La Cuisine

The 'kitchen birds' at La Madone.

The French are defined by food. To them the growing, preparing, and eating of freshly harvested produce and locally produced specialties from a village or region, is very important. During my recent extended time in France it became clear to me that food, and accompanying local wines, revolve around a concept of seasonality. Most French cooks, because they have a love affair with fresh, seasonal, local foods, would never bother to cook a dish with a vegetable that had crossed the pond, or even just the country, in a refrigerated trailer.

AND.......speaking of eating, what nicer way to start the day than here at La Madone in Provence. At 8:00 AM, a tap on the apartment door and when opened there was smiling Nathalie one morning, and handsome Jean-Bernard the next. Each carried a tray laden with steaming coffee and milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade apricot and blackcurrant preserves, and fresh from the boulangerie baguette, croissants and pain au chocolat, yum!!

The kitchen area where an old iron stove had been turned into the sink unit ~ 'frig and oven behind the right side door. Old scrubbed table used as an island/worktop.

Pretty blue patterned vintage dishes, pale blue cafe au lait bowls ~ Oooh, I really wanted these!

Simple but pretty painted table and chairs, loved the porcelain numbers on each chair back. Constraint was used in the decor ~ nothing was cluttered, everything was pretty, and each item was there for a purpose.

Antique, unbleached kitchen towels embroidered in French red thread ~ I wonder who A.V. was. I purchased these to bring home so I could have some memories of this delightful place.

When saying au revoir to our gracious hosts we managed this peek into their personal area of the house and of course it was beautiful!!

Hope you have enjoyed La Madone. Perhaps some day you will visit there.

I can assure you that your stay will be memorable.

La chambre à coucher

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

On entering the bedroom through a pair of amazing 18th century painted doors, La Madone continues to surprise. The room is furnished simply in the same calm shades.

The heavy silk drapery fabric, which also covers the dressing table bench, is a vintage print of tiny rosebuds and stripes...................


.......a tall cream armoire for our clothes is embellished with an interesting carving.

The 'headboard' for a most comfortable bed is made from old shutters painted dusky blue. They also form the wall for the bathroom area behind. The charming oil painting of the basket of roses contains all the soft colors of the room. Freshly ironed bed coverings of vintage linen with monogrammed cotton pillowcases.

Mini crystal chandeliers with linen covered cords hang over the matching marble topped nightstands.

In the bathroom area the tiny windows were covered with simple linen curtains as were the shower and storage area curtains.
The black tiled shower with river rock floor was the only modern tweak in the apartment. Double sinks with antique mirrors and good lighting was a plus.

And.............where did we enjoy a typically French breakfast after a great night's sleep? I'll show you next time.

......living room......living right

La Madone images ~ Provence 2008

As I look around my own home I notice that recent decorating projects have started to take on the French Country feel. The master bedroom and guest room have some of that casual yet comfortable appearance. My colors changed to softer shades of grey blue, neutral cream and linen. But, after staying here at La Madone in Provence, I now know I have miles to go before I could ever get this same feel...................the quiet, peaceful, uncluttered beauty of this mix of simple country, vintage, and 18th century France.

The old terracotta tiled floor anchored the simple living room furnishings, a comfy linen upholstered sofa and chair, a painted table on a rush mat. The upholstered daybed, where old linen and flax covered pillows were tossed, offered more seating.

Beautifully painted moldings and whitewashed original ceiling beams worked perfectly with crystal chandeliers.

One of my favorite things in the living area was the rustic elegance of the linen padded door. Nathalie explained that this was a connecting door to another apartment and this helped give privacy. We knew there was a German family in that apartment - shoes were lined up outside their entry door - but we never heard a sound!

Wonderful paint finishes covered most of the wood pieces throughout the apartment. Decorative items were kept to a minimum, but what were there, carefully placed, seemed to have been picked for their simple beauty.

Wall decor was stunning in it's mix of simplicity and unusual items.

The old grey-blue zinc window, complete with finial.........

..............delicate vintage bird cages............

...............evocative oil paintings. like little jewels, brought the stronger colors into the apartment.


Next time I will take you through these exquisite doors into the boudoir where a good night's sleep came easy.
A lot more beauty to come.

La Madone in Provence

Camera clicking frantically. Did I look frazzled? Was I excited?

Had I, at long last, discovered where my passion for design and decorating was heading?

French Country...........where I spent October...........where I loved the interiors as much as the spectacular vineyards.

La Madone............beautiful place in Provence.

Remember the intriguing blackboard at the entry to La Madone, the gracious house where our Apartment Chanvre was located on the top floor? Our 8:00AM breakfast wishes were entered by Nathalie before we climbed the stone staircase....

.................and, when I saw the old plaster walls with paint colors matte and muted to ancient softness, the Provencal boutis (quilts), antique linen sheets, stacked in the painted armoire and on the elegant chair...................

................the pretty antique high chair.................

......the thick and thirsty towels and wash mitts......

..................I knew my dreams had come true. I was here, in a place so lovely I wanted time to slow down, perhaps even come to a complete standstill so I would not have to leave......ever!

Entering the apartment, the late afternoon light created shadows through the shuttered windows. The crystals danced, the texture of the linen curtains glowed. We threw the windows open and enjoyed the view across the little river and terracotta tiled roofs of ancient Apt, misty mountains in the background.

Empty silvered frame, perfect grey wall - Nathalie and Jean-Bernard know how to do it. I'll learn perhaps. Meanwhile get ready for more..................sometimes all one really needs is much less!