The Creative Cigale

01/20/2024

Happy 2024!!🎉

I’ve been M.I.A. here these past 5 months as I’ve been working on something that has finally come to fruition: my dream of living in France!!🇫🇷
Backstory: since 2015, I have had the dream of living in France to immerse myself in French while experiencing the culture (initiated after hosting many international students and teachers). It took me some time ( ie: Covid interruption) to have all the pieces fall into place. Finally, on July 13th, 2023, I received my long stay visa to live in France for a year with the option to extend. 🥳 Although being a ( retired) high school teacher, I was ready to become the student!📚📝
So, on September 4th, I boarded an Air France flight from Ottawa to Paris/ Montpellier, and have been living by the Mediterranean Sea ever since🏖️ I truly am living the dream which goes to show that if this “official senior citizen”(but young at heart😉) can do it, so can others!
As many of you may have observed through my posts, French Provincial furniture is my absolute favourite, so what better place to live than the region of Provence!( I’m quite close by). I haven’t left my love of painting behind just yet, in fact, I packed a few of my favourite brushes😅.
Since arriving to this stunning country, I’ve been working on improving my French ( slowly…) and exploring the surrounding areas. There are so many wonderful, ancient villages - it just never ends!😍
I will be sharing my adventures here - if anyone knows any artisans in France who refurbish furniture, please let me know.

07/27/2023

This lovely French Provincial desk by Baronet has been updated in crisp white with complimentary white/gold k***s to give it a modern feel.
*Available*
Dimensions: 48"W x 18.5"D x 31"H
Free delivery in the Ottawa area

07/25/2023

I acquired this wonderful antique curved bed frame for myself ( stamped 1926) from a friend who did not have room for it anymore. It was her grandmother's bed and in need of restoration, therefore I wanted it done properly. I enlisted the help of Pinar at PNR Style furniture restoration as I knew that she could work her magic on this heirloom piece. The result is stunning: the woodwork has been totally restored, highlighting the gorgeous wood grain, better than I could have hoped! I highly recommend https://www.facebook.com/PNRStyleCreations for any furniture restoration - the impeccable work by this local artisan will not disappoint!

04/04/2023

Another wonderful piece from the Drexel Touraine Collection to share with you!❤️ I purchased this serpentine side table at an auction, along with the matching vanity, for my own bedroom - I think this piece is just stunning! *Fun Fact: the Touraine Collection is one of the only French Provincial collections to feature a serpentine shape other than Bassett’s Versailles collection.
*Not Available

Colour: Raw Silk by Fusion Mineral Paint

04/03/2023

I can relate😉

First Drafts of Rock takes a look at the original version of "Paint It, Black" (featuring Kevin Bacon and Jimmy Fallon).The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallo...

04/02/2023

This wonderful tallboy is from the DREXEL FURNITURE Touraine Collection, high-quality furniture which is highly sought after by collectors ( including myself!). Just a bit of background: Drexel produced this French provincial furniture set from the mid 1950s through the mid 1960s called Touraine which is still quite popular today. The furniture was inspired by the curvy lines classically found in Louis XV furniture which became popular during the period of 1730 to 1775.

The Drexel Touraine Collection is my most favourite line of furniture - I actually now have a bedroom set of my own!😀 I was thrilled when I came across the tallboy from this collection. This true heirloom piece now resides in its forever home with a lucky young lady!👍

Colour: Raw Silk by Fusion Mineral Paint

03/07/2023

Lingerie chests are such a hard find so when I came across this wonderful gem for a client, I was thrilled!😄Updated in Fusion Mineral Paint's Casement with soft gold pulls, it now resides in its lovely forever home❤️
*SOLD*

02/13/2023

*New Inventory*
I recently picked up a wonderful tallboy made by Drexel, a top quality manufacturer - solid wood, dove tailed drawers with one that has a divider. Truly exquisite! In fact, I have the matching 9-drawer dresser, vanity, and small dresser! I've included a pic of my dresser to see how it looks updated ( mine is in Fusion's Raw Silk). I may be able to add another 9-drawer to my inventory along with unique side tables. If anyone is interested, message me and I'll send the details.

12/22/2022

This wonderful French Provincial set by Malcolm Co. wraps up 2022!👌Updated in Fusion's Raw Silk, (the most popular warm white) with soft gold hardware, these pieces are classic and timeless💖
Happy holidays and here's to a healthy New Year!🥂🎉

*SOLD*
$495
* Pieces can be sold separately; 2nd night stand available
Dimensions:
Dresser: 55"W x 20"D x 32.5"H

Free Delivery within the Ottawa area.

11/24/2022

I just knew this Baronet set had to be in pink!🌸And Fusion Mineral Paint's beautiful shade, Rose Water, was perfect for it, in my books👌I cleaned up the original hardware which was great 'cause it has a antique-look that is well-suited for these pieces. This lovely set is now ready to find its forever home!

Available: $495 ( pieces can be purchased separately)
Tallboy Dimensions: 34"W x 17.5"D x 46.5"H

Free delivery within the Ottawa area

11/03/2022

My client scooped up this lovely small cabinet from my inventory and I updated it to match her existing decor - what a difference!👌

Colour: Fusion Mineral Paint's "Raw Silk"

10/27/2022

I finally had some time this past summer to work on a few items for my own home - yay! When I purchased this sideboard, Fusion Mineral Paint had just come out with a new line of colours, and when I saw "Manor Green", I knew this was the one! I'm very happy with the results and now my dining room looks almost complete💚