Monday, September 1, 2014

A summer in IBIZA

Years ago, our family and friends would cross the Mediterranean on my parent's motor boat to go and explore Ibiza, famous island in the Baleares. I loved the wildness of this enchanting yet primitive island. The hippies had taken over the ancient town Dal't Villa - the old town- having been thrown out of Katmandu . We were under Franco's era, but Ibiza was free from the Vigilentes and started to become a playground for artists, eccentric wealthy travelers and jet setters.

This island is stunningly beautiful, rich in history, culture and architecture. The now famous fincas had incredible charm. After a few visits to Ibiza, we stopped going to settle in the French Village of Eze Village. The New York Times article about Eze Village, published last week brought a slew of memories….

Years later, I met this handsome, wild guy in Boston whose mother had a beautiful historic house in the old town of Ibiza. He had spent his childhood summers there. As soon as school was over, we would pack up and fly to Ibiza….

The 80's was best experienced in Ibiza, the crazy Pasha, Amnesia clubs, dancing until breakfast. Then sleeping the days away on the beach, suntanning and some swimming.

This is what happens when mixing too much sun and sangria….

That was the life! We have returned many times, Ibiza is now the home of the super jet setters and famous DJ's.

I love the Mediterranean, the architecture of Greece and Ibiza . Welcome to my dream homes!

My husband's mother's house is next to the church

El Chiringuito at Cala Gracioneta, secluded Ibiza beach restaurant

A Bientôt…. adieu l'ete

Francine

Are you are dreaming of you perfect beach home? contact our "Interieurs Design Studio, by Francine Gardner". I can make it happen.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Summer days...

Last year, in Mozambique

I live for summer…the perfect dry day, listening to the sounds of the cicadas, forgetting the world and just taking in the sun, the scents of lavender and rosemary. As a child, I spent my summers in Eze Village, a small village overlooking the Mediterranean above Nice. I was a free, wild child - this was a time when children were safe to run and explore - I would hike down to the beach with my cousins, stop by the local farmer for the taste of a peach. These memories are so vivid that I can still taste the ripe peach, smell the intoxicating thyme, and feel the excitement of running to the beach. I would read Marcel Pagnol's novels, laying on my blanket and pillows by the shade of the fragrant pine trees.

Growing up as a teenager, I counted the days to summer, the excitement of going boating on the Atlantic coast of Cap Ferret and Pyla Sur Mer, getting oysters from the local farmers and naps by the sand dunes, listening to the enchanting sound of the ocean and the exquisite smell of the pine trees.

During college summer breaks, I worked in Saint Tropez, a dream job…. showing potential buyers houses to buy or rent. I found out that one actually needs a few hours of sleep … and would dance all night into morning. My vacation from this "stressful" job was to escape to Ibiza with my then boyfriend …now husband of thirty years. In those days, Ibiza was a cool, laid-back island, beautiful white washed houses, hot sandy beaches, clear water and wild nightlife…

These memories of summer are part of who I am and I try to escape to far away places to feel these moments of pure bliss.I, unfortunately, do not live by the beach but summer coming, I work on re- creating the scents, taste, colors and sounds of my childhood. The pool is surrounded by stone walls, white roses, lavender beds, thyme and rosemary. My tented canopy bed is my refuge where I dream, read, nap, think and create interiors for my clients' summer homes. The houses that I design for my clients always have a part of me, as I go back to my perfect childhood days, and re-create these sensory experiences, the houses of my life's summers. The pictures are in my head and in my heart.

My dream summer houses….