A converted farmhouse home in Provence

This wing of a farmhouse was converted to a home in Cap Canaille, between Cassis and Marseille (which, as the highest maritime cliffs in Europe, looks absolutely stunning). What I like most about converted farmhouses are the proportions and the interesting shape of the spaces that have to be transformed into something liveable. (photos from House and Garden Sept. 2009)

A special shop in Paris: Astier de Villatte

Last Tuesday I returned from an inspiring and delicious week in Paris. At the suggestion of this lovely blogger Leigh, I used this little book, by the blogger/ stylist extraodinaire Pia Jane Bijkerk, as a guide to find many of the places I wanted to go see. I would certainly recommend this book if you want a glimpse into some special places!

The last day I was there, I decided to make a trip to Astier de Villatte. Though it was out of my way, and on a street where I had absolutly no other ambitions (swanky Rue St. Honore), I went. And I was so glad I did. The shop is gorgeous. I read that the shop is in the former home of Napoleon's silversmith, and so it has kept an 17th century-feel: dimly lit with are low ceilings, uneven floors and small doorways. It's such a charming place, but not in the manufactured sense, you know?

Piled high on tall antique dark wood bibliotheques with are the stacks of white handmade pottery in perfectly uneven and beautiful little shapes. Some embellished, and some completely simple- these are a joy to look at. The pieces look handmade, and I loved them all. The small bowl I chose as a souvenir of my trip now sits in my kitchen window and makes me happy every time I see it.

French home in the Paris suburbs

I loved April's issue of Marie Claire Maison! So many inspiring spaces. Here are a few photos of the home of Christophe and artistic director Valerie. They used flea market treasures here found at Clignancourt, and they made cushions and coverings with textiles from the famous Montmartre fabric shop, Marché Saint-Pierre.  Their terrace is my favorite space of the day, likely because I'm dreaming of terrace-friendly weather! (photos from Nicolas Matheus in Marie Claire Maison April 2010)

Hand-stitched home of Aurélie Mathigot

Aurélie Mathigot is a visual artist who takes sewing to a new level. She embroiders, knits, stitches and crochets coverings for objects and colorful decorations, and her touches are visible all over her home! (Look closely at the piano in the first photo!) She says her art is an expression of the idea of recovery (a theme, I think) and the need for talking about everyday objects in another, new way. (Photos by Eric Flogny in Marie Claire Maison, April 2010)

p.s. I see that Famille Summerbelle has also posted about her this month. Take a look at their blog for some more photos.

Ina & Matt: a Dutch design team

This one below is actually a birth announcement. Click the photo to see it larger.

I do enjoy seeing what designers from other countries come up with because they start from such a different vantage point than my own. I was introduced to the work of Dutch design group Ina & Matt on this lovely blog.  They are Ina Meijer and Matthijs van Cruijsen, architects and designers who have created and designed everything from barns in the country to restaurant concepts to corporate events and birth announcements.  Their style is relaxed, primitive/country and colorful. Check out some of the spaces they've designed on their site to see more.

More eclectic nests from Milk Deco

These photos are from the Gramercy Park, New York City home of Carin van der Donk, owner of Sons and Daughters a now-closed East Village shop.
**About that interesting ceiling chandelier in the first photo- it is a special order from Lindsey Adelman using hand-blown bulbs. If you like that, you simply must check out her work here. Her lights are amazing!





These four photos are from the home of Laurence Gautier and Gabrielle Soyer, in a suburb of Paris. They fill their house with souvenirs from their flea markes and antique store hunts. The article says the house is just not big enough to hold all their finds! Hmmm, I know how that feels, although my house is much smaller.





This set of five photos above is from a French visual artist's home in Tangier. Yto Barrada grew up in Tangier and says she has her grandmother's sense of style in that she loves "antique flowers and lace, collecting dresses and fabrics, accumulating and juxtaposing."
And I thought this little old-fashioned sleeper couch was interesting. The photos was from a home in Utrecht. (all photos from Milk Deco Issue No.3, Oct. 2009)