You are the ray of sunshine in my life;
Flowers bloom in my heart each time we are together. . .
I shutter to think what I would do without you.
~unknown
Oooh . . . lala! J’adore French shutters! Aren’t they simply charming?
While shutters served utilitarian purposes over the centuries — keeping out inclement weather and providing protection from the enemy — I think they add so much spaciousness and beauty to homes. Don’t you?
Many of the shutters in southwest France are typically painted gorgeous shades of azure to a robin’s egg blue. Most frequently, the paint pigment used in these shutters is derived from the woad plant — a softer, earlier “sibling” to indigo.
The woad paint and dye are very durable and help protect the wood from the ravages of insects and weather. Wouldn’t it be positively charming to have shutters painted these lovely shades of blue?
Will you stroll with me through a few French villages in the southwest Mediterrean region? We can admire and enjoy the charming shutters together .
What are your favorite shutters?
You may also enjoy these other recent posts:
French Dreams at Chateau Dumas.
Inspiring Beauty at Chateau Dumas.
Estivales du Chapeau {hat festival in France
POST NOTE — Upcoming Millinery Masterclass!
Another Millinery Masterclass is scheduled at the superb 18th-century Chateau Dumas September 26-October 3 in southwest France! Even if you have never made a hat before, the adventures of hatmaking under the expertise of former Royal Milliner Dillon Wallwork are not to be missed!
The tutor is former Royal milliner, Dillon Wallwork who for nearly a quarter of a century designed hats for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales as part of the team at world famous milliners Philip Somerville.
So whether the goal is a chic shoulder-spanning hat to turn heads or a coquettish cocktail hat with a mysterious veil, or something much more practical . . . Toulouse is the starting point, Chateau Dumas the luxury base and Dillon the expert. As Dillon says: “A well-chosen, stylish hat works wonders. Whether it’s men opening doors for you, getting a table at a busy restaurant or just keeping warm in winter, wearing a hat gets you noticed – people will say ‘Who’s that?’ Men just love to be with a woman in a glorious hat.”
rose cottage gardens and farm 