Provence is a region in the southeast corner of France encompassing the glamorous Riviera towns of Cannes and Nice and, inland, beautiful countryside with landscapes that inspired artists such as Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh. Fields of vibrant red poppies, uplifting yellow sunfl owers and blue-grey lavender set among olive groves and cypress trees and the sparkling azure of the Mediterranean are really an enviable palette of colours to work with. Historically, Marseilles was a great trading port and the stunning, brightly coloured fabrics that arrived from India inspired local artisans to produce textiles with similar vivid hues that evoked the rich tapestry of colours seen in the Provencal landscape. These textiles are still very popular and sought after today and their pleasing patterns of paisley, flowers and fruit are particularly inspiring.
Provencal colours are distinct from and should not be confused with French provincial colours. Of course, the two naturally work well together as the basis of a style that is relaxed and uncomplicated but Provencal colours are unique due to the stunning local textiles and the bright colours of the natural landscape. Warm earthy colours are the backbone of this palette due to the natural pigments used in the paint, particularly for exteriors. Initially the hues of ochre, rose, lavender and deep green are quite strong but these fade beautifully to create mellow and subtle colours that work so well with the clarity of light in the area and the local limestone used in buildings.
Naturally, this palette works well in Australian modern-country decorating schemes. The landscape in a few regions here echo those of France – with olive groves and vineyards, sunflower and lavender fields and the stunning blue of the ocean. Les Indiennes de Provence imports stunning French fabrics from Les Olivades range that brings a touch of Provence to Australia. To achieve this relaxed Provencal look, it’s important to use paints manufactured in a traditional manner and Porter’s Paints are perfect in this instance. The combination of lime and
natural pigments in its lime wash produces a soft look that’s unaffected and creates a weathered fi nish. Porter’s Distemper is a creamy chalk-based paint that dries to an ultra-matt velvet fi nish. Low-sheen and gloss finishes should be avoided to ensure the right look is achieved.
