We love these antique French iron crosses circa the 1800’s! They are rare, heavy, and beautifully ornate made of solid cast iron. These crosses were commonly seen in the countryside of France, where they were used in small churches to mark graves, along roads, or as silent guardians of vineyards. They make a stunning addition to any garden, equally lovely […]
The “fleur-de-lis” (flower of the lily) is a stylized lily or lotus flower. Traditionally representing French royalty, this association arose from a legend that an angel gave Clovis, king of the Franks, a golden lily upon his conversion to Catholicism. In the twelfth century, one of the French monarchs began using the fleur-de-lis on his […]
To honor all the wonderful moms in our lives, all the women who inspire and nurture us, we invite you to come out to the Cottage and create some quality time with your special guest! Have some cider, or a cup of tea, relax in the garden… come see the wonderful blooms in all shapes, sizes and […]
French beading technique of the early 1900’s is famous for its intricate patters made with small glass beads and thin wire. This method was used to produce flowers to display singly or in bouquets, specially in winter when live flowers were unavailable. There was also a custom of creating elaborate beaded wreaths for special occasions, […]
We found some great items on our last trip to France, which we shipped home and are now available for you to see… stop by and feast your eyes on the beautiful objects we bought with you in mind!
In the early 19th century plaster figure making and bronze sculpture were pretty much two separate enterprises. Italian artists sold inexpensive plaster figures as itinerant tradesmen, but as time went on, some of them became specialists in making molds for sculptures. Plaster figures were used to decorate both grand country homes and more ordinary homes. They […]
Perhaps to honor French military hero Marshal Turenne this distinctive dish came into use in the seventeenth century in France. Most of the silver tureens of that era were melted down to finance King Louis’ wars and survived only in paintings. 500 years ago, most common meals in Europe we’re stews, chowders, broths or soups…and […]
In antiquity, the “court cupboard” was one of the most important pieces of furniture in the house. Because there were no banks or stock exchanges, wealth was invested on gold and silver dishes, chargers, platters and cups and these were displayed on a cup-board. Later, enclosed cupboards with vented doors, called almeries or aumbries were used to store leftover […]
White, the color of purity… we go to great lengths to keep linens and towels as white as can be. White is also associated with trust, as in nurse uniforms and bandages… It is also a cool, crisp, elegant color, a la James Bond in a white tux. “She has skin like alabaster, or porcelain,” descriptive words used […]
The mannequin as a design element is very popular. We’ve seen them draped in vintage clothing, adorned with jewelry; even used as a canvas of sorts for whimsical and unique art work. Once only used for creating garments and displaying fashion, dress forms have donned a […]