As villas in the Provence countryside go, ours for the Chic Provence Design Tour at Easter could not have been more stunning. Originally a two hundred year old farm, it has been restored and updated to a stylish and chic country retreat, a perfect haven for the twelve of us to spend our time after shopping the brocantes and antiques markets, exploring the villages, and having our art and culinary lessons. In such a gorgeous setting, the wine flowed freely as guests, originally strangers, bonded and became good friends with a shared adventure. As we scurried around getting everything ready on the day all my guests arrived for the tour, I paused and took a few (iPhone, of course!) photos to share with you.
Next year, join us for this wonderful, life-changing (as one guest described it) experience in the South of France!
the view from one of the upstairs bedrooms
the classical rusted iron bust of an 18th C lady
adorns a corner of one of the bedrooms
I love this bed; so curvy and feminine against the
stark angularity of the stone and plaster
***
etched glass French doors leading to one
of the salons look like they might
have been from a Parisian setting in the
Art Nouveau era
lovely grey bookcase with beautiful carvings and
classical pieces in the main living room
a two-hundred year old piano next to a window framing
the climbing white roses just outside
linen upholstery on this Louis XV settee; Vicky Archer's latest book,
French Essence is on the coffee table!
stunning old candelabra sits
proudly on the piano
***
the view into the small cozy kitchen where
we took our typical French breakfast of bread and butter,
yogurt and fruit, maybe a croissant or two!
and coffee each morning
the cozy kitchen features a La Cornue stove, a
gorgeous butcher block and beautiful
tommettes (hexagonal tiles...remind one of "le hexe", or
France herself) on the floor
simple open shelving for items used daily in
the small kitchen
these kitchen towels are quite elegant in their surroundings!
***
the grey and taupe walls of the central stairway
with a splash of sunshine
another view towards the entry gate through the
central courtyard from an upstairs bedroom
a cozy child's bedroom has its own crystal
chandelier and huge bathroom
one of the very charming bedrooms; all have lots of
light from windows and gorgeous bathrooms
one of my favorite spots is this very charming
outdoor dining setting in an alcove, complete
with stunning crystal chandelier
***
Lisa Tomasi of Pear and Pepper Fine Catering and Events
hurries around getting things ready for our guests' arrival
Lisa and her partner (in business and in life), Steven McCormick, of
Pear and Pepper Fine Catering and Events
are putting last minute touches on the menus in
the large, professional chef's kitchen
two views of the sixteen-seat dining table next to
the chef's kitchen; here we are preparing gift
baskets for our guests using gorgeous baskets
donated by Andrea of The French Basketeer!
this is the perfect setting for the wonderful
dinners, including a Provençal Easter dinner
prepared by Pear and Pepper Fine Catering and
Events for our group
some of the beautiful French Basketeer
baskets ready and waiting
for the arrival of our guests
another lovely view from an upstairs bedroom
***
Let me know if you are interested in joining us on
a Chic Provence Design Tour in the coming year
...and thanks for visiting! Kit
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