We live in a small village outside of Marseilles, it is over a thousand years old. Yes, over a thousand years old. A section of Roman road… (History) has passed through this village, down our street, in my house and where I stand.
The house where we live is called: a "MAISON DU VILLAGE," which means it is not a castle, nor a bastide. A maison du village type of home is a house that is located in the center on the village, has at least three floors, and shares stone walls with other homes. The stone walls are about six feet thick. The rooftops are like a patch work quilt.
This is the view outside our bedroom window. We are fortunate to have a garden. But it is a fish bowl garden because our neighbors look on to it.
Our shutters are Taupe color green.
In a French village, in the heart of the village, the streets are often narrow. The tiny street we live on is narrow like this. If I stand in the middle of the street, stretch out my arms, rock back and forth… I can touch the walls on either side.
It makes for good insulation. (Our home is heated by a fireplace and is very warm.) Parking is a challenge, carrying one's groceries from the car into the house is a natural work out. Packing in antiques or a clawfoot bathtub takes PURE, CRAZY EFFORT!
In the south of France, Provence, the French Rivera… the exterior walls are colorful. Shades of melon, peach, apricot or golden apple, mustard, autumn corn. The roofs are made from clay tiles called: Tuiles. The interiors of the homes are often more subtle in color as the exterior are vivid with color.
The Provencal sky is stark naked blue most of the time.
Fountains are everywhere. Our village boosts of 16 or 17. This is a stone throw from our narrow street. The rod iron bars, on the fountain were used to place the water jug to collect water for the household.
The stone fountain is smooth like marble from history of conversations that have taken place there while collecting water.
Colorful Shutters are a Must.
History and culture and everything in between is evident in a French village. In the villages the exteriors do not change drastically. The interiors well that is another story.
The bottom part of our home use to be where the pigs lived. Way before my time. 400 years ago it was transformed into a house. (Then remodeled 15 years ago by the previous owner.) So now the bottom part of our home is a kitchen and living room. Gives a new meaning to Hog Heaven doesn't it?
Details fo a French village. History speaks, passages of time is evident, a sense that life continues to continue no matter what happens.
This is part of our kitchen. Though I love the 19th century tiles they are very impractical, as well as the chopping block. I want to change the kitchen, but at the same time keep it true to the spirit of the house.
A real challenge for someone like me who would like to have very large counters, zillion of cupboards, drawers, and more than two electric plugs.
Imagine carrying everything down the long, tiny street. Fun-o-la!
Isn't this a darling tie back for shutters. Most look like arrows. I think these are the most charming by far. Our house has them. I often think the person who added them had very good taste, and was totally into details. I try to imagine her or him when I think about the remodeling of the kitchen.
Antiques I saw at an antique second hand shop while looking for kitchen ideas:
I do not think I will put in a counter in the middle… I like the idea of a kitchen table in the center. (This brand new one is made to look old.)
Buffets like this (1900s to 1950 though styled to look like another period.) are easy to find and inexpensive. They are brown oak, but I prefer them painted. The brown oak ones cost around $600 or less.
Armoires in this style (called Henri II and Belle Epoque) are also originally brown oak. They two are very easy to find and cost about $500 or less. Though I would rather have something older.
French country table (1900s to 1950s styled to look like an older period.) Are everywhere and cost the price of firewood. A dime a dozen. Of course some people like to paint them. They sit six and if you take the leaves out they can sit up to 10 to 12.)
I bought this one. Lovely as is. A steal deal too $20. But it is not a kitchen item… I often get off track in this shop.
This is our kitchen (click to enlarge it) The beam or hood for the stove is very low and since French Husband, Chelsea and Sacha are normal height (Six foot to five nine) they bang their beetles on it when they cook.
I am a shrimp so it is smooth sailing for me. But I want to take it out.
Okay I am rattling on about nothing today, just shooting the breeze. What type of kitchen do you have? If you could change it would you? What is your advice to me about remodeling our kitchen. ( DO NOT SAY LEAVE IT ALONE or you will not be my BFF.)
Note: Click on photos to enlarge.
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