collecting.....Antique Gilt Wood, Water Gilt, Gold Leaf

 The first time I saw the difference between water gilding & gold or gilt leaf, I was in Parma, Italy at a large antique market. It was in the mid 1990s, a wonderful and very knowledgable antique merchant showed me the difference between the two different creations. While both are beautiful, a true antique water gilded object has a glow & a depth of gold that delights your eye. I know I fell in love with the art of water gilding that day, in Italy in the stall of an Italian merchant. I can still see his hands as he turned the carved water gilded frame to show me the differences & the beauty of the art. I would find many fabulous objects from this merchant, Mr. Antonio, he delighted me on each visit with his tales of growing up the son of an Italian art dealer, I always felt I had learned more from him than any art history course.

The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt", when applied over wood, it's called Gilt Wood.

If gilding is on wood, the surface was often first coated with gesso. "Gesso" is a substance made of finely ground gypsum or chalk mixed with glue. Once the coating of gesso had been applied, allowed to dry and smoothed, it was re-wet with a sizing made of  glue and water. Water gilding, which allows the surface to be subsequently burnished to a mirror-like finish, the gold leaf was layered on the gesso and left to dry. Water gilding in the Old World was quite an art and has a glow not achieved from simply applying gold leaf. Sharing with you a few examples of gilt wood...

Collection of mounted Antique Gilt Wood Crosses...

Fabulous setting from bellafayegarden

Antique Gilt Wood Altar Pricketts...

Beautiful Gilt Architectural Putto in Paris...

Gilt wood Sunburst Mirrors from alexmacarthurco.uk

Pair French Bergeres from Bella Cottage...

Beautiful French Gilt Wood Bench from Bella Cottage

Antique French Gilt Wood Mirrors from Antique Diva...

18th c Carved Gilt Wood Angel or Putto from 1st Dibs...

Cheers...until next time!

in love with...Lavender

Lavender....one of my all time favorite plants...I love everything about it...the color..the smell and the way it seems to overtake your senses, when viewed growing in fields of southern France. I picked up a few pots yesterday & I knew I had the subject for my next blog.  Living in southern Cali, we get it early...the garden spot almost sold out by early afternoon....lavender pairs so beautifully with my French finds...I use it often through its season. I googled searched lavender and I found Lavandula (common name Lavender) is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. I remember having lavender jelly in Provence for the first time several years ago, it was delicious & a gorgeous color. I love it in pots, dried & in cuisine...Sharing with you a few of my fave lavender finds...

love the lavender in this vintage urn from dear lillie...

the lavender fields are beautiful & smell heavenly...

the color is intense blues & purples...

Rue 27 Maison

beautiful & fragrant lavender adorns a votive...

al fresco in the fields...

delicious lavender jelly....

lavender cookies...via matochvanner.se

fig & lavender cake via ascensionkitchen

always refreshing lavender lemonade...

lavender fields in Provence...

beautiful urn with lavender...via Mayflower

charming setting...foto via Sheenalu

Cheers until next time....♥

the beautiful simplicity of the French Country table....

When I first dined in the countryside of France...I was expecting delicious and  fabulous French cuisine and I was certainly not disappointed...every bite was heaven! The delight of dining in the countryside was not only the food, but much more..the relaxed ambiance, the perfect...imperfect. I love the simplicity & beauty of the French country table, simple yet grand at the same time...well worn arms on the chairs & table, freshly laundered beautiful, simple linens, always fresh fruits & flowers...white ironstone plates, antique silver, heavy clear glassware, candles..always stunning & very charming. Each time I have been fortunate to have visited France...especially the countryside, I look forward to the rustic, delicious French meals and  I am always eager to revel in the ambiance of country dining...Sharing with you my joys & pleasures of French country dining ambiance....

love the relaxed feel of this setting...

simple & fabulous...

country French dining...via Crown Cottage

monogram napkins...

fabulous French dining...from Frank Delmarcelle

beautiful French linens...

old Paris dinnerware..via Jean Liu Design

antique cutlery...

french country place setting...

love french white ironstone...

always fresh herbs...

rustic french table...

local wine & cheese...

beautiful details...

Until next time....♥

collecting....Florentine ♥

Florentine...when I looked up the meaning of the word, such a beautiful word, that slides easily off one's tongue...I found the meaning, to be from or related to Florence, as in Italy, one of the most beautiful places on earth or a hand rubbed gilt finish. In the culinary arts, the word Florentine, or the term à la Florentine, refers to a recipe that is prepared in the style of the Italian region of Florence. (delicious) Florentine also is a style from several hundred years ago, a heavy Italian design. The Florentine we see today is antique or vintage from Italy, in wood or papier mache, furniture, boxes, trays, that are very collected. I love seeing florentine trays used in entertaining and they look wonderful on a desk or vanity. Florentine nest tables always are good accents pieces, as is the many styles of florentine boxes. Many times, I have added a folded antique linen napkin and served rolls, cookies, etc.  from my florentine boxes. The large umbrella stands, standing jewelry boxes & the larger chests are more difficult to find. The trays & boxes are very affordable & both  add that Italian country chic feel to any room. Florentine can be colorful as well as neutral with gilt and fit well with many design styles. I love them in my French country home, I have a friend who uses several pieces in a modern setting & it looks fabulous. Sharing with you, some of my fave florentine finds!

Beautiful Florentine Secretary from French Garden House...

florentine finds at Rue 27 Maison

Large florentine chest from  Dream Cottage Chic...

Florentine Standing Jewelry Box from Paris Hotel Boutique...

Vintage florentine trays...

Collection of florentine boxes from Matter of Scents...

beautiful gilt detail on this chest from...A Perfect Gray

Until next time...Ciao!

the simple beauty of French country design...

When I first saw the curve of a French cabriole leg...I was in love! I was constantly drawn to the simple ornate flowing lines of the French style. Every bergere chair seem to speak to me, even more so, when the fabric was simple and lightly worn. I have often wondered why I never tire of the country French neutral look. Possibly its because for me,  some of my favorite things, beautiful flowers in confit pots, leather & vellum books and antique altar sticks seem to blend so effortlessly with French country living. Possibly it's because to me its both poetic & lyrical, whatever it may be my love affair continues with French ♥

love these French country chairs with that beautiful graceful cabriole leg & neutral linen ....from the paper mulberry

there it is, that gorgeous cabriole leg...below a fabulous room, neutral French Country living at its best!

Au revoir, mes amis ♥