A tour client, who has become and friend, blog reader and a “Le Trip France” Facebook “liker” (how do we say that now?) asked me over on Facebook about typical colors you find in shutters and awnings in Provence.
The pictures are so beautiful that I thought I’d repost here at the blog, just for your viewing pleasure or maybe for some inspiration on your next paint job.
I didn’t have any pics of them per se, but my first thought was Roussillon where I feel like I got the best color lesson of my life: pastels and earth colors are a total knockout combination. I even use the lesson for make-up. (I have blue eyes so I now always use a slightly ochre or earth brown base for eye shadow – makes my eyes look bluer!)
You can see the pastel shutters pop even from a distance, when paired with the earth colors.
I love bringing my clients to Roussillon because it is a total immersion in unbelievable natural color. It becomes an imprint in your mind forever after.
The blue sky couldn’t be matched with a more perfect color than this façcade. Note the marbling effect in the building wall, and the deep ochre “cement” in the rock wall.
I’m showing some pictures of the beautiful village. The ochre color comes from the ochre quarry that the village is built on. This is a total nature walk that is stunningly beautiful.
The white door frame is striking against deep ochre. Again lots of layers of color in the wall.
A close up.
There is a school and a museum nearby that gives lessons in painting, and you can also buy the natural pigment in the village to bring home and add to your paint, which clients often do and they are thrilled with the results.
Look how pretty the pastel gray green olive tree leaves are against the earth colors.
And speaking of Facebook, please fan me over at Le Trip France. I am currently giving a 10% discount off all items (auctions included) in my eBay and Etsy stores, to all Facebook fans, plus there are some fun conversations going on. I hope you join us!
Greens and yellows pop!
A more muted take on ochre and pastels.
No painted shutters the Provençals are famous for, but naked wood also looks great against the ochre.
Brilliant!
When you visit the “Le Trip France” page, you can visit the Facebook Store, too. I am slowly but surely adding a little private photo gallery of low priced must-haves for sale, for Facebook fans only.
I just picked up these vintage Provençal seedling pots when I stumbled upon an antique market in Aix this morning. Since they are Provençal earth toned and in today’s post theme, I thought I’d sell them to the “inner circle” only. $7.50 each plus shipping over at The Facebook Store.
The next post will be all about shutters.
How do I become a fan of your Facebook page? I can’t find the button.
Hi Gwendie,
Thanks so much for your question! It looks like I missed a couple of links within the post. Now you ought to be able to see links to my Facebook page wherever it’s mentioned in the post. Also, there is a blue icon on the right side of the page that is always there. I’m grateful you pointed out it was hard to find – thanks for pointing it out.
Jill
I so remember our day in Roussillon and our nature walk. Your pictures of the village bring up such lovely memories. Thanks for reminding me of the mystical charm!
Jill — Such beautiful photos! I could look at the photo of the sky in Roussillon for hours and hours. Thank you for sharing this!!
Loving these photos Jill! What a great thing to be able to buy pigments in Rousillon to add to our paints at home. I desperately need to paint the outside of my house. Now I think procrastination has paid off! I can buy pigments in Provence and have a really cool colored house with the knowledge I’m living in my own little bit of Provence!
Jill – Just got caught up on the blog and so enjoyed the pictures of Lake Como (one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been)and the tips on market shopping were great. The colorful shutters in this blog are beautiful – a great inspiration for all of us who love “everything French.” Merci, Kathy
Jeri, Frank, Therese, and Kathy, thank you for your comments! Truly warms my heart. I’m so happy this village makes you happy, too, even from afar.
I remember our trip to Rousillion?
Does anyone ship artist colours to the UK.
Regards,
If you mean pigments, try this site http://ocre-achat-pigment-amenagement-interieur-conseil-peinture.lacompagniedesocres.fr/
Bonne chance!