Lefèvre Interiors projects we are working at

Some of my readers asked me when I would be able to post about some new projects of Lefèvre Interiors. Well, the past months, Jan and me were so busy preparing and installing a lof of our projects! The whole process of a design project, from the start to the finishing touch (furnishings, window treatment and decoration included) takes a few months, sometimes even a year!

We are only a small company, where the execution of cabinetry and paneling requires a lot of handicraft and craftsmanship.

Taking all the required measurements and preparing the design renderings and technical plans is a very important phase of the process.

If the plans are approved by our clients, the woodwork has to be constructed by the employees in our workshop.

I thought you might be interested in these projects. So today I show you pictures of some of the projects we were working at the passed months, and which are already installed at our client’s home, but not finished yet.

Painting and docoration has to be finished in the next weeks or months.

But maybe now you will understand how busy I am sometimes and therefore not having plenty of time left to blog!

At this project here, we were asked to design a living room with adjoining kitchen.

Oak paneling.

Before.

My very first sketch.

Construction in our workshop.

Integrated double door to the entry hall.

Before.

Radiator covering and window shutters.

First sketch.

Before.

Built-in cabinetry.

First sketch.

Double glazed door towards the kitchen.

Before.

Kitchen.

Double glazed door towards the living room.

An almost finished kitchen isle of which the counter top will be made of the Belgian marble “rouge belge”.

Jan’s technical plan of the kitchen isle.

Before.

This kitchen cabinet is fantstic! I just love this. Do you notice the open parts to store the cutlery?

Before.

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The second project is the redo of a bedroom.

All of the woodwork in this room has to be painted.

Before.

Built-in cabinets as a French “placard”.

This is the bedhead wall.

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A third project is about a redo of a library room.

This cabinetry and paneling is also made of oak but with a totally different finish than the oak at the first project I showed you.

This library need to be furnished and decorated now.

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This is also a redo project of a library room.

For this project we used French walnut for the cabinetry.

I will show you more pictures of the room when the window treatment is finished.

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And finally, the remake of an existing front door!!!

This is a rather unusual project but the owners of this house couldn’t find no one who was prepared to make this door with the exact profiles and proportions of the 19th century authentic door.

Jan and me decided to go for it and the owners are now very pleased with it.

The new front door. (So sorry I didn’t have a better picture of it.)

Unfortunately we had to change the design of the letter boxes, because the original ones are not conform anymore to the new legislation about the required measurements of mailboxes.

The old damaged door.

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I will asap post pictures of the finishing part of these interiors, furniture, window treatment and decoration items included!

xx

All pictures by me.

Ideas For Your Yellow And Black Vintage Kitchen

Collecting Yellow And Black Vintage Kitchen Collectibles

Today I began my YELLOW and BLACK journey for kitchen collectibles. I have so much fun putting together different color combinations in my shop "Kitsch n Stuff". And it is time for a marriage of yellow and black.

Inspiration For Kitchen Ideas

All it takes for me to get started on a particular palette is to see an appealing display in a shop I am visiting and I am off and running with new ideas for my own shop.

Yellow, Black, Gray Is a Great Vintage Palette

Sometimes I will use the colors on a vintage tablecloth to help me figure out a new color combination .... or in the case of today's yellow and black vintage
kitchen, my inspiration came from a display of yellow, black , gray coffee mugs spotted at Salmon Brook Antiques in Granby, CT.

Yellow And Black Works For Bumble Bees (and Kitchen Collectibles)

Lets face it.....yellow and black has always worked well for Bumble Bees! Now I'm challenged to find yellow and black housewares and kitchen accessories to show you how great these collectibles look together.

Ideas For Vintage Kitchen Collectibles

Yellow and black (and gray) kitchen-wares, tables and decorative items were especially popular in the 1950s.

Also Look For:

1. Plastic kitchen canisters
2. kitchen scales
3. beverage glasses
4. lemonade pitcher
5. Pyrex (Gooseberry pattern)
6. Formica tables
7. aprons
8. tablecloths
9. stools
10. tin picnic basket

Table and Chairs Photo Courtesy of http://www.classickitchensandmore.com

Picnic Tin photo Courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/RollingHillsVintage

California tumbler photo courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroRevival

Plastic canisters photo courtesy of http://www.ronebergcairns.com

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Weekend News

 

KIM CLIJSTERS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME !!!

Congratulations Kim! We are so proud!!

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AXEL VERVOORDT OPENS ART GALLERY IN ANTWERP

Gunther Uecker “Black Rain”

source : http://www.axelvervoordtgallery.com

 

In the Vlaeykensgang, located in the city centre of Antwerp, Axel Vervoordt opens a new exhibition space.

He will focus on the ZERO and the GUTAI art, an international movement of the sixties, who sought harmony between man, nature and technology in which light played a dominant role.

For more information : www.axelvervoordtgallery.com

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Wish you a wonderful weekend!

xx

Old Village Antiques, Avon, CT Having BIG Estate Overflow Sale January, 29th and 30th, 2011

HUGE Tag Sale Old Avon Village "Old Village Antiques" , Avon, Ct.

I stumbled across a BIG Estate Sale taking place Saturday January 29th and Sunday January 30th at Old Village Antiques, LLC. Owner Stephen Gero has filled the building next to his store, Old Village Antiques with what he is calling his "Estate Sale Overflow".

Whopper Indoor Tag Sale at Old Village Antiques Annex

While shopping at Old Village Antiques during the week, the gal working the desk spilled the beans and told me Stephen was next door getting ready for a whopper indoor Tag Sale. Stephen let me into the building ahead of time to take some photos to show you what he will be letting go of this weekend at Tag Sale prices.

What You Will Find At The Avon, Connecticut Estate Overflow Sale

You will find lots of old books, ceramics, glassware, paintings, prints, decoys, hammered aluminum, pictures frames, furniture, Mid-Century, lighting, kitchen-wares, Depression glass, serving pieces, chairs, mirrors, candlesticks, decorative accessories, rugs and more.

Stephen Gero is well known for his high quality antiques and decor. He told me that when he is offered an estate sale and goes to "clean out" homes he accumulates so much stuff that he needs to liquidate the overflow.

Bargains At Old Village Antiques Tag Sale

I found many very fairly priced items at this very exciting Overflow sale which will take place on Saturday January 29th and Sunday January 30th from 9:00 to 4:00 P.M. next door to Old Village Antiques. The sale is located at 25 east Main Street, Avon, CT in the Old Avon Village Complex. 860- 674-8621

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Using A Styrofoam Cone Shape Form To Display Vintage Costume Jewerly

Look how cool these vintage yellow flower pins look displayed on a green Styrofoam cone form. The form is sitting on a tray alongside a sweet picture frame.

I can see this idea working for all kinds of whimsical costume jewelry pins, especially colorful 1960s Flower Powers styles.

Styrofoam is inexpensive and comes in so many different shapes. You will find balls, blocks, rings, cones and other shapes.

Can you spray paint Styrofoam? Ordinary spray paint will melt Styrofoam. For more information on paint Styrofoam read: How To Paint Styrofoam.

You could also cover the Styrofoam form with vintage material or wallpaper.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Fresh Frugal Ways To Preserve Lemons

Preserving Food Tips For Retro Homemakers
The Thrifty Kitschy Housewife Series

Are you keeping your FISH LEMONS CHEESE mixed in with your milk or butter? Shame on you. You clearly are not running a well run kitchen! Read on and you will see just how you should be preserving your strongly flavored food

Learn From A Vintage Balabusta

I know something about this topic because while I'm buried in SNOW (and can't go out hunting for antiques and collectibles) , I have been reading every page of "Household Hand Book", a booklet published long, long , long ago. I am becoming such a kitchen maven . My secret source is Lily Haxworth Wallace, A Edwardian Era balabusta. I am actually picking up a lot of useful information from this properly prepared award winning homemaker, author, lecturer.

So, I will share with you her ideas about FISH LEMONS CHEESE

"or any strongly flavored food, should not be placed in the same compartment with milk or butter.

Steps To Preserving Lemons The Old Fashioned Way By Lilly Haxworth Wallace

"1. A kitchen economy is to grate the rinds from lemons as soon as the come in from the store,or at any any rate while they are still fresh.

2, Add an equal quantity of sugar, place in small jars and cover closely.

3. The fresh flavored essential oil is preserved, and the lemon rind is ready for use when needed for frosting pies or puddings or for flavoring , instead of being wasted as is so often the case where only lemon juice is called fro in a recipe.

4. Incidentally, the lemon juice, mixed with thick sugar will also keep for several weeks if kept tightly closed and in a cool dry place."

If you try this, let us know how things turn out. Remember this post is based on Lily's ideas .

By the way, Lily Haxworth Wallace was the author of Rumford Cook Book and a dozen other books on cooking and home management. According to a blog called "On Food and History" Lilly emigrated to the United States from England in 1900. She was a specialist in home economics and lectured and taught cooking skills to women throughout the country.

Lemon Pie Recipe

2 Tbsp. corn starch

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 Tbsp. butter

2 eggs

Salt

Grated rind 1/2 lemon

2 Tbsp. sugar

Combine corn starch and 3/4 cup sugar. Add water slowly, stirring constantly. Cook over hot water, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth. Add slightly beaten egg yolks, butter, lemon rind and juice, and a few grains salt. Cook 2 minutes. Pour into baked pastry shell. Cover with meringue made of the egg whites and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake in slow oven (325 F.) 20 minutes.

Read More about Lemon desserts:

http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com/

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,2126/title,Luscious-Lemon-Desserts/

Top image courtesy of http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com/
Juicer photo is courtesy of http://augustvintage.blogspot.com

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Visiting "Retro Genie" A Vintage Clothing And Collectibles Shop In Northampton, Massachusetts

Northampton Massachusetts , Dubbed NoHo Of Hamphire County, Massachusetts

I'm glad to know that there are still groovy gals out there who appreciate Retro clothing, clothing and accessories.

Introducing "Retro Genie"

One long established shop which caters to the vintage set is "Retro Genie" on Market Street in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Northampton Is A Funky Artsy Town

Northampton is a funky, artsy college town, home to Smith College, lots of lively musical and art programs, fabulous eateries, trendy clothing stores and often dubbed the NoHo of Hamphire County.

Smith College Part Of Five Colleges

Smith College is part of what is called The Five Colleges, including Hampshire College, Amherst, U Mass and Mount Holyoke all nearby to Northampton.

Northampton Has A Vibrant Downtown

Northampton has always been known as a vibrant downtown which is home to street musicians, festivals, cultural activities, Gay friendly, politically active young residents and a counter culture vibe.

Finding Vintage Shops On Market Street

On a recent visit to this very popular eclectic town, I made my way to Market Street, a quiet charming older setting which has a half a dozen retro/vintage shops and a Multi-dealer Antique Center. "Retro Genie" is a very hip shop packed with lots of 50s, 60s, 70s skirts, dresses, coats, aprons, shoes,hats, scares, jewelry, accessories and more.

Hello Atomic Era

While they carry clothing from other decades, you can't help but feel like you just went back in time the Atomic Era and Psychedelic 60's.

Mixed in with racks and racks of clothing covering every inch of this small , stuffed but organized shop are Retro home collectibles such as barware, beverage sets, serving ware, picnic ware, kitchen collectibles, books, etc.

Retro Genie
15 Market Street
Northampton, Mass
413-584-4364

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists