September 16, 2011

Rural French Washed In Grey


"Click On Photos To Enlarge Details"

My friends who know me would say that their is a tool in one hand and a paint brush in the other altering the well lived life of a piece creating a piece to treasure. I took this overly loved chest of drawers with hidden charm and gave it intense practicality. I took and removed all drawers and added shelves to it like the chest of drawers I altered in my older posting, but this one I removed the scalloped wood base trim work and cut new trim base from an old step ladder, it's functioning now as a storage cabinet filled with objects for everyday use rural French in style.

The kitchen inspired this piece by using natural materials I had on hand, it's designed to play a part with each object that speaks for itself, French textiles and linens, pottery as well as sliver in a palette of hues ranging from creams, greys and whites. I am passionate about rural French pieces that wildly call out to you, gathering and collected that come together to make a unique and passionate home appreciating the pieces for their soul (rather than value.)

Mixing eras is the easy part to a great display of French flea market brocante, yet keep it organized with an understanding of your own vision. My vision is staying within a colour palette of smokey grey's, dingy whites and well worn creams a back drop to live peacefully with giving the eyes a soft place to land on with rural French living washed in grey.


I knew I had to then paint this piece adding to it's charm of rural French and distressing it as if time got the best of it letting the little dings and fractures shadow through the layers of paint.

Pictured is the base trim I cut from the side legs of this ladder by removing the scalloped trim and adding the ladder trim to the base I was able to create a less recognizable dated piece adding rural charm to this piece was a plus.





The "Seawashed" note cards are created by a dear friend Kerrie at seacottage.blogspot.com they can be purchased from her artful etsy. I fell in love with Kerrie's sketched and seawashed shells and so will you. I used Kerrie's note cards as invites to a luncheon using my imagination for a South of France themed luncheon. The shell art was perfect and Kerrie's artful hands made them unique and so very personal. If you have not visited her site please do as often as your heart can take it.


Let the piece tell you what it wants to be.

38 comments:

Unknown said...

I so love this piece, I really like how the paint turned out, it looks like it was on there for ever. You did a penomenal job on it.

Hugs,
Melissa

d e l i g h t said...

What a fantastic piece and I find it so creative how you put it together! Wonderful!

A Shabby Moment in Time said...

I love that thought.."Let the piece tell you what it wants to be". So true. I can just hear mine screaming "finish me, finish me". :)
You do a beautiful job painting these treasures!
Blessings & hugs,
Karen

Monica said...

E' bellissimo, mi dispiace solo non avere visto il BEFORE. E' bello vedere il cambiamento e apprezzare ancora di più il lavoro di chi ci lavora!
Baci

Christel said...

Dear Dore, AHHH just what my negleted soul needed to begin my Friday! Such a charming piece Dore! The understated grace, and quiet elegance of these pieces you create so masterfully, speak vloumes to me! (Surely I must have lived, and loved in France in a past life) I can picture myself sitting beside an airy open window in the corner of this room, with sketch pad in hand, and easel, ever so quietly perched in the perfect light, there beside me is my coffe, and just outside, a tiny songbird sings his praises! Thank you for always inspiring , and enriching my needy soul. Have a wonderful weekend, My best always xoxox Christel

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a great idea to turn a dresser into shelves! Why have I never thought of that? lol
I will have to give dressers a closer look when I'm thrifting. I love your beautiful transformation. Your paint technique makes things gorgeous!!

Lara said...

absolutely beautiful!
it looks wonderful w/ the lovely stacks in it!!

Maria Vicente said...

I never tire of coming here. It's all so beautiful. I love this color, the shelves are a dream.
I love the stairs, I have two, I also put towels embroidered on them.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pieces that are an inspiration.
Good day to you, kiss

I used the google translator, sorry.

Sea Angels said...

picture after picture of inspiring gorgeousness...I'm in decorating bliss...
Lynn xxx

Debra@CommonGround said...

You create such beautiful pieces, Dore! The old "ladder" against the wall in the last photo is one of my favorites! xoxo Debra

Revi said...

Good morning! I love your washy gray and white palette - it's fresh and warm. And I would have NEVER thought to use an old step ladder to replaced dated scalloped trim! It looks great. You are so inspiring. :)
-Revi

Seawashed said...

It is complete comfort and gentle beauty. I admire every detail from how you paint the piece to how you use it by displaying a collection of white dinnerware, natural linens, weathered galvanized pieces, and artwork. Thank you for including my notecards. I am so happy to hear you used them as invites. You say the kindest words. ox

Anonymous said...

Anytime I come to your blog my eyes have "a soft place to land on". I love your work!

Gracefully Vintage said...

Your blog is so beautiful....
Just Adore it..
Karryann

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Hello My Darling~You always do beautiful work and I soooo wish you were closer to me.I finally got my art piece hung up, now I hope to do a post.The color palette is so soothing to the eye that I enjoy looking at it so much.
My summer has came and went and not much done.Where does the time go these days.~Cheers Kim

Unknown said...

Precioso, me parece precioso todo lo que haces, me encanta ese color dá paz y serenidad. Un saludito desde España. Paloma.

Beach House Living said...

How clever using ladder legs. Only you!

French Basketeer.com said...

Dore, I am always in awe of what you create! This piece is beautiful!

Pamela said...

Dore this piece is so calming! I love the way you alter furniture!! These colours are the best!! I have been contemplating painting some dark wood pieces but don't know if i could do as fine a job as you!!

Pamela xo

Heaven's Walk said...

*sigh*....! As usual, you created a total thing of French beauty, Dore. It's truly the layering of colors that make a piece look vintage French, isn't it? I'm slowly learning that - and you are such a good teacher. :) I was glad to see that you featured sweet Kerrie's artwork. She's amazing, isn't she? Such a tender hearted beachgirl.

xoxo laurie

Suz said...

I love the chandelier. I am a fan of Kerrie's blog.

blossoms vintage chic said...

Dearest Dore, You always inspire me! You create such beauty and I absolutely love your latest piece...using the ladder legs is pure genius!
Much love,
Debbie

Faded Charm said...

Love the look in all the rooms you've shared. Enjoy your weekend:-)

xoxo
Kathleen

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning my precious one,

Thank you for coming to visit...I am very late in visiting my favorites (like you) because school has already been demanding so much of my time that I come home SO TIRED....This post is fabulous, so YOU, so ME!!!! I am glad you had a chance to see my theatres......there is still much to do on my larger theatre and I plan on making ONE MORE.....we can discuss how to display these for the holidays!!!!

MERCI DE TOUT MON COEUR, Anita

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

So beautiful...love the first image with the chandelier!!

I also love the new photo of your daughter on the sidebar...she is a true beauty!

BonjourRomance said...

What a marvelous piece Dorè. You have created the wonderful balance of function and beauty. Always find loads of inspiration when I vist you.
You definitely know how to Celebrate La Joie de Vivre!
Here's to a good week,
Mimi

michelle said...

Such a beautiful and soothing piece Dore. You have worked your soul into another piece and it turned out perfect. I adore Kerrie's designs as well, she is so gracefully talented.
xo

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

back home stopped by to get "a little peace" xo Laura

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Oh my gosh....what a lovely post..so soothing and calming,everything you touch turns to gold. I envy your talent and you ability to put things together! x0x0

Jilly said...

What a fantastic piece and I find it so creative how you put it together! Old stuffs are very best to remaining old days. It is best place to see in garage or stand-wall.
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Ivy and Elephants said...

Hi Dore,
Again my friend, you have amazed me! The color is divine, I love the simple clean lines, so changing for the ladder bottom was genius. Love, love, love your style!
Hugs,
Patti

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Dore
Well I love your handiwork here and the colour palette you've used.. I also like the open chest in the previous post with the scalloped edging left intact.. both lovely and simple change to create a new look..

Thanks for popping over my way and your lovely comments.. I'm enjoying sharing my travels.. Have a lovely weekend.. ciao xxx Julie

Cindy Adkins said...

WOW, WOW, WOW!! Such treasures abound here in your world of dreams...amazing, my friend. Oh and I love the music too!!
Love,
Cindy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma chère et precièuse amie,

It is always complete when I see your comments come to my post. You are so special to me, and you are like a bird of faint blue and gray markings....so delicate and gentle, so vibrant as well...I am excited about my new ETSY SHOP that will be opening up as soon as I organize my first set of wares. And guess what I will eventually be making? MINI THEATRES. AND...what do you think about having a THEATRE link party for the holidays???????? Let me know your thoughts...Anita

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Loving the mood of this post, you are very clever in the way you rework and repaint old furniture. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments

Jilly said...

It wouldn't surprise me if this room turns up in a magazine one day. It is absolutely beautiful, Those ceilings are wonderful!
Appreciate so much for sharing your great space in the "Room to Room" series!
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Atelier de Campagne said...

AAAAHHHH... so calming and beautiful...the music is so a propo with this soothing colors...

Trino