Les Deux Oiseaux Bistro

Les Deux Oiseaux Bistro on a surprisingly warm day in November. The perfect day to enjoy an 

al fresco meal of crusty bread, bleu cheese and fruit. 

I am learning that my trash-to-treasure posts are very popular. And this one definitely started out as trash. 

If you recall, the house came with 2 ugly boring lamps sitting on 2 even less attractive TV trays. You can look HERE to see what I did with the lamps. 

The TV trays were never very fine. The top is a plastic surface meant to look like parquet, I guess. The legs are starting to rust. 

The underside gives a really good idea of the condition and a look at the original masonite. 

I started by painting the top with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White. This took 2 coats.

I wanted this to have a weathered look, so I used the blow dryer to create a cracked finish. That discoloration is rust or mold or something bleeding through the paint. This probably sounds strange, but I like the discoloration.

I wanted to make these look like signs so I could hang them on the side of the house when they are not in use - decorative and functional!

To find printable French signs, I went HERE

Since I was going to be applying the image face down, I selected two that were mirror images with words and pictures. To make my selection, I printed out all the ones I liked and held them up to the window so I could read the words. Don't skip this step or you could have a surprise. This one of The Two Birds Bistro was my favorite! I also like the sign for Patisserie (Bakery) & Confiserie (Sweet shop). You can see the second one behind.

I printed out my two choices large enough to fill an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. Then I took them to the office supply store and had them enlarged to 11 x 17. This is just regular laser jet printing.

I applied another coat of paint, just where the paper would be. I put the paper face down on the wet paint, covered it with a piece of plastic wrap for protection,  and then made sure all the air bubbles were out by using an old wallpaper roller I had. I let it dry COMPLETELY - about 4 hours. 

Now the fun part! I just spritzed it with water and rubbed the paper away with my fingers.

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the black painting. I used some of my old chalk board paint to cover the rusty fake gold on the legs and edge of the top. 

You can see how the paper comes off to reveal the printing that has stuck to the paint.

I used a pencil to sketch a faint line where I wanted to create an edge, then used an old artist's brush to paint on the French Linen. It is freehand, so the look is rustic.

I wanted to make the Old White a little more gray and make the cracking stand out, so I did a wash with half water and half Paris Gray, quickly wiping away as I did it in two stages. Because I plan on using these outside, I did not use dark wax. I don't know what it would do, but wax is not recommended for exterior use.

I had to work quickly, so there is not a picture. But you can see the shadows it created here.

Now it's time to relax and enjoy a light meal before I attack the Patisserie & Confiserie sidewalk table. I thought they deserved a new name!

November in the Garden

Next week the old porch will come off, and the exterior transformation will begin. This will probably be one of the last "before" pictures.

The leaves have turned and our giant oaks are mostly brown. I am jealous because the neighbors' oaks have more red and orange than ours!

 I am especially envious of the bright red maple across the street, 

even when I have to rake the leaves.

The nandina berries are coming into their fall color.

Close up you can see the oak leaves that have fallen in the bush.

We have an amazing view of the hills of south Arlington. In the distance, the trees are yellow, red, brown, and green. As I child growing up in West Texas, we cut leaves from construction paper, but I never really understood what we were doing. Now I know.

I have no idea what it is, but this fragrant purple flower has just now begun to bloom.

 The Chinese lanterns are still around and look beautiful with the turning leaves of a little volunteer oak..

A nice spot to sit and enjoy the pleasant weather we continue to have.

Last month the neighbor was obsessing over the acorns. Now I understand why. I thought I would just rake them up with the leaves, but they have already started to sprout and must be pulled out of the ground by hand. It's like trying to vacuum straight pins out of the carpet.

I raked the brick path yesterday, and it is already covered again.

This is the tall camellia at the back of the house. It is an evergreen and has my first blooms in the spring - a pale pink, 3 inch, waxy blossom. One of my favorites! It is fun to see the promising green buds tucked between the leaves.

The leadwort by the front door still has a few blossoms, and the leaves are a beautiful red.

Maybe it's because the fall has been so mild, but the rose is very happy.

The chrysanthemum put on a little bit of a show, but I forgot to take a picture at its peak. Still not a favorite. I will probably get a replacement next fall.

The fall blooming camellia is still going with its small pink flowers. Trying to think how I can make this stand out more. Ideas, anyone??

Here's the part I am choosing to ignore - construction rubbish. In front and on the side of the house are piles that grow with demolition and shrink with runs to the dump.

I see leaf raking in my future.

October in the Garden

A Tale of the Season 

Featuring...

Asters in a fine performance

Costumed in purple, pink and ...

magenta.

Favorite with their bee fans

The Toad Lily

This character actor may not be a box office draw, but always turns in a beautiful performance.

Close-up of Toad Lily

Surprisingly fine performance by an unknown walk-on.

Subdued but lovely performance by fall blooming Camellia.

Cameo role by aging star, Veronica.

This aging star, Butterfly Bush, continues to turn in a solid performance and remains a favorite with its bee fans.

Lack luster performance by Chrysanthemum.

Fine supporting actors include: Leadwort

 and The Sedum, Autumn Joy.

Nice little performance by another unknown.

Strong comic performance by an actor we have not seen before in a serious role, 

The Chinese Lantern Plant

Chinese Lantern with an unknown walk-on.

Rosebud - child actor from a famous family.

Rosebud's family continues to perform and produce large, colorful rose hips. 

(I am not body-shaming here.)

Cinematography is breath-taking with the red berries of this Spirea bush.

And we mustn't miss the posthumous performance of Wild Garlic.

Seed heads add to the texture of the fall garden.

Preview of coming attractions -

 Nandina berries will provide winter color.

But nothing detracts from the performance like a floor littered with popcorn or acorns. I think the squirrels in the balcony are throwing them at me.

This is my view out the window while I type. The squirrel is swishing his tail and chattering up a storm while he eats his acorn. Driving Yoshi, the cat, nuts!