Vicki Archer’s latest book French Essence
has been on my nightstand the last few weeks…
Its red ribbon bookmark slowly moving its way
along her charming storytelling path through
her life in the south of France…
The Chinoiseried walls of the Chinese Cabinet room
at La Mirande in Avignon…
Carla Coulson’s photographs leave an exquisite trail
of Vicki’s travels through narrow pathways in Avignon, St. Rémy,
Aix-en-Provence. Past chocolate shops and florist stalls, a peak inside
Cézannes’s art studio and his favorite restaurant Les deux Garçons…
The art of collecting…
Love the glimpses of Vicki’s exuberant style…
A peak into china cabinets and linen closets, across stacks
of books and perfume strewn vanities, her red jacket
tossed over her desk chair before a wall resplendent with
inspirational French movie posters and photos…
In the gardens of Mas de Bérard, Vicki’s re- christened hot pink climbing
rose “Shocking Semini”…along with tales of white iris’s and clipped hedges,
apple orchards and olive harvests…
Sitting room chairs pulled out into a summer garden…
Convivial…comfortable…fun…
You feel like you’ve been welcomed in for a visit..
A warm winter guest bedroom at Mas de Bérard…
French Essence is a continuation of Vicki’s personal story
from her earlier My French Life…earlier post here
With chapters on collecting, her gardens, the harvest,
views of Mas de Bérard dusted with snow, replete
with the vivid reds of circus tents and Christmas baubles
and a sprinkling of candlelight throughout…
Truly magical…a book to savor slowly…
Thanks for a lovely gift of a book, Vicki! A huge book…double page
photos…my snippets don’t do it justice!
Vicki’s blog here
Thanks to a post Vicki did on Roman antiquity in Arles here
and personal emails, my daughter had a magical detour
through Provence last January on her way to Rome…
Quiet Beauty in Provence here
Antiquity in Provence here
