READERS KITCHEN SERIES #7 - INSPIRED BY A FRENCH HOTEL!

L’Hotel Particulier

I received pictures for the kitchen series from a homeowner who kitchen’s renovation was inspired by the French boutique hotel L’Hotel Particulier. This small boutique hotel is located in the south of France in Arles, whose most famous resident was Vincent Van Gogh.   The homeowner had stayed at the hotel and loved their original kitchen so much, she used elements of it in her own kitchen’s reno.   Once the reader mentioned this hotel, I was intrigued enough to research it on the internet (of course!) Looking at their web site, I realized I had seen before – it’s actually quite a popular vacation spot with Americans and I’m sure many of you have probably stayed there before. The romantic hotel is located off a cobbled street, behind tall black doors. Madame, the owner, bought and renovated several historical 18th century buildings that now link together around a courtyard, creating "L’ Hotel Particulier. The main part of the hotel was once a private home.   If you plan to visit, make sure you have reservations – the hotel only has 13 guestrooms!

Upon arriving at L’ Hotel Particulier, heavy front doors open unto the verdant courtyard where an original stone staircase leads to the guestrooms and terrace. The hotel was remodeled a few years ago, and today its décor is all white with gilt touches.   Their web site doesn’t allow pictures, so when trying to find others on the internet, I came across the beautiful blog, Glamour Begins At Home, written by Katherine, who had actually spent a vacation there. She graciously allowed me to borrow her beautiful pictures, which showed the old, original kitchen.   Seeing the black and white kitchen, I can understand why the reader was inspired by it. Even Katherine, the blogger, said she would love to recreate it.

So, let’s look at pictures of the hotel first, and then we’ll visit the latest addition to the Readers Kitchens Series!

L’Hotel Particulier – is located down this charming street.

You enter through the double black doors that lead to a courtyard.

Inside the black doors you head through the courtyard, which is set up for outdoor meals around the pool.

The pool is located behind the dining tables.

Looking at the courtyard from a second floor guestroom.

And at night when all the lanterns are lit with candles.

Another view of the courtyard poolside. Notice the Santos in the stone wall’s niche.

To the left of that same Santos, is the old, original stone stairs that led to the terrace and the guest rooms.

The main salon has an beautiful limestone mantel, with an assortment of antique candlesticks. Notice the gilt candlesticks turned into lamps. Antiques bought by Madame are found throughout the hotel.e

Decorated in all white, French doors lead out to the courtyard. You can see the stone staircase through the windows.

The floors are the original tiles. In this area, antique gilt and iron sconces light the room.

Leading into the restaurant, a large grisaille drawing hangs behind an antique console.

The restaurant is all in white and gold.    Old black and white movies are screened against the white mantel. Beautiful gilt antique settee!

Another view of the beautiful restaurant. Sooo romantic.

On this side of the restaurant, there is another large grisaille drawing and gilt console.

Night view overlooking the courtyard.

Inside, stone steps lead to the guestrooms and terrace.

Private areas lead off the guestrooms onto the terrace.

Each of the 13 guestrooms is decorated differently. This canopy is draped in white linen.

Another view of the same hotel room shows the beautiful antique fireplace and antique gilt chair. That mantel is to die for!

Another view shows the grisaille drawing on the left of the bed. Charming crystal sconces flank the bed.

Another room, with antique furniture and a grisaille drawing.

Double doors lead into this room with a rustic beamed ceiling.

This white bedroom has a beautiful antique armoire and a lone painting in a gilt frame. Again, gilt candlestick lamp with simple white shade. Perfection!

Through French doors, this guestroom leads to the terrace.

Charming bathroom with vintage tub.

Two gilt wood mirrors reflect each other in this bathroom.

Another view of the private areas outside some of the guestrooms. Notice the charming original tiled roof.

And finally, the original kitchen with its black and white painted cabinets. Notice above the left side cabinets – the row of Santos under cloches.

The island is set with glass cake plates and antique candlesticks. A large double farmsink sits atop the counter.

Looking the other direction – towards the main salon. Notice the antique rugs and the beautiful, old wood doors.

This picture, taken by the homeowner, shows the raised, beamed ceiling and lantern along with the collection of white ironstone above the cabinets.

And finally, under these cabinets, a beautiful collection of black tole and chinoiserie trays. Above is a collection of hotel silver.

Now that we’ve visited this very beautiful and charming hotel, let’s take a peek at the reader’s kitchen who, after visiting L’ Hotel Particulier, got inspiration for her own renovated kitchen.

First, the BEFORE pictures!

The kitchen was stuck in an 80’s time warp, though there were new stainless appliances.   The house is a beautiful 1920’s English Tudor located in Mission Hill, Kansas. The ceiling was low and the cabinets dated back from a previous remodeling done years ago.

The breakfast room off the kitchen. You can definitely tell the homeowner loves French design.

AFTER:

What a huge difference!!!   The homeowner copied the black and white cabinets from L’ Hotel Particulier – in reverse! She painted the upper cabinets white, while the bottom ones are black. Just like in the hotel, she used lanterns over her island. The ceiling was raised, like in the hotel, with beams added – here painted dark to match molding in the rest of the house. White marble is on the countertops and backsplash. The wall between the kitchen and breakfast area was also enlarged to create better flow and a better visual.

Looking the other direction, you can see the new French doors painted black. The stove sits under a wood mantel with the marble backsplash.   So beautiful and warm. The walls are painted white, just as they are at the hotel.    The homeowner bought the poster over the stove in France during one of her visits there.

The breakfast room was also completely redone, with new furniture, cabinetry, and a beautiful light fixture.

New cabinets was built in the place of the previous ones – and a new casement window was added. The chairs have the scalloped back detailing similar to those in the hotel restaurant.

Along the side wall is a reproduction of the antique map of Paris – framed in six pieces. White ironstone, in another nod to the Hotel sits as the centerpiece on the table.

The lesson here is – you never know where you might find inspiration for your own house. The homeowner visited L’ Hotel Particulier and fell in love with the original kitchen there. She took photographs to document it – knowing she was about to remodel her own. The main elements of that kitchen – black and white cabinetry was used in this kitchen, though reversed – which was the right choice. She also took inspiration from the high, beamed ceiling and lantern – along with accessories, like the white ironstone.   Instead of having glass in her cabinets, the casement windows with mullions recreates that look.

Most important to remember– never leave your camera at home!

A huge thank you to our homeowner who graciously let us take a peek into her new kitchen, and another huge thanks to blogger Katherine of Glamour Begins At Home who allowed me to use her beautiful pictures of L’ Hotel Particulier. To read her blog story on the hotel, go HERE.

To visit L’ Hotel Particulier, go HERE.

I show such much of Pamela Pierce’s work – because I absolutely love it! I’m always looking at her work for inspiration – especially the way she has her slipcovers made, which I think are the prettiest in the world!   If you are from Houston, Hien Lam is an upholsterer who makes some of the best slips around.   One element Pam utilizes frequently are Santos, beautiful old saints and angels from Italian and Spanish Catholic Churches.   The older they are the better – the more arm broken off – the best.   Here, you can see she used two very large Santos in this dining room. She also likes to use putti or baby angels, and hang them from the walls. While the Santos that Pierce uses are antique and rather pricey, there are great reproductions on the market for those that want the look without paying a big price tag.

In my daughter Elisabeth’s bedroom, I use a large angel that truly is one of the focal points of her room! Even though I am the WRONG religion to be having angels and Santos, I just like the way they look – without the religious connation. After all, what harm could a beautiful angel can bring? I need all the good luck I can get!! I found this angel at a local store that I adore – Olivine, located in the Rice Village.

And, another great source for beautiful Santos and angels is Eleanor Brown Boutique – a new sponsor on Cote de Texas. I was thrilled to have them join us because their merchandise goes so well with the look I try to show here on the blog.

If you are in the market for Santos or angels or Milagros or jewelry or crowns or décor items for the house – be sure to visit her online store HERE.