29 June 2010

Whiling the Summer Away, Elegantly


For a little Provencal magic in your garden this summer, look no further! Celebrations take on new importance with these sheltering canopies and tents defining your space and creating an undeniably chic and festive air. You can almost hear les cigales chirping and the warm gentle breezes ruffling the fabric as you and your guests relax with un aperitif under these magnificent structures and while the glorious summer hours away.

the Baldachino canopy in lemon yellow
framed with bamboo

the Giostra tent in the festive red and white stripes
of summer

I love this intimate little spot created
by "Umbrello Rettangulare"

this gauze linen and iron structure with chandelier
create luxurious elegance by the sea

the ultimate elegance for a special occasion is this
wooden and bamboo structured tenting

Your collection of miniature orange and lemon trees, topiary boxwoods and lavender plants will attain that je ne sais quoi ease and elegance when potted in these authentic Provencal containers. From the elegant and stately square box planter derived from the orangeries of Versailles, to the modern, minimalist zinc containers that complement the natural elements so beloved in Provencal gardens and homes, you will evoke la cote mediteranee.


your boxwoods never looked so chic!

the Vase d'Anduze first appeared in Provence
in the 16th C. under Henry IV

simple and chic terra cotta pot
in brilliant red enamel adds such
elegance to this entryway

zinc pots work with modern, sleek gardens
and architecture and look fabulous
with textural plantings

the square box "caisse de Versailles" is
a classic for smaller citrus trees; originally designed
by Lenotre to open for storing trees indoors
in the wintertime

small limestone benches with fleur de lys and lions

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pavilions, tents, planters and bench all available at



the unforgettable Abbye de Senanque with lavender fields
in full bloom, near Gordes, in Provence


26 June 2010

Midsummer in the Forest


She had always wanted a home of her own, a sweet sanctuary she could furnish with lovingly chosen things that didn't cost the earth. She wanted to create a small visual feast just for herself and to have things exactly how she wanted. So she found an old hunting cabin deep in the forest and transformed it into her little haven:


once a neglected old hunting hut, now
transformed with Victoriana and white paint

she made every square inch count, from the
bookshelves under the eaves to the
wire-front cupboards


a downy sleeping loft under the rafters

the simplest of arrangements: foliage from the
forest tucked into clear glass containers of all kinds

those raspberry colored mud boots could not be
more charming on the little front porch

see the enchanting story of how she used salvaged, found
things to create her tiny Victorian cottage in the Catskills on
a shoestring..it's a fascinating story!





perhaps a midsummer's celebration
in the forest? what shall we
choose for dessert?


apricot ice cream with
nut crust?

violette cassis ice cream?

petits choux?

berry meringue tarts with mint?

rhubarb sables with strawberries
and orange?

recipes here at Marie Claire Maison

(in French, you'll have to get
Bardot in Blue to translate them, she just finished school
in Paris last month!!)







24 June 2010

Flowers of Sayulita



"Interior by an Open Window" by Raoul Dufy

Staying by the sea at Casa Gala in Sayulita, Mexico I loved the tropical flowers growing wild in our courtyard. Now I'm not a painter, but there were some painting supplies around, so I tried painting a few in acrylics. I don't think Raoul Dufy needs to run scared or anything, but they're kind of nice...do you think?

I know, I know, I won't quit my day job! But this week I'm so busy I thought I would share my little paintings with you to let you know I'm still here...and very grateful that you are reading this! Un petit cadeau!

not sure the name of this beauty
by moi
ginger flower by moi

blue tropical flower
by moi


"Anemones" by Dufy



I love his signature, so strong and graphic


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Please...feel free to download and use!




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for help designing your home or event, call or email me


kit@kitgolson.com

650.302.6883


Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design



22 June 2010

Simply Thrilled : Chic Provence Named in Top Five Blogs in San Francisco!




Alongside such luminaries in the design scene as Grant K. Gibson "the Blog", Katiedid, Porcelains & Peacocks, and The Adventures of Tartanscot, I am thrilled Chic Provence is included in the lineup of the top five San Francisco design blogs by San Francisco Magazine! The list was chosen by the amazing and gracious Diane Dorrans Saeks, famed writer of twenty design books and innumerable design and lifestyle articles, editor on many publications and blogger of The Style Saloniste.






***

More about the lovely Diane Dorrans Saeks. Diane has written the following books..I am quite certain you have at least one of these on your shelves. She has an amazing reach in the world of design and travels the world over absorbing culture, design, images and history and bringing the latest design trends and hottest designers into the spotlight from her unique perspective. And I happen to know she is a fabulous speaker and real-life guide through the best of the design ateliers here in San Francisco..her Saturday workshops are amazing!






Be sure to listen to Diane's interview last week on The Skirted Roundtable! Click here!


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So there! You can see why I'm honored and thrilled!
A huge THANK YOU to Diane!




............................



Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design


21 June 2010

Rosita Missoni Chez Elle


You know her clothing line, so you will understand completely why Italian fashion director Rosita Missoni has created a whirlwind of mad color and pattern throughout her 1930's Milanese apartment! I find it energizing, vibrant and exciting, and a little bit inspiring. I love the modern departure from tradition and the utterly sophisticated, Italian, no-holds-barred attitude.


stunning poufs in gorgeous colors from the Missoni Home Collection!


Sometimes I think it would be refreshing to just take everything out, paint all the walls and floors white, and bring in these exhuberant colors and pieces. Some of the patterns from the current Missoni Home collection follow below.

Could you live with this much pattern and color? What do you think?


in the dining room, blond wood danish table and Hans Wegner chairs are enlivened by psychedelic print cushions and dishes, both from the Missoni Home line..the walls are painted white, the better to show off the watercolor by Ottavio Missoni, the striped commodes, the Gio Ponti red chandelier and the resin floor designed to look like venetian terrazzo


supercharged colors and graphics mix well together; on the walls above the
sofa in greige linen and silk, framed drawings by Ottavio Missoni create a tapestry; glasses on the gold-leafed coffee table and pillows in tulle and poplin are from the Missoni Home line


handmade works of art by the Missoni's as well as patterns from the famous
brand adorn this space where Rosita sits


in the bedroom, above the bed hangs framed fabric in geometric motifs designed by Sonia Delalunay; it works perfectly with the Missoni Home graphic striped linens on the bed; next to the bed is a Philippe Starck chair customised for Missoni

images from Marie Claire Maison

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deep aubergine color and twine ball vases


playful and sophisticated floral motif wallpaper
carried out in the pouf


playful and modern chairs in fabulous colors
on ruby wine rug


Missoni loves to mix patterns; here florals
with stripes in bountiful presentation


just in case there was any doubt before, now you can
be quite sure that FLORALS are "in" this season!


this magical setting for an evening soriee using
Missoni fabrics and poufs!



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above images are from Missoni's gorgeous current catalog




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Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design

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