la Brocanteuse

Beach Weekend again?!

2012-02-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

Vintage post cards

found at Saturday morning market in Hermanus

What is in stall for us this weekend?...

Beach house,(here) and (here)
markets,(here)
celebration of a special friend's birthday,
walks, read, sleep and eating alfresco

May you have a blessed weekend too..

all images at beach house by La Brocanteuse

“I have been creating for a lifetime; probably influenced by life itself.”

words from the very creative and inspiring

Dore ~ Burlap Luxe blog

Visit Dore's blog and feel her passion

Burlap Luxe etsy(here)

see her generous give away in my side bar

Colx

Deconstructed French chairs

2012-02-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

About the deconstructed French chairs
in a previous post:

I have had inquiries by mail and comments, about where to find these chairs, is this their original state?

Very much so:
At auctions,markets, brocantes,
you will often come across a chair,settee or canape of which the upholstery has been partly removed, to reveal the original burlap, muslin or cotton on the back and seat, as proof of age ,
unless of course if the original fabric is in excellent condition.

By pressing down firmly on a seat or back of the chair,
it can be established whether the original horsehair or coconut grass is still intact.It will have a slight "grassy" feel and if you listen real close,
you will "hear" it!

seen here in storage: after velvet was removed..

This Napoleon III bergere was found at a market on our previous trip to France. It was covered with a cotton velvet,( probably around 1940,) but the original chair dates back to around 1870. the velvet is still visible on the buttons.

in storage:

in storage: .

I love the original cotton muslin exposed,but in reality they don't work in my decor

I use them as props at events

Although I found the two bergere's from the same dealer, they did not come from the same household.

Here they are just after purchasing, pushed together , ready for collection by me. I remember when I returned they had disappeared and I was quite anxious, but soon discovered the very kind dealer had put them away in his truck protecting them from drizzling rain.

at the market where found

This chair below is part of a set of 4 and came with a matching settee, all were covered in red velvet.
The settee and two chairs were sold , two chairs remained.
Once the velvet was removed, the original woven silk was revealed on the backs. I loved it so much in it's deconstructed state, that I decided to keep them "exposed" for a while , It has been 4 years and I still can not get myself to have them upholstered.
One chair is in a guest bathroom..

guest bathroom:

the other is used daily in the back kitchen /scullery.

original burlap on seat...

Another exciting find was this French salon settee that I found as part of a set of three.

It was upholstered in the original woven silk, very badly worn. I bought it originally to have it upholstered with french vintage linen and ready for an Brocante event in 2010

When I visited the workshop after the fabric was removed , I could not get myself to have it covered and used it as is on my show. It had a price tag on, and my good fortune was only discovered after a gentleman promptly asked me to remove the price tag. Thinking that he was interested in purchasing the piece,I did so but he turned out to be a curator of French furniture and specifically sourcing pieces from the era 1840 -1870 and informed me that he would not be able to live with himself if he bought this from me at the marked price. This particular piece turned out to be worth at least four time's the price tag!
He could date it to 1860 and was most informative about the maker .

He pointed out that he could date the piece by the way the burlap was sewn on, the type thread used and stitches that was used to do so, the way the nails had been hammered in at the bottom, and named the artisan he believed that worked in that era and his style of carving.. It turned out to be a most interesting and exhilarating discovery!

He kindly left all his particulars with me,(which of course I had confirmed by a well known dealer from Johannesburg) should I ever consider selling to one of his collectors that he travels to France for on occasion to source. I will be forever great full for this curator's honesty.

Below is one of two chairs photographed in the dealers shop that where found together with the above settee. I have kept the chairs as is with the beautiful woven silk , now in our bedroom.

at the workshop

the un even sized hand forged pins with their long flat bent tops that was used when upholstered before a brocade trim was added- visible at the top of the back seat. Similar to how it is done today with a staple gun.

I have no intention to sell these of course,

and the settee is at rest in our home

I have to admit, stored out of sight since as beautiful as it is, it does not work with the rest of our decor,... I should take them to our beach house...I miss not using and seeing them more.

they would fit in perfectly (here) and (here)

I use them as props at events, or have on occasion paired them with other deconstructed beauties outside under a tree, alongside a over the top white floor length tablecloth,chandelier hanging from the tree..totally unexpected elements that work.

I think pieces like these need to "breath", be open and in "empty" spaces to make a statement, otherwise they can easily look wrong..
I also prefer not to use them as a complete set, but that is just my personal choice.

I have had a few of these gems recovered, using old grain bags,or french monogrammed linen which seem to be the nearest to what I believe they feel "comfortable" with if the original fabric is no longer a possibility...
I imagine I can hear a sigh of relieve to deconstruct and expose these furniture pieces, leaving them in their "underwear" does it make sense? ..

In our guest bedroom:

photographed for a linen shoot,

hence the white backdrop on the floor and wall..
to allow for image to be deep etched for a magazine

more chairs:

BEFORE:

original cotton muslin on back and seat, horse hair still intact.

Both chairs now recovered in matching grain bags dated 1887 with couronne on back

This is the salon settee that came with the above chairs as a set...now upholstered in black/off white mattress ticking, in our orangery..

Paired with :
Extra large Belgium chairs ,all so re upholstered with old Grain bags, over sized and spaced studs -

lovingly referred to by Dd as

"Kasteel stoele" ( translated as "castle chairs")

My firm favourite still remains the honest exposed

French chair.

.
....even if I keep my own deconstructed chairs in storage,used on occasion at events for props, as gorgeous as they are, they don't fit in with our decor.

Colx

Eloquence

2012-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous antique French Amelie Rose bergere

in old tufted muslin upholstery

with burlap seat and horsehair stuffing

Beautiful old antique pair of Napoleon III bergeres, upholstered in original old muslin with deconstructed backs and exposed wood frames.

Classic Napoleon III bergere with original wood finish on legs and muslin upholstery.

Back is deconstructed, exposed chair frame.

French ticking on seat.

Circ 1870

Breathtaking old French wing back in the Rococo style

Antique Chaise Meridien from France with arched back. Deconstructed style

to reveal the original structural frame.

A fragment of the original woven oushak upholstery fabric still covers the back and arms, giving us a glimpse of the opulent original textures

Napoleon III Bergere chair from France

Circ 1890

Pair of Empire style side chairs.

White painted finish with gold rubbed highllights and original dusty rose brocade upholstery

Tattered but original

needlepoint upholstery on seat..just perfect

Gorgeous gilt chairs from France.

Beautifull hand carved rope detailing traces the wood frame,the upholstery is the original

burlap base upholstery

Circ 1900

all images and info:

Eloquence

Col x

Anthropology love

2012-02-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with these items available here - ANTHROPOLOGY of course..

I would love to have a open space...

a clean canvas to start a new project.

Yes I would LOVE to start with these..

Have a lovely weekend,

I am going to browse ANTHROPOLOGY online..

just maybe they will deliver to

South Africa...?

Col x

all images from ANTHROPOLOGY online

Weekend at the beach house

2012-01-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

Our weekends at the beach house is very laid back, little routine and loads of sun and relaxed living...

meals consist of fresh fish, and what is to be found at the local market.

Every Saturday morning there is a Farmers market at our local village HERMANUS which is very popular in summer. Here you will find fresh produce to enjoy at the long tables under umbrellas, or to take home.

We have our favorites, and after regular visits have learnt who sell the best bread,the mature cheeses, the sweetest fruit and know the oyster man..

This is where we started on Saturday..

Local wine, oysters and a open greek lamb- shwarma with tsatsiki

bread , cheese and coffee

after brunch we took a brisk walk on Onrus beach, and as allways, collecting shells to add to the ever expanding "collection" for a maybe project

with a very energetic almost nine year old,

the question of keeping little hands busy, and inspired by previous fun with shells,( a shell wreath) a project happened.

Two white washed picture frames that never found their way to a wall,

glue, shells and coral collected,
and a beautifull view...

one frame is allmost completed, the other ,..soon

Not sure how we are going to use the frame, it is a little small for a bathroom mirror,

perhaps as a underplate for serving oysters?...

we shall see,... it was fun to make and mostly, the memories of the day the most precious of all!...

have a lovely week

Colette

French hilltop

2012-01-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

We love driving with no particular place to go, no rush to be in time for an appointment with a dealer somewhere,or to be early at a market,allowing us to explore, and this was such a day. It was in the region Corezze, not far from Collonges la- Rouge, that we saw this hilltop village from a distance.

Curious to see more, we took the little winding road uphill.

It looked very quiet and there was a soft drizzle of rain, but we were not put off by that.On arrival we had to leave the vehicle at the bottom of the village. There was a sign indicating that only local residents were allowed to drive further up the narrow , what looked like a one way road.I have no idea who would have checked on us since there were honestly no-one to be seen anywhere...

most of the buildings were closed up, and not even a whiff of boulangerie anywhere..

The grass around the buildings were kept neat, some potted trees, so there must be activity ?...

it was early evening, ten to seven on the clock, and surely someone sees to that..since it was right on dot

then totally unexspected we were at the entrance to a open door..

it was dark and quiet on entering...Dd spotted a brown wooden box just inside, and felt we should at least light a candle ,(she has an obsession to do so at least once a day, I promiss..) When we inserted our coins as gesture when taking some candles to lite, the whole building lit up.

Music started playing (recorded) and we were quite stunned for a while, at the pure special feeling. I suppose this is quite ordinare , lights and music in a church come alive on insertion of coins...but we have never come across this and especially since the whole town seemed to have been "out" for the week. Perhaps this was a town people visited over weekends, escaping the city.

It is unplanned days like these with unexspected happenings that is filed in our little family's memory book..

On arrival at our car down hill, the house where we parked, the shutters of the windows that were closed earlier, were now open..

at last, this is real!

the only regret I have...I cannot remember the name of the village! - but we will surely check in on it again when next in that area..

Colette x

French couronne love

2012-01-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the weekend!

I am loving these today...

left over from here

and here

Have a lovely weekend

Colette x

Beach wrapping

2012-01-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here at our beach house,away from my very organised "gift" cupboard at home, I had to make do of what is available and had fun too

The DAS pronto clay has been lying in a drawer for quite a few years already, a project that never happened, and was still in perfect order..

I rolled the clay, made a few circles ,

using the bottom of a glass to shape,

and stars using a cookie cutter

while the tags were still damp, I stamped them with a rubber stamp , laying it onto the rough linen , to give the back some texture as well.

using a tooth pick to make little holes at the top,

tip: as the tag dries out, the little hole tends to close up slightly, so a good idea is to check on it and open the hole again gently using the tooth pick

any raised object can be pressed onto the clay to give a interesting look, I used a large old coin to impress a profile, and a small shell to make little imprints on the edges of the round tags.

When the tags were completely dry, I varnished them with clear nail varnish since that is what I had available. It worked perfect and easy.

the note card I used to write a special note on, is a collage of photo's previously shared on my blog of our beach house . I combined it into one photo and printed it in black and white.

tiny shells and driftwood from Dd's daily collection was added to the loose ends of the string tied around the very pink box

for a friend...

The gift:

A candle snuffer and a selection of candles

from a local gift shop:

"Beach House Living" in Hermanus

Colette

ps..one can never have enough candles at a beach house....

Reporting from the Beach House

2012-01-11T01:21:00.000-08:00

We are moving around slowly in the sun

..getting back into" must do", "remember to" "please remind me" mode....

Soothing colors, found objects, nothing too precious

rough linen, re purposed, old books,favorite drawings

All is calm, serene and very relaxed

have a lovely day

Colette

all images by La brocanteuse at the beach house
Vermont ~ South Africa January 2012

Let's meet on the beach

2011-12-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

High summer in South Africa

and off to the beach house for the next two months

I shall post from there and share some

sun, beach and summer holiday activities

the "home of a fisherman" is a tease.. -since hubby really does not fish

except diving for crayfish in season (does that count?)

It has been a while since we have had the opportunity to take time off and just be..
on arrival we take the boardwalk down
to Breakfast bay
before unloading and settling in
there is no rush at all....

so long for now..

unplugging here and loading the car

sun block check

costumes check

books check

camera check
Ipad check

dogs check

people check

note to myself:

..remember to stop at farmstall on the way for

fresh fruit and veggies

XOXO

Colette

My gift to you....

2011-12-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

14 years ago,23 December 1997,

I started a tradition with one votive

on my kitchen window sill.

It was the same day my father passed away very suddenly and unexpected.

without planning, it grew from there.

Every year I put out votive candles collected over time and invite any one visiting around this time and the following Christmas days, to light their own in memory

of loved ones,family, friends, even pets,

near or far,alive or passed away..

to remember.

At the beach house we use the mantel for this..

over the years we have added more little votive holders and they differ in color and size, but the tradition all ways part of our Noel

at home in Stellenbosch we have a long narrow altar table where these little bougies are en masse.

the flickering of the candle flame is a moment of
remembrance, alive in thoughts

it is very special to do and a gift I love to share..

This has become a tradition our family and friends have taken away with them and now do where ever they are, and once again passing it on...

All is welcome to share in our tradition,

please do......

My blogger friends and readers out there will be remembered on this altar table this Christmas.
Thank you for your friendship and following

Blessings to you

Colette X

Inspired by Lolita Lempicka

2011-12-11T03:18:00.000-08:00

The most beautifull Christmas tree (for me)I have seen in a long time.It is the tree decorated in the

Lolita Lempicka

article "L'Appel de La Foret" in the latest Novembre Decembre 2011 issue of Campagne Decoration...

It reminded me of a little moss tree I had a few years ago at our beach house, and sent me to my archives to find it...

I found the images and interesting how the picture in your mind is often so different from the real...

Christmas at the beach house 2006

You will recognise some of my collected glass baubles from my previous post,"my glitzy bauble tree"

for 2011.

This is THE TREE fresh on my mind and in print:

look closely and you will recognise Lolita Lempicka perfume bottles on the moss covered branches..

vintage pink for gift wrapping

little votives flicker

imagine resting those little feet for a while..

This is what inspires still life art

so I am off to find a moss tree again...there is still time....

Bisous

Colette

all original images about Lolita Lempicka Christmas article

by Jo Pesendorfer for Campagne Decoration
now out

My glitzy bauble tree

2011-12-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Come Christmas season, out comes this artificial tree..for it will hold my glass baubles and bits collected over time the best.I can bend the tips of the branches back to secure the ornaments will not slip of.

A collection of blown glass balls and birds, hand painted, decorated with Sharovski glitz, and glass glitter..all unite on this little tree on a landing between floors.It is quite magical when sun sets and the little lights inserted in crystals are switched on..visible from down stairs looking up, from upstairs looking down, and inviting from outside as well.

Early morning sun makes the glass ornaments glisten.

When we renovated this house, I planned the landing area around accomodating this tree. The ornaments looks best on a smaller tree, and needs to be elevated to really see each one. For this reason as well I had a floor plug installed next to the table, to allow for the lights to be plugged in close by.

I started collecting these special birds and balls a few years ago on a trip to Basel, Switzerland.

It is quite overwhelming to see all the different colors and shapes together, and then to decide if one should go for the fashion color at the time, or to stay with the classic designs and colors. Since I love traditional and old..I chose the silver, gold and duck egg colors...each one decorated right there in front of me and ready for collection later. On collection , they are securely packed in their little individual boxes complete with little metal tag and design no.

Around the same time I fell in love with the glass balls covered with cut out lace, which started the addition of chrystals as well as blown and sandblasted glass ornaments.

The pearl swag was found

in a ribbon and haberdasheries store.

Pretty ornaments on top of special boxes,

reused and filled with favorite bon bons each year.

Our " Real "Christmas tree, as Dd refers to it,

is a large fresh pine from Elgin forest,

put up on the 15th, collected from the Christmas tree lot next to the main road between

Stellenbosch and Somerset West.

The "real" tree, goes up in the orangery, real candles in clips to be lit on Christmas eve,

handmade decorations made by Dd and myself,

and fresh pine cones.

These are collected from our secret little corner not far from home, which also traditionally is part of a outing that includes a picnic next to the Eerste Rivier..

We dip the pine cones in fragranced white wax ,

and after Christmas save them untill winter to start the fire with.

Noel has arrived in our kitchen

by way of this Prague statue on the window sill, flanked by little Norwegian trees.

Every year Dd chooses one little gingerbread house from the local Christmas market,

and saves it all year long under a glass dome!

I wish you peace full and blessed days with loved ones, wherever you may be ..

Colette

Dentelle - Lace - Kant

2011-11-07T04:21:00.000-08:00

These lovely old handmade, lace and sheer cotton curtains,
were found on a rainy day, at a French brocante of course, negotiated with heads under plastic table covers...
After the dealer and me were both happy with me taking the lot,at the agreed price, we emerged for fresh air. The dealer then bundled them up and I carried my trouvais back to the car in old plastic grocery bags...

Today I was sorting through my armoire, rearranging stock and having one of those days where I feel I am in "lappe hemel" as a friend refers to it..meaning in heaven surrounded with my linen, lace and vintage textiles...

Happy to find these special treasures once again and have the time to take proper care this time.After washing them no less than three times, by hand, rinsed them very carefully, they are now hanging out to dry in my "linen courtyard" a narrow passage where I hang my linen away from gusty winds, in not to strong sunlight, and safe from play full afghans. I learned the hard way.

So since today turned out to be "dentelle" day...

I rearranged more, put away what came home after the Kamers event, (is it only me that secretly clap hands when not all is sold?!) I am terrible. just love each and every find to absolute bits.

Some of the beautiful items I find, is not for sale, like the old bobbins, that I use to display the lace which is special each in it's own way. I remember where I found each and every card of lace, each bobbin,little scraps of lace in a plastic bag perhaps..all happy finds.

I love it when mother and daughter, or two friends carefully look at each piece of lace, unwinding a bobbin, discussing with heads together...and decide which will be good enough to take home for that wedding dress, the christening gown, or just because they love the fact that it is vintage and all the way from a brocante or armoire somewhere...

I enjoy sharing special finds, like these lace books and lace cushions used to make the lace with original bobbins attached..

When possible ,I use old fabric boxes all so found at French brocantes, to display lace and buttons at my brocante events.

so back to la belle armoire...more sorting to be done.

Colx

Kamers 2011

2011-10-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

KAMERS 2011 has come and gone. A lot of late nights, long hours and planning went into preparing for this event.

although I planned to take photographs before the opening night rush started, it did not happen. Half way through the show,day three, vignettes ever changing and depleted stock..here are some memories.

added gift tags, ribbons and t light lanterns -Noel spirit

I met so many lovely people, fellow bloggers and francophiles hungry for all things french..it made all the hard work seem like no effort at all.

I thank you all for stopping by, loving what I love and sharing the passion for a french touch.

I am working through the visitors book and will acknowledge your request to be updated with new arrivals.

Christell, Adela and Elena,

Merci

for helping on the stand, without you it would have been impossible to do.

Colette

French couronne

2011-10-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

Is it only me that wish for just one more day to get all in order for an event.Of course two days would be great!
It is the last minute details, packaging, collecting, pricing..getting it ready to be to one's liking for presentation, takes more time than available at present.

To compliment my vintage linen sourced in the French countryside ~click

here..and here .....

these French chanvre Couronne
handmade by Corinne all the way from France..

I had these little boxes specially made for them, wrapped them in tissue paper printed with Couronne,a little personal note,

and will part with them with difficulty..

de moi a vous!

Colx

KAMERS VOL GESKENKE

LOURENSFORD ESTATE

25 ~ 29 Oct 2011

Shootfactory images

2011-10-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

I received an update with images of properties available for film and media use from SHOOTFACTORY - London

just had to share these with you ...

even though it reflects my name on the images, please note that it is NOT my images but all from SHOOTFACTORY- London

http://www.shootfactory.co.uk

What did you do today?

2011-10-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

Celebrating a special friend's birthday on a perfect summer's day, in a perfect Cape setting with delectable food at a long table under a old oak tree...

favorite colors -old white, grey and Cape fynbos together in a row of urns..

the setting: Vergenoegd Winery a sixth generation estate.

I researched the history to share with you and realised there is far more than just a few facts ,

this requires a dedicated post I will enjoy sharing with you in a future post.

Vergenoegd”, the Dutch word meaning “satisfaction has been achieved"

We literally spent almost the whole day here, until long after the cool maritime breezes came rolling in from the coast..it was magical-satisfaction

Vergenoegd Wine Estate is situated just off the N2, along the R310 to Stellenbosch. It is only a stone's throw from Stellenbosch and Somerset West and a short 25 minutes from Cape Town.

the original architecture , anno 1773
the restaurant: Pomegranate

the emphasis is on simple food prepared with inspiration

the prizewinning wines,

The hard working Runner ducks that are lucky enough to be of worth in the vineyards...

this snail gang need a longer mention than just these exiting moments when they came out to parade for us...

Happy Birthday Christell

it was a memorable day, and a honour to have shared in your celebration!

Colx

Bon Week-end

2011-10-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

What ever you are planning for the weekend..enjoy!

late afternoon I saw this from across a court yard

zooming in I realised what the color full "trees" were..
equestrian poles being painted(by our handyman who builds, paints, grooms, and even walk the dogs on occasion) to practice for yet another event..
is Dd mixing the colors?!....

this has been a serious color and event full week

hard work for both rider and stubborn pony

pleased and happy with results

have a good one

Colx

How does the light shine....

2011-10-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

On my way out this morning I caught a glimpse of the sun playing with objects..

the reflection on the floor of the French lace curtains made me stop..

I grabbed my camera to catch it before the shadows moved on

saw more play and reflections..

the leaves on the fabric was shining and the color of the marble changed for a few short seconds..

being brutally honest..no pulling, moving or dusting to make it "right"

the light on the old gold velvet curtain in powder room...had to catch it quick.

some reflection inside my Cabinet du Curiocite

and just before I closed the door behind me...

saw the light on the image that I have in my blogger name.

in reality it is a tiny circ 1920 bon bon dish that was a gift from France

petit ange leaning against the books looks dusty, but she is actually very old,mottled and weathered..that is why I love her even more-she was a birthday gift from a friend a few years ago.

I have had the tiny bon bon dish for so long, and only when I casually photographed it the first time, noticed the inscription impossible to make out with the naked eye on the Eiffel tower..

it reads:

PARIS

La Tour EIFFEL

Have a lovely day!

Colx

ps..this was the quickest post I have ever done and it was so much fun!

Vintage ideas for Gift wrapping

2011-10-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

I have had the good opportunity to share some ideas about Christmas gift wrapping for the December Christmas 2011 issue of Garden and Home magazine

The suggestion here is to give a gift of wrapping supplies..

I put together some tissue paper,string, tags, ribbon, pegs,embellishments and handmade Christmas ornaments

Vintage music paper covered lid, punched stars double glued onto string, vintage image on box copied from old music sheet.

presentation on your table..

Christmas crackers tied up in a vintage French napkin with pretty ribbon

another French monogrammed napkin simply with added name using a vintage style dolly peg

wrapping a bottle

for Monsieur....

coir wrapped wine bottle:

I simply wrapped the bottle with coir starting at the bottom working my way up, securing loose ends with small nails at the bottom and top.

Dd made stars using vintage music paper
de famille:.... add name to star

I used French vintage lace instead of ribbon, the idea being to make use of what you have available.Any lace and ribbon of your choice will look pretty for the same effect.

French word -pegs

Vintage millinery - a gift in itself..

for Mademoiselle...... vintage lace for bow

Simple white tissue paper, Vintage French lace, hand sewn vintage button hearts..

all of the above will be available

from my vintage French linen stall at the upcoming

KAMERS VOL GESKENKE event taking place

at LOURENSFORD ESTATE 25 - 29 October 2011

Colx

Yesterday was the start of the annual Agri equestrian events.

Dd discussing Mace ( so named because of his color similar to nutmeg) with Boyesen ,our right hand around home, events and even grooming..

Benhur Mace is her much loved
18year old Welsh pony

here Dd is walking Mace with her trainer..just going through some last minute preparations..

I am happily forced to take time off from all the preparations for my upcoming brocante event... more about that next time..this week it's Dd and Mace

I'ts a wrap! thank you

2011-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

image: source unknown

Almost back on my feet,literally

one more week to go and off with the cast hee ha!!

yes I know..it's still a process, but hey it has been eight weeks (two months!)of planning, admin and getting priorities in order..

I am working on the newsletter, recording stock and has mastered most that is doable on the Ipad. That was good since I would not have taken that time to figure it out if I wasn't forced to.

STELLENBOSCH

Landscape artist Strijdom van der Merwe was
commissioned by the Dorp Street Foundation
to decorate 131 oak trees with 18 kilometers of red cloth during winter 2008.

that is pretty much what happened to me..all wrapped up and protected ....

Dorp street Stellenbosch 2008

thank goodness for online shopping,

though I may have gone a bit overboard and lost count every now and then...

We are moving into spring and the trees are budding.The garden awaits and I am looking forward to having the new area planted I actually planned from my immobile position and watched over from the window.The paving has been done under the huge old magnolia tree, electric plug point installed since I thought it would be fun to connect a real huge chandelier dripping with crystals from the Magnolia over a long table on a perfect summer evening.

this tapestry that I looked at EVERYDAY was a source of inspiration.. shall share with you soon..

I shall invite all my dear friends that looked in on me, spoilt us with home made soups, stews and puds throughout the winter.spoilt me with flowers by the armfull and not forgetting- driving DD to and back from birthday parties, horseriding lessons and afterschool actvities.. Yes that is how long it has been! my whole winter was spent in very much one position..legs stretched out in front of me, loads of books around me, falling asleep in and amongst enough softness, pillows and comforters.
I love winter, it is my favorite time of the year... I love to be outside, all wrapped up with scarves and coat.
Maybe I should have planned a trip to the European Christmas markets end of the year...mmm still one week left to be still. a lot can be done!

Although we are sharing ideas in front of roaring fires, spring has sprung. The old oak trees are budding.

have a lovely week!

Colx

Brocante et Blanc

2011-07-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

I saved this image for Bastille,

had a little detour on the 14th July, but here it is!

Apologies for being absent

recuperating from a fall

wish I could say I fell while running towards a mountain of

blanc linge at a French Brocante

not so ..but

I do have a lot of time now

to get the newsletter out I have been planning

since I started blogging

if you would like to be added to my mailing list

where I will keep you updated on the latest arrivals

Brocante

et Blanc

contact me with your email address

colette@lecapfoods.com

House and Leisure

August 2011 p149

Sharon of Roses and Rust blog here

has very kindly dedicated a post to me where she shares beautiful images

of linen she knows I love.Thank you Sharon, your post is much appreciated.

Sharon refers to a mention of a short interview

with me in the August issue of

South African House and Leisure magazine

where the above image taken by

Henrique Wilding here was used.

The girl in the image is of Tina, her assistant on that day.

another much appreciated thank you to

Veronica of

Tassels ,Twigs and Taste buds here

Veronica shares her French bucket list and include laBrocanteuse in her inspirations

I feel very honored and appreciate all the recognition.

Without my blog friends and followers there would be far less inspiration

THANK YOU

Col x

More whiteness

2011-06-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

How do you pronounce the color white in french?

"blanc"

- effectively, blahⁿc, where the little n means a nasalization of the preceding short a.

Content as can be,

surrounded with old French linen ...

~ et blanc ~

~White ~

French Bisque and porcelain
Limoges

monogrammed linens and hand made lace,

the history of and era

without intention

my eyes seems to follow the same hue through out

I reach out, touch, smell and savour

the scent of freshly laundered linen,

folded and stored for needed use

I tag them

with monogram description,

size, quantity and entry no,

some with a scribbled private note: where found

the texture and color of linen,

is engraved in my "mood board"

added monogrammes ~ JOY

DD and Yentl dreaming away..

they respect my obsession with old French linen
et blanc

"Realize deeply that the present moment

is all you ever have."
—Eckhart Tolle

ps: remember my give away

HERE

in Print -thank you

2011-06-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to my celebration "give away"

HERE

Colx

in Print

2011-06-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

original image for publication: Henrique Wilding

La Brocanteuse

mentioned in

Setting Trends

GARDEN AND HOME

July 2011 issue P 26

much appreciated, thank you

in August 2010

image: La Brocanteuse

I did a post on

Pauline's White House

Here

Not a single day has passed since then

without someone, somewhere in the world reading this post

(stats check)

read about

Pauline's white house -updated

HOUSE and LEISURE

July issue 2011 p 66 - 73

photo of original images for publishing: Henrique Wilding

and

as introduction page to a feature on

Kitchens and Bathrooms

page 133 of the same issue of

HOUSE AND LEISURE

la Brocanteuse kitchen

photo of original image for publishing: Henrique Wilding

image by Henrique Wilding-
taken on day of shoot
(not in magazine)

image: La Brocanteuse

To celebrate

one year of blogging, the thrill of published media

and my birthday on June 21st

I am sharing all these joys with a "give away"

~a French find from my Brocante Armoire~

image: La Brocanateuse

Leave a comment on what you enjoy most on my blog

what would you like to see more of?

Tell me if you are a follower

It is not a rule in order to win something, rather to hear what you would like to find on my blog

I will choose 3 winners

(since it is a tripple celebration)

the winner will be anounced

July 14th-Bastille day

for non South African winners, I will include the

HOUSE AND LEISURE

with the feature on Pauline's house.

Feel free to share this with other bloggers.

non bloggers can e-mail me on

colette@lecapfoods.com

Colx

one year of blogging

my first post May 2010

For the love of a French market ...
"de l'occasion pour faire"
Here

Linge et blanc

2011-06-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Unpacking , sorting the linen,lace, chanvre, hemp and trouvaille
from our recent visit to France and Belgium

moving stock around

to make place for fabulous new finds

I love the patched pieces..
speaks of days when replacing was not an option, easier to mend than to hand weave new ones..

Opening the boxes, re-discovering and re-live the day, the event, the place , the dealers, the trip...the thril of the hunt

Linge et blanc

everywhere

Unpack, sort,wash, iron, measure,snapshots documenting each piece..

working against the clock to have all ready to share.

in my French Armoir with brocante finds and linge

et blanc

....to be continued

Col x

Being watched by the family..

curious about all the white linen

(just had to share the boys!-please note they are ever so comfortable on their own French daybed, French chanvre cloth to protect from muddy feet, and velvet toile cushions. I had no say at all, they claimed it)

En route: Villandry

2011-05-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Travelling back from the Dordogne to Mont Louis sur Loire, we stopped for lunch at a little bistro ,and discovered the Villandry gardens and Chateau.

An imaginative twentieth century re-creation of a renaissance castle garden. The moated Chateau dates from c1536 and had a formal garden in the eighteenth century. The present garden dates from the years after 1906 when it was bought by a Spaniard, Dr Joachim Carvallo. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, he wished the garden to have a sixteenth century character. Great horticultural skill was deployed, especially in the use of vegetables. An arbour of grape vines leads to a great parterre, conceived as a Garden of Music. On the other side of the canal is a Garden of Love. Symbolising the moods of love, it looks rectangular from the chateau but is actually trapezoid. The aesthetically designed vegetable garden is based on an illustration from Du Cerceau's Les plus excellents bastiments de France (1576). Despite its origins, Villandry is the work of a twentieth century imagination.

the following images are of architectural elements and fabric textures that I liked inside the Chateau..

en suite bathroom....

Intricate patterns underfoot

.The unique "Renaissance" gardens of Villandry are among the most fascinating gardens of France and of the World . Villandry’s Ornamental Gardens ,water Garden ,Herb Garden, and kitchen Garden have an international fame...

Most impresive and very inspiring.I would like to go back and spend more time here...must be quite something to see the change of season ...

Col x

all images by: la Brocanteuse

I dedicate this post to Trish from TROUVAIS who encouraged me to start blogging...

Sleepless in ..Stellenbosch

2011-05-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy few weeks...and this is the calm still before the storm - the arriving of the container from Belgium with all my French Brocante trouvaille..sleepless nights..excitement..

Both my Dd and husband is down with flu so to not expose me and my vulnerable lungs to being affected as well, they chose rooms far away from me to sleep last night. My husband chose to sleep in the home theater...(I suspect he watched movies right through, therefore he was even more tired this morning.., and Dd took to her boudoir all alone. I had the two Afghan hounds; Zirka and Yentl with me since they can go out on our roofgarden for fresh air and water should they need to..
I could not sleep...tossing and turning, camomile tea, nothing would do it. I have so much on my mind.. Old French Linen.... Old French linen..old French linen...
I wondered how photo's would come out in the soft light of the lamps.. Nanny Mel chose some of my favorite linen for my bed..so I thought I would take a pic of it.
that is how it started.

then, got out of bed, and without styling or dusting...without removing anything, took the next images...I chose to be honest about these.
So there will be clutter around
that I would normally remove before a photograph..but as you can see on the clock... it was in the small hours of the night...not doing that then.Just intrigued with the way the light fell on objects, I snapped a few.

my newest book

all the above images of bedroom by labrocanteuse

so long..Col x

to sum up the colors: old gold, pale gold, ivory,
old French linen and faded tapestry..is that a color?had some chocolat chaud with a dash,
and fell asleep with the smell of fresh
old French linen around me...

my monogrammes

2011-05-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend, this mother will share her passion..

The opening night exceeded all our expectations.

It was a super happy and successful event.

I met some of my readers, which gives me a tremendous thrill- To meet people that follow my blog, others who came to see my linen because they remember me from previous events, and also those discovering the feel of Vintage French monogrammed linen for the first time....these are the moments that makes it all so special and worth while.

enjoy Mothers day..

with love from me

Colx

The above images are just a few of the monogrammed linen and dishcloths, runners and French smalls

La Belle Armoir

still on today and tomorrow

10:00 ~ 6:00

4 Hoogenhout street

Somerset West

onthou

2011-05-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

sien jul daar! Colx

Upcoming Event: La Belle Armoir

2011-05-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

To all my readers in Western Cape..

Sonette and Jean

together with their talented and resourceful team,

are getting ready for their bi-annual market ~

The focus of this upcoming market
will be on Mothers day..
with French inspiration

La fete des Meres

French inspired market

Opening night Thursday 5May 18:00 ~ 21:00
entrance R30

Friday 6 May and Saturday 7 May 10:00 ~ 18:00

entrance : free

Hoogenhoutstr 4

Somerset West

Tel: Jean 072 376 4935 Sonette 082 774 1077
or mail sonette@global.co.za for directions

I shall keep you posted with pics !
Colx

Vintage Ideas

2011-04-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Simondium Country Lodge is hosting a Fair:

Vintage Ideas

The atmosphere is festive with music, wine and food , to compliment dealers selling their wares ranging from vintage lace, linen, vintage clothing, furniture, enamel, and just some delightful serendipitous finds.

Extra large Châteaux keys

French horn handle knives

Simondium Country Lodge tel +27 21 874 1046

on R45 (Paarl/Franschoek) see map below

Friday 29 , Saturday 30 April Sunday 1 May 9.30 to 16:00~

Monday 2 May 9.30 to 14:00

Simondium Country Lodge

Carte Postale ~France

2011-04-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

Returning after a visit to anywhere in the world..

What can you bring back in hand luggage

that will give you hours of pleasure

for years to come..

on a rainy day in France

we visited a indoor market

I was attracted to the tables with post card albums

I selected what caught my eye on first sight

all used and sent from

lovers,mothers, fathers,children,Aunt's and friends remembering their loved one's

there were many occasions that would be reason

one would send these beautiful adorned

and mostly hand embellished joy

Bonne et heureuse annee

Muguet Porte Bonheur

Bonne Fete

Marie

Bonne Annees

and countless more...

it is raining here today,

and looking at my Carte Postale,

I remember that day I found them

Colx

Blessings to you

2011-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Warm wishes for a blessed Easter 2011

Colx