La Bastide de Marie

During the summer I spent a weekend in the Luberon doing research for an article. Part of the research involved visiting a Provençal country hotel - La Bastide de Marie.
It is Peter Mayle country and in fact, is not far from the surprisingly unspoilt Ménerbes, the village which he wrote about in 'A Year in Provence'.

La Bastide de Marie is luxurious, in an understated Provençal kindof way. It's set amongst a vineyard, with views looking out to the Luberon hills. The kitchen is open and airy. In fact the morning I was there, a freshly baked tray of madeleines was cooling outside the kitchen, wafting delicious smells over the guests eating leur petit dejeuner in the morning sun.

It was relaxed & friendly and reminded me of similar upmarket hotels set amongst working vineyards, in New Zealand.

Life Book interiors

I've finally updated my website with images of some recent Life Books.

Thanks for your comments on Aalto's home. I've discovered that Apartment Therapy have done a
house tour of his home. So there's lots more images to be seen there.

the real thing - part 3

These pieces of Aalto & Aino glassware had a very different feel from the mass produced ones you find today. The golden hues were especially lovely; the quality of the glass more fluid & natural.

the real thing - part 2

More Aalto goodness with a selection of the light fittings in his home.
The chairs in the second image are from Venice where Aalto & Aino honeymooned.

the real thing - part 1

Whilst in Helsinki, I went on a little excursion on the tram out to the suburbs to find the house Alvar Aalto designed and lived in for 40 years. It was his home and also working studio for many years.
It's a mixture of his well known furniture, vases and lights and also one off sample pieces which never went into production. Alongside Aalto's pieces, are designs from both his first wife Aino - a superb designer and second wife Elissa - also an architect.

These are from the upstairs bedrooms.