French Faves

This morning my news feed was full of my favorite bloggers posting about Entertaining in Provence. Filled with fun ideas and tips of how to use what you have to create a similar look, photos of beautiful Provençal rooms & a recipe for an omelette cake, and fantasies of the castles in our mind and what our own homes represent to us, all the posts link to a sale on One Kings Lane. 

The sale is a partnership with the editors of Martha Stewart Living who are turning the Provençal-inspired story from the September issue (I told you it was a good one!) into an exclusive get-the-look sale.  

There are so many pretty things in this sale that even though nobody asked my opinion, I am going to share it here anyway.  :)  Some of my favorites:

1. I've been really into the look of caning on furniture lately so the Virginia four-drawer storage unit popped right out at me. I think it would be great in an entry way filled with all the stuff you need for on-the-go. It's petite enough at 29 x 14 x 30.25 that it doesn't take up much room but still provides stylish storage.

2. The Italian handthrown canister (there are three of these in the sale, all numbered) would also be great in an entry. A neighbor gave me a stone canister a few years ago, and lately I've been thinking a lot about bringing it inside. It would be great for storing umbrellas (or baseball bats and lacrosse sticks).

3. Carolina Beach II. This is part of a trio of photos shot by Big Fish off the Carolina coast. I love the colors and my blood pressure goes down just looking at this serene picture.

4. The Hewitt dining table. Every table in Provence has to be made for a feast. I love the curved legs. They make the table appear so much more elegant than its rustic finish. The interplay of elegant and rustic makes for a more interesting room and is pretty indicative of the Provençal style.   

5. The Philippa chair looks like France to me. And in Provence I think you can get away with mixing the finish on this chair and the natural wood of the Hewitt dining table above. Since I'm daydreaming, I would add three of these chairs to one side of the Hewitt and shop for a bench in the same finish as these chairs. Maybe one with a bright, graphic patterned cushion...

6. This green handthrown pitcher is already in another member's cart--just a reminder that when you want something on one of these sales you have to move FAST! I love the vibrant green, however, and you can't go wrong creating a Provençal setting by mixing in some pottery that could have been used by your ancestors.
 

7. This galvanized ice bucket could be used for so much more than just ice cold drinks. Plant holder, flip flops at the front door, the sky is the limit...

8. These surprisingly affordable chairs ($199 for the pair) are simple and clean-lined. They would be great around a kitchen table or in an entry.

9. One last item since we're talking about affordable purchases. I love this olive print! In the sale, the print can be found on tablecloths, napkins, an apron, dish towels, pot holders, and an oven mitt as well as non-fabric items such as olive oil cruets and small dishes. Prices range from $10-$29.

There are so many beautiful things in this sale, and while many are pricey (my Hewitt table above is nearly $2,500. Ouch!), there are many smaller items that would make perfect splurges or would be great for gift-giving. I encourage you to go check it out because ogling is so much fun!

One Kings Lane requires membership. But signing up is easy peasy and you earn credits when your invitees join too. Let me know in the comments if you have any trouble getting on the site. 

Have fun shopping!