Do You Need A Place in Stay in France?

 

If you do - I have found the MOST perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a vacation house in the heart of Provence.   If not – stick around anyway for some beautiful before and after photographs!    The house,   Les Murets, is located on seven acres and has spectacular views of the nearby Luberon Mountains.  It’s a short hike from Gordes, the amazing town carved out of the mountain’s stone: 

 

The town of Gordes – shown above.

How did I find out about this Perfect Provencal House?   It seems that through the years the owners of this house and I keep bumping into each other – in cyberspace.  It’s a small world, as they say – even on the internet!

Where to start?

At the beginning?

Remember this story from a while ago?

 

A few years ago, I decorated a neighbor’s house using whites and aquas from Kravet’s Windsor Smith’s Collection. 

 

On the mantel, I used an antique mirror from Tara Shaw. 

 

But, much to my surprise – another blog wrote a story about this room – and photoshopped a piece of art work right over the mirror – thinking that it looked better.   Read the original blog story HERE.  It turned out the blog with the photoshopped art work was written by the Huff-Harrington ladies – Meg and Ann.  Huff-Harrington?

The bloggers, Huff-Harrington Fine Art, have an art gallery and their blog story using their art with my design made for a good time and lots of laughs.   I actually loved all their suggestions and over the years have gained a keen appreciation for Meg and Ann’s business acumen.  They have mixed a love of art and travel and France and created something quite special. 

What’s the saying? 

“If you do what you love, it’s not a job?”

  Besides the art gallery, there is also now Huff-Harrington Home, a home décor store.   Both the art gallery and the décor store have a strong online presence – and both have storefronts located in Buckhead, Atlanta. 

Huff-Harrington Home is filled with the goodies they find in France and Europe since Meg and Ann spend a lot of time overseas. 

Their new web site has just launched and it’s a thrill to see all their décor wares:

 

Above is just a small selection from their web site.  I’m going shopping there as soon as I finish writing this story!

 

Besides selling art at their gallery and furniture and accessories at their décor store – they also sponsor trips to France – “From Paris to Provence”  - is one of their more popular trips.  It features 3 days in Paris and 5 days in Provence.   There are also painting trips and antique shopping trips to Provence.  More information is found HERE.

The story continues… 

After the blog story about the photoshopped art -

I showed this beautiful apartment in Paris:

 

A totally renovated apartment in Paris, two bedrooms.  French doors divide the dining room/kitchen from the living room.

 

Remember its darling kitchen with the touch of pink check chairs?   Yes, that really is the kitchen.  And yes, you can stay there while in Paris!

 

It’s hard to tell where the dining room ends and the kitchen begins!

Well, it turned out this beautiful apartment was restored by the Huff-Harrington ladies and is available for lease through Paris Perfect HERE. 

Recently, after showing you yet another apartment from Paris Perfect, I was thrilled to learn that in addition to their Paris apartment, the ladies from Huff-Harrington also have a house in Provence that they have been lovingly restoring for the past few years – Les Murets.  The house is also where their Provence trips are based.  And, it is available for lease. 

Ready to visit?

 

Here’s a quick look at its floorplan – if you are like me and are into that sort of thing.

 

There are actually two houses each with their own front door.   The large house features 3 double bedrooms, a small bedroom and a study/single bedroom.  The Petite Maison, or guest house, has its own living room and bedroom with a small kitchen, a bathroom with shower, and a sleeping loft that has two single beds.

 

 

Take me there!  Yes!  This is the charming house, Les Murets, that has been recently  restored.    The lavender means it’s summer there.   So charming!  So romantic! 

The house as it appears today – after a few years of renovation:  creamy stucco walls and a traditional tile roof, French blue wood shutters and stone terraces along with new landscaping. 

 

A view of the side of the house.  The terrace (center section) is where most meals are eaten in the summer and spring.   To the right of the terrace is one of the guest rooms and to the left is the large, two story high living room.

 

 

Over the years, the house has been painted by some of the Huff-Harrington artists.   Here, Sheryl Lott painted the house.

 

 

 

 

BEFORE:   A wall of slider doors overlooked the terrace, which was replaced with French doors.

 

 

AFTER:  The same view of the house showing the front patio with its French blue shutters, creamy stucco, tiled roof, and stone terrace and new French doors. 

 

 

 

Here’s a before view of the terrace – showing the landscaping not yet trimmed.  The trees had blocked part of the view of the Luberons.

 

 

AFTER:  The terrace with its view of the Luberon Mountains.  After the landscaping was trimmed, the view became much more prominent. 

 

 

 

And another view. 

 

 

The view at a fiery dusk of the Luberon Mountains.

 

 

Here – the house was painted, by Nancy Franke.

 

 

 

BEFORE:  Here is the courtyard – showing the area between the main house and the guest house – which is on the right.

 

 

AFTER:  The courtyard today with its freshly painted stucco and French shutters.  The Petite Maison is reached through the door at the right.  The door straight ahead leads to the large house kitchen.   An iron pergola was installed over the terrace with wisteria vines being trained to cover the courtyard in shade.

 

The courtyard painted by Huff-Harrington artist – Nancy Franke.

 

 

 

BEFORE:  The front hall with its sliding glass doors and stone walls.

 

 

 

AFTER:  The front hall in an earlier renovation.

 

AFTER:  The front hall today is half office and half main hall located off the large terrace.  Through the door is one of the guest rooms.

 

 

And today – the front hall overlooks the terrace.

 

The newly installed French doors replace the old sliders.

 

 

BEFORE:  The living room.

 

AFTER:  The living room today!  Notice the doorway between the kitchen and the living area was opened up.  And notice the beautiful newly installed – antique fireplace mantel.  Gorgeous.  I love the balcony overlooking this tall, two story room.

 

 

BEFORE:  The mantel.

 

AFTER:  Today – the antique mantel is now the focal point that it should be. 

 

 

AFTER:  Looking the other direction.  There is a dining room table at the end of the living room.  The large French doors open onto the terrace that overlooks the mountain.  Just beautiful!!!!  Love the décor – simple French furniture in linens and white slips.  Easy to keep clean, especially with guests.

 

 

I love this view of the living room – the corner of the living room.

 

 

 

Here’s an early view of the renovation.  I like this  too!!!  So much!  Today, there are darker gray curtains and colors brought into the décor. 

 

 

 

Sunset at Les Murets’  dining room.

 

 

BEFORE:  The dining room/kitchen, overlooking the courtyard.

 

 

 

TODAY:  The kitchen has been totally redone.  Instead of the dining table – the chairs are set up around the island.  aNow, the French door leads to the courtyard – without the table in the way.  Beautiful French appliances. 

 

 

AFTER:  The island takes the place of the breakfast table, freeing up space. 

 

 

 

BEFORE:  The bedroom downstairs, off the front hall.

 

 

AFTER:  Today, the same bedroom, totally renovated.  The ensuite bathroom is through the wood door.

 

Another view.  This French door leads out to the side of the house.  While the other door leads to the side of the terrace.

 

Love the mirror on the wall!  Pretty bedroom.

 

 

 

BEFORE:  The bedroom at the back of the front hall.

 

 

AFTER:  Through the wooden door is its own bathroom.

 

 

After:  Another single bedroom off the kitchen.

 

 

Upstairs:

BEFORE:  The study, upstairs.

 

 

AFTER:  The study upstairs – an earlier renovation.  Love the art work and curtains!

 

 

AFTER:  And more recently, the same space, converted into an extra bedroom.  The French door overlooks the courtyard.

 

 

This bedroom has a balcony that overlooks the living room – the curtains close off to provide privacy.  Love this room!!  So romantic with both the balconies!

 

 

BEFORE:  The master bedroom, upstairs with its private balcony.

 

AFTER:  Today, the master bedroom.  Love this!!!!!

 

AFTER:  another view of the master bedroom.  So cute!

 

 

Petite Maison:

 

In the guest house – the bedroom and living area are combined.  Here’s an early renovation.

 

TODAY:  And, a more recent redecoration – adding more color.

 

TODAY:  The kitchen in the guesthouse.  So cute! 

 

 

The upstairs loft bedroom in the guesthouse.

 

 

 

 

Here’s a picture of one of the bathrooms – totally renovated.   Love the sink vanity – and the tiny window.

 

 

                      

After an afternoon rain – the view of the Luberons.

     

The swimming pool and pool house.

 

                  

The swimming pool can be heated if you want the water warmer.

 

Like to paint?  Consider taking the painting week at Les Murets. 

 

 

 

The terrace set for afternoon drinks.

 

I love this list of 100 Fun Things To Do at Les Murets HERE.

A few favorite ideas:

#22. Celebrate your wedding anniversary with lunch at Domaine de la Capelongue.

#23. Celebrate it again the next night with a catered meal, at home, and ask the wine merchant in Coustellet to pick out the wine for you.

#74. Go for dinner at the delightful Bistrot a Michel in Cabrieres and walk home, in the moonlight. (Love this one!!!  Sounds so romantic!)

#100. Or, if you are like my daughter Alexandra, spend a week happily at the house without ever leaving the property!    (Hmmm – I’d probably be like Alexandra!)

Still – read the list of 100 things to do – it gives you ideas of ways to have a good time no matter where you are – whether at home or in Provence!!!

 

Dinner set out on the terrace. Just beautiful.

And remember how I told you that Huff-Harrington and Cote de Texas keep bumping into each other?

Here’s this:

Look at this piece of art work Huff-Harrington sell:

  

This painting by Laura Shubert turned up on the Huff-Harrington web site!  Look familiar?  HERE.

 

 

It’s a painting of my living room!  To say I was stunned would be an understatement.  I think Ann and Meg were too!

It seems that someone had given the artist a picture of my living room and she painted it.   When Huff-Harrington saw it – they recognized it and sent me a photo of it! Small world indeed!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The painting displayed at the gallery.  

 

I have never met Ann or Meg of Huff-Harrington in person– though I feel like we have, a million times before!  I guess when you share similar aesthetics, your paths are sure to cross – like ours have over the years – which is what makes blogging all the more fun and personable.

 

A huge thanks for sharing Les Murets with us!

 

To rent either the house in Provence or the apartment in France, go HERE.

And to learn more about their fabulous trips to France, go HERE.

And, now, if you will excuse me, I’m going shopping in Europe – on the Huff-Harrington Home web site HERE right now!

 

Evolution of a Family Room AND The BROWN Giveaway Winners!!

 

I recently made a big change in my family room.   While I was lo0king at all the old pictures of this room through the years, it was just a tad embarrassing to see how much the room has changed.  But in my defense, I think most interior designers suffer from the same illness – the constant changing and updating of a space that never seems to end.

And, we have lived here almost 20 years so some change is inevitable and expected.  …..Sure it is…!!

I started out with taupe walls, white trim, and a gray and white ticking stripe sofa and chair bought from some long ago closed discount furniture store.  At some point, we got rid of that sofa and used a slipcovered khaki linen sofa – along with all red and black accessories and freshly painted yellow walls.  The khaki slips later became white slipcovers – which are the first pictures I have of the room, below. 

 

A long time ago – an old sofa with white pleated slips, yellow striped pillows, wicker chair, old coffee table.

 

And across the room – the small game table and French chairs. 

 

Several changes later – a new sofa and two wing chairs, along with an antique dough table from France. 

 

 

Les Indiennes and brown velvet pillows.

 

 

This suzani covered the wine tasting table that replaced the game table.

 

 

The next big changes: gray walls (Pratt & Lambert Feather Gray) replaced the yellow ones and new curtains were hung.  The curtains were made of a taupe and white ticking stripe, very neutral, with just a hint of color. 

 

 

 

The curtains ran from one end of the breakfast room to the family room.  You can see the pattern in the fabric here – just very muted and quiet.  Not sure why I just didn’t go with plain white linen which I love? 

 

 

 

Another big change came when I added the arched doors w/chicken wire over the bookshelves – which I think helped tone down all the accessories on the shelves.  The shelves made a big difference and, along with the curtains, helped quiet the room somewhat. 

 

 

The last big change was getting the two new side chairs.   Every time I showed this room on the blog – I would get so many negative comments about the furniture arrangement – “your wing chairs block the fireplace” or “the room is not balanced – you need to add something more on the right side” – and on and on.  And, yes, I knew it was all true – so I finally bit the bullet and moved the two wing chairs across from the sofa, flanking the French wine tasting table – and centered underneath the flatscreen.   The two new chairs I chose – from Hien Lam – were purposefully tall and narrow to create a variety of heights in the room.  Their top is arched, just as the sofa and wing chairs are, and they have pretty French wood (Os de Mouton) legs.  That’s sweet Tucker on the sofa!

 

 

Lucy, Tucker, and Micki!

 

But by far the biggest change in this room was the puppies.  For the past two years – we have had 4 puppies here.   First, we had Elisabeth’s Lucy, then our new puppy Micki and we also had two puppies who stayed here quite a bit – my nephew’s two puppies – Riley and Tucker.  And all four are Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!  One of the puppies (not naming names!) chewed up the miniature wicker chair and the wicker dog bed, the zebra rug, and a host of wicker baskets, amongst other things.   Plus, we have had lots and lots of puppy “accidents.”  Thankfully seagrass is very price friendly, easy to clean and cheap to replace.  

 

 

But, the biggest problem became the curtains.  While I love a puddle on curtains of 3, 4 or 5 inches – so did the puppies.  Day after day I would find the puppies laying on the curtain puddles and no matter what I did – I couldn’t break them out of this habit.   After a while, it became a real problem – I had to have the curtains taken down and cleaned, more than once, which actually didn’t really help at all.   They would return “cleaned” with all the puppy spots intact.

 

In order to stop the problem, the curtains needed to be shortened and as long as I was making a change, of course I wanted to make a BIG change – more pattern and color.   Monica – from Custom Creations by Monica – whipped up new curtains in just a short three weeks – before I really even had time to think it all through!

And here is how the new shorter curtains came out:

 

I chose a brown/gray/white toile from Vervain.   I love the way the pattern is so vivid and it really warms up the room.  I was just craving some pattern and color in this room – and the curtains gave me the perfect opportunity to satisfy that itch.

 

The difference the new curtains make is huge – though it’s not as easy to see in the pictures – and the entire room seems cozier, warmer, and more alive.  It makes me want to use patterned curtains everywhere!   I’ve tended to shy away from busy patterns on curtains, but doing this in my own house gives me the confidence to go with more pattern, more color in clients’ houses.  So get ready!!!   Here – you can see how the curtains cover the entire back wall  - from the breakfast room to the family room.

 

Looking down from the stairs to the family room.  As always – I paired the curtains with shades – to hide the dead spot of drywall between the crown molding and the top of the windows.  Also, all the curtains are lined and interlined with blackout fabric – which keeps the sun from showing through the fabric, allowing you to see the pattern vividly.   Plus, the added weight of the blackout lining adds to the lushness of the curtains.   We puddled these curtains only 1/2 inch – so that the puppies can’t lie on the curtains, yet they aren’t too short or skimpy looking.  I don’t ever iron in pleats in curtains.  I like them unstructured and loose and full looking – rather than two stiff looking panels of ironed fabric. 

 

If I want to brighten up the room, I have hot pink linen pillows I could add, but I still like the brown velvet.  Maybe next summer I’ll try the pink pillows.   

 

The toile is Vervain:

 

 

The fabric is Vervain’s linen Doucette in Pewter HERE. 

 

And speaking of curtains paired with textured shades:

 

Mario Buatta’s 2nd Apartment from the early  60s. 

While perusing Mario Buatta’s new design book, this image really struck a chord with me.  It shows his second apartment for the early 1960s – done in all Rose Cummings chintz  and stripes – and antiques.  But, who wouldn’t want this as a sitting room today – with the gorgeous tea table, the beautiful antique chair, the silk covered skirted table, the plant stand?  I would add a rug, and call it a day.  Amazing that this photograph is now over 50 years old, and is it really that far off from something Miles Redd would do today?

Of course the curtain treatment really caught me eye – how perfectly Buatta executed them.  Notice he brought the rod up over the window and placed it right under the ceiling – thereby elongating the view and fooling the eye into believing the window is taller and grander.  He covered up the tell-tale drywall dead space with the ever-chic rattan shade.   And for even greater effect, he recreated the shape and size of the window with the aged mercury mirror behind the sofa.  By mimicking the window, he makes the tiny room look twice its size.

Antiques don’t date, and neither does good design.  And this image just goes to show the anonymous commenter is way off his mark  - who insisted that textured blinds are a product of the south, used only in Texas, by inexperienced designers like myself.  Had to laugh seeing the New York born and bred Mario Buatta using textured shades in the same exact way we do in Houston, Texas. 

Speaking of Mario, I mentioned that we interviewed him on the Skirted Roundtable last month – so be sure to give it a listen HERE. 

 

Buatta’s ageless and timeless look.  His book shows over 50 years of his designs – and it’s hard to say which is his new work versus his older work. 

To preorder Mario’s book – click on the book below.

double click the book to order!

 

And finally:

 

 

 

We have chosen the seven winners in the BROWN giveaway – after Labor Day Sale!!!

As you may recall, BROWN, that fabulous décor/lighting store in Houston hosted a large sale after Labor Day – and ran a contest searching for seven winners in honor of Cote De Texas’ 7th year of blogging.

Jill Brown – besides being so talented and creative – is also one of the sweetest, most giving human beings I’ve ever known.  Truly, she is a doll and a real mensch.

Jill hand picked ten items for the giveaway – and here are the pictures below.  The first place winner will pick the item she wants below, then the 2nd place winner will pick her item, then, the third place winner – and so on and so on until all seven winners have picked their prize.

The first place winner is :    Patsy Fox

Patsy has her pick of any of the ten gifts below.  Once Patsy picks, the 2nd place winner, Jeri Windrow gets to pick her gift – and so on, until all seven winners have picked.

Have I said how much I LOVE Jill Brown?

Here are the 10 prizes being offered by Brown – in no particular order:

 

A pair of cream table lamps with their shades, valued at $450.

 

 

A set of 4 white Palacek outdoor chairs, valued at $1100.

 

 

Black swan print valued at $750.

 

 

Glass cake plate with dome, valued at $235.

 

 

A pair of woven rattan side tables.

 

 

A large, geometric glass lantern.

 

 

Set of Seagrass Baskets, valued at $100.

 

 

A pewter tea set, valued at $750.

 

 

An antique mirror, valued at $975.

 

Charming coil table lamp, valued at $125.

 

 

Six assorted hand-made candles, valued at $180.

 

So – as soon as I hear from the first place winner, we will then go onto the next six winners!

 

Visit BROWN HERE.

 

HUGE SALE AND HUGE GIVEAWAY!

 

 

BROWN – located at 2940 Ferndale, in Houston

 

My friend and shop owner, Jill Brown, is having a huge After Labor Day Sale!   If you are from Houston, or any place nearby, you are in luck!

Starting this Thursday, September 5 and lasting until Saturday,  BROWN, the unique lights, antiques, and home décor store will be hosting an

UNPRECEDENTED and UNPLUGGED sale of old and new, high and low – all one of a kind finds, that BROWN sells.

 

 

Now, this is the best part of the deal! 

This past May, Cote de Texas finished its sixth year of blogging and is now well into its seventh year.  In honor of that – Jill has selected SEVEN giveaways!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SEVEN!!!

BROWN will be giving away SEVEN prizes, all offered from the store.

And as Jill said to me – “the prizes will be nice! Very nice!!” 

hmmmm…sounds so intriguing?!

 

How to enter?

Just stop by BROWN during the sale and enter your name.

There will be a drawing when the sale ends.

 

 

Remember - Be sure to stop by BROWN this Thursday, Friday or Saturday and check out the huge 30 to 60% sale.

While there – register as a Cote de Texas reader and enter the contest for a chance at winning one of the seven prizes.

 

If you don’t live in Houston, you can still shop at BROWN on their 1stdibs web site.      

Here is a tiny example of goods available now at BROWN and 1stdibs HERE.

 

Any questions?

Contact BROWN through their web site HERE or at 713-522-2151