IN SEARCH OF DISHES! Susan's Passion

I had been wanting to remodel my kitchen for quite some time.  I could see the colors of the granite and the backsplash and the cabinets in my mind’s eye.  But first everything had to be torn out – cabinets and countertops and backsplash – and I was dreading it, so I just continued to dream.  Then in June of 2005 Eileen, my niece, Claire, and I took a vacation in Provence, and we haven’t been the same since.  I knew I wanted to recreate the old limestone floors of the old paper mill turned bed and breakfast where we were staying  in Entraigues sur la Sorgue.   Of course, I wanted a window over my kitchen sink just like the one in our breakfast area at the old mill to give the kitchen that Provencal feel.  So what’s the first thing I did?  I bought dishes, of course!  

We had stopped in at a charming antiques shop in Bonnieux and found a pottery cup and saucer ca. 1950s decorated in a marbleized pattern of lovely colors.   I asked the shop owner about the piece, and she explained this pottery had been made in the Luberon area of Provence for hundreds of years and the old pieces are very collectible and expensive.  She also mentioned that two men in Apt (Provence) have purchased old molds and are continuing to produce the ceramics – with a modern twist, but certainly with all the charm and then some.    Apt wasn’t on our itinerary, but we quickly penciled it in.  Armed with only that one clue, we programmed our GPS system for Apt and arrived not quite knowing what to do next.  As we crossed the footbridge into the center of town we saw a tourist information building  to our right.  We went inside and immediately struck gold.  The room was decorated with unbelievable pieces of ceramics made by Atelier du Vieil Apt.  In less than a 10-minute walk we entered one of the most beautiful shops I’ve seen in years.   Every square inch was filled with place settings and serving pieces of ceramics arranged according to color and pattern.  It was breathtaking.   

My head was swimming.  I’d never seen anything like it.  I was determined not to leave without buying a set of dishes for the kitchen of my dreams.   There was too much to choose from – too many colors, too many patterns.  I finally decided on having something special created.   They’d have to ship it, but I can wait.  My kitchen remodel was just a pipedream at that point.  I chose a black and cream marbleized dinner plate with the reverse cream and black salad plate.  What about coffee cups?  I don’t drink coffee myself and would have preferred a mug instead.  “Oh, you are in luck,” the girl said.  “We have had requests from the Americans for mugs and are in the process of designing a mold right now.”  So she took me to the studio in back where I could see the mold that had been created.   Of course, I’d have to wait a little while longer, but I can wait.  My kitchen remodel was just a pipedream at that point.  

I also found a lovely soap dish in shades of browns and rust and every now and then a little touch of black made in two sections, the top part having a pierced open pattern which allowed for drainage of the water into the bottom dish.  If I had to wait for the other pieces to arrive, that was definitely going home with me! 

Several months later everything arrived in perfect condition.  My kitchen is no longer just a dream, and the dishes from Apt are displayed in a plate rack to remind me every day of Provence.   Next on my list are serving pieces, but this time my color combination will be black, cream and yellow.  Unfortunately, the horrible exchange rate has made these once expensive dishes now outrageously expensive, but I am not deterred.  They’re worth it!
                                                 SUSAN

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