Saturday, February 5, 2011

Dreaming on a Snowy Day

 

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So, if you are anywhere in the world except for California or Florida, you are probably snowed in today.  Enough of winter!  This has been a really cold one for Texas and I’m ready for summer and sunshine and beaches.   Last week I showed apartments to rent while in Paris, but really, wouldn’t you whether rent a house in Provence and pretend you are Vicki Archer?   I know I would!  Here is an assortment of houses to rent.  There seems to be more cuter houses available than apartments.  I could have shown about 50 great houses today.   I tried to pick a variety of houses there were large and small, and with views and no views so you could pick what you really would want in a rental.  Enjoy!

 

HOUSE #1

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This villa, available HERE, Bastide Lavande, is surrounded by lavender fields.  The mas is so pretty – who cares what it looks like inside? 

 

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Actually, the inside is nice:  tiled floors, seagrass, and antique country French antiques!   I love the dining room and how it opens to the outside through true French doors.

 

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Gorgeous fireplace and mirror!  Notice the cute side table on the right.  I wish I owned a hundred of those tables!

 

 

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The view outside the living room looks over the acreage, 20 acres around the house and over 1,000 around the estate.

 

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Outside the house is a large graveled terrace that overlooks the estate.

 

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And a large swimming pool, surrounded by stone walls.

 

 

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Six bedrooms and five bathrooms.   Notice the French doors and the hardware. 

 

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Adorable!

 

 

 

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Another cute bathroom.

 

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This house has it all.  A large property, views, old fashioned house, and pretty interiors.

 

 

HOUSE #2

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L’Ambiance HERE is located within walking distance to the town of Goult and is considered a townhouse.

 

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The property is on 1 1/2 acres and has a beautiful garden with fountains and a swimming pool.

 

 

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The swimming pool is set into a stone wall.

 

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The house is filled with beautiful antiques inside and out.

 

 

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The 17th century farmhouse is a rarity in the town with its acreage.

 

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The beautiful wood door opens up to the house. 

 

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The house is stunningly decorated, one of the best ones I saw.  I just know an American owns this house!  I love the silk pillows, the painting, the tea table, and the fireplace!

 

 

 

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Limestone floors and stucco walls.  The mantel is gorgeous.

 

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Authentically French!

 

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You can see into the dining room here.  Such pretty antique tables.

 

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The kitchen is every bit as pretty as the rest of the house. 

 

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Precious!  I love the wood carvings over the beds.  The house is small with only 3 bedrooms and baths.  Notice the gorgeous night stand.

 

 

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Another bedroom, perfectly furnished.  Darling chair.  Notice the small niche next to the bed.

 

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Each bedroom has a small sitting area.

 

 

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The master bedroom is so pretty with its fireplace and painting and sconces.  The bathroom is through the arched door.

 

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The master bathroom.  I love all the wood cuttings in the house.  I just love the way this house is decorated.

 

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Great bathtub!

 

 

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Another sitting room.  Cute child’s chair.

 

 

 

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The wine cellar.

 

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Another view of the swimming pool.   I think I might have to pick this house to rent.  I’m more into the interiors than the location and I love the way this is decorated!  But, this one is basically a town house and not out in the country with sweeping views.  Does that matter to you?

 

 

 

 

HOUSE #3

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The next mas, Les Vignes, is located within walking distance from the medieval town of Goult, seen here on the property, through the clouds.

 

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The stone house is small with just 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and is reasonably priced. 

 

 

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The graveled terrace sits next to the arched French doors that once probably led into the barn.

 

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The terrace, looking the other direction towards the pool.

 

 

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The swimming pool is set within stone walls.

 

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Notice the charming stone pool house.

 

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Inside the house, the living room is charming and cozy.

 

 

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The kitchen is adorable with all the skirts in lieu of cabinet doors.

 

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 Another view of the kitchen shows the pantry and the arched ceiling.

 

 

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Notice the large column on the left that holds up the ceiling.

 

 

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There is a mix of French antiques throughout the house.

 

 

 

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One of the four bedrooms, in white and linen.

 

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The remodeled bath – love the window!

 

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Another bedroom with antique iron bed.

 

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The grounds are so charming and beautiful.

 

 

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Les Lignes would be perfect for a small family – I really like this one too.  It’s got views and a cute interior, yet close to a town.

 

 

 

 

HOUSE #4

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Villa Le Relais  is in the Luberon Village, located HERE, and has 4 new bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and a new kitchen.

 

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   Here, the living room/dining room.   Notice how the walls are painted two colors to simulate wainscoting.

 

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The dining area with antique buffet.

 

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Looking up at the second floor balcony.

 

 

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Beautiful arched windows.

 

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The table set for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

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The newly built kitchen. 

 

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You can see the living/dining room through the doorway in the kitchen. 

 

 

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The terrace runs from the kitchen to the living room. 

 

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Typical French checked fabric and limestone floor.

 

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Another bedroom, the faux wainscot is painted throughout the house.

 

 

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A typical tiled bathroom.

 

 

 

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Villa Le Relais overlooks the terrace and the swimming pool.

 

 

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The terrace next to the swimming pool past the stone wall.

 

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The swimming pool.  Small, nice furniture, with views, but in some photos it seems like the neighbors are close by.

 

 

 

 

HOUSE #5

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Mas des Pierres HERE near Avignon has five bedrooms and five baths.   Here, the traditional gravel terrace sits next to the converted barn door.

 

 

 

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This 17th century farm has been recently remodeled. 

 

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Overlooking the grounds.

 

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This house is furnished with antiques.  Unfortunately, many of the pictures were too small to show here.

 

 

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The large living room and dining room in one space.

 

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A corner of the living room/dining room.

 

 

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The kitchen is so wonderful and authentic!

 

 

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One of the bedrooms.  All the bedrooms are charming, decorated in typical Provincial style.

 

 

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One of the bathrooms, traditional, not contemporary.

 

 

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The terrace at Mas des Pierres.  The house is traditional with antiques, five bedrooms, and with a nice property and view.    Do you want something more modern or traditional?

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE #6

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Bastide Vallat HERE is located in Luberon Provence.

 

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The 7 bedroom and 7 bathroom mas has recently been completely redone.   It is very large and luxurious and very expensive to rent.

 

 

 

 

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There is a “garden kitchen” and an outside eating area.

 

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The furnishings are modern and there are very few, if any, antiques.  The bar area sits behind the sofa.

 

 

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The bar area.  The remodeling is first rate.   There are beautiful wood French doors throughout and the floors are limestone.

 

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The stone walls were kept exposed.

 

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The kitchen is amazing – set within the stone wall arches.

 

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All of the bedrooms have sitting areas.   This one is huge!

 

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In this bedroom, the sitting area is behind the bed.

 

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A designer obviously was hired to completely furnish the mas.  All the rooms flow together in a cohesive design.

 

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Notice the charming small windows set into the stone walls on the right.

 

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The bathrooms are all luxurious.

 

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Each is fitted out with robes and towel warmers.  

 

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This spa bathroom with a steam room and massage tables is located next to the gym.

 

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Of course there is a wine cellar!

 

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A private sunbathing terrace.

 

 

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Of all the houses, this one is most decorated and extravagant.  It is also the most contemporary.  Would you rather rent a smaller, more charming mas or a larger, more contemporary one like this with all the bells and whistles?  

 

HOUSE #7

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Fleurs de Provence HERE in Alpinnes Provence is the largest house and the most expensive.   It has 10 bedrooms and 9 baths.

 

 

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The grounds are large and beautifully landscaped especially during lavender blooming season.

 

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There is also a tennis court, seen in the upper left corner. 

 

 

 

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The terrace overlooks the grounds and has its own fireplace.

 

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The mas has been completely renovated.  It has a mixture of antiques and traditional furniture.

 

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Despite its size and cost, the interiors are not dressy.

 

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The breakfast room is the most charming one in the house.

 

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There is a completely fitted out kitchen.

 

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The stairs.

 

 

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A large bedroom.   The furnishings seem lacking when comparing the property and the landscaping.

 

 

 

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Another bedroom. 

 

 

 

 

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All the bathrooms are tiled like this.

 

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Fleurs de Provence is a beautiful house and its grounds are wonderful, but the furnishings seem ordinary.  Would that be important to you?  Would you rather have the grounds or the furniture or both?  

 

 

 

HOUSE #8

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La Belle de Crillon HERE literally hangs off the cliff overlooking the town of Crillon le Brave.

 

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It has six bedrooms and six baths.  There are incredible views from each room in the house.

 

 

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The house is four stories, but there is an elevator inside!

 

 

 

 

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The views are incredible from this mas.   The swimming pool is at the bottom level.

 

 

 

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Completely remodeled and refurbished, the house is elegant and somewhat dressy.

 

 

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Stone floors and stucco walls, the house is professionally designed.

 

 

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The large dining room has beautifully painted walls.

 

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What a range!!

 

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The tiled floors are beautiful. 

 

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Another bedroom with tiled floors.

 

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Charming bathroom with footed tub. 

 

 

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Every salon and bedroom share this view of the countryside.   This house almost has it all, the size, the elegance, the view, the furnishings – but there is no large property.   Would that be important when choosing a house to rent?  Would you care if there was only a small area outside to sit and enjoy the sweeping views?

 

To view more beautiful houses and pick your own dream rental, these two companies have a large selection:

 

http://www.francevacationvilla.com/

and

http://www.luxuryretreats.com/index.aspx

 

 

And this reminder about the Urban Market next weekend - don’t forget they are at a new location!!!!!   Check out their website to read where it is:  www.theurbanmarkethouston.com

 

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finally, my sister just sent me this hysterical You Tube video about our huge “snow day” in Houston!   It would be funny if it wasn’t so true, every word of it!!!!