A HOUSE IN PROVENCE

Hidden in the hills of the Haut Var in eastern Provence is our French retreat. Set in a grounds with mature Cypress trees, oleanders and native oaks lies this little gem that we disappear to when we want some peace and quiet.

The smell  of the cypress fill ones soul on arriving and then the wonderful southern aromas of the wild thyme and rosemary kick in and you know that you have arrived. the winding drive takes us up to the house..

The house isn't large just three bedrooms all giving onto the garden with a wonderful large terrace with views over the local vineyards towards the coast with the Massif des Maures in the distance.
All year round it is warm enough to have lunch outside on this terrace and in the summer we move to the pool house for lunch with friends in the shade over looking the pool.

The garden is half wild and half formal with clipped hedges, spectacular wisteria, roses, jasmine, oleander and so many other plants I can't remember them all. In the spring and then again in the autumn the wild flowers come out and the grass below the house is covered in small dots of colour

All to soon it is time to pack up and head back to London, the memories of sweet smells, good food, and the wonderful friendly locals in the village follow us back; and so it is back to London where we are very luckily surrounded by fabulous French antiques to remind us of times away. The next blog will be back to how to use antiques in decorating …….

DECORATING FOR DINING ROOMS

Dinners at  home are one of my favourite things, whether just four of us in the kitchen or in the grander larger setting of the dining room, impromptu or arranged in advance, the important thing is for everyone to enjoy themselves over good food and wine, for the conversation to flow and for there to be a relaxed atmosphere.

I love to decorate the table with antique linen table cloths and napkins, they add a certain something to the look, in the evenings I always use candles with plenty of candlesticks and flowers are a must….

White table cloth and flowers with 19th century plates and antique French knives and silver…….on the wall behind framed antique prints, we always have a large collection in the shop.

No table cloth but huge gilt bronze antique French candlesticks. Hanging on the wall behind is an 18th century Aubusson tapestry. You see our collection here

 Red roses add a touch of glamour to go with the gilt candlesticks

Our own designed Wilby candlestick with gathered silk shades and re-chargeable tea-lights is added to the table.

In the country I love to use the wild flowers that grow all around to decorate the table

Kitchen meals get the same treatment here with antique blue and white spode plates and lots of flowers and hand dyed antique pink linen napkins.