Francophile Friday: J'adore a Good Door

  • 20.5.11

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Today, I make amends.  I've been neglecting a fundamental object of the affection of many.  Doors.  By their very function and existence, they carry an element of mystery.  Intrigue.  Some might accuse them of being temptresses.  {But now matter how tempting, No means No in any language ~ even that of doors.}  They wear their age well.  You don't see them anguishing over whether they need a new paint job.  All the better to express a sense of character ~ a measure of the years of experience they've acquired.  The patchier the paint, the more distinguished the epaulettes.  Some are unquestionably rugged and masculine.  Strong silent types.  Others lean to the coquettish, feminine side ~ such as these.  Either way, they invite us to dream.  Don't worry, as soon as we're all assembled, we'll carry the kitty cat inside with us, wherever that may lead.  I'm thinking there will be chandeliers, violet-scented linen sheets and macarons.  Lots of macarons.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: Source of inspiration for today's illustration is here, but the image is not credited, sorry.  If anyone knows, please tell me and I'll acknowledge accordingly.
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27 comments

  1. JoytiMay 20, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Doors ARE beautiful. Especially ones that weathered the years, held inside of them warmth and happiness...
    And your painting is gorgeous, as always!

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  2. from caliMay 20, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Beautiful doors! And wonderful reminder that just because one covets something doesn't mean it is there for the taking.

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  3. DianneMay 20, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    What lies behind this elegant - exquisite Door (with a capital D) definitely chandeliers and bee-waxed mahogany chaise lounges covered in the softest of velvet fabric. I think it might be a Kitty Parlour - the perfect salon for primping, preening and just plain getting pretty.
    Our Miss Kitty is just going to love it!!

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  4. dkshopgirlMay 20, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Ah yes, a door with character can make me swoon ... Happy Friday to you :-)

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  5. Laurie AlleeMay 21, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    J'adore doors! These are wonderful. I really need to catch up on your blog more often. I'm always so delighted to come here.

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  6. AnonymousMay 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Je door la bicyclette, aussi.

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  7. Ms MMay 21, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Marvelous doors! Doors ARE fascinating; they open into imagination....
    (and the weekend retreat spot you've described sounds heavenly)

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  8. Shell SherreeMay 21, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks, Indie.Tea. Your mention of warmth and happiness has me thinking of one of your delicious cakes straight out of the oven door.

    Cali ~ not even behind discreetly closed doors.

    Dianne ~ you have my mind racing with thoughts of a Kitty Parlour!

    Happy swooning to you, dkshopgirl.

    Laurie ~ thank you, and likewise. I still wonder why we weren't given 26 hours in a day when blogging was invented.

    Hiker ~ I padded that basket with a tufted cushion, by the way. No Basketweave Behind for kitty.

    Enjoy, Ms M. Would it be sacrilege to dip macarons in the dark chocolate fountain, I wonder...

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  9. Petrea BurchardMay 22, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    I think there's a dark stairway inside. It leads to an upstairs apartment with high windows that look out over whatever skyline's your favorite.

    Lovely illo, Shell, and the inspiration's not bad, either.

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  10. dianasfaria.comMay 22, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    your kitty adds the perfect touch!
    LOVE this Shell!

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  11. Ms MMay 22, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Mmmmm, macarons dipped in dark chocolate...

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  12. MiseMay 22, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I'm on my way to the local Hardware Store with my laptop to tell the man there that I need paint for my front door in THIS shade of blue, THIS shade EXACTLY. The painting is beautiful. Really beautiful.

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  13. KatieMay 22, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Such fabulous and amazingly-detailed doors! What a delight to be able to come home each day to these beautiful doors. No wonder kitty is smiling. If there are macarons inside, I'm definitely going to be knocking. (And Hiker I laughed out loud at your perfect French for this painting!)

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  14. AlexaMay 22, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Oh, there will be be chandeliers for sure. And macarons—absolument! I'm loving this illo, and I'm calling the petit chat Gris-Gris. (If I ever win the lottery, we are SO going to Paris, Shell!)

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  15. Shell SherreeMay 22, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Petrea ~ ooh! A dark stairway. Very intriguing.

    Thanks, dear Lily. That bicycle begged for company.

    Ms M ~ I'm wishing I still had a fondue set at the back of the cupboard.

    Mise ~ your taste is exemplary, so I am very chuffed.

    Katie ~ kitty enjoys a little flourish here and there.

    Alexa ~ now, there's a fine notion, thank you! I'd have my valise packed before you could say Ladurée. I suspect you'd need to run a lottery of your own to narrow down the list of willing volunteers.

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  16. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMay 23, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I agree with Dianne's description and promise that there will be macarons in every combination, perfectly formed by hand for our delight!

    Let's all go together... Ladurée, Ladurée, Ladurée!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  17. Susan CampisiMay 23, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    J'adore this illo, Shell. I would pedal many miles to enter through that door, especially with the promise of macarons inside. But I don't think Frieda and Ramona could endure the long ride in the basket. They need some travel tips from their French feline friends.

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  18. Shell SherreeMay 23, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Genie ~ does this mean you are bringing us some macarons perfectly formed with your own two hands? That would indeed be a treat!

    Susan ~ I'll send you a cushion so Frieda and Ramone don't get Basketweave Behinds.

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  19. MargaretMay 24, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    I have always wanted a red door, but the last time we got our house painted we just couldn't find the right shade and settled for black. Oh, the shame. It looks very respectable.

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  20. Shell SherreeMay 24, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Margaret ~ I have a feeling settling for black would be less troublesome than seeing the wrong shade of red every time you leave and arrive home. Maybe next time...

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  21. vicki archerMay 25, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    J'adore a door too Shell....this one is so pretty....xv

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  22. ShannaMay 25, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Oui! Deux heures more for blogging. I need to stop by your delightful one more often!

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  23. Shell SherreeMay 25, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Thank you, dear Vicki...

    Shanna ~ always lovely to see you whenever you can make it.

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  24. DebMay 26, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Beautiful and intriguing. I'm also a fan of the door's younger, shyer sister - the garden gate.

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  25. Favourite Vintage FindsMay 26, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    I find doors fascinating too! Just gazing at these wonderful doors which are painted in such a calming and delicious colour with dear kitty as company is enough...however I'm very intruiged by what is behind these doors...there has gotta be some vintage treasures and I'm also picturing lots of macarons in this delish shade of blue...

    Happy rest of the week Shell! :)

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  26. MarylèneMay 26, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Thank you for this wonderful door! Soooo Paris and Shell together. I think this door must be close to a café/restaurant (because of the "parasol"), so easy to imagine we're going down the stairs and enjoy a café at the terrasse on the way back from a simple bakery or from Ladurée!!

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  27. Shell SherreeMay 26, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Debs ~ oh, yes, garden gates are magical! With ivy winding tenderly through them ~ or ... so many possibilities.

    Favourite Vintage Finds ~ I'll be on the lookout for macarons in that shade!

    Marylène ~ that sounds like a plan. Merci, ma chère.

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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