Newyork Blog

The Brocante at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Flea markets are the same the world over. Vendors are often more interested in each other's gossip than in selling stuff to you:) Sellers have always "just left" to get coffee, leaving their neighbor to watch their stall just when you desperately want an item. Lunchtime rolls around and all vendors everywhere pull out delectable lunches they have brought in, only to make you notice your hunger pangs as you settle for a local skyrocket-priced carnival food. And, of course, everywhere there is much posturing and haggling over prices... all part of the fun!

The brocante in l'Isle sur la Sorgue at Easter was just like all the rest of the flea markets I've been to... except for the things you can buy, the setting, and... yes, the lunches. This was not our local Alemany Flea with corn dogs on a stick!

We had an unforgettable adventure there on the Chic Provence Design Tour... come with us next spring!

the entrance to the park where the flea market is held

in Isle sur la Sorgue, France

OK so we did just fine for lunch...here at

the Cafe de France!

we drooled over these hand blown wine jugs from

the early 20 C....and one of us bought one

this 19th C small rug is now a table runner for

one of our Tour attendees...isn't it beautiful!

great old planters were everywhere

the statue and the setting are so elegant..wait

until those vines are filled out and blooming!

loved this little grouping of vibrantly upholstered

furniture...looks like Designer's Guild

I think these are hitching posts...and not

sure what the curvy iron is..but love it!

original tile floor in one of the
buildings in town

metal cafe chairs, always chic!

rusted old garden statuary

highly styled mid-century stall

I love "terre melee" and this vase is

a superb example of the mixed clay

technique from Vallauris

funny little mid-century Michelin Tire guys!

(what are they up to anyway?)

the selection of vintage silver was phenomenal

at this stall

this wonderful Gustavian bench would look

great with cushions in a Swedish frame of mind

more tile floor from around town

pillow covers made from vintage

French sheets and grain sacks

love this navy and white tile floor

the magical view up the Sorgue River

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thanks for visiting!....Kit

Small Joy

If there were any way at all to ease the suffering and burdens of those in our tornado-ravaged South, any of us would do just about anything.

While searching for wallpaper for a new client, I came across this charming, small group of paper that reminded me somehow of the South in days long gone by. These lighthearted wallpapers and fabrics could bring a little bit of cheer to our weary souls, even for just a sweet little moment in time, even if we just look at them and remember simpler, happier days.

"Brocante" from the charming Brian Yates collection

from the Gustavian collection of Zoffany

"Chinese Rose" from the charming Brian Yates collection

"Early Bird" from the charming Brian Yates collection

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Thanks for visiting! ... Kit

La Tendance Bleu-Vert

These luscious jugs and pots dipped in blue, green, turquoise, mint and pistachio paints are making me long for the summer days and sunshine of Provence (it's still raining and grey in San Francisco! Summer, where are you?) As I sit at my desk wrapped in a scarf and dressed in all black layers and Merrill boots to chase the chill away from our grey day, these images give me a little hope for sunnier days!

Enjoy a little soothing color break...these colors are very easy on the eyes!

all jugs, pots and paints at Coté Maison

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Then seeing all these wonderful hot weather blues and greens in Catherine André's Summer 2011 collection made me realize that, yes, blue-green is definitely hot this summer, in France, anyway!