Thursday, September 13, 2012

La Vie en Rose . . . Before and After . . .



I am very, very happy to announce that La Vie en Rose has been shortlisted for the Blog Awards Ireland 2012 competition for the Best Lifestyle Blog!!!!!!

The finalist list will be out September 29th with the awards being held in October.   I can't quite believe we were shortlisted!  I am THRILLED!    I've been thinking a lot lately about how far I've come in such a short space of time.    I started this blog on January 1st 2012 in my pj's as it was on my New Year resolution list to start a blog.  I was SO nervous writing my first post.   I remember going over every word to make sure it sounded ok!  When I got my first comment I thought I would pass out with excitement!!!   And I almost wore out the refresh button checking to see if anyone new had 'visited'!!!  Since then, I've met some of the nicest people ever who have become dear friends and who brighten my day with their blog adventures and are always there with words of support and encouragement.    One dear friend, Paula from The Hill House Diaries  commented on one of my posts that I should "open a shop - NOW" - which was the spark I needed to open my own shop.   I did!   I still can't believe that I actually opened it.  Sometimes I look around and pinch myself as it's hard to believe I've come so far so quickly - all thanks to my blog!!   We've been open 7-8 weeks now and it's flying!    and now my blog has been shortlisted!!!   I am SO happy.  So thank you to all my blog readers, those who comment and Paula!!  Without all of you there wouldn't be a blog! Thank you!!!  So thought you might like to see some before and afters . . . 

La Vie en Rose . . .

  
 The minute I set foot in the unit I knew I was going to take it!  Sometimes, you just know!!!

Even though it needed a LOT of cosmetic work, I knew with some paint and some love it would look cute.

Work begins . . .

The new  floor made a HUGE difference - as did a lick of paint!
 
My husband made the shop counter for me as I wanted something rustic/reclaimed and then we finished it Annie Sloan Paint and Wax!

The shop to the left - Before . . .

Aran framed in around the window as I needed a deeper ledge for display . . .

much better . . .

This corner is now home to our display of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint . . .

I really love my counter.  Knowing that Niall made it for me makes it even more special . . .
 



  
 

After - Shop to left . . .
 




 

The floor was made of three different materials!! Three!!! Lino, tile and a small section of wooden floor.  This was a pub for years the little cupboard on the wall used to house the dart board!!!!

To add a little more character and cover the uneven old walls without using wet trades, we used tongue and groove panelling.




Before - the shop to the right . . . the white shelving unit that goes to the ceiling on the left used to house optics for spirits and glasses for the pub!  

Instead of dumping it I painted it with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and moved to the other side of the shop beside the counter and it now displays scented candles and soaps!

Before . . . 

During . . . 

After . . .  

 

This vintage wardrobe displays some Cabbages & Roses fabrics . . .

After . . . 


I really like the stable door, very cute . . .  Before . . .



After . . .

The building itself is an old village house on the main street in Ballinspittle . . .  The main jobs on the outside was to paint and to elongate the sign to cover the length of shopfront as the sign makes it look like the shop only comes to the door when in reality it covers the whole bottom floor . . .

After . . .

Still to do - build flower boxes under windows and get topiaries for either side of the door . . .


The hardest part of the whole job was picking the front paint colour!  But my blog friends came to the rescue and helped me by picking a beautiful blue grey colour!  I'd like you all to know that people who were just passing through the village have stopped and come in to the shop and complimented me on the shop's lovely colours!!!  saying that the shop looked so nice they made their husband, partner, friend stop so they could come in and have a look!!!




Hope you enjoyed the little tour!!

Sharon
xxxx

29 comments:

Woodside Park said...

Hi, Sharon - Fantastic honor. Congratulations on being on the list! You are the best blog of Ireland :) I didn't realize we started blogging about the same time....nice! We newbies aren't doing so bad, are we?? ;) And, yes, we all love dear Paula....awesome lady. Congrats on everything, Sharon!!
xoxo
Loi

The Snowdrop Project said...

Enjoyed the tour? I loved it!!
Sharon, your shop looks fab, I could shop till I dropped, then we could have a nice cup of tea!!
Congratulations again, and congratulations on your blog award. You have done brilliantly.
Have a lovely day,
Lizx

Annie said...

Congratulations Sharon - delighted to hear that you've been short-listed for the award. Good luck!!...and thanks for the lovely shop tour.

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Loi - that is so sweet -thanks! and we're not doing bad at all :)

Sharon
xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Liz, if you ever do make it over here! Tea and cake is on me, thats a promise!! I would love to show you round the shop in person! Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Thank you Annie! Glad you enjoyed the tour! Sharon xxxx

A Life Un-Styled said...

Congratulations Sharon! How wonderful! I can see myself spending many Saturdays in your store after having brunch...just wondering around, calling out to you...I wish I lived closer by. You really should do that A Perfect Day In..post for me now and incorporate the shop! Congratulations on everything Sharon, you've done it! xoxoxo

Kifus said...

How lovely Sharon, congratulations! Your blog is beautiful and deserves winning the competition.

And thanks for the before and after shots of your shop, what a great transformation!

Kifus

Leslie said...

Sharon! Congratulations! What an honor and I'm so exited for you :) I know how hard you've been working. Your store looks wonderful :) and I'm sure you have already got a list of happy customers!

xx
leslie

Mary Ann Pickett said...

JUST BEAUTIFUL. I love the counter and the paint display. The facade of your store is so fresh and welcoming.

Susan T said...

Many congratulations, your shop is stunning, you have put so much work into it and you deserve all the praise.

mabelandmaisy said...

Aw! It looks fabulous! Good for you, living the dream :-)

piccolaceleste said...

Mamma mia che trasformazione complimenti buon gusto a presto lu..

Bronwyn said...

Wow Sharon, congrats, I have no doubt you will be getting an award. The shop looks beautiful, done with absolute love! x

French Grey said...

Sharon,
Congratulations on being shortlisted for your blog! I started mine around the same time, and although I am behind you and Loi, I feel that I too, have come along way! So happy for you and your new shop, it really is a dream come true :)

Blessings,
Cindy

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Dear Vanisha, promise to do that A Perfect Day post for you - as soon as I possibly can - just a bit swamped at the moment! but agree it would be great!! I wish you were closer for Saturday afternoon coffee and shopping :) Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Thank you Kifus - knew you'd like the Before and Afters!! would love to do some for the house but too busy with the shop at the moment - soon!! Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Thanks Leslie! you're comments are always so sweet! Customers DO seem very happy - so far, so good!!! :) Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Thank you Classic Casual Home - still not finished the outside - want to put some window boxes and flowers in etc but at least its freshened up anyway! Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Thanks Susan - what a lovely compliment!! thank you - all the hard work does seem to be paying off which is lovely!! Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Hi MabelandMaisy and welcome to the Blog!! thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment - it was a long time coming but yes I feel I am living my dream :) Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Hello Piccolaceleste and welcome to the blog!! My Italian is non existent but translated your comment - thank you!! You're welcome back anytime!! :) Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Hi Bronwyn, thank you SO much for dropping by and leaving such a lovely comment! It WAS a labour of love so although it was hard work it didn't actually feel like it!!! You're welcome back here anytime!!! Sharon xxxx

LA VIE EN ROSE said...

Dear Cindy @ French Grey! Your blog is fabulous and your Facebook page is divine with millions of followers so I think you're doing just fine :) Love that we still follow each other and we were both there for each other at the very start!! Blessings to you too!! :) Sharon xxxx

Paula said...

Wow, wow, WOW!!! Sharon, I am TOTALLY in LOVE with your shop. It is utter perfection! I am so happy that you have fulfilled your fabulous dream - you were obviously born to do it. There is not one thing in your shop - from the colour scheme, to the layout to the merchandise - that I would do differently. I know that I keep on saying it, but I really have to find a way to get over to see you and your shop in person - the strength of vision that you so obviously had from the very start is remarkable - I only wish that I had half of your ability to commit and follow through with a project or idea with such clarity - that is a unique strength in itself Sharon, and SO inspiring! Of course, the blog award nomination is 100% deserved, and I am SO willing you to win. Lastly, thank you so much for being such a dear friend - your kind words make me blush with delight!
Lots of love,
Paula xxx

Silvia Shabby Chic Joy said...

your shop is beautiful, congratulations!!!
ciao da Roma Silvia

m said...

Congratulations and best of luckmwith your beautiful new store. I love it !!!

Bluebells and Lavender said...

Hi Sharon, congratulations on being shortlisted, hope you win! Sharon x

Pura Vida said...

oh my gosh so fun to read!

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