Object Of My Obsession The Duchesse Brisée

I have longed and searched for the elusive duchesse brisée (Or broken Duchess) a type of French chair/chaise combination for years!

There's just something so romantic and well....French that grabbed my heart and won't let go. I'm Duchesse obsessed!

What is it about this chaise divided into two or three parts that makes it sooooo much more expensive then almost any other type of chaise? And why do I always fall in love with the durned most expensive things?!! *winks*

I keep hoping I'll somehow run into one at an auction or estate sale and nobody else will want it (Yeah I'm realistic like that!) so I'll be able to pick one up without selling a kidney or body organ of some sort lol!

Won't you come join me for a tour of some of my beautiful favorites?

 Translated from french:

'a duchesse brisée'

the 'duchesse' was at first in three parts,

two 'gondola type' chairs of different depth and height,

combined seats end to end, with a 'labouret' between them.

still detachable to be used at two seats, with a footstool.

the later rococo merged these into a single piece,

France, 1740 ca.

Hmmm I didn't know that center section was called a "labouret" Good to know huh?

OK lets start with one of my favorites. Isn't it gorgeous?! I don't even mind one bit that the silk is shredding on the end. It only adds to it's patina and charm.

This one is very Hollywood glam of the 1940's don'tcha think?

Or how about something in a two parter? I could curl up right there with a good book and visions (delusions) of french chateaux floating in my head. Couldn't you? *winks*

I adore this moth eaten looking green velvet!

Or perhaps something in  Louis XVI cane? Just needs some pillows!

Or dreamy blue with squishy down cushions? *swoons*

Tattered from a chateaux?......... Yes please!!

Or one that's cool in crewel? Perfect in this chinoiserie room.

Or how about one with a more closed back? And sooo pretty in pink too!

I adore them all!

 But until I find that needle in a haystack duchesse.....Dare to dream and *fingers crossed* I'll just have to be happy with my french chaise (here draped in tambour lace) And continue to buy the occasional lottery ticket. *winks*

And my fauteuil with ottoman from craigslist.

Do you have a dream piece that you obsess over? One that's almost impossible to obtain? I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment and I'll visit you and do the same *winks*

 Or perhaps you have a duchesse just layin' around that you want to be rid of? I'm your gal!

Thanks for dreaming with me for a minute or two!

Vanna

Flea Market Finds Pour La Dix-Septième Semaine

Bonjour mes amis!

It's that time of the week once again for Flea Market Finds! Yahoo!!

The pickin's were kind of sorry last week, but I managed to find a few good treasures. I'll start with my favorite, a vintage Louis XVI style bed with barbola swags. It needs to be tightened up a little (A job for the hubbs) and has some slight damage to the ribbon detailing at the top but at $90 it was too cute for me to pass up...... I probably should have because I need another bed about as much as I need another hole in my head! LOL!

Isn't it sweet? I'm wondering about white washing it a little. What do you think?

Perfectly shabby!

And this large vintage tapestry/rug for my soon to be etsy shop featuring courting couples.....

I love her pretty face. Is he puckering up? *winks*

Cavorting cherubs.....

And a folly!

My theme for the week was "barbola" because in addition to the bed, I also found this wonderful antique barbola adorned jewelry box for $10.99 at the Value Village. I'm thinking about painting the flowers?

A folding screen in pink gingham for $4.99 at the Goodwill.

 A chippy framed frenchy picture and and a chippy plaster display bowl also for etsy.

And a couple of wonderful additions to my boudoir doll collection.

A vintage roll of wallpaper from Sears for $6.

With cute roses.

A pink gauzy blouse from the Goodwill for $3 at half price.

And lastly some sprays of faux roses for 50 cents.

Well that's all for this week.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you! And I hope you'll come back next week for more flea market finds. 

Vanna

I'm joining my friend Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

And my sweet friend Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

 Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

And the French Cupboard for:

Need A Good Chuckle?

Just wanted to share a couple of youtube vids that make me LOL! every time I see them. If you're a dog owner they might make you chuckle too. *winks*   Vanna 

Flea Market Finds Pour La Seizième Semaine

It's time once again for Flea Market Finds!! Yippee Ding Dong!

I didn't post any flea market finds last week because the "finds" were so piddlin'

But this week I did manage to find something that I really love!

So I'm going to start with the favorite find......It's a 1920's boudoir doll lamp for $60.

I spotted her from across the room at a local antique mall and my heart skipped a beat! *winks*

Isn't she soooo Marie Antoinette playing peasant at Hameau De La Reine?!

She's wearing the cutest little muslin dress in pale yellow with little french knots and a darling little nosegay for a hat! All I need are some sheep to finish the look, or perhaps a petit parapluie? *winks*

She has some bumps and bruises but isn't she sweet?! She's now living in my guestroom armoire with a couple of my other boudoir lamps.

Another lady in yellow.

I did a post about my other boudoir dolls HERE if you're interested.

I paid full retail ($125) for my next find(s) but I've wanted a set of these boot trees forever and they don't turn up often. I HEART equestrian style! I thought they'd be perfect for the hubbs man cave. Thankfully he loved them too.

 They were made by the English firm Peal & Co where they would've been created for a pair of bespoke (custom) boots.

The name of the owner is engraved on the tops and through the wonders of google I was able to look him up (Don'tcha just love that?).

His name was Sir Anthony Hugh Mostyn Bowlby, 2nd Baronet..... Born 13th January 1906. Hmmmm that's cool.....

And I wondered what a "baronet" actually was?    Wikipedia says:

A baronetcy is the only hereditary honour which is not a peerage; baronets are commoners. A baronet is styled "Sir" like a knight, but ranks above all knighthoods except for the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle. A baronetcy is not a knighthood and the recipient does not receive an accolade.

Possibly good to know when playing trivial pursuit huh? *winks*

Movin' on I found this little rhinestone lipstick case at Rose Petals and Rust for $10.

The lipstick folds out from the back and there's a space for a little mirror (now missing) I found a small mirror at the thrift for 25 cents and I'm going to see if I can cut it to size. Wish me luck!

 This rhinestone infinity sew on piece was $6.......

I'll add them to my small collection here. I can't get enough of that sparkly stuff! *winks*

I found this cute little guy with a bird made of clay for $2.99 at the Value Village.

And these plates etc. were a Goodwill find. I thought they had a cool handmade look to them and at only 59 cents for the larger plates and bowls and 29 cents for the other pieces, they were too good to pass up!

They're marked El Palomar which turns out to be a pottery company in Mexico founded in the mid 1960's by an American, and is quite collectible....Yay Hooey! Each artist signs their work with an animal, insect or bird.

I also found a few things for my coming soon etsy shop. This lavender tablecloth/ bed coverlet.

A vintage aqua blue pressed glass footed bowl.

A cute floral basket weave planter.

And finally an art nouveau style mirror.

 That's it for my finds this week. I hope you'll come back next week for more flea market finds...I hope I'll actually be able to find some! *winks* We've had so much rain lately the sales have been scarce. I hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are!

Vanna

I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

And my friend Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

 

Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

 Jill at The French Cupboard for:

Rhonda at Blue Creek Home for: