When you cannot go to France, bring France to you. French lavender is in full bloom in July in the sunny Provence region of France and fills the summer air with a heady lavender fragrance. Bring that French experience to your living room like I did by filling a rustic blue box with lavender plants.
July brings memories of walking through commercial lavender fields in France once upon a time. Several years ago my sister, a work colleague, and I traveled to France with an itinerary designed to walk through lavender fields, to visit perfume factories, and to stroll stone streets in picturesque hilltop villages around the fields. We continue to reminisce about that trip and to dream about returning to France to make more memories. With no travel plans in the near future, a rustic box filled with lavender brings a little of France to us.
F R E N C H L A V E N D E R
in a
R u s t i c B l u e B o x
Feathery lavender stems with pale lavender blooms are much like the French lavande (lavender) we saw growing in vast commercial lavender fields. The established growing lavender plants in France were much larger than these 4" starter plants from Trader Joe's. Each plant in the fields was about 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide in full bloom.
Yet these small lavender plants are as aromatic as the plants growing in commercial lavender fields in Provence. Their fragrance is so strong, the entire living room, dining area, and adjoining sunspace are filled with their scent.
Close my eyes and
I could be walking in a lavender field.
Yes, the box-filled lavender arrangement
brings France to me.
What better way to add another layer of French Country design to my French-inspired home than to add a signature French fragrance?
The lavender blooms and fragrance add to the existing French-inspired impressionist print on the wall, the fleur de lis decorative finials on the table, and the curved apron edges of the side table.
The rustic blue wooden box and a heavy antique iron French fence finial provide more French Country style to the living room.
Another post with more details about the summer look in my living room is coming soon. If you love blue and white, as well as French Country style, you will not want to miss the upcoming Summer Living Room Blue Decor post.
Please PIN ⇑ to your Pinterest
French Country style or Gardening boards
Watch for small starter lavender plants from your local garden nurseries to add authentic French style and fragrance to your own home. You do not have to use a rustic blue box. Instead, you can use a large basket or ceramic urn. Both are perfect containers for genuine French style.
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Do you know I post a photo for every Botanic Bleu blog post on my Pinterest board, Botanic Bleu Blog? The collection of photos is a pictorial catalog of Botanic Bleu posts all in one location making it easy to browse the photos for posts you may enjoy reading. Take a peek. You may spot a post you missed when it was first published. While there, take the opportunity to follow all my boards for more inspiration.
S O U R C E S
French Lavender Scenes from lavender fields in Provence, France
How To Style A Rustic Box Step by step instructions for styling the blue box with a fall arrangement
Lavender - Trader Joe's
Really beautiful! I just love the blue box.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that blue box!
ReplyDeleteI was blessed enough to go to Grasse area and experience the miles and miles of lavender bushes in France. And you are sooooo right - there is nothing quite like it. And one always thinks of France everytime one smells lavender once one experiences it like that. Sigh. Oh how I would love to return as well. I hope to one day. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteAnd your blue wooden "box," that is awesome. It's huge. I absolutely love it.
That box is lovely. The shape is really nice, and you can never go wrong with lavender!
ReplyDeleteJudith, this is stunning! Love your beautiful French wooden box and your lavender is amazing. I know it smells so good at your house right now. One of the biggest disappointments from last year was that my parents were all set to travel to France to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary but were unable to because of the pandemic. I love how your celebrating all your fabulous memories until you can travel again. Fingers crossed we'll all be able to soon! Hugs, CoCo
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty vignette for your living room, and I love all the pretty shades of blues you have in there....so soothing!
ReplyDeleteElegant simplicity! I love it.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn (in Dallas)
Oh Judith, to see real lavender fields in France, what a treat! I'm excited to feature your post this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party! Hope to see you there!
ReplyDeleteHi Judith, I just fell in love with this post. That blue box is just amazing and so unique. I'm sure the lavender smells just heavenly. So glad you got to take that trip. I've not been to France, but maybe one day... thanks so much for sharing at All About Home. I'm featuring this post this evening at the party!
ReplyDelete