The Love of Patina

"Patina ( /ˈpætɨnə/ or /pəˈtiːnə/) is a tarnish that forms on the surface of bronze and similar metals (produced by oxidation or other chemical processes); a sheen on wooden furniture produced by age, wear, and polishing; or any such acquired change of a surface through age and exposure. On metal, patina is a coating of various chemical compounds such as oxides or carbonates formed on the surface during exposure to the elements (weathering). Patina also refers to accumulated changes in surface texture and colour that result from normal use of an object such as a coin or a piece of furniture over." Wikipedia

I am focusing on the patina on metal for this post

 I particularly like the rust at the top contrasted with the white color at the bottom of this candlestick

The patina on the urn accentuates the detail 

I purchased this pitcher from a brother and sister team from France while at an antiques fair

Fred and Coco are wonderfully charming people 

It was still dark when I arrived at their stall.  I could barely see two galvanized pitchers.  

I said that I would like one and asked which of the two they preferred

Fred said that this one had an almost blue patina to it.  I chose it based upon that information

When I went back to pick it up, in the daylight, I was thrilled to see what he had chosen for me

I use this bucket as a waste basket in my bedroom.  One day I discarded some beads from New Orleans which my girls used to play with.  They got tangled around the handle accidentally.  I have left them there since.  I think I like that look.

 I love this old German watering can.  I think it is unique because of the braided or twisted piece of metal that holds the arm of the can in place

 There is nothing quite like the effect age has on us

Have a good one

Michele

Les Gamelles

Good afternoon

 Today I want to show you my small collection of French enamelware lunch boxes called gamelles.

 From what I have learned they were used in the 30's and 40's in France by miners and school children.

They are a type of enamelware called graniteware or splatter ware 

Notice how pristine the inside of the lid is.  I find that this is the case regardless of the condition of the exterior.

This one is blue and white on the outside and green and yellow on the inside

I think that this may be my favorite

The tin insert is to hold bread or crackers white the box itself held soup or stews.

They were submerged in hot water in the morning so that the soup would kept warm

I love the hues of blue and green 

I also admire the texture.  I hope you can see it a bit on the following two pictures

                                  My girls are dying to take them to school one day.  We'll see :)

I hope you all have a great evening.

Michele

Ps be sure to enter the great giveaway offered by Belle Blanc this month 

B E L L E B L A N C - G I V E A W A Y

Recent Flea Market Finds

Good Morning,  There is a new antiques fair here in Northern California called Le Petit Marche.  It is in Marin just over the Golden Gate Bridge.  It is a few months old, pretty small, and very charming.  There is a crepe vendor and some lovely French music playing while you shop.  I found these wonderful french bread baskets there.  The colors remind me of the south of France.  

I love this large vase because of the black spots peeking out from under the white ceramic

I posted last week about the wonderful container sale at Atelier de Campagne.  This apple is cast iron.  You cannot believe how heavy it is.  We drove to the sale in my friend's car.  And she joked that she would have to fill the tank multiple times to get us back to the hotel, 40 miles, based on the weight of this apple alone.  They had a huge bucket of this fruit.  I have never seen these before. (The gamelle, or enamelware lunch box will be the subject of my next post).

These is another relatively new flea/antiques market in the Bay Area.  It is at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.  I spotted this pitcher there.  It has holes in the bottom.  So I insert a glass and then fill with water and flowers.  I love the shade of aqua and of course, the rust.

If any of you have been to my Etsy site you have seen these crowns.  I don't know what to call them other than beautiful and unique.  I listed the larger of the two.  I noted that you could use them for candles, small plants or even jewelry.  The patina on them is stunning.

Speaking of patina....isn't this urn lovely?

The gilded nesting tables beneath are antiques fair finds as well

And this is also on my site.  This wire cake holder was something that I saw, walked away from, went back, walked away from again.  I kept going back because I could not stop thinking about it.  I love the way it looks in my kitchen, (before and after photos coming.....still in the deep before).

Happy Sunday!

Michele

PS Thank you to Dore of Burlap Luxe

 for including me on her beautiful blogroll.  She always inspires me.  

Atelier De Campagne

This past Saturday I had the privilege of attending the container sale at Atelier de Campagne.  We arrived about a half hour before it opened.  As we waited in line we were served hot coffee and handed red stickers to place on the times we intended to purchase.  At 9am they let us in and I was surrounded by some of the most beautiful antique home and garden pieces from France and Belgium I have ever seen.  

The owners of Atelier de Campagne, Johan and Trinidad and Martin, find treasures that are breathtaking.  

And they are three of the nicest men you will meet

Look at the fish on the water treatment sign :) 

Wonderful enamelware collection

this room is just gorgeous

I love these dolly tubs and the baskets

All I could think was that I never wanted to leave 

There were many bottle driers and metal crowns

This is the top of a mirror which I adore.  The shade of blue grey is perfect in my opinion.

I am thrilled to have been there and will certainly not miss it in the future 

To see more of Johan, Trinidad, and Martins'  treasures please visit their site at http://atelierdecampagne.webs.com/

Happy Wednesday!

Michele

Labor Day Makeover

Yesterday was our local flea market/antiques fair.  It is, by far, my favorite day of the month.  I am sure to arrive at 6am because I don't like to fight the throngs of people who are entering as I leave at 9 sharp! I had walked the entire grounds, 2.5 hours, when I saw, in the last row, a pair of Louis XV repro cane back chairs.  They did not look the way I like them to, cosmetically, but underneath I knew they were a treasure.

I love the floral carvings

The only sentiment I can come up with for the picture below is YIKES!  No offense to my grandmothers.

So I started out.  And I want to be very clear about something.  I am an amateur, just learning.  But here is what it looks like today

I used a combination of light sanding and dirt glazing to create an old weathered look.  Even though it is a very old chair, after a few coats of paint, it can look rather new

I like the way the glaze gets into the grooves to give it the look of being dirty

I am interested to see how the fabric will wear.  I wonder if it will stretch with time.  I hope not, but we'll see.

The fabric is handloomed hemp linen.  I love love love the texture and feel of it.  

This chair is by no means perfect.  But that, in my opinion, is what gives it depth, and beauty. 

And this is a picture of it with my lovely Darcy chair from Rachel Ashwell.

Have a wonderful holiday today

Michele