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
I hope that you had some rest, Katherine. We ate way too much…and it isn't finished yet!!
Wait, what rock have I been living under?! That video has 51 million views and I had never heard of them before! I LOVED it. Thank you so much for such an awesome gift, Bill – perfect to jumpstart 2016!!!!
Bisous,
H
You are a wonderful cheerleader, my friend. 🙂
Wow, I am still getting caught up here in the comments section but those are some really fantastic ideas! I love the bouquet of branches especially…And it was evident that the fireplace HAS to work, no? 🙂
That sumptuous green surrounding the fireplace…wow! I have spent the last 45 minutes just taking in these photographs. You are such a talented and sophisticated visual artist as well as writer and, I'm sure, performer, Heather! I rarely am able to delete any of your posts, as I want to keep them at my fingertips. Merry belated Christmas to you, Remi, Ben and Kipling on this ninth night of Christmas, Leslie in Oregon
HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR HEATHER! I wish you and Remi and the doggies a very happy and successful year 2016. May all your wishes come true!
Beautiful post, beautiful images and a great project that you document here. When I saw the overview images of the last few posts on my cellphone version I thought immediately: Those last posts, "Like pearls on a string. So precious"!
In fact, this documentary is precious. (Worth to be kept!) And I love to go slow all the way!
An imagination day. My, but we do need those… Elsworh Kelly. Have you seen his exquisite line drawings of flowers? Not what he's famous for, but so sensual.
Wishing you all a wonderful new year.
xo
What dreamy, other-wordly, images. Just beautiful. I hate the thought of redoing any of this, but it will happen! The walls, the light, the views, and the photos are just enchanting. Looking forward to following more of the renovation!
I hope that you get a bit of a breather, Loree…it is so important at this time of year!
I’m glad the secret room is not for the woman in the attic. Renovation is the enchantment ater discovery. Anthony and his partners should be having one of the fun times of their lives.
May you and Remi have a safe and healthy New Year. I have too many books to read on top of my eCourses assignments.Well, it's a new year.