Tolix or Tabouret?

(House Beautiful)
I really love industrial style pieces mixed in with my decor. One of my most popular posts last year was on industrial kitchen stools, if you missed it click here. Perhaps its because they look wonderful mixed with any decor.
(Alimesh)
One of my favorite items are the industrial stools from Tolix. What appeals to me most is their small size, wonderful lines and how I can tuck them under the center island to create a clear walking path.
(Apartment Therapy)
Tolix is a French company that makes extraordinary metal furniture. I wanted a change in the kitchen, but budgets being as they are I really couldn't justify the price when I had perfectly fine wood stools.
The Tolix stools are available through Melissa Edelman Antiquaire, a Chicago-area dealer who represents the full line of Tolix or above from Sundance catalogue. But at $245. plus shipping per stool I had to pass. So imagine how thrilled I was when I found a copy at Overstock.com. The "Tabouret" stools are very close to the wonderful original Tolix stools and at 2 for $99.00, I thought they would be worth a try.
(overstock.com)

I have had them for several months and I am very impressed with the quality. The are wonderfully versatile and since I purchased them, they have been moving all over the house. They have been in the Butler's pantry, the basement playroom and even as our primary kitchen center island stools. Here is the link to them at Overstock.com. When I first found them they were out of stock but I signed up for a notification and when they were back in stock I purchased them.

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Tomorrow I'll show you our center island with the current wood stools and then the Tabouret stools and you can help me decide which we should use in kitchen.

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Enjoy your Saturday!!

Escape to the South of France

In the snowy winter months in New England I often find myself daydreaming about visiting beautiful, warm locations. I was fortunate to be introduced to this lovely stone villa in the south of France called La Bastide.
The villa has been restored and is filled with antiques. The owners are collectors and as such the home is filled with interesting and unique items. A neutral palette allows you to focus on the gorgeous stone walls and period details. Notice the fireplace and the fabulous arched wood fragments flanking the it on either side The upholstery is tightly slipcovered in natural linen. I love the coffee table and the wonderful white washed side table that has a lazy susan top.
But, the pièce de résistance of the room is surely the fireplace. The original mantel is one we only hope to copy here in the States. I love the lines of it, detailed but not too fussy. I also like the interesting assortment of items which line the top of the mantel. Clearly this is a home of collectors.
From a different angle you can see the introduction of color. The orange/coral throw and pillows bring the earthy outdoor tones we see from the window views indoors. In the height of summer we could change the throw and pillows to shades of lavender and give the entire room a different feel. This is why I am such a fan of neutrals.
As we head into the the kitchen you can peek through the doorway and see the fireplace. I included this shot to help you visualize the lay out. The zinc topped table is a dream - wine rack only an arms length away. I can just taste the local cheeses, olives and fresh baked bread.
Standing in the doorway you have a full view of the kitchen. The antique plate rack and and marble topped table are to die for! The zinc topped table and vintage Tolix chairs are fabulous. Black steel windows and doors lead you out to the patio and terraces. Enameled street signs grace the walls.
Standing back in the living room we can spy a bedroom through the passageway to the left of the fireplace.
The room is classically appointed with painted amoire, steel table, slipcovered arm chair, and the owners collection of vintage hats.
A gauzy canopy hangs over the bed creating a very romantic atmosphere... as if just being in a stone villa in the south of France isn't romantic enough. Notice the bunches of lavender and the lavender silk pillows, see how different this room feels versus the coral pillows?
Gorgeous unlined linen and lemon cypress in a terracotta pot on the windowsill. Notice the window hardware. In my next life all my window hardware would look like that.
Exiting the bedroom is a lovely vignette of local artwork and antiques.
The outdoor areas are also a sight to behold with a wonderful stone walls, cypress trees, lavender and a pool.
Finally a small stone terrace with wonderful rosemary hedges.
Thanks for traveling with me - it was a welcome escape from the snow.
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Read about another wonderful French Villa at Boxwood Terrace click here.

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(all photos property of beachstudios.com)