ANTIQUE MARBLE TOP WASHSTAND WITH BASIN

For sale on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk



After                                           Before



I don't like to blow my own trumpet, but I just love the end result of this project.  Ok, I can't take all the credit for it, I had plenty of help and advice from my boyfriend, brother and the nice local marbrier.

The project started with cleaning the washstand up and treating it for woodworm with Xylothene.  After letting the treatment work its magic for 48 hours I filled the woodworm holes and sanded back the wood a little to prepare for painting.  There was some structural supports missing on the underside which I replaced with a little extra strength as I was planning to add a bit more weight than usual.

 Now with a blank canvas to work with I started by applying a couple of coats of a dark blue paint letting each layer dry thoroughly in between.  On top of the blue followed several layers of an off white colour.  Once this had fully dried, using a distressing technique I rubbed away the white paint on the corners and areas that would normally have wear, showing through small patches of blue to complement the now beautifully cleaned blue glazed tiles.  I gave the inside of the cupboards a flash of colour by lining the sides with this gorgeous paper.

Now came the tricky bit, we had to get a professional to cut the holes for the plug and taps, and after that I left it to my boyfriend.  After all was fixed, sealed, and water protected the finished article got the final polish, and what a wonderful end product it is!          For sale on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk

VINTAGE FRENCH CHEESE LARDER

Is is a bird cage? No, It's a Cheese Cage!

For Sale on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk/showroom


Before

After

I found this sorry looking item in a barn, and my partner laughed at me when I said it had beautiful potential.  He said "What do you want that old cage for? To keep Birds in?".  "No!" I told him, "I think the French used to use these things to put cheese and cured meats in, it could be very useful in the kitchen!"


I didn't want to brag but I was right, Its is known as a 'cheese larder' or a 'meat pantry'.  After talking to a local elderly Frenchman, and researching on the internet I discovered, it was probably made  around the mid 1900's, before electric fridges where in wide use in the French country home, for storing foods without little beasties getting to it before you did.


Now a days they are still very popular here in France, as it is often deemed sacrilege to keep your cheese and cured meats in the fridge where it cannot breath and mature, and have the cold temperature ruins the flavour.  It is  a superb original piece of kitchen history, and could have so many uses, not just in the kitchen. 
I have since lovingly restored it.  The wooden feet had rotten away, so a little doctoring had to be done there.  I then had to put my school level woodwork skills to the test and create a frame for the mesh as the edges had frayed and there were a few sharp edges sticking up.  I have to say I slightly impressed my self, and my partner with the neat corners I managed.



Then came the fun part, I chose a vintage pale blue paint, to give it a beautiful shabby chic feel.  The mesh and hinges had suffered rust which discoloured the paint, and with a few small holes where the mesh has worn away, I think just gives it lovely antique charm.

To give this piece the finishing touches I lined the shelves with some vintage craft paper with an added bit of colour to match the decorative ribbon and lavender heart I had made especially.

Et Voila!  A lovely decorative but practical piece that I hope will look lovely in somebodies home.


Find more of my restored antiques on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk