Hand Crocheted Peacock Curtains DONE and Hung

 For dear friends, I've done many stitches of hand crocheted labor of love.

Measuring and designing these peacock curtains, then crocheting the 80 hours with double mercerized French DMC thread; the finest crochet cotton available.

For these, I've worked a lot at Schiphol airport, while waiting to board for our flight to Indonesia...

Also while in Indonesia when I had a spare minute.

Just wanted to show you the result.

Pieter hung them, using the tiny brass nails that he used for our Rose Curtains.

Pattern taken from a Burda special for Filet Crochet

I've only left off some leaves, that are shown on the left...

A lot of counting and paying attention to all the details.

Did you ever work some peacock pattern into something?

Related link:

{My French DMC Rose Filet Lace Crocheted Curtains} | previous post with detailed photos of those brass nails

My 3rd Home with my French DMC Rose Filet Lace Crocheted Curtains

On Saturday, October 26 of 1985, we got  our new front door hung by the carpenter and I'd already hand crocheted the French DMC Rose Filet Lace Crocheted Curtains.

Before we had a solid, metal door and I did hate to open it, as I never knew who I was opening the door to...

So we changed it for this one, with small windows, so I could look out.

Pieter had done the tedious job of hammering in the tiny brass nails that I brought over from The Netherlands. Brass, on purpose, as that would never tarnish the fine filet crochet work.

Another Mega Task accomplished.

We also put a new window in the living room, one that allowed us to look outside instead of the previous higher window in a small size!

Yes, in our previous home we also had those solid oak window shutters, made by a craftsman from Virginia. They are excellent and eco friendly, in saving energy and you can close them for privacy, if needed. 

That's me, crocheting on some curtains for somebody...

(The wool Smyrna rug under the table, got hand done by me—knotted with a latch hook).

Comfy and lazy!

So, now I was happy! 

Finally having my roses back and LIGHT coming inside the hall way as well.

On December 24, after having taken the curtains off, Pieter managed to give the door its first coat of paint.

On the link below this post you can see more photos, also from a couple of years later, as well as from my previous two homes' Rose Filet Lace Curtains... Also you can clearly see the pattern.

Fond memories from archiving our photo albums.

Related link:

{My French DMC Rose Filet Lace Crocheted Curtains} } previous post by me for pattern

{Antique French Léonard Bernardaud (1856-1923) Limoges Table Lamp}

A very rare and unique find from France... being only available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique Mariette's Back to Basics: Antique French Léonard Bernardaud (1856-1923) Limoges Table Lamp ←click hyperlink.
FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA: spectrenoir just click it.
You will not even find one at CHRISTIE'S or 1stDibs.com...

This is a beautiful piece of antique, fine white porcelain Limoges table lamp with high glaze from the famous Léonard Bernardaud who lived from 1856-1923.
In EXCELLENT condition and it has been wired by my husband and handyman Pieter.
This in order to change it from French to American wiring.
An Energy Saving light bulb, for going green, has been placed in it, together with a brand new white fabric lamp shade with harp.
Undoubtedly you all know the modern day Bernardaud Lithophane lamps.
The porcelain pattern is called 'VINCENNES' and Replacements Ltd. <(click) does have this in the color purple in their china listing. 

Château de Vincennes is a beautiful Castle in Paris, France. 

Showing you the lovely details of this cobalt blue pattern. At my on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics (see link at top of post) you can also find the measurements of this beauty. 
A true French Country Style 19th Century TREASURE!

Such a romantic design...

It absolutely makes an elegant statement!

Detail of the Bernardaud Limoges Porcelain Marks 

See above Théodore Bernardaud porcelain B & Cie marks sale from Christie's <(click it) and check the value for comparison!

Bernardaud marks

History link

On page 96 in the Collectors Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain you will find all the info, history and marks of Bernardaud.
Also the book: Living With Limoges is a very helpful source.

Sold out...

Do you personally own some valuable antique Limoges porcelain?

{First Advent Week 2014}

Already Advent Season for 2014... 

Can't believe it but it is TRUE. 

Wishing you all a Meaningful First Advent Week.

Just using a red Point A la Ligne candle from France with fresh Rosemary sprigs from the garden.

Rosemary emits such a lovely fragrance!

The beautiful pineapple doily was hand crocheted by my sister-in-law Elly VandenMunckhof, she is a loyal reader of this blog.

The red rose ribbon is French too.
And so is the Baccarat vase...

For such a Perfect French Baccarat Crystal Candle Holder with etched mark including the fragrant red candle, you can have a look on my online Boutique. Just click the above link.

Sorry all sold out...

Related link:

{Point A La Ligne the Rolls Royce of Candles} | previous post by me

{French Bernardaud Votive Roses}

Lovely gift item this French Bernardaud Votive Roses, and again available at my on line Boutique:

 Mariette's Back toBasics

Had to bring it outside, for better light... 

Of course, Bernardaud does create far better photos of it, this from when its votive is lit...

Lovely Bouquet of Roses!

Really hard to capture its beauty!

We do have one ourselves and it is almost fairy like when it is lit at night...

Bernardaud Limoges - France

Bernardaud started in 1863
Bernardaud Limoges Votive Lights click it

In the worlds of French decor and art, Bernardaud is considered a symbol of elite refinement and luxury. A porcelain creation signed Bernardaud is always appreciated and recognized the world over.

The measurements are 4 IN - height: 2 ¾ IN or 11 cm and 7,5 cm.
Comes with booklet.

Sorry Sold out...

This is another Curved Porcelain Lithophane Night Light - Rose Petals  ←click it, that we have in our Rose Suite as a Night Light.
Don't you love such lights?

Related link:

{Rare Antique Léonard Bernardaud (1856-1923) Limoges Lamp} | previous post by me

Bernardaud US | link to company with also this very Bouquet of Roses Votive

{1950s French Camille Tharaud Limoges Lampe Berger with Red Roses}

Some of you may not yet know that I actually do have an on line Boutique where I sell mainly French Vintage and Antique Gifts. Yes, I do ship WORLDWIDE!
So here is another treasure found in France for you. A lovely 1950s Camille Tharaud Limoges Lampe Berger with Red Roses! It is in a perfect ORIGINAL condition. No new catalytic but still its original one. Very hard to find any of these.

Lovely Limoges Lampe Berger, which is available at my on line Boutique Mariette's Back to Basics

Photo from previous day, right before a sudden thunderstorm... Two roses from our garden but next day one was too far gone already.

With such a beautiful hand painted Limoges Lampe Berger you can have Red Roses year-round!
Camille Tharaud 1878-1956 was the inventor of the high fired porcelain; up to 1400°C.
This rare high quality porcelain sells often at extreme high prices like here at 1stdibs (click it)

Shown here is the back side with Red Roses painted on.

Our only rose blooming was not a red one...

Without the decorative brass cap, this lamp is 16 cm high or 6.3 inch.

Here you can see all its details, a perfect gold band around the foot.

Lampe Berger being embossed on its original brass neck.

And what is quite rare; its original CATALYTIC!

Really in pristine Museum Quality as you can see...

The markings on the bottom: Camille Tharaud Limoges Lampe Berger and made in France...

Sold out...

You can see this very lamp in exact the same condition, same cap as well, in the book: Lampes Berger A Century of History by Gérald Vilcocq on page 204, 3rd from the right... Find link below to a previous post where I show this book.

Only in France I did find this very same Lampe Berger with Red Roses at Souvenirs-d'Autrefois just click this link.

However, theirs is shown with a different cap and a new catalytic...

Related links:

BERGERMANIA | a French website with antique and vintage Lampes Berger

{Lampes Berger 1898 - 1998 A Century of History} | previous post by me showing you the book

{My Private Lampes Berger Collection + Boutique Items} | previous post by me

Air Diagnostic | learn about Lampe Berger

{LIVE IN AIR YOU LOVE} | previous post by me showing you a video about how to use Lampe Berger

{Antique Gold Plated FIX 18K French Art Nouveau Rose Pendant}

From Paris came this lovely Antique Gold Plated FIX 18K French Art Nouveau Pendant.

I have added a 15" or 38 cm AMCO 14K Gold Filled chain to wear it with.

This is a very lovely antique French Rose Pendant by FIX in 18K
Here you clearly can read the word FIX on the bail and also AMCO 14K GF on the lock of the chain.

Available at Spectrenoir

The marking FIX or ORIA in antique jewelry is of very good rolled gold.

Sorry, sold out...

Above you can see an example of the many FIX medals and pendants that are being sold in France.
Here is the link to the French site where it is called Medaille Plaqué.

On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean precious Art Nouveau pieces from FIX can still be found as here above from Ruby Lane.

Too bad this Christie's auction of a French gold plated griffin brooch by Fix is without image...
You can click here for link.
It is always quite interesting to do the research on antique pieces like this!
Do you maybe own such an heirloom piece from FIX?

Related link:

Worthpoint Antique Gold Plated FIX 18K Art Nouveau | explaining about the double layer of gold, the outside being solid 18K