Firstly I want to say thanks for the love you shared about the photos and newspaper article yesterday. It is so heart warming to know that you come here to see what I'm up to and hopefully you leave here with a handy hint, some inspiration or even just the belief in your own ability to be creative.
One of the people I follow on Instagram, kris_avondalecottage, posted this quote yesterday by Henry Van Dyke about using your abilities (whatever they may be) that resonates with me:
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
So onto a little inspiration for you furniture lovers who stop by here. When I scan through my files and Pinterest board of painted furniture inspiration I notice that I have a lot of picture of furniture painted a colour with a white trim. I am obviously very drawn to this French Country look and I should just go ahead and try this out for myself! Perhaps on the large French wardrobe that's in our spare room and is in need of painting!
Chalk paint and a wax finish is wonderful for creating this look. In Australia we can not yet buy Annie Sloan's chalk paint (STILL!) so I make my own and for the top coat I use the wonderful (but expensive) Feast & Watson Mastertouch Wax. I do have Annie Sloan's informative and beautiful book "Creating The French Look" which has step by step instructions on how to achieve this look.
Here are some examples of French Country Furniture from my files:
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| From Annie Sloan's Creating the French Look |
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I love this bed head by Amanda of Reloved Rubbish in Annie Sloan's Linen paint. I think this will be the first colour I purchase when it finally is sold in Australia. Amanda is a champion of creating this look. go check out her fabulous blog.
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| via Reloved Rubbish |
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| Via |
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| via |
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| Lilyfield Life's own bad iPhone photo |
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I also love the look of Wisteria's range of French country furniture. I've only seen these online so I'm not sure how well made they are or if they are like a lot of French reproduction furniture that you can find in Australia that is mass produced in Asia to not very high standards. I would prefer to find vintage furniture that is very well made and paint this look myself. But their catalogue is certainly wonderful inspiration.
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| Wisteria Chest |
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| Wisteria |
And while this last one is not strictly French Country but I do like it's two toned look. So pretty.
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| I can't find the original source of this. I had it in my computer files. Anyone know? |
If you want to follow my Pinterest Boards you can find them here
Do you have any French Country furniture in your house?
What's your favourite furniture style?
Stop back tomorrow to hear about an amazing prize I just won. I'm still pinching myself) and for a furniture reveal.
Stop back tomorrow to hear about an amazing prize I just won. I'm still pinching myself) and for a furniture reveal.
Cheers
Fiona
i love this look when it is mixed with other looks most- and not all french country. like the forest full of birds singing- i like a variation! ;)
ReplyDeletehi Cassie - I love your eclectic look. You manage to bring some french style and bright colours all together harmoniously. have a great day. (the quote is good isn;t it)
Deletecheers Fiona
These are all so pretty and I love the distressed finishes on them. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeletehi Marty - lovely to hear from you! thanks for commenting and have a lovely day
Deletecheers Fiona
When I started out painting furniture I was all over the french country look, in fact I initially named my blog 'French Country Furniture' before quickly outgrowing that name as my tastes changed! I still like a little bit of it and in fact the sideboard I did recently (and still have in my 'to blog about' pile) feels very frenchy to me. Must take some more photos of it and get it on my blog!
ReplyDeleteHave a good day!
Karen
ps. I have that Annie Sloan book too :)
Deletehi Karen, I'm going to have to check our your old blog posts for some of you older pieces. can't wait to see the sideboard. post about it soon!
Deletecheers Fiona
Hi Fiona, I am so glad you liked the quote, once again you have inspired me! I usually go for the safe "just paint it white" furniture, but have admired the French look , I am now ready to give it a go. Thank you for a lovely post xKrisx
ReplyDeletehi Kris.– do you want me to link to your blog for some traffic? Send me the URL and I'll add it. I'm a bit of a paint it white for my own house also mainly as our house is not a bright sunny place but then i'm sure a lot of french country homes aren't bright and sunny either so perhaps it will suit!
Deletehave a lovely day in your lovely cottage!
cheers Fiona
Wow, those are all lovely finishes! Thank you for featuring my headboard, Fiona! I am your newest follower :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Amanda, I seriously love your work and blog so it's an absolute pleasure
DeleteCheers Fiona
How do you make your own chalk paint?
ReplyDeleteCheers Mel :-)
hi Mel,, there are many recipes on the web, I usually use plaster of paris mixed in with latex paint but the quantities vary depending on the look i'm wanting.
DeleteI'll have to blog about exactly how i do it soon
thanks for commenting and good luck with it
cheers Fiona
Hi Mel and Fiona, I tried mixing my own chalk paint recently and used calcium carbonate. It was gritty and I needed to lightly sand it between coats but I've never used Annie Sloan to be able to compare. When you use plaster of paris is it gritty? I absolutely love your website Fiona - inspirational and informative. Thanks, Aimee
DeleteHi Fiona, can you tell me what is latex paint in Australia. I'm trying to make my own chalk paint. Can you just use Dulux/Taubmans sample pots mixed with POP
ReplyDeletethankyou from another Fiona