Joyeuses Fêtes!

Today we close the doors on our first Christmas season! Learned a lot and looking forward to a break soon.

Our January hours will be abbreviated... we will be open Fridays 10-12 noon and 2-5:30 (Vendredi 10-12:00 et 14:00 - 17:30). Saturdays 2:00 - 5:30 (Samedi 14:00 - 17:30).

Thanks for a great 2009 and supporting our first few months of being open. We wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

Merci Bien! Thanks Much!

Les Bohemians veut remercier chacun qui a visité notre exposition d'art le week-end passé! nous apprécions l'amitié et l'appui. Nous serons ouverts tous les jours mais lundi jusqu'à ce que Noël ainsi arrêt près et nous voyons!

The Bohemians wants to thank everyone who visited our art exhibition last week-end! we appreciate the friendship and support. We will be open all days but Mondays until Christmas so stop by and see us!

Mardi (Tuesday) 14:00 - 18:30
Mercredi (Wednesday) 10:30 - 13:00
Jeudi (Thursday) 14:00 - 18:30
Friday (Vendredi) 10:30 - 12:00 et 14:00 - 18:30
Samedi (Saturday) 14:00 - 18:30
Dimanche (Sunday) 10:30 - 13:00

Art Exhibition and Christmas Party

We're having a 3-day event at The Bohemians the 11th, 12th and 13th of December (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). We'll be open from 10am - 7pm (might close a bit for lunch ... !)

Stop by and enjoy a glass of mulled wine or punch ... take advantage of some Christmas specials ... and browse our unique assortment of handmade artisanal items, lovely artwork, special collectibles and unique treasures.

We offer some really pretty women's clothes and accessories by La Fiancée du Mekong, sumptuous body products, fragrances and candles by Durance.

We will have beautiful watercolors by Donald Jackson on display and for sale. The pieces feature scenes from Brantôme and the surrounds, with a range of affordable prices. Donald is an award-winning artist who hails from Cornwall, now settled near Brantôme with his wife Mary.

Handmade jewelry by Segolene Cavelot, a recent graduate of l'ecole Boulle. Segolene specializes in feminine pieces fashioned in silver. We will have necklaces, brooches, earrings and rings with her special touch.



Decorative objects in glass by Jean Her, Verrier d'Art will also be featured. Jean creates striking Tiffany-style windows, art pieces in fused glass, and will have some special holiday items for the tree as well.

Absolutely gorgeous artisanal purses, completely handmade with recycled fabrics will be available these 3 days only and would make terrific Christmas gifts.



Adorable, hand-knitted cloche style winter hats with unique wool adornments (flowers and decorations) ... another great item to consider for holiday gifts.




Many other special goodies and treasures await .... ! We hope you'll stop by for a visit!

Another pretty table at The Bohemians!

This is another piece, new in store. After carefully reconditioning the wood and repairing the feet, I used a process known as "pickling" for the new finish. This method highlights the grain or patterns in the wood, without fully covering them in paint. It works especially well on old solid woods with lots of character, or on veneers with pretty patterns in the wood.

This table has a parquet-type top, and the pickling emphasizes the detail in the grains. The curvy legs are a pretty feature, and the second 'shelf' offers further functionality.

We already have a wide range of styles in affordably-priced furniture accent pieces ... all hand painted and restored. Each piece is unique ... nothing you will find in a chain store! We also accept custom projects, if you have something old you'd like to give a new look to. You can use the contact feature here, if you have an inquiry.

See you soon!

l'argent est la mode!

Just finished this adorably unique side table ... petite morcels of silver flash are great accents in an eclectic décor scheme, and are also very popular this season. This little number has retro-mod lines and inside the drawer is yet another surprise ... tomato red! for your treasures. Would work well in a room with a chinoiserie theme as well.

Swing by to check out our furniture accents, new pieces each week!

wreaths from 5€ to 12€

Holly with greens and raffia on vine base.










Bay laurel and winter fruits on vine base.










Simply fir and fall leaves on raffia base.










Evergreen & bay laurel on raffia base.

holiday times...

I spent yesterday outdoors in the garden and walking about the countryside, gathering items to incorporate into wreaths for the boutique.

I've got three different sorts of pine, holly, fresh bay laurel, persimmon branches, rose hips, lavender, sage. I'm using wisteria vines to form the wreaths.

There are different sizes to pick from ... smaller herb wreath for the kitchen and larger with pine and holly for the door or mantel. If you've got ideas for special items you'd like to incorporate ... or a custom wreath in mind, let us know.

Of course, I'm not sure how the French like wreaths ... but we're just going to have to see!

Also have some decorative items for Christmas in store this week-end. And I'm starting to get ready for our upcoming Art Exhibition and Christmas Week-end planned for the 11th, 12th and 13th of December!

(Wreath pictures coming soon ...)

planning a winter getaway?

If you answered yes ... and are having trouble finding something sweet and summery for your trip to someplace warm ... (yes, out here in the cold French countryside, that can be something of a challenge) ... stop by The Bohemians in Brantôme where you will find some pretty sundresses and such from La Fiancée du Mekong. And better still, they are now half-off ! yes, a holiday promotion is in effect so don't miss out.

We also have some new furniture pieces and winter sweaters and wraps ... new decorative glass works and other items for your browsing pleasure.

Hope to see you soon!

New to The Bohemians - The Stained Glass Art of Jean Her

We are so pleased to feature the beautiful glass works of Jean Her at The Bohemians. Jean, a Parisian who has been living in the Dordogne with his wife Claude for 3 years now, has an atelier in Eyvirat, just a stone's throw from Brantôme.

Jean creates many forms of glass works, both functional and decorative. He has decorative hangings for windows, one-of-a-kind art creations such as lamps and figures, and he can also custom design permanent window or other installations for your home. He combines traditional glass works with Tiffany methods.

In addition, Jean uses glass fusing to create decorative objects such as candle holders and jewelry.

Right now, we have a small assortment on exhibition and for sale at the shop. We are also planning some artist's exhibition days between now and Christmas ... where more of Jean's art will be available.

For a look at Jean's methods and atelier, follow this link to his website.

Vide Grenier Promotion!

All Stock is 20% off today, Sunday October 4th in conjunction with Brantôme's Vide Grenier ... This includes furniture, clothes, jewelry ... everything!

It is a beautiful sunny day, perfect for getting out and getting a bargain!

the new collection begins!

We've begun receiving the new fall/winter collection from La Fiancée du Mekong. We are pleased to be the sole shop in Brantôme where you will find this pretty line of women's clothing.

We will offer an assortment of their tunic-cut tops in 2 lengths, a very flattering dress cut in a an A-line and, later in October, some cozy sweaters and wraps. The dress is formal enough for holiday parties and such, or could be dressed down a bit when paired with boots. In addition, we have a collection of scarves in fall colors.

The quality of the clothes is obvious, they are cut nicely and drape well, all are becoming to a woman's figure. We have a full range of sizes for every gal (S-XL) and prices range from 18-42 euros for the tops, dresses at 68 euros. Just what you'd expect from an enterprise founded and managed by a woman!

The fall/winter color palette is rich with burgundies, olives and khakis, teal blues and splashes of rose. These clothes reflect the spirit of The Bohemians ... relaxed, adventurous, with lots comfort and style!

Summer fashions are on promotion with 20-30% off selected items.

For those of you not close enough to stop by, give us a call. We ship within France for a nominal fee!

take a peek ...

we've got some very special vintage collections in the shop now ... we'll be featuring a few from time to time, on the blog, as we bring them into the boutique.

Its funny how certain colors or items seem to attract mates to form a collection. For example, imagine your pretty fall table graced with a few of these very pretty pieces in blue and wine tones. There are some special transferware plates and old pitchers, vases and coffee servers ... which can be used as they were meant (serving coffee!) or to hold flowers as a centerpiece. Either way, a pretty touch for a fall dinner party.

Elle Décor shared a feature on collecting tea and coffee pots just this month ... we've done the hard work for you (scouring about to find them) ... so stop by and see what's here!

where to get the low down on Brantôme ...

we've got it at The Bohemians! We're happy to report we have a new book on offer in the shop ... "Brantome ... Ancient, Mystical, Sacred" co-authored by Angela Clarke and Didier Bouillet.

The book focuses on the history of sacred sites in Brantôme ... from the first inhabitants of 4000 BC until today. It includes lovely photographs and serves as a pretty memento of the important aspects of this picturesque village.

Stop by the shop to pick up your copy for just 10 euros.

Angela is a British author who lives near Brantôme. She recently completed her first novel, 2012 The Symphony.

Didier owns a shop in Brantôme, "L'Arbre du Voyageur' and has lived all over the world before settling near Perigueux.

step by step.

We've begun to build our inventory further and have new vintage items on offer. We will be featuring one or two collections per month ... each with a them.

In October, you'll start to seem some lovely vintage tableware in time for the holidays. Fall and winter are the time we move indoors, sharing time (and meals!) with family and friends. We'll be on the look-out for special serving pieces and decorative items to brighten up your family table.

Coming soon is a selection of coffee and teapots, vintage and very pretty. These can be used for their obvious designation ... serving beverages! ... but also make unique centerpieces when used for flowers or fall branches. Customers of our sister store, Mignonne Décor in Berkeley, California love this idea and we think you will too.

See you soon!

New custom furniture pieces are in ... more on the way!

We now have a small selection of repurposed furniture available. Repurposed furniture is a wonderful option for decorating your French home or pied à terre! Not only are you supporting the concept of "recycling/re-use" ... but you will have a customized décor accent that won't be found at your local furniture or big box store.

Kim and Jean-Yves do the treasure hunting and restoration for you ... we will have a variety of pieces on offer for you.

In addition, if you have a tired furniture item that needs new life ... we can complete the project for you. Maybe you have something with great 'lines' but in need of freshening-up, repairs and such. We will gladly consult with you, providing a free estimate.

Currently, we have the following pieces

* a dressing or entryway table with a lovely marble top and center drawer... distressed with a nice cream patina

* retro bedside or accent table, with drawer

* small table with one shelf in thyme green, perfect for your garden terrace ... rustic and charming

* really nice kitchen work table, could be used as an island. It has a shelf and pretty carved legs, shades of grey, cream and wood peeking through.

* Pair of vintage chairs with rattan seats, distressed in tones of white ... lots of curves and carved detail. Cute for the garden or in a country kitchen.

* Set of four vintage chairs with embossed detailing on the seats ... 2 floral motif and 2 shell motif. Tones of grey and cream.

More on the way ... stop by and see!

nous voulons les artisans!

We are looking to enhance our inventory with artisanal items such as small art pieces, jewelry, pottery ... interesting handmade items. We offer a commission sale option for artisans that allows you to set the price you are most comfortable with!

If you are an artist, or know an artisan who would like a venue for their work ... have them contact us via email (the_bohemians@yahoo.fr) or by phone at 05.53.07.31.71.

Nouveeaux Horaires ~ New Store Hours!

We are changing hours with the seasons ... our new hours are:

Thursday: 2-7pm

Friday: 10am-1pm and 3-7pm

Saturday: 2-7pm

Sunday: 2-7pm

Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

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Nous avons nouvelles horaires avec la nouvelle saison:

Dimanche: 14:00-19:00

Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi: Fermés

Jeudi: 14:00-19:00

Vendredi: 10:00-13:00 et 15:00-19:00

Samedi: 14:00-19:00

Renovated Furniture!

Vintage dressing table for the boudoir, marble top with hand finished wooden base.

We have begun offering selected pieces of furniture for sale. We seek out old furniture items for repurposing. Refinished furniture presents a form of recycling. When you choose to incorporate a renovated furniture piece instead of new, you are supporting sustainability.

Here are some examples of what we have created ... we have more in store for the future!

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Maintenant, nous vendons le vieux meubles à The Bohemians. Nous cherchons pour les meubles pour renovation. Avec cette meubles, vous supportez réutilisation dans votre décor!

Par exemple, les photos de les meubles nous avons renové.

Vintage petite armoire in subtle shades of green and grey.

Robe Marjolaine!

The Robe Marjolaine from La Fiancée du Mekong is a versatile summer dress in lightweight cotton. The shoulders can be arranged in a number of styles - creating a draped "Grecian" effect, or that of a light scarf. The dress also has a built-in belt at the waist.

I've also paired it with skinny jeans and heels to create a tunic look.

We have these 2 prints in stock - One is called Fougères and is a detailed "Chinoiserie-style" floral pattern in hot pinks and black on a turquoise background. The second is a very feminine design, Bagatelle ... another floral but with a lacy appearance, the outline of the flowers are detailed in citron, hot pinks and mossy greens, done on a white background.

Both dresses are in stock in sizes small, medium and large.

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La Robe Marjolaine de La Fiancée du Mekong est une robe de coton trés versatile. Il y a beaucoup des options avec la forme ... un effet Greque ou la même de l'etole. Il est une petite ceinture attaché. C'est possible aussi d'habiller avec le jeans et talons pour une tunique.

Nous avons 2 choix avec la Robe Marjolaine - Fougères, une dessin de Chinoiserie en bleu ou Bagatelle, un dessin trés feminin avec les fleurs couleurs en tissus blanc.

Nous avons les tailles S, M et L dans la boutique maintenant.

Tuesday and our 2nd week commences!

well, we've made it through one entire week ... even a rainy Sunday! We worked together Saturday and had an enjoyable day with clients and doing some renovations. Jean-Yves got the electricity sorted out and began work restoring a lovely old wooden chandelier.

We've had visiteurs and sales every day we've been open and feel very optimistic about our little enterprise! Clients really love the pretty clothes as well as our other items.

Hope to see you soon!

Nous avons bien fini notre prèmiere semaine ... même un dimanche pluvieux! Nous avons travaillé ensemble Samedi, c'etait trés agreeable avec clients et aussi nous avons faites les renovations. Jean-Yves installé le electricité et renové le vieux chandelier de bois.

Notre clients aimer tous les vêtements et les bijoux! Nous sommes trés contente avec notre petit entreprise!

À bientôt!

Market Day!

Friday is market day in Brantôme and while you'd think there might be more foot traffic, it doesn't equate to retail foot traffic. Folks make their way determinedly to the center of the village ... although they do park all along the Route de Perigueux and pass my house and atelier.

At least they will now pass the shop opened, with signs and balloons and perhaps make a mental note for return. I've had visitors in the shop today, but not many buyers!

Here is a pic of one of the favorite prints from La Fiancée du Mekong, the French clothing line we are carrying. Bright and colorful poppies remind you it is spring and time to show your colors a bit ... we'll help you do that with sundresses, scarves or spacious bags in this pretty print.

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Vendredi est le jour du marché de Brantôme et peut-être pensez-vous qu' il y a plus de visiteurs,ce n' est pas vrait! Les piétons vont au centre de ville, mais beaucoup stationnement devant ma maison, ma boutique.

Donc, maintenant ils trouvent la boutique ouverte, les annonces et peut-être reviendront ils nous voir. Aujourd'hui, nous avons eux des visiteurs, mais peu de ventes.

Voila! une photo du tissu plus populaire que la Fiancée du Mekong, les vêtements que nous avons dans notre boutique, sont fleuris avec beaucoup de couleurs qui vous rappel le printemps! Nous avons des robes, des étoles, des sacs du même tissus.

nous avançons...

our 2nd day saw 28 visitors and several sales! we have had about 50/50 ... French and English ... I have been working at getting out more stock, making signs and pricing, and arranging stock.

we are closed on Wednesday and I will use that day to search out furniture projects and other logistics for our shop ... I now have 6 pieces of furniture to redo and a vision for several ... yesterday I found 2 sweet little tables, an interesting little chair for the bedroom or powder room and a small 'hope chest'.

these are furniture renovation projects, so they will make their way into the store piece by piece! I'm following in my daughter's footsteps (!) usually it is the other way around, right?! I'm thankful it isn't so this time, because I certainly wouldn't wish banking on her! ha!

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notre deuxieme jour nous avons eu 28 visiteurs et beaucoup de ventes! nous avons eu les Françaises et les Anglaises. J'ai travaillé à de petites choses ... faire les affiches, presentement des produits, etc.

Nous sommes fermé tous les Mercredis quand je chercherais pour les meubles et des choses à vendre. Je fais la renovation des meubles ... donc il le faut que moi acheté les meubles vielles.

la même chose de ma fille, Johnelle! c'est different, non? Normalement, les filles suivre les méres!

Nos premieres clientes!

That's our first customers who bought something on our first day, that is! on the right we have Ann, proprietaire of Blueberry Cottage, a chambres d'hote across the way from me. She brought along a friend...

They couldn't resist the Durance soaps and lotions, I'm afraid! Merci bien, ladies!

les photos!

opening tomorrow!

We are excited to be opening for the first time tomorrow, (Monday)...of course not EVERYTHING is ready ... but if we waited for everything to be perfect, we might not ever open!

Jean-Yves installed some of our lights yesterday. He is coming back tomorrow night to finish up the electricity ...

I'm taking some pictures of the store, with all of our goodies and I'll be posting them up soon!

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Nous sommes trés heureux nous ouvrir pour la première fois demain, (lundi)… naturellement pas TOUT est prêt… mais si nous attendions tout pour être parfaits, nous ne pourrions pas jamais nous ouvrir ! Jean-Yves a installé certaines de nos lumières hier. Il reviendra demain soir pour finir vers le haut l'électricité… Je prends quelques photos du magasin, avec toutes nos trucs et je serai signalisation elles vers le haut bientôt !

These are some of our new signs ...




A shot of the custom divider and wall art we have in store.













Gorgeous, hand-forged atelier windows.





Newly refurbished ceiling.

We're making progress!

Some of you know we have been working the past few months on our location in Brantôme. We are renovating an old stone atelier which is attached to Kim's house (co-owner). This building was formerly a forge ... and presents a great space for a business.

We have primarily utilized materials salvaged from the property or nearby environs. We want the ambience of the atelier to be creative, rustic and welcoming. We have retained most of the old stone walls, refurbished the amazing, hand-forged windows, and are refurbishing the cement floor.

Our original intent was to open as a small café ... but in the interest of time, this year we are going with our boutique and will work towards our longer-term goal of a cool, tapas-styled café. If our boutique receives a warm reception, we will relocate it to the stone grange ... a stone's throw away.

Here are some pictures of our work in progress, we are opening the first week of August ...