“When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade.”

As Dale Carnegie rightly said we should make the best use of what we have...

At a local brocante last week an elderly gentleman had set up a modest stall selling some of his home grown produce - leeks ( as always), onions and these incredible lemons. Complete with leaves and stalks ( and very spiky thorns) he told me how he had brought the potted up lemon trees indoors in the autumn and let the fruits develop in his lean to. They were without doubt a taste sensation - putting the scrawny, waxed supermarket lemon to shame. Plump, juicy and with a tropical aroma that filled the room - just as nature intended. I did get a little carried away and bought 4 kilos of them but just the sight of them in the fruit bowl was enough to send the winter blues packing.

So, what did I do when fate handed me lemons? Why, made lemonade of course!

Gin and tonic anyone?

Is it a trunk or is it a coffee table?

                Well, it's both and it could also be a blanket box of course.

These old trunks are capacious enough to store magazines, books and toys and look very stylish as coffee tables. This one is extra large in size and character with it's sepia coloured outer with chunky leather handles either side. My husband who has lovingly restored it, describes it as 'a real corker' and now it would sit comfortably in any room. See more photos at Chateau Chic Direct

Find of the week! Beautiful vintage wallpapers...

I found these gorgeous original 1930's wallpapers at a fair last week and have been thinking of reasons to keep them ( of which there are many!). They would be perfect for covering notebooks and boxes but would look stunning  set within frames or used to cover canvases. 

The paint has a matt,chalky finish and as they are hand printed the paper takes on a unique layered, almost 3D effect. The bouquet design is by Paul Gruin who work is archived in the Victoria and Albert Museum collections.

Twinkle, twinkle...

I bought 2 delicious cage chandeliers this week. Dripping in beautiful twinkly drops they bring drama and romance to a room. Although not an identical pair, they make perfect partners.
   

This fabulous photo app takes us back a hundred years!

                 

After an unseasonably warm autumn I am now ready for a chilly spell.
Yes - I know it seems weird to WANT cold weather but there is nothing like a crackling log fire and wrapping up in winter woolies to get us in the mood for Christmas.

A safe place for your cheese!

The humble cheese safe or “ garde fromage” as it is known here was a mainstay of any rural cuisine.
It was used for drying and storing cheese. The mesh ensured that the cheese was well aired whilst protecting it from insects.
This has had a lick of paint at some time in it’s past which has now acquired the shabby chic appeal that we know and love.
It would make a quirky side table or could be wall hung.
See details of it on Chateau Chic

A cheese straw is a wonderful thing...

But I probably shouldn't be eating them for breakfast! Nibble, crunch...