Thursday, August 9, 2012

Lilyfield Life: On My French Provincial Sideboard today

I have a new piece for the french provincial sideboard in my dining room.  Can you guess what it is?


It's a galung (spelling? I can't find it online anywhere). It is the terracotta decorative cap of a Balinese temple roof.  I fell in love with this beautiful architectural detail on our recent holiday.  I first saw them on top of the shaded beach huts of our hotel and then of course I saw them everywhere on the temples of the family compounds and villages.  


I searched and searched the markets and finally found one for sale in a little shop.  Wrapping it ever so carefully, I was able to stow it in my luggage and bring it home in one piece. A feat in itself. I love the ornate detail and it's rustic charm. It's all hand made and you can still see the finger indentations of the person who made it.


My sideboard is my space for pretty, scrolly ornate things. Despite what I said the other day about liking practical items I'm very taken with this ornamental item. I usually only have white pieces on it (and the pineapple lamps) and have been tempted to paint the galung white also but for now I will leave it as it is.  I quite like the contrast of the terracotta with all the white.


My house is filled with flowers at the moment - it's a real luxury.  (but not necessarily a welcome one as most are because of mum but anyway I do appreciate their beauty).


The orchids from mum's funeral are potted so I have placed the pot in the beautiful pewter ice bucket that my mother-in-law bought me for my last birthday. It's probably a little bit big for the dining table but I love how they look in the room.


It's nice to have some prettiness in the house. I've just finished a major spring clean and the house is very tidy and fresh. I wonder how long that will last!

Fiona xx


8 comments:

  1. Hi Fiona :) Your new galung is very cool! Good on you for getting your spring cleaning done too, a good clean up is good for the soul :)
    Cas x

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  2. Very nice find! you did well to bring it back in one piece. It was so worth it

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  3. those little things are cool! and your dining room looks just beautiful!

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  4. As always - something beautiful!

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  5. Having taken my first trip to Bali this year I appreciate the 'feat' in finding and bringing home this beautiful item. Love the orchids. I hope they thrive and each years' blooms bring you fond memories of your Mum. x KL

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  6. What a lovely treasure to find! I so love bringing things home from holidays. Decorating with things that have meaning/memories attached fills a home with so much character! Your home is beautiful Fiona. I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear mum :( Take care, Jo x

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  7. When I first saw it I thought it was French. It's lovely. Congratulations on getting it back to home soil in one piece. And what a lovely way to give flowers at this time. Something you can keep in memory of your mum for years to come.

    Have a great weekend
    Carolyn

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com