Visiting so many family members in France means visiting so many different houses. It’s fun to see how the women decorate, and even to snoop in their closets. Greg’s cousins have some fabulous French clothing!! All of the houses have been interesting to me so I thought I’d write a few lines about each one. Here’s a brief description from the top: Rose and Pierre in Sammeron
An old Farm house, approximately 100 years old, situated on fields of wheat, barely, corn, rye and rapeseed. Farmers are highly subsidized making it a very profitable occupation. The average farm is about 300 hectares. One hectare is 100 meters X 100 meters. The house is sectioned off logically for heat efficiency by doors which separate different living areas of the house.

Helene’ and Gregoire in Romilly-Sur-Seine
This house has an interesting history. Dated back about 120 years, it was one of 5 houses built for the 5 sons of a wealthy textile merchant. So wealthy in fact that he had the 5th largest fortune in France. This particular region was the center of the textile industry in France 100 years ago, the height of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. So the house, needless to say, is pretty grand. Gregoire works in the bank on the bottom floor which used to be part of the house.



The second floor is the kitchen and living areas and the bedrooms are located on the 3rd floor. What I found very interesting is that the spiraled staircase is not within the house. It was more like walking upstairs in an enclosed staircase in a hotel from floor to floor. Only the stair case is grand. It makes much more sense to build a house this way—what a waste of electricity and money it is to heat a staircase!

We also had the pleasure to go up to the attic floor which has not been fixed up as of yet. The attic rooms were the living quarters of the five servants who worked for the family. Honestly, the conditions were pretty swanky. With a bit of muscle and sweat, it would be a fabulous apartment. Except that it has an additional history that is a bit creepy. In the Second World War, the Nazi’s took the roof off and used it as a base to shoot at the Allied Forces. Helene’ has decorated the house very Pottery Barn-esque however she hasn’t a clue what Pottery Barn is. So that’s pretty funny. Unfortunately the town is currently depressed and has been since most of the world’s textile industries have been moved to China. However trendier progressive stores are opening downtown, such as an eco-friendly children’s clothing and women’s clothing store which carries fair trade items and other holistic products which will hopefully bring some life back to town.

Florence and Thibault in Auxerre
It was harvest time for Tibot on their farm. Their family grows rapeseed, rye, wheat and corn. What a beautiful yard it is, with plenty of room for all the kids to run around and drive mini tractors. The kids were barely indoors. You can look out fifteen miles from their kitchen window. They have a pond that is clean enough to swim in, because there is a fresh spring underneath it. What I remember most about this farm house is that all of the walls and ceilings are upholstered. They’re not wallpapered. They’re fabricked. But I don’t think that’s a word. Deva and Kai were elated when they kicked up their feet while lying in bed and discovered how “soft” the walls were! I’d never seen that done before and I found it quite intriguing.

Marguerite and Alain in Tours
This is a fairly new home which M & A have purchased for their retirement years. It has a great backyard and Marguerite clearly has the best spatial relation skills when it comes to decorating in the family. Her sister Rose is the best cook. Helene’ has the most fun decorating—her whole house is cute, especially the kitchen and the children’s rooms. Flo hasn’t decorated yet but I can’t wait to see what she does because her field is interior design. She’s the best at chillin’ out.

Yannick’s Yurt in Poitiers
His house and the visit merit its own separate blog so check in tomorrow!

Marguerite and Alain in Plelo:
This house is in a teeny village, the village where Alain was born. They bought this little house so that they would have a private place to stay while visiting Alain’s parents. (hhhmmm. Now there’s an idea!) So it’s around the corner from mom. It’s a cute little holiday cottage that could do with some decorating. Obviously it’s kitted out with hodge podge from the years, but it’s comfortable and serves its purpose. I must admit though that I’ve considered asking if I could decorate it. Just a coat of paint and some cute curtains and tablecloths to tie everything together would do wonders. Did I mention I’m an obsessive decorator and I can’t walk into a house without noting all the things I would change and remodel if it were mine? Yes, I mentally rearrange people’s furniture so that things fit better and there is more usable space. It’s a crazy curse.

Cheers & Ciao for Now,

Gina