Chateau les Carrasses

In the pristine Languedoc area of south-western France, considered by many to be more desirable and less touristy than Provence, midway between the towns of Montpelier and Perpignan lies a beautiful wine-growing estate. Nestled amidst nature, the Château Les Les Carrasses welcomes you into a holiday home where modernity meets tradition.

Steeped in history, the Château was built in 1886 by well Bordelaisarchitect Louis Garros on the foundations of a rest stop on the pilgrimage route of Saint-Jacques de Compostela.

The properties has it’s authentic character, contemporary design
centred around a series of courtyards connected by an avenue lined with shady trees. The chateau, winery and cellars, houses farm workers, forge, stables, the granary, the mansion and the gardener's cottage.

Each of these buildings have been transformed into individual private residences in keeping with their original design, proportions and textures, most with private gardens and many with swimming pools as well.

8 acres of gardens, woods and ‘garrigue’ await discovery - a treasure trove that includes enormous palms and other thriving specimen trees and shrubs, a gorgeous basin that is home to sleepy koi, an orchard, vegetable garden and olive grove. Dotted throughout the estate are surprising features – a loveseat hanging from a tree, a flash of contemporary art, nesting boxes and the Château’s “secret gardens”.

Images: lescarrasses.com

Raspberry Coconut Popsicles

Home made popsicles will always be a super popular way to satisfy small mouths in the summer heat. Here are an easy recipe. No sweat at all. ;-)

Ingredients (about twenty 1 dl. popsicles)
1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup blueberries (fresh of frozen)
1 can coconut milk (full-fat or light)
2 cups water
1 cup of juice preferred
1/2 cup honey (or more if you want)
1,5 dl paper cups
wooden popsicle sticks
Preparation
1. Combine all of the ingredients in your blender.
2. Pour mixture into 1,5 dl. paper cups, filling 2/3 of the way.
3. Freeze for 30 minutes, insert sticks, and continue to chill until the popsicles are fully frozen, 2 hours or more.
4. Carefully cut and tear the cups off of the popsicles, and seal in a plastic bag.

And there you go!

From Sika Design

Source: Sika Design

Dreamy

Wax cloth

I’ve been looking for something to decorate my garden table with, and these wax clothes are perfect! They’re for sale at Stoff & Stil. Only thing is; they’re not cheap. Kind of a lot to spend on something that will be out in rain and bleaching sun but hey, it makes for a cosy coffee break or barbeque.

Images: Stoff & Stil

Posebyen

Kristiansand is the largest city in the south of Norway. It was grounded by the Danish and Norwegian King Christian IV in 1641.

Kristiansand is a “summer city”, large amounts of tourists visit every summer and “Dyreparken” – the Zoo – is the most visited tourist attraction in Norway, apart from Holmenkollen in Oslo.

The town is known for it’s square city centre and the oldest part of the town is called “Posebyen”. This part has the largest collection of low, coherent tree houses in Northern Europe.

Why it’s called “Posebyen” is somewhat unclear. One explanation is that the name is from the French “repos” which means “resting place”. This because the inhabitants in this part of town made good money by accommodating soldiers from the fortress.

There are many historical houses in Posebyen. Here are some of them.

Source: flickr

Home of Aurélien Deleuze

Have a look at this amazing home of stylist Aurélien Deleuze.

Between the Atlantic coast and the city Pau in south of France, lies this castle from the beginning of the 1700th century.

14 rooms, 700 square metres has been carefully renovated, every detail considered. The house is filled with founding's from flea markets and antic shops, not renewed but instead preserved.

The renovation in mostly done by carpenters from the village close to the castle, all from the same family.

Source: Mixr