Afternoon Delight

For those who came to our containers sales do remember our greenhouse a few years ago. it was use as a storage of packing materials, lawnmower, garden tools and junk. Last spring I wanted to empty it and make it into a sun room, a space to chill out with a glass of wine and a snack in the late afternoon and evenings.  Often we take our friends for appetizers before dinner into our "Orangerie" to use the french term

 

Traditional anduze pots from Anduze South France with olive trees

 

The lamps I made with a pair of 1930's Belgian garden urns

 

The small early 1900 french iron bed i convert into a petite banquette and pillow I made out of old linen.

 

19th century store counter in original paint found in Lyon, France 

Some of the item are still available check our website.

Ile de Ré

 

I try to add some leisure time when I have to drive to antique markets. Last summer when Trinidad came over we took a different route to the south of France where we do the buying for our fall container.

We took the coastal road south till we got to our destination, Ile de Rê, an Island on the west coast of France. Along the Atlantic cost across of La Rochelle. We stayed a few days in Saint Martin de Rê, the capital of the Island. 

The hollyhocks sprout out of every gap in the sidewalks and alleys.

A Touch of Frost

A Touch of Frost

I have been painting furniture for about 15 years, whites in the Martha Stewart period later my color pallet changed to more bold country colors.

Some 7-8 years ago when I came across of some Louis XV Style furniture here in France and Belgium I started to experiment with a different color and patinas. As I drove to antique markets in the Provence and the south of France I got inspired by the colors of the wooden shutters and doors. Light grays, some a little more gray-bleu or gray-green, bleached by the sun. The stonewalls of the houses made a nice contrast with the colors of the shutters. The link was quickly made.  
The Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture that was oak or walnut would become gray. After painting the furniture I put different self made patinas on that gives it a look of aged paint with a touch of frost. 
After all these years I still paint gray tones.

Wonderful French Louis XV table found in Lyon, France

French Louis XV Chest of Drawers

Armoire  Louis XV

Gustavian style painted cabinet

French Louis XV Table

Writing Desk Louis XV

  All pieces above are from previous containers, there will be some pieces in our spring container.