My friend Anthony kindly placates me in calling it “your room” – well, at least he does when I am present – for he knows it is my favorite in the house.
A quick left at the top of the first floor landing and the space opens up like a dove being set free from a cage…out towards the elongated windows whose shadows ripple with the bumps of the original glass… through the French doors and on to a wrought iron balcony overlooking the garden, one where I can picture myself balancing a tea cup on the railing while my other hand clasps a long silk kimono, chin aloft.
If this room were indeed mine, I would line the walls with bookcases filled with every kind of book imaginable and pile up faded Persian rugs on the floors. I wouldn’t need much more in the way of furniture than what is already there, save for a matelas for the Empire day bed, a hidden stereo and maybe a tinkling Louis XV chandelier just because the light would be – so – very – pretty.
Without falling into the tattered traps of Miss Havisham, I could be quite content in such a space and might never need to leave.
But for Anthony, this will not be his “only” room for they found that it connects directly to a smaller bedroom through a door that had been sealed off for quite some time. Wisely, the former occupants left the key for the lock on a peg for future use. Isn’t that something? Of course, these days we would have tossed it into a drawer somewhere only for it to be lost for forever. I suppose, when you live in such a house, you tend to think on the long-term.
This little corner of the house also has its certain charms. It wasn’t until I leaned in close to the remains of the geometric wallpaper that I realized that it was Cubist inspired and had been of a very fine make. Now, little is left and the wild stripes of the ancient glue have zebraed the walls in somewhat of a mix between Kelly Wearstler and Keith Haring. For now. Something tells me that this patina might not stay and the sad sink centralized between the windows might come down – even while I can imagine someone long ago quietly washing their hands in it while gazing out at the sky.
Today is an imagination day. Or a day to “fill the well” as Julia Cameron instructed in “The Artist’s Way.” So Remi got out one of his many photography books and I read an article on the life of Ellsworth Kelly; interestingly there was enough overlap in the subject matter so that we were able to have a nice exchange. But I have also been listening to the various birdsong that vibrates through this tiny village and delighted in a lone violet that had been forgotten on the walking path.
Are you taking time for yourself this week? The year is winding down.
Thank you for all of your interest in Anthony and his partners amazing renovation project.
If you missed the initial post, you can find it: here.
With my Best from Provence,
Heather
Such beautiful photos. You are outdoing yourself. That last photo of the scratches on the wall, should be made into wall paper or a painting!
Sandra Sallin
Ooooh – love seeing more of this beautiful house! Love the idea of a secret bedroom, and love the windows and the bit of deco wallpaper – you've captured it all beautifully! I didn't know there was a magazine called "World of Interiors", but I'm with La Contessa – contact them immediately to sell them this amazing story!! As for the year winding down, I'm feeling anxious – I wanted to reminisce and think of where I want 2016 to go but practical things keep getting in the way – I guess that's what happens when you have a small business that restarts on Jan 5th!! (lots of scrambling and panicking). Maybe I will schedule some quiet time for today!! Thanks for the respite with your beautiful post!
Absolutely beautiful and charming!!!!
xo
Greet
What a house Heather, the first picture is magical, love it!
How splendid to have come across a "secret" room.
I'm looking forward to see Anthony's progress with this gem of a house.
What am I doing with my quiet time between Christmas and New Year? Reading, I could read forever!
Happy New Year
Susan.x
Heather, you said you had 500 photos…..I can't wait
Ali
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These rooms are just what they need to be, with the winter sun casting the shadows. I agree that the day bed with some rugs would be quite adequate, if one had a nice stack of books & a pot of fine tea.
oh my gosh…it's like a dream…finding a room that you didn't know was there when you unlock a door long closed. Thank you for fueling my imagination with your blue room rhapsody! And here is one of the sexiest voices I can think of to sing this classic Rogers and Hart song…the first one is Chet Baker singing this song acapella, the second is him playing it on his trumpet. Not sure which one I like better….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TZtwexOeC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ2vkX4HI2A
Hi Heather – here's to your creative 2016 – not sure how you will top some of what you have shared in `15 – but hey it is all magic!!
This world you share is so full of intrigue – the wall paper!! the colours – so much thought and who were the original dwellers? Amazing!
At least two spaces on the walls that I want to frame as is – as is being wonderful.