Sunday, July 02, 2017

Lost Cottage Girl

Living-Room Project - Where It's Going


Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my last post, wishing me a quiet and uneventful month of June... I don't know exactly what went wrong, maybe something was lost in translation... But "quiet and uneventful" is now how I would describe this month... And that's why it's been a while since my last post. 

1.

Un immense merci pour vos commentaires sur mon dernier article. Vous m'avez tous souhaité un mois de juin calme et reposant... Je ne sais pas ce qui n'a pas été compris par les puissances supérieures... Ou alors, vous n'avez pas été sage et votre vœu n'a donc pas été exaucé... Enfin bref, le mois était tout sauf reposant et c'est pour cette raison que mon dernier article date un peu...

2.
 
But you know how with friends you can not see each others for a while and when you finally meet again, it's like nothing has changed? Well, I do hope it'll be the same for you and me.

3.
Entre amis, normalement, on peut rester sans se voir un grand moment et dès qu'on se retrouve, c'est comme si l'on ne s'était pas quitté... J'espère qu'il en est de même entre nous.

4.
 
I still have one more week of school before summer holidays officially begin. I'll allow me one week away from Cottage to relax and then I'll be back to work on the living-room project.

5.
J'ai encore une semaine d'école (dont deux jours de correction d'examen, youpi!) avant le début des vacances. Je partirai une semaine loin de Cottage pour me relaxer et revenir pleine d'énergie pour m'attaquer au salon (ça ne coûte rien d'espérer).

6.
 You might have admired how well-planned everything was with the kitchen and the dining-nook projects... It's not working that way at all for the living-room for all kind of reasons...

7.
 Vous aviez souvent admiré combien toutes les transformations de la cuisine et de la salle-à-manger étaient bien organisées, s'enchaînaient logiquement... ça ne fonctionne pas du tout ainsi dans le salon pour tout un tas de raisons.

8. I need that white wooden heart chair!
  I think the first reason is that the living-room is also the Cottage's entryway and that the staircase is in the living-room. It makes it difficult to find the perfect layout, or at least a work-for-me layout. It also makes it a difficult room to paint, especially as I took an oath not to paint the easy walls until I finished painting the staircase... I'm dumb like that sometimes... And even dumber as I tend to keep the oath I took all by myself with no witness...

9.
La première de ces raisons est que le salon est aussi l'entrée du Cottage et que la cage d'escalier s'y trouve aussi. Trouver la disposition idéale des meubles dans un espace qui a plusieurs fonctions est particulièrement difficile. Peindre la pièce est aussi un casse-tête... Surtout parce que j'ai juré de ne pas m'attaquer aux murs (la partie facile) tant que je n'aurai pas fini le plafond au dessus de l'escalier... Et comme je suis bête, je respecte ce serment pris toute seule et sans aucun témoin...

9.
 The second reason why the living-room transformation is going in all possible directions and might seem to actually go nowhere is that I buy all my furniture (except for the sofa) second-hand... So I don't necessarily find pieces when I need them... It means for example that right now there are two TV units in my small living-room, the old one I haven't sold yet and the new one that I unexpectedly found a few weeks ago for less than 100 euros... It was absolutely not the right time for me, but it was the right price and, more importantly, the right piece!

10. Don't tell the cats, but I think I want the dog!
 
La deuxième raison pour laquelle la rénovation du salon part dans tous les sens et semble même n'aller nulle part, c'est parce que je chine tous les meubles (à l'exception du canapé) sur Le Bon Coin... Je ne les trouve pas forcément dans le bon ordre, ni au bon moment. En ce moment, par exemple, j'ai deux meubles télé dans mon petit salon... L'ancien n'est pas encore vendu... Mais j'ai tout à coup déniché celui de mes rêves pour moins de cent euros, livraison comprise... Je n'ai pas résisté.

11.
So I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with this living-room project and a bit lost... It's time to go back to my favourite inspiration pictures and get my ideas clear about what it is I want in my cosy Cottage living-room so I can get back to work on that after my little week off.

12.

Du coup, je me sens un peu submergée par ce projet salon et un peu perdue... Il est temps de jeter à nouveau un coup d’œil à mes photos d'inspiration pour mettre mes idées au clair... Retrouver quels éléments je veux pour le salon de Cottage pour me mettre au travail dès mon retour de ma semaine de vacances.

13.

What are the essential things for a living-room according to me? It must be comfortable for when I'm on my own. That means comfortable sofa (you know I already took care of that), different sources of light so that I have the perfect one for having a cup of tea, reading a book or watching TV. Because yes, in my dream living-room, there's a TV. It's very fashionable among French teachers right now to say (or to pretend?) that you don't watch that much TV... or even better, that you don't own a TV... Well, as much as I'm enjoying re-reading Homer's Iliad these days, I also love spending a night watching a TV shows...

14.

Quel est l'essentiel d'un salon d'après moi ? Je dois m'y sentir bien quand je suis seule. Cela siginfie qu'un canapé confortable (vous savez que je me suis déjà occupée de ce point), des sources de lumière variées pour avoir l'éclairage parfait quand je bois une tasse de thé, quand je lis, quand je regarde la télé. Ah oui, parmi mes collègues la grande mode est d'affirmer (ou de prétendre ?) que l'on ne regarde que rarement la télé, voire encore plus chic, qu'on n'en possède pas... Moi, je me régale à  relire en ce moment l'Iliade d'Homère, mais j'aime aussi passer une soirée à regarder de séries ou un film.

15.
The living-room must also be comfortable for guests. So there must be enough sitting spots, if possible, not all in a row, and not too far apart so that conversation can flow. A few small tables are also necessary so that people can have their cup of tea (or glass of whisky, I'm not judging) close to where they are sitting... Nothing stops the conversation like guests getting up every ten seconds to pick up a cookie or their drink.

16.
Mes invités doivent aussi se sentir bien dans mon salon. Il doit donc y avoir assez de sièges moelleux, si possible formant un cercle ou un carré, enfin pas tous à la queue-leu-leu... Pas trop éloignés les uns des autres non plus. Assez de petites tables pour que les gens puissent poser leur tasse de thé (ou leur verre de whysky, je ne juge pas) à côté d'eux. Rien de pire que les conversations qui s'arrêtent car les gens ont besoin de se lever pour attraper leur tasse ou un gâteau.

17.
Also needed is a huge bookcase... I won't need inspiration to style it... As mine will be filled with books! I hope this can be a project for 2018 because I really can't stand my two old bookcases which are not fit for the size of Cottage and are really shabby... Not in a romantic way.

Je ne pourrai pas non plus me passer d'une grande bibliothèque... Et je n'aurai pas besoin de conseils pour la décorer, elle sera remplie de livres... J'espère que cela sera le projet de 2018 car je ne peux plus supporter mes vieilles étagères qui ne correspondent pas à la taille de Cottage et qui s'écroulent chaque jour un peu plus...

And that's it! Or is it? Am I forgetting something that you noticed on the inspiration pictures and that happen to be (very conveniently) July's project?

Et voilà, c'est tout ! Vraiment ? N'aurais-je pas oublié un petit élément qui se retrouve sur toutes les photos d'inspiration et qui est comme par hasard le projet du mois de juillet ?

To be continued...

A suivre...

See you  next time!

A la prochaine fois !

Hasta la proxima !



 

32 comments:

  1. I think living rooms are the most difficult room to decorate. And of course we Americans not only have to have a tv but it has to be an enormous one (in my husband's opinion)! Your inspiration pictures are beautiful. We are looking for new living room furniture. It's time to get rid of the big brown leather monsters and replace them with something light and cozy. A new Ikea just opened about 15 minutes from us so we have been looking there. I can't wait to see more of your living room project. I just know it will be adorable!

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  2. I like all of your inspiration rooms, their sense of light. We have a living room and a family room and the family room is the only one we use. it's the comfortable one, the other is for the insurance salesman to make his pitch in.

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  3. I love, love these inspiration pictures, Magali! I wouldn't turn down any of these rooms. :D Is your July project a fireplace perhaps? Or a rug? Can't wait to see what you're working on next!

    Have a great weekend.

    Hugs,

    Denise

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    1. The first project is the fireplace... I can only choose the rug when the stove is there and I can measure security distance to get the righ rug!

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  4. Painting or found a good (task) lamp! I do love number 2 photo, very welcoming and cozy. Maybe a wonderful bookcase will drop from heaven for you:), better yet, a seller in you hometown. How's the kitty?, hope he's doing fine and getting into mischief.
    Eh, I read and watch tv, I think I turned out ok, Kathleen in Az

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  5. I would love to live in photo #2! And, as in photo #10, the best accessory is a dog...(or a cat). Can't wait to see what's next.

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  6. :o)) My cat babbel 'hates" our Bear lab...I wish she sleeps one day near him in his basket :o))...
    but we love our black labrador soo much ( your picture of the photo with the blond labrador ;o)
    for the first time of our lives whe have a dog ! He s now 1 1/2 years old . I always thought i'm afraid ... (o))
    but it was unknowed ;o)

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  7. Je suis tentée de répondre que la cheminée est ce point commun.... Mais le bleu y est presque partout... Amicalement
    Bri

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  8. There's a fireplace in every inspiration photo, so I'm guessing your unnamed July project has to do with your fireplace. I like all these rooms very much, and could be happy in any of them, but #12 is my personal favorite. I absolutely love everything about it. Everything. xo

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  9. your inspiration pictures had me drooling. I'm looking forward to seeing which direction you go. We put in a large bookcase/china cabinet to block off an archway recently. I love it, but now already planning another wall of bookcases. Built-ins are becoming my obsession.

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  10. Magali, one thing I've learned when we were building and decorating our house is that waiting is worth it! I know you've been living in your cottage for some time but each room has evolved since the beginning, which gives you a new perspective, and one that needs to be studied, felt, and understood. I am positive that your end result will be perfect!

    Poppy

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  11. Coucou Magali
    Bon moi je dirais qu'une table basse pourrait être l'objet que l'on remarque le plus, le reste tu l'as déjà même la théière... quoique en y regardant de plus près ça pourrait être un joli petit poêle qui réchaufferait ton joli cottage... tu sais que tu me fais rêver chaque fois que je vois les photos de ton blog, tu trouves toujours l'ambiance ou le petit coin cosy qui va faire la différence, tu dois avoir un peu de british en toi ;-)
    Bon sur ce passe de bonnes vacances, reviens en forme et parle nous de tes prochains projets
    @tout bientôt de te lire à nouveau

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  12. My husband and I know this scenario well, Magali! It took us at least 17 years to get our home where we want it, and during that time, buying furniture for the "future" of our new addition. We lived in a cramped style, many elements like chandeliers and other pieces were stored in our basement for what seemed like "eternity." But things end up happening in your favor, at the right time.

    I do hope you are enjoying your holiday time. I have had all of June, now all of July, then half of August to continue enjoying the quiet and peaceful summer holiday!

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  13. Living rooms are definitely challenging, especially if one doesn't have a family room in the house. I suppose I may be in the same boat as you in the future. Inspiration pics are gorgeous. One more beautiful than the other. I think that you've pretty much checked all the boxes for what's important, at least to you, and it will be lovely and comfortable when you're done.

    xxx

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  14. Hi....i'm sure you'll figure it out..i have faith in ya..i noticed too the fireplaces..an i LOVE that look..i switched to gas an planned to have the unit inside the firebox..great idea wende..if only it fit..i also see most pix have beamed ceilings..another wonderful thing for any cottage..oh an let's not forget all the pins i've seen lately of front doors..hummmmm..wonder what that's all about..i hope you have a relaxing uneventful vacation..i hope shadow is much better by now as well..and..i'm so happy your school yr is pretty much over..have a nice week..an see ya next time.

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  15. All the inspiration is beautiful. I know you will do a great job with your living space in Cottage. Happy break coming up. Enjoy.
    Kris

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  16. ooooh je ne retrouve pas la superbe biblio de la photo 13 du 30 mars... mais la photo 13 du jour présente un bien joli poêle blanc !!
    j'aime beaucoup la table de la photo 14 (mais pas sa couleur trop soutenue), de belles proportions et juste haute comme il faut quand on s'assied dans de confortables fauteuils ou un joli canapé rayé - pour notre petit salon, nous avons opté pour des tables gigognes (un nest of tables trouvé dans une charity shop à l'automne dernier) mais la plus petite est vraiment petite et basse....
    deux canapés dans un salon, ça fait rêver... mais bouger deux canapés pour faire le ménage demande de l'espace... et les fauteuils ont souvent de hauts dossiers bien élégants !
    bon courage pour la toute fin d'année scolaire !!! à bientôt - monique59

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  17. Hi, happy summer! Your little cottage is so delightful that whatever you do will turn out perfect. I love the table and color in pic #14.
    xoxo Jo

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  18. Ne serait-ce pas la table basse??? Les photos 10 & 14 ont ma préférence.
    Je te souhaite après cette année un peu difficile pour toi de passer un très bel été. Caresses aux griffus. Shadow est-il bien remis de son opération?
    Mille bisous. Babette

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  19. I have had so many issues trying to find the perfect layout for my awkward living room, so I sympathize with you! I see a lot of photos with wood beams on the ceiling, is that part of your project? Or perhaps you are working on your fireplace? Either way, looking forward to the reveal!!

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  20. Hello Magali! Here are cheers to the last week of school, and big cheers for your vacation!! I love your inspiration pictures, and I am sure you will come up with wonderful ideas for your cottage. All is well here--we are rehearsing Tartuffe, a great French play, and so I am busy, but in between I am enjoying our garden very much--lots of pretty flowers right now in bloom!

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  21. Moi, je pense vraiment qu'il y a un projet "poêle" dans l'air... Toutes ces photos d'inspiration sont très... inspirantes... mais je suis bien certaine que ton projet n'aura rien à envier à ces magnifiques cheminées et poêles ! Bises

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  22. I also noticed the beautiful deep fireplaces filled with heat and light. Alas our fireplace is refinished but still empty of gas logs. The woodstove is on the other side of the chimney in our mudroom/entry. But we do have a wall of built-in bookshelves that are not only functional but gorgeous. I also noticed much blue in your inspiration photos. Whatever you choose enjoy your summer project – that's what summers are for…

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    1. You're right, all pictures have a fireplace: my next project!

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  23. Those are wonderful inspiration Pictures! Those stone walls and wood burners remind me of your living room, so I'm guessing that might be your next project. I love #2 and#10. Enjoy your week off.

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  24. Magali que gusto saber de ti y que bien que tengas unos dias de vacaciones muy bien merecidas y seguro que nos deleitaras con unas lindas fotos de tu paseo. ( y como esta ?Shadow )espero que ya muy bien. Esas fotos de inspiracion en todas hay algo que me gusta no seria facil para mi decidirme. Cuidate y hasta la proxima :)

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    1. Finalmente, las vacaciones de verano comenzaron el pasado sábado ... ¡Pero la semana pasada fue la más ocupada jamás, ya que tuve que sustituir a alguien!

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  25. We did miss our Colorado insert wood stove. We have a gas fireplace now but I love the real thing!

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  26. Oh I have never seen such sweet little stoves. They are so wonderful in white. We have an rather unsightly gas fixture in our fireplace that I keep hidden behind a screen. Have a wondefful day!

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