Thursday 11 February 2010

Painting update & Textile deliveries

I had hoped to post sooner but other things took over. I've had a few deliveries this week. As many of you probably know by now, I love textiles (vintage mostly)


This 1950's Italian Riviera fabric, I really love! I bought it online from Donna. The colours and design are so beautiful. It captures a time when the Italian & French Riviera were so much more glamorous and chic than they are now.


Bought on Ebay

Discontinued Laura Ashley fabric, so pretty and fresh.

Onto the lounge now...
This used to be Alan's office, in that little area under the stairs. However, a few months ago we decided that it would be nice to get rid of the desk & for Alan to share my workroom/office upstairs. This would make the lounge free from work related things and a good place to relax. It was not esthetically pleasing either to be honest... as I'm sure you'll agree... Not very vintage looking....

So we cleared everything out back in August/September


Looking better already!
And this is what we did to it last weekend..

After... much better.
The next job is to make that area look pretty and cosy. This weekend I'll get on to that and will hopefully finish that corner.


Sneak peek at painting in progress... I had to repaint it as the first time around the paint came out darker than I had expected..I am yet to find the backing that I like. Still looking for that perfect wallpaper or fabric... I will post the finished result as soon as it is all finished!

Have a lovely Valentine's day on Sunday!

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

53 comments:

Julia said...

Isabelle! Its looking truly wonderful! What a cosy little corner it is, and gorgeous all freshly painted!
As for the fabrics, my goodness you always seem to discover the most amazing treasures! They're beautiful, the riviera one is quite enchanting!

Sending love
Julia x x x

All things nice... said...

Isabelle,

You have been busy, love the fabrics they are so pretty and vintage looking. The white under the stair case is beautiful really fresh looking, it would be a lovely wee reading corner :)The dresser looks wonderful too, I love the colour you choose, keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing your finished corner under the stairs :)

All things nice...

Marigold Jam said...

That nook looks lovely. We have a similar space under our stairs in the hallway which is useful and fitted with bookshelves and cupboards but it's dark wood - must show my husband your photo and suggest we paint ours lighter.

Good luck with finding the right backing for your cupboard - guess it needs to be a small print or it will overwhelm whatever you are trying to display. Happy hunting.

Jane

Lululiz said...

Amazing what a little paint can do, that corner looks so much better now.
And I thoroughly approve of your fabrics, they are gorgeous.

Pink Feather Paradise said...

Can't wait to see how you cosy up the understairs corner... they always seem to be used as dumping grounds... coats,shoes and the likes... ours has a tumbledryer in it as it opens onto the kitchen... nothing cosy about that! lol

I love your fabric finds, very beautiful... and I expected the bottom of the cupboard to go right to the floor... how lovely that it has a delicate bottom to it... can't wait to see your choice for backing material or paper...

x Alex

Kissed by an Angel said...

Gorgeous fabrics - the Riviera one reminds me of my Mother in Law she always had stuff like that in her home!! The corner is looking good already and so it that lovely unit!!
xxxx

bellaboo said...

What a transformation already!Can't wait to see what comes next! The cupboard is such a nice shade of blue and the Laura Ashley material...my favourite!!

Bellaboo :)

Ineke Pluim said...

The room is very nice! Beautiful the wall is white!
xxx
Ineke

Louise said...

What nice pictures to enjoy! I love the Riviera fabric- they don't make them like that any more !
Thankyou for your comments on my blog X

Les Cotrions said...

Your fabrics are gorgeous Isabelle!
You made a great makeover in the area under the stairs! You're very busy!!!
Happy Valentine's day to you!
Vale

Guenievre said...

Bonjour ! j'adore les tissus "vintage" ! Ma préférence va aux fleuris, mais j'aime aussi beaucoup celui avec le paysage, il est très original. Et, vous avez entièrement raison, la Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) n'est plus ce qu'elle était ... beaucoup moins glamour à notre époque (trop de personnes superficielles, trop de commerces "inutiles", trop "d'apparences")Dans les années 60's St Tropez était une petite ville bien sympa. Mais, soyons honnêtes "l'arrière pays" est toujours très agréable, pourvu que ça dure :-)).
La peinture sur les pierres est très réussie. Well done.
Et merci pour le lien vers "Donna", je ne connaissais pas ce site, elle vend de très beaux tissus et objets.

Country Cottage Chic said...

I can't help buying fabrics either - way more than I'll probably ever use so my daughter will inherit them (then they'll be really vintage - or antique!!)

I'm looking forward to seeing your newly revamped corner.

Jayne

{oc cottage} said...

What a great spot that is under the stairs!!

m ^..^

koralee said...

I always love to visit you...your ideas are amazing and everything looks so lovely! That fabric is beautiful. Sending you some love today and thanks for sharing.

harmony and rosie said...

Hi Isabelle. Your little corner looks better already, isn't it amazing what a lick of paint can do? As for that Riviera fabric, I am in love, it is gorgeous. I mad about vintage textiles too so thanks for the link to your supplier! Love your cupboard too and look forward to seeing what you fill it with.
Love Kate x

Anonymous said...

what lovely fabrics I have always liked that Laura Ashley one and those vintage fabrics are great .That little space under the stairs looks really fresh now its been painted and I am looking forward to seeing its transformation and the cupboard is coming on great !

Andi's English Attic said...

I LOVE the first fabric - fantastic!
What a difference the paint made to the stone wall. It looks so much nicer. xx

June said...

Hi Isabelle,
I love the rock walls painted white in the lounge!!! It really brightens the area up. Beautiful...and speaking of beautiful, your vintage textiles that you have received are lovely. I love florals so much and can never have enough of them in my stash.
Thank you so much for the beautiful words you left for me. They have meant so much as does your friendship.
hugs

Serenata said...

Oh I can see that corner is going to be lovely, the paint makes it look soo much better!

Lori said...

your cupboard looks lovely Isabelle...i like how your wall of stone looks painted too!!!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I love that Riviera fabric Isabelle - such fun!

Your corner is going to look great - painting the stone has made all the difference and now for the pretty part! Look forward to seeing what you do.

Lovely paint job on the cupboard too.

Jeanne x

Enitram said...

Now, your little corner is already to receive beautiful things from Laura Ashley?
Good week-end with snow?

Monica said...

Oh Isabelle, so beautiful this way! Love the painted stone wall, and the cupboard is cheerful and pretty!
Monicax.

Country Style Living said...

I love all your new fabrics, especially the first one. Very pretty. Good luck with the decorating, can't wait to see it all finished.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Hello Isabelle, found your blog, whilst visiting another, and so chuffed I found you !
What a delightful place you have here, beautiful vintage fabrics, and just full of inspiration.
I love the little under the stairs
remodel, so charming and inviting.
Hope to visit with you often !
Jo
xx

Anonymous said...

Its looking great, cant wait to see it all finished!
i have moved blog, do pop over for a visit sometime
www.time-worn-style.com/blog/
alicia

Lisa said...

Those new fabrics are so pretty and I am completely in love with your new piece of furniture.
Lisa x

sarah-jane down the lane said...

So haooy for you that all your hard hard work is coming to fruition.

That first fabric is stunning stunning! I think CK had a similar pettern wallpaper on the St.Ives shop. Hmm, must check this out!

Sarah x

PS sorry your Kentish memories are so rubbish, we are in West Kent near Hever Castle and Penshurst place. You must try to visit as I think you honestly would love them both! Sarah x

Duchess of Tea said...

Darling the fabrics are gorgeous, I am in love with the Italian Riviera one, absolutely gorgeous. What a difference a coat of white paint can do to an area!! Good Job so far.

Love & Hugs
Duchess

Midsummer Stitches said...

Yes another fabric addict here! I love that top one! Cupboard looking great too!

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Oh, my, Isabelle, I really love the fabrics you got, especially that last lovely Laura Ashley one. I love what you're doing in your lounge - it's going to look wonderful when you're done. p.s. lol about painting your cabinet (btw looks beautiful!) and being a kindred paint sample hoarder

Clare said...

Its looking really beautiful Isabelle. I love the cabinet! Hope you're excited about The Vintage Bazaar! Have a 'LOVE'ly valentines weekend.

Pomona said...

I love those fabrics - I remember the Laura Ashley one! The decorating looks very exciting, too!

Pomona x

Duchess of Tea said...

Isabelle darling, wishing you a lovely weekend and a love filled Valentine’s Day.

Love & Hugs
Duchess

Susan Freeman said...

I like what you have done so far. I love vintage fabrics too. I am looking forward to see what you do next.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Lucy Bloom said...

What a lovely nook - coveting that cupboard/dresser too!
Lucy x

Mr Jones said...

The dresser has given me an idea.. for the white wall space between the picture rail and the ceiling.. hmm - Thanks!

What are you going to do with corner? x

LiLi M. said...

Oh your fabrics just look like paintings, you could use them like that too, don't you think? sheer beauty! Love the cupboard! The stones are so much better painted white, well done. Have a great weekend!

Brabourne Farm said...

Your fabrics are beautiful - I so wish that I could sew! Your makeover looks fabulous - can't wait to see the finished room. Leigh

Simply H said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog Isabelle. The French Riviera fabric is to die for...wow!
x

lilylovekin said...

I want to see what you are going to do with the fabric, it is all so lovely. The stone turned out great painted white how brave of you to do!

Bleudelavande said...

Hi Isabelle, So so glad to receive your comment!!!!
Happy Valentine's day to you too!!!
That corner is amazing! It's fantastic what a little paint can do!!!! I love the first fabric!!!!
Have a nice week.
Take care my dear

Catherine said...

The blue paint is very nice and the fabric too.I had a look at Donna i found a very nice material! thanks for sharing! Catherine xxx

Fifi Flowers said...

BEAUTIFUL textiles!

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Aaah!! My silly laptop isn't getting the pictures or your header! I am in suspense and will return tomorrow to see if I can see then. I picked up some lovely fifties rose fabric from Donna. I first found her through your Blog. I will have to buy some more. I bought the material to make curtains for the office but forgot I can't sew! I shall just have to hang it somehow. Hope all is well with you and your family. Thinking of you. xx

Just Between Us Girls said...

Your taste in textiles is impeccable.
I loved the photos of your selections. Stop by my blog...I am having a free give away April 1....
don't miss. Thank you for sharing.
With all good wishes.
Pat

Simone said...

The first fabric is quite exciting! I think the under the stairs area is much improved with the white paint. It really opens up the space.x

Jill said...

I'm loving what you are doing, can't wait to see the finished article.

Hugs RosieP x

BusyLizzie said...

Hi Isabelle, I have some of that Riviera fabric, it is wonderful isn't it! Thanks you for your comment, had a fab holiday! xx

Unknown said...

Hey Isabelle,
That corner looks fantastic now!! a lovely litlle reading nook would be so great there now....cant wait to see the finished projects!!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Annie x

Vintage to Victorian said...

Oh Isabelle, what a shame you have to miss Bridport again. Sorry to hear about the roof problem though - heard a similar story from someone else the other day. Thanks for your good wishes - I managed to get the car packed well before lunch which I was rather pleased about.

Hope your car repair isn't going to be too costly.

Am not expecting any excuses prior to the DH Textile Fair!!!!!

Sue x

Zaza Lombardi said...

Hello...
Beautiful your blog.
Sorry, my english is not good.
Amei o seu blog eu tbem adoro tudo antigo.

Mary said...

Love your Blog! The photos are lovely-just like out of a magazine. Really inspiring.