It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Lavender :)

Hope your December is full of all good things so far: the spicy scents of holiday makings, the warm glow of the fire, fingerless cashmere gloves so you can use your iPhone, a cup of hot chocolate after a brisk turn at the shops.

As a designer, Christmas packs a lot into a few short weeks. First, clients need you now more than ever! Christmas is all about creating a festive, inviting and joyful atmosphere. And gratefully this year I am quite busy. Secondly, you have to give your own home some attention... and sometimes, like the shoemaker whose children go shoeless, you just pull things together, forget to polish the silver, can't find the right vase and don't have time to go shopping... so when you have a deadline, you use what you have and call it a day.

As my dear friend Tish Jett kindly said to my blushing ears:

"Kit's aesthetic is eclectic, while capturing that unique je ne sais quoi of Provence. She understands the potent cocktail of its romance, nonchalant elegance, warmth and comfort which is so rarely replicated by Americans who look for the "nothing out of place" sterility that does not in any way reflect l'art de vivre in France."

I am so happy that Tish, who is American and lives in Paris, sees me that way. She has captured in her words my very philosophy about la vie Provençale. Her words were un petit cadeau for me this Christmas time. Mille mercis, Tish!

Here, then, is our home at Christmastime, 2010:

the lavender inspiration

for the dining room

I layered the table with old French linen, and over that, an embroidered

organdy overlay... then used lavender silk to ground the place settings,

added a little bling with lavender paillards, and kept the feeling

light, simple and elegant

the lavender cowhide layered over old French linenis perfect for the

dessert sideboard! (this photo makes me realize just how badly I need the

perfect sconces on either side of our large, large 19th C. painting... right?)

roughly cut lavender silk rectangles ground the place settings;

layered on topare vintage lace placemats and silverware;

the lovely plate is Anthropologie and the vase is a vintage

Provençal bee catcher jar

sideboard is ready for the 13 desserts de Noel, a

Christmas eve Provencal tradition!

***

bay leaves layered in tulle with white lights

are the inspiration for the living room;

this made a great swag for the mantel

(it looks best against a white background)

the details of the bay leave are lost in this photo with hotspots

where the lights are but in person it is truly beautiful!

some Christmases you have a really beautiful

tree; others not so much... this year I admit

I have the most un-photogenic tree ever, I think!

but we love it anyway :)

the wreath on the front door given to me by

a lovely friend 12 years ago; it reminds me of

her every Christmas and remains the same

although the door changes color frequently, bien sûr!

***

P.S.

Don't miss out! Enter the

Chic Provence Design Tour Giveaway

fora chance to win an incredible

silk filament filled duvet!