Chic & Whimsical Chateau

When I first saw the photo above in World of Interiors, I immediately thought of the whimsical windows of Bergdorf Goodman so it seemed like the perfect follow up.  The unicorns reside in the Chateau de la Goujeonnerie outside of La Rochelle, France.  It was renovated and decorated by the three creative men behind Les Trois Garcons restaurant in London as a getaway retreat but it can also be rented out.  There is nothing I love more than discovering that you can actually stay in a place whose design is infinitely inspiring. This is definitely going on my travel list for 2012.  Anyone else care to join me? 

Peace of Provence

The quote on the Moulin du Jardinier website says it all, "from film sets to the peace of Provence."   The English director of Dr. Zhivago, Sir David Lean fell in love with the 15th-century stone house and restored it and the gardens for his family.  After his death, a young Danish couple bought it from his widow and further updated the old mill house to include a heated pool and even WiFi. They now rent it out so you too can get away from it all.  At $17,000 per week you may not be able to stay a year in Provence like Peter Mayle.  But since it sleeps nine people, you could split the cost for a fun holiday in the South of France.  I'm tempted to recruit eight friends for a holiday.  Anyone care to join me?

Escape Plan

Instead of preparing to hole up at home in New York to ride out hurricane Irene, I wish I had high tailed it out of town.  I also wish America had the entire month of August off like all of France.  If we did, my dream would be to enjoy the pastoral pleasures of a place like Château de Fontenay. It was decorated by Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi who did such a great job, that I don't think I would change a thing.  It's perfect.  And even more so because they don't get hurricanes in France. Hope everyone has a safe weekend!

Photographed by Tim Beddow for Architectural Digest

Pretty in Provence

All I can think about besides moving is that I can't wait to take a vacation after it's over.  A "sit around and read a book all day" type of vacation that is actually relaxing.  I wish I knew Atlanta based designer Ginny Magher because I am completely in love with her 18th-century farmhouse, Le Mas de Baraquet, in Provence, France, and would beg her to let me stay there  I came across it in an old issue of UK House & Garden magazine that I was cleaning out in preparation for moving.  I'm glad I flipped through it before throwing it away because what really grabbed my attention were the gardens designed by Dominque Lafourcade.  If you really want to be impressed, check out this blog post about the before and after of gardens and interior shots of the house.  Dominique's husband, Bruno Lafourcade, and son, Alexandre, who are both architects restored the farmhouse as well. When I buy a farm in Provence, I'm definitely hiring everyone involved to help me too!