{ les pivoines printanier }

Who doesn't love a peony? or a whole bunch of them? It is a little early in the season... peonies generally bloom around here and in Provence in May...but having just returned from our local nursery, I have peonies on my mind. Here is a little sampling of peonies in artistic forms for a little springtime lift to your Easter weekend.

I would love to grow them in my garden, but have not ventured there yet. My friend, Trish Allen of Trouvais, is passionate about her peonies, and has given me some advice. For now, I'll enjoy others' labors of love! and learn all about Paeonia here.  

Trois Pivoines by Sophiecreations

I love this budding peony painting on rustic wood!

Pivoines Printaniers tableware at Caravane

peony'd fabrics from Return to China {Retour de Chine}
...the peony is said to have originated in China

 Peonies Wallpaper  could anything be more cheerful!

 Stunning Peony painting by French artist

 Beautiful Peonies paintings by French artist Sophie Adde; first
discovered her on Hidden in France

this beautiful peony just seems to say: 

"Happy Easter, Happy Spring.
Happy, happy Everything"  

{poem written by my daughter Lisa when she was four years old}

I've tried to credit all art; where I didn't, I could not find the
link... if this is your art please let me know and I will
give full credit for your stunning work

Gorgeous Paintings: Provence

Sometimes all you need is a quick look at a stunningly beautiful late 19th C. French Impressionist painting to make the sun come out and shadows dapple through the branches while the warm breezes caress your cheek. Escape the escalating wintry days. 

This is exactly the feeling I get when I look at some of my favorite Provençal paintings and artists. How many of these do you know, and how do you like your Impressionists?

artist Vincent Van Gogh of white roses in a vase

artist Vincent Van Gogh, of the olive trees in St. Remy

artist Cezanne of les Alpilles

artist Matisse of a still life with gorgeous fabric and fruit

***

You will see some of these artists' works on the Chic Provence Design Tour... come join us!

see details and what happy guests have to say:

download the brochure here  

download registration forms here 

We quickly sold last year so let me know right away 

if you you would like me to hold a space for you!

questions? 

email me

skype me: kitgolson

call or text me:  650-302-6883

In a Charming Atelier Under the Rooftops of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue...

...magic is created by the beautiful and spirited artist Aurelie Alvarez... come with me on a private visit to her incredible atelier, where time stands still while she takes layers and colors and textures and patterns and creates wondrous works of art...for all to behold. So taken was anthropologie buyer Keith Johnson that her work was used for their famous window displays... and countless other clients have been lucky enough to own one of her works.

Influenced greatly by the top floor atelier itself... in her home, which dates to the 15th C....with its peeling layers of plaster and paint, Aurelie's work is a living extension of where she lives in the heart of the ancient village of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France... in Provence, bien sur!  

Steven and I were scouting brocantes for next week's Chic Provence Design Tour when I spied Aurelie's work hanging in one of the very chic shops:  La Princess au Petit Pois.. Laurence invited me to meet Aurelie and within the hour we found ourselves in Aurelie's engaging studio itself chatting with her about her art and her life. She is a most creative and refreshing artistic soul. 

Aurelie's mailbox with its peeling 
ayers of paint gives a hint of
the atelier to come...

one of the first rooms in the rambling, many-room workshop Aurelie is
lucky enough to call her own

a pretty work in progress for a client features vintage wallpaper, paint, pastels

at La Princesse au Petit Pois, Aurelie's lovely hanging meant to be the head of
a twin bed, attracted lots of attention while I was there

an ancient fireplace in her 15th C. home in Isle sur la Sorgue

the largest room in the under-the-eaves atelier

the massive beams dating from centuries earlier, Aurelie thinks 16th C.... make a wonderful counterpoint
to the delicates works for art

many surfaces are covered with Aurelie's work

a collage of samples of Aurelie's lighthearted works

and this is the lovely Aurelie!

all photos taken by kit golson with iPhone

If you would like more information about Aurelie's work, 

contact me and I can help you place a custom order

Sonoma in Early April... the Plaza, a Chateau and a Recipe!

Yesterday we took the route du petit ecolier... and set out to wander the wine region north of San Francisco and Marin County. After meandering up the Valley of the Moon, we found ourselves once again in one of our favorite small towns in the world... Sonoma, California.  With Nicky in tow, knowing that dogs are as treasured and welcomed here as they are in France, we crisscrossed through the square, sampling cheeses and wines, sights and vistas, and, of course shopping. 

And who could resist a stop at Chateau Sonoma, importers of French antiques and goods? Their gorgeous shop stands in for the best of the Paris fleas and the Provençal brocantes...if you can't be in France right now, visit their shop!

vineyards in Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon

hmmm... which way to the Plaza?

 the Plaza at Sonoma is home to the beautiful old Sonoma City Hall

...and since we are all old friends here, yes, this is
my very early interpretation of the
Sonoma City Hall... this tortured acrylic
was my first painting in art class a
few years ago!

have wine will travel... one of the dozens of tasting rooms 
within one city block on the square at Sonoma

 Chris and Nicky wander down one of the side streets 
off the square past the vintage range rover and the bungalows

white wisteria is gorgeous at the Depot Hotel... a chic 
little European style inn and restaurant in Sonoma

a typical bungalow off the square in Sonoma

a window of the Depot Hotel in Sonoma

stunning cactus in front of one of the bungalows in Sonoma

***

 this stunning hot air balloon chandelier hangs at Chateau Sonoma

"le tricolore"  flies outside Chateau Sonoma

this little vignette at Chateau Sonoma places you
 directly at les marches au puce
outside Paris in spirit

wonderful, soulful old carousel horses Chateau Sonoma

I love the rustic chic combination of rough woodland elements 
with the refined and delicate 
Astier de Villate porcelain and Juliska glassware
 at Chateau Sonoma... welcoming springtime!

these sturdy, well made shopping bags caught my eye.. 
who can resist their 
breezy, summer-on-the-Rivier" allure?

the gorgeous old carved wooden crown at  
Chateau Sonoma deserves a place
of honor in your French country home!

in the garden room at Chateau Sonoma lot of old green jugs, 
birdcages andthat wonderful green patina 
on the statue! love the light, too..

the exqisitely detailed 18th c. model of the 
Paris Opera House at  Chateau Sonoma

wonderful old red painted dresser with foxing on the mirror... 
such presence!
want to create that "aged look" 
on your mirror? go here for a DIY  
*disclaimer: I haven't
tried this myself! *

not to be missed event, the French Flea Market by Chateau Sonoma later in May... I will
be there after returning from the Chic Provence Design Tour!  See you there?

***

for a wonderful springtime wine country
simple supper recipe from Cindy Pawlcyn
of Mustard's Grill in Napa,
click here! and invite me over!

Nicky loves baguettes!

since I wasn't planning a blog post, 

most of these photos were

taken with my iPhone;
the really good ones are
from promotional sites
for Sonoma