Mar 22, 2016
Next up Sharon shared with me what was a simple frame that is now anything but! She has used gilding expertly on the pieces she’s created, but she also stressed how easy it is….so if you’re thinking “I love the look but could never do that” then maybe think again.
This frame uses our R3 Rosette, but with the very bottom of the moulding trimmed off to fit. Remember: Efex mouldings can be trimmed to suit any project using a craft knife or a pair of scissors. Again, a beautiful piece. 
I have to admit I loved the bedroom so have used the frame as a minor player in this photo. You can see the lovely bedhead, with the framed mirror above it mirroring the style of the central rosette on the bedhead. The bedhead rosette – while original on this piece – is identical to our R77 Rosette.
A side table in the bedroom shows off what can be done if you combine the appliqués. Sharon used one of my favourite appliqués – Scroll SC03 – and paired it with one of our most popular Rosettes, R3, for a lovely feature on this table. You’ll notice another of the most gorgeous rubbish bins in NZ nestled under the table! This was achieved with Bow B1 and perfectly highlights one of the most appealing characteristics of Efex — the are flexible, bending to fit a curved surface or even curving around an entire circular edge.
The last piece (my favourite) is yet to come…
Mar 16, 2016
Mirror Revamp Before and After
This mirror revamp says it all. We all love a great before and after. This one is so cute and so simple it just rocks. Alison Gregory of The Little French Provincial Shop has hit this latest mirror makeover right out the of park.
Last year she found this little round table and took it from drab to fab.
Now see what she had done with this plain Jane mirror.
Oohh…that orange wood! Doesn’t it just make your skin crawl? The top was just calling out for a bit of embellishment.
The addition of scroll SC44, rosette R78, and a little bit of paint it turned into a beautiful elegant mirror that would look lovely in anyone’s entry hall or living room.
For those of you in New South Wales, Australia stop into Alison store. This wife and mother of two is addicted to all things French. Her great eye for detail lets her find good projects that are ready to be reloved.
From her blog her motto is “You only live once… so live beautifully!” And boy does she do that with style!
Mar 14, 2016
Old French Trading Company
Old French Trading Company is in Turlock California Located in the heart of the Central Valley farming region. No matter where you live in the USA it’s likely you’ve had fruit from Turlock.
Founded by Swedish immigrants in the 1800’s Turlock is also home to a vibrant historical area. The downtown retail environment is full of boutiques, antique shops, great coffee bars and restaurants. So, it’s no wonder that when Lauren Camarata returned home from Los Angeles she chose to open her business inside the thriving retail environment of the Vintage Market in historic Turlock.
The Old French Trading Company is a delight. Full of so many vintage finds and accessories you could easily fall in love with everything.
Today, Lauren shows us that corners are for much more than frames with this great dresser makeover.
To get this great Swedish look, Lauren used Aubusson and Louis Blue Chalk Paint®, as well as scumble by Artisan Enhancements. Of course the corners are from Efex.
Stop by and visit The Old French Trading Company. You’ll be glad you did.
Mar 2, 2016
Even though we have lived in our home for two years now, for some reason we have never gotten around to really finishing the guest rooms upstairs. That may be because they were always full of guests!
Last fall we finally completed a full revamp on this guest room using many of our Efex Mouldings.
The walls in the room were Benjamin Moore Navaho White, and the floors were washed in Annie Sloan Old White with a matte lacquer finish. The floors are soft pine and have held up perfectly over the last couple of years.
When we were working on how to style and set up this room, we wanted a sort of informal elegance. First we took the mirror that was our very first Efex project and paired it with a flip top table. The mirror is an antique that was purchased and first painted by my mother over 50 years ago. I very much enjoyed revamping it to make it go with out home. Next we used the tilt top table that had been in the study. It was the perfect size to fit in between the beds.
The twin beds went from failing veneer to shabby chic with the addition of our B1 and B19 bows, and SW3 swags. Samantha even did a video on how to get the look for the bed refresh. We added linen bed covers and Maine Blankets for some texture.
The French wrought iron day bed is dressed with an antique french quilt. It is now officially the “bear’s bed” home to our (my) collection of teddy bears.
The wall was a last minuet inspiration. About 6AM the day these photos were taken, I decided that we needed more color and texture against the beds. So I grabbed some French Linen Chalk Paint, mixed it with some glaze medium and went to work with a quick frottage technique. This wall from start to finish only took 1 hour.
To finish out the French look we added this wonderful chippy milk painted dresser and French chair.
The major accessory in the room besides the teddy bears is a lovely blue vase done by my friend Ingrid Flynn. We have a collection of her work, all very Scandinavian modern pottery, that always fits with any table top design. For art we added to original primitive oil painting.
Voila… simple French make over.
Mar 1, 2016
Have you Read Paris Flea Market Style? This book is eye candy for anyone who loves French style and found treasures.
“Paris is the place where shopping daydreams come true.” Specifically, the five special areas showed in Claudia Strasser’s lovely book Paris Flea Market Style.
Quoting the author, “The flea markets offer one of a kind insights into a lovely bygone era that valued beauty and worked to create it. The craft was as important as the product it produced and even the tools were something special.” Filled with both shopping and style tips Claudia is a globetrotting author and designer with a passion for Paris and the fleas.
It’s not hard to figure out that our favorite chapter is Architectural Elements and Hardware. Followed by Outdoors, Furniture, and Textiles. In truth we loved the whole book!
The mirrors above (on the back cover) often come from old grand apartments. This one grabs us at Efex, with the bows, swags, and drops. Might have to do another mirror and use this design!
The details on the Louis XV column with all its chippy goodness are heart stopping.
These pictures are a great example of how accurate and timeless the antique designs of our Efex are. B19 Swag 6, 7, and 8 as well as a similar T42 trim, are all parts of our catalog of unique bendable moldings.
However, to get a well styled French room you need a variety of texture and light. Enter two of our other passions, textiles and chandeliers, specifically the antique French kind.
Reading this book definitely started us dreaming of Paris and her fleas. It just might be time to plan another shopping trip, remember this is where we found M!
