Sweet Escape: A Girl Can Dream
by Melissa @ The Inspired Room on February 14, 2008
Dear Valentine Cherubs,
I was looking around for a simple photo today (you know how that goes) and found myself swept off my feet into my fairytale Valentine Escape. Now before I could say “Feet, stay on the ground!” I was whisked away to Provence, caught up in the romance and beauty of it all. This country house made me swoon with love!
I shut my eyes and pictured myself nestled in a big cozy bed until noon, sipping wine and nibbing on delicacies on the veranda, basking in the light that Cezanne loved so much (quoting the villa’s website)…then slipping inside to relax in a hot bubble bath…
Soon, I was taking a nap in another beautiful bed before having afternoon tea in the courtyard! Bliss!
Then, as the night turned dark and the stars came out, I was dressing in my finest for a romantic dinner with my Valentine in that glorious dining room…
…before retiring to my room and fetching
Ian (oh, dearest Ian! where have you been?) to draw the curtains, turn down the bed and bring my hot toddy (which, incidentally, I have never had in my life but it always seems well-suited to a moment like this…).
And then, just as I was drifting off to a blissful slumber, I heard my kitchen timer buzzing waking me with its harsh shrill. OH NO! I am not in Provence. I’m in Portland! And our Tuna Casserole is ready. Gotta run! Love to you all on St. Valentine’s Day!
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Valentine's Day
Hi, I'm Melissa. This is where I share inspiration for creating a simple, authentic and beautiful home.
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Oh, my gosh…I was right there with you….all the way….tasting that wine…feeling those lucious bubbles, dreaming of such a lovely life when…..all of a sudden….my dang cell phone rang and jerked me back so quickly, I may have jet lag……..
hugs and laughter to you,
bj
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Buy me a plane ticket! That tub is calling my name:>) And those rooms….Divine!
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What a lovely story…while it lasted! I love my Valentine…you thoughtful girl you! Hope your day was splendid and everyone reminded you how much you are loved! xo Terri
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Ha!!!! Tuna Casserole is pretty close to my broiled Salmon. I enjoyed your dream, Melissa!!! You are too cute!!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!!!
xo
Becky
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Thank you for such a wonderful trip to a gorgeous Italian place! I am so transported, I can’t wait to return to Italy in the future! ciao bella! xo, suzy
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D-Lite-FUL!!!!
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Ya know… the outdoor dining room was totally captivating me until I went to the “Love Parade” and than BAM, that was it, I was right there in that field, and that’s pretty much where I stayed. To be thrust back to when i was 14 and the ultimate hippy chick, now that was a fun little time travel moment!
That was AWESOME Melissa, merci
xo ~j~
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What a wonderfully sweet escape! Just last week a reader of my European travel and antique shopping blog emailed asking for advice on where to stay in Provence this Spring. You’ve just provided a perfect answer to her question. This is a gorgeous hotel and simply seems such a dream that I’ve half a mind to spend my anniversary there this May. Plus, it’s given me loads of decorating inspiration – next month when I’m in Paris I’m going to make a trip to my favorite garden furniture shop, Le Cedre Rouge, to buy those outdoor dining chairs for my terrace. When I post the Provence blog – including your tip – I’ll drop you a line, so you can read about “The Inspired Room” on “The Antiques Diva”.
The Antiques Diva
http://www.antiquesdiva.blogspot.com
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Oh boy that is amazing….. that bath, imagine having a bath in that lovely thing!
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Hi found you via another blog. Fantastic pictures. Tricia
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Ahh..what eye candy! Being on this blog IS like taking a nice warm bath–same good fuzzy feeling!!
:0)
Tara
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Wow! What a gorgeous place!
Definitely the stuff dreams are made of.
I can just feel myself sinking into one of those luxurious beds.
Kimberly
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Paradise!
We can dream, right?
Becky K.
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Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing this piece of Provence on Valentines Day. I can’t think of anything more appropriate for romance…
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Hi, Melissa–
Oh my gosh, girl. That first photograph: what a glory of a porch. Thanks for being the one place in the blogosphere I can truly come to be *transported* when the need arises.
Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I’ll be in touch soon!
–Abby
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I’m glad that I’m not the only one who day dreams! Dreams keep us motivated and yours was so much fun. Hugs, Cathie
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don’t ever wake me from this fabulous dream!
i love it here!
jessi
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sei bravissima!!!!!!!!
Mary
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Ahhh, there’s no place like Italy! Those are beautiful pics & who wouldn’t want to stay there. Anytime!
xo,
Rhoda
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Fantastic fantasy Melissa!
Lisa & Alfie
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Wow. The courtyard picture nearly put me in the floor! How beautiful!
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Honey, if you organize a trip there, I am going to be there in a flash. What a delightful place.
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What a lovely tale you weave…and then to have the blasted kitchen timer ruin it all! *sigh* Oh well, here’s to future daydreams and love!
Take care
Jan
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Melissa these photos are incredible! Just gorgeous!
Thank you so much for the sweet card.
Pat
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What a sweet feast for the eyes!!
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What gorgeous rooms!! It was fun roaming through with you! Hope your Valentine’s Day was sweet!
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You are such a riot!! Love the tuna noddle casserole…
Ahhh my dream to one day visit my ancestors… in Italy… gosh the countryside and the big ol family sticking their heads out the window… blellisima!!
HUGS
JO
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Oh. My. God. That is just gorgeous! Thanks for the wonderful tour. Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s day.
xxo,
Mary
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Hello Melissa!
This place is wonderful! Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day–thanks again for the beautiful e-card.
Happy weekend!
xo
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I don’t care what anyone says, I’m staying right here!
Lovely pics Melissa! Have a great weekend!
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I LOVE that…so very romantic and oh the decor took my breath away! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to receive the Valentine you sent me via email….I hope my email is working ok… I am glad you stopped by though instead!!
Blessings,
Robin
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a girl can always dream…Lovely shots!!
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Thanks for the beautiful escape via the photos- lovely!! Happy belated Valentine’s Day!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
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WOW!!!! I want to go there…Smiles
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could sleep for hours here…sorry i missed inspiration week…i will play catch up…i have missed you…hugs, r
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Thank you for the beautiful fantasy vacation. I had a lovely time and would like to visit again.
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By the way not to sound too goofy… I do realize Provence is France… but the villa does remind me of Italy
HUGS
JO
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Such a lovely dream, I especially adore that yellow bedroom. What a wonderful post. Have a lovely weekend, hope you had a great Valentine’s Day. Blessings, Karen
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omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 I am in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, this is just too beautiful! Want to go with me?
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Beautiful, I know I will never be able to go there in person, but you took me there in spirit!
Judith
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Sorry I missed this post on Valentines day, but it was just wonderful! I laughed in the end! I want just the bathroom in that house…oH and maybe Ian..
Hugs,
Penny
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oh this is unreal!
can you believe people actually live like that? in real life?!
amazing.
you really can find some very beautiful places.
maybe you could be a travel agent….in all your spare time.
next time i need a trip i will ask YOU where to go.
thanks for the ics.
now i want to go get cozy in my own warm bed. it’s nothing like that one but it’s good enough for me.
hope your weekend is wonderful melissa.
thanks for my valentine – so sweet of you.
-meg
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Oh wow…now this is living! Oh to be there and experience it all. This is a Valentine dream!
Thank you for this wonderful smile…
Hugs,
Sue
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Hi Melissa, what a beautiful dream
We hope you had a beautiful day 
Jenn and Jacqui
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Thanks for transporting us to this beautiful place. Simply magical !
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Well, as long as dreams last it was good. Tuna casserole? Did it taste like filet mignon? I think so, after seeing those photos. Thanks for letting us dream, too.
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Lovely pictures, that bathroom is just something else..I wish
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I just want to take a long luxurious bath in that gorgeous bathroom!! Wow!
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That was magical after a very loooooong weekend camping with the Girl Scouts. Thank you sooooo much. I’m still trying to find something positive w/camping but I can’t. I loved your dream take me……xoxo3hearts/Lizette
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oh MY!!!! What a wonderful flight into dreamland. I can picture myself in that gorgeous tub….Truly an amazing and inspiring blog!
xxxooo Ruth
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I wish I could leap into the computer screen into those scenes. Gorgeous! And thank you for such a great Valentine. So thoughtful! Maybe you should offer an online course of how to accomplish as much as you seem to do! You make it appear effortless and natural. As always, thanks for the wonderful inspiration.
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Oh Melissa – thanks for taking me away from it all!
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What a lovely virtual vacation, Melissa. Too bad it had to end, but what a feast for the eyes it was! You have fabulous taste in fantasies! I could see myself right there in a heartbeat…
Blessings and hugs,
Christi
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Is it me or is that bathtub simply AMAZING!!!!!!!
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longing for spring full of lavender perfume and fields of sunflowers waving up to the azure blue skies, drinking marlot on a covered terrace, dreaming away….
oooh thank you so much for these lovely images of provence…
my second home!!
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so funny to read your post about la villa Gallici . I live very close to this wonderful place ..I know …I’m lucky .
And I love to go there ….so romantic ..
The 3rd picture with the blue wallcovering : my former bedroom in my show room was the same ..I loved this fabric
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In the same style of provencal decoration , our ” atelier” decorated and still decorate this hotel , you may want to check :
http://www.relais-magdeleine.com/
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How did you get those pictures of my house?
I WISH! Love the colors and the textures. This is my first time to your blog, and I will definitely be back. For sure.
Thanks for the dose of inspiration!
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Is that the most gorgeous place or what?!!! Love it all! And the pic of the pooch (next post) is pretty cute too. Blessings… Polly
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Thank you Melissa for this wonderful flight of fancy to this beautiful place! How inspirational! A nap in any one of these gorgeous beds would be just the thing right about now.
Julie
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Oh yes, a girl can dream! Such lovely pictures….sigh…
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I thought I had died and gone to heaven and then I blinked & realised I was still in Auckland, NZ.! Happy belated St Valentines Day Melissa:) Rachaelxo
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