Parterre - The ultimate provincial shopping experience in Sydney...

If you are looking to build or fill your home with quintessential authentic French Provincial wares, you live in Sydney and money is no object, then Parterre is just about the most ultimate shopping experience you could have.


Located in the gorgeous historic blue ribbon area of Woollhara, east Sydney and is housed in one of the areas oldest sandstone buildings, it features 2 floors and a walled courtyard bursting at the seams with French treasures.

I have yet to visit this incredibly enticing and breathtakingly beautiful store. I dare not at this stage as I fear it will break my heart not being able to afford anything lol, although I'm sure I'd find something ;) I don't think It could be possible to walk out with no money spent, just look at the endless exquisite unique pieces Parterre source from our beloved France and surrounds.

My wish list begins with these divine 19th century olive oil pots from southern France.

I've always wanted a marble top buffet. I'm now becoming quite partial to French grey patina.

I had to show these stunning butterfly displays to Mz Giannetti :)

I'm head over heels in love with these 19th century bifold doors featuring etched glass, depicting women in the four seasons. A mere $16,000 AUD *faints* ;)

Finally, what provincial home would be complete without a limestone fountain?

Take a peek at their extensive website if you dare or better still take a deep breath and visit the enchanting world that is Parterre.

Happiness is....

A French Farmhouse!

image courtesy of country french antiques.

Loving this...

(liolik in France)

Just surfing around google and I found this beautiful image on a foreign blog. I posted a pic similar to this a few weeks back. I am so drawn to shutters painted in this light aqua colour. I love that the iron furniture is painted the same colour to match....lovely!

click image to enlarge.

Enchanting courtyards...

The last couple of posts have got me thinking *ouch* lol, one of my favourite things to do when visiting my mum is sit in her Tuscan inspired courtyard and in summer enjoy the trickling sound of the water feature and in winter enjoy the crackling sound of her chimenea.

Just like my mum, I'm always drawn to homes that feature a courtyard - especially of the european variety ;)

Courtyards like in most busy city suburbs, are a very popular feature in the homes of inner Sydney as most of the houses are terraces and no room for grassy backyards. As you'll see many back kitchens and family rooms have large doors that open out to these spaces and really allow them to become yet another room of the house.

As we are currently in the planning and negotiating stages of renovating our home I would really love to incorporate a french inspired parterre courtyard that our new bedroom will open out to. This will include tall rendered walls, climbing vines, an array of terracotta pots featuring topiary and colourful plants, large stone pavers, stone table, iron chairs and somehow, someway a stunning limestone fountain just like the one below :)

To me, the following pics offer some inspirational courtyard ideas :)

Oooh a chandelier in the kitchen! I love it!

image 1, TBA

image 2, Parterre

image 3, valentino hotel

image 4, International design awards

image 5, French entree

image 6, French quarter house

All other images via realestate.com

A blissful moment...

(click image for an enlarged view)

Country weekend homes was one of the cheapest books I ever bought and after a couple of years still one of my favourites to read. Images like the one above truly make me happy....so simple yet so so beautiful :)