I think by now you know I am very fond of our Provencal garden… it is not only a place of beauty, but it is a tranquil setting…. a real escape from reality… and although I fully realise that we live in a world with many complex issues… there is something comforting about spending time in a place that feels untouched by these complications…
I have been pottering in the garden, preparing for guests and my daughter’s birthday party next weekend… you know that feeling… trying to arrange everything, pretty it up, create new ideas… I always start with the best intentions but generally the business of life steps in my way and I resort to my tried and true favourites… A couple of years back I found these little pink glasses that hold simple tea lights and I have been hanging them in the olive trees ever since… They are so lovely when the sun sets…. they wave in the wind and the candlelight flickers across the garden… adding a rosy glow to our evenings… Last year I did mix it up a little and hung them in the willow tree that sits on the other side of the farmhouse… but this year… they are back.. in pride of place, in the garden in front of our terrace…
If you are in the mood to add a little Provencal magic to your garden or terrace… I found these beauties… here… The etched glass with the fleur-de-lys would be heavenly floating in the breeze… or lining a staircase…
or these pretty mirrored glass hanging votives… here… These could be beautiful mixed with the cut glass ones above…
and if you want a rosy glow… because I think we all can do with a rosy glow… click here… Fill them with tea lights… the long burning kind… and luxuriate in the ambience… xv
Great tonality and I like the mood.
Good morning, Vicki!
Like you, I am preparing for a guest that is arriving on Monday. My Provençal style garden of boxwoods is a bit upset at the moment, only because we have some builders who are constructing a fabulous enclosed patio! The French feel is everywhere with only greens and a few splashes of color, complete with a FOUNTAIN. I just hope I can get rid of the sawdust on my gravel and garden by Monday!
Happy party planning! Anita
I can imagine them in the evening, so gorgeous. I like the green ones you linked to as well.
xox
Oh, Vicki, this photo is glorious! Your gardens are inspiring in so many ways. And you are right: it is just because the world is full of complex issues and problems that we need to create havens of peace. Beauty is never a frivolity. It is as necessary as the air we breathe. Lucky for us that you bring so much beauty to our worlds every day! xoxo Gigi
The tea lights in trees are absolutely magical. I have them popped here and there around the patio and terrace. Everyone remarks that they feel so welcoming and make them feel instantly at home. While my garden is no where near as charming as yours, I try to infuse a little Provence to my life, thanks to your inspiration.
Hi Vicki, these past few days getting your posts via email have been bliss! i Can feel the air and only imagine the abundance and fragrance! Can’t wait to see it in person one day soon! Please keep sharing your wonderful world with us!
They are perfect. XO
Your garden looks amazing!
Gorgeous! I wish I had trees in my garden like yours. Love the lanterns and the pink is so pretty.
Xx
Callie
I have an idea of doing something very similar when I move into my new house. I’m looking at going a bit more budget, though. When I want a ready-made quick dessert I buy some sheep’s yoghurt (the lemon kind is divine). Then I clean out the containers and save them. I’ll buy some metal thread, pop it around the top to make a handle, and voilà! If I decide to go for different colours in the end, I can just buy some translucent glass paint.
I’ve loved hanging out in your Provencal garden this week, Vicki. I can just see those pink lights all a-twinkle in the lavender evening light, like fairies in rose colored dresses. Thanks for inviting us in to your little bit of paradise. XO
Vicki…these are such great ideas! We have the most wonderful mercury bottles with wire hangers and an arched window on the side for a tea light…I think they will be coming home with me today to hang in my trees! I love this! And first of all…yes, a Provencal garden is my dream garden! Very soothing and yours is truly amazing! One of these days I plan on visiting! But I promise I will let you know first! Hope your week is going well! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
Tranquil. I love that word and all that it embraces. And to me it also means “simple”. Something as simple as pretty jars or glasses with bits of light reflecting…something so small can create such a feeling and an ambiance so large. I’d love to be in your garden one summer evening. But as that’s not possible, I think I’ll try and create my own simple, but beautiful ambiance!
What a beautiful scene that creates, Vicki. It’s unfortunately too mosquito-y to do much outside in Minnesota right now, but I love the idea of you having after-dinner drinks under this tree!
So lovely. I am drinking in the beauty.
Because I receive your posts by email I am blessed each day to feel and ” luxuriate” in your words that so beautifully share things you see, experience and create. Thank you.
These are wonderful. The set with the Fleur de Lys reminds me of the pretty votives you sent me for Christmas when I won your giveaway, Vicki. Thank you again. These are great suggestions. As for the photo of your provençal garden, well… it is beyond words, even though I know, many readers will express how magical it all looks. Félicitations. You have made quite the home in Provence! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Stunning + adore the lights. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
The soft, magical light of votives hanging in the breeze, what a lovely image. Thanks Vicki for a beautiful post and the resource info. so that we may all enjoy these lights on a summer evening.
Vicki,
The pretty pink glass lights are so lovely, the set such a nice mood and ambiance.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Absolutely beautiful Vicki. I was in your neck of the woods today and what a whole different world it is…
Beautiful photo, Vicki, I wish I was there relaxing!
I am LOVING these provencal garden posts, Vicki..thank you for sharing.
Jill Qld Aust
In fact I have made one of the lavender photos my wallpaper. Its to inspire me to get going with MY new garden! The baby french lavender plants are there out the back…waiting patiently for the holes to go in. Surely olives trees should be next??
Those jars are so charming in the trees. I just love those willow trees. Would love to have some in my yard!
After seeing and admiring your beautiful garden this week I went and ordered 24 more lavender 24 plants. I can’t wait for it to cool down a bit so I can get outside to plant them… I know it’ll never look as beautiful as your garden but you do inspire me (as well as others)to create a touch of provence in our lives. Relax and joy your party next week, I’m sure you’ll amaze and impress your family and friends with your festive setting as it’s beautiful.
Wow! Love the tealight holders. They are like little gems hanging from the trees. Beautiful!
Lovely garden stories and images Vicki…I love seeing what you create. Congratulations on your story in this month’s Gourmet Traveller edition on France.
Hello Vicki
Those are magical and remind me of Venice, Italy where the pink globes adorn street lamps.
Wishing your daughter a very Happy Birthday
Helenxx
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it! When something’s as beautiful as this, dear Vicki, it bears repeating over and over again. Have a magnificent time and enjoy celebrating with your DD next weekend.
Vicky,
The olive trees are so old looking, gives a steadfast
feeling, I planted lavender, not doing well for me.
Enjoy your party the yard looks beautiful.
yvonne
You are a master at creating ambience and I am sure your daughter’s party will be magical, Vicki. Those olive trees are something else – so gorgeous. Hope you have a relaxing weekend. xo
That’s truly Beautiful beyond words! Have a lovely weekend xx
Your gardens, in all their splendor make me pine for my days in Vence. I would love to have you to Cape Cod to help me bring some of that magic to my unruly, desperately wanting garden!
This is stunning Vicki. I can just imagine how magical they all look at night. I am inspired to try and create some similar ambience in our garden. Jx
They look so beautiful. I love their rosy hue against the lavender.
~ Clare x