Several years ago I spent a few wonderful weeks touring France to celebrate my retirement, the highlight of which was a stay in an old farmhouse in Provence. It had a charming patio that welcomed us each time we came through the gate. I would love to be able to come home to that feeling every evening but I have to be realistic. I just don't have that house to work with as a backdrop! So I have come up with five very easy ways to add that charm without the price of an airline ticket!
1. Create a cozy area for seating
Your patio might not be large but it can be welcoming. A table and chairs invite your guests to sit and enjoy themselves, creating the perfect little area for dining or just relaxing.
2. Layer on linens
The addition of linens and a few simple touches can turn your table into a little mini visit to Provence.
Or even just a placemat and napkin in a pretty Provençal pattern can make you feel that you are having your café au lait in a little village in Provence profonde.
3. Add a fountain
This was the fountain at our farmhouse...a classic French beauty! There's just something about the sound of running water that adds a soothing element!
However, it doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. Here's the little fountain on my patio. It provides the same soothing sounds as its frenchy counterpart. And...Miss Kitty demonstrates that it can even be useful for drinking!
Mine is filled with water hyacinths that muffle the sound a bit but are so beautiful when they bloom!
4. Add pots of aromatic herbs
Miss Kitty would also like to show you the newly planted French lavender. In a few weeks, it will bloom and that wonderful scent that just says Provence will permeate my patio!
I have also added a little mini garden of herbs that I can cut from all summer. Just watering the rosemary brings out its oh-so-frenchy scent!
5. Add a little unexpected frenchy touch
I have an oversized escargot who lives on my patio each summer! Yes, he's missing an antenna and he's grown a little rusty...
...but he reminds me of seeing the escargot crawling on the trees in Provence! No, I am not a fan of eating them but it surely does make me smile to see them!
And that's it...five really simple and easy ways to bring Provence to your patio! I plan to do a lot of patio sitting while the weather is nice and it helps to have a little "pretend" vacation to Provence while I am there!
And if you would like to read about our visit to the farmhouse in Provence, you will find all the details HERE.
Thanks for stopping by! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants.
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for the Show and Share Party , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home on Thursdays, French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday, Tatertots & Jello for the Link Party Palooza on Fridays
See you next time! À la prochaine!
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Deb your patio area is so beautiful and lush looking. Very inviting, love the fountain and the herb garden, you did a great job making it look very French-like!!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are great, the patio and all the French designs to make out garden look like France.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of the items you mentioned, now just have to get them in the right spots.
Mary
I love all of these ideas! Your patio is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely patio and a sweet model. I will be incorporating your ideas in my outdoor space.
ReplyDeleteLove your patio Debbie!....and so love those gorgeous blue shutters...how great that you celebrated your retirement in Provence!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Debbie. I've pinned several and am thinking about how I can implement them on my deck and back yard. Can't figure out how I can use some of those blue, blue shutters from the farmhouse, though! They sure are sweet, but don't know if they would be right on my small, grey ranch.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas as always!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYou have really put French in your beautiful patio/yard. I,too,have assistants that help around our farm.
You are ahead of the season with your ideas and designs.
Thanks for sharing.
Dixie in NY state.
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for creating a little France in our patios... I would love to have a fountain like the one at the farmhouse where you stayed.
Judith
I love all the tips. I can hardly wait to incorporate them in my porch decor!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, the setting for brunch and tea is lovely!
ReplyDelete