily shopping, believing the renovation will soon be over (I'm gullible that way...) when I stumbled upon a "take three letters, pay for two" sign! It was the end of April, so I thought it would be fun to buy a M, an A and get the Y free to put later on the mantle.

Du coup, le seul petit (tout petit) coin que je peux décorer est ma véranda (enfin un grand mot pour un truc de 1,50 mètres carré...)


Fast forward to the beginning of May, right after the flooding that delayed the renovation... The mantle is hidden behind a shelf that holds some of my everyday dishes, the sofa, the coffee table, a couple boxes, all stuck there so the workers can have some space... I can't even get to whatever decoration is left on it. Plus I'm in no mood to decorate and feel my mind is drawing a blank.


 J'avais acheté les lettres en MDF brut lors d'une promo trois pour le prix de deux... Mais je n'avais aucune inspiration... Jusqu'à ce que je tombe le week-end dernier sur un petit sucrier et un petit mug en porcelaine anglaise turquoise avec des fleurs blanches... D'un coup, ça m'a paru évident.


Fast forward to last weekend. I went to some "Empty-your-attic" sales (the Britton version of yard sales) and found an adorable turquoise mug and sugar bowl made of English china. At that moment, inspiration struck.


Back home I painted the letters in some turquoise paint I already had and stenciled a white rose to match the china set I had found.


I framed a postcard a friend sent me last week (what a colour-coincidence, isn't it?): it's sketch from Degas... From what she wrote, I'm not sure she loved it, but I think it's perfect.


J'ai reçu la semaine dernière une carte postale d'une amie reproduisant une esquisse de Degas: j'ai tout de suite adoré (pas elle, d'après ce qu'elle m'écrit) et je l'ai donc installée dans la véranda.


The cushion is where the second cat sleeps, so it has to be there (though I could remove it for pictures, as a true blogger would do), but I thought I managed to get it to blend in the month's theme!

Le coussin n'est pas là pour la déco, c'est là que chat n°2 passe ses nuits... Il a l'air d'apprécier sa nouvelle housse... Mais je dois avouer qu'il n'a pas toujours l'air de comprendre mes idées... Il a regardé les lettres pendant un moment, se demandant sûrement si ça risquait de l'assommer!  

It felt so good to take some time to decorate this afternoon. It will probably be covered with dust tomorrow...

C'était bien agréable de décorer un peu cet aprem'. Demain les gros travaux reprennent!

See you soon, 

A bientôt,

I'm sharing with:

 I would love to have you join me for my link party, Share Your Cup!      "OPEN HOUSE" BLOG PARTY  is posted on THURSDAY           The DedicatedHouse 

 that diy link party      Sunday                          is the day to share              PJH Designs  
                                      

Vintage View Sunday 

33 comments:

  1. Very beautiful.

    My daughter and I saw one of his life size sculptures at a museum in Pasadena. It was stunning. I am pretty sure I've also seen some of Degas's works when I visited France years ago. Someday, I want to take my daughter to Paris.

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  2. My favourite colour, aqua. So fresh. What a find! Most of the vide greniers that I went to had nothing pretty at all.
    Such a good idea, the tea cosy! I don't suppose he even knew what it was, teapots being in short supply in France.

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  3. Love the turquoise Magali and that Tea Cosy is the funniest thing ( brilliant - but quite funny !!! )
    AND the cat's bed fits right in!!!
    XOX

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  4. Ta déco tout en bleu turquoise est vraiment charmante et je comprends que tu aies eu envie d'un peu de douceur au milieu de ce chantier heu... merdique... Les petits pots bleus sont adorables !
    Mary

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  5. Cette couleur est tres, tres belle. J'adore.

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  6. Ah ah ah , mais dis donc , c'est pas des carreaux blancs que je vois au sol sous ton cache théière ??? Tout ce turquoise est plutôt sympa , j'aime bien .
    Bises . Babette

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    1. Chut! Je me demandais si quelqu'un allait remarquer...
      Merci de passer si régulièrement.

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  7. super ! l'idée des lettres !
    et le cache-théière me fait trop rire ...à avoir toujours chez soi en cas d'urgence !!
    bise,
    Marry Poppins

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    Replies
    1. Le cache-théière est l'élément indispensable à avoir sous la main quand on entreprend des travaux... Je crois que Poussière du Sud va bientôt vendre les siens, c'est le moment de faire un stock!

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  8. Loving your progress! Have a wonderful week! Beautiful bouquet too!

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  9. What a beautiful little cozy veranda you've decorated, Magali! I love turquoise and white, and it really helps to have at least one place in the home that makes you smile when you see it, although the rest of your delightful home will be beautiful when all the renovations are complete.

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  10. I know how distressing it is to go through home renovations...I'm glad you have at least one little place that you can still decorate and make beautiful. Love the blue pitchers!

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  11. I am so glad you took a little time for yourself. Does a body good! lol! Love, love your turquoise finds and the stenciled roses add just the perfect touch. Wonderful to have something so lovely to take your mind off the chaos. The tea cozy is too funny! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. Very well done. Seems that everything works in your favourite to get this color theme.
    finally you have found your color combination to decorate your house.

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  13. Chère Magali! WOW! Votre maison est super, votre décoration une mélange de France et les États-Unis! Merci d'être venue et bien sûr, je vais vous ajouter sur la liste de blogueuses qui participent dans la fête. La fête dure jusqu'à vendredi, 24 mai. Alors, si vous voudriez afficher un billet sur le suject de France, nos amies pourront venir vous laisser un commentaire et vous aussi pouvez les laisser un petit mot.

    Je vais ajouter votre nom et lien maintenant sur la liste! BON VOYAGE, MAGALI! Anita

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  14. Bonjour! So nice to meet you Magali.. I love what you have done here to cheer it up until it is finished.. I can see how very thoughtful you are.. The tea cozy says it all..
    If not for my dear friend Anita hosting this wonderful party I would not have found your blog. I am so happy I did.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  15. What a sweet little corner you created. I love the shade of blue = perhaps I need to change my palette to softer colors.

    It is not too long before your school will be out and you will have time to decorate, undecorate, garden and dance your way around the workmen.

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  16. Exquisite! Love the shabby look, the blue and the flowers! Also the large MAY! I hope you have a blessed week,
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you so much! My very small rose is far from being as gorgeous as the roses in your garden... But in a few years, I'll be up to the competition! It was nice of you to visit.

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  17. This is my favorite color in the home right now. Your vase is just beautiful. Aaahhh, I love the pink rose.

    It's so nice to meet new friends.

    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  18. I’m happy to hear you are creating and enjoying decorating after the plumbing disaster. Hopefully you will have everything put back together soon. I love the porch space and the vignette you created there using all turquoise, it’s funny how things turn out. Love your containers and the framed card . All those windows are fabulous! I couldn’t help but notice the blue shutters, gorgeous!
    Have a great week......

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  19. Magali I think you have great inspiration for these lovely vignettes!!

    I love to find items at a sale that turn into so much more!

    Come with me on my adventure in France.
    life, possibilities, grace
    a beautiful dream...

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  20. That color is a happy color and just seems like it belongs in a cottage by the sea. I love that you carved out a little pretty in the face of all the renovation. It is a shame the 2nd cat would not pose on her pillow. She would be a charming touch! Sometimes cat are little like furniture and decorative besides. If you catch her napping I hope you will snap her picture and share it with us. I always love visiting. Thank you for bringing us on the wonderful renovation adventure with you. Happy Sunday View!

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    1. I'll ask the cat (it's a "he") if he wants to pose, but lately he only sleeps there at night, because during the day he's too afraid of the renovation going on. But as soon as I can snap a picture I'll post it!

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  21. Hi Magali,
    Loved your post--made me smile--esp. the tea cozy you put up for the carpenter! :-) Your turquoise pieces are lovely, and the stenciled flower are just the right touch. The lilies of the valley (?) are beautiful. I feel like my life is in a constant state of renovation waiting to be decorated! Thank you so much for linking up with Vintage View Sunday. So glad you found my blog. I am following you now.

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to visit. I'll be happy to show up at your party every now and then when I have something vintage to show.

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  22. I love the idea of "empty the attic." sounds a lot nicer than yard sale. great finds with those letters, I would love to incorporate some typography like that in my home. your renovation looks like it is coming along nicely.

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  23. Magali, why haven't I seen your lovely porch before? I just had to pin it, it looks so quiet, restful and those soft aqua tones are so soothing...

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  24. What a happy spot! You are one of the features today at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button. Hope to see you again at the blue soiree. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  25. Hi Magali,

    What a pretty porch. I love the colors. Your decorations make me smile. So pretty. I'm so glad you joined us this week at Transformed Tuesday. Have a great week.

    Hugs,
    Peggy~PJH Designs

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  26. Ahh, enjoying the moment is what counts! It looks lovely! Love the tea cozy!

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