Pied-a-Terre in Aix en Provence

Aix-Kitchen

My friend Lisa, another California who lives in France, invited me to her pied-à-terre for lunch. I had not been to her bird's nest apartment and I knew I was in for a treat. Lisa is full of surprises… she is an interior designer, living in France… Lisa buys old apartments fixes them up and they rents them as vacation rentals. Each of her pied-a-terres that I have seen I have wanted to leave my home and move in.

In-the-kitchen

Her kitchen. God I love her kitchen! But I especially love the view out her kitchen window…

Above-aix

But this one, oh this one tops the cake, or I should say it is the bird's nest I could fly too.
The kitchen window has a view that over looks the clay tile roof tops of Aix en Provence.

Black---white-dishes

Lisa loves the brocante too. Her fave thing to collect is dishes. She is the master or mix and match. Old with new. Black with white. Bold and understated. She gets the prize for keeping it fresh and having her friends mouths drop each and every she invites them over for a meal time.

She also is a good cook.
If I were a guy I think I would fall in love with her.

Kitchen-window

Ah this view, out her window over Aix en Provence

I could just stay at her kitchen counter all day licking bowls.

Winding-stairs

Lisa told me we were going to eat outside, "Follow me the garden terrace is upstairs."

"I am so jealous…" I started, but before I could complete my sentence she said, "Hey Corey can you grab the forks and knives under the kitchen lamp on the counter."

I turned around, went downstairs to get the silverware.

Kitchen-light

Kitchen lamp, a pair, one on each side of the stove. Clever. The kitchen vanity. I love it. The lamps she later told me she found at the brocante and had them refitted.

Kitchen-drawer

The French have the best silverware. I love opening their silverware drawer. Always a feast for the eyes. French silverware is larger than the American pieces. Lisa had the French touch down pat. I drooled over these beauties.

Later she told me she collects them too at the brocante. I should have guessed. I am going to have to tie her up in the broom closet this Sunday…. "No more brocanting for you!"

French-vanilla

After lunch we had ice cream in the living room.

Look how cute this is! Simply feast.

Bedroom

…and while she sat the table I snapped a photo of her looking into her bedroom mirror.
Isn't she clever? The bold colors, the mixing of old and new!

I think I am going to paint my white walls red!



Comments

29 responses to “Pied-a-Terre in Aix en Provence”

  1. I bet her vacation spots are so lovely! Wish I was their! And I am drooling over that view and huge set of silverware!

  2. Love her home and of course, your home, just as much, if not more. I wanted to see her garden terrace…….having lived in a city apartment for years in my 30’s, I love city gardens. How clever people are growing a garden in a city dwelling.

  3. cynthia Wolff

    You have some way cool friends..

  4. Wow, that is beautiful! I want one just like that!

  5. Red walls are wonderful. I painted my downstairs (kitchen, living room) red a few years ago and every time I come downstairs they make me smile.

  6. What a beautiful nest and great friend.

  7. I love the view from her kitchen window. It reminds me of the view we had from our window in the B&B in Carcasonne. Amazing! The peek in the silverware drawer was a treasure too. Oh how I would love to shop the brocante with you or with Lisa. In my dreams I am there.

  8. Eileen @ Passions to Pastry

    Oh sigh…. I can hardly think of a better way to spend an afternoon. You can take me on a tour of her pied-à-terre anytime! And the Thursday market at Aix, as well.

  9. Karen @ Brayton Homestead Interiors

    oh, lucky you to have such a friend, I am in love with that apartment! Love your bolg too. thanks for sharing
    Karen

  10. I have been away, this is a treat to return to. Gonna email you with news gorgeous Corey !! xx

  11. Miss Robyn

    would you like to come to my home for lunch? can’t say I can offer views like that, but it would be fun!.. the views would be more of the australian bush.. I wonder what your magick camera would make of that 🙂 xoxo

  12. Fiona Mc – Australia

    Corey, What a gorgeous home.
    I love where your camera goes… You see what others don’t and show the beauty in the norm.
    True sign of an artist!
    It’s so nice to see the world through creative eyes.
    Fi

  13. This was just fun to see! Thanks for sharing and brightening a cold Minnesota day!

  14. Shelley Noble

    Quel modèle! Some know how to live life!

  15. Cheryl at Casual Cottage Chic

    Fabulous views out the kitchen windows! Any other of the rooms have similar fab views? Next time you visit, do snap some pics of her garden terrace. Merci!

  16. Wish I were there! As opposed to here:
    “Area struggles to recover from paralyzing snow storm / State, counties declare disaster emergency”:
    http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10037/1034109-455.stm

  17. herhimnbryn

    What a beautiful home. We have painted one wall deep, deep red. As th sunlight passes over it , it changes hue throughout the day. I do like my red wall.

  18. What a fantastic nesting spot!
    How wonderful to give french apartments some love and then share them!
    I’m getting some ice cream now…
    annie

  19. What a beautiful apartment. I have studied every photo and I never realized how beautiful terracotta roof tiles are and the view is so charming. I also would love to see photo’s of the roof top terrace. xxx

  20. Her view is amazing!!! She seems like a talented wonderful friend!! Another treasure you found in France!!

  21. AmyKortuem

    You mean people buy things OTHER THAN dishes at antique shops? I guess I get distracted by the beautiful green of the FireKing Jadeite and see nothing else, all day long! Love the apartment!

  22. Just the stroll I needed today … .
    a lovely post!
    It would seem we both have red on the brain-
    I just posted my first post for a month of
    RED –
    do stop by and take a peek.
    Judith

  23. Natalie Thiele

    What a spectacular home. What great taste! I love the beautiful marble counters with the elegant lamps AND that cute little timer!

  24. Corey, Where is Lisa from in California? What a beautiful spot. I Love the French Silverware. I just polished the few spoon I have left of my grandmothers silver, to use as tasting spoons. They look beautiful in a mineral water glass on my countertop. Your post makes me want more. Thanks for the tour.

  25. What a lovely way to live, fixing up and renting out these lovely apartments. This is so sweet. Her lunch on the terrace sounds heavenly with those views!
    Sherry

  26. What a view! I could just stare out that window forever. Thanks for showing us this wonderful home.

  27. Wyshmoor Interiors

    As a well travelled Interior Decorator my self I am jealous! I have lived in many countries but not France and it is my dream! At least I can decorate to create the look but cannot achieve that beautiful view ! Some day I hope to be able to live and shop in France for even a brief period of time.

  28. Muncie Hansen

    you are so fun corey. i just love you!

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