Celeb Best Blog

After years on the look-out for an old barn to restore in the French countryside, the Henaut family stumbled across 3,000 sq. metres of vacant land just outside the pretty village of Orgeval. Wanting to build a house with soul & one that remained sympathetic to the region, they found Orleans-Eurobat, a Company that specializes in the design & building of regional architecture.

After two years of work building the house & completing the interiors, the Owners were very happy with the result.

The Great Room has oak beams which have been left raw & a nineteenth century mantlepiece. Neutral furnishings give the room a relaxed, informal feel.

Chouquette, the guardian of the house chills out in the Great Room.

A custom-made cabinet, with mesh door inserts, houses books & also doubles as a cocktail cupboard.

The farmhouse is spread over two levels - the Great Room, dining area and kitchen are downstairs & upstairs are the bedrooms and bathrooms.

In the kitchen, the Henry II buffet, a family inheritance, has been covered by a thick oak top & is used as the centre island, surrounded by designer chairs. Raw oak beams have been used again, but this time are white-washed. From the kitchen French doors lead out onto the terrace which is lined with old cobblestones. Herbs, roses, lavender, hydrangeas and boxwood all in large planter boxes, thrive in the sunlight. Then beyond, lies the large garden.

The Master bedroom is nestled in an alcove upstairs & the bed is covered with crips cottons & a sumptious velvet throw.

Two old mirrors & a linen covered storage cupboard complete the pretty upstairs bathroom.

An ancient & somewhat battered oak door has been converted into a closet, complete with fine wire mesh inserts & a delicate half-curtain. The Owners have combined their love of Flemish & Gustavian interiors to create a beautiful home, with all the advantages of a new building, that still reflects the past. This is one of the loveliest new builds I've seen in a long, long time. Do you agree?

Images: Campagne-Decoration

I do love a Residential Cooking School & La Mirande Hotel in Avignon, Provence has a wonderful curriculum! I think a group booking for interested Hedgies would be very much in order.

Originally a 12th century palace for the Cardinal of Pellegrue, the current owners the Stein family will welcome us to their beautiful boutique hotel.

A sympathetic blending of 18th & 19th century styles, let's explore a little before heading off for our first class.

The entrance foyer welcomes us into the warmth & congeniality of the Hotel.

A discrete welcome & the warmth & attentiveness of the staff indicate that this is going to be a marvellous weekend.

A little peak into one of the Salon's reveal the perfect place to take tea.

Or a welcoming glass of champagne while we plan the next few day's activities.

Then off to the kitchens to meet our Instructors & begin our classes.

The classes take place in the ancient 18th century kitchens & are usually bilingual. Aprons, utensils & technical instructions are provided at the start of the classes, which close with a tasting meal.

We can also choose to do a class & then visit the Les Halles de Avignon market to shop with our Instructor. Or a pastry class to learn the secrets behind delicious brioche & croissants.

A Table Presentation class is also on offer featuring seasonal flower arranging & tips on presenting food & wine in the most stylish & elegant manner.

Here's the convivial Chef's table ready to sit around & enjoy the results of our day in the kitchen.

Then time for a little after dinner cocktail.

Perhaps taken in the Red Salon.

Or outside in the warm night air on the Terrace.

With the warm glow of hanging lanterns creating a gentle ambiance to debrief after our busy day.

Then up the stairs to our bedrooms.

With gentle wall lighting leading our way.

Step inside to a beautiful wood-panelled room.

Perhaps yours has an ancient tapestry, an exuberant chintz or toile de jouy.

With silk panels & matching curtains falling to the floor.

Comfortable soft furnishings & relaxing bathrooms.

Wonderfully comfortable beds complete with fine, crisp linens make lounging around a must.

All the fine details in the chambres reflect the care & hospitality offered throughout La Mirande.

A glimpse of the ancient Pope's palace is seen through the antique glass bathroom windows.

Stunning wallpaper reproduced from ancient woodcuts in the bedroom & creamy carrara marble in the bathroom.

The finest of passementerie are used as finishes on cushions & sofas. Sleep tight!

Breakfast in the morning is taken in a light-filled sunny Salon overlooking the lush, rose-filled garden.

So another fabulous day awaits us at La Mirande. Today Chef Jon Chiri takes us on a culinary adventure of Fresh Morels in Puff Pastry, Parmesan Cream & Arugula Greens. Followed by Roasted Wild Sea Bream & Roman Style Artichokes served with a Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette. Sauteed Cherries over an Almond Crumble & a Fromage Blanc Mousse complete the meal. Will I see you there?

Images: La Mirande

Today I'm wishing for.......

a giant English convex mirror with the original gilding c.1850 to touch up the war paint in

a simple Walnut side table to rest these 2 gorgeous lamps on

a big Fruitwood table to plonk all the extra Christmas food onto

a big beautiful Walnut Armoire c.1850 to hang my clothes in

this delightful carved wood unrestored Rocking Horse c.1900 to run my hands over & dream

a scrumptious complete boxed set of French Chemist Scales & Weights c.1820 to keep MOTH occupied for hours

this English mahogany serving table c.1810 to place my silver drinks tray on

a quirky French Pewter Supier c.1900 for fun

an adorable English George 111 leather-topped mahogany Library Table just because I've always wanted one

oh, those filigree details close-up - yum

French Glass Bon Bon Jars for some oh la la

and this beautiful vintage black lacquer chinoiserie desk to sit my laptop on & blog to my heart's content.

Images 1,4,5,6,8,10,13: Sally Beresford Images: 2,3,7,9,11,12,14: Ros Palmer