The French Country Home That Inspired a Passion for Antiques
A recent display at Le Potager showcasing an antique French butcher table and vintage copper cookware
We all have those iconic memories—the moments that forever shape us or quietly shift our path before we even know it’s happening. For me, that defining spark came as a young boy visiting my aunt and uncle’s enchanting French-English country home. They were avid antique collectors, and their impeccable eye for design meant their home was a treasure trove of character, charm, and pieces rich with European history.
A Portal to Provence: Weathered Brick, Antiques, and Old-World Charm
Their kitchen was the soul of the house: a romantic French Country dream with weathered brick floors, a grand hearth, and walls lined with Provencal copper pots, vintage china, and rustic wooden furnishings collected from countless adventures abroad. It wasn’t just a kitchen—it was a portal to another world. One where stories lived in every corner, and beauty was found in the timeworn and the well-loved.
One of the very first pieces to capture my imagination in my aunt’s enchanting French Country kitchen was a striking antique copper lavabo from Normandy—though I didn’t know its origin at the time. It hung proudly on a rustic wooden panel, and being the curious, wide-eyed observer I was, I asked her about it. She graciously shared the fascinating story behind this unique piece, and from that moment on, it was etched into my memory.
That early impression sparked a lasting love for lavabos—those beautifully unusual wall-mounted basins once used for handwashing. Since then, I’ve made it a point to carry a variety of antique lavabos in my shop, each one a conversation piece in its own right.
One customer who purchased a particularly special piece last December—a stunning copper lavabo mounted on a long, narrow carved wood panel—told me it fit perfectly on a slim wall in her dining room. She now styles it with seasonal faux botanicals and a soft-glow LED candle, and every guest who walks in immediately comments on its charm. It’s that kind of lasting beauty and uniqueness that makes antiques like this so special.
Antiques with Heart: Building a Home & Business Around Timeless Pieces
That experience sparked a lifelong passion for antiques, one that led me—years later—to open my own store devoted to European-inspired country living. Now celebrating 25 years in business, I still carry the inspiration of my aunt and uncle’s home with me every day. It taught me that antiques aren’t just objects—they’re the soul of a room. One striking statement piece, or a thoughtfully gathered collection, can transform a space into a sanctuary.
Your Evolving Style: A Home That Reflects You
And the beauty of it all? Your home, like your taste, can evolve. Styles shift, collections grow, and stories continue to be written. It's not about chasing trends—it's about creating a place that feels like you. Every corner, every piece tells your story.
A Legacy of European Charm and Timeless Style
I’m proud to say that Le Potager lives inside a 100+ year-old European-style house, where each room is curated with intention—just like my aunt and uncle’s. When someone walks in and says, “I feel like I’ve escaped to another world,” I know I’ve done my job. And I can’t help but believe that somewhere, my aunt and uncle are smiling, knowing that I’ve continued down the same romantic, winding country road they once walked.