While this is not an “almost” it is a house that I have thought of since having seen it during one of our trips to the safari tent. How she is begging to be loved and how rightfully she deserves such attentions.
I love the proportions, so similar to those lopsided crayon drawings of what a house could be from our youth.
And yet there are elegant touches, such as this wrought iron railing…
…and a trellis hanging abundant with vines despite relying solely on self-care for who knows how long.
At the base of the house, a fountain of cool spring water pours continuously…
…an echo of the brook that hiccups unabashedly…
…while bringing a jewel-toned garden to life.
And while there are many homes in this tiny village that stand waiting…
…and I am reassured by the treatment of a Front National poster…
…that perhaps a foreigner like myself would be welcome…
…to find my way amidst these winding back roads to something like home…
…for now I will simply sit and dream.
In my mind, I will strip the walls of the scarred stucco and replace it with a slick of lime-wash instead. I can sand the wood, condition it and paint it something simple, pure white perhaps, for this would be a happy house. And finally I would open up the windows, sweep the floors and let in the mountain air to kiss it clean.
Do you see what I see?
PS. I am finally (!) switching to Mail Chimp for delivery of email subscriptions starting with this post. I hope that you will bear with me while I iron out any technical glitches. Once this is taken care of, I can focus on more important things…like writing and photography! Thanks for your understanding…
Gorgeous, Heather (and your lovely words make it even more so). How wistful this home seems – I hope it finds someone to love it, someone with a vision similar to yours. It could be see a beauty. What a lovely dream you've conjured for us here.
Good luck with the Mail Chimp migration – Mr. H. says to just read everything you can Google on the topic, easy for him to say. I figured out why my BIO post was delayed, I didn't reduce the file size of my illustrations. So my error, not something with the program.
Have a wonderful weekend – hope you get to have a nice long chat with your mom! XOXO
Hello! Everyone Dr. Mike is back! And for those of you that read the comments too, let me tell you that I have met him and he is as absolutely charming as his words convey.
Michael, no, this house is far too far away (in the Averyon!) for us but I do love the style of it.
I will look forward to taking a drink with you on the place in July!!
Sending my very Best until then,
H.
Merci Dr. Mike for the compliment and for answering Leslie's question. If I could have reached those groseilles, I would have eaten them – just like edible bijoux!
Leslie, to tackle 🙂 your questions in order: yes, definitely. I know that many in Arles are being "kept" but not lived in as they are part of an inheritance – or sometimes people are fighting over a property as part of an inheritance. There are many empty buildings here.
Yes, there is has been a drastic shift to the cities in the past 30 years. Actually before that. Many villages lost their men in WWI, many. Then more in WWII. So there are entire tiny villages, called hameaus that were left – plus as more people work in industry over agriculture, it is not surprising.
No, I know nothing about this house. The garden is next door, divided by the brook.
And Mike took care of the last question for me!
Bah, of course you would be! Bon Weekend…
Exactly. Especially where did they go? I can picture the rest but not that. Have a lovely weekend Jennifer.
Jackie…I am terribly behind on all of your posts! It is not for lack of interest, simply for lack of time. You know how much you make me dream just as I know that we share our love of imagining our future homes…Glad you are home safe and sound. Although knowing you two, you are most likely planning for your next adventure!
It is amazing what little details can start us on our daydreams…sigh…how much better made everything used to be!
Coucou Jacqueline. Ah, I see I am not the only one… 😉 For us, it is the ruin that I have written about a few times outside of Uzes. It is in the middle of a vineyard and so…entirely unrealistic…but that doesn't stop us from dreaming every time we return. The house above was in the Averyon – so remote! – but with a similar feel to the Cevennes save with even MORE trees…
No my friends but wouldn't it be lovely to think so? And oh, how I can see your beautiful art collection and rugs and tables set for tea in that house with its big open rooms…not to mention how the garden would bloom in your care!
Joan…this response just left me breathless. You are one amazing lady.