Today I have a nice surprise for you readers- a guest who will visually transport us to her small medieval village near the Roman town of Vaison-la-Romaine. She could be the most exciting French interior design resource you have come across in a while. Susannah Cameron is a devoted Francophile with a successful career in architecture and construction. Based in Provence she and her husband Hugh are uniquely positioned to offer exquisite French décor to the world with their online boutique Chez Pluie. She provides the decorative arts history to position her beautiful inventory into the rich context from which it comes. The back story makes all the difference, and can we ever learn enough? (<–The answer to that would be the one exception to the never say never quote.) Please welcome Susannah- today she will school us on armoires, french glass bottles, wine, wine tables, and the love of all things Louis. So pour yourself a great glass of wine and enjoy Susannah’s decorative arts lesson: [Read more…] about Shop Provence with Me
First Retrospective of Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun,Self-portrait, 1790
Oil on canvas, 100 x 81 cm.
Galleria degli Uffizi, Corridoio Vasariano, Florence (1905)
First Retrospective of Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, France’s Last Great Royal Portraitist, Opens on February 15
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) is one of the finest 18th-century French painters and among the most important of all women artists. An autodidact with exceptional skills as a portraitist, she achieved success in France and abroad during one of the most eventful, turbulent periods in European history. Vigée Le Brun: Woman Artist in Revolutionary France is the first retrospective and only the second exhibition devoted to this artist in modern times. The 80 works on view at the Metropolitan Museum will be paintings and a few pastels from European and American public and private collections. [Read more…] about First Retrospective of Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
A Day at Chateau de Fontainebleau
The Pond Pavillion, built by Louis XIV and restored by Napoleon Bonaparte.
A DAY AT CHÂTEAU DE FONTAINEBLEAU
By Guillaume Picon Photography by Eric Sander
Whether you have visited Chateau de Fontainebleau or not, Flammarion’s book A Day at Chateau de Fontainebleau is a feast for the eyes and a worthwhile adventure, offering a rare view into areas of the château that guests could not personally access.
Nearly a thousand years have shaped this residence of French kings and emperors of every dynasty- Capetian, Valois, Bourbon, Bonaparte, and Orleans. Down the centuries, every passing era has left its mark on the details of this remarkable palace. [Read more…] about A Day at Chateau de Fontainebleau
A Day at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte
The courtyard façade of the château seen from beyond the entrance gate. ©Bruno Ehrs
A Day at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vaux-le-Vicomte is the château that cautions us to beware of upstaging the boss. The unique elements of this spectacular 17th century castle, built by Louis XIV’s infamous finance minister Nicolas Fouquet, set a precedent that would inspire the design of Versailles and be emulated across much of Europe. It was designed and crafted by a dream-team of the finest artisans of the day including Louis le Vau, Charles le Brun and Andre le Notre. Lucky for us, the brothers who manage the estate today have assembled a stunning compilation of archival documents, photography, and history to guide us through a comprehensive tour of Vaux-le-Vicomte. [Read more…] about A Day at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte
Living Newport
photo credit: Kenneth Lindh
Bettie Bearden Pardee is a former magazine editor, Newport hostess and author whose latest coffee table book, Living Newport: Houses, People, Style features the homes and lifestyles of the tastemakers of this “City by the Sea.”
Ms. Pardee served for 11 years as a contributing editor at Bon Appetit Magazine, where she produced the on-location feature “Entertaining With Style.” She is active as a chair of many Newport social events that are staples of the social season. Who could possibly be better qualified to give us an up close, insider view of rarified Newport? In Living Newport: Houses, People, Style, Ms. Pardee gives us a front row seat to the sophisticated charm and social energy of parties, weddings, local traditions and stylish homes that are Newport.
Her book is divided into four seasonal sections, which tells us that there is always something worthwhile going on in Newport.
