French FEED

An 18th Century Provence Castle Up For Sale

The current owner of this castle must sell as he is moving to Hong Kong. Just five years ago, he found the property in terrible shape, fell in love with it, and painstakingly restored it back to its previous glory.  All five bedroom suites, several living rooms feature working fireplaces, a study, and hobby room are all in pristine condition. The owner even used reclaimed materials from other French chateaux to be sure that no “foreign” or inappropriate materials interfered with the building’s integrity.

The property even has modern luxuries such as a pool and pool house. In addition a wine cellar, caretaker’s cottage and parking for ten cars makes this property an interesting business investment. The original castle dates back to the early 18th century but its gardens surrounded by olive and fruit trees and rose bushes.

The price is €5,900,000. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

About Le Bar-sur-Loup

Le Bar-sur-Loup (City of Oranges) is an enchanting old village which is restored with the old houses clustered around the 13th-century chàteau and church in the center. The narrow village streets below the chàteau are still very medieval, with many covered passages (“abris”) where houses now fill the space above the streets.

The Château (which is privately owned and cannot be visited) was probably built from the 10th-13th centuries. The present construction is from the 14th-16th centuries, although it was pillaged and partially burned in 1792.

 

Save

French FEED

Painted French Provence Reproduction Furniture

Martelle International are makers and importers of estate quality furniture, antique reproduction furniture, fitted cabinetry, fine architectural woodwork and home accessories. They employ master craftsmen who merge art and impeccable execution, to achieve excellence in a finished product. Here they have a painted powder blue and gilded gold chest of drawers with accent rings made of mahogany wood made in the French Provence style. They have this chest listed at US $1,394.07

Furniture Classics is a company who produces solid wood, antique reproduction furniture. This company is three generations strong, and dedicated to producing well priced, dependable constructions of authentic reproductions.

They have several product lines. Solid wood and traditional construction details are themes throughout each product design. Using kiln dried woods consisting of acacia, alder, mahogany, oak, pine and teak. Their craftsmen combine these timbers with traditional mortise, tenon, dovetail and dowel joints creating exquisite pieces of furniture. “Tenon through” and “dowel through” constructions are evident on many items. Naturally these old world techniques are combined with modern glue and screws where craftsmen have deemed necessary, but this is all part of bringing increased value to customers.

Stain and painted finishes are hand applied starting with physical distressing, and ending with lacquered top coats. These solid wood pieces are often enhanced with intricate hand-painted designs and finishes.

 



 

French Grey & White Reclaimed Pine Cabinet

Old Pine Antq French Dark Blue;Iron Cabinet

Blue Dress Writing Cabinet Desk Secretary New Free Ship Pine Elm

Martelle International Furniture

Old Pine Bench- Martelle International Furniture

Old Pine Distressed Barnyard Sawbuck Saw Horse Desk

Save

French FEED

Exceptional French Provence Reproduction Furniture

For more than 40 years interior designers throughout the United States and Canada,  Sarreid Ltd has been known as being an innovator in the home furnishings field since 1967. After receiving many requests from customers to provide them with identical pieces of the best selling items, Sarreid Ltd finally decided to manufacture the best of their furnishings that could be then made available to the public on a wider scale.

Their goal was to make exact replicas of the original antique that they had in their possession, so they could produce quality pieces that look identical to the originals. Every item could be made using the original techniques seen on the pieces themselves by skilled craftsmen who restore Sarreid’s genuine antiques. Their reproductions look like thousand dollar 18th century antique furniture.  This is partly due to the amazing skills of their craftsmen, (whom they recruit from all over the world), but also the steps they take to make the furniture look genuine.  They start with reclaimed wood, and every item is hand finished by their  team of antique restorers, replicating the finish of the original antique in every detail. The end result is that each replica is unique in its own way, just like the original. Expansion, shrinkage, small cracks, and wood imperfections are all inherent qualities of their product.

Sarreid sells exclusively to fine furniture stores and design galleries.

Save

French FEED

3 Easy Old World French Elements To Add To Your Home Part 1

This beautiful farmhouse was newly constructed and sits between the sea and mountains of the south of Catalonia, Spain.  The house is decorated in the French country style. Borrow the best looks from this house for your own home.  Below we offer three suggestions that will give you the biggest impact for gaining the French country look in your home.

1. Old Plastered Walls

Old Plastered walls will give you an old world look automatically.  Nothing will change the appearance of your home MORE than a faux wall finish.  While there are so many finishes to choose from, it doesn’t have to be complicated.  Today there are a large range of concrete/ plaster molds that are available to FAKE a stone wall in your home.  ALSO, applying plaster that is mixed with paint can be an easy faux finish that  any person can make.  It doesn’t have to be complicated.  Consider adding texture to your smooth walls to give a inexpensive–comparable look to stone walls.

Consider adding texture to the walls using joint compound. (It is important that you test this look on a sheet of wood before applying it to your walls to see of you like the appearance before adding plaster. Practice makes perfect)  Simply apply a thin coat (1/4″ thick) of compound to the wall, using the flat edge of the joint knife. A thicker coat of plaster might crack and fall off, so working with thinner coats is ideal.   Experiment with creating various surface textures. Use a broom to create a striated, or a paint brush to create texture in the plaster.  Experiment with textures that look genuine.  When the textured surface is complete, let the wall compound dry for about 24 hours.  With a paintbrush, apply pale-pink semigloss paint to the wall.   Apply two coats of paint to seal the drywall compound. After your wall has dried, apply a glaze onto the wall with a wide paintbrush. Your glaze should be a slightly darker color of the paint color on wall.  A very light muted  yellow mixed with glaze would also make a terrific glaze.   Simply paint the glaze on, and wipe off the excess glaze with a cotton cloth.  The glaze will collect in the crevices giving the appearance of an aged look.

A large amount of faux plaster stone molds are available.  Plaster is pretty inexpensive, making this project very affordable.  The only down side to these molds, is it will take you a long time to make enough to cover a wall.

To read more details about this beautiful home, visit Campagne Decoration.

Save

French FEED

3 Easy Old World French Elements To Add To Your Home Part 2

See this chandelier here

19th Century French Iron Metal Folding Daybed Berkshire Home & Antiques

2. The Use Of Metal

In French decor, metal is a very important element, especially iron. One very easy way to incorporate forged iron is with curtain rods and curtain hold-backs.   Modern hardware can be traded out for iron hardware.  This simple improvement can make all the difference in a home.

Take a good look at your lighting.  Often times, you can quickly fix ceiling lighting simply with spray paint.  Rust-oluem produces a wonderful spray called Oil- Rubbed which gives a wonderful metallic bronze finish that looks genuine.  Rustoleum also produces a spray that simulates aged iron.  For under 20 dollars you can make over much of the metal in your home with inexpensively.  Adding a good primer can ensure that your finish lasts several years.  After trying a dozen of primers, I have found when it comes to covering metal, that using an automobile primer has been what has worked the best for me in the past.  Finding a primer in black is not an easy find.  Although Rustoleum produces an auto primer that works quite well.  Auto paints can be very very toxic to breath in.  So it is best to do spray painting outside, as well it is imperitive to wear a proper safety mask to ensure that your lungs are protected.  This is a great way of improving some of the little details around your home which will make a big impact.

Iron shelves can be put above doorways, or under kitchen cabinets for a very rustic appearance.  Use iron shelving in your bathrooms for extra storage.  The color and texture of the iron adds a touch of boldness that metals used nowadays don’t  have.

-Cast Iron Bird Knocker $13

-Esschert Design Quarter Round Etagere Plant Rack $134

-Esschert Design Cast Iron Wall Shelf with Hooks $52

-Esschert Design  Cast Iron Game Wall Hook $54

-Esschert Design XH61-AR Large French Urn $101

-Esschert DesignBird Large $13, Sitting Iron Bird, $13

-Esschert Design Boot Rack/Scraper for 2 pairs of boots $79

-Esschert Design DB56 Cast Iron Welcome Sign $19

-16″ Decorative Flowing Scroll Bathroom Towel Holder $60

-Elizabeth Narrow Towel Rack $49

-Set of 2 Vintage French Antique Silver Vanity Mirror Home Decor $64

-30.75″ Weathered Wooden and Iron Bistro Table with Scroll Accents $279

-27″ Black Iron Leaf & Scroll Lantern-Style Table Top Candle Holder $151

-Counterflory Recipe Book Holder $33

-Secrets du Potager Herb and Flower Dryer $18

-Secrets du Potager Harvest Baskets, Set of 3 $74

–Cast Iron Shoe Scraper with Brush $53

-Cast Iron Umbrella Stand $86

– Large Wasp Trap with Decorative Cast Iron Holder $35

-Cast Iron Wall Mount Hose Holder $46

-Half Round Cast Iron Wall Planter $41

Other Interesting Ideas :

– Iron Jardiniere Planters

-Ornate French Chateau Style Brown Iron Desk Clock $38

-Iron Wall Hook Home Decor $13

-Palazetto Fleur Cast Aluminum Bistro Set Color – Antique Wine $219

-Secrets du Potager Wire Mannequin Display Figure $181

-Esschert Design USA ZB16 Glass Cloche $54

-Esschert Design OZ13 Old Zinc Finish Round Table $133

-Esschert Design USA BR03 Bird Hook Bracket $15.48

-Set of Three White Metal Flower Pots In Metal Saucer $16

-Esschert Design USA White Metal Bucket with Wood Handle $16

-21″ Antique-Style Vanity Mirror with Two-Tier Tray $74

-Set of 3 Open Design Birdcage-Inspired Wire Urns with Finial Lids $140

-36″ Giant Wire Mesh Hanging Three-Tier Wall Shelf Rack $230

Save

French FEED

3 Easy Old World French Elements To Add To Your Home Part 3

3. The Use Of Clay

Another material we often see in French styled estates is the vast use of clay.  Pottery brings an old look to our modern homes instantly. Consider buying over-sized clay potting containers and line them up out side in a row.  These large scale pots look great at the outside of an entry way, or in the entrance to a garden.  Use them as a focal point in the middle of your flower garden for an architectural look.  Use metal forms to create manicured bushes.   Adding plants in the house with clay pots is a sure way of bringing that old world touch into your home. Paint and stencil your clay pots to customize your decor inside and outside.  Rocks are quite popular and are used instead of extensive lawns in the countryside of France.  Adding iron patio furniture outside looks great and also weathers terrific over the years.

 

–Cortez Pedestal Bowls – Set of 3 $106

-Abydos Small Vase $34

-Rosemary Herb Pots Set of 3 – $43

-Roman Tall Vase $82

-Set of 3 Clay Green, Blue and Yellow Lidded Jar Canisters 16″ $139

-11″ Decorative Distressed Rustic Ceramic Pitcher Vase with Metal Handle $79

Save