September 09, 2015

Inspired By The Rural French Countryside

 Burlap Luxe French Home

I have taken an out-dated armoire and
styled it to fit in with my French 
home adding all the French it needed.

Styling a French room,
for seasons to come.
 A designers home, and a painters palette 
muted in pale.

I love the way this armoire rises up to
greet all who enters our home
that lives rustic.

 I avoid a formal sense of 'display' -
rooms that live feel far more personal.
 When I create with paints it's all about questioning -
what would this piece like to become?

This part of the design process for the artist in me, plays -
out all things rural French.

 New hardware, then sanded and aged adds to the feel of
authentic French history.

 Antique key
A bit of family history.
 
 Seasonal foliage in a French weathered floral-
can adds to an informal mood.
 Greeting the season inspired by the French -
countryside
 A sense of natural comfort is found in every aspect
of French living.

 The armoire doors before I removed the
leather and sanded down its finish.

Yes a dated feast.
 
 Before drawer, before hardware.

 Painted in a French patina, rural in style found in
almost every French home.

 Background lighting.



 Aged as if unearthed from a French antique dealer.

My newly given patina as if acquired from
years of use.

An Iconic French living-room piece is the 
armoire 

43 comments:

Lisa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tone said...

That is absolutely amazing! I love the french look <3
Makes me want to paint my blue vintage cupboard in white and grey :)

Lisa said...

Dore, I am truly amazed by this transformation! I really believe you can transform anything into a masterpiece of French Country at it's best! You saw the vision of what it could become and you achieved it in spades! I can't believe the before became this lovely French piece. It did have potential as it was and it needed your touch to make it become this beauty. I saw something like this in the Jeanne de arc magazine and I loved it. This is the most beautiful piece I have seen you do! Great job, my dear!

Lisa xo

justys said...

boaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, speakless, boaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh its so so so so so so beautyful!!!!! boaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

i love it so much!

greets from germany
justys

T said...

I admire the subtle variations in its patina, blended strategically and randomly. That's what mostly defines its beauty to me. I just want to stare. Beautiful.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Dore. What an incredible transformation - a gorgeous focal point in your French space. I'm so surprised you didn't want to keep the leather doors! Wink.
xo Sally

Victoria said...

Wow, what an amazing transformation! Nobody would guess it was the same piece of furniture!!! I love how you have the little key hanging off the knob, such a pretty little touch:) I love your coffee table also, it looks like it has some sort of pull out area? Very beautiful!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Not an easy feat whatsoever! Well done, ma'am!

You know what I envision for it even furthering its "new" awesomeness?

Be nice if you could get ahold of some vintage decorative pie safe tins and put them on where the leather squares were/are. It would give it that extra something, you know?

Just a thought, please excuse, no offenses EVER intended. Love this piece!♥

white and vintage said...

Hello Dore,
I can´t believe the change of this furniture. It is soooooo beautiful now!!!

xo Christine

Méa Strauß said...

And what does the Armoire say? It says THANK YOU, Doré! Behind that Leather and paint you revealed my true soul!!! If it could, it would hug you - so attention, when you open teh doors, you might get stuck a while - but tender, this armoire is a tender soul ;))) And a strong actor, a good buddy, not anymore dressed up like a drag queen ;)))
Beautiful this transformation - and now I finally see this piece, we were talking about :))
So congratulations, my dear, have a wonderful day, your friend Méa

martinealison said...

Bonjour,

Une belle manière de faire revivre et d'apporter un coup de jeune à cette armoire. Merci de partager avec nous toutes ces magnifiques photos.

Gros bisous

It's me said...

Like your cabinet....wowwwww great done so beautiful !!!...love from me Ria x

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Doré it turned out Fantastique, I respect and admire how you "listen" to each piece, telling you what it wants to be. It's a massive armoire and when I first saw it I said to myself now how did Doré and Hannah move that?! You took a strong piece and weathered and softened the edges to live in harmony and French authenticity gracing your room. I also love how you are weathering all your other finishes to a patina that shows more natural wood. Your room speaks to me of warmth and relaxation. Beautiful my friend.
xoxo,
Vera

Rhonda said...

So gorgeous. If I could finish furniture as you do, I would be so happy.

da.gina vintage said...

Wunderschön..
Viele liebe Grüße
Gina

chateau chic said...

This is such a French beauty, Dore, for your oh so peaceful living room. Your artistic creativity transformed this armoire into a piece to forever cherish in your French cottage. It is so beautiful!!
Mary Alice

DD's Cottage said...

What a stunning transformation Dore-Love how soft and peaceful and soothing it is now. Way to see the good bones of it!

the gardener's cottage said...

so pretty dore. you are so talented!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Wow, the way you transformed that armoire is stunning! It truly looks like an authentic old piece. Everything you touch just gets better.

Burlap Luxe said...

Martine Alison,

je vous remercie pour votre belle visite, et des mots d'encouragement . Beaucoup de jours inspirants devant vous.

plus gros baisers .

xxxx
Dore

Junkchiccottage said...

Oh Dore I am must swooning over your re love of this fabulous piece. It is just beautiful. Love how sweet and comfy and gorgeous your room is.
Kris

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Dore,
I always look forward to seeing what you have been working on, and this piece is absolutely beautiful! I love the soft tones.. Looking at the ~before~ photos shows how much work you have put into this amazing transformation.
Honestly, I get tired just thinking about it.. But when you love your work, it is a joyful journey. Of this I am sure..
Thank you so much for sharing.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
fondly,
Penny

Debbie said...

What an amazing transformation! You took the piece on a journey from dark, with leather to gorgeous French country, Dore'. I love how it fits your style, and the whole room! Beautiful!!
Debbie
xo

HWIT BLOGG said...

Calm and lovely colours...a timeless style!
Warm hug,
Titti

Ivy and Elephants said...

Oh Dore, what magic you worked with this piece! It turned out amazing!
It's so hard to believe what a authentic patina you were able to achieve. It is the perfect compliment to your gorgeous home.
Hugs,
Patti

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Simply Stunning My Darling !!! I always say this but I sure wish we were closer in miles. Bravo ! xoxo

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

What a transformation...it looks beautiful!

edy said...

From rags to riches this piece is transformed...a true story now emerges into heirloom status.....lovely

Gail Peterson said...

Hi Dore
I love how you transformed this piece, you bravely took on getting the leather off, i bet that was a lot of work! It's perfect now.
Enjoy it with the seasons, I see a tiny handmade wreath of yours on it for Christmas!
A beautiful week awaits you,
xo,
Gail

Unknown said...

Oh Dore, what an amazing transformation!! I know how much work and time and dedication it went into sanding this gorgeous beast. It is truly a statement piece and it fits so perfectly well into your home.

Room Seventeen said...

Beautiful transformation, love it!

Jade said...

That´s absolutely breathtaking, dear Dore............so quiet and peaceful and sooooooo french! How I love that palette of colors - it´s really amazing! Thank you so much for all your inspiration!

Hugs Jade

Cindy said...

Oh my gosh Dore - the finish on that is exquisite! Wow! ...and i can't believe the "before"!. It had leather on it that you had to remove? You are just amazing!

Cindy

Pura Vida said...

Such a lovely cabinet...of course you make it come alive with your talent!

designchic said...

It's gorgeous, Dore and such an amazing transformation…the perfect piece to complete your room!! Happy Wednesday ~

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I've missed visiting and seeing your gorgeous and welcoming home! Hope all is well!

Little Farmstead said...

Beautiful job Dore! You breathed new life into this piece - the finish is weathered to perfection. What a peaceful, joyful room to relax and dream...

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

It came out beautiful, Dore. Armoires are so useful. I really love the small end table too.
xoxo
Su

michele said...

what a miracle worker you are, dore--i am crazy about how the finish came out. it is sophisticated and looks anything but faux finished. truly presents as if it has aged gracefully and become an art piece. bravo, you!

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

Yet another beautiful addition to your home, Dore! Always inspired here ~ and thank you for your kind words over at my little blog. Your friendship is precious.
xoxo
Lin

handmade by amalia said...

I can't believe that armoire, Dore! An amazing amazing transformation. I didn't realize how much until I saw the 'before'.
Amalia
xo

Unknown said...

SO many try to create a French look but you ace it Dore - truly - you are the Queen of getting it absolutely perfect !
You should have a book - I think it would be a best seller - I really do !

Donna said...

Wow! What a gorgeous armoire, Dore! You did an amazing job transforming it with your special painting techniques. Love the layers and layers of patina and aging! And I never would have thought to take off the leather panels. It looks oh so much better without them. In fact, you wouldn't even know it is the same armoire now! You have created a real beauty!!