Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Cassis Update

 

Cassis is shaping up. In the photo above, the blue covered area will be a loft bedroom, the room below it is the bathroom. The windows look into the bathroom, and the stairs will come be on the right hand side.

 

 

 

The plastered walls on the middle floor are drying.

 

 

 

 

Yes I took the door and made it into a window. The far right will be covered.

I am not sure if I like it… A window of some sort, but maybe not this.

 

 

 

The ceiling is insulated and plastered, the beams have yet to be cleaned.

 

  

 

Looking from the bathroom towards the front, seaside.

I wanted a window (like the original one above) made for the downstairs since it had been replaced by a PVC ugly one years ago. But the quotes I have are 1500 Euros or more… so I am thinking ugly isn't that bad. Gulp.

 

 

 

Admiration for the Renee and his dad for this beautiful job! I can hardly believe it is the same room!

 

 

 

What color…

 

 

 

Non colors are what Yann calls these.

What ideas have you?

Any questions?

So many decisions I love it!

The bathroom is in the works.

 

Comments

54 responses to “The Cassis Update”

  1. WR

    A warm white to make the most of the beams and the wood in the beams and THE chair and to magnify the natural light.

    Reply
  2. Lilly

    How about a sliding shoji style room divider with paper or frosted glass for the bathroom wall?
    http://www.hayneedle.com/product/shojislidingdoorkitroomdivider.cfm
    http://www.home-designing.com/2013/10/modern-japanese-house/shoji-room-divider

    Reply
  3. Lilly

    one more…
    http://www.houzz.com/photos/2597319/Shoji-Room-Dividers-contemporary-interior-doors-other-metro

    Reply
  4. sharon morrison

    Galet 4. I like the stormy look by the sea. Looking good Corey. Hope to see it someday. xo

    Reply
  5. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I rather liked the glass paned door turned sideways. But. If it doesn’t strike your fancy then oh well. (It caught my eye, in a good way, even in the very first photo.)
    As to colors? Ha! As if I’d make a suggestion to you. Your ‘taste buds’ are plenty well up to the task!

    Reply
  6. Jacklynn Lantry

    Sea blues and greens with a dark gray and coral accent colors. I can’t figure out how to attach a photo so I’m emailing you:)

    Reply
  7. Kipper

    I bet you just happen across the perfect window at a brocante. Jacklynn’s color suggestions sound wonderful!

    Reply
  8. s/e

    Since the space is small, white walls would make it seems larger, and very airy. I like the door turned into a window, very unique.
    Whatever you decide, it will be BEAUTIFUL!!!
    Did you decide on style of stairs?

    Reply
  9. Shelley Noble

    Do your best bones the budget will allow and don’t sweat if some part isn’t your dream ideal. Your gift of style will bridge any gaps. You can’t help but make it great.

    Reply
  10. dee

    I would use that beautiful color that is so popular right now. It’s a silver grey with a hint of green. Reminds you of the sea….how perfect is that ?!

    Reply
  11. Lori Black

    Wish I could be there to feel the light and space, but having designed many homes and some restaurants, I feel confident that you are right in moving away from mid-century. Stay with your brocante yearnings, but think a little more rustic. I could see walls of misc. mirrors to help bring in the light, and a few persimmon back walls would mimic the sunrise and sunset. Stay with old wood and a little black iron. Don’t be afraid of a little rich color, because it is such a small space. The persimmon would warm the rooms and enliven them.

    Reply
  12. Lori Black

    Forgot to mention that all of the woods should be warm. While
    I adore gray, this is not the space for it.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer Phillipps

    Think the old door looks fine as a window…it matches the small panes in the front window…as for colour, something nice and soft and muddy that works with all your Brocante bits and bobs. I know grey is hot just now, but maybe something more like ochre would be nice…a gentle one though…you are well able to think what will suit all the things you plan to put in there!
    Looking forward to the next iteration…
    Cheers

    Reply
  14. tammyCA

    It’s really coming together..can’t wait to see how you’ll decorate. I love lots of color..can’t live without it and could never do the grays that are so popular now. But, I’d say this small space does need white walls and reflective mirrors to bring in the light & feel less claustrophobic. Then I’d bring in splashes of color in the artwork, pillows and vases of fresh flowers with warm, well worn authentic woods in handmade tables & furniture in keeping with the integrity & history of the place as much as possible.

    Reply
  15. Diogenes

    Progress!
    So many good ideas above…I have to say I am liking white for the walls and floors to bring out the beams (as WR pointed out)…
    love the shoji idea/frosted glass.
    But, I also like the door as a window, that is oh-so-clever, and I’d never have thought of it.
    Can you find a replacement window at an architectural salvage for the ground floor? Will Cassis let you switch it out?
    Inspiration, white mediterranean interiors:
    https://www.pinterest.com/allarquitectura/all-white-mediterranean-interiors/

    Reply
  16. Teddee Grace

    It’s so nice to see that real plaster I’d be tempted to leave it a white, which might be a good idea anyway because of the size of the apartment and the fact that you have few windows. Whatever you do, it will be great and I can’t wait to see it.

    Reply
  17. Dd

    Looking great! Love the door/what now. Blue-greenish gray by t sea, of course!

    Reply
  18. Judi Ryba

    It is really looking good. I would probably leave the walls the color they are and enjoy “au natural”, but if you need to paint them I would do a very light silvery blue. A little sad that beautiful view is in the bathroom, but it is what it is. If you put a frosted window you will lose the light you really need. I see the half wall but if someone is standing up can they see in and look at someone going to the bathroom? Where is the shower? Your super talented, you will figure it out!!

    Reply
  19. kshort@stalbert.ca

    I like TammyCA’s comments. Use color in the “objet” and fabrics for pops but the light airy by the sea with lots of light….aaahhhhh

    Reply
  20. NancyH

    Corey,
    Have a look at Farrow & Ball, Marston & Langinger, Little Greene, Zoffany and Fired Earth colours from the UK. I have used them extensively for the renos we have done and love them.

    Reply
  21. Janus

    Those are great colors, but safe. If Yann calls them “non colors”, then what would he pick? If you go bold, the walls will still be covered with all your great finds. Lots of mirrors to bounce light around and reflect your ocean view {I’m sure you’ve thought of that}. I like the door as windows, good re-purposing. Good luck and have fun! Girl, your at the beach!

    Reply
  22. Deb Archer

    Love what you are doing, it will be beautiful, you have such a keen eye. I like lots of color, not muddy though, clear colors are what I love best. I always think the grays are beautiful but too cold-feeling for me to live with. Have fun!

    Reply
  23. Robin

    Love the old door window!! Lots of paints and hopefully some color inspiration on my page https://www.facebook.com/RobinWhiteInteriors/?pnref=lhc

    Reply
  24. Tongue in Cheek

    Your right the CHAIRS! That will be the punch shocker.

    Reply
  25. Tongue in Cheek

    I am afraid of having something fragile there, because of the humidity of the bathroom, and the stairwell that runs against that wall.

    Reply
  26. Tongue in Cheek

    “stormy look of the sea” I love that poetic take!

    Reply
  27. isabel

    Corey, the apartment is looking so nice. New plaster…how exciting! I would only say, as far as suggestions that 1) I’m glad you decided against a very modern look, and 2) I would just keep in mind the place (Cassis) and use colors and local things when possible to give the apartment that feeling of being where it is. As a Paris apartment has its own particular feel and style, so would a place in Cassis, with vintage paintings of the area and the sea, and colors in accessories which reflect the place. But you know all that already. It is such a sweet space!

    Reply
  28. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you I hope my taste buds (hehe) are up to the task.

    Reply
  29. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh la la I loved your email with photos! The painted rug is cool too. Not sure if there is a place for it in Cassis, but who knows.

    Reply
  30. Tongue in Cheek

    I hope so, I hope just happen upon the perfect window for 10 euros!

    Reply
  31. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh the stairs, hopefully we will have an answer soon. It has been an uphill climb! We are hoping for a single iron base, straight up the middle with wooden steps.

    Reply
  32. Tongue in Cheek

    You have a way with words that make me feel good! Thank you Shelley!

    Reply
  33. Tongue in Cheek

    Sounds beautiful, most my walls at home have a green tint. We just painted the kitchen, or I should say Sacha painted the kitchen, green. Do you have an example, link, so I can see the color?

    Reply
  34. Tongue in Cheek

    I wish you were here too. THank you for your creative helpful ideas. I wanted to do MCM but missed the idea of brocanting too much. And now that I see those plastered walls and those old beams… I hope I get the colors right.

    Reply
  35. Tongue in Cheek

    The floor we selected is a warm wood natural color, though the kitchen cupboards are grey. All the beams, and wood in the apt. will be stripped back to brut natural dry wood.

    Reply
  36. Tongue in Cheek

    The door was in the apartment when we bought it. I hadn’t noticed the panes matching the panes on the window. I guess the door window stays 🙂

    Reply
  37. Marilyn

    Oh it is coming along so beautifully! I am not a designer, but I would say light color or white because of the small space. I don’t even mind the door as a window. Hope you find something you light similar to the other outside window.

    Reply
  38. Terri N Texas

    Looking good! Keep the door/window, I like it. There is a color called “Orchid Agate” by Devoe Paints. It is a light gray that tends toward slight blue/lavendar w/ the changes in light. It’s gorgeous. Devoe Paints was bought out by ICI Pittsburgh Paints. But if you Google “Ameritone Devoe 1H29P Orchid Agate match” they will send you a sample size right to your door. The color is still light with just a hint of color, perfect for small spaces. And if you like French blue…….

    Reply
  39. Franca Bollo

    W H I T E
    and the door as a horizontal window is a great reuse.

    Reply
  40. Tongue in Cheek

    Fingers crossed that this comes together. Thank you for your ideas, they sound good. I haven’t thought about decorating, too much, as there are so many things to be done.

    Reply
  41. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh you and WR – Denise would have so much fun! As the plaster walls dry they are very white, I preferred them more when they were creamy, so I think creamy will win. Thanks for the idea links.

    Reply
  42. Tongue in Cheek

    Yes light is needed. It changes everyday, more and more real. And light is important every step of the way.

    Reply
  43. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Judi
    The view is not in the bathroom, but you can see the view from the bathroom. And when you take a shower the people on the outside cannot see you, well not really that is.

    Reply
  44. Tongue in Cheek

    I love that color too!! Maybe accents with it?

    Reply
  45. Tongue in Cheek

    me too!

    Reply
  46. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you I will. My friend suggested Oval Room

    Reply
  47. Tongue in Cheek

    Mirrors yes! I am so thankful for these responses, I find them helpful and also reassuring. Yann calls them non colors but likes them, especially since most of you agree that they work.

    Reply
  48. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you I hope the color part is fun… I am nervous about that day.

    Reply
  49. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you for the ideas!

    Reply
  50. Tongue in Cheek

    Yes I agree with you one hundred percent. Cassis has its own feel.

    Reply
  51. Tongue in Cheek

    Thanks Marilyn the window is growing on me.

    Reply
  52. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh you are back, Hip hip Hooray!

    Reply
  53. Tongue in Cheek

    Wow!! Thank you! I am going to do this! Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  54. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Now I want to see all those colors in your photo too!

    Reply

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