Whenever I go visit my friend Odile in Isle sur la Sorgue (a village full of antiques comparable to Saint Ouen in Paris) my heart instantly feels happiness. Not only because she is an antique dealer extraordinaire, an artist, and a collector of antique textiles, but more-so because she gives lessons on how to see the unseen.
It isn't as if she stands in front of an imaginary chalkboard, or lectures, or holds your hand guiding you around her shop. No Odile is as natural as blooming flower, her ways are as gentle as petals and her words better than perfume.
She teaches by allowing you to see.
Odile shop is tucked in a little alley away from the busy street where most of the antique dealers shops are. So very much like Odile, not caught up with what is in the spotlight, or fashionable, or what sells... she buys from the heart and you can feel the energy of that source the moment you walk into her shop.
In the window a extra large paper mache crown, and crystal loops that interlock creating a curtain where light is allowed to dance on the walls.
Underneath the crystal loop curtain, that is too short for the window, a bucket on pink peonies have room to be noticed.
A chandelier with striking blue crystals illuminates a Louis Philippe mirror that is void of gild, bare wood happiness.
Odile by her style, by her charming vignettes, creates a space that opens one's eye to see the broken, peeling, cracked, used, abandon objects not as faded grandeur, but as a soft whisper that gets under your skin.
It is as if she lets your imagination have a safe haven to bloom.
Odile's shop is called: La Petite Curieuse, or in English, The Little Curious (One).
Odlie gives vista points a different meaning. Sets up viewpoints not often taken. Makes the unseen seen.
Letting things be as they are, letting their story continue without jumping to a conclusion:
"Broken pot, throw it away" is not her motto.
Being is more important.
Rough linen, mixed match fabric stained by rusty nails, though the chair is still a beautiful chair as it is.
Being is more important than fixing it up to look like something it is not...
New and shining.
Comfort is not what it is all about.
Whenever I go into La Petite Curieuse, I see what is not seen everyday, yet has brought the day to me. History... Old objects, that have lived, stood the test of time, pink pottery teapot with one flower, and a zinc bucket no longer in the barn.
And if you love textiles that haven't been manipulated into patchwork jackets, purses or sachets... but are pieces of historical art as they are... Odile's is the place to visit.
Every little thing is worthy in La Petite Curieuse eyes.
La Petite Curieuse
Odile Bouscarat
23, rue de la République
84800 L'Isle sur la Sorgue
04 90 20 86 59 - 06 10 26 37 54
Since I'd never heard of the town, I had to look it up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_sur_la_Sorgue
(incl. map and lovely photo)
It appears to be north of Marseille.
Posted by: Kathie B | 19 September 2011 at 03:55 PM
Oh, I looooove that little pink teapot. The flowers are really wonderful too.....
Posted by: Paula S In New Mexico | 19 September 2011 at 03:58 PM
A tip-top thru the shoppe...relection in Glass faded granduer and soft whisper of Goods that tuck into the heart...and the things not seen...brings the day to me ... each one like a pearl slipping on a string...this is the best...love your pics and prose... hugs k
Posted by: Karen F. | 19 September 2011 at 04:45 PM
What lovely descriptions and pictures! Once again you astound me with your depictions/impressions.
What a sweet shop! How I wish I could come see it!
You are so lucky to live in France! Pure Heaven from an antiquers standpoint!
Posted by: Brenda L. from TN. | 19 September 2011 at 04:59 PM
COREY!YOU SO GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE YOUR DESCRIPTIONS.
Posted by: LA CONTESSA | 19 September 2011 at 05:18 PM
We were there in August ! love, love, love this shop
Posted by: christine | 19 September 2011 at 05:27 PM
I know it well and I have taken pictures at La Petite Curieuse (funnily on my screen the name in the address at the bottom of your post is in Cyrillic...)..... isn't life just so unpredictable.
And you got her just RIGHT; I too remember having been totally charmed by this little shop and the way things were displayed. I too liked the fact that she wasn't with the big crowd but tucked away for those with a bit more patience, more leisure and maybe more interest too.
Your description should and will really make a difference to Odile Bouscarat - you did her proud and she will love seing and meeting the people YOU send to her place with this post.
I did my stall yesterday and it was a 'rotten' day for 'brocante'.... cold, windy, and in the middle of the afternoon a very heavy and sudden rain that literally washed away stalls, stall-holders (all private individuals, no dealers) and the stuff on sale. I think in the future I'll prefer to VISIT and no longer to sell.... Also a lesson to learn. So maybe it had to be!
How's your wrist getting along? Haven't been around lately.
Posted by: Kiki | 19 September 2011 at 05:27 PM
Lovely! Oh how I would love to visit here. Love that little pink teapot too, even without a lid.
Posted by: Marilyn | 19 September 2011 at 05:58 PM
Oh I wish I had the artist's eye. - How to see the unseen. I know when I see something that makes me say, "OH!" But I don't know how to put things together to make a little symphony of design. Therefore, I have a collection of things that I like looking at but can't quite get it to "fit" together. What can you do but just keep trying?
Posted by: kim | 19 September 2011 at 06:15 PM
Perhaps Odile sent you the vibes to pick up that broken ink well from yesterday's post.
Posted by: Zosia | 19 September 2011 at 06:48 PM
I visited Isle sur la Sorgue in November on a cold, pouring-wet day.My poor husband followed me ina nd out of shops, holding the umbrella (that's love). What a lovely place, rain and all. I highly recommend that one takes a truck or large car with them when visiting:)
Posted by: melissa | 19 September 2011 at 07:44 PM
Oh, I wish I could go there today! Your friend definitely has the gift of display and combination.
Posted by: Amy Kortuem | 19 September 2011 at 07:47 PM
A Place I'd love to visit with you, and makes me mindful of the friends and customers that come to my shop for various reasons!
Posted by: Brenda, Walker, LA, USA | 19 September 2011 at 10:47 PM
Your description of Odile's shop makes me think of your mom's garden... as you say, "It is as if she gives your imagination a safe place to bloom."
Corey, you have a lovely way of writing.
Posted by: Lilly | 20 September 2011 at 02:23 AM
Corey, it's so good to see you are out and about! What a wonderful place and scrumptious photos. Sending your wrist more healing thoughts.
Posted by: patty g | 20 September 2011 at 02:54 AM
"La Petite Curieuse" looks like a treasure trunk for antique lovers.
Wonderful pictures !!!
Every shop should be advertised through your eye ... and lens !
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 20 September 2011 at 11:57 AM
I could go there today! Your friend definitely has the gift of display and combination...
Posted by: web hoisting | 20 September 2011 at 12:54 PM
My husband used to tell me I saw things other people didn't see. I always thought that was a curious thing to say. How could other people NOT see what I saw. But as time went by and I've grown older and more appreciative, I've realized it's perspective. We all have a unique perception on life. Your friend has it and you do too most certainly. Your post was lovely.
I enjoyed reading it.
Posted by: Jude Jackson | 20 September 2011 at 01:15 PM