It was my birthday. I am superstitious about them, childishly so. If they aren’t slam-dunk amazing does that mean that I will be doomed to a year ahead of offness? So it was with a nearing whininess that I wandered through the crowded streets of high season Uzes, a town that I usually adore, after a late and frankly so-so lunch with my honey on the Place des Herbes. I held his hand tighter when I saw that the shop that we had come here to visit was closed for Monday. Things were not going according to plan.
But then Remi made a swift turn and entered into a boutique that I had never seen before. If I have learned anything after living nearly thirteen years with this handsome photographer, it is that the man has pif, he has instinct. Where he goes, I will follow or regret it later.
Those of you that have been reading for any length of time know that I am fascinated by patina. I don’t just find it “pretty” or “fashionable” I also find it…quite meaningful. So perhaps you can imagine my inner leap of joy upon discovering that I was in the Ali Baba Cavern of Yee Olde Beautiful Things. And it is run by a wonderful curator.
Bénédicte Leuwers-Mohr was previously a fashion editor for various European magazines before turning towards l’art de la décoration and we were in immediate agreement on the importance of both respecting creative rights and that of taking time to do things well. I saw first hand how her shaped eye had lead her to make such pieces as a giant suspension lamp built around a vintage industrial flour shifter or folding chairs recovered in fabric that bread had been baked in. Inventive, textural, grounded and quietly stunning. My heart went pit a pat.
She also showcases some of the bright lights of the region – literally in the case of the work of Vox Populi, a personal favorite – and beyond, including the most sumptuous cashmere and yak (yak!) blankets that I have ever seen, which were handmade by a pair of brothers in Nepal.
I believe that I have found a new favorite antiques store in Provence. That Bénédicte is such an interesting host only makes the visit all the more worthwhile. It was a birthday gift for the eyes, one to delight a certain aesthetic and longing for the past, all while opening the door to confidently looking towards the year ahead.
I will take everything, please.
Oh, fabulous! I would be hard pressed to depart without something in hand. And "depuis toujours" is indeed the ideal name for this lovely "trouvaille."
St Quetin la Poterie is the town you are thinking of….just a lovely place!
I love Uzes, it really is my favorite place on the planet. But over the years it has been sad to see it get more and more and more crowded. (on a Monday? yikes) I am only there in May and June, so I miss the worst of it, and my friends tell me that it is dead in the winter, which as a New Yorker, appeals to me. So glad you found this lovely shop, it is one of many where you can lose yourself in the past. and before I forget…HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ( aka backstageopera )
Must have the monumental Jean d'Arc painting and I'm coming back to get it! XXXXX
And I wish you all that you can take of it, even if the 'all' is only delight and memories. That's good enough to start with.
This was all a plot so I could say Happy Birthday to you ! Did you see me wink in the big painting in the first photo? Joan, of Florida …..and Arc.
Could you please wrap up and send over one of those lovely artist-paint-splattered bags for me please?!!
We went to Uzes a long time ago and loved it! I remember a wonderful little nearby town full of pottery…even the road gutters and street sign were made of pottery and the peeling colour-sated walls that lined the laneways were just lovely!
Beautiful patina. Bénédicte certainly has an eye. What a lovely bit of serendipity on your birthday.
I can see WHY!!!
A new haunt……….perfect for the BIRTHDAY GIRL!
Fall is in the air here in Northern California………….I'm not ready but hey as you said, FALL is good too!
Oh, my, oh my! I will take it all, too, please. Doesn't she have a good eye? This is a pure example of why objets are so important to people. I was taught never to say it, but…I want, I want! Beautiful, Heather. How did the end of summer come so quickly, again?