Saturday 23 May 2009

House decorating update & Retail therapy


I came across this tray in a charity shop in Frome and had to have it. Why? Because it reminded me of my childhood and how my sister I loved these little characters. We had writing paper, stickers etc.. We named them 'Les Boubous' as we didn't know what they were called. We lived in France then. To this day my sister and I still don't know what they are called. If anyone knows I'd love to know please, thank you.

ON THE HOME FRONT
The house is still having a lot work done to it. Every single room needs redecorating and re-arranging. We are doing most of the work ourselves.
Here is a taster of some of the curtains we will have:


This fabric will be made in to curtains for our bedroom. Our bedroom walls have not had the old wallpaper stripped yet. This will be changed to an Ivory cream colour. Have not decided on the exact brand or colour of the paint yet.


I love these curtains, they will be in our kitchen on 2 sets of windows and the kitchen door there will be a different curtain to break it up a bit. The kitchen walls have been painted in 'Honey' by Laura Ashley.

These 1960's/70's curtains are on the downstairs window as you go up the stairs, these starts the blue & green theme which runs up to the landing. Not the style I usually go for but I found them fresh. They work well with some of the 1950's things that I have around them. The walls are painted in an of white called Pointing by Farrow and Ball.

We still have boxes and piles of books everywhere. As the house is small, we cannot empty the contents of a room in to another to get the job done. We have do work with all the contents still in! This, we find frustrating and time consuming!
The weather has been so unreliable of late that we have not even been able to take furniture out in to the garden whilst we strip wallpaper, move things around etc. I certainly would not want to have anyone around at the house in it's current state....this in between stage, is never a good look!
I look forward to having the house completely redecorated and furnished to our taste, everything in it's right place, lighter and brighter looking and TIDY! It will finally feel like HOME.
RETAIL THERAPY
In between all the work, I have enjoyed looking through the Cath Kidston catalogue making my WISH list (Not all will be ordered in one go..) before the Easy Living discount offer expires. I have not placed my order yet but here are some of the things to be found on my list so far..


The set


I like the colourful glasses





I am in need of a new ironing board cover and this one will be just right!




I love this design. The tablecloth will look right with the curtains




For our bedroom


For our bedroom. This will look perfect with the fabric which I am going to turn in to curtains

Hope you are having a great weekend!

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

20 comments:

Floss said...

You have some lovely choices in your home. I bought a CK ironing board cover last year and I really love it! I also remember those little characters but I don't know what they were called.

I'm having a blog garden party in June - pop over to my blog if you'd like to join in!

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Isabelle,
I remember your Les Boubous from when I was a child. I loved them too and used to copy drawing them onto my piano music. I don't remember who the artist is... yet! I love the Cath Kidson items you've shown, they'll really be lovely in your home. Lovely weekend to you and your family.
xo~Tracie

Les Cotrions said...

Hello Isabelle! It's so exciting decorating home!!! Lucky you! In my next life I'd like to change and change homes, furniture, fabrics....in my next life! I like Cath Kidston! I went to London on January and I loved her shop!
Good work my frind and enjoy this exciting time!!
Big hugs
Vale

Yvonne said...

Yesss, i love Cath Kidston too !!
good luck whith decorating your home !!

warm hugs
Yvon

Anonymous said...

Hi Isabelle!
I remember those little girls...the illustrations were on everything! I think the artist was called Betsey Clarke?
Love all your fabrics...but I'm from 'Planet Pink' too!!!
See/Meet you at the Vintage and Handmade Fair???
Best wishes
Amanda (Shabby Chick) xx

lilylovekin said...

I remember those little girls. Like a previous post said the artist was Betsey Clarke, I don't know that they had any name. But they sure are cute and bring back alot of memories. What a great find.

June said...

Hi Isabelle,
I love the fabrics you have chosen for your redo. I know redoing a house can be a pain. We have been working on our bedroom. I've been painting it for two days so we have gone without curtains the whole time. Hope the neighbors are enjoying the view.
I love everthing you've chosen from Kath Kidston. Just lovely.
Hugs,
June

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Isabelle

Those Betsey Clarkes took me back to my daughter's childhood. I forget that most of you bloggers are nearer her age than mine!!

Lovely curtains and fabrics.

Sue

Sal said...

My sister reminded me that it was Betsey Clarke.I remember having birthday cards with those designs.
I have the Laura Ashley 'Stocks' curtains in my bedroom, hall and landing. I love them!
Great choice!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend ;-)
;-)

Anonymous said...

Fab post, adore the fabrics! xxxx

Lola said...

Hi Isabelle!
So much temptation in that CK catalogue! Am going to have to be v strict with myself or will succumb to everything!
Good luck with the decorating -looks gorgeous!
Take care
Nora:)

Thecraftytrundler said...

Lovely things for your kitchen, bet you cant wait to get it completed, and ready to show off!!
I'm in my forties, and remember THE Betsey Clark range being a very popular stationery range in the 70's-80's.Birthday cards, wrapping paper, I even think there were cross sttch kits too. I LOVED IT!
I got the Easy Living' mag too, loads of CK temptation !!!

Sharon xx

A Thrifty Mrs said...

You have some lovely things. I really love the first set of curtains you showed us.
x

Beth Niquette said...

LOVE your colorful blog and comments! Especially enjoyed (and coveted) that ironing board!!!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Carole said...

Your newly decorated home will be so great...it'll so worth all the inconveniences now. I've always painted a room without removing all the furniture. Love the blue and green fabric....so fresh and clean looking.
Thanks for all your inspiring ideas.
Carole

A Farmers Wife said...

Hi Isabelle, good luck ordering all your ck, just note that most of the things ive been clicking on to order are out of stock-very disappointing! Its best to add everything to your basket thats on your wishlist and see what's actually in stock!!!....The little ladies with onion heads as i call them are very sweet-my mum had a tea tray with them on which read 'any place is nice to be if you just have nice company', i loved it xxxxxxxxx

Bleudelavande said...

Hello Isabelle,I'm sure that your redo will be amazing! It's so exciting decorating home and change furnitures,fabrics or simply the colours!That CK catalogue should be wonderful,I don't know it, but the pictures explain very well!
Have a nice week

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Isabelle,
Here is a link to some information about the artist:
http://betseyzone.com/Resources.html
I love all your fabric choices,and Cath Kidson too. Your home will be so cheerful and welcoming!
Take care, Laura

Anonymous said...

I remember Betsey Clarke children. Seemed like I had some stationery with them on. I always thought their heads looked a bit like onions.

I love the Cath Kidson. it reminds me of some of my nanny's things, which I would loved to have been able to have. We'd moved back to the States by the time she passed away and it wasn't really practical to have my aunt send loads of things through the post.

I'll have to look and see if her things are available here.

Can't wait to see all of your choices!

Unknown said...

I know I'm a little late to the party but your Bestey Clarke picture just brought back a flood of childhood memories. My grandparents bought me B.C. plaque when I was just a toddler. I still have it but realize now, I'm not sure where it is since our move last fall. Guess what I will be doing tonight?!!
I absolutely love your blog!
Have a fabulous day! ~Andrea~