Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Decision Making Mode

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 Renovating implies constant decisions. 

Tiles,

Flooring,

Electrical outlets,

Light fixtures,

Paint,

Sink,

Vents…

Every detail is a wonder world.

 

 

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You name the place I have been there, junkyards all the way up. Yesterday after visiting Cassis to define where to put the light switches, led lights and sconces I went to a tile shop not noticing until the saleslady gave me the once over that I was covered in dust.

Oh well dust is my new perfume.

 

 

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This is the place that years ago I bought the stones to build our fountain. Of course I wasn't looking for stones this time. How did we ever carry those puppies!

 

 

 

Saw this stone sink, fell in love with it. But unfortunately, I do not think it is going to work:

MCM doesn't say stone sink… and more so Yann says one crazy sink (aka: The baptismal fountain sink we already have) is enough. 

I have to pick my wishes/battles.

 

 

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 Tiles. 

 

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Shower base.

 

 

Stairs.

 

 

 

 

Knobs.

 

 

Bedroom doors…

 

 

 

Decision making mode.

 

 

Comments

33 responses to “Decision Making Mode”

  1. Jacklynn Lantry

    Those stairs are amazing, and I love the smell of your perfume.

    Reply
  2. Stella

    You must be loving it DC! What color will your floors be? If I understand correctly, you are going with brass as in the light fixtures you bought and the drawer pulls you are looking at? Love it.
    xo

    Reply
  3. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    The stairs are lovely and light — perfect for helping open up the space. And the doors — is that clear/frosted glass on the top portion?
    I love watching your process/progress. It’s all the pleasure of construction and none of the headaches of decision making (nor the dust perfume.)

    Reply
  4. Diogenes

    Nice stairs…what color floor will you pick?

    Reply
  5. Patti

    LOVE the stairs. The are light and airy and will keep the space visually open.

    Reply
  6. ruth ribeaucourt

    Hey Corey,
    I see you were in LM but Castorama have those cloison doors for nearly half the price… not sure about quality difference but think they’re pretty close
    http://www.castorama.fr/store/Cloison-3-en-1-Axioma-prod16310061.html
    EXCITING
    xxx

    Reply
  7. Kathie

    How safe are those stairs? You sure don’t want to wind up getting sued by an injured lodger. (When you get older, you think more about safety first).

    Reply
  8. Frank Purrkins

    Oh, this is FUN!

    Reply
  9. Marilyn

    Hope you are having fun! It is so exciting to watch.

    Reply
  10. Roberta Manly

    Those stairs are awesome!

    Reply
  11. Marie-Noëlle

    Your post flings me 18 months back… when we had our groundfloor renovated.
    As my husband hates going round shops, I was in charge to make the first selections so that he would not have to hang about. At first I enjoyed the “job” but I admit it that it was not all fun.
    Thinking of you…

    Reply
  12. Our French oasis

    But they are fun decisions! I just love the sink, we are making a fountain in the courtyard garden here using old stone and old stone sinks we have around the garden. I am so impressed with the speed at which your renovation is progressing.

    Reply
  13. Kiki

    I take the shoes of the last shot….. 🙂
    Consider maybe glass wash bowl(s) – we have incorporated two, they are lovely, fit very well into the old house, are light and practical – and with the ‘one handed handled mixer tap’ a perfect everyday choice. The swallow none of the light you’re missing.
    The stairs – you will keep them ‘light’ I gather, those in the pix are lovely….
    Oh that decision making! I agree, it sounds so much fun, choosing and becomes also a chore because YOU (in our case ‘me’) are responsible for the ultimate choice and they have to be valid for a long time to come – you WILL choose what’s best.
    And again – you are wizards – what a ultra-speedy renov this is. I am continuously amazed and overwhelmed.

    Reply
  14. chicagops@hotmail.com

    Corey,
    Congratulations on your new place, how exciting. I know you will make it wonderful and even more special. I know what you mean about going clean and modern…I never thought I would and I just downed sized and did it. What happens though is you could mix in an antique piece here and there and then it stands out and makes it a wow! You should take a look at restoration hardware online. Look at some of their galleries in which they took historic buildings and made them into stores. Also we just said in a hotel in Miami beach called the One Hotel. It was all white with natural elements. Look that up online too, great inspiration.
    P.S….love the stairs
    Linda Lee in Chicago

    Reply
  15. lihabiboun

    Ha ha ha, I see: your first name these days is “Monsieur Bricolage” and while you’re there you learn the most practical French words … But: You are lucky!!! We had to renovate our little house while being on holiday – which made things a lot more complicated (and a lot slower)! I remember that special year during our summer vacation when I painted the staircase and worked each day exacly from 7am to 10am because after that it was hot like hell and all we could do was escape to the beach! Have you ever been to Pézénas? THE brocante town …..

    Reply
  16. Tongue in Cheek

    I am loving it! I am trying to find copper, not an easy search, but I will find it!

    Reply
  17. Tongue in Cheek

    Hoping for non frosted glass. French Husband keeps saying everyone will be able to see you doing your business (toilet) but I disagree. lol. Wouldn’t they just turn away?

    Reply
  18. Tongue in Cheek

    We are thinking a light colored wooden floor, and a light color tile in the bathroom. I wanted to do a “tapis carrelage” but the area/space is too small.
    We will have different wood on the stairs.

    Reply
  19. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Ruth, I remember you telling me about them. I haven’t checked Castorama, but didn’t you say they weren’t very solid?

    Reply
  20. Tongue in Cheek

    It is either stairs like that or use a rope. I opt for stairs.

    Reply
  21. Tongue in Cheek

    I wish you were here with your expert eye!

    Reply
  22. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh Marie Noelle our husbands are alike!! French Husband could live with a sleeping bag and a card table. Though he loves what I do, but cannot stand five minutes in a store. How did your groundfloor turn out?

    Reply
  23. Tongue in Cheek

    Speedy is our name. Of course there was a lot of planning before this. But more so it is having a capable honest hardworking team.

    Reply
  24. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you Kiki! It is overwhelming at times. I feel like I live in half the shops I visited. I am there every second I can take and just look and look and look and ask so many questions that I think the salespeople probably see me coming and hide!

    Reply
  25. Tongue in Cheek

    Thanks for the tips Linda Lee! I love restoration hardware’s look. And yes I am going a bit modern and clean lines, but I will have antiques otherwise I would not be able to breath.

    Reply
  26. Tongue in Cheek

    Pézénas is a haven for brocante lovers. I feel like escaping, but I feel like getting it done more.
    So far it isn’t hot so that is in our favor!

    Reply
  27. Natalie Thiele

    Cute shoes!

    Reply
  28. Judi Ryba

    Love that sink Corey. I am curious to know how much that sink cost? Finding one here in the USA is very difficult. I know the shipping cost of that heavy sink is the killer!!

    Reply
  29. lanmangina@me.com

    I love the baptismal sink you have in Paris. The more square pulls are pretty cook and different. In the states we have Crown City hardware in Pasadena that has a large selection of reproductions and modern. Check it out if you don’t find what you are looking for in France.

    Reply
  30. lanmangina@me.com

    cool*

    Reply
  31. Tongue in Cheek

    Cos, about four years old and worn true!

    Reply
  32. Tongue in Cheek

    The sink solid rock is 450 Euros. It would have to be shipped. I imagine a 1000 Euros, mostly because of the weight.

    Reply
  33. Tongue in Cheek

    Thanks for the link!!

    Reply

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