L' Orangerie

We call it  the Orangerie,

 but mostly people refer to  it as  the Conservatory
it does not matter..

it is where inside meets outside

I had so much fun today..

Well known and hugely  talented
 photographer and stylist

~Henrique Wilding~ 

was here  in my abode
to  take some pictures for
 a South African magazine 
April 2011 issue of "Garden&Home"

The focus of the article is on "re- invent" 

and how to use something in a "new" way..

Over sized chairs upholstered with  vintage German grain bags were used, cushions made from original  French la Poste mailbags, 
and original French documents (circ 1800)
displayed  in antique hand blown French domes.


I enjoy to share what I love  -
 all the above and also old French monogrammed linen
 and bibelots.
Most is found in Europe and I visit small villages in  the French country side, to find and bring back to fill my 
Brocante Armoirs..


colette@lecapfoods.com

After the very talented people  left
 I picked up my little digital Canon 

and took some pic's of my own.

just random images of what I like today..

for tomorrow the vignettes may change again.

Now:..

previously:..

 Now:

accents of black and white to echo the floor

 Thank you to my friend Jurita

 who sent these Aloes from their farm.

 I could bring the outside in.

 There were enough to fill some baskets in a passage as well.

Aloes can actually survive  without water displayed in a basket like this for about two months! After that they can still be transplanted and will grow with little water needed. the drier  the soil, the  better.

Aloe~Succulant

This genus is native to AFRICA and is common in South Africa's Cape Province,  the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighboring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula and the islands of Africa.


Aloe has been well known for centuries for its healing properties.  Both oral intake and topical dressings have been documented to facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound, burn, or scald .  Situations to try it on include blisters, insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, athlete's foot, fungus,  conjunctivitis,  allergic reactions, and dry skin. The raw plant is best, but commercial preparations can also be used.


Once a year each plant  display a  single orange flower

We are going through a heat wave at the moment.

A lot of time is spent in the Orangerie

which opens to the pool  directly outside.

When all the doors open up, it is  an extension of the veranda where we enjoy most meals in summertime

 it becomes a drop off zone for pool towels, books,balls 
and even the dogs prefer to lie here and nap

 on the cool  white marble and  black slate floor. 

I have a weakness for these old oversize chairs..

"as is" is perfect for me

a fun hairdo..
some dried dodder ~ a plant that grows in the river

 even if I  plant only one tree..

it will always be a olive tree...

and then a fig...
a lemon tree
and another olive tree

outside

Looking forward to see the photographs that was taken, and will share once it has been published.

Henrique also took some pictures of  favorite armoirs and bits here and there-

 she promised to let me have it to share on my blog..

thank you Henrique!

Colx

I simply know this succulent as "bergrosies"

translated directly ~" mountain roses"

like the aloe, just picked and left in the  flat sink bowl