Peeks at Reno Progress & French Country Baskets

I’ll share a few peeks at our progress in the kitchen and the entry and chat about life lately. Then we’ll look at the wide range of possibilities for living with French Country Baskets. They are such unsung heroes since they work hard while looking great. I use them in the laundry room, kitchen, closets and more. Don’t you love pretty decor that is actually purposeful?

Peeks at Renovation Progress

Progress on Reno in the Entry

In my last update, I shared the dining room side of the entry where we built walls to sandwich columns that didn’t work for our lifestyle. On the living room side, we also built walls then added a collected 1920s vintage window from a Tudor cottage.

Interior windows are a favorite of ours, and we have added them to all of our homes.

In this case, we draw a bit more light into the entry and add whimsy in one fell swoop.

The antique marble-topped chest/dresser under the window may not stay. I don’t like the brown, and I may want a shallower piece there. (This is why I hate sharing progress photos – I like auditioning pieces, and shopping for the right piece takes time!).

After we installed the new LVP flooring, we sort of took a break as far as kitchen stuff.

Not because we’re exhausted, but because my husband is a busy litigator and has back to back trials lately!

I also have more finishing touches, decor, and details to address, and that part of the process takes time.

For now, I put my collection of vintage marmalade crocks in these cubbies we repurposed. They were mail slots in the desk area of the kitchen…remember how it used to look?

We removed the desk and cabinetry in this corner and added a huge vintage wardrobe I painted. We are repurposing it for storage and the TV. However, I still have to paint its interior.

We also have a few more things to do with the pantry where we installed a temporary laminate countertop. This makes it functional for our daily use but not quite ready for a closeup!

Not sure if all of the plants, dishwasher, old painted shutters on the counter, and vintage marble lamp will stay. I am not the blogger who rushes through the finishing process. Another headache is an open space above the frig. We may just drywall over it and call it a day. For now, I have one of my treasures: a HUGE handmade basket bought from an Illinois farm from the great granddaughter of the man who made it.

It holds seasonal items I don’t need to access more than once a year. I can’t seem to pass up a vintage basket in good shape!

Psst. Can pain become a cure?

I love that thought. Let’s face it. Healing takes time.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

French Country Baskets

Antique Baskets at My Home

A couple of years ago, I bought two antique handmade baskets from the great granddaughter of the craftsman who made them in the mid 19th century. I showed you the larger one above.

For more than 150 years, they were used on a beautiful farm 90 minutes from here. It was extra special to see the property and buy them directly from the family.

I found the Frenchy striped seagrass baskets (below) HERE.

If they are out of stock, I thought these stripey market baskets were also very Frenchy.

French Picnic Basket Set

Rustic French farmhouse style is a passion of mine that seems to grow as I joyfully train my eye and venture deeper into its charm.

Vintage French Boulangerie Baskets

Favorite Online Sources for French Market Baskets!

My favorite online shops for vintage French wares and French market baskets? Vivi et Margot and Dreamy Whites Atelier. If you are familiar with Dreamy Whites blog, you will love the French homewares in the shop!

You’ll find favorite picks and links to find them below.

French Baskets for Bicycles, Home Decor, Shopping and Organization

French Farmhouse Baskets to Inspire

More Ideas for French Inspired Storage

Rustic French Basket Inspiration

French Baskets for Storage in a Powder Room

Brooke Giannetti has inspired us for years with European country sensibilities that make living with wabi sabi style natural, beautiful, and also practical. Years ago before Patina Farm, Brooke designed this breathtaking powder room with rustic French baskets for storage. Sometimes built-in contemporary cabinetry is not the look we’re after!

Isn’t this a gorgeous example of how to live with collected antiques and vintage treasures from Europe? In Patina Farm’s laundry room, Brooke demonstrated the functionality of collected pieces.

Rustic European Baskets in an Inspiring Laundry Room at Patina Farm

In this lovely understated laundry room at Patina Farm, Brooke mixed a new purchase (drying rack from Ballard Designs) with old baskets to store essentials.

Even the location of the laundry room is genius. Mirrored doors separate it from the master dressing room, and notice how pretty baskets maintain order while harmonizing with white shelves.

I always find much to admire about Patina Farm and Brooke’s relaxed, unfussy, European inspired style. Why not place art you love on laundry shelves to enjoy their beauty every single day? This is just the sort of European country sensibility to which my spirit is drawn.

Baskets Bring Style & Function to Every Room in the Home

There isn’t any space in a country house or farmhouse style abode where the woven charm of a basket isn’t welcome! Baskets are truly an essential ingredient for keeping objects orderly or hidden while looking fabulous all on their own.

Baskets are Especially Indispensable in the Laundry Room

A Dreamy Example in Provence

We toured this beautifully country chic French home, and here’s a reminder of what simple rustic baskets can bring to a heavenly room.

Who can stop at the laundry room in the Varvels’s gorgeous South of France fantasy home? Let’s peek inside this unforgettable renovated French Country estate in Avignon!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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