Le demi-parasol

Today I went shopping for items I thought would make the house more pleasant. I headed to Bergerac and stopped in at Gifi, Casa and Maisons du Monde, which happily are all in the same shopping center.

At Gifi I found a wonderful thing: a demi-parasol. Yes! Half an umbrella for my petit terrace that sits in full sun from about 2-6 in the afternoon, or just about the time I am ready for that daily dose of rosé. 

I put together the iron base and the stem of the umbrella and muscled them outside to see how it all looks. The taupe fabric blends in with the historic structure and the size is perfect--as if it were made just for me.

Here's my view sitting under it.

The view from inside.

The view when standing under the clock tower.

At Casa, I bought a portmanteau, which is a free-standing clothes rack for the small bedroom that doesn't have its own closet. I have not attempted to put that together yet. It will be a project for tonight.

At Maisons du Monde I found some lovely taupe linen curtains for the small bedroom and some tchatchkes to decorate. I am sleeping in that room this week, which is giving me new perspective on what a guest would need or want in that space.