Fashion for everyone

I make work for myself, that's how I am. I might wrestle with the idea from time to time but deep down I love it. Christmas decorating is the perfect example...I like to go overboard...I thrive on finding new schemes each year for Christmas, usually around particular colours and I do my utmost to pretty up our farmhouse in St Rémy for the holidays.

One practice that never changes is our staircase. I garland the iron railing with olive branches; they wrap all the way up from the first step to the landing above. This is back breaking work...it takes at least two days ...I can't do it single-handedly and that is one of the lovely asides to my tradition. Our farm wouldn't run without the wonderful administrations of our manager Gérard, his right hand man, Ahmed and my life saviour Lulu...these three make all things right in my French world. Cutting the olive branches, dragging them inside and wiring them onto the staircase has come to mark the beginning of our festive celebrations. Decorating the staircase together is the perfect chance to discuss and analyse the olive harvest that has just passed...and country life in France wouldn't be the same without all that chat. Our staircase of olive branches is special to me not only because those silvery branches are an ancient symbol of peace and wisdom but because they are a reminder of what we have created; our harvest was a success, with our olive trees bearing much fruit. 

I asked my very talented friend Anne Harwell from Annechovie to paint our staircase in all its olive and candlelight glory and she has so beautifully interpreted the spirit of my home. The photograph, originally taken by Carla Coulson, was used in the Christmas chapter of my new book, FRENCH ESSENCE. This watercolour has now been printed and will be my Christmas card of choice this year. When I think about all the people involved in making this simple Christmas card I am immediately reminded of my earlier post, 'different links on the same chain'. This card wouldn't be... if I hadn't made a crazy decision to buy an abandoned farm in Provence....found a passion for olives... employed incredible people who, every day in every way, help make that happen....work with a best friend who photographs like no other and... met a beautiful artist through blogging who understands my aesthetic.....that must be serendipity, xv.