Thursday, May 08, 2014

Always Darkest Before The...

The Kitchen Lighting Series - 2 -


The kitchen is done! Just kidding! It's actually a bigger mess than before! But one thing is actually chosen, hung and working: the kitchen overhead lamp!

La cuisine est finie! Je vous fais marcher! En fait, c'est encore plus le bazar qu'avant! Mais un élément est choisi, posé et fonctionne: la suspension.


I had actually lived with a very good-looking light bulb since I had met Cottage. It was dashing with the bright yellow and orange paint.

J'ai vécu depuis mon arrivée au Cottage avec une ampoule dernier cri pendue au plafond. Elle se mariait très bien avec le jaune orangé des murs.


I had kept the light bulb because I couldn't decide what I wanted to replace it with. I was completely in the dark about kitchen lighting!

Si j'ai gardé cette sublime ampoule aussi longtemps, c'est parce que je n'avais aucune idée de ce que je voulais. J'étais dans le noir côté inspiration.

After spying on the kitchen lights of every blogger, I was in love with that kind of lamps.

Après avoir espionné quantité de blogs à la recherche de la suspension parfaite, je suis tombée amoureuse des lampes billards avec abat-jours en opaline.


And wouldn't you know? I found one to sell for 100 euros in a village next to mine. I called to ask if I could see it. The lady said she wasn't available that weekend as it was her daughter's wedding and that I should call her back next weekend.

Et là, coup de chance, j'en ai trouvé un superbe dans un village non loin de chez moi. Quand j'ai appelé la vendeuse, elle m'a dit que je ne pouvais venir ce week-end-là car elle était de mariage. Elle m'a demandé de la rappeler le week-end suivant pour savoir si elle ne l'avait pas vendue dans la semaine.

I was thrilled to have found, finally, a lamp for the kitchen. It was expensive, but it was beautiful, and any ugly store bought one would be as expensive.

J'étais ravie d'avoir enfin trouvé une lampe. Elle était un peu chère à 100 €, mais toujours moins que ce que j'achèterais en magasin.

I tried to get Cottage to meet my excitment... But Cottage had doubts: "Won't it look too big in my small rooms? Maybe I'll look ridiculously over-dressed?" Seeing nothing could make me change my mind, Cottage sighed: "Well, maybe, a sign will be sent to her."

J'ai essayé de partager mon enthousiasme avec Cottage. Mais il n'a pas eu l'air convaincu: "C'est pas un peu immense par rapport à la taille de ma cuisine? Je ne voudrais pas avoir l'air ridicule." Voyant qu'il ne parvenait pas à me faire changer d'avis, il renonça: "Peut-être aura-t-elle une illumination, espéra-t-il."

As you know if you follow the blog, empty-your-attic sales are on Sundays in France. So that weekend, as I wasn't able to see the lamp, I went to a sale in the nearest "biggest" town around the Cottage.


Ce dimanche-là, j'étais dans un vide-grenier dans une ville voisine, comme tous les dimanches. Je cherchais de la vaisselle comme d'habitude quand soudain, quelque chose attira mon regard...

I was walking the aisles, looking of course for plates, teapots or teacups, when suddenly something caught my eye. A big opaline globe. I love those! So I asked how much it was and the seller said "Oh, but I have the whole lamp!"


Un beau globe en opaline en parfait état... J'en demande le prix et la dame me dit qu'elle a la lampe qui va avec, le tout en parfait état!

I fell in love with the pink flowers on the base... Just the right amount of pink for my kitchen where I wanted this colour to appear. I paid 20 euros for that beauty...  I can't remember what else I bought that day. This was the catch of the day!


Je suis tombée amoureuse des fleurs : juste la touche de rose qu'il me fallait pour ma cuisine. J'ai payé 20€ pour cette beauté. Je ne me souviens absolument pas de ce que j'ai acheté d'autre ce jour-là. C'était la trouvaille du dimanche.

I brought it back to Cottage and I swear I heard a sigh of relief  when I got the lamp out of my bag.


Je vous assure que lorsque j'ai sorti la lampe de mon sac de retour à la maison, j'ai entendu Cottage soupirer de soulagement.

To me, it looks very French, it reminds me of the ones my grand-father sold in his shop. What do you think?

Moi, j'adore son petit côté rétro. Qu'en pensez-vous?

As you've all been very patient, at least as much as I have been, here's a little picture of what was going on behind that lamp at the beginning of the week.

Et voici en avant première ce qui se passe en ce moment autour de cette lampe!

It's not very straight, but I was nearly doing a split over tools to take the picture!
What I didn't know is that instead of marking the end of the kitchen lamp hunt, this would only be the beginning. Because you can't only have an overhead lamp in a kitchen. So come back later to see how I created a lamp for the kitchen in the next post!

Ce que je ne savais pas encore c'est que loin de mettre fin à la chasse à la lampe de cuisine, cette trouvaille ne marquait que le début de cette passion! Revenez donc un peu plus tard, je vous montrerai ma petite création!

See you soon,

A bientôt,


PS1: We had a lovely day and Shadow decided to nap in the sun... But because he's a little worried about what's happening in the kitchen, he needed a security blanket, so he took one of my shoe (which was outside because all the door cabinets are stored in front of my shoe cupboard)...


Il y a eu du soleil récemment et Shadow a décidé qu'une sieste dehors s'imposait. Mais comme il est un peu inquiet de ce qui se passe dans la cuisine, il n'a pu s'endormir sans un doudou et il a jeté son dévolu sur une de mes chaussures qu'il a consciencieusement emmenée là où cela l'arrangeait!

PS2: I was supposed to publish this post yesterday and I was too tired. I can't resist to show you the picture I took for my mom of my finds from today's empty-your-attic sales. No lamps, but so many great things!

Je ne résiste pas à l'envie de vous montrer mes trouvailles du jour en vide-grenier. Je suis revenue bien chargée, même si, pour une fois, il  n'y avait pas de lampe!


PS3: This is how I learnt the phrase "It's always darkest before dawn". I can't get enough of Florence's voice and thought maybe you'd like to listen to her as well.

Mon titre est un expression anglaise que j'ai apprise dans cette chanson. J'adore cette voix envoutante... Vous pouvez vous faire plaisir en écoutant si vous connaissez ou tenter la découverte.



PS4: I'm partying with the following bloggers.

Photobucket           Photobucket             Dwellings-the Heart of You Home

                          


45 comments:

  1. Love the lamp and it looks terrific in the kitchen - great find. Looking forward what else your going to do. You really found some lovely items.
    Mary

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  2. Sweet kitty!!! And I think Cottage is saying, 'What a relief, she has finally chosen just the right lighting for the kitchen!' :-) Looks great, Magali.

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  3. I think it is perfect! Your kitty is so darling. xo

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  4. The lamp is just gorgeous! Love the pink and the swirly gold metal! It is perfect..:) Can't wait to see the other one! Have a blessed evening...Vicky

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  5. Wow, you got a super deal. So glad you found the perfect light.

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  6. I am singing with Florence at the top of my voice. You were in the right place at the right time. The lamp is perfect for the space and Cottage should be exuberant you found it. Loving Shadow napping in the sun.

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  7. I love the lamp, Magali! It is so perfect -- very cottage worthy! Reminds me of old lamps that my husband's grandmother had.

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  8. I absolutely love, love, love your lamp! You know I have a similar (though less fancy) one hanging in my studio space, plus a slightly different/larger one hanging in my dining room. I can't get enough of them! ~Angela~

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  9. It reminds me to my childhood. My father had one in his livingroom, and we used kerosene or coconut oil for the lamp.

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  10. Tu as raison, ces vieilles suspensions ont bien du charme ! Je sens que je vais me mettre en quête d'une pour ma cuisine... et la chambre... pour remplacer l'abat-jour jaune que tu détestes ! Je croise les doigts très fort pour que tout se passe bien pour ta cuisine.

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  11. Elle est très belle. j'aime beaucoup ce rose un peu suranné.
    Ces lampes font toujours de belles lampes de cuisine et puis 20 € ma foi.
    J'adore le chat et son "doudou" :-)
    Fleur

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    1. La lampe est en fait la raison pour laquelle je cherchais pour les murs de la cuisine une couleur qui irait avec du rose! Merci de cette visite et d'avoir pris le temps de laisser un petit mot.
      Magali

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  12. Je l'aime bien ta suspension, j'en ai eu une comme ça dans ma première maison et je l'ai gardé 12ans. Mais depuis 22 ans que j'habite dans ma deuxième maison, je change très régulièrement ''because''les vide greniers mais c'est ce qu'il y a d'intéressant, on trouve toujours mieux et à moindre coût.
    Il est beau ton chat.
    Bon weekend. Bises. Babette

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  13. A perfect lamp...what a find, as usual!

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  14. The carpenter is at it! lovely! and lovely red roses on the lamp. Not a huge fan of lamps, but as they go that was a cute one. Love florence an the machine.

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    1. I actually like how the opaline globe helps keeping the light soft... It's one of the only overhead lamp in the cottage that I actually use!

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  15. Awesome! It looks like it was made for that room!!

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  16. Oh gosh, that is a lovely, lovely lamp! It looks PERFECT in cottage! And the price! Wow! It was meant to be. I can't wait to see what else is happening on the lamp front for you! I have a small dog who is about the size of a cat, and who also finds my shoes comforting. When I come back from being gone, I find my shoes or slippers in very odd places, like in the middle of the bed…..

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  17. Magali, it is PERFECT! Such a beautiful find. Such a wonderful find, I love it. Patty/NS

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  18. Your light looks very French indeed...at least to an American living vicariously through your life! You have a wonderful gift of being able to pull everything together. You and your "opinionated" cottage are a good team!

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  19. What a lovely coincidence: we have the same light in our bedroom, but with blue-ish flowers ! It is very French indeed, I believe, because we bought our light just over the French-Belgian border in Lille, au marché aux puces...many years ago. Everyone in Belgium knows this famous french antiques market! Good choice :-D Grtz, Marcy

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    1. Isn't it funny? We seem to have the same kind of taste... I love the ones with blue flowers as well. I'm looking for an other one for my mom now!

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  20. It is fate. That is the absolute best lamp for Cottage. And the price? Perfect. Well done, Magali

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  21. I think it's lovely for your space. I have so much catching up to do at the cottage. I'll be back tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee to browse a bit longer.
    Thank you for visiting, Magali.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    xoxo's

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  22. I have to admit Magali, that in your last post this type of light wasn't my favourite, but I absolutely love it. It's so perfect for your cottage kitchen, it looks wonderful against the beams and it's the perfect size. I love all the wonderful details and obviously Cottage and the lamp were meant to meet, what a fantastic find !

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  23. Oh my, love, love that light! It is absolutely gorgeous hanging from your gorgeous white wood ceiling! Kitty is too cute and you sure did find some goodies.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. You made my heart skip a beat when you said the kitchen was done..... lol I LOVE your lamp. The perfect choice for your kitchen! And the pink pattern is an added bonus! Good score Magali.

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  25. So many beautiful finds! But the lamp is exquisite!AriadnefromGreece!

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  26. After seeing your lamp I can't imagine any other lighting in this space. This one is perfect.
    Traci

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  27. Such a lovely light! You got a great find there!

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  28. Love the lamp, love the color, and love it hanging in your kitchen!

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  29. This is just perfect! It's got that girly, vintage thing going on which is perfect for your kitchen. p.s. I deciphered a French phrase all on my own today. I was having mother's day breakfast with my girls at a French-ish sort of restaurant and there was a picture that said "laissez les bon temps rouler" So, I ignored laissez even though I know laissez faire, but I'm not sure how to translate that. I moved on to bon which I know, and then I said bon temps rouler and I knew! Feeling pretty fantastic right now. You'll be excited I am working on my French vocabulary words in the kitchen and I now know: la moutarde. le sandwich. and le sel. :) I am pretty sure I can make it in France now....at least I'll be able to get some lunch.

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  30. This lamp couldn't possibly by more perfect Magali! Well done!

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  31. I love this lamp so much! It's so perfect for your cottage!

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  32. Sweet little lamp. I have been hoping for one like this too. Some day at auction I will find her. Make it a wonderful day.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  33. The lamp is perfect! And the cat is purrfect! :P

    -andi

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  34. Charming lamp. I am SO anxious to see your finished kitchen, Magali. It's going to be wonderful. Shadow just cracks me up. Such a casual feline. :)

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    1. Shadow can make me laugh any day, even when I'm tired or under pressure!

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  35. Hi Magali, the lamp is just perfect, what a great find.
    Jeannie

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  36. LOVE the lamp ! Awwwww@Shadow enjoying the sunny weather. Hugs ~ Iza.

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  37. Oh, that is beautiful, and there is that touch of pink!

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  38. It's just to die for!! Looks very French to me too, what a steal at €20!

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