Vivez Bien * Live Well

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Monday Musings : If I were filthy rich...

Via Tumblr


If I were filthy rich.... I'd buy a crumbling ruin like this somewhere in the French countryside.


Via Pretty Stuff


I would restore it...


Via Tumblr

....to it's former glory.


Via Segreto



I would ask Leslie and her team from Segreto to work their magic on the walls.


Collage by Roses and Rust


I would buy beautiful furniture and fittings...


Via Acquired Objects

and I hope Debra from Acquired Objects would supply me with some of her exquisite antique tapestries and textiles.


Via Providence Ltd

I would ask Mona and Talena from Providence Ltd Design to help me put it all together.



Via La Brocanteuse


All the bed linen and table linen would be vintage French from my friend Colette from La Brocanteuse.


Via Etsy

Then once everything was set I would send invitations to all of you to come and stay for a week or longer if you could spare the time.

Via Providence Ltd

I wonder if Mona would lend me her driver to collect you all at the airport... (see here)


Via Louis Vuitton

...mine seems to have mislaid the car!

Via Tumblr

You would be greeted on arrival with French Champagne...


Via Tumblr

... and then shown to your rooms which will look something like this...

Via Tumblr

or this...


Via Crush Cul de Sac


or this... you can take your pick.

Via Segreto

You will, of course, have your own bathrooms along these lines...

Via Pinterest

... or these...


Via House and Leisure

...or these.


Via lacrememagazine.co.uk

After you've freshened up you will all join me for a fabulous dinner party.


Via popyacollar.co.za

After a nice sleep in, we will set off...


Via makingamark.blogspot

...to do some shopping at Brocante like this...


Via allesbrocante.nl

...and this...


Via Eclectic Revisited

... finding treasures like this...


Via Tara Bradford

...and this.


Via Chic Provence

We will have coffee breaks at sidewalk cafe's...

Via Provenceguide.co.uk

...and lunch at restaurants with beautiful views.


Via Travelling Greener

We will have down time, lounging beside the pool...


Via Tumblr

....or spending time in my library which will be filled with beautiful books on decor, architecture, antiques, food, whatever interests you.

via twocherubsantiques.wordpress.com


Some of you might like to do a cooking course...
 via paintingholidaycourses.co.uk
... while others might prefer painting....

Via hoteldevigniamont.com

...or wine tasting.


Via Pinterest


We will of course have many wonderful meals together, indoors or out, and the one thing that is guaranteed is that we will do....

Via suitep.tumblr.com


...lots of talking and laughing!


If only I was filthy rich!

Till next time


Sharon x



Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Simple and Stylish - Sweden meets Africa


What do you get when you mix the Scandinavian style with more earthy African touches?



This beautiful home.

 A Swedish couple settled in Somerset West near Cape Town, built this Cape Dutch style home and furnished and decorated it in such a simple, yet stylish way


The dining room is sparsely furnished, yet warm and inviting.


The African sun streams into the entrance hall.


The kitchen - light and bright.


Love the old kist at the foot of the bed and the wine barrel used as a side table.



Beautiful basins.




The front facade with it's Cape Dutch gable.

See more on Cape Dutch architecture in a previous post here.


Till next time


Sharon x


Image source: here

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Monday Musings : Back from my break and some great kitchens

Via Henhurst Interiors


Wishing all my Northern friends, readers and fellow bloggers a wonderful Spring ...


Via Flickr


and an equally wonderful Autumn to all in the South.

 


We have had a very relaxing Easter break with a few celebrations thrown in. An Easter lunch for friends....


...the table decorated with birds, eggs and a nest...



... my babies turned 10! This beautiful cake was made and iced by their 12 year old brother!


Via Little French Bulldog on Tumblr

My husband and I celebrated our 17th anniversary...


...and our new puppy, Blossom, turned 4 months.

 I'm happy to be back to blogging and I can see that I have lots of gorgeous posts to catch up on.

Having spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen during the holiday's, got me to thinking about kitchens and how one can always do with a bit more space than one has!  Especially when you are entertaining! Here are some lovely, spacious kitchens for you to enjoy.

Via mmmarly on Tumblr

 

Via Visualize

So much space to move around in (you need it when you are sharing it with 2 dogs, 4 boys and a husband!)






Via Luxury Decorating Ideas




Via Indulge decor blog


Love the blond wood and steel windows.



Via Georgiana Design on Tumblr


Love the wide floorboards, grey cabinets and chairs.



Via Design Chic


Love all the counter space and absence of overhead cupboards.



Via Atlanta Homes Mag

Love everything!



Source unknown


Love the oversized clock and subway tiles.




Via Tumblr

Just gorgeous!



Via Tumblr

I will be back soon with another South African home to show you.

Till then...


Sharon x