Inspired By Life in France

I'm en route to Bangladesh right now, and while I have a bit of time with internet access I thought I would reminisce about all the inspiring things I saw in France - things I would love to incorporate into my life and home.


I was inspired by the colourful flowers in the gardens.  Okay, I do realize that the garden in the photo below is at Versailles and they do everything on a grand scale, but I love the mix of colours - a girl can dream!

I was inspired by the window boxes and planters that adorned everyone's homes.

I fell in love with the amazing pink, purple, and blue hydrangea bushes we saw blooming everywhere we went.  I have an overwhelming desire to run out and plant a hydrangea when I get home.

I was also inspired by the wild flowers growing along the roadsides.  I was crazy about the wild poppies (called coquelicot in France) and would love to plant some of them as well.

I was inspired by all the delicious food and wine and would definitely love to bring more of that into my life.

I have a sweet tooth so the pastries and macaroons stole my heart.  I especially loved the way they were displayed in the shops.  Aren't they divine!

I can't forget the subway tiles.  I didn't realize that the Paris subway was lined with white rectangular glazed tiles, hence the name.  They really are classic and so lovely.  I would love to use them in a kitchen or bathroom some day.

I also was inspired by the lovely soft colours in the florals I saw on a wallpaper in the Napoleon III rooms in the Louvre (seen below in detail and then in a more distant shot of the room),

and the same colours on Marie Antoinette's bed in Versailles.

I was also inspired by the garden chairs I saw in the Jardin de Tuileries near the Louvre.  So simple, so inviting, so comfortable!

Doesn't France inspire you?  It makes me want to add more beauty to my life, to take more time and care with how things look and taste, and to slow down and enjoy life.