THE FRENCH COUNTRY SPRING COLLECTION

Today is the day! The sun is shining, I’ve thrown our French windows at FrenchGardenHouse wide open, and the roses are beginning to bloom in the garden. It’s closer to spring!

 

TAKE ME STRAIGHT TO THE SPRING COLLECTION! >

 

It’s time to refresh and lighten our homes, bring in some fresh decor accents, plant new things in the garden and fill at least one vase with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.

Here at home, John and I are re-imagining our back garden borders, trying to decide what to dig up, and what to add. {Our garden – photographed a while ago- is to be featured in This Old House Magazine early this year…so exciting!}

 

Spring is filled with gatherings, and invitations, so I’ve collected some wonderful things with a European flair to bring a gentle spring accent to your home. There are also plenty of beautiful gifts for giving. {or keeping.}

First, I’d like to show you some of the faux luxury floral arrangements in the LES BELLES FLEURS ATELIER.   I get so many requests for more of the permanent botanical accents for your home, that I re-opened the atelier this season.

 

 

Decorating for a new season is all in the details, and there is nothing that livens up a room like flowers. While fresh flowers are ideal, sometimes they are just not practical. I know I have a few spots at home where I love flowers, but it’s too labor intensive {and costly!} to have so many floral arrangements at home.

 

The boutique floral arrangements from our Les Belles Fleurs Atelier showcase the colors of spring and will last long after your garden has faded. I designed this collection to brighten up chez vous with the most beautiful long lasting faux floral arrangements. Our florals bring the allure of “just picked in the garden” French style flowers to your home.

 

CIEL BLUE

 

Hydrangeas are heavenly when they bloom here, as well as in Provence. Isn’t this hydrangea and sedum pot accented with lavender stunning? A small decorative accent that brings joy to your bedside table or vanity, the crisp white pot features our signature decorative golden bee, the symbol of Napoleon, for added beauty.

 

 

 

Timeless Blue and White design, this beautiful Hyacinth planted in a white petite basket will remind you of days visiting the conservatory {la serre} at a French country chateau. The exceptional color of the hand crafted hyacinth flower will charm you for years to come.  Add this to your side table for an instant re-fresh of your home decor. I love these on a spring mantel, one makes my tea set in the living room look very cheerful.

 

LA SERRE

 

Captivating florals imbued with French character bring irresistible je ne sais quoi to your home. Rhapsody in blue, the Bord de Mer channels the timeless charm of seaside hues. Exquisite blue hydrangeas and green sedum are artfully arranged in a French Country white basket together with velvety soft lamb’s ear. Add this stunning arrangement to your dining table or entrance hall console to bring seaside memories of a coastal vacation in France to your home.

 

 

BORD DE MER

 

Different blues, accented by that soft green are perfect just about anywhere! The colors of spring, especially beautiful if you are a lover of Blue & White. This is large enough for a spot on your antique French buffet, your dining table, or entry hall console.

 

 

It doesn’t take much to bring the romance of the garden inside.  This Romance Francaise bouquet brings the soft colors of spring inside, and it’s completely wilt-proof!

 

 

ROMANCE FRANCAISE

 

Beautiful from every side, with elegant soft light pink roses and a cream snowball in a classic glass footed vase. The rose has often been thought of as a symbol of admiration and gentleness. I love how this arrangement looks so fresh and sweet, add it to your nightstand or antique French shabby vanity for a touch of romantic beauty.

 

There are lots more arrangements, many one-of-a-kind, arriving this month to the LES BELLES FLEURS ATELIER. Each one will help you cultivate your personal decorating style with nature inspired arrangements.

 

 

One of the reasons I haven’t been blogging all that much this first month of the new year is that I went to market to source some beautiful things for FrenchGardenHouse. {beautiful things for you, and me!!}

 

While I don’t traditionally sell Easter gift items, I couldn’t help but fall in love with these rabbits that would be perfect for your Easter decor. Our French Country Hare Buckets are always such a hit {sold out, but more coming soon!} that we needed some other hares to keep them company. We are a little crazy about country hares and rabbits.

 

MONSIEUR LIEVRE

 

Introducing our Monsieur Lièvre, a different and slightly smaller version of the country gentleman who sold out so quickly last year. He is a fine gentleman who is clearly in love, as he’s carrying a petit pot filled with Provence lavender to bring to his beloved. A small faux chartreuse egg completes his gift. Ahhh, l’amour in spring! He even sports a jaunty French Country Blue checked ribbon, to further enchance his handsome self.

 

Show him off for spring parties and events, he can be displayed without his finery too. {His pot and ribbon are removable.} He will add cachet to your covered entrance porch, your entryway, your dining room or your sunroom. Made of a weighty composite resin that looks for all the world like weathered cement, little areas of “faux” green moss complete his faux-the-eye details. He’s a fine gentleman, we have an extremely limited amount.

 

FRENCH COUNTRY GARDEN RABBIT

 

I was able to obtain just a few more of these “stone” rabbit busts for your wall. They sold out immediately in the last spring collection, and are no longer being produced. So if this good-sized jaunty fellow captures your heart, grab him now!

He is charming, and quite delightful, and he promises not to eat your lettuces. You will be delighted to display him all year round, especially those of you who have a bunny collection.

 

Detailed and with a rough textured decorative faux stone finish, he will make a statement and grand impression in your garden, in your entryway, front porch, or kitchen. Anywhere and everywhere, he’ll charm you and make you smile each time you glance at him. He looks stunning over your spring buffet. Meant to look like slightly aged stone and distressed for instant classic character. He’s got quite a personality! Display him with flowers and ribbons, or a jaunty bow tie. {Floral not included.} Very limited quantities.

 

 

Many of you know one of the best ways to bring a touch of the new season to your kitchen is with a few small linens, like tea towels, or napkins. I love getting a new apron, drying towels, napkins and oven mitts for every season.

 

I fell head-over-heels for this design line from Europe that has the most inspired patterns….say hello to my favorites for French Country decorating for your kitchen and dining room this spring.

 

 

SO charming, the Stylish Bees design is sure to appeal to your heart, they keep you company while you cook, or do any number of other tasks, on this beautiful cotton apron. {French Bees were the symbol of Napoleon, they represent wisdom and immortality.}

 

On a soft green background {very neutral, almost greige} these bees make a decorative statement.  A handy pocket at the front is perfect for holding your utensils and cell phone while you cook. So well priced, think about giving one as a thoughtful host or hostess gift this season too!

 

STYLISH BEES APRON

 

Sure to brighten your days, the Stylish Bees tea towels have a handy hanging loop. You can also use these as an extra large napkin for “messy meals.” A wonderful host or hostess gift, wrap around a bottle of wine or present this with a bottle of luxury honey! Machine wash.

 

STYLISH BEES KITCHEN TOWEL

 

I love these in our French Country kitchen, especially in the spring! Set your prettiest an table with great flair for your next country club luncheon or garden dinner party. Machine wash. Sold in a set of four.

 

STYLISH BEES NAPKINS

 

Of all the things this season, I am maybe most excited about these gardener’s aprons.  HOW CUTE ARE THESE? Oh, sorry, I know I’m shouting.

Charming as well as practical, this Country Gardener’s Half Apron keeps your clippers and other tools close at hand while gardening. Durable and water resistant, this apron is made of matt oilcloth with a delightful decorative design of rabbits, wheel barrows, watering cans, cabbages and seedlings.

 

Four handy pockets on the front of the apron keep your gardening essentials easily accessible – secateurs, hand tools, pruning knives, spools of twine, rubber bands, seed packets and more. The cotton straps can be adjusted to fit gardeners of all shapes and sizes around the waist. A thoughtful gift for a host or hostess who loves to dig in the dirt!

 

GARDENER’S HALF APRON

 

There is also a full apron, which you can wear at your potting bench, but it’s just as happy when you wear it crafting, or painting some garden post a bright new color.