a French home to love in Normandy

How charming is this little house in deepest Normandy.   It is featured in the French magazine Campagne et Decoration, and dates from 1853.   The owners obviously love to shop at the local brocantes and have furnished the property with their beautiful and eclectic collection of  treasure.

I love the soft tones achieved with pale but not white walls, neutral coloured chairs and natural wood for the beams and some of the furniture.

I love the ceiling treatment in this bedroom in the eaves.  The natural timbers and the huge beams are stunning.

A place to feel at home in, don't you think?

all photos thanks to Campagne et Decoration

Read More

a famous French musician's home

Everybody knows Maurice Ravel for his beautiful music.  Not everybody knows that he lived for many years just outside of Paris in a pretty little town called Monfort l'Amaury.  He even composed his famous Bolero there.

He bought this charming house in 1921, and lived there until his death in 1937.  He took personal pelasure in redesigning the garden, and decorating and furnishing the house.  

Today, the interior looks surprisingly modern, with his bold use of colour, and the furniture which today is vintage but then was à la mode.

Today the house is open to the public with guided tours to explain the history.  Another stop for your upcoming tour de France?! 

Read More

a French day out

One of my favourite towns in Normandy is Lyons La Forêt.  Surrounded by beautiful green countryside and forest, the town centre is small and unspoilt.

A great place to drive to for lunch, a little brocante shopping.  A place to wander and soak in the atmosphere.

My favourite spot for lunch?  In the winter the Grand Cerf Hotel

and in the summer, the garden of La Licorne

after lunch a little brocante shopping

and some goodies from the farm shop

My idea of a happy day!

Read More

Restoring old French property

There is something about a barn that appeals to most people.  It can be huge, or modest in size, but it's the combination of the strong walls, the link to the traditional lifestyle and a rural setting that attracts.

For many people, acquiring an old barn and renovating, seems like a economical path to owning a beautiful property.    Economical maybe, but not easy.    To go from this

to this, will never be without its headaches, and heartaches, and misgivings.

What looks quaint and charming, will inevitably prove to be full of woodworm or subsiding, ... or both!

 There are barns and farmhouses waiting to be restored all over France.  Their selling price never seems very high, but when the estimates and bills start to come in, they don't always work out as a very good buy.

Here are just a few that caught my eye, they are easy to find on google images, just type in 'grange à restaurer'.

And if you would like to follow a renovation project through from beginning to end, you'll find this barn interesting

where this sweet young couple seem to be doing everything themselves - a true labour of love!

Happy to be joining up with Tricia's Barn Charm for this post!

Read More

An old french farmhouse restored in style

This is French restoration at its stylish and contemporary best.  Traditional and antique pieces are

 used freely but there is nothing antique to the feel of this family home in the South of France.

From a derelict stone farmhouse, the owners have created a chic, comfortable and modern family home.

They haven't been afraid to use colour (just love the three tones of pink on the canapé),

 they have chandeliers in every room, I'd like to see a little more furnishing in this living room,

but let's say that with time that will happen.

The bedrooms are calm and neutral, showing off the wooden beams and stone walls.

Architectural elements are used for fun, like this mantel simply

 posed against the wall instead of as a working fireplace.

But my favourite space is this dining room, low dark ceiling, an odd mix

 of comfy dining chairs and a long table to share.

photos thanks to Cote Ouest magazine

Read More

lighting the way to a french country weekend

A French country weekend is what I have ahead of me.

A little gardening; a little baking;  a little brocante; a lot of family;  some friends; 

shared meals; shared fun; precious time .....  And maybe not quite so much blogging :)

So here to light up  your weekend are a couple of lamp ideas that made me smile,

Joyeuse Pâques mes amis!

all photos marie claire maison

Read More