Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The FAIRMONT hotels.........& a makeover!!!

The Fairmont Hotel.....................

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a Canadian-based operator of luxury hotels and resorts. Currently, Fairmont operates properties in 19 countries including Canada, the United StatesAzerbaijanBarbadosBermudaPeople's Republic of ChinaEgyptGermany,IndiaKenyaMexicoMonacothe PhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSouth Africa,SwitzerlandUkrainethe United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.
Fairmont is known in Canada for its famous historic hotels and resorts such as theEmpress Hotel (Victoria) and Hotel Vancouver in British Columbia, the Palliser in Calgary, the Château Laurier in Ottawa, the Royal York in TorontoBanff Springs in Alberta andChâteau Frontenac in Quebec City. Many of these hotels were originally built by theCanadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Fairmont's portfolio also includes several other landmark and icon properties including The Plaza in New York, the Savoy Hotel in London and the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.

The original Fairmont is located in the city of San Francisco. The nearly completed structure survived the earthquake of 1906. Although heavily damaged by the subsequent fires, the hotel was renovated under the eye of architect Julia Morganand finally opened in 1907. It was later acquired by Benjamin Swig in 1945.

SAN FRANCISCO
SOURCE


BANFF ALBERTA
SOURCE
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH ( A FAIRMONT )
HERE IN MONTREAL
WHERE JOHN LENNON AND YOKO ONO
HAD THEIR LOVE - IN
SOURCE

WHISTLER, B.C.
SOURCE
BOSTON, MA
SOURCE
MANOIR RICHELIEU, QUEBEC
These hotels are furnished beautifully - they're posh and elegant and oh so tastefully done - allowing their patrons to feel spoiled during their stay.

BOSTON FAIRMONT INTERIOR

AND THIS ONE - IN CHARLVOIX QUEBEC
CALLED THE MANOIR RICHELIEU
WHICH ALL OF A SUDDEN HAS PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ME
BECAUSE



Source


SOMETIMES THESE HOTELS REDECORATE THEIR ENTIRE SPACES.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE BUY A PIECE OR TWO FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES OR JUST BECAUSE THERE'S GREAT VALUE IN THESE ITEMS.
SOMETIMES THEY GET TIRED OF THEM AFTER AWHILE AND LIST THEM ON CRAIG'S LIST FOR A RIDICULOUS PRICE.
SOMETIMES SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE RANDOMLY BROWSING THE SITE AND COME ACROSS SOMETHING THEY INSTANTLY FALL IN LOVE WITH.
SOMETIMES THEY END UP OWNING THIS " DESSERTE " FROM THE FAIRMONT MANOIR RICHELIEU IN CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC.
CIRCA - 1920 I'M TOLD
SOMETIMES THE STARS ARE ALIGNED...................

Even though this was the only image the seller had - I knew I could turn this back into the beauty it oh so deserved to be.


IT NEEDS SOME LOVE - BUT I HAVE A LOT TO GIVE.................

Ok this part is hilarious - I really really wanted to use Paris Grey on this piece - but I only had a very little left - certainly not enough to paint it all -
So I took what I had left of the Paris Grey - and added Old White - and some of that paint I used to paint the Wardrobe which was a custom color of Duck Egg blue and Pure white  - and some Old Violet - no measurements thinking  I would end up with some gorgeous creamy blue/green color - and I ended up with ..................
PARIS GREY !!!
So had I marked down the quantities of each I would have now had on hand the secret recipe of Annie Sloan's Paris Grey LMHO......................


and what I couldn't see in the sellers photo were these open shelves on the left hand side  - which makes perfect sense if it's une " TABLE DESSERTE "



You've come a long way baby, all the way from Charlevoix to Montreal.......................
( bonus points if you know which song I'm drawing that from - hint Loretta Lynn ) 



The top is a mess - with very deep cracks and humps and crevices - it really needs to be replaced - 
Wouldn't a slab of marble be gorgeous?




The body was painted with the Grey - the shelves were painted Pure White ( Annie Sloan )




As much as I like it like this - I can so envision this as a french country type of powder room vanity
Towels rolled up on the left side - sink plumbing perfectly placed on the right hand side
But for now - she's pretty again, isn't she?


Come to think of it, it would make a pretty awesome bar cart too, wouldn't it?
Or a stand in a girly office - a printer could be tucked into one of the slots!
Lots of storage for papers  - pens etc?

But for now we'll call her Denise La Desserte - ( and we'll also call her done )

Don't you think the Fairmont Hotel should give me a weekend on them for this post?
I might even consider giving this back to them for it :)

Oh Garcon?
I'll have a cup of tea and a petite gateau now...................merci!!!


Have a great Thursday all!
Much love,

Party TIME !!!
Common Ground                                       My Turn for Us                           My Romantic Home
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French Country Cottage                           Glitter Glue & Paint

41 comments:

  1. gee iish you were over here I think it is so beautiful.I would love it in my office with paper and pens displayed in it....oh well get john to get a boat put it in there and sing "row row row your boat"-love dee x

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  2. Hi, you make such beautifull things..I follow you from several days and it`s absolutely pleasure to watch your talent and real fun to read your writing style:)I like everything so much...Have a nice day

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  3. Now THAT looks much better! That piece is wonderful....it could be almost anything, a side table, bar cart, in a bathroom or the end of a hall....

    I'm glad you got it and gave it new life...Good job!

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    1. Well I was adding to it when you were replying I guess LOL -
      It would be great anywhere I think - I'm still not quite finished it - will show more next week
      Thanks Christine!
      Hugs,
      Suzan

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  4. It looks fabulous and I agree that the Fairmont should give you a free weekend for the publicity...lol! No funny comments from John on this piece? He must have been sleeping...:)

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  5. I agree, free weekend for sure, thats such a great make over, I could use that piece!

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  6. GORGEOUS! It would look fab in a (huge) bathroom, with towels and girly bits.

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  7. WOW!!! You sure have a beauty on your hands! And you're right... there are so many uses for it. I think for me it would become one of those pieces that would morph over the years into so many uses needed at that specific time. By the way,my husband wants to do a ski vacation and stay at the Fairmont in Banff.

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  8. The interior shot of the Boston Fairmont is just gorgeous. This is a lovely piece, a wonderful makeover, and I love the colours you have chosen. In fact, I'm beginning to think I need one.

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  9. What a beautiful cloche!!! hahahaha, thinking of your post about the cloche... oh my.

    I love huge ginormous hotels if they're kept up wonderfully well. :)

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  10. You've come a long way, baby
    To get where you've got to today
    You've got a new cigarette now, baby
    You've come a long, long way

    That was Loretta Lynn singing that? Or that's not the source you were thinking of?

    I also remember the Benson & Hedges instrumental song that played during the commercial in which people ran into windows, doors, each other, etc. while smoking their 10-inch long B&H's.

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  11. Love the makeover, and I have stayed at a couple of those hotels and they were wonderful. xo Laura

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  12. So beautiful! You definitely gave her some love and a new life! Well done :) Julie

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  13. Suzan, she is indeed a beauty! Reading your blog makes me almost believe I could take on some of these projects -- this could be dangerous!

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  14. What a great find! I'm sure the Fairmont is wishing they had it back now! I love the idea of using as a bathroom vanity.

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  15. You lucked out on the paint mix! I love the way you brought out the detailing too!

    The Queen E pic has me disoriented. I see PVM.... is this looking east?

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    Replies
    1. I just stayed in a room at the QE with that view last week. It is looking NWest.

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  16. I love it! A piece of marble would be pretty, and you could maybe get a low-cost remnant piece from a supplier since you would only need a small piece, but I think it looks great as is. Adding you to my Bloglovin via Kathe With An E's blog party - take care! Dawn

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  17. Hey Suzan...what a great piece. Looks fabulous!! That is our favourite winter getaway! We usually spend a weekend at the Richelieu every winter tied in with a ski trip over to Le Massif. I love it there.

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  18. Wait...you didn't stage it 2,351 times. I'm sorry, you'll have to go back and put different stuff on it and take more pictures. Bahaha! It is absolutely gorgeous, fabulous, incredible. I love it.

    -andi

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  19. wow, that went from "ewww" to beautiful.
    Lauren

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  20. What gorgeous hotels, they look like they would be a dream getaway. You gave them a good plug maybe they will give you a free stay LOL! Doubt they are that generous though. This table turned out great. I really love the legs and you could us it for so many things. Perfect as always!!

    Cynthia

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  21. I'm admiring your cart with my mom who says it's "de l'excellent travail".

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  22. Love LOVE all the wood details, trim and gorgeous legs on this little lady! She could be used anywhere and staged a bazillion different ways as LittleMyoo commented! LOL John needs to get ready.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Camille!!!
      John will never be ready LOL
      XOXO

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  23. I love the way that turned out! I will be staying at the Frontenac the night before my birthday and the night of my birthday, which will cap off our trip to Quebec. The nights leading up to that, we have reservations at two small, quaint hotels in basse ville (sp?), I think. Maybe I can find a similar table to "lift" as a souvenir from the Frontenac. LOL

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  24. I need me some spoilin' at one of those fancy schmancy hotels. And a cart full of desserts too please. On your fabulous cart.

    I can't mix paints to save my life. Well, maybe to save my life, but what's the likelihood of me actually needing to mix paint to save my life?

    I'll go now.

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  25. I don't know if I would know how to act in a place like that! Love the cabinet and yes, marble would look beautiful on the top. Antique laces and linens!

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  26. Those photos are gorgeous Suzan. And your little redo ain't too bad either.
    Bliss

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  27. I now want to go on vacation AND then I want to stop by your house and be served from your beautifully transformed cart...or, maybe you should just run a B&B. I'd come :)

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  28. Gorgeous piece with great history! I didn't realize until I read your post that all these great hotels are related. I've been in many of them, from San Fransisco to Montreal, and I loved learning more about them. How wonderful to have a piece of these grand and beautiful places.

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  29. Hi Suzan!!!!

    GORGEOUS!!!!

    You made this piece of furniture into the beauty she was always
    meant to be. She is now elegant and willing to be useful in so
    many ways!!!

    Hope you have a great weekend!!!

    Pam
    xox

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  30. Damn it I thought you were giving away a weekend...flights included! Denise is gorgeous I think she'd be beautiful as a bar with pretty bottles and crystal glasses

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  31. You certainly do have a lot of love to give! That piece is gorgeous.

    Some of those hotels are spectacular. I can't afford to stay in them, but I'd love a tour to take photographs!

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  32. Just gorgeous Suzan! I knew you would make that look so divine! Are you keeping it?? I think I'd have to!

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  33. Lovely piece, and you did a perfect work. From BsAs, Arg., Julia C.
    LaSillaChic

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  34. Looks great! Stop by my Friday's Five Features tomorrow and link up this post (and others)! diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com

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  35. Looks so sweet, would fit perfectly in one of the bathrooms. Love the colour and keep your eyes open for a piece of marble - the icing on the cake. Love the Canadian Fairmont properties, most romantic one we stayed at was the Chateau Lake Louise. We went for a romantic sleigh ride, those were the days! xo Patty

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo