French Makeover

By Author: unknownmem
Total Articles: 496
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We have lived in our house for just over six years. It is an ordinary three-bedroomed semi on a small, reasonably quiet estate. I like it - I have good neighbours and am not too far from town. The houses on the estate are all the same (you couldn't lose it!) and I have noticed over the years that my neighbours have tried to make their houses look individual. One neighbour has had a porch built, another has added awnings, while another has fitted window shutters, and one has even replaced the windows with the leaded-light type. Me? Mine looks the same as the day we moved in.

It is not because we are lazy, we are just not very imaginative. When I pop round neighbours for coffee, I am amazed how they have redecorated their homes, and added their personal touch. (My walls are still magnolia!)

My husband and I are really into these home makeover programmes on the telly, mainly because we want to get some original ideas. To be honest, most of the time we both agree we would not let them within a mile of our home. Occasionally, I see
I like, only to find my husband doesn't agree. Hence, the years are slipping ...
... by and our home still remains untouched.

One programme that really impressed me was one where the house owner wanted a good "French" feel to her home. I liked all the subtle changes, and was astonished at the difference they made. Unfortunately, my husband didn't see it, and when I tried to describe it to him, he couldn't imagine it. I told him that they always repeat these programmes, and if he were not around when they repeated it, I would record it for him to see. As luck would have it, I only had to wait ten months, and this time, my husband was watching with me. Like me, he really liked the end results, and we both decided that at long last, we had found a theme we both liked, and to make things even better, none of our neighbour had it.

We spent the next few weeks buying decorating materials, and looking everywhere for French articles without success. Eventually, we turned to the internet, and found exactly what we wanted. I was so excited, I could not wait for the "makeover".

My husband had holiday owing to him, and we set to work. A month later "Oh La La" it was finished. It looked great! We added French touches to the kitchen, lounge and dining room, and it completely transformed our home. My favourite is the French Provencal pottery dotted round the house, as it is unusual, lovely coloured and I know, we are the only house for miles around that have it. The French articles in the kitchen, together with the dining accessories, are proudly displayed on a shelf (I want to make sure my friends and neighbours see them when they call!).

Every so often, we go back to the internet to add to our collection, and have found small items of furniture that fit perfectly with our décor. The delivery is always prompt, and items are all packed very safely. Most important of all, they are all at affordable prices.

It has taken a while, but at last we have made our home individual, in a style we both love, and at a price we could afford. My friends and neighbours are very impressed, and keep asking me where I get everything from. Although at first I did not want to tell them, I now tell them about this amazing web site I found. My biggest worry is that they will try to copy me! If they do, I will simply compliment them on their good taste!

Now I am looking for an unusual name for our house - it's got to be French, of course! (I wonder - could I find something appropriate in the internet?)
Boutique Provencale offer a huge range of French crockery sets and French table linen which will give any home that French country style decor your after.