A Home in Provence

Provençal houses are true homes. Warm shades of ochre glow from the walls and roofs, weathered floors shine, and reflections glance off glazed ceramics and strike printed cotton tablecloths. This volume showcases some of the most beautiful houses in Provence, including French designer Edith Mézards home and British designer Terence Conrans former French residence. Images of gold-hued walls, iron balustrades, leafy terraces, and painted shutters inspire in the readers mind thoughts of balmy days in the Provençal sunshine. Aromatic lavender in terracotta pots and almond trees casting shade over cobbled courtyards evoke the magic of Provence-style living. The reader wanders up a stone staircase, past brightly painted walls and across tiled floors, through a variety of rooms ranging from a sun dappled kitchen to an ornate drawing room and shaded bedroom. From plain rusticstyle benches and beds to delicate walnut armchairs and elaborate dressers, all the painted and polished accoutrements of a Provençal home are featured. A section on ceramics and glassware explores the world of the Provençal potter and glassmaker: the materials they use, their techniques, and the distinctive styles of decoration are all described and illustrated in detail. And from tableware to what lies beneath, we trace the exotic history of Provençal textiles and explore a variety of traditional flower-print fabrics and intricate quilted and furnishing textiles.