France and Antiques and Having the Bug

Doorway France

 

Everyday sites.

France is eye candy to my soul.

Candy I never grow tired of.

It is a doorway to my creative inspiration.

Doorways, paths, shops, that I have seen over a hundred times but keep on surprising me with their power.

 

Market in Aix en provence

 

Fruit and vegetable markets that can make my heart pitter patter after twenty some years.

Where worn umbrellas stand against stone facades, on streets that the Roman first paved, places where tourist flock, and tapenade is sold.

Yes indeed, French-ness runs sugar high in my blood, along with a little wine and a few chocolate eclairs.

 

Trocante in France

Old french furniture

 

Oh France you tease! Your second hand stores that tempt me with your old furniture with your ridiculous inexpensive prices, tempting me to buy antiques as an investment, tempting me to stuff silly my garage, and dream of filling a gigantic house where people could come and visit and drool with me.

Old furniture turns me on. Dang, I got the brocante bug, the second hand furniture bug, and the decorative design bug all wrapped up in one, badly.

 

Awning France

 

You know you got the old, brocante, antique, design bug badly when you start to see outdoor awnings as something that could be used above a stove in the kitchen.

You know you got it badly when you want to ring the door bell and ask the owner if they want to sell their awning.

You know you got it badly, when the owner looks at you like you are out of your mind, and you don't even feel crazy when they say, "Are you crazy?"

Bad real bad.

 

Blue skies in provence

 

France.

Facades.

Building with old beautiful apartments, that are in my mind's eye, stuffed silly with old things.

Where the blue skies of Provence, that France is famous for, don't get me going as much as the desire to go inside (i.e. house, barn, shack, garage, chateau, dungeon…) and discover the possiblitiy of seeing another Louis something or other.

 

On the streets of France

 

Cobblestone streets,

Shuttered windows,

My friend's sandals that I pinched from her closet while cleaning it….

Maybe I should give French tours.

Then I could ask French chateau owner's if I could give tours of their homes without them thinking I was crazy for asking to look inside. I haven't asked, honestly I haven't…. but if I gave tours I could.

 

Shutter French happiness

But I would be a terrible tour guide. Because I could see myself talking up a storm with the Chateau owners, looking in their attics, telling them it is no problem I could clean their basement, and sure I could stay for dinner, and help them set their table (just to see their plates) and why not I could pinch a tent in the garden just to eye the fountain… and then when the owners asked me where are the people who you are bringing for the tour? I would have to say, "Oh I left them at Laduree's eating macarons, or at the brocante, or with French Husband, or Annie, or sitting at a cafe in Cassis. Hell, I don't know, I just wanted to visit your house you see."

Crazy.

_________________________

Notes:

The photos were taken with my iPhone. I haven't mastered it yet, they are still a bit blurring but I am working on it.

Books you might like:

 

The Chateau

 

The French Chateau.

 

 

French Country Hideaways: Vacationing at Private Chateaus & Manors in Rural France

 



Comments

34 responses to “France and Antiques and Having the Bug”

  1. Oscar Wild said that the best way to get rid of a temptation is to succumb to it.

  2. Beautiful pictures posted by you. France is really an antique. There is very good furniture at the second hand shop.

  3. HI Corey, on est faites pour s’entendre !! Love the awning over the stove line, great post!
    Sharon

  4. Hi Corey, on est faites pour s’entendre !! love the awning over the stove image, great post
    Sharon
    x

  5. Oh, so love this post, however, I do think you need to have a companion with to be sure you don’t miss anything.

  6. Welcome home!

  7. christine

    Fabulous photos, Corey. I love how you are able to so beautifully share what you see and feel. Bravo.

  8. Yes, you do need a partner in crime, as they say. I will willingly join you and when they see two blondes, they can’t resist. There, you see, done deal. Two is always better than one.
    That awning is wonderful. How do you sleep at night? Your ideas are flowing constantly.

  9. love this post, each photo got my blood racing a little faster.

  10. You know you got the bug ..
    when you live on the west coast and think a 12 hour flight to go the flea market is no big deal
    when you drive through the California vineyards listening to French music hoping to see the Eifel tower around each corner
    when you start each day with “Tongue in Cheek” to get a glimpse of the brocante
    when you keep thinking “Why does Corey say it’s crazy to want to use an awning over a stove? Sounds totally normal to me!”

  11. Nice post. How about a little Louie de Tour de France! A Frenchman leads! The Alp stages!
    Come on.

  12. I would come along with you on this tour and knock on doors. Oh wouldn’t that be fun!

  13. Kimberly

    Corey, I stared at the awning for say about 5 minutes wondering if my husband could fabricate something similar. Simply divine! Blessings, Kimberly

  14. georgie

    This is one reason why you are a dear friend. We think alike!

  15. I dare you to ask if you can buy that awning. I’d LOVE to have it over my door!

  16. Brenda L. in TN.

    LOL! I would sign up for your tours in a heartbeat!
    The awning is beautiful!
    That French second hand store is WONDERFUL!! We have NOTHING like that here!!

  17. My friend told me I was the only one she knew who “shopped” buildings. When we go to an antique store in an old building, I’m commenting on the ceiling, etc.
    Yours is the only blog I’m sure to read daily. I love your approach to life!

  18. annette

    Your pictures are wonderful and I would say you’ve mastered your iPhone. I have one and my pictures don’t look this good. I love all the old buildings they are truly eye candy for the soul.

  19. why do you think i read this blog daily? it is my way to just get a taste of France. it satisfies briefly. Bestest,Denise

  20. Ditto everything so well said… and I’d be with you on the “tour” also.

  21. I just want to touch everything and think about the people that “touched” it or walked on it or sat on it…before me! I especially love the old stone steps that are worn and the old door knobs…Thanks for showing them.

  22. Living the dream, Corey–love it!

  23. Oh, that chair. I want it. I’m so glad that even after 20 plus years France still charms you. I can only dream what it must be like to live amongst all that beauty. I love your life!

  24. great minds think alike and i think just like you…hey come on by…I’m having a
    giveaway to pimp my etsy shop.

  25. mmmm we think alike. I would love to be a mouse in one of the houses and just meander around.
    Love the photos as always.

  26. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I’d go on your tour. Would even happily be left behind [eating macarons, or at the brocante, or with French Husband, or Annie, or sitting at a cafe in Cassis] if you’d then let me tag along to see whatever buildings you’d just chatted your way into.

  27. no Laduree, no lavender fields … I’m going with you on the tour and cleaning the basement.
    You’re a very lucky girl!!!
    That commode and the chairs … I want to cry … why I’m so far away :((((

  28. patty g

    Such a passionate and wild post! Intoxicating want to go with you eventhough I do not share as deep a passion for old things!
    enjoying your adventures from home-

  29. Michelle M in KY

    My dear Corey…
    I truly believe that you are on to something. As much as you love brocanting and everything French, who better to have as a Tour Guide. You could open a bed and breakfast…buy a bigger home, filling it with antiques you’ve found at the brocante and then have blogger friends all days of the week. Truly, wouldn;t that be a kick in the pants!!! I think it’s a great idea and something you should give some serious thought to. I mean, people are already coming to France to sightsee, to visit you, to have you be their matchmaker. There are a lot of possibilities. Think if the fun, the shipping, the cooking, the conversations, the photos! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Come on girl…I think you are definitely on to something!

  30. I believe every word. *smile*

  31. I’ve just got back home to Malta after 2 weeks in Provence, with one glorious week staying at La Madone, courtesy of your friends Nathalie & Jean-Bernard; apartment ‘Baroque’! I miss it dearly and your photos today remind me of those brocante bug moments (which a Ryan Air size suitcase won’t allow me to indulge in!). Oh, if only I could move to France one day. Hubby loves Italy more, but we’re probably heading back to UK for my son to go to school…so, for now, it’s still the odd holiday in France and your blog as a reminder. Thanks Corey!

  32. Elizabeth

    I am in love with those chairs, the ones with the cream linen and beautiful wood!!! how much would those be in the second hand store?? I love reading your blog everyday, thank you so much for sharing!!!!

  33. Love your blog!!! Love those orange chairs!!!! Love it all!!!!
    Rita

  34. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Just saw this article where the author describes how “As an innocent ploy to get a tour of a spectacular 80 room mansion in Salisbury, Connecticut, I told the realtor we were starting a design academy called TGU (Touch Greatness University).”
    and it made me think of your post here.
    http://view.designcommunity-hub.com/?j=fed511717764067d&m=fe9915707463077577&ls=fe6416707660037d7012&l=ff60107876&s=fe9017767462047a7d&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe891c737161007470&et_mid=512020&rid=3616078&r=0

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