The strong lines and structural materials dominate this
image of the sitting room at Maison Leo in the south of France…
When my children were young, pouring my energy into the garden gave me an
outlet for my creativity, and a way to work alongside them, teaching them lessons
about patience, hard work and reward…
I read copious amounts of gardening literature… learned the difference between
geraniums and pelargoniums, the best lavender to grow for fragrance and cutting,
and how deep to plant herbaceous peonies in a Northern California garden.
Though originating in China and endemic to the snowdrift winters of the upper Midwest,
rumor had it that peonies would set buds in milder climes if planted ever so slightly
closer to the surface to take maximum advantage of any chill that might settle over them.
And lastly, all books belabored the ubiquitous garden terms: softscape and hardscape.
These photos all show the hardscape of interior design…
the hard lines of pathways and vertical interest…
The permanent elements around which drapery and upholstery,
and various small accessories can drift in and out from year
to year…
And century to century…
The Pavillon de Musique de Madame
Avenue de Paris, on the outskirts of Versailles…
Part of the Le Grande et Petit Montreuil estate
Les Pavillons
French Pavilions of the Eighteenth Century
Jerome Zerbe & Cyril Connolly
Recommended by designer Timothy Corrigan via Diane at The Style Saloniste
and checked out from UC Berkeley’s vast library system for me by my daughter Austin…
Previous check out date: Dec. 1999…I have this beauty for month, oh joy….
In Paris the Féau & Cie warehouse is full of preserved and reproduced
boiserie….elements of historical hardscape…
For those of us who have less palatial environs, architectural salvage
can be functional or “installation art”….
I can imagine these gorgeous mirrored villa doors throwing
the reflection of a candelabra lit dining table about the room…
And sometimes a very simple hardscape,
the beauty of an almost bare wall…
can make our treasures stand out even more…
*
Sources: House and Garden (British) Oct. ’09, HG archives,
San Francisco Interiors Diane Dorrans Saeks
Tags: Antique Fabric, French curiosities, French design, 18th century interiors, French Antiques, Rough Luxe, architectural elements, Boiserie, Les Pavillons, 18th century follies, 18th century French design
October 28, 2009 at 8:12 am |
This post is a keeper.
Lee
October 28, 2009 at 9:14 am |
Trish,
You said it that well ‘the hardscape of interior design”!
I think that everyone reading this post will file that stunning mirrored door!!
Greet
October 28, 2009 at 9:47 am |
Oh, my goodness. I nominate this entry for the best interior design post EVER! Theme, content, delivery…You had me hanging on every thought. I think there is a book deal in your future! …someone pinch me…I actually know this amazingly gifted woman??? As soon as I click “Submit Comment” I am going back for another fix!
~Jermaine~
October 28, 2009 at 10:55 am |
You open me to new ideas and inspirations each post. I also am going back for another look.
October 28, 2009 at 11:19 am |
Hi Trish,
Those mirrored doors are amazing….oh if only…….And that looks exactly like my cat Starla all cozy on that pretty bed….now how did she do that?
Another fabulous post…
Take care, Laura
October 28, 2009 at 11:36 am |
Trish-
Interesting to se that bedroom with the cat on the bed.
it was the house of the art director of the book, SAN FRANCISCO INTERIORS…she now lives in Portland.
The Leo house…so very beautiful and sculptural, all light spilling in.
Thank you for these…cheers, http://www.thestylesaloniste.com
October 28, 2009 at 7:03 pm |
I’ve had the photo scanned for a month, just waiting for the right time to use it. The cat adds alot. Completes the triangle of vintage dresser, emblem…grounds the loftiness.
October 28, 2009 at 2:43 pm |
Hello,
Like always you made us dream again
Like the black and white pictures, have them also at home.
Thanks,
David
October 28, 2009 at 6:25 pm |
The staircase image is incredible!
October 28, 2009 at 7:04 pm |
Thank you all for your wonderful comments!
October 28, 2009 at 9:57 pm |
I love the mirrored door, two are still available!
October 28, 2009 at 9:59 pm |
sorry, I don’t know why that did that. My post today showed the same mirrored doors.
http://littlefrenchgardenhouse.blogspot.com/2009/10/cinderella-danced-here-weekly-favorites.html
October 29, 2009 at 12:26 am |
Hello Trish….yours post always are fantastic…….I Love yor Blog………..¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ Berta
October 29, 2009 at 5:15 am |
I stumbled upon Feau & Cie a few years ago in Paris…..an incredible find. The last shot with the cat is pure poetry….