Aged and Gilded (Palazzo-Interiors & Gardens)

In Hot Water

I think I've certainly said it enough that a long, hot bath is heaven to me. And I do mean hot! As of late, it seems the only place that I can relax, unwind, gather my thoughts and reflect is in the bath. One of these days I'll have my dream bathroom which will include a beautiful claw foot tub and rain showerhead, a huge window with a stunning view, and naturally, it will be large enough to have a sitting area and a vanity stocked full of gorgeous toiletries.

 

(Cote Ouest/Photo Jean Marc Palisse)

 

House Beautiful

 

Provence Style of Living by Jerome Coignard

Purple Reign

There's a reason Prince chose purple as the color to represent his "royal highness." Long used as a color to represent royalty and power, purple also has a calming effect on the mind. The color of the body's crown chakra is violet, the ray of spiritual mastery. Purple is one of my favorite colors in the garden. What would the fields of Provence be without the stunning show of lavender each year? And a glass of good Burgundy brings to mind rich shades of aubergine and claret. But purple is misunderstood. Most either seem to love or hate it. However, in it's watered down tones of lavender and lilac, purple becomes much more palatable.

  

 

 

The Color Design Source Book by Caroline Clifton-Mogg

 

The French Country House/Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery, Bernard Touillon

 

Hanging Pretty: Cleaning Your Chandelier

Yesterday, I gave credit to the French for the chandelier. (I have brought back several from France on occasion in a suitcase! Alas, those days are gone.) In fact though, chandeliers came about because of the discovery of lead crystal by an Englishman. The Venetians then put their spin by using soda instead of lead which allowed for elaborate shapes and the use of colored glass. The French created the "cage" chandelier with a more open and feminine frame. I love the romantic ambiance a chandelier adds to a setting. It's festoons of crystals are like jewelry for a room.

 

British Homes & Gardens

Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to cleaning a chandelier. Take a photo before cleaning to remember exactly how to reassemble! Each crystal piece must be washed individually in warm soapy water and dried with a lint-free cloth. The stem or cage should be wiped clean with a damp cloth. While time-consuming, this process is only necessary once every couple of years. If you are missing crystals or other pieces, there are lots of companies available that offer these.

Venetian chandeliers are like candy confections.

 

French--simple yet refined.

 

I love the whimsy of these chandeliers by Ingo Maurer composed of notes and poems.

 

Last 3 images from Chandeliers by Elizabeth Hilliard

Mosaic Monday: Let There Be Light

God said, "Let there be light." The French delivered.

 

1. Untitled, 2. Dreaming in Chandelier, 3. DSC02756, 4. Balmoral Hotel, Harrogate, 5. 2389_Versailles_chandelier, 6. IMG_1970, 7. Chandelier in Napoleon's Apartments, 8. Chandelier, 9. chandelier, 10. Ornate Staircase with Chandelier, Louvre, Paris, 11. Swinging from the chandelier, 12. Chandelier, 13. Crystal Chandelier, 14. venezia - doges palace chandelier, 15. Presidential Chandelier, 16. Linderhof (King Ludwig II's bedchamber - chandelier)

Houston....We Had a Problem

This has been the longest week ever of dodging bullets and putting out fires so to speak. The final glitch was a lack of internet service. Looking forward to a new week and a fresh start. I wish for you this weekend lazy days of sleeping late, puttering in the garden, and finally being able to read that favorite newspaper or magazine you've been meaning to get to.

 

Have a lovely weekend!

Beguiling Bedrooms

Having spent the last week and a half moving, all I can think about is sleep. Not just any sleep, but that deep, peaceful slumber where one is completely and utterly unaware. Being a light sleeper, I rarely experience this kind of rapture. I'm still trying to find the bed--french, with the perfect lines, a few curves and a little bit or adornment. I can do without the Frette sheets. Just plain 100% linen and enough fluff to get lost in.

This bedroom looks so peacefully simple. Imagine the breeze blowing through those louvered doors as you nap.

 

(Elle Decor/Photo by Geoff Lung)

Check out the french baskets at the end of each bed. What a great idea and we carry these at Palazzo!

 

(Maison Cote Sude/Nicolas Millet)

Ooh la la! Who doesn't love a curvy french bed? Love the stone wall too.

 

(Campagne Decoration/Stephen Clement)

Blissfully blue and so serene.

 

 

Mosaic Monday: To the Manor Born

1. Château des Bourines, 2. Chateau de Sully sur Loire, 3. Chateau Bagnoles de l'orne, 4. Le château de Launaguet, 5. Chateau de Chillon, 6. Chateau de Chantilly (60), 7. Le Château de Chantilly, France, 8. La vie de château en Normandie, 9. Chateau d'Antoing, 10. Gatehouse at Carrouges Chateau, France, 11. Chateau de Chillon, 12. Chateau Chenonceau, 13. Château in the Parc de Sceaux, 14. Château d'Auvergne, 15. Vincennes medieval castle - Château de Vincennes, 16. Chateau de Cordès

Dead Calm

I am still moving and so exhausted. Every muscle in my body is aching. It's amazing how much crap one can accumulate. I went through my magazine collection yesterday and threw away the ones I no longer felt love for. (Throwing away a magazine is like cutting off my right arm.) There is always so much paper to get rid of. I'm just hoping that at least I have lost a few pounds for all of my efforts. I'm looking forward to calmer waters and sleeping late on the weekend. Almost there! Hope you'll have a relaxing weekend.

Silver Lining

Silver Lining: A hopeful or comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty.

I am moving...again! Just when I thought I had things under control (and maybe that's the problem) Murphy's law takes over. Someone told me that this week would show a marked improvement from the bitterly cold winds that are blowing over California as of late; the sun would be shining and the days would be warm. Well, the sun is shining but the wind gusts make things awfully uncomfortable and I am averse to cold weather. Then there are the minor scheduling glitches that go along with moving. The silver lining? I like the new house. It's bigger and more open and..I can have a small garden! I can't wait for summer. Will it ever come?

Living with Color

Color is mood and magic. It encompasses a range of emotions from the passion of red to the calm of blue. It can lift our spirit, wash over us like a wave of serenity, energize or agitate us. The power of color allows us to create an environment that reflects our personal identity with very little effort and well within the means of any budget. Do you prefer a soothing palette with just a pop of color, a riotous explosion of colors, or no color at all? What are your rooms saying?

 

(British Home & Gardens/Photo Polly Eltes)

  

(British Home & Garden/Photo Ken Haydon)

 

(Country Living/Photo Charlie Colmer)

 

(Australia Vogue Living/Photo Martin Morrell)

 

(Australia Vogue Living/Photo Martin Morrell)

 

(Maison Cote Sud/Photo Martin Morell)