{1789 - Bastille Day and the French Revolution}

July 14th of 1789 was the storming of the Bastille, in Paris, France, the political crisis lead to a revolt. This revolt was also the beginning of the French Revolution. Since then it has been annually celebrated as Bastille Day on July 14th. This was also the French period for The Netherlands. It belonged to France from 1795 till 1813, first as a vassal state and from 1810 as part of France. Thus it really did affect us as a nation and also Limburg, as a Province where my ancestors and I grew up, in the very south. So many Dutch were drafted to fight for Napoleon. Pierre, was the elder brother of my paternal great-great-great Grandfather and he died at the age of 19, serving Napoleon. Below you will find a link to a previous post: {March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} 

For years, Le Jacquard Français has celebrated Bastille Day on July 14, here in the USA.

For their customers they served French wine and cheese and we were also gifted with a beautiful all cotton tea towel from Le Jacquard Français. Unfortunately, due to the economy this no longer is being celebrated.

The store in Atlanta, Georgia has been closed; one less French Connection for me...

But there is an Yves Delorme outlet in Chattanooga, TN and that is only 4 hours away.

You can also order on line at the Yves Delorme Online Outlet (click link) or call in at one of the stores listed: Yves Delorme Locations (click link).

Starting on July 14, in celebration of Bastille Day they are having a hefty 20% off!

Just ordered our 100% Egyptian Cotton Batiste twin comforters in Caribbean Light 14 oz goose down.

We have one on our bed for the summer and it makes you dream like being on a cloud. As light as a feather...

1789 RF 

RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE

Did you know:

The terms right and left tribes from the time of the French Revolution, the Christian monarchist conservatives sat to the right of the King, the SAT to the left of the King vellingen progression The political reference right and left, derived from the time of the French Revolution, the Christian monarchist conservatives sat to the right of the King, the progressives sat to the left of the King. 14 JUILIET July 14

REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE

French Republic

LIBERTÉ - Liberty

ÉGALITÉ - Equality

FRATERNITÉ - Fraternity (Brotherhood)

Santé to La France!

Related link:
{March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} | previous post by me

{Our 'GREEN' Bedroom}

As promised yesterday, today I will show you our bedroom itself. Maybe you get an idea for keeping the planet Green, by conserving energy... We at least tried to reach that goal. Too bad that those Historic Windows indoor shutters from Virginia are no longer available. We fell in love with them and had them already in our previous home in Georgia. My brother Harry than even made a set for us, for the guest bedroom; proving his woodworking skills successfully! So we were thrilled when we built this house in 1990 to find once more those solid oak Historic Windows indoor shutters. We painted them white however! But come on in...

This is where we left yesterday, the new 'Green' indoor shutters hung by Pieter himself. These are ready made Masonite bi-folds from Home Depot. 

Our floors are Bruce solid oak planks of 5" width and we're very pleased with that quality. Consumers Report gave them the highest rating at the time we were doing the research.
Our furniture we did ship 3 x across the Atlantic Ocean and due to the solid French oak, it survived each time, without any damage.

Here you see those solid oak (painted white) Historic Windows indoor shutters. The six panel is called 'Charleston'. The same hand crocheted filet lace valence, in French DMC, for the window as I had on the shades for the French door. We both love the unobstructed view without curtains and yet have privacy with the shutters and they're the ultimate for Going Green for saving energy!

When opened, they fold away to the side and they close with a magnet that you see at the top.

Closed view

Our six pound Tiggy Tiger, she loves the French Yves Delorme bed linens... We've been lucky with an Yves Delorme Outlet in Chattanooga, TN; a four-hour drive for us. They also sell the lightweight batiste down duvet and down pillows. We have on all our beds the European squares and the standard down pillows from Yves Delorme. That makes you sleep like a rose... while being watched by wooden Cherubs from Italy.

The double oak armoire with tassels from Yves Delorme...

The door to the hallway, of the same Masonite with six panels and matching the solid oak indoor shutters in Historic Charleston raised panels.

Our build-in closet with the very same Masonite bi-fold doors that Pieter got the idea from! Except that he needed to add a third one to each folding unit.

Above the TV hangs an authentique antique letterpress drawer for my silver, silver plated and other little treasures.

My Dad did clean them out, removing the ink and staining them.

Husband Pieter made with tiny hinges an acrylic sheet cover hanging from the top and being closed with clips at the bottom. You can see it entirely here: {My OPA - GRANDDADDY} click link

The door to our bathroom and again back to the balcony...

Our walls + ceiling are painted in Benjamin Moore® Natura® 2096-70 Early Sunset an eco-friendly choice.

The all cotton Vista area rugs in natural are from Solutions and are very practical and hygienic.

Hand crocheted filet lace rose doily in fine DMC thread and cross stitch alphabet letters are done by me. Not the tablecloth. The braid on the ombré silk in the shadow box, is of course mine and not Pieter's...

Hand embroidered silk doilies on the table are from China. Pieter did bring them back from his trip as Citizen Ambassador.

Our Balcony with teak table and chairs...

Vintage Woodworks balustrade in wood...

Home is where the heart is...
Heart shaped bird feeder with pull out drawer

Related link:

{Going Green for our Bedroom + Confederate Jasmine in bloom} | previous post about husband Pieter installing the French door's indoor shutters...

{6 Antique French Christofle Gallia Knife Rests -- in Art Deco}

From France, I got this original box with 6 'Porte Couteaux' in Art Deco Arabesque pattern by Christofle Gallia.

This rare set of 6 antique French Christofle Gallia knife rests in Art Deco Arabesques, is perfect for saving your precious table linens from getting soiled.
I do have several types of Christofle knife rests. Also the model shown here I do have for 12 or more. THANKS!

Gallia Metal, an improved Silver Plate, was introduced by Christofle at the 1900 Paris Exposition and used extensively on Art Deco ware.

Seldom you will find a set of six perfect knife rests in their original box (I got a second one for completing a service of 12).
Below you see how such a knife rest is being used. It is holding the first course knife (r); the fish knife for a second course (c) and the knife used for the entrée (l).
 Shown with my Gero Zilmeta 528 Menuet on pure linen damask Yves Delorme placemats and napkin and Cream Color on Cream Color by Wedgwood.  ← Just click on the red hyperlink!

Even today, Christofle is still producing knife rests. See here on my Pinterest with link to Christofle—Silver–Plated Set of 2 Knife Rests ←click link.

That means, they are still very much en Vogue.

All the Christofle marks are clearly visible here.

The original brochure!

If you want to learn more about the history of knife rests, check: The History of Knife Rests

They sometimes do auction off for quite a high amount as shown here below at Christie's.

Both values are from the 90s as they also do list still the Dutch Guilder sign 'f' for the top auction. That indicates that it was before 2000. At present there are no listings at Christie's for Christofle Gallia knife rests; but you can surely get them at: Spectrenoir

SORRY SOLD OUT!