Lavender Fields Forever

Bastille Day in France is a holiday that commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a military fortress and prison, on July 14th 1789; one of the pivotal uprisings reputed to have initiated the French Revolution. The Bastille symbolized the oppression and cruelty of the current monarchy at that time. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were known for their frivolity, extravagance, and disregard for the masses.

‍

The modern day French, however, seem to have repurposed such extravagance as a “gift for the masses”.

‍

I traveled to the South of France for my Bachelorette Party with a group of close girlfriends. Among the scheduled activities (of course there was a surprise cooking class) was a Bastille Day celebration on July 14th. We arrived at an elegantly appointed restaurant on the beach in Cannes. The sun was setting over the Mediterranean sea and an atmosphere of pride and celebration filled the air. We toasted with champagne and enjoyed a lovely dinner as the sky grew dark. 

‍

At 10:00pm, a glittering array of fireworks exploded into the night sky. American music coursed through the venue as the colorful fireworks erupted. I had never seen such an artistic display of fireworks in my life. It was an amazing visual interpretation of the music as each fiery burst seemed to punctuate each note. The synchronized sparkle and score created such a beautiful spectacle that my entire table was brought to tears. 

‍

After the fireworks and the tears (and the additional champagne), our restaurant metamorphosed into a dance party; rife with music from France, the US, and even Israel. We danced through the night until whisked away by the dawn. 

‍

Several days later, I found myself in Provence with a smaller group. I have been dreaming about the lavender fields of the French countryside for many years and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to finally see them during peak bloom.

‍

We drove from the charming town of Aix-en-Provence. Once we began traveling down the country roads, the lavender fields seemed to magically appear. As if we had entered a fairy tale, a sea of purple that extended as far as the eye could see greeted us. The rows of lavender blanketed the fields and cascaded down the rolling hills. We were bewitched by their beauty and heavenly aromas. There were even sunflowers to enhance the already perfect scene.

‍

Once satisfied with our photos and walk through the fields, we set out for the nearby town of Valensole. Having been seduced by the scent of lavender, we strolled at a leisurely pace and stopped at every shop selling lotions, soaps, and honeys.

‍

We had a light Provencal lunch, which concluded with the best ice cream I have even eaten in my life (it was lavender, of course)! 

‍

Then we made our way to the Verdon Gorge; the deepest canyon in Europe, famous for its turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. We rented a paddle boat and set off down the gorge. The limestone cliffs engulfed us and we floated through a sea of tranquility. 

‍

I felt as though I had conquered the French countryside and was ready to make an impulse purchase in the area. A villa in Provence seems practical, right?

‍

Since I was feeling inspired and couldn’t actually buy a villa, I at least wanted to design an imaginary interior.

‍

This blog design is a little girl’s bedroom inspired by my trip. It is replete with breezy floral patterns and shapes reminiscent of the natural landscapes of the region. The branches in the various furniture pieces and lighting are dynamic and call to mind the French blossoms I saw blowing in the wind. 

‍

The vibrant aqua of the Verdon Gorge is brought to life by a Brunswig & Fils woven textile. While the Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallcovering is clearly reminiscent of the hues in the French fields.

‍

The rolling hills and the blooms converge in a lavender refuge. Take a deep breath and smell the heavenly fragrance. 

‍