Friday, April 8, 2016

~~ How I Found My Style -- French Country ~~

It happened all at once and quite unexpectedly. 
I found it.


My style.
French Country.

So, how did I find it?
Was it in a quaint French market?


No. But I want that basket!

Did I find it in a rocky vineyard in Provence?


Nope but I do love French wine.

Maybe I found it riding a vintage bicycle through the French countryside.


No, but that would have been so much fun.

Here's where I did find it. 
I was staying in a lovely 19th century stone mas (a traditional Provencal farmhouse)
in the little village of Saint Remy-de-Provence. 
Even the mas's name sounded beautiful: Le Mas des Carassins.


After a day of touring the historical sites of Avignon . . .


 and shopping in the antique mecca of L'Isle-Sur-la-Sorque . . .


and visiting the Saint Paul Asylum where Van Gogh was treated
and where he painted many of his masterpieces,


 I returned to the mas to get ready for dinner.
And then, it happened.

I wandered into the spacious dining room and it smacked me right in the face.
Everything in the room was white. 
And soft. 
And warm.
Relaxed and elegant at the same time.
How did they do that?


White tablecloths on round tables, sheer white curtains lifting up in the breeze of the 
open French doors, creamy white dishes, white candles in crystal candelabras and, 
oh my, the old wooden buffet, the curvy chairs, the massive stone fireplace, the waiters' aprons. 
Everything. White.


Love.
It was as if moonlight had been captured in a room. 
Like French angels had descended on this room and bathed it in their luminous white light. 
I know, I know. Sounds like a flowery exaggeration, but that's how it felt.

I'd always loved antiques and things with patina. Crusty, chippy things with a history. 
But I'd never realized there was a name for that style.


Then, in that magical room in the South of France, I knew.
I'd found my style. 
French Country.


Simple. Comfortable. Elegant. 
Suddenly, I felt like I'd come home.


Here's my version of French Country in my own dining room.
Can you tell the source of my inspiration?


I brought French Country home with me to the foot of the Rockies.
Turns out, I knew my style all along and now I know its name.

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Linking with:
Shabby Fu FuThoughts from AliceOur Southern HomeRustic & RefinedDwellings-the heart of your homeBetween Naps on the PorchCozy Little HouseCoastal CharmCedar Hill FarmhouseA Stroll Thru LifeBella Rosa AntiquesElizabeth and Co.Savvy Southern StyleKnick of TimeMaison de PaxA Delightsome LifeHave a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonThe Vintage NestPeonies and Orange BlossomsPoofing the PillowsAdirondack Girl at HeartRooted in ThymeCharm of HomeShabby Art BoutiqueFrench Country CottageThe Cottage Market



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56 comments:

  1. Oh my, I can definitely see your inspiration in your dining room. So pretty and your trip sounds like a dream come true. Also, I can't wait to see your rockers like mine that you found. They really are fabulous to sit and rock with morning coffee aren't they.

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    1. Hello Marty! The trip was a couple of years ago but it still lives on in my mind and in my decor. I want to go back! I'm enjoying my rocking chair!

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  2. What a beautiful trip to have gone on! Isn't it nice to be able to find a name for your style? I love French Country too! (And sometimes Frenchy-French, like formal French with some gilt here and there!)

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    1. Hi Angelina! Thanks for your sweet comments. I know you're a fellow Francophile and am glad you enjoyed my post. Hugs,

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  3. What a heartfelt and genuine post, Pat. What year did you visit France? It all looks so dreamy....

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    1. Hi Rita, I went to France a couple of years ago on a tour for women only. I want to do it on my own next time. Meanwhile, dreaming of Provence!

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  4. What beautiful images and true inspiration for your style. Love the dining room! Happy Sunday!

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  5. Still waiting to learn my style. I think it might be farmhouse. Not sure yet. I use a lot of thrifted items in my decorating, but it doesn't seem shabby chic.


    Please drop by and say hello!
    ஐღLauraღஐ
    Harvest Lane Cottage
    ...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
    on a short shoestring budget!
    ~~~~~

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    1. Hi there Laura. I think our styles are always evolving and some days I'm not sure what mine is either. Seems a lot of styles are interchangeable which makes it nice!

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    2. Hi there Laura. I think our styles are always evolving and some days I'm not sure what mine is either. Seems a lot of styles are interchangeable which makes it nice!

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  6. I could get lost in your photos...You are making it very hard to save $$ on my wish list of DIY projects, now I want to hide in your suitcase to go to Provence!

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    1. Aww Christine. You're so sweet and you're welcome in my suitcase anytime!

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    2. Aww Christine. You're so sweet and you're welcome in my suitcase anytime!

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  7. Hello Pat. I share your enthusiasm as so many of us do. France made a huge impact on me too, and I've been back half a dozen times, thinking I'll somehow get it 'out of my system'. It never happens...lol! What a sweet tale! Mimi xxx

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    1. Hi Mimi. Thanks so much for stopping by to chat about France. I hope it never gets out of our systems.

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  8. What a beautiful way to express your style! Love it. Maybe one day, I'll get to see France! Thank you for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!

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  9. My son has been to France three times; once to Provence. I love French Country too and I love the softness of your room. I sort of have a mix in my kitchen; a little of English-French with toile and a touch of lace with some chickens and roosters. Lots of tea ware on display too. No wonder you felt inspired to bring it home with you! So glad you shared this with us. It's been a lovely visit.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Hi there Sandi and thanks so much for visiting. I think many of these styles mix well. Your home sounds lovely. I like the English-French combination.

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  10. Wow, this post spoke right to me!! Choosing you for a feature next week at Share It One More Time. From one French Country girl to another... love love love this post... :-)

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    1. Wow! Thank you so much. I can't wait to see next week's features. Love your style at Designthusiasm Lory.

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  11. Lovely post! What a dream come true! I would certainly love to visit France one day...although my style isn't French country (and I am partially French, so shame on me) I definitely have an appreciation for anything French! Thank you for sharing!

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  12. Beautiful! That dining room is just gorgeous! I love all the white, but yet it is still warm and cozy. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Pam, thanks so much for your kind words ad for stopping by. Hugs,

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  13. And your style looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing it at Talk of the Town!

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    1. Hey there Angie, Thank you so much. Hope to see you again soon.

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  14. Such a lovely post! I totally dig your style!
    --G
    http://gingerwroot.com

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    1. Glad you enjoyed my post Ginger. Hope you visit again soon. Thanks again,

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  15. Such beauty all in one place. Thanks for sharing with SYC.

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  16. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt, inspiring and beautiful post on how you discovered your French Country style. Isn't it wonderful when the world around us speaks so clearly to us and guides gently along.
    We appreciate you sharing this with us at TOHOT.
    Jemma

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    1. Hi Jemma, Thank you so much for your very kind and thoughtful words. They mean a lot to me.

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  17. Pat,
    Well done, dear one!
    I do believe you've found your style within your heart at the foot of the Rockies!
    Luckily, for you, those in France loved it to!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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    1. Hi There Pat, Thanks for visiting and taking the time to send a few words my way.

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  18. Pat,
    This was a delightful post!....and I can definitely see where you got the inspiration for your beautiful French Country dining room! Found you at TOHOT!
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog

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    1. Thanks Linda. So glad you stopped by. Hope to see you again soon.

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  19. Through your beautiful photos I can see exactly where you found your lovely French style.
    Isn't it wonderful to feel inspired and carry it through in our homes?
    I love that.
    Thank you for sharing this at TOHOT.

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  20. Wow, I think I'm in love too! Your words captured the essence of French Country style so well. I adore how you used your trip for inspiration for your room (you nailed it!!). I'm now following you;came over from the Vintage Charm party.

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    1. Hi Cecilia, So glad you are following my blog. I appreciate it and look forward to hearing from you again soon.

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  21. Yes! Off all the styles, French Country is my favorite too. Our last house was much more that way and I miss it now. You captured a beautiful inspiration pic and I love the things you do in your own house.

    So glad you joined Thoughts of Home again this week. We love having you. :)

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  22. I think we all love French Country...I know I sure do...your dining room is pretty...will you be painting your wooden pieces in there in a French Country White later..? I have the white chairs but a natural wood table in my dining room. I use a black and white French tablecloth on it and love it to pieces. Have fun making yours Frenchy, too. xo

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    1. Hi bj! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. No, I don't think I'll paint the wooden stuff but you never know. Your dining room sounds delightfully French! I'd like to find a black and white tablecloth for the patio.

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  23. It certainly is warm and inviting. Oh how I would love to travel to France some day. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. Your home decor is beautiful. I'm a French country gal at heart too. Finding our style is like breathing a breath of fresh air. Baskets and flowers are staples in my style too. I love your post.

    Thank you for joining us this week at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.

    Olivia
    Reinvented Collection

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  25. I so enjoyed reading about how you acquired your love for all things French, Pat. Your photography is beautiful and the places you've been--oh my! We've been to Paris and took a side-trip to Givenchy (Monet's garden), but other than that haven't seen to much of the French countryside. Would love to one day. Thanks for sharing your passion with us at Vintage Charm!

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  26. This was a fun read and I love your dining room! I am rarely attracted to anything modern / your room is right up my alley :)

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  27. Ahhhh just dreamy!! I love a round table and sheer curtains also....your dining room feels like home to me!

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