Sunday, March 30, 2014

The One With Cottage And Magali And One Or Two Chairs

By The Kitchen Window - 2 - The Kitchen Window Sequel


If you remember my last post, you know that I'm looking for the perfect chair for my kitchen. In the middle of the chaos that is renovation, I wanted this project to be easy, but Cottage wasn't keen on the idea of a store bought chair.

Donc, si vous suivez, je cherche une chaise à mettre dans ma cuisine, histoire de faire joli, de pouvoir y boire une tasse de thé, de faire dormir un chat ou deux à l'occasion! Je veux que ce soit un projet facile au milieu de toutes les difficultés liées à la rénovation.  Mais Cottage refuse que j'achète une chaise en grand magasin.


So I browsed my usual website, Le Bon Coin, and after a few days, I found a couple of chairs, what we would call "grand-pa chair" that caught my eye. They had flowers carved on them, something that looked very "before WWII", something I wouldn't find in a store.

Du coup, me revoilà sur Le Bon Coin à la recherche de la chaise de mes rêves. Une annonce attire mon attention. Une paire de chaises de grand-père avec des fleurs stylisées dans un style années 20 ou 30 (enfin, d'instinct, si je me trompe, corrigez-moi). C'est sûr, je ne retrouverai pas ça en magasin. 


The seller lived in a close-by town and we agreed to meet on a parking lot we both knew.

La vendeuse habite non loin de chez moi et on se donne rendez-vous sur un parking du coin.

 
She was the sweetest lady and she told me the chairs were her great-grand-mother's. And at 45€ for two of them, not even Ikea could do better!

C'est une dame charmante et elle me dit que les chaises appartenaient à son arrière-grand-mère. Et pour 45 € les deux, même Ikea ne fera pas mieux.


So one of the chair went straight to the kitchen and the other is in the living-room.

L'une de ces chaises a donc rejoint directement la cuisine et l'autre est dans le salon.

Cottage seemed very happy to see the chairs. 

Cottage a l'air content de mon choix.

They have been kitty approved by both cats who come inside, which is the most important.

Et les deux chats qui rentrent dans le cottage l'ont approuvé, ce qui est vital.

Milo
But, as happy as I am to have found beautiful chairs, I can't help but noticing that all the chairs from my inspiration pictures were painted in a very light colour... What do you think? What should I do?

Mais, moi, je ne peux m'empêcher de penser que toutes mes photos d'inspiration montraient des chaises peintes en blanc ou en une couleur claire... Qu'en pensez-vous? Qu'est-ce que je fais?

Shadow
And what do you say of that gorgeous grey cushion? Did you notice the amazing yellow under-cushion (for lack of a better word)?

Et quel est votre sentiment sur ce superbe coussin gris et son non-moins superbe sous-coussin (je ne sais comment dire) jaune?

So, it was supposed to be an easy project... But I have a feeling, this is never happening at the Cottage.

J'ai l'impression que ce projet facile ne va peut-être pas être si facile... N'est-ce pas toujours le cas, de toute façon?

Is this the last episode of the series or not?

Donc, croyez-vous que ce soit là l'épisode final de cette série?

See you soon,

A bientôt,


PS1: I have a feeling that the cats are going to be more popular than the chair...
Je sens que les chats vont avoir plus de succès que ma chaise...

PS2: If you're having a bad day and want to laugh about a chair, feel free to watch that video... It kind of reminds me of my cats... You can also watch if you're not having a bad day, my mom has this theory that even a good day can always be improved...



PS3: I'm trying to keep the party rhythm, but clearly I'm struggling to cope with everything lately... I'll try to make it to a few of them at least!

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.fr/2014/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no206.html            My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia          http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2014/03/a-return-to-loveliness-65.html        

Come Link Up at...        31 Days to Slash Your Budget Painlessly    Lavender Garden Cottage

Ivy and Elephants         
                

52 comments:

  1. There never is an easy project is there? :) I think those chairs will be so lovely in a lighter color.

    And Shadow is so precious, what a sweetheart.

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    1. "Easy" and "project" are just two words that don't seem to like each others ;)

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  2. Great price for the two. Love the flower details.

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  3. Creamy-white paint, pale blue and white patchwork cushion...???

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  4. Nice chairs! I had an old chair with carving, left it wood tone for a long time then painted it white ( worked with the new fabric!). I love it! Makes the flower details stand out. I say do whatever works for you and love!

    (Love your kitties!)

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  5. I think broken white color is better for the chusion. Btw I love your kitties. So funny

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  6. I think I would paint them with white chalk paint and then distress and top with dark wax. I'd recover the cushions too. The nice thing about chalk paint is that you don't have to use a primer so it's really easy to sand back down to wood if you choose to in the future. then again, if you love the wood, leave it alone and find a brighter fabric for the cushions. :) (aren't I just so helpful??)

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  7. I agree with Anne above but any light color. We painted 4 with vintage white chalk paint - I did see some later where they painted chairs with 2 colors of chalk paint and I like that.

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  8. Those are wonderful chairs!!! And besides, they're kitty-approved! ♥

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  9. Dear Magali,
    thank you so much for your nice comment and the pin you sent me! The chairs are very special (and approved by the cats), but perhaps they migth look even better with some fresh paint and some less grey (and yellow) cushion. Painting is a lot of work, so... I don´t think, this will be the last part of this series. I agree, that chalk paint is very easy to handle...
    Have a nice sunday! Yours Sarah

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  10. On, I love the chairs as is, I like to see a mixture of painted and non-painted. I know the chairs would show better painted, but gosh they've been that way for a grand, grand, long time. But since I love your style you'll do what's best for you.....but dark woods are pretty too. Today it's near 60, so hubs and I are headed out to the garden, oh boy I'm happy so no sitting for me today, maybe tomorrow, cause after all "tomorrow is another day"

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  11. The chairs are just gorgeous! Glad to hear the kitties approve too. I like them in the dark wood, but think they would look gorgeous painted as well and distressed so some of the dark wood shows through. I can't wiat to see what you do with them. Hope you have a lovely and restful Sunday.

    Blessings, Vicky

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  12. I love them, and obviously the kitties do too!

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  13. What a great find! I have been reading and following with great interest your kitchen redo! You are going at it just like I do ---
    taking my time, doing lots of research, and asking for advice from everyone and anyone!!!

    For a new kitchen, I would paint the chairs. Any color would be more exciting to me than the existing color...but then, that's me, isn't it!!! My cat, Matisse, would love to sit in either chair, btw!

    Mary in Oregon

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    1. The chair is going to be painted and I think I find a fabric I like.
      Thank you so much, Mary, for following the renovation. I love the name of your cat!
      Magali

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    2. I love the white color of your chair but I'm IN LOVE with the Toile de Juoy you have selected!!!
      Starting to sew a cushion is a very easy project...perhaps the next time you might ask your Mother to teach you.
      My Mother taught me and I've been sewing ever since (1/2 a century, at least, now!). Ask her now, when you can (just a hint!).

      My daughter helped me come up with the name, Matisse! I'm not really a fan of Modern Art, but I am definitely a francophile so we were looking at french names! Since then I have paid more attention to Matisse's artwork and it is growing on me!

      Mary in Oregon

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    3. I had had my eye on that toile de Jouy for a long time and bought it when it was the end of the roll, as it was much cheaper.
      My mom is a great mom, but there's one thing she isn't and that's patient, so I guess when I have time, I'll teach myself how to sew. But the making of that cushion and the numerous times she cursed me will remain a very good memory!

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    4. Too bad I live so far away. I would love to teach you a few simple tricks to make sewing easy...
      Sharp scissors that are ONLY used for fabric is very important. Also, understanding that the direction of the selvedge (edge of fabric) is important for the straight of grain (usually an arrow is printed on the pattern piece).
      That's a start! What do you want to sew next? Let me know and I can utilize mon français pour les instructions au prochaine!

      à bientôt,
      Mary

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  14. The chair is perfect, upright but relaxing as well, especially with the arms. You probably know that I'd say paint them white or another pale colour, but maybe you should wait till after the kitchen is done, to see what sort of contrast you may, or may not need. And yes, it looks like sewing is involved too !
    I started watching Friends when it first came on tv, and I think I know just about every scene, including this one !

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  15. I think I agree with Fiona, I would wait until you have your kitchen finished and see what would look the best. The chairs are beautiful and the kitties love them - good find.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  16. I agree with the above, but then again, you could adapt the chairs to your taste, paint them in your favourite sea-cottage colours, and then àfterwards, adapt the kichten to these two feature items... It depends on what you want of course! Greetings and have a nice week ! Marcy

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    1. Oh, I couldn't wait! I'm sorry, I just needed one thing done in the kitchen!
      Have a nice week!

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  17. That is my favorite scene from Friends and I love the chairs. Turns out we have to become friends. I was chatting with Karen from Feral Turtle and she mentioned making international bird poop paint...butter than Annie Sloan's, it's decided that she, you, me, and Mel from Mellywood's Mansion were going to combine bird poop for the greatest blend. I said, who is Magali? Turns out you're this cool lady from France and I happen to love French people because, well, my kids are in dual immersion school to speak French. Anyway, I'm Heather, nice to meet you. :)

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  18. A very nice find. I love the cat, too. :)

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  19. When I saw the title of your post, I immediately thought of Friends and the Joey and Chandler episode. Then I see you thought of the title on purpose - clever girl. I vote for paint and heavy, heavy distressing to let the dark wood shine through. Maybe even one color deep in the carvings with white or cream on top. Best of all they are kitty-approved.

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  20. Quelle bonheur cette "chasse" sur "Leboncoin" ! Les meubles qui ont un "vécu", c'est tout de même bien sympa... et ça, jamais Ikea ne pourra rivaliser et c'est tant mieux !

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  22. oops spelling mistake :( Gorgeous chairs!!! I am thinking you will have a hard time painting them unless you want Shadow white too because I don't think shes moving! They will look awesome either way in your kitchen Magali!

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  23. En général, quand on fait rentrer des meubles c'est au coup de cœur, alors, peut-être pourrais-tu en profiter pendant un certain temps voir toujours en laissant tes fauteuils dans leur jus, après, si tu as envie de changer, il n'est jamais trop tard pour les peindre.
    Question coussin, j'enlèverais le jaune & laisserais le gris.
    Je pense que ta tête dois bouillonner & qu'il y aura encore au moins un épisode chaises.
    Bisous & bonne semaine. Babette
    Décidément il faut que je change mon clavier & que je me relise plus souvent.

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  24. Lovely chairs and the cat is pretty cute!! I have trouble paining any wood (maybe, I am afraid of color??) so I should not respond to your question. However, I am sure that your other readers will have tons of wonderful ideas!!

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  25. Beautiful details on the chairs -- I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  26. Hmmm......I would suggest you wait till your cupboards are in and finished the big projects before deciding on what to do with the chairs. I am leaning towards spiffing them up with paint, but you can keep an eye out for prettier cushions until you decide. And yes, I just want to pick up your very pretty kitty and snuggle him/her! : )

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  27. My view is that painting these crafted pieces is close to a crime. White chairs you can find anywhere, everyone is painting over old chairs where the craftsmen picked just that piece of wood to make it shine. With white cupboards, white window I think you will need some contrast, to ground it. Chalk paints dont age, and the decorations will fill with paint after a couple of repaints. A fine sanding, oil wax and some happy patterned fabric (cabbages and roses, cath kidston?) and they will look like a unique gem. A dark stain can do the trick as well, to get that glow come out of the wood. Waxing is also easier than painting....

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    1. I do understand your point of view. I also believe that furniture has been painted since a very long time. Those old pieces were also made in a way no chair today could meet. But I do keep some wood tones in my cottage, don't worry!

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  28. What a great find Magali and a really good deal - wish i would go for that. I think painting of staining works to update the look based on what the kitchen also feels like old or new, painted in a neutral color. I'm a fan of staining in dark or light tints so the image and woodwork can still peak through.

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  29. Dear Magali,
    I love the chairs, can't wait to see what you gonna do with them. 45€ for two of them ? You are a real bargain hunter ! :)
    Of course I have to mention the cats, love them ! Whenever I see them I wish I could reach through my computer screen and give them a cuddle.
    I wish you a wonderful week. We are having such a wonderful, sunny weather here. Yayyy ! LOVE from Izabella.

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  30. Love the chairs! I say don't paint them!
    P.S. of course my favorite part are the kitties
    P.S.2 I'm glad to see that you created a Wandering Around page!

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  31. I love the kitties!! I think the chair would look lovely painted. It's also lovely the way it is. I think you should ask Cottage. :)

    -andi

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  32. Kittens tested; Magali approved. The chair is perfect, and you got two of them! I am glad that you have to make the decision to paint it or not instead of me. I am always torn about whether or not to paint wood in good condition. I did paint my great-grandmother's chairs that I use in the dining room, though.

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  33. Lovely chairs. For me personally, I love to see old wood left natural but the seat covers changed to reflect the personality of the owners and the house... and of course the feline friends!! xx

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  34. LOVE those chairs Magali !!!
    Paint - don't paint - the decision is yours alone - because they're YOUR chairs !
    Don't put them on Hometalk - I'm being massacred over there for painting furniture LOL
    XOXO

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  35. This is a gorgeous piece with all the lovely carvings! Love the seat covers and I love it that you left the Wood alone and not painted or something else! The kitties look so good in them too, lol.
    FABBY

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  36. I think your mom is right, Magali. I am very allergic to cats, so they must stay outside around here. Love the chairs. xo Laura

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  37. I love the carving detail on your chairs--very pretty! And glad that the cats approve :)

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  38. Gorgeous chairs. You did well, Magali. To paint. . .or not to paint? Oh, I struggle with that question every time. I'm glad it's you making the decision. Either way, they'll be fabulous. I'm glad you found these two lovelies. :)

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    1. It was a difficult question for me as well. Also, as I'm not a great painter, I was afraid of ruining the chair, but the dark wood wasn't working for me in front of my window.

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  39. The chair is lovely. It will definitely have more of a cottage feel if you paint it white.
    hugs
    Jann

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  40. These are beautiful chairs, but I think they would be equally beautiful painted, and it would bring out the details even more. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely weekend! ~Deborah

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  41. LOVE the chairs, Magali, and I think they would look even more spectacular painted. They'd be more cottage-y. Maybe that seafoam green? Or even white!

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