......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.