I want to share more of the details that make this house so interesting. But there are so many! Too many to share all at once, so I’ll start small. With the tiniest room in the house. A little halfbath on the main floor located under the staircase.
The first thing I noticed was a row of little metal plates nailed to the door. I’m not sure what these plates were originally used for, but I think they’re so pretty. Do you know? I’m guessing some kind of printing.
There are a couple more metal plates on a little paneling ledge on the wall. See the gorgeous wallpaper? It’s actually not paper at all — the pattern is painted on!
This is a funny little knocker on the outside of the door.
And this is how the door latches closed — like a little gate.
By the way, I’ve said it before but it deserves saying repeatedly. I am very aware how lucky we were to find this beautiful home. It truly feels like a gift that we get to live here. I write these posts about La Cressonnière partly because I know readers are curious, and partly because I want to acknowledge and appreciate our good fortune. Thanks for reading along!
Update: Here is more info from the homeowners. “Those little metal plates are actually from Greece. They are called ‘tamata’ and we have collected them passing through Athens over the years on our many holidays to the Greek Islands (where my father lives). These wonderful symbols convey wishes for many purposes: the new house, the healthy baby, the new love (the heart symbol is a wonderful Valentine at any time of the year!), the successful operation, the watchful eye. Tamata are similar to Milagros in the Latin tradition. The Greeks buy these tamata then take them to the church of their choice and tie it with a ribbon to a horizontal pole under the icon or painting of their chosen saint. I’ve read that hey can also be used as holiday tree decorations.”
You clever readers, you guessed exactly right! : )
These are tin plaque milagros and they are fantastic!
We also came across these in Greece! We were enchanted by these ornamental plates hanging in many of the churches, strung across the walls. To me the plates are such a beautiful, visual way of an appeal or prayer! Love the pictures of the house!!
I also recognized the plates. In many churches, especially there where people go for pilgrimages you will find those ” ex voto’s ” as I think they are also called in France. They are usually offered at the shrine after a miraculous healing after prayer to that particular saint. I guess you will find them in Lisieux as well, isn’t that in Normandy too?
Thanks a lot for your great blog and for letting us all travel with you :)
I was going to say almost the same thing about the little plates, but I thought they might be milagros (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milagro_(votive)).
You have such a beautiful home (and blog)!
It seems like such a creatively inspirational space!!
Just found your website….how fantastic!!!
Would love some help publicizingour giveaway!
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The little door knocker is probably from the Victorian Era. I have sold alot of jewellery made in Dieppe France shaped just like that little hand; carved out of white ivory. The hand was a 19th c symbol of friendship and often referred to as the “Hand of Friendship.” In Britain it was carved out of Whitby black jet or Irish bog oak and made into beautiful brooches. They became a favourite gift to give to a friend or in your case, “all who enter here are friends..” (The hand of friendship extended at the doorway!)
Hello, i come from Greece and i assure you that those metal “tamata” are placed in every single church, especially in islands and churches in the countryside. It’s a strange, kind of “paganistic” custom. It was so nice to see something from my small country in a blog! You realize how small is the world .
Very nice blog, congratulations!