Palazzo

Newsletter

July 17, 2008

Premiere Issue

Page 5

The Charm of Provence

The French style and decorate their homes effortlessly with simple panache.  With unmatched elan, they know easily how to pair the ornate with the minimalist; the old with the new.  The French understand with unerring ability when the grandiose should be mitigated through the power of the understated.

In Provence, the warm climate and the influence of outdoor living is reflected through color and simplicity. Pigments of the earth, particularly yellow ochre, often seen on both indoor and outdoor walls, are a significant nod to the mountains of the Luberon. But creating coolness, light and tranquility are always foremost in consideration. This usually translates in a rather Gustavian use of soft, muted colors--whites, grays, faded blue or perhaps a shot of turquoise for color. Ever present are natural fabrics like cotton and linen as well as a mix of the traditional "indiennes" (printed calicos) produced in Marseille and Avignon. Closer to the Riviera, bright and powerful hues, often against a backdrop of white, reflect the Mediterranean setting.  Bold prints add an exotic and contemporary drama.

Most authentic Provencal furniture is traditionally built of walnut, some with carved motifs.  Painted furniture is also popular--again, in shades of cool grays, putty and whites. How fitting that the divan of the sitting room, called a radassiere, originated from the Provencal word that means "to dawdle, laze about," surely created to relax from the intense midday sun. But with terracotta floor tiles known locally as malouns underfoot, Provencal homes remain cool and pleasant in spite of the heat. 

As with most all other considerations in Provence, homes are decorated in concert with relationship to the land.  The beauty of the landscape and the rigors of the climate dictate choices that do not overpower but rather collaborate with the natural beauty of Provence.

Provencal Escapes

Caroline Clifton-Mogg

Photographs by Christopher Drake

How to....

• Choose a palette of bleached, cool colors--whites, grays, pale blues
• Use natural materials--linen, cotton
• Distressed painted furniture in neutral shades
• Use accessories sparingly in bright hues and mixed patterns for added punch
• Add rustic elements like baskets, glazed pottery and ironwork pieces
• Remember spare and simple--less is more

Paint Ideas - Martha Stewart Collection/Sherwin Williams
Soleil 8186	Parchment 8188	Ramp 8103	Dupioni 8057
Faux Bois 8062	Ocean Floor 8084	Patina 8075	Drifty Gray 8038